CHAPTER XXV
"CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP"
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Another settler in 1855, was JONATHAN S. BISHOP, a native of Logan county, Ohio, who came here with his family from St. Joseph county, Michigan. They started from that place the 24th of April with three yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows. They visited on the way in Illinois and in Washington county this State, and arrived in Crystal township the 10th day of June, and settled on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 31. His family lived in the wagons until fall. During the summer he broke some of his land and drew some lumber from Muscatine and erected a frame house. He continued to improve his land until the fall of 1862, when he joined the Union army. He died in the service, September 8, 1863. Two of his sons are now residents of the township
JOHNATHAN S. BISHOP was born on the banks of the Little Miami, in Logan county, Ohio, October 20,1818. His youth was spent in school and assisting his father on the farm. When twenty years of age he began learning the wheelwrights trade. During 1839, he was in Springfield, Illinois, building carts, which were to be used in dragging stone to the site where the State capitol was to be erected. April 20, 1840, he was married, at Urbana, Ohio, to Miss Mary McGahan, a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and born July 7, 1813. They were blessed with four children, only one of whom is now living - John B. M. The subject of this sketch continued to work at his trade in Ohio until 1845, when he removed to Cass county, Michigan, where he bought a farm and also a saw mill. His wife died there March 25, 1851, and he soon after sold his property and removed to St. Joseph county, working at his trade in the town of Constantine. Subsequently he was married in that county to Mrs. Polly Ray Ketchum, widow of Loren Ketchum. She was born November 28, 1821, Cattaraugus county, New York. Three children were born to them: Charles A., Harriet E. and Laura A. In 1853, Mr. Bishop removed to White Pigeon, Michigan, and two years later, came to Tama county, Iowa. He entered land on section 31, of Crystal township, upon his arrival here, and immediately began improving it. In September of 1862 he enlisted in Company F, 28th Iowa Volunteers, being mustered in as corporal. He was detailed as his Company's representative in the color guard. He was flag bearer at the battle of Champion Hills, where he was slightly wounded in the arm. The flag staff was shattered over his head and the flag badly damaged. He participated in the battle of Port Gibson and the siege of Vicksburg, and was with the regiment in its march to New Orleans. In August of 1863 he was detached from his regiment and joined the 11th Louisiana. Shortly after, he was taken sick with typhoid fever and died in the regiment camp, September 8th, 1863. Mrs. Bishop died at their home August 18th, twenty days before her husbands death occurred.
CHARLES A. BISHOP, youngest son of Jonathan S. Bishop, was born at Constantine, in St. Joseph county, Michigan, August 26, 1852. He was in his third year when his parents settled in this State. His education was received in the district schools of Crystal township, and at the High School of Toledo. February 2, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Watt, daughter of Joseph Watt, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They have two children: Frank R. and Arthur A. In 1875 the subject of this sketch purchased a farm of section 32 of Crystal township. During 1882 he erected on it his present large frame residence.
VALENTINE SHULTZ a native of the "Keystone" State, started from Michigan, and arrived in Crystal township June 8, 1855, and settled on the west half of the north-west quarter of section 32, where he built the second log house in the township, and lived in it until the time of his death, in 1868. His widow now lives in Garwin.
ASA HOAG, who was a native of the empire State, came here from St. Joseph county, Michigan, in 1855, and settled on the northeast quarter of 29, where he erected a board shanty. On the way here his wife lost her reason, and on that account he sold out in 1856 and returned to Michigan, where he was killed about a year later by a falling tree.
In the fall of 1855, MRS. MARGARET MORTON also a native of the empire State came with her family from Lee county, Illinois, over land with ox teams, crossing the Mississippi river at Fulton. They were eleven days on the road and settled on the southeast quarter of section14.
Mrs. Margaret MORTON, one of the first settlers of Crystal township, is a daughter of Jonathan and Dorotha (Smith) Peterson, and was born January 11, 1817, in Cortland county, New York. September 1, 1836, she was joined in wedlock with JOHN MORTON, who was born in Tompkins county, New York, May 2, 1815. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and when a young man, learned the trade of wagon making. The same year in which he was married, he opened a wagon shop in Allegany county, and continued in business there until 1842, when he removed to Lee county, Illinois. There he was employed in farming for a while, and then opened a wagon and plow shop, which business he followed until the time of his death, October 6, 1854. He left a wife and seven children to mourn his loss; two of those children have since followed him to that "brighter shore." The five now living are Persis, Ann N., Luceba, Newman W. and Almeda. In the fall of 1855, Mrs. Morton started, with her family, for the west. Upon reaching Iowa, she proceeded to this county, where she had previously purchased land in the southeast quarter of section 14, Crystal township, and where she has ever since made her home.
Her oldest son, JONATHAN MORTON, was born in allegany county, New York, February 4, 1838. He made his home with his mother until January of 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, 14th Iowa Volunteers. His regiment joined General Banks'command and participated in the Red River expedition, in which campaign, at the battle of Pleasant Hill, he was wounded. He was in several other engagements, remaining in the service until the spring of 1865, when he was taken sick, from exposure, and never recovered. He was discharged in June, of that year, and returned home, where, after many weary months of pain and sickness, he died on the 24th day of February, 1866. Her daughter, Persis, is now the wife of M. C. Felter. Ann N., formerly a teacher in the public schools of this county, is now deputy postmaster of Crystal post office, and is also Secretary of the School Board. She has a general store on the northeast quarter of section14, Crystal township. Luceba was married to George W. Buchanan, July 3, 1864, and is now residing with her family in Union county, Oregon.
NEWMAN W., the only son now living, is a native of Lee county, Illinois, when he was born October 18, 1848. He was seven years of age when his mother settled in Iowa. His education was received in Crystal township,. He was married at Beaver City, Furnas county, Nebraska, on the 31st of January, 1880, to Miss Laura E. Evans, a native of Bureau county, Illinois. They have one son - Claude Henry. Mr. Morton now occupies the old homestead.
Almeda was married December 26, 1876, to John Estle, who died May 12, 1882, leaving his wife and two children, Tony Ray and Anna Mable, to mourn his untimely death.
WEST WILSON a native of Scotland came here from Connecticut n 1854, and entered land on sections 12 and 13, after which he returned to Connecticut. In 1856 he moved here with his family and has since made this his home.
West Wilson was born in Ayreshire, Scotland, Septmeber 19, 1820. He was reared on a farm and attended the public schools of his native parish, completing his education under the tutorage of Mr. Land, Professor of Greek and Hebrew, in Edinburg University. After completing his education, he engaged in farming until 1846, when he came to America, and settled in New London county, Connecticut, where he rented a farm and engaged in the vegetable and dairy business. In 1854, he came to Tama county, and entered land in township 85, range 15, now known as Crystal township. He then returned to Connecticut and continued his former business until 1856, when he again came to Iowa and settled on his land. He has improved his farm and erected a good set of buildings. In 1874, he engaged in the grain business in Traer, and in 1879, he opened up a branch business in Morrison, and again in 1882, engaged in the same business in Reinbeck. Mr. Wilson was
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CHARLES LEE DAVIS made his settlement in Crystal township, in the spring of 1856. He bought land on sections 29 and 30, and also purchased a little shanty to live in until he could get a more substantial home erected. He cut logs, hauled them to the saw mill on Deer creek, and that fall built a frame house, 16x24 feet, with a lean-to attached. In this house he lived until 1868, when he erected his present dwelling. He was born in Windham county, Connecticut, August 27, 1813, and is a son of Thomas and Prudence (Denison) Davis. When he was but three years old, his parents removed to Genesee County, New . . . . Page 707 18, 1853, and died Oct. 24, 1865. Ann Eliza, the eldest daughter, was born Jan. 30, 1843, and died Oct. 29, 1865. Margaret L. was born March 10, 1847, and died Nov. 1, 1865. John M. was born March 20, 1851, and died Nov. 1, 1865.
SOLOMON WALLS, a native of Ohio, came from Ogle county, Illinois, in 1857 and settled on section 3, where he lived until 1859 when he moved to section 15, where he now lives. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 10, 1832. He made that county his home until 1852, when he removed to Ogle county, Illinois, where he was subsequently married to Miss Mary E. Burright, daughter of Orrin Burright. During 1857 they removed to Tama county, Iowa, and settled in section 3, of Crystal township. Two years later, he purchased land on section 15, where he has since made his home. Mr. and Mrs. Walls have six children: Laurinda, William Henry, Charles E., Milan D., Hortense E. and Cordie. Mr. Walls is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Crystal, and has been its class leader for many years.
JOE VERTREES, a native of Illinois, came in 1858, and settled on section 3. During the war he returned to Illinois. He now lives in Shelby county, Iowa.
Dr. S. C. ROGERS, the only practicing physician that ever settled in this township, was a native of Massachusetts. He came here from New York in 1859, and settled on section 16. He went to the army as surgeon, and after the war he sold his property here and settled in the east.
S. M. CHAPMAN, a native of Kentucky, came here in 1859, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 2. During the war, he went to the southern part of the county. Stewart Burright came here in 1859, and settled on section 3. He enlisted in the army, and upon his return settled in Shelby county.
In 1865 the WHANNEL family came to Tama county, and have ever since been prominent and respected citizens. In their respective townships will be found sketches of the different members of this family, and in this connection are presented personal sketches of those who are residents of this township.
PETER WHANNEL, eldest son of John and Margaret Whannel, is a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, where he was born February 3, 1833. He received his education in the public schools of his native parish (Colmonel), and afterwards came with his father and family to the United States, settling in Knox County, Illinois, where they continued to live for a number of years. Immediately after the family were settled in their new home, the subject of our sketch hired out as a farm hand in the neighborhood of his parents home, and for the first year's labor received the small sum of $165. Subsequently he, in company with his father and three brothers, rented land which they farmed while in that State. During the time, they managed, by economy and unceasing toil, to save $1,500; however, by the failure of the bank in which it was deposited, all was lost with the exception of a paltry 20 per cent recovered by them several years afterwards. The father died August 29, 1864, and the following year the family came to Tama county, Iowa, buying 640 acres on sections 6, 7 and 8 of Crystal township, of which only 50 were improved. Mr. Whannel now owns a well cultivated farm of 560 acres, on which he has erected good, substantial farm buildings. His residence is located on section 6, and was erected in 1865. August 26, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Janet Young, a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, and daughter of Samuel and Janet Young. Seven children have been born to them: Janie E., Margaret K., Samuel L., Mary H., Janet C., Thomas A. and Marion A. Mr. Whannel is also largely engaged in stock raising in connection with farming. Mr. Whannel has three brothers whose farms join his: Thomas, in Crystal township, and John and Robert in Grant township.
THOMAS WHANNEL, the second son of John and Margaret Whannel, was born in the parish of Colmonel, Ayreshire, Scotland, April 27, 1835. He received a liberal education in the public schools of his native parish, and subsequently came, with his parents, to America. For some years after their settlement in this country, the subject of our sketch was engaged in farming in the state of Illinois; at first working as a laborer at ten dollars per month, and later, in company with his father and brothers, farming rented land. With them he suffered by the failure of the bank in which their hard earned money was deposited. In 1865 he came to Tama county, Iowa, with his father's famlily (sic), and settled in Crystal township, where he now owns 480 acres of improved land; he also owns 400 acres in Wright county of this State. February 9, 1870, he was joined in wedlock with Mary J., daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Kelly) McCormack. They have been blessed with six children: Andrew, James M., Mary E., John H., Robert W. and Edward. In 1869 Mr. Whannel erected his present residence on section 7 of Crystal township. He, with his brothers, came to this county poor, but by patience, perseverance and industry, they now rank among the largest and best farmers of Tama county.
JOHN STEVENSON settled in Tama county, Iowa, on section 36, Crystal township, in 1865, and there made his home until his death, which occurred January 8, 1876. Mr. Stevenson was a native of Scotland, born in Ayreshire, June 12, 1808. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Marion Wier, a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, born in December, 1811. They were blessed with ten children, eight of whom are now living. Mr. Stevenson continued to live in Scotland until 1853, when they emigrated to Canada, settling on a farm in Peterboro county. During 1865 he sold his homestead there, and, crossing to the United States, came to Iowa, where he soon purchased land on section 25, of Crystal township, this county. He settled on it and continued to improve the same until the time of his death. His widow now occupies the homestead. Mr. Stevenson's third son, James, is also a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, having been born there November 23, 1843. He was eight years of age when his parents emigrated to Canada, and twenty-two years old when they settled in Iowa. He made his home with his parents until 1870, when he was united in marriage with Mary J., daughter of Samuel Steen, of Pennsylvania. They have three children - Ella E., Jessie J. and Samuel W. Mr. Stevenson's farm is in the southwest quarter of section 25, Crystal township. He is now largely engaged in stock raising in connection with farming.
Among those who have come into the township since 1865, and are now prominent settlers, may be mentioned Johann COHRT, John B. BRUSH, Edward DODD, E. B. HARLAN, D. W. BAKER, John SHARP, Claus Fredrick JACOBS, Heinrich CLAUSEN, Edwin MOORE, E. W. HARRISON, James FINK, William BELFOUR, Robert McPHERRAN, John SWAN, Peter PLOEN, Edwin LYNDE, William McTURK, Robert COWAN, William HOUGHTON, John HARMSEN, Jonathan and Joseph ALLARD, and others.
JOHANN COHRT, one of the first German settlers of Crystal township, was born at Hollingstedt, Schleswig, Germany. He received a good education in his native town, and there lived until 1856, when he emigrated to America. Upon being landed at New York city, he proceeded directly to Davenport, Iowa, and from there, removed to Illinois, where he was employed during that winter chipping wood, for which he received $1 per cord. He then hired out as a farm hand, and for his first years labor received $170; the second year he worked for twelve dollars per month, except during harvest time, when he received $1.50 per day. August 13, 1858, he was married to Rebecca Tenkk who was born August 26, 1840, in Holstein, Germany. She is a daughter of Peter and Maggie Tenkk. In 1859 Mr. Cohrt farmed land six miles from Davenport, Scott county, on shares. The next year he removed to Liberty township, same county, where he bought 80 acres of wild land; on it he erected a house and continued to improve the land until 1866, when he came to Crystal township of this county and purchased the west half of section 16. He lived on the northwest quarter six years and then built his present residence in the other quarter. He is also engaged in stock raising in connection with farming. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cohrt, eleven of whom are now living--Claus, Mary, Peter, Annie M., John, William, Henry, Emma, Matilda, Clara and an infant named Theodor. Teresa, a twin sister to Matilda, died when in her fifth year; and just eight days later, Caroline died, aged abut three years.
JOHN B. BRUSH is a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, born July 26, 1817. His education was received in his native county, and there his youth and early manhood was spent. He passed the winter of 1846-7 in Buffalo, New York, and proceeded to Illinois, buying land in DeKalb county of that State. Two years later he sold his property there and removed to this State, making his first settlement in Center township of Clinton county, where he was one of the pioneers, the township not being organized until three years later. He purchased government land, and during the years he lived there, improved it and made of it a comfortable homestead. In 1866, he sold the farm, came to Tama county, and bought the southeast quarter of section 22, Crystal township, which land was then wild prairie. The same year he completed the house in which he now lives, and in 1881 erected a
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house in which he now lives. He was married in Scotland, in 1857, to Miss Annie Donaldson. They have six children, Thomas, John and James (twins), Gilbert, Margaret, and an adopted daughter, Kitty.
ROBERT COWAN, the present Assessor of Crystal township, is a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born September 8, 1846. When he was nine years old his parents removed to this State and settled in Franklin township, Linn county. His early education was received in the district schools, and subsequently advanced by two terms at Cornell College, Mount Vernon. January 5, 1871, he was united in marriage with miss Mary Townsend, the daughter of John S. and Susan (Dickey) Townsend. The following year he came to this county, settling on section 21, of Crystal township. During 1879 he erected on his farm his present residence. He was elected to the office he now fills in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Cowan have two children--Shields T. and Robert.
WILLIAM HOUGHTON, Constable, is a native of Canada, born in the province of Ontario, March 22, 1834. His father, Phineas W. Houghton, was a native of Vermont. When William was but two years of age his parents moved to the States, locating in New York, where they lived until 1848, when they moved to Michigan. After a two years' residence in the latter State the family moved to Illinois. Mr. Houghton remained at home with his parents until the fall of 1855; then went to Wisconsin and worked one winter in the pineries on the Wisconsin river. In 1856 he went to Minnesota and spent one year in the pineries on the St. Croix river, and while there met with an accident by which he lost the sight of his left eye. He then returned to Illinois and resumed farming until 1864, when, in company with his parents, he came to Iowa and located in Crystal township, Tama county. Here he lived with his parents one year, and then purchased land on section 3, on which he built a log house. In 1868, he bought more land on the same section and erected the frame house in which he now lives. Mr. Houghton was married in 1860 to Miss Samantha Collins. They have fourteen children-Orette, Ada A., Eli, Emma, Luella, William G., Edward, David, Burt Lee, Charles, Annie, James, Thompson and Lizzie. Mr. Houghton was elected Constable of his township in 1880 and again in 1882, being the present incumbent.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The first blacksmith shop in this township was started in 1860 by Mr. Loupee on section 32. Here he farmed and worked at his trade two years, when he went to Howard township. He went to war and later opened a shop in Toledo. In the spring of 1883 he went to Kansas. William Brown opened a shop on section 14 in 1870. In 1876 he sold out and is now engaged in farming in Grant township. His successor sold to Lewis Gethman who rented the building to William Scott. He was succeeded by George Nichols who, six months later, removed to Traer where he now works at his trade. There is a brass band in this township which was organized in October, 1882. There is now a membership of twelve with Albert Fair-
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