History of Harlan Township
& Maynard, Fayette Co. Iowa
From the 1878 History of Fayette Co. Pages 560 - 563
"Harlan, Township 92, Range 9, was one of the last townships in the county to be settled, and to be organized as a civil township. It is not so broken by bluffs and water courses as some other townships, although the south branch of the Volga runs in a northerly direction through the eastern central part. The surface is generally gently undulating prairie with a rich, productive soil.
First Settlement
The first land entered in Township 92, Range 9, was by Henry Maynard, who entered the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 14, in 1851, but owing to his business in Illinois, he did not settle on his land until ten years later.
The first actual settlers were ____ Shy, ____ Mills and ____ Myers, who made claims and commenced making improvements on Section 11, but two of these soon after sold to H. Barnes, Sr., who raised a crop of wheat the next year, 1853. T. J. Dewey purchased a claim of them and settled near Mr. Barnes.
Among the early settlers of the township were William Taylor, W. B. Aylsworth, J. B. Kingsbury, C. M. Shanklin, Brown Stewart, F. M. Aylsworth, William Barnes and Andrew Walsh.
The township was organized in 1859. It then had a population of about sixty souls and seventeen legal voters.
The first election was held the second Tuesday in October, 1859, at the house of T. J. Dewey. It was 9 o'clock before a sufficient number had assembled to organize and open the polls, but at last Judges were elected and proclamation made that 'The polls of this election are now open.' The polls were kept open until 'Uncle' Dewey's trustworthy old clock announced the hour of 6 P.M., when the votes were canvassed and the following officers declared elected by respectable majorities, viz.: T. J. Dewey, William Taylor and W. B. Aylsworth, Trustees; J. B. Kingsbury and C. M. Shanklin, Justices of the Peace; F. M. Aylsworth, Township Clerk; Brown Stewart, Andrew Walsh and William Barnes, Assessors.
The first death in the township was that of Minerva Dewey, in 1862.
The earliest school record is of a meeting of the electors of School District Township of Harlan, March 11, 1861. The meeting was called to order by the President of the Board of Directors, William Taylor. A tax of five mills was voted for school house and contingent funds.
The township is divided into nine sub-districts.
The first teacher of record was Helen Norton, who taught in a log cabin District No. 2, commencing May 14, and closing August 14, 1860.
The first school house was erected in the Fall of 1861, of logs, near the northeast corner of the present town plat of Maynard - outside the plat.
The first teacher in it was Miss Amanda Stevens.
The first frame school house was erected in the Summer of 1862, in the northwest part of the township. Its first teacher was Miss Crawford.
Maynard
In 1864, C. M. Shanklin purchased the land and built a house on the present site of Maynard.
The township of Harlan, having voted a tax to aid in the construction of the B. C. R. & N. R. R., was entitled to have a station on that road within its limits, and the town of Maynard was laid out in 1872-73, by J. J. Berkey; Randall, Surveyor; plat recorded October 10, 1873. The town was named in honor of Henry Maynard, at the suggestion of Mr. Green, the President of the Railroad Company.
The first building erected on the town site, after it was laid out, was a grain warehouse, by ___ Davis; the first house by Joseph Hadden.
In October, 1877, the people of Harlan were much agitated by the disappearance of Daniel Schuck, who had resided in the township ten years or over. He was last seen on the 17th of September. Schuck was a bachelor, living alone, but in that year Christ Kraft lived with him, working on the farm. On the 19th, Kraft began to haul the wheat to Maynard and sell it. He stated that Schuck had sold him the farm, and had cheated him out of $500, by representing that the farm was mortgaged for $500, when its incumbrance was twice that amount. Kraft soon after rented the place to another man, and disappeared also, presumably going to the pine regions in Wisconsin.
___ Rich, Justice of the Peace of Maynard, held an examination, but was unable to discover the cause of the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Schuck, who is now considered dead, in law, and an administrator of his estate has been appointed.
Patrons of Husbandry
Long Grove Grange, No. 738, was organized Dec. 19, 1873, by C. H. Cooper, from Fairbanks. The first Master was George Barcoff; Overseer, Henry Maynard; Steward, Allen S. Payne; Assistant Steward, Levi Smith; Chaplain, George Rice; Lecturer, J. B. Pember; Secretary, S. T. Barnes; Treasurer, S. J. Maynard; Gate Keeper, Matthew Smith; Ceres, Laura Rich; Flora, M. C. Payne; Pomona, Martha J. Smith; Lady Assistant Steward, Adelia Pember. Charter members: Lodge has not met for two months, but still holds the charter. Last officers were: Master, Allen S. Payne; Overseer, S. J. Maynard; Steward, John Cutler; Assistant Steward, Henry Maynard; Chaplain, Edson Smith; Lecturer, Lois Cutler; Secretary, J. S. Hadden; Treasurer, Levi Smith; Gate Keeper, John Cutler; Ceres, Mrs. M. Fosket; Flora, Mrs. M. C. Payne; Pomona, Adelia Pember.
A. O. OF U. W.
Diana Lodge, No. 87, was organized Nov. 30, 1876, the charter being granted to the following officers: C. S. Older, P. M. W.; W. E. Davis, M. W.; S. P. Cushman, G. F.; J. A. Stevens, O.; C. B. Rich, Recorder; E. B. Snedigar, Financier; A. S. Payne, Receiver; H. S. Hadsell, G.; Isaiah Stansberry, J. W.; Levi Smith, O. W.; and the following charter members: O. D. Bement, J. P. J. Prendergast, Harlow Giles, O. L. Farrand, Isaiah Stansberry, Christopher First, S. H. Coon, Hiram Barnes, S. M. Goodall, J. S. Hatton, W. H. Syford, F. M. Leach, J. A. Vincent, W. H. Potter, W. E. Davis, George A. Sampson, Adam H. Weaver, S. S. Westgate, Joseph E. Beckner, Geo. Sykes. The following are the present (1878) officers, installed July 7, 1878: E. Packard, M. W.; S. M. Goodall, G. F.; H. Barnes, O.; S. P. Cushman, Receiver; Levi Smith, I. W.; J. E. Beckner, O. W. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition.
Long Grove Dairymen's Association
This Association was incorporated under the general laws of Iowa, Dec. 31, 1875. Its first officers were: Henry Maynard, President; Judson A. Stevens, Vice President; E. B. Snedigar, Secretary and Treasurer. The Association erected a building, 18x30, two stories and basement, at a cost of $1,600, in which a creamery was started, which is now operated by S. Shilling, of Manchester, who uses about 6,000 pounds of milk daily.
Religious
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in July, 1864, by Rev. John Webb; Allen S. Payne, Class Leader, and John Smith, first Steward. First meetings held in what was called Long Grove School House; now held in Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mr. Webb remained until 1865. Rev. C. W. Burgess is the present Pastor. Church started with six members, now numbers over forty.
June 5, 1877, the corner stone of the church edifice of the Methodist Episcopal society in the 'Taylor neighborhood' was laid with appropriate observances, in the presence of a large assemblage. An address was made by Rev. R. W. Prebles, of Fayette. In the stone were deposited a Bible, Church Hymn Book, Methodist Almanac for 1877, copies of the Northwestern Christian Advocate, Fayette News, Church Discipline, names of the Building Committee and the contributors to the building fund. The stone was squared by Thomas Hunt, of Fayette. The church was built the same season, by Robertson & West. The church was formally dedicated September 2, the services being conducted by Rev. Dr. Rhea, of Cedar Falls, assisted by the Pastor, Rev. C. W. Burgess. Rev. Messrs. Hurd, Anderson and Scobey were also present. The cost of the building was $1,984.
The Presbyterian Church was organized August 12, 1877, by Rev. A. K. Baird, from Wyoming, Jones County, Iowa. Mr. H. L. Hadsell, Elder. It was built in the Fall of 1877; is 36x50 feet. The Maynard Union Sunday school, Superintendent, Mr. G. W. Burdick, was established in April, 1878. First Pastor, Rev. Mr. McMullen, who preached here about a year, commencing in the Spring of 1877 - before organization. The church was dedicated February 10, 1878, by Rev. A. K. Baird, assisted by Revs. French and McMullen. Rev. Mr. French is the present Pastor - every two weeks - from Independence. Sunday School officers - Assistant Superintendent, Allen S. Payne; Secretary, A. Pilcher; Treasurer, Mrs. Amelia Maynard; Librarian, W. E. Davis.
The corner stone of the Presbyterian church building at Maynard was laid on Saturday, September 29, 1877, after prayer and scripture reading by Rev. Mr. Burgess, and an address by Rev. D. Russell. Deposited in the stone were copies of nearly all the county newspapers, and a summary pertaining to the building, compiled from church records. The building, now completed, is 34x50 feet, and will seat 300 persons. The edifice cost about $2,000.
The United Brethren Church was organized in March, 1878, by Rev. Mr. McCormick; meet every two weeks. Mr. Sawyer is Leader, and Mr. Josiah Davis is Steward. Meetings are held in school house. Sunday school every Sunday. Superintendent, Dow Conrad; Reuber Pember, Assistant Superintendent; Librarian, Mr. Packard. Fourteen members."
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