Adair County Iowa History

Richland Township

Richland township is found among the southern tier of townships of Adair county. It is bounded upon the north by Summerset township, on the east by Orient township, on the south by Adams county, and on the west by Washington township. Within the boundaries of Richland are found two streams of water— East Branch of the Nodaway river and Shanghi creek. The former river flows through the northwest corner, entering on section 5, flowing through sections 6, 7 and 18, passing into Washington township from the latter section. Shanghi creek traverses the township from north to south through sections 1, 12, 14, 23, 22 and 27, leaving the township on section 34. There are also several small branches of these two streams which furnish water for stock and practical purposes. The land is mostly rolling and open prairie, the only timber of natural growth being along the banks of the Nodaway river, in the northwest part of the township.

EARLY SETTLEMENT. The first to seek a home in the territory now known as Richland, was a man by the name of John Oilman, who settled on section 5 in 1853, where he erected a small log cabin 14x16. Harvey Portner also settled at the same time as did Mr. Oilman. The second settler of Richland was Joshua E. Chapman, who came in 1854 and entered land on section 5 also. In the spring of 1855 Thomas Ewing came. He was accompanied by James Ewing; Among the early settlers of 1855 is found James Ewing, who came to Richland township, Adair county, in that year. His widow, Sarah Ewing, nee Evans, was, the daughter of Even and Mary (Probert) Evans, and was born in Wales, July 10, 1832. James Ewing was born in Ohio, February 29, 1828, and died on his farm in Adair county, February 22, 1881. He was the son of Joshua and Sarah Ewing. They had seven children—Sarah M., Winfield Scott, Eliza V., Salina J., John A., Anna S., and Edward J. There are one hundred acres in the farm, nearly all under a state of cultivation, and are making the raising of Poland- China hogs and horned stock a business. The family are religiously inclined, and are members of the Congregational church. Milton Chapman made a settlement in December, 1855. In company with his wife and five children he came all the way from Monroe county, with an ox team, traveling about sixteen miles a day. When they arrived at Twelve-Mile creek, in Union county, it was some twenty-five miles across the open prairie without a house to be seen anywhere in all that distance. As it was beautiful moonlight nights they left Twelve-Mile creek about 10 o’clock p.m., traveling all night and arriving at their destination about 3 o’clock in the afternoon of December 27. Two days later there came a terrible snow-storm, and it was impossible for another person to cross the prairie again that winter. As Mr. Chapman and family were not heard of again that winter, it was supposed that they had been lost in the snow-storm and frozen to death on the prairie, and, in fact, was so reported, as appeared in an article in an Ottumwa paper. Milton Chapman, son of David and Polly (Ewing) Chapman, was born in Madison county, Ohio, June 14, 1811. His residence there dates till 1847, when he removed to Monroe county, the same state, and remained till 1855, which is the date of his arrival in Adair county. Elizabeth Delp was his wife, the marriage occurring December 28, the same year he removed to Adair county. She was a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Delp, of German parentage. They have seven children—Mary, David H., Eliza A., Sarah E., Martha J., John M. and Arthur W. Mr. Chapman owns eighty acres of good land on section 6, all of which is under cultivation. Nice hedge, and orchard which bears plenty of fruit for their own use. He has served his township faithfully as justice of the peace and trustee. They are church members and favor the Congregational denomination.

BIOGRAPHICAL. Herewith a few sketches of the representative men of Richland township are appended.
William Clayton, a son of Austin and Nancy Clayton, was born on the eighth day of March, 1822, in Edmundson county, Kentucky. His early life was spent on a farm there until 1841, when the family removed to Illinois, which place they made their home till 1872. Coming to this county at that time they settled on sections 4 and 5, and own 182 acres of good land under a state of cultivation, well fenced, and a fine grove of natural trees, which affords an excellent shelter in winter and shade in summer for his hogs, etc. Cattle has occupied the mind of Mr. Clayton for a number of years, and he has been successful as a stock raiser. Thoroughly understanding the business, it affords him a pleasure, and a rich remuneration for his trouble.

Like other men of some considerable enterprise, and willing to serve the township, he has held the offices of constable, school director, etc.
He is a member of A. F. & A. M., of the order of Masonry. Was first made a Mason at Monmouth Lodge No. 37, in 1852, and has held all the offices in three different lodges, except tyler, and has taken an active part in establishing new lodges. His marriage occurred in Illinois, September 20, 1843, to Elizabeth Ray, daughter of Hickison and Sarah (Keliey) Ray, of English extraction. They have six children—Sarah 0., Josephus, Martha, Mary, Charles 0. and Etta.

One of the substantial men of Richland township is George R. Peet. He is a native of Maine, and was born October 31, 1848. His parents were Rev. J. W. and Caroline (Rich) Peet, both natives of Vermont. George was the fourth of a family of five children, consisting of 1063 three daughters and two sons. When a babe his parents removed to Fall River, Massachusetts. Here he resided some ten years, then removing to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, where he remained three years. He then removed to East Hampton, and from there went West, locating in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1864. After remaining one year at Oshkosh, he came to Iowa, to make that state his future home, locating first in Des Moines county, where he remained one year. He spent the remainder of his time in the eastern part of the state till 1868, when he settled permanently at his present location. Mr. Peet received his education in the schools of East Hampton, Massachusetts. He was married November 29, 1877, to Miss Mary 0. Gillette, daughter of B. Gillette, of Adams county. They have three children—Ruth 0., Sarah Louisa and Edward Wheelock, Mr, Peet has a splendidly improved farm of eight hundred and eighty acres, with a fine bearing orchard, and small fruits. His house and out-buildings are creditable to his township. He also has ninety head of shorthorn cattle, and some fine Jersey and Poland-China hogs. He has also been engaged in grain and lumber business.

Charles W. Otis is among the good farmers of this township. In 1873 he removed to Adair county and settled on section 15, the northwest quarter of which he owns. His birthplace was Kenosha, Kenosha county, Wisconsin, and his parents were Roswell C. and Phila M. (Whitney) Otis. The date of his birth was October 28, 1848. Mr. Otis’ farm is one of the finest on the divide; his buildings are large and convenient, with all the modern improvements for taking care of stock in his barns. A grove of three acres of large trees waves its branches and tall tops in the breeze of summer, or as the icy blasts of winter rage on the prairie, protects both man and beast from them. One scarcely knows winter has come under the shelter of such fine groves. Also has two acres of bearing trees in his orchard, besides small fruits. His stock consists of a large number of Poland hogs and grade cattle of the shorthorn breed. One fine animal at the head of his herd, called “ Hurlburt’s Pride,” is of fine stock, and can show up a pedigree that entitles him to a place among the finest cattle in the state. He was married to Miss Susan P. Clayton, a daughter of Andrew and Mary A. (Cole) Clayton, December 26, 1875. Four children have been born to them—Roswell C, William A., Hattie E. and Charles P. Mr. Otis is a member of the A. F. and A, M. order, Fontanelle lodge. No. 138.

William Haskins, on the southeast quarter of section 29, is a native of Illinois; born in Marshall county, October 12, 1844, He is a son of John S. and Eliza (Bonham) Haskins. His farm at present consists of four hundred and eighty acres. When, in 1873, Mr. Haskins came to this farm, it was in an unbroken state. Preparing the land for crop was no small job, but by hard labor and push has succeeded in making it one of the finest farms in the county. At first commenced raising grain, but subsequently going into the stock business. He now keeps all that his farm will feed. This farm has one mile of hedge on its borders, and a grove of three acres of fine trees, besides a good orchard. Buildings compare favorably with any in the township, beautifully situated and presenting a fine appearance, showing the neatness and taste of Mr. and Mrs. Haskins. In 1864, May 16, he enlisted in Company A, 139th regiment Illinois infantry volunteers. His discharge dates October 28, 1864, at Peoria, Illinois. His principal duty was guarding government stores. He has served the township as trustee, school director, and supervisor. At present is township clerk” and school treasurer. They are believers in, and members of, the Methodist Episcopal church at Richland Center.

Abram P. Smith, a son of Tunis and Mary A. (Jacques) Smith, was born in New York city on the 4th of October, 1836. He came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1860, and to Richland township in 1870, settling on section 4, where he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of improved land. He was married on the 31st day of December, 1867, to Miss Mattie A. Rice, a daughter of Dennis and Charlotte (Raub) Rice. They have three children—Stella, Lester and Lulu. Mr. Smith has been town clerk and president of the school board. He enlisted at Muscatine, Iowa, in Company B, 35th Iowa infantry, and was discharged in April, 1865, at Davenport. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, and also took part in a number of skirmishes. He was detailed in the quartermaster’s department for one year. Mr. Smith has a beautiful site for his farm, which is located four and a half miles from Fontanelle, on the divide south of the Nodaway. He has a commodious residence and has a bearing orchard and the different kinds of small fruit. By occupation he is a farmer and stock-raiser, his stock being good.

Hugh Evans was born in Washington county, Indiana, October 22, 1834, his parents being Robert and Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Evans, the former being a native of Indiana and the latter of Pennsylvania. With his. parents Hugh removed to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1841, where he followed farming, and in 1851 they came to Madison county, Iowa, and to this county, July 3, 1869. He was married in Madison county, Iowa, to Miss Susan 0. Davis, a daughter of George A. and Martha (Dickinson) Davis. They have six children—Flora E., G. A., Martha E., Adella A., Nancy J. and Hannah C. Mr. Evans has a nice farm on the northeast quarter of section 29, all improved, and has a fine view of the surrounding country, and has a grove and an orchard. He has been school director, trustee, road supervisor and president of the school board, and is the treasurer of lodge No. 418, A. F. and A. M., of Nevenville, having become a mason in 1875, at Fontanelle. In June, 1855, he helped survey the first road through Adair county from Winterset to Lewis, Cass county. He now follows farming and stock-raising.
HISTORIC. John Oilman built the first cabin in the township. He also broke the first ground and sowed the first grain. The size of the cabin was 14x16 feet. The first school-house was built in 1858. It was 20x24 feet in size and cost $400. The first birth in the township was a son to James and Margaret Ewing, April 13, 1857, and was named Winfield S. The first death which occurred in the township was a child of some immigrants who were passing through. The second death was that of Mary A. Ewing, which occurred August 19, 1860.The first religious services were those of the Methodist Episcopal society, held at the house of T. M. Ewing in the summer of 1855.

Taken from "History of Guthrie and Adair County Iowa, 1884", transcribed by Carlyss Noland