davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
These Brothers Settled Here Sixty Years Ago

'OR over sixty years residents of
Nthis county. three brothers We're to-
day able to be together in cele-
brating the thirty-fourth annual re-
union of the Marshall County Old
Settlers association. The oldest men
of the county now living, in point OF
actual length of residence, are these
three brothers-Marion Cooper. of this
city, James NJ. Cooper. of Timber
Greek township. and Joseph N. Cooper,
of MarshalltoWn.
These three men, the youngest past
the limit of three-seore years and ten,
and all in good health for their years,
have watched the development OF
Marshall county since before the time
when there was a foot of land owned
here by any private citizen. Their ia
theirs was the fifth white family to
settle in Marshall county, and the facs
that the youngest of these brothers,
Joseph, was IL years old in 1913, makes
the incident of their presence at to-
days reunion the more noteworthy, for
each one remembers we'll the days
when a now thickly populated land, in
the very height of cultivation and civ
ilization. was a wilderness of dense
forest and unbroken prairie-known
intimately only by the red men.
Braved Dangers to Come West.
When Joseph and Martha Jane Fer
guson Cooper decided in their owen
county, Indiana. home that they would
come to the far-distant territory Of
Iowa, it was not without a due con-
sideration of the dangers they must
brave ere they became safely settled
in a new home. They started with one
team of horses, and one of oxen, in the
fall of 1S47, and finally landed at Ad-
kin's Grove, two miles southwest of
Kellogg, in Jasper county.
Accompanying this sturdy couple
were their large family Of children, ten
in number. Their son Marion was then
a little past 16; James was in his 18th
year, and Joseph was Ill. The other
children We're David E., the oldest son.
then %, who died two years ago at
Montezuma; Martha, who later became
Mrs. Seth Smith, and who died in TIM
Der Creek township in the spring OF
1864; Marcus, who afterwards enlisted
in Company D, Fifth Iowa infantry.
and died eight years after the close Of
the war in Jasper county; Mary, who
became Mrs. Layton Butin, and now
lives at Dorchester, Neb.; Nettie, who
married Samuel Windrem, and now
lives in Richmond. CAL; Mrs. Mahalia
Ann Smith, wife of A. i. Smith. who
now lives in Timber Creek township;
and Mrs. Amanda Jane Smith, wife of
the late Judge w. c. Smith, of Albion,
who died at Eldora In the spring of
1907.
81 It was no easy task, erigrating in
those pioneer days, for thereSwas not a
railroad in any of the country Travelled,
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20

as the old David Biaks farm. The fort
strueted of solid oak timbers. hewn for
the express purpose. Port holes every
few feet admitted the rifles of the
sturdy frontiersmen, and the ground on
the outside was cut away so that II an
attack were made the bullets from the
Indians guns would pass above the
heads of those inside. Barrels were
stocked with water, and larders with
provisions. anticipating an attack. but
none came. The government was on
hand with troops, and the Indians were
sent back to Missouri.
Game Abundant; No Game Laws.
Game of all kinds was abundant in
those days, consequently there was no
need of, nor We're there any game laws.
The three "old bays" at today's re-
union were then handy with the rife.
and altIo each did not have gun or
his own, turn about was taken IN
hunting wild turkeys geese, duck, prai-
RE chickens, grouse and quail. IT they
preferred something larger and more
exciting, the timber and prairie
abounded with wildcat, deer and
wolves. Timber creek was then twice
its present size, and no pufer water
was ever drunk by any settlers in
virgin country Fish We're plentiful. and
could be secured at any time OF the
year. The Iowa river was one third
again as large as it Is now and as
there was not a mill dam from the
mouth up. this stream afforded another
fine fishing ground.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20

in the county, in the person of Carl
Clinton Cooper who was born June
10, 1S49. and now lives at Eagle, Neb.
Indians Mere Numerous.
AIT the very time the Coopers reached
Marshall county the Indians were not
so numerous as they had been or as
they We're a year or two later Old In
dian Town, in Tama county. was then
the reservation, and at times there
We're anywhere from 1000 to 1000
camped along the Iowa river, depend
ing on the season OF the year The
government had bought much of the
land and moved the tribes down into
northwestern Missouri. The reds did
not like the new country, however.
for they became Ill with the ague and
it's attendant chills and fever. They
began coming back In 1S49-not only
the Iowa Sacs and Foxes but Winnie
pagos, and Pottawattamies. Indian
heap sick; heap shake. Ugh! Ugh!
was about all the English they knew.
Begin to Get Sassy" Whites Scared.
Upon returning in large numbers
get ohstreperous in 1S49, and the set
tiers became alarmed. There was quite
a Large settlement In Timber Creek
township by the time-eighteen or
twenty families-numbering between
fifty and sixty people, The men feared
for their wives and children, so daring
were the reds in the little acts of dew
iltry and petty thieving. A council was
held, and it was decided to build a fort.
This was how Fort Robinson came to
be built In 1850 on what is now known
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20

and but very few bridges. The route
taken was via Terre Haute, Ind, where
a bridge was found over the Wabash
river. Over the Sangamon, which was
crossed at Bloomington, the river was
forded, but at Peoria, the Illinois had
bridge. A steam ferry boat let the
emigrants cross the Father of Waters
at Burlington. but every other stream,
big or little, was forded.
This big pioneer family of Iowa
spent the winter OF Al in the little
Jasper county grove, and In the spring
migrated farther north, with the ex-
ception of the two married daughters,
who remained in Jasper until the
spring of 40, before Joining their peo-
pie in Timber Creek.
But Four White Families Here.
On the evening of April 6, 1S4S,
when the Cooper family reached Tim
Der Creek township from Jasper
county, and pitched their tents on what
is now the Ed" :Monohon farm, SIX
miles south of this city on Center
street, there We're but four white fam
lilies in all Marshall county Joe" DAY.
idson was the first white settler, hav-
ing come here in June, 1915, William
Asher came in the spring of Al, and
DR.. Bush and Wash" Asher landed
here in the fall of Al. The fifth family
to arrive began at once to get set
tied" and young Marion, his brother
James, and even little Joseph, had q
portion of the work to do in hewing
the native oak timber into a substan-
tial log hut. Another child came. one
of the very first white children born
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
Tramped Over All This Country.


The three young Coopers hunted and
called the city of Marshalltown, for
there was not even the slightest sign
of a town here until 1853, five years
after they came. They often ventured
on hunting expeditions as far north
as the river Much of the present
townsite was prairie, but the river was
skirted with timber which ran in
stFeaks out from the stream, extending
farthest to the south from where Fifth
and Sixth streets are now situated, and
gradually diminishing from that poin
east to Center. The strip OF big oak
that extend thru the present residencXs
property of d. w. Norris, Jr, and on
the Duffield place. are remnants OF
the thickest patches of native timber.
At that time the Coopers went to
Oskaloosa for their groceries, and took
their grist to mill at South Skunk
river. three miles north of the Mahaska
county capital, to exchange it for flour
or have it ground. Another favorite
milling place was Winners mill, ten
miles above Sigourney. in keokuk
county.
Cooner Buys First Land.
Every foot OF land in Marshall coun-
ty then belonged to Uncle Sam. and
it was Joseph Cooper. ST. and his
brother in law, Joseph Ferguson, who
entered the first land in Marshall coun-
ty. The men rode horseback to Iowa
City, following an Indian trail along
the south side of the Iowa river and
ON June i, 1S4S. Mr.. Cooper entered
the first land ever granted a white
man in Marshall county-16O acres at
s1.25 per acre. Mr. Ferguson entered
an eighty one mile east OF his
brother In Laws farm. Today each of
the tracts is easily worth 500 an acre,
and probably couldn't be bought for
that.
Much Pleasure With All Hardships.
Those pioneer days were days OF
much pleasure with all their haMships,
and the three brothers today look back
sixty years and marvel at the changes
in one short span of human life. They
all agree that sit was fine country
In which to bring up a boy. j. r. M.
Cooper will be II years old on Novem-
her next, and ]. M. Cooper will be
IA on September 10. Joseph N Cooper
the youngest of this trio of the Oldest
settlers of Marshall county, will be "
on November 16.
There is another resident of the
county who has been here practically
as long as the Coopers. He is Jabez
Ballard. of Albion, a son OF Whllam
Ballard, who came to Timber Creek
in the spring of '4S. Mr.. Ballard,
-bowavar was then but 3 wears old, and
was too young to remember much
about the very earliest days OF the
white settlers of Marshall county.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
at VIII Anderson's, near Albion. sun

at Will Anderson's, near Albion, Sun
day
Mrs. E. w. Hall spent few days
in State Center this week visiting at
the home Of her aunt, Mrs. NJ. Roberts.
Miss Ida Wilkins of North English
who has been visiting at the home of
her uncle, w. N. Wilkins, and other
relatives The past few days. returned
home this week.
Miss Gladys Standidge of West
Chicago, who has been visiting Miss
Addie Bell the past two weeks, left for
her home Monday morning.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20

in hope Of benefiting Charles health.
Miss Mayme Everist, who has been
employed as stenographer at Pierre,
S. D., for the past eight months, is
home for short vacation.
Mr.. Nell Reid and family moved
near Bangor Tuesday, on the David
Blackburn farm. Mr.. Reid was for-
merly employed by Mr. Warren Mich
OILS.
LISCOMB.
Aug. 2o.-Mrs. M. NJ. McFee and
children are visiting Mrs. McFee's pa
rents near Independence for a week.
John L. Weatherly. who came to at
tend the Jennings reunion picnic, re-
turned to his home in Rock Rapids,
Tuesday.
Edgar Parnell, of Chicago, brother
of D. T. Parnell, of this village, was
visiting in Liscomb Saturday and Sun
day
Harry Stevenson and wife went to
Geneva Sunday, where they will visit
Mrs. Stevcnson's father and sister for
a few days before returning to their
home in limo, Mo.
Miss Hazel Barber has returned
home from a two weeks stay with her
cousin, Mrs. Roy Brown, in Des
MONIES.
Mrs Candace I.hamon Smith, who
was visiting her parents here for rev
days this week, went to her nome IN
Illinois, Saturday leaving the children
to follow her later.
Mrs NJ E. Beatty was quite seriously
injured Monday by being thrown from
a buggy on Main street.
Mrs. T. G. Culp went to Ames Nom
day. The family expect to move to that
city soon, as Mr.. Culp has position
in the college.
Mrs. E. C. johnson and children went
to their home in Cedar Rapids Satur-
day. Misses Lutte and Vera have been
spending the holidays with their
grandparents in Liscomb.
Mrs. T. J. Stanley went to Sigourney
Tuesday, where Mr., Stanley is working
and will remain for several weeks.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Haggln, OF
Union, drove to this village Sunday
and visited at Mrs. Mary Scott home.
Miss Ella Powers Is visiting a girl
friend in Grinnell.
The Misses Pearl and BERTHE Hedges
and Miss May Meade, or iowa CITY, are
guests o. the J. l.. Meade home for
week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Elias Bueghly were
county seat visitors Tuesday.
Miss Roxy Early who visited for
few days in Hubbard with her sister,
Mrs. NJ G. Mix, returned home Sat
urday evening.
a j. Morgan, of Iowa Falls, arrived
in town Friday thinking it the day set
for the Jennings picnic. On becoming
aware of his mistake he returned home
and was unable to make arrangements
SO that he could be present Saturday
much to the regret of his many friends.
MARIETTA.
Aug. 2O.-Mr NJ. v. Hal! spent a
couple of days this week in Fearing
visiting his cousin, Mr. Stanley Chand-
ler
MIR. and Mrs. Robert Harper visited
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
Irish Humor Alive.

People sometimes complain that the
sense Of hunor is dying out in Ire-
land We are therefore specially glad
to record a proof to the contrary.
An Irish tenant WHO had just bought
under the purchase act boasted to the
agent that his landlord was now God
Almighty" and that he need fear moth
ing.
Don't you be too sure. Pat was
the reply Remember God Almighty
evicted his first two tenants"
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20

Sunday with Nelson Ulery at Bethel.
Mrs. w. o. Hamburger, son Morri-
son, and brother-in-la law Charlie Tran
barger, visited Tuesday afternoon with
the formers sister, Mrs. Dan Chad
wick.
Mr.. Cressy White returned home to
Marshalltown Saturday. He has been
working for his uncle-in-laW, Mr.. John
Schiebel.
MIR. and Mrs III. Rosencranz ana
daughter, Miss Nettie, took dinner at
Frank Lannon'S Wednesday,
w. o. Tranbarger's youngest broth
err. Charlie and friend, Ross Seymour,
both of Franklin, ILL.,, came last We'd
nesday. Mr.. Seymour went to Lake
City Friday evening for two weeks
visit with his brother. Charlie Tran
barger will remain for longer visit.
Mrs. Johnson and daughter, Mrs.
Stotts, and two grandsons, called on
Mrs. r. A. McKibben Wednesday att
ernoon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas McLarnan are
visiting with Mr.. and Mrs. Dan Elliott
this week.
Mesdames Mary Withheld and Lou
Use Johnson, both of MarshalltoWn,
visited at H. Rosencranz's last Tues
day.
Mr.. Harry Early. formerly of this
neighborhood, but now of the Bash
lneighborhood, bought the farm owned
by VIII Elliott, but known as the
Howard Robinson farm.
Mrs. Stotts, with one of her sons, re-
turned home to Marshalltown Friday.
Her other son, Eugene, stayed for
longer visit with his grandparents, Mr.
and Mrs Thomas Johnson.
Word was received in this nelghpof-
hood that Mr.. and Mrs. Walter boyer
formerly of this neighborhood, but
now living near st. Edward, Neb., are
the parents of "a baby boy, born Aug.
g.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
LAUREL.

Aug. 2O.-Ihe repairing ana reIuF-
nisiling of the Me- E. church is now al
most complete. and on Sunday, Aug
IS, a dedication service will be held,
conducted by Rev. Hayward, of Mon
tour, who was, many years ago, the
popular pastor of the Laurel church
Charles Brown has sold his mea,
market and will retire from business
William Schultz is the purchaser and
is now in charge Of the business.
F. H. Fehrmann went to Iowa City
Monday with his 10-year-old son, who
viii undergo an operation at the Mercy
hospital for nasal affection.
William Weissenburger left for Chi
cago Tuesday for weeks visit with
relatives.
Miss Anna Hurto went to Grinnell
Monday, where she has taken posi-
ton as stenographer with the Spauld-
ing Manufacturing Company.
Mrs D. w. Whitcon1b and daugh-
tiers, Florence and Mabel, of Newton,
arrived here Monday for a short visit
with husband and father, who is en-
gagged in artists work at this place.
Miss Ida Bartlett, of Charles City, is
visiting friends here.
About fifty of the friends and
relatives of James Madoll gave him a
pleasant surprise Monday evening and
stayed with him until late hour, to
assist him in celebrating his 62d
birthday in BETTING manner A very
enjoyable time was had by all pres
emit
F. C. Riemenschneider of Bisbee,
Ariz., is home for a visit with his par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. H. Reimen-
schneider.
Dan Brown left Tuesday for Water
town and other. South Dakota points,
and will probably make a purchase OF
real estate before his return.
LEGRA;ND.
Aug. 2O.-Miss Gould, Of Gilman, is
visiting with Miss Lucille Wagner
Howard Searle is home again from
Colorado His stay will be indefinite.
Dora Shellenbarger is visiting with
friends here this week.
Oscar Wagner and family of Alden,
are visiting with the formers parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Wagner.
Chas. Reed and wife of Hartland,
visited relatives here over Sunday.
Rev and Mrs. McCord of Marshall
town, were in attendance at the
Friends quarterly meeting Saturday.
Rev McCord delivered sermon
Word received by friends here an
nounces that J. c. Richter and family
formerly of Manila, Ia, are moving
to Iowa City. Mrs. Barton and Mrs.
Richter will visit here en- route.
Mrs. R. T. Wagner is enjoying a
visit from her mother, Mrs Brock, of
Alden, Ia, and sister, Fay.
Mr.. and Mrs. G. A. Mote of Marshall
town. were over-Sunday visitors here
with relatives.
C. G. Johnson went to Canada Tues
day evening to look after his land in
terests there.
Mrs. Lincoln Price and daughter of
Oklahoma, are home for a visit.
DR.. M. NJ Evans sent some of his
fancy Orpingtons to the state fair this
week. Other exhibitors from here are
Tweedt Bros, r. G. and Ed Tweedt,
and A. j. Banks, Poland China hogs.
Miss Anderson, of MarshalltoWn,
spent Tuesday at the home Of her sis
ter, Mrs. A. W. Arnold.
Miss Elna Herbert went to Mar
slalltown Wednesday to spend few
days with Miss Eva Cumming.
A party was given Tuesday on the
w. C. Arnold's lawn in honor Of VIII
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20

tended the chautauqua at Ames this
week
Mrs Emery Mason issued invitations
to about thirty for a luncheon to be
held at her home Friday morning at
$50.
Mr. and Mrs. r. ]. MclVary, of Lee
high, Neb., are visiting relatives.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
AUcTIoNEER
M. M. KENDALL
LIVE STOCK AND GENERAL FARM
SALE AUcTIoNEER.
also sell reaIestate and merchandise.
Room II, Woodbury. Bldg,
MARsHALLTowN - : IOWA
A Vile Suspicion.
(New York Press)

Her bosom heaved as with the di-
vine afflatus.
Il yearn," she said, ito give to the
world some life work of marvellous
scope. some creation hitherto unex-
ampied in the vastness and grandeur
OF its structural beauty
Marie he cvried hoarsely could it
have been you that invented these new
broad brimmed hats?'
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
NoRTH STAR.

Aug. 2O.--Mr. Pardon Head called at
the Harlic Durham home Sunday
Mr. John Rowe visited over Sunday
with his mother in Manchester, a.,
Mr. and Mrs. Guy Coulter spent
Sunday with the formers parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Aaron Coulter
Miss Emma Johnson attended the
picnic at the county poor farm last
Thursday
Finley McKibben and family spent
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
BANGOR.

Aug. 2O-Mesdames T. Carey ana >.
j. Hollingsworth took dinner with Mrs.
J. H. Kinzer Friday.
Rev. and Mrs. Fred Comfort, Mr. and
Mrs. /. 7. Fill attended quarterly
meeting at LeGrand.
Mr.. Jesse Cox and daughter, Clara,
returned home Friday from a brief
visit in Indiana. They were accom-
panied by the formers brother, Mr..
Jerry Cox, of California, who has been
visiting in the east.
C. c. Carson and family Sundayed at
the w. r. Stanfeld home.
I. p. Jessup and family moved to
Liscomb Tuesday.
l.. r. Green, j. A. Speer and j. r.
Macy, delivered hogs at Union, Mon
day. Tuesday and Wednesday respec-
lively.
Miss frankie Hollingsworth went to
Newton Friday to visit her cousin, Miss
I4avina Commack.
Mrs. III. A. Hollingsworth is on the
sick List.
Mrs. Thomas Hollingsworth is slow
ly improving.
Miss Aynsworth, of Eldora, has been
employed to teach the Bangor school.
Mrs. C. r. WINERY is enjoying a
visit with two sisters from Carmel,
Ind.
T. Hollingsworth is building a new
barn.
MINERVA.
Aug. 2O.-Mr. and Mrs. c. T. Hoff
and children spent Sunday at Albion
as guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Jesse Ever
list.
Mr.. and Mrs. SANDY" Cameron are
the parents of a baby girl, born Sum
day.
Threshing in our neighborhood is
very near complete.
Miss LYDIA Worrall, who has been
staying with AIRS. Fred Nichols this
summer, is visiting her parents at
State Center this week.
Mr.. Warren Nichols and son Charles
went to Colfax Monday for few days
stay at the springs. The trip was made
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
STATE CENTER.

Aug. 20.-Chris Thake, a farmer, llv-
ing three and one-half miles west of
town, died very suddenly Monday af-
.ternoon. He had been feeling as well
as usual up to the time of his death.
Chris Thake was born in Cook county,
Illinois, Sept. 20, 1849. In 1853 came
to Iowa with his parents and in 1870
was married to Hannah German Five
sons were born to them, all of whom,
survive with. their mother. They are
Edward, Louis, August and Will, who,
live near South Carolina, and Henry,
who lives in Turlock, Cal. The funeral
services We're held at the home at IL
O'clock and at the French Grove Luth-
eran church at 2 o'clock this afternoon
Rev Boehn officiating. Burial was at
Hillside.
Mr. and Mrs. q. S. Fish left Sunday
night for a two weeks visit in Peoria,
Ill.
Mrs. q. J. West and daughter, Mabel,
are spending few days in Ida Grove,
Ia.
Mrs. w. E. Watson returned home
Sunday after several weeks visit in
Nebraska and Minnesota.
MISS mae ferguson returned Hoine
Tuesday from Marengo, where she
went to attend her cousins funeral.
Mrs. Maude Hall, of Marietta, is Wis
iting her cousin, Miss Lizzie Roberts.
Mrs. Harry Hopkins, of Marshall
town, is visiting her mother, Mrs. En-
ma Evans, for few days.
Miss Ida Liston returned to her home
Tuesday after short visit with her
brother, w. j. Liston.
Miss Ruth Lark, of Galva, Ia, is
visiting her grandfather, Mr.. d. H.
Fitch.
Miss Vida Keene, Of Cedar Falls, Ia,
and Miss Edith Clark, Of Des Moines.
are being entertained at the B. c.
Whitehill home.
Mrs, w. H. sedwick and Alazade
left Sunday for few weeks visit with
relatives in Illinois.
Mrs. G. A. Bower and little daugh-
ter,~f Rockwell, Ia. are visiting at
the w. D. Bower home
A large crowd from State Center 1T.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20
MARSHALL COUNTY
NEWS Of INTEREST
T.-R. Correspondents Furnish
Abundance OF Interesting
News Of County
DEATH NEAR STATE CENTER
Chris Thake, Well known Farmer
Living Three and one-haIf Miles
West Of Town, Passes Away Very
Suddenly Other News of the coun-
try and County Towns.

Marshall county correspondents to
the T.-R. have furnished an abund-
ance of interesting news this week.
From State Center is reported the
death of Chris Thake, a well known
farmer, who died suddenly at his
home, three and one-haf miles west of
town. Other happenings of the country,
and county towns, of much interest to
all county readers, former residence are
classified below. They form what is
better than a letter from home.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-20

freda and Ross Heald fMarshalltown,
who are visiting at the A. w. Arnold
home.