History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Continental Hist. Co., 1884.
Richland Township
Transcribed by Bobbi Pohl
Milton Chapman made a settlement [Richland township] in December, 1855. In company with his wife and five children he came all the way from Monroe county, with an ox team, traveling about sixteen miles a day. When they arrived at Twelve-Mile creek, in Union county, it was some twenty-five miles across the open prairie without a house to be seen anywhere in all that distance. As it was beautiful moonlight nights they left Twelve-Mile creek about 10 o'clock p.m., traveling all night and arriving at their destination about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of December 27. Two days later there came a terrible snow-storm, and it was impossible for another person to cross the prairie again that winter. As Mr. Chapman and family were not heard of again that winter, it was supposed that they had been lost in the snow-storm and frozen to death on the prairie, and, in fact, was so reported, as appeared in an article in an Ottumwa paper.
Milton Chapman, son of David and Polly (Ewing) Chapman, was born in Madison county, Ohio, June 14, 1811. His residence there dates till 1847, when he removed to Monroe county, the same state, and remained til 1855, which is the date of his arrival in Adair county. Elizabeth Delp was his wife, the marriage occurring December 28, the same year he removed to Adair county. She was a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Delp, of German parentage. They have seven children--Mary, David H., Eliza A., Sarah E., Martha J., John M. and Arthur W. Mr. Chapman owns eighty acres of good land on section 6, all of which is under cultivation. Nice hedge, and orchard which bears plenty of fruit for their own use. He has served his township faithfully as justice of the peace and trustee. They are church members and favor the Congregational denomination.
Hugh Evans was born in Washington county, Indiana, October 22, 1834, his parents being Robert and Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Evans, the former being a native of Indiana and the latter of Pennsylvania. With his parents Hugh removed to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1841, where he followed farming, and in 1851 they come to Madison county, Iowa, and to this county, July 3, 1869. He was married in Madison county, Iowa, to Miss Susan C. Davis, a daughter of George A. and Martha (Dickinson) Davis. They have six children--Flora E., G. A., Martha E., Adella A., Nancy J. and Hannah C. Mr. Evans has a nice farm on the northeast quarter of section 29, all improved, and has a fine view of the surrounding country, and has a grove and an orchard. He has been school director, trustee, road supervisor and president of the school board, and is the treasurer of lodge No. 418, A. F. and A. M., of Nevenville, having become a mason, in 1875, at Fontanelle. In June, 1855, he helped survey the first road through Adair county from Winterset to Lewis, Cass county. He now follows farming and stock-raising.
William Haskins, on the southeast quarter of section 29 [Richland township], is a native of Illinois; born in Marshall county, October 12, 1844. He is a son of John S. and Eliza (Bonham) Haskins. His farm at present consists of four hundred and eighty acres. When, in 1873, Mr. Haskins came to this farm, it was in an unbroken state. Preparing the land for crop was no small job, but by hard labor and push has suceeded in making it one of the finest farms in the county. At first commenced raising grain, but subsequently going into the stock business. he now keeps all that his farm will feed. This farm has one mile of hedge on its borders, and a grove of three acres of fine trees, besides a good orchard. Buildings compare favorably with any in the township, beautifully situated and presenting a fine appearance, showing the neatness and taste of Mr. and Mrs. Haskins. In 1864, May 16, he enlisted in Company A, 139th regiment Illinois infantry volunteers. His discharge dates October 28, 1864, at Peoria, Illinois. His principal duty was guarding the government stores. He has served the township as trustee, school director, and supervisor. At present is township clerk and school treasurer. They are believers in, and members of, the Methodist Episcopal church at Richland Center.
Charles W. Otis is among the good farmers of this township [Richland]. In 1873 he removed to Adair county and settled on section 15, the northwest quarter of which he owns. His birthplace was Kenosha, Kenosha county, Wisconsin, and his parents were Roswell C. and Phila M. (Whitney) Otis. The date of his birth was October 28, 1848. Mr. Otis' farm is one of the finest on the divide; his buildings are large and convenient, with all the modern improvements for taking care of stock in his barns. A grove of three acres of large trees waves its branches and tall tops in the breeze of summer, or as the icy blasts of winter rage on the prairie, protects both man and beast from them. One scarcely knows winter has come under the shelter of such fine groves. Also has two acres of bearing trees in his orchard, besides small fruits. His stock consists of a large number of Poland hogs and grade cattle of the shorthorn breed. One fine animal at the head of his herd is called "Hurlburt's Pride," is of fine stock, and can show up a pedigree that entiltles him to a place among the finest cattle in the state. He was married to Miss Susan P. Clayton, a daughter of Andrew and Mary A. (Cole) Clayton, December 26, 1875. Four children have been born to them--Roswell C., William A., Hattie E. and Charles F. Mr. Otis is a member of the A. F. and A. M. order, Fontanelle lodge, No. 138.
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