Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-06-28
Mn, q. M. Blanchard.

On the 10th of September, 1854, my
parents, in company with five other fami-
lies, started from Clearinghouse, Ontario
county, New York, for the west. We
came as far as Buffalo by rail, then from
Buffalo to Detroit by boat. At Detroit
we changed again to rail, coming on to
there we travelled by stage to Galena, then
Delhi, Delhi at that time being the coun-
" seat. Part Of our party stayed there
over night and the rest went on TO Hart
wick. We were among those who went
10 Hartwick. s. is
4kayed In 4 house 12x14 which already had
foaf occnpants, and twelve more coming
's6sssav- all night you can Imagine where
and how we slept. Beds were built ON ev-i
cry available space Of floor. Could some
Of the young folks of the present day
have looked In 1t would have reminded
them of their camping expeditions.
We arrived at our destination after
dark and experienced some difficulty In
fording the river. That, together with
the Inconvenience Of lodging, made me
ready, when daylight came, to go back
with the stage driver to Dubuque on my
way home to York state. But my parents
being old would not leave them.
Mothers health was very poor and while
coming through Illinois she was so sick
we didn't know but We would have to
stop and lay her away. However, we
we're supplied with medicine and l gave
her the best of care l could and the Lord
spare her till '61.
Arriving about the 18th, father rented q
very small log cabin with one room and
a low chamber. There were five of us to
occupy 1t, so 1t made us close quarters.
This place was known as the old Nc
Donald property and was near what is
now known as "Table Rock" at Spring
Branch.
In the spring of '55 father bought prop
erty In the vicinity of Hoyt's springs and
built a log cabin. At that time there
were twelve families settled at Spring
Branch. These were: Tunis Moshier,
Solomon Moshier, Mid Eldridge, Alfred
Coates, Seeley Raster, Martin Lsnning
Charles Grommons, Rufus Philips, Dan
Potter, Steve Potter, Matt Brayton, Her
man Annis. About this time, in the latter
part of the winter, Burlington, now Man
chester, was laid out. Mr.. Loomis, Dea
con Merrill and Mr.. Hancock built the
first three houses In Manchester. Mr.
Loomis and Judge Dyer built the firs
dry goods store, Thomas Toogood and
Bethel the first hotel, Rote and Henry
COnger were the next merchants. at
tended the first prayer meeting held here
and also heard the first sermon preached
Then the services were held around a
different houses, later they were hello
over Adams hardware store. The differ
ent denominations all met together anG
had their services and a union Sunda,
School. we'll remember when each on'
took their own church name and com
menced building their church homes
But that did not entirely divide US. W.
are pretty good neighbors yet. The olt
settlers saw some pretty hard times. Du
buque was the nearest place where on'
could do much trading. If one wanted a
stove or much groceries he must go there
Mother bought dried fruit and soap tina
lasted q year. As more settlers came IL
1t became easier to get the necessarie
and even the comforts of life.
Though we had many hardships to en-
dure and had to do without many thing
considered as necessaries nowadays, stil
when things came our way we knew hov
to appreciate them and If 1t happened i
be social pleasure make the most of
and get as much enjoyment out of 1t a
possible. Some way 1t didn't seem t
mar our pleasure If we did have to G
crowded in big lumber wagon instea
of in an easy carriage. Then the saying
J "the more the merrier," seemed literall
true.
Il; But soon there will be none left to te
about those early days when the wei
was being settled. The old are passin
away one by one. OF the twelve familte
that settled along the Branch there al
only eight of the old people alive.
y, This proves constant reminder tn,
the old must die and the young ma
The old settlers are 30 few that 1t wi
not be many years, we will be able to bav
our basket picnics together, but we Wi
enjoy them while we may and hope tn;
the people who were children then Wi
keep up the old settlers organizatic
while they live. Though have travel.
some through Iowa and Kansas l alwa.
. come home satisfied with Delaware cou
! ty, cyclones and all.
Continued on Second Page.