EAST HOLMAN TOWNSHIP.

The chapters below are from the 1914 book, Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties of Iowa and contain histories of the towns and townships of the county.

Section 1. Among those who came after the grasshopper period we find M. A. Cook on section 1. Mr. Cook came from the south and lives here because he cannot stand the southern climate. He has a novel house, built of concrete in bungalow style, and the most novel feature of it is the fact he did the work with his own hands. He is now erecting a concrete barn. He was one of the first in the county to have a silo.

Section 2. Thomas Pell was a Methodist minister of considerable talent, short on education and expression, but long on ideas. He was a good man, big, angular and strong. He preached some for the Methodists in Ocheyedan in the early day and later for the Congregationalists in Sibley. While he preached in Sibley, he resided there also. His features were rugged and expressive, but somewhat irregular. His mouth twisted to one side and gave him the appearance of whispering something to the right ear which he did not want his left ear to overhear. He died many years ago dearly beloved and highly respected. Ed. E. Tipple was also a claimant on this section. After proving up, Mr. Tipple moved to Sibley, where he now resides. His wife died a few years ago. Here also was John Cashen, a typical Irishman. He later moved to Sibley, and for many years was an all round man for Dr. Neill and at the same time acted as city marshal. He was proud of his position and maintained the dignity of his office in martial style. He died many years ago. After his funeral some one handed W. J. Miller fifty cents saying it was from John Cashen. Miller was not aware that Cashen owed him anything. When on his death bed he directed payment of a few debts that were forgotten by the other parties. C. F. Kreuger was a thrifty German on this section, who later moved to southern California. His son. Fred, now lives on the old place. O. J. Hunger ford was a single man and died about 1887 in the Osceola House in Sibley.

Section 4. E. A. White was well known in and about Sibley but left the county in an early day. S. A. Wright later moved into Sibley as county treasurer. For some years he was bookkeeper in the First National Bank. He was quite a capable man. Later he moved south. John F. Glover was the second clerk of courts. He served one term as representative and has lived in Sibley ever since. He was at one time editor of the Sibley Gazette. He is a lawyer, pension agent and Congregational minister. At present he has no church, but acts as a supply minister quite often.

Section 5. A. Chadwick is a model farmer and a thorough dairyman. F. F. White, a brother of E. A. White, also left early.

Section 6. Nathan H. Reynolds was the father of J. S. Reynolds, who was county auditor seventeen years; fatter of C. P. Reynolds, the owner of a fine eighty-acre farm bordering on Sibley; also father of Edward Reynolds, of Sibley. Sarah R. Rosenberger was also on section 6, but little is remembered of her. Joseph Buchanan left the county soon after securing title. John Webb, the first Methodist preacher in Sibley and one of the first to conduct religious services in the eastern part of the county, had a claim on this section. The other minister in the eastern part of the county was Elder Dean, who was the first Congregational preacher in Sibley. More about both of these good men will be found in the chapter on churches. Rev. Webb died in southern California and Elder Dean is still preaching.

Section 7. M. P. Feldcamp and N. P. Feldcamp are prosperous farmers and both have fine improvements.

Section 8. Here was M. J. Campbell, for many years county surveyor. A few years ago he moved to the state of Washington where he soon died. Here also was Samuel Herbert, who moved to southwestern Missouri where he died. W. W. Webb, son of John Webb, had a claim here. He soon moved to Sibley where he lived many years. Later his mind became affected and he was taken to the asylum for the insane where he committed suicide. Cyrus M. Brooks, son-in-law of John Webb, was here. He was the first clerk of courts of Osceola. He died in middle age. D. L. McCausland was county recorder several terms and lived many years in Sibley. He finally moved to Rock Rapids where he lived a short time and then moved to southern California, where he now resides. He came here a confirmed consumptive and nearly helpless. He regained his health here and now weighs over two hundred pounds. J. R. Wolff has a model farm on this section and has recently completed one of the finest residences in the county. His farm is the old claim of Samuel Herbert. E. Ebert is an intelligent farmer and one of the leaders in this township. He also has a beautiful farm home and good farm. C. D. Garberson, on section 4 and 8, has recently moved to Sibley and is at present one of Sibley's stock buyers.

Section 10. Harvey Walters lived many years in Sibley where he died. Enoch Jenkins left early. He will be remembered as 'Tost Hole" Jenkins. James Bowles did not remain long. Edward Laherty was section boss on the railroad and was accidentally killed. Section 12. E. S. Fairbrother did not remain long. C. H. Bull later bought more land and became a prominent dairyman. He came from a dairy country in the state of New York, and put in practice here with marked success what he learned as a boy in New York. He gained a competency and moved into Sibley as a retired farmer. Later he sold his interests here and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, to be near his daughter and only child. He is still living and enjoying life. John Sclecht was here but a short time and little is known of him. John E. Johnson, a Norwegian, was quite prosperous and died some years ago, leaving quite a valuable estate. His original homestead is still in the family. C. J. Moar yet resides in the county in Ocheyedan township.

Section 14. Fred Kreuger still lives in the county on his father's old homestead. J. H. Kilpatrick was a transient. O. C. Staplin sold his farm twelve or. fifteen years ago and bought in Dickinson county. He is now retired and resides in Spirit Lake. Little was known of John Sovey. Wallace Rea sold before land values advanced very much, and being a veteran of the Civil War, arranged to live in the Old Soldiers' Home, where he died some years ago.

Adam Huls came about twenty years ago with only a few hundred dollars and bought two hundred and forty acres on section 16, in Viola township, under contract. He worked hard and saved, until he had his farm nearly paid for and then traded it for a two-hundred-acre farm on section 14, in East Holman. Losing his son, on whom he relied for help, he sold about two years ago for one hundred dollars an acre and retired to Allendorf where he purchased a commodious home and is now living at his ease and enjoying life.

Section 17. W. E. Dawson has a farm on section 17.

Section 18. H. K. Rodgers, the first merchant of Sibley, filed on this section and made it his home, walking back and forth from the store every day. He actually lived on his claim the required time. He still owns the land but lives in California. J. B. Miller was a transient. John W. Jenkins entered the northwest quarter, now occupied by Sibley, the gravel pit and Sibley Cement Works. C. W. Jenkins for some time conducted a grocery and restaurant business in Sibley. He finally sold and moved to Kansas City, where he is now engaged in the musical instrument business. J. M. Jenkins was Sibley's first doctor and served one term as county superintendent of schools. He eventually sold out here and died in the western part of Plymouth comity where he owned a large stock farm. F. E. Kenedy, now living on section 18, originally lived in Viola township, but later bought his present farm from P. A. Cajacob, his father-in-law. He has made quite a fortune and now lives in Sibley, engaged in the stock buying business. His home farm was the homestead of Dr. Jenkins.

George and Frank Mackinson came quite late and bought the J. R. Morris farm in section 19. They are prosperous farmers and take a great interest in stock, especially good horses. Frank recently moved to Sibley on account of his wife's poor health. She died in October, 1913. George also lost his wife some years ago arid is now living on the farm with his second wife.

Section 20. J. Q. Miller's pre-emption was on this section. His homestead was on section 28. He still lives in the township on section 23, where he owns and conducts a successful dairy business. L. F. Diefendorf was a prominent man in the county for a few years, but sold and left at an early date. Michael Daiiey sold as soon as he could get his title to Dr. Jenkins. His home was in LeMars. Harris Dnrkee was not an actual settler. Section 21. S. M. Cronin bought all of section 21 from the Iowa Land Company. He came from LeMars. As a home place he bought a fractional forty on section 18, near Sibley, and built a fine house for a home. He died last year.

Section 22. J. S. Reynolds was county auditor for seventeen years. He died some years ago. G. E. Pensyl, formerly of DeKalb county, Illinois, now owns the Reynolds quarter. He is a successful farmer. F. R. Coe located on this section but could not stand the grasshoppers, so sold and left early. Henry Klimppin only remained long enough to prove up, sell and get away. S. H. Westcott was well known in the county until the time of his death in Sibley.

Section 24. John McDonald, of Sioux City, was a transient here. Hiram Austin early moved to Missouri, where he died. H. G. Doolittle was a prominent figure. He was a member and foreman of the first grand jury that indicted the grafters. He served as county surveyor several terms, postmaster in Sibley eight years, rural mail carrier several years and is now living a retired life in Sibley. Robert Magee and William D. Lamb were both transients.

Section 26. C. R. Mandeville sold his land early and moved into Sibley and followed the carpenter business. He is one of three living members of that famous first grand.jury and now resides in Holton, Kansas. C. B. Hobart, a fine fellow, was a transient here. W. H. Mandeville held his land quite a while, but eventually moved to Sibley and later to the state of Washington, where he now lives. P. L. Thompson lived' on his land a short time. Timothy Green was also an early settler on this section.

Section 28. William R. Wells, a Vermonter, pre-empted the northeast quarter of this section and hung on all through the grasshopper times and some years later. He was a single man and not well adapted to the cold winters here. He finally moved to southern California, where he died. W. J. Miller moved to Sibley during grasshopper times, was principal of the Sibley schools four years, held various offices, engaged in the lumber business and is now conducting a broker business. He has been justice of the peace for eighteen years. He is now writing this history. He knew them all. J. O. Miller is still living and farming in the county. Mahlon Harvey bought the southeast quarter and later the southwest quarter and stuck to the land. He served three terms as representative. His land made him well off. He died recently. G. H. Perry homesteaded here, but sold early to W. J. Miller. Mr. Perry now lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and he made a fortune in land and Sioux Falls property. C. W. Sollett came from Chicago and located on the old Wells' claim. He and his son are farming and raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle.

Section 30. Here were Joseph Chambers, Simeon Turnbull and Gared Post, who did not live on the land much and sold early. Hiram Burt made his home on his claim until he sold and moved to Sibley. Later he moved to Clear Lake where he died. John Kahili was a transient.

Section 32. H. W. Phillips was a prominent citizen here while he remained. He was quite a sheep raiser. In about 1892 he sold to S. J. Campbell and moved to New Mexico and engaged in ranching. He died many years ago. H. L. Clappsaddle was a bona fide settler through all the hard times, but finally sold out and moved to Mountain Grove, Missouri, on the Ozark range, where he now lives a happy and easy life. William Horton and John N. Kettle became discouraged with grasshopper times and sold, returning to Illinois at an early day. Neither improved his condition. C. S. Janes came quite late, but has prospered on section 32. He has recently bought a home in Sibley and retired from farming, leaving the farm in charge of his son.

Section 34. Orin Levissee was the neighborhood blacksmith but sold early and now lives in northern Wisconsin. James T. Greenfield held to his homestead and bought more land from time to time until now he has seven hundred and twenty acres, one of the best improved farms in the county. He has rented his farm and lives in Sibley at his ease. George W. Greenfield and L. D. Barnes sold their claims to James T. Greenfield and both died many years ago. Peter Philben was a prosperous sheep raiser and farmer, but became dissatisfied and sold out, moving to the state of Washington, where he died many years ago.

Section 36—George Schroder clung to his land and prospered. He now rents his farm and lives in Sibley enjoying a retired life. Henry Schroder held his land until the time of his death a few years ago. Of late years he rented his farm and made his home in Sibley. Robert Smith still holds his claim on this section but is living quietly in Sibley. He was a soldier in the Civil War. E. H. Benson sold and left early. William Gee died many years ago.

The Jenkins, Mandevilles, Millers, Greenfields, Clappsaddles, Hortons, Kittles and Perrys were from northern Illinois and made quite an Illinois colony.

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