ORGANIC — EARLY SETTLEMENT — EDUCATIONAL — FIRST THINGS — POSTOFFICES [sic]

This township embraces three congressional townships -- township 99, of ranges 24, 25 and 26, altogether about 69,120 acres. This township is mostly prairie, with highly productive soil, and one of the best for agricultural and grazing purposes that there is in the county. the surface is quite rolling, in places inclined to be hilly, but almost the whole of the township is fit for farming, there being but a small acreage of untillable land. The township is well watered by several small streams -- Lime creek, Pike Run and the north and south branches of Buffalo fork. Lime creek flows through the southeast corner of the township. Pike Run rises in the center of the township, flows toward the southeast, and empties into Lime creek on section 25. The other streams are of little consequence except for drainage.

The township was named Newton in honor of Newton H. Bailey, son of John and Nancy F. (McDonald) Bailey, residents of the township.

ORGANIC.

Prior to 1881 Newton was a part of Center township. In that year, however, a petition was presented by O.T. Seevers to the board of county supervisors, who established the boundaries and issued an order for an election for the purpose of electing township officers. The election was held in the fall of 1881, at the Burnap school house. The clerks appointed for the election were Andrew Seevers and N.H. Bailey; judges, H.O. Sunderland, N.B. Thompson and J.J. Sharp.

The officers elected were as follows: N.H. Bailey, J.J. Sharp and H.O. Sunderland, trustees; N.B. Thompson, clerk; M. Ragan and Andrew Seevers, justices of the peace; C.O. Rose and Ole Johnson, constables; Gilbert Olson, assessor; Ole Johnson, John Bailey, Iver Qualle and John Christianson, road supervisors.

In 1883 the officers were: J.J. Sharp, Newton Bailey and O.O. Ulve, trustees; N.B. Thompson clerk; O.O. Ulve and E.H. Hall, justices; C.O. Rose, constable; Gilbert Olson, assessor; John Christianson, O.E. Johnson, N.H. Bailey and C.J. Humlin, road supervisors.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settler in this township was a man by the name of Benson, who settled on section 36, of township 99, range 24, in 1855. He settled in what is now known as Benson's Grave. He remained six or eight months and sold his claim to Jeptha Adams.

Mr. Adams moved to the claim in April, 1856, and occupied the same cabin that Benson had built. He lived there one year and then went to Minnesota. He is now living somewhere near Red Wing of that State.

In June, 1856, James Collier and a man by the name of Lee settled on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 36. They both wanted the same piece of land and had considerable trouble over the matter. Finally a prairie fire burned Lee's house and he soon after left Collier in peaceful possession of the claim. Collier lived on the land until in the summer of 1857, when he sold to James Turner, of Clear Lake, and moved to section 31, of what is now Center township. One year later he moved to section 25, of Forest township and shortly after died.

In June, 1856, James Redmile came to the township and took up his residence on section 36, with Jeptha Adams. That fall, in August, he was married to Jane Adams. After a few months of married life they separated and Redmile returned to one of the eastern states.

In July, 1856, Philip A. Pulver bought the farm of Jeptha Adams, on section 36, and began making improvements. In August he and Adams got into a dispute over the land and Pulver had to leave. He sold to A.T. Cole soon after, and took up his residence in Forest City. He finally went to Missouri.

A.T. Cole settled in the township, on the land he had purchased of Pulver, in September, 1856, and remained until May 28, 1857, when he moved to section 23, of Forest township.

Up to 1862 there were no new settlers in the township. Some time during the war J.B. Hill ocated on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 36. He is still living on the same place.

About the same time a man by the name of Shannon settled on the same section with Hill, who was a relative. He remained several years, then sold to a man by the name of O'Connor, and went south to one of the southern States. O'Connor lived in the township until his death, which occurred in about 1878.

In the fall of 1867, John Millington came to the township and located on section 7, township 99, range 24. He built a log cabin and engaged in dairying and cheese making. He remained about one year and a half, then went to Hancock county. He is now in the southern part of the State.

In April, 1869, John Bailey and his son, Newton, came from Cook Co., Ill., and settled on section 7. Mr. Bailey has continued a resident ever since and has now one of the best stock farms in the township. He engages mostly in raising cattle.

In the fall of 1870, Henry Bushnell located on section 27, township 99, range 24. He lived there two or three years then returned to Connecticut, and after a stay of three years there returned to his land in this township. Three years later he moved to Clear Lake.

EDUCATIONAL.

In 1883 there were six schools being taught in Newton township, four in buildings owned by the sub-districts and two in rented houses. The four school houses referred to are frame buildings, and are valued at $2,000. Number of persons of school age, or between the ages of five and twenty-one years, 158, of which ninety are males and sixty-eight females; number of scholars enrolled in the schools of the township, 114. Number of teachers employed in the township, nine, of which two are males and seven females; average compensation per month, $27.50 for males, and $30 for females. Number of months school taught in the township for the school year ending Sept. 17, 1883, thirty-six; value of school apparatus, $2,000.

FIRST THINGS.

The first death among the residents of the township occurred in 1878, and carried away a blind many by the name of O'Connor.

In December, 1856, three travelers perished in a severe snow storm while passing through the township. The names of two were Porter and Snyder; the name of the other, a stranger, is forgotten.

The first residents of the township to get married were James Redmile and Jane Adams. They were married at Mason City.

The first school house was built in 1871, on section 36, of township 99, range 24.

POSTOFFICES [sic].

Deering postoffice is situated on section 7, in Coon's Grave, and was named in honor of N.C. Deering, member of Congress. John Bailey was the first postmaster, appointed June 7, 1880. He is the present incumbent.

John Bailey has been a resident of Coon's Grove since 1859. He was born in Haverhill, Mass., Feb 12, 1814. He was there reared to manhood and received a very god education in the district school. In 1838 he went to Vermilion Co., Ill., and there learned the trades of bricklayer and shoemaker. He also engaged in the cattle trade, driving to Wisconsin for seven years, and then shipped by rail to New York city, and after locating in Iowa, shipped the first cattle from Hancock and Winnebago counties to Chicago. He then embarked in the boot and shoe business at Danville, Ill., and after ten years experience in that line of trade, engaged in farming. In 1860 he removed to Cook Co., Ill., and in 1869, settled on section 7, of Newton township, where he still lives. Politically, Mr. Bailey is connected with the republican party. He was married Nov. 22, 1840, to Nancy F. McDonald, a native of Edgar Co., Ill. Nine children have been given them, six living - Mary J., Daniel S., Newton K., Katie, Nettie and Alice. William, Florence and Donald are deceased. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Benson Grove postoffice is located on section 36, township 99, range 24, in what is known as Benson Grove. The office was established July 1, 1864, and J.B. Hill appointed first postmaster. Mr. Hill has been postmaster ever since.

Jonathan B. Hill, postmaster at Benson Grove, was born in the village of Abington, Wayne Co., Ind., Nov. 24, 1819. When three years old, his parents removed to Shelby co., Ind., when the country was very new and inhabited by Indians. He received a liberal education in the public schools, and in 1844 went to Green Co., Wis., while that was yet a territory, and voted for the first constitution of that State. In October, 1846, he was united in marriage to Eliza Sanborn, and they raised four children - Reuben H., Abraham N., David N. and Marilla M. In 1863, Mr. Hill came to Winnebago county, and located at Benson Grove, on section 36, of Center township. Mr. Hill has been honored by his neighbors and friends with numerous township and county offices, and has been the postmaster for the Benson Grove office for twenty years. The children are all married and comfortably situated in life, and the parents are managing the home farm, which comprises 240 acres.

Philip Gannett came in 1865. He was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Aug. 5, 1826, and there lived till he was twenty-nine years of age. In 1856 he removed to Rock Co., Wis, and two years later to Freeborn Co., Minn.; thence, after a four years residence there, to Osage, Mitchell Co., Iowa, where he lived three years, then returned to Freeborn Co., Minn. In 1867 he went to Worth Co., Iowa, and in 1882 came to this county and located on section 2, of this township. On April 4, 1853, he was married to Submit G. Campbell, and four children have been sent to brighten their home - S.G.L., Fred D., Minnie A. and Linda J.

Ole H. Sunderland was born in Norway, Dec. 11, 1820. He lived in his native land until forty-two years of age, then emigrated to America (in 1862) and settled in Dane Co., Wis., where he resided four years. In 1866 he came to Winnebago county, and located on section 11, of Newton township, where he still resides, and his farm now comprises 120 acres. In 1846 he married Anna Opdahl, who has borne him nine children - Halvor, Kari, Sigri, Salve, Julia, Torger, Charles, Knudt and Thea C. Mr. and Mrs. Suderland are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Sunderland has been teaching school in the Norwegian language, for about fifteen years.

John Christianson was born in Norway July 5, 1849. He came to American in 1873, and settled in Winnebago county, Newton township, on section 11, where he has since resided. He was united in marriage in November, 1873, to Inger Olson. The fruits of this union are five children - Christian, Olaf, Andreas, Oscar and Bertha. They are members of the Lutheran Church.

John Halvorsen is a native of Norway, born in March, 1847. He came to America in 1869, and settled in Dane Co., Wis., living there four years; thence to Winnebago Co., Iowa, Newton township, and located on section 27. Mr. Halvorsen came here in moderate circumstances, but has accumulated a snug home and is well fixed. He was married May 13, 1874, to Eliza Carlson, born in Norway. They have seven children. They belong to the Lutheran Church.

M.V. Ragan was born near Black Rock, Canada, may 13, 1832. When quite young he went to Erie Co., Penn., where he lived eleven years, then went to Kane Co., Ill., and resided there for eighteen years. In 1865 he made a settlement in Mitchell Co., Iowa, and in 1876 located on section 24, of Newton township, where he has made a permanent settlement. He is a republican in politics, and served one term as justice of the peace. He married Christina P. Holland at Earlville, Ill., in 1857, and seven children have blessed their union - Ella, Charles H., Daniel, Paul, Jame, Albert, Louis and Cora May.

Edward McGreevey was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, March 18, 1838. He was left an orphan at the age of four years, and passed his earlier life among his native scenes. In 1856, when but eighteen years of age, he emigrated to America, and finally located in Orleans Co., N.Y., and worked on a farm for six years. While there he became acquainted with Mary A. Hanlan, to whom he was united in marriage Sept. 6, 1861. Miss Hanlan was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, in May, 1844. She emigrated to America in 1854, at the age of ten years. After their marriage they removed to Kenosha Co., Wis. Mr. McGreevey was foreman on a farm of 1,400 acres for ten years. He afterwards bought a farm on which he lived six years. In November, 1877, he came to Winnebago county, and settled on section 34, in Newton township, where he has since resided, and now owns 160 acres of fine farming land, with a commodious residence. Mr. McGreevey is president of the board of school directors of Newton township, and one of the township's most influential citizens. Mr. and Mrs. McGreevey have eight children - Maggie L., John W., Edward G., James R., May E., Frank F., Annie A. and Ella, all of whom were born in Wisconsin, except Ella, who is a native of Iowa. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Politically, Mr. McGreevey is a true believer in the principles promulgated by the democratic party.

N.B. Thompson has been a resident since 1879. He then purchased a quarter section of land on section 14, and has improved a farm. He was born in Boone Co., Ill., Feb. 2, 1852, and a year later his parents removed to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where he was reared and educated. In 1871 he went to Worth Co., Iowa, and there resided for eight years, then came to Winnebago county. Mr. Thompson was united in marriage, Nov. 30, 1876, to Maddel Svalleson. They have been blessed with three children - Fosten Christian, Maddel pernille and Svalle Almer. The family are enrolled on the membership record of the Lutheran Church.

J.J. Sharp was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, Dec. 18, 1845, where he was raised until eighteen years of age, when he came to America and settled in Dane Co., Wis, at Cambridge, where he learned the millers' trade. He lived there until October, 1880, and came to Winnebago county and settled in Newton township, section 28. He has 160 acres of land. He was married Oct. 1, 1864, to Matilda Mathison. By this union there are two sons and three daughters - Eddie, Ida, Louisa, Johnnie and Susan. He is a republican politically.

O.O. Ulve, son of Ole and Isabel Holden, was born in Norway, Dec. 5, 1857. He came to American with his parents in 1868 and settled in Dane Co., Wis. He lived there one year, then removed to Grant Co., Wis., where his father died. He lived there seven years, then moved to Mower Co., Minn., living there four years: thence to Winnebago county, locating in Newton township, on section 4. His mother lives with him. He has held the offices of secretary of schools and justice of the peace. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

¹History of Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Illinois: Union Publishing Company, 1884. 923-28.