GILMAN 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 2. Here was David L. Kerr, who sold out soon after proving up. Charles Wilson was an old man and not very strong but held on as long as he was able to work and had to sell because he was not able to conduct a farm. Thomas Thompson remained twelve or fifteen years, but finally became. discontented and sold, moving farther west. Samuel Haney was a Seventh-Day Adventist preacher and as honest a man as could be found. He was a big, strong, hard working man with quite a family to support, and during the hard times he had to borrow a little money at usurious rates of interest. His experience was the same as hundreds of others at that time. He had to have a little money or himself, wife and little ones would starve. He was too honest to steal. Moreover, there was no one to steal from. He could not rob, as all were in the same boat. So he went to the only door open to him and others, the usurer's office. In a few years the little that he borrowed was compounded so often and at such a high rate of interest that he owed eight or ten hundred dollars. Perhaps the usurer did not charge too much for the chances he took. Loaning money to homesteaders at that time was a risky gamble. Haney finally reached another door with hundreds of others, where the only escape was to plead usury. All the creditors had to do was to prove usury to get relief. Mr. Haney did not go to the limit, but went far enough to force a reasonable settlement. He sold out here and after a forced compromise went to Minnesota and bought cheaper land. The turn to better times came and he got along very well until the time of his death which occurred many years ago. Rev. Haney's experience is told as illustrative of the way many others had to do to get along during those trying times.

Section 4. Edward Everett lived on one of the main roads on the bank of Otter creek about half way between Sibley and Ashton. He had the misfortune to get his foot cut in a mower and his son, then a little lad, had his foot cut in much the same way, so both of them are going through the world with crippled feet. Mr. Everett sold his homestead early and bought cheaper land over near the Ocheyedan mound. When land advanced a little over there he sold again and, moving to Nebraska, located near Lincoln, where he now resides. John Strict still owns his claim and other land, but has rented and resides in Ashton. Streit held his land until it became of some value, then sold and moved to Ashton where he died about twenty-five years ago. F. H. Townsend lived on his claim several years and then moved to Sibley and engaged in the agricultural implement business for a few years. Finally he sold out and moved west. Joseph F. Fairfax was a transient and sold as soon as he secured title. Jacob Johannes still owns his claim, but bought and lives on the Abraham Miller eighty adjoining Ashton. Nicholas Boor was a leader among the Germans. He moved to Ashton at an early date and engaged in the lumber, coal and grain business and did much to build up the Ashton market. He died quite wealthy about twenty years ago.

Section 6. Mathew Spartz, who was one of the settlers on this section, is now a retired farmer and lives in Ashton. Frank Poschack sold after land became valuable and moved to southern Minnesota. Charles Haggerty sold and left in an early day. Michael Langan and Thomas Haggerty sold and left in the early seventies. Byron F. Petingale is still on his original claim. It is doubtful if there was ever a Republican county convention in Osceola county that Petingale did not attend as a delegate, but he never asked for an office for himself.

Section 8. James E. Townsend was always one of our most successful farmers. He served as county treasurer three terms and was an able and painstaking officer. After his third term of service as treasurer he returned to his farm and about three years ago retired to Ashton, where he now resides and is mayor of that thriving little city. One of his sons remains on the farm. Mr. Townsend has one of the best orchards in the county. Francis E. Cook sold early and moved to Bunt, South Dakota, and engaged in the sheep business. He died there several years ago. James W. Carson was a public spirited citizen and was well liked by his neighbors. He died on his claim some thirty years ago. William P. Smith sold in a few years and moved west and is now living in Oregon. He was one of the Quaker settlers.

Section 10. The Des Moines River Valley Railroad Company secured one-half of this section as indemnity land and the other half was entered by Alvin H. Brown and William A. Canfield, both of whom sold and left in 1873.

Section 12. John Neff was quite a prominent man and successful farmer and died on his claim. His widow lives in Ashton. William J. Reeves filed on and entered eighty acres on this section, but later bought more land across the road in Goewey township and there built his permanent residence. He was a successful farmer and bought other land until he had a fine improved farm of one-half section. As his boys became men and left home, and as land became valuable, he sold and bought eighty acres joining the corporate limits of Sibley and one hundred and sixty acres one mile south of Sibley. He built a fine home in Sibley joining the eighty and last year sold this home and the eighty for sixteen thousand dollars. He and his wife spent last winter in California, but returned in the spring and are now about completing a new home in Sibley. They say California is fine but Iowa still looks good to them. By industry and thrift-they have acquired a competence. They gave their children all the education they would take along lines of their own choosing. Mr. Reeves taught school many terms and held the office of county superintendent of schools several terms. Since moving to Sibley he has served with credit on the board of supervisors several years. Other names appearing on this section are Henry Freeman, Thomas J. Cox, Edward Cole and Frederick M. Croft, none of whom remained very long, although all were well known at the time. Cox is reported as dead.

Section 14. Henry Newick was an expert accountant and was township clerk of Gilman many years. He died on his claim about twenty years ago. Thomas Shaw was the first merchant to do business in Osceola county. Before the railroad was built his store stood on the bank of Otter creek, near the southwest corner of the county. Upon the completion of the railroad, he moved his store to Ashton. He was the first merchant of that town, where he remained several years before he sold out and moved away. Other settlers on this section, Andrew Mathews and Albert Rounswell, were well-known transients. William Foster was a prominent man in public affairs, being county supervisor several terms and nearly always holding some township office. He died on his claim when only a little past middle age. Peter Seivert was an industrious German and a permanent citizen.

Section 18. On this section was Martin Rosenburgh, who died in Ashton many years ago. William Schultz now lives in Sheldon, Iowa. Dr. Gurney located on this section, but having been a soldier in the Civil War, he had to live on his claim but a short time until he could prove up. He then moved to Sibley and practiced his profession. He was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools for one term. Later he moved to Sheldon and continued the practice of medicine several years. Later still he moved to Boon, Iowa, and went into the drug business. He died in Doon ten or twelve years ago of apoplexy. John D. Billings and Seth Wilson were also on section 18, but did not stay long. Eugene B. Hyde operated with Captain Huff in locating settlers. After the government land was all taken he sold out and moved to the far west, where he died.

Section 20. On this section was William Button, an Englishman and wonderfully enthusiastic about this country, but when the grasshoppers came he soon lost heart and moved to the coast, where he died. He could not stand real hardships. Joseph W. Reagan sold his land too soon to realize much for it and moved to Ashton, where he served as justice of the peace many years. He was a pensioner of the Civil War. Later he moved to Sibley and at a Republican convention held at Ocheyedan he was nominated for the office of county recorder and later elected and held the office three terms. He still lives in Sibley, but is unable to work. Edward Button was a brother of William Button and had about the same experience. Guilder Everson moved to Clark county, South Dakota. Eugene F. Cox. was a transient. Daniel M. Baker sold about 1880, bought near LeMars, later sold again and located on Perry creek about twelve miles northeast of Sioux City, where he still resides.

Section 22 was secured by the Des Moines Valley Railroad Company as indemnity land.

Section 24. Here was Steven B. Brackett, who was not a stayer. Mathew Westcott went off railroading and his whereabouts are unknown. Alonzo L. Stickney was a transient. Lyman H. Hills was a carpenter, and not succeeding as a fanner, he sold his claim, moved to Sheldon and later to Sioux City, where he now resides. Sylvester Close did not become a permanent settler. Frank E. Farnsworth sold early and moved to Oregon, where he died.

Section 26. James A. W. Gibson sold about twenty years ago and now lives with his daughter west of Little Rock, in Lyon county, Iowa. William Jepson committed suicide by cutting his throat while on his claim. Ephriam Miller was a prosperous and successful farmer, but became discontented and sold about twenty years ago and moved to Kansas. While farming in this county he planted a few acres of alfalfa on the Otter bottom which grew and afforded three crops yearly for several years. Finally there was an unusually wet year, when it died. The supposition was that it would not stand excessive moisture. William H. Gibson sold and left early. Aschel Monk sold and moved to Sheldon, where he died. Section 28 was secured by the Des Moines Valley Railroad Company.

Section 30. Here was Philander Gillett, who sold and left the country soon after proving up. Ashael Gardner was another of the Quaker settlement who left early and died in Oregon. William Barnett was one of the principal men in the Quaker settlement and died of cancer many years ago. Clement C. Osgood was a successful cattle raiser and had a fine chance in the open country along the Otter creek and was prospering when death claimed him. His son, Wilber Osgood, still resides on the old claim and now has a well-improved farm. David Merrill was not a real settler, but his claim was secured for him. James M. Merrill died in Sheldon. He was manager and later owner of a big farm on which the Sheldon fair grounds are situated.

Section 32. The Des Moines Valley Railroad Company secured the north half of this section. The south half was taken by Eldred Huff, who was a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War. He is generally credited with being the first settler of this county. He always took great interest in public affairs. He served several terms as county recorder and died recently in the far west. Uriah Cook sold early and now lives in the state of Washington. He was another of the Quakers.

Section 34. On this section were Steven Williams, Henry W. Reeves, Henry G. Moore, Charles G. Reeves and Joseph Bunce, none of whom remained in the country very long. Abe Miller was a sterling fellow, but a threshing machine looked better to him than a farm.. He went over the same road that nearly all the threshing machine men went during those early, precarious days.

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