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Washington (later Cummins) Township was established September 5, 1876. Part of the territory which was later included in Sherman Township was attached to Washington Township until April 5, 1880. Three streams of water flow through the county, the largest being Lizard Creek. Prior to becoming Washington Township, the land first from part of Des Moines township, from the time of county organization until September 3, 1866, when it became part of Powhatan township, then called Nunda township. On August 13, 1858, the first land sales in the township were made to non-residents of the township. Much of the township was sold this way. There were no homesteaders and no sod houses were built in the township. In July, 1867 the unsold portions of the odd-numbered sections were given as a grant to the McGregor and Sioux City Railroad Company. In 1869 a large land sale of 2,200 acres in the region of section 32 was made by James C Strong, a resident of Dubuque County. He purchased the land for $4.00 an acre for himself and the following: Strong, James C - 560 acres in section 32 Washington twp. James C was born 1834 to John and Eliza (nee Moore) Strong in Branch County, Michigan. Both his parents were of Scottish descent. His father died when he was four years old. In 1854 James married Ellen Russell, a sister of Morah and Jason N Russell. While living in Dubuque county he was employed in the lead mines for six years and then farmed the next five years. He moved onto his land in 1870 and built the second house in the township and the first grove of trees. He lived on and improved his farm until 1888 when he moved into Havelock and owned a lumber yard. He was very active in the organization of the township, and for two years was a trustee, and for nine years served as the first treasurer of the school funds, from 1877 to 1885. He was also the first justice in the township. From 1875 to 1883 he was also a member of the board of county supervisors. In 1895 he was the Mayor of Havelock. He was the most prominent member of Washington township, and also the president of the Old Settlers' Association. James and Ellen had five children: Alva A - who was born in Michigan in 1854. In his early years he was a teacher. In 1874 he married Marilda Pilgrim and lived on the old homeplace three miles southest of Havelock. He was also active in township affairs, serving as turstee in 1879, and then seven years as the first secretary of the school board. Alva and Marilda had eleven children, one of whom died in childhood. Their children were: Etta May, James F, Elizabeth, Pearl W, Ida F, Elmer, John, Mary, Mildred, Wilbur and Archibald. William A - was born in Michigan in 1857. He married Mary Pilgrim, a cousin of his brothers wife Marilda Pilgrim. They had a daughter Lucile and lived in Alida, Illinois. Jason F - was born in Iowa in 1860. He married Amy Wilson in 1889 and lives on the old farm in section 32. Mary Ellen - who was born in Iowa in 1866. She married the Reverend Joseph Herrington. He was the minister of the M E Church. They lived in Barnum and their children were Luella Grace and Lois Maud. Myrta Luella - was born in Pocahontas County in 1876. In 1899 she married Deorge Dickerson and lives in Havelock. Their children were James Claude and Burton Clay. The first post office in Havelock was named "Luella" in honor of Myrta being the first Strong child born in Pocahontas county. Clark, Jonathon L - 320 acres in section 30 Washington twp (moved out 1873) Mather, Benjamin - 240 acres in section 30 Washington twp Benjamin was born in Darbyshire, England. His mother died when he was a baby and his father died when Benjamin was a child. At the age of 15 he came to Iowa with an uncle and aunt settling in Dubuque county. In 1845 he married Mary Spensley. She was born in England in 1829 and died in 1888. Benjamin died at age 68 in 1888 and his wife one month later. Benjamin and Mary had 13 children, four of which died in infancy. Jemima, born in 1869 married Morah F Russell. Richard S, born 1849 married Ellen Waston (nee Struthers ?) in 1878. She is the daughter of Robert Struthers. They had seven children: William, Susan E, Mary C, Robert B, James A, Margaret J and Helen Jemima. James Thomas was born in 1851. In 1892 he married Louise Ludwig. They lived in Laurens where he worked in the livery business and they had two children, Edith and Clarion. William R was born in 1860. He married Emma Bohn in 1886. He lives on a 160 acre farm near Laurens and has three children: Ray, Benjamin and Elva May. John was born in 1862 and lives in Laurens. Emma K was born in 1864. In 1897 she married Dena Siemring. He is also in the livery business in Laurens and has two children: Helen and Rex Frank B was born in 1866. He married Florence Wells in 1892 and they lived in Laurens. Walter M was born in 1869. He married Pearl Ellis and they live in Laurens with their two children, Grace and Laurel. Russell, John E - 560 acres in section 30 Washinton twp Russell, Jason N - 106 acres in section 4 Sherman twp Brother-in-law to James C Strong. Russell, Harvey S - 103 acres in section 4 Sherman twp Russell, Morah F - 80 acres in section 6 Sherman twp Married a daughter of Benjamin Mather. Foland, Lewis - 120 acres in section 6 Sherman twp James C Strong purchased these lands from a resident of Parkersburg, John E Owens, who was also a bridgebuilder for Butler County. Ownens was paid for his bridge building by the State giving him these lands. The first settlers of the township, arriving in 1870 were James C Strong, his brother-in-law Jason N Russell and Jonathon L Clark. Strong and Russell settled in Sherman township, and Russell was in Washinton township. Strong and Russell assisted Clark in building the first house in the township, and all three of them lived in it the first season. As soon as the house was ready, Mrs Clark and their three children arrived in the township by train. Neighbors were miles away, and the nearest towns where they could purchase goods were Fonda and Sioux Rapids, twenty miles from them. A little later in 1871 M D Herrington and family located in section 4 in the northern part of the township. Harvey Russell moved to his brother Jason N Russells farm also in 1871. Also that year James C Strong built the second house in the township and planted the first grove. His wife and four children joined him soon afterward. The only family to arrive in 1872 was that of Morah F Russell, who, with his wife located in section 4. Morah married Jemima Mather, a daughter of Benjamin Mather. During the spring of 1873 Philip Hambel, wife, son and daughter located in section 33. It is noted that Philip's daughter Maggie Hambel had become the wife of Jason N Russell. (Ed note: Jason Russell is noted as being a brother-in-law to James Strong. It is not noted when his wife died.) Philip was born 1832, the son of Anthony and Elizabeth (McPeek) Hambel. He was born in Hamilton County, Indiana. His father was born in Virginia and his mother in New Jersey. In 1854 he married Amanda Jane Burus. Father Anthony Hambel was a soldier in the war of 1812. Philip served in the civil war in company A, 5th Indiana Calvary from 1862 until its close in 1865. He improved his farm over the years until 1901 when he moved to Havelock. In 1902 he moved to Long Beach, California. Philip and Amanda had three children: Margaret Elizabeth, born 12-18-1872 in Dubuque County, was married to Jason N Russell. Delilah was a teacher and married Alexander McEwen. Son William Franklin Hambel was a carpenter. He married Lulu C Blake in 1883 and located on a farm in section 33, moving to Havelock in 1892. William and Lulu had four children: Earl, Philip W, Medora Vashti and Amanda Eleanor. During the period between late 1873 and 1878 there was only one new family which moved into the township. That being the family of Benjamin Mather who located in section 30 in 1875. This time period was also known as the "grasshopper period" and made for very hard times for pioneers on the frontier. In 1879 J A Saddler moved into section 9. In 1880 J W Logan moved in section 13 and D C (David C) Williams into section 31. It is later noted that David C Williams purchased his land in January, 1881. It futher states that besides section 13, he owned all of section 19. His total land owned was 1280 acres. David lived on section 19 and his son Frank Williams on section 13. David C Williams married Sarah M Chapman in 1869, who died at age 57 on June 17, 1887. David died in 1889. Sarah M Williams was first married to D B Chapman in 1847 and they lived in Monmouth, Illinois. In 1849 the removed to Arkansas. About 1859 the Chapmans moved back to Illinois. D B and Sarah M had a daughter, Mary L Chapman. D B Chapman died at Eau Clare, Wisconsin in 1864. Sarah and David C lived in Cedar Falls after they were married. Mary L Chapman later became a very prominent school teacher. In 1886 she married Professor Albert C Page who was then principal of the Waterloo High School. In 1880 the following newcomers were registered to vote in the township: Cron, J Duer, C E Hark, A T Herrick, C E Hinckley, G H Kinkead, J T Merchant, F H Miller, David Miller, F Percing, J C Here is an abstract of the 1880 census which includes all the residents I could find from those listed above. Cron John age-42 born-France Occupation-Farmer Parents born-France Mary age-40 born-Bavaria Occupation-Keeping House Parents born-Bavaria John-son age-16 born-Wisconsin Occupation-farm laborer Christian-son age-14 born-Iowa Occupation-farm laborer Lizzie-daugher age-12 born-Iowa Occupation-at school Willie-son age-6 born-Iowa Duer Charles age-32 born-Ohio Occupation-Farmer Parents born-Pennsylvania Melissa age-28 born-Iowa Occupation-Keeping House Father born-Kentucky Mother born-Indiana Ada-daughter age-6 born-Dakota Territory Jennie-daughter age-4 born-Iowa Mullay-son age-1 born-Kansas Mattie-daughter age-1 Month born-Iowa Foland Lewis M age-32 born-Indiana Occupation-Farmer Father born-Virginia Mother born-Tennessee Mathilda age-27 born-Indiana Occupation-Keeping House Father born-Kentucky Mother born-Indiana Delila-Mother age 62 Born-Tennessee Father born-North Carolina Mother born-Virginia Hamble Philip age-47 born-Indiana Occupation-Farmer Father born-Virginia Mother born-Ohio Emanda J age-43 born-Indiana Occupation-Keeping House Father born-Indiana Mother born-Tennessee William-Son age-19 born-Indiana Occupation-Farm Laborer Herington Marshall age-39 born-Canada occupation-Farmer Father born-Ohio Mother born-New York Sarah age-34 born-Ohio Occupation-Keeping House Parents born-Maryland Clayton-son age-19 born-Illinois Occupation-farm laborer Mina-daughter age-16 born-Illinois Fannie-daughter age-12 born-Illinois Occupation-At school Olen-son age-10 born-Illinois Tommie-son age-7 born-Illinois Deette-daughter age-5 born-Iowa Lena-daughter age-2 born-Iowa Herrick Charles age-28 born-New York Occupation-teaching school Gertrude (Wife) age-17 born-New York Occupation-teaching school Irene-daughter age-2 born-Iowa Harper, Ruth-niece age-11 born-Pennsylvania Hinckley George H age-40 born-New York Occupation-farmer Father born-Pennsylvania Mother born-New York Abbie E age-35 born-New York Occupation-keeping house Parents born-New York Nellie G-daughter age-14 born-Illinois Florence P-daughter age-5 born-Illinois Mary E-daughter age-2 born-Iowa Mather Benjamin age-63 born-England Occupation-farmer Parents born-England Mary age-54 born-England Occupation-Keeping House Parents born-England William-son age-20 born-Iowa Occupation-farm laborer Emerson-son age-15 born-Iowa Occupation-farm laborer Frank-son age-13 born-Iowa Occupation-herding cattle Walter-son age-11 born-Iowa Occupation-at home Miller David (widower) age-48 born-Ohio Occupation-farmer Father born-Virginia Mother born-North Carolina Frank T-son age-20 born-Iowa Occupation-farm laborer (Mother born-New Brunswick) Clarence-son age-9 born-Iowa (Mother born-Ohio) D Homer-son age-8 born-Iowa Rawson, John-other age-50 born-New York Occupation-herding catter Parents born-New York Russell Jason N age-35 born-Michigan Occupation-farmer Father born-New York Mother born-New Jersey Maggie age-25 born-Indiana Occupation-Keeping House Parents born-Indiana Edith E-daughter age-5 born-Iowa Mary A-daughter age-2 born-Iowa Young, Harvey-other age-19 born-Pennsylvania Occupation-farm laborer Parents born-Pennsylvania Johnson, Mathilda-other age-18 born-Sweden Occupation-Domestic Servant Parents born-Sweden Russell Morah F age-40 born-Michigan Occupation-farmer Father born-New York Mother born-New Jersey Jemima age-32 born-Iowa Occupation-Keeping House Parents born-England Mira L-daughter age-11 born-Iowa Occupation-at school Mary E-daughter age-9 born-Iowa Alice E-daughter age-5 born-Iowa May J-daughter age-3 born-Iowa Jessie R-daughter age-11 Months born-Iowa Russell Harvey age-30 born-Michigan Occupation-farmer Father born-New York Mother born-New Jersey Saddler James A age-32 born-Wisconsin Occupation-farmer Parents born-Ohio Nellie age-22 born-Wisconsin Occupation-Keeping House Father born-England Mother born-Wisconsin Viola May-daughter age-2 born-Wisconsin "Baby" - son age-2 Months born-Iowa Van-Beek, Benjamin-other age-18 born-Iowa Occupation-farm laborer Parents born-Holland In 1881 the Toledo and Northwestern Railroad began surveying through Washington township and brought new residents to the township. People noted as arriving in 1881 were: Bohn, B C - section 5. (born Ohio 1845) Buck, H E - section 21. (born Illinois 1853) Chase, Elijah - section 12 Horsman, Samuel L - section 36. (born Ohio 1852) Hulse, E S - section not noted Veazie, Elijah - section 14. (born Massachusettes 1856) In 1882 the Toledo and Northwestern Railroad began running and the town of Havelock was founded in section 35 of Washington township. New residents who arrived in 1882 were: Dickey, Colonial James Edmundson, E P (section 17) Fish, A E Flint, C L Gill, Samuel H (SR) - was born in 1850, the son of Thomas and Charlotte (nee Plane) Gill. Thomas Gill was born 1809 in Norfolk, England and died in 1890. He married Charlotte in 1836 while living in Nova Scotia, Canada where he had emmigrated earlier that year. Charlotte is also a native of Norfolk, England. In 1882, after living in Fort Dodge, accompanied their sons Osborne W and Samuel H (JR) to the new town of Havelock, where Charles worked as a banker. He was 81 when he died in 1890. After his death his wife Charlotte lived with her sister Sarah Plane Gill, the widow of Benjamin Gill (d. 1891-Havelock). Charlotte died at age 79 in 1889 and is buried in Fort Dodge next to her husband. They had 14 children, 10 of which lived. Three having died in infancy and one boy died at age 16 in Fort Dodge. Their children were: Mrs W B Harris (Jolley), J B Gill (Fort Dodge), Mrs H A Schoonmaker, Vincent, T B Gill (Byron, IL), R P Gill (Portland, OR), Mrs J W Donald (Fort Dodge), Mrs Charlotte (Wright) Wolrod (Callender), Samuel H (Havelock), Charles J (Havelock, and Osborne W (Havelock). Gill, Charles J - was born in Illinois in 1854 to Samuel H Gill (SR) and Charlotte Plane Gill. He came to Fort Dodge in 1873 where he worked in the coal company for several years. In 1899 he and his brother Osborne W became dealers in general merchandise in Fort Dodge. While living in Fort Dodge Charles served as president of the Washington Township school board in 1890, and from 1891-1893 was the first president of the Havelock School board. Charles married Anna Kingsley (b. 1854), a daughter of A W and Cornelia Kingsley and they had four children: Mattie, who was born 1874, married Theron G Demaray in 1894; William, who was born 1873, married Bertha Geise in 1900. They have a son Foster and live in Terrell. Emma, who was a graduate of the Havelock school in 1897, and later a teacher, married Clarence Lighter in 1899 and they live in Rolfe. Carl, a druggist lives in Terrell. Gill, Osborne W - was born in Illinois in 1855. In 1882 he came to the new town of Havelock and joined his older brother Samuel H (JR) in his mercatile business. In 1888 Osborne left the store and joined his brother Charles J Gill in the hay business for two years. He then came back and worked in the mercantile business again with his brother Samuel. He married Mary Jane Portz of Fort Dodge in 1883, and they had two sons, Earl and Brooks. In 1892 Osborne was mayor of Havelock. Gill, Samuel H (JR) - was born and raised near Bryon, Ogle County Illinois. In 1869 he moved to Fort Dodge, one year before his father. After spending most of the year 1872 in Pocahontas County, he moved to section 24 in Colfax township. In the fall of 1872 he married Ida D Lowrey, daughter of Gad C Lowry. In 1874 he purchased the homestead of William R Owen, brother of Mrs William Brownlee (see Bellville township history), in section 18 Bellville township. He lived for two years in Pomeroy while farming in Pocahontas County. After a tornado in April 21, 1878 killed his wife and destroyed his home he returned to Pomeroy, Calhoun County with his two children. In 1879 he found work in Fonda and from 1880 to 1881 he worked in Fort Dodge. In 1882 he moved to the new town of Havelock and with his brother, Osborne W Gill built and operated the first store in Havelock. He worked with his brother until 1887 when he joined with John C Potter and founded the Citizen's Bank of Havelock. He also owned a 320 acre farm outside of Havelock. He was also chosen as the president of the Havelock co-operative creamery when it first opened in 1892. He was postmaster of Havelock from 3-1-1882 to 6-1886, and then served a second term from 3-1-1889 to 5-1-1893. In 1884 he married Minnie Perry who was from Marshalltown. His daughter was Viola C, who married Arthur F Clarke in 1899. Arthur had been a station agent in Havelock for 11 years and then became vice president of Citizen's Bank in 1899. Viola and Arthur had two children, Maud and Beth. His other daughter Etta J married John C Barth in 1892. John was a liveryman in Havelock, and they had one child Carl S Barth. The family of Thomas and Charlotte Gill, besides the children listed above, also consisted of: John B Gill - who married Mary J McClain. He was a merchant and lived in Fort Dodge. Thomas B Gill - engaged in the furniture business and lived in Barron, Illinois. He married Agnes Barry. Robert P Gill - who lived in Portland, Oregon and married Maggie McClain. Kate Gill - who married William B Harris and lives in Jolley. Sarah E Gill - who married Henry Schoonmaker and resides in Webster county. Ida M Gill - who married Joseph Donald of Fort Dodge. Charlotte Gill - who married S. P Wright. He died at Callender. Charlotte then married Jesse Wolrod who was a farmer and they lived in Callender. Miller, J B Miller, M D Nolan (Nowlan), David David Nowlan (Nolan), besides being an MD was postmaster at Havelock. He was born in 1842 to Michael and Florence Nowlan. He had nine brothers. He lived on his parents farm in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois until the age of 19 when he enlisted in Company B, 37th Illinois Infanty. He spent three years and three months in the civil war. In 1867 he married Mary C Smead who was born in 1849, the daughter of Alonzo Smead, M.D. of Fon du Lac, Wisconsin. In 1873 he lived in Pomeroy, Calhoun County and in 1875 Jasper County where he took a course in medicine, taught by his brother-in-law DR C C Smead. In 1876 he received his medical diploma and set up an office in Rensnor, Jasper County. He moved to the new town of Havelock in June, 1882 where he set up a sucessful business. David and Mary had two children: Brete Cassius who was born in 1878. He graduated from Havelock high school in 1894, and then taught at the school for five terms. In 1900 he graduated from the Electrical Engineering Department of the Iowa State Agricultural College. He later removed to Fargo, North Dakota. Edward R, was born in 1881. He graduated from Havelock High School in 1898. He also studied Electrical engineering at Iowa State and later removed to Denver, Colorado. Parks, M B Potter, John Calvin - was born in New York in 1855. He is the son of Reverend W A Potter who later served for 15 years as the pastor of the Baptist Church in Monticello, Wisoncin. Prior to living in Wisconsin the Potter family also lived in Ohio. In 1880 John C Potter married Lucy C Marshall and they farmed near Albany, Wisconsin. They moved to a farm in section 3, Washtington Township in 1882. They were the first occupants of this land. In 1887 John C and wife moved to Havelock, where he and Samuel H Gill joined and established the Citizens Bank. John Calvin and Lucy Potter had six children-LaVerne, who was born in Wisconsin, Winifred, Pearl, Lona, John C and Marshall, who were all born in Pocahontas County. Rev W A Potter (d. 1880) was married to Harriet (nee Capon) Potter (d. 1894), and their other children were: Elmer who lived in Monticello, Wisconsin. John C Potter, who lived in Havelock. Juliette Potter, who married Ross Dennis who was a painter in Rolfe. Cora Potter, who married W S Cox of Havelock. Frank A Potter who works in the grain business in Rolfe. William A Potter who is the deputy sheriff of Pocahontas County and lives in Havelock. Spurrier, H E Talbot, Charles More people arrived during the period of 1883 until 1885. Some of those were: Baker, Amos - section 22 (born New York 1824) Clinton, E W Collins, C H Demaray, T G Theron G Demary was born in 1886, in Niagra County New York. In 1897 he was appointed cashier of the Bank of Havelock. In 1894 he married Mattie Gill, a daughter of Charles J Gill and they have two children, Ruth and Richard. Donahoe, E A Eaton, L M Gegenheimer, D F - section 36 (born Pennsylvania 1836) Gill, Charles J Charles J Gill was born in Illinois in 1854. Apparently he lived in Fort Dodge and owned land in Washington township. He married Anna Kinglsey, born 1854, the daughter of A W and Cornelia Kinglsey and they had four children. Mattie Gill born 1874 married Theron G Demaray. William Gill was born in 1873 and was a druggist. He married Berthe Geise in 1900 and they have a son, Foster. They resided in Terrell. Emma Gill graduated from Havelock school in 1897 and was a teacher. In 1899 she married Clarence Lighter and they live in Rolfe. Carl Gill was also a druggist and lived in Terrell. Goodchild, Henry - section 27 Hathaway, George W - section 29 (born Ohio 1844) Miller, David - section 11 (born Ohio 1831) Miller, G H - section 29 (born Illinois 1854) O'Brien, J W Runyon, W G Ryon, John A - section 19 John was born in 1836, the son of William and Eleanor (nee Roberts) Ryon. His mother Eleanor is a descendant of Reverend Hugh Roberts who was the first Quaker preacher in Philadelpha, PA. In 1863 while living in DeKalb County, Illinois, John married Elizabeth Dunbar. She is the daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Dunbar. After they were married John sold the farm he served in Company K, Eighth Illinois Calvary from October 4, 1864 until July 22, 1865. After the war he returned ot DeKalb County where they lived until 1884. They then moved to section 19, on land that he had purchased from Frank Williams, a son of D C Williams. Prior to selling the land the Williams's had planted a nursery of five acres and an apple orchard of 200 trees. In 1896 they harvested 100 bushels, and even larger harvests in the following years. John and Eleanor had 4 children: Lizzie married Wilbur E Craig (see also Almaren Craig-Powhatan Township) in 1892. They located their home in section 30, and occupied the first home built in Washington Township, that being the house built by J L Clark in 1870. They had two children, Hattie and Alice. Andrew D married Grace Edwards in 1893. She is a daughter of William and Julia Edwards. They lived in section 19. His wife Grace died in 1893 leaving a daughter, Grace. In 1893 he married again, this time to Mary Pooler who was born in 1873. They had a son, John Hugh L, who was born in 1870 married Alice Gertrude Moore in 1898. They also lived in section 19 and had two children, Bertha and Julia Etta. Jay, who was born in 1872 and married Lizzie M Aschenbrenner in 1900. They also lived in section 19. Spratt, George O - section 24 (born Pennsylvania 1847) Steen (?), William Thomas, S P - born in 1852. Sylvester P Thomas was the assistant cashier of the Bank of Havelock from 1891 through 1898. He was born in Mahaska county to James B and Irene A Thomas. He married Ella M Perry in 1875. She is the daughter of William and Mary Perry. The moved to Havelock in 1887 where he and C H Collins engaged in the mercantile business. In 1898 he resigned his postion in Havelock and moved to Humbolt county where he became cashier of the Bank of Rutland. In 1902 he moved to Hunter, Oklahoma and with his son-in-law, Clark L Thompson, he became the propieter of the Bank of Hunter. Clark became the Vice President of the bank and Sylvester's son Fay was the cashier. Sylvester and Ella had two children: Bertha M, who graduated from Mt Vernon College and married Clark L Thompson. They lived in Hunter, Oklahoma. Fay C, who graduated from Capital City Commerical college. Fay died in 1903 at the age of 24. Sylvester, his parents and brothers and sisters were in the Spirit Lake Massacre of 1857. Sylvesters brother William was shot in the head and killed. His youngest sister Mary, a baby, died from exposure as they fled to Fort Dodge. Sylvester had 5 siblings-Frank, Albert, Emma, William and Mary. Sylvesters father had built a cabin on his homestead in Spirit Lake, but after the terrible experience never returned to live there. Vanderhoof, W - section 31 Wells, A E Wilcox, H W Wilson, Peter - section 11 Information transcribed, compiled and arranged by Tim Meyer, copyright 2003 - 2004 |