(Page 567)

 

Was organized in the early part of February, 1851.  It then embraced Bedford and the present independent school-district of Bedford.  Prior to Bedford being made the county seat of Taylor, after their removal from Ross township, courts were held at the residence of John Lowe, which was then the capital of the county to all intents and purposes.  The neighborhood is now the home of the Daugherties, some of whom were residents of the county as early as 1846.

 

Benton township aside from Bedford has very little history.  In 1879 O. M. Dunning, James Ross and J. H. Fitch, with many others, concluded that it would be very pleasant to live by themselves, and this they succeeded in having done.  They came before the board of supervisors with a large petition, signed by a majority of the voters, praying that Bedford be stripped from Benton township. The board so did at the September session in 1880, adding, however, the independent school-district of Bedford to the new township of Benton.

 

The first and present officers of Benton township, are as follows:

Justices of the Peace - A. J. McMurtry and B. J. Beal.

Trustees - Milton Dunning, John Hamilton and E. M. Dugan

Clerk - B. J. Beal

Assessor - Sidney Putnam

Constables - Robert Salem and R. Hardinbrook

 

Elections hereafter will be held at the Beal school-house.  Last year the election was had at the residence of J.W. Whiffin, Esq., one and one-quarter miles northwest of Bedford.

 

Benton township has some farmers who are very wealthy and who own large tracts of land.

 

O. M. Dunning, who came to the county in 1869, owns 620 acres in one body, which is as fair to look upon as the finest scope of country to be seen in the handsomest valley in the world.  Its fertility is commensurate with its beauty.  In addition to careful farming Mr. Dunning make a specialty of fine horses and hogs. 

 

L. W. Fairbanks is the prosperous owner of nearly a section.  He came to the county in 1869, and Providence had not then lavished upon him a very large fortune.  But he has prospered since landing in Benton township, and to-day his check will be as good at the Bedford Bank as that of almost any other citizen of the county.  Mr. Fairbanks is an extensive feeder of both hogs and cattle.  By industry and intelligent labor he has accomplished success.

 

James Ross, who has been a citizen of the county for almost a quarter of a century, if not a little more than that, numbers his acres by about one-half section.  Mr. Ross stands well throughout the county.  He is well posted on all the current issues, and has honestly earned the splendid competency he is enjoying.

 

Mr. J. H. Fitch has been a resident of Benton township for twelve years, and is the proprietor of 300 very pretty and fertile acres of land.  His barn and feed-lots are models.

 

Mr. A. V. B. Wakeman has made it profitable to farm in Benton township.  He owns nearly one-half section.  He delights in the culture of fruits and in owning the finest horses in the county.

 

A. J. McMurtney and James McCracken are successful farmers and stock-raisers.

 

J. R. VanFleet, of the Bedford Bank, is an extensive land-owner in the township.

 

An old settler was Thomas Cobb, now of Cloud county, Kansas.  He located in Benton township in 1855, and was one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens who helped to give the county its present splendid rank and name.  He has six children now living in the county: Mrs. Sarah A. Brewer, Mrs. M. J. Wight, Elder William Cobb, Mrs. Nancy Foreman, Ambrose L. Cobb and Mrs. Helen Coon.  Mr. Cobb was the principal factor in the organization of the Christian Church at Bedford.  His son William imbibed the old gentleman's firm faith and trust, and gave himself to the ministry at an early age.  He is widely known in southwestern Iowa and northwest Missouri, and the Christian Church has no man in its pulpit more universally esteemed.

 

Other old settlers of Benton township are Samuel P. Bristow, J. F. Johnson, W. A. Wysong, L. Wood, A. N. Daugherty, R. J. Salen, Charles Taylor, and E. B. Larrison.  Mr. Wysong deserve especial mention.  He has been one of the staunch friends of the Taylor County Agricultural Society, and a (page 569) diligent worker to make it self-sustaining for a period of almost twenty years.  He is a gentleman of superior judgment, and the society always makes him one of its chief advisers.

 

The Methodists have an old church organization known as the Gilead.  The membership is seventy-six, and growing.  A prosperous sabbath-school of one hundred is connected with the church.  A splendid church edifice, built in 1879, is the place of worship.  It is located near the northwest corner of the township.

 

The township is well watered.  Its soil is productive, as abundant harvests have attested for many years.  Coal exists along the Middle and East One Hundred and two rivers, although no "banks" have been opened.  Two years since a shaft was sunk on the Middle One Hundred and Two River.  Coal was found, but not in paying quantities.  But all the evidences were proof that it could be found in unlimited quantities at a greater depth.  The gentleman in search of it, however had not the means to prosecute the search further.

 

 

BRISTOW, SAMUEL P., farmer, section twenty-three, post-office Bedford; a native of Preble county, Ohio, and was born August 8, 1818, and resided in his native county until fourteen years of age, employed on the farm and attending school.  In 1834 his father moved to Warren county, Indiana, there our subject remained until 1850; he then came west, locating in Jefferson county, Iowa, remaining in that place about one year, he then moved to Keokuk county, and in the spring of 1860 came to Taylor county, locating near Honey Creek, four miles east of Bedford.  In 1878 he moved to his present location where he is the possessor of a desirable farm of one hundred and forty-five acres.  Mr. Bristow has always been a firm believer in the old maxim, "the hand that holds the plow is the hand that feeds the world," and has given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits.  He has been twice married, first in Warren county, Illinois, to Miss Mary Thomas, (page 666) who died in 1848; and again in 1851 to Miss Nancy Kockenbush.  This union brought them ten children, eight of whom are now living.  Mr. Bristow has been an active member and zealous worker in the Baptist Church and has led a very exemplary life.

 

 

BEAL, B. J., farmer, section fifteen, post-office Bedford, a native of the Hoosier State, was born August 27, 1831, and was raised and educated in Hamilton county.  He devoted most of his time to farming, but taught school several terms.  He was married in his native county, in 1860, to Miss Mary Caro.  From this union there are four children: Welsy E., William J., Elmer and Edwin.  Mr. Beal came to Iowa in 1869 and settled in Taylor county, where he has since resided.  He now owns a fine farm of eighty acres well improved, good buildings, etc.  He is a wide awake farmer and possesses the requisite amount of energy to make a success of life.

 

 

COBB, Rev. WILLIAM, section thirty-four, post-office Bedford, a native of the Hoosier State, and was born November 17, 1859.  When about six years of age his parents came to Iowa, locating in Keokuk county, and in 1854 moved to Delaware county.  In 1855 they came to Taylor county, where our subject was brought up on a farm.  He attended the common schools and succeeded in acquiring a liberal education.  He was brought up in the Christian Church and early became a close student of the Bible.  He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres well cultivated and beautifully situated near Bedford.  Subject was married in 1859 to Miss Melinda Agler, a native of Indiana.  This union has brought them three children: Charles S., born December 25, 1860; Thomas E., born November 9, 1869; and Floyd born March 16, 1881.  They have lost two: Margaret, born April 21, 1863, and died October 1, 1868; and Harry B., born May 29, 1866, and died April 17, 1868.  Mr. Cobb is a man who has done much for the cause of Christianity, having been long engaged in the ministry.

 

 

COBB, J. M., farmer and stock-raiser, born in Indiana in 1822, where he grew to manhood.  In 1846 he moved to Iowa and settled in Keokuk county, where he made his home until the autumn of 1854.  He then came to Taylor county and settled on his present farm.  Being among the first settlers of that neighborhood, he endured many of the privations and hardships consequent upon the early settlement of a new country.  In 1847 he was married in Keokuk county, Iowa.  Mr. and Mrs. Cobb are active members of the Christian Church, and command the esteem of all workers in the cause of Christianity.  They own a fine farm of 260 acres, and are extensively engaged in stock-raising.

 

 

(Page 667)

 

DOUGHERTY, A. N., farmer, section thirty-two, post-office Bedford, a native of the Hoosier State - born August 3, 1821.  He there grew to manhood and received a liberal education.  Was married May 9, 1846 to Miss Ellen Harrison.  Three days after marriage he enlisted in company B, Second Indiana, and served through the Mexican War; participated in the battle of Buena Vista, and others of equal importance.  He was discharged in 1847, and returned to his home in Indiana.  Came to Taylor county in 1856, and settling on the raw prairie commenced to improve his present farm, which consists of 510 acres of as good land as Taylor county affords; is well improved, with fine house and commodious out-buildings.  The family consists of six children: Sarah J., Elizabeth, Lucinda E., James L, Alice E. and Andrew Johnson.  Mr. Dougherty is a man of ability, takes great interest in public affairs, and is one of the substantial farmers of Taylor county.

 

 

DUNNING, O. M., farmer, section seven, post-office Bedford, was born August 1, 1823, in Erie county, New York.  Remained there until ten years of age, when he moved with his parents to Cass county, Michigan, and there received a liberal education and taught several schools.  He was married in 1844 to Miss Martha M. May, a native of the Empire State.  From this union there are nine children living: Milton O., Leonard H, now a doctor at South Bend, Indiana), Eva, Hulda, Martha M, Sunday S., Mary S., Mildred and _________.  Mr. Dunning came to Iowa in 1869 and located in this county where he now lives.  He owns a large farm of 520 acres, well adapted to raising stock, and is one of the most successful farmers in this county.

 

 

FAIRBANKS, L. W., farmer and stock-raiser, sections seventeen and twenty, post-office Bedford, was born in Jefferson county, New York, August 23, 1836; moved with his parents to Knox county, Illinois, when but nine years of age, where he grew to manhood and received a liberal education.  He was married in October, 1857, to Miss N. A. Champion, a native of Illinois.  On the day of his marriage he started for Kansas, where he remained three years during the "Kansas troubles," - "would plough a while, and fight a while," as he puts it.  Crops during that time were of no profit - being "jay-hawked" by one party or the other.  He returned to Illinois, and in August, 1862, enlisted in the One Hundred and Second Illinois infantry, serving until May, 1863, when he was discharged on account of physical disability.  He came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1869, and located where he now lives and owns a fine farm of 492 acres, nearly all in cultivation, good buildings, orchard, and about four miles of osage orange fence.  His farm is beautifully situated, well watered, and admirably adapted to (page 668) stock-raising - in which business he is now quite extensively engaged, having sold over $6,000 worth of stock from his farm during the year 1880.  Mr. Fairbanks is a man of unquestionable integrity, liberal culture, and is respected as a citizen.  His family consists of seven children: Joseph, Andrew J., James M., Lestina J., John, Sylvia and Eva.

 

 

JOHNSTON, J. T., farmer, section twenty-four, post-office Bedford, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1830.  When fourteen years of age he began the tailor's trade and served an apprenticeship.  In 1850 he went to Coshocton county, Ohio, and in the following year came to Iowa, locating in Iowa City.  In the spring of 1852 he moved to Fairfield, Jefferson county, remaining until the fall of 1854; then went to Chariton.  While there he married Miss Anna Long, a very estimable and intelligent lady. Subject came to Bedford in 1857 and engaged in the mercantile business.  At the beginning of the late war he espoused the Union cause, and in March, 1862, enlisted in company G, Fourth Missouri cavalry.  After a short service, however, he was discharged on account of physical disability.  In 1865 he moved to his present location, where he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, nearly all in cultivation, with comfortable buildings.  They have seven children:  E. O., Mary Alice, Charles, James E., Grace, Pearl and Willie.

 

 

LARISON, E. B., farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty-six, post-office Bedford, is a native of Shelby county, Indiana, born in 1827.  His youth was spent on a farm, and his education obtained in the common schools.  Was married in his native county, to Miss Catharine Smith; also a native of Shelby county.  In December, 1854, subject came to this county, locating near Honey Creek, and engaged in farming.  Came to his present location in the fall of the following year.  Mr. L. now owns one hundred and six acres of well improved land, with a large, thrifty orchard, good dwelling, surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, and other buildings necessary to perfect a comfortable home.  Their family consists of six children: William W., Robert, David J., George W., John and Margaret M.  One (Hezekiah) died in 1878, aged about twenty-three years, and a very estimable young man.  Mr. and Mrs. L. have been for years consistent members of the Baptist Church.

 

 

McCRACKEN, JAMES, farmer, section twelve, post-office Bedford.  Subject is a native of Indiana, born December 8th, 1836, in Hendricks county.  He there arrived at man's estate, and received his education.  Was married in 1861 to Miss Sarah A. Fleming, also a native of the "Hoosier" State.  From this union there are three children: Ida, Emma and Jessie.  In 1863 he went to Nevada and engaged in mining; remained there for six (page 669) years and had great success.  He then returned to his former home, and in 1869 came to Taylor county, locating where he now resides.  His farm consists of two hundred and ten acres in good cultivation, with excellent buildings. He is at present extensively engaged in stock-raising, and is numbered among our most successful farmers.

 

 

SALEN, R. J., farmer, section thirty, post-office Bedford.  Subject is a native of Missouri, born February 17th, 1844.  Came to Bedford with his mother when twelve years of age and made this his home until 1863.  He then enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry, and served until the insurgents laid down their arms.  Was honorably discharged in 1865 and returned to his home.  He then engaged in plastering and bricklaying, which business he followed until 1875, when he concluded to try farming for awhile, and accordingly located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has well improved, and acquired a pleasant home. Was married in 1866 to Miss J. Howe, a native of Illinois.  From this union there are three children:  Alice M., Mary E. and Robert K.

 

 

TAYLOR, CHARLES, farmer, section two, post-office Bedford, is a native of England, born in 1837.  Crossed the Atlantic when twelve years of age and stopped at Chicago, where he made his home three years.  He then moved to Grundy county, Illinois, remained a half-decade and came to Taylor county in 1858.  Resided here a short time then went to Texas and settled in Grayson county, where he remained until the commencement of the civil war.  Came north at that time and enlisted in company L, Third Missouri cavalry, and served faithfully through the entire rebellion.  During his service he participated in many spirited engagements and proved conclusively that though living in a Southern State he was not lacking in devotion to the Union cause.  July 17, 1865, he was honorably discharged and at once started for this county.  On reaching Corydon he was taken sick from exposure while in the field and lay prostrate for a time.  When convalescent he resumed his journey and soon arrived at Bedford.  After a short residence in this county he moved to Chautauqua county, Kansas; resided there nearly five years, then returned again to Taylor county and settled on his present farm of eighty acres.  In 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Jane, daughter of William A. Webb, of Bedford.  From this union there are three children:  Effie Mabel, William Leslie and an infant.  Subject and lady are courteous, intelligent and obliging and command the esteem of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

 

 

WYSONG, W. A., farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, post-office Bedford.  Mr. W. is a native of Floyd county, Virginia, and was born February 27th, 1827.  His father, Henry Wysong, was also a native of the Old Dominion, (page 670) and a member of a prominent Virginia family.  During childhood our subject moved with his parents to Franklin county, Virginia, where they remained until he was twelve years of age.  They then became residents of Western Virginia, locating near Kanawha salt works, where our subject grew to manhood.  In 1846 they moved to the Hoosier State and located in Putnam county, where he made his home for about two years.  While there he married Miss Eliza Webb, a native of Kentucky.  He next moved to Coles county, Illinois, engaged in farming and remained there until the autumn of 1854, when he came to Iowa and settled in Monroe county.  In 1855 he came to Taylor county and settled on his present farm, being among the first settlers of this county.  He suffered many privations and endured hardships which are only experienced by those settling in new countries.  Our subject first erected a log cabin sixteen feet square, and for a few years enjoyed in comparative solitude the grandeur of pioneer life; yet during these primitive efforts he never became discouraged but struggled on, determined to have a home.  He is now the possessor of a valuable farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres, nearly all in cultivation, including twenty acres of good timber.  He has also another farm of eighty-seven acres, situated in Clayton township.  A handsome dwelling, surrounded by a beautiful grove, a commodious barn and numerous lots give his place a fine appearance.  His family consists of seven children: Sarah Jane (now Mrs. Norman Payne), Charles, Martha (wife of Jasper Johnson), Manda (wife of Jerry Wood), Sarah Isabella (now Mrs. Clay Singleton), Harvey and Eliza.  Mr. Wysong is now largely interested in stock-raising; has some fine specimens of blooded cattle and horses, which are admired wherever shown.  He is the owner of "Pilot Granger," a valuable young horse of the Norman-Napoleon stock.

 

 

WOOD, L., farmer, section thirty-six, post-office Bedford, is a native of the Keystone State, born February 17, 1832.  Was raised and educated in Crawford county, of that State.  Engaged in the saw-mill business for a time.  On the third of July, 1856, he arrived at the post where now stands the flourishing city of Bedford.  The next day might have been seen ox teams winding their way over the hills in every direction, all coming toward the germ of this city.  It was the fourth, and the pioneers were gathering to celebrate the anniversary of our nation's independence.  Fully three hundred people were present on that occasion.  In 1861 Mr. Wood enlisted in company K, Fourth Iowa infantry; served one year and was discharged on account of sickness, and has not enjoyed good health since.  In 1869 he moved to his present location, where he owns a fine farm of one hundred acres, which he has improved and made one of the nicest in the county.  In October, 1851, (page 671) he married Miss H. E. Speer.  They have five children: James G., now in Oregon; Leslie D., Mary E., May A. and George H. A.  Two, William F. and George M., are deceased.

 

 

WAKEMAN, A. B., farmer, section fifteen, post-office Bedford, is a native of New York State, born in 1843; spent his youth in acquiring an education.  Although but a boy at the breaking out of the rebellion, he enlisted, in August, 1862, in company D, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth New York heavy artillery; participated in many hotly contested engagements, including Cold harbor, and was honorably discharged in 1865.  Returned home, then moved to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1868, at which time he came to Iowa and located in Ringgold county.  Remained there six years, then came to this county, and has improved a farm of 240 acres and has erected first-class buildings.  Was married in Vermont, in 1868, to Miss Jennie M. Fort, a native of that State.  They have two children: Frank E. and Kinnie J.  They now have a pleasant home and ample means to enjoy life.

 

 

WHEELER, JNO. O., farmer, section six, post-office Bedford, is a child of the Buckeye State, born in July, 1881.  There attained his majority and acquired a liberal common school education.  Moved to Knox county, Illinois in 1854, and three years later came to Iowa.  In August, 1852, he enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry and served until the close of the war.  Married Miss C. C. Capebell, of this State.  Have two children, Emma and Allen.  Mr. Wheeler now has a farm of 260 acres and is one of Taylor county's most successful farmers and worthy citizens.