Vol. 1 of the 1914
Delaware County History pgs. 289-290
CHAPTER XXV
ADAMS TOWNSHIP
Adams Township
was erected September 29, 1855, and is congressional township 87, range 6. It lies in the extreme southwest corner of the county, having Buchanan County for its western boundary and Linn County on the south. Hazel Green Township
is on the east and Prairie on the north.
Buffalo Creek enters Adams
on section 18 and cuts across the corner, leaving its territory
on the southeast corner of section 32.
This stream receives the drainage from the greater
part of the township and
the land
in general is covered with a heavy
bed of drift, upon which is a soil
unexcelled in the Mississippi Valley.
This means that Adams Township
farms are highly productive and in
keeping with the general harmonious customs of the people in Delaware County.
These farms indicate thrift and progress on the part of their owners.
James Robinson, an Irishman, came to America in 1844 and to Delaware County in 1852. He married
Mary A. Gregg, in 1854, also of Ireland, and they were the parents of twelve children. For many
years Mr. Robinson lived on section
8. John Robinson also came from Ireland and settled in the
township in 1854. He married Margaret Swindle in March of that year. She was
also born in Ireland. Their home was on
section 5.
Benjamin Burgess, an early settler of Adams Township, came to the county in
1855, and in 1859 married Ellen Haight, a native of Ohio. Mr. Burgess was a good
farmer and citizen.
Charles Falconer, a native of Scotland, came to America in 1842,
and to Delaware County in 1855. He married
Rebecca Pierce in 1857, and in 1864 enlisted
in Company I, Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was with Sherman in his march to the
sea.
James Cromwell came to the township in 1855 and
was one of its valued citizens. By a strong effort he succeeded in having Tower
Hill Postoffice established, which was the first in
the township and was kept by him for many years. He was one of the few who succeeded in organizing the
first district school, in 1858, when the first schoolhouse in the township
was erected.
Henry Ehlers was a native of Germany,
whence he emigrated to Canada
in 1854.
Mr. Ehlers arrived in this township in the spring of 1855 and in 1862 married
Anna B. Mangold, who was born in Switzerland. Mr. Ehlers was a member of Company I, Fourth Iowa Infantry and
was with Sherman
in his memorable
march to the sea. He was a member of the board of supervisors, and the station
on the Illinois Central near his farm was named Ehlers in his honor.
Cornelius Hurley was born in Ireland and immigrated to America in 1853. He found his
way to Delaware County in 1856 and the same year married Jane Garman,
also of Ireland.
Andrew De Woody was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, married Rachel
Bardue in 1843, and with his family came to this
county in 1856, settling in Adams Township.
W. H. Lenox came from Ireland to America in 1832 and to this
county in 1857, settling on section 27. He married Sarah Burgess in 1858. James
McElligott was also a son of the Emerald Isle. He
crossed the Atlantic in 1848 and arrived in this township in 1857.
He married Ellen Behan in 1858, and for many years
their home was on section 10.
ryan
One of the best
business towns in Delaware County
is that of Ryan, which was
laid out August 28, 1888, by J. A. Thomas,
Andrew E. Anderson and Arthur I. Flint.
Perhaps the first
business enterprise in Ryan was started by Arthur Flint, who
opened a general store about the year 1886,
in a one-story frame building, now occupied by Worley's harness shop.
Some time in the
year 1891 Lon Benninger and John Snyder, under the
style of Benninger & Snyder, opened a
store. In 1892 Nicholas Weiler had his meat
market running and he is still in the business.
C. E. Worley was
Ryan's first harness maker. He began business in 1893, in
the old Flint Building,
and still holds forth there. Mr. Worley, active and progressive, became Ryan's
chief executive and during his administration a splendid system of
waterworks was established.
Shortly after Worley's
arrival F. M. Foley engaged in general merchandising,
also J. A. Thomas. After a short while Thomas sold out to Charles Van Anda and Will Sutton, who made up the firm of Van Anda & Sutton. Their successors were
Connor & Smith, both surnamed Charles, who came two years later.
The next business
concern to open its doors in Ryan was a department store, stocked
with goods by the Standard Lumber Company, of Dubuque.
This has been under various managements, since the initial one of Joseph Gloden.
schools
The first school was
established in 1888, in a store building owned by Barney Magirl and taught by Joseph Beacom. In the year 1892 the district erected a school
building—one-story frame—on Union
Street. The structure was remodeled
in 1901, by putting on another story, thus giving four rooms for the
accommodation of 135 pupils, who are taught by four instructors. The
school has twelve grades.
postoFfice
The Ryan Postoffice was established in 1884, with Dennis Magirl in charge. The names of his successors follow: A. I.
Flint, May 3, 1889; J. A. Thomas, September 24, 1890; J. H. Beacom, August 23, 1894; James Ireland, September
17,1897; F. L. Houston, December
20, 1901.
Becky
Teubner, Contributor
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