The first permanent settlement within the borders of Lincoln township was that of William Thompson, a native of Ohio, who, in the fall of 1856, migrated with his family from Indiana and settled on section 5. Mr. Thompson built a log cabin, which they occupied about a year and which long afterward came into the possession and occupancy of Mrs. Gant. The Thompson family then removed to section 4, where its head built another log cabin on the land which he had entered. They remained there until September, 1875, when they went to Kansas, afterward returning, but finally locating in Nebraska. Of the six children Rosa was the only one who remained permanently in Lincoln township; she became the wife of Henry C. Martin, a farmer who settled on section 15.
Not long after the coming of the Thompsons, a German, named John Wogan, also settled on section 5. He afterward sold his property to Jacob Gant, and disappeared among the horde of Colorado gold prospectors.
Jacob Gant, an Ohio farmer, made the purchase mentioned in 1860, and lived with his wife and family in that location until his death, in November, 1873. He was the father of seven children, and his widow and various members of the family resided on the old homestead for many years after his decease.
For a number of years further settlement seemed to be almost at a standstill, but in the late 'sixties and throughout the 'seventies quite a number of new comers located in the township. William Talbot, a New Yorker by birth and an Illinoisan by agricultural training, made a settlement in the fall of 1868. He was the first justice of the peace in the township, and was in office at the time of his death in 1874. His widow removed to Hamilton county, this State, where she remarried.
Andrew Trimmer, located on section 17, in November, 1869, having purchased his farm of F. H. Whitney. He proceeded to erect a frame house, which was the third dwelling of that description built in that township. Mr. Trimmer came from his native State of New Jersey; his first wife died in this township, and he was here married a second time.
William T. Smither, of a southern family and a native of Missouri, entered land in section 11 a short time after the arrival of Mr. Trimmer. He had bravely served throughout the Civil War in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and after settling in Lincoln township was honored with nearly all of its offices. Mr. Smither was a member of the school board when the first public building for educational purposes was erected in the township.
In 1869 Charles M. and Seth H. Felt, father and son, came from Illinois, the former buying 800 acres of railroad land and the latter 160 acres in the township. Seth returned to Knox county for a couple of years, but permanently settled in Lincoln in 1871, adding to his real estate until he owned three or four hundred acres of finely improved property. He erected a nice residence in 1875, engaged extensively in stock raising and served acceptably in several township offices. Both father and son were substantial and respected citizens.
Among the well known settlers of 1870 were: W. S. Sherman, who came from Illinois, located on section 19 and remained there until 1879, when he removed to Franklin township; C. S. Leymaster, who entered land on section 35, and afterward went to Anita, where he was engaged for many years as a shoemaker; and H. Van Schaack, who settled on section 10, and remained there, as a man of considerable prominence, until his removal to Polk county in 1882.
Samuel S. King, a Pennsylvanian and an Iowa pioneer of '55, did not reach Lincoln township until the spring of 1871. He was a carpenter and joiner, as well as farmer, but while a resident of this locality devoted himself to the improvement of his large holdings. The first year of his residence in Lincoln township he broke 120 acres and erected a small frame dwelling. In 1882 he built an elegant and commodious residence, which was considered one of the handsomest cottages in the county. Eventually he was the owner of three eighties located on sections 21, 28 and 22, which included two houses, two groves and a fine orchard, and he was classed as one of the most energetic and successful farmers and stock-raisers in his section of the county.
Michael Marshall, an Irish farmer, who came from Ohio in 1871, settled on section 30, where he owned 280 acres of land, which he thoroughly cultivated, and upon which he planted trees and built two residences -- one for his own family and one for a tenant. He became one of the most prosperous farmers of this locality.
John Gilbaugh, a Pennsylvanian, had a family of twelve children before coming to Lincoln township; nine of them were then living -- the oldest twenty-four years of age and the youngest six. Mr. Gilbaugh became a resident in the spring of 1875, settling on section 14, where he at first owned 120 acres. Later he bought 280 acres on sections 14 and 23, 160 acres of which he sold to Peter Lattig in 1882. The Gilbaugh farm was considered one of the best in the township, his land bearing a fine orchard and grove of soft maples.
Thomas F. Robinson, son of Robert Robinson (the Benton township pioneer of 1854), was also a settler of '75, locating on section 20, where he had a farm of 240 acres.
Henry Liter came to the township in 1873, and his brother Andrew, in 1876. In 1877 William A. McIntire purchased a farm of William Keister on section 32, and raised fine stock, especially Norman horses and Shorthorn cattle.
George Allanson, who settled on section 26 during 1876, operated for years one of the largest and best known stock farms in the county. It comprised 320 acres surrounded by a beautiful grove, composed largely of evergreen trees, a fine residence and large, convenient out-buildings.
FIRST THINGS.
Having spoken of the first and early settlers of Lincoln township, it should be of interest to record a few "first things." The first known marriage of residents was that of Charles M. Felt and Julia Humerick, in December 1870, the ceremony occurring in Franklin township.
William Thompson plowed the first ground and sowed the first grain in the township in the spring of 1858.
Nine votes were polled at the first election, held for township officers in the fall of 1870, and seven of the voters were elected to office.
The first religious services were held in 1872 by Rev. C. P. West, a Universalist minister.
"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 160-162.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, November, 2013.
