"An Interesting Early History of Decatur County"

by Mrs. O.N. Kellogg
 
Chapter Twenty-Three

MORMONS AT PLEASANTON-REVELATIONS OF THE K. OF G.C.-
DROUGHT-PIONEER EXPERIENCES-ARRIVAL OF THE DUNKARDS
 
The land in the west part of this county was called out of market two years at the request of Governor Ujhazi. That part of the county was sectionized in 1851 except the southwest corner which was deferred until '52 on account of the heavy rains and swollen streams which interrupted work in '51. H.S. Finley of Davenport was the surveyor.

Alfred W. Moffett came to the county in 1852 and settled a few miles north of Pleasanton, where he resides with his family in a very comfortable fashion on the farm of their first choice. There is quite a settlement there of Mormons of the Joseph Smith school who ignore Brigham Young and the innovations which he brought into the Mormon Church. They are an industrious, God fearing community, high respected and well spoken of by their neighbors. The Knights of the Golden Circle were first exposed at Pleasanton and in less than four days the effect of the revelation was felt all along our lines, from Kansas to the seaboard.

In the Spring of 1857 there was corn burned in the fields on Grand River. It was in shock and the owners gave half for husking until all newcomers had supplied themselves, and still there was a considerable quantity left in the fields which they set fire to in order to get it out of the way of plowing. That year there was a severe drought and those farmers did not raise as much corn as they had burned in the Spring. The next year corn sold on the streets of Leon for $2.00 a bushel. In the Fall, however, it was abundant and cheap as there was a wonderful crop.

There was an extensive nursery brought to Leon in 1855 by Mr. Lunbeck who, surrounded by fruits and flowers, is enjoying in the evening of life the beneficent results of his labors in a department of industry so productive of good.

A lady who came to the county with her husband and family to better their condition thought it a pretty hard ordeal. They had at first no bedstead but Iowa bedsteads, as she called them, were made with only one post, like this: Saw off a pole the proper length for a bedstead and another the width, nail or mortise them to a post the required height, the other end of each pole fastened to the walls of the house, then put on slats or cord in such manner as the ingenuity of the artisan might suggest. Her cupboard was made by piling up the boxes in which their goods were brought. Their chests served as a table. Her husband, having a team, went to the Mississippi to haul out goods for some of the merchants. While he was gone, one of her children was sick and a neighbor woman, a mile off, came to visit them, and was very kind. After the boy had recovered partially she thought a change of scene and diet would be beneficial to him and concluded to return this neighbor's visit.

The mistress of the house and also of the farm, welcomed them cordially and soon set about preparing dinner, first filling oven with some nice squashes, which, with squirrels and good fresh butter made a really excellent meal, which was served with the most generous hospitality. But the fact that the children had slipped in unbeknown to her and appropriated every piece of the baked squash before dinner was ready, and also that there were but two places, knives and forks and cups to make coffee in, the combination of circumstances struck her as inexpressibly singular. She said to herself, “If this is the way the rich farmers live, what is to become of the poor folks?”

Samuel Caster, younger brother of Dr. Paul Caster came to Leon in 1856 or '57. He owned a piece of land which he sold for eight hundred dollars and invested in mill property in Leon. He prospered in this business and in 1860 or '61, commenced building houses to rent which proved very remunerative. He died in October, 1872. In 1854 Thomas and Mary Baldwin came to reside in Leon. They were among the earliest Presbyterians in the place. Quiet and unassuming, they were always faithful and exemplary. Mary Baldwin died suddenly of heart disease, January 18, 1875.

Several families of Yunkers (more generally known as Dunkards) came to the county as early as 1853 or '54 and settled on Jonathan Creek. Previous to that there was a Phipps family settled there who were quite extensively known for their hospitality and helpfulness to settlers coming in, but they went to Missouri some years ago. The Dunkards held their meetings in private houses and, as part of the exercises, fed the multitudes who came to them, whether from motives of curiosity or worship, beef soup and bread in abundance being prepared to dispense to the audience who all partook, nothing loath; and if some went away to scoff, it was not the fault of the Dunkards. They now have a meeting house about five miles northeast of Leon. Mr. Chandler was the first preacher, but the man most frequently elected to that office was Mr. Garber.
 
 
"An Interesting Early History of Decatur County" index   ***   History Index   ***   Decatur County IAGenWeb