A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa

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wo

A

TOPICAL HISTORY

OF

Cedar County

Iowa

Edited By

C. RAY AURNER. M. A.

VOLUME I

CHICAGO

THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING 00.

1010

99256B

B

iKl

PREFACE

y

A recent lament has been heard in reference to the fact that certain portions
of pioneer history of Indian Warfare cannot now be written since those who
were participants in those events of the long ago made no record that has been
preserved or seemed to ccmsider the events of the time of importance enough to
make mention of them in any permanent form.

For this reason those who attempt to find authority for this phase of American
history will lock in vain for the sources.

Recently it was suggested that the points of interest in the campaign of
Abraham Lincoln in the Black Hawk war be marked in some suitable way. This
only emphasizes the tendency of the times to take more interest in fixing the
points in local history while those yet living can verify the facts as they appear.
This will leave in some form a distinct feature of the community.

Pride in one's own province is not a distinguishing characteristic of the mov-
ing population that settled this portion of the United States. Only enough remain
to furnish a suggestion of the former early settlers and they are the ones who
must furnish the data for all the unmarked or unrecorded material that one may
rightfully use in an attempt to write on any topic.

A visitor to New England is constantly reminded of the events in his country's
history that took place in that vicinity. He cannot escape the sight of monument,
inscription, or relic, and he is led to inquire why these should be in this part of
the United States and so few in comparison in his own environment. Many things
that should have been recorded and those concerned been the better able to relate
or preserve for future relating are now passed beyond recall. Future generations
will never continue a custom for which no incentive is furnished. That should be
the aim in all attempts in writing history — ^to furnish some inducement to the
generations following to produce a better citizenship, a better method of doing
things, that those who come after may endeavor to rise higher in the attempt
to reach ideals.

It is not expected that every item of importance can be gathered into a small
volume by any one in a brief time, but a grouping of events topically, that will
give a fair account of the times in which they occurred, will be the measure of

/
\

6 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

sincere effort. The first aim is truth, the second the place where the truth is found
so far as it can be located.

The history of a county may lead <me far astray in the search for the begin-
ning of things and the temptation to follow these suggestions to the end has
been very great. The limit, however, must be placed somewhere and all would
not agree on the point. It ought to be safe enough to stop with matters that
have to do with the development of the coUnty directly and its relation to its
neighboring territory.

Cedar county citizens were interested in the preservation of all that goes to
assist in the preparation of such a volume as early as 1868. At that time the
members of the Board of Supervisors and other citizens met in the clerk's crffice
in the court house for the purpose of organizing, in some way, to forward his-
torical facts to the state department at Des Moines. This was the object of the
meeting as stated by Lawrie Tatum, one of the leaders in the movement. He
emphasized the fact of the necessity of such action if the history was ever made
possible. John S. Tuthill was the chairman of this meeting and Wm. Elliott
the secretary. Resolutions offered by Lawrie Tatum were adopted in the fol-
lowing form: Resolved, That there be at least one person appointed for each
township to collect and collate all the facts and circumstances attending the
settlement, rise, and progress of his township, and forward the same to Judge
Tutlull by January ist if possible.

According to this the members of the committee so appointed were : Center,
W. H. Tuthill ; Pioneer, A. B. Oakley ; Fremont, J. C. Batdorf ; Dayton, J. P.
Ferguson; Massillon, H. B. Potter; Springfield, Thomas Shearer; Red Oak,
W. A. Rigby; Cass, Robert Gower; Inland, Hiram Frank; Farmington, Frank
Butterfield ; Sugar Creek, James H. Leech ; Rochester, John Baker ; Iowa, Lawrie
Tatum; Springdale, Wm. S. Chase; linn, John Dance; Gower, R. E. Campbell.

Ten years after this the first attempt to put the collected account in book
form was undertaken. No authority is given for the conclusion, but one may
judge that the material put into the letters from '^ Antiquary," published in the
"Post" came largely from this source. The information particularly desired at
that time was concerning the very first settlers ; when and from where they came;
progress and prosperity of the township; religious interests; church organiza-
tionSy and denominations; incidents in the lives of persons best known and
tnographical matter.

If such a plan had been carried to a conclusion, and if such a conclusion had
been continued the township history would have been easy to compile into a
complete history of the county. The Records do not show what became of diis
movement If no record had been made of the past events, if no one had made
any effort to put in print or manuscript tha sayings or doings of the men who
once could tell of things it would be impossible to compile the chapters of this
bo<^ Hence it is with due acknowledgment to all diose who have done these
things that this preliminary word is written.

The sources of the history published in 1878 are still available with the ex-
ception of the pioneers who were then living and they were of the greatest value.
What they left must still be retained and effort has been made to do so. The
county records are all in their places. One may read on a fly leaf of one this

* »

* V fc

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 7

memorandum: "Reuben Hallett of Mount Carroll, Carroll county, Illinois,
perused this book in the month of April, 1878, for the purpose of compiling a
history of Cedar county."

The "Cedar County Post," published in 1872 and '73, was found in the search
for sources and this paper contains the substance of the old history of 1878.
There are in the years it was published, twelve or more papers, written by "R. L.
R." on the "Outlines of the History of Cedar County." "R. L. R." was a student
in Cornell college at this time and afterwards taught school at Mechanicsville.
At one time he edited a paper in Grundy Center and had some warm skirmishes
editorially with Daniel Kerr, member of Congress from the fifth district, in after
years. The full name of the young man was, or is, Richard L. Rowe, now of
Vancouver, B. C. He did some excellent work in connection with the advice of
Judge Tuthill and others of that time. It is well to call any work of this kind,
"Outlines," for there is material enough available to make a library, had one the
leisure and capital to collect it

Another source of the former compilation was found in Durant, in the form
of a hrodiure written by a teacher of the time, Mr. Fisher. It is quite evident
that the material in the little pamphlet was arranged for the 1878 history and
being a little too complete for the work was put in this form to preserve it — z,
very sensible thing to do. The citizens of Durant who happen to have a copy of
this do preserve it now very carefully.

Judge Tuthill was a contributor to the Post over the non de pltmie "Anti-
quary." He was a constant student of historical events and one of the prime
movers in an attempt to organize a society for historical study in 1868, when
Lawrie Tatum suggested it. J. A. Berry and assistants edited the history men-
tioned and H. F. Kett published the work. C. L. Longley was editor of the
Advertiser at that time, and M. R. Jackson of the Conservative. Both these
men were influential and S3rmpathetic supporters of the movement.

The publishers of this first history. The Western Publishing Company, had
previously done the same service for Brown and Henry counties, Illinois.

That certain surmises in the foregoing may be correct is fairly well established
in the lettef quoted below which came just at the time the final sections were
being placed together. The reply is to one which had been started early in June
and being returned a second attempt was made to reach Mr. Rowe.

Vancouver, B. C, Aug. 13, 1910.
Dear Sir: Replying to your letter of July 5 I will say I am the person
who wrote the "Outlines of the History of Cedar County" about forty or forty-
one years ago. * * * When I wrote many of the old pioneers were still
living: Washington Rigby, Andrew and Charles Crawford (Charles is still
living about three miles south of Tipton, Cedar's oldest settler) ; Judge Wm. H.
Tuthill, who made a specialty of Cedar reminiscences, and his collection cannot
be excelled; Judge S. A. Bissell, with a marvelous memory; Wm. Knott ("Bill"
Knott); William Baker; Henry Hardman, and others now nearly all gone. I
was brought up in Cedar from childhood, and wrote largely from personal
knowledge, assisted by my mother, who was a Crawford, and knew all of the
early pioneers and much of their doing^.

8 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The "Cedar County Post" was founded by Murrow and James, and its early
files went intb the hands of 'The Advertiser," I think. C. L. Longley might
know about this. Jesse James was county clerk or auditor for a number of terms,
and if living can doubtless tell about the files containing these sketches. I kept
no data after the story was done.

The old files of the early board of county, or territorial conmiissioners,
county probably, who held sessions in Tipton in the forties, in the form of record
books were in the office of the county clerk or recorder (county auditor — ^Ed.)
largely in the handwriting of Wm. K. Whittlesey, clerk. Many records about
roads and other early acts for public improvements were found therein.

Most of the living records are gone — ^in the form of men and women who
could then recall the facts, and you will have to depend largely upon the recorded
data you can locate.

Very truly yours,

Richard L. Rowe.

With the "News-Advertiser," Vancouver, B. C.

All the sources mentioned in the foregoing reply had been covered long
before the letter reached the author of it and the reply received. It is a source
of satisfaction, however, to find Mr. Rowe, in order to bring to light all the
authorities quoted.

Finally the editor must express his appreciation to all those who have fur-
nished information or data as referred to throughout the volume in a general
way arid so far as possiWe in specific instances. To the staff of advisers who
were selected by the publisher special thanks are due for the suggestions of cer-
tain sources of information. To Judge TreicMer and Hon. J. T. Moffit in their
own profession, and public matters, Sherman Yates for the use of the continuous
files of the Advertiser, Mrs. McClure for approval of the first section, and to
Mr. Boyd for being willing to do anything his time would allow.

The editor of the first volume has nothing to do with the second and can

claim no authority over it.

C. Ray Aurner.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section I.
Pioneer History ii

Section II.
County Organization and Government 53

Section III.
Towns and Townshi|>s loi

Section IV.
Educational , 155

Section V.
Church and Its Organizations 184

Section VI.
Industrial Affairs 236

Section VII.
Transportation 267

Section VIII.
Judicial Matters 301

Section IX.
Military History .328

Section X.
John Brown in Cedar County 410

Section XI.
The Press and Literary Oiganizations 452

Section XII.
Fraternal Organizations 474

Section XIII.
The County in the State and Nation 486

Section XIV.
The Professions 492

Section XV.

Miscellaneous • .499

Reference 513

B L

' ' I — ■

C. R. AURNER

History of Cedar G:)unty

SECTION L

PIONEER HISTORY.

At a meeting of the "Old Settlers Association" in Tipton, June lo, 1910,
the secretary reported twenty-seven deaths during the year since the last meet-
ing. At this meeting those who came in 1836 to this county were asked to stand.
Only two arose, and from personal reports obtainable only six are now livii^
who canve in that early time. Personal interviews in this chapter of accounts
secured from those able to give correct facts will reveal who these six are. The
tM was also called on dates up to 1850. Very few survivors of these early days
are now found in this county, they are fast passing and many, very many, inter-
esting facts must be omitted because no one is now living who could have fur-
nished them. Many points of interest in this county that have events of value
associated widi them cannot now be exactly located because the character of
the surroundings has been so changed or distinguishing marks removed. If
errors creep into pioneer accounts they are due to crossed memories or lack of
opportunity to verify the historical data by actual record which was not made
at the proper time. The earliest settler was not concerned with keeping any
record of the present, as he knew it, for us at this date to reproduce as history.
He had enough to do then to keep himself and his family supplied with the bare
food and clothing necessary for existence and while happy enough and possessed
of a keen appreciation of his situation, willing and more than anxious to better
his condition he was alive to the future only in a material and physical sense
at first. This does not mean that he had no thought for elevation of mind, of
morals, but that he was after a home, independence of fortune, freedom politi-
cally, and comforts for his family which must be carved out of a wild country.
He was willing to give his life, his very blood, if need be, to carry out this plan.
This one purpose possessed him and if he was not concerned with keeping records
on paper or in marking spots of historical interest so that they could be identified
by posterity, we at tiiis date must forgive him and do the best we can to put facts
into form for preservation. We must draw from every possible source for this
chapter and shall be indebted to many for assistance. It may not be true that
people arc more selfish or thoughtless than in these pioneer days, but they cer-

12 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

tainly are less social. They fail to respond to calls of a personal nature in the
same way, due doubtless to the great demand on time for the multitude of duties
that now come to each individual if he fulfills his daily round of occupations.
Then the social and charitable element in the character came to its highest degree
of expression and what belonged to one became in distress or need the property
of all. One has written something as follows concerning the early days : "They
were void of hypocrisy themselves and they despised it in others. They hated
cowardice and shams of every kind, and above all things falsehood and decep-
tion. The stranger, so long as honest and trustworthy, was made welcome as
one of the household. To tender pay for service of this kind was offensive to
the possessor. If one fell sick and needed care and attention it was immediately
at hand. Such service was cheerfully rendered and the needs of a new country
made skilful nurses of housewives. A neighborhood was a social unit and what
was the interest of one became the interest of all. When work needed a force of
men, they united the men of the community and no one needed to make a second
request. In a sense all felt the need and could not enjoy his good fortune unless
shared by his neighbor.

The experiences of some of the first-comers were very similar to those of the
early founders of the English colonies. Coming here in the autumn no oppor-
tunity was given for planting or growing anything before winter came on.
Hay for the stock could be harvested anywhere, fuel was found along the streams
and material for a dwelling could be procured in a short time, such dwelling as
the pioneer was accustomed to construct or had seen constructed in the state
from which he came. His ancestors had taught him this, had taught him inde-
pendence of action under trying circumstances and he felt no fear in his new
surroundings. The experiences of these early people were similar, yet they had
their individual trials and some of them were peculiar to the times in which they
lived, while others were only the result of a disposition to carve a new way in
a wild country almost single handed. Such original experiences told by individ-
uals now living are hard to procure, but many things in this chapter are first hand,
coming fresh from the ones who were participants in these events. Such stirring
scenes as they are able to picture make present surroundings seem tame in com-
parison and romance could not produce situations, tragic or comic, to compare
with the realistic tales of the pioneer. The resources of the family were em-
ployed to the fullest extent, each one having his own duty and while none escaped
the labors assigned him, all were happy in the undertaking. Depending for life
on the immediate territory in which they lived, every means was employed to
make economic use of nature's supply. The friendly Indian, indeed a friend,
the game of wood and stream procured at the risk of life, often was the sole
dependence of the lonely forerunner of the present prosperous people of this
county and state. If the hungry child of this date were given for his dinner the
plain food the pioneer mother had to give, he would wonder what had put it into
the mind of the housekeeper to return to the custom of his great-grandfather.
Let these people tell their own stories in their own way, for they are the only
ones entitled to a hearing in this matter.

The portion of the state now known as Cedar county is just within the limits
of the Black-Hawk purchase. General Winfield Scott made the treaty on behalf

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 13

of the United States on the present site of the City of Davenport, Sept. 13, 1832.
By this treaty the government secured title to six million acres of land, the bounds
of which arc a line running" from the east side of Davis county northeast to a
point on the Cedar river near the northeast comer of Johnson county, then north-
west to the lands of the Winnebagoes, then east to the Mississippi near Mc-
Gregor.i "It was then a land untouched by civilization — ^a land possessing all
the charms of primitive wildness, in winter a soliture of snow-covered and
storm-swept plains, but in summer a paradise with every enticement for the
adventurer or homeseeker. There is a beauty that can be seen at one step in a
country's development but never afterward. It is part of the compensation of
the pioneer to see and live among the unchanged loveliness of nature. The
groves stand where God put them and the streams run where his finger marked
the way. No fences mark the metes and bounds of one man's dominion and where
another may not go. The beholder may realize the full meaning of the words,
'All are yours and ye are God's.'

"What a new land is to be for years to come is determined by the character
of the pioneer settler. The land is his to make of it what he will, physically,
intellectually, morally ."^

"The territory now constituting the states of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minne-
sota, was by Congress organized as Wisconsin territory and Henry Dodge ap-
pointed governor in July, 1836. The first session of the Assembly of Wisconsin
territory divided the Black Hawk purchase into Dubuque and Des Moines
counties. The second session of that Assembly, which was held at Burlington,
divided Dubuque county into Dubuque, Qayton, Fayette, Delaware, Jackson,
Linn, Benton, Clinton and Cedar counties.*

"Such was the political birth of this region. Thus the first steps were taken
toward political freedom and separate existence as to local authority in the
county of Cedar, territory of Wisconsin. But while the first governing body of
commissioners were in session, the county passed from the jurisdiction of Wis-
consin territory to that of the territory of Iowa, for the Congressional Act
whereby Iowa became an independent territory went into effect July 4, 1838.
The last order of the commissioners before passing from the Wisconsin juris-
diction reads as follows : "Issued a writ to bring before this body Orrin Lewis
and child, which was committed to the county sheriff."*

When Rochester was named as the county seat there were not to exceed one
hundred fifty inhabitants in the borders of the county and they were scattered
throughout the whole of it. The earliest and heaviest settlements were in Sugar
Creek township in Rochester and Pioneer Grove in the northwestern part of the
county. The one post-office was called Rock Crieek, and afterwards Rochester.
Naturally as immigration increased the people began to discuss the more central
location of the county seat. The first aggressive movement toward that end was
made in 1839 by a petition from the people to the legislature then in session at
Burlington asking its re-location.*^ But more of this in another chapter.

The old frame court house in which the court of '41 was held may interest
us for a time. There, of course, court was held in all dignity ; there the wander-
ing lecturer and the occasional preacher came ; there moot legislatures and school
exhibitions and dances were held. There Soper and Gleason, captured for horse-

14 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

stealing, were confined over night instead of in the jail. Whatever may have
been the reason for this, it made their seizure easy and certain when they were
wanted by the r^fulators. There on the removal of an outbuilding, Hawley and
Daniels were burned in effigy for no other reason than that they came from
Oberlin and which made it certain that they were abolitionists.^

"The time of awakening of large expectations was the coming of the Lyons
Iowa Central Railroad. The soil of Iowa was then unbroken, unmarred or un-
blest, as you please, by any railroad cut or fill. The valleys had not been exalted
nor the hills made low to make a way for Nahum's Chariots. The advance of
this project beyond the talking stage was signalized by the appearance of the
g^ders with shovels, wheelbarrows and teams, in the early summer of 1853.
Imagine the interest and wonder in the mind of the writer and the rest of the
boys as week after wedc the peaceful army continued and results began to show.
The nearest actual invasion of Tipton was made by a heavy fill just east of the
present school campus, where a large embankment was raised, an embankment
now being pulled away by cartloads to fill depressions in the building lots in the
corporation. But when expectations were at the highest and hope the brightest,
and the cars most clearly seen in the near future by those who had never seen
them in reality, work abruptly ceased, the army of workers vanished and the
whole project had failed as 'the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft
agley.' All there was to show for the thought, labor and money expended were
worse than useless instances of grading between Lyons and the Wapsie river and
between that and Tipton and beyond toward Iowa City." "^

The boys of the town were in a measure compensated for their disappoint-
ment in not seeing actual cars by having a very available skating pond furnished
tiiem by the water which accumulated against the embankment previously men-
tioned. A few stmimers after this pond was formed Mustoe Chambers was
drowned in it. Then a passage through the bank was hurriedly cut for a way
for the water to escape and our cherished pond disappeared. The presence of
such a near-by skating pond will be appreciated by the boy who searches for
such a place in the vicinity of Tipton today.®

"The history of any county is involved largely in the history and biography of
its leading men and women. Let us note the history of some to whom our county
is indebted. Prominent among its pioneers stands the name of Henry Hardman.
He was the first Justice of the Peace and was such for a long time to the satis-
faction of the pec^le. He was among the first jurors. His pioneer home became
the place for elections, court, religious, school and social gatherings. There the
Rev. Barton H. Cartwright held service. The writer was a member of the family
as a district school teacher "boarding 'round," and there heard him tell of feed-
ing a whole camp meeting when pork was twenty-five cents a pound. He lived ^
to see the full-blown flower of the county's affluence and his countr/s greatness.
It is in my heart to speak of Mary Hardman and other pioneer wives upon whom
the labor of open-handed hospitality fell without whom neither church nor state
could have been established in the wilderness. Too. little has been said of the
pioneer women and justice can never be measured to them at this late day.

One day while searching in the old but still well-guarded cemetery at Roch-
ester, pushing aside the grass from a low headstone, I read the barely legible

OLD HOTEL, ROCHESTEB

FLEMING HOTEL, TIPTON, 1859

MASONIC HALL, R0CHE8TEH

1

f^^^n,

I t\Ot A

VD

T'

hiH

F H ■•UAl.

.:n^

t

L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 17

name of Daniel Hare. He was an associate of Henry Hardman in church and
state. He died in the midst of his labors in 1852. Those who met in daily walk
the iorm of Henry D. Brown scarcely remembered him as one of the forerunners
of civilization, of the historic band of 1836. Moses B. Church, the first secretary
of the Board of County Commissioners, and the first school teacher who had
been trained for the ministry, who came to brave the hardships of pioneer life in
advanced years, met with misfortune and when he could get a hearing became an
advocate of new doctrines or theories of life which left God and the Bible out of
the argument*

Long associated with the town and county was Jeremiah C. Betts. He was
hotel keeper and successively filled almost every offiice in the gift of the county, a
successful Sunday school teacher and superintendent and good citizen in his
time. He retired to a farm in Inland township and ended his days in peace.
Following the line of woods that rims the horizon on the west and north of the
county seat were the homes of Joseph K. Snyder, Solomon Knott, Samuel Long,
Sdbmon Aldrich, Benjamin Fraseur, Geo. Reeder, W. A. Rigby, John, James,
and George Safley and Alexander Yule. The successive occupants of what is
now known as Bunker Hill farm, are Captain Higginson, Mr. Wall, Moses
Bunker and the present owner, a descendant of the Bunker family.

The Hammond family must be remembered in all that belongs to the early
history of the county, being identified with both the farm and with business in-
terests in different parts.

To Joshua Hall the town and county owed the stately pine trees that are
found here so numerously and with the growth of a half century to give them
majesty they furnish a constant reminder of the man. In some way these pioneers
with their heroic wives have left their mark, and generally for good, upon the
country. In the early days Abraham Lett wks a well known character and Mr.
Stuckenbruck with his mountainlike horse and little wagon sticks in memory as
does the venerable Samuel Daniels who was always the bearer of the Book in
Masonic processions. ^<>

The first store in the county is said to have been in Centerville, in Sugar Creek
township, and was conducted by John C. Higginson and John Shellen The first
things bekMig largely to Rochester, since it was laid out in 1836 and very soon
after obtaining the postoffice and ferry could also boast of a store.

No aggregation of houses is a city or town without the merchant and his
store, and largely as are the merchants so is the city or town. Let us look at the
honored roH elsewhere. With the rise and growth of the county seat after 1840
came Addison Gillett His appearance was gentlemanly. He had brown curly
hair, a smooth, almost feminine, face. He was wdl adapted to his chosen work
as salesman, but not it would seem to the surroundings of a new country under
pioneer conditions. He cannot be numbered with those who, rising with the
growing country, gained wealth and position. His modest monument may be
seen in the Masonic cemetery bearing his name to guide the search of those
interested and make its mute plea for remembrance by the passing generations.
There fa no remembrance of early days in Cedar county and its capital that can
leave out the firm of Friend and Culbertson. The first came early to the county
but for a time engaged in farming. The latter possessed of some capital became

18 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

a prominent actor in public and business affairs, as the first hotel keeper, as
county officer, but mainly and for a long period as merchant. The firm of Friend
and Culbertson was always solid, enlarging to meet demands. A branch store
was established in Clarence and a competent manager put in charge. Dr. Richard
Hall and Aaron Gilbert as druggists, Casad and Gilmore were among the early
firms, the latter long associated as partners in the clothing business retired to
enjoy their well-earned peace after useful business careers. Mr. Gilmore is still
a familiar figure on our streets and the old business is continued in the same place
by his son and partner, and this firm is one of two places in Tipton continued from
father to son at this day. The other one is directly opposite on the other side of
the square — the old harness shop of Austin Parsons, which is continued by his son
at this time.

Alonzo Shaw, when not holding some public service office, was a business
man from the first. As partner of Col. Lockwood Smith, as hotel keeper, as drug-
gist and merchant, until now in his declining years he has gone from all these
scenes and finds a home in the milder climate of California. He tells elsewhere
of some of his early experiences. In those days the blacksmith was among the
first comers. He was one of the prime necessities of a new country. Scattered
all through the county and whenever a settlement sprang up the shop was one of
the first needs since the plow must be kept in repair if the native sod was to be
made productive. Among the first in Tipton and vicinity we name Peabody and
Daniels, the Bosserts as carpenters, and Goddens as mascms, Weaver and Dickin-
son as shoemakers, Magee and McCurdy as tailors, Daniel W. Clapp as teamster,
by length of time in service, miles traveled and fidelity to trust, has gained a place
in county history. The steam mill with a large part of the capitalists of the town
as stockholders, growing out of the needs of the time, was a great wonder to the
boy. The top of its marvelous chimney seemed to be beyond his vision. There
was the miller in all his glory and Taylor, the engineer, with his watchful eye
on the power.

Break not the charm of early days that live like a song in memory. Rather
let us ask where are the mills that adorned Rock Creek and made it something
more than a watering place for the pastured stock. I can name them; there was
Miller's mill, in more recent times Dean's mill, just west of the present cemetery.
This was chief of them all. Then Dwigan's mill and Friend's mill. Their ponds
gave to boyish eyes all the charms of lakes. There lilies grew and fish swam and
the great waterwheels spoke all the poetry that has ever been written about themu
What a paradise they made for a boy. He would not give the memory of those
days of pleasure for all the money that might have been earned or knowledge
acquired in the time spent upon their banks.^^

Late in the summer of 1836 my parents with several other families started
from Indiana for a long journey westward. Two families, one mentioned above,
and a congenial second had only one wagon between them. This was drawn
by oxen and not much diflFerent from the common wagon of the day with the
exception of a higher bed or box, the harness was made chiefly of chains. The
only way to bring live stock was to lead them. Even the hogs were haltered and
led but alas ! the journey was too long, too tiresome and only one reached Iowa
soil. They brought one cow this entire distance. Starting with considerable

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 19

of a herd it was necessary to dispose of most of them before reaching the desr
tination. At the great river which separated them from Iowa soil they loaded
their belongings into a ferry boat and landed on the western side at Muscatine,
then called by the name of Bloomington. This was the gateway to this part
of the territory then under the jurisdiction of Wisconsin. At Muscatine these
two families separated from the remainder of the party and continued their
journey north and west from the place of landing in this new region. As they
crossed the different creeks they named them, the first Otter, because they saw
an otter there, the second Mosquito, because it swarmed with the insects, the
third, because of its condition. Mud, the fourth Sugar because the water was
clear and sparkling and to the fifth they gave the name Crooked because of
its peculiar winding in and out. These streams are known by these names at
the present time. Stopping not far from the present site of Wiltcm they at once
proceeded to build a cabin from the native timber, plastering the logs with
mud mortar to stop the openings. In this house some two weeks later the nar-
rator of this sketch was bom, the first white child bom within the borders of
the County of Cedar. The family arrived too late in the year to secure any
crops and food was hard to obtain during the first winter. The father of the
bouse drove his ox team to Illinois to secure com and salt. The com was made
into meal with a coffee mill and some into hominy, the process of making the
latter is probably unknown to the present generation. The hulls were removed
from flint com by means of strong lye made from wood ashes by means of a
leach, or in plain language by passing water through them and catching the
liquid in a tub. This strong alkali was removed from the com by cleansing
with much water and then the kemels were boiled for twelve hours or more
until tender. This was home-made hominy, a kind in many ways superior to
the medicated article found in the market. In those days salt was often hard
to procure the demand being so great. One time as father was retuming from
the trading post he attempted to cross Sugar creek on the ice. His team of oxen
and wagon broke through where the water was about six feet deep. Taking in
the situation he unloaded his meal upon the ice and sprang into the water to
aid his stmggling oxen. After spending an hour in the attempt to rescue them
and in an atmosphere of zero temperature he succeeded in unyoking them but
they were unable to ascend the steep bank. He hastened for help at some dis-
tance, a team of oxen was secured and by means of chain the helpless ones in
the stream were helped up the bank. All this consiuned time and the exposure
to wind and cold had frozen the wet clothing of my father stiff, yet he never
experienced any unpleasant effects of the adventure, due to the continuous
exertion and protection secured when the frozen garments shut out the cold
wind. The Indians disturbed these early settlers to an alarming extent. The
stories are numberless concerning them and many are now living who can relate
some experiences but mostly of a friendly nature.

A family residing near my father's cabin did not intend to deal kindly with
the red men. One night three came to this house and asked for lodging. The
man of the house ordered them away from his premises. Being somewhat
obstinate, they were on the point of attacking him when my father happened along.
He told them to spend the night at his home, and they hastily departed, surren-

20 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

dering their weapons to the master as they entered. During the entire night they
were restless and seemed fearful lest the whites should do them some injury.
In the morning they mixed flour and water, and made their bread in the (^)en
fireplace. Ever after the Indians remembered this kindness and often brought
gifts to the mother and two children, their bead baskets and other hand work.
They did on some occasions atten^>t the life of the white settler, as others may
relate. One evening a white woman, while alone, saw two Indians approaching.
She immediately closed and locked her door. They demanded admittance. She
refused and this only enraged them in their attempt to break down the door.
The sudden sound of a bell tcld her of the arrival of her son, and when she
shouted that tiie white men were coming they fled. The whites were in constant
fear of the Indians, yet the red men seemed fully as fearful of them. The first
spring found the entire family busy in planting the first crop. The plow and
the hoe were the implements, hand work was the rule. The grain was harvested
with a hook and tramped out by the feet of animals. A true threshing floor, but
utilized in a new form.^<

The first settler chose to make his farm from the woods by removing the
timber, as he deemed the prairie land of no special value. There was notiiing to
fence it and it could never be used unless fenced. His fence, the only one he knew,
was the old worm fence of his fathers, made from rails and stakes split from logs
at great expense of labor and time. The fence of the future that was to make it
possible to enclose miles of prairie in a few days was far from man's thought
The need evolved the supply, as it has so often since, and the rich prairie has
responded to man's need far beyond his expectations when he looked out upon it
from his wooded location. It was in this manner that the oldest farms and first
improvements seemed to grow out from the edge of the timbered r^^ions until
inhabited sections met on the open land, completing the design of the Creator that
the land should be made to support a multitude. There were other reasons for
his remaining close by the water routes. An Iowa writer expresses it in an
attractive form: 'Iowa was originally a part of the territory which formed a
grand hunting and trapping ground for the red man with his primitive weapons
and traps, and later for the pale face with the modem weapons with which to kill
and capture without though of the morrow all food or fur-bearing animals com-
ii^ within range of his deadly rifle and the lure of the concealed trap. The fur
and food animals in those days were the deer, wild turkey, pheasant, squirrel,
wild goose, brant, duck, otter, beaver, wolf, mink, muskrat, raccoon, with an
occasional black bear. Trappers usually had from forty to fifty steel traps of
different sizes. To these were added the "medicine" used to put on the bait to
attract the animal."^' The common animals along the streams furnished the
meat food of the pioneer, but if by misfortune he got no game he must survive
without meat, he had no other resource. He must use art and skill in his
methods unknown to the man trained only in prairie ways. Most of the new-
comers had some sense of wood craft and felt safer when dose to their original
environment. "There are few boys or men living in a timbered country who
have not spent an occasional night during the fall of the year in hunting the wary
'coon with a pack of well-trained dogs. A couple of axes, a gun, and good run-
ning qualities are the only requisites. When the nocturnal prowler comes out of

PASTOBAL SCENE— CBEBK PASTURE

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 28

his hole in a hollow tree during the night, in search of food, the dogs cross his
trail, and after a chase of a few miles he takes to a tree and in is either shot by
moonlight, or the tree is cut down and the pack finishes him at once." ^* In early
days the Iowa streams were well supplied on their borders with game which the
gradual encroachment of improvements and civilized methods of preservation
have about destroyed

In 1836 a rude log cabin was erected about four and one-half miles east of
the village of Rochester. This was the first home in Iowa of Col. Henry Hard-
man. This house was located near the creek and served as a home for the
Hardman family for many years. In this cabin the school was held (referred to
elsewhere) ; here also church services, Sunday school and singing school wen^
held as time went on. The early settlers thought that Cedar River would be
navigable, and settlers made calculations on that event as furnishing means of
transportation both up and down the river. Several attempts to carry out this
idea soon gave a discouraging outlook to the matter.

During the winter of 1837 ^ ^^^^i^d of Indians, Sacs and Foxes, about five
hundred in number encamped near the mouth of Rock Creek, just above the
present village of Rochester. No one was molested by them, as they were
friendly to most of the whites.*^

''A small boy of ten years came with his parents to this county in 1837 and
settled west of Tipton, or what is now known as Tipton, then an open prairie
with no indication of its future history as capital of the county. Their only
neighbors were the Indians who made early calls for provisions.^®

''In 1840 when I came to Cedar County there were but a dozen families in as
many miles radius. They were of the best people, intelligent, and, for the time,
well educated and being of the true, vigorous and hardy American race crossed
hundreds of miles of trackless country to form a new home in a rich and inviting
r^on. In those days the country was full of game (it is mentioned before),
which furnished the natives and whites alike with their meat. In the swamps
were countless numbers of muskrat houses and many deadly snakes. These
swamps seemed to form a large part of the open country there, and were a fruitful
source of the malaria and ague common among the first settlers. I well remember
now the swamps that were formerly where good roads now pass, in my girl-
hood days impassible, and one might remark in passing that some of the best
land now was once a great and useless marsh improved by modem systems of
drainage. The prairies were not settled until the later fifties, many declaring
that they would never be settled, but would remain open pastures. They rea-
soned thus: There was no timber to furnish fuel, and no running streams or
springs to furnish water, and what would one do with the swamps. At this
time in our history the land sale at Dubuque had not taken place. A man by the
name of George Miller had previously pre-empted large tracts of land unlaw-
fully and sold tiiese tracts to early settlers until he was found out, when he left
the country. When the land was entered a kind of duplicate deed was given to
the settlers. These were government documents issued by order of the Presi-
dent, John Tyler. These deeds were sent to Iowa City, then the capital of Iowa
territory, where they were exchanged for the deeds we got at first."

24 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

"The virgin soil was broken with five or six yoke of oxen and a great plow.
These, yoked out in a long string, were hitched to the plow at a great disadvan-
tage when compared to the present method of using the horse in close harness
whether two or four. Then the newly-turned soil was harrowed and marked
out with a shovel plow. In this furrow the com was dropped by hand and
covered with a hoe. The plow then used cultivated only one side of one row,
while now two rows at a time are cultivated by one man. All grain was cut by
a cradle and bound, after being raked into suitable bundle, by a band of straw
such as many of the present generation do not know how to construct, even
though raised in surroundings where such things were common in recent, com-
paratively recent, years. The grain was threshed by means of a flail or by run-
ning horses over it on a smooth floor. Hay was cut with a scythe and cured
in the swath. Crops were bounteous and vegetables grew to great size. All
produce had to be hauled to Bloomington, now Muscatine, and when it was there
brought low prices, dressed pork selling for two cents or less a pound, wlieat
twenty-five cents a bushel, half the amount only in cash, the remainder iA trade.
Flax and sheep were raised to make clothes, and geese to make feather beds.
The wool and flax were spun and made into clothes. Wool-picking was made a
social diversion. They came for miles around on horseback, mothers carrying
their babies with them in order to assist. Cook stoves came into use about 1850,
but fireplaces continued to be used for heating purposes for a long time.
Matches were unknown, fire being kindled with flint and steel and a bit of tow.
If these were lacking the only resource was the fire of a neighbor. Yet, these
people seemed fully as happy as those of this generation." ^^

"In 1841 my father, Abraham Lett, moved from Ohio in covered wagons. It
was spring and roads were almost impassable. While traveling through Indiana
the horses seemed to go almost out of sight in the black swamps. After a long,
tiresome journey we arrived at Tipton on the thirtieth of May. In addition to
our family was that of Samuel Akers, and we made our home in an old log cabin
which stood two blocks west of the court house, and which was used at one time
as a clerk's office. The room was twelve by twelve feet and had an immense
fireplace on one side. Before long our friends built a house of their own and
we had the whole log house for ourselves. In the fall we moved into our new
house of one room. The winter was very cold, and the house being unplas-
tered we were obliged to put up quilts to keep out the penetrating cold. The
one stove we had was so small that you could pick it up easily. After the first
winter we raised a crop and food was plentiful. Game was abundant and we
had our own com meal and flour by going to Pett's Mills at Anamosa or Maquo-
ket^.. Later on in our history we got our supply from Dwigan's mill, and better
meal never was ground. The first yeast we had was brought from Virginia by
water. About twice a year my father would take a load of wheat to Muscatine
and get thirty-seven cents a bushel for it. In the winter dressed pork was
hauled to the same marlqjt, and sugar and coffee brought on the return. In addi-
tion to this, there was always a bolt of muslin and a bolt of calico, invariably
blue. I was raised on blue calico, and these were our best, our every-day
dresses being made of unbleached muslin dyed with hazel burrs or oak bark. In

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 25

the autumn we gathered crab apples and made sauce, and such good sauce as it
was. We made sorrel pies in the summer when fruit was scarce.

Great companies of Indians came along in those days traveling west. They
were very friendly and were continually wanting to trade horses. Father
brought out a horse and cme old fellow said, 'Horse sick, heap sick,' after having*
g^ven a careful examination of the animal. Wolves howled at night, and their
mournful sounds used to frighten us very much. They came close to the cabins
in those days and depredations were often committed.

Not all experiences of those days, however, were tragic. A few, very few,
were comic. I remember one occasion that seemed vital to a hungry child. By
some means mother had secured apples enough to make dumplings, one apiece
all around, and just as they were done who should come in but Harvey Leech,
and, of course, he remained to take dinner with us. At that time it was the
fashion for children to wait when company came, and just imagine our feelings
as we watched those long-cherished apple dumplings disappear until not one was
left. When we came to this county we had no washboard and it was our custom
to either pound our clothes on a block or in a barrel.

In 1843 ^ storm struck Tipton, carrying away several houses and the frame
of the court house. Mrs. John P. Cook took her children and went to the cellar,
but Mr. Cook declined to go, whereupon his wife expVessed her opinion of a man
who was not afraid of a storm like that. As years drew on times became better,
and they were not considered as hard times then, since all were on the same
footii^, and poverty might have been called the prevailing fashion.^®

"In the fall of 1842, after a journey of five weeks or more, a party, including
my grandmother, Mrs. Lurenda Humphrey Casebeer, settled ten miles west of
Iowa City, then a village of fifteen houses. In the following spring, attracted by
the land sales in Cedar County they bought a farm and came here to live. The
site of the old homestead is two and one-half miles south of Tipton, on the Mus-
catine road. The only building on the place was a log cabin, eighteen feet
square, no plaster, no ceiling to protect the dwellers from the first snow storm of
the fcdlowing" winter, which sifted through the chinks in the wall and lay two
inches deep upon their beds in the morning. But they were prepared for the
next storm. The tent cover and wagon top were stretched over the ceiling and
walls, and the snow and cold kept out to some degree. That winter food was
hard to procure. No mills to grind wheat had there been any to grind. What
little could be obtained must either be cooked whole or crushed by letting the
horses tread upon it on the hard ground. Consequently the bread was rather
hard and gritty. Com bread was preferred to white put up in this fashion from
this form of grinding. In the spring of 1844 grandmother and one of her broth-
ers, accompanied by a minister, made the trip to Ohio. The minister had left
his wife and family in Indiana, and was to bring them to Iowa. While he pre-
pared for the return journey, grandmother and her brother drove on to Colum-
bus, which she said was 'only one hundred miles farther on.' It shows how little
the pioneer regarded a distance of a hundred miles overland in a wagon. The
next year the house which still stands (1903) on the old homestead was built
(1845). I^ ^s sadly in decay now, the haunt of bats and weasels, rats and
snakes. Grandmother's father made the brick and manufactured the shingles

26 HISTORY OF CEDAR CDUNTY

himself. Part of the lumber he hauled from Bloomington (Muscatine). The
old kiln where the brick were burned has disappeared, althought in wet seasons
water fills in the old pond. At that time Tipton consisted of two or three dwell-
ing houses, a store and a log jail. It gave little evidence then of its future.

"Soon after the building of the house mentioned grandmother was married
to John Casebeer, The young folks moved to Sugar Creek, several miles farther
south. When I asked her what kind of a house she had, her eyes flashed in
reply : 'A log cabin of one room and the com crib under the bed.' They were
often troubled by begging Indians. The squaws teased for flour, for clothes
for papooses, for anything their greedy eyes might light upon. The sole want
of the Indian buck was tobacco. He had become thus far civilised.

"Fruit was very scarce. The young orchards had not yet reached a fruiting
stage, and the wild product was mainly crab apples. Pies were made from beet
tq)s and sheep sorrel until pie plant became known, which was thought so much
better. After her mother's death grandmother came back to her father's to
care for the younger children. It was a time of bold thieving. Men stole valu-
able horses, rounded them up near the Mississippi and shipped them south.
Finally the outrages became unbearable and parties of men from Scott and Cedar
Counties organized into a band called 'regulators,' to find and punish the guilty
ones. The Sopers lived a half mile down the road from the Humphrey home.
Ed. Soper, one of the thieves, was found at his home. He made no resistance,
but was lodged safely in jail. Gleason could not be found. For several days a
mob of angry men rode through the woods searching everywhere. They wer^
armed with almost every conceivable weapon, and were determined on finding
and punishing the thief. He was at last captured in the woods near the Bun-
Oak school house, a short distance from grandmother's home. A girl who was
picking berries found him hiding behind a log. She led the 'regulators' to the
spot. He was jailed and what happened after that is related in another chapter.

"During the time of the Civil War and when slavery was the chief topic of
thought the Humphrey home was a station on tfie 'underground railroad.' Many
negroes, especially at the time of tfie bloody war in Kansas, ran away north or
were helped away, and by assistance on the route finally reached Canada. Fami-
lies of colored folk often remained over night at this station. The next day
grandfather would put them in a wagon, cover them up with quilts and blankets,
and transport them to Posten's Grove, fifteen miles farther on their way. On
long, lonely stretches of road curly heads often popped out, but when strangers
happened to meet the command was 'to duck.' All promptly obeyed and to all
s^pearances grandfather was hauling bags of grain to mill. Even in the north
there were many anxious and willing to send the negro back to his cruel master
in the southland if he caught him seeking a route to liberty. These people re-
mained s)mipathetic during the war and were known by the name of 'copper-
heads.' " !•

Such were some of the exciting scenes of pioneer life. Their sufferings and
privations, their simple joys and wholesome pleasures are alike unknown to later
generations. These were the founders of our county, the ones who must be?
credited with a pure and earnest purpose to make a real home in a new land.

Lnrenda Humphrey Casebeer, a Pioneer Hannah James, Ninety Yei

Cedar Mrs. Margare

Sterrelt. Slio \
in Cei-inr Coiintj

Ft l>iJ*/ Lii' ^A U Y

APTOn. LRNOX AND

TTiJil-JN KW;NI>ATI0N8

B L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 29

One of the early settled portions of the county was Pioneer Grove in the
northwestern part. In 1837 Prior Scott and two families of near relatives came
to this part of the coimty from Indiana. They came up the river to Bloomington,
where the teams met them from the oVerland journey. The usual experiences the
first year came to them, the diflFculties in getting the necessary food, and long
journey to Illinois to bring supplies. A daughter of Prior Scott relates this
experience in these early days: "My father started with his ox team to bring
com for the three families. He was gone three weeks. No news came since
there were no mails in those days, and mother was nearly frantic with anxiety
before his appearance after the long delay. His delay was caused by the open
river and the time it took for it to freeze over that he might cross himself or get
his team over. They planted com on the new sod in the spring of the first year.
Our meat supply was secured from the deer that were so plentiful. The log
cabin my father built was the curing place for the supply, the venison being
hung aloft as it was secured. Indians were plentiful, but harmless. Money
was not wanting to enter the land as soon as open for sale. Gold and silver was
brought from the former home for that purpose. The usual diet of hulled com
and com products led to emergencies being met in original ways. When meal
supply was exhausted at one time my mother crushed some corn with a hammer
until it could be pulverized in a coffee mill, and the bread made from it tasted better
than any cake I ever ate. When my Uncle Joseph Caraway saw it he called out,
•Ruth, where did you get your bread ?' On being infotmed he exclaimed : We'll
have some, too.' In those days the only company we had were Indians, wolves,
and deer. Only two of that eariy group in Pioneer Grove are now living, Mrs.
Albaugh,*® the daughter of Prior Scott, and Samuel Gilliland, who in his ninety-
seventh year, travels about independently.

The Fraseur family arrived in the county in 1837 2tnd camping west of Tipton,
or where it is now, on the banks of the creek, they had a call the very first evening
from the natives, who came to borrow flour, their accustomed request, since the
white man was supposed to have an abundant supply of that article with which
to placate his red friend if necessity required.

Passing along the stream for some distance north of the camping place they
selected the spot where the Lunschen house now stands for their cabin. Wolves
and deer were very common in the neighborhood, as all the settlers found when
they first entered the county. Mr. Montgomery Fraseur relates the adventure of
a neighbor who was on his way to Muscatine with a load of wheat when he was
attacked by wolves and only ^scaped by throwing off one sack of grain at a time
to delay the hungry bmtes.

Land was unsurveyed then and they settled anywhere that seemed suitable,
putting a crop into the ground at cmce — wheat, oats, and corn. At one time Mr.
Fraseur took a load of wheat to Chicago, driving a yoke of oxen and bringing in
return two stoves and two barrels of salt. The markets were so uncertain that
the producer could not tell what his prospects were until he had tried the market.
On one occasion fat cattle, four years old, were taken to Dubuque and brought
but thirteen dollars per head.

Very early in the settlement a school house was built and a teacher secured.
To this school pupils came from a distance of five miles. This is referred to as a

30 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

school taught by Mr. Smith in the chapter on Education. One of the stoves
brought from Chicago was to serve the school, and so far as records show it must
have been the first one to have such a luxruy.

Mr. Montgomery Fraseur made the overland trip to California in 1849. He
tells of the trials of that trip, how so many gave up their lives in the attempt to
find gold, and even facing the dread disease, cholera, on the journey. A hastily
dug grave, a hurried burial, and then a greater hurry to leave the vicinity for fear
of exposure marked the journey of the emigrant train. On his return he came
by way of Panama to New York, by stage to Rock Island from Chicago, and on
horseback to his home in Cedar County .^^

It is said that in June, 1835, ^ party from along the Mississippi River entered
this county at Posten's Grove on the east line and took possession of that timber
before it had its present name, going from there to Onion Grove, north of the
present town of Clarence, staking out their claims so as to include all the timber
here. This party, which included the names of some well-known men, and some
who are always mentioned in connection with Iowa history, claims to have opened
the way for the first land rights in Iowa territory within the limits of Cedar
County. Antoine LeQaire, the two Davenports, Wm. Gordon, Alexander Mac-
Gregor, Louis Hebert made up this party according to the only authority now
available.*^ The first inhabitants or inhabitant if we define him as one who comes
here to live, probably came in 1836, although others were in the county earlier.
Andrew Crawford seems to have the best right to the claim of being the first
settler, but preceded others by only a few months. An attempt will be made at
the end of this chapter to arrange from the records the order of arrivals of the
early settlers. The experiences of these first settlers must be found in the few
interviews that can now be reported from the small number who can relate them
at this distant date.

When the Crawfords came to the county they first made a claim on the banks
of Sugar Creek, near the south line of what is Centre township. Stephen Toney
took his claim precisely where the old building known as the "Finch" school house
stood. McCoy first claimed all the territory now and then in prospective, com-
prised in the limits of Rochester. The process of getting a start in the new land
is briefly told. Having made his settlement or found a stopping place, Andrew
Crawford hitched to his breaking plow, which he had brought along, and turned
the sod on several acres on the place afterward owned by the Widow Rice, and
now by Mr. W. M. Port. This he planted in com and beans and other vegetables
for early crc^, which at harvest time yielded abundantly. The new soil did re-
spond well to the hand of the pioneer and such crops as grew then were remark-
able for their size, as some now can testify.

When Martin Baker made his claim it comprised the central portions of what
is now Rochester township. He first settled where Samuel Slater afterwards
lived. As mentioned elsewhere, the first prayer meeting in the county so far as
known was held in his cabin at this place of settlement. Mr. Baker afterward
preached regularly at Col. Henry Hardman's house, and at the Burnside cabin,
which then occupied the place later owned by William Ochiltree. As a general
rule the early settlers came, selected a site for a cabin, erected it and leaving it in
charge of some friend, returned for their families, and in this way avoided the

married in 1839

J

Am^Ol. LKN»X AND

TILDMC FOLiNUATlONt

1 L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 33

unpleasant wait that always must elapse before comforts of shelter and protection
from danger could be furnished. Not always was this done, for covered wagons
made the stay possible until log cabins could be put together. Then when a few
had become established in the neighborhood others found shelter with them while
preparing their own home.

It is said that for reasons implied in the foregoing there were very few women
in Cedar County at first, the men coming to prepare the way. Several women
lay claim to cooking the first meal in the county. So far as records go the difjer-
ence in time of claimants is a matter of weeks only^ and it is safe enough to
divide the honors.

Andrew Crawford came in 1836 and Mrs. Phoebe Hasten, his daughter, had
charge of her father's cabin. She must have come out with him and preceded
other wcxnen by a few weeks. Cal. Walton came very soon after, and to his wife
the honor of cooking the first white woman's meal has often been ascribed. The
wife of Stephen Toney probably came soon after this and from that time the
women of the household came more frequently and the household knew their
comforting ministrations.

Robert Sterrett, on entering the county, selected a camping ground near the
stream now known as Mosquito Creek. In those days these insects were yeiy
numerous owing to favorable conditions, and at this particular time and place tor-
mented the pioneer without any mercy. For this reason the name was given to
this small stream and the incident has left its history to the later generation,
although its reasons may not now be prominent in the experiences of those living.

Two reasons for the name of Sugjar Creek are oflfered by diflferent authorities.
One that the large number of sugar maples growing along its border led to the
name, and the second the sweetness of the water. , Both are reasonable, since both
are true from the early and pioneer point of view. The sweetness of the stream
was not necessarily in the sense of taste, but in comforts of other kinds, and one
must allow for some sentiment in all these names — ^an interesting study by itself.
Martin Baker, in search of his claim, undertook to trace "Crooked Creek" to its
rise, but returned home in disgust before he had performed his task, giving the
stream its appropriate name as one must conclude who attempts to follow its
windings.

Rock Creek was easily named from the course it follows, as it furnishes a type
formation of ancient rocks for the student of the earth's history.

These streams in that early time are described as swarming with fish, the
source of food supply for many families. One cannot quite believe all the "fish
stories," for that is a common source of error and a temptation to otherwise gen-
erally honest men. The people were seldom in want of the best the waters could
supply in spring and fall. For instance a pike was caught in Sugar Creek that
weighed forty pounds after being dressed, but it is agreed that this was above the
ofuerage size.

The tricks of the Indians were not different then than when he came and went
in quite recent years over the Iowa prairie, stopping at farm houses to beg, borrow,
or pilfer whatever the Indian taste appreciated. They liked to trade, and they
loved to get the white man's flour and hog meat. It was easier to catch the white
man's chickens than to hunt the wild ones. It is said that in some cases they

84 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

offered to "swap" some property for one of the fair members of the settler's house-
hold, and it was not without consideration since the bargain hunter was always
a leading chief. In one case the chief explained that it would be a great hcMior
to the white settler for his daughter to become the "squaw" of the "big injun."
When the settler urged the necessity of keeping his daughter to work, the noble
red man offered to substitute his own squaw in her place, who was a hec^p better to
work, a heap better.^'

There was no imagination in the trials of the early settler when it came to
labor — it was real — ^the modern implements of agriculture were yet to be in-
vented. As one may read farther on in the "county fair" exhibits, the most primi-
tive inventions were hailed as the salvation of the agriculturist.

The early contests with the elements are told in many stories of adventure,
some of them in this chapter and the most of these stories have come from the
sources of all such things, and must vary with the individual experiences of men,
yet in the main be true for all. A writer in the old Ce<hr County Post of April,
1872, has collected most of the data now available for drawing ccmclusions beyond
a few personal accounts of the same nature that are told by those now living, in
most cases children when they came, and children who were very young. Only
one in the county who came in the '30s, Samuel Gilliland, was a young man at
that time.

Andrew Crawford, the father of Charley Crawford, whom every one knows,
who has been long in this county, met with a stirring experience one time during
the winter of 1836-7. The winter was severe and provisions must be brought, as
has been said, from the source of supply at the mouth of Pine. Crawford started
to wade home through the snow, some two feet deep, for a distance of forty miles.
During the journey a blinding storm set in, causing him to lose his way. Com-
ing to the course of Sugar Creek after daric he did not dare leave this landmaiic
until morning, so he patrolled the ice during all that time to keep from freezing.
To stop or lie down was certain death, as sdl know who have read of those who
lose their lives by exposure to cold.

Morning revealed to him his situation and he set out for home through the
deep drifts, although well-nigh worn out by the long night of suffering. On
the way he was about to g^ve up in despair when, noticing a break in the snow
ahead, he made one supreme effort to reach it, when he found it to be a path
made by Mr. Bumside to get his cattle to water at the creek. This enabled him
to find the house of friends, where he dragged himself more dead than alive, and
where he was kindly cared for. He was very badly frozen, yet lived to tell the tale
until 1856.

Other experiences of this kind could be recounted without limit, but these are
typical and must answer. It has been said that Cedar County was thirty years in
settling, that is until occupied fully by those who were to form the first settlement
on its prairie lands. No one ventured to make a prairie claim until about 1850,
since such a procedure would have been looked upon as the "height of folly."
One of the pioneers who considered the possibilities of this prairie was regarded
as somewhat visionary, yet by 1854 it is safe to say a very littie of this prairie land
was left in the hands of the government.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 85

Early in the history of the cx)unty the speculator, or perhaps that is a name
altogether too mild, made life extremely miserable for the honest seeker after a
home. The timbered portion of the county was most desirable from the point of
view of the settler who came from the older states, where he had been taught
these things, and this portion the ring of claimants set out to possess. When a
claim was staked by the farmer this gang demanded of him that he vacate or pay
for his right. Argument availed nothing since witnesses were always at hand
to prove anything necessary to establish a previous claim. To avoid trouble the
settler might ccmiply or move on as he chose. Frequently he paid a siun sufficient
to satisfy the greed of the would-be claimant, and when the time came the opera-
tion was repeated in some other locality.**

After this had been repeated for a time the population grew to sufficient extent
to make such operations unsafe, and the defrauding agents learned that the people
were resolved to take matters into their own hands for mutual protection against
such nefarious practices, and see what a taste of "lynch law" could do for such
unprincipled men.

Leagues were formed to secure justice at the land sales held in Dubuque
in 1840, and while the robbers of honest settlers, who were innocent of their
methods, were present at this sale in force, they dared not make any attempt to
enforce their false claims when they came into contact with a body of frontiersmen
armed with rifles and determined to fix the first bidder against the rightful settler
of any claim already located. This seemed the only remedy then, since the police
powers of the United States government then were scattered over so much terri-
tory that this r^on seemed left to its own resources, like similar r^ons in other
parts of this big country.

"Necessity being the mother of invention," as one learns through bitter expe-
rience, led the settler to methods of his own in making improvements. "Cabin
construction," as they called it, exemplifies the old truth expressed in the begin-
ning. The pioneer built his cabin of any desired dimensions without nails, screws,
bolts, bars or iron of any description. Fireplaces and brick chimneys were often
made without lime and often without stone or brick. The logs for the building
being cut and collected on the proposed site, the owner would make a "raising,"
to which he summoned the entire surrounding community within hailing distance,
and that meant miles in those days. The jug was alwa3rs a prime necessity at these
gatherings, and after it was sampled the work began.

Four of the best axmen were placed at the four comers of the house, whose
business it was to match and adjust the logs as they were rolled into place under
the direction of the "boss." One window and one door were allowed generally,
and the last two logs laid at the top of the house were made to project on both
ends and in these extensions notches were cut to hold a log laid in them.

At regular intervals from and parallel to this cross beam other timbers were
laid, one above the other, making rafters for the roof. Upon these the clapboards
were laid, very much the same as modem shingles, only fewer courses, as the
clapboards were about four feet long. Each course was secured in its place by
means of a heavy pole placed directly over the rafter beneath and kept in place
by braces. The first at the eaves was kept in place by pieces of wood placed with
one end against the log and the other against the "staying pole." The next pole

86 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

above was stayed from this and so on to the top. The fireplace was built of rock
or of wood lined with rock, or of wood and a heavy covering* of clay. The
chimneys were nearly always built of slats of wood lined with clay. The door
was sometimes a thatched framework, but generally two large clapboards or
puncheon pinned with cross pieces and wooden pins and hung on wooden hinges
with a wooden latch. The door was opened on the outside by means of a string
which passed through a hole in the door above the latch, and when pulled would
lift the wooden bar. The floor was of puncheon or large slabs about six feet long
and dressed with an ax to fit as closely as possible.^^

In houses like these the people lived, and happily, too. So much for circum-
stances and standard of living as it changes from generation to genera-
tion. John Ferguson of Red Oak was the first man so far as known to apply
water power to machinery. In the years of 1837-8, with the help of his neigh-
bors, he constructed a mill on Rock Creek not far from his home. Shortly after
this Aaron Porter built a mill on Crooked Creek.

Mr. Porter made the mill stones and also the boxing for the larger shafting;
the latter were made of flint rock and answered the purpose well. This was the
second flouring mill in the county. These mills could not bolt their flour. The
bread was whole wheat and of a kind good enough for anyone.

Sometimes these mills got out of repair or were frozen up or the dam washed
away, when the settlers were obliged to go long distances to find supplies of flour,
even to Dubuque, a distance of eighty miles, if they could do no better.

Farming in the early fifties was still primitive. Horses were few. Oxen
were used in cultivating the fields and conveying products to market. There
were no stoves until about that time. Farm implements consisted of a wagon,
plow, scythe, fork, spade, and a hoe, besides the very essential axe. August
Petersen in the summer of 1855 brought the first reaper to the neighborhood of
Lowden. It was a McCormick hand rake reaper. He cut his own and his neigh-
bors' grain that year. He went with his reaper as far as Col. Parr's, on what is
now the Antc«i Hoeltke farm. Exchange of work was the custom in those days
and purchases and sales a mere question of barter. The money was wanting and
articles of immediate use were given for products of the farm. Mr. Philip Schnei-
der, the father of our present county auditor, one of the very earliest settlers in
this party of the county, related not long before his death the following : He came
with his father and two brothers from Germany in 1847 ^tnd settled in Ohio. In
'51 they came to Davenport and were taken with ox team and sleigh from there
to the region now comprised in Springfield township. Settlers were very few,
log houses were scattered along the edge of the timber, and land could be had
for one and a quarter dollars an acre, now worth one hundred times that amount.
Among the hardy pioneers of this section is Henry Heiner, who, at the advanced
age of eighty-five or more, is able to relate vividly his pioneer experiences. He
came to this neighborhood in 1856 from southern Illinois. He hauled the first
load of lumber in 1857 from the Wapsie to this place for Mr. Dug^n. He was to
unload it at a stake driven in the tall grass where the stock yards of Lowden are
now located. After it was removed from the wagon the gjass hid it entirely
from view, such was the growth in its wild state. There was only one house near
and that was not in the limits of the town as then surveyed. The lumber went

THE MOFFET HOMESTEAD

THE HUMPHREY HOME, 1845

PUBLIC LilULAKV

AlVrOl. LBN»Z AND

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 39

into the first house erected in the town of "Louden," as then spelled. Mr. Heiner
met with a misfortune in this first load since he broke his brand new wagon.*^

"In July, 1845, the Cedar County surveyor, Thos. Gracey (the first teacher in
tht Tipton schools), desiring to g^ to Philadelphia to study medicine, appointed
me his deputy. The next year I was elected surveyor, serving in that office until
1 85 1. The land was being rapidly settled at that time and it gave me plenty of
work. The average farm then was a quarter section, as now, th« entries being
made at Dubuque.

"The center of Cedar County is a few rods north of the present Northwestern
depot. There have been many discussions of the question of the traces of the
buffalo in this vicinity, with a strong opinion against such affirmation, but I am
sure the evidence is in favor of the existence of the native animal. That he once
roamed over these prairies is very well shown by the remains found during my
work as a surveyor. I often found skulls and chips of the animal in Cedar County,
and still further during a government contract I undertook in Franklin and
Butler Counties in 1851, a herd of twelve of the animals passed over the territory
covered by my work. Elk were also very plentiful in this section, where there was
no disturbing element, there being no house then in either county or habitation
between Iowa Falls and Cedar Falls."2«»

At a meeting of the old settlers of Red Oak township in 1870, the latter part of
December, at the home of John Goodrich, the «arly comers to that township were
assembled to recount their early experiences. "That group may be recorded here,
since they are the ones who first made the towiship a placi? for future comforts :
Robert Dallas, John Ferguson and wife, John Chappell and sister, John Safley
and wife, James Safley and wife, George Safley and wife, Washington Rigby and
wife, Samuel Yule and wife, John W. Brown and wife, William Coutts and
wife, Elza Carl and wife, William Dallas, Gordon Dallas and wife, James
Cousins and wife, B. J. Rodgers and wife, Cyrus Rickard and wife, Ezra Good-
rich and wife. Of these Washington Rigby came first in 1836. Most of the
group came before 1841. At least three of this number, all women, are living at
this date.

Here they related their own experiences, some of their hardships and some
of the amusing things during their pioneer days. Mr. Rigby related the wedding
tour of himself and bride, they being the first couple from the county to seek a
marriage license, and had to go to Muscatine to secure it.

Mr. Goodrich being anxious to raise a little money and having some pork to
dispose of, determined to take it to Iowa City, the best market he then knew. At
that time Iowa City was a village of a few stores, but in the opinion of its inhabi*
tants of some importance, for they had then begun to figure for the location of
the a4>ital of the territory.

Mr. Goodrich, not having any team of his own, hired Mr. John Safley to carry
his load of pork to market. On their arrival in the market they found pork worth
$1.25 per hundred and no cash at that figure — only goods in exchange and no
groceries — some kinds of dry goods only. Mr. Goodrich finally concluded to take
the value of the load in Kentucky jeans at a dollar and a quarter per yard, and Mr.
Safley took his pay for driving the load to market in powder and shot ; so having

40 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

no money to pay for lodging they came home in the night from Iowa City to Red
Oak, their home.

All these pec^le were prosperous farmers when this reunion was held and the
old times of trial were long forgotten in the comforts of the present. It was
stated at that time, that all their means put together would not amount to three
hundred dollars when they first came to Red Oak.^

At another gathering of the same nature in November, 1871, at the home of
William Coutts, other events were described and some of the former meeting
repeated. The first dwelling in this part of the county was built by J<rfin Jones
on the William Aldrich place. Mr. W. A. Rigby had gone to Red Oak to build a
cabin two months before, but through a personal injury could not do so, and when
Mr. Jonas Oaks came to occupy the house he had not succeeded in erecting they
were all forced to occupy the one built by Mr. Jones. The snow was six inches
deep and the family of Solomon Knott had already been given shelter in this log
cabin, only sixteen feet square, and as yet unchinked. To add the new family
made twenty-one men, women and children in this small space for a period of eight
days until another house could be procured. The Oaks family moved into Red
Oak township and this was the first cabin built there. They occupied it in No-
vember, 1836. At this time Linn County was attached to Cedar for judicial pur-
poses, and W. A. Rigby held a commission from Governor Lucas of Iowa terri-
tory as justice of the peace. Hence when John Safiey wished to be married in the
spring of 1838, he was called upon to officiate at the ceremony. At this meeting it
was stated that of the settlers at the land sales at Dubuque in 1840 mpre than half
of those present from this county then and still in the county were in Red Oak
township. A good Scotch coffee mill at ]ohn Ferguson's furnished all the meal
for the breadstuffs of several families for months. The com was dried in a skillet
during the day and in the evening the men took turns in grinding it for breakfast
It was at this juncture of affairs that the mill referred to elsewhere was built for
that neighborhood.**

At this meeting the first steps were taken to organize a County Old Settlers'
Association and a committee was appointed to secure action in the matter. On
Friday, the fourteenth of June, 1872, the old settlers of the county met at the court
house for the purpose of organizing the present association, which recently held
its meeting for 1910. William Baker was the chairman of this first meeting, and
Wm. H. Tuthill, its secretary. The call was for those who came to the county
prior to 1841, and under this call some twenty-five or more assemUed. All of
these mentioned then as old settlers, and named in the report, are gone from the
scenes here. Some of them at that time had passed their four score years. The
daughter of one of them died in July, 1910, at the age of eighty-seven — Mrs.
Bunker. This meeting was continued in September of the same year and a perma-
nent organization perfected, a constitution was adopted and an address given by
Mr. Wm. H. Tuthill. Henry Hardman of Rochester Township was the first
president and to him Judge Tuthill presented the cane with the following words :
"It is made from a native cedar, cut from the banks of the river that gave name
to the county and skillfully fashioned and mounted, with its appropriate inscrip-
tion, is intended to be the badge of your office, to be preserved with jealous care
and transmitted from President to President successively as long as our assoda-

SOUTH CEDAR STREET, TIPTON, JULY 4, 1868

?1 I^JO LIBRARY

/«TOE. I>BN^X AMD

TTLfUDN riHNUATl"'^

1 L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 43

don continues to exist/' Col. Hardman then responded in a suitable and happy
speech, acknowledging the official badge and the honor ccMiferred. An executive
committee for the enduing year was 2^)pointed, which included the names of John
Culbertson, W. A. Rigby, W. M. Knott, Henry D. Brown and J. S. Tuthill. The
committee to provide for a speaker the coming year was composed of Samuel Yule,
John Safley and William Baker. On this day they partook of refreshments at
the <dd hotel, the Fleming House, a picture of which may be seen in this volume.**

At the Old Settlers' meeting in 1883 Mr. E. E. Cook of Davenport addressed
them in words commemorative of the early days, and he refers to his father's life
in the county amcMig the pioneers. Mr. Code is still living in Davenport.

''I will not say much personal to myself, but I must tell you, old friends, and
friends of my father and mother, that I have never prized an hour more highly
than this one, and I have never undertaken a duty so gladly. My father came to
this place where Tipton now flourishes before there was any town here. That
was in the year 1840, and he left here in 1851. He was often here until 1872, the
time of his death. He had no stronger social attachment than his love for ''Old
Cedar" and his pioneer friends. No days of his life were so happy as these he
spent among you. Although he has been dead now eleven years, gray-haired men
who were with him here in the early days often talk with me about him, and their
mutual friendship. It is only a few months ago that a very old man spoke to
me on the streets of Tipton and asked me if I was a son of John P. Code, and
when I answered in the affirmative, he said, 'I w^t to shake hands with you for
your father's sake.' Nothing ever touched me more deejay than that. It was
a strong illustration of the friaidship that exists among those who together shared
the hardships and triumphs of pioneer life. It was an evidence of the regard in
which my father was held by those among whom he passed the days of his early
manhood. He was worthy of that regard, and the fact that the old settler friends
of this county always had so strong a friendship for him is a most precious tribute
to his memory. Because I am among the old friends of my father and mother,
and because I have that respect and veneration for you which the children of
pioneers owe to those who have prepared for them so fair a home, I feel that it
is, indeed, a privilege to address you."^

It was about this time in the history of the county that the pioneers b^^n to
drop off like ripe fruit, and the death list grows rapidly. They had fulfilled their
mission, had done their duty and of right passed on.

Oo June II, 1884, the year following the address quoted from above, the
Hon. Robert G. Cousins, member of Congress from the fifth Iowa district for
many years since, and now a resident of TiptcMi, spoke to the old settlers, giving in
review the scenes of the early days and comparing the good times of Cedar
County pioneers with the present day and the great advantage in owning and
occupying the land of Cedar County, giving due credit to the pioneer for honorable
record made thus far in its history. His closing words were in reference to the
fifteen members who had gone to sleep since the meeting a year before.'^

At the Old Settlers' meeting in '89 Mr. James Bumside, who built the first or
second cabin in Cedar County, told the following story : "He crossed the Missis-
sipiM in June, 1834, and on the sixteenth of that month took his claim on the Will-
iam Ochiltree place by laying the foundations of a log cabin. Going back next

44 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

day for something to eat, he soon came again with his wife and family, three hired
men, three yoke of oxen and the 'prairie schooner.' This was before the cabin
was finished, of course, and only a small circle of prairie grass had been cut about
the wagon. Mrs. Bumside was bending over the tub washing when looking up
she beheld two impassive Indians standing with guns on their shoulders at the edge
of the untrodden g^ass. She ran shrieking to where the men were cutting hay
half a mile distant, and the Indians ran in tfie opposite direction. Responding to
the cries of his wife, Mr. Bumside hastened in her direction. About midway of
the distance he met his wife still screaming "Indians!" "Where is the baby?**
said Mr. Bumside, as he came panting on the scene. "Good Lord," exclaimed
his wife, "I never thought of the baby." At which reply he left her to her fate
and ran on only to find the ten months' old child safe in its clapboard cradle in the
wagon. "^2

Mrs. McQure, who came to Tipton in 1841 and is now the one who has the
longest residence, became the president of the Old Settlers' Association in 1905, •
being the first womaau to hold that position.

When the barn on the farm of Alex. Buchanan, Sr., in Linn township was built
it was necessary to remove an old landmark. This was the old Mason house built
in 1847. It was on the old stage line from Mount Vernon to Davenport, and it
was in its day used as a stopping place for travelers. It was once a well known
house, and many a weary and lonesome traveler found comfort under its roof.
The days of its usefulness had passed and it was removed in the natural course of
events to make room for advancement. The brick are found in the foundation of
the barn now standing.

The carpenters found the house well preserved. The same "hand shaved"
shingles were on the roof as put there in 1847 — ^^^^y years before — ^and the roof
leaked very little. The oak rafters and studding were as sound as the day they
were put there. The inside work was all of black walnut and in its time the old
house must have been one of the best.^^

The name of Charles Swetland is remembered by the older residents of the
county so well that the present generation should keep some account of events
with which he was connected.

On Christmas day, 1890, the house on the hill east of Tipton about a mile,
burned to the ground. This was known as the Coutts house then, but it was
built about 1859 by Chas. Swetland, and was a landmark for miles around. Then
it was called the finest residence in the county. Made in the old way of building,
there was no sham there, all was good and true stuff. Heavy timbers sawed in the
mill at Rochester, four by six timbers when two l>y six now are considered un-
necessary. Such a house, in fonm of material used, now stands between this spot
and Tipton, formerly the home of Colonel Powell, now of Perry MofFett, where
the great stone step is load enough for a derrick. Here the cellar beams are an
example of the early structure burned to the ground as mentioned on Christmas
day.'*

Uncle Aaron and Aunt Bathsheba Gruwell, as nearly everybody called them,
were married sixty-nine years on the 6th of July, 1906. Think of it — married sixty-
nine years and both of their minds still remarkably bright and their bodies free

J

THE "OLD STONE MILL"

'd

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 47

from disease, except the usual infirmities of extreme old age. This statement of
facts was given by them on their sixty-ninth wedding day.

Aarcm Gruwell was bom in Stark County, Ohio, June 8, 1817. Bathsheba
Slater was bom in Ulster County, New York, January 21, 1816. He being in
his ninetieth and she in her ninety-first year. Their parents were Friends and
Bathsheba was a member of that church. Their parents were pioneer settlers of
Ohio ; his oldest sister, Elizabeth, being the first white child bom in Marlborough
Township, Stark County.

Aaron Gruwell and Bathsheba Slater were married at Marlborough, Ohio, July
6, 1837. Four sons and two daughters were born to them, namely : Isaac New-
ton, Hannah, BrintcMi T., Alice, Timothy and Abram Clark.

Brinton T. and Timothy were soldiers in the Civil War — the latter giving his
life for his country. Two sons and one daughter still live to bless and cheer their
aged parents.

Uncle Aaron and Aunt Bathsheba with their five oldest children moved to
Cedar County, Icfva, in October, 1854. They settled on a farm and have lived in
the neighborhood of West Branch ever since. Their youngest son was bom two
years after they came to Iowa.

Here as pioneers they helped to make this country the beautiful and fmitful
garden it is today and by their example and others like them have inculcated a
spirit of industry, frugality and morality that will be a blessing to its people for
very many years after this dear old couple have passed- over to the other side. He
has also been a useful public citizen, having served many years as justice of the
peace and trustee of Gower township.

They made their home with their youngest son, A. C. Gruwell, and his wife.
It is a home on one of Iowa's many ideal farms and is only a half mile north of
West Branch on a pretty elevated site that overlooks most of the town and! the
valley in which it is located. Here they rested from their life's work, calmly and
serenely "waiting the Master's call." Uncle Aaron once said he had this thought
to give : "Sixty-nine years ago when I was young and she was young we walked
and talked and gathered flowers together. But now we are old, the tale is told
and it will be told that this is our sixty-ninth wedding day."^*

Golden weddings are not of such common occurrence that they become monot-
onous by mentioning many of them. Alonzo Shaw and wife celebrated their
fiftieth anniversary in 1899. They were married in Tipton in 1849 and at the
time of this anniversary not one of the guests at the wedding of '49 was living.
They spent all their married lives in this vicinity.

One of the pioneers of Linn township, Alexander Moffit, who came there when
the name "Lynn" included much more than now (1840), settled on the farm he
now occupies in 1859. A. recent account of their golden wedding belongs in this
connection.

Mr. and Mrs. Moffit have always made Cedar County their home. The farm
on which they now reside having been purchased by Mr. Moffit just before their
marriage, and was occupied by the newly wedded couple as soon as arrangements
could be made the next year for possession. Mr. Moffit was bora in Ireland in
1829 2tnd came to Cedar County in 1840. He takes an active part in the old set-
tlers' meetings and is now among the few of the old members. He has served as

48 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

a member of the Board of Supervisors of this county ; and represented the county
in the legislature in the Sixteenth General AssemMy.

July 21, 1905, occurred the fiftieth wedding anniversary of the pioneer couple,
Rev. John Y. and Rev. Mary J. Hoover, of West Branch. More than one hun-
dred guests did honor to the occasion. This worthy couple came to this vicinity
in 1854 by wagon from Ohio, that source of supply for s<xne hundreds of homes
in Cedar County. They were married by the Friends' ceremony in a building
located on what is now the southwest comer of Main and Downey Streets. They
battled for existence on a farm near West Branch. He became a minister of the
Society of Friends~in 1864 and his wife a few years later. They traveled as
evangelists from ocean to ocean, worked for the church in Canada and New Eng-
land, spent two years among the whites in the mountains of North Carolina,
Virginia and Tennessee, for years in the work, never receiving any salary for
preaching, but freely and gladly gave the service for spreading the gospel message.
Agreeable with requests and fortunately for this record the couple once more
stood and renewed their vows of fifty years before. The Friends' ceremony fol-
lowed. "In the presence of the Lord and before this assembly, I, John Y. Hoover,
take Mary Jay to be my wife, promising by divine assistance to be unto her a
loving and faithful husband until death shall separate us." Then she said : ''In
like manner, I, Mary Jay, take John Y. Hoover to be my husband, promising by
divine assistance to be unto him a loving and faithful wife until death shall sepa-
rate us."'*

A reunion of the Negus family was held in the park or picnic g^rounds near
Rochester bridge in September, 1898, and at this time some interesting pioneer
accounts were given. About eighty were present at this time to honor the
Negus family, who came to Springdale in 1846. In this year Shedlock Negus
sent his family from Ohio to Iowa while he followed driving a flock of sheep of
some size not mentioned, but a large number. It was not uncommon then to
drive great droves of sheep from Ohio and Michigan. The Negus family settled
first near Muscatine, but on account of sickness were compelled to move on from
that place and settled this time near the present site of the village of Springdale.
In the fall of 1847 ^^y hauled logs with oxen and built a caiAn, the ruins of which
were still standing at the time of this reunion on the farm owned by Beackan
Negus, Jr. They lived here ten years during the time their daughter taught the
first school in this part of the county. It was through the influence of Shedlodc
N^fus that the first road was laid from Davenport to Iowa City, and he helped to
plough the furrow clear through which marked its location. Israel N^[us came
to Iowa in 1852, while John Negus and wife at the age of eighty drove overland
from Ohio in i860. In these days temperance was the tc^ic of interest in many
parts of this county and a lecturer by the nam6 of Leland came out from Boston.
He delivered the first lecture of this kind here while being entertained at the house
of Wm. Negus.'^

Of the earliest settlers who came to this county the names following may be
listed, as coming at the dates gives. The township may not be exact since when
these came there were no township lines to locate the names. This may be con-
fusing and it is not a matter of vital importance if the neighborhood is under-
stood.

i'li^iJC LlBliARY

ABT?)». IJlffW AND

m DBN riH/NUAriMNa

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 61

1836.
Andrew Crawford and daughter to Center Township.
David Walton and family to Farmington Township.
George McCoy to Rochester Township.
Stq>hen Toney to Rochester Township.
Ben and John Halliday to Sugar Creek Township.
Samuel Hulic to Sugar Creek Township.
Harvey Hatton to Rochester Township.
C. C. Dodge to Pioneer Township.
Alanson Pope to Pioneer Township.
Peter Crampton to Pioneer Township.
Robert G. Roberts and family to Iowa Township.
Aaron Porter and family to Rochester Township.
James Posten and family to Springfield Township.
William Baker to Rochester Township.
Joseph Olds to Center Township.
John Jones to Center Township.
John Barr to Center Township.
Richard C. Knott to Rochester Township.
John Roper to Rochester Township.
SolcMnon Knott to Center Township.
Reuben Long to Cass Township.
W. A. Rigby to Red Oak Township.
James and John Bumside to Rochester Township.
James and Ira Leverich to Rochester Township.
Rev. Martin Baker to Rochester Township.
Jchn Scott to Rochester Township.
William M. Knott to Center Township.
Robert Miller to Center Township.
Joshua King to Center Township.
James and Jesse Potts to Rochester Township.
Elisha Edwards to Rochester Township.
James W. Tallman to Rochester Township.
H. B. Bumap to Rochester Township.
Isaac Dickey to Rochester Township.
Samuel Gilliland to Center Township, later to Pioneer.

Mrs. Albin to Township.

Enos Nyce to Springdale Township.

The Sterrett family, mother and three sons, to Sugar Creek Township.

1837.
John Ferguson to Red Oak Township.

Charles Dallas to Red Oak Township.

John Safley to Red Oak Township.

William Coutts to Red Oak Township.

John Chappell to Red Oak Township.

Charles Swetland to Rochester Township.

William Mason to Cass Township.

62 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

George Miller to Linn Township.

John Miller to Linn Township.

Nicholas Miller to Linn Township.

Henry D. Brown to Rochester Township.

James and Henry Buchanan to Cass Township.

Jackemiah Baldwin to Cass Township.

Jehu Kenworthy to Cass Township.

John and Philip Wilkinson to Center Township.

William Green to Rochester Township.

Christian Holderman to Center Township.

Benjamin Fraseur and family to Center Township.

Duncan McClaren to Rochester Township.

Geo. W. Parks to Cass Township.

Charles Warfield to Rochester Township.

Peter Diltz to Rochester Township.

John Blalock to Cass Township.

Noah King to Cass Township.

William Kizer to Center Township.

Abraham and Nicholas Kizer to Center Township.

Richard Ransford to Center Township.

John G. Foy to Center Township.

James Foy to Center Township.

Samuel P. Higginson to Center Township.

A. L. McLaren to Center Township.

Samuel Yule to Red Oak Township.

Geo. S. Smith to Center Township.

John C. Higginson to Center Township.

J. S. Sheller to Center Township.

Moses B. Church to Rochester Township.

Joseph Wilford and son to Sugar Creek Township.

John Finch to Center Township.

Jonathan Morgan to Center Township.

William H. Bolton to Center Township.

Daniel Hare to Sugar Creek Township.

Milton Phelps to Rochester Township.

demon Squires to Iowa Township.

William C. Long to Iowa Township.

Asa Young to Red Oak Township.

Felix Freeland to Red Oak Township.

Elias Epperson to Red Oak Township.

Calihan Dwigans to Center Township.

Prior Scott to Pioneer Township.

Robert Pirie to Red Oak Township.

Hannah Blalock to Cass Township.

William Kester to Cass Township.

Angeline Smith to Township.

SECTION II

COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT.

Under the territorial acts the management of the county affairs was vested
in a board of three commissioners who organized immediately after the county
was set off from the Dubuque county jurisdiction.^* The commissioners met at
Rochester, the place fixed upon by the Territorial legislature on April 2, 1838.
Richard Ransford was chosen as chairman and Moses B. Church as clerk. These
records are found on a folio of foolscap paper attached to Book A of the office of
Auditor. Some of the proceedings of 1838 to 1840 are so unique that they should
not be overlooked. The first date of the county commissioners at Rochester is
April 2, 1838; the final March 22, 1840. This closes the first "book of records"
in Cedar County. The school boy today should envy the writer of these records ;
^uch clear cut letters and ink that will never fade.

One of the first acts of the commissioner of Cedar County, Wisconsin Terri-
tory, was to receive the bonds of the justices of the peace appointed by the gov-
ernor of the territory, namely, given by Henry Hardman, John Blalock and
George McCoy, and by James W. Tallman as sheriff. These bonds were turned
over by Robert G. Roberts, who had been an officer of Dubuque County before its
subdivision mentioned heretofore.

But to quote the record is the best possible way of indicating its purposes :

"Received a petition praying for a road from the northeast end of Pioneer
Grove through Red Oak Grove and Centreville by Freeman's mill in the direction
of Bloomington, which was laid over for further consideration" ;^® also

"Received a petition for a road frc«n our eastern boundary in the direction
of Rockingham through Centreville and Rochester in the direction of Gilbert's on
the Iowa," which was laid over also. There seems to be an error here in the
name of the stream, since "Gilbert's" was in Linn on the Cedar, unless there were
two points of the same name. Political caucuses were held at Gilbert's in Linn
and that could not have been on the Iowa river.

At this session, April 3, 1838, the county was divided into four districts by
congressional townships, four in each, and election precincts were established in
three of these only, the first lying in the northeast one-fourth of the county,
being attached to the second in the northwest for election purposes. One pre-

53

54 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

cinct was in Linn Grove at the house of Elias Epperson ; a second at Rochester ;
district number three at the house of Stephen Toney, and one at Centreville at
the house of Moses B. Church. William Mason, Alanson Pope and Elias Epper-
son were appointed judges of election. MascMi's Grove is named for the first of
these, Pope was one of the first at Pioneer Grove and Epperson at Linn. These
for the district number two, to which one was attached. Green, Morgan and
Kenworthy for district number three, and Miller, Walton and Whittlesey for four.

"Be it enacted that permission be given Greo. McCoy to operate a ferry over
Cedar River at Rochester, and the place of landing shall be opposite to Van Buren
Street."

The rates were fixed as follows :

For a wag(g)on, 25 cents.

For span of horses or yoke of cattle, 25 cents.

For man and horse, 25 cents.

For a footman, I2>^ cents.
^ For loose cattle per head, 6j4 cents.

For hogs and sheep per head, 4 cents.

These grand jurors were appointed by the commissicMiers : Alanson Pope,
David W. Walton, Harvey B. Bumap, Martin Baker, Charles Whittlesey, Jona-
than Morgan, Jehu Kenworthy, Solomon Knott, Henry Hardman, John Jones,
William Mason, Wm. Miller, Robert (j, Roberts.

The petit or trial jurors : Benjamin Fraseur, Walter Freeman, Richard Knott,
John Scott, Felix Freeland, Daniel Hare, Charles M. Moberly, James Buchanan,
Abraham Nix, Prior Scott, Elias Epperson, George Miller, Jr., Washington A.
Rigby.

"Be it enacted by the Board of County Commissioners that they adopt a seal
of which the following is an example (a circle the size of a half dollar on which
the letters "C O M S" and "C C" are inscribed).

'Gave to James Tallman the following instructions :

'You are hereby commanded by the authority of the Board of Conunissioners
to take an assessment of all property in this county, and in all the counties
attached ^ to this for judicial purposes, on the ctd valorem system, naming the
different kinds of property possessed by each individual, viz. : All horses, oxen,
cows, hogs, sheep, household and farming utensils, clocks, watches, money on
hand, notes due and on interest, noting all horses and cattle which are under three
years of age, and all horses which are Uind, and to make due return thereon on
or before the Thursday next preceding the fourth Monday of next May, to the
Commissioners of the County.' "

After allowing the per diem for each commissioner and for the clerk and
sheriff, the session adjourned to meet the 24th of May, 1838, this being the
fourth Monday. Thus ended the first session of the first governing body in
Cedar County, composed of Richard Ransford, Jonas W. Oaks and Joseph Will-
ford, with Moses B. Church as clerk and James W. Tallman as sheriff.

At the second session on the date heretofore mentioned the first business is
stated : "The Board agreed with Stephen Toney to furnish a room in his house
for the accommodation of the District Court at its first session in this county."*^

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 55

"Received a petition praying for a road to commence at some point <mi our
southern boundary so as to meet a road frcmi the mouth of Pine Creek (this was
north of Muscatine) by Centreville, Halderman's, Tallman's, Mason's, to the
west end of Pioneer Grove, and also a road commencing at some point on our
northern boundary and thence to Oaks (JcMias Oaks) in Red Oak Grove and
thence to Henry Kizer's, and thence to intersect the above road in the most prac-
tical point which was mentioned at the previous session and laid over." At this
session district number one was detached from two and the precinct established at
the house of Porter McKinstry. He and John Nesbitt and Peter Taylor were
made judges of election there.

"Received a petition for a road commencing at Napoleon ^ on the Iowa River
and going to Rochester, Cedar County, by Felkner and Myer's Mill, which was
endorsed and laid over."

"The following names were added to those formerly selected for grand jurors :
Henry Buchanan, James Setford, William Green, George Smith, Abraham Kizer,
Jrfm Finch, J. W. Wilkinson, William Morgan, John Blalock, Jackemiah Baldwin.
"And these to the petit jurors: James W. Potts, Stephen Toney, Nicholas
Kizer, William Sterrett, Hector Sterrett, William Watson, Conrad Sweitzer,
Henry D. Morgan, John S. Higginson, Robert Miller."

Road viewers were appointed at this session for the roads petitioned for at
these first sessions. The sheriff was to notify the viewers of their appointment.
Adjourned until May 28, 1838.

The first business at the third session reads :

"Be it enacted by the commissioners that the County of Johnson be the fifth
election district and that the election precinct be at Napoleon at the house of
John MuflFord.""

"That Henry Felkner, Philip Clark and James Marcey be the judges of elec-
tion in the fifth district."

"Be it enacted, etc., that a license to keep a tavern in the town of Rochester
be pven to Stephen Toney for the term of one year for the sum of five dollars."

"Received a petition for a road to commence at the southern extremity of the
county in the direction of Moscow and thence to Rochester, and thence to inter-
sect the road from Pioneer Grove to Halderman's."

"Received a petition for a road from Tallman's to Whittlesey's Mill, on which
the commissioners considered it inexpedient to appoint viewers."

Adjourned until the first Monday in July.

(Signed) Moses B. Church.

July 2, 1838.

"Be it enacted, etc., that the viewers appointed on roads be allowed two dollars
per day for their services.

"Received the report of Prior Scott and James Buchanan on the road they
were to view and which report was in favor of the practicability of the road from
the west end of Pioneer Grove to a point on our southern boundary in the direc-
tion of the mouth of Pine (river), and also of the road from Elizabethtown to
Tallman's, but not in favor of the road from Red Oak Grove to Kizer's."

"An objection was presented against the first-named road from the nine-mile
stake to the fourteenth-mile stake by James Foy, Stephen Toney and George

56 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

McCoy, praying for a review between the said points and that the road might
pass by John Foy's."

"WashingtcMi A. Rigby, Arthur Dillon and Robert Miller were appointed
reviewers."

"Be it enacted, etc., that the County of Cedar be divided into road districts as
follows :" Then follows the names and description of the districts, eight in nimi-
ber, and the men chosen to supervise the roads, their care and improvement with
the assistance of the taxpayers in their district. It is well to remember that these
were not section line roads, but run at any point of the compass to acccnnmodate
the population.** From these old trails the old roads that wind in and out and
refuse to follow the checker board r^^lation are descended, and the only poetry
left frcrni an early independence of strict regularity. These road supervisors
are named from the men who are mentioned in connection with jury duty, and
they suggest the scarcity of population in any part of the county. The names of
the districts stick to the map : Centreville, Rochester, Rock Creek, Washington,
Pioneer, Red Oak, Crooked Creek, and Yankee Run.

The seal mentioned as being adopted at the second session was changed in
the July meeting. "Be it enacted, etc., that they adopt as their seal an impres,sion
made by the eagle side of a five cent piece."

Proceedings from this point are in Iowa Territory, no longer Wisconsin.

July 4, 1838, the board of commissioners did not observe in the usual way,
but issued a writ that was returned with its execution in the person of the man
Orrin Lewis and his child. James Tallman was appointed to care for this child
temporarily. So early in the county's history s(Hne provision was made for the
helpless and neglected.

"License was issued to George McCoy to run a ferry over the Cedar River
until April 4, 1839, according to the tenor of permit granted him on the fourth
of last April, for which he is to pay the sirni of five dollars."

"Issued a writ commanding John Champaig^e to leave the county, which was
committed to the sheriff of the county, returned as served by reading."

July 7.

"Received notification that the family of Matthew Turner were in a suffering
condition and agreed to meet at his house to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock to
make provision for his relief."

August 13, 1838.
"Court convened according to adjournment."

"Received a petition for a road from Red Oak Grove by Posten's Grove to
the boundary of the county in the direction of Davenport or Rockingham."*'

"Petition for road from Denson's on the Wapsipinicon to county boundary in
the direction of the mouth of Pine." Joseph Denson, Solomon Knott and Wash-
ington Rigby appointed viewers of the roads prayed for.

And now appears the first tax levy recorded in this county, August 13, 1838.

"Be it enacted, etc, that a tax of five mills on a dollar be levied for county
purposes and of one cent on a dollar for road purposes, and that the clerk make
out the taxes accordingly."

"Ordered that the supervisors proceed to open the roads already established."

CEDAR COUNTY SOENKS

> ■ <

V. ;;. }'• I i;> {\\i\

*f-T<;R, UEN**X AMD

T'.. OK.fi F<MJNI)AT1WN8

g L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 59

"The amount of taxes delivered to the county sheriff for collections were
for 1838: $160.71 from Cedar County and $46.75 from Johnson County. Total,
$20746." (Johnson County was then part of Cedar so far as judicial matters
were concerned.) The tax of one cent on a dollar was cut in two at the October
session of the c(xnmissioners.

January 8, 1839.

"Received bonds of Christian Halderman as Treasurer."

"Delivered to the sheriff, Elishia E. Edwards, a precept to deliver to the
above supervisors (road) that their term of office is prolonged."

"Be it enacted, etc., that they memorialize the legislature to pass swne law
by which the tax in this county laid in 1838 may be collected between the first
of January and the first of April, 1839."*®

January 26, 1839. "Only one commissioner present. Adjourned sine die."

(Signed) Moses B. Church, Cleric.

April I, 1839. — ^"Commissioners met pursuant to law."

"Present, R R. Ransford and William Mason."

"Be it, etc., that George H. Brown be appointed constable for Jones County
to serve unto the first Monday in October, or until his successor is elected and
qualified." (This is the first mention of Jones being attached for judicial pur-
poses.) - -

"Received the report of David W. Walton, supervisor in Centreville road dis-
trict, that all taxes on personal liability and for signing petitions have been paid
with the exception of four dollars against Henry E. Sweitzer for signing petition
and four dollars against William K. Whittlesey for personal liability."*''

April 2, 1839. — ^"Granted a license to Abner Arrowsmith to keep a ferry over
the Cedar River for the term of erne year at the town of Washingfton" (Cedar
Bluffs).

"Agreed with Stephen Toney to furnish a room for the next district court and
to allow him five dollars for the same."

"Be it, etc., that Geo. McCoy be appointed constable for Cedar County until
the first Monday in August next and until his successor be appointed and
qualified."

July I, 1839. — ^"Received the returns of David W. Walton and found due to
him six dollars and directed him further to prosecute the demand against Henry
E, Sweitzer and make his return on the next session of the board."

"The Board laid a tax of $19.17 on Nelson Hastings for a Grocery permit
for 70 days, i. e., at the rate of $100 per annum."

"Sanctioned the permit given to Warfield and Diltz and taxed them for the
same $40."*®

Jwly 3> 1839. — ^"Resolved by the commissioners that they allow to the jurors
for their attendance at the May term of the district court, 1839, their full pay,
except one day's attendance and mileage to each perscm, which they think is due
from the United States."

"Settled all demands against the county with the exception of that of James
Tallman, Geo. McCoy and the review of the road from Rochester to Moscow."

"Resolved that the clerk be requested to make out and put up in three different
places a schedule of the expenses and income of the county."**

60 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

"Resolved, that the clerk be directed to write the commissioners of Johnson
Cotmty, requesting them to make some arrangement in r^^rd to the tax that
has been laid by this board upon their county in the year 1838, and make their
communicaticm to the clerk of this board immediately/'

"Resolved, that the clerk be required to copy the records of this Board into
books to be kept as county records."*^

"Taxes committed to the sheriff for collection in the year 1839 is $299.65^."

July 16, 1839. — "An a|q>lication having been made to the Board by Charles
Cantonwine for relief as a pauper, they proceeded to examine the case. It appears
that the above applicant has not been a resident ten days. Ordered by the Board
that the clerk issue a notice to Charles Cantonwine to leave* the County of
Cedar forthwith."

October 7, 1839.— "Met pursuant to law. Geo. McCoy having, been called
on to act as sheriff and having refused the Board is left without an officer."

"On motion of John G. Foy it is ordered that Wm. K. Whittlesey be clerk in
place of Moses B. Church. Sworn in by Henry Hardman, Justice of Peace."

"Ordered that Moses B. Church be constable during the sitting of this court."

"£. £. Edwards filed his bond and took oath as county treasurer. Bond,
$500."

October 8, 1839. — "M. B. Church presented a view of Territorial Road from
Davenport, in Scott County, to Marion, in linn (Lynn), dated September, 1839,
and signed by Andrew F. Russel, Alfred Carter and Warren Stiles, conunissioners,
and Andrew Russel, surveyor."

"Viewers of road from Red Oak to the house of M. B. Church report road
practicable, and the following have been employed on the road, viz. :

"As. surveyor, John Tomlinson, four days.

'Chain carrier, W. M. Dallas, one day.
'Chain carrier, Elzy Carl, one day.

"Chain carrier, John Ferguson, half day.

"Chain carrier, Alfred Waddle, two days.

"Chain carrier, Jas. Gillan, two days."

"Markers, Charles Dallas and team, one day and a half ; Andrew Ford, two
days."

October 9, 1839. — ^"S. C. Hastings and F. Springer, Territorial District Attor-
neys, filed their bills."

October 11, 1839.— "Ordered that Wm. K. Whittlesey, clerk of the District
Court, make use of fifteen dollars to be expended in stationery for the use of the
District and Commissioners' court."**

January 9, 1840. — "Ordered that Chas. E. S wetland be constable of Cedar
County, and that Stephen Toney and Samuel Carl be security on the same."

Report of the locating commissioners appointed by the territorial legislature
to fix upon some point in the county for a county seat.

"We, the undersigned, being duly appointed Commissioners to relocate the
County Seat of Cedar County, met upon the ninth day of March, 1840, in Ae
town of Rochester in pursuance of an act passed at the second session of the
L^slative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa, and after being duly sworn
according to law, we proceeded to the discharge of the duties assigned us, and

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 61

ftfter spendii^ some time in the county we became convinced that for the benefit
of the county and the good of the citizens it was necessary to locate the county
seat on the Northwest Quarter of Section Six in Township Eighty North and
Range Two West of the Fifth Principal Meridian and gave it the name of Tipton.

''Given under our hands and seals this the sixteenth day of March, 1840.

(Signed) Henry W. Higgins. (seal)
John G. McDonald (seal)
John Eagan (seal)
'^Recorded this i6th day of March, Anno Domini 1840.

"Wm. K. Whittlesey,
"Clerk of the District Court, Cedar County. "«!•

It was cm March 16, 1840, that a break came in the harmony of affairs. The
report of the locating commissioners for the new county seat was called for and
the derk read the same,** which report it is recorded was accepted by Daniel
Cbmstock and William Miller, but objected to by John G. Foy. If the objection
was made in a voice to correspond to his sig^ture (Mie would think his personal
safety lay in getting as far away as circumstances would allow. The records
shows that it was ordered by John G. Foy that Samuel P. Higginson be sutn^
moned to prove that the locating commissioners each signed the same. Then
this record was crossed out and a milder form entered, where it was ordered
that it be proved that the signatures were placed there this day, the sixteenth of
March, i840.»»

Samuel P. Higginson was sworn and pronounced the signatures just and true.
The protest of John G. Foy was placed on file and at the same time an order was
made to pre-empt the quarter section selected by the locating commissicmers as
the county seat. When the board adjourned at this session it was in "due refer-
ence to the county seat'' and the clerk advertised — ^how, it is not stated — ^that those
having* money to loan can do so by taking an interest in the town.

At the next meeting George W. Ames presented an account from Dubuque
County showing the amount of debt at the time of separation to have been $2,850,
and the amount due as Cedar County's proportion was $133. This was placed
on file to await advice from the district attorney.

At this meeting an order was issued to David W. Walton for services as grand
juror in May, 1838. All the services of men, and doubtless animals, too, were
paid for in county warrants, and Mr. Walton had evidently carried his warrant
for jury service iov the two years when the treasurer has sufficient cash to pay up.

At this meeting also, March 23, 1840, a ccmimunication was presented as
follows :

''Gentlemen: I beg leave most respectfully to make the following proposal
for furnishing the money to enter the quarter section of land on which the county
seat of this county was lately located. That I will g^ve outwright (right) to the
county commissioners of Cedar County the sum of two hundred dollars for the
aforementioned purpose on the following conditions : That the county commis-
sioners shall come under bonds to me to make a good and general warrantee (y)
deed to twenty lots upon said quarter section, said lots to be a general average of
the whole as they may hereafter be laid off, and to be deeded and set off to me as

62 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

soon as said quarter section is surveyed and before any sale of lots takes place.
Said money to be furnished immediately in land office funds.*^*

"(Signed) Samuel P. Higginson/'

On receipt of this proposal the commissi(xiers drew up a plan to accq)t it,
making such provision as the loan required, namely, that any person making such
proposal for lots must do so on certain terms which seemed equitable, in that the
board were to choose nine lot's, and the person proposing ishall take one lot. Then
the board shall choose nineteen and the proposer one, and this to continue until
the full complement of twenty lots be set oflf as agreed, the entire quarter to be
laid off into lots. We do accept the above proposal, the letter of Samuel P. Hig-
ginson being a part of the same.

(Signed) William Miller.
Daniel Comstock.
Commissioners.
John C. Higginson,
Agoit for S. P. Higg^on.

Attest : Wm. K. Whittlesey.

John G. Foy does not sign this acceptance and was not present at the session.

The commissioners gave their bond, which was declared null and void when
the deeds for the twenty lots were furnished.

Daniel Ccmistock was appointed agent to procure a pre-emption right to the
county seat as located on March i6, 1840, on northwest quarter of section six,
township eighty north and range two west of the fifth principal meridian.

This was the last session in Rochester and it now ceased to be the county seat
in any sense, for the board adjourned to meet at Tipton on the first Mcmday in
April, 1840.*'

At the first meeting in Tipton the claim from Dubuque County, presented at
the last meeting in Rochester was rejected and the clerk was ordered to
return the same by mail. Some of the public roads petitioned for were rejected
also, and a spirit of independence assumed not quite so prominent heretofore.
The license for the ferry at Washington's, scnnetimes called Gower's, and now
Cedar Bluffs, was renewed, but the tax fixed at $I2.*^«

The clerk, Wm. K. Whittlesey, was allowed an additional ten and one-half
dollars to purchase supplies for the county. Daniel Hare was excused from pay-
ing the fine imposed on him for not acting as supervisor of the roads as appointed.
When the roads were reported upon by the viewers it was necessary to settle with
the surveyor, chainbearers and axemen who had assisted in laying out the road,
the fees being paid if the treasury had the money, otherwise in warrants numbered
in order so that when mc«iey was there the warrant first in order was entitled to
pa3rment. In November, 1840, the record is made of the sale of a pauper for the
period of six months, sale to take place at Pioneer Grove on December i, and the
clerk to advertise the same. This sounds strange to-day, but "Wnding out to
service" in this way was customary.

The towTiship history of the county is difficult to follow. If one were asked
to-day where Freeman township was located, or "Waubespinicon" — that is the
way it was put — he would need to study his geography in vain. Freeman in-
cluded the present townships of Farmington, Sugar Creek, Rochester. The second

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 63

one mentioned (save the spelling) was in the northeast, as one might suspect,
and included Dayton, Massillon, Springfield, parts of Red Oak, Center and Fair-
field. (Walter Freeman was a county ccMnmissioner in 1840.) Iowa township was
all territory west of the river and was named in 1840. Center was also set oflf
and named at that time, but not in its present boundaries. Linn (L3mn) was
named at the same time and included the four congressional townships lying in
the northwest one-fourth of the county. There were five townships then in the
cotmty and now seventeen. Like many counties in the state, there are sixteen
congressional townships, but in the divisions for governmental purposes the seven-
teen are made up generally of fractional townships. At the May, 1840, session
of the conmiissioners the two northern tiers of sections in township eighty north,
range one west, were ordered to be added to the township known as "Waubes-
pinicon,'' and the name of said township be called Springfield. These sections
mentioned that were "taken oflf" belonged to the present township of Inland. In
April, 1842, the sections numbered thirty-six, thirty-five and thirty-four, twenty-
five, twenty-six and twenty-seven, township eighty-one, range three, were detached
from Linn (L)mn) and added to Center on petition from Solomon Aldrich, Ben-
jamin Frazer (Fraseur), William Frazer (Fraseur),*^'' and Caliban Dwigans
as voters who wished to be in Center township. In 1842 the portion of township
eighty-one, range four, lying west of Cedar River, was by petition of voters taken
from Iowa township and added to Linn.

In October, 1842, it was ordered to change the name of Freeman township to
Rochester. This included, remember, all that portion lying in the southeast
portion of the county. There were only two more changes in the township lines
before 1850. Elzy Carl petiticmed to have a tier of sections taken from the west
side of Springfield and attached to Linn, which was granted in 1845. A remon-
strance having been filed regarding the attachment of the sections lying south of
the river in township eighty-one, range four, these sections were attached to
Center for school and township purposes. This is the first mentic«i of schools in
the records so far as noted — 1845.*^®

A little later Sugar Creek township was set oflf, but the board repealed this and
continued to call it Rochester. It is not quite certain why this was done, as no
petition is found, but the record shows certain dissatisfaction with the assessment
in Rochester and this may account for the change.'*

In March, 1848, the petitioners for a new township composed of the two con-
gressional numbers eighty-two, ranges three and four west, were granted their
request and this was called Pioneer.

As these townships gained more population the divisions increased. Spring-
field was divided and Polk was created in the northeast. Later Polk became
Dayton and Massillon. Pioneer was cut in two and the east half called Fremcmt.
Inland and Fairfield came oflf from the adjoining larger sections, and the west
side of the river was changed from one to three. These are found in the records,
but details can be carried no further.

In 1839 a petiticMi was presented to the Assembly then in session at Burlington
asking for a change in the county seat. The act is entitled, "An act to relocate
the county seat of Cedar County, or more particularly, the seat of justice in. and
for said coimty." The provision was made for three commissioners, not county

64 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

i^sidents, to locate the new city if such was to be changed. They were under
oath to act impartially, and for the best interests of the county. Henry W. Hig-
gins, of Scott County; J. G. McDonald, Jackson County, and John Eagan, of
Johnson County, were appointed to carry out this act. They were required to
meet at Rochester in March, 1840, or September of year before •^ and relocate
the seat of government there if in their judgment it should prove the most suitable
place. Otherwise they were to proceed toward the center of the county and,
using all due consideration as to other needs, locate the new city there. Specific
directions were given these commissioners to name said city and make 'full report
to the clerk of the District Court in this county. Such report may have been
made, but is not on record, and the reasons for certain proceedings nwist be sur-
mised rather thanverified. There were many aspirants for county seat honors —
names now lost or forgotten, or never mentioned probably in the hearing of the
present generation. There were Centerville, and Elizabethtown, Antwerp, and
Warsaw, some of them laid out for the occasion, and whose names remind one of
Irving's Knickerbocker's History of New York. The present site of Tipton was
an open prairie and gave no promise of being made into a seat of justice. As
history states, it was unfortunate for the former seat of government that in the
spring of 1840 the Cedar River overflowed its banks, partially submerging
Rochester, and causing the newly appcnnted commissioners to question the advis-
ability of re-locating the county seat there.** They naturally sought higher
ground. Luck then favored the present county seat so far as it had to do with
natural conditions of water and distance from county lines. The commissioners
were courted and banqueted, treated royally by the various candidates for capital
honors, but after all was done a barren prairie secured the prize. Here in the
geographical center of the county the stake was driven and the present site of the
elevator near the C. & N. W. railway depot is not far from that noted spot. The
name Tipton is from General Tipton, of Indiana, in which state there is also a
town of the same name. It is hinted that the privilege of naming the place led
to the vote of one of the commissioners. A very simple matter of founding a
city, but not unlike many others in this prairie state. An arbitrary power fixing
the place without any consideration of natural adaptation or future advantage,
mere consideration of convenience, of obedience to instructions and lack of co-
operation on the part of distinterested persons. Money was advanced to the
county for the pre-emption of the quarter section on which the original town was
located by Samuel P. Higginson ®* on conditi<m that certain lots should be granted
him up to twenty in number. The first sale of lots toc^ place June 15, 1840.
Fourteen lots were sold for a total of seven hundred and eighty-three dollars
($783). Among the purchasers are the familiar names of Preston J. Friend,
J. Scott Ridnnan, Benjamin Fraseur and others. Proposals were received for
the erection of a hewed log building for a court house and jail. The contract for
this building was awarded to P. M. Vicker, who transferred it to Snyder for the
sum of two thousand, four hundred and seventy-five dollars. The building was
finished and accepted as a jail by the commissioners of the county before comple-
tion. "Previous to this Mr. John Culbertson had been solicited to build a house
for county purposes, the county agreeing to share the expense. In this building
the court of 1841 was held and continued to be held until the completion of the

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 67

combined jail and court room. . Whether this combined building was ever used
for court purposes is not a matter of record. It stood facing south, nearly oppo-
site the present machine shop of S. M. Murray, in plain view from my father^s
home."

"Steps went up from the outside, irom which you could look into the cell, to the
place designed for a court room, but which from my recollection was used by the
jailer."** We find on July 7, 1841, a contract was let for building a new court
hQUse and John P. Cook was clothed with power of attorney to carry out the
same. The building was to be frame, thirty-six by forty-two (36 by 42), and to
stand in the center of the square. This building was finished and occupied for
court purposes until the first part of the present structure was completed.

In 1876 Judge Tuthill said: "Notwithstanding the measures thus far inaugu-
rated (that is up to the conclusion of the lot sale in the new county seat), there
appear to have been some apprehensions on the part of the county commissioners
as to the permanency of the county seat at Tipton, for an order issued by the
board on the day of sale of lots providing for refunding the price paid for lots
with interest at twenty per cent from time of payment should the county seat be
removed."** "Improvements commenced. The first building was a log store for
John P. Cook, in which was opened the first store in Tipton. About the same time
John Culbertson commoiced the erection of a hotel, P. J. Friend built a dwelling
house and other buildings were begun by Cummins McCurdy, C. M. Jennings,
M. Y. Walker, and others."

"The post office was established in 1840^ July 23^ with Charles M. Jennings as
first postmaster."

But the county seat was not to rest in its new location so undisturbed as some
seemed to imagine, and history has simply repeated itself in many parts of the state
since that day for we continue to read: "Friends of Rochester were not idle.
Various schemes were proposed and partly carried out to overcome the growing
prestige of the new town in the center of the county. Among these plans was
one, which, had it been successful, would have proved unfortunate for the financial
prospects of Tipton and its supporters, so far as the matter of the county seat
could affect it. Since there were no means of transportation then except overland
the plan of the citizens of the town on the river was to secure a line of boats to
Rochester from the Mississippi. From this effort it appears steamers did come up
to Rochester sometime during the summer of 1840. They did bring supplies and
return passengers and freight But nature defeated this scheme in the favor of
the new county seat since the uncertainties of water supply in the river this mode
of transportation had to be abandoned. Sometime this plan may succeed and the
dream of 1840 will be real. The future of the town of Rochester after this
failure was plain, and the failure of any line of railroad to center there or even
come within hearing distance has left it stationary all these years. Now, 1910, a
new spirit stirs the neighborhood, and it may be that before the present youngest
inhabitant has passed away the life that once seemed so abundant will return to
the village named for the g^reat city of New York when its water power promised
so very much. But to continue the county seat contest. "In 1840 the Rochester
people circulated a petition, which was presented to the legislature at the session
following, asking for the passage of a law to enable the people to vote upon the

68 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

county seat question. The citizens of the county seat, already officially located,
were equal to the emergency and prepared a renionstrance against any such pro-
ceeding or even attempt at such. It was a merry fight and in a short time all the
voters in the county were on one or the other document. Rochester had eight
majority. This majority was matched by the names of fifteen Scotchmen and
one Englishman in Red Oak township, which number, while not voters, were
bona fide settlers and had declared their intentions. These names are recorded
in the "History of Seventy-eight," and should be preserved with every writing of
this statement, since their names can be obtained from no other source, except the
duplicate remonstrance which they signed and this cannot be found. They are
given by Judge Tuthill as follows : John Ferguson, John Safley, Robert Dallas,
Charles Dallas, Samuel Yule, John Chappell, William Coutts, Alexander Coutts,
Robert Perie, Sr., Robert Perie, Jr., John Leith, John Garrow, Peter Garrow,
Duncan McKee, Daniel McKee and John Goodrich.®'

From the reference given above we learn that the contest was full of crimina-
tion and recrimination, resulting in dangerous argument and hot tempers were
badly stirred. The decision was not with the people of the county. The terri-
torial assembly had that matter strictly in charge and before that time came for
decision the blood had cooled and it appears that the two factions were ready to
submit to the action without protest. December 8, 1840, these two lists of "pro-
posers" and "opposers" were presented to the legislature then in session at
Burlington. Nor was a lobby wanting for either side, although it stood three to
one in number of speakers. Green, Toney and Hastings were present in behalf
of Rochester, while Samuel P. Higginson alone stood for the present county seat.
The old sea captain, to quote the former authority, was a new feature in such
assemblies, and rather won the favor of the men who were now in power. By
some means the remonstrance was effective and Tipton retained its honors unmo-
lested. The vote was decisive, being seven to nineteen, after ccMning from a
select committee of which Herman Van Antwerp, a friend of Rochester, was
chairman. If the journal of the territorial legislature is quoted here in the
history mentioned before it is not referred to and access to such documents is
denied the present writer at this particular time. The usual result followed this
decision so far as the prosperity of the county seat is concerned. It hegaLn to grow
both in population and volume of business. This was only a lull in the battle,
only the first attack, for the next move of the Rochester people was to carry the
war into elections, since they must acquire power in the law-making body if they
would control the location of the county seat. Hence they sought to elect mem-
bers who were friendly to their interests, and they needed to dect some one they
could trust. They moved with caution. The district then was composed of
Cedar, Linn, and Jones Counties. It was entitled to one Councilman and two
members of the House. The voting by general ticket over the whole district made
it possible to elect members opposed to Rochester even if Cedar County had a
majority against that particular candidate. A nomination in those days was not
equivalent to an election, since the two political parties. Whig and Democrat, were
not certain of either having a majority until after the votes were counted.
Cedar and Linn were both democratic by small majorities, from twenty-five to

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 69

fifty votes each, while Jones was claimed by the whigs by about the same nimiber.
Other complications arose from the fact that the greater part of the whig vote
lay in the southern part of the county and would support the candidate favorable
to Rochester. The democratic majority lived in the portions of the county that
would favor Tipton as the seat of government and this combination of affairs made
predictions of the result impossible.

The democratic caucus was called to meet at Tipton and sixteen delegates were
chosen to represent the county in a convention to meet at Gilbert's, in Linn County,
and these delegates were all known to be friendly to Tipton when it came to select-
ing candidates for the territorial assembly. This move was important, since these
delegates would select their, own candidate from their county when it came to
nomination.

This Tipton caucus was repudiated by the remaining portion of the democratic
party, who declared it had been called without due notice to all concerned and that
the county seat had been favored in the call. If history speaks true, it was a one-
sided affair and not in harmony with present views of such proceedings, since
Joseph Crane of the Rochester party was chairman of the democratic executive
committee, and he in ordinary usage would call a caucus if one were to be called.
The county committee ignored the Tipton caucus and proceedings and proceeded
to make an official call at Rochester of the democrats of the county. But this
result was evidently not unexpected by the former combine, for they fell upon the
meeting at the river town and taking possession of the oi^anization simply ratified
the action of the former caucus at the county seat. Even in 1841 methods of
meeting emergencies were not far from being as perfect in their disregard of
l^;ality as they are on occasicms now.

On the seventeenth of June, 1841, the district convention met at Gilbert's as
arranged, and one of Cedar County's delegates failing to make his appearance
Joseph Crane of Rochester was appointed in his stead. Harvey G. Whitlock
was presented by the Tipton party as their candidate for representative, and Mr.
Crane presented the name of Herman Van Antwerp for the same office. The
nomination was carried by strategy on the part of Joseph Crane. He seems to
have propounded a question to Mr. Whitlock®^ which so embarrassed him to
answer that the delegates from Linn and Jones voted in a body for Van Antwerp,
who was favorable to Rochester in the capital fight. The Cedar County delegation
withdrew in disgust, and it soon became evident that the party in Cedar was badly
split, and it was due to the local interest in the county seat question.

The whigs tocJc advantage of this division in the democratic party, and a meet-
ing was called in Tipton to select delegates to a convention of the district to meet
at Goudy's, in Linn County. To preserve harmony in the county the delegates
were equally divided between the two contending towns for county seat honors.
When the convention was called to order at Goudy's the Rochester party presented
the names of James W. Tallman and those from Tipton territory that of the old
sea captain, Samuel P. Higginson, the same Higginson who furnishes so much of
the early county seat history, and to whom it may be the county owes more than it
has paid so far as history goes. Linn and Jones delegates were posted on the com-
bination of democratic and whig votes to elect a candidate favorable to Tipton, and

70 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

since this cond>ination would elect a whig they voted for Higginson. This gave
him the nomination on the first ballot.

The election of August, 1841, was one of the most exciting in Cedar County,
that is, up to the time of those who could give any information on the matter
from personal experience. Doubtless many just as exciting have been held since,
but they could not l>e oxnpared with those days by any one of authority. The
fight was not political, not state questions of vital public interest, but just a plain
county seat matter, whether it should or should not be once more brought before
the territorial assembly for re-location. This was the prime question for the
future. Voters did not inquire as to the political tendency of the candidates, but
simply whether he was for the proper town for the county capital. When votes
were counted the candidate from the new town had about thirty majority, thus
defeating the river town in spite of all the efforts of her sympathizers. This
settled the contest for a time.

A different phase of the same sectional feeling came up in 1842 when it came
to the nomination of members of the territorial councilman. An aspiring young
lawyer, William R. Rankin, endeavored to preserve harmony in the ranks of the
democratic party in order to win in this election. He was a candidate, but in his
efforts to secure the nomination he made one fatal mistake by promising the
Rochester people that he would support them impartially if elected, not considering
himself pledged to Tipton in any contest.

A caucus was held at Antwerp, which place, it will be remembered, was an
aspirant for county seat honors in 1840. With a number of influential friends
Rankin attended and secured a majority of the delegates. The convention again
met at Gilbert's, in Linn County, and upon Rankin's suggestion it was agreed that
the councilman should come from Cedar County and the representatives from
Linn and Jones, a fine move politically from Rankin's point of view. There were
other aspirants, however, and from this source came Rankin's defeat and more
excitement over the old question. One O. C. Ward took advantage of a very
evident condition in political theory — namely, that the member of the council of
the territory was from the whole district and not from one county composing it
Obviously the entire district must share in his nomination, and this evidently met
with approval, and also led to the undoing of Mr. Rankin, whose machine plans
were defeated by a simple fact in the common sense of all good citizens. Van
Antwerp was then put in nomination and thus blasted the hopes of the man of
legal learning and political skill.

Now came the sequel to the matter. The candidate was the known supporter
of the Rochester party and this would never do, and in opposition to him the other
party placed John P. Cook in nomination for the same office. The former Bght
was on and judging from the earlier alig^nment of forces only one thing could be
the result of the election — Cook would win, and he did. Thus ended the county
seat contest in Cedar County so far as the territory had to ccmtrol it. The majority
of the people took this as final, but later^ many years, it came up by petition for a
vote on the matter in the county. In 1852 such vote was taken and resulted in
another and final defeat for the old seat of county government. Wm. Green and
four hundred and thirty-six others signed the petition asking for thb vote. For

VIKWS OF CEDAR COUNTY

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 78

these petitioners W. G. Woodward and J. Scott Richman appeared as attorneys
before the county court. It is said ''the poll books of this election are lost and
along with them the hopes of Rochester to secure the county seat."*^

An item of some interest concerning the county boundaries is reported as oc-
curring in 1846-7. A scheme proposed by some persons interested in speculation
provided for a division of the counties centering on the northwest and the creation
of a new county from portions of Cedar and the others, Jackson, Jones, Linn, but
when proposed to the legislature it was so unpopular that such a plan was never
more heard from. Had such a proposition been successful the county seat con-
troversy in the opinioa of those then living, would have come forward again for
settlement. In i860 a proposition was made to the assembly of Iowa to create
a new county from portions of Cedar, Jones, Clinton, Scott and Jackson Counties.
The scheme was proposed by the proprietors of the town of Wheatland as a
financial measure, as this would apparently make that village the central seat of
government Opposition was very strong against such a move so far as Cedar
was concerned, and it met the fate of a similar proposition from another source
which came to the front in the early '40s, about the time of the county seat episode.
This measure fell into the hands of the committee on new counties, of which Hon.
J. M. Kent happened to be chairman, and the petition of certain citizens of Cedar
and Qinton Counties was turned down.*^*

When Cedar County came into existence in the winter of 1836-7 it became
necessary to fix upon some seat of government. This at first seemed to be a
difficult matter, as the entire population at that time, scattered over the twenty- four ,
miles square of the county limits, did not number more than fifty, and no village
existed within its botmdaries. When it was discovered that Rochester was in
embryo it was fixed upon, not because it was the best place, but because it was the
only place. This was the only point on the river at that time above Moscow where
a ferry had been established, and moreover it was near to the settlers and to the
only post oSict — ^Rock Creek — then in this county, as population increased in
different parts. Red Oak, Linn, Pioneer, and Posten's Grove, a feeling of a more
central location b^;an to be manifest.

A brief description of the towns that were candidates for court purposes would
convey to the reader an idea of the easy method of making a town. Most of them
have been referred to in connection with the county seat contest, but it is worth
while to note that these towns were advertised in Boston and lots sold on the
strength of their future prospects. Towns on paper were not uncommon.®*
Some of the leaders in the county seat contest became prominent in the county's
history and made it a real matter of personal interest, probably far beyond any
selfish ambition. They could be ambitious; they could be sarcastic; they could
make bitter flings at their opponents without being open enemies, and from what
has been written one might suppose the "county seat fight" gave opportunity for
some amusement and even hilarity at certain times. We may draw such conclu-
sions from the printed songs made in "taking off'' the different persons chiefly
instrumental in furthering either party — ^**Billy Green," "Stephen Tcmey," "Hast-
ings," and others were rhymed by John P. Cook. Then Joseph Crane, mentioned
before, and from his history evidently a more than ordinary man, put John P. Cook

74 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

into a burlesque parody. Judge Tuthill was not averse to assisting in the literary
eflForts of the time, and prepared a song for the Tipton minstrels, who tried to
sing the county seat into permanency. Typical of eariy contests of the kind, it is
now settled for all time, and no one recalls the past since it is far removed from
most of those now concerned in the enterprises of these places. Other contests
are now on, many of them more vital to the future good of the county than any
county seat contest could ever have been. Then the diversion may have been
agreeable, but now it would not be a question of far-away assemblies to adjust,
being an entirely local matter.

It was in July, 1841, that John P. Cook was made the agent of the county
commissioners to contract for the first court house to be erected in the square as
set aside when the town was surveyed. He had specific instruction as to the
requirements in the case. It was to be erected near the central part of the square
and should not cost more than four thousand dollars. The commissioners were
not to be bound to pay out any money from the treasury arising from the sale of
town lots that would interfere with the payment of the jail contractor. But after
the jail bill was paid he could use any other money arising from' such sale. He had
full power to supervise and construct the first court house in the cotmty. It is
rather out of the present order of things to find such a loan as is menticmed on
page fifty, volume two, of the records in the office of the auditor.^® Here J. K.
Snyder was authorized to borrow thirty-five dollars for the purchase of two locks
for the jail and to pay for this money twenty per cent per annum. Owing to scmie
delay the contractor was given one more year in which to complete the court house.
The jail was accepted and bill paid in July, 1843. (This jail was sold at auction
in 1856.) In February, 1845, ^he board of commissioners ordered the contractcM'
on the new court house to cease operations and to give possessicm to the authori-
ties, he having forfeited his right to proceed.

The clerk was instructed to advertise for bids and these bids to be in the price
of town lots at their minimum, or in county warrants, the cation to be with the
board. After contract was made the time was once more extended to allow for
suitable weather to plaster. The flues for the building were described in detail
by the commissioners. There were to be three and they were to beg^n on the
second floor and extend four feet above the roof, sixteen by twenty inches in size,
with crocks for stove pipe in the several rooms. When this house was finished it
was rented to many users besides furnishing the offices for the county work. The
first floor was given to the district court, county commissioners, clerk and recorder.
The northwest room on the second floor was rented to the Mascxiic lodge for
twenty dollars for six months, payable quarterly. The southwest room on the
same floor was apportioned to the treasurer, surveyor, sheriff, and to be used as a
jury room when court was in session.

The court house square was once ordered fenced in a superior way. The
contractor was required to use boards ten inches wide at the bottwn, the next to
be eight, the third six inches and the other two five each. There was a cap board
six inches wide, and "good and sufficient posts," these to be not further than six
feet apart, each post to be faced with a six-inch plank.

The old frame court house built in 1843 answered the purpose of court sessions
and meetings of various sorts until the second one, or as some might say third,

t30

mu

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 75

If we count the old log jail first built, was contracted for in 1857 by Judge Spicer,
then county judge. This old frame house stood in the center of the square, and
was built of native timber, the frame, flooring and lath being of oak, the side and
finishing lumber of walnut. Afterwards it was moved to the west side of the

ffc street, across from the square, and occupied by the post office and the Advertiser,

T2£ besides other tenants.

ta^ Part of the present court house was completed in i860, and cost about forty-

15 i:" five thousand dollars. The rear portion and tower as it now appears were built
later, and will be noticed in the proper connection.

kz The jail contracted for in 1857 was built at an expense, according to record, of.

if'; $8,000.

ai. Plans for addition to the court house begun in 1857 and completed in i860 were*

iiec agitated in the summer of 1889. Mr. M. A. Fulkerson was employed by the

icr county supervisors to draw plans for the two-story addition and safety vaults, as

[gi the risk to county records was one of the chief reasons for reconstruction of the

fer building.

H^ The question for the erection of an addition to the court house was submitted

^ to a vote at the November election in 1887, the cost to be ten thousand dollars.''^
s: This was submitted again in 1889 for the sum of twelve thousand dollars, and this
!f' time the measure carried. This may have been due to the long preamble of
explanation given by the Board as to the necessity for the addition to the old
building. Adler and Smith had the contract and it was completed in 1890, being
accepted by the county authorities in November of that year.'^^ The old jail
built in the fifties had served its day as early as 1868, according to the records, for
it was proposed then to make a new one.''*

This change did not materialize until 1892. Perhaps this was due to the heavy
expenses of the county for bridges and court house and the great number of
demands for funds. At least, the contract was not let until the year above men-
ticMied, when plans were submitted in January .''s The new jail was completed in
November of 1892 and accepted by the Board. There is no record on the books of
the minutes on the page of acceptance as to the cost of the new jail.

It was ordered at this time to rent or sell the old jail.

It may be of interest in this connection to note that the original log jail was
sold for fire wood, and one of the inducements for its purchase was the large
amount of material in the structure — it being three logs thick. Wells Spicer
let the contract for this old one, that is, the last but one, in 1856.'^*

The amount paid Chas. Swetland for the fence he erected or for which he fur-
nished material about the square is given as $176.67.'''

Shortly after the close of the war the question of a place to care for the poor
of the county was under discussion. One of the reasons given then was the
natural result of the war would be the increase in the necessity for alms. This
question was submitted to a vote in 1870.''®

Bonds were issued in the sum of ten thousand dollars to pay for the farm
then voted. The first buildings were erected in 1871. In 1885 the Board of
Supervisors adopted set rules for the governing of the inmates and employes of
the poor farm.

%:

•t '

76 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in the county since the first large
bridge building was undertaken. At the close of the war a bridge was urged to
be constructed across the Wapsie since the trade between these districts east and
west demanded it. A bridge c(xnmission was appointed in 1865 ^^ make some
investigations as to the feasibility of certain sites for bridging the Cedar River.
A deal of rivalry was manifested in the location of the first bridge across the
Cedar. The first commission was composed of Rigby, Carey, and Chase, from
the townships of Red Oak, Inland, and Springdale, respectively. Gray's Ford
and Cedar Bluffs, then Washington, or Gower's Ferry were rivals for this bridge
and the proposals were first made to construct these partly by subscription and
partly by county tax. The matter was put to a vote, the south side winning, but
this did not result in a bridge, for the record shows that no bridge was built until
the one at Cedar Bluffs was constructed in 1877. The story of this bridge and the
events leading up to its completion were full of difficulties to the county Board of
Supervisors, who had succeeded the county judge in authority in this county.

Robert Cower once petitioned for the privilege of erecting a toll bridge at the
crossing of Gower's Ferry and the County Judge (1852) granted the prayer of
the petition after it was shown that the company were able to maintain such a
structure, and Ae rates of toll were fixed in the answer to the request for license.
The rig^t was extended to the company for ten years and they were in no way
allowed to obstruct the navigation of the Cedar River.

The grant was never used as the ferry continued* to run until the present, or
1877, bridge was built. Later,' Robert Gower became a member of the Board and
on one occasion introduced a resolution to carry out the idea expressed in the
previous petition of building two toll bridges, one across the Wapsie and one
across the Cedar, the county to pay one-half the cost.

The vote mentioned above was taken, resulting in the defeat of the Gower
location, and this continued to be the verdict until both propositions for a bridge
across the Cedar had been voted down by the ones to be accommodated or those
who had the taxes to pay. This was in October, 1867, ten years before any bridge
was built.

A new proposition came up in 1870, when a committee reported favorably
on the site in the w6stem part of the county. When the stock was selling, of
which the county was to take half, the legal opinion was given that the county had
no authority to do such things as carry stock in this way. Nothing more was done
until 1874, when the Gray's Ford bridge was voted down.''^

The first record of the county bridge building in a direct contract appears in
1848, when the board agreed to pay thirty dollars to the builder of a bridge across
Rock Creek, near the house of Wm. Green, provided the work was done in an
acceptable manner.

In 1868 the first bridge was placed across the Wapsipinicon at Massillon, which
was built by the citizens and the county at an expense of some four thousand
dollars. The record shows four other smaller bridges built in 1877 at an expense
of from three hundred and seventy to one thousand four hundred dollars.'^^

In the centennial year, 1876, a petition signed by 621 voters from the region to
be benefited was presented to the Board for an appropriation of fifteen thousand
dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge at Cedar Bluffs. The Board at this

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 77

time to<* favorable action so far as to make the preliminary examination of the
cost of such a bridge and the possibility of its construction. O. H. Helmer, C. P.
Sheldon, and H. G. Coe were appointed a committee to examine the river at this
point and to report. In June of this same year another move was made by those
who favored the bridge at Gray's Ford, and double the number of names signed to
the first petition was secured in its favor. To this the Board turned a deaf ear,
as no record is made of action upon it and their attenticfn to it was urged by good
men, E. A. Gray, Thomas James, Elwood Macy, D. Morrison, and H. C. Gill, and
others of the petitioners.

The committee appointed to report on the bridge site did so at the June meet-
ing and their report was adopted, which recommended the Cedar Bluffs proposi-
tion. Supervisor Coe then offered the following, and it is quoted verbatim since
it is the first definite action binding the county to do something toward the actual
construction :

Whereas, believing that two bridges over the Cedar River, in this coimty, will
best serve the interests of the citizens, and also believing that a place called Cedar
Bluffs, or Gower's Ferry, furnishes a suitable site for such bridge ; therefore

Resolved, that the Board of Supervisors, before the final adjournment of this
session, take the necessary measures for the building of a bridge at the above
named point; proznded, that there is sufficient guaranty given to the Board of
Supervisors that the west abutment and the approaches to such bridge shall be
built without expense to the county, and built according to the plans and specifica-*
tions approved by this Board.

On the call of the yeas and nays the vote stood three to two for the resolution,
Hedges and Smith voting nay.

Robert Gower died about this time ; he did not succeed during his life time in
securing the object he so long sought for, but his son Sewall presented the needed
guaranty and it was accepted. It agreed to pay twelve hundred dollars before
the first of April, 1877, to cover the cost of the required portions of the bridge
demanded in the resolutions of the Board. The signers of this agreement were
Sewall Gower, S. E. Gunsolus, and Ed. Seitzinger.

The Auditor of the county was instructed to advertise for bids for one month
and the contract was let in July, 1876.'^®

The entire cost of this bridge was finally about twenty-one thousand dollars.
It was tested by the Board in January, 1877, ^md accepted. About this time other
projects were on foot to make the second bridge which was erected at Rochester.
A diagram of the structure and each item in the requirements of the Cedar Bluffs
bridge are posted in the minute book of the Board of Supervisors of 1877.®^

Petitions were presented to the board for a bridge at Rochester in 1876. In
the beginning seven hundred names were attached and later on in 1878 enough
more were added to bring the total up to more than one thousand.®^ These ques-
tions were postponed from session to session of the board until a committee was
finally ai)pointed to make an inspection of the Ivanhoe bridge in Linn County to
find out something of its cost. This was in October of 1878.®^

At the June term of the Board in 1879 the clerk makes the following record :
"The Cedar River bridge question was revived and then genily laid over until the
September term." River soundings had been ordered and been reported before

78 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

this. Resolutions were proposed to build at Gray's Ford at a cost of twenty-five
thousand dollars and when votes were counted they were lost. The same session
the proposal was made for the same amount to build at Rochester and it carried.
At the November term the contract was let for the bridge now crossing the rivei*
at that point.®* The Wrought Iron Bridge Co. of Canton, Ohio, secured the work.
The citizens of the vicinity of Rochester had subscribed one thousand dollars for
the bridge, and the subscription lists were ordered to be transferred to the company
for collection and that without recourse.

The last license issued to anyone for a ferry at Rochester was given on the
condition that the county might at any time construct a bridge. Before locating
the bridge at Rochester the Board had visited the point for which petitions had
been received, and a meeting was held at Rochester to discuss the matter. Further
consideration was postponed until the time as noted.

A bridge committee to supervise the construction of all bridges was appointed
in 1880 and first consisted of C. Orcutt, J. W. Bell, and J. Werling. The entire
board visited the bridge then in process of erection and approved the substructure
in April, 1880. It was paid for at the June session.

The board met at Rochester to test the new bridge in July, 1880, and on account
of the absence of the engineer in charge it was not accepted and paid for until his
report was made at a later date.

From this time on the question of building bridges did not arouse so much
interest, for the building of the Cedar Valley structure was done very moderately
as ordinary business of the county. A committee was appointed in 1887 consisting
of Wm. Dean, Aikens and Hall. The contract was let the same year.®*

The system of governing a county by commissioners originated in Virginia.
The government of any state or territory comes from the previous custom of its
population, and in the case of our own state we have the effects of two kinds of
early training in the combination of county and township government. Commis-
sioners governed this county frcmi its beginning in 1838 to 1851. It would be
very interesting and profitable to trace the peculation of this county to the point
where we could determine the influences that preponderated in the county govern-
ment. Judging from the first settlers who came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
New York in a large majority, we can see that they were more or less familiar
with the town and county government. Those who came from Virginia or Ken-
tucky had little knowledge of the township plan and one may see in certain por-
tions of our state, where such persons came in larger numbers, the opposition to
control by townships. In 1851 a county court was created.®*^ The act creating
the court gave the county judge jurisdiction in probate affairs and gave him the
powers formerly held by the county commissioners. It left nothing for commis-
sioners to do. The term court in this sense seems to relate to the powers of a
legislative body, which is the name used in such connection in New England, but
it does not consist of one-man power.

On July 4, i860, a law went into effect which provided for the election of one
supervisor from each civil township. When assembled at the county seat for
county business this body became known as the "Board of Supervisors." This was
based upon the township system which had its origin in New England, com-
mencing in 1635. The town meeting, which is called in the township each year.

MEMOBIAL DAT, TIPTON

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 8l

is the <Mily remaining form of pure democratic government left us. This provided
for local government and the supervisors came to represent the township in the
county board as then established. Thus we have represented in our permanent
form of government the two types of organization— county and township com-
bined. A law was passed in 1871 providing for a change in the number of super-
visors, allowing but three instead of one from each township.®^ From the time
this law went into effect until the election of 1873 county officers were under the
control of three supervisors with county auditor as clerk. The act creating three
members of the county board provided that on petition of one-fourth of the
electoVs the question of increasing the membership to five or seven should be
submitted to the voters of the county. Such a vote was taken in 1873 and the
result was in favor of increasing the nimiber to five which number has not been
disturbed by increase or decrease up to the present time.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

The proceedings of the first agricultural society held in Cedar County are pub-
Ushed in the Advertiser for November 12, 1853, the very first issue of that paper,
under the heading of "The Cedar Cotmty News-Letter." .

This meeting, the very first, was held on October 11, 1853, and was called to
order by the president, J. W. Cattell. The officers for the ensuing year elected at
this meeting were : President, J. W. Cattell ; Vice Pifesident, T. James ; Secretary,
H. C. Pratt ; Treasurer, S. P. Daniels. Executive (^ontmittee : Iowa Township,
G. P. Wood; Pioneer Township, Prior Scott; Sprihgdale Township, M. V. Butler;
Rochester Township, J. D. Walker; Polk Township, Ezra Morton.

A Board of Directors was empowered "to purchase a lot of land, from five to
ten acres, to be fenced and fitted tip as a fair ground in order that the society*
may have a permanent place for holding its fairs." S. S. Daniels was secretary of
this meeting.

The premium list is interesting and somewhat out of the ordinary when com-
pared to one of later date. It is stated that there was some apprehension as to the
success of this undertaking since lack of competition would destroy interest.
When the eventful days arrived the fears soon passed, for the farmer's wealth
b^^an to come in. The vegetable products are truly marvelous. It is said that
the g^eat squash weighing 148 pounds really "took the rag off the bush." In the
manufacturing department several specimens of weaving are mentioned that
would have done credit to a Paisley weaver — coverlets and carpets were there that
would rival the imported article.

The premium list includes some names familiar to all the county from that
time and before. On butter and cheese the awarding committee included Mr.
Cattell, Mrs. James and Mrs. Biseley.

M. Bruder secured the premitmi for the best display of apples, S. S. Daniels
for fowls.

The reputation of this county for horses seems established even at that early
time. The names of W. W. Aldrich, Prior Scott, J. Stout, George Carl and H. C.
Horn appear among premivun winners. The best yoke of oxen came from the
farm of John Hubcr, best three-year-old steers, Prior Scott. In domestic and
manufactured articles we find the greatest interest.

82 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Mrs. James, Mrs. Moffett and Mrs. Huber were the awarding committee.
Best quilt, Mrs. Hay ; woolen yam, Mrs. Goodrich ; shawl, Mrs. Paton ; rug, Mrs.
Dr. Hall ; woolen knit socks, Mrs. Prior Scott ; best pair woc^en sheets, Mrs. Hall;
roll stair carpeting, same ; twenty-five yards of rag carpet, Mrs. A. Hdtslander.

In farm products not mentioned some surprising yields are mentioned : Best
acre of com (25 acres, one hundred eleven bushels per acre), H. C. Horn, (pre-
mium three dollars) ; second best com (30 acres, ninety-six bushels to the acre), T.
James.

In February, 1854, the committee appointed to secure grounds for the society
were urged by the president, Cattell, to set to woric at once to secure subscriptions.
In a column article he sets forth the reasons for this organization. He states,
prophetically, that land will be increasing in value and success is impossible unless
the ground is owned and kept in readiness. The mechanic is urged to compete
especially in the articles used in agricultural pursuits.

The president continued the agitation in succeeding numbers of the paper
urging the county to use all diligence in carrying out his recommendations.
The premium list should be completed in June in order to give the farmers a good
chance to compete. He says : "I never like to put my hand to a work and have it
drag or fail, this is my excuse for so often urging this." •^

July 15, 1854, the regular premium list for the fair, October 10 and 11, was
published and is much more complete than in the previous year. This list in-
cludes among manufactured articles such things as best farm wagon made within
the county, as all articles must be that compete. The best buggy, pleasure carriage,
breaking plow, double and single plow, shovel plow, roller, harrow, ox yoke, farm
hamess, saddle, shoe and boot making, cooperage, set of chairs, lot of brooms,
best specimen of plowing, best soap, and candles. A special committee was ap-
pointed to award premiums on all meritorious articles exhibited but not enumer-
ated in the list. Tickets at ten cents each, admitting one person, may be procured
at the stores of Friend & Culbertson, Shaw & Bagley, and Hammond & Co.

An editorial comment on this fair states that the exhibit was good but nothing
more remarkable than the apples showing the adaptibility of Iowa soil to that
product. The patent loom exhiUted by Mr. Rathbun of Pioneer was an article
worthy of all commendation, simple of construction and could be made at very
small expense. It would weave twenty yards of plain cloth per day. Mr. Ham-
mond, the tinner, had on exhibition the patent "Block Warrior" stove and took the
premium.

In October, 1859, a county fair was held at Springdale. A complete premium
list was published which compares favorably with those of the previous years.
Exhibitors were present from distant parts of the county. At that time Lawrie
Tatum was the secretary.

In September, i860, the annual fair of the county was held at Springdale.
The table for holding the fruit and vegetables was well protected by a shed 24x84
feet, which was covered with heavy muslin and enclosed by the same kind of
material (a cloth building). Within this enclosure the managers made ample
provision for seats. All the males, except the members and small boys, were re-
quired to pay a fee of fifteen cents.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 88

There were 352 entries made of articles for exhibition. Cattle were well rep-
resented by the Durhams and grades and a few Devons were on exhibition. A
very good lot of hogs were shown, prominent among them being the Chester
Whites and Magees. *'Some of our citizens seem determined to have a better
breed of hogs than the 'prairie wind splitters/ though there are enough of the.
latter variety in the county yet td keep up the stock if any prefer them." ®®

Sixty-four horses were entered for exhibition and a good sized lot enclosed
with a rope was prepared for their accommodation.

Under the head of horticulture there were one hundred twenty-seven entries^
G. P. Wood, the nurseryman at Springdale, showing twenty-nine varieties of
apples. The potato exhibit was especially fine, the ''Prince Albert" taking the
first premium. There were sixty-five entries imder the head of "Domestic Manu-
factures," fifteen of which were for molasses. The quality of the latter product is
mentioned as superior to the southern product in every sense. A fair specimen
of dry sugar was shown by J. H. Painter. The process was explained and was
practical enough if followed.

Several lots of honey in which the sectional hive seems first to have been shown
and described. This effect was produced by tacking some three cornered pieces to
the upper side of the box to which the comb was attached. In the mechanical
department a broadcast seeder made by Mr. Springstead of Onion Grove attracted
much attention. It appeared to do the work evenly and so near the ground that
the prairie wind could have very little effect upon it.

A family near by furnished meals to the hungry and several eating "shanties"
were on the premises. The attendance was estimated as high as two thousand
and the managers were more than ever confirmed in their opinion that the country
is the place for a fair, not near any town where attention can be divided.®^

The state organization urged a tmion of all societies for the promotion of agri-
cultural interests and this led to the one county fair in later years. District fairs
were not discontinued at once for other parts of the county were represented be-
fore the county seat became the center of the annual exhibition.

The present secretary, C. F. Simmermaker, has furnished the following :

A meeting of the citizens of Cedar County, held in the Court House in Tipton,
November 9, 1861, marks the next step in the agricultural organizations in the
county. At this meeting J. K. Snyder was made chairman and F. Butterfield sec-
retary. The object of the meeting was to organize The Cedar County Agricultural
Association, and after discussing the matter, the following committee was named
to draft Articles of Incorporation and Constitution and By-Laws : Geo. B. Sar-
gent, Chairman ; Joseph H. Leech, Mathew Springsteed, H. N. Washbume, and
Carlisle Curtis. The following committee was appointed to select grounds for
the association : J. A. Huber, H. N. Washburne, Moses Bunker, John W. Brown,
and Henry Sherwood.

The sectMid meeting was held November 25, 1861, when the Articles of Incor-
poration and By-Laws were adopted. The incorporators were: Wm. Fraseur,
Robert McKee, W. W. Aldrich, Wm. R. Edge, Wm. M. Knott, Jesse Bradshaw,
H. C. Piatt, C. P. Sheldon, J. K. Snyder, Henry Sherwood, A. Holtslander, Geo.
B. Sargent, M. Springsteed, Myron Qeason, Jas. Jennings, Harvey Leech and
H. N. Washbume. The first crfficers of the society were : Geo. B. Sargent, Pres-

84 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

ident ; M. Springsteed, Vice Pres. ; A. Hdtslander, Secretary ; Joseph K Snyder,
Treasurer; Directors were chosen, one from each township in the county.

A third meeting was held Jan. 22, 1862. A proposition of William H. Tuthill,
to lease the society twenty acres of ground for five years, on which to locate the
fair grounds, the first year free and at $12.50 per annimi thereafter, was accepted.
The first fair was held early in September, 1862. The displays were not extensive,
but were the best possible to be secured at that early day. The fair was held on
the grounds east of Tipton leased of Mr. Tuthill. The first address was delivered
by Hon. Wells Spicer. Annual fairs were held on these grounds until the fall of
1866, when the Society purchased forty-two acres of ground of J. W. Kynett;
these grounds are located west of the dty and are the grounds owned by the
present Cedar County Fair Association, and were purchased from Mr. Kynett,
April 16, 1866, for $1,596. The society contracted debts to the extent that they
were obliged to reorganize, and in accordance a meeting was held in the Court
House at Tipton, Dec. 27, 1871, when the old Cedar County Fair Association was
formed. John C. Lyle was called to the chair and R. W. Starr was Secretary.
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were adopted at this meeting. The first
ofiicers were: H. C. Piatt, President; J. C. Lyle, Vice President; W. L. Mc-
Croskey, Secretary ; Geo- E. Beatty, Treasurer. The first annual meeting of the
association was held the second week in September, and the fair was essentially a
success. Meetings were held each year of 1873, 1874, 1875 ^uid 1876, the asso-
ciation slowly gaining grounds all the time, when in 1877, the banner fair was
held. The receipts that year were $1,562 and the expenditures were $1,416. The
balance in the hands of the Treasurer, $145. The amotmt of state allowance this
year was $200, making a balance of $345. The officers that year were : H. W.
Bailey, President ; Wm. McNeal, Vice President ; S. V. Yates, Secretary ; W. L.
McCroskey, Treasurer. Directors, Moses Bunker, Jas. H. Fulwider, Chas. Ham-
mond, Wm. M. Knott, Alex Buchanan, Henry Walters, J. H. Gunsolus, J. T.
Hudelson, Wm. McNeal and N. C. Millhouse. The fair was a success for several
years when the management allowed the moral tone of the fair to go to the bad,
and saloons and gambling were the leading features of the fair, the association
became involved, the officers decided that a fair would not pay at Tipton and in
accordance the last meeting of the old Cedar County Fair Association was held
during the fall of 1888, and from that date until the fall of 1891, Tipton was
without a fair. The grounds, however, were owned by the association xmtil May
2, 1 891, when they were sold to the Tipton Fair Association for $2,800, with the
understanding that a fair was to be reorganized. At this time the retiring officers
of the Cedar County Fair Association were, D. T. Hedges, President ; H. L. Huber,
Secretary. Directors, S. R. Neiman, W. W. Aldrich, J. C. Reichert, R. Swartz-
lender and J. H. Gunsolus.

The Tipton Fair Association was organized during the year of 1891, with
forty-two stockholders. The first officers were : Harm Piatt, President ; Geo. E.
Beatty, Vice President; W. E. Elijah, Treasurer, and John T. Moffit, Secretary.
The first annual meeting was held Sept. i, 2, 3 and 4, 1891, and was a great success
as will be seen by the following report made by Secretary Moffit at the annual
meeting Dec. 5, 1901 :

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 85

Cash paid for grotuids $2,800.00

Paid for permanent improvements, buildings, $803.40 ; drill-
ing well, $302.50; lumber, $16843 5 work on track, $100 ;

hardware, posts and labor, etc., $210.83 > total 1492.96

Expenditures of fair 2,706.68

Total expenditures $7,099.64

The receipts were :

42 shares of stock $4,200.00

Receipts from fair 3,506.15

Track and pasture receipts 101.00

Total receipts ; $7,807.15

Net profits from fair, $808.51.

The same officers had charge of the 1892 Fair, which was held the first week in
September. It was during this year that the Tipton Driving Park Association was
organized. This society was in charge of the same officers as the fair association,
but was conducted independently, the meetings being held during the month of
October. Large purses were put up, and strings of fast horses were here, the fast-
est that ever went over the Tipton track. These fall meetings were continued
during the years of 1893 and 1894, when they were called oflf, being a failure
financially. It was during the early history of the Tipton Fair Association that
the present fioral hall was erected, cattle and horse stalls were built as well as
stock pens, and in these days the fair was a great success as an entertainment as
well as financially. Much credit for the great success of the fair should be given
Secretary Moffitt, for his labors, as the success of any fair depends largely on the
secretary. Mr. Moffitt was Secretary four years, when he was elected as President.
The association held eighteen annual meetings, the last ones, however, were not a
success from a financial standpoint; there was much dissatisfaction among the
stockholders and those interested in the fair ; the outside people failed to give the
fair the support they should ; the attendance was not as large as in former years
and the society contracted debts to the extent that they were compelled to sell the
grounds. The last meeting was held Sept. 8, 9 and 10, 1908. The fair was a suc-
cess as an entertainment, but not in dollars and cents, hence a meeting was called
early in December, to see if the grounds could be sold to a new association. At
this meeting a committee composed of W. L. Lyle as chairman was appointed to
sell stock, and over one hundred. signatures were secured in a short time, which
resulted in forming the present Cedar County Fair Association.

The first meeting of the new association was in the Court House in Tipton,
Jan. 4, 1909. The meeting was called to order by F. H. Milligen and C. F. Sim-
mermaker acted as Secretary. The name adopted was the Cedar County Fair
Association. The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were adopted at this
meeting. The following officers were elected :

President, P. W. Moflfett ; Vice President, Frank Smith ; Secretary, C. F. Sim-
mermaker; Treasurer, D. L. Diehl. Directors: Tipton, Geo. W. McLarand;
Center Township, Wendell Miller ; Fairfield, J. G. Cessford ; Red Oak, Jas. Spear ;
Iowa, Joe Kingsbury; Linn, C. A. McCormick; Springdale, Al Hemingway;

86 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Gower, Geo. H. Preston ; Dayton, Ward Benson ; Fremont, C. E. Hoyman ; Pio-
neer, J. C. Caldwell ; Inland, H. W. Franco ; Rochester, Jas. Hill ; Cass, Glen Agnc.
The first Directors* meeting was held Jan. 21, 1909, when the dates of the first
annual meeting were set as Sept. 7, 8 and 9, 1909. At this meeting the various
Superintendents were ai^inted and other business of importance transacted.
The first annual meeting of the Cedar County Fair Association was a great suc-
cess as an entertainment and as a stock show surpassed anything ever held in Cedar
County. Herds of cattle that took prizes at the State Fair were there as well as
the best horses in this locality. The fair was also a success financially, the net
profits being $350.00. At the annual meeting held in the Court House in
Tipton on Jan. 12, 1910, the same officers were elected with the exception of sev-
eral directors, the new directors elected being W. S. Uhler, Ed Cosgriflf and Oliver
Johnson. At this meeting Secretary Simmermaker, read the report of the First
Annual Meeting which was as follows:

Receipts from sale of 94 shares of stock $4,700.00

Receipts from all sources from the 1909 fair. . 2,681.95

Total $7*381.95

Disbursements — Paid on grounds $5,000.00

Premiums and other expenses of fair 2,333.84

Total $7,335-84

Cash cm hand $ 46.11

The amount paid the Tipton Fair Association for the forty-two acres of ground,
including all buildings, was Six Thousand Dollars. During the summer of 1909
the new association added many improvements to the grounds. At a stockholders'
meeting held at the Court House, March 5, of that year, the matter of erecting a
new amphitheater was brought up and discussed, was carried and the following
building committee appointed : W. S. Uhler, J. A. Yoder, G. W. McLarand, J. G.
Cessford and Joe Kingsbury. A new building was erected, being 24x182 feet
with a seating capacity of about 2^00, and at a cost of about $1,500. The con-
tract was let to H. G. Willey at day labor. Other new buildings were erected and
the track improved.

The Cedar County Com and Stodc Judging Institute is held annually at the
county seat. It was organized in 1908 and has for its purpose the competitive
exhibit of domestic and farm products of the nature suggested in its title. The
annual meetings thus far have had set programs with lecturers irom abroad and
the prize com and other products have been sold at auction sometimes at what
seems fabulous prices. Recently the exhibit has been conducted on a plan under
the direction of the Iowa Homestead, an agricultural paper. The officers at this
date are, Geo. H. Escher, President; Mrs. W. P. Wolf, Vice President; L. J.
Rowell, Secretary, and W. J. Moore, Treasurer,

A recent exhibit of the Poultry and Pet Stock Show indicates its prosperity.
It was organized in 1908 and has held two meetings in the month of December
each year. The present officers are, Wm. Wisener, President ; W. L. Van Metre,
Vice President; Robt. Sproat, Treasurer, and R. M. Gregg, Secretary.

Brick Store Built by William Baker

Old Brick Kegideoce of William Green Rochester Mercantile Company

Main Street, Rocheater

VIEWS OF ROCHESTER, THE FIRST COUNTY SEAT, SETTLED IN 1836

'*^'*K IX

vjk

"ill

^*' ^l^ATiUHM

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 89

In the very early records of the commissioners' proceedings provision was
made for attending to the wants of the poor. This was not systematic until the
estaUishment of the poor farm in 187 1. The fanp was purchased and buildings
erected, the first cost of equipment being given as $1,750. In the spring of 1871
county bonds were issued to pay oflF the cost of the farm. Six years after it was
established there were fourteen persons cared for at the time the report was made.
The last report of the steward contains the following data : Number of inmates,
36, 26 poor and 10 insane ; there were five deaths during the year 1909. The farm
stock Jan. i, 1910, included, horses and mules, 7 ; cattle, 56; and hogs, 32. A full
report of receipts and disbursements is on file with the county auditor as submitted
to the Board of Supervisors. The result shows the average cost per week for each
inmate to be $1.42. This includes the permanent improvements.

PRESENT BOARD OF COUNTY SUPERVISORS.

G. G. Wright, Chairman, Springdale Township Third District

F. L. Sheldon, Center Township Second District

Fred Goldsmith, Da}rtcm Township First District

J. H. Onstott, Pioneer Township Fifth District

August Hinrichs, Springfield Township Fourth District

P. H. Schneider, Qerk (County Auditor).

CLERK OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (NOW AUDITOR).

Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory, Rochester, April 2, 1838.
1838-39— Moses B. Church (also Qerk of District Court and Recorder).
1840-42— Wm. K. Whittles^.
1843-44 — ^Robt. M. Long.
1845.48— Wm. K. Whittfesey.
1849-50 — Samuel D. McCalley.
1851-55 — (No record.)

1856 to Aug. 1857 — ^Wells Spicer (County Judge).
From August, i857-s8-S9--George Smith (County Judge).
i860 — W. P. McCowan (County Judge).
1861-64— Alonzo Shaw ( also Clerk of Court) .
1865-68 — Sylvanus Yates.
1869 — WiUiam EUiott.

1870-73— E. M. Brink (first Auditor elected in the fall of 1869).
1874-79 — ^Moreau Carroll.
1880^7— E. M. Elliott.
1888-92 — ^A. C. Laubscher.
1893-96— Geo. W. ShaflFer.
1897-02 — Paul H. Downing.
1903-05 — ^W. A. Hamm.
1906-10— P. H. Schneider.

♦Note. — 1856-1860, no Board of Commissioners, the County judge acted in-
stead.

SHERIFF.

Rochester, April 2, 1838, Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory.
1838 —James W. Tallman.

90 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

1839 — Elisha E. Edwards (till October).

1839-44— George McCoy (from October '39 to October '44).

1844 — ^Patterson Fleming.

1847-48— James H. Robinson (Iowa as a state admitted Dec. 28, 1846)

1849-50— Charles S wetland.

1851-55— (No record.)

1856-57— John H. Bireley.

1858-59— George Huber.

1860-61— Jesse L. Bradshaw.

1862-65— David Platner.

1866-75— John D. Shearer.

1876-79— A. B. Maynard.

1880-85— Wm. C. Kelley.

1886-89— W. E. Elijah.

1890-93— Frank Nachbar.

1894-97— James S. Moffit.

1898-99— D. A. Downing.

1900-03— R. M. Ellyson.

1904-08— B. F. Barclay.

1909-ia— Brady Piatt.

COUNTY TREASURER.

Rochester, Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory, April 2, 1838.
1838-39 — Christian Holderman.

1840 — E. E. Edwards.
1841-45— Preston J. Friend.
1846 — R. M. Long.

1847-49— William K. Whittlesey (died September, 1849).

1851-56— (No record.)

1857-60— H. C. Piatt (also Recorder).

1861 — Samuel Wampler (also Recorder).

1862-67 — Geo. P. Ingman (also Recorder).

1868-71— Edwin H. Pound.

1872-73— T. C. McClelland.

1874-77 — Samuel Wampler.

1878-79— Geo. Huber.

1880-87—0. H. Helmer.

1888-91— John Coutts.

1892-95— R. R. Leech.

1896-99— Harm Piatt.

1900-03— J. E. Bartley.

1904-08— H. H. Rath.

1909-10— E. C. Gillam.

CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT.

Rochester, Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory, April 2, 1838.
1838— from May 28 to Nov. 24, 1838— Robert G. Roberts.

-IBAMta

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 91

Nov. 24, 1838-42— William K. Whittlesey (also Oerk of County Corns, and
Recorder).

1843-44 — ^Robt. M. Long (also Qerk of County Corns, and Recorder).

1845-48 — ^William K Whittlesey (also Qerk of County Corns, and Recorder).

1849-50 — Samuel D. McCalley (also Qerk of County Corns, and Recorder).

1851-55— (No record.)

1856 to August, '57 — ^Wells Spicer (County Judge).

From August, '57-'58-'59— Geo. Smith (County Judge).

1859 — G. P. Ingman (also Qerk of Coms.)

1860-64 — ^Alonzo Shaw (also Clerk of Coms.)

1865-68 — Sylvanus Yates (also Qerk of Ccwns.)

1869 — ^William Elliott (also Qerk of Coms.)

1870-72— William Elliott.

1873-76— W. H. Van Ness.

1877-80— T. C. Prescott.

1881-86— Jesse James (died in oflSce).

1886 — J. H. Neiman (appointed to fill vacancy).

1887-90 — ^J. D. Shearer.

1891-94 — D. A. Downing.

1895-96— J. C. Freguson.

1897-02 — ^I. J. Hamiel.

1903-06— W. W. Little.

1907-10 — George McLarand.

RECORDER OF DEEDS.

1838-39 — Moses B. Church (also Clerk of Coms. and Clerk of Court).

1840-42 — ^Wm. K. Whittlesey (also Clerk of Ccwns. and Qerk of Court).

1843-44 — ^R. M. Long (also Qerk of Coms. and Clerk of Court).

1845-48 — ^Wm. K. Whittlesey (also Clerk of Coms. and Qerk of Court).

1849-50— Samuel D. McCalley (also Qerk of Coms. and Qerk of Court).

1851-55 — (No record.)

1857-60— H. C. Piatt (also Treasurer).

1861 Samuel Wampler (also Treasurer).

1862-66— Geo. P. Ingman (also Treasurer).

1867-72 — ^Jesse James.

1873-82— C. W. Hawley.

1883-84 — Geo. Huber.

1885-92— Geo. W. Miller.

1893-94 — C. A. Ridenour.

i895-96^Shuler French.

1897-02 — S. A. Jennings.

1903-06— W. S. Beatty.

1907-08 — ^Alex. Buchanan, Jr.

1909-10 — ]. D. Reid.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

1860-61 — ^Jas. McClung (first Supt)
1862-63— Wm. P. Wolf.

I

92 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

1864-65— C. A. Pound.
1866-67— E. C. Rigby.
1868-69— E. L. Bassett
1 87071— A. B. Oakley.
1872-75— C. W. Rollins.
1876-81— Eunice E. Frink.
1882-83— Virginia M. RobWns.
1884-89— Mrs. A. N. Filson.
iSgo-gs—W. L. Etter.
1896-99— J. W. Maricer.
1900-03 — ^Aurora Goodale.
1904-10— Geo. H. Kellogg.

COUNTY ATTORNEY.

1887-88— Ed. I. McCoy (first Attorney elected).
1889-90 — R. G. Cousins.
1891-96— S. S. Wright.
1^-1902— C. O. Bding.
1903-04— C. J. Lynch.
1905-08— John T. Moffit.
1909-10— J. C. France.

Note.— In 1838-39 Rochester was the county seat until 1840 when Tipton was
made C. S.

Note. — Prior to 1887 the District Attorney presided instead of County Atty.

COUNTY SURVEY<».

1839 — ^Andrew Russell.

1840 — ( No record. )
1841-43— John T. Tomlinson.
1844-45— Thos. Gracy.

1846 to Oct. 5— B. Wedcs.

1846 —William Hoch (from Oct. 5 to April 5, '47).

1847-50— Alonzo Shaw.

1851-55 — S. Dewell.

1856 —Geo. Whistler.

1857-61— Martin G. Miller.

1862-64 — ^James McQtmg.

1865-67— F. A. Gates.

1868-73— Martin G. Miller.

1874-75— F. A. Gates.

1876-77— Martin G. Miller.

1878-79— S. Y. Yates.

1880-81— F. A. Gates.

1882-83 — ^Jas. Ingman.

1884-87— John Zuck.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 08

1888 — S. T. Hedges.

1889 — ^Jdin Zuck.

1890 — Geo. D. Bardwell.

1891 — D. H. Dallas.
1892-95— John Zuck.
1896-97 — S. A. Handley.

1898-99— J. Q. Zuck (John Zudc, Deputy).

1900-02 — F. G. Reeder.

1903 — ^U. S. Brink elected but failed to qualify, John Zuck appointed.

1904-05 — Otis Lcefers.

CX>RONER.

1839 —Harvey H. Burnap.

1840-45 — (No record.) *

1856-57— ^James Huff.

1858-63 — ( No record. )

i864-65--Geo. W. Smith.

1866-67— T. James.

1868-69— William H. Hammond.

1870-71 — ^A. Parsons.

1872-75— B. Wilhehn.

1876-81 — ^L. L. Sweet.

1882-83- B. Wilhehn.

1884-87— W. F. Morehead.

1888-89— M. H. Somes.

1890-91 — H. R. Saum.

1892-93 — ^Henry Schumacher.

1894-95 — ^H. R. Saum elected but failed to qualify, M. H. Somes appointed.

i896^_W. C. Bills.

1898-1903 — L. L. Kennedy.

1904-05 — ^S. F. Witmer.

1906-08 — ^Dr. J. H. Meyhaus.

1909-10— A. M. McCormick.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR 1910.

CASS.

Qerk, Frank Laubscher Buchanan

Justice, Henry S. Brown Lisbon

ConstaUe, W. E. Koppenhaver Buchanan

Trustees, Harry Dodds Tipton

Martin Kuncl Solon

D. E. Frederidc Tipton

Assessor, Geo. Gaul Tipton

94 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

CENTER.

Ocric, S. A. Jennings Tipton

Justices, JcAn W. Argo Tipton

J. E. Hartley Tipton

Constables, D. W. Claric Tipton

J. J. Diltz Tipton

Trustees, Wendell Wilier Tipton

R. Roberdee Tipton

W. P. Rochholz Tipton

Assessor, R. M. Reeder Tipton

DAYTON.

Oerk, E. C. Dean „ Qarence

Justice, C G. Oliver Qarence

Constable, E. F. Delamater .Clarence

Trustees, Jolm Bauman Clarence

A. R. Bixler Qarence

Ed Cosgriff Clarence

Assessor, W. S. Robinson Qarence

FAIRFIELD.

Clerk, J. G. Cessford Tipton

Constable, Chris. J. Kline Qarence

Trustees, H. D. Butterbrodt Tipton

Henry Meier Qarence

Wm. Burk Tipton

Assessor, John Kroeplen Tipton

FARMINGTON.

Qerk, R. Meyer Durant

Justice, E. F. Jockheck Durant

Constables, August Bierkamp Sunbury

John Bierkamp Durant

Trustees, Henry Gruemmer Durant

Louis Paustian Sunbury

Wm. Miller, Sr Sunbury

Assessor, H. D. Thiering Wilton

FREMONT.

Qerk, Scott Hamilton Stanwood

Justice, J. N. Boling Stanwood

Constables, William S. Graft Stanwood

Dennis Welch Mechanicsville

Trustees, J. W. McConkie Olin

W. S. Pirie Stanwood

H. P. Thomas .Mechanicsville

Assessor, George Findlay *s Stanwood

PRK^iKNT CEDAR COIXTV COURTHOI'SE

1 1

/vni* i.KNirx AND
B L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 97

GOWER.

Qerk, John Loftus Cedar Valley

Justice, R C. Heacock West Branch

Trustees, Rudolph Stroppel West Branch

Wm. Cahill West Branch

Anton Slach West Branch

Assessor, Walter Harden West Branch

INLAND.

Qerk, R J. Johann Bennett

Justices, G. C. Bannick Bennett

H. W. Franco .Bennett

Constables, Hennan Dresselhaus Bennett

R. C. Schneckloth Bennett

Trustees, Ferd. Goettsdi Bennett

Henry Ahrens Bennett

Geo. Regennitter Bennett

Assessor, J. A. Miller — , Sunbury

IOWA*

Qerk, Chas. R. McCann West Liberty

Justice, W. H. Phelps .......> West Branch

Trustees, W. H. Phelps West Branch

C. H. Jc^son West Branch

H. T. Swart West Liberty

Assessor, C. K. Pierce West Branch

UNN.

Qerk, A. R. Albaugh Mechanicsville

Trustees, W. L. Crawford Mechanicsville

G. C. Statler Mechanicsville

S. H. Treichler Lisbon

Assessor, A. G. Hemingway »t Lisbon

MASSILLON.

Qerk, Henry Richmann ^ Lowden

Justices, C. A. Robison Massillon

Carl Wenndt Lowden

Trustees, W. E. Brink Lowden

Werner Deke Lowden

. Wm. Ruprecht Massillon

Assessor, A. E. Emerson Massillon

PIONEER.

Qerk, A. F. Fairchild Mechanicsville

Justice, Geo. W. Fall Mechanicsville

Constable, J. J. DeWald Mechanicsville

98 HISTORIY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Trustees, John Kerwin Mechanicsville

C. F. Platner Mechanicsville

L. H. Andre Mechanicsville

Assessor, J. C. Ferguson LislxMi

RED OAK.

Otrk, Homer A. Dorcas Tipton

Trustees, James J. Spear Stanwood

Wm. Chappell Tipton

A. M. Moffit Tipton

Assessor, H. J. Safley Tipton

ROCHESTER.

Clerk, T. H. Ridenour Tipton

Justice, W. F. Horn Tipton

Constable, F. A. Kester Tipton

Trustees, S. C. Baker Tipton

Adam Kensinger Tipton

J. C. Kirkpatrick Tipton

Assessor, Elliott Anderson Tipton

SPRINGDALB.

Oerk, Norris Wilson ^.Downey

Justices, O. C. Pennock West Branch

John Cornwall Downey

Trustees, Geo. C. Shrader : West Branch

T. B. Pidd Downey

Peter J. Thomas West Branch

Assessor, I. B. Fawcett West Branch

ConstaUe, M. L. Marks West Branch

SPRINGFIELD.

Qerk, Fred Pauls Lowden

Justice, Henry Ruprecht, Jr. Lowden

Constable, Wm. C. Schmidt Lowden

Trustees, L. E. CcMirad Bennett

F. H. Dircks Lowden

Aug. Meyer Lowden

Assessor, George Wischmann Lowden

SUGAR CREEK.

Qerk, I. N. Kiser Wilton

Justices, Geo. H. Laucamp Wilton

Chas. D. Kiser Wilton

ConstaUes, A. W. Straub Tipton

W. L. Rorick Wilton

Trustees, W. W. Chapman Wilton

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 99

Geo. H. Laucamp Wiltcm

W. H. Haima Wilton

Assessor, Geo. Karns Wilton

CEDAR COUNTY TAXIATION, 1909.

VALUE OF PROPERTY.

Land $ 4,714,822

Town property % 826,835

Personal property 1,930,231

Railroad property 752,587

Telegrs4>h and telephone property 44,482

Express property 3,362

$ 8,272,319

STATE TAX.

State tax $28,125.88

Special S. U. 1 1,65446

Special I. A. C 1,65446

State Nwmal 827.23

$ 32,262.03

COUNTY TAX.

County $33>o89.27

Poor 9,926.78

Insane 4,136.15

Poll 2,35900

Dog 1,834.00

$ 51,345.20

ROAD TAX.

Bridge $28,953.1 1

County road 8,272.31

Township road 24,236.26

Delinquent road , . 471.00

$ 61,932.68

SCHOOL TAX.

Teachers $57,38561

Contingent 20,729.96

School house 6,252.15

County school 8,272,31

School building bond 6,751.97

$ 99>392.oo

TOWNSHIP TAX.

Grave Yard 617.46

$617.46

99256R

100 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

CORPORATION TAX.

Water $ 5,979.01

Corporation 16,016.88

Electric Light 4,868.65

Gas Lig^t 2,510.85

Library Maintenance 1,851.09

Bond 390.05

Sidewalk 137-25

Delinquent road tax 409.00

Improvement 2,003.53

$ 34.166.31

Total tax levied $279,715.68

'K

SECTION III.

TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS.

Since the founding of most of the towns in the county came before i860, the
changes are now difficult to follow. Only a few are living who carry in mind the
events of interest during the fifty years. Records are only a matter of cold figures
in the majcHity of cases and the Ufe of what has occurred is really wanting on
account of no vital record having been kept of current events. What seems now
of great importance to one trying to collect data of this kind is lost for all time.
Tins is clearly illustrated when one wishes to verify some fact or secure a
complete account of an historical point in the county that has surrounding it some-
thing of great value if it could be had. Justice cannot be done in every particular
because personal recollections vary and records are not at hand.

The first location and survey of any town or village must be credited to those
who settled Rochester in 1836. The old records in the <^ce of the county auditor
in the county seat are largely the record of a few individuals. Among these names
occur the ones first concerned in the founding of the village which takes its name
of the great city in the state of New York — ^Rochester. Stephen Toney and George
McCoy, brothers-in-law, came to Cedar County late in the summer of 1836, settled
on the site of the present village of Rochester and near this site McCoy built the
first cabin and located a ferry. Toney afterwards located not far from him,
building a double log cabin. This was destined to be the first county seat, the first
ferry, the first in many respects for it had hopes of becoming a city not less im-
portant than that of its name elsewhere. The other surrounding territory evidently
expected this for settlers came in this direction and we first find the group formed
in that region. At this time the point for commerce was at the "Mouth of Pine,''
frequently referred to in connection with all the county matters of that early day.
"Mouth of Pine" was a creek which finally finds its way into the Mississippi ten
miles above Muscatine and this is about twenty-five miles from Rochester — not
far in those days. Here at the mouth of Pine creek lived Ben Nye who ran a store
and mill on one side and another, who was called "Wicked Bill," or plain William
Gordon, lived on the upper side of the creek. The latter being a surveyor was in-
vited by Toney and McCoy to "lay out" a town on the Cedar River. This was done
in August after their arrival and the surveyor took his pay in lots. Visions came
and went then even as now and the lots probably gave the owner little trouUe.

101

102 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

In the summer of 1836, Rev. Martin Baker, who has left his personality in
Yariou$ ways in the history of the county, settled with his son William at the
month of Crooked Creek and leaving his son in charge of the claim returned to
Indiana for his family, three sons and one daughter with two grandchildren. The
family settled on this claim in the fall of 1836, and the father continued to reside
here until 1846, the year of his death. It is said that the first religious services
held in the county were at the home of Rev. Baker soon after his arrival from his
journey for his family.**

Col. Henry Hardman came to the township in July, 1836, and settled on the
farm now owned by John Jeffers.*^ His son. Cordis Hardman, operated the ferry
at Rochester for many years. In 1837 H. D. Brown came to the village. He built
a house for the original proprietor of the site, Stephen Toney, on the Uock where
afterwards the Hardman house stood, and this is said to have been the first shingled
house in Cedar County. This man Brown afterwards became a catnnetmalcer in
Tipton when it was made the county seat and the future of the river town was not
so evidently prosperous.

Duncan McLaren came to the township in 1837 uid made his claim north of
the mouth of Rock Creek. He afterwards removed to Rochester, where at this
date his widow still resides.^ At this point in the history of this town we find
the mention of the first mill in the county and its plan of operation. It had a s^-
nificant name, ''The Little Savior," and was not erected for profit since no charge
was made for its use. It was located two miles east of Rochester in 1836 by
Aaron Porter. Mills began to be in demand from the very banning since the
pioneer must depend on what he could raise and have ground into flour for his
living. The Freeman Mill was begun on Sugar Creek in 1837, but was not in
operation until 1838. Like the "old stone mill" of so much interest to older gen-
erations and not much less to the younger ones, the race of the Freeman mill
was cut through the solid rock. Stephen Toney sold his mill site to a William
Green, who built a saw-mill on the creek road, a half mile north of Rochester.
This is called the first saw-mill in the county. This, after having been in use for
many years, was removed and like many other "first things," it has but a memory
to mark the spot. Another public-spirited citizen from the state of Ohio, which
furnished so many settlers to Cedar County, Willliam Green, came to the county
in 1837 and settled at Rochester. He is commended for his liberal ideas and
this one may say, as mentioned in the first chaipter, was a diief characteristic of
the early comer to the open country of this state. The present location of the
"Beltz Mill" was originally the site of a saw mill and grist-mill built by Christian
Holderman.

Judging from accounts given of him this Stephen Toney, founder, was a
thrifty character, losing no (q>portunity to improve his financial prospects and
drive a bargain giving the big end to himself not far different from later and
more numerous settlers in this same county. Indians love "fire-water," and while
now the courts are laboring by all possible means to convict the man who sells
"fire-water" to an Indian, it was not then a matter of vital interest to the United
States officers whether one redskin or even two got more than he needed of this
same "fire-water." So, as the story goes, when Toney found a great caxnp of
"Sac and Foxes" near Rochester, said to be as many as five hundred, he prepared

WEST BRAXCH SCENES

« L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 106

for an immediate speculation in disposing of his full barrel and the full return in
trade amounted to Indian property enough to restore his stock of liquid many
fold. Chief Poweshiek came to the rescue of his braves and some think he ''got
even" with Toney in the conclusion of the parley. The oldest settler tells of these
Indians to this day, but it is doubtful whether anyone can vouch for the event
that happened so long ago. One can only surmise the conditions that must have
existed and that did exist long after this time when the white man bought, or
traded with the unsuspecting red man, who was often ruined by the gift or
purdiase of fire-water even sooner than his white brother. Too late, the govern-
ment has discovered the damage to its wards.

In 1838 a hotel was built in Rochester, which since was known as the Hard-
man House. These hostelries were all through the country as soon as parties
began making journeys by regular trails, and each point had something aldn
to what one now calls a hotel. Charles Swetland, a well-known character, and
who left his mark on Tipton afterwards, came to the village of Rochester in
1837. Nelson Hastings opened a store in 1839. Geo. McCoy, Justice of the
Peace, and once County Sheriff, had conducted a store in 1837. These store
supplies must be brought from the base of distribufion at "Mouth of Pine,** where
Ben Nye, McCoy's father-in-law, kept a store. After a decade we hear of
McCoy returning from California and finding his wife at her father's house»
where she had been taken because of neglect, he became enraged it seems and in
a quarrel which followed he killed Mr. Nye. Then he rettutied to the coast
His name appears frequently in the county records and one of the very first
cases before the courts as a territory he is the plaintiff.

A legal survey of Rochester was made in 1840 by John J. Tomlinson, Sur-
veyor. The proprietors then were Toney, Freeman and Fulwider. It lay on the
east side of the Cedar in section two of that ccMigressional township. This was
the year that Tipton was surveyed as the county seat, but the greater population
was in Rochester.

S. A. Bissell, afterward County Judge, settled here at an early date, with
odiers who later moved from the vicinity. In 1836 came the Halliday family and
setUed the farm where the "Whittlesey Mills," afterward "Sugar Creek Mills,"
were built. In the same month Wm. Phelps settled in Iowa Township, four miles
from the village, and the families of William and Emanuel Young came to the
neighborhood.

In '37 and '38 the Pavis and Amett families settled near Hector Sterrett,
who came here in 1836. Crane and McNaughton settled in Rochester in the
spring of '39, and John Ridgway came soon after. The latter lived for a time
wiA Daniel Hare, whose grave as now remembered is covered over with grass in
the old cemetery. Ridgway has the credit for possessing the first tailor shop in
the county.

Joseph Crane, whose fame rests in connection with the county seat fight,
opened the first r^fular Macksmith shop in Rochester in 1838. His first woric
was for Geo. McCoy. So far as records go Dr. S. B. Grubbs was the first resi-
dent physician. One Henry preceded him, but was not held in the highest respect
hy those who needed a doctor. It spears that he moved to the Pedee settlement
in 1840 and may be referred to elsewhere.

106 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Before 1840, in addition to the foregoing, the three Clines, two Coltons and
Wm. Green had settled here. The latter burned the first kiln of brick in this
county. Bodfish, the millwright, came in '39, and Andrew Wilson settled on the
claim of Aaron Porter in '39. The two Foremans settled one and a half miles
east on Toney's claim. All these are lost to any atlas published and since names
are now far different, the only way to locate these points of residence is through
access to records of the county. In 1840 Coffey and Chasteen came to Rochester
and in 1842 Nathan Howe settled near by. The business of the village then ran
about as follows : Adam Graham kept a grocery on the block facing where the
Hardman House stood. Timothy Newton had a general store on the comer
north of the old hotel building. Coffey kept a hotel for many years. Nelson C.
Swank was running a cooper shop, but after the death of Graham he continued
the store for a time until his own death. S. A. Bissell was then probate judge
and justice. Dr. Meredith, who afterward died at Cedar Falls, and Dr. Rickey,
afterward of Keokuk, were the resident doctors at this time. Wm. Finefield
came here and opened a blacksmith shop, 1844. Blacksmithing became an exten-
sive business at this time, for we find Nicholas Stutzman engaging in the same
year with Finefield and another one the year following. John Foy built the
second hotel on Water street — ^this sounds more metropolitan — ^which was after-
wards purchased by the conspicuous citizen, Chas. Swetland, and moved to the
comer of Main and Third streets, where it ceased to be a hotel, and now no one
looks for such a place in the village, although a former dweUing house offers
hospitality. This brick house was built by Wm. Green for a residence long ago.
It stands at the end of the long bridge.

Before the steam mill in 1857 a number of brick buildings were erected for
business purposes. One of two stories by William Baker still standing, and
another by Dr. Noah Green, a third by T. J. Newton. The three-story brick
steam flouring mill did good service for a time, but like all the other mills in this
vicinity was finally dismantled and moved to Qarence by James Cess ford, who
purchased it at sheriff's sale.** This was not the only mill property that fell
under the hammer in those days. An incident in the history of Rochester is the
reported discovery of silver in paying quantities and the formation of companies
to exploit that discovery. Experts came to examine the ore and assays of ore
made which reported silver in paying per cents. Shafts were sunk, machinery
procured and then the usual result happened — ^another vain search for silver
where the dollar dug only paid a small per cent of the dollars spent in digging.
One company lasted about two years and was composed of the best and most influ-
ential citizens of Rochester and that vicinity.**

"Our neighboring town of Rochester has for some time been on the standstill
as to its growth and prosperity, but this season (1857) it will take a long step
forward and make it possible for it to compete with any town in the state."**

The particular improvement contemplated is the building of a steam mill, the
foundations of which are already in. It is to be 38 by 68 feet, three stories, and
built of brick. It will be built by Dr. N. Green and M. Bailey. Dr. Green is an
enterprising man and will push forward the mill to an early completion. The
stone work for the foundation is done and the frame work for the three run of
stone with which the mill is supplied. The Itmiber is mostly on the ground and

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 107

the brick in the kihi is ready for burning. The cost of the mill is considerable
and it will be equal to any mill in this part of the state. This will give an impetus
to the trade and business of Rochester and will not only be an ornament to that
town, but a credit to the entire county. This mill was doing a fine business in
October, 1857, grinding, with two run of stone, at the rate of four hundred
bushels per day. One run of stone was for com and buckwheat and two for
wheat. Building material was cheaper at Rochester than in very many places.
Stont plentiful in the vicinity and the brick for the mill were burned within two
rods of the location.^

But the hand of time is not charitable and now all that promised so much,
all that meant so much to the former builders is no more, for where brick and
mortar once held firm walls the short space of a little more than a half century has
left but ruins or at most what will soon be ruins. He who saw the city in those
early days, who heard in his imagination the rumble of wheels as in the original
city of Rochester fame was never to be so much as near his ideal, and like all
other visions it was only temporary. New life- may sometime appear, for the
country is still very new. There is plenty of time for a new city to grow where
the old was planned. Just now Rochester is the enterprising center of interest
for sunmier campers, and only awaits the coming interurban, discussed elsewhere,
to be restored to its former activity. Scnne old landmarks remain — ^the dd hotel,
opposite the Mercantile Compan/s store; the old "Ferry House" on the river
bank, which at one time was kept by Cordis Hardman. There was once a distillery
just south of this. Some say the site of the steam mill is washed away by the
erosion of the river current against the bank. Some old dwelling houses remain,
and Water Street is still there. The sand is still very deep and the automobile
is not popular. Across the Cedar the camping grounds are becoming an annual
resort for many from a distance, and the contrast of the long ago and what the
future promises is to be imagined. Living in this village are scxne who came to
the township in 1837. The widow of Duncan McLaren, mentioned early in the
history of Rochester, still resides here. The children of Adam Bair, one of the
pioneers, remain to connect the past and present In one old building the
Masonic fraternity still have a lodge full of interesting history, which is further
discussed by those who know its past.

We are told by the veteran stage driver that Mississippi boats did load flour
at the mill on the bank of the river for he saw them doing so when a boy. We
have no reason to dispute the matter, but it is hard to realize that this was true
when we see the present worn condition of the surroundings.

The county seat of Cedar County and its location is a matter of history during
the years irom 1839 to the final settlement in 1852. At the latter date the decision
was final and judging from present conditions no fears need be entertained of
the question hereafter. From 1840 to the present time events have transpired
changing the current of history, but leaving the landmarks as glides to trace the
path the pioneers attempted to follow. Here and there alcMig the way one finds
serious breaks in the record, but there are those yet living who can recall events
covering this allotted life of man since the ^wn of Tipton was first thought of,
even before a stake had been driven to mark its site.

108 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Twelve miles from the north, the east, the south, the'west, the first mark was
made, about which the future town was to grow. Some of these facts had to be
touched upon when discussing county organization and govemmei^ but the
immediate data of town history must fcdlow here. A former citizen, one who
was a boy in this vicinity, has made a running commentary on the early times in
the pioneer accounts in his own good and personal way,^^ but a little rq>etition in a
new form will not detract from previous references. Town history may grow
monotonous because of the want of personal Account, and this cannot be wholly
supplied at this time. It is fortunate that some record has been made from
which one can draw, otherwise the task would be almost endless.

The original plot of Tipton was certified to by the county conmiissioners,
William Miller, Daniel Comstock, and John G. Foy, and was sworn to before
W. A. Rigby, who built the first house in Red Oak. The town plot was sur-
v^ed by J. Tomlinson, who surveyed most of the roads in the preliminary county
government, and this plot was filed for record June, the first day, 1840, at four
o'clock in the afternoon, the precise time at which the county began its present
legal existence.^

The original plot contained forty-nine blocks of twelve lots each, with streets
eighty feet wide and alleys sixteen feet, the blocks being three hundred feet
square and numbered in tiers f rcMn east to west.

Jennings's Addition was made to Tipton June 17th, 1840, by Charles Jennings.
Starr's Addition in 1855. This was from eighty acres lying directly west of the
original plot Moore and Culbertson's Addition was made in 1857, Long's Addi-
tion in 1858.

The survey of Tipton was made officially in 1840 by the authorized surveyor,
J. J. Tomlinson, who made the survey of Rochester referred to on a previous page.
This was May 20, 1840. The streets were the usual eighty feet in the original
plot, although one might find some less, and lots fifty by one hundred and forty-
two in dimensions. The order came from the county commissioners on April
18, 1840, and the surveyor's plans were 24)proved. A public square was provided
for near the center of the quarter section which had been pre-empted for a town
site. Henry W. Higgins named the town for his friend. General Tipton of
Indiana. One is led to think that Tipton, Indiana, and possibly Tipton, Missouri,
may have been named for the same military man. The only building then on the
site was a log cabin built by Wm. M. Knott, whose life some one should
write. This cabin was first used as a county clerk's office by Wm. K. Whit-
tlesey, who moved there from Rochester after the re-location of the county
seat Here also the county commissioners met in 1840. One speaks of
the removal of the county seat with considerable respect for the under-
taking, but as a matter of fact all the county possessed was contained,
it is said, in a ''candle box." Few of us know much about even a
candle box. Charles M. Jennings built a cabin in that portion now known as
Jennings' Addition in 1840, this being the first public house in the place. It was
afterward used for church purposes. John Culbertson kept hotel for many years
in a house located on the present site of the town hall. He was a member of
one of the earliest firms in the mercantile line, being the junior partner in the firm
of Friend and Culbertson. Among the arrivals in 1840 were John P. Cook,

MAIN 8TBEET, MECHANICSVILLB

PAXOHAMA OF MECHANICSVILLB

OAK STKEET, MRCHANKSVIT.LE

J

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 111

who was closely identified with the interests of the town for many years ; Walker
and Davis, carpenters, and John R. McCurdy — all these were men without fami-
lies. Cook built the first store room in Tipton in the year he came, on the comer
where W. H. Tuthill later had a drug store, and the comer now occupied by the
National Bank.^^ This store contained the first stock of gxxxls sold in the town.
John R. McCurdy was the first tailor here and built a shop near the site of Whan
and Adams's store on the west side of the square, near where Rumble's grocery
is now. Preston J. Friend built a log cabin not far from the same site, and
William R. Rankin, Tipton's first lawyer, soon moved to a house just north of the
Palmer House, which stood where the Cobb block is now. Rankin is referred to
in connection with the county seat fight and territorial politics when he sought
office for himself. William Cummins so(m separated from his partnership with
Culbertson and built a house of frame material on the north side of the square,
diinl door east from the corner, once occupied by Perrien Dean as a store site.
There Cummins opened a saloon.

It was in March, 1841, that Judge W. H. Tuthill came to the village, and soon
after purchased the store of John P. Cook, which business he continued for some
two years longer. Friend and Culbertson organized and conducted the next
general business. The first physician to locate in Tipton was Dr. Harvey G.
Whitlock, who tried many trades or professions.

A discussion has arisen as to the first child born in Tipton, but the credit is
given to two names, and since no one now seems able to determine the only means
of making record is to give the two, Jacob Tipton Haight and John Tipton
Culbertson, allowing the reader to take his choice. Thence seems to be no differ-
ence of o{Hnion regarding the girl, since only one, Sallie' Friend, claims that honor.
It is perhaps fortunate that there is no second claimant, since the quarrel might
never end. The surveyor, Tomlinson, built a house on the comer northeast of the
square in 1841, and the house now occupied by Basil Wiggins is near the site.
This was the home of Williard Hammond, who ran a general store here after
1849, jcoming from Cedar Bluffs for that purpose. In 1840 Geo. McCoy, whom
we have fully met in Rochester's history, built a house and planted a cottonwood
tree in the yard which grew to great size in later years. It was located on the
comer of Sixth and Cedar Streets, where Hotel Tipton now stands. In 1841 a
house was built for W. H. Tuthill near the house now known as his residence, and
in its day recognized it as one of the best, which stands under the stately pine trees
at the comer of Seventh and Cedar Streeets. Addison Gillett, mentioned in
pioneer accounts as being unfitted for the scenes of the new country, opened a
general store on the west side of the square in '43. His death occurred a few
years later. The first hamess maker here was J. A. Sangston, who after a short
time was succeeded by Austin Parsons. The latter's business has not stopped to
this day, since his son, M. A. Parsons, continues it at the old stand. It is one of
the two businesses that have continued through a half century. Edward Godden,
plasterer and stone mason of the time, is living now in the north part of town.

E. M. MacGraw is known as the first wagon maker and J. S. Tuthill followed
him in the same trade. Small buildings had large names in those days, one bearing
the significant title of "Tontine," was used as post office and clerk's office when
Culbertson was appointed district clerk. Richard Hall was a physician and

112 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

druggist in '44 to '49, when the California fever struck the town, taking a number
away in search of gold. The Friend and Culbertson store was opened in 1847.
In the same year Alonzo Shaw, one of the most active of Tipton's oldest citizens
until his removal to California two years ago, and Col. Smith bought the hotd
of Culbertson and conducted it until 1850, when Samuel Tomlinson bought it.
William Morton also opened a store about 1847 in a two-story building which
stood formerly where Whan and Adams's brick building was erected, as before
mentioned. The latter building was erected in 1876. The Hammond stcwe was
north of the square in the building now used by Otis Wilson as a plumbing
shop. His family became prominent in Tipton affairs, but death and removal
have left few of them. One landmark here must not be forgotten — the first
brick store building in the place. This is the long building on the comer used by
the Savings Bank at the present time and other business below, while the offices of
Hon. John T. M<^t are above. On the comer diagonally across from this
building recently used by the Elwood store is the building erected by Charley
Swetland, who came here in 1853 from the California gold fields. He is one
referred to frequently in Rochester history, coming there in 1837. He also
built the frame block on the comer south of the public square used recently by
Ross as a place of amusement. Kizer, Crew, and Tumer began business here
with a general stock of goods. This same Swetland b^;an to publish "The
Advertiser" in November, 1853, and to complete his story he failed in business
and died in Utah, far from the scenes of his intense activity. It is worth while
in passing to say that the '^ Advertiser" files are complete from his time to the
present issue. Some time during the editorial labors of D. C. Mott, 1893, to June,
1897, the missing files were returned, making a valuable record which is pre-
served, parts of it in bank vaults.

In August, 1854, W. H. Hammond, known as the "tinner," opened a hard-
ware store. A drug and grocery combined (a queer combination one would
think) was then located in the old frame building of Friend and Culbertson,
which, if information is tmstworthy, was almost opposite the "Palmer House"
on Cedar Street or near the present site of the Geiger building. It is said that
the town increased one-fourth in size this year. Misfortune came in the form of
fire in 1870 and destroyed the brick building erected in 1857 by Shaw and Bogly
on the comer now occupied by the National Bank building. Samuel Tomlinson
built the brick the second door from Cedar Street east, north of the square, where
Brotherlin and Gordon's store is now, in 1855 and the building three doors east
about the same time.

The following are the recollections of Tipton in 1845 by Alonzo Shaw, who
came here in July of that year:

"In the court house block was a two-story frame building about 40x50 feet;
the court room was cm the ground floor, with hall and stairway on the south.
It fronted to the south and the clerk's oflice was in the southwest comer, a room
about 12x16 feet. The upper story was divided into four rooms for office rooms.
The Masonic lodge had one room- rented. The treasurer and recorder had one
room ; it was all one office then. The judge of the court was Mr. Williams, of
Muscatine, a Pennsylvanian, who held the crffice by appointment of the president,
a comical old democrat who could play the violin and clarionet and tell as good a

THE NEW BLEVATOH AT DOWNEY

VIEW OF I>OWXEY

<^.'k 1.KNi*X AND

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 115

Story as anyone present He came up here to hold court on a regular term, and
the Williams boys from the Wapsie (or Lowden now) and the Walton boys from
Sugar Credc had running horses. They weren't very long in getting up a bet of
$50 on a side. The race was to come off at 2 o'clock p. m. on the old Muscatine
road, between the place now owned by Chas. Swartzlender and the Cottrell black-*
smith sh<^. It appeared as if every man in the county was here. The judge
came into the court house at two o'clock p. m. and called the court, and behold
there was the sheriff and two attorneys ; even the grand jury had gone to the race.
The judge ordered court adjourned until the next morning at nine a. m., and went
over to the Culbertscm hotel and spent the balance of the day playing on the violin.
In the evening the judge and the attorneys gathered in the hotel for a social.
There was John P. Cook, Scott Riclmian, Stephen Whicher and others, singing
songs, telling stories, and having a jolly good time until midnight, when J. C.
Culbertson, J. P. Cook and some others were so exhausted that they could not
navigate.

"In block twenty-five, south of the court house, there was but one house. It
was the one recently torn down by Roy McKee. A man from Virginia by the
name of Epperson lived there. He had quite a family of girls. He was a drink-
ing man and when in those moods told some very large stories. To illustrate:
He said in Virginia where he lived it was near the hot springs, and in the fall of
the year when the hog^ got fat, all they had tp do was to drive the hogs through a
spring and then out through a crabapple thicket and they were ready to Imife
and hang up.

''In block 17, east of the court house there were but two buildings; one
was a two-story hewed log jail about 16x32, the lower story having two rooms.
It was built double like a fort, with one window in each cell made of iron rods
crossed, and Asa Young, when he was put in there for stabbing Sheriff Pat
Fleming with a pen knife, said he 'Didn't like to look out o' them ten o' diamonds.'
The upper story was intended for the jailor. It was built by J. K. Snyder and
stood on the west end of Mrs. Stafford's lot, being lot i, block 17. The other
building in said block 17 was Addison Gillett's, now occupied by Basil Wiggins,
it being a part of the old back part of said residence, and was sold to Willard
Hammond in 1849.

''Block 19, west of the court house, had but two buildings upon it and they
belonged to Dr. Richard Hall. One was a small frame building occupied as his
residence, standing back from the street, and in front of which was a small
frame building occupied by said doctor as a drug store. I think they stood on
lot 4 of block 19.

"Block II, north of the court square, had but two buildings and a small stable.
A. Gillett had a small general stock of goods in a small frame building about
16x24 f^^ standing on lot 5 in said block 11, near where Brotherlin's drug store
now stands, and that was the only store in Tipton, except Dr. Hall's drug store.
The Fleming hotel stood right where the cottage stands today. It was a small
story and a half building at that time. There was a small stable back on the alley,
and those were all the buildings then on block 11.

"In block 10, northwest diagonal from the court square, there were but two
buildings and a stable. A large two-story log house about 20x36 feet stood on

116 HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY

lot I in said block lo, and a man by the name of Lee and his family lived there.
There was a shed addition on the west side about 12 feet wide, and John Stubble*
field's father was nmning a saddle and harness shop in it. This was where the
First National Bank now stands.

"The old J. C. Culbertson hotel, the most prominent place in Tipton at that
time, was located where the City Hall now stands. It was a two-story frame
building about 16x32 feet, with a porch the length of the front and a story and a
half log building in the rear as an ell, used as a dining room and kitchen, 16x20
feet, and a small stable on the alley. These were all the buildings on block 10.

"The first store in Tipton was started in the log house on the comer where
the Natbnal Bank now is. J. P. Cook brought an old stock of goods from die
mouth of Pine Creek on the Mississippi, below Davenport, and started a store in
this building. After a time Judge W. H. Tuthill came to Tipton. He had pre-
viously located at Moscow", buying a saloon there and running it about six months.
But selling whisky wasn't congenial to the Judge and he sold out and came to
TiptCHi and bought J. P. Cook's store, and was consequently the second merchant
of Tipton. The Judge having been raised in the city of New York and having
his full share of egotism, the pec^le sought to reduce his pride and make a western
man of him. In the spring he went to St. Louis for goods to rq)lenish his store.
Our elections were then held in the spring of the year. While the Judge was
absent they elected him for constable, having no idea that he would accept it
under any circumstances, but the Judge disai^>ointed them. He accepted the
ofiice, qualified and made ont of the best constables they ever had.

"As an illustration of western character. Col. Preston, late of Marion, Iowa,
father of Judge Preston, had located in Iowa City in the early forties, a graduate
of the law, and stuck out his shingle. When the next election came he was nomi-
nated for constaUe. There was a noted Newfoundland dog in the town and the
men wrote tickets putting on the name of the dog, which was elected constable.
It made the colonel quite out of patience to be treated in that way and he pulled
down hb shingle, left town and located in Marion, where he became one of ttie
most popular and noted prosecutors in the law in the state of Iowa.

"In block 5, due north of 10, there were but two buildings. One was a story
and a half frame house occupied by Jacob A. Haight and hb family. His wife
died here and in 1849 ^^ ^^^^ o^^i* ^^^ plains to Oregon. His son Charles lives
near The Dalles in Oregon. The other building was a blacksmith shop built by
Robert Adams, and afterwards was burned, it being the first building burned in
Tipton.

"In block 4, east of block 10, there were two buildings. On lot 8 there was a*
log house 16x24 feet, occupied by Dr. Whitlock, with a family of five children.
The doctor was a character. While a very good physician he was always in
trouble with some one, and his associaticms were bad; he was said to have be-
longed to the Mormon church. Tipton rejoiced when he and his family left for
California in 1849. On lot 10 in said Mock 4 was the residence of Wm. H.
Tuthill, a small story and a half frame house.

"In Jennings's addition to Tipton, on lot 8 in block 3, was a log house where
Mr. HuflF and his wife lived ; it was where Peter Monk now lives. Mr. HuflF was
a brother-in law of Solonum Aldrich ; he went to California in 1849.

DOWNEY SAVINGS BANK

FIFTH STREET KORTTI OF SQUARE, TIPTON
Old Hammond elore nhoviu third from the ri);ht.

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.>>'AliON0

8

L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 119

''On lots 5 and 6 in block 4, Jennings's addition to Tipton, was a house and
bam. They were built by John P. Code and he lived in the house. It was the
old part of the house where E. C. Gillam now lives. I bought the J. P. Cock
house and lots and he moved across the street into a house then vacant on lot i in
Uock 5. Capt. Wm. Dean afterwards purchased the property. He tore down the
old house and built the present one thereon.

''Then on lots 5 and 6 in blodc 10, Uncle Abraham Lett lived in a frame
house with an Iowa staUe north of the house, and an 80-acre farm, it being a
part of the Hartwell (dace.

"On the first Monday morning of January, 1846, 1 saddled my horse and rode
to Dtibuque to the land office and entered a quarter section of land, it being the
8a acres now the Sherwood farm, and the 80 acres now a part of the J. W. Reeder
farm, lying on the road and j<Mning on the south the county farm.

"There was a small story and a half house standing on lots 5 and 6 in Mock
9, as near as I can now locate it, empty. It belonged to the Cummins estate, he
having died in that house, the widow having moved away. She afterwards
became the wife of the Rev. John W. Kynett. The only other house then standing
in Tipton, including the Jennings addition, was the old Petrikin house, quite a
large two-story frame building, standing on block 7 in said Jennings addition.
It was s<Mnewhat dilapidated at that time, having. been previously used for public
meetings of all kinds and for a scho(^ house. This includes all the buildings
standing in Tipton in 1845, and there wasn't a tree growing of any kind except a
crabapple and plum grove thicket with a few scrub oak cm Uodc 14. Some of
those scrub oaks are now large trees. It seems strange to me that growth of trees
in fifty years will make such a change in the surface of a prairie country, and
the denuding of a country of its timber makes fully as much change.

"In the early '40s I bought tot i in block 19, for $25. Within a year the
Congregationalists wanted it to build a church on, and gave me $75 for it, and
the church stood there until the land became valuable for business purposes.

"I built the first brick house in Tipton in 1850. The house has since been
built over and is now owned and occupied by Ab Kdler.

"The only person living in Tipton that was living here in 1845 is Mrs. Ellen
McQure, she being the daughter of Abraham Lett. All others have either died
or moved away.'*

Manby and Ingman began business as clothiers in the new Ttnnlinson build-
ing in 1856.

Casad and Gilmore opened their "Great Western Qothing Emporium" in Sep-
tember, 1856. They bought out the firm of Manby and Ingman in '57 and con-
tinued their business at the same stand for many years. This business is con-
tinued by Gilmore and Rhoelk at this time at the same stand, one of two in Tipton
of such kmg standing. At that time there were four hotels in the place and much
business activity, but no railroad yet, and this prevented rapid growth. Under
die chapter on transportation will be found the struggle for an outlet by rail.
What occurred during war times must be told elsewhere.

The town of Tipton was incorporated in 1852, when the first attempt at organi-
zation was made. No regularly organized council attempted to do business,
according to "Advertiser" files, until 1855. The paper for July 22, 1854, states

120 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

that : '^e are now on the second year of our town's incorporation, and as yet
nothing has been done 1^ the councihnen toward so much as an organization to
do business. We su£Fered the incumbency of one set of town officers for fourteen
long months without any activity. At our last town election we changed hands
on our Board of Town Supervisors and hope we have profited by the bargain,
but as 3ret we have no assurance that they will do any better than the old ones.''
From a further statement tiie first active council must have met the following
year, for it reads as follows : "At the first meeting of the Town Council, Mon-
day, August 6, 185s, J. W. Cattell was elected pi;^sideht and Geo. Bagley cleric
At a meeting held on Saturday, August 11, S. S:^19aniels and Wells Spicer were
appointed a committee to draft a new charter."^*^^ In November, 1855, ^^
people voted against a city charter, but two years later approved it, so that it was
incorporated in 1857 subject to an act of the assembly. An election was held in
February on the question and it is supposed to have carried since officers under
the charter were elected the following April. In 1865 the old charter was aban-
doned and the town came under the general law of the state relating to corpora-
tions. From the council, records the following is taken: "On motion a com-
mittee of two was appointed to circulate a petition for signature of those who were
in favor of abandcming the old charter and organizing under the present law.
Parsons and Smith, committee. A petition with fifty-six names in favor of
abandonment was presented. The election on the subject was called and duly
carried with only one dissenting vote. Presumption is in favor of the conclusi<m
that reorganizaticm took place at once, although records are wanting on the
subjecf'ioi

The population of Tipton in 1858 was given by the census then taken as
1,285 — ^three colored and three in jail. It was about this time that property took
on a large increase in value, for it is menticmed in a very enthusiastic way that in
a sin^e transaction the entire amount of $2,000 was paid in cash, an unheard-of
thing up to this date. This was due to the new railroad in the northern part of
the county, the C. I. & N. (C. & N. W.)

In 1881 the first project for lighting the town is referred to when a Mr.
Brown, representing the Brush Electric Light Company, met with the council
and a number of business men, and laid before them the proposition which was
substantially as follows : The parties proposing the plant stood ready to make
an investment of seven or eight thousand dollars and to erect upon an iron tube
forty feet above the court house cupola four lights of 2,000 oindle power -each,
warranted to furnish good and satisfactory light for at least half a mile in all
directions, and to furnish and maintain the same for an annual rental of five
hundred dollars per annum. This upon condition that the town furnish the neces-
sary care of the engine and that twelve business houses agree to light with elec-
tricity at an annual rental of seventy-five dollars each. Only twelve could be
supplied with the generator in contemplation and ten at this time bad agreed
to do so.

The same company at this time had a plant at Dubuque ready for trial when
the moan did not shine, and it was to go from there to DesMoines for trial. The
agent offered to bring it here for trial on the way to DesMoines if tiie cost was
borne locally and it was adopted if satisfactory.*^*

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 128

In accordance with the plan it came about in May, 1882, that a practical test
of the Brush light was made in Tipton. A temporary structure was erected
abore the court house cupola and three globes suspended from the top. The
description of the arc lamp is made very minute in the statement "that it con-
sisted of a glass globe surrounding two carbon points or sticks made of ground
coke pressed into shape and thinly coated with copper, with only sufficient
apparatus to hold them in position and permit the upper one to slide up and down,
etc" The complete analysis of the process, now familiar to every school boy,
was at that time a marvel.

On the night trial three lamps of three thousand candle power each produced
the impression that was expected. The general verdict from the observers,
which included the entire population of the town and ccMisiderable of the sur-
rounding country was enthusiastically in favor of the light. The council at once
passed a resolution agreeing to pay the five hundred dollars annually for five
years and the subscribers for the twelve individual lights were soon secured. A
stock company was organized with a capital of five thousand dollars to finance
the company, the shares being placed at fifty dollars each to encourage a large
number of stockhdders. The company when org^ization was completed adopted
the name, "The Tipton Electric Light and Power Company," and the first stock-
holders numbered twenty, holding shares from one to twenty.

In July, 1882, the tower, one hundred and fifty-six feet high, was completed
and temporary connections made for illumination. This plant was used for sev-
eral years, when it was burned and later an ordinance, number fifty-five, was sub-
mitted for approval of the voters of the corporation which granted the privilege of
operating a plant for ten years to a company.

An enterprise of considerable importance at the time was the construction of
the old steam mill in 1850 by a joint stock company. It had a capacity of one
hundred and fifty bushels per day, but its operation was not continuous. In
December, 1886, this old mill went up in smoke. Its original cost was about
twelve thousand dollars, in the hands of the original stockholders, J. P. Code,
Judge Tuthill, Samuel Long, Jr., and others, which amount would be equivalent to
double that now.^^^ The Shearers owned it for some years and ran it success-
fully until the days of making flour from wheat grown at home had passed. It
then became a mill for feed and meal only in the hands of D. Meyers, who had
possession when it burned.

The city water works were first mentioned in a practical way in August,
1887. At that time Judge Treichlcr reported $1,300 raised by subscription to
commence the drilling of a deep well. From September, 1887, to April, 1888, the
well was put down 2,000 feet. The attempt was made to secure a flowing well
and a depth of 2,699 ^^^t finally reached by the contractor before drilling ceased.
The last two hundred feet cost the stmi of $1440, the total cost amounting to

$831$.

After the construction of the deep well in '87 and '88 the proposition to vote

bonds for water works was submitted to the people. The vote took place in

August of the latter year and stood 271 in favor of the proposition to 32 against

it The amount voted, seven thousand dollars, provided mains for four blocks

only, the remaining portion of the town being left for some future extension of

124 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

mains. The cost of the well, 2,6ggy2 feet deq), was given as $8,8iS for the
drilling akme, and the bond issue was to provide for its immediate use.

The lowest bid on the standpipe when bids were opened in the fall of 1888
was $11^300 for brick 118 feet high. This alone being beyond the amount voted
for the purpose, the council was compelled to wait for further expression of the
public opinion on the subject. This meant the postponement of any action for
this year. In 1889, January 15, bids were opened for the construction of die city
water works. The lowest bidder, George C. Morgan of Chicago, was awarded the
contract for the entire work. The bid as made was $9,997, but some additions
where increased cost was necessary due to change in plans were made to this price.
Some discussion occurred at that time relative to the location of the water tower,
whether on the highest point in the corporation or at the well. At a later meeting
of the city council it was put on the property already owned by the town for
economy's sake.

There are many items of interest in connection with the town life that have no
real sequence as to the results that may come from them. A suggestion here and
there that at the time bears no fruit, yet a long time after it can be traced in the
actions taken by individuals or authorities. This is illustrated by the time it
took to secure fire protection in any of the smaller towns. Not until severe
catastrophe had come upon the town did any movement to secure apparatus
succeed. In 1870 n^otiations were opened to secure a fire engine, but none was
purchased until 1875. The first investment amounted to $2,000.

This is not necessarily connected with tiie great improvement in residence
property in 1892, yet it may have some bearing on the investment of capital in
such form. In addition to the taking on of city improvements in 1896 Tipton
became a city of the second class when it was divided into three wards as now.

During the year 1898 the improvements were especially noted, an amount given
as sixty thousand dollars being invested in buildings, both residence and business
property. The papers made special note of tiie growth during diat year. The
hotel built by a stock ccxnpany had been completed in 1894.^^^ About 1901 the
paving proposition came before the council, which resulted in the work com-
mencing in the business section in October of that year. This was laid tiien on
two sides of the square and business section only. The brick paving in the busi-
ness street soudi of the square and the residence portion of Fourth Street, or
that which is called the Boulevard, was completed in the fall of 1903. Since that
time it has been in litigation either on the part of the town or property headers
for a number of years after the ccmtractor pronounced his part of the work
finished. The courts have decided in the end that the work was not done accord-
ing to specifications and for that reason the contractor has never been able to
collect his money. The supreme court has said that the ccmtract must be com-
pleted exactly as specified.

The present city officials are : Mayor, Dr. W. A. Grove ; Qerk, Chas. Foy ;
Councilmen, L. F. Kuhn, W. T. Gilmore, L. J. Rowell, Paul Downing, Ed. S.
Stoffiet.

Among the first settlers in Springdale Township was E. K. Morse, then a
young man, who entered a tract of land on the Muscatine County line not far
from the west line of Cedar. This was near the present site of Downey. Here

Wasbin^ton Street, Looking Wes
VIEWS OF DUKANT, IOWA

r • ,* ,v' 1,1 r. .^ A ^ I

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 127

he buiU a cabin and afterward, about 1840, sold this claim to Andrew and Wm.
Brisbane.

These two, with A. G. Smith, Enos Nyce, George Barnes and Chester Cole-
man formed the first settlement in the township. Their nearest mill was
Rock Island or Moline. The Indians were numerous in this neighborhood then
and they were not willing, exactly, to surrender these happy hunting grounds to
the white man. They did not hesitate to remove fences nor to run their ponies
through growing crops. In this connection it may be mentioned that they were
charged with the murder of a pioneer preacher by the name of Atwood. None
of them could be found whose guilt was certain enough to make the execution
of a penalty possible. In 1847 J^^^ Larue, Simeon Barnes, and in 1849 A. B.
Cornwall, Reuben Elliott, Hanson Gregg and John Wright had settled in the
township.

One authority is of the opinion that the settlement of this township proper
did not b^n in earnest until about 1850. Since this territory west of the river
was all in cme township at first it may be difficult to tell just the point of time
in the settlement of individuals. Not until 1853 was this township made a sepa-
rate jurisdiction. It then included part of the present township of Gower, and
remained so for two years. The first justices were Thomas James and Joseph
Chase; Constable, Levi Coppock; Trustees, Moses Vamey and Samuel Macy.
The first election was held in 1852 at the Springdale post c^fice.

J. H. Painter began improvements in th^ northeast comer of the township in
1849. During the two or three years following a number of families settled in
this vicinity.

The Society of Friends built their meeting house near Springdale in 1851, and
it is said to have been the first house for such purposes in the county. It was
built of gravel and had a cement roof and was used for a number of years.*^*

The mail service through this section was furnished by a stage line from
Davenport to Iowa City cared for by George Albin and his son, Joseph Albin, who
is now a very interesting pioneer of West Branch, and his account given recently
is found elsewhere. Told by himself the story is full of life, and one may under-
stand how the early settlers in this township waited for their mail service from day
to day on the ten-hour trips. Much trouble was experienced by those driving
heavy loads when they came to the sloughs of uncertain depth of mud and water,
and the doubling of teams or unloading was often the only method of finally and
surely landing on the other side. Temporary bridges were often carried away and
must be returned by human eflFort since teams could not be brought to the point
of lodgment. The neighborly nature of men was best shown in the distress of
stranded loads in these swamps, which after years of settlement and cultivation
of the soil have practically disappeared.

The early settlers of Springdale Township must be also the early inhabitants
of Iowa Township, since at this time all the territory lying west of tihe river was
in one division, being one of the five first organized by the county commis-
sioners. John H. Painter, Ann Coppock, the mother of the boys Edwin and
Barclay, who are fully spoken of in the John Brown chapter, are among the first
settlers. Levi Leland and Levi Fawcett, whose name still remains among the

128 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

present land owners of the township, Moses Vamey, whose descendants still
reside in the vicinity, and Dr. Gill, all came in 1850.

After 1850 the settlement was more rapid and the first store was opened in
1851 by Louis Schofield and Thomas Winn. The latter is mentioned in another
connection when he went to Harper's Ferry on the mission of mercy to Edwin
Coppock. Winn was the postmaster when the Albins carried the mail from
Davenport to Iowa City. Jesse Bowersock settled in Iowa Township in 1844,
afterwards in Springdale, where he kept a store as he had on his land in the
former home. Macy and Fawcett later had a store on the same site. Thomas
Fawcett still lives in the township, having been there all these years. Jonathan
Maxson, now of West Liberty, also had a mercantile business. He has since
been postmaster of West Liberty for some seventeen years. Thomas James, who
was prominent in county affairs and the father of Jesse James, county clerk, was
once in business here. His widow still survives at the age of more than ninety
years. Her picture accompanies the reference. Elwood Macy, referred to above,
will be mentioned in the discussion of the Cedar County members of the State
Assembly.

There is an old blacksmith shop in Springdale that gives evidence of long use.
This was established in an early day. The first one referred to in the place -was
built by Eli Heald about 1853. Ed. ManfuU and Sol. Heald succeeded each other
in the wagon repairing and smith woiic In an early day the making of carriages
was a prosperous industry conducted by D. Schooley. Then was the time that
the home product was consumed on the spot and the shop that could repair and
produce the entire product had the advantage. The agricultural societies offered
inducements to the maker of the useful, and at this time the man who a>uld
improve upon the tools then in use was sure to have plenty to encourage him.^<^*

The old business of cheesemaking and like products under the co-operative
plan was once in order in the township, and one called the CcAd Stream Cheese
Factory was operated by a stock company. It was located on the southeast comer
of section two and now appears on the map as a creamery. The old West Branch
factory is also run as a creamery.

Springdale has not changed much with the passing years. It still has no
railway service and must depend on rural delivery and the telq)hone for com-
munication with the neighboring towns. Just now there is a movement to secure
the proposed interurban from Iowa City to Davenport, which would give ccm-
nection with the main lines of road and with the county seat. The business inter-
ests of Springdale are in the hands of a few people as compared to the time when
the railroad was further removed.

This part of Cedar is one of the richest and most desirable of the farming
communities that are the pride of the county. Of high moral tone, distinctly
religious, and sensible in all things that make for good citizenship, one can under-
stand its prosperity and influence in public affairs.

A Springdale correspondent gives in a sympathetic way th^ sketch of a man
who belongs in history under many titles. Educational interests knew him well ;
church interests knew him better; government service was acquainted with his
best efforts; many articles on public questions came from his pen; but all
human- advancement knew him best. This man was Lawrie Tatimi, who came

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 129

to Springdale in 1844. In July, 1871, he was appointed by President Grant
United States Indian Oxnmissioner with headquarters at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
The call came to him without preliminary notice and he respc«ided, and with the
assistance of his wife served seven thousand Indians for a period of four years.

For many reasons this man is known through written productions. ''Our
Red Brothers and the Peace Policy of President Grant" is said to be largely his
work. His magazine articles are nimierousand the pen was always a favorite
method of bis to give utterance to high ideals of citizenship. His last production
was a letter to a Des Moines daily giving expression to his opposition to the
Boer War. He died in January, 1900.

The landmark of Centredale is the old stone house built by Joseph Ball in
1862. Its history is about as follows : Centredale was established on the farm
of Mr. Ball when the B. C. R. & N., now part of the Rock Island system, was
built thnmgh there. In the year 1850 John Ball came to the vicinity of Centre-
dale, two years later James Ball, and in 1854 John S. Smith and son. There was
a district school house here and the railroad used it as a depot until one could
be built The school building was afterward used as a store. In 1862 the house
mentioned above was erected as a farm dwelling and is for the time quite modem.
The great effort it required and the time it took to get the material together
is the matter of interest. The stone came from near the quarry now known as
Bealer's, nine miles from the site of the house, and they were hauled with ox
teams, which required the greater part of three years to complete the work of
gathering the stone, sand, and lime for the stmcture. The land where this house
stands was entered by Joseph Ball in 1840, or about that date, but the family were
not destined to occupy the land n<M' house for any length of time, all but one being
called by death. B. F. Ball, the survivor, left the county for California in 1873.
Later he built a beautiful home of stone and pressed brick resembling, so it is
described, the old house at Centredale, at an expense of sixty thousand dollars.
Just as the story is told almost, the family is brdcen by death and the estate of the
former owner of the old house was given as three hundred thousand dollars.

Centredale is but a small station, but the story of the old house may give it a^
setting of interest.

Most of the history of Downey is told in connection with Springdale township,
but its name is not mentioned only by reference to settlers in that vicinity. It
is in the extreme southwest part of the county and must be reached from the other
parts by means of the Rock Island through West Liberty. The name comes
from Hugh D. Downey, the man who laid out the town. The land on which it is
situated was entered by James B. Berryhill in 1852, and afterwards transferred to
Mr. Downey, who afterwards sold the site of the town to A. B. Cornwall, when
it was resurveyed. Downey has at the present time a school building of sufficient
pretensicms to meet the needs of a town much larger in population and has
attempted to raise the standard of the schools far beyond most districts of the
valuation. An elevator and bank are among the recent improvements.

The town of Durant was laid out and platted by Benjamin Bra3rton in 1854, a
civil engineer then in the empk>y of the Rock Island railway. The name Brayton
remained with the town for some time, but it finally took its present title from
T. C. Durant, of Union Pacific railroad fame, who pledged himself to give eight

130 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

hundred dollars for the erecticm of a public school building. The town is r^;u-
larly laid out and the streets are eighty feet in width, running* ahnost according
to the points of the compass.

Durant is about twenty miles west of Davenport and is situated in one of the
richest farming communities in the state. In another part of this book is found
a statement of its banks which shows something to prove the assertion. Accord-
ing to the records the town was incorporated in April, 1867, after it had been
platted for thirteen years. H. C. Loomis and A. D. Peridns filed the petitioo.
The first mayor was Allen Nesbitt, a justice of the peace at the time. In the sur-
vey of 1854 two large squares were left for public purposes— one in the east and
one in the west part of the village. In the accompanying picture the present
condition of the west square is shown — ^filled with the shade trees put there in
the early days of the town.

The earliest settlers in this vicinity were David and Geo. Walton, who opened
their claims three miles west in connection with their father, David W., in May,
1836. When this was written they were said to have been the oldest settlers in
the county, and this is not now disputed. The names of Walton do not now
appear in the township as holders of the land which they opened to settlement so
long ago, but in Sugar Creek. The change has come in the natural exchange of
real prc^erty and for other reasons which cannot now be discussed.

Harrison Gray came to this neighborhood, but settled in Muscatine County
and does not therefore now concern the writer, since the matter must belong to
another county so far as his history of a later time goes.

In March, 1854, Joseph Weaver, a graduate of Princeton College, who had
mastered the law under Judge McCandles of the United States courts in western
Pennsylvania, and who had spent some time in the law, came to the vicinity and
entered his farm, commencing active work upon it at once. He was not accus-
tomed to the trials of the new farmer, and gives the expression to his feelings in
the following: "This was my first da/s work on a farm and well do I remember
it. Trudging along on the plowed ground, dust flying in thick clouds all about
us, when night came we looked more like the South African than office bleached
lawyers. I thought as I returned from the field at evening, sore and dusty, and
so weary that if this was farming in Iowa I guess Til quit" But he did not quit
and afterward was glad of it.

The first settlers in this vicinity came from New Haven, Conn., and they were
soon followed by those from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and the New
England states. The first building erected in Durant was one by James Young,
a carpenter, for C. M. Loomis. It was a one-stoiy structure and was used hf^
the owner for a residence only a short time when he returned east, having been
overcome with that dread disease — homesidaiess. No buildings of that originah
time are now standing. After they served their various purposes they were re-
placed and so remodeled as to be beyond recognition.

The second building is interesting for the reason that it was for the office of
the first physician. Dr. Bills, and while planned for his use it was rented at once
for a home by a Mr. Cunningham, and he soon found himself running the only
hotel in town with a dozen or more patrons and a house twelve by sixteen feet
in dimensions. When Mr. Fisher wrote the "History of Durant," from which

RESIDEXCE OF W. A. KE8TER, CENTERDALE

SCHONBORN ELEVATOR, CENTERDALE

4

i \k I 'MvARY

*pr^'R. LENaX AND

T: M'iA Pi/rNTiATKWfl

It L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 188

these facts are drawn, Dr. Bills had put this building to a more humble use, and it
was the oldest building standing on its original foundation.

The third building in the town was the depot. One does not always find such
a building used for so many purposes, perhaps seldom one better say, for it
furnished the church for many years and here the school meetings were held when
the matter of educational equipment was discussed. This is said to have been
the first building erected for the express purpose of depot service in the state of
lovxL The hotel was built by the proprietors of the town. Cook and Sargent, of
Davenport. It was leased by Mr. Downs, the first station agent in the town and
the proprietor of the first store. In the fall of 1855 the Western Stage Ccwnpany
opened a line from this place to Tipton, continuing it for three months, for which
they received from the proprietors of the town five hundred dollars. The same
fall the railroad track was laid through here and now people came thick and fast
to settle the new town. The manufacture of brick was undertaken here in the
summer of '56, but owing to some difficulty with the railroad it was given up.

The post office, which had been at Centre Grove on the Hanson Farm, was
moved to town in '56 and John E. Whittlesey became the first postmaster.

It is interesting to note that the first shipment of produce was six barrets of
game. This was sent out on the passenger train then running from this place on
January 10, 1856. The first wheat shipment )vas one hundred and ninety-eight
bags to Hull, Purvis and Co., Davenport. The first car of wheat was loaded in
February, '56, and was also consigned to Davenport. It must be ranembered
here that these are the very first rail shipments ftx)m this county. The first car of
wheat to Chicago went out in the fall of 1857. ~ The first car of onions was
shipped to Davenport by B. P. Putnam in 1857. The first freight received was
two cars of luniber for H. S. Downs in 1856. A lumber yard was established in
1857 by Allen and Williams.

The first birth in the town was a daughter of Isaac Gilbert, December 12,
1857, and she was named Mary Durant and received from the founders of the
town the prcmiised warranty deed to lot five in block ten. From inference it is
concluded that the first passenger train came through or to Durant in the winter
of '55. The first Sunday school was organized in 1855 ^^^ continued many years
as a union school. Rev. Thomas Dutton came to Iowa as a missionary in '43,
locating north of the village in i866.^<^^ His name is still familiar to those inter-
ested in the Sunday schools of the vicinity.

Item. — ^"A New Store in a New Place." We call the attention of our readers
to the new advertisement of the "Farmers' Store of W. O. Ludlow of Durant.
This town, it will be remembered, is the only town on the line of the Mississippi
and Missouri Railroad in this county and is destined to be a place of no small note.
We (Wells Spicer) passed through there on the cars. We did not have time to
stop, but did have time to witness many valuable improvements; conspicuous
among these is a new church, the steeple of which can be seen for many miles
across the prairies. Also the store of Mr. Ludlow, who now bespeaks a share
of Cedar County patronage." *<>«

Officials of Durant at present datc^ E. F. Jockhedc, Mayor; W. H. Crecilius,
Treasurer; Paul Samberg, Qerk; Councilmen, Herm. Branch^ Gus. Thiel, Geo.
Hamann, A. F. Schiele, Hugo Boldt.

184 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

When the Qinton branch of the B. C. R. & N., now known as the Rock Island,
became an assured proposition (1884), it was also certain that a new town would
be platted in Inland township. Inland had been a post office and had some
business, but the railroad had left it to the north, and a station in the eastern part
of the county was necessary.

Nels Stanton and Dick Hill were the prime movers in the matter, and these
men, in conjunction with Piatt and Carr, and Mr. Bennett, the right-of-way man
for the B. C. R. & N., and for whom the town is named, constituted the commit-
tee to select a site for the new town.

After some deliberation the new site was located on forty acres of the Long
farm, belonging to two of the committee. Hill and Stanton. Stock shipments
were begun as soon as cars could be obtained. T. S. Chapman put in the first
stock of lumber and Mr. Hopldnson built the first blacksmith shop. M. G. Block-
man began to buy grain in the fall. Jiohn Tem^deton opened the first business
house, moving frcmi Inland. Drs. Colton and B<xnan came from Inland and
established a drug store. W..G. Bevier opened a branch lumber yard in. charge
of Walter Swartzlender. Two hotels were established early in the town and b1\
lines of business developed rapidly.

The former town of Inland has been swallowed up by the later development of
a railroad town to the south, to which place the business went when Bennett was
laid out in 1884. The Postens at the grove, which took their name, were the first
settlers in this vicinity in 1836. The oldest living pioneer of this vicinity is
"Uncle John Ackerman," now in his ninety-second year and willing and able to
tell of his life with the Indians when the prairie was still without habitation and
no white man near. His adventures are thrilling and his experiences full of that
which makes the conunon events of life seem tame. Mr. Ackerman is now living
a short distance east of Bennett and enjoys the telling of the stories of his early
days. In 1839 a tavern was established in order to accommodate the travelers on
the Davenport-Marion road not far from the present town of Bennett. This
was conducted by J. C. Hallock at the suggestion of John P. Cook, a resident of
Tipton. Thomas Curtis was the first settler at Inland village. Here he kept a
public house and established a wagon repair shop.

Inland had the promise of any town then, but after it had attained the growth
expected of such a place in the lines of business generally followed in the villages
it an disappeared when the moving began. The early mail service was as in other
places overland from the nearest point of general delivery, and the marketing
must be done at Davenport, the point of distribution of manufactured goods.
Bennett is now the junction of the Davenport branch and the Clinton division of
the Rock Island, and has ccmsiderable business of railroad nature. The trains
are run to make connections here, and this is a point of division of the traffic.
Bennett provided for water works in 1902 and has a system with good supply,
using a pressure system for distribution instead of a tower, as is the custom in
most of the county towns.

The present officers of Bennett are : Mayor, H. W. Dammann ; Qerk, J. B.
Vaughn; Treasurer, E. P. Wingert; Coundlmen, James Plater, Henry Ruser,
J. H. Abraham, H. R. Chapman and H. Heineman.

BLACKSMITH SHOP. SI'R1X(JI>ALK
MAFN STRKKT. SPR1NGI>AI,K. I.OOKINO

/ y V

t . / .V i.;.i\ARY

Ti..^r.}S F.,t n: at;, me

J

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 137

Another town was platted west of Stanwood on the line between Fremont and
Pioneer townships. This tract belonged to David Dorwart, and under the same
arrangement with the railway company as other towns he secured the location of a
town site about the year 1857. Previous to this in 1854 or '55 John Onstott and
D. H. Comstock laid out the original town of Mechanicsville. The original plat
comprised about sixty acres and lay in the western part of what is now the main
portion of the town. The land between the "Iroquois" tract, as the easten\
portion Ijring over the line in Fremont was formerly called, and the original plat
of Mechanicsville was laid out in lots in order to unite the two, and thus a tract
of one hundred and twenty acres was included in the town plat. The depot was
then located on the western portion instead of as at first anticipated. The town
being thus in two townships at one time caused some difficulty about elections, as
one officer's election was contested on the grounds of votes from another town-
ship b^ing cast for him. The town gets its name from the character of the first
settlers in the western part of the town, and was given the place by Mr. Onstott
They were mechanics and the owner himself was such, so the name was well taken,
although it is frequently abbreviated by those using it much in correspondence.

Mechanicsville suffered from a severe fire in 1883, which destroyed the south
side of the business street. No means qi fighting the fire were at hand beyond
the ordinary "bucket brigade," and m^ny narrow escapes were experienced. The
water system has since been established and protection is ample. The electric
lighting plant was first put into service in 1899 by Helmer and Dawson, and was
commended as of first-class constructicm. The history of the organizations of
the town are given in other connections. The cuts accompanying the chapter give
some idea of the prosperity of the corporation.

The original town was in the south half of section thirteen of Pioneer town-
ship, and the Iroquios addition lies to the east, extending over the line into Fre-
mont, the Batdorf addition lying wholly in that township according to record,*^®
and it would seem proper in this case to do as Lowden has done — arrange to get
the entire town into one township if there is no constitutional objection. Fewer
additi(ms have been made to the original plat perhaps because the enlargement
was made in the beginning when the depot was placed on the western portion
after the eastern part had been platted.

The town officers reported now include: Leonard Hines, Jr., Mayor; J. H.
Onstatt, Recorder; H. E. Gibeaut, Treasurer; Councilmen, Lines Bennett, O. J.
Davison, Geo. Nagle, F. W. Leech, and L. H. Andre.

Onion Grove Station was the name first given to the stopping place of the
trains on the Chicago and N<^hwestem railway, then known by the name as often
written in the chapter on transportation, the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska. The
name is suggestive of the neig:hborhood of the grove two miles north of the
present site of the town, where the familiar wild onion grew in abundance at that
time, perhs^s not now to be had at all. A similar plant may be found in the tim-
ber, but the quality is far different from the prairie kind one may come upon in
the open land in the northern part of the state. The post office at Onion Grove
was first supplied from the route running from Iowa City to Dubuque and once
to Galena, 111., when Alonzo Shaw said he rode two hundred miles each week on
horseback to carry out his contract. One may read his own words in the chapter

138 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

on the subject of transportation. Dayton township was named at a late, com-
paratively late, date, since it is on record as being made from Polk, once the
fractional part of ''Waubespinicon" township. The banks of Mill Creek supplied
the traveler with the necessary onion portion of his meal if he desired such
addition.

The Northwestern passing two miles irom this post office caused its removal,
and the lack of euphony in the name led in to the change in 1862. Strictlyj
speaking the name Qarence comes from the Latin, clarus, meaning famous, but
that was not supposed to be the reason for its adoption now as some town of the
same name in the parent state suggested it here to the one who selected it

A vacant freight car served for the first station some distance east of the
present station near the McNeil farm then.

The town of Qarence as now platted lies in sections 22, 23, 26, and 26 and was
originally laid out by the land cempany organized for the purpose of ccmtroUing
the town sites along the line of road then building. Joseph Ball was the owner
of the forty acres on which the original plat was made, but he sold to the town
company. It is not stated whether this Joseph Ball is the same one who settled
early in the history of the county near Centredale, but one may suppose the two
to be identical. The other part of the original plat belonged to James Laughrey,
which the company also purchased.

The r^naining part of the section on which the forty acres platted from sec-
tion 27 lay was purchased in 1865 ^^y F^^ Hecht, M. K. H. Reed, and A. Piatt,
with the exception of the northwest quarter, and that portion known as Hecht's
addition was made to the town of Clarence. The school building and water works
are located upon this addition. The town was incorporated in 1866, according to
the records, and secured public improvements since then in the form of water
works in 1890, and a municipal gas plant was voted upon in 1895, when the ladies
had the rare privilege of voting. The system is pronounced a success and was
the first plant of the kind in the county. Qarence enjoys the reputation also of
having the only public watering fountain for man and beast in the county so far
as discovered.

The oldest business building in Qarence is the one occupied by C. Peterson
as a boot and shoe store on the north side of Lombard Street. This was the
store once occupied by Friend and Culberts<Mi, who established a branch store
from their Tipton business house with Mr. Fred Hecht as clerk. In i860 the
firm of Friend and Culbertson built across the street and later were succeeded by
Hecht and Policy. The line of business of the towns as conducted in the early
history of their organization has changed in many particulars. What then was
in demand made the production of many things at home possible, and the manu-
facture on the large scale had not then been felt as to-day. The idle sh(q>s, the
empty hotels and store rooms indicate to the observer the rapid changes in the
service of all the towns that once flourished in the new country before maiicets
became so frequent or movement so swift. Firms are constantly changing until
it is impossible to enumerate all that may have been engaged in any one line of
business in a single decade. In the largest town in Cedar County almost every
business house in the town has changed hands in the past ten years.

MAIN STREET, STANWOOD

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 141

The manufacture of goods of doomtic use in an agricultural region was ex-
tensive until the great factories with millions of capital took the market from the
small producer. In all the towns of this county the industry concerned with
making of farm implements and iron work was carried on in the vicinity until
these things were made wholesale ready to use without the intervention of the
mechanic, until now the occupations of the first days have gone to find in many
cases nothing to take the place of the former trade. The man who manufactured
barrels and casks, who made baskets or harrows, b now out of that particular
occupation since he can no longer compete with the machine and massed capital.

All this line of work was carried on in Clarence in an early day, but now the
manufacture of such things as found forty years ago is not thought of in any
serious way. To-day the repair shc^ comes the nearest to the needs of the farmer
and ready made goods meet the demand.

The old mill that used to stand at Rochester after having fulfilled its mission
there was removed, as mentioned in another connection, to the neighborhood of
Clarence when James Cessford bought it at sheriff's sale. That mill had made
flour for shipment down the Cedar river by boat loads, and at the present time
the only mill in the county that makes flour is the Nelson mill at Durant

Clarence was incorporated in 1866 under the general laws of the state and
the first mayor was James De W<rff .

The present mayor is S. S. Crittenden; CoUndlmen, S. L. McLeod, John
Greig, Hosea Ballou, Fred G<ddsmith, A. S. Rossman ; Town Qerk, F. W. Crow ;
Treasurer, H. A. Jons.

The original town nearest to the location of Stapwood was called Floumoy,
about one-half mile east of the station. The owners of the town site were S. H.
and Wm. C. Maley and William Preston. Some time in September, 1868, they
began n^otiations with the C. & N. W. railroad authorities to erect a station house
for passengers and freight and lay the necessary sidetracks to accommodate the
traffic and give this place every facility furnished other towns along the line. In
consideration for such service the proprietors of the town as menticxied agreed
to give the company every alternate lot throughout the plat and four acres for
railway yards.

Up to the middle of January, 1869, no signs of any town appeared where
Stanwood now stands beyond the survey and a small sidetrack. On January 20th
of that year Mr. W. W. Allen began the first house. By the time spring opened
there was a substantial growth of some thirty buildings. ]chn Dorcas of Red
Oak began the second house in Stanwood. The delay in erecting a depot was due
to the press of business of the con:q>any and the town proprietors were early
assured of the building in the spring of 1869. At this time Mr. H. P. Stanwood
was assistant superintendent of the C. & N. W., and for him the town was named.
This was the nearest stati<Hi to Tipton and from there the county seat was supplied
until its road was completed in November, 1872.

The Northwestern railway maintains extensive equipments for the supply of
water and fuel at Stanwood and the improvements of the company make the
future of the junction one of security. Trains must stop here for coal and
water and passengers must be allowed to land for the Tipton connection.
Additional sidetracks are being laid to accommodate the traffic at this point.

142 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

There has been some rumor of a northern coimectioa which would be of great
additicHial benefit to Stanwood. The first town of Floumoy is forgotten except
by the oldest settlers, and there are CMily a few left who remember the time when
this was open land before the road was built. The history of schools, churches,
and other public organizations belcmgs in its proper chapter.

The Mayor of Stanwood is James George; Chris. Stoecker, Qerk; Council-
men, Ed. Gruber,. M. H. Rice, W. C. Jackson, H. F. Haesemeyer, E. J. Bemstorf,
Their regular meetings are on Monday night, the first in the month.

In 1858 the railroad reached Lowden, the first stopping place of the Chicago
& Northwestern in Cedar County. The first settlers of this vicinity came in '39,
among them being some names very familiar to the early settlers of tfie county —
John C. Parr and his four sons ; William Parr and his five sons, and John Parr,
the brother of the other two. It was James VanHom who entered the site of the
present village of Lowden in 1839. This was an early day for this r^on, since
settlement did not increase very rapidly until after 1850, when the entire county
felt the rapid growth of population. Not only here but into other sections people
began to find their way more readily.

July 5, 1858, the railway was completed to this station and pushed westward
a little later. Not far from this point the junction with a line .to Tipton was
pr(q>osed, which proposal was never accepted or the ccmnection now would be east
and west instead of north and south.

I'he Iowa Land Company had a hand in the settlement of this place, as in
many of the other towns along the line. Seven acres were donated to the com-
pany by James VanHom, and Thomas Shearer gave up five more, making twelve
in the original town site, which lies in section two of Springfield township. This
was surveyed for the company on behalf of its agents, Horace Williams and
Milo Smith, known now as Judge Milo P. Smith of Cedar Rapids, and it was
called "Louden" after the Ohio home of Thomas Shearer, Loudenville, Ohio^
The name now is now spelled with a "w," Lowden, when referring to the post
office. Several additions have been made to the original site. Shearer has made
two on the east, J. D. Shearer one on the north. Walker and Meyer have added
to the east side. Peterson two additions on the north, Denson, Hahn and Banks
each small additions in the same part of the town since Reed's additicm came up
to the section line.

The town was originally in two townships, or was after the additions had been
made over the section line into Massillon township, and a petition wa$ presented
to the board of supervisors to detach a part of the northern township anc[ add it
to Springfield, which was done. The town was incorporated in 1869 with Wm.
McGarvy as the first mayor. J. D. Shearer was the first justice of the peace and
held this office from 1857 to 1865, when he became sheriflf of the county for ten
years.

One of the oldest business firms in the county is found here, having a con-
tinuous business life of fifty years — ^the Peterson Brothers formerly, now Freund
& Co. They do a general merchandise business, carrying everjrthing that the
vicinity could demand and doing a private banking business in connection.

Among the oldest residents of the place are M. L. Banks, Henry Moore,
Henry Heiner, David Kimball, who are able to pve the history of the town.

CITY HALL, LOWDEN

CLINTON STREET, LOWDEN

kr"n\. tr^'vx AND

B L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 146

Before the railway had reached the town site a store had been put into opera-
tion by Wm. Dttgan, who built the first house on the prairie here where the road
was in prospect Huff and Henry formed a partnership soon after this in the
mercantile business.

Lowden has been a stopping place for all trains except those carrying a full
service for the needs of passengers and an eating house furnished the hungry
man with his necessary meal. This has been an important part of the railway
yards here and the double track line has made it a busy place in the past For
miles it seems the straight track tends to the westward without a curve so far as
the eye can reach from the station, and the surrounding country is rich enough
for the most exacting.

For a town of its size Lowden has the best city hall in the county. Its pdblic
school building is one of latest design both in construction and equipment,
and the location is ideal. The town maintains a municipal gas plant on the same
plan as Qarence.

G. F. Reinldng is the present Mayor; E. R. Struck, Clerk; Councilmen, J. H.
Andersen, C. Boettger, H. Gassier, D. W. Conrad, H. R. Griesback.

Soon after Carlisle had been planned five miles south of the present town of
Lowden, another village was laid out four miles north. The second had more to
make it a success since it lies near a stream and happened to be in the line of a
railway afterward. Its survey was completed in 1854 before the signs of any
railway in the vicinity, and now the little town of Massillon has about one hundred
and fifty inhabitants. It is near by the Wapsepinicon and on a branch of the
Milwaukee. This place was originally known as "Benson's Ferry," named for
Joseph Denson, who first settled here and established it. In this place now is a
bridge of some eleven hundred feet. This was one of the partnership bridges
originally erected by the farmers paying one^half and the county the other ]}alf.
A new one has taken its place, which is the one referred to above.

The town was resurveyed and platted in 1875 by F. A. Gates, then county
surveyor, at the request of three citizens and assented to by a fourth one of the
original proprietors of the town, Mr. William Williams. The first settlements
were made in this r^on in 1840. Jdin Shriver came here in July of that year.
His son Hiram resides in Lowden at this writing. Williams, mentioned above,
came in '40 and Abraham Williams in 1841. Like many others in 1850 he crossed
the plains to California and was more successful than many. In 1843 the Thorns
came to this township, also the Morton family. M. D. Keith, Ira Brink, and
Levi VanSickle came in 1850. H. A. Emerson was identified with this region
for over half a century. Geo. Jeffrey came in 1851, and Hon. J. M. Kent in '52.
He represented the district as senator in the eighth and ninth general assemblies.
F. A. Gates settled her« in 1853 ^^^ afterward served the cotmty as surveyor for a
period of five years. Settlers came from this time very rapidly and the railroad
through the northern part of the county made this community one of the first
to be served. Today Massillon is a village, small in trades and business, but
delightfully situated on the stream with the poetical Indian name. Surrounded by
a rich country it gives one the impression of comfort without anxiety, security
without needed defence. An eye for the interesting points and a pen to describe
must bel(mg to the one who wrote this : "The Wapsipinicon majestically winds

146 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

its way along the fine timber lands on the north and east of the village. To the
east are the rocky bluffs, which have been washed by 'Wapsie waters' for many
ages so far as we know. Here are the famous natural wells. Here is where the
people for miles around spend many happy hours in the summer seasons. From
the farm of Henry Ruprecht, a half mile southeast, one gets the best view of this
vicinity. The little hamlet, the river, the ponds and meadows, the bluffs, the rail-
road and wooded lands all combine to make the place worthy of a painter's brash,
and it must be seen to be appreciated."*^^

Cedar Bluffs has figured in the county history very prominently since the agita-
tion of the bridge construction across the Cedar at some point to accommodate
the people. Mason's Grove was the nearest point of settlement in the b^;inning.
Here it is recorded that Jackemiah Baldwin (the spelling of the Christian name
has this form on the county records and there seems to be no authority for spelling
it as found in the Old History) settled in the year 1837, bringing his three sons
and being accompanied by two friends, John Malic and Geo. Parks, who settled
near. Mason's Grove received its name from the man who settled there in the
same year, but a little later in the season. The name of Mason and Baldwin still
24>pear among the land owners of this neighborhood. Our friend Tom Baldwm
of Tipton is a grandson of the first Baldwin mentioned and also a grandson of
John Finch, who came to the county in 1837 and purchased his claim o.f Samuel
Gilliland, who had begun improvements in that part of Center township.

William Kester was the first settler on the west side of the river in that part
belonging to Cass township. He died very early in the history of the place.
Among the other early settlers before the year 1840 were Alexander and Prank
Mofiit with their father, who died in this vicinity. The old M<^t homestead
log house is among the landmarks of the township. Mrs. Jacob Hardacre and
Mrs. Wm. Neeley were of this family.

Of these pioneers the only ones remaining are Alexander Moffit and Jacob
Hardacre, the latter living in Missouri.

Washington and Gower's Ferry and Cedar Bluffs are names for the same
kxration on the map, having been applied at different times in the history of the
place. The names of Gower and Hammond are associated with the locality as
early as 1839, when James Gower and Willard Hammond bought the claims of a
number of settlers in Cass township. Gower operated the store and ferry at this
point about 1840 and later in his life of the family, but eariy in the state's history,
removed to Iowa City. He is mentioned elsewhere in connection with the county
in the law-making branch of the state government.

Robert Gower, who worked so faithfully to secure a bridge at this point and
died before he saw it accomplished, came to this settlement in 1841 with his four
sons. For Robert Gower the township was named and his son Sewall continued
the work of his father until the building of the bridge was acccnnplished in 1877.

This part of the county is destined at some time to be the center of an industry
as yet undreamed of, since the natural advantages have been seen at this time in
the preliminary efforts to which the following refers :

Attention has been called to the natural advantages which this site offers for
the construction of a dam to furnish water power for turning the energy of the
stream into the form of electricity, this to be distributed to various points so far

]

CITY WATER WORKS, CLARF.NCE
EAST LOMBARD STREET, CI.AREXCE

■fl

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 149

as feasible to be redistributed among the oxisumers of low vcdtage or to be used
in the driving of lines of cars between the towns lying in the district. Surveys
have been made to determine the necessary territory to be ccmsidered in dam area,
and it is well known that the site is one of the very best in the country for such
improvement. So long ago as 1876, when the bridge was built here, the advantage
of the solid rock was noted and described by a scientific journal, the Engineering
News: "There is a narrow gorge in the river just below where the channel is
hemmed in by a perpendicular wall of magnesian limestone, forty feet high. The
channel here is about 480 feet wide and has a rock bottom and the water at its
lowest stag« is about two and one-half feet deep. The stone for the piers and
abutments will be taken from the magnesian beds in the vicinity. The stone has
very regular beds so that the work of cutting will be small.'' Companies have
been organized to exploit this power and the time will not be li^g until the wasted
power will be availaUe.

When the Albins carried the mail and the passengers from Davenport to Iowa
City across the prairie in 1849 there was no sign of an inhabitant in that part of
the county where West Branch is now located. Only the station on their stage
line a short distance east of the site. To this place David Tattmi and a few others
came in 1850 and they were followed shortly by William Townsend. Then the
lines of travel were faintly marked and no one could depend on the chance of
finding his way without previous preparation. The well known settlers, EH
Hoover, James Townsend, Thomas Barrington, Joseph Steer, and Michael King,
came in '53. The rival towns of West Branch and Cameron were each surveyed
in the year 1869, the second a few months later than the first, taking its name
fnmt the chief engineer of the B. C. R. & N. railway. These towns retained the
names but a short time when the present title covered the whole corporadcm.

Joseph Steer laid out the town of West Branch in May of 1869, acting for
John M. Wetherell, whose name is retained for one of the streets of the town.
This part of West Branch was much smaller in area than the part called Cameron
and contains now most of the business secticm. Many additions have been made
to the original site. On the west and north Steer^s, Oliphant's and Witter's addi*
ticms, and on the east Townsend's and Michener's additions, making a large terri-
tory, which gives roomy lots and a comfortaUe appearance to the residence por-
tion. West Branch has a good system of dectric lighting and an efficient water
works plant, a recent well furnishing a supply that seems inexhaustible.

The trade in lumber has been especially marked here, the town supporting two
extensive yards. Its business section has some excellent buildings. The recent
bank building which was purchased by the Odd Fellows being an illustration.
This was erected in 1908.

The town was incorporated in 1875 under the direction of J. Steer, James
Townsend, E. Grinnell, L. J. Miles, and W. D. Hanmiell, as commissioners of the
election. It then contained about three hundred inhabitants.

Historically the most interesting building is the old home of James Townsend
where the travelers of the days of the stage were entertained and the name 'Trav-
eler's Rest" was applied to it It stands to the left on the road toward Springdale
and from the picture in this volume one may recognize it very readily. It is not
now on its original site.

150 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

West Branch has a post office building that is especially commendable and it
is distinguished by having a library building and post office beyond the usual town
of its size. The government approved the plans of the present postmaster when
he submitted them and the lease runs here for ten years at a time. The special
feature that cxie is first called upon to notice is the entrance built to acco(Qmodate
the puWic in all kinds of weather. Another that speaks well for the comfort of
the postal clerk and those who must work in the interior is the skylight which
furnishes the illimiination for the entire room. It suggests a way of avoiding
dark rooms. Mr. Wickersham arranged the plans and submitted them to th^
proper officials. The library is discussed in another chapter.

The city officers of West Branch at this date are below :

Mayor, L. J. Leech ; Qerk, A. R. Caviri ; Councilmen, D. L. Ball, J. T. Butler,
G. C. Hoover, M. W. Munger, and P. V. N. Myers.

The town of Cedar Valley is best discussed in connection with the Bealer
quarry, since the quarry is the making of the town, and when that industry stops
it must of necessity cease to be of importance. At the end of the bridge across
the Cedar into Gower Township the village contains a few houses for business
and the shops of the quarry.

Plato and Buchanan may be included in one paragraph. The name of the first
is suggestive of Greek philosophy and the second, as some may suppose, of fhe
former president of the United States, but here is where he would make his mis-
take. The fine farm home of Alex. Buchanan lies to the north and it is well that
the station should be known by that of a citizen so well known.

These stations are for the accommodation of shippers in this portion of the
county and cannot have much to make them grow into towns of any future great-
ness. They came into being in 1884 when the road reached that part of the county.
Sunbury is another of the smaller towns that furnishes a nearby outlet to the
products of the farmer and brings the supplies he needs to his door ; it is one of
the last to be platted since this is the last branch of railroad to be built in the
county limits. Its principal streets are Main, then Henry, Hugo, Herman, and
Albert.

There was once a post office on the mail route from east to west across the
southern part of the county in Iowa Township proper, since one must always
consider that all lying west of the river at first was of the same common title,
that promised to be a village of some hundreds of houses more or less. This was
Pedee and took its name from a river in the homeland of a settler. Long before
the town of Springdale became the center of reference for that side of the river
the post c^ce was known in other parts. Here John Brown came and in 1866 a
writer never referred to any place as the headquarters of the band except at Pedee.
The first inhabitant here, according to the opinion of the old settlers, was the man
who figures in the earliest records of the pounty courts as found in that c^ce today
— Qement Squires and his family. He left the county in 1840, perhaps because
of the reputation he had won here.

Robert G. Roberts, whom the versatile artist has drawn in cartoons and whom
the wit has made to say queer things in his official capacity as a member of the
territorial legislature, was one of the first settlers in this township. When he

BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF BENNETT FROM THE SOUTH

. \ » *■

l\ :• \ l'U..\i Y

H ^

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 153

came is disputed, but it was about 1837, and it matters little now as to the exact
minute or day for the purpose of the data necessary to fix him as part of the
county's possession in history. George Frain is the authority for the statement
that Mr. Roberts bought his claim of Squires for twenty dollars and if so he did
a good deed in getting rid of Squires. The experiences of these settlers were not
different than the others who came at that time. The usual difficulties confronted
them and they made the humblest things answer for the time being until they could
do better. Under the heading of outlawry the names of Stoutenburg and Warren
appear as settlers of this township in the northern part. Ebenezer A. Gray, a
member of the board of supervisors and a most valued citizen, with his family
and father, Thomas Gray, came to the township in '39, settling near what is called
Gray's Ford, a point much discussed at the time of the bridge controversy.
William Maxson, a brother-in-law of Mr. Gray, and his sons Jonathan and Thad-
deus and Kurtz, came at the same time. The first of these brothers now lives in
West Liberty where he has been postmaster and editor of the paper of that place.
Thaddeus Maxson lives in Springdale at this date, spending his winters in Cali-
fornia. The Grays still own land in Iowa Township.

At the first election after Iowa Township was organized in 1840, Robert G.
Roberts, E. A. Gray and Thomas Lingle were appointed as judges. Twenty votes
were polled then. E. A. Gray and A. G. Smith were elected as justices of the
peace, and Robert G. Roberts was elected as county commissioner for this town-
ship (?).

A well known character in the vicinity whose name is iattached to a deed g^ven
by Wm. Maxscm as notary was William Hoch. His name indicates that he was
of French descent and he is said to have been conversant with many languages
and been held in high regard by his neighbors. To have the history of this man
alone would be worth many hours of research, but where shall one go now for
his story in the brief time of his residence. The name has been familiar to the
writer of this from the days of student life when one who came from this county
and must have been a descendant of the same family was a member of the classes.

It seems that the ever-present Stephen Toney was once postmaster at Pedee.
The first post office was located near the timber where Elisha Henry was the gov-
ernment's representative.

In the spring of 1837 the surveying of township lines was begun. This of
course refers to congressional townships only, since there was no provision yet
for the naming of civil townships as they are known today, even if the lines hap-
pened to correspond. If some one had the time one of the most interesting series
of maps obtainable could be made from the history of the civil townships of
Cedar County. It is conmiended to the future county auditor as an interesting
pastime and yet of illuminating importance to the office over which he presides.
When the survey tock place as mentioned above the laying out of new towns that
might furnish the incentive to g^eat growth in the future and made men dream of
fortunes over night, became a common subject of thought. Among these ventures
one is of importance, since here the first store in the county opened for business.
Centreville was on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section four,
now in Sugar Creek Township. John C. Higginson, Sheller and others were

164 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

interested in the venture as the future county seat when the time came for its
settlement Sargent, Shelter and Company opened the first store here. How long
it continued is not now a matter to be verified, but at last accounts all that re-
mained of the store building was an old cellar and fireplace not far from the
Muscatine road^ and the home of W. M. Port.

SECTION IV,

EDUCATIONAL.

The earliest type of school is described by those who were members of groups
where the need was felt, where the facilities were limited, but where a way was
found to provide for the need. While they are much alike in the beginning, each
has its independent history, in many ways suggestive of the character of those who
were concerned in its estaUishment. The custom of previous experiences comes
out in these first forms and the improvements in accommodations does not neces-
sarily show an improvement in spirit above that of the early settler. A keen
admiration must stir the present generation when it reflects on the e:q>eriences,
trials and courage of the beginners in school affairs. The name school is given
to many things, but there is only one pioneer school, only one that can stir the
imagination to a point that makes it wish for the real preservaticm of a type school.
In these pages some of the old kind are described and incidents related which
bring the past into view preparatory to connecting it with the present, that there
may seem to be no gap in the history of the educational forces in this county. It
has taken a long time, much patience, many experiments, many failures, and more
successes to produce the present conditicHi. Let us trace the matter from the
beginning, let us put in order the events of interest so far as they may be profit-
able : ''The school house was built of logs with a fire place in one end of it which
constituted our heating plant. The seats were long benches running the entire
length of the room, with a wide plank next the wall, which served as a desk and
when we used all the agility we possessed in changing our positions so that we
could face either way — the desk or the center of the room, as our fancies might
dictate. There was, of course, a total lack of school apparatus with the exception
of a board scrnie two feet wide by four feet long and which by courtesy was called
a Uackboard, although the paint was soon dimmed by time and use.

Notwithstanding these primitive surrotmdings we were fortunate in having
teachers who somehow inspired us and who required us to learn our lessons. At
that time there were no examinations for teachers and the school directors were
permitted to employ whomsoever they pleased. Whether those of our district
were more competent to decide who were fitted to give instruction than those in
other sections of the country I do not know, but I think the work compared quite
favorably with the work done in a majority of the rural districts of today.

155

156 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Our main battles were with the three R's, and I am fully persuaded that we
were able to read as intelligiently, to write as legibly, and to spell better than the
average high school graduate of today, while our arithmetics were things to be
studied, not guessed at, things to be digested, not picked at. Grammar, composi-
tion and literature were not deemed essential and were utterly neglected." The
writer of the above goes on to say that "in the second year a new schoolhouse
was erected which we thought quite elegant, but which would hardly answer even
in the backwoods at this time in our history. For several years there was but one
school house in the township and pupils came three or four (and occasionally
more) miles to reach the school. With the passage of the law requiring examina-
tions of teachers and giving a general supervision of the work the conditicrti of
the schools improved. The Tipton Union School (see elsewhere) was an impor-
tant factor in preparing teachers for their work in these early days and as other
graded schools came into existence the teaching improved greatly.^^^ Probably
the first school in the county was in Rochester Township at the hom^ of Col.
Henry Hardman and it is described by a family jeJaticHi : "The same room which
was fitted for preaching services ('37 or '38) was later used for school purposes,
a petition was circulated, a teacher secured, Moses B. Church, who was the fii^t
clerk of the Commissioners, and the first school consisted of twenty pupils. The
number increased so rapidly that a school building was deemed necessary. The
first school house was erected by the people of this same neighborhood about one-
half mile northwest of the Hardman residence. It was named *Hebron.' This
building stood for a number of years. Now a modem building stands to maiic
the spot where the first one stood in those pioneer days. A little later a building
for school purposes was erected in the village of Rochester." ^^*

The first school in Iowa Township is said to have been established in 1845 and
is known as Pedee. It was located one-half mile north and one-half mile east of
its present site ; the school house was on the east side of Pedee creek on the north-
east comer of the farm now owned by Mr. Mixell.^^* The earliest school in
Farmington Township is known now as "Burr Oak." It is located in the south-
western part. The first building was about twelve by sixteen feet in dimensions,
built of rough boards. John Quincy Tufts, a farmer residing in the neighbor-
hood, was the first teacher. The second school in the township was established
at Durant. The district was organized in the depot on the evening of June 30,
1856. In '57 a tax of one and a half mills was voted to build a school house. Dur-
ing the winter of '57 school was taught in a room in the hotel by Lafayette Parker
at Three dollars per month tuition, (No free schools then in Iowa. — ^Ed.) Jan.
II, '58, it was voted to erect a building not to exceed $800 in cost. Cook and
Sargent gave the fractional block north of the west public square, and a building
twenty-six by thirty feet was erected in the spring of '58. In 1869 * new building
was erected at a cost of 3,500 dollars. This is described as of two stories, thirty-
six by sixty feet, with library, recitaticMi rooms and large hall above. Durant be-
came an independent district in 1857. It was then known as the graded school
in two departments, primary and grammar. A third building was erected in 1904
at a cost of 15,000 dollars. It has four rooms, a recitation room and a library.
It has four departments now instead of two and has added a high school, employ-
ing an additional teacher during the winter months. The new school laws of 1856

THE SECOND SCH00LH0U8E IN TIPTON

. , *. .

ft:

TH

I

« L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 159

were adc^ted by this independent district in 1857. The first trustees were Lewis
Knowles, E. B. Bills and John S. Whittlesey. 1^* About 1854 the first schools
were established in Springdale Township. The first one mentioned was located
in the extreme comer of the township on the farm now known as the Henry
Negus property. The building was intended for a dwelling, but since no house
for school purposes was in existence this was used temporarily. Deborah Harri-
son was the teacher. About this time Highland school was erected. Ellen Wil-
liamson was the first teacher here. A year or two later the Friends conceived the
idea of erecting a building for a select school, which was done, and it was located
about three-fourths of a mile northeast of Springdale. Joel Bean was one of the
first instructors. Th^ land near the school building was laid out in lots and sold.
For a time it seemed as if a village might grow up here. However the property
was sold in ^56 and a gravel building was constructed about half a mile west, near
the cemetery. This was also conducted by the Friends. About the time the first,
a brick building, was erected, a school house was built on what is now the Arthur
Milnes place, (^e-half mile west of Springdale. This was a district school. About
i860 a school was formed at Centerdale. At the same time a private school was
conducted by Joel Bean and wife on the El wood Tatum farm east of West Branch.
But these schools did not completely satisfy the needs of the time as felt by these
people. What they wanted was a school for the higher branches where their chil-
dren could pursue those subjects without going so far from home to completie their
education. When the present school of Springdale was completed in 1867 and
tried, it seemed to satisfy the need and the Friends schools were discontinued.
Among the later schools Peat Vale is one, the building having been erected in
1873. School began there that fall with an enrollment of twenty-one.^^'

Lawrie Tatum has written so fully of the Springdale school that his article is
quoted largely below.

The original settlers of Springdale neighborhood were principally Friends, the
first of whom located there in 1844. In a few years a church organization was
eflfected, and some years later district schools were organized. A school of higher
grade was demanded and in about i860 Friends erected a brick school house in
which school was commenced in 1861. It was ccwitrolled by Friends, but open
also for non-members.

Two hindrances to the school were soon encountered. While it was a benefit
to those who attended, it was an injury to No. 6 district in Iowa Township and No.
I district in Springdale Township, in reducing the size of those schools by with-
drawing from them the more advanced and energetic students. It was also a heavy
expense on the patrons to financially sustain the school in addition to the l^al tax
for the support of the district schools. To obviate the injurious eflPect on the two
district schools and to have a school of as high a g^ade and more general in its
character, it was decided by the Friends and the two districts for the Friends'
school to be discontinued, and combine the small district No. 6 in Iowa Township
with Springdale district No. i and enlarge the boundaries to about three miles
square, including territory in Springdale, Iowa, and Gower Townships, and or-
ganize "an Independent School District'* and have a school of high grade.

The records of the district state, "At a meeting of l^^l voters of the proposed
Independent District of Springdale, held loth month, loth, 1866, nineteen votes

160 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

were polled for the organization of said district and three against it/' In a mat-
ter of so much importance it is reasonable to suppose that every voter would wish
to cast a ballot on that occasion. If that was the fact, and there were but twenty-
two voters in the district, it certainly showed a great deal of energy for so few to
shoulder so important an enterprise.

The Independent District of Springdale was organized Oct. 19, 1866, by elect-
ing the following named officers : President, Dr. H. C. GtU ; Vice President, El-
wood Macy ; Secretary, Emma Rood ; Treasurer, Peter Thomas ; Directors, Elisha
N^^ for three years, John F. Carson for two years, Townsend Thomas for one
year. In December, 1866, a lot was purchased, containing three and a half acres,
for four hundred and twenty-five dcrflars, upon which to build the house, whidi
was 46x48 feet, two stories high, with two school rooms on each floor. The par-
tition between the rooms on the second floor was made to be raised so as to throw
the two rooms together when necessary. The house also contained ample halls
and cloak rooms.

D. B. Morrison, who lived in the district, was employed to build the house,
which cost $8,054.09, including stoves, double desks and well. The foHowing
spring shade and ornamental trees were planted on the lot by voluntary help.

The writer was elected president of the board at the second election and re-
elected for several years. The school board took the position that the course of
study should be such as to qualify a student to enter the freshman class in the
University or any of the coll^;es of the state. As no catalogues have been found
for the first eleven years, and to be positive that the memory of the writer is cor-
rect, the oldest inhabitants have been appealed to in order to ascertain what they
recollected of the high standard of the school in the early days.

Cyrus Lindley, the first principal, who taught the winter term of 1867-8, writes
from Whittier, Cal. : "Yes, it was the intention to prepare pupils for the freshman
year." Hon. Elwood Macy writes : "If my memory serves me right, when Qyrus
Lindley was principal, an effort was made to prepare a course of study, the com-
pletion of which would admit a student into the University or any of the coll^;es
of the state." So high were the literary aspirations of some of the pupils that the
elective branches of German and Gredc were taught. Several studied German.
Wm. Worrell writes that Kinsey Wilson and he studied Greek under E. U. Cook.
Other elective branches were geology, logic, political economy and book-keeping.

Elwood Tatum went through the course except botany and, wishing to enter
the State University in 1870, took a catalogue to the president, who looked over
the course and told him if he had gone through it he could enter the fre^mian
class, which he did without examination, and made up the botany. After attend-
ing the University a term he went to Penn cdlege, from which he was graduated.
His entering the University as he did conclusively shows that the course of study
was up to the point that the directors intended to have it, i. e., to prepare the
students to enter the freshman year of the colleges of Iowa. He was probably the
first student admitted into the freshman year of the University without an exam-
ination (m the merits of going through the course of study of any public school
in the state of Iowa. The school that prepared him was Springdale Seminary.

During the time that H. H. Hiatt was principal, which was from 1875 to 1878,
the school board wrote to the president of the University, imd to the presidents

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 161

of Penn, Cornell and Iowa collies, to procure their assistance in preparing the
course of study for Springdale Seminary, so that a student completing its course
could enter the freshman class without examination, with the intention of discon-
tinuing the teaching of some of the sciences which were unnecessary for entering
college, and add some if thought best. The assistance asked for was kindly ren-
dered and there were dropped out of the course trigonometry, English literature,
surveying, moral philosophy and evidence of Christianity. There were added
Roman histcMy, civil government, schod government and descriptive astronomy.
Previous to the change it is stated in the catalogue: "Care has been taken to ar-
range a course of study that will meet the wants of those who wish to prepare
for college, and also those who do not desire more than an academical course."
Changes have since been made to meet the requirements of the time in which we
are living. For some years there has been an English course of study as well as
a Latin course of study. The former is designed to prepare students for general
business and teaching public schools.

Hon. Elwood Macy, of Mt. Vernon, who for many years was an officer of
Springdale Seminary, writes that in 1878, while he was a member of the legis-
lature from this county : ''I was told by President Schaeffer (then acting pres-
ident of the State University) that the Springdale school was the first to prepare
its course so that its graduates would be admitted into the State University with-
out examination and there was only one other school outside the colleges in the
state that their graduates would be so treated."

In building the State of Iowa, it seems that the small unincorporated village
of Springdale, with the farming district of near three miles square, had the first
public schod in the state that prepared its students for entering college. At that
time there were cities in the state whose children of school age (5 to 21 years)
numbered some thousands, while the Independent School District of Springdale
had about one hundred and twenty. At this writing the school is unique in being
the only district school in Iowa, outside of a town or city corporation, that qual-
ifies its students for entering coll^;e.

To pay for the school house funds were borrowed at ten per cent interest. A
classical scholar was en^loyed as principal, to whom a good salary was paid.
Three other teachers were also employed. To meet the expenses there was a school
house tax levied of ten mills on the dollar ; for teachers' fund five mills, and a small
contingent fund. These aggregated a much heavier tax for school purposes than
the citizens had been accustomed to paying. Several who were living on the bor-
der of the district petitioned to be set off to other districts where the school houses
were nearer. Under such circumstances it requires much patriotism to wish to
help financially to build up and sustain the important enterprise of a superior
school. The petitions were not granted.

At various times since then there have been petitions to be set off to other
districts. At one time several united in such a petition, and, as it was not granted,
the petitioning parties appealed to the County Superintendent of Schools, and
from him to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, before whom the
case was fully presented by both parties and he rendered a dedsicm in favor
of the district, which is final.

162 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

In 1891 a hot air furnace was put in the building which has given good
satisfaction in warming the rooms and in economy of fuel. In 1893 the double
desks were removed from the school and they were seated with single ones.
The principals (except one who was employed for a short time to fill a
vacancy) and nearly all the subordinate teachers have been professing chris-
tians.

Forty- four per cent of the graduates have attended college or the State
University. Wm, B. Worrall was the first graduate in 1876. He has since
been employed by the C. R. I. & P. R. R. Co. as civil engineer in surveying and
constructing new railroad lines through northern Kansas and Indian Territory
(now Oklahoma) into Texas. All of the school instruction in surveying he
received in Springdale Seminary.

Students attend from other districts and sometimes from other counties.
This school year, 1896-7, there are thirty scholars who reside outside the dis-
trict, many of whom ride to the village and put their teams in stables during
the day. Whole number of students who have attended school during the
year, 158; number in the graduating class, 14.

After the legislature abolished the preparatory department in the Univer-
sity, the attention of the authorities was turned towards affiliation with schools
prepared to give proper fitting to enter the University. A list of schools was
prepared after examining the course of study, and in the catalogue of 1880
announcement was made of the schools from which students would be re-
ceived without examination. Springdale Seminary and Tipton High School
were the Cedar County schools on this list.^^*

At a reunion of the teachers and students of this school the historical
article above was read and an address given by Prof. Jesse Macy of Iowa
College, Grinnell. Prof. Macy taught in this place in 1869 ^^^ since then has
become known not only in our coimtry but in England as well through his
study of English constitutional history and published work on that subject
He is a personal friend of Ambassador Bryce.

Here on September 28, 1901, more than five himdred, old and young,
gathered, enjoying the review of the past and the good things of the present
when the noon hour arrived. Great numbers of those who had been students
here returned to honor the occasion and it is not possible to include in a brief
summary all the events of that day.

When the recent new building in West Branch was dedicated the exercises
were more than local, giving a general review of the educational history. S<Hne ex-
tracts here seem suitable: "J* C. Crew, president of the board, presented the
building to the people of the district and Dr. L. J. Leech responded on behalf of
the people. C. H. Wickersham gave the history of the school from the first in
1853 from the one district school to the present time. The first was built by
subscription. As it was ahnost wholly paid for by the society of Frieqds, it
was used also as a meeting house until they built the first church building in
1856. Mary Mills was the first teacher. In 1867 a two-story building was
erected where, as mentioned before in this chapter, Joel and Hannah Bean
taught. This was on the site of the present building. In 1870 the old house
was moved to the north of the new one and Mary Townsend taught here.

MechanicBTille Public Si^hool

Lowden Public School

Bennett Schoolliouse

Bochester Schoolhouse After Rebuilding

Stauwood Higb Scbool

Bcattergood Seminary

l\i

; '>'^\".\

Afrr*.p !-• ^»tr \vd

TII.''^A f .. 'A n* ,V8
t L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 165

In 1877 the littk old school house was moved away and a two-story wing was
erected. At this time a carefully graded school system was adopted, a library
was added and provision made for a laboratory. Additions were made to
the library by several means — students and patrons working together. In
November, 1892, this buildmg was destroyed by fire through some defect in
the heating system, but good fortune favored the district, as it occurred just
before the morning opening. A temporary building was immediately put up
and within two weeks work was continued.

In 1893 a six-room building was erected with modem equipment and a
diflferent heating system. A new library was begun and had more than six
hundred volumes. Valuable physical apparatus was supplied. Then came a
bolt of lightning and the second fire laid waste the work of years. But the
good red blood of the iMoneer parents still courses in the veins of the chil-
dren, and the present Iwiilding was put up t>n the hill overlooking the town,
and is a credit to those who managed the expenditure of twenty thousand
dollars. The building was dedicated to the cause of education in the name
and memory of the pioneers who stinted themselves and gave of their limited
means that their children might have the privilege of a liberal education.

This thought is added by the writer of the history for the dedication: "It
is not enough for man to have a splendid physique. This is not the real man.
His heart must be right and his thoughts must be clean. Then he will not
shame his fine figure nor the God who made him. 'this splendid building is
not enough. It must be filled with pupils who are in earnest and with teachers
able to show them the way."^^*^

In the winter of '58-9 V. R. Cornwall taught in the Fowler building in
Downey. In i860 it was held in the Crozier house. The first school building
was erected in 1863 and in Mardi, 1863, a tax of five mills was levied for a
building fund. In 1871 the house was rebuilt at a cost of ten thousand dol-
lars. At that time there were thirty-five pupils. At present a new building
of four rooms is occupied with an enrollment of sixty. The Friends boarding
school is located southeast of West Branch. It was formerly known as Scat-
tergood Seminary. It was established in 1890 and has an enrollment of thirty
or more at this time.

About 1845 J. H. and Robert Gower, for whom Gower Township was
named, hired a Mr. Llbnbert to teach in a log cabin on the west side of the
river on the Kester place. School was continued there every winter until the
house was built on the Gunsolus place. This was before Gower Township
was formed.^^®

The first school in Cass Township was organized about 1842 near a place
caUed at that time Dutchtown, not far from the present town of Buchanan.
There was no district meeting, as one would expect now, but a gathering of
the neighbors to build a log house with an extra large fire place in one end,
a row of small window panes on two sides and other furnishings described
in the beginning of this chapter. George Smith, a graduate of some eastern
college, was the first teacher. He was a very competent man. Gower's sons
(see elsewhere) were taking work of college grade under him. He was a
strict man, as all the early teachers were, for they had pupils, often, who were

I

166 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

men of twenty-one or older. This did not prevent him from administering
the lash when considered necessary. On arrival in the morning* a bright fire
was found burning in the big fire place, the master was setting copies for us
made from scriptural verses or maxims; or he might be making pens from
goose quills, as was the custom then, the present steel pen of such great variety
not being in use. The old quill produced some beautiful penmen, as the old
county records can testify.

The teacher was paid two dollars a term for each pupil and he ''boarded
round.'' On such visits the best was always brought out by each family. The
length of his stay was in prc^rtion to the number of pupils in the family.

Mr. Smith taught several years in this county and then was elected county
judge.^^* During his period of teaching and long afterward the books used
were the elementary speller, McGuffe/s readers, Smith and Mitchell's geog-
TZfhy, and Kirkham's grammar. Every Friday afternoon a spelling match
was held and pieces spc^en. As a social diversion spelling schools were held
several times during the winter with other schools, parents and friends often
joining in these contests which, while friendly, often aroused the liveliest
enthusiasm. It was quite customary for geogrs^hy to be taught in rh3ane and
song, teachers sometimes going about the country doing this as a specialty.^

The first sdiool building in Center Township was of logs and located about
one mile west of Tipton on what is known as the Lunsdien farm in 1839.^^^ The
first teacher here, George Smith, had a large school and was paid thirty dollars
per month, very high wages for that time. Mr. Montgomery Fraseur went to
Chicago for the stoves, buying two, one for the school and one for their home.
This first teacher met death by accident in later years. There was a log house
before '53 on the farm now owned by Ray Ochiltree. In that year the Rock
Creek house was built and was known as a plank house. Number thirteen was
built in 1854. In 1857 the people were entertained at number thirteen with an
exhibition given by teachers of two schools. John Reeder and James Mc-
Cauley."* The Tipton public schools were organized in 1856, but the first
schods here began in the winter of '41 -'42, Thomas Gracey, from Philadelphia,
being the first teacher. According to historical record there were eight pupils
in this first school and their descendants now reside in Tipton. The old log
house first used, located where the National bank now stands, was replaced t^
a frame one in '43-'44, and this was used until 1853, when part of it became a
private dwelling. During this year the brick house standing south of the monu-
ment square was built, the brick work tmder the direction of John Godden, who
lived in Tiptcm for many years. In 1856 this house was enlarged by the adding
of an "L" on the west, somewhat larger than the old original. This old building
now is in a state of decay. It is occupied by transient families and is fast going
to ruins. Once the members of the "Old Union School" proposed to preserve it,
but the chance of preservation is long since passed. The old bell that called the
industrious ones of that period now stands on the rostrum of the present high
school building, where it has had a^i honorable place since 1903. In the spring
of 1866 a small brick building was erected in the north part of town for the
accommodation of the younger children. This stood where the parsonage of the
Reformed Church now stands, and the brick which composed it are in the foun-

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 167

dation of the parsonage. Of the present buildings one was built in 1879, and
die high school building in 1895. '^^ histcny of this scho<ri in its beginning is
the history of one man, C. C. Nestlerode, who organized the Union School in
1856. It was made consfMcuous in many ways and became a center of influence
for this part of the state. The free school idea was still unripe and the contest
for a law in this state to secure support for schools by public taxation had to be
fought out. This vicinity engaged in this controversy and some stirring events
occurred here. During this discussion Mr. Nestlerode was instrumental in form-
ing a new law in connection with members of the assembly from this county,
and after the constitution of 1857 was adopted by this state matters became
permanently settled. The law of 1858 made provision for support as mentioned,
but an anti free school party sought to destroy the effect of the law by injunc-
tion. Mr. Nestlerode resigned to await the effect of the suit and a new election
of officials. He was recalled and b^^n his plans for a model school. This had
many features that were far ahead of the times and, as mentioned elsewhere, the
school became a training ground for teachers of other schoc^s. In December,
1856, the first teachers' institute was held in this county under the direction of
Mr. Nestlerode. It is said about thirty teachers responded, and mostly young
men, which number was increased to forty-five during the week as a result of
the success of the enterprise. Dr. Joshua Maynard, president of the board then,
was a leading factor in encouraging such gatherings. At the close of the winter
term, 1857, teachers from all parts of the county, students at select schools and
Mount Vernon Seminary made application for admbsion to the Union School.
Teachers' institutes were held annually, alternating between Tipton and Spring-
dale. The school of '59 enrolled about 278 pupils, with five teachers.^** Another
puts it in this way : ''I think I do not err when I say that the Tipton schools
and the Springdale schools stood at the very head of the schools in the county at
that time.^^ In 1859 the state teachers' association met in Washington, Iowa.
Mr. Nestlerode was made chairman of the Executive Committee and as such
edited and published, with the assistance of his teachers, the Iowa Instructor, a
bound volume of which is found in the public library. The following account is
found there.***

Extracts from the minutes of the Iowa State Teachers' association, session
of i860. From the ''Iowa Instructor" published by the executive committee and
edited by C. C. Nestlerode, chairman.

The meeting at Tipton in August, i860, was decided upon at the meeting in
Washington in 1859. There were eighty-six members present at the meeting in
1859 ^^^ ^^7 i" i860. No programmes were distributed broadcast then, but the
little journal published the order of exercises in the August number and the pro-
ceedings are found in the September number.

The meeting was called to order in the M. E. church (long ago out of ex-
istence) by President D. F. Wells of Iowa City, at 7 130 p. m., Tuesday, Aug. 28,
and on motion the constitution was read. The chair appointed C. C. Nestlerode,
£. D. Hawes and M. Ingalls to wait on the audience and obtain the names of
those who wished to become members of the association. Then follows a list of
names that were added to the constitution.

168 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The chairman of the executive committee reported the order of exercises,
which was adopted.

On Wednesday morning Rev. M. R. Cross on behalf of the citizens of Tipton
welcomed the association. The president returned thanks for the association. Dr.
Maynard moved that a committee consisting of one meniber from each county be
appointed to name persons for permanent officers for the following year. M.
Ingalls read a report on "Prizes in Schools." C. C. Nestlerode read a report from
railway superintendents that the usual reduction of half fare by public convey-
ances was refused to persons attending this association by all companies except
the Chicago^ Iowa & Nebraska railroad and the stage companies. The repent was
tabled. (The road mentioned is the C. & N. W.)

On motion T. H. Benton, Jr., A. S. Kissell, M. Ingalls, J. K. Sweeney and
J. Enos were appointed to take into consideration the subject of appcMiiting a
state agent to lecture and hold institutes in the various counties of the state.

The report of the committee on nominations shows that twelve counties were
represented at this meeting. Miss Humphrey read an essay entitled "How Shall
We Teach." L. F. Smith of Keokuk made a verbal report on "English Gram-
mar." Mrs. M. A. McGonegal read a report on the "Range of Studies Demanded
by Our Public School System." Dr. Re)molds made a report on "The Hbtory of
Education" and "Educational Textbooks." C. E. Hovey of Normal, 111., ad-
dressed the meeting on "How Can Teachers Acquire and Maintain Re^)ect-
ability as Citizens?" Prof. F. Humphrey offered the following:

Resolved, That a normal school ought to be established in each state.

The resolution was discussed with much interest and, by vote, was made a
special order for the next morning at 9 o'clock. G. B. Dennison of Mtiscatine
was appointed to transcribe the proceedings of all previous meetings of the asso-
ciation in a book provided for that purpose, and for such service the committee
determines the compensation.

The chairman of the committee on state agency made a report, which was
discussed and adopted. It read as follows :

The committee beg leave to report in favor of such an office provided it can
be done without involving the association in any additional expense.

On motion of Rev. M. K. Cross, a report on "Music" was read by the Rev.
Mr. Jones of Columbus City. Lizzie S. Gregg read an essay on "The El^pance
of Diction." J. L. Enos then spoke on "The Power of the Teacher and How to
Use It." Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr., delivered an address on "The Qualifica-
tions of the Teacher." The question of a school journal produced a minority
report. Members were allowed one speech of ten minutes.

Hon. Jas. Harlan addressed the convention on Thursday evening, and a vote
of thanks was tendered the senator for his able address. On the same evening
after music Miss M. A. Washbume read a poem on "Conwnon Schools" by re-
quest of the association.

On Friday, C. C Nestlerode made the following report: Your ccmimittee
appointed at Dubuque in 1857, to memorialize the legislature to establish a re-
form school for juvenile offenders ask permission to report again. We have
memorialized, petitioned and urged both the board of education and the legis-
lature at each of their meetings since appointment, for the consideration of the

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 169

object designed, but have been unable to accomplish anything for the juvenile
qffenders of the state. The ccwnmittee believes that the association should con-
tinue its efforts until a reform school is established and in successful operation.

The association passed the following resolution: Resolved, That we learn
with pleasure that our old and experienced colaborer in the educational cause.
Dr. Reynolds of Iowa City, is about to commence an educational tour through the
state. He designs lecturing particularly on the science of geography, political,
physical and mathematical, and is well furnished with all the necessary apparatus
to illustrate the truth on this subject. It was further resolved that the doctor
was able to do that kind of work to the satisfaction of all concerned.

The chair appointed a committee to wait on the audience and secure names of
all who wished the bound volume of the Iowa Educator.

There is an exhaustive resolution condemning the action of the board of edu-
cation in its action in regard to the county superintendent not being required to
visit the schools of his county twice during each year, and it concludes with the
determination that the salary of the county superintendent ought to be a fixed
sum.

On motion Senator Harlan was elected an honorary member. The committee
on resolutions reported before adjournment on Friday and their report includes
the following: That this annual reunion has afforded us much gratification and
benefit; that the unity of feeling and harmony of action that have marked the
proceedings of the association on this occasion will be cherished among our most
pleasant recollections ; that the thanks of the association are due the executive
committee for the able and tasteful manner in which they have conducted the
"Iowa Instructor;" that our grateful acknowledgments be tendered to the citi-*
zcns of Tipton for their generous hospitality in providing for the entertainment
of this association, and to Mr. Elliott for his efforts to secure for us pleasant
homes during our stay.

The railway company is thanked for courtesies which are taken as unmistak-
able evidence of the interest in education in which we are all laboring; thanks
are tendered to C. D. Curtis for free return tickets by hack line to the railway
stations (some miles distant) ; thanks are due to Miss Majmard for the use of
her melodeon.

At this meeting one was present from Polk county and three from Pottawat-
tamie including T. H. Benton, Jr. E. D. Hawes was the member from Polk
county. Cedar county furnished 123 and C. C. Nestlerode was the leading spirit
of tfie association.

The meeting closed with the "Doxology."***

The following is taken from an address of Mr. Nestlerode: "Had I time I
would hold up in review the history of the old Union School which began on
Dec. I, 1856, and closed March 28, 1862. I would gladly narrate its triumphs
and its defeats, its struggle with the school-killers and its final triumph over all
oi^>ositiQn. * * * It will be remembered by some here present (June, 1887)
that the Tipton Union School was the first regularly graded one west of the
Mississippi river. That at the time of its founding there was no free school law
in Iowa and no law for graded schools, and consequently such a law was an
absolute necessity. I commenced at once to write a law for that purpose and

170 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

my ni^ts during December, 1856, were occupied in that work. I owe it to Ae
revered memory of Dr. Maynard, to Rev. M. K. Cross, and to the graded
schools of Iowa to state that Dr. Maynard and Mr. Cross were my counselors
while performing that sacred duty. S. S. Daniels was a member of the board
that invited me to come to Tipton and at the session of 1856 of our state as-
sembly was sergeant-at-arms of the senate. J. W. Cattell was a member of the
Senate from Cedar County and Ed Wright was our member of the House. I
sent the act I had prepared to Mr. Daniels and he lost no time in placing it in
the hands of Messrs. Cattell and Wright and in less than ten days it had passed
both houses and became a law. We lost no time at Tipton in taking the neces-
sary steps for its adoption, which we succeeded in doing in 1857. During the
fall of 1857 the pe(q>le of Iowa adopted a new constitution and, unfortunately
for the Union School, on the adoption all school laws in Iowa became null and
vcHd. Our school was in session in all its departments and orders were to con-
tinue until the close of the year, and we did, notwithstanding many of our people
refused to pay their school tax. In May, 1858, a meeting was called in oppo-
sition and the school voted down. * * ^ Some months later by almost unan-
imous vote the board was instructed to reopen the Union School and to employ
me to take charge of the same. * * * From 1857 to 1861 the cc^ection of
the school tax was being contested in the state of Iowa through the courts.
Most of these years school orders went begging and often would neither com-
mand money, buy clothes or pay board. * * * Judge Tuthill tendered his
services to the school board and prosecuted the school-tax collection to a suc-
cessful issue.'' The teachers of the Union School presented the judge with a
silver cup in token of their appreciation.

Since 1856 twenty-two men have been in charge of the public sdiools of
Tipton with an average service of about two and one-fourth years. The longest
period is seven years. The first graduate was sent out in 1875 ^^^ since then
classes have gone forth at regular periods from the high school. It b a fully
accredited school. In 1907 the fiftieth anniversary of the graded schools was
remembered and the minutes of that meeting are included in a bound volume
found in the public library which is made up of addresses and reports from mem-
bers of this school fifty years before. Many names are recorded there of men
who became leaders in their day and whose sons and daughters now hold places
of prominence.

More than thirty surviving members of the old Unimi School assembled at
the last reunion. They are scattered over the entire country, letters being read
from many who could not be present Of the teachers then only one remains in
Tiptcm, Mr. J. W. Reeder. He remembers his early experiences well and is a
strong friend of education, supporting with his presence all that has to do with
the keeping alive the former struggles for the free schools.

Mrs. S. W. Rathbun, wife of Capt. Rathbun, of Marion, formerly of this
county, was a primary teacher in the old school south of the library and writes
entertainingly, always, when questioned on this subject. Mrs. Fred Hecht, of
Clarence, recalls the visit of John Brown to the room when she was a pupil and
describes his appearance at that time. The reunion of these former pupils and
teachers are certainly unusual and probably no county in Iowa can duplicate

Darant High School

West Branch High School Clarence High School

Springdale High School Downey High School

GROUP OP HIOH SCHOOL BUILDINGS

( *

fLi;'.JC Lia.-.A.-Y

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 178

the history of this county in its educational history — noting especially the schools
of Springdale and Tipton in their efforts to keep their first days before the pres-
ent generation.

An item of concern to the educational interests of long ago was the apparent
rivalry among the new high schools, or graded schools, as they first grew into
prominence.

The Mt Vernon News of Nov, 15, i860, uttered the following sentiment:
''The meannesses shown up by our correspondent 'Sigma' are of a piece with a
petty, narrow exdusiveness — unjust partiality — ^which has for some time marked
the policy of Mr. Nestlerode and the Tipton high school. (High school!
Pshaw !)

An instance which occurred a year or two since is in point. A young man
from this place applied for that same 'High School,' and would have received it
but for an old public functionary there, who had two objections to him— -one
that he was not from Oberlin and the other that he was from Mount Vernon.

We wonder if they expect to make an3rthing by such nice discriminations!
Let the 'long run' show."

Witness the answer in part: "We are sorry that Cornell College is so jealous
of and so much affected by our Union Schoc^ as to call for sudi an expose of
the feeling in that vicinity. That we have a little the best public school in the
state is true, but we had no idea that it had ccmie into competition with a college
of the known standing of Cornell. We are not aware that any of the citizens
even asked any aid of Mount Vernon or tried to get any of its students to enter
our 'High School.' " ^^^ This apparent rivalry was not ended here but this is
sufficient to illustrate the times educationally.

The transfer of furniture and equipment from the old building south of the
library to the grammar building or west building as commonly known on the
present grounds liappened in the winter of 1880. This building was finished by
tile contractor, a Mr. Schnell of Rock Island, at this time and the move was
made somewhat of a celebration. Pupils were assembled at the old building
and the members of the first Unicm School invited to join them in the march.
At ten o'clock in the forenoon on Monday, Feb. 23, 1880, the procession moved
wiA board of education at the head and pupils following in order of rank. Many
of the old school were present. The entire forenoon was spent in social matters
and inspection of the new building, considered then of very excellent proportions.

Immediately the question arose of the disposition of the old building and
many suggestions of use were made. Some said a canning factory, a chair fac-
tory, an3rthing to make use of the building so that it would not be idle. Once it
was proposed to preserve it untouched as a relic of what was. None of these
things happened— only the old bell through the watchfulness of the former pupils
and teachers, among them the prime movers being John W. Reeder and Hubert
Hammond, was saved and occupies a post of honor.

A Seminary for the instruction of young ladies was opened in Tipton by
Grace Episcopal Church in 1873. This was in the house formerly occupied by
John Starr and was under the supervision of Rev. and Mrs. Allen, with the as-
sistance of a lady principal and competent instructcM^ in the subjects provided
in the curriculum — French, German, Drawing and religious instruction usually

174 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

found in such private schools. The Post,"* a paper published in the county seat
at that time, rather objected to the coming of any school of the kind into this
particular field and rather favored a state institution. Mr. C. L. Longley, then
editor of the Advertiser, favored and encouraged all such undertakings.

Miss Scribner became the first principal of this boarding school. She was
succeeded in the fall of the same year by Miss Rice. The following advertise-
ment appears for August 13, 1874:

TIPTON SEMINARY

for

YOUNG LADIES

Tipton, Iowa

Miss E. Scribner, Prin.

THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION embraces all the higher branches of
English Education with Latin, French, German, Music, Drawing, Needlework
and other accomplishments.

TERMS:

Tuition in English branches per term $10.00

Board per week 4.00

Laundress, per week 50

Vocal and Instnmiental Music, each per term 10.00

Drawing and Painting, per term 10.00

Languages, per term 5.00

Instruction in Wax Flowers 5.00

Use of Piano one hour daily, per term. 2.00

Note. — Bills payable in advance.

The seminary begun as favorably as one could expect came to a sudden ter-
mination one dark day when the accomplished principal took a sudden and, to
many creditors, mournful departure. A rather ironical writer said that the de-
parture in the early morning was made to go under the guise of a funeral and
it was much of a funeral at the time to the ones to whom some four thousand
dollars in bills were owing. This was the Miss Scribner of Seminary fame.

After a lapse of some weeks the lady returned and through the financial as-
sistance of Mr. Moses Bunker, she was enabled to arrange the financial matters
and continue the instruction but not the financial management, this being under
competent direction of a financial agent. In 1850 a select school was conducted
by Mrs. Keith, wife of the Congregationalist minister on the comer where the
home of S. M. Murray now stands. This was the first select school in Tipton.

Mr. John H. Starr once offered to donate one block for the Presb)rterian
Seminary proposed to be located here, and also one-fourth of every other block
to be disposed of to aid in its erection. There was much objection then to pri-
vate schools of this kind and while it was considered for some time by the
c^cials of the church no definite action in the matter was taken.

In 1850 there was a log school house in Inland Township near Posten's
Grove. A small building seated and furnished as the type mentioned previously,
slabs for seats with pegs in the rounded sides and the desk against the wall fur-
nishing an uncomfortable back to the seat when facing inward. It was the only
school house at that time in the township and one of the first in the coimty. In

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 175

the summer of '54 a frame house was built in district number one. George
Willcy was the contractor. The father of the writer (H. A. Curtis) helped in
the work. At that time the pupils furnished their own seats and desks or tables.
J still retain the table my brother and I used. Among the early teachers are
menticMied C. A. Pound, Amos Dean, Mrs. Dr. Qark, Charles Baker and S. H.
Grant.*^ Bennett has been an independent district since 1891. It has recently
voted to build again and will be provided with a modem equipment in 191 1,
unless objections are sustained. The German Evangelical church maintains a
school here established in 1907 enrolling about fifteen.^^^

The first school building in Springfield Township was at Posten's Grove,
built of logs of the usual dimensions and equipment. This was in 1848. Wm.
Henry from Ohio was the first teacher here. The name "Posten's Grove" comes
from the settlers by that name, Jim and Chas. Posten.^^*

In April, 1853, Mr. Jacob Geiger boarded with Mr. Walker and taught
school in a log house on Henry Conrad's farm. Before that time, however,
James Huff had conducted a school now number one, which was built in 1853.
In 1855 2t frame building was erected where or near where the Fairview church
stands, and was taught by Mr. Geiger. In this house the elections of the town-
ship were held up to 1864 inclusive. At Fairview the school house was remove4
in 1867 to one-half mile southwest and a new one erected now number three.^^'

A building was rented in Lowden in 1859 ^uid a school was taught by Miss
Huldah Monroe, this being the first school in the village. In i860 the first
building was erected, a one-story frame, near the site of the German Evangelical
church. It was afterward enlarged and sold to the church society when a new
building of brick was erected in 1874. The frame building was divided and
part of it is now used by the parochial school of the Zion Evangelical church.
The other portion was sold to Mr. Reid and was finally burned. The present
four-room modern building of Lowden was built in 1909. It occupies roomy
grounds on an excellent location. ^^^

There are two parochial schools in Lowden. The Lutheran established in
1871 having an enrollment at present of about seventy-five, the German Evan-
gelical, 1880, enrolling about forty.^^^ "Towhead** school, in what is now Red
Oak township, furnished the families residing in Fairfield with their first school
privileges. It was located in the neighborhood known as Shiloh, or near where
the Presbyterian church now stands. The land is now owned by Wm. Penning-
rath. The house has long since been torn down and the site is covered by
bushes.

About 1857 the half dozen families living in the western part of Fairfield
decided to erect a school building. The present site of number four was chosen
and the name "Prairie Flower," suggestive of its environment, was applied. It
was about a mile and one-half east of the station of Wald. It has since
been replaced, as all are finally, and its humble office later was to serve as a
granary on the Monahan farm. It is not now a "prairie flower." About the
same time the Bunker school was located, but not at that time in this township.
Nvunber five, known as "Dublin," also suggestive, came about 1869, and "White
Qoud" in 1870.^®^ Others followed until the stated number "nine" completed
the list. Now some are abandoned and their history is completed.

176 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

About 1846 the first school was established in Linn township, located in sec-
tion fourteen just west of the home of Samuel Rhoads, Jr. It was held in a log
dwelling house moved there for the purpose. Pupils came from several miles
distant, some boarding in the neighborhood for convenience. The larger boys
furnished the wood as needed. Among the early teachers were Thos. Grac^,
who taught the first school in Tipton, and Mr. Buchan. Salaries were raised
by subscription from patrons and boarding around was the custcMn. The term
was three months during the winter. An amusing incident is related by Hon.
Alex. Moffit. At that time the teachers were examined by the board of trustees,
who asked some very difficult questions. One teacher after comgieting the
examination requested that he be permitted to ask a few in return, and was
p(ditely told that he could — ^when he became a trustee. In '51 or '52 the school
in number three was begun in a dwelling occupied by Mr. Ferguson, his wife
being the teacher. The first building for school only was erected in Linn in
1854 or '55. This was known as the Park school, located on the south part of
section two. The site was changed a few years later. Children from Linn
Grove attended the first school and the first teacher was probably Miss Annis
Armentrout. The salary was ten dollars per month and raised by subscrq>tioa.
Miss Mary Cochran ^^ taught in 1858 and was paid fifteen dollars per mondi.
The first building in nuinber one was erected in 1857. This site was changed
also. A second house was built here in '82. It burned in '94. In 1849 smother
log calnn school began in western Linn near the center of section eight on the
farm now owned by F. W. Dance. Among the first teadiers were Mr. McQueen,
Miss Martha McQaskey, Mr. Cotton and Walter Goodhue. The first of these
taught but a short time when death called him and on Christmas day, 1855, he
was buried. In '56 a frame building took the place of the log one and the usual
custom of employing teachers by subscripticm continued, a very tmsatisfactory
method as it proved. This frame building was moved where nund)er three,
Linn, now stands. The present building was erected in 1880. Among the first
teachers in number four was Miss Mary Cochran, who lives near Buchanan.

The following letter is from Mrs. Henry Emerick, the oldest living teacher of
Linn township : "Your letter was a surprise to me since I had almost forgotten
my teaching days. My eyes are dim and hands shaky and I now write with
difficulty. My first term of school in your township began in 1862, May 7. I
also taught the winter term beginning the next January. My wages in winter
were twenty-two dollars, but less in summer. I paid two dollars per week for
board. My account was given to the sub-director and he drew the money from
the treasurer. At that time the teachers were paid in gold. My winter term
at 'Coon Creek' was during the war. Your grandfather (Maj. John Dance)
came to our school and drilled some of the larger boys for a company. He also
gave testaments to those who had none and we read from them. I think I took
my examination from Hon. Wm. Wolf. Our first county superintendent was
Dr. Ma)mard, an old gentleman. Institute was held at the old school house."
In 1880 a new building was erected in number four. I. G. Fairbanks was the
first teacher. This was burned recently and a new one is nearing completion.^**

The first school building in Pioneer was in a portion of Pioneer Grove. A
man by the name of Madlock was the first teacher. Pupils came irom various

TIPTON HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING ABOUT 1880

TIPTON SCHOOLS

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 179

distances, one who was a pupil stating that she walked three miles. She is still
able to tell that this teacher used to lie down on the long benches to rest. The
oldest school building remaining in this township, probably about fifty years
old, is now called number four. It was built in 1859 by Martin Bucher, and
Mary Ellen Hyde was the first teacher. On the site of the Unicm church in the
southwestern part of the township an old frame building once stood. It was
used like many others as a church before it was much worn by school children.
Some of these old buildings stood in the trackless woods, no roads leading to
them— only a path over which they came for long distances filling the little house
full in marked contrast to the present numbers who attend the district school.

''In 1861 a dilapidated looking old frame building stood on this spot. The
siding and roof were brown with age. It showed hard usage. A window light
was gCMie and a board replaced it. New panels were in the door. No paint
disfigured it, nor whitewash marred it. A rail fence right in front, and enclosed
in a sixty-acre field with no evidence that it had ever been separated from the
general ground of the farm. No tree, shrub or grass to break or relieve the
utterly wild surroundings. Such was known as the 'Week's School.' The site
was something splendid — ^just as the prairie broke toward Clear Credc with
the landscape undisturbed. The great tornado of 1861^^^ passed very near to it
and two dwelling houses within the radius of a mile were torn in pieces, while
the adjacent prairie was strewn with wreckage. Fortunately this notable June
3 came on Sunday or there might have been serious results at the little frame
house. But time passed and decay occurred until the larger boys enjoyed the
fun of poking sticks through its walls and roof, leaving them there through more
than one term. The taxpayers then, as now, hesitated long before voting a tax
to rebuild, or build anew. Mr. Joshua Owens related how in Pennsylvania
when he went to school a log on the side of the house had been sawed out and
this space covered with g^reased paper as the only means of admitting the light.
He went on to say that the cats would tear through and that the window often
needed mending. He thought the old good enough with a little fixing. Old Mr.
McAllister, smarting under the usage of the 'Weeks' school house, declared that
he would vote money only on one condition — ^that there be built a dungeon
under the new one, and that all unruly boys of the school be thrown into it and
fed on bread and water. But the progressives won out (there were progressives
in those days) by voting a tax of six hundred dollars for the building of th^
house known as number two Pioneer. Mr. Guthrie, the builder and architect,
thought a tornado could never tear it to pieces, but might roll it over.

"No finer location for such a building can be fotmd in all the land in any of
the great states where schools are fostered ; no more quiet, squestered spot, sur-
rounded by fine old trees, ample grounds, provided with a well of never- failing
water, and in one of the best communities in all our good state."**^

Mechanicsville was formed into an independent district in 1866. Some oppo-
sition was aroused and it required a suit at law to determine the conclusion. An
account in the history of 1878 reads as follows : "A meeting was called at the
Presbyterian diurch June 9, 1866, to act upon the erection of a district. The
vote stood 44 affirmative and 5 negative. Then two of the trustees, T. C.
McQelland and Samuel Gilliland, refused to call a meeting of the electors for

180 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

the election of the officers of the school board, basing their action on the point
of illegality of the meeting. In July following a writ of mandamus was issued
from the circuit court to compell the call of the meeting. An appeal was taken
to the supreme court of the state by the two trustees mentioned and the decision
of the lower court was affirmed. Election then followed as required. The first
building was of wood. In 1875 the building preceding the present one was
erected. This iis one more illustration of the trials that made educational
progress a matter of court concern, as it was elsewhere in the county. In
Mechanicsville there was formerly a small frame building just west of the C. W.
Johnson property. The Wm. Rate house was once used for school purposes.
The location of the school house has varied, as it must in most places not yet
fixed in permanent form.**^

"The old building of 1875 was declared no longer fit for use in the inde-
pendent district of Mechanicsville and in 1908 public opinion was ready to
approve of a new one. The women improved their opportimity to use the ballot,
assuring the necessary two-thirds vote. The structure was occupied in 1909
and furnishes a modem equipment at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. The
officials concerned in this are mentioned in a complimentary spirit, and like so
many others who give their time and service freely to the public are deserving
of great praise for executing the will of the voters in a creditable way in such a
a short time."

The first school building in Fremont township was erected in 1858 and was
located on the east side of section twenty, about the middle of the southeast
quarter. It remained there until the independent districts were organized as at
present. A typical rude log building furnished as its neighboring ones in ad-
joining territory, no other equipment beyond the rude seats and shelf against
the wall, except the black space, the only painted spot, called the Mackboard.^^

Stanwood displaced its old building with a new one in 1902. The first
school here was begun in 1869. John B. Ingersoll was the teacher. In 1872
the first building was erected and a second one was built in 1876. It has a
parochial school of St. Paul's Lutheran church, which enrolls approximately ten
pupils annually. The school was established in 1908 in connection with the
church property.

The early school in Dayton township is described in the first part of this
chapter by reference to a letter from Mrs. Eunice Frink Cartwright. This was
in 1853, among the earliest if not the first in that part of the country. The present
building in Qarence was erected in 1858. Changes may have been made, but no
new building erected since that date. There is a parochial school here con-
ducted by the Evangelical church, which will be found under church history. It
was founded in 1882.

The Centre school was the first one built in Massillon township. No record
of the early teachers seems available, but the following is pertinent: F. A.
Gates, a graduate of Columbia University, Washington, D. C, 1837, was engaged
in teaching in this township, coming here in 1853.

An announcement of the first county superintendent of schools reads as fol-
lows : "We are happy to announce to the public that our office is removed from
the streets to the Tipton Union school house. By the kindness of the board of

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 181

directors of the district we have been permitted to occupy a vacant room in the
school house, where we can be found on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to
attend to examinations and other offibial business. If teachers who have not
engaged schools and desire to do so would send us their names and post office
address, it would be very easy for sub-directors to employ teachers and for
teachers to secure a situation by implying to me.

J. McClung, Co. Supt.

"May 7th, 1860/'

This is the first county superintendent's (rfficial announcement of his office.***

The <^ce of county superintendent of schools was created by act of the Gen-
eral Assembly of Iowa in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-eight By this
act it was ordered that such dficer should be elected in each county at the general
Section held on the second day of October, eighteen hundred and fifty-nine.
This election resulted in a dioice of James McQung as county superintendent of
Cedar County for the years i860 and 1861.

The late Hon. Wm. P. Wolf was the next incumbent and held the office
during the years 1862 and 1863. Short sessions of the Teachers^ Institutes were
held each fall and examinations for certificates were conducted publicly and pri-
vately. The supply of teachers was not equal to the demand, owing to the
enlistment of many young men into the army during the Civil War.

C. A. Pound, who was the principal of the Tipton High School during the
years 1864 ^^ ^^5 ^^^^ ^he office of County Superintendent at the same time.
His wife, Mrs. C. A. Pound, conducted examinations at their home when her
husband was otherwise employed.

E. C. Rigby was the next superintendent and served during the years 1866
and 1867. ^* ^ Bassett was elected and held the office during 1868 and 1869,
a deputy filling the place.

A. B. Oakley was the next incumbent and served during the years 1870 and
1871.

C. W. Rollins, who was the first superintendent to hold the office more than
one term^ was elected in the autumn of 1871 and began his work January, 1872.
The office records have nothing to show that any official acts were performed,
not even an annual report to the State Department, tmtil the year 1873. The
salary at this time was $1,000 annually and made it possible to devote all one's
time to the work.

Mr. Rollins served four years, from 1872 to 1876, and was followed by Miss
E. E. Frink, of Qarence, who served six years. This period may well be
termed the reconstruction period of the schools of Cedar County. Many con-
ditions existed that required tact and judgment to change for the betterment of
the schools. Not least among these was the sifting of the uunqualified from the
ranks of teachers. This was done by examinations of all who aspired to teach
in the county, regardless of qualifications or credentials. This resulted in rais-
ing the standard of qualifications* of the teachers and was a revival as well as a
"survival of the fittest" Teachers' conventions were held and well attended;
enthusiasm in the woric was created not among teachers only but school officers
and patrcms realized that something was being accomplished. The County
Superintendent's time was all devoted to the work and school visitation meant

182 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

becoming acquainted with the teachers and their ability to instruct and govern,
aiding those who needed it by suggestions, and getting and keeping in touch with
the patrons and school boards on conditions relative to each school district
Each year marked advancement and the six years administration of Miss Frink
will stand as an example of honest, efficient service. This brings us to the close
of the year 1881, when Miss Virginia Robbins, a teacher in Tipton, was elected
to the office. Normal Institutes were cut down to two wedcs' duration during
the latter part of the former administration and were held three weeks each
year of '81 and '82. Miss Robbins was active and industrious and maintained
the established standard during the two years of her incumbency. In the autumn
of 1883 Mrs. A. N. Filson of Tipton was elected to this dfice and twice re-
elected, making her term six years. She had been a popular and pn^table
teacher in the schools of this place for eleven years, and it was with r^jet on
the part of patrons, pupils and school board that her position was made vacant
Teachers' Conventions took on new life, enthusiasm prevailed everywhere.
N<Minal Institutes were well attended and beneficial. The teachers and schools
of Cedar County ranked second to none in the State. Through the efforts of
the County Superintendent Welch's Qassification Register was purchased by
the Board of Supervisors for every rural school in the county. The grading
and classification of these schools placed the work on a foundation that made it
possible for graduates from this course to enter any high school in the county
without further examination. This system proved to be a g^reat advantage and
is still in use.

School visitation was optional with the County Superintendent at this time,
but the benefits derived from such visits were so marked that it was followed
as under the former law. Special attention was given to the primary work of
the teachers, not only during the Normal Institute but by individual attention to
the work done in schools. In 1889 W. L. Etter, a teacher in this county, was
chosen for this office. Following fourteen years of work performed by ladies,
it is not to his discredit to say it required painstaking labor to meet the demands
of the public. This he did and served six years in this capacity. J. W. Marker,
principal of the Lowden schools, was next elected to this office and served two
terms, from 1896 to 1900, when the late Miss Aurora Goodale was elected and
served two terms. During this time a daily register was introduced to be used
in connection with the Qassification Register. A system of "card reports" of
attendance and punctuality was also introduced. This has done a good woric
in raising the per cent of attendance. Of Miss Goodale's work we would say, —
she faithfully and conscientiously performed the duties of this office and without
fear or favor worked for the best interests of the schools. Her interest in boys
and girls whose advantages and opportunities were limited was a marked char-
acteristic and highly commendable feature of her work. Her seccmd term ex-
pired January, 1904, when the present incumbent, Geo. H. Kellogg, took his
place. Among the many new additions to the equipment of the County Superin-
tendent's office introduced by Supt. Kellogg we find a Card Index of the Teach-
ers, School Officers and Eighth Grade Pupils of Rural Schools. A Normal
Institute Register has also been used for several years and serves the purpose of
recording the names of all who attend the institute, their attendance and other

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 188

important information. A County School Officers' Association was organized
and meets in Tipton annually. At these meetings the question of teachers' sala-
ries and the latest and most approved methods of doing any work required of
such officers are discussed and have resulted in raising salaries and enlightening
officers as to their duties.

Modem heating and ventilating plants are being introduced and modem
and sanitary school buildings are taking the place of worn-out buildings. Mr.
Kellogg is distinctly a school man and progressive in his ideas. His third term
of c^ce expires with this year and will end a very successful administration.^^^

During Miss E. E. Frink's (Mrs. Cartwright's) term of office the Board of
Supervisors passed a resolution requiring an annual report from the county
superintendent of sdiools. Spread upon tihe records of the Board sessions dur-
ing the remainder of her term in compliance with this demand are complete and
exhaustive reports from that time regarding the school work of the county, the
plans for improvement, the institutes held, the associations conducted and the
financial condition of the office, a business record of all situations confronting
the officer in charge. Court sessions came early in the history of this dficial,
she having to pass upon the location of the site for the new building in Tipton
during her administration.*** These reports were ccmtinued in a masterly way
by Mrs. A. N. Filson and these two wcnnen have a lasting record upon the official
books of the county that indicates the efficiency of management under their terms
of office. The latter made a special mention of the teachers in one report of the
winter of 1884-5, stating that there were then 45 male and 123 female teachers
in the county. The attendance was less than 50 per cent in regularity. At
present in this cotmty there are not one-fourth the number of men teaching.*^

SECTION V.

THE CHURCH AND ITS ORGANIZATIONS.

One of the most impressive features among the early settlers of this county is
the personal attempt to keep alive the teachings and customs of their former
homes in the religious sense. Their absolute dependence upon the divine favor
and support in all their undertakings, speaking generally, shows itself in their
very early movements to establish church services and religious training for the
young of the families. This was before the time of such pressing affairs of
business and intensity of labor that occupies such a prominent place in our
present daily struggles, and before men had placed other affairs in advance of
their religious obligations. True, there were many indications of the wild fron-
tier with its acccHnpanying lawlessness and roughness, but it is not necessary to
make a nice line of distinction to establish the general principle of the chapter
under discussion. As one of the earliest comers refers to those times in the
following language : In the midst of the innocent pleasures of these days God
was not forgotten. The people came for miles to attend services in some log
school house, some humble dwelling of similar construction or in the groves in
the summer seasons. They sang the old songs familiar to the entire country
then but, alas! forgotten now.**'' The pioneer preacher was on the ground,
himself a settler. It is affirmed by those who should be good authority that Rev.
Martin Baker preached the first sermon in this county. He is said to have been
a zealous Christian worker, a man who scorned wrong-doing and who fought for
the right amidst the greatest difficulties. Col. Henry Hardman's house in
Rochester township was the very earliest house in the county to be used for both
church and educational purposes. For all good purposes that seems to have
been a center. Here Chauncey Hobart organized his flock. Solomon Ing^ham
traveled up and down the Cedar Valley, a hero of the Cross among the pioneers,
and died only within the decade in Tama Coimty. Rev. Robert Porter was
among the early ministers of the Presbyterian church. Robert Carothcrs, who
followed him, became the superintendent of the college for the blind later in
life. The Congr^^onal church was the first to have a settled pastor, Rev.
Alden, a member of the home missionary society.*** All these successors will
appear in the individual histories of the county church records.

184

Friends' Meeting House

Friends' Church and Parsonage

Mcthodiat Episcopal Church

WEST BRANCH CHURCHES

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 187

The first meeting in behalf of a Presbyterian church in Cedar County was
held at Red Oak Grove, March i, 1841. At that time one was organized by
Rev. M. Hummer, an itinerant missionary, with ten members and two ruling
elders, under the title of "The Presbyterian Church of Red Oak Grove." From
March, 1841, to October, 1847, the number of conmiunicants was increased by
occasional ministerial supplies to twenty-two. Then for more than three years
the church seemed to be stationary, having no services.

*On January 26, 1851, public notice was given in the M. E. church at Tipton,
that those favorable to the Presbyterian church would meet at the court house
February 8th, at 2 o'clock p. m., to organize a Presbyterian Society, to purchase
a lot and erect a house of worship. During the year twenty-seven members
were added to the organization.

From September i, 1851, to May i, 1858, a period of nearly seven years.
Rev. Geo. D. Porter, by invitation commenced and continued his ministerial
labors as a stated supply for the united congregations of Red Oak and Tipton.
During this period ninety-two persons were added to the church, seven upon
examination and eighty-five upon certificates, about thirteen annually. June
25, 1854, the new brick church which had been built in Tipton was dedicated.
In the meantime the session of the church had been occasionally enlarged also
as the necessities of the church required. About seven baptisms were annually
performed, and $250 annually raised. From May, 1858, to June, i860, the
church was again without a minister.

After this the Red Oak and Tipton congregations were divided. We find
the following resolution recorded tmder date of February 27, i860, at a con-
gregational meeting of the church at Tipton: ''Resolved, that instead of a
united call from the Tipton and Red Oak churches for the pastoral labors of Rev.
Robert Carothers, the call be from the Tipton church, and that we request Pres-
bytery at its next session to apportion the time of preaching between the two
churches."

Rev. R. Carothers being thus called, and having accepted the call, commenced
his labors at Tipton in June, i860, was installed as pastor of the church at Tip-
ton July 14^ i860, and continued his pastoral labors until June 26, 1866, a period
of six years, when he resigned his charge. During this period sixty-two persons
were added to the church, twenty-six on examination and thirty-six on certifi-
cate, or about ten annually; forty-two baptisms were performed, or seven
aimoally; and $4,358.50 were raised for various religious objects, at home and
abroad, or $72641 annually.

On November i, 1866, Rev. D. L. Hughes accepted a call and began his
labors, and on November 28th he was regularly installed. Fourteen members
of the church, including one ruling elder, were dismissed May 27, 1867, to form
another Presbyterian organization at New York Prairie, leaving a membership
in the church at Tipton of seventy-eight, including three ruling elders, viz., John
Ferguson, Wm. Kettell and Dr. C. L. Chambers.

The Hebron church was organized October, 1870, continuing to exist until
April, 1878.

Rev. E. L. Dodder succeeded Mr. Hughes, being installed November 8, 1870.
In September, 1873, James Newcom, P. W. Neiman, and J. B. Piatt were or-

188 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

dained elders in place of Kettell, Shearer, and Chambers, resigned. Rev. Chas.
Axtell came to the pastorate January, 1874, and the present house of worship
was built in 1876, at a cost of $4,000. In February, 1880, the old elders. Shearer,
Chambers and Kettell, were restored. Under Mr. Hughes the largest number
of the church roll was 85 ; under Mr. Dodder, 82 ; under Mr. Axtell, 1 17."*

Rev. A. C. Brown became pastor in 1882, who served the church until Jan-
uary, 1888, when O. D. Langfitt was appointed by the Presbytery to fill the
pulpit until a pastor was called. In April of ihis year R. C. Townsend became
the pastor and it was during his pastorate that the church celebrated its fiftieth
anniversary. At that time a brief historical address was given of the half
century which had elapsed since the Red Oak organizaticm. This pastor re-
mained until 1892, and not until 1894 was a regular minister again in charge,
when W. W. Johnson was chosen. He resigned in 1900. Rev. Conybeare was
called to this charge in 1900 and served until succeeded by Rev. McCaslin in 1904.
At the anniversary celebration referred to above the former pastors were in-
vited to be present and several responded. One of the first members of the
church in Red Oak, Mrs. Carl, was an interested listener.

In 1896 the church building was rebuilt in its present form, the improve-
ments costing about four thousand dollars. A pipe organ became the property
of the congregation in 1904.

The first movement of the Presbyterians to form an organization is set forth
here verbatim:

"Public notice having been given three weeks previous, a number of members
of the Presbyterian church met in Red Oak Grove for the purpose of taking
into consideration the practicability of forming a Presbyterian church in die
county. After much conversation and deliberation on the subject it was unani-
mously

"Resolved, that a church be now organized in this place according to direc-
tions in the form of government of the Presbyterian church in the United States
of America, to be denominated the Presbyterian Church of Red Oak Grove.

"The following named persons then presented letters, and gave satisfactory
evidence of their being members of this church in good and regular standing,
viz.: Robert Dallas, Miss Sarah Dallas, John Ferguson, Mrs. Isabella Fergu-
son, John Safiey, John Chappell, Robert Hrie, Mrs. Elizabeth Pirie, Samuel
Yule, and Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Charles Dallas. John Safiey and John Fer-
guson were tmanimously elected ruling elders in this church and were accord-
ingly ordained and installed. Session then met and was constituted with prayer,
and received on examination Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Jc^n Safiey. The session
was then closed with prayer. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was admin-
istered on the Sabbath by Rev. M. Mummer, itinerant missionary.

"(Signed) M. Hummer, Qerk of the Session.

"Red Oak Grove, Cedar County, March ist, 1841."

The articles of incorporation of the Presbyterian Church of Tipton were
filed for record on the sixteenth day of October, i860, at 12 m., and recorded in
Book A (record blurred) of deeds, at page, 408, Samuel Wampler, Recorder.

These were acknowledged by C. Curtiss, Notary and Attorney at Law.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 189

A church was organized at the New York school house in January, 1867,
which continued until it disbanded ia 1877 at the request of its membership.
There are no minutes of this church after 1874. It had at one time a member-
ship of thirty-two.^<>

More than fifty years ago there was a little aggregation of houses in the
western extremity of the territory, now the seat of Mechanicsville, and the sur-
rounding prairies were dotted with dwellings few and far between. Church
privileges were rare. The Methodists had established the church of Pioneer
Grove, which had been transferred to Mechanicsville.

Among these early settlers were a number of Presbyterians from Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio. Through their persuasion the Rev. Geo. D. Porter began
preaching about 1853 in the sdiool house which occupied the present site of
Wm. Johnson^s residence, on the comer where one turns to the cemetery. Rev.
Porter came from the Tipton charge, which had been first established at Red
Oak. After holding services here for two years the Presbytery of Cedar organ-
ized in that school house the eighteenth of November, 1855, the Presbyterian
church of Mechanicsville, with twenty-four members. Andrew Elliott and Will-
iam Potter were the first elders. Of the original members two only remained
at the fortieth anniversary — Mrs. Mary Bardue and Mrs. Mary Jordan.

Rev. Porter preached here until 1857, but remained for ten years in the
county. Rev. A. S. Thome fcrflowed Mr. Porter, and he served this appoint-
ment in connection with that of Lisbon. Later he went as a missionary to the
Indians and when heard from at the f(Htieth anniversary of the church he was
at Forest City, S. D. During the ministry of Mr. Thome the church grew to
forty members and a building was erected on Main street, just north of the
present location of the school building. This was used about nine years. In
1858 the Rev. Robert Boag, a Scotch-Irishman fresh from Canada, succeeded
Rev. Thome. For ten years he served this church in connection with Red Oak
and Lisbon. This was during the trying period of the war, when he stood
bravely for his adopted cotmty. Under his ministry the people built a new house
of worship in 1866.

In 1868 J. W. Knott came from the seminary to the work of the church
here, and he was followed in 1871 by E. R. Brown, who sent a letter full of
enthusiasm to the congregation at the time of their observance of their fortieth
anniversary. In the letters of these pastors to the charge they formerly served
they make mention of the faithful friends of former years, among whom are
mentioned the names of Mr. Sharp, Maj. Jones, and Dr. Keith. In the years
following the pastors were Revs. Ward, Wells, Henry McMeekin, the latter of
whom, it is said, "will long be remembered for his abstracted manner, his decided
opinions, and the eloquence of the sermons in which he always gave good meas-
ure, heaped up, pressed down and mnning over."

Rev. N. H. Downing, who had served Qarence, and who was again there in
the nineties, was pastor here from 1883-1886. For a short period following
him Rev. Moffat, and then for a single year the Rev. J. H. Cooper, who helped
to build the parsonage, occupied the pulpit. J. W. Hubbard came in 1889, and
it was during his pastorate tfiat the history of the church was brought down to
date, and it is from that discourse and data fumished by the present pastor,

190 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Rev. A. P. Cocker, that these facts are gathered. The years from 1897 to the
present time have been under the pastorates of Revs. Sears, Triem, and Cooper,
as mentioned.

The new church was built in 1906, the comer stone being laid on July 4 of
that year, and the dedication occurring in October. The cost then was about
$11,000 and the total property value to date is $13,000. Rev. A. P. Cooper became
pastor in 1905 and therefore has seen these improvements and had charge of
their completion. An interesting fact in connection with the church building is
that every dollar was subscribed, the last one three days before dedication. The
members of committees not mentioned include the names of J. W. Thomas,
Howard Elliott, S. T. Buell, and Alexander Moffit.

At the anniversary celebration held in 1895, a letter was read from the widow
of the first pastor, 1853-7, Mrs. Porter, whose name is associated with the Pres-
b3rterian churches in this county, not only in one locality. ^*^

During the period of building the congregation used the opera hall, which
continued until October, 1906, when the exercises of dedication were fully de-
scribed in the papers of the county. Two former pastors were present at this
time, Revs. Hubbard of Mount Vernon and Triem of Woodbine, lowa.^^*

The church building of the present is one of the most substantial in the
cotmty and is a fine structure both in appearance and accommodation, having
all modern improvements. The present membership numbers one hundred and
twenty-eight. The elders are William Thomas, August H. Pieper, William
Henderson, Sr., Alexander Robertson, and Benjamin Hill.

The Presbyterian Church of West Branch, Iowa, was organized May 8,
1877, by a committee of Iowa City Presbytery, composed of Rev. C. P. Spinning,
Rev. A. Porter, and Elder Z. King.

At 8 o'clock in the evening, in the Friends' Meeting-house, Rev. C. P. Spin-
ning preached a sermon from the text found in Matt. 13: 33; after which the
church was organized with the following charter members: Mr. Wm. Brown,
Mrs. Harriet Brown, Miss Ella Brown, Mr. John Brown, Miss Mary Brown,
Miss Emma Brown, Mrs. Eleanor Brown, Mr. Robert Brown, Miss Mary Ann
Brown, Mr. Robert H. Smith, Mrs. Francis A. Smith, Mr. James McQister,
Mrs. Elizabeth McClister, Miss Anna Jamison, Miss M. E. Bray, Mrs. A. Win-
terbottom, Mrs. Mary A. Crosland, Mr. Willis Atkins, Mr. Samuel Wood, Mr.
D. E. McClelland, Mrs. Cornelia P. McQellan, Mrs. John H. Crosland, twenty-
two in all.

William Brown, D. E. McClellan, and Willis Atkins were elected the first
ruling elders, and were ordained and installed May 20, 1877, by Rev. J. P.
Schell, pastor of Scott Church in Johnson County, who had previously signified
his willingness to serve the young church until more satisfactory arrangements
could be made.

Steps were immediately taken toward the erection of a house of worship,
which was built during the summer, and dedicated November 11, 1877, Rev.
F. A. Shearer, of West Liberty, preaching the sermon. The total cost of build-
ing and lot was a little over $2,000. The same building, having been repaired
from time to time, is still in use by the congregation.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MECHANICSVILLE

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. MECHANK^VILLE

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 198

Early in 1878 Rev. J. P. Schdl notified the congregation that he could not
continue to serve them, and steps were taken to group West Branch with Fair-
view Church. Rev. A. M. Heizer took charge of this double field in October,
1878.

The following ministers have served the church :

James P. Schell, May 8, 1877-1878.

A M. Heizer, October i, 1878-September, 1880.

George B. Smith, January, 1881-July i, 1885.

Joseph R. Cheeseman, November 15, 1885-September 11, 1889.

G. H. Hemingway, November i, 1889- 1892.

Geo. Fumiss, November i, 1892-1902.

D. Wallace McMillan, 1902-1903.

David Brown, 1903-1905.

Alexander Gilmore, 1905-1907.

"William A. Montgomery, 1907.

The following persons have served as ruling elders :

William Brown, 1877-1898.

D. E. McClellan, 1877-1909.

Willis Atkins, 1877- 1886.

J. M. Lindsley, 1888-1903.

Benjamin Yetter, 1888-1889. ^ .

J. E. Myers, 1890-1901.

H. J. Forsyth, 1896-1901.

D. M. Dixon, 1898.

William Bremner, 1898-1904.

O. C. Pennock, 1905.

Jas. A. Cochran, 1910.

F. H. Battey, i9io.^5«

Upon the solicitation of ntunerous residents who had previously been mem-
bers of the Presbyterian body elsewhere, the Rev. George D. Porter of Tipton,
Iowa, had held preaching services at intervals for some time prior to the spring
of 1855 ^^ ^€ Sugar Creek school house and at other places in Sugar Creek
township, Cedar County, Iowa. These meetings had been well attended and
considerable interest had been manifested.

Accordingly a committee consisting of Rev. George D. Porter, JRev. John
Hudson, and Elder Starr was appointed by Presbytery to take into considera-
tion the organization of a church. This committee had an appointed meeting at
Sugar Creek school house on June 10, 1855, and proceeded to organize a church
to be known as the Sugar Creek Presbjrterian church. The original member-
ship consisted of the following persons to-wit : Gibson Agnew, Eleanor Agnew,
Amanda Agnew, Alexander Morgan, Jane Morgan, Thomas Johnson, James
Cooper, Amanda Cooper, and Sarah Mason. Gibson Agnew, James Cooper and
Alexander Morgan were the first ruling elders. To these have since been
elected as successors, R. A. Mclntyre, William A. Leech, David Moore, Leander
Lodge, William S. Agnew, David G. Agnew, Alexander Mayes, James Whitmer,
C. F. Port, W. H. Kiser, John S. Agnew, William Kiser, Charles D. Kiser.

194 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The Rev. John Hudson served the church for some time after its organization
in the pulpit as a stated supply. In 1858, Rev. Wm. P. Mason of Davenport
acted in the same capacity for a period of six consecutive months. In 1859 Rev.
Jacob Pentzer began acting as stated supply in connection with the same class
of work in the embryo church at Wilton. From this time on the two pastorates
have been merged into one and the succession of pastors is the same as that ta
be hereafter given in our account of the Wilton church. In 1866 the neat and
substantial frame church which is now in use was erected at a cost of $2,200,
much of the cost being contributed by the members in labor and material.

In the spring of i860 a committee consisting of Rev. John M. Jones and Rev.
E. L. Belding was appointed by the Presbytery of Iowa City to consider the
feasibility of forming from the members of the Sugar Creek church who lived
at or near Wilton, and from others who desired it, another church body at the
town of Wilton. This committee at an appointed meeting held in the school
house at Wilton on May 14, i860, effected the organization of a church to be
known as the Presbjrterian Church at Wilt<m, lowa.^**

The First Presbyterian Church of Clarence was first organized at Onion
Grove as the First Presb3rterian Church of Da}rton from its taking the name of
the township. This occurred in November, i860, before the name Qarence was
2q)plied to the place. The committee in charge of these services came from
the presbytery at Iowa City and consisted of the Revs. Daniel Clark, Geo. D.
Young, and Samuel J. Mills. The church originally consisted of six members
whose names are:* Wm. Cassie, Mrs. Esther Munro, Mr. Walter and Mrs.
Euphemia Shearer, Mrs. Emily Basham and Geoi^e Stone.

The Rev. Mills had preached in the vicinity for some weeks and was instru-
mental in forming the organization. Since that time several pastors have
served the congr^;ation, scmie of them for a long period, returning in two cases
for the second period of service.

Rev. Mills served the charge from '60 to '63 ; C. W. Treadwell from '63 to
'67 and from '69 to '75; A. K. Baird, '67-'68; E. B. Cousins, *76-'77; T. H.
Candor, '78-'79; N. H. Downing, '8ch'83 and '89 to '93; Wm. Gage, '84-'8s;
Thos. G. Pearce, '86-'89; Geo. M. Cummings, '93-'98; J. K. Hall, '99 to 1901;
D. M. Ogilvie, i90i-'o7; J. L. Cotton, i907-'o8; and the present pastor. Rev.
Bach.

The present building was erected in 1882. The former one, built in 1861,
was disposed of for useful purposes and part of it now stands on the west of
the devator near the railroad track in Clarence. ^'^

"Pleasant Hill" congregation of Cumberland Presb3rterian church was
located at Pedee. Organized in December, 1849. Here in 1866-67 Rev. R. A.
Ferguson held a meeting and their number was increased by one hundred or
more members. The membership gradually became fewer until its discontin-
uance. They had a church building of some pretensions at one time. This
church had an organization known as the "Union Valley Church," with Rev.
Milo Hobart as pastor. It was established in 1871 with a membership of
twenty-three.

The history of the Methodist church begins very early. In the latter part
of June, 1837, Rev. Barton H. Cartwright, a nephew of the famous Peter Cart-

SOATTEROOOD MEETING HOUSE

ST. PAli, CHfRCH. DURANT

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 197

wrigfat, preached the first sermon delivered in the Cedar River country. The
place was in the cabin of Col. Henry Hardman. About twenty persons were
present There was a common candle stand behind which he stood to preach.
As there was no organ or choir he led the singing, lining out the hymns.

During 1838-9 Chauncey and Norris Hobart preached in Washington A.
Rigby's house. In 1840 Rev. M. Brace preached at Benjamin Fraseur's, about
two miles west of the present site of Tipton.

Rev. Uriah Ferree was the first regular preacher of Spring Rock Mission,
as it was first named. This was in 1841. The same year he organised the first
Methodist class, of which the following named were members: George Carl
and wife, Solomon Aldrich and wife, Washington A. Rigby, Margaret Culbert-
son, Martha Friend and Flavia Huff. Soon after Callahan Dwigans and wife,
Patterson Fleming and wife, and others were added.

October 17, 1841, the first Quarterly Conference was held at Rochester.
Bartholomew Weed was Presiding Elder; Uriah Ferree, Preacher in Charge.
For the sake of brevity the letters Ofdy will be used hereafter. The estimating
committee reported $48 table expenses and twelve for house rent. No doubt a
large part of the first named sum had its equivalent in produce and other articles
which were more plentiful than money.

January 15, 1842, the second Quarterly Conference was held at Cci. Hard-
man's. At the Quarterly meeting in 1857-61 Rev. Samuel Pancoast became P. E.

W. W. Bailey remamed as pastor one year, and was followed by E. S. Stout
He had a discussion with Col. Sanford, the Universalist champion. The Metho-
dists thought the former came off victorious, but the Universalists did not think
so. This was in 1858. Wm. Lee and A. H. Ames entered the traveling con-

nectMHi.

J. T. Coleman was pastor one year and was followed by S. C. Freer. This
brings us to 1861, when Tipton, bethel and Red Oak were united ; Henry Reed,
P. E. ; Rev. Fellows, as pastor. In 1863 J. G. Dimmit became P. E. About this
time the Bethel Sabbath School was organized. In 1863 Rev. Samuel Pan-
coast became pastor. Wm. Lee was appointed assistant. Wm. Mooiiiead's
name af^pears as exhorter in 1864.

In 1865 George Clifford, P. E.; Elias Skinner, P. C."« The members of
Rochester were attached to the Tipton chaiige. It is now Iowa Qty District
J. K. Fuller followed Rev. Clifford as P. E.

December 20, 1866^ thirty-one persons were received into full membership,
and six by letter. In 1867-69, J. M. Rankin became P. C.

August a8, 1868, the first movement toward building the second church home
was made by the purchase of two lots, one from Wm. H. Tuthill for $50, and
anodier from F. W. Hirschfelt for $125. Plans were secured like the Waverly
church.

Rev. C. G. Truesdell became P. E. in the fall of 1868. About this thne
Tipton asked to be again a station by itself. In 1869 J. M. Rankin became P. E.
At the same time Uriah Eberhart was made P. C. The Official Board was or-
ganized October 18, 1869.

At a meeting of the Board held March 16, 1870, a motion was made and
carried that we forthwith proceed to build a church according to the plan sped-

198 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

fied with the addition of a basement. Rev. Eberhart was instructed to procure
plans. Five days later he reported three plans from Henry Hatch, one from
S. Bossert, and one from W. W. Sanborn of Clinton, One of the plans fur-
nished by Mr. Hatch was chosen. It was after the style of a church in Maine,
having a plain front and a center tower. Building committee, Jdin Culbertson,
J. W. Bull, and Henry Horn. In 1870 the name of the district was changed
from the Iowa City to the Davenport District. J. S. Anderson, P. E.; W. H.
Brocksome, P. C. A special meeting of the Official Board was held in the base-
ment of the new church on. December 29, 1871, to plan for . dedication day.
There were present at that meeting W. H. Brocksome, Wm. Lee, J. H. Reigart,
S. Aldrich, B. Wildhelm, Henry Horn, J. Culbertson, H. D. Brown, J. W. Bull
and J. H. Rothrock. C. L. Long^ey and C. W. Rollins were appointed secre-
taries for the day. L. D. Ingman was to act as usher for the south aisle ; J. H.
Rothrock, W. H. Alden and S. V. Landt for the center aisle; J. O. Westoott
and J. W. Bull for the north aisle. For the gallery, B. Wilhelm. Mrs. Martha
Culbertson and Mrs. J. H. Rothrock were scrfidtors at the center door, Mrs. J. W.
Westcott at the north and Mrs. Whan at the south door. Rev. A, B. Kendig
dedicated the building to sacred usjcs.

Expended on the building, including furnaces and windows $^,455.77

Furnishings and chairs 3S8.25

Accrued interest * 225.00

Insurance on building 60.00

Expenses of dedication 60.00

Two lots i7S-a>

Total $9^364.02

The first bill, five hundred dollars for lumber, was paid by the women of
the church. September 9, 1872, the old church was ordered sold to the highest
bidder^ Mr. D. K. Deardorf became the owner. The name of the district was
changed again and was called Mt Vemon District.

1872-75, Richard Swcaringen, P. C. The Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society was organized in 1874. October 20, 1875, S. H. Henderson, P. E,,
and F. C. Wolfe, P. C. It became, at that time Cedar Rapids District.

October, 1876, Rev. Emory Miller became P. E. Rev. S. A. Lee served
the charge from 1876 to 1879. During that time a large number of men united
with the church. R. N. Earhart became P. C. and remained two years. Women
became members of the Board of Stewards under his administration. W. B.
Frazelle was P. C. from 1881 to 1883. Eugene May served from 1883 to 1885.
There was a revival in the Sabbath School .during his pastorate. J. T. Crippen
was P. E. from 1885 to 1891. W. F. Barclay succeeded Rev. May and re-
mained three years. There was an increase in membership, improvement in the
church building and parsonage during his pastoratie. Daniel Sheffer was P. C
from 1888 to '91. C. L. Gould was P. C. from 1891 to 1895. The Woman's
Home Missionary Society was organized while he was on the charge. He
went to Charles City from this place. J. B. Albrook became P. E. at the ex-
piration, of J. T. Crippen's term of service. W. W. Carlton P. E. for years.
L. U. McKee P. C. from 1895 to 1897. S. W. Heald P. C. from 1897 to 1899.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 199

He went from Tipton to Cresco, died at Osage, September 7, 1903. F. P.
ShaflFer, P. C. from 1899 to 1902. J. G. VanNess succeeded W. W. Carlton as
P. E. ; R. D. Parsons P. C in 1902.

On and after September, 1842, the name Cedar Circuit was used instead of
Spring Rock Mission. April 22, 1843, the name Rock River Conference ap-
pears on the records. Henry D. Brown was appointed to confer with the Iowa
Gity brethren about holding a union camp meeting. These were held quite
often in the early period of the church's history.

In the fall of the year 1843 Rev. Uriah Ferree (his pastorate having come
to a close) desired to attend Conference at Chicago. Money was very scarce,
but Brother Preston J. Friend proved "a friend indeed" by giving his last five
dollar bill to enable him to make the journey. By stopping with brethren on
the way he made out to get there.

November 11, 1843, Quarterly Conference was held at Tipton; Henry W.
Reed, P. E.; S. W. Ingham, P. C. In 1844 the list of classes was as follows:
Tipton, Red Oak, Hardman's, Moscow, Mosquito Creek, Rochester, and Blay-
lock Settlement November 23, 1845, George B. Bowman, P. E. ; John Hayden,
P. C. The f (blowing is on record and is of great value and interest:

"Territory of Iowa, Cedar County. We, the subscribers, and our associates,
having united ourselves together as a religious society under the name and style
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Cedar Circuit, Iowa Conference, and
located said society in Cedar County aforesaid, having chosen as officers of said
society the following named persons, to wit: Solomon Aldrich, William Lee,
Henry D. Brown, Ethan C. Crippen, Richard Ransford, Mahan, Circuit Stew-
ards. Henry Hardman, John Boydston^ William Lee, Henry D. Brown, Solo-
mon Aldrich, Trustees. Henry D. Brown, Recording Steward.

-Dated this third day of July in the yeair of our Lord one thousand, eight
hundred and forty-six.

"Attested by Henry D. Brown, Recording Steward."

The recorder of Cedar County, Wm. K. Whitelsey, certifies that the above in-
strument of writing was deposited in the office for recwd on the 19th day of
August, A. D. 1846, at twelve o'clock m., and was recorded in book D, page 298,
at Tipton, August 24, 1846."

For want of time and space no adequate history of the Sabbath school can
be given. There was a union school organized in Tipton in 1846 by Rey.
Ebenezer Alden. Wm. Lee was the first Superintendent. The various com-
mittees on missions having failed to report, or having nothing to report. Rev.
Hayden was requested to preach a missionary sermon, and take up a collection.
This was in 1847. The same year Rev. Joel B. Taylor succeeded Rev. Hayden
and Asbury Collins was assistant.

October 14, 1848, Wm. Simpson, P. C. In December of same year a com-
mittee of five was appointed to consider the propriety of building a meeting
house in Tiptwi. Brothers Fraseur, Lee, Aldrich, Carl and Betts composed the
committee. They evidently thought it the proper thing to do, for the frame was
put up in 1849, 2^"d enclosed the next year. Wm. Lee went to Muscatine for the
lumber and sawed nearly all of it himself. It was a plain frame building and
cost about one thousand dollars. It was seated at first with slabs, furnished

200 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

by Henry D. Brown. These were in use for about two years. The building
was never formally dedicated. In 1854 an addition was built and a cupola put
up to hold the first church bell ever brought to Tipton. The citizens gave part
of the money to buy it and Mr. John Culbertson secured the balance in New
York and Boston. It was bought in Troy, N. Y., and was received in the
summer of 1856. The belfry not being in readiness, it was hung in the minis-
ter's bam. The sexton rang it for a few weeks by taking held of the tong^ue
with his hands and striking it against the side of the bell. He struck it too hard
one day and iM-oke the bell. It had to be sent back and exchanged for the present
one at the expense of the freight

October 26, 1850, Alcinus Young was P. E. and L. C. Woodford P. C. The
Stewards of those days could get released, relieved or excused whenever they
tried to as the records show. The Stewards of more modem times would give
a pretty penny to be able to do the same.

November 15, 185 1, David Worthington became P. E. in place of Alcinus
Young, and Ancel Wright P. C. in place of L. C. Woodford. The first Metho-
dist Sabbath School was organized by Rev. Wright in the spring of 1852. The
first Superintendent was J. C. Betts. It is said he served continually for fifteen
years. As a matter of contrast the first report of this school is here given:
Number of officers, i ; teachers, 4; scholars, 40; volumes in library, 70.

The first revival of which the records speak was during the pastorate of
Rev. Wright, when over a hundred were converted.

185a Alcinus Young was the presiding elder. He died March 30, 1876. E.
H. Twining. P. C. In 1853, Reuben McCaskey received license as a local
preacher. Rev. A. Coleman succeeded Alcinus Young as P. E. ; Rev. J. T. Cole-
man, P. C. Wm. Lee was licensed as a local preadier March 11, 1854. In 1855,
Rufus Ricker, P. C. Local preachers, J. W. Kynett, J. B. Huff, and N>. Young.
July 17, 1857, J. W. Kynett was recommended to the Annual Conference for
Local Deacon's Orders. There was a revival while Rev. Ricker was pastor.

At the dedicatory exercises of the present church, it is fitting to say that to
Dr. R. D. Parson's pastorate much credit is due for the sucpess of the great
enterprise undertaken by the congregation. The cordial union of all interests
and the helpful and united spirit of all under his ministry alone made possible
the erecticm of this magnificent edifice. In a sense it will stand as a monument
to his long and successful woiic in the ministry. Dr. Parsons was bom in
Hadley, Mass., in 1838 and came to Iowa when a boy with his parents, who set-
tled in Tipton. While a student at Cornell he heard his country's call and en-
Ibted in the famous College Co. D, 44 I. V. I., which was made up of students
from Cornell, Iowa Wesleyan, and the State University. After an honorable
service as a soldier he resumed his c<dlege studies and graduated from Cornell
with the class of 1867. His life since that time is a long record of faithful and
devoted wodc in the ministry of tiie M. E. Church. His first chaige was at
Ly<ms, Iowa, and after that, in order, Waverly, Qinton, Cedar Falls, Mt. Ver-
non, Vinton, Iowa City, Osage, Fayette, Mason City, Manchester, Vinton,
Waverly, Maquoketa, and Tipton. In these thirty-seven years of labor in the
Upper Iowa Conference Dr. Parsons has made himself known and loved by
thousands of Methodists, and these, together with his fellow ministers and

EVANGELICAL CHUBCH, BENNETT

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BENNETT

*■■••

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 208

other friends, will share with him the satisfaction and pride he must feel in the
great work just accomplished,^*^

October 23, 1904, the new Methodist church was dedicated by Bishop Johif
W. Hamilton. The sum of eight thousand dollars was raised to complete the
payments of twenty-three thousand dollars, the cost of tiie building and fur-
nishings. The pipe organ was installed at. this time. Three separate programs
filled the day and evening.

Territory of Iowa, Cedar County — ss :

We, the subscribers, and our associates, having united ourselves together as
a religious society under the name and style of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
Cedar Circuit, Iowa Conference, and located said society in Cedar County afore-
said, have chosen officers of said society in accordance with our rules the follow-
ing named persons, to ,wit :

Henry Hardman, Solomon Aldrich,

John Boydston, William Lee,

WiLUAM Lee, Henry D. Brown,

Henry D. Brown, Ethan C. Ouppen,

Solomon Aldrich, Richard Ransford,

Trustees. Mahan,

Circuit Stewards.
Henry D. Brown, Recording Steward.
Dated this third day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred forty-six.

Signatures of the officers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Cedar Grcuit,
Iowa Conference.

Here appear the signatures of the following:

Henry D. Brown, John Boydston,

Solomon Aldrich, Wiluam Lee,

Henry Hardman, Trustees.

The recording steward certifies as follows:
Territory of Iowa, Cedar County — ss :

I, Henry D. Brown, ReccM-ding Steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
of Cedar Circuit, Iowa Conference, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a cor-
rect and true abstract of the organization of the said religious society, together
with the names and titles of the officers thereof, and attached to which is the
true and veritable signatures of each of said officers.

Given under my hand and seal, this third day of July, A. D. 1846.

Henry D. Brown, (seal)

Recording Steward.
On the reverse side of the original agreement, now in the hands of Mr. M. H.
Miller, the county reccwder makes the entry : Ceda C tv T T

Recorder's Office — ss: ' *'

I certify that the within instrument of writing was deposited in this office for
record the 19th day of August, A. D. 1846, at 12 o'clock m., and was recorded
m Book D, page 298, at Tipton August 24th, 1846.

(Signed) Wm. K. Whittlesey, (seal)

Recorder Cedar County.

204 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Three miles west of Tipton there once stood a little red school house where
the church people of the early day met together, Congregational, Methodist,
and United Brethren^ all in earnest and in harmony to establish a strong Sunday
School. They came for miles around since this was the only place where such
meetings were then held. Of these three groups the United Brethren had the
greater number and first erected a church.' This was called Zion and was built
in 1856. During the winter of the year in which this was built a most remark-
able revival occurred in this neighborhood under the leadership of the pastor of
the United Brethren church, Rev. Geo. Miller, assisted by two other men, Rufus
Ricker and Wm. Lee, of the M. E. church. Under the influence of the three
men and the large growth of all the denominatioas the Methodist people now
built a church to accommodate the increased gathering and nsuned it Bethel,
erected in 1857. It has since been called West Bethel, due to another south of
the county, seat called by the same name. At this time the Congr^;ationalists
united with the Brethren and the little red school house so often the meeting
place of all these people was abandoned as a church for the more pretentious
house.

For many years these churches exerted a strong influence over the entire
neighborhood, and there is-one man who remains very faithful to his first trust
and each Sunday returns to the old home place to keep alive the associations of
former years and to see that the later generation does not forget. The red
sdiool house is no more, but W. B. Reeder does not forget and tells now of the
early joys of the union services when entire families came together in tiie early
morning and remained through the entire service. He has held his membership
in Bethel church since its erection, helped to build both the churches in that
community and is satisfied to be counted there today. ^*'

In the fall of 1857 the entire district lying west of the central part of the
county on ^e Cedar River was organized into a circuit and known as Cedar
Circuit in Iowa City District, and the Rev. Samuel Pancoast as Presiding Elder.

B. C. Barnes was the first pastor and this was his first work, being assigned
here by Bishop Ames of the Marion conference.

His chaise consisted of Number Six, Coon Creek, Gower's Ferry, Linn
Grove, and before the year was out an appointment in the west end of Red Oak
at the brick school house. William Lee of Tipton, a local preacher, had worked
in this territory without pay and now gave it into the hands of the r^jular pastor.

The next year, 1858, Bethel was added to this circuit and the pastes- resided
here. In 1862 Bethel was connected with Tipton and Rev. S. N. Fellows was in
charge. He held meetings in the churches of other denominations in Red Oak.
The Red Oak church was built in 1867 when Elias Skinner was pastor. In
1868 and '69 W. A. Allen was pastor at Clarence and organized a class at Stan-
wood, preaching in the depot, stores, and -starting a Sunday school. In 1869
Bethel and Red Oak were set off as a circuit with J. W. Kynett as pastor. Stan-
wood was at this time in connection with the Clarence charge and tiie pastor

C. A. Hawn.

In 1870 what was called Tipton circuit included Bethel, Red Oak, and Stan-
wood, with a membership of one hundred and twenty. In 1873 this circuit was
called Stanwood.

Methodist Episcopal Church

PresbrMrian Chtirch ETangelical Church, School and ParaoDage

Catholic Church
GROUP OF CLAHENCR CHUBCHE8

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 207

In October, 1877, the retiring pastor of this circuit wrote the history of the
different appointments so far as the record of those in charge and the local
arrangements could be condensed into a record of a few lines. This is the only
record of this period beyond the memory of man. The next pastor at Stanwobd
kept no record and the record Avas continued by the pastor following, a student
from Cornell, who did his college work and the pastoral work also. This man
needs to be mentioned in particular, for he worked for two years in this way
until compelled by ill health to limit his work to his studies. When he gave up
the pastorate of the three appointments the congregations met together at the
Red OsUc church and to assist him in his purposes gave him $130 in gold, this
purse being presented by Capt. W. T. Rigby for the assembled people.

In 1886 a class was formed at Stotler's school house, and when the United
Brethren church was built at Buchanan's Comers the meeting was moved there.

Last February the Methodist church of Mechanicsville rededicated the
church after its reconstruction. Its history was given at that time in the con-
densed form which follows. The present-pastor, Rev. James Ballz, had charge
of these services, and was assisted by a number from abroad.

The building committee at this time was composed of F. W. Leech, D. C.
Gilliland, Dr. Fairchild, and J. D. Blessing. The class leaders of the church are
Wm. Albaugh and Samuel Gilliland, pioneers of this county, the latter being in
his ninety-seventh year.

From the early records of Methodism in Cedar County, we learn that just
fifty years ago the name of Mechanicsville appears in one of the appointments on
what was then known as Pioneet Circuit. How long before this date a class had
been organized at Mechanicsville the records do not tell. The circuit at this time
was composed of Pioneer, Mechanicsville, Greenfield, Rome, Simmons' School
House and Qarence. About the year 1864 Valley Chapel and White Oak became
appointments on this charge. During the pastorate of J. M. Rankin in the year
1866, the church building at Pioneer was moved to Mechanicsville and fitted for
service. This historic building is still in existence and serves as the dwelling of
Dr. Scott Russell.

The present building was erected during the year 1884, S. S. Bradford, pas-
tor. Dr. J. T. Crippen ccfiiducting the dedicatory services. The building commit-
tee oxisisted of Wm. Hehner, Joseph Lee and Norman Bennett. Joseph Lee
died April i, 1884, s^d I. B. Johnson was elected to fill the vacancy. He and
Norman Bennett are living to see the rededication of this house of worship. The
remodeling of the church was begun last year under the pastorate of Rev. Ewert,
now of Garrison. The remodeling has been so complete that a new church is
almost the result. The improvements consist of a commodious kitchen and dining
hall in the basement and a newly arranged heating plant. The interior of the
auditorium has been completely changed, the ceiling lowered and both ceiling ai|d
walls beautifully frescoed, harmonising in color with the new art windows. New
carpet covers aisles and rostrum. The furniture consists of new pulpit, settee and
pews. The pews are a monument to the devotion and energy of Mr. Samuel
Gilliland, who first conceived the notion of seating the new church with pews of
modem style, and by personal solicitation secured money enough to nearly cover
the cost of pews and pulpit.

206 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Too much cannot be said in honor of the building committee who devoted so
much of their time and personal effort to the interests of this work. Likewise the
same recognition is due the Ladies' Aid Society which has been an important
factor in carrying to ccxnpletion this enterprise. The church as it now stands is
a model of beauty and harmony and of which the citizens of Medianicsville and
vicinity may justly be proud. ^**

Rev. Cyrus Morey, a minister of the Methodist church, commenced preaching
in Durant the summer of 1869, occupying at first the old Butterfield building.
During the winter of 1870 he held a revival which was the means of establishing
a permanent society and in the spring of '71 action was taken for the erection of
a church and accordingly money enough was soon solicited to insure the comple-
tion of the same. The comer stone was laid after the Masonic order May, 1871 ;
the church was dedicated early after harvest, 1871. The articles of incoqx>ration
were approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on the 2nd day of May,
1874, and were filed in the Qerk's office at Tipton May 7th, 1874.

The ministers that have occupied this field since Rev. Morey are: Revs.
Rankin, Gortner, Cler, Jennis and £. L. Briggs. The society has no regular
pastor at present. ^•^

The first Methodist preacher to speak in Clarence was the Rev. T. C. Wood-
ford, a superannuate of the Iowa Annual Conference, who th^i resided in Tipton
and was invited to speak in the place by the Lutherans. This was in 1862. This
point was first made a regular 2q>pointment by Rev. J. W. Kynett, who was then
suppl3ring the Pioneer charge. He was afterward prominent in the local military
affairs and at one time presiding elder of the district He was a familiar figure
on the streets of Tipton until the last two years. He conducted the services in
Qarence for some time but did not perfect an organization. Clarence was a
part of the charge of the pastor who had to care for Stanwood and Red Oak at
one time, according to the records. The appointment was made an independent
work in 1868 and the pastors who served in its beginning included some names
now long out of service.

The church was built in 1868, the parsonage in 1877. '^^ present pastor is
Rev. Smith. The pastors before it became an independent work were, in addition
to the one mentioned, Revs. Scoles, Paine, Manning, McClain, and Hawn. The
church dedication occurred in 1869 under the direction of Dr. Hatfield, Revs.
Allen and Millcr.i«i

The first religious service held in the neighborhood of Louden was by the
Methodist denomination, one and a half miles southeast, by Rev. Gilruth. The
present church in Lowden was built in 1861, Rev. A. J. IQymett, presiding elder.
The records of its fifty years of history are very meagre and illustrates the sad
fact of neglect, on the part of those responsible, to make any systematic record
of what took place. This is the only church in town where there is preaching in
the English language and all church going people who do not understand German
go there and many of the German children attend the Sunday school.^*^

The Methodist Episcopal Church of West Branch, Iowa, was organized pre-
vious to the year 1870* During the first years of the organization the religious
services were conducted by the pastor from Oasis, Iowa. Before the church
building was erected at West Branch, which was in 1870, members of the sodeQr

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 209

attended for a while at Oasis and also at Brick Chapel. Later, West Branch
became the head of the circuit and the pastor visited and held services at Oasis,
!^ringdale and Brick Chapel. This was the arrangement for the work during
the pastorate of S. C. Freer in 1876. S.^B. Maltbie became the pastor in the
autumn of 1877, when North Liberty was added to the circuit, and Oasis became
the head of another circuit. Rev. Maltbie served two years and was followed in
1880 by H. S. Bargelt, who served one and one-half years, L. D. Younkin filling
out the second year. L C. Lusk served two years from October, 1882, and was
succeeded by R. Wolf, who served from 1884 to 1887. The longest pastorate in
the history of this church was that of Wm. S. Craft covering a period of five
years, from 1887 to 1892. The next three pastorates were of one year each, J. G.
Eberhart beginning October, 1892, John H. Hayward, October, 1893, and Jno.
M. Wilkerson, October, 1894. A. D. Stevens was pastor here from 1895 to '97,
R. W. Coates from 1897 to October, 1901, H. H. Barton from 1901 to 1903, W.

B. Davis from 1903 to 1906, F. H. Linn from 1906 to 1908, £. A. Lang from
1908, pastorate not closed.

The society at Springdale was incorporated Jan. 20, 1875, and since that time
has been a part of the West Branch Circuit. The Trustees who composed the
board in 1875 and signed the Articles of Incorporation were Jno. Worrall, F. A.
Bates, E. B. Randall^ Jno. Leonard, James Phelps, Elwood Macy and Joseph
Shaw.

The original church buildings, the one at West Branch, erected in 1870, and
the one at Springdale, erected in 1875, are still in use.

The membership on this circuit has varied during the past twenty years be-
tween 200 and 245. The Sunday schools have been well supported and have had
a large part in contributing to the spiritual life of these communities.^***

The beginning of the history of St. John's congregation, Tipton, Iowa, dates
back several years prior to the Civil War. In the spring of 1858, Rev. W. K.
Zieber came to Iowa on an exploring tour, and visited those of the Reformed
faith who happened to live in the vicinity of Tipton. As he was only to look
over the field he could simply encourage the people, and then passed on.

It seems from his report, action was taken by the Mission Boards, and Rev.

C. C Russel was conmiissioned to come and loc^ after these people, but on ac-
count of some interference, he did not come. Rev. Joshua Riale was at that time
missionary at Boulder, Iowa, and, as there was no sign of anyone coming soon
to look after the interests of the church in the vicinity of Tipton, he visited the
members and seems to have held a service, January 29, 1859, promising to come
back every four weeks. His two fields were now some forty miles apart, and to
be as near as possible to both, he moved to Lisbon.

In September of that year, 1859, the three ministers then in Iowa, Batmian,
Riale, and Buser, with their Elders, met in Tipton and organized the Cassis of
Iowa. The same day St. John's congregation was organized with the following
members: Isaac Neiman and Eliza Neiman, his wife, Samuel W. Neiman and
Susan Neiman, his wife, Mrs. Lidia Millhouse and Harriet Neiman, sisters of
Isaac and Samuel W. Neiman, and Eliza Bingeman, a neice of Mrs. Isaac Nei-
man. Thus it will be seen that these first seven members were very closely re-

210 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

lated. They have all passed to the other world except Eliza Bingeman, who is
now Mrs. Jacob Smith and lives at Greyson, Neb.

As there were but two men in the congregation the contest for office was per-
haps not very spirited. Anyway, it was settled by electing Isaac Neiman to the
office of Elder, and Samuel W. Neiman to that of Deaccxi. The Holy Communion
was at this time celebrated and regular services held thereafter every four weeks,
in the Lutheran church, in the afternoon.

The second Communion was held in September, i860, at which time George
L. Neiman, Sarah A. Neiman and Nancy Jane Emerick were received by con-
firmation, and Ephraim Neiman and J. Dairy, by letter. The congregation now
numbered twelve members, five men and seven women.

At the third Communion season, September, 1861, Mr. Riale preached his
farewell sermon as Supply, and in October of the same year Tipton was placed
with Wilton under the care of Rev. J. C. Klar. Mr. IQar IivckI at Wheatland
find preached as supply in Tipton every two weeks. During the year 1862 he
also preached in the Hebron school house and organized that congregation,
preaching alternately in German and English.

During his ministry the following perscHis were received from the New Berfin
charge, Pennsylvania : Josiah Sweinhart, Mrs. Mary A. Sweinhart, Jacob Swdn-
hart, Emma L. Sweinhart, now Mrs. Delaplane, Jerome Sweinhart, Mahlon
Neiman, Ester Neiman, Elizabeth Emerick and Ephraim Weil.

In October, 1862, Rev. Frederick Wall moved into the charge and supplied
Tipton and Hebron, while Rev. J. H. Buser supplied Wilton. Before the year
closed however, Mr. Wall stopped preaching in Tipton, but continued at Hd>ron
six months longer. No record is made of the cause of the stopping of the ser-
vices at Tipton, but it is reported by some that troubles had arisen on account
of the "war feeling," and the Lutheran church was closed to our people. Early
in 1863 ^^* Wall received a call and returned to Pennsylvania.

The congregation now should have nmnbered twenty-one members, had there
been no losses, but Isaac Neiman, Lidia Millhouse^ Harriet Neiman and J. Dairy
had passed away. Ephraim Neiman and Ephraim Weil had made a trip to the
''far west" and had died on the way, so that the membership ntmibered <Mily fif-
teen : nine Neimans, five Sweinharts, and Elizabeth Emerick.

The first r^^lar pastor was Rev. Joshua Riale, who was called in 1864, and
came to Tipton, November of the same year, living in the house on the southwest
comer of Sixth and Meridian streets, now known as the "Ingman House." Dur-
ing the first winter of his residence he organized a class in the catechism which
he confirmed May 28, 1865. They were J. Nevin Neiman, Peter Franklin Swein-
hart, J. Howard Neiman, L. Arthur Neiman, and J. Anna Chew. The congre-
gation at this time numbered twenty : twelve Neimans, six Sweinharts, Elizabeth
Emerick or Mrs. Daniel Shultz, and Miss Chew. The officers were, elder, S. W.
Neiman, deacons, Mahlon L. Neiman and Jacob Sweinhart.

Since the spring of 1863 services were held in the old brick Presbyterian
church, which stood on the site of the present Presbyterian parsonage, but dur-
ing the stunmer of 1865 the matter of building a church was agitated. A lot was
bought from John A. Uchtenwalter the same summer for $130.00, upon the north-
em end of which the church now stands, the remainder having been sold to Josiah

TIPTON RESIDENCE OF EEV. JOSHUA BIALE
The "Hisloric" house where the first prayer meet-
ing of tlie congregation was held January 26, 18G6

Mm. Susan Neiman Eliza Bingeman

Isaac Neiman Mni, Eliza Neiman Mrs. Liiiia MiJIhouae
Samuel W, Xeiman Harriet Neiman

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 218

Sweinhart in two different sections. Subscrii>tions were received for the church
building, after which Mr. Riale started East for help, where he seems to have
collected considerable funds. A building committee consisting of Josiah Swein-
hart, Lewis Kcssler and Rev. Riale was elected Nov. 13, 1865, and at the same
time these parties were elected the trustees of the congregation.

Up to this time no prayer meetings seem to have been held, but January 26,
1866, some of the members gathered at the home of Mr. Riale and engaged in
the first prayer meeting. It was then decided to continue the meeting every two
weeks at the homes of .the members.

The church building, 30x40 feet, with a four foot extension in front for a
tower, was erected in the summer of 1866, and September of that year Iowa
Classis convened in the new building. The dedicatory services were held Sunday
morning, Sept. 23, Rev. J. P. Bucher preaching the sermon.

At this service $595.63 were received in subscriptions, to complete the pay-
ment of the building, the total cost being $2,500.00. This offering was $100.00
more than was needed, but the church had then neither spire, bdl nor organ, and
a carpet had not been thought of.

The first session of the Sunday School was held October 28, 1866, at the close
of the morning service. The offifcers were: Supt., S. W. Neiman, Asst. Supt.,
Rev. J. Riale, Treas. and librarian, Jacob Sweinhart. At the first session of the
school there were sixteen scholars and five teachers.

In April, 1868, an effort was made to complete the building. At a congrega-
tional meeting held on Good Friday, April 10, a committee was appointed to over-
see the work; $210.00 was subscribed, but this was not sufficient and $57.00 was
loaned by individuals "until the spire is finished."

Up to this time aid had been received from the Board of Missions, but in
1868 it was taken from the roll of missions and became self-supporting. In the
fall of that year the new bell, weighing 650 lbs., was placed in the tower at a
cost of $135.70.

December ^^ 1868, a Missionary festival was held, in which Revs. D. S.
Fouse, F. C. Bauman, Geo. Rettig, Cyrus Cort and the pastor took part. The
day preceding this meeting Rev. Joshua Riale was installed pastor of the charge
by Rev. D. S. Fouse.

Mr. Riale had been missionary supply for almost three years, pastor, but not
installed for four years, and regular pastor for three years, making a total of
active service of ten years. After these years of faithful service, he preached his
farewell sermon May 7, 1871, and left the field to take charge of an academy at
Blairstown, Iowa, then conducted in the interests of the Reformed church.

The same year a call was extended to Rev. J. B. Shontz, who came and
preached his first sermon July 2. This new pastoral relation extended over a
period of a little more than two years, or until Nov. 30, 1873, when the charge
was reconstructed. Tipton, Hebron, Lisbon and Olin were constituted one field,
while Wilton and Qifton comprised another. The latter one extended a calt to
Rev. Shontz which was accepted.

Rev. D. S. Fouse was extended a call to become pastor of the charge, which
he accepted in June, 1874, and continued in this field until April, 1887.

214 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Since that time the following ministers have served the charge: Revs. G. D.
Gurley 1887-1893, Samuel Shaw 1893-1895, J. A. Hunsicker '95-1900, and J. N.
Naly from 1901 to the present time.

During the last eight years the church building has been remodeled and a
parsonage erected at a cost of $5/xx).oo.^**

The following account of the pioneer preacher tells something of the expe-
riences of all who undertook to follow the work of the pastor among a scattered
people. Dr. Kuhl, who left this record, was a missionary minister of the L41-
theran church and his widow, Mrs. Conrad Kuhl, is a resident of Tipton, widi her
daughter, Mrs. J. Kent Rizer.

''On Monday, Dec. 9, 1850, rode in a keen wind to Squash Bend (West Lib-
erty) to a settlement of Pennsylvania Lutherans and made an appointment for
night preaching. Had a crowded house and many asked me to return and do
something permanent for them. The next day filled my Communion appointment
at Iowa City, thirteen having communed in basement room of M. E. church.
Wednesday started toward Cedar Rapids, dining with a brother Fuhrmeister,
sixteen miles on my way.

'Tipton, Iowa; reached here Thursday, December 21, 1850, and took dinner
with Rev. Keith, a congr^;ationalist who introduced me to Bossert and Shanver,
the former from Holidaysburg, Pa. Rode out to Mr. Klock's two miles and a
half west of here, then to Mr. Maurer's and after supper to Laubscher's to make
appointments for Sunday preaching ia the neighborhood, German at 11 and
English at i o'clock. Returned to Bro. Bossert's where I rested and corre-
spcmded. Held our services on Stmday as announced ; in driving oat missed die
right school house a mile and a half ; returned to Tipton in the afternoon and
preached in Methodist church in the evening to a full house.''

Then followed a trip to Davenport and Western Illinois. At Beardstown
Dr. Kuhl preached the dedication sermon for the new Lutheran church, then
returned to Iowa and after preaching at a number of points on Sunday and dur-
ing the week came again to Tipton, Feb. 22, 1851. His record reads :

"Leaving Moscow, I rode to Bro. Dale's near Rochester, but found my 2^
pointment to preach there had not been received so came on to Tipton. Was
kindly received by Bro. Bossert and Saturday rode to German settlement west of
town stopping on my way at old Mr. Klock's. Found him l}ring a corpse. Ar-
ranged to conduct service for him later and after visiting in the neighborhood
stopped over night at Father Laubscher's and son-in-law PfafTs. Sunday, Feb.
23, weather was bad, roads muddy. Rode to Klock's. Found casket had not yet
arrived. Preached in German and again in English. In afternoon went to Dale's
and preached in schod house and again in evening at Bro. Kline's.

^'Monday 24th. Reached Cedar River at Rochester. It was near noon before
the ferryman would venture. When we did start, a large ice cake strudc our
boat, the guide rope broke and we were flung down stream a quarter of a mile,
fortunately toward the south side. By much hard work, with poles and by poll-
ing on bushes we got his boat to the landing place. At the house of Bro. Thos.
ThcMnpson we arranged ior a service at nig^t and made announcement at school
house, also called on Bro. Larew, a son-in-law of Peter Lang at Squash Bend,
and on Widow Whistler Whose husband I had buried at Quincy, DL, during

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 215

cholera season there. In this vicinity, one and a half miles from Rochester, there
are about twenty Lutheran members, mostly from Bro. Sloan's charge in Ohio."

Dr. Kuhl in above pioneer work, traveled 1,755 miles, over 1,500 of which
were on horse-back; received in collections $51.80 and his expenses were $51.15,
leaving* surplus of 65 cents for four months' work.

The preliminary work of the founding of the Lutheran church in the county
is described in the previous account of the pioneer preacher. The real organi-
zation took place a few years later under the direction of Rev. Solomon Ritz,
who brought together a small band in the year 1855, August 12.

The incomplete records give the names of the pastors as follows : In additicMi
to the pastorate of the organizer, D. S. Altman served the Tipton congregaticMi
from 1866 to 1885, J. B. Bloom, H. H. Hall, A. J. Kissell, 1885-1890, W. H.
Noffziger, S. J. Dclo, C. A. Gelwicks, 1897-1903, and W. W. Hess 1903-1905.
The present pastor, J. Kent Rizer, took charge of the work in 1905.

The church and parsonage buildings are new, the church having been dedi-
cated in 1905 and the parsonage completed in 1908.

While by no means the largest congregation in ttie vicinity the effect upon
the community and the service rendered to distant lands has been steady and
sure. An event of more than ordinary local interest was the organization in
the local church, Trinity, of the society which from that day to this has had the
control of the missionary operations of the women of the General Synod of the
Lutheran church not only in this country but in foreign lands. It was at Tipton,
Aug. 23, 1875, that a band of five women, from five different congregations, met
m the home of Mrs. A. J. Hart and formed themselves into a S3modical organ-
izaticm. A local society followed the next year by the same kind of a meeting at
Cedar Rapids. At the first convention, which meets annually, there were seventy
members present, and thirty-seven dollars sent to the India field. Today the
membership is over thirty-six thousand and their biennial contributions amount
to the gross sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars.

It is but due to the pastor at tiiat time. Rev. J. B. Bloom, to say that he had
a large part in fcmning this organization through his faith and through his urgent
efforts."*

The German Evangelical Lutheran church of Lowden was organized in 1871.
The church building of this congregaticm was built the same year at an expense
of four thousand dollars, the congregation being incorporated in 1871. Im-
provements were made in 1881 by the erection of a steeple and inside remodel-
ing. It was enlarged and further improved in 1901. The church will seat six
hundred persons. The value of the structure, including the pipe organ, is about
seven thousand dollars.

The church was organized by the Rev. C. Seuel, of Lyons, Iowa, who served
it one year. He was followed by Rev. H. Engelbrecht, of Iowa City, who ac-
cq>ted a call to another app(Mntment in 1873. The present pastor, Rev. J. H.
Brammer, was then called from Denver and he has served ttie charge ever since.

In 1896 the twenty-fifth anniversary was observed and the pastor who or-
ganized the congregation preached, as did the second pastor.

The congregation counts at present sixty voting members, four hundred
communicants, and in all six hundred thirty. The congregation owns a parson-

216 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

ag€y a residence for the teacher of the parochial school and a school building,
since a school has been connected with the church from the beginning. Schod
is held ten months in the year and a tuition of fifty cents per month is charged.
During the first year the pastor taught the school. In 1882 a teacher was secured
and after six years of service he was succeeded by the present teacher, Wm.
Schmidt. These teachers perform the duties of organist in the church and in the
absence of the pastor may assist in the service.

The present pastor has baptized 969 children, confirmed 462, married 204
couples, and buried 256 persons. ^•^

St. John's German Evangelical church of Clarence dates its organization from
1882. Rev. J. Schwartz of Lowden had charge at that time, and the first mem-
bership included sixteen families. Heinrich IVuess, Heinrich Goldschmidt, and
S. C. Kintzel were the first trustees.

The comer stone of the present building was laid in 1885. The congr^^atioa
has grown to a membership of ninety families. The present pastor is Emil Han-
sen, who has endeavored to furnish its history with a limited record.^**

About the year 1875 R^^. Brammer, the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran
church of Lowden for thirty-seven years at the present time, called the German
settlers in the vicinity of Mechanicsville together for religious services. They
met in private houses or places rented by the congregation for temporary quar-
ters. For some seventeen years the meetings were held in this locality until
death and removal reduced the membership to so small a ntmiber that it was de-
cided to move the congregation, so far as services were concerned, to Stanwood.
This action was completed in 1892 and was to accommodate a number of German
families who had lately settled near Stanwood. The public school building fur-
nished a meeting place. tmtil the present church building was completed in 1893
and dedicated the same year. During these years Rev. Brammer was the pastor,
there being no resident minister in this vicinity. In 1908 the present pastor. Rev.
W. G. Nagler, was ordained and installed as pastor of this church and placed
in charge of the parochial school. This pastor has studied in his native land,
Germany, and also in the Gemijin seminary of this country and hence is well
prepared to conduct the congregation to right ways of thinking and living. They
have abundant faith in his aUlity. The school building was erected in 1908 and
the church refinished in the following year. A very excellent parsonage belongs
to this congregation and the membership has doubled since the year 1908.^*^

The old Methodist Protestant church which stood south of Bennett was moved
to that town by the founders of the place and afterwards was scdd to the present
German Evangelical church people. The lot on which it stands formerly was the
property of Mrs. Bennett, wife of the man for whom the town was named. The
membership of this church now is something over thirty. The pastor. Rev.
Bennigkeit.

In 1855 binder the direction of Rev. Philip Laurent of St Matthias church,
Muscatine, the organization of St. Mary's Parish was begvm. During the first
year of St. Mary's history Father Laurent said mass in the house of John Mad-
den, who lived in the west end of the town of Tipton.

After the first year the congreg^ion decided to build a small church. This
was to be of brick and the contract was given tp a Mr. Hill. Owing to his failure

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, STANWOOD

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STANWOOn

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 219

to meet the conditions of his contract the work was not accepted and it was never
completed nor used as a church, some two years later being torn down and re-
moved by John Bireley. From this date Rev. Wm. Edmonds of St. Mary's at
Iowa City served this congregation. He at once began to find a way for a church
and let the contract for a frame building which was completed in due time. This
was used for a number of years, when the congregation grew to demand better
accommodations. On this occasion the decision was made to build farther to
the east for a more central location, under the direction of the pastor then, Rev.
Patrick McCabe. The site was purchased and the building committee consisting
of Bernard Lang, Patrick Carlin, M. C. Kirby, Matthew Thiel, and John Miehan,
appdnted.

Not long after the church was completed by the builder, John Werling,
Father McCabe was called elsewhere and was succeeded by Rev. John Daly, who
was soon followed by Rev. Kissane. The building erected at this time served the
congregation for a period of about twenty years.

I^ the year nineteen hundred Father Galligan became the pastor and began
at once to find means to enlarge the church or build another. Consultation of
pastor and people led to the purchase of the vacant building belonging to the
Congregational church and adjoining lots. A conmiittee of three, W. J. Gilmore,
Mike Hiegel and T. J. Mahoney, were appointed to make this exchange, which
resulted in the present church property of St. Mary's today.

In 1903 the residence property south of the church was purchased of Mr.
Russell, remodeled and made to serve as the parochial residence. A committee
to attend to this consisted of Wm. Burk, Fred Siepman, Peter Graham, and Mr.
Wandeshout.

After ten years of service with the parish Father T. F, Galligan was called
to a larger field in Burlington to care for St. Paul's church in that city. His
successor, Rev. H. A. Knebel, took charge of the parish in October, 1909.

During the time from 1855 to 1900 St. Mary's church was attended only as a
mission, consequently many different pastors served the charge, although during
most of the time it was attended by the Mechanicsville church. .

The pastors who attended here and have not been mentioned in the previous
pages arc: Revs. J. Quigley, F. Walsh, Patrick Sullivan, B. Downey, J. F.
Kemper.

The services in Tipton are regular, two masses on the first Sunday and one
at other times, with afternoon services in Sunday school and instruction in Chris-
tian doctrine twice each month.

From the parish the pastor serves Cedar Valley, St. Joseph's church, which
has always been a mission church. Formerly the pastor at Morse attended here,
but for the past ten years it has been attached to the Tipton charge. The Cedar
Valley congregation has been organized for more than fifty years and consists
of forty families. ^•^

The Catholic church at Mechanicsville, in 1872 and '73, was served by Father
Downey, mentioned before, who celebrated mass in Helmer's Hall. He was
succeeded by Father O'Sullivan, who ministered to the wants of the little handr
ful of Cathcdics for four years. In 1876 Father McCabe took charge, remaining
for two years. Since then there have been four resident pastors — Fathers Daly,

220 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

now of Atlantic, Kissane of Williamsburg, Gillespie of Kecdaik, and Father
Glenn, the present popular pastor, who has been able to find the facts of the
parish thus far, coming to the parish in November, 1909*

At one time the parish included Tipton, Qarence, and Lowden, but owing to
the rapid growth of the Tipton charge they petitioned the bishop for a resident
pastor. The present parish, therefore, embraces Lowden, Qarence, and Big
Rock in Scott County, the latter two having churches.

One of the most interesting facts in the history of St. Mary's, Mechanics-
ville, is the parochial residence. It is said to be the real landmark of the place,
being the oldest residence in the town. Although thoroughly rebuilt much of the
original structure remains.

The church building was erected in 1874. Previous to that time the mass was
celebrated sometimes in the homes of the parish, sometimes in the vacant build-
ings that might be secured. The first priest t6 minister to the people was Fatber
Lowry. Beginning in 1867 he held services for the first time in the home of P.
Burke. Residing in Cedar Rapids he visited the parish but four times a year.
At the present time the parish represents some seventy or eighty famiUes.^^*

The Congregational church of Tipton was organized May 5, 1844, 1^ Rer.
E. Alden, afterwards pastor of the church at Marshfield, Mass. He was the
minister of Daniel Webster and preached his funeral sermon. Mr. Alden ^^
mained pastor of the church for five years, and was succeeded by Rev. W. Keith;
he was f<rflowed by the Rev. Mr. Cobb, under whose pastorate the church erected
their first house of worship in 1852 ; this was 20x34 feet. This was soon after
nearly douMed in size, and was used by the church for twelve years. After the
departure of Mr. Cobb the church enjoyed for ten years the ministrations of
Rev. M. K. Cross. Mr. C. S. Harrison succeeded him June 10, 1866. In 1867 a
new church 36x60 feet was erected and was neatly finished, having a gallery for
the choir. From an <rfd record of this church commencing in 1850 some inter-
esting facts are gathered. The standing rules were adopted on F^. 27, 1850, iP
ten sections and are transferred to this book, which contains the remainder of the
record from '53 until the time of the disposal of the church, Feb. 14, 1895.

The last meeting was called to order by the Secretary of the Iowa Home Mis-
sionary Society of the Congrq^tional church. Rev. T. O. Douglass, and a com-
mittee, consisting of J. H. Coutts, Henry Britcher, and H. L. Dean, was ap-
pointed and authorized to dispose of the property and return the money fur-
nished the church from the Church Building Society of New York and to pay in
additicm one hundred for the use of said money. All the church fixtures, organ,
books and property was to be given away or disposed of under the direction of
Rev. Douglass.

This building as remodeled is the present Catholic church.

This book of records contains the names of the members, baptisms, marriageS;
deaths, catal<^[ue of the pastor's library and the records of the business sessions.
It is now at the City National Bank.

The first death recorded was in 1856, Wm. W. Laylin, aged fourteen years;
the last one in i^^, H. H. Linsley, aged fifty-seven.

The first marriage was performed by Rev. M. K. Cross June i, 1856, the
parties being G. W. Logan and Mary A. Qapp. The last one on this record was

LUTHEKAN CHUBCH, SCHOOL AND PAHSONAGE, STANWOOD

. Methodist Protpatant Church, Downey Baptist Church, Downej

.(,'»/< WD
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 228

performed by Geo. S. Biscoe, Fred N. Sterling and Sophia G. Daniels being the
contracting parties and the date Nov. ii, 1869.

Attached to an agreement made in 1866, when the loan was made by the
Building Society, are two revenue stamps that would be very desirable to the boy
collector of the day if he knew they were there. It is signed by P. L. Stryker,
N. Fairchild, and S. P. Daniels, Trustees.^o

An interesting item to those concerned is a clipping from the Independent in
1866. It is pasted in the old church record at page forty-two. The heading is
"Western Correspondence."

Chicago, III., Dec. 17, 1866.
To the Editor of The Independent :

"When last June the Congr^^tional church of Tipton, Iowa, was calling
Rev. C. S. Harrison from this state, I thought it my duty to warfi them that such
a course would invcrfve the struggle and expense of building a new house of
worship. Entering upon this work, sure enough, his first proposition was to
substitute an attractive church for the low, narrow, long, nine-pin alley sanctuary,
which had become obscrfete. Capt. Pound, who had smelt gunpowder, told me
that when this suggestion was made its audacity nearly tock away his breath.
And yet the church has been built — a house 36x60, with a spire and all the ordi-
nary appointments. It cost $4,103. The Congregational Union had held out the
tempting bait of $400. The ladies had raised $300 for carpets^ chandeliers, and
other furnishings, besides securing the cabinet organ. On the second Sabbath
of this month the house was dedicated with the usual joyfulness of such an occa-
sion. A deficit of $880 was raised. A hymn composed by the pastor for the
occasion was sung and the prayer of consecration was offered by the Rev. M. K.
Cross, of Washington, Iowa, who had been the pastor of this church for ten
years. At the second service the communion was administered by the former
and the present pastor. I never saw a floor better laid than that which was laid
by the minister, who also did the mason work for the furnace room. His own
labor at regular wages would amount to almost $300. Tipton is a county seat,
and this church was gathered by Mr. Alden, one of the "Andover band," now
at Marshfield, Mass. Then came Mr. Keith, H. W. Cobb and M. K. Cross."

No name is signed to this and the writer is not known. It is explanatory of
many things otherwise difficult to trace.

On the 26th day of March, 1856, Rev. John Whittlesey, a Congregational
minister from New Britain, Conn., ccxnmenced preaching in Durant under ap-
pointment from the American Home Missionary Society. Service was held in
the station house of the R. R. Company for several months. In May, 1856, a
house of worship was erected and a church organized May 25th, 1856, which
consisted of twenty charter members. The council for organization consisted of
Revs. Julius A. Reed, Geo. F. Magoun, David Knowles and Edward Allen, dele-
gates from the Congregational church of Davenport. The house of worship was
dedicated July 22, 1857. Rev. A. B. Robbins, of Muscatine, preached the
sermon from Haggai 2 19. Revs. D. Knowles, of Wilton, S. N. Grout, of Inland,
E. 6. Turner, of Illinois, and Chapman, assisted in the services.

In 1878 the membership of the church was seventy-nine. As before stated
Rev. John Whittlesey preached his first sermon here May 26, 1856. He was

224 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

supported the first year by the A. H. Missionary Society. At the end of that
year he was invited to remain another year, which he accepted, but during the
year he found a bri^ter field for more extended labor and asked to be relieved
from the charge; preached his farewell sermon Nov. 28, 1858; died May 11,
1862. Rev. Erastus Rifdey was next engaged to fill the Durant pulpit for the
year 1859. Rev. Henry Bullen was the next minister and preached his first ser*
mon May 30, i860; preached his farewell sermcm December 29, 1867. Rev.
Bullen also taught in the public school here for a number of years, performing
the duties of a pastor at the same time. Rev. E. E. Webber was next engaged to
fill the pulpit; preached his first sermon January 23, 1868; preached his fare-
well discourse February 11, 1872. Rev. E. P. Whiting was the next minister;
commenced his labors the first Sunday in May» 1872 ; ended his work here Jan-
uary 3, 1875. ^^' Gibbert was next called and preached his first sermon May
g, 1875; remained only one year. Rev. Douglas was next employed; delivered
his first address June, 1876, and finished his woric November 4, 1877. ^^^ ^
P. Smith followed him."*

The church of the Universalist Society in Tipton was dedicated in October,
1872. At that time it was considered a handscmie building in the terms of the
one who made record of the occurrence. Now one recognizes it as the head-*
quarters of the "Tipton Produce Company/' and for many years it has not been
the scene of Sabbath worship. This building once sheltered a prosperous coo-
gr^^tion, but now it has almost lost its resemblance to a church edifice. The
change came about gradually, as will be noted.

The only Danish Lutheran Church in the county is located at West Branch.
It was organized in 1895 with Simon Christensen as president and August Peter-
sen as secretary, J. P. Jensen treasurer.

Rev. P. L. Hansen, of Cedar Falls, assisted in the preliminary work and
served the congregation for two years from his charge there. The church was
built the following year, being dedicated in October, 1896.

Former pastors who have been in charge of this church are the Revs. Proc-
vensen, Rohe, Thisted, and Beck, the latter now of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; the second
is deceased; the first is at Coulter, Iowa, and the third in Wisner, Neb. Rev.
Hofgarrd is the present pastor

All the services in this church are conducted in the Danish language, and
this includes the Sunday school. During the public school vacation a parochial
school is held by the pastor for the purpose of teaching the Danish language and
religion.^^*

The Missionary Baptists organized a church in Iowa Township in 1847, which
continued about two years. The Free- Will B24>tists organized the Bethel church
in 1867. This church was a mile below the Rochester Ferry and Rev. Decker
was their pastor for many years. Friends commenced heading meetings in the
house of J. H. Painter in 1849, which place continued to be their house of wor-
ship for probably one year. It was then held at the house of Lawrie Tatum a
year or more, when it was changed from Iowa to Springdale Township.

In 1865 a Free-Will Baptist Church was organized by Rev. O. E. Baker in
the western part of Farmington Township, of which John Quincy Tufts, Jod

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 226

dark and Frank Butterfield were the founders. Prior to this services and Sun-
day sdKxd had been held in the school house by Elder Reeves.

StiB anodier chnrdi — Methodist Protestant — ^was established in the north-
western part of the township, but was later on removed to Bennett, Inland Town-
ship.""

The Downey Baptist church was organized in 1870, the comer stone having:
been laid in 1869. The builders of this church were the pastor. Rev. Sangster of
Iowa City, and A. B. CcMnwall, Joseirfi King, C. F. Hoyt and J. M. Watson.

The Christian Church of Durant began in the spring of 1872, Rev. John C.
Hay, State Evangelist, ccmimenced a series of meetings in the Congregational
church, which resulted in the appointment of a preliminary meeting to be held
at George Deming's April 20, 1872, and a number of the brethren and sisters of
that denomination were in attendance to consider the propriety of erecting a
house of worship in Durant, viz: John C. Hay, George Deming and wife, G.
W. Deming and wife, Alfred Nye and wife, W. D. Vermillion and wife, Mil-
ton Heinly, Charles Trunkey, Moses Nye and J. D. Petersen. After much
discussion George Deming was appointed chairman and W. D. Vermillion
secretary. Pledges were then taken to raise the amount to built a church. W.
D. Vermillion offered to do the drafting, write the specifications and act as sec^
rctary for the society, which was accq[>ted. Geo. Deming, Alfred Nye and
Charles Truvkey were appointed a building committee. This ccxnmittee met on
the 24th day of May, 1872, at the Nesbitt House in the dfice of the Justice of the
Peace and entered into a contract with Messrs. Keator and Linsley to erect the
church. The chapel was finished November 18, 1872, and the following Lord's
Day Rev. John C. Hay preached the first sermon in it, when $769.10 were con-
tributed by the audience.

At this visit Rev. Hay agreed to preach the following year one-half of his
time for $500.00. The following are the original members: George Deming,
Cormelia R. Deming, Alfred Nye, Sarah Nye, Charles Trunkey, Milton Heinly,
Teresa Sry, lona Nye. Number of members now belonging, thirty-six.

The following are the ministers who filled the pulpit after the organization
of the church : Rev. John C. Hay, Rev. L. Lane, Rev. A. J. Garrison and Rev.
R. H. Ingram.

The church used to be alive to all missicmary work. A ladies' sewing society
was organized May 9, 1877, for the prcMnotion of benevolent work. They held
their meetings semi-monthly. The cheers of the society then were : Mrs. George
Deming, President; Miss Mattie Fisher, Secretary and Treasurer. Services
were held in the chapel every alternate Lord's day. This church has no organi-
zation now in Durant*^*

A Protestant Episcopal church, consisting of about ten members, was organ-
ized in Tipton in 1856, and during the summer of 1859 they built a very neat
little house of worship, under the superintendence of their pastor, Rev. W. T.
Campbell, at a cost of about $1,100. After Mr. Campbell's ministration there
was only occasicmal public worship held by this church.^''^^

The first religious service of tfie Episcopal church of Durant was held at
the depot in February, 1856, by the Diocesan of the State. Right Rev. W. H.
Lee preached the sermon, at which time a parish was organized under the above

226 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

title after St. Paul's of New Haven, Conn., from which they afterwards re-
ceived $75.00 to be applied in establishing and erecting a church at this place.
On the 2 1 St day of June, 1856, the comer stone of the church was laid with
appropriate ceremonies. Bishop Lee conducting them, and in November of the
same year the church was consecrated. The second sermon was preached in
the church by Hon. George F. Magoun, afterward President of Iowa College.
The first child baptized was a daughter of Joseph Weaver, by Rt. Rev. Bishop
Lee. The Rectors of this society have been Revs. Geo. C. Street, Campbell,
Johnson, Curry, James Allen Webb, Kaapka and C. H. Stroh.^^*

The only church remaining in Durant is the last one mentioned, at least the
only one having services.

«

The first religious services at Fairview were held in the house rented for
school purposes by Mr. Geiger and these services were conducted by a Protestant
Methodist minister. Rev. Mr. Bolton afterward held services in the house of
Mr. Tivis and Sabbath scho(d was conducted in the home of Mr. Lichtenwalter,
when the Elder Martin Baker, mentioned early in Cedar County history, also
preached occasionally. The first organization was effected about 1855 ^ ^^
former residence of John Hecht, by Daniel Wertz, preacher.

The United Brethren church was organized at an early day by Rev. Baker,
the first pastor. In 1868 the two denominations built a Union church on section
twenty and* services were held alternately and a union Sunday school was in
successful operatic^.

The Lutheran church was organized by Rev. D. A. Altman in 1867 ^^ ^^
scho(d house. In 1866 a church was erected under the pastorate of Rev. J. J.
Huber. This was located a half mile west of the Uni(m church. The first elders
were Jacob Geiger and Jacob Stockslager. As the new settlement is composed
mostly of Germans who belong to the two churches in Lowden, the Lutheran
church was sold a few years ago and moved to Harmony Point, some distance
west of its first location,*^^

One of the oldest organizations for philanthropic purposes in this county is the
BiUe Society which meets annually to this day. As early as 1842 it fa^;an to
carry on its work. Daniel Hare, mention^ among the pioneers, was its first
president; Henry Hardman, at whose house the first sermon was preached;
Judge Tuthill, recognized as a citizen of much influence; Solomon Aldrich, a
charter member of the first Methodist church ; John P. Cook, who conducted the
first mercantile business in Tipton, were chosen as vice presidents. Rev. Uriah
Ferree was the first secretary, and E. E. Edwards, once sheriff of the county, the
treasurer.

This organization sought then and now to keep the county supplied with the
scripture where somt were unable to furnish themselves, and to diat end made
an effort to keep a census of the county where such service was needed.

Dr. J. F. Kennedy, afterward for twenty-five years secretary of the State
Board of Health for Iowa, was one of its presidents. S. S. Daniels, war editor
of the Advertiser, was its treasurer and depositor. Hon. J. H. Rothrock, later a
judge of the supreme court of Iowa, was a member of its most important com-
mittee. Rev. Wm. Lee, a pioneer minister, and Wm. Elliott were zmotig the

Bcforme.1 Clitirfh'

Methoiiist Episi-opal CMurvh

Catlinlie Cliiirfb

TIPTON" CHt'RCIIEa

I

»T '. ■

t ^

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 229

leaders in the organization. This society was organized in 1842, as mentioned,
and is the sixth oldest in the state of Iowa.

In May, 1867, the first movement was made to organize the Sunday school
forces of the county. Rev. E. Skinner presided at this meeting and Rev. J. Riale
was the secretary. A constitution was adopted which specified the qualifications
for membership as, "That of any person residing in the county and directly en-
gaged in Sunday school work and shall have attended at least one meeting of the
associaticMi, and shall have enrolled in and contributing to the Sunday school
cause/' The following Sabbath schools were reported in part and were enrolled :
Methodist Episcopal, Lutheran, St. John's Reformed, Congregational and Pres-
byterian of Tipton, Methodist of Lowdcn, York Prairie and Inland.*^* Con*
ventions of the Sunday schools of the county now include all the churches men-
tioned in these accounts of church history with the exception of one or two or-
ganizations.

Eakly History of the Settlement of "Orthodox'' Friends at Springdale,

Iowa, and Their Meetings.

by lawrie tatum — 1892. revised by wm. mather — i9io.

Lawrie Tatum was the pioneer Friend in Cedar County, locating there in
1844. J. H. Painter's was the first family, who settled there in 1845. His house
was of logs. It was customary to furnish liquor at house raisings, and he, be-
lieving it was not right to do that, informed the men when asking them to help
raise, that he could not furnish liquor. They took it kindly and no one declined
to go on that accotmt, although he had been informed that he could not get his
house "raised" without liquor.

In fifth month, 1848, M. V. Butler, Stephen Dean and Lawrie Tatum, with
their wives, went to Salem, some seventy miles, in a road wagon with three spring
seats, to attend the opening of Salem Quarterly Meeting, the first Quarteriy
Meeting of Friends held in the state of Iowa.

The few members commenced holding meeting in the forepart of 1849 '^^
the house of J. H. Painter on the E. J4 of sw. J4 Sec. 31-80-3, now owned by
Wm. A. Phdps. The heads of families who were there at that time were G. P.
Wood, David Tatum, J. H. Painter, M. V. Butler, J. W. Cattell, Stephen Dean,
Shaidlock Negus, James Schooley, and Lawrie Tatum. Besides the above named
families, there was one other Friend, Rebecca Bowersock. There was no min-
ister belonging to the meeting at that time and it was usually held in silence, but
the meetings were enjoyed, and they were Messed to those who attended them.

In 1850 the meeting was removed to Lawrie Tatum's log house. While there
Benjamin Seebohm and Robert Lindsley, ministers, from England, made the
new settlement a visit. They were the first "Traveling Friends with Minutes,''
who attended the meeting. J. A. Grinnell, a minister, moved with his family of
seven into the neighborhood in the autunm of 1850. They lived with Lawrie
Tatum's in their log house, which was 16x22 feet, one and a half stories high,
for a few weeks while he built a small "plank house." Such instances of "taking
in a &mily" of emigrants for a few days or weeks were very common with the
early settlers.

280 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

In 185 1 the meeting was removed to J. H. Painter's gravel house on NE.
corner of Sec. 1-79-4, now owned by Henry Negus, and a preparative meeting
established. A number of others had by that time settled in the neighborhood
Hannah B. Tatum had become a frequent speaker in the meetings, and gave
satisfactory evidence that she was called of God to preach the gospel. Her gift
as a preacher was acknowledged by Salem Monthly Meeting in Fifth Month,
1852.

In 1852 a concrete or gravel meeting house with flat roof was built (mi a lot
deviated by J. H. Painter near the center of Sec. 1-79-4. It was, I believe, the
first church building erected in Cedar County. (Probably the second. — ^Ed.)
On the 4th month, 9th, 1853, Red Cedar Monthly Meeting was established there,
and the Friends of Linn and Jones Counties made a request for the establish-
ment of a preparative meting.

In the appointment of committees, etc., in the first two months we find the
following names on the minutes of men's meetings : J. A. Grinnell, David Tatum,
Samuel Abbott, Samuel Hampton, Brinton Darlington, Abram Parmer, Stephen
Dean, Dilworth Schooley, Zachariah Hampton, Israel Negus, Stephen South-
wick, James Schooley, Lawrie Tatum, Elisha Stratton, Moses V. Butler, Nathan
Taber, Isaac Jackson, Septimus Sharpless, Benjamin Ball, Benjamin Grundy,
G. P. Wood, Isaac Negus, Moses Vamey, Emmor Rood, Enoch Peasley, Mat-
thew Winslow, Wm. Hampton, Peter Collins, Andrew McBride, Isaac Parmer,
Albert B. Neg^s, Elisha Todd, Samuel Fawcett and Shaidlock Negus.

Red Cedar Monthly Meeting was incorporated under the laws of Iowa in
1853. In 7th Month, 1853, Salem Meeting referred Springdale Indulged Meet-
ing (now West Branch Meeting) to the care of Red Cedar Monthly Meeting.
It was made a Preparative Meeting in nth M(Mith, 1853.

Springdale postofiice was established about two and one-fourth miles west
of where the vilk^e and P. O. by that name now is. The settlement near and
west of the postoffice was called Springdale. When there was a store started
at the present site of Springdale the postoffice was removed to it, much to the
chagrin of the Springdale settlers. West Branch postoffice and town were
subsequently started and Springdale Meeting was held in that town, and Red
Cedar Meeting was held at Springdale, which was confusing and misleading.
Therefore the names of both meetings were changed to the names of the post-
offices where each was situated.

In First McMith, 1854, the Monthly Meeting appointed a committee ''to carry
out the advice of the Yearly Meeting in establishing and" having the care of
First-day Schools.''

Red Cedar Monthly Meeting received by certificate, during the first year that
it was held, 290 persons. There were also twelve received by request, making
an addition of 302 the first year. There were some received every month. The
greatest number was fifty-nine. A few of the heads of families received during
this eventful year — 4th Month, 1853, *o 3d Month, 1854-^were: Richard Pink-
ham, Wm. Townsend, Michael King, Caleb Gregg, Wm. D. Branscm, John
Thomas, Geo. Hughes, Nathan Satterthwait, Samuel Peasley, Griffith Lewis,
James Walton, David W. Miles, Jas. Staples, Samuel Dean, Thos. Montgomery,
G. P. Smith, Jas. Townsend, Thomas C. Battey, Samuel Pearson, Alpheus Hirst,

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 281

and Wm. Miles. The Friends received during that year came from Ohio, Mich-
igan, Iowa, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Ybrk, Vennont, Maine and Canada.
The second year there were some received every month but one. Total received
second year 192. There were 176 received the third year. In 1856 H<Miey Grove
Meeting was held one mile east and three miles north of where West Branch now
is, and meetings were continued to be held there for nearly thirty years.

Red Cedar Quarterly Meeting was established by Indiana Yearly Meeting and
the first session held in 5th Month, 1858. In anticipation of the Quarterly Meet-
ing, Red Cedar Preparative Meeting, with the help of Philadelphia, and other
Friends, had enclosed a new frame Meeting house 67x42 feet and finished one
end at a cost of $2,362.50. The estimated cost to complete the building was $500*
It is the present Meeting house at Springdale.

In the second Monthly Meeting, held 5th Month, 4th, 1853, is recorded:
/'Albert B. N^^ and Martha Ball propose marriage with each other; parents
consenting thereto.'' Theirs was the first marriage according to Friends cere-
mony in Cedar County. During this year five couples were married according
to Discipline and two members disowned for marrying contrary to Discipline,
and one disowned for providing, and partaking of marriage entertainment of
daughter who was married contrary to Discipline. Many were subsequently dis-
owned for thus marrying. In 1865 Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends, and since
that time many other Yearly Meetings changed their Disciplines to allow l^;al
marriage in any form although not celebrated in the manner Friends recom-
mended in their Discipline. On the 28th of 8th Month, 1876, J. Y. Hoover, a
Friend minister, officiated in the marriage of Charles E. Negus and Ellen Tatum,
using substantially the marriage ceremony in the Discipline. Thjs was the first
marriage solenmized by a Friend minister in Springdale Monthly Meeting. In
the spring of 1865 Elizabeth Ann Harris, a Friend minister, sang a hymn in
Springdale Monthly Meeting held at West Branch. A few months previously
Julia Ann McCool, a minister of LeGrand Monthly Meeting, Iowa, had sung a
hymn in their meeting. These were probably the first hymns sung by Friend
mimsters in any of their meetings in America for more than one hundred years.
It was very trying indeed to some of the members to have the singing by E. A.
Harris, but J. A. Grinnell and Joel Bean, J. Y. Hoover, and some others thought
it was called for of the Lord, and therefore was right. George Fox, and Friends
of two hundred years before, placed preaching, prayer and singing on the same
basis. But singing had so dropped out of use, that the report that a Friend min-
ister had sung a hynm in Springdale Monthly Meeting, was received with great
surprise in many parts of the United States. But now how changed. The church
has again become evangelistic, aggressive, and missionary, more as it was during
the first thirty years after George Fox first began to preach. At the close of the
first thirty years the church had increased to sixty thousand members. Now.
singing, testimony and prayer are encouraged throughout the Friends' church in
America, with few exceptions. That the blessing of God is upon it is shown by
the large numbers converted and taken into church membership since the change.

In 1850 to 1855 when Friends were immigrating so rapidly to this part of the
country, many of them ''entered their land." That is, bought it of the Govern-
ment at $1.25 per acre. It could be bought in 40, 80 or 160 acre lots. At that

282 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

time the Government had no limit to the amount that a person might "enter.''
With very few exceptions the early settlers came with little more funds dian
enough to purchase their land. As oxen were preferred for breaking the tough
prairie sod, and they cost so much less than horses, many of the early settlers
had no other team for some^years. The oxen were hitched to the farm wagons
to take the families to meeting, and visiting, and their produce to market, etc
The settlers were contented, happy and thankful for what they had, and thankful,
too, that they had no mortgage notes to harass them. They lived within their
means, which was very limited. Dressed pork delivered in Muscatine would
bring from $1.25 to $240 per 100 pounds. Wheat, which was the staple crop of
g^n at that time, would bring from 25 to 50 cents per bushel

We have now traced the early settlement of Friends in the vicinity of Spring-
dale from the small Indulged meeting in 1849, hdd in a private house, with no
minister, through the rapid growth of Preparative and Monthly Meetings, and
the establishment of a large Quarteriy Meeting in nine years. During those years
one minister moved to Red Cedar, and three developed their gifts, and were re-
corded ministers. Many who were here during those nine years have moved to
other parts. A number have passed to their eternal rewards. The few who
remain, with those who are with them now, in 1892, have cause to bless God for
his over-ruling care and providence of us in those early days, and for his g(x>d-
ness and mercy and blessing that has been to us, and over us to the present time.
Then Jet us tmite in fiaying, "Praise ye the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord;
for he is good ; for his mercy endureth forever."

Additional History of the Regular ''Orthodox'^ or '"Progressive"" Branch

OF FftlENDS, SpRINGDALE, IoWA. (WRITTEN JULV, I9IO.)

During the settlement oi Friends in Cedar County they scattered over the
prairies between the Cedar and Iowa rivers from northwest of Atalissa, around
Springdale, West Liberty, Downey and West Branch and west to within a few
miles of Iowa City, and west of Cedar Valley, keeping a little west of Cedar
River on nearly to S<rfon. At one time part of this territory was called ''Quaker
Ridge."

These Friends were earnest advocates of education, peace, temperance, and
freedom for all races. For many years after the Civil War they aided much in
the education and training of the Freedmen, contributing freely of their means
and sending teachers to aid the work in the South. Many of the Friends aided
in the Government Indian Schools as superintendents, teachers and helpers.

Regular services and Bible schools are now maintained at Springdale and
West Branch.

From time to time large numbers of Friends have removed from this vicinity
to Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Oregon, and especially since 1880 very laige
numbers have removed to the vicinity of Pasadena, California. In many of their
new places of residence large and active meetings have been established.

Iowa Yeariy Meeting of Friends at its 47th annual meeting held in Oska-
loosa, Iowa, in 1909, reported fourteen Quarterly Meetings, and 8,929 members;
95 congregations ; 74 pastors.

FRIENDS CHUBCH, SPBINGDALE

' I
' I

PUIVLIC l'!i\U;Y

TTLDWN pot .^l'ATU»h«
1 L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 285

The conservative branch of Friends have^ since 1883, maintained semi-weekly
meetings at their meeting house in West Branch, Iowa, and held yearly meetings
there and at Earlham, Iowa, alternately.

The "Wilbur*' branch of Friends for over fifty-five years, have held meetings
in their meeting house two and one-half miles east of West Branch; for many
3rears maintiuned a primary school and for twenty years past have kept up a
boarding school in their fine large three-story building called "Scattergood Semi-
nary.

» 170

-1 fc t»

SECTION VI.

INDUSTEIAL AFFAIRS.

In the past Cedar County, in average assessed valuation per acre, has been
surpassed only by Scott and Fo!k Counties and both these counties have large
cities. This may be due to several causes, the length of time that it has been
settled, the skill of its citizens in making use of the soil, the desirability of the
place as a residence and another of vital importance is the influx of the German
population in tiie eastern half of the county and tiie gradually extending of the
ownership of the land by these foreign-bom citizens who are ready to pay for ttie
land all the owner asks, even beyond his expectations. When once he buys this
land he does not sell it, but pays for it, keeps it in a high state of cultivation and
buys more if he can.

There are natural reasons for the fertility of the soil due to its formation that
are of interest to the scientist and to the one who commences tiie study of scien-
tific agriculture. These cannot be mentioned here, but there is a secti(m of the
county that is pronounced especially rich or especially poor that the man of keen
insight knows and understands either through long acquaintance or because he
has been taught the characteristics of good land. The good ridge extending
through the county from the southeast to the northwest is fast passing from the
hands of tiie original settler to the ambitious German who has made his way
from the river through the county of Scott across the line far into Cedar and
now crowds the western line in places. How much he has added to the farm
value it is difficult to tell and probably no method of averages could be devised to
show in just what way this has occurred, yet the fact is patent and cannot be
disputed. Machinery has made possible the economic management of the large
farm and cut tiie smaller producer out of certain large undertakings since the
added expense of this equipment could not be borne with equal return on the
investment. The stock men of the county have added much to the continued
value and its increase through the restoration of the worn land and the great
com product of the county tells more eloquently than anything dse can of the
natural advantages of this favored region. Streams are abundant enough to fur-
nish the water supply for the pasture in many parts of the county and are taken
into consideration when farm values are discussed. The use of them for other

286

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 287

purposes of water power has had its day until the increased demand makes the
construction of power plants profitable. The local timber supply is fast passing,
yet some is now going to waste. For purposes of fuel it is no Icmger economical
unless a tract of timber is owned by the consumer and is carefully managed to
secure a future growth.

In an agricultural state the first industry as well as the last must be the rais-
ing of crops to feed the herds of stock that make the farmer the master of the
situation in the event of tracing the source of prosperity. When he fails all else
fails with him. Hence in a history of industrial and monetary affairs in a county
tike Cedar, one must first of all sound the farmer's standing if he would arrive
at any certain conclusion.

The statement accompanying tiie banks of the county shows that the cheers
of many of those banks, the stockholders, tiie men who carry the deposits are in
a large number of cases the farmer who has made the financial institutions pos-^
sible.

Long ago the gfrain raised on these prairies was sent to market by the train
load and the harvest time was one of great stress for men to reap the crop and
make it safe. This continued for many years until the era of com raising. Since
that time the fine stock of the county has never failed to pass the test of the ex-
pert and as such reputation has grown the changes have been accounted for in
the steady habits of good men to find out the best that could be procured and to
bring it into the county at great expense but with the pride of having done some-
thing to make the county better and richer for those who came after.

The date of the introduction of the first horses for fine breeding purposes
is fixed at about i860. The Percheron breed brought from Illinois began to be
popular at that time and many of the best farmers engaged in the raising of this
draft animal. "McCroskey" is mentioned as one of the first of the good horses
to be brought to the county, and from this the idea of the draft horse seems to
have begun to take root in the minds of breeders. Later, James Gress of Clar-
ence, imported a Qydesdale draft horse which made a very good impression on
the men who were tfien coming into the possession of the stock of the future. It
was about this time that J. G. Truman of Bushnell, 111., brought the Shire horse
to this part of the state and one of the first to buy from him was the late W. C.
Bryant of Marion, Linn County. The Elgin breed came some time soon after the
ones just referred to and the carriage horses were introduced about the period
of the latter part of the Civil war.

Attention has been called to the introduction of the Kentucky horse, in the
war period, by Col. Bradshaw whose home was in that state. He was the first
man to introduce the breeding of fine horses for trotting purposes exclusively.
Dorsey and Harbiston engaged in this line of horses among the first in the
county and Alex. Spear kept a dozen or more of this breed.

Draft horses are a popular kind since the demand ^or them seems always to
be of staUe nature. The Spears have been and are at the present heavy breed-
ers of tiie Shire horse. Alex. Spear has owned some famous prize winners.
"Eldorado the Second'" was a prize winner in England and three days after
being imported was tiie champion in the Chicago show. John Wilier at his
stock farm south of town is a producer of this class also. "Joliet Wolfe" is one

238 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

of the well-known horses in this part of the county. These men are not only
interested in the production of fine animals but prepare for the market as well.

In Linn township Alexander Mcrfiit has one of the largest of the many stocks
in the territory famous for its good horses. His reputation for fine specimens
has long been established. Wendell Willer's Percher<m stock is pronounced
fine enough for any purpose.

On the neighboring farm, known long as "Border Lawn," W. W, Aldrich
used to grow the trotting and running horses of the county. He owned at one
time "Ansel," a fine horse of this stock, a thoroughbred English racer. He
also kept the Qyde horses for a time, but he continued to breed the trotting
horses until the time of his death a few years ago.

As many as thirty years ago the French coach horse was introduced into the
vicinity by Mr. W. C. Bryant, of Marion. Among the famous imported ones of
that day were "Escobas," champion at the great horse show on the lake front in
Chicago, owned by Alex. Spear, and he is still engaged in breeding this stock.
Three or four others were of equal prominence later in the horse history. One
or two that sound like French noble names and others a little Spanish, "Elossant,"
"Romos," "Dedios," "Elebas." The last one was kept by Mr. Spear for six
years and was then sold and taken to Scotland, Penn., in the Cumberland
Valley. The other suggestive names that show the origin of the thoroughbred
mare now in possession or once in possession of the best breeders are diose of
"Bellone," "Malone," "Cologne." So much for the horses with big names.
There are many who have fine stocks that cannot be described for want of data,
yet the Hemmingways of Springdale township are known for the best of draft
animals, Marion Gray and Sons are also mentioned as good producers. Brennan
Bros, were the breeders of the Belgian horse in Gower township, and in the same
vicinity the Shire horse is found on the farm of Dwyer Bros. In connection
with the latter breed one must not forget to speak of the Shires of Samud
McAfee.

Percherons are grown for the best stock .by Julius Popp, and also the same
breed by Wm. Leech. A. J. Click of Da}rton township and the Schieles of Farm-
ington are among the large producers of good horses.

Col. Bradshaw, who was mentioned as the man who first brought in the
Kentucky horse, was the first man to introduce the Durham and ShcHthom
cattle from the same source. He sold them to M. Bunker at the "Bunker Hill"
stock farm, to W. W. Aldrich, Mr, McNeil of Clarence, Peter Wingert, Gca
King, the Spears, Alex. Yule and many other breeders of good cattle.

About thirty-five years ago, the first Aberdeen Angus cattle were brought to
the county. John and Alex. Spear owned a large herd. The latter owned
"Shamrock," the grand champion of the world in 1902. Other breeders of this
variety are John Wilier and James Spear.

The largest herd of Hereford cattle in the county belongs to Alexander Moffit
of Linn township. His stock are thoroughbreds and he has kept in this line
for many years. Gideon Bailey of Rochester has always taken great pride in
good stock. The fine old house of the very early type of construction and the
home-like old bam suggest a good old age for ever3rthing and what is g^own is
that of good ancestry.

FARM SCENE

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 241

Some maiiced herds of cattle haaee been shown at the county fair by their
representatives as prize winners. Aamong these are the herds of Wm. Penning-
roth and Qarence McClellan. The latter is a breeder of the Shorthorn. Ed.
Cosgriff of Qarence has the same stock.

Jersey stock was introduced from New York when Allen Elijah brought five
cars of these cows from that state. They were the best of their kind that money
could buy. Those who trace the Jersey supply will arrive at this source finally.
In the records of the first agricultural societies there is mentioned the breed of
hogs known as the "Magees." In one instance a writer refers to the time as
suitable to find something better than these hogs for the increase of profit. It
has been forty years since these swine were brought into the county for the
supply of the breeder. They came from Ohio originally, and were sent for by
Robert Spear. Since that time they have tiie name Poland applied to them as
the grading improved. The Chester White is bred by Lon Fraseur and Son,
Red hojsrs bv the Spears and John Wilier. The present large breeders of PcJand
Chinas include the names of Escher and Regennitter. There was a special
variety of ttie kind supposed to produce good bacon, a kind of ranger, once
raised by the Nebergall Bros. They had a pleasant name, "The Tamworth
Red." James Spear has a large drove of the "Jersey Red," Spear and Son
raise these also for stock and the market. John Wilier is an extensive producer
of this hogf his stock running into the hundreds.

Henry Hoyman is a well-known leader in the Percheron stock and in the
buying and feeding of draft horses. J. W. Reeder has always supplied his farm
witii the best of stock in both horses and cattle.

Probably the heaviest buyer in this section of the country, not only in the
county but extending beyond its borders in many directions, is Mr. Dodson of
Stanwood. The amount of the sales in that town and shipments from the station
is far beyond the opinion of the public.

Mofiit Bros, of Red Oak are specialists in the fitting of fine teams and make
this their chief business in this phase of farm work.

And finally we should not forget the old running horse of Caleb Jones, "Old
Iowa," when he and his partner in the racing business thirty-five years ago staked
their money on the races and made it interesting for the men who beat them.

Land values since 1880 have so risen that the time has come when compari-
sons can be made with dif&ulty. It sold then for an average of $35 per acre.
The highest sale in this county to date is a quarter section at $225 per acre and the
most recent sale when this is written at $215 per acre, a sale amounting in round
numbers to close to $60,000. Some contrast to the sale referred to in the early
history of Tipton, where the natives were astonished because a sale of $2,000
was made — all in cash.^^^

Cedar County at the date of this work has seventeen banks in the ten towns
of the county that support banks. Each one of those banks has a special history
which can in some measure be drawn from its reports or statements, but which
is not complete in that form. No one not familiar with the institutions can
make its history, hence the major part of what is found in this chapter comes
from the ofiicials of these institutions or from their co-operation in securing the
data used.

242 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The Durant Savings Bank was organized in 1889, Sq>tember tbe second, widi
a capital of thirty thousand dollars. Its growth has been cptite remarkable and
from a recent statement tiie coital is given as fifty thousand dcrflars, deposits as
five hundred and sixty thousand, with surplus and undivided profits as fifty
tiiousand. From a statement issued in 1909 the information that is desirable
for all those patrcmizing banks is set forth in the fc^owing: The mortgage
loans exceeded the large sum of three hundred and nineteen thousand dollars
and this was secured by first mortgages on farm lands and some on town prop-
erty not to exceed fifty per cent of its value. Ccdlateral loans are defined as
those secured by bonds, stocks and approved personal security, duly transferred
to the banks as collateral on which the sum of seventy-seven thousand dollars
was loaned. Bills receivable amounted to more than one and seventy-si^c thou-
sand and these are the notes of solvent farmers and business men with one or
more signatures. The bank declares that it is against its rule to allow overdrafts,
but in cases where they are secured they try to accommodate their patrons.
Their real estate holdings consist of the banking house and farm lands valued
at sixteen thousand dollars. At the time of this report the cash available
amounted to something above forty-six thousand. The total assets amounted
then to the sum of six hundred and forty thousand d(^rs. The capital stock
is owned by forty-five stockhcdders, and it is reported that this bank did at one
time declare a dividend of fifty per cent. Its dividend now is r^^arly declared
at six per cent semi-annually.

A National bank is considered sound if its surplus is twenty per cent of its
capital stock. The surplus and profits of this bank amount to about one hundred
per cent of its capital. Surplus is that portion set aside as a saf^[uard and
comes from the net profits.

The deposits of the bank at the present time amount to about five hundred
and sixty thousand dollars, belonging to over twelve hundred individuals, cor-
porations and business firms.

It is a sound business principle that the public should know how the financial
house with which it deals stands, and for this reason the officials of this bank
have published in detail this report at certain specified times. The names of its
officers and directors are the following:

Wm. Wulf, President; Hy. Gruemmer, Vice President; F. C. Langfeldt,
Cashier; J. H. Meyhaus, Assistant Cashier. The additional directors, Cbas.
Diehn, O. W. Schiele, F. W. Schiele, A. Bemick, Hy. Paulsen. Four of these
are retired, three are farmers, and one is a physician.^® ^

In August, 1903, the Farmers' and Merchants' Savings Bank of Durant was
organized with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. Theo. Sindt was the
president; R. Tagge, vice president, and W. H. Crecilius, cashier. These stiB
hold their respective offices. Deposits now in this bank amount to two hundred
and forty thousand, surplus and undivided profits seven thousand five hundred
The bank has paid dividends since the seccmd year of its organization. There
is no aim beyond a conservative business.^®*

In 1899 ^ number of business men and farmers, assisted by D. H. Sndce of
Durant and Wm. Bierkamp, Jr., cashier then of the Bennett bank» organized the
Savings Bank of Lowden. It has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand and

HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY 248

at the present time assets of two hundred and seventy-five tiiousand dollars.
The out-of-town parties have since sold their interests and it is now owned by
the Lowden people. The present directors and officers are: Chas. Heiner,
president; H. F. Kemmann, vice-president; H. O. Sander, second vice-president;
Dr. H. A. Runkle, H. Hinrichs, Albert Petersen, H. Twachtman, A. H. Licht,
and H. H. Petersen. The latter has been the cashier from the beginning of its
organization.^^

The First National Bank of Tipton succeeded the private bank of Charles
Hammond. It began business as a National Bank June g, 1883, under the man-
agement of Herbert Hammond and his associates. B. J. Rodgers, H. G. Coe,
now of Clarence, W. W. Aldrich, for many years proprietor of the Border Lawn
stock farm; Wm. H. Cobb, a merchant of Tipton ; H. L. Dean, interested in many
lines of business ; W. T. Rigby, of Red Oak ; and Hem. Alex. Moffit, a pioneer of
Linn, constituted the first board of directors, with Herbert Hammcmd, the organ-
izer. H. L. Dean became the president of the bank in 1888, serving in this posi-
tion until 1891, when J. H. Coutts succeeded him. At the same time W. J.
Moore was selected to succeed C. W. Hawley as cashier.

June 3, 1903, the charter of the bank expired.

Immediately following the expiration of the First National Bank charter, or
in the spring of the same year in order that it might succeed the first one, the
4th of April of 1903 the City National was organized. It was chartered May i,
1903, commencing business June 3 of the same year. The incorporators were
J. H. Coutts, Geo. E. Beatty, F. D. Wingert, Henry Britcher, and W. J. Moore,
the officers being J. H. Coutts, president ; W. W» Aldrich, vice-president ; W. J.
Moore, cashier. On January 4, 1904, the president was stricken without warning
while away from his home, leaving his office vacant. In April the same year
the vice-president, W. W. Aldrich, also died, and these two vacancies were filled
by the election of W. J. Moore as president, who still retains this office; F, D.
Wingert as vice-president, and Paul Heald as cashier. The first officers are as
above at the present time, but Chas. Swartzlender has succeeded Paul Heald as
cashier, with F. J. Beatty as assistant cashier.

The bank to-day, according to statement for June 30, 1910, has a capital of
$50,000, surplus and prc^ts of $58,000, deposits of about $500,000, red estate
and fixtures valued at $13,000.

The directors in addition to the officers mentioned include W. B. Reeder, W.
G. W. Geiger, Geo. E. Beatty, J. P. Matthews."*

The earliest banker to conduct any business in this county that may be con-
sidered in that connection was Judge W. H. Tuthill, whose life and that of the
affairs of Tipton are pretty well linked together. In 1850 he began doing an
exchange business, some collecting, and made loans where the party borrowing
did not even need to give a note in exchange. On the old book at the Cedar
County Bank there is no record of bills receivable. He kept an account in some
form of the money lent and charged one per cent a month for its use, a very
moderate rate if cme examines the rate paid by Stq>hen Toney in the first instru-
ment on record in the office of the County Recorder, where $262 are paid at tiie
end of twelve months when the borrower got but $200 from Samuel P. Hig-
ginsoQ.

244 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

For something like twenty years this method of banking was carried on t^
the proprietor of this first individual, who used no safe in his business, believing,
like some of the present day, that you should not advertise the place of keeping
your money.

However, in 1879, this was after the West Branch State Bank had been organ-
ized, the Judge headed a movement to incorporate a bank to be called the Cedar
County Bank. On August 6 of that year the institution was ordered or coo-
structed in tiie office of J. N. Neiman with the subscribers for stock as below:
Wm. H. Tuthill, Moreau Carroll, Moses Bunker, H. W. Bailey, Wm. Gihnore,
Perrien Dean, John W. Casad, Henry Sherwood, J. W. Reeder, Henry Wakcr,
J. C. Reichert, Watson Huber, John N. Neiman, P. Wallace, J. H. Rdchert,
Samuel Yule, Wm. Coutts, C. G. Wright, John Ferguson, Longley and Pect,
John S. Lichtenwalter, Alex. Spear, G. W. Geller, C S. Neiman, Whan and
Adams, H. W. Fields, Henry Fulwider, Chas. Kelley.

The coital stock was to be fifty thousand debars, which was not fully paid
up until 1884. The affairs at first were to be managed by the president, vice-
president and nine directors. October 5, 1879, the bank opened for business in
a building purchased of Chas. Hammond and which it has since occupied.

The first officers were W. H. Tuthill, president ; J. W. Casad, vice-president,
and Herbert Hammond, cashier. The first nine directors included Moses
Bunker, Samuel Yule, Moreau Carroll, J. H. Reichert, Wm. Gilmore, Thos. C
Prescott, A. C. Reeder, Perrien Dean, and Wm. Coutts.

For twenty years this bank continued, or until 1899, when tiie present Cedar
County State Bank was organized. The presidents of this bank since its orgdn-
ization in 1879 have been: Wm. H. Tuthill, '79-'8o; John W. Casad, '8o-'92;
Wm. Dean, '92 to 1904 ; C. M. Cook, i904-'b7 ; M. H. Miller, 1907, and he con-
tinues in office. The vice-presidents during this time have been J. W. Casad,
Wm. Gilmore, T. C. Prescott, J. H. Reichert, and Wm. T. Gilmore, the present
vice-president since 1903.

Herbert was cashier until January i, 1880; Moreau Carroll, 1880-84, when he
was succeeded by the present cashier, S. G. Frink, he having served this bank con-
tinuously for almost twenty-six years, probably longer than any one in that
position in tiie county. In 1903 Miss Enmia G. Graybill was elected assistant
cashier. In July, 1909, a savings department was added to the other business
of the bank.

There are now eleven directors instead of nine, as at first in the history of
this bank. They are listed here:

John W. and A. C. Reeder, T. A. Spear, Montgomery Frascur, Paul H.
Downing, M, H. Miller, John T. Moffit, W. R. Fields, S. G. Frink, H. W.
Reichert, and W. T. Gihnore

The last statement gives the capital as $50,000, surplus $35,000, deposits
$400,000, and value of building and fixtures $9,000.^^'

The Farmers' and Merchants' Savings of Tipton was organized in May, 1905*
with J. C. France as president; F. H. Milligan, vice-president; S. A. Jennings,
cashier.

The directors in the beginning were P. R. Pine, E. A. Marks, F. H. Milligan,
P. H. Downing, J. E. Britcher, P. VanLeshout, J. C. France, and A. C. Lauschcr.

SCENES FROM THE HAMIL FARM, IOWA TOWNSHIP

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 247

The first capital was fixed at fifteen thousand dollars. At that time the
bank was located on the opposite side of the street and further to the west of the
business section. So(hi after its organization it was moved to its present loca-
tion and its present capital is $30,000. Its president, W. W. Little; vice-presi-
dent, F. H. Milligan ; cashier, D. L. Diehl. In addition to its officers the direc-
tors are J. C. France, A. C. Lauscher, Geo. H. Escher, Fred. L. Reeder, Henry
Hect and L. J. Rowell. The deposits from the last statement are about $110,000,
value of real and personal property $13,000, surplus $1,500. ^®®

The First Naticmal Bank of Clarence was organized in 1905. It is the out-
growth of one of the oldest banks in the county, having been established in 1869
by brown Brothers, when it occupied a lot where the jewelry store of J. L.
Escher is located. In August of the following year, 1870, Bent and Cottrell
purchased the business. It was about this time that W. H. Tuthill commenced
a banking business in Tipton, but made all his transactions wherever he hap-
pened to be, carrying the money around in his pocket, having no office. The
next bank to organize was the Helmer and Gortner of Mechanicsville.

Bent and Cottrell continued the business until 1879, when Peter Bent retired.
After that W. D. G. Cottrell was the sole proprietor until the reorganization,
when he became the first president. The C24>ital was then fixed at $30,000,
divided amoi^ thirty-seven stockholders. The first officers in addition to those
mentioned were: Cashier, M. B. Cottrell; Directors, George E. Smith, C. E.
Read, A. Seaman, S. B. Stonerook, Sr., F. B. Riggs, W. D. G. and M. B.
Cottrell.

The officers at the present time are: President, ,Ml B. Cottrell; Vice-Presi-
dent, C. E. Read ; Cashier, R. O. Hoyer.

From the last statement of the bank the following figures are taken: De-
posits atxnit $135,000, capital $30,000, surplus $6/X)0, value of building and fix-
ture, $7,000. In December, 1909, a comparative statement was made that shows
its progress. It is appended. May 16, 1905, at the time of the organization the
total resources were approximately $104,000; December 16 of the same year,
$139,000; one year later and annually thereafter until 1909 the record is as fol-
kms : $167,000, $172,000, $208,000, $249,060.^^^

The Clarence Savings Bank was organized in 1894 with D. Elijah as presi-
dent; Fred Hecht, vice-president, and D. L. Didil, cashier. The capital was
$25,000. The first board of directors, H. G. Coe, A. C. Cartwright, John Bau-
msm, Wm. McNeil and the dficers. At present the bank has the same crfficers
with tiie exception of cashier, Ingram Bixler having succeeded D. L. Diehl, who
became cashier of the Farmers' and Merchants' Savings Bank of Tipton, P. T.
Mitchell is assistant cashier and one of the directors. Other directors at the
present time are C. Peterson, Wm. Thomas, and Ed. Cosgriff, the first two offi-
cers, and H. G. C6e."«

The coital remains the same, the undivided profits given on the last state-
ment being $28,000. Deposits at this date $212,000. Real estate and fixtures
$2,500.

In 1897 the Bennett Savings Bank was incorporated with a capital of $2,000
and a board of directors composed of D. H. Snoke, O. W. Schiele, P. F. Broader,
Wm. Biericamp, Sn, Aug. Hinrichs, Aug. Dresselhaus, John Bannick. The

248 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

officers at organization were Frank Haller, president; D. H. Snc^e and Aug.
Dresselhaus, vice-presidents; Wm. Bierkamp, Jr., cashier.

The coital of the bank in 1910 is $90,000, with a surplus and undivided
prc^ts of $8,000. It owns its building, valued at $8,000, and tiie deposits reach
the sum of $270,000. Its present dficers are: Aug. Hinrichs, president; Jdm
Bannick, vice-president ; Wm. Bierkamp, vice-president ; E. P. Wingcrt, cashier.
In addition to the officers the directors are H. W. Franco, R. Roberdec, G. W.
Montz, Fred Schluter, and P. L. Ayres."*

The Sunbury Savings Bank began business in 1901, having a czpital then
of $15,000. J. H. Meyhaus is the president; Wm. Miller, vice-president; O. V.
Meyhaus, cashier. Its deposits are $200,000 and surplus $6^000.

The Savings Bank of Downey has a capital of $15,000, surplus of $1,500,
and deposits of $90,000. It was organized in 1902. The officers are Wilson
Norris, president; R. W. Hinkhouse, vice-president; W. A. Cameron, cashier;
E. L. Cornwall, assistant cashier.^*®

One of the oldest banks in the county, the West Branch State Bank, began
to do business in 1875 with a capital of $25,000, and under the name then of
the ''West Branch Bank." The present name was applied at reorganization in
1895. Joseph Steer was the first president; Alex. H. Graham, vice-president,
and J. C. Chambers, cashier. After one year of business the capital was in-
creased to $50,000, as it is today, with a suqdus now of $25,000. At reorgani-
zation John Pearson was chosen vice-president and now holds the office of presi-
dent. T.- Coggeshall was the president following Mr. Steer, and J. E. Muers,
cashier.

In the last twelve years the bank has more than doubled its assets and capital.
The other officers in addition to Mr. Pearson are: J. L, Crozer, vice-president;
J. F. Adair, cashier, and A. R. Cavin, assistant cashier.

This bank possesses an interesting old safe purchased from the prize exhibi-
tion at the centennial of i876.^*^

In the fall of 1892 J. H. Coutts and M. L. Simmons started a bank under
the name of the J. H. Coutts Bank, with J. H. Coutts as president and M. L.
Simmons, cashier. This bank continued in business under the same manage-
ment until November, 1900, when the bank was incorporated under tiie name of
Stanwood Savings Bank with a capital of $20,000. The officers were J. H.
Coutts, president; M. L. Simmons, cashier, and C. H. Haesemeyer, assistant
cashier. The bank continued under this management until the death of Mr.
Coutts in the winter of 1903, when M. L. Simmons was elected president; F. R.
McGellan, vice-president ; C. H. Haesemeyer, cashier. Mr. Simmons died Sep-
tember, igoi/, and Mr. F. R. McQellan was elected present and Mr. C L
Rigby, vice-president. The bank was thus conducted until October, 1909, when
it was consolidated with the Citizens' Bank, which organized in Stanwood, Sep-
tember, 1903. The officers were Thomas Alexander, president; H. G. Coc,
vice-president; Otto Evers, cashier. Mr. Alexander served as president until
1905. At this time James J. Spear was elected president and M. M. Davidson,
vice-president, who served in that capacity until the consolidation.

The Union Savings Bank incorporated with a capital of $30,000, has a sur-
plus and profits of $10,000 and deposits of $200,000. The officers are C. L.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY ^9

Rigby, president; Otto Evcrs and Jas. J. Spear, vice-presidents, and C. H.
Haesemeyer, cashier.

The directors now are C. E. Hoyman, C. C. Smith, W. A. Jackson, C. L.
Righy, Harry Miller, W. A. Findlay, M. H. Davidson, Otto Evers, James J.
Spear.»»2

The West Branch Savings Bank was organized in 1898, capital $20,000.
Opened for business July of that year. First officers were J. C. Crew, presi-
dent ; N. H. Crook, vice-president ; P. V. N. Myers, cashier. The first directors
were N. H. Crook, Jos. Albin, J. C. Crew, J. T. Emmons, P. J. Thomas, and
C. H. Hathaway and L. J. Leech.

In January, 1899, J- E. Michener succeeded P. J. Thomas as director, and
was also elected president, J. T. Emmons being made vice-president. April 18,
1899, V. S. McKarahan was elected to fill the office of director to complete the
unexpired term of J. C. Crew, who had resigned. In March, 1901, W. H. Brown
succeeded J. T. Emmons as director, C. H. Hathaway being elected vice-presi-
dent. At the same time J. E. Michener resigned as president. E. L. Hdlings-
worth was elected a director about the same time. In January of 1902 C. H.
Hathaway was elected president; L. J. Leech, vice-president. In May of 1902
O. C. Pennock succeeded J. E. Michener as a director, and in January of the
next year became president, in which office he has served ever since. In-
January, 1903, E. McConnell was elected on the board and served until 1910,
when he was succeeded by Jens Thompson.

The officers of the bank now are O. C. Pennock, president; L. J. Leech,
vice-president; and P. V. N. Myers, cashier. The directors are O. C. Pennock,
L. J. Leech, W. H. Brown, V. S. McKarahan, N. H. Crodc, E. L. Hollings-
worth, Jens Thompson. In 1908 the bank built their present building. The
capita] of the bank is still $20/X)o; the surplus $4,000; the total assets of the
bank being about $135,000. The bank has experienced a steady growth, has
paid regular dividends, and looks forward to a prosperous future.^**

The articles of incorporation of the Mechanicsville Savings Bank were ac-
knowledged on August 5, 1903. The first dficers, D. H. Snoke, president; W.
C Page, vice-president, and Emil Webbles, cashier, the latter remaining in office
until the present year. The present crfficers of this bank are H. P. StofFel, presi-
dent; A. T. Spitler, vice-president; O. M. Bundy, cashier, and H. S. Pierce,
assistant. The average deposits run about $425,000. The bank owns its build-
ing, which was erected in 1904 at a cost of $10,000. The capital stock is given
as $2$fioo, with a surplus of about $12,000.

The directors at the present time include Adam Krumroy, John V. Kerwin,
Geo. W. Fall, the president and vice-president, John Jackson, J. H. Onstott,
C. J. Lynch and S. A. Wilson.^**

The Mechanicsville bank of Helmer and Gortner was organized as early as
1874, but not incorporated until 1902. Its present officers are Lines Bennett,
president; H. E. Gibeaut, cashier, and M. G. Gortner, assistant cashier. Its
present coital is forty thousand, and surplus twelve thousand dollars. The
usual banking business is conducted and in addition the bank rents boxes in a
steel fire and burglar proof vault. Offers to furnish its friends credit and in-
formation in every way that it can command.^*'

250 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The total deposits in Cedar County banks on June 30 were $4,150,223.38;
the loans were $4,233,195.58, and the total cash on hand or on deposit with
other banks was $637,321.12.

Below is presented in tabular form items from each bank report showing
loans, deposits and cash resources, the last item being the total cash actually
held by the bank or on deposit with other banks and subject to be drawn at
sight. The last previous statement was called in February last, at which time
the deposits of practically all the banks touched the high point in their history.
Since then there has been a small shrinkage in deposits while loans have in-
creased. This accounts for the fact that ten of the banks show by their state-
ments that they have borrowed funds to accommodate their customers, the total
amount for the ten being $170,643.94.

The Durant Savings leads the banks of the county in point of loans and
deposits, having nearly $ioo/xx> more than its nearest competitor. The Helmer
& Gortner State of Mechanicsville makes the strongest showing in the matter
of cash reserve, having in cash in its vaults and on deposit with other banks,
more than twenty-two per cent of its total deposits. The City National of Tip-
ton and the Qarence Savings are close seconds in this respect.

The condition of the Cedar County banks represents pretty closely the condi-
tion of banks throughout the Mississippi valley. There has been an unprece-
dented demand for loans tiiis year and it has resulted in a general stiffening of
the rates. A prominent banking authority ascribes the cause of the present
condition to speculation in lands and extravagant expenditures by nearly all
classes of people.

Loans. Deposits. Cash Reserve.

Bennett Savings $261,614.71 $269442.36 $37»668.3S

Durant Savings 586,029.23 549»03447 46,712.32

F. & M. Savings, Durant 223,874.98 243,641.74 39»i04-3S

Union Savings, Stanwood 188,896.21 182,388.87 28,316.28

H. & G. State, Mechanicsville 322,844.75 372422.25 81,976.88

Mechanicsville Savings 337^55-^7 360410.71 45,712.32

Qarence Savmgs 212,718.14 21248742 44344.01

First National, Clarence I79»304 43 134.004.78 19,951^

Citizens' Savings, West Branch.. 100,657.67 106,900.99 ii,i47S3

West Branch State 224,820.37 189,396.01 35,886.84

City NaticMial, Tipton 483,670.93 467,349-74 98,S93S6

Downey Savings .' . 89,361.36 94,996.63 16,997.55

F. & M. Savings, Tipton 150,678.63 144,956.00 27,784.08

Cedar County State, Tipton 474,255.71 409,940.30 43,990-88

Lowden Savings 234,698.77 246,284.71 37,066.01

Sunbury Savings 161,914.52 166,566.40 21,568^7

*•« Totals $4,233,19558 $4,150,223.38 $637,321.12

While the White Pigeon Mutual Insurance Company has its headquarters in
the neighboring town of Wilton, at the same time the greater part of its business
is in this county and the greater number of its officers are found in Cedar. It is
proper for that reason to take it into account in this clu4>ter.

THE NELSON MILL, DUEANT. THE ONLY FLOUBINO MILL IN THE COUNTY

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 253

It was organized in 1872, and the form of the old policy states the particulars
of its business in that it expresses in the first part of the constitution the reasons
for the agreement to form such a company.

"Whereas, the farming community of Muscatine and Cedar Counties has
long felt the necessity for a cheaper and safer fire and lightning insurance than
that which it now has; also desiring to retain the large sum of money which
has heretofore been taken from it without adequate consideration.

Now, therefore, we: John B. Ross, Thos. H. Fishbum, Peter Hildebrand,
S. W. Whitmer, Chas. F. Brown, Amos Barnard, Jas. C. Walton, Eli Ross, John
Ayres, C. P. Healy, Chas. Crawford, D. L. Wilson, C. W. Derby, J. M. Barn-
hart, J. Piggott, Wm. Johnson, Michael Whitmer, L. C. Lindsey, Joseph
Weaver, M. G. Whitmer, Eli Whitmer, C. P. Furst, Joseph Witmer, and all
other persons who may beccmie members hereof, do hereby associate ourselves
into a Fire and Lightning Insurance Company to be known by the name of the
White Pigeon Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, and do hereby organize
by adopting the following articles of association: The object of the company
is to insure buildings and personal property against loss by fire or lightning.
The company is to be perpetual, except as provided by article 18, and to assume
the rights, pivileges and immunities as provided by law for mutual fire insur-
ance companies."

Note. — ^Article 18 referred to provided for the action of the board of direc-
tors in the matter of cancellation of policies and the authority was given them
to direct the affairs of the company according to their judgment in this respect.

The crfBcers of the company are a secretary and treasurer, vice-president and
president, and thirteen directors. Thos. H. Fishbum was the first president;
D. L. Wilson, vice-president ; C. P. Furst, secretary and treasurer.

This company was to be a mutual affair and could never be changed to a
stock company. After a loss has occurred and has been adjusted each member
is to pay his proportion, that is according to the amount of insurance he carries
in the company. Of course penalties are provided for one who does not pay at
the time he is notified.

The annual meeting of the company is held on the first Wednesday of Octo-
ber of each year. Directors' meeting, second Wednesday in January and Sep-
tember of each year, and the executive committee of the board, consisting of
three members, on the first Saturday in April, June, and November, at ten
o'clock a. m.

At the last annual statement of the company the following figures were
given: Amount of insurance in force about $3,000,000; net gain for 1909,
$64,000; amount paid in losses 1909, $7,000; amount paid other expenses, $860.
Average cost of insurance per thousand for each year during the past thirty-
seven years, $1.90.

When the company was reorganized recently some changes were made in
the constitution. Protection will be furnished on town property of some de-
scriptions and vehicles will be insured, barring the automobile, churches and
school houses, and it is provided that they must be in good repair.

A single risk cannot be greater than $4,000. The company limits itself in
responsibility in the case of carelessness.

254 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

It is provided that when the insurance falls below the gross amount of
$100,000 the company may by agreement disband by notifying all the parties
interested. A resurvey of all property insured is to be made in 1910 and every
five years thereafter, as provided by the by-laws of the company.

The present officers and board of directors are here given :

President, C. W. Derby; vice-president, John Severin; secretary and treas-
urer, H. Wildasin; directors, R. W. Hinkhouse, A. H. Klepper, J. S. Hetzler,
F. W. Gray, Otto Schiele, C. L. McQellan, H. D. Thierring, F. L. Sheldon,
]6tin Bauman, John Bannick, ]chn G. Klein, W. J. Leech, and J. C. Ferguson.

This association is permitted by its constitution to do business in all of Cedar
County excepting the townships of Springdale and Gower.^^

The Springdale Fire Insurance Association is a mutual organization. It
b^ian business in 1871, was reorganized, or reincorporated in 1889, and again
in 1909, so it is up with the present ccmception of such companies. As its title
indicates, it has its headquarters at Springdale, where its secretary resides. Its
first territory was west of the river in Cedar County and Graham and Scott
townships in Johnson County. This territory has been enlarged and takes in
Cass, Center and Rochester townships in Cedar County and now includes Wapsi-
nonoc and Goshen townships in Muscatine County, Lino^, Scott, Graham,
Cedar, Newport, East Lucas, and Pleasant Valley in Johnscm County.

The policyholders elect nine directors, three each year, to manage the busi-
ness. The directors elect the officers annually, namely, a president, vice-presi-
dent and secretary-treasurer, who constitute the executive committee. The
last named officer is the business manager.

During the first year Samuel Macy was the secretary-treasurer and there-
fore the business manager; the second year, G. H. Maris; the third, D. W.
Smith ; and since that time or for the last thirty-six }rears Wm. Mather has held
this office. The present board of directors is composed of the following named
gentlemen: Al. Pearson, president; L. C. Greene, vice-president, and, as men-
tioned, Wm. Mather, secretary-treasurer, and in addition to the officers, Eb.
Fogg, J. W. Gray, W. Andrews, A. N. Hemmingway, P. M. Schooley, and
C. C. Hampton.

The present amount of risks represent $1,580,000, showing a steady gain
for each year since organization. The cost per one thousand of insurance for
the entire time of thirty-nine years is the small sum of $58.09. The cost per
thousand for the past ten years has been $23.29, making the cost per year only
$2,329. The expense of conducting the business in secretary-treasurer's salary
for ten years has been but $3,032, and the policyholders get their insurance at
actual cost and save for themselves many thousands of dollars paid in premiums.
In this state alone there are one hundred and fifty-three such organizations.
In 1884 a mutual Tornado and Windstorm Association was organized in the
state on a plan similar to the above to insure Iowa property. The Springdale
Association insures against fire and lightning. The policyholders have full and
free invitations to attend its annual sessions on the second Saturday in January.

One of the recent industries to come to the county was organized in the fall
of 1905 to care for the sweet com product the following year. The articles of

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 255

incorporati(Mi were not completed until March, 1906. The men concerned in the
business as incorporators were Chas. and Walter Swartdender, Wm. Wisener,
R. A. Peters, C. O. Boling, R. P. Stout, G. D. Heming, Paul Heald, Sam Block,
F. K. Gregg, J. E Britcher, W. W. Little, D. F. Alcorn, D. J. Lee, W. J. Moore,
C. K. Ross, Sherman Yates, A, E. Pierce, W. T. Gilmore, Romeo Tracht, and
R. Roberdee, nearly all of these men residents of Tipton. At that time the di^
rectors were chosen from the incorporators, who selected Chas. Swartzlender,
C. O. Boling, Sherman Yates, C. K. Ross, and D. F. Alcorn.

The officers were Messrs. Chas. Swartzlender, Boling, Block, and Moore.

This institution was located near the Rock Island tracks for the convenience
of shipping and at a point where the interurban to be built will probably enter
the city limits. The business is that of canning com exclusively, and the factory
is in operation only during the canning season. The capital is fixed at $20,000.
The annual product is a standard as high as the market demands for the season
and the company endeavors to have an acreage sufficient to supply the output
contained in twenty to thirty-five thousand cans. The officers of this institution
now are W. J. Moore, president; W. T. Gilmore, vice-president; Chas. Swartz-
lender, treasurer; B. R. McGirr, secretary. Messrs. Peters, Roberdee, and
Ross, the president and vice-president, are the present board of directors.^^*

The telephone system has been of gradual development. The first phones
mentioned in the county history are referred to in the topic of "County Organi-
zation,'' when under certain conditions the county would use an instrument.
This was that the company would reach a certain point before any pay would
be due. It is said and probably without any reason to doubt the truth of the
matter that the first toll service began at West Branch eastward. The local
I^ones formed the early exchange service. The present organization began
from these combined. About 1896 the organization of the Tipton exchange
occurred. The Davenport and Tipton line, as it is known now, was put into
operation in 1902.

At the present time there are 100 miles of toll line and approximately 500 of
rural lines. One thousand two hundred and sixty-three phones are now iii
service. It is estimated that about $9,000 has been expended recently in the
equiiHnent in Tipton alone.

The switchboard is selected from the best obtainable and there are four
thousand feet of cable. Copper line has been substituted on much of the line
for the betterment of the service. The line has exchanges at Bennett, Durant,
and New Liberty, as well as in Tipton. There are twelve outside toll stations.
The aim is to buy the best material and employ the best workmen. Eight em-
ployees are kept very busy in Tipton, the payrdl amounting to about four hun-
dred dollars per month.

In this company there are five stockholders with 303 shares of stock. The
officers are H. R. Chapman, president and manager.^^^

In 1883 the Iowa Telephone Company proposed to place an exchange in the
county and a plea was then made for a union of all the tdephone interests.
During the fall of that year the only place left to complete the connection of all
the districts was Cedar Bluffs.

256 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

In 1904 there were nearly 1,000 miles of telephone and teleg^raph in this
county aJone, according to the taxing lists. At that time thirty-three companies
were doing business in this county.

The cement block and stone industry of the county has taken a large growth
in recent years. Heigel and Gihnore of Tipton began in 1904, when they incor-
porated. Recently the industry was started in West Branch by A. C. Hunter
and C. A. Macombcr to produce high-grade building blocks and other products
of like nature.

At Stanwood a company was recently organized to manufacture cement
products and it was duly incorporated under the title of the Stanwood Cement
and Tile Company. The company was incorporated for $4,000 and the follow-
ing board of directors were appointed: Chris. Stoecker, Geo. Findlay, Chas.
Hoyman, Jas. Maley, A. D. Qaney, Sr., C. L. Rigby, and B. E. Burgess. C L.
Rigby was elected president of the company. The company will manufacture
cement tile, bricks, building block, in fact anything in the cement products.

The company is composed of Stanwood's leading business men and prominent
farmers. Plans will be b^^ at once for the erection of a plant conveniently
located and equipped with the latest cement machines. As soon as the articles
of incorporation have been completed and the legal part of the company attended
to, they will be ready for business.^^^

A new industry in the county, which is perhaps the least known as to its
business extent and plans, was organized at Mechanicsville in 1904. This is the
Graham Nursery Ccmipany. J. M. Graham is the president and the head of the
business, spending much of his time putting the stock on the market Delia M.
Graham is the secretary of the company and William Gibbs foreman. At the
present time the company have forty-five acres of trees and produce 300,000 an-
nually. They are capitalized at ten thousand dollars and are now doing a
wholesale and retail business in their line. This is a growing firm and its possi-
bilities are large.^^^

In 1893 Mr. Huchendorf sold his mill at Pine Credc and in looking for a new
site was undecided as to the choice between Wilton and Durant. About that^
time some of the public-spirited farmers in the vicinity of Durant oflFered to
give some inducement toward the building of a mill, which suggestion settled
the matter of doubt in the mind of the builder, and Durant got the mill The
structure was completed in 1894. In 1903 the mill was sold to Kruger and
Nelson and four years later M. E. Nelson bought the interests of his partner,
and the new firm was called Nelson Brothers, who now operate the mill in the
manufacture of high-grade flour. This is sold to the trade of the surroimding
country in a radius of twenty miles and is delivered by team over diis distance.
They have furnished the county farm north of Tipton with flour at various
times. Their exchange trade comes from as far as thirty miles distant, all the
old mills of the early trade now being out of business. The capacity of this mill
in full service is seventy barrels daily, and it aims to turn out all the products of
a first-class mill. Finally it may be said that this 4s the only flour mill in Cedar
County and, to quote from the Davenport Democrat, "an industry of which
Diuant and Cedar County may justly be proud."*^*

HANDLING HEAVY BLOCKS IN THE SEALER QUARBY

GENERAL VIEW OF THE BEALEB QUARRY

I

1

B

•*

Mf.S

L

i

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 259

Before Mr. Kettell began the manufacture of brick on the ground south of
the Masonic cemetery, near the road leading to Mormon Hollow, the brick and
tile used in Cedar County had come from factories in Illinois. His was one of
the first ventures in Eastern Iowa.

The firm at the beginning was Kettell and Lambert. They put up a kiln,
molded the brick, burned and sold them on this ground. Business being of a
discouraging nature they ceased to manufacture any for one year. Then they
added tile machinery and continued the business. A horse-power machine with
a capacity of six thousand three-inch tile per day was installed. The first year
30,000 were sold^ and the increase in trade led to increase in capacity and^a new
engine and machine was purchased. Additions were made to the yard until the
equipment was complete and the output was 400,000 annually.

All this product was distributed over the adjoining counties, most of it by
wagon.

In 1886 the tile factory was moved to the present site near the track. Th*
cost of moving was about three thousand dollars.

The brick in the Cedar County Bank building, Rowell block, the Gty Hall,
buildings at the poor farm, and the school house were made by the Kettell yard.

Since Mr. E. Wilson took possession many improvements have been made
that make the factory modem in all its features. It may run the year round
since the steam drying rooms onay be heated to the desired temperature at any
time of year. There are four kilns and s one is usually burned at a time. Two
drying sheds of two floors, making practically four of the usual capacity.
Steam pipes carry the heat the entire length of these sheds. The sheds are filled
and dried alternately, so that while one is heating the other is cooling ready to
be put into the kiln. The burning is on the same plan of alternately firing and
cooling. No heat is used in the brick shed, that being needed only in the summer
season. One hundred thousand three-inch tile may dry at one time.

There is everjrwhere an evidence of the economy of labor and material. The
water is pumped on the ground and carried in pipes to the clay pit to be used in
softening the hard earth, making it much easier to handle. The clay must be
soaked-at some time before g^nding and the use of the water in the field is no
waste. A dumping platform for the clay carts allows the load to fall into the
pit for the daily supply without any handling by hands or delay.

The yard employs from fifteen to twenty men all the time, and during the
year 1910 burned 78 kilns of brick and tile. The previous year 54 kilns were
burned. The output and sales of 1909 amounted to $20,000. The stock now on
hand, 1910, is the largest in the history of the yard.

Territory in a radius of fifty miles is supplied in car lots. Contrary to the
custom in the days of the first factory established by Mr. Kettell the wagon
trade is of little consequence.

The season affects the trade very materially, it being very difficult to tell what
the market may be. The large stock on hand may be in demand or not as the
seascm may be wet or dry.

Some time is required when a kiln is opened before the tile is cool enough to
^^naove. As an illustration of the retention of the heat one may mention that the

260 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

second day after the kiln has been opened bread may be nicely baked as m the
old brick ovens of our grandfathers.*^*

The largest produce packing and shipping concern in the county now is reptt-
sented by the Craven Company of Tipton, Geo. F. Craven, proprietcM-. The
record of the business since it was established is well shown in the figures given
since its organization in 1906, October i.

The business conducted includes the handling of poultry, eggs, butter, and
cream. During the packing season the first fall and winter, 1906-07, about fif-
teen hands were employed and 150,000 pounds of poultry shipped by local freight
(mly, as no car lots were sent out the first year. Car lots of ^;gs were shipped
in the spring of 1907 to the number of eighteen. In the winter of 1907-08
twenty-five men were employed and 200,000 pounds of poultry put upon die
market in car lots. The following spring during the seas(Mi thirty-four cars of
eggs were shipped from Tipton. Repeating the experiences of the previous year
about the same number of men were employed and 260,000 pounds of chickens,
ducks, and like product shipped to the eastern market, much of this going as iv
as Boston.

In the egg season of 1909 the large number of sixty-four cars left this plant
and the mark is set this year to seventy-five cars of eggs alone. This number
will be reached if the present rate is continued through the following mootiis.
The past fall and winter was not a favorable one for packing so far as the earij
part of the year was concerned and not so large a shipment of poultry was put
up, although over 200,000 pounds was a fair output for one establishment whea
a number of other shippers from near-by cities are buying in the vicinity or 00
the borders of the county.

This firm handles packing butter only and ships cream at the rate of one
hundred ten-gallon cans per wedc.

One stops suddenly when he learns that horse hides are sometimes sold and
sent to market along with the ordinary sheep skin and cow hide, yet it is veiy
reasonable when the shoes men wear are manufactured from the skin perhaps
of the favorite roadster.

What once promised to be a great field of industry was devdoped in Sugar
Creek township in 1883. At that time the Sugar Creek quarries, on the old Leech
place, also known as the Scott quarries, which furnished the rock years before
for the Moscow railway bridge, and which had remained idle because of being
inaccessible, were transformed into an active fidd of operation by a combinatioo
of capital and business foresight. This was called the United States Lime Com-
pany, surely a big enough name for any company then and since used in energetk
ways by firms of larger capital. Land had been purchased here, and the Rock Is-
land lines had put a branch line into the territory purchased in July, 1883, and
the line was substantially built, it is said. Even then there were three large stone
kilns in operation, each capable of turning out one hundred barrels of lime each
per day, and they were running at full blast. Then the place indicated progress,
with the great cooling and barreling houses and the huge piles of wood for burn-
ing the kilns.

In the fall of the same year a new company apparently was organized, called
the Sugar Creek Lime Company, under the directing force of Mr. Lowry, of

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 261

Rock Island. Both these companies had sc»ne connection with the Rock Island
since their paymaster was the pa)rmaster of the railway. These companies put-
chased some three hundred acres of land in the vicinity, section fifteen of this
township.

The second company constructed ten large kilns and the railway lines kept
pace with the movement, at one time a hundred men being employed in the con-
struction of track and bridges^ Part of this track, long since removed, was diffi-
cult of construction and is said to have cost very much money, twenty-five thou-
sand dollars per mile.

These kilns were eighteen feet square at the bottom, fourteen at the top
and thirty-two feet high, and made from solid masonry thirty inches thick and
lined with fire brick and filled with clay between the brick and the stone, then
clamped on the outside with iron hoops in the manner of barrds to keep the kiln
from expanding when filled for burning.

The town of Lime Kiln, or Lime City, or Munn on the map, was laid out and
a dozen or more buildings put up before the trees were cut from the street. Here
a store was established by L. T. Munn & Co. and O. Howe opened a butcher shop.

The railway company made some signs of going toward Tipton on the old
M. T. & A. grade, but the future never felt any security in a line from that
direction.

In July '88, the Sugar Creek Company tried an experiment, one called it "a
startling new dq>arture" — one of the many wonders of that recent age. Instead
of burning wood to make their lime — because the wood business was about ex-
hausted— they began to use petroleum, the fire being made of the vapor of oil,
steam and air combined. The first kiln to try the new way turned off one hun-
dred and forty barrels of lime in twenty-four hours with ten barrels of oil. The
best ever done with wood was ninety barrels to three cords of wood. The lime
made by the new process was superior to the other also. This method was sup-
posed to make the business permanent

This plant became the very largest manufacturing concern in the county,
at one time having a capital invested of $75,000 in case of the U. S. Co. and
$50,000 in the Sugar Creek Co. These twelve kilns employed as many as sixty-
five men and the United States Company sold 50,000 barrels of lime, the other
company valuing its sales at $33,000. The industry ceased after a time to be
profitable, probably on account of fuel, and the old tracks were finally removed.*^*

Many great and successful enterprises have been the result of chance. On
the winter morning early in the eighties when E. J. C. Bealer went rabbit hunt-
ing in the woods where the Cedar Valley quarries are now located, he little
dreamed that that region would become the scene of industrial activity, and that
his would be the master hand to direct the enterprise. But an outcropping ledge
of stone caught his trained eye and told him something of the possibilities buried
there in the ground and unnoted for years. Mr. Bealer at that time was engaged
in building the railroad bridge three miles up the river f rcon the present quarries.
He had been a quarryman and contractor for years and experience told him of
the immense value of that ledge of stone in this rapidly developing section of the
west The land practically worthless for farming purposes, was purchased for
a few dollars an acre, and with limited capital but great faith in the enterprise.

262 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Mr. Bealer began the development of these now famous quarries. The right of
way to the Rock Island tracks, three miles north, was bought and the railway
company, recognizing the importance of the project, laid the track. Since that
time (1884) many thoustods of car loads of stone have been shipped irom
Cedar Valley. Vast sums of money have been expended in wages and improve-
ments, and a reputation for the quarries established, which extends all over the
northern Mississippi Valley and far into the .northwest.

The stone of the Devonian age lies close to the surface all along the Cedar
river, but not all of it is suitable for the builder's use. Much of it contains lime
in such quantities as to render it valueless save for the lime kiln, but the stone
quarried at Cedar Valley is of the best quality, containing just the right propor-
tions of sand and lime. Soft and easily woiiced when first exposed to the ele-
ments, it hardens gradually and without becoming flinty acquires a durability
which makes it par excellence a stone for constructive purposes.

The quarry is a beehive of industry. Where a few years ago was the wildest
and most inaccessible region in Cedar county now flourishes the greatest labor
employing industry in this section. Where the forest stood and the wild fox d\3g
his hole unscared, is now a forest of derricks, great massive oak timbers stand-
ing 70 and 75 feet in air and held in place by miles of steel cables. Steam engines
by the dozen, bolsters, channellers, crushers, bring to the aid of human strength
the mighty forces of nature. Most of the ballasting and masonry work on the
Cedar Rapids route, which has given that railroad in recent years one of the
best roadbeds in the west, has been done under contract with Mr. Bealer with
Cedar Valley stone.

There is almost no limit to the size of stone which can be quarried over there.
On one occasion as a sort of experiment a solid mass of stone 165 feet long and
six feet square in cross section was cut up and turned over before being broken
up. Solomon obtained ho such stone as that frcmi the quarries of Zeredathah
when he was building the Temple, nor can the pyramids of Egypt boast of one
so large.

Ever)rthing at the quarry runs like clock woric. Under the efficient super-
vision of Mr. M. Y. Bealer, the division of labor is perfect and all confusion
banished. One gang of men under a foreman are constantly engaged in
"stripping" or removing the earth and debris which covers the rock. Hydraulic
power is used to aid in this work and thousands of tons have been washed into
the Cedar river as easily as hundreds were removed in the old way. When the
rock has been exposed, the steam channellers, in charge of expert workmen, are
set at work cutting out stone of desired thickness, which are then swung by big
derricks on to the flat cars standing near on the track. The poorer rock goes by
mule tramway to the big crusher, where ten cars of railroad ballast or macadam
for streets are crushed daily. In another part of the yard a force of skilled stone
cutters are at work on material for some special contract. A railroad engineer
designs a big arch, such as the forty-five foot structure erected by Mr. Bealer for
the Rock Island near Vinton in '98. The plans and specifications are drawn.
Blue prints are sent to Supt M. Y. Bealer, and his cutters go to work on the
job. Every block of stone is cut and numbered according to plan. They axe
then shipped to the scene of erection where each piece goes to its place under the

MATKRIAI. BRADY FOR SHIPMENT, BEALEB QUARRY

•(• •

PUiVMc i.!';;^:^^ .

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 265

eye of a master mason with mathematical precision. By this plan, rather than
cutting on the scene of erection, a saving is effected both in stone and freight.

Every precaution is taken for the safety of the men and accidents are com-
paratively few. The great wire cables which hold the derricks and are used on
the hoisting machines are mspected every day and at the first sign of weakness
are discarded. The quarrymen are a stalwart lot of workmen. Many nationali-
ties are represented. Norwegians, Bohemians, Irishmen, Germans, Swedes and
native Americans find employment here and work side by side. Discipline among
the workmen is strict. There is no smdcing on the job, for instance, and the rule
applies not only to men and foremen, but the superintendent enforces it on
himself.

The thousands of trainloads of stone taken out of these quarries have made
an impression on the hillside. The bottom of the pit where work is now car-
ried on is far below the bed of the river and an engine is constantly at work
pumping out water to enable work to go on. Operations are of necessity con-
tracted during the winter, but between fifty and a hundred men are employed in
preparations for the next busy season.

A large amount of money has been expended in improving this valuable
property. In addition to machine and blacksmith shops, there are 37 other build-
ings for various purposes. Supt. Bealer is devoted to his work, and visitors in-
terested in seeing the operations receive every attention. As Mr. Bealer sees it,
there is a great future ahead of the Cedar Valley quarries. He calls attention
to the fact that in railroad work especially, iron is losing its grip. During floods
iron bridges have been swept away while the stone ettlverts stood, and the policy
of railroads now is to erect stone work in preference to iron wherever possible.
This means an increasing demand and consequently great development. As there
is practically no limit to the stone supply at Cedar Valley, these conditions must
be pleasing to the owners and to all dependent on the industry .^^*

These quarries began to be developed about twenty-five years ago and the
history of their product is well expressed in the foregoing summary. It is not
now as extensive in operation in some respects as it was in the past. The de-
mand is not so great as then. In order to protect the quarry at this place against
high water f rcrni the overflow of the Cedar river, a levee was built at a cost of
$20,000. Railway tracks in the quarries were so built that the force of gravity
could be employed to move out the loaded cars, making it possible to get along
without an engine. The great machine called a channeller has made a record
of cutting four hundred feet in five hours and for ten hours its record is seven
hundred fifty feet Scnnething of the capacity of this quarry at one time may be
understood when the equipment is described: Four eighty horse power engines,
two forty horse power, and five of fifteen horse power, one steam pump, capacity
three-quarter million gallons daily, and three pumps of a quarter million gallons
each. A large machine shop was used to keep the tools in repair. At one time
there were fourteen derricks in operation, ten of which had steam hoists lifting
from four to twenty tons each.

A force as high as one hundred men has been employed here. They occupied
cottages along the river usually with an allotment of land for their use, as these
cottages belonged for the most part to the owner. In the full tide of its pros-

266 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

perity the quarry could supply forty-five cars of stone each day and it was often
at full speed to supply this demand. Formerly the output consisted of bridge
stone for piers for which the proprietor contracted in their ccmipleted form hav-
ing force in their construction. Dressed dimension stone and crushed stone was
a staple product. The pit from which this stone has been taken is many feet
below the level of the river, more than sixty feet, it is said. As the depth in-
creases, the stone becomes of finer quality. Professor Norton gave the name of
Gower to the stage of rock here exposed, since that was the only name he could ap-
ply to this region where the rock, he says, represents the particular f CMtnation better
than any other point in Iowa. The name Cedar Valley had been employed in
another connection. The technical geological formation of any quarry of this
kind cannot be interesting to the person who is not familiar willi the terms in
that science. They may be seen in the map of the deep well under the topic
of the Tipton deep well which may be found in the index.*'^

Other quarries of value in this county that belong in the chapter on industries
are found at Cedar Bluffs for the local supply, McLeod's quarry in MassiUon
township not far from the village by that name. The itxdc here are pronounced
picturesque where they form the lofty ledge on the right bank of the Wapae.
Wallick's quarry, north of Cedar Bluffs, furnishes a certain supply for local
use. The rock here was well exposed, being reached without much effort in re-
moving surface dirt. Cary's quarry, southwest of Tiptcm, must be included in
this class of small development but so far as service is concerned equal to the
demand. On Rocky Rtm, in Gower township, the Burroughs quarry is found
where an old pot kiln suggests the possibilities for llie production of lime.
Frink's and also Hecht's quarries in the same section of Dayton township have
been worked for the local supply.*^®

The silver craze at Rochester and other parts of the southern portion of the
county was not the only mineral find that caused some excitement and curiosity
as to the future fortunes of the finders. Coal, peat, and petroleum have each
had their turn at discovery, but none of these finds have ever been carried any
farther than to remove the surface enough to demonstrate the impracticability of
use. Coal was found in Yankee Run in 1862 while digging a well ; it was fbund
again on the Swartzlender farm at a depth of some 180 feet, during the year
1876. Yet in 1902 it was still in the minds of men and when an old shaft was
found and the traces of the early hopes were brought to the front once more, the
search was renewed. Not coal now, but zinc and lead ; traces of these have been
reported and doubtless all these appear in the rocks of the county.

Peat beds of untold value were once the talk of neighborhoods. In 1866 a
man north of Qarence found a bed fourteen feet thick, and in August of the
same year a great area of the same material was found in Gower township,
somewhere in the neighborhood of section twenty-two.

A Mr. Risley, living near Mechanicsville, dug a well about six feet deep and
to his surprise he found it stocked with petroleum, or at least there was "oil on
the water." Most men who have seen the wells of the old slough pastures can
tell of the same discoveries many times a year.

SECTION VII.

TRANSPORTATION.

The first record of any mode of tranq)ortation other than the methods of the
Indian is that of a keel boat kept at the Indian trading post established by the
Frenchman Cote, or by those whc»n he served as manager. This old point of
transfer was located according to story at a point not far above the present site
of Rochester, but on the west side of the Cedar river. This was a favorite
r^on for the early settlements and must have been a favorite region also of the
Indian, since it was wooded and watered in such a way that it was almost an
ideal hunting ground. The boat mentioned was used to transfer skins which
were purchased by the traders from the red men and then to bring up supplies
and articles for barter in securing the Indian products. How long this continued
is not a matter of record, but the points on the Mississippi furnished an outlet
for the traders until other and nearer posts developed. The first ferry was
located at Rochester and from records given was operated by George McCoy,
afterward sheriff of Cedar County, and whose name appears on the first court
records as now found in the office of the clerk of the courts among the most in-
teresting documents of the county. This same ferry was operated afterwards
for many years by Cordis Hardman, a son of Col. Henry Hardman, whose his-
tory is forever linked with this particular r^on. The Rochester ferry was at
other times imder the control of a Dr. Henry and John Dillon. No one now
living can tell of these surroundings since they were too young to remember.
We say now living, because there are some who were then here who are glad, at
this time^ 1910, to give as full acounts of remembered events. At the time
Rochester was settled the Cedar was considered navigable and as referred to in
the county seat controversy, this plan was worked to its fullest capacity. Steam-
boats from the Mississippi did occasionally come up the river, and it naturally
gave the impression that this might continue, since then water and teaming were
the only means of carrying gr>ods to the various points for distribution. The
first ferry at Cedar Bluffs was established in 1838. It was called Washington's
Ferry. William Fraseur has said that he helped to build the first boat used here.
James H. Gower bou|^t this ferry in 1839, which then belonged to Conlogue
and GoYe. About this time a steamer belonging to the Mormons from Nauvoo,

267

268 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

III., came to Gowcr's Ferry, afterward Cedar Bluffs, and purchased a large
quantity of grain. Mr. Robert Gower came to this place in 1841 and he pur-
chased the ferry from his brother James. A note of the time makes this state-
ment: ''The Red Cedar River is navigable for steam and other boats at all
seasons of the year when free from ice. It possesses at this point (Cedar
Bluffs) superior advantages for damming and bridging, and the settlement in
this vicinity requires both." That reads in some ways like a prophecy, since with-
in the past three years several surveys have been made of this point of "supe-
rior advantage for damming," in view of locating a large power plant for the
furnishing of electric power to surrounding towns and possibly to the several
interurbans already now in operation or proposed. It is an interesting fact to
record the early view of this r^on that now seems destined to furnish a realiza-
tion of this apparent prophecy.

A construction train on the Rock Island furnished the first railway trans-
portation out of this county. Mr. Joseph Weaver of Farmington township
shipped six hundred bushels of wheat to Davenport from Durant station at that
time, 1855. In the fall of this year the Western Stage Cotopsmy opened a route
f fiom Durant to Tipton, the cotmty seat, and continued it for three months, for
which they received five hundred dollars from the town. The track of the Rode
Island was laid through Durant in 1855 and was the first c^rated road in the
county. This is discussed elsewhere.*^*

When the first settlers traveled over this county their way was marked bj
faint trails upon the higher land or by some more certain means in later years—
as a furrow run with a breaking plow to "blaze" the prairie trail. No trees were
there to "blaze" beyond scattered patches. One of that early time tells of being
lost on the prairie between Tipton and Posten's Grove because of a fog whidi
prevented them seeing the poles put up at points to "indicate the way.'^*
Stream courses furnished landmarks, but when men were obliged to
cross the wide prairie they must trust to their sense of observatioQ
of stars or fixed heavenly bodies. There were impassable swamps or
"sloughs," as they were called, that became obstacles to the prairie sdiooner
almost equal to running streams, and often more difficult to pass. Fording was
common when smaller streams intervened and ferrying the only means for
crossing the others. The Indian canoe was pressed into service on occasions
when tile original owner served as ferryman at a small price. One authority
states that wagons were carried over streams of considerable size by means of
the canoe. Stock could swim over and thus the entire "plant" be transported
after some delay and not a little danger. The freight wagon appeared as soon
as centers of supply became located within reasonable distance. Goods came by
river to points along the eastern part of our state, and from distributing points
there wagons and ox teams began the task of carrying goods to the consumer.
This was a profitaUe business in these early times, and when we complain about
freight rates we are not to be pitied if we consider the rates of our grandfathers.
Early routes across the county, both for freight and passengers, were numerous.

The veteran stage driver of this county who lives today, well and hearty,
describes the route from Davenport to Iowa City in 1849. When a boy of six-
teen he assisted his father in transporting mail and passengers over the prairie

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY "LIMITED"

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 271

when he says : "At that time there was not a tree f ronn river to river." Joseph
Albin, as a boy^ made the trip over the line mentioned above when streams were
crossed by fording or on the ice, when passengers were of great variety, both
good and bad, and when the stage carried valuable cargoes of cash sent in from
land sales and these required a special detail as guard ; when slave drivers came
into the state looking for those who were concealed or oxicealed themselves,
although regarded as having no right to do so under the laws of the land. On
one journey — ^and by one journey we mean from the river terminus to the west-
em end of the line, Iowa City — five southern gentlemen boarded the old Concord
coach at Davenport to be carried to the capital city. The boy of sixteen did not
r^;ard their company with pleasure, and after they tried by various means to
make him tell what he knew he says : "I was never so glad to unload any pas-
sengers as these five fellows." They passed on this very ride the places where
darkies were concealed, and the driver knew it, but he knew how to keqp a secret,
and while they might threaten him, or flatter him, no intimation was given of
what he knew about the region.

Among the passengers of those days were many eastern capitalists coming
out to make investments or to investigate the new country. The land office, col-
lector of the time was Gill Fcdsom and he intrusted this stage and mail line with
caring for his funds on these journeys. Ten hours was the usual time from
Davenport to Iowa City. Horses were exchaiq;ed at ten-mile 'stations, and when
roads and loads were heavy four horses were used or extra rigs followed. Much
the same as two-section passenger trains would do now only' on a more limited
plan. Seven passengers made a load, and an average of twenty-one passengers
was reached, necessitating of course a number of extras all the time. The sta-
tions on the journey are pven by Mr, Albin as follows: From Iowa City,
toward the river, they came first to Townsend's, then called "Travelers' Rest,"
and whose original house is found pictured in the chapter on John Brown, and
stands in the eastern part of West Branch, on the western slope of the hill at this
time. It has been moved from its original foundation, but is on the same farm
and close to the road on the journey eastward toward Springdale. The second
point where passengers and mail were delivered was Rochester, then, as now,
only a little newer and perhaps more alive when the stage came in from either
direction. The river was forded here some distance below Rochester, unless in
seasons of freshet or ice, when coaches came from either direction to the river
and passengers alone were ferried over the stream. Beyond Rochester the stop
was the home of the Albins — ^the middle of the route. From here in either di-
rection the stages were sent out. Centre Grove, in Scott County, was tfie next
stop, and the final before reaching the river. Blue Grass, a station on the Rock
Island, as all know who have traveled the line. When Mr. Albin began to help
his father in this duty of stage driver he was only thirteen years of age, and this
line was continued until 1856 or until the Rock Island was built to Iowa City.
His father sold his stock, in part, to the Western Stage Company, referred to
elsewhere, that placed a route from Durant to Tipton westward for a short time
in 1855.

The first postoffice on this route was two miles east of West Branch. The
nstmes settled upon for the postoffices here, Springdale and West Branch, was a

272 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

compromise, it seems, since the locality took its name first from the meetings-
Red Cedar and Springdale. When the postoffices came to be established Spring-
dale secured the name wanted by both and West Branch found a new one taken
from the stream near by. The postoffices and postmasters on the stage route
across the county as given by Mr. Albin are in this order: West Brandi, Mr.
Henry was the first postmaster. Springdale, Thomas Wynne, who was sent
with a petition from the community to the Governor of Virginia, praying for a
change in sentence for the condemned ones after Harper's Ferry.

At Pedee, now only the four comers of a county road, Mr. Burnett was post-
master. At Rochester Wm. Baker was in charge and buildings are still stand-
ing then that he had a hand in building. Pleasant Hill, still upon the map under
the same name, was under control of Martin G. Miller, father of M. H. Miller,
in postal affairs. The last office in the county then on this line was called Lac-
ton,^ ^^ and Mr. Boydston was the official. This point is not now on the map
under any such title. It was in Farmington township and near the line.'^^

Among the earliest that of "Frink and Walker's Stage Line" — their old four-
horse coach — is on record as coming to Tipton for the first time in 1854. This
appears to have been an uncommon team in the county seat at that period and
caused some stir among its inhabitants. No one in those days could be very
particular about his choice of means in transportation of himsdf or his baggage
or freight. He must take what was offered, and in case of emergency assist in
transporting himself. One character of this time, Mr. D. P. Clapp, is described
in the first chapter of this book by Dr. Parsons, who, as a boy, knew him during
the time he came and went on his overland journeys with his freight wagon. He
relates something there of his characteristics and from the old history the fig-
ures are given concerning his large place in the transporting of goods in those
days before any railroad came to this part of the county, where Mr. Clapp was a
resident until recent years. He formerly lived where the county jail is now
located, and from this house in Tipton made his journeys through all kinds of
seasons to Davenport and Muscatine, where the supplies for this vicinity shaped
by water before 1854, and then along the railway line in the southern part of
this county or across in Muscatine County, until the building of the Northwest-
em railway in the northern part of the county. When the Tipton-Stanwood
branch was built in 1872, the wagon transfer ceased to be necessary so far as
long hauls were considered. Some figures are given for the estimating of the
amount of freight hauled by this one man during the years from '53 to '72.
During the nineteen years he traveled to and fro his journeys numbered about
two hundred each year, and on each of these he carried about one ton of freight,
and during this time, therefore, this one freighter delivered to the one point at
Tipton about thirty-eight hundred tons, and the distance traveled was about
ninety-five thousand miles, or three and a half times about the earth.^^*

At this time in the history of the state the demand for railroads became very
urgent and led to the custom frequently practiced in most of the new states of a
dangerously loose offer of public support in the form of bonuses in money
secured by bond sales, and the levying of taxes through a series of years to re-
deem the bonds. Cedar county was no exception to this rule, and judging from
records both in the county proceedings and books it has cost something to buy

_ DURANT DKPOT

MECHANICS VI LI,E DEPOT

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 276

this experience. Not that people were insincere in their attempts to secure an
oatlet for their products and proper mail facilities, but the promoters of these
schemes were either not honest or visionary— charity must decide which at this
late day. Pertinent to this particular phase of transportation is the fdlowing:

So rapidly did the population of Iowa Territory increase that in 1846 she
was admitted to statehood. No bands of iron or steel at this time bound her east
and west borders together or held her in touch with older settlements to the
eastward. Her methods of transportation were of the most primitive. The
stage coach and steamboat rq>resented rapid transit, and the faithful ox-team
gave slow but sure service. Iowa's fertile prairies were even at this time yield-
ing a superabundance of food stuffs ; she had also rich mines of lead and coal ;
but without an easier, cheaper and more rapid means of transportation these
were valueless, except in so far as they were needed for home consumption.
Railroads from the far east were now pushing themselves westward, ever west-
ward, carrying to isolated settlements many of the comforts and luxuries of a
more refined and less strenuous life. But as yet no line had reached the Miss-
issippi. Still there was railroad talk and there were schemes ; but no actual work
was done until 1852 when two roads germinated — the "Lyons and Iowa Central,"
which put its men in the field locating, and the ''Mississippi and Missouri," which
organized but did not begin operations that year.^^^

The Lyons-Iowa Central was the first and pioneer line in Iowa. When one
rides eastward from Tipton and on his left sees an unusual embankment just
outside the city limits it does not signify very much to him unless he is intro-
duced to facts concerning its cause. He does not realize that he is close to a
scene of vital interest not only to this immediate county but to the counties lying
east and west for some distance. In this chapter there is an attempt to incor-
porate the local and. immediate interests witfi those of the general that one may
see the relation of what then was of great moment to this community and the
state at large. The following is good, yes, excellent, authority in support of
such a plan:

"In the spring of 1853, while in charge of the construction of a division of
the Chicago and Rock Island railroad in Bureau Valley, Illinois, I was instructed
to make a survey of a railway f rc«n Davenport to Iowa City to be followed
by a location as early as practicable. Before it was fully completed it was turned
over to Mr. B. B. Bra3rton and I directed to make a survey to such point on the
Missouri river as I deemed practicable for the starting of a line of railway to
be extended up the Platte valley. My instructions in this regard were liberal.
The haste to make this survey was occasioned by the fact that a line was being
surveyed on practically the same route by the Lyons Iowa Central railroad com-
pany. This survey was being made by a Mr. Buck, a land surveyor living near
Lyons. Having occasion to observe some of Mr. Buck's work I saw that his
object was evidently to get as near as practicable an air line from one county seat
to the next. This was usually followed by a vote in every county in favor of is-
suing bonds to aid in the construction of the railroad. Under this plan bonds
were voted, and, as I remember, issued in Clinton, Cedar and Johnson counties,
and voted but not issued in Iowa, Jasper, Poweshiek and Polk counties. The
haste in making the Chicago and Rock Island surveys seems to have been to pre-

276 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

vent if possible the further issue of bonds by any other counties until something
was definitely determined. At that time it was thought by parties interested in
the Rock Island road that money could be procured from the securities of the
road to build across the State of Iowa as soon as the conditions warranted. When
I came into the state there was a strong feeling, particularly in Cedar, Poweshiek,
Jasper and Polk counties, in favor of the Lyons Iowa Central project, which was
stimulated by a railway campaign that put its orators in the field. The head
and brains of this project was H. P. Adams, a gentleman I believe from Syra-
cuse, N. Y."««

An article from the Chicago Democrat of February 4, 1854, concerning the
"Galena Air Line" (a road then under construction by the "Galena and Chicago
Union Railroad," "parent of the railroad system of Illinois") which was then
completed to the village of Lane, in Ogle county, seventy-five miles west of Chi-
cago, states:

The whole of the road is under contract and is to be ccmipleted to the Mis-
sissippi by the first of August next. At Dixon it crosses the main line of the
Illinois Central and will furnish the people living on the line of that road, for
many miles north and south of that point, direct railway communication with our
city. At Fulton City it is said there is a fine point for crossing the Mississippi.
The plan of the bridge places it one hundred feet above high water mark, and of
course it would be no impediment to navigation. From Chicago to Fulton City the
distance is 135 miles. There will be two daily passenger trsiins and one freight
train leaving the city on the first of May next The extension of the Galena
Air Line westward is called the "Lyons, Iowa Central Railroad." Council
'Bluffs, on the Missouri, is the point to which several of the extensions of the
roads from this city are aiming, and that is to be the western terminus of this
road. It is under contract and the money is provided to build it to Iowa City,
seventy-three miles. The distance from Lyons to Council Bluffs is 308 miles.
It is to be completed to Tipton, fifty miles west of the Mississippi, by the first of
October next. This part of the road is to be nearly an air line. Five hundred
men are now at work upon the road. The cotmtry through which it passes
is as fine as any portion of the Mississippi valley and it may therefore be expected
to add very much to the business and general prosperity of the city. It is to be
completed to Iowa City by the first of April, 1855.

The "First Annual Report" of the Lyons Iowa Central railroad company is a
very interesting doctunent. The directors' report to the stockholders states that,
"On the 14th day of February, 1853, the company was organized in accordance
with the provisions of the law of Railroads and the Right of Way in the State of
Iowa." A copy of this law is appended to the report and is signed by George
W. McCleary, Secretary of State. The Report further tells us :

Subscriptions to the capital stock have been made as follows :

By individual subscribers $686,300

By Cedar county, in bohds 50,000

By Johnson county, in bonds 50,000

By Jasper county, in bonds 42,000

By Polk county, in bonds 150,000

Total $978,300

OLD POSTOFFICE, ROCHESTER. ON THE ALBIN STAGE LINE

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 279

There have been prepared for issue, and a mortgage has been executed on the
first division of the road for the security of the payment thereof, 800 bonds
of $1,000 each, $800,000. The individual and county subscriptions being a basis
for the issue to this amount.

Assurances are made, and may be relied on with confidence, that six addi-
ticmal counties will subscribe for stock and authorize an issue of their bonds to
an aggregate amount of $500,000, making the present immediately prospective
resources amount to $2,278,300.

There is little doubt that the resources already secured, and the progress
already made in constructing the road, will induce large indivdual subscriptions,
as further means may be required.

There have been issued to contractors on account of grading and bridging,
in bonds of the company, $300,000. The residue of the bonds prepared for issue
are in the hands of the executive committee, to be issued for work on the First
Division, as progress shall be made thereon. The amount of grading and bridg-
ing done, as will appear by the Chief Engineer's report, is about $200,000. Ma-
terials for superstructure, rolling stock and iron have been purchased to the
amount of $176,500, making the expense for work done and materials purchased
on the first division amount to $376,500.

The work is now steadily progressing with a winter force of about 430 men
and a corresponding number of teams and implements. As soon as the frost
shall be out of the ground, to admit of a vigorous prosecution of the work, a suf-
ficient force will be put on the line to bring that part of the first division as far
west as Iowa City into running order as soon as possible.

The work of grading the second division, which ^ends westwardly to Fort
Des Moines, will be commenced and prosecuted as nqiidly as additional subscrip-
tions to the stock of the ccmipany shall warrant.

The annexed reports of the diief and the consulting engineers are submitted
as part of this report.

By order of the Board,

Wm. G. Haun, Vke-Pres..

Lyons, Iowa, Feb. 14, 1854.

The Board of Directors, chosen at the annual meeting, February 14, i854»
were:

Thomas A. Walker, Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

James H. Gower, Iowa City, Iowa, formerly of Cower township.

John Culbertson, Tipton, Iowa.

William G. Haun, Lyons, Iowa.

Derick Adams (N. Y;), Lyons, Iowa.

Hiram A. Tucker, Chicago, 111.

Thomas Dyer, Chicago, 111.

Paul B. Ring, Chicago, 111.

David McCartney, Fulton, IlL

Thomas T. Davis, Syracuse, N. Y.

Henry P. Adams, Syracuse, N. Y.

Abel Chandler, New York.

S. M. Allen, Boston, Mass.

280 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

From the report of Chief Engineer Slack to the Board of Directors, February
14, 1854, the following excerpts, are taken which show the progress of the work
and the estimated cost of construction between Lyons and Tipton.

A survey was made early last spring and the fall previous, from Lyons to
Iowa City, for the purpose of getting a general outline of the country.

On the third of May, 1853, I was directed to commence the location at the
Mississippi river and to prepare it for grading. This was accordingly done, and
the work commenced on the firfet 52 miles to Tipton.

From Tipton to Iowa City four lines have been run, and although a portion
of the line next east of Iowa City has been located, and considerable work done,
yet on account of the unevenness of the ground, I desire to make a more careful
examination before submitting an estimate.

As to directness, there is not one-ei|^th of a mile lost between Lyons and
Iowa City, and for fifty miles east of Tipton there are only ten degrees of cur-
vature, so that this part of your road can be safely run at a high rate of speed.

The total amount of excavation and embankment between Lyons and Tipton
is 2.994,404 cubic yards. The paying amount is 1,723,688 cubic yards which are
estimated to cost $356,216.10. The culverts and bridges are estimated to cost
$34»283.90, making the cost of grading $390,500.00.*"

There were others in the field at this time and the rivalry was somewhat keen
judging from the article referred to above in the "Annals of Iowa." It is only
necessary to give one extract to illustrate:

"While the Estes locating party were approaching Fort Des Moines those
working east of Iowa City were racing with the Rock Island, which was doing
effective work between Davenport and Iowa City, on what had been known as the
Mississippi and Missouri route, and a great spirit of rivalry existed between
the Rock Island men and those of the Lyons party. When the hyons boys in
their rush used any sort of material at hand for stakes, the Rock Island boys
taunted and jeered and called attention to the fine oak stakes they were using.
The Lyons boys retorted, ^Of course the Rock Island should use something
permanent, .for it would be years before its track was laid if ever.' "

With jibes and jokes the opposing companies kept the attention and interest
of the citizens, who were ready to applaud whichever won the race.

Thus, with varied and interesting experiences, during the years '52, '53 and
'54 the Lyons Iowa Central was located to Des Moines ; but was destined never
to measure its length with iron rails, nor span the navigable streams with bridges
"out of the reach of steamboat chimneys 1"

That he who laughs last laughs best was fully exemplified in this contest,
for the Lyons Iowa Central boys, in June, 1854, were all laid off indefinitely,
many of them without recompense for their months of weary toil. What caused
this sudden collapse of a project that seemed so flourishing, and was so well
boosted financially t^ the communities through which the road was projected,
was not quite understood then by the men in the field, and after a lapse of 55
years, cannot be fully determined now. The little evidence obtainable points
to misappropriation of funds by some trusted party or parties, near the head of
the company. Mr. Dey, in his interesting letter on the subject, says that one of
the board of directors for the road, "H. P. Adams, of Syracuse, N. Y., was

CLAEENCE DEPOT

BENNETT DEPOT

PI Mr I -1^ ' ^ .-^

t L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 283

a fugitive from justice at the time that he was making his strong campaign
through the counties of Iowa, encouraging the issue of railroad bonds/' in proof
of which he tells the following story :

General Ney, a member of Gmgress' from the Syracuse district, came to
Chicago, called at the Rock Island office and while there stated he was in the
West for a requisition to arrest Mr. Adams and take him back for trial in New
York. This Mr. Adams was the one who had, as I have before stated, the ma-
chinery at work for obtaining for his road county bonds which pliant 0>unty
Judges — as the plan was popular — readily issued. Judge Lee issued the John-
son county bonds, although it was stated that he had pledged himself not to
do so.

It was generally believed, after the failure of Adams and his railway project,
that with the county bonds he had made his peace with General Ney. At all
events this gentleman entered heartily into the railway campaign in Adams'
behalf, and being a popular orator, his services were very effective. I recall
reading one of his reported speeches wherein he was advocating the advantages
of a high bridge over the Mississippi River, a suspension bridge of nearly a
mile span, where he used the following figure of speech: 'The trains will
cross the Father of Waters without detriment to the navigation of that noble
stream. There will be no piers or other obstructions. Its abutments will be
on the high hills. The good fellowship of the riv^ and the railway will be
shown as the locomotive laughs when the steamboat puffs in its face." As an
orator at Tipton, on another occasion, his eloquence not exhausted, he uttered
the following tribute to the man whom he had come in to the West to arrest:
"Caesar crossed the Rubicon to crush the liberty of 'Rome, H. P. Adams crossed
the Mississippi to make the prairies blossom as the rose." It was said that Gen-
eral Ney went homt happy and his clients were satisfied.

Following his reminiscence regarding Adams, Mr. Dey again says :

I think it was in June, 1854, that Mr. Adams, having used all of his re-
sources, withdrew his men from the fidd, many of his contractors unpaid and
his popularity gone. It is possible that Mr. Adams hoped, by getting bonds
from all the counties between Lyons and the Missouri River, that he could form
a basis that would enlist enough capitsl to build the road ; if so his plans were
certainly sanguine. It was generally believed, after his failure to accomplish
anything, that it was a cold-blooded scheme to rob the counties and, after get-
ting their IxMids, pocket the proceeds and decamp.

When the collapse came it was a severe stroke, not only to the locating
engineers but to the construction men as well. Between Lyons and Iowa City
much if not all the road-bed had been completed. This grading work had been
done by a large gang of Irish immigrants who had been brought f rcmi New
York and Canada for the purpose. These men, with their families, some 1^,000
persons in all, were now stranded at Lyons and vicinity, practically helpless and
enduring great hardships. The railway company had supply stores at Lyons
from which were issued to the graders — ^in lieu of their wages — groceries, dry
goods and miscellaneous articles ; but these supplies were exhausted long before
the indebtedness was cancelled. It was from these stores that the enterprise was
derisively called, and is still known as, "The Calico Road." Many of those

284 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

"immigrants" referred to as being stranded near the river after the collapse of
the proposed railway found ^homes in this county and those adjacent becoming
in later years the prosperous farmers of the rich prairie lands they had helped
to dig up for a mythical company that could not pay them for their labor. Local
help was also employed. A resident at that time of Springfield Tovmship**^
states that he was employed with both oxen and horses. His pay was four dol-
lars per day for oxen and plow and three dollars for horses.

Oxen were more economical because they could be fed from the prairie
nearby. Those who quit work in November, '54, received their pay, others work-
ing longer did not. This company secured its supplies in its several camps from
local sources, and in the attempt to get paid for his products die farmer some-
times had difficulty. Mr. McQelland, to whom the contractor was indebted, was
forced to cross the Wapsie and remain over night to make sure of his pay.
He had continued to deliver su{q)lies without receiving any return, and to make
sure this time ran the risk of losing his way on the return to his home. As
feared, he became bewildered in the stormy night, his horse floundered in die
snow, and after leaving his animal in an effort to find his way he was forced to
return. This was probably fortunate since he discovered the bed of die creek
and finally saw a light at some distance in a grove. He had crossed the stream
several times, not knowing it. This was the last of his dealings with the first
railroad projected in Iowa.

The bond issues were not so easily disposed of and the explanation fdlows
from the legal records and the authority below :

The counties had resisted the payment of bonds, and were sustained by the
Supreme Court of the state; but an appeal being taken to the United States
Supreme Court, it was held that although the law authorizing their issue might
be questionable, the counties having sold them, and having received in pay
thereof the consideration named in die bonds, could not be released from the
obligation voluntarily incurred.

The final climax of the bond issue is told as follows by Mr. Gilbert Irish in
his "History of Johnson County" :

"After years of discussion and litigation a convention of counties was called
December 15, 1868. Delegates from Washington, Muscatine, Johnson, Jeffer-
son, Lee, Cedar, and Poweshiek Counties met in the city of Muscatine. After
a lengthy discussion the following preamble was adopted :

"'Whereas, the recent decision of the Federal court, involving corporation
railroad bonds in this State seems to us stfbversive of our audiority and the dignity
of our State courts, and dangerous to the rights and privileges of citizens of the
State, if not a positive and unwonted encroachment upon the jurisdiction of the
State courts, therefore, Resolved, that this convention recommends to the citizens
of the several counties, and citizens interested in this railroad bond question, to
pay all their taxes except the railroad tax, and refuse to pay that until all 1^
and practical remedies are exhausted.'

"Several other default resolutions were adopted, speeches were made by
Hon. Rush Clark of Johnson County, Charles Negus of Jefferson, Robert
Gower of Cedar and by ex-Governor Kirkwood, who said : 'All will admit that

8TANWOOD DEPOT

C. 4 N. W. WATER PLANT AT STAXWOOD

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I .-.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 287

we have a right to make our state constitution and laws just as we please, pro-
vided we do not trench upon the constitution of the United States. What value
is this right if our courts cannot interpret the meaning of our constitution and
laws/ "

Cedar County subscribed twenty thousand dollars worth of bonds and grad-
ing commenced near Tipton in June, 1853. A demand was made for the bonds,
but nmiors of bad management having been heard there was some objection to
the issue of any bond until some assurance should be given that the road would
be built through the county. Judge Tuthill advised against their issue, but
Judge Bissdl made the order.

It was in July, 1854, that the Supreme Court of Iowa (Judge Green dissent-
ing) held that the county judge of Cedar County acted according to law in sub-
mitting the proposition of making a county subscription of fifty thousand dollars
to the Lyons-Iowa Central railroad. This court reversed the lower court in the
case. The tax levied was held valid.

Suit was brought against Cedar County by one Qapp, holder of the bonds.
Cook and Dillon argued the case for the county. The latter was afterward
chief justice of our state supreme court and became a noted writer on jurispru-
dence.

In proceedings of the Board of Supervisors for 1865 a committee was ap-
pointed to find out who the holders of these bonds were and to arrange if pos-
sible to purchase them at the best rate that could be secured. Some of the holders
then were Sheller and Ryan and H. Sill Howell.*^® This committee never re-
ported so far as the record goes and another was appointed at a later meeting.
Nothing seems to have been accomplished by this plan, for we read elsewhere
that a meeting of all the counties concerned was held to fight the payment. The
record shows that the interest on the bonds was paid at stated times, but not for
many years. What the final outcome was is not clear at this date and it will
require search of other records to determine.

In the face of this trouble concerning the bonds voted more than ten years
before, the board appropriated a sum of seven hundred dollars to aid in the pre-
Ikmnary survey of the Iowa and Southwestern Railway. This was voted upon.
How much of it was used is difficult to determine.^ ^*

The difficulties of the Lyons road began to be aired very soon in 1854.
Papers along the line began to set rumors afloat and the end was foreseen.

Tht CKnion Mirror, published at Lyons; the Investigator, at Fulton, gave
warning of the future of the line. The contractor, H. P. Adams, ^ideavored to
set matters at rest by a letter to the Clinton Mirror, which reads as below :

"Syracuse, June 11, 1854.

"Dear Sir: I have just returned from New York, and business matters
there will soon be in good shape again, and the Lyons road will be built. I
regret very much the difficulty we have fallen into. The trouble in New York
was caused by the failure of the Cochituate bank. We have a loan in diat bank,
and with Bryant and AUeo of that bank, of $100,000 made for two years from
last fall. When they and the bank failed the paper and the bonds were put into
market. This amount was too large to pay in a day or a week, therefore it

288 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

troubled me to get it arranged ; and with the tight money market and all things
put together I could not carry it.

"I regret much the course some have taken in passing off goods and in leav-
ing the work as they did ; this was all unknown to me, and a thii^ that would
not have happened if I had known their feelings or true situatimi. Every man
within five hundred miles of the Mississippi will get his pay within a short time,
no matter what stories or lies may be put into circulation about me or my road.
Men who went there to work for me by the month are the first to cry 'Mad
dog* and grab all they can and leave; this is all wrong and will be shown so
within a few months. I shall spend twenty to forty days in New York, then go
west and see what can be dcxie. I remain yours,

"H. P. Adams."

When the g^ade stakes Were located to Tipton a big feast was spread on
land just east of the present school grounds, which then was, covered with a
growth of brush. A great part of the county was at this "barbecue" and
speeches were made in relation to the road. Judge Bissell, ^o had ordered the
bonds issued, spoke, saying among other things : "That any man who did not
believe these movements sincere and that the road was to be built as planned was
the biggest fool that had ever crossed the Mississippi rivah." History keeps
repeating itself, according to this.

An interesting relic was found by J. C. Arthur, an employee of the Mil-
waukee R. R., that contains more than ordinary interest. The relic is a quaintly
printed invitation to attend a ball at Tipton on Tuesday evening, June 7, 1853,
and reads as follows:

"Railroad Ball.

"Yourself and lady are respectfully invited to attend a ball to be given in
honor of the LYONS-IOWA CENTRAL RAIROAD at the court house m
Tipton, on Tuesday evening, the seventh day of June, A. D. 1853.

"MANAGERS.
"Qinton— Wm. E. Leffington, A. R. Cotton, D. P. McDonald. Cedar-
John Culbertson, Robt. M. Long, Wells Spicer. Johnson — Jas. H. Gower, W.
Penn Qark, F. M. Irish. Linn — Geo. Green, I. M. Prestcwi, D. Dorwart Mus-
catine— ^Jas. Weed, Thos. Isett, Adam Ogilvie.

"Tipton, Iowa, May 26, 1853.
"Music by Milo White's band."

When asked if he could remeinber the ball, Judge Preston said: "I don't
remember just what the project was, except diat the people of Tipton confidently
expected for a long time that they were going to get a great line of road from
the Mississippi west" Doubtless this invitation will remind some of die {mo-
neers of Qinton, Cedar, and Johnson Counties of many rich stories.**^

The first railroad in the county to carry freight and passengers was the main
line of the Rock Island. It entered the county at the very southeast corner,
where Durant now is located, and was completed to that pcMUt in 1855 so that
its traffic began. Under the history of Durant the first shipments are described.
This arrival of the steam cars made the teaming from the river no longer neces-
sary. This main line strikes this county at the two comers only, the other town

TIPTON DEPOT

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 291

on the line in this county being I>owney in the southwest corner. It has a
double track system with the automatic signal service.

In the beginning the line north and south now known as the Rock Island
was known as the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern. It was built by
that company in the later sixties and a few years ago was acquired by the present
ownership. This is constructed diagonally through Springdale township, giv-
ing service to the towns of Centerdale and West Branch.

The Milwaukee controls a line that touches the northeastern comer of the
county near the Wapsie. This was formerly called the Davenport and North-
western, but like all the little roads has been swallowed up by the big ones. The
only village on the line in this county is Massillon. This road was built in 1871
just before the line to Stanwood.

In 1857 ^wo railroad propositions were before the people of this county — the
"Great Western," as it was called, to run from Comanche to Iowa City, run-
ning almost parallel with the present line of the C. & N. W., and the Chicago,
Iowa and Nebraska, or as it is called in the references to it, the Qinton road. A
meeting of citizens was called on January 14, 1857, to consider the proposition of
the Qinton road. This line at that time had sixteen miles of road in operation,
and when this meeting was called was about ready to run trains to Dewitt. The
proposal of the Qinton line was as follows: "If the people of Tipton will sub-
scribe the stock sufficient to insure the grading and ties for about fifteen miles
of road (from Tipton to the point of intersection), they will run a line tfirough
Tipton en route to Iowa City and complete it as fast as the money is paid in on
subscription. As soon as the grading is completed the company will lay the iron,
put on the rolling stock and run the trains to Tipton.^' This, in substance, is the
proposition made by Charles Walker, president of the company.

The above proposition was after the main line of this road had been fixed
eight miles north of the county seat, but the letter of the president stated that
this should be no tn-anch line. To quote from his letter :

"We do not pretend to say what is wisest, safest, and best for Tipton to 'do,
but we do say in a kind and friendly spirit that the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska
company intends to build a road through Cedar County to Iowa City and that
Tipton may or may not be on the line of that road as she chooses, but we very
much desire to accommodate Tipton and to have her co-operation.

''We furthermore say that the road to Iowa City will be no branch road, but
as mam a road as the line to Cedar Rapids, and that all the trains run on the
Iowa City road will be through trains to Qinton and not trains to a junction.

''And finally we say that if Tipton chooses to regard this friendly overture
from a company that has shown its energy and ability by work more than by
talk ; and has to some extent redeemed this part of Iowa from the reproach of
its manifold failures, there exists no reason why your pe(^le should hot have
trains arriving and departing daily, long before the falling leaves of the present
year.

"If your people choose to consider the contents of this communication, you
will please let us know, and act promptly in what you propose to do.

"Signed for president and acting directors.

292 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

"To Wells Spicer, John Culbcrtson and others." «<>

On the map which accompanies this section the reader may notice the plan
of this road, the proposed to Tipton. It made connection with the main line
near the east line of the county, and judging from the ev^its that have fcdlowed
this was the time for the county seat to get a railroad if ever in its history up to
that time.

The Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska Railway was projected in 1854 from the
MississipfM to the Missouri and the first twenty miles was constructed and put
into operation that year; In 1848 the road was extended sixty miles and put into
operation from De Witt to Lisbon passing then along the line now the right of
way of the C. & N. W. The history of the towns along this line is fotmd under
its proper heading. The increased traffic on this line led in 1890 to plans for
doubling its tracks and removing the abrupt curves and heavy grades. In 1891
this double track had been completed through Cedar County. No expense has
been spared by this company to provide all modem equipment and safety appli-
ances for the security and comfort of the traveling public. In 1908 the automatic
safety block system was installed across this county. This road has about twenty-
five miles of double track line subject to taxation by this taxing district. The
~~taxing value of all lines being sutMnitted to the Board of Supervisors by the
Executive Council of the state.***

CHICAGO^ IOWA AND NEBRASKA BAILROAD. (C. ft N. W.)

Time Table No. 2.
To go into effect Sunday, April 15, i860. Government and information of

employees only.

Trains West Stations Trains East

21 12

Passenger Freight Passenger Freight

P.M. A.M. A.M. P.M.

4-05 8.30 Qinton 1045 4-0^

4.20 8.50 Comanche 10.32 340

4.35 9.10 Low Moor 10.20 3.25

445 9-25 Ramessa 10.10 3.10

S05 950 De Witt 9.50 245

5.20 10.10 Grand Mound 9.30 2.20

5.40 10.30 V Calamus 9.13 1.55

5.50 1045 Yankee Run 9.04 140

6.05 11.05 Lowden 8.52 1.25

6.25 11.35 Onion Grove 8.31 1.00

6.55 12.20 Mechanicsville 8.03 12.20

715 1-05 Lisbon 742 11.55

7.23 1,20 Mount Vernon 7.36 10.50

745 145 Bertram 7,15 10.50

8.15 2.25 Cedar Rapids 645 laio

P.M. P.M. A.M. A.M.

Note. — Trains will meet and pass at stations indicated by full face figures.

Train No. 2 West, No. i East, have right of road against all other trains for one

hour after their own time at any station as per table. After that time the right

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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 295

of the road belcmgs to the other tndns. Train No. 2 East has right of road
against No. i West, for one hour aJter their (its) own time, at any station as
per table. After that time the righi.of the road belongs to No. i West.^*^*

M. Smith.

The Tipton-Stanwood line as organized is now a part of the Northwestern
system, having been taken over from the Tipton Railroad Company in 1872.
The latter company was organized in 1858, about the time the C. & N. W. main
line was built, with officers in the county seat and a capital of two hundred
thousand dollars. The grading to Stanwood was begun in 1859 and completed
in 1867. This was the end of the proceedings until '72 ^ mentioned above.
Meantime a move was made to construct a line from Wilton to Tipton to be
known as the Muscatine branch of the Tipton line. The line was finally to run
to Muscatine and in due time the road was graded from WiltcMi to the North-
western, which was in the future to extend to Anamosa in Jones County.

Mr. Geo. Dutton, who now lives in Tipton and goes and comes at will over
the C & N. W. as a pensioner of that road, ran the first tnun into Tipton aa
engineer. He also ran the first work train into Boone on the main line. During
his active service, while gcMng up the State Centre hill, a heavy grade before
douUe track was laid, his engine blew up and he will carry the scars of the acci-
dent so long as he lives. His fireman was killed outright. Only one man in
Iowa has been longer on the pension rolls than he has.

When one rides from Tipton to the stone mill he passes the Tipton-Wilton
grade of this road. It is anotlier vision of the. past when men had almost se-
cured the lines of transportation that are still under discussion. Over almost this
same route, at least in the same general direction, the interurbans of the future
are surveyed. Surely there isn't much that is "new under the sun." It was
Thanksgiving day, 1872, that the first train of cars came to Tipton, almost twenty
full years after the first suggestion of a road had come before the people. Tipton
is now on a branch line and regrets the past events that made the main line of
the C. & N. W. run nine miles to the north. An old atlas of 1872 locates the
proposed line to Wilton and suggests the alternative of a line to Muscatine.

It was in 1871 that the line from Clinton to Elmira as it now runs was begun
and grade completed and was then known as the Clinton and Southwestern.
Track was laid that same year for some distance out of Qinton. Simply a be-
ginning was made, for thirteen years elapsed before this present line was com-
pleted to Elmira, the present junction of the main line of the Rock Island and
the Davenport-Clinton line. The story of the branches, piecemeal construction,
and final disposition is all found carefully preserved in the memory of Mr. A.
Russell, the worthy and efficient roadmaster of this division. He states that the
track was laid in sections, commencing in 1871 as mentioned by the company
known as Qinton and Southwestern, being laid then to McCausland and con-
tinued afterward to Noels, another station on the line. Not until 1884, when the
old B. C. R. & N. obtained it, did it reach the county seat. September of '% it
reached Tiptcm and in November of that same year reached Elmira, making an
outlet to the west by rail. The branch running from Bennett to Davenport was
first constructed under the name of the D. I. & D., which translated means Dav-
enport, Iowa and Dakota. This was graded in 1888 to some point north of the

296 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Clinton line and crossed that line at some distance east of Bennett abont north
from Sunbury, as one may observe in passing that way an old abandoned grade
branching off near the latter town. This line lay unused for the two years 1888
to 1890, no rolling stock being availaUe and none was needed since the road went
nowhere and had no reason to use cars. When the road was finally obtained by
the B. C. R. & N. in December, 1890, the track running from Sunbury north
was taken up under the direction of Mr. Russell, who is still in the employ of
Rock Island, a grade made to Bennett and connection was now made to Daven-
port In 1891, January 19, the first train ran to Davenport. The first man to
purchase a ticket for Davenport at the ticket c^ce in Tipton was Reuben Swartz-
lender. This was six years after the trains had been running to Clinton from
Elmira Junction.***

A few fiat cars and one caboose composed the rolling stock of the D. I. & D.
when it was transferred to the B. C. R. & N.

When the B. C. R. & N. railway was laid through the county in 1884 the
business men of Iowa City made use of the first days to come to Tipton on an
excursion, and about sixty, including ex-governor Kirkwood were received by
the business men. There was no depot yet built, and a delay of three hours due
to the incompleted bridge over the Cedar River caused the most annoying wait
to the band and citizens lined up to meet the guests.

This was the outlet to the west so long under discussion and known on the
map when first projected as the Southwestern. Frequent mention is made of this
line for years but not until the track layers came into view did any one become
enthusiastic.

The visitors from the University City, through Editor Fairall of the Republican
offered the following resolutions which met with approval of course:

Resolved, that we feel greatly rejoiced over the completion of this long de-
sired railway, connecting Iowa City and her sister city, Tipton, and we trust the
acquaintance thus begim by its aid will result in closer and long continued busi-
ness and social relations between the two cities, and further be it

Resolved, that we tender to the people of Tipton and to the proprietors of
the Fleming House our heartfelt thanks for their cordial reception and kind en-
tertainment and hope that they give us an early opportunity to reciprocate.

In 1854 the mails and stage lines are advertised to arrive and depart from
Tipton on a schedule as below: From Davenport, every Tuesday, Thursday
and Saturday. From Muscatine, Monday and Thursday. From Iowa City,
Wednesday and Saturday. From Marion, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Dubuque every Friday, also from Fulton Qty on Friday. From Prairie du
Chien, Tuesday.

The departures occurred on alternate days with the arrivals generally.

N. J. Hawley, stage proprietor, and R. M. Long, Esq., postmaster.

Mail lettings are listed at such figures as are supposed to correspond to dis-
tance and times of carrying.

From Marion to Tipton, let to Wm. McLeand at $590.

From Tipton to Fulton, let to H. C. Pierce at $300.

From Tipton to to Gamavillo, let to Levi Ellis at $604,

LOWDEN DEPOT

• I

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 299

Notwithstanding the numberless mail routes complaints were loud about
delay. The people complained that more than a week elapsed between mails from
the east It seems that the stage line from Davenport to Cedar Rapids run by
Frink and Walker generally carried the mail daily and received no pay for so
doing. They sold out to the Ohio stage company and the people lost this ac-
commodation. Stages passed through the town daily but no mails came. The
authorities at the capital^ who were responsible for the mail service got their
share of blame.**'

Alonzo Shaw gives some interesting reminiscences of the early day of trans-
porting the mails when he was engaged in that service. He tells it in his own
way in a recent interview: "In December, 1846, I was a successful bidder for
the government mail ccmtract covering the territory from Galena, Ill.\ to lowai:
City, Iowa, a distance of one hundred miles. The stops along the line were Belle-
vue, Jackson, Maquoketa, Tipton, Woodbridge, and Gower's Ferry, the only
postoffices on the route. The 'contract called for one trip each week. I was
awarded the route the following year and made the two hundred miles from
point to point during the six days. For two years I followed this trail and
drew in pay for the service $750 per year. The net returns after paying ex-
penses being about one and a half dollars per day. I averaged the thirty-three
and one-third miles each day and always spent Sunday in Galena, although my
home was in Tipton. In the home town I kept two good saddle horses.

That seems meagre pay for the woric but was on a par with other salaries
at that period in our history. There were many pleasant features connected with
the rides over the prairies, plenty of time for reflection and meditation. Often
I rode fifteen or twenty miles without passing a habitation. There was no house
between Maquoketa and Denson's Ferry on the Wapsipinicon, neither was there
a building between the latter place and Tipton, except at Bunker's Grove, where
Captain Higginson lived.

There was the same lonesome stretch between Gower's Ferry and the present
town pf Morse, and not even a strawstack between Morse and Iowa City, then
the capital of Iowa.

Of course the pleasant summer weather was to be expected and enjoyed,
but during the winter I had to experience the severest kind of storms, those that
are not conunon now where there are trees and improvements to destroy the ef-
fects of the wild winds sweep across the prairie. I well recall riding one day from
Galena to Maquoketa with the thermcmieter thirty-five degrees below zero. But
I was prepared for just such emergencies, being dressed for the weather in buf-
falo skin overshoes with the hair on the inside, a pair of Indian-tanned buckskin
overalls, fur cap and coat.

In 1848 I sold the contract to William and Robert Hanna, who were at that
time conducting a saddle and harness shop in Tipton. This was the shop for-
meriy run by Austin Parsons and now by his son." ***

When the boat "Cedar Rapids" reached that dty from Pittsburg its log
contained the following, which is of interest to this county. In these times when
so much is said about improving our rivers it does seem probable that it is
practical in high water as on this occasion.

800 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

We read : Left Pittsburg July 5, at daric ; * * * arrived at Saint Louis on
the twelfth ; arrived at the mouth of the Iowa River Sunday morning at eleven
o'clock ; to<* large flat of lumber in tow — ^sixty thousand feet ; lay four miles be-
low the mouth of the Cedar all night; five feet of water in the channel of Ae
Iowa up to the mouth of the Cedar; from there up, water rising very fast; ar-
rived at Moscow on Monday; found river too high to go under bridge; took
the lumber on board boat and then had to take out of hog chain braces and haul
through by steam capstan ; left Moscow Tuesday evening at five o'dodc ; lay all
night at Rochester ; arrived at Cedar Rapids Wednesday night. The boat carried
two hundred fifty tons and is described as being 155 feet long, 26 feet wide, and
3 feet hold. She had but one deck or, as steamboat men call it, is a lower cabin
boat She has a stem whed 14 feet in diameter, 18 feet long with buckets 1$
inches wide.

SECTION VIII.

JUDICIAL MATTERS.

In the proceedings of the county commissioners several references are made
to the securing of a room in the house of Stephen Toney to use for the District
Court. This dd house stands now on the river bank almost ready to fall in when
a fkxxl comes, and there must have been a room as the commissioners requested,
since they paid Toney for the use of it The only authority for the courts when
the History of '78 was written is that statement quoted from Judge Tuthill in
which be says ''that he saw and examined the old bo<^ of records of the district
court in 1842 and that he made a memorandum of its contents/' from whidi it
appears that the first session of the Court was held at Rochester, and we may
suppose at the house of the said Toney, on Monday, May 28, 1838. Present,
Hon. David Irwin, Judge, Wm. W. Chapman, District Attomqr for the United
States, and the name of the Marshall was not given, although he was allowed his
mileage. Robert G. Roberts was appcunted the cleric of the court and bond was
given in the sum of $2,000 for the faithful performance of his duty. His sure*
ties were Martin Baker, James W. Tallman, Richard Knott, Geo. McCoy, also
sheriff later, and Stephen Toney, who, Charley Crawford says, was a little man.
The <dd hook says I. C. Hastings was appointed district attorney pro tem, but
his initials are given in all the records as S. C. Hastings. Tallman was sheriff.
The grand jury for the U. S. on that occasion are given among others in the
section dealing with the cotmty commissioners in their first session. Some of
them came from as far north as Pioneer Grove. Alanson Pope came from there
and W. A. Rigby fron Red Oak. At this first session of the grand jury they had
no business and were at <Hice discharged.

The territorial grand jury had Charles Whittlesey for foreman. This Whit-
tlesey was the first member of the Territorial Council. Three men of this name
are found in office in the pioneer days, William, Charles, and John, a Justice of
the Peace, whose name is attached to some documents in the files of the first cases.
No business came before the grand or petit jury and after ordering the warrants
to issue for the day's pay and mileage the court adjourned until the first day of
the next term. The pay was probably given in warrants that could be collected
when the money came into the treasury to meet the bills. This was a very in*
definite date then.

801

802 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The district court consisted of a single judge who heard both criminal and
civil cases in the district over which he presided. The Hon. David Irwin was
the presiding judge in the first sessicms recorded. His name appears on page
one, book one of the courts.

The first case recorded according to the history of 1878 is the one on an action
of debt brought up on change of venue from Muscatine County, but there is a
case on record which says filed May 28, 1838. This is Scott vs. Fought & Hare,
for trespass. Woods and Starr for the plaintiff. The case referred to above
by the editor of the old book chronicles the fact of Book A, or one, as it is now
labeled, was missing and the first case that was to be found came up in July,
1840. But it happens that this old hook was found by Mr. Van Ness when derk
of the district court and the time of his service was from 1873 ^ 1876, according
to the dlicial record, his term expiring two years before the old book was pub-
lished, hence this record must have been in the county clerk's office at that time.

The time of holding the court, as given by Judge Tuthill, is as the book
gives it and the names of the bondsmen of Robert G. Roberts are found on the
first page of the record as rebound since it was found. David Irwin, the pre-
siding judge, signed the proceedings on page five.*^

The next session of the court was held at Rochester on the first day of Octo-
ber, 1838. The presiding judge not appearing the court was adjourned by
Harvey B. Bumap, the coroner, the very first coroner of the county and perhaps
his first official act. The grand and petit jurors appeared and claimed their at-
tendance and the record says ^'their travel" (mileage). The Judge did not appeu
the next morning and the coroner adjourned again. Only part of the grand juiy
appeared and not a full attendance of the trial jury. The coroner returned the
venire facias ishued (issued) by the clerk of the county commissioners for a
grand jury and a petit jury, endorsed, served as ccmimanded, and for serving
ten dollars each. This writing is evidently in the hand of Robert G. Roberts,
the clerk of the court. It docs not quite come up to the standard set by Wra. K.
Whittlesey. The court kept adjourning until Friday of the week in which they
began on Monday, when court was adjourned until the next r^^lar term. The
judge did not appear. The cleric's fees for the month of May amounted to

$19.75.

The official oath of Elisha E. Edwards as sheriff of the county appears 00

page 13, dated the first day of October, 1838. His commission is copied on the

opposite page as issued by Gov. Lucas. A note at the bottom of the page says

that "the public seal is not yet forwarded."

The bond of the sheriff is signed by Elisha Edwards, Richard Knott, and
Geo. McCoy. The commission of Henry Hardman as Justice of the Peace, issued
by Gov. Dodge, is recorded on page seventeen. This must have been delayed in
the matter of recording, for it appears after the commission of Edwards issued
by Gov. Lucas. It is dated the 26th of June, 1838, before lowai was independent
of Wisconsin territory. The same commission in character is issued to Gea
McCoy the same date and recorded on page 19.

The session of the court commencing in May, 1839, was presided over by

* Judge Joseph Williams. T. S. Parvin was appointed District Attorney for fte

Territory. The record says: "A disturbance having occurred by noise and

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 303

profanity in the immediate vicinity of the court and to the disturbance of the
same, His Honor, the Judge, ordered the sheriff to bring the offender into court,
who thereupon reappeared, having in custody John S. Miller. Ordered that John
S. Miller be fined three dollars and remain in custody until the same be paid
with costs."

The oath of allegiance of Charles Dallas appears at the session of May 21,
1839, page 29. It was on account of a request for this particular record that the
book from which this record is taken was found by the clerk at that time.

The grand jury returned one indictment at this session of the court against
three persons for gaming, Wm. and James Stockton and Philip Wilkinson. This
is the first indictment recorded. The first case to come up for trial was that of
Allen Scott vs. Jacob Fought and Daniel Hare. The case was continued. Thomas
Lingle sued Qemon Squires for slander and this was also continued. The latter
character will be heard frcmi under another title.

The gaming case came up for trial on the 22nd and the parties were allowed
to go "without day" after the counsel had been heard.

The last case in this May term was an amicable suit between O. Bowling and
Moses B. Church. The court took the case under advisement and it was con-
tinued. Court then adjourned to the September term, 1839.

At the session in September Francis Springer was appointed as attorney
for the territory. The amicable suit was settled in favor of the defendant and
that the said defendant recover his cost, $2.31^4.

This man Squires begins to feel the arm of the law at this time and the grand
jury indicted him for selling liquor contrary to law. They also at this time
brought the indictment against H. E. Switzer for assault upon an officer. He
was tried and acquitted. Henry Nicholson was indicted for betting on a horse
race. On page 54 of this first book of court records appears the long lost report
of the locating commissioners of the county seat. Since it could not be found
for so long it is placed in the proper connection in the chapter on county organi-
zation and governments^*

The history of '78 quotes Judge Tuthill as sa)ring that in the court of
Judge Williams there were as high as twelve cases of contempt. It is not stated
what session, but presimiably the September term, 1839. However, the nimiber
is wrong for there are fifteen cases by actual count.

Beginning on page fifty-two of this first book (i) the remainder, with the
exception of four pages for marriage licenses, is given to the recording of com-
missions issued to the county crfficers by the governor of the territory. Wm.
K. Whittlesey was appointed clerk of the courts pro tem since the permanent ap-
pointment could not be made until the next session of the legislature. This is
dated Nov. 24, 1838. He must have succeeded Robert G. Roberts contrary to the
statement made by the compiler in the auditor's office who made up the list of
the clerks of the court. Twenty commissions issued by Robert Lucas are copied
here verbatim. For Cedar County the commissions were issued to John Whit-
tlesey, E. E. Edwards, William Green, Washington Rigby, David Bums, Henry
Hardman, Jehu Kenworthy, William Mason, Joseph Crane, as Justices of the
Peace for Cedar County. Israel Mitchell was appointed Probate Judge for the
coimty of Lynn (Linn), James Tallman Probate Judge for the county of Cedar,

804 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

George McCoy, Sheriff of Cedar County; William Abbe, John McAfferty, Jus-
tices of the Peace for the county of Lynn (Linn) ; Calvin C. Read, John G. Josslin,
Moses Garrison, Orvil Cronkhite, Justice of the Peace for the county of Jones
also Thomas S. Denson for the same office in Jones county. The last one on
the list after all these are searched through is the appointment of Hugh Bowan as
Sheriff of Jones County.

On January 5, 1839, a marriage license was issued to Charies M. Swetland
and Eliza Moiigan, daughter of Jonathan Morgan, returned by the Rev. Martin
Baker. Jonathan Moiigan was married himself the eighth of the same month.
Feb. 23 a marriage license was issued to William Walton and Thyrza Davis,
returned by John Whittlesey, Justice of the Peace, ^lay 4, 1839, Allison L
Willets was an applicant for a permit to marry Miss Lucy Abbe. This took
place in Lynn Coimty before John McAfferty, J. P. Here is the date of the issue
of the license to Samuel Gilliland and Martha Comstock, July 13, 1839, re-
turned by William Mason. Martin Baker and Isaac Gray filed copies of cer-
tificates that they were ministers of the Gospel in January, 1841.

There were only three judicial districts in Iowa when it first became a terri-
^ tory, and Judge Williams was appointed to this district the second. He will be
mentioned in the discussion of the legal profession in the proper place.

He heard all the early cases in this county up to the time of his appoint-
ment to a higher position. The temptation is very great to enlarge here upon his
^characteristics. In a single case three men who afterwards became prominent in
the territory and state were concerned. These were the Judge, and S. C. Hastings
for the defendant and Francis Springer for the plaintiff. The case that of Scott
vs. Fought and Hare. It involved $150 dollars on a section of land, and the claim
was contested on the point of the land being of insufficient value and want of
consideration. This was the section where the town of Centreville was after-
wards located.

The territorial laws were evidently enforced in the case of prairies set on
fire without authority. Harvey G. Whitlock was indicted for this as well as that
good man, Moses B. Church.

Selling liquor to the Indians was a cause of indictment in several instances.
In the case of U. S. vs. Howard for larceny he got one year in the penitentiary.
That is the first criminal sentence recorded, in which the penalty was imprison-
ment.

In the matter of recording instruments Stq>hen Toney had the honor to give
the first mortgage on record. It was for $262 and given to C24>t. Higginson.
Toney got two hundred dollars in cash for the consideration, and the time was
twelve months only. It is signed by S. Toney and Evelina Toney. It was satis-
fied on page 155, book O, of mortgage record. The description is S. E. one-fourth,
section seven and it is in township seventy-nine, range two, hence in Rochester
Township. Several people own fractions of that quarter now.

In the administrator's report concerning the estate of Robert G. Roberts, the
items amount to $13,79, ^™* Hoch, Administrator.

The county judge administered affairs under the law of the state in place of
the commissioners from the latter part of 1851 imtil 1861. The first of these
in the report was S. A. Bissell, 1851-55; Wells Spicer followed him for a little

OLD JAIL OP 1857

CKHAR COT'NTVS FIttST COURTHOrSE, E0CHE9TER

Pi . :* J '

t I

I

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 807

more than one year, and then Geo. S. Smith served for the same time, W. P.
Cowan closing the "period of the judges" in 1861.

In book B of the court records of the county an illustration of the method
of ''binding out" is of interest, since the present has no cust(»n that will exactly
compare with it. The language explains the purpose of the indenture and it is
only one of many, found in running over these books.

"And now on the seventh day of August in vacation comes Isaac Stonebnm-
ner, a minor over the age of twelve years and having no father or mother or legal
guardian, makes application to be bound by letters of apprenticeship to Thos.
Dawson, which, being considered, it is ordered to be done." Articles of indenture
follow: This indenture made this seventh day of August, A. D. 1856, between
the said Isaac Stonebrunner, a minor, of the cotmty of Cedar, State of Iowa,
son of Isaac Stonebrunner, deceased, late of Muscatine County, said minor hav-
ing no father nor mother or legal guardian, does of his own free will and with
the consent of Wells Spicer, judge of Cedar County, signifies by his signature and
seal who does place and bind him, the said Isaac Stonebrunner, as a servant
or apprentice to the said Thomas Dawson from date hereof until said minor shall
have attained the age of twenty-one years, which will be on the fifteenth day of
May, in the year 1863, during all of which time the said Isaac Stonebrunner will
well and truly serve and obey the said Thos. Dawson as a good and faithful
servant in all such lawful business as the said Isaac shall be put to concerning
and pertaining to the art of farming and the other matters concerning said
Dawson and honestly and decently behave himself towards the same Dawson and
toward the remainder of the family. The said Dawson agrees on his part to
furnish meat, drink, washing, lodging, and apparel for summer and winter and
to instruct in reading, writing, arithmetic or accounts and in morality, and in all
respects treat the said minor the same as his own children. At the expiration
of said time the said Dawson is to give the minor a suit of clothes, one hundred
dollars in money or enter eighty acres of land for him, as he chooses." The
agreement is signed by the parties and approved by the judge.

his

Isaac X Stonebrunner
mark'

Thos. Dawson. 19-B

The region that includes Cedar County was not exempt from those experi-
ences of outlawry due to a new and in some respects "lawless" country. Law-
less in the sense of not ^et being provided with police protection sufficiently
strong to make thievery (ktngerous enough to deter the unprincipled from com-
mitting crimes against the law abiding. To find cases of marked character in
the earliest days of settlement it is necessary to draw largely from a few sources.
Detaik are wanting in the very early times but scmie things illustrating the period
are used to begin this chapter. The history of the "regulators" and their doings
of fifty or more years ago are fairly set forth in the papers of the time — much
more fully there than in any other place — and this source has been freely drawn
upon. Not in remote, but in recent times, the unprincipled man has always found
his way into the first settlements of a productive country. He is forced to go
on from his old haunts when he becomes known and when "law" is able to en-

808 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

force its penalties. The pioneer of honest puq)ose had more to contend with
than the elements and his want of food and shelter ior thieves of various kinds
and of apparent honest countenance, besides defrauders met him frequently
where he might expect fair treatment.

It is not fair treatment for the lone settlers to be held in contempt by the
desperado who can for the time muster more weapons or allies of his kind than
the honest man he opposes. It is farther than this, as one sees it at this distant
day, a most discouraging thing to be in possession of what one calls money, only
to find at last that it is the counterfeit article — ^a common occurrence for twenty
years of the early history of this county and its neighboring territory.

It was about 1837, ^^ ^ y^r ^^ter the settlement of the county, that counterfeit
money became so frequent that it is said to have been as common or more com-
mon than the genuine article. To find the source of such manufacture became
well nigh impossible, since settlers were far apart and government dficers not
numerous. It may have been sent into the county from some distance and the
ones who furnished the distributing point were but agents working on commis-
sion. A few men were powerless to trace the matter to a conclusicm. It was
fortunate that the people of that time had little use for money or it would have
been worse for the trader than in later days when he must carry a book to learn
his discounts on the wildcat bank currency.

Certain signs and carriage of person often indicated to the skillful observer
the occupation, or lack of occupation, of the professional thief or counterfdter.
If he showed plenty of cash in a country usually a little short or if his apparel
indicated prosperity it was well to be suspicious or at least careful in all business
transactions. A common method of dealing in an apparently honest way was to
buy a horse and pay some cash, probably in good money, but getting possessi(Hi
to ride the animal away to some safe place of concealment or some market,
never to return with the remainder of the purchase money.

It was not always easy to tell who might be the confederates or who might
harbor the real thief after his booty was secured. Some settler, from outward
appearances, strictly up to standard of honesty, frequently was found as blade
as any known outlaw, and worse from a social point of view, since he did his
deeds under the garb of respectability. To illustrate this point it is only neces-
sary to study the cases of robbery referred to in 1856 to '60.

"One-thumbed Thompson" was an individual that was well known to the
early settlers of Jackson, Jcmes, Linn and Cedar Counties. He was a man about
twenty-eight years of age, rather above medium size, well formed, good looking,
and of pleasing address. So different in ai^>earance and manner from those of
his associates was he that one could hardly believe that he was one of the leaders
of the banditti that infected these counties.

His first a^>earance in Bellevue was in the spring of 1837 under the assumed
name Burton. I (Capt. Warren) was introduced to him by Lyman Wells, a man
of suspicious character and who in fact was known as "one of the gang.'' Bur-
ton left for the West after some days, leaving his wife at the house of Wells.

Some two weeks later I received a letter from Linn County signed by Israel
Mitchell, Mr. Scott and others, requesting me to come and to bring some of the
citizens with me and to meet at Mitchell's, who lived on the Cedar some distance

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 809

below where Cedar Rapids is now located. They said that the country was in-
fested by a band of outlaws and that their depredations had become so frequent
and of so serious a nature that something must be done at once. I was then
sheriflf of the three counties.

Accompanied by three other citizens I set out in January for the appointed
place of meeting. A winter's day or more brought us to the Wapsie river, and
after a night spent here we proceeded to the end of our journey. The delegates
from Cedar County were Messrs. Whittlesey, Culbertson, Roberts and others.
Mr. Roberts will be remembered as our member of the territorial legislature,
who is always recalled by the expression, "Is Cedar in that ar bill ?" But he was
true to his constituents. The object for which we met was to devise ways and
means for concerted action against the thieves and desperadoes that were preying
upon honest settlers. As one said, "You cannot reach them with the law, for
when one of the band is arrested there is always one of their number ready to
prove an alibi for him." ^^

These few lines in the beginning indicated the first steps taken to control the
lawless element and also the territory included in the organization. No one county
as now understood by county lines was able to make any progress in the matter
of matching the cunning of the thief or worse than thief.

Severe measures were applied by the outraged settlers when a man was
caught in the game of robbery. Mercy was not common, judging from what can
be learned, because the time for mercy had passed. It is related that about 1839
the citizens first organized for protection and forced the crowd known as the
"Brodie brood" to leave the coimty. This family, consisting of father and four
sons, came to Linn County from Illinois, and their career is traced as far as Ohio,
always of the same nature. This family and their associates are connected with
the story of outlawry in this entire region. Their record is in Linn County, but
from this side of the line they drew some of their associates. Horse stealing
was their favorite form of obtaining property unlawfully. Among the early
settlers at Gower's Ferry, at one time called Washington's Ferry, now Cedar
Bluffs, there were several who proved themselves renegades of the baser type.
There were Squires and Gove, Conlogue and Stoutenburg, who lived either in
this county or near its borders (^rating in several directions either as counter-
feiters or burglars. Under the strain of so many outrages the people became
insecure, feeling perhaps an unnecessary uneasiness because of these, and one
must be charitable in judging if they seemed cruel in administering punishment
when opportunity offered.

During the time of the county seat contest and for some time, when caucuses
or conventions were called for political or other purposes, they met at some set-
tler's home, prestmiably for want of any public place. We read of these meetings
being held at Goudy's or Gilbert's in Linn County because that county was in a
district which included Cedar.

This man Goudy was reported to have some means and, as was customary
in those days of no banks, the. only place for money or securities was in some
concealment about the premises of the owner. While this was unsafe so far as
the property was concerned, it was still more unsafe for the possessor if any

310 HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY

would-be thief found it out, since in emergencies such a character does not hesi-
tate to shoot.

There is a character in Cedar County history whose name appears among
the first on record in the office of the county clerk of the courts. His name is
Switzer and his case as recorded refers to an assault upon an officer of the law.
This was in territorial days and the United States was the prosecutcH- in those
days. But this man was not silenced then, for his name became a synonym for
boldness in thievery. He was concerned in the attempt to steal nine thousand
dollars which the elder Goudy possessed or at least was supposed to possess.
This was a deal of money in those days and one doubts the possibility of any
man tempting the loose citizenship by such a quantity of wealth. At any rate
Switzer, whose place of residence was in the opposite direction from the present
county seat, made an excuse of a loan to find out the truth concerning the Goudy
money. It is inferred from this that loans were made under somewhat free con-
ditions and, if we may judge by the later habits of men who did business un(kr
the name of banks, more depended upon the man personally than upon any secur-
ity he might furnish.

Switzer's loan being refused he failed to find out the true situation, but the
gang did not hesitate, and on the chosen nig^t after all had become quiet the raid
was made upon the househcdd. The demand for the money being made all the
money was turned over that was likely to be discovered. No nine thousand dol-
lars could be found and some was overlooked that even passed through the hands
of the searchers.

A daughter of Mr. Goudy, Mrs. Shane, wife of Judge Shane, has related the
events as they occurred and states that strict! search was made for the large
amount, during which search some hundred twenty dcdlars was found, besides
the small amount surrendered by Mr. Goudy. While searching the premises one
member of the family recognized Switzer as the one who had been there to
borrow the money before.

Frcmi this attempt they left for the house of William Gilbert, referred to
as the popular place on the border of the two counties, and made a second at-
tempt at robbery in the same night. Disguised, as they were^ reoognitioa was
not supposed to be possible, but here an incident occurred that revealed the
character of one neighbor of the Gilberts. The drawer of a secretary was
opened by a secret spring and was supposed to be known only to members of the
family, but a member of the gang of three concerned in this attack seemed fa-
miliar with the surroundings and was able to find the supposed secret opening.
He was afterwards fotmd to be a neighbor who heretofore had not been sus-
pected. Sheep's clothing had up to this time concealed ttie wolf, who only
waited an opportunity to reveal himself. This suggests the statement made in
the beginning that apparently faultless people were often the most untrust-
worthy and it was not easy to select one's confidential friends.

When news of these events became known the cotmty at once became alarmed
for the future and took steps to find the guilty ones.

Capt. Thomas Goudy, who lived near his father, and had some experience
in military affairs headed a group who endeavored to apprdiend a man by the
name of Wallace, one of the suspected parties. Col. Prior Scott, of Pioneer

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 311

Grove, who came to that place in 1837, as related by his daughter, Mrs. Albaugh,
now of Mechanicsville, was asked for his counsel in this case, as was Mr. J. W.
Tallman, of Antwerp, a town then an aspirant for the county seat but no longer
on the map. CoL Scott went about organizing a protection assodaticm, and
this, so far as records go, is the first mention of any organized movement for
mutual assistance against repeated outrages.

The man Wallace was finally captured over in Illinois, above Muscatine. One
is reminded here of the freedom of arrest in any place outside the county or
state or this territory without any preliminary arrangements or formality. Per-
haps the pursuers felt that the pursued were very informal in their thieving
and they had some right to be informal in the pursuit and even arrest if nothing
further was anticipated.

Switzer was arrested and after preliminary examination both were held under
bonds to the district court to be held in Tipton in October, 1841. Some appre-
hensions were felt by tfie auttiorities in the attempt to arrest Switzer and James
Talhnan, mentioned before, and secured assistance in making this capture as the
suspected party was known as a desperate and powerful man. During the
night the house of Switzer was surroundeo and a demand made for his sur-
render, when, as expected, it was refused. The posse waited until morning, when
he gave up in spite of the fact that he was prepared to resist if the inside of his
cabin indicated the true state of affairs. Many suspicious circumstances sur-
round the cases of summary arrest and floggings mentioned by those who have
now passed from the scenes of these occurrences. It is probably impossible to
establish the facts in such cases, and while they may not be of any value as facts,
in a narrative they serve only to show the tendency of the times to come to
some law-abiding standard that should be lived up to by all persons no matter
what their former training or experience.

The Conlogue and Stoutenburg mentioned in the beginning were punished
severely and made to confess their accomplices and then to leave the country.
The particulars are not entertaining if true and it only serves to illustrate the
earnestness or determination of the prosecutors or persecutors to say they were
flogged almost to death if not quite.

Other characters, including the Goodrich, who was among the robbers at
Gilberts, were driven from the country and Conlogue is said to have served his
time in the penitentiary from Johnson County. As to the facts in the case we are
unable to say for the county clerk of Johnson County says — ^"The court index
says the case was docketed here but we are unable to find the record. There-
fore we cannot give you any further information." So far as the Brodies in
Linn Coimty were concerned the same thing is true. The coimty clerk reports
no record that he can find. If statements that they were in Linn County courts
"almost every session" is true, some record should show it.

In the case under discussion, the United States vs. H. E. Switzer, charged
with burglary, it is quite remarkable, when one considers the nature of a jury,
that oat of this jury lives now (July, 1910) and tells of the incidents, as he
says, "as though they happened yesterday." To a man ninety-seven years of age
events of diat time may still be recalled. Mr. Samuel Gilliland served on the
Switzer jury along with eleven other men, all of whom are gone from their

812 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

former scenes, and he states the facts of the trial substantially as they have been
published but gives the evidence on which the jury divided at first.

At the preliminary trial before the justice, Mrs. McElheny, \rfio was in the
house the night of the Goudy robbery, recognized Switzer and identified him
as the man before the justice. Before the case came to trial this witness died
and the justice gave her evidence. The trial judge, Joseph Williams, in his
charge to the jury gave instructions to accept the evidence of the justice as it
had been given by Mrs. McElheny. This was misunderstood by the jury— or by
at least three of them — and on the first ballot it stood nine to three for conviction*
Afterward the judge and an attorney for each side appeared before the jury and
repeated this part of the instructions. On this two members — ^Lewis and Bolton —
voted with the nine. The jury had gone out Thursday noon, been partly fed
on Friday and were not discharged until Saturday noon. Qine held out against
the eleven, and it is said this was due to Switzer's intimidation. He came to a
window within sound of the jury and said with an oath : ''Qine, hang till you
die," meaning, of course, never to agree to a verdict. Mr. Gilliland knew Switzer
in the State of Indiana before he came to the territory of Iowa at alL

The jury sat at this time in the office of Jdin P. Cook for the forty-eight
hours and had no regular meals during die time. Wm. Knott was the bailiff and
had known Switzer, having been his friend to such an extent that the prisoner
asked him for special consideration in case the jury agreed, that he m^ht know
by a given signal the truth, supposed to be desired diat he might escape throi^;h
the assistance of Bums, a bully imported for this purpose. During all tbe
time of the trial a horse was kept in readiness by friends of Switzer, ii^cfa
he finally rode away under the impression that the jury had found him guilty.
Many things must be supposed in cases so far in the past, but the izicts of the
trial are well established.***

Switzer was never rearrested although warrant was issued, and his last record
was left in California, where men who knew him learned from his own account
that he was still lawless even in his days of prosperity.

Mr. Gilliland remembers very well the ruffian Bums who was on hand to
assist Switzer in case of need. One man from Missouri, Ridgway, said to Bums
— ^"If you do that way in Missouri they will kill you," and sure enough that was
what happened, since he got his deserts in that state a short time after these
events.

It may have been fortunate for all concerned that matters ended as they did,
as more blood would have been spilled in case any attempt had been made to
interfere with the court Committees for mutual protection were in existence
as early as 1837 and outlaws knew well enough of these organizations. Switzer
seemed to have some dreadful effect upon those who undertook to arrest him
and the county records prove it.

A part of the court record that should accompany the noted Switzer case
gives a suggestion of the large territory covered by the offiicers of the judiciary
in endeavoring to arrive at a just conclusion in reference to him. It would ap-
pear from the papers that this man Switzer had plenty of friends to care for bis
interests. It is certain that the counties concerned were put to much trouble and

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 818

expense in endeavoring to convict him. In the quotations given an attempt has
been made to show with what and in what way the neighboring counties of
Cedar were concerned in this case. To begin with the first appearance was in
Linn County or before a justice of the peace in that jurisdiction which led to the
qq>earance of the justice later in the trial to furnish the evidence of one of the
witnesses who died before the case came to the final settlement. The original
indictment is now on file in the office of the clerk of the courts in Cedar County,
number eighty-seven of the files. It contains some interesting details and is
drawn and signed by the prosecuting attorney, R. P. Lowe, the governor of Iowa
from 1858 to i860. It reads in substance as follows :

Territory of Iowa. District Court for said Counties.

Jdinson and linn Counties. May Term, A. D. 1840.

The grand jurors for the body of Johnson and Linn Counties which has been
by an act of the legislature of said territory attached to Johnson County for
judicial purposes, duly elected, empaneled, and sworn, upon their oaths present
that Henry Switzer and Lester Wallace, late of the county of Linn, and William
Long, late of the county of Cedar, and one other wicked and evil-disposed person
as yet to the grand jurors unknown, on or about the fourteenth day of April in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight himdred forty, about the hour of eleven
(Ml the night of the same day with force and arms, in the county of Linn afore-
said, the dwelling house of one John Goudy there situated, wilfully, forcibly
and burglariously, did break open and enter with intent, the goods and chattels
of the said John Goudy, and one Thomas McElheny and E. Homan being then
and there in said dwelling house, then and there to wilfully, forcibly and burgla-
riously to steal, take and carry away from the said dwelling house forty dcdlars
in bank papers upon the state bank of Indiana of the value of forty dollars, one
hundred twenty dollars in silver coin, of the value of one hundred twenty dol-
lars, seven pounds of sugar of the value of eighty-seven and a half cents, the
money and property of the said John Goudy, one silk handkerchief of the value of
one dollar, the property of said Homan, one silver watch of the value of fifteen
dollars, one bag of the value of fifty cents, and two handkerchiefs of the valtte
of two dollars, the goods and chattels of the said Thomas Mcllheny in the said
dwelling house being then and there found, then and there wilfully, forcibly and
burglariously, did steal, take, and carry away against the peace and dignity of the
government of the United States and the statute in such cases provided.

And the grand jurors empaneled and sworn as aforesaid upon their oaths
afcMresaid further present that Henry Switzer and Lester Wallace of Linn
CouQty and William Long of Cedar County and one other widced person to the
grand jurors unknown, on or about the fourteenth day of April in the year afore-
said, about the hour aforesaid, with force and arms in the county of linn, enter
with intent the goods and chattels of said John Goudy to steal and carry away,
and did threaten with dangerous weapons and committed personal abuse upon the
said Goudy, against the peace and dignity of the United States and the statute
in such cases made and provided.

Signed, R. P. Lowe,

Prosecuting Attorney.

314 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

This day Henry Switzer being arraigned and hearing the indictment read
plead not guilty and puts himself upon the county and the district attorney did
the like.

On this same sheet of foolscap paper at the bottom of the last page, as it is
a half sheet written on both sides, appears the affidavit of the county clerk of
Washington County which explains itself.
Territory of Iowa,
Washington County.

I, Thomas Baker, clerk of the district court in and for the said county, do
certify the foregoing to be the original indictments as they came to my hands,
and afterwards ordered by the courts to be sent back to Johns (t)on County. In
testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the temporary seal of
said court.

At Washington, Iowa, this 22d day of October, A. D. 1840.
Seal Attached. Thomas Baker.

On a folder enclosing the formal indictment and probably at the time a part
of the same sheet, the following statement is written :
Now to wit. May 14, 1840,

This case came on for trial whereupon the defendant in this case, Lester Wal-
lace, being arraigned and hearing the indictment read plead not guilty to the sev-
eral counts. in said indictment and puts himself upon the county for trial and the
district attorney did the like and the issue was joined."

Another affidavit appears here from the county of Johnson :
"Territory of Iowa,
Johnson County, ss.

I, Stephen B. Gardner, Qerk of the District Court in and for said county,
do hereby certify the annexed to be the true and original indictment against the
parties therein named as cmginally filed in my office. In testimony whereof I
have caused hereunto to be set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Iowa
City, this the 14th day of November, 1840."

Signed, Stephen B. Gardner,

Qerk District Court, Johnson County.
Seal attached.

This seal is a piece of paper cut in the form of a diamcmd and attached by
the impression of some plain instrument upon the sealing wax.

The name of the foreman of the grand jury that made this indictment is
found under the item on the folded sheet and signed, "J^sse B. McGrew, Fore-
man." The names of three of the witnesses in the case are on the same part of
the sheet, John Goudy, Thomas Goudy and Mrs. Mcllheny. It was presented
and filed in open court on the 13th day of May, 1840, which is certified to by
Luke Douglass, Qerk of the Courts then for Johnson County. It was filed in
Washington Coimty June 15, 1840, and in Linn County October 20, 1840. Re-
turned as stated to Johnson County in November of the same year.

Here is the warrant for the arrest of the three men indicted :
Territory of Iowa,
County of Johnson, ss.

May Term, District Court, 184a

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 815

To the Shcriflf of Johnson County, greeting :

You are hereby c<xnmanded to take the bodies of Lester Wallace, Henry
Sweitzer and William Long, and keep them safely so that you have them forth-
with before the district court now in session at Iowa City in and for Johnson
County aforesaid to answer to the United States of America in an indictment for
burglary, whereof fail not under the penalty of the law and have you then and
there this writ with your doings herein.

Witness the Hon. Joseph Williams, Judge of the second
judicial district and presiding judge of this court, with the
seal hereunto affixed, this the 13th day of May, 1840.

It is evident that the paper was not served, as there is no return upon it, and
the next record is that of the justice of the peace, John G. Cole, before whom
Switzer ^ppesirtd with his bondsman, James Leverich, and gave bonds for his
appearance in the district court in Linn County and to keep the peace toward
John Goudy in the meantime. The court in Marion met in May, 1841, when the
attorneys for the defendant made a motion for his discharge, these attorneys
being Hastings and Richman. Judge Williams overruled the motion. On being
arraigned a plea was made for a change of venue to Cedar County. The reasons
given in the plea are as recorded in the papers accompanying the transcript of
the proceedings of the court in Linn County. Defendant plead that grezt feel-
ing and excitement in relation to the matters named in the indictment in the
county of Linn, and that prejudice against him made the securing of justice
impossible asking for the change as mentioned. The plea was sworn to before
the clerk of the courts in Marion, S. H. Tryon, on the 25th day of May, 1841.

To this trial in Marion witnesses were stmimoned from Linn, Cedar, Mus-
catine Counties, who will probably appear at the trial in Cedar. John Huber
was the assistant prosecuting attorney in this trial.

In October, 1841, the court assembled in Cedar County when tfie attorney for
the defendant, Stephen Whicher, moved to discharge the prisoner because he had
not been duly tried at the term of court next succeeding his arrest, and because
the certificate of Johnson County regarding the indictment was not such as the
law required and because the clerk of the courts of Linn County had not made
out the record according to the order of the court and affilxed his hand and seal.
The result is given elsewhere at the end of the trial in the court of Cedar County
and a warrant is on file for the arrest of Sweitzer dated October 25, 1841, which
states that he could not be found. This must have been after he left the court
so suddenly on ttie swift horse placed at his disposal after the jury had disagreed.
In the matter of final settlement there is some interesting history.
The United States of America to the clerk of the district court in the county of

Cedar:

Whereas the Supreme Court of the Territory of Iowa being lately notified of
the record of the proceedings in a certain cause which was in the district court
for the county of Cedar and Territory aforesaid, wherein the United States was
plaintiff and H. E. Sweitzer defendant ; in which cause judgment was rendered
against Linn County for costs, from which judgment the said Linn County sued
out a writ of error from the said Supreme Court and the said court having ex-
amined the record and proceedings aforesaid in the premises at Iowa City on the

816 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

6th day of January, 1844, did affirm the judgment aforesaid as tendered in the
court below.

Wherefore, you are commanded that, with that speed which of right and ac-
cording to law you may, you proceed in the same manner as if no writ of error
had been sued out and presented in this court; anything in the record and pro-
ceedings of the aforesaid, heretofore certified, to the contrary notwithstanding.

Witness, the Hon. Charles Mason, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, with
the seal of the said court hereunto affixed at Iowa City this 2d day of Fd>ruary,

1844.

Signed, Geo. S. Hampton,
Qerk of the Supreme Court, Territory of Iowa.

The last record of the matter was the presentation of a Icmg itemized bill of
expenses to Linn County for the trial of the case in Cedar. It runs officially as
follows as between the two counties:
Territory of Iowa,
Cedar County, ss.
The United States of America, to the Sheriff of linn County, Greeting:

You are hereby commanded that of the goods and chattels, lands and tene-
ments of Linn County you cause to be made the sum of Two Hundred Ninety-six
dollars and thirty-seven and a half cents costs which was adjudged at the May
term of court, A. D. 1842, for Cedar County, against the said Linn County in a
certain cause wherein the United States was plaintiff and Henry £. Sweitzer was
the defendant, together with all legal costs ttiat may accrue by virtue of this
execution and that you make due return of the same of the above mentioned sum
within seventy days from the date hereof and have you then and there this writ

Witness, the Hon. Joseph Williams, Judge of the second judicial district with-
in and for said territory and the seal of said court hereunto affixed at Tipton,
this 13th day of February, 1844.

Signed, Patterson Fleming,

Qerk District Court, Cedar County.

This is returned with the following indorsement :
J return this writ not served by direction of the clerk who issued the same.

March 20, 1844. Signed, H. W. Geay, Sheriff.^*

Jime, 1857, the county became aroused over the tendency of the people to take
the law into their own hands so far as certain groups of men were concerned
This perhaps not without reason. The constant attempts of oiiganized gangs to
possess the property of honest citizens made patience no longer a virtue and
"mob law" seemed the only remedy. According to the story of the time this
movement was initiated from Jackson County. As the account of that day puts
it this infected region of outlaws lay in the northeastern part of the county and
near to the east line, although thieving was common in all parts this was a centre.

One Alonzo Page lived in Springfield Township near Yankee Run, For
a ntunber of years his house had been the headquarters of horsethieves, burglars,
counterfeiters and perhaps worse characters who did not hesitate to kill This
is said to have been an admirable place to secrete horses and other stolen prc^rty.
The neighborhood had known for s<xne time that this was a den of villains, chat
for a long time stolen horses were tracked directly to this place. Sometime

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 317

during the year of 1856 counterfeit money came from this quarter on which
occasion a body of neighbors sot^t the vendors only to find that they had
fled on the approach of the mob. On this occasion Page was notified to leave the
cotmtry or to cease his harboring of the gang. He paid no attention to this
warning and the place became more and more dangerous for law-abiding citizens.
The people were threatened in case they attempted to interfere with the proceed-
ings of the gang.

After nearly a year of endurance until the time menticmed, Jime, 1857, the
people, meaning by the people the able-bodied and suffering also, for the imposi-
tion had been cm all alike, lost patience and forming a mob made a raid on Page
and his followers. He was at home and on the approach fired several shots from
his window. This did not stop the mob but rushing on when Page attempted to
escape he was shot and wounded before he could reach the timber.

On the following night the horsethieves made another expedition into the
vicinity taking a span of horses from Mr. Chase, but the ccMimiunity being
aroused they were pursued and compelled to abandon their booty. An attempt
was made by a mob of one hundred fifty men to find these thieves but no one was
captured.

The opinion was then current that a 'Vigilance committee" was a beneficial or-
ganization when it could clear the county of desperadoes that courts had failed
to convict. When this was the only remedy it must be used, but it was liable to
great abuse.

One of the Page gang mentioned above later passed west on his way going
through Tipton and escaped the penalty that afterwards befell his companions.
It appears that the mob which assembled at Page's had warrants legally issued
for Wm. T. Denney, who had gone west, before further action, for Page, Gleason,
Conklin, Sergeant, Qute, Johnson and Baird. Later in June of 1857, a
large number of men assembled at the home of a Mr. Hoyte. The warrants
were placed in the hands of Mr. Wm. H. Hammond as deputy-sheriff. The
number assembled here was two hundred fifty-eight but as many as five hundred
it is estimated would have been present had the night not been dark and rainy.
This body proceeded once more to the home of Page but found no one but his
family.

On their departure from this point they arrested a young man on suspicion
who protested his innocence since he had been in the state but a short time.
He, however, gave the names of the gang of counterfeiters saying he had been
offered a commission on all the money of that kind he could pass, and he had
also been invited to engage in the business of horse stealing. The young man
was "advised" and set free.

They went next to the home of the widow Denson's who afterwards was
known as Mrs. Warn. Mr. Warn it appears was present and being quite in-
dependent in his attitude was handled somewhat roughly, after which he be-
came quite peaceable. Mrs. Denson was notified to leave in ninety days which
she promised to do. She and her children had a fine farm. C. W. Qute one of
the gang was her son-in-law. An indictment was found against him for horse
stealing before these events.

818 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The mob now dispersed agreeing to meet the same week on Friday night at
the courthouse to form what was called a "protecticm society." *^

Reports are made to the effect that in the attempt to capture Page two M
citizens, Reason and Harvey Parr were seriously injured.

The posse sent to capture these men was not composed of the rough and law-
less element, but of the most respected and eldest citizens of the time. They had
borne the outrages too long to be blamed for taking summary action in extreme
necessity.

During the same period, probably the same wedc, the vigilance committee of
Clinton County were doing the same service for that community. It is stated
that four hundred men assembled at Qamshellford on the Wapsipinicon, and
going to the house of an old man by the name of Warren arrested him and thrtt
others. Evidence being found against him he was hanged, the three others being
held in custody. The excitement did not cease for it is related that five hundred
men could be brought together on short notice. Qeason was tracked from his
hiding place to a point three miles south of Tipton, but the crowd failed to get
him. There were rumors of all sorts due to the excitement and one must have
had difficulty in finding what was true until after the nobe had disappeared.
Qute was f^lowed nearly to Davenport and was once in the hands of the mob,
but was released for want of evidence against him. It was later found that he
was deeply concerned in the affairs of the gang and a second capture meant one
of two things in the language of the day — ^"planting'' or ''suspending" him. It is
very conclusive from records made during that period that no one county was
concerned. Jackson, Qinton, Scott and Muscatine Counties were aroused at the
same time. A big meeting was held at Big Rock over the county line and it was
addressed by Judge Bissell, Wells Spicer and others.

About this time a horse was taken from the farm of David Wright, three
miles south of Tipton, and one also from the stable of Mr. Ford. Both of these
are supposed to have been run off by Gleason and his confederates. A man
caught with horses in his possession for which he could give no good account was
in a very dangerous situation.

At the Big Rock meeting the best of spirit prevailed, the only object being a
determination to rid theentire portion of the state of these renegades.

On July 3, 1857, word was brought to Tipton that Gleason and others were
in the woods south of town and at once large numbers of men went in pursuit,
returning at noon with the three — Alonzo Gleason, Ed. Soper and Van Ausdd.
They were in charge of the sheriff who headed the posse. When they entered
town they were led by a martial band of music, some two hundred men all armed
to the teeth. The prisoners were in the centre of a hollow square of footmen
who acted as a guard. Behind them came a long train, composed of both horses
and wagons. Great excitement prevailed over the entire community, the town
being filled with hundreds of men all carrying arms. An eye witness of the cap-
ture of Gleason put it in the following words : **I was a boy then and remember
distinctly the occasion of Qeason's capture in the brush near my father's farm.
He was concealed in the underbrush and not easily located. When the mob came
close upon him instead of resisting he rose straight up, threw up his hands and
surrendered. No one seemed to realize that he was the man wanted and it took

GROUP OF riRST ROCHESTER BUILDINGS

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 821

some time to call the men off the hunt. Gleason was shaking from head to foot,
for well he knew the consequences of capture by an uncontrolled mob. Seeing
my father he approached him and said, 'Howdy do, Mr. B.' Once in charge <^
the sheriff his bravado returned to him and the cringing fear was not notice-
aWe.'' aai

In the evening of the same day, Thursday, the last posse returned, having in
custody Walter Cassiday, who was taken with the Wright horse in his possession.
He said he went in search of the horse for Mr. Wright and found it. Called
before Justice Long his wife made complaint against him to keep the peace since
he had treatened her life, and she also swore that he did steal the horse and was
returning it to obtain the fifty dollars reward offered for its recovery.

The three men were in the hands of Sheriff Bireley at the end of the day,
Thursday, July 2. On the next morning at one o'clock, when plans were matured
two of these men were removed from the custody of the sheriff who made an
attempt to protect them. On the afternoon before it was a foregone conclusion
as to what would happen before morning. A rider was seen to leave the county
seat and head for the northeast where the vigilance committee had its headquar-
ters. Fathers who had sons in the town urged them to come home. None knew
better than these the tragedy about to occur.

Gleason and Soper were taken in the manner best described by the local news
of the day :

"Friday morning.
"Last night about one o'clock a mob numbering several hundred went to the^
court house, where the prisoners were placed under a strong guard, took Gleason
and Soper and then left for the country. Sheriff Bireley and the guards made
a desperate resistance, but it was useless ag^nst such numbers. Gleason and
S(^r are probably hung. We have just taken a view of the court house where
the prisoners were placed. The door is broken, the stove, table and other furni-
ture smashed and thrown around, giving evidence of a hard struggle."
"P. S. — ^Word has just reached us that Gleason and Soper are hung." ***
To give a full description of what occurred in the attack on the court house
at this time one would need the story from several sources. It has been summed
up in a vivid way from which certain facts are drawn bearing on the general
history of the case and showing the spirit of the county which was only one
among a group determined to rid their respective environments of the menace
of the lawless element.

In the attack on the guards the mob were well organized and made three at-
tempts, so it is said, before succeeding in overpowering the protecting force.
Many were injured and had to be carried away. All were disguised. The signal
for assembly was a pistol shot when two hundred men came from everywhere to
break in the door witfi a "battering ram." As soon as Gleason and Soper v/ere
taken they gathered in their wagcMis previously removed outside, leaving Cassidy
in the hands of the sheriff, Van Ausdel having been already released supposedly
as innocent. All was quiet the next morning and the day passed off without
bringing any news of the "regulators." Such a condition today would of course
be impossible. The rural phone allows no such condition, but then it was neces-
sary to send a messenger in case news came at all.

822 • HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

An eye witness makes a statement of what actually occurred at the execu-
tion. The summary of his statement is as follows : The two men were taken in
(he wagons to Yankee Run. As many as three hundred men assembled and a
jury of twelve men was empaneled, giving the prisoners the privil^e of object-
ing if they chose. They expressed themselves as satisfied. An examination was
held lasting two or three hours, the persons being separated during this exam-
ination. The jury deliberated but a short time when a verdict of guilty was ren-
dered, after which the prisoners publicly confessed the same. They gave the r^-
olators the names of thirty or more who belonged to the gang of horsethieves
and counterfeiters. The execution f (flowed. At this time those implicated by
the confessicm suddenly left, never to return. It is said that several left as soon
as they heard of the arrest and before any confession. Many men of good cir-
cumstances were implicated.

Word was sent to the friends of the victims to come for the bodies in accord-
ance with which notice the mother and brothers of Soper took his body to Tipton
and deposited it in the burying ground. What became of Gleason's body is not
stated, but it is probably buried where it was cut down, if rtunors are to be relied
upon to any extent. The morning after the prisoners were removed from the
court rocmi was one of curious interest as to what had occurred, although one
would suppose that it did not require a very fertile imaginaticm to picture the
events that really transpired. Every one coming in from the north or east was*
questioned about the news of the day. Everybody had gone to the hanging.
Travellers wishing to cross the Wapsie had to be ferried over by women as "all
the men had gone to the hanging." No one was at home but the 'Vomen folks'*
as "all the men had gone, etc."

The confessions of these two men led to a stir in Jones County. A committee
of several htmdred citizens assembled above Rome in Jones County and arrested
two men who confessed to many things, but promising to reform were pardoned
or set free for some good reason. The mob then went to Rcmie to wait upon a
merchant and a landlord to effect some change in their future actions it is said.

Countless rumors arose in near-by counties of what was transpiring in Cedar
and doubtless some false stories were set afloat. It may be that many are not to
be depended upon for a grain of truth and it was a long time before quiet was
restored.

A mob assembled in Mechanicsville to punish two men implicated by the con-
fession of those executed and the sheriff was called upon to take a hand. These
men had left the county for safety but after the excitement had passed returned,
when a mob took them into custody. A jury was selected to try them. On prom-
ise of good behavior they were discharged although it was stated they confessed
to passing counterfeit money.

The "Muscatine Journal" reported some good service by the Cedar County reg-
ulators in warning two citizens of that county, suspected of horse stealing and
counterfeiting, to leave the country in ten days. It hoped that such extreme
measures as hanging would not be resorted to but the persons whose names were
mentioned ought to be arrested and the charges against them investigated ac-
cording to law, for they have long been suspected of such nefarious operatknis.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 828

In Atignst 1857, seven men were arrested by Sheriff Huber in Massillon
Township upon the charge of being concerned in the lynching of the two men at
Yankee Run, They were brought before Judge Tuthill and admitted to bail in
the sum of one thousand dollars each to appear at the next term of court for
trial. Most of these men were old settlers and with the exception of this affair
had always been peaceable and law-abiding citizens. Further record of public
nature is not mentioned.^*

Men now living know who were concerned in s<xne of the activities of the
watchful conmiittees for mutual protection, but they are silent on these subjects
although the case is so far past it would matter little now if the particulars were
put on record. Correspondence fails to bring any answers to questions on the
subject. Though facts may do no harm they cannot be had.

The lynching of Roberts was late enough in county history for a complete
record to be obtained if those who know could be induced to tell about it. His
case is not different from others beyond the fact that he was taken over the
county line into Jones and that brought the indictments from Jones upon the sup-
posedly guilty ones here.

Roberts was said to have confessed to any number of crimes, especially to
counterfeiting, but he was a victim of his associates in the beginning, for had
he not kept constant company with the suspicious element he might have avoided
such serious consequences. He made his headquarters in this county at the home
of Jim Hanlin, whose name appears on a document under a patriotic title during
the Civil war, but the purpose of which was evident from the form of agree-
ment— ^namely, to resist the government in case of draft. Here Roberts was taken
and carried, or hustled we would say, to the farm bam of George Saum, whose
biography one may find in a recent Jones County history, and here after summary
trial somewhat confusing as to exact details Roberts was hung to a beam.

Subsequently a number of Cedar County men were placed under bonds to
appear for trial and a hundred or more citizens signed for their due appearance.
The grand jury of Jones County never brought any indictments and when one
considers the close relation of the counties in their eflforts to rid the territory of
loose characters it is not strange that the people took care that their servants in
executing the guilty in such a summary manner did not in the end suffer much
inconvenience. This was almost the last of the active service of the vigilants and
they ceased to be needed. Yet one finds them with annual meetings and new men-
bers as the following pages show. While the immediate need for mutual pro-
tection societies passed away after the "reign of terror" in the fifties, and the
horse thieves disappeared for a time the organization was kept up to a much
later date. An account of a meeting of one of these is given by a member: ''In
the year 1857, twenty years ago (1877), the citizens of Red Oak and vicinity
organized themselves into a mutual protective association and after administering
several doses of their kind of justice, horse stealing and destruction of property
have become rare occurrences. On the eleventh inst. (June, ^Tj) this mutual
protective association, alias Regulators, met at the Safley school house for their
annual session. It was called to order by the president, new members were ad-
mitted and the usual form of business conducted. The reports of the officers
were read and found correct. Committee on finance reported funds enough in

824 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

the treasury for any common emergency. There used to be an idea afloat that all
they wanted was an excuse to act but it is only stem necessity that compds the
R^jttlators to act. The election of officers in 1877 resulted in the following:
President, Wm. M. Knott; Secretary, Henry Walters; Treasurer, Samuel Yule;
Trustees, Moses Bunker, William Dallas, James Davidson and John Graham.***

Between three and four o'clock on the morning of the twenty-third of April,
1873* what has been pronounced the most daring robbery ever committed in the
town of Tipton occurred, by one Crawford, who was supposed to have entered
the town from far distant territory for the express purpose of robbing the office
of the county treasurer. In this undertaking he was baffled, for it happened that
some one remained too long on the grounds for him to act. Being of a disposi-
tion to improve his opportunities he turned his attention to the jewelry store of Mr.
Rowell which he entered through a broken front window. The noise had aroused
the residents of the vicinity but before the alarm was given the safe was blown
and its contents carried away. Geo. S. Hicks had ro<Hns directly across the street
and gave the alarm later and then the pursuit began. Crawford had his team
ready and took a direct line for the river. The booty he carried amounted to
less than five hundred dollars but such is the fo(dishness of men who prefer
thievery to honest work that he risked his neck to get it.

By the time the sheriff and deputy, the detectives and the marshal, and the
owner of the property were sufficiently aroused the culprit was several miles on
his way of escape. There was no way of heading the man off as now, not even
a telegraph line nearer than nine miles, so the only way to make chase which
immediately began. Across the country to Lowden two men came upon the trail
first. These were O. W. Porter and Eugene Holtslander. Here they summcmed
aid in the person of Barney McCabe, and continued the lively chase to Bdlevtie,
Jackson County, where they arrived at one in the morning. The fugitive had
crossed only a few hours before and the ferryman set them over the river on
their way toward Galena whither they supposed the law breaker had hurried.
In this they were compelled to go over several miles of overflowed territory
through which the generous ferryman had shown them the way.

Arriving at Galena they made search of the livery bams and found the Craw-
ford team the worse for wear after the long drive of seventy miles over the coun-
try roads. Calling the city marshal they searched the 'town, when in a short time
they found the burglar fast asleep as if innocent of any misdemeanor. His con-
science appeared to have no sense of guilt and one wonders in what particular
his brain structure was different from that of the ordinary mortal. Why should
he be made a matter of history because he happened to steal some bauble of
decoration? The result to a citizen of the town made the case one of unusual
record.

It is sufficient to say that the arrest was not resisted and the prisoner re-
turned without requisition papers. His kit of tools was found in his possession
which indicated his professional training.

He was returned to the place of the crime and arraigned before the justice,
J. S. Tuthill, who sent him to jail in default of the bail fixed.

Indictment followed, of course, in due time and he came to trial in November
of the same year, six months after arrest, such is the speed of the courts of jus-

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 825

tice, and the sentence upon conviction was nine years in the penitentiary. He
served six months in jail and six months in the penitentiary when a gracious
pardon was extended to him on account of some secrets he possessed that were
said to be useful to the future prosecution of some other burglars.

But the incident that resulted in the narrow escape from instant death of the
jailer, Simons, is the only thing that makes this narrative at all necessary or of
great interest.

One Thompson had been sent to jail for some minor offense and had during
the time engaged with the man Crawford to help him to make his "get away"
after the former had served his time in the county reformatory. This he under-
took to do, like any inexperienced hand, and in so doing came to battle with the
jailer at close range. Securing the duplicate keys from the office of the sheriflE
he went to the jail where the confusion awoke the jailer, who came down stairs
with a loaded shotgun. At this presentation Thompson fired at him striking him
in the breast and inflicting a dangerous wound. The fire was returned by Jailer
Simons and the left arm of the would-be rescuer was shattered to pieces. The
noise of the two shots aroused the entire town. On the arrival of assistance the
wounded officer of the law threw his gun to John Kiser who had instructions to
shoot the first man attempting to make his escape. Crawford who had now suc-
ceeded in unlocking the cell door with the keys furnished him understood that
all escape was impossible and returned to his cell in despair and with signs of
childishness, because he could not restrain the tears.

Meanwhile the injured Thompson escaped to the country and stopped west of
town at the home of William Kettell for assistance. At two o'clock in the morn-
ing when honest folks are sound asleep he aroused the quiet family and de-
manded aid for a wounded man, shot in the arm, and suffering intensely from
pain and weak from loss of blood. Think of it ! Aroused at the midnight hour
by such a request, in a country farmhouse, with no surgeon near and to care for
a man with an arm shot to pieces !

Neighbors were summoned through the aid of two small boys of the Kettell
household and the suffering man was returned to the authorities where the arm
had to be cut from his body to save his life, all that was worth saving. This
operation was performed by men from the county and two of them are
dead, the other being in the far west.

There is usually a woman in the case and this was no exception for one came
to the assistance of the prisoner, Crawford, early in the period of his assignment
to the county jail. She claimed to be his wife, which was easy, and secured quar-
ters with the deputy sheriff, which was c(mvenient for her purpose of finding a
way of escape for the unwilling boarder in the jail. Her first quarters were at
the Fleming house but that did not quite meet her tastes when the purpose was
explained, and a convenient reason was found. On the night mentioned when
the attempted delivery took place she was arrested as an acccmiplice and com-
mitted to jail along with her spouse. Habeas corpus proceedings secured her
release and after another short stay in the vicinity of the near-tragedy she left
for parts unknown. This is the end of her story so far as we are concerned.
As mentioned Crawford was tried in November and sent to Anamosa. Thomp-

826 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

son was indicted cm the charge of attempting to kill and sentenced to four years.
He too was pardoned after half his term.

Crawford sued the sheriflE while in confinement in the county jail on the
charge of cruelty to prisoners. Just as if any one could be more cruel than him-
self who had brought the man Thompson to the penitentiary for four years and
left him with one arm for life. The jail was under guard all the time after this
event until the trial and the removal to the stronger place of confinement***

A case of more than ordinary interest in the state, as well as in the
county and criminal record because of the recent law governing such cases, is
the ont known by the title of the Kidnapping Case in which the offender
was one August Leuth and the injured an aged couple, Mr. and Mrs. John
Telsrow.

Through some wild scheme of quick riches this individual sought to extort
money to a large amount, some say fifty thousand dollars, but it makes little
difference in the case of penalty, from the wealthy man by taking possession
of the person of his aged wife and holding her a prisoner for a ransom.*'*

The particulars are about as follows: Sometihie in August, of the year
1903, the yputh, Leuth, rode up to the door of the old couple and stated that
he had come in for them to go at once to the bedside of a sick son near Walcott
This was at the dead of night and the old gentleman at once planned to hitch
his own team to go at once. Through the urgency of the case the kidnapper
persuaded the parents to hurry away with him to the scene of the dying relative.
To make this scheme more plausible the son had been ill and the doubt, if
any at all in the minds of the parents, was whether he would live until their
arrival.

When they arrived at a certain pcrtnt in the journey the driver, Leuth,
pulled a gun and demanded of the old gentleman the fifty thousand dcdlars
sajring he would keep Mrs. Telsrow a prisoner until the money was forth-
coming. He ordered the husband to return to the home and to make no at-
tempt to give an alarm as other men were watching him and he would be in
great danger if he attempted to do so. The poor old man obeyed and returned
directly to his home making no outcry until morning fearing that all the things
that had been threatened would happen if he did, his houses and bams burned,
his poor old wife hidden away and never recovered if he did not forthwith get
the fifty thousand dollars and return to that very spot the next night as the rob-
ber had said.

Meantime the woman in the case was taken to the Unity school house where
the kidnapper locked the kidnapped in the coal house for sometime while he
went away probably to find a more secure retreat to conceal his hostage. Re-
turning some time later in the early morning, it must have been about two a.
m., he took the prisoner to the cellar of an old deserted house on a vacated farm
and told her stay there on penalty of death.

Under the conditions the fright left her little inclination to run away and she
remained here, more dead than alive one should suppose, until the light of
morning came to show her the way out, when she escaped without mishap,
to the house of Mr. Agnew. Then the news spread and the whole county was
notified of the deed.»^

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 827

The sheriff and deputy were summoned and made haste to find the accused
which happened in due time, after some search on tracks that anyone skilled
in crime could never have left.

It is sufficient to say here that the culprit was supposed at <xice to be some
person familiar with the entire vicinity and he was found asleep in an oat bin
like any tired individual after a night lost. He was lodged in jail to await fur-
ther developments. The thousand dollars reward offered by the husband of
the lost woman was fruitful in an early capture. At that time the case attracted
wide attention and it occupied the attention also of the courts for more than
one session as will be seen from the record.*^

While confined in jail in June, 1904, Leuth endeavored to make good his
escape and broke away frcmi the jailer under circumstances that showed his
ability to plan well under emergencies. He was captured soon after, having been
traced through Durant to his brother's house near Sunbury.

After trial he was sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years, the maximum,
and was sent there awaiting appeal to the supreme court.

In reviewing the case the Supreme Court covered the ground substantially
as mentioned heretofore and in addition made the comment on certain parts of
the evidence to show what kidnapping was under the law.

At the time of this occurrence the defendant was but eighteen years of age
and had been in this country but two years or less. He was shown> to have
been an industrious person, but to have been out of work the two weeks previous
to this event He could not speak the English language but during the time he
was confined in the county jail he learned to read the daily papers in that Ian-
guage.^'^ All the witnesses agreed that he could, and did speak nothing but
German at the time of the arrest. The court affirmed the decision and sentence
of the lower court.

After four years of confinement in the penitentiary Leuth was paroled by
the governor upon recommendation and he is now somewhere in Oklahoma, hav-
ing been finally pardoned by the reccmimendation of the board governing such
cases. One member saying that this was the first case of pardon by this board
where the applicant was not making the plea on account of sickness.

These are the circitmstances of the case and its merits must be left to the
future to determine.

It is worthy of mention that the judge of the Supreme Court before whom
the argument was finally made was willing to recommend a parole on presenta-
tion of the plea of attorney for defense.^^

SECTION IX.

MILITARY HISTORY.

When the news came to Cedar County that Fort Sumter had been fired
upon, Captain Hammond of the Tipton Guards ran out the stars and stripes
from his window. The national colors were placed at the top of the flag pole
in the courthouse square, the brass band saluted the flag and patriotic feeling
was displayed on all sides. One wonders how those concerned really fdt, and
whether any conception of the magnitude of the event entered the minds of
men in those days.

The rumor came on the very day the attack occurred, but few could be-
lieve such a thing possible. It is evident from all discussions up to this time
that the community lying away from the center of population and off from any
telegraph line had not yet f dt any sense of the gravity of the situation. True
there were letters and messages f rcmi the seat of government, and these were
full of meaning sentences, yet these could not arouse as the one startling line
about Fort Sumter.

Then Iowa was called upon to furnish one r^[iment, such was the ofHnion
in the public councils of the nation, and we knew how easily it was thought
the Rebellion could be put down. Reading the names of those who went from
Cedar County and of those left upon the battlefield one cannot be forgetful
of what war meant to the whole country.

The Tipton Guards had been under discipline for several years, and mudi
favorable ccmunent had been passed on them during these years of training.
Both at home and abroad they stirred the patriotic spirit and now they were con-
f rcMited with a new obligation. They had been honored by receptions and en-
tertainments in neighboring cities and at the state meetings of various organiza-
tions, and by competent authority pronounced the very best of their kind. Their
appearance was the signal for enthusiasm.

The very first "war note sounded in this vicinity," to use the language of
one who was active then, was in the form of a poster and appeared immediately
after the news from Fort Sumter. The call reads as follows:

828

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 829

"To the Lovers of our Country :

The Star-Spangled Banner has been attacked by the Rattlesnake and the
Rebels of the so-called New Dahomey; our Forts, Arsenals, Mints and Custom
houses have been seized, and for the first time in our history our National
Government has been publicly defied and attacked by internal enemies.

We therefore invite all citizens of Cedar County who are in favor of uphold-
ing the Constitution and the Union, and who hate treason and rebellion, rob-
bery and anarchy, to assemble at the Courthouse in Tipton, on Wednesday,
April 24, at I o'clock p. m., to consider what shall be dcme for the maintenance of
our government, and for our own safety.

A military company is being organized and it is earnestly desired that the
ranks should be filled promptly.

Signed by Jas. H. Rothrock, S. S. Daniels, S. A. Bissell, Casad & Gilmore,
C. Swetland, H. D. Brown, S. W. Young, John Swineford, J. S. Tuthill, D. H.
Roush, W. Hammond, Wm. Moore, G. P. Ingman, J. Ctdbertson, Wm. Mc-
Namara, E. & M. Childs, F. P. & W. Dean, Geo. Schmucker, C H. Millhouse,
W. H. Bums, J. K. Snyder, G. W. Logan, and J. G. Schmucker.

Tipton, Iowa, April 22, 1861."

A communication signed "G* in the issue of the Advertiser for April 25,
1861, reads as follows: "Our town was visited last Sunday (April 21) by'Capt.
Brewster and Lieut Smith of the Davenport Light Artillery, who came to urge
upon our citizens the necessity of organizing a company to represent Cedar in
the Iowa rtprntai now forming. The sound of martial music breaking the quiet
of the Sabbath afternoon drew a large crowd together at the old postoffice
building, where the recruiting sergeant of the Guards was drumming up re-
cruits. A number of names were added when a procession was formed and
marched through the streets bearing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Shortly after their return to the armory Col. Swineford took his stand in
frcmt of Reigart and McNamara's store and made a ^>eech to the effect that
the Guards had disbanded and surrendered up their arms to the Adjutant
General, and that he prc^>osed to raise another company of which he wanted to
be the captain. The colonel was rather boisterous and his manner of speaking
so aroused the Guards that there was proq>ect of war at home. Better counsd
prevailed and the company assembled at their headquarters where speeches
were made by Capt. Brewster and Capt. Hammond, after which the members
took the oath of allegiance to the general government and obedience to the gov-
ernor of the state and the officers of the company. A subscription paper was
circulated and, during the afternoon, upwards of three hundre4 dollars was
raised to equip the men.

The members of the company are mostly young men, and among our best
citizens. Though they will be sadly missed every true patriot will say 'God
speed the men who thus promptly and nobly respond to their Country's call and
go forth with strong hands and brave hearts to battle for the right.' "

The subscription paper set going on Sunday was continued, and more than
seven hundred dollars was pledged in the county during the week, very few
refusing to offer something to equip the men. This movement was not confined
to any one locality for the whole country responded.

880 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

On Wednesday, in response to the call given above, a war meeting of citi-
zens from all parts of the county was held in Tipton, and some emphatic resolu-
tions adopted pledging support to the Union, without regard to party ties or
restrictions, urging all to fall into line in supporting the company about to
depart, offering security to their families by pledges of private or county sup-
port, and recommending a change in the name of the company to ''Cedar County
Guards." Little did they think then of how often they must repeat the event
of sending out companies of their best men, and what the country was to un-
dertake afterwards in caring for the families in their absence.

On April 25, 1861, a Union meeting was held in the courthouse when ad-
dresses were made by several, the chief one by J. H. Rothrock, and the resolu-
tions previously mentioned were in substance adopted. Capt. Hammond an-
nounced that the ranks of the Guards were now full.

When the time came to move it was learned, much to the chagrin of the
company, that they were the twenty-sixth to offer themselves when only ten had
been called for by the president. Drilling continued in prq>aration for the sec-
ond call that all seemed to feel was soon to follow. About this time meetings
became general over the county. A time of preparation and uncertainty every-
where, for not until the first general battle occurred did the public know what
to expect.

Strange to say, the Cedar County Guards were called upon to conduct a
military funeral of <xie of their number before leaving their own homes, or be-
fore their uniforms were scaled by any attempt at warfare. One of their
number indulged in habits that led to his undoing, and throu^ deliberate suicide,
as some put it, John L. Fyan was dead. This was not unexpected by those
who knew him.

Gov. Kirkwood came in for his share of blame when the third rq^iment
went out from the state and the Cedar County Guards were not of it They
had been promised a place in this regiment, and now under the disappointment
and delay, after all was in readiness, th^ threatened to disband. The Gov-
ernor, in the opinion of many, had failed to keep faith. But as the oldest com-
pany in the state, they were urged not to take offense even if the Governor had
apparently treated them unfairly. The Hons. J. M. Kent and Ed Wright, then
in Des Moines on attendance at a special session of the Assembly, used all
means in their power to persuade the acceptance of the home company.*^^

The AssemUy of Iowa, having* authorized the raising of infantry, the com-
pany from Cedar County was offered first place, which they prompdy accepted.
This required a new enrollment, and such notice was issued by J. W. Casad, their
secretary.

It was about this time that the Sugar Creek Cavalry was organized under
Capt Munn. They numbered about sixty men, and were not, as they said, simply
home guards, but prq>ared to go at any time.

Finally, after so many orders and counter orders, the Guards were off for
the war as Company A, Fifth Regiment, Iowa Volunteers. The company was
paraded at 8 o'dock on Friday morning, July 12, just three months to the day
after the firing on Fort Sumter. That it was so long was no fault of theirs.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 831

*

On this morning, long before their departure for the camp at Burlington,
from the surrounding country citizens came to town to see them off. They num-
bered ninety men, all told, and their names appear in the roster which
closes this section of the history. They could not return as they departed, for
they left many behind. A few remain today, loyal members of the Grand Army,
passing rapidly now in review.

A company of infantry organized in Springfield and Inland Townships came
to be called the "Union Greys." They were ordered to be prepared to go into
camp about August i8, 1861. This required a filling up of their company to one
hundred one men, and in order to do this a roll was kept ready for signatures at
the store of one Young in Inland. When completed the company was to go into
camp at Davenport or Dubuque. This company seems to have been reorganized,
since those who were reported as its crfficers are the organizers of the "Cedar
Rifles" later in the year.

Capt. McLoney was in command of about forty members, and this company
was preparing to join the Eleventh Regiment as soon as its ranks were full.
The company had gone into quarters in September, 1861, and were drilling under
Lieut. Compton, who had some experience in the British army.

This company with the officers mentioned was mustered in at Davenport, ac-
cording to the Gazette, <mi Oct. 7, 1861. The company became from this time on
Company E, of the Eleventh Infantry.

They left Tipton for Camp McQellan on Monday, Sept. 30. Much interest
was manifested in this con^>any, as by their orderly conduct while recruiting
they had won the admiration of the community. On Sunday evening before
their departure they assembled at the Lutheran Church where they were addressed
by Rev. Schaeffer, and immediately on adjournment went to the Methodist
Church to listen to an address by Mr. Mead of New York. On Monday a large
gathering assembled at the court house to bid them an affectionate farewell.
Prayer was offered and appropriate remarks made by Rev. Mr. Mead. After
numerous hearty cheers by the company and by the citizens, the march began,
halting for a few minutes at the school house, now the old, forsaken building
south of the library square, where the pupils were lined up under the direction
of the Principal, C. C. Nestlerode, and his assistant teachers. What occurred
here is best described twenty-six years after by Mr. Nestlerode himself at the
second reunion of the Tipton Union School.

''I fed that I can not permit this opportunity to pass without adding a word
and dropping a tear to the memory of our schocrf boys who gave their lives to
their country in its hour of need, many of whose names are inscribed upon this
beautiful monument. Twenty-six years ago upon the very spot where we now
stand. Company E, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, made up in part of some
of those same boys, was drawn up in line. And well do I remember marching
out the infant department of the Tipton Union School, with its teacher. Miss
Rumsey, at the head, and placing the members of that school directly in front
of the soldier boys— those innocent children forming the first line. Then I had
Miss Woriine, the teacher, march out the members of the Primary Department
and form in line directly behind the Infant Department, constituting our second
line. Then I had Miss Gillespie, the teacher, march out the members of the Sec-

882 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

ondary Department and form in the rear of the Primary Department, consti-
tuting our third line. Next came Mr. Wolf, at the head of the Grammar De-
partment and formed his scholars at the rear of the Secondary Department, con-
stituting our fourth line. Then lastly came Miss King, my assistant teacher,
at the head of what was left of the Tipton High School — the girls and a
few scattering boys too young and too small to pass muster — formed in the rear
of the Grammar School, constituting our fifth and last line. A wag(Mi was placed
between the line of soldiers and the five lines of scholars, on the right flank of
the former and the left flank of the latter. I was designated to take a position in
that wagon and to make farewell requests of, and to deliver parting words for
the four hundred scholars in line, to the soldier boys who had been formed in
martial array for the occasion. The fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and
friends had come to contribute to the sad occasion. A mass of people such as
Tipton had rarely if ever witnessed before, surrounded the lines on all sides. I
arose and gazed at the large assemblage and as I beheld their mingled tears and
heard their piteous cries my heart bled within me and I stood for some moments
dumb and speechless. At length I was enabled to say : ''Members of Company
E, nth R^. I. V. I., I come in behalf of these defenseless children, your scms
and daughters, your brothers and sisters, to entreat you to stand firm between
them and their country's enemies. Let no evil befall them or harm come to them
unless it comes over your mangled forms. Turn not your backs to the enemy
on the field of conflict. Remember the defenseless, helpless children. I commit
them to you for protection, and may the God of Battles go with you, and lead
you, and make you the fearless defenders of the free schools of Iowa. And
when this cruel war is over may you be permitted to return safe home again to
receive the gratitude and to enjoy the love of a free and happy people." Capt.
McLoney responded in these words: "I am no speech maker, but on behalf of
the members of my company will pledge you that the Tipton Union School shall
be safe in our keeping." ***

Company E soon earned a reputation for thrift, for twenty of them were re-
ported to have sent home to their families three hundred dc^rs as early as
December of '6i.

In April, 1862, Capt. Childs was compelled to resign on account of ill health,
and Company A was at that time at New Madrid waiting for an opportunity to
join in the attack on Island No. 10. The company lost its place in the r^^ent
and instead of occupying the post of honor on the right flank became, by their
captain's resignation, the junior company in the regiment.

Later in the same month came the news from Shiloh, where the Eleventh
Iowa was in the front of battle. Company D, from near Wilton, contained a
number from this county, and Company E was Capt. McLoney's company. The
killed and wounded in that battle were, from D, five killed and sixteen wounded,
from E, six killed, twelve wounded, among the killed being Lieut. Compton, who
had drilled the men before leaving home. The funeral services for two of Com-
pany E, E. McLoney and T. M. Haines, were held in the M. E. Church the fol-
lowing Sunday, a form of memorial service. Rev. S. N. Fellows, afterward and
for many years a well-known minister, educator and lecturer, spoke of the cause
of the war in which these two young men gave up their lives. He spoke of it as

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 888

it really was and some of his hearers became angry or were very much fright-
ened. Some gave vent to their fedings and spoke out their disagreement with
the opinions expressed in very emphatic language. The two young men in
whose memory this funeral was held were said to have been of exemplary
character.

July, 1862, S. W. Rathbun, then deputy sheriff of this county, now the
esteemed editor of the Marion Register, was commissi(med to raise a company
under the new call of the President. This congressional district, then the seccMid,
was to furnish a r^ment, and this meant one hundred men as the share of
Cedar County.

About this time a general alarm was sounded for a g^eat mass meeting of
the supporters of the war. Not until this time does it seem the people really
felt the importance of the ccmtest. The call was signed by Tuthill, Rothrock,
Culbertson, Platner, Maynard, Hammond, Elliott, and Swineford. It was to
be addressed by such men as Edward Thayer, Wm. Smith, Hiram Price and
Henry O'Connor.***

An illustration of the spirit of the times is shown by the father who had
three sons in the army and brought the fourth to join the company of Cs^t. Rath-
bun. Mr. Long in doing so said, if this son fell he himself would enlist. The
opposite spirit prevailed in the case of some who suddenly found they were
afflicted with rheumatism.

The great war meeting held in the county on August 8, 1862, led to the secur-
ing of about three hundred volunteers in the few weeks from the time Capt.
Rathbun began to recruit his company. His number was completed by August
20, and others were organized and filled by that date. S. D. Johnson became
captain of one, Wm. Dugan of Lowden and Mr. Flannagan of Mechanicsville
engaged in raising other companies. Capt. Rathbun's became Conq>any A of the
Twenty-fourth Iowa. This was known as the Temperance Regiment

On Wednesday, August 20, the two new companies — Captains Johnson and
Rathbun— departed to Wilton by wagons furnished by the farmers of the sur-
rounding country. After the companies were formed they marched in front of
R. M. Long's office, when three rousing cheers were given for him and three for
the patriotic women of the county. Partings of families were sad enough, for
they knew well that many men would never return. Most of the men had been
sworn in by Mr. Long.

The orders to report at Camp Strong at Muscatine were received on Tuesday
afternoon, and the forces were on the road at nine the next morning. It would
seem very strange now to see two conq>anies of infantry on the road to Wilton
by lumber wagon to assist in putting down a war like the great Rebellion.
Eighty-five teams were used to convey this small army across the country. The
Wilton pec^le gave dinners to the entire number. Besides these companies it is
estimated that forty more men enlisted from the western part of the county in
companies forming at Iowa City during these three weeks.

September 2, 1862, Capt. Flannagan's company irom Mechanicsville, "H"
of the Thirty-fifth Iowa, set out for Camp Strong to join the regiment to which
it was assigned. The people of Tipton had dinner all ready and after the noon

884 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

hour they were sent on their way accompanied by the band from their home
town and one from Tipton.

A scene from the camp of the Twenty*fourth Iowa has been painted by one
of its members at that time. It was the first Sabbath in camp, the first away
from the accustomed surroundings, and he describes it in a way sad, yet full of
hope. 'Things passed off quietly during the morning hour, much like a Sabbath
at home, except the necessary routine of camp duty. Some read, some talked,
and some wrote letters to the dear ones at home. At the appointed hour the men
were formed into a hollow square at the parade ground. The Sunday service
commenced by the singing of a h)rmn, in which nearly every man joined. Strong,
sweet music that — ^those nine hundred voices rising up from the camp of men
gathered from so many places and for such a purpose. A strange inspiration
filled the soul with a power at other times unknown.

"The discourse was well timed, though not what one would call a sermon.
We assembled again in the evening after dress parade for another discourse,
and, as my eyes wandered over the faces of those nine hundred men turned
toward the speaker, all full of intelligence and indicating determination, and
then to the blue sky above, with only here and there a gray cloud trimmed with
gold and amber by the setting sun, now just disappearing in the western horizon,
in the coming twilight, I thought of the varying emotions that must have come
and gone in the minds of these nine hundred soldiers. How many thinking of
home, of the uncertain future, of death or imprisonment, of honor and promotion ;
how many of the high and holy One in whom we live and move and have our
being. But now farewell." (Letter, W. C. Russell.) ***

Up to September, 1862, probably one-third of the able-bodied men in the
county had enlisted. Offiicers of the draft gave the figures at that time as over
three thousand subject to duty. Almost, if not quite a thousand, had enlisted,
and yet there were calls for more.

After the battle of luka Company A of the "Fighting Fifth" was sadly cut
up. Capt. Wm. Dean led the company in that battle and wrote home soon after
giving the news from the company. When he went up<m the field he had forty
non-commissioned officers and privates all told ; when the company came out cmly
ten responded to roll call. Lieutenant Schawl fell mortally wounded in this
battle. Lieutenant Casad was severely wounded while exhorting his men. Cap-
tain Dean is mentioned as having almost miraculously escaped since he was
everywhere.

A most pathetic account is given of the death of one of the youngest, if not
the youngest, of the company. Only seventeen years of age, James Edgar was
determined to do a soldier's deed. He was advised by many friends not to
tmdertake the life of a soldier, since he was too young. His captain told the
particulars of his death. "Some fifteen minutes after the battle began a ball
carried away the lock of his g^n. He got another and then was soon wounded
in the hand and I ordered him to the rear. In going he got a ball in his cartridge
box which exploded all his cartridges, and another in the back which passed
through his body and must have killed him instantly. He was not found until
the next morning. We were forced back a short time after he was killed, and
the rebels rifled his person and pockets of everything. He was buried on the

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY .886

battlefield and his g^ave marked with head and foot boards. He did his duty
nobly and fought bravely."*** His teacher and principal, C. C* Nestlerode,
wrote a long and commendatory letter concerning this young man.

An incident worth mentioning is given in a letter from Maj. Gen. Hamilton
to Col. Mathias of the Fifth Infantry. In commending the Fifth for gallantry
at Iuka> he says : "To show you how the Fifth has become a household word
with us, my youngest boy, a prattler of four years of age, when asked what
company he belongs to, says, 'Company A, Fifth Iowa, papa's pet regiment.' "

In the midst of the trials of war in the field there were not wanting those at
home who saw no good in such sacrifice of blood and treasure, and, to make
such efforts less effective, sought in secret ways, if not openly, to hinder if not
destroy the success of the Union. This movement took the form of agree-
ments to resist the collection of the Federal tax when it should come to coUec-
ticm. A writer warns them in the following words :

"The time has come when obedience to the constitution and requirements of
the law is to be the rule, and those who resist, whether north or south,
will soon find that the strong arm of the government is uplifted to strike down
all resistance. I would say to those who have joined these organizations that it
would be well to stop and think before going further ; a few steps may lead you
to acts of treas(m, the blackest crime known to our laws."

What is the meaning of the actions of men when they bring speakers from
abroad to further resist the collection of taxes, the draft, and any military
arrest? Such organizations did exist as the full heading of an agreement will
show, although under the high-sounding title of "Independent Riflemen."***

The following is the heading to a long list of signatures, some eighty or
more, who were organized for the purposes set forth and for others perhaps not
able to be listed. The reading is from the original agreement now in the pos-
session of Hon. John T. Moffit. It is suggestive of the days in which it was
dated.

Tipton, Iowa, July 28th, A. D. 1863.

We, the undersigned, do hereby agree to form ourselves into an Independent
Military Compcmy of Mounted Riflemen, for the purpose of assisting the proper
authorities in enforcing the laws of the government, upholding and supporting
the ccmstitution of the United States and State of Iowa, and for the further
purpose of protecting the rights of citizens, preserving order and quietness in
the community.

Names

Names

April II, 1863, the Loyal League was organized in this county with a con-
stitution providing for the usual officers and proceedings of business, and a
pledge which shows its purpose. Among the things subscribed to by anyone be-
coming a member is one clause which reads: "I will stand up, under all cir-
cumstances, for the restoration and preservation of the whole union, and by

886 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

every means in my power endeavor to thwart the intrigues and hostile designs
of all disunionists and traitors."

J. C. Betts was its first president, Dr. J. F. Kennedy, until recently secretary
of the State Board of Health, one of the vice-presidents, W. P. Wc4f and J. W.
Bagley, secretaries. Considerable discussion arose between the Loyal League
members and those called by the title K. G. C.'s (Kn^ts of the Golden Circle).

At a union meeting held in Springfield Township in May, '63, B. F. Gue, after-
wards Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, addressed the assembly made up of
citizens from Inland and Springfield. A "liberty pole" was dedicated, and a
series of resolutions adopted in support of all war measures.

At a mass meeting of the Fairview League, Mr. J. Gdger addressed the
meeting on behalf of the members of Company A, Fifth Iowa, James Anderson,
who lost his life in the line of duty, and incidentally touched upon the prin-
ciples governing all of the patriotic organizations.

The hundred day's call came in May, 1864, and this county was called upon
for its share of the ten thousand the state was to furnish. Col. J. H. Rothrock
was authorized to recruit men in Cedar county. It was at this time that the
county board of supervisors agreed, with one excepticm, to grant a bounty of
fifty dcdlars to each man enlisting.^^^

On Monday morning May 30, 1864, the company of hundred day men, Capt
Durbin commanding^ left for their active duty. Not much demonstration now
when men set out for war. It had become a serious business, and no one was
certain of the end. Eighty-nine men left the county in this company. The com-
pany was mustered in at Camp McClellan, Davenport, as Company I, Forty-
Sixth Iowa, on June 10, 1864. Capt. Durbin was promoted to Lieutenant Coloael
of the r^ment and Wm. P. Wolf became its captain. The entire regiment
left Davenport for Cairo on the 14th of June.

The first news from Company I was to the effect that Capt Wolf had been
severely wounded and a number of men taken prisoner. They had fallen into
the hands of guerrillas while trying to rescue a group of prisoners.

The long expected draft came after all possible efforts had been made to
complete the quota demanded from each township. This occurred in September,
1864. Some townships, Cass and Massillon, had filled their appointment before
the draft was made. Inland and Dayton raised volunteers enough to remove
any need of a draft. It was in October before the drafted men left for their
assignments. Some were called upon to serve their country who could not leave
their families without a great sacrifice, but under the circumstances there was no
escape from the demands of a needy government. Cheerful compliance was the
only way to avoid an unpleasant situaticMi.

A prison story typical of what the boys in blue had to endure when cap-
tured in the line of duty is told in a letter f rcmi one of them to his brother. In
the language of the writer, "I have been confined in this priscm neariy six
months. Fed on commeal and beef, and occasionally to relieve the monotony
we get the sweepings of some old confederate mill, consisting of rye screenings,
dirt, and old wheat ground together and dealt out in three-fourths of a pound per
day rations. Then, to cap the climax of hospitality, there is sometimes a ration
of shelled com. There are none here with whom I ever was acquainted, never-

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT IN CEDAR COUNTY

i!

.8

HISTORIY OF CEDAR COUNTY 889

thcless I always find friends who are always ready to do a brother's part You
ask, where are my comrades ? They were sent to Camp Gross, Hempstead, Texas.
And, why am I not there? I was out on short "French" as the boys term it,
and did not get back in time to go. I was gone four days and was captured
by a bushwhacker and brought back. I had rather a rich time of it all alone
without map, compass, or companions. My health is good; I enjoy a continual
feast, — ^a contented mind, knowing that it is for my coimtry I suffer. We have
meetings every evening, Bible class in the morning, and singing school in the
afternoon.

"Some of the boys began a tunnel in the latter part of July, which was a
long hard job with our limited means for digging, and yet this was not the great-
est of our difficulties. We were very closely guarded. The tunnel was ready to
be opened some time before it was, on account of the nights being too light.
When the proper time came twenty-eight made their escape, when, through the
indiscretion of some of our men, it was discovered and two months of hard toil
went for nothing.

"The next morning, as was expected, there, was a grand yankee himt The
dogs were out as well as the confederates themselves. They rushed around the
camp yelling like fiends fresh from the lower regions, until they struck the trail,
when all dashed into the woods. But the hounds did not find it such fine f tm, for
the boys had used plenty of black pepper, which made their dogships snort and
sneeze and bay terribly. About ten in the mornings the yelling in the confed-
erate camp atoounced the capture of the prisoners, and before night, thirteen
were again in the stockade.

"Imagine my feelings at seeing these comrades of mine with their torn clothes
and mangled limbs. This is no idle tale but the facts as I have witnessed. The
moment anyone is missing the hounds are put upon his track, and if caught he
is treated as a deserter. A persevering in a second attempt means that he will
be shot.

'The paroling officer is here and has paroled six hundred and forty men,
but I am not among the lucky number." (J. W. R., Dec., '64.) **•

The Thirty-Seventh Iowa, called the Gr^ Beard Regiment because it con-
tained not a man under forty-five, was mustered out in 1865. Only two were
left in the regtmeat who went from here, and these were H. H. Linsley and
Robert Yard.

No sooner were the soldiers in camp than a movement began to keep them
supplied with comforts and often later with the necessities of army life. Or-
ganizations were perfected for sending the contributions to the front An early
announcement reads : "The last meeting of the Soldiers' Aid Society will be held
at the home of Mrs. W. A. Betts on Friday afternoon at half past one ; the male
members of the society are requested to be present, as the ladies wish to con-
sult with them in r^;ard to the distribution of the articles."

A great variety of means was employed to raise funds for sending these
supplies. Entertainment and festival alike kept everyone informed of the doings
of this relief association. The entire county took this matter up in May, 1862,
calling the citizens in mass meeting to devise ways and means to assist the
soldiers in the field. The call was signed by eleven men of the county.

340 mSTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

This organization adopted a constitution containing provisions for the relief
of wounded soldiers, residents of or enlisted from the county, to provide them
necessary supplies, and to return, free of expense to friends, when necessary, die
bodies of volunteers from this county slain or dying in the service of their gov-
ernment. Any person could become a member by contributing to its funds.
Three committees were {^pointed according to its constitution — ^surgical com-
mittee, burial and finance.

Whoi the order waS issued by the Adjutant General for the organization of
the home guards the county at once took action. This order induded all points,
and was for the purpose of preserving order at home. J. W. Kynctt was elected
Captain, J. D. Mitchell ist Lieut, and J. W. Casad 2nd Lieut

While the county at first got credit for only two entire companies, it famished
many to companies outside the county. In the Eleventh Regiment, besides hav-
ing one company, there was a large representation in three others. Company I,
of Muscatine, had eighteen from Cedar county. Mount Vernon had a number.
The company from Wilton, close to Cedar's border, had more than forty from
this county. Men from Cedar were in the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and in tbc
Second Cavalry. All summed up the number would compose four companies
additional to those credited to the county. Such an arrangement came about
from the associaticms of men near to the county lines, and the same conditiois
often happened, doubtless, in other parts of the state.

A great celebration was prepared for the Fourth of July, 1865, after the war
was over. The assassination of Lincoln had cast a glo<xn over the community,
but events passed so rapidly, time was so fully occupied, that new topics came np
for adjustment in n^id succession. The bitterness of war was not gone, for
there were broken hearts everywhere. Yet in the observance of the day of
Independence an effort was made to bring* about a union of sentiment in die
future growth and recovery from the great disaster. In the midst of these
plans, when the program of the day was nearly finished, an event occurred
that was more than ordinary in its effect. One man who had often expressed
his sympathy with the treasonable side was honored with a place on the pro-
gram ; an opportunity to redeem himself which he failed to improve. The rq>ort
states that, "Attempting to respond to the toast *My Fatherland,' he was some-
what hastily ejected from the platform." Among the speakers on this program
of peace were Sylvanus Yates, J. W. Kynett, L. L. Sweet, W. H. Wynn, Capt
Safley, Revs. Pancoast and M. K. Cross, and Capt. W. P. Wolf. The topics
were of war events or of the heroes concerned in them.

On the ninety-first anniversary of American Independence the Soldiers'
Monument, which now stands in front of the city library in Tipton, was dedi-
cated. Then it stood in the center of the square, and so remained until the time
of the erection of the Carnegie library, when it was moved to its present position.

The square was once the playground of the public schools, and a genecal
common in the early days. After the Civil War, before soldiers had settled
down into the ordinary ranks of citizens, a movement was b^^n to erect a shaft
to their memory. The call for the consideration of this subject came in June,
1865, in time for action and incorporation before the memorable celebration 00
July 4 juit referred to. At the time of this patriotic meeting the first subscrip-

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 841

tions were taken, the amount reported as six hundred and fifty dollars being
raised in a few minutes. From time to time other sums were added until the
amount of three thousand dollars had been raised. Of this sum one-half was
voted from the county funds, the other fifteen hundred being private gifts in
sums of twenty-five dollars or below.

After suitable designs had been submitted the one offered by an Iowa firm
was selected, and the cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1867, under the auspices
and in accordance with the ritual of the Masonic order. The veterans of the
Civil War led the march on that day, and they came from all parts of the county.
The Odd Fellows and Good Templars, followed by the Masons, came in order,
and an entire day was consumed in the regular program.

The names of all the soldiers from the county were read by Rev. Kynett, the
Declaration of Independence was read by Capt. Wolf, and an oration was de-
livered by Rev. S. Pancoast.

An appeal was made at this time for a sum sufficient to put an iron fence
about the monument square, and a sum of about three hundred dollars was raised
in a short time.

The block selected for this monument was early set aside as block thirty-two
for county purposes, and this was donated to the monument association, later
in its history to be given again to the public for library purposes also.

When the cornerstone was laid it contained the names of the officers of the
association, and the names also of all members who contributed the sums of
one dollar or more. The largest individual subscription was twenty-five dollars
and the smallest twenty cents, so far as noted.

On reaching the monument square the order of exercises made necessary
by the laying of the cornerstone included the assignment of the soldiers and
orders in a definite arrangement. The Masons having charge of the ceremony
approached the monument from the east, arriving at an arch decorated widi
evergreens, where the Master and his officers passed through the lines to the
platform, while the remainder of the brothers formed a hollow square. Grand
Master Rev. J. W. Kynett conducted the ceremonies. Deputy Grand Master J.
W. Casad, holding a vessel of corn, stood east of the cornerstone. Senior Grand
Warden Rev. G. M. Scott, holding a vessel containing wine, stood west of the
cornerstone, and Junior Grand Warden Wm. H. Cobb, holding a vessel contain-
ing oil, occupied a position to the south. The ceremonies were opened by
music and prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. E. Skinner. The several implements
of Masonry were applied in the laying of the cornerstone and the part of con-
secration followed.

The Deputy Grand Master went forward with the com and scattering it on
the stone said :

"I scatter this corn as an emblem of plenty. May the blessings of bounte-
ous Heaven be showered upon us and upon all like patriotic and benevolent
undertakings, and inspire the hearts with virtue, wisdom, and gratitude."

The Senior Grand Warden then went forward with the wine, and pouring it
upon the stone said:

"I pour this wine as an emblem of joy and gladness. May the Great Ruler
of the Universe bless and prosper our National, State, and City Governments,

842 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

preserve the union of the States, and may it be a bond of friendship and broth-
erly love that shall endure through all time."

The Junior Grand Warden thai came forward with the oil, and pouring it
upon the foundation stone said:

"I pour this oil as an emblem of peace. May its Uessings abide with us
continually, and may the Grand Master of earth and heaven shelter and protect
the widow and orphan, shield and protect them from trials and vicissitudes of
the world, and so bestow his mercy upon the bereaved, the afflicted, and the sor-
rowing that they may know sorrow and trouble no more."

The Grand Master offered the invocation and, after the public grand honors
were given, a short address by the Grand Master followed, closing this part of
the exercises on this memorable Fourth of July.

A circular was issued to the families of those who had lost their lives in the
war asking for all the details, and this information appears either upon the
monument itself or in the roster of companies.

Not until October of 1867 was the monument completed by the contractors,
W. H. Simpson & Co. It has a fitting inscription on the west front :**•

TO HER SONS,
BELOVED AND HONORED, WHO DIED FOR THEIR

COUNTRY
IN THE GREAT WAR OF THE REBELLION.

CEDAR COUNTY
IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE HAS ERECTED THIS

MONUMENT, A. D. 1867.

The names of the dead appear on the three remaining sides in ordtr.

It is probably known to most of the citizens of the county that William
Beaver Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was named in honor of the first
man from Cedar County to fall in battle, a member of Company A, Fifth Iowa
Infantry. His death occurred about the sixth of March, 1862, while on a scout-
ing expedition, near New Madrid, Missouri. Coming at this time early in the
company's history it brought home to the community from which he went the
real facts of war. A wife and five children were left at home when he set out
for battlefields never to return* Some time in 1897 ^ pstpcr was found that was
of much interest to members of the Post since it contains what is given of an
inscription on the stone or marker of Wm. Beaver's grave.

The paper mei^oned was found among the effects of Mrs. Hall in the north
part of town. It was in the handwriting of her son, who was a member of
the same regiment as Wm. Beaver. The paper ccmtaining the words was
turned over to the Post as a part of their history.

The inscription, which seems from its reading to have been put there by
hands not friendly but yet not wholly forgetful, reads as follows :

WILLIAM BEAVER

Welcome here.

This is the spot where one not satisfied with leaving other folks alone would

insist on being buried, a
LINCOLNITE

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 848

Killed the 4th of March, 1862, while on picket duty by the

Confederate pickets,

New Madrid, Missouri.

This Yankee said he belonged to the Fifth Iowa Regt.

The very first observance of Memorial Day occurred when a number of
citizens formed in line of march and went to the strains of martial music, that
music yet inspiring to the old soldier, to decorate the new montunent erected so
recently in the square. From that time, May 30, 1868, to the present day, with
scHne slight interruptions the custom has prevailed and no day set apart for re-
membering the soldier dead is complete unless the children take part in these
ceremonies and lay their contribution of flowers at the foot of the monument
through the intervening hands of the Grand Army.

At this first observance, Capt. E. H. Pound made a short address fitting such
a day and Lieut. Bull called the roll of the honored dead. The wreaths were'
placed for the first time and Rev. G. M. Scott pronounced the benediction.

William Beaver Relief Corps, composed originally of twenty-one members,
wives and daughters of veterans of the Civil War, or of previous wars, was
instituted in Tipton in 1891. Mrs. Alice L3rtle, of Iowa City, the officer in
charge of this work, officiated on that occasion. Other ladies are admitted to
this organization now besides the ones mentioned in the beginning of its exist-
ence. This is the only Relief Corps in the county.

On each Memorial Day Comstock Post of Mechanicsville, J. Q. Wilds Post
of Stanwood, and Ho3rman Post of Qarence are represented in the exercises and
have a place reserved for them in the line of march. Their names will continue
to stand in memory of the comrade who fell in battle or left his command to die
in loneliness of wounds or disease. The ranks grow thinner and thinner, and
soon there will be no old soldier to march on May 30th to guide the younger citi-
zens into the sacred precincts of the veteran dead.

The story of the death of Capt. J. C. Gue is full of tragedy, full of sadness,
if (me can picture to himself the story of his comrade on that fateful afternoon.
It was about two by the clock when this foraging party of some fifteen men, the
captain and one sergeant, went for sweet potatoes to feed the hungry company.
Not finding any near at hand they had gone some distance, probably six miles,
before arriving at a plantation where the supply was sufficient.

Engaged in the digging and filling the army wagon to return to camp their
attention was called to a party of horsemen ccxning in their direction, part of
them in blue coats. A discussion arose as to the nature of the men approaching,
were they enemies or friends? The old landlord of the plantation declared tfiem
to be union men because they had gone that way the day before.

Capt. Gue at this time said "he would see," and forthwith set out. At his ap-
proach the one who had tarried behind the main body saluted and the captain
rode directly toward him along the edge of the field. When he had come within
a distance of fifty yards, without warning so far as one could tell, although
he may have been called upon to surrender, the confederate raised his carbine
and shot him down. Before the rest of his companions could reach him, the
robber had done his work, securing the revolver and sword of the captain. He
even pulled off his new boots which he had but recently purchased, but he missed

844 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

the watch which in the fall from the horse became hidden in the clothing.
Capt. Gue rode the colonel's horse and the confederates endeavored to secure
that, but after the shooting the horse remained about half way between the two
parties making it possible to secure him through the efforts of the only two
mounted men in the foraging company. The wagon was loaded with the pota-
toes and then the sad duty of placing the dead captain's body on that to take
it to camp the six miles, fell to the lot of his command. There were some
who went out with the foragers who were musicians and being unarmed re-
turned to camp as soon as danger threatened. Carrying the news to camp that
the whole company was surrounded, the regiment turned out under orders to
rescue them and they were met by the returning party and their sad message.

Captain Gue was buried at that camp by a detail, the regiment being ordered
into battle before the honors of war could be paid to the dead comrade. His
body is supposed to have been recovered long afterward by his brother, Hon.
B. F. Gue, and reinterred at Vicksburg. Sergt. Andrew Pierce, of Wm. Beaver
Post, states these facts as he remembers them on that day long ago.^^'

The first movement toward organizing for a county reunion was made in
August, 1879. A permanent organization wtas recommended at that time. F. L.
Sheldon, J. E. Pickering and C. L. Longley were {^pointed on this committee.
Remarks were made at this time approving of such a movement by T. W. Max-
son, O. D. Heald, L. L. Sweet and others.

In October following the above preliminary meeting the promised reunion
materialized, and a great gathering of veterans from the county met at the fair-
grounds for a two days' meeting. At this time the roster showed Grand Army
men from nearly every northern state. Eleven were present from the Second
Iowa Cavalry ; nine from the Fifth Infantry, nearly all from Company A, the old
guards; sixteen from Company E of the Eleventh Infantry; of the Twenty-
fourth Iowa, seventeen from Company C, nineteen from B, were there and four
from other companies. Twenty-one members of the Thirty-Fifth answered to
roll call. Many others from Iowa regiments were present. At this meeting, in
addition to the outlined program, a permanent organization was arranged for
and completed.

A most interesting event occurred at this time when the battleflags of the
Fifth, Eleventh, Twenty-Fourth, and Thirty-Fifth Infantry, kindly loaned by
Gov. Gear, were on the stand in the hands of D. R. Smith, D. Cummins, James
Dickinson and Jacob Onstott, who acted as color bearers during the day. The
flags were tightly furled and tied up, but the men who followed them would not
be denied one more sight of these revered emblems. They were carefully un-
furled, and, as their torn and battered* folds spread into view the names they
bore, the Cornell Light Artillery fired a salute, and "the two hundred veterans
stood uncovered and in silence while the unbidden tear filled every eye.*'

Fully three thousand assembled at this reunion. After the speech making
and story telling was all done the old flags were taken out upon the race track,
the representatives of each of the four regiments mentioned fell in behind thdr
respective colors, those from other regiments forming by themselves, and after
a few preliminary commands, as it was said, "just to limber up a little," they set
off around the track, once more following their war flag after fifteen years.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 846

Another great reunion was held in the county in October, 1882, when organ-
ized companies of veterans bearing arms loaned for this purpose participated in
a sham battle witnessed by ten thousand people. This was held on the fair
grounds where the camp was located, and it is reported that twfo hours' time was
required for the crowd to disperse after the program.

According to arrangement the southern flag was displayed from the north-
west comer of the grounds where Capt. Creitz was in command of the Wilton,
West Branch, and Atalissa companies. On the opposite side of the grounds
were Capt. Kelly and the Stanwood and Tiptcm companies — ^both sides having
additional support from scattered reinforcements. After due effort was made
the rebel position was taken and their colors captured. It is said that the wounded
on the Federal side were tenderly cared for by the Muscatine drum corps, con-
sisting of Becky, the old drum major of the Thirty-Fifth Iowa, and his company.

After the mock war was over the Cedar County Veterans' Association was
presented with a shell brought from the field of Gettysburg.

The Twenty-Fourth Iowa Volunteers held their Seventh reunion in Tipton
in September, 1897. On that occasicm something more than seventy-five mem-
bers enrolled, and the history of the regiment was seen in review. A short time
before this reunion their former major, and after the death of Col. Wilds, their
Colonel, Gen. Ed Wright, of Des Moines, had died and the members of the
regiment mourned his loss at this gathering. Col. Wilds was killed at Win-
chester, where the Twenty-Fourth fought with Sheridan, and where they saw that
gallant commander on his famous ride of "twenty miles away." Gen. Wright
took command there, and sought to make his regiment a model. It will be re-
lated elsewhere of the place of Gen. Wright in the history of this county. His
daughter. Miss Flora Wright, was in attendance at this reunion, and the mem-
bers called her the daughter of the regiment.

The sham battle at the great reunion of 1882 had one feature of sadness con-
nected with it, when by the premature discharge of a cannon the arm of one man
was blown away and others were injured seriously. At the gate when the crowd
was leaving a cdlection was taken for the colored man who had lost his arm and
a hatful of money was the result. Probably his name would be familiar to the
younger generation by saying that he was the husband of "Mzxnmy" Powell.

At the reimion of the Twenty-fourth Iowa in Tipton, September, 1909, the
history of the regiment, the days of departure for the field of action, the long
story of conflict, and the return were told in eloquent words, so rich in their
sentiment, so full of emotion, and so personal that they seem to be sacred.

It is allowed to incorporate in this chapter some of the utterances on that
occasion by permbsion of those who are the fortunate possessors of the elo-
quence, the experience, and the liberality expressed in the quotations.

Captain Rathbun indicated the purpose of the reunion in the words which
follow:

''We came to your city today to participate in a reunion of what is known as
the Twenty-fourth Iowa Regimental Association, an organization composed of
one of Iowa's regiments which served in the army of the Union during the war
of the rebellion.

"To some of us, however, it is more than a reunion — a home coming as well.

«1

346 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

"Two companies of the ten, two hundred of the original members of the r^
ment were recruited here. This is our second reunion in your city. The first
was in September, 1897. The welcome we received then, and the universal hos-
pitality extended has never been forgotten, but has been remembered with the
greatest pleasure by all whose good fortune it was to be here at that time.

"Of the nearly 1,000 members of the regiment when it was mustered into
service, our corresponding secretary. Comrade H. C. Kurtz, informs me that
there are about 450 members living today. But the homes of many are so distant
that at five o'clock this evening the enrollment here was only 91. By companies
as follows:

'A-s, B-23, C-15, 1>9, E-6, F.13, G-i, H.7, 1-7, K-s.

'Unless we recall the fact that nearly five decades have passed since Ac
enlistment, it may seem strange that the numbers surviving are so few. But
perh2q)s Providence has been as kind to those who went to the front as to those
who remained at home. So far as I know there is but one who was in business
in Tipton in 1862 who is in business here today. I presume it is about the same
in all towns where the companies were raised.

"In the address of welccmie tonight the history of the regiment was con-
cisely and correctly though briefly stated and it is unnecessary for me to repeat
Suffice it to say that the Twenty-fourth does not claim to be the regiment that
'put down the rebellion,' but it was one of Iowa's fifty-five regiments wfaidi
served in the Union army, one of the 2,700 regiments which composed the
grandest and bravest army of the centuries, and it can be truthfully said that no
other r^fiment did better service, no other regiment has a better record in the
archives of the War Department. With this its members should be and are con-
tent."2«>

When permission was given to use the address of Hon. C. L. Longley, of
Vicksburg, formerly editor of the Advertiser, it was the intention to take the
historical data, but the address is too full of the inspiring words the soldier
loved to hear to omit anything :

"When I was young — ah, woful when —

Ah, for the change twixt now and then!
Naught cared this body for wind and weather
When Youth and I dwelt in't together."

"Fifty-five years ago this month I first crossed the plot of ground where
we now stand cm my way to the little old brick still seen to my left — ^then Tip-
ton's sole school building ; ahd, standing here today and looking down the vista
of those years, I can well say, with our silver tong^ed comrade, who long since
answered the final roll call, 'The past rises before me like a dream.' For seven
or eight consecutive years this spot was playground, rendezvous, trysting place;
it then acquired associations that made of it a shrine.

"You all remember, or will know, of the momentous events with which be-
gan the seventh decade of the last century. How the war-doud gathered
lowered and finally, in 1861, tempestuously broke upon our peace-loving people.
You know how Governor Kirkwood's call for ten companies, to cbnstitute Iowa's
one regiment in Lincoln's first 75,000 levy, was instantly responded to by the
proffer of more than fifty companies ; and how her quota of the much larger call

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 847

soon made was more than filled before the summer passed. Men sprang to
arms, and scarcely a boy of manly stature but burned to join them and feared
the opportunity to be a hero would flit and leave him still a clod.

"But the momentous months were on, and those of us still at home saw our
maimed friends and schoolmates return from Donelson, from Belmont and from
Shiloh and b^;an to understand that a uniform was not alone a cheap title to
glory, ncM" the soldier's Ufe an idle holiday. Nevertheless, when in the summer
of 1862 and after reverses to the Union arms on the Peninsula and elsewhere
other calls came, agg^r^^ting 'six hundred thoussmd more,' the response was, if
possible, even more prompt, enthusiastic and tmiversal ; for within the State of
Iowa alone twenty-one regiments — eighteen infantry and three cavalry — were
recruited substantially within thirty days.

"Of course you understand that it was now and here that the Twenty-fourth
Iowa sprang into existence. And right here I wish to correct a somewhat com-
mon misapprehension. The following found in the archives of the Adjutant
General of the State, is the very first authority for, or official recognition of,
the title of Temperance Regiment,' as applied to the Twenty-fourth :

"'Executive Office, Iowa, August 6, 1862.
"'E. C. Byam:

"*Sir: The Secretary of War has authorized me to raise a regiment of
infantry in this State for United States service to be known as the Temperance
Regiment' to be commanded by you. This regiment is in addition to the five
regiments heretofore called for. I therefore request and authorize you to pro-
ceed immediately to the raising and organization of such regiment. The regi-
ment will be the Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry and will rendezvous at Musca-
tine. Recruiting commission will be issued to you by the Adjutant General for
such persons as you may designate as recruiting officers and passes will be de-
livered to you by him for such recruiting officers and for the recruits to the
place of rendezvous. An acting quartermaster will be appointed by me to make
the necessary arrangements at Muscatine for quartering and subsisting the men
as they arrive. I shall expect the regiment to be in rendezvous by the 15th of
September next Very respectfully,

'Your obedient servant,

'Samuel J. Kirkwoch), Governor.'

On August 6, 1862, when the foregc^ng was issued, every company after^
wards serving in the Twenty-fourth with a single possible exception, was in
process of being recruited, had its ranks already more than half filled and its
oTgaxdzation was completed not later than the 15th of the month named— only
nine days after the order to Col. Byam was penned by the Governor. This point
is not made through any sensitiveness with r^^ard to the name, 'Temperance
Regiment' — ^better deserved, I honestly believe, by no regiment than by
the Twenty-fourth Iowa — ^but simply in vindication of facts or history, which
are that with one exception, the companies of the Twenty-fourth were raised
precisely as were other con^anies in Iowa at the time, and then, upon applica-
tion and by careful selection, were assigned to Col. Byam's r^;iment In evi-
dence, note the following letter^ co{Hed verbatim et KteraHm (because the spell-

xuur uuc

848 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

ing is rather too good to be lost, and therefore left unidentified), from the
Adjutant General's records:

"'August the II, 1862.

" 'Governor S. Kirkwood :

"'Sir: I have got a full (a voice, "Capt. Williams") company and we arc
now organized and the officers are elected and it is the unanimous request of
every man that we be transferred to the Twenty-fourth regiment. The Co.
are all temperance men and Col. E. C. Byam has requested me to let you know
the mind of Co. He is pleased with the report of the Co. His agent has seen
the men in ranks ; if you can make the change you will confer a favor on loi men.

"'Signed '

" 'Dear Governor : I most heartily endorse the above request.

" 'E. C. Byam, Col. 24th Iowa Infantry.'

"Upon the back of this letter, in the handwriting of Iowa's grand old war
Governor, appears the following indorsement:

" 'Adjutant General Baker will assign this Co. to Byam if he wills.'

"Although there is in the records no affirmative evidence, it appears that
Company 'G' may have been the exception indicated, as the original recruiting
commission for this company was issued to Rev. F. W. Vinson under date of
August 6, and the enlistments were all after that date, with none later than
August 15 — so that the company was actually raised in nine days. And the
rapidity of enlistments in all the companies was only exceeded by the clean
sweep of those eligible. They went by whole families; ten first cousins in Co.
'F' — four Brennaman brothers, three Kurtz brothers and the rest, I think,
Hershe — ^and, strange to say, all three of those Kurtz boys are here present this
day : in Co. 'B,' four Rigbys ; Co. 'O,' three Hakemans and two Hueys ; Co. *D,'
four Rosenbergers, and so on down the list. Oh, it was an uprising and out-
pouring ; and by the middle of August each company was assembled at the con-
venient local center trying to 'drill' (usually without the slightest knowledge <mi
the part of anyone present), and before the end of the month had brc^en the
home ties and 'Gone to War.'

"It was upon this spot (then a piece of bare prairie 420 feet square, including
the surrounding streets) that Companies 'B' and 'C assembled, August 27,
1862, very early in the morning, for that ever-to-be-remembcred parting and
starting. And it will not be invidious for me to recall as best I may the scenes
of that day, for they were duplicated, scwnewhere, not only by each of the other
companies of the Twenty-fourth, but by each of the 216 companies then being
formed in our State. Older or younger, no one who was here present will
have forgotten that day and that scene. At least one hundred vehicles, mostly
farm wagons, which were to convey the 'boys' sixteen miles to the railroad,
were here assembled; then the fathers and mothers, the wives, sisters,
and sweethearts ! It has been well said that three elements made the vital force
that saved our country upon a thousand fields — ^the boy in the uniform, the
mother that gave him and the girl he left behind him — a trinity, like all the best
things, mostly woman! Ah, those mothers! Let me give you an incident of
one, typical of all : Her only child, not yet 18, burned to go with the first com-
pany from his locality; the mother not only prevailed against that, but exacted

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 349

a solemn promise that he would not enlist without her permission, which she in
turn pledged herself to give, *if necessary,' More than a year later came the
loud calls for more men ; this boy was away from home at the time, but hasten-
ing back, his first words were, 'Mother, I've just got to go now!' With her
arms about his neck and the tears streaming down her face that mother said,
'My son, I think you have!' You young mothers of today, with your boys at
your knee, you are thinking you could not and would not do thus ; but tmder simi-
lar circumstances you 'would' whether you 'could' or not! For two thousand
years the Spartan woman has been the synon3rm for self-sacrificing patriotism, but
the nimbus thrown about her by the romantic legends of the centuries pales
before the halo which is placed upon the brow of the American woman by facts
yet known to thousands of living witnesses ! Hers was the farewell with smiles
and tears, hers the agony of suspense — ^the waiting and the watching, often in
face of privation and want ; hers the desolating sorrow when Hope was no more ;
but hers always the spirit of encouragement and the hand of help ! God bless the
American wcxnan, the best of His best!

"But we are at this moment witnessing upon this ground, the farewells of 47
years ago. The two companies of young men (fifty of them just from the
school house at my left and all averaging scant 22 years) are in the center
fcMined in mass. The first good-byes are spoken more formally by preachers
and teachers, in words trembling with emotion — for the elder who stay more
than the younger who go, appreciate the gravity and the pathos of the moment.
Then ranks are broken for the real farewells ; with one hand on his boy's shoul-
der and the other palm to palm, the father looks into his boy's eyes with but few
words ; the sister weeps upon his breast, the sweetheart presses her lips to his ;
but his mother — she gathers him in her arms as when a helpless babe, and, hold*
ing hard her throbbing heart and welling tears, she bids him ever to fear God
and-— do his duty!

"Finally the last lingering words have been spoken and we are off. The
ride of sixteen miles with part of every load composed of sisters and sweet-
hearts (the mothers are mostly on their knees at hi^ne) was a picnic Darkness
found us in the rendezvous at Camp Strong, Muscatine, where the greatly needed
military training filled the days. There were plenty of incidents that would
bear recalling, including the visits of the friends from home; but we hasten to
get a glimpse of the real life of the soldier, which began for the Twenty-fourth
when we arrived, early in October, at Helena, Arkansas — a place whose name,
we always thought, should have ended with its first syllable. Time forbids any
detail of, or even reference to, consecutive events. We had, both then and later,
hardships and privations, as well as amusements and pleasures. Perhaps it is
as well that memory holds the latter best and clearest But what I would like
is to recall one or two typical incidents, or features, that may illumine for you
the daily life of the soldier. It had much sameness — reveille and 'hard tack,'
drill by squad, by company and by battalion; more hard tack, more drill and
then more tack.

"But often, far too often, during the winter, routine was broken by the
funeral call. From the hospital — ^a place where

860 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

" 'There was a lack of woman's nursing,
There was a dearth of woman's tears/
a place more dreaded by the soldier than was the chance of wounds or of death
upon the field of battle — from the hospital you followed the casket — I forget,
box or blanket — ^to the shallow grave prepared on hillside, levee or plain, for a
comrade's mortal remains. To the slow muffled drum you marched, with arms
reversed. The chaplain may or may not have been present, but there was no
father, mother, sister or brother; the salute is fired; the handkerchief snatched
from the snares of the drums, and with lively tune and quick step, camp and its
routine is quickly resumed.

''Again, one of the early lessons of that winter was the demanding and com-
manding potency of the 'long roll.' That fierce rattle of the drums, punctuated
by great throbs of sound, like artillery amid a blare of musketry, we were told
meant attack and immediate danger, which instantly must be met in hostile
array. Thus it was that cme night just before Christmas, 1862, when between
one and two o'clock, the braves of the Twenty-fourth were suddenly awakened
by that dreaded alarm, each individual hair arose upon its owner's head as he
was struggling into clothing and equipments. The regiment was then
in 'shacks' about 9x18, each holding 8 men, who slept in four 'bunks'— one above
another on either side, with about thirty inches of floor between them. When
eight husky men came at once into that space and at once b^;an frantically to
dress, there was some mix; and you will not be surprised that two of them,
each having one trousers' leg occupied, after vainly stabbing the air in an ^ort
to find the other one, found instead that both had hold of and partly occupied
one and the same pair! And not a hostile 'Johnny' within forty miles!

"In the early spring of 1863, after a couple of short and minor expedi-
tions, the Twenty-fourth joined Grant's gjeat Vicksburg campaign. It was
here. May 16, at Champion Hill, that with one company acting as provost guards
at corps headquarters, the remaining nine overran and captured a Confederate
battery, sustaining 189 casualties, 82 of which were 'killed or mortally wounded'
— a fatality exceeded during the war by but very few regiments in a single en-
gagement Then came the siege and capture of Jackson, New Orleans and the
Teche campaign, followed in the spring of 1864 by Banks' ill-starred Red River
fiasco. Then to the far East, where the Twenty-fourth was the first Iowa regi-
ment to march through the streets of Washington ; then glorious Shenandoah
Valley campaign with 'Little Phil,' then to Georgia and North Carolina, in Sher-
man's rear; and then — ^home!

"Victory at Appomattox was grand, the home-coming glorious, for those of
us who came, but — 996 men, including 'field an staff,' were mustered into the
Twenty- fourth Iowa at Camp Strong; recruits were added to bring its total
membership up to 1,207. Where were those comrades then? Where are they
today? At the time of our muster out, death had already claimed 343; since
then a much greater number. The monument before me (dedicated July 4th,
1866, and the first of its kind in Iowa) bears the names of 64 — ^all of whom went
from Cedar County and who died during the war. Four companies are repre-
sented—^! from *B,' 32 from 'C,' 10 from 'D,' and i from 'H.' To these oar
comrades and to all others who either during or since the war passed over die

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 851

river and are 'waiting in the Shade,' this assembly is especially a memorial.
We bring to them one and all our affectionate remembrances, ourselves linger-
ingf on the brink. We, ourselves, but

" 'Wait for the bugle ; the night dews are cold.

The limbs of the soldier feel jaded and old.

The field of our bivouacs is windy and bare,

There is lead in our joints, there is frost in our hair;

The future is veiled and its fortunes unknown

As we lie with hushed breath till the bug^e is blown.

" 'At the sound of that bugle each comrade shall spring
Like an arrow released from the strain of the string.
The courage, the impulse of youth shall come back
To banish the chill of the drear bivouac.
And sorrows and losses and cares fade away,
When that life-giving signal proclaims the new day.

" 'Though the bivouac of age may put ice in our veins,
And no fibre of steel in our sinews remains;
Though the Comrades of yesterday's march are not here.
And the stmlight seems pale and the branches are sear,
Though the sound of our cheering dies down to a moan.
We shall find our lost youth when the bugle is blown.'

"Comrades for whom the bugle has already blown, the great majority of the
old Twenty- fourth Iowa — ^'We who are about to die, salute you I' "***

When rumors of war came in 1898, the military company in Tipton and vicin-
ity made preparations for any emergency. The Iowa National Guard, it was
understood, would be the first to be called out for service. In preparation for
these events the citizens of the county took great interest, and no one more than
the one who offered to mount the commanding <^cer in case of need.

It was in March, 1898, that Alex Spear, one of the substantial farmers of the
county, called at the office of Maj. John T. Moffit, and asked if he was furnished
with the necessary horses in the event of being called upon for service.

Major Moffit admitted that he was not in possession of the horse he would
need to lead his troops. Since Cedar county was then, as now, noted for its fine
horses, Mr. Spear said he was anxious that the officers from this county should
be as well mounted as any in the entire division. He determined to prevent any
failure in this respect by offering to the Major the best mount his stables could
produce. This was the description of the fine animal selected : a large bay mare,
seven years old, coach and trotting bred, standing sixteen hands high, and weigh-
ing eleven hundred pounds or more; one of a fine saddle gait. This was the
splendid prospect for the officer in case a call should come for active service.

On Saturday, just a week before the orders were received to march, Mr.
Frank Moffit sent Lieut. Sweinhart, as a present, a fine black horse, beautiful
enough to make him the envied of all soldiers. Lieut. France was presented by
other citizens with a horse said to be worthy a brigadier general — 2, Kentucky
saddler.

352 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

After the ultimatum had been issued by Pres. McKinley, Company F awaited
impatiently the order that all began to feel was inevitable. All was expectancy
on the afternoon and evening of Monday, the 25th of April, 1898, and late into
the night the order was awaited, until all had given it up and gone home to rest.

It is related that business was practically suspended during Monday while the
order was awaited, and the streets were thronged while awaiting that first news.
The arrangements were all made, everything was packed ready to respond at a
moment's notice. A last drill at the armory followed by a dancing party occupied
the members of the company, until the conclusion was reached that no orders
would come until morning, and they separated, for a short time as it proved.
Many had not yet gone to their homes for the night when the order came to as-
semble at Camp McKinley at Des Moines.

The message by wire came at 12 -.30 A. M., on Tuesday, the 26th of April, and
one hour's notice given of the coming special train over the C. & N. W. to cany
the company to Des Moines. Bells were rung, and buglers rode through the
streets sounding the assembly call, while the fire whistle added to the alarm.

The suspense was over and the final summons was a relief to high strung
nerves awaiting some definite decision. Knapsacks were hastily put on, and
orders were given to "fall in."

At the depot scenes of the Civil War were repeated with this difference, that
in 1861 the boys crossed the country to Wilton in lumber wagons instead of taking
train at once. The sensations were not different, and, it is safe to say, the vet-
erans of the Civil War recalled the old days when they were young and start-
ing out to serve their country where home and friends and all the cherished things
of life must be surrendered. While after events did not make the havoc in home
life caused by the Civil War the remembrance of these things affected this de-
parture. Mothers and fathers felt the same reluctance in giving up their sons for
the conquering of a foreign despot as those of other days for the preservation
of the nation.

In the darkness of midnight, with a few flickering lanterns, with hearts fuO
of unsaid things, the train was loaded with its human freight and with the equip-
ment including the gift mounts of the officers moitioned before. There was no
noise, but the silent feeling of serious business, and a determination to find out
the secrets of war.

On the Sunday following the assembling at Camp McKinley, a multitude made
an excursion there to see the soldiers in camp. Tipton sent a big dd^^ation over
the road now iii the control of the Rock Island system, and they spent Sunday with
Company F.

The 49th Regiment was ordered to Jacksonville June 9, 1898, and were on
their way by the nth. When next heard from Company F and those enlisted
f rcMn this county were in camp at Jacksonville, Fla. They went over the Mil-
waukee road, and a number of people from the county went to Marion to sec
them off. While the company's train halted there they were remembered by Capt
and Mrs. S. W. Rathbun, both formerly of this county ; the Captain's name being
found in the official and military records of the county while Mrs. Rathbun was
prominent in its educational history.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 853

The regiment was fed in home fashion at Marion, and this reminds one of
the Wilton people feeding the boys on their way to Muscatine in 1861, and the
Tipton dinner to the Mechanicsville company a little later. History only repeats
itself a little more rapidly in its movement, and the changes of time in prosecuting
the war were correspcmdingly short.

The journey of the boys to the south was fully described in the interesting

newspaper letters of one of their number, now a regular army officer, E. H.
Yule.«M

After trying experiences in camp life, in fighting disease and escaping by nar-
row margins, the first death came to Company F of the 49th. Joe Wilson, who
went out with the company on the night journey, never returned to his home until
his mother brought him after the long hospital fight was ended. His burial oc-
atrred in his home town on September 30, 1898. All the business houses were
cl:>sed, and the G. A. R. and W. R. C. attended in a body in honor of the
young soldier. The public schools were closed and joined in the services for the
foimer pupil. Col. J. T. Moffit, Adjt. J. C. France, and Capt. Rowell were all
present from the Jacksonville camp.

Shortly after this another member of Company F was brought home by his
friend and comrade Ed Wolf — Private Harry Staininger died in the Florida
hospital and was buried in Tipton October 8, 1898. This was the second death
in the company due to disease from a changed climate and the unhealthy condir
ticms under which a large body of men were called upon to live during the sum-
mer season.

It was in December that the 49th Iowa set sail for Havana. A telegram from
Col. Dows conveyed this information to the friends at home.

While the regiment was in Cuba a paper of that island called "The Times,"
gave some account of its composition and activities. They were then in Camp
Columbia, which was described as "being swept by the zephyrs from the Gulf of
Mexico, and washed by the blue waters of the mighty ocean."

The colonel, Wm. G. Dows, had risen from the ranks, through every grade of
militia service since the organization of the r^ment in 1878. He and the captain
of Cwnpany C were the oldest members in point of service in the regiment. At
this time the regiment was said to be the only strictly volunteer one in the island,
as there was no r^fular army officer in it**'

The regiment had the honor of furnishing a detail for guard at Morro Castle,
and were the first soldiers of the army of the United States to set foot in that
fortress. Company F of Tipton, Capt. L. J. Rowell, ist Lieut. J. E. Hartley
belonged to this regiment. Company H, of Marshalltown had for its captain
Chas. S. Aldrich, a Cedar County boy.

When Comp&ny F left for the Des Moines camp in 1898, and later were
ordered south, and finally into Cuba, there was much anxiety on the part of
the families, and friends concerned. When they returned, a great reception
was given them by all the people.

They landed at the same station from which they set out that early morning,
when the excitement was such that no one thought of sleep the whole night
through, but the return was somewhat different from the departure.

854 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

It was a day of general rej<Mcing, great crowds assembling to greet the
return on Tuesday morning, May i6, 1899. A program had been carefully pre-
pared for the occasion, and the whole day was to be given up to its fulfilment,
but, owing to the great crowd at the station when the special train came in, and
the spontaneous greetings from all the friends, formal exercises were forgot-
ten ; — even the Grand Army escort of twenty- four grizzled veterans of the Qvil
War which had formed in line to meet the younger soldiers just back from Cuba.

Greetings and responses, toasts and banquets followed in due season, when
the emotions of men were stirred by the kind appreciation of friends, and the
tears w^re not forgotten for the ones who gave up their young lives in camp
or hospital ward.

C<xnpany B, First Regiment, I. N. G., was organized in Tipton, in 1884 and
that same year took part in the encampment at Waverly, la. Cs^t. Wm. Kdly,
formerly ist Lieut, of Co. B, Twenty-fourA Infantry during the Civil War,
commanding. It remained in the First Regiment as Company B until 1892
when it became Company M, of the Second. In 1898 it was transferred
back to the First as Company F. At the enlistment in the Spanish-American
War it became Ownpany F of the Forty-Ninth.

It was reorganized at the close of the war and in 1899 was still Company
F of the Forty-ninth. Later in 1902 it was transferred to the Fifty-third Regi-
ment and is now in that organization.

The original members of this coaq>any as recruited in 1884 follows :

Captain, William Kelly.

First Lieut, R. M. Carothers.

Second Lieut., H. L. Brotherlin.

Second Lieut., S. D. Casad.

First Lieut., S. D. Casad.

Second Lieut, J. T. M<^t.

Captain, J. T. Moffit.

Major Second Regt., J. T. Moffit

First Lieut., Walter Jeflfers.

Second Lieut., W. T. Gilmore.

Second Lieut., L. J. Rowell.

Captain, L. J. Rowell.

Major, L. J. Rowell.

First Lieut, C. S. Aldrich.

Second Lieut., C. S. Aldrich.

Second Lieut., F. H. Gunsolus.

First Lieut, F. H. Gunsolus.

Second Lieut, J. E, Bartley.

Private, Burgess, J. L.

Private, Coutts, W. H.

Private, Chitlick, Geo.

Private, Doyle, Thos. F.

Corporal, Deardorf, O. G.

Private, Dallas, W. J.

Private, Ferguson, Will.

li

I 3

IP

_ L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 367

Private, Geiger, A. C. T.
Private, Hirschfieldt, Frank,
Private, Ives, C. E.
Private, Jakaway, Ekner.
Private, Murray, Chas.
Corporal, Moore, W. J.

Private, McKee, L. S. ,^

Sergt, Neiman, J. N.
Private, Safley, Clarence.
Private, Sproat, C. N.
Private, Simons, C. W.

Private, Safley, Arthur, '

Sergt, Safley, Geo, R,
Corporal, Snyder, C. A.

Private, Weaver, John B. , ,

Private, Weaver, Geo. K, .

Private, Wescott, W. D .
Private, Wiggins, W, D.

Private, Yates, Sherman. '

Private, Waddell, Alex,
Surgeon, Pine, P. R.
Private, McEwen, A. J.
Private, Hanmiond, Kirby.

Private, Stout, Chas. B. _

Private, Aldrich, H,
Private, Rudy, J. P,
Private, Bailey, Sherman.
Private, Stoat, Jacob.
Private, Moscrip, W. A.
Private, Seitsinger, J. F.
Private, Stafford, Leonidas B.
Asst, Surgeon, Peters, R, A.
Private, McVay, Chas. E.
Private, Godden, John.
Private, Huber, Henry L.

Roster of Company F, as it was at the departure for Canq> McKinley on
April 26th, 1898.

Captain, L. J. Rowell.
First Lieut., F. H. Gunsolus.
SeccMid Lieut, J. E. Bartley.
First Seiigeant, Wm. Kauffman,
Second Sergeant, R. A. Dutton.
Third Sergeant, C. E. Wallick.
Fourth Sergeant, F. M. Cottrell.
Fifth Sergeant, R, R. Hoon,
First Corpora], J. L. McCormick.
Second Corporal, A. M. McCormick.

858 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Third Corporal, E. C. Fori
Fourth Corporal, Claude Qaiic
Musician, C. E. Dilts.
Private, Wm. M. Aldrich.
Private, Birch Auldridge.
Private, Frank Brown.
Private, W, H. Bruch.
Private, Ed Chase.
Private, C. L. Dunn.
Private, S. V. Downing.
Private, E. E. Dotson.
Private, H. P. Dutton.
Private, Harry Dean.
Private, Frank Foy.
Private, Wm. Gregg.
Private, Forest Gay.
Private, Arthur Hawley.
Private, Geo. Henan.
Private, C. S. Hawkins.
Private, Fred Shaw.
Private, Robt Sproat
Private,. J. R. Wilson.
Private, H. L. WUley.
Private, Asher Wirick.
Private, E. H. Yule.
Private, Harry Harris.
Private, Claus Hartmen.
Private, C. C. Helmer.
Private, A. H. Keller.
Private, M. Kizer.
Private, L. A. Kelling.
Private, Joe Leantey.
Private, Stewart Maxson.
Private, Everett McQung.
Private, L. D. Moorehead.
Private, W. G. McCormick.
Private, John McDonald.
Private, E. F. G. Onstott.
Private, Wm. Palmer.
Private, Ralph Reed.
Private, Chas. Stout.
Private, J. R. Smith.
Private, Frank Shultz.
Private, Arthur Waddell.
Private, Joe Whalen.
Private, W. E. Williams.
Private, F. W. Yule.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 859

OFFICERS OF THE SECOND REGIMENT — LATER THE FIFTIETH IOWA.

Major, John T, Moffit.
Lieut., J. C. France.

SIGNAL CORPS^ SECOND REGIMENT.

Lieut., Claude Sweinhart.

Lieut, Ed. WcJf,

Lieut, Art Hobstetter.

Lieut., Chas. Reichert.

Lieut., Harold Murray.^*

The record of Company F, as mustered out, is fotmd upon the War Records
as below:

The company was organized at Tipton, Iowa» and mustered into the United
States service June 2, 1898, at Des Moines, la., and on Jnne 11, 1898, was sent
out by train to Jacksonville, Fla., where it arrived June 14, 1898. Was detailed
on special duty at Rifle Range of Seventh Army Corps, Jacksonville, Fla., from
September 12 to September 18, 1898, inclusive.

On October 25 it was moved (in company with its reg^ent) by train to
Savannah, Ga., where it remained in camp until December 2, 1898, when it was
detailed on special duty as Provost Guard in the dty of Savannah. It was re-
lieved on December 19, 1898, and on this date it embarked on the U. S. Trans-
port "Minnewaska" for Cuba, where it arrived at Havana, December 21, 1898.
Disembarked December 23, 1898, and marched to ''Camp Columbia,'^ near
Havana^ where it remained in camp tmtil February 20, 1899, on which date it
left for a practice march. After two days' march it arrived at San Antonio de
los Banos, Cuba, where it camped for four days. On February 25, 1899, it
broke camp and after a two days' march arrived at "Camp Columbia," Havana,
Cuba.

It remained in camp at this place tmtil April 5, 1899, when it embarked on
the Steamship City of San Antcmio for Savannah, Ga., where it arrived after

five days spent in "Camp Detention" on Island, South Carolina,

April 14, 1899. Here it remained in camp until mustered out on May 13, 1899.

The officers as mustered out were:

Captain, L. J. Rowell.

First Lieutenant, J. E. Bartley.

Second Lieutenant, William C. Kauffman.
First Sergeant, Clarence E. Wallick.

Sergeant, J. L. McCormick.

Seiigeant, A. M. McCormick.

Sergeant, E. C. Ford.

Sergeant, Chas. L. Dunn.

Corporals, W. B. Gr^ig, E. F. McQui^, Robt. Sproat, Harry S. Dean, Wes-
ley Rhoardes, Frank S. Foy, Chas. A. Hawley, W. W. Aldrich, John R. Smith,
Maynard W. Kizer, William Palmer, Edwin J. Wolf .^w

The individual records of the company in the Spanish-American war are
found in the muster out rolls but cannot be copied in detail. Captain Rowell was.

860 HISTORY OF CEDAR CXDUNTY

forced to leave the company for a time on account of severe illness, and it dien
was in command of Lieut. Bartley. Promotions occurred as the vacancies d^
manded and a comparison of the company roster on leaving and returning will
indicate where these were.

This makes no record of the two officers of the fiftieth, Major MoSit and
Adj. France. The former became Lieut. C(donel at Jacksonville cm Aug. 20,
1898. This is the second appointment to the office in the volunteer service from
this county, there being one in the Civil war.

Adj. France, after his return from Cuba, was commissioned Captain in die
40th U. S. V. for special service in the Philippine Islands for two years. He
served in the 40th for twenty-two months, nineteen of which were spent across
the Pacific. His regimental commander was Col. Godwin, how in command of
the Seventh Cavalry. A certain poem written by Captain Miller of this regiment
describes the service of Capt. France in a very complimentary way at the battle
of Augusan, May 14, 1900. He was in other engagements dtCring the service from
August, 1899, to June 24, 1901, among them being Cogayan de Misamis, April 7,
1900. He participated in Bell's expedition February, 1900, and another to North
Mindanao in March ; also in the (^rations around Macajambos in December of
the same year. He returned and was mustered out in June, 1901.

Capt. L. J. Rowell, who was in conunand of Co. F of the 49th during hos-
tilities is now Lieut. Colonel of the 53d I. N. G.

ROSTER CO. F, 53D REGT. I. N. G. JULY 30, I9IO.

Capt. J. E. Bartley.
First Lt. Chas. R. Willey.
Second Lt. Earl C Ford.
First Sergt. R. E. Kent.
Sergt. Ralph W. Hepoer.
Sergt. Wm. A. ShafiFer.
Sergt. Lloyd E. Murray.
Sergt. Fred H. Bagley.
Sergt. Everett Tracht.
Corp. Gilman E. Gerber.
Corp. Thaddeus L. Levy.
Corp. Chas. J. Lang.
Corp. Ira Wright
Corp. Ward Williams.
Corp. Harry A. Stonerook.
Cook Fred T. Challis.
Cook John Brown.
Musician Chas. C. Bartley.
Musician Garth M. Diltz.
Private Austin, Arthur B.
Private Baker, Wren L.
Private Barth, Arnold A.
Private Carlisle, Forest E.
Private Eutsler, Roy V.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 861

Private Fisher, Frank.

Private Foote, Fred.

Private Fields, Forrest F.

Private Franco, Lester.

Private Gregg, Christy B.

Private Griffis, Chas. E.

Private Gillem, Ralph L.

Private Goodale, Roy E.

Private Hamer, Sam.

Private Hawkins, Albert B.

Private Kams, Geo. F.

Private Kensinger, John F.

Private Lang, John M.

Private Lang, Bernard F.

Private Matucha, Yaro.

Private Maurer, Geo. W.

Private Mitchell, Lawrence P.

Private Mixell, Ambrose.

Private Marker, Ray.

Private Morden, Wilbur.

Private Miller, Harry O.

Private O'Hara, James M.

Private Paterson, Alexander.

Private Paterson, Wm. R.

Private Potter, Ray A.

Private Reed, Enmior.

Private Shipley, Everett

Private Shaffer, Henry J.

Private Sheets, Preston E.

Private Spence, Walter S.

Private Sweet, Charles.

Private Schell, Wm. C.

Private Templeton, Edie.

Private Tevis, John W.

Private Williams, Qare.

Private Wieske, Albert.

P.rivate Wieske, Wm.***

Company A, of the Fifth Iowa, was the first enlisted in Cedar County for
the suppression of the Rebellion. This company was formed from a military
organization existing prior to the breaking out of the Rebellion, and was ready
for the First Regiment, but for various reasons was crowded out, and was finally
assigned to the position of Co. A, of the Fifth, in consequence of not being able
to secure the position they desired.

The regiment was mustered in at Burlington, July 15, 1861, and ordered to
Keokuk August 2, from which point they were sent into Missouri for a few
days in pursuit of bushwhackers, after which they were sent to St. Louis, and
from thence ordered to Jefferson City, Mo., and from there to BoonviUe, Mo. ;

862 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

thence followed the rebel army under Price to Springfield, Mo., and on their
return encamped at Syracuse until the following February, when they were
moved across the country to St Louis, and thence by transport to Cairo, where
they remained a few weeks and were transferred to Cape Girardeau. They were
then marched to New Madrid, where they had a skirmish with the enemy, and
the first man from Cedar County, Private Wm. Beaver, for whom the G. A. R
Post of Tipton was named, was killed. After the fall of New Madrid, they
crossed the Mississippi and marched to Tiptonville to intercept and Gq>ture
rebels, who were attempting to escape from Island No. lo. They were then or-
dered back to New Madrid, thence to a point above Fort Pillow, on the Missis-
sippi, thence by way of Cairo and the Tennessee River to Pittsburg Landing, to
take part in the operations before Corinth.

Upon the evacuation of Corinth, they followed the rebels to Rienzi, and
afterwards remained in camp at Gear Creek, Rienzi and Jacinto, until Sept i8,
1862, when they started for luka, where, on the 19th, they took part in the battle
of luka, where Co. A went into the fight with forty-three men, and had twenty-
seven killed and wounded. It was here that the regiment distinguished itself,
so that it was complimented very highly by the Generals commanding. The
position they held was in support of a battery, which in consequence of the
superiority of ntunbers of the enemy, was at one time captured, but rallying to
the rescue of the Fifth Regiment retook the battery with the terrible loss above
mentioned. They returned to Jacinto on the 21st of September, thence removed
to Corinth to take part in the battle at that place. Engaged in the pursuit of the
rebeb after that battle, they remained in camp at Corinth until November, when
they joined the expedition against Vicksburg, going by way of Holly Springs to
Oxford, thence to Memphis, where they remained in camp' until spring of 1863.

From here they were ordered to Helena, thence in the Yazoo Pass expedition.
After their return to Helena, they moved to Milliken's Bend, and through Louis-
iana to a point below Vicksburg, and thence by gunboat to a point below Grand
Gulf, Miss. From here they were ordered to Raymond and Jackson, and back to
the battle of Champion Hill, where Company A lost ten in kSled and wounded.

After this they engaged in the pursuit of the rebels to Vicksburg, and tock
part in the charge on the 22nd of May.

They then toc4c their places in the siege of Vicksburg, where they remained
until the last of June, when they were ordered to Black River, to confront Ac
enemy coming to the relief of Vicksburg.

They returned to Vicksburg July i and remained in camp imtil Sept. i, when
they were ordered to Helena for the purpose of joining the expedition against
Little Rock, but were from there ordered to Chattanooga by way of Corinth,
marching a considerable portion of the distance. They were then transferred
to the Seventeenth Corps, and took part in the battle of Chickamauga, where the
regiment lost thirty men in killed and wounded and eight officers and seventy-six
men taken prisoners, leaving only sixty-five men in the regiment who answered at
roll call that evening. They afterward went down the river to Stevenson and
Himtsville, Ala., where they remained all winter. In April, 1864, the veterans of
the regiment went home on furloughs, and on their return were placed on Ac
railroads to do guard duty, being most of the summer at Kingston, Ga. They

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 868

pursued the rebel, General Wheeler, in his last raid to the rear of Sherman, in
June, 1864, traveling during the time nearly nine hundred miles and being three
wedcs without blankets or change of clothing.

About the last of July, 1864, the ncm- veterans of the regiment were mustered
out of service, leaving 180 men, who, on application to the war department, were
transferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, leaving eleven officers without a com-
mand, who were mustered out of service September 28, 1864, at General Kil-
patrick's headquarters, fifteen miles south of Atlanta, Georgia.

(This regiment was disbanded in August, 1864, on the expiration of its term
of service. The veterans and recruits were transferred to the Fifth Iowa Cav-
alry.)

Surg. Peter A. Carpenter, Com. Asst. Surg. July 15, 1861, Com. Surg. April
27, 1862.

Sergt. Major Geo. S. Spicer, e. June 24, 1861, as private, prmt. sergt maj.
July 15, 1862, trans, to 12th Louisiana colored regiment as captain.

Hospital Steward Thos. F. Tracy, e. Jime 24, 1861, as private, prmtd. May
I, 1862.

Drum Major A. P. Gilbert, discharged.

COMPANY A.^*'

Capt. Eugene Childs, com. capt., res. March 26, 1862.

Capt. Wm. Dean, e. as ist sergt. June 24, 1861, prmt. ist lieut. Nov. i, 1861,
prmt. capt. March 27, 1862, res. July 9, 1863.

Capt Wm. G. McElrea, e. June 24, 1861, as corp., prmt. to sergt. June 20,
1862, prmtd. to 2nd lieut. Sept 20, 1862, prmtd. ist lieut Feb. 23, 1863, prmtd.
capt July, 1863.

First Lieut Wm. H. Hammond, com. ist lieut,, res. Oct. 6, 1861.

First Lieut John W. Casad, e. as private June 24, 1861, prmtd. to 2nd lieut
Dec. 2, 1861, prmtd. to ist lieut. May i, 1862, wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862, res.
Feb. 14, 1865.

First Lieut Luke D. Ingman, e. as sergt. June 24, 1861, prmtd. to ist sergt
July 15, 1862, wd. at luka, prmtd. to 2nd lieut. Feb. 23, 1863, prmtd. to ist lieut
July ID, 1863.

Second Lieut. Joshua T. Taylor, com. 2nd lieut, res. Dec. 2, 1861.

Second Lieut Lafayette Shawl, e. as sergt. June 24, 1861, prmtd. to 2nd lieut
May I, 1862, killed in battle of luka. Miss., Sept. 19, 1862.

Sergt. Geo. W. Logan, e. June 24, 1861, wd. May 16, 1863, at Champicm
Hills, wd. Dec. 15, 1863, by railroad collision and died same date.

Sergt. Wm. Elliott, e. June 24, 1861, disc Feb. 3, 1862, for disab.

Sergt Daniel R. Smith, e. June 24, 1861, as private, prmtd. July 15, 1861.

Sergt. P. S. McCracken, e. June 24, 1861, wd. at luka, Sept. 19, 1862.

Corp. Chas. W. Mitchell, e. June 24, 1861, wd. at Jackson May 14, 1863,
trans, to invalid corps Feb. 15, 1864.

Corp, Wm. G. Hall, e. June 24, 1861, reduced to ranks.

Corp. Wm. Zeitler, e. June 24, 1861.

Corp, B. H. Wiggins, e. June 24, 1 861, disd. for disab. at Jacinto, Miss.,
Sept. 30, 1862.

864 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Corp. Wm. H. Morrow, c. June 24, 1861, as private, prmtd. for bravery on
field at luka, wd. and captd. at luka Sept 19, 1862, and at Champion Hills May
16, 1863, captd. at Madison Station May 17, 1864.

Corp. J(^ Savage, e. June 24, 1861.

Corp. U. Sdlick, e. June 24, 1861, captd. Chattanooga Nov. 25, 1863.

Corp. Frank Wotring, e. June 24, 1861.

Wagcmer, B. L. Tower, e. June 24, 1861, captd. near Moscow, Tenn.

Ayres, B., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at Vicksburg May 22, 1863, died at Memphis
June I, 1863, wds.

Anderson, J. J., e. June 24, 1861, wd at luka Sept 19, 1862, kid at CbampioQ
HUls May 16, 1863.

Alexander, Nelson, e. June 24, 1861, wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862, died of wds.
Sept 29, 1862, Miss.

Adrerman, C. £., e. June 24, 1861, disd. in Mississippi for disab. Juty 15,
1862.

Beaver, Wm., e. June 24, 1861, kid. by rebel picket at New Madrid March 4,
1862.

Belgard, G. Jr., e. June 24, 1861, died at St Louis Dec. 16, 1861.

Brown, Benj., e. June 24, 1861, died Oct. 13, 1862, at BooneviUe, Mo.

Brown, Alex., e. June 24, 1861, wd at Champion Hills May 16, 1863, trans,
to invalid corps Feb. 15, 1864.

Brooks, Wm. C, e. June 24, 1861.

Bryant, H. A., e. June 24, 1861, disd. Jan. 18, 1862, disab.

Qements, Henry, e. June 24, 1861, Idd. in battle at Champion Hills May 16^
1863.

Coe, W. H., e. June 24, 1861, disd. for disab. Jan. 9, 1862.

Christy, Wm., e. June 24, 1861.

Cook, Seymour, e. June 24, 1861, disd. Oct. 16, 1862.

Dolan, Harla, e. June 24, 1861, disd Oct. 16, 1862.

Dwinnell, A. H., e. June 24, 1861.

Eaton, W. R., e. June 24, 1861.

Fleming, Wm., e. June 24, 1861.

Fleming, D. J., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at battle of luka Sept 19, 1862, disd
Nov. 27, 1862, disab.

Farrell, R. A., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at luka, Sept. 19, 1862, kid in action at
Champion Hills, May 16, 1863.

Fobes, Jos. R., e. June 24, 1861, died Sept 3, 1862, wds. reed. luka.

Fuller, Jas. M., e. June 24, 1861, died Jan. 10, 1862, at Syracuse, Mo.

Fuller, Jerred M., died at Mo., Oct 15, 1861.

Harriss, C. B., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at luka Sept. 19, 1862, disd. Dec. 5, 1862.

Haycock, M. S., e. June 24, 1861, trans, to Invalid Corps Feb. 15, 1864.

Hale, W. F., e. June 24, 1861, died near Corinth May 30, 1862.

Hardman, G. W., e. June 24, 1861, died at Jefferson City, Mo., Oct 8, 1861.

Hanlin, J. B., e. Jtme 24, 1861.

Hall, Wm. G., e. June 24, 1861.

Henderson, L. W., e. June 24, 1861, prmtd. to 2nd corp. Aug. 1862, pnnti
1st sergt. Feb. 23, 1863.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 865

Hoon, Silas, e. June 24, 1861, disd. for disab. May 17, 1862.

Hussy, C. S., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at battle of luka Sept 19, 1862, com, and
trans, to Col. Regiment.

Hawk, W. C, e. June 24, 1861, prmtd. to capt, wd. at luka Sept. 19, 1862,
and Champion Hills May 16, 1863.

King, L. A., e. June 24, 1861, disd. at Davenport, disab. April 14, 1864.

Kimmell, D. H., e. June 24, 1861.

Mitchell, J. D., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at battle of luka Sept. 19, 1862, disd.
April 8, 1863.

McQure, John, e. June 24, 1861, disd. Dec. 16, 1862, disab.

Matter, Henry, e. June 24, 1861.

Murry, Jas., e. June 24, 1861.

McDonald, H. H., e. June 24, 1861, disd. April i, 1862, disab.

Maxwell, Jos., e. June 24, 1861, disd. for disab. Sept. 10, 1862.

Moore, Albert, e. June 24, 1861, disd. Dec 31, 1862, disab.

Ollinger, S. H., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862.

Ocheltree, R. R., e. June 24, 1861, disd. June 20, 1863, disab.

Parsons, N. M. H., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862.

Rumsey, Jas., e. June 24, 1861.

Rumsey, John, e. June 24, 1861, wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862, trans, to Marine
Brigade, March 2, 1863.

Ray, J. L., e. June 24, 1861.

Rogers, N. H., e. June 24, 1861.

Sharkey, Thos., c. June 24, 1861.

Smurr, J. S., e. June 24, 1861, wd. at Itika Sept. 19, 1862.

Strcrfmi, A. H., e. June 24, 1861, disd. for disab. Dec. 31, 1862.

Styles, W. P., e. June 24, 1861, died in Missouri, Dec. 1861.

Tevis, C. D., e. June 24, 1861, wd. Sept. 19, 1862, ca4>td. at Tunnel Hill,
Mo., Nov. 25, 1863, died at Andersonville.

Tisdale, Wm. A. E., e. June 24, 1861, wd. severely luka.

Thurston, M. E., e. June 24, 1861, wd. slightly luka.

Tracy, Thos. F., e. June 24, 1861, prmtd. Hosp. Steward, May i, i86a.

Tubbs, F. G., e. June 24, 1861, wd. severely luka.

Wirick, Jacob, e. June 24, 1861, disd. for disab. May 17, 1862.

Wicks, J. E., e. June 24, 1861.

Wills, Thos., e. June 24, 1 861.

Wood, P. D., e. June 24, 1861, disd. Dec. 31, 1861, disab.

Warren, J. D. R., e. June 24, 1861, disd. Sept 30, 1862, disab.

Wales, Thos. C, e. June 24, 1861, died Dec. 26, 1861, Syracuse, Mo.

Waterhouse, W. D., e. June 24, 1861, kid. at Madison Station May 17, 1863.

Zeidler, Hdbum, e. June 24, 1861, wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862 and at Vicks-
burg, May 22, 1863.

Amlong, W. G., e. Aug. 24, 1861, discd. May 20, 1862.

Weaver, J. F., e. Sept i, 1861, wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862.

Gillett, H. A., e. Sept i, 1861.

Begole, W. F., e. Sept i, 1861, wd. at luka Sept. 19, 1862.

866 HISTORY OF CEDAR CXDUNTY

Stout, J. C, e. Sept. i, 1861, wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862, died at Andcrson-

ville.

Magee, J. B., e. Oct. 5, 1862, disd. Jan. 20, 1863, disab.

Edgar, James, e. Oct. 5, 1862, kid. at luka Sept. 19, 1862.

Webb, J. F., e. Oct. 5, 1862, wd. at luka Sept. 19, 1862, disA Jan. 15, 1863.

THE ELEVENTH INFANTRY.

Contains an entire Company (E) from Cedar County and a large portion of
Company D, and several of Company K.

They enlisted in October, 1861, and went to St Louis the November follow-
ing. They spent the winter in the interior of Missouri, doing valuable service in
capturing rebels and supplies of horses, food and anununition.

In March, 1862, the regiment moved to Tennessee and took an active part in
the battle of Shiloh, having forty-five killed, including those who died of wounds
afterward, and 180 wounded. General McClemand, ccxnmanding the division,
spdce in his official dispatch in the highest terms of the conduct of the regiment
in that action. The spring and summer following were spent in the siege of
Corinth and occupation of Bolivar.

The Eleventh was in Greneral Ord's column at luka, and at the second battle
of Corinth, taking part in the pursuit of Price and Van Dom to Ripley imme-
diately thereafter.

At the famous assault on Vicksburg May 22, 1863, the Eleventh, with other
regiments of the Brigade, took active part. On this memorable occasion. Major
Foster of this regiment, who was in command of the skirmishers, received favor-
able commendaticm from superior officers for the many deeds of valor displayed
by the brave boys under his conmiand.

From Vicksburg the regiment went to Mechanicsville, Miss., thence to Sny-
der's Bluff, May 31, 1863, where they remained until June 4. They were then
ordered back to Vicksburg, where they stayed until the 23rd of the same month,
when they were removed to Fox Plantation, Miss., thence to Jackson, thence to
Black River Bridge, July 13th. Two days later they went to Qinton, Miss.,
thence returned to Black River Bridge and back once more to Vicksburg July
28, remaining till the 21st of August, when they moved to Monroe, La., then to
Bayou Macon and back again to Vicksburg, where they remained most of the
time until March 13.

From Vicksburg the regiment came to Davenport on veteran furiough and
remained from March 22, 1864, to April 25, when once more shouldering their
guns, they started for the scene of strife, and going by the way of Cairo, IlL,
Paducah, Kentucky, Qifton, Tenn., and Huntsville, Ala., arriving at Kenesaw
Mountain, Ga., June 16, 1864, and were before Atlanta from July 17 to August
25, from there moved to East Point, Ga., Sept. 9, 1864, and were mustered out
of service at Louisville, Ky., July 15, 1865, and disbanded at Davenport

COMPANY B.

First Lieut Theodore Jones, c. Sept 12, 1861, prmtd. to ist Heut June 4,
1865, m. o. as 1st sergt.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 367

Musician Smith Beesen, e. Oct. i, 1861, reduced to ranks Dec. i, 1861, trans,
to gunboat service Feb. 8, 1862.
Collins, D. C, e. Sept. 12, 1861.
Dean, John A.

COMPANY D.

Capt. James Kelly, e. as private Sept. 12, 1861, re-e. as veteran Jan. i, 1864,
prmtd. capt. Oct. 27, 1864.

Corp. Samuel Edwards, e. Sept. 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

Corp. Walter G. Rogers, e. Sept. 26, 1861, wd. at Shiloh April 6, 1862, died
May 14, 1862, of wds.

Corp. Aug. Port, e. Sept. 26, 1861, died June 20, 1862.

Musician Jacob H. Long, e. Sept 26, 1861, disd. Jan. 16, 1863, disab.

Bo>(rles, M. B., e. Sept. 19, 1861, captd. July 22, 1864, near Atlanta, died at
Andersonville Sept. 18, 1864.

Qarke, Jas. S., e. Sept. 17, 1861, re-e. as veteran Jan. i, 1864, wd. at Atlanta
July 22, 1864, trans, to V. R. C.

Chapman, C. O., e. Sept. 17, 1861, re-^. as vet Jan. i, 1864, wd. at Atlanta
July 22, 1864.

Cooper, C. O., e. Sept. 27, 1861, died at M(Hiterey Jan. 17, 1863.

Duncan, Perry, e. Sept. 21, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, wd. Nov. 23, 1864.

£dge, F. M., wd. at Shiloh April 6, 1862, disd. Aug. 25, 1862, for wds.

Ford, Amos, e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Gilbreath, Robert P.

Gould, Isaac C, trans, to Louisiana colored regiment June 5, 1863.

Herr, Christian, e. Sept. 24, 1861.

Honeguelt, Thomas, e. Sept. 27, 1861.

Kiser, George, e. Sept. 23, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

Miller, Geo. W., e. Sept 23, 1861, wd. Oct 4, 1862, at Corinth.

Miller, J. J., e. Sept. 23, 1861, re-e. as vet. Feb. 29, 1864.

McQain, R. H., e. Sept 23, 1861.

Nolan, James D., e. Sept. 30, 1861, died Nov. 17, 1862.

Prescott, O., e. Sept. 19, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Rice, Henry, e. Sept 2\^ 1861, died July 19, 1865, onhospital boat.

Rucker, Samuel N., e. Sept 23, 1861, wd. April 6, 1862, at Shiloh.

Russell, Wm. H., e. Sept 23, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Steffee, Samuel, c. Sept 17, 1861, re-e. as vet Feb. 29, 1864.

Sterrett, Perry, e. Sept. 14, 1861, rc-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, wd. at Kenesaw
Mountain July 6, 1864.

Teter, Jas., e. Sept. 17, 1861, wd. at Corinth Oct 4, 1862, disd. Dec., 1862.

Edge, Jasper, e. March 29, 1864.

COMPANY E.

Capt. Samuel S. McLoney, com. Oct 5, 1861, m. o. Oct 26, 1864,
Capt. Joseph Tomlinson, e. as private Sept. 14, 1861, prmtd. sergt., then ist
lieut. Dec. 17, 1864, prmtd. capt. July 29, 1865.

868 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

First Lieut John F. Compton, com. Oct. 5, 1861, kid. at battle of Shiloh April
6, 1862.

First Lieut Lorenzo D. Durbin, com. 2nd. lieut, Oct 5, 1861, prmtd. ist lient
April 7, 1862, res. Sept 28, 1862.

First Lieut Alfred Carey, c. as sergt. Aug. 20, 1861, prmtd. 2nd lieut Apr.
2t 1862, prmtd. ist lieut Oct. i, 1862, seriously wd. near Kenesaw Mountain
Jtme 15, 1864, died of wds. July 25, 1864.

First Lieut John A. White, e. as corp. Sept 20, 1861, rc-c. as vet Jan. i,
1864, prmtd. sergt. and then 2nd lieut Oct 27, 1864, prmtd ist lieut July 29,
1865.

First Lieut. Wm. Spencer, e. Aug. 20, 1861, prmtd. 2d sergt Oct. i, 1862.
Second Lieut James Newcom, e. as private Oct. 17, 1861, re-e. as vet Dec.
i> 1863, com. July 29, 1865, com. after m. o. as ist sergt

Sergt. J. S. Clark, e. Aug. 20, 1861, trans. March 15, 1864, to invalid corps.
Sergt. Ezra McLoney, e. Sept 20, 1861, kid. at battle of Shikrii April 6, 1862.

Sergt. Aug. Lobshier, e. Sept 26, 1861, rc-c. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

CcMp. John M. Daniels, e. Sept. 24, 1861, disd. for disab. Oct. 13, 1862.

Coip. Daniel E. Swett, e. Aug. 20, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864,

Corp. Hiram Frank, e. Sept. 24, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Corp. John R. Batdorf, e. Aug. 20, 1861, wd. July 11, 1862, at Keokuk.

Corp. Jas. M. Fossett, e. Sept 26, 1861, disd. Oct. 17, 1862, disab.

Corp. H. L. Sweet, e. Aug. 20, 1861, died in hospital, Tenn., May 4, 1862.

Musician Sylvester Daniels, e. Aug. 20, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Musician George M. Titus, e. Sept 18, 1861.

Wagoner, Joel Long, e. Sept. 30, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Ayers, John L., e. Oct. 10, 1861.

Allee, Albert, e. Sept i, 1861.

Alexander, Wm., e. Sept. 23, 1861, rc-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, kid. at Kenesaw
Mountain Jtme 16, 1864.

Armstrong, Thos., c. Sept. 23, 1861, re-e. Jan. i, 1864.

Buckman, John R., e. Aug. 26, 1861, kid. battle of Shiloh April 6^ 1862.

Barrett, Wm., e. Sept. 16, 1861.

Berriman, George, e. Sept. 9, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Bolt(Hi, John H., e. Sept. 21, 1861.

Bain, SamHel, e. Sept. 28, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Bradshaw, Peter, e. Sept 28, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Bronson, A. S., e. Sept. 30, 1861, wd. at Lovejoy Station Sept 5, 1864.

Bossert, Benj., e. Oct. i, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Brown, Abraham, e. Oct. i, 1861, died at Vicksburg Jan. 2, 1864.

Chase, Nathan, e. Sept. 16, 1861, re-e. Jan. i, 1864.

Cross, Wm., Sept. 20, 1861, kid. at battle of Nickajack Crk. July 5, 1864.

Christman, E., e. Sept 28, 1861, wd. at Shiloh April 6, 1862.

Christmas, Major, e. Sept. 20, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Cush, Geo., e. Aug. 20, 1861.

Crooks, Geo., e. Aug. 26, 1861, kid. battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862.

Carl, Washington, e. Sept 28, 1861, re-c. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Downing, Alex., e. Aug. 20, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 869

Douglas, Thco., e. Sept. 21, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

Dwiggins, John W., e. Sept 23, 1861, died May 7, 1862, of wds. reed, at
Shiloh.

Dwiggins, W., e. Sept. 23, 1861, died Dec. 28, 1 861, at JeflFerson City.

Draucker, David, e. Aug. 20, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Escher, Wm., e. Sept 28, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, wd.

Eicher, Geo. W., e. Sept. 23, 1861.

Escher, John W., e. Sept 23, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, wd. June 15,
1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, disd. March 20, 1865.

Elseffer, Lewis, e. Oct. 12, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Ford, John, e. Sept. 21, 1861, wd. at Kenesaw Mountain, June 14, 1864.

Ford Dean, e. Sept 21, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Frink, Allen, e. Sept. 26, 1861, wd. at Shil<A April 6, 1862.

Frink, Carlton, e. Sept. 26, 1861, kid. in battle at Shil<A April 6, 1862.

Green, Wm., e, Aug. 20, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

Harrier, Harrison, Sept 21, 1861.

Harrington, Pitt, e. Sept 17, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

Haines, Thos. M., e. Sept. 21, 1861, kid. at Shiloh April 6, 1862.

Hobaugh, D., e. Sept 17, 1861^ missing in action at Corinth, Oct. 2, 1862.

Huff, David, e. Aug. 20, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, died Aug. Z2, 1864.

Johnson, C. J., e. Oct 8, 1861, died Nov. 25, 1863.

Johnson, Frank, e. Oct 7, 1861, re-e, as vet. Dec. 7, 1863.

Kinnan, John, e. Sept. 16, 1861, rc-e. Dec. 7, 1863.

Lett, John, e. Sept. 21, 1861, rc-e. as vet Dec. 7, 1863.

Lane, Craven, e. Sept 21, 1861, died at Jefferson City, Jan. 3, 1862.

Main, Geo. E., e. Sept. 19, 1861, discd. July 11, 1862, wds. reed, at Shiloh.

Martin, James, e. Aug. 26, 1861, missing in action at Corinth.

Mooney, Geo., e. Sept. 9, 1861.

Mowery, Daniel, e. Sept. 10, 1861, disd. March 27, 1863, disab.

McConnel, TluMnas, e. Sept. 26, 1861, wd. at Kenesaw Mountain June 15,
1864.

Metcalf, Samuel, e. Aug. 20, 1861.

McBamey, H. C, e. Sept 26, 1861.

McKibben, Jos., e. Sept 23, 1861.

McCartney, P., e. Sept. 23, 1861.

Newans, Henry, e. Sept. 23, 1861, re-e. as vet Dec. 7, 1863, wd. at Atlanta
July 22, 1864.

Patton, Wm., e. Sept 26, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Pierce, Aaron, e. Sept. 23, 1861, rc-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, captd. at Atlanta
July 22, 1864.

Ragan, Alex., e. Aug. 20, 1861, died Sept. 9, 1863, at St. Louis.

Rice, John P., e. Sept. 17, 1861, died at Pittsburg Landing April 19, 1862.

Reeves, E. D., e. Sept. 21, 1861, disd. April 15, 1863, disab.

Rankin, E., e. Sept 26, 1861.

Reigart, C, e. Sept 28, 1861, disd. Nov. 22, 1861, disab.

Ramsey, Burtis, e. Oct 11, 1861, re-e. as vet. Dec. 7, 1863.

Smith, A. C, e. Aug. 20, 1861.

870 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Simmons, Geo. W.» e. Sept. 21, 1861, died May 12, 1863 of wds. at SkakiL
Simmons, Wilson, e. Sept. 23, 1861, (Ued at Mound City, 111., April 15, 1862.
Stout, Orlando, e. Sept. 21, 1861, re-e. as vet. Dec. 7, 1863.
Thome, Odell, e. Sept 17, 1861, re-e. as vet. Dec. 7, 1863.
Tomlinson, Joseph, e. Sept 14, '61.

Vinriche, Peter, e. Sept. 18, 1861, rc-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.
Wilcott, Geo. T., Aug. 20, 1861, died May 12, 1862.
Wiggins, Milton, e. Sept. 9, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.
Zeitler, John, e. Sept 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, wd. at Kencsaw
Mountain June 15, 1864.

COMPANY F.

Capt. Andrew H. Walker, com. 2nd lieut Co. D. Oct. 3, 1861, prmtd. capt
this Co. June 6, 1863, died Dec. 18, 1864.

COMPANY H.

Capt Geo. O. Morgridge, e. as corp. Jan. i, 1864, prmtd. to capt Nov. 15,
1864.

Denloe, Richard, e. Oct. 18, 1861.
Painter, Lewis M., e. Nov. 22, 1861.

COMPANY I.

Capt. J. G. Safley, com. adjt from sergt. maj. Sept 15, 1864, wd. at Atlanta,
July 22, 1864, prmtd. to capt. Jan. i, 1865.

Gard, John W., e. Jan. i, 1864, wd. at Atlanta July 22, 1864.
Wise, John C, e. Jan. i, 1864.
Yeager, Homer, Jan. i, 1864.

COMPANY K.

Wagoner, Owen G. Hale, e. Sept 21, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

First Sergt. Wm. Cummins, e. Sept. 22, 1861, disd. at Washington, D. C.

Churchill, Wm. L., e. Sept 23, 1861, died July 8, 1863, on hosp. steamer.

Dance, John, e. Sept. 24, 1861.

Fisher, Wm., e. Oct 22, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864.

Long, Alexander Q., e. Sept 21, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

Nighsworger, Peter, e. Oct. i, 1861, re-e. as vet. Dec. 7, 1863.

Rickard, Wm. E., e. Oct. 6, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, prmtd. to seigt,
captured July 22, 1864.

Welsh, John P., e. Sept. 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, wd. at Atlanta
July 22, 1864.

Wilkinson, John, e. Sept 24, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1861, prmtd. to sergt

Falls, Wm. C, e. Aug. 30, 1862.

Woodward, M. R., e. Sept 21, 1861, wd. in battle Jan. 12, 1862, re-e. as vet
Jan. 18, 1864.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 871

UNASSIGNED.

Argo, J. A., c. April 20, 1864.
Bridge, A., c. March 30, 1864.
Blazer, M. S., e. March 24, 1864.
Nicodemus, Henry, e. April 18, 1864.
Moore, John D., e. March 28, 1864.

SIXTEENTH INFANTRY.

The Sixteenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteers, left Davenport March 20, 1862,
and was at the battles of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, when it met with heavy loss;
took part in the siege of Corinth, also was in the battle of luka, September 19,
1862.

After this the regiment was engaged in two days' fight at Corinth Oct 3 and
4, and was variously employed in marching from point to point, as their serv-
ices were required in their department, and at all times were found ready
to do their duty.

They were engaged in many sharp conflicts until March 17, 1864, when
they started for Davenport, Iowa, on veteran furlough.

On May 3rd they again resumed their knapsacks and arrived at Qifton,
Tenn., about the middle of the month, and on the 7th of June, a part of the
regiment were engaged in the attack on Kenesaw Mountain, meeting with
heavy loss. The regiment was under fire from June 14 to July 2; was in the
battles at Atlanta, July 20, 21, and 22, meeting with heavy losses, which re-
duced the regiment to less than a hundred men present for duty.

Afterward, the regiment being increased to 450 men, by exchange of pris-
oners and drafted men, they started from Atlanta, Nov. 15, for Savannah,
where they were engaged in the siege of the dty until its evacuation.

On Jan. 6, 1865, they started for BeaufcMl, S. C, and were actively en-
gaged in the campaign of the Carolinas and finally camped at Raleigh on the
i6th of April, where they remained until March 2. The war being closed,
they marched for Washington, where they took part in the grand review
May 24, 1865.

COMPANY E.

First Lieut. John A. Hines, com. 2nd lieut. Feb. 20, 1862, prmtd to ist lieut.
Oct. 17, 1862, died in Cedar Co. Aug. 20, 1863.

Scrgt. Joshua M. Craig, e. Oct. 18, 1861, wd. at Shiloh, died Aug. 19, 1863,
at Iowa City.

Corp. James S. Gillespie, e. Oct. 18, 1861, wd. at Corinth Oct. 3, 1862.

Craig, James B., e. Oct. 18, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. 5, 1864.

Cortland, John, e. Oct. 29, 1861, captd. at Altanta July 22, 1864.

Embrie, John P., e. Oct. 24, 1861, died Jan. 29, 1863.

Fryberger, James H., e. Oct. 21, 1861, died at Monterey May 11, 1862.

I

872 HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY ,

Gillespie, Geo. Y., e. Oct. i8, i86i» wd. at luka Sept 19, 1862, re-e. as vet
Jan. 5, 1864.

Linn, John W., e. Oct. 21, 1861, died Jan. 9, 1862.

Roberts, Jesse, e. Oct 21, 1861, died Aug. 31, 1862, at Jackson, Tenn.

Richie, John N., e. Oct. 18, 1861, captd. July 22, 1864, near Atlanta.

Toney, Chas. G., e. Oct. 25, 1861.

Wyant, Jno. G., e. Jan. 30, 1862, disd. June 30, 1862, disab.

COMPANY F.

Sergt L. W. Corey, e. as corp. Dec. 21, 1862, prmtd. to sergt, re-c. as vet
Dec 22, 1863, captd. at Atlanta July 22, 1864.

Corp. John C. Hemming, e. Feb. 4, 1862, captd. at Atlanta July 23, 1864,
died at Millen, Ga., Oct. 22, 1864.

Green, John, e. Dec. 15, 1861, re-e. as vet. Dec. 16, 1863, captd. at Atlanta
July 22, 1864.

Green, Norman, e. Feb. 4, 1862, re-e. as vet Feb. 5, 1864, captd. at Atlanta,
Ga., July 22, 1864.

Haghi(»i, Edward, e. Dec. 19, 1861, died Nov. 10, 1862, at Corinth.

Irish, A. J., e. Feb. 4, 1862.

Page, Scott, e. Jan. i, 1862, wd. at Shiloh April 6, 1862, disd. Oct, 1862.

Page, Kimball L., e. Feb. 22, 1862, wd. at Shiloh April 6, 1862.

COMPANY G.

Lehman, J., e. Dec. 14, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. 3, 1864, wd. at Shiloh April 6^
1862, and Big Shanty June 15, 1864.
Ndscm, Wm. R., e. May 2, 1864.

COMPANY I.

Kellcy, Isaac, e. Feb. 26, 1862, re-c. as vet Feb. 26, 1864.

COMPANY K.

Schneider, August, e. Dec. 7, 1861.

UNASSIGNED.

Riley, Geo., e. Oct. 3, 1864.

Roew, John, e. Oct 3, 1864.

Reed, John, e. Oct. 3, 1864.

Col. Ed. Wright, com. maj. Aug. 10, 1862, prmtd. lieut col. June 8^ iWi
prmtd. col. Nov. 18, 1864, com. as brig. gen. by brevet to ratak from Mardi li
1865, dated May 22, 1865.

TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY.

The Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry contained two entire CcMnpanies
(B and C) and parts of two others from Cedar County, the balance of the regi-
ment being from adjacent counties of Johnson, Jadcson, Linn, Jones, and Iowa.

TIPTON CONTINGENT IN FIFTIETH IOWA BEOIMENT

GRAND ARMY POST, MAY 30, 1910

I * > "- M ' f
PliJLiC I.lH.aKY

iSTOl. LL.^W AND
B L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 875

The regiment was raised during the first two weeks of August, 1862, and was in
rendezvous at Camp Strong, Muscatine, Iowa, before the end of the month, the
two Cedar County ccmipanies reaching there August 27.

On Sept. 14 the regiment was uniformed and on the i8th was formally mus-
tered into the United States service by Capt. H. B. Hendershott.

On Oct. 20, it left Camp Strong for active service, embarking on the steamer
"Hawkeye State" and landing at Helena, Ark.

During the winter of 1862-63, the regiment participated in Gen. Grant's
Coldwater Expedition and also in a movement by boat up White River as far as
Duvall's Bluff. There were no casualties connected with either of these move-
ments except the accidental drowning of one man, but the winter at Helena
brought a great deal of sickness and many deaths.

On the nth of April the regiment left Helena to take part in Grant's Vicks-
burg campaign, receiving its first baptism of fire at the battle of Port Gibscm
May I.

At the battle of Champion Hill or Edward's Station, fought May 16, the
r^ment, after a gallant charge which penetrated the enemy's line and captured
a six-gun battery in its rear, met an unusual and terrible loss through the total
incapacity of Col. E. C. Byam, its then commanding oSia^r. Col. Byam resigned
soon after this battle, and was succeeded in command by Lieut. Col. J. Q. Wilds,
a worthy and efiident c^cer. It afterward moved to Vicksburg and shared in
the siege, accompanying Gen. Sherman in his rapid march on Jackson, directly
on the surrender of the former place.

August I the regiment proce^ed by river to New Orleans, finding its first
active duty there with Gen. Banks' Teche expedition, which marched up that
sluggish Louisiana stream and then marched down again, leaving the Twenty-
fourth to go into winter quarters at Madisonville.

March 13, 1864, found the Twenty-fourth Iowa making its first day's march
on the celebrated Red River campaign. In the severe battle at Sabine Cross-
roads, April 8, considerable loss was sustained both in killed, wounded, and pris-
oners, while the day and night retreat which followed was equally trying to
souls, soles and stomachs.

Returned to New Orleans June 13 and soon started by ocean steamer for
Washington, D. C, joining at once the forces then protecting the Capitol from
Early's savage raid. The regiment became a part of the force which made the
stirring Shenandoah Valley campaign under the gallant Sheridan, participating
in numerous skirmishes in addition to the hard fought field at Winchester, Sept
19, and Cedar Creek just a month later. In the former engagement, Lieut. Col.
Wilds, commanding regiment, was mortally wounded, devolving the command
during the remaining service upon Maj. Ed. Wright, who was subsequently
made a Brevet Brigadier General for meritorious services.

Jan. 14, 1865, ^« regiment left Baltimore for Savannah, Ga., where the divi-
sion to which it belonged went to hold open the communications behind Sher-
man's advance. Transferred from there to Moorhead City and Goldsboro, N. C,
for the same purpose.

It was at the former place when the news of Lee's surrender awakened new

376 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

dreams of home. Returning to Savannah and thence to Augusta, Ga., moviDg;
back again to Savannah, June 25, to be mustered out of service.

Reached Davenport, Iowa, via Baltimore, in the latter part of July, and after
being paid off were disbanded like the rest

COMPANY B.

With the excepticMi of seven from Muscatine and two from Linn the entire
loi men mustered into the service of the United States army with this companj
were credited to Cedar County. The majority of its members came from the
northern part where S. W. Rathbun of Piwieer Township, W. T. and M. F.
Rigby of Red Oak were actively engaged in recruiting for it. A smaller number
were enlisted in the southern part of the county through the efforts of B. F.
Fobes. Enlistments began as early as July 18, and all its membership excq^t
fourteen were enlisted by Aug. 10. Early in the same month the company as-
sembled at TiptCMi and organized by electing its commbsioned officers. Whik
there it was quartered at the Fleming House and on Aug. xj it left for camp of
rendezvous at Muscatine together with Company C. Company B was mustered
by Lieut. W. T. Rigby, U. S. mustering officer, on Aug. 29. One man. Perry
Willetts, was rejected by Lieut. Rigby ; Capt. Hendershott made no rejections.

Capt Steidien W. Rathbun, com. Sept. 18, 1862, res. Dec. 26, 1864..

Capt Benj. F. Forbes, com. ist lieut. Sept. 18, 1862, prmtd. capt Dec. 27,
1862, died at Vicksburg Aug. 5, 1863.

Capt. Wm. T. Rigby, com. 2nd lieut Sept 18, 1862, prmtd. capt Aug. 6,
1863.

First Lieut. Myron H. Begole, e. as ist sergt. Aug. 2, 1862, prmtd. ist lieut
Jan. I, 1863, died at Genesee, N. Y., Oct 10, 1863.

First Lieut. Wm. Kelly, e. as seigt. Aug. 2, 1862, prmtd. ist sergt., then ist
lieut. Nov. 6, 1863.

Second lieut. W. W. Edgington, e. Aug. 2, 1862, prmtd. to ist lieut May 2,
1864.

Sergt. Martin V. Rigby, e. July 26, 1862, wd. Oct. 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek,
Virginia.

Sergt. Edward B. Cousins, e. Aug., 1862, prmtd. sergt. maj. Sept 10, 1863.

Sergt. Robert S. Rathbun, e. Aug., 1862, trans, to V. R. C. May, 1864.

Sergt. Elias Gabriel, e. Aug., 1862, died Jan., 1865, acct of wds. reed at
Cedar Creek.

Corp. Isaac Blatncr, e. July 26, 1862.

Corp. Wm. S. Lusk, e. July 22, 1862.

Corp. Geo. A. Given, e. Aug. 7, 1862, died Nov. 15, 1862, at Keokuk.

Corp. S. W. Sutton, e. Aug. 2, 1862, prmtd. sergt. May, 1864.

Corp. Jas. C. Betts, e. July 29, 1862, disd. May 6, 1865.

Musician Jno. T. Cunningham, e. July 22, 1862.

Musician Wm. F. Eatherton, e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. June 23, 1865, for promo-
tion to U. S. colored troops.

Brown, E. F., e. July 21, 1862, died July i, 1863, at Vicksburg.

Bardue, John, e. July 18, 1862, wd. Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 877

Bedell, Wm. L., e. July 24, 1862, disd. March 26, 1863, disab.

Blakely, Z., e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Bowman, E., e. Aug. 6, 1862, corp., wd. May 30, 1864, by guerrillas.

Carl, Henry L., e. Aug., 1862, trans, to V. R. C.

Cotton, Winfield S., e. Aug. 1862, disd. Feb. 13, 1863, disab.

Crisman, Wm., e. Aug. 1862, disd. June 10, 1864, wds. reed, at Cedar Creek,
Va.

Crisman, Sanford A., disd. Dec. 16, 1864, acct. of wds. reed, at Cedar
Creek, Va.

Crisman, Jas. E., captd, at Cedar Creek, died in prison,

Collins, Wm. H., e. July 25, 1862, disd. Oct. 8, 1864, disab.

Crapman, John, c. July 17, 1862, disd. Aug. 25, 1863, disab.

Criplivcr, John W., c. July 26, 1862, died May 14, 1863, at St. Louis.

Cantenwine, John, e. Aug. i, 1862.

Chrisman, John B., e. Aug. 2, 1862, wd. at Sabine Cross Road, La., April
8, 1864, captd. Oct. 19, 1864, at Cedar Crefek, Va., prmtd. sergt.

Qay, John, c. Aug. 15, 1862.

Daugherty, J. F., c. July 22, 1862, captd. Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.

Dickinson, Jas. D., e. Aug. 5, 1862, wd. Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.

Duntz, Geo. P., e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Davidson, Jas. K., e. Aug. 22, 1862, disd. Aug. 24, 1863.

Dennison, Jno., e. July 29, 1862.

Dillon, L., e. Aug. 7, 1862, disd. Jan. 26, 1863, at St. Louis.

Dawson, I. F., c. Aug. 7, 1862, corp. disd. April 11, 1863, disab.

Edward, J. M., e. July 24, 1862, disd. May 26, 1865, disab.

Eatherton, T. N., c. July 14, 1862, prmtd. ist scrgt. Jan. i, 1864.

Eatherton, S., e. Aug. i, 1862, disd. Jan. 13, 1865, disab.

Edgington, Jno., e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Edmiston, Matthew, e. Aug. 2, 1862, wd. April 8, 1864, at Mansfield, La.,
died July 27, 1865.

Flctdier, Jas., disd. Jan. 15, 1865, acct. of wds. reed, at Winchester.

Fleming, Geo. S., e. Aug. 6, 1862, trans. April 30, 1864, to Invalid Corps.

Ford, Daniel, e. Aug. 2, 1862.

Foy, Samuel P., e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. April i, 1863.

Gardiner, John E., e. July 25, 1862, iMd. and captd. April 8, 1864, at Mans-
field, La., disd. Aug. 5, 1864, wds.

Goodrich, Ezra, e. Jan. 5, 1864.

Hopper, Wm., disd. Jan. 7, 1864, disab.

Hurrel, Jacob, disd. June, 1865.

Hiteshew, Jas. H., e. July 25, 1862.

Hart, Jerome, e. Aug. 6, 1862, prmtd. sergt. Feb. i, 1865.

Irwin, Robert, e. Aug. 12, 1862, wd. Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.

Johnson, S., e. Aug. 2, 1862.

Kettdl, Henry, e. Jan. 4, 1864.

Long, Wm., disd. Feb. 21, 1863, disab.

Pruett, Martin, e. Aug., 1862, wd. at Jackson, Miss., July, 1863, disd.

Slater, Jacob, disd. disab.

378 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Jenkins, B., e. Aug. 5, 1862, captd. April 8, 1864, at Mansfield, La.

Kent, John L., e. Aug. 5, 1862, disd. wd. April 8, 1864.

Larison, Thos., c. Aug. 2, 1862, prmtd. corp. July i, 1864.

McLat^e, John, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Munn, Samuel, e. Aug. 2, 1862.

Montgomery, Alex., e. July 24, 1862, died at Helena, Ark., Dec. 26, 1862.

Mintum, Rufus C, e. Aug. 2, 1862.

McKay, Isaac, e. Aug. 2, 1862, died Jan. 28, 1864, at New Orleans.

Moir, Geo., e. Aug. 15, 1862, corp., kid. by lightning at Savannah, Ga^
July 13, 1865.

McGowan, Chas., e. Aug. 6, 1862, died June 20, 1863, at Vicksburg.

Otto, N. J., e. July 31, 1862, trans, to V. R. C.

Pitman, J. S., e. July 26, 1862, wd. Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va., disd
Jan. 5, 1865, wds.

Pruett, S., e. Aug. 5, 1852, died March 24, 1865.

Pense, A., e. Aug. 15, 1862, trans. Nov. 20, 1863, to invalid corps.

Patterson, A., e. Aug. 7, 1862.
; Porter, Thos., e. July 25, 1862.
i Piden, Alex., e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Patterson, Eli R., e. Aug. 9, 1862, at Helena, Ark.

Rigby, Jesse W., e. July 22, 1862, captd. April 8, 1864, at Mansfield, La.

Rigby, A. A., e. Aug. 7, 1862, prmtd. corp. Feb. i, 1865.

Rice, Sam S., e. Aug. 11, 1862, wd. Sept 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va., disd.

Robertson, J. R. A., e. Aug. 11, 1862, trans. Feb. 15, 1864, to invalid corps.

Robertson, Geo. A., e. Aug. 5, 1862.

Rollins, Jos. A., e. Aug. 13, 1862.

Stratton, Theo., e. July 24, 1862, died Dec. 8, 1862, at Helena, Ark.

Starr, John C, e. Aug. 5, 1862, died July i, 1864, at Thibodeaux, La.

Shintaffer, Isaac, e. July 14, 1862, died Nov. 21, 1863, at New Iberia.

Soesbe, Wm., e. July 19, 1862, disd. April 11, 1865, disab.

Sheets, Jos. C, e. Aug. i, 1862, disd. Feb. 21, 1863, disab.

Sanders, S. J., e. Aug. 2, 1862, died May 13, 1863, at Helena, Ark.

Smith, Jos., e. July 25, 1862, drowned Nov. 19, 1862, at Montgomery Land-
ing, Ark.

Simmons, C, e. July 7, 1862.

Safley, John W., e. July 6, 1862, died Aug. 19, 1863, at St Louis.

Scott, Henry W. W., e. Aug. 7, 1862, wd. April 8, 1864, at SMne Cross
Roads.

Shropshire, Jno., e. Aug. 2, 1862.

Spur, J., e. Aug. 2, 1862.

Soeper, Andrew, e. Aug. 13, 1862, died June 13, 1865, at Augusta, Ala.

Tillett, Geo. H., e. Aug. 4, 1862, died Nov. 9, 1862, at Muscatine.

Todd, Samuel S., e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Todd, Geo. S., e. July 14, 1862, disd. April 9, 1865, disab.

Williams, Elijah, e. Aug. 6, 1862, disd. Feb. 4, 1863, disab.

Webb, E. W., e. July 31, 1862, wd. and captd. April 8, 1864, at Mansfidd,
La., died April 22, 1864, wds.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 879

Weeks, C. F., e. Aug. 2, 1862, corp., wd. Sept 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.,
Idd. in battle at Cedar Creek Oct. 19, 1864.

Weeks, John E., e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. Feb. 12, 1863, disab.

Waterman, H. E., e. Aug. 2, 1862, died Aug. 12, 1863, at Port Hudson, La.

Williams, A., e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Yard, M., e. Aug. 2, 1862.

Zeitler, Benj. C, e. Aug. i, 1862, wd. Oct. 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Va.,
prmtd. corp. Feb. i, 1865.

Collins, Jas. R., e. Jan. 30, 1864, cU^ April 8, 1864.

Oay, David, e. Jan. 4, 1864.

Eatherton, B. O., e. Dec. 30, 1864.

Easterly, A. N., e. Feb. 26, 1864, wd. April 6, 1864, <Usd. Oct. 6, 1864, wds.

Goodrich, Ezra, e. Jan. 5, 1864, wd. Sept 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va., disd.
Jan. 25, 1865, wds.

Kettell, H. P., e. Jan. 4, 1864.

Landahl, Wm., e. Dec. 24, 1863.

McLeod, Joshua, e. Jan. 19, 1864, trans, to V. R. C.

Pierson, C. A., e. Jan. 4, 1864, disd.

Scott, R. G., c. Jan. 25, 1864.

Theben, H. C, e. Feb. 26, 1864.

Towns, Henry.

Crisman, Sandford A., disd. Dec. 16, 1864, acct. wds. reed Cedar Credc, Va.

Crisman, Francis, e. 1864.

Garber, Peter, e. 1864.

Guthrie, John M., e. 1864.

Munn, Silas, e. 1864.

Senet, John, e. 1864.

Stewart, F. M., e, 1864.

Wilson, John, e. 1864, wd. May 30, 1864.

Wilson, Jacob C, e. 1864.

Wilford, Oliver, e. 1864.

COMPANY c.

Except Geo. H. Kiser, of Big Grove, Scott County, all the men of Company
C are credited to Cedar County. Enlistments began during the first week in
August; at Inland under E. H. Pound and J. C. Gue; at Tipton under S. D.
Johnson and G. G. Chandler; and at Coon Creek under John Dance. The Tipton
contingent included the boys from the adjoining country for four or five miles,
especially to the westward. The Inland group came from both north and south
of that point; and Cedar Bluffs vicinity joined with Coon Creek, as did also some
recruits from as far east as Mechanicsville and as far south as Springdale. By
Aug. 8, 59 men had been sworn in and most of them were assembled in Tipton ;
on Monday, August 11, 83 were present at the election of officers (both commis-
sioned and non-commissioned) which took place at the court house. The com-
pany was now in quarters at the Aldrich House and by the aid of some old book
of tactics and usually under the command of Chandler, made desultory efforts

880 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

at ''drilling/' although not a man, save possibly one who had served in the Aiis<
trian anny, knew much of anything about it. On August 27, with Compsjxy B,
the ccHnpany went to Camp Strong, Muscatine, by way of Wilton as described
elsewhere, and on the 29th was mustered in by 2d Lieut. E. H. Pound. No one
was rejected by Lieut. Pound and only one (Hiram Harris) by Capt. Hender-
shott.

Capt. Silas D. Johnson, com. Sept.' 18, 1862, kid. in battle Champion Hills,
Miss., May 16, 1863.

Capt Jeremiah C. Gue, com. ist lieut. Sept 18, 1862, prmtd. capt May 17,
1863, ^^- ^ ^ guerilla at Carrion Crow Bayou, La., Nov. 2, 1863.

Capt. Edwin H. Pound, com. 2nd lieut Sept. 18, 1862, prmtd. ist lieut May
17, 1863, prmtd. capt. Dec 20, 1863, wd. at Cedar Creek Oct 19, 1864, res4
April 16, 1865.

First Lieut Anderson J. Scott, e. as sergt Aug. 8, 1862, prmtd. 2nd lieut
May 17, 1863, prmtd. ist lieut Dec. 25, 1863.

First Sergt. John Johnson, disd. Feb. 5, 1863, disab.

Sergt. Geo. C. Chandler, e. Aug. 2, 1862, prmtd. to ist sergt. Feb., 1863.

Sergt. Andrew Pierce, c. as private Aug. 8, 1862, prmtd. corp. ist sergt
then 2nd lieut. June 15, 1864, com. declined, disd. May 2, 1865, wds. reed, at
Cedar Creek.

Sergt. Francis L. Sheldon, e. as private Aug. 18, 1862, wd. at Winchester
Sept. 19, 1864, com. 2nd lieut Jan. i, 1865, m. o. as ist sergt.

Sergt. David C. Cole, e. Aug. 8, 1862, wd. at Winchester Sept 19, 1863, capti
at Cedar Credc, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.

Sergt. Jas. S. Carpenter, e. Aug. 6, 1862, kid. at battle of Champion Hills,
May 16, 1863.

Corp. Robt McCroskey, e. Aug. 8, 1862, died St. Louis 1863.

Corp. Jno. T. McCracken, e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Corp. Marion McCauley, e. Aug. 11, 1862, prmtd. sergt. Jan. i, 1864.

Corp. Samuel H. Meyers, e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Corp. Thomas L. Chambers, e. Aug. 11, 1862, disd. Jan. 28, 1864, disab.

Corp. Anthony Mattauch, e. Aug. 8, 1862, as sergt., kid. battle Champioa
Hills May 16, 1863.

Corp. Robt. Neely, e. Aug. 11, 1862, wd. battle Champioa Hills May 16.

1863, disd. April 13, 1864, wds.

Corp. Levi L. Hoag, e. Aug. 15, 1862, prmtd. sergt. July, 1863.

Corp. A. C. Reeder, e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Musician Washington Dennis, e. Aug. 14, 1862, died at Memphis Mardi

7. 1863.

Musician A. P. Omo, e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Wagoner G. Windolf, e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. March 16, 1864.

Wagoner Jacob W. Moore, e. Aug. 8, 1862, wd. at Halltown, Va., Aug. ao,

1864, disd. March 17, 1865, disab.

Adams, Jas., e. Aug. 11, 1862, captd. at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864.
Albaugh, Daniel, e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Ashton, J., e. Aug. 11, 1862, corp., trans, to Invalid corps Feb. 15, 1864-
Baker, Jas. W., e. Aug. 8, 1862, trans, to Invalid corps Aug. 18, 1863.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 381

Bamicle, Jas. L., e. Aug. ii, 1862.

Busier, W., e. Aug. 20, 1862, disd. Feb. 14, 1863. cUsab.

Bcese, Carl, e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Blackburn, Geo., e. Aug. 8, 1862, wid. at Champion Hills May 16, 1863,
died May 17, 1863, wds.

Bartholomew, John, e. Aug. 8, 1862, died at Helena, Ark., Nov. 17, 1862

Breyfogle, Solomon, e. Aug. 8, 1862, died at Helena, Ark., March 7, 1863.

Brannaman, F., e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. Aug. 26, 1864, disab.

Branaman, Warren, e. 1864.

Brant, P. J., e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Carman, Andrew J., e. 1864.

Colltunber, John, e. Aug. 8, 1862, trans, to Invalid corps in 1863.

Coffee, Thos., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Curtis, H. A., e. Aug. 11, 1862, prmtd. corp. 1864.

Coutts, John, e. Aug. 12, 1862, prmtd. corp. 1864.

Downing, Jos., e. Aug. 7, 1862, disd. at Benton Barracks, Mo., Sept. 9, 1863.
disab.

Downing, John A., e. 1864, disd. May 1865, disab.

Drake, Chas., e. Aug. 7, 1862, died at Helena, Ark., Dec. 27, 1862.

Davis, Wm. H., e. Aug. 15, 1862, kid. in action at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19,
1864.

Fraseur, M., e. Aug. 8, 1862, wd. at Port Gibson, May i, 1863, died at Oak-
land College May 5, 1863, wds.

Fawcett, Thos. B., e. Aug. 11, 1862, corp. wd. at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19,
1864, disd. May 31, 1865, wds.

Gallins, Jos. P., e. Aug. 11, 1862, kid. in action at Champion Hills, Va., May
i6, 1863.

Hakeman, Geo., e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Hakeman, Isaac, e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Hakeman, Jas., e. Aug. 8, 1862, wd. at Champion Hills May 16, 1863, died
at Memphis June 14, 1863, wds.

Hoffman, Josiah, Aug. 8, 1862, prmtd. sergt. Jan. i, 1864.

Huber, £. S., e. Aug. 8, 1862, wd. at Champion Hills.

Huey, Wm. C, e. Aug. 8, 1862, kid. in acticm at Champion Hills May 16,
1863.

Huey, A. R., e. Aug. 8, 1862, kid. in action at Champion Hills May 16, i8(^.

Horn, Wm. R., e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd.

Hill, W. W., e. Aug. 21, 1862, captd. at Cedar Credc Oct 10, 1864.

Htmnicott, Wm., e. Aug. 20, 1862, captd. at Cedar Creek.

Hecathom, C, e. Aug. 15, 1862, died at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., Jan. ai,
1863.

Howard, Jas., e. Aug. 8, 1862, prmtd. corp. May 3, 1865.

Hardman, M., e. Aug. 20, 1862.

Jcrfmston, Samuel, e. Aug. 8, 1862, died at Helena, Ark., April 11, 1863.

Kimsey, J. B., e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. Feb. 4, 1863, disab.

Kiser, Geo. S., e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. Feb. 7, 1863, d^sab.

882 HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY

Longlcy, C. L., c. Aug. 6, 1862, prmtd. 4th scrgt Feb., 1863, pnntd. Rtg^
Q. M. S. Dec. 16, 1864.

Layport, R, c. Aug. 8, 1862, wA at Winchester, Va., Sept 19, 1864.

Lauffer, Peter, e. 1864.

Leslie, Jas., e. 1864.

Mets, Peter, e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. Jan. 27, 1863, disab.

Moon, Richard, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Marlow, E., e. Aug. 8, 1862, died at Memphis, Nov. 22, 1862.

McCroskey, Cyrus, e. Aug. 15, 1862, died on hospital boat, June 28, 1863.

Miller, Wm. O., e. Aug. 9, 1862, wd. at Winchester, Va., Sept 19, 1864, died
at Winchester Feb. 13, 1865, wds.

Murray, Hugh, e. Aug. 15, 1862, wd. at Champion Hills May 16, 1863, disd.
March 27, 1864, wds.

Norton, David W., e. Aug. 8, 1862, caiptd. at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct 10, 1864.

Nungesser, Frederick, e. Aug. 11, 1862, wd. at Champion Hills May 16, 1863,
died Memphis July 11, 1863, wds.

Pruden, D. W., e. Aug. 11, 1862, disd. March 9, 1863, disab.

Peters, Wm. H., e. Aug. 8, 1862, wd. at Champion Hills May 16, 1863, died
May 26, 1863, wds.

Perry, Dwight M., e. Aug. 8, 1862, died at Muscantine Oct 17, 1863.

Roberdee, W. R., e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Raffensperger, Joseph, e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. July 16, 1863, disab.

Richards, Thos. e. Aug. 14, 1862, died at St Louis Sept 16, 1863.

Southern, Wm. H., e. July 24, 1862, disd. Sept 26, 1863, disab.

Story, Amos, e. Aug. 9, 1862, disd. March 14, 1863, disab.

Simmons, S., e. Aug. 8, 1862, prmtd. corp. June i, 1865.

Simmons, Stephen, e. Aug. 7, 1862, disd. Oct. 20, 1863, disab.

Safley, Robt, e. Aug. 8, 1862, died at Millikens Bend, La., April 20, 1863.

Sheldon, E. H., e. 1864.

Strawhecker, Jno., e. Aug. 8, 1862, died at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., Feb. 5,
1863.

Tyson, C. W., e. Aug. 7, 1862, wd. at Champion HiUs May 16, 1863.

Trivetts, Daniel, e. Aug. 8, 1862, wri. at Winchester, Va., Sept 19, 1864, disd.
Feb. 9, 1865, wds.

Thompson, Jackson, e. Aug. 9, 1862, disd. June i, 1865, disab.

Turner, Jos., e. Aug. 8, 1862, prmtd. corp. 1864, wd. at Champion Hills.

Utz, Zapric, e. Aug. 14, 1862, trans, to Miss. Marine Brigade Feb. 19, 18^.

Willey, W., e. Aug. 8, 1862, died at St. Louis May 16, 1863.

Willey, W. W., e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Wingert, Jas., e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. Dec. 19 1864, disab.

Walker, A. B., e. Aug. 8, 1862, wd. at Champion Hills, May 16, 1863, disd.
Dec. 31. 1863, wds.

Webster, Byron D., e. Aug. 11, 1862, accidentally wd. April 8, 1864, disd.
Dec. 16, 1864, wds.

Wickham, Wm., e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Watt, J., e. Aug. ii, 1862, died at Muscatine, Oct 7, 1862.

Wiggins, B., e. Aug. 15, 1862, trans, to V. R. C, Oct. 10, 1864.

DOLLY SPEAK IN CAMP

, *

PLiM.iC [IU:.\:.Y

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 886

Zerfing, David, e. Aug. ii, 1862, disd. April 18, 1863, disab.
Dairy, Jno. J., c. Jan. 4, 1864.

COMPANY D.

Of Company D, 33 men came from Cedar County, the remainder from
Washingt(Hi, Jones, Linn, Benton, and Muscatine. J. R. Gould and J. B. Swafford
were the recruiting officers in Cedar. All of the men from this county were
substantially west of the river, with Pedee as the central point. This com-
pany when recruited assembled at Iowa City, and arrived at Muscatine on
the evening of Aug. 27. It was mustered Sept 4, by 2nd Lieut. J. H. Branch.

Capt. Jas. R. Gould, com. ist. lieut. Sept. 18, 1862, prmtd. capt. July 6, 1864,
kid. in battle Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864.

First Sergt. Wm. C. Russell, e. Aug. 14, 1862, died Aug. 29, 1863 at Vicks-
burg.

Sergt Wm. A. Forrest, e. Aug. 13, 1862.

Corp. Wm. C. Lewis, e. Aug. 13, 1862.

Corp. Jas. M. Graham, e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Burnett, Andrew, e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Burnett, Perry, e. Aug. 11, 1862, wxL.May,i6, 1863, at Champion Hills,
died June 8, 1863, of wds.

Castner, Henry, e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Chilzum, Jas. W., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Embree, D. A., e. Aug. 12, 1862.

Gallon, Jno. F., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Gifford, Geo., e. Aug. 19, 1862, died July 21, 1864, at Algiers, La.

Gifford, A. M., e. Aug. 13, 1862, wd. May 16, 1863, at Champion Hills.

Gifford, Owen, e. Aug. 19, 1862, disd. Feb. 20, 1863, wds.

Graham, H. P., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Goodrich, Jas. C, e. Aug. 21, 1862.

Hunnicutt, W. L., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Hawkins, Jno. H., e. Aug. 18, 1862, wd. May 16, 1863, at Champion Hills,
died June i, 1863.

Hagerman, S., e. Aug. 22, 1862.

Hiett, J. E., e. Aug. 11, 1862, died Jan. 5, 1863, at St Louis.

McLaughlin, D., e. Aug. 11, 1862, disd. May 4, 1863, disab.

McVay, Jno., e. Aug. 12, 1862, disd. June 22, 1864, disab.

Mercer, Wilson, e. Aug. 19, 1862.

Pierce, Wm. L., e. Aug. 19, 1862.

Pendergast, Thos., e. Aug. 12, 1862, wd. May 16, 1863, at Champion Hills,
and Sept 10, 1864, at Winchester.

Pendergast, Jas., e. Aug. 22, 1862.

Smith, Irenus, e. Aug. 11, 1862, wd. May 16, 1863, at Champion Hills,
died June i, 1863 of wds.

Scott, Geo. M., e. Aug. 13, 1862, prmtd. ist sergt. 1864.

Sawyer, A. J., e. Aug. 18, 1862.

Serfoe, John, e. Aug. 16, 1862, kid. May 16, 1863, in action at Champion Hills.

886 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Whisler, Wm. M., c. Aug. ii, 1862, died June 26, 1863, at St. Louis.
Walker, I. P., c. Aug. 22, 1862, died July 9, 1863, at St Louis.
Williams, O. F., e. Aug. 12, 1862, disd. April 10, 1863, disab.

COMPANY r.

White, Jas. F., e. Aug. 11, 1862. All other members of this company arc
credited to Linn County.

THE THIRTY-FIRST INFANTRY.

Was mustered into service at Davenpart by CzpL Hendershott, on the 13th
day of October, 1862, and tmder command of Col. Wm. Smyth, tock
transport and moved down the river Nov. i, arriving at Helena, Ark., the
20th inst. On the 27th of the same month, they started on an expedition to
the Cold Water River, in Mississippi, returning to Helena Dec. 7. Two weeks
later, they started on the Yazoo River expediticHi, and the rq;iment was par-
tially engaged in the battle at Chickasawi Bayou, on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of
December.

On the 2nd of January, 1863, they started for a point near Arkansas Post,
where they arrived on the 9th inst., and on the night of the loth marched through
swamps and mire to the rear of the enemy's works, where on the nth, they
hotly engaged in the capture of the place.

From this point the regiment was ordered to Young's Point, La., where
they remained in camp until April 2, when they moved again up the river to
Greenville, Miss., and, after some skirmishing and considerable foraging for
mules, cattle, horses, hogs, and even negroes, returned to Youi^s Point on the
26th of the same month. From here they moved with Grant's whole army to-
ward Grand Gulf, arriving May 7, when they again moved toward Jackson, Miss.
The regiment was under fire at Ra3rmond, on the 12th; was at the taking of
Jackson on the 14th, and again under fire at Black River on the i6th, reaching
the rear of Vicksbuig on the i8th, where it was engaged on the 22nd, in a
terrible but successful charge on the enemy's works, and was from tikis time
steadily under fire till the fall of Vicksburg, on the 4th day of July.

The r^ment, under Gen. Sherman, started for Jackson, Miss., on the
5th of July, being under fire until the second evacuation of that place, when
it was moved to Canton, Miss., where it was again engaged, when it went into
camp at Black River until the 22nd of September. From here they moved to
Vicksburg, thence to Memphis, thence to Corinth, Miss., where it remained un-
til Oct. 18; thence marched to luka, and to Cherokee on the 20th, and 00 the
morning of the 21st had a severe engagement with the rebel cavalry. On the
26th and 27th had a running fight wdth the enemy, again returning to Cherokee
Station. On the 24th of Nov., was in the battle of Lo<rfcout Mountain, and on
the following day had equally hard fighting at Mission Ridge, and on the 27th
was again engaged at Ringgold and Taylor's Hills, where the r^fiment suf-
fered severely. Here they remained until Dec. i, when, moving by way of
Chattanoc^ and Bridgeport, they reached Woodville, Ala., on the 27th inst,
and went into winter quarters, where they remained till the ist day of May, 1864.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 887

On the morning of May i, moved east, reaching Snake Cap, Ga., on the
9th inst., where they encountered the enemy in force. On the 13th, had a severe
fight at Resaca, in which Lieut-Col. Jenkins was severely wounded. The regi-
ment lay in camp at Kingston, Ga., from the night of the 19th until the morning
of the 23rd awaiting supplies ; then moved on, encountering the enemy at Dallas,
on the night of the 26th, and the following morning, after a short but sharp
ccmflict, the enemy was driven back. The fighting lasted during the 29th, 30th
and 31st. On the ist of June the regiment moved to New Hope Church and oc-
cupied rifle pits under fire of the enemy until the 6th, when the regiment moved
to Ackworth, remaining there until the loth, when they marched to Big Shanty,
ten miles distant, again engaging the enemy in force. Guarded wagon train until
the 15th, when they moved into rifle pits near Kenesaw Mountain and were con-
stantly under fire until the evening of July 3rd, when the enemy evacuated
Kenesaw Mountain. July 4th they again encountered the enemy at Chatta-
hoochie River, and, building works, remained under fire until the nth, when
they moved to Roswell, Ga. From here they went to Vining Station, thence to a
point near Atlanta. August 26 they moved toward Jonesboro, on the Macon
Railroad. On the 31st the enemy made a desperate fight and the regiment was
again under fire until the 2nd of September, when Jonesboro was evacuated.
On Oct. 4 the regiment, with a large portion of Sherman's army, moved north in
pursuit of Hood, skirmishing with him at Reseca, Snake Cap, Little River, ^c. ;
after this went to Atlanta Nov. 15 ; thence into the heart of Georgia. Marching
about fifteen miles per day, they reached the rear of Savannah on the loth of
December, 1864, and ten days later the whole army entered the city. By this
victory the army was seyered into three parts, and the enemy compelled to loosen
its grasp over a vast territory. The Thirty-first were actively engaged in the
North Carolina campaigns from this time until March 8, when Gen Grant's
famous dispatch, "Let us finish the job now," was announced, when the final
blow was struck, and the year which promised to be so full of bloody strife was
the end of the war of the rebellion.

y The Thirty-first was mustered out of service at Louisville, June 27, 1865, and
came to Davenport, where they were paid off and disbanded.

COMPANY C.

Capt. Milo P. Smith, com. sergt. maj. Aug. 16, 1862, prmtd. 2nd lieut. Aug.
16, 1862, prmtd. capt. March 31, 1863, resd. Sept. 27, 1864.

COMPANY G.

First. Lieut. David Rorick, e. as private Aug. 15, 1862, prmtd. ist sergt, then
1st lieut Sept i, 1863, wd. at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept i, 1864.

Second Lieut, Hannibal C. Freeman, com. Oct. 13, 1862, resd. Dec. 29, 1862.

Sergt. J. P. Ferguson, e. Aug. 6, 1862, disd. April 7, 1863, disab.

Corp. Allen T. Ayers, e. Aug. 7, 1862.

Corp. Jos. Blakeslee, c. Aug. 6, 1862.

Corp. S. A. Swan, e. Aug. 12, 1862, disd. Jan. 9, 1863, disab.

888 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Corp. T. RoUnson, died March 12, 1863, at Young's Point, La.

Corp. Jno. A. Gerard, e. Aug. 6, 1862, died March 12, 1863, on hosp. boat

Musician Henry Aldrich, e. Aug. 12, 1862, disd. Dec. 22, 1863, at Helena,
Ark., disab.

Austin, Thos., e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Ball, Lewis W., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Bugers, Geo. B., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Boggs, A. J., e. Aug. 11, 1862, died March 28, 1863, in St. Louis.

Ballou, A. J., e. Aug. 11, 1862, died March 19, 1863, in Memphis, Tenn.

Dubois, Walter, e. Aug. 12, 1862.

Evans, Jos. H., e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Farguson, Wm., e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Farguson, John, e. Aug. 6, 1862, died May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss.

Humphry, S. P., e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. March, 1864, disab.

Jadcson, A., e. Aug. 7, 1862, died April 28, 1863, on steamer.

Kellogg, Ethel, e. Aug. 6, 1862, died March 17, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn.

Kinneston, R. F., c. Aug. 9, 1862.

Mitchell, Thos. B., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Myers, John, e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. May 5, 1863, disab.

Miller, Jno. M., e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. March 23, 1863, disab.

McQure, David, e. Aug. 12, 1862, died Nov. 9, 1862, at Davenport.

Nash, Augustus, e. Aug. 7, 1862, died Dec. 31, 1862, at Johnson's Landing.

Rolling, C W., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Robinson, A. B., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Rorick, Samuel, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Simpscm, Wm. B., e. Aug. 15, 1862, died Nov. 2, 1862, at Davenport.

Simpson, Jno. C, e. Aug. 14, 1862, disd. April 22, 1863, at Davenport, disab.

Woodard, Jas. F., c. Aug. 12, 1862, trans, to invalid corps.

Wood, Jas., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Zeck, J. G., e. Aug. 11, 1862.

Lieut. Col. James H. Rothrock, com. Aug. 10, 1862, resd. Aug. 7, 1863,

Sergt. Chas. L. Chambers, com. Sept i, 1862, resd. Aug. 14, 1863.

Asst. Surg. Emanuel C. Reigart, com. Sept. 16, 1862, resd. Sept 11, 1863.

Chaplain Wm. Bagley, e. as private Co. H, Aug. 20, 1862, prmtd. chaidain
Dec. 23, 1864.

THIRTY-FIFTH INFANTRY.

This regiment was mustered into service Sept. 18, 1862, and Nov 22 left
Muscatine, Iowa, for Cairo, 111., where it arrived on the 24th. Five companies
were ordered to Columbus, Ky., under command of Lieut. Col. Rothrock, the
balance of the regiment being relieved from duty at Cairo, by the One Hundred
and Twenty-eighth Regiment, Dec. 29 ; the balance of the Thirty-fifth Regiment
was ordered to Columbus Feb. 3, 1863 ; a part of the r^;iment was orderjed to
proceed to Island No. 10, but returned on the 5th.

April 12, 1863, the regiment was ordered to report at Duckport, La., where
they arrived April 18, and left May 2, under the conmiand of Gen. Shennaa

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 889

On May 14, participated in the battle at Jackson, Miss., thence marched on Vicks-
burg, where they were hotly engaged most of the time during the siege of that
plaoe.

July 5, 1863, left camp on Bear River for Jackson, Miss., after the evacua-
tion of which by the enemy on the i6th the regiment was engaged in destroying
the railroads in and around Jackson. Left Jackson July 20 for Ginton, Miss.,
escorting 600 prisoners of war, and went into Camp at Bear Creek, Miss., July 26.

On the 15th of October the regiment left camp in a scouting expedition
under McPherson, returning to camp within eight miles of Vicksburg Oct. 20,
1863. Left ^^^ Nov. 7, and reached LaGrange, Tenn., Nov. 21. Jan. 25, 1864,
the r^ment repaired to Memphis to take part in Sherman's raid to Meridian,
but on account of delay in transportation reached Vicksburg too late to join
Sherman.

Remained in camp there till March 10, when they took boats to join Banks'
expedition into upper Louisiana. March 21 and 22, 1864, the regiment engaged
in a sharp fight at Bayou Rapids, twenty-two miles from Alexandria, La.

April 9 the regiment was engaged at Pleasant Hill, and showed great coolness
and bravery. Their loss in killed, wounded and missing was sixty-four. May
18, 1864, ^c r^fiment again met the enemy at Bayou de Glaize, La., and 6n
June 6 they fought at Old River Lake, Ark., and later were in the battles before
Nashville, and served their country nobly to the end of the war, and were
mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, Aug. 10, 1865.

COMPANY B.

Thomas, Nathan C, c. Aug. 14, 1862, died at Columbus, Ky., Feb. 9, 1863.

COMPANY G.

Csipt. Simon H. Dixson, com. Sept 18, 1862.

Corp. Nathan Gaskill, e. Aug. 9, 1862, captd. July 11, 1863, at Jackson, Miss.

Corp. John H. Rowantree, e. Aug. 6, 1862, disd. Dec. 2, 1862, disab.

Musician Samuel H. Wise, e. Aug. 14, 1862, trans. Dec. 6, 1864, to invalid
corps.

Bremner, Jas., e. Aug. 9, 1862, trans. Feb. 15, 1864, to invalid corps.

Barnard, Richard, e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Boggie, Wm., e. Aug. 17, 1862, trans. Feb. 15, 1864, to invalid corps.

Chase, Thurston P., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Dubois, Jacob H., e. Aug. 8, 1862, trans. Dec 17, 1863, to invalid corps.

DubcHs, D. D., e. Aug. 12, 1862, kid. June 6, 1864, at battle of Old River
Lake, Aiic

Marshall, Wm. E., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Miller, Jas., e. Aug. 9, 1862, died Aug. 25, 1863, at Bear Creek, Miss.

Macy, Jos. A., e. Aug. 9, 1862, died Jan. 14, 1863, at Cairo.

Phillips Samuel, e. Aug. 9, 1862, disd. Feb. 22, disab.

Sanger, Geo. C, e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Sanger, John, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

890 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Wolf, Blair, c. Aug. 9, 1862, disd. for disab. Dec. 30, 1862.
Walker, Geo., e. Aug. 15, 1862.

COMPANY H.

First Lieut. Wm. Wetherell. e. as private Aug. 4, 1862, prmtd. ist sefgt.,
then ist lieut. July 24, 1863.

Second Lieut. Phillip Hyde, com. Sept 18, 1862, died at Mechanics ville Aug.
9, 1863,

Second Lieut. Mortimer Rice, e. as sergt. Aug. 4, 1862, com. 2nd lieut May
3, 1865, m, o. as 1st sergt

Sergt Daniel Cavenaugh, e. Aug. 18, 1862.

Sergt. W. McMillen, e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. March 12, 1863, disab.

Sergt. Wm. Ayers, e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. June 5, 1865, disab.

Sergt. Hill Ferguson, e. Aug. 4, 1862, disd. June 6, 1865, disab.

Corp. Rodney Parsons, e. Aug. 4, 1862.

Corp. Jacob H. Onstott, e. Aug. 4, 1862.

Corp. John V. Milligan, e. Aug. 9, 1862, disd. Jan. 20, 1863, disab.

Corp. David C. Rodgers, e. Aug. 19, 1862, died Oct. 19, 1864, at Memfdiis.

Corp. Jas. L Alger, e. Aug. 15, 1862, trans, to V. R. C.

Corp. Jas. A. Flaugher, e. Aug. 5, 1862.

Corp. E. D. Allen, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Wagoner Chas. Hutchins, e. Aug. 15, 1862, died Nov. 20, 1862, at Muscatine.

James Harkness, e. Aug. 16, 1862, disd. Jan. 21, 1863, disab.

Boyles, Madison, e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Bates, Wm. P., e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Barnes, A. A., e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. Jan. 20, 1863, disab.

Briggs, Jos. W., e. Aug. 20, 1862, wd. July 15, 1864, at Tupelo.

Bag^ey, Wm., e. Aug. 20, 1862.

Cole, F. A., e. Aug. 14, 1862, died Dec 21, 1862, at Cairo.

Coe, John D., e. Aug. 14, 1862, died July 15, 1863, at Mechanicsville.

Cummins, W. A., e. Aug. 19, 1862, died Aug. 11, 1863, at St Louis.

Conner, John K., e. Aug. 22, 1862, disd. for disab. Dec 25, 1862.

Comstock, Geo. S., e. Aug. 15, 1862, kid. May 18, 1864, in acticm at Bayou
de Glaize.

Cox, G. H., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Davis, Jas., e. Aug. 19, 1862, trans. March 15, 1864, to invalid corps.

Daniel, A. M., e. Aug. 22, 1862, disd. March 31, 1865, disab.

Fisher, Wm., e, Aug. 15, 1862, wd, Dec. 15, 1864, at Nashville.

Ferguson, David, e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Flaugher, N., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Finn, Patrick, e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Fisher, John, e. Aug. 4, 1862, died Oct 6, 1863, at Camp Wood, Miss.

Flood, Nicholas, e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Godfrey, Walter, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Hicks, John C, e. Aug. 4, 1862, died Sept. 20, 1863, at Camp Wood, Tenn.

Hammon, J., e. Aug. 4, 1862, died Jan. 27, 1863, on hospital boat.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 891

Harkness, Jas., e. Aug. i6, 1862.

Holmes, O. P., e, Aug. 21, 1862, disd. Aug. 14, 1863, disab.

Hill, Benjamin, e. Aug. 22, 1862.

Johnson, M., e. Aug. 15, 1862, died Jan. 24, 1863, at Cairo.

Johnson, Wm. J., e. Aug. 8, 1862, disd. July i, 1863, disab.

Keely, Jdm W., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Keith, Jas. H., e. Aug. 9, 1862, died Aug. 2, 1863, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo.

Kamerling, Edward, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Lauffer, L., e. Aug. 15, 1862, wd. June 6, 1864, at Old River Lake, Ark.

Monroe, Samuel, e. Aug. 15, 1862, trans. Nov. 20, 1863, to invalid corps.

McMillen, F., e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd, Jan. 8, 1863, disab.

Melton, R. T., e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. July i, 1863, disab.

Mohn, Phillip, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Robinson, Jc^, e. Aug. 5, 1862, died July 3, 1863, at St Louis.

Rollins, E. P., e. Aug. 5, 1862, trans. Dec., 1864, to V. R. C.

Robinson, Wm., e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Robbins, e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Sealls, Edmond, e. Aug. 4, 1862, wd. at Tupelo July 14, 1864, wd. at Mem-
phis July 20, 1864.

Seright, Jas. A., e. Aug. 4, 1862, disd. Sept 14, 1863, disab.

Shattuck, M., e. Aug. 4, 1862.

Topping, Levi H., e. Aug. 18, 1862.

Thayer, Chandler, e. Aug. 15, 1862, died Sept. 22, 1863, at Camp Wood,
Miss.

Ward, Jos., e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Wetherell, W. M., e. Aug. 4, 1862.

Weaver, John, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Weaver, Henry, e. Aug. 15, 1862, died May 18, 1865, at Memphis, Tenn.

COMPANY I.

First Lieut Jackson A. Evans, com. 2nd lieut Sept 18, 1862, prmtd. ist lieut
June 22, 1863, died at Memphis March 2, 1865.

First Sergt. Parley Shawber, e. Aug.. 11, 1862, disd. Feb. 17, 1863, disab.

Scrgt Ira Ford, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Corp. Jeremiah Evans, e. Aug. 11, 1862, disd. March 28, 1865, disab.

Corp. J. R. Hoffman, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Corp. Wm. Brandt, e. Aug. 15, 1862, kid. June 6, 1864, in battle Old River
Lake, Ark.

Wagoner Samuel Mather, c. Aug. 15, 1862.

Gibson, Wm., e. Aug. 15, 1862, died Dec. i, 1864, Nashville.

Coin, Wm., e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Humphrey, Jos., e. Aug. 15, 1862, trans. April 30, 1864, to invalid corps.

Lee, M. A., e. Aug. 15, 1862, kid. June 6, 1864, in battle Old River Lake, Ark.

Lee, Jos. T., e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Louderman, H., e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. May 21, 1863, disab.

Neiman, H. P., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

892 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Russell, A. M., e. Aug. 9, 1862.

Russel, W., e. Aug. 9, died Nov. 7, 1862.

Sheets, Thomas, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Sheets, Eli, e, Aug. 20, 1862, captd. July 15, 1864, at Tupelo.

Vincent, W. H., e. Aug. 25, 1862, died Aug. 12, 1863, Mound City, 111.

COMPANY K.

Cs^t. Hiram A. McKelvey, com. Sept 18, 1862.

First Lieut Wm. M. Dugan, com. Sq>t 18, 1862, wd. at Pleasant Hill, Lau
died at Memphis May 11, 1864.

First Lieut. Emanuel Lichtenwalter, e. as ist sergt Aug. 5, 1862, prmtd. ist
lieut Feb. 7, 1865.

Second Lieut. Cephas Parker, com. Sept. 18, 1862, resd. Feb. 4, 1865.

Sergt. Jas. Gay, e. Aug. 12, 1862, died Dec. 8, 1862, at Tipton.

Sergt. Chas. Marquand, e. Aug. 10, 1862, disd. Oct 14, 1863, disab.

Sergt. Geo. F. Devereaux, e. Aug. 10, 1862, disd. March 2, 1863, for promo-
tion 1st U. S. In.

Sergt Josephus Crane, e. Aug. 12, 1862, died May 3, 1863, DucIq>ort, La.

Sergt. H. F. Amsden, e. Aug. 12, 1862, disd. March 19, 1863, disab.

Corp. David J. Thome, e. Aug. 12, 1862.

Corp. Harrison Prichard, e. Aug. 6, 1862, died Aug. 2, 1863, Jefferson Bar-
racks.

Corp. S. S. Crocker, e. Aug. 12, 1862.

Corp. Thomas Northrop, e. Aug. 12, 1862.

Corp. Allen Nesbett, e. Aug. 22, 1862, disd. Feb. 16, 1863, disab.

Corp. Leander Bader, e. Aug^ 12, 1862.

Corp. M. F. Funk, e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Corp. Samuel G. Funk, e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Musician H. J. Chadwick, e. July 25, 1862.

Musician Clark Chadwick, e. July 25, 1862.

Wagoner Anthony Fulwider, e. Aug. 14, 1862, trans. Nov. 20, 1863, to in-
valid corps.

Belzner, Mathias, e. Aug. 2, 1862, disd. March 5, 1864, disab.

Burrows, Hiram, e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Briggs, John, e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Baily, Wm. L., e. Aug. 14, 1862, died July 5, 1863, Memphis.

Bowles, H. C, e. Aug. 14, 1862, died Aug. 7, 1863, St Louis.

Barlean, Eph., e. Aug. 14, 1862, died Oct. 4, 1864, Memphis.

Barlean, Eli, e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Billinger, C. J., e. Aug. 14, 1862, disd. for disab. Oct. 16, 1862.

Bennett, E. C, e. Aug. 22, 1862, died Oct. 19, 1863, Vicksburg.

Caldwell, Alex., e. Aug. 14, 1862, trans. Nov. 30, 1863, to invalid corps.

Code, Wm., e. Aug. 22, 1862, disd. June 6, 1863, disab.

Connor, Michael, e. Aug. 6, 1862, died' Feb. i, 1863, Columbus, Ky.

Qeveland, H. C, e. Aug. 22, 1862, deserted Sept. 24, 1862.

Curry, David, e. Aug. 20, 1862.

RAISING THE FLAG OVER MORRO CASTLE, HAVANA, JANUARY 1, 189B. MEMBERS
OF COMPANY F, FORTY-NINTH IOWA, TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 895

Dwinnell, Byron, e. Aug. 9, 1862, trans. June 24, 1863, to invalid corps.

Dunn, Jacob C, c. Aug. 21, 1862, disd. Sept. 21, 1863, disab.

Dillcm, Wm. C, e. Aug. 13, 1862, disd. Dec. 8, 1863.

EcoflF, J. P., c. Aug. 14, 1862.

Fisher, Jos. H., e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Fleagle, Daniel, e. Aug. 6, 1862, disd. Feb. 7, 1863.

Flynn, A. J., e. Aug. 22, 1862.

Gillilan, Isaac, e. Aug. 14, 1862, disd. Dec. i, 1863, disab.

Hupp, H. H., e. Aug. 6, 1862, died at Cairo Dec. 27, 1862.

HuM>, Wm., c. Aug. 6, 1862, disd. March 3, 1863, disab.

Heltzel, Peter, e. Aug. 15, 1862, disd. Jan. 31, 1863, disab.

Heck, John, e. Aug. 14, 1862, disd. Jan. 18, 1865, disab.

Hart, Geo., e. Aug. 6, 1862, disd. Feb. 6, 1863, disab.

Houseman, Jacob, e. Aug. 21, 1862.

Klinglesmith, J. J., e. Aug. 6, 1862, wd. April 9, 1864, Pleasant Hill, La.

Kimble, J., e. Aug. 21, 1862.

Kiser, C, e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Lichtenwalter, S. J., e. Aug. 21, 1862, wd. April 9, 1864, Pleasant Hill, La.

McHenry, Jas. £., e. Aug. 5, 1862, disd. for disab. Dec. 24, 1862.

Moore, John, e. Aug. 6, 1862, disd. for disab. Dec 24, 1862.

Mardis, James, e. Aug. 7, 1862, disd. March 9, 1863, disab.

Nelott, Austin, e. Aug. 6, 1862, died May 4, 1863.

Noc, W. A., e. Aug. 12, 1862, died Aug. 30, 1864, St. Louis.

Nosley, Jacob, e. Aug. 7, 1862. ... '

Parr, L., e., Aug. 12, 1862, died June 15, 1864, Duck Port, La.

Parr, E., e. Aug. 12, 1862, wd. April 9, 1864, Pleasant Hill, La.

Parker, Jas. S., e. Aug. 14, 1862, trans. Feb. 15, 1863, to invalid corps.

Parr, L., e. Aug. 14, 1862, disd. March 9, 1863, disab.

Pine, Jas. J., e. Aug. 15, 1862, died July 20, 1863, Jackson.

Prettyman, Richard, e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Ross, Isaac, e. Aug. 15, 1862.

Reese, Jas. W., e. Aug. 2, 1862.

Redinger, Wm., e. Aug. 12, 1862.

Rice, E. W., e. Aug. 2, 1862, trans. Dec. i, 1863, to invalid corps.

Rice, E. S., c. Aug. 6, 1862.

Raxley, D. M., e. Aug. 14, 1862.

SteflFey, Geo., e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Sprowl, A. W., e. Aug. 13, 1862.

Swarms, Henry, e. Aug. 2, 1862.

Switzer, A., e. Aug. 8, 1862.

Snyder, J. W., e. Aug. 14, 1862. '

Snyder, Jas., e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Snyder, Alex., e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Swanger, A., e. Aug. 20, 1862.

Sc^er, Geo. W., e. Aug. 22, 1862, wd. May 18, 1864, at Bayou de Glaize.

Thompson, J., e. Aug. 14, 1862, disd. March 19, 1863, disab.

Templcr, T., e. Aug. 22, 1862, died Jan. 21, 1863, at Duckport, La.

806 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Whcatlcy, E. J., e. Aug. 6, 1862, died Jan. i, 1863, at Cairo.

Winter, J. C, e. Aug. 6, 1862.

Walker, J. W., e. Aug. 11, 1862, disd. Oct 28, 1863, disab.

Winter, J. F., e. Aug. 12, 1862.

Wall, J., e. Aug. 14, 1862.

Jordan, John, e. Oct 27, 1862.

Lieut Col. Lorenzo D. Durbin, com. June 10, 1864.

FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY (lOO DAYS).

On the 21 St of April, 1864, the Governors of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa
and Wisconsin, voluntarily tendered to the President of the United States an
enlistment of 85,000 volunteers to serve for the period of one hundred days. Ten
thousand of these were to be enlisted in the State of Iowa.

Company I of the Forty-sixth Regiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers (100
day men) was enlisted in Cedar County, all the men excepting three being resi-
dents of the county, about fifteen or twenty men enlisting for this service in
other rc^ments.

The Forty-sixth Regiment was ordered into quarters on the 30th day of
May, 1864, and mustered into service by Cat>t. Chambers, U. S. A., at Daven-
port, Iowa, June 20, 1864. June 14, left Davenport en route for Carroll, IH,
and on the i8th of June started for Memphis, Tenn., by boat. The regiment
arrived at Memphis on the 19th of June, and remained there until the 27tfa of
June, when it was ordered to guard duty on Memphis & Charleston Railroad
at Collierville, Tenn., and on the 29th of the same month Companies A and I
were stationed three miles west of Collierville, where they remained till the time
for its dash into Memphis, when they were ordered back to Collierville, where
they remained a few days. Afterwards the same two companies were sent to
their former position west of Collierville, where they remained until ordered
to Memphis to be sent home. The r^;iment was mustered out at Davenport
on the 23rd day of September, 1864.

The only men of this regiment who were under fire during the service were
eighteen men under Capt. W. P. Wolf, who w^re ambuscaded by about forty
guerrillas July 24, 1864, Leonidas Brown receiving a wound which afterwards
proved fatal, W. P. Wolf severely, and John Diltz slightly wounded. J. W.
Thompson, John Dugan, Wm. D. Hall and F. M. Brown were taken prisoners.

COMPANY I.

Capt. Wm. P. Wolf, com. June 10, 1864, wd. July 24, 1864.
First Lieut Joseph W. Bull, com. June 10, 1864.
Second Lieut Thos. Godden, com. June 10, 1864.
Sergt. Joshua T. Taylor, e. May 2, 1864.
Sergt. Chas. B. Harris, e. May 12, 1864.
Sergt. John Bums, e. May 12, 1864.

Sergt. Jas. W. Thompson, e. May 12, 1864, captd. July 24, 1864, near Col-
lierville, Tenn., died March 25, 1865, at Vicksburg.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 897

Sergt. Samud P. Foy, e. May 12, 1864.

Sergt Daniel Moorer, e. May 12, 1864.

Corp. Wm. L. Curry, e. May 2, 1864.

Corp. Daniel Fleagle, e. May 12, 1864.

Corp. T. J. Speakman, e. June i, 1864,

Corp. Geo. Knneo, e. May 2, 1864.

Coq>. David R. Clark, e. May 18, 1864.

Corp. Thos. F. Bobo, e. May 18, 1864.

Corp. E. W. McCracken, e. May 2, 1864.

Musician Jacob Onstott, e. May 4, 1864.

Bailey, John I., e. May 18, 1864.

Bagley, Jas. W., e. May 14, 1864, died at Davenport Sept. 20, 1864.

Brogan, Caleb, e. May 12, 1864.

Brown, Leonidas, e. May 18, 1864, wd. July 24, 1864, afterward died.

Brown, F. H., e. May 12, 1864, captd. July 24, 1864, near Cdlierville, Tenn.

Beatty, Geo. E., e. May 2, 1864.

Bycrs, Wm., e. May 21, 1864.

Brogan, John E., e. June 5, 1864.

Burnett, Geo. V., e. June 7, 1864,

Brigle, John, e. June 7, 1864.

Cornwall, Geo. F., e. May 2^ 1864.

Daniels, Sanmel L., e. May 2, 1864.

Diltz, Levi, e. May 4, 1864.

Diltz, John, e. May 4, 1864, wd. July 24, 1864, captd. and escpd. July 24, 1864,

Duncan, John P., e. May 25, 1864.

Embree, Wm. H., e. May 12, 1864.

Edge, Wm. H., e. May 19, 1864.

Elseffer, Chas., e. May 28, 1864.

Foy, David, e. May 16, 1864,

Frank, John W., e. May 19, 1864.

Gordon, John S., e. May 12, 1864.

Gary, John B., e. May 28, 1864.

Harden, A., e. May 12, 1864.

Hall, W. D., e. May 14, 1864, taken prisoner July 24, 1864, Tenn.

Hammond, Lewis, e. May 2, 1864.

Johnson, Jas. H., e. May 23, 1864.

Kester, Wm. E., e. May 21, 1864.

Kester, Benj. H., e. May 20, 1864.

Knott, Jos. E., e. May 12, 1864.

Klise, Chas. F., e. May 30, 1864.

Layton, Samuel, e. May 20, 1864.

Linsley, Ed. A., e. May 2, 1864.

Launtz, Jas. F., e. May 28, 1864.

Lightfoot, Wm., e. June 7, 1864.

Mulford, L. M., e. May 16, 1864.

Mason, Don Alonzo, e. May 16, 1864.

Miller, Jos. H., e. May 4, 1864.

898 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

McLain, J<^ D., e. May 6, 1864.
McCoy, H, M., e. May 23, 1864.
OdcU, Wm. H., c. May 24, 1864,
Parsons, Marsh, e. May 2, 1864.
Pittman, Wm., e. May 14, 1864.
Perry, Chas. H., e. May 19, 1864.
Porter, B. S., e. May 18, 1864.
Reigart, C. K., e. May 2, 1864.
Sprague, Jas., e. May 6, 1864.
Speakman, G., e. May 12, 1864.
Sterrett, Wm. H., e. May 24, 1864.
Scott, Daniel B., e. May 25, 1864.
Sanderscm, Jos. F., e. May 28, 1864.
Smith, David K., e. June 8, 1864.
Thompson, John A., e. May 18, 1864.
Teter, Jas., e. May 20, 1864.
Valentine, Jacob, e. May 20, 1864.
Willey, C. M., c. May 20, 1864.
Wheeler, John M., e. May 16, 1864.
Ward, E. B., e. May 12, 1864.
Whitson, John T., e. May 12, 1864.
Wilcutt, H. R., e. May 5, 1864.
Wiggins, C. D., e. May 3, 1864.
Wright, Nelson, e. May 11, 1864.
Wooley, Newton, e. May 23, 1864.
Wertz, W. C, e. May 23, 1864.
Whitson, R. C, e. May 28, 1864.
Woodard, C. S., c. May 30, 1864.

MISCELLANEOUS INFANTRY.

FIRST INFANTRY.

Corp. W. F. Devereaux, e. April 22, 1861, m. o. Aug. 25, i86i.

Ford, Ira, e. April 18, 1861, m. o. Aug. 25, 1861.

Lang, A. Q., e. April 18, 1861, wd. at Wilson's Credc, Mo., Aug. 10, 1861,
m. o. Aug. 25, 1 861.

Moffit, Wm., e. April 18, 1861, wd. at Wilson's Creek, Mo., Aug. 10, 1861,
m. o. Aug. 25, 1861.

Smith, A. T., e. April 18, 1861, wd. at Wilson's Creek, Mo., Aug. 10, i86r,
m. o. Aug. 25, 1861.

Fobes, B. F., e. April 22, 1861, wd. at Wils<Mi's Creek, Mo., Aug. 10, 1861,
m. o. Aug. 25, 1861.

Lane, Jos., e. April 22, 1861, wd. at Wilson's Creek, Mo., Aug. 10, 1861, tn.
o. Aug. 25, 1861.

Morgrige, H. S., e. April 22, 1861, wd. at Wilson's Credc, Mo., Aug. 10,
1861, m. o. Aug. 25, i86i.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 899

SECOND INFANTRY.

Corp. Darius Pingrcy, e. April 24, 1861, m. o. 1864.
Ludlow, William A., e. April 24, 1861, m. o. 1864.

SECOND INFANTRY, COMPANY C.

Bailey, H. W., e. May, 1865.

Bass, Gilman, e. May, 1865.

Campbell, Alex., e. May, 1865.

Pilson, Casper, e. May, 1865.

Lang, Bernard, e. May, 1865.

Kettell, William, c. May, 1865. - . , ,

Ripley, Jas. H., e. May, 1865.

SECOND CONSOLIDATED VETERAN INFANTRY.

(Second and Third Consolidated.)
Asst. Surg. Prentiss B. Clark, com. March 5, 1865, m. o. July 12, 1865.

SIXTH INFANTRY.

Beck, John S., deserted at St. Louis, Aug. 22, 1862.

Foote, P. L., wd. at Shiloh, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865.

Gillette, S., m. o. July 21, 1865.

EIGHTH INFANTRY.

Sui^. Prentiss B. Clark, com. Sept 18, 1861, resd. Jan. 31, 1862.
Hupp, Daniel, e. Sept 3, 1861, disd. at Monterey, Tenik, May 12, 1862.
Rogers, L. D., e. Sept 3, 1861, disd. at Monterey, Tenn., May 12, 1862, disab.
Fisher, Jc^ K., e. Sept 3, 1861, taken prisoner April 6, 1862, at Shildi.

NINTH. INFANTRY.

First Lieut. Jacob Jones, com. 2d lieut. Sept, 1861, prmtd. to ist licut. Aug i,
1862, kid. in battle at Vicksburg May 22, 1863.

Second Lieut. Wm. L. Jennings, e. as sergt. Aug. 12, 1861, prmtd. to 2nd
lieut. Aug. I, 1862, resd. Sept. 2o, 1864.

Craw, A. B., e. Sept 10, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, m. o. July 18, 1865.

Robinson, J. B., e. Aug. 20, 1861, re-e, as vet Jan. i, 1864, m. o. July 18, 1865.

Smalley, Wm. W., e. Aug. 20, 1861, m. o. July 18, 1865.

TWELFTH INFANTRY.

Brown, A. M., e. Oct. i, 1864, m. o. Jan. 20, 1866.
Morrow, Frank, e. Oct. i, 1864, m. o. Jan. 20, 1866.
Corp. James B. McGill, e. Dec. 25, 1863, m. o. Jan. 20, 1866.

400 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

THIRTBENTH INFANTRY.

Sergt John R. McCroskcy, e. Sept. i8, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, wi
at Shiloh July 5, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865.

Sergt. M. J. Umstead, e. Sept. 18, 1861, re-c. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, wA at
Shiloh, captd, at Atlanta, Ga., July 2, 1864.

Corp. P. J. Downing, e. Sept. 18, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

Baragar, Z., e. Oct. 5, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, captd. at Atlanta, Ga.,
July 22, 1864.

Comstock, Wm. L., e. Sept. 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864, captd. at At-
lanta, Ga., July 22, 1864.

Gilliland, Nathan, e. Sept 23, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, kid. in battle
in Georgia July 21, 1864.

Harper, Wm. F., e. March 31, 1864, captd. near Atlanta July 22, 1864, dcd
1864.

McKinsley, B., e. March 31, 1864, captd. July 22, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865.

Bierley, John, e. Sept. 16, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, "i- o. July 21, 1865.

Franklin, E., e. Sept, 1861, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865.

Lillia, Geo. E., e. 1861, re-e. as vet Feb. 25, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865.

Kinport, M., e. March 31, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865.

FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.

Betts, Samuel B., e. Nov. 22, 1861.

Cass, James, e. Nov. 7, 1861, wd. April 9, 1864, m. o. Nov. 16, 1864.

Chambers, Samuel H., e. Nov. 22, 1861.

Ford, Chas., e. Nov. 22, 1861.

Shropshire, Joel S., e. Nov. 22, 1861.

Smith, Thomas, e. Oct. 16, 1861, disd. Nov. 16, 1864.

SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.

Davis, John W., e. April 7, 1862, captd. Oct. 13, 1864, at Tiltoa, Ga,, m. 0.
July 25, 1865.

Easley, John, e. March 17, 1862, captd. Oct. 13, 1864, at Tiltoa, Ga,, m. a
July 25, 1865.

McNabb, Robt. J., e. March 13, 1862, re-e. as vet March 15, 1864, wd. May
16, 1863, Miss., m. o. July 25, 1865.

Caho<Mi, Wm. B., e. March 7, 1862, captd. Oct. 13, 1864, at Tilton, Ga,, m. 0.
July 21, 1865.

Chase, Jos., e. March 12, 1862, re-e. as vet. March 15, 1864, m. o. July 21,
1865.

Smith, Jas., e. Feb. 29, 1862, died July 9, 1862, at Farmington, Miss.

EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY.

Asst Surg. Henry H. Maynard, com. Aug. 8, 1862, prmtd. surg. 2nd Ar-
kansas Cav. March i, 1864, m. o. July 20, 1865.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 401

Second Lieut. James Hoon, e. as corp. June ii, 1862, prmtd. 2nd lieut. July i,
1865, m. o. as 4th sergt. July 20, 1865.

Ives, W. H., e. June 11, 1862, disd. Feb. 19, 1863, disab.
Webb, Jas., e. Aug. i, 1862, disd. June 3, 1863, disab.

NINETEENTH INFANTRY.

Fraser, Hugb, e. Oct. 4, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865.

TWENTIETH INFANTRY.

Corp. Ham Vanausdale, e. Aug. 11, 1862, m. o. July 10, 1865. '
Barrett, J. F., e. Aug. 6, 1862, died July 10, 1863, at Vicksburg.
Disney, John, e. Aug. 11, 1862, disd. May 7, 1863, disab.
Kelso, Evan, e. Aug. 11, 1862, disd. Oct. 22, 1863, disab.

TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.

Asst. Surg. Geo. F. Wetherell, com. Sept. 3, 1862, m. o. June 6, 1865.
Sergt. David H. Denny, e. July 9, 1862, captd. April 9, 1863, at Deer Credc,
Miss., m. o. July 6, 1865.

Hane, J. W., e. July 9, 1862, m. o. July 6, 1865.
Parker, John, e. July 8, 1862, m. o. July 6, 1865.
Saiel, Z., e. July i, 1862, m. o. July |6, 1865.

THIRTY-FIRST INFANTRY.

Crumb, Albert, e. Jan. 4, 1864, m. o. June 27, 1865.

THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (GRAYBEARD REGIMENT).

Dairy, Henry, c. Nov. 19, 1862.
Lindsley, Henry H., e. Nov. 19, 1862.
Potter, Herman B., e. Dec. 14, 1862.
Sweet, Lorenson L., e. Nov. 19, 1862.
Yard, Robt, c. Nov. 19, 1862.

FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY.

Corp. Benj. Cope, e. May i, 1864, m. o. Sept 5, 1864
Burnett, Thos., e. May i, 1864, m. o. Sept. 5, 1864.
Edgerton, F. S., e. May 18, 1864, m. o. Sept. 5, 1864,
Haines, Oscar, e. May 29, 1864, m. o. Sept. 5, 1864.
Nason, Henry, e. May 9, 1864, m. o. Sept. 5, 1864.
Phillips, Titus, e. May 25, 1864, m. o. Sept. 5, 1864.
Ridenour, John, e. May 19, 1864, in. o. Sept. 5, 1864.
Winders, Jas., e. May 9, 1864, m. o. Sept 5, 1864.
Garrison, W. S., e. May 11, 1864, m. o. Sept 5, 1864.
Sergt Rufus D. Parsons, e. May 20, 1864, m. o. Sept. 5, 1864.
Arnold, J. P., e. May 4, 1864, m. o. Sept 5, 1864.
Minihom, H. J., e. May 28, 1864, m. o. Sept. 5, 1864.

402 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

FORTY-FIFTH INFANTRY.

Carter, M. L., e. Sq>t. 14, i86i» m. o. Sept 16, 1864.
Carter, J. £., e. Sept. 14, 1861.

FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.

Sergt. C. P. Maris, e. May 12, 1864.
Sergt. R. £. Campbell, e. May 12, 1864.
Corp. James Leicester, e. May 11, 1864.
Bailey, Phillip, e. May 18, 1864.
Gray, A. B., e. May 12, 1864.
Gruell, Isaac, e. May 12, 1864,
Hines, Geo., e. May 25, 1864.
Maris, J. E., e. May 25, 1864.
Mattis<m, Jas., e. May 12, 1864.
Mattison, John, e. May 11, 1864.
Todd, Oliver, e. May 18, 1864.
Vamey, J. P., e. May 12, 1864.

FIRST IOWA COLORED INFANTRY.

Sergt Chas. E. Wilson, e. Aug. 26, 1863, m. o. Oct 15, 1865.
Sergt. Madis<m Corbin, e. Aug. 25, 1863, m. o. Oct 15, 1865.
Clark, John, e. Aug. 26, 1863, n^* ^ 0<^t. 15, 1865.
Eustler, David, e. Dec i, 1863.

TENTH KANSAS INFANTRY.

Sergt. Josiah Kfeisler, e. July 30, 1861.
Corp. T. W. Maxon, c. Oct 28, 1861.
Corp. N. Thomas, e. Oct. 28, 1861.
Wagoner L. Williamson, e. Oct. 29, 1861.
Bowersock, Asa, e. July 30, 1861.
Harris, R. L., e. Oct 28, 1861.
Harris, Roswell, e. Oct. 28, 1861.
Lupton, J. K., c. July 30, 1861.
Mon^omery, H. C, e. Sept 6, 1861.
Miller, H. J., e. Oct. 28, 1861.
Morrison, A., e. Oct 28, 1861.
Maxon, W. H., e. April 14, 1863.
Southwick, A., e. July 30, 1861.
Westfall, Jos. S., e. Sept 21, 1861.
Westfall, T. J., e. Sept 6, 1861.
Williamson, R., e. Oct 28, 1861.

FIFTH CAVALRY.

The Fifth Cavalry, better known as ''Curtis' Horse," was organized at Ben-
ton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 20, 1861. It was composed of various detach-

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 408

ments and companies from the western states. It did very efficient service, the
details of which cannot here be given, as the regiment was constantly moving,
mostly by companies or battalions, scouting, foraging, pursuing or harassing the
enemy, and while not participating often as a r^^ent in large battles, it was
ccmstantly having smaller battles. The principal engagements participated in
were the second battle of Fort Donelson, where the Fifth Cavalry followed the
retreating enemy, charged and routed them; several engagements against
Wheeler's cavalry at Wartrace, Duck River Bridge, Sugar Creek, and against
Roddy's cavalry in several minor engagements.

The Fifth became veterans February 4, and went home to report at Daven-
port March 5. They returned to Nashville, Tenn., and thence proceeded on a
most active campaign, tearing up railroads, and burning bridges in the enemy's
rear, and annoying and crippling them in every possible way. Finally at a place
called Newman, in Geoi^, they, with the Eighth Indiana, were surrounded by
the consolidated cavalry forces of Wheeler, Roddy, Jackson, Hume and Ross,
and compelled to cut their way out, every man for himself, in which way they
reached our lines. After this, with but a handful of men, the Fifth was assigned
to Kilpatrick's command, and operated almost day and night in the vicinity of
Atlanta; and, after going to Louisville, Ky., and getting fresh horses, they
entered into another active campaign, between Nashville and Athens, having sev-
eral important engagements with the enemy; and went home at the end of the
war with a record of which every man can feel justly proud.

COMPANY I.

Capt. Wm. G. McElsea, e. as sergt. Co. A, 5th Inf., June 24, 1862, prmtd. 2nd
lieut. Sept. 20, 1862, prmtd. ist lieut. Feb. 23, 1863, prmtd. o^t. July 10, 1863,
trans, to this reg. com. July 10, 1863, m. o. May 15, 1865.

First Lieut. Jacob F. Weaver, com. 2nd lieut. Dec. 29, 1864, prmtd. ist lieut.
July 5, 1865, ^- o- 2nd lieut. Aug. 11, 1865.

Com. Sergt. Wm. H. Morrow, e. June 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.

Sergt. Wm. Zeitler, e. June 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. 5, 1864, wd. Dec. 25,

1864.

Begole, Wm. F., e. Sept. i, 1862, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.
Gillette, A. H., e. Sept. i, 1862, rc-e. as vet. Jan. 5, 1864.
Kinmiell, D. H., e. June 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. i, 1864.
Murray, Jas. B., e. June 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. 5, 1864.
OKnger, Samuel H., e. June 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. 5, 1864.
Parsons, N. H. M., e. June 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. 5, 1864.
Rogers, N. H., e. June 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. 5, 1864.
Tracy, Thos. F., e. June 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. Jan. 5, 1864.
Faninge, Walter, e. Nov. 15, 1864.

SEVENTH CAVALRY.

(This regiment mustered out at Sioux City June 22, 1866.)

COMPANY A.

Todd, Benj. F., e. Oct. 31, 1862, deserted.

404 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

COMPANY K.

Cavett, A. J., c. Sept 20, 1861.
Lewis, Jas. M., e. Feb. 29, 1864.

COMPANY L.

Second Lieut. Hiram J. Gruwell, e. as private Oct. i, 1861, com. 2nd lieut
April 5, 1866, m. o. as Q. M. S. Jtme 22, 1866.
Corp. Alfred R. Ohls, e. Oct. 5, 1861.
Corp. Isaac E. Dixon, e. Oct i, 1861.
Wagoner Casper Cooper, e. Oct i, 1861.
Brown, Edward B., e. Oct 21, 1861.
Funk, G. W., e. Oct i, 1861.
Shaw, Samuel J., e. Oct. i, 1861.
Ferguson, Luther, e. Sept. 26, 1861.
Russell, McCoUum, e. Oct 7, 1861.
Smith, F. A., e. Sept. 27, 1861.
Smith, H. W., e. Sept 27, 1861.
Swan, Avery, e. Sept. 28, 1861.
Welch, W. C, e. Sept. 26, 1861.

COMPANY M.

Hoskins, A. R., e. May 4, 1864.
Heck, Samuel, e. May 4, 1864.
Sweeney, Edward.
Smith, F. A., e. Feb. 28, 1864.

EIGHTH CAVALRY.

Company K of the Eighth lowta Cavalry was raised in Cedar County bjr
Capt John Dance, while some from the county enlisted in other companies of
the regiment. The Eighth was mustered into service Sept 30, 1863, and, before
being fully equipped with either horses or arms, was ordered to die front to join
Gen. Rosecrans at Chattanooga. The remainder of the animals were proctired
as quickly as possible, and on the morning of October 17, die Eighth left Camp
Roberts for Louisville, via Michigan City and Indianapolis, where they arrired
on the 21 St, and went into camp near the Nashville Railroad depot They were
soon furnished with shelter tents, Colt's army pistc^ and about 300 GaJh^tr
carbines. Drill was resumed, and the first dress parade, mounted, tock place
on the evening of the 22nd. November 4th, the r^;iment commenced its march
to Nashville, Tenn., where it arrived on the 17th, making its first march of xo
miles in less than two weeks. On the ist of December, the Eighth left Nashville
on the line of the N. and N. W. railroad.

After a general scout through that section of the country, the rq;iment was
detailed by battalion to three different points, with headquarters at Waverij,
Tenn.

fflSTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 405

The capturing or dispersing of guerrillas was the principal duty of the Eighth
Iowa Cavalry, but whenever occasion offered, the regiment was not lacking in
courage or coolness ; and, in fact, did some excellent fighting on several occasions,
among which was the engagement at Lost Mountain, Lovejoy's Station, and at
Newman. Starting from Red Clay, and including Stoneman's raid around At-
lanta, the regiment was under fire every day for more than a month. At New-
man, the mounted men that had been placed in position by General McCook, to
protect the only avenue of retreat for his forces on their return from their "raid
around Atlanta,'' were all captured except a portion of Company K, and a few
picked men from other companies, numbering seventeen in all, who made their
escape under command of Capt. Dance by cutting through the enemy's line. The
Colonel of the regiment was taken prisoner, and in his rq)ort states that Major
Root was missing from the time of the first charge, but it is stated on good author-
ity, that he was not missing from the regiment until he and Lieutens^nt M(mtow
joined with Captain Dance to force their way out rather than submit to being de-
tained as prisoners. After the raid above mentioned, the dismounted men he had
left at Kingston, Ga., were mounted, and the regiment then numbered 500, while
Company K numbered 54, with about 48 in the ranks. The next business of the
regiment was to assist in the pursuit of Wheeler, and in driving Forrest back
from his invasion of Tennessee in the fall of 1864. They were next engaged
in the front of the rebel General Hood, in his advance upon Nashville, to which
the regiment with other forces fell back.

At Duck River, Tenn., Captain Dance, with the first battalion, consisting of
Companies A, G, K and D, was directed to hold the fords, seven in number, at
and near Columbia, "as long as possible," until orders came to retreat. This
battalion held the fords until after the infantry had gone and the pursuing rebels
had closed in around them, when Captain Dance, finding it impossiUe to get orders,
and having a good knowledge of the country, undertook to pass through the en-
emy's line, who were pursuing General Schofield's forces. By personating Major
Williams, of Forrest's cavalry, and claiming to have been sent by Forrest to at-
tack the "d — d Yankees," he was enabled during the night, to pass through the
midst of the enemy, traveling six miles by the side of a rebel battery, and re-
ported his command safely to General Johnson, who had given him up for lost.

The regiment joined in the attack upon Hood, at Nashville, and in the pur-
suit of his forces out of Tennessee. They then went into quarters at Waterloo,
Alabama, until the 15th of March, when they joined the Wilson raid through
Alabama, and were mustered out at Macon, Ga.

Major John Dance, com. Capt. Co. K, Sept. 30, 1863, com. maj. Aug. 22, 1865,
m. o. as a capt. before promotion.

COMPANY c.

Shurley, F. M., Aug. 15, 1863.

COMPANY K.

First Lieut. Jno. S. Robertson, e. as ist. sergt. July 11, 1863, captd. at New-
man, Ga., July 30, 1864, com. ist lieut. June 16, 1865.

406 HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY

Second Lieut Smith H. Beeson, com. Sept. 30, 1863, resd. March 22, 1864.

Second Lieut. Jacob T. Haight, e. as ist sergt.^ prmtd. 2nd lieut Mardi 23,
1864, m. o. May 15, 1865.

Second Lieut. Ephraim L. Beeson, com. Aug. 22, 1865, m. o. as r^^ com.
sergt before promotion.

Corp. Giles Vanhooser, e. July 31, 1863.

Corp. A. D. Coleman, e. Aug. 11, 1863.

Farrier Wm. H. Ives, e. Aug. 15, 1863, wd. and captd. July 30, 1864, at
Newman, Ga.

Wagoner Jacob Henning, e. Aug. 11, 1863.

Callahan, C. W., e. Aug. 19, 1863.

Collins, J. W., e. July 4, 1863.

Craighead, Jas. S., e. July 16, 1863.

Edmiston, E. C, e. Aug. 24, 1863.

Frisbie, David" C, e. Aug. 5, 1863.

Gillilan, Delaney, e. Aug. 25, 1863.

Grewell, Daniel T., e. Aug. 11, 1863.

Harris, Hiram, e. Aug. 8, 1863.

Hawley, I. G., e. Aug. 23, 1863.

Johnson, Jos. S., e. Aug. 11, 1863, wd. July 29, 1864^ at Lovejoy Station.

Kisenger, Philip, e. Aug. 10, 1863, captd. July 30, 1864^ at Newman, Gt.,
died March 25, 1865, at Annapolis, Md.

Long, Alfred, R., e. Aug. 24, 1863.

Lyons, Morris, e. Aug. 5, 1863.

Macy, Cyrus F., e. Aug. 11, 1863, wd. and captd. July 30, 1864, at Newman,
Ga., died Oct 29, 1865, at Davenport

Millett, Wm. W., e. Aug. 10, 1863.

Pruitt, Thos., e. Aug. 11, 1863.

Rider, David O., e. Aug. 18, 1863, died Oct 29, 1863, at Davenport.

Rucker, Samuel, e. Aug. 15, 1863.

Schooley, I. N., e. July 10, 1863.

Slater, Geo., e. Aug. 10, 1863.

Smith, Jno. C, e. Aug. 23, 1863.

Ward, Jas., Sr., e. July 16, 1863.

Ward, Jas., Jr., e. July 16, 1863.

Wright, Wm. T., e. Aug. 19, 1863, captd. July 30, 1864, at Florence, S. C

Wright, V. H., e. Aug. 6, 1863.

Young, L. D., e. Sept. i, 1863.

NINTH CAVALRY.
COMPANY D.

Capt John W. Farmer, e. as sergt. Oct 3, 1863, com. ist lieut. March 9, 1865,
prmtd. capt Jan. i, 1865, com. revdced, m. o. Fd). 28, 1866.
Farrier Basil H. Wiggins, e. Oct i, 1863.
Freeman, Hull, e. Oct. 12, 1863, disd. April 25, 1864, disab.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 407

COMPANY E.

Chapman, Wm. H., e. Sq)t 15, 1863.

COMPANY G.

Q. M. S. Jackson D. Mitchell, e. Sept. i, 1863.

Clark, D. W., e. Sept. 26, 1863.

McCroskey, C. B., e. Oct. i, 1863, died Sept. 5, 1864, at Duvall's Bluff, Ark.

Snyder, Henry, e. Oct. i, 1862.

Tiller, T. J., e. Sept. 25, 1863.

Van Meter, Wm. L., e. Oct. i, 1863.

MISCELLANEOUS CAVALRY.

FIRST CAVALRY.

Blood, Albion, e. Oct. 13, 1864, <Usd. Sept. i, 1865, disab.

Dwigans, R. C, e. Oct 5, 1864, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.

Dwigans, Jos., e. Oct. 5, 1864, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.

Wingrove, e. Oct. 13, 1864, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.

Bray, Wm. H., e. Sept. 12, 1862, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.

Willford, J(^nathan, e. Jan. 5, 1864, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.

Cunningham, W. H. H., e. July 18, 1861, disd. March 24, 1863, disab.

Potter, Henry C, e. Jan. i, 1864, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.

Ford, Johnathan, e. Oct. 5, 1864, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.

Gillett, Ed. P., e. March 30, 1864, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.

SECOND CAVALRY.

McDonald, David, e. July 30, 1861, disd. Dec. 18, 1862, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Smith, R. B., e. Sq>t. 17, 1862, re-e. as vet Jan. i, 1864, prmtd. to Q. M.
sergt, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Chase, Ed., e. Feb. 13, 1864, ni. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Leech, Lewis, e. Feb. 13, 1864, n^- <>• Sq)t. 19, 1865.

Sergt. Seth Hartzell, e. Sept. i, 1861, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Corp. John B. Kelly, e. Sept. i, 1861, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Hilburt, J. J., e. Aug. 14, 1861, died at St. Louis, Jan. 12, 1862.

Scales, Jas., e. Aug. 14, 1861, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Safley, J. W., e. March i, 1864, m. o. Sq)t. 19, 1865.

Simmons, Wm. H., e. March 31, 1864, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Ferguson, Daniel B., e. Aug. 16, 1861, re-e. as vet March i, 1864, m. o. Sept
19, 1865.

Schroeder, August, e. Aug. 24, 1861, re-e. as vet. March i, 1864, m. o. Sept
19, 1865.

Q. M. S. Eugene Rigby, e. Aug. 30, 1861, re-e. as vet. March i, 1864, disd.
June 25, 1865.

Sergt. Geo. Heppenstall, e. Sept 21, 1861, re-e. as vet March i, 1865, m. o.
Sept 19, 1865.

406 HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY

Corp. I. M. Smith, c. Sept. 3, 1861, died at Farmmgton July 15, 1862.

Saddler Jas. Walters, e. Aug. 30, 1861, re-e. as vet March i, 1864.

Embree, B. J., e. Aug. 30, 1861, re-e. as vet. March i, 1864, captd. at Palo
Alto, Miss., April 21, 1863, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Gould, F. T., e. Aug. 30, 1861, re-e. as vet. March i, 1864, m. a Sept. 19,
1865.

Morfeitt, Win., e. Aug. 30, 1861, re-e. as vet. March i, 1864.

Crammer, Wm., e. Aug. 30, 1861, m. a Sept. 19, 1865.

James, Hiram, e. Aug. 30, 1862, disd. Sept. 16, 1862, disab.

Vamer, Harvey, e. Aug. 30, 1861, re-e. as vet. March i, 1864, m. o. ScpL
19, 1865.

Hanuncmd, Josiah W., e. Feb., 1865, ^* ^* Sept., 1865.

Leech, Chas., e. Feb., 1865, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Crozer, Chas. e. Feb., 1865, "*• ^* Sept. 19, 1865.

Corp. M. L. Simmons, e. Sept., 1861, re-e. as vet., m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Sergt. Morrean Carroll, e. Aug., 1861, re-e. as vet, m. o. Sept 19, 1865.

Davidson, Jas. W., e. Sept., 1861, prisr. of war, m. o. Sept 19, 1865.

Mann, Jas., e. Sept., 1861, re-e. as vet., wd. Dec. 17, 1864.

Finley, John, e. Dec., 1861, m. o. Sept 19, 1865.

Wade, John F., e. Sept., 1861, disd. March 6, 1863.

Montgomery, John, e. Sept, 1865, wd., disd.

Gill, Davis H., e. Dec., 1863, m. o. Sept, 1865.

Vamey, Allen, e. July, 1862, wd. near Prairie Station. }

Corp. E. B. Chamberlain, e. Aug. 14, 1861, died Nov. 9, 1863.

Corp. Patrick O'Hara, e. Aug. 21, 1861, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Gill, John B., e. Aug. 14, 1861, died at Corinth Oct i, 1862.

Morgan, Richard, e. Aug. 14, 1861, m. o. Sept 19, 1865.

Speakman, T. J., e. Aug. 14, 1861, disd. Sept. 29, 1862.

Burleston, R. G., e. Aug. 12, 1864, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

James, Jesse, e. March 23, 1864, wd. Nov. 29, 1864, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Leech, John, e. March 23, 1864, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Smith, E. P., e. Oct. i, 1864, m. o. Sept. 19, 1865.

Smith, H. L., e. Oct i, 1864, *n. o. Sept 19, 1865.

THISD CAVALRY.

White, John, e. Jan. i, 1864, m. o. Aug. 9, 1865.

FOURTH CAVALRY.

Morrison, Wm. S., e. Sept 14, 1861, re-e. ^ vet. Dec. 14, 1863, m. o. Aug.
10, 1865.

Ferguson, Hugh, e. Oct i, 1864, m. o. Aug. 10, 1865.
Miller, Jos. H., e. Oct. i, 1864, m. o. Aug. 10, 1865.
Safley, Jas. F., e. Sept 28, 1864, m. o. Aug. 10, 1865.
Safley, John H., e. Sept. 28, 1864, m. o. Aug. 10, 1865.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 409

SIXTH CAVALRY.

Ccwn. Sergt Wm, W. Clark, e. Sept. ^, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Sweet, Wm. W., e. Nov. 11, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Vends, Antonio, e. Nov. 12, 1862, disd.

Wright, Homer, e. Oct 13, 1862, disd.

Roberts, Wallace, e. Feb. 18, 1863, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Flattas, David, e. Nov. 21, 1863, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

McKinley, Wm., e. Oct. 7, 1863, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Quinn, John, e. Dec. 19, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Scott, Thos. H., e. Dec. 25, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Tlxmipson, Francis, e. March 5, 1863, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Corp. E. M. Stanton, e. Aug. 15, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Corp. Ed. Hall, e. Aug. 15, 1862, m. a Oct. 17, 1865.

Curran, Mathew, e. Aug. 15, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Downing, Henry, e. Dec. 18, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Fern, Thos., e. Aug. 13, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Green, Patrick, e. Aug. 17, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Carroll, Vincent, e. Sept. 29, 1864, "^ o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Coleman, John, e. Oct 3, 1864, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Dolan, Thos., e. Sept 29, 1864, m. o. Oct 17, 1865.

Franks, E. H., e. Oct 3, 1864, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.

Lewis, Jas. W., e. Sept 28, 1864, m. o. Oct 17, 1865.

McLaughlin, Jas., e. Oct 3, 1864, in. o. Oct 17, i865.»*

ABBREVIATIONS.

Adjt, adjutant L V. I., Iowa Volunteer Infantry.

Art., artillery. Kid., killed.

Bat., battle or battalion. Lieut., lieutenant.

Col., colonel. Maj., major.

Csq)t., captain. M. O., mustered out.

Corp., corporal. Prmtd., promoted.

Comsy., commissary. Prisr., prisoner.

Com., commissioned. Regt, regiment

Cav., cavalry. Re-e., re-enlisted.

Captd., captured. Res., resigned.

Desrtd., deserted. Sergt., setgeant.

Disab., disabled. Trans., transferred.

Disd., Discharged Vet, veteran.

E., enlisted. V. R. C, Veteran Reserve Corps.

Excd., exchanged. * Wd., wounded.

Inf., infantry. Hon. disd., honorably discharged.
Inv., invalid.

SECTION X.

JOHN BROWN IN CEDAR COUNTY.

Volumes have been written about this man whose name is forever associated
with the history of this county. His history, in a general way, is known to
some extent by almost everyone, but few are really concerned with the nearer
history of this man in Iowa and in our own immediate vicinity. Some material
in this chapter is first hand, sent direcdy to the editor from- one immediately
concerned in the living events of that time. They are much alive when one of
the survivors of that interesting band will now give in his own way a descrqh
tion of what occurred and an idea of the character of the men whom he knew
personally. Such personal accounts have not been heretofore published and the
full text is given as we proceed through this chapter. No attempt will be made
to cover a history of John Brown, only the portion relating to this immediate
vicinity and that which came just before and after, in this way preserving as
near as possible what has been written and any original matter that may be
procured. One must be indebted to many sources in such summaries and the
references explain these.

"It was about the close of the presidential campaign of 1856 that Brown ^^^
visited Iowa City and the Pedee settlement. He was then on his way east from
Kansas and was accompanied by one of his sons."***^ The reasons for his com-
ing through the territory are probably more than one. The article quoted above
goes on to say that, "The Hon. W. Penn Clarke (1866, colonel and paymaster
in the army) was the member of the Kansas National Committee for Iowa, and
his residence was in Iowa City, making this town the chief headquarters west
of the Mississippi for those who were Kansas sympathizers. To this point,
money, arms, clothing, and other supplies were forwarded for distribution to
those engaged in Kansas relief. After leaving Grinnell, where he always
found a welcome. Brown's next point of safety was found at Pedee in Iowa
township, this county. He might be supplied with what he happened to need
in Iowa City, but his safety could never be depended upon since many were
ready to deliver him up to the authorities if opportunity offered. It was in
October, 1856, that Brown alighted from his mule in front of the Travelers'
Rest,' which was the name of the little frame tavern kept by James Townscnd

410

LUKE v. PARSONS, SALINA, KANSAS

The onlj survivor of the John Brown Bond at Springdale, I857-S, and of

tbe flKht at Os^anatoinie, KaoBaB

' .•• i

PL// -it^ [■./ \,.Y

« L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 418

in West Branch, then a small village on the west line of Springdale township.
Brown asked the landlord if he had ever heard of John Brown of Kansas, after
which simple introduction the landlord proceeded to chalk John Brown's hat
and mule, so that both were afterward on the free list at the Travelers' Rest/
As the story is tcAd an X was placed on Brown's hat, two XX's on his back and
one finally on the back of the mule. Some say that a mutual exchange of enter-
tainment by thrilling stories from Brown for food and shelter may be surmised.
As for the mule he liked his treatment so well that he continued to reside in the
Pedee settlement until his history is lost, beyond the fact that he was the most
petted and pampered mule in the settlement, the envied of all for ease and con-
tentment at the home of J. H. Painter, of Springdale." "Brown was in the
Springdale settlement several times from '56 to '59, but the principal events
occur during his later visits. These visits to Pedee settlement generally had a
two-fold object — ^promotion of the Kansas Free State cause and the concealment
of negroes, but his last visits were made chiefly with a view to perfecting his
plans for a military expedition, acctmiulating arms, drilling his men, and taking
measures for making this region a sort of base of operations preliminary to the
attack on Harper's Ferry in 1859, which, according to his plan as found later,
was one year after the time scheduled."

Early in the winter of 'S7-'58 Brown for the fifth time visited the Quaker
settlements of Cedar County determined, as it now appears, to spend the winter
there in preparation for his Harper's .Ferry raid, the plan of which he then
disclosed to some of his trusted friends — ^James Townsend, John H. Painter,
Dr. H. C. Gill, Wm. Maxson, and probably others. On this occasion he was
accompanied by his band, consisting of the following: His son Owen, A. D.
Stevens, John Kagi, John E. Cook, Richard Realf, Chas. W. Moffatt, Luke F.
Parsons, Chas. H. Tidd, Wm. Leeman and Richard Richardson, the latter a
colored man, who with his wife and three children had made his escape from
slavery in Missouri. Stevens had been an enlisted man in the United States
regular service, and getting into an altercation with a commissioned officer
(Colonel Longstreet, said to be the same General Longstreet of the Confederate
army) he was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot, but escaping had joined
Brown. Kagi, Brown's favorite, was about thirty years old and a native of
Virginia. He had a fair education, was a ready speaker, and an excellent sten-
ographer. Realf was the poet, claiming to have been a protege of Lady Noel
Byron, widow of the poet, and to have left England for participating in the
chartist riots in 1848. During the Kansas war he was a corresp(Mident for the
New York Tribune." (He was one who failed to appear at Harper's Ferry.)
The sketches of these followers of Brown are given more fully farther on by
one of their associates at Springdale, Luke F. Parsons.

Besides those who came frcmi Kansas with Brown a number joined him
from the county. Among these were Geo. B. Gill, Coppock brothers, Edwin
and Barclay, and Stewart Taylor. Gill became the "secretary of the treasury"
in Brown's provisional government. He was detached from the party in Can- •
ada and returning to his home seems to have no further connection with the
expedition.

414 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

''Brown quartered his men during the winter at the home of Wm. Maxson,
three miles northeast of Springdale, in the house now known in all the sur-
rounding cotmtry as the first cement or gravel house ever built in this ^tate.
Mr. Maxson bought the farm on which it stands from the government in 183^
and this house was built in 1849. Here Brown's men were trained for the
projected raid. Brown himself had his quarters at the home of John H.
Painter^ about a mile distant, and the men were under the immediate command
of Stevens, who was drill master.

"Each hour of the twenty-four had its particular duty. Hie men were re-
quired to rise at five in the morning and drill and study alternated during^ the
dayUght hours. With the exception of Tuesday and Friday, when r^^ular de-
bates were assigned and all required to attend, their evenings were spent much
as they pleased.

"In the mock l^slature one of the sons of William Maxson remembers that
he served as the honorable member f rcmi Cedar County. The sessions were hekl
in the large sitting room of the Maxsons or in the district sdiool building, a
mile and a half away. There were the usual officers, a speaker, clerk of the
house and reg^ar standing committees. Bills were introduced, referred, re-
ported back, debated with earnestness and no little ability, and finally brought to
a vote. Kagi was the keenest debater and Realf and Coc^ orators of consider-
able power.^*

"The other evenings were spent at homes in the neighborhood. There were
the iPainters, the Lewises, the Vameys, the Gills, that could be visited ; or Ridi-
ard Realf had consented to address the lyceum at Pedee, and all Springdale was
going to hear him; this in part for the pleasure of hearing so good a speaker,
but more perhaps because of the anti-slavery views to which he would doubt-
less give utterance to the amazement and scandal of those who were not in
harmony with his view*.

"Brown himself did not remain at Springdale during the entire winter, but
soon went east to find and send back Forbes (whom he had expected to drill
the men), to raise more money, and to confer with others. Before going he
took occasicm to consult with his friends, Maxson, Gill, and Painter. What he
disclosed to them is substantially the same as disclosed to Gerrett Smith and
F. B. Sanborn at Peterboro, N. Y. — ^a scheme to invade Virginia. He intimated
to Gill at least, that the point of invasion would be Harper's Ferry.

"These men endeavored to dissuade him from such an attempt, Mr. Maxson
on more than one occasion sitting far into the night contending with Brown on
the practicability of his scheme. Brown was unchanged, his faith in his band
and his belief in his own mission left him still determined.

"The persons who harbored and with money and counsel assisted John Brown
on the several occasions when he visited Iowa City and the Pedee or Springdale
settlement, and to whom we are indetbed for the facts of this imperfectly written
narrative (1866), are citizens of the highest respectability, and some of the most
eminent standing as will be seen from the mention of their names, and they aD,
though far from approving the chief act of his life which has made Brown's
name historic, believed him to be actuated by the highest motives." ^•^

BARCLAY CSJPPOCK

EDWIN COPPOCK

I \' • *^ ^, ■ r ^

B L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 417

At the time John Brown's men were staying at Springdale there were living
with their mother in the village in a quaint frame house yet standing the Q^pock
brothers, mentioned on a previous page. They were young men of strong char-
acter, but it seems one was not strong physically and had found it necessary to
travel, having served for a time in Kansas with a company of liberators. They
both took much interest in Brown and his men and findly enlisted under his
leadership.***

On April 27th, Brown returned from the East with scmie funds in hand and
more promised, and gave orders for the expediticm to move. He wrote to his
wife, "We start today from here and shall write you again when we stop, which
will be in two or three days." The immediate destination of the band proved to be
Chatham, Canada. The leave-taking at Springdale was an emotional one. Ties
which had been knitting through many weeks were sundered. The future was in
doubt and the consciousness that great danger threatened the party intensified
the sorrow. Before quitting the home of Wm. Maxson, where they had spent
so long a time, each of Brown's men wrote his name in pencil on the wall of
the parlor, where the writing could at a time quite recent be seen by the inter^*
ested traveler. The part of the wall where the names were written was protected
by a door opening against it, and to this cause doubtless is chiefly due the preser-
vation of the writing for so long a time. The old house, as shown in the picture,
is still standing but for a good while has been unoccupied. It is falling into
decay, yet is full of interest. The boundaries of the old drill ground can still be
made out by patient attention. Old evergreen trees still shade the structure on
all sides. The path that formerly led to the front door is grass grown and ob-
structed, but stiU can be traced between the two large lilac bushes that today stand
on either side of it as in Brown's day. The large west front room in which the
mock assembly was held is now used as a store rocrni. Then the commodious
kitchen, where the meals were served by Mrs. Maxson — a woman as resolute in
her abolitionism as was her husband in his. This old kitchen was on the north
of the house. And the small attic bedroom where Owen Brown used to
practice his short-hand, which he was learning from Kagi, and where all the
band slept. The cellar of the old house is hardly less interesting than the house
itself, for in it in the days of slavery, the owner was constantly hiding small
parties of fugitive negroes from Missouri. The fireplace, by which it was made
c<Mnfortable in winter, may still be seen, but it is not now in working order.

The events that took place in Canada and subsequent abandonment of the
attack in 1858 are told in the account of Luke F. Parsons.

The last visit of Brown to Springdale occurred in 1859 on February 25th on
his return from Kansas where he had gone after the postponement of the attack
m Virginia. He was then accompanied by a party of negroes captured in Mis-
souri. He had brought them thus far through Iowa by the help of friends, and
f otmd a safe place for the time at his former headquarters. He was in danger
from capture from an organized force in Iowa City and by the United States
Marshal. Kagi and Stephens disguised as sportsmen walked to Iowa City and se-
cured aid from the Wm. Penn Clarke mentioned before. By strategy a freight car
was secured, brought to West Liberty, six miles from Springdale, and the

418 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

negroes put aboard after much excitement and some apprehension on the part of
those immediately concerned.

In this connection it is sufficient to say that Brown and his party escaped
safely into Canada by the aid of Allan Pinkerton, the famous Chicago detective.
Brown continued his journey east and after a hurried trip back to Ohio and
soon into Pennsylvania. On July 3 he and his two sons, Owen and Oliver, were
at Harper's Ferry where they met Cook. On July 15th, Brown wrote Edwin and
Barclay Coppock at Springdale requesting that they join him at Chambersburg,
Pennsylvania. On July 25 Barclay Cof^xxik said to his mother, "We are going
to start for Ohio today." "Ohio," said the mother, "I believe you are going with
Old Brown, when you get the halters round your neck, will you think of me?"

C. W. Moffatt, who had returned to Springdale, received the following from
Kagi : "We hear that a warrant has been issued to search our house (in Virginia
on the Kennedy farm), so we must move eight days sooner than we had intended.
Start at once, study map, will try to hold out until you come."

In November Mrs. Ann Coppock received a letter irom her son Edwin. It
was dated Charlestown, Va., and told briefly of his capture. It ended with these
words : "Give my love to Briggs' and Maxson's folks and to all other inquiring
friends for of sudi I feel that I have a large circle, and I trust that what I have
done will not make them my enemies. My love to all the family, no more."
About the same time Dr. Gill received a letter which read as follows : "What-
ever may be our fate, rest assured that we shall not shame our dead comrada
by a shrinking fear." After his trial on December 16, Coppock wrote to Mr.
J. H. Painter : "Today we have received a box of knick-knacks from Philadelphia,
and some of the citizens around here send us in a pie now and then, so you see
we live fat, but it is only fattening up for the gallows — a poor consolation."*"
His last words were to an uncle in Ohio : "I have heard my sent^ice passed, my
doom is sealed, but two brief days between me and eternity. At die end of
these two days I shall stand upon the scaffold. But that scaffold has little dread
for me, for I honestly believe I am innocent of any crime justifying such pun-
ishment." The following is of extraordinary interest: "E)ear Elza, Farewell
Edwin Coppock." This was addressed to a son of Wm. Maxson, but he did not
receive this message until Edwin Coppock had been in his grave for twenty-six
years. The reasons are given as follows : When Coppock left Springdale for
Harper's Ferry he took a picture of his friend, an ambrotype, with him. The
picture could be removed from the case and just before his execution, Edwin
Coppock removed the picture and wrote on the back where it was accustonied to
rest the message quoted. Replacing the picture it was placed amcmg his personal
effects and returned to his mother. By chance the picture remained in the pos-
session of Mrs. Coppock until her death. Among other matter considered as
unimportant it was thrown in a comer of the Coppock house and foi^gotten. It
happened one day that Mr. Maxson, to whom it originally belonged, came upon
it, and "under some peculiar spell," as Mr. Richman says, "opened the case to
find the message after so many years."

The following are from the originals in the possession Mr. J. Maxson of
West Liberty, Iowa :

EDWTN rOFPOCK'S LAST LETTER

EDWrS" COPPOCK'S LAST i.ETTER

A«T01. L*Nt>X AND
B L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 428

"Charlestown Jail, Va,, Dec. 15, 1859.
"Mr. Wm. Maxson and Family:

"Accept with these hasty lines my love. Thanks for all your kindness and
your friendship in the past and my last farewell. May God bless you one and
all. Farewell until we meet beyond Death's River.

"Ever and truly yours,

"John E. Cook.''
On the reverse side is this message:

"Stevens and Coppoc(k) send their love. C— c(k) also wishes me to bid
you farewell for him. Ever yours,

"J. E. CbOK."
"Charlestown Jail, Va., Feb. 15, i860.
"My Dear Sister:

"Yours of Jan. 30 I have received, and it is a great consolation to know that
I am still remembered. My mind often travels back to Springdale, to the many
dear friends I am wed to in soul and although I never expect to see you again in
this world, you all will be retained in my soul until we meet beyond this green
earth.

"I grow stronger in spiritualism every day of my life and I hope you will
use every exertion to get brothers and sisters to investigate this great phenomena,
and not condemn it until they know it is false. I shall come to converse with
you from the Spirit land if circumstances are so that I can and I hope I shall be
aUe to throw more light on the spiritual theory.

"My trial is over and I expect to take my exit from this world on the six-
teenth of March. Whatever my fate may be, I am ready to meet it, trusting all
to truth and justice. To die for loving the rights of man is rather hard, but it
is sweet to bear.

"Give my love to all inquiring friends. Yours truly through all eternity,

"Aaron D. Stevens.
"P. S. — I am in good health, never felt bettor (better) in body or mind and
I hope this will find you the same. Yours to the last,

"A. D. S."
Just before the departure from Springdale Cook wrote a poem in apprecia-
tion of the kindness of Mrs. Maxson. A few of the stanzas are quoted to bring
out some of the sentiment that finds expression there. The original may be
found at Mr. J. Maxson's with the letters above:

"The following lines are respectfully dedicated to our mother, Mrs. Hannah
Maxson:

"Swift the moments now are flying, *

And the parting hour draws near.
For, before this day is dying,
I shall dwell no longer here.

"But my mem'ry still will linger.

O'er the pleasant home I've known.
And I oft shall think of mother, '

And the happy day that's flown.

424 HISTORY OF CEDAR CXDUNTY

U

For a mother thou dost seem
Unto each and every one.

"We are grateful, deeply grateful,

For the favors you have shown,
And our hearts we trust are thankful,

For the love that we have known.

"Now we part and if forever.
Then forever fare thee well."

4c 4c 4c 4c 4c

He signs himself in this manner : "The son of thy adopticxi. '

"J. «. Cook.'

Shortly before Brown's last departure from the Quaker settlement he sold
such plunder as mules, harness, wagons, etc. In such business John H. Painter,
then a justice of the peace, was made the trusted assistant. It was Painter who,
after Brown had gone, shipped the latter's Sharpe's rifles and revolvers— 196
in all — marked carpenter's tools. They were billed from West Liberty to
Harper's Ferry to some unknown party.

The capture of Harper's Ferry, the battle, and all that fc^owed, until the
execution of the prisoners, was of vital interest to all the former friends at
Springdale, and it came nearer when the attention of the country was centered
on this part of the United States after the return of Barclay Coppodc Few
who pass and repass the monument in the library square in Tipton, know or
care, that it bears the name of the one person who returned to the county after
that momentous event in Virginia. After a journey of many weeks through the
mountains of Pennsylvania, Barclay Coppock reached Springdale on December
I7» iS59« H^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ haggard after his adventures. A warm recqytioo
awaited him since he was probably given up long before as a lost man. His
brother Edwin and Cook had been executed at Qiarlestown the day before his
arrival in Cedar County. Still he was hunted by Virginia auttiorities, and
cheers were sent to capture him or demand his surrender by the govcnKK' of
Iowa on requisition from Virginia's governor. He did not want for protectioo
since a guard was in constant readiness to appear if danger from any source
threatened.

"Among those enlisted in this manner were some who, as on a certain
famous occasion in Pennsylvania^ afforded the unusual spectacle of the dose
juxtaposition of a musket and a broad-brimmed hat."^' A requisition from
Gov. Wise was presented to Gov. Kirkwood for the delivery of Coppock to an
officer from Virginia. The papers in the first case having been found defective
a second attempt was made, but friends kept him warned of all that was occur-
ring. He could not be induced at first to leave his friends, preferring to fight
it out in Cedar County. The f crflowing letter from Hon. J. W. Cattdl was writ-
ten in an endeavor to put Coppock into a safe place, and was puUished for the
first time in the Davenport Gazette of February 2, 1878 :

r"

WILLIAM MAX80N

FAREWELL LETTKR OF JOHN E. COOK TO WILLIAM MAXSON AND FAMILY

A**TH1R. IJtNtJX AND
B l-

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 427

«1

'Des Moines, Jan. 30, i860.
'H. C. Gill, Esq., Dear Sir — ^Yours of the 25th inst is received. I am aston-
ished that notwithstanding all the advice given and all the circumstances, he
(Coppock) will as imi^ied in yours, and others, (letters) persist in staying at the
hazard of his life and that of some of his friends. I cannot for the life of me see
how he or his friends can justify his staying when in doing so he is liable at any
day to invtrive all in difficulty and may be the cause of bloodshed, and that too

without the possibility of any good result I have no doubt from what I

have heard expressed but that if C. stays and should fall into the hands of the Vir-
ginians and their abettors and entangle some of his friends, or lead to loss of
Ufc, many who are now his friends will cease to be such, and much of the sym-
pathy will disappear. The govenor will, as a matter of course, indeed' he could
not do otherwise, than give the man up whenever the papers are presented in
legal form. . . . The staying then places the governor in a very unpleasant
predicament and others with him. One object in sending the messenger (Cop-
pock had been warned by special messenger from friends in Des Moines before
this of the presentation of the papers) was that he might get out of the way. We
suppose, and are indeed fully persuaded that they will either attempt to arrest
him without warrant or return as soon as possible to Virginia for papers in
proper shape and apply again to the governor. Should they return here it will
be in the course of a week and if they should get the authority it would be impos-
sible for us to get any word to you ahead of the writ without sending a special
messenger, and if he and his friends are disposed to take the law into their own
hands and disr^ard all advice I don't know that it will be of any profit or benefit
to send special messengers at so much expense. Before his friends advise him
to rettiain^ tfiey should weigh well the consequences. . . . Should the writ be
granted delivering him for trial, and should resistance be made it will become the
duty of Governor Kiricwood to order assistance to the point, and it will thus
place him and many of his party and friends in an unpleasant position. Cop-
pock should get out of the way as soon as possible — this is the sentiment of
all — ^and thus save compromising any one, and more especially prevent blood being
shed. I do not believe any one outside of Springdale would advise him to stay
aikd they would not if they understood the consequences should arrest be at-
tempted. Yours truly,

"J. W. Cattbll."

In spite of advice and in defiance of Virginia officers, Coppock continued to
remain about home. At times he was engaged in organizing "Union Leagues"
and then he would disappear for a time. When the proper papers finally came
the sheriff of this county was ordered by the governor to go to Springdale and
make the arrest. So there he went in duty bound to seize the person named in
the writ. He innocently enough asked every bystander if he had seen a young
man nained Barclay Coppock, adding that he came to arrest him and would be
much oUiged for information as to his whereabouts. He peeped into sheds and
ovt&rtuined boxes in his careful ( ?) search and finally after all these efforts re-
turned the papers after certifying that no such person could be found after dili-
gent starch had been made. Then Virginia sent a special detective to Muscatine
who offered fifty dollars to any one to secure the prisoner wanted. He finally

428 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

ventured himself after being taunted on account of bts failure. Coppock and
Dr. Gill were walking leisurely along the streets of Springdale when the Vir-
ginian approached. Q^pock recognized him, having seen him several times.
He was for shooting him then and there, but Dr. Gill prevented him from so do-
ing,, thus averting another bloody tragedy. No attempt was made to arrest
Coppock at this time and the dBcer returned to Muscatine.'^^

It was now thou^^t best for Coppock to go to Canada until the public mind
should quiet down. He finally consented to do this and acoxnpanied by T. W.
Maxson, now residing at Springdale, a son of Wm. Maxson, they crossed the
county to Mechanicsville, took the C. & N. W. for Chicago and from there
crossed into Canada by way of Detroit. They did not remain here but went into
Ohio where they met the two sons of John Brown and two other friends. Here
they remained for three weeks.

Afterward Coppock went east and was finally commissioned to recruit men
for Montgomery's "J^^ Brown Regiment,'' the loth Kansas Infantry. On his
return from Iowa a train passing through Missouri when the bridge over the
Platte river had been partially destroyed by "bushwhackers" went down and
Barclay Coppock was instantly killed. This occurred on the night of Sept 3,
1861, and he was buried at Leavenworth, Kansas, with military honors on
September 6th. Five years afterwards his aged mother made a pilgrimage to
his grave, there to shed a mother's tears.

Poor Edwin Coppock met his fate bravely on Dec. 16, 1859, and his body
was taken to Columbiana County, Ohio, for burial and the remains left in their
first resting place only a short time when they were removed to Salem cemetery;
to be placed beside his father. A Salem paper of the time said: "The man*
whom Virginia branded as a traitor and murderer, the people of Salem have
honored as a patriot and an honest man. Charlestown gave him the gallows,
Salem will build him a monument and on that monument will be inscribed the
vindication of his acts."^^

"Charlestown Prison, Dec. 10, 1859.
"Old and Tried Friend,
"Dr. H. C. Gill :

"I have just received your welcome letter, and I now proceed to answer it
at once. Let me assure you that the letter did not fail to cheer the gloomy
prison hours, within my lonely cell, as all letters from you have done. You who
were the personal friend of my brother, and who administered to his wants in
his last hours, and served as a comforter to him, are still true to duty. * * ♦
Thos. Winn has been to see me, but has gone back to Richmond. He did not
get in when he first came, the reason being, I suppose, that the commander-in-
chief did not think it prudent. I do not think, in my htmible opinion, that there,
would have been much chance for him to rescue me, as there was at that tune
only fifteen hundred troops in town, and nine pieces of cannon, which were alP
drawn up to receive him. * * *

"I suppose you have heard, ere this, of the execution of the captain. He
came into Cook's and my room to bid us farewell on the morning of his execu-
tion. There have been scwne false reports of the interview between him and us.
It has been stated that the lie passed between him and Cook, but it is false. He

EDWIN COPPOCK'S MONUMENT AT SALEM, OHIO

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 481

charged Cook with making some false statements in his confession, but Cook
thought not. The captain then told him that he must have a treacherous mem-
ory; he then turned to me and said he had heard that I had made false state-
ments, too, but was glad to learn that he had been misinformed. * * *
Before leaving us he said he had a little change that would be of no value to
him and he would give it to me. It was fifty cents he handed me. I did not
wonder that he had heard I had made false statements since the papers are full
of them. They undertook to report the remarks I made just before the sen-
tence was passed in the court, but they got very little I said and many things I
^d not say. It stated that I said I had been induced to come into the affair by
Captain Brown, but it was false — I did not say that I was induced by anyone.
I notice in some of the papers that they are trying to make it appear that we are
very much frightened, and have a gfreat fear of death, but citizens and tenants
of the prison will all testify that it is false.

"Mrs. Spring of Egelswood, N. J., sent us five dollars to be divided among
Copeland, Green and myself. * * * i received today an address read before
a society in Columbiana County, Ohio, called for the purpose of sympathizing
with Brown and his confederates, which I will send back along with Thomas
(Winn). If it has not been published, I want it published along with some
letters I will send that I have received while here. Thomas (Winn) expects to
remain here until after the execution, and then by my request will convey my
body to Springdale, ( for) it is my wish to be laid by the side of my brother and
sister (not his brother Barclay).

"This is probably the last letter you will ever receive from me; my stay on
earth is short ; only six more short days, and then my race is finished. When you
write to Barkley (his brother) tell him to keep dark, for I do not want Virginia
to glut her vengeance on any more of our little band, who sought their country's
good — ^who interposed in behalf of the four and one-half millions of (men) who
are now groaning under the ydce of oppression.

"I must now close. Give my love to all. Tell L. and C I should have writ-
ten to them had I time. I have many letters that will not be answered. I hope
none will think hard.**® Yours truly,

"(Signed) Edwin Coppock.''

The letter following was received in answer to one of inquiry concerning
Edwin Coppock's last letter. It contains some references to the facts of his life
that have been found nowhere else and therefore is included :

"Thy letter was sent to me as there is no Joseph Coppock here. I have a"
brother by that name who lives in Iowa and Edwin Coppock had a brother there
until his death last winter.

"We have the original letter written by his own hand to my father Joshua
Coppock, who, when he received the letter, started in a very short time to see
him before he was executed. He saw him with chains on and when my father
came near he fell in his arms and wept. This was in the evening of the morn-
ing before the execution. My father asked Gov. Wise for his body, which
request was granted and it was brought to Winona (Ohio) and buried in the
Quaker graveyard here, but on account of the large reward offered for the
body it was thought best to watch the grave, so it was done for nearly two

482 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

weeks, when the body was taken up and placed in a vault in the cemetery at
Salem, where a mcHiument marks the spot.

"I just want to say that the funeral was held on a Sabbath day and a throng
of people hegSLii to come at nine o'clock and kept coming and going until four ta
the afternoon before the people could go to the cemetery.

''The letter is kept between ^glass and could not be sent, but I enclose a copy.
* * * The name is Coppock not Coppoc as so often spelled.

"(Signed) Rachel G. Cope.

"Winona, Ohio."

In the research for information on the Jdin Brown history in Cedar County
it was the fortune of the editor to secure the assistance of the former boys of
that day, Jont Maxson and his brother, T. W. Maxson, both of them being
willing to give of their time and information in any way, and they are deserving
of the credit for a great many things in the chapter. Through the suggestion
of T. W. Maxson the correspondence was begun that furnished the original
matter from the only survivor of the fight at Ossawatomie in Kansas and also
the winter at Springdale — ^Luke F. Parsons of Salina, Kansas. He has fur-
nished the information concerning certain movements and certain feelings among
the men who were quartered in this county in the winter of '57 and '58.

This man Parsons in speaking to the assembled people at the anniversary of
the battle of Ossawatomie — ^the fiftieth — ^said of himself: "I was bom in
Brookfield, Mass., June 28, 1833, therefore I am now in my 74th year." This
was in 1906 so that Mr. Parsons is now at the time he writes these words for
publicaticm in his 78th year. He has complied cheerfully and has given consider-
able that has not appeared before. He says further : "I was reared in Northern
Illinois on Rock River and came to Kansas the first day of May, 1856, together
with four others, one of them my brother. All were pledged to stay until Kan-
sas was admitted as a free state. We landed from a Missouri river boat at the
Westport landing, where Kansas City now stands, at that time only with a few
dwellings and a few large warehouses along the river front ; the town of West-
port prc^r was four miles distant. The next day we walked to Lawrence.
When I registered at the Free State Hotel I found that the clerk was my
cousin, and when I ask him concerning the prospect for a job he replied that be
Was sick and wanted me to take his job until he was able to resume his duties.

"I was still in charge of the bodes when the hotel was ordered to be destroyed
by order of the Federal Court. The hotel and the two printing houses, the *HeraM
of Freedom' and the 'Lawrence Journal,' had been indicted as nuisances by the
grand jury. The court ordered the sheriflF to abate the nuisance.

"He procured a posse of four or five hundred men, mostly frcrni Missouri,
and they appeared on the top of Mt. Oread on the morning of May 21, 1856.
Leaving a guard they descended to the town and ofdered Colonel Eldridge to
remove his furniture as they were going to destroy the building. Hdridgt
refused to remove a thing. The sheriff then ofdeml the men to remove it.

"They commenced but soon found the store below where there were liquort
and provisions of all kinds. They soon became loud and boisterous. I took
particular note of all I saw and heard. While going up to secure some piDow

LAST LETTER OP AARON D. STEVENS TO HIS SISTER

I

>

v^ ..

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 485

slips from some of the beds I met a man who said to me : 'Who are you V I
replied: 'I am a ranger/ *A11 right/ he said.

''Going to the store room I began to fill my pillow cases with candy, nuts
and raisins, etc, when a big ruffian addressed me: 'Who are you?' I replied:
1 am a, ranger/ 'Well, what in h — 1 are you going to do with that stuff?* I
replied : 'I will take it to the boys we left on Mt. Oread/ 'All rig^t, my boy,
take this, and this/ handing me two bottles of liquor.

"I passed out and delivered my two sacks of plunder to the women and
children who had fled for safety to the other side of the ravine in the west part
of town. When I returned they were trying to batter the walls down with
cannon, but soon became tired of this and were too drunk to operate the cannon.
So they kindled a fire in one comer and when the wood work burned out the
walls fell in. The next day my brother said to me : 'Brother, I am going home ;
this is no place for me.' (The other three who came had been gone more than
a week.) I said, 'to tell my mother that I was going to stay until Kansas was
a free state.'

"On the morning of June 2, Major Hoit said to me : 'Parsons, Brown will
likely have a battle with Henry Clay Pate today; let's go down there. I will
hire the horses if you will go with me.' We were off in a few minutes and
rode as fast as we could, but arrived in time to find the battle over. I tendered
my services to Brown, who made me a guard over the prisoners, while the mar-
ried men could go hcmie. Many- of them rode horses that they never rode
before. I said to Lieut. Brocket as he lay in the grass, 'You had better let me
have those spurs as you won't need them any more.' He said to me, 'You will
have to take them off.' I took off one and then asked him where the other was
when he answered: 'I go (Mi the principle that if one side of the horse goes
the other must ; if you will adopt this plan, you won't need but one.'

"Colonel Sumner of the U. S. Dragoons soon came and released the pris-

oners.

July third I went with the rifle company that was forming at Lawrence to
Topeka to protect the free state legislature that was to convene there on the
fourth. The legislature did convene in due form, but Colonel Sumner with the
U. S. Dragocxis, who was always present to do the bidding of a pro-slavery gov-
ernment, dispersed the gathering.

"Not long after this I went with Captain Sam Walker and others to meet the
train of emigrants under Lane who had been refused landing at Kansas City or
Leavenworth, and who came by way of Iowa and Nebraska. We met them at
the Missouri and on the way up marked the fords and the road by tying red rags
on the weeds and brush. Richard Realf and R. J. Hinton came with this train."

After numerous adventures of thrilling sort in the border warfare of the
state, Mr. Parsons goes on to say that he met Brown in the latter part of August
in the streets of Lawrence. Brown wtas then preparing for the Ossawettomie fight
and said to him : "Parsons, I want you to go with me. I want all the men I can
gfct." I had no gun and he borrowed a Sharpe's rifle from Captain Harvey, the
same I believe who wias afterward the governor of Kansas. I went with Brown
to his camp at Middle Creek. On the morning of August 30, 1856, just fifty
years ago today (1906) we were camped east of here (Ossawatomie) at Mr.

436 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Crane's place. While in camp here the news came of the killing of Fred Bronni
and Garrison, and Brown started right oflF saying: "Come on, men." Brown
and I walked silently for sometime when he said to me : "Were you ever under
fire?" Not catching his meaning, I replied: "No," when he said to me, "Take
more pains to end life well than to live well."

To read the personal account of this man one must conclude that the figfat
was almost continuous during the year of 1856. It was in the fall of die next
year that the events which follow took place.

In the fall of 1857 John E. Cook came to my cabin four miles wcsi of
Lawrence, Kansas, and said that John Brown had sent him for me; that he,
Brown, was- in Tabor, Iowa, and had sent him back after me. He had a scheme
on foot that he knew I would approve, and he wanted me to help make it go.
He said that Kagi, Realf , Stevens and Moffatt were there and all wanted Brown
to send for me; he also mentioned others whom I did not then know. Brown
had given him money to pay my way on the stage to Tabor. I left my claim and
went with Cook, not knowing why or for what.

I had been with John Brown in 1856, wlas intimate with him then. I fougbt
under him August 30, 1856, at Ossawatomie. He knew also that I was with Jim
Lane at Franklin, and Sam Walker at the capture of Colond Titus. I had im-
plicit confidence in Brown as a leader. I thought "if the other boys are with him
I ought to be." Cook and I arrived at Tabor in due time and found Brown ready
to start the next morning.

There were in camp there, as I now remember, John Brown, Owen Brown,
J. H. Kagi, Richard Realf, Aaron D. Stevens, Charles MoflFatt, C. P. Tidd, Rich-
ard Richardson, John E. Code, William H. Leeman and myself. We had one
mule team and a covered wagon, bedding and provisions. Most of us walked
most of the time. We can:^>ed out, made a big Ic^ fire, and our tent was opened
on the side to the fire sloping back to the ground. We slept with our feet to the
fire and were not tmcomfortable. Brown seemed to take it as a matter of course
that I had enlisted, and I made no remonstrance. One day while walking to-
gether he told all he thought I cared to known. I found that most of the boys
knew even less. Kagi knew all and he posted me. Kagi was Brown's confidant,
and they often consulted together. He was next to Brown in all things and the
smartest of the lot.

Brown's plans at this time, as revealed to me by Brown and Kagi, was to drill
and prepare us for captains of squads or companies. On arriving at Springdale,
Cedar County, Iowa (a Quaker settlement), Brown took us to the farm house
of Wm. Maxson, where we were to be quartered during the winter.

Maxsons had a large family of their own, and from this time on until we left
Mrs. Maxson and daughter Louisa had a strenuous time.

Browti had employed an Englishman by the name of Hugh Forbes to be onr
drill master and instructor. I never saw Forbes, for some reason he never
showed up. Aaron D. Stevens, who had been a soldier in the war with Mexico,
became our drill master. We drilled military style (Scotf s tactics), twice each
day, studied army r^^ations, and read books on insurrectionary or guerrilla
war by some Italian patriots, I think, Orsinna and Massinna. For recreation
Kagi organized a mock legislature.

HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY 487

Socm the neighborhood was aroused with curiosity to see the strange doings
of the men from Kansas. We kept our own secrets and the curious went away
as wise as they came; but they must certainly have seen that those ten men were
preparing to be heard from in the near future.

Cook, Realf, and sometimes Kagi, spoke by appointment at the various school
houses in the neighborhood. Brown told me one day that Mr. Painter said to
him, "Friend Brown, I can't give thee money to buy powder and lead with, but
I will give thee twenty dollars to defray thy expenses."

Brown spent most of this winter in the East. He kept up a correspondence
with Kagi ; Owen often heard from him also. I was ordered by Brown through
Kagi to examine and oil if needed the arms that were boxed and stored in a
bam. I found something like seventy-five Sharpens rifles, and six hundred
pistols, mostly of a Massachusetts manufacture, I think Chicopee Falls.

Thus the winter passed quickly by, and Kagi announced that Brown would
soon be here to take us to Canada to a convention to be held at Chatham. I
took Kagi to Byron, 111. (mv home), where we visited for a week or two, till
Brown came with the rest of the boys, when we went with them. The conven-
tion at Chatham was called Brown's Provisional Constituticmal GHivention, and
was largely attended, many of those present being colored men of education and
influence.

A constitution was formed and signed by all the men who went there with
Brown, and many others. At this convention officers of this newi government
were elected. I think Kagi was made secretary of state, Geo. B. Gill (who had
come from Iowa with Brown) was also elected to some office.

Soon after the conventicMi we crossed Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio. Kagi
was left in Canada to have the procedings of the convention printed. At Cleve-
land Brown expected to find money to carry out his plans, but found there was
no money in the banks for him.

Brown's plan then was to enter the mountains in Virginia, near Harper's
Ferry, get the arms and ammunition in there (pretending to the people if necessary
that we were geologists), fortify strong natural positions where a few resolute
men could hold their position against a force till aided by concentration ; to send
colored men from Canada down among the slaves to tell them that there were
white men in the vicinity prepared to help them on to Canada; to, in fact, open
a thoroughfare from Virginia to Canada. We wtere not expected to fight except
in self defense ; to arm the slaves and help them to defend themselves.

The pikes found at the Canada farm were formed like a dirk knife taken from
Henry Clay Pate, a Virginia "border ruffian," captured by Brown in Kansas.
It was two edged, straight, the blade was six or eight inches long. Brown had
them made with a socket so they could be fastened on a pole like a fork handle.
These were intended for the slave women to defend themselves in some moun-
tain fastness till they could be further assisted.

Brown returned in a few days saying that everything was declared off for one
year; that Hugh Forbes had informed the secretary of war what was going on;
that we were watched and would be arrested as soon as we entered Virginia. He
had no money with which to care for us, we must look out for ourselves for one
year, and, if things quieted down, then the money would be forthcoming next

488 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

spring. He thought we ought to be willing to do this. He said, ''Scatter out, get
work, but keep in touch with each other so we can easily get together in the
spring." Realf asked Brown's sanction to go to New York City, find Hugh
Forbes and assassinate him, but Brown would not countenance this for a mo-
ment Realf said, "He is an Englishman, and I can kill that Englishman just as
readily as a dog." Realf went back to England.

Kagi had not yet returned from Canada. Moffatt had a married sister in
Qeveland, but he soon drifted back to Iowa. George B. Gill returned to Iowa.
John E. Cook went to New York City where he had relatives, and later w«nt to
Harper^s Ferry, taught school, and married there. Richard Richardson was a
Missouri slave and was left in Canada. Owen Brown went home. William
Leeman worked in an oar factory in Qeveland. I worked for Wm. B. Gorton
at Kinsman, Ohio, in his carriage shop.

After some months I found that Brown, Kagi, Stevens and Tidd were in
Kansas keeping up the racket. I wrote to Brown and asked him why he took
care of part of the crowd and left the rest of us to shift for oursdves. He re-
plied, ''You have a good trade and can take care of yourself anywhere ; Kagi is
supporting himself by his pen, as to Stevens and Tidd, they had to be cared ior.
H(^ you will keep in correspondence with the rest of the boys. Think all will be
well in the spring." I was mad and did not reply.

Soon after I went to Bynm, lU. During that winter, with four odiers, I
fitted out with oxen and a covered wagon and, early in the spring of 1859, crossed
the state of lowu on the way to Pike's Peak gold fields. When at Council Bluffs
waiting for grass to grow on the plains, I got letters from Brown and Kagi say-
ing they had been to my home in Byron, ''that I must surdy turn back, sure go,
we depend on you, etc., etc." I also got a letter from mother saying-, "You have
fooled away time and money enough with Brown, keep on to Pike's Peak.
Brown will come to some bad end, and then you and I will be glad you are out
of it." So I kept on and thereby slipped my neck out of the halter.

Owen Brown escaped from Harper's Ferry with Tidd, and went to his home
in York state. Years after he went to CaUfomia and settled on a mountain
near Pasadena. Here he lived the life of a hermit till he died about ten years

"On fame's eternal camping gfround,

Their silent tents are spread.
And glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead."
Charles Plummer Tidd was from Maine. I know nothing of his previotis
history. After the separation at Qeveland he came back to Kansas with Brown,
Kagi, and Stevens. At the attack on Harper's Ferry he and Owen Brown were
driving a team to haul arms from the Canada Farm, and when they met armed
resistance they escaped. During the Civil War Tidd was under Bumside; he
was color sergeant of his regiment and, as he planted his colors on the ramparts
at the Island of Roanoke, he fell mortally wounded.

Aaron D. Stevens was bom in Connecticut. He was a little more than me-
dium height, of florid complexion, had daric auburn hair, small dark eyes,
high cheek bones, wide forehead, round face, had a heavy, strong jaw, thin,

JOHN BROWN '3 OLD HOME AT 8PEINGDALE

I

t> f

i"

111 f ^

ill- -A ^^ »

^irroR M(,N«*\ AND

L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 441

closed lips and a small chin. He was a man of strong passions, just the man
to do and dare. He could lead a forlorn hope. His education was neglected:
While a young man unrequited love drove him irom his home. He wandered
for miles and then to hide himself completely from the world he joined the
regular army. It was the time of the war with Mexico and he was taken to
Mexico. One nig^t he with some other soldiers attended a Mexican ''fan-
dango/' or dance. They were late in getting to camp and were captured by the
guard. At guard mount the officer was so insulting that Stevens knocked him
down. Such conduct in the regular army is a very serious oflFence. He was
arrested and a chain fastened arotmd his ankle with a heavy iron ball attached.
He was brought to Fort Leavenworth, tried by court martial, convicted, and
sentenced to wear a ball and chain for a term of years. During the winter of
1855 he, with a soldier who was also wearing a ball and chain, were taken out
into the timber to cut wood with one soldier to guard them. While warming
around the fire they snatched the gun from the soldier and made him stand and
watch them chc^ the chains off each other. They then crossed the Missouri
river on the ice, but in a day or two recrossed and hired to a Delaware Indian
to cut cord wood. In the spring of 1856 he went to Topeka and assumed 'the
name of C. C. Whipple. Here I first met him. He was captain of a company
who went up to the Missouri river to meet Lane's train. He was conspicuous
in the Free State movement in that part of the state. In the fall of 1857 I
again met him in Brown's camp at Tabor, Iowa.- He went with us to Spring-
dale, Iowa, and drilled the Brown men ; went to Chatham, Canada, and to Qeve-
land, Ohio. He returned to Kansas with Brown, Kagi, and Tidd in the spring
of 1858. During this summer he went with Brown on several raids into Mis-
souri after slaves which were eventually taken to Canada. On one occasion
Brown divided his force, telling Stevens to take Tidd and go with some of the
slaves to Cruise's plantation, while he, Kagi, and the other slaves went to an-
other farm. Stevens knocked on the door, and Cruise said, "Who is there, and
what do you want?" Stevens said, "We are from Jackson County going down
to Ft Scott. Old Brown is going to bum the town ; they want help ; we want
you to go with us." Cruise said, "All right," and opened the door, then still i»
his mgbt shirt proceeded to light a candle. Then Stevens said, "We are
Brown's men and have come after your slaves." Cruise sprang like a tiger at
Stevens, got him by the throat, and commenced backing him up in a comer, all
the time growling with rage. He called to his wife to bring him his revolver.
Stevens tried to quiet him, told him he would not be hurt, all he wanted was the
slaves, but Cruise was cra^ mad and after his wife handed him the revolver
Stevens shot him. Then they told the slaves to take a team and wagon, provi-
si<Mis, and all their own plunder, and moved off and joined Brown with a lot
more slaves. When Brown was told about the death of Cmise he was very
much worked up over it. He accused Stevens of being too hot headed. Tidd
told Brown that he had to do it or be killed himself as Cruise's wife had given
him his revolver. Brown said to Tidd, "What were you doing? Were you
afraid of a woman in her night-gown?" Stevens and Tidd were very angry at
Brown's rebuke, and but for Kagi's good judgment and timely talk, both to
Brown and Stevens, there would have been an optn rupture right there. The

442 HISTORY OF CEDAR C»UNTY

next year in the attack on Harper's Ferry Stevens was terribly wounded, taken
prisoner, trie4 ^^^ treason, ccmvicted, and hung.

Richard Realf was an Englishman by birth and came to Kansas in the sum-
mer of 1856 as a newspaper correspondent. He was small of stature, with dark
c(»nplexion, black hair and eyes. He was a man of considerable culture; had a
good education. He was always neatly clad and would make a good impressioQ
anywhere. He was reared and educated by Lady Noel Byron, widow of Lord
Byron, the great poet. Realf himself was a poetical genius. Realf and R. J.
Hinton were great friends; both were English, both were newspaper cont-
spondents, both were small men (Hintcm the smaller of the two) ; both made
headquarters at the "Herald of Freedom" office in Lawrence. G. W. Brown
was the proprietor of the Herald of Freedom. The office was reached by a
flight of stairs on the outside of the building. Jiinton and Brown got into a
controversy, and Brown, who was a large man, tocAc Hinton by the coat collar,
dragged him to the head of the stairs and dropped him. Realf took this as per-
sonal and challenged Brown to fight a duel. Brown accepted the challenge and
chose rawhides as the weapons. The seconds were chosen and they arranged
to fight at eight o'clock at "Delaware reserve," just across the river from Law-
rence. Realf was on hand first, but Brown was on time. Brown sent his second
to Realf's second saying he must not strike above the belt. Realf 's man replied,
"All arrangements have been made; we are here to fight; arc you ready?"
Brown and his man took to their boat and returned. Realf went to Canada and
then to Qeveland with us, from here he went to New York and then back to
England ; he returned in time to serve in the Union army during the Rebellion.
He married, but d(xnestic troubles drove him mad. He jumped off a vessel in
San Francisco harbor and was drowned.

John Edwin Cook was from New York City, a lawyer by profession. He
was a regular blonde, small of stature, round shouldered; he was nervy and
possessed of great physical endurance. He had a good education, was a readj
writer; he often wrote rhymes, or jingle, and perhaps poetry. He was a good
conversationalist and seemed to take well with the ladies. He had wealthy rel-
atives and seemed to have money when he wanted it. He wore two large Colt's
revolvers, one on either side, with John E. Cook engraved on the handles. He
loved to shoot them, and often challenged his friends to shoot with him. He
spent the winter of 1857 ^^^ spring of '58 in Springdale with the rest of the
Brown men. After the Virginia expedition disbanded in Qeveland, in 1858,
Code went to New York, but, thinking to help out Brown's plans and be on
hand in good time for the next spring, he went to Harper's Ferry, taught school,
and married there. He made the acquaintance of the Washington family, who
are the descendants of George Washington, "the Father of his Country." They
were possessed of certain family keepsakes in the shape of Revolutionary anns,
the identical sword worn by Gen. George Washington, guns, pistols, etc. Cook
was very much interested in these things, and when Brown moved on to fte
Canada Farm, near Harper's Ferry, Cook posted Brown in regard to these ams.
So when the attack was finally made Brown had Mr. Washington brougbt ifl
and held as a hostage, while he girded on the sword of Yorktown. Cook was
put on the outside to guard some road leading to the Ferry, and when he thought

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 443

that all hope had fled he made good his escape, but, owing to his own indiscre-
tion, he was captured and the engraving on his arms g^ve him away. Cook's
relatives in New York made a desperate eflfort to save him. They secured the
services of Gov. Willard of Indiana who was a good democrat. He went to
Gov. Wise of Virginia and tried to get a pardon for Cook. He promised that
Cook should make a confession, which was hoped would implicate many rich
New England philanthropists. Cook did make what was called a confession^
but he didn't know much to confess, or was careful not to implicate any within
their reach. Gov. Wise was obdurate, and Cook had to share the fate of his
captain.

John H. Kagi was the most intellectual of Brown's men. He was tall and
slender, slightly stoop-shouldered, with dark complexion, long face and high
forehead. He was untidy and careless in dress. Born at Bristol, Ohio, his
mother died when he was four years old. He was taken to his unde in Virginia
near Harper's Ferry, where he grew to manhood. His uncle was a slave owner
and had a son near John Kagi's age. The two boys imbibed abolition views. They
assisted one of the slaves to run off. When the uncle found out the situation he
ordered John to leave and never return. John left, but, by previous arrange-
ment, the cousin soon followed with some of his father's money. After a time
they found themselves "dead broke" in Charleston, S. C. The cousin wrote to
his father for money to come home with. The father sent the money with the
injunction, "Don't you bring John home with you." The cousin started for
home, but first divided the money with John. Kagi then went to Tennessee,
where he taught school. Here the large girls had the habit of chewing snuff, or
rubbing snuff as it is sometimes called. Kagi thought to break up this aristo-
cratic practice, so he put a box in the middle of the room and made the girls go
there to spit. The school board would not stand for this, so they discharged
Kagi. He next went to Washington, D. C, where he got a position to report
speeches for the "National Era." He was the only Phonetic, or short-hand re-
porter, in Washington who could report C. C. Burley's speeches verbatim. In
the spring of 1856 he came to Kansas as special correspondent for the National
Era. Judge EUmore was holding court in Tecumseh and Kagi wrote something
about him that he took exception to, so when he met Kagi he asked him if he
reported for the National Era over the signature of "K." Kagi told him that
he did; then Ellmore struck him with a heavy hickory cane on the side of hi«
head which cracked his skull for four inches. Kagi staggered a few feet to a
pile of brick, then, steadying himself with his left hand on the brick, he fired at
Ellmore, the ball taking effect in the thigh; then Elbnore got behind a brick
column of the court house and fired three shots at Kagi, one shot striking him
in the breast, but it did not pass through a diary and several letters ; then both
men fell, Ellmore from loss of blood and Kagi from the shock to his brain.
The pro-slavery men gathered around Ellmore, and the free state men around
Kagi. For a time it looked as if more blood would be shed. As soon as Kagi
came to he was taken to Lawrence, and when they got the blood stopped on
Ellmore they began to cool off. Kagi was a leader among the Brown boys in
Iowa. He wrote for some eastern paper, and delivered several lectures in the
neighborhood. He went with the expedition to Harper's Ferry and, at the time

444 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

of the attack, was second in command. He had WnL Leeman with him in tlie
armory. They escaped from the armory by swimming out to some rocks in tlie
Shenandoah river below the bridge. Here they were shot by men on the bridge.

As to John Brown what can I say that has not already been said a hundred
times, for he has been the theme of newspaper writers for the last fifty years.
To me his pictures, with which we are all familiar, look very like him, dtiier
with full beard or smooth shaven. He was tall and slender, round shouldered,
with light complexion, sharp gray eyes that saw everything about him. He bad
a prominent chin and aquiline nose. His head was high above the ears. His
favorite posture was standing with his hands clasped behind him under his coat
He was a man of few words, but was a good listener. He said the Lord had
created him to be the deliverer of the slave from bondage, the same as he did
Moses to free the children of Israel. As all know, he died upon the scaffold at
Charleston, but the end for which he freely gave his^ life was accom[4ished. His
soul went marching on to Appomattox.*^^

It has been stated that the song of ''J^^ii Brown's body Hes mouldermg in
the grave" was written and sung first in this county. Hiat the author was a
teacher formerly of this county in Springdale Township, but this is not true as
to the song mentioned.*^^ How this impression obtained is very evident from
the song quoted below which was published in January, i860, am) which is due
to the writer referred to above whose name was Sallie Bonsall.

"lines on the death of JOHN BROWN."
AIR — MIDNIGHT HOUR

"O, Hark ! a peal has rent the air.
And bids, in shame, our nation quake^
The very sky seems crying there
And doth almost shake."

CHORUS.

"But mourn no more for the good old man.
So brave and bold in freedom's light.
For Angels welcome to the throne
Few hearts more truly right

"We've sung the song of martyrs oft.
Of noble ones who died to save.
And now we praise the name of Brown,
Who died for bleeding slave.

"His death the noblest death to die —
A martyr to God's suffering poor;
And willingly that strong old heart,
Did much of wrong endure."

"His silvery locks so white with age.
His bended form of courage too;
The old man on his way to death.
Sees nature's beauty too.

COURTHOUSE AT CHARLESTON, VlUfilSTA

"TRAVELERS' BEST," WEST BRANCH, IOWA

I p. .

^ n r

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 447

"Behold him on the scaffold stand,
How firmly he has borne the test.
How truly calm and how reposed.
His peaceful soul at rest." *^*

The song known as the one sung by the soldiers during the ciril war was
written by Edna Dean Proctor and it was published in the 'Independent" for
January 15, 1863, two years' after the ont suggested above and is quite different
in the original from the manner in which it was sung.

The first lines of that song run as follows :

"John Brown died on a scaffold for the slave ;
Dark was the hour when we dug his hallowed grave ;
Now God avenges the life he gladly gave,

Freed(Hn reigns today I

Glory, glory hallelujah, etc."

Fr<»n the last stanza one line was taken that has furnished the repetition
for the song which we have been accustomed to associate with the name of
Brown and it reads as follows:

"John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave;
John Brown's body lives in triumph of the brave ;
John Brown's soul not a higher joy can crave;

Freed(Hn reigns today!

Glory, glory hallelujah, etc."

The convplete song is published again in the Independent for July 7
of the present year. This should settle the discussion as to the authorship of this
song and also explain how the two might be confused.'^'

On Saturday, June 18, 1898, there was an assemblage at the famous old
Maxson homestead in Iowa Township, of the surviving friends of "Old John
Brown." In 1839 William Maxs<m and Ebenezer Gray, of Harrison County,
Ohio, came with their families to the then newly-organized territory of Iowa.
The public lands were not yet in market and these two young men who had
married sisters, had almost the whole of Iowa to choose from in selecting their
future homes. They came by river from Ohio, landing at Bloomington (Mus-
catine) as so many others did. Leaving their families in a log cabin on Mus-
catine Island they journeyed with team to explore the prairies. After two days
journey they camped on a beautiful woodland on slc^ng down toward the
Cedar River, in what is now Iowa Township, Cedar County. Here they staked
out claims. They felled trees for homes and erected log cabins and prepared
to clear up some of the land for farming. In the fall the families were
moved here. They were remote from other settlers being the first in this
part of the county. Wm. Maxson was a man of great decision of character who
formed his owti opinions on all subjects regardless of public c^inion. At that
early day in the history of the anti-slavery movement he was a radical abolitionist.
Then and for many years after such doctrine was little short of anarchistic.
But he held firmly to his beliefs and his home was open to slaves escaping from
bondage.

448 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

He became a prosperous farmer and in time erected a gravel or grout house
constructed of stone, gravel, sand and lime in prc^rly proportioned amounts,
which formed a wall almost indestructible. For that early day this house was
one of the most commodious and well furnished in all that region of the country.
By this time the farm was widely known as one of the best and safest stations
on the underground railroad extending across the county. (Elsewhere the base-
ment of this house is described as a refuge for colored guests.)

This house, remote from any thoroughfare, was a suitable place for the gath-
ering of forces and preparing for the events discussed in the previous pages.

"All Quakers were known to be foes of American slavery. Yet they could
not agree with Brown in his doctrine of 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a
tooth' and his belief that rifles and revolvers were the proper means to secure
direct results. Wm. Maxscm, while of Quaker ancestry, had his own views, not
exactly in harmony with these Quaker principles. He had unlimited confidence
in the old patriarch and opened his house to him."

"As I mingled today with the surviving friends of John Brown on ground
made sacred by the tread of the feet of martyrs forty years ago ( 1898) I heard
the recital of their recollections of the little band who here prepared for the
tragic enterprise that was to shake slavery's hold and leave a permanent record
upon all American history and this particular portion of Cedar County. There
was not a disreputable character in the little company quartered in the Maxson
house. They enlisted from the purest motives. They may have erred in the
means adopted, but when men give their lives for humanity criticism is dis-
armed."

"The reunion at the old Maxson house was planned and carried out by the
scMis and daughters of Wm. Maxson and Ebenezer Gray. Jonathan Maxson
(now residing in West Liberty, 1910) directed the interesting exercises. The
Maxsdns and Grays were visible everywhere and better representatives of the
best citizens of Iowa can nowhere be found."

"The exercises were held in front of the old Maxson house among the great
cedars planted by its builder nearly fifty (1898) years ago. The stars and
stripes waved above us ; portraits of old John Brown, Wm. Maxson, Edwin and
Barclay Coppock Ioc4ced down on us from the trees; on the tzble were the
Sharp's rifle and revolver carried by Coppock in the Harper's Ferry campaign."

"The address of welcome by Thad Maxson, Edwin Coppock's friend and
schoolmate, was eloquent and pathetic. One of the most touching of all the
tributes of the day was a poem dedicated to the old Maxson home, written and
read by the wife of Thad Maxson :" *^'

THE OLD GRAVEL HOUSE.

"Old House ! we're standing in thy shade,

Thou structure gray and fading,
In memory of a bygone time,
A day long since receding.

"The skies above are blue and fair.
And nature still renews her g^ory,

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 449

But thou, lone relic of the past.
Must soon live but in story.

"Full threescore years have come and gone
And sim arose and set,
Since first the ground thou standest on,
The foot of man had met.

41 « 41 « 41 «

"But not as now were smiling lands,

Nor nature lavish of her blessings.
Through weary years with toikome hands
They came to their possessions.

4i « « 4i ♦ «

"And thou, old house, that reared thy front

A mansion in thy day,
Rose on the fanes of cabin home,
The early settlers* stay.

« « ♦ ♦ 4t ♦

4

"And loved have come and loved have gone,
And passing left a sting.

"They sleep, still looking toward the West,

Beneath the deep woods shadow, ,

As if they still would see the sun
Sink down on wave and meadow.

t<

But through each change of time and scene.

Though human life be brief,
New dreams will grow and memories come

To take the place of grief.

"For still thy portals open swing

To welcome friendships bright.
The lone and cheerless wanderer
At evening blessed thy light.

"And still thy days rolled on and on.

Till bondman at thy gate
Besought the help and sympathy,
Denied, alas! by state.

"A hero with his God-sent band.
Unheeding threats or frowns,
Across thy threshold planned and wrought
And gained a martyr's crown.

450 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

"And thou, old house, that in thy prime,
Saw freedom's dawning day,
No fears of clanking chains and strife,
Shall mock at thy decay.

« ♦ « « 4t «

"Old house! We're standing in thy shade,
That shadow made sublime,
' Through solemn years and memories,

Of strange and wondrous times." *'^*

Springdale is a little country village away from railroads and the worid of
business. Its beautiful homes are quiet retreats from turmoil of money making,
political strife and daily papers (1898). Here the peaceful Quakers live in re-
pose and amid plenty with but few more houses than I saw there forty-six years
ago in crossing the great unsettled prairies that then reached almost coatina-
ously from the old Rochester ferry to Iowa City, then a state capital largely of
log houses.^*

In 1865 the old Maxson homestead was sold and Mr. Wm. Maxson retired
to West Liberty where he spent the remainder of his days a much esteemed
citizen until his death in 1877 ^^ ^^^ %^ ^^ seventy-one.

The home of the Brown's men in Cedar County is now fast disappearing.
The relic hunter is making sad havoc of what remains, and this coupled with
cares of business found in all communities will soon leave no trace of what hap-
pened in the trying times of slavery days when this region was constantly alert
to what might lead to a tragedy. The "old gravel house" no longer bekngs
to the Maxsons for the homestead has passed into other hands. Hidden in die
rear of the present farm house, surrounded by traces of those other days filled
with farm machinery or grain, it still does service, although held together
in places with iron rods to prevent collapse. The old house yet suffers when
some visitor from far away is determined to carry off an entire window casing
to make for himself a cane. The choicest of black walnut was used to finish
the windows and doors and these casings furnish the best of souvenirs for those
who deem sudi things essential to their happiness. When this house was built
the heavy timbers from the woods were hewn out sufficiently large to make
supports for them unnecessary when they were placed in the foundation. These
are best seen from the cellar when it is written that the colored man kept con-
cealed when emergencies arose. Here is the old fire place, but the door leading
out on the west end has been closed with a wall. One must go down through the
trap door under the stairway and take a lantern in order to see. No longer is
this cellar hospitable. It is damp and full of rubbish. One would not r^ard it
as a safe place now from any danger. No locks now are necessary, no one
cares to break in or out. It is possible to imagine the meetings of the followers
of John Brown held in the west room and to imagine also the work that must haye
been required in the large kitchen, now torn down, and altogether it is sorrowful
to contemplate the old ruin after reading and hearing of the times in ifidiich
it was the center of national interest. Standing in the front door one txaj
see at the right hand some roses, if in June, long since put there and still giviog

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 451

out their portion of the good things of earth in silent approval of the kind acts
of those who put them there. The old house has done its share in protecting
those who built it and in defending the helpless. It has served its day as home
and now does humble duty as a shelter for inanimate things. To the distant
comer, to the one seeking a place that goes down in history for all times, it is a
solemn place, but to the local interest it is a mere passing event. But this is al*
ways true. It is true of Plymouth, and Lexington, and Concord as wiell. Long
acquaintance with events and places makes them common. To the younger gen-
eration these things are not generally familiar even in our own county. They
do not realize the meaning of what occurred here and it would not be out of
place to use some special effort to preserve the past in this particular since so long
as history is written we must have some direct connection with national affairs.
The picture gives a very fair impression of the old house as it fronts the south
on the driveway of the old homestead formerly the early possession of Wnu
Maxson.

I

SECTION XL

THE PRESS AND LITERARY ORGANIZATIONS.

"Cedar County News Letter."

"This is the title of a neutral paper about to be issued in Cedar Counly
under the control of N. C. Swank, Esq., well known as an unassuming, upright,
and energetic citizen, fully competent to the discharge of the duties he is about to
take upon himself. A good newspaper is what 'Old Cedar* has long needed and
she is now about to have it. The paper will be printed at the flourishing town
of Rochester, on the Cedar River, and we miss die mark mightily if it will not
be worth double the price of subscription and afford our business men a first
rate advertising medium. See prospectus in our columns."

The prospectus referred to includes about one-fourth column in the "Iowa
Democratic Enquirer" for August 21, 1852.

The above article appeared at the time of the founding of the first paper
printed in this county. It was the beginning of the plant afterwards moved to
the old court house referred to in the reminiscences by Mr. N. C. MoflFett,

The heading of this paper does appear on the first files of the Advertiser
showing conclusively the connection.

Mr, N. C. Moffett in his "Early Recollections of Tipton," after describing
various experiences in 1852, says:

"The next year the subject of starting a newspaper to represent the. interests
of Tipton and the county generally was seriously discussed by the more enter-
prising citizens. The main difficulty seemed to be to find some one willing to
take the lead in the matter, and to give it that substantial backing which would
insure it success, and when it was learned that a practical printer was residing
in the community I was solicited to take upon myself the publication of the
paper. To this I replied that having come to the west with the idea of becom-
ing a farmer I did not care at this time to engage in the field of journalism,
offering, however, to give the benefit of my services in getting out the first issue.
There were those living in Tipton well qualified for properly conducting a coun-
try paper, with resources for sustaining it until it became self supporting, but
none of this class came forward with offers.

452

CARNEQIETIPTON PXJBLIC LIBBART

k '

F ^^ 1' > * , I.

a\

Atr^'t. 1>FN»X AND

TlLVSfi F(nM>An(>N8

B L

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 455

"In this emergency Charles Swetland, a man of very little schooling but in-
spired with a large degree of energy and public spirit, quietly announced that
the county needed a representative newspaper and that he was going to see that
such was supplied.

"There seems to have been, at one period, some kind of a paper published
at Rochester which had ended its life on the bank of the Cedar, and its remains
were offered for sale. The name of the luminary I have forgotten, but think it
was not of colossal dimensions, judging by the quality of material used in its
production, and which, as a preliminary, had been purchased and taken to Tip'-
ton. At this juncture I was employed to make an estimate on the requirements
for an up-to-date seven column newspaper with job office attachment. After
inspecting the Rochester materials and making deductions for what could be
used, an order was sent to the type founders for what was necessary to meet
the requirements. I will add, however, that it had been decided to make use of
the Rochester press for printing the new paper, and in giving a partial descrip-
tion of the same I shall need a full paragraph.

"The press I found, after getting all its parts together, was unique indeed,
and of such apparent antiquity that I really spent some time in trying to find
some clue to its name and date of production, without avail, but after consulting
all the books and illustrations on the subject of early printing we finally settle^
down to the conviction that it must be the one used by Gutenberg or Schoeffer,
pioneers in the art of printing with movable types (1460). We afterward
learned that it was known as the Ramage press.^^ But at last when the forms
were locked in the chases and laid upon the press bed, the first page was run
tmder the platen by the pressman and an impression taken; then the bed was
run on until the fourth page came under the platen to also receive a like im-
pression— ^and this was the procedure that always had to be undergone in run-
ning off our entire editions. Our office was in an upper room of the court house,
and curiosity had brought together quite a collection of those wishing to see the
initial ntunber of the new paper. When the sheet was raised from the two pages
a general expression of approval was given at its nice, attractive appearance,
although representing but half the completed copy, and the aged press went up
many degrees in my estimation as to the good work it was still able to perform.

"I said there was a general expression of approval from those present —
with one exception. At the outset the question arose as to what name should
be given the young advocate, and suggestions came in from all quarters. The
Star of the West, the Tipton Banner, the Voice of the Prairie, etc, until the
matter grew to be rather perplexing. At last when the order was ready to be
sent to the foundry, Mr. Swetland came to me and said he wanted me to name
the paper and to select suitable type for its display at the head of the first page..
And here is where the strange part of the story comes in. I had been so occu-
pied with other matters as to give very little thought as to what the paper should
be called, but as it was expected to be the advocate of the interests of the entire
community surrounding it, why not call it 'The Cedar County, Advertiser?'
Furthermore, I then had in my own mind a goodly number of eastern papers
bearing that title, in part which had been long lived and if the name 'Adver-
tiser* was to act as preservative, why not make use of it now? I well know that

456 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

it was but a passing whim, at the same time I have seen many papers with very
hig^ sounding titles come and go and are now forgotten within the fifty yean
that the Advertiser has existed. But I must say that I think there was some
feeling of disappointment at the very plain as well as very lengthy name which
had been placed at its head.

'The publication of the paper having been decided upon, the next question
of importance was to whom should be intrusted its editorial management I
believe at that time there was not a person in Tipton who had ever had prac-
tical experience in journalism, but a very popular young gentleman by the name
of Wdls Spicer was offered and accepted the position. Spicer was then study-
ing law in the office of Judge Bissell, and with the material to select ircm prob-
ably no better choice could have been made. His very social, jovial, unassuming
personality had made him a general favorite, not only with Tipton people but
with many old settlers throughout the county. And as the paper began to cir-
culate and to receive the criticism of the public, it was justly admitted that tlie
originality of his witticisms was self-evident, although the language with which
they were expressed was sometimes rather crude and unfinished I wish I had
access to those old files of the Advertiser that I might enjoy the pleasure of re-
inspecting those 'Fuimicalities' and flights of fancy which appeared from week
to week to be read and laughed over and enjoyed at leisure afterwards.

"At about the end of two or three years Judge Spicer became the proprietor
of the Advertiser, when a new press of the most approved pattern was installed
in the c^ce, the paper enlarged to an eight column sheet, and the little dd time-
worn Ramage press was disposed of to again move onwards toward the great
northwest, to enter upon new ccmditions and new labors. That venerable speci-
men of typographic art, if still existing, should have a conspicuous place in some
museum of ancient relics, or, if consigned to oUtvion, should have a marUe AUt
erected to its memory for the long life of usefulness it has given to the world.

''In the meantime I had given up my position as printer for the Advertiser
and sought other fields of labor where the remuneration was double what the
local paper could afford to pay. Eventually proposals were made to mjrsdf and
others to buy out the ofiice and continue the publication of the paper under a
new firm name. The new firm consisted of Simeon S. Daniels, my brother,
Henry P. Moffett, and myself. The Advertiser was then published as a four
page, eight odumn paper, at that time one of the largest weeklies circulating
in the state of Iowa." *^

The Advertiser files were completed when Mr. D. C Mott was the editor
during the first year of his service. He is now editor of the Marengo (Iowa)
Republican and he tells in what way he happened to find the missing numbers:
"Upon obtaining control of the Advertiser at the beginning of 1893 we found
that the bound files were continuous from 1853, the first issue being Nov. 12 of
that year, to the present time excepting '58, '59, '60, '61, '62 and part of 1863.
We learned that S. S. Daniels was editor during that time and that he was in
Washington, D. C, where he has (1893) ^ position in the government printing
c^ce. We wrote him, found he had the complete files for that time, purchased
them from him and brought them to this ofiice.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 457

"These files are the most valuable part of the early history of Cedar County
in existence. They show to some extent the struggles of our hardy pioneers, the
development of our free schocrf system, against the prejudice it encountered, to
the system that it now is, they give in detail the gathering of the great storm of
the Rebellion showing the feelings of the loyal people in Cedar County as the
great crisis approached, the patriotic action they took, the organization and
equipment of companies, and hurrying them to the front, and the anxious and
terrif)dng suspense of the people during the long conflict. Each week the col-
umns have letters from the boys in the field telling of camp life, of the march,
of battle, of death of comrades, and of the suffering of sick and wounded. Then
the returns of the decimated ranks when they were met with joy and yet with
much sorrow."

The letter from Mr. Daniels written then to Mr. Mott is of interest.

"714 3rd St. N. E., Washington, D. C.

May 19, 1894.
"D. C- Mott, Esq.

"Dear Sir: — ^Yours of the i6th inst. received. I have written my son, W. E.
Daniels, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, to arrange and send you the Advertisers I send
all. I don't like to part with the papers as I may never be able to see them
again. I feel that there are ifiany things in them that are a part of the history
of the county (if not the country), especially in those prior to and including the
war, and as there are no other copies of a part they should be preserved. There
are letters from soldiers in the field who are now honored residents of 'Old
Cedar,' most of them under a nom de plume.

"The Advertiser, Tipton and Cedar County have a warm place in my heart
for the best sixteen years of my life were spent there and many warm friend-
ships were formed, and I take credit for hdping in some improvements that
yet remain.

"Excuse me, for these memories may not interest you. I would be remem-
bered to old friends ; I am always glad to hear of their prosperity.

Respectfully,

S. S. Daniels-'*

After his government service ended Mr. Daniels returned to Mount Pleasant
where he died several years ago.

Research tells of the establishment of twenty-four newspapers in Cedar
County. Time assisted by poverty, and competition, or the allurements of the
golden promises of fairer fields, have caused the death of seventeen of them, only
seven remaining to tell the tale. Of those established, eleven have been in
Tipton, and one each in West Branch, Mechanicsville, Stanwood, and Qarence,
In writing of these papers vrt shall treat of them in the order in which 'they were
founded as nearly as we can, accepting the statements in the Cedar County His-
tory of '78 as to the more remote facts, and acknowledging aid from Brothers
Gruwell, Smith, Shipley, and Dorcas as to events in tfieir respective localities.

The Tipton Times and Cedar County Conservative was the name of the
first newspaper published in Cedar County. It was a monthly paper, was printed
in Davenport and had Wm. H. Tuthill and John P. Cook, attorneys of Tipton,

458 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

as editors and publishers. It was Whig in politics. The first number was issued
Saturday, April 6, 1850, and it was continued only erne year.

Nelson C. Swank, of Rochester, owned the first printing press and printed
the first newspaper within Cedar County's limits. It was The Cedar County
News-Letter and was established at Rochester, Sept 13, 1852. It continued one
year when its publication was suspended and the press and material was sold
to Chas. Swetland, who moved them to Tipton and founded the Cedar County
Advertiser.

The Cedar County Advertiser was issued at Tiptcm in November, 1853, Chas.
Swetland, a merchant, being the owner, and Welk Spicer and H. C. Piatt the
editors. The old Cedar County News-Letter head had to be run for the heading
for the first three wedcs, as the new heading had not arrived from the east, wher-
ever that was. With the exception of a suspension for about a month in the
first year of its life, when the old material of the ofHce was being exchanged for
new, the paper has been issued r^ularly up to this date. The name was changed
to The Tipton Advertiser at the end of two years. There have been many
changes in ownership of this paper. Mr. Spicer soon became the sole editor of
the paper and remained such until 1857 when S. S. Daniels succeeded him, con-
tinuing until Feb. 1866. He had associated with him at different times as part
owners N. C. and H. P. Moffett, E. W. Clark and L. M. Mulford. In Feb. 1866,
Wm. P. Wolf took editorial charge, continuing a little over a year, when Chas.
L. Longley succeeded him. Mr. Longley was editor from March 7, 1867, to
Oct. 9, 1890. He had at different times associated with him in proprietorship L
M. Mulford, W. P. Peet, and J. M. Rider. A. C. Brande and J. M. Rider suc-
ceeded Mr. Longley for six months, the former being editor. The paper was
then sold to the Advertiser Printing Co. with J. M. Rider as manager and W. R
Boyd as editor. This management continued a little over two years, or until
Nov. '93, when D. C. Mott bought the company and became editor and pro-
prietor. This paper has been a factor in the history of the county. It has ad-
vocated republicanism almost since the birth of the party. Among its editors
have been at least some men of accomplishments, character, and ability. When
the present editor took possession he found the files of the paper complete except
abotit four years, from 1859 to 1863. These were in the possession of Mr. Daniels,
who was editor at that time. They were obtained of him and bound, so that
now the Advertiser has its complete files from the date of the first issue, Nov.
12, 1853, with the old Cedar County News-Letter heading, to the present time.
Very much valuable history, local, county, state, and national, is ccMitained in
them. Secretary B. F. Cue, of the State Historical Society, has said he believes
the Advertiser's files to be the oldest continuous files in Iowa. Mr. D. C. Mott
continued the publication of the Advertiser until about June i, 1897, when
Sherman Yates became the editor. He has continued to edit the paper since
that time, the firm of Yates and Ripley owning and publishing the paper for
many years. The files are kept up and the old ones of the fifties and of the war
period being in a bank vault The Post of 1872 and '73 is also among these
files.

The Cedar Democrat was the next newspaper venture. It was issued at
Tipton in the spring of 1856. A stock company was the owner and A. C. Appier

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 459

was the first editor. In 1857 Carlisle Curtis and Richard B. McGill became the
owners and editors. David Roush became possessed of it in the winter of '59-
'60. The paper was democratic and Mr. Roush was a war democrat, but the
paper was discontinued for want of support in 1864.

We think the next paper to be established in the county was the Onion Grove
Record, published at Onion Grove, later Clarence, editor M. Ciunmings. It must
have been in the late '50's. It only continued a few weeks. The editor was a
great wag.

The Mechanicsville Press was founded in August, 1866, under the name 01
The Journal, by Ragsdale and Bundy. The name was soon clianged to the
Press. During the next four years the paper had many changes, having as part
or complete owners, C. W. Andrews, Weeks, West, John Galding, Hugh Leslie
and Edward Connible, they ccmfusing history by their complicated partnerships
and changes of ownerships. Finally in March, 1870, F. H. Williams, an original
character, obtained it and conducted it successfully until about '96, when it was
bought by H. F. and W. A. Dorcas, the former as editor and the latter pub-
lisher. It announced itself RepuUican, and is a good local paper.

N. F. Purcell is now the editor and publisher of the Pioneer-Press which
name he gave to the last-mentioned paper. It has a well equipped plant publish-
ing an eight page paper.

Aug. 30, 1871, W. H. Morrow and Jesse James founded a second republican
paper in Tipton, the Cedar County Post. Later A. Kerns became a partner, but
in August of the same year Mr. James became the sole editor and proprietor. It
was a well edited paper, but the field being too limited*, it was sold to the Ad-
vertiser Dec. 31, 1873. The files are now in the Advertiser office.

The Cedar County Advance was established by W. H. Morrow, at Tipton,
in the interests of Greeley and Brown, commencing Aug. 31, 1872, but suspended
Oct. 20, 1875.

The Patrons of Husbandry was a small publication printed in the office of
the Post, and published in support of the order from which it took its name.
Wm. Knott was president of the company that published it and L. L. Sweet was
the editor. The first number appeared April 30, 1872, but it only continued one
month.

The Cedar County Clipper, democrat, was established at Tipton in the sum-
mer of 1866 by J. T. Rice and David Roush. It did not prosper, however, and
was discontinued in December of the same year.

The first printing press brought to Clarence was owned by Judge E. R.
Thayer, when in 1868 he established his Iowa Age at that place. It was dem-
ocratic in politics and ably conducted, but the field was too limited and in less
than a year Judge Thayer removed the paper to Clinton where it is now conducted,
it being recognized as one of the able papers of the state.

In Oct., 1870, there were a number of the enterprising citizens of West
Branch, among whom was W. W. Gruwell, the present editor of the Times,
( 1897) attended a meeting to consider the question of establishing a newspaper
in the village. The result was a few weeks after, a little paper, printed on 8
by 12 manilla wrapping paper, was issued, with Geo. Barrington editor. This
was only issued occasionally. In the fall of '71 A. M. Russell and C. E. Craig-

460 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

head established a printing <^ce and issued a larger paper called the Index In
April, 1875, L. W. Raber superseded them and called die paper the Times. E.
Grinnell became owner for two years, he in torn selling to L. Warring-
ton, who sold in the fall of '78 to C. H. Wickerdiam. The latter cfaai^ied die
name to the Local Record. After these years W. W. GruweU became owner, re-
taining it eight years, when he scAd to S. £. Albin, who changed tiie name back
to the Times. In June, 1892, it was bought back by W. W. GruweU, who, with
his son, A. C, continued to issue it. Ross Leech succeeded the Gruwdls m thb
paper in 1901 and is now the editor and proprietor. It is puUished every Thurs-
day. It has the largest circulation of any paper outside the county seat

The first paper in Stanwood, the Express, came into existence in the spxmg
of 1872. £. L. Derby was the editor. It is said that he published a paper
big enough for a city, but the patronage failed to materialize sufficiently to sxxfr
port it, and it yielded to its cruel fate and died the next year.

The Cedar County Farmer was published at Tipton for about one year.
Commencing in Feb., 1874, L. W. and W. L. Raber were publishers and Isaiah
Doane, of Webster Qty was editor. It was democratic in politics. It failed
for want of suj^rt.

The Tipton Conservative was established March 31, 1875, by M. R, Jackson.
It has since then given the county news and proclaimed democratic doctrine.
The Conservative founded by Mr. M. R. Jadcson in 1875 continued to be edited
by him until the year 1902 when he sold it to Wm. Wisener, the present editor
Mr. Jackson had the longest continuous service of any man who occupied such a
position in the county. Only one man in this section of the state had a longer
service — ^John Mahin of the Muscatine Journal — at the time of Mr. Jackson's
retirement. Mr. Wisener continues the paper and maintains its reputation.

In Feb., '96, F. W. Casterline came from Kansas and established the Bennett
Independent, which was true to its name. After about one year at Bennett the
plant was moved to Tipton and published under the combined name of Cedar
County Republican and Bennett Independent. It was Repuiblican in politics, and
among the last newspaper ventures in the county seat. It ¥ras sold to the Ad-
vertiser.

In Feb., 1897, the Clarence Gazette was established. It was started by Crane
and McLaughlan, law partners, according to the Cedar County History; while
the Qarence Sun states that it was founded by Chas. E. Cosley who was suc-
ceeded by Geo. F. Couch. After about two years the paper suspended puWia-
ti<xi.

The Gazette was followed by the Independent established by E. L. Derby,
who soon sold it to D. W. Carothers, who in turn sold it to Wood and Wooster.
The publication, however, lived but a brief time. It is also stated that after the
Independent came the True Delta, which was published for a few months by
Burton and Company.

The Clarence Sun was established by Geo. Williams, later of Minncapohs,
in April, 1879. A year or two later John W. Owen, from Illinois, obtained pos-
session of it, and conducted it prosperously for eight years. In Feb., 1892, he
sold it to Geo. Crawford, formerly of Mineral Point, Wis. In July of the same
year he sold it to Clark Smith who came from Lansing, Mich. Mr. Smith was

■ ■ !!■

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 461

successful, owned his building, and possessed a good plant. Chas. A. Seaton
succeeded Mr. Smith and is the present editor and publisher of the Sun.

The Cedar County News of Tipton was established about July 15, 1889. Its
editor was Harry Hazlett. It lasted about two* years. Independent in politics
and an interesting local sheet, it finally failed in 1891.

The Stanwood News began publication Oct 7, 1892. Floyd and Ranenbush
editors and publishers. Floyd soon retired from the firm. The paper was con-
tinued until Aug., '93, and the publishers fled and the paper died.

The Stanwood Herald, edited by Harry J. Burke, hegaoi pubUcati(Hi April
10, '94. In Oct. of the same year, to use the words of Mr. Shi^ey, "One M. E.
Shipley, of the sand hills of Nebraska, became seized with the publication,^' and
continued it with good success as an independent local paper.^^^.

A number of editors have had charge of the Herald since the date mentioned
above. J. N. Boling controlled it for some time. One Thompson had an inter-
est in it later. W. A. Spry, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted it, then
Gau and Evers. They were followed by Bushndl and Evers, and since 1905
A. W. Bushnell has managed the paper. It is an eight page paper with two
pages of home print.

The "Lowdcn News'' is published from the office of the "Clarence Sun/'
George Mueller being the local editor.

The present editcw of the Durant Star came to this county to work on the
Bennett Independent at the time of its establishment by Mr. Casterline and he
came with Mr, Casterline to Tipton when the Republican was started there.
The Stanwood Herald was once in his charge, 1898 to 1900. The history of the
papers in the eastern part of the county included in the following which comes
largely from C. W. Hamilton. He was postmaster at Bennett and resigned this
office to take charge of the Durant Star.

Bennett's first paper was the Bennett Independent, established in January,
1896, by F. W, Casterline, who presided over its destinies until March of the
following year when the plant was moved to Tipton where Mr. Casterline es-
tablished the Cedar County Republican. In January, 1902, C. W. Hamilton
started the Bennett Opinion which he ccmducted until July, 1907, when the
management passed to Thos. P. Barnes. Mr. Barnes presided over the destinies
of the Opinion until September, 1909, when the ownership reverted to the former
publisher who moved the plant to Durant where the paper was consolidated with
the Durant Star, the subscribers being furnished the Star instead of the Opinion.
The Durant Star still maintains a representative at Bennett to look after the
news and whatever advertising and job printing may be needed.

The Durant Star was established in October, 1898, by Herman Kudil who con-
ducted the paper until January, 1902, when its destinies passed into the hands of
Harry C. Ellingsworth. After two years at the helm Mr. Ellingsworth was
succeeded by W. S. rrice who published the paper for three and- one-half years,
being succeeded July i, 1907, by the present publisher, C. W. Hamilton. Mr.
Price, during his editorship of the paper, added a page devoted to the town of
Walcott, carrying the news and advertising from that town. This page is be-
ing kept up under the present management, and the consolidati(Hi of the Bennett
Opinion with the Star in September, 1909, gives the Star a large territory to

462 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

cover in the southeast comer of Cedar, the southwest comer of Scott and the
northeast corner of Muscatine counties.*^*

In i860 a real organization of a library association was formed in Tipton.
Before this time some individual plans had been formed for loaning books. At
the time of organization the books in their possession for circulation numbered
about 160 volumes. This movement continued for some years under diflFerent
management, sometimes under the control of literary organizations and on one
occasion was cared for by the Ancient Order of United Workmen which fra-
temity had at that time a lodge in the place. Some of the old boc4cs purchased
at that time are not yet out of circulation so far as being off the loaning lists.
The public school library was made the beneficiary of the old books, the re-
mains of, no one knows how many, different purchases and collections when these
institutions ceased to exist. Some of the old tags arc yet visible as one may sec
by examiAing the copies, some of which are now in the Public Library, if he
takes the trouble to turn back the present possessors' stamp of ownership.

The titles of the volumes suggest their day and they are chiefly valuable to
the one interested in history or theology. They wiere not trivial books by any
means and those who made the selection must have been serious minded people.
Library movements did not cease during the years following the preliminary
efforts from the very beginning in the time before the war and it may be interest-
ing to know that in 1858 there was a lecture course and an association to procure
books and a room where they could be secured from some one who volunteered
to be responsible. Books were procured from New York. A fee of $1.50 was
charged and dues of ten cents. S. S. Daniels, the war editor of the Advertiser,
announced the information to be fumished at his office concerning the books on
hand, and the niunber loaned in a single wieek reached seventy-two.

There was a library tax proposition in 1872 since the books on hand fumished
the nucleus for a public library.

Springdale had an organization of the same nature and the movement was
further emphasized by the Bums Qub that held its meetings at stated times.
Special mention is made of a meeting at Clarence in 1871.

The first reading room opened for public use was in 1891. A few periodicals
were on file and a small library was loaned' by Mr. Glines. In March, 1901,
the free Public Library was opened in the Rowell building as mentioned in the
concluding part of this section of library history.

It was in the aftemoon of a day in 1896 that a few friends visiting together
discussed the work of women's clubs in general. A comparison of facts brought
out the one that the individual club work was strengthened by the union or fed-
eration of all the clubs in the vicinity. The suggestion was there made that the
four study clubs of Tipton unite for mutual benefit and this was accomplished
by July first of that year.

The first meeting was at the home of Mrs. J. H. Gunsolus where the Search-
Light club gave the program. These programs were continued during the
year at stated periods and resulted in ''mutual improvement" as the constitution
of the federation read. But this was not all the women had in view. Then
they saw somewhere in the distant future the building now (1903) in process
of erection but to them it seemed a long way off.

PXJBLIC UBSABY, WEST BRANCH

T 1

•• " - - - • • BiTi ^B^ !■ n III

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 465

At a business meeting of the federation in 1897 a plan of enlarging the
club and its mission was discussed but no definite action taken, later, however,
resolving itself into "The Village Improvement Society." The committees were
appointed — ont to work for the beautifying of the dty and the other to work
for a library. The first committee was soon abandoned for good and sufficient
reasons and all the efforts centered on the one .idea of a library.

In January, 1898, the club was entertained by the one division called the
Nineteenth Century Qub and at this meeting Mrs. Van Vechten, of Cedar
Rapids, President of the State Federation was present. She pointed out the
wisdom of opening the doors of the ,club to aU women who were interested in
the same object that we were working for. At this suggestion the Federation
of Qubs was changed to the "Wcwnen's Club." Any woman willing to give
something of her time and strength was eligible to membership. The mem-
bership has averaged thirty-five.

At this time the program feature of the club was given up and the mercenary
side entered into with spirit fitting the cause. The thought now was to convert
the effort into dollars and cents as fast as able that the desired end might the
sooner be reached.

Very little encouragement was received from the men. No one openly
opposed the movement but there was a feeling of indifference, that while the
library might be a benefit to the community, it would be an expense to maintain,
and, recalling the previous efforts to do such things without sufficient equip-
ment, that it could not be made a success.

The nucleus for a library fund had been raised in 1897 by a concert given
under the direction of the Women's Clubs Federation, Athene, Nineteenth Cen-
tury, Treble Clef, and Search-Light, and amounted to fifteen and one-half dol-
lars. Mrs. Van Vechten, on her trip to the federation donated her traveling
expenses and this was the first donation to tiie public library. The earnings of
the club from that time to the laying of the cornerstone were more than one
thousand dollars. The most discouraging thing occurred at the first — something
that would have led men to abandon the enterprise very likely — the lecture course
conducted by the organization left Uiem with a deficit of fifty dollars. The
latest sum ever received from an entertainment was "The Darictown Swells,"
which probably suggests some assistance from the men of the community.

Among the few cash donations the largest came from the Universalist So-
ciety when the church was discontinued here.

The determination that the club held, not to open a library until it could be
"free," proved to be the right attitude, for the movement was now being agitated
in the entire state. Finally in the winter of 1899-1900 the lawmakers at Des
Moines passed a law allowing, by amendment to section 727 of the Code, a town
to vote at a general or special election upon the question, "Shall a Free Public
Library be Established?" February i, 1900, found the club with a bank deposit
of $700 when the request was made to the city council to place the matter be-
fore the people. When put to a vote it carried by a majority of 141 votes.

An act to create a library commission and to promote the establishment and
efficiency of free public libraries in the state was of much help to the local in-
terestis allowing a Board of Trustees to be appointed by the Mayor of the town.

466 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

August first, 1900, the Board, consisting of five men and four women, was ap-
pointed under this law, and into their hands the woiic was placed.

The buying of books, arranging for rooms, and preliminary work required
several nionths and the rooms were not opened formally until March 4th, 1901.
Under the supervision of Miss Alice Tyler of the State Commission, all the mod-
em methods of library work were employed and the wh<de effort begun in an
up-to-date manner.

The popularity of the library exceeded all expectations and the demand for
more room became imperative. The generosity of Mr. Cam^e to other towns
in the state led the club to hope for assistance from him in securing a building,
but meantime the president of the Board having the same thought in mind
had written him concerning the matter as explained later and with the result
as now known.

No separate account can be given of the work of the Women's Qub and die
public library so far as the present building is concerned. Its incq>tioa was a
matter first considered by this club, and Mrs. Anna S. Yates, who was one of
the leading spirits of the organization and for many years a much appreciated
librarian is the one to whom credit should be given for the facts as here enu-
merated leading to the results as found in the present library equipment. At
the laying of the cornerstone. Wed. May 6, 1903, the paper written by Mrs. Yates,
and read by Miss Addie Dean, then Secretary, gave a full history from the time
the Women's Qub took it up to the date of the exercises.

The President of the Board of Trustees, Judg^ W. N. Treichler, introduced
the president of the club, Mrs. I. J. Hamiel, who spread the cement upon the
spot where the stone was to lie while the derrick held it in readiness for its
position. This stone contains a copper receptacle which holds a copy of die
Bible, the constitution of Iowa, constitution and by-laws of the Women's Qub
and of the Board of Trustees, copy of Andrew Carnegie's letter making the
gift to the city, copy of the city council and board of trustees records of ac-
ceptance of the same, an account of the public library opening, a roll of die
Women's Club, and of the Board of Trustees, a copy of die paper read by Miss
Dean, written by Mrs. Yates, copies of the Tipton papers and coins of the years
1902 and 1903.

At the exercises pf laying the cornerstone Rev. R. D. Parsons, who used to
play upon these grounds as a school boy referred to the changes that had come
since he had known the old school building that stands just across the street His
address was full of appreciation of the gift of the donor of the building, Mr.
Carnegie.

January, 1902, a letter came to Judge Treichler which reads as follows:

"New York, Jan. 9, 1902.
''W. N. Treichler, E$q., Tipton, Iowa.

"Dear Sir: — ^Responding to your letters. If the city of Tipton will pledge
itself to support a free library (by resolution of council) at a cost of not less
than one thousand dollars per year, Mr. Carnegie will be glad to provide ten
thousand dollars for a free public library building. The city must also furnish
a suitable site. Respectfully yours,

"Jas. Bertram, Private Secretary/'

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 467

The first steps taken to secure the above offer were during the fall of 1901,
when Judge Treichler wrote Mr. Carnegie, giving him a history of the eflforts
made by the Women's Club to establish and maintain a free public library, and
the support afterward given by the city. Not much publicity was given to the
effort to interest Mr. Carnegie, not even the members of the library board being
aware of the correspondence. No response was received from the first letter
and hope of any result was about given up when a second letter was sent, this
time bringing a prompt answer asking for information concerning the city, pop-
ulation and details in other particulars.

The letter quoted was the result of information furnished. The city council
immediately passed the desired r^^lution and Mr. Carnegie was notified that his
conditions had been accepted.

The question of a site for the library was for some time under discussion
when it was finally settled by the county board of supervisors granting the use
of the Monument Square. This necessitated the moving of the soldiers' monu-
ment to its present position and its resetting.

Measures were soon taken to beautify the grounds under the direction of
the board advised by a competent landscape gardener who came here for the
purpose.

The library building was completed and occupied in December, 1903, but the
dedication proper did not occur until the following July when a formal program
was followed, Mr. Johnson Brigham, State Librarian, giving the principal ad-
dress. The studeitts from the library summer school at the State University
came with Miss Tyler to hear the program but more to see the library itself as
a model for others to be built in the future. Reports were given by the secretary
and officers of the club that helped to erect it.

The total cost as reported then was $13,957. The furniture was purchased
by the Women's Qub, that organization that kept the matter moving until the
present equipment was secured. They have kept contributing to the building
improvement ever since and their plans are always to add a little more to the
grounds in appearance or to the funds to buy more books. The number of
volumes at the present time is about four thousand.

The last annual report of the present librarian, Miss Milligan, gives the fol-
lowing summary of all reports : Total number of volumes in library, 3,850, but
since then the number is much above four thousand. Five hundred volumes
were added in 1909, the total circulation for that year being over 9,000 volumes.
One-third of all the children's books were at some time drawn out and one-half,
of the adult books that go into circulation. About one thousand borrowers' cards
were then in force and this number is now largely increased. The library' was
open for 308 days during the year, for an average of thirty-nine hours per week.
In April, 1910, the township of Center entered into a contract through the board
of trustees with the trustees of the Tipton public library whereby the township
levies a tax of one-half mill for library support and the citizens of the township
have the same library privil^pes as those of the corporation of Tipton. The
present officers and trustees of the library are: W. N. Treichler, Mrs. H. L.
Huber, Mrs. C. R. Aurner, C. S. Neiman, Sherman Yates, Mrs. W. A. Grove,

468 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Miss Mattie Coutts, Geo. H. Kellogg, and J. C. France. Miss Flora Milligan,
Librarian.

The financial report shows total receipts of $2,557 and expenditures of $1,968,
leaving a balance at the end of the year 1909 of $580 when figures are given in
round numbers.

On Oct. 22, 1901, a meeting of representatives from the young people's socie-
ties of the various churches met to organize a Young People's Union in West
Branch. A good citizenship committee was elected and this conumttee decided
that the town's greatest need was a public library. A canvass of the town was
made to secure literature, and a hundred and fifty books were secured besides
magazines for the reading table. Three good rooms were obtained and Mr.
Ross Stratton was elected librarian. The expenses were met by subscription and
a small charge for the use of the boc4cs. The first year $211.00 was raised mostly
by socials, suppers, etc. In 1903 "The Spinster's Return" was given, which
netted $145 which was expended in books.

In the fall of 1903 one of the public spirited citizens, Mrs. Hulda Enlow, in-
formed the city council that she would donate to the town a public library build-
ing if the town would vote the necessary taxes for its support. This was done,
and in July, 1904, the library was moved to the new building, which had been
erected at an expense of $2,000. Sept. 30th the dedicatory exercises were held,
the citizens expressing their appreciation of Mrs. Enslow's generous gift. The
Young People's Union donated their books and magazines and are still giving
what aid they can.

The library board formerly was composed of C. H. Hathaway, president;
S. H. Mott, vice president; G. H. Hoover, secretary; O. L. Townsend, Dr. C J.
Leech, A. C. Hunter, E. L. HoUingsworth, Miss Cora Vamey, and Miss Bertha
Armstrong, a number of whom are still members according to the librarian's
report which follows:

"The library year just closed shows a remarkable gain in the library over pre-
ceding years. During the last year there were 5,080 books and magazines issued.
The magazine circulation alone was 1,226 numbers. There are 24 different
magazines on the library tables, and all but the current numbers are allowed to
circulate under the same rules which govern the circulation of books.

"In the last twelve months 7,573 visitors came to the library. An appreciable
number of these came for the use of the reference and class books. While
the reference department is not as well stocked in volumes as could be desired,
yet the material is good and the library attendant is willing at all times to aid in
the securing of reference material by the use of the Poole's Index, Reader's Guide
and other available means. Material on special subjects can be obtained for
clubs and students, from the Library Commission at Des Moines, and held ex-
clusively for their use.

"The juvenile department has been a source of pleasure to the little foils. A
table, exclusively their own has been placed in the juvenile comer, and the
books for children have been put on shelves where they can easily be obtained
by them. By the addition of the parent's signature to the reader's card, the
little folks can get books under the same rules as govern adults.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 469

"This year there has been added 124 books, several of these being donations.
As it is very hard to keep the library as well supplied mfh books as is desired,
the donation of books, either fiction, reference or class books is very acceptable.
All books added are classed, listecl and placed by the Dewey decimal system of
classification.

"The Priscilla club presented to the library twenty-six elegantly bound vol-
umes. Of these twenty-five were class books and one was fiction. They were
Irving's works in twelve voliunes ; Roosevelt* s works in ten volumes ; two books
by Steiner; one by Edison and one by Ralph Connor. Such gifts have more
than pecuniary value to a library that is striving to reach a high standard both
in number of volumes and merit of work.

- "There were 58 new readers registered last year. Country residents are urged
to make use of our library both for reading and reference purposes. The fees
for non-residents of our town are twenty-five cents for three months or one
dollar a year. Or by paying five cents, a country borrower can have the use of
books for two weeks. This fee only refers to the circtdating department as
everybody whether resident of the town or not is wielcome to the use of the
reading and reference department.

"The library trustees — G. C Hoover, Dr. L. J. Leech, Dr. M. W. Munger, E.
L. HoUingsworth, A. C. Hunter, H. H. Michener, Mrs. Laura Gray, Mrs. Eliz-
abeth Staufer, and Miss Bertha Armstrong have done much to raise the library
to its present place of efficiency, and deserve much credit for their faithful and
conscientious efforts in promoting the library movement

"This is the library's sixth year in its own building and each year has shown
an advancement in the library work and a better record of things attained.

"Donations, however small, are very acceptable, and the donor will receive
due credit in the library records for any gift made. Each gift aids at least a
little in the increasing of our stock of books. Perhaps if more people understood
that good books which they themselves have read and put aside, would be eagerly
read by others, they would be anxious to put them in the library where they
can be read by everyone.

"The people of the town have shown sincere interest in the library movement,
and credit is due the patrons for their care of the books and magazines when
they are using them and for their promptness in returning them.

"Until every person who cares to avail himself of good reading material has
bec(»ne a patron of the library the mission of this institution lis yet unfulfilled.

"GoLDA Branson, Librarian,"

The largest private library ever in the county belonged to Judge Tuthill and
at his death in 1886 it was broken up and sold at auction as announced by public
notice to take place commencing March 7, 1881.

The catalog contained 190 pages under 2,305 titles which included more than
five thousand volumes of rare and uncommon nature in a private library.

Parts of these were shipped to New York and sold, the freight on the rarest
portion amounting to a large sum. The history of 1878 makes the statement
that the library was once written up for the Chicago Inter Ocean by an interested
investigator. It is unfortunate that Such a valuable collection should ever have
been allowed to leave the county.

470 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Judge Tuthill contributed to the Annals of Iowa a number of ajrticles bear-
ing on political topics, chiefly, but rather in a humorous vein. Among ttie list
is one entitled ''The Garry Owen Vote" and it relates to the election of a judge
in which the center of interest is not in this county but the northwest comer of
Jackson where the vote was withheld on account of the failure to understand the
facts of the candidates stand on public questions then under consideratioii. The
result was the election of the Cedar County candidate.

"Harry Hatton's Sermon" deals with a character who had "suffered" co»-
version under Mormon influence and then becoming somewhat lawless was about
to be indicted when he announced that he would preaoh to the multitude, whidi
he did while the grand jury were in session. He escaped the indictment threat-
ening him.

"TheWoodbridge Sell," is not clear to the reader unless he knows the facts
connected with the references. It is enough to say that it related to the dis-
posal of the postoffice to a candidate not supposed to be on the winning side sug-
gesting the "sale" of his right, or on his part the "purchase."

"Hummers Bell" is a poem of several stanzas taking off an event of die
time in Iowa City but facts are wanting to carry it farther. John P. Cook is re-
ferred to as the one who could set it to music.

In 1892 the literary club called by tfie name of "Searchlight" grew out of the
meeting of four ladies who assembled for the enjoyment of good company in a
reading circle. These four, Mrs. Huber, Mrs. Pine, Mrs. Shijrfey, and Mrs.
Hamm began by reading aloud one at a time while the rest did needle work.
The circle was soon enlarged by the addition of sisters of two of the members.

It was in 1895 that the organization was effected, name selected, and con-
stitution adopted, the purpose stated as bdng, "to promote systematic study,
social intercourse and to become mutually helpful."*®^ They united with the
State Federation of Women's Qubs in 1895.

From the minute book of the "Cultus Club" of Tipton the following account
is taken of the first meeting: "The Cultus Club met Jan. 12, 1903, at the home
of Miss Oral Argo. The meeting was called to order by the vice president, Mrs,
Bartley and a motion was made by Mrs. Mearl Clarke 'that we be known as the
Cultus Gub.' " It does not say whether the motion was carried or not but jvnig-
ing from the later developments the name remained with them. The officers
for that first year in addition to the vice president mentioned were, president,
Mrs. Grassfield; and secretary, Miss Qare Carl. According to this first book
the membership was eighteen. The object as stated in the constitution is, by
union to create a center of social enjoyment and culture and the mutual im-
provement of its members. It requires a three-fourths vote to elect the officials.
"The Women's Manual of Parliamentary Law" shall govern in all things not
otherwise provided for.

The Nineteenth Century Club of Tipton was organized in 1895 by Mrs. Jen-
nie Vevier, now of Clinton, Iowa. Of the charter members only Mrs* A, N.
Filson, Mrs. Hattie Fields and Mrs. Mary Collins remain. The tfiree with the
following now constitute the club. Miss Mattie Coutts, Mrs. Clara B. Grove,
Mrs. Myrtie Dean, Mrs. Martha Wolf, Mrs. Ella R. Brotherlin, Mrs. LiDian

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 471

Peters, Mrs. Rose Maxson, Mrs. Mary L, Bering, Mrs. Ella R. Hamid, Mrs.
Ida Nash, Mrs. Sue H. Rowell.

History and literature study has been the chief work of this club since its
organization. They meet for social recreation as well as study commencing in
tfie month of October and continuing the meetings until the first week in April.
For the coming year they study Holland as outlined in the Bay View course
and in connection with this some miscellaneous work on Domestic Econ-
omy. The present officers are Mrs. A. N. Filson, President ; Mrs. Rose Maacson,
Vice-President; Mrs. Sue Rowell, Secretary and Treasurer.*® ^

The Cedar County Chautauqua offered its first attraction in 1895 and for
six years has maintained an organization incorporated under the laws of the
state. It is an institution for culture and entertainment and not to make money.
No one expects profit, the aim being to pay expenses, and every stockholder
must buy his way to the sessions. The officers give their time and the stock-
holders their money to make up any deficiency that may occur. It is unnecessary
to say that such an institution should never be abandoned but continually im-
proved. No such organization is managed on a more economical plan than the
one in this county. The public school grounds have been furnished by the school
authorities, the large tent has been procured and put up 1>y a committee serving
free of all expense and when the situation is compared to others of like nature
there is an ideal condition in favor of the Cedar County Chautauqua.

The Priscilla Qub of West Branch is limited to twenty members having for
its object work of a literary character but not confined to that exclusively, for their
assistance in school and library circles has been noted. The organization is one of
kmg standing, beginning in 1895, and they have used one course of study for
nine years — The Bay View. Other efforts in helping the public library to secure
books and to aid the public school in art instruction have been successful. Since
the library was established by Mrs. Enlow, they have had her portrait painted
and hung in the reading room, besides contributing cash from entertainments for
additional equipment Entering into competition with other organizations they
won a prize offered for the best appearing turnout in a recent celebraition.^^^

In Spdngdale Township, in the vicinity of Springdale and West Branch
there are seven women's clubs, the greater part of them inclucfing women from
tiie farm homes. Among these, the Self Culture Qub of Springdale is one of
the mo6t prosperous. The object stated is, "to promote a literary spirit among its
members," and its motto, "We are builders, and each one should cut and carve
as best he can." It began its work in' 1901 with a membership of twenty-five,
and owing to the demand for admission they were obliged to limit the num<
ber to thirty. These industrious people hold their meetings from September
until May. They occasionally are liberal and entertain die men of the families
at a social gathering, not omitting the things that make such attentions remem-
bered and even fumiaiiing a program of literary character in addition to the
lighter entertainment. Their programs are arranged for a year in advance and
puUished in bookleta^ for the benefit of the members and the leader of the
club. For four years the club has secured bodes from the State Circulating Li-
brary to aid in the work of its members. The club is ambitious for in their
study one finds the subject of "Parliamentary Practice," one of the most n^lected.

472 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

subjects in lists of all student bodies. Large topics of History, Rome, England,
Germany, Russia and Japan, the United States and its possessions are amc»ig
the important ones. The club provides for a Round Table gathering in January
on the notable events of the preceding year in which the members all report their
findings. At the meetings of the county clubs at Chautauqua the Sdf Culture
Club had a place on the program at each session. The member who reports the
work sums it up in this way : "We are all busy women, yet aim to do thorough
work; therefore the one year course of study was made to extend over two
years. Our membership has been scattered but the attendance and the perse-
verance in keeping the work in hand has demonstrated the fallacy of the state-
ment 'that literary clubs cannot succeed in the rural districts.* " ***

The object of the "Wednesday Literary Club" of Clarence is stated as,
"for the mutual improvement of its members in Literature, Art, Science, and the
vital interests of the day." Its first name was "The Wednesday Lookout Qub"
when organized in 1896, but the change was made in 1903 to the first title above.
This club arranges for its study a year in advance through the committee for
the purpose. In 1904 it became a part of die State Federation of Qubs and in
the county meetings had its representative. Their motto is suggestive, "Agita-
tion of thought is the banning of wisdom." Twenty is the limited number of
members and the work is mainly for study, social affairs holding a minor place.
Time has changed its membership but the club continues to keep its work in order
and has an ambition to be one of the enduring Idnd.'^^

"The Columbia Circle" of Clarence has had an existence of thirty years being
one of the oldest clubs of a literary character in the state. It received its impetus
from a few broad-minded women who desired a greater intellectual life and
more frequent social intercourse than they then enjoyed. Perhaps there was no
one person more zealous for the formation of the club than Mrs. Howard Bell
whose motto was, — "To agitate is to educate." At least it is certain that the
question was agitated thoroughly enough with the result that twelve ladies
gathered at the home of Mrs. W. D. G. Cottrell one day in March, 1880, amd or-
ganized the society known then as, "The Qarence Reading Circle," with Mrs. H.
G. Coe as president. Inasmuch as the woiic at that time did not extend beyond
an hour or two for reading and social enjoyment it was not deemed necessary to
elect either a secretary or treasurer. Of these twelve ladies to whom the mem-
bers of later times always refer as charter members, and in a most respectful
and reverent way, four still remain as members, the others are lost to the dub
either by death or removal. Some have been members for a short time only
but have left their influence on the organization in cheering the efforts of the
regular members who have followed the "Circle" from the first. The member-
ship is limited to twenty but altogether fifty members have at scxne time been
on the rolls. Later in their history tfie "Circle" claimed the truly feminine
privilege of "changing its name," so that in 1903, about the time it wa!s federated
it became the "ColiimWa Circle," in honor of the Exposition hdd that year.

During this long period of organization the study has been varied. At one
time a serious study of United States History and Civil Government and die
History of England was tmdertaken which proved pn^table, and while it did
not fit the members to run the government at the time it gave them the oppor-

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 478

tunity and the ability to criticise the subjects of the day, which the writer of the
club history says is "the first step toward statesmanship." During the Spanish-
American War the club gave their attention to Spanish History and like atten-
tion was given to the troubles between Russia and Japan. South America,
Mexico and the Panama region have each been considered. Literature in its real
sense has not been neglected but has had its share of consideration and the
Circle members feel that the thirty years of attention to the intellectual side of
life has been a period of profit and has not damaged the ccMnmunity.^^

A club of recent origin is called tfie "Bay View," from its course of study,
and it admits any one so far as its rules are concerned since its only object is
study. The club was organized at Stanwood in 1908. Mrs. C. L. Rigby was
chosen the leader for the first year, Mrs. Clyde W. Jackson for the second, and
they have followed the course of study as given in the nutgazine for the Bay
View course. The club has one rule that is interesting and instructive — no mem-
ber is ta use any hock during the club exercise or recitation period. No papers
have been prepared for reasons given, amcxig them being the need of a library of
reference and the large amount of time required to use the work laid out in the
regular course. This club is cc»nposed of ten members.*®*

The most recent , addition to the organization exclusively for women and
one that counts among its numbers in the state some of the most accomphshed
of the sex began its history in Tipton in April, 1910. This is Chapter DY of the
P. E. O. Its standing among the other similar groups is very high. The charter
members are Mrs. Edith Bartley, Miss Emma Chappell, Mrs. Clara Britcher,
Mrs. Ella BfX)therlin, Mrs. Nettie Ocheltree, Mrs. Louie Hender and Mrs. Ollie
Thiel. They have increased this original number to eleven since the first meet-
ing.**^

SECTION XII.

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.

Some of the history of Cedar Lodge, number eleven, A. F. & A. M., is men-
tioned in the organization and govenmient of the county when its lodge room
was occupied in connection with the Odd Fellows in the room on the second
floor of the court house built for the county under the supervision of John P.
Cook. Through misfortune due to a fire the records of that day were destroyed
and Alonzo Shaw is the only man living who can give that record. In 1909, by
request he sent to the lodge, of which he is still a member, the history of the time
as he knew it: "When I arrived in Tipton, July, 1845, Cedar Lodge No. 11,
A. F. & A. M., was working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of
Iowa. The members of that lodge at the time, as I remember them, were CoL
Henry Hardman, Wm. Hoch, Patterson Fleming, Samuel Long, W. R. Edgar,
Asberry Richman, T. W. Harris, Wm. Murray, J. Davis, and Dr. Silas Swan.
April, 1847, I was accepted as prospective member of the lodge and in the mean-
time the lodge had applied for a charter, which being granted. Grand Master
Humphreys and T. S. Parvin, then residents of Muscatine, set the date, the
twenty-fourth of June, to install Cedar Lodge under its charter.

"My initiation had been reserved for that occasion, the lodge being then held
in the second story of the old court house. On the day appointed these officers
came to Tipton and performed their duty as installing officers and made me a
Mason. My occupation then was county surveyor.

"Williard Hammond came to Tipton in 1848 (from Gower's Ferry, now Cedar
Bluffs. — Ed.) and bought the store building built by S. Long, Jr., and David
Davis in 1846. (This building is the one north of the square occupied now hy
Wilson's plumbing shop. — Ed.) Here Hammond kept his store of dry goods
until his death in 1864. He joined the Masonic lodge in Keokuk.

"In 1848 Cedar Lodge rented the second story over his store and used that
room until 1857 when die lodge moved to the third story of the building built
by Shaw and Bagley^ where the First National Bank now stands. It burned, I
think in 1869, and the Masonic records and jewels and almost everytiiing
burned.

"I think Col. Hardman"* was the first master of the Cedar Lodge. I was
Master in 1852-53, then Dr. Witter, '54, In 1865 I moved to West Liberty and
have no record of the six years I was there. I returned to Tipton in 1871.''

474

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 475

Alonzo Shaw is the oldest member of any Masonic Lodge in the state. He
is now in California, it is true, but his membership is retained here. At the time
this letter was written he was eighty-seven years old and had been a Mason and
a member of this lodge for sixty-two years. He wished in this letter to be espe-
cially remembered to Wm. Dean and Henry Hecht, his old time associates.

A special feature of the work of the Masonic lodge of T^>ton should not be
omitted. It was at the suggestion of Hon. J. T. Moffit, some years ago when
the cemetery lots needed attention, that a trust fund was placed in the hands of
the lodge for the care, perpetual care it should be said, of the lots of families
whose owners wish them to be kept in order. The income irom this fund is all
that can be used for this purpose, the principal remaining in the bank or secure
investment to produce interest sufficient for the care of these lots. Sometimes
the principal is increased when the fund so created is more than is necessary for
the purpose. This privil^e is not limited to the members of the lodge or their
families but any one who wishes this perpetual oversight may deposit an amount
sufficient for the purpose and thereafter it will need no attention.

The Masonic cemetery was first opened for the purchase of lots in 1862, when
it was described as "six acres lying between the roads leading to Mormon Hollow
and Miller's Mill.'' Since then additions have been added. Ten acres at least.
On a time-stained sheet of foolscap paper in the Masonic Library of Cedar
Rapids the original petition of the charter members of Cedar Lodge No. 11 may
be seen if one cares to inquire. It may be interesting to give its form and signa-
tures as it appears today :
"To the M. W. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of Iowa :

"The undersigned petitioners being Ancient Free and Accepted Master Ma-
sons having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart and willing to exert their
best endeavors to promote and diffuse the general principles of mas(Hiry respect-
fully represent,

"That for the convenience of their respective dwellings and for other good
reasons they are desirous of forming a new lodge in the town of Tipton, Cedar
County, Iowa, to be named Cedar Lodge.

"They therefore pray for letters of dispensation to empower them to assemble
as a legal lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry in a regular and constitutional
manner according to the original forms of the order and the regulations of the
Grand Lodge.

"They have nominated and recommended Br. Thos. W. Harris to be the first
Master, Br. Saml. Boyles to be the first Senior Warden, and Br. A. B. Richmond
(Richman) to be the first Junior Warden of said Lodge.

"If the prayer of the petition shall be granted they promise a strict conformity
to all the constitution, laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.

(Signed)
Wm. R. Edgak, Henry Hardman,

Saml. Long, S. C. Hastings,

Robert G. Roberts, Steph. Whicher,

William Hoch." S. S. Swan,

There is no date on this sheet of paper, but according to the letter of Mr.
Shaw it must have been not later than 1847. There seems to be some difference

476 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

in the spelling the name Richman or Richmond. In the petition it certainly
has an ending like the second form and it is presumed that Asberry Richman re-
ferred to in the letter and A. B. Richmond are the same individual.

Another of the older lodges of the Masonic Fraternity meets r^^larly in
the old brick building in the center of the town of Rodiester. They have about
forty members and none of them live nearer the lodge room than two or three
miles, yet they are much more patriotic in their membership than many who have
quarters more conveniently at hand.

This lodge was instituted in 1850, Sept. 7, and has the distinguished name
of Golden Rule, No. 24. Its first Master was Henry Hardman and charter
members included the pioneers of that vicinity, M. Phelps, E. E. Edwards, J.
H. Leach, M. B. Taylor, A. C. Barrack, Jacob Wymer, J. H. Creese, Wm. Hoch,
Amos Witter, S. Searls, and Silas S. Swan. It is noticeable that a number of
these were on the original petition for Cedar No. 11. The first petition for
membership bears the name of A. H. Armstrong, and the first work was of the
third degree upon A. L. Healy. The charter bears the date of June 3, 1857;
W. D. McCord, Grand Master, and T. S. Parvin, Grand Secretary.

Henry Hardman was made a Mason in Golden Rule Lodge in Fairfield,
Ohio, in 1827, and it is probably for this reascm the name Golden Rule happened
to be implied to the lodge at Rochester.

June 6, 1866, Euclid Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Qarence was chartered with
the membership of Wm. Flanagan, Thomas Coates, James Huff, M. K. H. Reed,
W. N. Hoag, John Dickinson, O. J. McClure, Moses PoUey, O. L. Stour and
H. W. Phelps. Its first regular communication was held June 23, 1866. This
lodge was No. 177. After three years of work this lodge moved into rooms
of their own. Mount Hope Lodge has succeeded Euclid, having a present mem-
bership of something over sixty. It owns its own room as before and its pres-
ent officers are E. C. Dean, W. M. ; Dr. NicoU, S. W. ; Ed. Simons, J. W. ; S. S.
Crittenden, Secretary; Geo. F. Peabody, Treasurer.*®*

Siloam Chapter No. 19, R. A. M., of Tipton, was organized in September,
1857, the petition being dated Aug. 27, 1857. The petitioners include the names
of Wells Spicer, J. C. Turner, W. R. Edgar, J. W. Casad, A. B. Turner, A. Shaw,
T. W. Harris, Samuel Daniels, Adam Bair. The first officers were: Wells
Spicer, H. P. ; Wm. P. Edgar, Scribe ; J. R. Hartsock, K., and John N. Qark,
C. H. ; A. Brown, P. S. ; William Bryant, R, A. C. ; A. B. Turner, G. M. 3d V. ;
Alonzo Shaw, G. M. 2d V.; T. M. Harris, G. M. ist V.; J. H. Hartsock, Sec-
retary. The present membership numbers thirty-nine. G. H. Kellogg is the
present H. P., W. B. McBumey, K. ; John Vaughn, Scribe; F. Beatty, Treasurer;
H. R. Ripley, Secretary; H. L. Brotherlin, C. H.; P. A. Grassfidd, P. S. ; H.
H. Rath, R. A. C. ; W. M. Furnish, M. 3d V. ; P. H. Schneider, M 2d V. ; J. C.
Reichert, M. ist V. ; Frank Hirschfield, Guard.

Mechanicsville Chapter, R. A. M., No. 134 was granted dispensation July
ID, 1907. Charter was forwarded Oct 9, 19c*. First officers, Geo. M. House,
H. P.; O. L. Whitson, K.; Scott Russell, Scribe; J. C. Ferguson, C. H.; E. L,
McConkie, P. S.; Geo. Davidson, R. A. C; H. P. Stoffd, Treasurer; J. H.
Onstott, Secretary. The membership now is forty-eight. Where the officers arc

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 477

diflFerent than above they are now as follows: Geo. Davidson, H. P.; W. A.
Jackson, Scribe.**®

Wapsinonoc Lodge, No. 381, A. F. and A. M. of West Branch is in charge
of B. A. Gill as W. M. and Ross Leech ais Secretary.

Patmos Lodge, A. F. and A. M. number 155, of Mechanicsville was organized
under dispensation granted in January, i860. Charter was issued in June of
the same year. The charter members were, J. S. Eisenhart, W. M. ; M. H.
Begole, S. W. ; Henry Bagley, J. W. ; P. M. Begole, L B. Johnson, N. P. Rey-
nolds, L L Thompson, M. L. Jackson, E. L. Day, F. L. Knott. This lodge owns
the second story of the brick building in which it has held its sessions for more
than thirty years. The present officers are, C. J. Lynch, W. M.; John Boden-
hofFer, S. W. ; W. A. Jackson, J. W. ; J. H. Onstott, Secretary and A. P. Stoffel,
Treasurer. The present membership is ninety and the lodge carries no indebted-
ness«^i

Tipton Chi^ter, O, E. S. was instituted in 1904 under dispensation from the
Grand Chapter, and the direct supervision of Mrs. EUzabeth A. Stuart, Mr. W.
E. Cottrell, P. W. Van Metre and Mearl Qark were instrumental in the secur-
ing of the chapter at this time. Mrs. Stuart gave the rites of the order to some
twenty-four candidates, three men and twenty-one women. Of these death has
taken one. The most of them still reside in the home of their organization and
the total ntmiber to date is seventy-six. The first chief officers were, Mrs. Emma
Van Metre, W. M. ; F. B. Cobb, W. P.^**

The O. E. S. of West Branch holds its meetings in the Masonic hall and is
called Juanita No. 274. Its officers in chief are, Mrs. A. B. Randall, W. M.;
Miss Mae Shrader, Secretary.

Manitou Lodge No. 8, L O. O. F., was organized February 29, 1848, and
continued its sessions tmtil i860, when it surrendered its charter to the grand
lodge of the state.

It was reorganized under the original charter in 1866 with only sixteen mem-
bers. At that time its financial condition was commended as of high rank among
the lodges of the order in the state.

The charter members in 1848 included the names of W. H. Tuthill, Robert
Long, William K. Whittlesey, J. S. Tuthill, Samuel P. Higginson, Richard Hall,
J. H. Leech, Chas. Swetland, Henry Coffey, Noah Walters, Chas. Foresman, and
James H. Robinson. In an address given in 1876 by Judge Tuthill, he sums up
the history of the order: "In 1847 there was but one Odd Fellow residing in
Cedar County — an odd fellow in fact as well as in name, and it affords me some
pleasure to be enabled to inform you that he is now living, and at this moment
addressing you."

In January, 1848, the number of Odd Fellows in the town had doubled and
these two persons, assisted by J. G. Potts of Galena, Illinois, organized Manitou,
the eighth in ntmiber in Iowa.

W. H. Tuthill was the first presiding officer and he said owing to the limited
number of members he often had several offices at the same time.

The charter members of this fraitemity wiere all prominent men in the early
history of the county and at its organization it included most of the county of-

478 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

fidals. They originally met in a room in the old court house, occupying it jointly
with the Masons in order to save expenses.

During the war the charter was surrendered, as mentioned, but later on peti-
tion of W. H. Tuthill, Thomas Godden, David Foy, Wm, Kettdl, Jacob Hardacre,
James H. Ripley, T. M. Curtis and Samud Wirick it was restored.

After temporary residence in rented halls, the lodge became part owner of
the city hall block and in possession of the home where they now meet. Since the
lodge was organized more than three hundred persons have signed the constitution
and therefore been members at some time.

Part of the record of the Tipton Odd Fellowts was lost in connection with the
transfer of the books at the time of the fire and for that period from 1856 to
1874 there is no complete history of the fraternity. Judge Tuthill was a promi-
nent member of the order as well as Wm. K, Whittlesey. The latter is buried
in the Odd Fellows lot in the Masonic cemetery and his gnuve is cared for by the
lodge. The fraternity has recently purchased a building of its own through the
assistance of Jacob Hardacre who gave a sum to that end making the hall one
for Odd Fellows only. The present officers of the lodge are: N. G., H. M.
Hanna; V. G., F. J. Casterline; Rec. Sec, C. O. Henderson; Fin. Sec, H. A.
Pitman; Treas., A. C. Laubscher; Trustees, C. F. Simmermaker, W. C. Neiman
and Earnest Sheppard.**^

''Died, at Tipton, la., on Saturday, the fifteenth inst. (September, 1849) ,
William K. Whittlesey, aged 36 years, after a few days' illness.

"It is with unfeigned regret we make the for^foing announcement In the
deceased the county has lost an upright and trustworthy officer, and the commu-
nity a respected and much esteemed fellow citizen, whose loss will long be felt
among us. He was the first recorder of Cedar County, and filled the station,
with die exception of one term, up to the time of his decease. In selecting him
for the office party strife seemed to lose its influence. Attentive and unranitting
in the discharge of his duties he gained the confidence of all. Firm in truth,
undeviating in friendship, and inflexible in honor, yet never losing that suavity
of manner that characterizes a gentleman, it seemed that,

"'None knew him but to love him,
None named him but to praise.' "

The proceedings of the brethren of the order of the Odd Fellows are an hon-
orable tribute to his memory, and as such we publish tiiem :

"At a special meeting of Manitou Lodge, No. 8, Tipton, la., convened pur-
suant to notice on the fifteenth inst., the Lodge having been opened in the usual
form, and the object of the meeting stated by the Chair, the following preamble
and resolutions w^re offered by P. G. Wm. H. Tuthill, and unammously adopted :

"Whereas, In the dispensation of His inscrutable and All-wise Providence, it
has pleased Almighty God to cut down in the prime of life and in the midst of
usefulness, our beloved brother, P. G. William K. Whittlesey, who departed this
life on Saturday, the fifteenth itist., therefore,

"Resolved, That we the officers and members of this Lodge fed with deep
sensibility the loss which the order, as well as the community, sustained in the
death of our departed brother.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 479

"Resolved, That in the integrity and uprightness of his official conduct, and in
the estimable conduct that characterized him as a brotber, a neighbor, and a
citizen, his course has been such as to command the respect of the public, and
awaken the kindliest feelings of all iivtio knew him.

"Resolved, That as a mark of respect, we will attend the funeral clothed with
the appropriate Rq;alia of the order and wear the usual badge of mourning for
thirty days.

"Resolved, That die secretary transmit a copy of these proceedings to the fam-
ily of the deceased as token of sympathy for their melancholy bereavement^*^

John S. Tuthill, N. G.
James H. Robinson, V. G.
Wm. H. Tuthill, Secretary."

The foregoing resolutions refer to an officer of the county and to one who
left his mark upon the records so clearly that he cannot be forgotten. Yet there
is not the scratch of a pen upon the records to show when he died, or that the
officials who had to do with him daily, thought to leave a memorandum of that
event. He dropped out and seme one else took his place which is well known on
the books he was accustomed to keep. One cannot help but wonder, where the
change occurs, why it so happened until the reason is traced to other sources
like the above. He held no State or Territorial office but his influence was so
great in shaping the county affairs that he win head the list of official mention*

Tipton Encampment, No. 46, secured its charter October 19, 187a The
charter members are generally drawn from the fraternity. N. J. Hawley, H.
Hammond, James H. Ripley, Jesse James, Amos Wisener, W. H. Hammond,
L. D. Ingman, John Wisener, E. Snyder, John S. Tuthill, Samuel Wampler, S.
T. Smith, Samuel Wirick and W. H. TuthiU. In 1852 Judge Tuthill was the
Grand Master.

West Branch Lodge No. 680, I. O. O. F., was organized October 16, 1901,
with seven charter members, A. G. Hoffman, A. L. Coy, H. B. Coy, H. C. Lewis,
C. W. Ross, U. E. Dawson, and J. E. Stratton. Since that time eighty-four
have been added to the membership. The lodge at West Liberty assisted in the
organization of the lodge here and at that time there were forty-one initiates.
From that occasion to the present the remainder of the ninety-one members at
highest point in the growth have been added and now by removals from the
vicinity or for other reasons the membership is but seventy.

On April 1st, 191 o, this lodge moved into its own building. They own the
fine bank building on the comer occupied by the Citizens' Savings Bank of
West Branch. The ladies' organization of this fraternity, Thelma Rebekah
Lodge No. 544, L O. O. F., was organized in October, 1903, with thirty-four
charter members. Since that time they have admitted fifty-four.***

Helping Hand Rebekah Lodge No. 517, of Tipton, auxiliary to Manitou
Lodge, was instituted in 1901 by Mary Richards, Deputy Grand President, and
staff from the Home Rebekah Lodge of Cedar Rapids. The officers for the
first term included the members as follows : Addie Griffis, N. G. ; Bessie Harris,
V. G. ; Zeph)rr Gilpin, Rec. Sec. ; Qara Casterline, Fin. Sec. ; Ella Fields, Treas. ;
the remaining officers, Mamie Gaige, Myrtle Hobstetter, Lou Frasuer, Lulu

480 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Hambrighlt, H. R. Ripley, Dee Rigler, Sarah Harmon, Alice Crisman, and
Sarah Focht. Fifty charter members altogether formed the organization.

The purposes are expressed in the language of one of their chief officers as :
To visit the sick and relieve the distressed, to assist their own members and
families of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs in trouble, sickness, or want and to culti-
vate and extend the social and fraternal relations of life among lodges and the
families of Odd Fellows.

This lodge has helped to establish the fine home in Mason City, where sixteen
aged and forty-seven orphans are cared for 'by the fraternity. The membershq>
of the order is limited to Odd Fellows, their wives, sisters, mothers and single
women above eighteen years of age. There are two other lodges of this order
in this district, Thelma of West Branch, mentioned dsewhere, and Verona of
Mechanicsville. A district deputy has charge of the work in the district. Miss
Pearl Murray holding that office. The membership in Tipton reaches ninety-
one.***

There are fourteen active officers in the order.

Tipton Lodge No. 93, Knights of Pythias, came into being on January 4,
1883. Grand Vice Chancellor J. S. Hart of Qinton, assisted by uniformed
knights from Qinton, Lyons and elsewhere, instituted the lodge on that date.
The organization occurred in the Masonic lodge rooms, where twenty-seven
charter members were admitted, many of them gone from the county to other
points of residence and many others removed by death. Among the number
were C. L. Longley, now of Vicksburg, Miss., and Herbert Hammond, of Chi-
cago. A number remain in Tipton — S. V. Loudt, W. T. Gilmore, M. A. Par-
sons, J. C. Reichert, G. W. Dean, J. W. Reeder, C. S. Neiman, J. Sweinhart,
H. L. Brotherlin, J. D. Dickinson.

The one who comments on this first meeting makes special mention of the
entertainment following and then at a subsequent meeting the organized lodge
returned grateful thanks to their visitors for their assistance.

J. C. Reichert became the first presiding officer. Other officers in order of
election are included among the charter members not mentioned: Vice Chan-
cellor, C. Jewett; Prelate, J. H. Reichert.

This lodge, something more than five years later, passed the courtesy on and
assisted in organizing the Clarence lodge of twenty-four charter members. The
visiting party from Alhambra lodge numbered twenty-eight, nine of whom at
least are now in active service as business men. The first officers of the Clar-
ence lodge were : Fred Hecht, Emmor Collins, H. M. Anderson, G. F. Skinner,
W. K. Miller, Fred McNeil, Chas. Brown, Ira Long.**''

The present officials of the order in Tipton, Alhambra Lodge No. 93, are:
C. H. Foy, C. C. ; C. A. Cottrell, V. C. ; M. A. Parsons, Prelate ; P. H. Schneider,
M. W. ; J. D. Patterson, K. of R. S. ; F. H. Milligan, M F ; Mearl Clarke, M. of
E. ; Robert Sproat, M. A. ; Geo. H. Kellogg, L G. ; Ed. S. Stofflet, O. G. The
membership is 132 at the last report.**^

Knights of Pythias of Durant, No. 265, was organized May, 1902. Its first
officers were: E. E. Diedrich, C. C. ; F. C. Langfeldt, V. C. ; R. Meyer, Prelate;
W. C. Schlapkohl, M. A. ; E. Lautz, M. of F. ; R. Tagge, M. of E. ; Fred Denk-
man, K. of R. S. ; D. H. Snoke, M. W.

i

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 481

The Temple of Pythian Sisters of Durant hegSLti its work in August, 1904.
As its officers the following were chosen: Frances West Johnson, Celia M.
Tagge, Bertha Langfeldt, Ivah Dodd Crecilius, Ida P. M. Schiele, Edith B.
Huchencbrf, Laura Branch, Matie Bierkamp, Elfreda Diedrich.*®^

Ellwood Temple No. 140, Pythian Sisters, of Iowa was organized July 22,
1901, with the following officers : Jennie Witmer, P. C. ; Mary Dean, M. E. C. ;
Hattie Fields, E. S. ; Addie Griffis, E. J. ; Edith Bartley, M. of T. ; Addie Dean,
M. R. C ; Bertha Reeder, M. of F. ; Minnie Taylor, P. of T. ; Winnif red Fuller-
ton, G. O. T.

It has for its purpose the promotion of the moral, mental, social and physical
elevation of its members ; the cultivation of the spirit of fraternity, ministering
to the sick, distressed and needy; and carrying out the great principles of the
order of Purity, Love, Equality and Fidelity. The past chiefs are Jennie Wit-
mer, deceased; Minnie Taylor, Mary Dean, Alice Pierce, Edith Bartley, Mar-
garet France, Jennie Gregg, Lizzie Rath, Emma Stout, Hattie Fields.

Present membership, 22 knights and 41 sisters.^^

Burr Oak Camp No. 2,869, Modem Woodmen of America, of West Branch
was organized April 11, 1895, ^y Chas. F. Brayton, Deputy Head Consul. There
were sixteen charter members : Chas. Brinkman, J. S. Butler, J. K. Carran, C. E.
Endsley, I. S. Enlow, A. C. Hunter, W. S. Mackcy, F. K. Michener, G. W.
Palmer, C. W. Ross, G. C. Shrader, R. H. Smith, Wrigley Smith, A. L.
Schwartz, D. Van Patten, and D. O. White.

Of these charter members seven still retain their membership in this Camp.
Since the organization one hundred and ninety-eight members have been added
and at this date there is a membership of one hundred and thirteen. David
Van Patten was the chief officer at the time of commencing the work in West
Branch. Since then there has been but one change, G. C. Shrader being the
present head official, and he has held this position since 1896.

This camp owns its own hall, the West Branch city hall, valued at two thou-
sand dollars. Since the establishment of the fraternity it has had but two death
losses.*^^

Stanwood Camp of Modem Woodmen was established in 1895 with seven-
teen members and now has a membership of ninety-two. Since organization
three deaths have occurred. They have had popular meetings of a special nature
both at home and in company with their fratemity in other parts of the county.

Center Grove Camp, M. W. A., No. 2961, is located in Durant. Its date of
organization is quite recent, and its officers are: V. C, J. W. Petersen; Ad.,
J. Bierkamp; Banker, E. F. Jockheck; Qerk, Paul Samberg; Escort, Peter
Peters; Watchman, Mads. Madson; Sentry, Nic. Lamarack; Chief Forester,
Wm. Rcimer; Managers, Henry Rholfs, O. A. Graves, and Henry Guelik.

Henrietta Camp No. 4617, Royal Neighbors, of America, was organized in
1906, and is auxiliary to the M. W. camp of Woodmen in Durant. Its first
cheers include the names of some mentioned above in that organization of men.

Oracle, Mrs. Emma Denkman; V. Oracle, Elfrieda Puck; P. Oracle, Mary
Bierkamp; Receiver, Dora Meese; Recorder, Doretta Samberg; Marshal, Miss
Laura Steterau ; Chancellor, Adele Wiebener ; I. S., Mrs. Catherine Puck ; O. S.,

482 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Mrs. Katie Graves; Managers, Mrs. Henrietta Guelik, Mary Peters, Henry F.
Stutzer.*^*

The Bennett Camp of Modem Woodmen is fifteen years old, having began
its history in 1895 with fourteen charter members, who are : Wm. Baker, S. C
Fulton, Wm. F. Hostler, Perry Leatherberry, F. R^ennitter, Geo. R^ennitter,
Geo. H. Schoper, John E. Spitler, C. R. Stephens, H. A. Walker, Lewis Hamper,
J. H. Webb, H. G. Willey, E. B. Willey.

John E. Spitler was the first V. C. ; J. H. Webb, Qerk, and C. R. Stephens,
Banker. The lodge has a membership of eighty-four at this time. The officers
now are: H. R. Chapman, V. C; H. C. W. Werner, Banker; C. C. Barrett,
Adv.; O. S. Smith, E. ; Gus Wiese, W.; Managers, E. E. McQuillen, E. J.
Cryder, G. C. Bannick.

Mechanicsville Camp No. 11056, M. W. A., was organized with eleven mem-
bers in 1903. Deputy Elmer Deal of Davenport assisted in the matter when
the following were chosen as ofiidals of the camp : V. C, N. F. Purcell ; W. A.,
Geo. M. House; Banker, E. S. Hclmer; Clerk, O. J. Davison; Ph3rsician, C. S.
Stookey ; Managers, W. R. Park, D. Willey, and Jciin Thimmes.

It has a membership of 152. Present oflScers: V. C, W. E. Soesbe; W. A.,
D. W. Keller ; Banker, Chas. L. Hatcher ; Qerk, D. McKibben ; Physicians, J. W.
Richards, C. S. Stookey, and Scott Russell ; Managers, Geo. Miller, E. Wd^es,
John Thinmies.

There is also an auxiliary camp of the Royal Neighbors in Mechanicsville.*^

Briarwood Camp, M. W. A., of Tipton is the oldest of the fraternity in the
county, having its date of organization in 1886. It has a membership now of
226. Among its charter members are a number who still attend its sessiims.
Many of those are absent from this vicinity. Among these first members are
the names of P. Dean, W. G. W. Geiger, C. W. Hawley, L. E. Safley, G. W.
Moreland, J. C. Mitchell, M. H. Miller, N. Shoemaker, J. Sweinhart, G. H.
Dickinson, A. C. Allen, C. E. Brown, H. C. Carr, D. W. Clarke, S. D. Coffman,
W. H. Congdon, E. M. Elliott, W. R. Fields, O. H. Helmer, J. T. O'Hara, J. F.
Leefers, M. A. Parsons, W. H. Pratt, J. B. Staininger, H. W. Sutphens, W. S.
Woodis.

The ofiicers of the Camp today include but one of these charter members,
that of M. A. Parsons as W. A. The remaining officials are members since that
first organization: H. W. Dodge, V. C. ; H. C. Bolton, Banker; F. K. Gregg,
Qerk ; C. F. Curtright, E. ; Geo. Siple, W. ; and John Henderson, Secretary.

Dickinson Camp, R. N., was organized with twenty-one members in 1899
and is auxiliary to Briarwood Csanpfi^^

In August, 1885, the M. W. A. camp at Clarence was established with seven-
teen charter members. Its number is 107. Present membership numbers
ninety-three. Officers: V. C, Hosea Ballou; W. A., S. A. Robinson; Banker,
Frank B. York; Qerk, S. S. Crittenden. The camp of the Royal Neighbors
auxiliary to Cedar Camp was organized about two years ago.

The Woodmen are also represented in Lowden among the strongest of the
fraternities.

Golden Rule Camp of Royal Neighbors, No. 1485, Bennett, was instituted in

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 488

1908 with twenty-four members. Its present officers are: Josephine Lamp,
Alma Spoo, Mrs. Emma Cem, Mrs. E. B. Wingert, and Hulda Thomas.

In connection with the Spanish-American War the Modem Brotherhood did
a deed worthy of notice and the following are the resolutions adopted at that
time : '^

Whereas, This country is now engaged in war with Spain and President
McKinley has called for one hundred tw^enty-five thousand troops, and

Whereas, It is the duty of all able-bodied citizens to respond to their coun-
try's call ; and.

Whereas, We believe every citizen should be free to take up arms in the
defense of his country without sacrificing the safeguards he has built up around
his family in the way of life insurance;

Resolved, By the Board of Directors of the Modern Brotfaerhool of America
that any perscm now a member of the society is at perfect liberty to engage in
the military or naval service of the United States during the pending war, and
that such action on the part of a member shall in no way affect or invalidate his
certificate of insurance in this order anything in the laws of our society to the
contrary notwithstanding; and that during the ccmtinuance of such member in
the service of his country any per capita tax due from him to the supreme lodge
is hereby remitted and canceled.

The above was unanimously adopted April 25, 1898.

In the report of the Supreme President of this organization, whose office was
then in Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, but now in Des Moines, is given an account
of the organization :

"In March, 1897, the Supreme Officers of the Modern Brotherhood, together
with one not now a member of our society, first considered the advisability of
organizing a new fraternal beneficiary society having for its distinctive features :
(a) the creation of a reserve fund for the purpose of limidng the number of
assessments and at the same time making certain the stability and performance
of the Order; (b) the admission of both sexes on the same terms; (x) the pay-
ment of benefits for certain accidental injuries; (d) the payment of one-half of
the face of the certificate for total permanent physical disability ; (e) the pay-
ment of stipulated portions of the face of the certificate, banning with the sev-
enty-first birthday. At that time, so far as known to us, only one or two societies
had adopted the features above referred to, and we thought the time was ripe
for such a society, and believed, that if properly presented, it would commend
itself to the people.

"We felt very timid, however, about undertaking the task of organizing such
a society, especially as the business was one which n<me of us had given any special
study. We held several secret preliminary meetings after night and were ex-
tremely careful to allow no one to learn what we were doing or considering.
We discussed the whole matter as best we could, and after many secret meetings
concluded to organize. I have no doubt whatever that had we consulted and ad-
vised with our friends the society wtwld never have been known.

"Finally, on March 20, 1897, articles of incorporation were prepared and
executed, fundamental laws adopted, and our first officers and directors elected.

484 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The articles of incorporation were filed for record in Cedar County, Iowa, on
March 24, 1897, and sooo thereafter it became generally known in Tipton that
our society had been organized.

"On April 5, 1897, wie obtained from the Auditor of Iowa our charter or
license authorizing us to do business, and opened out at once without any pre-
liminaries. We commenced our woiic at Tipton, West Branch and other towns
located in pur own county. We were well aware diat similar societies often did
their early business away from home, and fully realized that it was more di£Bcult
to get endorsements near home than farther away. Just why this is true need
not be discussed, but it is a matter of common knowledge that it is true. A
stranger can go into almost any town and interest the people in a matter on which
they would refuse to give a fellow townsman a hearing. However, we had
confidence in our plan and knew if we could get the endorsement of our home
peojpit and of surrounding towns it would be of great value to us. Hence, witii
Tipton as the central point, we wtorked out in all directions and succeeded from
the first beyond our most sanguine expectations. Now, after over three years of
work, our home people have changed thdr minds, acknowledge the success of
our society, and are amazed because wie have accomplished so much in so short
a time"

July 35, 1874, the Durant Tumgemeinde was instituted with the first ofiicers
as here given: First Speaker, Frank Haller; First Tumwart, Claus Bltmk; Sec-
ond Tumwart, Bemhard Krabbenhoeft; Secretary, Martin Beuthien; Cor.
Secy., Peter Stoltenberg; Treasurer, Wm. Diehn.

The Durant Damen Section, Auxiliary to the Tumgemeinde, has the four
officers: President, Mrs. Chris Sorgenfrey; Treasure, Mrs. Frank Joens; Sec-
retary, Mrs. Doretta Samberg, and Vice President, Mrs. Chas. Diduk

Then there is a third organization in Durant among the German societies
called the Kranken Unterstuctztmgs Verein, which began in May, 1890. It was
officered at that time by Eggert Alpen as President, Jacob Carsten, as Vice Presi-
dent, Chas. Steffen as Secretary, Frank Joens, Secretary of Finance, and Hans
Kuehl, Treasurer. Trustees : Nic Muehlenstein, Wm; Petersen and J. Carstcns.

This society, as its name indicates, has in its purposes the diaritaUe idea.^'

Eariy in 1855, when the temperance movement was in earnest in all parts of
the country, an organization of the Good Templars found a place in Tipton. It
had at one time more than a hundred members, but ceased to exist as a lodge in
1858. After three years of inactivity it was revived in 1861 and continued
many years to exert an influence on the question of control of the strong drink
traffic of the day. After reorganization the number grew to one htmdred and
sixty. Among the first lecturers was that noted Dr. Whitlock, who at the time
was said to have been so much under the influence of strong drink that he made
numerous eflforts to keep his balance. But his biography is not entertaining in
any palatable sense. Temperance then meant something different from the
present standard.

In accord with all other parts of the state the Patrons of Husbandry had
many organizations in the county commencing about 1871 and continuing for
many years after. Their aim was to conserve the forces of agriculture and to
form co-operative concerns for the handling of farm products and to distribute

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 485

the g^oods of manufactured stuffs at the wholesale rate. Stores were managed
by these secret organizations and elevators were established to handle the g^ain
of the farmer. Like all of the co-operative concerns tried they had their ups
and downs until the gradual decay of the head organizations and the indifference
of the persons composing the local lodges and probably the independence of the
purchaser as to where he must go for his goods destroyed the institution as a
fraternity.

An Anti-Secret Society movement was inaugurated in this county in the
seventies, and lecturers were employed to speak against the customs of all such
org^anizations without regard to kind, but particularly directed against the Ma-
sonic order. Public meetings and challenges were issued by persons supposed
to be competent to decide on the merits of the case.

SECTION XIII.

CEDAR COUNTY IN THE STATE AND NATION.

The first member of the Territorial Council from Cedar County was a mem-
Ler of the Whittlesey family, Charles Whittlesey, who was one of three brothers.
The old Whittlesey mill was near the south line of the county. He served in
the Council during its first and second sessions. From the account of one who
knew him we may learn that he came from the State of New York, and was not
skilled in the ways of the Iowa farmer or in the life of a great prairie state.*'*
Of his record in the assembly of the territory we find little account to guide us
at this time. In the third session of the council Cedar was represented
by S. Qinton Hastings, a prominent man in the territory and later in the history
of the courts. The recent woric on the Courts and the Legal Profession gives a
good account of this man. He served as a member of the council during the
third, fourth, seventh, and eighth sessions. He located in Bloomington (Musca-
tine) in 1837 and began the practice of law, wherein he was not only prominent
but successful as well. Among his associates of that day scxne will be menticMied
in the connection with the professions as coming to this county for practice in
the courts. There were R. P. Lowe, afterwards governor of the state ; Ste[dien
Whicher, Wm. G. Woodward, the son of the man by that name in the famous
Dartmouth College case ; J. Scott Richman, who was in Tipton in the day of the
sale of the town lots by the county as his name appears in the list of buyers.

Hastings does not belong to this county altogether, but he was the member
for this county and practiced in the courts here in the very beginning. At one
time he was the president of the territorial council. He was associated with
James W. Grimes in the publication of the "Blue Book," which included the
laws of Iowa then. He became chief justice of this state by appointment, hold-
ing the office one year. He was the editor of a leading paper in Indiana during
the presidential contest resulting in the election of Martin Van Buren. He re-
moved to California late in the forties and became attorney general and after-
wards chief justice of its supreme court.

John P. Cook went from Cedar to the fifth and sixth sessions of the Terri-
torial Council. He was among the first citizens of the county and is mentioned
many times in connection with all phases of the early county history. One

486

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 487

could not tell all that he had to do with the events that helped to make this
cottnty in a single book. He was recognized later as one of the leading lawyers
of the state, and one may as well mention here his election to congress from the
second district in competition with Lincoln Clark in 1852. These same men had
been the opposing candidates in the election two years previous. Iowa had but
two districts at that time.

These were the members of the council and the assembly had from this cotmty
the familiar names of Robert G. Roberts, Van Antwerp, S. P. Higginson, John
Culbertson and Joseirfi K. Snyder. The first established a reputaticwi for certain
attributes and one expression that he Robt. G. Roberts uttered in this assembly
Eas remained with the record wherever his name is mentioned — ^'*Is Cedar in
tBat 'ar bill?" In the old cartoon referred to in another connection in the his-
torical library at the State University these words are put into his mouth as ex-
pressing the chief method of recognizing the man. He was among the earliest
settlers of Iowa township and Charley Crawford remembers when he came to
the house of his father to leave his himting dog in the boy's care until his return
from whatever expedition he happened to have in mind. The return saddened
the boy for the fine hunting dog was much appreciated.

In the second session of the territorial assembly the member for this county
did not reside within its limits, as three counties were included in the district.
The member's name was Geo. H. Walworth, according to the authority of the
State Historical Department.

The name of VanAntwcrp was one to juggle with when the county seat
contest was in full swing. In the conventions held for the nominations Roches-
ter and Tipton named the candidates, and the man under discussion was an
avowed favcmte with the Rochester party, and against him was pitted always
some one who could win the contest for Tipton. He was once a candidate for
the council when John P. Cook won the office. Antwerp was one of the towns
set up as a beacon to the commissioners who were to relocate the county seat.
It to^ its name from the member mentioned.

Samuel P. Higginson has been written about enough in this study to make
him familiar enough to most people. He gave the county its start in business
by loaning the money, it is remembered, to pre-empt the quarter on which the
original of Tipton is located.' Like a good Samaritan that he was he took his pay
in town lots at ten dollars per lot. He got the first mortgage recorded in the
county, and Stephen Toney gave it to him. Cap^n Higfgfinson went to the
assembly of the territory at the fourth session and we may suppose he used his
sea experience to keep his head in the whirl of business at the capital. He it
was who used to own the "Bunker Hill Stock Farm," but long before it had its
present reputation.

In the fif tfi and sixth sessions of the territorial assembly John W. Culbertson
went from Cedar County. He came to the county just in time to fit into the new
county seat and became one of the first residents and business men of the place
when he said, "not a building here, only a shanty used as a claim house."

He put up a small house and the county commissioners proposed that if he
would put up an addition to his house and keep a hotel they would furnish the
lumber. It was necessary to have some one to keep the traveling public com-

488 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

fortable. The firm of Friend and Culbertson is stamped on the memory of all
the pioneers of the county. But they have been mentioned very often.

Joseph K. Snyder was the last man to represent the county in the lower
house of the assembly until the territory became a state. He served two sessions,
the seventh and eighth. He had to do with many county affairs and convicted
the first court house on the square after the first contractor had failed to finish
the job.

The territory of Iowa made two attempts to make a constitution before being
admitted as a state. At the first convemon S. A. Bissell and James Gower were
the delegates from Cedar County. The convention was called at Iowa City in
October, 1844, and adjourned on November i. This constitution was rejected
by the people August 4, 1845, because of dissatisfaction with the boundaries fixed.
Another convention was called May 4, 1846, to which Judge Bissdl went alone
from this county. This convention was short, adjourning on the 19th of tiie same
month. The constitution drawn at this time was approved by the people August
3, 1846, and by Congress in December of the same year, the state being admitted
December 28, 1846.

At the third convention for revising the constitution in 1857, January 19,
Robert Gower was the delegate from this county. The constitution was approved
by the people in August, 1857, and went into effect by the proclamation of the
governor in September of the same year.

In the assembly of the state from its admission there have been thirteen men
in the upper house, and twenty-seven at least in the lower house from Cedar
County. It is impossible to give the complete sketch of each even if all the details
were at hand.

S. A. Bissell, county judge afterwards, and one who assisted at the time of
the railroad bond issue, was the first state senator. There was an extra session
which he attended during his term of office. Those who knew him eariy in his life
as a young man out of collie say that his health was so precarious that he was
turned loose in the woods by his father, given a gun, and told to hunt his health
which he did and found to his great satisfaction. He spent some time in this
very way when he first came to the coimty.^^

John P. Cook appears again, in the office of senator tiiis time, always at the
front of the political field. His record continued to be made in this county imtil
about 1852, and this marks the close of his service as senator, he having held the
office two sessions.

George Smith represented the county in the fifth assembly in the senate. He
was the county judge during the years '58 and '59. Came here from the
east and taught school in Cass township where the Gower boys went to school
to him, unless perchance there are two Smiths, which, of course, might happen.

In the sixth and seventh sessions of the Senate one of the men best known
to the county served Cedar — ^J. W. Cattell, of Springdale township. He is one
of the citizens of the county to hold an executive state Afice, that of State Audi-
tor, which position he held from 1859 to 1865. He was in the state office when
the officer from Virginia came to arrest Barclay Coppock and take him back for
trial. In the history of the locality from which he went to Des Moines he is men-

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 489

tioned as the first president of the first agricultural society to be oiiganized in
this county.

J. M. Kent, whose postoffice was at Onion Grove at the time, was the senate
member in the eighth and ninth sessions. He came to the county in 1852. His
first dection was to fill a vacancy in the twenty-first senatorial district, in 1857,
and he was re-elected in 1859. He wets appointed army vote commissioner in
1864. Henry Wharton, Sr., is mentioned as holding this office in the tenth and
eleventh assemblies. Wm. P. Wolf succeeded him for two terms. He was
elected to the house in 1863, and to the senate in 1867. He was commissioned
Assistant Collector of Internal Revenue by President Lincoln and in 1870 he was
chosen to complete an unexpired term in congress from the district. He was the
Speaker of the House in the twentieth assembly which met in 1884. Later, in
1895, he was chosen as judge of the district court for the eighteenth district

In the two assemblies followang Judge Wolf, J. C. Chambers, of Springdale
township, represented the county. He was then cashier of the West Branch
Bank. He came to Springdale in 1863, where he resided for five years. After the
expiration of four sessions of the senate, he wtas agiain elected serving for the
twentieth and twenty-first.

H. C. Carr, a well known attorney of Tipton, held the office during the six-
teenth and seventeenth assemblies. He did not come to Tipton until 1867 and
about twenty years later he went to the far west where he died in 1891, within
a year almost of the death of his former law partner, H. C. Piatt. He was the
mayor of his adopted town and a highly respected citizen.

One of the older physicians of the county. Dr. E. B. Bills, of Durant, was
chosen to the senate in the twenty-second and twenty-third assemblies. He was a
pioneer of Farmington township.

The last member but one to be elected to the senate is John T. Moffit, who
served in the twenty-eighth and ninth sessions. During his term in the assembly
he introduced the bill making provision for the Vicksburg Commission.

The present occupant of this office fs Dr. H. R. Chapman, of Bennett. He is
the chairman of the Committee 00 Manufactures.

Of the house members from this county. Nelson W. Rathbun, of Pioneer town-
ship, comes first, who served the first session and the first extra. Away back in
1854 we hear of him as exhibiting a patent loom at the county fair, and then
the name has constantly been before the people of this county through the record
of his son, Captain Rathbun.

In the second assembly Jeremiah C. Betts, who was the last of the county
judges, had the honor of representing Cedar and he was folk>wed by Goodnow
Taylor, of Pioneer Grove.

Amos Witter b^;an his career as a member of the house in Cedar County in
the fourth assembly. He went from Scott to the fifth and the fifth extra, and then
he appears from Linn in the eighth and eighth extra. His experience seemed
to prove valuable.

Allen D. Graham was the member in the fifth and he was succeeded by Ed
Wright, of Gower township, who had a long career as an official of the state.
He served in the house in the sixth, seventh and eighth assemblies. He began his
history in this county near West Branch on a faim in 1852. He was a farmer, a

490 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

carpenter, a millwright, and had been a teacher. Having become a leader in his
community, he was urged for county clerk in 1855. At that time it appears he
was requested by a del^;ation from another part of the county to wait, which he
did to become the representative from the county in the last assembly to meet at
Iowa City. He was reelected to this office until 1859. When the war bn^e out
he was commissioned major in the Twenty-fourth Iowa and when he came home
he ranked as Lieutenant Cokxid and Brevet Brigadier General. But he returned
to the farm where he was not long allowed to remain, being once more chosen as
member of the assembly in the eleventh session and became the speaker of the
house. In 1866 he was chosen as secretary of state, which office he held six years.
As one of the capital conunissioners he assisted in the supervision of its construc-
tion and then became its custodian when it was finished. At the World's Fair in
Chicago he was the chief of the bureau of information and after his return to
Des Moines he became a city officer. At his death in 1895, he was buried with the
highest honors ever paid to any private citizen from the ca[Mt<d building he had
helped to construct. General Ed. Wright he was called during his last days.

There seems to have been two members of the assembly for each session, dur-
ing the next eight terms for we find two names for each. In the ninth, H. C
Loomis, of Farmington, and J. H. Roflirock, of Tipton, both serving, also in the
extra session fcrflowing the regular. In the tenth, John W. Stanton and Judge
Wolf, as mentioned elsewhere, iilled this office. When Ed. Wright was in the
ass^nUy and was chosen speaker, John G. Safley was also a member. Wm. S.
Chase, of Springdale township, and C. P. Sheldon, of Center, were the members
in the twelftii. Mr. Sheldon had hdd this same office in Michigan before coming
to Iowa in 1854. After the law was passed ptxmding for the board of county
supervisors, he was one of the first chosen for six years and held die office of
chairman for five years.

James W. Beatty, of Clarence, served for two terms in the lower house with
John Q. Tufts, of Farmington township.

Alexander Moffit, of Linn, one of the [Moneers of that township, filled tins
office in the sixteenth session with Robt G. Scott as a second member. He was
followed by Elwood Macy, of Springdale, now a resident of Mount Vernon, in
the seventeenth. Robert G. Scott, of Sugar Creek, was in the eighteenth, and At
next two sessions Judge Wdf , as mentioned, was returned to his former position.
Robert G. Cousins was the member from Cedar in the tweirty-first assembly
and afterwards served as tiie fifth district member of the lower house of Congress
from the fifth-third to the sixtieth sessions Inclusive, or from the year 1893 ^
1909. For many years he occufMed a very pronninent position in the tower house
of Congress.

H. C. Piatt, of Tipton, one of the wdl Imown attorneys of tiie county and at
one time county treasurer, was a member of tiie assemWy at tiie time of his
deatii. In the two sessions followmg the term of Mr. Piatt, Wm. J. Felkner, of
Downey, represented tiie county from the far southwest comer. The next mem-
her came from tiie soutfieast comer in tiie person of D. H. Snoke, tiie man who
laid the foundation of so many banks in the county.

folIowiZ' f "7^1%" mT^' ^:t' ^"""^ ^ *^* twenty-sixth and the extn
Z rhl?w iTi u 1";^^^ SUm^ood, served the two inunediately after
h«n, when Dr. L. J. Leech, of West Branch, held the office for three terms This

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 491

takes the record to the thirty-first session when Hiram Dewell, the present mem-
ber, began his service. He is chairman of the Judicial Committee.

In another department of national service we find Lawrie Tatum, who was
bom of Quaker parents in New Jersey May 22, 1822, and came with them to
eastern Ohio when he was six years old.

His schooling was quite meager, being confined to a few terms in the public
schools of the vicinity and one term in an academy. His education still con-
tinued for he was a great reader and thinker with a good memory.

He came to Iowa in 1S44, and taught one term of school in Henry County
and later in the year came to Cedar County, and entered the land on which he
made his home imtil he sold it to his youngest son, W. W. Tatum.

In the spring of 1848 he married Mary Ann Dean of Winona, Ohio. Four
sons and one daughter were the result of this union.

After selling his farm he removed to Springdale, which was his homt until
the time of his death, January 22, 1900.

He was active in all lines of work for the betterment of his fellowm^i. He
was the first Quaker to locate in this part of the county, and with a few other
families they soon started the first Quaker meeting in this part of the state.
He was one of the most prominent members of the meeting until the time he
was called to the home above. (See history of Friends church at Springdale.)
Under Grant's Quaker (Indian) Policy he was nominated by the church and
appointed by President Grant to be U. S. Indian Agent for the Kiowas, Co-
manches and Apaches located at Ft. Sill in the southwestern part of the Indian
Territory. His administration of Indian affairs was a great success. A school
was soon started for the education and training of Indian children. A number
of captive children were recovered and many wrongs and abuses were corrected.
He published a book called "Our Red Brothers," in which he gave a very
interesting account of his work among the Indians and also outlined Grant's
Quaker policy, and some of the work of Captain Pratt at the great Indian school
at Carlisle, Pa.

He also wrote a treatise on Baptism and the Sacraments, in which he set
forth the Friends' views from the Bible standpoint. He also wrote a history
of the Friends' church at Springdale, which he read at one of their business
meetings and which was directed to be inserted in the minutes and kept for
future record.**^®

He was very prominent in starting the Springdale Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, one of the first in the state, and secured the services of his friend, the
Hon. Wm. P. Wolf of Tipton, in introducing a bill into the State Legislature
legalizing mutual co-operative assessment fire insurance.

He was one of the original stockholders and organizers of the People's Bank
of West Liberty and for many years was a director.

He was a great Sabbath school worker not only in his own school but at-
tended conventions and other schools in various parts of the county.

His was a life of usefulness in the home, the school, the church, the town,
the county, and the government.*^*

SECTION XIV.

THE PROFESSIONS.

In following the professions from the first settlements it will be unnecessary
to repeat what is said concerning men in other situations when they have been
chosen to fill some important position outside their usual vocation.

To discuss the county in its relation to the state and general government is
to discuss the men who lead in any occupation or profession and therefore the
part dealing with men aside from their social or political connection must be
very brief. Law, medicine, and dentistry hold certain definite relations to the
life of a community and have a history of their own. The ministry cannot be
separated from its connection with the church history, nor more the teaching
from the educational history. Not all lawyers reach political preferment, but
very many have. Many physicians are chosen to occupy high positions in state
and national affairs, and the associations of all these professions must have at
their head the leaders of the day.

Lawyers were called to exercise much influence in the organization and con-
duct of the first affairs of the county. The departments of legislative, executive,
and judicial branches of the government were supposed to be represented in the
very beginning, and while it was often in a very crude way these may be traced
from the start. The commissioners in the territorial day assumed the depart-
ment of legislation, the sheriff appointed by the governor and regularly com-
missioned carried out the will of the executive, and the justice of the peace, also
under appointment by the authority of the governor, was located conveniently
near to the centers of population that the man who felt himself wronged
might have a place of refuge. But it was essential that some one should be at
hand to plead his case, and this brought to the vicinity the practicing attorney,
who came with his saddle bags even as the itinerant preacher only on a smaller
circuit and usually with more remuneration.

"To constitute the earliest bar there came from Muscatine Stephen Whicher,
smooth-shaven, sharp-featured, slow-spoken, with a deep voice."*^® In the
case of Clark vs. Gibson (Morris 328) Whicher was for the defendant and was
then a partner of Rorer in Bloomington (Muscatine), and he was then men-
tioned as a lawyer of great industry and acumen, one of the stars of the bar of

492

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 498

that town. He figured in the SwHzer case, mentioned elsewhere very fully.
This man came to Kentucky from Vermont and read law with Henry Qay in
Lexington. From there he went to Indiana and in 1839 came to this territory.
He was appointed by President Fillmore United States district attorney.

Judge Scott Richman, as he was known afterwards, was admitted to the bar
in this county. He came here from Illinois in 1839, but soon removed to the
river town, Bloomington, where so many went to begin their professional career.
He was a partner of S. Clinton Hastings, fully written about in his official
capacity of legislator and judge of the state court here and in California. Judge
Richman was a member of the convention that framed the constitution under
which Iowa was admitted as a state. In the fall of 1863 he became judge of
the district court by appointment to fill a vacancy, afterward being elected to
the same positicm. He resigned this position in 1870 and returned to the prac-
tice of his profession. His son, Irving Richman, has achieved a reputation as a
writer on historical topics, some of them belonging in this county.

"There came also Henry O'Connor, the Irishman, with the wit and blarney
of his countrymen. He was young then and figured conspicuously during the
Civil War and later. Whoever heard him would have remembered him.***
He was born in Dublin and came to this country very soon after becoming of
age. He entered the political arena early and achieved prominence. In 1857
he became district attorney, and when the war began was one of the first to enlist
in the First Iowa Regiment which went out for ninety days as was supposed.
Later he was made Major of the Thirty-sixth Iowa and served until discharged.
He became attorney general of the state in 1867, and before him came the ques-
tion whether a woman could hold the office of county superintendent of schools,
which so far as known was the first pf its kind in the country. He decided in
the affirmative, which decision has furnished a guide to other states. In 1873
he went to Washington as solicitor for the Department of State, remaining
there under the secretaries. Fish, Frelinghuysen, Evarts and Blaine.

"And there was M. G. Woodward, solid and aUe. This man was the son
of the plaintiff in the celebrated case of Woodward vs. Dartmouth College, one
of the leading cases in constitutional law. He afterwards became a judge of die
state supreme court.

"Of Tipton's own, Hon. John P. Cook stood at the head. Among the fore-
most in business, in politics, early elected to the county offices and to the assem-
bly he represented his district in ccuigress after he had removed to Davenport.
This was in 1853-55. When he left the county seat he sold his house, one of
the best of its time, to Mr. John Starr. The house now stands just across the
C. & N. W. track on Sixth street.

"For years Judge Bissell might have been seen walking the streets with his
cane under his arm.'' He was known as the "old war horse." But as one has
put it:

"No longer seek his merits to disclose or draw his frailties from their dread
abode."

"Wells Spicer b^fan his career with the rising city, and wias school teacher,
lawyer, county judge, editor, being identified in many ways with public affairs."
Upon the books in the dfice of cotmty derk his signature frequently appears

494 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

during the years of 1856-7. He went to the far west soon after and was asso-
ciated in the trial of Jdin D. Lee, for the Mountain Meadow nnssacicv die noted
Mormon event. "He became interested in mining and going out into the mooD-
tains he disappeared from the sight and knowledge of the Hving.^*'*

''H. C. Piatt came from the east with classical and l^;al learnings but as he
himself has said, 'with only money enough to get him here.' He came to Iowa
in 1853 and walked from Iowa City to Tipton. Elected treasurer of the county,
he served in that office from 1856-59. At the time of his death he was a member
of the l^slature.

'"It was not an infrequent custom of the legal lights, especially in the earliest
times, after the business of the court was finished and something of die day yet
remained, but not enough to wlarrant the starting by carriage to Muscatine or
Davenport, to constitute themselves a legislature or lyceum to discuss such ques-
tions as 'the right of habeas corpus,' of 'trial by jury,' or some question relating
to the structure of the government. A wondering boy was sometimes an inter-
ested listener."*^*

In the first cases tried in the county Judge Williams was the presiding officer,
a man very popular with his associates and afterwards a member of the supreme
court. R. P. Lowe was prosecuting attorney and appeared in tfie county at
stated intervals. He was governor of the state 1858-60.

There was Wm. H. Tuthill, wfiose name is mentioned on almost every occa-
sion in which the public affairs were concerned. He was judge of the district
court from 1855-7. One name among the attomqrs who came to practice here
and who served the people of the county in the railroad bond case, has become a
name that stands for authority in the study of jurisprudence, that is the name of
John F. Dillon. He b^fan his career as a physician and pitacticed about two
years, when he turned his attention to the law and this study he b^an in the
office of Hon. J. P. Cook in Davenport He reached a very high place in the
courts of the country, being a member of the supreme court of die state and then
in 1870 was appointed by President Grant judge of the United States Circuit
Court.

J. H. Rothrock came to Tipton in i860, from Ohio. The very next year he
was elected to the assembly and became speaker pro tem of the house. At the
special session called during the beginning of the war. Judge Rothrock took his
seat, but before the session closed volunteered and was commissioned Lieutenant
Colonel of the Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry. On his return from the field he
became a partner in the practice of law with W. P. Wolf. In the fall of 1866 he
was elected to the position of district judge. He was twice reelected to this
office, and without opposition. During his third term he was appointed to the
supreme bench, where he served for twenty years after repeated re-elections.

W. P. Wolf began teaching in this county in 1856. Later he studied law
with Rush Clark, of Iowa City, and after being admitted to the bar he opened
an office in Tipton, where he continued to reside tmtil his death. He served in
the senate and house as mentioned, and wtas elected judge of the district court in
1894 where he served until his death. Tributes were paid to his memory at that
time by W. R. Boyd and Judge Rothrock.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 496

Sylvanus Yates was the only member of the bar to be elected to the of&ce of
Circuit Judge, which position he held during the years 186^72. He held several
other offices in the course of his career as a practicing attorney.

Judge W. N. Trdchler is the present occupant of the district bench from this
county. He served in this position one term, commencing in 1899, and closing
in 1903, and was reelected in the fall of 1906 to the same position. He has prac-
ticed in the county since 1880.

E. M. Brink, at the time of his death in 1907, was the oldest member of die
Cedar County Bar, having been admitted by Judge Rothrock in 1868. He held
the office of county auditor.

John T. Moffit graduated from the law department of the University of
Michigan after his preparation by a college course at Cornell. He was granted
the d^^ee of M. A. later by the Iowa College. He b^fan the practice of law here
in 1887 and has continued it to the present time. His military and legislative
records are found under those topics. He has served as county attorney.

Colonel Rowell, as he is now known, began the practice of law in 1896 and
soon after formed the partnership which now exists in the firm of France and
Rowell. The military record of this firm has been mentioned and their law his-
tory is part of the court record at every session. J. C. France is the present
county attorney.

Robert G. Cousins began his practice here in 1882 and soon after was elected
to the assembly. Was chosen prosecuting attorney in 1888. His service in Con-
gress for the long period of seven terms has been mentioned.

Henry L. Huber read law with Wolf and Landt and commenced the practice
of his profession in 1886. At one time the firm was Treichler and Huber. He
has hdd the office of mayor.

One of the promising young attorneys of the county, who had won his own
way through the University after a hard struggle and commenced his practice in
1884, was the son of Wm. and Barbara Coutts of Red Oak township. He was
of a charaeter that stands the test of prosperity and yet is not afraid of adver-
sity, and his future outlook upon life was most favorable when that rude reaper
of youth, death, came to take him away. He was of a keen mind and strong
perscmality, lovable in disposition and popular among all friends. Early in life
he had a definite purpose, a high respect for his chosen calling and fitted by
nature and preparation to succeed. William Coutts was a young man when
called, having b^^n his life in 1856 and leaving it in 1889. Such men are to
be remembered for their examples of true endeavor. His gift of speech, his
high ideals in thought, his calm submission leaves a life for fine remembrance.

W. G. W. Geiger began the study of law in the office of Wolf and Landt,
afterwards continuing it in the offict of Blake and Hormel of Cedar Rapids. He
had been admitted to the bar before this last study and opened an c^ce in Tipton
in 1881. He is a graduate of Carthage College, holding the degree of M. A.
from that instituticMi. He has been nominated for county attorney and
judge of the district court, losing the first office by a small vote in a county
where the majority is usually much greater.

C. O. Boling, a member of the bar of the county for some years, holds the
office of city solicitor. T. B. Hanley was a former member but has removed to

496 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Des Moines in the interests of the fraternity he represents. F. J. Casterline is
in active practice and holds the city office of superintendent of water works.
Hamiel and Mather are a new firm in the county seat, although both the indi-
vidual members have been active in the county in separate offices. They main-
tain an office in Clarence. The former firm of Wright, Leech and Wright has
been dissolved and R. R. Leech continues the practice. Isaac Landt has been
referred to many times as the partner of Judge Wolf, and it was in their office
that several young attorneys began their study. S. S. Crittenden of Clarence is
the only resident attorney of the place. C. J. Lynch of Mechanicsville was the
former county attorney and is one of the two attorneys in the town, the other
being W. H. Smith.

Geo. C. Hoover is the only attorney in West Branch, while Springdale has
two in the persons of C. E. Mather and Tillman Todd. Lowden has but one
member of this profession in the person of D. D. McGillivray.

In connection with the old-time history John Huber was mentioned in the
office of assistant prosecuting attorney in 'the Switzer case. John L. Fyan was
the member who was buried by the Tipton guards before they went to the field.
J. W. Bagley announced himself an attorney in 1858.

Among the earliest physicians to come to the county there appears the naune
of Harvey G. Whitlock, whose name figures also in the court records to an alarm-
ing extent when one gives them a careful examination. ''He wtas a frontier prod-
uct, a doctor without skill and a man without character. He lived on Cedar
street, Tipton, between Sixth and Seventh. He soon disappeared."

''Then Dr. Swan, a real physician, came on the field. He lived in a frame
hot^se with a large green lawn. The Drs. Chambers, father and son, followed
soon after and the latter lived in the brick house opposite the reformed church,
now owned by Mr. McBumey. He carried saddle bags and rode 'Old Fox, a
loping horse.' He might have been the model for the faithful and excellent
physician described in the 'Bonnie Brier Bush.' He served as surgeon in the
Civil War and afterwards removed to Cedar Rapids for a more remunerative
field.""*

Alexander and James Turner were among the earlier members of this pro-
fession and Turner and Carpenter are a firm of 1858. The method of getting
about then was on horseback and some of these men were swift riders. Mc
Henry Hecht gives an illustration of this on the occasion when he came for Dr.
Chambers, and having difficulty in awakening him on account of his sleq>ing
so heavily after long service ; the doctor (nice aroused put on so much speed diat
the messenger had hard work to keep up, such was the gait of the ''loping
horse."

Dr. J. F. Kennedy came to practice in Tipton in 1858 and had his office over
C. L. Chambers' drug store. He was for twenty-five years the secretary of the
State Board of Health and in this position did much for the sanitary conditions
of the city, the county, and the state. During the Civil War he sent frequent
letters from the hospital where he was on duty.

The first physician to come to Durant, Dr. E. B. Bills, was also the first
justice of the peace to try a casf in that town, and he did public service, as men-
tioned, in the senate of the state.

-J

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 497

One of the county judges, W. P. Cowan, was by profession a physician and
surgeon. It is a little difficult to understand, just now, how he filled both these
duties at the same time.

H. E. Samson announced himself as a botanical physician in the later fifties,
who one supposes to be in ordinary language an ''herb doctor."

At this same time I. Smith was practicing in Rochester.

Mrs. Campbell of the town of Tipton announced herself as a hydropathic
physician, which is a commendable method of curing a good many things.

J. M. Long of Cedar fluffs (Gower's Ferry) issued his card in 1859.

Other physicians that may be mentioned among the members of the profes-
sicMi that have practiced in the county are Drs. H. H. Maynard, W. H. Axline,
G. S. Focht, S. Ensign, Dr. Sahsom of Tipton, Thomas Coats, E. D. Yule, William
Hills, and Mrs. Dr. Williams of Clarence, J. C. Batdorf, Samuel Keith, N. S.
Hubbell, E. H. Lockwood, and Scott Russell, of Mechanicsville, the latter one of
the oldest physicians in point of practice in this county; Drs. E. W. Savage,
H. J. MinUiom, J. F. Houser, and J. I. Bailey, of West Branch. The latter
has just closed his earthly life and at a well-advanced age. He came to the
state in 1851, locating in this county, moving to West Branch in 1874. He
served for a time in the Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry. Dr. H. C. Gill located in
Springdale in 1850 and was once a member of the Board of Supervisors of the
county.

Of the present county medical association Dr. Runkle of Lowden is the presi-
dent and Dr. P. M. Hoffman of Tipton the secretary. The members include
the present practicing physicians of the county. From Lowden, Dr. Kelling;
Qarence, Drs. D. T. NicoU and J. E. Smith ; Stanwood, Dr. C. W. Baker ; Me-
chanicsville, Drs. Scott Russell and C. G. Stookey; West Branch, Drs. L. J.
Leech, recently representative, as mentioned before, and J. C. McGr^or ; Tiptcm,
the secretary of the association, Drs. Van Metre, Hender, Peters, Griffis, and
W. M. Furnish, the only osteopathic physician in this county; Bennett, Drs.
H. R. Chapman, the present senator from this district, and Rohrig, a young man
just commencing his practice ; Durant, Dr. E. B. Bills, the son of the first physi-
cian in the place, Drs. Meyhaus and Schumacher.

Of the dentists who have practiced here Df. N. H. Tulloss advertised to do
such work in 1858. He had an office in the old brick hotel built by John Birdey,
'which is now standing on Third street in Tipton. Mr. R. A. Davidson, one of
the early comers to the county went to this offibe for treatment which resulted
in the extraction of his tooth. Mr. Davidson relates his experience today since
they are still fresh in his memory. The office of Dr. Tulloss was later over
Childs' grocery. Dr. Tulloss was president of the State Dental Association in
1864 and 1865, or at the time it was first organized. Drs. Garber and Lattig
were a firm in Tipton established in the seventies. Dr. Gould came here in 1877.
In 1869 Dr. P. T. Smith of Tipton was the vice-president of the state associa-
tion. Dr. Garber was the president in 1885. Dr. E. T. Rigby was secretary
in 1875. Dr. Bandy was the president in 1903. Other members of the associa-
tion in the county are Dr. W. A. Grove of Tipton, who has been chosen mayor
of the town; Dr. Bessie S. Casebeer, who has recently returned to her former
practice, and Dr. Pitman.

498 HISTORY OF CEDAR CX)UNTY

Dr. Shuck of Clarence is cme of the long-time dentists in the county, his card
appearing in the early seventies. He does not now attempt an extensive prac-
tice. Dr. G. W. Hageman has recently opened an office in Qarence. His ad-
leg^ate work was taken in the University of Missouri, and he was a teacher in
the high schools of Iowa. Dr. Davis is also a member of the profession prac-
ticing in Qarence. O. L. Whitson and M. J. Reidy are the dental surgeons of
Mechanicsville. Dr. W. E. Haller is alone in Durant. Milo W. Mtmger has
pleasant offices in West Branch, in the new bank building.

Dr. F. A. Neil is the resident dentist at Lowden.

SECTION XV.

MISCELLANEOUS.

In the Historical Department of Iowa at Des Moines there is an old Gazetteer
which is called, "Iowa as it i-sin 1855 *' ^ handbook for immigranrts embracing
a full description of the State of Iowa, by W. Howe Parker. Under description
of counties it says :

"Cedar County was organized and settled in 1836 (dates a little early — Ed.).
The county seat Tipton was laid out in 1839 (little early again). Present popula-
ticm of the town 583 (1855) and of the county, 7605.

"The towns and settlements in the county are Tipton, Woodridge (Wood-
bridge in other places), Cedar Bluffs, Pioneer P. O., Cedar P. O., Massillon
P. O., Red Oak P. O., Inland P. O., Springdale P. O., Padee P. O. (Pedee),
Lacton P. O., and Rochester.

"Three churches in Tipton, Presbyterian, C(Migregationalist and Methodist,
society very good. Churches of different denominations throughout the county,
but the precise number of edifices cannot be ascertained. Four schools in Tip-
ton, two public and two private, average number of pupils in each 30.

"One steam gristmill, doing but little business owing to lack of water.

"The Lyons R. R. is projected through the center of this county and mostly
graded as far as Tipton and we understand the suspended work on the line will
be resumed energetically by the new company this season.

"The county is made up of very excellent soil adapted to all kinds of farming
purposes, and well watered generally. Timber is less abundant than in some
other counties. Yet taken as a whole Cedar holds out strong inducements to the
farmer and mechanic to locate within her borders."

In the chapter on "Banking Houses," nine cities are mentioned! as having
them, Tipton being the last, the chapter concluding as followts:

"At Tipton, W. H. Tuthill, banker and dealer in exchange and land warrants.
At each of these banking houses interest is paid on special deposits, bills of ex-
change oa all the principal cities of the United States and Europe are bought and
sold; gold and silver are bought and sold^ loans effected and all other banking
business transacted, save the issue of bills.

499

500 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

''As land agencies they buy and sell warrants, select and enter vacant lands,
examine titles, etc.

''One species of coin is not current in this state ; we allude to the cent and half
cent, while even the three cent piece is hardy tolerated and is seldcxn seen except
in church plates and at the postofiice.

"During the Civil War all expressions of opinion concerning that contest
which were made by the Iowa State Teachers' Association were intensely union-
ist. The first official utterance on that subject was made in its behalf by its
President, C. C. Nestlerode, of Tipton, and while the state was making up its
quota of the first three hundred thousand volunteers called for by President Lin-
coln. Inasmuch as neither this first paper can now be found on file nor the
reply to it on the governor's books, I send both for a place in the publication of the
State Historical Society."«i«

"Tipton, Iowa, October 3, 1861.
"S. J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa

"Dear Sir : I have read with deep interest your proclamation urging the loyal
men of the state to enlist in the service of their country. I address you on behalf
of the teachers of Iowa that we assure you that every member of our profession
that is able to bear arms, stands ready to lend a helping hand tp crush this cursed
rebellion. We have no traitors in our ranks. If one should attempt to enter,
may the Almighty brand the mark of Cain upon his forehead.

"Not a few of our number responded to the first call of tiie president; many
have since enlisted, and if in your opinion, we who are engaged in school room
duties can serve our country better by administering lead and steel to traitors
than by guarding the unprotected children of our state and preparing them for
future usefulness, you can draw upon us for the remainder and your draft will
not be dishonored.

"With feelii^ of high r^;ard and sincere desire for the triumph of the right,
I am. Truly yours,

"C. C. UtStLESLODE,

"President State Teachers' Association."

«

DaveiHx>rt, Iowa, October 10, 1861.
C. C. Nestlerode, Pres. Iowa State Teachers' Association.

Dear Sir: I am happy to adcnowledge the receipt of your noble offer in
behalf of the teachers of Iowa with the accompanying patriotic sentiments. Such
sentiments do justice to your heart, and I am sure represent the feelings of those
you represent. If we cannot look to the teachers of Iowa with their intelligent
and superior means of information, for coirect judgment in this war and all the
issues involved, and for patriotic action when the necessity occurs it would be idle
to loc^ to the masses.

"But as patriotism alike bums in the hearts of the intdligent and the ignorant,
so at the present unhappy crisis a noble response is being made by all our citizens,
with but very few exceptions, to the country's call.

"This response in our own state is at the present time so hearty that it does
not seem necessary now to withdraw from their great field of usefulness the
teachers of Iowa.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 601

"I shall hoyirever remember with pleasure your noble and patriotic offer in
the name and at the suggestion of the teachers of the state and if the necessity
should arise, would unhesitatingly call upon your services.

"I hope you will convey to those you represent my kindest regards, with the
most respectful consideration for yourself.

"Very respectfully,

"Samuel J. Kirkwood,

"Governor of Iowa."

July 6, 1857, left on record in this county one of the most remarkable floods
ever known. On that morning those who lived near Andrew Crawford's place
were aroused by a hoarse rumbling sound as of distant thunder, and on investi-
gation as to its cause a wall of water seemed coming down the stream, rolling
everything before as if moved by some unseen power. It filled the space be-
tween the hills on the sides of the stream, presenting the appearance of a lake
that had broken away from its bounds. As the flood came on it formed a series
of tidal waves, not reaching a given point all at once but moving farther and
farther back from its usual channel until the whole creek basin was filled. A
member of the Crawford family in attempting to save some utensils near the edge
of the creek found himself pursued by the water and finally had to escape as
best he could. The bottom lands seemed a moving sea, covered with foam, logs,
grass, long strings of fence taken away bodily and countless forms of debris from
various sources. No freshet within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant had
ever furnished a parallel to it in height and body of water.

When seeking for the cause the ordinary explanation does not suffice for such
a thing would have happened before. Rain had fallen heavily, it is true, but
only under peculiar conditions could such a fall affect the little valley in such a
way. The waters of the two forks must have come together simultaneously at
great height and thus caused the tremendous rise called now by the old settlers,
"The flood.""«

But this first flood at Sugar Creek was more than matched in 1890 when a
cloud burst came over the county and water is said to have fallen at the rate of
four inches an hour when estimated in a crude way, when Rock Creek forgot its
customary mild way of conducting itself for the comfort of the public and went
wild in flood and torrent sufficient to carry away almost all the bridges spanning
it then. One who knows of this describes the circumstances in a complete way.
"It was about three in the afternoon when the rain fell for less than two hours.
In plain language the 'bottom fell out,' and the water came down in a body. No
one remembered such a fall of water. The train for Stanwood was just leaving
and it did not return until the next day. The crew worked all night to repair
breaks in the main line, when the trains were delayed for eight hours."

The storm center seemed along the basin of Rock Creek for the old settlers
found it "beating the record in a single night." No life was lost, but bridges
and fences were wrecked beyond any description. Out of ten county bridges
across this stream only one was entirely untouched. Out of ten bridges only the
one nearest Cedar could have been crossed the next day. The one nearest
Beltz's Mill — a new iron bridge then of sixty feet in length — was torn from

I

Q02 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

its stone abutments and brcdcen up. The water came pouring down the dd mill
race and cutting its way back to the creek, struck the east abutment in the
rear and carried it away bodily. Mr. Beltz thought the water five feet higher
than he had ever seen it.

The bridge at the stone mill, safe enough on most occasions, was not dam-
aged much, since as those know who look upon the map the high water would
cut across the bend and leave an island here. The race at the stone mill was
built on that supposition and under some conditions no water would flow at all
under this bridge. And so the story goes on to tell of all the bridges known
along the stream — the same story of destruction and rapid call upon the cotmty
supervisors for their repair.

Mr. Wm. Dean was nearest to the disaster, and as a county official he was
in great demand until repairs were made.

At this time also Sugar Creek made a record but nothing equal to the Rodcy
stream. Mr, Henry Walters was the only one then who remembered of the
previous high tide of flood. Complaints came from the north part of the county
in every section of the damage to roads and growing crops.

On Sunday, June 3, i860, a great calamity fell upon Cedar County,
through the northern portion particularly. About five o'clock in the afternoon
the citizens of that part of the county noticed a curiously shaped cloud to the
north. It had the appearance of a water spout, and such in fact it proved to be.
It seemed to suddenly dip down and rise again.

The first evidence of its ravages appeared one mile north of MecfaanicsviUe,
and the oldest citizens of that community tell at this day of its awful appear-
ance. The storm here destroyed many homes in its course and it is said nine
persons were killed in that neighborhood.

From this point it passed eastward in a narrow path until it reached Onion
Grove, a mile or more north of Clarence on our mzp at the present time. Here
the storm was severe, indeed — ^the home of John Baker was destroyed, the
wreckage being scattered in all directions. Mr. Baker was killed almost in-
stantly; his family seriously injured. Mrs. Baker's parents, living near, were
badly hurt. In the same neighborhood Samuel McMacken's house was danol-
ished, and the owner killed. His wife escaped with serious injury. A son had
his arm crushed between falling timbers.

Mr. McFadden's house was torn to pieces, Mr, Frink's moved several feet
from its foundations and his stock destroyed. Horses and cattle were tossed
about and instantly killed in many instances.

The storm seemed to be general for at this same time a second appeared in
the eastern part of the county. The house of James Reeve's was here blown
down. Mr. Gay's bam was destroyed, numerous farm buildings were picked up
and material carried for miles before being deposited. Mr. Blazer's house was
carried a hundred feet and then totally wrecked. At the time there were eight
persons in it and all were more or less injured.

East of Onion Grove — Clarence — the storm was more terrific than here. The
town of Comanche, further east in the state, was entirely destroyed. About
one hundred lost their lives in this neighborhood. (For a full account of the
Comanche hurricane see the History of Iowa by Gov. B. F. Gue.)

J

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 503

Many eye witnesses have written and told of this storm. Their accounts
written or told at the time are very vivid and indicate the terrible scenes of the
day following and the sorrowful events brought about by the destructive tornado
here and elsewhere in the year i860.

One says: ''A cloud, most singular in appearance hung over the town and
community. The earth, so far as the eye could reach, seemed cloaked in a
peculiar green, while the doud overhead was writhing and twisting and was
lashed into fury by some invisible force. There was a general stampede for the
doors to fasten and, if possible, keep them fastened. Every house seemed rock-
ing to its very foundation and trembled as if an earthquake was beneath us. The
wind was but of brief duration — scarcely ten minutes in all. They were minutes
of suspense — ^and they seemed ages to those waiting. On going to my south
window I found my stable a complete ruin. The dwelling house of Mr. Kenlon
of Onion Grove was knocked off its *pins.' (Houses were built with no founda-
tion and set up off the ground on short blocks sawed from a log and these are
the 'pins' referred to here. — Ed.) The liunbcr yard of McQellan & Co. was
a scene of confusion, the boards flying in every direction, and the large new wood
house of the railroad c(»npany (C. & N. W. now) was 'caved in.' Shortly after I
was called to the country and at almost every step I was retarded in my journey
by fallen trees. I cannot stop to tell of the loss of property — ^it is too great to
describe — but the wounded humanity must be first accounted for.

"I stopped at Fred Piper's, on the south line of Jones County. Here I
found his two daughters, the oldest and the youngest of the f amUy, dead ; him-
self, wife and two other children all injured. I met Drs. Yoimkers and Stone.
They reported a little child of Elisha Miller's dead. Dr. Mershaun reported
Mrs. William Allen and whole family of three children dead and Mr. Allen in
a dying condition. John Niles, a young man passing at the time, stopped for
shelter, and he, too, was in a dangerous condition."^*''

From another eye witness at Mechanicsville : "The tragedy of last Sunday
night is not one of merely local interest but one that will be a fruitful topic o{
conversation in every state in the Union. The oldest inhabitant doe§ not
recollect of ever having seen or read of any storm so fearfully destructive of life
and property.

"Towns and villages that were the homes of happy people on that Sunday
morning are now by that storm alone 'numbered with the things that were.'

"A little boy in the Burger settlement was seized by the whirl, and as he was
passing up caught the top of a large tree. Another blast brought the tree to
the ground and the little fellow along. He was almost covered with leaves and
rubbish and yet was able to extricate himself and reach shelter.

"A man was found south of Mount Vernon who until Thursday had not been
recognized, and the belief was current that he came from across the river.
'Squire Saums, who lives at Inland Grove, some five miles north of this place,
says that when the storm was at its very worst his wife and daughters told him
twice that they distinctly heard some persons screaming and he now believes it
was some person passing in the whirl who had been picked up from the earth by
its violence. This could not be impossible since huge timbers were picked up
and carried for miles."

504 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

The prosperous neighborhoods untouched by this dreadful calamity very
promptly sent aid to the injured and endeavored in many ways to comfort the
sorrowing, but not all the burden could be removed in one short season. The
entire family of Mr. Allen at Onion Grove were buried at one time. A solemn
procession of citizens followed them to the cemetery, and among them all not a
single relative to mourn since none lived in the state and messages and trans-
portation were not as now, when one can cross the continent in time to bury his
dead All these were laid side by side in the same grave — the father, the
mother, the three children, according to their respective ages. This was a si^
the silent gathering of people will always remember.

Mr. Piper, who was so badly injured, told of his experiences in the following
language: His first efforts were given to keeping the door closed, but failing
in this he went "rolling and tumbling tike a wagon wheel," after his log house
was blown away. His wife, as soon as able for the storm, went in search of her
family. As mentioned before, two of them were killed, and the others she found
and carried them all, including her injured husband, into a shelter of an unin-
jured portion of the bam.

During this storm all who were fortunate enough to reach a cellar were
uninjured. In later years "storm caves" have been provided by many families in
districts accustomed to experiences of the tornado kind.

The amount of stock killed and the peculiar ways of slaughter are almost
beyond belief, but are vouched for by people of the time. All animal life in
the path of the storm was subjected to vast injury— even the smaller rodents
that one supposes safe in the earth whenever exposed suffered death.

This storm was so extensive that reports came from it across Lake Michigan
and one report g^ves it as four hundred and fifty miles in extent frcwn Fort
Dodge, Iowa, to the northeastern comer of Ottawa County, Michigan. In
counties lying west of Cedar much damage was reported and on Lake Michigan
a schooner was wrecked by it.**®

A severe storm stmck Cedar County in April, 1883, coming from the south-
west making its first appearance here in lowia township. Opinions seem to agree
that two clouds met at the farm of Mr. Woolley, a half mile east and two miles
south of Springdale. Damage was mild here, but at Jason Negus' it took out-
buildings and fences clear

Samuel Mather's large bam was left a complete wreck, with five horses
buried under the mins of the bam on which w^ left thirty tons of hay wfaidi
had to be cut away to rescue the animals. One valuable animal was found crushed
to death in the mins. A couple riding along the road were caught by tfie wind
and thrown out of the carriage.

The bam of John Leonard was torn from its foundation and his horses im-
prisoned. James Phelps met with the greatest misfortune. Both his house and
bam were destroyed. The house was made of cement and was crushed out of
shape, one wall bending in and the other bending out, while partitions and flobrs
were tom apart and windows and doors removed. This was the old "Maxson
place," where the family all ran into a cave thirty-eight years before to save thdr
lives from a tomado which crossed almost at right angles to this one. One may

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 505

see the eflFects of this storm in the forties on the "old stone house," where it has
been secured by iron rods, if he chooses to pay it a visit.

During this storm of '83 Mrs. Willard Maxson ran into a hen house for shelter
when the building was caught up and tumbled over and over, injuring her badly.

Large timbers were carried through the air and thrust into the ground with
force enough to. fix them there. like all storms of this kind, it was intermittent
and left certain sections unharmed, appearing again six miles farther on toward
Center township where it was last heard from. This storm passed west of Tipton
over the Aldrich farm, doing some damage there. At the old Lee farm the wind-
mill tower was torn from its foundation and driven through the bam roof. There
was no loss of human life, yet the people of the neighborhood of Springdale as-
sembled and made arrangements to assist those who had been unfortunate.'^^

The Presbjrterian church, Tipton, was once damaged severely by lightning.
In Sq>tember, 1888, the Rev. Mr. Townsend going to the north window of the
parsonage saw that the church, a short distance away, was on fire. This was
about four o'clock in the morning and a startling thunder clap had awakened the
entire town. The pastor summoned Mr. Piatt across the street and these two
succeeded in putting the fire out. Not until morning could the entire damage be
determined. The church then was surmounted by a square tower, and a spire
some thirty-five feet in height above this had been struck by the bolt and it had
torn the covering entirely oif, leaving the bare scantling of the framework. The
windows of the tower were blown out as if a mine had exploded within. The
plastering on the arch of the church when it broke through wJas thrown across
the building to the opposite side shattering the window. The metal about the
panes of glass was melted, the casings torn off and the sash left hangfing by the
weight cords. Where the electricity struck the ground it penetrated to unknown
depths and the ground was plowed up like a furrow. The building had been in-
sured the day previous to this lightning stroke.

July 4, 1876, was a great day in Cedar County. One of the largest crowds
in history assembled at the county seat to honor the amuversary. Only one dread-
ful accident marred the occasion.

The word went over the crowd that "two men had been shot to pieces." A
great stampede at once took place in the direction of the accident. The salute
was being fired on the slope just south of the Presbyterian church, when a pre-
mature discharge of the cannon occurred. Frank Claiic had his left arm torn
away and his right hand so injured that amputation of part of it was necessary.
Captain Sanford was burned and his right hand badly lacerated.

Eight miles southeast of Tipton, on the Muscatine road, in the home of
Gilbert Johnston, who emigrated from the south part of Scotland to this county
in 1840, stands an old time-piece that M^r. Johnston thinks may be two hundred
or more years old. It is doubtless the oldest clock in the county, and maybe in
the state. It was an old clock when Mr. Johnston's grandfather purchased it,
when a young man in the south part of Scotland, and with his young bride moved
into his new home, where for sixty years it struck off the fleeting hours. It
came to Gilbert Johnston as a legacy at his grandfather's death, crossed the
ocean with him when he was a youth of eighteen, and has been in his possession
for sixty years, since 1840 articulating time in Cedar County.

606 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

When Mr. Johnston brought the clock to America it was enclosed in a heavy
oaken case, deeply carved. Twenty 3rears ago this case had become a mere
shell through the ravages of worms and the dry decay of sheer old age, and had
to be replaced by the carpenter with another tiiat, like the former, "was taller by
half than the old man himself, though it weighed not a pennyweight more."
They key, though a veritable windlass in size and made of solid steel, was also
worn out and had to be replaced by another twenty years ago, as were also the
cords. Other than this and "cleaning and oiling, it has had no repairs.

The very substantial works are of steel and brass and look good for two hun-
dred years more. It has a brass dial plate, with the numerals expressed by
Roman letters, and outside of this circle the minutes of the hour expressed in
Arabian figures. It has also a second hand, tells the day of the week, and has
a resonant brass bell which sounds the hours with a voice a modem clock might
envy for clearness. By touching a spring it may be made to strike at any time,
but always, when so invited to speak, repeats the notes of the preceding- hour;
never till the proper times arrives will it strike the succeeding hour. For, like
George Washington, it "cannot tell a lie."

On the lower part of the dial plate, in English script, in a hand an American
schoolboy might covet, is inscribed, "Will Wilson, Kendal ;** thus revealing its
English origin. Kendal is an English town on the frontier near Scotland, where
the old clocks then young, rang its sweet bell many years before George Wash-
ington was bom or Rip Van Winkle took his little nap. Still in Mr. Johnston's
home it stands and keeps excellent time. With a feeling of awe we heard its
bell sound the hours as it did when the Mayflower's trip was yet fresh in tiic
minds of the people, and we wondered if this old clock would not still be in some-
body's sitting room ringing out the hours of the millenium mom.**>

The old iron cannon that did duty for many years on Memorial Day and
July 4 was Anally disposed of in a last explosion on July 4, 1897. TTie old gun
was a relic of the Mexican War and at one time came from some old battlefield.
"Tinner" Hammond brought it to the court square some time in the sixties and
on each succeeding Fourth of July it spdce its Independence.

It was the premature discharge of this gun that cost Frank Qark an arm
and crippled a hand for Captain Sanford. At another time some boys with
more zeal than good judgment loaded it to the muzzle for noise, which tihey got
and also a big bill of expenses for broken windows in the vicinity.

Then it was that those in authority ordered the gun out of town. By some
means it was taken to Wald and later discovered, as all things forbidden are, and
on a second occasion it was loaded for the usual early noise on an insane
Fourth of July. Now it lost its voice forever, since it was blown into a tfion-
sand fragments and they have not all been found yet. One piece cut off a tele-
phone pole; another went through Mrs. Campbell's woodshed. The gun was
fired in the Monument Park, but no one was hurt.

That genius may work out means to satisfy the needs of men in emergencies
is well illustrated by the home-made mill, if the expression may be allowed, con-
structed by Mr. Brisbane, an early settler of Springdale township. He had long
had his mind fixed on the water power of the little stream — ^Wapsinonoc. By
means of a cmde dam built of brush and logs and a hollowed log for the sluice-

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 507

way he led the flowing stream to his water wheel, made of two cross pieces pass-
ing through a pole which served as the main shaft, and for a rim another pole
flattened on two sides and bent around the ends of the cross pieces. In this
circular pole were bored a number of holes and two-inch uprights about two
feet long placed, to which were attached wings eighteen inches long, formed of
boards and furnishing a large surface for the flow of water to strike as it came
on its way from the dam above.

The shaft to which these fans were attached was placed between two trees
for support and extended beyond the tree for some distance. To this was at-
tached a pulley connected with a shaft that carried power to an old cast iron mill
costing about fifty dollars — ^the kind that were formerly run by horse power,
and if used now by a gasoline engine. This mill ground eight bushels in twenty-
four hours and ran night and day. While its owner slept it toiled on under his
arrangements to keep corn in the hopper all the time.

In 1870 the silver excitement at Rochester was matched by another sensation
in the "iron ore" found in Shearer and Gray's quarry near the "old stone mill."
By those of experience in such things, including Mr. Geo. Schmucker, it was
pronounced ore of a fine quality and specimens were shown that bore out his
assertion. It was found in a clay rift in the sandstone in this quarry.

In 1871 considerable excitement was aroused by the activity of the silver
interests at Rochester and vicinity. One item of the time reads very much like
a rich find: "Rochester is noted for its silver mines. We were informed by
one of the mining companies that a man had been sent for a crusher and it •
would be ready for operation by April i. (This was in September, 1871.) Mr.
C. informs us that there is no doubt of its paying. One ton of the quartz sent to
Chicago contained twenty dollars in gold and sixty dollars in silver. A speci-
men of the quartz was taken from the farm of Mr. John Russel, twenty-seven
feet under ground. An old California miner states that it bids fair to be as
rich as the California mines.

The time of the commissioners during the ten years from forty to fifty was
taken up in great measure in hearing and acting on petitions for roads in the
county and providing for its government. It is a gradual development of the
division of labor in matters of county affairs. At first a number of duties fell
to one ofiicer that nowt are fotmd in different departments. Details of affairs
came before the board of commissioners that would be settled nowl by the officer
in charge. The rapid settlement of the county in the years from forty up made
roads imperative and this is evident upon the records. Other matters of cross-
ing streams, caring for the rights of property, and securing ftmds to run the
government were in evidence at every session.

To illustrate : To help clear the county of wolves a bounty of one dollar per
scalp is offered if the person claiming it can furnish six at one time. License to
run anything seemed necessary. Grocery stores must pay, ferries must secure
the right to obstruct a stream and then the county fixed the rates. A license was
issued in 1845 ^^ John Culberston to sell liquor, for the amount of thirty dollars
for the year. A petition was presented later on, 1849, ^7 ^^^ citizens of Tipton and
vicinity, fifty-four names attached, praying that the board would not issue any

508 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

liquor license. This was laid on the table and so far as any record goes was never
taken off.

A great many of the residents of the county during the gold fever in Cali-
fornia thought that there was more in the yellow metal than in Iowa farms and
made the l(Hig journey across the plains and home the same way or by way of the
Isthmus or Nicaragua and then concluded to dig the gold from the soil of the
home county. Some thrilling tales are told by these adventures, and they arc
doubtless true, yet one is led to wonder how they ever lived to return to the
home they left. Some years ago one veteran of the '49 campaign asked for a re-
union of these men, but history does not state that he succeeded in getting his
friends together. Among these men we find the names of Munroe Adams, «the
four Walters Brothers, Blalock, Diltz, Wm. Knott, Basil Wiggins, who w^alked
across Nicaragua, Montgomery Fraseur, and J. M. Adams with probably many
others who have been forgotten.

There was a teacher of geography in the early days who went about teaching
that new subject, then, by means of rhymes set to music. On one of these occa-
sions in i860 he was assaulted on the road by some unknown party. He attributed
the assault to his open support of the anti-slavery movement when in the society
of the opposite faith, or, as he said, to his attempting to teach singing when be
did not know a note. His name was W. B. Grinnell.

Some say that a soldier of the Revolutionary War is buried in the county
and search has been made for some one who could locate the grave. Some who
knew have long since died' and the nearest that it can be ascertained now is that
the grave was in the old cemetery where the remains must still lie since they were
not removed to the Masonic cemetery when that was laid out, 1862. O. M. Cul-
ver wrote of this some years ago and referred to the fact of his being buried with
military honors by the military company of Colonel Henry Hardman, who haip-
pened to be drilling his company when the burial took place in Tipton. If the
remains of this old soldier are still resting in the northeastern part of the cor-
poration, just southeast of the school building, it would be near enough to an
exact location to secure the marking of the spot with a monument as has been
done elsewliere. This burial occurred in 1844.

Sleeping in the Masonic cemetery are the bodies of several soldiers of the
War of 1812. These names are Daniel Linn, Mustoe Chambers, Colonel Samuel
Daniels and one whose christian name seems to be missing, Walters. In the
Inland cemetery are two more, Jerenwah Argo and James Wharton. There may
be others, but they are not found in the record.

Mormon Hollow seems to be tmf amiliar to the men and women who live here
today, and it is only by accident that its past history can be arrived at at alL If
one should say "to take the road to Mormon Hollow," his instructions would not
be very definite to most people.

The Masonic cemetery lies in the forks of the road leading to "Mormoa HoUow
and Miller's Mill," the south road is tmderstood to go toward the camping ground
of a party of Mormons who camped there, two miles southwest of Tipton, when
. Rochester was a metropolis. One Wright was the leader of the camp, and a Mr.
Lynn, of Rochester, besides Dr. Whitlock, of doubtful reputation* were interested
in the safety of the company.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 509

Away back in the youthful days of men now carrying on the business of the
place there were a few mechanics who have been remembered in a special way.
A few references now interesting as of historical value are taken from the
"Forges of Tipton" :

"For twenty-nine years when this article was written Mr. R. H. Adams had
made music on his anvil. For six years he was the only blacksmith in the place.
He often rose at two o'clock and forged ten shoes by daybreak and each day's
work was planned for by his customers for two weeks in advance. He did the
smithing for James Safley for all the years mentioned. His first job was for
Wm. Knott and amounted to the sum of six cents. Perry Thompson, who died
but recently, was a partner of Mr. Adams.

"Michael Cottrell wielded the hammer for many years, his specialty being the
shoeing of horses. Four horses per day was his stint and when one figures the
number for a year at that rate he is able to understand the steady industry of
the shoer."

On more than one occasion the square where the public library now stands in
the town of Tipton was the camping ground of wagon trains on their way to
Pike's Peak in '59. The older residents tell of these numerous parties and of
how often they came back over the same road sadder and wiser than when they
went the other way.

Great herds of cattle sometimes came through the country, having been
driven from the great feeding grounds in the southwest. On one occasion it is
mentioned that four hundred head, three months from Texas, passed through
the county.

(For the Muscatine Journal.)

"Tipton, la., August 7, 1849.
"Editor Journal:

"Our election passed off very quietly yesterday with the exception of some
little excitement in the election of county commissioners. The Loco candidate
was in favor of licensing doggeries and the Whig candidate was opposed to it.
I regret to record the fact that with this issue before them the pec^lc of Cedar
County elected a man by fifty votes or more who c^)enly prates of the advantages
a civilized community are to receive in the shape of revenue derived from these
earthly hells and sinks of moral pollution. 'Old Billy,' the commissioner elect,
says : 'Finally, I reckon, as how, as we had better give 'em license, and as how
we may make that much for the county, I allow, as how, pre-haps, may-be so, I
reckon so !' Go it, ye dogger-eyes !

"The Lxxos elected their whole county ticket, except recorder and treasurer,
and surveyor. We have not heard the exact majorities from all the townships,
but I suppose the Loco candidates for the Board of Public Works arc consider-
ably ahead. The voters of the county were not all out. Probably 100 less votes
were polled than there are voters in the county .^^i Yours, etc.

(Iowa Democratic Enquirer, February 21, 1852.)

610 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

COUNTY SEAT REMOVAL.

We were shown a caricature the other evening, representuig an attempt at
the removal of the county public buildings to Rochester from Tipton, in which
some of the prominent characters of that county stand out in bold relief.

The picture represents the court house with a yoke of oxen hitched to it, their
tongues lolling and they panting, ''not fr<Hn notoriety but from sheer exhaus-
tion," in their endeavors to start the building. Ridgeway, their driver, is whip-
ping, "hollering," and urging them on, while Green sits astride the cone of the
house, cheering and telling them to go ahead and he'll secure the citizens against
any or all taxation that may be imposed for the removal. Others were repre-
sented with their shoulders to the wheel, pro and con, striving to their utmc^ to
carry out the wishes of their leaders.

On the other side of the oxen and just in front of the building stood Swet-
land with the ballot box under his arm, calling on them to desist or he would
again leave for California. Another individual whose name we disremember,
but who, it appears, met with some mishap, either at home or abroad while in
California, is in great earnest, swearing that "the drones in Cedar beat California
bad." There were others, too, with ropes attached to the building making them
fast to stumps and other places, offering at the same time to compromise by
giving Rochester the jail, but not the court house.

The caricature is a good one and will answer for similar occasions elsewhere,
by changing a few names.*22

There is a query in the mind of every newccwner and perhaps in the minds of
others who stop to consider the matter as to why the courthouse stands on the
side of the square instead of in the center. Fr<Mn the records it must have been
due to the insistence of one' in authority who could not be persuaded to view the
matter any other way. "Petition and protest were unavailing. The affair was
duly satirized by a poet of the time showing the peril to the town from the tipping
over of the square."

The election of 1841 was undoubtedly the most exciting one that ever occurred

in the county. One candidate represented Tipton, and the other one Rochester,

and either one was voted for regardless of political preferences or prejudices.

The county seat question, like the rod of the ancient Jewish leader, swallowed up

all others, and the interest manife_sted on the election day was so great that every

legal vote in the county was polled. It was even intimated that some who were

not leg^ voters had exercised the right of franchise. The result was not long in

doubt. Higginson, having some thirty majority in Cedar, was elected as the vote?

of Jones and Linn, the one for and the other against, were about equally
divided.*28

In 1846 the county seat contest was practically ended and politics, it is now
said, took up its usual or customary routine. Parties lined up with few excep-
tions as they were in older settled states. Before this time it did not make so
much difference as to party — ^Whig or Democrat — ^as it did whether the candidate
w^as for Rochester or Tipton and this fact is mentioned more fully in the refer-
ences in another chapter on county affairs.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 511

At the electicm for county officers for the year 1846, as just menticMied, the
principal contest was for sheriff, the candidate on the Democratic ticket being
PatterscMi Fleming, and on the Whig, Joseph Denser.

The county was thoroughly canvassed, and the result was considered ex-
tremely doubtful, as although the Democrats had a considerable majority, there
was quite a ntmiber who would not support the sheriff as a candidate and it was
confidently asserted that Culbertson, Swetland and Finch, and other leading
Democrats, would openly support Denson.

The election of that fall was an exciting one, according to the authority, and
all kinds of inducements were offered to secure votes. Among other means,
there being no Good Templars at that time, James W. Wall was supi^ed with
funds and with this means secured a barrel of whiskey for the polls at Tipton
and Archibald Scott was similarly employed at Rochester. Both parties were
accustomed to use such persuasion at elections and after a keen contest in votes
and spirits, the votes resulted in a small majority for Mr. Fleming. A few days
before the election the old campaign argument made much of in the county seat
contest — the song ridiculing the opposing candidate was siu^ through the county.
The same names occur as in former contests indicating that a few controlled
the destinies of the county even at the time.

When the agitation of the doctrines of the Republican party extended
westward the call came for organization in this county and the names signed to
that first call are on record. This was in 1855, the first candidates for national
officers being nominated the following year. The list of signers to that first
doctmient appear below: N. C. Swank, J. W. Cattell, Wells Spicer, Robt. Gower,
Nelson Rathbun, Geo. Smith, Joe Kent, Andrew Ford, C. McAllough, E. A.
Gray, Thomas James, John Boydston, Merrill Willey, R. C. Knott, Wm. Green,
W. A. Rigby, O. C. Jack, Samuel Dewell.

LEGEND OF THE WAPSIPINICON RIVER.

There is a picturesque story of the naming of the Wapsipinicon which should
not be without interest to young and old. The foundation for the sketch comes
from ont of the story tellers of the land, a man deeply versed in the lore of
woodland, water and savage people, and his tale is merely legendary.

Once upon a time, long ago, when the red man still roamed the prairies of
this country, hunted, trapped, and fished along its streams, gathered themselves
into primitive villages, there grew upon the shores of the great "Father of
Waters," near a city of the present day, a little hamlet occupied by the bravest
warriors of the Blackhawk tribe. About two days' ride toward the setting sun
was another Indian village, similar in some respects to the first, but belonging to
another people. Beyond the hills that bordered the great stream lay the rolling
prairies for miles away.

Knasqueton was a little Sioux village, seemingly dropped from the clouds
into this very spot, for it was miles before another could be found, the one of the
Blackhawk people being the nearest. The scenery did not modify the revenge-
ful spirit of the stem old warriors, for they were still full of enmity. But the
women of the hamlet seemed to a degree to understand and appreciate the
scenery.

512 HISTORY OF CED^ COUNTY

Among the most interesting admirers of the village was "Wapsie," daughter of
Chief "Good Heart." Her mother had long since answered to the call of the
"Great Spirit" and been laid to rest, but little "Wapsie" had never known her
loss, for Chief "Good Heart," however stem in other directions, treated her t«i-
derly. She was trained in all the arts of wood craft, to row, to swim, to run
with the strongest, owned the lightest canoe, the daintiest bow and arrows, and
wore the softest moccasins and brightest beads — and received the h<»nage from
the whole village accordingly. But all this could not affect her generous and
loving disposition. She had lovers by the score, brave yotmg fellows who dared
ever)rthing for her. For a long time the tomahawk had been buried, and peace
had reigned among the tribes by the stream, but one day a Blackhawk warrior
was missing from his tribe, and search being made his body was found pierced
with arrows, which were recognized as belonging to the Crows. An alliance of
Sioux with the Blackhawk people was formed to avenge this death, and thus it
came about that "Pinicon," the son of Black Feather, met the daughter of
"Good Heart," the beautiful "Wapsie." Jealous suitors were in abundance, but
her preference for "Pinicon" becoming known only one, "Fleet Foot," continued
his suit. He determined upon a wicked plan to treacherously follow the favor-
ite. On the evening of the wedding day the lovers decided to row upon tiie
river. "Fleet Foot" knew of this plan and went thither. Mayhap cruel fortune
favored him for while a crazy warrior was plunging through the forest a boat
was leisurely making its way up stream. They did not land but conversed while
seated in their canoe. At some expression uttered by "Pinicon," "Wapsie"
raised her hand to his lips. This caress was too much for the jealous one con-
cealed nearby and he shot an arrow into the heart of "Pinicon." Wapsie sprang

to him and in so doing overturned the canoe. They sank together. ^Wapsic-
Pinicon."W4

2*E2"

4-'

:^i-

!»''.

REFERENCE

I Address of C. C. Noursc at Philadelphia, 1876.

* Dr. R. D. Parsons, Address.

^^ » Data, History of 1878, Cedar County.

i:r * Sec 3. History of 1878, Cedar County.

* See 4.
•See 2.
T See 2.

^ » See 2.

* See 2.
10 See 2.

II See 2.

12 Mrs. Margaret Jennings and Miss Sterrett.
i» Tacitus Hussey, Annals of Iowa, January, 1910.
1* See 13.

1* Miss Elmae Jeffers.
!• Montgomery Fraseur, Tipton.
1^ Mrs. Mlary C. Emerick, Cass Township.
!• Mrs. McClurc.

i» Bessie Piatt, for Mrs. Casebeer.
*<> Mrs. Albaugh, Mechanicsville.

*i Montgomery Fraseur, Tipton. '

"Annals of Iowa. (Probably 1867 to 1871.)
*» Data from Cedar County Post, 1872-3.
" See 23.
*« See 23.

**Lowden News. ' * *

^•*Alonzo Shaw, Holl)rwood, California.
2T Advertiser Correspondent, 1870.
*• Advertiser Correspondent, 1871.
2* Advertiser Correspondent, 1872.
»0E. R Cook, Address, 1883.

•1 Hon. R. G. Cousins, Address, 1884. '

«* James Burnside, Address, 1889.
•• Item, Advertiser, 1897.
«* Data from Interviews.

«* C. H. Wickersham, Cedar Rapids Gazette, July, 1906. »

«• C. H. Wickersham, Cedar Rapids Gazette, July, 1905.
•^ Correspondent Advertiser, 1898.

••Acts of Wisconsin Territory Legislative Assembly, Second Session, No. 6; Third Ses-
sion, No. 13 ; Second Legislative Assembly of Iowa Territory, Chap. 17.

•• County Records, Proceedings of Commissioners, attached to Book A, Auditor's Office.

** See 39. Changes in Counties attached to Cedar ; Johnson referred to here.

*i Sec first book of Court Records, Qerk's Office.

**In Johnson County.

^•Attached for Election and Judicial Purposes.

**Sce Map 1848, Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids, la.

*• Rockingham was south of Davenport.

*• No money to pay with until taxes could be collected.

♦"f See Records, County Clerk's Office, R. P. Lowe, Prosecuting Attorney.

♦• Store at Antwerp.

*» First financial report of county.

*<> First provision for permanent record.

•1 First order for county supplies on record.

•i*Book I, Page 54, Court Records.

" Sec 38.

•■ Sec 39.

513

514 fflSTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

^ This was in accordance with the provisions of the Territorial Legislature.

»» See 39.

••Book A, Auditor's Office, First Session.

•' Corrected by present members of family.

»• That is, schools from a county point of view.

•• See s6.

•« See 38.

•1 History of 1878^ page 335 et seq.

•* See 54 and 39, and Book A, MSS. attached, last session, Auditor's Office.

•• Dr. R. D. Parsons, Address.

•* W. H. Tuthill, Address, 1876, Advertiser.

••Founders of the Red Oak Old Settlers Association, the first movement toward 1
County Organization.

•• Asked him a question on his relation to the Mormons. Whitlock had something to
do with the Mormon Camp in "Mormon Hollow."

•» See 61.

•'•Advertiser, i860.

••See 64.

•• Book A, Supervisor's Minutes.

'• Book 4, Supervisor's Minutes, page isgi

'1 Book 4, Supervisor's Minutes, page 418.

'*Book 2, Supervisor's Minutes, page 436.

'•Book 4, Supervisor's Minutes, page 554.

'* Record B-i, County Court Record.

'• Record B-77, County Court Record.

'• Book 2, Supervisor's Minutes, page 522.

'' Book 2, Supervisor's Minutes, page 131.

'• Book 2, Supervisor's Minutes, pages 312-320.

'• Book 2, Supervisor's Minutes, page (^)

^ Book 2, Supervisor's Minutes, page 277.

•1 Book 2, Supervisor's MHnutes, page 302.

•* Book 2, Supervisor's Minutes, page 497.

••Book 2, Supervisor's Minutes, page 611. A law had been passed by the assembly,
allowing the use of $25,000 of county money for such expenditure before the Cedar Bhifft
bridge was built. Robert Gower made his offer of the subscription before he knew of this
and the board accepted it.

•*Book 4, Supervisor's Minutes, pages 1 15-175.

•• Code of Iowa, 1851, Chapter 15.

•• Code of Iowa, 1851, Chapter 2.

•'Advertiser, 1854.

••Correspondent to Advertiser, i860.

••Report by Lawrie Tatum.

•0 History of 1878, page 5261

•1 Miss Elmae Jcffers.

•2 Interview.

•• See Clarence.

•* See Industrial Section.

••Advertiser, 1857.

••See 95.

•'Dr. R. D. Parsons, Address.

••Advertiser, 1867.

•» Mrs. Ellen McOure.

100 Advertiser, 1855.

101 History of 1878, 458 et seq.

!<>• Advertiser, 1881 ; Conservative, 1881.
!<>• Advertiser, 1886.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 516

*•* Conservative, 1894.

i^« E, Gnnnell, 1876^ letter. (There was a church before this date in Tipton.)

**• See Agricultural Societies.

»o» Fisher's "Durant," loaned by Wm. Wulf, Durant

io« Advertiser, August, 1856.

*•• Atbs» 1901, page 157.

ii<>Lowden News.

*i* Mrs. Eunice Frink Cartwright, formerly County Superintendent

1*2 Miss Elmae Jeffers, special report.

^^* Miss Edith Phelps, special report

»i* Fisher's "Durant," by Miss Hulda MiUer, report

115 Miss Edna Fawcett, report.

^^•Lawrie Tatuni, see sketch.

i^^C. H. Wickersham, Cedar Rapids Gazette.

"» History of 1878.

ii» See Courts.

i><^Mrs. Henry Emerick, an early teacher in Linn township. She has kept a diary for
fifty years.

121 Montgomery Fraseur.

1** Miss Myrtle Hines, report

1** John W. Reeder, address at the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Tipton
Union Schools, 1907. Mr. Reeder was formerly a teacher with C C. Nestlerode in these
schools.

^*^Mrs. Stephen W. Rathbun, a primary teacher in Springdale and Tipton, in the
later fifties.

iw "Iowa Instructor," 1859-60, found in the Tipton Public Library, the only copy avail-
able.

i*«C R. Aumer in Register and Leader, 1906; data from "Iowa Instructor."

^*7 Minutes of Reunion, 1887 ; address of C. C Nestlerode.

i*« Advertiser, November, i860.

1** Files now in Cedar County Bank, Murrow and James, Editors and Proprietors.

*•<> H. A. Curtis, Cleburne, Texas, suggested by Miss Mae Cryder.

i»* County Records, Superintendent's Office.

i«*John McQelland, Medianicsville.

188 Lowden News.

"* History of 1878 and J. D. Reid, County Recorder.

"»See 131.

!•• Chas. Meyers, report.

!•' Now Mrs. Henry Emerick, see 120.

i*«Miss Georgia Dance, report

"•See Section Fifteen.

!*• Letter, M. F. Helmar, Mechanicsville.

1*1 Miss Winifred McKibben, report.

1*2 Miss Mildred Getting, report.

148 Advertiser, May, i860.

*** Mrs. A. N. Filson, formerly County Superintendent. (All excepting the sketch of
her administration. — Ed.)

!*• Supervisor's Minutes, 1876; page 283, et seq.

i4e Supervisor's Minutes, 1884-85 ; page 472, et seq.

i*T Mrs. Henry Emerick.

"•Dr. R. D. Parsons, Address.

!*• Church History, fiftieth anniversary.

!•• Church Records, 1841, et seq.

!•! Data from Rev. A. P. Cooper.

!•• Conservative, October, 1906.

i*«Rev. W. A. Montgomery.

I

516 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

i»* Mrs. L. Z. Ayrcs.
156 Data from Mr. William Shearer.
!»• P. C. means the preacher in charge.

iBT History written by Mrs. Wm. Gilmore, at the time of dedication and published in the
city papers.

1" Mr. W. B. Reedcr.

"» Rev. James Ballz.

i«« Fisher's "Durant"

*•! From old records at Stanwood Charge.

"*Lowden News.

!•» Reformed Church Herald, Tipton, Rev. J. N. Naly, Editor.

iw Rev. J. Kent Rizer.

iw Rev. J. H. Brammer.

^••Rev. Emil Hansen.

"T Data from Rev. W. G. NageL

!•» Data from Rev. H. A. Knebel.

i«» Rev. John A. Glenn.

"•From Old Records found at City National Bank.

"1 Fisher's "Durant," 1878.

i^'Dato from Rev. Hofgarrd.

^'•Miss Hulda Miller, report

i'*See 171.

"» History of 1878.

i»«See 171.

*'' Lowden News.

iT» Advertiser, 1856.

"»Wm. Mather, Springdale.

i»oData furnished by Alex. Spear.

^•1 Data and statement, by F. G. Langfeldt, cashier.

1*2 Data and statement, by W. H. Crecilius, cashier.

i»»Data and statement, by H. H. Peterson, cashier.

*«* W. J. Moore, president.

iM Data furnished by Frank Parsons, clerk.

i^Data and statement, D. L. Diehl, cashier.

1*^ Advertiser, 1905, and statement.

"•See 186.

^••Data and statement, E. P. Wingert, cashier.

i»<>From Bank directory only.

^•iData from J. F. Adair, cashier.

^•*C. H. Haesemyer, cashier.

^•■P. V. N. Myers, cashier. .

i**C. J. Lynch, bank attorney.

^•*M. E. Gibeaut, cashier.

!»• Advertiser, July 7, 1910.

^•T From original policy furnished by F. L. Sheldon.

i«T» From data by Wm. Mather and State Auditor's Report

^••Wm. Mather, secretary.

i»» W. J. Moore, president.

*<M> Dr. H. R. Giapman, president and manager.

aoi Stanwood Herald, July, 1910.

202 Data from Helmer and Gortner bank.

«oi Data from M. E. Nelson, proprietor.

«o* Data from E. Wilson.

toB Advertiser files, 1883.

*^ Correspondent unknown.

*®'Iowa Geological Survey, Vol. XL

r

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 517

«o« See 207.

2o» Fisher's "Durant" and Items from History of 1878, and newspaper files of the
period.

210 John McQelland.

211 See map 1848, Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids.
21* Joseph Albin, West Branch.

"» History of 1878, page 431 •

*i*Ruth Irish Preston, Annals of Iowa, June, 1910.

»i» Hon. Peter A. Dey, quoted 214.

^^ See 214.

«i^John McQelland.

SI* Supervisor'-s Minutes, Book I, pages 171 and 253.

«i» Supervisor's Minutes, Book I, page 565.

»*<> Advertiser, 1857.

«2i Data by O. Willis, C. and N. W. agent.

»!•> Copied from original in the possession of Mr. Geo. Dutton, a pensioner of the
Northwestern Railway. An engine he formerly ran is now in the Field Museum, Chicago.

sss Data from Mr. A Russell, road master, C. R. I. & P.

«M Advertiser 1854.

*24Alonzo Shaw, Hollywood, California.

"•Book I, Court Records.

a«« History of 1S7S, page 338.

««^ W. A. Warren, Jackson Sentinel.

S3* Data from interview, Mr. Samuel GiUiland.

»» Court Files, Nos. 87 and 8a

«•<> Advertiser files 1857, et seq.

"ijohn H. Bolton.

w* Advertiser 1857.

»• See 232.

««* Advertiser, June, 1877.

»» Data History, 1878.

"•Current News.

*•' Summary only.

»« New Laws on the subject

^••R. R. Leech, attorney for defendant

**<> Supreme Court Reports.

**i Advertiser files, April to July, 1861.

"' See Minutes of Second Reunion of the Tipton Union School, page 37, City Library,
Tipton.

**« Advertiser for July, 1862.

*** Correspondence of S. S. Daniels.

^••Capt William Dean, correspondence published. Advertiser, Sept, 1862.

**• Anonymous.

•*^ Minutes of Supervisors, Book I.

«*» Letter to friends.

**» Advertiser files, 1865, ct seq.

**•• Sergt Andy Pierce personal account He was present at the time.

*»o Capt S. W. Rathbun, Editor Marion Register.

*»» Hon. C. L. Longley, Vicksburg, Miss., National Military Park Conmiission.

*»• Capt. E. H. Yule, U. S. Artillery, Vancouver, 1910.

«•» 'The Times," quoted by Iowa Papers.

*MFrom Roster.

*•• From MJuster Out Rolls, furnished by Capt Hartley.

"•Capt Bartley.

*••• See abbreviations at end of section.

••^ See 249a.

]

518 HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

258 From Adjutant General's Report, Additions and Corrections, tjy D. R. Smith, Tipton,
Wm. Beaver Post, and Chas. L. Longley, Vidcsburg, Miss.
258 See 256a.
"<> Annals of Iowa, April, 1866.

■

^•1 Irving B. Richman, **John Brown Among the Quakers," Muscatine Journal, quotes,
1906.

2«2 See 260.

*w See 261.

2w Annals of Iowa, Oct., 1866.

*" See 261.

««• L. R. Wetherell, Davenport Gazette, 1877.

««7 See 266.

268 Original mentioned in letter from Salina, Kansas.

2«8*Owcn Brown's funeral was attended by a great number; a quaker preached his
funeral sermon, and John H. Painter and James Townsend of this county were among the
pall bearers. A California correspondent to the Register and Leader states these facts.
28»Luke F. Parsons, Salina, Kansas.

27«Chas. Bonsall, Salem, Ohio.

271 Advertiser, i860.

272 The Independent, June, 1910.

27« Hon. B. F. Gue, Register and Leader, June 20, 1898.

274 West Liberty Index, June 23, 1898.

275 See 273.

278 This press was invented by Adam Ramage, a distinguished Scotch mechanician, who
came to this country in time to spend his mature years here. He was born in 1770, and
lived until 1850. (Annals of Iowa, July, 1909; note, p. 81.)

277 Reminiscences of N. C. Moflfett, Advertiser.

278 D. C. Mott, Editor of Advertiser, 1893-97, now Editor of Miarengo Republican.
27»C. W. Hamilton, Durant Star.

280 Data, by Mrs. H. L. Huber.

281 Data, by Mrs. A. N. Filson.

282 Data, by Miss Eva Michener.
288 Data, by Mrs. Elma N. Mather.

28* Data, by Miss Eleanor Louise Hecht.
285 Data, by MVs. Eunice Frink Cartwright
28« Data, Mrs. C. L. Rigby.

287 Data, Mrs. Clara Britcher.

*88 T. W. Harris was the first master.

28i>Data, S. S. Crittenden.

2»o Data, J. H. Onstott.

2" Data, C. J. Lynch.

2»2Data, Mrs. W. A. Grove.

208 Data, C. O. Henderson.

2»* Muscatine Journal, Sept., 1849, State Historical Department, Des Moines, la,

285 Data, A. C. Hunter.

298 Data, Pearl Murray, District Deputy.

2»7 Data, Advertiser, 1883.

2»8 Data, C. H. Foy.

288 Data, Paul Sambcrg.

800 Data, Miss Margaret France.

«•! See 295.

802 See 299.

808 Data, D. McKibben.

80* Data, H. W. Dodge.

808 Data, See 299.

'08 Mrs. Margaret Jennings.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY 519

•OT Charles Crawford.

•®«Sec article revised by Wm. Mather, Church History.

»o»Data, Elwood Tatum.

*!<> Dr. R. D. Parsons, Address, and Volume One of "The Courts and Legal Profession."

«" See 310.

»" See 310.

»i« See 310.

•1* See 310.

•1* Prof. L. F. Parker, Iowa College, State Historical Record, April, 1891.

»i« Cedar County Post

•"J. F. K, Advertiser, June, i860.

•1* Current News.

*!• Description at the time by correspondent of Advertiser, 1883.

•20 A. K. Root, Mch. Adv., 1897. ^

«2i On file in State Historical Department, Des Moines, la.

««« See 321.

«2» W. H. Tuthill, Cedar County Post, "Antiquary."

'"Antoine LeClaire in Annals of Iowa (about 1870), says the name really means
"White. Potatoes," from the numerous artichokes found along its banks and in the Indian,
"Wau bessa pinicon." It will be remembered that the township formed in the beginning
in the northeastern part of the county, was written "Waubespinicon."

Accidents, July 4th, 1876-1897, 506.

Advertiser, 112.

Agricultural Societies, 81, S^

Aid Societies, Soldiers, 339.

Albin, Geo., 127, 149.

Albin, Joseph, 127, 14^ 26^

Alden, Rev., 184; one of the Andover Band,

223.
Aldrich, Capt Chas., 353.
Artisans, Early, 18.

Baker, Martin, 30, 102, 184, 301.

Bible Society, 226.

Baker, William, 49, 43.

Ball, Joseph, Old Stone House of, 129.

Ball, B. R, 129.

Banks, in County, 241 seq; Durant Savinsfs,
242; Farmers and Merchants, Durant, 242;
Savings, Lowden, 242 ; First National, Tip-
ton, 243; Bank of W. H. Tuthill, 243; Cedar
G>unty, 244; Farmers and Merchants, Tip-
ton, 244; First National, Clarence, 247;
Clarence Savings, 247; Bennett, 247; Sun-
bury, 248; Stanwood, 248; West Brandi,
Savings, 249; West Brandi, State, 248;
Downey, 248; MechanicsviUe, Savings, 249.

Banks, Statement of, 25a

Bartlcy, Capt. J. E., 353.

Battle, Sham, 345.

Beatty, J. W., 490.

Beaver, Wm., Grand Army Post, 342.

Bennett, Early History of, 134; Officers, 1910^

134.
Benton, Hon. Thomas H. Jr., 168.

Betts, J. C, 336, 489, 17.

Bills, Dr. E. B., 489.

Binding Out, 307.

Bissell, S. A., IQ5, 329, 488, 493-

Blalock, John, 53.

Bridges, 76, 77, 78.

Brink, E. M., 495.

Boat, Keel, 267.

Boling, C. O., 495.

Bowersock, Jesse, ia8.

Brown, John W., 39.

Brown, Henry D., 43, 17, 329.

Brown, John, in Cedar County, 410; Last

Visit, 417 ; in Kansas, 435 ; Song of, 444, 445.
Brown, Owen, 413, ^

Bryce, James, 162. ,

Buchanan, 150.
Bunker, Moses, 17.
Buffalo, 30.
Bumside, James, 43.

Cameron, Survey o^ 149.

Camp Scene in Military, 334.

Carl, Elzy, 39.

Cartwright, Rev. Barton H, 14.

Casad, Lieut J. W., 334, 340.

Carnegie, Andrew, Letter of, 466.

Carr, H. C, 489.

Casad and Gilmore, 329.

Casterline, F. W., Editor Republican, 461.

Casebeer, Mrs., 25.

Cattell, J. W., 120; Letter of, 424, 488.

Cattle, Introduction of Fine Bred, 238.

Cavalry, Sugar Creek, 230.

Cedar Bluffs, Same as Washington's Ferry,
Early History o^ 146; Natural Advantages
of, 146.

Cedar Valley, 150.

Cedar River, Navigable, 299; Boat on, 300;
Transportation on, 23, 67.

Cedar County, Center of, 39; Linn Attached
to, 40; Seal of, 54, 5(S.

Cemetery, Mlasonic^ 17, 475.

Centerdale, Early History, 129.

Centerville, 153.

Chambers, Mustoe, Death of, 14.

Chappell, John, 39.

Chase, Wm. S., 49a

Chambers, J. C, 409.

Chapman, Dr. H. R., 489.

Childs, Capt, 332.

Childs, E. and M., 329.

Church, Moses B., 303, I7, 53, 54, 55, 5^ ^.

Church, Beginnings of, 184; Presbyterian, 187
seq; Methodist, 194 seq; Reformed, 209
seq; Lutheran, 214, 226; Evangelical, 216;
Catholic, 216; Congrregational, 220; Univer-
salist, 224; Danish Lutheran, 224; Baptist,
224; Christian, 225; Protestant Episcopal,
225; Episcopal, 225; United Brethren, 226.

521

522

INDEX

1

»

/

Claims, False, 35.

Qarence, Early History, 138; Incorporation

of, 141 ; Officials, 141.
Clapp, D. P., Teamster, 272.
Clark, Hon. W. Penn, 410, 417.

Clock, A Famous Old, 505.

Club, the Bums, 462; Woman's, 462, 465;
Searchlight, 470; Cultus, 470; Nineteenth
Century, 470; Cedar County Chautauqua,
471 ; Pricilla, 471 ; Self Culture, 471 ; Wed-
nesday Literary, 472; Columbia Circle, 472;
Bay View, 473 ; P. E. O., 473.

Coal, 266.

Comstock, Daniel, 106.

Commissioners, County, 53; Origin of Sys-
tem, 78.

Commissions, Issued by Gov. Lucas, 303.

Committee, Vigilance, 323.

Conlogue, Counterfeiter, 311; in Johnson
County, 311.

Cook, John P., 108, 486, 493, 70, 73.

Cook, E. E., Address of, 43.

Cook, John E., Brown's Band, 413; Letter
from, 418; Tribute to Mrs. Maxson, 423,
436.

Company F., History of, 354; Original Roster,
354; at Departure for Camp McKinley, 357;
in 53d Regiment, I. N. G., 360.

Cornell College, 173.

Cousins, Hon. Robert G., 495 ; address, 43.

Cousins, James, 39.

County, Boundaries of, 12, 73 ; Political Birth
of, 13.

County Seat, 13; Relocation of, 60; Contest,
67 seq; Candidates for, 73, 107; Removal,
510.

County Government, Change in, 78; Board of
Supervisors, 78, 81 ; Present Board, 89 ; List
of Officers, 98 seq.

Coutts, Wm., Sr., 39.

Coutts, Wm., 595.

Court, District, 302; First Case in, 302; Sec-
ond Session, 302; Number, 304; U. S. vs.
H. E. Switzer, 311.

Court House, 13, 67, 74, 75 ; on Side of Square,
510.

Cope, Rachel G., Letter, 431.

Coppock, Ann, 127, 418.

Coppock, Edwin, 413, 418^ 428; Letter from,
430; Grave of, 431.

Coppock, Baday, Escape of, 424, 427, 418.

Coppock, Joshua, 431.

Corps, Relief, 343.

Crawford, Chas., 301, 34.

Crawford, Andrew, 30, 33, 34.

Creeks, Names of, 33.

Crittenden, S. S., 496.

Cross, Rev. M. K., 340.

Culbertson, John, 43, 108, 112, 329, 4^7.

Dallas, Wm., 39.

Dallas, Gordon, 39.

Dallas, Robert, 39.

Daniels, S. S., 120, 329, 456; Letter of, 457.

Damcfs, Samuel, 17.

Davis, J., 474.

Dean, Capt Wm., 334, 475.

Dean, Miss Addie, 466.

Dean, F. P. and W., 329.

Democratic, Enquirer, Iowa, quoted, 452;

Correspondence, 510.
Dewell, Hiram, 491.
Dey, Hon. Peter A., quoted, 280.
Dillon, Hon. John F., 494.
Downey, Early History, 129; Schools in, 165.
Draft, The, 336.
Durant, Early History of, 133; Officials, 133;

Schools Established, 156; Mill, 256.
Durbin, Capt., 336.

Edgar, James, Death of, 334,

Edgar, W. R., 474.

Education, 155.

Edwards, E. E., First Sheriff, 302.

Election, Precincts of, 53.

Elk, 39.

Emerick, Mrs. Henry, Letter, 176, 23.

Farming, Early Implements, 36.

Farmington, Township, First School, 156.

Fawcett, Levi, 127.

Fawcett, Thomas, 128.

Felkner, Wm. J., 490.

Fellows, Rev. S. N., 332.

Ferguson, John, 36, 40.

Ferry, 54, 56, 62, 267.

Flags, Old Battle, 344.

Flannagan, Capt., 333.

Fleming, Patterson, 474.

Flood, 1857, 50I ; 1890, 501.

Forbes, Hugh, 436.

Forges of Tipton, 509.

Fourth of July, Celebration, 1865, 340.

Foy, John G., 61, 108.

France, Capt. J. C, 357, in Philippine Islands,

36a
Fraseur, Montgomery, 29.
Fraternal Organizations, 474; Masonic, 474

seq; Eastern Star, 477; Odd Fellows, 477;

Rebekahs, 479; Knights of Pythias, 480;

Modern Woodmen, 481 ; R. N., 481 ; M. B.

A., 483; Tumgemeindc, 484; Kranken Un-

terstuctzungs Verein, 484; Good Teii#trs,

484; Patrons of Husbandry, 484.
Friends, The, 127.

INDEX

523

Geiger, Jacob, 336.

Geiger, W. G. W., 495-

Germans, The, 236.

Gilliland, Samuel, 311 ; Interview, 312, 34.

Gill, Dr. H. C, 413, 4^-

Gill, Geo., 413.

Gleason and Soper, Arrest and Trial, 318, 321.

Godden, Edward, iii.

Gold, Seekers After, 508.

Goodrich, Ezra, 39.

Gower, Robert, 76, 146.

Gower, James, 487.

Goudy, John, 309 ; Thomas, 310.

Gracey, Thomas, First Teacher, 39.

Gray, E. A., 153; Thomas, 153.

Graham, Allen, 489.

Gruwell, W. W., 459.

Gruwell, Aaron and Bathsheba, 44.

Gue, Capt. J. C, Death of, 343.

Gue, Hon. B. F., 336, 458.

Gunsolus, Mrs. J. H., 462.

Guards, Tipton, 328 seq; Cedar County, 330;

Home, 340.
Hall, Joshua, 17.
Hammond, Wm., 11 1; Store of, 112, 317 seq;

Williard, 474.
Hamiel, I. J., 496.
Hamiel, Mrs. I. J., 466.
Hamilton, C. W., 461.
Hare, Daniel, 17, 62, 303.
Hardman, Henry, 14 seq; House, 105, 184,

302, 474.
Harlan, Hon. James, 168.
Harvey, Capt., 435.
Harris, T. W., 474-
Hastings, S. C, 301 seq; 486, 493.
Hecht, Mrs. Fred, 170.
Hecht, Henry, 475.
Heiner, Henry, 36.
Higginson, Capt S. P., 17, 61, 64, 487; John

C, 17.
Hinkhouse, R. W., 490.
Hoch, Wm., 474.
Hogs, Early Breeds, 241.
Horses, Introduction of Blooded, 237; Sale

of, 241 ; Presented to Officers, 351.
Hoover, G. C, 496.
Hoover, Rev. J. Y. and Mary, 48.
Huber, H. L., 495.

Indians, 23 seq; Tricks, 33; Flight from, 44;
Sacs and Foxes, 102; Selling Liquor to,

304.
Industries, Agriculture, 236 ; Canning Factory,
254; Cement Mfg., 256; Graham Nursery,
256; Durant Flour Mills, 256; Brick and

Tile, 259; Produce Packing, 260; Lime, 260;
Building Stone, 261.

Inland, 134.

Insurance, White Pigeon Mutual, 250; Spring-
dale Fire, 254.

Iowa Township, Early Settlers, 105.

Irwin, Judge David, 301.

luka, Battle of, 334.

Jackson, M. R. Ed., Conservative, 460.

Jail, 75.

James, Jesse, 459.

Jennings, Chas., 108.

Johnson, Captain, 333.

Jones County, Vigilance Com., 322; Grand

Jury Indicts, 32^.
Jones, John, 40.
Journal, Muscatine, 322; Correspondence of,

509.
Judicial, 301.

Jury, 302 seq ; Juries, 54, 55.

Kagi, John, with John Brown, 413, 436.

Kelley, Capt., 345.

Kennedy, Dr. J. F., 336.

Kent, Hon. J. M., 330, 489.

Kidnapping, Case of, 326; Supreme Court on,
327.

Kirkwood, Gov. S. J., quoted, 347, 330; Re-
quisition upon, 424; Letter, 500.

Knott, Solomon, 17, 40.

Knott, Richard, 301.

Knott, Wm., 43, 459,

Kynett, J. W.

Land Values, Changes in, 241.

Landt, Isaac, 496.

Law, Mob, 316, 317, 318.

Leland, Levi, 127.

League, Loyal, 335.

Leech, Dr. L. J., 490.

Leech, R. R., 469.

Leeman, Wm. H., Brown Band, 413, 406.

Lett, Abraham, 17.

Library, the First Association, 462; Tipton
Free Public, 462, 466; Tax, 467; Last Re-
port, 467; Public, West Branch, Last Re-
port, 468.

Linn County, Bill Against, 316.

Lincoln, Assassination of, 340.

License, Early Marriage, 304; Trade, 507.

Log Cabin, Construction of, 35.

Loomis, H. C, 490.

Long, R. M., 333.

Long, Samuel, 474.

Longley, Chas. L., 344; Address of, 346; Ed-
itor Advertiser, 458.

524

INDEX

Longstre«t, Col. and General, 413.

Lowden, Early History of, 142 ; Incorporated,

143; Schools, 17s; Officials, 175.
Lowe, R. P., Prosecuting Atty., 313, 486, 494-
Lynch, C. J., 4961

Mail Service, 127; Routes, Galena to Iowa

City, 299.
Macy, Elwood, 161, 490.
Macy, Jesse, 162,
Mather, Wm., 229.
Mather, C H., 496.
Mather, C E., 496.
Mason, Wm., 54, 59; Grove, 54-
Maxson, Wm., 413, 414; Pioneer Account of,

447; Old Gravel House, 448, 450; Death of,

450.
Maxson, T. W., 344, 4^.
Maxson, Jonathan, 128.
Massillon, Early History of, 145*
McLoney, Capt, 331.
McLaren, Duncan, loa, 107.
McLellan, Camp, 331.
McClure, Mrs. Ellen, Reminiscences of, 24;

President of Old Settlers Association, 44.
McCoy, Geo., loi, IQ5, 53. 5^.
McNamara, Wm., 329.
Mechanicsville, Plat of, 137; Origin of Name,

137; Officials, 137; Schools, 179.
Memorial Day, First Observance, 343.
Merchants, Early, of Tipton, 17 seq.
Military, 328.
Miscellaneous, 499.
Mills, 18, 36, 102; Steam, 106; Whittlesey's,

IQ5 ; Tipton, 123, 506.
Miller, Wm., icS.
Miller, Thos. B., 490.

Moffett, N. C, Early Recollections o^ 45^.
Moffatt, Chas. W., with John Brown, 436.
Moffit, Hon. Alexander, 47, 490.
Moffit, Hon. John T., 335, 351, 360, 475, 499,

495.
Moore, Wm., 329.

Mott, D. C, 456.

Mormon, Hollow, 508.

Morse, E.'K., 124.

Money, Counterfeit, 308 seq.

Monument, Soldiers', 340 seq.

Mouth of Pine, loi, IQ5.

Murray, Wm., 474.

Naturalization, Charles Dallas, 303.

Negus, Family Reunion, 48.

^Nestlerode, C. C. 107 seq; Address of, 331,

335; Letter to Gov. Kirkwood, 500.
News Letter, Cedar County, 452.

Oaks, Jonas, 40.

O'Connor, Henry, 333, 493.

Old Settlers Association, 11; of Red Oak, 39,

40; Meeting of, 1883, 43; 1889, 43.
Onion Grove, Origin of Name, 137.
Outlawry, 307, 308, 316 seq.

Painter, John H., 127, 413, 424, 437.

Papers of County, 457.

Parsons, Rev. R. D., 466.

Parsons, Austin, iii.

Parsons, M. A., iii.

Parsons, Luke F., with John Brown, 413;
Personal Account, 432; Brown Men, 4^

Pedee, Early History o^ 150.

Piatt, H. C, 490, 494.

Pickering, J. C, 344-

Pinkerton, Allan, 418.

Pierce, Sergeant Andrew, 344.

Pioneers, Character of, 11; Experiences, 12;
Post Office, 13; Personal Experiences, 18
seq ; list of, 51, 36, 38^

Peat, 266.

Petroleum, 266.

Parvin, T. S., District Attorney, 302, 474.

Pope, Alanson, 301.

Porter, Aaron, 36.

Porter, Rev. Robert, 184.

Porter, Rev. Geo. D., i^.

Plato, isa

Poor Farm, 75, 89.

Post Office, on Stage Line, 271.

Prison, Story of, 3^.

Price, Hiram, 333.

Press, The, 452.

Professions, Law, 492; Medicine, 496; Den-
tistry, 497.

Railroads, Lyons Iowa Central, 14, 275; M.
& M., 268, 280, 288; Bonds for, 272, 284, 2^;
Galena Air Line, 275; Report ot 276; Work
Done on, 279; Calico Road, 283; Appropria-
tion for Survey of, 2B7; Southwestern, 2^;
Ball, 288 ; B. C. R. & N., 291 ; Milwaukee,
291; Great Western, 291; Tipton's Oppor-
tunity, 291; Old Time Card, 292; M. T.
& A., 295; Ointon and Southwestern, 295.

Rathbun, Capt. S. W., 333; Address oi, 34s

Rathbun, Mrs. S. W., 170.

Regiment,. Fifth, Co. A, 330; Eleventh, Co. E,
332, 340 ; D, 332 ; Ten^)erance, 333 ; Twenty-
fourth, Co. A, 333, 335 ; Thirty-fifth, Co. H,
33; Thirty-seventh, 339; Thirteenth and
Fourteenth, 340; Second Cavalry, 34a

Recruits, Union Greys, 331.

Reading Room, the First, 462

Realf, Richard, with John Brown, 413, 436.

INDEX

525

Reunion, County Soldiers, 344; Twenty-
fourth Regt, 345.

Richardson, Slave, 413.

Rigby, W. A., 108, 301, 17 seq.

Rickard, Cyrus, 39.

River, Wapsipinicon, Legend of, 511.

Robbery, Crawford, 324.

Rochester, 13, 17; Survey of, loi, 105; Early
Business of, 105.

Rodgcrs, B. J., 39.

Roads, Petition for, 55 seq; Report of View-
ers, 60.

Roberts, Robert G., 53, 150, 301 seq, 487.

Rowell, Capt. L. J., 353, 495-

Rothrock, Hon. Jas. H., 329, 490 seq.

Richman, J. Scott, 315, 486.

Safley, John, 17, 39, 40, 43-

Safley, James, 17, 39.

Safley, Geo., 17, 39.

Sheller, John, 17.

Salem, Ohio, Comment, 428.

Shaw, Alonzo, 18, 47; Recollections of, 112,
299 ; Oldest Mason, 474.

Simons, Jailer, 325.

Shiloh, Battle of, 322.

Scott, Col. Prior, 310, 29.

Schneider, Philip, 36.

Schneider, Geo., 329.

Schneider, J. G., 329.

Silver, Discovery of, 106; Mining, 507.

Seminary, Episcopal, 173; Presbyterian, 174;
Springdale, 161.

Schools, Earliest Type, 155; Union, 156; First
in County, 156; Iowa Township, 156; Farm-
ington, 159; Gower, 165; Old Bell, 173; In-
land, 174; Fairfield, 175; Linn, 176; Pioneer,
176; Description of, 179; Fremont, 180;
Dayton, 180; MassiUon, 180; County Super-
intendent of, 181 ; Friends, 229 seq.

Sheldon, F. L., 344.

Sheldon, C. P., 490.

Scott, Robert, 490.

Smith, Geo., 488.

Smith, W. H., 496.

Snyder, J. K., 17, 3^ 487.

Snoke, D. H., 490.

Spicer, Wells, 120, 456, 493.

Storm, 1866, 502 ; 1883, 504, 25, 34.

Springdale, Early Settlers, 127; Business in,
128; Schools, 199; Lawrie Tatum on, 159;
Seminary, 161.

Stanwood, Early History, 141; Officials, 142.

Stage, Western Co., 123; Iowa City-Daven-
port, 271 ; Frink and Walker's, 272 ; Arrival
and Departure, 296; Ohio Line, 299.

Strong, Camp, 333.

Stanton, John W., 490.

Sterrett, Robert, 33,

Stevens, A. D., with John Brown, 413 ; Letter,
418,436.

Supreme Court, Territorial, Appeal to, 315.

Sunbury, Streets of, 15a

Sunday Schools, 229.

Switzer, H. E, Indicted, 303, 310, 313; Coun-
ties Concerned with, 312.

Swank, N. C, 452.

Swetland, Chas., 44, 60, 75, 329.

Swan, Dr. Silas, 474.

Swineford, John, 329.

Tallman, James W., 301, 311, 53, 56, 69.

Taxes, 1909, 99; Assessment of, 54; First
Levy, 56; Amount of, 59.

Tatum, Lowrie, 128, 229, 491.

Thayer, Edward, 333.

Tipton, 61 seq; Plat of, 108; Survey, Jen-
nings Addition, 108; First Brick House,
119; Incorporated, 119; Population, 1858^
120; Electric Light, 120; Mill, 123; Water-
works, 123; Fire Protection, 124; City Sec-
ond Class, 124; Paving in, 124; Officials,
124; Schools, 156, 160; School Building,
1880, 173.

Teachers, State Association, i860, 167.

Telephone, Local, 255.

Tidd, Chas., with John Brown, 413, 436.

Township, Survey of, 153 ; History of, 62.

Toney, Stephen, 30 seq, loi, 243, 301 seq.

Townsend, James, Travelers Rest, 149, 410
seq.

Todd, Tillman, 496.

Travelers Rest, 410.

Treichler, Judge W. N., 123, 466, 495-

Tufts, J. Q., 490.

Tuthill, Wm. H., 40, in, 116, 301; Literary
Contributions, 470.

Tuthill, J. S., Ill, 3^

Underground Railroad, Station on, 26.

Walton, David, 33, 59, 60.

Wallace, Lester, Arrest of, 311.

Washington, County, 314.

Whittlesey, Wm. K., County Officer, 60 seq,

477'
Whittlesey, Chas., 301 ; Member Council, 486.

Whicher, Stephen, Attorney, 315, 486, 492.

Whitlock, Dr. Harvey G., 116. 304.

War, First Call to, 329; General Alarm, 333;
Opposition to, 335 ; Record and Roster, 361
seq; Spanish American, 351; Record and
Roster, 352 seq; Revolutionary, Soldier of,
508 ; 1812, Soldier of, 508.

B26

INDEX

Witter, Amos, 489.

Wolf, Capt. W. P., 336, 458^ 490, 494.

Wright, Hon. Ed., 330^ 345, 48P.

Woodard, W. G., 486.

Williams, Judge Joseph, 30a seq.

Wilson, Joe, Death of, 353.

West Branch, Early History, 249; Incorpor-
ated, 149; Post Office, 150; Officials, 150;
Schools, 163.

Winona, Ohio, 431.

Winn, Thomas, ia8.

Warren, Captain, Jadcson County, 306.

Wise, Gov., Requisition from, 424.

Yankee Run, 323.
Yates, Syivanus, 340, 495.
Yates, Sherman, 458.
Yates, Mrs. Anna S., 466.
Yule, Alexander, 17.
Yule, Samuel, 39, 43.

I

;,

*'
i^

' •

I*/