-------------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Paul R. Sarrett, Jr. Feb. 10, 1998 prsjr@aol.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- PG_HST1.TXT, Revised 10 Dec. 1996, By Paul R. Sarrett, Jr. (prsjr@aol.com) http://members.aol.com/prsjr/ia/pageia.htm (Page Co., IA.HomePage) Some Early History for Page Co., Iowa The State of IOWA: The HAWKEYE STATE is 56,290 square miles; the Capital is Des Moines; The state Motto is "Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain". Entered into the Union on Dec. 28, 1846, rank 29th. Iowa, the heart of the rich Midwest farm belt, is one of the nation's wealthiest agricultural states, but its industrial growth has become more than twice that of its farms. Settlements of Iowa: A thousand years ago several groups of prehistoric Indian Mound Builders dwelt on Iowa's fertile plains. Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet gave France its claim to the area in 1673. Outside of a few explorers and priest passing by on the Mississippi and some fur traders trapping along the rivers, no white man came to Iowa until about 1788. The orgin of the name IOWA is an Indian word variously translated as One who Puts to Sleep or Beautiful Land (REF: The Orgins of Page Co., IA., by Diane Carol Kelly, V-3-1981) Bounded by the Mississippi River on the East, and on the West by the Missouri River, before Iowa became a territory in its own name in 1838, it had been part of the Missouri Territory, 1812-1821; Unorganized Territory, 1821-1834; Michigan Territory, 1834-1836; and the Wisconsin Territory, 1836-1838. Five years prior to becoming a Territory in 1838, Iowa had a influx of white settlers after a treaty with some of the numerous Indian tribes inhabiting the country had made it possible for settlements to be established. One such establishment was the Indian land called the POTTAWATTAMIE Territory which in 1848 became Pottawattamie County, In 1850 it was reformed and Page County was formed. Clarinda is the County Seat. Page County was named in honor of Captain PAGE, an Mexican War Officer who was killed in the line of duty. Page County is located in the southwest part of the state. It is bounded on the North by Montgomery Co., on the East by Taylor Co., on the South by the state of Missouri with counties of Atchison and Nodaway, and by Fremont Co., IA. on the West. Although no records exist prior to 1858, it is believed that two large Townships were formed in accordance with the recommendations of Governor LUCAS, these being BUCHANAN and NODAWAY Some EARLY PAGE COUNTY HISTORY - BUCHANAN TWP: The first white man who made a settlement in Page County, was GEORGE W. FARRENS, in the spring of 1840. His brothers, HENRY and DAVID FARRENS, also came that season, but a year later. They were from Jackson County, Missouri, and were all at that time young men without families. They erected a cabin, and made improvements on what proved, after the survey of lands, to be Section 27, Township - 67 - North, Range - 36 - West, in Buchanan Township being the southeast corner township of the county. It soon became the nucleus of a large settlement, from the fact of its being near the junction of the East and West Nodaway, and also of Buchanan Creek and Nodaway River. After the first year the brothers began to have other neighbors than the red men, for the Spring of 1841, GEORGE and DAVID BROCK settled in the same vicinity, and in 1842 BURKIT JOHNSON, THOMAS JOHNSON, WILLIAM CAMPBELL and a ROBERT WILSON, (NOT OUR SUBJECT our ROBERT M. WILSON did not arrive until 11 years later in 1853, what is now called East River Twp. with their families, joined the new settlement. ROBERT WILSON pitched his tent a little to the west of the main settlement, near the place now known as Braddyville, (Amity Township 67 North, Range 37 West, Section 25, SW 1/2, SW 1/4) on the Nodaway River. During the same year his brother, PLEASANT WILSON, settled at the same place, where he died in 1844, being probably the first death of a white man in the county, except Lieut. Buchanan, who was not a resident. ROBERT WILSON in 1847, sold out to his brother-in-law, ISAAC DAVISON, and return to Kentucky. Among other early settlers were CHARLES GASTOU and Mr. BROWN. GASTOU was the son-in-law of BROWN, and after his first wife died, he married another of BROWN'S daughters, who also died within a few months. These two daughters were among the first who died in the County, and the place where they were buried, on the banks of the Nodaway, is still pointed out by the old settlers. The first death of and adult resident of the county, however, was that of Mrs. ELIZABETH STAFFORD, wife of Maj. ROBERT V. STAFFORD, she died Nov. 9, 1844, and was buried in the first established cemetery. Several adults and children were afterwards interred, but it was finally abandon as a burying place. The particulars of the death of Lieut. BUCHANAN, before alluded to as the first within the limits of Page County, are as follows, as far as known: Sometime about the year 1833, this officer of the United States Army, with a small detachment of troops, was passing across the territory of the Missouri River, and, while crossing the East Nodaway in his buggy, about a mile northeast of where Hawleyville now stands, was drowned. His body was recovered and buried on the east bank of the river, near the mouth of a small branch. A monument was erected over his grave, suitably inscribed, but was destroyed by the Indians. Some portions of this monument are in the possession of parties in the vicinity, and are preserved as relics. In the summer of 1846 S. F. SNIDER settled near the center of the County, on Snake Creek, just above its junction with the East Tarkio. He removed to Montgomery County, but subsequently returned to Page County, and was elected county judge in 1854. ROBERT M. & SARAH (PUGH) WILSON REMOVE TO PAGE CO.: As mention before our subject ROBERT M. WILSON and SARAH (PUGH) WILSON family left Shawnee Town, (near Atica) Indiana Territory, in the Spring of 1852, when ROBERT was 32 and SARAH was 29 years old, they packed all of their belongings in their "Prairie Schooner", equipped with upper berths for sleeping and plenty of storage for furniture. Along with their children, ABRAHAM age 10, 6. MARY E. age 6, EVAN age 4, JAMES H. at age 2, and the baby MARTHA who was only a few months old joined the caravan headed west. ROBERT M.'S brother JOHN WILSON and his family also were among this caravan. With the promise of over 1,000,000 acres which was being offered for sale, at prices usually priced a $1.25 to $10.00 per acre, with terms of one-tenth down, no payment second year, except for interest, and the balance in ten year's time the opportunity was to good to pass up. Our ROBERT M. WILSON and family first arrived in the vicinity of Clearmount, in Nodaway County, Missouri, where he ran a "Flouring Mill" 6. They left Nodaway Co., MO. to East River Twp., Page Co., IA. prior to March 1855. (Birth of twins MARSALE & MATILDA ..PRS) ROBERT M. WILSON and family arrived at a section of Page County, what now is called East River Township - 68 - North, Range - 37 - West). It lays in the eastern part of the county and was first part of the Missouri and Iowa dispute over the boundary until 1851, and then it was part of Buchanan Twp., until 1861 when the townships were platted out. It derives its name from the East Nodaway River, as it has two rivers the East and West Nodaway. East River Twp. is bounded on the north by Nebraska Twp.; on the east by Taylor County; the south by Buchanan Twp., and on the west by Harlan Twp. The first settlers in East River area were mostly in the western part of the Township. In 1843 came LARKIN THOMPSON, in 1844 W. R. STAFFORD, JOSIAH THOMPSON, MOSES THOMPSON (Larkin's brothers), JESSIE MAJORS, they settled in between the two Rivers. A year later in 1844 GIDON DOUGHERTY, JACOB and "BOSS" FRUITS, JEREMIAH TEATERS and a Mr. GAMBLE arrived. In 1851 ALEXANDER DAVIS, SAMUEL NIXON, D. P. BAKER staked out their property. In 1850 their were P. NIXON, JOHN NIXON, WILLIAM LOY, (See the ANNAN/LOY Family Profile " ..prs) and B. HERRILL, also settled in the county prior to the year 1852. At the time our subject ROBERT M. WILSON's family arrived, some others with him were his brother JOHN WILSON, (Later Judge WILSON. ..prs) F. M. VARDAMAN, GOOLMAN DAVISON, SAMUEL MULKINS, and WILLIAM CUNNING, and THOMAS. The Indians that were living between the two Rivers at this time were made later to remove to Counsel Bluffs, Iowa, about 1854. Some of the early settlers purchased small wooded lots in this East River Twp. area which consisted of from one to 5 acres sometime 10 acres, and lived in another Township. In 1847 a Mr. STONEBREAKER built a mill in Section 7 and at his death it was passed to Captain CONNORS, who sold it in 1849 to PHILIP BOULWARE, who sold it to GORDON and JAMES SHAMBAUGH. this mill was known as the STONEBREAKER MILL, BOULWARES MILL, and the SHAMBAUGH MILL. It was a sawmill, and grinding mill, but the sawmill was not used after 1870. People traveled many miles to use this mill. The mill site as of March 1979 was still in possession of a descendant of JAMES SHAMBAUGH, Mrs. RUTH WATKINS, and some of the original bricks were found from the old mill when the road changed in 1973. Their also was a mill located on Section 9, called BROWNS MILL, which exploded killing two men in 1868. Some RESIDENTS OF EAST RIVER TOWNSHIP In 1854 there were less than 60 people in this township. In 1861 there were more than 260, by 1876, a few less than 900. In 1896 there were 252 families living their. In 1975 approximately less than 90 families. In 1985 there are less than 57 families. Abandoned Towns and Villages: DAYTON, was platted as a village in 1857, in Section 1, W 1/2. This is 6 miles east and 1 mile south of Clarinda. Which is now abandoned. NODAWAY, A Post Office from 1851 to 1854, Section 19, W 1/2, NE 1/4, about 2 miles south of Clarinda, near the East Nodaway River. It was discontinued when the Clarinda Post Office was established. (SOURCE: Official 1985 Rural Directory; Page Co., Iowa.; By. Direct Service Co., Inc.; Page 27. and Abandoned Towns, Villages, & Post Offices of Iowa By D. C. MOTT, c1973) EARLY CHURCHES IN EAST RIVER TOWNSHIP When East River Twp. was settled they did not have any churches and the first known religious services were held at the BOULWARES MILL, preached by WILLIAM RECTOR, in the fall of 1851. Later services were held at the DAVIS SCHOOL (Section 20, SW 1/4, SW 1/4) and at the MT. JOY SCHOOL (Section 32, SW 1/4, NW 1/4) for those in the western part of the township. For those in the southeastern part of the township they went to either PLEASANT RIDGE or the UNION CHURCH, which was a non-demonational Church in Buchanan township, with some people going to Shambaugh, in Harlan Twp. Those in the other parts of East River Twp. went either to Clarinda, Nodaway Twp., or New Market, Taylor Co. Many revival meetings were held in the western part, in the wooded groves along the Nodaway Rivers. The Methodist was the strongest religion for a long time, later many going to the Church of God. CEMETERIES OF EAST RIVER TOWNSHIP At one time their were three cemeteries in East Rivers Twp. The COOPER CEMETERY, in Section 18, SE 1/4, NE 1/4. Many of these burials are of coal miners and their familes, which worked in the coal beds that were located in Section 7, some of the largest in the county, you can still see some evidence of them today although they have not been mined since 1918. The COOPER CEMETERY is now abandoned, though there still some descendants living of the people buried there today. The DAVIS CEMETERY is located in Section 20, NW 1/4, SW 1/4, north of the DAVIS SCHOOL. Some of the early pioneers are buried here such as ALEXANDER DAVIS, d. 1807; F.M. VARDAMAN, WILLIAM RECTOR, Mrs. ROBERT M. (SARAH PUGH) WILSON d. 1862 and others. This Cemetery was also used by some of the people that lived in Shambaugh, Harlan Twp. located to the east. It was first started in the 1850's, with the first burial in 1850, but the land was not given to the the DAVIS CEMETERY Trustees until 1873 by ALEXANDER DAVIS for the sum of $ 1.00. That part of the Cemetery is know as the "Old Addition" and is in the south part of the cemetery. In 1891 ALEXANDER DAVIS deeded 1/2 acre on the north side of the drive to the cemetery for the sum of $ 15.00. Then in 1957, the acre where the DAVIS school house was located was added, for the sum of $ 1.00. ALEXANDER DAVIS's grandson HERB DAVIS, kept the cemetery books from about 1888 to 1858. The Cemetery was fenced in about 1901. The arch and gates to the Cemetery were erected in 1928. The DAVIS CEMETERY is still a active Cemetery as of today 1986. The OLD MEMORY CEMETERY is located in Section 12, NW 1/4, NW 1/4. Incorporated May 9, 1883. This Cemetery is divided in nine sections. The NEW MEMORY CEMETERY (Is also considered the NEW MARKET CEMETERY) is located in Section 1, E 1/2, SE 1/4. This Cemetery is located near Highway 2 and the Taylor County line. It is the largest Cemetery and most active in East River today. SCHOOLS OF EAST RIVER TOWNSHIP There were nine school houses in East River Township: No. 1 DAVIS SCHOOL - Section 20, SW 1/4, SW 1/4 School land was given by ALEXANDER DAVIS, built about 1850, closed in 1955, 105 years. First School, first known Teacher was DAVID RIBBLE, in 1852. No. 2 HIGH PRARIE SCHOOL - Section 13, SW 1/4, NW 1/4 School land was given by Mr. CHAMBERLAND, in 1867, closed in 1947, 20 years. No. 3 PLEASANT HILL/PINHOOK SCHOOL - Sec. 8, SW1/4,SW1/4 School land given by DAVID WILFEY, in 1868, at one time had annual school reunions. It got its nickname PINHOOK from other pupils who poked fun at the students of PLEASANT SCHOOL, because they said those students were so poor they even used bent pens for fishhooks. No. 4 THOMPSON SCHOOL - Section 15, SW 1/4, NW 1/4 School land given by IRA SMLLEY, in 1887, closed in 1956, 69 years. No. 5 FRUITS SCHOOL - Section 34, SW 1/4, NW 1/4 Named for "BOSS" FRUITS, school land given by SABASTIAN and MATILDA FRUITS, in 1875, closed in 1951, 76 years. No. 6 MT. JOY SCHOOL - Section 32, SW 1/4, NW 1/4 School land given by EMMA WOODRUFF, in 1875, closed in 1951, 76 years. No. 7 NEW LIBERTY SCHOOL - Section 12, SW 1/4, SW 1/4 School land given by M.A. and SAMUEL WESTOPHER in 1901, closed in 1935, 34 years. No. 8 PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL - Section 25, SW 1/4, NW 1/4 School land given by SETH CLARK, in 1902, closed in 1956, 54 years. No. 9 PACE SCHOOL - Section 9, Closed in 1956; No more information. In 1956 the nine school houses were all closed and sold. They were all consolidated in to one central school called EAST RIVER TOWNSHIP SCHOOL, and was located at the old THOMPSON SCHOOL HOUSE stood in Section 15. This new school had four rooms with a gym, a stage, and a kitchen. The school was also used for local community affairs. All the students in the area were bussed to this school until 1965-6 when the law required them to unite with the Clarinda School District, and they tore the school down in 1969. EARLY RELOCATION FOR THE WILSON'S - AMITY TWP. About 1856, ROBERT M. and SARAH (PUGH) WILSON removed from the East River Twp. area to the rural area of Amity Township - 67 - North, Range - 37 - West. The village of Amity is with in three miles to the south of the current post office which is now called College Springs. The first Pioneer recorded in this area was DANIEL SEAVERS, his brother, and a brother-in-law Mr. WADE, in a grove on Section 20, south of College Springs, this was in 1854. This settlement was surveyed in the spring of 1856. The survey work began in May of 1856 and the field work was completed by July. At that date J.P. DONALDSON owned a little log cabin southwest of the village of Amity. He boarded many of the surveying party. Two sets of hands were employed in the survey; among them sworn chairmen FREDERICK NELSON, and FRANK M. MOORE; MESSRS. FORRY, PIERCE and WOODS. Mr. MOORE did not continue long, but "FRED" had more genuine pluck and continued the business of wading through the tall grass until the last stake was stuck.. "FRED" followed the role of "stick, stuck, stick, stuck!" as a faithful chainman, who had just came to America, and located on Section 7. On July 4, 1856, the papers, plats and field notes were turned over by Mr. WANZER and ELIJAH MILLER (See the MILLER Family Profile " CORNFORTH at a board shanty, near CORNFORTH'S property, some 2 miles northeast of Braddyville. Some other first settlers in the Amity Township area were: JOSEPH CORNFORTH, J.P. DONALDSON, O.R. STRONG, B.F. HASKINS, EILJAH GIBBS, M.S. MARROW, JABEZ FICKLING, J.B. LAUGHLIN, W.R. LAUGHLIN, ARRON DOW, W.J. WOODS. SOME ADDITIONAL PAGE CO. PIONEERS: Among others who settled in various parts of the county prior to 1852, were ALEXANDER DIKE and DR. WILLIAM GRAVES, who was erected their cabin on the Nodaway, about nine miles north of Clarinda, 1851, (Now called Douglas & Valley Twp.) and among the first settlers west of the Nodaway were ISAIAH HURLBUT and (Unknown) LEE, who settled south of Clarinda as early, as 1849, and about the same time a settlement was made in northwest corner township of the county, on the East Nishnabotany, by ABRAHAM REDMAN, Mr. HADDEN ,DOREN HUNT and brothers. GEORGE ROBERT WILSON was the second born, second son on Feb. 02, 1869, on his father's farm North of Coin, (Section 21 & 28) Lincoln Township, Iowa, his father and mother were, ABRAHAM and LOUISA C. (DRACE) WILSON. GEORGE R. WILSON early years was right after the Civil War (1861-1965). The Closest settlement (3/4 of a mile South) was a group of pioneers who lived a mile North of what now is Coin on SW 1/4, SW 1/4 of Section 28. (Coin was not platted until 25th. Nov. 1879) called "SNOW HILL" this settlements was on the Tarkio River, one of the three streams flowing north to south. There were three, and they were called the "West Tarkio", the "Middle Tarkio" (which is where the settlement SNOW HILL began) and the "East Tarkio" River. Since there were no bridges in those days the River's were forded, and here at SNOW HILL the first bridge was built in Lincoln Twp. SNOW HILL was never platted, and was at first just a collection of sod houses and log homes. The time was near 1870, but there were people living around the settlement before this time. Land was for sale from the Goverment at $1.25 per acre. The River would be dammed up to form a lake, and ice was put up in a barn called WEAVER's lake, north of Coin for warm weather use. This same year (1870) when GEORGE ROBERT WILSON was only 1 year old, the railways began to extend through this part of Iowa. The WABASH ST. LOUIS & PACIFIC Railroad began on the west side of Lincoln Twp. (Section 19) east to Section 29, then south through Section 32. Later by 1878 the CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY (C.B. & Q.) Railroad came through the Southeast part of the WILSON property. Along with the Railroad, more people came, by 1872 SNOW HILL had its first flower mill, called a grist mill, and NELSON AUSTIN was the first proprietor. He acquired the property from PHIFER and DAVIDSON. This same year SNOW HILL had a blacksmithy, and a store operated by CROOKS and ANSBACK. Mr. AUSTIN and SON also had an iron foundry. The first (1872) School and Church for these settlers was 2 1/2 miles Northwest of the SNOW HILL settlement (SE 1/4, NE 1/4 of Section 19). Here also was the Cemetery, and is still in existence today (1985). Mr. I. S. LAVELY donated 5 acres of land for this purpose. The original building was in the SE part of the Cemetery. The entrance is now from the south road. The north crossing washed years ago. The township trustees levi the tax for Snow Hill Cemetery, as well as the Polsley Cemetery (SE 1/4, SE 1/4 of Section 10), and no burial lots are sold. The children attended this first School House when the weather was good. The next year about 1873 the settlers formed a School District and they built a School House 1 1/2 miles West, and 1 1/2 miles North of the original SNOW HILL settlement. They called it the SNOW HILL School District, and the first teacher in 1873 was LON PIKE, he had between 20 and 30 pupils of all ages. COIN WAS FORMED: When GEORGE ROBERT WILSON was 10 years of age, on 25 Nov. 1879 The WESTERN IMPROVEMENT COMPANY platted the town of Coin, a settlement that began because of the nearness of the first railroad. Coin was one mile South of the Village of SNOW HILL, and about one mile west of the Tarkio River. (SE 1/4, SW 1/4, SW 1/4 of Section 32). This original plat was bought from JAMES HUGHS. Later the LOWN's Addition was bought, then the DOWELL Addition, AUSTIN's Addition was added. The first sale, some 64 lots were sold. Coin was incorporated on 30 Jul. 1881. The first Mayor was T. H. BALDWIN. ISAAC (KNUTE) BUNTING was the first street lamp lighter. Kerosene lamps were erected on the streets of the new town. The Settlers from SNOW HILL began moving to the new town of Coin, and SNOW HILL was no more. It has been reported that the name of "Coin" was selected when some workmen coming to the saloon found a five cent piece and remarked it would be a good name for the town. Hence, the new town was called Coin. This old saloon was where the old brick building telephone office was. (SOURCE: History of Coin & Snow Hill; By LOIS JEAN (HINES) BRAYMEN; Pages from the Past, 1978) COIN METHODIST CHURCH The first Methodist Church was organized at the SNOW HILL School House about 1872. When the town of Coin was formed in 1880 a Methodist Church was built for $ 2,000 on the Northwest corner of Crooks St. and 2nd. St. It was dedicated on 5th. Sep. 1880. Shortly afterward, the parsonage was built at the cost of $ 1,500. In 1962 the old church was torn down and a new one built, this one was dedicated 23 Sep. 1962. PATRON'S DIRECTORY OF PAGE CO., IA. COIN, TOWN OF 1902 BUSINESS BROCK, E. S.General Blacksmith. Plow work and shoeing. CRANE, F. W.Proprietor Coin Elevator. Coal, feed, grain. CLAYTON, A.R. & SON Proprietors Linn Branch Stock Farm. Breeder of Duram Jersey Red and Poland China Hogs. DRAPER, B. V.Farmer (retired) Stock Raiser. GAUSS, MIKEDrugs, Books, Wall Paper, Paints, and School Suplies. GILLESPIE, J. A.Physician, Surgeon HERRON, J. K.Dealer in Hardware, Furniture, Buggies, Implements, etc. ROSE, ED. F.Lumber anf Grain Dealer. SHOWERS, J.A. & CO.Proprietors Roller Mill. All kinds of mill stuff handled. Van ARSDOL, LPresident Bank of Coin. Do a general banking business. VINCENT & HIPSLEYLivery, Feed and Sale Stables. WHEELER, W. H.General Merchandise. PATRON'S DIRECTORY OF PAGE CO., IA. LINCOLN TOWNSHIP 1902 FARMER & STOCK RAISER ANDERSON, Jas. H., Coin, Section 31 ANDERSON, T. O., Coin, Section 33 ANNAN, HENRY, Page Co., Section 13 ANNAN, JOHN W., Coin, Section 20 BARNHILL, G. J., Coin, Section 36 BORTHWICK, J. L., Coin, Section 25 CORDER, J. E., Coin, Section 16 CROSTHWICK, A. V., Coin, Section 36 CUTTER, D. D., Coin, Section 17 DAVISON, Wm., Coin, Section 31 DUGAN, S. B., Coin, Section 27 HART, CHARLES, Coin, Section 31 HART, S. M., College Spg, Sect 36 HANDORF, FREDERIC, Jr., Yorktown Sect 15 HANDORF, HERMAN H., Yorktown Section 10 MAINIFOLD, F. M., Coin Section 19 MAINIFOLD, S. C., Coin Section 20 MANNASSMITH, Wm. A., Coin, Section 15 PALMER, J. H., Coin Section 29 RUNYAN, JOHN L., Coin Section 28 SNYDER, JOHN, Coin Section 16 SNYDER, W. F., Coin Section 15 WILSON, GEORGE R., Coin Section 28 <-- My GGrandfather End of File! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Paul R. Sarrett, Jr. Feb. 10, 1998 prsjr@aol.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------