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Physicians & Surgeons
In
1852-3-4, there was much sickness and suffering amongst the
“new-comers” and consequently some depression of spirits, as it was
thought the country would prove permanently unhealthy. The principal
part of the sickness was fevers of the intermittent type. Some of the
worst cases, however, demanded the attendance of a physician and Dr.s
Vogt, Sanders and White of Iowa City, had quite a practice in Oxford
township.
Dr. G, M. Proctor, who had located in the township
became the first resident physician. He was succeeded by Dr. W. L.
Hustin, who came in December, 1859.
Hotels, Houses & Inns
The
Douglas house, which had been noted for many years as a wayside “inn”
was discontinued as a public house about 1854 or 1855, the Erie house
and Kentucky house becoming the popular stopping places. The former
kept by J. J. Hartwell was built in 1853 or 1854 and opened as a public
house, becoming at once popular, being frequently spoken of as the
half-way house, fifteen miles from Iowa City and Marengo. The Kentucky
house was kept by E. H. Morton a Kentuckian, who began to keep hotel in
a log shanty 14x16 in 1851, and often has as many as could find
sleeping room on the floor. His room increased and patronage with it
till he had plenty of both. Peter Brant now occupies the place.
Mail Service
Mail
was obtained from Copi P.O., at the Bond place, or from Homestead. As
Copi P.O. had been removed to Bondea in 1854, Oxford township had no
post office. But Homestead had been established in 1853 or ’54, and as
there was a rule of the department that post offices on such routes
must be no less than five miles apart, it was a very close shave to get
an office in the township. At last, however; all difficulties were
overcome and an Oxford post office was established in October 1855, at
the Erie House, with J. J. Hartwell, as Post Master where the office
remained till 1860 when the mail began to be carried by the M. & M
. R. R.
In 1867, Oxford township had one post office, and it was
called Nemora. Just how it happened that the change of name occurred is
a matter that very few persons know anything about, but that such
change occurred while E. C. Vaugh was Post Master., is a fact known to
many, and it is also well known that the name was changed back to
Oxford at the emphatic demand of the people.
Census Data
In
the census of 1856, Oxford township is credited with 73 voters, but not
over fifty voted at the first election, and of those voters we can only
call to mind the following persons who yet remain as residents of the
township: Lewis Doty, J. J. Hartwell, C. Yenter, Thomas Harper, W. H.
Cotter, H. A. Cook, David Clodfelder, W. H. Hilborn and Hezekiah
Hamilton. And of those who were residents but not voters, we can name
Mrs. Merritt, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Yenter, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Foster, Peter
Williams, M. W. Cook, Wm. Eddy, L. Harington, John Wagner, Cyrus
Douglass, James Douglass, Jr., C. A. Wagner, Jacob Floerchinger, E. A.
Doty, Charles Doty, and Ed. Heifner.
Railroad
In
1859, the first railroad route was explored through Oxford township,
and after surveys and re-surveys, for about a year, the work began west
of Iowa City, and went along slowly, being several months in building
from Iowa City to Marengo. An still Oxford existed only in imagination.
A tank was built to supply water for the use of the engines but there
was a deadness about the place that nothing could overcome.
For
several years after the building of the road, there was but two trains
daily each way, being “mixed, “ that is freight trains with one or two
coaches for the accommodation of travel. But it must be remembered,
too, that the road was only finished for a short distance west of
Marengo, till 1865.
Coal Yard
In
1872 Wilson and Estabrook began to deal in coal, which began at that
time to be used, and has now nearly superseded wood as an article of
fuel in the town of Oxford.
Grangers Society
In
1874, the Grangers (or Patrons of Husbandry) society was formed. In
Oxford township, there were three granges or lodges. A “joint stock
company,” composed of members of several granges in the vicinity of
Oxford, was formed and erected two buildings at Oxford, one to be used
for a general store, the other as an agricultural warehouse.
The
store was opened and continued to do business for some three years and
the general impression has been that it was not a great success. The
store was discontinued, and the “company” dissolved, the property being
sold to Mr. McCandless in 1879. The buildings are now occupied by
Robinson’s drug store, and Mrs. Heartwell’s millinery establishment.
Source: History of Johnson County 1836-1882, pgs 586 - 598
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