Buckeye Township

Alexander Barhite, son of John and Catharine Barhite; the father being born in Cooperstown, N. Y.; his mother, a native of Florida, N. Y., and were married in Canada; were the parents of six children.  Alexander, the subject of this sketch, was born January 30, 1828, in Canada.  When an infant, his parents moved to Rishea, Herkimer county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood, received a liberal common school education, and also attended the academy at Fairfield, Herkimer county, one term.  In 1853, he went to Crawford county, Penn., remaining until 1856, when he went to West Springfield (same State), remaining until 1863, when he came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, arriving May 27; locating in section 2, where he still lives, and has a beautiful farm of 650 acres valued at $19,500.  Mr. Barhite can well be classed among the leading farmers of his county, and takes great pride in providing suitable buildings for his stock -- of which he has a goodly number.  Of the buildings which deserve special mention are, one barn, 96x100 feet, built in the summer of 1881 at a cost of $2,000 -- has also two other barns, one 20x30 feet, the other 48x84 feet -- one granary, 20x30 feet; also scale and milk house, 20x28 feet, all painted, which make a very nice appearance; has also a wind-mill, with water tank, the capacity of which is 1,900 gallons.  Connected with the water tank are pipes which convey water to the house, as well as the other buildings, the total length of which are 600 feet.  This, in connection with his Minneapolis harvester and binder, tread-power threshing machine, besides other improved machinery, make it a model farm.  Mr. Barhite also takes an interest in horticulture, having an orchard of 46 acres of fruit trees, with varieties adapted to this country.  Since living here he has held several positions of trust in his township.  He was married September 4, 1855, to Louisa Jewett, born in Westfield, Chatauqua county, N. Y.  She died April 11, 1860, leaving three children -- Ella M., Carrie C., and John N.  September, 1862, he again married, Nancy M. Morriell, who was born in West Springfield, Erie county, Penn., by whom he had four children -- George A., Judson M., Clinton A., and Flora A.  Mrs. Barhite, when fifteen years of age, united with the M. E. Church, of which she is still a member.

L. T. Beard

In June, 1855, L. T. Beard and his brother, D. A. Beard, entered the north half of section 15 and the southeast quarter of section 10. L. T. Beard built his house on section 15, where he remained until 1868, whe he sold out and moved on the northeast quarter of section 4, where he still resides. He built the first frame house in the township, which is still standing.

D. A. Beard returned to Ohio in the fall of 1855, was there married, and in the spring of 1856 returned to Hardin county, accompanied by his wife and his parents, Fabian and Alice Beard.

L. T. Beard, one of the pioneers of Hardin county, was born in Ohio, June 16, 1830; was the oldest son and third child of Fabin and Alice (Tomlinson) Beard. His father was born in Huntington county, Connecticut, in the year 1798. In 1815, in company with the family of Deacon Levi Tomlinson, came to the county of Western Reserve, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Alice Tomlinson, born in Derby, Conn., in 1797. His parents were hard working people, had to buffet with poverty amidst the forests of northern Ohio -- where hard times meant more than scarcity of money. The subject of this sketch attended the district school winters until 18 years of age; he went to teaching school, using a portion of his pay in attending academy during the fall. After attending the academy at Chardon, the county seat of Green county, one term, and at Mesopotamia, Trumbull county, one term, he also attended "Western Reserve Teachers Seminary," at Kirkland, Lake county several terms. In this way he was enabled to get an education sufficient to command the highest price for teaching the common schools of Ohio; he spent two months and one summer teaching in Pickaway county, the southern part of the State. In June, 1855, he came to Hardin county, Iowa, and was present at the opening of the U. S. Land office, at Fort Dodge. During the winter of 1855-56, boarded with the family of John Snider, of Buckeye township, who settled here in the spring of 1854. Mr. Beard was engaged this winter (1855-56) in hauling saw logs to the Alden saw mill. At this time deer was so plenty, Mr. Snider shot one from his door-step; and wolves would follow him like a dog; and elk were also seen. At that time there was no house between Buckeye Grove in this township, and Webster City; and not a dwelling in what is now Grant, Sherman and Concord townships; and at that time there was not a bridge in Hardin county, to his knowledge. In April, 1856, Ellis township was organized, including Ellis and Buckeye townships, and Mr. Beard was elected the first Township Clerk, which office he held several years; was also assessor two years; and he built the first frame building in what is now Buckeye township, in the summer of 1857; he built the first school house in the township, for which he was to receive $700. It was supposed that the tax levied would amount to $1000, but owing to a mistake -- the tax being levied on an old assessment -- he only got between $400 and $500. In order to help him out, Mr. Linn, then Director of the school district, told him to hire the money and pay himself, and he (Mr. Linn) would do the best he could to have the district pay the note, which promise was fulfilled. Mr. Beard, having hired the money, giving a mortgage on his own property as security.

He was married July 27, 1857, to Mary E. White, born July 25, 1832, in Lisbon, Me. They have no children of their own, but have adopted two -- Alice Bell and John E.

W. W. Farwell was born in 1843, in Caledonia county, Vt., where he grew to manhood, and received a common school education.  In September, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, 15th New Hampshire Volunteers.  He was through the siege of Port Hudson, La., serving under General Neal Dow.  He was discharged in the fall of 1864, when he returned to New Hampshire.  After remaining here until 1867, he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa.  After remaining here four years, he came to the town of Buckeye, locating on section 11, where he now lives.  He was married in 1864 to Aary A. Doying, born in Athabasca county, Can.  They have five children -- Katie, Frankie, Millet, Amos and Stella.  Mrs. Farwell is a member of the Congregational Church.

Milton Fish, farmer, was born in 1829, in Jefferson county, New York, where he grew to manhood and received a common school education.  In 1866 he came to Jones county, Iowa.  After remaining there two years, he came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 5, where he still lives.  He has held the offices of Trustee, Justice of the Peace, Assessor of the township, and School Director.  He was married, in 1859, to Loenza A. Ostrander, who was born in Madison county, N. Y.  When a child, she came with her parents to Jefferson county, where she was married.  They are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living -- Harriet, Adelaide, Jasen, Byron and Albert.

George Hecker was born in Butler county, Ohio, April 18, 1854, when three years of age his parents moved to Whiteside county, Ill., where he grew to manhood and received a liberal common school education.  Also attended public school at Sterling, graduating in class of 1874.  In December, 1874, he came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, and bought a farm on section 12, where he now lives.  The first farm settled on and the first house built in the town.  He was married in Sterling, February 20, 1870, to Lillian Clow, born in Knox county, Illinois.  Are the parents of two children -- Claude and an infant not named.

Solomon Houghtelin was born in 1820 in Albany, N. Y., when a child his parents moved to Green county, and when fourteen years of age to Columbia county, where Solomon remained until 1867, when he came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 10, where he still lives.  Mr. Houghtelin is one of the prominent men of his town, having held the offices of Trustee, Clerk and School Director.  He was married January 12, 1842, to Sarah Ann Fowler, who was born in Columbia county, New York, where she grew to womanhood and received her education and was married.  They are the parents of seven children, four of whom are living -- James M., George S., Jennie and Hattie Ann.

A. P. Kellogg, one of the pioneers of Buckeye township, was born at Troy, Ohio, November 2, 1843.  When 12 years of age is parents moved to Hardin county, Iowa, locating in the above township, where he grew to manhood and received a common school education.  He has always taken an active part in politics, being a staunch Republican, and has held the office of Trustee of his town four years; also, School Director.  He was married, April 18, 1869, to Harriet M. Smith, who was born in 1850, on the bank of the St. Lawrence river, New York.  When four years of age she came with her parents to Walworth county, Wis., where they remained until 1864, when they came to Wright county, Iowa, where she was married.  While living in Wisconsin she attended the academy at Geneva, two years.  She also attended Elkhorn Academy one term.  After coming to Wright county she taught school one term.  They are the parents of four children -- Orson A., Clara E., Marcia A., Almone P.  Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg experienced religion and joined the Congregational Church at Alden, of which church they are still members.

T. Kellogg was a native of New York, but emigrated to Ohio at an early day, from which State he came to Iowa.  He located on section 11, Buckeye township, where he remained until his death, August 11, 1879, leaving a wife and family of four children.  One son now resides in Wright county; one daughter, married, resides in Minnesota; also one daughter in Hamilton county.

Joseph Leffler was born March 8, 1842, in Indiana.  When a child came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, and received a common school education.  Has held the office of Trustee and Road Supervisor.  he was married June 7, 1863 to Amanda Jane Thompson, born in Pennsylvania; when twelve years of age her parents came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, where she received a common school education, and was married -- Olive Viola and William Martin are their children.

Richard Linn came with his family, and purchased the homestead of the Pilgrims.  Together with his brother, Mr. Linn entered 800 acres of land.  He took an active part in religious, political and agricultural matters, and at one time was President of the Agricultural Society of Hardin County.  He remained here until 1865, when he went to Table Rock, Neb., where he died in 1881.  His old neighbors speak of him with great respect.

J. I. Lyon was born in New York City, in 1827.  When ten years of age his parents moved to the town of Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood and received a common school education.  In the spring of 1854 he came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, and entered the southeast quarter of section 2.  After remaining here about six weeks, he returned to Illinois, where he remained until 1866, when he again returned to Buckeye township, and the next year (1867) moved on his farm, where he still lives.  He was married September 22, 1867, to Miss Sylvia A. Wilson, born in Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio.  When four years of age she came with her parents to DeKalb county, Ill., and remained here until 1847, when she went to Bureau county, where she received a common school education and was married.  James Arthur, William Omer, Charles M. and Edgar A., are their children.

J. M. McConnelough was born in 1848, in Wilmington, Del.  When a child his parents moved to Beloit, Rock county, Wis., where he grew to manhood and received to good common school education.  October 4, 1864, he went to Chicago and enlisted in the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, serving until June 29, 1865; being discharged at the close of the war.  After receiving his discharge, he returned to Wisconsin, remaining about eight months, when he went to Leavenworth City, Kan.  After remaining here about three months he went to St. Louis, Mo., remaining one year; returning to Kansas, remaining three months, when he went to Springfield, Ill., remaining one year.  He then returned to Wisconsin, and in 1871 came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 24, where he now lives.  He has held the office of Assessor, and at the present time is Clerk of his township.  He was married December 24, 1876, to Miss Martha Kennedy, who was born in Hardin county, Ohio.  When a child, her parents moved to Ellis township, Iowa, where she was married.  Charles E., Jennie May and Daniel J., are their children.

G. L. Morriell

The first school [in Ellis township] was held in a log house built by R. and D. C. Kennedy, in 1857.  They received the contract from the district for building the house and whipsawed all the logs by hand.  It was completed in September, and a six months school held therein commencing in October, and taught by G. L. Morriell.  The teacher subsequently was married, purchased a farm in Buckeye township, where he still resides.

G. L. Morriell was born in 1833, in Springfield, Erie county, Pa., where he grew to manhood and secured a liberal common school education; also attended the academy at Kingsville, Ohio, three terms; also nearly two terms at the academy at Springfield, Pa.  After finishing his studies he commenced teaching school.  In 1856 he came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 2, where he now lives, and has a nice farm containing 230 acres, valued at $5, 750.  Since coming to the town he has held most of the town offices.  He was married March 19, 1859, to Mary E. Oviatt, born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, and in 1856 came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, where she was married.  They are the parents of one child -- Mary C.; also have an adopted child -- Burton.  When 12 years of age, Mr. Morriell experienced religion, and united with the M. E. Church, of which he is still a member.  He has been class leader of the Alden class about ten years, and also trustee. Mrs. Morriell is also a member of the same church, having experienced religion when a girl.  His daughter is also a member of the same church, having joined when nine years of age.

Oliver Munson was born in Norway, February 13, 1826, where he grew to manhood, and received a common school education.  In 1864, left his native country, and came to Clinton county, Iowa.  After remaining here a short time, came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, locating on section 36, where he now lives, and has a nice farm containing 80 acres, valued at $2,000 dollars.  He was married April 13, 1866, to Helen Knutson, a native of Norway, where she received a common school education.  In 1857, came to Buckeye township where she was married.  They are the parents of seven children, four of whom are living -- Carrie, Daniel, Marcus, Martha.

The Pilgrims

This township [Buckeye] is located in the western tier of townships in Hardin county.  The first settlement was made by two brothers by the name of Pilgrim, who located on the southwest quarter of section 12 in the summer of 1853.  They here built a double log house, each part being about sixteen feet square, one story in height, covered with shakes.  The body of this house is yet standing, and occupied as a residence.  The house was on the stage route from Dubuque to Fort Dodge, and was a station on the route -- the only one between Cedar Falls and Webster City.  The Pilgrims, while agents at this station, would feast their guests by spreading the cloth on a dry goods box for a table.  When the meal was completed, the cover of the box was removed, and what remained of the repast, together with the dishes, were placed inside.

The Pilgrims were pioneers in the true sense of the term.  They remained in this township only until 1855, when they sold out and went farther west.  Their place of residence is unknown by those who were interviewed by the historian.

H. Snider, is a son of John and Mary Snider, natives of Ohio, who went to Illinois, where they were married.  They remained there until 1854, when Mr. Snider came to the town of Buckeye, Hardin county, Iowa, leaving his family in Illinois.  He entered 970 acres of land in the township, and built a log house of section 2 -- the second house, of any kind, built in the town.  In the fall he went to Illinois for his family, returning with them the same year.  The subject of this sketch, at the time of his arrival in the county, was three years of age, and has since made it his home, not having left the county to exceed a year at any one time.  He has received a good common school education.  Since arriving at manhood he has held the office of Clerk, Assessor, Road Supervisor and School District Clerk.  He was married June 27, 1870, to Lois Alitia Rand, born in Grant county, Wis.  She came to Buckeye township in 1869, where she was married.  They are the parents of six children -- Nancy Bertha, Lucy Margie, Mary Cinderella, Edna Almira, Elsie Grace and Vernet Henry.

John Snider

The next settler in the township was John Snider, formerly from Ohio, who came to the township from Illinois in the spring of 1854, and enter 970 acres of land, including a lage part of Snider's Grove.  Mr. Snider built the second house in the township, on the southwest quarter of section 2.  The early part of the following winter was quite mild, so much so that Mr. Snider did not consider it necessary to stop the cracks between the logs with mud until sometime in January, 1855.  He remained a resident of the township until his death, which occurred in 1861.  He left a widow and six children, some of whom are yet living in the township.