First Marriage:
The first marriage was John M.C. Potts and Elizabeth Collins, in 1858. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Peter Shamp, a Protestant Methodist minister at the house of Amasa Collins. Mr. Potts enlisted in 1861 in Company C, 6th Iowa Infantry, and was killed at Dallas, Georgia, May 28, 1864, being a Corporal at the time of his death. One child was born unto them--Absalom, who died in infancy. Mrs. Potts was married again in 1866, to Mr. Moon, by Esquire (now Rev.) T.J. Hunter. The couple left soon after for Nebraska.
First Death:
The first death in the township occurred at the house of George W. Diltz, on section 22, in 1854. A man named Carpenter, who was traveling through here, stopped at the house of Mr. Diltz for the night, where he was taken sick, and the next morning he was dead. A lonely grave in the woods on Tipton creek marks the place of his burial.
Cemeteries:
The first cemetery was laid out on the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 22, on land now owned by W.W. Boylan. The first burial was Ida, daughter of George W. and Lucinda Diltz, who died of typhoid fever, in 1858.
An association was incorporated in the spring of 1880 for the care of this cemetery. Its officers were George Lohr, President, John T. Boylan, Secretary; Moses Boylan, Treasurer; Jacob B. Smuck, W.W. Boylan, Asias Bucy, Directors.
Educational:
The first public school was taught in the summer of 1857, in a temporary log cabin, by Sara Howell, now the wife of J.M. Boyd. The first building erected for school purposes was a frame structure, located on the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 21. Miss Howell was also the first teacher in this building, in the winter of 1858-9. It was erected by Amasa Collins, in the summer or fall of 1858. The building was subsequently sold to Frank James and moved south to its original location, It is now owned by Israel A. Johnson.
Tipton township is now well supplied with school facilities, there being seven good frame school houses, in addition to the one in the Independent District of Hubbard. The total value of the seven is $3,500, to which add the Hubbard school building, erected in the summer of1889, making a total of $6,500.
There are 250 children of school age outside of the Hubbard district. With that, about 400.
Religious:
By whom the first religious services were held in the township is unknown. Previous to the organization of any society, the township was visited by ministers of several denominations, who "broke to them the bread of life."
The first Methodist Episcopal organization was called the "Tipton Class," and was attached to or a part of the Upper Iowa Conference. This class was organized at the house of John Cayton, in 1858. The house is yet standing on the farm of P.P. Cody. The first members of the class were John Cayton, W.W. Boylan and wife, George W. Diltz and wife, Amasa Collins and wife, Emalous Jones and wife, Almira Jones, Leonard Dean, Wilson Mason, Lewis Mason and wife. The first services were conducted by Rev. E.P. Crippin, of the Upper Iowa Conference, who remained in charge two years, John Cayton was Class Leader; W.W. Boylan, Steward. Regular services were held in this house, once in two weeks, for seven years. The first of this class, and also in the township, was in the winter of 1859-60, and conducted by Rev. D.W. Risher, resulting in fifteen being added to the class. The class is yet in existence, services being held in the Hunter school house, section 21. They have no church building, and as the town o Hubbard has lately been built up in proximity to it, it will doubtless become a part of the Hubbard charge.
The Protestant Methodists also had an organization in this township at one time, but have none at the present. The same can be said of the United Brethren.
The Presbyterian Church of Point Pleasant is represented in the history of Pleasant township.
Societies:
The first society organized in the township was that of the Good Templars, in 1856. The installing officer was Mr. Leland, D.G.W.C.T. The lodge continued its organization but a short time, but doubtless accomplished some good, sowing good seed in the hearts of some of the young people in the neighborhood, producing strong temperance men and women.
Tipton Grange, No. 286, was organized in March, 1872, under a dispensation granted by the officers of f the State Grange. It was organized by John T. Miller, who was Deputy Degree Master of the State. The first officers of Tipton Grange were: W.W. Boylan, Master; A.J. Hunter, Secretary; George R. Lohr, Overseer. It was consolidated with the Prairie Lee Grange, at Point Pleasant, three years later. The latter surrendered its harter in 1876.
The Tipton Township Literary Society was organized during December, 1881, with John Coomer, Present; Lee Van Patter, Secretary; S.E. Mossman, Treasurer. At its first meeting, the question discussed was, "Resolved, that nature is more pleasant to the eye than art." The leading disputants were S.E. Mossman, affirmative, M.C. Gettis, negative. Misses A. Coomer and Frances Williams were judges appointed to decide on the merits of the argument. Their decision was in favor of the affirmative. Meetings of the society were held once a week, until March 1882, in the Meeker school house. They were instructive as well as pleasing.. It is the design of those interested to continue them each winter.
Postoffices:
Point Pleasant postoffice was established in 1855, and T.J. Sheldon appointed Postmaster. The present Postmaster is Dr. Thomas Crossgrove.
The postoffice of Tipton Grove was established in 1865, and John Bolan appointed Postmaster. It was held at the house of Mr. Boylan, on section 22, the one formerly owned by Amasa Collins. John Boylan was succeeded by W.W. Boylan, and by P.O. Cady, who held it until it was discontinued in the fall of 1880, when the office at Hubbard was established. There are now two prostoffices in the township--Point Pleasant and Hubbard.