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| North Liberty "Big Bottom" of Iowa River, Was Settled in 1839By MRS. GLENN MYERS NORTH LIBERTY -- Located on U.S. highway No. 161, eight miles Northwest of Iowa City, North Liberty, with a population of 290, is well situated. Oakdale, several miles south, is reached by a rock road, No. 153, and also by the interurban. To the north, four miles distant, is the new Lake MacBride state park to which an all weather road from here is under construction and goes through Madison township, in the center of which is located Cross Roads, a meeting place, built in 1872, formerly the United Brethren church, for many community activities and at which will occur a Fourth of July celebration and homecoming this year. The "Big Bottom" or "North Bend" of the Iowa River was settled in 1838 by John Gaylor and A.C.Dennison. Joseph and George Dennison soon followed. By the summer of 1840 there were many more in the settlement, including some families whose names still are among the landholders of the community: David Wray,: Carson B. Wray, George Wein, grandfather of Charles Alt, J.W. Alt, J.H. Air, Joseph Alt, Dr. Adam Alt, Jackson Purdoo, Ira Purdoo, Evan Dollarhide, the Rev. Israel Clark, Martin Harless, Robert Waterson, John Asian, Hugh L. Napier, David Crozier, Gilbert and Frank Herington and James Chamberlain. William Dupont, who settled north of the river in Monroe Township, was the first man who came "through" the settlement on his way "west." In 1843, a log schoolhouse was erected in the same block where the present schoolhouse now stands, in section seven. Miss Frost taught the first school here at a wage of $8 a month, boarding with the pupils' parents and receiving her pay in wheat. In 1860, the first frame schoolhouse was erected in North Liberty and was taught by Miss Amanda Crozier. The township was named Penn in honor of the founder of Pennsylvania, the motion for that name having been made by Francis Bowman. Francis and Margaret Bowman, Patrick and Ann Murphy held the title to the lands upon which North Liberty is platted. The village was laid out in October 1857. At about that time and for two or three decades following, it consisted of a shoe shop, blacksmith shop, a general merchandise store, a post office, a doctor's office and a carpet weaver's loom in the downtown district. In the early'60's the call to arms was responded to by more than 50, or whom Mr. Isaac Meyers is the one remaining "boy in blue". Mrs. M.Y. Green is the only war widow living here. Mr. Meyers will be 96 years old September 26th and Mrs. Green will be 90 September 23rd. The principal diversions In the early
days were literary meetings, singing schools, spelling contests and
taffy pulls. Groceries and supplies were transported overland from
Iowa City; also the United States mail, the "stage coach"
being driven in the '90's by Mr. A. S. Industries were considerably the same, plus three molasses factories in this township on the farms of Messrs. Nathan Owens, Joe Anderson and Jacob George, the latter requiring both day and night shifts. Hucksters were operated then and in the early years of this century. Mr. Aaron Albright, who still lives here, was one of the traveling dealers, trading groceries and dry goods for butter and eggs. The first telephone was installed in Dr. David Stewart's home. Doctor Stewart served as a surgeon in the Civil war. The rural and permanent telephone lines were constructed in 1901, the switch-board being placed in the F. W. Stahle grocery store and operated as a. side line. It now requires a full time attendant. In the early summer of 1904 the first cars of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City interurban were running through here, much to the gratification of the residents of the surrounding communities. Much credit was given Doctor Stewart for his help in this project and Stewart crossing south of here was named after him. The village was incorporated November 17, 1913, Mr. Julius Kohl being chosen mayor and Mr. M.A. Fries, clerk. The council then comprised H.R. Ramsey, F.D. Butler, I.E. Williams, Frank Price and M. J. Stoner. North Liberty's present mayor is Mr. R. M. Work. Mr. Paul Colony is clerk. Councilmen are Messrs. J.W. Green, L.L. Stoner, George Ranshaw, I.B. Meyers and C.B. Wolfe. There are three churches in Penn Township, the Methodist Episcopal and St. Mathew's Lutheran in North Liberty and the Bethel church located one mile west of here. The Rev. J. A. Worrell is pastor of the Methodist church and he and his family reside in the parsonage adjoining the church. The North Liberty School stands practically where the first log cabin once stood in 1843. Teachers are Miss Arleen Saxton in the, lower room and Mr. Ralph Shalla of Iowa City in the upper room. Dr. J. M. Chittum, physician, who has been administering to the needs of the community for the last 20 still resides here. |
