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THE
HISTORY
or
DALLAS COUNTY,
IOWA,
CONTAINING
A History oi the County, its Cities, Towns, &c,
A Biographical Directory of its Citizens, War Record of its Volunteers in the late Re-
bellion, General and Local Statistics, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent
Men, History of the Northwest, History of Iowa, Map of Dallas
County, Constitution of the United States, Constitution of
the State of Iowa, Miscellaneous Matters, &c.
ILLTTSTBATED,
DES MOINES:
UNION HISTORICAL COMPANY.
1879. XHiNLLL
Cf~' UN IV L lit; II Y
I I.; KAKY
f\-?/ol-)b
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1879, by
THE UNION HISTORICAL COMPANY,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. G.
MILLB & COMPANY,
PRINTERS AND 8TEBEOTYPEES,
DBS MOINES, IOWA.
PREFACE.
In presenting this work to the people of Dallas county, we have reason to believe that we
are placing it in the hands of its friends. A friendly disposition was manifested toward our
representatives during its compilation, and we trust the volume in its complete form may be
in no sense a disappointment, though we by no means claim for it perfection. If we have
accomplished nothing more, we have, at least, rescued much important matter from oblivion.
Ten years more would have made the record of many important facts and incidents, which are
herein presented, an impossibility, for much of it was recorded only in the memory of the early
settlers," and must have passed away with them sooner or later, unless recorded in some more
enduring form for future generations.
The first settlers of Dallas county have passed the mountain tops of life. Memory is one
of the first faculties of mind which shows signs of decay, and even among those of the old
guard still living, another decade would have found many a link rusted out from their chain
of recollection.
More than thirty-three years have come and gone since white men came to occupy and
develop the highly productive lands of Dallas county. These years were full of changes and
interesting history, and had more of the vigorous minds and ready pens of the early settlers
been directed to the keeping of a chronological journal or diary of events during the earliest
days of settlement, as a very few have done through the later periods, it would be a compar-
atively easy task now to write a much more full, interesting and correct history of the county.
In the absence of such records the magnitude of the undertaking is very materially increased,
and rendered still more intricate and difficult by reason of the absence of so many of the pioneer
fathers and mothers who were first to make settlements in the county and were eye-witnesses
to these various changes and events, and who themselves were the important actors in the
scenes. In this history we have endeavored to present to the reader a picture of the past and
E resent of Dallas county, noting also many of the more important changes intervening. We
ave labored to introduce him to the wigwams of its aborigines, to seat him by the hearth-stone
of its pioneers, to trace the history of the county's organization, to complete a sketch of its
leading institutions, as also of its towns and townships from their organization and establish-
ment, and to represent the condition of the county while entering the last quarter of the nine-
teenth century.
This has not been so much the work of ourselves as that of Dallas county's own citizens.
We have icompiled what many of these men and women have long known, and placed it in
permanent form for the present generation and for those to come. We have not the confidence
to presume that the work will contain no mistakes, for the fallibility of memory produces a hun-
dred conflicting statements, and dates are slippery things to handle. Names will get twisted,
and not a few things met with in preparing such a work are exceedingly crooked by nature so
that they are unruly things to spread on paper. On these accounts errors will creep in, even
with the best of care. Some of these will belong to our informants and some to ourselves.
But we trust that a charitable public will not forget that " to err is human.".
The sketches on the Northwest, and the articles, descriptive and historical, on Iowa, embrac-
ing the first two hundred and fifty-six pages of the work, were prepared by A. B. Fulton, of
Des Moines, and we doubt not will prove highly interesting and instructive, as showing the
steps by which, within the present century, a vast region, inhabited by savages, has developed
into mighty States.
In our "War Record " we have endeavored to give, in epitomized form, the part taken by
individual soldiers from Dallas county, with a full record of those who engaged in the service
from this county during the late war.
The especial value of much we have presented, particularly in our biographical department,
will be patent a generation hence. It will, we trust, be endeared to hundreds of firesides.
With regard to the important facts and incidents in the early history of the county we are
especially indebted to Judge Lloyd D. Burns for the most valuable and reliable information
given by important documents and verbal statements, and especially by his Centennial His-
tory of Dallas county, which he had prepared by appointment of the Governor of the State for
record, and a large portion of the first of which had been published in the Dallas County
IV PKEFACE.
Gazette, 1877. On this important document we have relied for the principal information con-
cerning the early history of the county. And it is exceedingly fortunate for all parties con-
cerned that such a document was in existence, otherwise much of the early history would have
been lost, and especially the political record during the first three or four years, as the records
of those years are most imperfect, and Judge Burns is the only one found in the county who
has kept anything of a fall record of that period. Articles of a similar character also were
prepared by Mr. Benjamin Greene, and published in the Dallas County News a year pre-
vious to the others above mentioned, from which, also, we have received important information,
but were unable to get access to more than three numbers of the paper.
We wish thus publicly to express thanks for these favors and for this valuable work in thus
presenting the early records and history of the county, which service is not less valuable to the
readers than to the publishers of this work. We desire, also, thus publicly to express our ap-
preciation of the kindness which has been shown us in this enterprise. To the several hundred
citizens who have co-operated with our representatives in securing the information which made
the accompanying work a possibility, we tender our hearty thanks — to the Press of the county,
especially to editors of the New Era and Dallas County News, for the use of files of papers and
for general information; to Judge Jeremiah Perkins for Masonic history and important informa-
tion regarding his town and the political matters of the county; to Mr. Cole Noel for aid in pre-
paring the list of county officers, and other valuable assistance and information; to Mr. Thos.
C. Walsh for generous aid and valuable statistics so freely rendered; to Mr. L. Swearingen,
the county auditor, for free access to the records and for such liberal kindness displayed'to all
our representatives; to all the county and town officials for similar acts of kindness and aid
rendered; to the various pastors and officers of churches for the numerous and valuable sketches
and statistics regarding their several churches; to the county superintendent, Captain Amos
Dilley, and the various principals and teachers of the county, for educational reports and
statistics, and to the various citizens in towns, townships and county who so kindly and will-
ingly rendered us important aid in furnishing statistics and particulars regarding the early
history and present condition of their respective towns, townships and localities, to all such
we tender our heartfelt thanks.
Whatever of satisfaction, instruetion, or enjoyment the perusal of these pages may bring to
the reader, will be a gratification to
The Publishers.
CONTENTS,
PAGE.
The Northwest Territory:
Early French Explorations in
the Mississippi Valley .... 7
Early Settlements in the
Northwest 14
The Northwestern Territory.. 22
The Lousiana Purchase 26
Indian Wars in the Northwest 34
Sketches of Black Hawk and
other Chiefs 42
Early Navigation of WeBtern
Rivers 56
Archaeology of the Northwest 59
Sketches -of Western and
Northwestern States 67
Expedition of Lewis and
Clarke 86
Sketch of Chicago 96
History of Iowa :
Descriptive and Geographical
Sketch 105
Geology of Iowa 117
Economic Geology 125
How the Title to Iowa Lands
is derived 130
Early Settlements and Terri-
torial Organization 141
Territory of Iowa 153
State Organization 158
Educational 162
State Institutions 169
Railroads 172
Official Record 174
The Judiciary 176
Congressional Representation 177
State Agricultural Society 178
Centennial Awards 191
History of Dallas County :
Indian Affairs 257
Geography— Descriptive and
- Physical 264
Geology 277
Economic Geology 281
Early Settlement 287
The First Settler 287
The Nearest Trading Point. . . 292
Log Cabins 293
APioneerMiU 294
Going to Mill 296
Incidents 297
Organization 303
County Seat 312
HISTORICAL.
PAGE.
History of Dallas County;
The First Lot Fund Agency. . 314
The First Assessment 316
The Second Election 316
The First District Court 318
The First Grand Jury 318
Judge James P. Charlton ... 319
The Lost Records 320
Petit Jury 322
The First School 323
The First Church 324
Claim Clubs versus Claim
Jumpers 324
The Third Election 326
The First Court-house 327
Mormon Raid 329
Presidential Election 332
The First Water Mill 334
The Owens' Mill 335
The Pioneer Mimic 337
A Cabin-raising 338
A Pioneer Courtship 341
A Pioneer Doctor 344
A Fruitful Year 345
A Hard Winter 346
The First Post-office 348
A Welcome Spring 349
Flood of 1849 350
Flood of 1851 351
Second District Court 351
Elections of 1849 352
Gold-hunters of 1850 354
General Prosperity in 1850 . . . 355
The First Deed 356
The Elections of I860 357
The First Probate 360
The First Ferry 360
Valuation of Out-lots 361
Statistics 361
Third Presidential Election.. 362
List of County Officers 366
County Finances 374
Bridges 377
Poor Farm 378
County Jail 379
Stock-raising 379
Agricultural Society 383
Railroads 384
Temperance 389
Religious 392
Educational 394
ThePress 399
PAGE.
War History:
Dallas County War Record. . . 403
Fourth Infantry 407
Tenth Infantry 409
Fifteenth Infantry 410
Seventeenth Infantry 411
Eighteenth Infantry 412
Twenty-third Infantry 413
Thirty-ninth Infantry , . 415
Forty-fourth Infantry 425
Forty-sixth Infantry 425
Miscellaneous Enlistments... 426
Second Cavalry 427
Fourth Cavalry 427
Ninth Cavalry 428
Second Light Artillery 429
Dallas County Soldiers' Union 431
Sherman's March to the Sea. . 433
Cities and Towns :
Adel 435
DeSoto 451
Perry 457
Dexter 466
Dallas Center 473
Redfleld 477
Wiscotta 481
Van Meter 482
Minburn - 485
Booneville 487
Waukee 489
Xenia 492
Townships :
Organization of 493
Adel 496
Boone 500
Van Meter ... 503
Adams 506
Union 610
Des Moines 515
Washington 618
Sugar Grove 522
Linn 525
Walnut 629
Dallas 530
Spring Valley 532
Beaver 634
Colfax 636
Lincoln 638
Grant 640
PAGE.
Westward the Star of Empire
takes its Way 17
An Indian Camp 33
Indians trying a Prisoner 49
A Pioneer Winter 65
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
Lincoln Monument, Springfield,
Illinois 72
Chicago in 1820 97
Present Site Lake Street Bridge,
Ohicago,1833 97
PAGE.
Old Fort Dearborn, 1830 103
The " Old Kinzie House " 103
A Prairie Home 129
Breaking Prairie 145
LITHOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS.
PAGE.
Burns, L. D 820
Caldwell, T. J 836
Callvert, S. a: 352
PASS.
Chandler, W. H 423
Conger, E. H 369
Pattee, D. J 405
PAGE.
Peppard, J. 441
Pierce, G. G 387
Van Meter, J. R 459
VI
CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY.
PAGE.
Adams 664
Adel(Clty) 443
Adel (TownBhip) 588
Beaver 633
Boone 580
Colfax 601
PAGE.
Dee Moines 629
De Soto (Van Meter Township) 570
Dexter (Union Township) 553
Grant 627
Lincoln 613
Linn 607
Dallas 644 Perry (Spring Valley Township) 635 Washington 616
PAG».
Spring Valley 639
Sugar Grove 620
Union 556
Van Meter (City) 672
Van Meter (Township) 574
Walnut 583
ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE IiAWS.
PAGE.
Adoption of Children 203
Bills of Exchange and Promis-
sory Notes 195
Capital Punishment 199
Commercial Terms '. 208
Damages from Trespass 201
Descent 195
Estrays 201
Exemption from Executions... 200
Fences 202
Forms :
Article of Agreement 209
Bills of Sale 210
Bond for Deed 217
Bills of Purchase 207
Chattel Mortgage 215
PAGE.
Forms :
Confession of Judgment 208
Lease 214
Mortgages 212, 213
Notice to Quit 210
Notes 207, 216
Orders 207
Quit-claim Deed 216
Receipts 208
Wills and Codicils 211, 212
Warranty Deed 216
Game Laws :
Birds and Quadrupeds 217
Pish and Fish Ways 218
Interest 195
Jurisdiction of Courts 198
PAGE.
Jurors 199
Landlord and Tenant 206
Limitation of Actions 199
Married Women 200
Marks and Brands 201
Mechanics' Liens 204
Purchasing Books by Subscrip-
tion 219
Roads and Bridges 204
Surveyors and Surveys 204
Support of Poor 205
Taxes ... 197
Wills and Estates 196
Weights and Measures 207
Wolf Scalps 201
PAGE.
Map of Dallas County Front.
Statistics 183
Constitution of the State of
Iowa 220
MISCELIiAlVKOUS.
PAGE.
Constitution of the United States 240
Practical Rules for every-day
use 252
PAGE.
Population of Iowa Cities 255
The Pioneer 266
The Northwest Territory.
EARLY FRENCH EXPECTATIONS IN THE MISSISSIPPI
VALLEY.
De Soto — Le Caron — Samuel de Champlain — French Adventurers — James Marquette — Louis
Joliet — Embarkation to Explore New Countries — Lake Michigan and Green Bay — The
' ' Ouisconsin ' ' — Indian Accounts of the Country — Discovering the Great River — Indian
Name of the River — Joy of the Explorers — Interview with Indians on Iowa Soil — Feast-^
Speech of an Indian Chief— The Des Moines River — " Muddy Water " — The Arkansas —
Return — Indian Nations — Marquette's Record — His Subsequent Voyage — La Vantum —
Marquette's Death — Removal of His Remains — Joliet's Subsequent Explorations — Robert
La Salle — Louis Hennepin — Chevalier de Tonti — De La Motte — Fort Crevecoeur — Henne-
pin's Voyage — Falls of St. Anthony — Seur de Luth — Hennepin's Claims as an Explorer —
Colonization of Louisiana — Dissensions — Murder of La Salle.
The three great colonizing powers of the Old World first to raise the
standard of civilization within the limits of North America were France,
England, and 'Spain. The French made their earliest 4 settlements in the
cold and inhospitable regions of Quebec; the English at Jamestown, Vir-
ginia, and at Plymouth, Massachusetts; and the Spaniards on the barren
sands of Florida. To the French belongs the honor of discovering and colo-
nizing that portion of our country known as the Valley of the Mississippi,
including all that magnificent region watered by the tributaries of the Great
River. It is true that more than one hundred years earlier (1538-41) the
Spanish explorer, De Soto, had landed on the coast of Florida, penetrated the
everglades and unbroken forests of the south, finally reaching the banks of
the Great River, probably near where the city of Memphis now stands.
Crossing the river, he and his companions pursued their journey for some
distance along the west bank, thence to the Ozark Mountains and the Hot
Springs of Arkansas, and returning to the place of his death on the banks of
the Mississippi. It was a perilous expedition indeed, characterized by all
the splendor, romance and valor which usually attended Spanish adventurers
of that age. De Soto and his companions were the first Europeans to behold
the waters of the Mississippi, but the expedition was a failure so far as related
to colonization. The requiem chanted by his companions as his remains
were committed to the waters of the great river he had discovered, died
away with the solemn murmurs of the stream, and the white man's voice
was not heard again in the valley for more than a hundred years. De Soto
had landed at Tampa Bay, on trie coast of Florida, with a fleet of nine ves-
sels and seven hundred men. More than half of them died, and the remainder
made their way to Cuba, and finally back to Spain.
Four years before the pilgrims "moored their bark on the wild New Eng-
land shore," a French Franciscan, named Le Caron, penetrated the region of
8 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
the great lakes of the north, then the home of the Iroquois and the Hurons,
but a French settlement had been established at Quebec by Samuel de
Champlain in 1608. This was followed by the establishment of various
colonies in Canada, and the hardy French adventurers penetrated the coun-
try by the way of the St. Lawrence and the lakes. In 1625 a number ol
missionaries of the Society of Jesus arrived in Canada from France, and
during the succeeding forty years extended their missions all along the
shores of Lake Superior.
In 1637 a child was born at the little city of Laon, in i ranee, whose
destiny it was in the fullness of time to be instrumental in the hands of
Providence in giving to the world a definite knowledge of the grandest and
most fertile region ever opened up to civilization. That child was James
Marquette, the descendant of a family of Celtic nobles. He entered the
Society of Jesus when seventeen years of age, and soon conceived a desire to
engage in the labors of a missionary among the Indians. He sailed for
Quebec in 1666, and two years later founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie
at the Falls of St. Mary. The winter of 1669-70 he spent at Point St.
Ignatius, where he established another mission. Here the old town of
Michillimackinac, afterward called Mackinaw, was founded. It was from
Indians of the different tribes who came. to this mission that he received
some vague intimations of the great river— the father of all the rivers. He
at once conceived a desire to penetrate to the banks of the wonderful river,
and carry his missionary work to the tribes which he had learned inhabited
its borders. He applied to his Superior, Claude Dablon, for permission to
"seek new nations toward the Southern sea." The authorities at Quebec were
equally desirous of having new regions explored, and therefore appointed
Louis Joliet to embark upon a voyage of discovery. Joliet was a native of
Quebec and had been educated in a Jesuit College. He had at the age of
eighteen taken minor orders, but had abandoned all thoughts of the priest-
hood and engaged in the fur trade. He was now twenty-seven years of age,
with a mind ripe for adventure. He left Quebec, and arriving at Mackinaw
found Father Marquette highly delighted with the information that they
were to be companions in a voyage which was to extend the domain of the
King of France, as well as to carry the Gospel to new nations of people. The
explorers, accompanied by five assistants, who were French Canadians, started
on their journey, May 13, 1673. Marquette has himself recorded in the fol-
lowing simple* language their feelings on this occasion: "We were embark-
ing on a voyage the character of which we could not foresee. Indian corn,
with some dried meat, was our whole stock of provisions. With this we set
out in two bark canoes, M. Joliet, myself and five men, firmly resolved to do
all and suffer all, for so glorious an enterprise." They coasted along the
northern shore of Lake Michigan, entered Green Bay, and passed up the
Fox river, carrying their canoes across the Portage to the " Ouisconsin," now
called Wisconsin. At Lake Winnebago, before crossing the Portage, they
stopped at an Indian village, which was the furthest outpost to which Dab-
lon and Allouez had extended their missionary work. Here they assembled
the chiefs and old men of the village and told them of the objects of the
voyage. Pointing to Joliet, Father Marquette said: "My friend is an envoy
of France to discover new countries, and I am an ambassador from God to
enlighten them with the truths of the Gospel." The Indians furnished two
guides to conduct them to the Wisconsin river. It is related that a tribe of
Indians endeavored to dissuade them from pursuing their perilous journey
THE NORTHWEST TEERITOET. 9
by telling of desperate and 6avage tribes that they would meet; that the
forests and the rivers were infested with frightful monsters; that there were
great fish in the rivers that would swallow up men and canoes together, and
of a demon who could be heard from a great distance, and who destroyed all
who approached. Unmoved by these frightful stories, Marquette, Joliet,
and their five brave assistants, launched their little canoes on the waters of
the "Wisconsin, and moved slowly down the current. After a lapse of seven
days, June 17th, 1673, they reached the mouth of the Wisconsin and glided
into the current of the Mississippi, a few miles below the place now known
as Prairie du Chien. Here, and on this day, the eye of the white man for the
first time looked upon the waters of the Upper Mississippi. Marquette called
the river " The Broad River of the Conception." The Indian name is derived
from the Algonquin language, one of the original tongues of the continent.
It is a compound of the words Missi, signifying great, and Sepe, a river.
The explorers felt the most intense joy on beholding the scene presented
to their enraptured vision. Here was the great river whose waters somewhere
thousands of miles away flowed into a Southern sea, and whose broad valley
was the fairest and richest in the world, but unknown to civilized man, save
as an almost forgotten dream or a vague romance. They had solved one of
the great mysteries of the age in which they lived. As they glided down the
stream the bold bluffs reminded Marquette of the "castled shores of his own
beautiful rivers in France." The far stretching prairies alternating with
forests, on either side, were adorned in all the wild glories of June. Birds
sang the same notes that they had sung for ages amid those " forests prime-
val," while herds of buffalo, deer and elk were alarmed and fled to the dense
retreats of the forest or the broad prairies beyond. Not until the 25th June
did they discover any signs of human habitation. Then, about sixty leagues,
as they thought, below the mouth of the Wisconsin, at a place where they
landed on the west bank of the river, they found in the sand the foot-prints
of man. Marquette and Joliet left their five companions in charge of the
canoes and journeyed away from the river, knowing that they must be near
the habitation of men. They followed a trail leading across a prairie clothed
in the wild luxuriance of summer for a distance of about six miles, when
they beheld another river and on its banks an Indian village, with other vil-
lages on higher land a mile and a half from the first. The Indians greeted
the two white strangers, as far as their ability permitted, with a splendid
ovation. They appointed four of their old men to meet the, strangers in
council. Marquette could speak their language. They informed him that
they were "Ulini" (meaning "we are men"), and presenting the calumet of
peace, invited them to share the hospitalities of their village. Marquette told
them of the object of their visit, and that they had been sent by the French,
who were their friends. He told them of the great God that the white man
worshiped who was the same Great Spirit that they adored. In answer, one
of the chiefs addressed them as follows:
"I thank the Black Gown Chief (Marquette) and the Frenchman (Joliet)
for taking so much pains to come and visit us; never has the earth been so
beautiful, nor the sun so bright as now; never has the river been so calm, nor
so free from rocks, whish your canoes have removed as they passed; never
has our tobacco had so fine a flavor, nor our corn appeared so beautiful as we
behold it to-day. Ask the Great Spirit to give us life and health, and come
ye and dwell with us."
After these ceremonies the strangers were invited to a feast, an account of
■10 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOEY.
which is given by Marquette. It consisted of four courses. First, there
was a large wooden bowel filled with tagamity, or Indian meal, boiled in
water and seasoned with oil. The master of ceremonies, with a wooden spoon,
fed the tagamity to their guests as children are fed. The second course con-
sisted of fish, which, after the bones were taken out, was presented to the
mouths of the strangers as food may be fed to a bird. The third course was
a preparation of dog meat, but learning that the strangers did not eat that it
was at once removed. The fourth and final course was a piece of buffalo
meat, the fattest portions of which were put into the mouths of the guests.
The stream on whose banks took place this first interview between the
explorers and the untutored Indians, after parting with their guides, was the
Des Moines river, and the place of their landing was probably about where
the town of Montrose is now located, in Lee county, Iowa. One of our
sweetest American poets has rendered Marquette's narrative in verse, as
follows:
" Came a people
Prom the distant land of Wabun;
From the farthest realms of morning
Came the Black Robe Chief, the Prophet,
He the Priest of Prayer, the Pale-face,
With his guides and his companions.
And the noble Hiawatha,
With his hand aloft extended,
Held aloft in sign of welcome,
Cried aloud and spoke in this wise:
' Beautiful is the sun, 0 strangers,
When you come so far to see us;
All our town in peaee awaits you;
All our doors stand open for you;
You shall enter all our wigwams;
For the heart's right hand we give you.
Never bloomed the earth so Bayly,
Never shone the sun so brightly,
As to-day they shine and blossom
When you came so far to see us.'
And the Black Robe Chief made answer,
Stammered in his speech a little,
Speaking words yet unfamiliar:
' Peace be with you, Hiawatha,
Peace be with you and your people,
Peace of prayer, and peace of pardon,
Peace of Christ, and joy of Mary I '
Then the generous Hiawatha,
Led the strangers to his wigwam,
Seated them on skins of bison,
Seated them on skins of ermine,
Brought them food in bowls of bass-wood,
Water brought in birchen dippers,
And the calumet, the peace-pipe,
Filled and lighted for their smoking.
AU the warriors of the nation,
Came to bid the strangers welcome-
It is well,' they said, 0 brother,
That you came so far to see us.' "
Marquette and Joliet remained at the Indian villages six days, and were
then accompanied to their canoes by an escort of sixEundred Indians. In-
stations were extended to the strangers to renew their visit, after which the
explorers embarked m their boats and floated on down the stream, passing
the sites of future great cities of the valley, and passing the mouths of thl
Missoun and Omo rivers, and as far down as the mouth of the Arkansas.
THE NOBTHWEST TEBEITOBY. 11
Marquette named the Missouri river Pekitanoui, or " Muddy "Water," oii
account of the now well-known character of that stream.
After extending their voyage to the mouth of the Arkansas, where they
found a village ot the Arkansas tribe, they ascended the Mississippi to the
mouth of the Illinois. They ascended the latter river to its source. Along
this stream they found many villages of the Illinois, or Illmi, a large and
powerful tribe, who were subdivided into five smaller tribes^the Tamaroasi
Michigamies, Kahokias, Kaskaskias, and Peorias. The country between the
Illinois and Mississippi rivers was inhabited by the three last named tribes.
The Michigamies resided in the country bordering on Lake Michigan, and
the Tamaroas occupied the territory now included in the counties ot Jersey,
Madison and St. Clair, Illinois. Kaskaskia — also designated by the early
explorers as " La Yantum " and " Great Illinois Town " — was the largest of
the villages, containing, according to Marquette, seventy-five lodges. With-
out the loss of a man, or any serious accident, the party reached Green Bay
in September, and reported their discoveries. Marquette made a faithful
record of what they had seen and the incidents of the voyage. That record
has been preserved. The report of Joliet was unfortunately lost by the
upsetting of his canoe while on the way to Quebec.
At the request of the Illinois Indians, Marquette soon returned and es-
tablished the mission of the Immaculate Conception at La Vantum. In
the spring of 1675, on account of failing health, he started to return to
Green Bay. While passing along the shore of Lake Michigan, conscious
that he was nearing the end of his earthly labors, he observed an elevated
place near the mouth of a small river. He told his companions that the
{)lace was suitable for his burial, and requested them to land. On that
onely and desolate coast, May 18, 1675, at the age of thirty-eight, James
Marquette ended his last earthly voyage, and received burial at the hands
of his devoted companions. Two years later some Indians of the mission at
Kaskaskia disinterred his remains, and conveyed them in a box made of
birch bark, with a convoy of over twenty canoes, to Mackinaw, where they
Were reinterred at the mission church. The post was abandoned in 1706,
and the church burned. The place of burial was finally lost, and remained
lost for two hundred years. In May, 1876, the foundations of the old
Jesuit Mission were accidentally discovered on the farm of one David
Murray, with a number of church relics, the mouldering remains of the
great missionary and explorer, and a cross with his name inscribed upon it.
Joliet, after his return to Quebec, became again a trader with the Indians.
His services were rewarded by the French government by the gift of the
island of Anticosta, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Little after this is known
of him. He died about 1730.
The reports given of the discoveries of Marquette and Joliet, served to
encourage other adventurers to engage in the eftort to extend their explora-
tions. .Robert La Salle, a French navigator, who was born at Bouen about
the year 1635, had long cherished a project of seeking a route to China by
way of the Great Lakes. Before the return of Marquette and Joliet, he had
explored Lake Ontario and visited the different Indian tribes. In 1675 he
went to France and obtained from the government a grant to a large tract
of land about Fort Frontenac, the exclusive right of traffic with the Five
Nations, and also a patent of nobility. He laid before his government his
desire to explore the Mississippi to its mouth, and take possession of all the
regions he might visit in the name of the King of France. His plans were
12 THE NOBTHWEST TEBBITOBY.
warmly approved, and he was provided with the means for carrying them
into execution. In July, 1678, he returned to Fort Frontenac, soon after
established a trading house at Niagara, and visited the neighboring Indian
tribes for the purpose of collecting furs. He engaged the services of thirty
mechauics and mariners and built the first ship for the navigation^ the
lakes. It was called the Griffin, and was a bark of sixty tons. Having
been ioined by Louis Hennepin and Chevalier de Tonti, the latter an Indian
veteran, on the 7th of August, 1679, they launched the Griffin on Niagara
river, and embarked for the valley of the Mississippi. They crossed Lake
Erie and Lake St. Clair, reaching Green Bay, September 2d. For the pur-
pose of relieving himself of some pressing financial obligations at Montreal,
La Salle here engaged for a time in collecting furs with which he loaded the
Griffin, and sent it in the care of a pilot and fourteen sailors on its return
trip, with orders to return immediately; but the vessel was never heard of
afterward. He waited until all hope had vanished, and then, with Father
Hennepin, Chevalier de Tonti, the Sieur de la Motte, and about thirty fol-
lowers, began again the voyage. They ascended the St. Joseph in canoes to
the portage, and carried their barks to the Kankakee, a distance of six miles,
descended the Kankakee and the Illinois until they reached an Indian vil-
lage on the latter stream, at the expansion of the same, known as Lake
Peoria. The village was situated on the west bank of the lake, and must
have been passed by Marquette and Joliet on their voyage up the river in
1673, although no mention is made of it by them. La Salle, Hennepin, Tonti
and their followers landed at Lake Peoria, January 3d, 1680. The Indians
received them hospitably, and they remained with them for several days.
Here a spirit of discontent began to manifest itself among the followers of
La Salle, and fearing trouble between his men and the Indians, they crossed
the river and moved down about three miles, where they erected a fort,
which La Salle named Fort Crevecoewr (heart-break) a name expressive of
La Salle's sorrow at the loss of his fortune by the disaster to the Griffin, and
also his feelings in the fear of mutiny among his men. The party remained
here until in February, when Tonti was placed in command of the post, and
Hennipin charged with a voyage of discovery to the sources of the Missis-
sippi. La Salle returned on foot with three companions to Fort Frontenac
for supplies. On his arrival he learned of the certainty of the loss of the
Griffin, and also of the wreck of another vessel which had been sent with
resources for him from France.
Father Hennepin, with two companions, Picard du Gay and Michel Ako,
on the 29th of February, 1680, embarked from Tort Crevecoeur in a canoe
down the Illinois to its mouth, which they reached in a few days. They
then turned up the Mississippi, reaching the mouth of the Wisconsin, April
11th. Above this point no European had ever ascended. They continued
the voyage, reaching the Falls of St. Anthony, April 30, 1680. Hennepin
so named the falls in honor of his patron Saint. When they arrived at the
mouth of St. Francis river, in what is now the State of Minnesota, they
traveled along its banks a distance of 180 miles, visiting the Sioux Indians,
who inhabited that region. The river, Hennepin so named in honor of
the founder of his order. In his account of this voyage, Hennepin claims that
they were held in captivity by the Indians for about three months, although
they were treated kindly by them. At the end of this time a band of
Frenchmen, under the leadership of Seur de Luth, in pursuit of furs, had
penetrated to this part of the country by the way of Lake Superior. The
THE NOETHWEST TEBEITOEY. 13
Indians allowed Hennepin and his companions to return with the traders.
- They descended the Mississippi to the mouth of the "Wisconsin, passing up
that stream and down the Fox river, and so on through Green Bay to Lake
Michigan. Hennepin went to Quebec, and thence to France, where, in 1683,
he published an account of his explorations and a description of the region
of the Upper Mississippi. In 1697 (two years after La Salle's death) he
published an enlarged work, in which he claimed that he had descended the
Mississippi to its mouth. His faithful description of the valley for a time
gave him credit for veracity, but the impossibility of reconciling his dates,
and other circumstances, are by the best authorities regarded as stamping
his claim false. Before the time this work was published, as we shall see,
La Salle had descended the Mississippi to its mouth. Hennepin explained
his long silence as to his exploration to the mouth of the Mississippi, by
claiming that he had feared the enmity of La Salle, who had ordered him
to follow a different course, and had also prided himself upon his own claims
as being the first European to descend the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mex-
ico. Father Hennepin died in Holland, about the year 1699.
We now return to the further adventures of the brave and intrepid La
Salle. He returned to Fort Crevecoeur in the latter part of the year 1680,
to find that Tonti had been abandoned by Ms men, and obliged to take
refuge among the Pottawattamies. He spent another year in collecting his
scattered followers, finally succeeded, and on the 6th of February, 1682, he
had reached the mouth of the Illinois. As they passed down the Mississippi
La Salle noted the different streams tributary thereto. They erected a fort
near the month of the Ohio, and- a cabin at the first Chickasaw bluff. On
the 9th of April they entered the Gulf of Mexico. They reascended the
river a short distance, founded the Fort of St. Louis, took possession of the
whole valley in the name of France, and called it by the name of Louisiana,
in honor of the king.
La Salle, having accomplished much for the glory of France, now retraced
his steps northward. After spending one year about the great lakes, actively
engaged in laying the foundations oi French settlements in the new regions
he liad discovered, in November, 1683, he reached Quebec, and soon after
embarked for France. The government, with marks of great esteem, be-
stowed upon him a commission placing under his authority all the French
and natives of the country, from Fort St. Louis to New Biscay. An expe-
dition, with four vessels and 280 persons, was fitted out for the colonization
of Lousiana; it sailed August 1, 1684. Associated with La Salle, in this
expedition, was Beaujeu, as naval commander. The mouth of the Missis-
sippi was the objective point, but by mistake the fleet passed on northward.
When the error was discovered La Salle desired to return, but Beaujeu per-
sisted in advancing. Dissensions arose, and La Salle, with 230 colonists,
disembarked. This was in February, 1685. A fortified post, which was
called Fort St. Louis, was established, and attempts made at agriculture, but
without success. Attempts were made to reach the Mississippi, which they
thought near, but failed. La Salle and his followers traversed the wilderness
toward New Mexico, and in January, 1687, by sickness and disaster, his
party was reduced to thirty-seven. Some of these, following Beanjeu's ex-
ample, revolted. La Salle, with sixteen men, then determined to reach the
country of the Illinois. Two men, who had embarked their capital in the
enterprise, were bitter in malignity toward the leader of this unsuccessful
expedition. Their feelings found some gratification in the murder of a
14 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOEY.
nephew of La Salle. The latter sought to investigate as to the death of his
relative, but only shared his fate, as one of them fired upon him from ambush, •
and the heroic La Salle fell, the victim of quarrels and dissensions among
his own followers. This event happened after he had passed the basin ot
the Colorado and reached a branch of Trinity river, in Texas.
We have thus briefly outlined the part taken by this energetic and ad-<
venturous explorer, in giving to civilization a knowledge of a region that
was destined to constitute the richest and most productive portion of the
American continent, if not indeed, of the world.
EAELY SETTLEMENTS IN THE NOETHWEST.
Early French Settlements — Indian Tribes — Mission at Kaskaskia — Kaholria — Vincennes — Fort
Ponchartrain — Fort Chartres — La Belle Riviere — La Salle — The English Claim ' ' From Sea
to Sea" — Treaty with Indians in 1684 — English Grants — French and Indians Attack Pick-
awillany — Treaty with the Six Nations — French and English Claims — George Washington
— French and Indian War — Fall of Montreal — Treaty of Paris — Pontiac's Conspiracy-^
Detroit— Pontiac's Promissory Notes — Pontiac's Death — France Cedes Louisiana to Spain
— Washington Explores the Ohio Valley — Emigration — Land Companies — The Revolution
— Colonel Clark— Surrender of French Posts 'in Illinois— Surrender of Vincennes — Gov.
Hamilton Taken Prisoner — Daniel Boone — Simon Girty — Virginia's " Land Laws."
As the French were the first to explore the region known as the North-
west, so they were the first to improve the opening thus made. The earliest
settlements were in that part of the country east of the Mississippi and south
of the Great Lakes, occupied chiefly by the' Illinois tribes of the Great Algon-
quin family of Indians. The Illinois were divided into the Tamaroas, Mich-
igamies, Kakokias, Kaskaskias, and Peorias, and were sometimes designated^
as the Five Nations. The three last-named tribes occupied the country
between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers; the Michigamies the region bor-
dering on Lake Michigan, and the Tamaroas, a small tribe, in the same region
occupied by the Kahokias, and now embraced in the counties of Jersey, Madi-
son, and St. Clair, in the state of Illinois. The French opened the way for
colonization by the establishment of missions among these tribes, their efforts
in this direction having been attended with great success in Canada. A
mission was founded at Kaskaskia by Father Gravier about the year 1698.
This at the time of the visit of Marquette and Joliet, in 1673, was the
largest and most important of the Illinois villages, and contained seventy-
four lodges, or about fifteen hundred inhabitants. By the early explorers it
was called by the several names of " Kaskaskia," "La Vantum," and "Great
Illinois Town." Here, in 1675, Father Marquette had attempted to christia&r
ize the Indians by establishing the mission of the Immaculate Conception.
For years it was nothing more than a missionary station, occupied only by
the Nations and the missionary. About the year 1700 missions were also
established at Kahokia and Peoria, the latter being near the site of old Fort
Crevecceur. Another of the early French settlements was at Yincennes on
the Oubache (Waba, now Wabash) river. Authorities disagree as to the
date of this settlement, but it was probably about 1702. For many years
this was an isolated colony of French emigrants from Canada, and several
generations of their descendants lived and passed away in these vast solitudes,
before either they or their savage neighbors were disturbed by the encroachr
ments of an expanding civilization. During all this time they had maintained
friendly relations with the natives. In July, 1701, a station was established
THE NORTHWEST TEKBITOKT. 15
by Dc la Motte on the Detroit river, called Fort Ponchartrain. "While these
attempts to colonize the Northwest were in progress, similar efforts were
being made by France in the Southwest, but without maintaining like
friendly relations with the natives, for in a conflict with the Chickasaws, an
entire colony at Natchez was cut off. As these settlements in the North-
west were isolated but little is known of their history prior to 1750. In this
year Yivier, a missionary among the Illinois, near Fort Chartres, writes of
five French villages, with a population of eleven hundred whites, three hun-
dred blacks, and sixty red slaves or savages. He says there were whites,
negroes and Indians, to say nothing of hall-breeds. They then raised wheat,
cattle, swine and horses, and sent pork, grain and flour to New Orleans. On
the 7th of November, 1750, the same priest writes:
" For fifteen leagues above the mouth of the Mississippi one sees ho dwell-
ings, the ground being too low to be habitable. Thence to New Orleans the
lands are only partially occupied. New Orleans contains black, white and
red, not more, I think, than twelve hundred persons. To this point come
all lumber, bricks, salt-beef, tallow, tar, skins and bear's grease; and above
all, pork and flour from the Illinois. These things create some commerce,
as forty vessels and more have come hither this year. Above New Orleans
plantations are again met with; the most considerable is a colony of Germans
some ten leagues up the river. At Point Coupee, thirty-five leagues above
the German settlement, is a fort. Along here, within five or six leagues, are
not less than sixty habitations. Fifty leagues further up is the Natchez
post, where we have a garrison, who are kept prisoners through fear of the
Chickasaws. Here and at Point Coupee they raise excellent tobacco. An-
other hundred leagues brings us to the Arkansas, where we have also a fort
and a garrison for the benefit of the river traders. From the Arkansas to
the Illinois, nearly five hundred leagues, there is not a settlement. There
should be, however, a fort at the Oubache (Ohio), the only path by which
the English can reach the Mississippi. In the Illinois country are number-
less mines, but no one to work them as they deserve."
The fame of Robert Cavelier de La Salle was not achieved alone by his
explorations of the Valley of the Mississippi, for, in 1669, four years before
the discovery of the Mississippi by Marquette and Joliet, La Salle discovered
the Ohio river, or La Belle Kiviere (Beautiful River), as the French called
it. Being conversant with several Indian dialects, he bad learned from some
Senecas of a river called Ohio which rose in their country and flowed a long
distance to the sea. La Salle then held the belief that the river flowing to
the west emptied into the Sea of California, and longed to engage in the enter-
prise of discovering a route across the continent. He obtained the approval
of the government at Quebec, but no allowance to defray the expense. He
sold his property in Canada for two thousand eight hundred dollars, and
with the proceeds purchased canoes and the necessary supplies. With a
party of twenty-four persons he embarked in seven canoes on the St. Law-
rence, July 6th, 1669. Crossing over Lake Ontario, they were conducted by
Indian guides to the Genesee, about where the city of Rochester, New York,
is now located. The enterprise did not receive the approbation of the Indians
at the Seneca village then situated on the bank of the Genesee at this point,
and they refused to furnish him guides to conduct him further. After a
month's delay he met an Indian belonging to the Iroquois tribe on Lake On-
tario, who conducted them to their village, where they received a more
friendly welcome. From the chief of the Iroquois at Onondaga he obtained
Jg THE NORTHWEST TEKEITOEY.
guides who conducted the party to a river south of Lake Erie. This proved
to be a tributary of the Ohio. They descended it, and thence down the
Ohio to the great falls where Louisville now stands. _ By virtue oi this dis-
covery the French claimed the country along the Ohio, and many years after
established military and trading posts at different points. One of these was
Fort Du Quesne, erected in 1654, which was taken from them by the English
a few years later and called Pittsburg, in honor of William Pitt, then prime
minister of England.
Notwithstanding the discovery ot the Ohio by the French under La Salle
as early as 1669, the English claimed from the Atlantic to the Pacific on the
ground that her sea-coast discoveries entitled her to the sovereignty of all
the country from "sea to sea." In 1684, Lord Howard, Governor of Vir?
ginia, held a treaty with Indian tribes known as the Northern Confederacy,
to-wit: the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas. The Tus-
caroras being subsequently taken in, these tribes became known as the Six
Nations, and the English assumed their protection. They purchased from
them large tracts of land and aimed to obtain a monopoly of the Indian
trade. The English government made grants of land west of theAlleghanies,
and companies were formed for their settlement. France, seeing the Ehg-
lish obtaining a foothold by planting trading posts in the Northwest, in
1749 sent Louis Celeron with a small force of soldiers to plant in mounds at
the mouths of the principal tributaries of the Ohio, plates of lead with the
claims of France inscribed thereon. The English, however, still continued
to make explorations and establish trading posts. One of these grants of
England was to a company known as the " Ohio Company," and embraced a
tract of land on the Great Miami, described as being one hundred and fifty
miles above its mouth. Christopher Gist was sent by this company in 1750
to inspect thier lands and to establish a trading post. In 1752 a small party
of French soldiers, assisted by Ottawas and Chippewas, attacked this post
and captured the traders after a severe battle. The English called this post
Pickawillany — r the name being subsequently contracted to Pickaway or
Piqua. The location of this post was doubtless near that of the present
town of Piqua, on the Great Miami, about seventy-eight miles north of
Cincinnati. Thus on the soil of what became a part of the state of Ohio
was shed the first blood between the French and English for the possession
of the Northwest.
In 1744 the English had entered into a treaty with the Six Nations at
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by which they acquired certain lands described as
being within the "Colony of Virginia." The Indians subsequently com-
plained of bad faith on the part of the English in failing to comply with
some of the stipulations of the treaty. The Governor of Virginia appointed
commissioners to hear the grievances of the Indians. They met at Logs-
town, on the north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles below the present
city of Pittsburg, in the spring of 1752. Notwithstanding the complaint of
the Indians that the English had failed to supply them with arms and am-
munition as they had agreed, they succeeded in obtaining a confirmation of
the treaty of Lancaster.
In the meantime the French were quietly preparing to maintain their
claims to the country in dispute. They provided cannon and military storeB
in anticipation of the coming conflict. The French were notified to give up
their posts, but they failed to comply. Governor Dinwiddie finally deter-
mined to learn definitely their intentions, and for this purpose selected Major
THE NORTHWEST TERKITOBY*
17
18 TJIE NORTHWEST TEBEITOBY.
George "Washington, then twenty-two years of age, as a messenger. "With
Christopher Gist as guide, and four attendants or servants, "Washington set
out through the wilderness on his perilous journey. He held a conference
with the chiefs of the Six Nations at Logstown in November, 1753. He
learned something of the condition of the French, but the Indians desired to
remain neutral and were disposed to be. non-committal. Washington pro-
ceeded to Venango, where there was a French post called Fort Machault.
Here he delivered to the French governor Dinwiddie's letter, and received
the answer of St. Pierre, the commander of the fort, declining to give up
without a struggle. Preparations for war were made in all the English col-
onies while the French continued to strengthen their lines of fortifications.
It will thus be seen that what is known as the French and Indian war had
its origin in this dispute about the possession of what is now one of the
fairest and richest portions of our Republic. It resulted, not only in Eng-
land maintaining her right to the territory in dispute, but in wresting Can-
ada from France. It was a war of eight years duration, commencing with
the attack of the French and Indians on the English post at Piqua in 17S2,
and virtually ending with the fall of the city of Montreal in April, 17.60.
Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Niagara, and Quebec had all previously surren-
dered to the English, the first two without resistance. After the fall of
Montreal the Governor of Canada signed a capitulation surrendering the
whole of Canada to the English. One post, however, that of Detroit, still
remained in possession of the French. Major Rogers was sent from Mon-
treal to demand its surrender. Beletre, the commander of the post, at first
refused, but on the 29th of November, having heard of the defeat of the
French arms in Canada, he also surrendered. September 29th, 1760, the
treaty of peace between France and England, known as the treaty of Paris,
was made, but not ratified until February 10th, 1763. Meantime the Northwest
territory was entirely under English rule and settlements began to extend. The
Indians who had been the friends and allies of the French during the war
were not reconciled to the English, claiming that they had not carried out
their promises. Under the famous Ottawa chief, Pontiac, they united in a
general conspiracy to cut off all the English posts on the frontier. The
Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots, Miamis, Shawnese, Delawares and Mingoes,
buried the hatchet in their local quarrels, and united to exterminate the
English.
Owing to treachery on the part of some of Pontiac's followers, he failed
in the complete execution of his plans, but in May, 1763, several British
posts fell, and many whites were victims of the merciless tomahawk. In
the arrangement among the Indians it was agreed that Pontiac's own imme-
diate field of action was to be the garrison at Detroit. He laid siege to the
post May 12th, and continued it until October 12th. To obtain food for his
warriors during this time, he issued promissory notes, drawn upon birch
bark and signed with the figure of an otter. All these notes were faithfully
redeemed. Being unsuccessful in reducing the garrison, the tribes generally
sued for peace, but Pontiac remained as yet unsubdued. To Alexander
Henry, an Englishman who visited Missillimacinac the next spring, he said:
" Englishman, although you have conquered the French, you have not yet
conquered us. "We are not your slaves ! These lakes, these woods, these
mountains, were left us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance, and we
will part with them to none. Your nation supposes that we, like the white
people, cannot live without bread, and pork and beef ; but you ought to
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET. 19
know that He, the Great Spirit and Master of Life, has provided food for us
npon these broad lakes and in these mountains."
Pontiae still entertained the hope that the French would renew the war,
and finally conquer the English, and endeavored to incite the Indians on the
Miami, and in other parts of the West, to continue hostilities. He applied,'
but unsuccessfully, to the French commander at New Orleans. Being un-
able to unite again- those who entered so eagerly into his original conspiracy
for destroying the English settlements, he went to the Illinois country, where
he made a stand, and had for a time the sympathy and co-operation of the
French fur traders in that region. Soon, however, all but his immediate
followers deserted his cause, and he then reluctantly accepted peace on the
terms offered by the English. From this time he had but little influence
with the tribes. He was killed by an Illinois Indian, while drunk, at Ka-
hokia, in 1769. At the time of his death he was about fifty-seven years of
age.
Great Britain now held sovereignty over the entire Northwest, and to pre-
vent Louisiana from also falling into the hands of the English, France by
secret treaty, in 1762, ceded it to Spain. The next year the treaty of Paris
formally gave to England possession of the Northwestern Territory. The
English now began to prepare for settlement and occupation of the country;
In 1770 persons from Virginia and other British provinces took up the
valuable lands on the Monongahela and along the Ohio to the mouth of the
Little Kanawa. In October of the same year George Washington with a
party descended the Ohio from Pittsburg to the Kenawa, which last named
stream they ascended about fourteen miles, and marked out several large
tracts of land. Buffalo were then abundant in the Ohio valley, and several
of them were shot by Washington's party. Pittsburg was then a village of
twenty houses, the inhabitants being mostly Indian traders.
The British government was inclined to observe a liberal policy toward
the French settlers in the West. In 1763 the king, by royal proclamation,
had forbidden his subjects from making settlements beyond the sources of
the rivers which fall into the Atlantic ; but his subjects in the colonies were
little disposed to observe this restriction. Finally, in 1774, Governor Dun-
more, of Virginia, began to encourage emigration to the West. A number
of settlements were made in the Ohio valley, the settlers often coming in
conflict with the Indians. Several battles were fought, ending in the battle
of Kenawa, in July, when the Indians were defeated and driven across the
Ohio. During the years following, up to 1776, several land companies were
formed, and engaged in extensive operations. One, called the "Illinois
Land Company," obtained from the Indians large tracts of land on the Mis-
sissippi river, south of the Illinois. An association, styling itself the "Wa-
bash Land Company," obtained a deed from eleven chiefs to 37,497,600 acres
of land. The War of the Kevolution interfered with these and many other
similar schemes of speculation. The parties interested subsequently made
efforts to have these land grants sanctioned by Congress, but did not succeed.
In 1771, according to the best information we have, Kaskaskia contained
eighty houses, and nearly one thousand inhabitants, white and black. Ka-
hokia contained fifty houses, with three hundred white inhabitants, and
eighty negroes. There were a few families at Prairie du Kocher, on the
Mississippi river, opposite St. Louis. At Detroit, there were in 1766, about
one hundred houses. This place was founded by Antoine de la Motte Ca-
dillac, in 1701, and is the oldest town in the Northwest.
20 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
When the "War of the Kevolntion commenced the British held Kar.bislua,
Kahokia, Yincennes, Detroit, and other important posts in the West. Col.
George Eogers Clark, a master spirit of the frontier, who was familiar with
all the important movements of the British in the West, and also with the
disposition of the Indians, formed a plan unequalled in boldness, for subju-
gating these posts. He repaired to the capital of Virginia, Patrick Henry
being then Governor, and presented to the authorities his plan of operations,
which was approved by Governor Henry. He was accordingly furnished
with two sets of instructions — one secret and the other open. His open in-
structions authorized him to enlist seven companies to go to Kentucky, sub-
ject to his orders, and serve three months from their arrival in the West.
The secret order authorized him to arm and equip his troops at Pittsburg,
and proceed to subjugate the country. Col. Clark succeeded in raising but
three companies, but with these and a few private volunteers, he descended
the Ohio as far as the falls, in the spring of 1777. Here he fortified a small
island, known as Corn Island, and then announced to his men their real des-
tination. Leaving a small garrison, on the 24th of June, during a total
eclipse of the sun, he moved down the river. Under a burning July sun,
with his chosen band, he marched to Kaskaskia, reaching that post on the
evening of July 4th. Without the loss of a man on either side the fort and
village were captured. He easily induced the Indians to give their allegi-
ance to the American cause. They accompanied him to Kahokia on the
6th, and through their influence the inhabitants of that place surrendered
without resistance. The priest at Kaskaskia, M. Gibault, hastily joined in
rendering all the aid he could to forward the purposes of Clark. He estab-
lished a government for the colonies he had taken, and then made ready to
march upon St. Vincent, or Vincennes, as it is more commonly known.
But Gibault offered to go alone . and induce the post on the " Oubache " to
throw off the authority of England. Clark accepted the offer, and on the
14th of July Gibault started on his mission. On the 1st of August he re-
turned, with intelligence of entire success, the garrison at Vincennes having
taken the oath of allegiance to Virginia. Col. Clark placed garrisons at
Kaskaskia and Kahokia, and sent orders for the erection of a fort at the Falls
of the Ohio, where the City of Louisville now stands. He also sent Eoche-
blave, the former commander of Kaskaskia, a prisoner of war to Eichmond.
The county of Illinois was established in October of the same year, by the
Legislature of Virginia. John Todd was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel and
acting governor. Courts were established, and the colony was provided with
a government complete. The Indians acknowledged allegiance to the new
government.
_ While Col. Clark was arranging for the government of the Illinois colo-
nies, the British Governor, Hamilton, was planning an expedition to move
from Detroit down the Wabash to Vincennes, intending to recapture the
posts which had surrendered to Clark, and thence extend his operations to
Kentucky. He knew nothing of the capitulation of Vincennes until his
arrival, when he found the fort in command of Capt. Helm, who had been
sent by Col Clark to take charge of the garrison. Hamilton demanded the
surrender of the fort, and being granted the rights of a prisoner of war, Capt.
Helm surrendered to a superior force. On the 29th of January, 1879, Clark
received intelligence of what had transpired at Vincennes, and of the in-
tended operations of Hamilton. Having sufficiently garrisoned Kaskaskia
and Kahokia, and dispatched a force down the Mississippi to ascend the Ohio
THE NORTHWEST TEKKITOBY. 21
and operate with the land forces in that direction, on the 5th of February he
set out himself with one hundred and twenty men on his hard march to
Vincennes. He reached the fort on the 22d, and was joined by the re-
mainder of his command, which had come by water. He immediately com-
menced his attack on the fort, and on the 25th Gov. Hamilton surrendered.
He was sent as a prisoner of war to Virginia, where he was kept in close
confinement, and thus failed to accomplish his purpose of uniting the In-
dian tribes against the Americans. All the important posts in the North-
west, except Detroit, were now in the hands of the Americans. Had Clark
received reinforcements, which had been promised, he would doubtless have
captured Detroit also ; but Virginia and the other colonial governments at
this time doubtless had all they could do to attend to the operations of the
war east of the Alleghanies. The Legislature of Virginia passed resolutions
complimenting Col. Clark and his men, and in 1781 he was promoted to
the rank of general. Previous to this he had taken part with Steuben
against Arnold, when the latter invaded Virginia, in 1780. Subsequently,
Virginia gave to Gen. Clark and his men one hundred and fifty thousand
acres of land, wherever they might choose to locate it, north of the Ohio.
They made selection of a tract opposite the Falls of the Ohio, between New
Albany and- Jeffersonville, Indiana. Gen. Clark died near Louisville, Ken-
tucky, February 13th, 1808.
The years 1781 and 1782 were dark years in the history of the infant set-
tlements of the Northwest, in consequence of the many outrages practiced
by the Indians. Many deeds of cruelty were committed under the leader-
ship of the outlaw, Simon Girty, occurring chiefly in the Ohio Valley. Sev-
eral battles between the Indians and frontiersmen occurred north of the
Ohio, while in Kentucky the famous Daniel Boone and his companions were
engaged in protecting the frontier outposts.
In 1783 the treaty of peace, which ended the Revolutionary struggle, was
concluded, and by its terms the boundaries of the West were defined as fol-
lows : On the north, to extend along the center of the Great Lakes ; from
the western point of Lake Superior to Long Lake ; thence to the Lake of
the Woods ; thence to the head of the Mississippi river, down its center to
the 31st parallel of latitude ; thence on that line east to the head of Appa-
lachicola river, down its center to the junction with the Flint ; thence straight
to the head of St. Mary's river ; and thence down along its center to the
Atlantic Ocean.
For some time after the cessation of hostilities, General Haldimand, the
British commander at Detroit, refused to evacuate, on the ground, as he
claimed, that his king had not ordered him to do so. It shortly, however,
passed under the control of the United States, and so remained, except when
held by the British, through the surrender of Gen. Hull, for a few weeks in
August and September, 1812.
The war of independence had been fought and gained, and England, as
"we have seen, had renounced her claim to the Northwest, but the Indian
title was not yet extinguished. From 1783 to 1786 various treaties were
made, by which the Indians relinquished their title to extensive tracts of
territory. The individual States also held claims to the territory surrendered
by Great Britain, and acts of cession were necessary to vest the title to the
soil in United States ; but of this we shall treat more fully in another place.
In 1779 Virginia had passed her "land laws," by which grants made to set-
tlers were confirmed, and providing for selling the rest at forty cents per
22 THE NORTHWEST TEBBITOBY.
acre. Kentucky was included in the territory of Virginia until 1792. It
was originally explored by Daniel Boone and his compeers about the year
1769. Harrodsburg was founded in 1774, and Lexington a year or two
later, when the news of the battle of Lexington was fresh in the minds of
its founders.
THE NOETHWESTEEN TEEEITOEY.
Territory held by States— Articles of Confederation— Objections of certain States— Delaware
Resolutions— Action of Congress— Maryland— New York— Cession of Territory by States-
Ordinance of 1787— Territorial Organization of the Northwest— Fort Washington— Wm.
H. Harrison. Arthur St. Clair— Early American Settlements— New England Company-
Gen. Rufus Putnam— John Cleves Symmes— Cincinnati Founded— Treaty with Spain-
Division of the Northwestern Territory — Organization of the Territory of Indiana-
Division of Indiana Territory— Territory of Michigan — Gov. Wm. Hull — Destruction of
Detroit by Fire.
At the time the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union were pend-
ing a number of the States held, or claimed, large tracts of territory not now
included in those States. New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, all held such territory. Vir-
ginia claimed all that vast region which now embraces the States of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and that part of Minnesota east of the
Mississippi river. That State had made provision, by legislative enactment,
to dispose of her lands to settlers. Certain States, claiming that the unoccu-
pied western lands were rightfully the common property of all the States, in-
sisted on limitixig the area of those States claiming western territory. This
was a subject of warm and protracted discussion in the adoption of the Arti^-
cles of Confederation. The delegates from Maryland, under instructions from
the General Assembly of that State, declined, in the Congress of the Confed-
eration, to sign the Articles of Confederation until provision was made for
restricting the boundaries of the States, and vesting the soil of the western
territories in the Confederation for the common benefit of all the settlers.
Virginia had remonstrated against this course. On the 25th of November,
1778, the act of New Jersey for ratifying the Articles of Confederation
was presented in the Congress. Her delegates were directed to sign the arti-
cles "in the firm reliance that the candour and justice of the several States
will, in due time, remove as far as possible the inequality which now subi
sists." The delegation from Delaware, after having signed the articles,
on the 23d of February, 1779, presented sundry resolutions passed by the
legislature of that State, among which were the following:
"Resolved, That this State thinks it necessary, for the peace and safety of
the States to be included in the Union, that a moderate extent of limits
should be assigned for such of those States as claim to the Mississippi or
South Sea; and that the United States in Congress assembled, should, and
ought to, have the power of fixing the western limits.
"Resolved, That this State consider themselves justly entitled to a right in
common with the members of the Union, to that extensive tract of country
which lies westward of the frontier of the United States, the property of
which was not vested in, or granted to, private individuals at the com-
mencement of the present war. That the same hath been, or may be,
gained from the King of Great Britain, or the native Indians, by the blood
and treasure of all, and ought, therefore, to be a common estate, to be
granted out on terms beneficial to the United States."
THE NORTHWEST TEBBITOEY. 23
The same day, after the presentation of these resolutions, Congress passed
the following:
"Resolved, That the paper laid before Congress by the delegates from
Delaware, and read, be filed; provided, that it shall never be considered as
admitting any claim by the same set up, or intended to be set up."
Eight States voted in favor of this resolution, and three against it.
The State of Maryland still persisting in her refusal to ratify the Articles
of Confederation, on the 30th of October, 1779, Congress, by a vote of eight
States to three, and one being divided, passed the following:
" Wheeeas, The appropriation of vacant lands by the several States, during
the continuance of the war, will, in the opinion of Congress, be attended
with great mischiefs: Therefore,
"Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the State of Virginia, to
reconsider their late act of Assembly for opening their land office; and that
it be recommended to the said State, and all other States similarly circum-
stanced, to forbear settling or issuing warrants for unappropriated lands, or
granting the same during the continuance of the present war."
On the 19th of February, 1780, the Legislature of New York passed an
act authorizing her delegates in Congress, for and on behalf of that State,
by proper and authentic acts or instruments, "to limit and restrict the
boundaries of the State in the western parts thereof, by such line or lines,
and in such manner and form, as they shall judge to be expedient," and
providing for the cession to the United States of certain " waste and uncul-
tivated" territory. This act was fully carried into effect by her delegates
on the 1st of March, 1781.
On the 6th of September, 1780, Congress passed a resolution earnestly
recommending the States having " claims to the western country, to pass
such laws, and give their delegates in Congress such powers " as might
effectually remove the only obstacle to a final ratification of the Articles of
Confederation, and requesting the Legislature of Maryland to authorize her
delegates in Congress to subscribe to the articles.
On the 10th of October, 1780, a further resolution on this subjeet was
passed by the Congress of the Confederation, as follows:
"Resolved, That the unappropriated lands that may be ceded or relin-
quished to the United States, by any particular State, pursuant to the recom-
mendation of Congress of the 6th day of September last, shall be disposed
of for the common benefit of the United States, and be settled and formed
into distinct republican States, which shall become members of the Federal
Union, and have the same rights of sovereignty, freedom and independence
as the other States; that each State which shall be so formed shall contain a
suitable extent of territory, not less than one hundred, nor more than one
hundred and fifty miles square, or as near thereto as circumstances will admit;
that the necessary and reasonable expenses which any particular State shall
have incurred since the commencement of the present war, in subduing any
British posts, or in maintaining forts or garrisons within and for the defense,
or in acquiring any part of the territory that may be ceded or relinquished
to the United States, shall be re-imbursed ; that the said lands shall be
granted or settled at such times, and under such regulations, as shall here-
after be agreed on by the United States, in Congress assembled, or any nine
or more of them."
In pursuance of the recommendation of Congress, of September 6th, 1780,
several States made cessions of territory to the United States. Virginia
24 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
ceded her northwestern territory March 1st, 1784, and by an act of her
Legislature of December 30th, 1788, agreed to change the conditions of the
act of cession of 1784, so far as to ratify the 5th article of the ordinance of
1787, passed by Congress for the government of the territory. The dele-
gates in Congress from Maryland signed the Articles of Confederation at
the date of the cession of territory by New York, M arch 1st, 1781, thus
completing the confederation.
On the 23d of April, 1784, Congress passed a resolution for the govern-
ment of the territory ceded by Virginia, which was superceded by the
famous ordinance of July 13th, 1787, entitled "An ordinance for the govern-
ment of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio,"
The first part of this important enactment provides for the temporary gov-
ernment of the territory, and concludes with six "articles of compact between
the original States and the people and States in the said territory, and forever
to remain unalterable, unless by common consent." The provisions of these
six articles are of such importance as to justify their insertion here in full:
"Article 1. No person, demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly
manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religious
sentiments, in the said territory.
"Aet. 2. The inhabitants of the said territory shall always be entitled to
the writ of habeas corpus, and of the trial by jury ; of a proportionate repre-
sentation of the people in the legislature, and of judicial proceedings accord-
ing to the course of the common law. All persons shall be bailable, unless
for capital offenses, when the' proof shall be evident, or the presumption
great. All fines shall be moderate, and no cruel or unusual punishment
shall be inflicted. No person shall be deprived of his liberty or property,
but by the judgment of' his peers, or the law of the land, and should the
public exigencies make it necessary for the common preservation to take any
person's property, or to demand his particular services, full compensation
shall be made for the same. And, in the just preservation of rights and
property, it is_ understood and declared that no law ought ever to be made,
or have force in the said territory, that should, in any manner whatever, in-
terfere with or affect private contracts or engagements, lonaficle, and with-
out fraud previously formed.
"Aet. 3. Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good gov-
ernment and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education
shall be forever encouraged. The utmost good faith shall always be observed
towards the Indians; their lands and property shall never be taken from
them without their consent; and in their property, rights, and liberty,
they shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars
authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice and humanity shall,
from time to time, be made for preventing wrongs being done to them, and
for preserving peace and friendship with them.
"Aet. 4. The said territory, and the States which may be formed therein,
shall forever remain a part of this confederacy of the United States of Amer-
ica, subject to the Articles of Confederation,' and to such alterations therein
as shall be constitutionally made; and to all the acts and ordinances of the
United States, in Congress assembled, conformable thereto. The inhabitants
and settlers in the said territory shall be subject to pay a part of the federal
debts, contracted or to be contracted, and a proportional part of the expenses
of government, to be apportioned on them by Congress, according to the
same common rule and measure by which apportionments thereof shall be
THE NOBTHWEST TEREITOBY. 25
made on the other States; and the taxes for paying their proportion shall be
laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the dis-
trict or districts, or new States, as in the original States, within the time
agreed upon by the United States, in Congress assembled. The legislatures
oi those districts, or new States, shall never interfere with the primary dis-
posal of the soil of the United States, in Congress assembled, nor with any
regulations Congress may find necessary, for securing the title in such soil,
to the bona fide purchasers. No tax shall be imposed on lands the property
of the United States; and in no case shall non-resident proprietors be taxed
higher than residents. The navigable waters leading into the Mississippi
and St. Lawrence, and the carrying places between the same, shall be com-
mon highways and forever free, as well to the inhabitants of said territory as
to the citizens of the United States, and those of any other States that may
be admitted into the Confederacy, without any tax, impost, or duty therefor.
"Aet. 5. There shall be formed in the said territory not less than three,
nor more than five States; and the boundaries of the States, as soon as Vir-
finia shall alter her act of cession, and consent to the same, shall become
xed and established as follows, to-wit: the Western States in the said terri-
tory shall be bounded by the Mississippi, the Ohio and Wabash rivers ; a
direct line drawn from the Wabash and Post Vincents due north to the ter-
ritorial line between the United States and Canada, and by the said territorial
line to the Lake of the Woods and Mississippi. The Middle States shall be
bounded by the said direct line, the Wabash, from Post Vincents to the
Ohio, by the Ohio, by a direct line drawn due north from the mouth of the
Great Miami to the said territorial line and by the said territorial line. The
Eastern State shall be bounded by the last-mentioned direct line, the Ohio,
Pennsylvania, and the said territorial line; provided, however, and it is
further understood and declared that the boundaries of these three States
shall be subject so far to be altered that if Congress shall hereafter find it
expedient, they shall have authority to form one or two States in that part of
the said territory which lies north of an east and west line drawn through
the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan. And whenever any of
the said States shall have sixty thousand' free inhabitants therein, such State
shall be admitted, by its delegates, into the Congress of the United States
on an equal footing with the original States, in all respects whatever; and
shall be. at liberty to form a permanent constitution and State government,
provided the constitution and government so to be formed shall be republi-
can, and in conformity to the principles contained in these articles, and so
far as can be consistent with the general interests of the Confederacy, such
admission shall be allowed at an earlier period, and when there may be a less
number of free inhabitants in the State than sixty thousand.
"Aet. 6. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the
the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the
party shall be duly convicted; provided, always, that any person escaping
into the same from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any one ot
the original States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to
the person claiming his or her labor or services as aforesaid."
These articles, sometimes known as the "Compact of 1787," form the
basis of the organization of the Northwestern Territory and of the several
States into which it was subsequently divided. Although the original act
of cession was adopted by Virginia in 1784, it will be seen that It was
three years later before Congress agreed upon a plan of government. The
26 THE NOBTHWEST TEBEITOET.
subject was one of serious and earnest discussion at various times. At one
time a motion prevailed to strike from the proposed plan the prohibition of
slavery. Another proposition was agreed to by which the territory was to
be divided into States by parallels and meridian lines, making ten States
which were to be named as follows: Sylvania, Michigania, Chersonesus,
Assenisipia, Mesopotamia, Illenoia, Saratoga, Washington, Polypotamia and
Pelisipia. "When this plan was submitted to the legislatures of the States
there were serious objections made, especially by Massachusetts and Vir-
ginia. There were objections to the category of names, but the chief diffi-
culty was the resolution of Congress of October 10th, 1780, which fixed the
extent of each State at not less than one hundred nor more than one hundred
and fifty miles square, or as near thereto as circumstances might admit. So
the subject was again taken up in 1786, and discussed during that year and
until July 12th, 1787, when the ordinance finally passed, as stated above.
An act of territorial organization was approved August 7th, 1789. Gen.
Arthur St. Clair was appointed Governor, and "William Ii. Harrison Secre-
tary. In 1788 a town had been laid out by John Cleves Symmes at Fort
"Washington, and was named Losantiville, but afterward Cincinnati. The
place was settled by persons from the New England States and from New
.Jersey, but did not extensively improve until after Gen. "Wayne's defeat of
the Indians in 1794. This became the seat of the new territorial govern-
ment. The election of representatives for the territory was held February
4th, 1799. As required by the ordinance of 1787, these representatives met
at the seat of -the territorial government to nominate ten persons, out of
which Congress was to appoint five to serve as the territorial council. The
following persons were commissioned: Henry Vandenburg, of Vincennes;
Eobert Oliver, of Marietta; James Findlay and Jacob Burnett, of Cincin-
nati, and David Yance, of Vanceville. The first Territorial Legislature met
September 16th, 1799, and on the 24th both houses were duly organized,
Henry Vandenburg being elected president of the council. On the 13th of
October the legislature elected ¥m. Henry Harrison as delegate to
Congress. He received eleven of the votes cast, being a majority of one
over his opponent, Arthur St. Clair, son of the Governor. At this session
thirty-seven acts were passed and approved. Eleven other acts were passed
which the Governor vetoed. The greater part of the legislation of the ses-
sion related to the organization of the militia and to revenue matters. The
session closed December 19th, 1799. President Adams appointed Charles
Willing Bryd as secretary of the territory to succeed ¥m. Henry Harrison,
elected to Congress, and the senate confirmed the nomination. James N.
Varnum, S. H. Parsons and John Armstrong were appointed to the judicial
bench of the territory in October, 1787.
Having briefly outlined the legislation which resulted in the formation of
a Territorial government, we return to notice some of the earlier American
settlements in the Territory. As elsewhere stated, a few French settlements
had been made by emigrants from Canada and Louisiana, on the Ohio river
and in the region known as the Illinois country, but it was not until after
the Virginia cession that any permanent American settlements were made.
Then several treaties were made with the Indians, in which they relinquished
their title to large portions of the territory. The government made several
large grants to companies and individuals, for the purpose of colonizing the
country. One of these was to a company from Massachusetts and Connecti-
cut, called the New England Company, of a tract lying along the Ohio and
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET. 2T
Muskingum rivers, embracing 1,500,000 acres. Here the town of Marietta
was laid out, in August, 1787, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio
rivers. Fort Harmar was built on the opposite, or west bank of the Mus-
kingum, the year before. The New England Company sent its first party
of settlers in the spring of 1788. They consisted of eight families, and
some other persons, and all under the superintendency of Gen. Knfus Put-
nam. The party, after a long and weary journey over the Alleghanies, and'
down the Ohio, arrived at Marietta on the 7th of April, 1788. This little
band had the honor of being the pioneers of Ohio, unless the Moravian
missionaries may be so regarded. The settlement was first known as the
" Muskingum," but on the 2d of July, 1788, at a meeting of the directors
and agents of the company, the name was changed to Marietta, in honor of
Marie Antoinette.
In 1786, John Cleves Symmes, of New Jersey, visited the country be-
tween the Miamies, and being pleased with its appearance, made application
to the government for the purchase of a large tract of land, to be settled on
similar conditions with those of the New England Company. The grant
was made to Symmes and his associates the following year. Associated with
Symmes, was Matthias Denman, also of New Jersey, who located, among
other tracts in the Symmes purchase, the section upon which Cincinnati
was laid out. Denman sold to Robert Patterson and' John Filson,each one-
third of his location, retaining the other third himself. In August, 1788,
they laid out the first portion of what, in a few years, became one of the
great cities of the "West. Fort Washington was erected here in 1790, and
Was for some time the headquarters of both the civil and military govern-
ments of the Northwestern Territory. There were but few settlers here
until after 1794, when settlers began to arrive rapidly. In July, 1815, the
population was 6,500.
In October, 1795, the treaty was signed between the United States and
Spain, which secured to the former the free navigation of the Mississippi.
After this the Northwest began to settle rapidly. During the next year
settlements were made at various points along the Miami and Scioto rivers,
including those at Piqua and Chillicothe. In September, of the same year,
the city of Cleveland was laid out.
The great extent of the Northwestern Territory, and the rapid increase
of population at the beginning of the new century, began to render the effi-
cient action of the courts impossible ; and to remedy this evil a division of
the Territory was proposed. A committee in Congress, to whom the mat-
ter had been referred, on the 3d of March, 1800, reported in favor of two
distinct territorial governments, and that the division be made by a line
beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami river, and running directly to
the boundary line between the United States and Canada. The report was
accepted, and an act passed, which was approved May 7th, of the same year,
making the division. It provided, among other things, that from and after
the next 4th day of July, " all that part of the territory of the United
States northwest of the Ohio river, which lies to the northward of a line
beginning at a point on the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the Kentucky
river, and running thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north until it shall
intersect the territorial line between the United States and Canada, shall, for
the purpose of temporary government, constitute a separate territory, and
be called the Indiana Territory." The same act provided, that until the Leg-
islatures oi the Territories, respectively, otherwise ordered, Chillicothe, on
28 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
the Scioto river, should he the seat of government of the Territory east of
the line of division; and that Vincennes, on the Wahash river, should he
the seat of government of the Indiana Territory. On the 3d of November,
of that year, the Territorial Legislature met at Chillicothe. William Henry
Harrison was appointed Governor of Indiana Territory, and entered upon
his duties in 1801. The new Territory then embraced all that region now
comprising the States of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and that
part of Minnesota east of the Mississippi river. Nearly _ the whole of it
was at that time in the possession of the Indians. Soon after the arrival of
Governor Harrison at Vincennes, he concluded several treaties with the In-
dians, whereby large grants of land were obtained from the various tribes.
By a treaty made at St. Louis, August 18th, 1804:* he obtained a relinquish-
ment of Indian title to over 51,000,000 of acres. The year before the gov-
ernment had obtained Louisiana from France, by purchase, and that being
divided, the "District of Louisiana" (the "New Northwest'') was annexed
to Indiana Territory, thus extending Gov. Harrison's authority over a vast
domain, occupied chiefly by savage tribes.
By an act of Congress, of January 11th, 1805, Indiana Territory was di-
vided into two separate governments, and the new Territory of Michigan
formed. William Hull was appointed Governor of the new Territory, and
Detroit was designated as the seat of government. On the 30th of June
the Territorial government of Michigan was to go into operation. When
Gov. Hull, and the other Territorial officers, reached Detroit, they found the
place in ruins and the inhabitants scattered. On the 11th of that month a
fire had destroyed almost every building in the place. Gov. Hull adopted a
new plan for rebuilding the town, and in population and importance it soon
regained all it had lost by the fire.
Other changes were subsequently made in the boundaries of the Western
Territories, as new States were from time to time admitted into the Union,
until finally, all that vast domain originally designated as the " Northwestern
Territory" became "sovereign States.
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
Discovery of the Mouth of the Mississippi — Founding of New Orleans — French Grant — John
Law — The "Mississippi Bubble" — Territory West of the Mississippi— France Cedes to
Spain — Spain Cedes Back to France — France Cedes to the United States — Right to
Navigate the Mississippi — Particulars of the Negotiations With France — Extent of the
Territory — Possession Taken by the United States — Division of the Territory.
That vast region of territory once known as Louisiana, came under the
jurisdiction of civilized men by the right of discovery — a right which has
long been known and recognized among civilized nations, though often
necessarily followed by conquest to render it effective. For two centuries
the Spaniards had navigated the Gulf of Mexico, so far as we know, ignorant
of the fact that it received the waters of one of the largest rivers of the
world. About the year 1660 the French, who had re-established themselves
in Canada, received some information of this great river, but did not discover
its mouth until 1691, when, according to some authorities, La Sallo succeeded
in reaching it. Iberville founded his first colony in 1699, but it did not
assume importance until 1717, when the city of New Orleans was founded.
In 1712 Louis XIV of France granted to M. Crozart a charter to the whole
territory of Louisiana, which was so named in honor of the king. Under
THE N0KTHWE8T TEEKITOKY.
the leadership of John Law, in 1716, a company was formed at Paris and
incorporated as the "Mississippi Company," which purchased Louisiana
from the crown. The financial disasters in France caused by Law brought
about the failure of his Mississippi scheme, and the explosion of what is
known in history as the " Mississippi bubble." Louisiana was then resumed
by the crown, and the commerce of the Mississippi was declared free. The
French retained possession until 1762, when they ceded it to Spain, includ-
ing the whole country to the head waters of the great river and west to the
Rocky Mountains. The jurisdiction of France, which had continued for
nearly a century, thus ended, until in 1800 Bonaparte, then first consul,
induced the Spanish government to cede it back to France. During the
time that Louisiana remained a Spanish dependency, that government
claimed the exclusive right of navigating the Mississippi river. The free
navigation of that river was essential to the prosperity and commerce of the
United States. Spain then having jurisdiction also over the Floridas east of
the great river, and that river for several hundred miles flowing wholly
through the Spanish dominions, the question of its navigation south of the
southern boundary of the United States became a serious one to our govern-
ment and people. The people in the western part of the United States
especially demanded the free navigation of the river as a right. But Spanish
military posts enforced the collection of duties on imports by way of the
river for the upper region. Boats descending were forced to submit to reve-
nue exactions by Spanish authorities. These exactions were a constant
source of trouble and disaffection, and led to a threatening state of affairs
between the United States and Spain. Spain, however, by the treaty of
Madrid, October 20, 1795, conceded to the United States the free navigation
ot the river from its source to the Gulf, and also the free use of the port of
New Orleans for three years as a port of deposit.
The treaty of Madrid, however, did not quiet all troubles between the
United States and Spain. In 1802, during the administration of President
Jefferson, there was some apprehension of a war growing out of the continued
disputes respecting the southwestern boundary. These disputes had led to
many difficulties between the people of the United States and the Spanish
authorities. These affairs, however, assumed a new aspect, when in the
spring of 1802 the government of the United States received intelligence
that, by a secret treaty made in October, 1800, Spain had ceded Louisiana to
France. At this time Mr. Livingston was the United States Minister to
France, and President Jefferson, soon after learning of the Spanish cession to
France, wrote to Mr. Livingston in reference to acquiring the right to deposit
at the port of New Orleans, and other matters which had been in dispute
between the United States and Spain. In his annual message to_ Congress,
in December of the same year, the President alluded to the subject of the
Spanish cession to France. Congress passed resolutions asserting the right
of navigating the Mississippi, and insisting upon the right to the use of a
port or place of deposit. At that time it was understood in the United States
that the Spanish cession to France included the Floridas, which, however,
was not the case.- The policy of the President was to enter into a treaty
with France for the purchase of New Orleans and the Floridas, and with this
view, on the 10th of January, 1803, he appointed James Monroe minister
plenipotentiary to France to act in conjunction with Mr. Livingston. Mr.
Monroe's nomination was confirmed by the senate. The instructions to the
American ministers only asked for the cession of the city of New Orleans
30 THE NOBTHWEST TEEEITOBT.
and the Floridas, together with the free navigation of the Mississippi ; The
cession at this time of the entire Territory of Louisiana was not a subject of
discussion. Mr. Monroe sailed from New York, March 8, 1803, and arrived
in Paris April 1.
Bonaparte was then first consul, and France was on the eve of a war with
England. He supposed the American ministers were authorized to enter
into more extended stipulations than they really were. Marquis de Marbois
was directed to negotiate with the American ministers. Said the first con-
sul to his minister, as recorded by the latter:
"Irresolution and deliberation are no longer in season. I renounce
Louisiana. It is not only New Orleans that I will cede; it is the whole col-
ony, without any reservation. I know the price of what I abandon, and I
have sufficiently proved the importance that I attach to this province, since my
first diplomatic act with Spain had for its object the recovery of it. I
renounce it with the greatest regret. To attempt to retain it would be folly.
I direct you to negotiate this affair with the envoys of the United States.
Do not even await the arrival of Mr. Monroe; have an interview this day
with Mr. Livingston. But I require a great deal of money for this war, and
I would not like to commence with new contributions. If I should regulate
my terms, according to the value of these vast regions to the United States,
the indemnity would have no limits. I will be moderate, in consideration
of the necessity in which I am of making a sale. But keep this to yourself.
I want fifty millions francs, and for less than that sum I will not treat; I
would rather make a desperate attempt to keep those fine countries. To-
morrow you shall have full powers. Mr. Monroe is on the point of arriving.
To this minister the President must have given secret instructions, more
extensive than the ostensible authorization of Congress, for the stipulation
of the payments to be made. Neither this minister nor his colleague is
prepared for a decision which goes infinitely beyond anything that they are
about to ask of us. Begin by making them the overture without any sub-
terfuge. You will acquaint me, day by day, hour by hour, of your progress.
The cabinet of London is informed of the measures adopted at Washington,
but it can have no suspicion of those which I am now taking. Observe the
greatest secrecy, and recommend it to the American ministers; they have
not a less interest than yourself in conforming to this counsel. You will
correspond with M. de Talleyrand, who alone knows my intentions. If I
attended to his advice, France would confine her ambition to the left bank
of the Rhine, and would only make war to protect any dismemberment of
her possessions. But he also admits that the cession of Louisiana is not a
dismemberment of France. Keep him informed of the progress of this
affair."
On the same day that Napoleon thus confided to Marbois his determina-
tion, conferences began between the latter and Mr. Livingston. The Amer-
ican minister had been in Paris about two years, endeavoring to obtain in-
demnities claimed by American citizens for prizes made by the French
during peace, but so far, without result further than vague answers. Mr.
Livingston had become distrustful of the French government, and feared
the Louisiana overtures were but an artifice to gain still further time. Soon
after these preliminary discussions were entered upon, Mr. Monroe arrived
in Paris, and the next day began his conferences with Marbois. Rapid pro-
gress was made in the negotiations, for both sides had an interest in hasten-
ing the matter. Mr. Monroe was surprised to hear the first overtures made
THE NOETHWEST TEBEITOEY. 31
bo frankly by the French minister, when he proposed to cede to the United
States so vast a region of country, with the largest rivers of the world, in-
stead of merely a town and an inconsiderable extent of territory. The offer
embraced infinitely more than the American ministers were empowered to
ask for, or accept. Their powers only extended to an arrangement respect-
ing the left bank of the Mississippi, including New Orleans. But the mo-
ment was a critical one with France, hostilities being about to commence
with England. There was not time for further instructions from the gov-
ernment of the United States before the opportunity would pass, perhaps
forever. The American ministers therefore assumed the responsibility of
treating for the purchase of the entire colony, or territory of Louisiana — an
extent of country sufficient in itself for an empire. The terms were soon
agreed upon. The United States was to pay for this vast acquisition the
sum of fifteen millions of dollars. In the treaty of October 1, 1800, be-
tween France and Spain, the latter had reserved the right of preference in
case France should cede this territory to another power ; but here again
FVance could not afford to wait. The treaty was concluded and subsequently
submitted to the Spanish cabinet. They complained that no regard had
been paid to their reserved right, and for almost a year that court delayed its
approbation of the treaty. On the 10th of February, 1804, however, Don
Pedro Cavallos, the Spanish minister, wrote to Mr. Pinckney, the American
minister, that ''His Catholic Majesty had thought fit to renounce his oppo-
sition to the alienation of Louisiana made by France, notwithstanding the
solid reasons on which it is founded, thereby giving a new proof of his be-
nevolence and friendship to the United States." The important treaty that
gave to the United States this vast region, with all its wonderful resources,
was concluded on the 30th of April, 1803, and four days later the instru-
ments, in French and.English, were signed by the ministers. After affixing
their signatures, the ministers rose and shook hands, each expressing his sat-
isfaction with the result. Mr. Livingston said : " We have lived long, but
this is the noblest work of our whole lives. The treaty which we have just
signed has not been obtained by art, or dictated by force ; equally advanta-
geous to the two contracting parties, it will change vast solitudes into flour-
ishing districts. From this day the United States take their place among
the powers of the first rank ; the English lose all exclusive influence in the
affairs of America."
The first consul, who had followed the negotiation with a lively interest,
acquiesced in the result, and said to Marbois : " It is true, the negotiation
does not leave me anything to desire. Sixty millions [francs] for an occupa-
tion that will not, perhaps, last for a day ! I would that France should en-
joy this unexpected capital, and that it may be employed in works beneficial
to the marine. This accession of territory strengthens forever the power
of the United States ; and I have just given to England a maratime rival
that will sooner or later humble her pride."
On the 22d day of May, 1803, England commenced hostilities against
France by the capture of some of her merchant vessels, and on the same
day Bonaparte gave his formal ratification of the Louisiana treaty of cession.
In July, the treaty was received in the United States, and on the 20th of
October, 1803, it was ratified by the Senate, by twenty-four against seven
votes. The country ceded by this treaty, as estimated at that time, exceeded
a million of square miles, all occupied by savages, except a few sparse settle-
ments, aggregating from 80,000 to 90,000 inhabitants, about 40,000 of whom
were slaves. The whites were chiefly French, or descendants of French'
32 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOBY.
Congress, a few days after the ratification of the treaty by the Senate, passed
an act making provision for the occupation and temporary government of
the territory acquired. Eleven millions of dollars were appropriated as
payment for the purchase— the remaining four millions being reserved, ac-
cording to. a stipulation in the treaty, to indemnify citizens of the United
States who had sustained losses at the hands of the French. The resolution
for carrying the treaty into effect was sustained by the House of Represen-
tatives by a vote of ninety to twenty -five.
Even before the acquisition of Louisiana, it had been a favorite object of
President Jefferson to have an exploring expedition sent across the continent
to the Pacific Ocean, and in January, 1803, he had recommended an appro-
priation for that purpose. The appropriation was made, and the enterprise
was placed under the direction of Captains Lewis and Clarke. . The treaty
with France," however, was ratified before the exploring expedition was ready
to start. On the 14th of May, 1804, Captains Lewis and Clarke, with their
companions, consisting in all of thirty persons, left the banks of the Missis-
sippi on their long and perilous voyage of two years and three months, to
seek out and give to their country and the world some more accurate knowl-
edge respecting this vast region of country, of which civilization at that
time knew so little. The expedition was -in every way successful, and the
report made by Captains Lewis and Clarke enabled the government and peo-
ple of the United States to form a better judgment of the immense value
of the country acquired.
It will be seen that the region acquired by the Louisiana purchase, com-
prehended not only the present State of Louisiana, but all the vast region
between the Mississippi river and th'e Pacific Ocean, and as far north as the
British possessions. The great States of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Ne-
braska, Kansas, the greater part of Minnesota, and several of our great Ter-
ritories, are but parts of this purchase.
On the 20th of December, 1803, in pursuance of authority given by act
of Congress, Gov. Claiborne and Gen. Wilkinson took possession of the Loui-
siana purchase, and raised the American flag at New Orleans. The Span-
ish authorities there objected to the transfer, but early in 1804 they acqui-
esced and withdrew. The newly acquired territory, by authority of Con-
gress, was, on the first of October, 1804, divided as follows : All south of
the 33d parallel of north latitude, was called the Territory of Orleans, and
all north of that parallel became the District of Louisiana, and was placed
under the authority of the officers of the then Indiana Territory. It so re-
mained until July 4, 1805, when the District of Louisiana was'given a ter-
ritorial government of its own. In 1812, the Territory of New Orleans be-
came the State of Louisiana, and the Territory of Louisiana become the
Territory of Missouri. On the 4th of July, 1814, Missouri Territory was
divided— that part comprising the present State of Arkansas, and the coun-
try west, being organized as the Territory of Arkansas. In March, 1821, a
part of Missouri Territory was organized as the State of Missouri, and ad-
mitted intothe Union. On the 28th of June, 1834, the territory west of
the Mississippi river and north of Missouri, was made a part of the Terri-
tory of Michigan, so remaining until July 4th, 1836, when "Wisconsin Ter-
ritory was organized. This embraced within its limits the present States of
Iowa, "Wisconsin , and Minnesota. An act of Congress, approved June 12,
1838, created the Territory of Iowa, ambracing not only the present State of
Iowa, but the greater part of the present State of Minnesota, and extending
northward to the British Possessions.
THE NORTHWEST TERKITOEY.
33
i
3.4 THE NOBTHWEST TEEEITOEX;
INDIAN WARS IN THE NORTHWEST.
Gen. Harmar's Defeat— Gen. St. Clair— His Defeat— Gen. Wayne— His Victory— His Treaties
With the Indians— British Posts Surrendered— Death of Wayne — Gen. Harrison— Tecum-
seh— The Prophet— Battle of Tippecanoe— Tecumseh's Alliance With the British— Harri-
son Appointed Brigadier-General— Perry's Victory— Gen. McArthur— Battle of the Thames
— Tecumseh Killed— Peace With the Indians— Indian Titles Extinguished— Military Posts
Established at Belle Point, Council Bluffs, and St. Peters— The Ricarees— Gen. Cass—
Treaty at Fort Dearborn— Fort Atkinson— Grand Council at Prairie du Chien— Indian
Outrages— The Militia Called Out— Gen. Atkinson— Policy of Removing the Indians West
—Treaty With the Sacs and Foxes— Black Hawk— He Refuses to Comply With Treaties
—Black Hawk War— Battle of Bad Axe— Gen. Henry Dodge— Black Hawk Captured—
Taken to Washington— Keokuk— Black Hawk Purchase— Gen. Winfield Scott— Treaties
at Davenport— Antoine Le Claire— Removal of Sacs and Foxes to Iowa— Gen. Street—
Wapello— Maj. Beach— Sac and Fox Villages on the Des Moines— Gov. Lucas— Gov.
Chambers— Visit of Hard-Fish to Burlington— An Incident— Speech of Keokuk.
Almost every advance of civilization on the American continent has been
made at the expense of more or less conflict and bloodshed at the hands of
the savage tribes who were the occupants and owners of the soil prior to the
advent of the white man. Passing over the conflicts of the colonists in the
early settlements of the East, the later struggles of the pioneers of the '.< Dark
and Bloody Ground," and the Indian wars of the South, we shall briefly
refer to some of the troubles with the aborigines in the Northwest. "With
the opening of the new country to white settlers it was necessary to establish
military posts for the protection of the pioneers against the attacks of the
Indians. In 1790, all pacific means having failed with the tribes north of
the Ohio, President Washington sent Gen. Harmar with a military force
against them. After destroying several of their villages, he was defeated in
two battles near the confluence of the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, and
not far from the present city of Fort "Wayne, Indiana. In 1781 Gen. Arthur
St. Clair was promoted to the rank of major general, and was entrusted with
a command against the hostile Miamis. On assuming his command,.the
last admonition of "Washington was, "Beware of surprise." Gen. St. Clair
marched with his troops to the vicinity of the Miami villages on the Mau-
mee. On the 4th of November, 1791, he was surprised in camp on the St.
Mary's river, and his force of 1400 ill disciplined men was cut to pieces. He
soon after resigned his commission. In this defeat St. Clair's loss was about
600 men. The savages were greatly emboldened by their successes, and it
was soon found that more vigorous measures were necessary. The Indians
continued to commit outrages against the infant settlements. In some cases,
doubtless, the whites were the aggressors, for "Washington in his annual mes-
sage of November 6, 1792, recommended more adequate measures "for re-
straining the commission of outrages, upon the Indians, without which all
faciflc plans must prove nugatory." Attempts were made to treat with the
ndians, but the attempted negotiations proved unsuccessful.
After the unsuccessful and disastrous campaigns of Generals Harmar and
St. Clair, General Anthony "Wayne, who had won distinguished laurels in the
war of the Revolution, was, in April, 1792, promoted to the rank of major
general, and made commander-in-chief in the war against the western Indians.
In August, 1794, he gained a signal victory over the Miamis, near the rapid's
of the Maumee, and compelled them to sue for peace. In the same year a
fort was erected by his order on the site of the old "Twightwee Village" of
the Miami tribe, where the city of Fort "Wayne is now located. It continued
to be a military post until 1819.
THE NOBTHWEST TEBEITOEY. 35
After his successful campaign of 1794, Gen. Wayne was appointed sole
commissioner to treat with the Indians, and also to take possession of the
forts still held by the British in the Northwest. He negotiated the treaty
of Greenville which was signed by all the principal chiefs of the Northwest.
By this treaty the Indians relinquished their title to a large tract of country.
That characteristic determination which, during the war of the Revolution,
had gained him the sobriquet of "Mad Anthony," impressed the hostile
tribes with a dread of him which operated as a wholesome restraint. Gen.
"Wayne also took possession of the British posts in the Northwest, which
were peaceably surrendered, in accordance with Jay's treaty, and from this
time there was assurance of peace on the frontier. He died in the garrison
at Presque Isle (Erie), Pa., December 14, 1796.
From the date of Wayne's victory up to 1809 the whites maintained com-
paratively peaceable relations with the Indians. During this year, Gen.
Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Territory, entered into a treaty with the
Delawares, Kickapoos, Pottawattamies, Miamis, Eel Eiver Indians and
Weas, in which these tribes relinquished their title to certain lands on the
Wabash river. About this time the noted chief Tecumseh comes into prom-
inence as the bitter opponent of any more grants of land being made to the
whites.
Tecumseh was a chief of the Shawnees, born on the Scioto river near
Chillicothe, about the year 1770. It was said that he was one of three
brothers who were triplets. The other two brothers were named Kum-
shaka and Elskwatawa. Kumshaka is believed to have died while young,
but Elskwatawa became the Prophet who co-operated with the chief in all
his plans. His father, Puckeshinwa, had risen to the rank of chief, but was
killed at the battle of Point Pleasant, in 1774. In 1795 Tecumseh was de-
clared chief at or near where Urbana, Ohio, is now located. In 1798 he
went to White river, Indiana, and his brother, the Prophet; to a tract of
land on the Wabash. Tecumseh, by reason of his oratory, had great influ-
ence over the savage tribes, and his plan was to unite all of them againBt the
whites in a conspiracy, similar to that of Pontiac nearly half a century before.
For this purpose he visited all the tribes west to the Mississippi, and upon
Lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan. At the same time his brother, the
Prophet, pretended to be directed by the Great Spirit to preach against the
influence and encroachments of the white men. Their efforts to incite the
Indians to hostilities were successful, and they gathered a large force of war-
riors, making their headquarters at a stream they called Tippecanoe, near the
Wabash river.
Meantime Gov. Harrison was watching the movements of the Indians,
and being convinced of the existence of Tecumseh's grand conspiracy, had
prepared to defend the settlements. In August, 1810, Tecumseh went to
vincehnes to confer with the Governor in relation to the grievances of the
Indians, but demeaned himself in such an angry manner that he was dis-
missed from the village. He returned to complete his plans for the conflict.
Tecumseh delayed his intended attack, but in the meantime he was gather-
ing strength to his cause, and by the autumn of 1811 had a force of several
hundred warriors at his encampment on the little river called by the Indians
KetKrtip-pe-ce-rvunk, or Tippecanoe. Harrison, with a force of eight hun-
dred men, partly regulars and partly volunteers, determined to move upon
the Prophet's town, as it was called. He encamped near the village early in
October, and on the night of the 5th of November his camp was furiously
36 THE N0BTHWE8T TEEEITOEY. , %
but unsuccessfully attacked. On the morning of the 7th he was again
■attacked by a large body of the Indians, but Tecumseh's warriors were
completely routed, but not without a severe and hotly contested battle, and
the loss of about 200 of Harrison's men.
President Madison, in a special message to Congress of December 12,
.1811, speaking of this engagement, says:
"While it is deeply lamented that so many valuable lives have been lost
in the action which took place on the seventh ultimo, Congress will see with
satisfaction the dauntless spirit and fortitude victoriously displayed by every
description of the troops engaged, as well as tlie collected firmness which
distinguished 'their commander on an occasion requiring the utmost exer-
tions of valor and discipline. . It may reasonably be expected that the good
effects of this critical defeat and dispersion of a combination of savages,
which .appears to have been spreading to a greater extent, will be experi-
enced, not only in the cessation of murders and depredations committed on
our frontier, but in the prevention of any hostile excursions otherwise to
have been apprehended."
The result of the battle of Tippecanoe utterly ruined the plans of Tecum-
seh, for his arrangements with the different tribes were not yet matured.
He was greatly exasperated toward the Prophet for precipitating the war.
Had Tecumseh himself been present it is likely the attack would not have
been made. The defeated Indians were at first inclined to sue for peace, but
Tecumseh was not yet conquered. The breaking out of the war with Great
Britain at this time inspired him with new hope, and his next endeavor was
to form an alliance with the English. In this he succeeded, and was ap-
pointed a brigadier general. He was entrusted with the command of all the
Indians who co-operated with the English in the campaigns of 1812-13, and
was in several important engagements.
After the surrender of Detroit by Gen. Hull, August 18, 1812, Har-
rison was appointed to the command of the Northwestern frontier, with a
commission as brigadier general. As this was in September, too late in the
season for a campaign, he did not assume active operations until the next
year, by which time he was promoted to the rank of major general. After •
Commodore Perry won his signal victory on Lake Erie in September, 1813,
Harrison hastened with his command to capture Maiden. On arriving there
late in September he found that Proctor, the British general, had retreated.
About the same time Gen. McArthur took possession of Detroit and the
Territory of Michigan. Pursuing the British army into the interior of Can-
ada West, Harrison overtook Proctor at the Moravian settlements, on the
river Thames, on the 5th of October. The British general had an auxiliary
force of two thousand Indians under the command of Tecumseh. The battle
was opened by the American cavalry under the command of Col. Richard
M. Johnson, afterward vice-president of the United States. Early in the
engagement Tecumseh was killed at the head of his column of Indians, who,
no longer hearing the voice of their chief, fled in confusion. It has been
claimed by some authorities that this celebrated chief was killed by Col.
Johnson, who fired at him with a pistol. This, however, will remain one
of the unsolved problems of history. The result of the battle was a com-
plete victory for the Americans, with the capture of 600 prisoners, six pieceB
of cannon, and a large quantity of army stores.
This decisive victory over the combined forces of the British and Indians
practically closed the war in the Northwest, and as a consequence peace
* THE NOBTHWJKST TEBBITOBY. 37
with the Indian tribes soon followed. Other treaties were negotiated with
the Indians by which they gave up their title to additional large tracts of
territory. The settlement of the country progressed rapidly, and again an
era of apparent good will prevailed between the whites and Indians. By the
end of the year 1817, the Indian title, with some moderate reservations, had
been extinguished to the whole of the land within the State of Ohio, to a
great part of that in Michigan Territory, and in the State of Indiana. In
1817 Gov. Cass, of Michigan, in conjunction with Gov. McArthur, of Ohio,
obtained accession of most of the remaining lands in Ohio with some adjoin-
ing tracts in Indiana and Michigan, amounting in all to about 4,000,000 of
acres, and in 1819 Gov. Oass met the Chippewas at Saginaw and obtained a
cession of lands in the peninsula of Michigan to the extent of about 6,000,000
of acres. The next year a treaty was made at Chicago, then nothing but a
military post, called lort Dearborn, with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Potta-
wattamies, by which a large additional tract was obtained, which completed
the extinguishment of the Indian title to the peninsula of Michigan south of
the Grand river. By 1820 a nnmber of military posts were established far
in the interior, and among them was one at Belle Point on the Arkansas, at
Council Bluffs on the Missouri, at St. Peters on the Mississippi, and at Green
Bay on the upper lakes.
During the month of June, 1823, Gen. Ashley and his party, who were
trading under a license from the government, were attacked by the Ricarees
while trading with the Indians at their request. Several of the party were
killed and wounded, and their property taken or destroyed. Col. Leaven-
worth, who cpmmanded Fort Atkinson at Council Bluffs, then the most
western post, took immediate measures to check this hostile spirit of
the Eicarees, fearing that it might extend to other tribes in that quarter
and endanger the lives of traders on the Missouri. With a detachment of
the regiment stationed at Council Bluffs, he successfully attacked the Bica-
ree village. The hostile spirit, however, still continued and extended to the
tribes on the upper Mississippi and the upper lakes. Several parties of
citizens were plundered and murdered by those tribes during the year' 1824.
An act of Congress of May 25th of this year, made an appropriation to de-
fray the expenses of making treaties of trade and friendship with the tribes
west of the Mississippi, and another act of March 3, 1825, provided for the
expense of treaties with the Sioux, Chippewas, Menomonees, Sacs and Foxes,
and other tribes, and also for establishing boundaries and promoting peace
between them. These objects were in the main accomplished, and by the
treaties made the government secured large acquisitions of territory. Gov.
Cass, in conjunction with Gov. Clark, of Missouri, attended a grand council
of the tribes this year at Prairie du Chien to carry out the purposes of the
act of Congress last mentioned. During his continuance in office as Gov-
ernor of Michigan Territory, Gov. Cass made, or participated in the making
of nineteen treaties with the Indians, and by them acquired lands in Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, to an amount equal to one-fourth
of the entire area of those States.
During the summer of 1827, when the commissioners appointed to carry
into execution certain provisions of a treaty, made August 19th, 1825, with
various northwestern tribes, were about to arrive at the appointed place of
meeting, several citizens were murdered, and other acts of hostility were com-
mitted, especially against the miners at Fever river, near Galena, by a party
38 THE NOKTHWEST TEBBITOBY.
of the "Winnebago tribe, which tribe was one of those associated in the
treaty. To quell these outrages the governors of the State of Illinois and
the Territory of Michigan, made levies of militia. These forces, with a
corps of seven hundred United States troops, under the command of General
Atkinson, repaired to the scene of danger. The Indians, overawed by the ap-
pearance of the military, surrendered the perpetrators of the murders, and
gave assurances of future good behavior.
For many years it had been the policy of the government to obtain a re-
linquishment of the title of the Indians to all lands within the limits of the
States, and as rapidly as possible cause the removal of the tribes to territory
beyond the Mississippi. In 1830 the Chickasaws and Choctaws, occupying
portions of the States of Alabama and Mississippi, agreed to remove, and
in due time carried out their agreement in good faith. The same year a
treaty was made with the Sacs and Foxes, by which they agreed to cede their
lands to the United States, and remove beyond the Mississippi. The prin-
cipal village of these united tribes was located at the mouth of Rock river,
on the east side of the Mississippi, near where the city of Rock Island now
stands. Here had been an Indian village, according to tradition, for one
hundred and fifty years. These tribes had owned and occupied the country
bordering on the Mississippi, to an extent of seven hundred miles, from the
mouth of the Wisconsin almost to the mouth of the Missouri. The Indians
did not seem disposed to comply promptly with the terms of the treaty, and
one band, under the noted chief Black Hawk (lfa-ka,4ai-me-she-kia-kiah),
evinced a determination to keep possession of their old village. John Rey^
nolds, Governor of Illinois, construed their continued residence in the ceded
territory as an invasion of the State, and under his authority to protect the
State from invasion, ordered out seven hundred militia to force their re-
moval, according to the treaty. This interference of the governor of Illi-
nois with the duties belonging to the Federal Government, obliged the com-
mander of United States troops in that quarter to co-operate with him, in
order to prevent a collision between the State militia and the Indians. Fort
Armstrong, on Rock Island, had been established as early as 1816, and when
the Black Hawk trouble commenced, was in command of Gen. Atkinson,
The Indians were overawed by this imposing military force, and yielding to
necessity, crossed the Mississippi. Black Hawk, feeling exasperated at the
harsh treatment his people had received, resolved to prosecute a predatory
war against the white settlements. He united his band of Sacs and Foxes
with the Winnebagoes, under the command of the Prophet Wabo-ki-e-shiek
(White Cloud), and in March, 1832, recrossed to the .east side of the Missis-
sippi. They murdered a number of defenseless families, and committed
many outrages upon the settlers. The whole frontier became alarmed, and
many of the settlers fled for safety. The governor of Illinois ordered out
the State militia, which being joined by four hundred regular troops, con-
stituted a force of about one thousand, under the command of Gen. Atkin-
son. They pursued the Indians, and after a campaign of about two months,
during which two engagements were fought, the war was brought to an end.
The last, and the decisive battle of the war, is known in history as the bat-
tle of Bad Axe, being fought on a small tributary of the Wisconsin of that
name. This battle took place August 2d, 1832, and the force against Black
Hawk was commanded by Gen. Henry Dodge, of Wisconsin. The Indians
lost forty of their braves, and Gen. Dodge one. The Indians made but little
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 39
further resistance, and Black Hawk's " British Band," as it was styled, he-
came demoralized and fled. They reached the Mississippi and were making
preparations for crossing when they were checked by the captain of the
steamboat " Warrior," who discharged a six-pounder at them, although they
had displayed a flag of truce. The next morning Gen. Atkinson arrived
with his army, and made an attack, which the Indians were now powerless
to resist. Black Hawk escaped, but was taken by some treacherous Winne-
bagoe3, and delivered along with the Prophet, on the 27th of August, to
Gen. Street, at Prairie du Chien. Two of Black Hawk's sons, the Prophet
and other leaders, were also taken, and by order of the government were con-
veyed through the principal cities and towns on the seaboard, in order that
they might be impressed with the greatness and power of the United States.
For some time Black Hawk was held as a captive, and then through the in-
tercession of Keokuk, who had been opposed to the war, and had not par-
ticipated in the hostilities, he was allowed to return to Bock Island, and per-
mitted to join his people. Treaties were made with the offending tribes by
which they agreed to compensate for the expense of the war, by ceding a
valuable part of their territory on the west side of the Mississippi, and to
immediately remove from the east side. The United States stipulated to
pay to the three tribes annually, thirty thousand dollars for twenty-seven
, years, and also to make other provisions for their improvement. By this
treaty the United States acquired the first territory in Iowa which was
opened to settlement, It is what is known as the " Black Hawk Purchase,"
and embraced a strip of territory extending from the northern boundary of
Missouri to the mouth of the Upper Iowa river, about fifty miles in widthj
and embracing an area of about six millions of acres. This treaty was made
on the 21st day of September, 1832, at a council held on the west bank of
the Mississippi river, where the city of Davenport now stands. Gen. Win-
field Scott and Gov. John Keynolds, of Illinois, represented the United
States, and on the part of the Indians there were present Keokuk, Pashe-
paho, and about thirty other chiefs and warriors of the Sac and Fox nation.
Within the limits of this purchase was reserved a tract of 400 square miles,
situated on Iowa river, and including Keokuk's village. This tract was
known as " Keokuk's Reserve," and was occupied by the Indians until 1836.
when it was ceded to the United States. This treaty was negotiated by Gov.
Henry Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory, and on the part of the Indians Keo-
kuk was the leading spirit. This council was also held on the banks of the
Mississippi, near the site of the present city of Davenport. The treaty stip-
ulated for the removal of the Indians to another reservation on the Des
Moines river. On this an agency was established, where the present town
of Agency City, in Wapello county, is located. Out of the " Black Hawk
Purchase" was conveyed to Antoine Le Claire, who was interpreter, and
whose wife was an Indian, one section of land opposite Bock Island, and
another at the head of the first rapids above the Island.
General Joseph M. Street, the agent with the Winnebagoes at Prairie dn
Chien, was transferred to the Sac and Fox agency on the Des Moines river,
and in 1838 took measures for building and making the necessary improve-
ments. In April, of the next year, he removed with his family from Prairie
du Chien. His health soon began to fail, and on the 5th of May, 1840,
Gen. Street died. Wapello, a prominent chief of the Sac and Fox nation,
died in 1842. His remains were interred near those of Gen. Steeet. The
stone slabs placed over their graves soon after, are inscribed as follows:
40 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
In
Memory of
GEN JOSEPH M. STREET,
Son of Anthony and Molly Street.
Born Oct. 18th, 1782, in Virginia;
Died at the Sac and Fox Agency,
May 5th, 181,0.
In
Memory of
WA-PEL-LO,
Born at
Prairie du Ohien, 1787 :
Died near the Forks of Skunk,
March 15th, 181$ — Sac and Fox Nation.
Wapello had requested that at his death his remains be interred near those
of Gen. Street.
After the death of Gen. Street, Maj. John Beach, his son-in-law, received
the appointment as agent for the Sacs and Foxes, and filled the position to
the satisfaction of the government. Major Beach was born at Gloucester,
Massachusetts, Feb. 23d, 1812. After a course of study at Portsmouth
Academy, in New Hampshire, he received at the age of sixteen, the appoint-
ment of cadet at the West Point Military Academy, graduating in the class
of 1832. Receiving his commission as Second Lieutenant by brevet in the
First U. S. Infantry, of which Zachary Taylor was then colonel, he was or-
dered to duty on the frontier, and was alternately stationed at Fort Arm-
strong, Fort Crawford, Prairie du Ohien, and Jefferson Barracks, near St.
Louis. His hearing having partially failed, in 1838, he resigned his com-
mission in the army, and was, at the time of his appointment as Indian
agent, engaged in the U. S. Land Office at Dubuque. He remained at
Agency City, engaged in mercantile and literary pursuits until his death
which occurred August 31st, 1874. '
At the time of Gen. Street's death, the Indians were occupying their res-
ervation with their permanent, or spring and summer villages, as follows :
Upon the banks of the Des Moines, opposite the month of Sugar Creek,
was the village of Keokuk, and- above were those of Wapello and Appa-
noose. The village of Hardfish, or Wish-e-co-me-que, as it is in the Indian
tongue, was located in what is now the heart of Eddyville, where J. P. Eddy
was licensed by Maj. Beach, the agent, in the summer of 1840, to establish
a trading post. Not far from the " Forks of Skunk " was a small village
presided over by Kish-ke-kosh, who, though not a chief, was a man of con-
siderable influence. Poweshiek, a Fox chief of equal rank with Wapello,
still had a village on the bank of Iowa river.
It has been remarked above that Keokuk, who was the chief next in au-
thority and influence to Black Hawk, was opposed to the war against the
whites, and persistently refused to take part in the hostilities. When Black
Hawk's attempt to defy the power of the United States resulted so disas-
trously to the Indians, and they were obliged to cede still more territory,
his influence among his people declined, and that of Keokuk increased.
Black Hawk, however, retained a party of adherents, and for some time a
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOKT. 41
sort of rivalry existed between the two chiefs, and this feeling was shared
to some extent by their respective friends in the tribes. An incident is rela-
ted by Maj. Beach to show how the traders were ready to take advantage of
this state of things for their own mercenary purposes.
When Gen.Harrison became President in 1841, John Chambers, an ex-
congressman of Kentucky, was appointed Governor of the Territory, suc-
ceeding Gov. Eobert Lucas. The governor was ex-offido superintendent
over the Indians and their agencies. Gov. Lucas had favored the Black
Hawk band, whose chief was .Hardfish. Accordingly when the new gov-
ernor was appointed, both Keokuk and Hardfish felt that it would be some-
thing of an object to gain his favor. The latter desired the new governor
to pursue the policy of his predecessor, while Keokuk wished at least an
impartial course. Keokuk requested the consent of the agent for him and
his principal men to visit the governor at Burlington. As it was the policy
of the government to discountenance such pilgrimages of the Indians, Maj.
Beach suggested that Gov. Chambers might see proper to visit them at the
agency. With this expectation Keokuk chose to wait. The Hardfish band,
under the influence of some of the traders, were less patient. They hast-
ened to Burlington in a large body, and on their arrival encamped near the
town, sending to the governor a written notice of their presence, and a
request for supplies. The governor answered, declining to accede to their
request, or to hold a council with them. Hardfish and his men returned
over their weary journey of seventy miles to the agency, very much dis-
appointed. In the meantime the governor communicated with Major
Beach, informing him that he would visit the agency soon, and requesting
him to use his influence to prevent the Indians from making incursions
. through the white settlements. When the governor fixed his time to be
present, the bands were all informed, and it was arranged that a grand coun-
cil should be held. When the day arrived all the Indians, except the Pow-
eshiek band of Foxes, who were so far away on the Iowa river, were en-
camped within a convenient distance from the agency. Long before the
hour fixed for the meeting, the Hardfish party, arrayed in all their toggery,
and displaying their richest ornaments, came in grand procession upon the
ground. Having dismounted from their ponies, they formed in file on foot
and marched into the agency headquarters, where the governor was to receive
them. Hardfish and some of his principal men shook hands with the gov-
ernor and then sat down.
The reader will remember that at this time the nation was in mourning
for the sudden loss of a President by death, and that Gov. Chambers had
been one of the warmest and most devoted friends of Gen. Harrison, a fact
of which Keokuk was fully advised. Chambers had been aid-de-camp to
Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812, and they had ever after been as father
and son. Keokuk was shrewd enough to make the most of this.
The appointed hour for the meeting had passed, and the governor began
to become impatient for the appearance of Keokuk. At last the sounds of
the approaching bands were heard faintly floating upon the breeze. After a
time the procession marched with slow and solemn tread into view, not ar-
rayed in gaudy feathers, ribbons and trinkets, like the Hardfish band,' but
with lances and staves wrapped around with wilted grass. No sound of
bells responded to the tramp of their ponies, and instead of being painted
in vermillion, their faces presented the sombre hues produced by a kind of
clay they were wont to use on occasions of solemnity or mourning. Their
42 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
V
appearace betokened sadness and affliction. Mr. JosiaL. Smart, the interpre-
ter, informed Gov. Chambers that this was a funeral march, and that some
one of their principal men must have died during the night. Even Hard-
fish and his men were at a loss to account for what they saw, and wondered
who could have died. At last Keokuk and his men dismounted and filed
slowly and solemnly into the presence of the governor. Keokuk signed to
the interpreter, and said :
" Say to our new father that before I take his hand, I will explain to him
what all this means. We were told not long ago that our Great Father was
dead. We had heard of him as a great war chief, who had passed much o!
his life among the red men and knew their wants, and we believed that we
would always have friendship and justice at his hands. His death has made
us very sad, and as this is our first opportunity, we thought it would be
wrong if we did not use it, to show that the hearts of his red children, as
well as his white, know how to mourn over their great loss; and we had to
keep our father waiting while we performed that part of our mourning that
we must always attend to before we leave our lodges with our dead."
At the conclusion of this speech, Keokuk 'steppped forward and extended
his hand. The hearty grasp of the governor showed that the wily chief had
touched the proper cord. The result was, that the Hardfish band received
no special favors after that, at the expense of the other bands.
SKETCHES OF BLACK HAWK AND OTHEE CHIEFS.
Black Hawk— Treaty of 1804 — Black Hawk's account of the Treaty — Lieut. Pike— Ft. Ed-
wards— Ft. Madison— Black Hawk and the British— Keokuk recognized as Chief— Ft.
Armstrong— Sac and Fox Villages — Black Hawk's ''British Band "—Black Hawk War-
Black Hawk's old age — His death in Iowa — His remains carried away, but recovered^-
Keokuk — Appanoose — Wapello— Poweshiek — Pash-e-pa-ho — Wish-e-co-ma-que — Chas-
chun-ca— Mau-haw-gaw— Ma-has-kah— Si-dom-i-na-do-tah— Henry Lott— A Tragedy in
Humboldt County— Ink-pa-du-tah— Spirit Lake Massacre— Expedition from Ft. Dodge-
Death of Capt. Johnston and William Burkholder.
BLACK HAWK.
This renowned chief, the "noblest Eoman of them all," was born at the
Sac village on Eock river, about the year 1767. His first introduction to
the notice of the whites seems to have been in 1804, when William Henry
Harrison, then. the Governor of Indiana Territory, concluded his treaty with
the Sac and Fox nation for the lands bordering on Eock river. Black Hawk
was then simply a chief, though not by election or inheritance, of his own
band of Sac warriors, but from that time he was the most prominent, man
in the Sac and Fox nation. He considered the' action of the four chiefs who
represented the Indians in making this treaty as unjust and refused to con-
sider it binding. The territory ceded embraced over fifty-one millions of
acres, extending almost from opposite St. Louis to the Wisconsin river.
He claimed that the chiefs or braves who made the treaty had no authority
to make it, and that they had been sent to St. Louis, where the treaty was
negotiated, for quite a different purpose, namely: to procure the release of
one of their people who was held there as a prisoner on charge of killing a
white man. The United States regarded this treaty as a bona fide transact
tion, claiming that the lands were sold by responsible men of the tribes, and
that it was further ratified by a part of the tribes with Gov. Edwards and
THE NORTHWEST TEEBITOBY. 43
Auguste Choteau, in September, 1815, and again with the same commis-
sioners in 1816. They claimed that the Indians were only to occupy the
lands at the Sac village on Kock river until they were surveyed and sold by
the government, when they were to vacate them. The treaty of St. Louis
was signed by five chiefs instead of four, although Black Hawk claimed that
the latter number only were sent to St. Louis for a different purpose. One
of these was Pash-e-pa-ho, a head chief among the Sacs. Black Hawk him-
self thus describes the return of the chiefs to Bock Island after the treaty:
, " Quash-qua-me and party remained a long time absent. They at length
returned, and encamped a short distance below the village, but did not come
up that day, nor did any person approach their camp, They appeared to be
dressed in fine coats, and had medals. From these circumstances we were
in hopes that they had brought good news. Early the next morning the
council lodge was crowded. Quash-qua-me came up and said that on their
arrival in St. Louis they met their American father, and explained to him
their business, and urged the release of their friend. The American chief told
them he wanted land, and that they had agreed to give him some on the west
side of the Mississippi, and som6 on the Illinois side, opposite the Jeffreon*
that when the business was all arranged, they expected their friend released
to come home with them. But about the time they were ready to start,
their friend was let out of prison, who ran a short distance, and was shot
dead! This was all'myself or nation knew of the treaty of 1804. It has
been explained to me since. I find, by that treaty, that all our country east
of the Mississippi, and south of the Jeffreon, was ceded to the United States
for one thousand dollars a year!"
The treaty was doubtless made in good faith on the part of the commis-
sioners, and with the full conviction that it was by authority of the tribes.
From this time forward Black Hawk seems to have entertained a distrust of
the Americans.
Although Spain had ceded the country west of the Mississippi to France
in 1801, the former power still held possession until its transfer to the United
States by France. Black Hawk and his band were at St. Louis at this time,
and he was invited to be present at the ceremonies connected with the
change of authorities. He refused the invitation; and in giving an account
of the transaction, said:
" I found many sad and gloomy faces, because the United States were about
to take possession of the town and country. Soon after the Americans came, I
took my band and went to take leave of our Spanish father. The Americans
came to see him also. Seeing them approach, we passed out of one door as
they entered another, and immediately started in our canoes for our village
on Kock river, not liking the change any more than our friends appeared
to at St. Louis. On arriving at our village, we gave the news that strange
people had arrived at St. Louis, and that we should never see our Spanish
father again. The information made all our people sorry."
In August, 1805, Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike ascended the river from St.
Louis, for the purpose of holding councils with the Indians, and selecting
sites for military posts within the country recently acquired from France.
At the mouth of Bock river he had a personal interview with Black Hawk,
the latter being favorably impressed with the young lieutenant. Speaking
of this interview, Black Hawk himself said:
"A boat came up the river with a young American chief, and a small
party of soldiers. We heard of them soon after they passed Salt river.
44 THE NOETHWEST TEBBITORY.
Some of our young braves watched them every day, to see what sort of peo-
ple he had on board. The boat at length arrived at Bock Island, and the
young chief came on shore with his interpreter, and made a speech, and
gave us some presents. We, in turn, presented them with meat and such
other provisions as we had to spare. We were well pleased with the young
chief. He gave us good advice, and said our American father would treat
118 \r©ll
Lieut. Pike's expedition was soon followed by the erection of Fort Ed-
wards and Fort Madison, the former on the site of the present town of
Warsaw, Illinois, and the latter on the site of the present town of Fort
Madison, Iowa. When these forts were being erected, the Indians sent down
delegations, headed by some of their chiefs, to have an interview with the
Americans. Those who visited Fort Edwards returned apparently satisfied
with what was being done. The erection of Fort Madison they claimed was
a violation of the treaty of 1804. In that treaty the United States had
agreed that if "any white persons should form a settlement on their lands,
such intruders should forthwith be removed." Fort Madison was erected
within the territory reserved for the Indians, and this they considered an intru-
sion. Some time afterward a party under the leadership of Black Hawk
and Pash-e-pa-ho attempted its destruction. They sent spies to watch the
movements of the garrison. Five soldiers who came out were fired upon by
the Indians, and two of the soldiers were killed. They kept up the attack
for several days. Their efforts to destroy the fort being unsuccessful, they
returned to Rock river.
When the war of 1812 broke out, Black Hawk and his band allied them-
selves with the British, which was the origin of his party, at a later date,
being known as the "British Band." In narrating the circumstances which
induced him to join the British, he says:
" Several of the chiefs and head men of the Sacs and Foxes were called
upon to go to Washington to see the Great Father. On their return they
related what had been said and done. They said the Great Father wished
them, in the event of a war taking place with England, not to interfere on
either side, but to remain neutral. He did not want our help, but wished us to
hunt and support our families and live in peace. He said that British traders
would not be permitted to come on the Mississippi to furnish us with goods,
but that we should be supplied by an American trader. Our chiefs then told
him that the British traders always gave them credit in the fall for guns, powder
and goods to enable us to hunt and clothe our families. He replied that the
trader at Fort Madison would have plenty of goods; that we should go there
in the fall, and he would supply us on credit, as the British traders had
done."
According to Black Hawk, this proposition pleased his people, and they
went to Fort Madison to receive their promised outfit for the winter's hunt,
but notwithstanding the promise of the Great Father, at Washington, the
trader would not give them credit. In reference to their disappointment,
Black Hawk says:
"Few of us^slept that night; all was gloom and discontent. In the morn-
ing a canoe was seen descending the river; it soon arrived, bearing an ex-
?ress, who brought intelligence that a British trader had landed at Rock
Bland, with two boats loaded with goods, and requested us to come up im-
mediately, because he had good news for us, and a variety of presents. The
express presented us with tobacco, pipes and wampum. The news ran
THE U0ETHWE6T TEEEITOEY. 45
through our camp like fire on a prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down,
and all started for Rock Island. Here ended all hopes of our remaining at
peace, having been forced into the war by being deceived."
Black Hawk and his band then espoused the cause of the British, who, as
in the case of Tecumseh, gave him the title of "Gen. Black Hawk." But
a large portion of the Sacs and Foxes, at the head of whom was Keokuk,
chose to remain neutral, as well as to abide by the treaty of 1804. Of this
party Keokuk was the recognized chief. The nation was divided into the
"war party" and " peace party." Black Hawk maintained his fidelity to
the British until the end of the war, and was the intimate friend and sup-
porter of Tecumseh, until the death of the latter at the battle of the Thames.
At the close of the war of 1812, Black Hawk returned to his village on
Rock river, to find Keokuk still the friend of the Americans, and the recog-
nized war chief of that portion of the Sac and Fox nation which had re-
mained neutral. As stated elsewhere, a new treaty was concluded in Sep-
tember, 1815, in which, among other matters, the treaty of St. Louis was rati-
fied. This treaty was not signed by Black Hawk, or any one representing his
band, but was signed by chiefs of both the Sacs and Foxes,who were fully an thor-
ized to do so. This treaty was held at Portage des Sioux,and was a result of the
war of 1812, with England. In May, 1816, another treaty was held at St.
Louis, in which the St. Louis treaty of 1804 was recognized. This treaty
was signed by Black Hawk and twenty other chiefs and braves. The same
year Fort Armstrong was erected upon Rock Island, a proceeding very dis-
tasteful to the Indians. Of this Black Hawk says :
"We did not, however, object to their building the fort on the island, but
we were very sorry, as this was the best island on the Mississippi, and had
long been the resort of our young people during the summer. It was our gar-
den, like the white people have near their big villages, which supplied us with
strawberries, blackberries, plums, apples and nuts of various kinds ; and its
waters supplied us with pure fish, being situated in the rapids of the river. In
my early life, I spent many happy days on this island. A good spirit had care
of it, who lived in a cave in the rocks, immediately under the place where
the fort now stands, and has often been seen by our people. He was white,
with large wings like a swan's, but ten times larger. We were particular
not to make much noise in that part of the island which he inhabited, for
fear of disturbing him. But the noise of the fort has since driven him away,
and no doubt a bad spirit has since taken his place."
The expedition which was sent up the river to erect a fort at or near Rock
Island, consisted at first of the Eighth United States Infantry, and started
from St. Louis in September, 1815, under the command Col. R C. Nichols.
They reached the mouth of the Des Moines, where they wintered. In April,
1816, Gen. Thomas A. Smith arrived and took command of the expedition.
They reached Rock Island on the 10th of May, and, after a careful exami-
nation, the site for the fort was selected. The regiment being left under the
command of Ool. Lawrence, the work on the fort immediately commenced.
It was named in honor of John Armstrong of New York, who had recently
been Secretary of War.
After the establishment of the fort and garrison at Rock Island settlements
began to be made at and near the mouth of Rock river, on the east side of the
Mississippi. Keokuk, as the head chief of the Foxes, with his tribe, in accord-
ance with the treaties they had made with the United States, left in 1828 and
established themselves on Iowa river, but Black Hawk and his "British
46 THE NOBTHWEST TEBBITOBY.
Band" of about 500 warriors remained in their village and persistently
refused to leave. The settlers began to complain of frequent depredations at
the hands of Black Hawk's people, and feared that the neighboring tribes of
Kickapoos, Pottawattamies, and "Winnebagoes, might be induced to join
Black Hawk in a war of extermination. Finally, in the spring of 1831, Black
Hawk warned the settlers to leave. These troubles culminated in the
" Black Hawk War," and the final capture of the chief and some of his prin-
cipal men, as related elsewhere. The Black Hawk War ended hostilities
with the Indians at or near Bock Island. A garrison, however, was main-
tained there until 1836, when the troops were sent to Fort Snelling. The
fort was left in charge of Lieut. John Beach, with a few men to take care of
the property.
After his capture, Black Hawk and several of his principal men were
taken to Jefferson Barracks, where they were kept until the the spring of
1833. They were then sent to Washington, where they arrived on the 22d
of April, and on the 26th were confined in Fortress Monroe. On the 4th of
June, 1833, they were set at liberty by order of the government and per-
mitted to return to their own country.
In the fall of 1837 Black Hawk, accompanied by Keokuk, Wapello, Powe-
shiek, and some forty of the principal chiefs and braves of the Sac and Fox
nations, again visited Washington, in charge of Col. George Davenport, who
by his influence with the Indians assisted the government in making another
large purchase of territory in Iowa. This tract adjoined the " Black Hawk
Purchase," and embraced 1,250,000 acres.
After Black Hawk's release from captivity in 1833, he seemed unwilling
to reside in any of the villages of the tribe. His band was broken up and
dispersed, as stipulated in the treaty of peace, and he seemed to seek seclu-
sion from his people. While the garrison remained at Bock Island, he
usually lived near it, and often put up his wigwam close to the fort, where
his vision could take in the beautiful country on the east bank of the Missis-
sippi, which had been his home for more than half a century. But the time
came when he must go with his people to the new reservation on the banks
of the Des Moines. He was then in the waning years of his life, and the
other chiefs of the nation seemed disposed to pay him but little attention.
His family consisted of his wife, two sons and one daughter. He established
his lodge on the east bank of the Des Moines, about three miles below the
site of the present town of Eldon. Gen. Street presented the family with a
cow, which was a piece of property which exacted much solicitude and care
at the hands of Madame Black Hawk. His lodge was near the trading post
of Wharton McPherson ; and James Jordan, who was also at that time con-
nected with the post, had his cabin within a few rods of Black Hawk's lodge.
This was in the summer of 1838, and the old chief who had defied the power
of the United States and caused the expenditure of millions of treasure to >
subdue him, was nearing his departure for a final remove beyond the power
of earthly governments. Near his lodge, on the bank of the river, stood a
large elm tree, with its spreading branches overhanging the stream, and
flowing from its roots was a crystal spring of pure water. Here during the
sultry summer days of that year Black Hawk was wont to repose and dream
over the years of his former greatness and the wrongs that his people had
suffered. At last, on the 3d of October, 1838, death came to his relief,
and, according to the Indian idea, his spirit passed away to the happy hunt-
ing grounds.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 47
^ The remains of Black Hawk were interred by his family and friends near
his cabin on the prairie, a short distance above the old town of Iowaville.
The body was placed on a board, or slab, set up in an inclining position, with
the feet extending into the ground some fifteen inches and the head elevated
above the surface some three feet or more. This was enclosed by placino-
slabs around it with the ends resting on the ground and meeting at the top^
forming a land of vault. The whole was then covered with dirt and neatly
sodded. _ At the head of the grave was placed a flag-staff thirty feet high,
from which floated the American flag until it was worn out by the wind.
Interred with the body were a number of his prized and long-treasured
relics, including a military suit presented by Jackson's cabinet; a sword pre-
sented by Jackson himself; a cane presented by Henry Clay, and another
by a British officer ; and three silver medals — one presented by Jackson, one
by John Quincy Adams, and the other by citizens of Boston. Near the
grave a large post was set in the ground, on which were inscribed in Indian
characters, emblems commemorating many of his heroic deeds. The
gave and flag-staff were enclosed by a rude picket fence in circular form,
ere the body remained until July, 1839, when it disappeared. On com-
plaint being made by Black Hawk's family, the matter was investigated, and it
was finally traced to one Dr. Turner, who then resided at a place called Lex-
ington, in Yan Buren county. The remains had been taken to Illinois, but
at the earnest request of Black Hawk's relatives, Gov. Lucas interposed and
had them sent to Burlington. The sons were informed that the remains
were in Burlington and went to that place to obtain them. While there it
was suggested to them that if taken away they would only be stolen again,
and they concluded to leave them where they thought they might be more
safely preserved. They were finally placed in a museum in that city, and
years after, with a large collection of other valuable relics, were destroyed by
the burning of the building. In the meantime the relatives of the renowned
chief removed westward with the rest of the tribe, and were finally lost to
all knowledge of the white man.
KEOKUK.
Keokuk (Watchful Fox) belonged to the Sac branch of the nation, and
was born on Bock river, in 1780. He was an orator, but was also entitled
to rank as a warrior, for he possessed courage and energy, but at the same
time a cool judgment. He had an intelligent appreciation of the power and
greatness of the United States, and saw the futility of Black Hawk's hope to
contend successfully against the government. In his first battle, while
young, he had killed a Sioux, and for this he was honored with a feast by
his tribe.
At the beginning of the Black Hawk War an affair transpired which was
dignified by the name of the " Battle of Stillman's Eun," in which some three
hundred volunteers under Maj. Stillman took prisoners five of Black Hawk's
men who were approaching with a flag of truce. One of the prisoners was
shot by Stillman's men. Black Hawk had also sent five other men to follow
the bearers of the flag. The troops came upon these and killed two of them.
The other three readied their camp and gave the alarm. Black Hawk's
warriors then charged upon Stillman's advancing troops and completely
routed them. This failure to respect the flag of truce so exasperated the
Indians that it was with great difficulty that Keokuk could restrain his war-
riors from espousing the cause of Black Hawk. Stillman's defeat was fol-
48 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOEY.
lowed by a war-dance, in which Keokuk took part. After the dance he
called a council of war, and made a speech in which he admitted the justice
of their complaints. The blood of their brethren slain by the white men,
while bearing a flag of truce, called loudly for vengeance. Said he:
" I am your chief, and it is my duty to lead you to battle, if, after fully con-
sidering the matter, you are determined to go. But before you decide on
taking this important step, it is wise to inquire into the chances of success.
But if you do determine to go upon the war path, I will agree to lead you on
one condition, viz.: that before we go we will kill all our old men and our
wives and our children, to save them from a lingering death of starvation*
and that every one of us determine to leave our homes on the other side of
the Mississippi."
Keokuk so forcibly portrayed in other parts of this speech the great
power of the United States, and of the hopeless prospect before them, that
his warriors at once abandoned all thought of joining Black Hawk.
The name Keokuk signified Watchful Fox. As we have seen, he eventu-
ally superseded Black Hawk, and was recognized by the United States as the
principal chief of the Sac and Fox nation, which, indeed, had much to do in
stinging the pride of the imperious Black Hawk. In person he was strong,
fraceful and commanding, with fine features and an intelligent countenance,
[e excelled m horsemanship, dancing, and all athletic exercises. He was
courageous and skillful in war, but mild and politic in peace. He had a
son, a fine featured, promising boy, who died at Keokuk's village on the
Des Moines. Keokuk himself became somewhat dissipated during the later
years of his life in Iowa. It was reported that after his removal withhis people
to the Indian Territory west of the Mississippi, he died of delirium tremens,
Iowa has honored his memory in the name of one of her counties, and one
of her principal cities.
APPANOOSE.
Appanoose was a chief who presided over a band of the Sacs. His name,
in the language of that tribe, signified "A Chief "When a Child," indicating
that he inherited his position. It was said he was equal in rank with Keo-
kuk, but he did not possess the influence of the latter. He was one of the
" peace chiefs " during the Black Hawk War. During the last occupation of
Iowa soil by the Sacs and Foxes, Appanoose had his village near the site of the
present city of Ottumwa. His people cultivated a portion of the ground on
which that city is located. He was one of the delegation sent toSVashing-
ton in 1837, at which time he visited with the other chiefs the city of Boston,
where they were invited to a meeting in Fanueil Hall. On that occasion he
made the most animated speech, both in manner and matter, that was deliv-
ered by the chiefs. After Keokuk had spoken, Appanoose arose and said:
" You have heard just now what my chief has to say. All our chiefs and
warriors are very much gratified by our visit to this town. Last Saturday
they were invited to a great house, and now they are in the great council-
house. They are very much pleased with so much attention. This we can-
not reward you for now, but shall not forget it, and hope the Great Spirit
will reward you for it. This is the place which our forefathers once inhabi-
ted. I have often heard my father and grandfather say they lived near the
sea-coast where the white man first came. I am glad to hear all this from
you. I suppose it is put in a book, where you learn all these things. As
far as I can understand the language of the white people, it appears to me
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
49
INDIANS TRYING A PRISONER.
50 THE NORTHWEST TEBBITOBYi.
that the Americans have attained a very high rank among the white people.
It is the same with us, though I say it myself. Where we live beyond the
Mississippi, I am respected Dy all people, and they consider me the tallest
among them. I am happy that two great men meet and shake hands with
each other."
As Appanoose concluded his speech, he suited the action tp the word by
extending his hand to Gov. Everett, amid the shouts of applause from the
audience, who were not a little amused at the self-complacency of the orator.
But few of the incidents in the life of this chief have passed into history.
His name has been perpetuated in that of one of the Iowa counties. >
WAPELLO.
"Wapello, or Waupellow, was one of the minor chiefs of the Sac and Fox
Nation. He was born at Prairie du Chien, in 1787. At the time of the
erection of Fort Armstrong (1816) he presided over one of the three prin-
cipal villages in that vicinity. His village there was on the east side bt the
Mississippi, near the foot of Rock Island, and about three miles north of
the famous Black Hawk village. In 1829 he removed his village, to Musca-
tine Slough, and then to a place at or near where the town of Wapello, in
Louisa county, is now located. Like Keokuk, he was in favor of abiding
by the requirements of the treaty of 1804, and opposed the hostilities in
which Black Hawk engaged against the whites. He was one of the chiefs
that visited "Washington in 1837, and his name appears to several treaties
relinquishing lands to the United States. He appears to have been a warm
personal friend of Gen. Jos. M. Street, of the Sac and Fox agency, and made
a request that at his death his remains be interred along side of those of
Gen. Street, which request was complied with. He died near the Forks of
Skunk river, March 15th, 1842, at the age of 55 years. His remains, with
those of Gen. Street, repose near Agency City, in the county which honors
his memory with its name. The two graves and the monuments have re-
cently been repaired by parties connected with the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad, whose line passes within a few rods of tnem.
POWESHIEK.
Poweshiek was a chief of the same rank with Wapello, and near the same
age. He also was one of the chiefs who visited Washington in 1837. When
the greater portion of the Sac and Fox nation removed to the Des Moines
river, he retained his village on the Iowa river, where he presided over
what was known as the Musquawkie band of the Sacs and Foxes. In May,
1838, when Gen. Street organized a party to examine the new purchase made
the fall before, with a view of selecting a site for the agency, the expedition
' was accompanied by about thirty braves, under the command of Powesfaiek.
At that time the Sacs and Foxes were at war with the Sioux, and after leav-
ing their reservation these men were very fearful that they might be sur-
prised and cut off by the Sioux. A small remnant of his band make their
homo on Iowa river, in Tama county, at this time. He also remained the
friend of the whites during the Black Hawk war, and the people of Iowa
have honored his memory by giving his name to one of their counties.
THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOBY. 51
PASH-E-PA-HO.
Pash-e-pa-ho, called also the Stabbing Chief, at the time of the treaty of
1804, and until after the Black Hawk war, was head chief among the Sacs.
He was also present in St. Louis at the making of that treaty," and was even
then well advanced in years. It has been related that he laid a plan to at-
tack Fort Madison, not long after its erection. His plan was to gain an
entrance to the fort with concealed arms under their blankets, under a pre-
tense of holding a council. A squaw, however, had secretly conveyed intel-
ligence to the commandant of the garrison of the intended attack, so that the
troops were in readiness for them. When Pash-e-pa-ho and his warriors ad-
vanced in a body toward the closed gate, it suddenly opened, revealing to
the astonished savages a cannon in the passage-way, and the gunner stand-
ing with lighted torch in hand ready to fire. Pash-e-pa-ho deemed " discre-
tion the better part of valor ", and retreated.
Some time after the plot against Fort Madison, Pash-e-pa-ho made an at-
tempt to obtain a lodgement in Fort Armstrong, though in quite a different
way. Several of his braves had the year before, while out hunting, fell in
with a party of their enemies, the Sioux, and had.lifted several of their scalps.
The Sioux complained of this outrage to the Department at Washington,
and orders were issued demanding the surrender of the culprits. They were
accordingly brought and retained as prisoners in Fort Armstrong, where they
had comfortable quarters and plenty to eat during the winter. Having fared
sumptuously for several months, without effort on their part, they were re-
leased on the payment of a small amount out of the annuities of their tribes,
to the Sioux, The next fall Pash-e-pa-ho thought he might avoid the trouble
of stocking his larder for the winter. So he voluntarily called on the com-
mandant of Fort Armstrong, and informed him that while on a recent hunt
he had unfortunately met a Sioux, and had yielded to the temptation to get
his scalp. He confessed that he had done a very wrongful act, and wished
to save the Great Father at Washington the trouble ot sending a letter or-
dering his arrest; therefore he would surrender himself as a prisoner. The
commandant saw through his scheme to obtain comfortable quarters and
good boarding for the winter, and so told him he was an honorable Indian,
and that his voluntary offer to surrender himself was a suflicient guarantee
that he would appear when sent for. That was the last that was heard of
the matter. Pash-e-pa-ho was never sent for.
During the first quarter of the present century the Sacs' and Foxes were
frequently at war with the Iowas. The latter had one of their principal villa-
ges on tlie Des Moines river, near where Black Hawk died many years af-
terward. It was here that the last great battle was fought between these
tribes. Pash-e-pa-ho was chief in command of the Sacs and Foxes. Black
Hawk was also a prominent actor in this engagement, but was subject to
his senior, Pash-e-pa-ho. Accounts conflict as to the date, but the eviden-
ces of the conflict were plainly visible as late as 1824. The Sacs and Foxes
surprised the Iowas while the latter were engaged in running their horses
on the prairie, and therefore unprepared to defend themselves. The result
was that Pash-e-pa-ho achieved a decisive victory over the Iowas.
Pash-e-pa-ho was among the chiefs present at the making of the treaty
of 1832, when the " Black Hawk Purchase " was made. He was very much
wiven to intemperate habits whenever he could obtain liquor, and it is prob-
ble that, like Keokuk, he died a drunkard.
52 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
WISH-E-CO-MA-QUE.
Quite prominent among the Sacs and Foxes, after their removal to Iowa,
■was a man known by the name of Hardfish, or Wish-e-co-rna-que, as it
is in the Indian tongue. He was not a chief, but a brave who rose al-
most to the prominence of a chief. He adhered to Black Hawk in his hos-
tility toward the whites, and when Black Hawk died, Hardfish became the
leader of his band, composed mostly of those who had participated in the
Black Hawk war. When the Sacs and Foxes occupied their reservation on
the Des Moines river, Hardfish had his village where Eddyville is now lo-
cated. It was quite as respectable in size as any of the other villages of the
Sacs and Foxes. Hardfish's band was composed of people from the Sac
branch of the Sac and Fox nation. One John Goodell was the interpreter
for this band. The name of Hardfish was quite familiar to the frontier
settlers of Southeastern Iowa.
CHOS-CHUN-CA.
When, in 1834, Gen. Henry Dodge made a treaty with the Winnebagoes
for the country occupied by them in Wisconsin, they were transferred to a
strip of land extending west from the Mississippi, opposite Prairie du Chien,
to the Des Moines river, being a tract forty miles in width. The chief of
the Winnebagoes at that time was Chos-chun-ca, or Big Wave. Soon after
their removal to this reservation they were visited by Willard Barrows, one
of the pioneers of Davenport, who had an interview with Chos-chnn-ca.
He found him clothed in a buffalo overcoat, and wearing a high crowned
hat. His nose was surmounted by a pair of green spectacles. Mr. Barrows
held his interview with the chief just south of the lower boundary of the
reservation. Chos-chun-ca was quite reticent as to the affairs of his people,
and refused permission to Mr. Barrows to explore the Winnebago reserva-
tion, being impressed with the idea that the whites had sent him to seek out
all the fine country, and that if their lands were found desirable, then the
Indians would be compelled to remove again. Mr. Barrows, however, with-
out the chief's permission, passed safely through their territory.
MAU-HAW-GAW.
The greater portion of the territory embraced within the limits of Iowa,
was once occupied by a tribe, or nation of Indians, known in history as the
Iowas (or Ioways), who for many years maintained an almost constant war-
fare with the Sioux, a powerful rival who lived to the north of them. The
Iowas were originally the Pau-hoo-chee tribe, and lived in the region of the
lakes, to the northeast, but about the year 1700 they followed their chief,
Man-haw-gaw, to the banks of the Mississippi, and crossing over, settled on
the west bank of Iowa river, near its month, and there established a village.
They called the river on which they established their empire, Ne-o-ho-nee,
or " Master of Rivers." For some years they prospered and multiplied, but
the Sioux began to envy them the prosperity which they enjoyed, and with
no good intentions came down to visit them. Sending to Mau-haw-gaw
the pipe of peace, with an invitation to join them in a dog feast, they made
great professions of friendship. The Iowa chief, having confidence in their
protestations of good feeling, accepted the invitation. In the midst of the
THE NOBTHWEST TEEEITOET. 53
feast the perfidious Sioux suddenly attacked and killed the unsuspecting
Mau-haw-gaw. This outrage was never forgiven by the Iowas.
MA-HAS-KAH.
One of the most noted chiefs of the Iowas was Ma-has-kah (White
Cloud), a descendant of Mau-haw-gaw. He led his warriors in eighteen
battles against the Sioux on the north, and the Osages on the south, but
never failed to achieve a victory. He made his home on the Des Moines
river, about one hundred miles above the mouth, and must have been some-
thing of a Mormon, for it is said he had seven wives. In 1824 he was one
of a party of chiefs who visited Washington. He left his home on the Des
Moines to go down the river on his way to join his party, and when near
where the city of Keokuk is now located, he stopped to prepare and eat his
venison. He had just commenced his meal when some one struck him on
the back. Turning round, he was surprised to see one of his wives, Eant-
che-wai-me (Female Flying Pigeon), standing with an uplifted tomahawk
in her hand. She accosted nim with — " Am I your wife ? Are you my hus-
band ? If so, I will go with you to Maw-he-hum-ne-che (the American big
house), and see and shake the hand of In-co-ho-nee ", meaning the Great
Father, as they called the President. Ma-has-kah answered: "Yes, you are
my wife ; I am your husband ; I have been a long time from you ; I am
glad to see you ; you are my pretty wife, and a brave man always loves to
see a pretty woman." Ma-has-kah went on to Washington accompanied by
his " pretty wife ", Eant-che-wai-mie, who received many presents, but saw
many things of which she disapproved. When she returned, she called to-
gether the matrons and maidens of the tribe, and warned them against the
vices and follies of their white sisters. This good Indian woman was killed
by being thrown from her horse, some time after her return from Washing-
ton. In 1834 Ma-has-kah was also killed about sixty miles from his home,
on the Nodaway, by an enemy who took a cowardly advantage of him. At
the time of his "death he was fifty years of age. After his death all his sur-
viving wives went into mourning and poverty, according to the custom of
the tribe, except one named Mis-so-rah-tar-ra-haw (Female Deer that bounds
over the prairie), who refused to the end of her life to be comforted, saying
that her husband "was a great brave, and was killed by dogs", meaning
low, vulgar fellows.
Soon after the death of Ma-has-kah, his son of the same name, at the age
of twenty-four, became the chief of the Iowas. His mother was Eant-che-
wai-me, whose tragic death is mentioned above. He also visited Washing-
ton in the winter of 1836-7, for the purpose of obtaining redress for injus-
tice, which he claimed had been done to his people by the government, in
failing to keep intruders from their lands, and in disregarding other stipu-
lations of the treaty made with his father in 1825.
SI-DOM-I-NA-DO-TAH.
When the whites began to make settlements on the upper Des Moines,
the region about Fort Dodge and Spirit Lake was inhabited by Sioux In-
dians, made up principally of that division of the great Sioux or Dacotah
nation known by the name of Sisiton Sioux. When, in 1848, the govern-
ment surveys of the lands purchased north of the Eaccoon Forks were in pro-
gress, Mr. Marsh, of Dubuque, set out with his party to run the correction
54 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
line from a point on the Mississippi, near Dubuque, to the Missouri river,,
In this work he was not molested until he crossed the Des Moines, when on
the west bank of the river, he was met by a party of Sioux, under the lead-
ership of their chief, Si-dom-i-na-do-tah, who notified Mr. Marsh and his
party that they should proceed no farther, as the country belonged to the
Indians. The Sioux then left, and Mr. Marsh concluded to continue. his
work. He had not proceeded more than a mile when Si-dom:i-na-do-tah.
and his band returned and surrounded the party, robbing them of every-
thing. They took their horses, destroyed their wagons and surveying instru-
ments, destroyed the land-marks, and drove the surveying party back to the
east side of the river. This, and other outrages committed on families who,
in the fall of 1849, ventured to make claims on the upper Des Moines, led
to the establishment of a military post at Fort Dodge in 1850.
In the winter of 1846-7 one Henry Lott, an adventurous border char-
acter, had, with his family, taken up his residence at the mouth of Boone,
river, in what is now Webster county, and within the range, of Si-dom-i-na-
do-tah's band. Lott had provided himself with some goods and a .barrel of
whisky, expecting to trade with the Indians,, and obtain their furs and robes.
In a short time he was waited upon by the chief and six of his braves and;
informed that he was an intruder and that he must leave within a certain time.
The time having expired, and Lott still remaining, the Indians destroyed
his property, shooting his stock and robbing his bee-hives, s Lott and his
step-son made their way to the nearest settlement, at Pea's Point, about 16
miles south* and reported that his family had been murdered by the Indians,
as he doubtless thought they would be after he left. , John Pea and half a
dozen other white men, accompanied by some friendly Indians of another
tribe, who happened to be in that vicinity, set out with Lott for- the mouth
of Boone river. When they arrived they found that the. family had not
been tomahawked, as he had reported. One little boy, however, aged about
twelve years, had attempted to follow his father in his flight, by going down
the Des Moines river on the ice. Being thinly clad, the little fellow froze to,
death after traveling on the ice a distance of about twenty miles. The body
of the child was subsequently found. The sequel shows that Lott was de-
termined on revenge.
. In November, 1853, Lott ventured about thirty miles north of Fort Dodge,
where he pretended to make a claim, in what is now Humboldt county, He
took with him several barrels of whisky and some goods, and he and his
step-son built a cabin near what is now known as Lott's creek in that
county. Si-dom-i-na-do-tah had his cabin on the creek about a mile west of.
Lott's. In January, 1854, Lott and his step-son went to the cabin of the
old chief and told him that they had seen, on their way over, a drove of elk
feeding on the bottom lands, and induced the old man to mount his pony,
with gun in hand, to go in pursuit of the elk. Lott and his step-son fol-
lowed, and when they had. proceeded some distance they shot and killed Si-
dom-i-na-do-tah. That same night they attacked and killed six of the chief's
family, including his wife and two children, his aged mother, and two young
children she had in charge — including with the chief, seven victims in all. Two
children, a boy of twelve, and a girl, of ten years of age, escaped by hiding
themselves. Some days after, the . Indians reported the murders at Fort
Dodge, thinking at first that the slaughter had been perpetuated by some of
their Indian enemies. Investigation soon revealed the fact that Lott and his
step-son had committed the deed. Their cabin was found burned down, and
THE NOBTHWEST TEEBITOEY. 55
a slight snow on the ground showed the track of their wagon in a circuitous
route southward, avoiding Fort Dodge. Intelligence of them was received
at various points where they had been trying to sell furs and other articles,
and where the chief's pony was noticed to be in their possession. Having
several days start, they made their way across the Missouri and 'took the
plains for California, where, it was subsequently learned, Lott'was killed in
a quarrel. It is believed by many of the old settlers of Northern Iowa that
this outrage of* Henry Lott was the cause of that other tragedy, or rather
series of tragedies, in the history of Northern Iowa, known as the "Spirit
Lake Massacre."
INK-PA-DTT-TAII.
Ink-pa-du-tah, it is said, was the brother, and became the successor, of the
chief who was murdered by Henry Lott. He is known to the whites chiefly
in connection with the horrible outrages committed at Spirit and Okoboji
Lakes in Northern Iowa, and at Springfield in Southern Minnesota. He,
in connection with U-tan-ka-sa-pa (Black Buffalo), headed a band of about
eighteen lodges of Sioux, who, in the spring of 1857, robbed the settlers and
committed the most inhuman outrages, culminating in the massacres of the
8th and 9th of March of that year. During the year 1856 a dozen or more
families had settled about the lakes, while along the valley of the Little Sioux
river at Smithland, Cherokee, and Liock Rapids there were settlements.
Ink-pa-du-tah and his band commenced their depredations at Smithland, and
passing up the Little Sioux made hostile demonstrations both at Cherokee
and Rock Rapids, killing stock and carrying away whatever they saw proper
to take, but committed no murders until they reached the infant settlement
at the lakes. There, and at Springfield, a small settlement in Minnesota a
few miles northeast, they killed forty-one, wounded three, and took with
them as captives four women — Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Thatcher, Mrs. Marble, and
Miss Gardner. Twelve persons were missing, some of whose remains were
afterward found, having been killed while attempting to escape. Of the
four women taken captives, two were killed on their night, Mrs. Howe and
Mrs. Thatcher. The other two, Mrs. Marble and Miss Gardner, were some
months after, through the efforts of Gov. Madarie, of Minnesota, and the
Indian agent at Laqua Parle, purchased from Ink-pa-du-tah by employing
friendly Indians to affect the purchase. By this raid and massacre the set-
•tlement at the lakes was entirely swept away. All the houses were burned,
arid all the stock either killed or taken away. At Springfield the settlers
were somewhat prepared to defend themselves, having heard of the slaughter
at the lakes. Seven or eight persons, however, were Tailed at Springfield.
The winter preceding these massacres had been unusually, severe, and
snow had fallen to the depth of from one to two feet.. In March all the
ravines were filled with drifted snow, with a thick and heavy crust, so that
travel in that region was almost impossible. For this reason those infant
settlements were almost cut off from intercourse with the thickly inhabited
parts of the country. It was, therefore, some time before the news of the
massacres reached Fort Dodge, the nearest settlement. The messengers
who conveyed the intelligence were Messrs. Bell and Williams, who lived on
Little Sioux river. Messrs. Howe, Snyder and Parmenter, of Newton, who
had attempted to relieve the inhabitants at the lakes with provisions, also
Upon arriving there found all the settlers murdered. They, too, hastened as
rapidly as possible to Fort Dodge and reported. Messengers were at once
5(5 THE NOKTHWEST TEKRITOKY.
sent to Webster City and Homer to request the citizens to turn out for the
relief of the frontier, and they responded promptly. Those two places fur
nished forty men and Fort Dodge eighty. The force of 120 men was
formed into three companies of forty men each, under Captains C. B.
Kichards, John F. Duncombe, and J. C. Johnston. The battalion was
commanded by Major W. Williams. On the 25th of March the battalion
started from Fort Dodge, the snow still covering the ground and all the
ravines being so gorged with drifted snow that in places it was necessary to
cut their way through snow-banks from ten to twenty feet deep. ^ After
marching thirty miles ten men had to be sent back, reducing the force to
110 men. In the meantime a force from Fort Kidgely was approaching
from the north. The Indians, expecting these movements, had taken their
flioht across the Big Sioux river to join the Yanktons, in what _ is now
Dakota. The troops, after almost incredible hardships and sufferings for
eighteen days and nights, being without tents, failed to get sight of a single
hostile Indian. They found and buried the bodies of twenty-nine persons.
A number were burned in the houses by the savages, and their remains
were foxmd in the ashes. The expedition lost two valuable citizens, Captain
J. C. Johnston, of Webster City, and William Burkholder, of Fort Dodge,
the latter being a brother of Mrs. Gov. C. C. Carpenter. They were frozen
to death on their return from the lakes. Eighteen others were more or less
frozen, and some did not recover for a year after. Several years after his
death the remains of young Burkholder were found on the prairie, being
recognized by the remains of his gun and clothing. When overcome by the
cold he was separated from his companions, and his fate was for sometime
unknown.
From this brief account of Ink-pa-du-tah, it will be conceded that there is
no reason to cherish his memory with any degree of admiration. He was
the leader of a band comprising even the worst element of the Sioux nation,
the best of which is bad enough, even for savages. The germ of the band
of Which he was chief, was a family of murderers, known as Five Lodges,
who, it was said, having murdered an aged chief, wandered away and formed
a little tribe of their own, with whom rogues from all the other bands found
refuge. At the time of these hostilities against the whites under Ink-pa-du-
tah, they numbered probably over 150 lodges. They were constantly roving
about in parties, stealing wherever they could from trappers and settlers.
The subsequent career of Ink-pa-du-tah has been west of the borders of Iowa
and Minnesota.
EAKLY NAVIGATION OF WESTEKN EIVEES.
Navigation of the Mississippi by the Early Explorers— Flat-boats — Barges — Methods of Pro-
pulsion— Brigs and Schooners — The first Steamboat on Western "Waters — The " Orleans " —
The "Comet"— The " Enterprise "—Capt. Shreve—The " Washington "—The "General
Pike " — First Steamboat to St. Louis — The " Independence " the first Steamboat on the
Missouri — Capt. Nelson — "Mackinaw Boats " — Navigation of the upper Mississippi — The
"Virginia" — The "Shamrock" — Capt. James May— Navigation of the upper Missouri—
Steamboating on the Smaller Rivers.
We have accounts of the navigation of the Mississippi river as early as
1539, by De Soto, while in search of the "fountain of youth". His voyage
ended with his life, and more than a hundred years passed away, when Mar-
quette and Joliet again disturbed its waters with a small bark transported
THE NOKTHWESt TEEEITOET. 57
from the shores of Lake Superior. At' the mouth of the Wisconsin they
entered the Mississippi, and extended their voyage to the mouth of the
Arkansas. Their account is the first which gave to the world any accurate
knowledge of the great valley of the Mississippi river. Their perilous voy-
age was made in the summer of 1673. The account was read with avidity
by the missionaries and others about Lake Superior, and soon after a young
Frenchman named La Salle set out with a view of adding further informa-
tion in relation to the wonderful valley of the great river. His expedition
was followed by other voyages of exploration on western rivers, but the nar-
ratives of the explorers are mostly lost, so that very little of interest remains
from the voyage of La Salle to the latter part of the eighteenth century,
when the French, then holding Fort Du Quesne, contemplated the establish-
ment of a line of forts which would enable them to retain possession of the
vast territory northwest of the Ohio river. Regular navigation of the Ohio
and Mississippi, however, was not attempted until after the Eevolution, when
the United States had assumed control of the western waters. Trade with
New Orleans did not begin until near the close of the century. A few flat
boats were employed in the trade between Pittsburg and the new settlements
along the Ohio river. The settlement of Kentucky gradually increased the
trade on the Ohio, and caused a demand for increased facilities for convey-
ance of freight. Boatmen soon found it profitable to extend their voyages
to the Spanish settlements in the South. Freight and passengers were con-
veyed in a species of boat which was sometimes called a barge, or bargee by
the French. It was usually from 75 to 100 feet long, with breadth of beam
from 15 to 20 feet, and a capacity of 60 to 100 tons. The freight was re-
ceived in a large covered coffer, occupying a portion of the hulk. Near the
stern was an apartment six or eight feet in length, called "the cabin",
where the captain and other officials of the boat quartered at night. The
helmsman was stationed upon an elevation above the level of the deck. The
barge usually carried one or two masts. A large square sail forward, when
the wind was favorable, sometimes much relieved the hands. The work of
propelling the barges usually required about fifty men to each boat. There
were several modes of propelling the barges. At times all were engaged in
rowing, which was often a waste of labor on such a stream as the Missis-
sippi. Sometimes the navigators resorted to the use of the cordelle, a strong
rope or hawser, attached to the barge, and carried along the shore or beach
on the shoulders of the crew. In some places this method was imprac-
ticable on account of obstructions along the shores. Then what was known
as the " warping " process was resorted to. A coil of rope was sent out in
the yawl, and fastented to a tree on the shore, or a. " snag " in the river.
"While the hands on board were pulling up to this point, another coil was
carried further ahead, and the "warping" process repeated. Sometimes it
was expedient to use setting poles, but this method was used chiefly in the
Ohio. During a period of about twenty-five years, up to 1811, the mode of
conveyance on our western rivers was by flat-boats and barges. It required
three or four months to make a trip from Pittsburg to New Orleans. Pass-
engers between these points were charged from $125 to $150, and freight
ranged from $5 to $7 per 100 pounds. It cannot be supposed that under
such circumstances, the commerce of the West was very extensive.
Previous to the introduction of steamers on western waters, attempts were
made to use brigs and schooners. In 1803 several ships were built on the
Ohio, and in 1805 the ship "Scott" was built on the Kentucky river, and
58 THE NORTHWEST TEBBITOEY.
in the fall of that jear made her first trip to the falls of the Ohio. "While there
two other vessels, built by Berthone & Co., arrived. All of them were com-
pelled to remain three months, awaiting a sufficient rise in the river to carry
them over the falls. In 1807 Mr. Dean built and launched a vessel at Pitts-
burg. This vessel made a trip to Leghorn, and when making her entry at
the custom house there, her papers were objected to on the ground that no
such port as Pittsburg existed in the United States. The captain called the
attention of the officer to the Mississippi river, traced it to its confluence
with the Ohio, thence following the latter stream past Cincinnati and Mari-
etta, to the new city in the wilderness, more than two thousand miles by
water from the Gulf of Mexico! All these vessels were found inadequate for
the purpose of trading on the western rivers, and were soon abandoned.
They could not stem the current of the Mississippi. They were transferred
to the gulf, and the commerce of the rivers was abandoned to Mike Fink
and his followers, remaining with them until 1811. In this year Fulton and
Livingston opened a ship-yard at Pittsburg, and built the small propeller
" Orleans ", which was also furnished with two masts. She was a boat of one
hundred tons burthen, and the first steamer that was launched on western
waters. In the winter of 1812 she made her first trip to New Orleans in
fourteen days. As she passed down the river, the settlers lined the banks,
and the greatest excitement prevailed. The flat- boatmen said she never could
stem the current on her upward trip. After her first trip, the " Orleans "
engaged in the Natchez and New Orleans trade, and paid her owners a
handsome profit on their investment. The next steamer was the " Comet ",
and she was built by D. French. She carried but twenty-five tons, . and
made her first trip to New Orleans in the spring of 1814. Soon after she
was taken to pieces, and her engine used in a cotton factory. The " Vesu-
vius ", of 48 tons burthen, was launched at Fulton's ship-yard in the spring
of 1814, made a trip to New Orleans, and on her return was grounded on a
sand bar, where she remained until the next December. This boat remained
on the river until 1819, when she was condemned. The "Enterprise" was
the fourth steamboat, and was built by. Mr. French, who built the "Comet.,",
The "Enterprise" carried seventy-five tons, and made her first trip to New
Orleans in the summer of 1814. When she arrived at her destination she
was pressed into the service of the army, under Gen. Jackson, then at New.
Orleans. She was very efficient in carrying troops and army supplies from,
the city to the seat of war, a few miles below. During the battle of the 8th
of January she was busily engaged in supplying the wants of Jackson's
army. On the 5th of May following she left New Orleans, and arrived at
Louisville in twenty-five days.
In 1816 Captain Henry Shreve built the "Washington" with many im-
provements in construction. The boilers, which had hitherto been placed in
the hold, were changed by Captain Shreve to the deck. In September, 1816,
the "Washington" successfully passed the falls of the Ohio, made her trip
to New Orleans, and returned in November to Louisville. On the 12th of
March, 1817, she departed on her second trip to New Orleans, the ice then
running in the Ohio slightly retarding her progress. She made the trip
successfully, and returned to the foot of the falls in forty-one days— the
upward trip being made in twenty-five days. By this time it was generally
conceded by the flat-boatmen that Fitch and Fulton were not visionary fools,
but men of genius, and that their inventions could be turned to immense
advantage on the rivers of the West. Steamboats from this time on rapidly
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 59
multiplied, and the occupation of the old flat-boatmen began to pass away.
On Captain Shreve's return to Louisville the citizens gave him a public re-
ception. Toasts and speeches were made, and the " Washington " declared
to be the herald of a new era in the "West. Captain Shreve in his speech
asserted that the time would come when the trip to New Orleans would be
made in ten days. His prediction was more than verified, for as early as
1853, the trip was made in four days and nine hours.
While these festivities were going on in Lonisville, the " General Pike "
was stemming the current of the Mississippi for a new port in steamboat
navigation. With a heavy load of freight and passengers she left New
Orleans for St. Louis. On her arrival at the latter city several thousand
people greeted her as she slowly approached the landing.
Steam navigation commenced on the Missouri in 181 9, the first boat being
the " Independent ", commanded by Captain Nelson. She ascended as far as
Chariton and Franklin, at which points she received a cargo of furs, and
buffalo hides, and returned with them to St. Louis.
In 1816 Fort Armstrong was erected at the lower end of Rock Island. • On
the 10th of May of this year Col. Lawrence, with the Eighth Regiment and
a company of riflemen, arrived here in keel boats. Col. George Davenport
resided near the fort and supplied the troops with provisions, andalso engaged
in trading with the Indians. Most of his goods were brought from "Macki^
naw" through Green Bay, thence up Fox river to the "Portage", where they
were packed across to the Wisconsin river, and carried down the Mississippi
in what were called "Mackinaw Boats." The navigation of the npper Missis,
sippi was confined to keel-boats until 1823, when the first steamboat — the
" Virginia ": — from Wheeling ascended with provisions to Prairie du Chien.
This Doat was three or four days in passing the rapids at Eock Island*
After this, up to 1827, steamboats continued to ascend the upper Mississippi
occasionally with troops and military stores. In this year Capt. James May,
of the steamboat "Shamrock", made the first voyage with her from Pitts-.
burg to Galena. This was the first general business trip ever made on the
upper Mississippi by a steamboat. .Capt. May continued as master of a
steamboat on this part of the river until 1834.
The first navigation of any considerable portion of the Missouri river was
that of Captains Lewis and Clarke, when in 1804 they ascended that river in
keel-boats, or barges,1 from its mouth almost to its source. Of late years
steamboats have navigated it regularly to Fort Benton. Steamboat navin
gation has also been employed on many of the smaller rivers of the "West,
including the Des Moines and Cedar rivers in Iowa. The introduction of
railroads has superseded the necessity of depending upon the nncertain nav-
igation of the smaller rivers for carrying purposes. The great water-courses,
however, will doubtless always remain the indispensible commercial high,
ways of the nation.
ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NORTHWEST.
Ancient Works — Conjectures — "Works of the Mound Builders in Ohio— Different forms and
Classes— Mounds at Gallipolis, Mariettat and Chillicothe— Relics Found— Ancient Forfcifi-
oations at Circleville and Other Places-^Pre-historic Remains in Other States— In Iowa-
Excavation of Mounds — Elongated and Round Mounds— Their Antiquity— Who were the
Mound Builders? , , '
<•■'• Scattered all over the great Northwest are the remains of the works of an
gO THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
ancient people, who must have been infinitely more advanced in the arts
than the Indian tribes who inhabited the country at the time of the advent
of the European. The question as to whether the Indians are the descend-
ants of that people, the Mound Builders, is a subject of antiquarian specula-
tion. One thing, however, is certain, that a people once inhabited all this
vast region who possessed some considerable knowledge of the arts and even
the sciences; a people of whom the Indians possessed no knowledge, but
whose works have survived the mutations of hundreds, and perhaps thous-
ands of years, to attest that they lived, and acted, and passed away. There
have been various conjectures of the learned concerning the time when, by
what people, and even for what purpose, these monuments of human ingenuity
were erected. Their origin is deeply involved in the obscurityof remote an-
tiquity. Neither history, nor authentic tradition, afford any light by which
to conduct inquiries concerning them, and it is probable that no certainty
upon the subject will ever be attained. Brief mention of some of these
ancient works cannot fail to interest the reader. They are found distributed
over the country generally from the Alleghany Mountains to the Bocky
Mountains. They are more numerous and more remarkable, however, in
some parts of the country than in others.
Some of the most remarkable -fortifications in Ohio are at "Worthington,
Granville, Athens, Marietta, Gallipolis, Chillicothe, and Circleville; also, on
Paint Creek, 18 miles northwest of Chillicothe, and on a plain three miles
northeast of the last named city. In some localities there are both mounds
and fortifications, while in others there are mounds only. _ The mpunds vary
in magnitude, and also somewhat in shape. Some are conical, ending sharply
at the summit, and as steep on the sides as the earth could be made to lie.
Others are of the same form, except that they present a flat area on the top,
like a cone cut off at some distance from its vortex, in a plane coincident
with its base, or with the horizon. Others again, are of a semi-globular
shape. Of this description was that standing in Gallipolis. The largest
one near Worthington is of the second kind, and presents on the summit a
level area of forty feet in diameter. .There is one at Marietta of this kind,
but the area on top does not exceed twenty feet in diameter. Its perpendic-
ular height is about fifty feet, and its circumference at the base twenty rods.
Those in "Worthington and Gallipolis are each from fifteen to twenty feet in
circumference at their bases. A large mound once stood in the heart of the
city of Chillicothe, but was leveled forty or fifty years ago to make room for
the erection of a block of buildings, and in its destruction a number of relics
were exhumed. Several smaller mounds were located in the same vicinity.
They are found scattered in profusion in the vallies of the Miamis, Scioto,
Hocking and Muskingum rivers, as well as south of the Ohio river. One
of the largest is near the Ohio river, 14 miles below Wheeling. This is
about 33 rods in circumference, and consequently between ten and eleven
rods in diameter at its base. Its perpendicular height is about seventy feet.
On the summit is an area of nearly sixty feet in diameter, in the middle of
which is a regular cavity, the cubical content of which is about 3,000 feet.
Within a short distance of this mound are five smaller ones, some of which
are thirty feet in diameter. Some of the mounds mentioned, and others not
referred to, have been excavated, either by the antiquarian or in the construc-
tion of public works, and in most of them human bones have been discov-
ered. Most of these bones crumble in pieces or resolve into dust shortly
after being exposed to the air; except in some instances, wherein the teeth,
NORTH
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 61
jaw, skull, and sometimes a few other bones, by reason of their peculiar
solidity, resist the effects of contact with the air. From the fact of the find-
ing human remains in them many have inferred that they were erected as
burial places for the dead. In some of them, however, which have been ex-
amined, no human remains have been discovered, but pieces of pottery, stone
hatchets, and other relics, are found in nearly all.
Many of these mounds are composed of earth of a different quality from
that which is found in their immediate vicinity. This circumstance would
seem to indicate that the earth of which they were composed was transported
some distance. A striking instance of this difference of composition was
first noticed some sixty or seventy years ago, in a mound at Franklinton,
near the main fork of the Scioto river. This mound was composed alto-
gether of clay, and the brick for the court-house in that town were made of
it at that time. In it were likewise found a much greater number of hu-
man bones than is usually found in mounds of its size. The characteris-
tics mentioned in connection with the mounds in Ohio apply to those gen-
erally throughout the Northwest.
Not so numerous as the mounds, but more remarkable as involving the
principles of science, especially mathematics, are the fortifications, or earth
walls, found in many places. They are .commonly supposed to have been
forts, or military fortifications. They generally consist of a circular wall,
composed of earth, and usually as steep on the sides as the dirt could con
veniently be made to lie. Sometimes, though rarely, their form is elliptical,
or oval, and a few of them are quadrangular or square. In height they are
various; some of them are so low as to be scarcely perceptible ; some from
twenty to thirty feet in height, while others again are of an intermediate
elevation. The wall of the same fort, however, is pretty uniformly of the
same height all around. They are likewise equally various in the contents
of the ground which they enclose, some containing but a few square rods of
ground, while others contain nearly one hundred acres. The number of their
entrances, or gateways, varies in different forts from one to eight or more,
in proportion to the magnitude of the enclosure. The walls are mostly sin-
gle, but in some instances these works have been found to consist of two
parallel walls, adjacent to each other. The forts are generally located on
comparatively elevated ground, adjoining a river or stream of water. Their
situation is usually such as a skillful military engineer or tactician would
have selected for military positions. This fact would seem to strengthen
the theory that they were designed and constructed for fortifications.
The city of Circleville, Ohio, is located on the site of one of the most re-
markable of these fortifications, and from this circumstance takes its name.
There are, or were, indeed, two forts at that place, one circular, and the other
square, as represented in the diagram on the opposite page.
In this, it will be seen that a square fort adjoins a circular one on the east,
communicating with it by a gateway. The black points in the square fort,
opposite the gateways, show the location of mounds, each about three feet
high. The circular fort consists of two parallel walls, whose tops are, ap-
parently, about three rods apart, the inner circle being forty-seven rods in
diameter. Between these two walls is a fosse, excavated sufficiently deep
and broad to have afforded earth enough for the construction of the exterior
wall alone, and no more. From this circumstance and others, the earth for
the construction of the inner wall is supposed to have been transported from
a distance. The inner wall is composed of clay, and the outer one of dirt
g2 THE N0KTHWE8T TEBRITOBY.
and gravel of similar quality with that which composes the neighboring
ground, which is another circumstance quite conclusive of the correctness
of the conjecture that the material for the inner wall was brought from a
distance. There is but one original opening, or passage, into the circular
fort, and that is on the east side, connecting it with the square one. The
latter has seven avenues leading into it, exclusive of the one which connects
with the circle. There is one at every corner, and one on each side equi-distant
from the angular openings. These avenues are each twelve feet wide, and
the walls on either hand rise immediately to their usual height, which is
above twenty feet. When the town of Circleville was originally laid out,'
the trees growing upon the walls of these fortifications and the mounds
enclosed in the square one, were apparently of equal size and age, and those
lying down in equal stages of decay, with those in the surrounding forest,
, a circumstance proving the great antiquity of these stupendous remains of
former labor and ingenuity. Of course, the progress of modern civiliza-
tion in the building of a city over these ancient remains, has long since
nearly obliterated many of their parts. The above is a description of them as
they appeared sixty years ago, when Circleville was a mere village, and be-
fore the hand of modern vandalism' had marred or obliterated any of the
parts. A somewhat minute description of these ancient remains is given,
not because they are more remarkable than many others found in different
parts of the Northwest, but as an example to show the magnitude of many
similar works. Among others in the same State may be mentioned a re-
markable mound near Marietta, which is enclosed by a wall embracing an
area 230 feet long by 215 wide. This mound is thirty feet high and ellip-
tical in form. This mound, with the wall enclosing it, stand apart from two
other irregular enclosures, one containing fifty and the other twenty-seven
acres, within the larger of these two enclosures there are four truncated
pyramids, three of which have graded passage ways to their summits. The
largest pyramid is 188 feet long by 132 feet wide, and is ten feet high.
From the southern wall of this enclosure there is a graded passage way 150
feet broad, extending 600 feet to the immediate valley of the Muskingum
river. This passage way is guarded by embankments on either side from
eight to ten feet high. In the smaller square there are no pyramidal struc-
tures, but fronting each gate-way there is a circular mound. The walls of
these several enclosures are from twenty to thirty feet broad at the base, and
from five to six -feet high. Besides these, many similar embankments may
be traced in the same vicinity.
Squier and Davis, authors of that most elaborate work, entitled "The An-
cient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley", estimated that there were in
Ross county, Ohio, at least one hundred enclosures and five hundred mounds.
They give the probable number in that State at from one thousand to fifteen
hundred enclosures, and ten thousand mounds. These estimates are quite
likely to be far below the actual number, as their investigations were made
many years ago, when large portions of the State were yet covered with for-
ests, and before any general interest had been awakened on the subject of
which they treated. Among the remarkable fortifications in Ross county
is one at Cedar Bank, on the east side of the Scioto river, about five miles
north of Ohillicothe. It is of a square form, enclosing an area of thirty-
two acres. The west side of this enclosure is formed by the high bluff bor-
dering the river at this point. There are two gate-ways opposite each other,
one on the north and the other on the south side. Inside of the enclosure,
aQg^Qfr&^J-^
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THE NORTHWEST TEBBITOKY. 63
on a line with the gate-ways, there is a mound 245 feet long and 150 feet
broad. The form of this work is shown by the diagram on the opposite page.
When this work first attracted the attention of Mr. E. G. Squier, Dr.
Davis, and others engaged in archaeological research, it was in the midst of
a dense forest of heavy timber. Trees of the largest growth stood on the
embankments, and covered the entire area of ground enclosed. About a
mile and a half below, on the same side of the Scioto, are other fortifica-
tions, both circular and square, even more remarkable than the one last de-
scribed, on account of the forms and combinations which they exhibit.
Another fortification in this county, in the form of a parallelogram, 2,800
feet long by 1,800 feet wide, encloses several smaller works and mounds,
which altogether make 3,000,000 cubic feet of embankment.
A series of the most wonderfjil and most gigantic of these pre-historic
works, is to be found in the Licking Valley, near Newark. They cover an
area of two square miles. The works are of such vast magnitude that even
with our labor-saving implements to construct them, would require the la-
bor of thousands of men continued for many months. "Fort Ancient", as
it is called, in Warren county, Ohio, has nearly four miles of embankment,
from eighteen to twenty ieet high.
Mounds and fortifications similar to those in Ohio are found in all the
States' of the Northwest, and indeed, throughout the entire valley of the
Mississippi and its tributaries. In the valley of the Wabash, in Indiana,
are many interesting remains of the works of the Mound Builders. Near
Kahokia, Illinois, there is a mound 2,000 feet in circumference, and ninety
feet high. Many remarkable objects of interest to the antiquary are found
in Wisconsin. Scattered over her undulating plains are earth-works, mod-
eled after the forms of men and animals. At Aztalan, in Jefferson county,
is an ancient fortification 550 yards long and 275 yards wide. The
walls are from four to five feet high, and more than twenty feet in thickness
at the base. Near the Blue Mounds, in that State, there is another work,
in form resembling a man in a recumbent position. It is one hundred and
twenty feet long and thirty feet across the trunk. At Prairicville there is
still another resembling a turtle in shape which, is fifty-six feet in length.
At Cassville there is one whiah is said to resemble the extinct mastedon.
In some instances these animal resemblances and forms are much defaced
by time, while in other cases they are distinctly visible. Fragments of an-
cient pottery are found scattered about most of them.
Scattered over the surface of Iowa, also, are to be found many of these
monuments of a pre-historic race. The mounds especially are numerous,
appearing most in that portion of the State east of the Des Moines river,
but in a few instances west of it. Groups of mounds are found along Iowa
river, in Johnson county, presenting the same general appearance with those
in the States east of the Mississippi. Near the mouth of this river, in Louisa
county, are the remains of an ancient fortification, with a number of mounds
in the same vicinity, which have attracted the attention of the curious. In
the vicinity of Ottumwa, Wapello county, are a large number of mounds,
several of which have been examined. There is a chain of them in this last
named county, commencing near the mouth of Sugar Creek, a small tribu-
tary of the Des Moines, and extending twelve miles nortward, with distances
between them in some instances as great as two miles. Two of them were
excavated several years ago. One of them was about 45 feet in diameter,
and situated upon the highest ground in the vicinity. The other was directly
Qj. THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
north about one-fourth of a mile. Its diameter at the base was about 75
feet. In the center of this last named mound, was found, at the depth of
four feet, a layer of stone, with the appearance of having been subjected to
the action of fire. There were also found a mass of charcoal, a bed of ashes,
and calcined human bones. A number of relics were also found in the
smaller mound first mentioned. These examinations were made by several
gentlemen of. Ottumwa.
Mr. F. C. Eoberts, in a Fort Madison paper, writes of the examination of
a mound situated about six miles north of that city, a few years ago. It is
located on the brow of a hill, is of an elliptical shape, and small in size,
being only about 30 feet long, and fifteen leet wide; its height was about
six feet. The mound contained a number of separate compartments, con,
6tructed as follows: First, there was a floor made of limestone, which must
have been brought a distance of several miles, as none nearer could have
been obtained. This floor was laid regular and smooth, the best stone only
being used. Above the floor, with an intervening space of about twenty
inches, there was a roof, also made of limestone. The sides of this vault, if
it may so be called, seemed to have once had stone walls, but they were more
or less caved in. It was also thought that the roof had originally been much
higher. The compartments were made by partitions or walls of stone. Each,
compartment was occupied by a human skeleton, and articles of flint and
stone, as well as some bones of animals. All the skeletons of human origin
were placed in a sitting position, with the knees drawn. up, and the head in-
clined forward between them. The arms were placed by the side, and some-
times clasped around the knees. Besides the human bones, there were those
of some large birds and of some animal. Some of these were charred, and
were found in connection with charcoal and ashes. There were numerous
flint weapons, and small three cornered stones.
In Clayton and other counties in the northeastern part of the State, the
Mound Builders have left numerous monuments of their existence in that
region in pre-historic times. The researches of Hon. Samuel Murdock, of
Clayton county, have been extensive and successful in giving to the scien-
tific and antiquarian world much information in relation to these works
of an ancient people who once occupied our continent. He has collected
a vast number of relics from the mounds in that portion of the State.
After long and thorough investigation, he gives it as his opinion that in
Clayton county alone there are not less than one hundred thousand arti-
ficial mounds, including the two classes, the round and the elongated,
the latter ranging from one hundred to six hundred feet in length.
All of them, so far as examinations have been made, contain more or less
skeletons. One which was examined near Clayton was estimated to have
contained over one hundred bodies. From investigations made, .the infer*
ence is drawn that the elongated mounds are of greater antiquity than the
round ones. The skeletons found in the former are in a more advanced state
of decay, and in some of them there <is scarcely any trace of bones. In
nearly all the round mounds skeletons were found in a remarkably good
state of preservation, and can be obtained by the thousand. These facts in-
dicate most conclusively that the elongated mounds were the work of an
older race of the Mound Builders, and that they were erected ages before the
round ones were. The fact that human remains have been found in nearly
all of both classes favors the theory that they were erected as receptacles for
the dead.
THE NORTHWEST TEBEITOBY.
65
A FIONEEB WINTER.
66 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
While workmen were excavating a mound for the foundation of a ware-
house in the city of McGregor, in the summer of 1874, human bones were
found, and also a stone axe weighing thirteen pounds. It was embedded
twenty feet below the original surface. x
As stated, the work of the Mound Builders was not confined to that por-
tion of the State embracing the Mississippi drainage. Similar remains,
though not so numerous, are observed on the western slope of the water- shed
between the two great rivers bordering the State. Some five miles below
Denison, Crawford county, in the valley of Boyer river, there is a semi-cir-
cular group of artificial mounds. They are situated on a pla£eau, rising
above the first, or lower bottom, and are about nine in number, each rising
to a height of from five to six feet above the general level of the ground.
Another similar group is located on a second bottom, at the mouth of Para-
dise creek, in the same county. Human remains have been found in some
of them.
Having noticed briefly some of the various forms in which these stupen-
dous works of men who lived far back in the centuries, whose annals have
not come down to us in any written language, we can say now that the most
learned have only been able to conjecture as to the remoteness of their an-
tiquity. The evidences that they are of very great age are abundant and ,
conclusive, out how many hufidreds or thousands of years? This is the
problem that many an antiquary would freely give years of study and inves-
tigation to solve. The length of time which elapsed during which these
works were in progesss is another of the unsolved questions connected with
them, and yet there is abundant evidence that some of them are much older
than others; that the process of their construction extends over a large dura-
tion of time — a time during which the Mound Builders themselves passed
through the changes which mark the monuments that they have left behind
them. It is a well known fact that the manners and customs of rude nations
isolated from intercourse and commerce with the world, pass through the
process of change and development very slowly. The semi-civilized nations
of eastern lands, after the lapse of thousands of years, still cling to the man-
ners and customs, and the superstitions of their ancestors, who lived at the
early dawn of our historic period. They use the same rude implements of
husbandry, the same utensils in the household, the same arms in warfares
and practice the same styles of dress — all with but little change or modifi-
cation. The changes are only sufficiently marked to be perceptible after
many generations have passed away. Situated as the Mound Builders were,
we can but infer that they too passed slowly through the processes of change,
and the works which they have left behind them thoroughly attest the truth
of this proposition. Their older works appear to be more elaborate and
more intricate, showing that the earlier workers were possessed of a higher
degree of attainment in the mechanical arts than those whose works are
more recent. The inference is that probably after long ages, they gradually
retrograded, and were finally subdued or driven southward into Mexico and
Central America, by the ancestors of the Indians, who came upon them from
the northwest, as the Goths and Vandals invaded and subverted the Roman
Empire. This final subjugation may have resulted after centuries of war-
fare, during which time these fortifications were constructed as defences
against the enemy. That they were for military purposes is scarcely sus-
.ceptible of a doubt. This implies a state of warfare, and war implies an
enemy. The struggle ended in ths final subjugation of that people to whom
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. RJ
we apply the name of Mound Builders — their conquerors and successors
being a race of people in whom we recognize to this day, traces of the
Asiatic type.
"We, another race of people, after the lapse of other ages, tread to-day, in
our turn, on the ruins of at least a limited civilization — a civilization older
than that of the Aztecs, whom Cortez foimd in Mexico. This great Missis-
sippi valley was once a populous empire, millions of whose subjects repose
in the sepulchers scattered in our valleys and over our prairies. "While we
bow at the shrine of a more intelligent Deity, and strive to build up a truer
and better civilization, let us still remember that we tread on classic ground.
SKETCHES OF WESTERN AND NORTHWESTERN STATES.
legislation in Regard to Ohio— Admission as a State— Description— Climate and Soil— Origin
of Name— Seat of Government— Legislation in Regard to Indiana— Description— Lost
River— Wyandot Cave— Seat of Government— Internal Improvements— Vincennes— Illi-
nois—Admission as a State— Description— Productions— Towns and Cities— "Lover's
Leap" — "Buffalo Rock"— "Cave in the Rock "—Michigan— The Boundary Question
—Admission as a State — Description — History— Towns and Cities — Wisconsin — Descrip-
tion—Climate and Productions— Objects of Interest— Towns and Cities— Sketch of Mil-
waukee—Mmnesota— Description— Lakes— Climate and Productions— Natural Scenery-
Red Pipe Stone — Historical Sketch — Towns and Cities — Nebraska— Description — Towns
and Cities— Missouri— Organic Legislation— The "Missouri Compromise "—Description-
Early Settlement— St. Louis— Other Towns and Cities.
OHIO.
Ohio was the first State formed out of the territory northwest of the river
Ohio, which was ceded to the United States by the General Assembly of
Virginia in 1783, and accepted by the Congress of the United States, March
1, 1784. This territory was divided into two separate governments by act
of Congress of May 7, 1800. Ohio remained a Territorial government until
under an act of Congress, approved April 30, 1802, it adopted a State consti-
tution, and was allowed one representative in Congress. On the first of
November of the same year the constitution was presented in Congress.
The people having, on November 29, 1802, complied with the act of Con-
gress of April 30, 1802, whereby the State became one of the United States,
an act was passed and approved February 19, 1803, for the due execution of
the laws of the United States within that State.
The State embraces an area of about 39,964 square miles,, or 25,576,960
acres. There are no mountains, but the central portion of the State is ele-
vated about 1000 feet above the level of the sea, while other portions are
from 600 to 800 feet in elevation. A belt of highlands north of the middle
of the State separates the rivers flowing north into Lake Erie from those
flowing south into the Ohio river. The middle portion of the State in
great part is an elevated plain with occasional patches of marsh land. A
large proportion of the State when first settled was covered with forests, but
in the central part there was some prairie. Boulders are found scattered
over the surface, as they are generally throughout the Northwest.
The bituminous coal-field of the* State extends over an area embracing
nearly 12,000 square miles. It occupies the eastern and southeastern parts,
with its northern boundary running near Wooster, Newark, and Lancaster.
There are also frequent beds of limestone, as well as sandstone well suited for
heavy masonry. The most important of the other mineral productions is
63 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOEY.
iron, which it possesses in great abundance. This is found running through
the counties of Lawrence, Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton, Athens, and
Hocking, in a bed 100 miles long by 12 wide. For fine castings it is not
surpassed by that found in any other part of the United States. Salt
springs are also frequent.
The great river of the State is the Ohio, which forms its southern bound-
ary, and receives the tributary volume of waters flowing from the Muskin- ,
gum, Scioto, and Miami, as well as those of many smaller streams. The
interior rivers mentioned vary in length from 110 to 200 miles. The Ohio
is navigable by steamboats of the first-class during one-half the year to Pitts-
burg. The Muskingum is navigable by means of dams and locks to
Zanesville, 70 miles from its mouth, and at times 30 miles farther up to
Coshocton. On the northern slope of the State, beginning at the northwest,
are the Maumee, Sandusky, Huron, and Cuyahoga, all flowing into Lake
Erie, and all flowing their entire course within the State, except the Mau-
mee, which rises in Indiana. The last-named river is navigable for lake
steamers a distance of 18 miles. Lake Erie coasts the state about 150 miles
on the north and northeast, affording several good harbors.
The climate in the southern part of the State is mild, while in the north
the temperature is equally as rigorous as in the same latitude near the
Atlantic. Great droughts have occasionally prevailed, but the State is re-
garded as one of the most productive in the Union. Indian corn, wheat,
rye, oats, and barley, are the leading cereals. All the fruits of the temperate
latitudes are generally abundant. The forest trees are of many kinds, includ-
ing the several varieties of oak, hickory, sugar and maple, beech, poplar, ash,
sycamore, paw-paw, buckeye, dogwood, cherry, elm, and hackberry.
The State receives its name from that of the river which forms its southern
boundary. It is of Indian or aboriginal origin. It is not easy to determine
its real signification in the Indian language, but some writers have claimed
that it means handsome or beautiful. This opinion would seem to be some-
what plausible from the fact that the early French explorers called it La
Belle Riviere, or the Beautiful River, having probably learned the significa-
tion of the Indian name, and therefore gave it a French name with the
same signification.
Ohio was first partially settled by a few French emigrants on the Ohio
river, while they possessed Canada and Louisiana, about the middle of the
the last century. But these settlements were very inconsiderable until the
year 1787 and 1788, when the Ohio Company and others from New England
made the settlement at Marietta. The early inhabitants were much annoyed
by the incursions of the Indians, who had successively defeated Gen. Harmar
and Gen. St. Clair, in 1791 and 1792, but were themselves utterly routed by
Gen. Wayne in August, 1794. Fort Sandusky, in the war of 1812, was suc-
cessfully defended by Maj. Croghan, then but 21 years of age, with 160 men
against the attack of Gen. Proctor, with 500 British regulars and as many
Indians. Cincinnati was laid out as early as 1788, but there were only a few set-
tlers until after "Wayne's victory. It then improved rapidly, having in 1818
a population of upward of 9,000. Chillicothe was laid out in 1796, and in
1818 had a population of 2,600. Columbus, the present capital, was laid
out early in the year 1812, and in 1818 contained about 1,500 inhabitants.
' Cleveland was laid out in 1796, and about the same time a number of set-
tlements were made alongthe Miami. Until the legislature met in Colum-
bus, in December, 1816, Cincinnati and Chillicothe had alternately enjoyed
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
69
the distinction of being both the Territorial and State capitals. In 1814 the
first State-house, a plain brick building, was erected at Columbus, the per-
manent seat of- the State Government. In February, 1852, it was entirely
consumed by fire, and was succeeded by the present fine State capitol, which
had been commenced prior to the destruction of the old one. The conven-
tion which formed the first constitution of the State was held in Chillicothe,
in November, 1802.
The following table shows the population of Ohio at the close of each
decade from 1800 to 1870:
YEAR.
AGGREGATE.
1800.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.
1850.
1860.
1870.
45,028
228,861
576,572
928,329
1,502,122
1,955,050
2,302,808
2,601,946
337
45,365
1,899
230,760
4,723
581,295
9,574
937,903
17,345
1,519,467
25,279
1,980,329
36,673
*2,339,511
63,213
*2,665,260
*The above aggregate for 1860 includes 30 enumerated as Indians, and the aggregate for
1870 includes 100 enumerated as Indians."
INDIANA.
Indiana was formed out of a part of the Northwestern Territory which
was ceded to the United States by the Virginia. It received a separate Ter-
ritorial form of government by act of Congress of May 7, 1800, and "William
Henry Harrison was appointed Governor. At this time it included all the
territory west to the Mississippi river, including all now embraced in the
States of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that part of Minnesota east of
the Mississippi. The seat of the territorial government was established at
Vincennes. By act of January 11, 1805, it was divided into two separate
governments, and that of Michigan created. Again, February 3,1809, that of
Illinois was created. On the 19th of April, 1816, Congress passed an act
to enable the people of Indiana to form a constitution and State government.
On the 29th of June of the same year the people formed a constitution, and
on the 11th of December, 1816, an act of Congress was approved admitting
the State into the Union. The laws of the United States were extended to
the State by an act of March 3, 1817.
Indiana is 278 miles in its greatest length from north to south, and about
144 miles in width, and includes an area of 33,809 square miles, or 21,637,-
760 acres. It has no mountains or great elevations, but portions south of
White river are somewhat hilly. North of the White and Wabash rivers
the country is generally level or slightly undulating. The rivers are gener-
ally bordered by rich alluvial bottom lands, sometimes extending for several
miles in width. Some of the southeastern counties in places present a
rocky surface. The eastern part is generally heavily timbered, while the
western is chiefly prairie. The State has a gradual inclination toward the
Ohio, and most of the streams flow into that river. Lake Michigan borders
the State on the northwest for a distance of about 40 miles, while the Ohio
forms the entire southern boundary. In the northern part there are some
small lakes. The Wabash is the largest interior river, and with its tributa-
ries drains nearly three-fourths of the State. At high water it is navigable
70 THE NOBTHWEST TEBBITOBY.
by steamboats as far as Covington. White river is its principal tributary.
It rises in two branches in the eastern part of the State, the two branches
uniting about 30 miles from the Wabash. The Manmee is formed by the
St. Joseph's and St. Mary's in the northeastern part of the State, and passes
off into Ohio. The Kankakee, one ol the sources of the Illinois, drains
the northwestern pkrt of the State. Among other streams are the Tippeca-
noe, Mississiniwa, Whitewater, Flat Eock, and Blue rivers.
The State yields an abundance of coal, the great deposit being in the
southwestern portion, and embracing an area of nearly 8,000 square miles, or,
some twenty-two counties, in most of which it is profitably mined. There
are also iron, zinc, gypsum, and lime and sandstone. Many quarries of stone
yield excellent building material.
Indiana is nqt without its natural wonders which have attracted the atten-
tion of the curious. Among these is.Lost river, in Grange county. Th'is
stream is about fifty feet in width. It sinks many feet under ground, and
then rises to the surface at a distance of 11 miles. ^ Then there is Wyandot
Cave, in Crawford county. In beauty and magnificence it almostrivals the
celebrated Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. It has been explored a distance
of over twenty miles. Its greatest width is about 300 feet, and. its greatest
height 245 feet. Among its interior wonders are "Bandit's Hall," "JPluto's
Ravine," "Monument Mountain," "Lucifer's Gorge." and "Calypso's
Island." The interior is brilliantly sparred with pendant stalactites.
The climate is milder than in the same latitude on the Atlantic coast, but
somewhat subject to sudden changes. The soil is generally productive, and
in the river bottoms very deep, well adapted to Indian corn and other kinds
of grain. The alluvial bottom lands of the Wabash and its tributaries are
especially noted for their fertility. The productions are the various kinds
of grain, vegetables, and fruits common in temperate latitudes.
Indiana has a large variety of forest trees. Among those indigenous to
the State are several kinds of oak, poplar, ash, walnut, hickory, elm, cherry,
maple, buckeye, beech, locust, sycamore, cottonwood, hackberry, mulberry,
and some sassafras.
Indianapolis is the capital, and is situated on the west fork of White
river, in Marion ounty. The site was selected for the capital in 1820, while
the whole country for forty miles in every direction was covered with a
dense forest. Previous to 1825 the State capital was at Corydon, but in
that year the public offices were removed to Indianapolis. The State-house
was erected at a cost of $60,000, and at that time was considered an elegant
building. It is now unsuited for the purposes of a great State like Indiana
and will soon give place to a larger and more elegant structure. Indianapolis,
in 1840,had a population of 2,692; in 1850 it had 8,900; in 1860 it had 18,611;
and in 1870 it had 48,244.
In works of internal improvement Indiana stands among the leading States
of the Mississippi valley. Railroads radiate in all directions from Indian-
apolis, and there is scarcely a place in the State of any considerable import-
ance that is not connected, directly or indirectly, with the larger cities. '
Among her early improvements were the Wabash and Erie Canal, connect-
ing Evansville with Toledo, and the Whitewater Canal, connecting Cam-
bridge City with Lawrenceburg, on the Ohio. Of the Wabash and Erie
Canal, 379 miles are within the limits of Indiana. The Whitewater Canal
is 74 miles long. Indianapolis is the largest and most important city in
the State, and among theprincipal cities may be mentioned New Albany,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
71
Evansville, Fort Wayne, La Fayette, Terre Haute, Madison, Laporte, Jefier-
sonville, Logansport, Crawfordsville, Lawrenceburg, South Bend and Michi-
gan City. Corydon, the former State capital, is 115 miles south of Indian-
apolis, in Harrison county. When the seat of government was removed from
this place to Indianapolis, in 1834, it remained stationary for a long time,
but within a few years it has become more flourishing, Vincennes, the an-
cient seat of the Territorial government, is on the left bank of the Wabash
river, 120 miles south of Indianapolis. It is the oldest town in the State,
and possesses much historic interest, being first settled by the French about
the year 1735. Many of the present inhabitants are of French descent.
The seat of government was removed from Vincennes to Corydon in 1813.
The following table shows the population of Indiana, at the close of each
deqade, from 1800 to 1870:
COLORED.
AGGREGATE.
1800.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.
1850.
1860.
1870.
2,402
23,8?0
145,758
339,399
678,698
977,154
1,338,710
1,655,837
298
630
1,420
3,632
7,168
11,262
11,428
24,560
2,517
24,520
147,178
343,031
685,866
988,416
*1,350,428
*1,680,637
* The above aggregate for 1860 includes 290 enumerated as Indians, and the aggregate for
1870 includes 240 enumerated as Indians.
ILLINOIS.
Illinois was formed out of a part of the Northwestern Territory, which
was ceded to the United States by the State of Virginia. An act for divid-
ing the Indian Territory, was passed by Congress, and approved February
3d, 1809. An act to enable the people of the Territory to form a constitu-
tion and State government, and authorizing one representative in Congress,
was passed and approved April 18th, 1818. By the same act a part of the
Territory of Illinois was attached to the Territory of Michigan. The people
having, on the 26th of August of the same year, formed a constitution, a
joint resolution was passed by Congress, and approved December 3d, 1818,
admitting the State into the Union, and on the 2d of March following, an
act was approved to provide for the due execution of the laws of the United
States within the State of Illinois.
The extreme length of Illinois from north to south is about 380 miles,
and its greatest width about 200 miles. It embraces an area of 55,409 square
miles, or 35,459,200 acres. The surface of the State is generally level, with
a general inclination from north to south, as indicated by the course of its
rivers. There are some elevated bluffs along the Mississippi and Illinois
rivers, and a small tract of hilly country in the southern part of the State.
The northwest part also contains a considerable amount of broken land.
Some of the prairies are large, but in the early settlement of the State there
were many small prairies, skirted with fine groves of timber. The prairies
are generally undulating, and in their native state were clothed in a great
variety of beautiful wild flowers. The State is well supplied with minerals
of greaj economic value. The region of Galena, in the northwest part, has
72
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
LINCOLN MONUMENT, SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
THE NOBTHWEST TEREITORY. 73
for many years yielded vast quantities of lead. The coal fields cover an area
of 44,000 square miles. There are salt springs in Gallatin, Jackson and
Yermillion counties; and medicinal springs, chiefly sulphur and chalybeate,
have been found in several places. Excellent building stone for heavy ma-
sonry, are quarried at Joliet, La Mont, Quincy, and other places.
Illinois possesses pre-eminent facilities for water transportation, the Missis-
sippi river forming the entire western boundary, and the Ohio the entire
southern, while Lake Michigan bounds it on the northeast 60 miles. The
Illinois river is navigable for steamboats 286 miles. Bock river, though
having obstructions near its mouth, has in times of high water been navi-
fated for a considerable distance. Kaskaskia, Sangamon and Spoon rivers
ave also been navigated by steamboat, but the construction of railroads has
in a great measure superseded the necessity of this means of transportation.
Among the rivers are the upper portion of the Wabash, which receives from
this State the waters of the Vermillion, Embarras and Little Wabash. The
principal tributaries, or sources, of the Illinois river are Kaskaskia, Des
Plaines and Fox rivers. Lake Peoria is an expansion of the Illinois river,
near the middle of the State. Lake Pishtoka, in the northeast part, is a lake
of some importance.
Illinois, extending through five degrees of latitude, presents considerable
variety of climate. Peaches and some other fruits, which do not succeed so
well in the northern part, rarely fail to yield abundantly in the southern part.
The State has immense agricultural capabilities, unsurpassed, indeed, by any
other State in the Union, unless it may be the younger State of Iowa. Among
its agricultural staples are Indian corn, wheat, oats, rye, potatoes, butter and
cheese. Stock raising on the prairies of Illinois has, for many years, been
carried on extensively. All the fruits and vegetables common to the latitudes
in which it is situated are successfully and abundantly produced.
Timber is plentiful, but not very equally diffused. The bottom lands are
supplied with fine growths of black and white walnut, ash, hackberry, elm,
sugar maple, honey locust, sycamore, cottonwood, hickory, and several species
of oak. Some of these also grow on the uplands, and in addition white oak,
and other valuable kinds of timber. White and yellow poplar flourish in
the southern part, and cypress on the Ohio bottom lands.
As we have seen, Illinois did not become a member of the Federal Union
until 1818, yet settlements were made within its limits about the same time
that William Penn colonized Pennsylvania, in the latter part of the seven-
teenth century. These settlements, like other French colonies, failed to in-
crease very rapidly, and it was not until after the close of the Revolution,
that extensive colonization commenced.
Springfield, the capital of Illinois, was laid out in 1822. It is situated
three miles south of the Sangamon river, in Sangamon county, and is sur-
rounded by rich and extensive prairies, which have been transformed into
splendid farms. Large quantities of bituminous coal are mined in this
vicinity. This city will ever be memorable as the home of Abraham Lincoln,
and as the place where his remains are entombed. In 1840 it had a pop-
ulation of 2,579; in 1850 it had 4,533; in 1860 it had 7,002; and in 1870
it had 17,364. Since the last date the population has increased^ rapidly. A
new and magnificent State capitol has been erected, and Springfield may
now be regarded as one of the flourishing cities of Illinois.
Chicago, on the site of old Fort Dearborn, is now the largest interior city
of the United States. It stands on the shore of Lake Michigan, with the
74
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Chicago river flowing through it. As the great commercial emporium of
the Northwest, a special account of this city will be given elsewhere. Among
other large and thriving cities are Peoria, Quincy, Galena, Belleville, Alton,
Eockford^ Bloomington, Ottawa, Aurora, Lincoln, Eock Island, Galesburg,
Joliet and Jacksonville.
The internal improvements of Illinois are on a grand scale. The rail-
roads traverse almost every county, connecting her towns and cities with her
great commercial city on the lake, and with the markets of the East. Besides,
these, she has her great canal, from Chicago to Peru, uniting the waters of
Lake Michigan with the Mississippi river. This canal is 100 miles long.,
A few striking features of. the natural scenery of this State may be men-
tioned. Along the Mississippi are bold and picturesque bluffs, rising from
one to three hundred feet. " Starved Eock " and " Lover's Leap " are eminen-
ces on Illinois river, the former being a perpendicular mass of limestone,
eight miles below Ottawa, and rising 150 feet above the river. It is so called
from an incident in Indian warfare. A band of Illinois Indians took refuge
on this eminence from .the Pottawattamies, but being surrounded by the
latter, they all died, it is said not of starvation, but of thirst. Nearly oppo-
site " Lover's Leap " is " Buffalo Eock," 100 feet high. Here the Indians
formerly drove the buffalo, and with shouts caused them to crowd each other
over the precipice. On the banks of the Ohio, in Hardin county, is " Cave
in the Eock," the entrance to which is but little above the water. The cave
ascends gradually from the entrance to the extreme limit, back 180 feet. In '
1797 it was the rendezvous of a band of robbers, who sallied forth to rob
boatmen and emigrants. Other outlaws have since made it their abode.
The following table shows the population of Illinois at the close of each
decade, from 1800 to 1870.
TEAR.
AGGREGATE.
1800.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.
1850.
I860.
1870.
2,275
11,501
53,788
155,061
472,254
846,034
1,704.291
2,511,096
183
781
1,374
2,384
3,929
5,436
7,628
28,762
2,458
12,282
55,162
157,445
476,183
851,470
*1,711,951
*2,539,891
*The above aggregate for 1860 includes 32 enumerated as Indians, and the same number
enumerated as Indians in 1870.
MICHIGAN.
Michigan was formed out of a part of the territory ceded to the United
States by the State of Virginia. It was detached from Indiana Territory,
and become a separate Territorial government under an act of Congress ap-
proved January 11, 1805. It remained for more than thirty years under a
territorial form of government, but embraced a vast region not now inclu-
ded in the State. During this time there was considerable legislation in
regard to its boundaries, the most important of which was the adjustment
of the boundary line between Michigan and the State of Ohio, in 1836. In
January, 1833, a memorial of the Legislative Council of the Territory was
presented in Congress, praying for admission into the Union as a State.
The prayer of the memorial was not granted at that time, partly. oi> account
THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOET. 75
of the disputed boundary question. Finally, on the 15th of June, 1836, an
act was passed " to establish the northern boundary of the State of Ohio,
and to provide for the admission of the State of Michigan into the Union,
upon conditions therein expressed." One of the conditions was, that if a
convention of delegates elected by the people of Michigan for the purpose
of giving their assent to the boundaries, as declared and established by the
act of June 15th, 1836, should first give their assent, then Michigan was to
be declared one of the States of the Union. This condition having been
complied with, Congress, on the 26th of January, 1837, passed an act de-
claring Michigan one of the United States, and admitting it into the Union
upon an equal footing with the original States.
Michigan occupies two peninsulas, the southern one lying between Lakes
Erie, St. Clair and Huron on the east, and Lake Michigan on the west ; and
the northern one between Lakes Michigan and Huron on the south, and
Lake Superior on the north. The northern peninsula is about 320 miles in
extreme length, from southeast to northwest, and 130 miles in its greatest
width. The southern peninsula is about 283 miles from north to southland
2111 from east to west in its greatest width. The joint area of the two
peninsulas is 56,243 square miles, or 35,595,520 acres. The northern penin-
sula embraces about two-fifths of the total area.
The southern peninsula is generally an undulating plain, with a few slight
elevations. The shores of Lake Huron are often characterized by steep
bluffs, while those of Lake Michigan are coasted by shifting sand-hills, ris-
ing from one hundred to two hundred feet in height. In the southern part
of this peninsula are large districts covered with thinly scattered trees, called
"oak openings."
The northern peninsula is in striking contrast with the southern, both as
to soil and surface. It is rugged, with streams abounding in water-falls.
The Wisconsin, or Porcupine Mountains, form the water-shed between Lakes
Michigan and Superior, and attain an elevation of 2,000 feet in the northwestern
portion of the peninsula. The shores of Lake Superior are composed of
sandstone rock, which in places is worn by the winds and waves into many
strange and fanciful shapes, resembling the ruins of castles, and forming
the celebrated "Pictured Kocks." The northern peninsula of Michigan
possesses probably the richest copper mines in the world, occupying a belt
one hundred and twenty miles in length by from two to six miles in width.
It is rich in minerals, but rigorous in climate and sterile in soil. Coal is
plentiful at Corunna, one hundred miles from Detroit.
The State is so surrounded and intersected by lakes as to fairly entitle it
to the soubriquet of " The Lake State." There are a number of small lakes
in the interior of the State, which add to the general variety of scenery, but
are not important to navigation. The Straits of Mackinaw (formerly writ-
ten Michilimackinac) divide the southern from the northern peninsula^ and
connect the waters of Lakes Michigan and Huron by a navigable channel.
There are a number of small rivers, the most important in the southern pe*
ninsula being St. Joseph's, Kalamazoo, Grand, Muskegon and Manistee, all
emptying into Lake Michigan; and An Sable and Siganaw, flowing into
Lake Huron, and the Huron and Eaisin discharging their waters into Lake
Erie. The principal rivers of the northern peninsula are the Menomonee,
Montreal and Ontonagon. The shores around the lakes are indented by nu-
merous bays. Several small islands belong to Michigan, the most impor-
tant of -which is Isle Koyale, noted for its copper mines.
76 THE NOBTHWEST TEEKITOET.
The climate of Michigan is generally rigorous, except in proximity to the
lakes, where the fruits of the temperate zone succeed admirably. The north-
ern peninsula is favorable for winter wheat, but Indian corn does not suc-
ceed well. In the southern peninsula, Indian corn is produced abundantly y
as well as the winter grains. This part of the State is pre-eminently agri-
cultural.
Portions of the northern peninsula are heavily timbered with white pine,
spruce, hemlock, birch, aspen, maple, ash and elm, and vast quantities of
lumber are manufactured at the fine mill-sites afforded by the rapid streams.
Timber is plentiful also in the southern peninsula, and consists chiefly of
several species of oak, hickory, ash, basswood, maple, elm, linden, locust,
dogwood, poplar, beech, sycamore, cottonwood, black and white walnut,
cherry, pine, tamarack, cypress, cedar and chestnut.
Northern Michigan abounds in picturesque scenery, among winch may
be mentioned the " Pictured Pocks," composed of sandstone of various col-
ors. They extend for about twelve miles, and rise 300 feet above the water.
Sometimes cascades shoot over the' precipice, so that vessels can sail between
them and the natural wall of the rock. This portion of the State every sea-
son attracts large numbers of excursionists and pleasure-seekers, on account
of its charming and interesting scenery.
The State is named for the lake which forms a part of its boundary, and
signifies in the Indian language, " Great "Water." The first white settle-
ments were by the French, near Detroit and at Mackinaw, in the latter hall
of the seventeenth century ; but these colonies did not progress rapidly.
This territory, with other "French possessions in North America, came into
possession of Great Britain at the peace of 1763. It remained under the
dominion of Great Britain until the American Pevolution, when it became
the possession of the United States. The British, however, did not surren-
der Detroit until 1796. This region was chiefly the scene of the exploits
of the celebrated chief Pontiac, after the expulsion of the French. During
the war of 1812, Michigan became the theater of several of the battles ana
many of the incidents connected with that war. At Frenchtown, in this
State, January 22, 1813, occurred a cruel massacre by the savages of a party of
American prisoners of war. Gen. Harrison soon after drove the enemy out
of the Territory, and removed the seat of war into Canada, where he fought
and gained the battle of the Thames.
Lansing, the capital of Michigan, is situated on Grand river, in Ingham
county one hundred and ten miles northwest of Detroit. It was selected for
the seat of government in 1847, at which time it was surrounded by an al-
most unbroken wilderness. The river here affords excellent water power.
A new and handsome State capitol has just been completed.
Detroit, situated on the river from which it takes its name, eighteen miles
from the head of Lake Erie, is the largest city in the State. It was the
capital until the removal of the seat of government to Lansing, in 1850.
Historically it is one of the most interesting cities in the West. The French
had here a military post as early as 1670. Three Indian tribes, the Hurons,
Pottawattamies and Ottawas, had their villages in the vicinity. With other
French possessions, it passed into the hands of the British at the peace of
1763, and twenty years later it came under the jurisdiction of the United
States, although, as stated above, it was not surrendered until 1796. June
11th, 1805, it was almost totally destroyed by fire. Gen. Wm. Hull, first
governor of the Territory of Michigan, then projected the city on a new
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET;
77
plan. On the 18th of August, 1812, this same Gen. Hull surrendered it
into the hands of the British, but the latter evacuated it September 29th of
the same year. In 1870 the population was 79,577, and since then has rap-
idly increased.
Among the other important towns and cities in the State, are Grand Rap-
ids" Adrian, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Jackson and Monroe.
The following table shows the population of Michigan at the close of each
decade, from 1800 to 1870 :
COLORED.
AGGREGATE.
1800.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.
1850.
1860.
1870.
551
4,618
8,591
31,346
211,560
395,071
736,142
1,167,232
144
174
293
707
2,583
6,799
11,849
551
4,762
8,765
31,639
212,276
397,654
*749,113
*1,184,059
*The above aggregate for 1860 includes 6,172 enumerated as Indians, and the aggregate
for 1870 includes 4,926 enumerated as Indians.
WISCONSIN.
Wisconsin was formed out of a portion of the Territory of Michigan, but
was originally a part of the Northwestern Territory ceded by the State of
Yirginia to the United States. On the 12th of December, 1832, a resolution
passed the house of representatives directing, a committee to inquire into the
expediency of creating a Territorial government for Wisconsin out of a part
of Michigan. On the 20 th of April, 1836, an act was passed and approved
establishing a Territorial government. On the 20th of June, 1838, an act
was passed and approved to divide the Territory of Wisconsin, and to estab-
lish the Territorial government of Iowa. June 12, 1838, an act was passed
designating the boundary line between the State of Michigan and the Terri-
tory of Wisconsin. On the 6th of August, 1 846, an act was passed and
approved to enable the people to form a constitution and State government.
On the 21st of January, 1847, the people adopted a constitution, and on the
3d of March of the same year an act of Congress was passed and approved
for the admission of the State into the Union. By act of May 29, 1848, the
State was declared admitted into the Union, to be entitled to three represen-
tatives in Congress after March 3, 1849.
The extreme length of Wisconsin from north to south is about 285 miles,
and its greatest breadth from east to west is about 255 miles. It includes
an area of about 53,924 square miles, or 34,51 1 ,360 acres. It is generally of an
elevated rolling surface, with a large proportion of prairie. There are no
mountains, properly so called, though the descent toward Lake Superior is
quite abrupt, and the rivers full of rapids and falls, which afford valuable
mill-sites. The great lakes, Superior and Michigan, lave the northern and
eastern borders, besides which there are a number of smaller lakes, the most
important of which is Lake Winnebago, southeast of the middle of the State.
It is 28 miles long and 10 miles wide, and communicates with Green Bay
through the Fox or Neenah river. In the northwestern part are numerous
small lakes, with clear water, gravelly or rocky bottoms, and bold picturesque
78 THE N0ETHWE6T TEEEITOEY.
shores. The rivers generally flow in a southwest direction and discharge
their waters into the Mississippi, which flows along the southwest border of
the State for more than 200 miles. The most important interior river is the
Wieconsin, which has a course of about 200 miles almost directly south,
when it changes its course westwardly, and flows about 100 miles further to
its junction with the Mississippi. At favorable stages it is navigable for
steamboats 180 miles. The Bad Axe, Black, Chippewa, and St. Croix rivers
are important streams for floating timber and lumber from the pine region
in the northwest part of the State. The streams flowing into Lake Superior
are small, but rapid, affording excellent mill-sites.
The climate is severe and the winters long, but the State is free from the
unhealthy changes which are common farther south. The south and middle
portions form a fine agricultural region. "Wheat is the great staple produc-
tion, though all kinds of small grain and Indian corn are raised successfully.
Large portions of the State are well adapted to grazing and the dairy. The
northern part of the State, about the head- waters of the Black and Chippewa
rivers, and the sources of the rivers emptying into Lake Superior, has but
limited agricultural capabilities, as in that region are many ponds and
marshes, and also large quantities of boulders scattered over the surface.
There are many objects of interest to the tourist and the lover of the
picturesque. The rivers abound in rapids and falls. In St. _ Louis river
there is a series of cascades which have a descent of 320 feet in 16 miles.
The Menomonee river at Quinnesec Falls dashes down over a perpendicular
ledge of rocks 40 feet, and has a fall of 134 feet in a mile and a hall. Among
other noted falls are the St. Croix, Chippewa and Big Bull Falls in the "Wis-
consin river. Along the rivers are many grand views of bluffs, rising from
150 to 200 feet, and at one place in I&cliland county on the Wisconsin,
where it passes through a narrow gorge, the cliffs have an elevation of from
400 to 500 feet. On the Mississippi, in La Crosse county, the rocks rise
500 feet perpendicularly above the water.
The great lead region extends into the southwestern part of "Wisconsin.
The deposit here is intermingled to some extent with copper and zinc,
together with some silver. Copper is found in a number of places, and also
some iron ore. The iron ores of the Lake Superior region extend into "Wis-
consin. Beautiful varieties of marble are found on the Menomonee river and
in other localities.
On the upper "Wisconsin river, and other tributaries of the Mississippi,
north of the Wisconsin, are vast forests of pine, and immense quantities are
annually floated down the Mississippi to supply the markets in other States.
Among other forest trees are spruce, tamarack, cedar, hemlock, oak of sev-
eral varieties, birch, aspen, basswood, hickory, elm, ash, poplar, sycamore and
sugar-maple.
Wisconsin was visited at an early period by French missionaries, and a
settlement was made in the latter part of the seventeenth century.
Madison, the capital of the State, is situated on an isthmus between Lakes
Mendota and Monona, 80 miles west of Milwaukee, and 132 miles northwest
of Chicago. When the place was selected for the seat of government in
1836, there were no buildings except a solitary log cabin. The State capitol
is a fine looking stone building erected at a cost of $500,000, and stands on
an elevation seventy feet above the lakes. The city overlooks a charming
country, diversified by a pleasing variety of scenery. It has steadily and
rapidly increased in population.
THE NOBTHWEST TBEEITOET.
79
The great city of "Wisconsin is Milwaukee (called at an early day "Mil-
wacky") and next to Chicago may be regarded as the commercial metropolis
of the Northwest. It is situated on the west shore of Lake Michigan, about
90 miles north of Chicago. Milwaukee river empties into the lake at this
point. The city is situated on both sides of the river, and has one of the
best harbors on the whole chain of lakes. The fine water power of the Mil-
waukee river is an important element in its prosperity. Being a port of
entry, the government has expended large sums in the improvements of its
harbor, and in the erection of public buildings.
In 1805 Jacques Vieau, a half-breed trader whose house was at Green
Bay, visited the country at the mouth of the Milwaukee river for the pur-
pose of trading with the Indians. This he did annually until in September,
1818, when he brought with him a young man named Solomon Juneau, who
became his son-in-law. The young man established friendly relations with
the Indians, and in 1822 erected a block-house on the site of the present city
of Milwaukee. He remained for 18 years the only permanent white resi-
dent, being visited occasionally by fur traders to whom he sold goods. In
1836, the village which has grown to be a large city, began to appear. • Jun-
eau died in 1856, at the age of 64 years, having lived to see the place he
founded grow to a prosperous and flourishing city. In 1836 the population
was 275 ; in 1840, it was 1810 ; in 1850, it was 1 9,873 ; in 1860, it was 45,286 ;
in 1870, it was 71,640; and at the present time (1878) it is estimated at 123,-
000.
Among other important towns and cities of "Wisconsin are Racine, Janes-
ville, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Watertown, Sheboygan, Beliot, Kenosha, La
Crosse, Wauwatosa, Manitowoc, Portage City, Platteville, Sheboygan Falls,
Beaver Dam, "Whitewater, Port Washington, Green Bay, Mineral Point,
Shullsburg, Monroe, Prescott, and Hudson.
The following table shows the population of- Wisconsin at the close of each
decade from 1800 to 1870:
YEAR.
WHITE.
COLORED.
AGGREGATE.
1800
115
30,749
304,756
773,693
1,051,351
635
1,171
2,113
115
1810
1820
1830
1840
30,945
305,391
*775,881
*1, 054,670
I860
1870
*The above aggregate for 1860 includes 1017 enumerated as Indians, and the aggregate
for 1870 includes 1206 enumerated as Indians.
MINNESOTA.
The eastern portion of Minnesota formed a part of the territoiy surrendered
by the French to Great Britain at the peace of 1763, and subsequently by
the latter to the United States at the close of the Eevolution. The western
portion is a part of the territory known as the Louisiana Purchase, ceded by
France to the United States in 1803. . It received a Territorial form of gov-
ernment under an act of Congress which became a law March 3, 1849, and
was admitted into the Union as a State May 11, 1853.
The extreme length of Minnesota north and south is about 380 miles, and
80 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
in width is about 300 miles. It embraces an area of 81,259 square miles, or
52,005,760 acres. The face of the country generally presents the appearance
of an undulating plain, although it is the most elevated tract of country
between the Gulf of Mexico and Hudson's Bay. There are no mountains,
but the summits of the water-sheds rise to a height of nearly two thousand
feet above the level of the sea.
Minnesota is one of the best watered States in the Union, being drained by
many rivers and dotted over with immmerable small lakes and some of con-
siderable size. The great Mississippi has its humble origin as a mere rivulet
in Lake Itasca. This diminutive stream, here but a few feet in width, first
meanders in a northeasterly direction, receiving tribute as it passes from a
number of other small lakes, when it changes its course to the south, and
after meandering a length of six hundred miles in Minnesota, dashes its
waters down over the Falls of St. Anthony, then flows along the border of
the State two hundred miles further, and thence grandly pursues its course
to the Gulf of Mexico. Several tributaries of the Mississippi drain the
southeastern portion of the State. The Eed Eiver of the North drains the
northern part, passing off into Hudson's Bay. It is the outlet of a number
of lakes, among which are Traverse, Otter Tail, and Bed. This river also
forms the westboundary of the State for about two hundred miles. That
portion of the State sloping toward Lake Superior is drained by the St. Louis
and its tributaries. St. Peters, or Minnesota river, has a total length of
over four hundred miles within the State. Its principal branch is Blue
Earth or Mankato river, which flows nearly north. The St. Peters, Crow-
Wing and Crow rivers are tributaries of the Mississippi from the west.
Lake Superior forms a part of the eastern boundary, and the Lake of the
"Woods a part of the northern. Among other lakes of considerable size are
Bainy, Bed Lake, Lake Cass, and Leech Lake. Devil Lake in the north-
west part is about 40 miles long and 15 miles wide, and is said to have no
visible outlet. Lake Pepin is an expansion of the Mississippi in the north-
eastern part of the State, and is a beautiful sheet of water. The State abounds
in small lakes which are mostly clear and beautiful. Owing to the multitude
of lakes Minnesota seldom suffers from inundations, as they tend to ckeuk
the sudden rise and violence of the streams.
The climate of the northern part of Minnesota is severe, but in the
southern part is not so rigorous as to prevent fair crops of Indian corn from
being produced some seasons. "Wheat and other winter grains succeed ad-
mirably in nearly all parts. In the valleys of the rivers the soil is excellent,
and even the valley of the Bed Biver of the North is regarded as a fine
agricultural region. "Wheat is the great staple and the facilities for manu-
facturing flour are unsurpassed, as the water power is practically unlimited.
A portion of the State is heavily .timbered with pine, and one of the great
industries is the manufacture of lumber. Extensive forests of pine grow on
the Bum, St. Croix, and Pine rivers, and on the shores of the Mississippi,
below Pokegamin Falls. Taken, as a whole, however, Minnesota cannot be
called a well-wooded country. The river bottoms furnish some very good
growths of oak, aspen, soft maple, basswood, ash, birch, white walnut, linden
and elm. In the swamps or marshy places are found tamarack, cedar, and
cypress.
Minnesota presents to the tourist many natural objects of interest, especially
in her grand and beautiful scenery along the Mississippi and around her lakes.
St. Anthony's Falls are celebrated, not so much for their magnitude as a
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 82
cataract, as for their geological interest and the wild scenery connected with
them. Like Niagara, the falls are divided by an island, with the larger
volume of water passing on the west side. This west division is 310
yards wide. The greatest perpendicular fall of water is but 1 6£ feet, but in-
cluding the rapids the descent is 58 feet in 260 rods. The rivers of Minne-
sota have numerous picturesque falls and rapids, and are in many places
bordered with perpendicular bluffs of limestone and sandstone.
So far as revealed by geological examination, Minnesota possesses no
great mineral or metallic wealth. There is, however, a rich deposit of iron
ore in that part of the State bordering on Lake Superior. A thin vein of
lead was discovered by the geological corps of Prof. Owen on "Waraiu river
and some copper was found, but not "in* place," having probably been car-
ried thither by the drift. Stone suitable for building purposes exists in
great abundance. In the southwest part of the State is a singular deposit
known as "red pipestone." Of this the Indians made their pipes, and the
place of its deposit was held in great sacredness by them. It is said that
different tribes at enmity with each other, met here on terms of amity and
smoked the pipe of peace. Longfellow has rendered this locality celebrated
in " Hiawatha." It was here —
" On the Mountains of the Prairie,
On the great Red Pipe-stone Quarry,
Gitche Manito, the mighty,
He the Master of Life, descending,
On the red crags of the quarry.
Stood erect, and called the nations,
Called the tribes of men together."
The first white men who are said to have visited the country now embraced
in Minnesota, were two fur traders in the year 1654. They returned to Mon-
treal two years afterward and gave a glowing account of the country. This
was followed by the visits of trappers and missionaries, and to the latter we
are indebted for the first printed accounts of Minnesota. In 1805 an explor-
ing expedition under Pike traversed the country. A military post was
established at Fort Snelling in 1819. Excepting a British settlement at
Pembina, which was not then known to be within the limits of the United
States, no settlements were formed in Minnesota until after 1840.
St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota, is in Ramsey county, on the bank of
the Mississippi, 2070 miles from its mouth, and 9 miles by land below the
Falls of St. Anthony. The first settlement was made about the year 1840.
The population has increased rapidly, and as a manufacturing, commercial
and business place it has assumed considerable importance. Minneapolis, a
few miles above St. Paul, is a rapidly growing city, and is noted for its
great water power and manufacturing resources. Among other important
towns are Stillwater, Red Wing, St. Anthony, Fort Snelling, and Mankato.
The following table shows the population of Minnesota at the close of each
decade from 1850 to 1870:
YEAR.
WHITE.
COLORED.
AGGREGATE.
1850
6,038
169,395
438,257
39
259
759
6,077
*172,023
*439,706
1860
* The above aggregate for 1860 includes 2369 enumerated as Indians, and the aggregate
for 1870 includes 690 enumerated as Indians.
THE NOBTIJWEST TEEEITOBY.
NEBRASKA..
Nebraska is formed out of a part of the territory ceded to the United
States by France by the treaty of April 30, 1804. It was erected into a
separate Territory May 30, 1854, the limits subsequently being , greatly
reduced by the formation of Dakota Territory in 1861, a right reserved in
the act creating the Territory of Nebraska. It was admitted into the Union
as a State, March 1, 1867.
Nebraska is in its extreme length from east to west about 412 miles, and
in breadth from north to south about 208 miles, embracing an area of 75,905
square miles, or 48,336,800 acres. The greater portion of the State is an
elevated undulating prairie with a "general inclination toward the Missouri
river. There are no mountains or very high hills. The soil is various,, but
fenerally fertile, except in the western portion near the base of the. Rocky
loun tains. The bottom lands along the rivers are not surpassed in fertility
by any in the United States, while the higher undulating prairie is equally
productive with that of other western States. When the prairies are once
broken they are easy of cultivation, the soil being light and mellow. The
staple productions are wheat, Indian corn, oats, and other cereals common
to the latitude. The climate is mild, as compared with that of the same
latitude on the Atlantic. The summers are sometimes very warm, and the
extreme western part is occasionally deficient in rain. Taken as a whole,
however, this is destined to become one of the foremost agricultural States
in the Union.
Nebraska is deficient in native timber, but the older settled portions are
dotted over with groves of artificial or cultivated timber, which is so rapid
in its growth as to require but a few years to produce enough for the ordinary
wants of the settler. The rivers and streams aie generally bordered with
f'oves of native trees, including oak, walnut, hickory, cottonwood and willow,
long the Missouri river in places are some heavy growths of cottonwood.
The Missouri river forms the entire eastern boundary, and is navigable
for steamboats throughout the whole extentof that boundary and for hun-
dreds of miles above. Amongthe important interior rivers are the Platte,
the Niobrara, the Republican Fork ot the Kansas, the Elkhorn, the Loup
Fork of the Platte, the Big Blue and the Nemaha. These rivers are so dis-
tributed, as, with their numerous tributaries, to afford admirable drainage to
all parts of the State, and as a consequence it is free from marshes, conduc-
ing to the excellent health for which Nebraska is noted.
Bo far as yet revealed, the State is not rich in minerals. Coal, however,
has recently been discovered in the southeastern part, in a vein sufficiently
thick for mining. Near Lincoln are some salt springs of sufiicient magni-
tude to yield large quantities of salt. On Platte river and other streams
both limestone and sandstone are obtained of suitable quality for building
material.
Rapid progress has been made in the construction of railroads in Nebraska.
Among them are the Union Pacific and its branches, the Burlington & Mis-
souri River and its branches, and others, affording railroad advantages to a
large portion of the State, and connecting the principal towns with the
mam lines, east, west and south.
Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska, is in Lancaster county, in the southeast-
ern part of the State. Here are most of the State institutions. It is a
thriving young city and is in the midst of a fine agricultural portion of tlic
State. Near it, on a little stream known as Salt Creek, are a number of
THE N0ETHWE8T TEBBITOBY.
83
salt springs, and considerable quantities of salt have been manufactured.
Railroads connect it witb all the great markets of the country.
Omaha is the leading commercial city of the State, and is located on the
west bank of the Missouri river in Douglas county. It is 18 miles by land
above the mouth of the Platte river. The principal portion of the city is
situated on gently rising slopes extending from the river to the bluffs. The
elevatio'ns are crowned with fine residences, and command pleasant views of
the river and valley, with the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the distance.
Since the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad it has grown in popula-
tion and wealth very rapidly. A costly iron railroad bridge spans the Mis-
-souri river at this point. As a produce, shipping and general commercial
?oint it is rapidly growing into prominence. It was the first capital of the
territory and State, and takes its name from a tribe of Indians.
. Among other important towns and cities are Nebraska City, Columbus,
Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings, Plattsmouth, Tecumseh, and Niobrara.
The following table shows the population of Nebraska by the census of
1860 and 1870:
COLORED.
AGGREGATE.
I860.
1870.
28,696
122,117
82
789
28,841
122,993
In the agrgTeeate for 1860, the enumeration includes 63 Indians, and in that of 1870, the
enumeration includes 87 Indians.
MISSOURI.
Missouri was formed out of a part of the territory ceded by France to the
United States in 1803. By an act approved March 26th, 1804, the French,
or Louisiana purchase, was divided, that part embracing the present State
of Missouri being at first designated as the District of Louisiana. The
name was changed to Territory of Louisiana, by an act passed March 3d,
1805, and again by an act of June 4, 1812, Louisiana Territory was changed
to Missouri Territory. By an act passed March 2, 1819, the southern por-
tion was detached and organized as the Territory of Arkansas. During the
same year the people of the Territory of Missouri, through their Legislative
Council and House of Eepresentatives, memorialized Congress for admis-
sion into the Union as a State. On the 6th of March following an act was
Sssed to authorize the people of the Territory to form a State constitution,
issouri being the first State formed wholly out of territory west of the
Mississippi, the question of the extension of slavery came up and gave
rise to a stormy debate in Congress while the Missouri bill, as it was
called, was pending. The propriety and expediency of extending that in-
stitution to the new States west of the Mississippi, was powerfully and earn-
estly contested, and resulted in a compromise restricting slavery to certain
limits, and prohibiting the extension of slavery to certain territory. The
bill, however, of March 6th, passed without restrictions. The people on the
,19th of July, 1820, adopted their constitution, which was laid before Con-
gress November 16th of the same year. The Senate passed a joint resolu-
tion declaring the admission of the State of Missouri into the Union. This
was referred to a select committee in the House of Eepresentatives, and on
84: THE NOBTHWEST TEEEITOEY.
the lOth of February, 1821, Mr. Clay made a report. The House rejected
the resolution, and on motion of Mr. Clay, a committee on the part of the
House was appointed to join a committee on the part of the Senate to con-
sider the subject and report. On the 26th of February, Mr. Clay, from the
joint committee, reported a " Eesolution providing for the admission of the
State of Missouri into the Union, on a certain condition." This resolution
was passed and approved, March 2, 1821. The condition was that Missouri,
by its legislature, should assent to a condition that a part of the State con-
stitution should never be construed to authorize the passage of a law by
which any citizen of either of the States in the Union should be excluded
from the enjoyment of any of the priviliges and immunities to which such
citizen is entitled under the Constitution of the United States. What was
known as the " Missouri Compromise," was embraced in the act of the pre-
vious session, which authorized the people of the State of Missouri to form a
State constitution, and consisted of a compromise section in the bill by which
slavery was to be forever prohibited in that part of the territory west of the
Mississippi (except the State of Missouri), lying north of thirty-six degrees'
and thirty minutes north latitude. Thus, after fierce and stormy debates,
running through two sessions of Congress, Missouri came into the Union,
and the exciting question of slavery was supposed also to have been settled.
On the 10th of August, 1821, President Monroe issued his proclamation
declaring the admission of Missoiiri completed, according to law.
Missouri in its greatest length from east to west is about 285 miles, and
in width from north to south, 280 miles. It embraces an area of 67,380
square miles, or 43,123,200 acres. That portion of it north of the Missouri
river is mostly undulating prairie and timber land, while that portion south
of the Missouri river is characterized by a great variety of surface. In the
southeast part, near the Mississippi, is an extensive area of marshy land.
The region forming the outskirts of the Ozark Mountains is hilly and bro-
ken. West of the Osage river is a vast expanse of prairie. The geological
features of Missouri are exceedingly interesting. Coal, iron and several
kinds of stone and marble for building purposes exist in great abundance.
A vast region, in the vicinity of Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob, produces
iron of the best quality, and exists in inexhaustible quantity. It is also
found in other parts of the State. There is also lead, which has been mined
in considerable quantities. Copper is found throughout the mineral region,
but is found combined with other minerals. Silver is also combined with
the lead ore. The bituminous coal deposits are mainly on both sides of the
Missouri river, below the mouth of the Osage, and extending forty miles up
that river. Cannel-coal is found in Callaway county.
Missouri possesses the advantages of two of the greatest navigable rivers in
the United States — the Mississippi, which forms her entire eastern boundary,
and the Missouri, which flows along her northwestern border nearly two
hundred miles, and crosses the State in a south-easterly course to its junc-
tion with the Mississippi. As both of these rivers are navigable for the
' largest steamers, the State has easy and ready commercial intercourse to the
Gulf of Mexico and the Eocky Mountains, as well as up the Ohio to Pitts-
burg. Besides the Missouri, the State has several important interior rivers,
to-wit : Grand river and Chariton, tributaries of the Missouri river from
the north, and the Osage and Gasconade from the south ; also, Salt river and
Maramec, tributaries of the Mississippi. The St. Francis and White river
THE NOKTHWEST TERKITOKY. 85
drain the southeastern part, passing from the State into Arkansas. The
Osage is navigable for steamboats about 275 miles.
Missouri as a State has many material resources, fitting her for becoming
one of the most wealthy and populous States in the Union. The soil is gen-
erally excellent, producing the finest crops, while those portions not so well
adapted to agriculture are rich in minerals. The greater portion of the State
is well timbered. In the river bottoms are heavy growths of oak, elm,
ash, hickory, cottonwood, sngar, and white and black walnut. On the
uplands also, are found a great variety of trees. Various fruits, including
apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries and strawberries, are produced in the
greatest abundance. Among the staple productions are Indian corn, wheat,
oats, potatoes, hemp and tobacco. A great variety of other crops are also
raised.
The State has an uneven and variable climate — the winters being very cold
and the summers excessively hot. Chills and fever are common to some
extent along the rivers.
The earliest settlement in Missouri seems to have been by the French, about
the year 1719. About that time they built what was called Fort Orleans,
near Jefferson City, and the next year worked the lead mines to some extent.
Ste. Genevieve was settled in 1755, also by the French, and is the oldest town
in the State. Missouri's greatest commercial metropolis, St. Louis, was first
settled in 1764, the earliest settlers being mostly French.
Jefferson City, the capital of the State,, is situated on the right bank of the
Missouri river, in Cole county. It is 128 miles by land, and 155 miles by
water from St. Louis. The location being elevated, commands a fine view
of the river, with the pleasant and picturesque scenery which is presented at
this point on the Missouri.
St. Louis, the great commercial city of Missouri, as well as of a large por-
tion of the Northwest, is situated on the right bank of the Mississippi,
twenty miles below the mouth of the Missouri, and 174 above the mouth of
the Ohio. It is 744 miles below the Falls of St. Anthony, and 1194 miles
above New Orleans. The city enjoys many natural advantages as a com-
mercial emporium, being situated nearly midway between the two oceans,
and centrally in the finest agricultural region on the globe. With the
greatest navigable river on the continent, affording her a water highway to
the ocean, and to many of the large inland cities of the country, St. Louis is
rapidly and surely going forward to a grand future. Her already great and
constantly improving system of railways, is tending every year to open up to
her larger fields of business and commercial intercourse. Of late years a
strong rivalry has sprung up between St. Louis and Chicago, in regard to
nopulation, etc., each claiming to be the third city in the Union. The in-
crease of St. Louis since the war has been great, the ascendency being at an
*>,nnual rate of about ten per cent. At this increase she is fast earning the
"(oubriqnet of the " Future Great City."
The site on which St. Louis stands was selected February 15th, 1764, by
Laclede, as a post possessing peculiar advantages for collecting and trading
In furs, as well as for defense against the Indians. For many years it was
bnt a frontier village, the principal trade of which was in furs, buffalo robes,
and other collections of trappers and hunters. A great part of the popula-
tion was absent during the hunting and trapping seasons, so that the in-
fancy of this city was almost a struggle for existence. As late as 1820, the
population was but 4,598. The first brick house was erected in 1813. In
86
THE NOBTHWEST TEBEITOBY.
1822, St. Louis was chartered as a city, under the title given by Laclede in
in honor of Louis XV of France. In 1830 the population was 6,694, an
increase of only 2,096 in ten years. In 1840 the population had reached
16,469; in 1850 it was 77,950, including 2,650 slaves; in 1860 the popula-
tion was 160,773 ; and in 1870 it was 312,963.
Kansas City, one of the rapidly advancing young cities of the State, is
situated on the Missouri river just below the mouth of the Kansas. In
1870 the population was 32,260. Since that time there has been a rapid in-
crease, both-in population and business.
St. Joseph is one of the flourishing cities, and is situated on the left, or
east bank of the Missouri river, 496 miles by water from St. Louis. It was
laid out in 1843, and became an important point of departure ibr overland
emigration to California and Oregon. In 1870 the population was 19,560,
but nas rapidly increased since then.
Among the important and thriving towns and cities are Hannibal, Spring-
field, Boonville, Lexington, Chillicothe, Independence, Palmyra, Canton,
Iron Mount and Moberly.
The following table shows the population of Missouri at the close of each
decade, from 1810 to 1870 :
WHITE.
COLORED.
AGGREGATE.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.,
1850.
1860.
1870.
17,227
55,988
114,795
323.888
592,004
1,063,489
1,603,146
3,618
20,845
10,569
66,557
25,660
140,455
59,814
383,702
90,040
682,044
118,503
*l,182,0l2
118.071
*1, 721 ,295
*The aggregate for 1860 includes 20 enumerated as Indians, and the aggregate for 1870
includes 75 enumerated as Indians. •
EXPEDITION OF LEWIS AND CLARKE.
Organization of Exploring Party — Departure — Osage Indians — Straijge Tradition of the Ori-
gin of the Osage Nation — The Missouris — Old French Fort— Artificial Mounds— The Ot-
toes and Pawnees— Indian Graves — The Ayauway Indians — Council with Indians at Cow*
cil Bluffs — little Sioux River— Death of Sergeant Floyd — Great Sioux River — Red Pipe-
stone Quarries — Buffalo and other Animals — Mountain of the Little Spirits — Council with
the Sioux — Indian Idols — The Mandans — Winter Quarters — White and Brown Bears-
Antelopes — Black Hills — First View of Rocky Mountains — Natural Scenery^-The Great
Falls of the Missouri — Shoshones — Sources of the Missouri — Columbia River-r-The Tush-<
epaws — Short of Provisions — Pierced-Nose Indians — Down Lewis River — The Sokulks—
Great Falls of the Columbia — The Echeloots— Wooden Houses — Fingers as War Tro-
pies -Sight of the Pacific — Fort Clatsop — Return — Arrival at St. Louis.
In January, 1803, President Jefferson, in a confidential message to Con-
gress in regard to Indian affairs, took occasion to recommend, among other
things, the organization of a party to trace the Missouri river to its source,
and thence proceed to the Pacific ocean. The recommendation was favor-
ably considered, and Capt. Merri wether Lewis, was, on his own application,
appointed to take charge of the expedition. Wm. Clarke was subsequently
associated with him, so that this celebrated expedition is known in our his-
tory as that of Lewis and Clarke. The incidents of this long, tedious, and
romantic journey are worthy to be related as among the most interesting
THE NOBTHWEST TEEKITOET. 87
in the annals of American adventure. At that time all that vast region
bordering on the Upper Missouri and its tributaries, as well as the regions
bordering on the Pacific, were unknown and unexplored by white men. By
the latter part of the year 1803 the party comprising the expedition was
made up and ready to start. The highest settlement of whites on the Mis-
souri river at that time was at a place called La Charrette, sixty-eight miles
above the mouth. At this place it had been the design of Oapt. Lewis to
winter, but the Spanish authorities of Louisiana had not yet received official
information of the transfer of the country to tbe United States. For this
reason the party remained in winter quarters at the mouth of Wood river,
on the east side of the Mississippi.
Besides Captains Lewis and Clarke, the party was made up nine young
men from Kentucky, twelve soldiers of the regular army, two Frenchmen
as watermen and interpreters, and a colored servant belonging to Captain
Clarke — twenty-six persons in all. A corporal, six soldiers and nine water-
men, in addition to the above, were engaged to accompany the expedition as
far as the country of the Mandans, as there was some apprehension of at-
tacks by the Indians between Wood river and that tribe.
Three boats were provided for the expedition. The largest was a keel-
boat, fifty-five feet long, drawing three feet of water, carrying one large
square sail, and twenty-two oars. The other two were open boats, one of
six, and the other of seven oars.
The expedition started from the encampment at the mouth of Wood
river on Monday, May li, 1804. Captain Lewis, who was at that time in
St. Louis, joined the expedition at St. Charles, twenty-one miles oip the
Missouri, which place they reached on the 16th. Here they remained until
the 21st, when they proceeded on their voyage, reaching La Charrette, the
last white settlement, on the evening of the 25th. The village consisted of
but seven poor families. On the 1st of June they arrived at the mouth of
the Osage, one hundred and thirty-three miles on their journey. The coun^
try bordering on this river was inhabited by a tribe known as the Osage
Indians. They had a remarkable tradition among them as to the origin of
their nation. They believed that its founder was a snail passing a quiet ex-
istence along the banks of the Osage, till a flood swept him down to the Mis-
souri and there left-him exposed on the shore. By the heat of the sun he
was changed to a man. The change, however, did not cause him to forget
his native place away up on the banks of the Osage, and he immediately
sought his old home. Being overtaken with hunger and fatigue, the Great
Spirit appeared, gave him a bow and arrow, and taught him to kill deer and
prepare its flesh for food and its skin for clothing. When he arrived at his
original place of residerfce he was met by a beaver, who inquired who he
was, and by what authority he came to disturb his possession. The Osage
replied that he had once lived on the borders of that river and that it was
his own home. While they were disputing the daughter of the beaver ap-
peared, and entreated her father to be reconciled to the young stranger. The
lather yielded to her entreaties, and the Osage soon married the beaver's
daughter. They lived happily on the banks of the Osage, and from them soon
came the villages and nation of the Osages.- Ever since they entertained a
• pious reverence for their ancestors, never killing a beaver, for by so doing they
would slay a brother. It. has been observed, however, that after the opening
of the fur trade with the whites, the sanctity of their maternal relations was
very much reduced.
88 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOEY.
The next tribe mentioned by the explorers was that of the Missourio, once
a powerful nation, but then reduced to about thirty families. They finally
united with the Osages and the Ottoes, and as a separate nation became ex-
tinct. The Sauks, Ayauways (Iowas), and the Sioux are mentioned as being
the enemies of the Osages, and as making frequent excursions against them.
On the 26th of June they arrived at the mouth of the Kansas, 340 miles
from the Mississippi, where they remained two days for rest and repairs.
Here resided the tribe of Indians of the same name, and had two villages
not far from the mouth of the river. This tribe at that time had been re-
duced by the Sauks and Ayauways to only about three hundred men. The
party at this stage of their journey, saw numerous buffalo on the prairies.
On the 2d of July the party passed Bear Medicine Island, near which were
the remains of an old tort, built by the French, the ruins of the chimneys
and the general outline of the fortification being visible. On the 8th of
July they reached the mouth of the Nodawa. The river is mentioned as
navigable for boats some distance. On the 11th they landed at the mouth ol
the Nemahaw. Mention is made of several artificial mounds on the Ne-
mahaw, about two miles up the stream at the mouth of a small creek.
From the top of the highest mound there was a fine view of the country.
On the 14th they passed the Nishnahbatona river, finding it to be only three
hundred yards from the Missouri at a distance of twelve miles from its
mouth. Platte river and other streams, both in Iowa and Nebraska, are men-
tioned and the country described with great accuracy. Along in this part
of the country were the first elk they had seen.
On the 22d oi> July the explorers encamped on the north (Iowa) side of
the river, ten miles above the mouth of the Platte river, to make observa-
tions and to hold an interview with the neighboring tribes. They remained
here in camp until the 27th. Among the streams mentioned in this vicin-
ity are the Papillon, Butterfly Creek and Moscheto Creek, the last named
being a small stream near Council Bluffs. In mentioning them we use the
orthography of the explorers, which in some instances diners from that now
in use. The Indians who occupied the country about the mouth of Platte
river at this time were the Ottoes and Pawnees. The Ottoes were much
reduced, and formerly lived about twenty miles above the Platte on the
Nebraska side of the river. They lived at this time under the protection
of the Pawnees. The latter were also much dispersed and broken. One
band of the nation formerly lived on the Republican branch of the Kanzas
River. Another band were the Pawnee Loups, or Wolf Pawnees, who re-
sided on the Wolf fork of the Platte. Another band originally resided on
the Kanzas and Arkansaw, but in their wars with the Osages they were
often defeated and retired to the Red river. Various other tribes living fur-
ther west, are mentioned. On the 27th they continued their journey, and
about ten leagues from their encampment, on the south (Nebraska) side of
the river, they saw and examined a curious collection of graves, or mounds.
They were of different heights, shapes and sizes. Some were of sand, and
others of both earth and sand. They were snpposed to indicate the position
of the ancient village of the Ottoes before they retired to the protection of
the Pawnees. On the 29th they passed the spot where the Ayauway Indians,
a branch of the Ottoes, once lived, and who had emigrated from that place
to the Des Moines. Mention is here made of an interview with one of the
Missouri Indians who lived with the Ottoes, and the resemblance of his
language to that of the Osages, particularly in calling a chief inca.
THE NOBTHWEST TERRITORY. 89
On the 30th of July the party encamped on the south (Nebraska) side ot
the river._ At that place next to the river was a plain, and back of it a
wooded ridge, rising about seventy feet above the plain. At the edge of
this ridge they formed their camp, and sent an invitation to the Indians to
meet them. From the bluffs at this point they mention a most beautiful
view of the river and adjoining country. The latitude of the camp was de-
termined by observation to be 41 degrees 18 minutes and 14 seconds. The
messenger sent to invite the Ottoes returned on the evening of the 2d of
August, with fourteen Ottoe and Missouri Indians, accompanied by a French-
man who resided among them, and who acted as interpreter. Lewis and Clarke
made them presents of pork, flour and meal, and the Indians returned presents
of watermelons. The next morning (Aug. 3d) a council was held with the
six chiefs who were of the party of Indians; they were told of the change
in the government, and promised protection and advised as to their future con-
duct. All the chiefs expressed their joy at the change in the government,
and wished to be recommended to the Great Father (the President) that
they might obtain trade and necessaries. They asked the mediation of the
Great Tather between them and the Mahas (Omahas), with whom they were
then at war. At the conclusion of the council medals and other presents
were given to the chiefs, and also some presents to the other Indians who
were with them. The grand chief of the Ottoes was not present, but to
him was sent a flag, a medal, and some ornaments for clothing. The ex-
plorers gave to the place where this council was held the name of Council
Bluffs. The reader will remember, however, that it was above the present
city of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was on the Nebraska side of the river.
On the afternoon of the 3d of August they resumed their journey, and on
the 7th arrived at the mouth of a river on the north side, called by the Sioux
Indians, Eaneahwadepon (Stone river), and by the French, Petite Hiviere
des Sioux, or in English, Little Sioux river. The explorers were informed
by their interpreter (M. Durion)that this river rises within about nine miles
of the Des Moines ; that within fifteen leagues of that river it passes through
a large lake, nearly sixty miles in circumference, and divided into two parts
by rocks, which approach each other very closely. Its width is various; it
contains many islands, and is known by the name of Lao d' Esprit — Spirit
Lake. The country watered by it is open and undulating, and may be visited
in boats up the river for some distance. The interpreter further added that
the Des Moines was about eighty yards wide where the Little Sioux ap-
proaches it; that it was shoally, and that one of its principal branches was
called Cat river. The interpreter claimed to have been to the sources of the
Little Sioux, and those who are familiar with the country about Spirit Lake,
will concede that he described it quite accurately. The explorers speak of a
long island two miles above the mouth of the Little Sioux, which they named
Pelican island, from the large number of pelicans which were feeding on it,
one of which they killed. They also killed an elk. On the 10th they passed
the first highland near the river, after leaving their encampment at Council
Bluffs. Not far from this, on a high bluff, was the grave of Blackbird, one
of the great chiefs of the Mahas, who had died of small-pox four years be-
fore. The grave was marked by a mound twelve feet in diameter at the base,
and six feet high, and was on an elevation about 300 feet above the water.
In the center of the grave was a pole eight feet high. Near this the Mahas
had a village, and lost four hundred men of their nation, and a like proportion
of women and children by the small-pox at the time that Blackbird died.
90 THE NORTHWEST TEBBITORY.
After this dreadful scourge they burned their village, which had consisted of
three hundred cabins. On a hill at the rear of the place where the village
stood were the graves of the nation. On the evening of the 18th the ex-
plorers were again visited at their camp by a party of Ottoes and Missouris,
who entertained them with a dance. The professed object of their visit was
to ask intercession for promoting peace between them and the Mahas,. but
probably the real object was to share a portion of the strangers' provisions
and liquors.
The next day, August 20th, after passing a couple of islands, they landed
on the north side of the river, under some bluffs — the first near the river on
that side after leaving the Ayauway village. It was here that the party -had
the misfortune to lose one of their men — Sergeant Charles Floyd. He had
the day before been siezed with a billious colic. Before his death he said.to,
Captain Clarke, "I am going to leave you; I want you to write me a letter."
Soon after making this request the brave soldier passed away. He was buried
on the top of the bluff, with honors due to a soldier. The place of his inter-
ment was marked by a cedar post, on which his name and the day of bis
death were inscribed., About a mile further up on the same side of the Mis-,
souri, they came to a small river, to which they gave the name of Floyd.river,
in honor of their deceased companion. The place of the burial of Sergeant
Floyd was but a short distance below where Sioux City now stands. During
a great freshet in the spring of 1857, the Missouri river washed away a por-
tion of the bluff, exposing the remains of the soldier. The citizens of Sioux
City and vicinity repaired to the place, and with appropriate ceremonies,, re-
intorred them some distance back from the river on the same bluff.; The
same cedar post planted by his companions over his grave on that summer
day more than hah' a century before, remained to mark the place of inter-
ment up to 1857, although during nearly all this time the country had been
inhabited only by savages.
On the 21st of August the expedition passed the site where Sioux City
now stands, and noted in their journal the confluence of the Great Sioux
river with the Missouri. From their interpreter, M. Durion, they received
an account of the Great Sioux river. He stated that it was navigable for
more than two hundred miles, to the great falls, and even beyond them. The
reader will remember that this was before the time of steamboats -on western
waters. He mentioned a creek that emptied into the Great Sioux below the
falls, which passed through cliffs of red rock, out of which the Indians made
their pipes ; that the necessity for procuring that article had caused the intro-
duction of a law among the nations, by which the banks of that creek were
held to be sacred, and even tribes at war met at the quarries without hos-
tility. These were what are now known as the " Bed Pipestone Quarries,"
in southwestern Minnesota.
A few miles above the mouth of the Great Sioux, on the north, or Dakota
side of the river, they killed a buffalo, a deer and a beaver. They also saw
some elk. The place where the buffalo was killed they described as a beau-
tiful prairie, and gave it the name of Buffalo Prairie. ' They mention on the
south side of the river, a bluff of blue clay, rising to the height of 180 or
190 feet. Several miles from this, on the south side of the river, Captains
Lewis and Clarke, with ten of their men, went to see a mound regarded with
great terror by the Indians, and called by them the Mountain of the.Litle
Spirits. They believed it was the abode of little devils in human form,
eighteen inches high, and having large heads; that they had sharp arrows,
THE NOBTHWEST TEEBITOKT. 91
and were always on the watch to kill those who might approach their place
of residence. The Sioux, Mahas' and Ottoes never would visit the hill or
mound for fear of the vengeance of the Little Spirits. The mound, though
extraordinary in its formation, they did not regard as artificial. From its
top they could see large herds of buffalo feeding at a distance.
On the 26th they passed the mouth of Yankton river, and, on landing,
were met by several Indians, who informed them that a large body of Sioux
were encamped near. On the 30th and 31st they held a council with the
Sioux, and smoked with them the pipe of peace. The Indians exhibited
their skill in dancing and various other amusements to entertain their vis-
itors. These Indians were the Yankton tribe of the Sioux nation. Their
grand chief was We-u-cha, or in English, Shake Rand. Speeches were
made and presents exchanged.
On the 1st of September the explorers passed Calumet Bluffs, and the
next day Bonhomme Island, near which they visited some ancient earth-
works, or fortifications, on the south, or Nebraska, side of the Missouri.
They made a minute and careful examination of these works. They
embraced nearly five hundred acres. A day or two after, on a hill to the
south, near Cedar Island, they discovered the backbone of a fish, 45 feet
long, in a perfect state of petrifaction.
After several conferences with different tribes, and observations in regard
to the country, its formation, and the different animals seen, on the 13th of
October they reached a small stream on the north side, to which they gave
the name of Idol Creek. Near its mouth were two stones resembling human
figures, and a third like a dog. These were objects of great veneration among
the Kicaras (Kicarees), who occupied the country in that vicinity. They had
a legend that a young brave was deeply enamored with a girl whose parents
refused their consent to the marriage. The young brave went out into the
fields to mourn his misfortunes, and a sympathy of feeling led the lady to
the same spot. The faithful dog would not cease to. follow his master. The
lovers wandered away together with nothing to subsist on but grapes, and
they were at last changed into stone, with the lady holding in her hands a
bunch of grapes. When the Kicaras pass these sacred stones, they stop to
make offerings of dress to propitiate the deities, as they regard them. Such
was the account given to Lewis and Clarke, by the Eicara chief. As they
found here a great abundance of fine grapes, they regarded one part of the
story as very agreeably confirmed.
On the 19th they reached the ruins of one of the Mandan villages. It
had been fortified. This, they were informed by the Eicara chief, was one
of several villages once occupied by the Mandans until the Sioux forced them
forty miles higher up the river. In this vicinity they counted no less than
52 herds of buffalo, and 3 herds of elk at a single view.
About the 1st of November, 1804, the expedition reached the country of
the Mandans, where they went into winter quarters. These Indians had
raised considerable corn, some of which they presen ted to the party. During
the winter they obtained a great deal of information in regard to the history,
traditions, and manners and customs, not only of this peculiar and remark-
able nation, but of other tribes Their huts, or cabins, were all completed
by the 20th of the month, and the place was named Fort Mandan. It was
on the north side of the Missouri, in a grove of cottonwood. The place, as
ascertained by observation, was in latitude 47 deg., 21 min. and 47 sec, and
the computed distance from the mouth of the Missouri was 1600 miles.
92 THE NOBTHWEST TEEEITOET.
During the winter they were visited by a great many Indians of the Man-
dan and other tribes.' A few French and traders of the Northwest Fur
Company also visited them.
The party remained at Fort Mandan until April 7, 1805, when they
resumed their journey. There were then thirty-two_ persons in the expe-
dition, some of the party having returned to St. Louis. In this portion of
the country they began to see numbers of white bear, antelope, and other
animals, which they nad not seer lower down on the river. On the 12th
they arrived at the mouth of the Little Missouri, near which they found large
quantities of small onions, about the size of a bullet, of an oval form and
white. The next day they passed a small stream to which they gave the
name of Onion Creek, from the great abundance of that vegetable growing
near it. Along this part of the Missouri were large numbers of bald eagles,
and also many geese and brant. Numerous deserted Indian lodges were
noticed, which they supposed to have belonged to the Assiniboins, as there
were the remains of small kegs. That tribe was the only one in this region
that then used spirituous liquors. They obtained it from the traders of the
Hudson Bay Company, bartering their furs for it. Here many plants and
aromatic herbs are mentioned, and some resembling in taste and smell sage,
hyssop, wormwood and juniper. On the 26th they camped at the mouth of
the Yellowstone, where game of various kinds was very abundant. Frequent
mention is made of the burned hills along that part of the Missouri for some
distance above and below the Yellowstone. Among the animals killed by
the hunters of the expedition in this part of the voyage were several
brown bears. On the evening of the 14th of May the men in one of the
canoes discovered a large brown bear lying in the open grounds about three
hundred yards from the river. Six of them, all good hunters, went to attack
him, and, concealing themselves by a smatl eminence, four of them fired at
a distance of about forty paces. Each of them lodged a ball in the bear's
body, two of them directly through the lungs. The animal sprang up and •
ran open-mouthed toward them. As he came near, the two hunters who had
reserved their fire, gave him two more wounds, one of which, breaking his
shoulder, retarded his motion for a moment. Before they could reload he
was so near upon them that they were obliged to run to the river, the bear
almost overtaking them. Two of the men sprang into the canoe, and the
others concealed themselves in some willows and fired as fast as they could
reload, striking him several times. The shots seemed only to direct him
toward the hunters, till at last he pursued two of them so closely that they
threw aside their guns and pouches, and jumped twenty feet down a perpen-
dicular bank into the river. The bear sprang after them, and was within a
few feet of the hindmost when one of the hunters on shore shot him in the
head, and finally killed him. They dragged the bear to shore and found'
that eight balls had passed through his body in different directions.
On the 20th of May the party reached the mouth of the Muscleshell, a
river of considerable size from the south. They were then 2270 miles above
the month of the Mississippi, in latitude 47 deg., 24 min. Mention is made
of what the French traders called Cote Noire, or Black Hills. On the 26th
of May they had the first view of the Kocky Mountains, "the object," as the
journalist remarks, " of all our hopes, and the reward of all our ambition."
The view was obtained from what they called one of the last ridges of the
Black Mountains. On the 30th they had reached that part of the river
which passes through between walls of rocks, presenting every form of
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOBY. 93
sculptured ruins, and having the appearance of being the productions of art.
Of these objects of natural scenery they give a most glowing description.
On the 3d of June the expedition reached a junction of two branches of
the river, when they were at a loss to determine which was the true Mis-
souri river. Parties, one under Captain Lewis and the other under Captain
Clarke, proceeded to explore both branches by land. "The party under Cap-
tain Lewis, on the 13th, reached the Great Falls of the Missouri on the
southern branch, which determined the question. Onerfof the men was
sent to inform Captain Clarke of the discovery. The explorers give a vivid
description of the wonderful and beautiful scenery which is here presented.
In the vicinity of the falls they saw a herd of at least a thousand buffalo,
one of which they shot. Here Captain Lewis himself had an encounter
with a large brown bear, from which he escaped by plunging into the river.
Mention is made of grasshoppers at the mouth of Medicine river, about
twelve miles above the Great Falls, in such multitudes that the herbage on
the plains was in part destroyed by them. At that point the Missouri is
described as being three hundred yards wide, and Medicine river one hun-
bundred and thirty-seven yards wide. The party remained here until the
15th of July, examining the surrounding country, constructing canoes, and
making general preparations for continuing the journey. On that day they
again embarked with eight heavily loaded canoes, encountering many diffi-
cult places for navigating, owing to the rapids. Toward the latter part of
July they reached a point where the Missouri is formed of three branches,
one of which they called Jefferson, one Madison, and one Gallatin. Here
the party divide and explore the several branches, partly for the purpose of
finding the Shoshones, the Indians that were known to inhabit that region.
On the 11th of August they encountered a single Indian on horseback, who
S roved to be one of that tribe or nation. Captain Lewis, who had continued
is course up the Jefferson, or principal branch forming the sources of the
Missouri, reached a point where it had so diminished in width that one of
his men in a fit of enthusiasm, with one foot on each side of the rivulet,
thanked God that he had lived to bestride the Missouri. A few miles
further on they reached the point where issues the remotest water — the
hitherto hidden sources of that river, which had never before been seen by
civilized man. They sat down by the brink of the little rivulet, and
quenched their thrist at the chaste and icy fountain, which sends its modest
tribute down to the great ocean thousands of miles away. Crossing over the
the 'dividing line between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, at a
distance of three-quarters of a mile, they stopped to taste for the first time
the waters of the Columbia, here a stream of clear, cold water flowing west-
ward. On the same day Captain Lewis succeeded in gaining a friendly in-
terview with the Shoshones. Captain Clarke, with a part of the expedition,
was at this time at the junction of the three branches of the Missouri, and
Captain Lewis engaged a number of the Indians, with about thirty of their
horses, to transport their merchandise and outfit to the Shoshone camp.
The Shoshones are described as being a small tribe of the nation called
the Snake Indians, an appellation which embraces the inhabitants of the
southern parts of the Kocky Mountains and of the plains on either side.
During the summer the Shoshones resided about the headwaters of the
Columbia, where they lived chiefly on salmon. In their journal the explorers
give a long and interesting account of the habits, traditions, and manner of
94 THE NOBTHWEST TERBITOBY.
life of this people. They found them honest, friendly, and ready to render
them all assistance in their power.
After purchasing twenty-nine horses from the Shoshones, the party on the
30th of August resumed their journey toward the Pacific. On the 4th of
September, after many difficulties in finding a practicable route, they came
to a large encampment of Indians who received them with great cordiality.
The pipe of peace was introduced and a council held. They represented
themselves as a band of a nation called Tushepaws, a numerous people then
residing on the headwaters of the Missouri and Columbia rivers. The In-
dians shared their berries and roots with the strangers and received some
presents. Several horses were purchased from them. On the 6th they
reached a stream to which they gave the name of Clarke river, Captain
Clarke being the first white man" who ever visited its waters. Theronte
was a rugged one, and in many places almost impracticable, and to add to
the difficulties of the situation, snow had been falling, so that on the 16th it
was six or eight inches deep. The difficulty of procuring^ game or other
subsistence made it necessary for them to kill several of their horses on this
part of their journey, for food. They had a little of what was called portable
soup which they used by melting some snow. This, and about twenty
pounds of bear's oil, was their only remaining subsistence. They were now
in a region where their guns were of little service, for there was scarcely a
living creature to be seen in those mountains. Captain Clarke and six
hunters searched the mountains all day for game but found none, and at
night encamped on a small stream to which they gave the name of Hungry
Creek. Their only refreshment during the day was a little of the portable
soup. On the 26th, Captain Clarke and his hunting party encountered three
Indian boys, and sent them forward to the village with some presents. An
Indian came out to meet them, and conducted them to a large tent in the
village, which was the residence of the great chief. After some introductory
ceremonies by signs, the Indians set before the strangers some buffalo meat,
dried salmon, berries and several kinds of roots. This, after their long
abstinence, was a sumptuous treat. One of the chiefs conducted them to
another village, two miles away, where they were received with great kind-
ness and passed the night. These Indians called themselves Chopunish, or
Pierced-Nose (Nez Perces). "With a few articles Captaiu Clarke chanced to
have in his pockets he purchased some dried salmon, roots and berries and
sent them by one of his men and a hired Indian back to Captain Lewis.
The main body with Captain Lewis had been so fortunate as to kill a' few
pheasants and a prairie wolf. As soon as it was known in the villages that
the wonderful strangers had arrived the people crowded in to see them.
Twisted Hair, the chief, drew a chart or map of the country and streams on
a white elk-skin, which was of great service in guiding them on their course.
From these Indians as many provisions were purchased as could be carried
on their horses. After proceeding down the river some distance, they
determined to continue their journey in canoes, which they set about con-
structing. By the 7th of October the canoes were launched and loaded.
The horses were branded and left with the Indians to be kept until their
return. Accompanied by some of the Indians down Lewis river, the ex-
pedition finally reached the Columbia on the 16th, having stopped at a
number of villages on the way. The Columbia at the mouth of Lewis river
they found to be 960 yards wide, and Lewis river 575 yards wide. Here
they found themselves among a nation who called themselves Sokulks, a
THE NORTHWEST TEEBITORY. 95
people of a mild and peaceable disposition. Fish was their principal article
of food. On the 18th they resumed their journey down the Columbia in the
presence of many of the Sokulks who came to witness their departure.
They passed many different tribes who inhabited the borders of the Colum-
bia, all of whom they visited in their villages and encampments, learning
their condition, habits, history and mode of living. Wherever they halted
large numbers of Indians gathered to see them, and generally manifested the
greatest kindness and hospitality. All of them had pierced noses.
On the 22d of October the party reached the Great Falls of the Colum-
bia. Many Indians inhabited this portion of the country, and some of them
assisted the party in unloading the canoes, transporting the goods around
the falls, and in bringing down the canoes. At one place it was necessary to
haul the canoes over a point of land to avoid a perpendicular fall of seventy
feet. Some distance below the falls they came to a village of another tribe,
or nation, called the Echeloots. Here they found the first wooden houses
they had seen after leaving the settlements near the Mississippi. They were
made of logs and poles, with poles for rafters and covered with white cedar,
kept on by strands of cedar fibres. The inhabitants received the> strangers
with great kindness, invited them to their houses, and came in great num-
bers to see them. They were surprised to find that these Indians spoke a
language quite different from that of the tribes above the Great Falls.
Some of their customs, however, were the same. Like the tribes they had
recently visited, they flattened the heads of their children, and in nearly the
same manner. Among the mountain tribes, however, this custom was con-
fined to the females almost exclusively, whereas the Echeloots subjected
both sexes to the operation. On the 18th they came to another tribe where
they saw a British musket and several brass tea-kettles which the Indians prized
very highly. In the interview with the chief he directed his wife to hand
him his medicine-bag, from which he drew out fourteen forefingers, which
he said had belonged to the same number of his enemies whom he had
killed in battle. These fingers were shown with great exultation, after which
they were carefully replaced among the other valuable contents of the
medicine-bag. This was the first "instance in which the explorers had
observed that any other trophy than the scalp was ever carried from ,the
field in Indian warfare.
On the 2d of November the party passed the rapids which form the last
descent of the Columbia, and tide-water commences. On this part of the
Columbia they began to meet with tribes who had some knowledge of the
whites, and from articles in their possession, it was observed that they had
maintained some sort of trade or barter with the whites. The Indians here
also began to be troublesome and were disposed to pilfer whenever an oppor-
tunity offered, showing that in their intercourse with the whites they had con-
tracted some vices that they are free from in the absence of such intercourse.
On the 16th of November, 1805, the expedition encamped in full view of
the Pacific Ocean, at Haley's Bay, as laid down by Vancouver. Their long,
tedious and eventful journey to the Pacific having ended, they made prepa-
rations for going into winter quarters. Some distance below the mouth of
the Columbia, three miles above the mouth of a little river that empties into
the bay, in a thick grove of lofty pines, they formed their winter encamp-
ment Game was exceedingly plenty, and during the winter they were vis-
ited by a large number of the Indians inhabiting the coast region. They
called the place Fort Clatsop, from the tribe of Indians inhabiting the imme-
96 THE NOBTHWEST TEEKITOBT.
diate vicinity. Here they remained until the 23d of March, 1806, when
they commenced their return, by the same route.
Before leaving, Captains Lewis and Clarke posted up in the fort a note
to the following effect:
" The object of this is, that through the medium of some civilized person,
who may see the same, it may be made known -to the world that the party con-
sisting of the persons whose names are hereto annexed, and who were sent
out by the government of the United States to explore the interior ot the
continent of North America, did cross the same by the way of the Missouri
and Columbia rivers, to the discharge of the latter into the Pacific ocean,
where they arrived on the 14th day of November, 1805, and departed the
23d day of March, 1806, on their return to the United States, by the same
route by which they came out."
It is somewhat singular that this note a short time after fell into the hands
of a Captain Hill, while on the coast near the mouth of the Columbia river.
It was delivered to him by some Indians, and taken to Canton, China, from
whence it was brought to the United States in January, 1807. On the 23d
of September, 1806, the party reached the mouth of the Missouri, and
decended the Mississippi to St. Louis, arriving at 12 o'clock. Having fired
a salute, they went on shore, where they "received a most hearty and hos-
pitable welcome from the whole village."
This is but a very partial and hasty review of that romantic and extraor-
dinary expedition — the first exploration by authority of the government of
the United States, of that wonderful region which of late years has attracted
so much attention. It gave to the world the first authentic account of the
upper Missouri and its tributaries, and of the rivers that flow from the west-
ern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and seek the Pacific Ocean through the
great Columbia. It imparted to civilized man some definite knowledge of
the strange tribes whose homes were on the borders of those rivers; of their
habits, traditions and modes of life; of the fauna and flora of a region hith-
erto unknown, and of natural scenery' not surpassed in grandeur and sub-
limity by that of any other part of the world. Other explorers have since
revealed a portion ot the hidden treasures of that part of oner national do-
main, but the pioneer expeditien of Lewis and Clarke, so successfully accom-
plished, will always possess a peculiar and thrilling interest.
SKETCH OF CHICAGO.
First White Visitors— The Name— Jean Baptiste— John Einzie — Ft. Dearborn— Evacuation—
The Massacre— Heroic Women— Capt. Heald— Capt. Wells— Scalping the Wounded— Ft.
Dearborn Re-built — Illinois and Michigan Canal— Chicago Laid Out — Removal of In-
dians— City Organization — Pioneer Religious Societies— Public Improvements— Location
of City— Growth— The Great Fire— Rise of the New Chicago.
The history of so great a city as Chicago, like that of London, or Paris,
or New York, by reason of its commercial, financial and other relations to
the world at large, is a history of world-wide interest. Not that Chicago
may yet be compared in size, population or wealth with the great cities
named, would we mention it in connection with them, and yet, considering
its age, it is greater than either of them. In its ratio of increase in popu-
lation, commerce, and general progress, it is to-day outstripping them. In
what civilized part of the globe is Chicago not heard of, read ot,and known?
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY;
PRESENT SITE OF LAKE STREET BRIDGE.
TUB -NOETHWE8T TEliKITOEY-.
If, so many centuries after the founding of Rome, mankind still feel inter-
ested in the mythical story of Romulus and Remus, may not the present
and future generations read with equal interest the more authentic story of
the founding of a great modern city?
The Jesuit missionary and explorer, Marquette, first visited the place
where Chicago is located, in 1673. Again, in the winter of 1674-5, he
camped near the site of the present city, from December until near the close
of March. Upon his arrival, in December, the Chicago river was frozen
over, and the ground covered with snow. The name is of Indian origin, and
was applied to the river. By the French voy'ageurs it is variously spelled,
the majority rendering it Chicagou. The place is mentioned by Berrot in
1770.
In 1796, Jean Baptiste, a trader from the West Indies, found his way to
the mouth of the little 6tream known as Chicago river, and engaged in trad-
ing with the Indians. Here for eight years, almost alone, he maintained
trade and intercourse with the savages, until, in 1804, Fort Dearborn, was
erected, and a trading post was established by John Kinzie, who became
the successor of Jean Baptiste. Fort Dearborn, as first constructed, was a
very rude and primitive stockade, which cost the government only about
fifty dollars. It stood on the south bank of Chicago river, half a mile from
the lake. The few soldiers sent to erect and garrison it were in charge i©f
Major Whistler. For a time, being unable to procure grain for bread, the
soldiers were obliged to subsist in part upon acorns. The original settler,
Jean Baptiste, or as his full name was written, Jean Baptiste Point au Sable,
sold his cabin to Mr. Kinzie, and the latter erected on the site the building
known to the early settlers as the "Kinzie House." This became a resort
for the officers and others connected with the garrison. In 1812 the garrison
had a force of 54 men, under the command of Capt. Nathan Heald, with
Lieutenant Lenai L. Helm and Ensign Ronan. Dr. Voorhees was surgeon.
The only white residents, except the officers and soldiers, at that time, were
Mr. Kinzie and his family, the wives of Capt. Iieald and Lieut. Helm, and
a few Canadians, with their families. Nearly up to this time the most
friendly relations had been maintained with the Indians — the principal tribes
by whom they were surrounded being the Pottawattamies and WinnebagoeB.
The battle of Tippecanoe had been fought the year before, and the. influence
of Tecumseh began to be observable in the conduct of the Indians. They
were also aware of the difficulties between the United States and Great
Britian, and had yielded to the influences brought to bear by the latter. In
April of this year, suspicious parties of Winnebagoes began to hover abbiit
the fort, remaining in the vicinity for several days. The Inhabitants became
alarmed, and the families took refuge in the fort. On the 7th of August
a Pottawattamie chief appeared at the fort with an order or dispatch trom
Gen. Hull, at Detroit, directing Capt. Heald to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and
distribute all the government property to the neighboring Indians. The
chief who brought the dispatch advised Capt. Heald to make no distribution
to the Indians. He told him it would be better to leave the fort and stores
as they were, and that while the Indians were distributing the stores among
themselves, the whites might escape to Fort Wayne. On'the 12th of August
Capt. Heald held a council with the Indians, but the other officers refused to
join him. They feared treachery on the part of the Indians, and indeed had
been informed that their intention was to murder the white people. In the
council Capt. Heald had taken the precaution to open a port-liole displaying
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 99
a cannon directed upon the council, and probably by that means kept the
Indians from molesting him at that time. Acting under the advice of Mr.
Kinzie, he withheld the ammunition and arms from the Indians, throwing
them, together with the liquors, into the Chicago river. On that day Black
Partridge, a friendly chief, said to Capt. Heald: "Linden birds have been
singing in my ears to-day; be careful on the march you are going to take."
On the 13th the Indians discovered the powder floating on the surface of the
water, a discovery which had .the effect to exasperate them the more, and
they began to indulge in threats. Meantime preparations were made to
leave the fort.
Capt. Wells, an uncle of Mrs. Heald, had been adopted by the famous
Miami warrior, Little Turtle, and had become chief of a band of Miamis.
On the 14th he was seen approaching with a band of his Miami warriors,
coming to assist Capt. Heald in defending the fort, having at Fort Wayne
heard of the danger which threatened the garrison and the settlers. But all
means for defending the fort had been destroyed the night before. All,
therefore, took up their line of march, with Capt, "Wells and his Miamis in
the lead, followed by Capt. Heald, with his wife riding by his side. Mr,
Kinzie had always been on the most friendly terms with the Indians, and
.still hoped that his personal efforts might influence them to allow the whites to
leave unmolested. He determined to accompany the expedition, leaving
his family in a boat in the care of a friendly Indian. In case any misfor-
tune should happen to him, his family was to be sent to the place where
Niles, Michigan, is now located, where he had another trading post. Along
the shore of Lake Michigan slowly marched the little band of whitesmith a
friendly escort of Pottawattamies, and Capt. Wells and his Miamis, the lat-
ter in advance. When they had reached what were known as the " Sand
Bills," the Miami advance guard came rushing back, Capt. Wells exclaim-
ing, "They are about to attack; form instantly." At that moment a shower
of bullets came whistling over the sand hills, behind which the Indians
had concealed themselves for the murderous attack. The cowardly Miamis
were panic-stricken, and took to flight, leaving their heroic leader to his fate.
He was at the side of his niece, Mrs. Heald, when the attack was made, and,
after expressing to her the utter hopelessness of their situation, dashed into
the fight.- There were 54 soldiers, 12 civilians and three women, all poorly
armed, against 500 Indian warriors. The little band had no alternative but
to sell their lives as dearly as possible. They charged upon their murder-
ous assailants, and drove them from their position back to the prairie.
There the conflict continued until two-thirds of the whites were killed and
wounded. Mrs. Heald, Mrs Helm and Mrs. Holt, all took part in the combat.
In a wagon were twelve children, and a painted demon tomahawked them
all, seeing which, Capt. Wells exclaimed, " If butchering women and chil-
dren is your game, I will kill too," and then spurred his horse toward the
Indian camp, where they had left their squaws and papooses. He was pur-
sued by several young warriors, who sent bullets whistling about him, killing
his horse and wounding Capt Wells. They attempted to take him a prisoner,
but he resolved not to be taken alive. Calling a young chief a squaw, an
epithet which excites the fiercest resentment in an Indian warrior, the young
chief instantly tomahawked him.
The three women fought as bravely as the soldiers. Mrs. Heald was an
expert in the use of the rifle, but received several severe wounds. During
the conflict the hand of a savage was raised to tomahawk her, when she ex^
100 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY,
claimed in his own language, " Surely you will not kill a squaw." Her
words had the effect to change his purpose, and her life was spared. Another
warrior attempted to tomahawk Mrs. Helm. He struck her a glancing
blow on the shoulder, when she sized him and attempted to wrest from him
his scalping knife, which was in the sheath attached to his belt. At that
moment the friendly Black Partridge dragged her from her antagonist, and
in spite of her struggles carried her to the lake and plunged her in, at the
same time holding her so she would not drown. By this means he saved
her life, as he intended. The third woman, Mrs. Holt, the wife of Sergeant
Holt, was a large woman, and as strong and brave as an amazon. She rode
a fine, spirited horse, which more than once the Indians tried to take from
her. Her husband had been disabled in the fight, and with his sword, wliich
she had taken, she kept the savages at bay for some time. She was finally,
however, taken prisoner, and remained a long time a captive among the In-
dians, but was subsequently ransomed.
After two-thirds of the whites had been slain ot disabled, twenty-eight
men succeeded in gaining an eminence on the prairie, and the Indians de-
sisted from further pursuit. The chiefs held a consultation, and gave the
sign that they were ready to parley. Capt. Heald went forward and met
the chief, Blackbird, on the prairie, when terms of surrender were agreed
upon. The whites were to deliver up their arms and become prisoners, to,
be exchanged or ransomed in the future. All were taken to the Indian
camp near the abandoned fort, where the wounded Mrs.. Helm had previ-
ously been taken by Black Partridge. By the terms of surrender no pro-
vision had been made as to the disposition of the wounded., It was the
understanding of the Indians that the British general, Proctor, had offered
a bounty for American scalps delivered at Maiden. Here there was another
scene oi horror. Most of the wounded men were killed and scalped.
Such is a hasty glance at scenes that were witnessed on this then wild
shore of Lake Michigan. Such were the experiences and the struggles of
the heroic men and women who ventured forth into the wilderness to plant
the germs of civilization, and to lay the foundations of future cities and
States. The site on which now stands a city which ranks among the great-
est on the continent, is consecrated by the blood shed by heroes on that
bright 15th day of August, 1812.
Fort Dearborn was rebuilt in 1816, under the direction of Capt. Bradley,,
and was occupied until 1837, when, the Indians having removed from the
country, it was abandoned.
Congress, on the 2d of March, 1827, granted to the State of Illinois every
alternate section of land for six miles on either side of the line of the then
proposed Illinois and Michigan canal, to aid in its construction, from Chi?
cago to the head of navigation of the Illinois river. The State accepted the
grant, and on the 22d of January, 1829, organized a board of canal commis-
sioners, with power to lay out towns along the line. Under this authority
the commissioners employed Mr. James Thompson to- survey the town of
Chicago. His first map of the town bears date August 4, 1S30. . In 1831
the place contained about a dozen families, not including the officers and soh
diers in Fort Dearborn. On the 10th of August, 1833, it was organized by
the election of five trustees — there being twenty-eight voters. On the 26th
of September of the same year, a treaty was signed with the chiefs of the
Pottawattamies, seven thousand of the tribe being present, and on the 1st
of October they were removed west of the Mississippi. > The first charter of
THE NOBTHWEST TEBElTOET. 101
the city was passed by the Legislature of Illinois, and approved March 4th
1837. Under this^charter an election was held May 1st, of the same year!
A census was taken on the 1st of July, when the entire population was
shown to be 4,170. The city then contained four warehouses, three hundred
and twenty-eight dwellings, twenty-nine dry goods stores, five hardware
stores, three drug stores, nineteen provision stores* ten taverns, twenty-six
groceries, seventeen lawyers' offices, and five churches. It then embraced
an area of 560 acres. At this date grain and flour had to be imported from
the East to feed the people, for the iron arteries of trade did not then stretch
out over the prairies of Illinois, Iowa, and other States. There were no ex-
portations of produce until 1839, and not until 1842 did the exports exceed
the imports. Grain was sold in the streets by the wagon load, the trade
being restricted to a few neighboring farmers of Illinois.
Of religious organizations the Methodists were the pioneers, being repre-
sented in 1831, 1832 and 1833, by Eev. Jesse Walker. Their first quarterly
meeting was held in the fall of 1833, and in the spring of the next year the
first regular class was formed. The first Presbyterian church was organized
June 26th, 1833, the first pastor being Eev. James Porter. It consisted at
the time of twenty-five members from the garrison and nine from the citi-
zens of the town. The first Baptist church was organized October 19th,
1833 ; and the first Episcopal church, St. James, in 1834. The first Cath-
olic church was built by Rev. Schofler, in 1833-4.
The first great public improvement projected was the Illinois and Mich-
igan canal, one hundred miles in length, and connecting Chicago with La
Salle, at the head of navigation On the Illinois river, tt was completed in
the spring of 1848.
To the eye of an observer, Chicago seems to be situated upon a level plain,
but in reality the height of the natural 'surface above the lake varies from
three to twenty-four feet, and the grade of the principal streets has been
raised from two to eight feet above the original surface. A complete sys-
tem of sewerage has been established. The surrounding prairie for many
miles is apparently without much variation of surfaee. Though it cannot
be observed by the eye, yet the city really stands on the dividing > ridge be-
tween the two great rivers that drain half the continent, and is about six
hundred feet above the ocean. Chicago river, before being widened, deep-
ened, and improved, was a very small stream. It has but very little per-
ceptible current, and for several miles is very nearly on a level with the
lake. It is formed by two branches, one from the north and the other from
south, which unite about a mile from the lake. From this junction the
stream flows due east to the lake. These streams divide the city into three
parts, familiarly known as North Side, South Side, and "West Side. Bridges
constructed upon turn-tables, or pivots, are thrown across the streams at
many places. By swinging the bridges round, vessels are allowed to be
towed up and- down the river by steam tugs, so that there is very little diffi-
culty in the way of passing from one division of the city to another. The
stream has been made navigable for several miles for sail vessels and pro-
pellers, and immense warehouses and elevators have been constructed along
its banks, where vessels are loaded and unloaded with great rapidity.
We have seen that when the first census was taken in 1837, the city had
a population of 4,170. By 1840 it had increased to only 4,470 ; in 1845 it
was 12,088 ; in 1850 it was 28,269 ; in 1855 it was 83,509. The census of
1870 showed a population 298,977.
102 THE NOBTHWEST TEBEITOBT.
One of the gigantic public improvements of Chicago is that for supplying
the city with water. Owing to the fact that the water in the lake, near the
shore, was polluted by filth from the river, in 1865 a tunnel was cut under
the lake, extending a distance of two miles from the shore. This tunnel is
thirty-five feet below the bed of the lake. This work is regarded as an ex-
ample of great engineering skill, and has proved to be successful. The con-
tract price for this work was $315,139. Another great work is the tunnel
under the Chicago river at Washington street, cut for the purpose of dis-
pensing with the bridge over the river, and to obviate the necessity of the
public waiting for vessels to pass. The contract price for this great work
was $200,000.
There are other great public improvements of the city, which with her rail-
roads leading out in all directions, her immense lake shipping trade, and her
Eopulation of nearly half a million people, show the greatness that Chicago
as attained, all within so short a time. As she has been great in her prosper-
ity, so also has she been great in her calamities. On the 8th and 9th of Oc-
tober, 1871, this city was the scene of one of the greatest conflagrations
known in the annals of the world — greater than that of London in 1666,
when thirteen thousand buildings were burned. In Chicago twenty thou-
sand buildings were swept away by the devouring element, with miles of
magnificent business blocks, palatial residences, and costly ornamentations
— all covering an area of over five thousand acres/ In all that part of the
city between Harrison street and the Chicago river, and on the "N orth Side
for nearly four miles to Lincoln Park, there was nothing to be seen but the
ruins of a city that had suddenly gone down at the merciless bidding of the
fire-fiend. It was a scene of desolation and ruin, and its announcement at
the time thrilled a sympathetic chord which vibrated throughout the whole
civilized world. Like the fabled Phoenix, Chicago rose again from her own
ashes, but grander and more magnificent than she was before. Chicago is
now, and has for some years been, the greatest pork packing and grain shipping
market of the world. Her commerce is of immense proportions and reaches .
to all lands where American trade is known. She is the commercial metrop-
olis of the great Northwest, and the States of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wis-
consin and Minnesota, pour their tributes of wealth over thousands of miles
of railroads into her lap.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
103
OLD FORT DEARBORN, 1830.
History of Iowa.
DESOEIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
Extent— Surface— Rivers— Lakes— Spirit Lake— Lake Okoboji— Clear Lake— Timber— Cli-
mate— Prairies — Soils.
Extent. — Iowa is about three hundred miles in length, east and west, and
a little over two hundred miles in breadth, north and south; having nearly
the figure of a rectangular parallelogram. Its northern boundary is the par-
allel of 43 degrees 30 minutes, separating it from the State of Minnesota,
Its southern limit is nearly on the line of 40 degrees 31 minutes from the
point where this parallel crosses the Des Moines river, westward. From
this point to the southeast corner of the State, a distance of about thirty
miles, the Des Moines river forms the boundary line between Iowa and Mis-
souri. The two great rivers of the North American Continent form the
east and west boundaries, except that portion of the western boundary ad-
joining the Territory of Dakota. The Big Sioux river from its mouth, two
miles above Sioux City, forms the western boundary up to the point where
it intersects the parallel of 43 degrees 30 minutes. These limits embrace an
area of 55,045 square miles; or, 35,228,800 acres. When it is understood
that all this vast extent of surface, except that which is occupied by the riv-
ers, and the lakes and peat beds of the northern counties, is susceptible of the
highest cultivation, some idea may be formed of the immense agricultural re-
sources of the State. Iowa is nearly as large as England, and twice as large
as Scotland; but when we consider the relative area of surface which may
be made to yield to the wants of man, those countries of the Old World will
bear no comparison with Iowa.
Swrface. — The surface of the State is remarkably uniform, rising to nearly
the same general altitude. There are no mountains, and yet but little of
the surface is level or flat. The whole State presents a succession of gentle
elevations and depressions, with some bold and picturesque bluffs along the
principal streams. The western portion of the State is generally more eleva-
ted than the eastern, the northwestern part being the highest. Nature
could not have provided a more perfect system of drainage, and at the same
time leave the country so completely adapted to all the purposes of agricul-
ture. Looking at the map of Iowa, we see two systems of streams or rivers
running nearly at right angles with each other. The streams which dis-
charge their waters into the Mississippi flow from the northwest to the
southeast, while those of the other system flow towards the southwest, and
empty into the Missouri. The former drain about three-fourths of the State,
and the latter the remaining one-fourth. The water-shed dividing the two
106 HISTOKY OF -IOWA.
systems of streams, represents the highest portions of the State, and grad-
ually descends as you follow its course from northwest to southeast. Low-
water mark in the Missouri river at Council Bluffs is about 425 feet above
low- water mark in the Mississippi at Davenport. At the crossing of the
summit, or water-shed, 245 miles west of Davenport, the elevation is about
960 feet above the Mississippi. The Des Moines river, at the city of Des
Moines, has an elevation of 227 feet above the Mississippi at Davenport, and
is 193 feet lower than the Missouri at Council Bluffs. . The elevation of the
eastern border of the State at McGregor is about 624 feet above the level of
the sea, while the highest elevation in the northwest portion of the State is
1,400 feet above the level of the sea. In addition to the grand water-shed
mentioned above, as dividing the waters of the Mississippi and Missouri,
there are between the principal streams, elevations commonly called " di-
vides," which are drained by numerous streams of a smaller size tributary to
the rivers. The valleys along the streams have a deep, rich soil, but are
scarcely more fertile than many portions of those undulating prairie " di-
vides."
Rivers. — As stated above, the rivers of Iowa are divided into two systems,
Or classes — those flowing into the Mississippi, and those flowing into the
Missouri. The Mississippi river, the largest on the continent, and one of the
largest in the world, washes the entire eastern border of the State, and is most
of the year navigable for a large class of steamers. The only serious ob-
struction to steamers of the largest size, are what are known as the Lower
Rapids, just above the mouth of the Des Moines. The government of the
United States has constructed a canal, or channel, around these rapids on
the Iowa side of the river, a work which will prove of immense advantage
to the commerce of Iowa for all time to come. The principal rivers which
flow through the interior of the State, east of the water-shed, are the Des
Moines, Skunk, Iowa, "VVapsipinicon, Maquoketa, Turkey, and Upper Iowa.
One of the largest rivers in the State is Bed Cedar, which rises in Minne-
sota, and flowing in a southeasterly direction, joins its waters with Iowa
river in Louisa county, only about thirty miles from its mouth, that portion
below the junction retaining the name of Iowa river, although above the
junction it is really the smaller stream.
The Des Moines is the largest interior river of the State, and rises in,, a
group or chain of lakes in Minnesota, not far from the Iowa border. It
really has its source in two principal branches, called East and West Des
Moines, which, after flowing about seventy miles through the northern por^
tion of the State, converge to their junction in the southern part of Hum-
boldt county. The Des Moines receives a number of large tributaries,
among which are Raccoon and Three Rivers (North, South and Middle) on
the west, and Boone river on the east. Raccoon (or 'Coon) rises in the vi-
cinity of Storm Lake in Buena Vista county, and after receiving several
tributaries, discharges its waters into the Des Moines river, within the limr
its of the city of Des Moines. This stream affords many excellent mill
privileges, some of which have been improved. The Des Moines flows from
northwest to southeast, not less than three hundred miles through Iowa, and
drains over ten thousand square miles of territory. At an early day, steam-
boats, at certain seasons of the year, navigated this river as far up as the
" Raccoon Forks," and a large grant of land was made by Congress to the
State for the purpose of improving its navigation. The land was subse-
quently diverted to the construction of the Des Moines Valley Railroad.
HISTORY OF IOWA. 107
Before this diversion several dams were erected on the lower portion of the >
river, which afford a vast amount of hydraulic power to that portion of the ;
State.
The next river above the Des Moines is Skunk, which has its source in
Hamilton county, north of the center of the State. It traverses a southeast
course, having two principal branches — their aggregate length being about
four hundred and fifty miles. They drain about eight thousand square miles
of territory, and afford many excellent mill sites.
The next is Iowa river, which rises in several branches among the lakes
in Hancock and Winnebago counties, in the northern part of the State. Its
freat eastern branch is Eed Cedar, having its source among the lakes in
Gnnesota. The two streams, as before stated, unite and flow into the Mis- ■
sissippi in Louisa county. In size, Eed Cedar is the second interior river
of the State, and both are valuable as affording immense water power. Shell .
Rock river is a tributary of Ked Cedar, and is important to Northern Iowa,
on account of its fine water power. The aggregate length of Iowa and Eed
Cedar rivers is about five hundred miles, and they drain about twelve thou-
sand square miles of territory.
The "Wapsipinicon river rises in Minnesota, and flows in a southeasterly
direction over two hundred miles through Iowa, draining, with its branches,
a belt of territory only about twelve miles wide. This stream is usually
called ',' Wapsie " by the settlers, and is valuable as furnishing good water
power for machinery.
Maquoketa river, the next considerable tributary of the Mississippi, is
about one hundred and sixty miles long, and drains about three thousand
square miles of territory.
Turkey river is about one hundred and thirty miles long, and drains some
two thousand square miles. It rises in Howard county, runs southeast, and
empties into the Mississippi near the south line of Clayton county.
Upper Iowa river also rises in Howard county, flows nearly east, and
empties into the Mississippi near the northeast corner of the State, passing
through a narrow, but picturesque and beautiful valley. This portion of
the State is somewhat broken, and the streams have cut their channels deeply
into the rocks, so that in many places they are bordered by bluffs from three
to four hundred feet high. They flow rapidly, and furnish ample water
power for machinery at numerous points.
Having mentioned the rivers which drain the eastern three-fourths of the
State, we will now cross the great "water-shed" to the Missouri and its
tributaries.
The Missouri river, forming a little over two-thirds of the length of the
western boundary line, is navigable for large sized steamboats for a distance
of nineteen hundred and fifty miles above the point (Sioux City) where it
first touches our western border. It is, therefore, a highway of no little im-
portance to the commerce of "Western Iowa. During the season of naviga-
tion some years, over fifty steamers ascend the river above Sioux City, most,
of which are laden with stores for the mining region above Fort Benton.
We will now refer to the larger tributaries of the Missouri, which drain the:
western portion of Iowa.
The Big Sioux river forms about seventy miles of the western boundary
of the State, its general course being nearly from north to south. It has
several small tributaries draining the counties of Plymouth, Sioux, Lyon,
Osceola, and O'Brien, in northwestern Iowa. One of the most important
108 HISTORY OF IOWA.
of these is Rock river, a beautiful little stream running through the coun-
ties of Lyon and Sioux. It is supported by springs, and affords a volume
of water sufficient for propelling machinery. Big Sioux river was once re-
garded as a navigable stream, and steamboats of a small size have on sev-
eral occasions ascended it for some distance. It is not, however, now con-:
eidered a safe stream for navigation. It empties into the Missouri about ,
two miles above Sioux City, and some four miles below the northwest cor-
ner of Woodbury county. It drains about one thousand square miles of,
Iowa territory.
Just below Sioux City, Floyd river empties into the Missouri. It is a
Bmall stream, but flows through a rich and beautiful valley. Its length is <
about one hundred miles, and it drains some fifteen hundred square miles of
territory. Two or three mills have been erected on this stream, and there ;
are other mill sites which will doubtless be improved in due time.
Little Sioux river is one of the most important streams of northwestern!
Iowa. It rises in the vicinity of Spirit and Okoboji lakes, near the Minne-
sota line, and meanders through various counties a distance of nearly three
hundred miles to its confluence with the Missouri near the northwest corner
of Harrison county. "With its tributaries it drains not less than five thou-
sand square miles. Several small mills have been erected on this stream,
and others doubtless will be when needed.
Boyer river is the next stream of considerable size below the Little- Sioux. ,
It rises in Sac county and flows southwest to the Missouri in Pottawattamie,
county. Its entire length is about one hundred and fifty miles, and drains
not less than two thousand square miles of territory. It is a small stream, :
meandering through a rich and lovely valley. The Ghicago and Northwest-
ern Railroad passes down this valley some sixty miles.
Going down the Missouri, and passing several small streams, which have;
not been dignified with the name of rivers, we come to the Nishnabotna, ;
which empties into the Missouri some twenty miles below the southwest
corner of the State. It has three principal branches, with an aggregate,
length of three hundred and fifty miles. These streams drain about five
thousand square miles of southwestern Iowa. They flow through valleys of
unsurpassed beauty and fertility, and furnish good water power at variouB
points, though in this respect they are not equal to the streams in the north-
eastern portion of the State.
The southern portion of the State is drained by several streams that flow
into the Missouri river, in the State of Missouri. The most important of;
these are Chariton, Grand, Platte, One Hundred and Two, and the three
Nodaways— East, West and Middle. All of these afford water power for
machinery, and present splendid valleys of rich farming lands.
# We have above only mentioned the streams that have been designated as
rivers, but there are many other streams of great importance and value to
different portions of the State, draining the country, furnishing mill-sitesj
and adding to the variety and beauty ot the scenery. So admirable is the
natural drainage of almost the entire State, that the farmer who has not a
stream of living water on his premises is an exception to the general rule.
LAKES OF NORTHERN IOWA.
^ In some of the northern counties of Iowa there are many small, but beau-
tiful lakes, some of which we shall notice. They are a part of the system of
histoby or iowa. 109
lakes extending far northward into Minnesota, and some of them present
many interesting features which the limits of this work will not permit us
to give in detail. The following are among the most noted of the lakes of
northern Iowa: Clear Lake, in Oerro Gordo county; Eice Lake, Silver Lake
and Bright's Lake, in Worth county; Crystal Lake, Eagle Lake, Lake Ed-
ward and Twin Lakes, in Hancock county; Owl Lake, in Humboldt county;
Lake Gertrude, Elm Lake and Wall Lake, in "Wright county; Lake Caro, in
Hamilton county; Twin Lakes, in Calhoun county; Wall Lake, in Sac
county; Swan Lake, in Emmet county; Storm Lake, in Buena Vista county;
and Okoboji and Spirit Lakes, in Dickinson county. .Nearly all of these
are deep and clear, abounding in- many excellent varieties of fish, which are
caught abundantly by the settlers at all proper seasons of the year. The
name ' Wall Lake,' applied to several of these bodies of water, is derived from
the fact that a line or ridge of boulders, extends around them, giving them
somewhat the appearance of having been walled. Most of them exhibit the
same appearance in this respect to a greater or less extent. Lake Okoboji,
Spirit Lake, Storm Lake and Clear Lake are the largest of the Northern
Iowa lakes. All of them, except Storm Lake, have fine bodies of timber on
their borders. Lake Okoboji is about fifteen miles long, and from a quarter
of a mile to two miles wide. Spirit Lake, just north of it, embraces about
ten square' miles, the northern border extending to the Minnesota line. Storm
Lake is in size about three miles east and west by two north and south.
Clear Lake is about seven miles long by two miles wide. The dry rolling
land usually extends up to the borders of the lakes, making them delightful
resorts for excursion or fishing parties, and they are now attracting attention
as places of resort, on account of the beauty of their natural scenery, as well
as the inducements which they afford to hunting and fishing parties.
As descriptive of some of the lakes of Northern Iowa, the author would
here introduce some former correspondence of his own on the occasion of a
visit to Spirit and Okoboji Lakes, in Dickinson county. At that time he
wrote in regard to Spirit Lake:
With a party of delighted friends — seven of us in all — we made the cir-
cle of Spirit Lake^ Or Mwme-Wcmkon as the Indians called it. Starting
from the village of Spirit Lake early in the morning, we crossed the upper
portion of East Okoboji on a substantial wooden bridge about three hundred
feet in length, a half mile east of the village. Going around a farm or two,
we proceeded up along the east shore of Spirit Lake to what is known as
" Stony Point." Here a point of land has been gradually forming, for, we
do not know how many years, or even centuries, but large trees have grown
from the rocks, gravel and sand thrown together by various forces far back
in the past. From the inner edge of the growth of timber, a ridge of rocks
extends some forty rods into the lake, gradually lessening until, at the fur-
ther extremity, it only affords a dry foot-way by stepping from rock to rock.
This point is said to be constantly extending and it is not improbable that
in time, two lakes may be formed instead ot one. " Stony Point" is almost
wholly composed of boulders of various sizes and shapes, brought together
by the action of water, on either side. It is the resort of mnumerablobird|and
water fowl of various kinds, including pelicans, black loons and gulls. When
we approached they were holding high carnival over the remains of such un-
fortunate fish as happened to be thrown upon the rocks by the dashing ol the
waves. Our presence, however, soon cleared the coast of its promiscuous
HO HI8TOBY OF IOWA.
gathering of feathered tenants, but after we left, they doubtless returned to
their revelry.
"We continued our journey up the lake a mile further to the " inlet." Here
a small stream makes its way in from the east, and, having high steep banks,
all we had to do was to go round its mouth through the lake, the water being
very clear, with a fine gravel bottom, and sufficiently shallow for good ford-
ing. Just above this, a sand-beach extends for some distance, portions of
which are covered with clumps of willows and other small trees. No heavy
groves of timber border on the east side of the lake,, but scattered trees and
small groves extend all the way along. The adjoining prairie land is gener-
ally diy, rolling and well adapted to farming purposes. Several farms are in
cultivation along the banks of this part of the lake.
Nearly east of the north end of the lake, we crossed the Iowa and Minne-
sota line. Our road led us about a mile further north, where it diverged
westerly to the south bank of a pleasant little sheet of water, known as Loon
Lake. This has an outlet connecting it with other small lakes, which lie
near the head of Spirit Lake, and which were doubtless once a part of the
same. In a pretty little grove on the shore of Loon Lake, in the sovereign
State of Minnesota, we paused for our nooning.
From Loon Lake the road turns southward, passing several miles through
groves of timber that border the west shore of Spirit Lake. A number of
clear and quiet little lakes are nestled romantically in the groves west of
Spirit Lake with only sufficient room in many places for a roadway between
them and the latter. Of these charming little lakes, the three principal ones
are Lake Augusta, Plum Lake, and Hound Lake. In the formation of the
last named, nature has indulged in one of her most singular and interesting
freaks. It is something over a quarter of a mile in diameter, and so nearly
round that the eye can detect no irregularity. The bank, all around, rises
to the uniform height of about thirty feet, sloping at an angle of forty-five
degrees, and giving the lake the appearance of a huge basin. A dense forest
approaches on all sides, with large trees bending over the water, which is so
deep down in its reservoir that the wind rarely ruffles its surface. There is
no visible inlet or outlet, but the water is always deep and clear. It is
indeed worth a day's journey to see this charming -little gem of a lake,
reposing so quietly in the midst of its wild surroundings of lofty trees,
tangled vines and wild flowers.
Plum Lake is so called from the fact that there are many groves of wild
plums around it. It lies between Lake Augusta and Round Lake. Near
the north end of Plum Lake is a commanding elevation called " Grandview
Mound." From the summit of this mound there is a fine view of Spirit
Lake, and a portion of the surrounding country. There is every appearance
that these little lakes were once a portion of the greater one that lies east of
them, and they are now separated from it by a strip of land only wide enough
in many places for a good wagon road, but it is gradually increasing in width
from year to year. It is covered with a growth of cottonwood, soft maple,
elm, wild plum, and other trees, with a dense profusion of wild grape vines
clinging among the branches. The beach along the edge of Spirit Lake
here is composed of gravel, sand and shells, with a ridge of boulders, rising
and extending up to the timber, through which the road passes.
Pound Lake, above mentioned, is situated in what is known as " Marble
Grove," one of the finest bodies of timber to be found about the lakes, and is
so named from its early occupant, who was killed by the Indians. It was in
HISTORY OF IOWA. HI
this grove, after the massacre, that the Indians peeled the bark from a tree,
and with a dark paint, made a picture-record of what they had done. The
killed were represented by rude drawings of persons in a prostrate position,
corresponding with the number of victims. Pictures of cabins, with smoke
issuing from their roofs, represented the number of houses burned. In the
murder of Marble and his child, and the capture of Mrs. Marble, the Indians
completed the annihilation of the settlement at the lakes, and thus left a
record of their fiendish work. "Marble Grove" at that time was doubtless
a scene of savage rejoicing over the perpetration of deeds which cast a gloom
over all Northwestern Iowa, and which the lapse of years only could remove.
From the south end of " Marble Grove " to the village of Spirit Lake, the
road passes over undulating prairies for some three or four miles, with
several new farms now being improved on either side. The principal groves
of timber about this lake are at the west side and the north end, while a
narrow belt extends around the other portions. The water is deep, and the
wind often dashes the waves against the banks with great violence. At
other times the surface is smooth and placid.
There is a legend which we give briefly, for the benefit of those who may
be curious to know the origin of the name of Spirit Lake. Many moons
before the white man took up his abode or built his cabin on the shores of
the lake, a band of Dakota warriors brought a pale-faced maiden here, a
captive taken in one of their expeditions against the whites who had ven-
tured near their hunting grounds. Among the warriors was a tall young
brave, fairer than the rest, who had been stolen from the whites in infancy
by the wife of Um-pa-sho-ta, the chief. The pale-faced brave never knew
his parentage or origin, but the chief's wife called him Star of Day, and he
blew not but that she was his own mother. All the tribe expected that he
would sometime become their chief, as no warrior had proved so brave and
daring as he. Star of Day, only, had performed deeds which entitled him
to succeed to the honors of the aged Um-pa-sho-ta. But all the distinctions
or titles that his nation might bestow, possessed no attraction for him while
he beheld the grief of the beautiful pale-faced captive. He therefore deter-
mined to rescue her, and also made up his mind to flee with her from the
tribe and make her his wife. The maiden had recognized in the blue eyes
and fair face of her lover, something which told her that he, like herself,
was a captive. One night, while all the warriors were asleep in their lodges,
Star of Day and the maiden slumbered not. He silently unbound the
thongs which fastened her to the lodge frame. Only a few paces through
the thick forest brought them to the lake shore, where, under the willows,
his light canoe was in readiness. Soon the lovers were midway across the
lake, but the Great Spirit who ruled in the wind and the water, as well as in the
forest, willed that their home should be together beneath the waters where
no Dakota should henceforth ever disturb them. And so a breath of the
Great Spirit in the wind dashed a wave over the little canoe, and it went
down with the lovers. Since that time no Indian's canoe has ever dared to
venture upon the lake. ,Only the white man's canoe is always safe, for the
spirits of Star of Day and the maiden still abide under the water, in a
beautiful cave of shells, guarding only the white man's canoe from danger,
as spirits ever know their own. From that time the Dakotas called the lake
Minne-Waukon, or Spirit- Water.
Ohoboji. — Okoboji is the most beautiful of all the lakes of Northwestern
Iowa. Walter Scott could not invest the historic lakes of Scotia with more
112 HISTORY OF IOWA.
of the wild beauty of scenery suggestive of poetry and romance, than we here
find around this loveliest of Iowa lakes.
Okoboji lies immediately south of Spirit Lake, and is of very irregular
shape. Its whole length is at least fourteen miles, but it is nearly separated
into two parts. The two parts are called, respectively, East and West Okoboji;
A wooden bridge has been erected across the straits, on the road from the
village of Spirit Lake to that of Okoboji, the water here being ordinarily not
over a, couple of hundred feet wide and about fifteen feet deep. "West Okoboji
is much the larger body of water, stretching west and northwest of the straits
some eight miles, and varying in width from one to two miles. As you pass
around this lake, the scene constantly changes,- and from many different
points the observer obtains new views, many of which might furnish inspira-
tion to the pencil of the artist; The water has a deep sky-blue appearance,
and the surface is either placid or boisterous,, as the weather may happen to
be. .. The dry land slopes down to the margin on all sides. , v
Huge boujders are piled up around the shores several feet above the
water, forming a complete protection against the action of the waves,
These rocks embrace the different kinds of granite which are found scat-
tered over the prairies, with also a large; proportion of limestone, from which
good quick-lime is manufactured. This rock protection seems to be charac-
teristic of all that portion of the lake-shore most subject to ; the violent beat-
ing of the waves. But there are several fine gravel beaches, and one on the
north side is especially resorted to as being the most extensive and beautiful.
Here are immense wind-rows of pebbles; rounded and polished by the vari-
ous processes that nature employs, and in such variety that a single handful
taken up at random would constitute a miniature cabinet for the geologist,
Agates, cornelians, and other specimens of exquisite tint and beauty* are
found in great profusion, being constantly washed up by the water. The
east end of "West Okoboji, at the straits, is some five miles south of Spirit
Lake, but the extreme west portion extends up to a point west of Spirit
Lake. East Okoboji is not so wide or deep as the other part, but is nearly
as long. It extends up to within a quarter of a mile, or less, of Spirit Lake,
and is now connected ,with it by a mill-race, being some four or five feet
lower than that lake. At a narrow place near the npper end of this lake, a
bridge some three hundred feet long has been erected on the road leading to
Estherville. The Okoboji outlet heads at the south end of East Okoboji,
and in its passage flows through three lakes called Upper, Middle and Lower
Gar Lakes. These little lakes are so named because large quantities of the
peculiar long-billed fish designated by that name, are found therein. This ;
outlet has a rapid fall all the way to its junction with the Little Sioux river,
some five miles below, and is about being turned to good account by the
erection of machinery on it. This outlet is also the greatest of the fishing
resorts about the lakes
_ The groves around Lake Okoboji embrace over one thousand acres of goo(J
timber. The larger groves are found on the south side, where the principal
settlement was at the time of the Indian massacre. There are two or thref
fine bodies of timber on the north side of "West Okoboji, and a narrow fringe
of timber borders nearly all the lake shore between the larger groves. On
the north side of "West Okoboji, near the west end, is a splendid grove of
hard maple, of large size, while none of this kind of timber is found else-
where about the lake. On the same side in another grove, we observed
many red cedars of large growth. "We noticed one nearly three feet in
HISTORY OF IOWA. 113
diameter, and' a fine crop of young cedars, from three to ten inches high,
have taken root along the shore. Burr oak seems to predominate among
the various kinds of timber, and the groves on the south side are mainly
composed of this kind, with considerable ash, elm and walnut. In many
places the ground is covered with a dense growth of wild gooseberry and
wild currant bushes, all now giving promise of a fine yield of fruit. Many
plum groves are scattered about the lake, and grapes also grow in profusion.
We noticed, however, that the wild crab-apple, so plentiful in other parts of
the State, was wanting.
. The land rises from the lake nearly all the way round, with a gradually
sloping bank, to the height of some thirty feet, and then stretches away in
undulating prairie or woodland, as the case may be. In some places, the
unbroken prairie extends to the beach without a tree or shrub. A splendid
body of prairie, embracing several thousand acres, lies in the peninsula
formed by Lake Okoboji with its outlet and the Little Sioux river. Between
Okoboji and Spirit Lakes, there is also a good body of prairie with some
well improved tarms. A lake of considerable size, called Center Lake, with
a fine body of timber surrounding it, lies between Okoboji and Spirit Lakes.
In point of health, as well as in. the beauty of its natural scenery, this
locality far surpasses many others that have become fashionable and famous
resorts. A month or two in the summer season might be spent here with
constant change, and a pleasing variety of attractions. The invalid or
pleasure seeker might divide the time between hunting, fishing, driving,
bathing, rowing, sailing, rambling, and in various other ways adapted to his
taste or 'fancy. He could pay homage to Nature in her playful or her
milder moods; for sometimes she causes these little lakes to play the role of
miniature seas by the wild dashing of their surges against their rocky shores,
and then again causes them to become as calm and placid as slumbering
infancy.
Clear Lake. — Clear Lake, in Cerro Gordo county, is among the better
known lakes of the State, on account of its easy accessibility by rail, as well
as its many and varied attractions. It is a beautiful little sheet of water,
and as a pleasure resort has for several years been constantly growing in
favor. This, and Storm Lake, in Buena Vista county, as well, as some
others, are deserving of special description, but what is already given will
afford some idea of the lakes of Northern Iowa.
Timber. — One of the peculiar features of the topography of the north-
west, is the predominance of prairies, a name of French origin, which sig-
nifies grass-land. It has been estimated that about nine-tenths of the sutt
face of Iowa is prairie. The timber is generally found in heavy bodies skirt-
ing the streams, but there are also many isolated groves standing, like islands
in the sea, far out on the prairies. The eastern half of the State contains a
larger proportion of timber than the western. The following are the leading
varieties of timber: White, black and burr oak, black walnut, butternut,
hickory, hard and soft maple, cherry, red and white elm, ash, linn, hackberry,
birch, honey locust, cottonwood and quaking asp. A few sycamore trees are
found in certain localities along the streams. Groves of red cedar also pre-
vail, especially along Iowa and Cedar rivers, and a few isolated pine trees are
scattered along the bluffs of some of the streams in the northern part of the
State.
Nearly all kinds of timber common to Iowa have been found to grow rap-
114
HISTOBY OF IOWA.
idly when transplanted upon the prairies, or when propagated from the plant-
ing of seeds. Only a few years and a little expense are required for the
settler to raise a grove sufficient to afford him a supply of fuel. The kinds
most easily propagated, and of rapid growth, are Cottonwood, maple and wal-
nut. All our prairie soils are adapted to their growth.
Prof. C. E. Bessey, of the State Agricultural College, who supervised the
collection of the different woods of Iowa -for exhibition at the Centennial
Exposition, in 1876, has given a most complete list of the native woody
plants of the State. Below we present his list. When not otherwise stated
they are trees. The average diameters are given in inches, and when the
species is a rare one, its locality is given :
Papaw — shrub; 2 to & inches.
Moonseed — climbing shrub; J^inch.
Basswood, Lynn or Linden — 20 inches.
Prickly Ash — shrub; 2 inches.
Smooth Sumach — shrub; 2 inches.
Poison Ivy — climbing' shrub; 1 inch.
Fragrant Sumach — shrub; 2 inches.
Frost Grape — vine; 2 inches.
River Bank Grape — vine; 2 inches.
Buckthorn — shrub; river bluffs; 2 to 3 inches.
New Jersey Tea — low shrub; J£ inch.
Red Root — low shrub; % inch.
Bitter-sweet — climbing shrub; 1 inch.
Wahoo — shrub; 2 inches.
Bladder Nut— shrub; 2 inches.
Buckeye — 20 to 30 inches.
Sugar Maple — 20 to 24 inches.
Black Maple — 12 to 18 inches.
Silver or Soft Maple — 20 to 30 inches.
Box Elder — 3 to 12 inches.
False Indigo — shrub ; J£ inch.
Lead Plant — low shrub; % inch.
Red Bud — 6 to 8 inches.
Kentucky Coffee Tree — 3 to 12 inches.
Honey Locust— 12 to 20 inches.
Wild Plum— shrub or tree; 2 to 5 inches.
Wild Red Cherry — shrub or tree; 2 to 6
inches.
Choke Cherry — shrub; 2 to 3 inches.
Wild Black Cherry— 12 to 18 inches.
Wine Bark — shrub; % inch.
Meadow Sweet — shrub; 3^ inch.
Wild Red Raspberry — shrub; % inch.
Wild Black Raspberry — shrub! J£ inch.
Wild Blackberry — shrub; % inch.
Dwarf Wild Rose — low shrub; % inch.
Early Wild Rose — low shrub; j£ inch.
Black Thorn — 3 to 5 inches.
White Thorn — 3 to 5 inches.
Downy-leaved Thorn — 2 to 3 inches.
Wild Crab Apple — 3 to 5 inches.
Service Berry or June Berry^-3 to 5 inches.
Small June Berry— shrub; 2 to 3 inches.
. Prickly Wild Gooseberry— shrub; % inch.
Smooth Wild Gooseberry — shrub; % inch.
Wild Black Currant— shrub; J^inch.
Witch Hazel— shrub; 1 to 2 inches; said to
grow in N. E. Iowa.
Kinnikinnik— shrub; 2 inches.
Rough-leaved Dogwood— shrub; 1 to 3
inches.
Panicled Cornel — shrub; 2 inches.
Alternate-leaved Cornel — shrub; 2 inches.
Wolf berry — low ehrub; % inch.
Coral Berry — low shrub; Jjjinch.
Small Wild Honeysuckle — climbing shrub; %
inch.
Blackberried Elder — shrub; 1 to 2 inches.
Red-berried Elder — shrub; 1 to 2 inches.
This one I have not seen, but feel quite '
sure that it is in the State.
Sheep Berry — shrub; 2 inches.
Downy Arrow-wood — shrub 2 inches.
High Cranberry Bush — shrub; 1 inch.
Button Bush — shrub; 1 inch.
Black Huckleberry — low shrub ; % inch; near
Davenport, according to Dr. Parry.
White Ash— 12 to 18 inches.
Green Ash— 8 to 12 inches. There is some
doubt as to the identity of this specieB.
Black Ash — 12 to 16 inches.
Sassafras — 3 to 18 inches. Said to grow in
the extreme southeastern part of the
State.
Spice Bush — shrub; 1 inch. Said to grow in
Northeastern Iowa.
Leatherwood or Moosewood— shrub; 1 to 2
inches. In Northeastern Iowa.
Buffalo Berry— shrub; 1 to 2 inches. Possi-
bly this may be found on our western
borders, as it occurs in Nebraska.
Red Elm— 12 to 14 inches.
White Elm— 18 to 30 inches.
Corky Elm — 10 to 15 inches. I have seenno
specimens which could certainly be re-
ferred to this species, and yet I think
there is little doubt of its being a native ••
of this State.
Hackberry— 10 to 16 inches,
Red Mulberry— 6 to 10 inches.
Sycamore, or Buttonwood — 10 to 30 inches.
Black Walnut— 24 to 48 inches.
Butternut— 12 to 20 inches.
Shell-bark Hickory— 12 to 24 inches.
Pecan Nut— 12 to 20 inches.
Large Hickory Nut— 18 to 24 inches.
Pig Nut Hickory— 12 to 20 inches.
These three last species I have not seen
in the State, but from, their known dis-
tribution, I have no doubt that they are
to be found in the southern portions of
the State.
Butternut Hickory— 12 to 18 inches.
White Oak— 20 to 80 inches.
H1ST0BT OF IOWA. JJg
Burr Oak— 24 to 36 inches. Petioled Willow— shrub; 2 inches
Chestnut. Oak— 5 to 10 inches. Heart-leaved Willow— small tree: 3 to 4 in-
Laurel Oak — 5 to 10 inches. ches.
Scarlet Oak— 12 to 16 inches. Black Willow— 3 to 12 inches *
Red Oak— 15 to 20 inches. Almond Willow— 3 to & inches
HazelNut-shrnb ; 1 inch. Long-leaved Willow— shrub; 2 to 3 inches.
Iron Wood — 4 to 7 inches. Aspen— 6 to 12 inches.
Blue Beech— 3 to 4 inches. Cottonwood— 24 to 36 inches.
White Birch— 3 to 6 inches. Said to growin White Pine— a few small trees grow in North-
Northeastern Iowa. eastern Iowa.
Speckled Alder— shrub or small tree; 2 to 3 Red Cedar — 6 to 8 inches.
inches. Northeastern Iowa. Ground Hemlock— trailing shrub- 1 inch
Prairie Willows— low shrub; ^ inch. Green Briar— climbing shrub; Vi inch
Glaucous Willow — small tree; 2 to 3 inches.
Total number of species, 104; of these, fifty-one species are trees, while
the remaining ones are shrubs. The wood of all the former is used for
economic purposes, while some of the latter furnish more or less valuable
fuel. #
Climate.-— Prof. Parvin, who has devoted great attention to the climatol-
ogy of Iowa, in a series of observations made by him at Muscatine, from 1839
to 1859, inclusive, and at Iowa City, from 1860 to 1870, inclusive, deduces
the following general results : That the months of November and March
are essentially winter months, their average temperatures rising but a few
degrees above the freezing point. Much ot the former month is indeed mild
and pleasant, but in it usually comes the first cold spell, followed generally
by mild weather, while in M arch the farmer is often enabled to commence
his spring plowing. September has usually a summer temperature, and
proves a ripening season for the fall crops, upon which the farmer may' rely
with safety if the spring has been at all backward. May has much more
the character of a spring month than that of summer, and " May day" is
not often greeted with a profusion of flowers. The average temperature of
May during thirty-two years was 59.06 degrees, while that of September
was 63.37 degrees. Prof. Parvin states that during thirty-five years the
mercury rose to 100 degrees only once within the region of his observations
in Iowa, and that was during the summer of 1870. It seldom rises above
ninety-five degrees, or falls lower than fifteen degrees below zero. The
highest temperature, with very few exceptions, occurs in the month of Au-
gust, while July is the hottest month as indicated by the mean temperature
of the summer months. January is the coldest month, and in this, only
once in thirty- two jears did the mercury fall to thirty degrees below zero.
The prevailing winds are those of a westerly direction, not for the year alone,
but for the several months of the year, except June, July, August and Sep-
tember. August is the month in which the greatest amount of rain falls,
and in January the least. The greatest 'fall of rain in any one year, was in
1851 — 74.49 inches, and the least in 1854 — 23.35 inches. The greatest fall
of snow for any one year, was in 1868 — 61.97 inches. The least was in
1850 — 7.90 inches. The earliest fall of snow during twenty-two years, from
1848 to 1869, inclusive, was October 17th, 1859, and the latest, April 29th,
1851. The greatest fall was December 21st, 1848 — 20.50 inches. During
that time no snow fell during the mqnths of May, June, July, August and
September, but rain usually occurs in each of the winter months.
The clear days during the time embraced in Prof. Parvin's observations,
were thirty- two per cent; the cloudy twenty-two per cent, and the variable
forty-six per cent.
116 HISTORY OF IOWA.
The year 1863 was very cold, not only in Iowa, but throughout the coun-
try, and there was frost in every month of the year, but it only once or twice,
during thirty years seriously injured the corn crop. When the spring is
late the fall is generally lengthened, so that the crop has time to mature.
The mean time for late spring frosts is May 4th; that of early fall frost is
September 24th. The latest frost in the spring during thirty -one years, from
1839 to 1869, inclusive, was May 26th, 1847; and the earliest, August 29th,
1863.
Prairies. — The character of surface understood by the term prairie, is not
a feature peculiar to Iowa, but is a characteristic of the greater portion of
the Northwest. Dr. C. A. "White, late State Geologist of Iowa, in his re-
port says :
" By the word prairie we mean any considerable surface that is free from
forest trees and shrubbery, and whieh is covered more or less thickly with
grass and annual plants. This is also the popular understanding of the
term. It is estimated that about seven-eighths of the surface of Iowa is
prairie, or was so when the State was first settled. They are not confined to
the level surface, but are sometimes even quite hilly and broken; and it has
just been shown that they are not confined to any particular variety of soil,
for they prevail equally upon Alluvial, Drift, and Lacustral soils. Indeed,
we sometimes find a single prairie whose surface includes all these varieties,
portions of which may be respectively sandy, gravelly, clayey or loamy.
Neither are they confined to the region of, nor does their character seem at
all dependent upon, the formations which underlie them, for within the State
of Iowa they rest upon all formations, from those of Azoic to those of Cre-
taceous age inclusive, which embraces almost all kinds of rocks, such as
quartzites, friable sandstone, magnesian limestone, common limestone, im-
pure chalk, clay, clayey and sandy shales, etc. Southwestern Minnesota is
almost one continuous prairie upon the drift which rests directly upon, not
only the hard Sioux quartzite, but also directly upon the granite.
" Thus, whatever the origin of the prairies might have been, we have the
positive assurance that their present existence in Iowa and immediate vicin-
ity is not due to the influence of climate, the character or composition of
the soil, nor to the character of any of the underlying formations. It now
remains to say without the least hesitation, that the real cause of the pres-
ent existence of pravries im, Iowa, is the prevalence of the annual fifes.
If these had been prevented fifty years ago Iowa would now be a timbered
instead of a prairie State.
" Then arises questions like the following, not easily' answered, and for
which no answers are at present proposed:
. "When was fire first introduced upon the prairies, and how? Could any
but human agency have introduced annual fires upon them? If they could
have been introduced only by the agency of man why did the forests, not
occupy the prairies before man came to introduce his fires, since we see
their great tendency to encroach upon the prairies as soon as the fires are
made to cease ? The prairies, doubtless, existed as such almost immediately
after the close of the Glacial epoch. Did man then exist and possess the
use of fire that he might have annually burnt the prairies of so large a part
of the continent, and thus have constantly prevented the encroachments of
the forests ? It may be that these questions will never be satisfactorily .an-
swered;- but nothing is more evident than that the forests would soon occupy
a very large proportion of the prairie region of North America if the prai-
HISTOBY OF IOWA. 117
rie fires were made to cease, and no artificial efforts were made to prevent
their growth and encroachment."
Sous. — Dr. White has separated the soils of Iowa into three general di-
visions, viz : the Drift, Bluff, and Alluvial. The drift soil occupies the
freater portion of the State, the bluff next, and the alluvial the least. The
rift is derived primarily from the disintegration of rocks, to a considerable
extent perhaps from those of Minnesota, which were subject to violent gla-
cial action during the glacial epoch. This soil is excellent, and is generally
free from coarse drift materials, especially near the surface.
The bluff soil occupies an area estimated at about five thousand square
miles, in the western part of the State. It has many peculiar and marked
characteristics, and is believed to be lacustral in its origin. In some places
the deposit is as great as two hundred feet in thickness, all portions of it
being equal in fertility. If this soil be taken from its lowest depth, say two
hundred feet below the surface, vegetation germinates and thrives as readily
in it as in the surface deposit. It is of a slightly yellowish ash color, ex-
cept when mixed with decaying vegetation. It is composed mainly of si-
lica, but the silicious matter is so finely pulverized that the naked eye is un-
able to perceive anything like sand in its composition. The bluffs along the
Missouri river, in the western part of the State, are composed of this ma-
terial.
The alluvial soils are the " bottom " lands along the rivers and smaller
streams. They are the washings of other soils mixed with decayed vege-
table matter. They vary somewhat in character and fertility, but the best
of them are regarded as the most fertile soils in the State.
As to the localities occupied by each of these different soils, it may be
stated that the drift forms the soil of all the higher plains and woodlands
of the State, except a belt along the western border, which is occupied by
the bluff soil, or bluff deposit, as it is generally called. The alluvial occu-
pies the low lands, both prairie and timber, along the streams. It may be
remarked that the alluvial soil composing the broad belt of "bottom " along
the Missouri, partakes largely of the bluff soil, owing to continued wash-
ings from the high lands or bluffs adjacent.
GEOLOGY OF IOWA.
Classification of Rocks — Azoic System — Huronian Group — Lower Silurian System — Primordial
Group — Trenton Group— Cincinnati Group — Upper Silurian System — Niagara Group —
Devonian System — Hamilton Group — Carboniferous System — Sub-Carboniferous Group —
' ' Kinderhook Beds — Burlington Limestone — Eeokuk Limestone — St.- Louis Limestone —
Coal-Measure Group — Cretaceous System — Nishnabotany Sandstone— Woodbury Sand-
stones and Shales — Inoceramus Beds.
In January, 1855, the General Assembly passed an act to provide for a
geological survey of the State. Under authority given by this act, Prof.
James Hall, of New York, was appointed State Geologist, and Prof. J. D.
Whitney, fof Massachusetts, State Chemist. During the years 1855, 1856,
and 1857, 'the work progressed, but was confined chiefly to the eastern coun-
ties. A large volume was published in two parts, giving in detail the results
of the survey up to the close of the season of 1857, when the work was dis-
continued. In 1866 it was resumed under an act of the General Assembly
passed in March of that year, and Dr. Charles A. White, of Iowa City, was
appointed State Geologist. He continued the work, and in December, 1869,
118
HISTORY OF IOWA.
submitted a report to the Governor in two large volumes. From these
reports we derive a pretty thorough knowledge of the geological character-
istics in all portions of the State.
In the classification of Iowa rocks, State Geologist White adopted the
following definitions:
The term " formation " is restricted to such assemblages of strata as have
been formed within a geological epoch; the term "group," to such natural
groups of formation as were not formed within a geological period; aDd the
term " system," to such series of groups as were each formed within a geolog-
ical age.
The terms used in this arrangement may be referred to two categories —
one applicable to geological objects, and the other to geological time. Thus:
Formations constitute Groups; groups constitute Systems; Epochs consti-
tute Periods; periods constitue Ages.
In accordance with this arrangement the classification of Iowa rocks may
be seen at a glance in the following table constructed by Dr. "White:
SYSTEMS.
AGES.
GROUPS.
PERIODS.
FORMATIONS.
EPOCHS.
THICKNESS.
IN FEET.
Cretaceous
Carboniferous •
Devonian
Upper Silurian
Lower Silurian .
Azoic
Post Tertiary. .
Lower Cretaceous ■
Coal Measures
Subcarboniferous -
Hamilton
Niagara
Cincinnati
Trenton . .
H
Primordial
uronian
Drift
Inoceramus bed
Woodbury Sandstone and Shales
Nishnabotany Sandstone
Upper Coal Measures
Middle Coal Measures
Lower Coal Measures
St. Louis Limestone
Keokuk Limestone
Burlington Limestone
Kinderhook beds
Hamilton Limestone and Shales .
Niagara Limestone
Maquoketa Shales
Galena Limestone
Trenton Limestone
St. Peter's Sandstone
Lower Magnesian Limestone
Potsdam Sandstone. • • •
Sioux Quartzite
10 to 200
50
130
100
200
200
200
75
90
196
175
200
350
80
250
200
80
250
300
50
AZOIO SYSTEM.
Hwonicm Group. — The Sioux Quartzite Formation in this Group is
found exposed in natural ledges only on a few acres in the northwest corner
of the State. The exposures in Iowa are principally upon the banks of the
Big Sioux river, for which reason the specific name of Sioux Quartzite is
given to it. It is an intensely hard rock, breaking with a splintery fracture,
and a color varying in different localities from a bright to a deep red.
Although it is so compact and hard the grains of sand of which it was
originally composed are yet distinctly to be seen, and even the ripple marks
upon its bedding surfaces are sometimes found as distinct as they were when
the rock was a mass of incoherent sand in the shallow waters in which it was
accumulated. The lines of stratification are also quite distinct, but they are
not usually sufficiently definite to cause the mass to divide into numerous
layers. It has, however, a great tendency to break up by vertical cracks
HISTORY OF IOWA. U9
and fissures into small angular blocks. The process of metamorphism has
been so complete throughout the whole formation that the rock is almost
everywhere of uniform texture, and its color also being so nearly uniform
there is no difficulty in identifying it wherever it may be seen.
In a few rare cases this rock may be quarried readily, as the layers are
easily separated, but usually it is so compact throughout that it is quarried
with the greatest difficulty into any forms except those into which it naturally
eracks. It has a great tendency, however, upon its natural exposures, to
break up by vertical fissures and cracks into angular blocks of convenient size
for handling. Except this tendency to crack into angular pieces, the rock
is absolutely indestructible. ~No traces of fossil remains of any kind have
been found in it. As shown by the table its exposure in Iowa is fifty feet in
thickness.
LOWER SILUEIAN SYSTEM.
Primordial Group. — The. Potsdam Sandstone Formation of this Group
hasa geographical range extending throughout the northern portion of the
United States and Canada, and in Iowa reaches a known thickness of about
300 feet, as shown in the table. It forms, however, rather an inconspicuous
feature in the geology of Iowa. It is exposed only in a'small portion of
the northeastern part of the State, and has been brought to view there by
the erosion of the river valleys. The base of the formation does not appear
anywhere in Iowa, consequently its full thickness is not certainly known, nor
is it known certainly that it rests on the Sioux Quartzite. The rock is
everywhere soft; usually a very friable sandstone, but sometimes containing
some clayey material, and approaching in character a sandy shale. It is
nearly valueless for any economic purpose, not being of sufficient hardness
to serve even the commonest purposes of masonry. No fossils have been
discovered in this formation in Iowa, but in Wisconsin they are found quite
abundantly in it.
The Lower Magnesian Limestone Formation has but little greater geo-
graphical extent in Iowa than the Potsdam Sandstone has; because, like
that formation, it appears only in the bluffs and valley-sides of the same
streams. It is a more conspicuous formation, however; because, being a
firm rock, it presents bold and often picturesque fronts along the valleys.
Its thickness is about 250 feet, and is quite uniform in composition, being a
nearly pure buff-colored dolomite. It lacks a uniformity of texture and
stratification which causes it to weather into rough and sometimes grotesque
shapes, as it stands out in bold relief upon the valley-sides. It is not gener-
ally valuable for building purposes, owing to its lack of uniformity in texture
and bedding. Some parts of it, however, are selected which serve for such
uses at Lansing and McGregor. It has also been used to some extent for
making lime, but it is not equal to the Trenton limestone, near Dubuque,
for that purpose. The. only fossils that have been found in this formation in
Iowa, are, so far as known, a few traces of the stems of Crinoids found near
McGregor.
The St. Peter's Sandstone Formation is remarkably uniform in thickness
throughout its known geographical extent. It is a clean grit, light colored,
very triable rock; so pure in its silicious compostion that it is probable some
portions of it may be found suitable for the manufacture of glass. It occu-
pies the surface of a large portion of the north half of Allemakee county,
immediately beneath the drift, and it is also exposed a couple of miles
120 HISTORY OF IOWA.
below McGregor, where it is much colored by oxide of iron. It contains no
fossils.
Trenton Group. — The lower formation of this group is known as the
Trenton Limestone. "With the exception of this all the limestones of both
Upper and Lower Silurian age in Iowa, are magnesian limestones — nearly
pure dolomites. The rocks of this formation also contain much magnesia*
but a large part of it is composed of bluish compact common limestone. It
occupies Wge portions of both Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, together
with a portion of Clayton. Its thickness as seen along the bluffs of the
Mississippi is about eighty feet, but in Winneshiek county we find the
thickness is increased to upward of 200 feet. The greater part of this
formation is worthless for economic purposes, but enough of it is suitable
for building purposes and for lime to meet the wants of the inhabitants.
The worthless portions of the formation consists of clayey shales and shaly
limestone. Fossils are abundant in this formation. In some places the
rock is made up of a mass of shells, corals, and fragments of trilobites,
together with other animal remains, cemented by calcareous matter into
compact form.
The upper portion of the Trenton Group, known as the Galena Limestone
Formation, occupies a narrow strip of country, seldom exceeding 12 miles in
width, but it is fully 150 miles long. It is about 250 feet thick in the
vicinity of Dubuque, but diminishes in thickness as it extends northwest, so
that it does not probably exceed 100 feet where it crosses the northern
boundary of the State. The outcrop of this formation traverses portions of
the counties of Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Clayton, Dubuque,
and Jackson. It exhibits its greatest development in Dubuque county. It
is not very uniform in texture, which causes it to decompose unequally, and
consequently to present interesting forms in the abrupt bluffs of it, which
border the valleys. It is usually unfit for dressing, but affords good enough
stone for common masonry. It is the source of the lead ore of the Dubuque
lead mines. The full thickness of this formation at Dubuque is 250 feet.
Fossils are rare in it.
Cincinnati Group. — The Maquoketa Shale Formation of this group, so-
called by Dr. White, is synonymous with the Hudson River Shales, of Prof.
Hall. It is comprised within a long and narrow area, seldom reaching more
than a mile or two in width, but more than a hundred miles long, in the State.
Its most southerly exposure is in the bluffs of the Mississippi river, near
Bellevue, in Jackson county, and the most northerly one yet recognized is in
the western part of Winneshiek county. The whole formation is largely
composed of bluish and brownish shales. Its economic value is very slight,
as it is wholly composed of fragmentary materials. The fossils contained in
this formation, together with its position in relation to the underlying and
overlying formations, leave no doubt as to the propriety of referring it to the
same geological period as that in which the rocks at Cincinnati, Ohio, were
formed. Several species of fossils which characterize the Cincinnati group
are found in the Maquoketa Shales, but they contain a large number of
species that have been found nowhere else than in these shales in Iowa, and
it is th'e opinion of Dr. White that the occurrence of these distinct fossils in
the Iowa formation would seem to warrant the separation of the Maquoketa
Shales as a distinct formation from any others of the group, and that its true
position is probably at the base of the Cincinnati group.
HISTOKY OF IOWA. 121
TJPFEB SILTJKIAN SYSTEM.
Niagara Group.— The area occupied by the Niagara limestone Formafion
is nearly 160 miles from north to south* and between 40 and 50 miles wide
in its widest part. At its narrowest part, which is near its northern limit in
Iowa, it is not more than four or five miles wide. This formation is entirely
magnesian limestone, with, in some places, a considerable proportion of sili-
cious matter in the form of chert or coarse flint. Some of the lower portions
resemble both the Galena and Lower Magnesian Limestones, having the
same want of uniformity of texture and bedding. It affords, however,
a great amount of excellent quarry rock. The quarries at Anamosa, in Jones
county, are remarkable for the uniformity 6t the bedding of its strata.
Wherever this rock is exposed there is always an abundance of material for
common masonry and other purposes. In some places excellent lime is
made from it.
DEVONIAN SYSTEM.
_ Hamilton Group. — The Hamilton Limestone and Shales Formation occu-
pies an area of surface as great as those occupied by all the formations of
both Lower and Upper Silurian age in the State. The limestones of the De-
vonian age are composed in part of magnesian strata, and in part of common
limestone. A large part of the material of this formation is quite worthless,
yet other portions are very valuable for several economic purposes. Having
t a very large geographical extent in Iowa, it constitutes one of the most im-
' portant formations. "Wherever any part of this formation is exposed, the
common limestone portions exist in sufficient quantity to furnish abundant
material for common lime of excellent quality, as well as good stone for com-
mon masonry. Some of the beds furnish excellent material for dressed stone,
for all works requiring strength and durability. The most conspicuous and
characteristic fossils of this formation are brachipod mollusks and corals.
CAJBBONIFEEOUS SYSTEM.
The Sub-Carboniferous Group. — This group occupies a very large sur-
face in Iowa. Its eastern border passes from the northeastern portion of
"Winnebago county in a southeasterly direction, to the northern part of Wash-
ington county. Here it makes a byroad and direct bend nearly eastward,
striking the Mississippi river at the city of Muscatine. The southern and •
western boundary of the area is to a considerable extent the same as that
which separates it from the coalfield. From the southern part of Pocahontas
county, it passes southeastward to Fort Dodge, thence to "Webster City,
thence to a point three or four miles northeast of Eldora, in Hardin county,
thence southward to the middle of the north line of Jasper county, thence
southeastward to Sigourney in Keokuk county, thence to the northeast corner
of Jefferson county, and thence, by sweeping a few miles eastward to the
southeast corner of Van Buren county. The area as thus defined, is nearly
250 miles long, and from 20 to 40 miles wide. The general southerly and
westerly dip has carried the strata of the group beneath the lower coal-
measure along the line last designated, but after passing beneath the latter
strata for a distance of from 15 to 20 miles, they appear again in the valley
of the Des Moines river, where they have been bared by the erosion of that
valley.
The Kinderhook Beds, the lowest Formation of the sub-carboniferous group,
122 HISTORY OF IOWA.
presents its principal exposures along the bluffs which border the Mississippi
and Skunk rivers, where they form the eastern and northern boundary of Des
Moines county; along English river in Washington county ; alonglowa river
in Tama, Marshall, Hardin and Franklin counties, and along theJDes Moines
river in Humboldt county. The southern part of the formation in Iowa
has the best development of all in distinguishing characteristics, but the
width of area it occupies is much greater in its northern part, reaching a
maximum width of eighty miles. The Kinderhook formation has consider-
able economic value, particularly in the northern portion of the region it
occupies. The stone which it furnishes is of practical value. There are no
exposures of stone of any other kind in Pocahontas, Humboldt and some
other counties embraced in the area occupied by it, and therefore it is of very
oreat value in such places for building material. It may be manufactured
fnto excellent lime. The quarries in Marshall county and at Le Grand are
of this formation ; also the oolitic limestone in Tama county. This oolitic
limestone is manufactured into a good quality of lime. The principal fossils
appearing in this formation are the remains of fishes; no remains of vegeta-
tion have as yet been detected. The fossils in this formation, so far as Iowa
is concerned, are far more numerous in the southern than in the northern
part.
The Burlington Limestone is the next Formation in this group above the
Kinderhook Beds, the latter passing gradually into the Burlington Lime-
stone. This formation consists of two distinct calcareous divisions, which
are separated by a series of silicious beds. The existence of these silicious ,
beds suggests the propriety of regarding the Burlington Limestone as really
two distinct formations. This is strengthened also by some well marked
palaeontological differences, especially in the crinoidal remains. The south-
erly dip of the Iowa rocks carries the Burlington Limestone down, so that
it is seen for the last time in this State in the valley of Skunk river, near
the southern boundary of Des Moines county. Northward of Burlington
it is found frequently exposed in the bluffs of the Mississippi and Iowa riv-
ers in the counties of Des Moines and Louisa, and along some of the smaller
streams in the same region. Burlington Limestone forms a good building
material ; good lime may also be made from it, and especially from the up-
per division. Geologists have given to this formation the name of Burling-
ton Limestone because its peculiar characteristics are best shown at the city
of Burlington, Iowa. The great abundance and variety of its character-
istic fossils — crinoids — have attracted the attention of geologists and nat-
uralists generally. The only remains of vertebrates reported as being found
in it are those of fishes. Remains of articulates are rare in it, and confined
to two species of trilobites. Fossil shells are common but not so abundant
as in some of the other formations of the Sub-Carboniferous Group.
The Keokuk Limestone is the next Formation in this group above the
Burlington Limestone. In Iowa it consists of about fifty feet in maximum
thickness. It is a grayish limestone, having usually a blueish tinge. It oc-
cupies in Iowa a more limited area than any other formation of the sub-
carboniferous group. It is well developed and largely exposed at the city
of Keokuk. It is synonymous with the Lower Archimedes Limestone of
Owen and other geologists. The most northerly point at which it has been
recognized is in the northern part of Des Moines county, where it is quite
thinned out. It is only in the counties of Lee, Yan Buren, Henry and Des
Moines that the Keokuk Limestone is to be seen; but it rises again and is
HISTORY OF IOWA. 123
seen in the banks of the Mississippi river some seventy-five or eighty miles
below Keokuk, presenting there the same characteristics that it has in Iowa.
The upper silicious portion of this formation is known as the Geode bed.
These geodes are more or less spherical masses of silex, usually hollow and
.lined with crystals of quartz. The Keokuk Limestone formation is of great
economic value, as some of its layers furnish a fine quality of building ma-
terial. The principal quarries of it are along the Mississippi from Keokuk
to Nauvoo, a distance of about fifteen miles. The only vertebrated fossils
in it are those of fishes, consisting both of teeth and spines. Some of these
are of great size, indicating that their owners probably reached a length of
twenty-five or thirty feet. Several species of articulates, mollusks and ra-
diates are also found in this formation. Among the radiates the crinoids
are very abundant, but are not so conspicuous as in the Burlington Lime-
stone. A small number of Protozoans, a low form of animal life, related
to sponges, have also been found in the Keokuk Limestone.
The next Formation in the Sub-Carboniferous Group, above the Keokuk
Limestone, is what Dr. White calls the St. Louis Limestone, and is synon-
ymous with the Concretionary Limestone of Prof. Owen, and the Warsaw
Limestone of Prof. Hall. It is the upper, or highest formation of what Dr.
White classifies as the Sub-Carboniferous Group, appearing in Iowa, where
the lower coal-measures are usually found resting directly upon it, and where
it forms, so to speak, a limestone floor for the coal-bearing formations. To
this, however, there are some exceptions. It presents a marked contrast
with the coal-bearing strata which rest upon it. This formation occupies a
small superficial area in Iowa, because it consists of long narrow strips.
Its extent, however, within the State is known to be very great, because it is
found at points so distant from each other. Commencing at Keokuk, where
it is seen resting on the geode division of the Keokuk limestone, and pro-
ceeding northward, it is iound forming a narrow border along the edge of
the coal-field in Lee, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Washington, Keokuk
and Mahaska counties. It is then lost sight of beneath the coal-measure
strata and overlying drift until we reach Hamilton county, where it is found
in the banks of Boone river with the coal-measures resting upon it, as they
do in the counties just named. The next seen of the formation is in the
banks of the Des Moines river at and near Fort Dodge. These two last
named localities are the most northerly ones at which the formation is ex-
posed, and they are widely isolated from the principal portion of the area it
occupies in Iowa; between which area, however, and those northerly points,
it appears by a small exposure near Ames, in Story county, in the valley of
a small tributary of Skunk river. This formation as it appears in Iowa,
consists of three quite distinct sub-divisions — magnisian, arenaceous and
calcareous, consisting in the order named of the lower, middle and upper sub-
divisions of the formation. The upper division furnishes excellent material
for quicklime, and in places it is quarried to serve a good purpose for ma-
sonry. The middle division is of little economic value, being usually too
soft for practical use. The lower, or magnesian division, furnishes some ex-
cellent stone for heavy masonry, and has proved to be very durable. This
formation has some well marked fossil characteristics, but they do not stand
out with such prominence as some of those in the two preceding formations.
The vertibrates, articulates, mollusks, and radiates, are all more or less rep-
resented in it. Some slight vegetable remains have also been detected in it.
The Coal-measwre Group.— The formations of this group are divided
124 HISTOBY OS IOWA.
into the Lower, Middle, and Upper Coal-measures. Omitting particular
reference to the other strata of the Lower Coal-measure, we refer only to
the coal which this formation contains. Far the greater part of that indis-
pensible element of material prosperity is contained in the strata of the
Lower Coal-measures. Beds are now being mined in this formation that,
reach to the thickness of seven feet of solid coal. Natural exposures of'
this formation are few, but coal strata are being mined in a number of local-
ities.
The area occupied by the Middle Coal-measure is smaller than that of
either of the others, and constitutes a narrow region between them^ The
passage of the" strata of the Lower with the Middle Coal-measure is not
marked by any well denned line of division.
The area occupied by the Upper Coal-measure formation in Iowa is very
freat, comprising thirteen whole counties in the southwestern part of the
tate, together with parts of seven or eight others adjoining. It ad-
joins by its northern and eastern boundary the area occupied by the Middle
Coal-measures. The western and southern limits in Iowa of the Upper
Coal-measures are the western and southern boundaries of the State, but the
formation extends without interruption far into the States -of Missouri, Ne-
braska and Kansas. It contains but a single bed of true coal, and that very
thin. Its principal economic value is confined to its limestone. "Wherever
this stone is exposed it furnishes good material for masonry, and also for
lime. The prevailing color of the limestone is light gray, with usually a
tinge of blue. The sandstones of this formation are xisually shaly, and quite
worthless.
■ CRETACEOUS SYSTEM.
The Nishnabotany Sandstone. — This formation is well exposed in the
valley of the East Nishnabotany river, from which circumstance Dr. White
has so named it. It is found as far east as the southeastern part of Guthrie
county, and as far south as the southern part of Montgomery county. To
the northwestward it passes beneath the Woodbury sandstones and shales,
the latter in tarn passing beneath the Inoceramus, or chalky beds. It
reaches a maximum thickness in Iowa, so far as known, of about 100 feet,
but the exposures usually show a much less thickness. It is a soft sandstone,
and, with tew exceptions, almost valueless for economic purposes. The most
valuable quarries in the strata of this formation, so far as known, are at
Lewis, Cass county, and in the northeastern part of Mills county. Several
buildings have been constructed of it at Lewis, but with some the color is
objectionable, being of a dark brown color. A few fossils have been found
in it, being leaves too fragmentary for identification.
The Woodbury Sandstones and Shales. — These are composed of alternat
ing sandstones and shales, as the name implies, and rest upon the Nishna-
botany sandstone. They have not been observed outside of the limits of
Woodbury county, but they are found there to reach a maximum of about
150 feet. Some layers are firm and compact, but the larger part is impure
and shaly. The best of it is suitable for only common masonry, but it fur-
nishes the only material of that kind in that part of the State. Some slight
fossil remains have been found in this formation.
The Inoceramus Beds. — These beds constitute the upper formation of the
Cretaceous System in Iowa, and have a maximum thickness of about 50 feet.
They rest directly upon the Woodbury sandstones and shales. They are
HISTOET OF IOWA. 125
observed nowhere in Iowa except along the bluffs of the Big Sioux river, in
Woodbury and Plymouth counties. They are composed of calcareous mate-
rial, but are not a true, compact limestone. The material of the upper por-
tion is used for lime, the quality of which is equal to that of common
limestone. No good building material is obtained from these beds. Some
fossil fish have been found in them.
Above all the formations above-mentioned rests the Post-Tertiary, or Drift
deposit, which is more fully mentioned in connection with the Soils of Iowa*
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.
Coal — Peat — Building Stone — Lime — Lead — Gypsum — Spring and Well Water1 — Clays —
Mineral Faint.
. COAL.
Every year is adding to our knowledge of, and attesting the importance
and value of our vast coal deposits. In some unknown age of the past, long
before the history of our race began, Nature by some wise process, made a
bountiful provision for the time when, in the order of things, it should
become necessary for civilized man to take possession of these broad rich
prairies. As an equivalent for the lack of trees, she quietly stored away
beneath the soil those wonderful carboniferous treasures for the use and
• comfort of man at the proper time. The increased demand for coal has in
many portions of the State led to improved methods of mining, so that in
many counties the business is becoming a lucrative and important one,
especially where railroads furnish the means of transportation. The coal
field of the State embraces an area of at least 20,000 square miles, and coal
is successfully mined in about thirty counties, embracing a territory larger
than the State of Massachusetts. Among the most important coal produc-
ing counties may be mentioned Appanoose, Boone, Davis, Jefferson, Ma-
haska, Marion, Monroe, Polk, Yan Buren, "Wapello, and Webster. Within
the last few years many discoveries of new deposits have been made, and
counties not previously numbered among the coal counties of the State are
now yielding rich returns to the miner. Among these may be mentioned
the counties of Boone, Dallas, Hamilton, Hardin, and Webster. A vein of
coal of excellent quality, seven feet in thickness, has been opened, and is
now being successfully worked, about five miles southeast of Fort Dodge,, in
Webster county. Large quantities of coal are shipped from that point to
Dubuque and the towns along the line of the Dubuque and Sioux City Bail-
road. A few years ago it was barely known that some coal existed in
JBoone county, as indicated by exposures along the Des Moines river, and
it is only within the last few years that the coal mines of Moingona have
furnished the vast supplies shipped along the Chicago and Northwestern Bail-
road, both east and west. The great productive coal field of Iowa is embraced
chiefly within the valley of the Des Moines river and its tributaries, extend-
ing up the valley from Lee county nearly to the north line of Webster
county. Within the coal field embraced by this valley deep mining is
nowhere necessary. The Des Moines and its larger tributaries have gener-
ally cut their channels down through the coal measure strata.
The coal of Iowa is of the class known as bituminous, and is equal in
quality and value to coal of the same class in other parts of the world.
The veins which have so far been worked are from three to eight feet in
126
HISTOET OF IOWA.
thickness, bnt we do not have to dig from one thousand to two thousand
feet to reach the coal, as miners are obliged to do in some countries. But
little coal has in this State been raised from a depth grea+er than one hun-
dred feet.
Prof. Gustavus Hinrich, of the State University, who also officiated as
State Chemist in the prosecution of the recent Geological Survey, gives an
analysis showing the comparative value of Iowa coal with that of other
countries. The following is from a table prepared by him — 100 represent-
ing the combustible:
NAME AND LOCALITY.
03
I
I
Brown coal, from Arbesan, Bohemia. . .
Brown coal, from Bilin, Bohemia
Bituminous coal, from Bentheu, Silisia
Cannel coal, from Wigan, England . . .
Anthracite, from Pennsylvania
Iowa coals — average
36
40
51
61
94
50
64
67
49
39
6
50
3
16
21
10
2
5
11
00
5
3
2
5
114
123
126
113
104
110
81
80
87
In this table the excess of the equivalent above 100, expresses the amount
of impurities (ashes and moisture) in the coal. The analysis shows that the
average Iowa coals contains only ten parts of impurities for one hundred
parts combustible (carbon and bitumen), being the purest of all the samples
analyzed, except the Anthracite from Pennsylvania.
PEAT.
Extensive deposits of peat in several of the northern counties of Iowa have
attracted considerable attention. In 1866, Dr. White, the State Geologist,
made careful observations in some of those counties, including Franklin,
Wright, Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Winnebago, Worth, and Kossuth. It is
estimated that the counties above named contain an average of at least four
thousand acres each of good peat lands. The depth of the beds are from
four to ten feet, and the quality is but little, if any, inferior to that of Ireland.
As yet, but little use has been made of it as a fuel, but when it is considered
that it lies wholly beyond the coal-field, in a sparsely timbered region of the
State, its prospective value is regarded as very great. Dr. White estimates
that 160 acres of peat, four feet deep, will supply two hundred and thirteen
families with fuel for upward of twenty-five years. It must not be inferred
that the presence of these peat beds in that part of the State is in any degree
prejudicial to health, for such is not the case. The dry, rolling prairie land
usually comes up to the very border of the peat marsh, and the winds, or
breezes, which prevail through the summer season, do not allow water to
become stagnant. Nature seems to have designed these peat deposits to
supply the deficiency of other material for fuel. The penetration of this
portion of the State by railroads, and the rapid growth of timber may leave
a resort to peat for fuel as a matter of choice, and not of necessity. It there-
fore remains to be seen of what economic value in the future the peat beds
of Iowa may be. Peat has also been found in Muscatine, Linn, Clinton, and
other eastern and southern counties of the State, but the fertile region of
HISTORY OF IOWA. 127
Northern Iowa, least favored with other kinds of fuel, is peculiarly the peat
region of the State.
BUILDING STONE.
There is no scarcity of good building stone to be found along nearly all the
streams east of the Des Moines river, and along that stream from its mouth
up to the north line of Humboldt county. Some of the counties west of the
Des Moines, as Oass and Madison, as well as most of the southern counties
of the State, are supplied with good building stone. Building stone of
peculiarly fine quality is quarried at and near the following places: Keosau-
qua, Van Buren county; Mt. Pleasant, Henry county; Fairfield, Jefferson
county; Ottumwa, "Wapello county; Winterset, Madison county; Ft. Dodge,
Webster county; Springvale and Dakota, Humboldt county; Marshalltown,
Marshall county; Orford, Tama county; Yinton, Benton county; Charles
City, Floyd county; Mason City, Cerro Gordo county; Mitchell and Osage,
Mitchell county; Anamosa, Jones county; Iowa Falls, Hardin county;
Hampton, Franklin county; and at nearly all points along the Mississippi
river. In some places, as in Marshall and Tama counties, several species of
marble are found, which are susceptible of the finest finish, and are very
beautiful.
LIME.
Good material for the manufacture of quick-lime is found in abundance in
nearly all parts of the State. Even in the northwestern counties, where there
are but few exposures of rock "in place," limestone is found among the
boulders scattered over the prairies and about the lakes. So abundant is
limestone suitable for the manufacture of quick-lime, that it is needless to
mention any particular locality as possessing superior advantages in furnish-
ing this useful building material. At the following points parties have been
engaged somewhat extensively in the manufacture of lime, to-wit: Ft. Dodge,
Webster county; Springvale, Humboldt county; Orford and Indiantown,
Tama county; Iowa Falls, Hardin county; Mitchell, Mitchell county; and
at nearly all the towns along the streams northeast of Cedar river.
LEAD.
Long before the permanent settlement of Iowa by the whites lead was
mined at Dubuque by Julien Dubuque and others, and the business is still
carried on successfully. From four to six million pounds of ore have been
smelted annually at the Dubuque mines, yielding from 68 to 70 per cent of
lead. So far as known, the lead deposits of Iowa that may be profitably
worked, are confined to a belt four or five miles in width along the Missis-
sippi above and below the city of Dubuque.
GYPSUM.
One of the finest and purest deposits of gypsum known in the world exists
at Fort Dodge in this State. It is confined to an area of about six by three
miles on both sides of the Des Moines river, and is found to be from twenty-
five to thirty feet in thickness. The main deposit is of uniform gray color,
128 HISTORY 01" IOWA.
but large masses of almost pure white (resembling alabaster) .have been"
found embedded in the main deposits. The quantity of tbis article is prac-
tically inexhaustible, and the time will certainly come when it will be a
source of wealth to that part of the State. . It has been used to a consider-
able extent in the manufacture of Plaster-of-Paris, and has been found equal
to the best in quality. It has also been used to a limited extent for paving
and building purposes.
SPRING AND WELL WATER.
As before stated, the surface of Iowa is generally drained by the rolling or
undulating character of the country, and the numerous streams, large and
small. This fact might lead some to suppose that it might be difficult to
procure good spring or well water for domestic uses. Such, however, is not
the case, for good pure well water is easily obtained all over the State,' even
on the highest prairies. It is rarely necessary to dig more than thirty feet
deep to find an abundance of that most indispensible element, good water.
Along the streams are found many springs breaking put from the banks,
i affording a constant supply of pure water. As a rule, it is necessary to dig
deeper for well water in the timber portions of; the State, than on the
prairies. Nearly all the spring and well waters of the State contain a small
proportion of lime, as they do in the Eastern and Middle States. There are
some springs which contain mineral properties, similar to the springs often
resorted to by invalids and others in other States. In Davis county there
are some " Salt Springs," as they are commonly called,- the water being found
to contain a considerable amount of common salt, sulphuric acid, and other
mineral ingredients. Mineral waters are found in different parts of the
State. No one need apprehend any difficulty about finding in all parts of
Iowa an abundant supply of good wholesome water.
CLAYS.
In nearly all parts of the State the material suitable for the manufacture
of brick is found in abundance. Sand is obtained in the bluffs along the
streams and in their beds. Potter's clay, and fire-clay suitable for fire-brick,
are found in many places. An excellent article of fire-brick is made at
Eldora, Hardin county, where there are several extensive potteries in opera-
tion. _ Fire-clay is usually found underlying the coal-seams. , There are
extensivepotteries in operation in the counties of Lee, Van Buren, Des
Moines, Wapello, Boone, Hamilton, Hardin, and perhaps others.
MINERAL PAINT.
In Montgomery county a fine vein of clay, containing a large proportion
of ochre, was several years ago discovered, and has been extensively used in
that part of the State for painting barns and out-houses. It is of a dark red
color, and is believed to be equal in quality, if properly manufactured, to the
mineral paints imported from other States. The use of it was first introduced
by Mr. J. B. Packard, of Eed Oak, on whose land there is an extensive de-
posit of this material.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
129
a
■NMHM
■ da
m
linln i
&
130 histoky otf 10W4.
HOW THE TITLE TO IOWA LANDS IS DERIVED.
Right of Discovery— Title of France and Spain— Cession to the United States — Territorial
Changes— Treaties with the Indians— The Dubuque Grant— The Giard Grant— The Hon-
ori Grant^-The Half-Breed Tract— System of Public Surveys.
• The title to the soil of Iowa was, of course, primarily vested in the origi-
nal occupants who inhabited the country prior to" its discovery by the whites.
But the Indians, being savages^ possessed but few rights that civilized nations
considered themselves bound to respect, so that when they found this coun-
try in the possession of such a people they claimed it in the name of the
King of France, by the right of discovery. It remained under the juris-
diction of France until the year 1763.
Prior to the year 1763, the entire continent of North America was divided
between France, England, Spain, and Russia. France held all that portion
of what now constitutes our national domain west of the Mississippi river,
except Texas and the territory which we have obtained from' Mexico and
Russia. This vast region, while under the jurisdiction of France, was
known as the " Province of Louisiana," and embraced the present State of
Iowa. At the close of the " Old French War," in 1763, France gave up her
share of the continent, and Spain came into possession of the territory west
of the Mississippi river, while Great Britain retained Canada and- the
regions northward, having obtained that territory by conquest in the* war
with France. For thirty-seven years the territory now embraced within the
limits of Iowa remained as a part of the possession of Spain, and then' went
back to France by the treaty of St. Idlefonso, October 1, 1800. Oil the
30th of April, 1803, France ceded it to the United States in consideration
of receiving $11,250,000, and the liquidation of certain claims held by citi-
zens of the United States against France, which amounted to the further
sum of $3,750,000, and making a total of $15,000,000: It will thus be seen
that France has twice, and Spain once, held sovereignty over the territory
embracing Iowa, but the financial needs of Napoleon afforded our govern-
ment an opportunity to add another empire to its domain.
On the 31st of October, 1803, an act of Congress was approved author-
izing the President to take possession of the newly acquired territory and
provide for it a temporary government, and another act approved March 26,
1804, authorized the division of the "Louisiana Purchase," as it was then
called, into two separate Territories. All that portion south of the 33d
parallel of north latitude, was called the " Territory of Orleans," and that
north of the said parallel was known as the " District of Louisiana," and
was placed under the jurisdiction of what was then known as "Indiana
Territory."
By virtue of an act of Congress, approved March 3r 1805, the "District
of Louisiana" was organized as tlie "Territory of Louisiana," with a Terri-
torial government of its owft, which went into operation July 4th, of the
same year, and it so remained until 1812. In this year the " Territory of
Orleans" became the State of Louisiana, and the "Territory of Louisiana"
was organized as the "Territory of Missouri." This change took place
under an act of Congress approved June 4, 1812. In 1819, a portion of this '
territory was organized as " Arkansaw Territory," and in 1821 the State of
Missouri was admitted, being a part of the former "Territory of Missouri."
This left a vast domain still to the north, including the present States of
Iowa and Minnesota, which was, in 1834, made a part of the " Territory of
mSTOET OF IOWA. ^gl
Michigan." In July, 1836, flie territory embracing the present States of
Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin was detached from Michigan, and organized
with a separate Territorial government under the name of " Wisconsin Ter-
ritory."
By virtue of an act of Congress, approved June 12, 18381, on the 3d of
July of the same year, the " Territory of Iowa " was constituted. It em-,,
braced the present State of Iowa, and the greater portion of what is now
the State of Minnesota.
To say nothing of the title to the soil of Iowa that may once have vested
in the natives who claimed and occupied it, it is a matter of some interest
to glance at the various changes of ownership and jurisdiction through
which it has passed within the time of our historical period:
1. It belonged' to France, with other territory now belonging to our na-
tional domain.
2. In 1763, with other territory, it was ceded to Spain.
3. October 1, 1800, it was ceded with other territory from Spain back to
France.
4. April 30, 1803, it was ceded with other territory by France to the
United States.
5. October 31, 1803, a temporary government was authorized by Con-
gress for the newly acquired territory.
6. October 1, 1804, it was included in the "District of Louisiana," and
placed under the jurisdiction of the Territorial government of Indiana.
t. July 4, 1805, it was included as a part of the " Territory of Louis-
iana," then organized with a separate Territorial government.
8. June 4, 1812, it was embraced in what was then made the "Territory
of Missouri."
9. June 28, 1834, it became part of the "Territory of Michigan."
10. July 3, 1836, it was included as a part of the newly organized "Ter-
ritory of Wisconsin."
11. June 12, 1838, it was included in, and constituted a part of the newly
organized " Territory of Iowa."
12. December 28, 1846, it was admitted into the Union as a State.
The cession by France, April 30, 1803, vested the title in the United
States, subject to. the claims of the Indians, Which it was very justly the
policy of the 'government to recognize. The several changes of territorial
jurisdiction after the treaty with France did not affect the title to the soil.
Before the government of the United States could Vest clear title to the
soil in its grantees it was necessary to extinguish the Indian title by pur"- ..
chase. The treaties vesting the Indian title to the lands within the limits'
of what is now the State of IoWa, were made at' different" times. The fol-
lowing is a synopsis of the several treaties by which the Indians relinquished
to the United States their rights in Iowa:
1. Treaty with the Sacs and Foaes, Aug. h l8%h.. — This treaty between
the United States and the Sacs and Foxes, was made at the City of Wash-
ington, William Clark being commissioner on the part of the United States.
By this treaty the Sacs and Foxes relinquished their title to all lands in
•Missouri, Iowa then being a part of Missouri. In this treaty the land in
the southeast comer of Iowa known as the " Half-Breed Tract," was re-
served for the use of the half-breeds of the Sacs and Foxes, they holding
the title to the same in the same manner as Indians. This treaty was rati-
fied January 18, 1825.
132 HISTOEY OF IOWA.
2. Treaty with various tribes, Aug. 19, 1825.— This treaty was also made,
at the city of Washington, by William Clark as Commissioner on the part
of the United States, with the Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Menomonees,
Winnebagoes and a portion of the Ottawas and Pottawattamies. This treaty
was intended mainly to make peace between certain contending tribes as to -
the limits of their respective hunting grounds in Iowa. It was agreed that
the United States should run a boundary line between the Sioux on the
north and the Sacs and Foxes on the south, as follows: Commencing at the
mouth of the Upper Iowa river, on the west bank of the Mississippi, and
ascending said Iowa river to its west fork; thence up the fork to its source;
thence crossing the fork of Red Cedar river in a direct line to the second or
upper fork of the Des Moines river; thence in a direct line' to the lower fork
of the Calumet (Big Sioux) river, and down that to its junction with the
Missouri river.
3. Treaty with the Sacs and Foxes, July 15, 1830. — By this treaty the
Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of country twenty miles
in width lying directly south of the line designated in the treaty of Aug. 19,
1825, and extending from the Mississippi to the Des Moines river.
4. Treaty with the Sioux, July 15, 1830. — By this treaty was ceded to
the United States a strip twenty miles in width, on the north of the line
designated by the treaty of Aug. 19, 1825, and extending from the Missis-
sippi to the l)es Moines river. Bj these treaties made at the same date the
United States came into possession of a strip forty miles wide from the
Mississippi to the Des Moines river. It was known as the "Neutral
Ground," and the tribes on either side of it were allowed to use it in com-
mon as a fishing and hunting ground until the government should make
other disposition of it.
5. Treaty with various tribes, July 15, 1830. — This was a treaty with the
Sacs and Foxes, Sioux, Omahas, Iowas and Missouris, by which they ceded
to the United States a tract bounded as follows : Beginning at the upper
fork of the Des Moines river, and passing the sources of the Little Sionx
and Floyd rivers, to the fork of the first creek that falls into the Big Sioux,
or Calumet river, on the east side; thence down said creek and the Calumet
river to the Missouri river; thence down said Missouri river to the Missouri
State line above the Kansas; thence along said line to the northeast corner
of said State; thence to the highlands between the waters falling into the
Missouri and Des Moines, passing to said highlands along the dividing
ridge between the forks of the Grand river; thence along said highlands or
ridge separating the waters of the Missouri from those of the Des Moines,
to a point opposite the source of the Boyer river, and thence in a direct line
to the upper fork of the Des Moines, the place of beginning. The lands
ceded by this treaty were to be assigned, or allotted, under the direction of
the President of the United States, to the tribes then living thereon, or to
such other tribes as the President might locate thereoh for hunting and
other purposes. In consideration of the land ceded by this treaty the United
States stipulated to make certain payments to the several tribes joining in
the treaty. The treaty took effect by proclamation, February 24, 1831.
6. Treaty with the Winnebagoes, Sept. 15, 1832. — This treaty was made at
Fort Armstrong, byGen. Winneld Scott, and Gov. John Reynolds, of Illinois.
By the treaty the Winnebagoes ceded to the United States all their lands on
the east side of the Mississippi, and in part consideration therefor the United
States granted to the Winnebagoes as a reservation the lands in Iowa known
HISTOBY OF IOWA. 133
as the Neutral Ground. The exchange of the two tracts was to take place
on or before June 1, 1833. The United States also stipulated to make pay-
ment to the Winnebagoes, beginning in September, 1873, and to continue
for twenty-seven ^successive years, $10,000 annually in specie, and also to
establish a school among them, with a farm and garden. There were also
other agreements on the part of the government. „
7. Treaty with the Sacs amd Foxes, Sept. 21, 1832. — This was the treaty
known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," which opened the first lands in
Iowa for settlement by the whites. In negotiating this treaty Gen. Win-
fiold Scott and Gov. John Eeynolds represented the United States. By it
the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a tract of land on the eastern
border of Iowa fifty miles wide, and extending from the northern boundary
of Missouri to the mouth of the Upper Iowa river, containing about six
millions of acres. The United States stipulated to pay annually to the Sacs
and Foxes $20,000 in specie, and to pay certain indebtedness of^ the Indians,
amounting to about $50,000, due chiefly to Davenport & Farnham, Indian
traders, at Bock Island. By the terms of the treaty four hundred square
miles on Iowa river, ineludingKeokuk's village, were reserved, for the use and
occupancy of the Indians. This treaty was made on the ground where the
city of Davenport is now located. The government conveyed in fee simple
out of this purchase one section of land opposite Bock Island to Antoine
LeClaire, the interpreter, and another at the head of the first rapid above
Bock Island, being the first title to land in Iowa granted by the United
States to an individual.
8. Treaty with the Sacs and Foxes, 1836. — This treaty was also made on
the banks of the Mississippi, near where the city of Davenport now stands.
Gen. Henry Dodge, Governor of Wisconsin Territory, represented the
United States. By it the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States
" Keokuk's Eeserve," as it was called, for whieh the government stipulated
to pay $30,000, and an annuity of $10,000 for ten successive years, together
with certain indebtedness of the Indians.
9. Treaty with the Sacs and Foxes, Oct. 21, 1837. — This treaty was made
at Washington; Carey A. Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, repre-
senting the United States. By this treaty the Sacs and Foxes relinquished
their title to an additional tract in Iowa, described as follows: "A tract of
country containing 1,250,000 acres, lying west and adjoining the tract con-
veyed "by them to the United States in the treaty of September 21, 1832.
It is understood that the points of termination for the present cession shall
be the northern and southern points of said tract as fixed by the survey
made under the authority of the United States, and that a line shall be
drawn between them so as to intersect a line extended westwardly from the
angle of said tract nearly opposite to Bock Island, as laid down in the above
survey, so far as may be necessary to include the number of acres hereby
ceded, which last mentioned line, it is estimated, will be about twenty-five
miles." The tract ceded by this treaty lay directly west of the "Black
Hawk Purchase."
10. Treaty with Sacs and Foxes, same date. — At the same date the Sacs
and Foxes ceded to the United States all their right and interest in the
country south of the boundary line between the Sacs and Foxes and the
Sioux, as described in the treaty of August 19, 1825, and between the Mis-
sissippi and Missouri rivers, the United States paying for the same $160,000.
134 HISTORY OP IOWA.
The Sacs and Foxes by this treaty also relinquished ^,11 claims and interest
under the treaties previously made with them.
11. Treaty with the Sacs and Foxes, Oct. 11, 18J$.—Tba.s treaty was
made at the Sac and Fox Agency, by John Chambers, as Commissioner, on
behalf of the United States. By it the Sacs and Foxes relinquished to the
United States all their lands west of the Mississippi to which they had any
claim or title, and agreed to a removal from the country, at the expiration of
three years. In accordance with this treaty, a part of them were removed
to Kansas in the fall of 18-45, and the remainder in the spring of 1846.
The treaty of 1803 with France, and these several treaties with the Indian
tribes, vested in the United States, jthe" title to all the lands in the State of
Iowa — subject, however, to claims set up under certain Spanish grants, and
also, the claim to the " Half-Breed Tract," in Lee county, which claims were
afterward adjudicated in the courts or otherwise adjusted. The following
is a brief explanation of the nature of these claims :
The Dubuque Claim. — Lead had been discovered at the site of the present
city of Dubuque as early as 1780, and in 1788 Julien Dubuque, then resid-
ing at Prairie dn Chien, obtained permission from the Fox tribe of Indians
to engage in mining lead, on the west side of the Mississippi. Dubuque,
with a number of other persons, was engaged in mining, and claimed a large
tract, embracing as he supposed all the lead bearing region in that vicinity.
At that time, it will be remembered, the country was under Spanish juris-
diction, and embraced in the " Province of Louisiana." In 1796 Dubuque
petitioned the Spanish Governor of Louisiana, Carondelet, for a grant of
the lands embracing the lead mines, describing in his petition a tract con-
taining over twenty thousand acres. The- Spanish governor granted the
petition, and the grant was confirmed by the Board of Land Commissioners
of Louisiana. Dubuque, in 1804, transferred the larger part of his claim to
Auguste Choteau, of St. Louis. On the 17th of May, 1805, Dubuque and
Choteau filed their joint claims with the Board of Land Commissioners, and
the claim was decided by them to be a clear and regular Spanish grant, hav-
ing been made and completed prior to October 1st, 1800, and while it was
yep Spanish territory. Dubuque died March 24, 1810. After the deaph of
"(Dubuque the Indians resumed occupancy of the mines anql engaged them-
selves in mining to some extent, holding that Dubuque's claim was only a
permit during his lifetime, and in this they were sustained by the military
authority of the United States, notwithstanding the decision of the Land
Commissioners. In the treaty afterward between the United States and the
Sacs and Foxes, the Indians made no reservation of this claim, and it was
therefore included as a part of the lands ceded by them to the United States.
In the meantime Auguste Choteau also died, and his heirs began to look
after their interests. They authorized their agent to lease the privilege of
workjng the mines, and under phis authority miners commenced operations,
but the military authorities compelled them to abandon the work. But little
further was done in the matter until after the town of Dubuque was laid
out, and lots had been sold and were occupied by purchasers, when Henry
Choteau brought an action of ejectment against Patrick Malony, who held
land under a patent from the United States, for tjie recovery of seven undi-
vided eighths of the Dubuque claim? as purchased by Auguste Choteau in
1804. The case was decided in the United States District Court adversely
to the plaintiff. It wa,s, earned to the Supreme Court of the United States
on a writ of error, where the decision of the lower court was affirmed. The
hjsitobt qp iowa. 135
Supreme Court held that Dubuque asked, and ithe Governor of Louisiana
granted, nothing more thanpeaeeahle possession of certain lands obtained
from the Indians, and that Carondelet had no legal authority to make such
a grant as claimed.
The Giard Claim. — The Lieutenant .Governor of Upper Louisiana, in
1795, granted to one Basil Giard 5,760 acres in what is now Clayton county.
Giard took possession and occupied the land until after the territory passed
into the possession of the United States, after which the government of the
United States granted a patent to Giard, for the land which has since been
known as the " Giard Tract." His heirs subsequently sold the whole tract
for $300.
The Honori Claim. — On the 30th day of March, 1799, Zenon Trudeau,
Aeting Lieutenant Governor of Upper Louisiana, granted to Louis Honori
a tract of land on the site of the present town of Montrose, as follows: "It
is permitted to Mr. Louis (Fresson) Henori, or Louis Honori Fesson, to
establish himself at the head of the rapids of the Biver Pes Moines, and his
establishment once formed, notice of it shall be given to the Governor Gen-
eral, in order to obtain for him a commission of a space sufficient to give
value to such establishment, and at the samo time to render it useful to the
commerce of the peltries of this country, to watch the Indians and keep them
in the fidelity which they owe to His MajeBty." Honori retained possession
until 1805, but in 1803 it was sold under an execution obtained hj one
Joseph Bobedoux, who became the purchaser. The tract is described as being
" about six leagues above the Des Moines." Auguste Choteau, the executor
of Bobedoux, in April, 1805, sold the Honori tract to Thomas F. Beddeck.
In the grant from the Spanish government it was described as being one
(league square; but the government of the United States confirmed only one
mile square. Attempts were subsequently made to invalidate the title of
the Beddeek heirs, but it was finally confirmed by the Supreme Court of the
United States, in 1839.
The Half-BreeA Tract. — By a treaty made with the Indians, August
4, 1824, the United States acquired possession of a large tract of land
in the northern portion of Missouri. In this same treaty 119,000 acres
were reserved for the use of the hajf-breeds of the Sac and Fox nation.
This reservation occupied the strip between the Mississippi and Des Moines
rivers, and south of a line drawn from a point on the Des Moines river,
about one mile below the present town of Farnjington, in Van Buren county,
east to the Mississippi river at the lower end of Fort Madison, including all
the land between the two rivers south of this line. By the terms of the
treaty the United States had a reversionary interest in this land, which de-
prived the Indians of the power to sell. But, in 1835, Congress relinquished
to the half-breeds this reversionary interest, vesting in them a fee simple
title, and the right to sell and convey. In this law, however, the right to
sell was not given to individuals by name, but to the half-breeds as a class,
and in this the subsequent litigation in regard to the " Half-Breed Tract "
originated. A door was open tor innumerable frauds. The result was that
speculators rushed in and began to buy the claims of the half-breeds, and,
in many instances, a gun, a blanket, a pony or a few quarts of whisky was
sufiicient for the purchase of large estates. There was a deal of sharp prac-
tice on both sides; Indians would often claim ownership of land by virtue
of being half-breeds, and had no difficulty in proving their mixed blood by
the Indians, and they would then cheat the speculators by selling land to
136 HISTORY OF IOWA.
which they had no rightful title. On the other hand, speculators often
claimed land in which they had no ownership. It was diamond cut diar
mond, until at last things became badly mixed. There were no authorized
surveys, and no boundary lines to claims, and, as a natural result, numerous
conflicts and quarrels ensued. To settle these difficulties, to decide the va-
lidity of claims or sell them for the benefit of the real owners, by act of the
Legislature of Wisconsin Territory, approved January 16, 1838, Edward
Johnstone, Thomas S. "Wilson and David Brigham were appointed commis-
sioners, and clothed with power to effect these objects. The act provided
that these commissioners should be paid six dollars a day each. The com-
mission entered upon its duties and continued until the next session of the
Legislature, when the act creating it was repealed, invalidating all that had
been done and depriving the commissioners of their pay. The repealing
act, however, authorized the commissioners to commence action against the
owners of the Half-Breed Tract, to receive their pay for their services, in the
District Court of Lee county. Two judgments were obtained, and on exe-
cution the whole of the tract was sold to Hugh T. Beid, the sheriff executing
the deed. Mr. Beid sold portions of it to various parties, but his own title
was questioned and he became involved in litigation. Decisions in favor
of Reid and those holding under him were made by both District and Su-
preme Courts, but in December, 1850, these decisions were finally reversed
by the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Joseph Webster,
plaintiff in error, vs. Hugh T. Beid, and the judgment titles failed. About
nine years before the "judgment titles" were finally abrogated, as above,
another class of titles was brought into competition with them, and in the
conflict between the two, the final decision was obtained. These were the
titles based on the " decree of partition " issued by the United States District
Court for the Territory of Iowa, on the 8th of May, 1841, and certified to by
the clerk on the 2d day of June of that year. Edward Johnstone and Hugh
T. Beid, then law partners at Fort Madison, filed the petition for the decree
in behalf of the St. Louis claimants of half-breed lands. Francis S. Key,
author of the " Star Spangled Banner," who was then attorney for the New
York Land Company, which held heavy interests in these lands, took a lead-
ing part in the measure, and drew up the document in which it was pre-
sented to the court. Judge Charles Mason, of Burlington, presided. The
plan of partition divided the tract into 101 shares, each claimant to draw his
proportion by lot,and to abide the result. The plan was agreed to and the
lots drawn. The plat of the same was filed for record, October 6th, 1841.
The title under this decree of partition, however, was not altogether satis-
factory. It was finally settled by a decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States, in January, 1855.
SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LAND SURVEYS.
In connection with the subject of land titles, an explanation of the method
of public surveys will prove interesting to all land owners. These explana-
tions apply, not only to Iowa, but to the Western States generally, and to
nearly all lands the title to which is derived from the Government.
Soon after the organization of our government, Virginia and other
States, ceded to the United States extensive tracts of wild land, which,
together with other lands subsequently acquired by purchase and treaty,
constituted what is called the public lands, or public domain. Up to the
year 1802, these lands were sold without reference to any general or uniform
HISTOET OF IOWA. 137
plan. Each person who desired to purchase any portion of the public do-
main, selected a tract in such shape as suited his fancy, designating his
boundaries by prominent objects, such as trees, rocks, streams, the banks of
rivers and creeks, cliffs, ravines, etc. But, owing to the frequent indefinite-
ness of description, titles often conflicted with each other, and in many cases
several grants covered the same premises.
To obviate these difficulties, in 1802, Col. Jared Mansfield, then surveyor-
general of the Northwestern Territory, devised and adopted the present mode
of surveying the public lands. This system was established by law, and is
uniform in its application to all the public lands belonging to the United
States.
By this method, all the lines are run by the cardinal points of the com-
pass; the north and south lines coinciding with the true meridian, and the
east and west lines intersecting them at right angles, giving to the tracts
thus surveyed the rectangular form.
In the first place, certain lines are established running east and west, called
Base Lines. Then, from noted points, such as the mouths of principal riv-
ers, lines are run due north and south, which are called Principal Meri-
dians. The Base Bines and Principal Meridians together, are called
Standard Bines, as they form the basis of all the surveys made therein.
In order to distinguish from each other the system or series of surveys thus
formed, the several Principal Meridians are designated by progressive
numbers. The Meridian running north from the mouth of the Great Miami
river, is called the First Principal Meridian; that running north through
the State of Indiana, the Second Principal Meridian; that rnnning north
from the mouth of the Ohio river through the State of Illinois, the Third
Principal Meridian; that running north from the mouth of the Illinois
river, through the States of Illinois and Wisconsin, the Fourth Principal
Meridian; and that running north from the mouth of the Arkansas river,
through the States of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, the
Fifth Principal Meridian.
Having established the Standard Bines as above described, the country
was then divided into equal squares as nearly as practicable, by a system of
parallel meridians six miles distant from each other, crossed or intersected
bylines east and west,. also six miles from each other. Thus the country
was divided into squares, the sides of which are six miles, and each square
containing 36 square miles. These squares are called Townships. The
lines of the townships running north and south are called Range Bvnes; and
the rows or tiers of townships running north and south are called Ranges;
tiers of townships east and west are called Townships; and the lines di-
viding these tiers are called Township Bines. Townships are numbered
from the Base Line and the Principal Meridians. Thus the township in
which Sioux City, Iowa, is located, is described as township No. 89 north,
in range No. 47 west of the Fifth Principal Meridian. The situation of this
township is, therefore, 528 miles (making no allowance for fractional town-
ships) north of the Base Bine, as there are 88 townships intervening between
it and the Base Line; and being in range No. 47, it is 276 miles west of the
Fifth Principal Meridian, as there are 46 ranges of townships intervening
between it and the said Principal Meridian. The township adjoining on the
north of 89 in range 47, is 90 in range 47; but the township adjoining on
the west of 89 in range 47, is numbered 89 of range 48, and the one north
of 89 of range 48, is 90 of range 48, and so on.
mBTORY OF IOWA.
Some &f the -townships mentioned in this illustration, being on the Mis-
gouri and Big Sioux rivers, are fractional.
The lines and comers of the townships being established by compete
surveyors, under the authority of the government, the next work is to sub-
divide the townships into sections of one square inije each, making 3,6 sec-
tions in each full township, and each full section containing 640 acres. Tte
annexed diagram exhibits the 36 sections of a township:
6
5
4
3
2
1 .'
7
8
9
10 >
11
12 ;
18
17
16
15 :
14
J3
19
20
21
22
23
24
30
29
28
27
26
25
31
32
33
34
35
36
The sections are numbered alternately west and east, beginning at the
northeast corner of the township, as shown by the diagram.
The lands are sold or disposed of by the government, in tracts of 640
acres, 320 acres, 160 acres, 80 acres and 40 acres; or by the section, half
s«ction, quarter section, half quarter section and quarter of quarter sectjott.
The annexed diagram will present a section and its sub-divisions:
N
W
160 A
40A
80 A
i
40A
160 A
160 A
E
The corners of the section, and the corners at K, E-, S. and W. hare all
been established and marked by the government surveyor in making bis
sub-division of the township, or in sectionizmg, as it is termed. He does
JPSTOPY OF «WA.
not establish or mark any of the interior jl&aes .or corners. This work is
left for the county surveyor or other competent person. Suppose the la«t
diagram to represent section 25, in township 89, north of range 47 -west,
then the sub-divisions shown may be described as the northwest quarter !©f
section 25 ; the southwest quarter of section 25 ; the southeast quarter of
section 25, all in township .89 north of range 47 west of the 5th Principal
Meridian. But these descriptions do not include any portion of the north-
east quarter of the section. That we wish to describe in smaller sub-divis-
ions. So we say, the east half of the northeast quarter of section %5; the
northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 25, and tfi-e southwest
quarter of the northeast quarter of section 2,5, all in township 89 north of
range 47 west of the 5th Principal Meridian. The last three descriptions
embrace all the northeast quarter of the section, but described in three
distinct tracts, one containing 80 acres, and two containing 40 acres each,
The Base Lines and Principal Meridians have been established by astro-
nomical observations ; but the lines of sub-divisions are run with the com-
pass. The line indicated by the magnetic needle, when allowed to move
freely about the point ,of support, and settle to a state of rest, js called the
magnetic variation. This, in general, is not the true meridian, or nort&
and south line- The angle which the magnetic meridian makes with the
true meridian, is called the variation of the needle at that place, and is east
or west, according as the north end of the needle lies on the east or west
side of the true meridian. The variation of the needle is different at dif-
ferent places, but in Iowa the magnetic needle points about 9£ degrees east
of the true meridian. The lines of the lands are made to conform as nearly
as practicable to the jtrue meridian, but owing to the imperfections of instru-
ments, topographical inequalities in the surface of the ground, and various
other causes, it is absolutely impossible in practice to arrive at perfection;
or, in other words, to make the townships and their sectional subdivisions
exactly square and their lines exactly north and south and east and west,
A detailed statement of the manner of sub-dividing a township into sec-
tions would be too lengthy for this article. Suffice it to say, that the frac-
tional tracts are all thrown on the north and west sides of the townships. The
last tiers, or rows, of quarter sections on the north and west sides of a town-
ship generally fall either below or in excess of even quarter sections. Where
•there is a large district of country of uniform level surface, the errors of
measurement are not likely to be so great, and the fractions in that case
may not vary much from even quarter sections.
All measurements are made in chains. A chain is a measure of four
rods, each link being the hundredth part of a chain, and is so used in the
field notes and calculations. For convenience in practice, however, the sur-
veyor generaly uses a half chain, equal to two rods, or fifty links, but the
purveyor's. reckoning U kept, and all his calculations are made in full chains
of four rods, and decimal parts thereof. In the measurement of lines, every
five chains are called an " out," because at that distance, the last of the ten
tally rods or pins, with which the forward chainman set out, has been set to
mark the measurement. The other chainman then comes forward, counts
and delivers to him the ten tally rods which he has taken up in the last
"jWjit," the forward chainman likewise counting the pins as he receives them.
At the end of every five chains, the forward chainman as he sets the tenth
or last tajly rod, calk, " out," which is repeated by the other chainman,
and by the marker and surveyor, each pf whom keep? a feUy of the " opts,"
140 HISTORY or IOWA.
and marks the same as he calls them. Sixteen " outs," or eighty chains,
make a mile.
The corners of townships, sections and quarter sections, are marked in the
following manner:
On the exterior township lines, corner posts are set at the distance of
every mile and half mile from the township corner. The mile posts are for
the corners of sections, and the half-mile posts for the corners of quarter
sections. They are required to be driven into the ground to the depth of
from fifteen to twenty inches, and to be made of the most durable wood to
be had. The sides of the posts are squared off at the top, and the angles
of the square set to correspond with the cardinal points of the compass.
All the mile posts on the township lines are marked with as many notches
cut in one of the angles as they are miles distant from the township corner
where the line commenced. But the township corner posts are notched with
six notches on each of the four angles. The mile posts on the section lines
are notched on the south and east angles of the square, respectively, with as
many notches as they are miles distant from the south and east boundaries
of the township. If it so happens that a tree is situated to supply the
place of a corner post, it is "blazed" on four sides facing the sections to
which it is the corner, and notched in the same manner that the corner posts
are. At all corners in the timber, two or more bearing trees in opposite
directions are required to be noted, and the course of each tree noted and
recorded. The trees are "blazed" on the side facing the post, and the let-
ters B. T. (Bearing Tree) cut in the wood below the blaze. At the quarter
section corners, the post is flattened on opposite sides, and marked "£," and
the nearest suitable tree on each side of the section line is marked to show
the township, range and section in which such tree is situated. More recent
regulations require four witnesses, or bearing trees, at the township and
section corners, and two at the quarter section corners, if within convenient
distance.
In the prairies, and other places where bearing trees could not be noted,
quadrangular mounds of earth are raised around the posts, the angles of the
mounds corresponding with the cardinal points of the compass. The
mounds are required to be two and a-half feet high and four feet square at
the base. The earth to form the mound at the section corner is taken from •
one place to form the pit directly south of the mound; and at the quarter
section corner it is taken directly east of the mound. The posts are squared
and Notched as heretofore described. More recent regulations require
stones or charcoal to be buried in the mound.
In the timber the lines are marked in the following manner: All those
trees which the line cuts have two notches on eaeh side of the tree where
the line cuts it. These are called "station trees," and sometimes "line
trees," or " sight trees." All trees within ten or fifteen links on each side
of the line are marked with two spots or "blazes," diagonally or quartering
toward the line. The names and estimated diameters of all the "station
trees," with their distances on the lines, are noted.
In the northwest part of Iowa, where the prairie so largely predominates,
the landmarks, of course, are chiefly mounds and pits. The original stakes
set by the surveyors have mostly been destroyed by the fires, but occasion-
ally one may be found. Many of the mounds and pits have also been par-
tially obliterated, but the experienced surveyor will generally identify them
with very little trouble. A person in search of the landmarks on the prai-
HISTOET OF IOWA. 141
rie should provide himself with' a compass with which to trace the lines. A
small one will answer the purpose of ascertaining lines approximately, but
for finding the sub-divisions accurately, a good compass or transit and chain
are required.
The field notes of the original surveys furnish primarily the material
from which the plats and calculations of the public lands are made, and the
source from whence the description and evidence of the location and boun-
daries of those surveys are drawn and perpetuated. The surveyors of the
public lands were, therefore, required to keep an accurate record of the
topography of the country, with a description of everything which might
afford useful information. The crossings of streams, lakes, ponds, sloughs,
etc., with their location on the lines, were all required to be carefully noted.
EAELT SETTLEMENTS, AND TEEEITOKIAL OEGANIZATION.
Julien Dubuque— Spanish Lead Mines— Early Settlement at Dubuque— Settlement at Mont-
, rose— Old Apple Trees— Fort Madison— Keokuk— First Settlement at Burlington— First
Settlement in Scott County— Organization of Scott County — Murder of Col. Davenport-
Band of Outlaws broken up— Some First Things— Territorial Convention— Subject of
Pre-emptions— Missouri Boundary — Question of Separate Territorial Organization— Me-
morials to Congress.
The first white men who are known to have set their feet upon the soil of
Iowa, were James Marquette and Louis Joliet, in 1673, as we have seen in
a former part of this work. It was 115 years after the visit of these cele-
brated French voyagews before any white man established a settlement,
during which time several generations of the Indian tribes occupied the val-
leys of the beautiful rivers of Iowa, or roamed over her broad prairies. Dur-
ing all this time they doubtless kept alive among them the tradition of the
strange Black-Eobe Chief and his pale-faced companions who came in their
canoes to see their fathers so many years before. It was likewise a French-
man, Julien Dubuque, who had the honor of making the first permanent
white settlement. In 1788, having obtained permission from the Indians,
he crossed the Mississippi with a small party of miners for the purpose of
working lead mines at the place where the city is now located which bears
<his namfe, the lead having been discovered a short time before by the wife
Peosta, a Fox warrior. Dubuque was a native of France, but had emigrated
to Canada and become an Indian trader. "While engaged in that business
he reached Prairie du Chien about the year 1785, and with two other French-
men, laid out a village which now constitutes the northern part of that city.
As a trader he acquired great influence with the Sac and Fox Chiefs. Six
years after he engaged in mining (1796), he wrote a very diplomatic peti-
tion to the Spanish Governor ol Louisiana, Baron de Carondelet, to con-
firm the Indian grant. The governor referred the petition to a merchant
and trader named Andrew Todd, who recommended that the grant be con-
firmed, with a restriction prohibiting Dubuque from trading with the
Indians, without first obtaining Todd's consent in writing. With this re-
striction the petition was granted. Dubuque, as was a common custom
among the French traders, had married an Indian woman. He gave to the
district embraced in his grant the name of the Mines of Spain, in 1796, in
compliment to the Spanish governor. He remained engaged in mining,
until his death, which occurred March 24, 1810. He was buried on a bluff
near the present city, and at his grave was placed a cedar cross, hewn square,
142 mSTOEf otf'iowA.
atod about twelve feet high. On the arms of the cross there was, in French,
an inscription^ of which the following is a translation:
JULIEK DUBlTQtJE,
MINEB OF THE MINES OF SPAIN,
DIED MARCH 24TH, 1810,
A&ED FOKTT-FIVE AND A-HALF YEABS.
A number of Indians were afterward buried at the same place, and among1
them the chief Kettle and his wife, who both died some eighteen' years after*
Dubuque. Kettle had requested his tribe to bury him and his wife in the
vault with Dubuque. In 1828 their bodies were on the surface of the
ground, wrapped in buffalo robes, protected from animals by closed walfe"
and a roof. The cross and vault of Dubuque, it is said, were torn down
about the year 1854, by some thoughtless boys, or perhaps men. The fan]*
was built of roughly dressed limestone taken from the edge of the bluff only
a few feet distant. But little more than is here stated is Known of the first
White man who settled on Iowa soil.
At the death of Dubuque the Indians claimed that the right, or lease of
the whites to work the mines had expired, and but little more mining seems
to have heen done there until after the Black Hawk "War.. "When attempts
were made to engage in mining the military authority interfered to prevent
intrusion upon the rights of the Indians. In 1829, James L. Langwortny,
a native of Vermont, who had been engaged in lead- mining at Galena,- Illi-
nois, crossed- over the river for the purpose of working the mines known
then as the " Spanish Lead Mines." The Indians refused to give him- per-
mission, but allowed him' to explore the country. "With two young Indians
as guides, he traversed the region between Maquoketa and Turkey rivers.
When he returned to the Sac and Fox village, he secured the good will of
the Indians, and formed his plans for operating the miries. The next year,
with his brother, Lucius H. LangWorthy, and some other miners, he crossed
over the river and engaged in mining. In June, 1830, the miners adopted a>
code of laws or rules, reported by a committee consisting of James L. Lang-
worthy, H. F. Lander, James McPhetres, Samuel Scales and E. M. "Wreii>.
They ereeted an independent civil government of their own, the first gov-
ernment established by white men in Iowa. Some time after this the watr'*
Department issued an order to Col. Zachary Taylor, then in command of the
military post at Prairie du Ghien, to Cause the miners^ to leave the west side*
of the river. Notice was accordingly given them and the order was rehi&
tantly obeyed, but not until a detachment of trOops was sent to enforce it;
After the close of the Black Hawk "War, and the treaty went into effect which
allowed settlement, on and after June 1, 1833, the Langworthy brothers and1
some others returned and resumed their claims, and soon there was a con-
siderable settlement at Dubuque. The first school house in Iowa Was
erected there the same year, and before the close of the year there were five
hundred white people in the mining district. At a meeting of the settler^
in 1834, the place was named Dubuque.
Except the mining settlement! at Dubuque, the first traces of the
white man in Iowa, are to be found in Lee county. On the 30th of
March, 1799, Louis Honori Fesson obtained permission of- the Spa*
ish government to establish himself at the head of the rapids of th#
river Des Moines for the purpose of trading with the Indians. The
place was at this time occupied by a half-breed Indian named Bed Bitfdy
HISfOEY OF IOWA. M3
but known among the whites as Thomas Abbott. Subsequently the town
of Montrose Was located on the ground where Fesson had his trading post
and Ked Bird his wick-e-up. Settlers of a later day have felt much interest
in the existence here of some full grown apple trees which must have been
planted by some hand long before the Black Hawk "War. It has Been
claimed by some that thefwere planted by Fesson as early as the beginning
of the present century. Hon. D. W. Kilbottrne, one of the early settlers of
Lee county, claimed that they were planted by Bed Bird some time between
the years 1795 and 17 98. Mr. Kilbourne was personally acquainted with
Eed Bird as Well as With Black Hawk and other noted Indians of the Sac
and Fox tribes, and from them he received what he believed to be an authen-
tic account of the origin of the " ancient apple orchard " at Montrose. It
was the custom of the Indians once a year to visit St. Louis for the purpose
of obtaining supplies of blankets and other articles. The half-breed, Bed
Bird, then a young man, made his customary pilgrimage in the early spring,
and on his return stopped a few days at St. Charles on the Missouri river.
There a white man made him a present of about twenty small apple trees
and gave him instructions' how to plant them. Ked Bird carried the trees
borne with him and planted them near his wick-e-up, placing stakes around
them. Nearly all of them grew and! remained to excite the wonder' and
curiosity of succeeding generations of white men.
In 1809 a military post was established where Ft. Madison is now located,
but of course the country was not open to white settlers until after the
" Black Hawk Purchase." In 1834 troops- were stationed at the point where
Montrose is now located, but at that time the place was called "Fort Des
Moines." They remained until 1837, when they were removed to Fort
Leavenworth. At first they were under the command of Lieut. Col. S. W.
Kearney, who was afterward relieved by Col. R. B. Mason. The command
consisted of three companies of the 1st United1 States Dragoons, Co. C,
Cap*. E. Y. Sumner, Co. H, Capt. Nathan Boone, and Co. I, Capt. J. B.
Browne. Capt. Browne resigned his position in the regular army in 1837,
awd remained a citizen of Lee county. In 1838 he was appointed by <5-6v.
Lucas as M aj. Gen. of Militia. He was also elected as a member of the first
Territorial Legislature which convened at Burlington, and had the honor of
being the^firstPresident of the Council and afterward Speaker of the House
of Representatives. At the " Foot of The Lower Eapids " there was a place
\**lach, prior to 1834, was known as " Farmers' Trading Post." In Septem-
ber of that year a meeting of half-breed Indians and their assigns was held'
in the old trading house then owned by Isaac C. Campbell. The object of
the meeting was to petition Congress for the passage of a law granting them
the privilege to sell and convey their respective titles to what was then
known as the " Half-breed Reservation," according to the laws of Missouri.
In attendance at this meeting were representatives from Prairie du Chein
aftd St. Louis. At this time there were about nine families residing in the
vieinity, and after the adjournment of the meeting the resident citizens re-
passed to the saloon of John Gaines to talk over their prospects when the
half-breed title should become extinct. They looked forward to the time
when a city should grow up at that point. J ohn Gaines called the meeting
to otfder and made a speech in which he said the time had now come' to
agree upon a name foi' the town. He spoke of the chief Keokuk as' the
friend of the white mam, and proposed his name for the future town. The
proposition met with favor and the name was adopted. In the spring' of
144 HISTORY OF IOWA.
1837 the town was laid out and a public sale of lots took place in June.
Only two or three lots were sold, although many attended from St. Louis
and other points. In 1840 the greater portion of Keokuk was a dense for-
est, the improvements being only a few cabins. In 1847 a census of the
place gave a population of t>20. During the year 1832 Capt. James White
made a claim on the present site of Montrose, and in the same year, soon .
after the close of the Black Hawk war, Zachariah Hawkins, Benjamin Jen-
nings, Aaron White, Augustine Horton, Samuel Gooch, Daniel Thompson
and Peter Williams made claims at Ft. Madison. In 1833 these claims
were purchased by John and Nathaniel Knapp, upon which, in 1835, they
laid out the town. The next summer lots were sold. The lots were subse-
quently re-surveyed and platted by the United States Government.
The first settlement made at Burlington and in the vicinity, was
in the fall of 1832. Daniel Tothero came with his family and settled
on the prairie about three miles from the Mississippi river. About the
same time Samuel White, with his family, erected his cabin near the river
at what is known as the upper bluff, within the limits of the present city
of Burlington. This was before the extinction of the Indian title, for that
did not take place before June 1st, 1833, when the government acquired the
territory under what was known as the " Black Hawk Purchase." There
was then a government military post at Rock Island, and some dragoons
came down from that pjace during the next winter and drove Tothero and
and White over the river, burning their cabins. White remained in Illinois
until the first of the following June, when the Indians surrendered posses-
sion of the "Black Hawk Purchase," and on that very day was on the ground
and built his second cabin. His cabin stood on what is now Front street,
between Court and High streets, in the city of Burlington. Soon after Mr.
White's return his brother-in-law, Doolittle, joined him, and in 1834 they
laid out the original town, naming it Burlington, for the town of that name
in Vermont. The name was given at the request of John Gray, a Ver-
monter and a friend of the proprietors. Thus White and Doolittle became
the Romulus and Remus of one of the leading cities of Iowa. During the
year 1833 there was considerable settlement made in the vicinity, and soon a
mill was erected by Mr. Donnell, on Flint creek, three miles from Burling-
ton. In 1837 Major McKell erected a saw-mill in the town. In June, ,
1834, Congress passed an act attaching the " Black Hawk Purchase " to the
Territory of Michigan for temporary government. In September of the
same year the Legislature of Michigan divided this purchase into two coun-
ties, Des Moines and Dubuque. The boundary between them was a line
running due west from the lower end of Rock Island. They also organized
a county court in each county, and for Des Moines county made the seat
of justice at Burlington. The first court was held in April, 1835, in a log
house. In 1838 Iowa was made a separate Territory and Burlington was
made the capital and so remained until after the admission into the Union
as a State. The Territorial Legislature met for several years in the first
church erected in Burlington, known as " Old Zion." In this same building
the supreme judicial tribunal of the Territory also held its sessions, as well
as the district court.
The first white man to settle permanently within the limits of Scott
county, was Capt. B.W. Clark, a native of Yirginia. He had settled and made
some improvement on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, but in 1833 he
moved across the river and made a " claim and commenced an improvement
THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOKT.
145
&
10
146 HISTORY OF IOWA.
where the town of Buffalo was laid out. His nearest white neighbors on the
west side of the Mississippi, were at Burlington and Dubuque. David H.
Clark, a son of Capt. Clark, born April 21, 1834, was the first white child
bora within the limits of what is now Scott county.
Before the time, June 1, 1833, that the Indians were to give possession
to the whites, Geo. L. Davenport had been permitted to make a claim. He
had been a favorite with the Indians from boyhood, and for this reason he
was permitted to go upon the lands while others were kept off. The land
upon which a part of the city of Davenport is located, and adjoining or near
Le Claire's reserve, was claimed by E. H. Spencer, and a man named Mc-
Cloud. Mr. Le Claire afterward purchased their claim interest for $150.
The project of laying out a town upon Mr. Le Claire's claim was first dis-
cussed in the autumn of 1835, at the residence of Col. Davenport, on Eock
Island. The persons interested in the movement were An toine Le Claire,
Maj. Thos. Smith, Maj. ¥m. Gordon, Phillip Hambaugh, Alexander W.
McGregor, Levi S. Colton, Capt. James May and Cob Geo. Davenport. In
the spring of 1836, the enterprise was carried into effect by the purchase of*
the land from Mr. Le Claire, and the laying out of a town to which the
name of Davenport was given, in honor ot Col. Davenport. The survey
was made by Maj. Gordon. Some improvement had been made upon the
ground by Mr. Le Claire, as early as 1833, but none of a substantial character
until 1836.
During this year Messrs. Le Claire and Davenport erected a building
which was opened as a publie house or tavern, by Edward Powers. During
the same year John Litch from. Newburyport, N. H, opened the pioneer
whisky shop in a log shanty on Front street. A ferry across the Mississippi
was established by Mr. Le Claire, who was also the same year appointed the
first postmaster, and carried the mails in his pocket while ferrying. The
first white male child born in Davenport was a son of Levi S. Colton, in
the autumn of 1836. The child died in August, 1840, at the Indian village
on Iowa river. The first female child was a daughter of D. C. Eldridge.
Alex. W. McGregor, opened the first law office in 1836. Eev A. M. Gavit,
a Methodist minister, preached the first sermon in the house of D. C. Eld-
ridge. At the close of the year 1836 there were some six or seven houses
in the town. The Indians still lingered about the place. Col. Davenport
still kept a trading house open on Eock Island, and furnished supplies.
When the Sacs and Foxes removed from the lands embraced in the first
purchase they settled for a short time on Iowa river, and after the second
purchase removed to the Des Moines river, where they remained until the
last sale of their lands in Iowa when they were removed by the government
to Kansas.
Scott county was organized and named in honor of Gen. "Winfield Scott at
the session of the Legislature of Wisconsin in December, 1837. Major
Frayer Wilson was appointed sheriff. The election for county commission-
ers was held on the third Monday in February, 1838, when" the following
, were elected: Benj. F. Pike, Andrew W. Campbell, and Alfred Carter. On
the 4th of July, 1838, by an act of Congress, Iowa became a separate Terri-
tory, and Eobert Lucas, of Ohio, was appointed the first Territorial Governor.
He made the following appointments for Scott county: Williard Barrows,
notary public; Ebenezer Cook, judge of probate; Adrian H. Davenport,
sheriff; Isaac A. Hedges and John Porter, justices of the peace. D. C.
Eldridge received the appointment of postmaster at Davenport. The first
HISTOBT OF IOWA. 147
District Court met in Davenport in October, 1838, Hon. Thomas S. Wilson,
of Dubuque, presiding.
For two years a contest had been going on between Davenport and a place
called Kockingham as to which should have the honor of the county seat.
The fourth Monday of August, 1840, was fixed for holding an election to
decide the vexed question. It resulted favorably to Davenport, the citizens
of the successful town bnilding a court house and jail free of expense to the
county.
On the 7th of July, 1838, Andrew Logan, from Pennsylvania, arrived
with a printing press, and on the 17th of September following issued the
first number of a paper called Iowa Sim and Davenport and Mock Island
News, the first newspaper published in the county. On the 26th day of
August, 1841, the first number of the Davenport Weekly Gazette was issued
by Alfred Sanders.
One of the most exciting incidents connected with the early history of
Davenport and Scott county was the murder of Col. George Davenport on
Rock Island, July 4, 1845. The country on both sides'of the river had been
infested by a lawless band of freebooters, with their supposed headquarters
at Nauvoo. They had organized themselves into bands and engaged in
horse stealing, counterfeiting, burglary, robbery, and murder. In some
places men in official positions and of good standing in community were
associated with them. On the fatal 4th of July, Col. Davenport's family was
away at Stephenson attending a celebration when three men attacked him in
his house, one of whom shot him with a pistol through the thigh. They
then bound him with strips of bark and blindfolded him. They then made
a search for the key of his safe but were unable to. find it. Returning to the
wounded man, they carried him up-stairs where the safe was and compelled
him to unlock it. The booty obtained was about $600 in money, a gold
watch-chain and seals, a double-barrelled gun, and a few articles of minor
value. Col. Davenport lived long enough to relate the incidents of the rob-
bery. For several weeks no trace could be found of the murderers. Edward
Bonney, of Lee county, Iowa, undertook to ferret out their place of conceal-;
ment. About the middle of August he went to Nauvoo where he obtained
trace of them by representing himself as one of the gang. On the 8th of
September he arrested a man named Fox at Centerville, Indiana, and com-
mitted him to jail there. On the 19th he arrested two others, Birch and
John Long, at Sandusky, Ohio, and brought them to Rock Island by way of
the lakes and Chicago. These three men were known at the west as leaders
of gangs of desperadoes, but operated under different names. Three others^
were- also arrested as accessories, Richard Baxter and Aaron Long, near
Galena, Illinois, and Granville Young, at Nanvoo. Aaron was a brother of
John Long. On the 6th of October all of them were indicted by the grand
jury of Rock Island county, except Fox, who had escaped from jail inlndi-
ana on the 17th of September. On the 14th of October the two Longs were
put upon trial, found guilty, and sentenced to be hung on the 27th of the
same month. Birch, the greatest villain, turned State's evidence. Baxter
was tried separately, convicted and sentenced to be hung on the 18th of No-
vember. In his case a writ of error was obtained and a new trial granted,
when he was again found guilty and sentenced to the penitentiary for life,
where he died two years after. Birch took a change of venue to Knox
county, and while awaiting trial escaped from jail. Upon the gallows John
Long confessed all, but died a hardened wretch without sign of repentance
or fear of death.
148 HISTORY OF IOWA.
Durino- the year 1834 settlements were made at various points besides
those mentioned, in what are now the counties bordering on the Mississippi
river, and soon other settlements began to extend to the western limit of the
Black Hawk Purchase.
The first post-ofiice in Iowa was established in Dubuque in 1833. Milo
H. Prentice was appointed postmaster.
The first justice of the peace was Antoiue Le Claire,' appointed in 1833, as
" a very suitable person to adjust the difficulties between the white settlers
and the Indians still remaining there."
The first Methodist Society in the Territory was formed at Dubuque on
the 18th of May, 1834, and the first class meeting was held June 1st of that
year.
The first church bell brought into Iowa was in March, 1834.
The first mass of the Koman Catholic Church in the Territory was cele-
brated at Dubuque, in the house of Patrick Quigley, in the fall of 1833.
The first school house in the Territory was erected by the Dubuque miners
in 1833.
The first Sabbath school was organized at Dubuque early in the summer
of 1834.
The first woman who came to this part of the Territory with a view to
permanent residence was Mrs. Noble F. Dean, in the fall of 1832.
The first family that lived in this part of Iowa was that of Hosea T. Camp,
in 1832.
The first meeting-house was built by the Methodist Episcopal Church, at
Dubuque, in 1834.
The first newspaper in Iowa was the Dubuque Visitor, issued May 11th,
1836. John King, afterward Judge King, was editor, and "William C.
Jones, printer.
By the year 1836 the population had increased so that the people began
to agitate for a separate Territorial organization. There were also several
other matters in which they were deeply interested. In November, 1837, a
convention was called at Burlington to take action. Some account of this
first Iowa convention, and the action taken by it, will be of interest to every
citizen of the State.
TERRITORIAL OONVENTIOIT.
On Monday the 6th of November, 1837, a convention of delegates from the
several counties in that portion of Wisconsin Territory west of the Missis-
sippi river, then sometimes called "Western Wisconsin, convened in the town
of Burlington. Among: the principal purposes for which this convention
was called were: 1. To memoralize Congress for the passage of an act
granting the right of pre-emption to actual settlers on government lands;
2. To memoralize Congress on the subject of the attempt then being made
by the State of Missouri to extend her northern boundary line so as to
embrace territory claimed as being a part of Wisconsin; 3. To memoralize
Congress for the organization of a separate territorial government in that
part of the Territory of Wisconsin west of the Mississippi river.
The following were the accredited delegates in the convention from the
several counties:
Dubuque County.— P. H. Engle, J. T. Fales, G. W. Harris, W. A. War-
ren, W. B. Watts, A. F. Kussell, W. H. Patton, J. W. Parker, J. D. Bell, and
J. H. Rose.
Des Moines County.— David Eorer, Robert Ralston*, and Cyrus S. Jacobs.
HISTORY OF IOWA. 149
Van Buren County.— Tan Caldwell, J. G. Kenner, and James Hall.
Henry County.— W. H. "Wallace, J. D. Payne, and J. L. Myers.
Muscatine County. — J. K. Struthers, M. Couch, Eli Eeynolds, S. C.
Hastings, James Davis, S. Jenner, A. Smith, and E. K. Fay.
Lomsa County.— J. M. Clark, Wm. L. Toole, and J. J. Einearson.
Zee County.— Henry Eno, John Claypool, and Hawkins Taylor.
The officers of the convention were: President, Cyrus S. Jacobs; "Vice
Presidents, J. M. Clark, and Wm. H. Wallace; Secretaries, J. W. Parker,
and J. E. Struthers.
The" following committees were appointed:
To draft and report a memorial in relation to the right of pre-emption
Messrs. Engle, Kenner, Payne, Struthers, Patton, Eorer, and Smith.
To draft and report a memorial on the subject of the boundary line —
Messrs. Eno, Claypool, Kenner, Ealston, Davis, Watts, and Toole.
To draft and report a memorial on the subject of a separate territorial
organization— Messrs. Korer, Hastings, Caldwell, Myers, Claypool, Einear-
son, and Harris.
The convention continued in session three days, and on the afternoon of the
last day all the committees reported, and their reports were unanimously
adopted.
MEMOBTAT, ON THE SUBJECT OF PEE-EMPTIONS.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives :
A convention of citizens representing all the counties in that part of Wis-
consin Territory lying west of the Mississippi river, have assembled at Bur-
lington, the present seat of government of said Territory, for the purpose of
taking into consideration several measures immediately affecting their in-
terests and prosperity. Among the most important of these is the passage
by your honorable bodies, at the session about to be commenced, ot a pre-
emption law by which the settlers on the public land shall have secured to
them at the minimum price, the lands on which they live, which they have
improved and cultivated without fear of molestation, or over-bidding on the
part of the rich capitalist and speculator. It is a fact well known to your hon-
orable bodies, that none of the land in Wisconsin, west of the Mississippi river,
in what is called the " Iowa District," has yet been offered for sale by the
government. It is equally true that that tract of country is now inhabited
by twenty-five thousand souls, comprising a population as active, intelligent,
and worthy as can be found in any other part of the United States. The
enterprise of these pioneers has converted what was but yesterday a solitary
and uncultivated waste, into thriving towns and villages, alive with the en-
gagements of trade and commerce, and rich and smiling farms, yielding
their bountiful return to the labors of the husbandman. This district has
been settled and improved with a rapidity unexampled in the history of the
country; emigrants from all parts of the United States, and from Europe,
are daily adding to our numbers and importance. An attempt to force these
lands thus occupied and improved into market, to be 6old to the highest bid-
der, and to put the money thus extorted from the hard earnings of an indus-
trious and laborious people into the coffers of the public treasury, would be
an act of injustice to the settlers, which would scarcely receive the sanction
of your honorable bodies. In most cases the labor of years and the accu-
mulated capital of a whole life has been expended in making improvements
on the public land, under the strong and firm belief that every safeguard
would be thrown around them to prevent their property, thus dearly earned
150 HISTOKY OF IOWA.
by years of suffering, privation and toil, from being unjustly wrested from
their hands. Shall they be disappointed? Will Congress refuse to pass
such laws as may be necessary to protect a large class of our citizens from
systemized plunder and rapine? The members comprising this convention,
representing a very large class of people, who delegated them to speak . in
their stead, do most confidently express an opinion that your honorable
bodies will at your present session, pass some law removing us from danger,
and relieving us from fear on this subject. The members of this conven-
tion, for themselves, and for the people whose interests they are sent here to
represent, do most respectfully solicit that your honorable bodies will, as
speedily as possible, pass a pre-emption law, giving to every actual settler
on the public domain, who has made improvements sufficient to evince that
it is bona fide his design to cultivate and occupy the land, the right to enter
at the minimum government price, one-half section for that purpose, before
it shall be offered at public sale.
MEMORIAL ON THE SUBJECT OF THE MISSOURI BOUNDARY LINE.
To the Honorable, the Senate and House of .Representatives of the United
. States in Congress assembled:
The Memorial of a Convention of Delegates from the several comnties in
the Territory of Wisconsin, west of the Mississippi river, convened at Bur-
lington, in said Territory, November 6, 1837, respectfully represent:
That your memorialists are desirous of asking the attention of Congress
to the adjustment of the boundary line between the State of Missouri and
the Territory of Western Wisconsin. Much excitement already prevails
among the inhabitants situated in the border counties of the State and Ter-
ritory, and it is much to. be feared that, unless the speedy action of Congress
should be had upon the subject, difficulties of a serious nature will arise,
militating against the peace and harmony which would otherwise exist
among them. At the last session of the legislature of Missouri, commis-
sioners were appointed to run the northern boundary line of the State. They
have recently been engaged in the work, and, according to the line run by
them, there is included within the limits of the State of Missouri a consid-
erable tract of country hitherto supposed to belong to the Territory of Wis-
consin, and which.is still believed of right to belong to it. The northern
boundary line of Missouri was run several years ago by commissioners ap-
pointed by the State of Missouri, and will cross the Des Moines river at a
point about twenty-five miles from its mouth. This line, if continued on
due east, would strike the Mississippi river near the town of Fort Madison,
about ten miles above the rapids in said river, long since known as the Des
Moines rapids; and this line, so run by the commissioners, has always been
considered as the boundary line between the State and Territory. The pres-
ent commissioners, appointed by the State of Missouri, giving a different
construction to the act defining the boundary line of the State, passed up
the Des Moines river in search of rapids, and have seen proper to find them
some twelve or fourteen miles further up the river than the other commis-
sioners of Missouri formerly did, and, selecting a point which they call
the rapjds in the Des Moines river, have from thence marked out a line
which is now claimed as the northern boundary line of the State. Were
this line extended due east, it would strike the Mississippi river at the town
of Burlington, some thirty miles above the rapids known, as stated above, as
the Des Moines Eapids.
HISTOET OF IOWA. 151
Missouri was created into an independent State, and her boundary line
defined, in June, 1820. At that time the country bordering on the Des
Moines river was a wilderness, and little was known, except from the Indi-
ans who lived on its banks, of its geographical situation. There was at that
time no point on the river known as the Des Moines rapids, and at the
present time between the mouth of the river and the Raccoon forks, a dis-
tance of two hundred miles, fifty places can with as much propriety be desig-
nated as the one selected by the commissioners of the State of Missouri.
Your memorialists conceive that no action of the State of Missouri can,
or ought to, affect the integrity of the Territory of Wisconsin; and standing
in the attitude they do, they must look to the general government to protect
their rights and redress their wrongs, which, for so long a period of time,
existed oetween the Territory of Michigan and the State of Ohio relative to
their boundaries, will, it is hoped, prompt the speedy action of Congress on
this existing subject. Confidently relying upon the wisdom of the general
government, and its willingness to take such means as will settle this ques-
tion, the people of Wisconsin will peaceably submit to an extension of the
northern boundary line of the State of Missouri, if so be that Congress
shall ordain it; but until such action, they will resist to the utmost extrem-
ity any attempt made by the State of Missouri to extend her jurisdiction
over any disputed territory.
We, therefore, pray that Congress will appoint commissioners, whose duty
it shall be to run the line between the State of Missouri and the Territory
of Wisconsin according to the spirit and intention of the act defining the
boundary lines of the State of Missouri, and to adopt such other measures
as in their wisdom they shall deem fit and proper.
MEMORIAL PRATING FOR A DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY.
To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States in Congress assembled:
The memorial of a general convention of delegates, from the respective
counties in the Territory of Wisconsin, west of the Mississippi river, con-
vened at the capitol at Turlington, in said Territory, November 6, 1837,
respectfully represents:
That the citizens of that part of the Territory west of the Mississippi river,
taking into consideration their remote and isolated position, and the vast
extent of country included within the limits of the present Territory, and
the utter impracticability of the same being governed as an entire whole, by
the wisest and best administration of our municipal affairs, in such manner
as to fully secure individual right and the right of property, as well as to
maintain domestic tranquility," and the good order of society, have by their
respective representatives, convened in general convention as aforesaid, for
availing themselves of their right of petition as free citizens, by representing
their situation, and wishe's to your honorable body, and asking for the organ-
ization of a separate Territorial government over that part of the Territory
west of the Mississippi river.
Without in the least designing to question the official conduct of those in
whose hands the fate of our infant Territory has been confided, and in whose
patriotism and wisdom we have the utmost confidence, your memorialists
cannot refrain from the frank expression of their belief that, taking into
consideration the geographical extent of her country, in connection with the
probable population of Western Wisconsin, perhaps no Territory of the
152 HISTOET OF IOWA.
United States has been so much neglected bv the parent government, so illy
protected in the political and individual rights of her citizens.
Western Wisconsin came into the possession of our government in June,
1833. Settlements were made, and crops grown, during the same season;
and even then, at that early day, was the impulse given to the mighty throng
of emigration that has subsequently filled our lovely and desirable country
with people, intelligence, wealth and enterprise. From that period until the
present, being a little over four years, what has been the Territory of West-
ern Wisconsin? Literally and practically a large portion of the time with-
out a government. With a population of thousands, she has remained
ungoverned, and has been quietly left by the parent government to take care
of herself, without the privilege *on the one hand to provide a government of
her own, and without any existing authority on the other to govern her.
From June, 1833, until June, 1834, a period of one year, there was not
even the shadow of government or law in all Western Wisconsin. In June,
1334, Congress attached her to the then existing Territory of Michigan, of
which Territory she nominally continued a part, until July, 1836, a period
of little more than two years. During the whole of this time, the whole
country west, sufficient of itself for a respectable State, was included in two
counties, Dubuque and Des Moines. In each of these two counties there
were holden, during the said term of two years, two terms of a countv court
(a court of inferior jurisdiction), as the only sources of judicial relief up to
the passage of the act of Congress creating the Territory of Wisconsin. That
act took effect on the third day of July, 1836, and the first judicial relief
afforded under that act, was at the April term following, 1837, a period of
nine months after its passage; subsequently to which time there has been a
court holden in one solitary county in Western Wisconsin only. This, your
memorialists are aware, has recently been owing to the unfortunate disposi-
tion of the esteemed and meritorious judge of our district; but they are
equally aware of the fact, that had Western Wisconsin existed under a sep-
arate organization, we should have found relief in the services of other mem-
bers of the judiciary, who are at present, in consequence of the great extent
of our Territory, and the small number of judges dispersed at two great a
distance, and too constantly engaged in the discharge of the duties of their
own district, to be enabled to afford relief to other portions of the Territory.
Thus, with a population of not less than twenty-five thousand now, and of
near half that number at the organization of the Territory, it will appear
that we have existed as a portion of an organized Territory, for sixteen.,
months, with but one term of courts only.
Tour memorialists look upon those evils as growing exclusively out of the
immense extent of country included within • the present boundaries of the
Territory, and express their conviction and belief, that nothing would so
effectually remedy the evil as the organization of Western Wisconsin into a
separate territorial government. To this your memorialists conceive them-
selves entitled by principles of moral right — by the same obligation that
- rests upon their present government, to protect them in the free enjoyment
of their rights, until such time as they shall be permitted to provide protec-
tion for themselves ; as well as from the uniform practice and policy of the
government in relation to other Territories.
The Territory of Indiana, including the present States of Indiana, Illinois,
and Michigan, and also much of the eastern portion of the present Territory
of Wisconsin, was placed under one separate territorial government in the year
HISTORY OF IOWA. 153
1800, at a time that the population amounted to only five thousand six hun-
dred and forty, or thereabouts.
The Territory of Arkansas was erected into a distinct Territory, in 1820,
with a population of about fourteen thousand. The Territory of Illinois was
established in 1809, being formed by dividing the Indiana Territory. The
exact population of Illinois Territory, at the time of her separation from In-
diana, is not known to your memorialists, but her population in 1812, one
year subsequent to that event, amounted to but eleven thousand five hun-
dred and one whites, and a few blacks — in all, to less than twelve thousand
inhabitants.
The Territory of Michigan was formed in 1805, by again dividing the
Indiana Territory, of which, until then, she composed a part. The popula-
tion of Michigan, at the time of her separation from Indiana, your memo-
rialists have been unable to ascertain, but in 1810, a period of five years sub-
sequent to her separate organization, her population amounted to but about
four thousand seven hundred and sixty; and in the year 1820, to less than
nine thousand — so that Michigan existed some fifteen years, as a distinct
Territory, with a population of less than half of Western Wisconsin at pres-
ent; and each of the above named Territories, now composing so many
proud and flourishing States, were created into separate territorial govern-
ments, with a much less population than that of Western Wisconsin, and
that too at a time when the parent government was burdened with a
national debt of millions. Your memorialists therefore pray for the organ-
ization of a separate territorial government over that part of the Territory of
Wisconsin west of the Mississippi river.
TEEEITOEY OF IOWA.
Territorial Organization — Members of First Legislative Assembly — Its Presiding Officers —
Important Acts — The Great Seal of the Territory — Provision for Locating Seat of Gov-
ernment— Some Prominent Members — The Boundary Dispute — Its Settement — Delegate
to Congress — Territorial Governors — Death of Wm. B. Conway — Various Incorporations.
Congress considered the prayer of the memorial favorably, and " An Act
to divide the Territory of Wisconsin, and to establish the Territorial govern-
ment of Iowa," was approved June 12, 1838, to take effect and be in force
on and after July 3, 1838. The new Territory embraced "all that part of
the present Territory of Wisconsin which lies west of the Mississippi River,
and west of a line drawn due north from the head water or sources of the
Mississippi to the territorial line." The organic act provided for a Governor
whose term of office should be three years, and for a Secretary, Chief Jus-
tice, two Associate Justices, and Attorney and Marshal, who should serve
four years, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate. The act also provided for the election, by the white
male inhabitants, citizens of the United States, over twenty-one years of
age, of a House of Representatives, consisting of twenty-six members, and
a Council, to consist of thirteen members. It also appropriated $5,000 for a
public library, and $20,000 for the erection of public buildings. President
van Buren appointed Ex-Governor Robert Lucas, of Ohio, to be the first
Governor of the new Territory. William B. Conway, of Pittsburg, was
appointed Secretary of the Territory; Charles Mason, of Burlington, Chief
Justice; and Thomas S. Wilson, of Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of
Pennsylvania, Associate Judges of the Supreme and District Courts; Mr.
Van Allen, of New York, Attorney; Francis Gehon, of Dubuque, Marshal;
154
HISTOET OF IOWA.
Atigustus C. Dodge, Eegister of the Land Office at Burlington, and Thom-
as McKnight, Eeceiver of the Land Office at Dubuque. Mr. Yan Al-
len, the District Attorney, died at Rockingham, soon after his appointment,
and Col. Charles Weston was appointed to fill his vacancy. Mr. Conway,
the Secretary, also died at Burlington, during the second session of the
Legislature, and James Clarke, editor of the Gazette, was appointed to suc-
ceed him. Immediately after his arrival, Governor Lucas issued a procla-
mation for the election of members of the first Territorial Legislature, to be
held on the 10th of September, dividing the Territory into election districts
for thatpurpose, and appointing the 12th day of November for the meeting
of the Legislature to be elected, at Burlington.
The following were the names, county of residence, nativity, age, and
occupation, of the members of that first Territorial Legislature:
COUNCIL.
COUNTY.
NATIVITY.
AGE.
Van Buren.
Vermont.
28
tt it
Virginia.
52
Des Moines.
Penn.
60
ii i«
Ohio.
31
Cedar.
New York.
81
Des Moines.
Kentucky.
38
Lee.
Kentucky.
40
Henry.
Tennessee.
35
Virginia.
34
Scott.
Vermont.
28
Dubuque.
Conn.
26
Virginia.
32
Louisa.
New York.
25
OCCUPATION.
E. A. M. Swarzy
J.Kieth ,
A- Ingram
Robert Ralston
C. Whittlesey
George Hepner ,
Jesse B. Browne
Jesse D. Payne
L. B. Hughes
J. W.Parker
Stephen Hempstead.
Warner Lewis
J.M.Clark
Farmer.
Gunsmith.
Farmer.
Merchant.
Merchant.
Farmer. .
Formerly in U.S.A.
Physician.
Merchant.
Lawyer.
Lawyer.
Farmer.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
NAME.
COUNTY.
Wm. H. Wallace
Wm.G. Coop....
A.B.Porter
La.urel Summers. .
Jabez Burchard . .
James Brierly. . . .
Wm. Patterson. . .
H. Taylor
Harden Nowlin. . .
Andrew Bankston.
Thomas Cox
C. Swan
C. J. Price
J. W. Grimes ....
George Temple. ..
George H. Beeler.
V. B. Delashmutt.
Thomas Blair
James Hall
Samuel Parker . . .
G.S.Bailey
Levi Thornton....
Wm. L. Toole. . . .
Robert G. Roberts
John Frierson. . . .
S. C. Hastings ....
NATIVITY.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
Henry.
<i
Scott,
ti
Lee.
ii
it
Dubuque.
Lee.
Des Moines,
Van Buren,
Louisa.
it
Cedar.
Muscatine.
Ohio.
Virginia.
Kentucky.
Kentucky.
Penn.
Ohio.
Virginia.
Kentucky.
Illinois.
N. C.
Kentucky.
New York,
N. C.
N. H.
N. H
Virginia.
Virginia.
Kentucky.
Maryland.
Virginia.
Kentucky.
Penn.
Virginia.
Penn.
Ohio.
New York.
27
33
30
24
34
29
37
27
34
51
51
39
37
22
34
39
37
49
27
34
27
42
85
42
34
25
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer
Farmer
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Miner.
Farmer.
Lawyer.
Farmer.
Merchant.
Farmer.
Farmer*
Farmer.
Physician.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Surveyor.
Lawyer.
HISTOET OF IOWA. 155
Jesse B. Browne, of Lee county, was elected president of the council. He
had been an officer in the regular army, was a gentleman of dignified
appearance and commanding stature, being six feet and seven inches in
height. "William H. Wallace, of Henry county, was elected speaker of the
House. Some years after he held the position of receiver at the United
States land office located at Fairfield. He subsequently removed to Wash-
ington Territory, and at one time served as a delegate in Congress from
that Territory.
Among the acts passed were those for organizing the counties of Linn,
Jefferson and Jones; for changing the name of Slaughter county to Wash-
ington ; providing for the election in each county of a board of commission-
ers, to consist of three persons, to attend to all county business, and acts
, providing for the location of the capital and the penitentiary. The Terri-
tory was divided into three judicial districts, in each county of which court
was to be held twice a year. The counties of Lee, Yan Buren, Henry and
Des Moines constituted the first district, to which Charles Mason, of Bur-
lington, was assigned as judge. The counties of Louisa, Washington, John-
son, Cedar and Muscatine constituted the second district, with Joseph
Williams, of Muscatine, as judge. The counties of Jackson, Dubuque,
Scott and Clayton constituted the third district, with Thomas S. Wilson, of
Dubuque, as judge.
Among the proceedings was the passage of a resolution by the council,
instructing Wm. B. Conway, the secretary of the Territory, to procure
a seal. In compliance with this instruction, on the 23d of November,
Mr. Conway submitted to the inspection of the council what became the
"great seal of the Territory of Iowa." The design was that of an eagle
bearingin its beak an Indian arrow, and clutching in its talons an unstrung
bow. The seal was one inch and five-eighths in diameter, and was engraved
by William Wagner, of York, Pennsylvania. The council passed a resolu-
tion adopting the seal submitted by the secretary, but it does not appear
that it was adopted by the other branch of the legislature. In his communi-
cation to the council presenting the seal, Mr. Conway calls it the " great
seal of the Territory of Iowa," but the word "great "aid not appear upon
it. This old territorial seal appears to have been lost in the removal from
Iowa City to Des Moines.
Under the act passed for the location of the capital, Chauncey Swan, of
Dubuque county, John Ronalds, of Louisa county, and Robert Ralston, of
Des Moines county, were appointed commissioners, and were required to
meet at the town of Napoleon, in Johnson county, on the first Monday of
May, 1839, and proceed to locate the seat of government at the most suit-
able point in that county. They proceeded at that time to discharge the duties
of their trust, and procured the title to six hundred and forty acres. They
had it surveyed into lots, and agreed upon a plan for a capitol, selecting one
of their number, Chauncey Swan, to superintend the work of erecting the
building. The site selected was about two miles northwest of what was
then the town of Napoleon, a place which now is not known as a town.
The new town was named Iowa City, and the first sale of lots took place
August 16, 1839. In November, 1839, the second Territorial Legislature
assembled in Burlington, and passed an act requiring the commissioners to
adopt a plan for a building, not to exceed in cost $51,000. On the 4th day
of July, 1840, the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, Sam-
156 HISTORY OF IOWA.
ael 0. Trowbridge acting as marshal of the day, and Governor Robert Lucas
as orator.
This first legislative body which enacted laws for the government of the
new Territory of Iowa held its sessions in the then unfinished Methodist
church in Burlington, the lower story or basement being built of stone, and
the upper story of brick. It was known in later years as " Old Zion." Of
the members of that legislature several afterward held prominent official
positions in the State. Two of them, Stephen Hempstead, of Dubuque,
and James "W. Grimes, of Burlington, held the office of Governor. The
latter also became prominent in the United States Senate, and in the
National Cabinet.
"William G. Coop continued to be returned as a member of one or the other
branch of almost every General Assembly, up to the changeof parties in
the election of James W . Grimes, as Governor. His later legislative career
was as a member of the State Senate from Jefferson county. He was the
Democratic candidate in that county against James F. "Wilson in 1856, for
member of the constitutional convention, but was defeated bythe latter. He
was a man of strong party attachments, being a Democrat in the strictest
sense, but was faithful to his constituents, and honest in his discharge of duty.
We recognize other names that were familiar in the subsequent history of the
Territory or State, and among them, the following: Asbury B. Porter, who
became the first colonel of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry during the Rebellion;
Hawkins Taylor, of Lee county, who, during later years, has resided most
of the time in "Washington City; "Warner Lewis, of Dubuque, who afterward
held the position of Surveyor General for Iowa and "Wisconsin ; "William L.
Toole, of Louisa county, after whom the town of Toolesboro in that county
was named ; Laurel Summers, of Scott county, and others. In the organi-
zation of this first Territorial Legislature party ties do not seem to have
been very strictly drawn, for General Browne, who was chosen president of
the council without opposition, and Colonel "Wallace, who was elected
speaker of the house, with but little opposition, were both "Whigs, while
both branches of the legislature were largely Democratic. Party lines were
not tightly drawn until the campaign of 1840, when the young Territory
caught the enthusiasm which characterized that contest throughout the
country.
THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
One of the exciting questions with which the Territory of Iowa had to deal
was that in relation to the southern boundary. The constitution of Missouri
in defining the boundaries of that State had defined her northern boundary to
be the parallel of latitude which passes through the rapids of the Des Momes
river. In the Mississippi river, a little above the mouth of the Des Moines
river, are the rapids, which had been known as the Des Moines Rapids, or the
Rapids of the Des Moines river. Just below the town of Keosauqua, in Van
Buren county, there are rapids (though very slight and inconsiderable) also
in the Des Moines river. The Missouri authorities claimed that the latter
rapids were referred to in the definition of her boundary, and insisted on ex-
ercising jurisdiction over a strip of territory some eight miles in width which
Iowa claimed as being a part of her territory. At the first court held in Far-
mington, Van Buren county, in April, 1837, by David Irwin, Judge of the
Second Judicial District of Wisconsin, an indictment was found against one
David Doose for exercising the office of constable in Van Buren county
HISTOET OF IOWA. 157
under authority of the State of Missouri. This, and other similar acts
by Missouri officials, were the origin of the despute which resulted in demon-
strations of hostilities, and very nearly precipitated a border war. Governor
Boggs, of Missouri, called out the militia of that State to enforce its claims,
and Governor Lucas, of Iowa, called out the militia of the Territory to main-
tain its rights. About 1200 men were enlisted arid armed. There was no
difficulty m raising volunteers, for the war spirit ran high. At this stage,
however, it was considered best to send peace commissioners to Missouri
with a view of adjusting the difficulties. Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Burlington;
Gen. Churchman, of Dubuque, and Dr. Clark, of Fort Madison, were ap-
pointed and proceeded to discharge the duties of their mission. When they
arrived they found that the county commissioners of Clarke county, Mis-
souri, had rescinded their order for the collection of taxes in Iowa, and the
Governor of Missouri had sent messengers to Governor Lucas with a propo-
sition to submit an agreed case to the Supreme Court of the United States.
This proposition was declined, but afterward both Iowa and Missouri
Setitioned Congress to authorize a suit to settle the question. This was
one, and the decision was adverse to the claims of Missouri. Under an
order of the Supreme Court of the United States, William G. Miner, of
Missouri, and Henry B. Hendershott, of Iowa, acted as commissioners to sur-
vey and establish the boundary line. They discharged the duties assigned
them, and peace was restored.
In September, 1838, the election was held for delegate to Congress.
There were four candidates in the field, to-wit: William W. Chapman
and David Eorer, of Des Moines county; B. F. Wallace, of Henry county,
and Peter H. Engle, of Dubuque county. William W. Chapman was elected
by a majority of thirty-six votes over P. H. Engle. During the time that
Iowa remained a separate Territory, from 1838 to 1846, the office of Gov-
ernor was held successively by Kobert Lucas, John Chambers,' and James
Clarke. Robert Lucas had been one of the early Governors of Ohio, and
was appointed the first Governor of the Territory of Iowa by President Yan
Buren. John Chambers had been a Representative in Congress from Ken-
tucky, and a warm supporter of Gen. Wm, H. Harrison tor President in
1840. After the change of the National administration he was appointed to
succeed Governor Lucas. James Clarke had been the editor of the Gazette
at Burlington, but at the death of Wm. B. Conway, Secretary of the Terri-
tory, which occurred at Burlington, November 6, 1839, Mr. Clarke was ap-
pointed his successor, and afterward succeeded John Chambers as the last
Territorial Governor.
The death of Wm. B. Conway, Secretary of the Territory, was an event
which cast a gloom over the Territory. Prior to his appointment by Presi-
dent Van Buren he had been a resident of Pittsburg, Penn. His remains
were taken to Davenport for interment, and on the 9th of November a pub-
lic meeting of the citizens of that place passed resolutions expressing the
highest esteem both for his character as a citizen and as an officer of the
Territory. His remains were taken to St. Anthony's Church where the
solemn services for the dead were performed by Bev. Father Pelamorgues.
On the 11th a meeting of the members of the bar of the Territory was held
at Burlington, in which his associates in the profession also passed resolutions
of respect for the deceased. Of this meeting Charles Mason was chairman,
and David Rorer was appointed to present the resolutions to the Supreme
158 HISTORY OF IOWA.
Court of the Territory, for the purpose of having them entered on the record
of the court. The deceased left a wife and one child.
The first Territorial Legislature provided by law that " no action commenced
by a single woman, who intermarries during the pending thereof, shall abate
on account of such marriage; secured religious toleration to all; vested the
judiciary power in a Supreme Court, District Court, Probate Court, and
Justices of the Peace; made real estate divisible by will, and intestate prop-
erty to be divided equitably among heirs ; made murder punishable by death,
and provided proportionate penalties for other crimes; established a system
of free schools, open to all classes of white children; provided for a system*
of roads and highways; enacted a law to prevent and punish gambling, and
in fact enacted a pretty complete code of laws, many of which still remain in
force.
Among the various institutions and associations incorporated were the fol-<
lowing: The Wapello Seminary, in Louisa county; the Bloomington and
Cedar River Canal Company; the Des Moines Mill Company, in Van Buren
county; the Burlington Steam Mill Company; seminaries of learning in Fort
Madison, West Point, Burlington, Augusta, Farmington, Bentonsport,
Rockingham, Keosauqua, Dubuque, and Davenport; the Burlington and
Iowa River Turnpike Company; the Burlington and Des Moines Transpor-
tation Company; the Keosauqua Lyceum, and the Iowa Mutual Fire Insur-
ance Company at Burlington.
STATE ORGANIZATION.
First Constitution— Proposed Boundaries— Changed by Congress — Rejection of Constitution
by the People — Congress Repeals its former Provision as to Boundaries and Fixes the
Present Limits— The Second Constitution— Its Adoption by the People— Election of State
Offiers— First General Assembly— Seat of Government— Monroe City— Fort Des Moines-^
Final Permanent Location — Removal — Third Constitutional Convention— New Capitol-
Case of Attempted Bribery in First General Assembly.
By the year 1844 the population of the Territory had reached 75,152, and
the people began to desire a State organization. In October of that yeara
constitutional convention Was held at Iowa City, which formed a constitution
defining the boundaries of the State as follows:
"Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi river,
opposite the mouth of the Des Moines river; thence up the said river Des
"Moines in the middle of the main channel thereof, to a point where it is in-
tersected by the Old Indian Boundary Line, or line run by John C. Sullivan
in the year 1816; thence westwardly along said line to the 'Old northwest
corner of Missouri'; thence due west to the middle of the main channel of
the Missouri river; thence up the middle of the main channel of the river
last mentioned to the mouth of the Sioux or Calumet river; thence in a
direct line to the middle of the main channel of the St. Peter's river, where
the Watonwan river (according to Nicollet's map) enters the same; thence
down the middle of the main channel of said river to the middle of the main
channel of the Mississippi river; thence down the middle of the main chan-
nel of said river to the place of beginning."
_ On the 3d of March, 1845, Congress passed an act providing for the admis-'
sion of the State into the Union, but with boundaries different from those
defined in the proposed constitution. By this act the State was to extend
north to the parallel passing through Mankato, or Blue Earth river, in the
HISTOBY OF IOWA. 159
present State of Minnesota, and west to the meridian of 17 deg. 30 min. west
from Washington. These boundaries would have deprived the State of the
Missouri Slope and of one of the grand rivers by which it is now bounded
while in shape it would have been long and comparatively narrow. As a
result, at an election held August 4, 1845, the people of the Territory rejected
the constitution with the change of boundaries as proposed by Congress.
The vote stood 7,235 for, and 7,656 against it, being a majority of 421 against
the adoption. On the 4th of August, 1846, Congress passed an act repealing
so much of the act of March, 3, 1845, as related to the boundaries of Iowa, and
fixing the boundaries as now defined. On the 4th of May of that year a sec-
ond constitutional convention had convened at Iowa Cify, and after a session
of fifteen days formed the constitution which was sanctioned by the people
at an election held August 3, 1846. The popular vote stood 9,492 for, and
9,036 against the constitution at this election, being a majority of 456 in favor
of it. A copy of this constitution was presented in Congress, and on the
28th of December, 1846, an act was passed and approved for the admission
of the State of Iowa into the Union.
On the 26th of October, 1846, an election had been held for State officers,
when the following were elected: Ansel Briggs, Governor; Elisha Cutler,
Jr., Secretary of State; Joseph T. Fales, Auditor, and Morgan Reno, Treas-
urer. At this time there were twenty-seven organized counties with a popu-
lation, according to the census, of 96,088.
The first General Assembly under the State organization, convened at
Iowa City, November 30, 1846. Thomas Baker was elected President of
the Senate, and Jesse B. Browne, Speaker of the House of Kepresentatives.
As the latter had been President of the first Territorial Council, so he was
the first Speaker of the House when Iowa became a State.
. The capitol building at Iowa City being at this time still in an unfinished
condition, an appropriation of $5,500 was made to complete it. The boun-
dary being so much extended west of the limits of the Territory when the
capital was located at Iowa City, the question of removal and permanent loca-
tion at some point further west began to be agitated, and the first General
Assembly appointed commissioners to locate the seat of government, and to
select five sections of land which had been granted by Congress for the erec-
tion of public buildings. The commissioners in discharge of their duties
selected the land in Jasper county, lying between the present towns of
Prairie City and Monroe. The commissioners also surveyed and platted a
town, to which they gave the name of Monroe City. Four hundred and fif- •
teen lots were sold, the cash payments yielding $1,797.43, being one-fourth
of the price for which they sold. When the commissioners made their re-
port to the next General Assembly, it was observed that their claim for
services and expenses exceeded the cash received by $409.14. The report
was referred to a committee without instructions, but the location was never
sanctioned by the General Assembly. The money paid by purchasers was
mostly refunded. Meantime the question of re-location continued to be
agitated at each session. In 1851 bills were introduced in the House for
removal to Pella and Fort Des Moines, but both of them failed to pass. At
the next session a bill was introduced in the Senate for removal to Fort Des
Moines, which was also defeated on a final vote. In January, 1855, the ef-
fort proved successful, and on the 15th of that month the Governor ap-
proved the bill re-locating the seat of government within two miles of the
Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines, and providing for the appointment of com-
JgO HISTORY OF IOWA.
missioners for that purpose. Under this act the commissioners made selec-
tion of the present site. A temporary building was erected by an associa-
tion of citizens of Des Moines, or Fort Des Moines, as it was then called.
On the 19th of October, 1857, Governor Grimes, having been advised that
the building was completed and ready for occupancy, issued a proclamation
declaring the city of Des Moines the capital of Iowa. The officers with
the archives of the State removed during the fall and winter, and on the
11th day of January, 1858, the Seventh General Assembly convened at Des
Moines. .
Meantime a third constitutional convention hM been called to Irame a
new State constitution. It convened at Iowa City, January, 19, 1857, and
adjourned March 5th of the same year. Francis Springer, of Louisa county,
was chosen President. The constitution as adopted by this convention was
approved by the people at an election held August 3d of the same year, the
vote being 40,311 for, and 38, 681 against it. It took effect by proclamation
of the Governor, September 3, 1857. In this constitution the location of
the seat of government at Des Moines was made a part of the fundamental
law. In 1868 an amendment was made to this constitution, striking the
word " white " from the clause defining the qualification of electors. The
whole vote cast by the people on this amendment was 186,503, with a ma-
jority in favor of striking out, of 24,265.
The first capitol building erected in Des Moines being inadequate for the
growing wants of the State, being too small and not sufficiently safe, an act
was passed and approved April 13, 1870, providing for the erection of a
new one. The following were constituted a Board of Commissioners to
have charge of the erection: Grenville M. Dodge, of Pottawattamie county;
James F. "Wilson, of Jefferson county; James Dawson, of "Washington
county; Simon G. Stein, of Muscatine county; James O. Crosby, of Clay-
ton county; Charles Dudley, of "Wapello county; John N. Dewey, of Polk
county, and William L. Joy, of "Woodbury county. The Governor was
also constituted a member of the Board, and President ex-officio. A. K.
Fulton was elected Secretary of the Board. It was provided in the act that
the plan to be selected should not be for a building exceeding in cost $1,500-
000, and the sum of $150,000 was appropriated to commence the work.
In the fall of 1870 excavation for the foundation was commenced, t
and on the 23d of November of the next year, the ceremony of
laying the corner stone took place. Gen. N. B. Baker was chief marshal
of the day, and Governor Samuel Merrill delivered an appropriate address.
The Board of commissioners experienced many difficulties in finding
stone, especially within the limits of the State, that had been sufficiently
tested for a building of such magnitude. The law required them to give
preference to material obtained in the State, price and quality being equal,
and they desired to comply with the spirit of the law. As a result, how-
ever, some material was placed in the foundation, which being exposed, dur-
ing the next winter, was affected by the weather, and the next season it was
neccessary to remove a portion of the foundation, involving a large addi-
tional expense.
The Fourteenth General Assembly convened in January, 1872, and in
March a joint committee was authorized to examine and report upon the
character of the material used. They reported that unfit material had been
placed in the foundation, and recommended its removal. An act was
passed at this session appropriating $100,000 for the work in 1872, and
HISTOEY OF IOWA. 161
$125,000 to be used annually thereafter for the prosecution of the work,
but the whole cost not to exceed the limit of $1,380,000. The Board were
required, however, to direct all' their action with a view to the completion
of the building for $1,500,000. The same act placed the work in charge
of a Board of commissioners consisting of five members, including the .
Governor, who was also to be President, ex-oMcio. The following were con-
stituted the members of the new Board: John G. Foote, of Des Moines
county; Maturin L. Fisher, of Clayton county; Robert S. Finkbine, and
Peter A. Dey, of Johnson county, and the Governor, as above stated. Ed.
"Wright was appointed Secretary by the Board. This Board proceeded with
the work in accordance with the general plan adopted by the former Board,
• and when completed Iowa will have one of the finest and most substantial
capitol buildings in the Union.
Having presented a brief review of the legislation in regard to seat of gov-
ernment, which, as we have seen, was inaugurated by the first General As-
sembly, we return to that session. The contest between the two political
parties for ascendency was at that time a very earnest one, and especially in
view of the election of U. S. Senators. The two political parties in the
legislature were nearly equally divided. The friends of the several candidates
were present at the opening of the session to take part in the lobby branch,
in behalf of their respective favorites. Keokuk county was represented in
the House by Nelson King, a Whig, although his county at that time was
regarded as "Democratic. * Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Burlington, was the prom-
inent Democratic candidate for Senator, and the name of J.. C. Hall, also
"of Burlington, was likewise favorably mentioned. On the afternoon of
December 9th, Mr. King, of Keokuk county, by consent of the House, rose
in his place and made a statement to the following effect: That since he had
presented his credentials, and taken his seat as a member, he had been ap-
proached by several different persons relative to the casting of his vote tor
United States Senators; that several distinct propositions for the payment of
money and other reward had been offered him, if he would vote for certain
candidates, or either of them, as might be determined upon, which deter- *
mination was to be made known to him previoiis to casting his vote for
United States Senator; and that the said parties offering thus to reward him
A'fbr his vote, had promised to secure him from all blame or suspicion, by
procuring written instructions from his constituents, urging him so to vote.
He further stated that one Marshall had the day previously given him a five
dollar note on the State Bank of Ohio, and told him to call on him at any
future time, and he would give him one hundred dollars, or any amount he
wanted. He said that Marshall had also surrendered to him two receipts
for indebtedness — one for »legal service while he (King) had resided in Lee
county, and the other in discharge of a claim of two dollars and fifty cents,
held against him by one William Stotts. Mr. King having concluded his
statement, Mr. Stewart Goodrell, then a member of the House from Wash-
ington county, moved the appointment of a committee of five to investigate
the charges made by Mr. King. The committee was subsequently increased
to seven, as follows: W. J. Cochran, of Lee county; Stewart Goodrell, of
Washington county; Alfred Hebard, of Des Moines county; Andrew
Leech, of Davis county; Samuel Whitmore of Jefferson county; John L.
Morton, of Henry county, and Robert Smyth, of Linn county. The com-
mittee commenced their investigations on the same day that Mr. King made
his statement. Marshall was arrested, and various witnesses were com-
11
162 HISTOKY OF IOWA.
manded to appear before the committee to give evidence in the case, and the
investigation which was commenced on the 9th of December, 1846, appears
not to have ended until the 19th of January, 1847. Not until the 4th of
February was any report made to the House, and then it did not show that
the committee had arrived at any conclusions. The report and testimony
were ordered to be laid on the table, subject to the further order of the
House. The report was never called up. On the same day that Mr. King
made his original statement to the House of the attempted bribery, a resolu-
tion tendering him a vote of thanks, was laid on the table. Near the close of
the session (Feb. 24) this resolution was called up, and a substitute offered for
it by Mr. Smyth, of Linn, censuring both King and Marshall. The original
resolution and the substitute were both laid on the table, and that was the
end of the bribery case, which excited a great deal of interest among the pol-
iticians and people of the State at that early day in her political history. It
should be stated that Mr. Marshall was not a member of either branch' of
the General Assembly. The developments on investigation were generally
understood at the time to be quite as damaging to the party making the
charge as to any other person. The legislature adjourned without electing
United States Senators at that session. The next General Assembly elected
George ~W. Jones, of Dubuque, and Augustus C. Dodge, of Burlington. A
Clinton Hastings, and Shepherd Leffler, represented the State in the 29th
Congress, 1846 to 1847, being the first Representatives in Congress from
Iowa.
EDUCATIONAL.
Public Schools — How Supported — State University — Its Presidents — Faculty — University
Fund — Agricultural College — State Normal School — Other State Educational Institutions
— Public and Private Colleges and Schools.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
We have seen that the first territorial legislature made provision for gen-
eral education by organizing a system of common schools. The famous or-
dinance of 1787 required that " schools and the means of education shall be
forever encouraged," and this has been the policy of the government in the
admission of every new State since that time, as evinced by the liberal
grants of the public lands for educational purposes.
The public schools are supported by funds arising from several different
sources. In the first place, the sixteenth section of every congressional town-
ship was set apart by the government for school purposes being one thirty-
sieeth part of all the land in the State. Congress also made to the State an
additional donation of 500,000 acres, and an appropriation of five per cent
on all the sales of public lands in the State. The State also gives the pro-
ceeds of the sales of all lands which escheat to it. The money derived from
these sources constitutes the permanent school fund, and, including the
proceeds of the land still unsold, will amount to over four millions of dol-
lars. The interest on this fund is apportioned by the State Auditor semi-
annually to the several counties of the State, in proportion to the number
of persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years. The counties also
levy an annual tax for school purposes, which is apportioned to the several
district townships in the same way. A district tax is also generally levied
for the same purpose. The money arising from these several sources consti-
HISTOET OF IOWA. 163
tutes the support of the public schools, and is sufficient to enable every sub-
district in the State to afford from six to nine months school each year.
While Iowa is fostering and building up many excellent institutions of a
higher order, the glory of her educational work consists in her admirable
system of common schools — her peoples' colleges. The superintendent of
public instruction is the highest school officer of the State, and exercises a
general supervision over its educational interests, so far as relates to the pub-
lic schools. Each county has a county superintendent, who examines appli-
cants for teachers' certificates, visits the schools, reports annually to the State
Superintendent, and exercises a general charge over the schools of the county.
Each civil township constitutes what is called a district township, which is
divided into sub-districts, and each sub-district elects a sub-director. The
several sub-directors in the district township constitute a board of directors.
In towns and cities there are independent districts, which elect officers to
manage their affairs independently of the district townships.
The common school system has recently been greatly improved by the in-
auguration of normal institutes, under the auspices of the superintendent
of public instruction, and also by the establishment of a permanent State
normal school at Cedar Falls. The total permanent school fund, November
1, 1877, was $3,460,348.76. This is being augmented from different sources,
and the interest only is applied toward the support of the common schools.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
By an act of Congress of July 20, 1840, the secretary of the treasury was
authorized to set apart and reserve from sale not exceeding two entire town-
ships of land in Iowa, for the use and support of a university. The consti-
tution under which Iowa was admitted into the Union contained a provision
requiring the General Assembly to take measures for the protection, im-
provement, or other disposition of the land granted by Congress for the
university, and to create from the proceeds of the same a permanent fund
for the use of a university. A bill was passed by the first General Assembly,
establishing at Iowa City an institution to be called the " State University,"
with such branches as, in the opinion of the General Assembly, the public
convenience might thereafter require. The same act also granted for the
use of the university the public building, with ten acres of ground, at Iowa
City, the same to be used, nowever, for the purposes of the State government
until the removal of the capital. By acts of January 15, 1849," and January
16, 1849, two branches of the university, located respectively at Fairfield
and Dubuque, were established, and placed upon equal footing, " in respect
to funds and other matters," with the university established at Iowa City by
the act of 1847. The branch at Fairfield was organized May 6, 1849. A
site of twenty acres of ground was purchased and a building erected, upon
which twenty-five hundred dollars had been expended. The building was
almost destroyed by a hurricane in 1851. No aid from the State or the
University fund was ever given in support of the branches. The board at
Fairfield requested the termination of its relation to the State, and, in ac-
cordance with this request, an act was passed January 24, 1853, severing the
connection. The branch at Dubuque was never organized. The new con-
stitution, which took effect September 3, 1857, provided that " the State
University shall be established at one place, without branches at any other
place, and the university fund shall be applied to that institution and no
other."
164 HISTOEY OF IOWA.
At a special meeting of the board, February 21, 1 850, it recognized the
"College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Upper Mississippi," an institu-
tion at Davenport established under the laws of the State as the " College
of Physicians and Surgeons of the State University of Iowa," but with 'the
express stipulation that such recognition should not render the university
liable for any pecuniary aid, nor was the board tp acquire any control over
the property or management of the medical association. Soon after this the
medical college removed to Keokuk. This arrangement was terminated, by
the operation of the new constitution.
In March, 1855, the University was partially opened for a term of sixteen
weeks, and there was an attendance of from seventy-five to one hundred
students during the term. The first regular catalogue was published for the
year 185d-7. At a meeting of the board, August 4, 1858, the degree of
Bachelor of Science was conferred upon Dexter Edson Smith, being the first
degree conferred upon a student of the University. .->■
- From 1860 to 1877, inclusive, the total number of ladies in the collegiate
department was 2,994, and gentlemen 3,941; total number of ladies in the
law department since its organization, 6, and gentlemen, 632 ; total number
of ladies in the medical department since its organization 48, and gentlemen
469.
The presidents since its organization have been:
Amos Dean, of Albany, N. Y., elected July 16, 1855.
Silas Totten, D. D., LL.D., elected Oct. 25, 1859.
Professor Oliver M. Spencer, elected August 19, 1862.
Professor Nathan E. Leonard, elected June 26, 1866, as president pro
tern., during absence of President Spencer in Europe fifteen months by leave
of the board.
James Black, D.D., elected March 4, 1868.
Eev. George Thacher, elected March 1, 1871.
C "W. Slagle, of Fairfield, elected president pro tern., June, 1877.
J. L. Pickard, elected in 1878.
The faculty of the University consists of the president, nine professors in
the collegiate department, one professor and six instructors in military sci-
ence; chancellor, three professors and four lecturers in the law department;
eight" professor demonstrators of anatomy; professor of surgery and two
lecturers in the medical department, and two professors in the homeopathic
medical department. «
The law department was established in June, 1868 ; the medical depart-
ment in 1869; the chair of miltary instruction in June, 1874, and the depart-
ment of homeopathy in 1876.
From 1858 to 1876, inclusive, the General Assembly has made appropria-
tions for buildings, and for the support of the University, sums aggregating
$264,757. The Seventeenth General Assembly, by an act approved March
22, 1878, made an appropriation, as an endowment fund, of $20,000 annually,
and an additional appropriation of $10,000 for repairs of buildings, fences,
walks and other purposes. On the 30th of September, the University held
interest bearing mortgage notes amounting to $195,423.13; contract notes
amounting to $10,357,74, and a fund known as the Saline fund, amounting
to $4,106.85. These amounts, aggregating $209,887.72, constitute a per-
manent fund, the interest of which goes to the support of the University.
There were also, September 30, 1877, remaining unsold, 2,059.70 acres of
University lands, and 3887.10 acres of Saline lan'Ss, making a total of 5,946.80
HISTORY OF IOWA.. 165
acres, the proceeds of which when sold, will go to increase the permanent
University fund. At five dollars per acre these lands will add to the perma^
nent fund $29,734, which amount added to the above will give to the Uni-
versity a permanent endowment fund of $239,621.72.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
By an act of Congress passed in 1862, a grant of 240,000 acres of land
was made to the State for the endowment of schools of agriculture and the
mechanical arts. Under this act 240,000.96 acres were appropriated to the
State; but as 35,691.66 acres were located within railroad limits, which were
computed at the rate of two acres for one, the actual number of acres in the
grant was 204,309.30. In addition to this grant Congress also gave its
assent to the State to use for the same purpose the five sections of land in
jasper county, which had been selected for the seat of government of the
State. There were also donated in Story and Boone counties for the use of
the institution 921 acres, making a grand total of 208,430.30 acres. This
last donation of 921 acres was made by citizens of Story and Boone counties:
■ The General Assembly passed an act which was approved March 22, 1858,
establishing the Iowa Agricultural .College and Model Farm. Under this
act a board of trustees was appointed, which at a meeting in June, 1859,
received propositions for the location, and in July the offer of the present
location in Story county, was accepted. In 1864 the General Assembly api
propriated $20,000 for the erection of a College building, and in 1866
an additional appropriation of $91,000 was made. The building was com-
pleted in 1868. An office was opened in Fort Dodge for the sale of the Col-
lege lands, and Hon. George W. Bassett was appointed agent for their sale.
From the establishment of this agency in August; 1865, to November1 1;
1867, the amount received on sales of lands was $68,782.81, and the amount
of interest collected on leases for the same time was $338,931.78, making a
total of $406,714-65, which is a permanent endowment fund.
The courses of study in the College, as revised in 1877, are as follows:
1 — The Course in Science as related to Agriculture. 2 — The Course in
Mechanical Engineering. 3 — The. Course in Civil Engineering. 4 — The
Ladies' Course in Science. 5 — Course for Juniors and Seniors in-Special
Industrial Sciences. 6 — Post-graduate. Courses of Study. 7 — The Prepar-
atory Course. From 1872 to 1877, inclusive, the number of graduates of
the College was 123.
By the terms of the law, tuition in the Agricultural College is made for-
ever free to pupils from the State, over sixteen years of age, who have re-
sided in the State six months prior to their admission. Each Bounty in the
State has a prior right of tuition for three pupils-, and additional pupils to
the extent of the capacity of the College, are distributed by the board of
trustees among the counties in proportion to the population.
The following constitute ' the Faculty: — A. S, Welch, LL. D., President
and Professor of Psychology and Philosophy of Science; Gen. J: L. Geddes,
Professor of Military Tactics and Engineering; W. H. Wynn, A. M., Ph.
D., Professor of English Literature; C. E. Bessey, M. S., Professor of Bot-
any, Zoology, Entomology; A. Thompson, 0. E., Mechanical Engineering
and Superintendent of Workshops; F. E. L. BeaL B. S., Civil Engineering;
T. E. Pope, A. M., Chemistry; M. Stalker, Agricultural and veterinary
Science; J. L. Bttdd, Horticulture; J. K. Macomber, PhysicsvE- W. Stan-
ton, Mathematics and Political Economy; Mrs. Margaret P. Stanton, Pre-
166
HISTORY OF IOWA.
eeptress, Instructor in French and Mathematics; J. S. Lee, B. S , Assistant
Professor of Chemistry; Mrs. M. B. Welch, Instructor of the English Lan-
guage, and Lecturer on Domestic Economy; J. C. Arthur, M. S., Librarian,
and Demonstrator of Botany and Zoology. There are also instructors in
Yocal and Instrumental Music.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
. The State Normal School was established by the General Assembly, at Iowa
Falls, in 1876, and under the law the property of the Orphans' Home, at that
place, was transferred for the use of the Normal School. The first Board ot
Directors organized June 7th, of that year. H. C. Hemenway, was chosen
President; J. J. Tolerton, Secretary, and E. Townsend, Treasurer. At the
same meeting Prof. J. C. Gilchrist, A. M., was elected Principal of the
The' following constitute the Faculty:— J. 0. Gilchrist, A. M., Professor
of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Didactics; M. W. Bartlett, A. M.,
Professor of Languages and Natural Science; D. S. Wright, A. M., Profes-
sor of Mathematics; Miss Frances L. Webster, Teacher of Geography and
History; E. W. Burnham, Professor of Music.
During the second year 105 ladies and 50 gentlemen were in attendance,
33 counties of Iowa being represented. By an act of the General Assem-
bly, approved March 25, 1878, the sum of $13,500 was appropriated for the
maintenance of the school for the next biennial period of two years, By
the same act the board of directors were empowered to charge pupils a tui-
tion fee of not exceeding six dollars per term, if necessary, in order to prop-
erly support the school.
COLLEGES, SEMINARIES AND ACADEMIES.
There are also in Iowa the following educational institutions:
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
COUNTY.
LOCATION.
Des Moines .
Fayette ....
Fremont. . .
Henry
Henry
Humboldt . .
Jefferson...
Linn
Linn
Mahaska . . .
Mahaska . . .
Marion ....
Mills
8ff::::::
Poweshiek .
Scott
Warren
Winneshiek
Burlington
Fayette
Tabor
Mount Pleasant
Salem
Humboldt
Fairfield
Mount Vernon.
Western
Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa
Pella
Malvern
College Springs
Des Moines....
Grinnell
Davenport.
Indianola.
Decorah
Burlington University
Upper Iowa University
Tabor College
Iowa Wesleyan University.
Whittier College
Humboldt College
Parson's College
Cornell College
Western College
Oskaloosa College
Penn College
Central University of Iowa.
Baptist College
Amity College
University of Des Moines . .
Iowa College
Griswold College
Simpson Centenary College.
Luther College
HISTOKT OF IOWA.
ACADEMIES AND OTHER PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.
167
COUNTY.
LOCATION.
TITLE.
Allamakee . .
Allamakee . .
Allamakee. .
Appanoose. .
Appanoose. .
Benton
Benton
Benton
Benton
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Buchanan. . .
Chickasaw . .
Chickasaw . ■
Clarke
Clarke
Clayton
Clayton
Clayton
Clayton
Clinton
Clinton
Clinton
Clinton
Clinton
Clinton
Davis
Davis
Delaware. . .
Delaware . . .
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
.Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Dubuque —
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque —
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Oreene
Grundy
Guthrie
Hamilton
Hardin
Waukon
Lansing. . .
Lansing
Moulton
Centerville
Vinton
West Irving. . .
Blairstown
Vinton
Waterloo
Waterloo
Waterloo
Waterloo
Independence . . .
Bradford
Fredericksburg. .
Murray
Osceola
Elkader
Guttenburg
McGregor
Clayton Center. .
Lyons
Lyons
Lyons
Clinton
De Witt
Olive Township.
Bloomfield
Troy
HopMnton
Petersburg
Burlington
Kossuth
Burlington
Burlington
Burlington
Burlington
Burlington .....
Burlington
Burlington
Burlington
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dyersville
New Vienna
Cascade
Table Mound...
Dubuque
SherrilTs Mount.
Epworth
Parley
Jefferson
Grundy Center..
Panora
Webster City...
Ackley
Waukon Seminary >. .
Sisters' School
Mrs. Houghton's School
Moulton Normal School
Centerville Academy
Tilford Academy
Irving Institute
Blairstown Academy
Eclectic Institute
Conservatory of Music
Cedar Valley Institute
Prairie Home Seminary
Our Lady of Victory
Notre Dame
Bradford Academy
Select School
Graded School
Osceola Private School
Sisters' School ■
Sisters' School
Sisters' School
German School
Riverside Institute
Seminary of Our Lady of Angels
Latin School
Business College
Sisters' School
Norwegian
Southern Iowa Normal and Scientific Institute.
Troy Normal and Classical Institute
Lenox Collegiate Institute
Petersburg Catholic School
Mr. Gordon's School for both sexes
Kossuth Academy
Graff's School
Young Ladies' School
German- American School
German Evangelical Zion School
First German Evangelical School
St. John's Convent
St. Paul's School
St. Patrick's School
German Theological Seminary
St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's Academy
St. Mary's School
St. Patrick's School
Academy of Visitation
St. Maria, (German)
Private Primary
Private Boarding School
St. Francis
St. Boniface
Church School
Church School
Church School
St. Peters'
Epworth Seminary
Church School
Jefferson Academy
Grundy Center Academy
Guthrie County High School
Webster City Academy
Catholic School <
168 HISTOKT OB" IOWA.
ACADEMIES AND OTHER PRIVATE INSTIUTIONS-Co»W»m*<*.
COUNTY.
LOCATION.
TITLE.
Hardin
Hardin
Hardin...
Henry .-. .
Henry . . .
Henry . . .
Henry . . .
Howard. .
Iowa
Iowa
Jasper . .
Jasper . . .
Jasper . . .
Jefferson.
Jefferson.
Jefferson.
Johnson. .
Johnson. .
Jones.. ..
Jones. . ..
Keokuk. .
Keokuk..
Keokuk. .
Kossuth..
Lee
Linn
Louisa. . .
Lucas. . . .
Mahaska.
Mahaska .
Marion
Marshall
Marshall
Marshall
Marshall
Mills
Mitchell
Muscatine
Muscatine
Muscatine ....
Pocahontas
Polk
Polk
Polk
Polk
Pottawattamie .
Pottawattamie .
Pottawattamie .
Scott
Scott
Scott
Van Buren
Van Buren
Wapello
Wapello
Warren
Washington . . .
Webster
Webster -. .-.
Winneshiek. . . .
Winneshiek . . . .
Woodbury . ■ . .-.
Alden. .-
New Providence. . .
Eldora
Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant
New London
Cresco
Marsngo
LytleCity
Lynnville
Prairie ^Xty
Newton
Pleasant Plaine...
Fairfield
Fairfield
Iowa Gity.
Iowa City
Anamosa
Olin
Baden. *
Coal Creek
German Township.
Algona
Denmark .........
Cedar Rapids
Grand View
Chariton
Hopewell. . . . '
Oskaloosa
Rose Hill
Knoxville
Albion
Le Grand
Le Grand
Stanford
Glenwood
Wilton
Muscatine
Muscatine
Fonda
Des Moines. . .
Des Moines. . .
Des Moines . . .
Mitchellville. . ,
Couneil Bluffs.
Council Bluffs.
Council Bluffs.
Davenport
Davenport
Davenport < . . .
Birmingham . .
Farmington . . .
Ottumwa
Ottumwa
Ackworth. ....
Washington. . .
Fort Dodge. . .
Fort Dodge. . .
Decorah
Spillville
Sioux Cily. ■ . ■
Private School
New Providence Academy
Eldora Academy
Female Seminary, and Howe's Academy
German College. ,
German Primary
Academy
Private School
Root's Winter School
Catholic School
Lynnville Seminary
South Side Academy
Hazel Dell Academy
Pleasant Plaine Academy
Fairfield Academy, and Private School
High School ;
McClain's Academy, and St. Joseph's Institute'.
St. Agatha's Seminary >,
Anamosa Academy . '.
Olin High School
Baden Select School
Friends' Select School
German 'Lutheran School
Algona College
Denmark Academy
Collegiate Institute
Eastern Iowa Normal School >.
Chariton Academy
Hopewell Academy
Select School
Select School
Knoxville Academy
Albion Seminary
Le Grand Christian Institute
Le Grand Institute
Stanford Institute
Private School
Cedar Valley Seminary ;
Wilton Seminary, and Collegiate Institute
Sisters' School, and German School.
Business College
Teachers' Normal
St. Ambrose School '.
St. Mary's School, (German)
Business College
Mitchell Seminary
St. Francis' Boys School
St. Franeis' Girls' School
German School. . ■.
Margaret's, and Sisters' Academy
Cunigundus'
St. Anthony's, and Business College.
Birmingham Academy .
Select School
Convent of St. Joseph, and Commercial College.
Female Seminary, and Pecks' Normal
Ackworth Seminary
Washington Academy t
Convent of Our Lady of Lourdes » .
German School. -.
Decorah. Institute, and Business College... •••
Catholic School
German School
HISTOET OF IOWA. 169
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
Hospitals for the Insane— College for the Blind— Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb— Or-
phans' Homes— Asylum forTeeble-Minded Children— The Penitentiary— The Additional
Penitentiary— State Reform School — State Historical Society.
HOSPITAL FOE THE INSANE, MT. PLEA8ANT, HENET COUNTT.
The General Assembly, by an act approved January 24, 1855, appropri-
ated $4,425 to purchase a site for a Hospital for the Insane, and $50,000 for
the erection of a building. Edward Johnston, of Lee county; Charles S.
Clarke, of Henry county, and the Governor (Grimes), were appointed to se-
lect the location and superintend the erection of a building. They made
the location at Mt. Pleasant, Henry county, and adopted a plan with suffi-
cient capacity to accommodate three hundred patients. Henry Win slow
was appointed to superintend the erection of the building. The building
was not ready for occupancy until March, 1861. Within the first three
months about one hundred patients were admitted. Eichard J. Patterson;
M. D., of Ohio, was appinted Superintendent, and in 1865 he was succeeded
by Dr. Mark Banney. From the opening of the Hospital to the 1st of No-
vember, 1877, there had been admitted 3,584 patients, of whom 1,141 had
been discharged recovered, 505 improved, ,589 unimproved, and one died.
The total number discharged was 2,976, leaving 608 under treatment.
HOSPITAL FOE THE INSANE, INDEPENDENCE, BUCHANAN COUNTT.
In 1868 a bill passed the General Assembly making an appropriation of
$125,000 for the erection of an additional Hospital for the Insane, at Inde-
pendence, Buchanan county. A board of commissioners was appointed*
who commenced their duties June 8, 1868. They made the location about
a mile from Independence, on the west side of the Wapsipinicon river, and
about one mile from the river. The building was ready for occupancy
April 21, 1873. On the 1st of October, 1877, the Superintendent, Albert
Eeynolds, M. D., reported 322 patients in the hospital.
COLLEGE FOE THE BLIND, VINTON, BENTON COUNTT.
In August, 1852, Prof. Samuel Bacon, himself blind, established an in-
stitution at Keokuk for the instruction of the blind. In January, 1853, the
General Assembly passed an act by which the State adopted the institution
at Keokuk, and on the 4th of April, of the same year, it was opened for the
reception of pupils, at Iowa City. A board of trustees was appointed, with
authority to receive propositions and make a permanent location. Liberal
donations were made by citizens of Yinton, Benton county, and that place
was selected. In October, 1862, the institution was opened at Yinton with
twenty-four pupils. Up to 1878 about $285,000 have been expended in
buildings and improvements connected with this institution. During the
period of two years, ending November 6, 1877, about 135 pupils were
in attendance. The faculty is presided over by Rev. Robert Carothers, A.
M., as Principal
170 HISTORY OF IOWA.
INSTITUTION FOE THE DEAF AND DUMB, COUNCIL BLUFFS, POTTAWATTAMIE
COUNTY.
This institution was established first at Iowa City, by an act of the Gen-
eral Assembly, approved January 24, 1855. W. E. Ijaras was the first
Principal. He resigned in 1862, and the board of trustees appointed Ben-
jamin Talbot his successor. In 1868 commissioners were appointed to re-
locate the institution and superintend the erection of a building, and the
sum of $125,000 was appropriated to commence the work. It was located
about two miles south of Council Bluffs, and connected with it is a tract of
about ninety acres of ground. The main building and one wing were com-
pleted October 1, 1870, and immediately occupied. On the 25th of Feb-
ruary, 1877, the main building and east wing were destroyed by fire, and
and on the 6th of August, of the same year, the roof of the new west wing
was blown off and the walls partially injured by a tornado. About 150.
pupils were in attendance at the time of the fire. About half of the classes
were dismissed, reducing the number to about seventy. The institution re-
mains in charge of Benjamin Talbot as Superintendent. By an act of the
General Assembly, approved March 25, 1878, the sum of $40,000 was ap-
propriated for the purpose of rebuilding and completing in a plain and svb-
stantial manner the main building.
SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOMES, DAVENPORT, CEDAR FALLS, GLENWOOD.
In 1866 the General Assembly passed an act establishing three Homes
for the soldiers' orphans, as follows: located at Davenport, Cedar Falls,
and Glenwood. This was the result of a movement inaugurated by Mrs.
Annie "Wittenmeyer, d*ring the civil war. In October, 1863, she
called a convention at Davenport, to devise measures for the support and
education of the orphan children of Iowa soldiers who had fallen in the na-
tional defense. An association was formed, and provision made for raising
funds. A sufficient amount of funds was raised to open the Home, and
at a meeting of the Trustees in March, 1864, they decided to commence op-
erations at once. A large brick building in Yan Buren county was secured,
and on the 13th of July, of the same year, the executive committee re-
ported that they were ready to receive pupils. In little more than six
months seventy pupils were in attendance. The Home continued to be sus-
tained by voluntary subscriptions until 1866, when it was assumed by the
State and' the three Homes established as above stated. In 1876 the Homes
at Cedar Falls and Glenwood were discontinued, and the pupils remaining
in them removed to the Home at Davenport. The buildings at Cedar Falls
were appropriated to the use of the State Normal School, and those at Glen-
wood to the use of the Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children. September
30, 1877, there were in attendance at the Home in Davenport 139 sol-
diers' orphans, and forty-one indigent children, the Sixteenth General As-
sembly having passed an act opening the Home for the admission of in-
digent children.
ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN, GLENWOOD, MILLS COUNTY.
By an act approved March 17, 1876, an Asylum for. Feeble-Minded
Children was established at Glenwood, Mills county. The buildings and
grounds for the Soldiers' Orphans' Home were by the same act transferred
HISTORY Or IOWA. 171
to the use of the new institution, which was placed under the management
of three trustees, who held their first meeting at Glenwood, April 26, 1876.
The property having been repaired, the Asylum was opened September 1>
1876, and the school organized on the 6th with only five pupils. In Novem-
ber, 1877, the number had increased to eighty-seven.
THE PENITENTIARY, FOET MADISON, LEE COUNTY.
The Territorial Legislature by an act approved January 25, 1839, provided
for the election by joint ballot of the Council and House of Representa-
tives of the Territory, of three directors to locate the Penitentiary within
one mile of the public square in the town of Fort Madison, and provided
further, limiting the cost of the Penitentiary to an amount not exceeding
forty thousand dollars. The same act authorized the Governor to draw the
sum of twenty thousand dollars which had been appropriated by 'Congress
for the erection of public buildings In the Territory of Iowa, to pay for
materials and work on the building. The location at Fort Madison, how-
ever, was coupled with a proviso that the citizens of that place and Lee
county should execute to the directors a deed for ten acres of ground. All
the conditions were complied with, and the erection of the building was
commenced July 9, 1839. The- main building and warden's house were
completed in the autumn of 1841. Since that time additions and other im-
provements have been made.
ADDITIONAL PENITENTIARY, ANAMOSA, JONES COUNTY
The Additional Penitentiary at Anamosa was established under an act of
the General Assembly approved April 3, 1872. Three commissioners were
appointed to make the location and provide for the erection of the necessary
buildings. They met at Anamosa, June 4, 1872, and made selection of a
site donated by the citizens. Work was commenced on the building Sep-
tember 28th of the same year, and May 13, 1873, twenty convicts were
transferred from the Penitentiary at Fort Madison to Anamosa. The entire
enclosure embraces fifteen acres.
THE STATE REFORM SCHOOL, ELDORA, HARDIN COUNTY.
On the 31st of March, 1868, an act of the General Assembly was approved
establishing a State Reform School near the town of Salem, Henry county.
A board of trustees, consisting of one from each Congressional district, was
appointed. A proposition was accepted for the lease of W bite's Iowa Man-
ual Labor Institute at Salem, the buildings fitted up, and on the 7th of Octo-
ber, 1868, the first inmate was received from Jasper county. In 1872, an act
was passed and approved providing for the permanent location, and $45,000
appropriated for erecting the necessary buildings. The permanent location
was made at Eldora, Hardin county. Inmates are admitted at ages over
seven and under sixteen years. The object of this school is the reformation
of juvenile offenders.
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in 1856, under an act of the Sixth General As-
sembly, "for the purpose of collecting, arranging and preserving books,
pamphlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary, and other
172 % HISTORY OF IOWA.
materials illustrative of the history of this State; and also to preserve the
memory of the early pioneers of Iowa, their deeds, exploits, perils, and adven-
tures; to secure facts relative to our Indian Tribes; to exhibit faithfully the
antiquities, and to mark the progress of our rapidly increasing common,
wealth; to publish such of the collections of the society as it shall from time
to time deem of value and interest; to bind such publications and other
books, pamphlets, manuscripts and papers as they may publish or collect;
and to aid in all respects as may be within its province, to develop the his-
tory of this State in all its departments." At that time the sum of $3,000
per annum for two years was appropriated. The society is under the man-
agement of a board of Curators, consisting of one member appointed by the
governor from each congressional district, and of nine additional members
elected by the society. The officers consist of a president, secretary, treasurer
and librarian. ,
RAILROADS.
In May, 1854, the first rail was laid in Iowa, at or near high water mark
on the bank of the Mississippi, in the city of Davenport. That year the road
was completed to Iowa City, a distance of about 54f miles. The first loco-
motive in Iowa was landed' at Davenport in July of the same year, and was
called the "Antoine LeClaire." The road was then called the Mississippi
& Missouri Railroad. The first rail was laid at Keokuk, on what was then
called the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines & Minnesota Railroad, on the 9th day
of September, 1856, and in October of the same year two locomotives for the
road were landed at Keokuk from a barge which arrived from Quincy.
They were cabled the "Keokuk" and the "Des Moines."
In the meantime several lines of railroad had been projected to cross the
State from points on the Mississippi. On the 15th of May, 1756, an act of
Congress was approved makinga grant of land to the State to aid in the
construction of railroads from Burlington to the Missouri river, near the
mouth of Platte river; from Davenport, via Iowa City and Fort Des Moines
to Council Bluffs; from Lyons northeasterly to apoint of intersection with
the main line of the Iowa Central Air Line Railroad, near Maquoketa
thence on said main line, running as near as practicable on the forty-second
parallel across the State to the Missouri river, and from Dubuque to a point on
the Missouri river at or near Sioux City. The grant embraced the sections
designated by odd numbers six miles in width on each side of the four roads
named. Where lands had been sold the State was authorized to select other
lands equal in quantity from alternate sections or parts of sections within
fifteen miles of the lines located. The law provided certain conditions to be
observed by the State in disposing of the lands to the railroads for which
they were granted. In consequence of this grant the governor called a spe^
cial session of the General Assembly which convened at Iowa City in July of
that year, and on the 14th of the same month an act waB approved accepting
the grant, and regranting the lands to the railroads named, on certain specir
fled conditions. The roads, with the exception of the Iowa Central Air Line,
accepted the several grants, and located their lines before April 1, 1857, that
being a stipulation in the act of July 14th. The lands granted to the Iowa
Central Air Line road were again granted to the Cedar Rapids & Missouri
River Railroad Company. The act of Congress making this grant named
no companies, but designated certain lines, in aid of which they should be
HISTORY OF IOWA. J7J}
applied, leaving the State free to dispose of the lands to such companies as
would comply with the conditions. The state granted th& lands to the fol7
lowing companies: Burlington & Missouri Eiver Eailroad Company; Mis-
sissippi & Missouri Eiver Eailroad Company; Cedar Eapids & Missouri
Eiver Eailroad Company, and Dubuque & Sioux City Eailroad Company.
These became the first land grant roads in Iowa. Several subsequent acts
of Congress modified the conditions of the first act, especially with reference
to changes in the lines of the several roads:. On the 12th of May, 1864,
Congress made another grant of land to the State to aid in the construction
of a railroad^ from McGregor to Sioux City. ' This grant embraced everv
alternate section ten miles on each side of the proposed road, with the right
to receive other lands for such as might be sold or pre-empted.
By an act approved August 8, 1846, Congress granted to Iowa the alter-
nate sections on'each side of the Des; Moines river for the purpose of improv-
ing the navigation of that river from the mouth to the Eaccoon Fork. In
1847 the State organized a board of -public works. The board constructed,
or partially constructed, dams and locks at some four or five points on the
river, when with the approval of Congress, the lands were transferred to a
company styled the Des Moines Navigation and Eailroad Company. At
this time (1854) the board of public works had disposed of most of the lands
below the Eaccoon Fork, and 58,000 acres above it, and had incurred an
indebtedness of $70,000 over and above the proceeds of the sales made.
This indebtedness was assumed by the company. In the meantime there
were different and conflicting rulings as to whether the lands above the
Eaccoon Fork were intended to be included in the grant. This led to a
compromise with the Des Moines Navigation and Eailroad Company. The
company took all the land certified to the State prior to 1857, and paid the
State $20,000 in addition to what they had expended, and abandoned the
work. Congress, in 1862, settled the question as to the extent of the grant
by a definite enactment extending the grant to the north line of the State,
and the General Assembly granted the remainder of the lands to the Des
Moines Yalley Eailroad Company to aid in building a railroad up and along
the Des Moines valley, and thus this road also became a land grant road.
Under the several acts of Congress there have been granted to the State
to aid in building railroads, an aggregate of 4,394,400.63 acres of land,
including the grant of August 8, 1846, for the Des Moines river improve-
ment, as follows:
Burlington and Missouri Eiver Eailroad 292,806.41
Mississippi and Missouri Eiver (now C. E. I. & P.) 482,374.3.6
.Iowa Central Air Line (now Cedar Eapids & Missouri). .... 735,997.80
Dubuque & Sioux City & Branch 1,232,359.15
McGregor & Sioux City (now McGregor & Missouri Eiver). . 137,572.27
Sioux City & St. Paul 407,910.21
Des Moines Yalley.-. 1,105,380.43
Total number of acres 4,394,400.63
On the 1st of January, 187V, there were in Iowa 3,938 miles of railroad.
, Since that time the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, as it is now called, has
been extended from Algona to Sheldon, and several other lines have been
'. constructed or extended, making over 4,000 miles of railroad in the State,
with an aggregate assessed valuation of oveir $23,000,000. • Several very
174 HISTORY OF IOWA.
important roads in the State have heen constructed without the aid of land
grants, while others are projected and will be completed in due time.
OFFICIAL KECOKD.
TERRITORIAL OFFICERS.
Governors— Kobert Lucas, 1838-41; John Chambers, 1841-45; James
Clarke, 1845.
Secretaries— William B. Conway, 1838, died 1839; James Clarke, 1839;
O. H. W. Stull, 1841; Samuel J. Burr, 1843; Jesse Williams, 1845.
Auditors— Jesse Williams, 1840; Wm. L. Gilbert, 1843; Kobert M.
Secrest, 1845.
Treasurers - Thornton Bayliss, 1839; Morgan Keno, 1840.
Judges — Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838; Joseph Williams, 1838;
Thomas S. Wilson, 1838.
Presidents of Council — Jesse B. Browne, 1838-9; Stephen Hempstead,
1839-40; M. Bainridge, 1840-1; Jonathan W. Parker, 1841-2; John D.
Elbert, 1842-3; Thomas Cox, 1843-4; S. Clinton Hastings, 1845; Stephen
Hempstead, 1845-6.
Speakers of the House— William H. Wallace, 1838-9; Edward John-
ston, 1839-40; Thomas Cox, 1840-1; Warner Lewis, 1841-2 ; James M.
Morgan, 1842-3; James P. Carleton, 1843-4; James M. Morgan, 1845;
George W. McCleary, 1845-6.
Fvrst Constitutional Convention, 1844 — Shepherd Leffler, President;
Geo. S. Hampton, Secretary.
Second Constitutional Convention, 1846 — Enos Lowe, President; Wil-
liam Thompson, Secretary.
OFFICERS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
Governors — Ansel Briggs, 1846 to 1850; Stephen Hempstead, 1850 to
1854; James W. Grimes, 1854 to 1858; Kalph P. Lowe, 1858 to 1860;
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860 to 1864; William M. Stone, 1864 to 1868;
Samuel Merrill, 1868 to 1872; Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1872 to 1876; Samuel
J. Kirkwood, 1876 to 1877; Joshua G. Newbold, Acting, 1877 to 1878;
John H. Gear, 1878 to .
Jjieutenant Governors — Office created by the new Constitution September
3, 1857— Oran Faville, 1858-9; Nicholas J. Kusch, 1860-1; John E.
Needham, 1862-3; Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-5; Benjamin F. Gue, 1866-
67; John Scott, 1868-9; M. M. Walden, 1870-1; H. C. Bulis, 1872-3;
Joseph Dysart, 1874-5; Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-7; Frank T. Campbell,
1878 to .
Secretaries of State — Elisha Cutler, Jr., Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 4, 1848;
Josiah H. Bonney, Dec. 4, 1848, to Dec. 2, 1850; George W. McCleary,
Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 1, 1856; Elijah Sells, Dec. 1, 1856,-to Jan. 5, 1863;
James Wright, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Ed. Wright, Jan. 7, 1867, to
Jan. 6, 1873; Josiah T. Young, Jan. 6, 1873, to 1879; J. A. T. Hull, 1879
to .
Auditors of State— Joseph T. Fales, Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 2, 1850;
William Pattee, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1854; Andrew J. Stevens, Dec.
4, 1854, resigned in 1855; John Pattee, Sept. 22, 1855, to Jan. 3, 1859;
HISTORY OF IOWA. 175
*
Jonathan W. Cattell, 1859 to 1865; John A. Elliott, 1865 to 1871; John
Eussell, 1871 to 1875; Buren E. Sherman, 1875 to .
Treasurers of State— Morgan Reno, Dec. 18, 1846, to Dec. 2,1850;
Israel Kister, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1852; Martin L. Morris, Dec i,
1852, to Jan. 2, 1859; John W. Jones, 1859 to 1863; William H. Holmes,
1863 to 1867; Samuel E. Eankin, 1867 to 1873; William Christy, 1873 to
1877; George W. Bemis, 1877 to .
Superintendents of Public Instruction — Office created in 1847
James Harlan, June 5, 1847 (Supreme Court decided election void);
Thomas H. Benton, Jr., May 23, 1847, to June 7, 1854; James D. Eads,
1854-7; Joseph C. Stone, March to June, 1857; Maturin L. Fisher, 1857
to Dec, 1858, when the office was abolished and the duties of the office de-
volved upon the Secretary of the Board of Education.
Secretaries of Board of Education — Thomas H. Benton, Jr., 1859-
1863; Oran Eaville, Jan. 1, 1864. Board abolished March 23, 1864.
Superintendents of Public Instruction — Office re-created March 23,
1864— Oran Faville, March 28, 1864, resigned March 1, 1867; D, Franklin
Wells, March 4, 1867, to Jan., 1870; A. S. Kissell, 1870 to 1872; Alonzo
Abernethy, 1872 to 1877; Carl W. von Coelln, 1877 to .
Registers of the State Land Office — Anson Hart, May 5, 1855, to May
13, 1857; Theodore S. Parvin, May 13, 1857, to Jan. 3, 1859; Amos B.
Miller, Jan. 3, 1859, to October, 1862; Edwin Mitchell, Oct. 31, 1862, to
Jan. 5, 1863; Josiah A. Harvey, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Cyrus C.
Carpenter, Jan. 7, 1867, to January, 1871; Aaron Brown, January, 1871,
to January, 1875; David Secor, January, 1875 to 1879; J. K. Powers, 1879
to . .
State Binders — Office created February 2t, 1855 — William M. Coles,
May 1, 1855, to May 1, 1859; Frank M. Mills, 1859 to 1867; James S.
Carter, 1867 to 1870; J. J. Smart, 1870 to 1874; H. A. Perkins, 1874 to
1875; James J. Smart, 1875 to 1876; H. A. Perkins, 1876 to 1879; Matt.
C. Parrott, 1879 to .
State Printers — Office created Jan. 3, 1840 — Garrett D. Palmer and
George Paul, 1849; William H. Merritt, 1851 to 1853; William A. Horn-
ish, 1853 (resigned May 16, 1853); Mahoney & Dorr, 1853 to 1855; Peter
Moriarty, 1855 to 1857; John Teesdale, 1857 to 1861; Francis W. Palmer,
1861 to 1869; Frank M. Mills, 1869 to 1870; G. W. Edwards, 1870 to
1872 ;E. P. Clarkson, 1872 to 1879; Frank M. Mills, 1879 to .
Adjutants General — Daniel S. Lee, 1851-5; Geo. W. McCleary, 1855-
7; Elijah Sells, 1857; Jesse Bowen, 1857-61; Nathaniel B.Baker, 1861 to
1877; John H. Looby, 1877 to 1878; Noble Warwick, resigned;
G. L. Alexander, 1878 to .
Attorneys General — David C. Cloud, 1853-56; Samuel A. Eice, 1856-
60; Charles C. Nourse, 1861-4; Isaac L. Allen, 1865 (resigned January,
1866); Frederick E. Bissell, 1866 (died June 12, 1867); Henry O'Connor,
1867-72; Marsena E. Cutts, 1872-6; John F. McJunkin, 1877 to .
Presidents of the Senate — Thomas Baker, 1846-7; Thomas Hughes,
1848; John J. Selman, 1848-9; Enos Lowe, 1850-1; William E. Leffing-
well, 1852-3; Maturin L. Fisher, 1854-5; William W. Hamilton, 1856-7.
Under the new Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor is President of the
Senate.
Speakers of the House — Jesse B. Browne, 1847-8; Smiley H. Bonhan,
1849-50; George Tpmple, 1851-2: James Grant, 1853-4; Eeuben Noble,
l-Jg giSTOKT OF IOWA.
jut
1855-6; Samuel McFarland, 1856-7; Stephen B. Sheledy, 1858-9; John
Edwards, 1860-1; Eush Clark. 1862-3; Jacob Butler, 1864^5; Ed. Wriglft,
1866-7; John Eussell, 1868-9; Aylett E. Cotton, 1870-1; James Wilson,
1872-3; John H. Gear, 1874-7; John Y. Stone, 1878.
New Constitutional Convention, 1857— Francis Springer, President;
Thos. J. Saunders, Secretary.
STATE OFFICERS, 1878,
John H. Gear, Governor ; Frank T. Campbell, Lieutenant Governor; Josiah
T. Young, Secretary of State; Buren B. Sheaman, Auditor of State; Geo.
W. Bemis Treasurer of State; David Secor, Eegister of State Land Office j
John H. Looby, Adjutant-General; John F. McJunken, Attorney-General;
Mrs. Ada North, State Librarian ; Edward J. Holmes, Clerk Supreme Court-
John S. Eunnells, Eeporter Supreme Court; Carl W. von Ceolln, Superin-
tendent Public Instruction ; Eichard P. Ciarkson, State Printer; Henry A.
Perkins, State Binder; Prof. Nathan E. Leonard, Superintendent of Weights
and Measures; William H. Fleming, Governor's Private Secretary; Fletcher
W. Young, Deputy Secretary of State; John C. Parish, Deputy Auditor of
State; E^astus G. Morgan, Deputy Treasurer of State; John M.Davis,
Deputy Eegister Land Office; Ira C. Kling, Deputy Superintendent Pub-
lic Instruction.
STATE OFFICEES, 1879.
John H. Gear, Governor; Frank T. Campbell, Lieutenant-Governor;
J. A. T. Hull, Secretary of State; Buren E. Sherman, Auditor of State";
George W. Bemis, Treasurer of State; J. If. Powers, Eegister of State Land
Office; G. L. Alexander, Adjutant-General; John F. McJunken, Attor-
ney-General; Mrs. Sadie B. Maxwell, State Librarian; Edward J. Holmes,
Clerk Supreme Court; John S. Eunnells, Eeporter Supreme Court; Cart
W. von Coelln, Superintendent Public Instruction ; Frank M. Mills, State
Printer; Matt C. Parrott, State Binder.
THE JUDICIAEY.
SUPREME COURT OF IOWA.
Chief Justices. — Charles Mason, resigned in June, 1847; Joseph Wil-
liams, Jan., 1847, to Jan., 1848; S. Clinton Hastings, Jan., 1848, to Jan.,
1849; Joseph Williams, Jan., 1849, to Jan. 11, 1855; George G. Wright,
Jan. 11, 1855, to Jan., 1860; Ealph P. Lowe, Jan., 1860, to Jan. 1, 1862;
Caleb Baldwin, Jan., 1862, to Jan., 1864; George G. Wright, Jan., 1864, to
Jan., 1866; Ealph P.Lowe, Jan., 1866, to Jan., 1868; John F. Dillon,
Jan., 1868, to Jan., 1870; Chester C. Cole, Jan. 1, 1870, to Jan. 1, 1871;
James G. Day, Jan. 1, 1871. to Jan. 1, 1872; Joseph M. Beck, Jan.l, 1872,
to Jan. 1, 1874; Wm. E. Miller, Jan. 1, 1874, to Jan. lj 1876; Chester 0.
Cole, Jan. 1, 1876, to Jan. 1, 1877; James G. Day, Jan. 1, 1877, to Jan. 1,
1878; James H. Eothrock, Jan. 1, 1878.
Associate Judges. — Joseph Williams; Thomas S. Wilson, resigned Oct*,
1847; John F. Kinney, June 12, 1847, resigned Feb. 15; 1854; George
Greene, Nov. 1, 1847, to Jan 9, 1855; Jonathan O. Hall, Feb. 15, 1854, to
succeed Kinney, resigned, to Jan., 1855; William G. Woodward; Jan, 9,
1855; Norman W. Isbell, Jan. 16, 1855, resigned 1856;, Lacen D. Stockton,
history oy iowa. _ 177
June 3, 1856, to succeed Isbell, resigned, died June 9, 1860; Caleb Bald-
win, Jan. 11, I860, to 1864; Kalph P. Lowe, Jan. 12, 1860; Geo. G. "Wright,
June 26, 1860, to succeed Stockton, deceased; elected U. S. Senator, 1870;
John F. Dillon, Jan. 1, 1864, to succeed Baldwin, resigned, 1870; Chester
C. Cole, March 1,1864, to 1867; Joseph M.Beck, Jan. 1, 1868; W.E. Mil-
ler, October 11, 1864, to succeed Dillon, resigned; James G. Day, Jan. 1,
1871, to succeed Wright.
SUPREME COURT, 1879.
Joseph M. Beck, Lee county, Chief Justice; Austin Adams, Dubuque
county, Associate Justice; William H. Seevers, Mahaska county, Associate
Justice; James G. Day, Fremont county, Associate Justice; Jas. H. Roth-
rock, Cedar county, Associate Justice.
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.
UNITED STATES SENATORS.
(The first General Assembly failed to elect Senators.)
; George W. Jones, Dubuque, Dec. 1848-1858: Augustus C. Dodge, Bur-
lington, Dec. 7, 1848-1855 ;' James Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, Jan. 6, 1855-1865;
James W. Grimes, Burlington, Jan. 26, 1858 — died 1870; Samuel J. Kirk-
wood, Iowa City, elected Jan 13, 1866, to fill vacancy occasioned by resig-
nation of James Harlan; James Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, March 4, 1866-1872;
James B. Howell, Keokuk, elected Jan. 20, 1870, to fill vacancy caused by
the death of J. W. Grimes — term expired March 3d; George G. Wright,
Des Moines, March 4, 1871-1877; William B. Allison, Dubuque, March 4,
1872; Samuel J. Kirkwood, March 4, 1877.
MEMBEES OF HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.
>Twmty*wmth Congress— 181j6 to 181fl — S. Clinton Hastings; Shepherd
Lefiier.
Thirtieth Congress — 184-7 to 1849 — First District, William Thompson;
Second District, Shepherd Leffler.
Thirty-first Congress — 181)9 to 1851 — First District, First Session, Wm.
Thompson; unseated by the House of Representatives on a contest, and
election remanded to the people. First District, Second Session, Daniel F.
Miller; Second District, Shepherd Leffler.
Thirty '-second Congress — 1851 to iS<J&— First District, Bernhart Henn ;
Second District, Lincoln Clark.
Thirty-third Congress— 1853 to 1855 — First District, Bernhart Henn;
Second District, John P. Cook.
ThiHy-fov/rth Congress — 1855 to 1857 — First District, Augustus Hall;
Second District, James Thorington.
Ihirty-fifth Congress — 1857 to 1859— First District, Samuel R. Curtis;
Second District, Timothy Davis.
Thirtu-sixth Congress— 1859 to 1861-^-Fmt District, Samuel R. Curtis;
Second District. William Yandever.
12
178 HIBTOBY OT IOWA.
Thirty-seventh Congress— 1861 to 1863— First District, First Session,
Samuel ft. Curtis.* First District, Second and Third Sessions, Jas. F. Wil-
son; Second District, Wm. Vandever.
Thirty-eighth Congress — 1863 to 1865— First District, James F. "Wilson;
Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth
District Josiah B. Grinnell; Fifth District, John A. Kasson; Sixth Dist,,
Asahel W. Hubbard.
Thirty-ninth Congress — 1865 to 1867 — First District, James F. Wilson;
Second District Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth
District Josiah B. Grinnell; Fifth District John A. Kasson; Sixth District,
Asahel W. Hubbard.
Fortieth Congress — 1867 to 1869— First District, James F. Wilson; Sec-
ond District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth
District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, Grenville M. Dodge; Sixth
District, Asahel W. Hubbard.
Forty-first Congress— 1869 to 1871— First District, Geo. W. McOrary;
Second District William Smyth; Third District, William B.Allison; Fourth
District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth
District, Charles Pomeroy.
Forty-second Congress — 1871 to 1873 — First District, George W. Mc-
Crary; Second District, Aylett K.Cotton; Third District W. G.Donnan;
Fourth District, Madison M. Walden; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer;
Sixth District, Jackson Orr.
Forty-third Congress— 1873 to 1875— First District, Geo. W. McCrary;
Second District, Aylett ft. Cotton; Third District, William G. Donnan;
Fourth District, Henry O. Pratt; Fifth District, James Wilson; Sixth Dis-
trict, William Loughridge; Seventh District, John A Kasson; Eighth Dis-
trict, James W. McDill; Ninth District, Jackson Orr.
Forty-fourth Congress— 1875 to 1877— First District George W. Mc-
Orary; Second District, John Q. Tufts; Third District, L. L. Ainsworth;
Fourth District, Henry O. Pratt; Fifth District, James Wilson; Sixth Dis-
trict, Ezekiel S. Sampson; Seventh District, John A. Kasson; Eighth Dis-
trict, James W. McDill; Ninth District, Addison Oliver.
Forty-fifth Congress— 1877 to 1879— First District, J. C. Stone; Second
District, Hiram Price; Third District, T. W. Burdick; Fourth District, H.
C. Deering; Fifth District, Rush Clark; Sixth District, E. S. Sampson;
Seventh District, H. J. B. Cummings; Eighth District, W. F. Sapp; Ninth
District, Addison Oliver.
: Forty-swath Congress— 1879 to 1881— First District, Moses A. McCoid;
Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, Thomas Updegraff; Fourth
District, H. C. Deering; Fifth District, Eush Clark; Sixth District, J. B.
Weaver; Seventh District, E. H. Gillette; Eighth District, W. F. Sapp;
Ninth District, Cyrus C. Carpenter.
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
On the 14th of April, 1853, the following editorial appeared in the Fair-
field Ledger:
" State Fair. — Iowa is an Agricultural State, but as yet her agricultural
resources are but in the infancy ot their development. In some counties,
* Vacated seat by acceptance of commission of Brigadier General, and J. P. Wilson
chosen his successor.
HISTOBY OF IOWA. 179
however, some attention has been paid to the organization of societies for the
t promotion of the interests of agriculture. These several societies have had
their annual fairs, and in this way much good has been done, but the growing
importance of our agricultural and industrial interest now demands a more
feneral and extensive arrangement. Let us then have a State Agricultural
'air sometime in next October or November. Let some central point be
fixed upon for an exhibition which will be an honor to our young State. It
would not be expected that the first exhibition of the kind would vie with
those of older States, where societies have long been established. But in a
few years a well organized State Society with its annual fairs, would accom-
plish the same good results that have attended them in other States. The
mechanical arts, as well as the raising of stock or grain, might be brought
to a high state of perfection. We suggest that this matter be taken into
consideration in time, and let there be a union of all the county societies
that are organized, With such as may be organized, for the purpose of hold*
inga general Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition next fall."
The suggestions of the foregoing article were heartily seconded by several
papers of the State, and especially by the Iowa Farmer and Horticulturist,
at Burlington.
No definite action was taken until the 14th day of October, 1853, when
at the close of the Second Annual Exhibiton of the Jefferson County Agri-
cultural Society, that Society met for the election of a board of officers.
At this meeting 0. W. Slagle offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the officers of the Society be instructed to take immediate
steps to effect the organiztion of a State Agricultural Society and use their
influence to have said Society hold its first exhibition at Fairfield, in Octo-
ber, 1854.
This resolution was adopted, and on the 21st of November, a notice signed
by P. L. Huyett, 0. Baldwin, and J. M. Shaffer, was issued to the different
county societies, inviting them to send delegates to a meeting to be held at
Fairfield, December 28, 1853, to take part in the organization of a State
Society. Pursuant to this call, the meeting was held, and delegates were
present from the counties of Henry, Jefferson, Lee, Van Buren and Wap-
ello. Communications from officers of societies, and one from Hon. James
W. Grimes, were read, heartily approving of the movement. D. P. Ins-
keep, of Wapello county, was chairman of the meeting, and David Sheward,
of Jefferson county, secretary. A committee was appointed which reported
a constitution for the society. The society was duly organized with the fol-
following officers: Thomas W. Claggett, Lee county, President; D. P. Ins-
keep, Wapello county, Vice President; J. M. Shaffer, Jefferson county,
Secretary; C. W. Slagle, Jefferson county, Corresponding Secretary, and W.
B. Chamberlin, Des Moines county, Treasurer.
In addition to the above officers, the following were appointed a Board of
Managers:
Zee County. — Arthur Bridgeman, Reuben Brackett, and Josiah Hinkle.
Van Buren County. — Timothy Day, Dr. Elbert, and William Campbell.
Henry County. — Thomas Siviter, Amos Lapham, and J. W. Frazier.
Jefferson County. — P. L. Huyett, John Andrews, and B. B. Tuttle.
Wapello County. — R. H. Warden, Gen. Ramsay, and Uriah Biggs.
Mahaska County. — Win. McKinley, Sr., John White, and M. T. Wil-
liams.
Polk County. — Dr. Brooks, Thomas Mitchell, and William McKay.
180 HISTOBT OF IOWA;
Des Momes County. — J. F. Tallant, A. K. Avery, and G. Neely.
Louisa County. — George Kee, Francis Springer, and Joshua Marshal].
Muscatme County. — J. H. Wallace, James Weed, and John A. Parvus
Dubuque County. — W. Y. Lovel, Orlando McCraney, and L. H. Lang
worthy.
Johnson County. — R. H. Sylvester, LeGrand Byington, and C. Saunders,
Scott County.— J. A. Burchard, James Thorington, and Laurel .Summers,
A resolution was adopted providing that the first State Fair be held at
Fairfield, commencing Wednesday, October 25, 1854. A resolution was
also adopted for the appointment of a committee of five to memorialize the
General Assembly for pecuniary aid, and the following were appointed:
George W. McCleary, of Johnson county; George S. Hampton, of Johnson
county; David Korer, of Des Moines county; Ralph P. Lowe, of Lee
county, and George Gillaspy, of Wapello county.
At this meeting the following fourteen persons affixed their signatures to
the Constitution, agreeing to become members: Charles Negus, J. M.
Shaffer, D. P. Inskeep, Amos Lapham, J. W. Frazier, Josiah Hinkle, J. T.
Gibson, Stephen Frazier, Evan Marshall. Thomas Siviter, John Andrews,
B. B. Tuttle, Eli Williams, and P. L. Huyett.
This meeting was held in the court house at Fairfield, and was not very
largely attended, for at that time there was not a mile of railroad in the
State.
THE FIRST STATE FAIE.
In accordance with the arrangement made at the organization of the So-
ciety, the first annual fair was held at Fairfield, commencing October 25th,
1854, and continued three days. The number of people in attendance was
estimated at the time at from 7,000 to 8,000. The exhibition was considr
ered a grand success. All portions of the State at that time settled, were
represented by visitors* The fair was held on the grounds which have for
many years been occupied as the depot grounds of the Burlington & Mis^
souri River Railroad. There was a fine display of stock, agricultural imple-
ments, farm products, and articles of domestic manufacture. In the ladies'
department there was an attractive exhibit of their handi-work. The nat-
ural history of the State was illustrated by Dr. J. M. Shaffer's collection of
reptiles and insects, and by a fine collection of birds shown by Mr. Moore,
of Des Moines. The dairy was well represented, and a cheese weighing
three hundred and sixty pounds was presented to Gov. Grimes by his Lee
county friends.
The most exciting incident of the fair was the equestrian exhibition by
ten ladies. This took place on the afternoon of the second and the forenoon
of the third day. The first prize was a gold watch, valued at one hundred
dollars. It was awarded by the committee to Miss Turner, of Keokuk.
One of the fair contestants was Miss Eliza J. Hodges, then only thirteen
years of age. She rode a splendid and high-spirited horse, the property of
Dr. J. C. Ware, of Fairfield. The daring style of her riding, and the per-
fect control of the animal which she maintained, enlisted the favor and
sympathy of the throng present in her behalf. The popular verdict would
have awarded the prize to Miss Hodges. A purse of $165, and some other
presents, were immediately contributed for the " Iowa City girl," as, the
heroine of the day was called. Provision was also made for her attendance,
HISTORY OF IOWA. 181
free of all charge, for three terms, at the Ladies' Seminary at Fairfield, and
one term at Mt. Pleasant, all of which she gracefully accepted.
George 0. Dixon, of Keokuk, delivered the first annual address. Thomas
W. Claggett was re-elected President, and Dr. J. M. Shaffer, Secretary. The
second annual fair was appointed also to be held at Fairfield, commencing
on the second Wednesday in October, 1855, and continuing three days.
Such is a brief account of the humble beginning, and first exhibition
of the Iowa State Agricultural Society, which has since grown to be one of
the important institutions of the State, attracting to its annual exhibits
many thousands of people, not only from all parts of Iowa, but from <fther
States.
THE FISH COMMISSIOK.
The Fifteenth General Assembly, in 1874, passed " An act to provide for
the appointment of a Board of Fish Commissioners for the construction of
Fishways for the protection and propagation of Fish," also " An act to pro-
vide for furnishing the rivers and lakes with fish and fish spawn." This
act appropriated $3,000 for the purpose. In accordance with the provisions
of the first act above mentioned, on the 9th of April, 1874, S. B. Evans of
Ottumwa, Wapello county; B. F. Shaw of Jones county, and Charles
A. Haines, of Black Hawk county were appointed to be Fish Commission-
ers by the Governor. These Commissioners met at Des Moines, May 10,
1874, and organized by the election of Mr. Evans, President; Mr. Shaw,
Secretary and Superintendent, and Mr. Haines, Treasurer. During the
first year the Commissioners erected a "batching house" near Anamosa,
and distributed within the State 100,000 shad, 300,000 California salmon,
10,000 bass, 80,000 Penobscot salmon, 5,000 land-locked salmon, and 20,-
000 of other kinds.
The next General Assembly amended the law, reducing the commission
to one member, and B. F. Shaw was appointed. During the second year
there were distributed 533,000 California salmon, and 100,000 young eels;
in 1877, there were distributed 303,500 lake trout in the rivers and lakes
of the State, and several hundred thousands of other species. During the
years 1876 and 1877, the total number of different kinds distributed, and
on hand, was over five and a half million. The Seventeenth General As-
sembly, by an act approved March 23, 1878, appropriated $6,000 for con-
tinuing the promotion of fish culture in the State. B. F. Shaw was con-
tinued as Commissioner.
STATE ENCOURAGEMENT OF IMMIGRATION.
The first legislative act in Iowa designed to promote immigration, was
passed in March, 1860. The law provided for the appointment by the Gov-
ernor of a Commissioner of Immigration to reside and keep an office in the
city of New York, from the first of May until the first of December of
each year. It was made the duty of the Commissioner to give to immi-
grants information in regard to the soil and climate of the State, branches
. of business to be pursued with advantage, the cheapest and best routes by
which to reach the State, and to protect them from imposition. To carry
out the objects of the law, the sum of $4,500 was appropriated to be ap-
plied as follows: for the payment of the Commissioner two years, $2,400;
182 aisTOET or iowa.
for printing documents in' English, German, and such other languages as
the Governor might deem advisable, $1,000, and for office and office ex-
penses for the Commissioner, $1,100. Under this law, Hon. N. J. Knsch, of
Scott county, who had previously been Lieutenant Governor, was appointed
Immigration Commissioner, and in May, 1860, established an office in New
York. The object of the law seems to have had special reference to foreign
immigration. The Commissioner in his report to the Governor, in Decem-
ber, 1861, gave it as his opinion, that the establishment of an agency in
New York was not the most successful method of inducing immigration to
a particular State. He thought far more could be accomplished at less ex-
pense by the distribution ot documents. In February, 1862, the law was
repealed, and the office of Commissioner of Immigration was discontinued
May 1st of that year.
The next effort put forth by the State to promote immigration was under
an act passed by the Thirteenth General Assembly, in 1870. Hon. M. J.
Eohlfs, of Scott county, had at the previous session introduced a bill in the
House of Eepresentatives for the purpose, but the measure did not then
succeed. At the next session he renewed his efforts with success. The law
provided for the appointment by the Governor of a Board of Immigration,
to consist of one member from each Congressional district, and the Gov-
ernor, who was ex-officio President of the "Board. It also provided for a
Secretary, to be ex-officio Commissioner of Immigration, and. to be chosen
by the Board. Provision was also made for the appointment of agents in
the Eastern States and in Europe, and for the publication and distribution
of documents. To carry out its objects an appropriation of $5,000 was
made. This was designed to pay expense of documents, salary of Secre-
tary, and compensation of agents, the members of the Board receiving no
compensation, except mileage for two meetings each year, to be paid out of
the general fund. Under this law the following persons were appointed by
Governor Merrill : Edward Mumm, of Lee county ; M. J. Bohlis, of Scott
county; C. L. Clausen, of Mitchell county; C. Khynsbnrger, of Marion
county; S. F. Spofford, of Polk county, and Marcus Tuttle, of Cerro Gordo
county. At their first meeting, held in April, 1870, they elected A. R.
Fulton their Secretary, and authorized him to prepare a pamphlet for dis-
tribution, in the English, German, Holland, Swedish and Norwegian lan-
guages. Many thousands of copies of a pamphlet entitled "Iowa: The
Home for Immigrants," were printed in the several languages named, and
distributed throughout the East and in European countries. Many other
pamphlets and documents were also distributed, and several agents com-
missioned. So successful were the efforts of the Board that the next Gen-
eral Assembly appropriated $10,000 for continuing the work. The amend-
atory law, however, reduced the Board to five members, including the Gov-
ernor. The Board, as reduced, was composed of the following members:
M. J. Rohlfs, of Scott county; S. F. Spofford, of Polk county; Marcus
Tuttle, of Cerro Gordo county; C. Y. Gardner, of Pottawattamie county,
and the Governor. The new Board continued the former Secretary, and
pursued its work by the distribution of documents, through agents and by
correspondence. After four years existence the Board of Immigration was
discontinued, but not until it had doubtless been the means of inducing
thousands to find homes within the borders of Iowa.
Statistics.
NUMBER OF TEOOPS FURNISHED BY THE STATE OF IOWA
DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION,
TO JANUARY 1, 1865*
No. Regiment.
No. of
men.
No. Regiment.
No. of
men.
1st
2d
3d
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
17th
18th
19th
■20th
21st
22d
23d
24th
25th
26th
27th
28th
29th
30th
31st
32d
33d
34th
35th
36th
37th
38th
Iowa Infantry .
959
1,247
1,074
1,184
1,037
1,013
1,138
1,027
1,090
1,027
1,022
981
989
840
1,196
919
956
875
985
925
980
1,008
961
979
995
919
940
956
1,005
978
977
925
985
953
984
986
914
910
39th Iowa Infantry ,
40th " "
41st Battalion Iowa Infantry
44th Infantry (100-davs men)
45th " " " " ....
46th " " " ....
47th " " " ....
48th Battalion " " ....
1st Iowa Cavalry
2d " "
3d " "
4th " "
5th " "
6th " "
7th " "
8th " "
9th " "
Sioux City Cavalry t
Co. A, 11th Penn. Cavalry
1st Battery Artillery
2d " "
3d " "
4th " "
1st Iowa African Inf y, 60th U. S.J
Dodge's Brigade Band
Band of 2d Iowa Infantry
Enlistments as far as reported to Jan
1, '64, for the older Iowa regiments
Enlistments of Iowa men in regi-
ments of other States, over. . .
Total
Re-enlisted Veterans
for different
regiments
Additional enlistments
Grand total as far as reported up to
Jan. 1, 1865
933
900
294
867
912
892
884
346
1,478
1,394
1,360
1,227
1,245
1,125
562
1,234
1,178
93
87
149
123
142
152
903
14
10
2,765
2,500
61,653
7,202
6,664
75,519
* This does not include those Iowa men who veteranized in the regiments of other States,
nor the names of men who enlisted during 1864, in regiments of other States,
t Afterward consolidated with Seventh Cavalry.
t Only a portion of this regiment was credited to the State.
184
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188
STATISTICS.
TABLE.
SHOWING THE DATE OP ORGANIZATION, AND THE POPULATION OP THE SEVERAL COUNTIES
OP IOWA, FOB THE TEARS NAMED.
eg
8
AGGREGATE.
COUNTIES.
1875.
1870.
1860.
1850.
1840.,
Voters.
1854
1853
1849
1846
1855
1846
1853
1849
1853
1847
1858
1854
1855
1856
1853
1836
1855
1856
1853
1851
1858
1838
1840
1855
1847
1844
1850
1840
1834
1857
1834
1859
1850
1854
1855
1849
1854
1856
1851
1857
1858
1853
1853
1836
1855
1857
1858
1845
1838
1846
1839
1838
1839
7045
7832
19158
2370
17405
28807
22913
17251
13220
17315
3561
11734
3185
5760
10552
17879
6685
4249
11400
10118
3559
27184
34295
6039
14386
15757
13249
16893
35415
1748
43845
1436
20515
13100
6558
13719
7028
8134
9638
7701
1482
15029
11818
21594
7875
3455
794
17456
23061
24128
17127
24654
19168
3982
4614
17868
16456
1212
22454
21706
14584
12528
17034
1585
9951
1602
2451
5464
19731
4722
1967
10180
8785
1523
27771
35357
2530
12019
15565
12018
17432
27256
1389
88969
1392
16973
10768
4738
11173
4627
6399
7061
6055
999
13684
8931
21463
6282
2596
226
16644
22619
22116
17839
24898
19731
984
1533
12237
11931
454
8496
8244
4232
4915
7906
57
3724
147
281
1612
12949
940
58
4336
1616
1727
777
3131
3653
527
8679
672
135
785
4778
4877
3515
2656
517
3890
817
Butler
2598
681
1197
2422
3941
1253
8934
1526
1001
2392
5427
52
20728
18938
383
5244
13764
8677
11024
19611
180
31164
105
12073
3744
1309
5074
1374
. 793
3058
1699
179
5440
3021
18701
3168
332
43
8029
18493
9883
15038
17573
13306
79
2213
868
3873
2822
1101
821
5272
5569
1244
854
7264
965
1759
12988
168
5577
3170
3448
2882
3662
6654
394
10841
3059
8759
299
825
4637
2884
1374
1244
2998
1622
1525
2339
1455
803
8215
2658
8707
3772
4641
1712
695
172
822
7210
1280
9904
4472
3007
1411
2773
1491
471
3576
4901
5239
3721
5225
4180
STATISTICS.
189
TABLE
SHOWING THK DATE OF ORGANIZATION, AND THE POPULATION OF THE SEVERAL, COUNTIES
OF IOWA, FOR THE TEARS NAMED.
Continued.
COUNTIES.
AGGREGATE.
1875.
1870.
1860.
1850.
1840. Voters.
Keokuk.
Kossuth .
Lee
Linn. . . .
Louisa. ■ .
Lucas, . •
Madison.
Marion
Marshall
Mills
Mitchell
Monona
Monroe
Montgomery. . .
Muscatine
OlBrien
Osceola
Palo Alto".. .
Plymouth
Pocahontas . ■ .
Polk
Pottawattamie.
Poweshiek
Ringgold
Scott
Shelby
Sioux
Story
Tama
Taylor
Union
Van Buren . .
Wapello.. ..
Warren
Washington.
Wayne
Webster
Winnebago. .
Winneshiek. .
Woodbury. . .
Worth
Wright
1844
1855
1837
1839
1839
1849
1872
1850
1844
1845
1850
1851
1854
1854
1851
1858
1838
1860
1872
1851
1857
1858
1859
1846
1848
1848
1855
1858
1838
1853
1860
1853
1854
1851
1853
1837
1844
1849
1839
1851
1853
1857
1851
1853
1857
1855
20488
3765
33913
31815
12499
11725
1139
16030
23718
24094
19629
10555
11523
2267
12811
10389
21623
2349
1778
14274
2728
5282
2249
31558
21665
16482
7546
• 2873
39763
5664
3720
13111
18771
10418
8827
17980
18541
19269
23865
•13978
13114
24233
2986
8568
4908
3244
19434
3351
38210
28852
12877
10388
221
13884
22508
24436
17576
8718
9582
3654
12724
5934
21688
715
9975
1336
2199
1446
27857
16893
15581
5691
1411
38599
2540
576
11651
16131
Total 1353118U191792 674913 192214 43112
17672
22346
17980
18952
11287
10484
1562
23570
6172
2892
2392
13271
416
29232
18947
10370
5766
7339
14816
16813
6015
4481
3409
832
8612
1256
16444
8
4419
132
148
103
11625
■ 4968
5668
2923
246
25959
818
10
4051
5285
3590
2012
17081
14518
10281
14235
6409
2504
168
13942
1119
756
653
4822
18861
5444
4939
471
1179
5989
5482
338
6093
1373
1927
2884
5731
551
4513
7828
615
5986
204
12270
8471
961
4957
340
546
4202
773
5709
7274
2899
2464
287
2632
5287
1942
2140
6146
'l594
4445
2365
2338
1292
2743
2485
6588
595
498
3222
556
1136
464
6842
4392
3634
1496
657
7109
1084
637
2574
3911
2282
1924
3893
3923
4168
5346
2947
3747
4117
406
1776
763
694
284557
190
STATISTICS.
VOTE FOE GOVERNOR 1877, AND PRESIDENT, 1876.
1877.
GOVERNOB.
Rep. Dem. Gr. Fro
1876.
PRESIDENT.
Rep. Dem.
COUNTIES.
1877.
GOVEBNOB.
Rep. Dem. Gr. Pro.
1876.
PBE8IDENT.
Rep. Dem.
Adair
Adamfl
Allamakee. . . .
Appanoose
Audubon... .
Benton
Black Hawk...
Boone
Bremer
Buchanan
Buena Vista. . .
Butler
Calhoun
Carroll
Oass
Cedar ...
Oerro Gordo . .
Cherokee
Chickasaw
Clarke
Clay
Clayton
Clinton
Crawford
Dallas
Davis
Decatur
Delaware
Des Moines . .
Dickinson. . .
Dubuque . . . .
Emmett
Fayette ...
Floyd
Franklin
Fremont
Greene ....
Grundy
Guthrie
Hamilton
Hancock
Hardin
Harrison
Henry
Howard
Humboldt. ...
Ida
Iowa
Jackson
Jasper
Jefferson
Total vote,
876
1547
1165
410
1432
178C
1612
1180
1290
747
1453
418
633
1592
1315
903
562
1279
1054
517
1873
2444
898
1541
893
1269
1228
2315
197
1587
213
1933
1233
1311
1250
1031
909
1160
842
340
1492
1948
1770
651
882
321
1132
1619
1977
1396
161
397
1540
1049
352
712
lltl
981
582
769
192
758
75
744
839
1093
348
74
1107
237
16
1770
2327
651
215
1231
961
1143
1384
8
8415
28
1067
208
336
1331
215
504
496
265
95
661
863
424
647
149
54
1120
1966
1154
753
681
485
69
729
26
667
95
466
196
725
101
19
171
141
116
206
72
383
37
813
20
66
286
19
1241
803
310
32
767
406
162
16
334
551
364
422
29
238
523
1041
201
115
104
642
224
1018
676
449
244
10
1
223
20
95
74
11
30
446
40
86
94
19
67
J 67
66
111
80
12
19
525
6
12
53
"27
30
10
'27
8
21
67
2
154
19
140
619
64
228
15
268
109
1334
1376
1709
1711
427
2901
2979
2018
1737
2227
770
18i8
622
799
1876
2328
1274
864
1574
1405
567
2662
3654
1043
2136
1586
1647
2233
3325
259
2798
246
3029
2032
1178
1658
1310
1099
1434
1187
281
2152
1557
2809
1194
523
212
1870
2126
3376
2166
593
626
1646
1419
352
1356
1592
1305
757
1416
200
780
196
771
979
1445
448
175
1090
816
94
2621
3398
638
752
1631
1282
1466
2917
48
4977
36
1709
751
879
1682
510
41Z
629
425
1386
1485
600
183
57
1348
2485
1804
1449
Johnson.
Jones . . .
Keokuk..
Kossuth
Lee . . .
Linn
Louisa ..
Lucas .
Lyon .. .
Madison
Mahaska.
Marion
Marshall.
Mills. ..
Mitchell
Monona
Monroe .
Montgomery
Muscatine. ..
O'Brien... .
Osceola
Page .
Palo Alto ...
Plymouth. .
Pocahoutas. .
Polk ..
Pattawattamie
Poweshiek
Ringgold
Sac
Scott
Shelby... .
Sioux
Story..
Tama. .. .
Taylor
Union. . . .
Van Buren
Wapello. .
Warren ....
Wa-hington
Wayne
WebBter. .
Winnebago.
Winneshiek
Woodbury .
Worth
Wright ...
Totals.
Majorities.
1881
1868
1772
463
2157
2524
1328
1203
261
1792
1823
1976
1448
1435
1396
580
1034
1122
1753
306
295
1166
311
779
370
3171
2223
1496
964
656
3031
888
436
1260
1426
1325
899
1490
1710
1726
1687
1316
850
644
2074
1109
628
2345
1218
1586
236
2863
2316
817
804
17
1077
1086
1866
837
1102
459
119
928
441
1775
21
40
608
857
487
93
1885
2059
882
71
128
1963
639
132
344
833
293
616
1805
1029
944
1221
832
127
40
1009
867
132
166
18
14
322
13
350
75
89
103
9
616
1011
760
389
93
35
432
247
632
171
201
13
348
77
44
1353
218
420
671
177
309
3
49
644
196
868
830
301
1265
742
303
404
1421
279
226
8
117
105
585
108
12
14
56
596
95
504
26
47
387
14
33
293
3
39
36
94
121
346
47
13
37
16
187
133
63
130
293
101
112
3
47
2345
2591
2364
638
3160
4331
1929
1478
262
2246
3221
2736
3056
1452
1663
713
1418
1749
2523
463
329
2243
343
835
374
4321
2565
2509
1246
661
3819
897
439
1843
2337
1727
1288
2113
2582
2439
2467
1692
1299
498
2759
1034
703
574
1763
1862
227
3682
i917
1008
1044
46
1538
1701
2304
1189
1165
671
304
1246
759
2075
116
59
861
333
502
141
2382
2414
1083
422
220
579
1317
676
796
1661
2412
1316
1508
1341
987
39
1617
997
149
184
121546
42193
79353 34228
10639 171332
69211
112121
1877, 246,766; 1876 (including 9,001 Greenback), 292,454.
Centennial Awards.
TO IOWA EXHIBITORS.
Under the system of awards adopted at the Centennial Exposition of 1876,
every article exhibited was placed in one of thirty-six groups, numbering
from 1 to 36. The examination was not of a competitive character, but
upon the merit of the article. Each article of merit was entitled to receive
n diploma and a bronze medal of uniform value. The following awards
were made to Iowa exhibitors:
' GROUP NO. I.
Wesley Redhead and Mahaska Coal Mining Company are accredited with
samples of coal. The committee says: "Commended as samples of bitum-
inous coal of Iowa."
LEAD ORE.
John Harvey, of Dubuque. — Report says a large and instructive exhibit
of Galena lead ores of Iowa.
W. P. Fox, of Des Moines. — Commended for an instructive exhibit of the
stratified deposits of the State of Iowa.
[Note. — In this group were shown fifty-five varieties from stone quarries
in Iowa, prepared by Donahue & McCosh, of Burlington, in blocks six by
nine inches square; also were shown samples of building and moulding
sands, and three specimens of glass sands, twelve of fire and potters' clay,
six or eight samples of mineral paint, and one sample of peat; also some
fine samples of geodes from Keokuk. Judge Murdock, of Clayton county,
exhibited a collection of relics of the mound builders. The most prom-
inent one was his large collection of mound builders' skulls.}
GROUP NO. IV.
State of Iowa. — Commended as a very fine collection of cereals in the
straw, beautifully cleansed; also grasses and seeds — sixty varieties — a fine
collection beautifully arranged; also a collection of Indian corn, seventy
varieties.
butter.
Stewart & McMillen, of- Manchester, Delaware county, Entry No.
880. — Commended for the best samples of 200 lbs. and 30 lbs. respectively,
made at Newberg factory, Edgewood and Hebran.
192 CENTENNIAL AWAEDS.
Stewart & McMillen, Entry No. 895. — Commended for clean, sweet
flavor, firm texture and superior excellency generally, comprising samples
of different creameries.
[Note. — The general report of the committee on butter puts the yield of
the United States for 1870 at 710,000,000 lbs. Messrs. Stewart & McMil-
len had about ninety competitors, among whom were the best butter makers
of the world. In addition to the centennial awards, they got the golden
medal awarded by the national butter and egg association. Iowa creamery
butter sells in the Philadelphia market readily with the -'gilt edged brand.
The butter crop in Iowa is an item of interest, and the State owes Stewart
& McMillen a debt of gratitude for their very active exertion at the centen-
nial in raising Iowa butter to a level with the gilt edge manufacturers of
the eastern States. Delaware county, IoWa, is to our State what Chester
county is to Pensylvania.] -T
Bryan & Curtis' butter, Strawberry Point, Clayton county. — Commended
for fine quality and superior skill in manufacturing.
GEOUP NO. VI.
Collection of woods by Prof. McAfee, Agricultural College. — Commended
as a good State exhibit, containing 160 specimens arranged in vertical and
transverse sections.
J. C. Arthur, Charles City, No. 185.— Herbarium of plants; The her-
barium contains species named and clasified, neatly mounted, labeled and
one in duplicate. The duplicate collection ingeniously arranged for exhif
bition on large sliding frames within a glass case. The whole accompan-
ied with a printed catalogue.
AWARDS ON COLLECTIVE STATE EXHIBITS.
State of Iowa, No. 11.— Commended for a large display of its minerals,
soils, native and cultivated grasses, its pomology in large variety, and col-
lection of woods and a valuable collection of mound builders' relics. t:.
GEOUP NO. XXVIII.
EDUCATIONAL.
Board of Education, Burlington, No. 76. — Commended for a creditable
display of the work of pupils.
_ State Educational Department, No. 77.— Eeport good exhibit of the sta-
tistics of State school system and work of public schools.
Board of Education of West Des Moines, No. 78.— A creditable exhibit
of work of pupils.
GEOUP XXII.
PLOWS.
Skinner Bros:, Des Moines, No. 63.— Commended for excellence of ma-
terial, good workmanship and beauty of form.
CENTENNIAL AWARDS. 193
GROUP NO. XXIII.
BOOK BINDING AND PAPEB INDUSTRY.
John D. Metz, Dubuque, No.f 94:.— Blank books with patent ends and
mode of stitching. Report an admirable made book aside from the patent
improvement claimed.
GROUP XXX.
HOBSES AND CATTLE.
. Eli Elliot, West Liberty. — Short Horn bull, Baron French, No. 8. — Re-
port.in. form, quality and useful characteristics he is entitled to rank as a
superior specimen of the Short Horn breed.
State of Iowa, Short. Horn Herd, No. 12. — One bull and four cows. The
animals composing this herd, inrhigh excellence of form, quality and useful
characteristics, are entitled to be ranked as first-class specimens of the
Short Horn breed.
, J. W. Jacobs, .West Liberty, No. 13. — Two cows, Maid of Honor and
Lucy Napier, commended for high excellence of form and useful charac-
teristics, entitled to rank as first-class specimens of the Short Horn breed.
E. S. Wilson, West Liberty, No- 35. — Heifer, Louden Mirvine, for high
excellence in form, quality and useful characteristics is entitled to rank as
a first-class specimen of the Short Horn breed.
E, S. Wilson, No. 36. — Emma . Down and heifer calf Centennial Mine.
In;form and useful characteristics they are entitled to- be- ranked as first-
class specimens of the Short Horn breed.
GROUP XXXVI.
Henry Avery, Burlington. — Commended for a collection of apples,
among which Grimes' Golden Pippin, an excellent kind, is especially mer-
itorious in size and flavor.
David Leonard, Burlington, No, 16.— Commended for a valuable selec-
tion of varieties very well grown, and especially for a seedling named
Robinson, which promises-well for the northwest, both as respects to tree
and fruit. .,
No. 27. — Polk County, by- James Smith, Des Moines. Commended for
160 varieties of apples, and for the very large number of valuable varieties
and for the very superior manner in which they are grown; also for great
care and correctness in naming.
No. 30.— E. H. Caulkens commended for twenty varieties and their val-
uable characteristics; also great excellence and beauty in growth.
R. S. Willet, Malcolm. — Commended for 40 varieties of apples of gen-
eral value and the superior manner of growth.
No. 39, L. Hollingsworth, Montrose. — Seventy-five varieties of apples,
commended for a large number of useful sorts and for the meritorious
manner in which they are grown.
No. 65, G. B. Brackett, Denmark.— Pears are Plate White Doyenne.
13
194 CENTENNIAL AWAEDB.
These specimens of this old and important variety reach the highest stan-
dard of excellence of large size and beautifully colored.
No. 81, Wilson T. Smith, Des Moines. — Twenty varieties of pears
commended for being well grown, and handsome collection. The Flemish
Beauty and Beaurae Olangean being superior.
No. 83, "White Elk Vineyard, Keokuk. — Eighteen varieties, creditable
display of pears. The Beaurae Clangean having brilliant coloring.
Iowa State Horticultural Society wax models of fruit. No. 209. — Three
hundred varieties of apples in wax, of perfect accuracy and beautifully dis-
played— the work of the Iowa State Horticultural Society.
[Note. — There were in all 1020 specimens. The fruit furnished as
models was by various members of the State Horticultural Society, crop of
1875, the greatest number of which was by James Smith, of Des Moines,
and to whom the nomenclature is mainly due; 610 of the casts were made
by Mrs. Wm. Greenland, of Des Moines, and 410 of them by Col. G. B.
Brackett, of Denmark. This was the most attractive display "made by
Iowa, and was universally admired; and in this line Iowa can boast of as
fine talent for accuracy as to model and coloring as is found anywhere.
Two hundred of these casts were sold to and exchanged with the Japanese
authorities, and are now doing duty in the archives of their government.]
Iowa State Horticultural Society, No. 217. — September collection, report
a very good collection, containing many varieties.
[Note. — The Horticultural Society showed in May thirty-five varieties
of apples of late keepers, also the summer varieties were shown in their
season. The fall display was very fine, covering seven tables 35x6, and
numbering about 335 varieties of apples, and filling over 2,000 plates.]
"W. W. vVinterbotom, Fort Madison, No. 191. — Timothy grass seed. The
seed is remarkably clean, and every way meritorious.
H. C. Gordon, Davis county, No. 204. — His yellow corn was of peculiar
weight and good quality, one ear weighing one pound and thirteen ounces.
L. T. Chute, Manchester, No. 207. — The cereals and roots in the Iowa
collection exhibited are a well grown collection of twenty-five varieties.
Potatoes especially meritorious.
State of Iowa, September exhibits of the crop of 1876, No. 208. — They
make a collection of cereals, grasses and roots, exhibiting the ability of the
State to produce these articles in the highest degree.
The information contained in the notes is additional to that given in the
official reports of the Exposition, and is furnished by Dr. Alex. Shaw, of
Des Moines, who held an official position in connection with Iowa exhibits
up to August 18, 1876.
Abstract of Iowa State" Laws.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES.
Upon negotiable bills, and notes payable in this State, grace shall be al-
lowed according to the law merchant. All the above mentioned paper fall-
ing due on Sunday, New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Christmas, or any
day appointed or recommended by the President of the United States or the
Governor of the State, as a day of fast or thanksgiving, shall be deemed as
due on the day previous. No defense can be made against a negotiable in-
strument (assigned before due) in the hands of the assignee without notice,
except fraud was used in obtaining the same. To hold an indorser, due dili-
gence must be used by suit against the maker or his representative. Notes
payable to person named or to order, in order to absolutely transfer title,
must be indorsed by the payee. Notes payable to bearer may be transferred
by delivery, and when so payable, every indorser thereon is held as a guar-
antor of payment, unless otherwise expressed.
In computing interest or discount on negotiable instruments, a month
shall be considered a calendar month or twelfth of a year, and for less than
a month, a day shall be figured a thirtieth part of a month. Notes only
bear interest when so expressed; but after due, they draw the legal interest,
even if not stated.
INTEREST.
The legal rate of interest is six per cent. Parties may agree, in writing,
on a rate not exceeding ten per cent. If a rate of interest greater than ten
per cent is contracted for, it works a forfeiture of ten per cent to the school
rand, and only the principal sum can be recovered.
DESCENT.
The personal property of the deceased (except (1) that necessary for pay-
ment of debts and expenses of administration; (2) property set apart to
widow, as exempt from execution ; (3) allowance by court, if necessary, of
twelve months' support to widow, and to children under fifteen years of age),
including life insurance, descends as does real estate.
One-third in value (absolutely) of all estates in real property, possessed by the
husband at any time during marriage, which have not been sold on execution
or other judicial sale, and to which the wife has made no relinquishment
of her right, shall be set apart as her property, in fee simple, if she Burvive
him.
The same share shall be set apart to the surviving husband of a deceased
wife.
196 ABSTEACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
The widow's share cannot he affected by any will of her husband's, unless
she consents, in writing thereto, within six months after notice to her of
provisions of the will.
The provisions of the statutes of descent apply alike to surviving husband
or surviving wife.
Subject to the above, the remaining estate of which the decedent diod
siezedj shall in absence of other arrangements by will, descend
First. To his or her children and 'their descendants in equal parts; the
descendants of 'the deceased" child or grandchild taking the, share -iof their
deceased parents in equal shares aim ong them. '/:,-',.;,
Second. Where there is no child, nor descendant of such child, and no
widow or surviving husband, 4hen -to- the parents of the deceased in equal
parts; the* surviving parent, if either be dead, taking the whole ; and if there
is no parent living, then to the brothers and sisters of the intestate and their
descendants.
J ' Third. When there is a widow Or surviving husband j and no child ; or
children, or descendants of the same, then one-half of the estate shall descend
to such widow or surviving husband, absolutely; and the.>other-half of the
estate shall descend as in other cases where there is no widow or surviving
husband, or child or children, or descendants of the same.-
" Fowrth. If there is no child, parent, brother or sister,or descendants '-'of
either of them, then to wife of intestate, or to her heirs, if dead, 'according
to like rules. . <■..*-,
'- Fifth: If any intestate leaves no child, parent, brother or- sister^ or de-
scendants of either of them, and no widow or surviving husband, and do
child, parent^ brother or sister (Or descendant of either of them) of such
widow or surviving husband, it shall escheat to the State. . *
WILLS AND ESTATES OF DECEASED PEBSONS. > . <
No exact form of words are necessary in order to make a will good at law.
Every male person, of the age of ]twenty-one years, and every female of the age
of eighteen years, of sound mind and memory, can make a valid will; it' must
be in writing, signed by the testator, or by some one in his or her presence,
and by his or her express direction, and attested by two or more competent
witnesses. Care should be taken that ,the witnesses are not interested in the
will. Inventory to be made by executor or administrator within fifteen
days from date of letters testamentary or of administration. Executors' and
administrators' compensation on amount of personal estate distributed, and
for proceeds one-half per cent on overplus up to five thousand dollars, and
one per cent of sale of real estate, five per cent for first one thousand dol-
lars, two and one-half on overplus above five thousand dollars, withrsuoh
additional allowance as shall be reasonable for extra services.
. Within ten days after the receipt of letters of administration, the executor
or administrator shall give such notice of appointment as the court or clerk
shall direct.
Claims (othgr than preferred) must be filed within one year thereafter^ or are
forever barred, unless the claim is pending in the District or Supreme Court,
or unless peculiar circumstances entitle the claimant to equitable relief. ,
Claims are classed and payable in the following order: ' .',
1. Expenses of administration.
• 2. Expenses of last sickness and funeral.
ABSTEAOT OF THE LAWS OB" IOWA. 197
3. Allowance to widow and children, if made by the court.
4 Debts preferred under the laws of the United States.
5. Public rates and taxes.
6. Claims filed within six months after the first publication of the notice
given by the executors of their appointment.
7. All other debts.
8. Legacies.
The award, or property which must be set apart to the widow, in her own
right, by the executor, includes all personal property which, in the hands of
the deceased, as head of the family, would have been exempt from execution.
TAXES.
The owners of personal property, on the first day of January of each year,
and the owners of real property on the first day of November of each year,
a/re Viable for the taxes thereon.
The following property is exempt from taxation, viz. :
1. The property of the United States and of this State, including uni-
versity, agricultural, college and school lands, and all property leased to the
State; property of a county, township, city, incorporated town or school dis-
trict when devoted entirely to the public use and not held for pecuniary
profit; public grounds, including all places for the burial of the dead; fire
engines, and all implements for extinguishing fires, with the grounds used
exclusively for their buildings and for the meetings of the fire companies ;
all public libraries, grounds and buildings of literary, scientific, benevolent,
agricultural and religious institutions, and societies devoted solely to the
appropriate objects of these institutions, not exceeding 640 acres in extent,
aid not leased or otherwise used with a view of pecuniary profit; and all
property leased to agricultural, charitable institutions and benevolent soci-
eties, and so devoted during the term of such lease; provided, that all deeds,
by which such property is held, shall be duly filed for record before the
property therein described shall be omitted from the assessment.
2. The books, papers and apparatus belonging to the above institutions;
used solely for the purposes above contemplated, and the like property of
students in any such institutions, used for their education.
3. Money and credits belonging exclusively to such institutions and de-
voted solely to sustaining them, but not exceeding in amount or income the
sum prescribed by their charter.
4. Animals not hereafter specified, the wool shorn from sheep, belonging
to the person giving the list, his farm produce harvested within one year
previous to the listing; private libraries not exceeding three hundred dol-
lars in value; family pictures, kitchen furniture, beds and bedding requisite
for each family, all wearing apparel in actual use, and all food provided for
the family; but no person from whom a compensation for board, or lodging
is received or expected, is to be considered a member of the family within
the intent of this clause. »
5. The polls or estates or both of persons who, by reason of age or in-
firmity, may, in the opinion of the assessor,, be unable to contribute to the
public revenue; such opinion and the fact upon which it is based being in
all cases reported to the Board of Equalization by the Assessor or any other
person, and subject to reversal by them.
6. The farming utensils of any person who makes his livelihood by farm-
198 ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS, OF IOWA.
ing, and the tools of any mechanic, not in either case to exceed three hun-
dred dollars in value.
7. Government lands entered or located or lands purchased from this
State, should not be taxed for the year in which the entry, location or pur-
chase is made. . .
There is also a suitable exemption, in amount, for planting fruit trees or
forest trees or hedges.
"Where buildings are destroyed by fire, tornado, or other unavoidable cas-
ualty, after being assessed for the year, the Board of Supervisors may rebate
taxes for that year on the property destroyed, if same has not been sold for
taxes, and if said taxes have not been delinquent for thirty days at the
time of destruction of the property, and the rebate shall be allowed for such
loss only as is not covered by insurance.
All other property is subject to taxation. Every inhabitant of full age
and sound mind shall assist the Assessor in listing all taxable property of
which he is the owner, or which he controls or manages, either as agent,
guardian, father, husband, trustee, executor, accounting officer, partner,
mortagor or lessor, mortgagee or lessee.
Road beds of railway corporations shall not be assessed to owners of ad-
jacent property, but shall be considered the property of the companies for
purposes of taxation; nor shall real estate used as a public highway be as-
sessed and taxed as part of adjacent lands whence the same was taken for
such public purpose.
The property of railway, telegraph and express companies shall be listed
and assessed for taxation as the property of an individual would be listed
and assessed for taxation. Collection of taxes made as in the case of an in-
dividual.
The Township Board of Equalization shall meet the first Monday in April
of each year. Appeal lies to the Circuit Court.
The County Board of Equalization (the Board of Supervisors) meet at
their regular session in June of each year. Appeal lies to the Circuit Court.
Taxes become delinquent February 1st of each year, payable, without in-
terest or penalty, at any time before March 1st of each year.
Tax sale is held on first Monday of October in each year.
Redemption may be made at any time within three years after date of
sale, by paying to the County Auditor the amount of sale, and twenty per
centum of such amount immediately added as penalty, with ten per cent,
interest per annum on the whole amount thus made from the day of sale,
and also all subsequent taxes, interest and costs paid by purchaser after
March 1st of each year, and a similar penalty of twenty per centum added
as before, with ten per cent interest as before.
If notice has been given, by purchaser, of the date at which the redemp-
tion is limited, the cost of same is added to the redemption money. Ninety
days' notice is required, by the statute, to be published by the purchaser or
holder of certificate, to terminate the right of redemption.
JURISDICTION OF COURTS.
District Courts have jurisdiction, general and original, both civil and
criminal, except in such cases where Circuit Courts have exclusive jurisdic-
tion. District Courts have exclusive supervision over courts of Justices
of the Peace and Magistrates, in criminal matters, on appeal and writs of
error.
ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA, 199
Circuit Courts have jurisdiction, general and original, with the Dis-
trict Courts, in all civil actions and special proceedings, and exclusive ju-
risdiction in all appeals and writs of error from inferior courts, "in civil
matters. And exclusive jurisdiction in matters of estates and general
probate business.
Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction in civil matters where $100
or less is involved. By consent of parties, the jurisdiction may be ex-
tended to an amount not exceeding $300. They have jurisdiction to try
and determine all public ofFensc less than felony, committed within their
respective counties, in which the fine, by law, does not exceed $100 or the
imprisonment thirty days.
LIMITATION OF ACTIONS.
Action for injuries to the person or reputation; for a statute penalty;
-and to enforce a mechanics' lien, must be brought in two (2) years.
Those against, a public officer within three (3) years.
Those founded on unwritten contracts; for injuries to property; for
relief on the ground of fraud; and all other actions not provided for,
within fire (5) years.
Those founded on written contracts; on judgments of any court (except
those provided for in next section), and for the recovery of real property,
within ten (10) years.
Those founded on judgment of any court of record in the United States,
within twenty (20) years.
All above limits, except those for penalties and forfeitures, are extended
in favor of minors and insane persons, until one year after the disability is
removed — time during which defendant is a non-resident of the State shall
not be included in computing any of the above periods.
Actions for the recovery ot real property, sold for non-payment of taxes,
must be brought within five years after the Treasurer's Deed is executed
and recorded, except where a minor or convict- or insane person is the
owner, and they shall be allowed five years after disability is removed, in
which to bring action.
JURORS.
All qualified electors of the State, of good moral character, sound judg-
ment, and in full possession of the senses of hearing and seeing, are compe-
tent jurors in their respective counties.
United States officers, practicing attorneys, physicians and clergymen,
acting professors or teachers in institutions ot learning, and persons dis-
abled by bodily infirmity or over sixty-five years of age, are exempt from
liability to act as jurors.
Any person may be excused from serving on a jury when his own inter-
ests or the public's will be materially injured by his attendance, or when the
state of his health or the death, or sickness of his family requires his ab-
sence.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
was restored by the Seventeenth General Assembly, making it optional
with the jury to inflict it or not.
200 AB8TKACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
A MABRIED WOMAN
may convey or incumber real estate, or interest therein, belonging' to her,;
may control tbe same or contract with reference thereto, as other persons
may convey, encumber, control or contract.
She may own, acquire, hold, convey and devise property, as her husband
may.
Her husband is not liable for civil injuries committed by her.
She may convey property to her husband, and he may convey to her.
She may constitute her husband her attorney in fact.
EXEMPTIONS FROM EXECUTION.
A resident of the State and head of a family may hold the following
property exempt from execution : All wearing apparel of himself and
family kept for actual use and suitable to the condition, and the trunks or
other receptacles necessary to contain the same; one musket or rifle and
shot-gun; all private libraries, family Bibles, portraits, pictures, musical in-
struments, and paintings not kept for the purpose of sale; a seat or pew
occupied by the debtor or his family in any house of public worship; an
interest in a public or private burying ground not exceeding one acre; two
cows and a calf; one horse, unless a horse is exempt as hereinafter pro-
vided ; fifty sheep and the wool therefrom, and the materials manufactured
from said wool; six stands of bees; five hogs and all pigs under six
months; the necessary food for exempted animals for six months; all'flax
raised from one acre of ground, and manufactures therefrom; one bedstead
and necessary bedding for every two in the family; all cloth manufactures
by the defendant not exceeding one hundred yards ; household and kitchen
furniture not exceeding two hundred dollars in value; all spinning wheels
and looms ; one sewing machine and other instruments of domestic labor
kept for actual use; the necessary provisions and fuel for the use of the
family for six months; the proper tools, instruments, or books of the debtor,
if a farmer, mechanic, surveyor, clergyman, lawyer, physician* teacher or
professor; the horse or the team, consisting of not more than two horses or
mules, or two yokes of cattle, and the wagon or other vehicle, with the
proper harness or tackle, by the use of which the debtor, if a physician,
public officer, farmer, teamster or other laborer, habitually earns his living;
and to the debtor, if a printer, there shall also be exempt a printing press
and the types, furniture and material necessary for the use of such printing
press, and a newspaper office to the value of twelve hundred dollars; the
earnings of such debtor, or those of his family, at any time within ninety
days next preceding the leVy.
Persons unmarried and not the head of a family, and non-residents,' have
exempt their own ordinary wearing apparel and trunks' to contain the same.
There is also exempt, to a head of a family, a homestead, not exceeding
forty acres; or, if inside city limits, one-half acre with improvements, value
not limited. The homestead is liable for all debts contracted prior to its
acquisition as such, and is subject to mechanics' liens for work or material,
furnished for the same.
An article, otherwise exempt, is liable, on execution, for the purchase
money thereof. '
Where a debtor, if a head of a family, has started to leave the State, he
ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OP IOWA. • 201
Bhall have exempt only the_ ordinary wearing apparel of himself and family,
and other property in addition, as he may select, in all not exceeding seventy-
five dollars in value.
A policy of life insurance shall inure to the separate use of the husband
or wife and children, entirely independent of his or her creditors.
WOLF SCALPS.
A bounty of one dollar is paid for wolf scalps.
MARKS AND BRANDS.
.Any person may adopt his own mark or brand for his domestic animals,
or have a description thereof recorded by the township clerk.
, No person shall adopt the recorded mark or brand of any person residing
in his township.
DAMAGES FROM TRESPASS.
When any person's lands are enclosed by a lawful fence,; the owner of
any domestic animal injuring said lands is liable for the damages, and the
damages may be recovered by suit against the owner, or may be made by
distraining the animals doing the damage; and if the party injured elects
to recover by action against the owner, no appraisement need be made by
the trustees, as in case of distraint.
When trespassing animals are distrained within twenty-four hours, Sun-
day not included, the party injured shall notify the owner of said animals,
if known; and if the owner fails, to satisfy the party within twenty-four
hours thereafter, the party shall have the township trustees assess the dam-
ages, and notice shall be posted up in three conspicuous places in the town-
ship, that the stock, or part thereof, shall, on the tenth day after posting
the notice, between the honrs of 1 and 3 p. M., be sold to the highest bidder,
to satisfy said damages, with costs. *
Appeal lies, within twenty days, from the action of the trustees to the
circuit court.
Where stock is restrained, by police regulation or by law, from running
at, large, any person injured in his improved or cultivated lands by any do-
mestic animal, may, by action against the owner of such animal, or by dis-
training such animal, recover his damages, whether the lands whereon the
injury was done were inclosed by a lawful fence or not.
ESTRATS.' '
An unbroken animal shall not be taken up as an estray between May 1st
and November 1st, of each year, unless the same be found within the law-
ful enclosure of a householder, who alone can take up such animal, unless
some other person gives him notice of the fact of such animal coming on
his place; and if he fails, within five days thereafter, to take up such estray,
any other householder of the township may take up such estray and pro-
ceed with it as if taken on his own premises, provided he shall prove to the
Justice of the Peace such notice, and shall make affidavit where such estray
was taken up.
202 ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
Any swine, sheep, goat, horse, neat cattle or other animal distrained (for
damage done to one's enclosure), when the owner is not known, shall be
treated as an estray.
Within five days after taking up an estray, notice containing a full de-
scription thereof, shall be posted up in three of the most public places in
the township; and in ten days, the person taking up such estray shall go
before a Justice of the Peace in the township ana make oath as to where
such estray was taken up, and that the marks or brands have not been al-
tered, to h"is knowledge. The estray shall then be appraised, by order of
the Justice, and the appraisement, description of the size, age, color, sex,
marks and brands of the estray shall be entered by the Justice in a book
kept for that purpose, and he shall, within ten days thereafter, send a certi-
fied copy thereof to the County Auditor.
When the appraised value of an estray does not exceed five dollars, the
Justice need not proceed further than to enter the description of the estray
on his book, and if no owner appears within six months, the property shall
vest in the finder, if he has complied with the law and paid all costs.
Where appraised value of estray exceeds five and is less than ten dollars,
if no owner appears in nine months, the finder has the property, if he has
complied with the law and paid costs.
An estray, legally taken up, may be used or worked with care and mod-
eration.
If any person unlawfully take up an estray, or take up an estray and fail
to comply with the law regarding estrays, or use or work it contrary to
above, or work it before having it appraised, or keep such estray out of the
county more than five days at one time, before acquiring ownership, such
offender shall forfeit to the county twenty dollars, and the owner may re-
cover double damages with costs.
If the owner of any estray fail to claim and prove his title for one year
after the taking up, and the finder shall have complied with the law, a com-
plete title vests in the finder.
But if the owner appear within eighteen months from the taking up,
prove his ownership aud pay.all costs and expenses, the finder shall pay him
the appraised value of such estray, or may, at his option, deliver up the es-
tray.
FENCES.
A lawful fence is fifty-four inches high, made of rails, wire or boards,
with posts not more than ten feet apart where rails are used, and eight feet
where boards are used, substantially built and kept in good repair; or any
other fence, in the opinion of the fence viewers, shall be declared a lawful
fence — provided the lower rail, wire or board be not more than twonty nor
less thah sixteen inches from the ground.
_ The respective owners of lands enclosed with fences shall maintain parti-
tion fences between their own and next adjoining enclosure so long as they
improve them in equal shares, unless otherwise agreed between them.
If any party neglect to maintain such partition fence as he should main-
tain, the fence viewers (the township trustees), upon complaint of aggrieved
party, may, upon due notice to both parties, examine the fence, and, if
found insufficient, notify the delinquent party, in writing, to repair or re-
build the same within such time as they judge reasonable.
If the fence be not repaired or rebuilt accordingly, the complainant may
ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 203
do so, and the same being adjudged sufficient by the fence viewers, and the
value thereof, with their fees, being ascertained and certified under their
hands, the complainant may demand of the delinquent the sum so ascer-
: tained, and if the same be not paid in one month after demand, may recover
it with one per cent a month interest, by action.
In case of disputes, the fence viewers may decide as to who shall erect or
maintain partition fences, and in what time the same shall be done; and in
case any party neglect to maintain or erect such part as may be assigned to
him, the aggrieved party may erect and maintain the same, and recover
double damages.
Uo person, not wishing his land enlosed, and not using it otherwise than
in common, shall be compelled to maintain any partition fence; but when
lie uses or incloses his land otherwise than in common, he shall contribute
to the partition fences.
Where parties have had their lands inclosed in common, and one of the
owners desire to occupy his separate and apart from the other, and the other
refuses to divide the line or build a sufficient fence on the line when di-
vided, the fence viewers may divide and assign, and upon neglect of the
other to build as ordered by the" viewers, the one may build the other's part
and recover as above.
And when one incloses land which has lain uninclosed, he must pay for
one-half of each partition fence between himself and his neighbors.
Where one desires to lay not less than twenty feet of his lands, adjoining
his neighbor, out to the public to be used in common, he must give his
neighbor six months' notice thereof.
Where ja fence has been built on the land of another through mistake, the
owner may enter upon such premises and remove his fence and material
within six months after the division line has been ascertained. "Where the
material to build such a fence has been taken from the land on which it was
built, then, before it can be removed, the person claiming must first pay
for such material to the owner of the land from which it was taken, nor
shall such a fence be removed at a time when the removal will throw open
or expose the crops of the other party; a reasonable time must be given be-
yond the six months to remove crops.
ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.
Any person competent to make a will can adopt as his own the, minor
child of another. The consent of both parents, if living and not divorced
or separated, and if divorced or separated, or if unmarried, the consent of
the parent ^awfully having the custody of the child ; or if either parent is
dead, then "the consent of the survivor, or if both parents be dead, or the
child have been and remain abandoned by them, then the consent of the
Mayor of the city where the child is living, or if riot in the city, then of the
Clerk of the Circuit Court of the; county shall be given to such
adoption by an instrument in writing, signed by parties consenting, and stat-
ing the names of the parties, if known, the name of the child, if known,
the name of the person adopting such child, and the residence of all, if
known, and declaring the name by which the child is thereafter to be called
and known, and stating, also, that such child is given to the person adopting,
for the purpose of adoption as his own child.
The person adopting shall also sign said instrument, and all the parties
204 ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
shall acknowledge the same in the manner that deeds conveying lands shall
be acknowledged. - ; -■ .•.:-.■ ■:. •< ■<> >
The instrument shall he recorded in the office of the County Recorder, ,-,:
8URVEYORS AND SURVEYS.
There is in every county elected a Surveyor known as a County Surveyor,
who has power to appoint deputies, for whose official acts he is responsible.
It is the duty of the County Surveyor, either by himself or his deputy, to
make all surveys that he may be called upon to make within his county as
soon as may be after application is made. The necessary chainmeh and
other assistance must be employed by the person requiring the same to* be
done, and to be by him paid, unless otherwise agreed; but the chairimen
must be disinterested persons and approved by the Surveyor and sworn by
him to measure justly and impartially. Previous to any survey, he shall
furnish himself with a copy of the field notes of the original survey of the
same land^ if there be any in the office of the County Auditor, and his sur-
vey shall be made in accordance therewith.
Their fees are three dollars per day. For certified copies of field notes,
twenty-five cents.
mechanics' liens.
Every mechanic, or other person who shall do any labor upon, or furnish
any materials, machinery or fixtures for any building, erection or other 'im-
provement upon land, including those engaged in the construction or repair
of any work of internal improvement, by virtue of any contract with the
owner, his agent, trustee, contractor, or sub-con tr re tor, shall have a lien, on
complying with the forms of law, upon the building or other improvement
for his labor done or materials furnished.
It would take too large a space to detail the manner in which a sub-con-
tractor secures his lien. He should file, within thirty days after the last of the
labor was performed, or the last of the material shall have been 'furnished,
with the clerk of the District Court a true account of the amount due him,
after allowing all credits, setting forth the time when such material was fur-
nished or labor performed, and when completed, and containing a correct
description of the property sought to be charged with the lien, and the whole
verified by affidavit.
A principal contractor must file such an affidavit within ninety days, as
above.
Ordinarily, there are so many points to be examined in order to secure a
mechanics' lien, that it is much better, unless one is acustomed to managing
such liens, to consult at once an attorney.
Remember that the proper time to file the claim is ninety days for a prin-
cipal contractor, thirty days for a sub-contractor, as above;" and that actions
to enforce these liens must be commenced within two years, and the rest can
much better be done with an attorney.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Persons meeting each other on the public highways, shall give one-half of
the same by turning to the right. All persons failing to observe this rule
shall be liable to pay all damages resulting therefrom, together with a fine,
not exceeding five dollars.
ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 205
The prosecution must be instituted on the complaint of the person
wronged.
Any person _ guilty of racing horses, or driving upon the public highway,
in a manner likely to endanger the persons or the lives of others, shall, on
conviction, be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars or imprisoned not
exceeding thirty days.
It is a misdemeanor, without authority from the proper Road Supervisor,
to break upon, plow or dig within, the boundary lines of any public high-
way.
The money tax levied upon the property in each road district in each town-
ship (except the general Township Fund, set apart for purchasing tools, ma-
chinery and guide boards), whether collected by the .Road Supervisor or
County Treasurer, shall be expended for highway purposes in that district,
and no part thereof shall be paid out or expended for the benefit of another
district.
The Road Supervisor of each district, is bound to keep the roads and
■bridges therein, in as good condition as the funds at his disposal will permit;
to put guide boards at cross roads and forks of highways in his district ; and
when notified in writing that any portion of the public highway, or any
bridge is unsafe, must in a reasonable time repair the same, and for this pur-
pose may call out any or all the able bodied men in the district, but not
more than two days at one time, without their consent.
Also, when notified in writing, of the growth of any Canada thistles upon
vacant or non-resident lands or vacant lots, within his district, the owner,
lessee or agent thereof being unknown, shall cause the same to be destroyed.
Bridges when erected and maintained by the public, are parts of the high-
way, and must not be less than sixteen feet wide..
■ A penalty is imposed upon any one who rides or drives faster than a walk
across any such bridge.
The manner of establishing, vacating or altering roads, etc., is so well
known to all township officers, that it sufficient here to say that the first step
is by petition, filed in the Auditors' office, addressed in substance as follows :
The Board of Supervisors of County: The undersigned asks that
a highway, commencing at and running thence and terminating
at , be established, vacated or altered (as the case may be).
When the petition is filed, all necessary and succeding steps will be shown
and explained to the petitioners by the Auditor.
SUPP0BT OF P00JJ.
The father, mother and children of any poor person who has applied for
aid, and who is unable to maintain himself by work, shall, jointly or sev-
erally, maintain such poor person in such manner as may be approved by
the Township Trustees.
In the absence or inability of nearer relatives, the same liability shall ex-
tend to the grandparents, if of ability without personal labor, and to the
male grandchildren who are of ability, by personal labor or otherwise.
The Township Trustees may, upon the failure of such relatives to main-
tain a poor person, who has made application for relief, apply to the Circuit
Court for an order to compel the same.
Upon ten days' notice, in writing, to the parties sought to be charged, a
hearing may be had, and. an order made for entire or partial support of the
poor person.
206 ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
Appeal may be taken from such judgment as from other judgments of
the Circuit Court.
When any person, having any estate, abandons either children, wife or
husband, leaving them chargeable, or likely to become chargeable, upon the
public for support, upon proof of above fact, an order may be had from the
Clerk of the Circuit Court, or Judge, authorizing the Trustees or the Sheriff
to take into possession such estate.
The court may direct such personal estate to be sold, to be applied, as
well 'as the rents and profits of the real estate, if any, to the support of
children, wife or husband.
If the party against whom the order is issued return and support the per-
son abandoned, or give security for the same, the order' shall be discharged,
and the property taken returned.
The mode of relief for the poor, through the action of the Township
Trustees, or' the action of the Board of Supervisors, is so well known to
every township officer, and the circumstances attending applications for re-
lief are so varied, that it need now only be said that it is the duty of each
county to provide for its poor, no matter at what place they may be.
LANDLORD AND TENANT.
A tenant giving notice to quit demised premises at a time named, and
afterward holding over, and a tenant or his assignee willfully holding over
the premises after the term, and after notice to quit, shall pay double rent.
Any person in possession of real property, with the assent of the owner,
is presumed to be a tenant at will until the contraiy is shown.
Thirty days' notice, in writing, is necessary to be given by either party
before he can terminate a tenancy at will; but when, in any case, a rent is
reserved payable at intervals of less than thirty days, the length of notice
need not be greater than such interval between the days of payment. In
case of tenants occupying and cultivating farms, the notice must fix the ter-
mination of the tenancy to take place on the 1st of March, except in cases
of field tenants and croppers, whose leases shall be held to expire when the
crop is harvested; provided, that in a case of a crop of corn, it shall not be
later, than the 1st day of December, unless otherwise agreed upon. But
when an express agreement is made, whether the same has been reduced to
writing or not, the tenancy shall cease at the time agreed upon, without
notice.
But where an express agreement is made, whether reduced to writingpr
not, the tanancy shall cease at the time agreed upon, without notice.
If such tenant cannot be found in the county, the notices above required
may be given to any sub-tenant or other person in possession of the prem-
ises; or if the premises be vacant, by affixing the notice to the principal door
of the building, or on some conspicuous position on the land, if there be no
building.
The landlord shall have a lien for his rent upon all the crops grown on the
premises, and upon any other personal property of the tenant used on the
premises during the term, and not exempt from execution, for a period of
one year after a year's rent or the rent of a shorter period claimed tails due;
but such lien shall not continue more than six months after the expiration
of the term.
The lien may be effected by the commencement of an action, within the
ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
207
period above described, for rent alone; and the landlord is entitled to a writ
of attachment, upon filing an affidavit that the action is commenced to re-
cover rent accrued within one year previous thereto upon the premises de-
scribed in the affidavit.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Sand 130
Sorgum Seed 30
Broom Corn Seed 30
Buckwhect 52
Salt 50
Barley 48
Corn Meal 48
Castor Beans 46
Timothy Seed 45
Hemp Seed 44
Dried Peaches 33
Oats 33
Dried Apples 24
Bran 20
Blue Grass Seed 14
Hungarian Grass Seed 45
Whenever any of the following articles shall be contracted for, or sold or
delivered, and no special contract or agreement shall be made to the con-
trary, the weight per bushel shall be as follows, to wit:
Apples, PeacheB or Quinces 48
Cherries, Grapes, Currants or Gooseber's, 40
Strawberries, Raspberries or Blackber's, 32
Osage Orango Seed 32
Millet Seed 45
Stone Coal 80
time 80
Corn in the ear 70
Wheat 60
Potatoes 60
Beans 60
Clover Seed 60
Onions 57
Shelled Corn 56
Rye 56
Flax Seed 56
Sweet Potatoes 46
Penalty for giving less than the above standard is treble damages and
costs and five dollars addition thereto as a fine.
NOTES.
Form of note is legal, worded in the simplest way, so that the amount
and time of payment are mentioned :
$100. Chicago, 111., Sept. 15, 1876.
Sixty days from date I promise to pay to E. F. Brown or order, one hun-
dred dollars, for value received. L. D. Lowey.
A note to be payable in anything else than money needs only the facts
substituted for money in the above form.
OEDEES.
Orders should be worded simply, thus.
Mr. F. H. Coats: Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876.
Please pay to H. Birdsall twenty-five dollars, and charge to
v F. D. Silva.
BILLS OF PURCHASE.
W. TS. Mason, Salem, Illinois, Sept. 18, 1876.
Bought of A. A. Graham.
4 Bushels of Seed Wheat, at $1.50 $6 00
2 Seamless Sacks " 30 60
Received payment,
A. A. Graham.
$6 60
20S ABSTEACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
RECEIPTS.
Receipts should always state when received and what for, thus:
$100. Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876.
Eeceived of J. "W. Davis, one hundred dollars, for 'ser-
vices rendered in grading his Jot in Fort Madison, on account.
Thomas Beady.
If receipt is in full, it should be so stated.
definition of commercial teems.
-$ — ■■ — means dollars, being a contraction of II.. S., which was formerly
placed beforeany denomination of money, and meant, as it means now,
United States Currency.
£ means pounds, English money.
@ ■ stands for at or to ; lb for pounds, and bhl. for barrels ; ^ for -per or
by the. Thus, Butter sells at 20@30c $ ft, and Flour at $8@$12 f bbl.
% for per cent, and Jf iov'number. >. ., „•
May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20@$1.25, " seller June."- Seller June meaDS
that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any
time during the month of June.
Selling snort, is contracting to deliver a certain amount-of-grain* or stoekj
at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the seller1. has' not
the stock on hand. It is for the interest of the person selling "short" .to
depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy and fill
his contract at a profit.- Hence the "shorts " are termed " bears." ! ' "
Buying long, is to contract to purchase a certain amount of grain of
shares of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, ex-
pecting to make a profit by the rise in prices. The "longs "are termed
" bulls," as it is for their interest to " operate " so as to " toss " the prices
upward as mnch as possible. * ■
CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT.
Iowai , 18—.
after date — promises to pay to the order of '— , dollars,
at -, for value received, with interest at ten per cent per annum after
until paid. Interest payable , and on interest not paid when due,
interest at same rate and conditions.
A failure to pay said interest, or any part thereof, within 20 days after due, shall cause the
wnole note to become due and collectible at once.
If this note is sued, or judgment is confessed hereon, $ shall be aliowedas attorhey'ftes.
No.—. P.O. , - -^-.*f
CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT.
—vs. — In Court of County, Iowa, , of •
County, Iowa, do hereby confess that justly indebted to — ■ , in the
sum of dollars, and the further sum of $— — as attorney fees, with
interest thereon at ten per cent from , and — hereby confess, judg-
ment against as defendant in favor of said , for said, sum,!, of
$ ) ar>d $ — -as attorney fees, hereby authorizing the Clerk- of mo
— — Court of said county to enter up judgment, for said sum against
with costs, and interest at 10 per cent from , the interest to be paid—.
Said debt and judgment being for .
ABSTEACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 209
It is especially agreed, however, That if this judgment is paid within
twenty days after due, no attorney fees need be paid. And — — hereby sell,
convey and release all right of homestead we now occupy in favor of said
so far as this judgment is concerned, and agree that it shall be liable
on execution for this judgment.
Dated , 18—. .
The State of Iowa, )
County. )
being duly sworn according to law, depose and say that the fore-
going statement and Confession of Judgment was read over to , and
that — understood the contents thereof, and that the statements contained
therein are true, and that the sums therein mentioned are justly to become
dnc said as aforesaid.
iSworn .to and subscribed before me and in my presence by the said
. this day of , 18 — . , Notary Public.
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT.
An agreement is where one party promises to another to do a certain
thing in a certain time for a stipulated sum. Good business men always
reduce an agreement to writing, which nearly always saves misunderstand-
ings and trouble, No particular form is necessary, but the facts must be
clearly and explicitly stated, and there must, to make it valid, be a reason-
able consideration.
General Form of Agreement. — This agreement, made the second day of
June, 1878, between John Jones, of Keokuk, county of Lee, State of Iowa,
of the first part, and Thomas Whiteside, of the same place, of the second
part —
Witne88eth: That the said John Jones, in consideration of the agreement
of the party of the second part, hereinafter contained, contracts and agrees
to and with the said Thomas Whiteside, that he will deliver in good and
marketable condition, at the village of Melrose, Iowa, during the month of
November, of this year, one hundred tons of prairie hay, in the following
lots, and at the following specified times; namely, twenty-five tons by the
seventh of November, twenty-five tons additional by the fourteenth of the
month, twenty-five tons more by the twenty-first, and the entire one hun-
dred tons to be all delivered by the thirtieth of November.
And the said Thomas "Whiteside, in consideration of the prompt fulfill-
ment of this contract, on the part of the party of the first part, contracts to
and, agrees with the said John Jones, to pay for said hay five dollars per
ton, for each ton as 6oon as delivered.
In case of failure of agreement by either of the parties hereto, it is hereby
stipulated and agreed, that the party so failing shall pay to the other, one
hundred dollars, as fixed and settled damages.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands the day and year first
above written. John Jones,
Thomas Whiteside.
Agreement with Clerk for Services. — This agreement, made the first day
of Slay, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight, between Keuben
Stone, of Dubuque, county »of Dubuque, State of Iowa, party of the first
14
210 ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
part, and George Barclay, of McGregor, county of Clayton, State of Iowa,
party of the second part —
Witnesseth: That the said George Barclay agrees faithfully and diligently
to work as clerk and salesman for the said Reuben Stone, for and during the
space of one year from the date hereof, should both lire such length of time,
without absenting himself from his occupation; during which time he, the
said Barclay, in the store of said Stone, of Dubuque, will carefully and
honestly attend, doing and ■ performing all duties as clerk and salesman
aforesaid, in accordance and in all respects as directed and desired by the
said Stone.
In consideration of which services, so to be rendered by the said Barclay^
the said Stone agrees to pay to said Barclay the annual sum of one thousand
dollars, payable in twelve equal monthly payments, each upon the last day
of each month; provided that all dues for days of absence from business by
said Barclay, shall be deducted from the sum otherwise by the agreement
due and payable by the said Stone to the said Barclay
Witness our hands. • Reuben Stone.
George Barclay,
bills of sale.
A bill of sale is a written agreement to another party, for a consideration
to convey his right and interest in the personal property. The purchaser
must take actual possession of the 'property, or the bill of sale must be ac-
knowledged and recorded.
Common Form of Bill of Sale. — Know all men by this instrument, that
I, Louis Clay, of Burlington, Iowa, of the first part, for and in consideration
of five hundred and ten dollars, to me paid by John Floyd, of the same place,
of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have sold,
and by this instrument do convey unto the said Floyd, party of the second
part, his executors, administrators and assigns, my undivided half of ten
acres of corn, now growing on the farm of Thomas Tyrell, in the town above
mentioned ; one pair of horses, sixteen sheep, and five cows, belonging to me
and in my possession at the farm aforesaid ; to have and to hold the same unto
the party of the second part, his executors and assigns forever. And I do,
for myself and legal representatives, agree with the said party of the second
part, and his legal representatatives, to warrant and defend the sale of the
aforementioned property and chattels unto the said party of the second part,
and his legal representatives, against all and any person whomsoever.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my hand, this tenth day of
October, one thousand eight hundred and soventy-six.
Louis Clay. *
NOTICE TO QUIT.
To John Wontpay: Ton are hereby notified to quit the possession of
the premises you now occupy, to*- wit:
[Insert Description.]
on or before thirty days from the date of this notice.
Dated January 1, 1878. Landlord.
[Reversed for Notice to Landlord.]
ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 211
GENERAL FOEM OF WILL FOE REAL AND PEESONAL PEOPEETT.
I, Charles Mansfield, of the town of Bellevue, county of Jackson, State of
Iowa, being aware of the uncertainty of life, and in failing health, but of
sound mind and memory, do make and declare this to be my last will and
testament, in manner following, to-wit:
First. I give, devise and bequeath unto to my eldest son, Sydney H.
Mansfield, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, of bank stock, now in the
Third National Bank, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the farm owned by myself,
in the township of Iowa, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, with all
the houses, tenements and improvements thereunto belonging; to have and
to hold unto my said son, his heirs and assigns forever.
Second. I give, devise and bequeath to each of my two daughters, Anna
Louise Mansfield and Ida Clara Mansfield, each Two Thousand Dollars, in
bank stock, in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio; and also each
one quarter section of land, owned by myself, situated in the township of
Fairfield, and recorded in my name in the recorder's office in the county
where such land is located. The north. one hundred and sixty acres of said
half section is devised to my eldest daughter, Anna Louise.
Third. I give, devise and bequeath to my son, Frank Alfred Mansfield,
five shares of railroad stook in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and my one
hundred and sixty acres of land, and saw-mill thereon, situated in Manistee,
Michigan, with all the improvements and appurtenances thereunto belong-
ing, which said real estate is recorded in my name, in the county where
situated.
Fourth. I give to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, all my house-
hold furniture, goods, chattels and personal property, about my home, not
hitherto disposed of, including Eight Thousand Dollars of bank stock in
the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, fifteen shares in the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad, and the free and unrestricted use, possession and
benefit of the home farm so long as she may live, in lieu of dower, to
which she is entitled by law — said farm being my present place of residence.
Fifth. I bequeath to my invalid father, Elijah H. Mansfield, the income
from rents of my store building at 145 Jackson street, Chicago, Illinois,
during the term of his natural life. Said building and land therewith to
revert to my said sons and daughters in equal proportion, upon the demise
of my said father.
Sixth. It is also my will and desire that, at the death of my wife, Vic-
toria Elizabeth Mansfield, or at any time when she may arrange to relin-
quish her life interest in the above mentioned homestead, the same may re-
vert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each.
And lastly. I nominate and appoint as the executors of this, my last
will and testament, my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, and my eldest
son, Sidney H. Mansfield.
I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses shall be
paid from moneys now on deposit in the Savings Bank of Bellevue, the
residue of such moneys to revert to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, ,
for her use forever.
In witness whereof, I, Charles Mansfield, to this my last will and testa-
ment, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of April, eight-
een hundred and seventy-two.
Charles Mansfield.
212 ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
Signed, and declared by Charles Mansfield, as and for his last will and
testament, in the presence of us, who, at his request, and in his presence,
and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names hereunto as
witnesses thereof.
Petee A. Schenck, Dubuque, Iowa.
Frank E. Dent, Bellevue, Iowa. , iiiiiii
CODICIL.
Wheeeas I, Charles Mansfield, did, on the fourth day of April, one
thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, make my last will and testament,
1 do now, by this writing, add this codocil to my said will, to be taken as a
part thereof.
Whereas, by the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna Louise,
has deceased, November fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three;' arid
whereas, a son has been born to me, which son is now christened Richard
Albert Mansfield, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch, and all
right, interest and title in lands and bank stock and chattels bequea&ed to
my deceased daughter, Anna Louise, in the body of this will.
In witness whereof, I hereunto place my hand and seal, this tenth day of
March, eighteen hundred and seventy-five.
Charles Mansfield. ;|
Signed, sealed, published and declared to us by the testator, Charles
Mansfield^ as and for a codicil to be annexed to his last will and testament.
And we, at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each
other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, at the date hereof.
Frank E. Dent, Bellevue, Iowa.
John C. Shay, Bellevue, Iowa.
{Form No. 1.)
SATISFACTION of mortgage.
State of Iowa, )
County, j ss-
I) , of the county of , State of Iowa, do hereby acknowledge
that a certain Indenture of ■ , bearing date the day of , A. D.
18 — , made and executed by and , his wife, to said on
the following described Eeal Estate, in the county of , and State of
Iowa; to-wit: (here insert description) and filed for record in the office of
the Recorder of the county of , and State of Iowa, on the — — day of
, A. D. 18 — , at o'clock . M.; and recorded in Book of
Mortgage Records, on page , is redeemed, paid off, satisfied and dis-
charged in full. . [seal.]
State of Iowa, )
County, fss-
Be it Remembered, That on this — — day of , A. D. 18—, before
me the undersigned, a in and for said county, personally appeared
— — , to me personally known to be the identical person who executed the
above (satisfaction of mortgage) as grantor, and acknowledged •
signature thereto to be voluntary act and deed.
Witness my hand and : seal^ the day and year last above
written. .
ABSTEACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 213
ONE FOEM OF EEAL ESTATE MOBTGAGE.
Know all Men by these Peesents: That , of county, and
State of , in consideration of dollars, in hand paid by of
county, and State of , do hereby sell and convey unto the said
the following described premises, situated in the county of , and
State of , to- wit: (here insert description) and do hereby covenant
with the said that lawfully seized of said premises, that they
are free from incumbrance, that have good right and lawful authority
to sell and convey the same; and do hereby covenant to warrant and
de'fend the same against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. To
be void upon condition that the said shall pay the full amount of
principal and interest at the time therein specified, of certain promis-
sory note for the sum of dollars.
One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent.
One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent.
One note for $ , due , 18, — with interest annually at per cent.
One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent.
And the said Mortgagee agrees to pay all taxes that may be levied upon
the above described premises. It is also agreed by the Mortgagor that if
it becomes necessary to foreclose this mortgage, a reasonable amount shall
be allowed as an attorney's fee for foreclosing. And the said hereby
relinquishes all her right of dower and homestead in and to the above de-
scribed premises.
Signed this day of — — , A. D. 18 — .
[Acknowledge as in Form No. 1.]
SECOND FOEM OF EEAL ESTATE MOBTGAGE.
This Indentube, made and executed by and between of the
county of and State of , part of the first part, and of the
county of and State of part of the second part, Witnesseth, that
the said part of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of
dollars, paid by the said part of the second part, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, have granted and sold, and do by these presents, grant,
bargain, sell, convey and confirm, unto the said party of the second part,
heirs and assigns forever, the certain tract or parcel of real estate, sit-
uated in the county of and State of , described as follows, to-wit:
(Here insert description.)
The said part of the first part represent to and covenant with the part
of the second part, that he have good right to sell and convey said prem-
ises, that they are free from incumbrance, and that he will warrant and de-
fend them against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever, and do ex-
pressly hereby release all rights of dower in and to said premises, and relin-
quish and convey all rights of homestead therein.
This instrument is made, executed and delivered upon the following con-
ditions, to-wit:
First. Said first part agree to pay said or order
Second. Said first part further agree as is stipulated in said note, that
214 ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
if he shall fail to pay any of said interest when due, it shall bear interest
at the rate of ten per cent, per annum, from the time the same becomes due,
and this mortgage shall stand security for the same.
Third. Said first part further agree that he will pay all taxes and
assessments levied upon said real estate before the same become delinquent,
and if not paid the holder of this mortgage may declare the whole sum of
money herein secured due and collectable at once, or he may elect to pay
such taxes or assessments, and be entitled to interest on the same at the
rate of ten per cent, per annum, and this mortgage shall stand as serarity
for the amount so paid.
Fowrih. Said first part further agree that if he fail to pay any of
said money, either principal or interest, within days after the same
becomes due; or fail to conform or comply with any of the foregoing con-
ditions or agreements, the whole sum herein secured shall become due and
payable at once, and this mortgage may thereupon be foreclosed immedi-
ately for the whole of said money, interest and costs.
Fifth. Said part further agree that in the event of the non-payment
of either principal, interest or taxes when due, and upon the filing of a bill
of foreclosure of this mortgage, an attorney's fee of dollars shall be-
come due and payable, and shall be by the court taxed, and this mortgage
shall stand as security therefor, and the same shall be included in the de-
cree of foreclosure, and shall be made by the sheriff on general or special
execution with the other money, interest and costs, and the contract em-
bodied in this mortgage and the note described herein, shall in all respects
be governed, construed and adjudged by the laws of , where the
same is made. The foregoing conditions being performed, this conveyance
to be void, otherwise of iull force and virtue.
[Acknowledge as in form No. l.J
FORM OF LEASE.
This Article of Agreement, Made and entered into on this day of
, A. D. 187-, by and between , of the county of , and
State of Iowa, of the first part, and — ■ , of the county of ,
and State of Iowa, of the second part, witnesseth that the said party of the
first part has this day leased unto the party of the second part the following
described premises, to- wit:
[Here insert description.']
for the term of from and after the — day of , A. D. 187-, at
the ; rent of dollars, to be paid as follows, to-wit :
{Here insert terms.]
And it is further agreed that if any rent shall be due and unpaid, or if
default be made in any of the covenants herein contained, it shall then be
lawful for the said party of the first part to re-enter said premises, or to
destrain for such rent; or he may recover possession thereof, by action of
forcible entry and detainer, notwithstanding the provision of Section 3612
of the Code of 1873; or he may use any or all of said remedies.
And the said party of the second part agrees to pay to the party of the
first part the rent as above 6tated, except when said premises are untenable
ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 215
by reason of fire, or from any other cause than the carelessness of the party
of the second part, or persons family, or in employ, or by supe-
rior force and inevitable necessity. And the said party of the second part
covenants that will use the said premises as a , and for no other
purposes whatever; and that — especially will not use said premises, or
permit the same to be used, for any unlawful business or purpose whatever;
that will not sell, assign, underlet or relinquish said premises without
the written consent of the lessor, under penalty of a forfeiture of all
rights under this lease, at the election of the party of the first part; and
that will use all due care and diligence in guarding said property, with
the buildings, gates, fences, etc., in as good repair as they now are, or may
at any time be placed by the lessor, damages by superior force, inevitable
necessity, or fire from any other cause than from the carelessness of the
lessee, or persons of family, or in employ excepted; and at the
expiration of this lease, or upon a breach by said lessee of any of the said
covenants herein contained, will, without further notice of any kind,
qiiit and surrender the possession and occupancy of said premises in as good
condition as reasonable use, natural wear and decay thereof will permit, dam-
ages by fire as aforesaid, superior force, or inevitable necessity, only excepted.
In witness whereof the said parties have subscribed their names on the
date first above written.
In presence of
FORM OF NOTE.
, 18-
On or before the— day of , 18 — , for value received, I promise to
pay or order, dollars, with intesest from date until paid,
at ten per cent per annum, payable annually, at . Unpaid interest
shall bear interest at ten per cent per annum. On failure to pay interest
within days after due, the whole sum, principal and interest, shall be-
come due at once
CHATTEL MORTGAGE.
Know all Men by these Presents: That of County, and
State of in consideration of dollars, in hand paid by , of
County and State of , do hereby sell and convey unto the said the
following described personal property, now in the possession of in the
county, and State of , to-wit:
[Here insert Description.]
And do hereby warrant the title of said property, and that it is free from
any incumbrance or lien. The only right or interest retained by grantor in
and to said property being the right of redemption as herein provided. This
conveyance to be void upon condition that the said grantor shall pay to said
grantee, or his assigns, the full amount of principal and interest at the time
therein specified, of certain promissory notes of even date herewith, for
the sum of dollars.-
One note for $— , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent.
One note for $ — , due , 18—, with interest annually at per cent.
One note for $ — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent.
One note for $— , due , 18—, with interest annually at per cent.
216 ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
The grantor to pay all taxes on said property, and if at any time any part
or portion of said notes should be due and unpaid, said grantee may proceed
by sale or foreclosure to collect and pay himself the unpaid balance of said
notes, whether due or not, the grantor to pay all necessary expense of such
foreclosure, including $ Attorney's fees, and whatever remains after
paying off said notes and expenses, to be paid over to said grantor.
Signed the day of , 18 — . .
[Acknowledged as in Form No. l.J
WARRANTY DEED.
Know all Men by these Presents : That of County and
State of , in consideration of the sum of dollars, in hand paid by
of County, and State of , do hereby sell and convey unto
the said and to heirs and assigns, the following described premises,
situated in the County of- , State of Iowa, to- wit:
[Here insert Description.]
And I do hereby covenant with the said that — lawfully seized in fee
situpleof said premises, that they are free from incumbrance; that — ha good
right and lawful authority to sell the same, and — do hereby covenant to war-
rant and defend the said premises and appurtenances thereto belonging,
against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever; and the said -
hereby relinquishes all her right of dower and of homestead in and to the
above described premises.
Signed the day of , A. D. 18 — .
IN PRESENCE of
[Acknowledged as in Form ~No. l.J
QUIT-CLAIM DEED.
Know all Men by these Presents: That - , of County, State
of , in consideration of the sum of dollars, to — in hand paid by
> of County, State of , the receipt whereof — do hereby ac-
knowledge, have bargained, sold and quit-claimed, and by these presents do
bargain, sell and quit-claim unto the said and to — heirs and assigns
forever, all — right, title, interest, estate, claim and demand, both at law and
in equity, and as well in possession as in expectancy, of, in and to the fol-
lowing described premises, to-wit: [here insert description] with all and
singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereto belonging.
Signed this day of , A. D. 18 — .
Signed in Presence of
[Acknowledged as in Form No. 1.]
ABSTRACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 217
BOND FOB DEED.
Know all Men by these Pbesents: That of County, and
State of ■ am held and firmly bound unto of County, and
State of , in the sum of dollars, to be paid to the said , his
executors or assigns, for which payment well and truly to be made, I bind
myself firmly by these presents. Signed the day of , A. D. 18 — .
The condition of this obligation is such, that if the said obligee shall pay
to said obligor or his assigns, the full amount of principal and interest at
the time therein specified, of — promissory note of even date herewith, for
the sum of Dollars.
One note for $ — : — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at — per cent.
One note for $ — ■—, due , 18 — , with interest annually at — per cent.
One note for $— : — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at — per cent.
And pay all taxes accruing upon the lands herein described, then said obli-
gor shall convey to the said obligee; or his assigns, that certain tract or par-
cel of real estate, situated in the County of , and State of Iowa, des-
cribed as follows, to-wit: [here insert description] by a "Warranty Deed,
with the usual covenants, duly executed and acknowledged.
If said obligee should fail to make the payments as above stipulated, or
any part thereof, as the same becomes due, said obligor may at his option,
by notice to the obligee, terminate his liability under the bond, and resume
the possession and absolute control of said premises, time being the essence
of this agreement.
On the fulfillment of the above conditions, this obligation to become
void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue; unless terminated by
Jhe obligor as above stipulated.
[Acknowledged as in form No. 1.]
GAME LAWS.
By the laws of Iowa, as amended by the Legislature of 1878, it is unlaw-
ful to do any of the following acts:
BIBDS AND QUADRUPEDS.
1. To kill, trap, ensnare, or in any manner destroy any of the birds of
the State, except birds of prey and game birds, during the open seasons as
provided by law; or to destroy the eggs of such birds as are protected by
this section — except that' persons killing birds for scientific purposes, or
? reservation in museums and cabinets, are not liable under this section,
'enalty, $5 to $25.
2. To shoot or kill any prairie chicken from Dec. 1 to Sept. 1, woodcock
from Jan. 1 to July 10, pheasant, wild turkey or quail from Jan 1 to Oct.
1, wild duck, snipe, goose or brant from May 1 to Aug. 15, deer or elk from
Jan. 1 to Sept. 1, beaver, mink, otter or muskrat from April 1 to Novem-
ber. Penalty, deer or elk, $25; the others, $10.
3. To take or attempt to take at any time with trap, net or snare any
bird or animal mentioned in Sec. 2, or to willfully destroy the eggs or nests
of such birds. Except that beaver, mink, otter or muskrat may be trapped
218 ABSTRACT OF THE IA.WS OP IOWA.
or snared during the open season, or at any time for the protection of pri-
vate property. Penalty the same as in section 2.
4. To shoot or kill any wild duck, goose or brant with any kind of gun,
except such as is commonly shot from the shoulder, or to use medicated or
poisoned food to capture or kill any of the birds mentioned in section 2.
Penalty, $25, and thirty days in jail unless sooner paid.
5. To shoot or kill for traffic any prairie chicken, snipe, woodcock, quail
or pheasant at anytime; for one person to kill during one day more than 25
of either kind of said birds; to ship or take out of the State any bird
mentioned in section 2, deer or elk ; to buy, sell, or have in possession any
such bird, deer or elk during the close season, except the first five days. Pen-
alty, deer or elk, $25 ; others, $10.
6. For any person, firm, or corporation to have in possession,- at one
time, more than twenty-five of either prairie chicken, snipe, woodcock, quail
or pheasant, unless lawfully received ior transportation; to ship to any per-
son in the State in one day more than one dozen of the birds mentioned in
section 2; and in case of shipment an affidavit must be made that the birds
have not been unlawfully killed, bought, sold, or had in possession, and are
not shipped for sale or profit, and giving name and address of consignee
and number of birds shipped, and a copy of the affidavit shall accompany
the birds, etc. Penalty, same as in section 2. The making of a false affi-
davit is perjury.
7. For any common carrier, its agent or servant, to knowingly receive
for transportation any bird or animal mentioned in section two, during the
close season (except the first five days), or at any other time, except in the
manner provided by law. Penalty, $100 to $300, or 30 days in jail, or
both.
8. The having in possession during the close season, except the first five
days, of any bird mentioned in section 2, deer or elk, is prima facie evidence
of a violation of the law.
9. Prosecutions, except under section 1, may be brought in any county
where the game is found, and the court shall appoint an attorney to prose-
cute, who shall be entitled to a fee of $10; and the person filing the infor-
mation to a fee equal to half the fine imposed on the defendant; both fees
to be taxed as costs. The county is, however, in no event liable for either.
FISH AND FISH WATS.
10. To catch or kill bass or wall-eyed pike from April 1 to June 1; sal-
mon or trout from November 1 to February 1. Penalty, $5 to $25.
11. To use any seine or net for the purpose of catching fish, except
native minnows, and except by the fish commissioner for propagation and
exchange. Penalty, $5 to $50 for first offense; $20 to $50 for second.
12. To place across any river, creek, pond or lake, any trot line, dam,
seine, weir, fish-dam, or other obstruction, in such manner as to prevent the
free passage of fish, except under the direction of the fish commissioner, and
except dams for manufacturing purposes provided with fish-ways. Penalty,
$25 to $100, or 10 to 30 days in jail.
13. To continue any dam or obstruction heretofore erected, for an unrea-
sonable length of time, after the 6th day of April, 1878, without having
fish- ways provided therein. Penalty, $5 to $50 for first offense; $20 to $50
for the second, and the dam abated as a nuisance.
ABSTBAOT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 219
14. Persons raising or propagating fish on their own premises, or own-
ing premises on which there are waters having no natural outlet, supplied
with fish, shall absolutely own said fish. No person shall take, or attempt
to take, fish therefrom without consent of the owner. Penalty, $5 to $25,
or 30 days in jail.
The "close" season is when killing is forbidden; the "open" season is
when it is not.
PURCHASING- BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION".
The business of publishing books by subscription, having so often been
brought into disrepute by agents making representations and declarations
not authorized by the publisher, in order to prevent that as much as possi-
ble, and that there may be more general knowledge of the relation such
agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the follow-
ing statement is made:
A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by
which the subscriber agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described;
the consideration is concurrent that the publisher shall publish the book
named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to psiy the price
named. The nature and character of the work is described by the pro-
spectus and sample shown. These should be carefully examined before
subscribing, as they are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay,
and not the too often exaggerated statements of the agent, who is merely
employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a commis-
sion for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the con-
ditions upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the
, publisher. Should the agent assume to agree to make the subscription
conditional, or modify or change the agreement of the publisher, as set out
by the prospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the sub-
scriber should see that such condition or changes are stated over or in con-
nection with his signature, so that the publisher may have notice of the same.
All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any
other business, should remember that the law as xoritten is, that they can
not be altered, varied or rescinded verbally, but if done at all, must be
done in writing: It is therefore important that all persons contemplating
subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after the
subscription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the
contract.
Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as
canvassers. They are agents appointed to do a particular business in a
prescribed mode and have no autlwrity to do it any other way to the pre-
judice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any other
matter. They can not collect money, or agree that payment may be made
in anything else but money. They can not extend the time of payment
beyond the time of delivery nor bind their principal for the payment of
expenses incurred in their business.
It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons,
before signing their names to any subscription book, or any written instru-
ment, would examine carefully what it is; and if they cannot read them-
selves call on some one disinterested, who can.
Constitution of State of Iowa.
We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the
blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Sim for a corv-
tinuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independ-
ent government, by the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof
shall be as follows:
Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi river,
at a point due east of the middle of the mouth of the main channel of the
Des Moines river; thence up the middle of the main channel of the said
Des Moines river, to a point on said river where the northern boundary
line of the State of Missouri — as established by the Constitution of that
State, adopted June 12, 1820 — crosses the said middle of the main channel
of the said Des Moines river; thence westwardly along the said northern
boundary line of the State of Missouri, as established at the time aforesaid,
until an extension of said line intersects the middle of the main channel of
the Missouri river; thence up the middle of the main channel of the said
Missouri river, to a point opposite the middle of the main channel of the Big
Sioux river, according to Nicollett's map; thence up the main channel of
the said Big Sioux river, according to said map, until it is intersected by the
parallel of forty-three degrees and thirty minutes north latitude; thence east
along said parallel of forty-three degrees and thirty, minutes, until said par-
allel intersects the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi river; thence
down the middle of the main channel of said Mississippi river, to the place
of beginning.
Article 1. — Bill of Bights.
Section 1. All men are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain in-
alienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and
liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and
obtaining safety and happiness.
Sec. 2. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is
instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they
have the right, at all times, to alter or reform the same, whenever the pub-
lic good may require it.
Sec. 3. The General Assembly shall make no law respecting an estab-
ment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; nor shall any per-
son be compelled to attend any place of worship, pay tithes, taxes, or other
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 221
fates, for building or repairing places of worship, or the maintenance of any
minister or ministry.
Seo. 4. No religious test shall be required as a qualification for any
office of public trust, and no person shall be deprived of any of his rights,
privileges, or capacities, or disqualified from the performance of any of his
public or private duties, or rendered incompetent to give evidence in any
court of law or equity, in consequence of his opinions on the subject of re-
ligion; and any party to any judicial proceeding shall have the right to use
as a witness, or take the testimony of any other person, not disqualified on
account of interest, who may be cognizant of any fact material to the rase;
and parties to suits may be witnesses, as provided by law.
Sec. 5. Any citizen of this State who may hereafter be engaged either
directly or indirectly, in a duel, either as principal or accessory before the
fact, shall forever be disqualified from holding any office under the Consti-
tution of this State.
Sec. 6. All laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation ; the
General Assembly shall not grant to any citizen, or class of citizens, privi-
leges or immunities, which upon the same terms shall not equally belong
to all citizens.
Sec. 7. Every person may speak, write and publish his sentiments on
all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right. No law shall be
passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech, ov of the press. In all
prosecutions or indictments for libel, the truth may be given in evidence to
the jury, and if it appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous
was true, and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the
party shall be acquitted.
Sec. 8. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable seizures and searches shall not be
violated; and no warrant shall issue but on probable cause, supported by
• oath or affirmation, particularly describing the place to be searched, and
the persons and' things to be seized.
Sec. 9 The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate; but the Gen-
eral Assembly may authorize trial by a jury of a less number than twelve
men in inferior courts; but no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or
property, without due process of law.
Sec. 10. In all criminal prosecutions, and in cases involving the life or
liberty of an individual, the accused shall have a right to a speedy and pub-
lic trial by an impartial jury ; to be informed of the accusation against him;
to have a copy of the same when demanded; to be confronted with the wit-
nesses against him; to have compulsory process for his own witnesses; and to
have the assistance of counsel.
Sec. 11. All offenses less than felony, and in which the punishment
does not exceed a fine of one hundred dollars, or imprisonment for thirty
days, shall be tried summarily before a justice of the peace, or other officer
authorized by law, on information under oath, without indictment, or the
intervention of a grand jury, saving to the defendant the right of appeal;
and no person shall be held to answer for a higher criminal offense, unless
on presentment or indictment by a grand jury, except in cases arising in
the array or navy, or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of war
or public danger. >
Seo. 12. No person shall, after acquittal, be tried for the same offense.
222 CONSTITUTION OF the STATE OF IOWA.
All persons shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except
for capital offenses, where the proof is evident, or the presumption great.
Seo. 13. The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, or refused
when application is made as required by law, unless in the case of rebellion
or invasion, the public safety may require it.
Sec. 14. The military shall be subordinate to the civil power. No.
standing army shall be kept up by the State in time of peace; and in time
of war no appropriation for a standing army shall be for a longer time than
two years.
Sec. 15. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house
without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war except in the manner
prescribed by law.
Seo. 16. Treason against the State shall consist only in levying war
against it, adhering to its enemies, or giving them aid and comfort. ' No
person shall be convicted of treason unless on the evidence of two witnesses
to the same overt act, or confession in open court.
Sec. 17. Excessive bail shall not be required ; excessive fines shall not be
imposed, and cruel and unusual punishments shall not be inflicted.
Sec. 18. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just
compensation first being made, or secured to be made, to the owner thereof,
as soon as the damages shall be assessed by a jury, who shall not take into
consideration any advantages that may result to said owner on account of
the improvement for which it is taken.
Sec. 19. No person shall be imprisoned for debt in any'civil action, on
mesne or final process, unless in case of fraud ; and no person shall be im-
prisoned for a military fine in time of peace.
Sec. 20. The people have the right freely to assemble together to coun-
sel for the common good; to make known their opinions to their represen-
tatives, and to petition for a redress of grievances.
Seo. 21. No bill of attainder, ex-post facto law, or law impairing the
obligation of contracts, shall ever be passed.
Sec. 22. Foreigners who are, or may hereafter become residents of this
State, shall enjoy the same rights in respect to the possession, enjoyment,
and descent of property, as native born citizens.
Seo. 23. There shall be no slavery in this State; nor shall there be in-
voluntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime.
Sec. 24. No lease or grant of agricultural lands, reserving any rent or
service of any kind, shall be valid for a longer period than twenty years.
Seo. 25. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or
deny others, retained by the people.
Article 2. — Eight of Suffrage.
Section 1. Every male citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-
one years, who shall have been a resident of this State six months next pre-
ceding the election, and in the county in which he claims his vote sixty
days, shall be entitled to vote at all elections which are now or hereafter
may be authorized by law.
Seo. 2. Electors shall, in all cases except treason, felony, or breach of
the peace, be privileged from arrest on the days of election, during their
attendance at such elections, going to and returning therefrom.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OP IOWA. 223
Sec. 3. No elector shall be obliged to perform military duty on the day
of election, except in time of war or public danger.
Sec. 4. No person in the military, naval, or marine service of the United
States shall be considered a resident of this State by being stationed in any
garrison, barrack, or military or naval place or station within this State.
Seo. 5. No idiot or insane person, or person convicted of any infamous
crime, shall be entitled to the privilege of an elector.
Seo. 6. All elections by the people shall be by ballot.
Article 3. — Of the Distribution of Powees.
Section 1. The powers of the government of Iowa shall be divided into
three separate departments: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial;
and no person charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one
of these departments shall exercise any function appertaining to either of
the others, except in cases hereinafter expressly directed or permitted.
Legislative Department.
Section 1. The legislative authority of this State shall be vested in a
General Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Represen-
tatives; and the style of every law shall be — "Be it enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of Iowa."
Sec. 2. The sessions of the General Assembly shall be biennial, and
shall commence on the second Monday in January next ensuing the election
of its members; unless the Governor of the State shall, in the meantime,
convene the General Assembly byproclamation.
Sec. 3. The members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen
every second year, by the qualified electors of their respective districts, on
the second Tuesday in October, except the years of the Presidential elec-
tion, when the election shall be on the Tuesday next after the first Monday
in November; and their term of office shall commence on the first day of
January next after their election, and continue two years, and until their
successors are elected and qualified.
Sec. 4. No person shall be a momber of the House of Representatives
who shall not have attained the age of twenty-one years; be a free white
male citizen of the United States, and shall have been an inhabitant of this
State one year next preceding his election, and at the time of his election
shall have had an actual residence of sixty days in the county or district he
may have been chosen to represent.
Seo. 5. Senators shall be chosen for the term of four yeprs, at tin same
time and place as Representatives ; they shall be twenty-five years of age,
and possess the qualifications of Representatives, as to residence and citi-
zenship.
Sec. 6. The number of Senators shall not be less than one-third, nor
more than one-half the representative body; and shall be so classified by
lot, that one class being as nearly one-half as possible, shall be elected every
two years. When the number of Senators is increased, they shall be an-
nexed by lot to one or the other of the two classes, so as to ke«p them as
nearly equal in numbers as practicable.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
Seo. 7. Each House shall choose its own officers, and judge of the quali-
fication, election and return of its own members. A contested election
shall be determined in such manner as shall be directed by law.
Seo. 8. A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to transact
business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may
compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such
penalties as each house may provide.
Seo. 9. Each house shall sit upon its own adjournments, keep a journal
of its proceedings, and publish the same; determine its rules of proceed-
ings, punish members for disorderly behavior, and with the consent of
two-thirds, expel a member, but not a second time for the same offense; and
shall have all other powers necessary for a branch of the General Assembly
of a free and independent State.
Sec. 10. Every member of the General Assembly shall have the liberjty
to dissent from or protest against any act or resolution which he may think
injurious to the public or an individual, and have the reasons for his dissent
entered on the journals ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either
house, on any question, shall, at the desire of any two members present, be
entered on the journals.
Seo. 11. Senators and ^Representatives, in all cases except treason, felony,
or breach of the peace, shall be privileged from arrest during the session
of the General Assembly, and in going to and returning from the same.
Sec. 12. When vacancies occur in either house, the governor, or the per-
son exercising the functions of governor, shall issue writs of election to till
such vacancies.
Seo. 18. The doors of each house shall be open, except on sueh.occas^
sions as, in the opinion of the house, may require secrecy.
Sec. 14. Neither house shall, without the consent of the other, adjpurn
for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which they
may be sitting.
Sec. 15. Bills may originate in either house, and may be amended, al-
tered, or rejected by the other; and every bill having passed both, houses,
shall be signed by the Speaker and President of their respective houses,
Seo. 16. Every bill which shall have passed the General Assembly, shall,
before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor. If lie approve, he
shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections, to the
house in which it originated, which shall enter the same upon their journal,
and proceed to reconsider it; if, after 6uch reconsideration, it again pass
both houses, by yeas and nays, by a majority of two-thirds of the members
of each house, it shall become a law, notwithstanding the Governor's objec-
tions. If any bill shall not be returned within three days after it shall
have been presented to him (Sunday excepted), the same shall be a law in
like manner as if he had signed it, unless the General Assembly, by ad-
journment, prevent such return. Any bill submitted to the Governor for
his approval during the last three days of a session of the General Assem-
bly, shall be deposited by him in the office of the Secretary of State within
thirty days after the adjournment, with his approval if approved by him,
and with his objections, if he disapproves thereof.
Sec. 17. No bill shall be passed unless by the assent of a majority of
all the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly, and the
question upon the final passage shall be taken immediately upon its last
reading, and the yeas and nays entered upon the journal.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 225
Seo. 18. An accurate statement of the receipts and expenditures of the
public money shall be attached to and and published with the laws at every
regular session of the General Assembly.
Sec. 19. The House of Representatives shall have the sole power of
impeachment, and all impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. "When
sitting for that purpose, the senators shall be upon oath or affirmation; and
no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the
members present.
Sec. 20. The Governor, Judges of the Supreme and District Courts,
and other State officers, shall be liable to impeachment for any misdemeanor
or malfeasance in office; but judgment in such cases shall extend only to
removal from office, and disqualification to hold any office of honor, trust or
profit under this State; but the party convicted or acquitted shall neverthe-
less be liable to indictment, trial, and punishment according to law. All
other civil officers shall be tried for misdemeanors and malfeasance in office,
in such manner as the General Assembly may provide.
Sec. 21. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which
he shall have been elected, be appointed to any civil office of profit under
this State, which shall have been created, or the emoluments of which shall
have been increased during such term, except such offices as may be filled
by elections by the people.
Sec. 22. No person holding any lucrative office under the United States,
Or this State, or any other power, shall be eligible to hold a seat in the
General Assembly. But offices in the militia, to which there is attached
no annual salary, or the office of justice of the peace, or postmaster, whose
compensation does not exceed one hundred dollars per annum, or notary
public, shall not be deemed lucrative.
Sec. 23. No person who may hereafter be a collector or holder of pub-
lic moneys, shall have a seat in either house of the General Assembly, or
be eligible to hold any office of trust or profit in this State, until he shall
have accounted for and paid into the treasury all sums for which he may
be liable.
Sec. 24. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence
of appropriations made by law.
Sec. 25. Each member of the first General Assembly under this consti-
tution shall receive three dollars per diem while in session; and the further
sum of three dollars lor every twenty miles traveled in going to and return-
ing from the place where such session is held, by the nearest traveled route;
after which they shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by law;
but no General Assembly shall have the power to increase the compensa-
tion of its members. And when convened in extra session they shall re-
ceive the same mileage and per diem compensation as fixed by law for the
regular session, and none other.
Sec. 26. No law of the General Assembly, passed at a regular session,
of a public nature, shall take effect until the Fourth day of July next, after
the passage thereof. Laws passed at a special session shall take effect
ninety days after the adjournment of the General Assembly, by which they
were passed. If the General Assembly shall deem any law of immediate
importance, they may provide that the same shall take effect by publication
in newspapers in the State.
Sec. 27. No divorce shall be granted by the General Assembly.
15
CONSTITUTION OF THE BTATE OF IOWA.
Seo. 28. ~No lottery shall be authorized by this State; nor shall the sale
of lottery tickets be allowed.
Seo. 29. Every act shall embrace but one subject, and matters properly
connected therewith; which subject shall be expressed in the title. But if.
any subject shall be embraced in an act which shall not be expressed in the
title, such act shall be void only as to so much thereof as shall not be ex-
pressed in the title.
Sec. 30. The General Assembly shall not pass local or special laws in
the following cases :
For the assessment and collection of taxes for State, county, or road pur-
poses;
For laying out, opening, and working roads or highways;
For changing the names of persons;
For the incorporation of cities and towns;
For vacating, roads, town plats, streets, alleys, or public squares;
For locating or changing county seats.
In all the cases above enumerated, and in all other cases where a general
law can be made applicable, all laws shall be general, and of uniform ope-
ration throughout the State; and no law changing the boundary lines of
any county shall have effect until upon being submitted to the people of
the counties affected by the change, at a general election, it shall be ap-
proved by a majority of the votes in each county, cast for and against it.
Sec. 31. No extra compensation shall be made to any officer, public
agent, or contractor, after the service shall have been rendered, or the con-
tract entered into;, nor shall any money be paid on any claim, the subject
matter of which shall not have been provided for by pre-existing laws, and
no public money or property shall be appropriated for local or private pur-
poses, unless such appropriation, compensation or claim, be allowed by two-
thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly.
Sec. 32. Members of the General Assembly shall, before they enter
upon the duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following
oath or affirmation: " I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be),
that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitu-
tion of the State of Iowa, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of
Senator (or Representative, as the case may be), according to the best of
my ability." And members of the General Assembly are hereby empow-
ered to administer to each other the said oath or affirmation.
Sec. 33. The General Assembly shall, in the years one thousand eight
hnndred and fifty-nine, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-seven, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, and one thousand
eight hundred and seventy-five, and every ten years thereafter, cause an
enumeration to be made of all the inhabitants of the State.
Seo. 34. The number of Senators shall, at the next session following
each period of making such enumeration, and the next session following
- each United States Census, be fixed by law, and apportioned among the
several counties according to the number of inhabitants in each.
Sec. 35. The Senate shall not consist of more than fifty members, nor
the House of Representatives of more than one hundred; and they shall
be apportioned among the several counties and representative districts of
the State according to the number of inhabitants in each, upon ratios to be
fixed by law; but no representative district shall contain more than four
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 227
organized comities and each district shall be entitled to at least one Repre-
sentative. Every county and district which shall have a number oi inhabi-
tants equal to one-half the ratio fixed by law, shall be entitled to one Rep-
resentative; and any one county containing in addition to the ratio fixed
by law one-halt' of that number, or more, shall be entitled to one additional
Representative. No floating district 6hall hereafter be formed.
Sec. 36. At its first session under this Constitution, and at every subse-
quent regular session, the General Assembly shall fix the ratio of repre-
sentation, and also, form into repsesentative districts those counties which
will not be entitled singly to a Representative.
Sec. 37. When a Congressional, Senatorial, or Representative district
shall be composed of two or more counties, it shall not be entirely sepa-
rated by any county belonging to another district; and no county shall be
divided in forming a Congressional, Senatorial, or Representative district.
Sec. 38. In all elections by the General Assembly, the members thereof
shall vote viva-voce; and the votes 6hall be entered on the journal.
Article 4. — Executive Department.
Section 1. The supreme executive power of this State shall be vested
in a chief magistrate, who shall be styled the Governor of the State of
Iowa.
Sec. 2. The Governor shall be elected by the qualified electors at the
time and place of voting for members of the General Assembly, and shall
hold his office two years, from the time of his installation, and until his suc-
cessor is elected and qualified.
Sec. 3. There shall be a Lieutenant-Governor, who shall hold his office
two years, and be elected at the same time as the Governor. In voting for
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, the electors shall designate for whom
they vote as Governor, and for whom as Lieutenant-Governor. The returns
of every election for Governor, and Lieutenant-Governor, shall be sealed up
and transmitted to the seat of government of the State, directed to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall open and publish them
in the presence of both houses of the General Assembly.
Sec. 4. The persons respectively having the highest number of votes, for
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, shall De declared duly elected ; but in
case two or more persons shall have an equal, and the highest number of
votes for either office, the General Assembly shall, by joint vote, forthwith
proceed to elect one of said persons Governor, or Lieutenant-Governor, as
the case may be.
Sec. 5. Contested elections for Governor, or Lieutenant-Governor, shall
be determined by the General Assembly in such manner as may be prescribed
by law.
Sec. 6. No person shall be eligible to the office of Governor, or Lieu-
tenant-Governor, who shall not have been a citizen of the United States;
and a citizen of the State two years next preceding the election, and
attained the age of thirty years at the time of said election.
Sec. 7. The Governor shall be commander-in-chief of the militia, the
army, and navy of this State.
Sec. 8. He shall transact all executive business with the officers of gov-
ernment, civil and military, and may require information in writing from
228 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
the officers of the executive department upon any subject relating to the
dnties of their respective offices.
Sec. 9. He shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed.
Sec. 10. When any office shall, from any cause, become vacant, and no
mode is provided by the Constitution and laws for filling such vacancy, the
Governor shall have power to fill such vacancy, by granting a commission,
which shall expire at the end of the next session of the General Assembly,
or at the next election by the people.
Sec. 1 1 . He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the General As-
sembly by proclamation, and shall state to both houses, when assembled, the
purpose for which they shall have been convened.
Sec. 12. He shall communicate, by message, to the General Assembly,
at every regular session, the condition of the State, and recommend such
matters as he shall deem expedient.
Sec. 13. In case of disagreement between the two houses with respect to
the time of adjournment, the Governor shall have power to adjourn the
General Assembly to such time as he" may think proper; but no such ad-
journment shall be beyond the time fixed for the regular meeting of the next
General Assembly.
Sec. 14. No person shall, while holding any office under the authority of
the United States, or this State, execute the office of Governor, or Lieuten-;
ant-Govemor, except as hereinafter expressly provided.
Sec. 15. The official term of the Governor, and Lieutenant-Governor,
shall commence on the second Monday of January next after their election,
and continue for two years, and until their successors are elected and quali-
fied. The Lieutenant-Governor, while acting as Governor, shall receive the
same pay as provided for Governor; and while presiding in the Senate shall
receive as compensation therefor, the same mileage and double the per diem
pay provided tor a Senator, and none other.
_ Sec. 16. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves, commuta-
tions and pardons, after conviction, for all offenses except treason and cases
of impeachment, subject to such regulations as may be provided by law.
Upon conviction for treason, he shall have power to suspend the execution
of sentence until the case shall be reported to the General Assembly at its
next meeting, when the General Assembly shall either grant a pardon, com-
mute the sentence, or grant a further reprieve. He shall have power to re-
mit fines and forfeitures, under such regulations as may be prescribed by
law; and shall report to the General Assembly, at its next meeting, each
case of reprieve, commutation, or pardon granted, and the reason therefor;
and also all persons in whose favor remission of fines and forfeitures shall
have been made, and the several amounts remitted.
Sec. 17. In case of the death, impeachment, resignation, removal from
office, or other disability of the governor, the powers and duties of the office
for the residue of the term, or until he shall be acquitted, or the disability
removed, shall devolve upon the Lieutenant-Governor.
Sec. 18. The Lieutenant-Governor shall be president of the Senate", but
shall only_ vote when the Senate is equally divided; and in case of his ab-
sence, or impeachment, or when he shall exercise the office of Governor, the
Senate shall choose a president pro tempore.
Sec. 19. If the Lieutenant-Governor, while acting as Governor, shall
be impeached,' displaced, resign, or die, or otherwise become incapable of
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 229
performing the duties of the office, the president pro tempore of the Senate
shall act as Governor until the vacancy is filled, or the disability removed;
and if the president of the Senate, for any of the above causes, shall be ren-
dered incapable of performing the duties pertaining to the office of Gover-
nor, the same shall devolve upon the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives.
Sec. 20. There shall be a seal of this State, which shall be kept by the
Governor, and used by him officially, and shall be called the Great Seal of
the State of Iowa.
Sec. 21. All grants and commissions shall be in the name and by the
authority of the people of the State of Iowa, sealed with the Great Seal of
the State, signed by the Governor, and countersigned by the Secretary of
State.
Sec. 22. A Secretary of State, Auditor of State, and Treasurer of State,
shall be elected by the qualified electors, who shall continue in office two
years, and until their successors are elected and qualified ; and perform such
duties as may be required by law.
Article 5. — Judicial Department.
Section 1. The judicial power shall be vested in a Supreme Court,
District Court, and such other courts, inferior to the Supreme Court, as the
General Assembly may, from time to time, establish.
Sec. 2. The Supreme Court shall consist of three judges, two of whom
shall constitute a quorum to hold court.
Sec. 3. The judges of the Supreme Court shall be elected by the quali-
fied electors of the State, and shall hold their court at such time and place as
the General Assembly may prescribe. The judges of the Supreme Court so
elected, shall be classified so that one judge shall go out every two years ;
and the jndge holding the shortest term of office under such classification,
shall be Chief Justice of the court during his term, and so on in rotation:
After the expiration of their terms of office, under such classification, the
term of each judge of the Supreme Court shall be six years, and until his
successor shall have been elected and qualified. The judges of the Supreme
Court shall be ineligible to any other office in the State, during the term '
for which they have been elected.
Sec. 4. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only in
cases in chancery, and shall constitute a court for the correction of errors at
law, under such restrictions as the General Assembly may by law prescribe;
and shall have power to issue all writs and process necessary to secure jus-
tice to parties, and exercise a supervisory control over all inferior judicial
tribunals throughout the State.
Sec. 5. The District Court shall consist of a single judge, who shall be
elected by the qualified electors of the district in which he resides. The
judge of the District Court shall hold his office for the term of four years,
and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified ; and shall be
ineligible to any other office, except that of judge of the Supreme Court,
during the term for which he was elected.
Sec. 6. The district Court shall be a court of law and equity, which shall
be distinct and separate jurisdictions, and have jurisdiction in civil and
230 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
criminal matters arising in their respective districts, in such manner as shall
be prescribed by law.
Sec. 7. The judges of the Supreme and District Courts shall be conser*-
vators of the peace throughout the State.
Sec. 8. The style of afl process shall be " The State of Iowa," and all
prosecutions shall be conducted in the name and by the authority of the
same.
Sec. 9. The salary of each judge of the Supreme Court shall be two
thousand dollars per annum; and that of eacli District Judge one thousand
six hundred dollars per annum, until the year eighteen hundred and sixty;
after which time they shall severally receive such compensation as, the Gen-
eral Assembly may, by law, prescribe; which compensation shall not be
increased or diminished during the term for which they have been elected.
Sec. 10. The State shall be divided into eleven judicial districts; and
after the year eighteen hundred and sixty, the General Assembly may re-or-
ganize the judicial districts, and increase or diminish the number of districts,
or the number of judges of the said court, and may increase the number of
judges of the Supreme Court; but such increase or diminution shall not be
more than one district, or one judge of either court, at any one session ; and
no reorganisation of the districts, or diminution of the judges shall have'
the effect of removing a judge from office. Such re-organization of the dis-
tricts, or any change in the boundaries thereof, or any increase or diminution
of the number of judges shall 'take place every four years thereafter, if nec-
essary, and at no other time.
Sec. 11. The judges of the Supreme and District Courts shall be chosen
at the general election; and the term of office of each judge shall com-
mence on the first day of January next after his election.
Sec. 12. The General Assembly shall provide, by law, for the election
of an Attorney-General by the people, whose term of office shall be two
years, and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.
Sec. 13. The qualified electors of each judicial district shall, at the time
of the election of District Judge, elect a District Attorney, who shall be a
resident of the district for which he is elected, and who shall hold his office
for the term of four years, and until his successor shall have been elected
and qualified.
Sec. 14. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to provide for the
carrying into effect of this article, and to provide for a general system of
practice in all the courts of this State.
Aeticle 6. — Militia.
Section 1. The militia of this State shall be composed of all able-bodied
male citizens, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, except such
asare or may hereafter be exempt by the laws of the United States, or of
this State; and shall be armed, equipped, and trained, as the General Assem-
bly may provide by law.
Sec. 2. No person or persons conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms
shall be compelled to do military duty in time of peace: provided, that such
person or persons shall pay an equivalent for such exemption in the same
manner as other citizens.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 231
Sec. 3. All commissioned officers of the militia (staff officers excepted)
shall be elected by the persons liable to perform military duty, and shall be
commissioned by the Governor.
Article 7. — State Debts.
Section 1 The credit of the State shall not, in any manner, be given or
loaned to, or in aid of, any individual, association, or corporation; and the
State shall never assume, or become responsible for, the debts or liabilities
of any individual, association, or corporation, unless incurred in time of war
for the benefit of the State.
Sec. 2. The State may contract debts to supply casual deficits or failures
in revenues, or to meet expenses not otherwise provided for; but the aggre-
gate amount of such debts, direct and contingent, whether contracted by one
or more acts of the General Assembly, or at different periods of time, shall
never exceed the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars; and the
money arising from the creation of such debts, shall be applied to the pur-
pose for which it was obtained, or to repay the debts so contracted, and to no
other purpose whatever.
Sec. 3. All losses to the permanent, school, or university fund of this
State, which shall have been occasioned by the defalcation, mismanagement,
or fraud of officers controlling or managing the same, shall be audited by
the proper authorities of the State. The amount so audited shall be a per-
manent funded debt against the State, in favor of the respective fund sus-
taining the loss, upon which not less than six per cent annual interest shall
be paid. The amount of liability so created shall not be counted as a part
of the indebtedness authorized by the second section of this article.
' Sec. 4. In addition to the above limited power to contract debts, the
State may contract debts to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, or defend
the State in war; but the money arising from the debts so contracted shall
be applied to the purpose for which it was raised, or to repay such debts,
and to no other purpose whatever.
Sec. 5. Except the debts hereinbefore specified in this article, no debt
shall hereafter be contracted by, or on behalf of this State, unless such debt
shall be authorized by some law for some single work or object, to be dis-
tinctly specified therein ; and such law shall impose and provide for the
collection of a direct annual tax, sufficient to pay the interest on such debt,
as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge the principal of such debt,
within twenty years from the time of the contracting thereof; bnt no such
law shall take effect until at a general election it shall have been submitted
to the people, and have received a majority of all the votes cast for and
iagainst it at such election ; and all money raised by authority of such law,
shall be applied only to the specific object therein stated, or the payment of
the debt created thereby; and such law shall be published in at least one
newspaper in each county, if one is published therein, throughout the State,
for three months preceding the election at which it is submitted to the peo-
ple.
Sec. 6. The Legislature may, at any time, after the approval of such
law by the people, if no debt shall have been contracted in pursuance
thereof, repeal the same; and may, at any time, forbid the contracting of
232 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
any further debt, or liability under such law; but the tax imposed by such
law, in proportion to the debt or liability, which may have been contracted
in pursuance thereof, shall remain in force and be irrepealable, and be an-
nually collected, until the principal and interest are fully paid.
Sec. 7. Every law which imposes, continues, or revives a tax, shall dis-
tinctly state the tax, and the object to which it is to be applied; and it shall
not be sufficient to refer to any other law to fix such tax or object.
AETICLE 8. CoEPOBATIONS.
Section 1. No corporation shall be created by special laws; but the
General Assembly shall provide, by general laws, for the organization of all
corporations hereafter to be created, except as hereinafter provided.
Sec. 2. The property of all corporations for pecuniary profit, shall be
subject to taxation, the same as that of individuals.
Sec. 3. The State shall not become a stockholder in any corporation,
nor shall it assume or pay the debt or liability of any corporation, unless
incurred in time of war for the benefit of the State.
Sec. 4. No political or municipal corporation shall become a stock-
holder in any banking corporation, directly or indirectly.
Sec. 5. No act of the General Assembly, authorizing or creating corpo-
rations or associations with banking powers, nor amendments thereto shall
take effect, nor in any manner be in force, until the same shall have been
submitted separately, to the people, at a general or special election, as pro-
vided by law, to be held not less than three months after the passage of the
act, and shall have been approved by a majority of all the electors /oting
for and against it at such election.
Sec. 6. Subject to the provisions of the foregoing section, the General
Assembly may also provide for the establishment of a State Bank with
branches.
Sec. 7. If a State Bank be established, it shall be founded on an actual
specie basis, and the branches shall be mutually responsible for each others'
liabilities upon all notes, bills, and other issues intended for circulation as
money.
Skc. 8. If a general banking law shall be enacted, it shall provide for
the registry and countersigning, by an officer of State, of all bills, or paper
credit designed to circulate as money, and require security to the lull
amount thereof, to be deposited with the State Treasurer, in United States
stocks, or in interest paying stocks of States in good credit and standing, to
be rated at ten per cent below their average value in the city of New York,
for the thirty days next preceding their deposit; and in case of a deprecia-
tion of any portion of said stocks, to the amount of ten per cent on the
dollar, the bank or banks owning said stocks shall bo required to make up
said deficiency by depositing additional stocks ; and said law shall also pro-
vide for the recording of the names of all stockholders in such corporations,
the amount of stock held by each, the time of any transfer, and to whom.
Sec. 9. Every stockholder in a banking corporation or institution shall
be individually responsible and liable to its creditors, over and above the
amount of stock by him or her held, to an amount equal to his or her re-
spective shares so held, for all its liabilities, accruing while he or she re-
mains such stockholder.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA; 233
Sec. 10. In case of the insolvency of any banking institution, the bill-
holders shall have a preference over its other creditors.
Sec. 11. The suspension of specie payments by banking institutions
shall never be permitted or sanctioned.
Seo. 12. Subject to the provisions of this article, the General Assembly
shall have power to amend or repeal all laws for the organization or creation
of corporations, or granting of special or exclusive privileges or immunities,
by a vote of two-thirds of each branch of the General Assembly; and do
exclusive privileges, except as in this article provided, shall ever be granted.
Article 9. — Education and School Lands
1 .- — Education.
Section 1. The educational interest of the State, including common
schools and other educational institutions, shall be under the management
of a board of education, which shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor,
who shall be the presiding officer of the board, and have the casting vote in
case of a tie, and one member to be elected from each judicial district in
the State.
Sec. 2. No person shall be eligible as a member of said board who shall
not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and shall have been one year
a citizen of the State.
Sec. 3. One member of said board shall be chosen by the qualified elec-
tors of each district, and shall hold the office for the term of four years, and
until his successor is elected and qualified. After the first election under
this constitution, the board shall be divided, as nearly as practicable, into
two equal classes, and the seats of the first class shall be vacated after the
expiration of two years; and one-half of the board shall be chosen every
two years thereafter.
Sec. 4. The first session of the board of education shall be held at the
seat of government, on the first Monday of December, after their election;
after which the General Assembly may fix the time and place of meeting.
' Sec. 5. The session of the board shall be limited to twenty days, and
but one session shall be held in any one year, except upon extraordinary oc-
casions, when, upon the recommendation of two-thirds of the board, the
Governor may order a special session.
Sec. 6. The board of education shall appoint a secretary, who shall be
the executive officer of the board, and perform such duties as may be im-
posed upon him by the board, and the laws of the State. They shall keep
a journal of their proceedings, which shall be published and distributed in
the same manner as the journals of the General Assembly.
Sec. 7. All rules and regulations made by the board shall be published
and distributed to the several counties, townships, and school districts, as
may be provided for by the board, and when so made, published, and dis-
tributed, they shall have the force and effect of law.
Sec. 8. The board of education shall have full power and authority to
legislate and make all needful rules and regulations in relation to common
schools, and other educational institutions, that are instituted to receive aid
from the school or university fund of this State; but all acts, rules and
234 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
regulations of said board may be altered, amended, or repealed by the Gen-;
eral Assembly; and when so altered, amended, or repealed, they shall not
be re-enacted by the board of education.
Sec. 9. The Governor of the State shall be, ex-officio, a member of said
board.
Sec. 10. . The board shall have no power to levy taxes, or make appro-
priations of money. Their contingent expenses shall be provided for by the
General Assembly.
Sec. 11. The State University shall be established at one place, without
branches at any other place, and the university fund shall be applied to that
institution, and no other.
Sec. 12. The board of education shall provide for the education of all
the youths of the State, through a system of common schools; and such
schools shall be organized and kept in each school district at least three
months in each year. Any district failing, for two consecutive years, to or-
ganize and keep up a school, may be deprived of their portion of the
school fund.
Sec. 13. The members of the board of education shall each receive the
same per diem during the time of their session, and mileage going to and
returning therefrom, as members of the General Assembly.
Sec. 14. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, but no rule, regulation or law, for the regulation
and government of common schools or other educational institutions, shall
Eass without the concurrence of a majoiity of all the members of the
oard, which shall be expressed by the yeas and nays on the final passage.
The style of all acts of the board shall be, " Be it enacted by the board of
education of the State of Iowa."
Sec. 15. At any time after the year one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-three, the General Assembly shall have power to abolish or re-organize
said board of education, and provide for the educational interest of the State
in any other manner that to them shall seem best and proper.
2. — School Funds and School Lands.
Section 1. The educational and school funds and lands, shall be under
the control and management of the General Assembly of this State.
Sec. 2. The university lands, and the proceeds thereof, and all moneys
belonging to said fund shall be a permanent fund for the sole use of the
State University. The interest arising from the same shall be annually ap-
propriated for the support and benefit of said university.
Sec. 3. The General Assembly shall encourage, by all suitable means,
the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral and agricultural improve-
ment. The proceeds of all lands that have been, or hereafter may be,
granted by the United States to this State, for the support of schools, which
may have been, or shall hereafter be, sold or disposed of, and the five hun-
dred thousand acres of land granted to the new States, under an act of
Congress, distributing the proceeds of the public lands among the several
States of the Union, approved in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty-one, and all estates of deceased persons who may have
died without leaving a will or heir, and also such per cent as has been, or
may hereafter be, granted by Congress, on the sale of lands in this State,
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 235
shall be, and remain a perpetual fund, the interest of which, together with
all rents of the unsold lands, and such other means as the General As-
sembly may provide, shall be inviolably appropriated to the support of
common schools throughout the State.
Sec. 4. The money which may have been, or shall be, paid by persons
as an equivalent for exemption from military duty, and the clear proceeds
of all fines collected in the several counties for any breach of the penal
laws, shall be exclusively applied, in the several counties in which such
money is paid, or fine collected, among the several school districts of said
counties, in proportion to the number of youths subject to enumeration in
such districts, to the support of comrnen schools, or the establishment of
libraries, as the board of education shall, from time to time, provide.
Seo. 5. The General Assembly shall take measures for the protection,
improvement, or other disposition of such lands as have been, or may here-
after be reserved, or granted by the United States, or any person or persons,
to this State, for the use of a university, and the funds accruing from the
rents or sale of such lands, or from any other source for the purpose afore-
said, shall be, and remain, a permanent fund, the interest of which shall be
applied to the support of said university, for the promotion of literature,
the arts and sciences, as may be authorized by the terms of such grant.
And it shall be the duty of the General Assembly, as soon as may be, to pro-
vide effectual means for the improvement and permanent security of the
funds of said university.
Seo. 6. The financial agents of the school funds shall be the same, that
by law, receive and control the State and county revenue, for other civil pur-
poses, under such regulations as may be provided by law.
Seo. 7. The money subject to the support and maintenance of common
schools shall be distributed to the districts in proportion to the number of
youths, between the ages of five and twenty-one years, in such manner as
may be provided by the General Assembly.
Article 10. — Amendments to the Constitution.
Section 1. Any amendment or amendments to this constitution may be
proposed in either House of the General Assembly; and if the same shall
be agreed to by a majority of the members elected to each of the two
houses, such proposed amendment shall be entered on their journals, with
the yeas and nays taken thereon, and referred to the Legislature to be cho-
sen at the next general election, and shall be published, as provded by law,
for three months previous to the time of making such choice ; and if, in the
General Assembly so next chosen as aforesaid, such proposed amendment or
amendments shall be agreed to, by a majority of all the members elected to
each house, then it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to submit
such proposed amendment or amendments to the people in such manner,
and at such time as the General Assembly shall provide; and if the people
shall approve and ratify such amendment or amendments by a majority of
the electors qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly, voting
thereon, such amendment or amendments shall become a part of the Consti-
tution of this State.
Sec. 2. If two or more amendments shall be submitted at the same
236 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
time, they shall be submitted in such manner that the electors shall vote for
or against each of such amendments separately.
Sec. 3. At the general election to be held in the year one thousand eight
hundred and seventy, and in each tenth year thereafter, and also at such
time as the General Assembly, may, by law, provide, the question: " Shall
there be a Convention to revise the Constitution and amend the same?" shall
be decided by the electors qualified to vote for members of the General As-
sembly ; and in case a majority of the elector's so qualified, voting at such
election for and against such proposition, shall decide in favor of a Conven-
tion for such purpose, the General Assembly, at its next session, shall pro-
vide by law for the election of delegates to such Convention.
Article 11. — Miscellaneous.
Section 1. The jurisdiction of justices of the peace shall extend in all
cases (except cases in chancery, and cases where the question of title to
real estate may arise), where the amount in controversy does not exceed one
hundred dollars, and by the consent of parties may be extended to any
amount not exceeding three hundred dollars.
Sec. 2. No new county shall be hereafter created containing less than
four hundred and thirty-two square miles; nor shall the territory of any or-
ganized county be reduced below that area, except the county of Worth, and
the counties west of it, along the northern boundary of the State, may be or-
ganized without additional territory.
Sec. 3. No county, or other political or municipal corporation shall be
allowed to become indebted in any manner, or for any purpose, to an amount
in the aggregate exceeding five per centum on the value of the taxable prop-
arty within such county or corporation — to be ascertained by the last State
and county tax lists, previous to the incurring of such indebtedness.
Sec. 4. The boundaries of the State may be enlarged, with the consent
of Congress and the General Assembly.
Sec. 5. Every person elected or appointed to any office shall, before en-
tering upon the duties thereof, take an oath or affirmation to support the
Constitution of the United States, and of this State, and also an oath of
office.
Sec. 6. In all cases of elections to fill vacancies in office occurring be-
fore the expiration of a full term, the person so elected shall hold for the
residue of the unexpired term; and all persons appointed to fill vacancies in
office, shall hold until the next general election, and until their successors
are elected and qualified.
Sec. 7. The General Assembly shall not locate any of the public lands,
which have been, or may be granted by Congress to this State, and the lo-
cation of which may be given to the General Assembly, upon lands actually
settled, without the consent of the occupant. The extent of the claim of
such occupant- so exempted, shall not exceed three hundred and twenty
acres.
Sec. 8. The seat of government is hereby permanently established, as
now fixed by law, at the City of Des Moines, in the county of Polk, and the
State University at Iowa City, in the county of Johnson.
constitution of the state of iowa. 237
Article 12. — Schedule.
Section 1. This Constitution shall be the supreme law of the State, and
any law inconsistent therewith shall be void. The General Assembly shall
pass all laws necessary to carry this Constitution into effect.
Sec. 2. All laws now in force, and not inconsistent with this Constitu-
tion, shall remain in force until they shall expire or be repealed.
Sec. 3. All indictments, prosecutions, suits, pleas, plaints, process, and
other proceedings pending in any of the courts, shall be prosecuted to final
-judgment and execution; and all appeals, writs of errors, certiorari, and
injunctions, shall be carried on in the several courts, in the same manner as
now provided by law; and all offenses, misdemeanors and crimes that may
have been committed before the taking effect of this Constitution, shall be
subject to indictment, trial and punishment, in the same manner as they
would have been had not this constitution been made.
Sec. 4. All fines, penalties, or forfeitures due, or to become due, or ac-
cruing to the State, or to any county therein, or to the school fund, shall
inure so the State, county, or school fund, in the manner prescribed by law.
Sec. 5. All bonds executed to the State, or to any officer in his official
capacity, shall remain in force and inure to the use of those concerned.
Sec. 6. The first election under this constitution shall be held on the
second Tuesday in October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-seven, at which time the electors of tbe State shall elect the Governor
and Lieutenant Governor. There shall also be elected at such election, the
successors of such State Senators as were elected at the August election, in
the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, and members of the
House of Representatives, who shall be elected in accordance with the act
of apportionment, enacted at the session of the General Assembly which
commenced on the first Monday of December, one thouasnd eight hundred
and fifty-six.
Sec. 7. The first election for Secretary, Auditor, and Treasurer of State,
Attorney-General, District Judges, Members of the Board of Education,
District Attorneys, members of Congress, and such State officers as shall
he elected at the April election, in the year one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-seven (except the Superintendent of Public Instruction), and such
county officers as were elected at the August election, in the year one thou-
sand eight hundred and fifty-six, except Prosecuting Attorney, shall be held
on the second Tuesday of October, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-
eight; Provided, that the time for which any District Judge, or any other
State or county officer, elected at the April election in one thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight, shall not extend beyond the time fixed for filling
like offices at the October election in the year one thousand eight hundred
and fifty -eight.
Sec. 8. The first election for Judges of the Supreme Court, and such
county officers as shall be elected at the August election, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, shall be held on the second Tuesday
of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
Sec. 9. The first regular session of the General Assembly shall be held
in tbe year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, commencing on the
second Monday of January of said year.
Sec. 10. Senators elected at the August election, in the year one thou-
238 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OE IOWA.
sand eight hundred and fifty-six, shall continue in office until the second
Tuesday of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine,
at which time their successors shall be elected as may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 11. Every person elected by popular vote, by a vote of the General
Assembly, or who may hold office by Executive appointment, which office
is continaed by this constitution, and every person who shall be so elected
or appointed, to any such office, before the taking effect of this constitution,
(except as in this constitution otherwise provided) shall continue in office
until the term for which such person has been or may be elected or ap-
pointed shall expire; but ho such person shall continue in office after the
taking effect of this constitution, for a longer period than the term of such
office, in this constitution prescribed.
Sec. 12. The General Assembly, at the first session under this constitu-
tion, shall district the State into eleven judicial districts, for District Court
purposes; and shall also provide for the apportionment of the General As-
sembly, in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
Sec. 13. The foregoing constitution shall be submitted to the electors of
the State at the August election, in the year one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-seven, in the several election districts in this State. The ballots at such
election shall be written or printed as follows : Those in favor of the constitu-
tion— "New Constitution — Yes." Those against the constitution, "New Con-
stitution— No." The election shall be conducted in the same manner as the
general elections of the State, and the poll-books shall be returned and can-
vassed as provided in the twenty -fifth chapter of the Code; and abstracts
shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, which abstracts shall be can-
vassed in the manner provided for the canvass of State officers. And if it
shall appear that a majority of all the votes cast at such election for and
against this constitution are in favor of the same, the Governor shall imme-
diately issue his proclamation stating that fact, and such constitution shall
be the constitution of the State of Iowa, and shall take effect from and after
the publication of said proclamation.
Seo. 14. At the same election that this constitution is submitted to the
people for its adoption or rejection, a proposition to amend the same by
striking out the word " white," from the article on the " Eight of Suffrage,"
shall be separately submitted to the electors of this State for adoption or
rejection, in manner following, viz :
A separate ballot may be given by every person having a right to vote at
said election, to be deposited in a separate box; and those given for the
adoption of such proposition shall have the words, " Shall the word ' white '
be stricken out of the article on the 'Eight of Suffrage?' — Yes." And
those given against the proposition shall have the words, " Shall the word
'white' be stricken out of the article on the 'Eight of Suffrage?' — No."
And if at said election the number of ballots cast in favor of said proposi-
tion, shall be equal to a majority of those cast for and against this constitu-
tion, then said word " white " shall be stricken from said article and be no
part thereof.
Sec. 15. Until otherwise directed by law, the county of Mills shall be in
and a part of the Sixth Judicial District of this State.
Done in convention at Iowa City, this fifth day of March, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, and of the independence
of the United States of America, the eighty-first.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
239
In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names:
Attest:
Timothy Day,
S. G. WlNCHESTEB,
David Bunker,
D. P. Palmee,
Geo. W. Ells,
J. 0. Hall,
John PI. Petees,
¥m. H. Wabeen,
H. W. Gbay,
Robt. Goweb,
H. D. Gibson,
Thomas Seeley,
A. H. Maevin,
J. H. Emeeson,
R. L. B. Claeke,
James A. Young,
D. H. Solomon,
Th. J. Saundees, Secretary.
E. N. Bates, Assistant Secretary.
M. "W. Robinson,
Lewis Todhunteb,
John Edwards,
J. 0. Teaee,
James F. Wtlson,
Amos Haeeis,
Jno. T. Clabk,
S. Ayees,
Haevey J. Skiff,
J. A. Paevin,
"W. Penn Claeke,
Jeee. Hollingwobth,
Wm. Patteeson,
D. W. Peice,
Alpheus Scott,
GeOEGE GrLLASPY,
Edward Johnston.
Francis Springes, President.
Constitution of United States.
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and owr posterity, do ordain, and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America.
Article I.
Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall he vested in a
Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of
Representatives.
Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members
chosen every second year by the people of the several States, and the electors
in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most
numerous branch of the State Legislature.
No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the age
of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, aiid
who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall
be chosen.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several
States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective
numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free
persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and exclud-
ing Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumer-
tion shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress
of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such
manner as they shall by law direct.
The number of representativ.es shall not exceed one for every thirty thou-
sand, but each state shall have at least one representative, and until such
enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to
choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight,
Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Caro-
lina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies nappen in the representation from any State, the execu-
tive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker, and other officers
and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
Sec. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Sen-
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 241
ators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six years; and
each Senator shall have one vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled, in consequence of the first
election, they shall be divided as equally as may be, into three classes. The
seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of
the second year; of the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year;
and of the third class, at the expiration of the sixth year; so that one- third
may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen, by resignation
or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive
thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the
Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
JNo person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty
years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not,
when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice-President of the United States shall be president of the Senate;
but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro tem-
Eore, in the absence of the Yice-President, or when he shall exercise the of-
ce of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sit-
ting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the Pres-
ident of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside; and no
person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the mem-
bers present.
Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to
removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor,
trust or profit, under the United States; but the party convicted shall, never-
theless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment
according to law.
Sec. 4. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for Senators
and Representatives, shall be prescribed, in each state, by the Legislature
thereof; but the Congress may, at any time, by law, make or alter such reg-
ulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting
shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall, by law, appoint
a different day.
Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections returns, and quali-
fications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum
to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and
may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members in such
manner, and under such penalties, as each house may provide.
Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its mem-
bers for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel
a member.
Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and, from time to time,
publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, require
secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, on any ques-
tion, shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the
journal.
Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent
of the other, adjourn for more than threedays, nor to any other place than
that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
16
212 OONSTITFTIOH OF THE UNITED STATES
Sec. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation
for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of
the United States. They shall, in all cases, except treason, felony and breach
of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session
of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and,
for any speech or debate, in either house, they shall not be questioned in any
other place.
No Senator or Eepresentative shall, during the time for which he was
elected, be appointed to any civil office, under the authority of the United
States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments.whereof shall have
been increased during such time; and no person, holding any office under
the United States shall be a member of either house, during his continuance
in office.
Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of
Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with . amendments,
as on other bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representaties and the
Senate shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the
United States ; if he approve, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it,
with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, who
shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider
it. If after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass
the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by
which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of
that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both
houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons
voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house
respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten
days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same
shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress, by
their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the Senate
and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjourn-
ment), shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before
the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him; or, being disapproved by
him shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a
bill.
Sec. 8. The Congress shall have power —
To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises; to pay the debts, and
provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States;
but all duties, imposts, and excises, shall be uniform throughout the United
States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States ;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States,
and with the Indian tribes;
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the
subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the
standard of weights and measures;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current
coin of the United States;
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 243
To establish post-offices and post-roads;
To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing, for limited
times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their respective writings
and discoveries;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas,
and offenses against the law of nations;
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules con-
cerning captures on land and water;
To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money to that use
shall be for a longer term than two years;
To provide and maintain a navy;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval
forces;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union,
suppress insurrections, and repel invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for
governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the
United States, reserving to the States, respectively, the appointment of the
officers, and the authority of draining the militia, according to the discipline
prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such district
(not exceeding ten miles square), as may, by cession of particular States, and
the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United
States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent
of the Legislature of the State in which the same shall be, for the erection of
forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings; and
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into
execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Consti-
tution in the government of the United States, or in any department, or
officer thereof.
Seo. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States
now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the
Congress, prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax
or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for
each person.
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless
when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.
No bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shall be passed.
No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the
census, or enumeration, hereinbefore directed to be taken.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. No
preference shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to the
ports of one State over those of another; nor shall vessels, bound to or from
one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.
No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appro-
priations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipt^
and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no person
holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent
of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind
whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
214 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Sec. 10. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation ;
grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make
anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts ; pass any
bill of attainder, ex-post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of con-
tracts, or grant any title of nobility.
No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any imposts or duties
on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing
its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by
any State on imports and exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the
United States, and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of
the Congress. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty
of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war, in time of peace, enter into any
agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or
engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will
not admit of delay.
Article II.
Section 1. "The executive power shall be vested in a President of the
United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four
years, and, together with the Vice-President, chosen for the same term, be
elected as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may
direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and
Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress ; but no
Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit
under the United States, shall be appointed an elector..
The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for
two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same
State with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the persons voted
ibr, and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall sign and cer-
tify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of government oi the United States,
directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall,
in ' the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the
certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the
greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be a major-
ity of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if there be more than
one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the
House of Representatives shall immediately choose, by ballot, one of them
for President; and if no person have a majority, then from the five highest
on the list, the said house shall, in like manner," choose the President. But
in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representa-
tion from each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall con-
sist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority
of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the
choice of a President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the
electors, shall be the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or
more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them, by ballot, the
Vice-President.
The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the
day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same
throughout the United States.
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 245
~No person, except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the United States
at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office
of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not
have attained to the age of thirty- five years, and been fourteen years a resident
within the United States.
In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resig-
nation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of said office, the
same shall devolve on the Yice-President; and the Congress may, by law,
provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the
President and Yioe-President, declaring what officer shall then act as Presi-
dent, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed,
or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensa-,
tion, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for
which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that periodj
any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the following
oath, or affirmation:
" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of
President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve,
protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Sec. 2. The President shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy
of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called
into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, iii
writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon
any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall
have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United
States, except in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to
make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and he
shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall
appoint ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, judges of the
Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appoint-
ments are not herein otherwise provided 'for, and which shall be established
by law; but the Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of such inferior
officers as they think proper in the President alone, in the courts of law, or
in the heads of departments.
The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen dur-
ing the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions, which shall expire at
the end of their next session.
Seo. 3. He shall, from time to time, give to the Congress information of
the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures
as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinay occasions,
convene both houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between
them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such
time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public
ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, ana shall
commission all the officers of the United States.
Seo. 4. The President, Yice-President, and all civil officers of the United
States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of
treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
246 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Article III.
Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in
one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may, from .
time to time, ordain and establish. The judges, both of the Supreme and
inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at
stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be
diminished during their continuance in office.
; Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, aris-
ing under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made,
or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affecting ambas-
sadors, other public ministers and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and
maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United States shall be a
party; to controversies between two or more States, between a State and citi-
zens of another State, between citizens of different States, between citizens
of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between
a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects.
In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and
those in which a State shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have orig-
inal jurisdiction. In all other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court
shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions
and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.
The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury;
and such trials shall be held in the State where the said crime shall have
been committed; but when not committed within any State, the trial shall
be at such place or places as the Congress may, by law, have directed.
Sec 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying
war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and com-
fort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of
two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, bul
no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except
during the life of the person attainted.
Aeticle IV
Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each State, to the pub-
lic acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other State. And the Con-
gress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records
and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
Sec. 2. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and
immunities of citizens in the several States.
A person charged, in any State, with treason, felony, or other crime, who
shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall, on demand of
the Executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up,
to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.
No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws, thereof,
escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein,
be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up, on claim
of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.
Seo. 3. New States may be admitted, by the Congress, into this Union;
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 247
but no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any
other State, nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States,
or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States con-
i cerned, as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules
and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the
United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed
as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Sec. 4. The United States sball guarantee to every State in this Union,
a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against
invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when
the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.
Aeticle Y.
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary,
shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of the
Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a convention for pro-
posing amendments, which in either case shall be valid to all intents and
purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of
three-fourths of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof,
as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Con-
gress; provided that no amendment, which may be made prior to the year
one thousand eight hundred and eight, shall in any, manner affect the first
and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no State,
without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article VI.
AH debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption
of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States, under this
Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made
in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the
authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land ; and the
judges in every State, shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution
or- laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of
the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of
the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath, or affirm-
ation, to support this Constitution; but no. religious test shall ever be re-
quired, as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United
States.
Aeticle YII.
The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the
establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same
Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the
seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
248
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the United States
of America the twelfth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscrihed
our names.
New Hampshire.
John Langdon,
Nicholas Gilman.
Massachusetts.
Nathaniel Gokham,
Rufus King.
Connecticut.
Wm. Sam'l Johnson,
ROGER ShEEMAN.
New York.
Alexander Hamilton.
New Jersey.
Wil. Livingston,
"Wm. Patebson,
David Breabley,
Jona. Dayton.
Pennsylvania.
B. Franklin,
RoBT. MOEEIS,
Thos. Fitzsimons,
James Wilson,
Thos. Mifflin,
Geo. Cltmee,
Jaeed Ingeesoll.
Gouv. Moeeis.
GEO. WASHINGTON,
President and Deputy from Virginia
Delaware.
Geo. Read,
John Dickinson,
Jaco. Beoom,
Gunning Bedford, Je.,
Richard Bassett.
Maryland.
James M'Henry,
Danl. Carroll,
Dan. of St. Thos, Jenifer.
Virginia.
John Blair.
James Madison, Je.
*
North Carolina.
Wm. Blount,
Hu. Williamson,
Rich'd Dobbs Spaight.
South Carolina.
J. Rutledge,
Charles Pincknet,
Chas. Coteswoeth Pinokney,
Pierce Butlee.
Georgia.
Wn-LiAM Few,
Abe. Baldwin.
WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary.
AMENDMENTS
To the Constitution of the United States, ratified according to the provisr
ions of the Fifth Article of the foregoing Constitution.
Article I.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof ; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press ; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to pe-
tition the government for a redresss of grievances.
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 249
Aetiole II.
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Aetiole III.
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the
consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
by law.
Aetiole IV.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated ;
and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the per-
sons or things to be seized.
Aetiole V.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual
service, in time of war, or public danger ; nor shall any person be subject
for the same "offense to be twice put in jeapordy of life or limb; nor shall
be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself, nor be
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall
private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
Aetiole VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy
and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the
crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accu-
sation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compul-
sory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance
of counsel for his defence.
Aeticle VII.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact,
tried by jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United
States, than according to the rules of common law.
Aetiole VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.
250 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Article IX.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be con-
strued to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Article X.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to
the people.
Article XI.
The judicial power of the United shall not be construed to extend to any
suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United
States, by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign
State.
. Article XII.
The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot, for
President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhab-
itant of the same State with themselves; they shall name, in their ballots,
the person voted for as President, and, in distinct ballots, the person voted
for as Vice-President; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted
for as President and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the
number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign. and certify, and trans-
mit, sealed, to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to
the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in pres-
ence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates,
and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest num-
ber of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a ma-
jority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have
such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers, not ex-
ceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Rep-
resentatives shall choose immediately by ballot, the President. But, in
choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation
from each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of
a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all
the States shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representa-
tives shall not choose a President, whenever the right of choice shall devolve
upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-
President shall act as President, as in the case of the death, or other consti-
tutional disability of the President.
The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall
be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number
of electors appointed ; and if no person have a majority, then, from the two
highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President ; a
quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of
Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice.
But no person, constitutionally ineligible to the office of President, shall
be eligible to that of Vice-President ot the United States.
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 251
Article XIII.
1. Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for
crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within
the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legis-
lation.
Article XIV.
1. All persons born, or naturalized, in the United States, and subject to
the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the States
wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor
shall any State deprive any person of life liberty, or property, without due
process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.
2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States, ac-
cording to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons
in each State, excluding Indians not taxed ; but whenever the right to vote
at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President
of the United States,' Representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial
officers of the State, or members of the legislature thereof, is denied to any
of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and
citizens of the United States, or in any way abridge, except for participation
in rebellion or other crimes, the basis of representation shall be reduced in
the proportion which the whole number of such male citizens shall bear to
the whole number of male citizens, twenty-one years of age in such State.
3. No person shall be Senator or Representative in Congress, or elec-
tor of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military,
under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken
an oath as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or
as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer
of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States shall have
engaged in insurrection or rebellion, against the same, or given aid and com-
fort to the enemies thereof ; but Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of
each house, remove such disability.
4. The validity of the public debt of the United States authorized by
law, including debts incurred for the payment of pensions and bounties for
suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither
the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation
incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any
claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave ; but such debts, obliga-
tions, and claims shall be held illegal and void.
5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation,
the provisions oi this article.
Aetiole XV.
The rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or
previous condition of servitude.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
Miscellaneous.
PRACTICAL RULES FOR EVERY DAT USE.
How to find the gain or loss per cent, when the cost and selling price are
Rule. — Find the difference between the cost and selling price, which will
be the gain or loss.
Annex two ciphers to the gain or loss, and divide it by the cost price;
the result will be the gain or loss per cent.
How to change gold into currency.
Rule — Multiply the given sum of gold, by the price of gold.
How to change currency into gold.
Rule. — Divide the amount in currency by the price of gold.
How to find each partner's share of the gain or loss in a copartnership
business.
Rule. — Divide the whole gain or loss by the entire stock, the quotient
will be the gain or loss per cent.
Multiply each partner's stock by this per cent, the result will be each
one's share of the gain or loss.
How to find gross and net weight and price of hogs.
A short and simple method for finding the net weight, or price of hogs,
when the gross weight or price is given, and vice versa.
Note.— It is generally assumed that the„gross weight of Hogs diminished by 1-5 or 20
per cent, of itself gives the net weight, and the net weight increased by % or 25 per cent,
of itself equals the gross weight.
To fine the net weight or gross price.
Rule. — Multiply the given number by .8 (tenths.)
To find the gross weight or net price.
Rule. — Divide the given number by .8 (tenths.)
How to find the capacity of a granary, bin, or wagon-bed.
Rule. — Multiply (by short method) the number of cupic feet by 6308,
and point off one decimal place — the result will be the correct answer in
bushels and tenths of a bushel.
For only an approximate answer, multiply the cubic feet by 8, and
point off one decimal place.
How to find the contents of a corn-crib.
Rule. — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 54, short method, or by 4i
MISCELLANEOUS. 253
ordinary method, and point off one decimal place — the result will be the
answer in bushels.
Note. — In estimating corn in the ear, the quality and the time it has been cribbed
must be taken into consideration, since corn will shrink considerably during the Winter and
Spring. This rule generally holds good for corn measured at the time it is cribbed, provided
it is sound and clean.
How to find the contents of a cistern or tank.
Rule. — Multiply the square of the mean diameter by the depth (all in
feet) and this product by 5681 (short method), and point off one decimal
place — the result will be the contents in barrels of 31£ gallons.
Sow to find the contents of a barrel or cask.
Rule. — -Under the square of the mean diameter, write the length (all in
inches) in reversed order, so that its units will fall under the tens; multi-
ply by short method, and this product again by 430; point off one decimal
place, and the result will be the answer in wine gallons.
How to measure boards.
Rule. — Multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches) and divide
the product by 12 — the result will be the contents in square feet.
How to measure scantlings, joists, planks, sills, etc.
Rule. — Multiply the width, the thickness, and the length together (the
width and thickness in inches, and the length in feet), and divide the pro-
duct by 12 — the result will be square feet.
How to find the number of acres in a body of land.
Rule. — Multiply the length by the width (in rods), and divide the pro-
duct by 160 (carrying the division to 2 decimal places if there is a remain-
der); the result will be the answer in acres and hundredths.
When the opposite sides of a piece of land are of unequal length, add
them together and take one-half for the mean length or width.
How to find the number of square yards in a floor or wall.
Rule. — Multiply the length by the width or height (in feet), and divide
the product by 9, the result will be square yards.
How to find the number of bricks required in a building.
Rule. — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 22J.
The number ot cubic feet is found by multiplying the length, height and
thickness (in feet) together.
Bricks are usually made 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, and two inches
thick; hencej it requires 27 bricks to make a cubic foot without mortar, but
it is generally assumed that the mortar fills 1-6 of the space.
How to find the number of shingles required in a roof.
Rule. — Multiply the number of square feet in the roof by 8, if the shin-
gles are exposed 4£ inches, or by 7 l-'S if exposed 5 inches.
To find the number of square feet, multiply the length of the roof by
twice the length of the rafters.
To find the length of the rafters, at one-fourth pitch, multiply the
width of the building by .56 (hundredths); at one-third pitch, by .6
(tenths); at two-fifths pitch, by .64 (hundredths); at one-half pitch, by
.71 (hundredths). This gives the length of the rafters from the apex to
the end of the wall, and whatever they are to project must be taken into
consideration.
Note. — By %ox% pitch is meant that the apex or comb of the roof is to be % or J£ the
width of the building higher than the walls or base of the rafters.
254 MISOELLAirEOTJS.
How to reckon the cost of hay.
Rule. — Multiply the number of pounds by half the price per ton, and
remove the decimal point three places to the left.
How to measure grain.
Rule. — Level the grain; ascertain the space it occupies in cubic feet;
multiply the number of cubic feet by 8, and point off one place to the left.
Note.— Exactness requires the addition to every three hundred bushels of one extra
bushel.
The foregoing rule may be used for finding the number of gallons, by
multiplying the number of bushels by 8.
If the corn in the box is in the ear, divide the answer by 2, to find the
number of bushels of shelled corn, because it requires 2 bushels of ear com
to make 1 of shelled corn.
Rapid rules for measuring land without instruments.
In measuring land, the first thing to ascertain is the contents of any
given plot in square yards ; then, given the number of yards, find out the
number of rods and acres.
The most ancient and simplest measure of distance is a step._ Now, an
ordinary-sized man can train himself to cover one yard at a stride, on the
average, with sufficient accuracy for ordinary purposes.
To make use of this means of measuring distances, it is essential to walk
in a straight line; to do this, fix the eye on two objects in a line straight
ahead, one comparatively near, the other remote; and, in walking, keep
these objects constantly in line.
Farmers and others by adopting the following simple and ingenious
contrivance, may always carry with them the scale to construct a correct
yard measure.
Take a foot rule, and commencing at the base of the little finger of the
left hand, mark the quarters of the foot on the outer borders of the left
arm, pricking in the marks with indelible ink.
To find how many rods in length will make an acre, the width being
Rule. — Divide 160 by the width, and the quotient will be the answer.
How to find the number of acres in any plot of land, the number of
rods being given.
Rule. — Divide the number of rods by 8, multiply the quotient by 5, and
remove the decimal point two places to the left.
The diameter being given, to find the circumference.
Rule. — Multiply the diameter by 3 1-7.
How to find the diameter, when the circumference is given.
Rule. — Divide the circumference by 3 1-7.
To find how many solid feet a round stick of timber of the same thick-
ness throughout will contatn when squared.
Rule. — Square half the diameter in inches, multiply by 2, multiply by
the length in feet, and divide the product by 144.
General rule for measuring timber, to find- the solid contents in feet.
Rule. — Multiply the'depth in inches by the breadth in inches, and then
multiply by the length in feet, and divide by 144.
MISCELLANEOUS. 255
To find the number of feet of timber in trees with the bark on.
Rule. — Multiply the square of one-fifth of the circumference in inches,
by twice the length, in feet, and divide by 144. Deduct 1-10 to 1-15
according to the thickness of the bark.
Howard's new rule for computing interest.
Rule. — The reciprocal of the rate is the time for which the interest on
any sum of money will be shown by simply removing the decimal point
two places to the left; for ten times that time, remove the point one place
to the left; for 1-10 of the same time, remove the point three places to the
left.
Increase or diminish the results to suit the time given.
Note. — The reciprocal of the rate is found by inverting the rate; thus 3 per cent, per
month, inverted, becomes % of a month, or ten days.
When the rate is expressed by one figure, always write it thus: 3-1,
three ones.
Rule for converting English into American currency.
Multiply the pounds, with the shillings and pence stated in decimals, by
400 plus the premium in fourths, and divide the product by 90.
POPULATION OF IOWA CITIES.
The following table presents the population of thirteen of the principal
cities of Iowa for the years 187Q, 1875 and 1878— the population for the last
named year being, in the main, estimated:
Pop. in 1870. Pop. in 1875. Pop. in 1878.
Des Moines 12,035 14,443 25,000
Burlington 14,930* 19,987 25,000
Davenport 20,038 21,234 26,827
Dubuque 18,434 23,605 27,500
Keokuk 12,766 11,841 15,000
Cedar Rapids 5,940 7,179 11,350
Iowa City 5,914 6,371 8,000
Council Bluffs 10,020 9,287 11,000
Clinton 6,129 7,028 9,000
Muscatine 6,718 7,537 8,000
Sioux City 3,401 4,290 6,000
Ottumwa 5,214 6,326 10,000
Marshalltown : . . . 3,288 4,384 6,416
Fort Madison, Mt. Pleasant and Waterloo are, probably, entitled to appear
in the above table, as each of them, doubtless, has a population or over
six thousand.
•
Includes whole township.
THE PIONEER
In the heart of the grand old forest,
A thousand miles to the West,
Where a stream gashed out from the hill side,
. Thej halted at last for rest.
And the silence of ages listened
To the axe-stroke loud and clear,
Divining a kingly presence
In the tread of the pioneer.
He formed of the prostrate heeches
A home that was strong and good;
The roof was of reeds from the streamlet,
The chimney he built of wood.
And there by the winter fireside,
While the flame up the chimney roared,
He spoke of the good time coming,
When plenty should crown their board —
When the forest should fade like a vision,
And over the hill-side and plain
The orchard would spring in its beauty,
And the fields of golden grain.
And to-night he sits by the fireside
In a mansion quaint and old,
With his children's children around him,
Having reaped a thousand-fold.
History of Dallas County.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The tract of land now known as Dallas county was included in the territory
which the Sac and Fox Indians ceded to the United States Government in
the treaty of October 11th, 1842. This treaty was negotiated at the Sac
and Fox Agency, now Agency City, and was ratified by the Senate, without
an erasure, on March 23d, 1843.
The council at which this treaty was made lasted about one week. Gov-
ernor John Chambers, of Iowa Territory, was the commissioner on behalf
of the United States Government, and a number of Indian chiefs were
present, the principal ones of whom were Keokuk,- Appanoose, Poweshiek
and Pana'ssa.
It was an important treaty for our government, and especially so for the
organization and prosperity of our State and county; and yet it was a diffi-
cult one to make, and at one time during the council-meeting it seriously
threatened to prove a failure.
The Indians demanded the ■ reservation of a certain tract of land, and
positively refused to treat peaceably without this stipulation. While on
the other hand, the instructions of the government were positively opposed
to any reservation.
The principal cause of this difficulty on the part of the Indians, doubtless,
was their profound regard for a white man who had been to them a true friend
in need; their determination to fulfill their promise to his family after his
death, and their sacred regard for his last resting place, made it hard for
them to yield. But in order to properly understand the points of differ-
ence between these two parties, and be able to give an intelligent history
of this important negotiation, it is necessary to go back several years.
In 1835 Gen. J. M. Street, who had been Indian agent among the Winne-
bagos since 1 827,was removed to the Sac and Fox Agency, first at Pock Island,
and, in 1838, at Agency City. Gen. Street was a great favorite among the'
Indians, and they were accustomed to call him their father. This gentle-
man died in May, 1840. His family procured an air-tight coffin, and an-
nounced their intention of burying his remains at Prairie du Chien, where
some of his relatives were interred. The chiefs held a council and remon-
strated, offering any part of their country which might be chosen as Gen.
Street's burying-ground, and adding that if their wishes were complied
with, they would give to Gen. Street's widow a section of land, and a half
section to each of his children. Accordingly Gen. Street's remains were
interred near the Agency, and no reference was ever made to the land
promised until the time of this treaty.
17 •
258 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
About the evening of the second day of the treaty-council, one of the
government officers came to Gen. Street's son, Win. B. Street, now of
Oskaloosa, then employed at the Agency, and said, "I do not think we will
succeed in making a treaty." "Why?" "Because," said the officer, "the
chiefs demand a reservation of one section for Gen. Street's widow, and a
half-section each for her ten children, and also a half-section each for Smart's
two children, who are half-breeds. The instructions of the government are
opposed to any reservation, and positive against reservation for half-breeds."
Mr. Street not wishing a treaty to fail for any such reason, held a con-
sultation with some of the principal chiefs, telling them he did not care for
any reservation, and his brothers and sisters were all in another territory,
that he thought they would willingly relinquish the offer of the chiefs, and
as for any obligation they were under to the Smart children, they could
pay that in money.
Keokuk and some of the others assented reluctantly, but old Poweshiek
insisted that all the reservation they desired should be demanded. Mr.
Street remonstrated with him as to the result in failure of the treaty, and
again told him he did not care for the reservation. " What, do you decline
the gift?" said the indignant old chief — for this was considered an insult
among Indians to refuse a present. Mr. Street informs us that Poweshiek
refused to speak to him for six months afterward, when one day, while
Poweshiek was a little merry under the influence of whiskey, Mr. Street
presented the old chief with a pony, and again they were good friends.
Finally the Indians demanded the reservation of a single section, to be
given Mrs. Street. Gov. Chambers would not consent. Then old Keokuk,
rising, addressed the council thus: "There lies," said he, pointing to the
grave of Gen. Street, " there lies the grave of our father, the best white
friend we have ever had, and without the reservation, this land shall never,
never be sold while a single one of our tribe remains." On the next day
Gov. Chambers agreed to the reservation of one section, and directed the
Indians to make choice. They selected that on which the Agency build-
ing was situated, and including Gen. Street's. grave.
Again the commissioner halted. He claimed the government had spent
some $3,000 or $4,000 in improving that section, and he could not allow ,
that to be reserved. The Indians then proposed to pay for the improve-
ments, which they afterward did, paying $2,500, which was considered a
fair valuation at that time. The treaty being thus concluded, Keokuk re-
marked to the commissioner that if the Senate changed it by a single
scratch of the pen, it would not be agreed to by the Indians. It came be-
fore the Senate. A motion was made to strike out the reservation. Keo-
kuk's remark was repeated in the Senate. And on March 23d, 1843, was
ratified an Indian treaty for the first time in the history of the Senate
without an erasure. By this treaty a tract of land comprising probably
more than two-thirds the present State of Iowa was transferred to the
United States, for which the Sac and Fox Indians were to receive $800,000
in good State stocks, on which the government should guarantee five per
cent interest per annum. In the words of the treaty, they "ceded to the
United States all their lands west of the Mississippi to which they had any
claim or title." It was stipulated that they were to be removed from the
country at the expiration of three years, and all who remained after that
were to remove at their own expense. Part of them were removed to
Kansas in the fall of 1845, and the remainder in the spring of 1846.
HISTOBT OF DALLAS COUNTY.
259
In consequence of this peaceable arrangement, the early settlers of
Dallas county encountered no difficulty with the red man, and the historian
has to record no price of blood paid for the possession of their primitive
homes.
Few Indians ever put in their appearance after the work of settlement
had once thoroughly begun.
Mr. William B. Street, of Oskaloosa, spent the years from 1828 to 1843
among the Indians ot the Northwest. From 1839 to 1843 he resided at Old
Agency, near Agency City, and to him we are indebted for a number of
interesting facts in regard to Indian names and history.
By the various treaties made with the Sac and Fox Indians, the govern-
ment paid these $80,000 per year, by families. Mr. Street was disbursing
clerk for John Beach, Indian agent, during the year 1841, and still retains
in his possession the receipts for the part payment of the annuity, in his
own handwriting, and the marks of the chiefs in signing. We give an
extract including the names of part of those Indians who at that time were
living at Kish-ke-kosh's village, in what is now Mahaska county.
"We, the chiefs, warriors, heads of families, and individuals without fam-
ilies, of the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians, within the same agency, acknowl-
edge the receipt of forty thousand dollars of John Beach, United States
Indian Agent, in the sums appended to our names, being our proportion
of the annuity due said tribes, for the year 1841 :
Kish-ke-kosh1
Ko-ko-ach
Pas-sa-sa-she-shiek. .
Mo-ka-qua
Pa-ko-ka
Ka-ke-wa-wa-te-sit . .
Much-e-min-ne2
Wa-pes-e-qua3
Wa-pe-ka-kah*
Mus-qua-kes
And fifty-nine others.
MAKES
MEN
WOMEN
CHILD1 K
TOTAL
X
1
1
3
4
X
1
2
3
6
X
1
1
2
2
X
1
1
X
1
1
2
4
X
2
1
3
X
1
1
2
4
X
1
1
2
4
X
2
1
3
6
X
3
2
2
7
71 30
106 95
55 65
17 82
71 30
53 47
71 30
71 30
106 95
124 78
"We certify that we were present at the payment of the above mentioned
paid to the several Indians, in specie, and
amounts, and saw the amounts
that their marks were affixed in our presence
(Signed) JNO
, this 19th of October, 1841.
BEACH,
TJ. S. Indian Agent.
THOMAS McCRATE,
Lieut. 1st Dragoons.
JOSIAH SMAET,
Interpreter'.
'• We, the undersigned, Chiefs of the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians, ac-
knowledge the correctness of the foregoing receipts.
KEOKUK,6 his X mark.
POWESHIEK,' his X mark.
■ Kish-ke-kosh means ',fThe man with one leg off."
= Much-i-min-ne means "Big man". sMus-qua-ke means "The fox".
3 Wa-pes-e-qua means "White eyes". 6Keokuk means "The watchful fox".
■tWa-pe-ka-kah means "White crow". ? Poweshiek means "The roused bear."
260 HISTORY OF. DALLAS COUNTY.
According to the stipulations of this treaty, the government secured
the right to extend the limits of emigration westward from the old bound-
ary line, passing north and south through Locust Grove, Jefferson county,
to a new line established farther west, extending north and. south through the
meridian of Eed Kock, Marion county, and the Sacs and Foxes were entitled
to occupy a territory west of this temporary line until October lltb, 1845,
when they must again move westward to their reservation in Kansas.
During the month of May, 1843, nearly all of the Indians were removed
up the Des Moines river, and took possession of their new home, in the
place which soon became known as Keokuk's village, situated about three
miles southeast of the present capital of the State, and in that vicinity they
remained until the three years had expired, and the time for their final
removal had come.
But even before they left their old camping grounds, the tide of emigra-
tion was rapidly pressing in upon them. The day was also fixed upon by
the treaty, for the Indians to give up the right of occupancy of all the ter-
ritory east of the Eed Kock line, and for emigrants to move westward and
occupy the newly vacated lands.
Those expecting to make settlements on the "New Purchase," were for-
bidden to come on the reserve until the time of its delivery into the hands
of the government by the Indians, May 1st, 1843. Dragoons were sta-
tioned all along the border, whose duty it was to keep the whites out of the
country until the appointed time. For some weeks previous to the date
assigned, settlers came up into the new country, prospecting for homes, and
were quietly permitted to cross the border and look around, so long as they
were unaccompanied by wagon and carried no ax. This latter weapon was
sometimes placed without a handle in the knapsack of the traveler and an
impromptu handle fitted in by a penknife when necessity called for its
use. During the last few days of April the dragoons relaxed their strict
discipline and an occasional wagon slipped in through the brush. The
night of April 30th found some scores of" newcomers on the ground, who
had been prospecting the country, who had decided mentally what claims
they would make, and had various agreements among themselves. These
settlers were mostly along or near the Des Moines river, it then being
thought that prairie land was not half so desirable as the river and timber
country.
As it neared midnight on the morning of May 1st, settler after settler
took his place upon the border of his claim with his bunch of sharpened
stakes and lantern, or his blazing* torch, and when it was thought twelve
o'clock had arrived, there was some lively surveying by amateur engineers
in the dark.. The claims were paced off, and strange to say there were few
cases of dispute, the matter having been pretty generally understood on
the preceding day. Some of the claims were pretty large, more, in fact
than the law suffered the claimants to hold, some of whom were not un-
mindful of the wholesome advice of a mother in Hoosierdom, who possibly
lived in a later day, but who counseled " Git a plenty while your gittin,"
to which the settler added, "and git the best."
The memorable midnight of that "last day" of April, 1843, dark as it
may have been, opened to the welcome dawning of a glorious " May day "
in the prosperity of this heaven-favored land as the crowds of anxious emi-
grants, so long held in check by the old boundaries, began to cross the line
in multitudes and press forward to "possess the land" and secure their
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 261
claims of 320 acres each in this goodly heritage. It was a rapid successful
movement in the advancement of emigration and civilization, which gave
evident and assuring proof of the wisdom of the government in promptly
securing the title to this valuable territory. It is estimated that before the
nightfall of May 1st, 1843, there were nearly one thousand of such claims
occupied by pioneers, and including in the count the families and attend-
ants of these, in so short a time an aggregate population of about four thou-
sand souls had .crossed the old limits to find homes in the new possessions,
and convert the Indian's hunting ground into the white man's earthly
Eden.
Thus by this memorable treaty of 1842, was thrown open for occupation
and cultivation all the rich territory of western Iowa, with great tracts
more to the westward.
It is to this treaty that the present citizens and property owners of Dallas
county, and of all these productive counties round about, are indebted, in a
great measure, for their comfortable homes, their fertile fields, and their
valuable estates in this "beautiful land".
From the spring of 1843 until the fall of 1845 the Indians remained
quietly and peacefully enjoying their newly defined camps and hunting
grounds, neither disturbing nor being disturbed by their white neighbors;
and true to the instincts of their nature, while living at peace with their
neighbors, they inclined to revel in a fruitless life of indolence and debauch.
They were restrained from trespass on their eastern border only by the
imaginary Red Rock line of reservation, which effectually and distinctly
separated between civilization and barbarism. On the other hand, for a
short time longer, they were permitted to rove at will westward and north-
ward over these yet uncultivated and seemingly boundless prairies, and
seek to gratify the desires of their wild, rude nature in hunt, and chase,
and war-dance, while taking their last farewell of this beautiful, broad do-
main, which for years had been their dwelling-place, and so lately they had
called their own.
During this same period, in all the territory east of that temporary line
of reservation, the work of civilization was steadily and rapidly progress-
ing. Active, daring, energetic people from nearly every quarter were
crowding to the front, occupying and cultivating the fertile land and set-
tling the " New Purchase " with representatives from almost every State
and nation on the globe. The farming lands were being taken up rapidly
by the constantly increasing number of pioneers. Important improvements
of the essential kind were being made in every part,
Cabins and mills were being built and roads laid out; schools and places
of public worship were being talked of and provided for by the enlight-
ened and devout citizens; and the general cultivation and improvement of
the country continued progressing at a rapid rate.
In order to the improvement of a pioneer home in the West, in those days,
timber for fuel and fencing and shelter was considered the material thing
in importance, second only to the " staff of life,", and therefore the timber
lands and tracts of prairie adjoining were almost invariably taken first,
since these were considered by the early settlers to be the cream of the
country.
But in this regard, experience, the effectual teacher, soon worked a rad-
ical change in the minds of men. When they began to test the fertility
and richness of the prairie soil, they soon found that it was much easier
262 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
and cheaper to haul timber and prepare shelter and dwell in the fresh, pure
air on the bleak, yet fertile, prairie, feeling sure of an abundant crop with
less labor from a large acreage, than it was to have the best advantages of a
timber location, and spend time, labor and money in clearing and grubbing
and fertilizing, and then fall short in the yield per acre, and be confined to
a limited area of farming land.
The timber settlers slowly but surely became convinced of the fact, and
began to reach out and secure, in some cases, large tracts of the prairie
land adjoining them, thus combining these two important elements in one
large estate, and securing some of the very finest farms in the country.
"While on the other hand, very many of the first settlers on timber claims,
from want of means, or fear of failure in speculation, did not become awake
to the real importance of this until the best sections adjoining them were
all taken, and they were compelled either to go out, perhaps miles from
their homes, to secure more farming land for their increasing families, or to
remain shut in upon their original claims.
In different localities throngout our State, many of the first settlers, and
best of men, have thus been compelled either to sell their comfortable, hard-
earned homes when the " boys grew up ", and " move out west for more
land", or they have found out at last, perhaps, that they are "timber poor",
with limited income and meager support in return for their faithful, arduous
labors, while many of their wealthy prairie neighbors, who only a few years
before were their hired hands working by the month or the day for small
wages, are now prosperous and independent on their large prairie farms,
which yield them bountiful incomes.
Others, again, soon discovering their mistake in choosing river or timber
locations for agricultural pursuits, disposed of their claims as soon as possi-
ble at reasonable profits, to their adjoining neighbors, or later arrivals, and
moved on toward the front better prepared by experience to make new and
more judicious selections.
Thus the work of settlement and improvement in the new country steadily
progressed, and as the close of the three years drew near, crowds of emi-
grants were again beginning to linger near the western limits longing for
the appointed day to come when the last barrier of restraint would be
taken away, and the boundaries of emigration would be extended almost
indefinitely westward.
October 11th, 1845, the much desired day came at last, bringing to the
yet unsettled pioneer th'e welcome privilege to choose from all the goodly
land before him, his future home. But to the poor Indian it brought the
solemn warning that his lease of home was gone, and in keeping with his
record of the past, he must again move on into western wilds, and seek
there a new home congenial to his wild, untutored nature, leaving his cher-
ished hunting grounds, so long possessed and enjoyed by him, to pass into
the hands and under the full control of his pale-faced neighbor, soon to be
stripped of all that was attractive and dear to the red man's heart.
In accordance with the stipulations of the treaty, the greater part of the
Indians were removed, at the expense of the government, in the fall of
1845, and those who remained until the spring of 1846 were conveyed in
United States government wagons to a point on the reservation about sev-
enty-five miles southwest of Kansas City, to join their comrades who had
gone before. Some of their bark-covered huts still remained after the
white settlers came, and the graves covered by a roof of rude slabs were
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 263
yet to be seen; but all these soon disappeared to be remembered only as
things of the past, and now alm'ost every Indian relic is gone, save as the
plowman turns from under the soil an occasional arrow head or hatchet of
stone and lays it aside on his curiosity shelf as a memento of barbarism.
Thus the Red Rock line of reservation had served its time and purpose
in marking the western limits of the white man's domain, and in protect-
ing the red man in his rights of home against the advancing strides of em-
igration until his allotted time had come to move westward again on his
roving mission, and add one more proof that his race is fast passing away
and must eventually disappear before the restless march of the Anglo-
Saxon race, as did the traditionary mound builders give place to the preda-
tory red man of later times.
"And did the dust
Of these fair solitudes once stir with life
And burn with passion? Let the mighty mounds
That overlook the rivers, or that rise
In the dim forests crowded with old oaks,
Answer : A race that long has passed away
Built them. The red man came —
The roaming hunter tribes, warlike and fierce —
And the mound builders vanished from the earth.
The solitude of centuries untold
Has settled where they dwelt. The prairie wolf
Howls in their meadows, and his fresh dug den
Yawns by my path. The gopher mines the ground
Where stood their swarming cities. All is gone —
All; save the piles of earth that hold their bones,
The platforms where they worshiped unknown gods."
Thus as those traditionary mound builders were forced to give way to
the plundering red man of later times, so must he give place to his pale-
faced successor, and his night of ignorance and superstition in which he
so delights to revel, must give place to the approaching light of intelli-
gence and civilization as truly as the darkest shades of midnight are dis-
pelled by the approaching light of day.
When the last barrier of restraint was thus removed, the tide of emigra-
tion so long held in check, began to come' in at a rapid rate over these
prairies, and thus it has continued to roll wave after wave in rapid succes-
sion until it has reached the western shore, carrying with it the energy and
talents and enterprise of nations, and washing to the surface the gold from
the mountains and valleys on the Pacific slope, itdias enveloped our land
in the mighty main of enterprise and civilization.
While the hapless Indian, driven by the advancing tide from shore to
shore over this mighty continent, is caught at last in the billows and drifts
with the tide, clinging only to the floating driftwood of his own shattered
bark of barbarism and superstition as his last faint hope before being lost
in the surges and sunk in oblivion.
And thus he soon will perish to be remembered only as a historic name,
unless rescued from his uncivilized, savage condition by omnipotent power,
through the humble instrumentality of human sympathy and christian
love.
After the way had thus been opened by that ever-memorable Indian
treaty, emigration began at once to spread rapidly toward the northwest
along the borders of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, and claim after
claim was taken, cabin after cabin was erected, settlement after settlement
264 HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
was made by pioneer emigrants, who quickly occupied the highlands west
of the Fort, and continued gradually venturing out still further into the
newly vacated wilds, settling here and there in the edges of the woodlands
which skirted the Raccoon river, until in the early spring of 1846 its forks
were reached and passed, and the enterprising sound of the white man's ax
was heard echoing from every side, as with busy stroke he felled the trees
and prepared the logs for his humble cabin home.
Before many days had past the curling smoke was seen rising through
the tree tops from many such hopeful, happy pioneer homes in this western
wild; and within those rustic walls were found thankful hearts, cheerful
faces, welcome voices and liberal hospitality, which displayed on every side
an air of contentment and prosperity, and made " assurance doubly sure "
that the great work of the settlement and cultivation of this fertile land
was. actually begun by the white pioneer, even within the present territory
of Dallas county, and that it would be thoroughly carried on to the west-
ern border.
GEOGRAPHY— DESCRIPTIVE AND PHYSICAL.
Dallas is one of the central counties of Iowa. It was named in honor
of the Hon. George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, then Vice-President of the
United States, and of distinguished revolutionary stock. It is situated in
the fourth tier of counties, numbering from the southern boundary of the'
state, and is number live from the Missouri river. It is bounded on the
north by Greene and Boone; on the south by Madison ; on the ea6t by Polk;
and on the west by Guthrie county. It is about twenty-four miles square,
containing an area of 576 square miles, or 368,640 acres of surface.
It contains congressional townships Nos. 78, 79, 80 and 81 north of
ranges Nos. 26, 27, 28 and 29 west of the fifth principal meridian. These
are divided into sixteen civil townships, each six miles square, whose bound-
aries correspond with those of the congressional, and are known by the
following names: Des Moines, Beaver, Spring Valley, Dallas, Lincoln,
"Washington, Sugar Grove, Grant, Walnut, Adel, Colfax, Linn, Union,
Adams, Van Meter and Boone. All of these townships are within the
boundary of the middle and lower coal-measures of Iowa.
Five of the above named townships, as will be easily recognized, took
their names from presidents and vice-presidents, five from physical peculiar-
ities of timber or water, and three from names of prominent citizens. Adel
took its name from the county seat, Des Moines from the name of the river
flowing through, and Union from the fact that the Middle and South Rac-
coon rivers unite within its borders.
The county was finally divided into these sixteen civil townships, with
their respective boundary lines the same as those of the eight congressional
townships as above described. The various townships, however, passed
through numerous changes with regard to their respective boundary lines
from the time of their first organization until the present, which changes
are described more fully under the history of the respective townships.
They were settled in their present form only a few years ago.
Elevation. — The county lies high and dry, being situated partially on
the east slope of the great "Water-shed" or dividing ridge between the
waters of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The elevation above the sea
at four different points upon its surface, as given by the chief engineers of
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 265
the two railroads passing through it are as follows: De Soto, 868 feet;
Perry, 966 feet; Adel, 1074 feet; and Dexter, 1128 feet. An elevation a
short distance southeast of Pilot Lake is said to be the highest ground in
the county, exceeding any of the above montioned measurements, and pre-
senting a fine view of the surrounding county and general surface of the
county.
Surface. — The general surface of Dallas county is that of a beautiful,
undulating Iowa prairie. It is slightly diversified in its general aspect,
owing to the underlying coal-measure formation, yet it is quite symmetrical
in its different parts. The greater portion is sufficiently level to afford the
best of farming lands, and at the same time is rolling enough for good
drainage. *
It is somewhat broken and bluffy in different localities -along the rivers
and rnnning streams, especially in its southwestern portion in the vicinity
of the South Raccoon river. From the divide between this stream and the
North Raccoon river the general surface gradually rises until it passes the
southern border of the county and shows a tract much more broken and
hilly than that of the northern portion.
In some places the prairie lands are also quite elevated, especially on the
divides between the different rivers and streams, but these are never broken
or rough enough to interfere in the least with agriculture. They gently
descend with beautiful, productive bottom lands, and then gradually ascend
again into fertile rolling prairies.
With the exception of a portion of the southwest corner, the general
surface of the county inclines gently from the northwest to the southeast,
forming part of the east side of the " Great Water-shed", and is crossed in
that direction by numerous streams at convenient intervals, which are bor-
dered by belts of valuable timber-lands, thus affording an abundance of
wood and water. The inclination toward the southeast is sufficient to give
these streams considerable fall, producing rapid currents, which have caused
the larger ones to erode their beds in many places to a depth of from one
hundred to two hundred feet below the general level of the uplands, and
have produced flat sandy valleys of considerable width, which are bordered
by declivities in many places quite abrupt. The northern portion is suf-
ficiently rolling to be well drained, and affords some of the best of farming
land.
While west of the North Raccoon River, the surface in many localities de-
scends into broad shallow depressions corresponding with the basin that exists
in the coal-measure strata in'that section; and then on toward the northwest
and south it rises again, more or less abruptly into high, rolling arable lands
of a superior quality, while the strips of land lying between the South
Raccoon River and the southern line affords some of the very best farming
land in the county.
The large tract lying east of the North Raccoon river, which comprises
nearly one-half of the county, abounds in rich arable land, high and slightly
rolling, yet it is sufficiently watered and drained by numerous small streams
that flow through it and empty into the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers.
The valleys along these streams are cut to a considerable, depth into the
deposits belonging to the middle coal-measure.
In the extreme northeast corner of the county, the surface then dips
down into the broad valley and timber bottoms of the Des Moines river,
266 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
which passes diagonally across the corner, leaving only a very small strip of
prairie land on the east side of that river within the county limits.
Water and Drainage. — The county is well drained and admirably sup-
plied with good water, so situated as to be easily accessible in the various
localities and its natural drainage system could scarcely be more complete.
It has four good rivers, viz: The Des Moines, and the North, Middle
and South Raccoon rivers, besides numerous other minor streams of con-
siderable importance flowing at convenient distances to accommodate the
entire county. In fact every township in the e'ntire county lias at least one
river or large creek flowing through it. Eleven of the townships have
rivers, and many of them have several important streams passing through
them, so that there are comparatively few sections of land in the county
without running" water in abundance for agricultural purposes.
No better advertisement could well be given the county for stock-raising
and farming purposes than the statement of the fact that with its fertile
prairies and valuable timber belts, it is also well supplied with living water,
and thoroughly drained, so as to readily and safely dispose of the greatest
freshets during the rainj' seasons.
Des Moines River. — -This river flows for a distance of about five, miles
through the northeastern corner of the countj'-, intersecting the north line
of Des Moines township a little east of the center, and flowing oat through
the east line of the same township a short distance south of the center, thus
cutting off from that portion of the county a three-cornered piece contain- .
ing about six sections of land, or 3840 acres.
The average width of its channel within the county bounds is about
thirty rods, and its average depth from three to four feet during low water,
while at certain times of the year it rises to a mighty torrent. There are
numerous shallows in the channel, which prevent the navigation of crafts of
any size. It has a considerable decline to the southeast, with an average
slope per mile of two feet four inches, by railroad level, through this section
from Fort Dodge to Ottumwa, which makes its current rather swift. Its
channel, for the most part, flows over a pebbly bed, which makes it easily
fordable wherever the banks on either side will permit. Its banks are com-
posed of alluvial deposits. Its bottom lands are from one-half to two miles
wide in Dallas county, and are frequently overflown. These lands produce
some valuable timber, such as walnut, sugar maple, and cottonwood, while
on the higher bluffs are found some excellent oaks and hard woods of differ-
ent kinds. Where there is no timber growing these bottoms are of wonder-
ful fertility. The channel flows through the lower coal-measure strata, and
the bluffy banks in section 14 afford three good coal mines, all in working
order, and yielding a very good quality of coal. This river has its source in
Minnesota, but enters Iowa before attaining any importance, and flows
almost centrally through the State from northwest to southeast, emptying
into the Mississippi at the extreme southeastern corner of the State, and
thus passes through a large tract of the finest land in the State, watering and
draining a greater area than any other stream within her borders, and is ap-
propriately called "Iowa's finest river." Its only tributaries from this
county are the Raccoon river and Beaver creek, both of which empty into
the Des Moines after passing the eastern boundary of Dallas and entering
Polk county.
Raccoon River. — This river, doubtless, derives its name from the fact that
formerly so many of these animals were found along its borders. The main
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 267
body of this stream, from its forks in Van Meter township, in section 21,
township 78, range 27, flows nearly in an easterly direction, and extends
but a short distance before passing the east line of the county, about one
mile and a half from the southeast corner, emptying into the Des Moines
river in Polk county, southwest of the State Capitol.
The length of its channel, within the boundaries of Dallas, is about ten
miles, flowing through the southern part of Boone township and the south-
ern part of the east half of Yan Meter, supplying all that section with fine
water and mill privileges, as well as with an abundance of good timber from
the broad belt of heavy woodlands along its banks. During low water the
average width and depth are not very great; but during freshets and rainy
seasons it often swells to an immense size in order to carry off the drainage
from a large scope of country lying northwest of it, through which its
branches and their tributaries extend. This immense flood of drainage,
flowing in so suddenly, frequently causes it to overflow its banks and flood
the bottom lands along it to a great width. Its banks are of alluvial
deposits, and its bottom lands, sometimes extending on either side to con-
siderable distance, are either covered with a heavy growth of good timber,
or afford the most productive farming lands.
The channel, for the most part, flows over a pebbly, sandy bed, rendering
it easily fordable in many places. Its fall is not so great, and its current
not so rapid, as that of either of its branches, and therefore its good mill
■ sites are'not so numerous as theirs. According to railroad level, the aver-
age slope of its channel from the forks to its mouth, a distance of about
twenty miles, is two feet eleven inches per mile. Nevertheless, within the
ten miles length in Dallas county its course is interrupted by two mill
dams, and its channel is crossed by three good bridges, one Howe truss rail-
road bridge at Booneville, built by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad Company in 1869, and two good wagon bridges — one an iron
bride near Booneville, and the other is a wooden bridge at Van Meter.
The only tributaries to the main body of this river, flowing into it from
this county, aside from its branches, are Sugar, Johnson, and Walnut
creeks, each flowing into it from the north. The first two of these empty
into it within the bounds of Dallas county, aud the other in Polk county.
Above the forks the main branch is generally known as the North Raccoon
river, and is so called by the citizens; while the South Branch is commonly
considered as its tributary.
North Raccoon. — This river, when considered as the main branch, is the
most important stream in the county. It has its source away to the north
above Storm Lake, in Buena Vista county, flowing in an easterly course
for miles through the level open prairie as far down as Sac county where it
gradually becomes skirted more and more with a belt of timber and bluff
lands until it reaches the northwest corner of Dallas, and runs diagonally
through the entire extentof the county, passing out at the southeas^ corner
in the form of the main branch as above described, and thus bountifully
supplying a large tract of the finest land through the central portion of the
county with good water and timber and drainage facilities.
In its meandering course, it flows through about fifty sections of land in
Dallas, on almost any one of which, it is estimated, could be obtained a
head of six feet fall, thus affording mill sites and water power in abundance.
These numerous natural privileges, however, have not been utilized very
extensively, as it has only three mills on its banks above the forks. The
268 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
supply of water in this river is constant and reliable, as it is furnished
chiefly by living springs issuing from the gravel beds and bluffs along its
banks. Its bed is composed mainly of sand and coarse gravel resting upon
an almost impenetrable hard-pan of blue clay, which renders it free from
dangerous and offensive mire holes and easily bridged or forded. This
stream is spanned, above the forks, with one iron and five frame wagon
bridges, and it is expected that the new railroad bridge at Adel will soon
be added to the number.
Its channel within the boundaries of the county above the forks, for a
stream of so great length, is neither very wide nor very deep during low
water, as it abounds in shallows; but during the wet seasons and spring
freshets it rises very high in a short time, often overflowing its banks and
flooding its entire bottom. From Jefferson to its forks, it has an average
slope of four feet per mile, which causes its current to run very swiftly, and
produces many valuable water powers. Its banks in most places are high
and are chiefly composed of alluvial deposits, while along nearly its entire
length through the county this stream is skirted with a belt of heavy tim-
ber, which varies in width very greatly in different localities. Its valley,
through this region, is excavated out of the heavy surface deposits and
middle coal-measure through which its channel flows. In some places the
valley reaches a depth of 175 feet below the level of the uplands, and in
many places extends out from the river on either side in capacious bottom
basins, surrounded by a chain of bluffs which roll back into high beautiful
prairie, or gradually descend again into broad fertile valleys. These bottom
basins along the river afford some of the most productive lands and valua-
ble farms in the county. The principal affluents to this river above the
forks within the county lines, are Hickory and Frog creeks, and Miller and
Butler branches.
South Raccoon.— This stream rises to the northwest, near the west line
of Guthrie county, and enters Dallas about four miles from the southwest
corner, then meanders through the south part of the county in an easterly
direction until it unites with the north fork and main branch in section (21)
twenty-one, township (78) seventy-eight, range (27) twenty-seven, in what
is now known as Yan Meter township. It flows through a very line agri-
cultural region, perhaps the finest in the county, the deep black soil of the
valleys and bottom lands being of a most productive character. The river
has a gravelly, solid bed, and its banks are composed of alluvial deposits.
Its channel is not quite so wide or so deep as that of the North Kaccoon,
but its fall is even greater, its current much swifter and its mill privileges
more abundant.
It is generally conceded that it affords some of the very best mill sites
and water privileges in the State; still comparatively few of these have
thus far been utilized.
The supply of water in this stream is also constant and reliable, being
fed, principally, by numerous and unfailing springs issuing from the bluffy
banks and gravel beds all along its borders.
On every mile in length of its channel it would be easy to secure a head
of from six to eight feet of water power. During low water its channel
abounds in shallows, and its average depth is not very great; but when the
freshets and rainy seasons come, it rises very rapidly on account of the
large amount of drainage poured into it from the surrounding hills and ra'
vines, and numerous affluents on either side. These frequently cause it to
HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 269
fill its banks in a few hours time and very soon to overflow them, flooding
the bottom lands in great tracts on either side. Then it as quickly falls again
to its natural size, but never runs too low for effective and valuable water
power in constant supply.
During each year its channel carries off an immense quantity of drain-
age from its surrounding country. This, with the constant wearing of its
rapid current, has caused it to erode its bed in many places to an unusual
depth, and has made for it a broad, fertile valley, extending out here and
there in large basin bottoms.
This stream is also skirted with a belt of valuable timber, varying greatly
in width in the different localities, and in some places it is bordered with
high bluff hinds which afford some of the finest timber, as well as pic-
turesque and attractive scenery.
It has four good grist mills and one woolen mill on its banks, and is
spanned by two iron and one frame bridge, which number is soon to be in-
creased by another iron bridge.
The tributaries to the South Raccoon are the Middle Raccoon river, the
Panther, Bear, Bulger and Cottonwood creeks, being the principal ones
within the county limits.
Middle Raccoon. — This river has its source in Carroll county, and enters
the west side of Dallas, a little less than a mile north of the southwest cor-
ner of Linn township, in section 31, township 79, range 29, flowing then
in a winding course southeast until it empties as the chief tributary into
the South Raccoon in section 9, township 78, range 29, in what is known
as Union township, near the village site of Wiscofta. It flows through a
fine region of country, but only for a short distance within the boundaries
of this county. It is in its general characteristics and surroundings very
much like the other branches of the same great river and affords some ex-
cellent mill privileges and water powers, of which but a few have yet been
utilized.
Its current is very rapid, its bed sandy, its channel narrow, and its bot-
tom lands are productive and valuable. It is bordered with a belt of good
timber, and is quite bluffy in many places along its banks. It is spanned
by only one bridge within the county bounds, which is situated at Redfield;
while it has three good grist mills —one at Redfield, and the other two near
the west line of Linn township. Its main affluent, within the county, is
Mosquito creek, which empties into it from the north about midway in its
course within the county.
Creeks are to be found in plentiful supply in Dallas, as may be inferred
from the above description of different rivers and their tributaries. These
are well distributed throughout the different parts of the county, affording
plenty of water and drainage in the various localities where the rivers do
not extend.
The names of such as are of any special note in the county are Mosquito,
Panther, Bear, Beaver, Walnut, Sugar, Johnson, Hickory, Frog, Bulger,
Cottonwood and Slough creeks, and Miller and Butler branches. A few of
these deserve especial notice.
Mosquito Creek has its source in a little lake, or pond, in the north part
of Guthrie county, and runs southeast in a winding course entering Dallas
at the northwest corner of Lincoln township, and passing on down through
that and Linn townships, it empties into ,the Middle Raccoon river a little
above Redfield.
270 HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
In its course it passes through an agricultural region of great fertility.
Through Linn township it is skirted with a belt of good timber, which
consists principally of soft maple, elm, and swamp ash in abundance. It
"did afford a good many white ash, but these have mostly been cut off by
the first settlers. It is also well supplied with fish of the smaller varieties,
and affords a number of coal mines. It has several frame wagon bridges,
one just above the mouth, and affords some good mill sites.
At a very early day a company of hunters finding occasion to camp over
night near the banks of this creek, were so completely beseiged with mos-
quitoes during the night, both they and their horses, that they then and
there christened the stream Mosquito creek, and ever since it has been
called and known by that name.
Panther Creek rises in the northwestern part of Dallas county, its be-
ginning being the outlet for Pilot lake, in Lincoln township, before that
lake was drained, and then winds in a southeasterly course through Colfax,
into Adams township, and empties into the South Kaccoon river near the
iron bridge. This creek runs all the way through a fine prairie country,
except a few miles in the last of its course, where it becomes somewhat
heavily timbered, and affords water and drainage facilities for a large tract
of country. It is said that, at an early day, a company of hunters killed a
large panther at some point along this stream, and thus it was afterward
referred to as " the panther". And viewing it from the high lands on either
side it seems to creep along slyly in its winding course, down its valley
through the prairie grass and bushes, not unlike the trail of a stealthy panther
after his prey.
, In the spring of. 1846, soon after their arrival in Dallas county, John
Wright and his brother-in-law, Greenbury Coffin, were out on a hunt in the
vicinity of this stream, and were strolling through the tall grass and under-
brush, when suddenly they came upon a large panther, which at once
showed fight and manifested no disposition in the least to retreat. .
The only hope for the hunters in this critical situation, was to bravely
and cautiously meet the wild beast on her own ground, and either prove
themselves masters of the situation, or be torn to pieces and devoured, as
they were already too close upon her when discovered to have any chance
to retreat. Wright, however, was a fearless frontier hunter, and not easily
thrown off his guard.
The instance of danger at once revealed to him the mode of escape.
Quick as thought he drew a " bead " on her eye, sent a bullet whizzing
through her brain, and the next instant the savage beast lay dead in her
tracks. To the cantion of Coffin, to " be careful " while taking his aim,
Wright cooly responded when the panther fell dead, " I am always sure of
my aim when necessary."
From this romantic incident in frontier life the stream derived the name
of Panther creek.
Bear Greek rises in the southwest corner of the county, and flows north-
east through some of the richest and most productive farming land in the
county, until it empties into the same river from the south, about a mile
west of the mouth of Panther creek. The Bear and the Bulger creeks are
the only streams of any importance in that part of the county south of the
Eaccoon river; but they water a magnificent region, and drain a very fer-
tile soil.
Beaver Creek rises among the ponds and sw.amp lands in the northwest
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 271
part of Boone county, and crosses the north line of Dallas about two miles
west of the middle in Spring Yalley township, a little northeast of the
town of Perry.
It flows then in a tortuous course to the southeast, across the northeast
corner of the county, and passes out of Dallas about the middle of the east
line of Grant township, emptying into the Des Moines river in Polk county.
This creek, during most of its course through Dallas, runs through open
rolling prairie with occasional belts of light scrubby timber and brush land
skirting it here and there. It has two affluents of some size within the
county boundaries. The Little Beaver creek flows into it from the north,
and Slough creek from the south, each emptying into it in Beaver township,
about two miles apart.
These two streams, flowing into it from opposite directions, show that it
runs through a broad, fertile valley, draining a large acreage of very fine
country.
Lakes. — The northwest part of Dallas county also affords a number of
small lakes and large ponds, but not enough of them to render the land
around sour and unproductive, as is the case in so many localities further
north. These bodies of water lie out in the midst of a broad, high prairie,
scattered here and there as so many convenient little basins, holding suffi-
cient water, during the greater part of the year, to accommodate the thirsty
herds from prairie range, or pasture fields, that come to slack their thirst
from the refreshing contents. Many of these, then, are both useful and
ornamental, and serve the purpose for which they were placed there, while
the land around them is generally both fertile and valuable. Some of these
become dry during the warm summer months, but others contain a sufficient
quantity of water during the entire year to afford a good many fish.
The water in these lakes and ponds is supplied from the rain-falls and
drainage from the surrounding country; and the bottoms of their basins
are underlaid with this impenetrable hard-pan which does not allow the
contents to soak away, and the pure atmosphere of the prairies keeps the
water, thus confined, from becoming stagnant. In the eastern part of the
county, in some places, these ponds are rather too thick for convenience or
comfort, and are surrounded with too much low land to be profitable, which
tend to depreciate the attraction and value of the land in those localities
for farming purposes. Two of these lakes are worthy of special notice.
Pilot Lake was formerly the largest and most important of these bodies
of water in the county until a few years ago it was drained out entirely.
The principal part of its basin is situated about the middle of the north
half of section (10) ten, with a small portion, perhaps about ten acres, reach-
ing north upon section (3) three, township (80) eighty, range (29) twenty-
nine, now known as Lincoln township. The entire basin covers an area of
about one hundred acres, swamp land and all included, and sometimes the
water rose in it so as to cover nearly this entire surface; but in its average
state, before being drained, its water surface covered about eighty acres,
while its depth averaged from five to eight feet. It also contained a good
many fish of different kinds, and was a great harbor for wild game, as also
a favorite resort for hunters.
The water in it was furnished entirely by the rain-falls and surface drain-
age, and its bottom was underlaid with that white clay hard-pan which held
securelv whatever of water fell or ran into it until an outlet was furnished
through its banks.
272 HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Until a few years ago it was an ornamental and attractive little lake, when
Mr. E. M. Jones, the present owner of the lake-basin and lands adjoining,
in July, 1876, cut a drain from a low point on the east side, across in an
easterly course to the Panther creek, a distance of about three-quarters of
a mile, which soon carried off all the water and left the basin as dry as the
surrounding prairie; so that now it is necessary to dig from three to five
feet below the surface in order to secure water. No indications of springs
have been discovered in the bottom or around its banks. Mr. Jones feels
confident that in a few years, when he has succeeded in draining it a little
more thoroughly, so that the rain falls and surface floods can be carried off
more rapidly, and the surface becomes moulded and purified by the atmos-
phere, he will have, in this lake-basin, a tract of the most productive and
valuable land in all that vicinity, with comparatively little extra work or
expense.
Since it was thus drained a great many bones of buffalo skeletons have
been found strewn over the bottom of the basin in various places. It is
supposed that the hunted animals, having given out, or been wounded in
chase, had rushed into the lake for water, or perhaps to take refuge from
the closely pursuing wolves, or dogs and hunters, and that, being unable
from exhaustion to rejoin their herds, they have died there and become
buried in the waters. Dr. Akin, of Minburn, Sugar Grove township, has
now the skeleton of a buffalo's head found on the bottom of this lake-
basin after its drainage, and treasures it as a choice relic of buffalo bar-
barism.
The lake, and adjoining land on the west and south sides, were formerly
owned by William Clarke, who built a small frame two story house, about
16x24 feet, on its western shore, and in this kept hotel on the old stage ,
line passing through that place, some thirteen or fourteen years ago. In
that small house, we are informed, he has accommodated in those days of
frontier life, as high as forty guests at one time with meals and lodging.
Mr. Clarke finally disposed of this property, and it afterward came into
the possession of the present owner, Mr. E. M. Jones, a well informed and
courteous gentleman, to whom we are indebted for liberal hospitality and
valuable information regarding this vicinity.
Swan Lake is situated on sections (27) twenty-seven and (28) twenty-
eight, township (81) eighty-one, range (29) twenty-nine, now known as
Dallas township, and is also an attractive little body of water. It covers
about one-half section of ground, considering all the low lands included
witlmi the rim of its basin, and in the center of this low tract there is an
area of about eighty acres of water surface, which constitutes the lake
proper. In depth it will average nearly five feet of good clear water. The
shallower portions in some places are grown up with large rushes, but the
greater portion of it presents an open surface, and is altogether a beautiful
little body of water. It has an outlet into the Elm slough, and thence into
North Raccoon river in the northwest corner of the county. The lake lies
out in the midst of a level prairie, with no timber near it, and is sur-
rounded by a fine tract of country. It affords a good supply of fish, prin-
cipally large, black bass and sun, or pumpkin-seed fish, and is a favorite re-
sort for wild ducks and geese, as well as for hunters from various parts of
the country, who come sometimes great distances to enjoy the choice sports
of gaming and fishing which it affords. If it were drained like Pilot Lake
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 273
has been it doubtless would afford a similar display of buffalo bones and
skeletons strewn over the bottom of its basin.
Sloughs. — This county, very fortunately, has comparatively few of those
unapproachable sloughs and tracts of swamp lands so often found on exten-
sive prairies. The sloughs throughout the county are generally a good dis-
tance apart, leaving a broad strip of well drained farming land on either
side. They are mostly broad and level, with sufficient fall to carry off the
drainage and prevent water from standing in them very long, while their
channels do not wash deep narrow drains in the center as is the case in
many other places. The greater portion of the slough lands in Dallas county
could be easily drained and made tillable. They would then become some
of the most productive farming lands in the county, and would still answer
the same purpose of drainage for which they are now prized, at the same
time producing abundant yields of hay or other products.
In some places they spread out in the shape of broad, level bottom lands,
gradually widening and sloping down toward the valleys of the neighboring
rivers or other running streams. The soil of these slough lands is some-
what sandy, but is fertile and easily tilled when once drained and broken.
Well Water. — In most localities throughout the county good well water
is easily obtained, at a moderate depth below the surface, in great- abund-
ance. Even on the high lands good wells are secured at a depth of from
twelve to twenty feet, which furnish an almost unfailing supply of clear,
cold lime water. Less frequently it becomes necessary to dig thirty and
forty feet, and occasionally deeper before meeting with the same results,
accordingly as the well-digger is fortunate in starting in the right place to
strike a good vein. Here, as in other localities, of course, these water veins
underground vary greatly in depth, and sometimes only a few rods from a
good well fifteen or twenty feet deep, it may become necessary to dig twice
or three times the distance in order to find plenty of water again, and vice
versa, so that it is difficult to give an average of depth. But in this county,
as a general thing, plenty of good well water is more easily obtained than
in most places throughout the State, and though sometimes it is necessary
to go down to quite a depth, the excellent quality of water secured well re-
pays the digging.
,. Springs.— Dallas county is fortunately favored with springs. In fact
nearly all the rivers and running streams within the county bounds seem to
be fed principally by living springs issuing out of the bluffs, and ravines,
and gravel beds all along their banks. They are so numerous and close
together in many places along the rivers as to present the appearance of
one continuous sheet of water running down the side of the bank into the
channel, as if pressed out from a spongy spring-bed beneath by the im-
mense weight of earth above. At other places they appear springing up
and gushing out near the water's edge, or back in the ravines, sometimes at
freat distances from the river, and even well up on the sides of the bluffs
tie springs are often seen boiling out and rippling down in crystal streams
of clear cold water, and hurrying on to pay their tribute to the rivers.
Thus there is no scarcity of good spring and well water in Dallas county,
which is generally easily obtained, excellent in quality and unfailing in
quantity. The county also affords some springs whose water possesses
mineral qualities worthy of note.
18
274 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Salt Spring. — Near the head of a ravine in the southwest corner of the
county, in Union township, there is a spring the water of which is strongly
impregnated with salt. Around it is a level surface of about an acre,
which it is supposed was worn down in this form by the continual tramping
of deer and buffalo and other animals that had gathered around it to secure
the salt element contained in the water.
Roads and paths leading into it from different directions are yet easily
traced as the marks of approaches of wild animals to it in early times.
It is located near Lemuel Maulsby's, about section 18, and is quite a
large spring.
During wet seasons a stream of considerable size issues from it, sufficient
to turn an overshot wheel of considerable dimensions.
The deposits found by it are of a saline character, and the water is quite
brackish; but no perceptible salt taste to it.
The water of this spring has never yet been utilized for any special purposes,
though there is evidently quite a salt element contained in it.
Sulphur Spring. — -In Union township, a little more than a mile east of
Wiscotta, on section 2, there is a spring that is strongly tinctured with
sulphur.
It covers an area of several rods square, including the boggy land around
it; and the stream of water issuing from it constantly and flowing into the
South Raccoon river a few rods below, is some two or three feet in width,
sufficient to turn a good sized overshot wheel.
It is doubtless a valuable spring for medicinal purposes, and is consid-
ered by various physicians to contain better medicinal properties than many
other such springs of considerable notoriety in the country. But its waters
have never yet been utilized for such purposes, nor have its medicinal prop-
erties ever been thoroughly tested by anyone so as to learn the real value.
There are also numerous small springs around it of similar character;
and still further east of it, important springs occur more or less frequently
on either side of the river during its entire course in the county.
Timber. — Dallas county is also fortunately favored with timber, well dis-
tributed and conveniently located to the prairie and farming lands, so as to
be easily accessible from almost any locality within its boundaries.
All the rivers during their entire length within the county are bordered
with belts of timber. Many of their tributaries are also skirted with
woodlands along the greater part of their course.
Beautiful groves are dotted here and there, some of them occupying
quite elevated positions, and others bordering on the low lands, which tend
to relieve the monotony and dreary aspect so prevalent on our broad, bleak
western prairies.
There are a great many varieties of timber found', such as oak, hickory,
sycamore, walnut, hackberry, linn, elm, sugar maple, soft maple, cotton-
wood, swamp ash, and in some localities white ash, etc. Along the river
bottoms and low lands it chiefly abounds in the soft woods with a moderate
per cent of hard wood trees occurring among them more or less frequently
in different localities, while along the higher banks and bluff lands are
found the more valuable hard woods suitable for fencing and building pur-
poses.
The heaviest and finest timber in the county is found, perhaps, at the
junction of the North and South Raccoon rivers and around in that vicin-
ity throughout the center of Van Meter township. In many places, the
HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 275
best hard woods of the old growth of timber have been pretty well culled
out, and in others quite thoroughly cleared off, leaving a plentiful supply
of the less valuable soft woods. But the second growth is rapidly increas-
ing, and is furnishing, as an average, a better quality of timber than that
which preceded, and it is estimated that the increase in growth will exceed
the annual waste and consumption for all purposes; so that there need be
no fear of the citizens suffering from want of fuel, and fencing, and shelter,
especially since coal and lumber are becoming so plentiful and cheap, found
almost at their very doors; and since about one-tenth of the entire county
consists of good timber lands to be had at reasonable prices.
Even 'those who were born and raised in a timber country, and
who have spent their prime of life in the woods can find here a timber
home quite congenial to their nature, and also joining this they can secure,
for as large a family as they choose to raise, a fertile tract of farming land,
all grubbed and cleared and ready for the plow, which, with a moderate
amount of labor and judicious management, will furnish a comfortable
home and liberal income as the reward of faithful industry and prudence.
Along the South Raccoon river east from Wiscotta, and in Adams town-
ship, around and in the vicinity of the mouth of Bear and Panther creeks,
is a large body of heavy, valuable timber; and on the North Raccoon
river, near the Union of Miller and Butler branches with that stream, there
is a broad belt of fine timber land.
In these days, however, timber is not prized so highly as it was a few
years ago, since railroad facilities and coal mines have rendered fuel, and
fencing, and building material so plentiful and cheap; and as a consequence
the price is considerably reduced, and the opportunities for purchasing in-
creased. The average value of good timber land in the county is about
twenty dollars per acre, and a fair quality can be purchased for even less.
Prairie is the prevailing characteristic of the county. It is abundant in
quantity and mostly all excellent in quality.
In so large a tract there must alwa3^s be some that is of an inferior qual-
ity. HoweVer, there is a comparatively small per cent of poor prairie land
in this county, and among so much that is good it is a difficult task to des-
ignate that which is best. On nearly all the divides between the rivers and
running streams are found large tracts of beautiful, rolling prairie lands
well drained, easily cultivated, highly productive and conveniently located
to water and timber, and mills and'markets.
Perhaps some of the choicest farming land in the county is found be-
tween the Raccoon river and the southern- border of the county. Some
portions of that, however, are rather broken and hilly. While north of
that stream and all to the west of the North Raccoon river on either side
of Panther and Mosquito creeks, up to the north line of the county, there
is a large tract of as fine productive prairie land as could reasonably be de-
sired. Some portions of this are quite elevated and rolling, but never
enough so to interfere materially with easy cultivation and improvement,
while it possesses some broad, beautiful valleys and low lands of excellent
quality. Nearly all the prairie on the east side of the North Raccoon is
pretty much of the same character, only perhaps a little more elevated, and
not so rolling as an average.
The tract contained between the North Raccoon river and Beaver creek
is the largest body of prairie, unbroken by any running stream of much
size ki the county. It lies high and dry — except in some localities where
276 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
the ponds are a little too thick — enough rolling generally for good drainage
and a very productive soil.
Along the Beaver creek and Des Moines river there is some excellent
valley land, and in many places throughout the northern and northwestern
part of the county are still fine tracts of prairie unimproved, affording fa-
vorable opportunities for those wishing to procure desirable farms in a good
county with productive soil.
The Climate is wholesome, invigorating and pleasant for this latitude,
both winter and summer. The winters are generally long, with rather an
even temperature, sometimes changing quite suddenly from cold to warm
and back again to extremely eold weather within a few days. But these
sudden changes are the exception rather than the general rule, so the cit-
izens soon become accustomed to them, and consider it not half a winter
without them. This region is subject to an average and occasionally a
heavy fall of snow during the winter season, which is usually accompanied
by sharp, healthful frosts. But as a general thing the mercury remains
above zero, seldom reaching more than twelve or fifteen degrees below, and
very rarely falling to twenty and twenty-five degrees below zero.
Strong, sharp, chilling winds sweep over the broad prairies and down the
valleys during the winter and early spring months, but these become m&di-
fied to gentle, bracing, welcome breezes during the later spring, summer,
autumn, and early fall months; and within the past few years the winters
have become greatly modified from the reputed coldness of earlier days to
the milder temperature of a more southern clime, so that many of the
older settlers having become accustomed to exposure in driving storms and
blustery weather during the hardships of frontier life, rather incline to
look upon these open, mild winters as intruders, coming out of season and
out of place, and they begin to " long for the good old days of yore," when
neighbors must become congenial and accommodating in order to keep
from freezing or "starving to death, and when storm-staid strangers will be
made welcome guests at the fireside.
The later spring, summer and autumn months are generally delightful
and sain brio us.
The prairie winds, which become mild and almost constant, are fresh and
bracing, regulating the temperature and purifying the atmosphere.
During the months of July and August they sometimes seem rather mild
and motionless, allowing the sun's rays to beam down unhindered for awhile,
and to occupy thefield with almost undisputed sway, thus producing a fewdays
of hot, sweltering harvest weather, which cause the citizens to place something
of a proper estimate on the value and usefulness of the county's beautiful
shade trees and excellent water. Then these few sultry summer days are
soon followed by a glorious "Indian summer" of balmy autumn days,
which are aptly fitted to brighten the pathway and " cheer the heart of man."
The county has rain and wet weather enough to water the crops and produce
a healthy growth of vegetation. But thus far, very fortunately, it has been
out of the track' of any seriously damaging storms or destructive tornadoes.
According to the climatological chart, the county has an average rainfall
of 38 inches, but this seems to be a little exaggerated.
Health in Dallas county is generally good, and the citizens are usually
robust and healthy.
Ague is now becoming quite rare, and the county is comparatively free
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 277
from any climatical diseases peculiar to its limits. There have been some
cases of sickness this fall from malarial diseases in some localities, a num-
ber of which have proven fatal. Here, as in all other places, people will
sicken and die occasionally, and no one particular climate or locality seems
to be full}' adapted to all persons.
GEOLOGY.
Desiring to give the best authority on this subject, the following account
has been carefully compiled and partly quoted from Prof. White's official
report on the geological survey as State Geologist of Iowa in 1870.
The Geological Formations found in Dallas county belong to the post-
tertiary and coal-measure periods, and are of the simplest character.
The Post-tertiary Drift is spread generally over the entire county,
and is of variable thickness, estimated at from ten to fifteen feet. On the
North Raccoon river, above Adel, the bluffs in many places are largely
composed of these deposits; but its minimum thickness is found along the
stream to the south where the drift has been extensively denuded.
The drift is made up of blue clays, representing the original glacial de-
posits and gravel beds; besides boulders, pebbles and "sand pockets" with
occasional fragments of coniferous wood are distributed through its mass.
In excavating for water, these "old forest beds" are frequently encoun-
tered, and in some cases the trunks of quite large trees have been discovered
in a very perfect state of preservation. The loose materials form a consid-
erable, though unevenly distributed, portion of the drift, and one that is
co-extensive with the unmodified deposits in the uplands. In the valleys,
these deposits have been still further modified by the currents confined in
definite channels and producing the varied phenomena displayed in the
terrace 'formations bordering the larger water-courses.
Terraces of this kind occur in various parts of the county along the
larger streams.
In the valley of the South Raccoon, especially in the vicinity of Redfield,
there are three or four distinct benches, besides the intervale lands which are
still subject to periodic overflow.
The highest of these benches has an elevation of nearly forty feet above
the river, and forms a level plain about half a mile wide.
Upon it are several oblong mounds eight to ten feet high. These mounds
are composed of gravel, and are subtantially of the same material as the
terraces on which they rest. They were probably formed when the waters
ot the river occupied a higher level, and were thrown up as gravel bars
when this bench formed the flood-plain.
There are two other terraces just below this one, with elevations respect-
ively ten to fifteen and twenty feet above the river.
The higher and best defined benches are composed chiefly of coarse
gravel and sand, while the lower ones, or intervale bottoms, are principally
made up of finer sand and sediment washed down and deposited by the
annual freshets^
Those tearaces occupy the wide recess formed by the junction of the two
rivers in this vicinity, and greatly enhance the beauty of Redfield's sit-
uation.
There is another series of such terraces, though not so regular and beau-
tifully defined, in the valley of the North Raccoon. Adel is built partly
278 HISTORY Otf DALLAS COUNTY.
upon the higher of these benches, which is twenty to thirty feet above the
river, and all are composed of pretty much the same material as those
already described.
Similar formations are also found in the northern part of the county,
where the valley presents three or four benches remarkable for their grace-
ful conformation. The intervales or alluvial lands are limited in extent,
being entirely confined to the narrow belt immediatelyjaordering the streams,
and are mainly important for the forest growth they support.
Coal-measures. — The only consolidated strata found in the county belong
to the coal-measures underlying its entire area. The portions of these strata,
as seen at the surface, comprise the upper beds of the lower coal formation,
the entire thickness of the middle formation, with the lower beds of the
upper coal-measure. These latter appear only in the southwest part of the
county.
The Lower Coal Formation occupies the larger portion of the northern
half of the county.
On the South Raccoon its upper beds crop out to view over a limited area,
partly hemmed in by the succeeding strata of the middle coal-measure.
This area possibly has an intimate connection with the similar border out-
crops of the middle coal-measure in the counties to the southeastward.
On the Middle Raccoon, a short distance below Kedheld, on section 9,
township 78, range 29, a bed of coal nearly three feet thick crops out in
the banks and evidently belongs to this formation. It is doubtless the
equivalent of the bed now so extensively mined at Des Moines, differing
only in that it has a less number of clay partings. The products of this
bed are of fair average quality, and its value will increase in proportion to
the increasing demand for mineral fuel in this section. This bed, how-
ever, rapidly disappears beneath the river to the westward as does also the
one on South Raccoon below Redfield.
On the right bank of the river at " hanging rock ", a short distance above
the mine, the sandstone forms an abrupt and picturesque bluff about forty-
five feet high, where the shales and sandstone overlying the coal are best
seen.
At Newport mills on South Raccoon, half a mile southeast of the Red-
field mine, some ten feet of micaceous sandstone is exposed, which corres-
ponds with similar deposits underlying the coal-bed at Des Moines, indi-
cating that a similar bed exists in the adjacent bluffs on the right side of
the river, and also on the north side of the valley, which possibly may be
reached by shafting.
In the valley of the North Raccoon there are but one or two exposures
of lower coal strata at present known, and these are comparatively unim-
portant.
A thin seam of this coal has been found in section 16, township 81, range 28,
on a branch, near J. II. Roberts. Another similar exposure of a four-inch
coal-seam occurs on the left bank of the river, in section 17, township 81,
range 28, on the land of Hiram Harper, and a heavier bed is said to out-
crop in the bed of the river at that place, as is indicated by the fragments
of coal being washed out and deposited on the sand bars by the freshets.
It is altogether probable that other and workable coal-beds of a similar
character will be found in this part of the county, but they are doubtless
buried quite deeply under the drift.
Yery few fossil remains have been found in any of the strata of the lower
HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY. 279
coal-measures; but such animal remains as have been found are almost
invariably of marine origin.
Middle Coal Formation. — This is the prevailing formation in the
county, and probably embraces in its outcrops nearly one-half of the area
of the county.
In the main valley of the Raccoon river the strata dips gradually to the
westward, carrying the lower member of the middle coal formation down
to a level very little above the river at Rocky Ford, on the eastern border
. of Dallas county.
On section 26, township 78, range 26, the uppermost layers of the lower
division appear in the right bank of the river, where the fossiliferous lime-
stone layers, overlying the Panora coal, present their lithological and
palaeontological characteristics.
This exposure is capped by a four-foot bed of sandstone, forming the
upper bed of this division. There is no definite evidence that the Panora
coal appears here above the river level.
The next exposures of rock are found in the bluffs bordering the south
side of the valley, a little above the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R. R.
bridge, in sections 26 and 27, township 78, range 27, near Mr. Colton's. At
this locality the middle division has almost a complete representation, being
capped by the lower member of the upper division.
At De Soto, five miles west, almost the same series of strata are met
with.
The upper beds of the section are well exposed just above the railroad
track in the bluffs on the south side of the river on section 26.
The Marshall coal, with all the lower beds included, is finely displayed
in a ravine a few hundred yards west of the former exposure in section 27,
displaying a. strata of about seventy feet thickness. The bed here furnishes
a good quality of coal, but is only from two to six inches thick, and is too
thin for profitable working.
At Yan Meter, north of the station, a seam of the Marshall coal, not
more than six inches thick, outcrops in the left bank of the South Raccoon
river, where a fine section is presented of the accompanying strata. This
includes some twenty-five feet of shales inclosing a limestone layer between
the coal and the bed of the stream, and also shows the sandstone at the top
of the middle division.
On Bulger creek, in the vicinity of De Soto, the upper layers of this
sandstone are again seen in the bed of the creek, supporting some eight
feet thickness of shales, including the lower carbonaceous horizon of the
, upper division. There are numerous beds of similar character in this vi-
cinity. To the westward of De Soto the strata continues to rise until it
reaches the vicinity of Redfield, and then it has a very considerable west-
erly dip, which carries the lower coal-measures beneath the level of both
rivers, while the middle formation appears again in the valiey sides pre-
senting successively its three divisions as you ascend either stream to the
westward.
Two miles northwest of Redfield, in the south side of the valley of Mos-
quito creek, in sections 34 and 27, township 79, range 29, the Panora coal
crops o»t in a bed about six inches thick, and about thirty to thirty-eight
feet above the Middle Raccoon River, on 'the lands belonging to Messrs.
Parker and Piatt. The bed here dips again rapidly to the westward and
disappears beneath the Middle Raccoon, half a mile west of Parker's
280 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
mine. In this locality there are several beds of similar character, and
farther up the stream still higher and higher strata are successively en-
countered, consisting of shales and arenaceous deposits which belong to the
two lower divisions of the formation, and appear at frequent intervals in
low bluffs on the north side of the stream.
Near the west line of the county, some two miles southwest of Parker's
coal mine, a vertical exposure, about eight feet high, of the upper beds of
the middle division, is beautifully exhibited in a high bluff skirting the
left bank of the river.
The highest bed found in this locality appears near the top of the expos-
ure where a thin seam about six inches thick of Marshall coal outcrops be-
neath a thin ledge of sandstone, and immediately above the sandstone the
lower carbonaceous horizon of the npper division appears.
All that vicinity is well supplied with coal-beds belonging to the middle
formation.
On Mosquito creek, seven or eight miles above its mouth, the Panora
coal outcrops in the southeast quarter of section 31, township 80, range 29,
where it has been worked by stripping off the shales and drift material.
A coal vein in this locality from twelve to twenty inches, and in places
two feet thick, has been opened, and is being successfully worked. It
yields unusually hard coal, but is not of so good quality and is rather diffi-
cult mining. The outcrop at the water's edge was first discovered by
George Martin and Lem. Southerland, and it is now yielding a good sup-
ply. The highest point of the cut now opened is twenty-four feet.
Coal is found on Mosquito creek during almost its entire length through
Lincoln township, and there are strong indications of its existing still
further up, but no veins have yet been definitely found. There is evidently
much more and better coal further under this; but it has not yet been
found as no one has sought diligently for it any deeper. The overlying
bituminous shale and bands of earthy limestone are richly stored with fos-
sils usually found associated in this horizon.
On the North Raccoon the first rock exposures above its mouth are ob-
served in the vicinity of Adel. A vertical thickness of forty feet of strata
belonging to the upper part of the middle division is exposed on Miller's
branch.
This includes a thin seam of coal near the top, which is but the repre-
sentation of the Marshall coal. On Hickory creek, about one mile and a
half north, the same beds are again met with, presenting nearly the same
characteristics; but showing the entire thickness of the upper sandstone of
the middle division, and the lower carbonaceous horizon of the upper di-
vision.
Half a mile north of Adel, in the bed of Butler's branch, a thin bed of
coal has been opened which is overlaid by two feet of black carbonaceous
shales and about the same thickness of arenaceous shales, with a soft heavy
bed and shaly iron-stained sandstone, containing obscure vegetable re-
mains.
The black shales immediately overlaying the coal present an interesting
fauna, and afford a great variety of fossil remains. The same beds are
again met with about three miles further north, where they appear at an
elevation very little above their position at Butler's branch.
In a ravine about four miles northwest from Adel, in the southeast quar-
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 281
ter of section 12, township 79, range 28, a thin bed of coal outcrops at an
elevation of aboufforty feet above the North Raccoon.
This bed has been worked for several years with good success. It is
from twelve to twenty inches thick, and about seven feet beneath the coal
there is a ledge of rather hard, gray sandstone.
Half a mile southeast of this, about fourteen feet above the level of the
river, a two or three-foot bed of coal outcrops, and in the opposite side of
the ravine a ledge of gray, shaly sandstone is seen, which probably belongs
to the same bed. This exposure has not been regularly opened.
The strata at this locality has a slight westerly inclination.
Six miles southeast of Adel, near the head of Sugar creek, in sections 5
and 6, township 78, range 26, are to be found exposures of the upper and
lower beds of the middle and upper divisions. This section also affords
Bome valuable sandstone as well as a variety of interesting plant and fossil
remains.
A short distance below this, in the low bluffs on the opposite side of the
stream, at an elevation of about twenty feet above the Marshall coal, there
is an outcropping of sandstone, about eight feet thick. In this bed there
are one or two layers sufficiently durable to be used in ordinary masonry,
but the mass of the bed is of no value for this purpose.
£)n Walnut creek, in the northeast quarter of section 16, township 79,
range 26, a vein of Marshall coal about ten inches thick has been opened,
which is said to be of excellent quality. It is overlaid by arenaceous clays,
capped by a four-foot bed of soft, shaly sandstone, and containing imperfect
remains of ferns and animal fossils.
The Upper Goal Formation occupies a quite limited area in Dallas coun-
ty. The outcrops of this formation are confined to the southwestern town-
ships below the South Raccoon river.
In the valley of Bulger creek, some four or five miles southwest. of De
Soto, on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R. R., quite an
extensive exposure of limestone calcareous clays present a vertical thickness
of about sixty feet of unequivocal upper coal strata. These strata are seen
in the cuttings along the railroad, and for a half mile or more present a
very perceptible westerly dip.
It contains a great variety of shales, clays, and fossiliferous limestones.
Upper coal-measure limestones are met with in various localities on the
tributaries to Beaver creek, west of Bulger, in the southwest corner of the
county, which furnish several excellent limestone quarries, and an abundant
supply of superior building-stone.
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.
In the supply of fuel and building materials, Dallas has a very fair pro:
portion, even greatly superior to many of its surrounding counties, not only
of timber, but of coal, stone, gravel, sand, lime, brick-clay and other
materials necessary for building purposes. All of these are quite conven-
iently distributed 'for the supply of different localities.
Coal is the most important mineral product of the middle coal-measure,
as is apparent from the preceding description; and by far the greater num-
ber o? exposures of tnat valuable mineral, within the county, belong to the
thin deposits of that formation.
These deposits, however, are quite limited in number and extent of pro-
282 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
duction as compared with those of the lower coal-measure; but their quality
is greatly superior. They afford a much purer and more valuable coal, as
they contain comparatively little pyrite or other impurities, and therefore
they are being mined more or less extensively to supply the local demands
for special purposes, which require the use of pure coal. Some of these
beds are too thin to be opened and worked with any degree of profit, while
many, others are considered sufficiently thick, even at twelve to twenty
inches, to be quite extensively mined with good profits; and the local
demand for coal is being largely supplied with coal from them. Should
this supply threaten to fail, there is still an abundance on reserve in the
lower formation, which can be secured by adding a little more labor and
expense.
In many places throughout the county, the upper bed of the lower form-
ation is brought to the surface, which affords a fair quality and plentiful
supply of coal two and three feet in thickness. It is thought probable, too,
that in the northern portion of the county especially, still lower beds in the
productive measures will be discovered not far from the surface.
"When the demand for mineral fuel increases so as to warrant the neces-
sary expenditure, these lower coals will be reached by shafting, and heavy
coal deposits will be opened at depths varying from a few feet to one hun-
dred and fifty feet below the surface in the valleys.
Since the geological survey was made from the report of which the above
account was taken, several important coal mines have been opened, and
quite a number are now in working order in the county. These are prin-
cipally all thin veins near the surface belonging to the upper coal-measure,
averaging in thickness from two to three feet, and yielding a fair quality of
soft coal; but they^are not very extensively mined, as they onjy supply the
local demand.
Coal Mines. — Caldwell's bank is, perhaps, the most extensively worked of
any of these surface veins in the county. It is situated near the Middle
Raccoon river, about eighty rods south of "hanging rock ford", on section
4, township 78, range 29, not far from the town of Redfield.
The vein, as now being worked, is from three to three-and-a-half feet in
thickness, and yields a very good quality of soft coal, similar to the Des
Moines coal.
^ The bank is opened on the high table-lands, with its entrance into the
side of the hill, and the vein here has quite a downward dip.
Sixteen hands are now working in it, and mining, as an average, about
three hundred and fifty bushels of good coal per day.
It is estimated that on the flat land below Redfield, by shafting about 125
feet below the surface, a vein of four to six feet in thickness can be secured
- of a much better quality of coal than is found so near the surface; but no
definite steps have been taken yet to secure it.
The "Wiseotta cool bank is situated about eighty rods east of Caldwell's
bank, on the north side of the Middle Raccoon river, on what is known as
the Redfield land, and near Wiseotta.
It has also a vein about three to three-and-a-half feet in thickness, which
is thought to be the same vein as that opened at Caldwell's bank, only cut
off by the river, or, perhaps, taking a downward dip beneath the river.
The opening of this one, however, is about ten feet higher than the other,
and the vein lies nearly level, so that the entrance goes almost directly into
the hill, showing no dip at this locality.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 283
It is not being rained very extensively. It was opened some time ago,
and small quantities were taken out, but for several years it was allowed to
remain idle until this winter, when two men again opened it, and are now
working it on a somewhat limited scale. The coal is of about the same
character as that across the river.
Still further down the South Raccoon river, and a short distance from its
banks there are two other coal banks open.
Payton's bank is situated near George B. Warden's farm, on section 2,
Union township, and shows a vein of about the same quality of coal about
two feet in thickness. This bank is not being worked very extensively as
the local demand is not very great and sales are light, there being no con-
veniences for shipping.
Marsh's bank is still further down the river, in Adams township,
with about the same thickness of vein, and nearly the same quality of
coal. This is the only bank opened in Adams township. But there are
doubtless great quantities of coal all along these bluffs. This one is also
being mined to some extent.
Northwest of Redfield, in Linn township, there are also live coal banks
now being mined to a considerable extent.
Maulsby's bank, situated in the southwestern part of Linn township, on
the north side of the Middle Raccoon, shows a two-foot vein of coal a short
distance below the surface, and of about the same . character as that found
at Wiscotta.
Underneath this vein, about thirty-six feet, another vein some four feet
thick is feund by prospecting; and just under that again is found an excel-
lent fire clay for potter's use.
Howell's bank is a little to the south of this in the same locality and
shows, in the main, about the same general characteristics. It is probably
part of the same vein, and underneath it about the same distance a similar
bed of fire or potter's clay appears.
Bailey's bank, a short distance west of this, and George Duck's bank,
still west of that a little further, about in section 29, each reveal a two-foot
vein of pretty much the same quality of coal; and the mines present about
the same general characteristics as those before described.
Near the west line of the county, on the south side of the Middle Rac-
coon river, near Harvey's Mill, the same two-foot vein of coal appears in
the mine of D. Lewis, on section 31; and a bed of fire-clay underlies the
lower vein some forty or fifty feet below the surface similar to that found
beneath all the others.
None of these mines are worked very extensively, however, only from
four to six men are engaged in them.
The largest coal mine in the county, and the one most extensively
worked, doubtless, is the one at Van Meter, owned apd worked by the
"Chicago and Van Meter Coal Company." J. L. Piatt, president; John
Walker, superintendent; John Honicker, clerk and cashier; Ira S. Hall,
weigh-boss.
The shaft is 257 feet deep, and is located northwest from the town of
Van Meter, about thirty rods from the town limits and about the same dis-
tance south of the main Raccoon river, just below the forks.
The mine was first opened by Messrs. Boag and Van Meter, who com-
menced sinking a shaft in 1878, and afterward sold out to the present
owners. The vein runs from two-and-a-half to four feet in thickness, and
284 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
yields a good quality of coal. From the bottom of the shaft they have
thus far worked principally north toward the river, and find a slight in-
crease in thickness of the vein.
The coal is elevated by steam power, and there are now about fifty men
engaged in the mine. They are mining at the rate of abont one thousand
bushels, or thirty-six tons of coal per day, but are capable of turning out
two thousand five hundred bushels, .or ninety-six tons per day. Lump coal
sells at nine cents per bushel, and nut coal at eight cents per bushel at the
mine.
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Co. take two flats, or twen-
ty-four tons per day from this mine'for their own use; and besides there is
sold at the mine six or seven hundred bushels per day to the farmers, and
vicinity round about.
The "Pioneer Coal Shaft" is located in Des Moines township, on section
14. It is owned by Frank "West, of New York, and was first prospected
in 1870.
The shaft is 40 feet deep, and the coal is elevated by horse power. The
vein is from two to two-and-a-half feet thick, and about twenty feet below
it there is another vein three or four feet thick. Beneath this again is
found a fine bed of fire-clay for pottery.
It is now being worked quite extensively, considering its location, but it
is too far from any railroad to be run on a large scale.
This mine and the one at Yan Meter are the only shafts of importance
in the county.
In the same section there are also two other mines of about Jhe same
character as those mentioned in the southern part of the county. On Mil-
ler's branch, northeast of Adel, a bed was opened some time ago which shows
a vein of eighteen inches to two feet in thickness. But that one has never
been worked systematically.
On Mosquito creek, in Lincoln township, on section 31, a mine of con-
siderable importance is being worked. This one has been previously men-
tioned. Other mines of some importance may have been omitted, but the
above is sufficient to show that Dallas county is almost completely under-
laid with one continuous bed of coal, which can easily be secured in unfail-
ing supply, and which is sure to make it one of the first counties in the
'State.
Building Materials. — Next to coal good stone is the important product
of the upper and middle coal-measures for the improvemnt and develop-
ment of a county. In this respect, also, Dallas is fortunately supplied,
both witK sandstone and limestone of good quality for building-stone and,
lime manufactory.
Much of the sandstone found here in the middle coal formation, how-
ever, is not very suitable for building-stone, but some of it, and also the
thin bands of impure limestone afford a tolerable substitute in the absence
of better materials, while the sandstone between the two upper divisions
of this formation sometimes affords a very fair freestone, which is durable
and quite extensively used for building purposes.
This bed of freestone is extensively quarried on Hickory creek near
Adel, and is largely used for building in that vicinity.
It is said to be one of the best quarries of this kind in the State.
The limestone of the upper coal-measure, however, furnishes the main
supply of stone for building material. This quality of stone is found ex-
HISTOKY OP DALLAS COUNTY. 285
tensively in the southwest part of the county, also on Mosquito creek, and
in other places throughout the comity.
On Bulger creek, near De Soto, t*lie same quality of stone is found as
that so highly prized just across the line in Madison county.
"Bear Creek Stone Quarry," in Adams township, on section 28, is per-
haps the most extensive quarry now being worked in the county.
Some of the stone used in building the new State capitol was furnished
from this quarry, and a great deal of building-stone has been shipped from
it to different parts of the State.
Several years ago a railroad track was laid out to it from the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, for the purpose of shipping building-stone,
but lately that road has not been used very much. There are from twenty
to thirty hands at work in this quarry most of the time, and are thus quar-
rying quite extensively. This quarry furnishes a very good quality of
limestone, and contains an extensive bed of valuable stone.
There are numerous other good limestone quarries in different parts of
the county along the various streams and bluff lands, conveniently situated
to most localities in the county, and sufficient for all practical purposes.
The flat sandstone, however, is not found so extensively here as it is in
many other localities, but its place is well supplied with an abundance of
other kinds.
Quicklime. — The upper coal-measure will furnish an almost unfailing
supply of material for the manufacture of lime when the supply from
other sources is exhausted. Thus far the drift has afforded a plentiful sup-
ply of limestone boulders, known as the "lost rocks,". which furnish some
of the very best quicklime manufactured here, being much stronger and
more valuable than that derived from the limestone of the upper coal-
measure. These boulders, however, are generally large and difficult to
handle, being often of many tons weight, and the labor of removing and
preparing them for the kilns frequently requires a greater outlay of time
and expense than it would to quarry them; but this seems to be .fully re-
compensed by the superior quality of the lime they produce. A large sup-
ply of these limestone boulders is found on Sugar creek, in Boone town-
ship. The fact that these exist so numerously in this section, Prof. -White
says, "is probably owing to the much greater) degree of denundation to
which the drift was subjected along the lower reaches of the Raccoon in
the process of the erosion and deepening of the valleys, which swept away
the larger portion of the finer materials of which these deposits were in
part composed, leaving beh nd only the boulders and coarser materials, as
they are now found."
Clay for the manufacture of brick and pottery is found in good supply.
The superficial deposits, in various localities, afford plenty of good clay and
other material for common brick of the finest quality, and in the under
clays of the coal beds, in various parts of the county, is found excellent
clay for potter*' use, and fire-brick purposes.
Not much of this latter clay, however, has yet been utilized, though it
is abundant in the county.
Sand and Gravel are found plentifully distributed along the beds and
valleys of rivers and running streams.
Beautiful stones, shells, pebbles and choice' geological specimens of var-
ious kinds are found in great variety, scattered through the numerous gravel
heds and rocks of the quarries aloug the streams. Not many sand banks are
286 HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
found on the uplands,but on the lowlands along the rivers and running streams,
especially in the bends and shallow beds of the rivers, great bars are washed
up by the freshets, of choice sand for plastering and building purposes.
Soil. — On the uplands the soil of Dallas county in general is a rich,
black, vegetable loam, averaging from one to three feet thick.
In the valleys and lowlands is found a greater per cent of sand, and also,
as an average, a much greater depth of soil, of a somewhat more fertile
character, while on the terraces, or second bottoms, is found a warm
gravelly soil such as usually exists in similar situations throughout this
region. As will be remembered, Dallas was the banner county of the ban-
ner State on soils represented at the Centennial Exhibition, in 1876, and
carried off the first premium.
This specimen of soil was procured from the valley of the main Raccoon
river, in Boone township, on the north side of the river, not far from Mr.
Flinn's farm. It was taken out by Prof. Fox, one of our former State Geol-
ogists, and prepared by him in a large glass tube, six feet in length, and
about ten inches in diameter; which tube was filled with earth in the
exact order in which it appeared in nature. This column showed at the
top about four feet depth of rich black soil, underneath which was a two-
foot layer of yellow clay, showing a somewhat shaly, rocky substance at the
bottom It was placed in the Agricultural Hall at the Centennial Exhibi-
tion, in connection with similar representations from numerous other
counties of the State, and over all received the first premium.
Roads in Dallas county are generally good, and easily constructed in the
greater part of county. During the wet seasons, in some localities, they
become very muddy, and even quite mirey, and almost impassable; but this
fenerally lasts but a short time, as they about as quickly dry off again,
here is sufficient sand and gravel in the soil of the valleys and lowlands
to enable the water to soon drain off; and the highlands are so thoroughly
drained by nature that the rainfalls are not permitted to remain very long
at one place on the surface.
Excep't in the early spring, after a heavy rainfall in the morning, the roads
in the afternoon become sufficiently passable to haul good , loads without
difficulty.
There are some steep hills met with in traversing the roads along the
rivers and bluff lands; but11 these can be made very passable by work-
ing them, as these hills furnish the best of material for constructing
roads. _ Those portions of the county where numerous ponds exist are the
most difficult parts to furnish with good roads at all times of the year,
especially where there is not sufficient fall for drainage.
The old State road from Davenport to Council Bluffs traverses the county
almostcentrally from east to west, passing through Adel and Redfield, and
extending over a distance of twenty-five miles and eight chains within
the bounds of Dallas county, it being the first public highway established
in the county.
With regard to the establishment and opening of said road through this
county, the following order appears on the minute book in the Auditor's
office:
State of Iowa, )
Dallas County. ) Monday, October 8, 18*9.
Commissioners of said county met pursuant to law, this 8th day of October, A. D. 1849.
Present Messrs, Tristam Davis, 0. D. Smalley, and Wm. W. Miller, county commissioners,
and S. K. Scovil, clerk of board of commissioners.
HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY. 287
That, whereas John Wright, Jesse Richman and John Wyckoff, commissioners appointed
by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, at their second session, approved January 12,
1849, to locate and establish a State road, commencing at the west line ot Johnson county, on
section No. 31, township No. 79 north, range No. 8, west of the fifth principal meridian,
and ending at the west line of Dallas county, on section 6, township 78, range 29, report that
they met at the house of John Wyckoff, on the 29th day of June, 1849, having been severally-
sworn, proceeded to locate and establish the said road according to law. The whole length
is 136 miles and 8 chains. The distance the road runs in Dallas county is 25 miles and 8
chains.
Therefore, it is considered and ordered by this court, that the report and plot of said com-
missioners as returned be accepted, recorded and filed in the office of the clerk of the board
of commissioners, and so much of said road as runs through the county of Dallas be and
forever remain a public highway; and that the same be opened and kept in repairs according
to law.
For a long titne this old State road served as the only public highway in
the county on which any pnblic work or money was expended to keep it in
repairs, and it is still one of the best and most extensively traveled roads
in the county, as most of the travel and emigration westward by wagon from
Davenport to Council Bluffs pass over this old thoroughfare. Good roads
are now laid out in most parts of the county, on most of the township and
section lines, greatly facilitating travel in every direction.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
But to return to the early settlement of this tract of land now known as
Dallas county.
After the last period of Indian occupancy of these lands had expired, on
October 11th,- 1845, as was before stated, emigrants were at liberty to go
up the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, or any place west, to select and se-
cure their claims on the public domain of now western Iowa.
In the enjoyment of this liberty, therefore, during the fall of that year
the more adventurous of the land-viewers and claim-seekers came out this
far, looking at the country and hunting the best localities in order that
they might be better prepared to make an intelligent and satisfactory selec-
tion before settling permanently on a claim. But nearly all of these either
returned again without taking any definite steps toward settling here, or
else went further on viewing in other places, while some, perhaps selected
such claims as would suit them best if they should afterward decide to
move here, and then returned to their homes farther east without making
any arrangements for securing them, intending that if they found no bet-
ter prospects elsewhere, they wonld come back in the spring and make a
settlement.
A very few, however, did select their claims that fall and remained long
enough to secure them by building a craim-pen, as we learn from some of
the old settlers themselves who are still living in the county.
THE FIRST SETTLER.
As to who was the veritable " First Settler" in this county, accounts dif-
fer widely. Though the various statements regarding this are almost
legion, yet no two .of them seem to' fully correspond when placed side by
side. And after examining so many authorities and interviewing a num-
ber of the oldest settlers now living in the county, with regard to this
much vexed question, it may not appear very singular if the following
288 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
statement of the case should differ, in some particulars, from all the rest.
It is impossible to get at all the facts, and therefore very difficult to relate
the circumstances just as they occurred; but so far as we have been able
to learn, after careful and diligent investigation, the facts are about as
follows :
"Sometime during the fall of 1845, not long after the Indian title was
extinguished, two brothers, Daniel and Lewis Stump, came through the
south part of the county prospecting, and finally selected and staked out
claims in what is now Yan Meter township, a short distance below the
forks and north of the Raccoon ri'ver in the well known Stump bottom. .
"They were, of course, in a very uneasy position during that fall in at-
tempting to settle here so early, as the Indians were still here; though
their title had run out they had not been removed to their reservation in
Kansas when the Stump boys came, and these pioneers were in some dan-
ger of being driven from their claims.
" They remained, however, and dnring the early part of that winter made
rails for fencing, and built a cabin on their claim, sixteen by eighteen feet,
one story high, and sometime dnring the following February, 1846, their
sister Mary came on with their brother John and kept house for them."
These are the only ones of whom we have found any authentic account,
who came in the fall of 1845 and remained on their claims. John Wright
also came and selected his claim early in the winter of 1845, but returned
again soon to the East, and moved out with his family in March, 1846, set-.
tling first within the present limits of Van Meter township, but soon after-
ward moved into what is now Boone township and settled near where J. C.
Goodson-now lives.
Sometime in January, 1846, Samuel Miller and his brother "William
Wilson Miller, then residing in Jefferson county, Iowa, and Eli Smithson,
of Fort Des Moines, and son-in-law of Wm. W. Miller, came through here
to look at the country and finally took claims in and adjoining the timber
on the opposite side of the North Raccoon river, east from the present site
of Adel.
None of these, however, remained here long at that time, but returned
again to their homes, and on the 12th day of March following, Samuel
Miller returned here with his family, arriving about noon of that day, and
settled permanently on his claim which he had selected some two months
previous, in what has since been known as the Miller settlement, in honor
of which a branch near there now bears the name of Miller's Branch.
Soon afterward, on the 25th day of March, of the same year, W. W.
Miller and family, accompanied by his son, John Miller, and his son-in-
law, Eli Smithson, and perhaps others, returned and settled on their claims
as before selected, John Miller taking, as at least part of his claim, the
principal portion of the land on which the county seat now stands, and af-
terward turned over to the county his claim on what is known as the "town
quarter," when the seat of justice was finally located here by the county
seat commissioners.
Early in February, 1846, Levi Wright, and his brother James Wright,
deaf mute, came to the Stump cabin, and finding the door and windows
(or light-holes) securely barred against the Indians, in the absence of the
inmates — who had gone to the woods to work, or on a hunt — the Wrights
found entrance to the cabin by climbing in through the roof and patiently
awaited the return of their host.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 289
They remained at the Stump cabin a few days, and then went a short
distance to the west, across North Raccoon, and took claims near the forks
of the Raccoon river, on section 16, township 78, range 27.
They then built a claim cabin, made a few other improvements on their
claims «md soon afterward returned to their former home in Polk county.
In April of that year they returned here. Levi brought his family along
with him and settled on his original claim, where he still lives as one of
the oldest settlers now in the county. Tristram Davis and John Longmire
also made their claims in February, 1846, but returned again to their former
homes and arrived here with their families on the 18th of May following,
in company with a number of others.
During the spring of 1846 small settlements were made in some four or
five different localities in the county.
There was one, as just referred to, in the southeast part of the county
within the present boundaries of Boone and Van Meter townships, which
consisted in the main of the Stumps, the Wrights, George and Shubal
Haworth, who laid claims and settled on the land now owned and occupied
by John Barto. William and John Ellis also came in February of this
year, selected their claims, made some improvements and went back, re-
turning here in April following with their widowed mother, Mrs. Sarah
Ellis, and her large family of eight sons and two daughters. They settled
on the claim previously taken by the boys, and prepared a comfortable
home.
About the same time, or soon afterward, Noah Staggs, Henry Garner,
Mr. Clark, Henry Stump and the rest of his family, Greenbury Coffin,
William P. McCubbin, James W. Black, John Juvenaugh, Henry Busick,
George Gresham (1847), John Johnson (1847), William Brown, James
Moore, John Crane, Nathan Moore, and others, settled in that vicinity
during that spring, summer and fall, increasing that settlement to quite a
community, though considerably scattered.
In the spring of 1846, also, a small settlement was made north of the
South Raccoon in what is now Adams township, consisting in the main of
John Longmire, Tristram Davis, George S. Hills, John Davis and Levi A.
Davis, all of whom came with their families May 18th, and settled on and
adjoining sections 10 and 11.
Archibald Crowl and others joined their number soon afterward.
Along the North Raccoon, also, in the central part of the county, and
principally near the present site of Adel, there was quite athriving settle-
ment during the spring and summer of 1846, consisting chiefly of Millers,
the most of whom were among the first settlers in the county.
There was a host of them who nearly all settled in one vicinity, Samuel,
Isaac, Eli, William W., John, Martin W, and Jesse K. Miller, besides Eli
Smithson, Isaac Tribby, William Galway, Joseph C. Corbell, and others.
Their number was rapidly increased so that 'this settlement soon became
the largest in the county, as it had the good fortune to secure the location
of the county seat near at hand.
In the northeast corner of the county, near the Des Moines river and
within the present bounds of Des Moines township, O. D. Smalley settled
May 18, 1846, 6n the northwest quarter of section 26, and for a good while
held sole possession of that part of the county as one of its earliest pio-
neers. He was re-enforced that fall, however, by a number of pioneers.
19
290 ~ HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
John and David Spear settled near him on section 11, in September,
1846. Jerry Evans settled on section 2, August 15, 1846. Judge McCall
settled on section 12, in September, 1846. Samuel Ramsey settled on sec-
tion 26, in October, 1846, and Judah Learning settled on the southwest
quarter of section 23, March 1, 1847.
Others, doubtless, should be added to the foregoing list,' whose names,
dates of arrival and places of settlement we have been unable to obtain,
but the above named persons — with the respective households of those who
were then fortunate enough to have such blessings — constituted the princi-
pal portion of the inhabitants of Dallas county during the year 1846.
The entire list of inhabitants at the close of that year would not number,
perhaps, more than sixty or sixty-five persons.
To one looking back over the situation at that time from the present
standpoint of progress and comfort, it certainly does not seem very cheer-
ing; and yet, from the testimony of some of these same old settlers them-
selves, it was the most independent and happy period of their lives.
At that time, it certainly would have been much more difficult for those
old settlers to understand how it could possibly be that thirty-two years
hence the citizens at the present stage of the county's progress would be
complaining of hard times and destitution and that they themselves, per-
haps, would be among that number, than it is now for us to appreciate
how they could feel so cheerful and contented with their meager means and
humble lot of hardship and deprivation during those early pioneer days.
The secret doubtless was that they lived within their means, however lim-
ited, not coveting more of luxury and comfort than their income would
afford, and the natural result was prosperity and contentment, with always
room for one more stranger at the fireside, and a cordial welcome to a place
at their table for even the most hungry guest.
During the year 1847, and the early part of 1848, there was quite an in-
crease of emigration, and not only the different settlements already made
were reenfored, but also new ones were started in various other localities,
so that the work of improvement and enterprise continued to move grad-
ually forward. Some of these newcomers were as follows : J. 0. Goodson,
"William D. Boone and others settled in what is now Boone township. S.
K. Scovell, Horatio and Barney Morrison, Chelsea Shelton, Isaac Magart,
James A. and Thomas Butler, " Chris." Fowler, "Jeff." Jones, Bud Lathrop,
Thomas J. Drummond, William C. and Daniel James, Anderson Kelley, E.
J. Fowler, Ira Sherman, John and Valentine Cline, Benjamin Greene and
others settled near Penoach, in what is now Adel township.
In the fall of 1847 George P. Garroutte settled on the North Baccoon,
very near what proved to be the geographical center of the county; and
early in the preceding spring, Harvey Adams, Zebin Babcock — better known
as " Squire Babb " — and Judge Lloyd D. Burnes were the first settlers in
what is now Sugar Grove township, all coming about the same time.
Not lone afterward, Adam Vineage, with his family, John Bevens, a sin- '
gle man, Milton Randolph, J. V. Pierce, and perhaps others, settled in the
same vicinity. " Dutch Henry " also came to Sugar Grove township about
this time, remaining for a while, but making no permanent settlement. He
finally ventured off by himself to"ward the north and took a claim, on the
edge of the prairie west of Perry.
During the summer of 1848 the first settlement was made in what is
now "Washington township, by John Sullivan and sons, who were soon fol-
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 291
lowed by James McLane, Jacob "Winters, Samuel Mars, John S. Sammies
and others.
Union township was also first settled in the spring of 1848. About Feb-
ruary of that year, Humphrey Smith (more commonly known as "Yankee"
Smith), and his son-in-law, Henry Owens, settled near the mouth of Cotton-
wood creek, where they put up a mill in company, on section 11, on the
South Kaccoon river, known as Owen's mill.
This mill, however, only endured for a few years, when it was swept away
entirely by the flood.
In February, 1848, Leroy Lambert, now of Adel, settled on section 6,
near the west line of the county, and in October of that year, David Daily
came and settled on section 4. About 1850 John W. Hayes, Elisha Mor-
ris, Mr. Wilcox, John F. Willis, Uriah Stotts, and perhaps others, joined
their number. Mr. Stotts had come to the county in 1847, and settled in
Van Meter; but moved to Union township in 1850, and settled on section
8, where he still lives.
George B. Warden also came to the township about this time, or perhaps
before, and located on section 1, three miles east of Kedfield, His present
home. Previous to this he had lived two years in Adel.
In 1850, also, Samuel Carpenter, James Brookes, W. W. Harper and
others located near this settlement just across the line, in what is now Linn
township.
The Cavenaugh brothers, Patrick, Thomas and Michael, entered the land
on which the town of Kedfield now stands, in the year 1850, and laid out
the town of New Ireland on that site in 1852-3. They afterward sold the
town site, and large tract of land adjoining it, to Col. James Eedfield, his
brother, Luther, and the colonel's father-in-law, Thomas Moore, about 1856
or 1857.
During this time, in other parts of the county, and especially in and
around the first settlements, the population and improvements had been
increasing so rapidly that it is impossible to find trace of their names,
locations and dates of arrival. If enough has herein been given to indicate
to some degree at least, the order in which the different parts of the county
were first settled, with a partial list of the first settlers in each locality, the
aim intended has been accomplished.
Thus we find that during the fall of 1845, and early in the spring of
1846, pioneers began to ascend the highlands west of Fort Des Moines, and
continued gradually extending the new settlements out still further along
the woodlands bordering the main branch of the Raccoon river, until they
soon passed its forks and began to follow these up still further to the north
and westward, generally settling close to the rivers and timberlands which
skirted them, and finding no decrease; but rather an improvement in the
value and attraction of the land as they advanced.
During that and the following years the work of improvement thus be-
gun, continued gradually progressing until it has attained to its present
stage of advancement with the growth of thirty-three years, and many of
Dallas county's earliest settlers still live within its bounds to enjoy some-
thing of the fruits of that growth of years which tbey have helped to make.
In those early pioneer days, however, the outlook was not altogether a
cheerful one.
There were none of the conveniences and facilities of the present then
with which to aid and comfort the settlers.
292 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
During the year 1846, and perhaps not until some time afterward, there
was not a public highway established and worked, on which they could travel.
And as the settlers were generally far apart, and mills and trading points
were at great distances, going from place to place was not only very tedious,
but attended sometimes with great danger. USTot a railroad had yet entered
Chicago, and there was scarcely a thought in the minds of the people here
of such a thing ever reaching the wild West; and, if thought of, people had
no conception of what a revolution a railroad and telegraph through here
would cause in the progress of the country. Then there were less than
5,000 miles of railroad in the United States, and not a mile of track laid
this side of Ohio; while now there are over 100,000 miles of railroads
extending their trunks and branches in every direction over our land.
Supplies, in those days, came to this western country entirely by river
and wagon transportation. Mail was carried to and fro in the same way,
and telegraph dispatches were transmitted by the memory and lips of emi-
grants coming in, or strangers passing through.
There was not a mill, store, post-office, school-house, church, road or trad-
ing point then in the entire county.
THE WEAKEST TEADING POINT.
Fort Des Moines was the nearest trading point where mail matter, cloth-
ing, groceries and the necessary family supplies could be secured, and the
stock in trade at that point was oftentimes not nearly sufficient to supply
the urgent demands of the settlers.
It was, at that time, a very small place, with only a single row of cabins
extending along the west bank of the Des Moines river, and another row
extending along the north bank of the Raccoon river, forming an angle
between the two rivers, little dreaming that before many years it would
bear the honored title of the Capital of Iowa.
These cabins had been built for the accommodation of the garrison, and
in them all the business of the place was then transacted. In one of these
cabins, on "Coon Eow," occupied by P. M. Casady, the post-office was
kept, he being the postmaster of that general delivery.
The mail matter was kept in a dry goods box marked " Phelps & Co.,
Fort Des Moines, Iowa," from which he gracefully distributed the precious
missives to the anxious inquirers, who had traveled, perhaps, many weary
miles on foot to receive from the rude box the long delayed letter that
brought a message of love from the dear ones far away.
The place being so small, and the means of transportation to it being so
limited and irregular, they were unable to supply, regularly, the now in-
creasing demand from all around them, and settlers in these parts thought
themselves happy if they were not compelled to go on far beyond there to
Oskaloosa, Keokuk or Burlington to obtain the necessaries of life.
Corn, the staple article among the pioneers as food for man and beast,
was a scarce, high-priced article then in the new country, especially where
the first crop had not yet been raised.
In order to secure this and other necessary provisions they were often
under the necessity of going to Oskaloosa, and sometimes as far down as
the Mississippi river to Keokuk and Burlington, a distance of about two
hundred miles, to supply the wants of their pioneer homes. After store&
and trading points began to be established in this county, the merchants
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 293**
for many years were in the habit of going to these distant points on the
rivers to purchase their stocks of goods and bringing them through by
wagon transportation.
Occasionally a number of families in a community would club together,
make out a list of what they needed and send off to the trading post as
many men and teams as necessary, or as could be obtained to procure and
bring home supplies for all, and thus to a great degree they worked to-
gether, and to one another's interest as one great family.
In this way, also, they took turns in going to mill, to the stores, for the
mail, etc., and when a cabin was to be raised, or a neighbor assisted in any
way, all, within reach or hearing, turned out with one accord, quite willing
to lend the helping hand and enjoy in common the feast and frolic that was
sure to accompany all such gatherings.
In this isolated condition, pioneer life here, as elsewhere, was one of
stern realities and serious trials, especially for the sick and aged ones, while
so far removed from points of supply, and almost completely cut off from
communication with the outside world. If a stranger from any distance
came into the new settlement he was treated with unusual cordiality, and
questioned with unabating zeal, with regard to the great world-matters
without; and if he saw fit to accept the urgent invitation of the settlers to
share their humble hospitality in welcome for many days, he might rest
assured that he must pass through that long siege of incessant question-
ing by the inquisitive settlers, from which he, doubtless, would derive as
much pleasure and profit as they.
The claims occupied by the first settlers were supposed to contain about
320 acres; but these were run off "by guess," and as a consequence often
included two or three times that number of acres. The general improve-
ments on these, for a long time, consisted of old-fashioned worm fences
made of rails split by the settlers themselves, and snug, though humble,
cabins.
LOG CABINS.
Of these pioneer log cabins and their general furniture, one of Dallas
county's old settlers says:
" These were of round logs notched together at the corners, ribbed with
poles and covered with boards split from a tree. A puncheon floor was
then laid down, a hole cut out in the end and a stick _ chimney run up. A
clapboard door is made, a window is opened by cutting out a hole in the
side or end, about two feet square, and it is finished without glass or trans-
parency. The house is then < chinked ' and ' daubed ' with mud made of
the top soil.
"The cabin is now ready to go into. The household and kitchen furniture
is adjusted, and life on the frontier is begun in earnest.
" The one-legged bedstead, now a piece of furniture of the past, was made
by cutting a stick the proper length, boring holes at one end, one-and-a-half
inches in diamater at right angles, and the same sized holes corresponding
with these in tlie logs of the cabin the length and breadth desired for the
bed, in which are inserted poles.
'' Upon these poles clapboards are laid, or linn bark is interwoven consec-
utively from pole to pole. Upon this primitive structure the bed is laid.
The convenience of a cook stove was not thought of then, but instead the
* 294 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
cooking was done by the faithful housewife in pots, kettles and skillets, on
and about the big fire place, and very frequently over and around, too, the
distended pedal members of the legal sovereigns of the household while
the latter were indulging in the luxury of a cob pipe, and discussing the
probable results of a contemplated elk hunt up and about Walled Lake.
These log cabins were really not so bad after all.
''We have seen a good deal of solid comfort about them which, we pre-
sume to say, in many cases money could not purchase for the millionaire.
Still, as ' contentment is happiness,' wherever one is the other must fol-
low, as a matter of course, whatever may be the condition or location in
life."
A PIONEER MILL.
The first water-power grist mill built west of the Eed Rock reservation
line in Iowa, was built and run by John D. Parmelee, on Middle River, iu
Warren county, some ten or fifteen miles southeast of Fort Des Moines.
It was both a saw and grist mill and, for a long time, made the meal,
flour and lumber for all the region now included in Warren, Madison, Polk
and Dallas counties, and sometimes for settlers living even in more distant
parts.
To a good extent, this mill, on account of its convenient location and ca-
pacity for grinding, stopped the rush of travel to Oskaloosa from these
parts, especially of all those who had found it necessary to go there for
milling purposes and breadstuff's ; and being the only mill in all these parts
as a consequence it was crowded night and day with anxious customers,
each desiring to get his grist done first so as to return home.
On account of the great rush of work it had to do, and possibly because
it was not built and run altogether in the most systematic and commenda-
ble manner, this mill finally got so completely out of repairs that they
were compelled to stop running it. This brought a sad state of affairs for
the settlers in the communities and country around about, who were now
in the habit of getting all their grinding and sawing done at this place.
Something must be done to put it in running order again so as to accom-
modate the customers.
Finally Judge L. D. Burnes, the pioneer mill-wright, was sent for to put
it to rights again, and after a two weeks siege o,f as thorough repairing as
the circumstances and conveniences would permit the mill was again found
in running order, to the delight of the owner and the eminent satisfaction
of his numerous and dependent customers.
With regard to this circumstance the judge gives the following interest-
ing account:
"The miller, poor Mordecai Disney, seemed to be overwhelmed with
trouble, at times, to know what to do amid the babble around him, and
this deserving class of people are apt to get, as a general thing, more curs-
ings than blessings anyhow.
" Poor Disney had learned to make the most of his position under ordi-
nary pressure, but this was rather too much for his trained equanimity,
and he would get off, now and then, some of the most chilling expletives
that we ever heard.
" This mill was finally run down with constant overwork and no care, and
and it became so relaxed that it stopped business altogether. This was a
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 295
terrible blow to the settlers, as its stoppage implied the going away off to
Oskaloosa for breadstuffs.
" Several machinists were called in but the patient got worse and worse.
We were finally called to the sick bed of this frontier mill in consultation.
We found the patient completely prostrated, its nervous system was sadly
out of sorts. We administered alteratives and cardiacs.
" The patient, under this radical treatment, and in the course of two weeks,
got entirely well and was ready to go to work again with increased vitality.
" But, alas! when we were ready to try the ability of the convalescent mill
to eat corn, we were brought to realize the fact that
" ' Life is a drama of a few brief acts,
The actors shift, the scene is often changed.
Pauses and revolutions intervene,
The mind is set to many and varied tune
And jars and plays in harmony by turns.'
"John D. Parmelee was not in calling distance to come and see the ex-pa-
tient survive.
"John ha"d put in most of his time, during the sickness and convalescence
of the mill, up at the Fort as a zealous votary of the fiery god Bacchus.
The excellent woman and wife, Mrs. Parmelee, sent Jack, an old bachelor
domestic, to go up to the Fort and bring John D. home to 'see the mill
start.' Jack went, but delayed his coming. Another messenger was sent
by the good woman to hasten Jack's return.
"The second messenger found John D. and Jack on a protracted 'bust,'
deaf to ell entreaty. John refused to come home to 'see the mill start.'
The second . messenger, too, was soon overcome by the furious god, and
joined in the debauch. The miller, Mordecai Disney, was finally sent up
to the Fort to bring back the three loyal disciples of jolly John Barleycorn.
He was successful, and John D. saw ' the mill start ' out with new life
and vigor, to his perfect satisfaction, muttering all the while to himself:
' ' ' There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.'
" Suddenly John D. yelled out at the top of his voice, ' See boys, how
she chaws!' "
This mill, being again repaired and ready for effective service, was not
long in regaining its former rush of custom from the citizens of the
frontier who were anxiously waiting for this event, and the settlers of
Dallas county for a long time got most of their milling done there, until
others were erected and prepared for service nearer home.
Of course, at the very first, all sorts of means were resorted to for grind-
ing and grating corn as the staple article of food; and not un frequently it
was boiled whole, and prepared in various ways which the ingenuity of the
hungry ones would devise in the absence of better means.
Hand mills and horse mills of various kinds were also constructed and
procured, some of which would serve for the accommodation of several
families by turns.
One of these horse mills was constructed by Samuel Miller, and started
in use December 24, 1846, being, perhaps, the first one of the kind in the
296 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
county. It was called the " Stump Mill," as it had one small set of hurrs
prepared and fastened on a stump, and constituted a regular old-fashioned
"corn cracker," run by horse power. The event of starting this mill
afforded an occasion of a great Christmas jollification the next day among
the settlers of that vicinity.
This little mill was a great convenience in that neighborhood, and did
the corn grinding for many a pioneer home. In 1848 Mr. Miller sold it to
Buel Lathrop, who moved the burrs up to his claim on Hickory creek, and
built the first water mill for grinding corn in the county, using what he
could of the old "stump mill" for its construction, and with it did some
grinding for the surrounding community, but seems to have been too neg-
ligent and too much occupied in advocating Mormonism to accomplish
very much as a pioneer miller, so that his mill soon ran down and stopped
grinding altogether. But a fuller account of this mill will be given fur-
ther on, under proper date.
After this, both grist and saw mills gradually increased in number in
the county until they became quite numerous, and milling privileges
became reasonably convenient to most of these settlements.
GOING TO MILL.
Going to mill in those days, when there were no roads, no bridges, no
ferry boats, and scarcely any conveniences for traveling, was no small task
where so many rivers and treacherous streams were to be crossed, and such
a trip was often attended with great danger to the traveler when these
streams were swollen beyond their banks. But even under these circum-
stances some of the more adventurous and ingenious ones, in cases of
emergency, found the way and means by which to cross the swollen streams
and succeed in making the trip. At other times, again, all attempts failed
them, and they were compelled to remain at home until the waters snb-
• sided, and depend on the generosity of their more fortunate neighbors.
One bold attempt of this kind, which failed of success, is described in
the following account by Mr. Greene, in the Dallas County News:
"The Ellises had been on their claim but a few months when it became
necessary to go to mill, for, though hominy is a pretty good substitute for
bread, the corn they brought with them was about out, and not only had
they to go a hundred miles to mill, but they had first to work to buy the
grain when there. It was common to be gone three or four weeks on such
a trip. At the outset, in this case, North Raccoon, then 'out of its banks,'
had to be crossed. They had as yet no ferry boat, not even a canoe, and
wagons, yokes, chains and camp furniture, had to be taken over on a log
raft. The central current, too deep for setting poles, swept them a long
way down stream. The wagon had thus been crossed and debarked in
shallow water, the four oxen driven across, yoked and chained together,!,
the 'traps' were being loaded upon the wagon, when the oxen, with
bovine stubbornness and stupidity, took it into their heads to return.
When they struck the main current, it swept them irresistibly down
stream. They soon became entangled in their chains and the floodwood.
Thus they struggled and strangled for several hours, till all but one gave
up and seemed to have a through ticket for the Mississippi. ' Old Ben '
(the boys, to this day, can scarcely refrain from both laughing and crying
when they relate it) would paddle for the west bank whenever he came
HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY. 297
round in sight of it. They finally got fast in some drift, and made no ef-
fort to get loose.
"Isaac Ellis (next younger than William) stripped and swam a long dis-
tance to them, and with a pocket-knife he carried with him cut the how
keys, unyoked the oxen, and got them all safely to land.
"Late in the night, naked, hungry, tired and scratched, he called at the
cahin for the boys to bring him out some clothes.
"Isaac Ellis will be remembered by those only who were here more than
twenty years ago. About that time he went west of the Missouri, hunted
with the Indians, and supplied for some time several stations of the over-
land stage company with deer, buffalo, and other wild meat. When last
heard from he was with the Indians in British America.
"Of Wm. Ellis — sound, joyous, whole-souled Will — little need be said.
Who that lived here within twenty-five years of the first settlement did not
know him? Who has not shouted at his uproarous merriment? Who was
not gladdened by his constant cheerfulness? And let cynics say 'every
man has his price ' ; those who best knew the subject of these comments
will point to him and answer, ' There's an honest man.'
" It is significant that the mother of this large family of boys says ' thee
and thou.' "
INCIDENTS.
The above sketch will aid the reader in gaiuing some knowledge of the
hardships and trials of the early pioneers, and of the difficulties and dan-
gers under which they labored in order to gain an honest livelihood.
Some of the difficulties of traveling from place to place in those days, as
also the unpleasantness and sometimes dangers attending their travels, are
nicely illustrated by the following from the same writer: "In February,
1846, William Ellis and George Haworth set out to follow the Raccoon
river on the ice, from Des Moines up to Stump's cabin, about twenty miles
by land. After a hard day's travel (not less than twenty-five miles) they
found themselves, at dusk, not more than half way. They now attempted
to cross the country, but the dry weeds were so high and so dense that this
was given up and they had to camp for the night. But they had neglected
to take any matches with them, and the only alternative to an all night's
travel was to ignite some dry grass by firing their guns into it.
"This was effected after the expenditure of a good deal of patience and
powder, and they carried their fire to the timber, some half a mile away,
where they spent the winter night with what comfort they could."
This was the first trip of these parties to Dallas county, when they came
and laid their claims, as before mentioned, and soon afterward returned,
and the following month moved out here with their folks and settled on
their claims as before selected — Ellis on the land now owned and occupied
by Joseph Otterman, and Haworth on what is now the Barto farm, or
" Haworth Point " — and through life, doubtless, they will not forget that
pioneer adventure.
Previous to this, however, some time in January of the same year, a no
less singular, but rather more successful, expedition — so far as speed and
ease in travel is concerned — was made up the same river road on the ice by
John Wright, the frontier hunter, and his cousin, "Deaf Jim" Wright, in
a one-horse " pung."
Of John Wright it is said: "His rifle and his bottle were his delight and
298 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
consolation." He was brave and reckless, having little sympathy with the
ways and customs of civilization; yet generous to a fault, always kind and
true to his friends, but to his enemies, bitter, malignant and revengeful.
His cousin, "Deaf Jim," was the skilled mimic of the settlement, who
had the power of so accurately personating various persons in their striking
peculiarities, even on short acquaintance, that the subject was readily rec-
ognized. He was, therefore, just the man for sport at a public gathering.
THE FIRST DEATH.
The first death of a white person in the county occurred in the winter of
1846-7; that of William Coffin, father of Greenbury Coffin, and father-in-
law of John Wright.
The deceased was a blacksmith by trade, and though well along in years
when he came here, faithfully worked at his anvil and forge set up on tfie
open prairie until a shop was built, sharpening ploughshares, mending
broken articles, and doing other small jobs of smithing, to assist in "earn-
ing his bread by the sweat of his brow," and by the exercise of his strong
right arm, until finally called away from labor to rest. He died in the
Stump cabin, of old age, and was buried in the "Clayton grave-yard," in
what is now Boone township.
The coffin, or box, in which he was buried, was made of puncheons split
ont of large logs, and dressed and fitted by Levi Wright, Noah Staggs and
other neighboring settlers as best they could under the circumstances, and
his remains were lovingly laid in their last resting place with decency and
respect by the hands of those who had been friendly and true to him in life.
Thus this memorable Stump cabin was not only the first house built, but
also was the place where the first death occurred in the county, and there-
fore afforded both the first place of entertainment for the living, and prepa-
ration of the dead for the silent tomb.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE.
This Stump cabin was also the home of the first white woman who lived
in Dallas county. Early in the year 1846, perhaps in February, Miss Mary
Stump came and kept house in it for her three brothers, until" their father,
Henry Stump, and the rest of his family came on soon afterward.
She has the honor, also, of being the first white woman married in the
county, and hers was the first marriage ceremony performed within the
county limits.
She was united in marriage with George Haworth, on the second day. of
September, 1847, by J. C. Corbell, Esq., who was the first justice of the
peace to perform such a ceremony in the county, and this was his first ex-
perience in that line.
Whether this marriage occurred in the Stump cabin, or in the new hewed
log house of the bride's father, we have not been able to ascertain defi-
nitely.
The bride and groom were of even ages, each twenty-four years, and were
nearly of like dates as early settlers of the county, as Mr. Haworth also
came early in 1846, and settled within the present limits of Yan Meter town-
ship, where he and his affianced bride lived in prosperity and comfort until
a few years ago, they moved to a new home, about two miles north of Adel.
Their old homestead is now known as the John Barto farm.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 290
They are still living, each past the age of fifty -five, well entered on the
decline of life; and while now gone on a trip to Oregon, with gratitude,,
can look back over more than thirty-one years of married felicity and pros-
perity passed in Dallas county, Iowa.
THE SPORTS AND CUSTOMS
Of the early settlers were not so numerous and varied as at present, but
they were no less enjoyable and interesting.
Hunters now-a-days would be only too glad to be able to find and enjoy
their favorable opportunities for hunting and fishing; and even travel hun-
dreds of miles sometimes, counting it rare pleasure to spend a few weeks-
among the lakes, and on the wild prairies and woodlands, in hunt and chase,
and fishing frolics, where not half so good hunting and fishing sport was
furnished as was in this vicinity twenty-five or thirty years ago. There-
were a good many excellent hunters here at an early day, too, who enjoyed
thesport as well as any can at the present.
Wild amimals of various kinds were found here in abundance during the
time of the early settlement. The prairies, and woods, and streams, and
various bodies of water, were all thickly inhabited by more than Indians-
before, and even for some time after the white man came.
Deer, turkeys, ducks, geese and various other kinds of choice game were-
plentiful, affording freely and at the expense of killing what are now con-
sidered the choice and costly dishes in the restaurants. The fur animals
also, were abundant, such as the otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon, pan-
ther, fox, wolf, wild-cat and bear.
Deer and elk were quite numerous on these prairies for some time after
the first settlements were made. These various kinds of game afforded not
only pleasure, but profit for those among the early settlers who were lovers-
of hunt and chase; and skillful hunters were not scarce in those days in
proportion to the number of inhabitants. Many interesting incidents and
daring adventures occurred in connection with these hunting excursions,
which the old settlers who still remain seem never tired of relating. It is
difficult to reproduce these scenes now, and present the incidents with their
original "pith and point" as those most intimately connected with them
have nearly all passed away, and these stories must have passed through
many minds and mouths before reaching us, and therefore have become-
more or less colored in passing, so that as related now they might not be-
easily recognized as the same stories by the original actors.
In point, we quote a part of an article on "old times,'.' as published in
The Dallas County News, February 2d, 1876, at that time published by
S. H. Greene, which will give some idea of the customs and sports of the-
early settlers.
"The capture of elk calves was, in those early days, a favorite pastime, or
business, rather, for there were visions of wealth to be derived from their
sale. In these adventures John Wright was the natural leader and captain.
The outfit consisted of teams and covered wagons sufficient to convey pro-
visions, camp equipage, etc., and to bring home the proceeds of the chase.
Cows were taken along to furnish milk for the young elk ; sometimes the
expedition would be gone a month or more. From Greene county to the-
head-waters of 'Coon was the favorite hunting ground. The hunting was
done on horseback. And first the old elk must be found, which was done-
300 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
by looking over the surrounding country from some high point and then
with the aid of dogs to thoroughly search thereabout for the hidden calves.
These were usually found in the tall grass surrounding the ponds that so
abound in that part of the State. When the calf found that he was observed
he would spring from his hiding place and run with the spewed of a race
horse, and if two or three weeks old it took good ' bottom ' to overtake
him in those bogs and ponds. Many a good farm horse was ruined in the
•effort; rarely a very young calf was captured by springing upon it in its
bed.
" On one of these excursions John "Wright saw some dark object at a
distance and determined to interview it. It proved to be a half grown
black bear. It fled. Wright gave chase, and coming up with it, he aimed,
by a flying leap from his horse to grapple with and prevent its escape.
As our hero came down, Bruin turned and received him in a cordial
•embrace. He was now in his element and glory, and after a protracted
struggle, in which one of his hands was badly lacerated, besides getting
sundry smaller bites and scratches, he bound his captive and took him in
triumph into camp; and subsequently, on his way home, he passed through
Adel with this pet and a score or more of young elk. The last known of
John Wright he was on his way to the Far West.
" These elk sadly disappointed us all. Theoretically they were most use-
ful domestic animals, for the shambles, for the plow and cart, carriage and
course, possibly for the dairy — why not? As thus: in size and form, in
hoof and horn, they were own cousins to the reindeer — that indispensable
.adjunct to arctic humanity. Their speed and bottom had been proven in
many a hard half day's heat; their beef was as that of the ox. They conld
winter where the mule would freeze or starve, and so easily domesticated!
— take a young one that never saw the face of man, carry it in your arms a
hundred yards and it would follow you through water or fire. But they
turned out unmitigated nuisances. They would neither work nor play.
The trial was fair and conclusive. In the spring of 1851 much valuable
time which had else been devoted to 'seven-up,' euchre and kindred in-
dustries, was spent in Adel, in breaking them to harness and saddle; and
Elisha Morris, then well known in sporting circles, harnessed a span of two-
year old bucks to a light buggy and started for some eastern emporium
where it. was thought the unique turn-out would command bags of gold.
Eight days' drive took him to Oskaloosa, where he was fain to swap the
whole rig for a horse that he sold for some eighty dollars. His verdict
was, 'they won't work; they are too much like a d — d Indian.' They
were utterly lawless, going without let or hindrance into field and garden,
and doing mischief out of sheer wantonness. They seemed aware that a
horse, not familiar with them, would stampede at sight. They would curve
the neck, throw up their huge horns, set the hair forward and snort to
increase the fright. Runaways from this cause were frequent. At certain
seasons of the year the males were as dangerous as mad bulls. A son of
Dr. Bush, at I)es Moines, was attacked by one, his abdomen ripped open
so that his bowels protruded; the boy recovered — the brute was destroyed.
' Sic transit gloria ' elk. 0. S."
Fish. — The streams and lakes, also, afforded fish in great variety and
abundance, which were caught by quantities in extemporized traps by the
•early settlers, and were feasted on by them witli a relish.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 301
These fish traps were generally considered as public property, and when
once established in good working order they secured a bountiful supply of
choice fish, of which the neighboring settlers partook in common. One
of these traps was located on the shallow just below the site of J. Ii. "War-
rington's mill, in Sugar Grove township, and proved a success in catching
fish for the entire community. Sometimes as high as one hundred and
fifty fine fish have been taken in at one time.
Another of these traps was located at Eocky Ford, on the Middle Rac-
coon river just above Isaac Fee's farm, in what is now Linn township.
This one supplied all that community with fresh fish in abundance. So
also there were several other similar ones in various localities extempo-
rized by the early settlers, as the occasion required, and placed in the most
suitable location for the convenience of all concerned. There being no-
mill-dams then on the streams to muddy the water or prevent the fish from
coming up the channels, the water was so clear and the fish so plentiful
that they were easily secured by the settlers going out in canoes and dug-
outs and spearing them. In this way great quantities were caught, afford-
ing both pleasure and satisfaction to the fishermen.
These various incidents and occurrences, in connection with the early
settlement and pioneer life in the county, are of intense interest, and might
be further dwelt upon at great length, especially by anyone who was fa-
miliar with the scenes and intimately connected with many of the occur-
rences.
The lives of those early settlers, while frought with dangers and dis-
couragements and inconveniences, still had their bright spots of encourage-
ment and joy.
On account of the high price of corn during the first years, and the
great inconveniences of procuriftg it at distant markets, they were com-
pelled to be economical and judicious in the use of it, and used every
means and effort within their power in making preparation the first year,
so as to be sure of a crop the following year; and for this labor and care
they were almost invariably rewarded with an abundant harvest. The la-
bor, care and anxiety of one year was generally repaid with prosper-
ity, peace and plenty during the next, and the majority of the pioneers
found more pleasure in thus having a plentiful supply of the necessaries
of life and being able to give of their substance when the occasion re-
quired, to those in straightened circumstances around them, than in being
dependent and needy themselves, and thus being on the receiving list.
Oftentimes, indeed, such persons had the privilege of realizing the truth
and beauty of our Saviour's sweet words of comfort, " it is more blessed to
give than to receive."
While the early settlers were generally industrious, honest, generous and
sympathetic, moving along peaceably in the even tenor of their ways about
their daily duties, and usually temperate in their habits; still their customs
and habits were not altogether of the same character as those of the pres-
ent day.
Customs and habits that are now looked upon as quite improper and de-
grading by society generally, though practiced still by a large per cent of
the inhabitants, were considered by many of the early settlers as not so
very much out of place, while others of their number — perhaps no smaller
per cent in proportion to the population than at present — were faithful to
shun and frown down upon all such improper conduct. Still a good many
302 HISTOET OP DALLAS COUNTY.
of them seemed to deem it eminently proper and quite essential in starting
off on a journey to take with them a handy -flask in their pocket, and some-
times the "wee brown jug" in their wagons, well filled with something to
keep them warm and in buoyant " spirits," and also to have something
along with which to accommodate tbeir particular friends of like tastes and
longings whom they might accompany or meet with on the way, and thus
be able to sustain their cherished title of "hail fellows well met."
The following little incident as related by Judge L. D. Burnes furnishes
a good illustration of that phase of pioneer customs:
" We and Squire Babb were returning from a business trip to the Fort in
the winter of 1847-8. We met Corbell on the ridges east of the site of
Waukee, going to the the Fort on horseback, for the mail. We had never
seen Corbell before. Babb had seen him only once, but had no acquaint-
ance with him at all. They stopped mutually and eyed each other for a
moment. Squire Babb addressed Corbell thus:
" ' It seems to me, sir, that I have seen you before.'
" 'No doubt of it, sir,' replied Corbell, 'I'm Squire Corbell, of Dallas
county, have just been appointed postmaster in Penoach by the commis-
sioners of the General Land Office, sir, and I'm goin' down to the Fort for
the mail matter. What might your name be?'
" ' My name, sir, is Squire Babb. I have just come to your county to
seek a little rest. I have held many official places of honor and trust in
my. day. I was appointed by the legislature of the State of Indiana, one
of the re-locating commissioners to re-locate the seat of justice of Foun-
tain county, Indiana, and sir, ' By this time Squire Babb was out of
the wagon and Corbell was off his horse. They rushed toward each other;
they clasped hands and tangled congratulations followed. Squire Babb
had brought with him from the Fort a jdg of pretty large capacity, well
filled with sweetened hoiniletic elaborator, and in order to cement the
friendship just formed' with Corbell, he lifted it from its hiding place in
the wagon, and with an introductory speech on hygiene, that was inter-
larded with affirmative responses from Squire Corbell, it was gracefully
given to the latter, accompanied by this laconic sally, ' Squire, let us drink
to a better acquaintance in Dallas.' Corbell taking the jug, replied, ' I
will never refuse a friend, sir, in such trying times as those.' Babb then
politely turned his back, and Squire Corbell proceeded at once to flood his
epiglottis. Squire Babb now took the jug, saying, 'here is to my friend,
Squire Corbell, great Jupiter, prithee,' he then threw back his head, poised
his jug on his pouting lips, a long gurgling current coursed its way toward
his plastic epigastrium, and the jug was grounded. Squire Babb then
continued the colloquy: "'Now, Squire Corbell, I beg of you not to men-
tion my name in connection with any office whatever. I have come to Dal-
las with no such purpose. I want the good people of Dallas county to let
me enjoy the sweets of private life on the mellifluous waters of the classic
'Coon, the one great object I had in coming here. Yes, sir, yes, let me
hunt the bear, the elk, the deer, and trap the pretty fur-coated tribes of the
woods and waters, and office may go begging for me.' Squire Corbell
could hardly see how it was possible to comply, and would not promise
Squire Babb. They drank again, they mounted and parted with a wave of
the hands."
We see by the recital of this little incident by what means, in two. many
cases, office, popularity and position were gained even by those who were
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 303
utterly unworthy of any such public trust; and honesty and candor compel
the statement that, in this regard, very little if any change for the better
has occurred even until the present day.
Though, perhaps, not practiced so openly and above board, yet the deadly
deceitful work of the evil practice still prevails.
Too long and shamefully that accursed fiend of intoxication- has been the
means of placing in many of our important offices of State and positions
of public trust, men who were utterly unqualified and unworthy, to the de-
triment and disgrace and threatened ruin of our cherished government.
May the day speedily come when this destructive, deadly fiend shall be
robbed of his power, and when public men and officers shall be measured in
the campaign, and at the ballot box, not only by their intellectual qualifica-
tions and statesmanship, but also by their firm adherence to the strict prin-
cipals of temperance in all its forms, and when society shall demand the
same of all its members, male or female, high or low.
But we are deviating, and already with regard to many of these inci-
dents and occurrences have been anticipating as to dates, we must there-
fore turn to other items equally interesting and important under the early
history of the county, which are, perhaps, of a somewhat different charac-
ter; and the aim hereafter will be, as nearly as possible, to weave the
various items and events in their chronological order.
ORGANIZATION.
With regard to the origin of dividing individual States into county and
township organizations, which, in an important measure, should have the
power and opportunity of transacting their own business and governing
themselves, under the approval of, and subject to, the State and general
government of which they each formed a part, we quote from Elijah M.
Haines, who is considered good authority on the subject.
In his "Laws of Illinois, Relative to Township Organizations," he says
the county system " originated with Virginia, whose early settlers soon be-
came large-landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living apart in almost
baronial magnificence on their own estates, and owning the laboring part
of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not at hand, the
voters being thinly distributed over a great area.
"The county organization, where a few influential men managed the whole
business of the community, retaining their places almost at their pleasure,
scarcely responsible at all, except in name, and permitted to conduct the
county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, was moreover conso-
nant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and social dignities
of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from whom the Virginia
gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1834 eight counties were organized in
Virginia, and the system, extending throughout the State, spread into all
the Southern States^ and some of the Northern States; unless we except
the nearly similar division into 'districts' in South Carolina, and that into
'parishes' in Louisana, from the French laws.
" Illinois, which, with its vast additional territory, became a county of Vir
ginia, on its conquest by Gen. George Eogers Clark, retained the county
organization, which was formalty extended over the State by the constitu-
tion of 1818, and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848.
" Under this system, as in other States adopting it, most local business was
304 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
transacted by those commissioners in each county, who constituted a county
court, with quarterly sessions.
"During the period ending with the constitution of 1847, a large por-
tion of the State had become filled up with a population of New England
birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied1
with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system. It was
maintained by the people that the heavily populated districts would always
control the election of the commissioners to the disadvantage of the more
thinly populated sections — in short that under that system, ' equal and
exact justice ' to all parts of the county could not be secured.
"The township. system had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates back to
1635.
" The first legal enactment concerning this system, provided that, whereas,
' particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the
ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of- business in their own town,'
therefore, ' the freeman of every town, or the majority part of them, shall
only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the
appurtenances of said town, to grant lots, and to make such orders as may
concern the well-ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws
and orders established by the General Court.'
"They might also (says Mr. Haines) impose fines of not more than
twenty shillings, and 'choose their own particular officers, as constables,
surveyors for the highways, and the like.'
" Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of munic-
ipal details, without any danger to the power of that body in controlling
general measures or public policy.
" Probably also a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt for the
control of their own home concerns.
" The New England colonies were first governed by a ' general court,' or
legislature, composed of a governor and a small council, which court con-
sisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised both
legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of
the holders.
They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and decided
civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and,
in fact, did all the public business of the colony.
" Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the first
constitution of Connectiut, adopted in 1639; and the plan of township*
organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficacy and
adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, became uni-
versal throughout New England, and went westward with the emigrants
from New England into New York, Ohio and other Western States."
Thus we find that the valuable system of county, township and town or-
ganizations had been thoroughly tried and proven long before there was
need of adopting it in Iowa, or any of the broad region west of the Missis-
sippi river. But as the new country soon began- to be opened, and as
eastern people continued to move westward across the mighty river, and
form thick settlements along its western shore, the Territory and State and
county and township and town organizations soon .followed in quick site-
cession, and these different systems became more or less modified and
improved, accordingly as deemed necessary by the experience and judg-
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 305
ment and demands of the people, until they have arrived at the present
stage of advancement and efficiency.
In the settlement of the Territory of Iowa the legislature began by
organizing counties on the Mississippi. As each new county was formed
it was made to include, under legal jurisdiction, all the country bordering
west of it, and required to grant to the occidental settlers electoral priv-
ileges and an equal share in the county government with those who prop-
erly lived in the geographical limit of the county. The counties first
organized along the eastern border of this State were given, for a short
time, jurisdiction over the lands and settlements adjoining each on the
west, until these different localities became sufficiently settled to support
organizations of their own; and finally, at the first session of the legisla-
ture, after the Indians sold out, the newly acquired territory, including all
Northwestern Iowa, was laid off into counties, provisions were made for
their respective organizations when the proper time should arrive, and
these were severally named.
Dallas was organized as a county, then, in pursuance of an act of the
State Legislature of Iowa, approved February 16, 1847. In order to com-
plete this organization, under the old Territorial law then in force, it was
necessary to elect three county commissioners, one county commissioners'
clerk, one clerk of district court, one treasurer and recorder, a sheriff, sur-
veyor, judge of probate, prosecuting attorney, coroner, sealer of weights
and measures, and a school fund commissioner, with the required number
of justices of the peace and constables. For this purpose, at the same ses-
sion of the legislature, a sheriff was duly appointed and a special election
was provided for, to be held on the first Monday of April, 1847, at which
the county officers and such justices of the peace and constables as might
be ordered by the organizing sheriff, should be elected. The county officers
elected under the provisions of this act were to hold their respective offices
until the first Monday of August, 1847, and the justices and constables
were to hold theirs until the first Monday of April, 1848.
Eli Smithson was appointed organizing sheriff, to hold office until his
successor was chosen, on Monday, the fifth day of April, 1847.
THE FIRST ELECTION
as thus provided for by law, was announced by the organizing sherift
issuing the following
PROCLAMATION:
I, Eli Smithson, being appointed organizing sheriff of Dallas county, in the State of
Iowa, by the legislature, to organize the county:
Now, therefore, I, Eli Smithson, sheriff aforesaid, do hereby proclaim and make known
that an election will be holden in said county on the first Monday of April, 1847, for the pur-
pose of electing three county commissioners, one county commissioners' clerk, one clerk of
district court, one treasurer and recorder, one sheriff', one county surveyor, one judge of
probate, one prosecuting attorney, one coroner, one sealer of weights and measures, one
school fund commissioner, one justice of the peace, and one constable;
And I Eli Smithson, do furthermore order and proclaim that 1 have named two polling
places in the said county, one to be at the house of W. W. Miller, and one to be at the
house of Henry Stump; ,.,,,,, „ •„ . j i • * i i j
And I further order and proclaim that the polls will be opened at nine o clock a.m., and
continue open until six p. m. at each of these polling places;
Three judges and two clerks of election will be chosen by the voters, who will be approved
20
306 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
by me. The said judges and clerks will make due return of said election to me, under seal,
within five days thereafter, and in this you will fail not, under penalty of the law.
Given under my hand this first day of March, 1847.
En Smitiison,
Organizing Sheriff.
There were two polling places named in the sheriff's proclamation, one
at the house of W. W. Miller, located at the edge of the prairie on the
north side of the road leading east, and about two miles distant from the
present site of Adel; and the other at the house of Henry Stump, situated
in what is now known as Van Meter township, the identical place now
owned and occupied by Eli Golden. These two places were the first polit-
ical battle grounds in the county. For the information and interest of the
reader we append copies of the original poll-books and election returns of
these two places of voting at the first election in Dallas county.
"Poll-book of an election held at the house of W. W. Miller, in Dallas
county. State of Iowa, on the first Monday, the 5th day of April, 1847.
William W. Miller, William Galway, Isaac Tribby and John Miller, judges
and clerks of election, were severally sworn by me, as the law directs, pre-
vious to their entering upon the discharge of the duties of their respective
offices.
" Samuel Miller,
" Judge of Election."
" Samuel Miller, judge of election, was sworn by me, as the law directs,
previous to entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office.
" William W. Miller,
"Judge of Election."
NAMES OF VOTERS.
Martin W. Miller, Samuel Miller, William W. Miller, William Galway,
Isaac Tribby, John Miller, Isaac Miller, Eli Miller — 8 votes.
The clerks and judges of election made their official returns to the organ-
izing sheriff, of the votes cast in this precinct, as follows:
District Clerk. — Samuel Miller, 2 votes; George S. Hill, 6 votes.
Commissioners. — W. W. Miller, 7 votes; Tristam Davis, 6 votes; John
Wright, 3 votes; Greenbury Coffin, 5 votes.
Sheriff. — Eli Smithson, 5 votes; Jesse K. Miller, 3 votes.
Assessor. — Isaac Miller, 2 votes.
Commissioners'' Clerk. — John Miller, 4 votes.
Surveyor. — Martin W. Miller, 4 votes.
Justice of the Peace. — J. C. Corbell, 4 votes; William Ellis, 3 votes.
"Certified by us, this fifth day of April, A. D. 1847.
" Isaac Tribby,
"Attest: "John Miller,
"Samuel Miller, uClerks of Election."
"William W. Miller,
"William Galway,
"Judges of Election."
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 307
" Poll-book of an election held at the house of Henry Stump, in Dallas
county, State of Iowa, on the first Monday, the fifth day^of April, A. D.
"George S. Hills, Henry Stump, Levi A. Davis and "William P. McCub-
bin, judges and clerks of an election, were severally sworn by me, as the
law directs, previous to their entering upon the discharge of their respective
offices.
"Archibald Ceowl,
"Judge of Election."
"Archibald Growl, judge of election, was sworn by me, as the law directs,
previous to his entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office.
"George S. Hills,
'■'•Judge of Election."
NAMES OF VOTERS.
Eli Smithson, James "Wright, John M. Davis, John Sharp, John Long-
mire, Jesse K. Miller, John Crowl, Shubal Haworth, James "W. Black,
William Ellis, James Moore,. Lewis Stump, Tristam Davis, Levi A. Davis,
William P. McCubbin, George S. Hills and Henry Stump — 17 votes.
The judges and clerks of election in this precinct made the following
returns to the organizing sheriff, under seal, within the specified time:
District Clerk. — Samuel Miller, 10 votes ; George S. Hills, 7 votes.
Commissioners. — -Tristam Davis, 17 votes ; Henry Stump, 9 votes ; Green-
bury Coffin, 7 votes; William W. Miller, 12 votes.
Sheriff. — Jesse K. Miller, 10 votes; Eli Smithson, 7 votes.
Recorder and Collector. — L. A. Davis, 13 votes; Samuel Miller, 1 vote.
Assessor (no such office yet) — Isaac Miller, 12 votes.
Commissioners'1 Clerk. — Samuel Miller, 9 votes; John Miller, 5 votes.
Constable.^Qeorge Haworth, 16 votes.
Justice of the Peace. — William Ellis, 15 votes ; J. C. Corbell, 9 votes.
Surveyor. — Samuel Miller, 1 vote.
"Certified by us this 5th day of April, A. D. 1847.
"Henry Stump,
"Attest: "George S. Hills,
"William P. McCubbin, "Archibald Crowl,
"L. A. Davis, "Judges of Election."
"Clerks of Election."
The above returns of said election being duly made to the organizing
sheriff, this official proceeded with the county canvass, it seems, without
calling to his assistance two justices of the peace, as required by law, and
gave the result in an abstract, of which the following is a copy:
State of Iowa, )
County op Dallas. J
Abstract statement of the whole number of votes given for county officers at a special elec-
tion in Dallas county, on the first Monday, the 5th day of April, A. D. 1847, wherein the sev-
eral places of holding said election are distinguished:
308
HISTORY OV DALLAS COUNTY.
NAMES OF CANDIDATES
District Clerk:
George S. Hills
Samuel Miller
Commissioners :
William W. Miller..
Tristam Davis
Greenbury Coffin. . . .
Henry Stump
John Wright
Assessor:
Isaac Miller
Clerk:
Samuel Miller
John Miller ,
Sheriff:
Jesse K. Miller
Eli Smithson
Recorder and Collector:
Levi A. Davis
Samuel Miller
Surveyor :
Margin W. Miller. . .
Samuel Miller
Justice of the Peace :
William Ellis
Joseph C. Corbell. . .
Constables :
George Haworth
&P.8
W. W.
Miller's
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State of Iowa, )
Dallas County. J
I, Eli Smithson, sheriff in and for Dallas county, do hereby certify that the above and fore-
going contains a true abstract of all the votes given in each precinct in this county, for county
officers, together with the names of persons voted for, as appears from the returns of the elec-
tion held in said county, on the 5th day of April, A. D. 1847.
Given under my hand this 12th day of April, 1847.
Eli Smithson,
Organizing Sheriff and Ex-offlcio Clerk of Dallas county, Iowa.
The two candidates for county commissioners' clerk each received nine
votes. Being a tie, neither one was elected, and their case, according to
law, must he determined by tot before the organizing sheriff.
For this purpose, the sheriff issued the following notice :
State of Iowa, |
Dallas County, j
To Samuel Miller,
Sir.— Whereas, at the election holden in Dallas county, on the first Monday of April,
1847, you and John Miller were a tie for the office of county commissioners' clerk; Now,
therefore, you will appear before me at my residence on the third Monday, the 19th day of
April, A. D. 1847, and there determine by lot your claims to the office.
Eli Smithson,
. .. ln . _ 10,_ Organizing Sheriff,
April 12, A. D. 1847. Dallas county, Iowa.
A copy of the above notice was served on each party, and they appeared
at the appointed time and place to meet the decision.
It appears that in this case there was no serious rival between the two
contestants, for by some mutual arrangement between John Miller and the
sheriff, the lot fell to Samuel Miller, and he was accordingly declared duly
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 309
elected to the office. He qualified, entered upon the duties of his new
office, and served out his full term as the first county commissioners' clerk
of Dallas county; and the first records now appear in his handwriting over
his official signature.
It will be noticed that there were only eight votes cast at the house of
William W. Miller, and seventeen at the house of Henry Stump, making
twenty-five votes, all told, as the total number cast at the first election in
Dallas county, and the entire population of the county at that time would
not number more, perhaps, than about seventy-five or eighty persons.
These were located in at least six different settlements, distributed around
at various points in the county, each a considerable distance from the
other; and yet they seemed much closer together in common sympathy and
fellowship, and better appreciated each other's value as neighbors, though
far apart, during their trials and deprivations of frontier life, than they
now do when closely packed and comfortably fixed in their elegant homes,
with all the modern improvements and conveniences of civilization.
The citizens were then generally quiet, industrious and peaceable with
one another. Occasional differences and disputes arose, which, in the main,
were soon overlooked, or forgotten on account of their necessary and mutual
dependence for aid and convenience, as well as for common defense in their
pioneer homes.
Dissensions and enmities, however, began to creep in gradually, as the
settlement progressed, and continued to increase in working mischief very
much in proportion as the settlement became more independently situated
and more exclusive in their devotion to self-interest and adi*ancement.
This unwelcome spirit of dissension began to manifest itself to the pub-
lic most clearly, perhaps, about the time the proclamation of the organ-
izing sheriff announced the organization of the county which would create
numerous offices to be filled from the ranks of first voters.
These offices, during the first term, of course, presented no great induce-
ment for being very eagerly sought after so far as salary was concerned;
but then they afforded positions of influence and preference, and they
might, in the near future, prove very convenient stepping-stones to more
lucrative and influential positions; beside, it was no mean thing to be
elected to fill the first offices created in the new county. In this regard
they afforded considerable inducement for being sought after by those who
were at all inclined toward official distinction, and they called forth numer-
ous aspirants.
At that time as well as now, doubtless, there was a good per cent of
worthy, influential citizens who, so far as their own desires for official posi-
tion were concerned, were entirely disinterested in the political canvass.
These persons sought no such positions for themselves, and would not
accept one if offered. Public applause and criticism were not at all cov-
eted by them. Nevertheless they were as deeply interested in the welfare
of the county as any other citizens, and had a decided preference for those
who should receive their votes. They desired to intrust the county gov-
ernment to efficient, trustworthy men, who were willing to assume the
responsibility, and capable of conducting it in an efficient and acceptable
manner; while they themselves were content to engage in some other
department of the county's progress, more congenial to their tastes and
dispositions. On the other hand, there were always enough of those who
would accept these official positions — more or less reluctantly or cheer-
310 HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
fully — if duly elected, or urged a little to fill them; so that it was soon
found the various offices were not sufficient to give each of the aspirants a
position. Evidently, some of these must gain the honored distinction,
while others must be left out, part of whom, doubtless, would be disap-
pointed not a little over their defeat. ■'
Who, then, of these various aspirants were the best qualified to fill these
several positions? Who had the most deserved claim on the public sup-
port? Who were the shrewdest political tricksters and wire-pullers?
Who, of all the number, could wield the most extended and effective influ-
ence, either by honorable or, it may be, by unfair means in securing the
majority vote. These, and many other questions of similar character,
would quite naturally arise, even in the minds of early settlers, as the
memorable first election day drew near, when they must each receive a
decisive answer at the ballot box.
One of the most spirited contests during this first political campaign
and" election in the county was between the two contestants for the office ot
sheriff, Eli Smithson and Jesse K. Miller.
From authentic accounts it is evident that this contest was spirited in
the double sense — not only in an earnest desire" on the part of each candi-
date to secure the position in question, but also in the free and plentiful
use of ardent spirits to court favor with a certain class on election day.
While this spirited way of gaining influence on any occasion is not at all
commendable on the part of the one resorting to it, yet it is conceded that,
on this occasion at least, it not only caused considerable diversion at the
polls, but was J;he undoubted means of securing the majority of one vote
for Jesse K. Miller, and of thus handing his name down to posterity as the
first regularly elected sheriff of Dallas county, and ex-officio assessor.
By some misunderstanding, the same day Isaac Miller was elected county
assessor without any opposition, by fourteen votes. There being no such
office authorized yet in the county the duties pertaining to it were turned
over to the sheriff elect, and that position was not filled by a separate
officer for some time afterward. No school-fund commissioner was chosen
either at this time.
From the foregoing table of election returns it is apparent, also, that
George S. Hills was the first district clerk of Dallas county. He came to
this county May 18, 1847, and settled in what is now Adams township, on
section ten (10), where he still lives, an estimable citizen, enjoying the ben-
efits of the old homestead in his declining years, an energetic, industrious,
conscientious man, and generous neighbor.
The first county commissioners elected in this county were William W.
Miller, Tristram Davis and Greenbury Coffin. Two of these are still liv-
ing, in ripe old age.
Mr. Miller is one of the very oldest settlers now living in the county,
it being nearly thirty-three* years since his arrival, on February 25, 1846.
Having disposed of the old homestead, he now lives around among his
children.
For a long time he took an active part in public affairs, and has proven
to be one of the county's greatest benefactors, especially during her earlier
years of trial and discouragement. His name will appear frequently here-
after in connection with the county's history.
Mr. Davis remained a valuable and honorable citizen of this county, in
what is now Adams township, from the spring of 1846 until, several years
HISTORY OF DALLA8 COUNTY. 311
ago, he sold out and moved to Benton county, Arkansas, where he now
resides, peaceful and prosperous.
Greenbury Coffin, who also came in 1846, lived a few years in this
county, within the present limits of Boone township, when he moved to
Mahaska county, and soon afterward died.
The first county surveyor of Dallas county was Martin W. Miller, who
was also among the earliest settlers. During his term of office he, by his
deputy, Alfred D. Jones, of Des Moines, made the original survey and
plat of the county seat as they were accepted by the board of county com-
missioners at their following July meeting, and now appear on the records
over his official signature.
The first justice of the peace regularly elected by the vote of the county
was William Ellis, who, with his widowed mother, settled within the pres-
ent limits of Van Meter township in the spring of 1846, where he lived
many years, and during that time was intrusted with several official posi-
tions, the duties of which he invariably discharged with credit to himself
and fidelity to his constituents. He afterward removed from the county to
Oregon, where he now resides.
Before him, however, Joseph C. Corbell had been appointed to that office
by proper authority, to serve until the organization of the county was
effected. He was also the defeated candidate for the same office at this
first election, but was afterward appointed and duly constituted a justice
of the peace by the board of county commissioners at their first meeting,
on the first Monday of May, 1847, to hold office until the first Monday of
April, 1848. This was a special meeting, and the appointment of Corbell
to that office was about the first business transacted by this newly elected
board.
During his residence in the county he filled several important offices with
faithfulness and honesty. An early settler and a worthy citizen for many
years, he finally moved away in 1852 and died in Oregon not long ago.
George Haworth, the first Dallas county bridegroom, was also the first
duly elected constable, and is thus honored with these two significant titles
to be recorded in the county's early history. He came to this county
among the first pioneers, settling in what is now Van Meter township,
where he has lived for a long period of years as an industrious, genial,
well-to-do farmer, until a few years ago he purchased and settled on the
Scovell farm, two miles north of Adel, as before related.
Eli Smithson, the organizing sheriff, came from Wayne county, Indiana,
and made his first home in Iowa in Jefferson county, in 1843. From there
he moved to Fort Des Moines, where he lived a while and then came to
Dallas county among her earliest settlers. By his first wife he was son-in-
law of W. W. Miller. Some years after her death he married Mrs. Emma
Ocherman, August 7, 1851, and on the 30th day of the same month he was
buried in the " Miller graveyard," east of Adel.
The above concise sketches of the first officers are here given, as these
men were so intimately connected, at the beginning, with the general gov-
ernment and political machinery of the'county, and on this account some
repetition of statement regarding them becomes necessary.
We would be glad to give full and minute sketches, not only of the first
officers elect, but also of the various candidates and voters of this first elec-
tion- but the statistics regarding all of them cannot now be secured, and
312 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTT.
the limited space alloted us would not permit without crowding out more
important and interesting matter.
Besides, this does not come within the limits of the special work assigned
us, but properly belongs further on under the department of Biographical
Sketches, where an abundance of these are found, prepared by men who
have that special work in charge.
The reader will please pardon and bear patiently with us if, under this
department, he or she shall find occasional sketches of men who have been
prominent in the public life of the county, for these must sometimes occur
in order to properly complete the work. And if any indications of partial-
ity should appear where, in your estimation, some persons may be presented
a little too prominently, while others, more worthy, are not mentioned, rest
assured that it is entirely unintentional on our part, and is caused from
want of full and definite information regarding each individual settler,
which it is impossible to secure at this late date.
Please do not presume to think that we esteem these public men and
officers, by any means the only and greatest benefactors of the county. For
there are, doubtless, many in the quiet, private walks of life who have
accomplished, perhaps, more for the general welfare and prosperity than
any of these mentioned as figuring so prominently in public affairs.
Bemember it is these public men, who are made public by your own
votes and influence, with whom we have to deal, principally, in this work.
And if any of these have not proven worthy of the several positions in
which you have placed them, the failure certainly cannot be set to our
account. While to those who have proven worthy of the public trust com-
mitted to them we delight to render their just and equitable dues, and
beseech you, as faithful citizens, to exercise diligent precaution in the
future, and endeavor always to place such trustworthy men in charge of
your public affairs as will render a satisfactory account of that which you
commit to them.
"We simply take the limited, imperfect account of these public men as
we find it on record, or in .the jumbled casket of general information, and,
having linked the facts in a connected chain of narrative, as best we could
under these embarrassing circumstances, return the result to you for just
what it is worth, trusting that you will peruse carefully, and criticise
sparingly.
COUNTY SEAT.
The next important step taken in the general order of progress was
the location and establishment of the county seat of justice. This was also
duly provided for by an act passed by the first session of the State legisla-
ture which was approved February 16, 1847; and the board of locating
commissioners thus appointed for this purpose consisted of Messrs. William
Wear and William Canfield, of Polk, and Lysander W. Babbit, of Marion
county.
They were required to meet on the first Monday of May, 1847, or within
thirty days afterward, at such time as the majority should decide to be
most convenient.
The place of meeting was also designated in the act of legislature as
Hickory, an imaginary point honored with the title of a town, but the real
location of which is not now, and probably never was, definitely known.
If it ever had a location at all it is thought to have been in the vicinity of
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 313
the angle at the junction of the Hickory Creek and North Kaccoon timber-
belts, just north of the residence of C. Squires, and only a few miles north-
west of the present site of the county seat.
Instead of meeting at this place as directed, however, the locating com-
missioners met in May, 1847, at the house of one of the county
commissioners, that of W. W. Miller, a short distance east of the present
site of Adel, and from that place of meeting they proceeded to their
appointed work.
They were not long selecting and agreeing upon the spot, and the final
result was, they located the county seat on the east half of the southwest
quarter, and the west half of the southeast quarter of section twenty-nine
(29), township seventy-nine (79), north of range twenty-seven (27), west
of the fifth principal meridian. The county surveyor, Martin W. Miller,
by his deputy, Alfred D. Jones, of Des Moines, as previously stated, then
proceeded to lay off" and plat the chosen site of Dallas county's seat of
justice, which work was completed on the 22d day of May, A. D. 1847.
The board of county commissioners held their first regular meeting in
July, 1847, at which only two members appeared, W. W. Miller and Tris-
tam Davis, whose names appear in the record of the proceedings, Greenbury
Coffin being absent; before that, as will be remembered, the board held at
least one special meeting, at which one justice of the peace had been
appointed, and other business transacted.
At this first regular meeting, however, the survey and plat made by the
county surveyor, as above mentioned, was accepted; and at the suggestion
of the deputy surveyor, A. D. Jones, the newly established county seat was
named Penoach, an Indian word, meaning, in English, "far away." The
name of the new town was spelled and pronounced in various ways by the
settlers, according to their individual fancy, such as Panoach, Paneuch,
Pincook, Penoachaway, etc., but the mode of spelling most generally set-
tled on was the first mentioned, Penoach, pronounced Pen-nii'-ch.
For the purpose of christening the place, the board then issued the fol-
lowing order:
Ordered, That the survey and plat of the seat of justice of Dallas county be accepted and
approved, and that it be named Penoach ; and it is further ordered that the streets and alleys
be deeded to the public, and that the public square is hereby held and reserved for a court-
house site.
Accordingly, on the same day, the streets and alleys were deeded to the
public by the county commissioners, and the court-house square was re-
served, and, on July 5th, 1847, the deed was duly acknowledged before Jos.
C. Corbell, Esq.
About two years afterward, in the fall of 1849, a petition was granted by
Judge McKay — then of the District Court in the Fifth Judicial District —
changing the name of Penoach to Adel,'which name it still retains, in honor
of "a very pretty child with a prettier mother"; and we may well add, it
is a beautiful name for an enterprising city, in a lovely location, in an ex-
cellent county, in this beautiful State of Iowa.
The county was thus far organized, and the county-seat established, with-
out meeting with any serious difficulty; but the most trying ordeals were
yet to be passed.
There being as yet no funds in the new county treasury with which to
pay the deputy-surveyor for his labors, and defray other necessary expenses,
the amount was promptly advanced from the private funds of W. W. Miller
314 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
and Eli Smithson, and the new town site was ready for settlement. A
serio'us trial, however, was soon to be met in the shape of further financial
embarrassment, which was not so easily disposed of as the former mentioned,
and for a while threatened to deprive the county of its cherished treasure
and seat of justice.
The " town quarter " soon came into market, and the county was entirely
devoid of money with which to enter it, so that for awhile it seemed almost
impossible to procure the required amount from any source. It is true they
all realized that in. the rich soil, the valuable water-power and the concealed
mineral products of the county, there was doubtless the equivalent of great
wealth, a very limited per cent of which, if converted into cash, would pur-
chase county-seat sites for all the counties in the State at the current prices
of wild land here in those days.
But the great difficulty in the case arose from the fact that scarcely any
of this abundant wealth had yet become available. Very little had found
its way into private pocket-books, and none at all into the county treasury
fund. The circulating medium of Dallas county, in this its infancy, was
not at all cumbrous. A dollar was a dollar in those days, and there was no
occasion for quarrelling or quibbling over hard or soft money questions.
It was all hard enough to get, and soft enough to pass again quite as
readily.
But the "town quarter " must be entered and paid for from some source.
In this extremity the board of county commissioners undertook to raise the
required amount by pledging the town lots in Penoach, and failing in this
attempt, they next offered to give county warrants in security for the
money, but all to no avail.
The only hope now was to raise it from individual funds or personal
securities on private lands. This last plan finally proved a success, and the
land in question was secured through the timely aid and generous, noble
act of W . W. Miller, who mortgaged his homestead to the school-fund, and
procured the money in time to secure the property.
Dr. J. E. Mills was then hurried off to the land-office at Iowa City, to
enter the illustrious " town quarter " for the county, and succeeded in mak-
ing the entry January 4th, 1851, in his own name, but afterward deeded the
site to the county, January 27th, 1851, and a lot in the county-seat was then
deeded to said Mills for this service, by the board of county commissioners.
Surely, Dallas county can never esteem too highly, nor cherish too grate-
fully, the liberal, self-sacrificing conduct of W. w. Miller, in thus coming
so promptly and nobly to her rescue in such a perilous time of need.
On July 9th, 1851, O. D. Smalley surveyed the " out-lots," which in-
cluded all that portion of the town quarter not embraced in the original
survey of May 22d, 1847; and the town plat was filed for record on Sep-
tember 9th, 1851, about seven months after the land was entered and deeded
to the county, and more than four years after the town was located and the
original survey made.
THE FIRST LOT FUND AGENCY.
Thomas Butler, who came into this county with George P. Garroutte in
1847, was duly appointed as the first Lot Fund Agent by the Board of
County Commissioners in Jnly of the same year, by the following order: .
HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 315
Ordered, That Thomas Butler be, and is hereby appointed, Lot Fund Agent of Dallas
county, to make sale of the town lots in Penoach, to receive the money paid in on the sale of
lote and to execute bonds for deeds to purchasers on payment of deferred payments; and he
is hereby required to give bonds in the penal sum of one thousand dollars for the faithful dis-
charge of his duties as such, to be approved by the Clerk of the Board before entering upon
the discharge of the duties of his office.
This gentleman first settled a little northwest of Adel, near Butler's
branch, from whom the stream derived its name.
He figured quite largely in politics, occasionally exercising his powers
by preaching when a favorable opportunity offered, and, for a while, was
quite popular.
But it soon became known that he had left Missouri suddenly, because
of some important financial troubles, and had sought refuge in these parts
in hope of bettering his financial condition and of being freed from the in-
timacy of his exacting creditors.
But the improvement was not lasting. He soon lost the confidence of
the board of commissioners and received from them a polite but very ur-
gent invitation to resign his office as Lot Fund Agent, which he did, and
left the county after only a few years' residence in it, forgetting, however,
to make good an important deficit in his official account, and moved else-
where, doubtless only to impose upon some other peaceable community.
Under the said Butler's agency, on October the 6th, 1847, were sold the
first lots in Penoach, as shown in the following table:
PURCHASERS' NAMES.
Lot.
Block.
1. W. W. MiUer
2. EliSmithson
3. Stephen K. Scovell.
4. W. W. Miller
5. EliSmithson
6. Samuel Miller
7. Stephen K. Scovell.
8. Eli Miller
9. Joseph C. Corbell..
1
17
8
13
8
8
8
17
6
13
4
10
5
9
4
19
5
8
The lots sold went at a low price, there being .but few bidders, and as
there Were not many persons then desiring to purchase, the sale was closed
and the further disposition of the remaining lots was left with the Lot
Fund Agent under the supervision of the county commissioners, but for a
number of years a very small per cent of them was disposed of, and those-
that were sold went on credit, a very small per cent being received in cash
and the rest in notes on long time.
Upon lot 5, block 8, J. C. Corbell, in the fall of 1847, erected the first
building in Penoach. It was a log house built and used for the double
purpose of a dwelling and a post-office, the owner himself being both the
first occupant and the postmaster, and George P. Garroutte has the honor
of hauling the logs with which the house was built.
Ira Sherman was the first merchant in Penoach; but he is saidto have
carried too small a stock of goods, and too large a margin on profits to be-
able to transact a very extensive or profitable business.
These items of the first settlement and early business of Penoach will be-
more properly and fully noticed further on in the work under the history
of Adel.
316
HISTOKT OF DALLAS COUNTY.
THE FIKST ASSESSMENT.
Under the Territorial statutes which were also continued in force, after
the admission of the State into the Union, until July 1st, 1851, the sheriffs
were ex-officio assessors, and were required to perform the duties of both
•offices. Jesse K. Miller being the first duly elected sheriff of this county,
also became responsible for the transaction of the business pertaining to
the office of accessor, which duty he faithfully performed during the spring
of 1847, at the rate of one dollar per day.
The county being very new, and comparatively little improvements yet
being made, the duties of the assessor were not very cumbrous.
The principal amount of personal property subject to taxation, consisted
of cattle, horses, wagons, and occasional lots of hogs.
There were two or three flocks of sheep, a few time pieces and several
guns, but there was only one case found where a man had money at interest,
and that only to the amount of $30 (thirty dollars), by Humphey Smith,
who was perhaps the first money-loaner in the county. The result of this
first assessment is shown in the following table:
Horses.
Cattle.
•a
> »
WagonB
Hogs.
Sheep.
Time
Pieces.
Wright, John
Sharp, John
Tribby, Isaac
Black, James
Gal way, Wm
Smalley, O. D
Lott, Henry —
Griffin, franklin...
Spear, John
Scovell, S. K
Spear, David
Turner, James
Noah, David
Ramsey, Samuel . . .
Busick, William
Boone, Wm. D.. ..
Smith, Humphrey
Peabody, Lovel ....
Miller, Jesse K
$125
5
$ 193 3
1
160
120
$ 100
85
20
$ 10
$2875
10
$ 18
$ 629 76
69 00
69 00
20 00
8100
100 00
18100
105 00
180 00
8100
16100
113 00
60 00
309 00
195 00
98 00
100 00
Total 13 $606$ 30110 g 225|77 $ 875 14|$ 440 46$ 82 27 $3375 2 $ 5 10 8 77 $ 2403 76
"Assessment by Jesse E. Miller, Sheriff of Dallas county, June the 12th, A . D. 1847. For services five dayi,
$5.00; to making whole amount of property, $1.00; whole, $6.00.
JESSE K. MILLER, Slteriff.
.The above table, showing the result of the first assessment, together with
the preceding returns of the first election which had been held a little more
than two months previous, gives the reader a very fair idea of the limited
population and improvements of the county at that time.
No crop had yet been harvested or gathered, except, perhaps, a little sod-
corn and garden truck the preceding year, and about all the settlers had
was what they had brought with them when moving here.
THE SECOND ELECTION
In Dallas county was held on the first Monday of August, 1847, at which
time the four months term of each of the first county offices expired, and
these offices were now to be filled :
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
317
Besides this, three new officers were to be elected, a judge of probate, a
coroner and a sealer of weights and measures.
In the meantime the board of county commissioners had changed the
places of voting from two to one place, and thus required the entire vote of
the county to be cast at one place, called Dallas precinct, at the house of
Henry Stump, by issuing the following order:
1 Ordered, That the August election, of 1847, be held at the house of Henry Stump, in Dal-
las precinct, Dallas county, Iowa, and that the clerk give due notice.
At this election, there were nineteen votes cast to twenty-five in April,
showing a decrease of six votes in four months, which was caused chiefly,,
perhaps, because some of the voters being otherwise engaged in improve-
ment, failed to go to the polls, and was not on account of any decrease in
the population, though the increase of that had been quite limited during
this time.
NAMES OF VOTERS.
John Wright, James Wright, J. C. Oorbell, Henry Garner, William W.
Miller, Peter Groseclose, Martin W. Miller, Jesse K. Miller, Archibald
Crowl, James Moore, Eli Smithson, Tristam Davis, George Haworth, Dan-
iel Stump, Lewis Stump, Levi A. Davis, Henry Stump, James Black and
G-reenbury Coffin — 19 votes.
The .judges of election were — Archibald Crowl, Henry Stump and J. C.
Corbell. And the clerks of election were — Greenbnry Coffin and Noah
Staggs.
The following table shows the names of the candidates in the second
election ; and also of those elected to the respective offices, as indicated in
the majority column opposite each successful candidate's name:
NAMES OP CANDIDATES
No. of
Votes
Major-
ity
11
11
7
7
4
8
8
8
4
4
17
17
IS
18
6
6
6
6
7
7
County Commissioners :
Noah Staggs
John Sharp (an alien)
W.W.MiTler
O.D.Smalley .'
Clerk:
S.K.Scovell
District Clerk:
S. K\ Scovell
Noah Staggs
Treasurer and Recorder:
J. C. Corbell
Sheriff:
Eli Smithson
Judge of Probate :
Samuel Miller
Coroner :
Martin W. Miller
Sealer of Weights and Measures :
Archibald Crowl
According to law, the candidate for county commissioner receiving the
highest number of votes was elected to that office for three years; the next
for two years; and the third for one year, which secured the election of a
318 HISTOBT OF DALLAS COUNTY.
new commissioner each succeeding year, and retained two of the experi-
enced members on the board all the time. John Sharp being an alien, and
therefore ineligible to hold office, was counted out of the canvass by the
board of election, which left Noah Staggs with the highest vote, and, there-
fore duly elected for the term of three years, being the first one to receive
that honor in the county. The remaining two candidates being a tie cast
lots, as the law provided, and the result was, "W". W. Miller stood elected
for the term of two years, and O. D. Smalley for the remaining term of
one year.
The first Judge of Probate in the county, therefore, was Samuel Miller.
' The first Sealer of Weights and Measures was Archibald Crowl, and the
first Coroner was Martin W. Miller.
At the very commencement of his political career in the county, Stephen
K. Scovell was honored, at this election, with the two important offices and
clerkships — clerk of the District Court and clerk of the board of connty
commissioners.
J. C. Corbell was elected Treasurer and Recorder by the next to the
largest vote cast; and Eli Smithson was elected Sheriff this time by the
highest vote, receiving every one cast for that office, without any spirited
contest or opposition.
No prosecuting attorney or school fund commissioner had yet been elected
as named in the original proclamation of the organizing sheriff, as neces-
sary for the complete organization of the county.
There was thus far no special need for them, and when the demand for
them came these offices were soon regularly filled. At this election there
was no special excitement, or opposition worthy of mention.
. THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT.
On the 6th day of September, 1847, the first District Court of Dallas
county was held at the house of W. W. Miller, a day and an occasion that
ought to be long and fondly cherished in memory by the peaceable citizens
of Dallas county, not on account of the amount of business then transacted,
but because of the fact that there was not a case on the docket, no tangly
disputes nor spiteful quarrels to be adjusted, and as a consequence very few
lawyers were in attendance.
„ The legal profession would not see it in this light, most likely, but it
certainly indicated a healthy state of society and morals in the county.
There being yet no court-house, or public buildings erected for such pub-
lic gatherings, and the transaction of county business, the more convenient
and commodious private dwellings were freely thrown open by the owners,
to be used in welcome on all such occasions.
The Judge of the Fourth Judicial District of Iowa, Hon. James P.
Charlton, of Iowa City, presided. S. K. Scovell was clerk and Eli Smith-
son, sheriff.
THE FIRST GRAND JURY
Impaneled in Dallas county consisted of John Longmire, Levi Wright,
Uriah Stotts, Archibald Crowl, Henry Stump, Shubal Haworth, James
Black, David Spear, O. D. Smalley, John Spear, John Wright, Greenbury
Coffin, Henry Garner, John Miller, George Haworth and Eli Miller, mak-
. ing seventeen in all, and taking nearly all the voters in the county.
HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 319
David Spear was foreman of the jury, Martin W. Miller was bailiff, and
William McKay was appointed special prosecuting attorney, pro tern.
The grand jury being duly sworn and charged by the court, were then
conducted by the bailiff to their place of meeting under the shade of a large
hickory tree near at hand where, furnished with the very best seats and
conveniences their new and commodious jury-room could afford, they were
prepared to take counsel together concerning the various breaches of law
and order, and heartless betrayals of trust that might be brought before
them. But, as already stated, they failed to find any indictments, and no
cases appear on the record of this first term of the District Court. In all
probability, however, that condition of things has never been allowed to
occur from that day to this in this county.
There being no county seal, the court ordered that the '' eagle side of a
twenty-five cent piece of American coin " be the temporary seal of Dallas
county, until a proper one should be provided, and the court adjourned the
same day.
This court was maintained at the expense of the United States govern-
ment, and therefore had both federal and local jurisdiction. This fact
makes the short session and sudden adjournment all the more singular,
since, if the various members had felt so disposed, they easily might have
found business of sufficient importance to have continued the sitting for at
least one week, and thus each have been entitled to draw from the govern-
ment a handsome amount for fees — which elsewhere has not nnfrequently
occurred on similar occasions — and the amount thus received doubtless
would have come very handy at that time for pocket change among both
lawyers and jurors.
But this court seemed to have no such unfair desires. It was for the
transaction of business they had assembled, and when they found none
they adjourned until a more fitting season, and returned to their peaceful
pursuits of industry.
But after the adjournment of court a most important event was to tran-
spire before separating to go, each his respective way — an event in which
every one present undoubtedly was most intensely interested. The whole-
souled host, Mr. W. W. Miller, through the faithful labors and culinary
accomplishments of the ladies of the household, displayed his generous
hospitality on this occasion by giving a free and bountiful dinner to the
court, the jury, and all the attendants. It is needless to say that all par-
took bountifully of this generous favor, with a rare relish, and in return
duly signified their feelings of gratitude by a display of marvelous capac-
ity on the part of each guest for hiding beneath the suits of homespun
the choice viands amply loading the groaning table.
JUDGE JAMES P. CHARLTON.
It appears that to be a good performer on the violin was one of the prac-
tical accomplishments characteristic of a good, or at least a popular, judge
in those days — since Hon. James P. Charlton, like Hon. Joseph "Williams,
of Muscatine, judge of the second judicial district of Iowa Territory, and
various other such prominent officials were all fine fiddlers and great jokers.
We would be glad to give here a full sketch of Judge Charlton, but are
unable to obtain the necessary statistics, having nothing at hand concerning
320 HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
him that would be of importance to the reader, except the following short
sketch from the pen of Judge L. D. Burnes, which says:
" Judge James P. Charlton had a good, big heart, overflowing with wit,
humor, benevolence and magnanimity. He was, withal, a very fine per-
former on the violin, as was also Jefferson, and the great astronomer,
Herschel. He used to while away many happy, fleeting inoments in the
bosom of friends, with his favorite instrument in hand, while on his rounds
of official duty. •
"He and old Jerry Church often met at the house of their mutual
friend, Dr. Brooks, of Polk county, to play together. They were a trio of
amateur performers on the grand old instrument, that would cause the
hearts of miserable misanthropes to beat with a momentary philanthropy."
He figured somewhat prominently in political and public affairs during
the last years of the Territorial and the first years of the State government.
He was Johnson county's representative in the house at the Sixth Legis-
lative Assembly of Iowa Territory, which convened at Iowa City, Decem-
ber 4, 1843, and adjourned February 16, 1844.
By that body was conferred on him the distinguished honor of being
elected speaker of the House, December 5, 1843, in which position he is
said to have displayed excellent abilities as an expert parliamentarian, and
a ready, impartial presiding officer.
After the organization and admission of the State of Iowa into the
Union, under the constitution of 1846, he was elected the first judge of
the fourth judicial district, April 5, 1847; was commissioned April 27,
only about four months before holding the term of court in Dallas county
above mentioned — being, perhaps, his first experience as presiding judge.
At the expiration of his term of office he was re-elected, April 5, 1852,
and resigned in 1853. Judge Charlton's home was in Iowa City, where he
had a beautiful one situated in the east side of the city, near the limits,
with quite a ' large tract of pasture and garden lands adjoining it, and all
finely improved and tastefully arranged for comfort and convenience. For a
long time it was one of the very finest residences in the city.
But, as is the case with all these beautiful homes, the owners are per-
mitted to enjoy them only for a brief period, at most, during the average
lifetime. And so from this one Judge Charlton has long since been called
away, never again to return, leaving it to the enjoyment of others. His
family still continued to remain there, enjoying the comforts it afforded,
until a few years ago, when, we believe, the old homestead finally passed
into the hands of strangers, and the former inmates moved away.
THE LOST RECORDS.
It appears the minutes of this District Court of Dallas county were lost
by the clerk, and had to be restored by hiin from memory, as they now ap-
pear in the first minute book, without the signature of the court.
The occurrence of this little circumstance furnished a practical joke which
was richly enjoyed by the entire community for many years, and is by no
means forgotten even now by the older settlers who are still living, and others
who have so often heard them relate it. But for the younger inhabitants and
later arrivals in the county, as well as to many of the older ones, it will,
perhaps, be of interest to have the principal facts in the case narrated again
in this connection.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 321
It seems there was " a girl in this case," living over in the vicinity of the
Des Moines river, a number of miles from here, whose personal attraction
and superior worth— in the estimation of the district clerk — proved to be
the cause of this peculiar mishap. Indeed, Scovell had become so intensely
interested in that direction as to fondly entertain the firm conviction that
the pleasure derived from a fe'w hours passed in her company under her
bewitching smiles, was well worth the tramp of twenty miles on foot through
sloughs and marshes, over the pathless prairies and woodlands.
Soon after the adjournment of District Court, impelled by his heart-long-
ings, he set out on such a trip to fulfill a previous engagement with his fair
one. There being no book or desk yet procured in which to record or keep
the minutes of the court, and as the entire record of proceedings only filled
a few pages of common fools-cap paper, the clerk found it most convenient
to drop this document in his pocket, among other papers, for safe keeping,
and at once dismissed the matter from his mind, to meditate on much more
endearing themes, and so started off for that cherished spot on the banks of
the Des Moines, where the sunlight of love beamed most fondly for him.
He is described by those who knew him as being a fair scholar and busi-
ness man, with a reasonable amount of common sense; gallant and prompt
in all his engagements with the fair sex; no special friend of hard work;
but a fine sleeper, an excellent judge of good victuals, and the butt of
many practical jokes among his various associates. In his manner and gen-
eral appearance, he was impulsive, yet inoffensive; tall, slender, high-heaaed,
with " lips pursed up and protuding as if puffing vacant air "; always wear-
ing a " plug hat " perched on the back part of his head, with one hand
stroking his beard and the other the front part of his waist-coat. He was
rather excitable, a trifle giddy and not a little absent-minded on certain
occasions.
Imagine, then, such a man trudging along over these wild prairies on
such an enrapturing mission as his, with the ideal of his heart engrossiug
his mind, what room could be left for a thought of district court records
under such circumstances? The subject paramont with Scovell now was
the preparation of an acceptable docket for another court of a very differ-
ent character.
He traveled along successfully with the records of the first District
Court in his pocket, happy in his meditations, and finally became so ab-
sorbed in thought over the probable reception that awaited him by his
sweetheart as to grow utterly oblivious to all his immediate surroundings.
Thus neglecting to watch his route, and missing his foot-hold, he sud-
denly found himself sprawling in a deep little water drain, with his cherished
air-castles scattered to the four winds. With some difficulty he gathered
himself up and regained the dry land, thoroughly drenched, not a little
chagrined, and minus an important portion of the caudal appendage of his
best courting coat. Under such circumstances, a great many people would
find quite a natural desire to express their disapprobation of the situation
by the use of rather strong language; and it is said that even in this case
the unfortunate one did actually " give vent to a ' dod drat it ' or two " (per-
haps still stronger), and then went on his way a little more cautiously as to
his footsteps, with one coat tail drying in the wind, while the other part
still soaked in the ditch. .,.._.. , ... .. . . .
He reached his destination by nightfall, perhaps a little dampened in ar-
. 21
322 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
t
dor as well as in clothing, but furnished with an additional topic of interest
for the evening's conversation; transacted all the important business on the
docket for that session of circuit court, and the next day returned home
to Penoach to meditate over the general results of his wonderful adventure.
In a day or two, when he came to himself again, and began to take an
invoice of his general effects as stored in his pockets, to his dismay, he dis-
covered that the important document that was to perpetuate in memory the
proceedings of first District Court held in Dallas county was gone, and the
most diligent and careful search of the clerk utterly failed to secure the
lost records.
He retraced his steps over his former adventurous journey (and doubtless
improved this favorable opportunity of having another circuit court ses-
sion with his loved one), scanned the treacherous brook and winding way
with utmost care, but all to no avail.
The records were gone, and could only be restored by substituting a
copy from memory, which the clerk did at once, giving all the particulars,
but" could not restore the signature of the court, and they now appear
spread on the minute-book without signatures of judge or clerk.
That this important document may be preserved and read by future gen-
erations, who may feel interested in the records of the first Dallas county
court, we append a copy of the missing papers, as restored from memory
by the courting clerk and now appear on the record-book in the county
clerk's office, from which this copy was taken :
State of Iowa, ) Disthict Cotjbt, September Term, A. D. 1847.
Dallas County, j 8B-
At a District Court in and for said county of Dallas, in the State of Iowa, begun and held
at Penoach, the county seat of said Dallas county, on the sixth day of September, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven. Present, the Honorable
James P. Charlton, Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, in said State, Eli Smithson, Sher-
iff, and Stephen K. Scovell, Clerk.
And now, on this day, to-wit: the sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, comes into court the sheriff, and makes return of
the venire facias heretofore issued for grand jurors (this list of grand jurors is the same as
given above * * * *); who, being first sworn touching their qualifications to
serve as grand jurors, as the law directs, and all being good and lawful men, and the eourt
having appointed David Spear foreman of said grand jury, were then duly impaneled,
charged and sworn, retired m charge of Martin W. Miller, a. sworn officer for that purpose, to
. consider of such matters and things as might come to their knowledge according to their charge.
It appearing to the satisfaction of the court that there is no prosecuting attorney for the
said county of Dallas :
Ordered, by this court that William McKay be, and he is, hereby appointed special prose-
cuting attorney for said county of Dallas.
Ordered, by said court, that the eagle side of a twenty-five cent piece of American coin
shall be the temporary seal in and for the county of Dallas until a proper seal may be
provided for said county.
And after being absent for some time, the grand jury returned into court, to-wit: on the
sixth day of September, 1847, and through their foreman informed said court that they had
no bills or presentments to make, and that they had no further business to engage their
attention. It is therefore ordered by said court that said grand jury be discharged.
Ordered, that this court now adjourn sine die.
PETIT JUEY.
The first petit jury chosen in Dallas county, of which we find any record,
was impaneled September the 21st, 1852, in the case of
James B. Huston )
v. >■ Damages. $5.
William C. Huston. )
HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY. 323
and consisted of the following named persons: Samuel Miller, W. W-
Miller, Chelsea Shelton, Stephen Mount, James Laverton, M. C. Thomas,
Enos Williams, Isaac Ellis, John Mount, Elijah Miller, O. D. Smalley
and L. D. Burnes.
The above named jury, with the exceptional change of one man, Isaac
Ellis for Levi "Wright, sat on all the jury cases during this term of the
District Court, and " all being good and lawful men, who being duly elected
and sworn to try the issue joined between the parties, after hearing the evi-
dence and all the matters touching the same, returned to consider of and
upon their verdict," and being absent sometime on each case returned into
court just and satisfactory verdicts.
THE FIEST SCHOOL.
During the winter of 1847-8 the first school-house was built, and in it
the first school was taught in Dallas county. This was altogether a pri-
vate enterprise, carried on by W. W. Miller at his own expense. At the
same time it was free for all who desired to send their children and share
in the benefits derived from the new enterprise.
Stephen K. Scovell was employed as the teacher, and, therefore, to his
former list of pioneer honors must also be added this important one of
being the first school teacher in the county. As a recompense for these
labors he received eight dollars per month and board, for a term of three
months.
In keeping with the average improvements of that date in these parts,
this first school-house was a log cabin, perhaps sixteen feet square, with a
clapboard roof, puncheon floor, puncheon seats, puncheon desks, and a sod-
and-stick chimney which stood outside the building.
In this fire-place, which occupied nearly one end of the house entire, a
great fire was built of logs and dry limbs of trees, which was kept blazing
all the day long for the comfort of the inmates, some of whom had come,
perhaps, for long distances through the cold and snow to lay the foundation
of their future education in this pioneer school-cabin, and by those very
trials and hardships learned lessons of experience which proved eminently
useful to them during all their lives.
In order that it might not be all darkness within, a log was cut out on
either side and a kind of elongated window was formed about one by ten
or twelve feet in size.
A row of small pins placed in the logs around the insides in each chim-
ney-corner, on which to hang their hats and bonnets and extra wrappings,
constituted the wardrobe.
A door made of puncheons and hung on wooden hinges, closed the en-
trance against the rain and cold, and the new school-house was finished,
furnished and ready for use.
It was truly a rough-looking structure as compared with the more ele-
gant ones of the present day. Nevertheless it was quite convenient and
comfortable, and withal it was a most important institution which, aside
from the instruction received in the private household, afforded the first
and only educational advantages in the county, there being as yet no gen-
eral provision made by the county for public schools.
324 HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
THE FIEST CHURCH.
The first sermon preached in the county was by Rev. Thompson Bird, a
Presbyterian minister of Fort Des Moines, sometime during the year 1846.
"We have not been able to ascertain the exact location where this important
service occurred, nor the exact date of its occurrence.
Very soon after this, and during the same year, Rev. Wm. Busick, a
Radical Protestant Methodist minister, then occupying a circuit including
Port Des Moines and the surrounding country, came into this county and
preached in the house of James Black, in what is now Van Meter town-
ship, and soon afterward organized a small class in that vicinity.
The first church regularly organized in the county was a Christian
church, in the Miller school-house, soon after that cabin was completed, and
for a long time that pioneer cabin served the double purpose of a school-
house and church building until better accommodations were found.
This organization was effected by Elder John P. Glenn, with a member-
ship of eighteen persons. They had no cushioned seats or carpeted isles
and pews then, and no costly organs and elegantly finished churches; but
they rejoiced to meet together on the Sabbath and worship God in his sanc-
tuary, even though it were in the rough log cabin in the humble pioneer
home.
CLAIM CLUBS VERSUS CLAIM JUMPERS.
During the early settlement of all this portion of country, while the
different lands were being claimed and taken up, the greater part of the
first settlers banded themselves together for mutual protection in or-
ganizations called " claim clubs," to prevent the encroachment of land
speculators, "professional claim jumpers," and various kind of intruders
who had no intention of settling here and enduring their share of the
hardships and labor involved in opening up and improving a new country.
It was a perilous act for anyone outside of these claim clubs to take a
claim in any of the more desirable parts of the county lest he should settle
upon or interfere with some club-members' previous claim or interest, and
if such a thing did occur, no matter how innocent he may have been as to
his intentions of intruding, in all such cases the non-initiated could do
nothing but give up his claim, improvements and all, either peaceably or
through compulsion of the combined force of the club, and resignedly seek
elsewhere for lands. If he did not feel like submitting to this treatment,
his only hope was to join the club for protection and advice, and thus be
admitted to the secrets of its plan of working.
In many instances these claim clubs did good service when the enforce-
ment of law and order seemed otherwise impossible, in protecting settlers
in their rights of home and property. While on the other hand, doubt-
less, a good many honest and innocent persons were caused to suffer serious
loss and inconvenience through the workings and sometimes unfair means
of these clubs.
The very best intentioned organizations and individuals sometimes make
mistakes in running to extremes and cause injury to others by that which
was only originally intended to be beneficial. Especially is this the case
where so many different minds and dispositions are united to govern one
organization.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 325
So it was, to a greater or less extent, with these early claim clubs.
While the chief design in their work was the mutual protection and ben-
efit of all the members, and the proper settlement and development of the
country, the injudicious, selfish members sometimes caused the institution
of means that resulted in the injury and oppression of the innocent.
But professional claim jumpers were plentiful, as well as very shrewd
and persistent in their modes of working to get the advantage, and these
organized clubs seemed to prove as the only effectual checkmates for them.
In this respect, therefore, the latter accomplished a good work and afforded
a formidable defense.
These clubs existed in almost every community, and were by no means a
new institution when first introduced here. The claim rights of settlers
were then regulated by what was called the claim law, which had its origin
in Jefferson county, and was in a certain sense sanctioned by the legisla-
ture of 1839.
Dallas -county, however, was very fortunate in not being as seriously
troubled with professional claim jumpers and intruders as many other
neighboring localities, especially further east, and, therefore, did not have
so much need of resorting to club rule.
The early settlers of this county did find occasion for such a mode of
defense, and were not slow to put it in operation.
In the early spring of 1848 a good many troubles and disputes arose
about land and claim titles, and the settlers began to consider seriously the
propriety of organizing an effective claim club for self-protection against
the avaricious professionals who were boldly displaying their colors as
scheming claim jumpers. Accordingly, on July 1, 1848, quite a number
of the prominent citizens of the county assembled at the house of Judge
Samuel Miller, and a formal meeting was held for the purpose of taking
definite steps in this important movement.
Samuel Miller was made chairman of the meeting, and S. K. Scovell,
secretary.
After several pointed speeches by different settlers present, urging the
propriety of immediately forming such a club, on motion a committee of
three, consisting of Thomas Butler, S. K. Scovell and L. D. Burnes, was
duly appointed by the chair, to draft by-laws for the government of the
"DALLAS COUNTY CLAIM CLUB."
This committee performed the duty thus assigned them, and reported
through their chairman, Thomas Butler, the following by-laws, which were
accepted and adopted unanimously:
BY-LAWS.
Whereas: Self-protection, the acquiring and peaceable possession of property are essen-
tial to the happiness and prosperity of the people; and
Whereas: Reckless claim jumpers and invidious wolves in human form are prowling
thr6ugh the county for the purpose of robbing the settler of his claim and of the means of
support; therefore, be it ,.,,....,
Resolved, 1. That we pledge ourselves to protect every member of this club in his rights
of claim, or against the pre-emption of adverse parties, without fear of the world, the flesh
or the devil.
2. That no person shall be allowed to pre-empt, or to purchase from government any
claim of a member of the club, without the unequivocal consent of the member.
3. That the filing of any intention to pre-empt, in contravention of the right of any
member hereof, shall be regarded as an attempt to deprive one member of his rights under
the eternal fitness of things, and we pledge ourselves one to another to meet the offender on
the home stretch with logic of life or death.
326 HISTOKT OF DAXLAS COUNTY.
4. That a committee of three be raised, whose duty shall be to hear and adjust any dis'
putes, evasions or disagreements that may arise with members of this club, or any case
where claims of members are in dispute with outside, adverse claimants, of every character
whatever.
5. That we pledge ourselves to sustain and uphold our committees and appointments in
the performance of their several duties, and to enforce their decisions and adjudications to
the very letter, with force and arms if necessary.
6. That a cordial invitation is hereby extended to every citizen of Dallas county to sign
these articles of by-laws, and to assist in their faithful execution and enforcement.
The above by-laws were signed by Samuel Miller, Thomas Butler, S. K.
Scovell, James A. Butler, W. W. Miller, J. C. Oorbell, L. D. Burnes, Mil-
ton Randolph, Harvey Adams, George P. Garroutte, Z. Babcock, John
Bivens, Eli Miller, John Sharp, Eli Smithson and Adam Yineage, making
sixteen signers in all, and including every man present at the meeting.
Afterward it was signed by numerous others who were at this time
absent, and whose names we have not been able to obtain.
W. W. Miller, Z. Babcock and Adam Vineage were appointed the
" Committee of Reference," and were duly instructed that on the notifica-
tion of the party or parties claiming to be aggrieve, the said committee
should meet as soon as possible at the house of W. W. Miller, and then
and there proceed to hear and adjust flie difficulty.
From the foregoing account, the particulars of which were furnished by
one of the original members of the club, it is evident that these early set-
tlers meant business in earnest, and had no sympathy or patience with the
deceitful schemes and workings of professional claim jumpers; but were
determined that all such should be dealt with promptly and in such a man-
ner as would soon rid the county of all such nuisances and their injurious
work.
It appears, too, that this plan worked effectually in quickly accomplish--
ing the end designed, as, very fortunately, no cases occurred of sufficient
importance to be brought before the club, or their committee of reference,
for adjustment, and there are no intricate schemes of arbitration, or occa-
sions of bloodshed, to be here recorded as the result of its workings.
There was one case of claim trouble in the county after this organization
was effected, existing between John Wright and W. D. Boone, in the south-
east part of the county, which caused considerable difficulty and malicious
feeling between them individually, but this occurred outside of the club-
membership, and was finally settled without serious results to either party
concerned.
In 1852 an aggravated case of wholesale claim appropriation threatened
seriously to occur in Penoach precinct, when John Sutton proposed to
enter the homestead and claim of George P. Garroutte, which would most
certainly have tested the mettle and efficiency of the club for settling such
disputes, if the proposed scheme of invasion had been persisted in by the
offending party. But, fortunately, it was abandoned in due time, and peace
prevailed without the need of any aggressive movement on the part of the
claim club or the party threatened.
THE THIRD ELECTION.
On Monday, the third day of April, 1848, the third election was held in
Dallas county.
Nothing of unusual importance transpired on this occasion, other than
the common occurrences of the average spring election.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 327
There were only two new officers to be elected at this time, a school-fund
commissioner and a prosecuting attorney. Beside these, two other offices
were to be filled, one of which had been made vacant by resignation since
the previous August election, and the other was still vacant because of the
failure to qualify on the part of the elected candidate.
Noah Staggs had resigned the office of county commissioner to which he
had been elected for the term of three years, and Tristram Davis was
elected in his place, to hold office until the August election following, when
a candidate must again be elected regularly, who should continue during
this unexpired term of three years.
William D. Boone was elected at this time, also, to the office of probate
judge, to fill the vacancy caused by the failure of Samuel Miller to qualify
as the law required, the latter having been elected to that office at the pre-
vious fall election.
Stephen K. Scovell was duly elected as the first School Fund Commis-
sioner of 'the county, which office was created by an act of the State legis-
ture of Iowa, and approved January 24, 1847; but had never before been
filled in the county.
Henry Stump was elected as the first prosecuting attorney in the county,
at this election also. This office had heretofore been filled \>j appointment
of the court.
At this election there still was only one voting precinct in the county, as
at the previous fall election, and all the votes were polled at Penoach (now
Adel).
There were, in all, twenty-four votes cast this time, showing an increase
of five over the previous election, but a decrease of one still below the num-
ber of votes cast at the first election. This, however, was not on account
of any decrease in the number of inhabitants in the county, for in this
there had been a great increase during that time; but it simply showed a
decline in the interest manifested on the two occasions.
The first election was a new and an important event in the history of the
county, while the third one began to appear like the old story often told.
Besides this the greater part of the citizens were becoming too much in-
terested in, and occupied with, their private affairs and spring work, to be
very desirous of public positions, unless there was more money in them
than was afforded by the majority of the offices then to be filled.
The coming fall election would, doubtless, display a different feeling, and
awaken a much deeper interest on the part of all, as new issues were again
to be met.
All the offices announced in the proclamation of the organizing sheriff,
as necessary for the complete organization of the county, had now been
duly filled by the votes of the people at regular elections, and the new
county's political machinery was fully organized and in running order.
The coming fall election would give the voters of the county their first op-
portunity, as such, for casting their votes for State officers.
THE FIRST COUET-HOUSE.
Lot 8, block 9, of the town of Penoach, was purchased by Buel Lathrop,
July 8, 1848, and upon it he built a double log cabin, which he soon after-
ward sold to the county for a temporary court-house, and offices in which
the county business could be transacted.
328 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
This cabin consisted, in the main, of two separate rooms, built a short
distance apart, but connected by one roof, and a porch-way extending be-
tween them, with a door leading into each room from this porch or alley.
This cabin was built of hewed cotton wood logs, and was roofed with
shingles, or rather clapboards made of the same kind of material, which
rendered it not by any means always waterproof, but made it to answer the
purpose for whicli it was used, very conveniently and acceptably in the ab-
sence of any better place.
There was a large awkward-looking chimney on each end, made of blocks
of prairie-sod and sticks of timber, daubed between with mud mortar, and
each setting outside of the building. These rough chimneys afforded am-
ple room for log fires within sufficient to make the rooms quite comfortable
for hardy pioneers, even during the coldest winter weather, and many
happy hours have been spent around those great log fires, relating the va-
rious adventures experienced and heard of, and enjoying the jokes of the
season. '
It was supplied inside with a rough puncheon floor and a number of ex-
temporized seats, desks, tables and other necessary furniture, all made of
like material as that of the walls and roof. These were all of the best
style and quality that the times and circumstances could afford.
On the side next the street each room had one six-light window of 8x10
glass, which served the important purpose of letting in the amount of light
the inmates were allowed to make use of each day while engaged in their
official duties.
Judging from the photograph of this rustic relic, which is still extant,
it is evident that this cabin was not especially noted for its beauty of archi-
tecture, nor even for the wonderful degree • of comfort and convenience it
afforded to those who occupied it; but at all events it was the most conven-
ient and comfortable structure the people could afford in those days, per-
haps more so than many of them afforded at home, and very appropriately
served the purpose for which it was intended until a better place could be
secured. Within that rough exterior doubtless, not only logical reasoning
with rhetorical flights of eloquence were frequently displayed, but most
important business was there transacted, to which the county is indebted,
in a great measure, for its present condition of improvement and pros-
perity.
Hon. James P. Charlton and Hon. William McKay are the only Judges
whom we find mentioned on the records as having presided over terms of
District Court held in this first, Dallas county court-house.
In 1849 this double cabin was converted into a store building, by George
B. Warden, and was used by him for this purpose for some time, but finally
was sold to Jesse K. Miller and moved away.
In 1853 a new court-house was built on lot 4, block 17, where the brick
bank buildingnow stands, on the south of the court-house square and just east
of Boaks' grocery store.
This second court-house was a great improvement on the first one, being
a one-story frame structure, about forty feet in length by twenty feet in
width, comfortably finished and furnished, and served the purpose finely
for a number of years until the present one was built. Some years after-
ward it caught fire, and, with the building adjoining it on the east, was
burned to the ground. According to the records it appears that Hon.
William McKay, during his last terms of service, Hon. Charles J. McFar-
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 329
land, and Hon. William M. Stone were the judges who presided over the
various terms of the District Court in this second court-house during the
four or five years that it remained in use for that purpose by the county.
The present court-house, which is the third one for Dallas county, was
built in 1858. It is a firip brick structure, two stories high and about
sixty-four feet in length by forty-two feet in width, costing about eighteen
or twenty thousand dollars when built. The lower story is divided into
five offices, while the upper one serves as a comfortable and sufficiently
commodious court-room. This building is situated about the center of the
court-house square, being the first one erected on that ground.
About two years ago the county, finding there was not sufficient room in
this main building down stairs for all the different offices, erected another
brick building one story high in the southwest corner of the court square
and divided it into three commodious and attractive offices, which are oc-
cupied respectively by the treasurer, clerk, and recorder. This structure is
built in the shape of a letter L, thus forming two wings each eighteen feet
wide, while the south and west walls of the building are each about forty
feet in length, these being the longest sides.
At the election of April 2, 1855, a vote was taken on levying a tax for
building a new court-house, but was lost by 99 to 179 votes.
The county officials and tax-payers were not disposed to run in debt for
such public improvements, but preferred to wait awhile until the county
had procured the means by which to defray the expenses of such a struc-
ture before entering upon the task of building.
Accordingly, on the minute-book is found the following record of the ac-
tion taken two years afterward on this subject which proved much more
successful and met with the favor of the people:
Whereas a petition has been presented to the county court of Dallas county, Iowa,
praying that the county judge take immediate steps for the erection of a. court-house; and
Wheeeas, the county having available means, amounting to about ten thousand dollars,
that can be applied for that purpose; and believing that a good and substantial court-house
can be built without increasing the ordinary expenses, or the taxes heretofore laid ; it is there-
fore ordered by the court that an election be held in Dallas county, at the several places of
voting therein to take the sense of the people of said county, for a court-house, and against
a court-house.
The manner of voting on the above proposition— the tickets shall have written or printed
thereon the words, " For the Court-house," or "Against the Court-house."
The vote on the above proposition was carried by a handsome majority,
there being 240 against to 401 votes in favor of building a new court-house
which resulted in the erection of the present brick structure, from the
treasury funds, without levying a tax.
The contract for building said court-house was let during the June term
of court, 1857, to C. Eodenbach for $9,980, and the building was erected
during the next year.
MORMON RAID.
The fourth election in Dallas county was held August 12, 1848, and proved
to be an occasion of considerable importance, as a member of Congress,
together with several State officers, were to be elected at this time, and Dal-
las was to have her first experience, as a county, voting in a State election.
Iowa was, at that time, entitled to only one representative in the lower
house.
330 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The two political parties then in the field were Whig and Democrat, and
the party lines were pretty distinctly drawn so that a close political contest
seemed inevitable.
During the summer the board of county commissioners had again di-
vided the county for political purposes and increased the number of polling
places from one to three, in order that it might be more convenient for the
voters who were now scattered over various and quite distant parts of the
county.
One of these new polling places was at Penoach, as before, one at the
house of William P. McCabbin, situated in what is now Boone township,
and the third at the house of Judah Learning in the northeastern part of
the county. This division made it much more convenient for the attend-'
ance of all parties concerned.
There was, however, a rather ingenious and disgraceful political trick
played at this election, which resulted in very suddenly increasing the
number of votes cast in the county to one hundred and ten (110) while
there had been only twenty-four (24) cast at the previous April election of
the same year.
The cause of this sudden increase of votes at this election was the unex-
pected appearance at the polls, on election day, of some fifty or sixty Mor-
mons who came in wagons and camped out near the place of voting.
At that time Dallas county really extended in its political jurisdiction
clear to the Missouri river, and people proving themselves to be naturalized
citizens and living within said bounds were entitled to cast their votes at
this election. This condition of things offorded broad latitude for political
chicanery for those who desired to avail themselves of it in order to gain a
political triumph; and it appears that on this occasion one Pete Myers,
then of Fort Des Moines, took advantage of this favorable opportunity and
perpetrated a shrewd but unjustifiable trick on the honest voters of the
county.
He is accused of having negotiated with the Mormon leaders for their
votes in the interests of the Whig "candidate for Congress. Accordingly
the above mentioned company of Mormons came in their wagons, claiming
to belong to the attached territory of Dallas west of this on the Missouri
slope, but really lived some distance south of the attachment line, and cast
their votes en masse for the Whig candidate, Daniel F. Miller, each and
every one swearing in his vote.
The result was that Miller received eighty-eight votes for Congressman,
and William Thompson, the Democratic candidate, received twenty-two,
giving the former a majority of sixty-six.
The most of the excess vote by the Mormons was cast at the house of
Wrn. P. McCubbin, where the greater part of them camped with their
wagons.
The clerk of the board of county commissioners, S. K. Scovell, according
to law having chosen two justices of the peace, Samuel Miller and Levi A.
Davis, to assist him in the election canvass, saw, as soon as the returns from
the different precincts were received, that a serious fraud had been committed,
and positively refused to join with the two justices in completing the can-
vass and making the returns.
In this case the law required that three separate abstracts should be
made in the returns, one giving the votes for Congressman, another for the
State officers, and the third for the county officers.
HISTORY OF DA1LAS COUNTY.
331
_ Notwithstanding this, when the clerk refused to join them, the two jus-
tices, Miller and Davis, proceeded on their own responsibility, completed
the canvass themselves, and made but one abstract of the whole, either ig-
norantly or willfully, giving the entire vote of Congress, State and county
officers all on one and the same sheet, in open violation of the law, and re-
quested the clerk to forward said returns to the Secretary of State.
Scovell refused to do so on the same ground on which he refused to join
the canvass, and finally through the influence of Daniel F. Miller's friends
an order was issued by the court requiring Scovell to correct the abstract
and forward the returns in due form to the Secretary of State, and the
Mormon tricksters gained their triumph.
Tristram Davis was elected county commissioner to fill the unexpired
term of three years previously vacated by the resignation of Noah Staggs.
William P. McOubbin was elected in the place of O. D. Smalley, whose
one year term had expired, and Uriah Stotts was elected Judge of Probate,
to fill the place made vacant by the resignation of William D. Boone.
The following is a copy of the abstract of the election returns as made
by the two justices, on the single sheet, including the votes cast for all the
officers, and which the clerk refused to forward or approve until specially
ordered by the court:
NAMES OF CANDIDATES.
.a
60
&
.9
° s
O §
3 S
J3
DO .J
53 M
o
S
O
wJ
£
' 03
0h
£
10
11
1
62
23
3
62
23
3
10
11
1
10
11
1
62
23
3
62
23
3
10
11
1
2
29
4
47
3
3
1
26
3
18
38
9
9
14
be
I
So
Congress :
Wm. ^Thompson
Daniel F. Miller
Secretary of State :
John M. Coleman. . .
Joseph H. Bowny. . . .
Auditor of State :
Joseph T. Fales
Wm. A. Warren
Treasurer of State:
Robert Holmes
Morgan Reno
Count;/ Commissioners :
Tristram Davis
Wm. P. McCubbin. . .
O. D. Smalley
Joseph C. McCubbin.
Judge of Probate :
Uriah Stotts
Wm. D. Boone
Justice of the Peace :
Archibald Crowl
Constable :
Wm. D. Boone
22
88
22
22
88
88
22
35
53
80
18
38
9
14
We, Samuel Miller and Levi A. Davis, two acting justices of the peace in and for Dallas
county, do hereby certify that the above abstract of the election in all. the precincts in said
county is correct.
Given under our hands this 12th day of August, 1848.
SAMUEL MILLER, Justice of the Peace.
LEVI A. DAVIS, Justice of the Peace.
332 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
In the year 1848, on the seventh day of November, the sixteenth pres-
idential election occurred, which was the first election of this kind since the
organization of Dallas as a county. It was therefore an occasion of consid-
erable interest as it gave the voters their first opportunity of casting their
ballots in their new county for the Chief Executive of the nation. The
population of the county had not yet become sufficiently extensive to call
forth any very great demonstration in a political campaign; but those who
were here were generally as thoroughly interested in the important event
which was about to transpire in the nation's career as those who were living
in parts more densely populated; and as the appointed election day drew
near, the display of interest and enthusiasm continued to increase until the
excitement became quite interesting and called forth some lively speeches
and zealous electioneering from the different parties.
The three political parties then in the field were the Whig, Democratic
and " Free-soil " parties.
Gen. Zachary Taylor, or " Old Rough and Ready," was the Whig candi-
date for the presidency, being nominated on the fourth ballot over Henry
Clay, Gen. Scott and Daniel Webster, in the Whig convention, which met
at Philadelphia, June 7th, 1848.
Gen. Lewis Cass, an American statesman and eminent United States sen-
ator from Michigan in 1844, on account of his able opposition to the " Wil-
mot Proviso," * was nominated as the Democratic candidate for the presi-
dency in 1848.
And Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States was
the "Free-soil" candidate for the presidency at the same election.
Quite a schism had been caused in the Democratic party about that time
over " the question of the permission of slavery in the newly-acquired terri-
tory," and a considerable faction branched off under the name of " Free-
soilers " forming a new party, and nominating their own candidate above
mentioned.
This, of course,very materially weakened the old party, and helped secure the
victory for the Whigs. Besides, in nominating Gen. Taylor, with his great
popularity as the "hero of the battle of Buena Vista," for which he had
just received the gold medal and thanks of Congress, the Whig party had
" struck the key-note of success," and the result was Taylor received 163
electoral votes to 137 received by Cass; and a popular vote of 1,360,752
against 1,219,962 for Cass, and 291,342 for Van Buren.
As one has truthfully said regarding this presidential race, " Old ' Rough
and Ready,' so recently from the victorious battle-field of Buena Vista, was
a power in the land, and, we dare say, the ' Great Michigander,' with all his
knowledge of men, with all his laurels of field and forum, of statesmanship
and diplomacy, could hardly have expected to be successful, as against Gen.
Taylor, before the American people."
But the facts in the case are, eminent statesmanship has not appeared to
* David Wilmot, a Democratic congressman, on August 8th, 1846, offered an amendment to a bill appropriating
$2,000,000 for the purchase of Mexican territory, which amendment became celebrated under the name of u The
Wilmot Proviso."
In substance it required : " That as an express and fundamental oondition to the acquisition of any territory
from the republia of Mexico by the United States * * * neither slavery nor involuntary servitude
shall ever exist in any part of the said territory."
This proviso was adopted by the House, but rejected by the Senate, and became the starting-point for the
"Free-soil " movement of 1848.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 333
be the essential qualification in a public man for gaining the nomination,
or for carrying the popular vote for the presidential office, and there has
not been any radical change for the better visible in that respect during our
entire career, even until the present day. The natural result is, as shown
by a glance at the past political record, comparatively few of our chief ex-
ecutives have been especially noted for what is understood as eminent states-
manship.
Gen. Taylor received the nomination on that occasion over at least two
men in his own party who stood in the foremost ranks of American states-
manship, Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, and by a handsome majority he
carried this election over Gen. Cass, another of our first statesmen and most
powerful orators, either of whom, doubtless, was greatly his superior as an
orator or a statesman, and as such, by their superior powers and extended
knowledge and experience, could sway the masses at their will on almost any
other important question; but could not, for themselves, command the pop-
ular vote, or control the political scheming with sufficient success to gain
the presidential chair.
Too often it is the case that wide notoriety over some sudden success, and
the great burst of public applause that is made to follow it, through the agency
of influential friends, rather than true popularity from real merit and emi-
nent qualifications for the position, are made the principal means of decid-
ing who shall fill many of our high offices of trust, and thus bring danger
and disaster upon our government. A man may be deservedly popular and
eminently fitted for one important position, and yet be very unfit for an-
other one of an entirely different character to which the popular voice may
call him ; and yet such great mistakes as these are often made of placing
the wrong man in the wrong place, thus dwarfing his powers and injuring
his usefulness to the detriment of the nation. This great political evil can
only be remedied, and the disaster resulting from it averted, by carefully and
accurately measuring each candidate by the special qualification and fitness
he possesses for filling the particular position, and thus choose the " right
man for the right place."
In Dallas county's first experience in presidential elections, she had the
privilege and honor of casting her vote for eminent and worthy men, which
made the occasion one of interest and importance to all.
In view of the troubles experienced by the perpetration of fraud at the
preceding August election, and in order to effectually prevent the like
from occurring again at this time, the board of county commissioners
decided to have only one voting precinct for the entire county, in place of
three, as at the previous election. To this end, at one of their sessions,
they passed the following order:
Ordered, That hereafter the only place of voting in Dallas county shall be Penoach, until
otherwise changed, and that due notice be given as required by law.
9
Accordingly the election was held at the house of J. C. Corbel], in Pen-
oach. There were in all fifty-seven votes cast at this time and the follow-
ing list shows the names of ail the voters in the order in which each vote
was cast:
W. W. Miller, John Sullivan, Sr., John Sullivan, Jr., Harvey Adams,
John Bivens, L. D. Burnes, S. K. Scovell, Isaac Tribby, William D. Boone,
Thomas Butler, Samuel Miller, John Miller, William Ellis, Eli Smithson,
334 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
John Bennett, Lewis Stump, Shubal Haworth, Isaac Ellis, David Daily,
Z. Babcock, Uriah Stotts, James Wright, Milton Kandolf, Buel Lathro'p|
George Haworth, "Jeff" Jones, James Drummond, Jonathan ' Sullivan,
James A. Butler, George P. Garroutte,. Samuel P. Garroutte, James
Brooks, Daniel James, Anderson Kelly, Daniel Stump, " Chris " Fowler,
Horatio Morrison, Ed. J. Fowler, Archibald Crowl, Eli Miller, Levi "Wright,
John M. Davis, Ira Sherman, J. C. Corbel], Chelsea Shelton, Nathan Moore,
Barney Morrison, Tristram Davis, Howell Blacketer, Isaac Magart, Judah
Learning, Sr., O. D. Smalley, Judah Learning, Jr., Samuel Todds F. 0.
Case, Elisha Learning, G. H. Reynolds — 57 votes.
There were but few legal voters in the county who failed to cast their
ballots at this election. A number had come in since the previous August
election who were entitled to a vote in the county at this time, but some of
these living so remote from the polls, and being so new and unsettled in
the county, failed to make their appearance at the polls on election day.
Aside from these few cases a full vote was cast, and a general good feel-
ing prevailed, though each party was intent on its own especial interest,
and worked faithfully to gain the victory. (
The Whig electors for General Z. Taylor, presidential candidate, were:
Fitz Henry Warren, "]
WilhamTWallace, f These received 34 votes in this cmni^
Stephen B. Shelleday. J
The Democratic electors for General Lewis Cass, presidential candidate
were:
Augustus C. Dodge, ]
jZsSIE; The9e receiyed 22 votes " this county-
Lincoln Clark. J
The Free-soil electors for Martin Van Buren, presidential candidate, were;
George McDonald, 1
X™°' }-These received i vote in this county-
George Thomas. J
There were no regular Yan Buren tickets here, and in the absence of any
Ira Sherman receives the credit of [furnishing, impromptu, Free-soil
tickets bearing the above names, among which his own appears. And he
also is accredited with casting the only ballot in the county for the Free-
soil electors.
THE FIEST WATER MILL.
As previously mentioned, the first water mill for grinding grain, in the
county limits, was built by Buel Lathorp, in the year 1848. After selling
his property in Penoach to the county for a court-house, Mr. Lathrop took
a claim on Hickory Greek, a little south of Matt. Freeman's farm. He
built a dam, cut a mill race across the bend of the creek, constructed a
breast-wheel and so placed it as to utilize the power of the water fall,
erected a log mill house, purchased Samuel Miller's old horse-power
" stump mill," and thus fitted up an improved pioneer mill on his new site
HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 335
for the accommodation of the public on quite an extensive scale, capable of
grinding at least one and one-half bushels of corn per hour.
After a short time, however, he sold this mill to "Chris." Fowler, who
ran it for a while,or rather let it run itself as a general thing, after tilling
the hopper, until it became empty again, without making any special effort
tokeep it in repairs, or improve its condition, or increase its capacity for
grinding. With this lax treatment the mill soon ground itself out until it
was almost without grist or patrons, so that the miller, finding it unprofit-
able business, and becoming so enamored with the attractions of Mormon-
ism, soon disposed of his mill property and left the country. As Mr.
Burnes, one of his old patrons, says of him :
" Chris, was a disciple, theologically, of Joe Smith, Jr., and this mill
required so little of his attention after the hopper had been well filled,
that 'Chris.' would take advantage of his leisure hours (and they were
many) to impress his patrons with a sense of the beauty and self-abnega-
tion of Mormonism, enlarged and improved upon by Bro. Young.
" Poor ' Chris.' became environed by the hobgoblins on his return home
one night from an effort at Penoach, after which he became trist, and soon
after left the county, in fear of a second seance of infernals over his mis-
sionary labors in Penoach."
THE OWENS MILL.
Sometime this same summer of 1848 another water-power grist and saw-
mill was put up by "Yankee" Smith and his son-in-law, Henry Owens,
near the mouth of Cottonwood creek, in what is now Union township, on
section 11.
This was commonly known as "Owens' Mill," and is very distinctly
remembered by most of the early settlers yet surviving, on account of the
general good time enjoyed on the occasion of its being raised and chris-
tened in pioneer style.
Though the mill itself endured but for a short season until it was
entirely 6wept away by the flood, still the building of it at that early day
remains green in the memory of many, even now.
Judge L. D. Burnes, who was present and performed a very important
part in the building of this mill, gives the following interesting account of
the raising and what soon followed:
" Henry Owens put up a water-mill on South Raccoon river, near the
mouth of Cottonwood, in the summer of 1848. Mr. Harvey Adams,
George P. Garroutte and Squire Babb were invited, as were nearly every-
body else, to help raise the house and frame the mill.
" The house was built of hewed logs, and was a double, two-story one.
In fact, it was as fine a hewed-log house as we had ever seen. Henry Owens
was a gentleman of the old school, and had, of course, laid in a very large
supply of ' liquid fire ' for this occasion. ' Fun and frolic ' abounded. The
colonel's table fairly groaned under the rich supplies he had provided for
the hungry. Just at nightfall the work was done.
"Many could not make home that night, 'and, of course, stayed with the
chivalrous colonel, and we were treated like princes of the blood.
"We, Squire Babb, George P. Garroutte, Harvey Adams and Eli Miller
determined to return home that night. There was not a road leading
homeward, nor even a pathway going to Penoach. We chose Eli Miller,
336 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
upon his own recommendation, as guide and cicerone, and started out for
home by the way of Penoach. The night was bright and clear, the moon
was in its new, first quarter, the dew fell rapidly and abundantly.
"We had not proceeded far when Squire Babb fell from his horse, from
the effects of Colonel Owens' ' liquid fire.' We and George P. Garroutte
got off our horses and replaced the Squire on his horse and steadied him a
moment, but as soon as we had remounted and started, off came the Squire
sprawling on the ground. We were soon off again to replace him, but we
found the Squire limber and deaf to all our appeals to go on.
- "George P. Garroutte finally got out of patience and bounced him,
gathered the Squire by the throat and plied his fists vigorously, to the per-
son of the inebriate Squire.
" Every blow was accompanied by such a gush of virulent invective that
the little stars above seemed to hide their faces in very shame.
"The Squire finally came to, and replied to George's chastisement thus:
'Mr. Garroutte, I can whip you the best day you ever saw; but, sir, I
scorn to do such a thing. You are my neighbor, Mr. Garroutte, and, sir,
I would as soon be found fighting my mother as my neighbor, sir!'
"George replied, vigorously: 'Get up, you d — d old whig, or I will kill
you and throw your old carcass into the creek to feed the minnows.'
" ' Mr. Garroutte,' replied the Squire, ' you are a villain, sir, but you are
my neighbor, Mr. Garroutte, and I would just as soon, sir, be found fight-
ing Mrs. Babb as to be found fighting my neighbor, Mr. Garroutte, hie' —
"George rejoined at the very top of his voice: 'The h — 11 yon say! Get
up, you old sheep thief, or I will bait my wolf-trap with your old rotten
carcass.'
" By this time the Squire was on his feet, ready for fight.
" George got him by one leg and we by the other, and lifted him astride
his horse and started on, we holding one leg and George holding the other,
Eli Miller leading the way.
"After winding over the prairies for some time we came to the house of
our old friend, Abner McKean, on Panther creek, where we unloaded the
Squire, and left Harvey Adams with him to keep him quiet.
" We went on, struck the ford on the slough above the site of the Adel
Mill, and reached Horatio Morrison's late in the night. Horatio was living
on and owned the claim on the river at the east side of the island. There
we staid all night. On our arrival at Morrison's Horatio got up, struck a
light, asked us if we would have supper. After we had replied in the neg-
ative he got down his old red violin, and we were welcomed with the
' Arkansaw Traveler,' 'Mony Musk,' 'Fisher's Hornpipe,' and 'Jenny, get
your hoe-cake done.' "
Thus the curtain fell on the jovial scene of important mill-raising in
Dallas county.
How Squire Babb fared with his generous host during the rest of the
night, we have not been able to ascertain; but undoubtedly he felt the un-
pleasant effects of Dr. George P. Garroutte's radical remedy for a serious
and sullen attack of mill-raising inebriety for several days, and was exceed-
ingly fortunate if Mrs. Babb did not give him even a much more severe
trouncing for affirming that he would just as soon "fight her as his neigh-
bor."
It is little wonder that this mill could not long endure the pressure of
circumstances.
HISTOET OF DALLAS COTJNTY. 337
As a mighty flood of the most dangerous liquid attended its construction,
it was quite in keeping that another flood should also be the cause of its
destruction.
THE PIONEER MIMIC.
Mill-raisings, house-warmings, corn-huskings,and all such public gather-
ings and working-bees would be stale and unattractive without some one to
take the lead as the genuine fun producer. After all, the public enjoyment
of the multitude, to a very great extent, is dependent on a few persons
who are especially adapted to take the lead in joking and mimicry ; and on
this occasion, of the Owens mill-raising, it appears that such comic
characters were sufficiently numerous to secure a jolly time for all.
One of those who most materially enhanced the interest and enjoyment
of this occasion was " Deaf Jim " Wright, the star mimic of the entire
settlement, who was present in highest glee, and in the best of trim for the
ludicrous imitation and ridicule of any appropriate characters whom he
might undertake to personify.
A graphic description of the role " Deaf Jim " there played, and other
items regarding the proprietors of said mill, and their career here, is given
by Mr. Greene, in the Dallas County JVews, from which we quote as fol-
lows:
" ' Deaf Jim ' was a model citizen, and though one principal avenue be-
tween the outer world and his brain was quite closed, still his perceptions,
intellectual and moral, were exceptionably quick and his judgment good.
His powers of mimicry and imitation were a constant surprise, and would
have made the fortune of a stage actor. Scarce a man of his acquaintance
but he could so accurately personate that the subject would be readily recog-
nized. Steve Scovell, with his head thrown back, his lips pursed up, pro-
truded, and puffing the vacant air — one hand complacently stroking his
beard, the other his capacious stomach. Judge Burns — so quietly rolling
and caressing his hands, while ' smiling a smile so child-like and bland.'
And the gallant young swell — mincing and prancing by the side of his girl,
and indignantly throwing away the soiled and offensive pocket handker-
chief (after, wiping his mouth with it), that some envious scamp had stealth-
ily stuck into his pocket, and many more — all were ' painted lively as the
deed was done.' But his masterpiece was ' Yankee Smith.'
" When, in 1847 and 1848, Smith and Owens were building their saw and
grist mills on South 'Coon, near the mouth of Cottonwood, nearly all the
able-bodied men in the county volunteered many days to forward the much
needed work. ' Deaf Jim ' was there to lend a helping hand. A hired
man, with a cart and oxen belonging to Smith, was hauling earth to build
the dam, and dumping it off a bank some 12 feet high. He awkwardly
backed cart and oxen off into the river. Smith was a tall, bony, restless,
passionate, irrepressible yankee, over 70 years of age. Imagine him trying
to 'work off' the effects of such a disaster! Coatless and hatless, his long
gray hairs literally on end, his bony arms beating the air in impotent rage.
'Tis said he did full justice to his subject. Deaf Jim was deeply im-
pressed— the violent gestures he could give in full; and though he could not
understand the full force of the expletives, he seemed aware that they were
not wanting, for when reproducing the scene he would utter the most fear-
ful howls, but they cannot be transferred to paper. On witnessing this
22
338 HIST0KY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
exhibition one could see clearly what Shakspeare means by ' tear passion to
tatters — to very rags.'
"The Smith and Owens mills being built upon the sand, when the rains
descended, the floods came and swept them wholly away, ruining the pro-
prietors, and discouraging our people sadly. Smith went to stay with his
son in Missouri, where he died shortly after, of small-pox. After hearing
of his decease, 'Deaf Jim' could not be prevailed upon to personate 'Yan-
kee Smith.'
" Henry Owens was a gentleman in the best sense of the term. His fair
natural abilities were supplemented bj7 considerable culture, and his frank
genial manners made him a general favorite. After the destruction of his
mills he went to California in quest of gold. He had an interesting «
family — one son, William, accompanied him to California, and afterward- \
went to Oregon. Mrs. Owens and her two daughters, twelve and fifteen years
of age, remained in Dallas, and during the summer of 1850 the girls boarded ']
at W. W. Miller's, and attended a school near by, taught by a young lady
hired by Miller.
" After some three years H. Owens returned from California, and ran for
member of the Iowa Legislature against Dr. E. Van Fossen. But the
yonng republican party, led by Grimes, was irresistible, and Owens, with
nealy all democrats (for the first time in Iowa), had to take back seats."
Judge L. D. Burns, also, in his Centennial History of the county, relates
several interesting incidents as occurring during the year 1848, which we
herein present, as follows:
A CABIN-RAISING.
" In the year of grace, 1848, the cabin of a new-comer was to be 'raised.'
Invitations to help had been given to all the settlers near — and there were
not many — and to bring along with them the wife and children, which was
the prevailing idea in those days of mobilized homogenousness and peren-
nial philanthropy and singleness of heart.
"We had the honor to be included among the favored number to whom
the invitation had been extended, and we set out pretty early for the seat
of the cabin, and as early as we were we found on our arrival on the
ground that a few had preceded us, while others were still coming in,
whistling merry bouts of a quaint old roundelay.
" The work of rearing the cabin had cheerfully begun, good humor, fun
and facetiae abounded.
" The cabin was, in fact, pretty well on the way, when a well dressed
stranger suddenly appeared in our midst. He was gentlemanly and collo-
■ quial, and curiosity ran high to know who on earth this comely stranger
could possibly be, so that the anxious interrogatory went from lip to lip,
'who is he?'
" This anxiety, however, was soon allayed by the stranger himself announe- ,
ing his name to be ' Ira Sherman, from York State.' He was looking around
for a good sheep range, where he thought of locating himself for all time
to come, and would be pleased to know ' if any one present ' could point
out to him such a place.
" Many localities were soon mentioned, not far away, as being just the
very place for wool-growing, and as many persons confidently advised the
wool-grower, by all means, to look at them.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 339
"Just here our old irrepressible friend, James Y. Pierce, who had been
hitherto a quiet listener, and for whom the cabin was being raised, inter-
posed, and in his inimitable manner piat this leading question to the ur-
bane wool-grower:
" ' Mr. Shorsmans, how many sheops do you prepoas to spread out on
thoas big prarees, mistow?' The wool-grower promptly replied, without
a ripple of emotion on his placid countenance, 'Well, sir, some ten or
twelve thousand.' This cool enuncication quickened the ears of the credu-
lous settlers, and very soon they became so deeply interested in the collo-
quy between Pierce and the wool-grower that the work on the cabin
ceased, and those who were running up the corners came down and, with
itching ears, had swept around in concentric circles, inclosing Pierce and
the wool-grower in the center. The settlers were astonished and were
pretty sure they saw in the blanched, smooth, full face of the wool-grower,
ample evidence that ' bull ' or ' bear ' from Wall street, mayhap a million-
aire, was present, who had, in all probability, cloyed and sickened on the
veneered and varnished civilities of artificial life on ' Fifth Avenue,' to es-
cape which he had come away out West to grow wool, to romp over these
interminable prairies, to inhale the rejuvenescent air of youthful, vigorous,
and joyous Iowa, in order to renew wasted energies in the counting-rooms,
and to grow fat and funny withal.
"All the settlers were anxious indeed to have the amiable wool-grower
for a neighbor, or at any rate to have him settle in the neighborhood some-
where, with his massive flock of sheep, to answer as a light-house to draw
emigration hither. Among those in attendance on this interesting occa-
sion was one ' Dutch Henry,' a masculine of Hessian extraction, whose pa-
ternal ancester had fought the colonies under General Heister, at the battle
of Long Island. He was a lugubrious individual, of an awkward, physical
contour, with an ugly yawning scar above his left eye, at right angles with
his little terrapin nose — a late arrival, in our quiet little settlement, from
the East, by way of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and had located a claim west of
the river, near Perry.
" Many wondered why Henry had strayed so far from the cordon of set-
tlements, when equally as good a claim could have been had within.
" Henry made rails, dug wells and made himself generally useful to the
settlers in many ways, for which he, was willing and even anxious to take
in turn cows, calves, cattle, hogs, and even the notes of the parties desiring
his services, on a long run, if they had nothing better to offer.
"Henry was, at the time of which we are speaking, making his home —
when not under an engagement — with Squire Babb, who was by common
consent the most distinguished individual in our settlement. The wool-
grower seeing Dutch Henry, approached him with a smile and certainly
thought he knew him, and in a pleasant, fraternal kind of a way remarked
to him, 'It strikes me, sir, that I have seen you before; is not your name
Henry Johns?'
"Henry's legs now grew feeble and aberrant, and he stammered out in a
miserable, guttural reply, ' Nix, my name ish not dot, he ish von Dutch ■
Henri, all der time, yaw.'
" ' I beg pardon, Mr. Henry,' returned the wool-grower, and Henry re-
joined, ' Dot ish gude,' and the matter was dropped.
" Henry was taken suddenly ill, however, with violent intestinal pains,
and being wholly unable to keep his feet, he spasmodically laid himself
340 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
carelessly, face down, in the tall grass, -writhing with bolting misery under
the cool inviting shade of a compassionate elm hear.
" Here Henry lay until night-fall, meanwhile refusing the most tooth-
some dishes offered by the good woman in attendance, and growing no bet-
ter, the while, under the most approved palliatives of the neighborhood ad-
ministered to him by fair hands.
" Squire Babb now pressed the gushing wool-grower to accept the hospi-
talities of his bountiful and cheery cabin, nestled among the tall sugar
maples of North Raccoon, for the night.
" The wool-grower gladly accepted the invitation and went home with
the Squire.
" A little later Dutch Henry, too, came reluctantly in. He was a little
better, but still robust and incessant pains were holding a high carnival in
his celiac region and beckoning him on, without pity, to the grave. Henry,
fairly seated, was not long, however, in ascertaining the fact that the wool-
grower was a guest of Squire Babb. He straightway grew rapidly worse,
his reason realed, his breath grew short and hurried, and the poor man
rushed out zig-zag in great haste to take the open air, and if possible, to
live unattended.
" He wandered away and was never seen in the settlement afterward,
leaving behind him claim, cows, calves, everything, which things were
never afterward called for.
" After Henry had acted so strangely and disappeared so mysteriously,
the wool-grower bethought himself, and upon reflection, claimed to have
recognized in Dutch Henry the identical Henry Johns, whom he had taken
him to be on first sight, who had, some years before, broken into a farm
house near Beaver, Pennsylvania, and had stolen therefrom some six or
eight hundred dollars, and had made good his escape.
"Time rolls on and full twenty-two years after this cabin had heen
reared, we were traveling in Kansas, in a wagon a la mode. Night coming
oh we went into camp some twelve miles north of Fort Scott. We had
been in camp but a little time when a lean, lank, miserly looking individ-
ual came striding up to our camp fire and saluted us in a peculiar brogue,
that we at once recognized. He "asked us if we had seen a party, that he
described as being runaways, having in charge a span of horses belonging
to himself.
" We replied that we had not. He then wished us to keep a sharp look-
out for the delinquents, and if we should hear of the ' bar.ties ' to write him.
" We promised to do so, and ventured to suggest to him the propriety of
our knowing his name and address in order to be enabled to comply with
his reasonable demand.
" He replied instantly 'Dutch Henri, send de ledders to Fort Scott, Kan-
sas.' Well, well, before us stood the selfsame Dutch Henry, with the iden-
tical scar on his apathetic brow that we had so often looked at in years
agone, and wondered how it got there. The very same Dutch Henry that
had suffered so terribly on the day and the night after the cabin aforesaid
was reared.
" We did not make ourselves known, nor did he seem to have any know-
ledge of us. He got the better of us in the price of a feed of corn for our
horses. We overpaid him, and he promised to return the surplus before
we set out in the morning, but alas, he had left early while it was yet dark,
-on business some twelve miles away, and we never saw him afterward."
HISTORY OF DALLA8 COUNTY. 341
A PIONEER COURTSHIP.
The following is by the same writer:
"In the spring of 1848 we were busily engaged. in planting corn in our
little field nestled in the woods, our little woman going before, and, with
dextrous precision, was measuring out to every hill its exact quota of seed,
while we, hoe in hand, was baptizing them in the virgin soil abaft. These
were among the happy days of our life's journey. Suddenly we heard a
strong grating voice ringing out upon the air from our rear, saying ' neigh-
bor, what will you take to leave this place and let me come in?'
" We looked around, and saw a man on horseback in the road (that passed
around or cabin) at a stand. "We replied ' one thousand dollars, sir.' The
stranger rejoined: ' Cheap enough, sir, cheap enough. I'm looking around
for a claim here somewhere. It's the first time I've been down here. This
is a nice grove; a little paradise here, and I'd like the mate to it. You had
ort to be satisfied.'
" We replied we were pretty well pleased with our location, all things
considered, and did not care to look further; but would do so for the amount
named. 'You might do worse, sir: a good 'eal worse.'
" ' How long have you been here, neighbor? ' ' Since last fall,' we replied.
'Then you have been working, I see.' 'Yes, we have been pretty busy.'
'How many settlers are there here?'
"Tour of us, all told; others, we are told, will be here soon, from below.'
'What may I call your name, sir?' We gave him our name, and, in turn,
we asked his. ' My name, sir, is Adam Vineage, the world over. I've
stopped on the prairie, a little way above here, until I can find a claim that
suits me; then I'm going to work in earnest to build a cabin; to break up
some prairie, and put in some sod-corn to run me through the winter. It
isn't business to buy corn and haul it a long ways, when we can raise it right
, here just as easy as you can in any place in the world. It's warm isn't it?
I'm sweatin' for all's out, just a ridin' along. Call round, neighbor, when
we get settled down, and git acquinted. Bring your wife and children
along. That's the way I like to see it done. Good-bye, sir, and don't work
too hard.'
"Adam Vineage was a mass of muscles, and he had but few equals in
this respect anywhere. He was a good neighbor, and a most devoted friend,
and would fight the 'old scratch' on time, were he to 'cross his path.' He
loved fun, and was a wag of the very first water.
"Adam soon found a claim (the place now occupied by W. R. Kimry),
and went to work sure enough, and was getting things in a good shape,
when, alas, Mrs. Vineage sickened and died suddenly in July of that year,
This was the first death in what is now Sugar Grove township.
"Hers was the first burial in what is known as the Kimry grave-yard.
The coffin was made of an old wagon box, the very best' that could be done
at that time.
"Mrs. Yineage was a woman of good intellect, with a teeming philan-
thropy that went out in a strong tangible current for the good of all the
world.
"Her death was a terrible blow on Adam, and his activity in building up
a home and farm on the wild lands he had taken was greatly abridged by
the constant care demanded by the brood of little chicks left to his sole
charge by the untimely death of their dear mother. He was, however,
342 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
equal to the task, and battled on cheerfully and bravely for better days to
come.
" Things went on in this way for many months, and Adam finally began to
meditate seriously upon his isolated condition, and upon a way to remedy
this state of things. The neighbors urged him on to make up his cheer-
less, clouded cabin with the gushing rays and merry song of a second wife.
"Adam was cajoled into activity, and very soon after began to tune up
his long unstrung voice and. to sing pathetically in his lonely, hapless hours
at nightfall, after the toils of the day were over and the evening shades had.
brought sadness and ennui to his heart, imprimis:
" ' There's naught but care on every hand,
In every hour that passes, 0;
What signifies the life o' man,
An' there's na for the lasses, 0.'
"The settlements had spread since Adam had built his cabin in our midst,
and in the family of a new-comer there was an active, sprightly, good-
looking girl of some seventeen summers, in whose welfare Adam took a
lively interest.
"He was no niggard in love; but was, forsooth, ardent, bountiful, irre-
pressible, and played the role of a youthful lover with a masterly hand.
" He would sing to her tenderly and cooingly, while Bessie lightly paced
the floor to the music of her spinning wheel, the following trenchant ditty:
" ' Wilt thou be my dearie?
When sorrow wrings thy gentle heart,
Wilt thou let me cheer thee?
Be the treasure of my soul? '
" She only replied that she ' could not see the point,' and was shy and
provokingly distrustful, while he was importunate and played a hand that
deserved success.
" Adam could jump further, bound higher, come down easier, carry a
bigger load of ' coon-timber,' somersault more gracefully, prestidigitate more
wonderfully and acrobat more originally, by far, than any young man in
the settlement. Yet, strange to say, in the face of all these persoaal
charms and allurements, the girl was coy and frigidly irresponsive.
"Adam, seeing that beauty, muscle, manhood and bon-ton were about to
fail him, like a general in extremity, changed his tactics.
"Yineage had resources, and his keen, practical business eye suggested ,
to him the potency of hard money.
" It had done wonders in legislations, on the bench and in the pulpit, to
say nothing of the wonders of its creation in social life, and he availed
himself of its influence in the further prosecution of his suit.
"Yineage was suddenly called to Oskaloosa on important private business
of a very pressing character, regretting to go very much indeed, and would
be gone, the ' Lord only knew how long.' In this sudden emergency Yine-
age called on Squire Babb, took him aside, and with great diffidence and
delicacy confided to him a secret:
'"Squire Babb,' says he in a whisper, 'I'm going down to Oskaloosa on
very important private business; don't know when I'll be back; may never
get back; life's uncertain, you know, and as you are the only man in all
the world I'd trust in this business I'll now say to you that I've — that I've
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 343
a large box of gold coin, locked up and made fast 'gin the pryin' eyes of
the curious, that I want to put into your dear hands for safe keepfn' till
my return, and should I never return it's yours.'
" 'Squire Babb, my means are ample, and my family are otherwise well
provided for. Now, I shall ask you to keep this whole matter a profound
secret, locked up in your own manly bosom. I'd be truly sorry to think
I'd been the means of bringing trouble and perhaps death upon my dearest
and most valued friend, which might be the result should it become pub-
licly known that you, Squire Babb, had in your care such a pile of gold. ,'
"The Squire was fairly overcome with gratitude for the honor done him,
and thanked Vineage again and again. 'To-morrow morning early, Squire
Babb,' continued Vineage, ' I'll hitch up my team and bring down the box
of gold. Have Mrs. Babb go a visiting, and see that Jack is a-fishing.
Will you promise me this, Squire Babb?'
" 'I will, I will,' answered the Squire.
" Adam now returns home in great glee at his success thus far. Morn-
ing came.
" ' The birds sang love on every spray.'
"Adam hooked up his team and drove rapidly to the cabin of Squire
Babb, with the box containing the precious metal. On his arrival he found
the Squire alone, as he had promised, and ready to greet him.
"Hastily the money-box was lifted out of the wagon, with difficulty,
from its great weight, and carried, gravely as death, into the cellar under
the floor of the cabin of the magnanimous Squire, and was, with as little
ceremony as possible, buried away down in the stolid subsoil, there to
await, unmolested, the precarious return of the assiduous Adam from
Oskaloosa.
" Adam now drove rapidly back home, and soon after set out for Oska-
loosa on his important private business.
" But a few days after Adam had gone his bosom friend, Squire Babb,
gave us, as was usual, a friendly call, and left us a choice cut of venison
taken the day previous, for which we thanked him and were grateful. As
the Squire was about to depart he took us aside and very confidentially
gave us the whole story of the ' money-chest,' as here detailed.
" "We congratulated him on the reception of such a high honor, and the
Squire bid us adieu.
" Two weeks after this confidential interview the Squire gave us another
friendly call and also another fat cut of luscious venison, for which we
were again very thankful. Again he took us aside and spoke of the confi-
dential ' money-chest ' ; said that ' he had resurrected it honestly out of mere '
curiosity, yon know, with no intention whatever of purloining any part of
its precious contents, and had, with much difficulty, opened it and found,
to his great surprise and indignation, that the whole thing was a cruel
sell; that instead of being filled with glittering gold — as he had every rea-
son to believe — it was, on the contrary, filled to the lid with the basest bits
of broken pots, old iron, in fine, the odds and ends the like of which may
be found laying loose about every farm house in the land.' Here the good
old Squire rested with a sigh, and lapsed into an expressive silence.
" His pride of character had received a terrible blow. We commiserated
him and we parted.
"The story got out (the Squire never knew just how) that the puissant
344 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
lover had a great, big box of gold coin. Meanwhile Vineage returned from
Oskaloosa to scan the field, and to make some reckonings, from his matri-
monial law-book, for the good time ahead. The saucy girl had heard of the
4 box of gold,' but still her heart did not bound toward her lover. The
bird would not yet sing in her heart.
" She was stiff-necked, obdurate and unemotional, and refused point-blank
to be wooed and won.
" Our lover was whipped and quit the field in disgust. The ' money-chest '
was called in and there was peace in this department of the realms of cupid
for many months.
" The lover never knew that the real contents of the mysterious box was
known to the Squire.
" The Squire dare not mention his discovery to the lover, so- the matter
stood and still stands. All was quiet, but it had a terrible effect on the
Squire. lie never fairly got over it, and it was the means of hastening
him away.
" The Squire left here soon after, and the lover followed a few years later.
All the parties to this little affair have long since crossed the river."
A PIONEER DOCTOR.
Doctors were rather scarce in these parts in those days, and, as a general
thing, people did their own doctoring, or some handy, accommodating per-
sons in the neighborhood, who had, perhaps, learned from wider experience
a little more of the common ailments of the human system, as also of the
most natural relief from them, stood always ready to give the benefit of
their superior knowledge and timely advice, without cost, to all the afflicted
ones in the vicinity who might call for their aid.
In this way people got along very comfortably for sometime without any
doctor in their midst. But they, too, came along in due time and soon be-
came plentiful as need be.
Among the first who came was Dr. Henderson, who is thus described by
Judge Burns:
" So history of the early settlement of this county would be complete
without mention of the eccentric Dr. Henderson, who made his advent here
in the spring of 1848. We had become well acquainted with the doctor in
the State of Illinois, where we had last lived prior to our coming to Iowa.
li Henderson was a Pennsylvanian and had graduated at the Philadelphia
Medical School with highest honors. His parents, who were in affluent
circumstances, lavished their means to educate, fit and prepare an only son
for the highest walks in life. His intellectual power had wonderful com-
pass. And such a retentive memory we have never known.
" He was a critical master of more than a baker's dozen languages, and
was a physician of the very first water.
"But in all things said or done by him he portrayed the same eccentric
and peculiar original.
"When called to the bedside of the sick he would approach the patient
in the most dignified manner, reach for the arm and feel for thes pulse,
throw his head back so as to bring his face on a parallel with, the ceiling
above, his eyes trembling in their sockets meanwhile, like the flying jib-
boom of a vessel laboring in a gale. Soon his he"ad would assume its natu-
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 345
ral plane, and a moment after he would say to the patient, < stick out your
tongue, sir.' The patient complying, he would gaze upon it for a moment
and say in an imperious tone and manner, if the case was serious and
would probably result in the death of the patient, ' Well, sir, you're sick,
very sick, sir, and if you have any prayers to make be about it, sir, at
once. There is no use of me nauseating your stomach with a prescription
that can do no good. You must die, sir, and if you have a will to make,
make it. Don't be deluded by a fallacious hope that you will live, or even
grow better. You will do neither.
" ' Still, sir, if you have money to spare foolishly, I am willing to watch
by your bedside and smooth your pathway to the grave as best I can, sir.
" ' I will charge you $20 for this interview. But, sir, if the money is
forthcoming now $10 will pay the bill. I await your answer, sir.
"A pause, the money is paid, the doctor looks it over carefully and says,
'Do you wish my professional services longer?'
" 'Gu — ess not,' is the response, and the doctor moves carefully out, and
the patient, sure enough, dies, as the doctor had predicted.
" As an advocate he had no superiors anywhere (having graduated at a
distinguished law school).
" His volubility of tongue was marvelous. But with all these varied
{lowers of mind, they failed to make a man of him, and he floated reck-
essly down the stream of life, without a point of concentration in view,
and was thrown into its eddies to be lost among the drift of poor humanity.
He remained here less than a year, to lodge somewhere else, only to stay a
brief period, and then on, and on, and on to the end."
Of course the above described personage, with all his eccentricities, was
by no means a true specimen of all pioneer doctors; nor a fitting type of
the many able and most worthy members of that profession who succeeded
• him as citizens and practitioners in this county. For Dallas county can
proudly and deservedly boast of affording physicians and surgeons who
stand in the very first ranks of the medical and surgical professions in the
West.
A FKUITFTJL YEAR
The year 1848, generally, was a fruitful, prosperous one for the county.
Careful preparation and faithful efforts had been made, during this and the
previous year, by almost every one present, for securing a crop for the har-
vest of this year, which would be at least sufficient to supply all the set-
tlers and their now increasing stock with all the essentials of living, and,
if possible, have some to spare for those coming in, so that the community
would be supplied with breadstuff's and common home products, without
going so far from the settlements to secure these necessaries at high prices
and with great difficulty of transporting.
For this faithful labor and careful preparation the settlers were bounti-
fully and almost universally rewarded with a fruitful harvest, and with an
excellent quality of grain and other products raised.
This was, of course, a great source of encouragement as well as comfort
to those in this new country, and gave them sufficient assurance that they
could very readily be able not only to comfortably support themselves, but
could raise quite a surplus to sell to the new-comers for cash with which to
346 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
purchase the groceries, clothing and other essential articles for family use
and farm improvements.
By this means, also, emigration was encouraged and greatly increased,
which brought in more or less money, created a demand tor more and more
supplies such as could be raised abundantly by any and every settler, in-
creased the number of settlements and made quite an extensive and en-
couraging home market for the surplus of all that was raised Thus the
work progressed with eminent satisfaction to all concerned, and made the
early settlers feel that the day was not far distant when they would not be
more dependent upon their old neighbors further east, than those who
were settling the lands further west on the Missouri slope were dependent
on them, and when Dallas would be proudly numbered with the older
counties of the State.
During this year (1848) the population of the county was more than
doubled, and the amount of cultivation and improvement was more than
trebbled, greatly increasing the convenience and comfort of the settlers.
Milling privileges were becoming much more numerous and near at hand.
Small stocks of goods, consisting of the essential commodities, were being
brought in, and pioneer stores or common supply posts were beginning to
be established right at home. Schools and church privileges were being
talked of, and the necessary steps taken to secure them in due time, and,
taking it all together, the year 1848 was one of the eventful years in the
early settlement and history of Dallas county.
A HAKD WINTER.
It was fortunate indeed that the harvest of 1848 was so bountiful, and
the general advancement in improvement so great, for the winter which
followed was a fearful one, and brought one of the heaviest snow storms
that ever has been known here. Without the preparation and plentiful pro-
duct of the past' year, that winter would have been the sad occasion of a
great deal of suffering in these parts and all along the frontier.
The snow commenced falling the seventh of November, before the ground
had become frozen, covering the earth with a heavy coat of white, and con-
tinued at a depth of nearly three feet on the ground until toward the last of
the following February. It came in heavy driving storms, after intervals
of a few days cessation off and on, all winter, often coming with such driv-
ing, drifting force as to render it impossible for the settlers to venture out
or get from place to place without danger of being lost or frozen to death.
There being yet comparatively few settlers in the county, and not a great
deal of marketing to be done, or foreign trading to be transacted, travel was not
sufficient to keep the ways opened or form a beaten track in any direction.
And if anyone found it necessary to venture out any distance from home,
the driving winds on these great unobstructed prairies only filled up his
tracks with the drifting snow almost as fast as he made them, so he was
unable to follow the same track in return.
The inhabitants of the pioneer cabins were completely snow-bound all
winter, never venturing out only in cases of absolute necessity, and then it
was at the peril of their lives, or at least of frosted ears and toes, especially
if they had any great distance to go.
It afforded splendid opportunities for enjoying the inestimable blessings
of home life to those who were fortunately favored with any such earthly
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 347
luxuries, but to those who were not thus favored it was certainly a terrible
winter.
It was no unusual thing to make several unsuccessful attempts, through
desperate blockades of snow-drifts, in order to reach a mill with a few
bushels of corn as a load.
Many still relate with delight — and yet with an air of triumph and aston-
ishment at having endured such trials — how that they have made three or
four such vain attempts successively to carry off a grist or haul a load of
corn from another neighborhood, but each time became so overwhelmed in
the snow-drifts that they found it impossible to go further on their errand,
and were compelled to dig their way out of the drifts, and retrace their
tracks back as best they could to their humble cabins, which were nearly
covered in the drifts, and scarcely visible to the wandering traveler at any
great distance from home.
The settlers generally aimed to take advantage of the milder weather to
go to mill, and get their extra provisions and mail matter, and other neces-
sary errands, always clubbing together as much as possible on such occa-
sions, and allowing the stronger, hardier ones, who were the best fitted, and,
' perhaps, the most delighted, to undertake such an excursion, to go on these
distant errands for the neighborhood, while the more feeble and dependent
ones remained to take care of matters at home.
This all worked very well, with comparative comfort and satisfaction to
those who had been fortunate in raising a crop during the past summer,
and exercised forethought and precaution enough to lay in a supply ahead
during the better days to serve them through the stormy, blustering
weather.
And though the heavy snow banks did block them in from getting to mill
for several weeks, they could live at home in comparative happiness and
contentment, on their abundance of boiled corn and hominy, or exercise
their genius and skill in trying to invent some new plan of grinding or
grating their corn, and preparing their home products for a palatable diet.
But for those new-comers, who had arrived late in the fall, and especially
for those who had come in just before the heavy fall of snow came, so that
they had no time or opportunity for making preparation for the approach-
ing storm and cold weather, this winter was a most terrible and gloomy
one.
They could not get away any distance to supply themselves with corn or
any of the necessaries of comfortable living, on account of the heavy snow
and driving winds, and as a general thing they had no great supply of these
things on hand. Their only hope and relief in this extremity was to de-
pend on their generous and more fortunate neighbors, who had been here
long enough to have raised and harvested a crop, both for supplies for their
families and their stock.
And in all such appeals in cases of emergency, those seeking aid and
relief, seldom, if ever, failed to have their requests granted abundantly,,
with cheerfulness on the part of their more favored neighbors, and most
generally without remuneration.
One of the greatest difficulties and severest trials these new-comers had
to undergo during that hard winter was that of procuring the necessary
food and shelter for their stock which they had brought along with which
to make a comfortable commencement on improvement during the coming
year. This stock necessarily suffered a great deal during the cold and
348 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
stormy weather from want of sufficient food and shelter, and much of it
died from hunger and constant exposure, causing serious loss and incon-
venience to the owners.
In the absence of hay, corn, stalk-fields and straw-piles in this extremity
the settlers were obliged to cut down linn and elm trees in the most con-
venient and sheltered places, from the tops and branches of which the
hungry stock could browse, as a substitute for the more nutritious food,
and behind whose bushy tops the poor animals could Qnd a partial shelter
from the chilling winter winds. In this way many of the settlers who
came in late succeeded in bringing the most of their .stock • through the
hard winter, but could not have endured the siege much longer, as they
found in the spring that there was not much more vitality and locomotive
power than was absolutely necessary on the part of these dumb brutes to
enable them to get around and graze upon the new grass sufficiently to
recruit their diminished strength and wasted bodies.
Even many of those who had been here for a longer time, having pre-
pared, in the summer and fall, what they supposed would be sufficient fod-
der for their stock through an average winter, and not looking for such a
fearful siege of snow and storm, were glad to resort to the browsing sys-
tem also, and cut down trees plentifully near their stock yards, in order
that the animals might fill up on the twigs and branches, and thus get
along on a smaller quantity of the prepared fodder, lest the supply should
fail before spring set in. Many such ingenious plans were resorted to in
these cases of necessity in order to "winter through."
From all accounts of those who were compelled to endure it on the
frontier, it was certainly a desperate winter, thoroughly fitted to try the
hearts and test the powers of endurance of those who were obliged to bat-
tle with the trials of pioneer life in the West.
Such a winter coming even now, when people are thoroughly fixed for
it, with fine houses and barns, and food and shelter for man and beast, and
with all the conveniences and comforts and provisions that could reasonably
be desired, would be considered as a " stormer," which must cause destitu-
tion and suffering on the part of very many. JS"o wonder, then, that the
early settlers still living, who endured it here with meager preparations,
ever remember and refer to it as the " hard winter of 1848-49."
THE FIEST POST-OFFICE.
Penoach was then quite a pioneer village, consisting of several log cabins*
each one of which was thoroughly inhabited. Something of an assortment
was now being kept in the line of a stock of groceries, dry-goods, notions,
and other essential family supplies, so that the settlers could there be
accommodated with many necessary articles for home use. But during
this hard winter it was very difficult getting to the village to obtain these.
A post-office had also been established there, as before stated, during the
previous fall (1847), when the postmaster, J. 0. Oorbell, had built a log
house which he used both for a dwelling-house and post-office, being the
first house built in the town.
About the only way the settlers could reach this poat-office. during the
winter of heavy snow was on foot, by following the river on the ice where
the snow had not drifted so deeply.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 349
Even then they were compelled to be very vigilant, lest, in their journey
for the mail matter, they might run into an air-hole, or break through the
thin ice, as the heavy coat of snow had prevented the ice from freezing
very thickly, and the settlers did not dare to venture upon it with teams or
on horseback.
The building in which the mail matter was kept must have been a
shackly old structure, poorly finished and furnished, and not well adapted
either for convenience or comfort, from the description given in the fol-
lowing incident related by Judge Burns:
" S. K. Scovell was deputy postmaster in 1848, under Squire Corbell,
chief. In June of that year we called at the post-office, at Fenoach for a
magazine we were taking at the time. We found the deputy postmaster
sprawling on the dirt floor of the office, with his leonine head pillowed on
a rick of ' Session Laws,' fast asleep.
" Intone, the deputy, got up, yawning and scratching his head, and
began to look through his pillow, in which the uncalled for mail matter
was interlaid, for the magazine asked for. It could not be found, and the
deputy remarked that ' it must be here somewhere, for I have certainly
read it. May be possible it has blown out through these tarnal cracks, for
it's powerful windy here sometimes. I'll look and see.'
" The deputy went out doors, and, on looking around in the tall grass,
found it sorne thirty feet away, where, sure enough, it had been blown."
Of course the amount of mail matter at that time passing through this
post-office was very limited in comparison with that of the present day; but
the scarcity, the great length of time elapsing between the dates of arrival
of the different mails, and the difficulties and trials encountered in securing
and bringing it home made it all the more precious to those receiving the
long-looked-for messages and periodicals. A week then, perhaps, seemed
shorter than a day does now to one looking for a delayed letter.
A WELCOME SPEING.
The fearful winter referred to gradually began to loosen its hold in the
following February, and before the month of March was gone the snow
had all disappeared, except occasional remnants of massive drifts that had
existed on the north side of high banks and hills, where the sun had not
been permitted to shine so powerfully, and the spring of 1849 was ushered
in quite early, with a kindly welcome, bringing encouragement and hope
to many anxious hearts, as well as comfort and warmth to many needy, suf-
fering homes.
The heavy snow lying so constantly on the ground during the previous
winter had not allowed the ground to become frozen very solid or deep, so
that the stock could take care of themselves quite comfortably during the
latter part of March, and until the grass began to start in the sloughs and
bottom-lands in sufficient quantities to furnish feed in abundance. Every
thing seemed most favorable also for producing an early growth of vegeta-
tion as if to recompense for the want and suffering of the past winter.
By the time the snow was melted the frost was nearly all out of the
ground, so that the constant rays of the sun soon produced warmth enough
350 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
in the earth to start the growth of grass and hurry the much-wished-for
pasture along, and furnished food for the famishing herds. This was, in-
deed, an inestimable blessing to all those who had settled here late in the
previous fall, and had not been enabled to procure either feed for their stock,
or sufficient food and comforts for themselves and families. ,
The felling of trees for the browsing and shelter of stock had proven a
good thing in time of need, but all were heartily glad that the time had at
last come when this custom need not longer be pursued, and when stock
could take care of themselves, leaving the owners to go about their spring
work and improvements.
Great preparation was made on all hands during the spring for securing
as good and large a crop during the coming harvest as possible. Every
available acre and square foot of ground that was at all arable and fitted
for receiving the seed with any chance of producing a reasonable growth of
grain or garden stuffs, was seeded or planted with the utmost care and dili-
gence. During that spring quite a large crop was planted, considering the
age of the settlements and the great disadvantages under which the citizens
labored for making improvements, and again their faithful labors were re-
warded with a fruitful harvest.
Quite a large increase of emigration also came into the county during
that spring and summer, almost doubling the population of the county be-
fore the end of that year. ,
As one who was present and witnessed the scene of progress says of it:
" The year of grace, 1849, was crowned with an abundant harvest, and
witnessed the incoming of many immigrants within our borders, who were
greeted with a hearty welcome by all."
No doubt those coming in during that year did receive a hearty welcome
from all those who had preceded them, and found the way opened with
far more encouraging prospects than those did who 'first made permanent
settlements in Dallas county. It was, in general, a summer of peaceful
prosperity. Many of the new-comers bringing in more or less money, to
be distributed, to some extent, among those already living here, who had
been fortunate enough to have something left from last year's crop to sell
for the supply of others.
FLOOD OF 1849.
When the immense coat of snow that covered the ground during the pre-
vious winter, began to melt in the spring, it caused a terrible flood, which
swept down the ravines and bottoms into the rivers, carrying every thing
before it. The melting of the snow began about the first of March, and
continued, under the increasing power of the sun's rays, to swell the rivers
until far beyond their banks and well up on the bluffs on either side, thus ren-
dering it impossible to cross them, and shutting the settlers in from com-
munication with those living on the other side, for weeks and months.
A great many heavy rains also came during that spring, and kept the
flood raging from March until July of that year. There was very little
getting to mill, or any place else, while that continued, if the desired trip
was to be made across a stream or two of any considerable size, and under
HISTORY OT DALLAS COUNTY. 351
such circumstances the settlers must still remain contented with their
alloted apportionment of "hog and hominy" until the "floods of water"
subsided so that crossing could again be accomplished.
Sometimes very risky, and generally fruitless, attempts were made at
crossing during the high waters, by the more adventurous and daring ones.
■ A temporary raft was made of logs or home-made canoes and dug-outs
fastened together, on which the grist and wagons were taken across, piece
by piece, and then the oxen caused to swim to the other shore, when all
things were again put in running order, and the mill-goers moved onward
on their journey.
But not very many of the settlers chose to risk such an hazardous under-
taking, and sometimes those who did undertake it found more on their
hands than they were able to manage, and were glad to get back safely to
shore with all their effects and wait until a more convenient season, as
was the case with the Ellis boys, before related.
As a general thing the citizens were content to remain near their homes
attending to the work to be done there during the high waters, and make the
best of the circumstances living on just such as they had and could get
near home.
FLOOD OF 1851.
Two years later, ako, during the spring of 1851 there was another great
flood, as great, if not greater in extent and amount of damages than the
previous one. The rainfall throughout Iowa in that spring was unprece-
dented, and the smaller rivers in the State attained a high water mark
which has not since been reached, and for some time the earth's surface
was like an immense sea of mud and water, rather than like terra firma.
It is said that at times the rain fell .literally in torrents for the space of
an hour, giving the face of the whole country the appearance of a vast lake
or sheet of rnshing water.
The Des Moines river reached an immense size, tearing down and carry-
ing off everything that came within reach of its current, and reaching out
in many places to a width of two" to four miles, as the high water marks
plainly showed by measurement after the waters had subsided.
The Raccoon river, in all its branches and tributaries, was swollen in
equal proportions, bearing along with its current everything that could not
withstand the power of its sweeping, rushing waters, and thus causing
much damage by floating away fencing and other improvements along its
banks and bottom lands that had been made since the previous flood of
1849, and flooding many of the farms on the low lands along it so that the
owners were unable to go forward with their work for many weeks. This
overflow finally reached its culmination about the last of May.
SECOND DISTRICT COURT.
On June 4, 1849, after a lapse of nearly two years from the date of the
first court session in the county, the second district court convened in Pe-
noach.
Hon. William McKay who had been appointed prosecuting attorney at
352 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
the first court, had been promoted to the position of judge of the fifth ju-
dicial district, in the meantime, and presided over this second session.
This was really the first one at which any cases appeared upon the
docket, and there seems to have been but one case at this session, which
was of minor importance and was dismissed from the docket, as the follow-
ing record shows :
William D. Boone )
vs. [•
John Wright. )
The parties now come, and thereupon the said defendant files his motion for a continu-
ance,' and also a motion to dismiss the case from the docket; and thereupon, by agreement
of said, parties, a change of venue is granted to the court of Polk, in this Judicial District.
S. K. Scovell was clerk, Eli Smithson, sheriff, and Henry Stump, prose-
cuting attorney.
ELECTIONS OF 1849.
The April election of this year created no unusual interest, as there were
only few offices to be filled, and not very important ones.
At their January meeting the board of county commissioners had again
provided for three places of voting, one at Penoach, one in Boone, and one
in Des Moines township.
The whole number of votes cast at this election was sixty-seven.
There were only four officers elected at this time: a probate judge, Sam-
uel Miller, to succeed Uriah Stotts; a school-fund commissioner, Ira Sher-
man, to succeed S. K. Scovell; and two justices of the peace, F. 0. Case
and Judah Learning, Sr.
The temperance issue at this election is noted further on under the head
of temperance.
The August election of 1849 elicited a greater interest on the part of
the voters generally throughout the county.
The principal offices of importance now to be filled were that of district
clerk and sheriff, and over the filling of these two offices there was quite
an enthusiastic fight, causing rather a lively campaign, and some earnest
work was carried forward • on both sides with considerable earnestness of
feeling. But it is said that, "notwithstanding the activity of the chief
contestants for the succession in this election, there were no thorns left in
the .flesh to irritate and inflame in after days. On the contrary, the kindest
feelings seemed to prevail among all."
The voting precincts, at this time, stood as at the previous April election,
three in number, and the highest number of votes cast for any one office
was ninety-five (95), which was, perhaps, about all the available votes in
the county at that time.
There were numerous candidates for the various offices, several having
four different contestants and one reaching as high as five, but these were
principally for offices of minor note. The more important offices only had
the two opposing candidates, and the largest number of votes possible on
either side was cast for them.
The following table shows the various candidates for the respective
offices, and the number of votes each received; also, the successful ones, as
shown by the majority column:
*\ aBKBjjf
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
353
NAMES OF CANDIDATES
No. of
Major-
Votes
ity
49
36
12
13
2
44
7
37
11
48
5
43
63
42
21
51
18
33
44
6
88
5
8
45
16
29
84
76
8
46
36
1
10
1
1
38
36
1
1
2
Probate Judge:
J. C. Goodson
William D. Boone
James V. Pierce
Barney Morrison
District Clerk:
S. K. Scovell
Lot P. Patty
L. D. Burns
Sheriff:
Samuel Marrs
Thomas Butler
Treasurer and Recorder :
Samuel Dilly
John Clayton
County Commissioner:
William W. Miller
Thomas J. Drummond
Commissioners' Clerk:
S. K. Scovell
Lot P. Patty
L. D. Burns
Thomas J. Drummond
Prosecuting Attorney :
Benjamin Greene
William Miller
Surveyor:
John S. Sammis
Aaron L. Johns
Coroner:
Harvey Adams
George B. Warden
William Ellis
William D. Boone
Samuel Dilly
Sealer of Weights and Measures :
Z. Babcock
George S. Hills
George B. Warden
Thomas Butler
While there was a great increase of emigration to the county during the
entire year of 1849 there was also in that fall quite a perceptible decrease
in the population on account of the great excitement in these parts caused
by the, opening of the rich gold mines of California, taking many away
from their settlements here, and vacating a number of the important offices
so recently filled at the late August election. This movement necessitated
the appointment, October 9, 1849, of Aaron L. Johns as sheriff, to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of John S. Sammis; and also
the calling of a new election, by the board of county commissioners, to fill
this and other offices vacated for the same reason, which election should be
held early the following year, on February 23, 1850, the results of which
are given further on, under the proper date.
The gold excitement of California was the means of drawing away about
thirty persons from this county during that fall, many of whom were num-
bered among the first citizens of the county.
The winter which followed was also quite severe, but not so much so as
the preceding one, and the citizens were much better prepared for enduring
23
354 HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
it than they were a year before. The crop had been abundant, so that all
who had spent the summer here were well supplied with food and shelter
and other necessaries for making them and their stock comfortable through
the winter; besides, they had learned a most important lesson from their
past experience, that was not likely soon to be forgotten.
There was enough raised in the county to furnish a reasonable supply
for all the new-comers, as well as for the former settlers, and this winter
was passed with comparative convenience and comfort, with no unusual
stir except that caused by the gold excitement of California.
GOLD-HUNTEKS OF 1850.
The California gold excitement, which was first manifested here in the
fall of 1849, taking away from this county many good citizens that could
illy be spared, and unsettling the' minds of many more, did not die out in
the least during the siege of winter, but rather increased in its intensity,
spreading to a wonderful extent throughout the country, and enlisting the
sympathies of multitudes, who became only too anxious to dispose of the
little property or comfortable homes they might be possessing or enjoying
in peace and contentment, and pushing on to the strange new land in pur-
suit of more gold.
The winter season in very many localities, as well as in several settle-
ments of this county, was spent principally in making the necessary prep-
aration for joining the throng and starting westward as soon as the weather
and grass would permit. And in the spring of 1850 the rush of emigra-
tion along the overland route to California passing through here presented
a scene never to be forgotten by those who beheld it, and especially by
those whose friends, the nearest and dearest of earth, had parted from
them and joined the throng, perhaps never to return again. It was one
continuous line of wagons, extending east and west as far as the eye could
see, moving westward, and drawing in from the country on either side as
it passed along very many from their quiet homes and peaceful pursuits,
until about the first of June of that year, when the great rush had passed
by here, and left the remaining citizens to pursue the even tenor of their
ways.
The scene along this line, through this vicinity, is thus described by one
who was an eye-witness:
" It seemed that Bedlam itself had been let loose.
"A. continuous line of wagons, stretching away to the west as far as the
eye could see. ***********
If a wagon was detained by being broken down, or by reason of a sick
horse or ox, it was dropped out of line and the gap closed up immediately.
If a poor mortal should sicken and die^ the corpse was buried hurriedly by
the way-side, without coffin or burial service. When night came on, the
line of wagons was turned aside and their proprietors would go into
camp.
"Very soon the sound of revelry would begin around the camp-fires thickly
set on every hand, first to bottle and then to cards, to the echo of the most
horrid oaths and imprecations that were ever conceived or uttered since the
fall of man.
"These poor deluded votaries of Mammon scattered that dreadful scourge,
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 355
emall-pox, everywhere that they came in contact with the settlers on the
way. Game cards were strewn all along the line of travel. Glass bottles,
after being emptied of their nefarious contents down the throats of the
men, were dashed against wagon wheels, pieces of which were thickly
strewn all along the road, as if to mock the madness of the advancing col-
umn of these fervent janizaries of the golden calf.
"At the time of the treaty df Gaudalupe Hidalgo, the population of Cali-
fornia did not exceed thirty thousand, while at the time of which we are
writing (1850), there were more than one hundred and fifty thousand people
that had found their way thither.
"Of which number at least one hundred thousand were ' gold-hunters '
from the States.
"There had been taken from the auriferous beds of California, up to Janu-
ary, 1850, over $40,000,000 in gold.
"Out of a population of a little less than three hundred, our county lost
one-tenth of that population in the tide to California.
"The evil effects of this gold mania upon the moral status of the people
of the United States is still seen and felt everywhere, and among all classes
of society, and no man can see the end. It has popularized the worship of
Mammon to an alarming extent throughout the country, and to this wor-
ship may be imputed, to a great extent, the moral declension of to-day."
GENERAL PROSPERITY IN 1850.
The draft from the citizenship of this county, which the passing rush of
emigration carried away to the gold-fields, was very sensibly felt in this
young settlement for awhile during this spring, and it was feared that it might
prove even much more disastrous while the high excitement was raging.
But as a general thing, the people here soon concluded they had been hav-
ing, during the past few years, experience enough, in frontier life and new
settlements, to do them for a while, and became contented to cling to the
more certain pessession for which they had already toiled so hard and en-
dured so much, though they might not hasten along quite so rapidly on the
road to riches and lavish pleasures, rather than dispose of their humble
estates and rush off wildly after the uncertain possessions and happiness
offered by the placer mines of California.
Many of the marvelous stories regarding that great Eldorado of the "West,
began to appear incredible and lost the power of exciting the more stable '
minded ones, so as to lure them from their quiet homes and peaceful pos-
sessions.
When the flush of excitement was once over, and the more exciteable,
restless ones had been sifted out and carried away, the remainder settled
down again to active, steady work, on their homesteads, carrying the work
of general improvement steadily forward, and multiplying inducements for
bringing in other settlers to increase their number and further their home
interests.
The embarrassment experienced for a few months in the spring was soon
afterward more than doubly counteracted by the increase of immigration
within the county bounds during the following summer and fall. And
before the year 1850 had closed, the population of Dallas county numbered
about 850 persons, all told.
356 HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Cultivation and general improvement also had become greatly advanced)
so that evident signs of enterprise and civilization on a more than ever ex-
tensive scale became apparent, giving encouraging promise for the future.
People from other States and other parts of this State now begau to dis-
cover indeed that Dallas county, with her fertile prairies, excellent timber
and water privileges, and numerous other natural advantages, afforded some
of the finest opportunities of any locality in the State or western country
for the investment of money in real estate or the procuring of desirable,
comfortable homes which would soon become greatly increased in value,
and salable in market at the highest figures. Besides, being located so near
the center of the State it was becoming apparent to many of the more
sagacious ones that at no distant day this locality would not be far from
the capital city, at least near enough to secure the increased value and
ready sale of land after the lapse of a few years, though it was not until
five years afterward that the seat of government was finally located at Des
Moines (January 15, 1855).
This brought into the county a rapid increase of land owners within the
few following years, many of whom became permanent settlers and
estimable citizens, and many others who only entered or purchased the
best lands there to be found, and held these for speculation, which proved
in some respects a benefit, and in others a great injury to the county's
progress. >
The crop was again good this year, and everything went on prosperously
in view of the coming bountiful harvest. Mills went up rapidly in various
localities, rendering milling privileges comparatively convenient to all set-
tlements in the county. Koads were being laid out and worked, and tern-
porary bridges constructed in different localities for the convenience of
travel. Schools and school-houses were rapidly increasing, and conve-
niences for public worship multiplied. Manufactories of various kinds
began to be talked of by the more enterprising men of some capital, and
the general work of improvement and civilization progressed most en-
couragingly.
The summer season was oppressively hot, and the great increase of
immigration into the county and country round about, together with the
demands of the immense rush of California emigrants passing through
here for grain and breadstuffs during the spring and preceding fall, the
surplus crop of the previous year was quite exhausted before the new crop
came into market, and as a consequence prices ruled very high here for all
such products during the summers of 1850 and the following year. Corn
sold at times as high as $1.50 per bushel, and flour was ready sale at $7.00
per cwt.
Mills and markets had now come almost to the doors of the settlers, and
the thing of chief importance was to raise products to supply these
markets.
THE FIEST DEED.
Early in the year of 1850, also, the first conveyance of real estate in
the county, of which any record is found, was made, the deed of which
bears date of February 13, 1850. The grantors were Judah Learning, Ji'-i
and wife, and the grantee was Martin Tucker, of Polk county.
The property thus conveyed was the southwest quarter of section twenty-
HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 357
three (23), township eighty-one (81), range twenty-six (26), containing one
hundred and sixty (160) acres, for the consideration of one hundred dollars
($100). The deed was acknowledged before Judah Learning, Sr., an acting
justice of the peace, living in Des Moines township of this county.
Soon after this, and during the same spring, another transfer of real
estate was made in the county, in what is now Washington township, by
one Samuel Marrs, to David M. Starbuck, 160 acres, for the sum of $150, and
other minor considerations as specified in the following agreement between
the parties. It appears that this was only a claim disposed of, and no deed
was given at the time; but a written statement of the agreement between
the two parties was given by the one selling to the one purchasing, to bind
the bargain and make sure the transfer for all time.
Of said paper the following is an exact transcript from the original:
Ailel, Dallas County Iowa,
nown by all men of theas prents I Samuel Marrs have Sold my Came ling in Section
thirteen two David M Starbuck witch Marrs Agreas two furnish one thousand rails on said
Came this being All the Came that the said Marrs oans in the County of Dallas this Apel
the 24 . . 1850 Samuel Marrs
April the 24 . . 1850
Received of D M Starbuck one hundred and fifty dollars being the ful amount that he
was two give for said Came. Samuel Marrs
The original paper, from which the' above was copied, is still in the pos-
session of Mrs. W. H. Murphy, of "Washington township (formerly Mrs.
D. M. Starbuck), which she holds as a choice memento of earlier days,
when her former husband secured the possession of the land which has pro-
duced the comfortable home where she now lives as Mrs. Murphy.
The original paper is now well worn and rusty in appearance, but tells,
as plainly and unmistakably as it did the day it was written, the intent for
which it was given to the purchasing party.
THE ELECTIONS OF 1850.
During this year there were, in all, five different elections held, three of
which were special elections called by the board of county commissioners
to fill vacancies caused principally by the resignation of officers going to
the gold-fields, or, for other reasons, moving away from the county.
The first election held this year was the one before mentioned as being
•called by the board to be held February 23, 1850, to elect a sheriff in place
of Samuel Marrs', resigned.
The voting precincts were three in number, as before, Penoach, Boone
and Des Moines.
There were in all, ninety-two (92) votes cast of which Horatio Morrison
(Whig) received 55, Thomas Butler (Dem.) received 36, and Eli Smithson
received 1 vote, giving Morrison a majority of 19 votes, and therefore duly
electing him sheriff.
The sheriff elect came here from Missouri with a large family in 1848,
and is described by one who knew him well as being " a genial, whole-
souled, kindly, loquacious, vis a vis sort of a man, who to be known was to
be respected. But alas for poor humanity ! The 'social glass,' one of the
engines of satan to polute and destroy God's noblest work and world, beset
his pathway and quickened his footsteps to the threshold of eternity. Mor-
rison held the office only a few months, he too having resigned, and, in
358 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
company with his son James, went to California in the spring of 1850, a
' gold-hunter,' where he died a few years later."
At the April election following, there were ninety-two votes cast, the
polling places remaining the same as at the previous election.
The office of sheriff being again vacant, the board of commissioners or-
dered that the place be filled at this election.
A school-fund commissioner was also elected, together with other minor
officers of county and townships, the statistics regarding which we have
not been able to procure.
The following table shows the vote as cast for the candidates of the above
named offices:
NAMES OF CANDIDATES. ^°f M^or-
Sheriff:
William Ellis (Whig) 54 17
John W. Hayes (Dem.)
John Banks (Dem.) :
School Fund Commissioner:
Benjamin Greene (Whig)
John James (Dem.)
J. C. Goodson (Dem.) .-
It appears a disagreement arose between the members of the board of.
canvassers, with regard to the poll-book of Penoach township, which re-
sulted in its rejection.
This did not effect the result with regard to the county officers, but an-
nulled the vote as to some of the min'or offices in that particular township,
which caused quite little disturbance and brought the matter to test.
Eli Smithson had been elected a justice of the peace at this time, and
did not feel disposed to submit thus to be counted out and ruthlessly de-
prived of his honors and profits without ascertaining definitely the reasons
why it was done.
So with his official bond properly made out and duly signed according to
law, he_ appeared with it before S. K. Scovell, clerk, to be qualified and re-
ceive his proper commission for said office. The clerk, on his dignity, re-
fused to sign it, or recognize his right to the demands.
Smithson appealed to the authority of the district judge, Wm. McKay,
who straightway ordered the clerk to count Penoach township as in order
in the regular. election returns.
But rather than submit to this and thus "come down a peg" from his
assumed dignity, Scovell resigned both clerkships which he had so long
held, and left the two offices of district and commissioners' clerk vacant.
_ On May 13th, following, the board appointed Benjamin Greene to fill
his place as commissioners' clerk, and on the same day the rejected poll-
book was accepted, Eli Smithson was duly commissioned a justice of the
peace, and all the other offices in dispute were declared duly filled by those
receiving the majority vote for each respectively.
The August election of 1850 was also the State election at which time
the entire list of State officers were again to be chosen.
The voting precincts remained as before, three in number, and there
were in all one hundred and twelve (112) votes cast in the county, of which
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
359
Penoach precinct cast fifty-two (52), Boone thirty-four (34), and Des Moines
precinct twenty-six (26) votes.
"We have not been able to ascertain the exact number of votes cast for
each office, but give below the names of candidates voted for, at this time,
indicating the county officers elected.
STATE TICKET.
COUNTY TICKET.
District Clerk:
Andrew Schouten (Whig), elected.
S. K. Scovell (Dem.).
Sheriff:
Irwin C. Hughes (Dem.), elected.
Levi A. Davis (Whig).
County Commissioner:
J. C. Corbell (Dem.), elected.
Tristram Davis (Whig).
County Surveyor :
S. K. Scovell (Dem.J, elected.
0. D. Smalley (Dem.).
For Governor:
Stephen Hempstead (Dem.).
James L. Thompson (Whig).
Secretary of State:
Geo. W. McCleary.
Isaac Cook.
Auditor of State:
William Pattee.
Wm. H. Seevers.
Treasurer of State:
Israel Kister.
Evan Jay.
Treasurer of Board of Public Works :
George Gillaspy.
James Nosier.
Congressmen:
Barnhart Henn.
George G. Wright.
State Legislators:
W. W. Williamson (Whig).
Taylor Seargent (Whig).
S. K. Guiberson (Dem.), elected.
L. W. Babbitt (Dem.), elected.
The above are the fullest statistics we have been able to procure with re-
gard to this election. But so far as learned there was no unusual excite-
ment or events of special importance, aside from the usual programme at
regular fall elections, and all passed off in a quiet and peaceable manner.
The election of William Thompson to a seat in the 31st Congress from
the first district of Iowa, was contested by his opponent, Daniel F. Miller,
which resulted in the unseating of Thompson and the calling of a new
election, by the Governor, to fill the vacancy.
This special election was held September 24, 1850, with the following re-
sults:
FOR CONGRESSMAN.
No. of
Votes.
Major-
ity.
Daniel P. Miller (Whig)
William Thompson (Dem)
Delazon Smith (Independent).
38
33
2
Miller was duly elected and took his seat in "the second session of the
31st OoDgress.
Soon afterward three other vacancies in the county offices occurred on
account of the resignation of Andrew Schouten, district clerk; Samuel
360 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Dilly, treasurer and recorder; and S. K. Scovell, county surveyor. To fill
these vacancies, another special election was called by the board of commis-
sioners, which was held November 19, 1850, The townships remained as
before — Penoach, Boone, and Des Moines — and there was only twenty-one
(21) votes cast in all. S. K. Scovell was elected to fill the two offices of
district clerk and treasurer and recorder, receiving eighteen (18) votes for
the former and twelve (12) votes for the latter office; and 0. D. Smalley was
duly elected surveyor by seven (7) votes. This was the fifth and last election
held in Dallas county during the year 1850.
"We have aimed to follow the elections, during the first four years of the
county's existence and history, as accurately and minutely as possible, in
view of the great difficulties under which we have labored in tracing these
up and obtaining the necessary statistics. Doubtless, occasional mistakes
and omissions will appear, which it has been impossible to prevent, but in
main the above report is correct.
To follow this plan through, year by year until the present, giving the
minutiae of all the election returns, would require much more space, time
and labor than can possibly be devoted to it in this work. Besides, it would
neither prove interesting nor profitable to any of the parties concerned to
pursue such a statistical course.
The particulars of these first few years have been given, thinking they
would prove of especial interest to each reader, but qui^e enough of this has
already been given to show the youthful condition and growth of the county.
"We insert, further on, the substance of election abstracts of a few years
later, and also the general result of the last year's election, to show the rapid
increase of voters, population and general growth of the county, together
with a full list of county officers from the first to the present.
THE FIRST PROBATE.
Probate business -was not very extensive during the first years of the
county's existence. In fact, no cases appear on record as having been ad-
justed until after the office of probate judge was abolished and the duties
pertaining to it were turned over to the county judge in 1851.
Lloyd D. Burns was elected the first county judge in August, 1851, and
by him, on the 12th day of September following, was the first probate on
record in the county, which was the appointment of "William W. Miller as
the guardian of the minor children of Eli Smithson, deceased; Solomon
Eunyan as the administrator of the estate, and Rice R. Turner as the gen-
eral executor.
The first will admitted to probate was that of Massorn Bilderback, the
duplicate of which appears in full on the probate record in the clerk's office
as the first one recorded in Dallas county. It was made October 14, 1851,
and recorded November 17, 1851. A number of others soon followed,
however, and probate business of different kinds has filled many pages of
the county records from that until the present time.
THE FIRST FERRY.
On March 6, 1850, license was granted by the board of county commis-
sioners for running the first ferry boat in the county, as is shown by the
following order copied from the minute-book in the auditor's office:
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 361
Ordered, That Horatio Morrison be, and he is hereby, licensed and permitted to keep a
ferry across the North Raccoon river, -where the State road runs across said river, at the town
of Adel, for the term of five years, from the 6th day of March, 1850, by the said Horatio Mor-
rison paying into the county treasury of said county two dollars annually, and obtaining a
license from the clerk of said board; and the rates established for ferrying by said board, as
follows, to- wit:
For a four-horse team and wagon 50 cents.
For a two-horse team and wagon 35 cents.
For a horse and man 15 cents.
For a footman , 5 cents.
In January, 1851, this ferry changed into the hands of Eli Smithson, who
obtained permission to run it on pretty much the same terms for ten years,
only the board took pains to specify that " the ferry was to be supplied
with one good boat, at least thirty-five (35) feet long by nine (9) feet wide,
to be propelled by hand-power or rope; also one skiff or canoe, good and
sufficient."
BATES OF FERRIAGE.
For footmen, each 5 cents.
Man and horse 10 "
One-horse carriage . . . . 25 "
Two horses and wagon 35 "
Same for oxen as horses.
Neat cattle, per head 5 "
Sheep and swine, per head 3 "
"The applicant to give bonds in the penalty of three hundred ($300)
dollars."
This ferry afforded the first, and for a long time the only, means in the
county for crossing the river otherwise than by fording, which was often
impracticable as well as dangerous on account of high water. Smithson died
in the following August, and this ferry again changed hands.
VALUATION OF OUT-LOTS.
The following order of the board of commissioners, fixing the price of
town lots in Adel, issued July 7, 1851, shows their valuation at that time:
Ordered, That the out-lots in the town of Adel be valued at the following prices, to-wit:
That Lots Nos. 6 and 16-28 be valued at ($20) twenty dollars each. Lots Nos. 4, 5 and 8-14
be valued at ($30) thirty dollars each. Lot No. 3 at ($25) twenty-five dollars. Lot No. 1 at
($12) twelve dollars. .Lot No. 2 at ($10) ten dollars. Lots Nos. 7 and 11 at ($15) fifteen
dollars each.
And that Lot No 15 is granted to the M. E. Church at Congress price. (Paid.)
STATISTICS.
It will be remembered that at the first election in Dallas county, April 5,
1847, there were only (25) twenty-five votes cast; and at the first presiden-
tial election, November 7th, 1848, there were (57) fifty-seven votes cast; while
in August, 1850, at the State election, there were (112) one hundred and
twelve votes cast.
There is a missing link in the election returns, after the year 1850, caused
by a failure to record or preserve some of the abstracts during that time,
so that we have been unable to procure the complete returns. The follow-
ing abstracts show the healthful increase of votes in the county during the
succeeding six years:
362
HISTORY OP DALLAS COUNTY.
THIED PKESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Abstract of votes cast November 4, 1856.
ss.
State op Iowa, )
Dallas County. ]
The undersigned Board of County Canvassers for the county aforesaid, do hereby certify-
that we have this day duly canvassed the returns of the elections held in the several town-
ships in said county, on the first Tuesday following the first Monday, the 4th day, of Novem-
ber, A. D. 1856, and find the result for electors of President and Vice-President of the United
States as follows to- wit:
Whole number of votes cast for electors of President and Vice-President (826) eight hun-
dred and twenty-six; of which J. C. Hall and James Grant, senatorial electors, each received
(319) three hundred and nineteen votes.
D. 0. Finch of First Congressional District, and A. H. Palmer of Second Congressional
District, each received (319) three hundred and nineteen votes.
Daniel F. Miller and Henry O'Conner, senatorial electors, each received (487) four hundred
and eighty-seven votes.
Wm. M. Stone of First Congressional District, and Samuel A. Russell of Second Con-
gressional District, each received (487) four hundred and eighty-seven votes.
John P. Cook and "Wm. F. Graff, senatorial electors, each received (20) twenty votes.
S. G. McAchran of First Congressional District, arid Isaac Booth of Second Congressional
District, each received (20) twenty votes.
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our official signature and caused to be affixed
the seal of the County Court of said county, at Adel, this eighth day of November, 1856.
Llotd D. Burns, County Judge, ) ,
Stephen Peabodt, J. P., \ County Canvassers.
Nathan B. Nichols, J. P., )
'ABSTRACT
Of the election held in the several townships in the county of Dallas, in
the State of Iowa, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November,
A. D. 1856, for electors of President and Yice-President of the United
States":
Buchanan and
Breckenridge.
Fremont and
Dayton.
Fillmore and
Donaldson.
Presidential Elec-
tors.
Presidential Elec-
tors.
Presidential Elec-
tors.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
AND TOWNSHIPS.
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20
40
31
17
40
319
171
20
40
31
17
40
1st
171
20
40
31
17
40
2d
171
20
40
31
17
40
168
62
146
42
30
39
487
168
62
146
42
30
39
1st
168
62
146
42
30
39
2d
168
62
146
42
30
39
5
7
5
3
20
5
7
5
3
1st
5
7
5
3
5W
5
7
5
3
At this election, also, on the fourth day of November, 1856, Dallas county
cast (812) eight hundred and twelve votes for delegate to the constitutional
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
363
convention from the twenty-seventh senatorial district — consisting of Polk,
Dallas and Guthrie counties — of which
M. M. Crocker received 327 votes, and Thomas Seeley received 485 votes.
The following table, as taken from the abstract on file, shows the entire
vote of the senatorial district:
DELEGATE TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1856.
NAMES OP COUNTIES.
J
• g
u
6
OQ
3
1
as
GO
w
1001
327
205
1533
950
485
197
1632
6
Total
6
At the election previous, held August, 1856, the following vote was cast
for the respective candidates and offices :
NAMES OF CANDIDATES.
NO. VOTES
Secretary of State:
George Snyder 337
EJisha Sells 454
Auditor of State:
James Pollard 336
John Pattee 454
Treasurer of State:
George' Paul 336
M.L.Morris 454
Attorney General:
James Baker. ." 336
Samuel A. Rice 454
State Senator:
Theophilus Bryan 187
James Jdrdon 200
NO. VOTES
'Representative in Congress:
Augustus Hall 332
Samuel R. Curtis 455
Representative, 36th District:
Wm. L. Henderson 835
Benjamin Greene 442
District Clerk:
O. D. Smalley 352
Cole Noel 414
Prosecuting Attorney:
Jeremiah Perkins 456
H. C.Rippy 324
Cole. Noel was duly elected district clerk by a majority of 62 votes, and
Jeremiah Perkins, prosecuting attorney, by a majority of- 132 votes.
Benjamin Greene received a majority of 107 votes in his own county, and
a much. larger one in the District, which included Dallas, Polk and Guth-
rie counties, and altogether gave him 1539. votes, to 1242 cast for Mr. Hen-
derson, securing Greene a seat in the Assembly.
The board of county canvassers at this election were, L. D. Burns,
County Judge; David M. Starbuck, J. P.; John T. Alexander, J. P.
The population, at that date, would number at least four thousand, and
the general cultivation and improvement of the county had advanced in
proportion to the greatly increased number of inhabitants.
Bleaching forward, then, from the date of the Presidential election in
1856, over a scope of twenty years, to the eighth Presidential election held
in Dallas county, and noting the Presidential vote, the following results
364 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
appear, which indicate at a glance the remarkable growth of the county
from its organization to the present:
PRESIDENTIAL VOTES.
The following are the votes cast for the Presidency in Dallas county
since 1848 :
1848. Taylor 34
Cass 22
VanBuren 1— 57
1852. Pierce, Scott and Hale. Abstract missing.
1856. Buchanan 319
Fremont 487
Fillmore 20— 826
1860. Lincoln 612
Douglas 434—1046
1864. Lincoln 632
McClellan 328— 960
1868. Grant 1254
Seymour 590—1844
1872. Grant 1620
Greeley 564
O'Connor 45—2229
1876. Hayes 2136
Tilden l 752
fiooper 451-3339
In 1876 the following is an abstract of the official vote:
NAMES OF* CANDIDATES.
NO. VOTE8 NO. VOTES
Presidential Electors at Large: Supreme Judge — {Cole Vacancy):
John Van Valkenburg 2136 William H. Seevers 2135
William P. Hepburn 2136 Walter I. Hayes 754
John P. Irish 752. Charles Negus 5
Daniel F. Miller 752 Judge Supreme Court:
A. M. Dawley 451 William H. Seetebs 2135
P.C.Welch 451 Walter I. Hayes 754
District Electors, 6th District: . Charles Negus 452
W. O. CROSBr 2136 Supreme Judge— {Vacancy 1879) :
T.B.Perry 752 James H. Rothrock 2136
J. W. Murphy 451 William Graham '. 754
Secretary of State : O. R. Jones 453
Jobiah T. Young 2137 Superintendent of Public Instruction :
John H. Stubenrauch • 755 Carl W. von Coelln 2132
A. Macready 452 J.A.Nash 458
Auditor of State : Representative in Congress :
Buren R. Sherman 2137 H. J. B. Cummings 2061
William Groneway 754 S.J.Gilpin 765
Leonard Brown 452 A. Hastie 505
Treasurer of State : Circuit Judge :
Geo. W. Bemis 2137 John Mitchell 2160
Wesley Jones 750 Clerk of Courts :
George C Fry 452 A. C. Hotchkiss 2194
Register of State Land Office : A. R. Smalley - 1238
David Secor 21S7 Recorder:
N.C.Ridenour 754 J. W. Mattox 2163
Geo. M. Walker 448 Preston Bilderbach 1164
Attorney General : Board of Supervisors :
John F. McJunkin 2137 Jacob Stump 1766
J. C. Cook 755 Stevens 1532
Note.— Republicans in Small Capitals ; Democrats in Italia ; Greenbackers in Roman type.
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366 HISTORY OF DAXLAS COUNTY.
LIST OF COUNTY OFFICEKS.
The aim in the following is to give as complete a list as possible of the
various county officers and representatives, with their respective dates of
election, as taken from the records of elections. Some of the abstracts of
the earlier elections are missing, so that it has been a difficult task to trace
out this list of names, and impossible to find some that should appear here.
But with the exception of the few missing links, the list will serve to give
a condensed and classified view of all the important officers chosen at the
regular annual elections, in their order of succession, under their respective
headings, together with the length of time that each one served, following
the dates of election and not of inauguration.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
The financial affairs of the county were first managed by a board of
county commissioners, consisting of three in number, which, except the first
board elected, were chosen for terms of one, two and three years respec-
tively, thus adding one new commissioner each year, and retaining two of
experience on the board all the time.
These successive boards were as follows:
April to August, 1847 — William W. Miller, Tristram Davis, Greenburv
Coffin.
August, 1847, to August, 1848— Noah Staggs, ¥m. W. Miller, 0. D.
Smalley.
August, 1848, to August, 1849— William P. McCubbin, Wm. W. Miller,
Tristram Davis (the last mentioned was elected also the April previous, to
fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Noah Staggs).
August, 1849, to August, 1850— Wm. W. Miller, Wm. P. McCubbin,
Tristram Davis.
August, 1850, to August, 1851— J. C. Corbell, Wm. P. McCubbin, Tris-
tram Davis.
This was the last board of county commissioners elected. By an act of
the legislature the county affairs were then managed by a county judge.
COUNTY JUDGES.
L. D. Burns, August, 1851, to Oct., 1859. Henry Thornburgh, Oct.
1859; resigned January, 1861. Jeremiah Perkins, appointed to fill va-
cancy, January, 1861. He was elected October, 1861, and served in that
capacity until the office was abolished.
The management of county affairs, however, was virtually taken out of
the hands of the county judge in 1861, being given into the hands of a
board of supervisors, which should consist of one supervisor elected from
each civil township in the county, according to sections 3 and 4, Article 11,
Chapter 22, of the Revised Code of Iowa, and the judge's office was con-
fined to probate business.
SUPERVISORS.
Dallas county, at that time, only having ten organized civil townships,
was therefore entitled to but ten supervisors to constitute their board, of
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
367
whom one-half were elected for two years, and the remainder for one year,
divided by lot before the proper authorities.
The following table shows the names of the first board, and the last board
of 16 county supervisors. Their first meeting was held January 7, 1861:
1861—1862.
NAMES.
TOWNSHIPS.
LENGTH
OF TEKM.
1 Samuel J. Garoutte.
2 Simon H. Vestal. . . .
3 John D. Whitman. .
4 0. D. Smalley
5 Robert H. Elder. . . .
6 Andrew Rhinehart. .
7 J. D. Curry
8 D. M. Starbuck
9 John Maulsby
10 James Pugh
Adel
Boone
Walnut
Des Moines
Spring Valley. . .
Sugar Grove
Dallas
Washington
Linn
Union
One year.
Two "
Two "
Two "
One "
One "
One "
Two "
One "
Two "
The last board of sixteen (16) supervisors,
sisted of the following named persons :
under the old system, con-
1869—1870.
Benjamin Greene, Chairman.
S. H. Vestal, L. D. Bullis, Ohas. B. Snow, B. W. Thomas, L. S. Wells, B. F.
Sincoak, David J. Pattee, G. S. Mitchell, J. W. Eedfield, ¥m. Davidson,
G. W. Hermon, W. E. Tolle, O. D. Smalley, Jacob Stump, ffm. Jenkins.
In 1870 the supervisor system was changed and the number reduced to
three, who should be elected by the county at the general election. The
law provided that the first board of three supervisors should be elected to
serve one, two and three years respectively, their several positions to be de-
termined by lot, before the proper authorities. Afterward one new super-
visor was to be elected each year for the term of three years, leaving two
old members on the board constantly, except in cases of resignation, when
others must be elected, or appointed, to fill vacancies.
October 11, 1870, the first board of three supervisors was elected by the
county, which consisted of the following named persons: David Smart,
three "years term. William Ellis, two years term. J. W. Eedfield, one
year term. J. K. Van Meter, March 23, 1871, by appointment; vice, Ellis,
resigned.
AFTEBWARD ELECTED.
O. D. Smalley, Oct., 1871, to fill vacancy. Abe. Smith, Oct., 1871, full
term. S. W. Gilliland, November, 1872. J. C. Goodson, October, 1873.
Benjamin Greene, October, 1873, to fill vacancy. L. Warford, October,
1874. L. D. Burns, October, 1875. Jacob Stump, November, 1876.
Wm.' B. Ellis, October, 1877. L. D. Burns, October, 1878.
Others may have been appointed to fill vacancies whose names we have
not been able to learn.
368 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
CORONERS.
(Date of election.)
Martin W. Miller, Aug., 1847, to Aug., 1849. Harvey Adams, Aug.,
1849, to Aug., 1851. Martin W. Miller, Aug., 1851, tq Aug., 1852. J. V.
Pierce, Aug., 1852, to Aug., 1857. M. F. Gerard, Aug., 1857, to Feb.,
1859. John Eichhart, Feb. 14, 1859, to Oct., 1859, by appointment. J.
D. Ferguson, Oct., 1859, to Oct., 1863. Levi Diddy, Oct., 1863, to Oct.,
1865. Wm. Thornburgh, Oct., 1865, to Oct., 1866. M. E. Coons, Oct.,
1866, to Oct., 1873. T. E. Foster, Oct., 1873, to Oct., 1875. Wesley
Wright, Oct., 1875.
PROBATE JUDGES.
Samuel Miller, Aug., 1847, to April, 1848. Wm. D. Boone, April, 1848,
to Aug., 1848. Uriah Stotts, Aug., 1848, to April, 1849. Samuel Miller,
April, 1849, to Aug., 1849. J. C. Goodson, Aug., 1849, to , 1851.
The probate business then passed into the hands of the county judge.
See above.
Samuel Miller, April 5, 1847, to Aug., 1847. S. K Scovell, Aug., 1847,
to May, 1850. Benjamin Greene, May 13, 1850, by appointment. Served
until office was abolished.
DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS.
George Davis, Aug., 1852, to April, 1857. L. L. Collins, April, 1857, to
Oct., 1859. Joseph Parker, Oct., 1859, to Oct., 1865. W. H. H. Brown,
Oct., 1865, to Oct., 1867. G. L. Eobertson, Oct., 1867, to Oct., 1869. I.
D. Eedfield, Oct., 1869.
SEALERS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Archibald Crowl, August, 1847, to August, 1848. Z. Babcock, August,
1848.
LOT FUND AGENTS.
Thomas Butler, July, 1847, to . F. G. France, , to Octo-
ber, 1850. Benjamin Greene, October, 1850, to August, 1851.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
William McKay, appointed to serve at the first session of the District
Court, April 5, 1847. Henry Stump, April, 1848, to August, 1849. Ben-
jamin Greene, August, 1849, to August, 1851. Leroy Lambert, August,
1851, to August, 1852. E. L. Morse, August, 1852, to August, 1853. Benj.
Greene, August, 1853, to August, 1856. Jeremiah Perkins, August, 1856,
to August, 1857. Wm. Henry Dodge, August, 1857.
DISTRICT CLERKS.
George S. Hills, April, 1847, to August, 1847. S. K. Scovell, August,
1847, to August, 1850. Andrew Schouten, August, 1850, to November,
^3®
&sGl
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 371
1850. S. K. Scovell, November 19, 1850, to April, 1854. Judah Learning,
April, 1854, to August, 1856. Cole Noel, August, 1856, to October 15,
1866 (resigned). John "Warford was appointed to fill vacancy. J. K. Joy,
elected October, 1866, to November, 1868. N. G. Long, November, 1868,
to October, 1874. A. C. Hotchkiss, October, 1874 — present incumbent;
re-elected twice.
SHERIFFS.
Eli Smithson, appointed organizing sheriff by State Legislature. Jesse
K. Miller, April, 1847, to August, 1847. Eli' Smithson, August, 1847, to
August, 1849. Samuel Marrs, August, 1849, to February, 1850. Horatio
Morrison, February, 1850, to April, 1850 — by appointment. "William Ellis,
April, 1850, to August, 1850. Irwin C. Hughs, August, 1850, to August,
1852. ¥m. Davidson, August, 1852, to August, 1855. Slemmons 0.
Taylor, August, 1855, to August, 1857. Isaac D. Marsh, August, 1857, to
September, 1862. William Ellis, by appointment, September, 1862, to
October, 1862. J. M. Bvers, October, 1862, to October, 1871. A. W.
Haines, October, 1871, to October, 1875. Shubal J. Ellis, October, 1875,
to October, 1877. J. W. P>ly, October 9, 1877 — present incumbent.
ASSESSORS.
Isaac Miller, elected April 5, 1847, but no office being authorized yet, did
not qualify. The duties of the office were performed by the sheriff tor sev-
eral years. S. F. Graham, April, 1857-1858, when the office was abolished.
TREASURERS AND RECORDERS.
Levi A. Davis, April, 1847, to August, 1847. J. 0. Corbell, August,
1847, to Augnst, 1849. Samuel Dilley, August, 1849, to November, 1850.
S. K. Scovell, November, 1850, to August, 1851. E. Y. Irwin, August,
1851, to April, 1852. J. W. Hays, April, 1852, to August, 1855. Jacob
P. Eckles, August, 1855, to October, 1859. F. S. Graham, October, 1859,
. to November, 1864. The office was then divided.
TREASURERS (ALONE).
F. S. Graham, November, 1864, to June, 1867 (resigned). S. J. Ga-
routte, appointed to fill vacancy. John Maulsby, October, 1867, to October,
1869. S. J. Garoutte, October, 1869, to October, 1873. Thomas C. "Walsh,
October, 1873, to October, 1875. Jesse Macey, October, 1875, to October,
1877. E. H. Conger, October, 1877 — present "incumbent.
RECORDERS (ALONE).
Jeremiah Perkins, November, 1864, to November, 1868. J. "W. Coons,
November, 1868, to October, 1874. J. W. Mattox, October, 1874, to Octo-
ber, 1878. J. G. Howe, October, 1878— present incumbent.
AUDITORS.
Jeremiah Perkins, October, 1869, to October, 1871. Z. "W. Kelly, Octo-
ber, 1871, to October, 1877. L. Swearingen, October, 1877 — present in-
cumbent.
24
372 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
SURVEYORS.
Martin W. Miller, April, 1847, to August, 1849. John S. Sammis,
August, 1849, to October, 1849. Aaron L. Johns, October, 1849, to August,
1850. S. K. Scovell, August, 1850, to November, 1850. O. D. Smalley,
November, 1850, to August, 1855. Adam Buck, August, 1855, to August,
1857. Jno. T. Jackson, August, 1S57, to November, 1860. John W.
Wright, November, 1860, to October, 1863. W. S. M. Abbott, October,
1863, to November, 1864. John W. Wright, November, 1864, to October,
1865. H. H. Moffatt, October, 1865, to October, 1867. Thomas 0. Walsh,
October, 1867 (never qualified). A. J Lyons, by appointment, to Novem-
ber, 1868. E. T. Abbott, November, 1868, to October, 1870. J. A. Car-
rothers, October, 1870, to October, 1871. J. T. Jackson, October, 1871, to
October, 1875. A. A. Nolan, October, 1875 — present incumbent.
SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONERS.
S. K. Scovell, April, 1848, to April, 1849. Ira Sherman, April, 1849, to
April, 1850. Bejamin Greene, April, 1850, to April, 1852. Leroy Lam-
bert, April, 1852 to 1857. S. K. Scovell, April, 1857-1858.
COUNTY SUPEEINTENDENTS.
(Office established April, 1858.)
James O. Eeed, April, 1858, to June, 1859. John W. Boyle, by appoint-
ment, June, 1859, to October, 1859. Joseph R. Reed, October, 1859, to
May, 1860. S. B. Hempstead, by appointment, May, 1860, to November,
1860. M. C. Twitch ell, November, • 1860, to October, 1865. William
Hastings, October, 1865, to October, 1867." Amos Dilly, October, 1867, to
October, 1871. A. E. Simons, October, 1871, to October, 1873. J. M.
Crocker, October, 1873, to October, 1875. Amos Dilley, October, 1875 —
present incumbent; re-elected in 1877.
jueors — 1879.
The following is a list of the men drawn to act as grand and petit jurors
at the next term of District Court, which commences at Adel, March 31st:
Grand Jurors. — D. Sutherland, J. M. McLucas, Jno. McCormick, E. M.
Jones, Elisha Bennet, J. F. Coulter, W. H. H. Binns, H. Stitzel, J. S. De-
Motte, Cyrus Parcel, Jesse Macy, W. W. Waldo, R. M. Lee, W. P. Dills,
N. M.Y. Ustick. '
Petit Jurors. — G. W. Halley, Geo. Blackman, Ira Edwards, R. H. Ross,
C. W. Patch, P. Wagner, Sr., J. Ludington, H. Estes, J. L. Carter, T. H.
Brenton, C. Squires, G. W. Roland, Jacob Hougham, David Crane, D.
C. Bligh. .
REPRESENTATIVES.
J. C. Goodson and Benjamin Greene, 1852-53. Ezra Van Fossen, 1854-56.
Benjamin Greene, 1856-58. Leroy Lambert, 1858-60 — the last of the dis-
trict representatives. The first representative that Dallas county, alone, sent
to the house was Leroy Lambert, 1859-61. Peter T. Russell, 1861-63.
Elwood Lindley, 1863-65. W. S. M. Abbott, 1865-67'. Leroy Lambert,
1867-69. Cole Noel, 1869-71. Hugo G. Yan Meter, 1871-73. John Mc-
Lucas, 1873-75. T. C. Norris, 1875-1877. W. S. Russell, 1877-79.
# HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 373
SENATORS.
James Redfield, 1862-66. Only served during one session, when he was
appointed lieutenant-colonel of 39th Iowa Infantry, and was killed at the
battle of Allatoona, Ga., October 5, 1864. His term in the Senate was
served out by some one from another county.
The remaining senators elected from this county were: Joseph R. Heed,
1866-70. Henry Thornburgh, 1870-74.
CIRCUIT JUDGES.
John Mitchell, 1868-78. S. A. Callvert, the present incumbent, was
appointed by the Governor, June 1st, 1878, and elected October, 1878. He
is the first and only one elected to that position from this county.
DISTRICT JUDGES AND JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.
Dallas county has not yet furnished a district judge from the ranks of her
citizens; but we give the names of the different judges presiding over the
District Court in the county, and the judicial districts to which they be-
longed, together with the various changes in those districts until they were
settled in the present form.
Hon. James P. Charlton, the first district judge who presided in Dallas
county, belonged to the Fourth Judicial District, and was the only judge
.from that district who presided over a term of court in this county until
after the change. Originally, the fourth district was composed of the
counties of Benton, Boone, Dallas, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Marshall,
Polk, Poweshiek, Story and Tama. But, in 1849, Washington county was
annexed to it, from the first district, and Dallas, Boone, Jasper, Marshall,
Polk and Story counties were, detached, to form the new Fifth Judicial
District, consequently, Charlton was no longer the presiding judge here.
Dallas county remained in the fifth district about seven years, and during
that time the following district judges presided over court, in Adel:
Hon. William McKay, of Polk county, presided over the second term of
District Court held in the county, June 4, 1849, as shown by the records.
He was elected to that office April 2, 1849, and commissioned April 27,
just two years after the date of Hon Charlton's commission.
Hon. McKay continued as the presiding judge here until after the May
term of court, 1854.
Hon. Phineas M. Casady, of Polk county, was elected as his successor,
April 3, 1854; qualified June 1st, and then resigned without serving even
one term.
Hon. Charles J. McFarland, of Boone county, was appointed in his place
by Governor Hempstead, in May, 1854; qualified in July, and presided over
the October term of the district court in Dallas county the same year.
Hon. Wm. W. Williamson, of Polk county, was declared elected as his
successor on April 2, 1855, and qualified the 11th; but this election was
contested, and the contest was decided January 10, 1856, in favor of Hon.
Charles J. McFarland, who qualified the same day, and resumed the duties
of his office, continuing to preside over the district court in Dallas county until
December, 1856, when a change in judicial districts was again made, and
Dallas, Jasper, Marion and Polk counties were detached from the Fifth to
aid in forming the new Eleventh Judicial District, and McFarland was no
longer the presiding judge in Dallas.
374 HISTORY OF DAXLAS COUNTY.
Hon. Wm, M. Stone, of Marion county, was elected the first judge of this
new Eleventh District, April 6, 1857 ; was commissioned April 23, and served
in that capacity until January 1, 1859.
In accordance with Article Y of the Constitution of 1857 the fourteen old
judicial districts, formed under the constitution of 1846, were superseded
by eleven new districts, the judges and district attorneys of which entered
severally upon their duties January 1, 1859.
Under the last change Dallas county again became part of the Fifth Ju-
dicial District in connection with Adair, Guthrie, Madison Polk and War-
ren counties, which position it still retains.
Hon. John H. Gray was the first judge of this new district, after the
change under the constitution of 1857.
He was first elected October 12, 1858; was re-elected October 14, 1862,
and served in that capacity with great acceptance for more than seven years,
until October 14, 1865, when he died, highly esteemed and sadly lamented
by all who knew him.
Hon. Charles C. Nourse was duly appointed his successor by Governor
"Wm. M. Stone, October 16, 1865 ; qualified October 20, and in less than a
year resigned; this resignation to take effect August 1, 1866.
Hon. Hugh Maxwell was appointed to fill the vacancy until October 9,
1866, when he was elected by the people, and was re-elected October 11,
1870, serving out his second full term of office, and occupying the position'
more than eight years.
Hon. John Leonard was elected as his successor October 13, 1874, enter-
ing upon the duties of his office the first of January following, and faith-
fully served his four years' term in an acceptable manner.
Hon. W. H. McIIenry was elected as his successor October 8, 1878, and
is therefore~the present incumbent.
COUNTY FINANCES.
The financial management of Dallas county has always been an economi-
cal one.
Opposed to running the county in debt, its financiers have never permit-
ted useless extravagance or rash expenditure, and in the opinion of some
have at times ignored the best interests of the county by a too conservative
management.
The county taxes have been comparatively light, and generally judiciously
expended.
In the early days county orders were sometimes considerably below par,
selling at from sixty to seventy cents on the dollar; but this was years ago,
and the present high standard of county warrants brings contract bids down
to a cash basis, securing for the county full work for the orders drawn.
No money has ever been paid out of the county treasury for any railroads
through its territory, nor has any very great amount ever been spent for
the erection of public buildings.
At the April election, 1857, a vote was carried ordering that a new court-
house be built, and paid for out of the treasury fund to the amount of about
$10,000; a poor farm was purchased and fitted up by the county; a good
brick jail was built about six years ago at a cost of about $5,000; and a few
years ago a brick building was erected in the court yard for the offices of
treasurer, clerk and recorder, which cost also about $5,000. The above
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
375
items constitute about the bulk of the expenditure from the county treasury
for public buildings for county use, aside from that drawn from the school
fund for the erection of school-houses, which latter fund has been quite lib-
erally drawn upon and judiciously expended to the credit of the county.
The outstanding county warrants only amount to about $5,000, the greater
per cent of which is not due yet, and the bond indebtedness is little over
$4,000, making the entire indebtedness of the county at present a little less
than $10,000, which this year's levy will entirely cancel, leaving the county
on a square footing, and making a most creditable showing for the financial
management of the county.
The long concealed wealth of the county now begins to become available,
so that it would be a very easy matter to borrow a few hundred, or even
many thousands of dollars on the public credit, in comparison with what it
was nearly thirty-two years ago, when the credit of the county could not se-
cure for it the meager sum of $200 with which to enter the "town quarter"
selected as the seat of justice.
* The wealth and value were here at that time, as well as now, hid deep
down in the earth and mixed in the fertile soil; but these were not then
available, and the mere prospect of them was not sufficient security for ob-
taining the ready cash in any considerable amount, since that most impor-
tant article was even much more scarce then than now in these much criti-
cised and sadly abused days of "specie resumption."
As people, in those early days, did not dream that the county 'would
attain the present stage of development in thirty years, so now no one can
estimate the advancement it will make in thirty years to come.
treasurer's report of 1878.
County treasurer's semi-annual report of receipts and disbursements of
the several funds examined and approved :
FUNDS.
State
County
School ,
-Bridge
Bond
District
Contingent
Sohool-house'
Eoad
Per School Fund
School Fund Interest
Apportionment ■
Corporation
Swamp Lands
Fines
Witness Fees
Insane
St. P. & S. W. R. E
D. M. &W. B. R
Institute Account
School-house Site Account
Totals •
Over-
draft
28 90
On hands
last re'pt
2060 20
1715 51
1597 72
580 34
749 73
7061 12
2644 34
2605 05
890 49
68 00
1542 56
567 40
356 81
145148
'2825 85
140 95
418 71
14 40
148 33
138 55
40 00
Am't
rec'd
3635 60
10816 97
1869 15
5480 97
1914 12
13186 54
5104 31
5077 65
2019183
3925 93
1325 64
6547 00
777
1391 89
154 45
793 60
377 70
50 00
Total
5695 80
12532 48
3466 87
6061 31
2663 85
20247 66
7748 65
7682 70
2907 32
3993 93
2868 20
7114 40
1134 20
2843 87
2980 30
140 95
1212 31
14 40
148 33
516 25
90 00
28 90 27617 54 64445 74 92065 28 &4080 92 18011 26
Paid
out
5275 37
12561 38
2089 16
4969 26
2419 98
14691 74
5644 69
5899 93
1993 78
3400 00
1653 35
5619 70
932 35
2500 00
2833 85
1174 06
422 32
Bal. on
hand
420 43
1377 71
1092 05
243 87
5555 92
2103 96
1782 77
913 54
593 93
1214 85
1494 70
20185
343 37
146 45
140 95
38 25
14 40
148 33
93 93
90 00
E. H. Conger,
County Treasurer.
376
HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Auditok's Office, Dallas County, Iowa.
I, L. Swearingen, county auditor in and for Dallas county, Iowa, do certify that I have
compared the treasurer's report with the books in my office, and find the same correct.
Witness my hand and seal this 6th day of January, A. D. 1879.
[seal] L. Swearingen,
County Auditor.
valuation and tax eepoet, 1878.
Auditor's Office, Dallas County, Iowa.
To the Auditor of State:
Sir: — In compliance with section 844, of the Code of 1873, I hereby report the aggregate
valuation of lands, town property, and personal property, each separately, and also the aggre-
gate amount of each separate tax levied in said county, for the year 1877, as shown by the tax^
book of said county, when the same was delivered to the county treasurer for collection, as
follows:
TAXABLE PROPERTY.
VALUE.
Lands
Town Property
Personal Property
Railroad Property
Total valuation of county
$3,341,495
352,832
1,130,716
274,220
$5,099,263
AMOUNT.
State tax
County tax
Insane Hospital tax
Bond
Bridge tax
County School tax
Teachers' tax
School-house tax
School Contingent tax
Road tax
Corporation
Polls to be added to county
2 mills.
3K "
1 mill.
1
Total tax levied . .
10,198.49
17,847.35
5,099.18
12,748.16
5,099.16
31,709.31
6,771.25
10,621.45
5,243.94
2,125.99
1,871.00
$109,335.28
I certify the foregoing to be a correct statement, as appears from the tax-book of said
county, for the year 1878.
Witness my hand and seal this 12th day of November, A. D. 1878.
L. Swearingen, County Auditor.
The total assessments of live stock alone in Dallas county during the past
two years amounted to the following:
For 1877 '. . $686,772.00
For 1878 685,037.00
Total valuation of real and personal property in 1878 was $5,099,263.
Total tax on the same, $109,335.28. .
The above shows a slight decrease in the live stock valuation during the
last year, but a most marked increase in the entire amount during the past
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 377
thirty years, when the amount of the assessment in the county, as taken by
Jesse K. Miller, in 1847, was only $2,403.75, which amount included all the
personal property and money then in the county subject to taxation, and the
population of the county during those thirty years has increased from the
few hundred to some sixteen or seventeen thousand, perhaps more.
BRIDGES.
Owing to the great number of rivers and running streams throughout the
county, there are few connties that have been called upon for larger expen-
ditures for bridges than Dallas, in proportion to the age of the county and
number of inhabitants, and in this respect the response of the people has
been liberal. Crossed as the connty is by four rivers and a great number
of large creeks and numerous smaller streams that require bridging, the
expense of building and maintaining bridges for the convenience of the public
has been considerable, and as a result the county is already furnished with
a large supply of good- bridges.
In many cases substantial iron bridges have been constructed, both arch
and truss, varying in cost of construction from eight hundred to several
thousand dollars. There is a larger number of good substantial wood
bridges, however, in the county, most of which were built by Mr. Jonathan
Peppard, of Union township. The county being favored with having a good
bridge-builder and contractor within its own limits, who always aims to
give eminent satisfaction in his work, has very naturally and properly em-
ployed him in their contracts, and has, therefore, a great many of his wooden
bridges, as this is the only kind he contracts for.
There are two good wagon bridges across the main branch of the Raccoon
river, one at Booneville, and one at Van Meter; three or four across the
South Raccoon; two or three across the Middle Raccoon; and some seven
or eight across the North Raccoon river, besides a great many of minor im-
portance across the different creeks and smaller streams rendering crossing
quite convenient and safe to almost all parts of the county.
There is one good railroad bridge within the county limits, situated near
Booneville, built in 1869, by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
Company; and another one is now under contract and process of building
across the North Raccoon east of Adel, by Jonathan Peppard, for the Des
Moines, Adel and Western Railroad Company, the following account of
which is clipped from the Dallas County News:
THE BRIDGE.
" After days and weeks of hard work and close figuring the officials of the
Des Moines, Adel & Western R. R. Cotnpany have succeeded in selling a
sufficient number of bonds to justify them in contracting for the erection
of a bridge across 'Coon river at this place, and consequently last Saturday
the contract was awarded to Jonathan Peppard, with the stipulation that
it should be completed within ninety days, and we understand Mr. Peppard
says it will not require over sixty. It is to be what is termed a combina-
tion bridge, of two spans, each a hundred feet, an approach on the east of
two hundred feet and on the west of about ten feet, the whole to cost
$4,770. And now in a very short time Adel can truthfully boast of a rail-
road which will, beyond doubt, be a paying institution, whereas heretofore
378 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
it has scarcely paid its running expenses. By the time the bridge is com-
pleted there will already have been erected a good, substantial depot on
this side of the river, the necessary switches put in at either end of the
road, and at least one passenger coach ready for business.
" The people along the line west are anxiously waiting for spring to open
so they can commence work on the grade, and ere the year 1879 closes
Des Moines, "Waukee, Adel, Redfield and Panora will be connected by rail-
road. Three cheers for our little narrow gauge, which has forever settled
the question of the removal of the county seat, and put Adel in a fair way
to make one of the finest and most prosperous towns in the "West."
"The board of supervisors, last Saturday, let the contract for an iron
bridge across South 'Coon at Maulsby's Ford, just north of Dexter, to the,
King bridge company of Cleveland, Ohio. They also let the contract for
a similar bridge at Van Meter." — January 17, 1879.
POOR FARM.
Asylums for the poor, the disabled and the orphans are distinctively
Christian institutions, Which are becoming more and more numerous and
efficient in these latter days. Tt has been frequently remarked that among
heathen nations, Rome, Greece and Macedon, no State institutions were
ever established for the use of the destitute; but in this age a State, or
even a county of an}' considerable age or advancement, would be considered
far behind the advance of progress without some provision being made for
the relief and care of paupers and destitute ones.
In this respect Dallas county has used diligent efforts toward performing
its duty of public benevolence in providing a poor farm for its paupers,
and in endeavoring to keep that in proper condition to provide for the
comfort of all who may be deemed proper subjects for such public care
and aid.
This institution has not yet become self-sustaining, but is supported by
the county fund when the income is not sufficient.
It is located on the southwest quarter of section eight (8), township sev-
enty-nine (9), range twenty-seven (27), 160 acres.
It was purchased by the county from Cyrus Hemphill, June 9, 1869, at
a cost of about $4,000, and the deed was filed for record June 11 of that
year. More land was afterward purchased by the county, adjoining the
first quarter-section purchased, increasing the amount to two hundred
acres, and the necessary improvements have since been made year by year.
The following report, made February 18, 1875, by a committee appointed
by the board of supervisors to inspect the poor farm, shows the improve-
ments that have been made and the condition of things at that date:
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors :
Gentlemen — I would respectfully report that I have inspected the poor farm of Dallas
county, Iowa, and make the following statement:
There are two hundred acres of land, of which something over one hundred acres are
improved and in good cultivation.
The fences are in good repair, buildings all new and in good order. The dwelling-house
is 30x45 feet. There are thirteen rooms in the house and a good cellar under the house.
There is a good, new bam, and the appearance of everything indicates good management.
There is now on the farm 2,000 bushels of corn, 100 bushels of wheat, about 150 bushels of
oats, about 15 tons of hay.
There were about 1,500 R>s. of pork put up for the use of said farm. There are 150 head
of hogs, that will average about 120 fcs. each; four milk cows, worth $120; three calves,
I HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY. 379"
'worth $25; one span of horses, worth $300; one new wagon, worth $95; one pair of bob-
pleds, worth $20; one good stirring plow, one good stalk-cutter, one harrow, one corn-planter,
» ii I6 s, -i • ' "efore spring work commences, two new cultivators furnished.
All of which is respectfully submitted, this 16th day of February, 1875.
Lbm. Warpord.
Other changes and improvements have been made during the past three
years, and the farm is still kept in good repair by the county.
COUNTY JAIL.
For a long time the county had no jail, which would indicate, at least,
that there was not any very great demand for one — not board.ers enough
furnished by the county to properly support such an institution. "Whether
this was because of a scarcity of lawless characters to be found here, or a
failure on the part of the authorities to bring such to justice is not
recorded; but, at all events, the county did without that important institu-
tion until about the year 1872, taking their jail-birds to Des Moines for
safe keeping.
Ou the county records, under date of June, 1861, the following order
appears, which shows that an attempt was made at that early date on the
part of some to erect a jail, but it failed:
Ordered, That the question of building a jail in Dallas county be submitted to the voters
of said county at the next general election to be holden in October next.
The election returns of October 8, 1861, show that this proposition was
voted on by the people at that time and received two hundred and six (206)
votes for, to four hundred and twenty-seven (427) votes against. So the
jail was not built at that time and the county did without one and made no
special effort again in that direction until ten more years had passed, when
the question was again agitated, and in June, 1871, a committee consisting
of the board of supervisors and Charles Rodenbaugh, was appointed to " ex-
amine the court-house and ascertain whether a jail can be built on the sec-
ond story of the court-house, and ascertain also the probable cost of the
same."
This committee, it seems, reported unfavorably, and the jail matter
rested again until September, 1871, under which date the following order
of the board of supervisors appears:
Ordered, That the board of supervisors appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars, or so
much thereof as may be necessary to build a county jail on lot No. 6, in block No. 8, in the
town of Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, and that the board of supervisors be authorized to re-
ceive bids therefor and let the contract for the building of said jail.
This step decided the jail matter and. the work went forward resulting,
soon afterward in the two-story brick structure which is now used for the
county jail. This building was perhaps erected during the following sum-
mer, and, though not very commodious, it is a substantial and comfortable
structure.
STOCK-RAISING.
Considerable interest is being manifested during late years in the county
in the department of stock-raising, and in many parts of the county is
found a high grade of blooded stock of various kinds, j>rincipally cattle and
hogs.
380 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
At an early day, among the fancy breeders of hogs, the preference was
given to Chester Whites, but more recently the Poland China and Berk-
shire have almost entirely taken their place, while among the thorough-bred
and graded stock of cattle now raised here, the short-horn Durham blood
prevails, and a number of good herds of high grade are now owned in the
county, each of which would make a creditable showing at any stock fair
in the State, and the owners have given their special attention and devoted
their energies to the raising of fine cattle and hogs.
H. C. Swallows, W. Z. Swallows, D. M. Flinn, and others, on their large
and well cultivated farms in Boone township, have each large and valuable
stocks of thorough-bred and high-grade cattle and hogs, which for years
they have taken great pains and delight in improving.
J. D. "Whitman, Hooker & Gillette, and others in Grant township, E. A.
Barnett, Peter Marshall, and others of Union township, and numerous
large farmers and stock dealers in various townships, have extensive stocks
of thorough-bred and high-grade short-horn cattle, and Berkshire and Po-
land China hogs, which show a decided and increasing interest in the
county in the line of general improvements in blooded stock.
A good many blooded horses and fine flocks of Merino and Cots-
wold sheep are also found in various parts of the county, which make a
very interesting display on exhibition at the county fair.
Considering the age and population of Dallas county, a great many hogs
and cattle are fattened and shipped yearly from it, especially during the
past few years. There are a number of extensive stock dealers. The Van
Meters raise and feed large stocks of cattle each season, herding them dar-
ing the good grass season on the unimproved prairie land, then feeding and
shipping during fall and winter.
Peter Fish, of De Soto, has the credit of being the largest shipper of
stock in the county, and among the largest in all this part of the country.
He brings his average shipments up to the rate of one car-load per day the
year round, and keeps the market up to a very close margin.
The stock and grain from this locality is shipped to market principally
by way of the Chicago, Kock Island & Pacific Railroad, but the county is
conveniently located to the two main lines, and by means of the convenient
and important connecting link of the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad,
the shippers here are privileged to choose their route and ship East over
either the Chicago, Kock Island & Pacific, or the Chicago & Northwestern,
giving them excellent accommodations and facilities.
In short, Dallas county gives excellent promise of being one of the finest
stock-raising counties in the West. From the earliest the citizens have
displayed a deep interest in this important work and have generally directed
their energies and efforts to make.it a success, using all due precaution to
guard the rights and advance the highest interest of each individual in pro-
tecting against trespass of stock upon each others' premises, as witness the
following
SHEEP AND HOG LAW.
At an election holden in Dallas county, Iowa, on the fourth clay of November, A. D. 1856,
on the following proposition, to- wit:
Whereas, Petitions have been to me prajring to have the question, whether hogs and
sheep shall be permitted to run at large, submitted to a vote of the people of Dallas county;
now, therefore, I, Lloyd D. Burns, Judge of the County of Dallas in the State of Iowa, do
HISTOBY OB1 DALLAS COUNTY. 381
hereby notify the qualified electors of the county of Dallas, to assemble in their respective
townships, at the usual places of holding elections, on Tuesday, being the fourth day of No-
vember, A. D. 1856, and then and there to decide for or against the following
proposition :
1. That every owner of sheep or swine, in the county of Dallas, shall restrain their sheep
and hogs from running at large in said county; and in the event of a failure so to do, shall be
liable to any damage done by said sheep or swine, to be recovered by an action of trespass by
the party injured.
2. That any person may take possession of any sheep and swine found running at large in
said county, who shall thereupon notify any constable in said county, who shall have power,
and it is hereby made his duty, to sell any such sheep or swine, at public auction, to the high-
est bidder, for cash, upon giving ten days' notice of the time and place of such sale, by post-
ing the same in writing in three public places in the township, where such sheep or swine are
found at large. The proceeds of such sale, after the payment of costs and charges of keep-
ing, shall be paid into the county treasury, to be applied to the use of the county until legal
proof be made to the county judge of said county, by the person or persons claiming such
property to be his or theirs, whereupon, the county judge shall order said amount to be paid
out of any moneys in the hands of the treasurer not otherwise appropriated: Provided, that
the owner, or any person for him, shall on or before the day of such sale, pay the cost and
charges thus far made, the constable is hereby required to release said sheep and swine to
the persons making such application, upon satisfactory proof being made of the ownership.
This proposition to take effect and be in force from and after its adoption. The vote shall
be by ballot, and those voting for this proposition, shall have written or printed on their tick-
ets the words: "For the sheep and hog law"; and those voting against this proposition,,
shall have written or printed on their tickets, the words: ''Against the sheep and hog law."
The returns shall be made as in ordinary cases.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the county of
[l. s.] Dallas, State of Iowa, this third day of October, A. D. 1856.
Lloyd D. Bukns, County Judge.
There were six hundred and forty-nine (649) votes cast for and against said proposition, of
which there were three hundred and sixty-nine (369) votes cast for the sheep and hog law,
and two hundred and eighty (280) votes cast against the sheep and hog law, being a major-
ity of eighty-nine (89) votes in favor of the sheep and hog law.
Recorded this eleventh day of November, A. D. 1856.
L. D. Burns, County Judge.
The above, together with other stock acts and herd and fence laws, enacted
at different times by county and State, have enabled people to understand
how far the limit of privilege extends before crossing the line of trespass,,
and what the penalty of violation must be — a most important and valuable
lesson to be learned in every stock-raising community.
We give a description of one of the large stock farms in Dallas county,,
as found in the Dexter Herald, of January 3, 1879, this being only a
specimen of many similar ones in the county:
" In order to give our foreign readers some idea of the improvements in
this country, and show them that Iowa is not a howling wilderness, we will
reproduce a discription of the farm of Pete Marshall, which appeared in
the Herald, September 29, 1877:
" Mr. Marshall's farm begins just three-quarters of a mile north of the
corporation of Dexter, and extends north one mile, and west one-half mile,
and, therefore, contains three hundred and twenty acres of as good land as
any person need care to see. It is a high, rolling prairie, and all under
cultivation. He bought the farm twenty-three years ago for one dollarand
twenty-five cents per acre, and at a time that all these beautiful prairie&
were wild, and when the people, told him he was wild himself for buying
it, as it was then said that this country would never be settled up, at least
away from the timber along the rivers. However he was not the kind of
382 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
a man to get discouraged at trifles, as he saw, in his mind's eye, the time
that this country would be the garden of the world.
" At the time he came here he had to come by stage from Keokuk, where
he first struck the State. At that time the capital of Iowa was at Iowa
City, and Des Moines only a fort. There were a few settlers along the
streams, bnt nobody had thought of pushing off on the prairies. As far as
the eye could reach to the east, the west and the south, no habitation could
be seen, yet here he concluded to set his stakes and await the coming of
the emigrants, that he knew must, in time, come to till these rich prairies.
To the north of him along the river settlers came in one by one, but it re-
quired the iron horse, that great civilizer, to develop the prairie country
about him, and to the south and east. With the laying of that great 'iron
trail,' the Rock Island railroad, came the settlers from the far East, eager to
put a shoulder to the wheel, the hand to the plow, and help to build up a
civilization equal to any in the world, for certainly this country is fortunate
in having such a superior set of men for its pioneers. After the coming
of the railroad the country settled up very rapidly, houses and towns
springing up as if some magician had touched the country with his magic
wand.
" Soon Pete had plenty of neighbors and a good market at his very door;
and then he realized the fulfillment of his dreams. He found himself with
one of the finest farms in the country, and right in market, and in a com-
munity noted for its morality and intelligence.
" Let us now see what his farm is to-day. Estimating it at a low figure
it is worth fifty dollars per acre, against one dollar and twenty-five cents
per acre, which he gave for it. He now has a fine orchard coming on, and
would have had an old one, but for the fact that for many years it was sup-
posed that fruit could not be successfully grown in Iowa, and then it took
many more years of experimenting to discover what varieties could be suc-
cessfully grown in this climate. Happily those days are now gone by, and
Iowa stands to-day in the front rank with such States as New York, Ohio,
Michigan, and Illinois, as a fruit growing State. He has on his place a
fine maple grove, and a grove of seedling apple trees, which answer the
double purpose of windbreak for the rest of his orchard and for bearing
fruit, as there is some fine fruit in the grove.
"the buildings.
" His house is a large, double, two storry, frame house, with a cellar
equal to another story, in fact his cellar is the finest we have seen any place.
He has a complete set of water works for furnishing his house and feed lots
with pure water. He has constructed a set of water works on the follow-
ing plan, viz: He had a large well, nine feet in diameter, dug, and placed
in it a force pump, to be run by wind power, and put a large wind-mill for
that purpose. From this well he has pipes about five feet under ground, so
as to be below the freezing point, running to his house, his stables, and his feed
lots. The main pipe runs through the cellar, and is so arranged that it can
he tapped at any point and water forced up into any part of the house. In
this way he has fresh water in the house at all times. There are also pipes
•extending to the barn and feed lots, giving stock an abundance of fresh
water at all times, without the labor of giving it to them; thus making it
much better for both man and beast. His barn is a large frame, with stone
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 383
■ ♦
basement, partitioned off with walls and gates, so as to be convenient for
cattle in cold weather. There is a corn-crib in connection with the barn,
and all the modern conveniences for keeping and feeding stock. • His feed
lots are large and his pens commodious, giving ample room for stock to
roam about. The great beauty of his feed lots, however, is the three hun-
dred or more as fine hogs as can be found anywhere. Hog raising is his
speciality, and he is very successful in his business."
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY".
The first decisive steps toward organizing an Agricultural Society in
Dallas county, were taken at a meeting held for that purpose, Dec! 31,
1855, with Archibald Crowl as chairman, and Benjamin Greene as secre-
tary. At that meeting a committee was appointed to prepare proper ar-
ticles of incorporation, and at a meeting held April 9, 1856, the said com-
mittee reported; their report was received, and the articles of incorporation
were adopted, and the society duly organized.
The first executive committee of this society were as follows:
John Wilson, of Penoach township; Calvin Marshall, Union township;
Isaac Kobins, Des Moines township; L. L. Collins, Sugar Grove township;
Hooper Morain, Dallas township; Daniel M. Flinn, Boone township.
The first officers of the society were:
President, ~W. W. Payne; Vice President, J. T. Alexander; Secretary,
Benjamin Greene; Treasurer, James D. Ferguson; Marshal, Cole Noel.
The first premium list of the society was adopted September 11, 1856,
and the first county fair was held October, 1856. On this occasion the first
premiums were all donated to the society, except $9.75, which was duly
paid.
The society held fairs regularly during the next four years, with quite a
good attendance and considerable interest.
But after 1860 it was allowed to go down and no more county fairs were
held until the 3d of April, 1867, when the society was again called to-
gether, a full list of officers were elected for that year, and everything was
put in running order for a county fair the coming fall.
At that meeting (April 3, 1867) the following officers were duly elected:
President, J. R. Reed; Vice President, T. J. Boak; Secretary, T. R.
North; Treasurer, Larkin Thornburgh; Marshal, E. F. Frush.
Mr. Reed, however, refused to serve as president, and Ezra Van Fossen
was elected in his place, who presided during that term.
During the year 1867 the society procured and fenced the fair grounds;
and the society having very little funds with which to defray necessary ex-
penses, they were unable to purchase grounds, and therefore decided to
lease grounds and proceed on the safe basis. The grounds were leased from
Judge Byron Rice, of Des Moines, some 23 or 24 acres lying just north of
Adel, adjoining the Slough cut-off, where the county fairs have been held
annually ever since.
The lease is now run out, however, and the society has now a committee
appointed to procure grounds for the coming year. The society is free
from debt, and will most likely purchase lands soon and establish and fit
up a permanent fair ground for the county.
The last fair was held September 19, 20 and 21, 1878, and the next one is
appointed for August 27, 28 and 29, 1879.
384 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The present officers of the society are:
President, T. J. Caldwell ; Vice President, A. J. Lyon ; Secretary, T. E.
North; Treasurer, W. S. Kudrow; Directors, E. F. Frush, Z. W. Swallow,
J. J. Clark, Cole Noel; Marshal, A. G. Marsh.
EAILKOADS.
Dallas county has very good railroad facilities, having two main line
roads passing through it, one east and west opening direct communication
with Chicago and eastern cities, as also with the west; and another north
and south road passing diagonally through the east part of the county and
opening communication north and south as well as making connection with
the two main east and west line, passing north and south of it.
THE CHICAGO, EOCK ISLAND AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
Passes through the south tier of townships, giving all the south half of the
county excellent market privileges, with direct communication east and
west on one of the best railroads in the State. This one was also the first rail-
road established in the State of Iowa, under the title of the Mississippi and
Missouri Railroad. Its construction was commenced at Davenport in May,
1854, and during that year it was completed as far as Iowa City, a distance
of about 54J- miles, which place remained as the terminus for several years.
(For particulars see first of book, page 172, History of Iowa — Railroads.)
The extension of this road westward then progressed slowly for many
years, and it was not Until 1868-9 that it reached and passed through Dallas
county and hurried on to the Missouri slope. It has four stations in Dallas
county — Boone, Van Meter, De Soto, and Dexter.
THE DES MOINES AND FORT DODGE RAILROAD
Enters Dallas county near the southeast corner in Boone township and
extends in a northwesterly direction between Beaver creek and the North
Raccoon river, passing through a fertile prairie country, and leaving the
county about eight miles east of the northwest corner, a few miles above
the town of Perry. This road was also built through Dallas county about
1869-1870; and having four thriving towns along its line in the county —
Waukee, Dallas Center, Minburn, and Perry — it affords excellent market
privileges for all the east and north parts of the county. (For particulars
of its origin, see page 173, History of Iowa — Railroads.)
Various surveys for east and west roads through the county have been
made at different times and some grading has been done, but none have
met with any considerable degree of success until during the last year by
indomitable energy and unflinching pluck of the enterprising citizens and
leading men of Adel a narrow gauge railroad has been constructed and put
in running order from Waukee to Adel, which is destined before many years
to traverse the county and connect Des Moines and Panora by a narrow
gauge railroad, giving new life and energy to all the towns along its line, and
perfecting the railroad conveniences of Dallas county by a central railroad
through its county seat.
HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 385
i
THE DES MOINES, ADEL AND WESTERN RAILROAD NARROW GAUGE.
The great bulk of expense in constructing this road thus far and putting
it in running order from Waukee to Adel has been borne by the citizens in
and around Adel, for which enterprise they deserve great credit. The
description of this road is quite fully given in an article which we quote
from the State Register, of December 11, 1878 :
"Recently it has been our good fortune to secure some valuable items in
reference to the Des Moines, Adel and "Waukee Railroad, a narrow gauge
road now in process of construction from Waukee, on the line of the D. M.
& Ft. D. R. R. fifteen miles west of our own city, to Panora, by way of Adel
and Redfield. For this information, which we are now presenting to the
reader, we are indebted to Mr. Hotchkiss, secretary of the Narrow Gauge
Company, and the popular clerk, also, of the district and circuit courts for
Dallas county.
"The Des Moines, Adel and Western Railroad Company was incorporated
, April 12, 1878. The present officers are: President, T. J. Caldwell; Vice
President, J. W. Russell; Treasurer, L. Lambert; Secretary, A. C. Hotch-
kiss; Directors, T. J. Caldwell, J. O. Risser, L. Lambert, D. A. Blanchard,
A. C. Hotchkiss, J. W. Russell, and Thos. Ashton.
"It is a noticeable fact that these officers are citizens of Adel, and are
numbered among the most solid and enterprising gentlemen in Dallas
county. What they undertake to do will be accomplished in good time.
"This new road, of which we are writing, is already completed and in
good running order from Waukee to Adel, a distance of six and a half
miles. The present western terminus is a quarter of a mile east of Adel.
The great need now is the construction of a bridge over Worth 'Coon at
that place, and we are assured that this structure will be completed at a
very early period, most probably within the next two or three months.
North 'Coon is the most serious objection in the way, and when the pro-
posed bridge is erected the road will be rapidly pushed on to Panora. The
greater part of the grading has been done for some time. The road west of
Adel will pass through the townships of Colfax, Union, and Linn, in Dallas,
and Cass, in Guthrie county, the general direction being northwest, and the
distance from Adel to Panora being twenty-two miles.
"It is to be remarked that the region through which the road passes is
drained and fertilized, in great part, by the three 'Coon rivers, and is cele-
brated for the richness of its soil, and for the enterprise of its rapidly in-
creasing population.
"Add, the county seat of Dallas, despite the disadvantages under which
it has been laboring in the absence of railroads, has maintained a steady
and solid growth, and now numbers a population of 1,200, whose dark
nights are beginning to be enlightened by street lamps, and whose bright
days are made lively by the bustle of prosperous business.
"Redfield, with its Indiana House, and its genial landlord, Mr. Browning,
is a well-preserved and well-to-do village in the heart of a very rich
country.
" On the Middle 'Coon, a short distance from this place and near the
line of the new railroad, are productive coal mines, adding materially to
the great natural resources of this region.
386
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
"The cost of the new road, thus far, has been about $50,000, which is
paid by the citizens of Adel, and $30,000 of which has been raised this
year.
" The subsidies to continue the road have mostly been pledged.
" That part of it already completed is paying well, and when finished
through the entire route will richly compensate those friends who have
made investments in it."
Since the above account was written, the required amount has been
raised by the Narrow Gauge Company, the contract has been let and the
new railroad bridge is now under process of erection, which virtually set-
tles the question of the further continuance of the road at a very early day.
(For the particulars of this contract see previous article on bridges.)
Several years ago a proposed narrow gauge railroad was surveyed through
the northern part of the county, under the title of the Des Moines cfe
Western Midland Railroad. The survey entered Dallas county some-
where along the east line of Grant township, passing on to Minburn, and
running from thence nearly west until it entered Lincoln township 40 rods
north of the southeast corner of section V2 ; thence south of west to the
center of section 11 ; thence west to the southwest corner of section 10;
thence northwest direct to the northwest corner of section 5, and passing
out of the county at the west side, about the northeast corner of section
31, Dallas township.
This road, however, has not made much progress beyond the prospect
survey, and perhaps never will be completed since the present narrow
gauge south of it is proving a success.
Other surveys may have been made through the county of which we
have received no information.
The number of miles and estimate of taxation is shown by the following
report of the county Auditor in 1877:
STATEMENT
Showing the length, in miles, and assessed valuation of railroads in the several townships
and lesser taxing districts in Dallas county, Iowa, for the year 1877, as fixed by the board of
supervisors at the April meeting, 1877.
CHICAGO, BOCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAILROAD.
TOWNSHIPS.
Miles .
^eH *-"*
Boone
Van Meter
Adams
Union •
Total
LESSER DISTRICTS — SCHOOL AND CORPORATION
De Soto (Cor . )
DeSoto Ind.)
DeSoto find.)
Dexter (Ind
Dexter (Cor
5.80
6.50
2.38
2.
$ 11,300
11,300
11,300
11,300
17.56
.53
1.10
1.80
2.05
.80
65,540 00
73,450 00
26,894 00
32,544 00
$ 198,428 00
5,989 00
12,430 00
20,340 00
23,165 00
9,040 00
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
DES MOINES & FORT DODGE RAILROAD.
389
TOWNSHIPS.
* Boone .'-. 777
Walnut
Adel
Sugar Grove
Beaver
Spring Valley
Total
LESSER DISTRICTS — SCHOOL AND CORPORATION
Waukee (Ind.)
F. Val. (Ind.)
V. Grove (Ind.)
D. C. find.)
D. C. (Ind.)
Perry (Ind. )
S. Rem. (Ind. )
S/ Val. (Ind.)
Alton (Ind.)
Perry (Cor.)
I hereby certify the foregoing correct.
TEMPEKANCE.
Miles.
Val. per
Mile.
3.80
$ 3,200
5.40
3,200
3.20
3,200
7.20
3,200
.12
3,200
7.30
3,200
.27.02
2.12
1.36
1.92
2.60
1.18
.70
2.40
2.44
1.76
.62
Amount.
$ 12,160 00
17,280 00
10,240 00
23,040 00
384 00
23,360 00
$ 86,464 00
6,784 00
4,352 00
6,144 00
8,320 00
3,776 00
2,240 00
7,680 00
7,808 00
5,632 00
1,984 00
Z. W. Kelley, Auditor.
The question of temperance has been pretty thoroughly ventilated in all
the days of Dallas county, especially during the latter years in the county's
history, and the cause of temperance has been strongly maintained. It is
true, that in counties and communities there is always a greater or less per
cent 'of the citizens who are firm advocates of each view, and it is generally
not a difficult matter to determine on which side of this great question
each one belongs; in this case the scriptural rule, "by their fruits ye shall
know them," proves an infallible test, for, certainly, nothing shows the evil
effects of its workings and influence upon its subjects and votaries like the
practice of intemperance. The victims are soon marked with an unmistak-
able brand. Deceive themselves as they may, they cannot long succeed in
deceiving others while they persist in the degrading habit, and much less
can they deceive the Omnicient One.
To discover the different phases of the temperance cause in all the times
since the day in which men were indicted for selling fire,- water to the Indi-
ans, would be almost an impossibility, and far beyond the reach or intent of
this short article.
As has been shown by the previous narrative of incidents during the
early days of the county, there were evidently not a few of the early set-
tlers who liked their bitters too well, and would _ have them, at all hazards,
and who were not unfrequently liable to take "just a wee drap too much,"
either for their own good or for the welfare of their households, when the
supply was sufficient for the demand; and when this was not the case, they
would wade through thick and thin, during the roughest storms to meet the
demands of their desperate craving.
Far as this new country was situated from the base of supplies, and diffi-
25
390 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
cult as it was to go to the nearest trading point and bring home eyen the
necessary supplies for family and home use; yet despite all these difficul-
ties, the intoxicating beverage would be procured by some means and freely
distributed among those desiring it, when it seemed almost impossible to
procure the essentials of living. As an example of this, witness the fol-
lowing:
A whisky-seller's mishap.
During that hard winter of 1848-9, when the fearful snow banks so
blockaded the ways inp every direction, that travel was not only most diffi-
cult, but dangerous to those venturing any distance from home, and at times
it was almost impossible to get away any great length, even for the neces-
saries of life, it appears that even these difficulties and threatened dangers
did not prevent the whisky dealers from venturing off even as far as Fort
Des Moines, through the deepest snow-drifts, to procure a new supply of
the deadly, degrading stuff, in which they trafficked to ruin their fellow-
men.
A. good illustration of this is given in the following anecdote, related by
Judge Burns:
" A whisky shop was being kept at this time" (winter 1848-9) "in Pen-
oach by one Anderson Kelley, an old man full of years, and full of whisky
as well. Kelley ran out of spirits as soon as spirits ceased to run out of
him. His stock in trade— a barrel of whisky — had been disposed of by
drinks to the votaries of Bacchus, and another barrel of whisky must sup-
ply its place or Kelly must- shut up shop. To get to the Fort, over an un-
broken track, and in the midst of • snow storms, was a big undertaking, even
with a man full of spirits. Kelley set out, however, with a yoke of cattle
hitched to a sled made from the fork of a tree. He reached the Fort in
safety, interviewed ' Jim ' Campbell, and soon got a barrel of whisky.
Next morning it was loaded on the tree fork and Kelly started back for
Penoach. He had barely reached the skirt of the prairie west of the Fort,
when he was met by one of those northwesters, which were characteristic
of this terrible winter. The wind blew furiously from the northwest,
which increased to a gale. The heavens were a seething mass of granulated
snow, which, impinging the naked face, made it impossible to confront it
by other than a side or back view.
Kelly, full of whisky and full of determination, struck out boldly on the
open prairie for Penoach, to meet the wants of his customers, betimes.
Great rattling snow festoons hung from the brows of his patient, submis-
sive cattle, blinding them so that they could not keep the way. Kelley,
meanwhile goading them on with cruel threats and fearful imprecations, the
storm increasing in fury afad malevolence all the while. The folds and cav-
erns of his tattered garments were filled with snow, and became as rigid as
raw-hide. The poor cattle, becoming wearied and lifeless, turned their
heads from the pitiless storm and, drawing their chilled legs well under
them, stood motionless. Kelley, shivering like an aspen leaf, handled by a
midsummer storm, felt his way to the barrel, banged out the bung with
the hook of a log cbain, thrust a blue-stem into the bung-hole and sucked
his fill.
Loosening his poor cattle from the fork sled, and with a goad firmly
clenched in his left hand he grabbed the tail of the near ox with his right
and then gave the word " go on," crowning it with heavy blows from his
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 391
goad on the shivering backs of his weary animals. Kelley had determined
to follow them wherever they might go, and they might go wherever they
pleased. The jaded beasts moved on slpwly over hill and hollow, keeping
the storm well to the rear of them, now and then standing in a snow drift,
which after a little rest they would struggle through, Kelley meanwhile
sprawling on his back and plowing along through the drift, holding fast to
the tail.
The cattle finally reached the timber skirting 'Coon river, near the resi-
dence of the late W m. D. Boone, in Boone township, Dallas county.
Kelley found lodging and a shelter for his cattle with Boone for the night.
Next day he found his way home with his cattle only up the bottom of
'Coon, under the shelter of the hills skirting the river. There he remained
for some ten days before the weather had moderated so as to allow him to
return in safety for the barrel of whisky that he had left behind. Not a
drop could be had all this time in Penoach. On Kelley's return to the
scene of his late discomfiture, he found the barrel had leaked fearfully in
his absence from some cause; and Kelley was not slow to believe that old
John Wright, of Boone township, was the cause of the leak, supposinghim
to have heard of the, location of the barrel, and that his evil genius had
pass that way " ad interim."
Of course it is not the intention, for a moment, to intimate that the above
is a fair representation of a majority or even a small minority of the early
settlers in the county; for the information we have received on this subject
from those who were here to gain a personal knowledge of affairs, and the
evident testimony on record of the ballots and declarations of the people
made, time and again, in favor of temperance, together with the prevailing
popular sentiment in its favor throughout, the county, it is evident that a
strong and influential temperance element has existed in Dallas county
through all the years of its growth. But the above anecdote serves as an
illustration to show what difficulties the cause of temperance and its faithful
adherents had to contend with in former times, and give courage for faith-
ful perseverance in the present, as they look back over what has been ac-
complished in contending with the monster enemy, and look forward again
in hope to the future.
In April, 1855, the people were granted the privilege of voting on the
"prohibitory liquor law," and the temperance sentiment of the legal voters
in the county at that time is shown by the following abstract of that elec-
tion.
State op Iowa, )
Dallas County. ) "
An abstract of all the votes cast on " The Prohibitory Liquor Law," on the first Monday,
the second day of April, A. D. 1855, in the county aforesaid.
There were (397) three hundred and ninety-seven votes cast, of which there were (233) two
hundred and thirty-three cast for and (164) one hundred and sixty-four votes against the said
We do hereby certify the foregoing abstract to be correct, as shown by the returns of the
several townships of said county, in testimony whereof, we have hereto set our hands as
county canvassers, and afiixed the seal of said county, at Adel, this 6th day of April, A. D.
1855.
(Signed) Lloyd D. Burns, County Judge,
Samuel Miller, Justice of the Peace,
Charles Bilderback, Justice of the Peace,
County Canvassers.
392 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The above only gives the voice of the legal voters who declared their sen-
timents by their ballots, and not the voice of. the whole people, but it gives
strong indication of the pulse beat; and it is very evident that the side of
temperance would have lost nothing had all adults, male and female, been
permitted to cast their ballots on the question, for the female element, which
is the great human power in the land for promoting the cause of temper-
ance, had no voice in that election, and* the expression of their sentiment
was not regarded and publicly declared as it is in these latter days.
LICENSE LIQUOR LAW.
On the records of the March term of the county court, 1857, is found the
following minute:
Now comes Benjamin Bennett and one hundred and eighty others who present a petition
asking the court to submit to a vote of the people of Dallas county the License Liquor Law.,
And whereas, it appearing that said petition was gotten up in conformity with the law
made in such cases, and that there were over one hundred names to said petition.
Now, therefore, it is ordered by the court, that an election be held for the purpose aforesaid,
on the first Monday of April, A. D. 1857, in the county of Dallas, Iowa, and the ballots shall
have printed or written, "For License,'' or "Against License ".
The vote at this election was carried against license by a good majority,
and the temperance principles of the county were still maintained.
Here as elsewhere in every community, various schemes were laid and all
sorts of means contrived by the liquor advocates to foster the lion's cub un-
chained, and make of him a harmless playmate in the midst of a civilized
community, but despite their efforts and fostering care, at every opportu-
nity, he only became the more bold to display his destructive lion nature,
and to choose as his victims of ruin those who had most fondly cherished
and defended him as" their bosom friend.
The corner grocery system, the county agency system, the high revenue
system, the license system, the private cellar and back-way-entrance plan
all were tried, but failed to prevent the degrading, destructive effects of
the evil, until the temperance friends began to assert their rights, and
declare, by united voice and effort and influence, that this fiend of intoxica-
tion should no longer be allowed to rain ruin in their midst by any kind of
leave or license, then the day of victory began to dawn, and the result is
there are now six towns in Dallas county that grant no license for the sale
of intoxicating drinks, against four that do grant license, and a great num-
ber of thriving temperance organizations throughout the county.
In nearly every town in the county now is found a temperance society,
and the most of them have a large membership, that are actively and faith-
fully engaged in prosecuting the good work, and extending their influence
for the promotion and success of the temperance cause.
For an account of some of these temperance societies see sketches of the
different towns* and townships in the county.
KELIGIOUS.
" You raised these hallowed walls; the desert smiled,
And Paradise was opened in the wild." — Pope.
In this day of missionary and benevolent spirit, the gospel in the West
rather precedes than follows the settlement of the country. But in the
.HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 393
earlier days of frontier life the progress toward public worship was of
necessity slow. Yet the devotional spirit of those who had left godly
homes opened up here and there an organized body of worshipers, many
months before they had a regular building for their services.
The transformation' of any country or locality from a condition of bar-
barity to one of civilization requires long-continued and faithful effort, not
only on the part of the first settlers, but also of the majority of those who
follow in after years. So, also, it is. with regard to the promotion and
development of the Christian religion, that most important branch of civ-
ilization, and, in fact, the great civilizer of nations. Its progress in a new
country is necessarily comparatively slow for many years, and its promul-
gation depends to a great extent on the unshaken faith and untiring efforts
of the few trustful, devotional, zealous ones who are generally to be found,
in greater or less numbers, in almost every community, even from the days
of its earliest settlement. "While the human element is the means to a
glorious end in this regard, yet it is a most important means in the effectual
promotion of this greatest of all causes, and we should have no misgivings
or wavering doubts with regard to the ability to perform the important
part of this work assigned each of us, for if we will only rely upon the
promise, grace will be given us each, "sufficient for the day."
Eeligious interests in Dallas county have always been carefully fostered
by the citizens, from the earliest days of settlement until the present, not
only in the county seat, but also in the country districts, and in all the
other towns and villages in the county, and in a county where the people
have always shown themselves to be so thoroughly alive to educational
interests as the citizens of Dallas always have been, the result could hardly
have been otherwise, for to a good extent education and religion go hand
in hand.
For many years after the emigrant cabins began to dot the woodlands
and prairie, the settlements were so scattered over different parts of the
county that it was almost impossible for any great number to assemble in
any particular place for public worship, much less to erect houses or cabins
for that purpose, and, as a consequence, for a while religious worship was
known only at the home firesides of those who, in distress and privation,
had not forgotten their devotion to Him who had graciously provided for
them their dwellings, friends, and necessary comforts of life.
Occasional preaching services were held in private cabins, and in the
first rude school-houses, which were always well attended and highly appre-
ciated by the settlers who were hungering for the "bread of life."
The first sermon preached in the county, as before stated, was by Kev.
Thompson Bird, a Presbyterian minister then living at Fort Des Moines,
in 1846.
During the same year, and very soon afterward, Kev. "William Busick,
a radical Protestant Methodist, held services at the house of James Black,
and afterward organized a class in that vicinity, which was, doubtless, the
first organization of that kind in the county.
The first church organized in the county was the Christian church in the
Miller school-house east of Penoach, which is now the Christian church of
Adel, in a reorganized form. The particulars of this church are given
under sketch of Adel, and the article on "The First Church," in the
general history.
From that time forward the cause of religion has slowly, but gradually
394 HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
and surely, progressed with the general advancement of improvement and
civilization, until now the country districts are dotted with fine church
buildings, and in nearly every town and village in the county from two to
four church steeples are seen pointing upward toward Him who put it into
the hearts of His people to erect these buildings as places of worship, and
as tokens of love to Him in return for all His-gracious dealings to the sons
of men, and thus the work of religion is made to prosper in Dallas county.
EDUCATIONAL.
The schools of our county are sharing with the newsboys' bundle the
title of " universities of the poor," and not only so, but they are in a large
proportion the final educators of the rich. A close observation of the
working of the public schools shows that if the induction of facts be com-
plete it could be demonstrated that, in fact, the public schools turn out
more better fitted for business and for usefulness than most of our colleges.
The freedom and liberty of our public schools affords less room for the
growth of effeminacy and pedantry; it educates the youth among the peo-
ple, and not among a caste or class, and since the man or woman is called
upon to do with a nation in which we, the people, are the only factor, the
education which the common schools afford, especially where they are of
the superior standard reached in Dallas county, do fit their recipients for a
sphere of usefulness nearer the public heart than can be attained by pri-
vate schools or academies.
Dallas county educational affairs are in a flourishing condition. The
contrast between the settler's school and the present accommodations has
been marked. The puncheon floor and desks, and doorless aperture for
entrance, have given place to more finished edifices, in some cases elegant
ones, possibly not more thoroughly ventilated, but more comfortably so.
The county has now become well supplied with comfortable, commodious
school-houses, and good schools are being taught in all the townships and
towns, sufficiently numerous and convenient for the accommodation of all
parts of the county. Educational interests have been considered as of the
highest importance by the majority of the citizens, and means and efforts
have not been 'spared to make their public schools a success; and under
the efficient management of the present county superintendent, Captain
Amos Dilley, the schools and educational interests in the county are attain-
ing a high standard.
Dallas county teachers believe in the interchange of thought as also in
the community of effort, and are making the profession of teaching a study
as well as a practice. Teachers' institutes are now becoming of regular and
frequent occurrence, and are well attended by those who take a special in-
terest in the work. The superintendents' examination grade is now of such
a standard that all applicants do not attain it, and for those who are success-
ful, after diligent study and preparation, it shows a much more creditable
standing, besides furnishing a more efficient class of teachers.
The first teachers' institute was held in the county some time during the
war, but no papers regarding this meeting being preserved, the special date
and particulars regarding it cannot now be procured. They have been in-
creasing in interest and importance ever since, and especially during the
past few years; and the last one, recently held in Adel, was a well attended,
profitable meeting. The first normal under the Iowa law was held in 1872,
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 395
as the present superintendent informs us, and instituted the system of nor-
mal schools in the county in a very encouraging manner, with a fair attend-
ance and considerable interest on the part of all. These normal institutes
have been held annually ever since in the county during the months of
August and September, and have greatly increased in interest and profit
to all concerned in them, greatly advancing the educational interests of the
county.
NORMAL OF 1878.
The institute held in Adel, during August and September, 1878, was per-
haps the most interesting and profitable one held in the county since the
system was instituted. There were 175 teachers in attendance, and efficient,
thorough work was done, which reflected great credit, not only on all parties
concerned in it, both teachers and taught, but also on the county for sup-
porting such a meeting and displaying such an interest in the cause of edu-
cation. The able address delivered before the teachers during the progress
of the institute, by Rev. E. J. Hughes, of Adel, is printed in full in the
Dallas County News, and is spoken of in the highest terms as being
"among the very best lectures ever delivered, in Adel." Many others, also,
in connection with the conduct and instruction of the institute received
equally high and deserved compliments, as shown by the resolutions passed
toward the close of the session.
At the close of the regular exercises of the normal, a meeting was called
and a formal organization effected for the transaction of any special business
coming before the teachers of Dallas county. The county superintendent,
A. Dilley, was chosen as chairman, and A. C. Holderbaum, secretary. A
committee previously appointed, consisting of Mr. Doling, A. C. Phillips,
and Miss Rosa Lewis, to prepare resolutions, presented the following, which
were accepted and adopted unanimously:
Resolved, 1. That we, the teachers of the Dallas County Normal, tender our most sincere
thanks to Sup't Dilley for the admirable manner in which he has directed the workings of the
Normal, his kindness and courtesy, the valuable aid rendered to all. and the efficiency mani-
fested by him in the superintendence of our common schools.
2. To M. B. Phillips for the efficient manner in which he has conducted the institute, for
the interest awakened in the subject of didactics, and the originality and common sense dis-
played in presenting the subject of grammar.
3. To D. G. Perkins, for his able instruction in arithmetic, history and orthography; for
untiring energy he has shown for the general good of his classes, which we, individually and
collectively, fully appreciate.
4. To C. M. Pinkerton, for the practical teaching done in the subjects of geography,
orthography, and physiology, feeling that we have been greatly benefited by his instruction.
5. To the Revs. Hughes and Oheatem for the able addresses delivered by them before the
Normal.
6. To the citizens of Adel for the hospitality and kindness shown us during our stay among
them.
7. That we, as teachers of Dallas county, go forth with a firm determination to labor earn-
estly for the grading and systematizing of our common schools, realizing from their present
condition the necessity of thorough reformation in this direction; that we endeavor to utilize
the methods which have been presented to us in our school work; that we embrace every
opportunity afforded for our improvement, for the advancement of our pupils, and the eleva-
tion of the teachers' profession to the place where the importance of the work demands.
8. That a copy_of these resolutions be tendered to each paper published in the county for
publication. >
THE GKEGG NORMAL SCHOOL.
The origin of this grand Normal School movement in Dallas county
was, perhaps, the munificent donation of land to the county, at an early
396 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
day, by Thomas D. Gregg, for educational purposes, which resulted in the
erection of the present Normal school building at Adel, where these
yearly institutes are held.
Mr. Gregg, possessing considerable property and a large tract of land in
this vicinity, and being withal a whole-souled philanthropist and public
benefactor, aimed to use the wealth he had accumulated in the best manner
possible to accomplish the greatest good for coming generations, and have
the influence of his life-work live and tell for itself for the promotion of
the general welfare of mankind long after he had passed from the stage of
action.
A most important step was taken by him, in this direction, when he do-
nated to Dallas county a quarter section of land for the purpose of estab-
lishing a seminary of learning within her bounds at some future day.
The purport of this generous donor's will, in this regard, has been effect-
ually carried out by disposing of the land donated at advanced figures, and
investing at least a portion of the proceeds in establishing the Normal
School at Adel, from which the county is now deriving such lasting
benefits.
The following preamble and resolutions, found spread on the minutes of
the board of county supervisors, bearing date of October 16, 1866, explain
for themselves the origin and purport of the "Gregg Seminary Fund":
Whereas, Thomas D. Gregg, Esq., did, on the 15th day of September, A. D. 1866, vol-
untarily donate and, by deed of warranty, did convey to the county of Dallas, one hundred
and sixty acres of land near the town of Adel, for the purpose of establishing a seminary of
learning for the use and benefit of the people of Dallas county, Iowa; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the people of Dallas county, by and through the board of supervisors, now
in session doing business in and for said county, do hereby accept the aforesaid grant; and
we do hereby pledge the people of said county to the faithfully carrying out of the intentions
of the said Thomas D. Gregg, as by him in the said grant expressed. And be it further
Resolved, On behalf of the people of said Dallas county, and on behalf of future genera?
tions to whose benefit the aforesaid donation will inure, we do hereby tender to the said
Thomas D. Gregg, the everlasting gratitude of the people of said county of Dallas, and we
do humbly pray the giver of all good that the life of the said donor may be preserved to a
very green old age, and that the charity by him so munificently, nobly and generously be-
stowed upon the people of Dallas county may be like " bread cast upon the waters returned
after many days," and that future generations may arise and call hirn blessed. And be it
further
Resolved, That, at the earliest time practicable, the people of Dallas county will erect a
suitable building for carrying out the intentions of the donor, Thomas D. Gregg, which shall
be known as "Gregg Seminary."
Resolved, That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be spread on the records of the
board of supervisors, and a copy of the same be presented to the donor, Thomas D. Gregg.
By order of the board of supervisors of Dallas county, Iowa, October 16, 1866.
With reference to the disposition of this land the following order appears
in the record of the proceedings of the board at their meeting January 10,
1867:
Ordered, That a committee of three, consisting of the following: J. W Redfield, 0. D.
Smalley and P. A. Mower, be appointed to prepare resolutions relative to the disposal of cer-
tain real estate property belonging to the county, for the establishment of a Normal School.
Committee reported the following resolutions which were ordered to be
spread upon the minutes of the board:
Resolved, 1. That chairman and clerk of the board of supervisors be directed to put in
market as soon as practicable the " Gregg donation " of land for the purpose of establishing
an institution of learning to be known as the " Gregg Normal School," to be located at or
near Adel, Iowa.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 397
_ 2. That the proceeds of said land be paid out by the president of the board, subject to
the approval of the board. ,
j' ?^a* ^6 board of supervisors are in favor of appropriating the proceeds of the swamp
lands belonging to the county for the establishment of the " Gregg Normal School," by
unanimous vote.
Nearly three years later, under date of June 10, 1869, appears the fol-
lowing order on the minute-book, which shows what disposition was finally
made of the funds derived from the sale of the Gregg donation land: .
Ordered, That a .warrant be drawn in favor of the trustees of the Independent School
District of Adel, for three thousand dollars ($3,000), to be paid out of funds derived from
sale of the Gregg donation of lands to build a Normal School.
It appears from accounts that the above-amount constituted only a small
part of the property left ' to Dallas county, by Mr. Gregg, for educational
purposes, as ■ the funds' received at various times amounted to about
" $10,000 in cash, and the fifth of 1,300 acres of land, ad-joining the town of
Adel."
Out of the Gregg funds, however, the upper story of the present school
building in Adel was paid for, which is known as the' Gregg Normal
School, of Dallas county, and adds greatly to the advancement of the
county's educational interests. There is another fine large Normal school
building under contract and process of erection, at Dexter, in the south-
east corner of Dallas county, which shows that the good work in the inter-
ests of education is gradually and surely progressing in the county, and
gives the friends of education and general progress and enlightenment, not
only here, but all over our land, assuring encouragement to take heart and
go forward with unabating zeal in the good work of schooling the masses.
Of this Normal School at Dexter, more extended mention is made under
the sketch of the town.
There are also four large brick puplic school buildings in the county,
mostly all erected within the past few years, and each one is a credit to the
. town and county to which they belong.
The one at"Adel, already mentioned, as occupying the two stories under-
neath the Normal School, is a graded school with six rooms and seven teach-
ers. Prof. M. E. Philips, as principal.
One at De Soto, graded, with four rooms and three teachers, C. M. Pinker-
ton as principal.
One at Dallas Center, graded, with three rooms and three teachers. T.
K. "Whitlock, principal.
One at Perry, graded, with four rooms and three teachers. D. G. Per-
kins, principal.
At Kedfield the graded school building is frame, with two rooms. Two
teachers are employed, Miss Ida Twitchell, principal.
At Dexter, also, the public school building is a frame, with four rooms,
and they employ three teachers. Ira Doling, principal. Graded school.
At Waukee, the building is a frame, two-story one, with two rooms; a
fraded school with two teachers. A. C. Philips, principal, and Miss Sadie
landall, assistant.
At this date there is no teachers' public library in the county, and only
one school library mentioned in the superintendent's report of 1878, which
belongs to the "Adel school, procured last year, and contains 125 volumes.
398 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
During the past year about $1,500 has been expended by the county for
school apparatus, which indicates increase in the interest and progress in
the work, and the school and teachers' libraries will soon begin to follow.
As the county superintendent's report, for 1878, has not yet been com-
pleted, on the retained copy, we are unable to give the statistics from it;
but a very good idea of the present condition of the schools in the county
may be gained from the following items taken from his report of last year,
1877:
EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS OF DALLAS COUNTY.
No. of districts in township 7 — 10
" independent districts 28
" sub-districts 115
" ungraded schools 138
" graded " 11
Average number of months taught in 1877 6.33
No. of male teachers employed 118
" female " "' 171
Average compensation of males, per month $ 41.56
" " " females " " 32.49
No. of male pupils between ages of five and twenty-one. 3,363
" female " " " " " " • 3,114
" pupils enrolled 5,216
Average attendance 2,967
'• cost of tuition per month $ 2.19
No. of school-houses ". 145
Value " $126,960
" apparatus 1,049
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
No. of professional certificates issued 5
" 1st grade certificates issued to males 30
" 1st " " " " females 28
" 2d " " ' « " males 41
" 2d •' " " " females 63
Total number of certificates issued to males 73
" " " " females 94
No. of applicants examined, males 180
" " females 232
" " rejected, males 34
" " " females 54
Average age of applicants, males 19.6
" " females 21.4
VISITATION OF SCHOOLS, ETC.
No. of schools visited by the superintendent 143
" educational meetings , . 18
" cases of appeal decided 9
Compensation of superintendent, 1877 $ 942
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 399
SCHOOL-HOUSE FUND.
On hand at last report $ 482,585.00
Keceived from district tax 17,617.25
" " other sources 7,940.80
Total debit 30,383.90
Paid for school-houses and sites $ 18,513.63
" on bonds and interest 7,839.1©
On hand 4,941.17
Total credit 30,383.90
CONTINGENT FUND.
On hand from last report $ 4,146.30
Keceived from district tax 4,862.17
" " other sources 1,085.21
Total debit $ 20,093.68
Paid for rent of school-houses $ 176.25
" repairing " 2,777.88
" fuel 3,269.05
" secretary 550.59
" treasurer 1 619.99
" records, apparatus, etc 382.41
" other purposes 6,482.57
On hand - 5,834.94
Total credit $ 20,093.68
teachers' fund.
On hand at last report $ 11,398.28
Keceived from semi-annnal appointment 8,984.05
" " other sources * 1,568.30
Total debit 44,479.80
Paid to teachers 40,707.97
On hand 13,771.83
Total credit 54,479.80
The State Auditor's report of September, 1878, shows that, in the ap-
portionment of interest of permanent school fund for the last year, Dallas
county received $6,547.
We would like to give here a full list of the teachers in the public
schools in the county during 1878, but as no complete list of these has
been kept, it is impossible to procure either a full or correct one, so it must
be omitted.
THE PKESS.
No more infallible index to the state of society or the thrift of a com-
munity can be found than the press it supports.
Decide the question as you may, whether the press is the power behind
the throne, or simply the mirror of public thought, the newspaper does not
400 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
thrive in a virgin soil, but prospers only in a well cultivated garden. In
countries, districts, or localities where educational interests are at a low
standard, and the masses of the people think more of amassing wealth than
they do of general education and enlightment, and become almost wholly-
absorbed in the groveling persuits, the press must toil incessently with re-
newed zeal to give a stable foot.-hold, and patiently wait for many years to
witness the benign influence of a virtuous sheet on such communities;
but where intelligence exists, and the spirit of enterprise and enlighten-
ment prevails, the press has a healthful growth, which increases in influ-
ence and power from beginning to end ; and if this influence is wielded on
the side of purity, equity and right, the people grow, mentally and pros-
perously, with its growth, and strengthen with its strength. In every
country or community, where it has any extended circulation, the influence
and character of the press lias a mighty power in shaping the morals and
manners of the people for good or for evil.
The history of the Dallas county press is not so extensive and varied as
that of the older counties in the State; but considering the age of the
county, the press supported makes a most creditable showing as compared
with any of the neighboring counties.
In all, at least nine newspapers have been in existence and caused their
influence to be shed abroad in Dallas county, within the last twenty-two or
twenty-three years^ and a marked progress is shown in this respect.
The first newspaper established in the county was the Ship of State, a
Democratic organ, published by Rippy & Reed, in 1856, at Adel.
This paper continued only about a year under the original management,
when it passed into the possession of a joint stock company in 1857, and
came out under the name of the Prairie Flower edited by William Henry
Dodge. It became neutral in politics and continued in existence only a
few months.
Next followed the Dallas County Union, some three years afterward,
being established the summer of 1860. It was edited by E. "W". Fuller, and
was the first Republican organ in the couuty. It was discontinued in the
fall of 1862, when Mr. Fuller went into the army as sutler of the 39th Iowa
Infantry.
The Western Journal then followed, which was started that same fall,
1862, edited by Harmon Cook. It was also Republican in politics, and
was sprightly and flourishing for a time, but did not continue for a great
while, and the county remained without a paper again for some time.
In May, 1866, another Republican organ was issued by Luther M. Holt,
called the Dallas County Gazette. He edited it ably for a little more than
a year, and August 1, 1867, sold out to G. A. Atw'ood, who published it
for about three years in an efficient and commendable manner.
In 1870 lie sold it to J. E. Williams, by whose efficient and judicious
management the circulation, influence and usefulness was greatly increased,
gaining a much larger circulation, perhaps, than any of its predecessors.
During all the various changes and transfers it was issued as a Repub-
lican organ from its origin, and was decidedly so under the management
of Mr. Williams, who continued to conduct the enterprise for more than
six years.
In last of June, 1876, it was purchased by J. & C. M. McLaury, and was
published by them as a Democratic organ until January 5, 1878, when it
was discontinued.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 401
. 'The Dallas County News was established in Adel, as a Republican organ,
in November, 1872, by Amos Dilley, under whose able management it
flourished as a neatly printed sheet until in October, 1873, when he sold it
to J. M. Landis, who issued it for some time as an Anti-Monopoly sheet.
On July 15, 1875, it went into the possession and under the editorial man-
agement of S. H. Greene, who issued it as a sprightly, attractive paper
under the same political belief until April 15, 1876, when it was purchased
by the firm of Noel, Newton & Noel, and again changed its politics to Re-
publican, as it had commenced, and still continues. January 1, 1877, Mr.
Noel, Sr., went out of the firm, leaving the enterprise in the hands of the
present proprietors, Noel & Newton, under whose editorial management the
former creditable reputation of the paper is being well sustained and the
circulation and influence gradually increased. It is an eight-column folio,
and a lively, enterprising sheet, with a circulation of something over seven
hundred.
The New Era, holding the Greenback belief in politics, was established
February 28, 1878, by the New Era Publishing Company, edited by John
McLaury, at Adel. It is a seven-column folio, with a circulation at the ex-
piration of the first year, as the editor informs us, of 786, and is a bright,
attractive sheet.
The above-mentioned papers were all published at Adel.
The Dexter Herald, a live, Republican organ, published at Dexter, in the
southwest part of this county, was established in January, 1871, by J. J.
Davies, the first sheet being issued about the middle of the month, and con-
tinued under his editoral- management until the summer of 1876, when he
sold it to Grant & Lawrence, who only kept it for a few months and sold
it back to Mr. Davies, who kept it until March 24, 1877, and sold it to the
present proprietor, J. C. McManima, who continues to conduct it in an able
and acceptable manner, and is gaining for it a high reputation .and an ex-
tensive circulation. It is an eight-page, six-column sheet, with a circula-
tion of 748 at present, and being in the southwest corner of Dallas county,
so near the corners of four counties, it has the advantage of circulation not
only in its own county, but also in the adjoining counties, Madison, Adair,
and Guthrie. It is the oldest paper now published in the county, and
though Republican in politics, it is especially devoted to local and county
news. No other paper has ever been started in the town. It is through
the kindness of the present editor we have received the above statistics.
The Perry Chief, an eight-page, five-column paper, now published at
Perry, in the northern part of Dallas county, was established September 19,
1874,. by J. W. Jones & Ed D. Lunt, editors and proprietors. January 1,
1877, it was sold to George Harlan, who conducted it until sometime in
March of the same year, when he sold out to E. D. Lunt, and in July, 1878,
the latter sold an interest in the paper to his brother, Wm. L. Lunt, thus
constituting the firm of Lunt Brothers. February 8, 1879, Wm. L. Lunt
sold his interest again to his brother, E. D. Lunt, who still owns and con-
ducts it ably and successfully. Being near the north line of the county, it
has the advantage of circulation not only in its own, but also in Greene
county, and is in a prosperous condition. The present editor has done
nearly all the editorial work on this paper ever since it had an existence, and
has fully displayed his especial adaptation for the work. As the editor in-
forms us — who has kindly favored us with these statistics — the paper was
started under very unfavorable circumstances, without any capital, having
402 HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
only such old type and material as could be had here and there "on time";
it now has an outfit worth, at least, $1,200, which was new last July, a good
job patronage, and the best job outfit in Dallas county. It has a good cir-
culation, both at home and in the adjoining counties of Boone, Greene, and
Guthrie. Though Republican in its politics, it is especially devoted to the
local interests of the town and surrounding county.
The Dallas Center Globe was established by Samuel G. Sloane, its present
editor and proprietor, in December, 1875, the first sheet being issued on
Thursday, the 31st of that month. Politically, the Globe is an independent
Republican paper, with a circulation at present of 300, or upward, and is
an attractive, wide-awake, eight-page, six-column newspaper, and its pub-
lisher fearless and outspoken in his sentiments; devotes his energies princi-
pally to the advancement and welfare of the community in which his paper
is located. Just prior to the establishment of the Globe another sheet was
started, called the Dallas Center Mail, edited by J. W. Jones, who at that
time owned a partial interest in the Perry Chief. The press and material
were owned by a joint stock company, composed of the citizens in and
around the town, and the intention was to make it neutral in politics, and
devote it chiefly to the interests of the new town and surrounding commu-
nity. It was only issued for a short time by Mr. Jones when it was dis-
continued, and the press and materials were disposed of to the present editor
and proprietor, who established the Globe, as above stated. We are indebted
to the present publisher of the Globe and Mr. Cole ISoel, of Adel, for the
above facts, the latter having been a stockholder in the original company.
WAR HISTORY.
DALLAS COUNTY WAR RECORD.
If there is any one thing more than another of which the people of the
North have reason to be proud, it is the record they made during the dark
and bloody days of the "War of the Rebellion." When the war was forced
upon the country the people were pursuing the even tenor of their ways,
doing what ever their hands found to do ; working the mines, making farms,
or cultivating those already- made, erecting homes, founding cities and
towns, building shops and manufactories; in short the country was alive
with industry and hopes for the future. The people were just recovering
from the depression and losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The
future looked bright and promising, and the industrious and patriotic sons
and daughters of the free States were buoyant with hope — looking forward
to the perfecting of new plans for the ensurement of comfort and compe-
tence in their declining years. .They little heeded the mutterings and
threatening of treason's children in the slave States of the South. True
sons and decendants of the heroes of the " times that tried men's souls " —
the struggle for American independence — -they never dreamed that there
was even one so base as to dare attempt the destruction of the Union of their
fathers — a government baptized with the best blood the world ever knew.
While immediately surrounded with peace and tranquility, they paid but
little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who lived and grew
rich from the sweat and toil, blood and flesh, of others; aye, even trafficked
in the offspring of their own loins. Nevertheless, the war came with all its
attendant horrors. April 12, 1861, Fort Sumpter, at Charleston, South
Carolina, Major Anderson, U. S. A., commandant, was fired upon by rebels
in arms. Although basest treason, this first act in the bloody reality that
followed was looked upon as a mere bravado of a few hot-heads— the act of
a few fire-eaters whose sectional bias and freedom hatred was crazed by the
excessive indulgence in intoxicating potations. When a day later the news
was borne along the telegraph wires that Major Anderson had been forced
to surrender to what had at "first been regarded as a drunken mob, the patri-
otic people of the North were startled from their dreams of the future —
from undertakings half complete — and made to realize that behind that mob
there was a dark, deep and well organized plan to destroy the government,
and rend the Union in twain, and out' of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy,
wherein no one would dare question their rights to hold in bondage the
sons and daughters of men whose skins were black, or who, perchance,
through practices of lustful natures, were half or quarter removed from the
color God for his own purpose had given them.
But they reckoned without their host. Their dreams of the future — their
404 DALLAS COUNTY WAR EEOOED.
plans fo.r the establishment of an independent Confederacy — were doomed
from their inception to sad and bitter disappointment. Immediately upon
the surrender of Fort Sumpter, Abraham Lincoln, America's martyr Presi-
dent— who but a few short weeks before had taken the oath of office as the
nation's chief executive — -issued the following proclamation April 15, 1861:
Whereas, the laws of the United States have been, and now are opposed in several States
by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in an ordinary way, I, therefore, call upon the
militia of the several States of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000 to suppress said
combination and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizens for State aid in this effort to
maintain the laws, integrity, National Union, perpetuity of popular government, and redress
wrongs long enough endured.
The first service asigned forces will probably be to re-possess forts, places, and property
which have been seized from the Union. The utmost care should be taken consistent with
our object to avoid devastation, destruction and interference with the property of peaceful
citizens in any part of the country, and I hereby command persons commanding the aforesaid
combinations to disperse within twenty days from date.
I hereby convene both Houses of Congress for the 4th day of July next, to determine upon
measures for the public safety as its interests may demand.
Abkaham Lincoln,
By W. H. Sbwakd, President of the United States.
Secretary of State.
The last words of that proclamation had scarcely been taken from the
electric wires before the call was filled. The people who loved their whole
government could not give enough.
Patriotism thrilled, vibrated, and pulsated through every heart. Every
calling offered its best men, their lives and fortunes in defense of the gov-
ernment's honor and unity. Party ties were, for the time, ignored. Bitter
words, spoken in moments of political heat, were forgotten and forgiven,,
and joining hands in a common cause, they repeated the oath of America's
soldier and statesman, "By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be
preserved."
Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the rebellion, nor
were ten times that number. Call followed call.
Then came that well remembered lull in the conflict, when sanguine men
grew more hopeful, and the desponding less in despair; a time when it was
hoped the war would soon end, and once more would be "beaten the swords
into ploughshares, and the spears into pruning hooks." But soon was the
spirit of the North again aroused, and the blood of chivalry of Dallas was
sent leaping in boiling currents through veins swollen with righteous wrath,
as the terrible news of Shiloh, of thousands slain and sons in Southern pris-
ons, came to fathers, brothers and friends of those who had gone to the front.
The call of President Lincoln, for three hundred thousand men, met a
most liberal response from Dallas. From the plow, from the workshop and
counting-house, leaving the school-room, the desk, the bar, the pulpit, the
press, men of every rank of life, of all ages, grey-bearded and youth, those
who showed themselves the bravest of the brave, came forth and enrolled
their names among those who were ready to face the cannon's mouth.
It began to look as if there would not be men in all the free States to
crush out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to
every call for either men or money there was a willing and ready response;
and it is a boast of the people that had the supply of men fallen short, there
were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered
themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. Such were the impulses,
motives and actions of the patriotic men of the North, among whom the
'
DALLAS COUNTY WAR EECOED. 407
sons of Dallas county made a conspicuous and praiseworthy record. Two
companies were enrolled for a single regiment, besides large enlistments in
other companies of the same regiment, the gallant Thirty-ninth. Those who
were kept at home by age, infirmity, or sex, did noble service, too. They
assisted with their hands, their money, and their words of cheer. Ethically
considered, to the wives and mothers who gave up their husbands and sons,
their natural protectors, and with a passive self-sacrifice, suffered them to go
to the field of carnage, an even greater debt of gratitude is due than to those
brave men who then actively, and with less self-denial rendered their ser-
vice, and suffered like hardships, in the preservation of that other mother-
life, the nation itself.
Of the number drafted in Dallas county, we have not been able to secure
a complete list. In fact, we are quite unwillingly driven to an apology for
the meagreness of parts of our war history. Newspaper files could not be
found covering the war period, a most important era in the history of the
county, and we have been obliged to depend very considerably upon the
frail memory of mortals in regard to facts whose occurrence is removed by
years.
Having thus hurriedly sketched in general terms the history of Dallas
in the war, there yet remains another duty for our pen. That is, to collect
the names so far as possible, of those brave men who left their homes at their
country's call; and to place on imperishable record, the enlistments, promo-
tions, and casualties of the humblest knight in Dallasian chivalry. This is
a duty we gladly perform, not alone for those yet living, but for the memory
of those whose blood was made to fatten Southern battle-fields, whose loss a
multitude of widows and orphans have mourned with a bitterness which no
pension can ever sweeten, nor crown of glory drive away. When another
generation has passed, we trust an occasional gray haired veteran, bowed
with the infirmity of years, will point to these pages with the commendable
pride of a volunteer of' 1812, in this day; while the orphans of the slain and
their children, will look upon this brief epitaph of their forefathers, as an
undying witness that the blood of their loyal ancestry,. not only pulsated
with a patriot's devotion, but fatally left its living fountain upon the nation's
battle-field.
"All hail to our gallant defenders, all hail!
Our noblest, our bravest, our best;
Proud peers of the world's worshiped heroes ye stand,
By freedom's dear attributes blest.
Ah, the voice of the past to your heart and ours,
It brings in its eloquent breath
The wild tones of victory, softened and blent,
With the low mystic cadence of death.
But the angel of faith with her magical wand,
Lifts the veil from our grief, and behold!
The invisible arm of a pitying God
Hath gathered them into the fold."
The following is compiled in part, from the Adjutant General's Eeport:
FOUKTH INFANTRY.
Dallas' contribution to this regiment was composed of squads in Cos.
The regiment went into camp at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., Aug. 12, 1861.
25a
408 DALLAS COUNTY WAE RECORD.
Aug. 24 the regiment took the cars for Rolla. Mo., being at that time the
farthest military post south in that department, where it arrived the same
evening, and the following day went into Camp Lyon, two miles southeast
of the town of Rolla. Here commenced the military training which gave
that confidence to the men, to enable them to perform the perilous duties
of a soldier's life.
On the 22d of September the regiment received its first clothing, and on
the 28th of September broke camp and marched toward Springfield, but,
after two days marching, were ordered back to Rolla, where they remained
until Nov. 1, 1862. On the morning of January 23, 1862, it broke camp
for the last time at Rolla, and became a part of the "Army of the south-
west." The regiment was in the engagement at Pea Ridge, Chiskasaw
Bayou, Arkansas Post. From there, the regiment went to Young's Point,
accompanying the army to Grand Gulf, crossing the river and reaching
Jackson, Miss., May 14, 1863. From there they marched toward Vicks-
burg, and were engaged in the skirmishing with the enemy. The regiment
participated in the second Jackson campaign, which was made in the
middle of summer, and their suffering for want of water was intense.
After their return to Vicksburg, they remained in camp at Black river
until Sep. 23, when they broke camp, took cars for Yicksburg, and there
embarked for Memphis, and from there took cars for Corinth. Oct. 9,
were on the march for Chattanooga; Oct. 24, met the enemy under Forrest
and Roddy, and for four days kept up a constant skirmish and putting them
to route. They were engaged on Lookout Mountain with Hooker, "above
the clouds," and were the first Union soldiers on Missouri Ridge. It was
with Sherman in his " March to the Sea," and in the battles of Columbia,
S. C, and Goldsboro, 1ST. C. It participated in the grand review at Wash-
ington, and from there it was sent to Louisville, Ky., and were detained as
Provost Guard, which duty it performed until July 23, 1865, when it was
mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, Sep. 3, 1865.
COMPANY A. November 18, 1862, at Helena,
Fife Major Wm.HBinns, enlisted wArk£ ^ promotion
June 26, 1861, in Co. 0 and was Wf- H- ■ Jn?|'« ™h&ted a? Pn£?
promoted January 1, 1862. Re- ^n.e 2T6' 1861i, ?™oted ??
duced to ranks July 1, 1862. ^aJ.or J8™?/^ 8T J r?~ '
J ' ed in Fourth V et. Inft., January
PRIVATES.
1, 1864.
Goodale, Lucius P., enlisted Novem- privates.
ber 30, 1862.
Hughs, John, enlisted October 22, Hubbard, Lewis W., enlisted June
1862, died at Helena, Ark., Sep- 26> 1861, discharged October 16,
tember 25, 1862. 1861, for disability.
Hoeye, John, enlisted March 18, 'Mouray, Abram, enlisted June 26,
1862. 1861, wounded at Pea Ridge,.
Teal, John W., enlisted March 9, Mar(>h 1> 1862.
1862. Stiles, Joshua L., enlisted June 26,
1861.
Stram, John S., enlisted ■, dis-
James M. Loomis, enlisted June 26, charged on account of wounds re-
COMPANY C.
joomis, enlist
1861, Fifth Sargent, discharged ceived at Pea Ridge.
DALLAS COUNTY WAR BECOED.
409
ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS.
Hays, Garrison, enlisted April 7,
1862, discharged December 1,
1862.
Lamb, "Wilson B., enlisted Decem-
ber 20, 1861, re-enlisted January
1, 1864.
Lamb, "William E., enlisted Decem-
ber 20, 1861, discharged on ac-
count of wounds received at
Vicksburg, May 11, 1863.
Blakemore, John "W., enlisted April
6, 1862, discharged for disability
. September 8, 1863.
Howell, Joshua "W., enlisted April
6, 1862, wounded at Chickasaw
Bayou December 29, 1862, died
January 23, 1863.
COMPANY E.
Daniel Rhoads, Second Corporal, en-
listed July 15, 1861, promoted
Second Corporal September 20,
1862, died at Paducah, Ky., Jan-
uary 28, 1863.
PRIVATES.
Binnie, William S., enlisted July 15,
1861.
Gates, Alfred, enlisted July 15, 1861,
re-enlisted January 1, 1864.
Pacy, "William, enlisted July 15,
1861, died December 30, 1862, at
St. Louis, Mo.
Palmer, "Walter "W., enlisted July
15, 1861.
ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS.
Baffrey, John P., enlisted March 25,
1862.
Camery, Benjamin F., enlisted March
26, 1862.
Clark, Wm. F., enlisted March 26,
1862.
Moffat, Bobert H., enlisted April 6,
1862.
Moore, Jacob, enlisted April 6, 1862.
Beasoner, Hiram D., enlisted April
6, 1862.
"Winslow, Nathan, enlisted April 6,
1862.
TENTH INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized at Camp Fremont, Iowa City, in August,
1861. On the 24th of September the regiment embarked at Davenport on
board of transports for St. Louis, arriving there on the 27th, and was mus-
tered into the service December 6, 1861. The regiment was clothed and
equipped with all possible dispatch, and from here went to Cape Girardeau,
where it remained until November 12, when orders came to remove to
Bird's Point; and they were among the expeditions sent out from time to
time in quest of rebel bands, who were sustaining the rebel cause and
annoying our troops, and performed a full share ot this duty. The most
vigilant guard and picket duty was performed by the regiment up to the
time of its departure to New Madrid, March 4, 1862, and was one of the
regiments instrumental in the capture of between 5,000 and 6,000 pris-
oners, who were formerly stationed on Island No. 10. They afterward
went to Pittsburg Landing, and took their place in the line investing that
position. "Were engaged with Bosecrans at the battle of Iuka, also at
Corinth. They were with the campaign commencing at Milliken's Bend
and terminating with the capture of Vicksburg, and in the battles of
Raymond, Jackson, and Champion Hills. Afterward it was ordered to
Chattanooga to reinforce the army of the Cumberland, and was in the
engagement at Missouri Ridge, and from there to the sea. "Were the
410 DALLAS COUNTY WAE EECOED.
heroes of eighteen engagements, beside skirmishes of less note, and were
mustered out.
COMPANY A. Bobbins, James M. C, enlisted Au-
-Leming, Elisha, wagoner, enlisted Sust 21, 1861, re-enlisted Febi
August 21, 1861, discharged Feb- „ ™arXIi».^?64-TT ,. 1A
ruary 28, 1863, on account of dis- ZlS\er> ^T ?•> en]lstAed AuSust
ability. 21> 1861, discharged August 13,
PEITATES. 1862.
Palmer, Lewis EL, enlisted February
1, 1864.
FIFTEENTH INFANTEY.
The place of rendezvous for volunteers in the Fifteenth Infantry was at
Keokuk, where the first companies of the regiment appeared in autumn,
1861. Not until the latter part of February, 1862, were all the companies
mustered in. In marked contrast with the enlistment of the Seventh
Regiment, from the same place, the Fifteenth had had weeks of military
drill, and few companies ever went out of the State better prepared for the
field than those of this regiment. After several days spent at St. Louis in
Benton Barracks, on the first day of April the regiment eagerly embarked
on steamer for the department of the Tennessee. The regiment reached
Pittsburg Landing on that memorable Sunday, the 6th of April, when the
contest had already been raging for some hours. Immediately ordered to
the front, on that and the following day the regiment won the praise of
the commanders for its bravery and desperate fighting. The maiden sac-
rifice of the Fifteenth was one hundred and eighty-eight in killed, wounded
and missing. The regiment assisted in the siege of Corinth without serious
loss. In reconnoitering about Bolivar, in a march to Corinth, and thence
to luka, where the regiment was not ordered into action, the time was
spent until the battle of Corinth, in which the Fifteenth took a gallant
part. The loss in this battle from the regiment in wounded, killed and
missing, was eighty-five.
November 2 the regiment was ordered to Grand Junction, and for sev-
eral weeks was engaged in drill with other troops. The command engaged
in the unsuccessful campaign against Yicksburg, and in January, 1863,
went into camp at Memphis. In a few days the regiment was transported
to Milliken's Bend, thence to Lake Providence, and back to Milliken's
Bend in April. In the spring campaign against Yicksburg the regiment
had the remarkable experience of frequent engagements and several weeks
in rifle pits, without a single casualty during the entire siege. A share
was taken in the movement against Jackson, immediately following
The command took part in the luckless expedition to Monroe, Louisiana,
and also in the famous Meridian raid. It had in the meantime become a
veteran organization, and was furloughed in March, 1864. The first
important campaign participated in after furlough was that of Atlanta.
Even before the battle it had lost in heavy skirmishing nearly one hundred
officers and men. Most desperate fighting was done by the regiment in
the battle of July 22, the total casualties for that day being one hundred
DALLAS COUNTY WAK RECORD. ,411
and thirty-two. The Fifteenth was engaged in the battle of Ezra Church,
but with small loss.
With undiminished bravery and fortitude the Fifteenth engaged in the
"Siege of Atlanta " and the "March to the Sea." Savannah to Goldsboro,
Goldsboro to Ealeigh, and thence to Washington City, by way of Peters-
burg and the evacuated Southern capital. The regiment next went to
Louisville for muster out, and to Davenport for discharge, an aggregate
travel of 8,518 miles. The Fifteenth Iowa suffered a greater number of
casualties than any other regiment ever sent out from the State. Of one
thousand, seven hundred and sixty-three men who had been members of
the regiment, one thousand and fifty-one were absent at the muster out.
COMPANY B. 31, 1862, died in hospital at Keo-
Sixth Corporal David King, en- wkfuk' Marc£ V86*:
listed as private November 3, Wf°r?sT,' '
1861, promoted November 1, r. j- T .. L , T
iggo (rammer, James, enlisted January
privates. '
Houston, Lafayette, enlisted January
SEVENTEENTH INFANTEY.
This regiment rendezvoused at Keokuk and mustered into the service
with Jno. W. Eankin as Colonel, April 16, 1862. Proceeding to St. Louis
to receive equipage the new volunteers reached Mississippi in time to assist
at the siege of Corinth. The part taken by the Seventeenth in the battle
of Iuka received, probably unjustly, the censure of Eosecrans. Smarting
under this, the command went into the battle of Corinth with the deter-
mination to wipe out the stain cast upon its reputation. Its success is best
told by the following general order, No. 145:
" The General commanding cannot forbear to give pleasure to many, be-
sides the brave men immediately concerned, by announcing in advance of
the regular order, that the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, by its gallantry in
the battle of Corinth, on the fourth of October, charging the enemy, and
capturing the flag of the Fortieth Mississippi, has amply atoned for its
misfortune at Iuka, and stands among the honored regiments of his com-
mand. Long may they wear with unceasing brightness the honors they
have won.
" By order of Major General, W. S. Eosecrans.
" C. GODDABD,
"A. A. A. G."
Notwithstanding, the whole number of casualties was but twenty-five, of
whom only two were killed.
Before Vicksburg, at Chattanooga, and in the defense of Tilton, these
troops fought with a bravery unrivaled. In the defense of Tilton the gar-
rison was compelled to surrender, and the entire regiment, with the excep-
tion of forty or fifty men, were carried away prisoners. Those who re-
mained were f nrloughed and were a sorry looking band when compared with
412.
DALLAS COUNTY WAR RECORD.
the stout nine hundred and fifty-six, who had left Iowa two and a half years
before.
The regiment was mustered out at Louisville, July 25, 1865.
COMPANY G.
Third Sergeant George G. Clark, en-
listed March 15, 1862, reduced to
ranks.
Fourth Corporal Jacob Ollum, en-
listed as private March 12, 1862,
discharged June 16, 1863, for dis-
ability.
Eighth Corporal John S. Willis, en-
listed March 14, 1862, discharged
October 14, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Bryant, Wm. C, enlisted March 12,
1862, discharged at Jackson Octo-
ber 12, 1862.
Drake, James O, enlisted March 21,
1862, discharged at Keokuk Sep-
tember 21, 1862.
Kimery, Geo. W., enlisted March
18, 1862.
Lee, Jesse, enlisted March 25, 1862,
wounded at Iuka, captured at
Trenton Tenn., December 18, 1862,
discharged February 7, 1863, for
disability.
Lee, Anderson, enlisted March 25,
1862, re-enlisted March 22, 1864.
Noel, William T., enlisted March
17, 1862, died May 16, 1862.
Parish, Linus, enlisted March 12,
1862.
Parish, Lewis F., enlisted March 14,
1864.
Richmond, Allen R., enlisted March
12, 1862, killed in battle at Iuka,
Miss., September 19, 1862.
Vaughan, John, enlisted March 12,
1862, transferred to Invalid Corps
September 1, 1863.
Willis, Espy D., enlisted March 15,
1862, re-enlisted March 28, 1864
West, Elias F., enlisted March 13,
1862, wounded at Missouri Eidge.
West, Wm. A., enlisted March 19,
1862, died of wounds April 7,
1863.
Wilmot, Edgar E., enlisted March
14, 1862, discharged for disability
January 3, 1863.
Yard, Samuel, enlisted March 12,
1862, re-enlisted March 28, 1864.
Yard, Marion, enlisted March 12,
1862, discharged December 18,
1862.
EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY.
The men enlisting in this regiment were mustered in at Clinton, the
place of rendezvous, in the early part of August, 1862, with John Edwards,
of Lucas county, Colonel. The regiment was almost immediately ordered
into the service in the Army of the Southwest, where, after a wearisome
campaign, it was made a part of the garrison at Springfield, Mo., during
the winter of 1862-3. It had a taste of real war in the battle of Spring-
field, in January, 1863. in which a loss of fifty-six was incurred in killed
and wounded. The irksome duties of the garrison continued until the fall
of 1863. After a vain chase in pursuit of Shelby, the regiment was again
placed on garrison duty, at Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
Disastrous campaigning and some brilliant skirmishing at Prairie
D'Anne, and about Camden, tried the energies of the Eighteenth until
their brilliant struggle, April 17, near Poison Spring, in defense of a forage
train, where, for a considerable time, the regiment " kept at bay " a force
of five to one of its number. At Jenkin's Ferry it was used as a reserve
force, and was not brought into action.
DALLAS COUNTY WAR RECORD. 413
From thistime the regiment was on garrison duty at Ft. Smith most of
the time until the date of its muster out — often enduring hardships, poor
rations and heavy labor.
This regiment mustered out at Little Kock, Arkansas, July 20, 1865.
privates. Lambert, Benjamin F., enlisted July
^ n t n. , T , 9, 1862. '
im& Lorenzo' enllsted MP 13> Wilson, Josiah, enlisted July 17,
tt-11 t x. ,. , t , „ 1862> died at Springfield, Mo.,
Hill, James D., enlisted July 7, December 3, 1862.
186.2.
TWENTY-THIRD INFANTRY.
The Twenty-third Iowa Infantry Volunteers was organized at Des Moines
during the fall of 1862, under the direction of Ool. William Dewey. It was
mustered into the United States service September 19, 1862. On the 20th
a portion of this regiment left for Keokuk, and on the 26th the remainder
arrived at that place. On the 28th it embarked for St. Louis, where it
arrived the 30th, and reported to Gen. Curtis, who ordered the regiment to
Schofield Barracks, where it was quartered and kept on provost duty in the
city until October 7, when it was ordered to Pilot Knob, Mo., where it re-
mained encamped until the 15th, when it was sent to Patterson. While
encamped at this place the regiment suffered severely with numerous camp
diseases, and was engaged in several successful expeditions. December 1
the members were called upon to mourn the loss of their leader, Ool. Dewey.
December 20, it broke camp and started for Yan Buren, Mo.; and January
14, 1863, started for West Plains, Mo., where they arrived after much dif-
ficulty, on account of cold and rain. February 25, 1863, it returned to
Pilot Knob, where it remained in camp until March 9, and then started for
Ste. Genevieve, and from there to New Madrid, Mo., and remained here until
March 20, and then embarked for Milliken's Bend, La. On the 11th of
April, broke camp and proceeded, via Richmond, La., to a point opposite
Grand Gulf, Miss., and witnessed the bombardment of that place by gun-
boats, and the next morning crossed the Mississippi river, below Grand
Gulf, and continued the march until after midnight, when the advance was
fired on by the enemy's pickets. At 8 o'clock, May 1, the regiment was
ordered to advance and charge down a hill on the enemy, who were partially
concealed in a dense canebrake. Into this they went with fixed bayonets
and drove them from it. They were under fire until 3 o'clock, when they
made another charge and drove them back in such confusion that they could
not make another stand that day. The regiment was held in reserve at
Champion Hills until the afternoon, when they were deployed as skirmish-
ers. May 17 it started for Black River Bridge, where the enemy had a line
of entrenchments three miles long with a deep bayou in front of them.
Here the regiment signally distinguished itself by charging the enemy's
works and taking 2,500 prisoners. This result was not obtained without a
heavy sacrifice. The colonel and one captain were mortally wounded and
four other officers wounded, and 134 enlisted men killed and wounded. _ The
regiment was then detailed to guard prisoners to Memphis, and on their re-
turn were stopped at Milliken's Bend to defend the place against attack.
Here they were attacked by 2,500 Texans and had one of the most sangui-
414
DALLAS COUNTY WAR EECOED.
nary struggles of the war, and of the mos.t desperate character; the conflict
was hand to hand, and the losses frightful. July 20 they returned to the
rear of Vicksburg, and remained in the trenches until its surrender. July
5, started in pursuit of Gen. Johnston, capturing Jackson, Miss., driving the
enemy across the Pearl river. The excessive heat and arduous duty told
heavily on the regiment and they returned to Vicksburg with 120 men for
duty. August 13 it was" transferred to the Department of the Gulf and
proceeded to New Orleans. September 4, started with Gen. Banks' Teche
expedition as far as Opelousas, and returned to New Orleans. November
16, in connection with other forces, embarked for the coast of Texas, and
captured Fort Esperanza, on Matagorda Island. January 16, the regiment
went to Indianola, and remained there on post duty until March 14, when
it returned to Matagorda Island, and April 26 embarked for New Orleans,
and was ordered to reinforce Gen. Banks at Alexandria, La. It formed a
junction with him at Morganza, La. July 13, were ordered to proceed to
St. Charles, Ark., and establish a post there. August 6, returned to Mor-
ganza. After this it was at Duvall's Bluffs, Brownsville, and in 1865 em-
barked for Kennville, La. They afterward distinguished themselves in the
operations around Mobile, where they were ever in the front. After the
fall of Mobile it accompanied the Federal forces to Texas, and was mustered
out at Harrisburg, July 26, 1865.
Assistant Surgeon Smith V. Campbell, commissioned August 20, 1862, re-
signed July 26, 1863.
Assistant Surgeon Timothy J. Caldwell, commissioned January 17,. 1864
COMPANY A.
First Lieutenant John W. Mattox,
enlisted as a First Corporal July
28, 1862, and commissioned First
Lieutenant April 12, 1864.
Second Sergeant Thomas H. Tar-
nell, enlisted July 28, 1862.
Third Sergeant ¥m. S. Kussell, en-
listed July 28, 1862.
First Corporal John F. Slaughter,
enlisted July 28, 1862, died at
Arcadia November 30, 1862.
Musician David C. Hale, enlisted
August 2, 1862, discharged Octo-
ber 23, 1863, for disability.
Musician Wm. T. Clayton, enlisted
August 1, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Broyhill, Geo. O, enlisted July 20,
1862, died May 13, 1864.
Bnrgett, Francis M., entisted Au-
gust 4, 1862, killed in battle of
Black Kiver Bridge, Mississippi,
May 17, 1863.
Carnes, John E., enlisted August 4
1862, died from gastritis, at St.
Louis, October 2, 1862.
Clayton, John D., enlisted August
8, 1862.
Corliss, Ariel G., enlisted August 4,
1862, died July 10, 1863.
Crowl, Henry B., enlisted July 29,
1862, died July 24, 1863.
Fletcher, Lewis, enlisted July 20,
1862.
Fisher, Lewis W., enlisted August
8, 1862, died at Camp Patterson,
Mo., November 11, 1862.
Forster, John W., enlisted August
2, 1862.
Haines, John C, enlisted August
15, 1862, wounded at Black Eiver
Bridge.
Hutchins, Francis M., enlisted Au-
gust 15, 1862.
Johnson, Calvin, enlisted August 4,
1862, killed at Anderson Hill,
Miss., May 1, 1863.
Loomis, Geo. W., enlisted July 28,
1862.
DALLAS COUNTY WAR RECORD.
415
Mead, John C, enlisted August 4,
1862. &
Mills, Orin, enlisted August 4,
1862, died November 8, 1863, at
New Orleans.
Moor, Charles R., enlisted August
2, 1862, died of wounds received
- at Black River Bridge.
McKean, Wm. J., enlisted July 27,
1862, died at Camp Patterson,
Mo., November 8, 1862.
Noland, Joseph, enlisted July 27,
1862.
Stanfield, Thomas J., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862, discharged April 12,
1863, for disability.
Trindle, Aaron, enlisted August 14,
1862.
Thornton, Nathaniel, enlisted July
28, 1862, died July 5, 1863.
Vestal, Henry C, enlisted August
2, 1862.
COMPANY B.
Cattrell, Zerah B., enlisted August
4, 1862, promoted Corporal,
wounded at Black Biver Bridge,
May 17, 1863.
COMPANY C.
PRIVATES.
Morgan, James H., enlisted August
9, 1862.
COMPANY E.
PRIVATES.
Elliott, Henry B., enlisted August
13, 1862, died at Camp Patterson,
November 21, 1862.
Swallow, Harrison T., enlisted Au-
gust 12, 1862.
Trindle, Alexander, enlisted August
12, 1862, discharged November
10, 1863, for disability.
Wilkins, Wm. M., enlisted July 28,
1862, died July 10, 1863.
. COMPANY G.
PRIVATES.
Richmond, Rufus R., enlisted Au-
gust 22, 1862.
Richmond, Cas. M. C, enlisted Au-
gust 22, 1862, died August 15,
1863.
Russell, John H., enlisted August
22, 1862, died of measles at Arc-
adia, Mo., October 23, 1862.
ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS.
COMPANY H.
Parman, William H, enlisted De-
cember 30, 1863.
Hutson, J. W., enlisted December
28, 1863.
THIRTY-NINTH INFANTRY.
The enlistments in this regiment from Dallas county were in Companies
B, C, and H, the two latter having been raised in this county. The com-
panies were assigned to the regiment, and its colonel commissioned Septem-
ber 12, 1862, and was ordered to rendezvous at Des Moines. While they re-
mained here the whole energies of the officers were devoted to instructing
the men in drill and other duties of soldiers. On the 26th of October, the
regiment moved to Davenport, where they were speedily uniformed and
equipped. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United
States November 24, 1862^ The delay in mustering was caused by two
other companies not having the minimum number of men. While in camp
at Davenport they had nearly 300 cases of measles. Many of the men were
only convalescent when the regiment was ordered to the front.
On the 13th day of December the command left Davenport by rail and
reported to Brig. Gen. Tuttle at Cairo, at which place they remained two
416 DALLAS COUNTY WAE EECOED.
days awaiting orders. The men were then transferred to a steamboat, and
on the 16th of December dropped down the river to Columbus and disem-
barked. It 'was dark and very muddy and rainy. They were ordered to
select a place to camp, and for the first time those miserable apologies
known as shelter-tents were raised, and on the cold and wet ground the
Thirty-ninth made its bed. On the 18th December the regiment took cars
for Corinth, Miss. This day the rebel Gen. Forrest first approached the
railroad near Jackson, Tenn. The regiment arrived at that place about
dark. Forrest cut the road that evening near Trenton about half an hour
after the Thirty-ninth passed over, cutting off the train following it. The
regiment was kept lying behind earth-works for four days, a momentary
attack being expected by the commanding general. Here the men suffered
much from short rations, and were unable to cook what food they had. It
finally became apparent that the move on Jackson was a feint to hold the
troops there while Forrest cut the road north of the town On the 22d the
Thirty-ninth, with other regiments, was ordered up the road to drive off the
enemy and repair the road. Forrest was known to be at Huntingdon, thirty
miles east. The Thirty-ninth, with other regiments, comprised the Second
Brigade, and were ordered to march from Trenton on the 27th at dark, each
man to carry five days' rations and one hundred rounds of ammunition.
This was the first march of the regiment. Just from Iowa, many but a
couple of weeks out of hospitals, all worn out by short rations and loss of
sleep, and overburdened by carrying rations and ammunition, they marched
all night and went into camp near daylight. At 8 o'clock they were ordered
to resume their march and marched all day. The next morning many of
the men were completely worn out, others were too foot sore to proceed, and
they were compelled to leave over one hundred men. During the day they
attempted to make their way back to Trenton, but at Shady Grove were
surrounded by a regiment of Forrest's Cavalry and one hundred and one
were made prisoners. (These did not rejoin the regiment until October,
1863.)_ December 31, 1862, at Ked Mound, or Parker's Cross Eoads, they
came in contact with Forrest's whole command, numbering between 6,000
and 7,000 men. They fought from 9 o'clock in the morning until 3 in the
afternoon under great disadvantage of numbers and position. At 3 o'clock
reinforcements arrived and Forrest fled, leaving in their hands a great num-
ber of prisoners, horses, cannon, and small arms. January 2, 1863, they
arrived at Jackson, and on the 7th, at Corinth, where they remained until
November 2, 1863, doing garrison duty. The regiment made several
marches, guarding trains, that took two or three days at a time. May 6,
Co. H, which was on duty guarding a corral a few miles from Corinth, was
surrounded by 800 rebel Cavalry and the captain and most of the company
made prisoners. November 2, i863, the regiment, with others, moved from
Corinth to Pulaski, Tenn., and had twenty-five miles of railroad and country
to hold and maintain quiet. March 12, 1864, marched to Athens, Ala.
But it was in the battle at Altoona, Ga., October 5, 1864, that the regiment
suffered its greatest loss. Eight companies of this regiment were in the en-
gagement, numbering 284 men. There was left 119, making a loss of 165
men, or nearly three-fifths of the regiment. Among the killed was Lieut.
Col. Eedfield, of whom we have more to say. Those who witnessed the
heroism and determination of the Thirty-ninth on that day say they had
never before seen such fighting, and pronounced it the Chickasaw Bayou
DALLAS COUNTY WAR RECORD.
417
TaIITo f°rfive h0"rS: The "**=»»* was with Sherman in the Georgia
and tne Carolina campaigns, and participated in the grand review at Wash-
ington, and was mustered out June 5, 1865.
NOTB.-Offloers not otherwise accounted for were mustered out as with the regiment.
Lieutenant-Colonel James Eedfield, commissioned September 16, 1862,
wounded severely -in left shoulder at Parker's Crossroads, Tennessee
December 31, 1862 killed in battle at Altoona, Georgia, October 5, 1864*
Major Isaac D. Marsh, commissioned captain of Go. C/November 24 1862,
promoted Major May 12, 1865.
Assistant Surgeon Ephraim P. Davis, commissioned September 17, 1862,
resigned January 4, 1865.
Adjutant J. E. Joy, enlisted as private August 8, 1862, promoted Sergeant-
Major, commissioned May 22, 1865.
Chaplain Peter T. Eussell, commissioned August 25, 1865.
Commissary-Sergeant Walker Garoutte, enlisted August 9, 1862.
COMPANY B.
First Sergeant C. D. G. Eickinson,
enlisted August 14, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Adams, William H., enlisted Au-
• gust 16, 1862, discharged Decem-
ber 3, 1862.
Albin, John L., enlisted August 16,
1862, wounded severely in battle
at Parker's Cross Eoads.
Brobst, Daniel, enlisted August 11,
1862.
Burns, Henry T., enlisted August
16, 1862.
Case, Benjamin, enlisted August 15,
1862, died January 4, 1863, of
wounds at Parker's Cross Eoads.
Crouch, Joseph, enlisted August 8,
1862, taken prisoner at Shadv
Grove, December 31, 1862.
Crouch, Newton, enlisted August
11, 1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove, December 31, 1862.
Crouch, James, enlisted August 10,
1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove, December 31, 1862.
Epps, John, enlisted August 13,
1862.
Lane, Noah, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Lane, John T., enlisted August 2,
1862.
Long, William K, enlisted August
15, 1862.
Nichols, Axtil B., enlisted August
15, 1852.
Shepherd, Silas D., enlisted August
17, 1862, captured December 30,
1862, at Shady Grove.
Walker, John W., enlisted August
15,1862,
Miller, Lewis O., enlisted November
17, 1863, wounded October 5,
1864.
COMPANY C.
Captain Isaac D. March, enlisted
August 9, 1862, promoted Maj'or
May 12, 1865.
First Lieutenant Joseph W. Price,
commissioned November 24, 1862,
resigned November 24, 1862.
First Lieutenant Owen D. Eussell,
commissioned Second Lieutenant
November 24, 1862, promoted
April 22, 1865.
Second Lieutenant Owen D. Eussell,
enlis,ted August 9, 1862, promo-
ted April 22, 1865.
First Sergeant Matthew B. Noel,
enlisted August 9, 1862.
Second Sergeant Thomas Ashton,
enlisted August 9, 1862, .taken
prisoner at Parker's Cross Eoads
December 31, 1862.
418
DALLAS COUNTY WAK EECOED.
Third Sergeant David Smart, en-
listed August 9, 1862.
Fourth Sergeant Maclin E. Coons,
enlisted August 9, 1862.
Fifth Sergeant Oliver C. Macy, en-
listed August 9, 1862.
First Corporal Alexander M. Logan,
enlisted August 9, 1862.
■Second Corporal Joseph C. Early,
Jr., enlisted August 9, 1862, taken
prisoner at Shady Grove, Decem-
ber 30, 1862.
Third Corporal Lemuel Warford,
enlisted August 11, 1862, wound-
ed at Altoona, Georgia, October
5,1864.
Fourth Corporal James Mitchell,
enlisted August 9, 1862, died
June 23, 1863, at La Grange,
Tennessee.
Fifth Corporal William McMillen,
enlisted August 9, 1862, dis-
charged May 15, 1863, for dis-
ability.
Sixth Corporal Francis M. Roush,
enlisted August 9, 1862.
Seventh Corporal Joseph L. Slaugh-
ter, enlisted August 9, 1862, died
January 28, 1863, at Mound Citv,
111.
Musician James D. Carpenter, en-
listed August 9, 1862.
Musician Hezekiah H. Moffatt, en-
listed August 9, 1862, discharged
August 18, 1863, for disability.
"Wagoner Wesley Krysher, enlisted
August 9, 1862, wounded October
5, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Albin, Moses, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Burnett, James, enlisted August 11,
1862.
Beall, Thomas, enlisted August 11,
1862, wounded October 5, 1864,
at Altoona, Ga., limb amputated,
discharged June 29, 1865.
Baker, Julius W., enlisted August
11, 1862, wounded October 5,
1864.
Boak, Theodore J., enlisted August
9, 1862.
Coffin, Wm., enlisted August 11,
1862.
Carpenter, Ambrose, enlisted Au-
gust 11, 1862.
Case, Geo. W., enlisted August 9.
1862.
Carpenter, Henry, enlisted August
9, 1862, died. February 22, 1863.
Clark, Hiram P., enlisted August 9,
1862.
Crawford, Wm., enlisted August 9,
1862.
Cawger, Aaron H. H., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862, captured July 28,
1864.
Couch, C. W., enlisted August 9,
1862.
Diddy, Wm. A., enlisted August 11,
1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove, December 30, 1862, died
June 3, 1863.
Diddy, John W., enlisted August 9,
1862.
Davenport, Wm. F., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862, discharged for disa-
bility April 4, 1863.
Davis Issacher, enlisted August 14,
1862, captured July 28, 1864:
Dillon, Wm. H, enlisted August
14, 1862.
Elwood, Thomas, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Ellis, Martin, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Ellis, Marquis D. L., enlisted Au-
gust 11, 1862.
Elder, Wm. H., enlisted August 11,
1862. '
Elder, Wm. C, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Elder, Kobert H, enlisted August
15, 1862.
Fisher, Wm. P., enlisted August 9,
1862, captured December 30,
1862.
Frakes, Wm. M., enlisted August
21, 1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove, December 30, 1862.
HALLAS COUNTY WA? KECORD.
41 9
Grout, Chester P., enlisted August
11, 1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove.
Gilman,' Milon A., enlisted August
11, 1862, discharged at Cairo,
January 21, 1863.
Graham, Charles M., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862, discharged on ac-
count of wounds, January 22,
1865. J
Hiltebrand, Daniel, enlisted August
9, 1862, discharged for disability.
Hathaway, Geo. T., enlisted August
9,1862.
Harrison, Robert, enlisted August
9,1862.
Harper, Daniel C, enlisted August
9, 1862.
Hill. Calvin, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Howe, John G., enlisted August 11,
1862.
Hunt, Jacob W., enlisted August
14, 1862.
Hubbell, Ganet V., enlisted August
15, 1862, discharged for disability.
Haworth, Jas. R., enlisted August
9, 1862, discharged for disability.
Hathaway, John, enlisted August 9,
1862, discharged for disability.
Harper, Wm. H., enlisted October
21, 1862, died August 2, 1864, at
Rome, Ga.
Johnson, Wiley, enlisted August 9,
1862, died March, 1863, at Cairo,
111.
Jenkins, John, enlisted August 9,
1862, died February 23, 1864, at
Mound City.
Jeffers, Elijah, enlisted August 21,
1862, died June, 1864.
Johnson, Jas. D., enlisted August
15, 1862.
James, Daniel W., enlisted August
9, 1862, died December 16, 1862.
Kimery, John, enlisted August 9,
1862, wounded at Altoona, Ga.
Ludington, Alfred, enlisted August
9, 1862.
Lewis, Wm. A., enlisted August 9,
1862, captured at Shady Grove.
Merical, Abraham, enlisted August
9, 1862, died December 23, 1863.
Merical, John W., enlisted August
9, 1862.
Marsh, William H., enlisted August
9, 1862.
Mark, Wm. A., enlisted August 9,.
1862.
McClelland, Isaac L., enlisted 9,
1862.
Mount, Matthias, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Mitchell, Jacob, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Murdock, Wm. H., enlisted Novem-
ber 12, 1862.
Miller, John R., enlisted August 15,
1862.
Overman, Thad. W., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862.
Ostler, John, enlisted August 11,
1862, captured October 5, 1864.
Perry, John, enlisted August 15,
1862.
Ruth, Peter, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Rosecrants, Jesse, enlisted August
9, 1862.
Sawin, George, F., enlisted August
9, 1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove.
Shields, George W., enlisted August
9, 1862, captured December 30,
1862.
Slaughter, Martin L., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862, discharged Febru-
ary 8, 1863, for disability.
Tawney, James L., enlisted August
9, 1862, died at Trenton, Tenn.,
January 27, 1863.
Tarr, Hamilton J., enlisted August
20, 1862, killed in battle at Al-
toona, Ga., October 5, 1864.
Vanbrunt, Joseph, enlisted August
11, 1862.
Yoas, Henry, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Van Cleave, Thos. T., enlisted Au-
gust 21, 1862.
Welch, Amos, enlisted August 9,
1862.
420
DALLAS COUNTY WAR RECORD.
Wright, Geo. W., enlisted August
9, 1862, died at Corinth, Miss.,
January 27, 1863.
Wright, Thos. J., Jr., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862, wounded at Altoo-
na, Ga.
Watkins, Benj. F., enlisted August
9, 1862, died at Jackson, Tenn.,
January 18, 1863.
Wright, Thomas J., Sr., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862, discharged on ac-
count of wounds.
Young, John E., enlisted August 9,
1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove, December 30, 1862.
Young, Philip A., enlisted August
11, 1862.
COMPANY H.
Captain, James M. Loomis, enlisted
in Co. C, Fourth Infantry, June
26, 1861, discharged November
18,1862, for promotion; he was
commissioned Captain of Co. H
November 24, 1862, captured at
Cornith, Miss., July 7, 1863, sup-
posed to have been killed by the
enemy September 1, 1863.
Captain Henry R. Benjamin, was
commissioned First Lieutenant
November 24, 1862, promoted
Captain September 2, 1863.
First Lieutenant Wesley Wright,
enlisted as private August 8, 1862,
commissioned Second Lieutenant
July 5, 1863.
Second Lieutenant John N. Main,
enlisted August 11, 1862, resigned
March 5, 1863.
Second Lieutenant Collins Marshall,
enlisted as private August 7, 1862,
promoted from First Sergeant and
commissioned March 6, 1863,
killed by guerrillas near Cornith,
Miss., July 4, 1863.
First Sergeant Collins Marshall, en-
listed August 7, 1862.
Second Sergeant Wesley Wright, en-
listed August 8, 1862.
Third Sergeant Geo. W. Noel, en-
listed August 11, 1862, captured
July 7, 1863.
Fourth Sergeant Wm. W. Wirth, en-
listed August 11, 1862, died at
Davenport January 21, 1863.
Fourth Sergeant S. C. Maulsby,
enlisted August 5, 1862, promoted
to Fourth Sergeant January 21,
1863, captured July 7, 1863, at
Corinth, Miss.
Fifth Sergeant Wm. Moore,1 enlisted
August 5, 1862.
First Corporal Wm. T. Koot, enlisted
August 5, 1862, captured July 7,
1863.
Second Corporal Neherniah Harris,
enlisted August 7, 1862.
Third Corporal Miles C. Marshall,
enlisted August 8, 1862.
Fourth Corporal Pleasant Parker,
enlisted August 8, 1862.
Fifth Corporal Phineas S. Howell,
enlisted August 11, 1862, dis-
charged June 14, 1865.
Sixth Corporal Jonas C. Stearns, en-
listed August 11, 1862, killed in
battle at Parker's Cross Eoads
December 31, 1863.
Sixth Corporal William L. Roles, en-
listed as private August 8, 1862.
Seventh Corporal S. C. Maulsby,
enlisted August 5, 1862, promoted
Fourth Sergeant January 21,
1863.
Seventh Corporal Andrew Rickey,
enlisted August 8, 1862, died at
Corinth, Miss., February 25, 1863.
Eighth Corporal Wm. Wright, en-
listed August 25, 1862, died No-
vember 26, 1863, in Libby prison.
Musician Jesse H. Thornburgh, en-
listed August 10, 1862.
Musician William Webb, enlisted
August 8, 1862, discharged May
8, 1863.
Wagoner George F. Armstrong, en-
listed August 11, 1862, taken
prisoner at Parker's Cross Roads
Wagoner Clifford B. Parker, en
listed August 8, 1862.
DALLAS COUNTY WAK RECORD.
421
PRIVATES.
Bailey, George, enlisted August 7,
1862, discharged August 22, 1863.
Bailey, Jonathan A., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862.
Ballenger, Milo, enlisted August 9,
1862.
Ballenger, Barzillas, enlisted Au-
gust 11, 1862.
Barnett, Wm. C, enlisted August 7,
1862.
Barnett, Francis, enlisted August 7,
1862, captured July 7, 1863, at
Corinth.
Boots, Martin S., enlisted August 11,
1862, captured July 7, 1863, at
Corinth.
Bingham, Jesse C, enlisted August
8, 1862, captured July 7, 1863.
Brown, Thomas J., enlisted August
8, 1862, discharged January 31,
1863, for disability.
Bingham, William H., enlisted Au-
gust 11, 1862, captured July 7,
1863, died at Andersonville June
3, 1864.
Burden, Alfred, enlisted August
20, 1862, taken . prisoner at Shady
Grove.
Combs, John H. enlisted, August 6,
1862, died March 29, 1863.
Cave, Albert, enlisted August 13,
1862.
Cummings, Alfred, enlisted August
8, 1862.
Estes, James P , enlisted August 11,
1862, wounded in battle at Par-
ker's Cross Eoads.
Estes, George M., enlisted August 11,
1862, wounded at Parker's Cross
Boads.
Elliott, Elwood, enlisted August 10,
1862, captured July 7, 1863.
Frazier, Henry, enlisted August 11,
1862.
Godwin, Nathan, enlisted August 13,
1862, captured July 7, 1863.
Garwood, Jonathan, enlisted August
11, 1862.
Grnbbs, Luther, enlisted August 14,
1862.
Gowdy, David, enlisted August 9,
1862, died at Davenport Decem-
ber 24, 1862.
Hubbard, James A., enlisted August
11, 1862.
Hunt, Elihu, enlisted August 11, ,
1862.
Haines, Ner B., enlisted August 11,
1862, captured July 7, 1863.
Hervey, John, enlisted August 5,
1862.
Harber, Milton, enlisted August 11,
1862, captured December 30, 1862.
Hadley, David W., enlisted August
11,1862.
Joy, John R, enlisted August 8,
1862.
Joy, Henry,' enlisted August 11,
1862, discharged April 6, 1863.
Jameson, John R., enlisted August
9, 1862, captured July 7, 1863,
died in Libby prison December 14,
1863.
Jameson, Edward P., enlisted Au-
§ust 8, 1862, taken prisoner at
hady Grove, paroled.
Lewis, Milton M., enlisted August
11, 1862, discharged May 15, 1863,
for disability.
Lewellen, Wm. M.. enlisted August
11, 1862.
Lamb, Charles B., enlisted August
11, 1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove, paroled.
Lambert, Charles M., enlisted Au-
gust 6, 1862.
Lewis, Wm. H., enlisted August 20,
1862, captured July 7, 1863.
Laubach, Isaac, enlisted August 7,
1862.
Moon, John, enlisted August 11,
1862, died March 31, 1864, in An-
dersonville, Ga.
Moon, James, enlisted August 11,
1862, wounded in battle of Par-
ker's Cross Roads, died April 9,
1864, in Andersonville, Ga.
Marshall, Clayton, enlisted August
9, 1862, captured July 7, 1863.
Mendenhall, Charles T., enlisted Au-
gust 11, 1862, taken prisoner at
Shady Grove, paroled.
422
DALLAS COUNTY WAR RECORD.
Mendenhall, James K., enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862.
Morris, Bobert, enlisted August 8,
1862.
Megeath, John, enlisted August 11,
- 1862.
McCreary, Lewis, enlisted August
8, 1862.
Murray, Exaver, enlisted August 11,
1862, taken prisoner and died Jan-
uary 23, 1864, at Richmond, Va.
Parker, Melvin, enlisted August 8,
1862, died January 23, 1864, while
prisoner ot war.
Parker, Clifford B., enlisted August
8, 1862, wounded in battle at Par-
ker's Cross Roads. ,
Pickering, Henry C, enlisted Au-
gust 8, 1862, captured and died
while prisoner of war.
Reynolds, Zimri P., enlisted August
11,1862.
Robinson, Geo., enlisted August 9,
,1862.
Russell, Nathan A., enlisted August
11, 1862, wounded in battle at
Parker's Cross Roads, captured
July 7, 1863, and died in Libby
prison.
Redman, Thomas, enlisted August
6, 1862, taked prisoner at Shady
Grove, paroled, and died February
28, 1863.
Shillers. Samuel, enlisted August 11,
1862.'
Smith, Aaron, enlisted August 11,
1862.
Smith, Josephus, enlisted August
11, 1862, wounded in battle at
Parker's Cross Roads.
Swain, Wm. H., enlisted August 8,
1862, captured July 7, 1863, at
Corinth, Miss.
Stout, David, enlisted August 11,
1862.
Swallow, Henry C, enlisted October
21, 1862, captured July 7, 1863.
Yermillion, Wm. P., enlisted August
11, 1862, captured Dec. 30, 1862,
Watts, Joseph R., enlisted August
11, 1862, taken prisoner at Shady
Grove December 30, paroled.
"Willis, Wm., enlisted August 8,
1862, discharged February 9, 1863,
for disability.
Welker, Andrew J., enlisted August
11, 1862.
Willitts, Levi, enlisted August 8,
1862.
Winslow, Nathan, enlisted August
18, 1862, discharged May 24, 1865.
Way, Benjamin F., enlisted August
7,1862.
Wood, Homer E., enlisted August
11, 1862, died in Libby prison
February 16, 1864.
ADDITIONAL. ENLISTMENTS.
Crouch, Henry, enlisted February
25, 1864.
Eshllman, Jos., enlisted February 29,
1864.
Grubbs, John M., enlisted January
17, 1865.
Kinnick, Richard R., enlisted Feb-
ruary 24, 1864.
Meyers, Jos., enlisted February 22,
1864.
Perry, Fred, enlisted February 29,
1864.
Slaughter, Martin L., enlisted Feb-
ruary 26; 1864.
Parker, Richard F., enlisted January
17, 1885, died February 24, 1865.
West. Elisha D., enlisted February
26,' 1864.
Walsh, Thomas C, enlisted February
29, 1864.
Winslow, Jabes, enlisted February
29, 1864.
Winslow, Isaac M., enlisted February
29, 1864.
Thornburg, Jos., W., enlisted March
17, 1864, discharged October 28,
1864.
Yoxthiner, Martin, enlisted Febru-
ary 29, 1864.
COMPANY I.
Second Lieutenant J. Ward Eed-
field, enlisted as a private in Co.
H, and was promoted July 25,
1863, resigned October 5, 1864.
DALLAS COUNTY WAK KECOKD.
425
FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY.
This regiment contained a squad of men in Co. H, and was mustered into
the service June 1, 1864, for 100 days.
COMPANY H.
PRIVATES.
Dennis, David M, enlisted May 11,
1864.
Guthrie, Jatnes H., enlisted May 11,
1864.
Guthrie, James, enlisted May 11,
1864.
Kerr, Samuel, enlisted May 12,1864.
Keith, Mel vin, enlisted May 11, 1864.
Newland, James F., enlisted May
11, 1864.
Russell, Calvin W., enlisted May 11,
1864.
Watson, James B., enlisted May 11,
1864, died of measles at memphis
June 27, 1864.
Householder, James M., enlisted May Waldo, Wm. W., enlisted May 11,
17, 1864. 1864.
FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.
This was one of the regiments raised in accordance with the proposition
of the " War Governors " of Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota,
to supply to the United States 85,000 volunteers for one hundred days' ser-
vice, which offer was accepted by the President, April 23, 1864.
Company C of this regiment was raised by Captain Jacob R. Vanmeter,
in May. The rendezvous of the company was at Davenport, and was
mustered into the service June 10, 1864.
COMPANY C.
Captain Jacob R. Yanmeter, com-
missioned June 10, 1864.
First Lieutenant John N. Main,
commissioned June 10, 1864.
First Sergeant Frederick M. Hain,
enlisted May 21, 1864.
Third Sergeant Richard P. Lewis,
enlisted May 18, 1864.
Fourth Sergeant Samuel L. Loomis,
enlisted May 21, 1864.
First Corporal David Herry, enlisted
May 21, 1864, reduced to ranks at
his own request.
Second Corporal William Harvey,
enlisted May 21, 1864, promoted
First Corporal.
Second Corporal William C. Pugh,
enlisted May 23, 1864, promoted
from Third Corporal.
Third Corporal David A. Cowell,
enlisted May 21, 1864, promoted
from Fourth Corporal.
Fourth Corporal David I. Ham, en-
27
listed May 21, 1864, promoted from
Fifth Corporal.
Fifth Corporal Thomas Thornburg,
enlisted May 27, 1864, promoted
from Sixth Corporal.
Sixth Corporal Nathan W. Brock,
enlisted May 23, 1864, promoted
from Seventh Corporal.
Seventh Corporal Nathan W. Brock,
enlisted May 23, 1864.
Seventh Corporal Jerry Clayton, en-
listed May 20, 1864, died August
16, 1864, at Memphis, Tenn.
Eighth Corporal Richard Vermillion,
enlisted May 21, 1864.
Musician John M. Moraine, enlisted
May 23, 164.
PRIVATES.
Adams, Wm. H., enlisted May 23,
1864.
Brenton, Archibald G., enlisted May
18, 1864.
426 "dallas county war record.
Burrows, ¥m., E., enlisted May 21, Leeper, Alexander, enlisted May 21,
1864. . 1864.
Bauine, Daniel, enlisted May 23, Lee, Jonathan, enlisted May 21,
1864. " 1864.
Berry, Larkin • W., enlisted June 3, Lee, Hiram, enlisted May 21, 1864
1864. Lane, William, enlisted May 18,
Cartright, Wm. E., enlisted May 1864.
25, 1864. McClelland, Morgan, enlisted May
Clayton, Henry C, enlisted May 23, 18,1864.
1864. Marshall, John L., enlisted May 21,
Cook, Harmon, enlisted May 21, 1864.
1864. McKean, Geo. W., enlisted May 23,
Case, Separate P., enlisted May 24, 1864.
, 1864. Nichols, Geo. W., enlisted May 23,
Cook, Joseph, enlisted May 21, 1864. 1864.
Clark, Benjamin F., enlisted May Noland, John, enlisted May 21,1864,
23, 1864. died July 17, 1864.
Conical, Lewis, enlisted May 23, Potter, Eobert, enlisted May 18,
1864. . 1864.
Davis, Levi A., enlisted May 18, Perkins, Albert F., enlisted Mav 18,
1864. 1864.
Douglass, ¥m. H., enlisted May 21, Eippy, Henry C, enlisted May 19,
1864. 1864.
Edmonson, Samuel E., enlisted May Eoush, Samuel W., enlisted May 18,
23,1864. 1864.
Griffith, Eli H., enlisted May 21, Sherard, John M., enlisted May 25,
1864. 1864, died August 23, 1864.
Hain, John W., enlisted May 21, Sypherd, Charles B., enlisted May
1864. 18, 1864.
Hunter, Harvey, enlisted May 21, Stiles, Jason E., enlisted May 21,
1864. 1864.
Howell, Edward, enlisted May 21, Thompson, Nat. P., enlisted May 21,
1864. 1864, died August 8, 1864.
Henderson, Levi, enlisted May 18, Vermillion, Eichard D., enlisted
1864. May 21, 1864.
Hain, Joseph McE., enlisted May Wyatt, Isaac, enlisted May 23, 1864
23, 1864. Warner, Wm., enlisted May '27,
Hain, James E., enlisted. May 23, 1864.
1864.
MISCELLANEOUS ENLISTMENTS.
Alkins, Henry C, enlisted May 16, Wheeler, Theodore, enlisted Feb-
1864, in Co. F, Forty-seventh In- ruary 5, 1864, in Second Veteran
fantry. Infantry.
Lyon, John B., enlisted January 29,
1864, in Second Veteran Infantry. seventh veteran infantry.
Gross, John B., enlisted May 27,
1861, in Second Veteran Infantry, Hoyt, Allen B., enlisted June 27,
re-enlisted December 18, 1863. 1865, transferred from Co. H,
Smithson, N., enlisted December 29, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry.
1864, in Second Veteran Infantry. Lamb, Josiah B.
EECEUITS.
DALLAS COUNTT WAK EECORD. 427
Mills, John H., enlisted December Smith. James L., enlisted January
27, 1864, transferred from Thirty- 10, 1865.
Ninth Iowa Infantry. Towne, Marion A., enlisted January
iSwallow, Henry C, enlisted Octo- 17, 1865.
ber 21, 1862, transferred from Vermillion, Eichard, enlisted in the
Thirty-Ninth Iowa, January 10, Twelfth Veteran Infantry, Sep-
1865- tember 29, 1864, mustered out at
Selma, Alabama, July 19, 1865.
SECOND CAVALRY.
COMPANY D. Heal, Samuel, enlisted August 8,
Farrier Samuel F. Witham, enlisted -r> " q i v * j a
August 2 1861. Rogers, Samuel, enlisted August 2,
Witham, Charles ' W., enlisted Au- 1861'
gust 2, 1861, died April 10, 1864,
at Memphis, Tennessee.
Burkhart, Hiram, enlisted August Drabe Samuel S., enlisted January
2, 1861, died April 5, 1864, at 18i i864, J
Memphis, Tennessee. Straini John g enlisted January 4,
Lewis, George W., enlisted August 1864
2,1861.
FOURTH CAVALRY.
This regiment was raised during the latter part of 1861, with rendez-
vous at Camp Harlan, Mount Pleasant, and contained a few Dallas county
men who enlisted with the regiment, or as recruits after it had entered the
service.
During May, 1863, the regiment was in several engagements in Missis-
sippi, at Jackson, at Raymond, and twice at Mechanicsburg, on the 24th
and 29th of that month.- During the previous part of the year the reg-
iment had been stationed at Helena, Arkansas, doing scouting and picket
duty. Under General Sherman at Black river, in June, a portion of the
regiment had quite a severe encounter with the enemy's cavalry, about one
hundred and twenty-five Union men being surrounded by eight hundred
rebels. The former were successful in cutting their way out, with a loss of
near fifty men in killed and taken prisoner. During the remainder of the
year the regiment was engaged in skirmishing in Mississippi, but without
serious loss.
During 1864 no regiment in the army was in more active service than
the Fourth Cavalry. After several skirmishes and long marches in the
early spring, or rather during the winter, they were furloughed March 4,
1864, by special order of General Sherman. Various expeditions were
undertaken upon the return of the regiment to Mississippi, involving
marches of some thousands of miles, and numerous brilliant engagements.
Of his men, December 1, 1864, Colonel Winslow says: "No language
can describe their sufferings, or give them credit" for that distinguished
bravery and endurance which have taught the enemy to respect them and
fear their coming, as the people of the Indies fear the simoon. Four expe-
428
DALLAS COUNTY WAR RECORD.
ditions against Forrest and one against Price bear testimony to the fatigues
endured, the dangers encountered, the defeats shared, the victories won."
During March and April, 1865, a most brilliant march, with frequent
fighting, was made from Chickasaw, Alabama, to Macon, Georgia. Seven
battle flags were captured in a single engagement near Columbus, Georgia,
by volunteers of this regiment. During the month occupied in this expe-
dition 610 miles were marched, 2,436 prisoners captured, 21 pieces of
artillery; 1,650 stand of small arms, and 880 horses and mules taken.
Note. — This regiment was mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia, August 10, 1865. Men not otherwise accounted
for, mustered out as with the regiment.
COMPANY P.
Manor, Samuei, enlisted December
1, 1861.
Duck, Simon P., enlisted December
18, 1863, promoted Seventh Cor-
poral July 1, 1864.
COMPANY L.
Fifth Sergeant George A. Loomis,
enlisted November 16, 1861, re-
duced to ranks.
First Corporal Frank Murray, en-
listed November 16, 1861, died of
typhoid fever at West Plains,
Missouri, May 10, 1862.
Third Corporal Henry W. Butts,
enlisted November 15, 1861.
PRIVATES.
Morris, Reuben, enlisted October 15,
1861, discharged January 9, 1863.
Perry, Frederick, enlisted October
19, 1861, discharged for disability
January 1, 1862.
Wade, John, enlisted September 29,
1861, discharged for disability
May 13, 1862.
NINTH CAYALEY.
There is little of general interest connected with the history of the Ninth
Iowa Cavalry. Its field of service was confined to Arkansas, the head-
quarters of the regiment having been mantained a chief portion of the
time at Brownsville, between Duvall's Bluff and Little Rock. Its most ac-
tive and laborious service was performed while Gen. Steele was in a state
of siege at Little Rock. During this time, it engaged the enemy in fre-
quent skirmishes, but none of them were of much importance. .
COMPANY D.
Loftus, Jasper W., enlisted Febru-
ary 1864, died March 20, 1864.
COMPANY H.
Eighth Corporal Reuben J. Lamb,
enlisted October 12, 1863, died
June 28, 1865, at Dardenelle, Ar-
kansas.
PRIVATES.
Felton, David, enlisted October 23,
1863.
Howell, Emanuel, enlisted October
23, 1863, died December 13, 1864,
De Vails Bluffs, Ark.
Hoeye, Wm. enlisted October 1,
1863.
Hoeye, Samuel V, enlisted October
9, 1863.
Lewis, Wm. W., enlisted September
26, 1863.
Lamb, Joshua S., enlisted October
12, 1863, died October 7, 1865, at
Washington, Ark.
Moorman, Enoch, enlisted October
24, 1863.
Wright, Wesley W., enlisted Octo-
ber 9, 1863.
DALLAS COUNTY WAR EECOED. 429
SECOND LIGHT ARTILLERY.
The Second Battery was composed of men from the counties of Dallas,
Polk, Harrison, Fremont, and Pottawattamie, and ordered into quarters
July 4, 1861, and were mustered into the service at Council Bluffs and St.
Louis August 8 and 31, 1861.
The Battery received its armament at St. Louis in October, 1861. The
25th day of December a section under Lieut. "Walling was sent with Gen.
Schofield on the North Missouri Railroad, returning to Benton Barracks the
20th of February, 1862. February 26, the Battery went to„Commerce, Mo.,
then to New Madrid, under General Pope. Participated in actions there
on the 3d, the night of the 4th and on the 13th of March.
March 18th, a detachment of the Battery under Lieut. C. F. Reed, beat
off five gunboats at Riddle's Point. Was engaged in April in the series
of movements which resulted in the capture of Island No. 10. Went down
the river to Fort Pillow, then up the Mississippi and Tennessee to Ham-
burg Landing, arriving at the latter place April 23d.
With the Army of the Mississippi was engaged May 9th in the battle of
Farmington; May 28th, battle of Corinth. Followed the enemy to Boon-
ville, Miss. At Rienzi during the summer, till August 18th; then moved
to Tuscumbia, Ala.; back to Corinth Sep. 11; in battle ofluka Sep. 19th;
in battle before Corinth Oct. 3d and 4th; in the pursuit under Rosecrans
until Oct. 12th.
Was in engagements in the rear and siege of Yicksburg; at the battle
near Nashville in December, 1864, and did valiant service; and, during the
two days of the engagement, expended 1500 rounds of ammunition. The
Battery was mustered out at Davenport August 7, 1865.
The enlistments from Dallas county were as follows:
Captain Joseph R. Reed, commissioned Sr. First Lieutenant August 8,
1861, promoted to Captain August 31, 1864, mustered out June 9, '1865.
Captain John "W. Coons, enlisted August 1, 1861, appointed Third Ser-
geant, promoted to Sr. First Lieutenant August 31, 1864, commissioned
Captain June 19, 1865.
Second Lieutenant John E. Snyder, enlisted August 20, 1861, promoted
from Frst Sergeant June 19, 1865.
Q. M. S. John A. Dawson, enlisted August 1, 1861, died of fever July
23, 1862.
Q.M. S. James H. Coons, enlisted August 1, 1861, promoted from Second
Coporal, died April 19, 1863, at Duck Port, La.
First Corporal Alexander Dodge, enlisted August 1, 1861.
Fourth Corporal Elihu Cook, enlisted August 1, 1861, died July 3, 1862,
of wounds at Farmington May 9, 1862.
Fifth Corporal "William Leverton, enlisted August 1, 1861, discharged
for disability October 19, 1862.
Fifth Corporal Daniel B. D Davidson, enlisted August 1, 1861, died No-
vember 21, 1863.
Sixth Corporal John W. Mattox, enlisted August 1, 1861, discharged for
disability January 2, 1862.
430
DALLAS COUNTY WAR BEOOBD.
PEIVATES.
Brenton, Arch., enlisted August 1,
1861, discharged for disability
September 8, 1862.
Carpenter, Josephus, enlistedAugust
1, 1861, wounded at Corinth Oc-
tober 3, 1862, discharged May 30,
1863.
Crowell, Jesse H., enlisted August 1,
1861.
Carpenter, Geo. F., enlisted August
24, 1861.
Dodge, Charles M., enlisted August
23, 1861, re-enlisted Vet.
Davidson, Daniel B., enlisted Au-
gust 1, 1861, wounded at Corinth,
Miss.
Dodge, John M., enlisted August 1,
1861, died of fever November 7,
1862.
Eckles, ¥m., enlisted August 1,
1861.
Fish, Geo., enlisted August 1, 1861,
veteranized.
Gilman, Francis, enlisted August 1,
1861, re-enlisted as veteran.
Graham, Jacob M., enlisted August
1, 1861.
Holt, Joseph L., enlisted August 1,
1861, wounded at Corinth, Miss.
Johnson, Jacob, enlisted August 1,
1861, re-enlisted as veteran.
Kinnick, Jno. F., enlisted August 20,
1861.
McElree, Benjamin, enlisted August
15, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran.
Nickols, John C, enlisted August 1,
1861.
Noel, Sam, J., enlisted August 1,
1861.
Kamsberger, Wm., enlisted August
1, 1861, discharged for disability,
wounds received July 4, 1862.
Rose, Robert, enlisted August 1,
1861.
Seward, Charles A., enlisted August
15, 1861.
Strader, John, enlisted August 1,
1861, discharged for disability
January 6, 1862.
Stanfield, Geo., enlisted August 1,
1861, re-enlisted as veteran.
Smith, Elias, enlisted August 15,
1 861, wounded at Yicksburg.
Slate, Israel B., enlisted August 1,
1861, died September 18, 1862.
Thornton, Thomas, enlisted August
1, 1861, died of fever June 8,
1862.
Thompson, Geo., enlisted August 28,
1861.
"Wisner, Benjamin, enlisted August
24, 1861.
Welch, Harrison, enlisted August 1,
1861, re-enlisted as veteran.
ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS.
Allenbaugh, S. A., enlisted October
24, 1861, iwounded at Corinth,
discharged February 13, 1863.
O'Neal, Michael, enlisted October
■ 24, 1861.
Roe, Reuben, enlisted October 24,
1861, wounded July 14, 1864.
Sloan, Thomas, enlisted August 15,
1861.
Baffney, John, enlisted March 15,
. 1863.
Camery, Benjamin, enlisted March
26, 1863, died May 1, 1863.
Ferguson, Clemant A., enlisted
March 15, 1863.
Ferguson, Caswell D., enlisted
March 12, 1863, discharged for
disability and re-enlisted in Feb-
ruary, 1864, and mustered out
August 7, 1865.
Fish, James M., enlisted March 30,
1863.
Moffatt, Robt. H., enlisted April 16,
1862.
Payne, Edward, enlisted September
16, 1862, died July 24, 1863.
DALLA8 COUNTY WAR RECORD.
431
DALLAS COUNTY SOLDIEES' UNION.
In the latter part of July, 1878, the following notice appeared in print,
calling a meeting in Adel for the purpose of holding a reunion and encamp-
ment ot the county's soldiers and sailors and organizing an association :
"We, the undersigned soldiers of the late war, unite in calling a meeting
of all the honorably discharged soldiers and sailors now resident in Dallas
county, to be held at Adel, on the 17th day of August, 1878, at 10 o'clock,
for the purpose of organizing a permanent organization and taking into
consideration the propriety of holding an encampment and reunion some-
time during the coming autumn. Let all come.
" J. W. Coons,
E. H. Conger,
T. J. Caldwell,
D. J. Pattee,
Levi Thornburg,
J. T. Davis,
J. H. Conley,
Amos Gilliland,
N. Allard,
G. W. Loomis,
J. W. Mattox,
S. L. Ward,
T. C. Walsh,
T. E. North,
A. G. Brenton,
L. W. Garoutte,
D. A. Blanchard,
J. K. Joy,
A. Dillv,
W. H. Chandler,
A. D. Haskins,
J. A. Waldo,
C. D. Ferguson,
F. M. Hain,
Ed D. Lunt,
H. H. Cardell,
J. M. Hoopes,
L. D. Bullis,
J. G. Howe,
Z. W. Kelly,
D. W. Woodin,
A. Welch,
S. A. Callvert,
A. C. Hotchkiss."
The above announced meeting was held according to the call and proved
a complete success in securing a large attendance and effecting an organiza-
tion, as is shown by the following report of the meeting by the president
and secretary: *»'?C,,
soldiers' re-union.
"Adel, August 17, 1878.
"Pursuant to a call heretofore made, the following persons, to-wit: A.
Dilly, First Iowa Cavalry; E. H. Conger, 102d Illinois Infantry; T. E.
North, Fifth Indiana Infantry; D. W. Woodin, Third Michigan Cavalry;
H. Kennerson, Second Minnesota Cavalry; J. W. Mattox, Twenty -third
Iowa Infantry; J. W. Coons, Second Iowa Battery; S. A. Callvert, Second
Iowa Infantry; C. W. Ingle, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry; W. C. Dunn,
Fifth Wisconsin Battery; J. J. Jones, Second Iowa Infantry; John Fee,
Nineteenth Kansas ; A. C. Hotchkiss, lf>8th New York Infantry, and
First Veteran Cavalry; L. W. Garoutte; A. M. Garoutte, A. Q. M ; C. D.
G. Eickinson, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry; W. Krysher, Thirtieth Iowa In-
fantry; Amos Welch, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry; M. E. Coons, Thirtieth Iowa
Infantry, and J. E. Joy, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, soldiers of the war of
1861-5, met for the purpose of organizing the 'Dallas County Soldiers'
Union.' The following proceedings were had, to-wit:
"Upon motion of A. Dilly, T. E. North was elected as chairman; J. E. Joy
was selected as secretary.
"Thereupon Captain Dilley proceeded to state, the object of the meeting,
and also to read the constitution of the Madison County Soldiers' Union.
After the reading of which, upon motion of D. W. Woodin, the said consti-
tion was adopted by the Dallas County Soldiers' Union.
" Upon motion of A. Dilly and others, the following persons were elected
as officers until the first regular meeting of the Assciation: E. H. Conger,
432 DALLAS COTJNTT WAR RECORD.
President and Colonel; D. J. Pattee, First Vice-President and Lieutenant-
Colonel; I. D. Marsh, Second Yice-President and Major; J. P. Joy, Secre-
tary and Adjutant; A. J. Lyon, Treasurer and Quarter-Master; Rev. Case,
Chaplain; T. J. Caldwell, Surgeon.
"Upon motion, the quarter-master was directed to apply for, and, if
possible, procure tents for the use of the Association at the time of the re-
union this fall.
"Upon motion, the secretary was directed to have one hundred copies of
the constitution printed for distribution to township aids, etc.
"By motion, ordered that the proceedings of this meeting be published in
the county papers. Meeting adjourned.
"E. H. Conger, President.
"J. R. Joy, Secretary."
This organization being thus effected, the members of the Association
agitated the question of holding a grand re-union during the following
month, while the county fair was in progress at Adel, and the progress of
their work in this regard is shown by the following minutes of a called
meeting afterward held:
"Adel, August 31, 1878.
"Pursuant to a call heretofore issued, the following members of the Dal-
las County Soldiers' Union met at the court-house in Adel' for the purpose
of perfecting the arrangements for a re-union : E. H. Conger, D. J. Pattee,
T. J. Caldwell, A. H. Chase, A. J. Lyon, J. R. Joy, J. W. Mattox, I. J.
Randall, D. Smart, J. C. Haines, W. H. Chandler, W. W. Machen, C. D.
Overstreet, S. O. Conger, W. H. Murphy, and Isaac Hoch.
"Meeting called to order by E. H. Conger, president. Upon motion of
D. Smart a committee 6f seven was appointed to prepare a programme for
the re-union.
" Meeting adjourned to one o'clock, p. m.
" One o'clock p. m. Meeting was called to order, vice-president D. J.
Pattee presiding, and, upon motion, it was decided to appoint an executive
and a finance committee of five, whose duty it shall be to make the neces-
sary preparations for the re-union and the expenses of the same.
" The president and secretary were directed to appoint said committee.
A committee, consisting of I. D. Marsh, D. J. Pattee and A. J. Lyon, was
appointed to procure a speaker or speakers. By vote it was decided to
have at least seventy-five tents put up as early as the first day of the fair,
a'nd that soldiers attending the fair, and having membership tickets, shall
have the privilege of occupying the tents during the fair.
''The committee reported and recommended lhat the re-union be set for
Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21. The fair ground to be thrown
open by six o'clock p. m. of the 20th, and also suggest the following pro-
gramme for Saturday the 21st:
"5 o'clock a. m. — Reveille.
7 o'clock a. m. — Breakfast.
8 o'clock a. m. — Surgeons' call.
8:30 o'clock a. m.— Guard mounting.
9 o'clock a. m. — Campany drill.
10:30 o'clock a. m. — Election of officers.
12 o'clock m. — Dinner.
2 o'clock p. m.— Oration and Dress Parade.
DALLAS COUNTY WAR EECOED. 4:33
" By vote the report was received and adopted. Upon motion the execu-
tive committee was directed to procure a cannon for the re-union, provided
the expense is not too great.
" By vote the quarter-master was directed to procure a sufficient quantity
of 'hard-tack' to issue rations to the soldiers present. Adjourned.
" E. H. Congee, President.
"J. B. Joy, Secretary.''''
All necessary preparation being made and no pains or effort being Spared
on the part of those interested, to make the occasion a success, the re-union
came off at the appointed time, collecting a large crowd of witnesses and
participants, and a good time generally was had on this most enjoyable oc-
casion.
The Dallas County News has this to say about the occasion in its issue
the following week:
" We are happy to be able to say that the Dallas county soldier's re-un-
ion, held at this place last Friday and Saturday, was a far greater success
than was anticipated by any. About one hundred and fifty names were
enrolled, and it is safe to say that there were half that many more present
who failed to enroll.
"The programme previously adopted was carried out with few excep-
tions. At the election of officers, which occurred Saturday forenoon, the
following gentlemen were chosen for the ensuing year:
" Colonel — A. J. Lyon.
Lieutenant-Colonel — D. J. Pattee.
Major — A. Dilley.
Adjutant — J. B. Joy.
Quarter-Master — T. K. North.
Chaplain — A. JBL Chase.
Surgeon— T. J. Caldwell.
"After dinner the large concourse present gathered around the stand and
listened to short addresses by Prof. Phillips, of Adel, and Eev. Chase, of
Bedfield. Between the remarks of these two gentlemen J. B. White read
a poem written by Bev. Frisbie, of Des Moines.
" A martial band from Dexter, and the Perry and Adel brass bands fur-
nished good music and thereby added materially to the enjoyment of the
gathering. A great deal of praise and credit is due the gentlemen who
were instrumental in working up and making a success of Dallas county's
first re-union, and we know that enough interest is now awakened to insure
its greater success next year." .
SHEEMAN'S MAECH TO THE SEA.
The following beautiful poem, which has won for its author a National
reputation, and has been sung in the theaters of* Europe, was written in a
Southern prison by Adjutant S. H. M. Byers, at present (1879) IT. S. Con-
sul at Zurich, Switzerland. In his little book, "What I saw in Dixie," on
page 73-4, he copies from his diary, December 25, 1865, as follows: " This
is my second Christmas in prison. * ******
434 DALLAS COUNTY WAR EECORD.
I
Lieutenant Tower, of Otturnwa, Iowa, who had lost a leg in the array, and
was afterward captured, is now to be exchanged and sent home. He wears
a hollow, artificial wooden limb in place of the one he lost; this we packed
full of letters, one of which contained ' Sherman's March to the Sea'. The
Eebels little suspected our novel way of communicating with our friends..
The Lieutenant went safely through, and the letters were all delivered":
Our camp fires shone bright on the mountains
That frowned on the river below,
While we stood by our guns in the morning
And eagerly watched for the foe —
When a rider came out from the darkness
That hung over mountain and sea.
And shouted " Boys, up and be ready,
For Sherman will march to the sea."
Then cheer upon cheer for bold Sherman
Went up from each valley and glen,
And the bugles re-echoed the music
That came from the lips of the men. -
For we knew that the stars in our banner
More bright in their splendor would be,
And that blessings from Northland would greet us
When Sherman marched down to the sea.
Then forward, boys, forward to battle,
We marched on our wearisome way,
And we stormed the wild hills of Resaca,
— God bless those who fell on that day —
Then Kenesaw, dark in its glory,
Frowned down on the flag of the free,
But the East and the West bore our standards,
And Sherman marched on to the sea.
Still onward we pressed, till our banners
Swept out from Atlanta's grim walls.
And the blood of the patriot dampened
The soil where the traitor flag falls;
But we paused not to weep for the fallen,
Who slept by each river and tree,
Yet we twined them a wreath of the laurel,
As Sherman marched down to the sea.
0, proud was our army that morning
That stood where the pine darkly towers,
When Sherman said, ''Boys, you are weary.
This day fair Savannah is ours."
Then sang we a song for our chieftain
That echoed o'er river and lea,
And the stars in our banner shone brighter,
When Sherman marched down to the sea.
CITIES AND TOWNS.
ADEL.
_ This town is the county-seat of Dallas county, and has a delightful situa-
tion on the west bank of the North Kaccoon river, on sections 29 and 32,
township 79, range 27, the original " town quarter " being the east half of
the southwest quarter, and the west half of the southeast quarter of section
29, in the above mentioned township. The original town was surveyed and
platted by the county surveyor, Martin "W. Miller — or rather by his deputy,
Alfred D. Jones, of Des Moines — which work was completed May 22, 1847,
the town site having been selected just previously as the proper place for
the location of the county-seat of Dallas county, by the locating commis-
sioners appointed by the Legislature for that purpose. The out-lots were
afterward surveyed 'by O. D. Smalley, in July, 1851.
Several additions have been made to the town since it was first established,
until it now extends its limits from the river to the west line of section 29,
and south for a considerable distance on section 32, including a large tract
of land within the corporation. The original plat was situated principally
on a beautiful, level plane or second-bottom, near the river, on land formerly
owned, or claimed, by John Miller; but now the town extends toward the
west, over the high ridge of rolling land which opens back upon the prairie,
and affords numerous beautiful building sites, on many of which elegant,
commodious and costly residences have been built. Adel was the first town
established in the county, and has been compelled to pass through many
trials and seasons of discouragement to attain its present stage of progress,
and hold its own against the adverse circumstances and influences surround-
ing and opposing it.
Even from its beginning for many years no very great advantages or en-
couraging prospects were afforded for its rapid growth and prosperity.
The country around was new and uncultivated, and the settlers were yet
very few and widely scattered, so that the progress in general develope-
ment was exceedingly slow and somewhat discouraging for several years,
during which time the town of Adel, though the first and only one in the
county, made but little increase, either in size or business.
To one living in the county-seat to-day it is a difficult matter to realize
what was the appearance of Dallas county and of Adel in the fall of 1847,
and for a few years following.
At that early day, to one standing on the high ridge just above the
present site of the public school-building and looking down on the original
town site as laid off for the county-seat, only a few cabins could be seen,
and no shade trees, or foliage, or two and three story brick and frame build-
436 HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
ings interrupted the view; and then, looking to the west, and north, and
south, as far as the eye could see over the trackless, rolling prairies, nothing
met the eye but one unbroken sea of prairie grass waving over the unculti-
vated lands, or the massive tops of forest trees skirting the branches- of the
Raccoon. No cabins, nor fences, nor barns, nor marks of cultivation and
improvement could be seen, save the few original cabins and improvement
on and near the site of the county-seat.
The town when first laid out was called Penoach, at the suggestion of
the deputy surveyor, A. D. Jones, and retained that name until sometime
in 1849, when it received its present name, the exact date of which change
of name we have not been able to ascertain, as no record is found on the
county books of any order changing it. It was probably done by the Leg-
islature and the record would thus appear in Des Moines.
But much of the early history of the county-seat is necessarily involved
in the general history of the county, and being there quite fully given need
not be here repeated. (See history of county-seat.)
The first house in town was built by J. 0. Corbell in the fall of 1847, on
lot 5, block 8.
It was a small log cabin used as a dwelling house and a post-office, the
owner being the postmaster and mail carrier from Fort Des Moines.
Ira Sherman sold the first goods in town — as before stated- — and not long
after him Benjamin Greene and George B. Warden each opened stores
about the same time, in 1848 or 1849, warden occupying the old log court-
house, and Mr. Greene occupying a small building which stood opposite
the northeast corner of the court-house square. Each carried a mixed
stock of goods, and these were then the only stores in town. Mr. Greene
sold out to William Ellis, a few years afterward, who opened a mixed store
in a small one-story building, which stood on lot 4, block 18, just opposite
the southeast corner of the square.
About 1853 Cole Noel also opened a store, keeping a general assort-
ment, on lot 4, block 17, and about 1854-5 E. D. Smith opened a small
grocery and notion store on lot 8, block 7, opposite the northwest corner of
court-house square.
The first two-story frame store building erected in town was, perhaps, the
one which now stands empty on lot 1, block 17. It was built by ¥m.
Ellis about 1855, and his stock of goods was moved into it that year, just
across the street from his first small store.
Among the very first frame dwellings ejected was one which stood on
lots 7 and 8, block 13, and was afterward converted into a store building,
and then, in connection with three other small buildings, it was burned,
this being the largest one of the four.
The first brick building erected in the town was the small one-story
building now occupied by G. W. Campbell as a tailor shop. This building
was erected in 1856 or 1857.
The first brick dwelling house erected in town was one built by C. 0.
Baird, on an out-lot in the southwest part of town, soon after the brick
tailor shop was erected.
The first two-story brick building erected in town is the one now occu-
pied by Leroy Lambert as a dwelling on an out-lot in the west part of town
on Main street. This building was used as the school-house for a number
of years until the present large school-building was erected in 1869. It
was built about the same time, or a little before, the present court-house.
HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 437
The first three-story brick store building erected in town was Kisser's
large and elegant store building, about 1867-8.
The first hotel in the town was a small storj-and-a-half frame building
which now forms part of the "Hill House," and stood on the same ground.
Mr. R. R. Bailey kept hotel in it for a long time, as a stage station on the
line of the "Western Stage Company, from Davenport to Council Bluffs,
this being the first and only hotel is town for some time.
In 1855 the " Flank House " was built by Jacob Frush on the site now oc-
cupied by the "Forrester House," and when this was finished and put in run-
ning order, the stage station was moved to it. and thus continued until the
line was discontinued. Mr. Frush kept the stage station for some time
after his "Plank House" was completed, then sold out to Mr. Hale, who
kept it until August, 1863, when he sold to Mr. Forrester, and has since
continued under his name, but is now in the possession of A. F. Ford.
Among the first men who preached in town were Thomas Butler, Elder
Castle, John P. Glenn and Elder Baird.
In 1855 there were not more than twenty-five houses, all told, in the
town, and only three stores, ¥m. Ellis', Cole Noel's and E. D. Smith's, as
above mentioned, showing that the progress during the first seven or eight
years was not very great. After that, however, buildings and inhabitants
and business increased more rapidly.
The town gave two lots for church purposes at an early day; one to the
M. E. Church, situated in the northeast corner of town, an out-lot, and one
to the Christian Church, situated in the extreme southeast corner of town.
But these were never built upon by the churches.
We are indebted to the kindness of Judge Perkins for many of the
above statistics, who also informs us that not long after coming to the
county and town he performed the marriage ceremony for two colored
couple here in Ad el, which were the first and last and only colored couple
married in the town, and perhaps in the county. The first white couple
married in the town we have not been able to ascertain.
Mr. Greene informs us that the first death in town was that of the wife
of Isaac Miller, son of Samuel Miller, at a very early day in the town's
history.
GEAVE-YAEDS.
The first burying ground of Adel was south of town a mile or two, which
was used for some time; but no.t being satisfactory to all parties, the loca-
tion was changed, and a five-acre lot was secured about a mile and a quarter
west of town, which was properly laid off, and deeded to the town of Adel
for a public burying ground. It is fenced aud now under the management
of the town trustees since the incorporation of the town.
The I. O. O. F. lodge also have a burying ground of their own across the
river, a short distance east of town, containing three acres, which was do-
nated to them for that purpose about 1856, by Barak Michener, who re-
served a lot for himself, and has since been buried there. Only two or three
others have yet been buried in the ground.
It is well fenced and kept, and has a beautiful location.
POST-OFFICE.
The post-office was established in Penoach in 1847. No regular mail
route passed through here at that time, but for a while a man was appointed
438 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
to the double work of postmaster and mail carrier, whose duty it was to go
to Fort Des Moines for the mail, and also to distribute it at Penoach, until
the mail and stage route passed through here.
J. C. Corbell was the first postmaster and mail carrier of this kind in the
town, who held the office for some time.
The following, as near as we can ascertain, is a list of the postmasters
who followed him: Stephen K. Scovell, Ira Sherman, M. 0. Thomas, S. K.
Scovell, Leroy Lambert, H. C. Kippey, James Eobinson, N. B. Nichols,
Esq., S. B. Hempstead, N. B. Nichols, Esq., G. A. Atwood,_ J. E. Williams
and W. E. Brockway, the present incumbent, who was appointed December
27, 1873.
Adel was incorporated in 1856. Kecorded in the minutes of the term of
• County Court, held March 3, 1856, the following order, regarding the or-
ganization and incorporation of the town of Adel, appears:
"On a- petition of William Ellis and forty-seven other citizens of Adel,
praying for a Town Organization; and it being proven to the satisfaction
of this court that there are three hundred inhabitants in the village of A.del,
and that one-fourth of the legal voters of said village of Adel were sub-
scribed to the petition aforesaid, it is
Ordered, That an election be held in the village of Adel, at the court-house, on the 13th
day of March. A. D. 1856, in order to take the census of the inhabitants, 'for incorporation'
and 'against incorporation' ; and that N. B. Nichols, Leroy Lambert and M. F. Gerard be,
and are hereby, appointed judges of said election; and that Wm. H. Dodge and J. Perkins
be, and are hereby, appointed clerks of said election."
"articles of incorporation for the town of adel."
Article 1. All that tract of land being in township seventy-nine (79), north of range
twenty-seven (27), west of the fifth principal meridian, in the county of Dallas, and State of
Iowa, which is comprised in the original town plat of Adel; together with all additions here-
tofore made and recorded, and all additions that may hereafter be made and recorded accord-
ing to law, be, and the same is hereby, declared a town corporation, by the name and style
•of Adel, and the inhabitants thereof are created a body corporate ana politic, by the name
and style of the town of Adel, and shall have and exercise the rights, powers and duties of a
corporation, from and after the tenth day of April, A. D. 1856.
Art. 2. The legal voters, who have resided within the limits of said corporation twenty
days immediately preceding any such election, shall meet at some suitable place within said
corporation, on the first Saturday in April, A. D. 1856, and annually thereafter, and then and
there proceed to elect, by ballot, one mayor, four councilmen and one recorder, who shall
hold their offices for one year and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.
Art. 3. At the first election there shall be chosen, by the electors present, two judges
and a clerk of election, and at subsequent elections the councilmen, or any two of them,
shall be the judges of election, and the recorder shall be the clerk of election. The judges
and clerk of elections, at all elections, shall be governed by the laws of Iowa governing gen-
eral elections so far as applicable, except that the polls shall be opened at any time before
twelve o'clock at noon, and closed at four o'clock in the afternoon, after which the votes
■shall be canvassed and the judges shall declare the election and the clerk shall, within three
days, notify the persons elected.
Art. 4. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the council when present, and shall
give the casting vote when there is a tie. In his absence, the council may appoint a presi-
dent pro tern from their own body.
Art. 5. The regular meetings of the council shall be held on the first Saturday in each
month, and the council may provide by ordinance for calling special meetings.
Art. 6. Ordinances passed by the council shall be signed by the mayor and attested by
the recorder, and before they take effect shall be posted up in three public places in said town,
or published in some newspaper printed in said town, and shall also be recorded in a book
kept for this purpose, attested by the mayor and recorder.
Art. 7. It shall be the duty of the recorder to keep a true record of all the official pro-
•ceedings of the council, which records shall be open at all times to public inspection.
Art. 8. The mayor, councilmen and recorder, before entering upon the duties of their
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 439
offices, shall each take an oath, or affirmation to support the constitution of the United States,
and the constitution of Iowa, and faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of their
office.
Art. 9. The council shall have authority to make and establish such by-laws and ordi-
nances as may be necessary and proper for the good regulations, safety and health of the
town and citizens thereof; to levy and collect taxes on all property within the limits of the
corporation, which, by the laws of the State, is not exempt from taxation, which tax shall
not exceed one per cent per annum on the assessed value thereof, and its collection may be
enforced by such measures as maybe deemed expedient, provided these measures be not more
stringent and summary than those used for the collection of State and county taxes; to im-
prove the streets and alleys; to provide drains, sewers, public wells, and keep them in re-
pairs; to license, regulate, or prohibit all shows or public exhibitions, if the laws of the State
are thereby not interfered with; to provide against gambling and drunkenness, and disor-
derly conduct; and for the prevention and extinguishment of fires, and to make all ordinary,
proper and suitable regulations for the government and well-being of the town, and impose
penalties for the violation of such regulations, which penalties may be collected by civil ac-
tion, in the name of the town, before any justice of the peace having jurisdiction.
Art. 10. The mayor, recorder and councilmen shall receive a compensation for their
services, such compensation to be fixed by the council.
Art. 11. The board of councilmen may create such offices as they may deem necessary to
carry out the intent of any ordinance passed by said town, prescribe their duties, declare their
qualifications and mode of election, and may require them to give security, if they deem it
necessary.
Art. 12. Ten days' notice of all town elections shall be given, by posting written notices
in three public places in said town, or by publication in some newspaper printed therein.
Art. 13. These articles of incorporation shall be subject to alteration or amendment by
a, vote of two-thirds of all the votes cast at a special election called for that purpose.
Done at Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, this 21st day of March, A. D. 1856.
Jeremiah Perkins,
E. D. Smith,
Draftsmen.
Recorded this 9th day of April, A. D. 1856.
* L. D. Burns,
County Judge.
The town continued under this organization as governed by the foregoing
articles of incorporation until in August, 1867, when it gave up its former
charter and re-organized under the new law of the State regarding town
corporations, and has since continued as governed by that law.
The present population of the town is about 1,200.
Councilmen:
TOWN OFFICEKS OF 1878.
Mayor— S. H. Greene.
A. G. Marsh,
J. L. Clarkson,
Geo. McLaughlin,
J. O. Risser,
L. L. Ward.
Recorder — J. R. Joy.
Treasurer— B. F. Lambert.
Marshal — 0. D. G. Rickinson.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Miss Anderson and James Reed were among the first who taught school
in the town at an early day, the first school in the county having been
taught by S K Scovell, a short distance east ot the town, in the W. W.
Miller school-house, as before noticed. The town has had three school-
440 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
houses, the first one being a one-story small frame house, on an out-lot in
the west part of town, on Main street, where L. Lambert now lives. This
house served the town for school purposes for several years. On the same
ground, the two-story brick house — before mentioned as the first two-story
brick erected, and the present residence of Mr. Lambert — was built and used
as the public school-building of the town until in 1869. The present large
and elegant public school-building was erected by Charles Kodenbaugh, con-
tractor and builder. It is a commodious, well furnished brick structure,
about 45x90 feet, three stories high, the lower two stories being used for
public school purposes and the upper or third story being devoted to a Nor-
mal school, as previously mentioned.
The Normal department is divided into two large rooms, well furnished,
and the lower stories each have three large school-rooms, with a dressing
room adjoining each recitation room, all thoroughly fitted and furnished.
Mr. Kodenbaugh informs us that the building itself cost about $28,000, and
counting the furniture and fixtures, the entire structure cost some $32,000,
making it much the finest public school-building in the county, and show-
ing that the citizens of Adel are thoroughly awake to the importance of ed-
ucational interests. The interests of their public schools lie very near and
dear to their hearts.
Adel is an independent school district, and spares no pains nor effort nor
money to make the public school what it should be; and under the able and
judicious administration of Prof. M. E. Phillips, their efficient principal,
their school is making marked progress.
Seven teachers, are now employed in the public schools of Adel, whose
names are as follows:
Principal— Prof. M. E. Phillips.
Grammer Department — Miss Ida Twitchell.
1st Intermediate — Miss Alice Slocum.
2d Intermediate — Miss Alice Brenton.
1st Primary — Miss Mary Patty.
2d Primary — Miss Mina Lee.
Assistant, High School — Miss Jennie Allen.
There are about three hundred and sixty pupils in attendance, and the
school is in an excellent condition, making most encouraging progress un-
der the present efficient corps of teachers.
DIEECTOES OF SCHOOL BOARD, 1878.
President— S. L. Ward; Secretary— J. K. Joy; Treasurer— L. Lambert;
J.W. Coons, Joe Geniser. E. M. Lee, E. S. Barr! D. McKay.
BUSINESS OF ADEL.
FIBMS AND THEIE BUSINESS, AS THEY STAND AT THE CLOSE OF 1878.
J. Eisser & Son, dealers in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and capSj car-
pets, trunks, notions, etc. West side of square.
M. B. Cole, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, notions,
etc. West side of square.
D. A. Blanchard, dealer in groceries, boots and shoes, hats, caps, gloves,
notions, etc. Also hardware, stoves and tinware. South side of square.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 443
Allen & Chapman, dealers in groceries and hardware. Southwest of square.
J. M. Jolly, dealer in groceries, Yankee notions, confectionery, etc. Also
furnishes warm meals at all hours. Upper end of Main street.
T. J. Boak, dealer in groceries, glassware, crockery, etc. Also agricul-
tural implements. South of square.
L. W. Garoutte, dealer in groceries, stoves and agricultural .implements.
"West side of square.
M. E. Coons, groceries and notions. Also furnishes warm meals. East
side of square.
S. Sweeley, groceries and notions. South side of square.
S. T. Buckman, dealer in hardware, tinware, stoves, iron, flour, etc. East
side of square.
G. "W. Loomis, dealer in all kinds of furniture. Ready-made coffins al-
ways on hand. East side of square.
Win. McMullen, wagon-maker. Shop over "Ward's blacksmith shop.
J. Perkins, dealer in books, stationery, notions, attorney's blanks, etc.
"West side of square.
"W. F. Brockway, watchmaker and jeweler. Keeps a good assortment of
watches, clocks, and all kinds of jewelry. "West of square, in post-office.
Attorneys. — A. R. Smalley, office in old bank building, south side of
square; North. Gonsor & "Whitman, opposite court-house, south side of
square; I. O. Varner, in Risser's block, west side of square; Baugh, Smith
& Sweeley, office north of post-office; Perkins & Barr, office back of book
store; Greene & Clark, in Odd Fellows' block, west of square; "White &
"Wooden, in Odd Fellows' block.
Loan and Abstract. — Jeremiah Perkins, office west side of square.
Land Agent. — Cole Noel, office in post-office.
Physicians. — J. F. Irvin, homoeopathic, in old bank building, south side
of square; T. J. Caldwell, allopathic, in post-office building, west side of
square; J. B. Brenton, allopathic, in drug store.
Drugs. — J. B. Brenton, drugs, stationery, books, patent medicines, no-
tions, etc.; soutli side of square; F. E. Houghton, drugs, patent medicines,
books, etc.
Milliners. — Miss.E. H. Stiles & Co., millinery and ready-made clothing,
and fancy articles of all kinds; store in post-office building, west of square;
Mrs. L. Holt, millinery and dressmaking; store on Main street, southeast
of square.
Dressmakers. — Mrs. M. E. Phillips, shop at residence on Mam street;
Mrs. D. McKay, shop at residence on Market street; Mrs. McAllister, shop
on Main street; Miss McNees and Mrs. Coon, shop in south part of town.
Photographers.— McMullen & Co., rooms over P. 0. west side of square.
Newspapers. — New Era, Greenback, published by the New Era pub-
lishing company; office in old bank building, south of square. Dallas
County News, Republican, published by Noel & Newton; office in P. O.
building, west side of square. _
Meat Markets— Royer & McKay, on Main street opposite Risser & Son's;
J. "Warford, on Main street south of square; J. Paquin, on Main street.
' Blacksmiths— $. L. "Ward, blacksmith and plow shop, west Main street;
Dack Bros., blacksmith and wagon shop, west Main street; Sam'l Witham,
blacksmith and plow shop, east side of square; Marsh & Royer, blacksmith,
shop at lower end of Main street.
28
444 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Boot and Shoe-makers. — Geo. McLaughlin, boot and shoe-maker, shop
at the corner of Main and Yine streets; Dad Ely, boot and shoe-maker,
shop on west side of square.
Harness Shops. — M. M. George, dealer in harness and saddles, whips,
blankets, etc., shop on Main street, opposite Risser's; M. C. Garoutte,
dealer in harness and saddles, whips, blankets, etc., shop on east side
of square.
Carpenters. — Ohas. Rodenbaugh, carpenter and joiner, shop on upper
Main street; E. Gallop, carpenter and joiner, shop on corner of Main and
Vine streets; L. Rider, carpenter and joiner, shop on Main street; W.
Hempstead, carpenter and joiner, shop opposite Christian Church; G. D.
G. Rickinson, carpenter and joiner, shop on Railroad street; E. Hoey, car-
penter and joiner, shop on Vine street; L. Hoey, carpenter and joiner,
shop in south part of town; F. Roush, carpenter, shop in east part of town;
E. P. Prontte, carpenter, shop on Main street; Mr. McAlister, carpenter,
shop on Main street; H. Holt, cabinet maker and carpenter, shop at
Loomis' cabinet store; L. A. Caselman, carpenter and joiner, shop in south
part of town; Mr. Burch, carpenter, shop on Railroad street.
Tailors. — J. Geniser, merchant tailor, shop on Main street, west side of
square; G. W. Campbell, merchant tailor, shop on west Main stPeet.
Hotels. — Forrester House, F. Ford, proprietor, located at east end of
Main street; Hill House, Hill proprietor, located in southeast part of
town.
Livery Stables. — J. Carnahan, livery and feed stable, west of post-office;
T. Sloan, livery and feed stable, north of post-office; T. Ashton, livery
stable, east part of town ; F. Ford, livery at Forrester House.
Miscellaneous. — Dallas County Bank, L. Lambert, proprietor, south side
of square; J. W. Russell, loan and abstract office, south side of square; D.
"W. Smith, loan and abstract office, west side of square; Dr. W. A. Tudor,
dentist, office in Odd Fellows' block; Amos and George Welch, painters,
shop at residence, northeast part of town ; H. Kenerson, cooper, shop oii
Vine street; J. Rohner, bakery, store and eating room on Main street; C.
W. Ingle, dealer in washing machines, corner Main and Vine streets; S. J.
Garoutte, dealer in lumber and lath; B. F. Graves, barber shop, on west
Main street.
ADEL MILL.
Adel has also a good water-power flouring-mill, situated at the. northeaBt
corner of town, on the slough cut-off, owned by Noeinger, Cantrel & Co.
It wasj built by J. H. Strong, now of Des Moines, and H. H. Moffatt, in
1856-57, at a cost of about $20,000, when building material was high and
hard to procure, and could now be built* for less than half that amount.
The dam has about eight feet head of water.
The mill is kept in good repair, and is doing an extensive custom work,
averaging from twelve to fifteen bushels per hour, but is capable of grind-
ing thirty or more per hour, and then but very little of the great water-
power is utilized.
MASONIC.
The following sketch of the Masonic lodges in Adel was kindly furnished
by Judge Jeremiah Perkins:
" Adel Lodge No. 80, A. F. da A. M., was organized under dispensation
HIST0BY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 445
from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, December 15, 1855, with J. E. Yan
Meter, W. M.; Stephen Peabody, S. W.; S. H. Vestal, J. W.; Cole Noel,
secretary. At the first meeting held under dispensation (December 15,
1855) there were eight petitions presented for initiation.
"The lodge having worked under dispensation until the 5th day of June,
1856, the Grand Lodge granted them a charter, signed by Grand Master
John P. Sanford, and Theodore S. Parvin, Grand Secretary. Under said
charter, on Wednesday evening, June 18, 1856, the following officers were
duly installed: M. F. Girard, W. M.; Cole Noel, S. W.; William Ellis,
J. W.; H. G. Yan Meter, treasurer; A. P. Sherman, secretary.
" From that time until the present the lodge has held meetings reg-
ularly, and has been very prosperous. There have been about one hundred
and sixty members enrolled upon the books of the lodge since its organ-
ization, seventeen of whom have since died, and about sixty have removed
out of the jurisdiction of the lodge. The following are among the old
membership, and who are still- living within the county: Jacob Yan Meter,
H. G. Yan Meter, Cole Noel, S. H. Yestal, K. E. Bailey, Jonathan Dillon,
Ephraim Williams, Leonard Chance, Leroy Lambert, John Barto, J. T.
Jackson, J. Perkins, L. D. Burns and William A. Marsh.
" William A. Marsh is the oldest member now living, being about eighty
years old. Stephen Peabody, one of the charter members and the first
Senior Warden, was sixty years old at the time of the organization of the
lodge, and if now living would be eighty-four years old.
"The charter members were: J. E. Yan Meter, Stephen Peabody, S. H.
Yestal, H. G. Yan Meter, Cole Noel, M. F. Girard, John F. Metz'and E.
Baily.
"The following have been Masters of the lodge: J. E. Yan Meter, M.
F. Girard, Cole Noel, S. B. Hempstead, William Ellis, J. Perkins, J. S.
De Motte, A. Dilley, J. C. Todd, Leroy Lambert, W. J. Duck and E. S.
Barr.
"The present officers of the lodge are: E. S. Barr, W. M.; M. M.
George, S. W.; D. W. Wooden, J. W.; W. F. Brockway, treasurer; W. J.
Duck, secretary.
"The present membership numbers sixty-two.
" Tyrian Chapter JVo. 37, of Adel, was organized under a dispensation
from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, dated March 28, 1867. Said Chapter was
organized April 15, 1867. Officers: S. B. Hempstead, High Priest; Cole
Noel, King; David Smart, Scribe, with a full quorum of minor officers.
"Chapter worked under dispensation until October 17, 1867, when a
charter was granted by the Grand Chapter of Iowa, signed by H. H.
Hemingway, Grand High Priest, and W. B. Laughridge, Grand Secretary.
"Chapter organized under charter December 4, 1867, and officers in-
stalled by Wilson T. Smith, Acting Deputy Grand High Priest. Officers
elected and installed were: Cole Noel, High Priest; David Smart, King;
William G. James, Scribe, with a full quorum of minor officers.
"There have been enrolled upon the books of the Chapter since its
organization ninety-six members. There have been but five deaths of
Chapter members. ,. , ™ n . .
" Among the older and prominent members of the Chapter now living
within its jurisdiction are the following: Cole Noel, J. E. Yan Meter,
David Smart, H. G. Yan Meter, J. S. De Motte, A. Dilley, J. Perkins,
C W. De Motte, Levi Diddy, J. E. Joy, W. J. Duck, S. A. Callvert, D.
446 HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
W. "Wooden, W. F. Brockway, Eobert S. Barr, A. F. Ford and H. W.
Hempstead.
"Present officers: A. Dilley, High Priest; Levi Diddy, King; M. M.
George, Scribe; J. K. Joy, secretary; J. W. Eussell, treasurer.
" Present membership, sixty-seven."
The hall in which they hold their meetings is in the third story over
Messrs. Eisser's brick store, opposite southwest corner of the court-house
square, and is well furnished and fitted up as a comfortable and commo-
dious lodge room, at considerable expense.
i. o. o. F.
Friendship Lodge, No. 96. — This lodge was organized under charter
from the Grand Lodge of the State, at Adel, September 23, 1856.
The charter officers were: T. B. Garoutte, 1ST. G.; I. D. Marsh, Y. G.;
S. P. Garoutte, Eec. Sec; W. Garoutte, Treasurer; J. T. Blue, P. Sec.
The present officers are: S. J. Thrift, JST. G.; S. H. Greene, V. G.; J.
M. Brenton, Eec. Sec; Stephen Adams, P. Sec; J. B. Brenton, Treasurer;
C. Eodenbaugh, E. S. 1ST. G.; T. R. Foster, T. S. K G.; John Miller, War-
den; M. T. Fox, E. S. Y. G.; John Tanney, T. S. Y. G.; J. Q. Adams, R.
S. S.; Wm. Chance, T. S. S.; J. P. Hathaway, Guardian.
The present membership numbers sixty-one. Two hundred and nineteen
members have been admitted since the lodge was instituted, and six of this
number have died.
The lodge is in a flourishing condition at present, and still holds its own
amidst all the varied fluctuations.
Adel Encampment, No. 23. — This lodge was instituted December 26,
1864, and the first officers were: J. A. Allen, C. P.; JST. B. Nichols, H. P.;
Wm. Smith, S. W.; J. T. Eonsh, Scribe; G. P. Garoutte, Treasurer;
Stephen Adams, J. W.
The present officers are: E. M. Fee, C. P.; Stephen Adams, H. P.;
Joseph Geuiser, S. W.; C. Eodenbaugh, Treasurer; S. Swearingen, Scribe;
J. B. Brenton, J. W.
The present membership is fourteen, and the Encampment is in a flour-
ishing condition.
The hall in which both of these lodges meet is in the third story of Mr.
James' brick store building on the west side of the court-house square, and"
is nicely furnished and fitted up by the societies, for a comfortable and
commodious lodge room.
We are indebted to Mr. Stephen Adams, and others, for the above statis-
tics regarding these lodges.
TEMPERANCE.
The Temperance Society of Adel was organized in August, 1878, with a
large membership and an encouraging prospect for usefulness.
President, Dr. T. J. Caldwell; Secretary, S. H. Greene.
They hold regular and interesting meetings in the court-house. Yery
many of the school children, as well as of the middle aged and older citi-
zens of the town, perform prominent parts in the programmes, and the
ladies, mkiisters, business men and citizens of the town generally, take a^
lively interest in the work. There are no saloons in town. The account ol
HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY. 447
the societies' last meetingj Friday evening, February 28, 1879, is given as
follows in the Dallas County News:
" The club held its regular meeting Friday evening, and to say that the
exercises were highly entertaining is but to express the sentiment of every
one present. Toasts were responded to by Messrs. Hotchkiss, Hughes,
Sweeley and Clark, each acquitting himself in an able manner. Mrs. D.
W. Smith also responded in a happy style to the toast 'Our gallant, talented,
good-looking brothers.' A class from Miss Brenton's school sang a song
entitled 'The Drunkard's Child,' which brought forth hearty applause.
The declamation by Miss Carrie Smith — 'The Last Glass' — was, we think,
the finest effort of the evening, showing that with proper culture and train-
ing Miss Carrie will make a fine declaimer. Miss Carrie Gray wound
up the programme with an appropriate selection, 'The Blue Ribbon.'
Officers for the ensuing year were chosen as follows:
"President, T. J. Caldwell; Vice Presidents, G. W. Clarke, Mrs. D. W.
Smith, Mrs. J. J. Jones: Secretary, Allie Erenton ; Visiting Committee,
Mrs. Dilley, Mrs. Joy, Revs. Hughes, Corbin and Shenton; Executive
Committee, L. W. Garoutte, M. J. Sweely, J. B. "White, Mrs. Ward, Mrs.
Dr. Caldwell, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Ely, Miss Bell Noel; Pledge Committee,
Misses Josie Garoutte, Carrie Knowles, Carrie Gray, Ida Garoutte and Mr.
George Ward."
MILITIA.
Company G, of the First Regiment, was organized at Adel in May, 1878,
and the following persons were duly elected as the regular officers of the
company, all of whom still retain the several positions: Captain, Amos
Dilley; First Lieutenant, S. L. Ward; Second Lieutenant, D. W. Wooden;
Orderly Sergeant, J. W. Coons. They also have a full list of non-commis-
sioned officers.
They have an armory over Houghton's drug store, and quite a full equip-
ment for drill and parade.
The company meet regularly and drill one hour every week in the man-
ual of arms, in their armory, and are becoming quite proficient in the
manual drill.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Of Adel was first organized in the Miller settlement, a few miles east of
town, in May, 1847, by Elder John P. Glenn, and was, as before mentioned,
the first church organization in the county. It was re-organized, however,
in Adel, March 3, 1850, and adopted the following name: "The Church of
God in Christ, at Adel, Iowa," by which name it has been known ever
since.
The names of the original members are not now known, the books hav-
ing been burned. Samuel Miller, William Davidson and Leroy Lambert,
however, were among the number, and were the Elders of the church from
its re-organization in 1850.
The last two are still living and are members of the organization at the
present time.
The declaration to which each one becoming a member was required to
subscribe was as follows: "We do covenant and agree and bind ourselves
to be subject to one another and live together as directed in the Word of
God."
448 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Their church building in Adel was erected during the summer of 1868,
at a cost of $4,000. It is a neat, substantial brick structure, 32x45, well
finished and furnished, and the organization is in a prosperous condition.
The present number of members reported is 135, and they have regular
services every Sabbath morning and evening with good attendance and in-
terest.
They also have a large and flourishing Sabbath -school, which meets
every Sabbath afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.
The following are some of the men who have labored as pastors of the
congregation since its organization :
Elders — John P. Glenn, Baird, L. Lambert, P. T. Eussell, J. M. Dodge,
Jno. C. White, Marsh, Jas. E. Gaston, John Crocker, E. E. Swartz, A. tt.
Cornell, A Hickey, and A. C. Corbin, the present pastor, to whom we are
indebted for the above items of this sketch.
The officers at present are: •
Elders— J. J. Clark, J. B. White.
Deacons — J. L. Clarkson, John Coons, N. B. Nichols.
Treasurer — Web. Loomis.
Quite a number from the old organization are now separately organized
in a separate body a short distance east of town in the Miller settlement,
near where the church was first established. • These branched off some
seven or eight years ago, perhaps twenty or more in number, and for a time
they kept up services quite regularly, but now they only have service occa-
sionally, still retaining their organization.
THE FIEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Of Adel, Iowa, was organized July 6, 1856, by Rev. Thompson Bird, then
of Des Moines, a committee appointed by Des Moines Presbytery.
The following persons composed the organization: Robert C. Allison and
Mrs. Julia Allison (received by letter from Presbyterian Church of Lock-
land, Ohio); Mrs. Elizabeth J. Young, Presbyterian Church of Bridge-
water; Mrs. Jane Eckels, Mount Hope Presbyterian Church, Indiana; Jos.
A. Thomson, Presbyterian Church, Bethel, Indiana; Mrs. Mary K. Holt,
Congregational Church, North Beading, Massachusetts; Mrs. Jane E.
Smith, Presbyterian Church, Winterset, Iowa; Mrs Jane Kodenbaugh,
Presbyterian Church; John F. Yandoren, Presbyterian Church, Chester,
New York; J. H. Vreeland, Presbyterian Church, Elgin, Illinois;
Parmelee, Congregational Church, Tinmoth, Vermont.
Of these eleven persons Mrs. Holt and Mrs. Rodenbaugh are the only
ones belonging to the church at present, the rest having died or removed to
other places.
The church was organized in the school-house in Adel (which is now
the residence of L. Lambert, Esq.). It continued to meet there and in the
court-house until the erection of the M. E. Church. The Methodist brethren
kindly gave them the use of their house for public worship until their own
church was built.
Rev. Fisk Harmon preached to this people during the summer and fall
of 1856. Since then the following pastors have ministered to them :
Rev. Asa Johnson, from July 19, 1857, to April 22, 1866; Rev. Wra.
Campbell, from May 25, 1866, to February, 1868; Rev. J. Smith, from
April, 1868, to February, 1869; Rev. Joshua Cooke, from March, 1869, to
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 449
May, 1871; Eev. Geo. Pierson, from May, 1871, to May, 1876; Eev. K. J.
Hughes, the present pastor, began his labors here in May, 1876.
Like many other churches in the West this organization has passed
through very trying times. Its membership was small, and not possessing
much wealth it required great exertion on their part to secure a house of
worship. They determined not to involve themselves in debt in building,
and the wisdom of their determination has been apparent ever since.
After the most untiring efforts on the part of the membership, assisted by
a few of the citizens of Adel, they were ready to commence the erection of
a church building in the spring of 1868. The lot on which the bnilding
now^ stands was donated by S. J. G-aroutte, and to his perseverance and lib-
erality the church is greatly indebted. A good, substantial brick building
was erected. In size it is 32x48 and has a seating capacity of about 200.
Its location is one square south of the southwest corner of the public
square.
The building cost $4,000, and of this sum all but $600, which was given
by the board of church erection, was paid by the members of the church
and the citizens of Adel. The house was dedicated to the worship of Al-
mighty God September 6, 1868, Eev. T. O. Eice, of Des Moines, preaching
the dedication sermon.
The first ruling Elders elected by the church were: E. D. Smith, F. S.
Graham and H. H Moffatt. S. L. Ward and J. E. Eeed were elected in
1868, John Eisser in 1870, and A. C. Hotchkiss in 1877. The present ses-
sion consists of J. Eisser, S. L. Ward and A. C. Hotchkiss.
The first trustees were Dr. T. J. Caldwell, F. S. Graham and H. H. Mof-
fatt. The present board is composed of Judge S. A.. Callvert, Dr. T. J.
Caldwell and J. O. Eisser. The Sabbath-school under the control of the
church is flourishing. Its average attendance is seventy. Mr. A. C. Hotch-
kiss is superintendent, assisted by an able corps of teachers.
This church has always been noted for its liberality. Although it still
receives some aid from the Home Mission Board, its contributions for home
and foreign benevolence are highly creditable. During the' past three
years over $200 has been given to the various boards of the Presbyterian
church. This, too, in addition to their support of pastor and incidental
expenses.
There is a Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society in connection with the
church. It has a membership of twenty-seven, and besides the interest it
has awakened in the church and community on the subject of missions, has
contributed in cash to the Board of Foreign Missions $136, since its organ-
ization in March, 1877. Its meetings are held on the second Wednesday
of each month.
M. E. CHUECH.
We are indebted to Eev. David Shenton, the present pastor, for the fol-
lowing sketch:
"At what time the Society of the M. E. Church was organized in Adel,
Dallas county, Iowa, is uncertain. For previous to 1851 the Society was a
part of the Des Moines Circuit. But in the summer of 1851 we rind this
record on the church book: 'At a quarterly meeting conference held in
Des Moines, 1851, John James, G. W. Noel, Masom Bilderback, J. C.
Goodson, Wm. Shepherd, were elected trustees to purchase a lot in Adel,
Dallas county, Iowa, for the use of the M. E. Church.' And in the fall of
450 HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
1851 the Iowa Annual Conference appointed Adel the head of a new Cir-
cuit, and called it the Adel Mission. And so we find the first quarterly
Conference of the Adel Mission holding its session at the residence of Mr.
L. D. Hewitts, Oct. 4, 1851. The following were the official members of
the Circuit: Rev. John Hayden, presiding elder; Rev. Robert G. Hawn,
preacher in charge; John Jones, class leader; Joseph Goodson, class leader;
Jonathan Waldo, class leader; Abraham Moore, class leader; Marshal
Townsbey, (Recording) Steward; JB. Koukel, Steward; M. Bilderback,
Steward.
We find five societies in connection with the Adel Mission in Oct., 1851:
Adel, Irish Grove, Bethel, D. S. Bays, Goodsont.
The amount paid for the support of the Gospel for 185 1 : Presiding
Elder, $25.20 received; preacher in charge $151.36. Total, $176.56.
We find that for the Conference year, 1852-3, Rev. John Hayden, pre-
siding elder, and Rev. G. H. Clark, preacher in charge, with ten societies
within the bounds of the Circuit. And for the Conference year, 1853-4,
the Rev. Joel Mason was the preacher. His work was such that he preached
four times each Sabbath, and his salary was $125.00. On the 31st of Dec,
1853, I. C. Goodson, Peter Ellis, M. Haworth, John Fooley, and Wm. Ellis,
were appointed a committee to build or purchase a parsonage for the Cir-
cuit. The Circuit at that time embraced Dallas and a part of the adjoin-
ing counties. And so the work continued until the fall of 1857, when we
find the trustees of the Circuit directed to sell the lot that had been se-
lected for building a church thereon, and to purchase another more suitable.
And • a committee of five, Payne, Goodson, T. P. Garoutte, Robbing, and
E. D. Smith, were appointed to raise $2,000 for the purpose of building a
church house in Adel, and they were to proceed at once to do it. The
Circuit then had sixteen preaching places, with two preachers to supply
them — Rev. A. W. Johnson, and J. W. Todd. The Adel society ceased to
be a mission, and became self-supporting, according to the action of the
members of the society, they refusing to receive support from the mission-
ary society in November, 1856. So that thereafter it was known as the
Adel Circuit of the M. E. Church.
At the quarterly Conference, held December 15, 1860, at Adel, efforts
were made to build the church house in Adel, which proved .successful, it
being the first church house erected in Adel. That was the Adel Mission
of the M. E. Church in 1851. There is now (1878) within the same terri-
tory, fifteen different Circuits, with as many ministers, and each Circuit
self-supporting.
In September, 1876, David Shenton was appointed to take charge of the
M. E. Church in Adel as its minister. The Circuit had then two appoint-
ments, Adel, and one at the Tice School-house, in Colfax township. The
membership of the Adel church then was seventy-two members. Now
(March, 1879) the membership of the same society is 110. The member-
ship of the Tice appointment in Sept., 1876, was fifteen members. Now
(March, 1879) it numbers thirty-four members.
And in November, 1876, there was a society belonging to the Adel Cir-
cuit formed in Adams township, at what was then known as the Frakes
school-house. This society numbers twenty-eight members. And the so-
ciety is making an effort to build a church building to worship in. At the
present they are using the old school-house, which they bought and have
seated with slab benches.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 451
In 1876 (Dec. 28th) the same minister took up an appointment in Wash-
ington township, at the Beaver school-house. The organization at its com-
mencement had. a membership of six. Now it numbers sixty-four members,
and the society will before long make an effort to build a church house in
connection with the society. So that the Adel society of the M. E. Church
numbers 236 members at the present time.
THE PRESS.
The histories of the Dallas County News and New Era, are given
under the article on " The Press " in the general history, which see.
DE SOTO.
This thriving town is situated in Van Meter township, Dallas county, on
sections 19 and 30, the west line of the township being also the west line
of the town plat. The town is within two miles of the south line of the
township; the South Raccoon river flows within one or two miles north of
it, affording excellent water and mill privileges; and the Bulger Creek
passes to the south of the town, flowing through a tract of valley land ad-
joining the town, and thus forming a natural sewerage system extending
from the town and surrounding hills to the Raccoon river, and making the
location of De Soto a pleasant and healthy one. The town is located on
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, on a beautiful hill, the land
around it being elevated and rolling (except in the valley of Bulger creek),
which lends a charm to the surrounding scenery, and affords numerous and
attractive building sites on eminences adjoining the town. While the town
is on a hill itself, it seems nestled snugly among the hills which rise up
beautifully around it, especially to the south of Bulger Creek; and with
the advantages of being thus situated on one of the best railroads in the
State, as well as being surrounded with a large tract of rich farming land
and extensive coal-beds, the situation cannot be otherwise than a desirable
and important one.
The land embraced in the original plat of the town was formerly owned
by Thomas Hemphill and J. J. and EL G. Van Meter, and was donated by
them to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R. R. Company for the pur-
pose of establishing a town on this site. The tract given by Mr. Hemphill
was a part of the south half of the southwest quarter of section 19, and
that given by the Van Meter brothers was a part of the northwest quarter
of section 30, the two tracts adjoining each other, and constituting in the
neighborhood of one hundred acres of a gift by these parties to the Rail-
road company. This grant was made and the town laid out early in the
spring of 1868, being surveyed by Capt. A. J. Lyon, who was at that time
County Surveyor, and this survey was completed March 27, 1868, and the
new town was at once christened De Soto, in honor of some railroad
official.
There were upward of three hundred lots embraced in the original plat
as surveyed, the greater part of which were soon disposed of and the town
sprung up as if by magic, the lots bringing in price from twenty-five to
five hundred dollars each. The first lot disposed of in the new town was
sold by "William Hemphill to a Mr. Jones for $250, as Mr. Hemphill in-
452 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
forms us, very soon after the town was laid out. The above mentioned lot
is just east of the hotel, and on it is now an old two-story dwelling house
which was built at an early day in the town's existence.
A. J. Lyon & William Hemphill were the first to open a real estate office
in the town ; and they also built the first house in it, early in the spring of
1868. It was a very small building, only about 10x12 feet, which they used
as a land office, but it was large enough to claim the title of being the first
building erected in the town, and in it the greater part of De Soto was
sold by the above mentioned firm, who for a long time were the only real
estate agents in the place.
The first building erected for a family to live in, within the town limits,
as Mr. Haycraft informs us, was a small frame shanty, built by Geo. ~W.
Smith in the east edge of town, and in which he lived sometime. The
first comfortable dwelling house erected, Mr. Hemphill says, was a small
frame house built by Mr. Wood, early in the spring of 1868, soon after the
town was laid out. Others soon followed in quick succession, and during
that summer and fall some twenty-five or thirty houses, perhaps more, were
erected.
The first brick building in the town was erected by Robert Hillyer, dur-
ing the summer of 1868, on block 9, just opposite the railroad depot, for a
grocery store building. While building this brick, however, Mr. Hillyer
lived in a small frame shanty in which he also sold groceries and other nec-
essary articles, this being perhaps the first store started in the new town.
As soon as his brick was completed he moved into it, and opened a flourish-
ing store with quite an extensive stock of groceries and other goods. Mr.
Hillyer afterward sold this property to J. D. Gavenor, who in turn traded
it to Mr. Mnrry for property in Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, and for
sometime Mr. Murry carried on the grocery business in this brick building.
It is now used as a dwelling house.
Mr. A. Collins was among the first to open a dry goods and grocery store in
the town; but during the year 1868 quite a number and variety of stores
were opened and business firms established, and a general air of thrift and
enterprise prevailed.
The first car load of hogs sold in the town was sold by G. W. Miller to H.
G. YanMeter in 1868. They were sold at DeSoto for seven cents per pound,
and shipped by Mr. VanMeter to Chicago, where they brought eight cents
per pound. DeSoto has now several stock-shippers, and one of the most ex-
tensive bnyer8 and shippers in all these parts. The advantages for shipping
at this point are excellent, having a direct line to Chicago by the C, R. I.
& P. R. R., and making it a good market for the surrounding conn try,
which is now yielding annually a large supply of produce to be sent to Chi-
cago from this station. It also has a decided advantage on account of the
railroad interests centered there. A good many railroad officers own prop-
erty in the place, and their influence will tend to promote its growth and
prosperity. Besides, soon after the town was laid out, the railroad company
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining the original town
plat, and laid it out in residence lots of three and fiveacres each, among
which are some most desirable sites for residences, and all of these are not
yet disposed of by the company, which possession secures the influence of
the company in favor of the town to a great extent.
The company have built a fine, well furnished depot in the south part of
the town, which is commodious enough for a town or city of considerable
Council/men:
. HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 453
importance; and near it is a large water-tank, which is supplied from a
spring some fifty or sixty rods distant, the water being "conducted to the
tank through cast-iron pipes in plentiful supply for railroad use.
Brick of excellent quality are also being manufactured extensively in sev-
eral places near the town, from the clay deposits weU adapted for that pur-
pose, and plenty of stone and other building material are fonnd at conven-
ient distances from the town, rendering the work of building and other
improvements comparatively cheap and easy.
For several years the town grew very rapidly, but of later years, on ac-
count of the unsettled state of affairs in financial circles, the rapid growth
has become somewhat checked, and of a more steady, enduring character.
The population will now number, perhaps, about six hundred.
The town of De Soto was incorporated nearly four years ago. The peti-
tion for incorporation was heard before Judge Mitchell, and granted May
24, 1875, and was filed for record January 1, 1875. J. S. DeMotte, 0. C.
Case, George Hathaway, Richard French and J. C. Ault were duly ap-
pointed as the commissioners on corporation and corporation elections.
The number of inhabitants at that time were about four hundred.
The following are the names of the town officers for the year 1878 :
Mayor — J. S. DeMotte.
Recorder — E. II. Haycraft.
I. L. Carter,
Ezra Mann,
E. M. Giles,
Jacob Payton,
J. W. Blackman.
Marshal— G. G. Fish.
Justice — Z. S. Whaley.
Constable — G. W. Tomlinson.
BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1878-9.
The following is a list of the business houses in De Soto at the beginning
of the year 1879, as furnished us through the kindness of Mr. Isaac Hoch,
and others.
Dry Goods. — There are no firms in the town exclusively dry goods deal-
ers, but all such dealers carry also a general stock of dry goods, groceries,
boots, shoes, etc. There are four such firms, viz: William Hemphill, J.
"W. Blackman, Siegel & Gotstein, and W. H, Dillon.
Groceries — The grocery dealers also as a general thing carry something
of a mixed stock, of whom there are four, viz: S. Wright, dealer in grocer-
ies, and carries perhaps the largest stock of boots and shoes in the town; J.
Dillon & Son, deal principally in groceries; F. W. Gaines deals principally
in groceries; E. H. Haycraft, dealer in groceries and notions.
Hardware. Payton & Mitchell, dealers in hardware, tinware, stoves,,
iron, etc. ; B. F. Irwin, tinner.
Drugs. E. M. Giles, dealer in drugs, medicines, notions, etc.
Doctors— -S. B. Campbell, D. C. Bice.
Furniture.— -"W '. H. Smith, dealer in all kinds of furniture, coffins, etc.
Milliners.— -Mrs. Nichols & Snyder, millinery and dressmaking, fancy
goods, etc.
454: _ HISTORY OF DALLAS COTTNTY.
Notions. — E. H. Haycraft, notions and groceries; Isaac Hoch, all kinds
of notions, books, stationery, cigars, etc., at the post-office. Mr. Hoch is
also the postmaster.
Jewelers. — E. L. Davis, watchmaker and jeweler, dealer in watches, clocks,
and all kinds of jewelry.
Boot and Shoe-makers.-^- A. T. Hart, Fred Swanson, dealers in ready and
•custom-made boots and shoes.
Harness Shops. — J. L. Snyder, dealer in harness, saddles, whips, blan-
kets, etc.
Blacksmiths. — B. F. Way, A. B. Rosenberg, general blacksmithing, etc.
Wagon Shop. — W. H. Nichols, wagon-maker.
Meat-market. — P. Jones, butcher.
Agricultural Depots. — Isaac Hoch, Pay ton & Mitchell, dealers in agri-
cultural implements; both firms near depot.
Lumber and Grain. — F. R. Lewis, dealer in lumber and grain, near the
•depot.
Stock-dealers. — Peter Fish; averages one car per day; Hemphill Bros.,
Hill&Fox.
Poultry -dealers. — L. W. Smith, Abraham Parker, dealers in all kinds of
poultry.
Barber Shop. — Ezra Hutchinson (colored), barber and hair-dresser.
Hotel. — J. W. Blackman, proprietor; located near depot.
Livery Stable — J. W. Blackman, livery and feed stable in connection
with hotel; near depot.
Insurance Agents. — A. A. Nolan, F. R. Lewis, Silas Bailey.
Attorney. — A. A. Nolan, attorney and counselor at law.
Notaries Public. — Isaac Hoch, A. A. Nolan.
Carpenters. — R. J. Hook, J. L. Carter, J. M. Lowrey.
Painters. — R. L. Adello; C. W. Huntington.
Express Agent. — Edwin Conger; also the station and ticket agent.
Telegraph Operator. — William Kibby.
Drayman. — George W. Leonard.
Baggage-master. — L. C. Drury.
POST-OFFICE.
Isaac Hoch, postmaster. This office was established soon after the town
was laid out in 1868, and the first postmaster was Albert Collins, who re-
tained the office until November, 1875, when Isaac Hoch was appointed as
his successor, and has retained the office ever since.
OAK HILL CEMETEKY
Is situated about half a mile south of town, on a high ridge, being first
•established in the summer of 1878. For ten years the citizens of De Soto
•did without a burying ground they could call their own, and went else-
where to bury their friends who died, until last summer, when this one
was laid off and properly deeded, and since that time more than twenty
persons have been buried in it.
EDUCATIONAL.
De Soto is an independent school district, and has a fine school and
school-building situated in the northern part of the town. The building
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. % 45 &
is a large brick structure, two stories high, and about 30x60 feet. It was
built in 1870, at a cost of $5,000, and has four large well ventilated rooms,
well furnished and fitted for school purposes.
The school is graded, and has three teachers: C. M. Pinkerton, princi-
pal; Miss M. E. Caldwell, intermediate teacher; Mrs. Jennie E. Whinery,.
primary teacher. There are about two hundred pupils in attendance.
SCHOOL BOARD.
President — L. W. Smith; Secretary — Isaac Hoch; Treasurer — F. E.
Lewis; J. J. Van Meter; Ezra Mann; E. M. Giles; I. L. Carter; Peter
Fish.
The citizens of De Soto take great interest in their public school, and
spare no pains or expense to make it successful and prosperous. And in
this respect their efforts have not been in vain, but are being crowned with
a rich reward in the superior educational advantages afforded the youth of
the town and surrounding community.
SOCIETIES.
The following particulars of the Masonic Lodge were kindly furnished
us by the secretary :
"Fortitude Lodge, A. F. <& A. M., De Soto, Iowa, was chartered by the
Grand Lodge, of Iowa, June 2, 1869, on petition of M. A. Knight, J. J.
Van Meter, H. G. Van Meter, and others.
"The first officers of the Lodge were: M. A. Knight, W. M.; J. J.
Van Meter, S. W.; EL G. Van Meter, J. W.; Z. W. Kelley, Secretary; J.
D. Perkins, Treasurer; C. C. Goodale, S. D.; Jesse Lee, J. D.; W. F.
Brewster, Tyler.
" The membership of the Lodge now is thirty-four, and the officers of
the Lodge at present are: E. Conger, W. M.; L. C. Drury, S. W.; G. C.
Briggs, J. W.; Wm. Eoberts, Secretary; J. S. De Motte, Treasurer; W. D.
Clayton, S. D.; J. J. Van Meter, J. D.; M. A. Little, Tyler.
" The Lodge meets in a very comfortable and convenient hall, arranged
for their use in Kuhn's brick building, on west Walnut street."
TEMPERANCE.
De Soto is very firm on the temperance question, and is one of the six
towns in the county that has no saloons.
These were closed out some three years ago, and we are informed the
town has had none since. During 1878 an important temperance move-
ment was started here under the leadership of John W. Harden, of Des
Moines, and the interest is still maintained, and we are informed by the
secretary that as a result of this movement, The De Soto Temperance Re-
form Club was organized March 17, 1878, by John W. Harden, of Des
Moines, Iowa, with four hundred members, at which time the following
officers were elected: President — J. S. De Motte; Vice-President — J.J.
Van Meter; Secretary — J. F. Perry; Assistant Secretary — Miss May
Hemphill; Treasurer — Frank Hemphill ; Chaplain— Wesley Payton.
The society has increased in interest as also in numbers ever since its
organization, and has at present over five hundred names on its roll of
456 HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
membership, gathering in from the county around as well as the town, and
holding regular and interesting meetings.
May the good work continue in encouragement and prosperity.
M. E. CHURCH.
The beginning of this Church was a class organized by a Meth-
odist minister, Kev. J. E. Darby, in 1868, soon after the town was
started, and was the first church organization in the town. It was at
first, of course, few in numbers, but having more than human power and
wisdom to give it growth and strength, it soon increased in numbers and
influence, until it has now become a strong church and a power for useful-
ness in the town and community.
For several years the people were compelled to worship in private dwell-
ings, school-houses, and other buildings, doing the^ best they could to con-
tinue their regular meetings until in 1872, when was erected the fine brick
structure they now worship in, on block 16, lots 11 and 12. It is 60x34
feet, nicely finished and furnished, and cost $6,000.
The present membership of the organization is 110.
The following is a list of the pastors since the organization: J. E.
Darby, appointed Aug., 1868; Wm. Hestwood, 1870; J. W. Todd, 1872;
T. McK. Stuart, 1873; W. D. Bennet, 1875; W. T. Bartholomew, 1877—
the present pastor, to whom we are indebted for the particulars.
CHUECH OF CHEIST.
This church was organized November 26, 1870, by Elder A. J. Hobbs,
who is now of Bloomington, Illinois. The original organization consisted
of the following:
Z. W. Kelly and wife, Elizabeth A. Kelly; Silas Garrett and wife,
Rebecca A. Garrett; Leonard Williams and wife, Elva F. "Williams; Wil-
liam H. Beck and wife, Angelina C. Beck; George T. Hathaway and wife,
Lucinda Hathaway; Julius J. Yan Meter and wife, Amanda K. Yan
Meter; Hugo Grotius Yan Meter and wife, Damaris D. Yan Meter; Edgar
H. Haycraft and wife, Susan G. Haycraft; Elder John M. Dodge and
wife, Margaret Dodge; Alexander K. Dodge and wife, Sophronia Y.
Dodge; Joseph C. Ault and wife, Elizabeth Ault; Thurston P. Chase and
wife, Phoebe J. Chase; Edgar H. Yan Meter; Alfonso Yan Meter; Mrs.
Cyrene Binkhard; Eobert D. Dodge; Harry Dodge; Cicero Dodge; Ber-
nice Dodge; Edwin Conger; Emina Babb;* Samuel J. Harper; James
Maynard; Mary J. Maynard; Laura A. Way; L. H. Whinery; Solon B.
Campbell; W. D. Gross; Julia K. Haycraft — 41.
The roll of membership now numbers about two hundred and fifty.
The church building is a frame structure, 33x55 feet, neatly finished and
furnished, and built at a cost of $4,000, in 1870. It is located on block
24, lots 6 and 7.
Quite contrary to the ordinary course of events, and common custom in
these matters, this church was built, finished and furnished, even to the
dressing-rooms at either side of the pulpit for the use of the minister,
which were supplied with dressing-gowns, combs, looking-glasses, toilet
set, baptismal robes, and all such conveniences, before there was any organ-
ization of the church made, and the entire structure was paid for and free.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 457
Then the elder, as above stated, formed the organization with over forty
members, and when he left, after a few months' labor among them, it
numbered over one hundred. In June, 1871, one Sabbath evening, a little
before time for evening service, this building was blown down by a hurri-
cane, which came up suddenly. It was rebuilt again forthwith, in the
same style, and dedicated November, 1871. The following pastors have
served the church since its organization: Elders John M. Crocker, Wil-
liam M. Eoe, John W. Monser, Barton W. Johnson, C. Chutham — the
present pastor.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1869, being the second in order of organ-
ization, with a membership of about twenty-five or thirty, and at one time
the membership had increased to the number of about sixty, but emigra-
tion and death so decreased their numbers that they have been compelled
to be without any regular services for nearly two years, and the church
has been closed. The membership was reduced to about eight or ten when
the services closed. The organization has never disbanded, and is still
retained on the roll of the Presbytery of Des Moines, in the Southern
Synod of Iowa.
The church building was erected in 1870, and dedicated that fall. It is
about 30x40 feet, nicely finished and furnished, a frame structure, situated
on block 18, lots 8 and 9, and was the first church built in town.
The ministers who served the church from the time of its organization
were mostly all stated' supplies, and were as follows: Revs. Bayliss, T. S.
Bailey, William Campbell, John Sylvanus, R. J. Hughs (now of Adel)
and a year ago last summer Rev. M. L. Bardue preached the last sermon
that was delivered in the church.
Elders. — R. S. Walker was probably the first; Mr. Collins and William
Paine; Mr. Walker continued as an active elder until the church was
closed. The present trustees are Ezra Mann and George W. Leonard.
FERRY.
This town is located in the northern part of Spring Valley township, on
sections 9 and 10. It is one mile from the Boone county line, three from
Greene, and six from Guthrie. Being thus favorably situated a large por-
tion of the trade is drawn from three counties, thus making Perry one of
the most enterprising and live bnsiness towns in the countv.
Perry derived its name from one of the owners of the road at that time,
Col. Perry, of Keokuk.
The town was laid out in the winter of 1868 and spring of 1869, by John
and Harvey Willis. The original town plat contained about 220 acres.
Five acres was donated to the railroad company for depot purposes, also
thirty-two lots south of Willis avenue, were given to the company.
The first merchant in the place was D. J. Pattee, who first opened a store
one and one-half miles west of Perry, two years before the railroad was
completed. As soon as the town was located he moved his store and stock
of goods to Perry. The building was 22x60 feet, two-story frame,, and it
was located on the corner where his present business house stands. It
burned down February 7, 1870.
458 HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
B. B. Campbell built the first residence. It was a frame building on
lots 11 and 12, block 20.
The first death in town was that of a child of Levi Thornburgh. The
first death of an adult in town was that of Dr. J. H. Fry.
The burying ground is located one mile north of town, and contains ten
acres of ground. It was laid out about one year ago. It is nicely located,
and in time will be nicely arranged for this purpose. It belongs to the city
and is under its management.
In 1870 the population of Perry was 301. The town was incorporated
March 27, 1875.
THE FIBST OFFICERS.
Trustees:
Mayor — J. H. Conley.
Kobert Ginn,
W. H. Chandler,
J. H. Willis.
Kecorder — A. G. Webster.
Treasurer— Kobert Ginn.
Marshal — A. D. Haskins.
Council:
W. H. Chandler,
S. A. Carpenter,
Kobert Ginn,
Wm. McLuen,
B- F. Newport.
The present officers are:
Mayor — D. J. Pattee.
Kecorder — C. H. Ainley.
Treasurer — Wm. Jennings.
Assessor — A. D. Haskins.
Marshal — J. T. Davis.
Trustees:
Win. Jennings,
H. A. Hoyt,
J. A. Waldo.
D. W. Payne,
F. M. Hain.
Council meets first Monday night in each month, in Pattee & Webster's
office.
POST-OFFICE.
The first post-office in Perry was established in the summer of 1869, D.
J. Pattee as postmaster, who has held that office ever since to the general
satisfaction of the people.
STEAM FLOUEING MILL, ETC.
Of this mill the people of Perry have reason to be proud. It was built
during the summer of 1875, by Messrs. Otis & Selby Bros., at a cost of
$12,000. It is 40x70 feet in size, three stories high, with stone basement,
and fire-proof engine room. It had originally three run of stone, and is
HI8T0RY OF DALLA8 COUNTY. 461
fitted throughout with the latest improved and best machinery that could
be obtained.
In the fall of 1878 there was added another run of burs, and also another
chest of bolts for the new process of making flour, at an additional cost of
about $1,000. Their trade extends all along the Des Moines and Fort
Dodge railroad. This mill is now managed by A. W. Otis.
There are two plow factories doing quite an extensive business, F. M.
Hains' and M. A. Conley's. Their plows are extensively sold throughout
this section of the country.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The school-building is located on Second street, near the business center of
the town. It is a two-story brick, a fine structure, nicely finished and fur-
nished, and is 50x60 feet. It was built in 1876, at a cost of between
$11,000 and $12,000. It is divided off in four departments, and four
teachers are employed.
Principal, G. Perkins; Intermediate, Miss Ella Cassidy; First Primary,
Miss Rebecca Bohrer; Second Primary, Miss Ena Balentine.
DIRECTORS OF SCHOOL BOARD.
President — "Rev. A. E. Simons; Secretary — J. Parmenter; Treasurer —
D. J. Pattee; George Harlen, F. M. Hain, W. F. Cordell, W. L. Warren,
Wm. McLuen.
Average attendance about 200. The fli'st lady teacher in the town was
Miss J. Perkins, and the first gentleman teacher Jesse Macey.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This church was built during the summer of 1873. The building is
frame, 30x60. They hold meetings the second Sunday of each month,
and are now talking of building a new brick church, which they hope to
have completed during the coming year. Priest, P. J. Harney.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The following sketch was kindly furnished by the pastor, which we give
in full:
" The Perry Baptist Church was organized in 1869 in a school-house four
miles south of town and was then known as the Spring Valley Baptist
Church. There were nine constituent members.
" In January, 1870, the place of meeting was changed to Perry, and the
name changed to the Baptist Church of Perry. At the time this change
was made the church numbered about 20 members. There have been re-
ceived into the church. since that time by baptism 91, and by letter 62.
Recently twenty-nine members have been dismissed to form a new church
in People's township, Boone county. The present membership of the
church is 115.
" Rev. E. R. Swain was pastor for one year after the first organization.
In January 1, 1870. Rev. A. E. Simons became pastor and has continued as
such until the present time. Lewis Maulsby was the first deacon of the
church. The present deacons are A. Parker, David Bonine and S. J. Brom-
29
462 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
field. The trustees are A. Parker, W. H. Phelps and A. Ashcroft. The
clerk and treasurer is W. H. Phelps.
" In 1870 the church procured the lots upon which the church building
stands, laid the foundation for the building, put up the frame and enclosed
it. In the spring of 1871 the house was temporarily seated and used in
that condition until the winter of 1872-3, when it was completed, and
dedicated in April, 1873. The entire cost of the building and furnishing
has been about $3,500. There was upon the church lots when first ob-
tained, a small house, which has been used as a parsonage; this has been
enlarged so as to make a very commodious and pleasant dwelling at a cost
of several hundred dollars, so that during this time there has been ex-
pended upon the church property some $4,200.
"This enterprise was undertaken by a church numbering only about 30
members, all poor; and has been carried through by indomitable pluck,
hard work and personal sacrifice. A Sunday-school has been maintained
from the first. Rev. A. E. Simons is the present superintendent. The
average attendance is about 100."
THE M. E. CHUECH
Of Perry was organized October 17, 1869. Eev. I. F. Miller, pastor; Rev.
Samuel Jones, presiding elder; H. A. Chappelear, class leader, and David
Kelley, steward. The original members were Nancy Chappelear, Mary
Kelley, Isaac Townsen, Hannah Townsen, Anna Townsen, Eliza Fry, Ke-
becca Allen, Lizzie Miller and Eliza Chappelear.
Rev. I. F. Miller resigned the charge at the end of two months; Rev. H.
B. Kees completed the year. On the fifth of Sept., 1870, Rev. I. Mershon
was appointed to the charge and remained one year. Four additions were
made to the church membership that year. Rev. W. C. Smith was- next
appointed, Sept. 24, 1871. For two years he labored 'With great success,
and an addition of 94 members was made. Rev. D. Lamonte succeeded
him Sept. 15, 1873; Rev. M. D. Collins being then presiding elder, having
been appointed Sept. 15, 1872. Rev. Lamonte only staid one year when
Rev. S. Snyder was appointed Sept. 15, 1874; he was succeeded by Rev. E.
W. Brady, Oct. 12, 1875; and he by Rev. Samuel Jones, Sept. 26,1877, the
present pastor, who is now completing his second year as pastor of this
charge, and who has kindly furnished us with the materials for this sketch.
The church records show a present membership ot 110, and though addi-
tions have been made to the church membership under the administration
of each pastor, and frequently large ones, still the records show that over
100 have been dismissed by letter to other churches; so that the permanent
increase has not been so perceptible on account of so many removals; but.
it is to be hoped that all these have only gone out as ministers and helpers
in other parts of the Lord's vineyard.
During the administration of Rev. D. Lamonte the first church building
was erected on the corner of Third and Warford streets. It is a frame
structure 35x55 feet, costing $3,100, very neatly finished and furnished in-
side and outside, and was dedicated in November, 1874, Rev. Kendig
officiating. During the administration of Rev. E. W. Brady, a good par-
sonage was built on lots 3 and 4, block 39. The property is now worth
$1,000.
The membership of the church is well represented in all the business of
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 463
the town, and more than half of the professional men are members of the
M. E. Church, and as the pastor states: " the corporation officers, merchants
and manufacturers, together with the several professions, bear a greater
proportion to the number thus employed, than the proportion of the mem-
bership does to the number of inhabitants; which proves that the talent of
the town is well represented in the M. E. Church."
a. o. u. w.
This society was organized in the spring of 1877, with the following
named persons as charter members:
D. J. Pattee, P. C. Eude, J. E. Peed, W. L. Warren, M. W. Slocum, H.
J. Holmes, G. Harlan, P. H. Dunlap, W. F. Cardell, S. Parmenter, D. W.
Payne, 1\T. Endeqnist, H. Courtney, C. Lombard, J. S. Goss, S. Pangburn,
L. H. Pickerel, A. T. Hart, E. W. Brady, J. P. Spalding and C. H. Ain-
ley— 21.
A.t the first meeting the following officers were elected : W. F. Cardell,
M. W.; Dr. P. H. Dunlay, P. M.; H. J. Holmes, G. E.; J. E. Peed, Over-
seer; C. Lambard, Guide; S. Parmenter, I. W.; A. T. Hart, O. W.; J. P.
Spalding, Financier; W. L. Warren, Receiver; D. W. Payne, Recorder.
Present membership, twenty-nine. Present officers: D. J. Pattee, M.
W.; H. Courtney, P. M.; P. C. Eude, G. F.; Geo. Harlan, Overseer; E.
P. Stiles, Guide; H. J. Holmes, I. W.; J. Goss, O. W.; U.J.Holmes,
Financier; C. H. Ainley, Receiver; E. D. Lunt, Eecorder. They meet
Monday evening of each week.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
Perry Lodge, No. 235, 1. 0. O. T. — This lodge was organized February
1, 1878. There were sixteen original members, and they now have about
fiftv.
Present officers: W. F. Cardell, W. C. T.; Mrs. H. J. Holmes, W. V.
T.; H. J. Holmes, Secretary; Q. A.Willis, Financial Secretary; Mrs. C. L.
Lane, Treasurer; I. N. Willis, Marshal; S. R. Ems, Chaplain; J. H.
Willis, P. W. C. T.; Mrs. C. Pierce, W. G.; J. J. C. Yan Norden, W. S.
They meet Friday evening of each week.
MASONIC.
Otley Lodge, No. 299, A. F. dk A. M. — This lodge was organized under
charter in 1871, with seven members, whose names were as follows: S.
Pangburn, Robert Hastie, Ira Doty, F. M. Hain, H. A. Chappelear, Hora-
tio Hall and Luma Gee.
The following are the names of some of the charter officers: S. Pang-
burn, W. M.; Robert Hastie, S. W.; Ira Doty, J. W.
The present officers are as follows: W. H. Chandler, W. M.; Ed. D.
Lunt, S. W.; H. A. Chappelear, J. W.; J. M. Hain, Treasurer; I. Parmen-
ter, Secretary ; C. E. Cox, S. D. ; J-. D. Stiles, J. D. They meet Saturday
evening of each month, on or before the full moon. The present member-
ship is fifty-five.
The Palmira Chapter, No 86, received its charter in 1878.
The present officers are: H. A. Hoyt, H. P.; B. B. Selby, K; R. Ginn,
Scribe; A. D. Hoskin, C. H.; C. E. Cox, P. S.; S. Pangburn, R. A. C;
464 HISTOBT OF DALLAS C0TJNTT.
W. H. Chandler, M. 1st V.; E. D. Selby, M. 2d V.; S. O. Conger, M.
3d Y.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The following list of business houses and items is clipped from the
Perry Chief of January 4, 1879:
Dry Goods, etc. — D. W. Payne, general stock, east side of square; S. M.
Thornley, general stock, except clothing, east side; Wales & Co., dry goods,
boots and shoes, west side; B. F. Van Leuven, general stock north side; G.
H. Rowley, general stock, north side.
Clothing. — J. J. Yan Norden, clothing and gents' furnishing goods, east
side.
Groceries.— Parnaenter & Co., groceries, queensware, etc., west side; W.
Ar Shong, Chinese store, Willis -avenue; W. H. Carmody, groceries and
restaurant, Willis avenue; J. H. Shippey, groceries and restaurant, Willis
avenue; Weaver & Cardell, groceries and drugs, northwest corner of
square; Win. Bollen, groceries and restaurant, Willis avenue; N. Schuc-
hart, groceries, etc.
Bakers. — J. EL Shippey, Willis avenue; W. H. Carmody, Willis avenue.
Drugs. — Courtney & Long, drugs, books, stationery and news depot, west
side; Weaver & Cardell, drugs, books, stationery, etc., west side; Hunter &
Gross, drugs, books, stationery, etc., north side.
Hardware. — C. H. Ainley, hardware, stoves, etc., west side; Lods &
Selbj* Bros., hardware, stoves, glassware, etc., east side.
furniture. — W. H. Phelps, furniture, coffins, etc., Willis avenue.
Tin Shops. — J. D. Clark, over Lods & Selby Bros', hardware store; C.
H. Ainley, west side of square.
Millinery and Dressmaking. — Mrs. J. L. Grace, millinery, west side;
Mrs. Whitman, millinery, west side; Mrs. S. Long, millinery and variety
store, east side; Milligan & Cassidy, millinery and fancy goods, Second
street; Mrs. Gale & Mrs. Marrs, dessmakers, Third street.
Livery Stable. — William Bollen, Willis avenue.
Agricultural Implements. — W. H. Chandler, machinery, wagons, drain
tile, etc., corner Willis avenue and Second street; J. L. Grace, machinery,
wagons, etc., west side of square.
Wagon and Plow Shops. — F. A. Carpenter, wagon and blacksmithing,
west of railroad; F. M. Iiain, wagon and plow factory, Willis avenue; M.
A. Conley, blacksmithing and plow factory, First street; C. L. Lane, black-
smithing and wagon making, Willis avenue.
Lawyers.- — Cox & Hoyt, office west side of square; Cardell & Shortley,
office on Second street, Blakeslee's Eow; A. G. Webster, office north side
of square.
Physicians. — S. Pangburn, office and residence on Third street; John
Boss, office on Willis avenue; T. F. Johitsou (homoeopath), office at resi-
dence; P. A. Mowrer, residence one mile southwest of town.
Real Estate Agents.- — -Harlan & Eude, office on Willis Avenue; L. D.
Gamble, office north side of square; Geo. D. Hendricks & Son, office at
depot; Otley & Chappelear, office east side square, up stairs.
Lumber. — Holme» & Dnrfee, lumber and grain, Second street, south of
square; B. F. JSTewport, First street.
Perry Mills and Elevator. — Otis & Selby Bros., proprietors, west side
of railroad.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 465
Shoemakers. — Swan Johnson, Willis Avenue, west of railroad; F. O.
Griswold, Willis Avenue, Winsor's building.
Hotels. — City Hotel, southwest corner of square, A. D. Haskins, propri-
etor; Perry House, First street, Fleming, proprietor.
Meat Markets. — Isaiah Smith, west side of square; W. B. Newkirk,
Second street, Blakeslee's block.
Banks. — Geo. W. Blakeslee, corner Willis Avenue and Second street.
Barber Shops.— C. E. Gale, Second street, in Blakeslee's brick; D. M.
Si pes, west side of square.
Jewelers. — J. P, Spaulding, clocks, watches and silverware, north side
square; J. R. Winsor, Willis avenue.
Gunsmithing. — F. Eossiter, north side square, rear of Spaulding's jew-
elry store; J. P. Montgomery, Willis avenue, in Winsor's building.
Nursery. — Geo. D. Barton, one mile north of town.
Painter. — J. F. Hantz, residence on Third street.
Loan Agents. — Harlan & Rude, D. J. Pattee, Hendricks & Son, Geo. B.
Paul.
Dentist.— Chas. E. Hunt, office on Second street, in Blakeslee's brick.
Grain Dealers. — Otis & Selby Bros., Holmes & Durfee, 0. Brideman.
J. Hart. 6
Harness and Saddles. — W. L. Warren, north side square; A. W. Par-
menter, east side square, at McLuen's old stand.
Butter and Eggs. — J. F. Davis, east side of square.
Through the kindness of Mr. Jennings, our station agent, we are enabled
to give the number of cars of produce, stock, etc., shipped from this sta-
tion during the year, as follows :
Corn 664
Hogs 153
Oats 90
Cattle 30
Flax Seed 13
Potatoes 10
Butter and Eggs 12
Wheat 9
Flour and Feed 3
Lumber 1
Total 985
The 664 cars of corn above mentioned represent 287,000 bushels, which,
with the other shipments, make a very good showing for Perry.
Perry is decidedly one of the most live, thorough-going business towns
in the west, being surrounded as it is with a large tract of rich prairie and
farming land, and so near the line of several different counties, it draws
trade from great distances in nearly every direction, and since its first es-
tablishment the town has a rapid, steady growth.
The merchants generally carry a full and well selected stock of goods,
and the town and inhabitants display a general appearance of thrift and en-
terprise.
The farming community around are usually well-to-do, industrious citi-
zens, who are becoming extensively engaged in stock and grain-raising, and
466 HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
take great delight in furthering the general interests and grpwth of their
favorite town which gives it the means of growth.
Its location, about midway between the two great east and west lines of.
railroad to Chicago, and on the D. M. & Ft. D. R. R., connecting these
.two rontes to the great market of the Northwest, gives warrant that the
town of Perry is destined, at no very distant day in the future, to become
a flourishing town of no small dimensions and importance, even to be num-
bered among the cities of the West.
The place has one good newspaper, The Perry Chief, the history of
which is found in the article on "The Press."
Perry has a good cornet band under the leadership of Marion Flinn.
The present population of the town is about 1,000.
DEXTER.
This enterprising business town is situated in the southwest corner of
Union township, Dallas county, Iowa, near the four corners of sections 29,
30, 31 and 32, the principal part of the town being on the northeast quar-
ter of section 31, and the north half of this last mentioned quarter-section
comprised the original town plat of 80 acres, township 78, range 29.
The town was surveyed and platted in June, 1868, by M. J. Marshall
and A. Kimball.
The lots were sold at private sale by Messrs. Marshall & Kimball, none
being deeded to the railroad company, except, perhaps, a portion for depot
purposes.
The first lot in town was sold to Hunter Brothers, for $100, size 40x135
feet, in July, 1868.
Cheeseman & Ellis sold the first goods in the town very soon after it
was laid out. Their store building stood on lot 19, block 9, a frame struc-
ture. A number of other store buildings had been started, but were not
yet completed when Cheeseman & Ellis opened their store and commenced
selling goods in a small, low, one-story plank shanty, which stood a few
doors east of where Stanley's drug store now stands. It is is supposed
that the first birth, as also the first death, in town, was that of a child of
John Howard, born in 1869, and lived only a short time. Regarding the
early settlement and business affairs of Dexter We present the following
portion of an article clipped from the Dexter Herald of January 3, 1879:
"About the first death in town was that of a little boy named Miller,
who was thrown from the platform of a car, as he was getting off, one of
his limbs being crushed almost off, several wheels passing over him. He
lived a few days in great pain, and then died. Some eye-witnesses say it
was one of the saddest sights ever witnessed.
"The town was laid out by M. J. Marshall, in the spring or summer of
1868, the first building being built in June of that year. The second
building was built by Mr. Roland, and is the building now owned and
occupied by Charles Wolffinger as a business house and dwelling. The
next was built by Messrs. Ellis & Cheeseman, who sold the first goods that
were sold in Dexter, both dry goods and groceries, and as there was no-
boarding house they did a good business in selling crackers and cheese, as
that was all that could be had to replenish the inner man. Hunter Bros.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 4:67
soon had their business house up, and brought on a stock of drugs and
groceries.
"Their place of business was where J. G. Stanley now holds forth,
though the building is not the same, as it was burned up, together with
several others, in the fall of 1870.
"All the lumber used so far in building was hauled from Des Moines
by teams.
"In the meantime B. B. Campbell built a boarding house 16x24 feet,
and was so well patronized that at times some of the boarders would have
to wait out of doors while others would eat. In August of this year, 1868>
the cars made their first appearance in Dexter, and it wasn't long then till
houses were looming up all over town. For awhile it was very difficult to
get the railroad company to ship lumber in, as they had so much work of
their own to do.
"About the 25th of August J. C. Allen built the red warehouse, now
owned by D. A. Burrows. The lumber in it was the first shipped into
Dexter by railroad. This building was used by the railroad company as a
depot until the present depot was built, when J. C. Allen used it as a grain
warehouse, where he bought and shipped the first car load of grain that
was ever shipped from Dexter. There was no grain but wheat to ship
then, as corn had to be brought from further east to use here.
" As there was as yet but little accommodation for man or beast, and there
was need for both, J. J. Young concluded to build a hotel and J. C. Allen
a livery stable; so Mr. Young built the building long known as the Dexter
House, but now known as the Johnston House."
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The following list of business houses and firms, as they stood at the
beginning of the year 1879, is also clipped from the Dexter Herald of
.the same date:
Physicians. — A. W. Vance, office at residence on State street; E. J.
Smith, office corner Dallas and Marshall streets, over Will Young's drug
store; E. F. Linton, office corner Polk and Marshall streets, over Stanley's
drug store; Robert Evans, office in residence.
Attorneys. — 0. A. Berger, office over Pierce's bank; Gr. W. Seevers,
office over Stanley's drug store; S. O. Simonds.
Insurance Agents. — E. Battey, station agent for the C, P. I. & P. P. P.,
and agent for several insurance companies, office at depot; C. A. Berger,
agent for several insurance companies, office over Pierce's bank.
Real Estate and Loan Agents. — J. C. McManima, office at Herald
office; B. Battey, office at depot.
Notaries Public — J. A. Carrothers, office at post-office; C. A. Berger,
office over Pierce's bank.
Justice of the Peace. — J. A. Carrothers, postmaster and justice of the
peace.
Banks. — G. G. Pierce, brick building, corner Dallas and Marshall streets.
Dry Goods. — Downey & Conger, corner Dallas and Marshall streets; W.
M. Isham, corner Polk and Marshall streets; Rimer & Crane, north side
of Polk street; L. Frank & Co., north side of Polk street.
Groceries. — S. D. Clark, Marshall street, west side; S. Swihart, west
side Marshall street, opposite post-office; P. Brower, north side Polk street.
468
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Hardware. — Meisker & Conger, brick block, west side Marshall street;
J. H. Aten & Bro , east side Marshall street, one door north of post-office.
Furniture.— -J ' . F. Watts, east side Marshall street, three doors north of
post-office.
Drugs.— J. G. Stanley, corner Polk and Marshall streets; W. G. Youug,
successor to E. J. Smith, corner Dallas and Marshall streets.
Jewelry. — Ed Gittins, in W. G. Young's drug store, jeweller and dealer
in clocks, watches, etc. ; J. G. Stanley, in drug store.
Clocks. — Ed Gittens, in W. G. Young's drug store; S. 0. Davis, south
side Dallas street.
Bakery. — E. A. Small, Marshall street, opposite Pierce's bank.
Restaurants. — E. A. Small, city bakery; Mrs. M. Connolly, Marshall
street, Green Front; John Charles, Oriental Restaurant, south side Polk
street.
Agricultural Implements. — J. B. Yorse, near depot; F. A. Small, near
depot; Meisker & Conger, in bank block.
Coal Dealers. — Burke & Vorse, implement warehouse, near depot; J. H.
Aten & Bro., in hardware store, north of post-office; M. Percy, at grange
elevator; W. P. Maulsby, at Dexter mill.
Lumber. — J. T. Yan Orman, opposite grange elevator.
Grain. — F. A. Small, at steam elevator; M. Percy, at grange elevator;
J. M. Burke, at implement warehouse; W. P. Maulsby, at Dexter steam
mill.
Dexter Steam Mill. — W. P. Maulsby, proprietor.
Livery. — O. K. Spencer, opposite mill.
Feed Stables.— O. R. Spencer, opposite mill; C. G. "White, in red livery
stable.
Hotels. — Johnston House, near depot, O. P. Johnston, proprietor; Gilpat-
rick House, Dallas street, O. Hemenway, landlord.
Butter-packing. — L. B. Libley, north side Polk street.
Newspaper. — The Dexter Herald, opposite post-office, J. C. McManima,
proprietor.
Millinery. — Miss I. M. "Work, Marshall street, four doors north of post-
office; Mrs. Cherry, Marshall street, two doors north of post-office; Mrs. 0.
L. Holmes, Polk street.
Shoe-making. — A. Cowan, Dallas street; H. Pohle, dealer in boots and
shoes, Dallas street; "Wm. Cooney, Dallas street.
Blacksmithing. — A. S. Welch, shop north side of Polk street; Purdou
& Wilson, shop south side of Polk street.
Tailoring. — Wm. Donar, Dallas street.
Coffins. — D. Hammond, Dallas street
Photograph Gallery. — Clifford & Bailey, over Small's bakery.
Meat-markets. — Homan & Pitcher, Polk street; F. P. Wood, Dallas
street.
Saloons.— C. Wolffinger, Polk street; P. Hendeiff, Marshall street.
Barber Shop. — C. W. Henry, Polk street, opposite implement warehouse.
Harness Shops— ^F. P. Young, corner Marshall and Polk streets; Larkin
Maulsby, Polk street.
Carpenters and Builders. — W H. Stevens, F. A. Bisbee, Ed Rugg, L.
M. Grant.
Dexter was incorporated December 13, 1870. The petition for incorpo-
ration was heard by Judge Mitchell, of the Circuit Court, and granted, and
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 469
C. T. P. Bass, J. G. Mark, O. P. Williams, S. 1ST. Stevens and. Sol. Eimer
were duly appointed as commissioners on corporation and corporation elec-
tions. In the following spring the first town election was held in Dexter,
and G. K. Rockwood was duly elected as the first mayor of the town. All
the commissioners except Charles Bass are now residents of Dexter. At
the time of incorporation it is said " the town had a little over five hundred '
inhabitants, and was growing rapidly." It now claims a population of
about 1,000. V V
The present town officers are:
Mayor — J. S. Downing.
Treasurer — Sol. Rimer.
Recorder — Charles Wright.
Marshal— W. li. Stevens.
Councilmeri:
F. S. Small,
Conrad Homan,
J. F. Watts,
A. N. Tate,
J. T. Thrasher.
Justice— J. A. Carrothers.
Constable — W. H. Stevens.
SHIPMENTS.
During the past year the following shipments were made from the depot
at Dexter:
Wheat 143 cars.
(400 bushels to the car.)
Corn 650
Oats 29
Barley 3
Potatoes 5
Broom Corn 2
Horses 1
Hogs 55
Cattle 17
Butter 98,500 pounds.
The above statistics were kindly furnished by the station agent, Mr. B.
Battey.
THE POST-OFFICE
Was established at Dexter in the fall of 1868. Mr. Carrothers was depu-
tized to take charge of the office September 24, 1869, and continued in that
capacity until May 16, 1870, when he was duly appointed postmaster, and
has held that office ever since. ,
THE BURYING-GROUND,
Situated one-half mile south of town, was laid off about 1870. The lot is
owned and controlled by the corporation, and is a beautiful location for a
cemetery.
470 HISTORY OP DALLAS COUNTY.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
This building is located at the north end of Marshall street, Allen's addi'
tion. It was built in 1870, at a cost of about $5,500. It is a frame two-story
building, well finished and furnished, having two wings and five rooms, and
' over 200 pupils are in attendance. Five teachers are employed, two male
and three female. Principal, Ira Doling; Gratnmer department, A. C. Hol-
derbaum; Intermediate, Clara C. Lacey; Primary, Jffiss Julia K. Haycraft;
Assistant, Miss Hannah Neal.
The school is in a flourishing condition, and well sustained by the citizens.
SCHOOL BOARD.
M. C. Marshall, President; A. ~N. Tate; Charles Crane; J. C. McManima;
N. Angle.
It is an independent school district, and affairs are well managed, so that
the district is out of debt, and has a small surplus on hand, which doubt-
less will soon be increased and expended in the erection of a new and more
commodious public school-building, in keeping with the growth and devel-
opment of the live enterprising town. Good salaries are paid, and the best
teachers are employed by the board, thus warranting a thorough and satis-
factory school, in which the citizens take a deep interest, and spare no
efforts or means to make it a success.
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Was started in 1875, and they now have an average attendance of twenty-
five to twenty-eight pupils.
Kev. J. Horn, teacher.
The school-building was erected in 1875, at a cost of $800, furniture in-
cluded. It is a one-story frame structure, 22x32 feet, and 12 feet high,'
capable of seating about 200 persons. This building is also used for their
church services.
NORMAL SCHOOL-BUILDING.
This building is now under process of erection, the work on it having
been commenced in October, 1878. The foundation is now laid, and it is
expected the structure will be completed, finished and furnished during
the coming summer, and ready for use in the fall or winter. It is to be a
large brick building, 57x67 feet, three stories high, with half-mansard roof,
tower, and all the modern improvements in like structures. The entire
building will be heated by hot air pipes, and, as nearly as now can be esti-
mated the cost will be about $6,000. The architect is Benjamin J. Bart-
lett, of Des Moines, and the building is being erected by a stock company,
comprising the business men of Dexter and farmers from Dallas, Guthrie,
Madison, and Adair counties.
The officers of the company are: President — J. C. Allen, DexFer; Vice-
President — M. Percy, Dexter; Treasurer — A. N. Tate, Dexter; Secretary —
E. J. Smith, Dexter.
The board of directors are: J. C. Allen, M. Percy, A. N. Tate, E. J.
Smith, James Simonds, Leverett Brown and A. C. Holderbaum.
The building is located at the north end of Marshall street, Allen's addi-
HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY. 471
tion, near the public school-bnilding, and the company own about three
acres of ground in connection with the building.
The intention of the company is to lease the building when finished to
teachers of known ability in their profession and stability of character,
who will make of it a most valuable institution of learning for the entire
western portion of Iowa.
SOCIETIES AND LODGE8.
Dexter Lodge, No. 215, I. 0. 0. .£'.— This Lodge was organized at an
early day under Charter, with the following as Charter members: M. 0.
Marshall, M. Macy, A. J. Welker, J. E. Roper, E. S. Fry, and J. J.
Davies, making six in all, four of whom received offices at the first elec-
tion.
The following are the names of the Charter officers: James E. Eoper,
N. G.; M. C. Marshall, V. G.; J. J. Davies, Secretary; A. J. Welker,.
Treasurer.
The present officers are: M. Macey, N. G.; Edward Giddings, V. G.;,
M. C. Marshall, R. S.; W. H. Stevens, P. S.; C. Homan, Treasurer.
The present membership is forty-two. The Lodge meets each "Wednes-
day evening. The hall is located on the corner of Marshall and Polk
streets.
Mount Tabor Lodge, No. 293, A. F. & A. M.— This Lodge was organ-
ized under Charter June 7, 1871. The following are the names of the
Charter officers : C. T. Bass, W. M. ; Sol. Rimer, S. W. ; J. E. Roper, J. "W.
There were several other Charter members whose names are not recorded
and cannot now be obtained. The present membership is thirty-six, and
they hold their regular meetings in their hall, corner of Polk and Marshall
streets, on or before the full moon of each month.
The present officers are: J. A. McBride, W. M.; E. J. Smith, S. W.;.
A. 1ST. Tate, J. W.; J. F. "Watts, Treasurer; J. H. Aten, Secretary; J. 1ST.
Main, S. D.; W. J. Nolan, J. D.; C. Vermillion, Tyler.
Dexter Grange, No. 185, was organized in the spring of 1872, with 26
members. The present offcers are: J. R. Chandler, Master} M. Macy,
Overseer; M. Perry, Lecturer and Treasurer; John "Watts, Steward; A. C.
Macy, Assistant Steward; F. M. McPherson, Chaplain; Nicholas Ogle,.
Secretary; E. M. Lindsey, Gate Keeper.
The Association meet every second Saturday of each month.
Is a German Lutheran Church, organized in 1871, by Rev. F. Doescherr
with nine members, whose names were as. follows: Ed. Meisker, Nicholas
Schlarb, Peter Schlarb, H. D. Holderbaum, Michael Holderbaum, Michael
S. Holderbaum, Fredinand Rohde, Charles "Wolffinger and Philip GutheiL
The membership now numbers twenty-four, and the church is in a
flourishing condition, under the leadership of their present Pastor, Rev. J.
Horn, who is also the teacher of their school. They hold services in their
school-building every other Sabbath, with good attendance.
This church belongs to the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States.
They also have a good parsonage in connection with their association,
which is located just north of the school-building, at the south end of
Marshall street.
472 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
Is a neat little edifice, but there is now no organization or preaching by
that denomination in town.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The following sketch, regarding this church was furnished through the
kindness of the Pastor, Eev. T. N. Buchanan:
"The Presbyterian Church of Dexter was organized November 8, 1868,
by Kev. P. H. Jacob, of Knoxville, Iowa. The original members were six
in number, and their names are as follows: Mr. Joseph Hunter, Mrs.
Annie Hunter, Miss Fannie O. Hunter, Mr. Jonathan Hunter, Mr. David
B. Hunter and Mr. Jerry Carrothers.
"Rev. D. L. Hughes was their first minister. He began his labors on the
nrst of September, 1869, and continued until March, 1870. Eev. B. 0.
Junkin succeeded Hughes, beginning his labors in May, 1870, and contin-
ued to minister to that people until May, 1871. In September, 1871, Rev.
H. H. Kellogg was called to the pastorate and continued in that relation
until March 5, 1876. Rev. W. F. Frackelton succeeded Kellogg, and began
to minister to the Dexter Presbyterian Church, as stated supply, in April,
1876, and continued his labors for six months.
"Rev. T. N. Buchanan became stated supply to this church in June,
1877, and was ordained and installed pastor, November 7, 1877.
" During the ten years since its organization, it has had five ministers,
two of whom were pastors, the latter still continuing his pastoral relations
to that people.
"At the organization, David Hunter and Jerry Carrothers were chosen
to the office of Elders. The present incumbents of that office are Charles
Crane and Robert Williams. The present membership is thirty-four. The
present condition of the church is good, and it is making fair progress.
The church building, located on the corner of State and Lyon streets, was
built in the fall of 1870. The building is 32x46, and cost $2,300."
THE M. E. CHURCH
"Was organized in August, 1869, with the following members:
John R. Chandler, Charlotte Chandler, Albert Macy, Susan Macy, Wm.
J. Haines, Elizabeth A. Haines, Hannah Couch, B. F. Tate, Louisa Tate,
Elizabeth Jameson, E. J. Farholm, E. A. Roland, J. F. "Watts, Mary Watts,
■Charles Russell, Sarah A. Russell, Margaret Stephens, Robert Dwigans,
Margaret Dwigans, Joanna Dwigans, Ann E. Dwigans, Robert J. "Watts,
Margaret Watts, Mary Price, Silas Lightner, Helen Lightner, R. A. Sipe,
Rachael Barnett, James Simonds, Eliza Simonds, Francis Jones, Barbara
Jones, James Thrasher, Elizabeth Thrasher, Susan Davis, Ruth May, A.
Johnson, Elizabeth Stephens, Peter Brower and Martha Brower — 40.
The names of the pastors who have been over this church from its organi-
sation until the present, are as follows:
Rev. James Lisle , . . . Appointed August, 1869.
Rev. D. Lamonte " September, 1870.
Rev. James Lisle " " 1871.
" « » " " 1872.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 473
Rev. Charles Ashton Appointed September, 1873.
" « F - 1874.
Rev. T. Burk « October, 1875.
," " " September, 1876.
" " " " 1877.
Rev. L. Jean « October, 1878.
The last mentioned is the present incumbent, and to him we are indebted
for the statistics herein set forth regarding this church.
The present membership of the church is 140.
They have a good church building well finished and furnished, which
was built about 1872, at a cost of $3,500, and was dedicated January 25„
1873, by P. P. Ingalls.
THE PEESS.
The town has one good newspaper, The Dexter Herald, the history of
which is found in the article of " The Press," in the general history.
DALLAS CENTER.
This town is a neat and flourishing station on the Des Moines & Fort
Dodge Railroad, full of life and business.
It is a prairie town situated in the midst of a broad, fertile tract of farm-
ing land in the northeast corner of Adel township, Dallas county, Iowa, on
the north half of section 2, the railroad passing nearly centrally through
the town plat, and the north line of the township constituting the north
line, also, of the town plat. The surrounding view over the broad, rich
prairies in the summer season is of more than ordinary interest and at-
tractiveness, and there are few towns of its size and age that can rival Dal-
las Center in business and enterprise, especially for a western town in a
new country.
The land on which the town is located was formerly owned by Percival
& Hatton, and R. D. Kellogg.
Percival & Hatton bought the portion that Kellogg owned, and May 7,
1869, laid . out the town, christening it Dallas Center, it being located
within about four miles of the center of the county, east and west, and al-
most in the exact center north and south.
The survey of the town was made by Francis Pelton, and the plat was
recorded in June, 1869.
There was none of the land in the original town plat deeded to the rail-
road company, but it was entirely a private enterprise of Percival & Hat-
ton, who sold the lots at private sale, accordingly as they came into demand,
and still own the greater part of the vacant lots in town. Huber & Yan-
dercook's addition was afterward made to the town.
The first goods were sold in the new town by O. N. Steele, in the last of
June, 1869, on the east side of the railroad track, in a shanty out on the
open prairie. This was the first eand only business firm in the town for a
while, and the shanty in which the goods were sold was, perhaps, the first
building erected in the town'. This house was afterward sold and moved
to the country.
T. R. North soon afterward followed with a stock of hardware and gro-
474 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
ceries, and also J. E. Fleischman with dry goods and a general mixed
stock, giving the new town quite an encouraging appearance of business
and enterprise from the very start, which it has never since lost, but con-
tinued to increase, and has built up very rapidly as a stirring business point,
gaining the patronage and confidence of the surrounding community. '
The first regular and comfortable dwelling house built in the town was
by W. B. Fuller, in June or July, 1869. It was a frame two-story struct-
ure, comfortably finished and fitted for a dwelling house, and continued in
use as such for some time.
The first birth in the town was that of a child of B. F. Huber.
In September, 1 878, Mr. Melick took the census of the town and found
the number of inhabitants to be 547, at that date, but says they will now
number at least 560.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
They have a large two-story brick school-building, with four commodi-
ous, well-ventilated, neatly furnished rooms, two up stairs and two down
stairs.
This building was erected about five years ago, at a cost of $10,000, and
is fondly cherished by the citizens of the town, who spare no effort or ex-
pense to make it a thorough and valuable school.
There are three teachers now employed, and a large number of pupils
are in attendance.
The teachers at present are: T. K. Whitlock, principal; Miss E. Garret-
son, intermediate; Miss Mary Thornton, primary.
This is an Independent School District, and the officers of the district,
as well as the members of the school board, use all due diligence to make
their school a success and have it compare favorably with any of the public
schools in other places, and in this respect their efforts are not in vain, but
are being crowned with a rich reward in furthering the educational interest
of their own children.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
At the beginning of the year 1879 the business firms in the place stood
about as follows:
Dry Goods. — Melick & Fox, mixed stock of dry goods, groceries, etc.; J.
E. Fleischman & Co., dry goods, groceries, queensware and general mer-
chandise; A. B. Smith, dry goods, groceries, etc.; G. W. Zook, dry goods,
groceries, etc.
Drug Stores. — James Brainiff, drugs, medicines, clothing, groceries, etc. ;
I. G. Morgan, drugs, patent medicines, etc.
Hardware.— Townsend & Gartright, hardware, groceries, queensware, fur-
niture, etc.; Martin & Woodward, hardware, stoves and agricultural imple-
ment; J. Purinton, hardware and tin-shop.
Agricultural Implements. — F. Hubbard, general stock — several other
firms also keep implements.
Harness Shop. — T. W. Ferguson, harness, saddles, whips, blankets, etc.
Furniture Store. — Townsend & Gartright.
Bank. — O. Mosher, proprietor. *
Bakery and Restaurant. — Nazarene & Einger.
Merchant Tailor. — Charles Bomberger; cutting, fitting and making done.
Milliner Shops. — Mattie Fleming; Mary Brockway & Co.
HI8T0KT OF DALLAS COUNTY. 475
Boot and Shoe Shops.— E. J. M. Stevens; J Harvey.
Meat Market. — Olarey Brothers.
Blacksmith Shops. — J. F. McGrath; Dan. Collins.
Wagon Shops. — F. Pinne & Balcom; fin. Gorman.
Postmaster. — O. N. Steele.
Jeweler. — Jed Brockway, at the post-office.
Land Office. — Smart & Steele, office at post-office.
Grain Dealers. — Schamel & Loughran; Ken worthy Brothers, also deal
some in stock.
Stock Dealer. — ~W. H. Brenton.
Lumber Dealer. S . S. Easton.
Hotels. — Dallas Center House, Mrs. A. A. Perkins, proprietor and owner;
Grant House, Mrs. Lucy Hutchinson, proprietor and owner.
Livery Barn. — W. S. Jamison, proprietor.
Insurance Agents. — W. T. Allen; J. L. Loring.
Physician and Surgeon. — B. H. Criley.
Dentist. — A. E. Rawson.
Lawyers. — F. M. Hoopes; O. Mosher; J. L. Loring.
Justices. — W. T. Allen; R. R. Richmond.
Notaries. — 0. N. Steele; J. M. Hoopes; 0. Mosher; J. L. Loring.
Carpenters. — D. F. Neff; M. S. Van Dusen.
Saloons. — Henry Saunders; J. Freund; P. McGrath.
This town has one newspaper, "The Globe", an account of which is found
in the general history, under the article on " The Pfess ".
There are two good mills in Dallas Center, one grist mill, known as the
" Union Mill ", owned by R. Roberts, and one planing mill, owned by C.
Rathbur.n & Son. These mills do good work and are having quite an exten-
sive run of custom. Their presence in the town adds greatly to its interest
and enterprise, in drawing customers from a distance in different directions
to get milling and planing work done, and thus they bring trade to the
other departments of business.
SOCIETIES. ,
Delta Lodge, JVo. 356, A. F. & A. M. — This Lodge was established
under dispensation sometime during the summer of 1876. The first offi-
cers under dispensation, and the first elected before the date of Charter,
were: D. Smart, W. M.; W. M. Y. Ustick, S. W.; J. E. Fleischman, J:
W.; C. B. Rathbun, Acting S. D.; 0. JST. Steele, J. D.; W. H. Brenton,
Treasurer; O. Mosher, Secretary; A. Ustick, Tyler.
The Lodge was organized under Charter, with some twenty members,
about July 1, 1876, and has continued under a good degree of prosperity -
until the present.
The Charter officers were: David Smart, W. M.; C. B. Rathbun, S. "W.;
J. E. Fleischman, J. W.; ¥m. H. Brenton, Treasurer; O. Mosher, Secre-
tary; I. G. Morgan, S. D.; O. K Steele, J. D.; J. M. Hoopes, S. S.; J.
Crinkshank, J. S.
The present officers are: David Smart, W. M.; S. R. Small, S. W.; N.
A. Townsend, J. W.; O. N. Steele, Secretary; ¥m. H. Brenton, Treasurer;
J. W. Humphries, S. D.; J. A. Richmond, J. D.; J. J. Cramer, Tyler.
The membership will now number about forty, and the Lodge is reported
to be in a prosperous condition.
476 HI6T0ET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Dallas Center Lodge, No. 2^8, T. 0. 0. F., received dispensation Aug.
14, 1872, but held no meetings until the date of their organization, Oct. 5r
1872.
They were organized with six members, all of whom received offices at
the first election, and the list of first membership is also shown in the fol-
lowing list of first officers: J. L Loring, 1ST. G.; F. Hubbard, V. G.; "W.
M. Clark, Secretary; A. K. Clark, Permanent Secretary; S. S. Grossman,
Treasurer; "W. P. McClure, "Warden.
This Lodge was instituted by the District Deputy, Grand Master, M. C.
Twitchell. with "Ward Redfield, and M. C. Thomas, assistants.
The present officers are: S. P. Melick, N. G.; T. "W. Ferguson, Y. G;
J. L. Loring, Secretary; G. "W. Zook, Permanent Secretary; F. Hubbard,
Treasurer; E. J. M. Stevens, "Warden.
The Lodge is generally prosperous. At one time it had as high as 35
members, but by removals and changes the present membership is reduced
to about 22.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This Church was organized about 1873, with about some twelve or fifteen
members, among whom were the following: Old Mr. Scott, Mrs. "Whitman,
Mr. Jennings and family, some six or seven in all, Mr. John White, and
two daughters, and Mrs. Rathbun. A small organization had existed for
some time before in the country a few miles from town, and sometime dur-
ing the spring or summer of 1873, Eev. Geo. E. Smith, a student from a
Theological Seminary in New York, being out on vacation, stopped off the
cars at Dallas Center, went to work with zeal and earnestness, gathered up
the scattered elements of Presbyterianism in town and county round about,
and succeeded in organizing quite a flourishing church here.
The small organization from the country (above mentioned) came in, and
with united effort, and the liberal help of the outside community, they
erected, the same summer, a comfortable house of worship, about 50x34
feet, which served for the accommodation of all denominations until others
were erected.
Mr. Smith returned to the seminary in the fall again, and afterward
purchased a beautiful communion set which he sent to the church as a
present.
The following ministers have supplied the church since its organization:
Reverends George R. Smith, Peed, Goodison, Jacobs, James Smith — the
latter resigned about the close of 1878, on account of ill-health. Prof. M.
E. Philips, of Adel, now supplies the church every sabbath morning and
evening.
There is now a membership of about twenty.
M. E. CHURCH.
Previous to 1873 this church belonged to the Waukee Circuit. The min-
isters who have been over it as pastors are as follows: Revs. G. S. "Whar-
ton, D. Thompson, H. M. Sexton, J. J. Caldwell, James Lisle and Cyrus
Smith, the present pastor.
The church was incorporated in 1873, by B. W. Thomas, J. W. Garmong.
J. Slocnm, J. M. Hoopes, JST. M. Y. Ustick, F. Hubbard and J. Purinton as-
trustees.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
477
The present trustees are J. Slocum, M. Slaughter, J. O. McClure, J. M.
Hoopes, S. P. Melick, F. Hubbard, John Fox, J. Purinton and G. L. Rob-
ertson.
A parsonage was built in 1876, at a cost of between $600 and $700, which
building is situated on parts of lots Nos. 15 and 16, block 26.
The chapel was built in 1877, on a leased lot, No. 13, block No. 39, at a
cost of about $600. It is a comfortable, neatly furnished frame structure.
The present membership of the church is about fifty.
The above particulars were furnished through the kindness of Mr. S. P.
Melick.
Dallas Center has never been incorporated, though several attempts have
been made.
Shipped from Dallas Center station for the year 1878:
Cattle 1,084 head
Hogs 12,000 "
Eye 800 bushels
Wheat 25,000 "
Oats 40,000 "
Corn 200,000 "
Potatoes 1,000 "
Hay 30 cars, baled.
KEDFIELD.
This town is situated on section 4, township 78, range 29, and is among
the oldest towns in Dallas county. It is near the north line of Union town-
ship, and has a beautiful location on a hill facing the south, and is shel-
tered on the north by a belt of heavy timber.
The Middle Raccoon river passes a few rods to the west of it, and the
junction of the South and Middle Raccoon rivers is only about a mile south
of Eedfield, leaving a beautiful valley or plane to the south of the town site,
extending to Wiscotta, while this is surrounded by a range of high hills and
bluffs on the opposite side of the rivers, thus affording some beautiful natu-i
ral scenery, and making the location of Eedfield one of the most beautiful
town sites in the county, or surrounding country. The numerous coal-beds
and excellent water-power near it afford fine opportunities for manufacto-
ries of various kinds, and these natural advantages doubtless will be utilized
before many years. There are several good mills now in that vicinity, and
one large mill just west of the town, known as the Eedfield Mill. The ac-
counts of these mills are given under the history of Union township.
The town has no railroad yet, but now has strong prospects of the Des
Moines, Adel & Western Eailroad being in running order to the place be-
fore another year is past, which will develop the natural advantages of the
place, and give new energy and confidence to the citizens.
The road is already for the most part graded from Adel to Eedfield, and
if it is pushed on through there to Panora, Guthrie county, Eedfield is des-
tined to make a very desirable point on the line for market and manufac-
turing.
The land on which the town of Eedfield now stands was formerly owned
by the Cavenaugh brothers, and before them, perhaps part of it was owned
30
478 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
by David Daily who was the first settler in that section of country, and
part o.f his original claim on section 4 is now included in the town plat.
Bat, as before stated, in 1850, Patrick Thomas and Michael Cavenaugh came
in and not only purchased the claim of David Daily on section 4, but also
entered a large tract of land adjoining it, and in 1852 or 1853 they laid out
the town of Slew Ireland on the present site of Eedfield. A few years af-
terward they sold the entire tract of land, town site and all to Redfield and
Moore. The town received its present name in honor of Col. James Red-
field, who had become the principal owner of the laud adjoining, as also
of much of the town property.
The town was surveyed and platted by O. D. Smaller, then county sur-
veyor, and the first settlers in the town were, perhaps, the Oavenaughs.
On lot 8, block 2, just east of the present site of the Iowa House, the
Oavenaughs built a hewed-log house, 18x24 feet, story and a-half high,
which was doubtless the first house built in the town. This house was
considered somewhat extra in those days, being well built, of good oak
logs, and it was the scene of a good many jolly house-warmings and frolics
among the first settlers.
This house was finally sold, some twelve or thirteen years ago, to Mr.
Morse, who moved it out on the prairie near Greenevale, in Linn township,
where it was used for some time as a dwelling house. The Oavenaughs
also built a saw-mill, on the present site of the Redfield mill, at an early
day.
The first stores were built and opened by Thomas Campbell and Macy
B. Maulsby. Campbell's was on lot 5, block 1, where Scott & Maulsby's
store now stands, and Maulsby's was located on lot 8, block 1, where the
harness shop now is.
These buildings were among the first erected in town, and a general
stock of goods was kept for sale by each firm. In 1858 there were only
five or six houses in the town, but during the few following years they
increased quite rapidly.
At the August term of county court, 1860, a petition was granted chang-
ing the name New Ireland to that of Redfield, which it now .bears, as is
shown by the following copy of the original petition as found on file in the
Auditor's office:
Mact B. Maulsby et al. \
Petition for change op I In the County Court of Dallas County, Iowa, August
the name of New Ire- | Term, 1860.
LAND. J
Be it remembered that on the 17th day of May, A. D. 1860, Macy B. Maulsby and others
filed in the office of the County Judge of Dallas county, Iowa, their petition praying for a
change of the name of the town of New Ireland, in said county, to the name of Redfield,
and the court being satisfied that a majority of the actual voters of the said town of New
Ireland are in favor of such change, and three notices having been posted up, by order of
said County Court, in three of the most public places in the said town for at least thirty days,
prior to the present term of the County Court of said county, to-wit: the August term, A. D.
i860, notifying the voters of said town that a petition has been presented to the said County
Court by the citizens of said town praying for a change of the name of the said town from
New Ireland to the name of Redfield, and that unless those interested in the change of said
name shall appear at the next regular term of said court and show cause why said name
shall not be changed, there will be a decree rendered granting such change, and the said
hearing upon said petition, having been continued from the July term of this court to the
August term thereof,
Now, therefore, be it remembered that at the August term of the County Court of said
county, on the second day of said term, to-wit: on the 7th day of August, A. D. 1860, this
HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 479
cause came up for final hearing, and the court being fully advised in the matter, and being
satisfied that there is still a majority of the actual resident voters of said town in favor of
said change of said name of said town, it is therefore
Ordered, And adjudged and decreed by this court that the change prayed for in said peti-
tion be granted, and is hereby
Ordered, Adjudged and decreed by the court that the name of the town of New Ireland,
in the county of Dallas and State of Iowa, be, and the same is hereby, changed to the name
of the town of Redfield, and that the petitioners pay the costs of this proceeding.
In witness whereof, I, Henry Thornburgh, Judge of the County Court of Dallas county, State
of Iowa, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court. Done at
Adel, in said county, in open court, this 7th day of August, A. D. 1860.
Attest: H. Thoenburgh,
County Judge of Dallas County, Iowa.
Cole Noel, Clerk, by J. Perkins, Deputy.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The following is a list of the business firms in Redfield, at the beginning
of the year 1879, as nearly as we can ascertain:
Dry Goods. — Scott & Maulsby, S. S. Harmon & Son, each keeps a mixed
stock and general assortment.
Groceries. — John Puffer, groceries and notions.
Drug Store.- — Dr. R. H. Rust, proprietor lot 3, block 5.
Shoemaker. — Aaron Robbins, lot 6, block 5, Redfield addition.
Milliner Shop. — Mrs. R. D. McLucas, lot 6, block 2.
Tinner. — H. C. Overstreet, lot 4, block 2.
Harness-makers. — Charles B. Lamb, Edward E. Thomas, both on lot 8,
block 1.
Furniture Store. — Mahlon 0. Thomas, proprietor, lot 7, block 5, Red-
field addition.
Art Gallery. — IS". J. Tice, artist, lot 1, block 3, Redfield addition.
Lawyer. — Ira A. Smith, attorney and counselor.
Physicians. — Drs. R. H. Rust (also druggist), Macy B. Maulsby and
John C. Caldwell.
Meat-market. — R. M. Finicum, proprietor lot 7, block 5, Redfield addi-
tion.
Wagon-makers. — J. H. Armfield & Son, lot 5, block 5, Redfield addition.
Blacksmiths. — J. H. Carter; Belles & Harmon; Moses Mills — all on
block 5, Redfield addition.
Hotels. — Indiana Hotel, Henry C. Browning, proprietor, lot 4, block 5;
Iowa House, W. H. H. Brown, proprietor, lot 8, block 2.
POST-OFFICE.
The post-office is located on lot 6, block 5, Redfield addition, Mr. Mahlon
C. Thomas, postmaster. He also keeps a general news depot and notion
store in connection with the office.
This post-office was established at an early day, and was first called McKay
post-office, but was afterward moved to "Wiscotta, about 1858, and went by
the name of Wiscotta post-office for some time after the office was moved
back to Redfield, until in August, 1860, when it received the new name of
Redfield post-office, which it still retains.
Ira A. Smith was the postmaster all the time the office was at Wiscotta.
Mr. M. C. Thomas, the deservedly popular postmaster and citizen, has
retained the position for some time, and was among the early settlers in
Redfield. To him, W. H. H. Brown, I. D. Redfield and others, we are in-
480 HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
debted, in a great measure, for the particulars regarding the early settlement;
and business matters of the town.
CHURCHES.
The Christian church have a neat frame building in the northeast part of
town, situated on block 4, Hain's addition, built some years ago, and com-
fortably fitted up for purposes of public worship, it being the only church
building in the town. Elder O. H. Derry is their present pastor, and has
just lately commenced his labors among them.
"We are unable to give a sketch of this church, as the necessary items
regarding it were not furnished us.
The. Methodist Episcopal church have a small organization in town, and
occasional services, but no church building. Rev. Mumford is their pastor,
who includes this organization with others in his charge. They hold ser-
vices generally in the Christian church.
Rev. Alvin Chase, a " Kewlight " minister is also a resident of the town,
and preaches occasionally at different points.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The public school-house is a frame two-story building, about 30x40 feet,
situated on lots 1, 2 and 3, block 17, in the northeast part of town.
It was built in 1867, at a cost of about $3,200.
There are two large rooms in the building, one in each story, and two
teachers are employed.
Principal — Miss Ida Twichell; Assistant — Miss Maggie Mitchell.
About 85 pupils are in average attendance, and the school is in a
prosperous condition, and is well sustained by the citizens.
MASONIC.
Wiscotta Lodge, No. 158, A. F. & A. M.— The Charter for the organiz-
ation of this Lodge was granted June 8, 1860, and the following are the
names of the Charter members, as kindly furnished us by T. C. Chance, ~W.
M.: J. W. McPherson, Abe Smith, Collen Marshall, John Puffer, M. J.
Marshall, T. E. Harbour, J. M. McLucas, Wm. Thornburg, Elwood Linley,
M. L. Mills, E. A. Barnett, and Ira Barnett.
The first officers of the Lodge were: J. W. McPherson, "W. M.; Collen
Marshall, S. W.; John Puffer, J. W.
The present officers are: Thomas C. Chance, ~W. M.; John H. Mills, S.
W.; Thomas Hoyt, J. W.
The membership at present numbers fifty-nine, and there are eight whose
dues are remitted by reason of old age.
They have a good hall of their own, well fitted up, in which they hold
their regular meetings Saturday evenings on or before the full moon in
each month.
This is one of the early chartered lodges in Dallas county.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 481
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Col. James Kedfield was born in the State of New York in the year
1824. He graduated at Yale College in 1845, when about twenty-one years
of age, and was for sometime afterward clerk in the office of the Secretary
of State, at Albany, New York. In 1855 he came to this" State, and settled
as above described in Dallas county, purchasing the large tract of land and
site of New Ireland (now Kedfield) from the Cavenaughs, in connection
with his brother and Mr. Moore, who afterward became his father-in-law;
and together they accumulated a large amount of valuable property.
• Colonel Kedfield married Miss Achsah Moore, May 7, 1856, and lived
in Wiscotta for a number of years as a highly respected and valuable cit-
izen. He was a1 great public benefactor, a man of more than ordinary
energy and enterprise, and is most highly spoken of by those who knew
him. He was popular, and figured prominently in the public affairs of
the county, receiving several important offices and positions of public trust
by the popular vote during his residence in Dallas county. In the fall of
1861 he was elected State Senator from the senatorial district comprising
Dallas, Adair, Cass, Guthrie, Audubon and Shelby counties, and thus
became a member of the State Senate in the Ninth General Assembly,
which convened at Des Moines January 13, 1862, and adjourned April 8,
He only served this one session of his senatorial term, however, when
he received the appointment as Lieutenant-colonel of the Thirty-ninth
Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and entered the army in response to the call for
300,000 more by the President in 1862. He was wounded at the battle of
Perkins' Cross Roads, and afterward was killed at the battle of Altoona,
Georgia, October 5, 1864. He was a brave and efficient officer during his
entire military career, and for his worthy conduct as a brave soldier he
received important notes of commendation by his superior officers in all
the official reports of battles in which his regiment was engaged, and
especially so of his conduct in the battle in which he was killed.
His brother, Luther Kedfield, died in New York State in September,
1878, and his father-in-law, Mr. Moore, died in Oskaloosa, Kansas, sev-
eral years ago. His brother, I. D. Kedfield, now lives in the town of
Kedfield, and to his kindness we are indebted for the principal facts regard-
ing his brother's life and career.
WISCOTTA.
This village is situated a short distance south of Kedfield on the flat,
near the junction of the Middle and South Kaccoon rivers, on sections 4
and 5 — the line dividing the two sections passing through the town east
and west.
It was laid out by Col. Kedfield, being located on the Kedfield property
before the other tract of land was purchased of Cavenaugh, and some spirit
of rivalry was shown in attempting to build up the two towns so close to-
gether, and at one time Wiscotta was quite a flourishing little town, until
about 1864. When the great rush of emigration pressed through here
along the main thoroughfare from Davenport to Council Bluffs, and on to
Montana and Idaho, the little town of Wiscotta was almost deserted, and
the stores and business houses were all moved to Redfield.
482 HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
A number of stores and business houses had been started and were quite
flourishing until the wreck came.
Col. James Eedfield, Mr. "Wright, Noel & Lyon, Chance & Miller, and
perhaps others, had mixed stores, carrying a general stock, and were doing
a good business. Peppard & Leeper had a chair factory. Thomas & Smith
had a blacksmith shop, and other places of business were established and
moving along prosperously when the sudden reverse came, and all the
business places were moved up to Eedfield, and since that time the place
has scarcely been known as more than a resident village. No business
houses are there at all now. There are about fifteen or twenty residences,
and some very good ones. The village has a good school-house, a one-story
frame, about 24x70 feet, which belongs to school district No. 6, Union
township, Jonathan Peppard, director, and a good school is taught in the
house. There are two rooms in the school-house, both on the first floor,
and two teachers are employed: Principal — Miss Lucy Shephard; Assist-
ant— Miss Dora Sales. About eighty scholars are in average attendance.
THE FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE
Is located just at the east side of the village, on David Bowles' land. It is
a frame structure, about 24x35 feet, and was built some nine or ten years
ago. We regret that we have been unable to get the full particulars of this
society, but have failed in several attempts to do so.
Is also situated a short distance east of the village, an account of which is
given under the history of Union township. And for the history of Wis-
cotta post-oflice see Eedfield sketch.
The town has a beautiful location, and will eventually be united with
Eedfield, and both constitute a lovely town site.
YAN METEE.
This town is a station on the Chicago, Eock Island & Pacific Eailroad,
and is something of a mining town. It is situated on the northwest corner
of section 27 and the northeast corner of section 28, and is therefore within
a mile of the center of Van Meter north and south, and about in the exact
center east and west. Its site is in the valley of the main Eaccoon river,
and being thus on low valley land, it is surrounded with high hills and
woodlands, which afford some attractive natural scenery.
This main railroad passing through it makes it an important shipping
point, not only for stock and general farm produce, but also for wood and
coal, there being an abundance of timber in that vicinity, from which the
railroad company and various prairie towns along the road obtain large
amounts of cord-wood. There is also a good coal mine opened and in good
working order at that point, the largest in the county, which makes pretty
large shipments and sales of coal each year. The account of this mine is
given in full under " Coal Mines," in the first part of this work.
Considerable wood is being delivered to the railroad company, and a con-
tract of about 1,500 cords of wood is now being filled.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 483
The town was laid out about 1869, and the land on which it stands was
formerly owned by Mr. Wilson. Clayton's addition was afterward made.
The first house in the town was built by Mr. Wilson, the former owner
of the land, and this house was perhaps built before the town was laid out.
E. D. Smith kept the first store in the town, and carried a mixed stock
of goods.
The first postmaster was W. H. B. Wilson, and the present one is W. H.
Jennings.
The town now has about 300 inhabitants, and is surrounded by a rich
country and thick settlement of well-to-do, thrifty farmers.
The town of Van Meter was incorporated a little more than a year ago.
The petition for incorporation was granted June 1, 1877, and was filed for
record December 28, 1877. J. R. Van Meter, T. E. Moore, G. 0. Briggs,
W. H. Jennings and B. F. Goar were duly appointed as commissioners on
corporation and corporation elections. We have not been able to ascertain
who were the first town officers elected, nor the date on which the first elec-
tion was held, but it was not long after the petition of incorporation was
granted by the court.
The following is a list of the present officers:
TOWN OFFICERS — 1878.
Mayor — H. A. Bullis.
Kecorder — M. A. Little.
Treasurer — Phillip Hunt.
Councilmen:
J. R. Van Meter,
C. K. Smith,
Samuel Drew,
Silas Parker,
C. W. Bogue.
Marshal — E. D. Akers.
Justice— J. W. Welch.
Constable — J. B. Lemans.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL-BUILDING
In the town is a two-story frame structure, of two rooms. It was built
about 1870, and a good school is taught in it, with quite a large number of
pupils in attendance. There are two teachers employed. Principal — J. F.
Curren; Assistant — Miss Hoover.
The town has no lawyers and no saloons, rather singular coincidents,
especially for a mining town ; but the people are generally peaceable and
prosperous, and go forward industriously in the even tenor of their ways.
There are two churches in the town, each well finished, comfortable frame
buildings. The United Brethren Church, Rev. S. E. Dennis, pastor, and
the M. E. Church, Rev. Osborn, pastor, each having a large membership for
the size of the town.
We would be glad to give a more complete sketch of each of these
churches, but cannot,- as the material is not at hand. A request was made
for each party to send in the statistics, but they have not come; hence the
omission.
484 HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The following is a list of the business houses and firms as they stood at
the beginning of the year 1879, as nearly as could be ascertained:
Dry Goods. — W. H. Jennings, dry goods, groceries and general stock;
Goar Brothers^ dry goods, groceries and general stock.
Hardware. — 0. W . Bogue, general stock.
Drug Stores. — M. A. Little, J. B. Kubinson.
Restaurant. — H. A. Bullis.
Notion Store. — Eichard Graham.
Millinery Store. — Charles Linthurst.
Blacksmith Shops. — Samuel Hobaugh, McNair Brothers, blacksmith and
wagon shop.
Carpenters. — Alexander Logan, A. C. Akers. ,
Physicians.— Br. C. M. Dodge, Dr. C. K. Smith, Dr. Kirk Woodruff.
Harness Shop. — S. L. Doty.
Meat Markets. — W. T. Clayton, Welch & Hunt.
Shoe Shop. — L. S. Thomas.
Express Agent. — M. A. Little.
Station Agent. — Charles Linthrust. His son is the telegraph operator.
Hotel. — Graham House, Richard Graham, proprietor. The property
and building are owned by C. McCoy.
Boarding Houses. — H. A. Bullis, proprietor; C. M. Dodge, proprietor.
Flourvixg Mill. — J. R. Vanmeter.
Grain Dealer. — Samuel Cook.
Elevator — Owned by W. B. White, of Des Moines. It was built by
Miles White, being the first and only one in the town. It is a large one
well fitted up, and through it is shipped a great deal of grain annually.
LODGES.
''Coon Valley Lodge, I. 0. 0. E,, Wo. %57. — This lodge was organized
by grant of charter in 18?1, with five members, whose names are as fol-
lows : Stephen Adams, Shubal Ellis, S. L. Doty, William Hoffstott and J.
D. Ellis.
The first officers were: Stephen Adams, 1ST. G.; William Hoffstott, V. G.;
Shubal Ellis, Rec. Sec. ; J. D. Ellis, Treasurer. They hold their meetings
every Saturday night.
The present officers are: L. W. Clayton, N. G.; S. B. Kenworthy, V. G.;
F. M. Ross, Rec. Sec; Philip Hunt, Perm. Sec; William Hoffstott, Treas-
urer.
The ex-officers just retiring are: J. S. Hall, N": G.; L. W. Clayton, V.
G.; H. R. Yan Meter, Rec Sec; Philip Hunt, Perm. Sec; William Hoff-
stott, Treasurer.
The present membership numbers 26. The lodge was at one time much
more prosperous until about three years ago last fall when another lodge at
Booneville, called "Forest Lodge," was organized by grant of charter from
this lodge, which greatly reduced the numbers and strength, taking at one
time 16 members from this lodge. But they are now regaining from this
embarrassment and are increasing gradually in growth and influence.
• Rebecca Lodge. — This lodge was organized in October, 1874, by grant of
charter from the 'Coon Valley Lodge, and for a while was quite flourishing;'
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 4:85
but of late it has been neglected somewhat, and during the past year have
held no regular meetings. The object was a benevolent one and while in
working order the designs were effectually carried out by the members.
The charter members were, as nearly as we can ascertain, as follows: Mrs.
"William Hoffstott, Mrs. "William Shull, Mrs. A. M. Logan, Mrs. S. Parks,
Mrs. J. J. Smith, Mrs. J. D. Ellis, Mrs. S: L. Doty, Mrs. F. M. Evans and
Mrs. A. Pearse.
MINBUEN.
This town is a station on the Des Moines and Fort Dodge railroad, situ-
ated on sections 7 and 8, in Sugar Grove township, and is the only town in
the township. It is situated in the midst of a good farming community,
and surrounded with a class of active enterprising, well-to-do farmers. It
is a prairie town, and the bountiful products from the rich broad prairie
flow into it abundantly, making it one of the best shipping points for graip
and stock and other agricultural products, of any town of its size and age
. on this railroad.
The town was laid out in 1869, by J. B. Hill and D. F. Rogers.
The first house was built by F. H. Baker, who was also the first mer-
chant and postmaster of the town.
POST- OFFICE.
The post-office was established the same year (1869). In all it has had
three postmasters since its establishment. A. C. Nims succeeded Baker,
who kept it but a short time, and was followed by the present incumbent,
John "Warford.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
This town has two general stores, John Warford^and A. J. Knowles.
Two hardware, G. F. Brayton & Bro. and Jesse Pilbean.
Drug Store. — William Seidler.
Physician — E. R. Aiken.
Restaurants. — Joel Cushman, William Mitchell.
Blacksmiths. — Frank Edmunson, V. W. Beeson, Brown & Gosselin.
Livery Stable. — John Oklund.
Motels. — Frank Knowles and John W. Gillan.
Gram, Buyer. — M. "W. Gribben.
Saloon. — M. M. Maurer.
They also have a Cornet Band, conducted by William Osborne.
The population of the town is about 300.
They have shipped from this point during the year 1878 :
Corn 110,000 bushels.
Oats 25,000 "
Wheat 4,000 "
Hogs 7,500 head.
Horses 18 "
Butter and Eggs *. 35,000 pounds.
486 HISTOET OP DALLAS county.
STEAM SAW MILL.
This mill is owned by Osborne Bro's. It was formerly set up on the
North Kaccoon river, and moved to its present location three years ago. It
has a capacity of from 3000 to 6000 feet.
The same firm have also a planing mill and lumber yard in connection
with their saw mill, and are also contractors and builders, at which business
they have quite an extensive custom.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Minbnrn is an independent school district, and has two frame buildings
devoted to school purposes, one room each.
There are eighty-three pupils enrolled, and the schools are in good con-
dition.
Two teachers are employed: Principal— S. H. Lauder; Assistant —
Sophie Burnett. The principal receives $42.50 per month, and the assis-
tant $30 per month. The present principal has been in charge of the
school for two years.
THE M. E. CHURCH
Of Minburn was organized first at a school-house near Minburn, in the
year 1859. When the town was laid out the place of meeting was moved
to Minburn, in the year 1870. In the summer of 1869 Rev. J. Hestwood,
pastor at Adel, preached at Minburn and organized a small class, consisting
of the following named persons: Rhoda A. Hill, Minnie J. Knowler, Ab-
bie Baker, Mark J. Newley and Margaret Eewley. These two organiza-
tions were united in the year 1870, and known as the Minburn Society.
The following pastors have served the society: Rev. I. Mershon, in 1870;
Rev. W. C. Smith, in 1871-2; Rev. D. Lamonte, in 1873; Rev. J. R. Os-
borne, in 1874; Rev. B. F. Shetterly, in 1875; Rev. fm. Abraham, in
1876-7, and Rev. "W". C. Smith, returned in 1878, and is the present pastor,
to whose kindness we are indebted for these statistics.
One of the first officers in the church was Edward P. Vail. The present
officers are: Mathew Crawford, Albert Birdsall, George Blackman, William
Mortimer, Rhoda A. Hill, and Lizzie Minnis. The present membership is
fifty-three.
The society is in a prosperous condition, growing encouragingly, and is
free from debt.
The church building is a neat, substantial, frame structure, erected in
1877, and dedicated in February, 1878. It is 30x48 feet, cost $1,400, and
will seat about two hundred and twenty-five persons comfortably.
THE PEESBYTEBIAN CHDECH
Of Minburn, was organized in August, 1869, in a log school-house, two
miles south of the present town site, before the town was laid out.
The church was organized by Rev. Wm. Campbell, formerly of Adel.
The names of the original members are William Luellen — to whose kind-
ness we are indebted for these particulars — Eliza Luellen, Lizzie Luellen,
Ruth D. Rogers, J. M. Porterfield, Clara Porterfield, and William McFar-
land, making six in all.
HI8T0KT OF DALLAS COUNTY. 487
The names of the various pastors and stated supplies who served this
church, are as follows: Eev. H. H. Kellogg, Jr., 1869, who served the
church one year.
During the year 1870 the church was supplied only occasionally. In
1871, Kev. George K. Smith supplied for four months, and in the fall of
the same year, Rev. "Win. Reed commenced his labors with it, and served
until the spring of 1873. In December of the same year, Rev. P. H. Ja-
cobs was employed, but only preached two Sabbaths, when he was suddenly
stricken down with a stroke of paralysis, and the church remained without
regular preaching until July, 1874, when the Rev. W. H. Goodison com-
menced his labors with it and continued with them for four months, when
it was again left vacant until May, 1875. On the last mentioned date, Rev.
J. M. Smith served as a stated supply for four months, and then returned
to the Theological Seminary, finished his course there, and returned to the
church in May, 1876, continuing with them as a stated supply until May,
1877, when he was ordained and installed as their pastor, and remained as
such until the fall of 1878, on account of ill-health. The pastoral relations
were dissolved, and since that the church has had only occasional services.
The following officers were elected at the time of organization:
Elder — William Luellen.
Trustees — William Luellen, Samuel Edmundson, William McFarland.
March 24, 1875, J. A. Thompson was elected an elder.
Joseph A. Thompson was elected trustee in the spring of 1871, to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the removal of Wm. McFarland out of the bounds,
and in 1875 D. F. Rodgers was elected, vice S. Edmundson, resigned. The
above constitutes all the officers up to the present date.
The present membership is twenty-three; the number deceased, one; the
number dismissed by letters, five.
The church, at present, though without any regular preaching, carries on
a good Sabbath-school, which has been kept up all winter with a good aver-
age attendance.
The building was erected the summer of 1871, at a cost of $2,000, and
has never yet been dedicated. It is a frame structure 28x42 feet, and will
seat one hundred and seventy-five persons comfortably.
BOONEVILLE.
This village is a station on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad,
being the second station west of Des Moines. It is situated in the valley
of the main Raccoon, in the bend of the river, on section 29, township 78,.
range 26, and is therefore near the southwest corner of Boone township.
Though it is the only town in the township, it is so near Des Moines,
and so completely surrounded with other towns that its chances for growth
have not been very favorable, and as a consequence it has never attained
any very great size. It has good facilities for shipping by means of the
important railroad passing through, and considerable grain and stock are
shipped annually from it, being brought in from the surrounding country,
as the most convenient point at which a good many extensive farmers in
Dallas and Madison counties can reach this through line to the eastern
market; but on account of the small scope of country it commands and the-
limited amount of trade it receives because of its proximity to other towns
■488 HISTOET OT DALLAS COVnTY.
in more favorable situations, its first flush of prosperity has not been very
permanent, and its growth has been hardly perceptible during the past few
years.
The land on which Booneville is now located was formerly owned by Mrs.
Susannah Boone, wife of the William D. Boone whose name appears fre-
quently in the early history of the county. The township in which this
, village is situated also derived its name in the same way, as Mr. Boone
owned a large property within the township bounds which fell to his widow
and family after his death ; and he was also among the first settlers in the
township, settling at first near the present site of Booneville, where he died
some years ago.
. The town of Booneville was laid out in 1871, A. J. Lyon, surveyor, and
the plat was filed for record June 6, 1871. The first house in the town was
built by George Baldwin, on the same site on which W". H. Baldwin's store
now stands. Other dwelling houses and store-buildings were soon afterward
erected, and places of business were opened, until the place became quite a
village, and for a time it showed fair prospects of an even race with its
neighbors; but of later years its prospects of becoming a city have not
been so favorable.
The town has never been incorporated, and therefore there is no list of
town officers to be herein recorded; but before another decade shall have
passed, it is to be hoped that Booneville will have reached that position of
dignity, and become numbered with the incorporated towns of Dallas
county.
Booneville has a number of business houses of which we note the fol-
lowing:
W. H. Baldwin, general stock of merchandise, also keeps the post-office.
J. Winter, drugs, groceries and notions.
Dr. Tidball, physician and surgeon; Dr. Morgan, physician and surgeon.
Mr. Jones, proprietor of hotel.
S. H. Benson, stock-dealer.
S. M. Cook, blacksmith; Jones & Baldwin, wagon and blacksmith shop;
J. Y. Pace, wagon-maker; S. M. Cook, blacksmith shop and farming imple-
ments.
I. O. O. F.
Forest Lodge, No. 292, 1. 0. 0. F.— This lodge was organized under
charter, October 14, 1874, with eleven charter members whose names are as
follows: L. Lambert, O. Gurnsey, S. S. Parker, Adam Heck, F. M. Evans,
J. B. Harper, H. McConnell, Joe Winter, D. H. Fitch, E. Treefry and D.
M. Flinn.
The first officers were: L. Lambert, K G.; S. S. Parker, V. G.; J.
Winter, Secretary.
The present officers are: Simpson Flinn, N. G.; S. M. Cook, V. G.;
William Hoeye, Secretary.
The present membership is thirty-eight or forty. They hold their regu-
lar meetings every Saturday evening, in " Grange Hall." The charter was
granted by the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
The lodge is reported as being now in a prosperous condition.
_ We are indebted to Mr. W. H. Baldwin of Booneville, for the above sta-
tistics regarding the lodge.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 489
WAUKEE.
This town is a station on, the Des Moines and Fort Dodge railroad, sit-
uated on the north half of section 33, township* 79, range 26. It is a
prairie town, surrounded by a broad scope of farming land, and about fif-
teen miles from Des Moines. The junction of the Des Moines, Adel and
"Western railroad with the D. M. & Ft. D. E. E. is made at this point,
which affords excellent advantages for shipping, and when the Narrow
Gauge is extended on westward, it will make Waukee an important point
as the junction of the two roads so near the Capital city.
Considerable grain and stock are shipped from it annually.
Waukee was laid out by L. A. Grant, now of Des Moines, in 1869, who
formerly owned the land on which it stands.
The first house in the town was built by L. A. Grant, and stood near
where the water-tank now stands.
The first goods sold in Waukee were sold by W. J. Johnson, soon after
the town was established.
The first birth was Minnie, daughter of James Parker, November 25,
1869. The first death was that of Mrs. A. Tyler, January 26, 1870. It is
supposed that John M. Atkins and Miss Dora Taylor were the first couple
married in the town. The marriage ceremony was performed by C. F. M.
Clark, J. P.
The town was incorported in 1878. B. F. Halstead, G. S. Whalen, M.
Sines, C. C. Tyler and C. F. M. Clark were appointed the committee on
corporation and corporation election.
The following officers were elected who were both the first and present
officers of the town:
Mayor — C. F. Howe.
Eecorder — W. E. Humphrey.
Assessor — J. E. Huston.
Marshal — Samuel Shearer, vice L. Hubbard resigned.
Councilmen:
C. C. Tyler,
Patrick Hogan,
A. T. Blackman,
W. Wood,
Taylor Bates,
C. F. M. Clark.
The present population of the town is about two hundred and fifty.
POST-OFFIOB.
The first post-office was established in October, 1869, W. J. Johnson be-
ing appointed postmaster, who held that office until 1870, when he was
succeeded by C. F. M. Clark in 1870, who has held the office ever since,
and is the present postmaster.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
General Stores. — A. T. Blackman, C. Middlekauff.
Groceries. — Mrs. B. M. Snow; How, & Duncan.
Hardware. — Tyler & Huston.
490 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Drug Stores— C F. M. Clark, W. A. Garter.
Lumber Dealers. — Tyler & Huston.
Coal.—C. 0. Tyler.
Real Estate. — Miles Sines.
Grain Dealers. — Herbert & Carrell, 0. C. Tyler.
Blacksmiths. — Charles Kobin_son, John Olke.
Hotels. — Thomas J. Sloan, James Parker.
Livery. — Thomas J. Sloan.
Physicians. — J. K. L. Duncan, George L. Piper, S. W. Aldridge.
Lawgers. — B. T. Halstead, Geo. A. Smith.
Flouring Mill. — Gurnsey & Treefry.
Harness Maker. — Geo. S. Wharton.
Restaurant. — E. McDougal.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
This building is a two-story frame structure, 26x40 feet in size. There
■are two good school rooms and two recitation rooms. The cost of the build-
ing was $2,300. They employ two teachers. Principal — A. C. Phillips;
Assistant — Sarah E. Randall.
The average attendance of pupils is about eighty-five.
Waukee is an independent school district. The members of the school
Tjoard are: President — A. T. Blackman; Secretary — C. F. M. Clark; Treas-
urer— C- Tyler; George Bass.
THE BURYING- GROUND
Is located one-half mile south of town, contains two acres, is owned by a
joint stock company. President — M. Sines; Vice-President — John Wragg;
Secretary — C. Robinson ; Treasurer — A. T. Blackman. Directors — M. Sines,
J. Wragg, C. C. Tyler, George Bass and A. T. Blackman.
LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
Waukee also has a library association, and quite an extensive library,
-which is being kept in good shape, and being added to more or less every
year, and is becoming a very profitable institution in the town. The par-
ticulars regarding this were to have been furnished, but have not been sent
in, which omission we regret.
SHIPMENTS.
The following shipments were made from this station during the year
1878:
Corn 146,000 bushels.
Oats 12,600 "
Wheat 10,400 "
Hogs 3,000 head.
Cattle 260 "
Waukee is becoming quite a shipping point for grain and stock, having
•quite a large scope of good farming country around it, which is becoming
pretty well settled. But there is still considerable vacant land and open
prairie in the township.
A great quantity of corn is now cribbed at this station, and still more is
■coming in, all of which is to be held over until the coming summer.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 491
I. O. O. P.
Waukee Lodge, No. 311. — This lodge was organized, under charter from
the Grand Lodge, on the 14th day of March, 1875. W. W. Moore presided
as the installing officer, and the following persons were elected for the first
term of office: L. Swearengen, K Gh; D. Bates', V. G.; 0. W. Robinson, K.
S.; T. Bates, Treasurer.
The following officers were appointed: E. L. Carrell, C; "W". M. Cribbs,
W.; J. W. Blackmail, O. G.
The lodge is in a very flourishing condition at the present, having a fine
suit of rooms, well furnished and fitted up, in which they hold regular meet-
ings with good attendance, and the members take great delight in promoting
its growth and prosperity as one of the important institutions of their town.
We acknowledge indebtedness to Mr. 0. F. M. Clark for the above sta-
tistics regarding the lodge.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church was first built by the Episcopalians, who for some years
had quite a flourishing organization in the town, but afterward became so
reduced by emigration and death of membership that the organization
became disbanded, the most of the members going into other organ-
izations, and finally sold their church^building to the M. E. Church, who
now occupy it, having service every other Sabbath. The M. E. Church of
"Waukee is united with the Fairview Church, in Boone township, a few
miles south, in one charge, with Rev. Yail as pastor, who resides at Waukee.
Each church has quite a large membership, and they are making encourag-
ing progress.
WAUKEE CIRCUIT.
" In 1874 the annual conference held at Des Moines organized the Waukee
circuit, and A. J. Barton was appointed preacher in charge. On a beautiful
eminence about two miles east of Booneville was located the only church
edifice on the charge. This was called Fairview, and it was at this place,
1 in 1849, that the Rev. E. M. EL Fleming organized the first Methodist
society in Dallas county.
"The year was prosperous, and closed with an increase of membership
from "eighty-six to one hundred and fifty -five.
"At the next conference, held at Indianola, Brother Barton was re-ap-
pointed to the charge.
"During this year the society at Waukee purchased of the Protestant
Episcopal church, the lot and church then being built, and completed the
same at a cost of twenty-three hundred dollars.
" At the conference of 1876 Rev. D. Lamonte was appointed to the charge,
and served one year.
"In 1877 the present incumbent, Rev. E. P. Vail, was appointed preacher
in charge, and on the 28th of April, 1877, the church at Waukee was ded-
icated, and the entire indebtedness of the church property, ten hundred
and sixty dollars, was liquidated."
. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
*The First Presbyterian church of Waukee, Iowa, was organized April
24, 1870, by Rev. William Campbell, who was appointed a committee for
that purpose by the Presbytery of Des Moines.
492 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
"Twenty-one persons composed the organization. Rev. George Pierson
was the first stated minister to this church. He began his labors here in
May, 1871, and closed in May, 1876. The present pastor, Eev. R. J.
Hughes, commenced preaching here in, June, 1876.
" The first ruling elder in this church was J,. A. "Wick. In December,
1873, Mr. A. Tyler was elected elder. In January, 1878, Mr. Wick re-
signed, and Mr. J. R. Elliott was elected in his place. The present session
consists of Mr. Tyler and Mr. Elliott. The first board of trustees con-
sisted of J. A. Wick, Jacob Snyder and . Subsequently M. H. Baugh,
William Cribs and T. K. Duncan composed the board. At present N.
Nish, 0. R. Storrs and T. F. Howe constitute the board of trustees.
" The church edifice stands in the southwest part of town. It is a frame
building, in size 28x40, and will seat two hundred persons.
" The house was built in 1870, at a cost of $1,600. All but $400, which
was given by the Board of Church Erection, was raised by the members of
the church and the residents of the village. The lot on which the building
stands was donated by General L. A. Grant, of Des Moines.
" In 1871 the church edifice was dedicated to the worship of God, Rev.
T. O. Rice, then of Des Moines, preaching the dedicatory sermon. During
the summer of 1878 the house was painted, the foundation penciled, the
windows furnished with shutters, and some repairs made inside, the whole
costing $100. The present membership of the church is forty-seven.
" There is a Sabbath-school in connection with this church, held during
the summer season only. It has an enrollment of sixty scholars and six
teachers."
XENIA.
This is a small village in the northern part of Des Moines township,
located on section 4, township 81, range 26, near the northeast corner of
the county, and about one mile and a-half west of the Des Moines river.
It was laid out as a town many years ago, and made something of a growth
in that direction for several years, but being left far to one side by the
railroad, without any prospect of ever getting one, and being situated so
near the corner of the county, with so many towns springing up near and
around it in much more favorable circumstances, its growth soon ceased,
and its prospects for becoming a city of considerable dimensions vanished,
leaving it a small inland village, with ten or a dozen houses. There is still
one store in the village, kept by Messrs. Learning & Parks, which has
quite a local trade; one boarding house, J. Casebeer, propietor; two physi-
cians, Dr. Sanks and Dr. Brooking, each of whom has a good country
practice, having a large scope of territory at their command, in much of
which are thick settlements; and there is a Methodist Episcopal church in
the village, a neat frame structure, neatly finished and comfortably arranged
for the accommodation and convenience of the village and country people
around in that vicinity.
There is also a post-office in the place, a blacksmith shop, and a good
school-house. #
It is an old settled place, and has a good country and farming com-
munity around it, composed chiefly of industrious, sturdy, well-to-do
farmers.
TOWNSHIPS.
As has been before stated, on the authority of Mr. Elijah M. Haines,
" The township system had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates back to
1635.
" The first legal enactment concerning this system provided that 'whereas
particular towns have many things, which concern only'themselves and the
ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in their own towns,
therefore the freemen of every town, or the major part of them, shall only
have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the appurte-
nances of said towns, to grant lots, and make such orders as may concern
the well-ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders
established by the General Court. * * *
" Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the
first Constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639: and the plan of town-
ship organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficacy,
and adaptation to the requirements of a free and an intelligent people,
became universal throughout New England, and went westward With the
emigrants from New England into New York, Ohio and other western
States."
Dallas county was for some time without being regularly divided into
townships, owing to the sparseness of settlement in many localities, as was
generally the case with other counties in the west during the first years of
their existence as counties.
The first general division of Dallas county into precincts was made in
March, 1850, for political purposes; but no regular organization of town-
ships was then made.
The county was then divided into five precincts for political and judicial
purposes, as is shown by the following orders as designating the bounda-
ries of Penoach, Boone, Des Moines, Buena V^ista, and Owens precincts.
State ov Iowa., } Tuesday, March 5, 1850.
Dallas County. J
Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment, the 5th day of March, A. D. 1850. Present:
Messrs. 0. D. Smalley and "William W. Miller, Commissioners, and S. K. Scovell, clerk of
board of commissioners.
Ordered, That the county of pallas be divided into precincts, with the following metes
and bounds, to-wit: All the territory, commencing at the southeast corner of township (80)
eighty, range (26) twenty-six; thence north to the county line of said county; thence west to
the northwest corner of township (81) eighty-one, range (27) twenty-seven; thence due south
three miles; thence south by east to the place of beginning Bhall constitute one precinct, to
be known and styled the Des Moines Precinct. The first election to be held at the house of
Aaron Johns.
31
494: HI8T0ET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Ordered, That all the territory included in the following metes and bounds, to-wit: Com-
mencing at the northeast corner of township (81) eighty-one, range 28; thence west to the
northwest corner of the county of Dallas; thence due south twelve miles; thence east twenty-
four miles; thence northwest to the place of beginning, shall constitute one precinct, to be
known and styled as the Buena Vista precinct. The first election to be held at the house of
Adam Vineage.
Ordered, That all the territory included in the following metes and bounds, to-wit: Com-
mencing at the southwest corner of Dallas county; thence due east six miles; thence due
north twelve miles, with all the territory west that is attached for election and judicial pur-
poses, shall constitute one precinct, to be known and styled Owens Precinct. The first elec-
tion to be held at the house of John W. Hayes.
Ordered, That all the territory included in the following metes and bounds, to-wit: Com-
mencing at a point on the east line of said county, one mile south of the correction line; theace
due west to the head of Galloway's branch; thence down said branch to its junction with the
north branch of Raccoon river; thence down said river to its junction with the South Rac-
coon river; thence due south to the southern line of said county; thence east along last men-
tioned line to the southeast corner of said county; thence north to the place of beginning,
shall constitute one precinct, to be known and styled the Boone precinct. First election to
be held at the house of John Clayton.
Ordered, That the balance of the territory included in the following metes and bounds, to-
wit: Commencing at a point on the east line of said county, one mile south of the correction
line; thence along the Boone precinct line to its junction with the South Raccoon river;
thence south to the south county line; thence west to the corner of Owens precinct; thence
north to the south line of Buena Vista precinct; thence east along the Buena Vista precinct
line to the southeast corner of said precinct; thence south to the place of beginning, shall
constitute one precinct, to be known and styled Penoach precinct. First election to be held
at Adel.
The diagram on the opposite page gives some idea of this general divis-
ion of 'the county, according to foregoing orders, in 1850.
February 2, 1857, again, we find by the records, that the county was laid
off into ten general divisions, called townships, just doubling the number
previously made, and consequently lessening the territory of each for con-
venience for political and school purposes, as is shown by the following
orders describing each; but it appears that this division was only intended
to be temporary, and none seem to have been regularly organized as settled
townships, no orders or preparations for elections having been made:
DES MOINES TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits, shall
form and constitute the township of Des Moines, to-wit: Commencing at the northeast cor-
ner of Dallas county; thence west to the northwest corner of township eighty-one (81), north,
range twenty-six (26); thence south to the southwest corner of township eighty-one (81),
north, of range twenty-six (26); thence east to the southeast corner of township eighty -one
(81), north, range twenty-six (26); thence north to the place of beginning.
BEAVEE TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court, that the district of country inclosed in the following limits, shall
form and constitute the township of Beaver, to-wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of
township eighty-one (81), north, range twenty-seven (27); thence west to the northwest cor-
ner of the aforesaid township; thence east to the southeast corner of the aforesaid township;
thence north to the place of beginning.
DALLAS TOWNSHIP.
' Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Dallas, to-wit:
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. eighty-one (81), north range twenty-
eight (28); thence west to the northwest corner of township No. eighty-one (81), north range
twenty-nine (29); thence south to the southwest corner of township No. eighty-one (81),
FRECIXTGTS~awI.fl.HaH 5, 1SSO.
BtJENA VISTA
DBS MOINES
81. T.
80. T.,
OWENS
PENOACH
BOONE
79.T.
78.T.
29. R.
28. H.
27. H.
26. B..
HISTOE* OF DALLAS COUNTT. 4:96
north range twenty-nine (29); thence east to the southeast corner of township No. eighty-
one (81), north range twenty-eight (28); thence north to the place of beginning.
This made Dallas township include two congressional townships.
IOWA TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Iowa, to- wit:
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. eighty (80), north range twenty-nine
(29); thence west to the northwest corner of township No. eighty (80), north range twenty-
nine (29); thence south to the southwest corner of township No. seventy-nine (79), north
range twenty-nine (29); thence east to the southeast corner of township No. twenty- nine (29);
thence north to the place of beginning.
SUGAR GEOVE TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Sugar Grove, to- wit:
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. eighty (80), north range twenty-
seven (27); thence west to the northwest corner of township No. eighty (80), north range
twenty-eight (28); thence Bouth to the southwest corner of township No. eighty (80), north
range twenty-eight (28); thence east to the southeast corner of township No. eighty (80),
north range twenty-seven (27); thence north to the place of beginning.
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the followings limits shall
form and constitute the township of Walnut, to- wit:
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. eighty (80), north range twenty-six
(26): thence west to the northwest corner of township No. eighty (80), north range twenty-
six (26); thence south to the southwest corner of township No. seventy-nine (79), north
range twenty-six (26); thence east to the southeast corner of township No. seventy-nine (79),
north range twenty-six (26); thence north to the place of beginning.
BOONE TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Boone, to-wit:
\ Commencing at the northeast comer of township No. seventy-eight (78), north range
twenty-six (26); thence west to the section line dividing sections three (3) and four (4), in
township No. seventy-eight (78), north range twenty-seven (27); thence south on said line
to the south line of Dallas county; thence east on the county line of said county to the south-
east corner of the county aforesaid; thence north to the place of beginning.
'COON TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of 'Coon, to-wit: . .
Commencing at the northeast corner of section nine (9), in township No. seventy-eight (78),
north range twenty-seven (27); thence west to the northwest corner of section seven (7), in
township No. seventy-eight (78), north range twenty-eight (28); thence south to the south-
west corner of township No. seventy-eight (78), north range twenty-eight (28); thence east
to the southeast corner of section thirty-three (33), m township No. seventy-eight (78), north
range twenty-seven (27); thence north to the place of beginning.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Union to-wit: .
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. seventy-eight (78), north range
twentv-nine(29); thence west to the northwest corner of the township aforesaid; thence
south to the southwest comer of Dallas county; thence east on the south line of said county
to the southeast corner of township No. seventy-eight (78), north range twenty-nine (29);
thence north to the place of beginning.
496 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
ADEL TOWNSHIP.
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Adel, to- wit:
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. seventy-nine (79), north range
twenty-seven (27); thence west to the northwest corner of township No. seventy-nine (79),
north range twenty-eight (28); thence south to the southwest corner of township No. seven- ,-:
ty-nine (79), north range twenty-eight (28); thence east to the northwest corner of township -■'-•
No. seventy-eight (78), north range twenty-eight (28); thence south to the line dividing sec-; 'i
tions six (6) and seven (7), in township No. seventy-eight (78), north range twenty-eight j
(281; thence east to the southeast corner of section four (4), in township No. seventy-eight |
(78), range twenty-seven (271; thence north to the township line dividing townships seventy. |
eight (78) and seventy-nine (79); thence east to the southeast corner of township No. seven- ji
ty-nine (79), range twenty-seven (27); thence north to the place of beginning.
In the minutes of March 17, 1857, the following order appears:
County Court, March 17, 1857.
The townships in Dallas county will remain for the -present as heretofore existing prior to
the March term of the county court, 1857, and the elections therein respectively will be held
also as provided by the trustees thereof. Provided, that the township of Walnut shall be
and remain a township as given at the March term of county court, 1857, and a warrant has
been issued by the county court for its organization at the April election, 1857.
The law providing for the election of a county assessor, superceding the necessity of multi-
plying the number of townships.
The diagram on the opposite page gives some idea of the division of the
county, in 1857,
ADEL.
This township occupies the second place from the south and east in the
tiers of townships, and is therefore the southeast one of the four central
townships in Dallas county.
It is known in the government surveys as congressional township 79,
north of range 27, west of the fifth principal meridian.
It was one of the first three electoral precincts formed in the county, as
early as 1849, but was then known by the name of Penoach, and after
passing through various forms and changes of boundary lines, until the
general division of the county was made into precincts, March 5, 1850,
when the territory now included in Adel township constituted a small part
of Penoach precinct. (See order for Penoach, March 5, 1850.)
By the general division of the county again into townships, in February,
1857, Adel township was made to include its present territory with that of
Colfax, and a one mile strip off the north side of what is now Adams, and
also off the west half of Van Meter. (See previous order, February 2,
Nearly two years later the boundaries were extended south to the south
line of the county throwing the old territory of 'Coon township into Adel,
and making the latter include what is now Adel, Colfax, Adams and the
west half of Van Meter township, as shown by the following order, made
in January, 1859:
Ordered, By the court, that the district of country included in the following limits, shall
form, and constitute, the township of Adel, to-wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of
township (79) seventy-nine, range (27) twenty-seven; thence west on the township line,
dividing (79) seventy-nine and (80) eighty to the northwest corner of township (79) seventy-
nine, range (28) twenty-eight; thence south to the southwest corner of said township and
TOWWSXS1FS— FESRT7.&.RY 3, lSST".
DALLAS
IOWA
UNION
BEAVER
SUGAB GROVE
ADEL
'OOON
DBS MOINES
81. T.
80. T.
WALNUT
79.T.
BOONE
78.T.
!9.R.
28. R.
27. H. 26. R.
RTSTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 4:97,
f range; thence east to the northeast corner of township (78) seventy-eight, range (29) twenty-
nine; tnence south on the range line to the south line of Dallas county; thence east on the
county lme to the southeast corner of section (33) thirty-three, township (78) seventy-
eignt, range (27) twenty-seven; thence north on the said section line to the northwest cor-
ner ot section (3) three, township (78) seventy-eight, range (27) twenty-seven; thence east
to the southeast corner of township (79) seventy-nine, range (27) twenty-seven; thence north
on the range line, dividing (26) twenty-six and (27) twenty-seven, to the place of beginning.
No record of any important changes appears in the boundaries of Adel
township, except occasional minor changes of cutting off and adding on
different sections, at various times, for school and other purposes, until
about ten years after the above date, in January, 1869, when Yan Meter,
Adams and Colfax townships were formed into separate organizations, and
Adel township was left in its present form, as bounded by the congressional
township lines, and no record appears of any important change since the
last mentioned date.
Adel township is admirably supplied with water, timber, coal, building
materials and mill privileges. The North Raccoon river passes through the
west side of the township, entering near the northwest corner of section 6,
and flowing in a very crooked course down through the township, passing
out at the south side on section 33. From near the center of section 18 it
runs in a southeasterly course until it reaches nearly the southeast corner of
section 21; then bends abruptly and flows southwest to the southeast cor-
ner of section 29, just east of Adel, where it turns again quite abruptly to
the southeast, and winds on in that direction out of the township. There
is a cut-off, called the slough, which leaves the main branch near the north-
east corner of section 19, and runs nearly in a straight course until it inter-
sects the main branch again just east of Adel, above the wagon-bridge, leav-
ing a large island in the bend of the river, cut off by the slough, on which
island there are several valuable farms. On the east side of the river Hick-
ory creek flows down from the north and empties into the Raccoon river
near the east point of the bend, and a short distance below it Miller's
branch flows in from the east. Butler's branch flows in from the west and
empties into the slough just above the fair grounds, north of Adel; and
other minor streams empty into the river from different localities in the
township. All these larger streams are heavily timbered along their bor-
ders. Abundance of stone and coal is found along these streams, but no
coal mines of any importance have yet been opened or extensively worked
in the township.
A few years ago very strong indications of the existence of iron ore were
discovered in sinking a shaft prospecting for. coal, near Miller's Branch, but
from some cause or other the work of discovering the extent and value of
the mine has not been prosecuted any further. The east and northeast part
of the township contains plenty of excellent farming land, as also the south-
west corner, west of the river, and numerous large and well improved farms
are found throughout the township.
There is a comparatively small amount of wild prairie now to be found
in Adel township, and what little there is still unimproved is principally
owned by capitalists and land speculators, held at high figures.
Adel township has the honor of the second settlement in the county be-
ing made within its present bounds, and also has both the honor and good
fortune of having the county-seat located within its limits.
The first settlement in Adel township was made by Samuel Miller, March
498 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
12, 1846, in what is known as the Miller settlement, a short distance east of
Adel;. and from which settlement doubtless Miller's Branch derived its-
name.
Some time in January, 1846, Samuel Miller, "W. W. Miller and Eli Smith-
son came through here prospecting, selected their claims in the Miller set-
tlement, and returned to their former homes. On the 12th day of March,
1846, Samuel Miller returned here with his family, and settled on his claim
formerly selected, where he lived for many years.
March 25, 1846, W. W. Miller and family, accompanied by his son John
Miller, and his son-in-law, Eli Smithson, and perhaps others, returned here
and settled on their claims as before selected, John Miller taking as part of
his claim the land on which the connty-seat now stands, and afterward re-
linquished his claim on a quarter section in the interests of the county-seat.
Soon afterward these were joined by others (see early settlement), and
before long quite a thriving settlement was formed in the township, which
continued for years to grow, perhaps, the most rapidly of any in the county,
on account of the location of the county-seat.
The first cabin built in the township was Samuel Miller's, on his claim
east of Adel, early in the spring of 1846. The second one was, perhaps, W.
"W. Miller's cabin, built soon afterward.
The first mill in the township was Samuel Miller's "stump mill," started
December 24, 1846, and the first school- house built was the one built by
W. ~W. Miller, as previously described, (see early settlement). The first
school in the township was taught in this house by S. K. Scovell, during
the winter of 1847-8, a three-months' term, at eight dollars per month. It
was a private enterprise, at the expense of W. W. Miller, but free to all
who desired to send their children. , The township now has seven school-
houses, besides the two graded schools at Adel and Dallas Center.
The first post-office established in the township was probably the one es-
tablished at Penoach, with J. C. Corbell as postmaster. There are now two
in the township, Adel and Dallas Center.
The first sermon preached in the township was either by Thomas Butler
or Elder Caste], at a very early day.
The first congregation organized in the township was also the first one
organized in the county, that one organized by Elder John P. Glenn, at the
school-house of W. W. Miller, in May, 1847, which was the origin of the
Christian church now of Adel, in a re-organized form (see sketch under
town of Adel). The township now has five or six churches within its
bounds.
_ Many of the first incidents of importance occurring in Adel township,
like those also of Boone and Van Meter townships, are the same as those
occurring first in the county. A few in each township have been herein re-
peated, simply to give some idea of the first settlements and improvements
in each. To attempt to follow these events up fully, would be unsatisfactory
either for the writer or reader, as it is now impossible to get all the various
incidents, names and dates correctly.
Adel township has two good towns, one near the southwest, and the other
near the northeast corner of the township.
Adel, the county-seat, is located on sections 29 and 32, on the west bank
of the North Raccoon river, and is the oldest town in the township and
county, being laid out in 1847, and is also the largest, having now some
1200 inhabitants.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 499
Dallas Center is located on the north half of section 2, a station on the
Des Moines & Ft. Dodge R R, between twenty and twenty-five miles from
Des Moines. It was laid out in May, 1869, and has between five and six
hundred inhabitants. (See sketches.)
Adel township also has two railroads, making both the towns within its
bounds, railroad towns.
The D. M. & Ft. D. R. R. crosses the northeast corner of the township,
entering at the east side, on section 13, and passing out at the north side on
section 2, thus cutting off about two sections of land to the northeast.
The Des Moines, Adel & Western R. R, running from Waukee to Adel,
extends through the south part of the township, entering the east side of
the township near the southeast corner of section 25, and extending nearly
due west to Adel, which is as far as it is now completed, though the new
railroad bridge is now under contract and process of construction, and will
be completed before spring, when the road will doubtless be extended on to
Redfield and Panora, Guthrie county. This is Adel township's pet rail-
road, of which it is justly proud, and especially the enterprising citizens of
Adel for the energy and liberality and enterprise they have displayed in
putting it thus far under headway, and their untiring perseverance in labor-
ing to push it on through as surveyed and graded.
The township also has one water-power grist mill, situated on the banks
of the slough cnt-off, just northeast of the town of Adel. This mill was
built by J. H. Strong, now of Des Moines, and H. H. Moffatt, in 1856-7,
at a cost of about $20,000, but would now, perhaps, not cost half that
amount. It is now owned by Noeinger & Cantrel. (See sketch, Adel.)
Within the township also are two other mills situated at Dallas Center,
one steam grist mill, owned by R Roberts, and a planing mill owned by C.
Rathbun & Son.
The township also has three good bridges built by the county, one east of
Adel, and two north of Adel; besides one situated nearly on the township
line between this and Sugar Grove township, which may be claimed by
both. These are all frame bridges, and the most of them, if not all, were
built by Jonathan Peppard.
There are also numerous large fruit farms in this township, among which
may be mentioned that of Benjamin Greene adjoining the town of Adel on
the south, known as the old Ira Sherman farm. Mr. Greene has something
over thirty acres of an orchard, well filled with thrifty trees, mostly bear-
ing, and of various and choice varieties; also quite an extensive vineyard,
well kept and fruitful, the vines of which were beautifully laden with
choice grapes during the past years.
Ezra Van Fossen also has an extensive and valuable orchard, about a mile
southwest of Adel, of about the same size and character as that of Mr.
Greene. And throughout the township, especially in the older settle-
ments, the farmers are becoming well supplied with all kinds of tame fruits
of their own raising.
The first election held in the limits of the township, occurred April 5,
1847, at the house of W. W. Miller, that being one of the polling places of
the first election held in the county; and for a long time Penoach was the
voting place for the entire county.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
600 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township Clerk — G-. W. Loomis.
Assessor — S. G. Barton.
Henry Stitzel.
W. H. Kridler.
L. Kenworthy.
G. W. Clark.
B. K. Richmond.
W. T. Allen.
J. L. Clarkson (failed to quality).
Levi JDiddy (appointed).
J. D. Payne.
W. S. Jamison.
W. E. Cartwright.
Wesley Wright.
BOONE.
This township is situated in the southeast corner of Dallas county, and
is known in the government surveys as congressional township 78, range
26, west of the fifth principal meridian.
It has passed through numerous changes in its boundary lines since it
was first called Boone, as it was one of the first three electoral precincts
formed in the county, as early as 1849, and then received its present name.
By the general division of the county into precincts, March 5, 1850, Boone
precinct was made to include all of its present territory, except a one mile
strip along its north side, and also included about- half the present territory
of Van Meter. (See previous order, March 5, 1850.)
In the general division of the county into townships, February 2, 1857,
Boone township was made to include all its present territory and one-half
of Van Meter, as shown by the following order of the county court, re-
corded under the above date:
*
Ordered, By the court, that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form, and constitute, the township of Boone, to-wit: Commencing at the northeast corner
of township No. seventy-eight (78), north range twenty-six (26); thence west to the section
line dividing sections three (3) and four (4), in township No. seventy-eight (78), north range
twenty-seven (27); thence south on said line to the south line of Dallas county; thence east
on the county line of said county to the southeast corner of the county aforesaid; thence
north to the place of beginning.
There seems to have been no important changes after this in the boun-
daries of Boone township until in January, 1869, when Van Meter town-
ship was organized in its present form, leaving Boone bounded, as it now
is, by the congressional township lines.
The main Raccoon river enters the east side of Boone township in the
north part of section 30, then bends abruptly to the south and flows in that
direction for about a mile when it tuns again to the east and flows in a
winding course within about a mile of the south line of the county and
township, until it passes out at the east side of the township on section 25,
and flows on to the Des Moines through Polk county.
HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 501
Sugar Creek extends diagonally from near the northwest corner of the
township toward the southeast until it empties into the Raccoon on section
26, and Johnson creek aoout two miles southwest of it, and nearly parallel
with it, flows in the same general direction until it empties into the same
river to the west. These three streams give the township excellent water
and drainage privileges, as also an abundance of wood, building material,
coal and mill sites. There is considerable timber and rolling land in Boone
township, as also excellent river bottom land ; and a large portion of the
northeast half of the township is admirable prairie land. There is evi-
dently plenty of coal, also, along these streams and bluff lands, but no im-
portant mines have yet been opened, as so many are being worked in other
localities not far distant, and with the conveniences the railroad affords of
shipping, especially with the. extensive Van Meter coal mine so near, it has
not been necessary or profitable to open or work mines in Boone to any
great extent.
When the demand from abroad increases sufficiently to warrant the nec-
essary expenditure, no doubt Boone will be able to find plenty of coal as
convenient and of as good quality as is now found in the neighboring local-
ities along the river, and the work of extensive mining will then be com-
menced in earnest. Building material of almost all kinds is very plentiful
also in the township. Plenty of good stone for building purposes, as also
for lime manufactory, is found within the limits of the township.
It is throughout that locality that the greatest quantities of those "lost
rocks" or limestone boulders have been found. They are becoming less
numerous now, as so many of them have been used on account of the
superior quality of lime they produce. But when these all fail there will
be an almost unfailing supply found in the limestone quarries along the
streams.
The C, B. I. & P. R. B. passes east and west through the township, just
north of the river, crossing the latter at its southern bend, just west of the
town of Booneville.
This railroad gives the entire township excellent market privileges, and
gives it one town, Booneville, within its limits. (See sketch of Boonville.)
Booneville is also its only post-office.
Pjoone township was also among the earliest settlements in the county,
and in giving the separate township histories it should be borne in mind
that for many years, and in fact until January, 1869, Boone township also
included the east half of Van Meter, and, therefore, many of the early in-
cidents which now properly come under the history of Van Meter township
really occurred in what was then Boone. On this account it is difficult to
separate between the two and give the early particulars of each, and miist,
therefore, give much of the early histories of both in one. The first settler
on the present territory of Boone township was John Wright, some time in
1846, on section 22. He had previously settled across the line, in what is
now Van Meter township, early that spring, not far from Levi Wright's
present home, and built the third log cabin erected in Van Meter; but as
Levi Wright informs us, John did not remain on his first claim long until
he moved off by himself into better hunting fields, and settled, as above
stated, on section 22, within the present limits of Boone township, and thus
became the first settler of that township as well as nearly the first in the
other. Soon after he moved over, "Deaf Jim" Wright, his cousin, also
502 HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
went over and made his home principally with John for some time, but still
kept his land in Van Meter, adjoining Levi.
Grreenbury Coffin also settled in Boone township about the same time as
John "Wright, or not long afterward, and near by him, on section 27, they
being brothers-in-law.
In 1847 William D. Boone, George Gresham, J. C. Goodson and John
Johnson also settled in Boone township, and soon afterward others came in
and formed quite a flourishing community. William D. Boone died in 1855.
J. 0. Goodson still lives on his old homestead, owning a large tract of
some 300 acres of land. He first came to this county prospecting in 1846,
but did not move and settle here with his family until 1847, and to him we
are indebted for many important items regarding the township history.
The first school in the township was taught by his wife, Priscilla Good-
son, at an early day.
The first marriage in Boone township was the same as that in Yan
Meter, George Haworth and Mary Stump, Sept. 2. 1847, in Henry Stump's
new hewed-log house. This is also claimed as the first marriage in Van
Meter township, as it occurred in the present limits of Van Meter, and
both parties lived west of the congressional township line, though it was
at that. time Boone township.
They were married by J. C. Corbell, Esq. This being also the first mar-
riage in the county. (See account.)
The same is true also of the first death in these townships, that of old
Mr. Coffin, in the winter of 1846-7, being also the first in the county. (See
account.)
The first cabins were built by John Wright and Greenbury Coffin, in
1846.
The first sermon was preached in the township by a colored minister,
now living in Des Moines, Rev. Ezra Rathburn, at the house of John
Wright. This occurred soon after the settlement was made.
The first circuit preacher who preached in the township was J. Q. Ham-
mond who organized the first church in the township. It was a Methodist
Episcopal Church, and some of the original members were J. C. Goodson
and his wife, Priscilla Goodson, George Gresham and his wife, ISTancy Gres-
ham, Susanna Boone, and Sarah Lane.
This is the only church now in the township, and is called the "Fairview
Church," named by J. C. Goodson. The building is located a little south
of the center of the township, and is the first and only church building in
the township.
Some of the ministers on this circuit who have ministered to it are as
follows: Reverends J. Q. Hammond, Ockerman, Robert Haun, M. H.
Hare, George Clark, Thomas Dixon, Donahue, Fieming, Murphy, Sexton,
Barton, LaMoute, and E. P. Vail, the present pastor, living now at Waukee,
where he also preaches, uniting tlie two churches as one charge. (See
sketch of church at Waukee.)
This township has one good iron bridge spanning the main Raccoon river,
near Booneville, also a fine' railroad bridge a short distance above it, across
the same stream, besides other bridges of minor importance over the smaller
streams in different places. There is also one good steam mill in the town-
ship at Booneville.
There are many large and well impi'oved farms in the township, which
are kept in fine repair by the owners, and stock-raising is followed extens-
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 503
lvely. This township displays some of the best blooded stock in the county,
and has^ perhaps, as many extensive stock- raisers and dealers as any other
locality in the county. It also has some extensive and valuable orchards,
and generally shows thrift and prosperity in like manner with its adjoining
neighbor, Yan Meter.
The Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad passes through the northeast
corner of the township, cutting off a three-cornered piece containing about
two sections.
Boone township has a desirable location, as well as a stable and thrifty
class of citizens, and on account of being sitnated so near Des Moines, as
well as because of its natural advantages and advanced improvements the,
land is generally valuable and readily salable.
The township now has nine school-houses, and as many sub-districtsu-
The township officers elected at the last election were as follows: Town-,
ship Clerk — Simpson Flinn; Assessor — S. S. Parker; Trustees— Jameson,
A. JSTish, Jasper Goodson; Justice— J. M. Flinn; Constable— Austin
Flinn.
VAN METER.
This township is the second one from the east in the south tier of town-
ships in Dallas county. It is known in the government surveys as con-
gressional township 78, north of range 27, "west of the 5th principal!
meridian.
The forks of the Raccoon river are near the center of this township, andl
the Bulger creek flows into the South Raccoon river within the township
boundaries, giving it very fine water, timber and mill privileges. It also
has plenty of good prairie farming land, and some excellent river bottom
land for agricultural purposes.
Its surface is, for the most part, rolling, the soil fertile, and the general
improvements now pretty well advanced. It is becoming quite thickly
settled, and has numerous large and well improved stock and grain farms,
and the citizens are generally in comfortable circumstances.
The territory now known as Yan Meter township was, for a long time
after the organization of the county, without any separate township organ-
ization, being split up and attached to the other adjoining townships. For
a long time the east half was a part of Boone, while a part of the northeast
corner was attached to Adel township, and the remainder, in connection
with the greater part of what is now Adams township, united in forming
'Coon township, which was soon afterward all thrown into Adel township,
and so remained for a number of years, until Adel was settled in its pres-
ent form.
Yan Meter was first settled in its present form by the following order,
made January 4, 1869, as shown by the records :
Ordered, That all that portion of congressional township number seventy-eight (78), range
twenty-seven (27), now included in the township of Boone; and all that portion of said
congressional township number seventy-eight (78), range twenty-seven (27), aforesaid, now
included in Adel, be detached from said townships of Boone and Adel; and that the whole
of said township seventy-eight (78), range twenty-seven (27), shall constitute a new town-
ship, to be called and known as Van Meter township; and it is further
Ordered, That William Ellis be appointed to post notices of the organization of said
township of Van Meter, in pursuance of the statute in such cases made and provided.
504 HISTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
This order established the township in its present form, with the bound-
ary lines of the congressional township above named. Some minor changes
in the boundaries may have occurred since, for school purposes or other
conveniences, but no record of any important or permanent change is
found since that date.
Yan Meter township has the honor of the first settlement' in Dallas
county being made within its present bounds. This settlement was made
by the Stump Brothers, during the fall of 1845, as before stated (see early
settlements.)
Early the next spring a number of more settlers came intjo that vicinity,
„ the Wrights, the Ellises, the Haworths and others, and during that year
the number was increased by the arrival of Henry Stump and family,
Noah Staggs, Mr. Clark, Henry Garner, Henry Busick, John Juvenaugn,
James Black, William P. McCubbin, Richard Golden, John Clayton, Syl-
vanus Night, James Moore, Nathan Moore and William Brown, and doubt-
less others whose names we have not been able to ascertain — making quite
■a thriving settlement in that vicinity during that year.
Wa are indebted to Mr. Levi Wright for the principal information re-
garding the early settlement of this township, who came into that vicinity
in February, 1846, took a claim on section 16, in company with his brother,
James Wright, built a cabin on his claim, and moved his family there
from Polk county the following April, where he still lives, a number more
coming into that and other parts of the county at the same time and in
■company with him.
The first house built in Yan Meter township was also the first one built
in the county, which was the claim cabin, 16x18, built by the Stump broth-
ers early in the winter of 1845, as previously mentioned.
The second claim cabin in the county was built by Levi Wright a few
months later, in the last of February, 1846, about the same size and style
■of structure and architecture as that of the Stump cabin.
John Wright built the third cabin soon afterward, and Henry Stump,
sometime during the spring of 1846 — as Mr Wright informs us — built
the first double, hewed-log house in the township, consisting of two rooms,
•one story high, each room being about sixteen feet square. This house
was considered a fine structure in those days, and perhaps was not sur-
passed in beauty and convenience and comfort for many years.
The first death in this township was also the first one in the county, as
previously mentioned. It was that of old Mr. Coffin, the father of Green-
bury Coffin, and father-in-law of John Wright. He died at Henry Stump's
house, of old age, during the winter of 1846-47, and was buried in the
■Clayton grave-yard (see first death.)
The first school-house in the township was a log cabin, built on section
15, during the spring of 1847, by a claimant who soon moved away and
left it vacant, and for some time it was used as a school-house, until a
better one was provided. The first school taught in this house was taught
■either by William P. McCubbin or Miss Malinda Night. Mr. Wright
informs us that these were the first two who taught school in the township,
but does not remember certainly which taught first.
The first church service was at the house of James Black, some time in
1846. The sermon was preached by Eev. William Busick, a Radical Pro-
testant Methodist, who supplied a circuit west of Des Moines. Religious
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 505
services were then held altogether in private houses and school-houses for
some time.
The first church organization formed in the township was that of a Meth-
odist Episcopal church, some time during 1847, and the first church build-
ing erected and dedicated in the township was probably the one in the town
of Van Meter.
The township has five different grave-yards within its limits: one at De
Soto, one at Yan Meter, one near Levi Wright's, and two others.
The wooden bridge at Yan Meter, built by Jonathan Peppard, is 364 feet
lon^, being a double bridge, and is a model in construction. It is by con-*
siderable the longest bridge in the county, and cost a great amount of money
for its construction.
The iron bridge at Yan Meter's mill on the Adel and De Soto road is 220
feet long, and is also a model bridge of its kind.
This township has two fine bridges, built by the county, one spanning the
main Raccoon river at the town of Yan Meter, and the other across the
South Raccoon at H. G. Yan Meter's mill, near the west line of the town-
ship.
The township has also some good stone-quafries, which furnish both
sandstone and limestone in abundance, and a good many of the limestone
boulders are found scattered on the surface in different places.
It has eight school-houses, besides two graded schools in De Soto and
Yan Meter; and at least five or six church buildings, counting those in the
towns.
There are two. thriving towns in the township, De Soto and Yan Meter,
each of which receive due notice further on, under the head of towns.
Van Meter township affords plenty of coal, and the most extensively
worked coal mine in the county, the one at the town of Yan Meter owned
and worked by the Chicago & Van Meter Coal Company, a sketch of which
is previously given under, the head of "Coal Mines."
It also has two good water-power grist-mills, and numerous excellent mill
sites on the Raccoon river.
H. G. Van Meter's mill is situated on the bank of the South Raccoon,
about three miles west of De Soto, on the main road to Adel. On the same
site was formerly a saw-mill, built by Clover & McPherson about 1855-6,
and the property was sold by them in 1859 to H. G. & Jacob Van Meter,
who tore down the old saw-mill and built a grist-mill a little above, or per-
haps partly on the old mill site, in 1860-1.
This mill is now owned by H. G. Van Meter, and is said to have one of
the best dams on the river, having a head of about seven feet of water. It
has three run of stone, one four-foot burr, one three and a-half feet, and one
two and a-half feet, only two of which are run at once. One burr is capable
of grinding eight bushels per hour as an average. This mill is kept in good
running order, and has a large run of custom.
Jacob Van Meter's mill is situated on the bank of the main Raccoon, near
the town of Van Meter. It was built about 1866-7, and also has two wheat
burrs, each about three feet, and one corn burr about two and a-half feet in
diameter. Each of the wheat burrs is capable of grinding about six bushels
Eer hour, and the dam has a head of about six feet fall. This mill is also^
ept in good repair, and has an extensive custom.
Van Meter township has one good railroad, the C, R. I. & P. R. R.,
which enters the township at the east side, about a mile from the southeast
506 HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
corner, and follows the valley of the main Baccoon river as far as the town
of Yan Meter, where it turns up the valley of Bulger creek, and follows that
in a rather crooked course, passing out at the east side of Yan Meter town-
ship, on section 30, at De Soto.
This road furnishes the township with excellent shipping facilities and
market privileges, and gives it two towns within its limits— De Soto and
Yan Meter— as also two good post-offices at these towns, and daily mails
arrive and depart regularly, north, south, east and west.
» There are numerous large and elegant farm houses and country residences
in the township, among which may be mentioned those of J. J. and H. G-.
Yan Meter, and fine yards and fruit orchards in every direction, all of which
indicate thrift and enterprise on the part of the owners of the farms and
citizens of the township.
The first election held in Yan Meter township was held at the house of
Henry Stump, April 5, 1847, that being one of the polling places at the
first election, and it was then and there chiefly that the spirited contest was
liad between the rival candidates for the office of sheriff, when the jug of
whisky won the day.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were,
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township clerk — J. W. Welch,
Assessor— J. E. Brown.
F. M. Ross,
Jesse Dillon,
J. J. Yan Meter.
Z. Whaley,
J. W. Welch.
J", B. Seaman,
G. W. Tomlinson.
ADAMS.
This township is the second one from the west, in the south tier of
townships in Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as
congressional township 78, north, of range 2'8, west, of the 5th principal
meridian. The South Baccoon river passes almost centrally through it,
east and west, while Panther creek flows into' it from the north, and Bear
creek from the southwest, each emptying into said river near the middle of
the township, about a mile apart,
Adams township is, therefore,* well supplied with water, drainage, tim-
ber, coal, stone and mill privileges, as well as fertile soil and excellent farm-
ing lands, both on the prairies and capacious river bottom's.
The settlements are becoming quite thick, the' land being principally
taken up and cultivated, and it has a good many well improved farms, the
citizens being generally enterprising, thrifty, and' well-to>-do' farmers.
Like that of Yan Meter township, the district of country now known as
Adams township, was for a long time divided up; and constituted parts of
other townships, a strip off the north side about two1 miles- wide being
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 507
joined to Adel township, and the remainder, in connection with part of the
west half of Van Meter, forming what was called 'Coon township for a
while, and then finally all was thrown into Adel township, and so remained
for a number of years, until the following order, as found on the records,
settled it in its present form, January 4th, 1869:
Ordered, That congressional township No. 78, range No. 28, heretofore included in the town-
ship of Adel, be formed into a new township; and that the boundaries of said new township
shall be the boundaries of said congressional township 78, range 28; and that said township
shall be called and known as Adams township. And it is further
Ordered, That Stephen Adams be appointed to post notices of the organization of said
township, in pursuance of statute, in such cases made and provided.
This order established the new township of Adams in its present form,
and no order appears on reeord of its having been changed since, being still
bounded by the lines of said congressional township 78, range 28.
The new township was named -after Stephen Adams, one of its present
honored citizens, who was one of the influential ones in getting it set off
from Adel, and organized as a separate township, as above described.
It appears that a difference of opinion existed with regard to a railroad
tax about to be voted on in Adel township, to which tax most of the citizens
of Adams were opposed. In order to save further trouble and settle the
matter peaceably, and in the most satisfactory manner to all, a petition was
gotten up, signed by Mr. Adams and others, and presented to the county
court, asking that the territory above described be set apart and organized
as a separate township, which petition was granted, and Mr. Adams was
appointed by the court to complete the organization of the said township in
pursuance of law, the township thus taking the name of Adams.
"We are indebted to Mr. George S. Hills for the principal information re-
garding the early settlement of Adams township, who came in May 18,
1846, and settled on his present homestead, sections 10, 11, 14 and 16,
where he still lives, comfortably fixed and well provided. John Longmire,
his neighbor, adjoining on the west, and Tristram Davis, who settled just
adjoining the latter on the west, were perhaps the first settlers in Adams
township. Mr. Longmire and Mr. Davis came in the month of February,
1846, selected their claims, made some improvements, and returned for
their families, and then moved out here again, arriving May 14, 1846; at
the same time with George S. Hills, John Davis, a brother, and Levi Davis,
a son of Tristram Davis, and perhaps others, all came in at the same time
and settled along the north side of South Raccoon, adjoining one another,
with their farms extending down on the fertile river bottom lands.
Levi A. Davis settled on a claim just east of George S. Hills, while his
uncle, John Davis, settled just west of Tristram's claim, and that fall
Archibald Crowl came in and settled on a claim just west of John Davis.
During the summer or early fall of 1847, Nathan and Abner McKeen
settled on the west side of Panther creek. There are doubtless other set-
tlers who came in during this period of time, whose names and locations
and dates of arrival we cannot ascertain, but the above named persons were
among the first and, perhaps, the principal ones. The settlement and im-
provement gradually increased until the year 1850, when there was quite a
brisk immigration which filled up the township quite rapidly. The win-
ters of 1847-8, and 1848-9 were considered by the settlers as the hardest
508 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
they ever witnessed before or since, and it required very careful work and
management on the part of all in order to succeed in wintering through.
The north half of Adams township was generally settled first, along the
timber and bottom lands of the South Eaccoon and Panther creek, and in
these localities are now found the greatest number of old settlers, and some
of the best farms in the township. Other localities, however, were grad-
ually settled, and with their greately increased advantages were not long in
catching up with their older neighbors.
The first claim-pen in the township was built by Tristram Davis in the
spring of 1846. It was simply a log pen about sixteen feet square, built
up hurriedly so as to form the sides of a house, and let stand there for
awhile so as to secure his claim. He afterward covered it with bark and
lived in it all summer.
John Longmire built the first log house in the township, in the spring of
1846, also. It was 16x18 feet, built of round logs scotched down at the
corners during the process of building, and afterward the sides were hewed
down, making it a finished hewed-log house, in which he lived many years,
until he next built a larger hewed-log house.
George S. Hills built the first frame house in the township, 24x48 feet, a
story and a-half high, with a one-story kitchen, in 1857, in which he lived
until a few years ago, when he built another new frame house, his present
residence.
The first death that occurred in the township was that of a child of some
travelers passing through, whose name is unknown.
The child died on the journey and was buried in the Davis burying-
ground. This burying-ground was located on the northeast quarter of the
northeast quarter of section 16, and was a donation of Tristram Davis to
the general public for that purpose, but it was never deeded to any one.
When he sold out he made a reservation of the grave-yard land, but still
failed to deed it, to trustees, and it still remains in that unsettled condition,
for which reason, perhaps, not very many have felt secure in burying their
friends and relations there, not knowing into whose hands it might fall.
The first death among the settlers of the township was that of Miss
Matilda Hill, and her sister Malinda also died about two weeks afterward.
These deaths occurred in July, 1850, and the remains of both were interred
in the Davis burying-ground.
There are at least two other places of burying in the township, though
only one of these is regularly fenced. It is south of the river, on section
14, and this one, with the Davis burying-ground, are the only ones fenced
in the township.
There is no church building in Adams township, and no church organi-
zation that we can learn of; the people generally going to the neighbor-
ing towns to church.
The first attempt at building a school-house in the township promised
fairly at first but finally proved a failure. The need of such an institution
being felt, the citizens met and decided on their plan, each one agreeing to-
do his share by furnishing necessary materials. Some promised to furnish
the materials for the sides, others the ribs, others the roof, others the floor,
etc., etc., and the plan seemed to be working nicely; but it turned out that
some of those who promised were prompt and faithful to fulfill their
promises, while others failed, so the whole scheme fell through, and the re-
sult was they had no school-house until one was built by law, in 1853,
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 509
which was a frame house 16x18 feet, situated on the southeast quarter of
section 11.
The contract for building this house was let, with the understanding that
when the property of the district so increased as to be sufficient to pay off
this debt by a tax of 15 mills on the dollar, a tax should then be levied to
that effect and the debt paid off.
At this time the entire township constituted one district, being then
only part Penoach township, and the house being so far distant from many
parts of the school district when finished, it was not at all profitable or
convenient for many families to send to the school, and such did not feel
like submitting to the tax levy for this purpose.
It was proposed by George S. Hills and others, in view of these difficul-
ties that all those living sufficiently convenient to the new school-house
should pay their per cent of the proposed tax in advance, and thus pay off
the contractors and workmen. This was done, and a sufficient amount in
this way was soon raised and paid in, and all the debt squared, those pay-
ing their money, in the mean time, each taking a note from the district for
the amount paid, to draw ten per cent interest until the district should be
able to lift them, or until the school district should become small enough
for all within its bounds to attend the school, then a tax should be levied
and the notes raised.
The original cost, including house and apparatus, was $161, and notes
were given out by the district for this amount, in return for money paid in,
and loaned by individuals to pay off this debt. These notes range in
amounts from $3 to $25, and by some mismanagement on the part of those
placed in charge of financial affairs of the district, none of these notes
have ever yet been paid, but are treasured, rusty and worn, by those who
loaned the money for the benefit of the district in the time of need, and
for the advancement of the cause of education.
The following is a copy of one of these notes held by George S. Hills,
which, after an hour's search, was dug out of a huge pile-of old papers,
where it had remained buried for years. The original note was not drawn
on buckskin but it will wear yet for many years, and would be as good as
gold if he could only draw the money on it. But he congratulates himself
that he is not alone in the boat, as there are numerous others in with him,
and some singing to the tune of $25. The note reads as follows:
To the Treasurer of District No. 4, Penoach Township :
You are hereby authorized to pay Geo. S. Hills ten dollars, with interest at ten per cent
per annum until paid, from date. This January the 13th, A. D. 1854.
Clark Hill,
Attest: President of School District No. 4, Penoach Township.
J. W. Garoutte, Secretary.
This house was built by J. W". Garoutte, in 1853, and was used as the
school-house of that district until about six years ago, when a new one was
built, and the old one was moved away for a dwelling-house, for which pur-
pose it is still in use.
The first public school in the township was taught in this house during
the winter of 1854-5, by Samuel J. Garoutte.
Miss Mary Holt succeeded him as teacher the next term, and kept a pri-
vate school in the same school-house, being paid by George S. Hills.
Stephen Adams— for whom the township was named — taught the first
32
510 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
school in the township, on the south side of the river, during the winter of
1856-7, in an old log house belonging to old Mr. Bilderback, and testifies
that it was a very cold winter.
There are now ten good school-houses in the township.
The first, water-mill in the township was built in 1856, by Charles Bil-
derback, on the northwest half of section 16, on the banks of the South
Raccoon river, the same site where Mitchel & Payton's mill now stands,
and Samuel J. Garoutte was the mill-wright who constructed it.
Messrs. Mitchell & Payton afterward purchased the property and now
have a fine water-power flouring mill, kept in good repair and doing a
thriving business. This is the only mill in the township.
There is plenty of coal in the township, along the streams, in thin veins
eighteen to twenty inches in thickness, but no mines of great importance
have yet been opened and worked. Marsh's bank is the only one worked
to any extent in the township (which see under " coal mines ").
The Bear creek stone-quarry is also located in Adams township, and is
perhaps the most extensive one in the county.
They are not working it now to any great extent but in the summer sea-
sons from twenty to thirty hands generally employed. (See building ma-
terial.)
Adams township also has one fine iron bridge across the South Raccoon
river at Mitchell & Payton's mill, 160 feet long, and also one at Panther
creek, built by the county.
The Chicago, Bock Island & Pacific Kailroad passes through the south-
east corner of Adams township, and the stone-quarry branch runs up from
Earlham, a distance of about a mile and a-half from the south line. The
township has no post-office in its limits, but De Soto and Earlham supply
the need.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Township Clerk — J. R. Wilson.
Assessor — Stephen Adams.
Trustees — J. W. Forrester, William Brown, William King,
Justices — Stephen Adams, J. D. Marsh. (Both held over from last
year.)
Constable — Alden Whitney.
Officers of school board — President, D. W. Snyder; Treasurer, Thomas
Bilderback; Secretary, Stephen Adams.
UNION.
This township is situated in the southwestern corner of Dallas county, and
is known in the government survey as congressional township 78, range 29,
west of the fifth principal meridian.
The South Raccoon river flows entirely across the northern portion of the
township in a winding course, and the Middle Raccoon river enters at the
northwest corner of the township, and flows in a southeasterly course until
it empties into the South Raccoon just below the site of Wiscotta, thus
furnishing all the northern portion of the township with abundance of
wood, water, mill sites, stone-quarries and coal mines.
The south part of the township, comprising nearly two-thirds of the en-
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 511
tire area, has excellent, fertile, rolling prairie land, which is now well culti-
vated, and in many cases converted into well improved valuable farms.
This township has not so large a per cent of timber land as those east of
it, as the river runs farther to the north; but these deficiencies are more
than compensated by other redeeming qualities, making Union one of the
very best townships in the county.
It is not so old a settled township as some others in the county, but has,
sprung up with a rapid, healthful growth, and is scarcely surpassed by its
neighbors in any of counties adjoining. To show what the people think of
their own township we quote part of an article from the Dexter Herald, as
follows:
" Iowa is one of the best States in the Union, and Dallas county is one of
the best counties in the State, and Union township is one of the best town-
ships in the county. The township is in the 78th tier of townships north,
and in the 29th west of the 5th principal meridian, and is situated in
the southwest corner of the county, and is one of the most thickly popu-
lated townships in the county, and is well watered by 'Coon river and its
tributaries. It is bounded on the south by Penn township, Madison county,
on the west by Penn township, Guthrie county, on the north by Linn town-
ship, Dallas county, and on the east by Adams township, Dallas county.
While it is mostly prairie, there is an abundance of timber along the banks
of 'Coon river to supply it with fuel for the present. There is also an
abundance of coal, easy of access, along the banks of the river, and under-
lying the whole township. It contains two good business towns, viz: Dex-
ter and Redfield; Dexter near the southern and Redfield the northern line.
The C, R. I. & P. R. R. goes for quite a distance through the southern part
of the township, giving it the advantage of easy access to market.
"The eastern, or Bear Creek, settlement is one of the oldest and best set-
tlements in Dallas county, and, we may also add, in Central Iowa. The soil
throughout the township is a rich, deep loam, and almost inexhaustible, and
•capable of producing crops equal to those of the far-famed Miami valley,
of Ohio. Stone for building purposes is also found in quantities in various
parts. Artificial groves have sprung up as if by magic, and gives it a beau-
tiful appearance, as well as greatly enhancing the value of the land. For a
person accustomed to living in a timber country, to take a ride over this
township on a fine summer day, the view is enchanting. Here you will see
a stretch of prairie; over there you will see a beautiful grove surrounding
a fine residence, with all modern improvements; and, again, your eye will
be delighted with a long row of stately tree's, entirely surrounding a field
or an entire farm. Ton will see residences that would be the pride of any
community. Yon will see churches and school-houses that show to the
observer that this is a land of religion and education as well as agriculture.
You will see mills that grind the grain that is raised here in such abund-
ance, and prepare the material for the houses, and the cloth for your clothes.
You will see men burrowing in the ground,, and bringing forth the black
diamonds in abundance. Yon will see large fields of grain that would put
Illinois or Michigan to shame. You will see vineyards that will, in a few
years, equal the far-famed vineyards of Kelley's Island in Lake Erie. You
will see orchards that will, in a few years, outstrip those of Michigan and
New York, for Iowa is no. longer behind other States in the culture of fruit;
You will find every class of business represented. You will find some as
512 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
fine farms as your eye would care to look upon, and all in a high state of
cultivation."
By the first general division of the county into precincts, the territory
now included in Union township formed part of what was called Owens
precinct, which included all the present territory of Union and Linn town*
ships, together with a two mile strip off the west side of what is now Colfax
township. (See previous order of March 5, 1850.)
This arrangement did not continue long however, for under date of April
9, 1850, another order appears on the minutes which throws all the territory
of Owens precinct into Penoach precinct. And again in less than a year,
January 6, 1851, Union township is formed, including nearly the same ter-
ritory as was before included in Owens precinct, as is is shown by the fol-
lowing:
Ordered, That all the territory included within the following limits be organized into a
township to be called Union township, viz :
Commencing at the southwest corner of Dallas county; running from thence east six miles,
from thence north to the correction line; from thence west two miles; from thence north six
miles; thence west six miles; thence south with the west line of the county to place of begin-
ning; and that the election in April, 1851, be held at the house of John W. Hayes.
By the above order Union was made to include not only its present terri-
tory, but also that now known as Linn township. It seems to have re-
mained in the above described shape for several years until June i, 1855,
when it passed through another change, as shown by the following:
Ordered, By this court that hereafter the following shall be the boundaries of Union, town-
ship as •petitioned for by divers citizens of Union and Penoach townships :
Commencing at the southwest corner of Dallas county; thence east six miles;_ thence north
to the correction line; thence east on she correction line to the corners dividing sections
thirty-two (32), and thirty-three (33); thence north six miles; thence west to the county line;
thence south on the west line of Dallas county to the place of beginning.
Again the minutes show that the following order made on February 2,
1857, first established Union township in its present form as bounded by
the congressional township lines :
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Union, to- wit:
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. seventy-eight (78), north range
twenty-nine (29); thence west to the northwest corner of the township aforesaid; thence
south to the southwest corner of Dallas county; thence east on the south line of said county
to the southeast corner of township No. seventy-eight (78), north range twenty-nine (29);
thence north to the place of beginning.
It then continued in the above described convenient and settled condition
until May 9, 1859, when five sections were added to it for school purposes,
by the following order of the county court:
Whereas, The people living on sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, township No. seventy-nine
(79), range twenty-eight (28) west, have shown that they suffer great inconvenience for the
want of school facilities, by reason of their isolation, and therefore ask that they may be at-
tached township of Union, thereby securing to themselves the privileges of a common school;
and they further ask that the east half of section thirty-six (36), township No. seventy-nine
(79), north range twenty-nine (29), west, be also detached from Linn township and added to
the township of Union. It is therefore
Ordered, That the said territory be added to the now Union township for the purpose of
accommodating the people living therein.
HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 513
The above mentioned five sections remained thus attached for school pur-r
poses until June 7, 1870, when Union township was again settled with its
present boundary lines by the following order of the board of supervisors,
and from which it has not since been changed:
Ordered, That all the territory included within congressional township No. 78, north of
range 29, west of fifth P. M., Iowa, shall constitute the township of Union.
Thus it is seen that Union, like several others of the townships, has been
made to pass through numerous changes of form since first named. But has
at last, though quite recently, become settled in a permanent and conven-
ient form from which it will not probably be changed for some years to
come.
The first settler in Union township, as Judge Burns informs us, was
David Dailey, who settled on section 4, sometime in 1847.*
He was joined in the spring of 1848 by Humphrey Smith and his son-
in-law, Henry Owens, who, in partnership, built the first mill in the town-
ship, near the mouth of Cottonwood creek, on the banks of the South Rac-
coon river. (See account.)
Others may have come in about the same time, or previous, whose names
and dates have not been received. In February, 1848, Leroy Lambert, now
of Adel, settled on section 6, near the west line of the county, where he
lived for a number of years.
About the same time, or not long afterward, Mr. Wilcox, and others,
came into that vicinity; but the settlement in this township did not in-
crease very rapidly during the years of 1848-9; while in 1850-1 there was
quite a rapid increase.
In 1850 the Cavenaugh brothers, Patrick, Thomas and Michael Cave-
naugh, came in and bought the claim of David Dailey, in section 4.
They also entered. a large tract of land adjoining it, which included the
present site of Redfield. A few years later they laid out the town of New
Ireland on part of the present site of Redfield, and a few years afterward
they sold the town site and large tract of land adjoining it to Redfield and
Moore,- after which the name of the town was changed. (See sketch of
town.)
About this time, also, Elisha Morris came into the vicinity. J. W.
Hayes settled on section 5, west of Redfield; John F. Willis, on section 4,
which is now partly included in the town plat of Redfield; Nelson Cave
settled on section 4, some three-quarters of a mile southwest of town, where
he died the following year.
In 1848-9 L. D. Hewitt settled on section 8, where he died about two
years ago, having lived on the old homestead some 28 years. He was a
great fruit man, one of the best in the county, and a highly respected
citizen.
In 1849, also, Charles Vermillion settled on section 8. He still owns the
property though living now in Dexter.
In 1850 Uriah Stotts settled in Union township on section 8, where he
still lives as an ex-probate judge of Dallas county. He had come to the
county at an early day and settled first in Van Meter township, perhaps as
♦This statement regarding the first settlement of Union township is at variance with one made in the previous
part of the work, under early settlement, because of additional information received, since sending the other to
press.
514: HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
early as 1847-8, but moved to Union in 1850, and settled on his present
homestead.
In 1849 or 1850 George B. Warden also settled on section 1, three miles
east of Kedfield. He had previously lived for some time in Adel, and sold
goods in the old court-house.
Elijah Thomas, also, and his three sons, Mahlan C, Martyn and Abner
Thomas came in 1850. Two years afterward Martyn died, and Abner died
in the army. Mahlon C. Thomas is still living in Kedfield, and to him we
are indebted for many important items regarding this township and town.
The above names are but a few of the settlers during that period; but
they are only given as some who were among the early settlers of Union
township. Since those days the general appearance of things is radically
changed, and Union is no longer the weak, sparse settlement, but the in-
fluential, thickly populated township.
The first cabin in the township was probably built by David Dailey in
1847,* and the next ones by Humphrey Smith and Henry Owens, who built
the first water mill; and the Cavenaughs, perhaps, erected the next cabin.
The first death in the township was probably that of David Dailey's child,
soon after he settled in the township; and some time in 1849 Mrs. Brewer
died, on the Smith property, and was buried in the Wiscotta burrying-
f round. In 1850 old Mr. Cavenaugh, father of the Cavenaugh brothers,
ied near the present site of Kedfield, before the town was laid out, and
soon after he arrived in the county. He was buried in the WisGotta bury-
ing-ground, and a few years ago his remains were removed to Des Moines.
He was over eighty years of age when he died.
The first grave-yard started in the township was the Wiscotta grave-yard,
above mentioned. The ground for this was donated to the public for bury-
ing purposes by the Cavenaughs when the town was first laid out, and the
grave-yard property was deeded to three trustees, Isaac Fee, George Noel
and John Puffer. It is still the principal one in the township. There is
another now near Dexter, which has been deeded and laid out for several
years.
Union township is well supplied with mills, having at least four good water
mills and one steam mill within its bounds.
The Parker & Hollingsworth grist and saw-mills, known as the Kedfield
mills, stand just west of the town of Kedfield, on the same site of the old
Cavenaugh mill. This old mill was built about 1854-5, by Thomas Cav-
enaugh, now of Des Moines. It was a frame structure, and, from all ac-
counts, a pretty jolly time was had at the raising of it. L. D. Burns was
the mill-wright in its construction. It was afterward burned down. The
grist-mill now on the same site was built by Hollingsworth & Brown in
1874, and the saw-mill was built in 1872, by Amos Dowe, of Maine.
The Wiscotta mill, situated about one mile southeast of Kedfield, on the
north bank of the South Kaccoon, was built in 1865, by Bowles & Horner,
and is now owned by Zimri Horner & Co. A sad accident occurred near
this mill a short time ago. Two men attempted to cross in a boat while
the river was terribly swollen and the current very swift, so that with all
their strength and efforts they could not stem the current nor keep their
boat right side up, and they were swept over and drowned.
The Newport woolen mills, situated just across the river from Horner's
mills, and using the same dam, were built about the same time by Joseph
Cook and A. W. Lewis. The dam was built in partnership. This mill has
HIST0KY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
515
changed hands several times, and is now in the possession of Joseph R.
Sheely. It is not running, and has not been for some two years.
The Cottonwood mill, on the South Raccoon, also, about one mile east of
the Wiscotta mill, was built about 1870 by Bowles, Pearson & Hollings-
worth. This one has also changed hands several times, and is now owned
by Mr. Sheely, and is doing good work.
At Dexter there is a steam grist-mill within the corporation, owned by
Mr. Manlsby, which is doing a thriving business.
The Compton steam saw-mill is also in Union township, some miles
southeast of Redfield. It was built in 1856 at Wiscotta, and afterward re-
moved to its present site, about thirteen years ago.
Union township also has some good coal-mines (see coal-mines), and sev-
eral county bridges. The bridge at Redfield, built by Jonathan Peppard,
240 feet long, is said to be the best wood bridge in the county. An iron
bridge 150 feet long is now being built across the South Raccoon by the
King Bridge Company, of Ohio, in place of the old wood bridge torn down.
There are also several other smaller county bridges in the township span-
ning Bear creek and the North river near Dexter.
This township now has nine school-houses, and as many sub-districts, be-
sides the graded and public schools in the different towns, the Bear Creek
Academy, and the large Normal school-building now being erected at Dex-
ter.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township clerk — C. R. Wright.
Assessor — T. C. Chance.
J. E. Stiles,
Leverett Brown,
Evan George.
Mahlon C. Thomas,
John A. Carrothers.
David Chance,
William Stephens.
The township has two post-offices, one at Redfield and one at Dexter.
DES MOINES.
This township is situated in the northeast corner of Dallas county, and
is known in the Government surveys as congressional township 81, range
26, west of the 5th principal meridian.
It has passed through a good many changes in its boundary lines since
it was first organized, being one of the first three electoral precincts formed,
as early as 1849. And by the general division of the county into precincts,
March 5, 1850, Des Moines was constituted one, as shown by the order
given on that date (previously quoted).
It was then made to include, not only its present territory, but the
greater part of Beaver and Grant townships as well.
516 HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
In the general division into townships, February 2, 1857, it was constitu-
ted, in its present form, as bounded by the congressional township lines;
(See order previously given, Feb. 2, 1857.)
In October of the same year a change occurred, which added a two-mile
strip to its south side, six miles in length, as is shown by the following
order made by the county court, October 5, 1857.
Now comes Caleb Crawford and others, and files a petition asking the court to strike off
two miles from the north end of township 80, north of range No. (26) twenty-six (being a
part of Walnut township), and attach the same to Des Moines township; and it appearing
that the people on this strip are laboring under great inconvenience from their being isolated
from the main settlement in Walnut township, and their proximity to the settlements in Des
Moines township, making it much more convenient to be attached' to Des Moines township, it
is ordered that the two-mile strip aforesaid be attached to Des Moines township and form a
a part thereof.
Again in January, 1859, the following change was duly authorized by
the court:
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Des Moines, to- wit:
Commencing at the north-east corner of Dallas county; thence west to the northwest
corner of township eighty-one (81), range twenty-seven (27); thence south to the south?
west corner of section eighteen (18), township eighty-one (81), range twenty-seven (27);
thence east to the southeast corner of section sixteen (16), township eighty-one (81). range
twenty-seven (27); thence south to the southwest corner of section twenty-seven (27); thence
east to the northeast corner of section thirty-six (36), township eighty-one (81), range
twenty-seven (27); thence south to the southwest corner of section seven (7), township
eighty (80), range twenty-six (26); thence east on the section line to the east line of Dallas
county; thence north to the place of beginning.
This change of line cut off all the northeast part of Beaver township
and added it to Des Moines township. In June, 1861, it was organized with
its present boundary lines, which cut off from Des Moines township. all
that had been before added lying west of the range line dividing ranges
26 and 27 (see sketch of Beaver). And in September, 1868, Grant town-
ship was organized^ its present form, which cut off from Des Moines all
that had been previously taken from Walnut township, leaving Des Moines
township reduced to its present ^form as bounded by the congressional
township lines, and no record appears changing it since that date.
The Des Moines river passes through the northeast corner of this town-
ship, entering at the north side on section 3, and flowing out at the eagt
side on section 25, pretty well down toward the southeast corner; and
Beaver creek flows across the southwest corner, cutting off nearly three
sections of land by its winding course.
These two streams afford sufficient water and drainage for all parts of
the township. And the Des Moines, having a heavy belt of timber along
it, furnishes a plentiful supply for all the citizens of the township. Quite
a large per cent of the township is timbered and hilly land; but still there
is a sufficient quantity of good arable land which is of a very fertile char-
acter, and some excellent bottom lands near the river and Bear creek.
There is still some uncultivated prairie land in the township; and there
are also numerous large, well-improved farms.
A settlement was made in this township at a very early day, it being
among the very first settlements in the county.
The first settlement in this township was made by 0. D. Smallev, May
18, 1846, who moved in at that time and took possession of the lancl. He
JIISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 517
located on the northwest quarter of section 26, where he still lives, and for
several months held sole possession of all that region of country, until in.
September, 1846, John and David Speare settled on section 11, up in the
timber near the Des Moines river, while Mr. Smalley chose a prairie loca-
tion, i
August 15, 1846, Jerry Evans settled' on section 2, in the timber, also
near the" river, and well toward the northeast part of the township and
county, not far from the present site of Kuth's Mill.
Judge McCall settled on section 12, on the prairie east of the river, in
September, 1846.
Samuel Bamsey settled on section 26, in October, 1846, and Judah Learn-
ing settled on the southwest quarter of section 23, March 1, 1847. Each
not far from the present location of the Snyder post-office.
The settlers of 1846 were not very numerous in this township, and the
number was not very greatly increased during the next year, but they
afterward began to come in and fill up the settlements gradually, enabling
this township to keep pace with the general progress elsewhere in the
county, until it is now in prosperous condition and pretty generally settled
up.
The first election was held at the house of Judah Learning, in August,
3848, which was also the fourth election held in the county, the other two
polling places in the county being Penoach and the house of William P.
McCubbin.
; The first post-office established in the township was at the house of O.
D. Smalley, in September, 1858, O. D. Smalley also being appointed the
first postmaster. The township now has two post-offices, Xenia post-office
being located near the north line of the township, and Snyder post-office
located in the southeast part of the township.
The first school was taught in the house of Martin Tucker, in 1850, by
Dr. Plumly, and had ten pupils in attendance. There are now seven
school-houses in the township, and one hundred and eighty voters. It is
an independent school district.
There are also three coal mines in the township, all located on section
14, and plenty of coal is to be found in various other localities along the
river (see coal mines).
Beaver creek is spanned with one frame bridge, near tho southwest cor-
ner of the township, on section 33. The township has one steam saw and
grist-mill, known as " Euth's Mill," situated on section 3, near the norths
east corner of the township, and not far from the Des Moines river, owned
by W. Euth.
It was built by the present owner in 1867, has two run of stone, and is
doing a thriving business, having a good local custom. There is also a
steam saw-mill situated on section 24, owned by Mr Taylor.
The first minister in the township was John Johns, a Baptist, who
probably held the first church service in the township. There is now one
church organization and church building in the township — the Methodist
Episcopal church, at Xenia.
The township has no railroad, and but one town (Xenia) within its
bounds, and that is only a small village, consisting of a few houses, and is
situated near the north line of the township, on the line between sections
■4 and 5. The nearest market towns for the township are Minburn and
518 HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Perry in Dallas county, and Boone, on the C. & N. W. R. R., in Boone
county, about twelve miles north of Xenia.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township clerk— W. S. Craft.
Assessor — O. D. Smalley.
S. S. Purdy,
Peter Stoker,
Jacob Wingerson.
Z. E. Cottrell,
John Hunt.
S. S. Zenor,
Jacob Lawson.
WASHINGTON.
This township occupies the second place from the north and'west in the
tiers of townships, and is, therefore, the northwest one of the four central
townships of Dallas county. It is known in the government surveys as
congressional township 80, north of range 28, west of the fifth principal
meridian. It lies high and dry, and contains a large tract of fine prairie
and farming land, a continuation of the excellent quality of land found in
the north part of Colfax township. It has a good many well-improved
farms, and is commencing to turn off annually large supplies of stock and
grain of various kinds. There is also considerable uncultivated prairie of
excellent quality held by speculators at high figures, which tends to retard
the growth of the township; but despite of all this, general improvements
and cultivation are being carried on in a most commendable manner, and
Washington township is making a healthful, vigorous growth.
The North Raccoon river flows in a southeasterly course through the
east side, cutting off several sections from the northeast corner of the
township, but following along down near the east line for some distance
after leaving the township boundaries, so as to leave the timber belt either
in the township or near the line during nearly the entire length of the east
side.
This stream, together with other smaller ones, flowing into it from the
township makes water, timber, coal and building material quite plentiful
and convenient to all parts of the township. »
There is plenty of coal along the river in this locality, and several banks
have been opened and worked some, but not very extensively, except for
home consumption. The vein in this locality is from twenty to thirty
inches thick. (See coal mines.)
By the general division of Dallas county into precincts, nnder date of
March 5, 1850, the territory now included Washington township, was made
to form part of Buena Yista precinct; March 3, 1856, it became part of
Sugar Grove township; and in general division of the county into town-
ships, February 2, 1857, it still constituted the west half of Sugar Grove
township.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 519
A little more than a year afterward, March 2, 1858, the following order
was made by the county court, constituting a new township by the name
of Washington:
Now, on this day, comes D. M. Starbuck et. al., and files a petition for the division of
Sugar Grove township. Thereupon it was
Ordered, That the district of country included within the following bounds shall form and
constitute the township of Washington, to- wit: All that portion of township No. eighty
(80), north of range No. twenty-eight (28), lying west of the North Raccoon river, and all
of the township No. eighty (80), north of range No^ twenty-nine (29) west; and that a
warant issue for an election, to be holden at the school-house, m school district No. 4, in said
township, on the first Monday of April, A. D. 1858, for the perfecting an organization of
said township; and that there be elected, at that time and place, three township trustees, one
township clerk, two justices of the peace, and two constables, and such other officers as may
be provided by law.
By the above order Washington township was first made to include all
its present territory lying west of the Raccoon river, and all of what is now
Lincoln township, and so it continued to remain in the above described
shape until in June, 1867, when the present territory of Lincoln was cut
off and formed into a separate organization, as shown by the order under
that township.
Washington was then reduced below its present size, having only that
portion of the congressional township 80, range 28, which lies west of the
river and thus it remained without much of any change until June 7,.
1870, when the board of supervisors made the following order concerning
it:
Ordered, That all the territory included within congressional township No. eighty (80),
•north of range No. twenty-eight (28), west of fifth P. M., Iowa, shall constitute the town-
ship of Washington.
This new boundary line added to Washington quite a large corner of
Valuable land, comprising nearly four sections on the east side of the river
in the northeast corner of the township, and fixed it in its present form
with the congressional township boundaries, and no record appeal's of any
important change having been made since that date.
The first settler in Washington township was John Sullivan, who came
in with his family and made a settlement within its present boundaries in
1848, and afterward traded his claim and cabin for a gun worth $6.00.
Regarding the early settlement of Washington township, Judge Burns
also makes the following statement in his centennial history:
"In 1848, also, James McLane, Jacob Minter, Samuel Mars, John S. Sam-
mis, Redish, soldiers of the Mexican war, from Kentucky, settled and
took claims about, and comprising the farm of Henry Myers in Washington
township. John Bivers, an unmarried man, took a claim about the same
time. Bivers made his home at George P. Garoutte's."
This settlement was near the northeast corner of the township, and was
for a long time in Sugar Grove township, east of the river, even after Wash-
ington was organized, but is now in Washington.
Martin W. Miller settled here also in 1848; William Rouse, William T.
Clark and others in 1849; David M. Starbuck and others in 1850, making
Washington an early settlement and giving it a good start to grow to. its
present state of thrift and enterprise.
The first school in the township was taught by John Warford in the
northeast part of the township, in 1857. It now has nine school-houses.
520 HISTORY PF DALLAS COUNTY.
The first religions services were held on section 36, by Rev. Abram Lau-
bach, a Methodist minister.
There are two churches in the township, a Christian chapel and an M. E.
church. The latter has no church building, but meet in the Beaver school-
house for services, and are now talking of building. They have a member T
ship of 64. For particulars see the account given of this church by its
pastor, Rev. David Shenton, under the history of Adel.
'The following sketch of the. history of the Christian Church is taken
from the records, as kindly furnished by Mr. Bly, the county sheriff:
"The Church of God in Christ," in Washington township, Dallas county,
Iowa^ was organized June 30, 1866, at the Buchanan school-house, situated
on the south side of section No. 23. Bro. J. T. Bly, who was then preach;
ing irregularly at that point, was the officiating evangelist. The names of
the charter members are as follows: John Strader, Margaret Strader, Noah
Strader, Jeremiah Reaves, Catharine Reaves, A. J. Olin, Hannah Clin, Jas-
t>er Rice, Sarah M. Rice, Lemuel Warford, Sarah E. Warford, A. C. Clark,
Nancy Clark, Marilda A. Clark, Lettie Henderson, Mary Henderson and
Thomas Henderson. ,
The statement to which they appended their names read as follows:
Washington Township, \ June 30, 1866,
Dallas County, Iowa.
;L
We, the disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, do hereby covenant with each other,
and with God our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Savior, to attend to the institu-
tions of His house through His divine aid, and to be known as The Church of God in Christ.
"At the time of the organization, John Strader was appointed to act tem-
porarily as elder, and Jasper Rice, deacon. Of the charter members, the
following named, Jasper Rice, Sarah M. Rice, Jeremiah Reaves and Catha^
•rine Reaves came from the church at Adel by commendation; John Strader,
Margaret Strader, Noah Strader, A. J. Olin, Hannah Olin, Lemuel Warford,
Sarah E. Warford, Lettie Henderson, Mary Henderson', Thomas Henderson
and Marilda A. Clark were formerly members of an organization on the
■east side of the river at a school-house, about l£ miles south of the present
site of Minburn; and A. C. Clark and Nancy Clark were recently from In-
diana by commendation.
" Bro. J. T. Bly continued to preach irregularly to the new congregation
thus formed, until the next spring, and a. number were added by his labors
during this time. At this time, April, 1867, Elder J. M. Dodge, of the
Adel church was employed to preach one fourth his time for one year, but
he resigned at the end of five months.
" In May of this year there was an election of officers held under the dir
rection of Elder J. M. Dodge, and J. C. Clark, of Adel, which resulted in
the choice of W. H. Murphy and Jasper Rice to act as elders, and Lemuel
Warford and A. J. Olin to act as deacons."
We learn also from the church record that this congregation was incor-
porated March 31, 1877.
Their new chapel was completed that year, and was dedicated August 5,
1877, and- for this purpose the following formula was used on that occasion,
DEDICATION FORMULA.
Brethren, you have found it in your hearts to build a house for the Lord. God in His
providence has blessed you with the ability; we are now assembled to make an offering of
HISTOHY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 521
this house to Him , and ask Him to accept this humble expression of our devotion to His cause.
As you, by your united efforts, erected this house for the Lord, so may you, under the divine
blessing, be built up a spiritual house for Him to dwell in by His Holy Spirit. As the mate-
rials of this building are joined together in one, so may you be one in the Lord. As this
place is a suitable place for God's children to meet, so may the character of your devotion be
such as to make it the Father's pleasure to be with you; and as your seats are vacated one by
one, may you have been the means of preparing1 your children, your neighbor and his chil-
dren, to take your places; and when the battle of life is ended, may we all find a place in the
"house not made with hands." f Congregation arose.]
Respected friends : be pleased to accept our heartfelt thanks for the liberal aid you have
given us. We welcome you to a seat with us, and as you have willingly contributed of your
means, so may you become willing to contribute your heart's best affections to Jesus, and of
your noblest energies to His cause. J. W. Bly,
Secretary.
Some of the numerous ministers who have labored with this congrega-
tion since its organization are as follows : Elders J. W. Bly, J. M. Dodge,
Frank Gill, J. E. G-aston, J. W. Snyder, J. B. Vawter, W. D. Swain; also
occasionally, J. 0. White, P. T. Russell, Mr. McCoy, Charles Yard, J. M.
Crocker and Robert E, Swartz, up to October, 1876.
The present membership of this church is 100.
The present pastor is Elder O. H. Deny; and the present officers of the
organization are: Elders — W. H. Murphy, Darius Sutherland. Deacons —
J. W. Bly, Franklin Miller.
Board of Trustees. — President — Lemuel Warford; Treasurer — F. Miller;
Secretary — J. W. Bly.
This township has one good county bridge across North Raccoon river,.
140 feet long, with 300 feet of trestle work. It has no post-office, no rail-
road, and no town within its limits; but the town of Minburn is only a short
distance from the east line, in Sugar Grove township, affording good post-
office and market privileges, and Perry is only about four miles north.
The township has never had but one State case, which was State of Iowa
vs. J. _ZT. JSlliott, for the murder of John 1ST. Bold. The defendant was con-
victed and sentenced to eleven years imprisonment. He took an appeal and
was out on $10,000 bail when the sentence was reversed and a new trial
called, but he turned up missing, and the county is now trying to recover
the bail bond.*
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees;
Justices:
Constables:
Township Clerk— John T. Roush.
Assessor — "Win. Jenkins.
James Scurry,
Franklin Miller,
Henry Boas.
Robert Henderson,
I. A. Daugherty.
JN". V. Mourey,
E. Slattery.
The following is a complete list of the taxes paid by William Rouse, of
* Just as we go to press we learn that Elliott has been captured and Is now aafely lodged in jail at Adel.
522
HISTORY OP DALLAS COUNTY.
Washington township, Dallas county, Iowa, from 1851 to 1878, as kindly
furnished by him.
DATE
AMT.
REMARKS
1851....
$ 5 00
Receipt for 1850 is lost.
1852 ...
5 00
1853 . . .
5 83
1854. . . .
7 50
On 173 acres of land.
1855....
5 69
1856....
6 61
1857. . . .
7 78
1858....
6 51
1859....
6 10
1860. ■ • .
4 03
Different payments for the same year.
I860- ■ • .
3 61
1860. • • .
2 10
1860. . . .
2 08
$11.82 for 1860.
1861....
10 38
First decade, $83.22.
1862. . . .
7 78
1863. . . .
99
1863. . . .
8 15
1864. . . .
20 44
On land as above.
1865. . . .
21 45
1866. . . .
24 40
1867....
27 76
On 153 acres of land.
1868. . . .
41 41
School House, $13.00.
1869. . . .
40 21
School House, $8.38.
1870. . . .
54 16
On 193 acres of land.
1871....
54 84
2d decade, $302.59.
1872. . . .
61 26
1873....
40 91
Value of personal property.
1873. . . .
4 45
1874. . . .
56 68
71 01
313 acres of land.
1876. . . .
62 97
1877....
65 80
1878. . . .
60 27
Personal property, $655.00. 3d decade, $423.45.
Total, $809.21.
SUGAK GKOVE.
This township occupies the second place from the north and east in the
township tiers, and is therefore the northeast one of the four central town-
ships of Dallas county. It is known in the government surveys as con-
gressional township 80, north of range 27, west of the fifth principal
meridian.
For a long time the boundary lines of Sugar Grove were in a very un-
settled state, and it has passed through a great many changes since its first
organization as a township. When the county was divided into precincts
in March, 1850, the present territory of Sugar Grove was divided up and
formed parts of Buena Yista and Des Moines precincts. The first record
we find of a township being organized by this name, is the following one,
making it to include its present territory and that of Beaver, date of Sep-
tember 2, 1851:
Ordered, That hereafter the territory included in the following' metes and bounds, com-
mencing at the northeast corner of township No. 81, north of range 27, west; thence south
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 523
'to the southeast comer of township No. 80, north of range 27, west; thence due west six
miles; thence due north twelve miles; thence east six miles to the place of beginning, shall
constitute an election township, to be called Sugar Grove township.
The first election to be held at the house of James V. Pierce, in said township
Under date of March 3, 1856, also, appears the following order changing
the boundary lines of Sugar Grove township:
Ordered, That hereafter the following shall be the metes and bounds of Sugar Grove town-
ship, to-wit: Commencing at the southeast corner of section thirty-six (36), township
eignty (80), north of range twenty-seven (27) ; thence north six miles ; thence west twelve miles ;
thence south six miles to the southwest corner of section thirty-one (31), township eighty, (80)
north range twenty-eight (28); thence east to the place of beginning.
Andagain, date of June 2, 1856, appears the following:
Hereafter the boundaries of Sugar Grove township shall be as follows : Commencing at
the southeast corner of section 36, township 80, range 27; thence north to the northeast cor-
ner of section 36, township 81, range 27; thence west three miles; thence north two miles;
thence west to range line dividing ranges 28 and 27; thence south on said range line to the
southwest corner of section 21, township 81, range 27; thence west six miles; thence south
six miles; thence east twelve miles to the place of beginning.
In the general division of the county into townships, February 2, 1857,
Sugar Grove was reduced in size and again made to include its present ter-
ritory and the present territory of Washington township — congressional
township No. 80, north of ranges 27 and 28, west. March 2, 1858, Wash-
ington township was cut off, and again in January, 1859, the boundaries of
Sugar Grove were changed, making it to include part of the 'present terri-
tory of Beaver, as shown by the following:
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Sugar Grove, to-wit: Commencing at the northwest
corner of section nineteen (19), in township eighty-one (81), range twenty-seven (27); thence
south to the southwest corner of section thirty-one (31), township eighty-one (81), range
twenty-seven (27); thence west to the middle of the channel of North 'Coon river; thence
south along the channel of said river to where the township line dividing townships seventy-
nine (79) and eighty (80) crosses said river; thence east on said line to the southeast corner
of township eighty (80), range twenty-seven (27); thence north to the northeast corner of
section thirty-six (36), township eighty-one (81), range twenty-seven (27); thence west to
the northwest corner of section thirty-four (34). township eighty-one (81), range twenty-
seven (27); thence north to the northeast corner of section twenty-one (21), township
eighty-one (81), range twenty-seven (27); thence west to the place of beginning.
This change of line cut off all the southeast part of Beaver township
left out of Des Moines, and added it to Sugar Grove township, thus destroy-
ing Beaver township altogether, as organized, February 2, 1857.
In June, 1861, Beaver township was again organized, cutting off some
territory from Sugar Grove, and the latter, after passing through various
minor changes in its boundary lines, was finally settled in its present form,
June 7, 1870, as shown by the following order of the board of supervisors:
Ordered That all the territory included within congressional township No. eighty (80),
north of range No. twenty-seven (27), west of the 5th P. M., Iowa, shall constitute the town-
ship of Sugar Grove.
No record appears of any important change occurring in its boundaries
since that date.
524 HISTOKT OP DALLAS COTJNTT.
Judge L. D. Burns has kindly furnished us with the following sketch of
the first settlement of his township, which we quote as follows:
" L. D. Burns, Harvey Adams and Zabina Babcock were the first settlers.
They took claims here simultaneously in 1847. In the spring of 1848
came Adam Vineage, James Y. Pierce, James McLain and John Sulliva^
Jr., and their families. Dutch Henry, a bachelor, settled here the same
year. In 1849 came William Boyd, wife, sons and daughters. The sons
were Samuel and James; the daughters married were Jane Taylor and
Nancy Boyles, and their husbands; the daughter unmarried was Catharine,
who afterward married Allen Boyles. S. C. Taylor and family, Haye&
Boyles, Isaac Ballard and Milton Randolph closed the immigration for that
year.
" In 1850 came Win. Groves and Wm. Cartwright and their families,
Bachael and Louisa-Sutton, unmarried sisters of Mrs. Groves, Win. Boyles
and Allen Boyles. ■
i " The first school was taught by Slemmons C. Taylor, for which he was
paid twenty dollars for a term of three months. It was a subscription
school.
" The township is an independent school district, and has nine school-
houses. Minburn has an additional house to accommodate its pupils, mak-
ing, in all, ten school-houses in the township.
" The first religious services were held at the house of Wm. Boyd, on the
evening of the 22d day of April, 1851, sermon by Rev. Hare, of the M. E.
Church; text, Acts, 10th chapter and 43d verse. It was a practical, well-
timed effort. ' Those in attendance were, besides the immediate family of
Wm. Boyd, Samuel Taylor and wife, Taylor Boyles and wife, Harvey Adams
and wife and children, Geo. P. Garoutte and wife, Adam Vineage, a Mr.
Wilson (a peddler), James V. Pierce, Wm. Groves and wife, L. D. Burns
and wife, and the two Misses Sutton."
The church organizations and buildings within the bounds of Sugar Grove
township are»all at Minburn (see sketches), and this is the only town in its
limits.
Dallas Center is just across the south line, in Adel township, and is
about as convenient as though situated in its own bounds, affording good
market and mail privileges; and though Minburn is the only post-oflice in
Sugar Gnove, yet it has the use and convenience of two, the southern por'
tion generally going to Dallas Center.
The Des Moines & Fort Dodge R. R. passes through the township diag-
onally, entering near the southwest corner of section 35, and passing out near
the northwest corner of section 6, thus affording the township splendid op-
portunities for shipping.
The North Raccoon river passes through the southwest corner of the
township, cutting off a very small portion of section 31, and Slough creek
rises about section 26, and flows northward, passing out of the township on
section 3, thus watering and draining the northeast portion of the township.
The North Raccoon river, in and adjoining the west side, affords plenty
of timber and building material for the township, at a very convenient dis-
tance to all parts.
_ In the southwest corner of the township the Sugar Grove flouring mill is
situated, on the east bank of the Raccoon river, owned by John H. Warring-
ton, and does a thriving business.
HISTOBT OF DALLAS COUNTY. 525
The old mill on this site was built some thirty years ago by Mr. Rine-
hart, while_ the present one was built in 1872-3, J. N. Southgate, of Des
Moines, being the mill-wright. It has two run of stone, one three and a-
half foot wheat burr and one corn burr; will average about six bushels per
hour in wheat grinding. The dam has about seven feet of head. Just be-
low the mill site, in the North Raccoon, is where the old fish trap was loca-
ted which supplied all that section with fresh fish in early days, as before
mentioned.
There is one good county bridge on or near the township ling called the
Garoutte bridge, which may be claimed either by Sugar Grove or Adel
township, and aside from this bridge Sugar Grove has no bridges of any
importance.
This township is becoming quite well advanced in general improvements,
especially in the southwestern portion, where numerous fine farms and or-
chards are found. In the northeast portion some prairie still remains un-
cultivated, but the per cent of such in the township is becoming rather small*
The first election in the township was, perhaps, the one held at the house
of James V. Pierce, in the fall of 1851.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township clerk — G. L. Rinehart.
Assessor — David Roush.
F. Peters,
M. D. Orannell,
G. F. Brayton.
J. O. McClure,
M. W. Gibbeu.
F. J. Edmundson,
Jasper Foster.
LINN.
This township is the second one from the south in the west tier of town-
ships in Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as con-
gressional township 79, north of range 29, west of the 5th principal merid-
ian.
The Middle Raccoon river passes through the southwest corner of this
township, and the Mosquito creek flows almost centrally through it in a
winding course from north to south, the two streams thus abundantly sup-
plying it with water, wood, coal, stone, and mill sites. It has fine farming
jand, and a good many valuable farms, being quite an old settled township,
especially in the southern' part and along the Mosquito creek.
As shown by the orders regarding the changes in Union township, the
present territory of Linn township was also a part of Owens precinct, in
1850, and afterward formed part of Union township until February 2,
1857, when it was cut off from Union and united with what is now Lin-
coln township, to form Iowa township, as shown by the order of the countv
court forming Iowa township. (See order February 2, 1857.)
33
526 history of Dallas county.
It remained in this connection as part of Iowa township a little more
than a year, when it was settled in its present form as bounded by the con-
gressional township lines, as shown by the following order given March 2,
1858, by the county court:
Now on this day comes E. W. Lumpkin et al., and file a petition for the division of Union
township. (Should be Iowa township.) Whereupon it was
Ordered, That the district of country included within the following bounds shall form and
constitute the township of Linn, to-wit:
All of township No. seventy-nine (79), north of range twenty-nine (29) west; and that a
warrant issue for an election to be holden at the house of John Lamb, in1 said township, on
the first Monday of April, A. D. 1858, for the perfecting an organization of said township;
and that there be elected at that time and place three township trustees, one township clerk,
two justices of the peace, and two constables, and such other officers as may be provided by-
law.
In May, 1859, a slight change was made in the boundary lines (as before
mentioned in the description of Union), when the east half of section 3,6
was cut off from the southeast corner of Linn and attached to Union town-
ship for school purposes.
After this we find only one order on record changing the boundary lines
of Linn, and that is the following one, made June 7, 1870, by the board of
county supervisors:
Ordered, That all the territory included' within congressional township No. seventy;nine
(79), north of range twenty-nine (29), west of the 5th P. M., Iowa, shall constitute the town-
ship of Linn.
This order simply restored to Linn its lost half section which had been
attached to Union previously for school purposes, and at the same time Un-
ion, Sugar Grove and Washington were settled in their present form.
No record of any important change in its boundaries appears since that
date.
Linn is one of the thrifty townships in the county, and shows marked
indications of enterprise and industry on the part of its citizens.
It was perhaps^ first settled by Samuel Carpenter, about 1848-9, who se-
lected his home just across the line from Union township, in the southern
?art of Linn. About the same time, also, or soon afterward, James Brooks,
homas Elliott and perhaps others, settled in that vicinity, and a few. years
later the settlement was materially increased.
About 1850-1 James Harper and his son W. W. Harper, William
Maulsby, Judge Jamison, Isaac Fee, and others, made settlements in the
township.
Mr. Fee is among the very few first settlers of the township now living
in it. He settled in 1851 on section 34, where he still lives, and to him we
are indebted for much important information regarding the early settle-
ment of the township.
Among the early settlers who came about the same time and soon after
Mr. Fee, also, were Abner Hill, George Bailey, George Duck, Mr. Howell1,
Abner Hill, Joel and Isaac Davis, Seth Pattee, Squire Lumpkins, W. M.
Thornburg and sons, and others. These latter are known rather as the sec-
ond settlement in the township.
The settlement in the south part of the township increased quite rapidly
during the few years following, and soon good improvements were made
for those times, though the early settlers in these parts, like those in other
HISTORY OF DA1LAS COUNTY. 527
localities, were compelled to endure severe trials and hardships for many
years, in order to secure and prepare themselves homes, and very few of
the first ones now remain here to enjoy them.
The great floods that occurred during several seasons, did considerable
damage, especially to those living along and near the river and other
Streams, and greatly hindered them in their work of improvement, there
being no bridges or means of crossing during high water, except on rafts
and canoes extemporized for the occasion, and many dangerous adventures
were made with these.
During the spring of 1852, Mr. Fee tells us, a heavy fall of rain contin-
ued for a long time, swelling the streams, completely flooding the bottom
lands, and keeping the citizens for a long time from doing anything toward
their spring work, and rendering it almost impossible to cross the streams
to mill and market, and compelling them to do the best they could by di-
viding up what little remained in the neighborhood, and patiently waiting
until the flood was gone.
This flood was the means of destroying some good farms along the river
bottoms, by seeding them to cottonwood groves.
There is now a cottonwood grove, containing, perhaps, forty acres or
more, near the mouth of Mosquito creek, just below Mr. Fee's farm, which
Mr. Fee tells us was planted by that flood. He also says that the year
previous there was a crop of corn raised on it that would average 75 or 80
bushels per acre. But after it was so flooded and seeded it was left idle,
and became thickly set with cottonwoods, which now make a dense and
beautiful grove, many of the trees now measuring from eighteen to twenty
inches in diameter, with a growth of 26 or 27 years.
The timber is quite valuable for lumber, and while frozen, splits easily
into rails and cord-wood, and when well seasoned makes very good rails,
but is of not much account when used green or near the ground, being
easjly rotted.
Mr. Fee also has a similar grove near his house, which was started in the
same way, and which he has taken great pains in pruning and cultivating,
so that it is now a nice ornament, and yields him considerable wood and
lumber.
The township is generally well timbered, and well watered, and has at
least five good coal mines now opened and being worked to some extent,
known as Maulsby's, Bailey's, Howell's, George Duck's and D. Lewis's coal
banks. (See account of coal banks.)
The township also has one good water-power grist mill situated on the
bank of the Middle Raccoon river, near the southwest corner of the town-
ship, known as Harvey's Mill, and owned by O. M. Owens.
The old mill was built on this site some twenty-two years ago, by William
Harvey, and the new one was built about 1875, and is doing a good local
business. There is also a saw-mill in connection with the grist-mill, both
run by the same power.
Linn township is well supplied with post-offices, having three, Greenvale,
Linn, and Harvey's Mills post-office; and has nine good school-houses.
There is one frame bridge across the Middle Eaccoon at Harvey's Mills,
132 feet long, one across Mosquito creek, just above the mouth, 75 feet long,
and three others across the same stream further up, within the township
limits, each about 60 feet long, mostly all built by Peppard, at the expense
of the county.
528 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The township has no railroad yet. but the grade of the Des Moines, Adel
and Western (narrow-guage) passes through the southwest corner of the
township, entering on section 34, and passing out at the west side on sec-
tion 18, and the township have strong hopes that before another year passes
the cars will be running on this grade. Dexter is at present its nearest
market, but before long it will doubtless have one within its own bounds,
with Kedfield also a short distance south.
A good many well-improved stock and grain farms are found in the
southern part of the township, and along either side of the Mosquito creek
for some distance up, and numerous fine orchards are beginning to bear
quite extensively. The greater part of the prairie land in the township is
now under cultivation except some in the northeastern portion.
This township has one church within its borders, a Methodist Episcopal
church, situated on section 20, and called the Berean M. E. Church, which
was organized about 1866; and as nearly as we can learn, the organizing
members were about as follows: J. Laubach, Mrs. Sarah Laubach, Mrs.
Elizabeth Bailey, Mrs. Catharine Thornburgh, Elizabeth North, Mrs. Sarah
Duck and Rebecca Boher. Eev. W. Abraham was the preacher in charge,
and the organization was attached to the Des Moines Conference. For
some time before this organization a class had been formed in this vicinity,
and also, one west in Guthrie county, which had occasional services at pri-
vate houses and elsewhere, as they could, until the above date, when these
two classes were united under one organization, about 1866, constituting
the Berean church as above mentioned. After the organization was
effected, they first worshiped in a school-house, and in 1874, the present
church building was erected at a cost of $1,800, and dedicated free from
debt. It is a neat, new, comfortable building, and is well filled by appre-
ciative audiences on occasions of their regular meetings. The pastors who
succeeded Bev. W. Abraham, are: Rev. J. W. Adair, Rev. A. Badley, Bev.
John Hestwood, Bev. Oiling, Bev. J. "W. Adair, and Bev. "W". H. Burke,
the present pastor. Services are held every Sabbath.
The present trustees of this church are John E. Lisle, J. Laubach, J. A.
Bailey, J. W. Duck, and Joseph Lisle.
The stewards are Joseph Lisle and J. Laubach.
The church has been blessed with several revivals, and the active mem-
bership at this time is about sixty. The church building is located in the
northeast part of the northwest quarter of section 20, township 79, range
29, near the west side of Linn township, Dallas county, Iowa.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township clerk — Thomas Hoyt.
Assessor — Hiram Hoyt.
T. A. Thornburg,
J. C. Hardin,
J. C. Andrews.
J. Balesbaugh,
J. J. Seaman.
John Cameron,
B. S. Howell.
HISTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 529
"WALNUT.
This township is the second one from the south in the east tier of town-
ships in Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as con-
gressional township 79, range 26, west of the the 5th principal meridian.
By the general division of the county into precincts, in March, 1850, the.
territory now included in Walnut formed part of Penoach precinct, and in
the general division into townships, February 2, 1857, it was constituted as
a township, including its present territory, and that of Grant township, and
was then first called Walnut (see order). October 5, 1857, a strip two miles
wide and six miles long was cut off the north end of Walnut and added to
Des Moines, by order of the court. (See order under sketch of Des
Moines.)
After this no other important change in its boundaries seems to have
occurred, until in September, 1868, when Grant township was organized,
which cut Walnut down to its present form, as bounded by the congress-
ional township lines, and no record appears of any important change in its
boundaries since that date.
It has no river passing through it but Walnut creek, with its two branches
flowing in a winding course through different localities on the east side,
and meeting a short distance before passing out through the east line
about two miles north of the southeast corner, water and drain all that por-
tion of the township.
• The thickest settlements are along the east side and in the vicinity of the
above mentioned streams, and some good and well improved farms are
found throughout that locality.
In the eastern and northern portions are found a good many small ponds,
which, while they are sometimes convenient for stock water, arerather too<
thick in certain localities to be profitable for farming and good road pur-
poses.
There- is still some unimproved prairie land in Walnut, and beinig>
situated so near Des Moines, farming land of all classes commands a good
price and ready sale when there is any market for land.
Walnut has one town, Waukee, situated near the center of the south
row of sections, a station on the Des Moines & Ft. Dodge P. R., about fif-
teen miles from Des Moines. The railroad crosses the southwest corner
of the township, entering the south side on section 34, and passing out at
the west on section 18, leaving about five sections of land in the township,
southwest of the railroad; and has also one post-office, Waukee.
Walnut is an independent school district, and has eight good school-
houses, beside the public school of Waukee. )
Among the early settlers in Walnut township were John Betts, Henry
Young, Paul Hoff, Liman Ellis, Lafayette Ellis, Frank Strahl, Loren Bing-
ham and others, some of whom came at quite an early day. T. K. Duncan
is, perhaps, the oldest settler now in the township. He settled in this
vicinity about twenty years ago, and still continues as an honored and
highly respected citizen of the township.
In some parts of Walnut settlements were made at quite an early day,
especially in the southwest portion, in what- is known as the 'Coon settle-
ment, in the vicinity of the North Raccoon river, and in that portion of
the township there is some excellent, rolling farming land, and some large,?
well-improved farms. Also, northeast of Waukee, there is quite an old
580 BISTORT OF DALLAS COUNTY.
settlement, in a good locality, and now has some good improvements, and
extensive, well-arranged farms. Considerable stock is being raised in the
township, and the gradual growth and prosperity is very perceptible.
The first election in "Walnut township was, perhaps, held in the spring
of 1857, soon after the order was issued for its organization for political
purposes, and the township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township clerk — H. M. Whinnery.
Assessor — W. Lackie.
A. F. Strahl,
E. C. Herbert,
T. K. Duncan.
T. F. Howe,
B. F. Wood.
J. H. Keynolds,
W. Bartlette.
DALLAS.
This township is situated in the northwestern corner of Dallas county,
and is known in the government surveys as congressional township 81,
range 29, west of the fifth principal meridian.
By the general division of the county into precincts, in 1850, the pres-
ent territory of Dallas township formed part of Buena Yista precinct, and
the first organization of a township in the county by the name of Dallas,:
was made March 3, 1856, as is shown by the following order of the county
court, under the above mentioned date:
Ordered, That the following shall be the metes and bounds of an electoral township: com-
mencing at the southeast comer of section thirty-six (36), township eighty-one (81), north
range twenty-eight (28); thence north six miles to the Dallas county line; thence west on
said county line to the northwest corner of Dallas county; thence south six miles to the south-
west corner of section thirty-one (31), township eighty-one (81), north range twenty-nine-
(29); thence east on the range line to the place of beginning. To be known and called
Dallas township. The first election to be held at the house of Adam Collins, in said town-
ship, on the first Monday of April, A. D. 1856.
The above order made it to include the present territory of Dallas and
Spring Valley, and in the general division of the county into townships,
February 2, 1857, Dallas township remained the same as before. A little
more than a year and a-half later, September 6, 1858, this township was
divided in the middle north and south and two townships were formed of
it (Spring Valley), each bounded by the congressional township lines, and at
that time Dallas township was first constituted in its present form, as
shown by the following order of court, given September 6, 1858.
And it was
Ordered, that the district of country included in the following bounds shall hereafter con-
stitute the township of Dallas: Township No. eighty-one (81), north range No. twenty-
nine (29).
HISTOBY OF DALLA8 COUNTY, 531
We find no record of its boundary lines having been changed since that
date.
The North Raccoon river flows through the north part of this township
in a winding course, across nearly the entire north side, coining in about a
mile east of the northwest corner, and at one place it bends down into the
township more than a mile south of the north line, and then bends back
again, passing out near the northeast corner and flowing down through
Spring Valley. Several other running streams of minor importance are
found also in Dallas township, and one beautiful lake, Swan Lake, situated
near the center of the south half of the township, ou sections 27 and 28,
which affords quite a supply of fish and game and is a favorite resort for
hunters and fishers during favorable hunting and fishing seasons. (See
previous sketch — Water.)
The river in this locality has quite a belt of timber along its borders,
which furnishes a good supply for all the township, and has one good iron
bridge spanning it within the township bounds.
The prairie land in Dallas township is also of an excellent quality, suf-
ficiently watered and drained for stock raising and general cultivation,
with a fertile soil, and conveniently located to a good market, as Perry is
only a few miles east, on the Des Moines and Fort Dodge railroad, and
Grand Junction, in Greene county, on the C, N". W. R. R., is only about
twelve miles from the north line of Dallas township. Though the town-
ship has no towns within its own limits it is thus well supplied with thrifty
neighboring towns.
There is no post-office yet established in the township, but Perry being
so near on one side, and B rough post-office so convenient on the other,
render post-office privileges quite convenient.
There are nine school-houses in the township, in each of which schools are
taught during the average school months each year.
There are a good many large and well improved farms in the township,
especially in the northern part, where many of the early settlers reside, and
stock raising is becoming quite popular and extensive in the township.
The township has one water power grist mill, Atkinson's mill, situated on
the bank of .North Raccoon. It was built in 1859, has two run of stone,
is owned by J. F. Atkinson, and is situated in the heart of one of the
oldest and thickest settlements in the township.
In the south and southwest parts of the township there are still found
large tracts of fertile prairie land not yet brought under cultivation, much
of it being held by moneyed men and speculators.
This township was settled at quite an early day in some parts up near
the river in the northern portion of the township. Mr. Henderson was,
perhaps, the first settler, who was soon afterward followed by several
others.
R. D. Oorry settled there in 1854; William E. Toll in March, 1855; W.
H. Adams in' 1856; and A. L. Towne in 1857. Others accompanied these,
or soon afterward followed, making quite a settlement along the North Rac-
coon river at an early day.
The first election in the township was doubtless the one held at the house
of Adam Collins, on the first Monday of April, 1856.
532 HISTOET OF DAXLAS COUNTY.
The township officers elected at the last election. 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township clerk — I. T. Atkinson.
Assessor — B. O. Witter.
W. B. Taylor,
J. R. Summerson,
J. E. Finley.
W. E. Tolle,
John McElrath.
C. A. Seckler,
C. E. Taylor (never qualified).
SPRING VALLEY.
This township is the second one from the west in the north tier of town-
ships in Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as con-
gressional township 81, north of range 28, west of the 5th principal
meridian.
In the general division into precincts, in March, 1850, this was also a
part of Buena Vista precinct, and in March, 1856, it was made to form a
part of Dallas township. It remained in this shape and connection during
the general division into townships, Febrnary 2, 1857, and until the division
of Dallas township was made, September 6, 1858, when Spring Valley was
first organized as a township, as shown by the following order of the court,
made that date:
* Now, on this day, comes J. H. Roberts and others, and file a petition praying for the form-
ation of a new township in the township of Dallas.
. Whereupon it was ordered that the district of country included in the following bounds
shall constitute the township of Spring Valley: Township No. eighty-one (81), north of range
No. twenty-eight (28). The first election to be held at J. Chiles'.
No record appears of any important change having been made in its
boundary lines since that date, and it still remains bounded by the con-
gressional lines of township eighty-one, range twenty -eight, west of the 5th
principal meridian.
The North Raccoon river enters Spring Valley township near the north-
west corner, and flows diagonally through it to the southeast, passing out at
the south side, about two miles west of the southeast corner of the townr
ship; and Beaver creek flows across the northeast corner of the township,
cutting off about two sections of land. These streams furnish the township
with plenty of timber, coal, building materials and mill privileges, and are
spanned by several good bridges; one large wooden frame bridge east of
Perry, across the North Raccoon river. There is also one good water-power
grist mill on the North Raccoon, near the south part of the township, owned
by Henry Thornburgh, and known as " Thornburgh's Mill ".
It was originally built as a saw mill, and some seven years afterward the
present grist mill was built on the same site. It has three run of stone,
two for grinding wheat and one for corn, and is doing a fine home custom
work. There is also a steam mill at Perry, owned by Otis & Selby Brothers,
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 533
which, is doing a good business, especially for all the northern part of the
townstup and surrounding country, drawing the custom more or less from
" duce a8 Pe°ple C°me iftt° 7 t0 trade' and disPose of their Pr°-
The land in this township is pretty much all taken up and under good
cultivation and improvement.
'p!?18 t(?w°shiP has only one post-office, which is at Perry.
_ Ihough there is considerable timber land, and some rough land along the
river and creek passing through, there is still a predominance of valuable
and fertile farming land in the township, and many large well-improved
stock and grain farms. Having a good railroad and one enterprising town
in their_ midst, the citizens of Spring Valley largely partake of the same
spirit of enterprise, and are constantly pushing general cultivation and im-
provement along in a most encouraging and commendable manner.
Perry, the only town within its limits, is one of the most live, thrifty, pros-
perous towns in the county, and quite naturally sheds the same influence
abroad throughout the township, and the effects are becoming quite visible
on all the surrounding community. The Des Moines & Fort Dodge E. E.
extends diagonally through the township from southeast to northwest, enter-
ing the township near the southeast corner, and passing out about two miles
east of the northwest corner, leaving the town of Perry a little north of
the center, and thus convenient to all parts of the township, giving them an
excellent market and trading-point right at home,
■ Spring Yalley is an independent school district and has nine school-
houses within its limits, besides the schools at Perry, which receive due at-
tention under sketch of the town.
The first settlement in Spring Valley township was made by Dutch
Henry in the spring of 1848, on what afterward became the William Elder
farm, situated west of the North Eaccoon river, not far from the present
site of Perry. Dutch Henry, however, did not remain very long in posses-
sion of that claim, as he suddenly found occasion to disappear entirely from
this part of the country, on account of the, to him, unwelcome presence of
Ira Sherman, the wool grower at the house-raising, as before related; leav-
ing his claim and improvements to be occupied and enjoyed by others. He
had first settled in Sugar Grove township before going t» the above men-
tioned claim.
Cornelius McKeon, Esq., settled in Spring Valley township not long after
Dutch Henry's settlement. The above was a son of one of the McKeons
who settled near the mouth of Panther creek, in Adams township, a short
time previous. Not long after he settled in Spring Valley, numerous others
came in and joined him, among whom may be mentioned Judge Thorn-
burgh, Harvey "Willis, John McMillen, Michael Shively, Wilson Minor,
Jesse Bramfield and others.
This township soon increased quite rapidly in settlement, and has become
one of the finest townships in the county.
The farmers are engaged quite extensively in raising stock, for which the
township is well adapted, being admirably watered and supplied with farm-
ing and pasture land; and having a good railroad passing through gives the
citizens a good shipping point at Perry, not far from the center of the
township.
The first election in the township was perhaps the one held at the house
of J. Chiles in the fall of 1858.
534 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Township Clerk — J. T. Davis.
Assessor — Thomas Whitmer.
Justices:
Constables:
Thomas Scott.
W. F. Cardell.
L. P. Wilcox.
E. D. Lunt.
A. G. Webster.
W. Snyder.
S. D. Gamble.
A. W. Parmeter.
A. D. Haskins.
W. H. Harlan.
I. S. Bibbins.
BEAVER.
This township is the second one from the east in the north tier of town-
ships in Dallas connty, and is known in the government surveys as congres-
sional township 81, north of range 27, west of the 5th principal meridian.
In the genera] division of the county into precincts in March, 1850, it was
mostly included in Des Moines precinct, a small corner being in Bnena
Vista. February 2, 1857, it was constituted a township by itself, with its
present boundary lines as shown by the following order of the county court
on that date:
Ordered, By the court that the district of country included in the following limits shall
form and constitute the township of Beaver, to- wit:
Commencing at the northeast corner of township No. eighty-one (81), north range twenty-
seven (27); thence west to the northwest corner of the aforesaid township; thence south to
the southwest corner of the aforesaid township; thence east to the southeast corner of the
aforesaid township; thence north to the place of beginning.
In January, 1859, Beaver township, as thus constituted by the above order,
was entirely cut to pieces and swallowed up by the extension of Des Moines
and Sugar Grove townships, about one-halt' being thrown into each of these
townships. (See sketches of Des Moines and Sugar Grove.)
June 3. 1861, the board of county supervisors issued the following order,
again constituting the township of Beaver, with the same boundary lines as
before :
Ordered, That the district of country included in township No. eighty-one (81), north of
range twenty-seven (27), west of the 5th P. M. Iowa, form and constitute the township of
Beaver; and that a warrant be issued for an election to be holden at the house of Seth H.'
Dayton, in said township, on the 8th day of October, A. D. 1861, for the purpose of perfecting
an organization of said township ; and that there be elected at that time and place, three
township trustees, one township clerk, two justices of the peace, two constables, one assessor
and such other officers as may be provided by law.
Warrant issued to Seth H. Dayton, June 14, 1861.
No record appears of the above described boundary lines having been
changed since that date. ,
I
HISTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTT. 535.
• Beaver township has no river passing through its limits, but has several
large creeks and running streams.
The big Beaver creet passes in through Its west line about a mile south
oi the northwest corner, and flows diagonally in a winding course through
the township, passing out at the east side about a mile and a-half north 'of
the southeast corner. The little Beaver creek flows into it from the north, a
little east of the center of the township; and Slough creek flows into it
from the south, passing through the southern part of the township, nearly
centrally north and south, and emptying into the big Beaver on section 16.
These three streams, each of considerable size, water and drain the entire-
township nicely, and together with the large tracts of fertile prairie and
farming land contained within the township limits, render it an attractive-
locality for stock-raising and agricultural pursuits. There is considerable-
timber along some of these streams at different places, especially bordering
on the Beaver creeks, and being so near the central part of the township is.
quite convenient to all portions. The belt of timber along the North Rac-
coon is not far distant from the western portion of the township, and the-
Des Moines river timber on the other side is comparatively convenient to
all the eastern portion of Beaver township, so that all parts are well sup-
plied with timber, coal, building material and milling privileges at conven-
ient distances.
Though the township has no town within its own limits, it is conveniently
located to the two thriving towns in adjoining townships, Minburn and
Perry. The D. M. & Ft. I). R. R. passes through the southwest corner of
the township, cutting off a small portion.
The township has no post-office located within its bounds, but is handy
to at least four different ones, Berry, Minburn, Xenia and Snyder post-
Beaver, though organized quite early as a township, did not progess in
settlement and improvement so rapidly for a number of years, as it was at
one time entirely divided up and thrown into adjoining townships, and did
not, perhaps, take so much interest in its general progress as a township
until after it was organized in June, 1861, in its present form; and since
that time, especially of late years, it has been making marked progress.'
Though there is still a large tract of unimproved land in it, there are some
well improved farms and some thriving settlements.
Spanning the Beaver creek, there are two wood frame bridges built by
the county, within the township limits, each about sixty feet long, built by
Jonathan Peppard, of Union township, and good roads are now being con-
structed on the principal section lines throughout the township.
The first settler in Beaver township was Seth EL Dayton, who located
there at an early day.
Among the early settlers of the township, also, were J. M. Townsend,
Mrs. Gardner and family, C. C. Burdick, Mr. McConnell, and others, who
came in about the same time and soon after those above mentioned.
This township was organized with seven voters, all of whom were Dem-
ocrats, making the township for a long time the banner Democratic town-
ship of the county, but of late years it has become Republican.
The Walworth family also came at an early day and settled in Beaver
township among the very first, and built a mill on Beaver creek. There
are nine school-houses in the township.
536 HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
'■ The first election held in Beaver township was, perhaps, the one held at
the house of Seth H. Dayton, October 8, 1861.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township Clerk — K. Cameron.
Assessor — H. II. Hayes.
James Stephens.
Ira Doty.
D. Norwood.
M. S. Conway.
D. C. Bligh.
Emerson Carleton.
James Gardiner.
COLFAX.
This is one of the central townships in Dallas county, occupying the sec-
ond place from the south and west in the tiers of townships, and is known
in the government surveys as congressional township 79, north of range 28,
west of the 5th principal meridian.
It has no river flowing through its boundaries; but the Panther creek en-;
ters near the northwest corner of the township and flows diagonally
■through, passing out about two miles west of the southeast corner, giving:
it plenty of water and drainage facilities. There is not much timber,
•within its bounds, except what is found along the Panther creek, but most
parts of the township are near enough either to the North or South Bac~
•coon rivers and their heavy timber belts to make timber quite convenient
and easily accessible to all parts of the township.
The. beautiful tract of farming land contained in this township cannot
■easily be excelled.
' It contains both high rolling prairie and beautiful fertile valley land,
well drained and sufficiently watered by springs and running streams. It
is hot a very old settled township but shows thrift and enterprise on every
'hand, and has a good many large, well improved farms, which produce im-
mense yields of corn a.nd other crops, and the farmers are now beginning
to raise and turn off large droves of fat hogs and herds of cattle.
•; Some fine tracts of prairie are yet found, that have never been brought
under cultivation, being held principally by eastern speculators, which has
held the township back somewhat in its progress and settlement; but the
time is not far distant, doubtless, when all these vacant prairie lands will
change hands, and be brought under cultivation, and when Colfax will be
numbered among the thickly-settled townships of Dallas county. The ex-
tension of the Des Moines, Adel & Western narrow-gauge railroad passes
through the southern part of this township down through a beautiful, fer-;
tile valley, which extends from a little west of Adel on toward the Middle
Baccoon river, and affords a valuable tract of farming land of great fer-1
tiHty.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTT. 537
^During all the early years of the county, and in fact until quite recently,
the territory now included in Colfax township was mostly attached to Adel,.
with occasional strips heing cut off and attached to other adjoining townw
ships, accordingly as the increase of settlement demanded, and it was not
until January 4, 1869, that it was set off by itself, and constituted a town-
ship with its present boundaries, as shown by the following order of the
supervisors, which appears on record under the above date:
Ordered, That all that portion of congressional township, No. 79, range 28, heretofore-
included in the township of- Union, and all that portion of said township 79, range 28, here-
tofore included m the township of Adel be detached from said townships of Union and Adel,
and that said congressional township No. 79, range 28, shall constitute a new township, to-
be called and known as Colfax township. And it is further ordered that John Tyre be ap-
pointed to post notices of the organization of said township, in pursuance of the statute in
such case made and provided.
The above order cut off from Union the four sections previously annexed
for school purposes (May 9, 1859), and all the rest of said congressional
township from Adel, and constituted the new township of Colfax at the
same time that Van Meter and Adams townships were organized, and also-
cut Adel township down to its present form.
Among the first settlers in Colfax township were "William Franks, Jack-
son Franks, Willis Franks, William Loper, John Tyer, J. 1ST. Ludington,
and John Metz, all of whom came in at quite an early day, and with energy
and perseverance have succeeded in making themselves comfortable homes,
and greatly advancing the cultivation and improvement of their township.
There are two church organizations in the township. The M. E. Church
has no building erected yet, but hold their meetings in the Tice school-
house, and their membership now numbers thirty-four. They will probably
build a house of worship soon. (See the account of this church as given
by the pastor, Rev. David Shentpn, under the history of the Adel M. E.
church.)
The German Baptist Church is located on section 4, Colfax township, and
is called the Panther Creek Church.
The association was organized in the fall of 1869, with Christian Long as
Bishop. The members at that time were as follows: His wife, son and
daughter, Henry Stitzel and wife, John B. Diehl and wife, Henry Miller and
wife, Jacob Eowland and wife, Emanuel Couchenour and wife.
Their meetings were held regularly each Sunday at different places until
the building of their church, which occurred in the spring of 1873. They
nave a commodious and well constructed edifice, capable of seating about
500 people. It was built at a cost of about $1,400.
Their present membership is from 70 to 75, and the church is in a flour-
ishing condition.
In February, 1877, Mr. Eobert Badger succeeded Mr. Long, which place
he fills with credit to himself and satisfaction to his people.
The township has two good county bridges over the Panther creek, one
near Mr. Ludington's and one near Mr. Foster's, besides several others of
minor importance.
It also has one post-office, called Panther Creek post-office.
With this one within its bounds, and Adel and Eedfield so near, all parts
are conveniently situated for receiving and sending mail matter.
538 HI8T0KY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
The first election held in Colfax township was, perhaps, in the spring of
1869, soon after the order was issued for its organization; and the township
officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township Clerk— C. W. Sutherland.
Assessor— C. H. W. Payne.
F. A. Kennedy,
V. P. Gray,
J. Ludington.
James Snyder,
L. D. Bullis.
James Ackley,
J. S. Fair,
William Bales.
The township has nine good school-houses, and as many good schools.
LINCOLN.
This township is the second one from the north in the west tier of town-
ships in Dallas county, and is known in the government surveys as congres-
sional township 78, north of range 28, west of the 5th principal meridian.
It has no river passing through it, but is very well supplied with two
running streams of considerable size, which afford plenty of water and
•drainage. The Mosquito flows full length of the township, north and south,
<down through the west half, and Panther creek nearly full length of the
township from north to south through the east half, flowing out at the
southeast corner into Colfax township, thus leaving a strip north and south
•of excellent agricultural land, from three to four miles in width lying be-
tween these two streams, nicely rolling and well located, with another strip
a little more than the width of one section full length of the west side of
the township, on the west side of Musquito creek, and another on the east
side of Panther creek nearly the full length of the township, about one or
two miles wide; all of pretty much the same quality of farming land.
A large amount of the land in Lincoln township is not yet under culti-
vation, as it was among the last townships settled, and organized in the
■county, and the settlement before its organization was not very extensive,
except in a few localities.
Much of the wild land in the township is held by speculators and cap-
italists, who do not live here, and, as a consequence, not nearly the improve-
ments have been made that would otherwise have been, though there are
now a good many large and well-improved farms in the township, and
during the past few years it has been making very encouraging progress in
the line of settlement and cultivation. It has very little timber within its
bounds, except what is found along the two streams above mentioned, and
«specially along Mosquito creek, which stream has in some places quite a
strip of timber along its banks, consisting chiefly in soft maple, elm and
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 539
swamp ash; and formerly a good many white ash grew along its banks, but
these have mostly all been cut off and used by the first settlors, so that few
traces ot them now remain.
This stream is also well supplied with fish of the small varieties, and
.plenty ot coal is found all along it during its entire length through the
township rendering the coal abundant and convenient to the settlers in all
parts ot the township. There are also strong indications of coal occurring
further up along this stream, but no veins of any importance have yet been
opened above the township line. One surface vein within the bounds of
Lincoln, on Musquito creek, has been opened a number of years since, and
is being worked to some extent. It is from twenty inches to two feet thick
where it has been opened, and yields unusually hard coal, not of the best
quality, and rather difficult to be mined, as it is only done by stripping
The highest point of the cut is about 24 feet. The outcrop of coal was
first discovered by George Martin aud Lemt Southerland while passing along
the stream and the vein was afterward opened. There is evidently much
more and better coal to be found at no great depth under this, but no
special efforts have yet been made to discover it.
The township now has eight good school-houses within its bounds, in .all
of which good schools are kept during the average school months each year;
and for a while the township had strong prospects of a narrow gauge rail-
road passing through its northern portion, the proposed Des Moines & West-
ern E. E., before mentioned. (See railroads.)
It has no town within its bounds, but has one post-office, called Brough
P. O., on section 9. °
By the general division of the county into precincts in 1850, the present
territory of Lincoln township formed part of Buena Vista precinct, and by
the general division of the county again into townships February 2, 1857,
Lincoln became part of Iowa township. It remained as the north half of
Iowa township for a little more than a year, when, March 2, 1858, it was
made part of "Washington township, and thus it remained until June 3,
1867, when it was cut off from Washington and constituted as a township
of itself by the following action of the board of supervisors, as appears on
the minutes under the above date:
Petition presented by Powell and others asking that a new township be formed of the west
part of the present Washington township, to-wit: Township No. (80) eighty, range No. (29)
twenty-nine.
By motion the township was organized; to be called Lincoln township.
Resolved, That the clerk of the board be, and he is hereby, directed to issue a warrant as
contemplated by chapter thirty of the Revision of 1860, for the organization of the township
of Lincoln, Dallas county, Iowa, and that said warrant be directed to J. R. Powell, to carry
into effect this resolution ; and that by said warrant said election be ordered to be held at the
school-house of district No. 3, in said township, on the regular election day in October. A.
D, 1867.
The above action settled Lincoln in its present form, bounded by the
congressional township lines, and no record appears of any important change
in its boundary lines having occurred since that date.
J. E. Powell, now of Panora, Guthrie county, was, perhaps, the first set-
tler in Lincoln township, who settled at an early day on section 18, near the
west side of the township and county, and who was instrumental in getting
the organization completed when it was.
540 HISTOKY OB1 DALLAS COUNTY.
It appears from the order that the first election in the township was held
in October, 1867, and we understand that there were only about the required
number of voters then living in the township^— about seven or eight, all
told. For a long time after Mr. Powell settled there he was about the only
occupant of that part of the county, but was afterward joined by others,
whose names we have been unable to ascertain ; and it has now grown to be
quite a settlement in different parts of the township.
It has now eight school-houses, only lacking one of the allotted number
to each township ; and before many years, doubtless, the increasing popula-
tion will require the ninth.
The township officers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Constables:
Township clerk — John Hoyt.
Assessor — E. M. Jones.
R. Hollingsworth,
E. Walton,
James McNeal.
E. Davis,
I. V. Smith.
G. W. Eote,
D. Miller.
GRANT.
This township is the second from the north in the east tier of townships
in Dallas county, and is know^i in the government surveys as congressional
township 80, north of range 26, west of the 5th principal meridian.
The territory it now includes formed parts of different precincts, and
passed through various changes in boundary and division lines, until the
general division of the county into townships in February, 1857, when it
was made to constitute the north half of Walnut, and was finally organized
into a separate township, with its present boundary lines, September 7,
1868, as shown by the following order, which appears on the record under
that date, as made by the board of supervisors:
Petition presented by J. D. Whitman and others asking for the organization of a new town-
ship, formed of parts of Walnut and Des Moines townships, to-wit: Township 80, range 26.
Ordered, That the petition be received, and the township organized as petioned for.
September 8, 1868.
Ordered, That the township organized of congressional township 80, range 26, be called
Grant township, and that B. W. Thomas be appointed to organize said township in pursu-
ance of law.
Warrant issued to B. W. Thomas, September 14, 1868.
This township has no river passing through it, but has one running
stream of considerable size. The Beaver creek flows across the northeast
part of it, entering at the north side about midway and following a very
crooked course to the southeast through the township, passes out at the east
side about midway, flowing on into Polk county, and emptying into the
Des Moines river.
HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY. 541
_ This stream, through the territory of Grant township, has considerable
timber along its borders, and numerous other smaller streams flowing into
it from different directions, which afford the northern part of the township
a sufficient supply of surface water and drainage, while the southern part
of the township has not so many running streams, but has small ponds of
surface water in various places which partly supply the demand for surface
water for stock use.
There is still a great deal of vacant prairie land in this township that has
not yet been cultivated, affording fine opportunities for opening valuable
farms in a desirable location, within a short distance of the State Capital.
There are numerous large and well improved farms, however, in the town-
ship, and some extensive stock- raisers and dealers, both in blooded herds
and in feeding and shipping for market.
J. D. Whitman has an extensive and valuable herd of thoroughbred Short-
horns and high-grade blooded cattle, with which he has taken much pains in
improving, and deserves great credit for the increasing interest thus awak-
ened in the township and surrounding country, in improved stock-raising, by
his pains and energy in the advancement of this branch of business so im-
portant and profitable in the West. There are others, also, in the township,
who are taking great interest in this work, and are getting fine herds of
high-grade stock around them, already giving the township quite a desirable
reputation in that line, though it is yet young as an organized township,
compared with others around it.
It has also a number of extensive stock-feeders and shippers, amono-
whom may be mentioned Hooker & Gillett, who deal qnite largely each
year, not only in raising, but in purchasing and then herding, feeding and
shipping during summer and winter seasons, thus creating a home market
for stock cattle, when those having a small number do not desire to feed,
and also gaining for the community a reputation as a stock township. The
township has no railroad in its limits, but the Des Moines & Ft. Dodge R.
R. passes just west of it, leaving the lively thriving town of Dallas Cen-
ter within a mile of the southwest corner of Grant township, and thus fur-
nishing, excellent facilities for shipping either north or south, and thence
east over two main roads to Chicago. Being situated so near Des Moines,
also makes Grant a good feeding and shipping point. It has no town or
post-office within its limits, but Dallas Center being so near, and Minburn
and Waukee not far distant, the facilities for trading and market are com-
paratively convenient, and these three post-offices, together with Snyder, P.
0., so near the north line, in Des Moines township, all parts of the town-
ship can easily get and send mail matter. »
Mr. Humphrey was the first settler in Grant township. He settled on
section 22, in 1849.
Mr. L. Morgan was among the first settlers in Grant township. In 1855
he located on section 22, where he still lives, in old age, comfortably situ-
ated.
J. D. Whitman was among the first settlers of the township, coming in
and' settling on section 30, in 1857, where he still lives, carrying on his
large stock business.
L. W. Briggs, on section 35, and A. Hufr also came at an early day, and
for several years this township settled up rather slowly, being for a long
time quite unsettled as a separate township organization, but during later
34
542
HISTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
years it has been progressing finely and making good improvements in
preparation for fruit-growing, stock-raising, and general agricultural pur-
suits. The tqwnship has nine school-houses in its bounds, and as many
sub-districts. The first election in the township was, perhaps, held in the
fall of 1868.
The township oflicers elected at the last election, 1878, were:
Trustees:
Justices:
Coiistable:
Township clerk — D. Manning.
Assessor — John McCormick.
S. Darling,
D. H. Stoner,
C. E. Eice.
C. F. Ellerman,
S. W. Briggs.
T. T. Wilson.
BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY.
ADEL
A NDREWS, JOS.
Adams, L. W., teamster.
Adams, ¥m., laborer.
Allen & Coapman, grocers and hard-
ware.
Alpaugh, J. E., book-keeper.
Andrews, H., retired.
ASHTON, THOMAS, superintend-
ent D. M. Adel & W. R. It. ; born in
England, February 8, 1834; came
to America in 1842, and to this
State in 1856, locating in Adel
November 20, 1856, and engaged
in the livery business, and was the
first one engaged in this business
in the city; in 1862 he enlisted
in Co. C, 39th Infantry, and served
three years as postmaster of the
regiment; he was taken prisoner
at the battle of Parker's Cross
Roads, and paroled; after he was
mustered out he returned and en-
gaged in the livery business and
farming; he owns 136 acres of
land ; he married Miss Sarah "Wis-
ner, July 4, 1*861 ; she was born in
Michigan ; has three children : Ed-
die, Iva and Ray ; lost one ; he was
appointed superintendent of the
narrow gauge railroad in May,
1878.
T3 AILEY, R. R., laborer.
Barr, R. S., attorney.
Barker, G. W., collecting agent.
BAUGH, M. H., attorney, firm of
Baugh, Smith & Sweeley; born
in Brown county, Ohio, April 19,
1833, and was raised there un-
til sixteen years of age, when he
came with his mother to Iowa;
they located in Mahaska county,
near Oskaloosa, in 1849; he com-
pleted his education and. studied
law with Judge Loughridge, and
was admitted to the bar under ex-
amination by Judge Lecompte, of
Leavenworth City; he was en-
gaged in teaching in St. Joseph,
Missouri, for a time; then re-
turned to Oskaloosa and practiced
law with his brother, George H.
of that city; he came to Dallas
county in 1870, and since then has
practiced his profession here; he
held office of cit}' recorder in Os-
kaloosa, and other town and'school
offices; married Miss Margaret
Thompson, in Oskaloosa; she was
a native of Indiana; they have
seven children: five sons and two
daughters.
Beardsley, H. O, janitor High
School.
BLY, JOHN W., sheriff of Dallas
county; born in Montgomery
county, New York, December 10,
1839; he was brought up and >
lived there until February, 1861,
when he married Miss Mary M.
Miller, from Montgomery county,
New York; came to Iowa and lo-
cated in Dallas county in June,
1864; she died in 1873, leaving
three children: Omar, Josie and
544
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Mo tie; Mr. Ely was elected sheriff
of Dallas county October, 1877;
he has held office of justice of the
peace, assessor and town clerk and
other town and school offices; he
married Eliza A. Miller, from In-
diana.
BOAK, T. J., dealer in groceries
and provisions; born in Dauphin
county, Pennsylvania, in 1823; he
was brought up in Wayne cpunty,
Ohio; he went to California in
1852 and remained there seven
years, and came to Iowa and lo-
cated in this county in May, 1859,
and engaged in farming and buy-
ing and shipping stock until
1871 ; then came to Adel and en-
gaged in mercantile business; he
still owns a farm of over 300 acres
in Yan Meter township; he has
held school and road offices; he
married Mary A. Burnsj from
Rochester, New York, in 1845;
they have five children: Crosby,
Clara Belle, Arvilia, Carrie and
Matie.
Brenton, A. G., drug clerk.
BRENTON, Dr. J. B., physician ;
born in Henry county, Kentucky,
March 15, 1815; he was raised in
and near Indianapolis, Indiana,
coming there when only nine
years of age, in 1824; he received
his education there and studied
medicine; he practiced, medicine
in Indiana until 1853, when he
came by wagon to Iowa, and was
about six weeks on the way, and
arrived in this county October
13, 1853, one of the early set-
tlers; he engaged in practice of
medicine, his practice extending
to five different counties. In the
early settlement of a new country
the life of a physician is one of
constant exposure, being obliged
to go in all kinds of weather; he
has made it an invariable rule
never to let the weather prevent
him from answering the calls of
suffering humanity, let it be ever
so cold and stormy, or the night
ever so dark ; he rode from here
to New Jefferson the coldest day
he ever knew, with the thermom-
eter thirty-nine deg. below zero;
the snow was deep, and no track
made across the prairie; he came
out here on account of his health,
and has only been sick one day
and two nights in twenty-five
years; he has practiced medicine
over forty-four years, and is still
in the prime of life; he has been
twice married; his first wife was
Eliza St. John, from Indiana; she
died in 1840; in July, 1842, he
married Elizabeth Glen ; she was
born in Kentucky and raised in
Indiana; they have six children:
William H., Dallas Center; Arch-
ibald G., drug trade, here; Clar-
inda J.; Andrew T., physician,
Adel; Leone A., teacher in High
School; James M. F., engaged in
teaching; William H. was in the
army; Archibald was in 4th Reg-
iment Iowa Infantry, Co. I, and
was transferred to the 2d Iowa
Battery ; he was discharged on ac-
count of disability, and re-enlisted
in the 46th Regiment Iowa Infan-
try, Co. C.
BROCKWAY, WM. F., watch-
maker and jeweler, and postmaster
at Adel; born in Wayne county,
New York, February 5, 1851;
when five years of age he came
with his parents to Buchanan
county, Iowa; he was brought up
there; he served apprenticeship in
watch-making and jewelry trade
there and in Des Moines for &ve
years, and came to Adel May 15,
1871, and engaged in his present
business; he married Miss Iris
Byers, from this town, April 1,
1872; they have three children:
Leta, Charlie and Delia.
Buckman, S. T., hardware dealer.
Burch, — , carpenter.
Byers, J. M., retired.
ADEL.
545
CALDWELL, TIMOTHY J.,
M. D., physician and surgeon,
was born in Vermillion county,
Indiana, July 21, 1837; his father
was William Caldwell; his grand-
father was a prominent Baptist
minister; he participated in some
of the skirmishes with the Indians
in Ohio, and built what is known
in history as the Caldwell Block-
house, located in Preble county.
The subject of this sketch attended
school and completed his literary
education at the Newport Semin-
ary, in his native county; he came
with his parents to Iowa and
located in Dallas county, in Sep-
tember, 1853; after working on
the farm, helping his father for
three years, he commenced reading
medicine, and attended lectures in
the medical department of the
State University at Keokuk, now
called the College of Physicians
and Surgeons, and graduated from
this institution in February, 1861;
he located in Adel and practiced
his profession there until 1864,
when he was commissioned Assist-
ant Surgeon of the 23d Kegiment
Iowa Infantry, and served in that
position until the close of the war,
returning to Adel in 1865; after
practicing a few months he spent
the following winter at Jefferson
Medical College, in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; since then has
reaped the benefit of a thorough
review of medical and surgical
■science; he spent the winter of
1877-8 in the city of New York,
. reviewing his profession; he went
through the whole course at Belle-
view Medical College and Univer-
sity: he obtained all his medical
•education by zealous and untiring
efforts at his own expense, and
now stands at the head of his pro-
fession; he married Miss Melissa
V. Maulsby, of Dallas county, Sep.
30,1869; she is a native of Indiana.
CALLVERT, JUDGE S. A.,
was born in Albany, Whiteside
county, Illinois, February 12,
1843. When twelve years of age
he moved with his parents to
Lucas county, Iowa, where they
remained but a short time, then
removed to Ringgold county, and
there spent three years of his early
life, attending preparatory school;
in 1858 he again removed with his
parents to Washington county,
Iowa, and entered Washington
College, where he received his
classical education; during the
winter of 1864-5, he attended the
University at Ann Arbor, Michi-
gan, and soon' afterward entered
the office of Judge Miller, of Iowa
City, under whose able instruction
he pursued the study of law until
he was admitted to the bar before
Judge Conklin, October 18, 1865;
he then went to Marble Hill, Mis-
souri, and practiced his profession
until 1870, when he returned to
Iowa and located in Nevada, Story
county, where he continued his
practice successfully for more than
a year; but not yet feeling fully
satisfied as to his place of perma-
nent settlement, and more encour-
aging prospects opening elsewhere,
one more move brought him to
Adel, Dallas county, in September,
1871, where the paved pathway to
profit and promotion soon began to
appear; he pursued his calling here
diligently for more than six years,
gaining a good practice and grow-
ing in favor with the people, until
in March, 1878, he was honored
with the appointment of Judge of
the Second Circuit of the Fifth
Judicial District, and in October,
1878, he was elected to the same
position by the people, which he
now fills so acceptably, with credit
to himself and honor to his con-
stituents. On the 22d of June,
1868, he married Miss Rachel B.
546
DIBECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Berger, of Iowa City; they now
have a family of three children
living and one dead, their young-
est darling, Mary Josephine, was
called away on the 10th of last
December. During the war he
served in Oo. H, 2d. Iowa In-
fantry.
Campbell, G. W., tailor.
Carnahan, J., livery stable.
Caselman, L. A., carpenter.
Chapman, A., grocer and artist.
Clarlcson, Jas. L., farmer.
Cole, M. B., merchant.
CONGER, MAJOR E. H., county
treasurer ; the subject of this
sketch was born in Knox county,
111., near Galesburg, March 7,
1843; he resided there with his
parents until 1868, where he re-
ceived his education, being a grad-
uate of Lombard University,
Galesburg; he also is a graduate
of the law school, at Albany, New
York, and was admitted to the bar
in 1866; in 1868 he removed to
Madison county, Iowa, and located
one-half mile south of Dexter,
where he engaged in farming and
stock business; five years later, in
1873, he engaged in the banking
business iu Dexter, as a successor
to his father, deceased, and moved
his family to Dexter in 1874; he
sold an interest in his bank to G.
G. Pierce, in 1875, and the firm
name was changed to Conger &
Pierce; after selling an interest to
Mr. Pierce in the bank at Dexter,
he, with his brother, purchased
the exchange bank at Stuart, the
oldest bank in the place, which
they are successfully operating;
in 1862 he enlisted as a private in
Co. 1, 102 111. Infantry, and served
three years; in 1864 he was com-
missioned Captain, and at the close
of the war was breveted Major;
he was engaged in the battles of
Resaca, Georgia, Kenesaw Moun-
tain, Peachtree Creek, and num-
erous skirmishes; in the fall of
1878, he was duly elected to the
office of county treasurer, which
office he fills in a most satisfactory
manner, and is highly respected as
a public officer and citizen; June
21, 1866, he married Miss Sarah
J., daughter of E. W. and Laura
Pike; she is a native of Ohio, but
was raised in Galesburg, Illinois;
they have, one daughter, Laura V.,
and have lost one son, Lorentus.
Coons, M. E., grocer.
Coons, J. W., clerk.
Crawford, Wm., laborer.
kACK, W. J., wagon-maker.
n
Dack, John, blacksmith.
Delap, H., teamster.
Diddy, A., laborer.
Diddy, M. L., clerk.
DIDDY, LEVI, justiceof thepeace;
born in Dauphin county, Pennsyl-
vania, September 25, 1818; when
eight years of age went with his par-
ents to Ohio ; then removed to Indi-
ana in 1828 ; he learned the trade of
- carpenter and joiner, helped raise
the first house in Elkhart, In-
diana; helped build the first mill
in that county, and helped build
the first bridge across the St.
Joseph river; his father was the
first county judge in Elkhart
county, and filled that position
until his death; in 1850 Esq.
Diddy determined to see theWest;
he started from home April 1st
on foot; he went to Davenport,
from there to Iowa City, then to
Cedar Rapids, from there to Des
Moines; came to Adel, then to
Warren county, then to Pella and
Muscatine, and through Illinois
by way of Dixon and Joliet, to
Indiana, on foot all the way and
arrived home about the middle of
June in good health, and good
condition ; he married Sarah
Burns, from New Jersey, Novem-
ber 15, 1838; they came to Iowa
in a Prairie Schooner, with an ox
team; started September 6, and
ADKL.
547
arrived in Adel October 6, 1852;
they were early settlers; there is
no one living 'in Adel now that
was here when he came; he has
held offices of assessor, coroner,
township school director, was ex-
press agent for eight years,has held
office of justice of the peace for the
past ten years ; they have eight chil-
dren, four sons and four daughters ;
he had two sons in the army: John
W. enlisted in the 39th Reg. Iowa
Infantry, Co. C; William A. en-
listed in the same regiment and
company; he was taken prisoner
and paroled, and came to St.
Louis and died there.
DILLEY, AMOS, superintendent
schools Dallas county; born in
Trumbull county, Ohio, March 16,
1833; he attended school there
and completed his education at
Meadville, Pennsylvania; he en-
gaged iu teaching in Ohio and
Michigan, and came to Iowa in
1858, locating in Keokuk county,
and engaged in teaching until the
breaking out of the rebellion,
when he enlisted in April, 1861,
in the .First Reg. Iowa Cavalry,
Co. I; the first year in the service
they were engaged in pursuing the
noted Guerrilla Qnantrell and his
band, and they had innumerable
fights and skirmishes with them;
one of the hardest fights he was
in during the war was with this
band of outlaws at Spring Hill;
out of 75 engaged, 35 were killed,
beside the wounded; he was in the
battle of Prairie Grove, capture of
Little Rock and Camden, Battle
of Little Missouri, and Jenkens
Ferry, and up the Red River ex-
pedition with Gen. Steele; he was
promoted Orderly Sergeant, then
First Lieutenant, and then was
commissioned Captain ; was in the
service five years; mustered out
in February, 1866 ; after the war
he came home, read law and was
admitted to the bar; in 1867 he
E
was appointed county superinten-
dent; he was elected and served
two terms, and is again serving
his third term; he married Miss
M. J. Bowman, in Stark county,
Ohio, in March, 1853; they have
two children: Grace and Zoe.
LY", S. W., shoemaker.
Ely, Jared, shoe shop.
Emihiser, Ira, teamster.
FORD, A. FRANK, proprietor
of the Forrester House; born
in Lycoming county Pennsylva-
nia, November 28, 1843 ; . at a very
early age his parents removed to
Ashland county, Ohio, and he was
raised there; upon the breaking
out of the rebellion he enlisted in
. the 42d Reg. of the Ohio In-
fantry, Co. II, in 1861; he was in
the siege of Yicksburg; was
besieged in Cumberland Gap three
months, and half starved; up
the Red Kiver campaign with
Gen. Banks; and at Black River
and New Orleans; he was in 13
battles and skirmishes; was in the
service three years and three
months; he came to Iowa in 1867,
and located in Dallas county; has
been engaged in hotel business
here for the past five years; he
married Miss Jennie Miller, Octo-
ber 8, 1869; she was born in
Michigan; they have three chil-
dren: Fred., Ward and Bert, and
have lost one son.
Ferguson, C. A., hackman.
Ferguson, C. D., teamster.
Fox, Benj., retired.
Frush, E. F., farmer.
f~^ ALLUP, E., carpenter.
GAROUTTE, M. C, harness-ma-
ker; born in Hancock county,
Illinois, August 24, 1845, and
came with his parents to Iowa
when only six years of age; they
located in this county; he was
raised on farm until he learned his
trade here in Adel; he spent about
548
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
eight years in Colorado, Wyoming
and Utah ; then returned here and
engaged in his present business in
1876.
Garoutte, S. J., lumber merchant.
Garoutte, L. W., grocer.
Geniser, J., tailor.
GEORGE, M. M., manufacturer and
dealer in harness and saddlery
hardware; born in Huron county,
Ohio, December 25, 1821; he was
raised in Ohio, and removed to
Wisconsin, and lived there until
1866, when he came to Iowa, and
located in Dallas county, and en-
gaged in business; he was in the
army; enlisted in the 48th Reg.
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
Co. A; he has held town and
school offices; he married Clarissa
Taylor, from Livingston, county,
New York, io 1844; she died in
1857, leaving one daughter, now
Mrs. Mary Greene; married Mary
W right, from State of New York,
in June, 1859; she died January
8, 1876.
Gilkinson, J. A., painter.
Gonser, Samuel, lawyer.
Graves, J. JB., barber.
GREENE, S.H., attorney at law
and mayor of Adel; born in Adel,
Dallas county, February 13, 1850;
he was raised here, and received
his education partially here, and
in Oswego, New York ; he studied
law, and entered the law depart-
ment of the Iowa State. Univer-
sity, and graduated in the year
1871; with the exception of a
short time he published a paper
he has practiced his profession
here since then; he is the oldest
person now living in Adel that
was born here; he holds office of
mayor of the town ; he was elected
in 1874, and at every election
since then has been re-elected ; he
married Miss Jennie Hickey, from
Oskaloosa, May 20, 1872; they
have two children : Norman and
Belle.
Greene & Clark, attorneys.
Grop, J. B., retired.
^ATHAWAY, J. P., teamster.
H
Haddon, W. W., fireman on rail-
road.
Haptanstall, J., gunsmith.
Hedge, Susan.
Hempstead, H. W., carpenter.
Hill, M. M., hotel keeper.
Hoey, L., carpenter.
Hoey, E., carpenter.
Hoeye, M. M., laborer.
Holt, B. H., cabinet-maker.
Holt, Mrs. L., milliner.
Hoppe, Charles, teamster.
Hotchkiss, A. C, clerk of courts.
Houghton, F. E., druggist.
HOWE, JOHN G., recorder of
Dallas county; born in Frank-
lin county, Indiana, September
19, 1838; he was brought up
there until sixteen years of age;
he came to Iowa in 1854; lived
in Muscatine and Louisa coun-
ties, and came to Dallas coun-
ty in 1857; he was in the army;
enlisted August 11, 1862, in the
Thirty-ninth Regiment Iowa In-
fantry, Co. C; he was in a num-
ber of fights and skirmishes, and
was in the second battle at Al-
toona, October 5, 1864; went with
General Sherman from Atlanta
to the sea, and with him to Wash-
ington; after the war he returned
here; he was appointed deputy
recorder in February, 1877, and
was elected recorder of the coun-
ty at the recent election, in
October,' 1878; he married Miss
Sarah E. Diddy, from Elkhart
county, Indiana, June 5, 1860;
they have three children: James
W., William O. and Charles N.;
they have lost one daughter:
Anna Belle.
Hughes, R. J., pastor Presbyterian
church.
TNGLE, C. W., dealer in wash-
J- ing machines.
Isenhart, W. H., teamster.
ADEL.
549
IRVIN, J. F., physician; born in
Butler county, Ohio, March 22,
1829; he was raised in Indiana
and received his education there,
then studied medicine and grad-
uated in 1850, and engaged in the
practice of his profession; tie
came to Iowa and located in Adel ;
he has been married twice; his
first wife was Mary J. Ludlow,
from Indiana; she was a native
of New Orleans; she died in
1865; he married Martha E.An-
drews, from Indiana, in 1866; he
has nine children.
TAMES, W. G., dry-goods, cloth-
o ing, hats and caps; born in
Scott county, Indiana, June 27,
1821; he was brought up there
and in Johnson county; in 1842
he went to Missouri, and lived
there six years, and came to Iowa
and arrived in Adel July 8, 1848;
he entered land from government,
and engaged in farming until
1855, then built a steam saw-mill;
he engaged in the mercantile bus-
iness January 1, 1870; he owns a
farm of 200 acres, beside his town
property; he has held town and
school offices; he married Sarah
A. Hutson, from Indiana, in 1840;
they have no children. Mr. and
Mrs. James are among the earliest
settlers, and there is no one living
in Adel that was here when they
came to this county.
Jolly, J. M.j grocer.
Jones, J. J., clerk.
Joy, J. R., clerk.
Joy, Mrs. A. L.. milliner.
" _ ENERSEN, H., cooper.
K1
Kating, P., laborer.
Knowles, A., insurance agent.
Kryshe, Wesley, farmer.
AMBEET, L , banker.
U
Lambert, B. F., clerk.
Lee, R. M., stock-dealer.
Long, Melissa, Mrs.
Loomis, S. D., drayman.
LOOMIS, GEORGE W., manufac-
turer and dealer in furniture;
born in Onondaga county, New
York, March 16, 1841; when thir-
teen years of age he came with
his parents to Iowa, and located
here in Adel, in 1854, and was
brought up here; he was in the
army; enlisted in July, 1862, in
the Twenty-third Regiment Iowa
Infantry, Co. A; he was in the
siege of Vicksburg, Port Gibson,
and battle of Champion Hills;
his regiment led the charge at
Black River Bridge; he was also at
the siege of Spanish Fort, and the
taking of Mobile; he was wound-
ed at the battle of Black River
Bridge; after the war he returned
here, and for the past four years
has been engaged in the furniture
business; he holds the office of
town clerk; he married Miss
Mattie C. Clark, from Indiana,
November 17, 1868; they have
two children: Mary L. and John
C; have lost two little girls.
MCALLISTER, JOHN, car-
penter.
Malton, J. W.
Marsh & Royer, blacksmith.
Marsh, A. G., blacksmith.
Martino, Henry, laborer.
McKay, Donald, butcher.
McLaughlin, George, shoemaker.
McLAURY, JOHN, publisher and
editor of the New Era; born in
Grant county, Wisconsin, March
14, 1840; he was raised in Wis-
consin until sixteen years of age,
then came to Iowa, to McGregor,
Clayton county, and learned the
printer's trade, and afterward en-
gaged in the printing business
there; he came to Des Moines in
1874, and came to Adel in 1876;
since then he has published a
newspaper here; he married Miss
Constance L. Piedfer, from Greene
county, New York, January 29,
1876.
McMullen, William, wagon-maker.
550
DIRECTORY OF- DA1LAS COUNTY.
McMullen & Co., photographers.
McMullen, C. F., teacher.
Mead, E. W., farmer.
Miller, Fred., porter Forrester
House.
Michner, J. C, physician.
NEWTON, AVERY C.,firm of
Noel & Newton, publishers of
the Dallas County News; born in
Berrien county, Michigan, Febru-
ary 12, 1853; when 10 years of
of age he went with his father to
Illinois; he came to Des Moines
in 1871 and entered the office of
the Leader and learned the print-
ing business; he came to Adel in
November 9, 1875; the following
year he associated with his pres-
ent partner, "Walter A. Noel, in
pushing the Dallas County News;
he married Miss Martha A. Per-
kins, daughter of Judge Perkins,
in April, 1878.
NICHOLS, A. B., blacksmith; bom
in Cleveland, Ohio, June 30, 1825;
he was raised in" Indiana; learned
his trade there and came to Iowa,
and arrived in Adel April 11,
1355; he was in the army; en-
listed August 15, 1862, in the
39th Regiment, Iowa Infantry,
Co. B; he was detailed by Gen.
Dodge as blacksmith in the 4th
Division, 15th Army Corps; was
in the service three years; he mar-
ried Lucy A. Crofutt, from Penn-
sylvania, in August, 1850; have
eight children, live sons and three
daughters.
Nichols, N. B., retired.
Nichols; G. W., teamster.
NOEL, WALTER A., firm of
Noel & Newton, publishers Dal-
las County News; born in Adel,
Dallas county, May 4, 1856; he
was brought up and has always
lived in this county; he learned
the printing business, and in 1876
he associated with A. C. Newton,
and bought the Dallas County
News; his father is one of the
oldest Bettlers here.
Noel, Cole, real estate agent.
NORTH, T. R., attorney at law;
born in Union county, Ohio, June
23, 1839; he lived "in that State
until 12 years of age, then re-
moved with his parents to Clayton
county, Iowa, and then to Kos-
ciusko county, Indiana; he re-
ceived his education in Ohio and
Indiana, and commenced the
study of law until the breaking
out of the rebellion, when he en-
listed in the 57th Regiment, Indi-
ana Infantry, Co. K; he was in
the battle of Stone River; after his
return from the service he com-
pleted the study of law and was
admitted to the bar in February,
1864; he came to Iowa and lo-
cated in Adel June 16, 1864, and
since then has practiced his pro-
fession here; he married Miss
Frances E. Whitaker from Mil-
ford, Indiana, in 1858; she died
in 1862, leaving one daughter,
Sarah M., no w Mrs. J.H, Whitman ;
he was again married, to Miss N.
E. Stewart December 31, 1864;
she was born in Illinois but was
raised here; have five children:
Ettie, Austin, J., and little girl
and boy not named.
Novinger, John, miller.
Nye, Anna, boarding house.
Nye, J. B., laborer.
'' kRTON, W. T., laborer.
O1
Orton, Edgar, laborer.
O'Neal, Mrs. Susan.
PERKINS, JUDGE JEREMI-
AH, attorney at law ; firm of
Perkins & Barr; Judge Perkins
was born near Goldsboro, Wayne
county, North Carolina, January
7, 1816, and was raised there un-
til 14 years of age, when he came
with his mother to Wayne county,
Indiana, where he learned the car-
penter and cabinet maker's trade;
after retnaing there for three
years, he removed to. Laporte
county in . 1833, where he worked
ADEL.
551
at his trade; having a taste for
study he devoted his leisure mo-
ments during the busy season, and
his entire winter to mental pur-
suits and reading law, and was
admitted to the bar in Laporte
about the year 1845; he came to
Iowa by wagon and arrived at
Newton, Jasper county, October
28, 1854, and was admitted to the
bar under the celebrated Judge
McFarland ; the following year he
came to Dallas county and located
in Adel in June, 1855, and en-
gaged in the practice of his pro-
fession ; he built the house where
he now lives, with his own hands;
the first term of the district court
was held the July following his
coming here; his honor Judge
McFarland presiding; he ap-
pointed Judge Perkins prosecut-
ing attorney; in August, 1856,
he was elected prosecuting at-
torney on a republican ticket in a
democratic county; in 1861 he
was appointed county judge to
fill vacancy and was subsequently
elected for four successive terms
and filled that position for nine
years; during the same period he
was elected recorder of Dallas
county and held that office for
four 'years, and also held the office
of county auditor for three years;
- few men in Dallas county have
held more offices' and none have
discharged their duties better and
to the more complete satisfaction
of the people; he married Miss
Eliza Kennedy a native of Bich-
mond, Indiana, February 4, 1841;
she died April 6, 1876, leaving
six children.
Patty, L. B., physician.
Perkins & Barr, attorneys.
Phillips, A. C, teacher.
PHILLIPS, M. E., principal of
public school ; born in Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania, August, 1843;
he was raised and attended school
there, completing his education at
Greenwood Seminary; then en-
gaged in teaching; in 1860 he
went to Michigan and was princi-
pal of the schools at Constantine
for three years; he was principal
of the schools at Lena, Stephen-
son county, and at Ashton, Lee
county, Illinois, for a number of
years; he came to Adel in 1875
and since then has occupied his
present position; .he has been en-
gaged in teaching for the past
twenty years; he married Miss M.
E. Wetzel in Lena, Illinois, Janu-
uary 25, 1866; have two children:
Orville P. and Llewellyn A.
Piquane, J., Butcher.
Preston, A. S., teamster.
Preston, F. B.
Proutte, E. P., carpenter.
RICKEESON, C. G. D., carpen-
ter.
Bickerson, W. H., teamster.
Eider, L., carpenter.
Eisser & Son, merchants.
Eohner, J., baker?
Eoland, J. G., carpenter.
Eodenbangh, Chas , carpenter.
• Eoush, F., carpenter.
Eoyer & McKay, butchers.
Eudrow, W. S., farmer.
Eussell, J. W., real estate and loans.
OLOAIST, T., livery.
Shenton, D., Pastor M. E. Church.
Skinner, G. "W., laborer.
SMALLER, ADDISON R., attor-
ney; born in this county, in Des
Moines township, February 10,.
1848; he was brought up here,
and is one of the oldest, if not the
oldest native born citizen now liv-
ing in Dallas county (his father-
being one of the earliest settlers-
in the county); he commenced
reading law in Hamburg, Fre-
mont county, and continued it
here, and was admitted to the bar
in 1875, and has practiced law here
for two years; he was a candidate
for the office of district attorney
for this district in the recent fall
552
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
election, and his opponent was
only elected by live votes, owing
to alleged irregularities in one
township in Polk county, where a
new election will probably be or-
dered ; Mr. Smalley married Miss
Marietta Hooper, from Fremont
county, Iowa, February 28, 1872;
they have two children: Leon H.
and Myrta.
Smart, J. C, plasterer.
SMITH, D. W., firm of Baugh,
Smith & Sweeley, attorneys; born
in Er^e county, New York, Feb-
ruary 6, 1843; when ten years of
age he came with his parents to
Iowa; they located in Cedar
county in 1853; he attended school
and afterward studied law and
graduated in the law department
of the Iowa State University; he
■came to Adel in 1875, and since
then has practiced his profession
here; he also owns a set of abstract
books; he has held the office of
mayor of Adel ;* he married Miss
Narcissa Macy, from Indiana, May
24, 1870; they have three chil-
dren : Jennie, Carl M. and Clara.
Smith, W., boarding house.
Smith, Daniel, teamster.
Steck, H. F., jeweler.
Stickney, Gilbert, teamster.
Stiles, Messrs. E. H. & Co., milliners.
Sweeley, S., grocer.
Sweeley, E. P., teacher.
Sweeley, M. J., of firm Baugh,
Smith & Sweeley.
SWEARINGEN, LEONARD,
auditor of Dallas county; born in
Beaver county, Pennsylvania, Oc-
tober 12, 1831, and was brought
up and lived there until May, 1856,
when he went to Mercer county,
Illinois, and lived there eight years,
then came to Iowa and located in
Dallas county in 1864, and en-
gaged in farming; he has held the
■office of justice of the peace, and
all the different town and school
■offices; he was elected auditor of
this county' in October, 1877; he
T
has been married twice; his first
wife was Elizabeth Moore, from
Pennsylvania; she died in Sep-
tember, 1870, leaving four chil-
dren; he married his present wife,
Miss S. J. Robinson, from Illinois,
in 1872.
AWNEY, HENRY, retired.
Tawney, J. W., plasterer.
Trainor, James, teamster.
Tutor, "W. A., dentist.
T TARNER, I. O., attorney.
WALSH, THOMAS C, dep-
uty treasurer; born in
Culpepper county, Virginia, De-
cember 25, 1834; lived there until
1847; he, with his parents, then
removed to Frostburg, Maryland,
where he lived until 1856, and
then came to Iowa and located at
Des Moines; he remained there
about one year, and then came to
this county and located in Red-
field, where he has lived ever
since; November, 1863, he mar-
ried Miss Sarah A., daughter of
Hon. Elza Lank, of , Indiana;
they have by this union three
sons and three daughters: Reno,
Effie, Cynthiaetta, Mark, Grace
and Ray; in 1873 Mr. W. was
elected county treasurer, and
served until 1S76; was deputy U.
S. enrolling marshal; was ap-
pointed in July, 1864, and served
until the following October, and
was. afterward in the service nine
months.
"Ward, S. L., engineer.
"Warford, J., butcher.
Welch, Amos and George, painters.
"Welch, Geo., laborer.
WHITE, J. B., attorney at law;
born in Kentucky, January 14,
1849; when five years of age he
came with his parents to Iowa;
they located in Keokuk county in
1854, where they lived a short
time, and also lived in Mahaska
and Marion counties; he com-
DEXTEE.
553
menced reading law in Marion
county with Stone & Ayres; he-
entered Oskaloosa College, and
graduated in 1871; he completed
his law studies, and was admitted
to the bar in 1872; he came to
Adel in January, 1873, and was
appointed principal of the public
schools of Adel, and held that po-
sition for two years; he then en-
gaged in the practice of his pro-
fession; he received the degree of
A. M. and A. B. from Oskaloosa
College; Mr. White has a great
taste for the study of languages t
and is quite a linguist; he is fa-
miliar with Greek, Latin, French,
Spanish and Italian; he married
Miss Mary Greene, in Adel, April
30, 1874; she is a daughter of
Benjamin Greene, an old and
honored settler of Dallas county;
they have had one son: Victor
Greene, who died in 1876.
White & Woodin, attorneys.
Whitman, J. H., lawyer.
Witham, Samuel, blacksmith.
Wright, Wesley, tinner.
DEXTEE.
ADAMS, SIMEON, owns 18
acres of land, valued at
$100 per acre; born in Morgan
county, Ohio, in 1819; came to
Iowa in 1876; was formerly a res-
ident of Vernon county, Wiscon-
sin; he located in Dexter in
March, 1878; married Abi Doan
in 1854; she was born in Ohio;
have four children: James, Lucy,
Lydia and Julia. Are members
of the M. E. Church. Republi-
can.
Akester, H., laborer.
ALLEN, J. C, dealer in grain and
stock; born in Brown county,
Ohio, in 1836; came to Iowa in
in 1868, and located in Dexter,
and engaged in the commission
business; married Emily McYay
in October, 1871; she was born
in Adams county, Ohio, in 1842;
have four children: William
A., Mary M., Thusa J. and Finnis.
Are members of the United Pres-
byterian church. Mr. Allen has
been a member of the town coun-
cil and is president of the normal
school board. Republican.
ATEN, JAMES H., dealer in hard-
ware, stoves and tinware; born in
Gurnsey county, Ohio, in 1842
and came to Iowa in 1865 and lo-
cated in Marion county; re-
moved to Dexter in 1871; mar-
ried K N. Orcutt in 1866; she
was born in Pennsylvania; have
three children: Cora L., Minta B.
and Wilbur. Mr. Aten enlisted
in Co. B, 122d Ohio Infantry, in
1862, and was discharged in 1865.
Aten, J. H. & Bro., hardware mer-
chants.
"TDAILEY, M. L., photographer.
Battey, B., station agent.
Berger, C. A., attorney at law.
Bisbee, F. A., carpenter.
Bondy, Fred., billiard hall.
Bondy, C. J., farmer.
Bonplin, D. A., laborer.
Brower, Peter, grocer.
Burke, J. M., grain dealer.
CARROTHERS, J. A., postmas-
ter.
Charles, John, restaurant.
CHRISTOPHER, JOHN, proprie-
tor of Gilpatrick House ; born in
Warren county, Ohio, in 1822;
came to Iowa in 1876 and located
in Washington county ; removed
to Dexter in 1878 ; married Mary
, A. Moore in 1875; she was born
in Wheeling, Yirginia; Mr. C.
has three children by a former
wife: Albert, Sophia J. and Hen-
ry Oscar. Are members of the
M. E. Church.
554
DIEEOTOET Or DALLAS COUNTY.
Clark, W. G., laborer.
Clark, ¥m. G., farmer.
Clark, S. D., grocer.
Clifford & Bailey, photographers.
Conger & Meisker, hardware dealers.
Conger, J. W., hardware dealer.
Connelly, Chas., restaurant.
Cooney, Wm., shoemaker.
Cowan, A., shoemaker.
Crane, Chas., merchant.
kAYIS, S. C, clock seller.
OHNSTON, 0. P., hotel.
D
Dean, H. R., laborer.
Donar & Nelson, tailors.
DOWNEY, J. S., dealer in general
merchandise; born in Beaver coun-
ty, Pennsylvania,,, in 1847; came
to Iowa in 1868; married Lizzie
Hill in 1870; she was born in
Indiana; have two children:
Frank C. and an infant. Mr.
Downey is the present mayor of
Dexter. Republican.
Dwigens, R. J., retired farmer.
T^YANS, ROBERT, physician.
T^-ORD, D. R., clerk.
Ford, U., boot and shoe-dealer.
French, Noah, clergyman.
Freeman, Hiram, real estate.
ITTENS, EDWARD, jeweler.
G1
Goldsbury, N. B., retired.
Grant, L. M., carpenter.
HAMMOND, DAYID, under-
taker.
Harvey, J. M., miller.
Helm, J. C, harness-maker.
Hendorff, P. E., saloon.
Henry, C. W., barber.
Holmes, H. H., clerk.
Holmes, C. S., milliner.
Holmes, E. T., carpenter.
Holt, Caroline, laundry.
Homan & Richter, butchers.
Homan, Conrad, butcher.
Hoover, W. C, miller.
Hubbard, E. T.
TSHAM, W. H., merchant.
L
1NTON, E. F., physician.
TV /TcELHENY, JOHN, laborer;
McYey, M. J., retired.
McMANIMA, J. C, editor Dexter
Herald, established in 1870 by
J. J. Davies; born* in Yan Wert
county, Ohio, in 1850; came to
Iowa in 1873 and located in Dex-
ter and engaged in mercantile
business until 1877, when he pur-
chased the Dexter Herald of J.
J. Davies, and has been manager
and owner since.
MARSHAL, M. J., farmer ,_ born in
Wayne county, Indiana, in 1817;
came to Iowa in 1855, and set-
tled in this township; married
Priscilla Raber in 1853; she
was born in Pennsylvania, in
1828. Mr. M. has four children
by a former wife: Laura A., Me-
linda E., John L. and Alice. Mrs.
M. has three children by a former
husband : William Alonzo, George
W. and Sophronia Elizabeth. Mr.
M. was a member of the board of
supervisors four years. Wife is a
member of M. E. church.
Maulsby, L. T., harness-maker.
Maulsby, W. R., corn dealer and
proprietor Dexter steam mill.
Meisker, Edward, hardware dealer.
Mills, Milton L., clerk.
Miller, J. C, laborer.
Mundorf, David, retired.
Myers, Jonathan, clerk.
■NJICHOLS, JOSEPH, laborer.
Nokes, R. J., mason.
T~1ALMER. R. O, boarding house.
Perdun, J. M., blacksmith.
PERCY, M., dealer in grain; born
in Yermont, in 1838; came to
Iowa in 1871, located in Dexter
and engaged in farming; engaged
in present business in 1873; mar-
DEXTEK.
555
ried Mary Amidon, in 1866; she
was born in Vermont; have five
children: Fanny M., Lena N.,
Harry A., Nelson M. and Allen T.
Peterson, M., farmer.
PIERCE, G. G., banker; born in
Massachusetts in 1833; came to
Iowa in 1868, located in Dexter,
and engaged in the banking busi-
ness in March, 1875; married
Helen A. Conger in 1866; she
was born in Galesburg, Illinois;
have three children: Willard C,
Mary C. and Chase H.
Pohle, H, shoemaker.
RICHTER, HERMANN, butch-
er.
Rhoda, F., laborer.
Richardson, E. A., clergyman.
Rimer, Sol., merchant.
Rimer & Crane, merchants.
Roland, A. E., boarding. .
Rugg, Ed., carpenter.
Rugg, Theodore, harness-maker.
SEEVERS, G. W., attorney at
law and collecting agent ; born
in Coshocton county, Ohio, in
1843; came to Iowa in 1852 and
located with parents in Jefferson
county; removed to this county
in 1876 ; married Emily A. Pur-
sel in 1867; she was born in
Montgomery county, Indiana;
have one child: Zella, born in
1874.
Seise, Fred, wagon-maker.
Sibley, L. B., butter-packer.
SMALL, F. A., dealer in grain and
proprietor of elevators; born in
Bangor, Maine, in 1846; came to
Iowa in 1855, and located in Da-
venport; removed to Dexter in
1874, and engaged in present bus-
iness; married Lydia M. Trimble
in 1874; she is a native of Prince-
ton, Illinois; have one child:
Fred. E.; is one of the towncoun-
cilmen ; wife is a member .of the
Christian Church; enlisted in
Co. K, 44th Iowa Infantry, in
1863, discharged in 1864.
Smith, E. J., physician and surgeon.
Spencer, O. R., liveryman.
Stalker, J. A., laborer.
STANLEY, J. G., dealer in drugs
and medicines; established in
February, 1869; born in Harlan
county, Ohio, in 1846; came to
Iowa in 1864, and located in Des
Moines; removed to Dexter in
1869; married Mildred R. Young
in October, 1870; she is a native
of Armstrong county, Pennsylva-
nia; have two children: Alice M.
and William A. Mr. S. has been
alderman four years and school
treasurer one year.
Steven, S. N., mason.
Stevens, W. H., carpenter.
Swihart, Simon, grocer.
1ATE, A. N., grain-dealer.
T
Thresher, J. T., tinner.
Todd, G. W., merchant.
STANCE, A. W., physician.
VAN ORMAN, J. T., dealer in
lumber; born in Medina county,
Ohio, in 1838; came to Iowa in
1866, and to Dexter in 1868; mar-
ried Amanda "Way in 1859; she
was a native of Indiana; have one
child by adoption: Jane.
Yer mil lion, Charles, retired farmer.
VORSE, J. B., dealer in agricul-
tural implements and coal; bus-
iness established in 1875; born in
Des Moines in 1851; came to
Dexter in 1875, and engaged in
present business.
T A 7"ATTS, J. F., furniture
V V dealer; born in Perry
county; Pennsylvania, in 1836;
came to Iowa in 1869, and loca-
ted in Dexter; married Mary
Rowland in 1872 ; she was born in
Indiana; have two children : John
F. and Birdsall. Mr. W. enlisted
in the Seventh Pennsylvania Cav-
alry in 1861, and was discharged
in July, 1865. Are members of
M. E. church.
Welsh, A. S., blacksmith.
White, C. G., veterinary surgeon.
556
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
"Williams, O. P., ex-merchant.
Wilson, J. A., blacksmith.
"Wood, F. P., meat market.
WOOLFFINGER, CHARLES,
saloon and restaurant; born in
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in
1834, and came to America in
1867, and located in Des Moines;
removed to Dexter in 1868; mar-
ried Fredricka Walters in 1867;
she was born in Baden, Germany,
in 1842; have four children:
Charles, Robertena, Emeil and
Bertha. Member of German Lu-
theran church.
OUNG, WILL G, druggist.
Y
Young, F. P., harness-maker.
■cr^rionsr TOTT^isrsHiii3.
ADAMS, T. M., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Dexter.
Alcorn, William, farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Redfield.
Allen, John, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Redfield. »
Angle, Nicholas, farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Dexter.
Armfield, J. H., wagon-maker; P.
O. Redfield.
Armstead, F. M., blacksmith; P. O.
Redfield.
Armstrong, Elliott, farmer, Sec. 5;
P. 0. Redfield.
BARNETT, T. D., farmer, Sec.
14; P. O. Dexter.
Barnett, Levi, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Earlham.
Baruett, E. A., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O DsxtGr
BARNETT, CURTIS, farmer, Sec.
15; P. O. Dexter; owns 180 acres
of land, valued at $40 per acre;
born in Clinton county, Ohio, in
1823; came to Iowa in 1855, and
located in Dallas county; married
Sidney George, in 1843; she was
born in Marion county, Indiana,
in 1825; have nine children: Anna
J., Isaac, Thomas D., William A.,
Spicy A., Even E., Abigail, James
E.'aud Mary E. Members of So-
ciety of Friends. Republican.
BARNETT, ISAAC, farmer, Sec.
14; P. O. Dexter; owns 160 acres
of land, valued at $35 per acre;
born in Marion county, Indiana,
in 1848; came to Iowa in 1855,
and located in this county, mar-
ried Sarah' Scott in 1875; she was
born in Marion county, Indiana, •
in 1850; have one child: Minnie.
Members of Society of Friends.
Republican.
BARNETT, W. A., farmer, Sec.
21; P. O. Dexter; owns 80 acres
of land, valued at $20 per acre;
born in Indiana, in 1853; came to
Iowa in 1856 with parents; mar-
ried Anna J. Hadley, in 1874;
she was born in Marion county,
Indiana; have two children: Lo-
rin EL. and Elda. Are members
of the Society of Friends. Re-
publican.
BAILEY, DAVID, P. O. Redfield;
owns 120 acres of land, valued at
$35 per acre; born in Wayne
county, Ohio, in 1816; came to
Iowa in 1853, and located in this
township; married Sarah A. Jones,
in 1840; she was born in Wayne
county, Indiana, in 1822; have
two children: Alice and Ann
Eliza. Are members of the Chris-
tian church. Greenback.
Belles, Jacob, farmer; P. O. Red-
field.
Belles, Peter, speculator; P. O. Red-
field.
BROWN, L., farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Dexter; owns 338 acres of
land, valued at $40 per acre; born
in Windsor county, Vermont, in
1830; came to Iowa in 1854, and
located in Jones county; removed |
to this county in 1868, and settled
on his present farm; married
UNION TOWNSHIP
557
Lorett C. Griswold, in 1854; she
was born in Windsor county,
Vermont, in 1833; have four chil-*
dren: Flora H., Charles E., Lu-
cius G. and Alice E. Eepublican.
Brown, W. H. BE., hotel-keeper; P.
O. Eedfield.
Brown, B. F., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Eedfield.
Browning, G. W., farmer; P. O.
. Eedfield.
Browning, H. O, hotel-keeper; P.
O. Eedfield.
Bugg, "William, farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Dexter.
Burnham, J. W., farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Eedfield.
CALDWELL, WILLIAM, re-
tired; P. O. Eedfield.
CARTER, J. H., blacksmith, and
dealer in agricultural implements ;
P. O. Eedfield; born in Kentucky
in 1833; came to Iowa in 1862,
and located in Eedfield; married
Mary Eoberts in 1854; she was
born in Indiana in 1834; have
four children: Elizabeth EL, Ida,
James and Belle. Are members
of the Christian church. Eepub-
lican.
Carman, M. L., farmer, Sec. 16; P.
. O. Eedfield.
Cave, Sarah, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Eedfield.
CHANDLER, JOHN R., farmer,
Sec. 33; P. O. Dexter; owns 80
acres of land, valued at $50 per
acre; born in Belmont county,
Ohio, in 1837; came to Iowa in
1859, and located in Johnson
county; removed to his present
farm in 1868; married Charlotte
Laffer in 1860; she was born in
1844; have one child by adoption:
Bessie May. Eepublican.
Chance, David, constable; P. O.
Eedfield.
Chance, T. C, carpenter; P. U.
Eedfield.
Charles, Albert, Sec. 4, laborer, P. O.
Eedfield.
35
Clark, Charles, Sec. 29, farmer; P.
COMPTON,ELI, Sec 21; P. O.
Dexter; owns 240 acres of land,
valued at $50 per acre; born in
Marion county, Indiana, in 1831;
came to Iowa in 1855, and located
on present farm in 1866; was mar-
ried in 1862, to A. J. Barnett; she
was born in Iowa, in 1842; have
6 children: Euth, Elmer, Emma,
Olive, Sidney and Evaline. Are
members of the Society of Friends.
Colver, Nathaniel, plasterer; P. O.
Eedfield.
Compton, John, Sec. 15, farmer; P.
O. Eedfield.
Cook, Peter, Sec. 21, farmer; P. O.
Dexter-
Cook, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Dexter.
COOK,W. H., farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Earlham; owns 112 acres of
land, valued at $35 per acre;
born in Union county, Indiana,
in 1827; came to Iowa in 1853,
and located on present farm;
married Keziah Bowles, in 1845;
she was born in Indiana in
1817; have four children: Sarah
Jane, Asenath, Darius B. and
Peter. Members of Society of
Friends. Eepublican.
COULTER, J. F., farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Eedfield; owns 100 acres of
land, valued at $30 per acre; born
in Montgomery county, Ohio,' in
1837; came to Iowa in 1865, and
located in Polk county; removed
to this county in 1868 ; married
Mahala Martin in 1862; she was
born in Ohio in 1840; have six
children: Eddie E., Elden M., I.
J., Franklin, Alice May and Cora
Ann. Are members of the United
Brethren church. Eepublican.
Cox, Elizabeth, P. O. Eedfield.
Cranmer, Jas. E., teamster, P. O.
Eedfield.
CRAVEN, A. S., Sec. 22; P. O.
Dexter; born in North Carolina,
558
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
in 1824; came to Iowa in 1856,
and located in this township; mar-
ried Huldali Hinshaw, in 1847;
she was born in Randolph county,
North Carolina, in 1824; have
seven children; D. H., J. L., E. S.,
M. J., J. W., L. T., Tacy H. Wife
is a member of the Society of
Friends. Republican.
CRONK, ELI, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. O.
Earlham ; owns 256 acres of land,
valued at $20 per acre; born in
Stokes county, Virginia, in 1825;
came to Iowa in 1856, and located
on his present farm; married Eliza-
beth Chance in 1856; she was
born in Hiland county, Ohio, in
1835; have four children: Wm. F.,
Isaac M., Jacob W. and Mary E.
Are members of the U. B. church.
Republican.
Curts, Geo. W., farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Redfield.
DEVORE, J., teamster; P. O.
Rediield.
Diggs, P. W., farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
Dexter.
Dyer, E., cooper, P. O. Rediield.
EDWARDS, I. W., farmer, Sec.
13; P. O. Earlham.
Ellis, John S., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Redfield.
FINICUM, J. W., manager of
American Mills; P. O. Red-
field; born in Carroll county,
Ohio, in 1834; came to Iowa in
1'869, and located in Warren coun-
ty; removed to this county in
1872; married Elizabeth McAfee
in 1859; she was born in Harrison
county, Ohio; have six children:
William L., George E., James R.,
John E., Louie and Frank. Are
members of the M. E. church.
Fish, J. M., farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
Redfield.
Firkins, Egbert, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Dexter.
Flinn, John, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
. Redfield.
Foster, Elizabeth; P. O. Redfield.
FRY, E. S., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
Earlham; owns 280' acres of land, f,
valued at $25 per acre; born in
Shenandoah county, West Vir-
ginia, in 1837; came to Iowa in
1869, and located on present farm;
married Mary Lewellen in 1856;
she was born in Virginia, in 1836,
and died in 1875; have six chil-
dren: Virginia, Magdaline, James,
George, Alice and Eldred. Green-
Fry, Geo. T., farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0.
Earlham.
G AMBER, S. J., farmer, Sec.
29; P. O. Dexter.
Gamber, John, farmer,- Sec. 29; P
0. Dexter.
Garwood-, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 5;
P. O. Redfield.
George, Baxter, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Dexter.
George, Evan, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Dexter.
Griffith, Jesse, cooper; P. 0. Red-
field.
HADLEY, D. W., farmer, Sec.
26; P. O. Earlham.
Hadley, W. J., farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Earlham.
Hadley, M. L., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O Dsxt6r.
HADLEY, JAMES, farmer, Sec.
24; P. 0. Earlham; owns 180
acres of land, valued at $30 per
acre ; born in North Carolina, in
1828; came to Iowa in 1863, and
located in Hardin county; re-
moved to this county in 1868, and •
settled on present farm; married
Catharine R. Mendenhall in 1854;
she was born in North Carolina, ;
in 1828 ; have four children : Sraah . i;
Ellen, Charles R., Stephen M.
and Albert E. Are members of
the Society of Friends. Repub- J
lican.
HADLEY, ISAAC, farmer, Sec.
23; P. O. Dexter; owns 883
acres of land, valued at $30 per
acre; born in Clinton county,
Ohio, in 1825; came to Iowa in
1868, and located On present farm;
UNION TOWNSHIP.
559
Mr. H. has been twice married,
first to Susanna Hadley, in 1849;
she was born in Cheatham
county, "North Carolna, in 1823,
and died in 1872; have five chil-
dren: Eunice, Anna J., Samira,
"William J. and Alfred; lost four:
Martha Ellen, Elmina, Emma
and Alvira; married again, in
1875, to Jane Nichols; she was
born in Ohio, in 1828. Are mem-
bers of the Society of Friends.
Republican.
HARMON, S. S.,. dealer in general
merchandise; P. O. Redfield; born
in Gotham, Maine, in 1826; came
to Iowa in 1856, and located in
Des Moines; removed to Redfield
in 1862, and engaged in present
business; married Eunice A. Le
Gro, in 1848; she was born in
Maine; have one child: Eugenie.
Harmon, Eugene, stock-dealer; P.
O.. Redfield.
Harner, Z., miller, Sec. 3; P. O.
Redfield.
Haskins, J. G., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Earlham.
Henderson, James, cooper; P. O.
Redfield.
Hibbs, V., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Redfield.
Hodgson, John, laborer; P. O. Red-
field.
HOLLINGSWORTH, PARKER,
proprietor of Redfield Mills; born
in Indiana in 1821; came to Iowa
in 1856, and located in "Winnebago
county; removed to this county
in 1872. Mr. H. has been mar-
ried four times; his present wife
was Rebecca Moorman; born in
Grant county, Indiana, in 1837;
they have three children: Moses,
Reno and Linneus. Mr. H. has
two children by his first wife:
, Levi and Rebecca; three by sec-
ond wife: Anna J., Ira and Na-
than, and two by third wife: Han-
nah E. and Sarah A. Are mem-
bers of the Society of Friends.
Hook, A, fisherman; P. O. Redfield.
Horner, Oliver, miller, Sec. 3 ; P. 0.
Redfield.
Hutchins, N. B., farmer; P. 0. Red-
field.
TRWIN, MATHIAS, agent, Sec.
1 4; P. O. Redfield.
KENWORTHY, A. A., farmer,
Sec. 36; P. O. Earlham.
Kenworthy, S. H., farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. Earlham.
LAMB, CHARLES, farmer and
saddler; P. O. Redfield.
LEEPER, ALEXANDER, farm-
er, Sec. 4; P. O. Redfield; owns
360 acres of land, valued at $30
per acre; born in Stark county,
Ohio, in 1828; came to Iowa in
1855, and located in Wiscotta;
married Samantha J. Boone, in
1856; she was born in Holmes
county, Ohio, in 1837; have eight
children : George "W., William A.,
Anna M., Martin V., Catharine
A., Cora J., Hezekiah B., Gusta
M. Greenback.
Lenox, R., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Redfield.
Lewellen, S., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
-L/Gxtcr
LEWIS,' A. W., farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Earlham ; owns 266 acres of
land, valued at $35 per acre;
born in Wayne county, Indiana,
in 1832; came to Iowa in 1853
and located in Warren county;
removed to Guthrie county in
1856, and to this county in 1865,
and settled on his present farm in
1874; married Nancy J. Hadley
in 1853; she was born in Hen-
dricks county, Indiana, in 1836;
have eight children: T. Had-
ley, Rosa E., Sarah E., Charles
E., Emma M., Laura R., Waldo
Emerson and Grace. Are mem-
bers of the society of Friends.
Republican.
Lyon, C. H., farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
Dsxtcr
'oGREW, MELYIN, farmer,
M<
Sec. 14; P. O. Earlham.
560
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
McNichols. Thomas, farmer, Sec. 12;
P. O. Redfield.
McNichols, Cyrus, farmer, Sec. 26;
P. 0. Earlham.
McNICHOLS, GEORGE, farmer,
Sec. 25; P. O. Earlham; owns
112-J acres of land, valued at $40
per acre ; born in Monroe county,
Ohio, in 1836; came to Iowa in
1864, and located in this township;
married Sarah J. Ealey in 1872;
she was born in Harrison county,
Ohio, in 1830. Mr. M. has one
child by a former wife: Howard.
Are members of Society of Friends.
Kepublican.
McLucas, John, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Redfield.
McVey, G. M., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O Dexter. '
McPHERSON, F. M., farmer, Sec.
30; P. O. Dexter; owns 160 acres
of land, valued at $33 per acre;
born in Randolph county, Indiana,
in 1840; came to Iowa in 1853,
and located in this county; mar-
ried Losada Maulsby in 1860; she
was born in Wayne county, In-
diana, in 1836; have four chil-
dren: Landon E., Elmer D., Eva
A., Alpha L. Mr. McPherson
has been assessor two years.
Greenback.
MALES, J. M., farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Redfield; owns 110 acres of
land, valued at $35 per acre; born
in Kentucky, in 1825; came to
Iowa in 1852, and located in Dal-
las county in the spring of 1853;
married Nancy Mendenhall in
1849; she was born in Ohio in
1824; have six children : Richard,
Nathan, Enoch, William, Elward
and Martha Jane. Wife is a mem-
ber of the United Brethren church.
Greenback.
Massure, H. L., farmer, Sec. 5 ; P.
O. Eedfield.
MARSHALL, CALVIN, farmer,
Sec 19; P. O. Dexter; owns 320
acres of land, valued at
acre; born in Wayne county.
Z
diana, in 1824; came to Iowa in
1854, and located on present farm;
married O. E. Maulsby in 1858;
she was born in Porter county,
Indiana, in 1841; have four chil-
dren: Ira, Fanny, Burchard Hayes
and Martha. Mr. M. has been
justice six years, and has held dif-
ferent township offices. Repub-
lican.
Marshall, M. O, farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Dexter.
Marshall, M. J., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Dexter.
Martin, David, laborer; P. O. Red-
field.
Maulsby, Lemuel, farmer, Sec. 18;
P. O. Dexter.
Maulsby, W. R., farmer and miller,
Sec. 19; P. O. Dexter.
Maulsby, Elwood, farmer, Sec. 18;
P. O. Dexter.
Maulsby, M. B., physician; P. 0.
Redfield.
Maulsby, Irvine, merchant; P. 0.
Redfield.
Maulsby, L. W., farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Dexter.
Mendenhall, C, farmer, Sec. 22; P,
O. Dexter.
Mendenhall, Jane, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Earlham.
Mills, Moses, blacksmith; P. 0.
Redfield.
Mills, Hadley, farmer, Sec. 28; P,
O. Dexter.
Mills, Milton, farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Dexter.
Mills, M., Jr., farmer, Sec. 21; P. 0.
Dexter.
Mills, Cyrus, farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0.
Earlham.
Moorman, John, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Redfield.
Muchler, L. W., farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Redfield.
Murray, J. M., farmer and broker,
Sec. 4; P. O. Redfield.
NEWLLN, ABNER, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Earlham.
Newlin, Aquilla, farmer, Sec. 11; P-
O. Redfield.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
561
Newlin, Euth, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Earlham.
Nichols, L. L. ; P. O. Eedfield.
Noel, Dulcina, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O
Eedfield.
Northup, N., farmer, Sec. 8; P. 0.
Dexter.
ODELL, A., farmer, Sec. — : P.
O. Eedfield.
ORAHOOD, GARRETT, farmer,
Sec. 35; P. O. Earlham; owns 160
acres of land, valued at $25 per
acre; born in Union county,
Ohio, in 1835; came to Iowa in
1868, and located in Madison
county; removed to this county
in 1873; married Victoria Pierce
in 1860; she was born in Cass
county, Illinois, in 1836; have 7
children: Lena, George B., Day-
ton P., Harriet M., Mittie, Har-
vey and Mary. Greenback.
Overstreet, C. D., barber; P. O
Eedfield.
Overstreet, James, plasterer; P. O
Eedfield.
PANCOAST, W. H. H, farmer
Sec. 11 ; P. O. Eedfield.
Pancoast, Alvaro, laborer; P. O
Eedfield.
Pay ton, John, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O
Eedfield.
PEPPARD, JONATHAN, farmer
bridge builder and contractor, Sec,
9; P. O. Eedfield; owns a farm of
410 acres; was born in Union
township, Wayne county, Ohio,
May 29, 1829, where he lived until
18 years of age; he then left his
home to seek his- own fortune in
life, locating in Medina county,
Ohio, where he took up his trade,
that of a bridge builder; January
1, 1855, he married Miss Betsy,'
daughter of E. F. and Betsy D.
Bissell, of La Fayette, Medina
county; she was born in Bristol,
Ontario county, N.Y., Oct. 1, 1836 ;
the year following he moved with
his wife to Lansing, Mich., where
he remained about one year; they
then returned to Ohio, where they
continued to live until May, 1866
then with his family he removed
to this county, and located in Eed-
field; three years later he removed
to his present home, 2 miles south
of Eedfield; December 29, 1873,
after a short illness, his wife was
taken from, him, leaving a family
of six children to mourn her loss,
having lost two previously: Overt
E., born December 15, 1855; Hat-
tie A., born February 12, 1858,
died October 12, 1866; Lovisa A.,
born November 1, 1860; Harry
E., born October 1, 1862, died
November 16, 1866; Marsious L.,
born August 3, 1865 ; Eudoice B.,
born December 13, 1867; Guy A.,
born June 17, 1872; Ward L., born
December 15, 1873; September 3,
1875, he again married to Eliza,
widow of Win. E. Longworthy, a
native of Montville, Waldo county,
Maine; she was born in June,
1836; they have two children by
this union, named: Edith, born
April 15, 1877; Charles A., born
September 24, 1878; Mrs. Pep-
pard has five children by her
former marriage; William M.,
born August 18, 1860; Annie,
born October 21, 1861; Ella, born
February 28, 1863; Agnes, born
August 18, 1864; Cordelia, born
February 2, 1866. Mr. Peppard
has been extensively engaged in
bridge building since coming to
this county, in fact he has built
most all the wooden bridges, and
has given general satisfaction to
the people; he is now engaged in
building the bridge across 'Coon
river, at Adel, for the D. M., A.
W. E. E.
Peppard, Win., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Eedfield.
Pitts, W. H. H, laborer, P. O. Eed-
field.
Porter, L. F., farmer; P. O. Eed- .
field.
Porter, ,W. H., farmer; P. O. Eed-
field.
562
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
PRICE, R. K., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Dexter; owns 160 acres of land,
valued at $40 per acre; born in
Harrison county, Ohio, in 1839;
came to Iowa in 1860 and located
in this township; married S. E,
Stribling in 1864; she was
born in Missouri in 1844; they
have six children: Annie, Ralph,
Arthur, Charlie, Florence and
Nettie. Republican.
Price, P. K., Jr., farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Dexter.
PUFFER, JOHN, dealer in grocer-
ies, boots and shoes; P. O. Red-
field; born in Monson, Mass., in
1810; came to Iowa in 1856 and
located in Redfield ; married Har-
riett J. Williams in 1847; she
was born in Brunfield, Mass., in
1817; lost one child, Frank; have
one child by a former wife, Charles.
Mr. Puffer has been assessor one
year and justice one term. Are
members of the M. E. church.
Republican.
Pugh, James, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Redfield.
RABER, CHAS., farmer, Sec. 6;
P. (). Redfield.
Ramsey, W. L., farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Earlham. ,
RAMSEY, WILLIAM, farmer,
Sec. 24; P. O. Earlham; owns 90
acres 'of land, valued at $35 per
acre; born in Hendricks coun-
ty, Indiana, in 1842; came to
Iowa in 1843 and located in Keo-
kuk county; settled on his present
farm in 1855 ; married Susanna
Newlan in 1865; she was born in
Hendricks county, Indiana, in
1845; have six children: Phineas
L., John D., Elistes W., Walter
V., Theo L. and Homer. Are
members of the Society of
Friends.
Redfield, I.*D., clerk; P. O. Redfield.
Redfield, F., coal digger; P. O. Red-
field.
Redfield, Abram, teamster; P. O.
Redfield.
REDFIELD, J. W., capitalist; P.
O. Redfield; born in Wayne
county, New York, in 1839;
came to Iowa in 1857, and located
in Redfield ; married Pauline For-
rester in October, 1866; she was
born in Canada in 1846; have
one child: Emma Louise. Mr.
R.- has been a member of the
board' of supervisors three or four
terms. Republican.
Reynolds, G. W.j mill-wright; P. 0.
Redfield.
Reynolds, J. Q. A., farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Redfield.
Robbins, Aaron, shoemaker; P. 0.
Redfield.
RUST, R. H., physician and sur-
geon, and dealer in drugs and
medicines; P. O. Redfield; born
in Virginia in 1828; came to
Iowa in 1850, and located in Keo-
kuk; removed to Redfield in 1861 (
married Lutitia Maulsby in 1855;
she was born in Wayne county,
Indiana; have six children: Dora,
Edwin G., Dell, Martha, Richard
and Ravmond.
SCHLARB, PETER, farmer, Sec.
29; P. O. Dexter.
Scott, Eli, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0.
Dexter.
Scott & Maulsby, merchants; P. 0.
Redfield.
SHEELEY, J. R., Sec. 2; owner
and proprietor of American Mills;
P. O. Redfield; valued at ten
thousand dollars; born in Ver-
million county, Indiana, in 1848;
came to Iowa in 1856 and lo-
cated with his parents in Union
township; married Helen Pear-
son in 1868; she was born in
Polk county, Iowa, in 1850;
have three children: Charley,
Jesse C. and Sidney; enlisted in
Co. C, 40th Iowa Infantry, in
1864, and discharged in 1864.
Republican.
Sheridan, M., farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0.
Earlham.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
563
Short, Thos. H., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Eedfield.
SIMCOKE, JOSEPH H., farmer,
Sec. 19; P. O. Dexter; owns 80
acres of land, valued at $40 per
acre; born in Kandolph coun-
ty, Indiana, in 1852; came to
Iowa in 1866 and located in Pot-
tawattamie county; removed to
this county in 1875; married
Flora Brown in 1875; she was
born in Windsor county, Ver-
mont; have lost two children:
Cora L., and Herbert D. Eepub-
lican.
Sividge, John G., farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Dexter.
SLOAN, G. W., farmer; P. O. Eed-
field; owns 102 acres of land, val-
ued at $30 per acre; born in
New Jersey in 1833; came to
Iowa in 1855 and located in Eed-
field ; married Hannah Harris in
1855; she was born in Indiana in
1836; have fonr children: Au-
gusta Jane, Dora, J. Ward -and
Mary S. Greenback.
Smith, Eli, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Eedfield.
Smith, George, farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Dexter.
Spillers, Saml., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Eedfield.
Spillers, Peter, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Eedfield.
Sturtevant, A., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Dexter.
Stearns, J. E., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Eedfield.
Stiles, J. E„ farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
Eedfield.
Stiles, E. F., clerk; P. O. Eedfield.
Stout, Dan., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Eedfield.
Stout, David, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O.
Stotts, W. E, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Eedfield.
Stotts, Uriah, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O.
Eedfield.
Sumpter, G. W., farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Dexter.
Sumpter, John, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Dexter.
Swizer, J. W., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Eedfield.
THOMAS, M. S., clerk; P. O.
Eedfield.
THOMAS, E. E., harness-maker;
P. O. Eedfield; born in Ean-
dolph county, Indiana, in 1848;
came to Iowa in 1850 and located
with his parents in Union town-
ship; married Cora Massure in
1869; she was born in Maine in
1856; have one child: Earl. Ee-
publican.
THOMAS, M. C, postmaster and
notary public; P. O. Eedfield;
born in Warren county, Ohio,
in 1818; came to Iowa in 1850,
and located in Union township;
has been twice married; first to
Mahala Smith, in 1840; she was
born in Ohio in 1820; have eight
children: Sarah J., Naomi A.,
William, E.E.,Malon S., Matilda,
Caroline and Evaline. Married
again in 1863 to Margaret J. Ives;
she was born in Ohio in 1840;
have five children: Marcus L.,
Joseph L., Lillie May, Winnie
and Ward. Mr. Thomas has been
justice about ten years. Eepub-
lican.
Thornbnrg, Elizabeth; P. O. Eed-
field.
Tice, N. J., photographer; P. O.
Eedfield.
TICE, D. N., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Eedfield; owns 120 acres of
land, valued at $30 per acre;
born in Chenango county, New
York, in 1835; came to Iowa in
1856 and located in this township;
married Permina Carpenter in
1865; she was born in Chenango
county, New York; have two
children: Ida J. and Maggie.
Enlisted in Co. K, 15th Iowa In-
fantry, in 1863, and discharged in *
1865. Eepublican.
Tompkins, A. J., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Eedfield.
564
DIBECTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Tompkins, Levi, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Eedfield/
Twichell, Ida, school teacher; P. O.
Eedfield.
\ A ;TALSH, THOS. O., deputy
V V treasurer, P. O. Adel.
"Watts, K. J., farmer, Sec. 29; P. O.
Dexter.
Warden, G. B., farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Eedfield.
Weasner, Alex., farmer, Sec. 21 ; P.
O. Dexter.
Weasner, Micaja, farmer, Sec. 21;
P. 0. Dexter!
Welker, A, 3"., farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0.
Eedfield.
Wickwire, E., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Eedfield.
Wickwire, Abe, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Eedfield.
Wilson, Euth, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Earlham.
Wilson, Barnett, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Earlham.
Wilcox, H. A., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Eedfield.
Wiseman, M. A., farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. Earlham.
Woolrey, Eobert, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Eedfield.
Woolrey, Euben, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Eedfield.
Wright, Lnke, farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0.
Eedfield.
-a-id-Au^s rroTTvri^snii3.
ADAMS, STEPHEN, farmer,
Sec. 16; P.O. De Soto; born
in Brown county, Ohio, April 14,
1826, where he lived until the fall
of 1856; he then emigrated to
Iowa and this county, and located
in what is now Adams township,
the township being named in
honor of himself; he has lived
here ever since, 22 years; Majr 13,
1847, he married Miss Matilda
Walker, of Brown county, Ohio;
have by this union four sons and
five daughters, named: Ann E.,
now Mrs. John E. Wilson, Azuba,
now Mrs. Ii. S. McKibbin, Eliza-
beth, now Mrs. Daniel Lance,
John Q., James A., Florence S.,
Mary L., now Mrs. Jos. Gano,
Joshua E. and Stephen M. Mr.
A. has been justice of the peace
since 1857; was postmaster at
Chattanooga eleven years ; is as-
sessor and has been for seven
years; has been secretary of the
school board seven years.
Adams, J. A., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. De Soto.
Adams, John, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
De Soto.
Adams, G. M., farmer. Sec. 23; P.
O. De Soto.
Alkire, W., farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0.
De Soto.
BALLAED, LEVI, farmer, Sec.
81; P.O. Earlham.
Barker, W. B., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. De Soto.
Barnett, Joel, farmer, Sec 33 ; P. 0.
Earlham.
BENSON, JASPER, farmer, Sec.
30; P. O. Earlham; owns 75 acres
of land, valued at $30 per acre;
born in Laclede county, Missouri,
in 1840; came to Iowa in 1852
and located in this township;
married Maria Bingman in 1860;
she was born in Marion county,
Indiana, in 1845; have four chil-
dren: Nancy J., Wm. N., Anna
and Josie Ella. Are members of
United Presbyterian Church.
Democrat.
Benson, T. W., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Earlham.
BILDERBACK, NORMS, far-
mer, Sec. 28; _ P. O. Earlham;
born in Laclede county, Missouri,
in 1845; came to Iowa in 1852
and located with his parents on
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
565
present farm; Samuel Bilderback,
his father, was born in Pennsylva-
nia in 1817, and died in 1871;
married Sallie Meads, who was a
native of Kentucky; have seven
children: Charles, Norris, Pres-
ton, Honor, Polly A., John and
Ferdinand.
BILDERBACK, THOMAS, far-
mer, Sec. 3; P. O. Adel; owns
178J acres of land, valued at $30
per acre; born in Holmes county,
Ohio, in 1837; came to Iowa in
1850, and located in Adel; mar-
ried.Susan Meeds, in 1865; she
was born in Montgomery county,
Illinois, in 1835; have three chil-
dren: Joseph E., Eva J. and
Prank S.
BINGHAM, J. W., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Earlham; born in Marion
county, Indiana, in 1853; came to
Iowa in 1853, and located with
parents in Union township; mar-
ried Polly A. Bilderback in 1874;
she was born in Missouri in 1852.
Binginan, J. W., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Earlham.
Bishop, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. De Soto.
Bishop, Jonathan, farmer, Sec. 10;
P. 0. De Soto.
BROWN , JAMES M., farmer, Sec.
32; P. O. Earlham; owns 300
acres of land, valued at $40 per
acre; born in Preble county,
Ohio, in 1832; came to Iowa in
1866 and located on present farm;
married Ann E. Hale in 1862;
she was born in Minard county,
Illinois, in 1844; have six chil-
dren: Emily J., Marietta, Clarisa,
Milem, Charles and Leona. Are
members of the Presbyterian
Church. Democrat.
Brown, Wm., farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
De Soto.
CALDWELL, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 1 ; P. O. Adel.
CASE, WILLIAM P., farmer, Sec.
13; P. O. De Soto; owns 119
acres of land, valued at $30 per
acre; born in Kentucky in 1826;
came to Iowa in 1845, and located
.in Jackson county; removed to
this county in 1864; married Su-
san A. Shearel in 1863; she was
born in Hancock county, Ohio, in
1844; have three children: Emma,
Minnie and Ralph E. Are mem-
bers of Christian Church. Dem-
ocrat.
CHESNUTWOOD, M. A., farmer,
section 13; P. O. De Soto; owns
200 acres of land valued at $20
per acre; born in Bellfountain
county, Pennsylvania, in 1815;
came to Iowa in 1854, and located
on present farm ; married Hannah
Collins in 1842; she was born in
Stark county, Ohio, in 1821 ; have
ten children: Mary Ann, Sarah,
Hannah, Barbara, William, Levi,
Harriett, M. A., Catherine and
Samuel; Mr. O, has been school
treasurer about eleven years. Are
members of the M. E. Church.
Republican.
Chesnutwood, Wm., farmer, Sec. 14;
P. O. De Soto.
CHURCHMAN, JAS. , farmer, Sec.
26; P. O. De Soto; owns 180
acres of land valued at $30 per
acre; born in Rutledge county,
Tennessee, in 1829; came to Iowa
in 1853 and located on present
farm; married E. C. Reynolds in
1869; she was born in Laport
county, Indiana, in 1850; have
two children: Wirinie B. and
Arthur R. Mr. C. enlisted in the
8th California cavalry in 1864,
and was discharged in 1865. Re-
publican.
Clark, F. M., farmer, Sec. 15; P. O.
De Soto.
Clark, David, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
De Soto.
Cler, P. and M., farmers, Sec. 3; P.
O. Adel
COFFIN, WM., Sec. 3; P. O. Adel;
owns 170 acres of land, valued at
$30 per acre; born in Wayne
county, Indiana, in 1835; came to
566,
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Iowa in 1856, and settled in Dallas
county in 1857; married Rachel
L. Shelley in 1857; she was born
in Hendricks county, Indiana, in
1838; have four children: Jas. H.,
Rachel M., Seerepta J. and Cora
L.; enlisted in Company C, 39th
Iowa Infantry, in 1862, and was
discharged in 1865. Are members
of the M. E. Church. Mr. Coffin
has been township trustee 2 years.
Republican.
College, James, farmer; Sec. 1; P.
O. Adel.
College, J. K. P., farmer; Sec. 1; P.
O. Adel.
CONGER, M. M., farmer; Sec. 24;
P. O. De Soto; owns 160 acres of
land, valued at $35 per acre; born
in Courtland county, N. Y., in
1815; came to Iowa in 1856, and
located on present farm ; married
Catherine Murphy in 1851; she
was born in Knox county, Ohio,
in 1830; have three children : Ed-
win, Cyrus and Emmet T. Are
members of the Christian Church.
Republican.
Corey, Wm., farmer; P. O. De Soto.
COUCH, J. A., farmer; Sec. 3; P. O.
Adel; owns 145 acres of land,
valued at $30 per acre; born in
North Carolina in 1820; came to
Iowa in 1856, and located on pres-
ent farm; married Ruth Coffin;
she was born in North Carolina in
1831; have eight children: Har-
• vey M., Mary, Geo. W., Hannah,
Milton, Eli, 'Eddie and Charlie;
Mr. Couch has two children by a
former wife: Joel and Harriet A.,
now Mrs. Adkins; lost one son:
Cummings W. Are members of
M. E. Church. Republican.
Couch, H. M., farmer; Sec. 2; P. O.
Adel.
Crowl, Wm., farmer; Sec. 4; P. O.
Adel.
DAVENPORT, JOHN, farmer;
Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.
DeCamp, E. W., farmer; Sec. 5; P.
O. Adel.
Dehart, Thos., farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0.
De Soto.
Doty, J. P., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Earlham.
Doty, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Earlham.
ELLIS, PETER, farmer, Sec.
22; P. O. De Soto.
FARNHAM, WM. W., farmer,
Sec. 36; P. O. De Soto; owns
56 acres of land, valued at $30 per
acre; born in Essex county, Mass.,
in 1828; came to Iowa in 1859,
and located in Jones county; mar-
ried Laura Bowley in 1855; she
was born in Maine, in 1833; have
six children : John W., Charles A.
Minnie J., William B., Mary E.
and Elick A. Republican.
FIDLER, ALFRED, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. De Soto; owns 137 acres
of land, valued at $40 per acre;
born in Knox county, Ohio, in
1827; came to Iowa in 1854, and
located on present farm; married
Harriet Ellis, in 1854; she was
born in Bureau county, Illinois, in
1834; have one child: Zenas N.
Are members of the M. E. Churh.
Republican.
Fike, T. S., farmer, Sec. 4, P. 0.
Adel.
FISH, PETER., farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. De Soto; owns 160 acres of
land, valued at $50 per acre; born
in Monroe county, Pennsylvania,
in 1832; came to Iowa in 1855,
and located in this county; mar-
ried Elizabeth Harrison in 1854;
she was born in Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania in 1835; have four
children: Samuel, Emery, Nelson
and Ada; married again in 1867
to Frances Haselton ; she was born
in Ohio in 1847. Republican.
FORRESTER, J. W, farmer, Sec.
2; P. O. Adel; owns 135 acres of
land, valued at $35 per acre; born
in Indiana, 1842; came to Iowa in
1853, and located in this county;
married A. E. Douglas, in 1865;
she was born in Indiana, in 1842;
ADAM& TOWNSHIP.
56T
have four children: Carrie, John
K, Willis V. and Guy. Are mem-
bers of the M. E. church. Enlisted
in Co. A, 23d Iowa Infantry, in
1862, and was discharged in 1865.
Republican.
Fox, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
De Soto.
Francis, Geo., farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O.
Adel.
Francis. Darius, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Adel.
GANOE, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 2;
P. O. Adel.
Garside, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Adel.
Garrett, Evan, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Earlham.
GARRETT, SILAS, farmer, Sec.
25; P. O. De Soto; owns 440
acres of land, valued at $25
per acre;_ born in Jefferson
county, Kentucky, in 1833; came
to Iowa in March, 1869, and
located on his present farm; mar-
ried KebecGa Ashenfeller,in 1855;
she was born in York county,
Pennsylvania, in 1834; have eleven
children.
Garoutte, Frank, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. De Soto.
Garoutte, W. P., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
. O. De Soto.
George, F. M., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Earlham.
Graham, J. G., farmer and preacher,
Sec. 19; P. O. Earlham.
Green, "Wm., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
De Soto.
HAGERMAN, E, farmer, Sec.
30; P. O. Earlham.
Hall, T. J., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Earlham.
Hemphill, Thos., farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. De Soto.
Harper, Adam, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. De Soto.
Harper, Henry, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Adel.
Harper, D. C, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. De Soto.
Harrison, Thos., farmer, Sec. 16; P..
O. De Soto.
HARRISON, G. W., Sec. 24, P. O.
De Soto; owns ninety acres of
land valued at $50 per acre; born
in Wyoming county, Pennsylva-
nia, in 1838; came to Iowa in 1868
and located on present farm ; mar-
ried Minerva Goble in 1867; she
was born in "Wyoming county,.
Pennsylvania, in 1849; have three
children : Charles E., Ada B., and
an infant.
Harmon,. Joseph, farmer, Sec. 7; P»
O. Earlham.
Hibbs, L. A., farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Earlham.
Hightower, J. G., farmer, Sec. 32;.
P. O. Earlham.
Hill, Harriet, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. O.
De Soto.
Hill, II. P. farmer, Sec. 11; P. O..
De Soto.
Hills, G. S., farmer Sec. 10; P. 0„
De Soto.
Hocket, Stephen, farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Earlham.
HODSON, CARY, farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Earlham ; owns 240 acres of
land valued at $30 per acre; born
in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1832;.
came to Iowa in 1869 and located
in this township; married Mary
Miller in 1873; she was born in
Ireland in 1841; have two chil-
dren: Lydia M. and Susan E., and
Mr. H. has five children by a
former wife: . G. A., Catherines-
Isabel, Cora and Hattie. Green-
DRCk
Holt, W. A. & G. W., farmers, Sec.
2; P. O. Adel.
Hooks, W. F., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Adel.
Hoselton, P., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
De Soto.
Hongham, J., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Adel.
Hunt, Henry, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0_
De Soto.
568
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
TLES, EICHAKD, farmer, Sec. 22;
1 P. O. De Soto.
7 0HNS0N, H. 0., farmer, Sec.
■d 28; P. O. Earlham.
Johnson, J. F., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Earlham.
KAHLE, ANGELINE, farmer,
Sec. 27; P. 0. De Soto.
Kelly, Z. W., farmer, Sec. 23; P. O.
De Soto.
KEN WORTHY", JESSE, farmer,
Sec. 31; P. 0. Earlham; owns
eighty acres of land valued at $40
fer acre; born in Marion county,
nd., in 1835; came to Iowa in
1860 and located in Madison
county; removed to this county in
1862; married Mary Spray in
1858; she was born in Ohio in
1840, and died in 1876; have six
children: Lydia A., Ida J., Eli K,
Evaline, Allen and Milton; are
members of Society of Friends.
Republican.
Xing, Win., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Earlham.
King, J. V., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Adel.
KRAMER,, W. H., farmer, Sec. 25;
P. O. De Soto; owns 560 acres of
land valued at $35 per acre; born
in Center county, Pennsylvania,
in 1837; came to Iowa in 1859;
located on his present farm in
1868; married Edna Wilson in
1864; she was born in Indiana in
1838; have four children: Mary
• A., L. C, Milburn and Grace G.
KELLY, Z. W., deputy auditor of
Dallas county; residence on his
farm, Sec. 23, Adams township;
P. 0. Adel; born in Columbiana
county, Ohio, July 10, 1835; he
was brought up and received his
education in that State; he came
to Benton county, Iowa, in 1858;
remained a short time and went
to Missouri, and was engaged in
teaching there for four years; then
■came to Dallas county and en-
gaged in teaching; he was elected
auditor of Dallas county in 1871,
and held that office for six years;
then was appointed deputy audi-
tor, and has held town and school
offices; he owns two farms, con-
taining 253 acres; married Miss
E. A. Harper, in February, 1864;
she was from Indiana; they have
two children : Orville A. and Myr-
tle D.
LONGMIRE, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Adel; owns 392
acres of land, valued at $30 per
acre; born in Washington county,
Tennessee, in 1811; came to Iowa
in 1846, and located on his pres-
ent farm; married Melinda Chris-
topher in 1832; she was born in
Indiana in 1814; have nine chil-
dren: George, James, Michael,
Benton, Elizabeth, Le Roy,Charles, >
Ida and Melissa; have lost five
children. Greenback.
LONGMIRE, MICHAEL, farmer,
Sec. 34; P. O.De Soto; owns 200
acres of land, valued at' $30 per
acre; born in Caldwell county,
Missouri in 1846; came to Iowa in
same year with his parents, and
located in Dallas county; married
Mattie Johnson in 1868; she was
born in Porter county, Indiana in
1848; have three children: Lester,
Alonzo and Minnie. Mr. Long-
mire has been connected with
Cole's circus as treasurer for about
12 years. Democrat.
LONGMIRE, LEROY, 'farmer,
Sec. 34; P. O. De Soto; owns 30
acres of land, valued at $40 per
acre; born in Dallas county, Iowa
in 1851; married E. M. Winans
in 1873; she was born in Indiana
in 1854; have three children: D.
J., Delia and Clarence.
Longmire, Geo., farmer, Sec. 9; P-
O. De Soto.
Lowry, J. M., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O.
De Soto.
MoBRIDE, C. EL, farmer, Sec.
26; P. O.De Soto.
McKibbin, S. S., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. De Soto.
• ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
569
Maliza, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Adel.
MARK, GEO. M., farmer, Sec. 35;
P. O. De Soto; owns 80 acres of
land, valued at $35 per acre; born
in Fayette county, Ohio in 1839;
came to Iowa in 1854, and located
in Marion county; removed to this
county in 1869; married Mary A.
Wright in 1867; she was born in
Stark county, Ohio, in 1844; have
three children: Melvina, Levi and
an infant; she has two children by
a former husband: John A. and
George "W". Wright. Are members
of the M. E. Church. Mr. Mark
enlisted in Co. H, 1st Iowa Cav-
alry in 1861, June 13th, and was
discharged March 23, 1866; held
a commission of 2d Lieutenant.
Republican.
Mark, W. A., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
De Soto.
Marsh, I. D., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Adel. "
Mavity,L., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.
Mazema, Mary J., farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Earlham.
Mercer, V., farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
De Soto,
Mercer, Henry, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. De Soto.
Miller, Hiram, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P.
' O. De Soto.
Miller, J. C, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
De Soto.
Mitchell, G. S., miller, Sec. 16; P.
O. De Soto.
Monahan, Thos., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. DeSoto.
Morzena, Andrew, fanner, Sec. 13;
P. O. De Soto.
NELSON, HANS P., farmer,
Sec. 30; P. O. Earlham.
NEWHOUSE, J. M., farmer, Sec.
19; P. O. Earlham; owns 140
acres of land, valued at $30 per
acre; born in Noble county, Indi-
ana in 1838; came to Iowa in 1854,
and located in Jasper county ; re-
moved to present farm in 1867;
married Nannie E. Pearson in
1859; she was born in Missouri in
1844; have eight children: Frank
L., Minnie, Samuel M., James M.r
Jessie, Etta, Thomas and Ella.
Are members of United Brethren
Church. Greenback.
OBERWETTER, M. E., farmer,.
Sec. 2; P. O. Adel.
O'Neal, Jesse, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P.
O. De Soto.
Orton, Lester, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Adel.
PERKINS, J. D., farmer, Sec,
14; P. O. De Soto.
REAMS, I. B., farmer, Sec. 21;
P. O. Earlham.
Rinard, C. B., farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Earlham.
ROUTH, JAMES M., farmer, Sec.
6; P. O. Adel; owns 175 acres of
land, valued at $30 per acre; born
in Butler county, Ohio, in 1817;
came to Iowa in 1870, and located
on present farm; married Eliza
Atterman in 1839 ; she was born
in yirginia in 1821; have four
children: Nancy, Mary, Lewis
and Hattie.
Ruth, Peter, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
De Soto.
SEARS, FRED., farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. De Soto.
SHUEY, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Adel; owns 97 acres of land,
valued at $30 per acre; born in
Washington county, Maryland, in
1812; came to Iowa in 1855, and
located in Marion county; remov-«
ed to this county in 1866; mar-
ried Catherine Gunckel in 1839;
she was born in Montgomery
county, Ohio, in 1817; have seven
children: Jacob, Mary, John W.,
Eliza J., Jeremiah, David and
Amanda. Lost three children:.
Joshua, Rosanna and Daniel. Are
members of United Brethren
Church. Republican.
Snyder, Dan., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
De Soto.
Snyder, A. J., farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
De Soto.
570
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS CQUNTY.
Standing, Geo., farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Earlham.
THOMAS, CHAS., farmer, Sec.
32; P. O. Earlham; owns
227£ acres of land, valued at $40
per acre; born in Carolina in
1810; came to Iowa in 1872, and
located on present farm; married
Isabel Maxwell in 1868; she was
born in Union county, Indiana, in
1825; has ten children by a for-
mer wife: Sidney, Peter,, Stephen,
Hannah, Mark, Moorman, Mary,
David, Amanda and Lucy; his
wife is a member of the Society
of Friends. Republican.
Thompson, A., farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. De Soto.
Trimble, James, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. De Soto.
Tucker, Thos., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. De Soto.
Tunnis, Wm., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
Adel.
VAN OLEVE, 0. J., farmer,
Sec. 8; P.O. Adel.
Tan Cleve, B. T., farmer, Sec' 5 ; P.
O. Adel.
"Van Cleve, Matilda, farmer, Sec. 4;
P. O. Adel.
Van Cleve, S. G., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Adel.
Tan Cleve, T. T., farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Adel.
WALKER, R. S., farmer, Sec.
21; P. O. DeSoto.
Walker, J. W., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Adel.
Webster, H. C, farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Earlham.
Whinery, S. D., farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. De Soto.
Whitney, Alden, farmer, Se& 16; P,
O. De Soto.
WILSON, SAMUEL, farmer, Sec.
31; P. O. Earlham; owns 160
acres of land, valued at $40 per
acre; born in Warren county,
Ohio, in 1825; came to Iowa in
1854 and located on present farm;
married Mary Mills in 1852 ; she
was born in Clinton, county, Ohio,
in 1827; have seven children : Re-
becca, Amy, James, Ann, Sarah,
Edna and John. Are members
of Society of Friends.
Wilson, J. R., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
De Soto.
WILLIAMS, E.,_farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Adel; born in Fayette county,
Indiana, in 1822; came to Iowa
in 1850, and located in Yan Meter
township ; married Elizabeth Par-
ker in 1845; she was born in Ohio
in 1821 ; have six children : Riley
T., Martha J., Rachel A., Wm. J.,
Thomas M. and Ora. Democrat.
Williamson, Jos., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Earlham.
Wright, B. F., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
- O. De Soto.
WRIGHT, B. F., farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. De Soto ; owns 280 acres of
land, valued at $30 per acre; born
in Howard county, Indiana, in
1841 ; came to Iowa in 1854, and
located in Jones county; removed
to this county in 1854; married
Caroline Adkins, in 1862; she
was born in Indiana in 1842; have
four children: John W., Sarah,
Melinda and Otis.
Wroe, R. M., farmer, Sec. 31; P. 0.
Earlham.
r)E SOTO.
A DELLS, R. L., painter.
BAILEY, SILAS, insurance
agent.
Bates, Albert, carpenter and buil-
der.
BICE, D. COR WIN, physician and
surgeon; was born in Schoharie
county, New York, in 1852; came
to Iowa in 1869, and located in
Adel, and engaged in the practice
of medicine in De Soto in 1875;
DE SOTO.
571
married Georgie Park in 1878;
she was born in Williamsburg,
Ohio, in 1 858. Are members of the
Christian Church. Republican.
BLACKMAN, J. W., proprietor of
the Kimball House, livery and
feed barn, and dealer in general
merchandise; was born iu Miami
county, Indiana, in 1848; came to
Iowa in 1854, and located in this
county; removed to De Soto in
1875; married Jennie Smith in
1876; she was born in Ohio. Are
members of the Christian Church.
Republican.
/">ONGER, E., station agent.
Carter, J. L., carpenter.
kAYIS, E. L., jeweler.
D'
DEMOTTE, J. S., retired mer-
chant; born in Mercer county,
Kentucky, in 1823; came to Iowa
in 1854, and located in this town-
ship; married Margaret E. Span-
gle in 1842; she was born in
Charlestown, Indiana, in 1824;
have four children: Charles W.,
Laura E., Alice E. and Martha F.
Are members of the M. E. Church.
Republican.
DILLON, W. H., dealer in general
merchandise; born in Tazwell
county, Illinois, in 1844; located
in De Soto in 1877 ; married Julia
Hill in 1862 ; ' she was born in In-
diana in 1840; are members of
the M. E. Church. Mr. Dillon
enlisted in Co. O, 39th Iowa In-
fantry, in 1862, and was discharged
in 1865; he was in the battles of
Altoona, Kenesaw Mountain and
others. Republican.
Dillon, J. & Son, merchants.
Drnry, L. O, baggage-master.
TT'ISH, PETER, stock-dealer.
f> AINES, F. W., merchant.
GILES, E. M., dealer in drugs and
medicines; born in Cadaraugas
county, New York, in 1840; came
to Iowa in 1867, and located in
Malcolm; removed to De Soto in
1871; married Alice A. Wigton
in 1868; she was born in Ohio in
1846; have two children : Clarence
E. and Winnefred M. Mrs. Giles
is a member of the Presbyterian
Church. Republican.
Green, J. C, retired.
HART, A. T., boot and shoe-
maker; born in La Peer
county, Michigan, in 1844; came
to Iowa in 1860, and located in
Appanoose county; settled in
Dallas county in 1875; married
Jane E. Halfield in 1867 ; she was
born in England, in 1847; have
four children: Arza L., Wm.
H., Ada A. and Arthur;
Mr. H. enlisted in Co. H, 1st
Iowa Cavalry, in 1862, and was dis-
charged February 15, 1866; was
in all the battles that regiment
participated in. Republican.
Harper, Abraham, poultry dealer.
Haycraft, E. H., groceries and no-
tions.
Hemphill, Wm., merchant.
Hill & Fox. stock-dealers.
HOCH, ISAAC, postmaster and
dealer in agricultural implements;
+ was born in Union county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1840; came to Iowa
in 1853, and located- at Holladay
P. O., Adair county; married
Dorcas Murry in 1867; she was
born in Ohio in 1847; have three
children: Katie, Lela B. and
Frank L. Are members of the M.
E. Church. Republican.
Hook, R. J., carpenter.
Huntington, C. W., painter.
Hutchinson, Ezra, barber.
RVIN, B. F., tinner.
1
ONES, W. P., butcher.
IBBY, W., telegraph operator.
K
Kibby, A. M., retired.
EONARD, G. W., drayman.
U
572
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Lewis, F. E., lumberman.
Long, Margaret, dairy.
Lowry, J. M., carpenter.
"IV /["ANN", EZRA, horse-dealer.
Matox, M. H., mason.
Michell, G. S.. miller.
NICHOLS & SNYDEE, MES.
millinery and fancy goods.
Nichols, W. H., wagon -maker.
Nolan, A. A., attorney.
TDAYTON, JACOB, retired.
Payton, Win., merchant.
Pay ton & Michell, hardware dealers.
Porter, A. S., teamster.
i ICHAEDS, EPHEAIM.
Eosenberg, A. B., blacksmith.
SIEGEL & GOTSTEIN, mer-
chants.
Solomon Lewis, night watchman.
Smith, A. J., physician and surgeon.
Smith W.. merchant.
Smith W. H, furniture dealer.
Smith, L. W., poultry dealer.
Snyder, J. L., harness-maker.
Swanson,'Fred., shoemaker.
^HEAILKILL, D. K, farmer.
T
Tomlinson, G. M., constable.
'AY, B. F., blacksmith.
WJ
R1
Whaley, Z. S., justice of the peace.
Wright, J. W., retired farmer. .
"ST-A-ISr DMIETIE-R.
A KEBS, E. D., carpenter.
BOGUE, C. W., dealer in hard-
ware; born in Henry connty,
Indiana, in 1840 ; came to Iowa in
1866, and located in Des Moines;
removed to Yan Meter in 1869;
married Eachel E. Pearson; she
was born in Ohio; have five chil-
dren: India, Cora, Charity, Wal-
ter and Wallace. Are members of
the Society of Friends. Eepub-*
Mean.
Bogue, C. W., hardware merchant.
Briggs, G. C, dealer in lightning
rods.
Bullis, H. A., restaurant.
f>ALYEE, ELIZABETH.
CLAYTON, JOHN, retired farmer;
was born in Pherson county,
North Carolina, 1801; came to
Iowa in 1848, and located in this
township; married Eebecca Day
in 1827; she was born in Pherson
county, North Carolina, in 1804;
have one child living: Susan
Mary, now Mrs. Parker; lost three
children: J. H. died in 1864, J.
C. died in 1866, Julia A. died in
1866; Mrs. Clayton died August
22, 1876. Eepublican.
CLAYTON, W. T., proprietor of
meat market; born in Lawrence
county, Indiana, in 1837; came to
Iowa in 1853, and located in this
county; came to Yan Meter in
1868, and engaged in the mercan-
tile trade, and continued until
February, 1877; engaged in his
present business in 1878 ; enlisted
in Co. A, 23d Iowa Infantry in
1862, and discharged in 1865;
married Frances E. Euberson in
1866; she was born in Indiana in
1848; have five children: Clara,
Edgar, Harry, Jessie B. and
Deleo. Are members of the M. E.
Church. Eepublican.
Clayton, L. W., farmer.
COOK, SAMUEL, dealer in grain,
owns elevator; born in Steuben
county, New York, in 1850; came
to Iowa in 1868, and located in
Dubuque; came to this county in
1875; married Ada Hathaway in
1876 ; she was born in New York;
have one child: May.
Curran, J. F., teacher.
DENNIS, EEY., pastor U. B.
Church.
Dodge, C. M., physician.
Doty, S. L., harness-maker.
Drew, Saml., coal-miner.
VAN METEB.
573
GILLIAM, HUMPHREY, la-
borer,
(roar, Eli, merchant.
Goar, B. F., dry goods merchant.
Graham, Ei chard, hotel keeper.
U ALL, IRA, laborer. "
Haynes, R., engineer.
Hobaugh, M. A., blacksmith.
HONAKER, JOHN, book-keeper
for Chicago and Van Meter Coal
Company; born in Lewis county,
Missouri, in 1843; came to Iowa
in 1865, and located in Van Bnren
county ; removed to Van Meter in
1877; married Margaret Bain in
1870; she was born in Maryland
in 1852; have three children:
Agnes, Jennie and Nellie. Re-
publican.
Hoppers, G. W., laborer.
Hunt, P., plasterer.
JENNINGS, W. H., postmaster,
<J and dealer in general merchan-
dise; born in Gnrnsey county,Ohio,
in 1846 ; came to Iowa in 1854, and
located in Louisa county ; removed
to Van Meter in 1868; married
R. A. Clayton in 1870; she was
born in Indiana in 1847; have
four children: Mary E., Anna V.,
Rosa B. and W. H. Are members
of United Brethren Church. Mr.
Jennings enlisted in Co. C, 11th
Iowa Infantry in 1863, and was
' discharged in 1865; was in several
engagements: Kenesaw Mountain,
Atlanta and others. Republican.
Joplin, John, engineer.
1 ENWORTHT, S. B., miller.
Lindthurst, John, operator.
LITTLE, M. A., dealer in drugs
and medicines; established in
1870; born in Orange county, JS\
Y.; came to Iowa in 1868, and
located in Van Meter; married
Maggie Andrews in 1878 ; she was
born in Keokuk.
Little, Coe, stock-dealer.
Logan, A. M., carpenter.
"cCOY, H. C, laborer.
M'
K1
LINDTHURST, CHAS. F.,
business railroad agent; born
in Pennsylvania in 1831; came to
Iowa in 1869, and located in Grin:
nell; removed to this county in
1876; married Catherine B. Price
in 1859; she was born in Penn-
sylvania in 1835; have six chil-
dren: John, Ella, Martha, Jen-
nette, Charles and Kate.
36
McNair, C, blacksmith.
McNair, Sarah, widow.
Martin, Henry, coal-miner.
Moore, T. E., miller.
Murnahan, James, engineer.
OSBORN, , Rev., pastor M.
E. Church.
TD ARKER, SILAS, retired farmer.
Patten, Joel, carpenter.
Peck, I. S., butcher.
RUBERSON, JAMES B.,dealer
in drugs and medicines ; born
in Jackson county, Indiana in
1850; came to Iowa in 1865, and
located in Dallas county; engaged
in the drug business in the spring
of 1878. Greenback.
OEAMAS, J. B., broker.
Sheppard, H. B".. clerk.
Smith, E. K., physician.
THOMPSON, JAMES, black-
smith.
Thomas, L. S., shoemaker.
VAN METER, J. R., proprie-
tor of Van Meter Mills; born
in Bartholomew county, Indiana,
in 1824; came to Iowa in 1850,
and located in this township; mar-
ried Mary Peabody in 1855; she
was born in Highland county, Ohio,
in 1834; have five children : Ellen,
Mary, Jacob, Carrie and Henry.'
Are members of the Christian
Church. Mr. Van Meter was cap-
tain of Co. C, 46th Iowa; enlisted
in 1864, and was discharged in the
same year. Republican.
574
DIEECTOKT OF DALLAS COUNTY.
■\ A 7ALKER, JOHN, super-
V V intendent of Chicago and
Yan Meter Coal Company; born
in England in 1821; engaged in
present business in 1877; married
Jane Harvey in 1853; she is a
native of England. Democrat.
"Welch, J. W., justice of the peace.
T7\A_:J>T METER TO^T^lSrSHII3.
ALDRICR, SUMNER, farmer,
Sec. 13; P. 0. Van Meter.
BAICHTAL, J. S., farmer, Sec.
6; P.O. Adel.
Ealmer, Peter, farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0.
Adel.
Bales, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Adel.
Bales, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Van Meter.
Barto, John, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
Adel.
Barnes, John EL, farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Adel.
Barret, John, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. O.
Van Meter.
Beck, Wm., farmer, Sec. 31; P. O.
De Soto.
BEVER, JOSEPH, farmer, Sec. 8;
P. O. De Soto; owns 225 acres of
land valued at $36 per acre; born
in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1836;
came to Iowa in 1856 and located
in this county; married Ruth
Payne in 1861; she was born in
Indiana in 1837; have five chil-
dren: Sarah M., Sovena M., Tenis
M , Edward E. and Minerva
Elizabeth. Are members of the
M. E. Church. Democrat.
Bilderback, Chas., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Adel.
Bishop, C. E., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
De Soto.
Bishop, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 8;
P. 0. De Soto.
Bixler, Peter, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
' Van Meter.
BROYHILL, T. D., farmer, Sec.
35; P. O. Van Meter; owns 105J
acres of land valued at $40 per
acre; born in North Carolina in
1816; came to Iowa in 1854 and
located in this township; married
Emeline Wooley in 1840; she was
born in New York in 1814; have
one child : Mary E. ; lost one son
in the U, S. A., died at New
Orleans. Mrs B. is a member of
the U. B. Church. Republican.
Brown, G. H., farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0.
BROWN, JAMES B., farmer, Sec.
4; P. 0. Adel; was born in Van
Meter township, this county, No-
vember 29, 1856, and has lived
here ever since; his father and
mother, William and Elizabeth,
came to this county in 1846, and
were among the first settlers.
BROWN, J. E., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
0. Adel; was born in what is now
Van Meter township, December
3,1848; his father, Wm. Brown,
came to this county and township
in the spring of 1846; J. E., now
lives on the farm entered by his
father; he married Miss Louisa
Dillon, September, 1867; a native
of North Carolina; she died May
30, 1869; he married again to
Lucinda Kendall, January 1,1873,
a native of Iowa; they have four
children by this union, three sons
and one daughter. Sarah E., Bertie
O., Thos. T. and George; was
school director three terms, and is
assessor, and has held that office
two terms; homestead contains
374f acres.
Buckley, Dennis, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
' O. Waukee.
Buell, Dewey, Mrs., farmer; Sec. 4;
P. O. Adel.
CHESNUTWOOD,W. L., farmer,
Sec. 18; P. O. De Soto.
Clayton, Susan M., farmer, P. 0.
Van Meter.
VAN METEE TOWNSHIP.
575
Clayton, L. W., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Van Meter.
CLAYTON, HENRY C, farmer,
Sec. 34; P. O. Van Meter; owns
160 acres of land valned at $40
per acre; born in Lawrence county,
Indiana, in 1845; came to Iowa
in 1853; married Sarah J. Koberts
in 1878; enlisted in 1864 in Co.
C, 46th Iowa Infantry, and dis-
charged in 1864. Republican.
CLAYTON, JAMES D., farmer,
Sec. 34; P. O. Van Meter; owns
360 acres of land valued at $35
per acre; born in North Carolina
in 1833; came to Iowa in 1853
and located in this township; mar-
ried Sarah A. Goodson in 1858;
she was born in Indiana in, 1837;
have six children: B. C, Ada E.,
Ida J., Chas. U., Owen W. and
Anna P. Are members of the M.
E. Church. Republican.
CLAYTON, SIMEON, farmer, Sec.
27; P. O. Van Meter; owns 215
acres of land valued at $30 per
acre; born in Pierson county,
North Carolina, in 1810; came
to Iowa in 1853, and in 1866 pur-
chased his present farm; married
Anna White in 1845; she was
born in Indiana in 1825; have
seven children: W. A., Ruthanna,
Louisa A., Susanna M., Louis W.,
John D. and Almira Jane.
CLAYTON, J. EL, farmer, Sec. 34;
P. O. Van Meter; owns 160 acres
of land valued at $40 per acre;
born in Lawrence county, Indiana,
in 1850; came to Iowa in 1853;
married Ella McCoy in 1876; she
was born in 1856; have one child:
"Wilda R. Republican.
Conant, Richard, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. De Soto.
Conant, S., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
De Soto.
Cook, Win., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
De Soto.
Cook, John, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
De Soto.
Cook, Margaret, farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Van Meter,
Cosby, Robert, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Adel.
Crawford, R. M., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
CRAWFORD, W. D., farmer, Sec.
12; P. O. Waukee; owns 190
acres of land valued at $25 per
acre; born in Fairfield county,
Ohio, in 1823; came to Iowa in
1 865, and located on his present
farm. Democrat.
DAVIDSON, SILAS, farmer,
Sec. 4; P. O. Adel.
Dillon, J., merchant, Sec. 3; P. O.
De Soto.
DILLON, JESSE, farmer, Sec.
33; P. O. Van Meter; owns 200
acres of land valued at $40 per
acre; born in Vermillion county,
Illinois, in 1830; came to Iowa in
1855 and located in Warren coun-
ty; removed to this county in
1869; married Sarah Golden in
1853; she was born in Vermillion
county, Illinois, in i830; have six
children: Frank, Alice, David,
Hannah, Mary and George.
DILLON, WM, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. De Soto; owns 180 acres of
land valued at $35 per acre; born
in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1822;
came to Iowa in 1846, and located
in Warren county; removed to
this county in 1874; married Mil-
dred Hadgens in 1856; she was
born in North Carolina in 1833;
have six children: Jane, Cornelia,
Lucinda, John, Jennett and Le-
nora.
Dodge, Margaret, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. De Soto.
Donaldson, A. J., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O, Adel.
DOUGLAS, JAMES, farmer, Sec.
18; P. O. De Soto; owns 140
acres of land valued at $3,000;
born in Cumberland county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1799; came to Iowa in
1853, and located in this township;
576
DIRECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
married Catherine Rick in 1836 ;
she was born in 1814 in Crawford
county, Pennsylvania; have six
children: Wm. Harrison, Adeline
E , Sarah M., James Albert, Chas.
T. and John Milton. Are mem-
bers of the Christian Church.
ELLIS, T. C, farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Adel.
Evans, Wl J., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Adel.
FELLER, MARY, farmer, Sec.
24; P.O. Booneville.
Feller, John, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Booneville.
Feller, Andrew, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Booneville.
FISH, DAVID M., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Van Meter; owns 100 acres
of land, valued at $30 per acre;
born in Brown county, Ohio, in
1828; came to Iowa in 1855, and
located on present farm; married
Elizabeth Riddle in 1854; she was
born in Indiana in 1837; have 4
children: Sarah, George, Lucinda
and William.
Foley, Francis, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
De Soto.
Foley, John, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
De Soto.
Foster, Francis, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Adel.
GOLDEN, A., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Van Meter.
GOLDEN, ELI, farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Van Meter; owns 560 acres
of land, valued at $30 per acre;
born in Vermillian county, Illi-
nois, in 1834; came to Iowa in
1849, and located on present farm;
married Sallie A. Johnson in 1855 ;
she was born in Jay county, In-
diana, in 1837; have 13 children:
Lucinda, Olive, Mary A., Emma
E., Clara Belle, Elarn EL, Nellie
E., Ida I., Albert O., Owen El-
den, May, Frank E. and John C.
Are members of the United Breth-
ren Church.
Graham, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Van Meter.
Gross, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
vv 3. lit 66
GUNDY, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 35;
P. O. Van Meter; owns 106 acres
of land, valued at $40 per acre;
born in Harrison county, Ohio, in
1844; came to Iowa in 1871, and
located on present farm; married
Emma Pitzer in 1865; she was
born in Ohio in 1848; have four
children: Addie, Rodella, Maggie
and Jacob W.
GUTCHALL, JACOB, farmer, Sec
36 ; P.O. Booneville ; o wns 600 acres
of land, valued at $30 per acre ; born
in Perry county, Pennsylvania, in
1815; came to Iowa in 1855, and
located on his present farm ; mar-
ried , Mahala Snyder in 1843 ; she
was born in Harrison county,
Ohio, in 1823; have four children:
Hannah E., Ruth A., J. H. and
George A.
HALTERMAN, JAS., farmer,
Sec. 12; P. O. Van Meter.
Halterman, J. W., farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O \V sinlvGG
HAZLETT, ELI AS, farmer, Sec.
36; P. O. Booneville; owns 262£
acres of land, valued at $25 per
acre; born in Harrison county,
Ohio, in 1840; came to Iowa in
1865, and located in this township;
married Rebecca Algeo in 1862;
she was born in Washington
county, Ohio, in 1845; have seven
children: Thursa A., Chas. L.,
Maria F., Geo. W., James B.,
Johnny B. and Ruth M. Are
members of the U. B. Church.
Democrat.
HESTER, S. R., farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Van Meter; owns 170 acres
of land, valued at $45 per acre;
born in Miama county, Indiana, in
1842; came to Iowa in 1860, and
located in Warren county; re-
moved to this county in 1868;
married Mary E. Peckempangh
in 1863. She was born in Illinois
in 1843; have 7 children: Albert,
Belle, Dora, Ada, Emma, Robert
VAN METER TOWNSHIP.
577
and Carrie; enlisted in 16th Iowa
Infantry in 1861, and discharged
in 1865. Are members of United
Brethren Church.
Hester, Chas., farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Van Meter.
Hester, J. F., farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Van Meter.
Hill, C. C, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
De Soto.
HOFFSTOT, WM, farmer, Sec.
34; P. O. Van Meter; owns 90
acres of land, valued at $35 per
acre; born in York county, Penn-
. sylvania, in 1830; came to Iowa
in 1856, and located in this town-
ship; married Eunice Knight in
1865; she was born in Indiana in
1842; have two children: George
and Lizzie E.; lost one: Melvin.
Republican.
Huff, J. M., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Adel.
TENNINGS, TAYLOR, farmer,
J Sec. 32; P. O. Van Meter;
owns 80 acres of land, valued at
$35 per acre; born in Gurnsey
county, Ohio, in 1846; came to
Iowa in 1854, and located in
Louisa county; removed to this
county in 1867 ; married Elizabeth
Hunt in 1869; she was born in
Ohio in 1848; have three children:
Euth, Frank and Alice.
KNIGHT, DANIEL, farmer,
Sec. 34; P. O. Van Meter;
owns 185 acres of land, valued at
$40 per acre; born in Eandolph
county, Indiana, in 1836; came to
Iowa in 1852, and located in
Oskaloosa ; removed to this county
in 1854, and located in this town-
ship; married Mary E. Broyhill
in 1859; she was born in Tazwell
county, Illinois, in 1839; have
four children : Otis E., Othello E.,
E. E. and C. W. ; enlisted in Co.
A, 15th Iowa Infantry, in 1864,
and discharged in 1865. Repub-
lican.
LAOTERBACK, L., farmer, Sec.
1 ; P. O. Waukee,
LEAVERTON, AARON, farmer,
Sec. 5 ; P. O. Adel ; son of James
and Massa; his father was born in
North Carolina, October 12, 1791 ;
his mother was born in Virginia,
February 14, 1793; they emigra-
ted to Iowa and this county in
1849, and located in what is now
Van Meter township, and entered
the land from the government; he
died March 10, 1861; Aaron still
occupies the old homestead, and
his mother is living with him en-
joying good health, and at the
present writing being eighty-six
years old; he married Cyntha
Hardin February 20, 1865, a na-
tive of Missouri; she has been a
resident of this county twenty-
five years ; they have by this union
three sons and four daughters:
Aaron J., Luella, George, Massa,
John, Hattie and a baby.
LOWREY, W. F., farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. De Soto; owns 143 acres of
land, valued at $25 per acre; born
in Vermillion county, Illinois, in
1839; came to Iowa in 1852, and
located in this county; married
Eachel Foley in 1860; she was •
born in Lake county, Indiana, in
1839; have five children: Theo.
A., Susanna, John W., Sarah A.
and James M. ; enlisted in Co. O,
39th Iowa Infantry, in 1862, and
discharged in 1863. Are members
of the M. E. Church. Eepublican.
Lowrey, Lydia, farmer, Sec. 9;j P.
O. De Soto.
McDOWELL, JAS., farmer, Sec.
4; P. O. Adel.
McKee, John, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Waukee.
Magart, Joana, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O.
De Soto.
MAGART, B. F., farmer, Sec. 8;
P. O. Adel; owns 52 acres of land,
valued at $25 per acre; born in
this county in 1848; married
Elizabeth Hasty in 1869; she was
born in 1848; have three children:
Minnie, Edward and an infant.
578
DIEECTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
MATTOX, JOHN W., farmer, Sec.
8; P. O. Adel; 'owns 75 acres of
land, valued at $25 per acre; born
in Lake county, Indiana, in 1838;
came to Iowa in 1859, and located
in Adel; married Maria Wright
in 1865; she was born in Illinois
in 1840; have two children: Levi
H. and Estella. Enlisted in 2d
Iowa Battery in J 861, and again
in 1862, in Co. A, 23d Iowa In-
fantry, and was discharged in
1865; held a commission of First
Lieutenant; in 1874 was elected
county Recorder and re-elected in
1876. Republican.
MARK, JAMES A., farmer, Sec.
33; P. O. Van Meter; owns 117
acres of land, valued at $35 per
acre; born in 1840; came to Iowa
in 1866, and located in this coun-
ty; married Sarah J. Mitchell in
1868; she was born in Illinois in
1850; have four children: Mary
F., John S., William 0. and James.
Marshal], M. and N., farmers; P. O.
Waukee.
Miller, Ambrose, farmer, Sec. 15;
P. O. Van Meter.
Miller, G. W., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Adel.
Miller, Sarah A., farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. De Soto.
MOORE, NATHAN, farmer, Sec.
33; P. 0. Van Meter; owns 210
acres of land, valued at $40 per
acre; born in Hardy county, Vir-
ginia, in 1823; came to Iowa in
1846 and located in this coun-
ty; married Elizabeth Crowl, in
1848 ; she was born in Ohio in
1829; have seven children : J. N.,
W. H., Gyrus O., Abram, Mary
A., Archie and Rosetta. Are
members of United Brethren
Church. Republican.
Mitchell, D. B., farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Van Meter.
NEAL, SAMUEL, farmer, Sec.
25; P. O. Booneville.
Neal, D. B.. farmer, Sec. 25; P. O.
Booneville.
Neally, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 4; P»
O. Adel.
Neally, Ludlow, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Adel.
OTTERMAN, JOSEPH, farmer,
. Sec. 8; P. 0. De Soto; owns
390 acres of land, valued at $25
per acre; born in West Virginia,
in 1826; came to Iowa in 1864
and located on present farm; mar-
ried Melissa Westfall in 1852;
she was born in Ohio in 1830;
have two children: Carrie, now
Mrs. Campbell, and Hattie. Are
members of Christian Church.
Greenback.
PATTEN, JOEL, farmer, Sec.
21 ; P. O. Van Meter.
Payne, P. Ii., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O.
Van Meter.
REECE, C. E., farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. De Soto.
RICHARDS, HIRAM J., farmer,
Sec. 31; P. 0. De Soto; owns
120 acres of land, valued at $35
per acre; born in Stark county,
Ohio, in 1842; came to Iowa in
1866, and located on present farm;
married Samantha Layton in 1865;,
she was born in Blackford county,
Indiana, in 1845; have seven chil-
dren: Calvin B., Edward. Jacob
Franklin, Kittie, William, Mollie
and Joseph. Are members of M.
E. Church. Republican.
Ross, F. M., farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0.
Van Meter.
Routh, J. M., farmer, Sec. 6; P. 0.
De Soto.
SHANNON, J AS., farmer, Sec.
2; P. 0. Waukee.
Starrs, C. R., farmer, Sec. 1; P. .0.
Waukee.
STUMP, JACOB, farmer, Sec. 14;
P. O. Van Meter; owns 340 acres
of land, valued at $30 per acre;
born in Randolph county, Indiana,
in 1825; came to Iowa in 1853,
and located in Boone township;
he removed to this township and
settled on his present farm in
1865; married Mary Troxel in
VAN METER TOWNSHIP.
579
1849; she was born in Ohio in
1832; have eight children: Jenny,
now Mrs. Kinnick, S. Albert,
Nellie, Nettie, Walter, Bertie,
Katie and Arthur. Mr. S. is
county supervisor. Republican.
STUMP, LOUIS, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Van Meter; owns 320 acres
of land, valued at $25 per acre;
born near Crawfordsville, Indiana,
January 22, 1823; came to Iowa
in 1845, and located on his pres-
ent farm; 'Mr. S. erected the first
cabin that was built in Dallas
county; married Elizabeth Lev-
erton in 1850; she was born near
Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1835;
have eleven children: Oliver,
James, Sarah, Rachel, Jane,
Isaac, Aaron, Jacob, Minerva,
Belie and John.
Swallow, G. W., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Van Meter.
THORNTON, REBECCA, farm-
er, Sec. 14; P. O. Van Meter.
Thornton, Lea, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Van Meter.
THORNTON, W. R., farmer, Sec.
14; P. O. Van Meter; son of
Isaac Thornton; born in Polk
county, Iowa, in 1848; removed
to this county in 1850, and located
with his parents on present farm ;
married Olive Aldrich in 1870;
she was born in Jones county, in
1850; have two children: Hattie
S. and Thomas. His father, Isaac
Thornton, was born in Dayton,
Ohio, in 1819, and died in 1876;
he married Miss Rebecca Stan-
field; she was born in Tennessee,
in 1822; they had six children:
Sarah, William R, Anna Maria,
Marietta. Cynthyaand Arminta.
TRINDLE, GEORGE E., farmer,
Sec. 27; P. O. Van Meter; owns
180 acres of land, valued at $35
Ser acre; born in Ray county,
lissouri, in 1839; came to Iowa
in 1858, and located in this coun-
ty; married Susan E. Clayton, in
1861' she was born in Lawrence
county, Indiana, in 1840; have
four children: Flora, Florence,
John and Henry. Are members
of U. B. church. Republican.
VAN METER, J. J., farmer,
Sec. 19; P. O. De Soto;
owns 1,093 acres of land, valued
at $40 per acre; born in Barthol-
omew county, Indiana, in 1829;
came to Iowa in 1863, and located
in this township; married Amanda
K. Pence in 1851; she was born
in Bartholomew county, Indiana;
have two children : Edgar H. and
Alphonzo.' Are members of the
Christian church. Republican.
Van Meter, H. G., miller, Sec. 18;
P. O. De Soto.
Vangnindy, S., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Van Meter.
Violet, L. M., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. De Soto.
Watson, Ellen, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Van Meter.
Watson, J. W., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Van Meter.
Weems, Mary, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Adel.
Wilson, Lewis R., farmer, Sec. 2;
P. O. Waukee.
T A 7ILS0N, RUFUS R., farm-
V V er, Sec. 2; P. O. Waukee;
owns 100 acres of land, valued at
$20 per acre; born in McDonough
county, Illinois, in 1841; came to
Iowa in 1867, and located on
present farm; married Martha A.
Harkrader in 1867; she was born
in Ohio in 1848; have six chil-
dren: Charles, John, Silas, Delia,
Jany and an infant.
WILLIAMS, NANCY A., farmer,
Sec. 4; P. O. Adel; widow of
John Williams, who was born in
South Carolina, in 1794; he came
fo this county at quite an early
day, and located on the farm now
occupied by the family. Mrs.
W.'s maiden name was Wood;
she was born in Greene county,
Pennsylvania, and came to this
county in 1853; she was pre-
580
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
viously married to Henry Gross,
of North Hampton county, Penn-
sylvania; he was born December
2, 1804; they were married De-
cember 21, 1843; he died April
23, 1861; she married Mr. W.
October 21, 1866; he died July
28, 1878; she has three sons and
'one daughter by her former mar-
riage, and lost two sons and one
daughter: William D., born May
28, 1845; John H, born May 11,
1847; Joseph, born September 15,
1850; George W., born August
24, 1849, died September 3, 1849;
Margaret, born August 18, 1853,
died September 29, 1857; Louisa,
born October 2,- 1855; Charles,
born March 17, 1858, died Octo-
ber 14, 1858.
Wolf, Oalvin, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0.
De Soto.
Wright, C. W., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. DeSoto.
Wright, Levi, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. De Soto.
Wright, Jackson, farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Van Meter.
BOONE TO^TNSHIP.
ALLEN, JACOB, farmer, Sec.
34; P. O. Booneville.
Austin, N. J., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
BALDWIN, W. I-L, merchant,
Booneville.
Barton, George, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Booneville.
Barnett, O, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Booneville.
Berger, B., Jr., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
BOONE, MRS. SUSANNA, farm-
er, Sec. 29; P. O. Booneville; was
born in Harrison county, Indiana,
in 1814 (her maiden name being
Farnsley); in 1831 she married
John Smith, who was born in
Pennsylvania; he died May 13,
1832; in 1833 she married Wm.
D. Boone, who was born in Ohio,
and came to this county in 1847,
being among the earlist settlers of
this township; Mr. Boone died
January 14, 1855, leaving eight
children: Joshua, Florida, Frances,
Sarah, Martin, Margaret, ,Mary
and Elizabeth; lost one daughter:
Julia A.
Boone, Joshua, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Booneville.
Bronson, S. H., stock-buyer; P. O.
Booneville.
Buck, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0-
Waukee.
Burt, C. W., farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0.
Booneville.
CAPS, ELIJAH, farmer, Sec.
33; P. O. Booneville.
CASSATT, CHARLOTTE, farm:
er, Sec. 6; P. O. Waukee; owns
212 acres of land valued at $40
per acre; born in Wayne county,
Ohio, in 1824; Mrs. Cassatt's
maiden name was Charlotte Par-
rott; she was married to Henry
Cassatt in February, 1849; he was
born in Warren county, Ohio, in
1821, and died in 1869; Mrs. C.
has four children: Mary (now
Mrs. Haines), Horace, Clara and
Ella.
Childress, B. R., farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Commerce.
Cook, Wm.. farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. '
Commerce.
Cook, S. M., grain-buyer; P. 0.
Booneville.
Crawford, John, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Booneville.
Conch, G. W., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
0. Booneville.
DOWLER, H. O, farmer, Sec. 4;
P. O. Waukee.
^AGAN, THOS., farmer, Sec.
EJ
32 ; P. O. Ashawa.
BOONE TOWNSHIP.
581
Ellis, Lysander, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Ashawa.
Estes, Horace, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Ashawa.
FAG AN, E. B., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O.Waukee ; born in Park coun-
ty, Indiana, in 1 845 ; came to Iowa
in 1847 and located in Polk county;
removed to his present residence
in 1874; married Ella Perkins in
1875; she was born in Michigan;
have two children: Jennie C. and
Grace; Mr. Fagan enlisted in Co.
E, 47th Iowa Infantry, in 1864
and was discharged in the same
year.
Earret, Margaret, farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Booneville.
'Earret, Nicholas, farmer, Sec. 18;
P. O. Booneville.
Eeller, Nicholas, farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Booneville.
Elinn, Squire, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
Ashawa.
Elinn, D. M., farmer, Sec. 21; P. O.
Booneville.
Flinn, J. M., farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. O.
Ashawa.
Erick, John A., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Ashawa.
GOODSON, J. C, farmer, Sec.
22; P. O. Booneville; he was
born in East Tennessee in 1812;
when 4 years of age his parents
removed to Indiana; he came to
this county in 1847, and was
among the earliest settlers, the first
settlement having only been made
the year previous; he owns 300
acres of land ; has held the offices
of justice of the peace and school
director; he married Miss Priscilla
Coffin in 1835; she was born in
Tennessee; have four children:
"Wm. N., Sarah A., Silas J., and
Jacob M.
Goodson, S. J., farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Booneville.
Gresham, Geo., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Booneville.
GUERNSEY, OTIS, P. O Boone-
ville; born in Canada in 1833; he
removed from Canada to .Indiana
in 1844; in 1852 he went'to Cali-
fornia, where he remained until
1865; he came to this county in
1871, and in 1873 erected the
steam saw mill known as Guern-
sey's Mill; the engine is a 45
horse power, and capable of saw-
ing 10,000 feet per day, and em-
ploy from 8 to 10 hands; during
the past year, in connection with
his son-in-law, E. Tufrey, he has
built the flouring mill at Waukee,
known as the Waukee Mills ; while
in Oregon he was in the Indian
army, and for 12 months was with
Kit Carson; he married Miss
Nancy J. Fisher December 25,
1856; she was born in Missouri;
have three children: Hosea B.,
Chester G. and Lena R.; Lost one
daughter: Mary S.
HANES, DAVID, farmer, Sec.
16; P. O. Booneville.
HORTON, 0. M., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Waukee; born in Erie county,
New York in 1842; and removed
to Warren county, Illinois in 1868,
and to this State in 1869, and to
this county in 1870; owns 80 acres
of land ; he has held offices of con-
stable, town clerk, justice of the
peace and school director; in 1861
he enlisted in the 44th New York
Infantry, and served until dis-
charged ; he married Miss Hattie
Hill in 1865; she was born in
Erie county, New York; have two
children: Maud and Claud.
Huff, John, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
Ashawa.
Hunter, A. B., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Ashawa.
Huston, J. H., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Booneville.
Huston, J. W., farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Commerce.
Huston, J. B., farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Booneville.
Huston, J. P. farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
Booneville.
582
DIRECTORY OF DA1LAS COUNTY.
JAMISON, A. J., farmer, Sec. 12;
cJ P. O. Ashawa.
Jones & Baldwin, wagon-makers,
Booneville.
Jones, A. B., teacher, Sec. 32; P. O.
Booneville.
KEOFNER, PETER, farmer,
Sec. 1; P. O. Ashawa.
Killian, Thos., farmer, Sec 35; P.O.
Commerce.
Knight, Geo., farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. O.
Booneville.
Kriser, Henry, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
0. Waukee.
Kruger, L. W., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Booneville.
LANDERBACK, ADAM, farm-
er, Sec. 20; P. O. Booneville.
Landerback, Andrew, farmer, Sec.
20; P. O. Booneville.
Lane, Newton, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Booneville.
Lane, W. C, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Booneville.
Learson, John, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Waukee.
Leyner, Geo. & J., farmers, Sec. 15;
P. 0. Booneville.
McCONNELL, H., farmer, Sec.
9; P. O. Booneville.
McCorkell, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 8;
P. O. Booneville.
Manders, J. O, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Waukee.
Marker, Hinson, farmer, Sec, 3; P.
O. Waukee.
Mortimer, B. L., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O "W^jiukGG
MORTIMER, J. R., farmer, Sec.
3; P. O. Waukee; born in Vir-
ginia in 1843; came to this State
in 1866, and settled in Mad-
ison county, where he remained
until 1867, when he came to this
county; owns 120 acres of land;
he married Miss Catherine Hattle
in 1868; she was born in Pennsyl-
vania; have four children: Rosalie,
Elma, Clifford and Lillian.
Myers, J. A., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Booneville.
NELSON, W. F., farmer, Sec. 21;
P. O. Booneville.
Newbie, Wm., farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Booneville.
Nish, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0.
Waukee.
Nish, Alex., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
OLESON, C. J., farmer, Sec. 12;
P. O. Ashawa.
PACE, J. V., wagon-maker;
Booneville.
Parker, S. S., farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0.
Booneville.
RABIN, J. S., farmer, Sec. 19;
P. O. Booneville.
Rabin, J. C, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O.
Booneville.
Robinson, Wm., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Booneville.
Robinson, James, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Booneville.
SHAFER, R, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Ashawa.
SMITH, JOSEPH, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. 0. Ashawa, Polk county; bom
in Indiana in 1829, and removed
to Adams county, Illinois, in 1865,
and remained one year, and came
to this county in 1866; owns272£
acres of land ; has held offices of
town trustee and school director;
he married Miss Jeannette Casey,
in August, 1850; she was born in
Kentucky; has eight children:
Otis E., Osmon B., Horace G.f
Samuel L., Ulysses R., Nettie F.t
James E. and Helen E.
Smith, Robert R., farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Ashawa.
Smith, Spencer, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Ashawa.
SNYDER, JACOB, farmer, Sec.
5; P. O. Waukee; owns 465 acres
of land valued at $35 per acre;
born in Cumberland county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1823; came to Iowa
in 1855, and located in this town-
ship; married Hannah M. Ran-
dolph, in 1850; she was born in
Cumberland county, Pennsylvania
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
585
in 1829; have nine children : John
R, Virginia M., Eachel A.,
Martha K, Emma A., Belle, Irene,
Chas. V. and May.
Snyder, J. A., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Wankee.
Spatz, Fred, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Booneville.
Spear, John, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Waukee.
Stroeber, Geo., farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Booneville.
Swallow, W. Z., farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Booneville.
Swallow, J. Q., farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Booneville.
Swallow, H. C, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P.
O. Booneville.
Sweeney, J. A., blacksmith, Boone-
ville.
TIDBALL, J. T., physician and
surgeon, Booneville.
UNDERWOOD, J. K, farmer,
Sec. 26; P. O. Booneville.
VESTAL, S.H., farmer, Sec.
13; P. O. Commerce, Polk
county, Iowa; born in North
Carolina in 1817, and remained
there until 1831, when he removed
to Indiana, and lived there until
1854, when he came to this county;
he owns 120 acres of land; has
held offices of justice of the peace,
county supervisor, town trustee,
school director and assessor; he
married Miss Allie J. Chambers,
in 1841; she was born in North
Carolina; has seven children:
Henry, Jennie, Mary, Eva, Lin-
coln, Charlie and Frank. Henry
enlisted in the 47th Iowa Infantry
in the late war; one son, Theo-
dore, enlisted in the 23d Iowar
and died from disease contracted
in the army.
\ A 7-ACHT, NICHOLAS, farm-
V V er, Sec. 20; P. O. Boone-
ville.
Watrous, Phineas, farmer, Sec. 13;.
P. O. Commerce.
Watrous, Matilda, farmer, Sec. 13;.
P. O. Commerce.
Webster, S. P., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Commerce.
Williams, Mary, fanner, Sec. 15; P.
O. Booneville.
Windsor, J. H, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Commerce.
Winters, J., druggist & grocer;,
Booneville.
Wooden, Henry, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Booneville.
Wragg, John, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0.
»V&llkGG
YOUTS, J. S., farmer, Sec. 35;
P. O. Commerce.
-T77--A-Ij3SrTTT TO"WITSHIP.
ALDRICH, J. N, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Waukee.
BALDWIN, M. H., farmer, Sec.
25; P. O. Waukee.
Bass, G. M., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Waukee.
Beatty, David, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O "WjUlkcG
BELL, J. H.', farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Dallas Center; born in Piermont,
Eockland county, N. T., Novem-
ber 27, 1823; he lived there until
1856, and then emigrated to Laun
Ridge, Marshall county, Illinois,
where he lived twelve years, and
where he worked at his trade, that
of a brick mason; he then re-
moved to Dallas county, where he
now lives; his farm contains 150'
acres; he married Miss Emma.
Campbell, a native of Rockland
county. New York, June 30, 1847;
they have five sons and one
daughter: Nathan, Cyrus, Char-
ley, Caroline, Oscar, Frank.
BINGHAM, LORIN, farmer, Sec.
18; P. O. Waukee; owns 151
acres of land, valued at $25 per
acre; born in Otsego county, N.
Y., in 1817; came to Iowa in
.584
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
1860, and located on his present
farm in 1867; married Cordelia
Furgeson in 1838; she was born
in Canada; have eight children:
Eunice, Sarah, Lydia, Lorin,
Franklin, Ellen, Jessie and Hattie.
Blackman, E., farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Waukee.
Blackman, A. F., merchant; Waukee.
Bolen, S., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Waukee.
BR1GGS, JAMES G., farmer, Sec.
12; P. O. Waukee; owns 240
acres of land, valued at $40 per
acre; born in Peoria county, Illi-
nois, in 1846; came to Iowa in
1855, and located with his parents
in Dallas county; in 1869 he lo-
cated on his present farm; mar-
ried Lucy E. Carpenter, in 1870;
she was born in Vermont, in 1844;
have four children: Marshall R.,
Frank W., Dorcas C. and Lucy
E. Are members of Christian
church.
Brier, George D., farmer; P. O.
BROWN, JAMES B., farmer, Sec.
25; P. O. Waukee; born in Mor-
gan county, Ohio, January 27,
1838; he lived there until the fall
of 1851, and he then emigrated
to Bureau county, Illinois, where
he lived four years; he then went
to Gentry county, Missouri, where
he lived until 1862; he then en-
listed in Co. E, First Missouri
Cavalry; was mustered out April
4, 1865, at St. Louis; he was in
the battles of Kirkville and Hart-
ville, and was in a number of
other battles and skirmishes; he
married Miss Susanna Carter, of
Gentry county, Missouri, May 1,
1859; they have four sons and
four daughters: Sarah M., Mary
E., Louisa A., Joseph J., Matilda
J., James B. Jr., and Julius H.
Buckley, D., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Waukee.
Bullock, Albert, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Waukee.
CAMPBELL, S. M., farmer, Sec
13; P. O. Waukee.
Carpenter, E. H., farmer, Sec. 27 f
P. O. Waukee.
Cartwright, Henry, Sr., farmer, Sec.
35" P. O. Waukee.
CARTER, JOSEPH, farmer, Sec.
25; P. O. Waukee; born in
Campbell county, Tennessee, Feb-
ruary 1, 1820; he lived there
until he was about eight years of
age; his parents then moved to
Fayette county, Indiana, where
they remained two years, and
then settled in Bush county, In-
diana; he married Miss Elizabeth
Turner, of Rush county, Indiana)
February 4, 1540; the same year
they emigrated to Gentry county*
Missouri, where he lived until
1861, and then, with his family,
moved to Warren county, Iowa;
came to Polk county in 1864;
lived there for two years, and then
came here, and has been here ever
since; has a farm of 200 acres;
has a family of seven sons and
seven daughters: John R., Peter
W., Elijah T., Susanna, James M.,
Mary, Jane, Charles R., Isabel!
D., Hannah, Hiram J., Ada M.,
Rachel I., William. John R. and
James M. served in the late war;
John was in the service nearly
three years, and James about
seven months; both served in the
Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry ,Co.K.
Carson, M. L., shoemaker; Waukee.
CARTER, WM. A., physician and
surgeon and dealer in drugs and
medicines, Waukee; born in Lin-
coln county, Kentucky, in 1813;'
came to Iowa in 1875 and located
in Sac City; removed to Waukee
in September, 1878, and engaged
in his present business; married
Tempy Adams in 1832; she was
born in Rock Castle county, Ken-
tucky, in 1814; have four children:
Wm. A., Hannah J., Sarah E. and
Martin Luther. Mi\ C. is a clergy-
man in the Christian Church.
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
585
CARRELL, E. S., dealer in grain
and agricultural implements,
Waukee; born in Greene county,
Ohio, in 1833; came to Iowa in
1862, and located in Washington
county; removed to this county in
1869, and engaged in farming; en-
gaged in his present business in
1875; married Elizabeth Corrgill
in 1856; she was born in Cham-
paign county, Illinois, in 1832;
have five children: W. C, G. B.,
H. L., S. E. and F. M. Mr. C.
owns a farm of 200 acres in Sec.
— , valued' at $30 per acre.
Caswell, Jos., farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
\t 9i U K 6 G
CLARK, C. F. M., dealer in drugs
and medicines, Waukee; born in
Medina county, Ohio, in 1840;
came to Iowa in 1861, and located
in Tipton; removed to Waukee
in 1870, and engaged in his present
business; married Elizabeth B.
Wright in 1861 ; she was born in
Bellville, Richmond county, Ohio,
in 1842; have five children: Ad-
die, Forrest, Ernest, Victor and
Joseph. Mr. C. enlisted in Co. I,
15th Iowa Infantry, in 1863, and
was discharged in 1865 ; has been
justice of the peace eight years,
and held other township offices.
Are members of the Episcopal
Church.
Cornish, N. B., farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Cornish, L. E., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Cowger, J. T., farmer, Sec. 33; P. O.
AV Mil IvGG
DALEYMPLE, D. W., steam
corn-sheller; P. O. Waukee.
DAVENPORT, JOHN S. H., farm-
er, Sec. 23; P. O. Waukee; owns
120 acres of land valued at $35
per acre; born in Providence,
Rhode Island, in 1835; came to
Iowa in 1871, and located on his
E resent farm; married Sarah A.
(ouglas in 1857; she was born in
Providence in 1837; have two
children: Wm. F. and Frank D.
Day, W. EL, farmer; P. (J. Waukee.
DUNCAN, T. M., of the firm of
Herbert & Duncan, Waukee; born
in Industry, Illinois, in 1856;
came to Iowa in 1878 and engaged
in his present business.
DUNCAN, T. K., farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Waukee; owns 240 acres of
land valued at $25 per acre ; born
in Washington county, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1827; came to Iowa in
1857, and located on his present
farm; married Mary A. Eobbins-
in 1861 ; she was born in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, in 1836;.
have four children: Isaphine,
Mary A., Frances E. and Jona-
than J. Are members of the
Presbyterian Church.
DUNCAN, JAS. K. L., physician
and surgeon, Waukee; born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania,
in 1845; came to Iowa in 1870,
and first located in Decatur coun-
ty; removed to Waukee in Janu-
ary, 1871, and engaged in the prac-
tice of medicine. Mr. Duncan, at
the age of eighteen, shipped as an
ordinary seaman in the United
States Navy, in 1863, and received
a medal of hdnor from the gover-
nor of Florida for galantry in an
engagement at Hind in an, Louisi-
ana. He was married to Miss-
Florence Maulsby in 1875; she
was a native of Indiana.
ELLIOTT, J., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
P. Waukee.
Ellis, Lyman, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. O.
FILSON, JOSEPH, farmer, Sec.
5; P. O. Dallas Center.
Finley, E. A., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
Waukee.
Finley, Abel, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
\V nukcG
Finley, U.S., farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Waukee.
586
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
GRIFFITH, J. W., farmer, Sec.
22; P. O. Waukee.
HALE, A. EL, farmer; P. O.
Waukee.
Hall, J. M., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Harkrader, G. J., farmer; P. O.
Waukee.
Henderson, A., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
0. Waukee.
Hoff, Powell, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Waukee.
Hoff, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Waukee.
Hoff, Nathaniel, farmer, Seel; P.
O. Waukee.
Hogan, P., section hoss, Waukee.
Holf, M., farmer; P. O. Waukee.
Houghtaling, K. F., farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Waukee.
Humphrey, W. E., station agent;
HUSTON,' J. A., firm of Tyler &
Huston, Waukee; born in Alle-
ghany county, Pennsylvania, in
1852; came to Iowa in 1875 and
located in Waukee; married Miss
Florena Sloan in 1878; was
elected assessor in 1878.
JACKSON, J. T., farmer, Sec. 15;
P. O. Waukee.
James, T. T., farmer. Sec. 29; P. O.
Wo rj Ir gg
JOHNSON, AARON, farmer, Sec.
30; P. O. Waukee; born in
Greene county, Ohio, February
17, 1821; when he was four years
of age his parents moved to Ed-
gar county, Illinois, where he
lived seventeen years, and then
went to Will county, Illinois,
where he lived nineteen and a-half
years; from there went to Powe-
shiek county, Iowa, where he* lived
seven years; he came to this coun-
ty and located where he now lives
in 1870 ; owns a farm of 428
acres; he married Elizabeth Tay-
lor, June 25, 1839; she died June
8, 1845, leaving a family of one
son and one daughter: Charity A.
and William J. He married
again to Sarah A. Taylor, January
7, 1846; she died September 3,
1859, leaving a family of four
sons: Theodore F., Millard F.,
Cassius C. and Lewis C. F. He
again married to Jennett E. Bol-
by, March 8, 1860; have five chil-
dren: Ernest L. L., Newell E.,
Amelia J., Amrna L. and Ulysses
Colfax.
Jones, J. N, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Waukee.
Jordan, J. T., farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0.
Waukee.
Julius, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0.
Waukee.
KENT, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Waukee.
King, Wm.; P. O. Waukee.
LACKEY, WILLIAM, farmer,
Sec. 3; P. O. Dallas Center.
LEAMING, JEREMIAH, far-
mer, Sec. 32; P. O. Waukee;
born in Potters county, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1815; his parents moved
to Hamilton county, Indiana,
when he was about three years of
age; was raised there, and lived
there until 1839; in 1838 he mar-
ried Miss Jane Reynolds, a native
of Ohio ; the following year they
emigrated to Jefferson county,
Iowa; they drove an ox team and
were about five weeks on the
road ; he came to this county in
1868, and located where he now
lives; has a family of three sons
and two daughters: Charles, Eu-
nice, Jeremiah, Sarah and John.
Leonard, H. L\, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Waukee.
Livingston, W. C, farmer, Sec. 31;
P.O. Waukee.
Livingston, G.; P. O. Waukee.
MARSHALL, WM., farmer,
Sec. 12; P. O. Waukee; born
in Green county ,Tenn., September,
1830; his parents moved from
there when lie was very young
and went to Henry county, Indi-
ana, where he lived until he was
about fifteen years of age, and
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
587
then went to Howard county, In-
diana; he married Miss Caroline
Lancaster, September 12, 1855, of
Jackson county, Indiana; in 1856
they emigrated to Marshall coun-
ty, Iowa, and settled near Bangor,
where they lived seventeen years;
Mr. M. was one of the founders
of the Stanford Seminary, located
near Bangor; was also postmaster
at Stanford ; he came to this coun-
ty in the spring of 1873, and lo-
cated one mile east of Dallas
Center, where he still owns a farm
of 120 acres; he moved on his
present farm in the spring of
1877; farm contains 80 acres;
also owns a farm in Marshall
county of .133 acres; have four
sons and four daughters : Osborn
J., Mary E., John E., Olive A.,
Martha E., William E., Amanda
M. and Alveso.
Marshall, E., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Waukee.
Merical, B., farmer; P. O. Waukee.
MIDDLEKAUFF, CHRISTIAN,
dealer in dry goods and groceries,
Waukee; born in Maryland, in
1821; came to Illinois in 1857,
and located in Ogle county; re-
moved to Waukee in 1872, and _
, engaged in farming, and in 1878
engaged in present business; mar-
ried Amelia J. Keedy in 1849;
she was born in Maryland; have
ten children: Susan Selest, Cal-
vin E., Benjamin F., Arbanna K.,
Admer, Charlie, Jacob C, Grace,
Yictor and Oliver.
Miller, Martin, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Morrison, Wm., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Waukee.
Morrison, D.; farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
MORRISON, J. R., farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Waukee; was born, near
Montreal, Canada East, February
25, 1844; came to this county in
1865, and located near Minburn;
has lived on his present farm 8
years; has a farm of 140 acres;
he married Miss Mary Coffeen,
December 31, 1872, a native of
Polk county; Iowa; they have 3
sons and 1 daughter: Mary E.,
Arthur E., Chas. M. and Chester
C.
Myers, A. E., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Myers, Martin, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Dallas Center.
NICHOLSON, THOS., farmer;
P. 0. Waukee.
ISTissly, K M., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Dallas Center.
OVEEMTEE, WM., Butcher;
Waukee.
PAEKEE, JAMES, hotel; Wau-
kee.
PIPER, GEO. L., physician and
surgeon, Waukee; born in Ogle
county, Illinois, in 1850; came to
Iowa in 1874, and located in Clar-
ence, and removed to Waukee in
1876; married Jennie P. Wright
in 1876; she was born in Eich-
land county, Ohio; have lost one
child: Georgie.
RAMSEY, MAET, farmer, Sec.
36; P. O. Waukee.
Eatcliff, Eli, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Waukee.
Eawson, E. A., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Waukee.
Eeynolds, G. H., farmer; P. O.
Waukee.
Eiley, M. E., farmer; P.O. Waukee.
Eobinson, J. H., farmer; P. O.
Waukee.
Eobinson, C. W., blacksmith, Wau-
kee.
Eow, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Dallas Center.
SHAEP, W., farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Waukee.
Sines, M., farmer; P. O. Waukee.
Sines, Maggie, Waukee.
SLOAN, THOS. J., proprietor of
Valley House, and livery stable,
Waukee; was born in Ashland
county, Ohio, August 1, 1832;
came to Iowa in 1854, and located
588
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
in Adel, and was engaged in stage
driving between Des Moines and
Adel; in 1861 he enlisted in the
2nd Iowa Battery; was wagon-
master 3 years; was discharged in
1864; he married Miss Annie E.
Frush in 1857; she was born in
Elkhart, Indiana, April 4, 1840;
they have 7 children : Florena J.,
Harry G, Edward F., Larkin T.,
John E., Nellie R. and Lizzie P.
Smith, Clark, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
"Waukee.
Smith, R. A., farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0.
\\ fin Kf*p
Stahl, A. F., farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Stanbaugh, John, farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O VV 3, u kGG
TAYLOR,' JAMES, farmer, P. O.
vy 3,11 KPft
THATCHER, MILTON, farmer,
Sec. 14; P. 0. Waukee; owns 80
acres of land, valued at $35 per
acre; born in Clinton county,
Ohio, in 1840; came to Iowa in
1863, and located on present farm;
married Catherine Crispin in 1861 ;
she was born in Highland county,
Ohio, in 1841; have six children:
Mary F., Silas, Hattie, Virginia,
Martha and Charles. Mr. T. has
been secretary of the school board
4 or 5 years, and has taken an active
part in all educational enterprises.
Thompson, H. P., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. 0. Waukee.
Thorn, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Waukee.
Tribby, J. J., farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0.
TYLER, C. C, dealer in grain,
lumber and hardware, Waukee;
established in 1870; was born in
Knox county, Illinois, in 1843;
came to Iowa and Waukee in
1870, and engaged in his present
business; he married Miss Maggie
Huston, in 1875; they have one
son, Harry. Mr. T. enlisted in the
132d Illinois Infantry in 1864, and
was discharged in 1865.
WHARTON, G. S., farmer, P.
O. Waukee.
Whinnery, H. M., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Waukee.
Williams, G., farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0.
Waukee.
Woolman, A., farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0.
Waukee.
Wood, B. F., farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
YOUNG, HENRY, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Waukee; owns 240
acres of land, valued at $25 per
acre; born in Prussia, Germany,
in 1823; came to America in
1853, and located first in Cincin-
nati; removed to his present
farm in 1866; married Elizabeth
Betz in 1857; she was born in
Guttenburg, Germany, in 1825;
have three children : Charlie, Mary
and Caroline.
ZIMMERMAN, J. D., farmer,
Sec. 15; P. O. Waukee.
ADEL TCTWlsrSHIIIE3.
AIGNER, I., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Adel.
Albin, Mary L., farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Allen, W. T., justice; Dallas Center.
■TDAILEY, J. A., P. O. Adel.
Batton, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Adel.
BARNGROVER, JOHN S., farm-
er, Sec. 22; P. O. Adel; born in
Highland county, Ohio, Septem-
ber 26, 1822, and was raised there
until 20 years of age, then re-
moved to Indiana; he was in the
Mexican war, enlisted in 1846 in
the 1 st Regiment Indiana Volun-
teer Infantry, Co. C; after his re-
turn he married Sarah A. Kinnick,
from Highland county, Ohio,
ADEL TOWNSHIP.
589
April 13, 1848; they came by
wagon to Iowa, and arrived in
this county, September 1, 1854,
and located where they now live;
engaged in farming; he owns 150
acres of land; has held office of
school director; they have eight
children: George W„ Sarah A.,
Mary E , James A , Charles E.,
Harvey M., Nettie and Frank L.;
have lost two children.
Barton, S. G , farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Bassart, A., retired, Dallas Center.
Bearr, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. O.
Dallas Center.
BECKER, PHILIP J., farmer, Sec.
15; P. O. Dallas Center; born in
Germany, October 31, 1837; emi-
grated to this country in May,
1849; came to Iowa and located
in Dallas county, at Adel, in July,
1853; he was in the army, enlisted
in April, 1361; he and "William
Benton and John Gross were the
first soldiers that enlisted in Dal-
las county ; he was in the battles
of Fort Donelson and Shiloh; and
was discharged on account of dis-
ability; after the war he engaged
in farming; married Miss Per-
melia Ellis, from Indiana, July
16, 1864; they have four children:
George W., 'Allie, Caddie and
Harry.
Booher, J. S., farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Adel.
Bomberger, Charles, merchant tailor,
Dallas Center.
Branniff, James, druggist, Dallas
Center.
Branniff, B., clerk, Dallas Center.
BRENTON, WM. H., stock-dealer,
• buying and shipping stock, Dallas
' Center; born in Johnson county,
Indiana, January 12, 1840; when
thirteen years of age he came with
his parents to Iowa; they came by
wagon and arrived in this county
in October, 1853, and located
about three miles south on Sec.
37
16 ; upon the breaking out of the
war he enlisted April 20, 1861, in
the 2d Regiment Iowa Infantry,
Co. D; he was wounded in the
battle of Fort Donnelson; after
the war he engaged in farming
and stock-raising, and feeding
stock, and for the past few years
has bought and shipped stock ex-
tensively; he owns 960 acres of
excellent land in this county; he
married Miss Mary E. Richmond,
from Wayne county, New York,
May 25, 1862; they have three
children : Charles R., Clyde E. and
Eva Ann.
Brockway, F., jeweler, Dallas Cen-
ter.
Brown, John, laborer, Dallas Cen-
ter.
Brown, Geo., retired, Dallas Cen-
ter.
Brown, Martin, farmer, Sec. 23; B.
O. Adel.
Brown, Peter, laborer, Dallas Cen-
ter.
Buckley, C, retired, Dallas Cen-
tGr
BURNS, MRS. MARY A., farmer,
Sec. 5; P. O. Dallas Center; born
in Pennsylvania; her maiden
name was Diddy; when quite
young she came to Indiana, and
was brought up there ; she married
Samuel Burns in Indiana; he died
in 1855; after his death Mrs.
Burns came with her children to
Iowa; she came by wagon with
other friends and was four weeks
on the way, and arrived in this
county in 1855, and located near
where she now lives ; she got 40
acres of land and began farming
and managed everything herself;
aided by her two sons, Henry T.
and Peter E.; by economy, indus-
try and good management, they
now own 300 acres of good land,
beside town property in Adel and
land in Kansas; Henry T. was in
the army; enlisted in August,
590
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
1862, in the 39th Regiment Iowa
Infantry, Co. B; he was in the
battles of Parker's Cross Roads,
Altoona, and in other fights and
skirmishes; he was on duty at
headquarters, being escort and or-
derly for Gen. Corse.
Burns, P. E., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Dallas Center.
BYERS, CLAR, farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 22; P. O. Adel; born
in Williams county, Ohio, in June,
1854; he came with his parents in
infancy to Iowa; they located in
this county and he was raised
here; he is engaged in farming ,
and raising fine horses, and has
some of great value; he mar-
ried Mrs. Maggie Orton, formerly
Miss Maggie Brockway, from the
State of New York, in February,
1873; they own a farm of 280
acres; have one son: Bert.
CADWELL, S. C, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Dallas Center.
Cadwell, J. W., farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Dallas Center.
CHANCE, WILLIAM J., farmer,
Sec. — ; P. O. Adel; born in Clay
county, Indiana, October 13, 1852;
his parents came to Iowa and
settled in this county in 1855; he
was brought up here and is en-
gaged in farming; he owns 72-J
acres of land; married Miss
Louisa Ellen Ganoe, a native of
this State, March 30, 1873; they
have one daughter: Mary Eliza-
beth.
Chance, J. A., Dallas Center.
Chance, L., farmer, Sec. 31; P. O.
Adel.
Clark, Jesse J., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Adel.
Clark, John J., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Adel.
CLARK, M. F., farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 15; P. O. Adel; born
in Kentucky, November 13, 1818;
when ten years of age he came with
his parents to Indiana, and lived in
Johnson county for twenty-five
years; then came to Iowa by
wagon and arrived in this county
October 12, 1853, and located on
his present farm; he entered it
from the government; he was one
of the early settlers; he owns a
farm of 160 acres; lie has held
school offices'; he married Miss
Mary R. Burke, from Kentucky,
May 10, 1840; they have five
children: Melinda M., Martha E.,
James W., George W. and Robert
H.; they have lost seven children.
Clary, Brothers, meat-market, Dal-
las Center.
Cler, Phillip, farmer, Sec. 21; P. 0.
Adel.
Collins, Daniel, blacksmith, Dallas
Center.
Collins, Edgar, Dallas Center.
Condron, M., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Condron, John, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Cook, Manervia, farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Craig, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0.
Adel.
Criley, B. H., Physician, Dallas
Center.
Crookshank, J., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Crouch, Charles, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Dallas Center.
CURTIS, CHARLES W., farmer
and stock-raiser, Sec. 16; P. 0.
Adel; born in Ohio August 21,
1844; when only ten years of age
he came to Iowa, to Monona coun-
ty; he went in the army; enlisted
in October, 1862, in the 2d Iowa
Battery; he was in the siege of
Vicksburg, Jackson and Mobile,
and in many other battles; wasin.
the service three years; after the
war he came to this county, in
1866, and engaged in fanning;
owns 245 acres of land, and has
held town and school offices; he
married Miss Susan E. Kinnick,
from Indiana, September 11,1866;
they have six children: Kittie A.,
ADEL TOWNSHIP.
591
Frank L., John, George, Enos and
Willie. B
DANIELS, W-., farmer; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Decker, J. C, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Diddy, Peter, farmer, Sec. 5: P. O.
Adel.
DUGAN, JAMES, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Dallas Center; born in Ire-
land February 15, 1843; he came
to Canada in 1848; in 1851 he
came to the United States; lived
in the State of New York ; then
went to Wisconsin, where he mar-
ried Miss Margaret Markey, from
Wisconsin, June 28, 1869; they
came to Iowa and located in Dal-
las county in March, 1871, and
engaged in farming and stock-
raising; he owns a farm of 160
acres; they have four children:
Katie, Thomas, James A. and John
L., and have lost two children.
Durkis, Adam, farmer; P. O. Dal-
las Center.
Dtirkis, Henry, farmer; P. O. Dal-
las Center.
Durkis, V., farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Dallas Center.
E ASTON, J. S., lumber-dealer,
Dallas Center.
Emert, C, tree agent, Dallas Center.
FAIRFIELD, WM., drayman,
Dallas Center.
FARLOW, T. J., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Adel ; owns a farm of 420 acres ;
was born in Push county, Indiana,
April 11, 1827; his parents moved
to Madison county, Indiana, when
he was eight years old; he erai-
• grated to Iowa and Dallas county
in 1854, and located in Adel, where
he worked at his trade two years
(that of a carpenter); he moved
on his present farm in 1863; he
married Martha E. Bringham,
November 25, 1855; she was born
in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in
1837; they have five sons and three
daughters: Henry M., James N.,
Edward J., Walter P., Mary E.,
Albert A., Julia E. and Ida L.
Ferguson, T. W., harness-shop, Dal-
las Center.
Ferguson, W. W., Dallas Center.
Finn, Michael, Dallas Center.
Finn, P. O., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Adel.
FLEISCHMAN, J. E., dealer in
dry goods, groceries and clothing,
Dallas Center; born in Mobile,
Alabama, in 1829; he was raised
in St. Louis, and came to Iowa in
1854; in 1856 he located in Des
Moines, and came to this county
in 1861; he has been engaged in
business here since 1869 — a longer
time than any one here doing a
general mercantile trade.
[Since the above sketch was writ-
ten, and as we were about to go to
press, we have learned of the death
of Mr. Fleischman, which took place
the 8th of March, 1879.]
Fleming, Catherine, Dallas Center.
Foster, T. R, farmer, Sec. 33; P, O.
Adel.
Fox, John, merchant, Dallas Center.
Freund, J., saloon, Dallas Center.
FREEMAN, NATHANIEL, farm-
er and buying and shipping stock,
Sec. 17; P. O. Adel; born in John-
son county, Indiana, November 6,
1835; was brought up and raised
there until 20 years of age,when he
came to Iowa by wagon, and was
18 days on the way, and arrived
in this county October 2, 1855;
he is engaged in farming and
owns a farm of 200 acres ; for the
past 10 years has been engaged in
buying and shipping stock; he has
held town and school offices; he
married Miss Elizabeth Sutton
from Indiana, in July, 1862; they
have six children: Amanda M.,
Alvaretta, Nathaniel F., Lovell,
Forest and a little boy infant; have
lost one daughter.
FRUSH, E, F., farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 26; P. O. Adel; born
£92
DIEECTOKT OF DALLAS COUNTY.
in Harrison county, Virginia, Nov-
ember 17, 1833; he was raised in
Indiana, and came to Iowa with
his buggy and team, and was 16
days on the way; arrived in Dal-
las county, at Adel, in August,
1855; engaged in the livery busi-
ness for 2 years; then engaged in
farming and stock business; he
owns 440 acres of land; he mar-
ried Mary E. Gregg, from Indiana,
June 29, 1859; they have two
children : Mary and Elizabeth.
G ARM AN, W., wagon-maker,
Dallas Center.
Garner, Peter, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Garman,Wm., wagon-maker, Dallas
Center.
GAROUTTE, C. P., farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Adel; was born in Gloster
county, New Jersey, October 12,
1810; he lived there until he was
19 years of age; his parents then
moved to Highland county, Ohio,
where he remained until 1834; he
then emigrated to Hancock county,
Illinois; while there he married
Sarah A. Sheppard, November 8,
1843; she was born in Vermont,
November 6, 1821 ; they came
to this county in 1852, and
located where they now live;
farm 124£ acres; they have
a family of live sons and four
daughter: Anne S., born October
2, 1844; Michael, born August 24,
1846; George W., born August 29,
1848; Theodore 0., born May 15,
1853; Charles S., born September
8, 1855; Hattie R., born October
7, 1857; Flora O, born October
29, 1859; Mary E., born October
3, 1862; William M.,born Septem-
ber 6, 1864.
GAROUTTE, GEORGE P., farm-
er, Sec. 6; P. O. Dallas Center;
born in Gloucester county, New
Jersey, May 1, 1809; where he
lived until he was 21 years of age;
lie came to Ohio in the fall of
1830; lived in Cincinnati 7 years;
he married Maria Eggman April
31, 1833 ; she was a native of Port
Elizabeth, New Jersey ; they lived
in Cincinnati until 1843, and then
removed to Greene county, Mis-
souri; they came to Iowa and this
county October 15, 1847, and were
among the first settlers ; lie entered
the land from the government on
which he now lives; his wife died
March 21, 1870; they had eleven
children, eight of whom are liv-
ing: Sarah, Joseph H., Howard
N., Michael L. and Maria J— all
living in Oregon; Washington M.,
Adam and Lucy A. — living at
home; he married again to Cath-
erine Gross, in August, 1870; she
was born in Ohio; they have four
children : Mark, Pomeroy, May J.
and Royal F. Mr. Garoutte owns
237 acres of land. When Mr.
Garoutte came to this county and
settled, in 1847, he found an un-
cultivated wilderness about him —
no white neighbors nearer than
Adel (then called Penoack), and
none but Indians north of him;
one pair of horses, a wagon, and
$30 in money embraced all of his
earthly possessions; he laid the
foundation of his future home in
the construction of a rude cabin;
after thus providing a shelter for
his family, with the characteristic
energy of a frontier farmer, he set
to work to clear a portion of his
land for cultivation, and soon had
100 acres of heavy timber-land
subdued; the first winter de-
manded some provision for his
family, so he purchased a shoat of
80 pounds, and a small quantity
of corn; this with venison, wild
turkey, plenty of fish and coon,
with coon lard to shorten their
corn dodgers, constituted their
supplies; Sammy Miller had a
rude contrivance for grinding
corn; Oskaloosa furnished the
nearest mill; in the winter of
1848 Mr. Garoutte undertook this
ADEL TOWNSHIP.
•593
journey of 90 miles to mill, the
snow being so deep that none of
his neighbors would venture upon
it; on his return his supply of
meal was divided among his
neighbors, but being insufficient
for all, it was soon exhausted, and
they lived, as did their neighbors
during the rest of the winter, on
boiled corn, or, if they wanted to
make bread, they provided meal by
pounding corn in a mortar; there
. were plenty of Indians in this
locality then, and friendly dis-
posed ; often the women would
visit Mrs. Garoutte, particularly
if she was sick, but never allowed
their men to come; a small amount
of trading was done at Penoach,
and also at Des Moines.
Greene, Benj., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Adel.
Grief, Conrad, blacksmith, Dallas
Center.
Gross, I. H., farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0.
Adel.
HALL, LORENZO, farmer, Sec.
5; P. O. Dallas Center.
Hartwig, A., carpenter, Dallas Cen-
ter.
Harris, James, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Adel.
.Hardison,' P. S. farmer, Sec. 86; P.
O. Adel.
Harvey, Richard, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Adel.
Harris, P. W., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Adel.
Harper, M. W., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Adel.
HARRIS, EDWARD, farmer,
Sec. 25; P. O. Adel; born in
, England, May 4, 1827; he came
with his parents in infancy to
America, and was raised in the
State of New York; he came to
Johnson county, Iowa, in 1855,
and lived there until 1872; he
came to this county in 1874, and
engaged in farming; he owns 200
acres of land ; he was in the army,
-enlisted in the 22nd Regiment
Iowa Infantry, Co. K, but was dis-
charged on account of sickness;
he married Sarah E. Ford, from
the State of New York, March 29,
1858 ; they have five children : Net-
tie E., Emma B., Ella, Mary and
Rhoda; they lost one daughter:
Annie.
HA WORTH, COLUMBUS, farm-
er and stock-raiser, Sec. 18 ; P. O.
Adel; born in Yan Meter town-
ship, Dallas county, Iowa, Oct. 28,
1849; when 16 years of age he
went, with his parents to Oregon,
and remained there three years,
and returned to this county in
1868, and engaged in farming and
stock-raising; he and his father
own 336 acres of land; he married
Miss Annie Slaughter, from this
county, in Sept., 1871; they have
three children : Alice, Morris W.
and Minnie. George Haworth,
father of Columbus, was born in
Yermillion county, Illinois, in
1821 ; he came to Iowa, and loca-
ted in this county in, 1845, and
was one of the first settlers in the
county; he married Mary Stump,
from Indiana, in 1847; she was
one of the earliest settlers of the
county. There are only a very
few that have lived in this county
as long as they. They have four
children: Sarah, Columbus, Perry
and John T; and have lost two
children.
Hay worth, Geo., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Adel.
HOOPES, JOHN M., attorney at
law, Dallas Center; born in Mont-
gomery county, Ohio, August 15,
1839; when 18 years of age he
came with his parents to Iowa,
and located in Dubuque county in
1857; he was in the army, enlisted
in the .1st Regiment Iowa Cavalry,
Co. M; was in the battles of
Prairie Grove, Little Rock, and
many other fights and skirmishes;
was in the service three years; he
came to Dallas county in 1869; he
594
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
read law and was admitted to the
bar in 1877; he married Effie
Gibbs, from Lyons, Iowa,in Dec,
1867; she died Oct. 26, 1876, leav-
ing two children: William A. and
John W. He married Carrie
Wickersham, from Lee county,
Iowa, Sept. 12, 1878.
Holmes, N., farmer, Sec. 33; P. O.
Adel.
HUBBARD, P., dealer in agricul-
tural implements, Dallas Center;
born in Sangerfield, New York,
December 13, 1824, and was raised
in Orleans county; he married
Miss Eunice Potter, of Pennsyl-
vania, in 1850; she died in 1860,
leaving two children : Mrs. Amelia
S. Pollard, and Mrs. Hattie E.
Johnson, now living in Rock Is-
land. He came to Illinois in 1860,
and located in Morrison, White-
side county, and engaged in busi-
ness there; he married Charlotte
Otis, in Chicago, in 1864; he
came to Dallas county in 1871,
and located in Dallas Center, and
engaged in dealing in farm ma-
chinery, and is doing a large and
extensive business — during last
year he sold over 100 Moline
wagons; he has five children:
Olive, Fortunatis, Otis A., Alexis
and Asahel.
Humphrey, J. W., station agent,
Dallas Center.
Hutchinson, Mrs. Lucy, proprietor
of Grant House, Dallas Center.
Hutchins, J. D., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Adel.
Husband, M , miller, Dallas Center.
TNESON, SAM'L, farmer, Sec. 3;
1 P. O. Dallas Center.
JAMISON, W. S., livery stable,
cl Dallas Center.
Jennings, J. P., laborer, Dallas Cen-
ter.
Jones, B. F., miller, Dallas Center.
KEIFL, F. X., soap-maker; P. O.
Adel
Kenworthy Bros., grain and stock-
dealers, Dallas Center.
King, J. H., farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O.
Dallas Center.
KING, MRS. ESTHER, farmer,
Sec. 6; P. O. Dallas Center; bora
in Chatham county, North Caro-
lina; her maiden name was Esther
Washburn; when 13 years of age
she came to Indiana, and was
raised there, and married Coleman
M. King, from Pennsylvania
county, Virginia, January 13,
1842; they came to Iowa in a
wagon, and was 23 days on the
way, and arrived in this county
Oct. 10, 1853, and located where
they now live, and were among
the early settlers; Mr. King died
February 18, 1878, leaving nine
children : Martha J., Amanda E.,
Emily A., Sarah M., Marian S,t
Obed T-, Millie, Nancy and W La-
visa; lost one daughter; Mrs. King
owns a farm of 80 acres.
KING, ISAAC F„ farmer, Sec. 5;
P. O. Dallas Center; born in
Highland county, Ohio, October
1, 1818 ; he was brought up in that
and in Clinton counties; he mar-
ried Kate Hiltebrand, from High-
land county, Ohio, in October,
1840; they came to Iowa, and ar-
rived in this county, on the farm
whe"re they now live, November
4, 1852; there are very few ex-
cept* his neighbors, George Gar-
outte and Judge Burns, that were
here when he came; he owns a
farm of 160 acres; has held school
offices for many years ; they have
eight children: Sarah O, Mary
A., David, Jasper, Nancy, Ella,
Louie and Jackson ; have lost two
children. David was in the army
four years, in the Fifteenth Reg-
iment Iowa Infantry, Co. B.
KINN1CK, WILLIAM B., farmer
and stock dealer, Sec. 8; P. 0.
Adel; born in Johnson county,
Indiana, March 20, 1849; when
only five years of age he came
with his parents by wagon to Iowa;
they were about one month 'on
ADEL TOWNSniP.
595
the way, and arrived in Dallas
county in October, 1855; he and
his brother have been engaged in
feeding, and buying and shipping
Stock; he married Miss Mary J.
Stump, from Indiana, March 3,
1 875 ; they have one son : Frank
B. Mr. Kinnick's mother, Mrs.
Sarah Kinnick, lives with him;
her husband died in 1861, leaving
three sons and three daughters;
two of their sons were in the
army; John T. was in the Second
Iowa Battery three years; Hi ch-
ard R. was in the Thirty-ninth Reg-
iment Iowa Infantry, Co. C, one
and one-half years.
KINNICK, JOHN T., farmer and
stock-dealer, Sec. 16; P. O. Adel;
born in Johnson county, Indiana,
March 16, 1842; when twelve
years of age he came with his
parents to Iowa; they came by
wagon, and were about one month
on the way; arrived in Dallas
county in October, 1855; on the
breaking out of the war he en-
listed, in 1861, in the Second Iowa
Battery; he was in every battle
that the battery was engaged in ;
was in the service three years;
after he returned from the army
he engaged in farming and stock
raising, and owns 170 acres of
land;- he married Miss Annie
Graham, from Illinois, September
29, 1868; she died May 28, 1878,
leaving two children: Willie G-.
and Nellie; they lost two children.
Kramer, J. W., clerk; Dallas Cen-
ter.
Kramer, J. I., drayman; Dallas
Center.
LEAVERTON, MRS. MARY
A., farmer, Sec. 18 ; P.O. Adel ;
owns a farm of 40 acres; widow
of John Leaverton, who was born
near Indianopolis, Indiana, March
22, 1819; he came to this county
in 1854, and located in this town-
ship" Mrs. L's maiden name was
Brobst; she was born in North
Hampton county, Pennsylvania,
July 3, 1829; they were married
March 1, 1857 he died March
9, 1864, leaving a family of three
sons and one daughter: Lucetta,
Solomon A., John W., Aaron A.
Mr. L. had four children by a for-
mer marriage: Sarah J., James
F., Thomas J. and Martin A,
Mrs. L. has two children by a for-
mer marriage: Martin B. Yox-
thermer and Edward.
LEAMING, WILLIAM J., farm-
er, Sec. 27; P. 0. Adel; born in
Jefferson county, Iowa, May 18,
1841; when eight years of age he
came with his parents to Dallas
county; they located at Learning's
Point, and he was raised here; he
enlisted in the Second Iowa Bat-
tery; was in the battle of Nash-
ville, siege of Spanish Fort, and
in many fights and skirmishes;
after he returned from the army
he engaged in farming; he had
nothing, and by industry and
good management now owns 200
acres of land; he held the office
of constable three years; he mar-
ried Miss Martha E. Clark July
3, 1861; she was born in Indiana,
and is a daughter of M. F. Clark,
an old settler of this county; they
have three children: Mattie, Mary
and Rosa; have lost two children.
Learning, Ed, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Adel.
Lanning, Henry, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Dallas Center.
Long, Robert, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Adel.
Long, "W. K., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Adel.
LORING, JAMES L., Dallas Cen-
ter; born in Boston, Massachu-
setts, September 20, 1833; he was
raised and received his education
there, graduating at the Boston
Latin school; when sixteen years
of age he went to South America;
he also went to California and re-
mained three years ; then came to
596
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Ohio, and was civil engineer on
the Atlantic and Grear "Western
E. B. ; in 1856 he came to Iowa;
at that time there was only forty
miles of railroad in the State; he
was one of the first engineers in
constructing the Des Moines Yal-
ley B. B., and had charge of the
division from Croton to Bentons-
port, and run the first lines on the
Burlington & Southwestern B. B.
from Farmington to Upton; he
lived in Keosauqua, and was en-
gaged as deputy in the office of
the county treasurer & recorder,
and other county offices for eight
years; came to Dallas county in
1870; was engaged in the hard-
ware business; holds the office of
justice of the peace; he married
Miss Emma Gebhardt, from Ohio,
in November, 1871; they have
four children: Joseph, Harry,
Frank and John.
Lunn, Julia A., farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Dallas Center.
McCALL, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
1; P.O.Dallas Center.
McGrath, P., saloon ; Dallas Center.
McGraph, J. F., blacksmith; Dallas
Center.
McLane, P. O, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Mann, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
0. Adel.
Martin & Woodward, hardware &
agricultural implements; Dallas
Center.
MARTIN, D. P., firm of Martin &
Woodward, dealers in hardware
and farm machinery, Dallas Cen-
ter; born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, April 20, 1838; he
was raised in Ohio; then remov-
ed to Indiana, and lived there
eight years; he married Miss
Mary A. Woodward, from Indi-
ana, in April, 1864; they came to
this county in 1868,and he has been
engaged in his .present business
since 1871 ; they have four chil-
, dren: Willard E., Homer E., Her-
bert O. and Edith W. They have
lost one son and one daughter.
Melick & Fox, general merchandise,
Dallas Center.
MERICAL, BENJAMIN, farmer,
Sec. 23; P. O: Adel; born in Ul-
ster county, New York, May 22,
1812; he was raised there and re-
moved to Boss county, Ohio,
where he married Miss Magdalen
Smith, from Montgomery county,
Virginia, March 12, 1838.; they
removed to Indiana, and came to
Iowa by wagon and were five
weeks on the way ; arrived in this
county in October, 1852, and set-
tled on the place where he now lives;
entered their land from the govern-
ment and engaged in farming;
he owns 275 acres of land and has
held office of school director; have
seven children : Levi, Henry, Ma-
ry B., Town send, Paulina, Annie
and Sarah. Have lost five; they
had two sons in the army: Abra-
ham and John, who enlisted in
the 39th Regiment Iowa Infantry,
Company 0; they died of disease.
Merical, L., farmer ', Sec. 23; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Mellick, S. P., merchant, Dallas
Center.
Michener, J. O, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Adel.
Miller, D. W., runs ditching ma-
chine, Dallas Center.
Miller, J. K., farmer, Sec. 33; P. 0.
Adel.
MILLS, I. J., farmer and stock-
dealer, Sec. 18; owns a farm of
85 acres; was born in Madison
county, Indiana, December 2,
1842; he came to this county with
his parents in 1856; he married
Miss Mary J. Clark, December 22,
1864; she was born in Putnam
county, Indiana, May 12, 1848;
have four sons and three daugh-
ters: Willard E., James N., Ellen
B., Baxter, Eosa L., Minnie M.
and Jennie C. Mr. M. was the
greenback candidate for county
ADEL ^TOWNSHIP.
597
clerk in 1878; was a member of
the board of supervisors one
term; was secretary of the Dallas
County Agricultural Association
two years; he taught school for
thirteen years, commencing when
nineteen years of age.
MILLER, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Adel; born in Clay county,
, Illinois, July 27, 1824; at an ear-
ly age he went with his parents to
Indiana, and from there he went
to Illinois; he saw the corner
stone laid of the Mormon temple
in Hancock county; he came to
Iowa and lived in Jefferson coun-
ty; then came to Polk county
where Des Moines now is; located
in 1843, the year the soldiers
came; he was in the. government
employ, splitting rails to fence
the govern met) t farm; he came to
Dallas county in the fall of 1845,
and was one of the earliest set-
tlers; he made the claim where
John Clark now lives, and three
others; he married Rachel Dailey,
from Ohio, in Wapello county,
September 11, 1846; his mar-
riage license was the first one ever
issued in Wapello county; his
wife died September 19, 1846,
leaving one daughter, who died;
he again married Annis Bellotte,
from Tennessee, December 4,
1848; she was born August 30,
1824; there are only a few as
old settlers as Mr. Miller in this
county; in 1866 he, with his fam-
ily, went to Oregon Territory, and
after remaining there three years
he was satisfied* to come back to
Dallas county, where he now lives
engaged in farming; he owns a
farm of 90 acres; have nine chil-
ehildren : seven daughters and two
sons. Lost three sons.
MORGAN, I. O., druggist and fan-
cy goods, Dallas Center; born in
Addison, Addison county, Ver-
mont, February 8, 1831; wh.en
quite young his father bought the
old garrison grounds, across Lake
Champlain at Crown Point, and
he went there with his parents;
the garrison was built by the
French and rebuilt by the Eng-
lish; his first recollection was of
the old barracks ; the garden was
called the King's Garden surround-
"ed by a lime-stone wall; when
twelve years of age he went to
Brandon, Vermont, and was rais-
ed there until nineteen years old;
then went to the city of New
York and lived there five years;
while living there he married
Miss Ann Eliza Martin, daughter
of Henry S. Martin, of Pough-
keepsie, New York, July 18, 1854;
they removed to Wisconsin; after
living there five years, and in Mis-
souri one year, they returned to
Ithica, New York; during the
war lie went out with the 137th
Regiment New York Infantry;
he was in the engineer corps, and
afterward run a commissary train
for two years with General Sher-
man, and was one of the very few
in the commissary department
who, upon settling their accounts
with the government at the close
of the war, accounted for and de-
livered more than he was charged
with; after the war, in 1868, he
came to Des Moines, and was
there six years; came to Dallas
Center in 1874, and engaged in
business, and has the finest drug
store in Dallas county; have three
children: Franklin, Roola and
Burdette W.
Morgan Wm., Dallas Center.
Moran, D., farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0.
Waukee.
Morain, J. J., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O.
Adel.
Mosher, O., banker, Dallas Center.
NAREY, J., boot and shoe shop,
Dallas Center.
Nazarene & Ringer, bakery and res-
taurant, Dallas Center.
598
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUKTT.
Nazarene, E. L., bakery and restau-
rant, Dallas Center.
Neff, D. F., carpenter, Dallas Oen-
ORTON, K. Z., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Adel.
Oswalt, J., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Adel.
PAYNE, J. M., farmer, Sec. 19;
P. 0. Adel.
Perkins, Mrs. A. A., proprietor of
Dallas Center hotel.
Prime, F., wagon-maker, Dallas Cen-
ter.
Piercey, J. T., farmer, Dallas Cen-
tcr
PURINTON, J. K., dealer in hard-
ware, stoves and tinware, Dallas
Center; born in Canada, January
31, 1842; he was mostly raised
there and came to the United
States to live when nineteen years
of age; he came to Iowa and lo-
cated in this county in 1861; he
came to Dallas Center in 1870 and
engaged in his present business;
he has recently invented and pat-
ented a useful furnace for cooking
purposes, on a large or small scale,
with a wash-boiler connected; it
promises to become very useful;
he married Miss Mary J. Robbins,
from Indiana, in 1866; they have
four children: Flora Belle, Cora
Alice, Sophia May and an infant
son.
RATHBUN, H. G, plaining
mill, Dallas Center.
RATHBUN, C. B., superintendent
Dallas county Poor Farm, Sec. 7;
P. O. Dallas Center; born in
Franklin county, New York, Oc-
tober 24, 1839, and was brought
up and lived there until the break-
ing out of the war; he enlisted
August 6, 1862, in the 106th
Regiment New York Volunteer
Infantry, Co. E; was in tlie-ser*
vice three years; was discharged
in August, 1865; became to Iowa
in 1871 and located in Dallas
Center; married Miss Eliza J.
Owen, from Franklin county, New
York, in 1865; they have two
children: Frank C. and Willie E.
Rawson, A. E., dentist, Dallas Cen- '
tcr "*
RICHMOND, RUFUS R., farmer,
Sec. 11; P. O. Dallas Center; born
in Columbia county, New York,
January 17, 1815; he was raised
there and in Wayne county, and
came to Iowa and settled in this
county in June, 1855; located,
near where he now lives and en-
gaged in farming; after the war
broke out he enlisted in the 23d
Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. 6,
and was in all the battles of the
Regiment" except two; he was in
the service three years; he has.
held office o/ assessor and was
elected justice of the peace at the
recent election ; he owns 330 acres
of land; he married Ann Ross-
man, from the State of New York,
in 1840; she. died in January,
1866, leaving six children: Mary
E., Allen R., Cassius M., James
A., Richard M. and Edward A.;
Allen R. was in the 17th Regi-
ment Iowa Infantry, Co. G, and
was killed at the battle of Iuka;
Cassius M. was in the 23d Regi-
ment Iowa Infantry, Co. G, and
died in the hospital. Mr. Rich-
mond again married in 1868 to
Elizabeth Barton, from Columbia
county, New York.
Richmond, R. M., farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Dallas Center.
Bichmond, J. A., stock-dealer, Dal-
las Center. v • ,
Ridge,* F., farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. .."
Waukee.
ROSS, ROBERT H, farmer, Sec.
16; P. O. Adel; born in the State
of Kentucky, April 29, 1823;
when six years of age he removed
with his parents, to Johnson
county, Indiana, and was brought
up there; he came to Iowa and lo-
cated in this county, where he now
lives, in 1854, and engaged in
ADEL TOWNSHIP.
599-
farming; he owns 195 acres of
land; he was in the army; en-
listed in the 39th Regiment Iowa
Infantry, Co. C; was in the bat-
tles of Altoona Pass, Parker's
Cross Roads, and in many fights
and skirmishes; he has held school
offices; married Tabitha J. Hub-
bel, from Indiana, in 1836; they
have seven children: Mary Ann,
Isaac L., Sarah, Belle, Henry,
Cummings and Walter; they have
lost five children ; one of his sons
was in the army, in the 5th Regi-
ment Indiana Cavalry, and was
taken prisoner and died in a
Southern prison.
Robinson, C. A., farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Roberts, R., miller, Dallas Center.
Roland, G. W., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Adel.
Rudrow, W. S., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Adel.
SAUNDERS, HENRY, saloon,
Dallas Center.
SCHLEYER, FRANK S., far-
mer, Sec. 13; P. O. Dallas Cen-
ter; born in Germany, January
16, 1827, and was raised there and
learned the trade of white-smith ;
he emigrated to America in 1848,
and lived in Pennsylvania and
Ohio until 1855; he then went to
California and was there eight
years; engaged in mining, black-
smithing and engineering; he re-
turned in 1869, and located in
Dallas county, and engaged in
farming and stock-raising; he
owns a farm of 160 acres; he
married Miss Kittie Markey, from
Wisconsin, August 20, 1875;
they have one daughter: Mary.
SCHLOSSER, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
14; P. O. Dallas Center; born in
Germany in December, 1818; he
immigrated to America in 1843;
settled in Pennsylvania, and lived
there four years; married Nancy
Eshelman, from Pennsylvania, in
1847; they went to Ohio and
lived there six years; they came
to Iowa and settled in Dallas
count}' in the fall of 1854, and
located where they now live; he
entered 120 acres of land from the
government and began farming;
he now owns 300 acres of land;
they have six children : Willie H.,
Kathrina, Mary, Sarah, Emma and
Rebecca.
Schlosser, W., farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Schamel & Loughran, grain-dealers,
Dallas Center.
Shaffer, Adam, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O'.
Dallas Center.
Sheller, John, Dallas Center.
Simpson, S. N., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Dallas Center.
SLAUGHTER, MARTIN L., far-
mer, Sec. 8; P. O. Adel; born ire
Wayne county, Indiana, May 9,
1844; when nine years of age he-
came with his parents to Iowa by
wagon, and was about a month on
the way, and arrived in this coun-
ty in May, 1853; he was in the-
army; enlisted in the 39th Regi-
ment Iowa Infantry, Co. C, and
was discharged in February, 1863;,
re-enlisted in the same regiment,.
Co. 0, February 24, 1864, and was
mustered out July 12, 1865; after
the war he returned and engaged
in farming; owns a farm of eighty
acres in Sugar Grove townships
married Miss Sarah A. Mullen,
from Indiana, January 27, 1866;
they have two children : Oscar J.
and Eulilla; lost one daughter:
Octavia.
Slocum, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Dallas Center.
SLOANE, SAM. G., publisher of
the Dallas Center Globe, Dallas-
Center; born in Clinton county,
Ohio, September 7, 1851; when
only two years of age his parents-
came to Iowa and located in Dal-
las county; they removed to Char-
iton, Lucas county, and lived there-
two years, and went to Sioux City,
«00
DIEECTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
where they lived until the death of
his father, Dr. Sloane; in the fall of
1860 his mother returned to this
•county and located in Adel, and
he was raised here; served ap-
prenticeship in the printing busi-
ness; he established the Dallas
Center Globe, and got out his first
issue December 31, 1875; he mar-
ried Miss Emma Louise Brockway,
from Clyde, Wayne county, "New
York, July 26, 1876; they have
one daughter, Yerva Mary, born
October 1, 1877.
Smart, David, land-agent, Dallas
Center.
Smith, A. B., merchant, Dallas Cen-
ter.
SQUIRES* CHRISTIAN, farmer,
Sec. 21; P. 0. Adel: born in Can-
ada June 7, 1837; when sixteen
years of age he came to "Warren
county, Illinois; he married Ar-
minda McGahey, from "Warren
county, Illinois, January 23, 1863;
they came to Iowa in 1868, and
he engaged in farming; owns 120
acres of land; they have four chil-
dren: S. Edwin, Abbie May, Scio-
ta J. and Nellie F.
Starrs, W. H., farmer, Sec. 36; P.O.
Waukee.
Stevens, E. J. M., boot and shoe-
dealer, Dallas Center.
STEELE, 0. N., firm of Smart &
Steele, Dallas Center; born in
Loraine county, Ohio, August 25,
1843; he was raised there until
thirteen years of age, and came to
Iowa in 1856; he returned to Ohio
and completed his education, and
came to Lee county, Iowa, in
1861, and was engaged in mercan-
tile business there for seven years;
came to Dallas county in 1869 and
brought the first goods to this
town, and engaged in the mercan-
tile business; he has held the office
of postmaster for the past five
years, and also holds the office of
justice of the peace; he married
Ella Russell, from Laporte countv
Indiana, April, 28, 1877.
Stitzel, H., farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Sweezey, E. P., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O \Vjiiikgg
SYLVESTER, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 8; P. 0. Adel; born in Bos-
ton, Massachusetts, Aug. 11, 1802,
and was brought up there, and
served an apprenticeship to the
cooper's trade; he followed a sea-
faring life for three years, then
went to North Carolina and mar-
ried Cassandra Slaughter, from
that State; they came to Indiana
in 1833; lived there twenty-one
years, and came, with their own
wagon, to Iowa, and located where
they now live, in the fall of 1854,
and engaged in farming; and has
lived here over twenty-four years;
he owns a farm of seventy acres;
they have three children: John A.,
Elizabeth and Maria L.
THOMAS W. EL, farmer, Sec. 1;
P. O. Dallas Center.
Townsend & Cartright, hardware,
queensware, and furniture dealers,
Dallas Center.
Turner, P. O, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Adel.
U STICK, N. M. Y., farmer,
Sec. 12; P. 0. Dallas Center;
born in Marion county, Ohio, May
8, 1824; and was raised there until
fifteen years of age, then removed
to Morrison, Whiteside county,
Illinois, where he remained until
coming to Dallas county in April,
1871; he located in Dallas Center
and engaged in the agricultural
implement business with Mr.
Hubbard ; has been engaged in
farming for the past two years; he
owns a farm of 136 acres, besides
town and business property in
Dallas Center; has held office of
assessor; married Amelia C. Bar-
num, from 01 ean, New York, Feb.
12, 1867; they have four children:
COLFAX TOWNSHIP.
601
May E., Myrtle A., Carl M. and
Julia B.
VAN DUSEN, M. S, carpen-
ter, Dallas Center.
VOGUS, FRANCIS, farmer, Sec.
14; P. O. Dallas Center; born in
Yenango county, Pennsylvania,
Sept. 25, 1820, and was raised
there; he married Miss Sarah
Whitman, from Venango county,
Pennsylvania, February 22, 1848;
they emigrated to Illinois, and lo-
cated in Henry county, in 1855,
and lived there until 1870, when
they came to Iowa, and located in
this county; and since then have
resided here; he owns a farm of
160 acres; he was in the army,
enlisted in 1861 in the 9th Illinois
Cavalry, Co. C ; was in the service
four years, and was in many bat-
tles and skirmishes; they have
three children : James M., Charles
N. and Abbie A.; he has one son:
William J. by a former wife.
Van Fossen, W., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Adel.
VAN FOSSEN, DR. EZRA, phy-
sician and farmer, Sec. 31; P. 0.
Adel; born in Alleghany county,
Pennsylvania, May 17, 1817; when
only three years of age his parents
removed to Columbiana county,
Ohio; and he was raised there; he
studied medicine in Ohio, and
graduated at Rush Medical Col-
lege, Chicago, about 1850, and be-
fan the practice of medicine in
ndiana; he married Miss Eliza-
beth Kinnear, from Indiana, in
January, 1846; on account of his
health not being good, and having
a taste for farming, and fruit cul-
ture, he and his family emigrated
to Iowa; they came in a large
"prairie schooner," he and his
wife and three children, and was
twenty-eight days on the way, and
arrived in Adel October 7, 1852,
and were among the earliest set-
tlers in Adel; he entered most of
the land where he now lives from
the government; he engaged in
the practice of medicine about six
years, then gave his whole atten-
tion to farming and fruit-growing;
he owns a very fine farm of 350
acres, in one of the finest locations
in the county; they have five
children: Walter, Sarah, Horace,
Ralph and Frank; and have lost
two children: John and Mary.
T A 7-HITE, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
V V 11; P. O. Dallas Center.
White, D. W., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Adel.
Witham, Emily, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Adel.
WOODWARD, ORVILLE R.,
firm of Martin & Woodward,
dealers in hardware and agricultu-
ral implements, Dallas Center;
born in Marshall county, Indiana,
July 26, 1850, and was raised there
until fifteen years of age; then
came to Iowa and located in Dal-
las county, March 18, 1865; he
has been engaged with Mr. Mar-
tin in business since 1873; he
married Miss Sarah Read, from
Toledo, Ohio, December 30, 1875.
yEIGLER, J., Dallas Center.
Zook, G. W., dry goods, Dallas Cen-
ter.
colpax rro-^risrsnii3.
ARMAGOST, ELIAS G., far-> Arthurs, Wm., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
mer, Sec 3; P. O. Dallas O. Adel.
Center. TDADGERLSAML., farmer, Sec.
Arthurs, Geo., fanner, Sec. 10; P. J-J
O. Adel.
3; P. O. Panther Creek.
602
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Bates, John, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. O.
Kedfield.
Bates, Charles, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. O.
Redfield.
Bates, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Kedfield.
Bates, Daniel S., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Kedfield.
Beaver, Israel, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Panther Creek.
Beaver, T. J., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Panther Creek.
Beazor, H. E., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Panther Creek.
Beasley, W., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Adel.
Burnett, S., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Kedfield.
Bentall, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Kedfield.
Britton, G. W., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Adel.
Bringhan. J. N., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Adel.
BULLIS, L. D., farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Adel; he owns a farm of
120 acres; was born in Oswego
county, New York, February 9,
1830; when he was about three
years of age his parents moved to
Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he
lived until he was twenty-one
vears of age; he then went to
Rock county, Wisconsin, where he
lived three years; he then re-
moved to Henry county, Illinois;
he enlisted in Co. B, 19th Illinois
Infantry, in June, 1861, and mus-
tered out in February, 1862; No-
vember 12, 1862, he married Miss
Emily A. Enslow, a native of
Oswego county, New York; he
enlisted again in February, 1864,
in Co. A, 42d Illinois Infantry,
and was mustered out in January,
1865; he came to this county in
the spring of 1867, and located in
this township; they have one son:
Dwight O; was a member of the
board of supervisors one term.
CHANEY, LEWIS, farmer, Sec.
12; P. O. Adel.
Chapman, Wm., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Redfield.
Clark, Abraham, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Adel.
Clark, J. F., farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0.
Adel.
Clark, John, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0.
Adel.
Crouse, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 30; P.O.
Kedfield.
Cunningham, W., farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Redfield.
Cunningham, H. G., farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Redfield.
CURTIS, A. H., farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Adel ; was born in Genesee
county, New York, April 24, 1839;
he lived there until he was six-
teen years of age; he then imi-
grated to Stark county, Illinois,
where he staid about four months,
and then went to Grant county,
Wisconsin; remained there three
years and then returned to Stark
county where he married Miss
Elizabeth lines, April 4, 1858, a
native of Lawrence county, Ohio;
came to Iowa in 1866, and to this
county in 1870; owns a farm of
41 acres; have a family of two
sons and one daughter: Chas. A.,
Liewevin and Nora A. ; he served
about one year in the late rebel-
lion in Co. B, 7th Illinois In-
fantry.
DORR, J. O, farmer, Ses. 23; P.
O. Adel.
Doyle. Michael, farmer, Sec. 30; P.
6. Redfield.
ELLIS, S. J., farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 29; P. O. Adel;
Born in "Vermillion county, Illi-
nois, July 26, 1834; when eleven
years of age he came with his
mother and her family by wagon
to Iowa; they arrived in Jefferson
county in the fall of 1845; the
following spring they came to
Dallas county and arrived here
May 1, 1846, and located near
Adel; they located and made a
claim; they were among the
COLFAX TOWNSHIP.
603
earliest settlers in Dallas county,
and there are only a few here now
that was here wlien they came; he
married Miss Lydia Beeson, from
Indiana, in 1857; she died in
1867, leaving two children: Lu-
vada and Augusta V.; married
Mrs. Clarinda J. Nichols, formerly
Miss Clarinda Brenton, daughter
of Dr. Brenton; he has held of-
fice of sheriff of Dallas county,
was elected in 1875, and has held
town and school offices; he owns
276 acres of land; Mrs. Sarah
Ellis, mother of Mr. Ellis, is now
living in Yan Meter township;
she has eight children living and
has lost two.
Emmert, Theodore, farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Banther Creek.
FAIR, JOSIAH, farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Eedfield.
Fitzgerald, Mike, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Adel.
Fitzgerald, Pat, Jr., farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. Adel.
Fitzgerald, D. F., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Adel.
Fitzgerald, Maurice, farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Adel.
Fitzgerald, Pat., farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Adel.
Flack, Geo., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Eedfield.
Foster, E. B., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Adel.
FRANCIS, WM. H., farmer, Sec.
35; P. O. Adel; born in Butler
county, Ohio, October 16, 1819;
he was brought up and lived there
except two years until coining to
this State; he married Phebe
Phillips from Ohio, May 16, 1844;
theytcame by wagon to Iowa, and
were 26 days on the way; arrived
in this county in 1855, and en-
gaged in farming; they have six
children : John, Nancy J., Sarah
E., George W., Elmer E. and Tab-
itha; and have lost six children.
FRANCIS, FRANKLIN, farmer,
Sec. 25; P.O. Adel; born in Dark
county, Ohio, April 7, 1837; he
was brought up there until 17
years of age; then came with his
parents to Iowa by wagon, in 1855,
and located in the county, Mr.
Francis is engaged in farming and
stock-raising; owns 335 acres of
land; married Miss Margaret J.
Van Cleave from Indiana, in July,
1859; they have six children:
George, Eugene, Charles, Cora,
Laura, Belle and Sarah; they have
lost one daughter.
GEAY, V: P., farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Adel.
Gray, Geo., farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. O.
Adel.
HAYES, C.W., nurserv and fruit
growing, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Adel;
was born in the town of Spafford,
Onedague county, New York, May
8,1835; he came to Dallas county
in the spring of 1869; has lived
on his present place 4 years; owns
40 acres of land; he married Miss
Calista Eipley, July 4, 1860; she
was a native of the same county;
she died April 14, 1864, leaving
one son and one daughter: Bertha
J. and James "W.; he married
again to Miss E. M. Adams, Octo-
ber 9, 1867; she was a native of
Niagara county, New York; have
one daughter: Alma J.
Hollinberger, J. J., farmer, Sec. 18;
P. O. Eedfield.
Huffman, E. B., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Adel.
TEWELL, VICTOE, farmer, Sec.
J 11; P. O. Adel.
JOLLEY, LEWIS, farmer, Sec.
36 ; P. O. Adel ; was born in Dar-
by township, Union county, Ohio,
December 21,1827; he lived there
until March, 1855, and then emi-
grated to Iowa and this county,
and located at Adel, where he re-
mained 4 years working at his
trade, that of a carpenter; he then
removed to his present farm, which
contains 250 acres, all well im-
proved; he married Elizabeth J.,
604
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COTTNTY.
widow of G. G., Young; her
maiden name was Sowash; she
was born in Alleghany county,
Pennsylvania, January 11, 1824;
they were married February 12,
1857; she came to this county in
1856; have one son and one
daughter: Jasper L. and Mary E. ;
Mrs. Jolley has two daughters by
her former marriage: Nancy J.,
now Mrs. Frank Houghton, and
• Maggie A., now Mrs. Albert L.
Wooster.
KENEDY, F. A., farmer and
stock dealer, Sec. 33; P. O.
Pedfield; was born in Montgomery
county, Indiana, November 18,
1831; came to this county, in the
fall of 1856, and located where he
now lives — farm of 312 acres, all
well improved; he married Miss
Nancy Doyel, who was born near
Lexington, Kentucky, but raised
in Montgomery county, Indiana,
they have one son : James M.
Xing, David, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Adel.
LEE, S. C, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Adel.
Lee, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
. Adel.
LONG, CHRISTIAN, farmer, Sec.
9; P. O. Adel; owns a farm,
of 320 acres; born in Hun-
tington county, Pennsylvania,
April 10, 1813; he lived there
until 1852, and then emigrat-
ed to Carroll county, Illinois,
and in 1869 came to this county
and located in this township; he
married Miss Susanna Hershey in
February, 1834, a native of Alle-
ghaney county, Pennsylvania;
have a family of three sons and
two daughters: Abraham, Jacob,
John, Mary, now Mrs. Christian
Emmert, Annie, now Mrs. Wil-
liam Pennebaker. Lost three
sons and one daughter: David,
George, Benjamin, and Catherine,
wife of J. P. Strickler.
LOPER, WILLIAM, farmer, Sec.
1; P. 0. Adel; born in Glosces-
ter county New Jersey, in 1804;
came to this county in 1853 and
located where they now live; owns
a farm of 70 acres; he married
Lucy A. Garoutte, January 22,
1827; she. was born in the same
county, May 16, 1807; their chil-
dren are: Mary E., Sarah E.,
Henry T., John W., Susan C,
William and Margaret P.
LUDINGTON, J. N., farmer, Sec.
27; P. O. Adel; born in Duchess
county, New York, May 25, 1809;
he lived there until he was about
seven years old; his parents then
moved to Indiana, locating near
Vincennes, where he lived about
six years, then with his older
brother removed to Vermillion
county, Illinois; when he was
about nineteen years of age he
went to Fayette county, Pennsyl-
vania, where he worked at his
trade, that of a tanner; in 1853
he came to this county and loca-
ted where he now lives; owns a
farm of 160 acres; he married
Miss Elizabeth Spar in the fall of
1841; she was born in Sommerset
county, Pennsylvania, June 25,
1812,; he previously married Mary
Hoover, March 18, 1832; born
August 17, 1811, in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania; she died
February 28, 1841 ; left one son
and one daughter: Alfred N. and
Sarah J. Has two sons and four
daughters by second marriage:
John W., Mary E, William H.,
Cornelia V., Elizabeth A. and Al-
mira.
Ludington, A. N., farmer, Sec. 35;
P. O. Adel.
Ludington, Josiah, farmer, Sec. 15;
P. 6. Adel.
Ludington, W., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Adel.
Lyon, J. H., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O.
Adel.
MACHEN, W. W., farmer, Sec.
23; P. O. Adel.
COLFAX TOWNSHIP.
605
Machen, W., Sr., farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Adel.
MAHAR, PATRICK, farmer, Sec.
7; P. O. Redfield; born in
County Kerry, Ireland, in 1821;
he emigrated to the United
States in 1848; stopped for a
short time in Buffalo, New
York, and then came to Illinois;
he came to this county in 1868;
came from Illinois here with his
team and was three weeks on the
road; when he arrived here all
he owned was his team and by
hard work and economy he has a
farm of 166 acres, all paid for ; he
married Margaret Auraught,. in
1851, at Ottawa, Illinois; she died
in 1861; he married .again to
Margaret Hayden, in 1863, at La-
Salle, Illinois; has four children
by first marriage: Jeremiah, Ho-
nora, Margaret and Patrick.
Maxon, Duane, farmer, Sec, 6; P.
O. Redfield.
Messamer, J. M., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Panther Creek.
MILLS, HENRY, farmer, Sec. 12;
P. O. Adel; born in Gilford coun-
ty, North Carolina, May 25, 1817;
he lived there until the fall of
1833, and then with his parents
moved to Madison county, Indi-
ana; he married Julia A. Farlow,
September 6, 1838, a native of
"Wayne county, Indiana, born
May 5, 1819; they emigrated to
Dallas county, and" located where
they now live, in the spring of
1856; have four sons and three
daughters: Isaac, 1ST. J., Mary E.,
Luctnda A., H. E., H. C. and
Ada. „
Mills, N. J., farmer, Sec. 12; P. U.
Adel. tj
MILLS, J. M., farmer, Sec 1; ±*.
O Dallas Center; was born in
Gilford county, North Carolina
May 17, 1824; lived there until
1833' his parents then moved to
Madison county, Indiana; he mar-
38
ried Hannah Flint, March 11,
1847; she was born in Wayne
county, Indiana, January 27,
1828; they came to this county in
the spring of 1856, and located
where they now live; farm 181
acres; they have nine children,
and lost two: Martha A. (de-
ceased), J. K., Charity (deceased),
Mary, Joseph W., Jacob H., John
M., Middleton M., Chas. G, Han-
nah E. and Emma J.
MILLS, JERRY, farmer, Sec. 1;
P. O. Dallas Center; was born in
Gilford county, North Carolina,
May 12, 1822, he lived there
until 1833, his parents then moved
to Madison county, Indiana; he
married Nancy Etchison, March
15, 1846; she was born in North
Carolina, but raised in Indiana;
they came to this county in the
spring of 1856, and located where
he now lives; farm of 313 acres;
they have one son and three
daughters: Mahala A., John F.,
Mary E. and Clara D.
MYERS, ISAAC, farmer, Sec. 3;
P. O. Dallas Center; was born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
April 15, 1822, he lived there
until 12 years of age; his parents
then moved to Mifflin county,
Pennsylvania, where he lived
until 1851 ; and then to Hunting-
ton county, Pennsylvania, where
he remained until 1855; he then
emigrated to Jo Daviess county,
Illinois, where he lived until com-
ing to this county in 1875; his
farm contains 240 acres, and 10
acres timber, one of the best im-
proved in the county; he married
Miss- Sarah Garver, December 4,
1845, a native of Franklin county,
but raised in Huntington county,
Pennsylvania; they have four
sons and four daughters: Nathan,
Rebecca (now Mrs. John Glock),
Geo. S., Albert, Harriet (now
606
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Mrs. John Long), Christia A.,
Henry E. and Emma J.
Myers, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 5; P,
O. Panther Creek.
O 'BRIAN", J. T., farmer, Sec. 6
P. O. Panther Creek.
Olin, A. J., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O
Dallas Center.
PARKINSON, J., former, Sec,
11; P. 0. Adel.
PAYNE, C. H. W., farmer, Sec. 11 ;
P. 0. Adel; was born in Clinton
county, Indiana, September 20,
184i; came to this county in the
spring of 1856, with his parents,
remained one year, then removed
to Henry county, Illinois, where
they remained until 1866, and
then returned to this county;
farm 80 acres; he married Mary
E., daughter of Henry Mills, May
9, 1868; she was born in Madison
county, Indiana; he served about
3 years in the late rebellion, in
Co. D, 112th Illinois Infantry; en-
listed August 9, 1862; mustered
out June 20, 1865.
Payne, E, P., farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Adel.
Phillips, L. S., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Redfield.
Piatt, Joshua, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Redfield.
Plummer, J. S., farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Adel.
Potter, John R., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Adel.
Powell, Robert, Mrs., farmer, Sec.
22; P. 0. Adel.
QUIGLEY, JAMES, farmer, Sec.
15; P.O. Adel.
REEVES, JEREMIAH, farmer,
Sec. 1; P. 0. Dallas Center.
SCHAMEL, ANDREW, farmer,
Sec. 8; P.O. Panther Creek.
Shaffer, J. S., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Adel.
Shaffer, Martin, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Adel.
Shirk, Eeuben, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Adel.
Skinner, Alvah, farmer, Sec. 35; P
O. Adel.
Smith, John, farmer, Sec. 31; P. 0
Redfield.
Snyder, J. S., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Redfield.
Stafford. John, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Adel.
Stine, W, H., farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0.
Redfield.
Sutherland, M., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Adel.
SUTHERLAND, DARIUS, farm- *
er, Sec. 2; P. 0. Dallas Center;
owns a farm of 679 acres; born
in Washington county, Indiana,
November 30, 1828; his parents
moved from there when he was
eleven years of age to Fulton
county, Illinois, where they lived
about seven years, and then re-
moved to Bureau county, Illinois;
he came to this county August
23, 1878; he married Miss Auzo-
letta Britton May 1, 1853; she is
a native of New York; they have
eight sons and five daughters:
Simon R., born Arpil 16, 1854;i
Henry H., born March 29, 1856;
Charles E., born December 31,
1857; Andrew L., born September
5, 1859; George H., born April
13, 1861; Benjamin F., born May
20, 1863; Annetta E., born May
6, 1865; Mary F., born Septem-
ber 27, 1867; Susan A, bora
July 27, 1869; Martin R., born
September 7, 1871 ; Corrianna M.,
born August 27, 1873; Samuel
H, born September 26, 1875;
Nora C, born March, 1878.
TICE, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 30;
P. O. Redfield.
Tice, M., farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0.
Redfield.
Tyer, F. W., farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0.
Adel.
TYER, JOHN, deceased; born in
London, England, February 9,
1820; he married Miss Harriet
Franklin, of the same place, May
LINN TOWNSHIP.
60T
15, 1841, and the following Sep-
tember they emigrated to the
United States and New York,
where they staid but a short time,
and then removed to New Orleans;
staid but a short time, and then
went to New Jersey; remained
there and in Massachusetts until
coming to Iowa in March, 1855;
located in Colfax township, where
he remained until his death, which
occurred July 11, 1874, leaving a
family of four sons and two daugh-
ters: John M., Charles F., Fred-
erick W., Edward (who has since
died), Harriet E. and Mary L.
TYER, CHARLES F., farmer,
Sec. 3; P. O. Adel; owns a farm
of 86 J acres; born in New Bruns-
wick, New Jersey, September 29,
1844; his parents moved to Massa-
chusetts when he was very young;
they came to this county in 1855,
and located in this township; he
manned Miss Cornelia V., daugh-
ter of J. N. Ludington, Esq., No-
vember 7, 1870; she was born
near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
they have two sons: Charles W.,
born August 25,1871; Oscar F.,
born Mav 8, 1878.
TYER, JOHN M., farmer, Sec. 3;
P. O. Adel ; born in New Bruns-
wick, New Jersey, October 19,
1842, where he lived until he was
six years old; his parents, then
moved to Massachusetts, where he
lived until the spring of 1855,
and then, with his parents, came
to this county, and located in Col-
fax township; his farm contains
160 acres; he married Miss Addie
J. Hoyt, December 6, 1868; she
was born in Maine, but raised in
Rock county, Wisconsin; they
have one son and two daughters:
Addie N, born October 2, 1869;
Henry W., born February 7, 1871 ;
Ina Pearl, born July 15, 1878;
he was justice of the peace one
term; township clerk two terms,
and is school director.
VAN CLEAVE, I. J., farmer,
Sec. 26; P. 0. Adel.
WAGNER, MICHAEL,farm-
er, Sec. 4; P. O. Panther
Creek.
Walters, G. W., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Adel.
Walker, S. F., farmer, Sec. 6: P. O.
Panther Creek.
Wicks, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Adel.
Wood, J. K., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Adel.
Worster, A. L., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
* O. Adel.
Worster, J. O , farmer, Sec. 25 ; P.
O. Adel.
YORK, JOSEPH, farmer, Sec.
4; P. O. Panther Creek.
Young, Frank, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Redfield.
Li^risr T,o"^ri>TSi3:ii'.
ALLEN, B. B., farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Green vale; born in
Massachusetts in 1813; came to
this county in 1854; owns 169
acres of land; has held offices of
school director and postmaster
four years; he married Miss Eliza
Smith, January 24, 1857; she was
born in Erie county, New York;
have one daughter: Alice E., and
lost one : Mona E.
Andrews, S. B., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Redfield.
Anderson, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Redfield.
Andrews, J. C. farmer, Sec. 28 ; P.
O. Redfield.
BAILEY, J. A., farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Redfield; born in Ran-
dolph county, Indiana, in 1842;
came to this county in 1853; owns
180 acres of land; has held offices
608
DIEECTOBT OF DALLAS COUNTY.
of town clerk and school director;
he enlisted in the 39th Iowa In-
fantry in the late war and served
until the close; he married Miss
Martha A. Noel in 1873; she was
born in Indiana; has three chil-
dren : Fred, Nora E. and Carl F.
Bailey, J. G., farmer, Sec. 29; P. O.
Ee'dfield.
BAILEY, L. D., farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Linn; born in Indiana in 1841;
came to this county in 1853; owns
291 acres of land; he enlisted in
the 4th Iowa Cavalry, and served
four years.; he married Miss Pa-
melia Laubach in 1858; she was
born in Pennsylvania; has five
children: Blanche ,0., Harry W.,
Julia May, George R. and Mary
Nellie.
•Bales, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Redfield.
Balesbaugh, J., farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. O.
Green vale.
Ballinger, M., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Greenvale.
Bennett, D. M., farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Greenvale.
Binford,F. W., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Greenvale.
Bice, J. W., farmer Sec. 9; P. O.
Kedfield.
Briggs, J. W., farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. O.
Linn.
Briggs, Joseph W., farmer, Sec. 6;
P. O. Linn.
Brody,H. P., farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Kedfield.
Bnrnham, Alex., farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Kedfield.
Bnrnham, James, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Redfield.
CLARK, ALONZO, farmer, Sec.
13; P. O. Greenvale.
Clark, N. B., farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Greenvale.
Clark, Jonathan, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Redfield.
Chace, E. K, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Linn.
Cloud, Harmon, farmer, Sec. 32; P.
0. Harvey's Mills.
Cloud, "W. B., farmer, Sec. 31; P. 0.
Harvey's Mills.
Cloud, Stephen, farmer, Sec. 36; P
O. Redfield.
COX, WE, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0.
Harvey's Mills; born in Randolph
county, Indiana, in 1825; came to
this county in October, 1867;
owns 300 acres of land; he married
Mary R. Holloway in 1842; she
was born in Ohio.
Cronk, I., farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Redfield.
DAVIS, ISAAC J., farmer, Sec.
21; P. O. Redfield; born in
Kentucky in 1817, and when
young removed to Ohio, and after-
ward emigrated to Indiana; came
to this county in 1854; owns 175
acres of land; he married Mrs. Lu-
cinda Swain (whose maiden name
was Maulsby) in 1849; she was
born in Tennessee; Mrs. Davis
was first married to Zeno Swain,
in 1830; he died in 1834, leaving
one daughter, Rhoda J., wife of
S. Patty.
Doty, L., farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0.
Redfield.
Drake, Silas, farmer, Sec. 15; P. 0.
Redfield.
DUCK, GEO. C, farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Redfield ; born in Columbi-
ana county, Ohio, in 1814, and re-
moved from there to Porter coun-
ty, Indiana, in 1844, and lived there
eleven years, and came [to this
county in 1855; owns 230 acres of
land; on this land is a valuable
coal bank, known as Duck's bank;
he has held the offices of justice of
the peace, school director and town
trustee; he married Miss Mary
Hesser in 1844; she was born in
Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1818;
has six children: Simon, John W.,
Rachel, Sarah, George and Catha-
rine; lost two: Mary and Joseph.
Duck, J. W., farmer, Sec. 8; P. 0.
Redfield.
Dyer, E., farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0.
Redfield.
LINN TOWNSHIP.
609
1h"LLIS, WM. B., farmer, Sec.
J-^ 15; P. O. Kedfield; born in
Greene county, Tennessee, in 1829 ;
he removed with his parents, when
six years of age, to Indiana, and
came to this county in 1854; owns
135 acres of land; has held offices
of county supervisor, justice of
the peace, town clerk, town trustee,
assessor, and school director; he
married Miss Susanna Lewis in
1851; she was born in Indiana;
has ten children : Marcus D., Jesse
C, Sarah E., Lucinda, Maria, Sam'l
R. C, Emma E., Lueretia M.,
Mary Melinda and fm. E.
Elliott, Francis, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Kedfield.
Estes, G. M., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Kedfield.
Evans, Elisha, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Kedfield.
Eyres, Wm., farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O.
Green vale.
FEE, ISAAC, farmer, Sec. 34;
P. O. Kedfield; born in Galia
County, Ohio, January 26, 1821,
and emigrated to Iowa in 1846,
settling near Des Moines, in Polk
county, and came to Linn town-
ship in 1851, and settled and im-
proved the farm on which he now
resides, and has remained on the
place since that time; he owns
eighty acres of land; he married
Miss L. Slaughter in 1841; she
was born in Ohio; has ten children
living: John, Richland, William,
Hollace, Thomas, Lovina, Caro-
line, Ellen F., Abagail and Sarah
A.; lost three: Mary E., Dulcena
J. and Nora L.
Flinn, John, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Kedfield.
FOY, ROBERT F., farmer, Sec
34- P. O. Kedfield; born in
Maine in 1823; came to this
county in 1857; owns 170 acres of
land; has held offices of town
trustee, school director, and treas-
urer of the school fund; he mar-
ried Miss Ann E. Schuster, in
1850; she was born in Maine; has
two children: John F. and Laura
K.
Freeman, J. J., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Greenvale.
GAREY. HENRY, farmer, Sec.
32; P. 0. Redfield.
Gary, L. G., farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0.
Redfield.
Grubbs, Luther, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P.
O. Linn.
HART, L0RING, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Redfield; born in
Massachusetts in 1805; came to
this county in 1866; owns ninety
acres of land ; he married Rebecca
Babbit in 1837; she was born in
Massachusetts.
Harper, W. W., farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Redfield.
Harden, Ezra, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. O.
Redfield.
HARDEN, JOHN C, farmer, Sec.
23 ; P. O. Redfield ; born in North
Carolina in 1824, and in 1837 re-
moved to Indiana, and came to
this county in 1854; owns 120
acres of land, eighty of which he
entered; he has held offices of
school director and town trustee;
he married Miss Louisa Barker in
1850; she was born in Indiana;
has eight children: Alonzo L.,
Ezra MT, Emma B., Eli in E., Al-
fred P., Louisa E., Reno L. and
Cooty.
HILL, ABNER, farmer, Sec. 30;
P. O. Harvey's Mill; born in
Ohio in 1816; removed to Ran-
dolph county, Indiana, in 1836,
and came to this county in 1856;
owns 139 acres of land; he mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Lank in 1836 ;
she was born in Ross county, Ohio;
has four children: Martha A., wife
of M. C. Marshall, Elizabeth L.,
wife of James S. Douney, Olive
and Chester P.
Hodson, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Kedfield.
Holloway, A. W., farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Linn.
610
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Howell, P. S., farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Kedfield.
Howell, Ira, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Kedfield.
Howell, Needom, farmer, Sec. 28;
P. 0. Kedfield.
Hoy t, Ben., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Greenvale.
HOYT, THOMAS, farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. Greenvale; born in Maine
in 1834; he lived in Wisconsin
for sometime, and then removed
to California, where he remained
until he came to this county; he
has held offices of town clerk,
' town trustee and school director;
he married Miss Susan Ross, in
1861; she was born in Newark,
New Jersey; has five children:
Lizzie, Leland, "Willie, Mabel and
Blanche.
Humphrey, "W. C, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Kedfield.
TAMESON, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
J 36; P. O. Redfield; born in
Kockbridge county, Virginia,
January 31, 1800; he removed to
Franklin county, Ohio, in 1816,
where he remained until 1827,
and then moved to Marion county,
and in 1833 to Allen county;
came to this county in 1853; owns
150 acres of land; held office of
assessor in 1855 and 1856; and
while living in Allen county,
Ohio, was Judge of the Probate
Court from 1838 to 1852; he
married Sarah Ann Lawson, De-
cember 16, 1823; she was born in
Duchess county, New York; she
died April 3, 1867; has four chil-
dren: William W., Samuel F.,
James H. and Edward P.; lost
six: Robert L., John R, Marga-
ret J., Rachel A., Ellen G-. and
Sarah. John R. and Edward P.
enlisted in the 39th Iowa Infantry
in the late war; the former was
taken prisoner and confined at
Belle Island, and died; one son-
in-law, John H. Combs, the hus-
band of Ellen G. (deceased), died
from disease contracted in the
service.
Johnson, Nelson, farmer, Sec. — :
P. O. Redfield.
Jones, S.. farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Redfield.
Jones, C. M., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Linn.
JOY, JOHN F., farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Redfield; born in Maine
in 1853; came to this county in
1857; owns 160 acres of land.
Judge, Patrick, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Redfield.
KEATOR, L. W., farmer, Sec.
7; P. O. Greenvale.
Ketner, J. M., farmer, Sec. 20; P. O.
Redfield.
LAWBACH, J., farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Redfield; born in Co-
lumbia county, Pennsylvania, Oc-
tober 10, 1823; came to this
county April 17, 1855; owns 200
acres of land; he enlisted in Co.
H, 39th Iowa In ft. during the late
war, and served three years; he'
married Miss Sarah Ash, July 7,
1847; she was born in Columbia
county, Pennsylvania; has six
children: Pernilla, Hiram F.,
John K., Russell A., Sanford H.,
Charles W.; lost one daughter:
Mary A.
Lawbach, H. F. and I. K., farmers,
Sec. 17; P. O. Redfield.
Lewis, David,, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O.
Redfield.
Lewis, S., farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Redfield.
Lewis, T. D., farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O.
Redfield.
Lumpkin, R. W., farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Linn.
MoATEE, SAMUEL, farmer,.
Sec. 27; P. O. Redfield.
McLucas, J. M., farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Redfield.
McNees, A, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Redfield.
Madren, A. J., farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0.
■ Redfield.
LINN TOWNSHIP.
611
Manor, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Eedfield.
Manor, Lewis, farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. Eedfield.
Marshall, H. M., farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Eedfield.
MAULSBY, JOHN, (deceased),
farmer, who resided on Sec. 28,
was born in Tennessee, September
11, 1814; he removed with his
parents to Indiana in 1817; he
married for his first wife, Mary
Croft, who died in 1846; August
19, 1847, he married Miss Mary
0. Kimmerle, who was born in
. Butler county, Ohio; in 1854 he
came to this county and entered
for himself and others, 2,200 acres
of land; and at the time he re-
moved from Indiana, he was the
means of 20 families coming to
this oonnty;. he held various
offices of tlie township, and also
county treasurer; he died Novem-
ber 19, 1876, leaving five chil-
dren by first marriage: Letitia
(wife of Dr Bust), Melissa (wife
of Dr Caldwell), Jane (now Mrs.
DeMotte), Luny and Edgar; and
by second marriage six: Josephine,
Cromwell, Florence, Forrest, Ver-
non and Frank.
Maulsby, J. H., farmer, Sec., 10; P.
O. Greenvale.
MAULSBY, WM, farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Eedfield; born in Jefferson
county, Tennessee, in 1810; in
1817 his parents removed to Indi-
ana, where he remained until 1857,
when he removed^ to this county;
he owns 320 acres of land; he
married Miss Z. Mills in 1833; she
was born in Tennessee; have two
children: Irwin and Milton.
Maulsby, Milton, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Eedfield. :
Merritt, James, farmer, Sec. 29; if.
O. Eedfield
MILLS, J. H-, farmer^Sec. 23; P.
O Eedfield; born in Wayne coun-
ty Indiana, in 1847; came to this
county in 1856; owns 80 acres of
land, and has under his supervision
240 acres; has held office of school
director; he enlisted in the 39th
Iowa Infantry in the late war, and
was afterward transferred to the 7th
Iowa, and mustered out with that
regiment: he married Miss S. A.
Duck, September 15, 1867; have
three children : Eoscoe E., Charlie
C, Milton D.
MITCHELL, T. J., farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. Greenvale; born in Waldo
county, Maine, in 1825; came to
this county in 1863; previous to
his removal to this county he lived
in Wisconsin 10 years; he owns
98 acres of land; he married Miss
Augusta A. Howard in 1845; she
was born in Waldo county, Maine;
have two adopted children: Lizzie
and Addie Wagle.
Mohr, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Eedfield.
Moormon, Enoch, farmer, Sec. 31;
P. O. Eedfield.
MOORE, ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 35;
P. O. Eedfield; born in Indiana
in 1825; came to this county
in 1852; owns 226 acres of land;
he married Miss Ada Van Cleave
in 1847; she was born in Indiana;
have three children living: Eliza-
beth A., Melinda J. and Win.
Allen; lost five: Samuel G., James,
Matilda, Augusta and Mary A.
Mosier, Jonathan, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Greenvale.
NELSON, W. A., farmer, Sec.
25; P. O. Eedfield.
OVEEHALSEB* M. K, farmer,
Sec. 4; P. O. Linn.
PARKER, PLEASANT, farm-
er, Sec. 11; P. O. Eedfield;
born in Laurel county, Kentucky,
in 1826; removed with his parents
to Ind., in 1832, and came to this
county March 8, 1855; owns 200
acres of land; has held offices of
town trustee and school director;
he enlisted in the 39th Iowa In-
fantry, in the late war, and served
three years ; he married Miss Anna
612
DIEECTOBY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
E. Joy in' 1856; she was born in
"Wayne county, Indiana; have four
« children: Wayne, Vienna, Dora
and Irwin ; have lost two children.
Patty, D. S., farmer, Sec. 23; P. O.
Eedfield.
PATTY, S., farmer, Sec. 21; P. O.
Eedfield; born in Lima county,
Ohio in 1830; removed from there
to "Wayne county, Indiana, and
came to this county in 1854; owns
240 acres of land ; has held office
of school director; he married
Bhoda J. Swain in 1550; she was
born in "Wayne county, Indiana;
have four children: T. Swain, Cora
M., May and Reno P.
Presley, "Wm., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Eedfield.
ROUP, W. T., farmer, Sec. 33;
P. 0. Eedfield.
Enssell, G. E., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Eedfield.
ST. JOHN, E. F., farmer, Sec. 34;
P. O. Greenvale.
Seamen, J. J., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Eedfield.
SHIECKLE, J. J., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Eedfield ; born in England in
1810; came to this county in 1869;
he married Mrs. Alice Harper, who
was born in New York. Mrs.
Schieckle's maiden name was Shil-
lato ; she first married James Har-
per, who was born in Virginia in
1800, and came to this county in
March, 1851, and at the present
writing she and her son are the
oldest residents of what is now
Linn township; Mr. Harper died
May 14, 1869, leaving eight chil-
dren: Hiram, James M., Edward,
"Wm. W., Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth
and Eliza J.
Shillato, "Wm., farmer, Sec. 29; P. O.
Eedfield.
SIMCOKE, B. P., farmer, Sec. 26;
P.O. Eedfield; born in "Wayne
county, Indiana,' in 1836; came
to this county in 1867; has held
offices of county supervisor, town-
ship clerk, justice of the peace
and school director; he married
Mrs. Eachel E. Maulsby, whose
maiden name was Patty; she was
born in "Wayne county, Indiana;
has four children : James L., Wil-
liam O., Laura and Joseph 0.
Mrs. S. died in June, 1877; she
was previously married to Ezra
Maulsby, who was born in Indi-
ana, in 1838, and died in 1864,
leaving three children: Ellis,
Alonzo and Lawrence.
Sloan, S., farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0.
Eedfield.
Smith, I. H., farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0.
Eedfield.
Smith, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0.
Eedfield.
Smith, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0.
STROUD, A., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Greenvale; born in Vermont,
in 1827; came to this county in
July, 1858; owns 390 acres of
land ; he married Miss Ann Mc-
Namee in 1854; she was born in
New York; have ten children:
Carrie, Irene, Louisa, Charles,
Edgar, John, Minnie, Arthur,
Philip and Bazie B.
TAYLOR, WM. R., cabinet mak-
er and farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
Greenvale; born in Canadain 1827;
came to this county in 1871; holds
office of postmaster at Greenvale;
he married Miss Frances E. "War-
ren, in June, 1870 ; she was born
in Franklin county, New York;
has one child: Clarence M.
Thompson, "Wm., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Greenvale.
Thompson, C, farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0.
Greenvale.
Thornburgh, J. A., fanner, Sec. 18;
P. O. Eedfield.
THORNBURGH, THOMAS K.
and P. KERNS, farmers, stock-
raisers and stock-dealers, Sec. 20;
P. O. Eedfield; the former was
born in Indiana on April 9, 1847,
and came to this county in 1856;
he holds office of township trus-
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
613
tee; he married Miss Jennie Ves-
tal in 1871; she was bom in In-
diana; lias three children: Zena
C, Mabel and Baby. P. Kern
was born in Indiana in 1850, and
came to this county in 1856; they
own, with their mother, 240 acres
of land; their father, "Win. Thorn-
burgh, was born in Tennessee in
1804; removed to Indiana; and
came to this county in 1856; he
married Miss Catharine Bohrer;
he died in September, 1876.
Town, Cyrus, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Redfield.
Turner, Jos., farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. O.
, Greenvale.
Turner, Geo., farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. O.
Greenvale.
\ A T ARREN, T. P., farmer, Sec.
VV 11; P. O. Greenvale;
born in New Hampshire, in 1813;
came to this county in 1866; owns
20 acres of land; has held office
of school director; he married
Miss Phebe J. Eobinson in 1836;
she was born in Plattsburg, New
York; has three children: Ara-
minta S., Isaac M. and Frances
E., wife of Wm. E. Taylor.
WESCOTT, W. H., blacksmith and
farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Greenvale;
born in Vermont in 1822; came
to this county in August, 1868;
owns 166 acres of land; holds of-
fice of school director; he mar-
ried Miss Sophia C. Sibley in June
1852; she was born in Vermont;
has three children: Stella. Frank
and Willie; previous to coming
to this county he lived twenty
years in Wisconsin.
Willis, Lucinda, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Linn.
"Winslow, Henry, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Linn.
"Winslow, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Linn.
Wolf, Joseph L., farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Linn. *
Welf, F. M., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Linn.
"Wright, Jesse, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Linn.
YOUNG, E. W., farmer, Sec. 4:
P. O. Linn.
LIKraOXjET TOX^NSHIP.
A LLARD, N., farmer, Sec. 10;
P. 0\ Brough; born in Ohio,
July 29, 1845; moved with his
parents to Henry county, Illinois,
in 1850; came to this county in
1871; owns 160 acres of land; has
held the offices of assessor three
years, and of justice of the peace;
'he enlisted in the 124th Illinois
Infantry in the late war, and serv-
ed until the regiment was mus-
tered out; he married Miss Mary
Wilhelm, February 29, 1869; she
was born in Pennsylvania, and
died January 17, 1871; he after-
ward married Miss Emma Wil-
helm who was born in Pennsylva-
nia, and died February 12 1872;
he married for his third wite Miss
Lucy Isenhart, August 11, 1878;
she was born in Ogle county, Illi-
nois; has two children by second
marriage: Elmina and Willie.
Andrews, Chas., farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Perry.
Arthand, Leo, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Brough.
BIROHFIELD, I. E., farmer,
Sec. 7; P. O. Panora.
Birchfield, I. S., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Panora.
Boyle, N S , farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Brough.
Butler, E. "W, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Greenvale.
CAMPBELL, D. J., farmer, Sec.
32; P. O. Panora.
Campbell, J. H., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Panora.
614:
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Campbell, M. J., farmer, Sec. 31 ; P.
O. Panora.
Churchill, 1ST. P., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
. O. Greenvale.
Coates, W. H., farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Greenvale.
Coleman, D. L., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Brough.
Coleman, John, Sr., farmer, Sec. 5;
P. O. Brough.
Cooper, W. N., farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Brough.
DAVIS, K, farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Brough.
De La, Reuben, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Brongh.
De La, W. W., farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Brough.
Dibble, Edward, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Brough.
Doran, J. A., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
* Brough.
Dorras, J. F., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Brough.
Dorman, Jos., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Brough.
Dyer, Conway, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Greenvale.
EDMUNDSON, M. E., farmer,
Sec. 10; P. O. Brough.
Eveland, H. A., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Brough.
FOY, J.W., farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Brough.
Frost, A. C, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0.
Brough.
Fry, Henry, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Brough.
GILES, JOHN L., farmer, Sec.
18; P. O. Panora.
Grnbbs, John, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Panora.
HALL, DAYID, farmer, Sec. 31 ;
P. 0. Panora.
Harrison, C, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O.
Panora.
Hayes, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
0. Minburn.
Hennon, Geo., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Brough.
Herendeen, 1ST. N., farmer, Sec. 27;
P. 0. Brough.
Higgs, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
0. Greenvale.
Hodson, Josiah, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Panora.
Hohenshelt, G. W., farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Panora.
Hollingsworth, R., farmer, Sec. 2;
P. O. Perry.
Horsely, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Brongh.
Hossteater, W. O., farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Brongh.
Howell, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 31;
P.O.Linn.
Hoyt, John, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O.
Brough.
Huffman, E., farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0.
Brongh.
TONES, E. M., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
cl O. Brough ; born in New York
in 1836; he removed to Michigan
in 1846, and in October, 1869,
came to this county; owns 200
acres of land ; has held the office*
of school director, district treas-
urer, assessor and town trustee;
he enlisted in the Twenty-second
Michigan Infantry in the late war,
and afterward transferred to the
Twenty-ninth Infantry, and dis-
charged at the close of the war;
he married Miss Harriet Van
Dewarker in 1856; she was born
in New York, and died March 16,
1870; he afterward married Mrs.
Ann E. Bugbee, in 1871; she was
born in Canada; her maiden name
was Huffman ; has five children by
first marriage: Ellen, Albert,
Theresa, Burton and George; lias
three by second marriage: Her-
bert, R. T. and William; Mrs.
Jones has three children by for-
mer marriage: Marcus, Lucinda
and Elias.
KELSO, S. J., farmer, Sec. 6;
P. O. Brough.
Klinkerfns, R , farmer, Sec. 14; P
O. Brough.
Knapp, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. Greenvale.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
61&
K™PP> D- S., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Brough.
KNAPP, J., farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
Green vale; born in Indiana, in
1832 ; when four years of age his
parents removed to Illinois, where
he remained until he came to this
county, in 1871; he owns 280
acres of land; he has held the
office of school director; he en-
listed in the 126th Illinois In-
» fantry in the late war, and served
until the regiment was mustered
out; he married Miss Margaret
Beaver in 1855 ; she was born in
Chester county, Pennsylvania;
has five children: Samuel B.,
Thomas C, Martha A., Margaret
Isabel and Jacob Colfax.
Knowlton, W., farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Brough. •
LEE, W. E., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Brongh.
McCHESNEY, J., farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Brough.
McKinley, Charles, farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Panora.
McNeil, J., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Brough.
Macomber, W. EL, farmer, Seo. 20;
P. O. Brough.
Miller, David V., farmer, Sec. 4;
P. O. Brough.
Moffatt, John, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O.
Brough.
Mosier, William, farmer, • Sec. 29;
P. O. Brough.
Moorman, E., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Panora.
Morse, Charles, farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Brough.
NORTHY, JONATHAN, farm-
er, Sec. 36; P. O. Redfield.
OVERLOOK, O. J., farmer, Sec.
15; P. O. Brough.
PETERS, SIMON, farmer, Sec.
14; P.O.Perry.
Peters, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Minburn.
Peters, J. A., farmer, Sec. 23; P. O.
Minburn.
Pitzenbenger, J., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Greenvale.
REYNOLD, L. M., farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Greenvale.
Richmond. Jacob, farmer, Sec. 13;
•P. O. Perry.
Ridnour, Geo., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Perry.
Rishel, John, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Brough.
SCHWAB, CHAS., farmer, Sec
24; P. O. Minburn.
Sheldon, W. F., farmer, Sec. 24; P..
O. Minburn.
Simpson, M. B., farmer, Sec. 23; P-.
O. Brough.
Smith, James, farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Redfield.
Smith, H. C, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O.
Linn.
Smith, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O-
Brough.
Smith, D. B., farmer, Sec. 11; P. O..
Brongh.
Smith, Clias. E., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Perry.
Stephens, A. S, farmer-, Sec. 32; P.
0. Panora.
Steiner, John, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Brough.
Stichler, John, farmer, Sec. 14; P.
0. Perry.
THORN BURGH, D. G., farmer,
Sec. 30; P. O. Panora.
Thornburgh, H. C, farmer, Sec. 30;.
P. O. Panora.
T A 7ALT0N, ROB'T, farmer,
V V Sec. 13; P.O.Perry.
Williams, D. S., farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Linn.
Wilhelm, James, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Brough.
Wright, W. A., farmer, Sec. 27; P..
O. Linn.
«16
DIEEOTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
-^7--A.sni3srci-Tonsr to-wnship.
ALBORN, HENRY, farmer,
Sec. 5; P.O. Minburn.
Andreus, Hiram, farmer; P. O.
Minburn.
BADGER, ROB'T, farmer, Sec.
33; P. 0. Panther Creek.
Badger, John, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. O.
Panther Creek.
Barrett, Mark, farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Panther Creek.
Beidenrian, E. and F., farmers, Sec.
22; P. O. Minburn.
Betzenhouser, N., farmer, Sec. 13;
P. 0. Minburn.
Betzenhouser, Geo., farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. Panther Creek.
SEVER, J. B., farmer, Sec. 26; P.
0. Adel ; was born in Seneca county,
Ohio, March 18, 1832; where he
lived until he was 23 years of age;
he married Elizabeth Richards, a
native of Crawford county, Ohio,
February 8, 1855; she was born
September 23, 1835; they came to
this county in the fall of 1856,
and located on the place where they
now live; their farm contains 171
acres; they have two sons and
three daughters: Win. M., born in
Seneca county, Ohio, December
27, 1855; Emma, born in this
county June 15, 1858; Oscar A.,
January 29, 1861; Minnie A.,
January 12, 187L; Cora L., Feb'y
•5, 1873; they have lost one son,
Wesley G., who was born March
1, 1866, and died December 26,
1870; was justice of the peace
two years, township clerk four
years, and held other township
offices.
IBever, Alvin, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
Adel.
Britton, Andrew, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P.
O. Panther Creek.
Britton, I. 1ST., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
0. Panther Creek.
Bryant, John, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
Minburn.
Bumgardner, Charles, farmer, Sec.
19*, P. O. Minburn.
CAMPBLLL, A. B., farmer, Sec.
26; P. 0. Adel.
Coulter, Charles, farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Minburn.
Clark, A. O, farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0.
Minburn.
Clark, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Minburn. »
Craig, J. H., farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0.
Minburn.
DOUGHERTY, I. A., farmer,
Sec. 33; P. 0. Panther
Creek.
EDWARDS, H. O, farmer, Sec.
18; P. O. Minburn.
ELLIS, J. W., farmer and stock-
dealer, Sec. 16; P. O. Dallas Cen-
ter; born in Summerset county,
Maine, December 20, 1818; he
. lived there until 1851; he married-
Miss Mary A. Clifford, a native
of Kennebeck county, Maine, in
1842; he, with his family, came
west in 1851, and located in
Peoria county, Illinois, where
they remained until 1857, and
then removed to Crawford county,
Iowa; lived there five years, and
then returned to Peoria county,
Illinois ; he remained there but a
short time, and then went to
Bureau county, Illinois, where
he remained about six years, and
then came to this county in Feb-
ruary, 1872, and located in Wash-
ington township, where he now
lives; he owns a farm of 415
acres; has given two of his chil-
dren 320 acres; has a family of
five sons and two daughters:
Charles K., Frank, Ferdinand F.,
George W., Adelia (now 'Mrs.
Daniel Child), Addie and John.
Ellis, G. W., farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0.
Minburn.
FLICKINER, J. 0., farmer; P.
O. Dallas Center.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
617
French, WilW farmer, Sec. 32;
,-, F-°- Papier Creek.
n tJAW- f*™^Sec. 21; P.
O. Minburn.
Fr??k^?u A' farmer> Sec. 27; P.
O. Minburn.
Fronk J. R, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Minburn.
GAROUTTE, WALKER, far-
mer, Sec. 36; P. O. Adel;
born in Gloucester county, New
, Jersey, in 1818, where he lived
until 1829; . his parents, then
. moved to Highland county, Ohio ;
he remained there until 1834, and
then removed to Hancock, Illi-
nois; he came to this county in
1855, and located in Adel town-
ship; has lived on his present
farm since 1866; he married Kate
Bevins in 1840; she is a native of
Maryland; have one daughter:
Addie; he served three years in
. the late rebellion, in Co. C, Thir-
ty-ninth Iowa Infantry, in the
commissary department; his farm
contains 80 acres.
Gates, Peter, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
Minburn.
Gorham, O. B., farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Minburn.
Gorham, John, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Minburn.
HENDERSON, ROBERT, far-
mer, Sec. 3; P. O. Minburn.
Hiney, E. F, farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Minburn.
Hurlburt, J. W., farmer, Sec. 9;
P. O. Minburn.
Hurlburt, H. E., farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Minburn.
HUTCHESON, JOSEPH G., far-
mer, Sec. 34; P. O. Adel; born
in Madison county, Indiana, in
1831 ; he came to this county in
February, 1877, and located where
he now lives; he has a farm of
105 acres; he married Miss Eliza-
beth Wood in 1854; she was born
in Morgan county, Indiana; have
one son and six daughters: Mary,
Cyrus, Lottie, Maggie, Ida, Flora
and Hattie; he served about six-
teen months in the late rebellion,,
in Co. F., Fifty-fourth Indiana
Infantry.
Hutchinson, Joseph, farmer, Sec.
34; P. O. Dallas Center.
TNGLES, WILLIAM, farmer,.
-L Sec. 8; P. O. Minburn.
Ingles, Jesse, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. O.
Minburn.
TENKINS, WILLIAM, farmer,
cJ Sec. 36; P. O. Dallas Center;
born in East Tennessee, January
1, 1831; he lived there but a.
short time when his parents
moved to Putnam county, In-
diana; he lived there off and on
until 1850; he then went to Cal-
ifornia, driving a team all the
way, and was six months on the
road ; he remained there three years,,
engaged in mining; he then re-
turned to Indiana, where he re-
mained until coining to this coun-
ty, in 1857; he located in this-
township in 1858, in company
with two others; he was engaged
to select swamp land in the six
northwest counties; in 1859 he
went to Pike's Peak and returned
the following winter; he returned
to Pike's Peak again in 1860, and
also in 1861, prospecting for new
diggings with the celebrated mi-
ner, John Gregory ; was gone thir-
teen weeks, and then struck north-
west, there being eleven in the
company; he then returned; he
married Elizabeth Frakes, March
6, 1862, a native of Putnam coun-
ty, Indiana; she died September
3, 1863; he married again to
Deborah Kidwell, of Madison
county, Indiana, December 2,
1865; has three children by pres-
ent wife: Edmund R. L., Joseph
E. and William W. ; his wife has
one daughter by a former mar-
riage : Mary L. Kidwell.
Jenkins, J. K., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Dallas Center.
€18
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
KOOBESTCHECK. F, farmer,
Sec. 17; P. 0. Minburn.
KUGLER, J. M., farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Minburn ; born in Harrison
county, Ohio, October 22, 1830;
he was six years of age when his
parents moved to Belmont county,
Ohio, where they lived about sev-
en years, and then removed to
Gurnsey county, Ohio; lived there
about six years, and one year in
Noble county; in 1851 he went
to California, where he remained
until April, 1872, and came to
this county in the following May;
he married Miss Emeline Crane,
March 27, 1873 ; she was born in
Stevenson county, Illinois, March
30, 1846 ; have three daughters :
Nora May, born December .31,
1873; Cora Bell, born March 5,
1874; Minnie Alice, born March
2, 1877. His larm contains 240
acres, and eleven acres of tim-
ber.
LANGFIT, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
31; P. O. Kedfield.
Lee, Silas A., farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. O.
Minburn.
Long, John, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
Panther Creek.
Lynch, John, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Minburn.
MILLER, FRANKLIN, far-
mer, Sec. 26; P. O. Min-
burn ; born in Montgomery coun-
ty, Indiana, November 27, 1838;
he lived there until 1865 ; then
came to this county and located
in this township; owns a farm of
120 acres; he married Miss Lu-
cinda Britton January 15, 1864, a
native of Indiana; have one son
and one daughter: Mary L. and
Jesse. Was constable two years,
township clerk one year and town-
ship trustee one year.
Minnis, Chas., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Minburn.
.Moffatt, S. O, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Minburn.
Montha, James, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Dallas Center.
MURPHY, W. H., farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Minburn; born in Warren
county, Illinois, December 31,
1839, and lived there until 1861;
enlisted in Company F 66th Illi-
nois Infantry, October 10; was
mustered out December 23, 1863;
he re-enlisted the same day, and
in the same company, and was
mustered out July 7, 1865, at
Louisville, Kentucky; he partici-
pated in sixteen pitch battles and
numerous skirmishes; has been
married twice; first wife was
Mary S. Parish, a native of "War-
ren county, Illinois; they were
married January 14, 1861; she
died August 19, 1863; he has one
son by this union : 'Ira V. He
came to this county in February,
1866; on December 20, 1870, he
married again, to Martha, widow
of David Starbuck and Thomas
Arrington; her maiden name was
"Warford ; Mrs. M.'s first husband
was an old settler of this county;
he was born in Washington coun-
ty, Indiana, November 17, 1817;
he came to this county in 1850,
and located where she now lives;
he was a member of the first
board of supervisors and was the
first township clerk; he died De-
cember 1, 1865.
Myers, J. K., farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0.
Minburn.
MYERS, HENRY, farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. Minburn; born in Wash-
ington county, Pennsylvania, June
25, 1798, where he lived until he
was about fifteen years of age;
his parents then removed to Ohio,
where they lived about four years;
he then, with his parents, remov-
ed to Dearborn county, Indiana;
he came to this county and locat-
ed where he now lives, in Septem-
ber, 1852, and was among the first
settlers in this township; his farm
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
619
contains 194 acres; he married
Margaret Hodshire, a native of
Maryland, in 1826; she was
raised in Indiana; she died De-
cember 15, 1870, leaving a family
of four sons and one daughter:
Samuel, Sarah, James, William
and Franklin.
NASH, P., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Minbnrn.
PEEIGO, R, farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Adel.
Philbrick, E. D., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Dallas Center.
REPP, GEO., farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Minburn.
Bobbins, Henry, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
Minburn.
ROUSE, WM., farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Minburn; was born in Louis coun-
ty, Kentucky, September 27, 1824;
he lived there until lie was about
seven years of age, when his father
died; his mother and the balance of
the family then removed to Park
county, Ind., where he lived until
1849; he then emigrated to Iowa,
and Dallas county; he selected
and entered the farm where he
now lives — 173 acres ; he has since
increased the number to 313 acres;
he married the widow of Israel
Smith, of Lee county, Iowa, in
January, 1851, at Des Moines;
her maiden name was Crosby; she
was a native of Sullivan county,
New York; they have a family of
six sons and three daughters: John,
Amanda, Win. E., James C, Eliz-
abeth, Thompson, Albert, Mary
A. and Chas. W. ; Mrs. K. has one
daughter by her former marriage:
Sarah A.
ROUSH, JOHN T., farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Minburn; was born in
Adams county, Ohio, August 16,
1819; he lived there until 1823,
and then lived in different coun-
ties in Ohio until the winter of
1854; he then came to this county
and entered his farm of 120 acres;
he then returned te Ohio and
brought his family here in May,
1855, and has lived in this county
ever since; he married Catherine
Neel, June 13, 1839; she was born
in Brown county, Ohio, November
30, 1817; they have seven sons and
four daughters: Sarah, now Mrs.
S. S.- Davis, was born in Ohio,
August 14, 1842; Francis, born in
Ohio, December 1, 1843 ; Samuel
U., born in Ohio, October 24, 1845 ;
Win. H., born in Ohio, June 22,
1847; David W., born in Ohio,
December 5, 1848; James W.,
born in Ohio, August 6, 1850;
Franklin P., born in Ohio, March
5, 1852; George W., born in Iowa,
September 5, 1855 ; Mary L., born
ip Iowa, February 16, 1857; An-
nie J., born in Iowa, August 2,
1859; Isabel E., born in Iowa,
December 15, 1862.
Eoyer, Amos, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Panther creek.
SCUREY, JAMES, farmer, Sec.
15; P. O. Minburn.
Slattery, E., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Minburn.
Smith, W. G., farmer, Sec. 25; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Spin teg, Charles, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Minburn.
Sweet, H. L., farmer, Sec. 15; P. O.
Minburn.
THOEP, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 6;
P. O. Perry.
Thompson, J. A., farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Minburn.
VANDEVERE, ELIAS, farm-
er, Sec. 35, P. O. Adel ; owns
85 acres of land; was born in New
York city, August 22, 1815; his
parents moved to Monmouth
county, New Jersey, when he was
quite young, where he lived until
he was about nineteen years of
age; he then, with his parents, re-
moved to Champaign county,
Ohio; he married Miss Mary J.
Miller, of Montgomery county,
Ohio, in about 1842 ; she died in
1845; he married again, to his
620
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
present wife, December 22, 1852;
her maiden name was Melissa
Grove, a native of Clarmont coun-
ty, Ohio; they came to this coun-
ty and located where they now
live, in 1857; they have a family
of one son and two daughters:
Charles E., Sarah F. and Susan L.
VOAS, HENRY, farmer, Sec. 12;
P. O. Minburn; was, born in Ber-
mingham, England, January 17,
1831; he was about fifteen or six-
teen years old when his parents
emigrated to the United States;
they located in New York City;
he traveled more or less until 1856,
when he came to this county and
located where he now lives; he
married Miss Emily E. Randell,
June 1, 1863; she is also a native
of England; they have five sons
and one daughter: Sherman R.,
Charity M. E., Alfred R, George
E., Frank L. and. Charles E. ; have
lost one son: Albert H.; Mr. Y.
served three years in the late war,
in Co. C, 39th Iowa Infantry; was
justice of the peace four years;
owns a farm of 100 acres.
WALKER, J.W., farmer, Sec.
12; P. O. Minburn.
WARFORD, LEMUEL, farmer,
Sec. 25; P. O. Minburn; was
born in Guilford county, North
Carolina, December 24, 1833,
where he lived until he was 5
years of age, when his parents
moved to Monroe county, Ken-
tucky, where they lived two years,
and then removed to Morgan
county, Indiana; he lived there
12 years, and then came to this
county with his parents in 1852;
he married Sarah E., daughter of
"W. T. Clark, September, 23,1860;
they have by this union three
sons and two daughters: Elmer
E., Wm. M., Etta Bell, Hattie B.,
David M. ; was supervisor three
years, assessor one term, justice
of the peace two years; in 1862
when the 39th Regiment was be- .
ing organized, Mr. "W. enlisted in
Co. C; he participated in the
battles of Perkins' Cross Roads,
rear of Resaca and Altoona; he
was wounded October 5, 1864, ^a
ball passing through the right
cheek, and coming out through
the left; it was two years before
he entirely recovered.
"West, H. II., farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
"Wilson, T. H., farmer, Sec. 15; P.*
O. Minburn.
"Wilson, F. L. M., farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Minburn.
YARD, BENSON, farmer, Sec.
10; P. O. Minburn.
Yard, Samuel H., farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. Minburn.
Young, J. R., farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0.
Panther Creek.
STTGr^.13 G-ISOTrE TOTKraSTSHXIE3.
ADAMS, J. Q., farmer, Sec. 19;
P. O. Minburn.
Aiken, E. R., farmer and physician,
Minburn.
ALBIN, S. E., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O.Dallas Center; born in Indiana
in 1835; came to this county in
, 1855; owns 90 acres of land; has
held offices of school director,
town trustee and town clerk; he
married Miss Ann Toveyin 1868;
she was born in Pennsylvania;
have four children: Eugene Kelly,
Dudly "W., Bertie and Ward.
Albin, "W. "W, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Minburn.
Aschan, Carl, section boss, P. 0.
Minburn.
BARTLETT , P. S., farmer, Sec.
11; P. O. Minburn; born in
Hanover county, Ohio, in 1830;
came to tljis county in 1867; owns
SUGAR GROVE TOWNSHIP.
621
160 acres of land; has held office of
school director; he married Miss
Eliza J. Moore, February 17, 1859 ;
she was born in Ohio; have seven
children: Thomas, Annabel, Frank
G., Willard, Delia, Clinton and
Baby.
Basart, Martin, farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Dallas Center.
BE ALL, T., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Minburn; born in Indianain 1834;
came to this county in 1852; owns
180 acres of land; he enlisted in
the 39th Iowa Infantry, in the late
war, and served three years; he was
wounded at the battle of Altoona,
and lost a limb. His father, ¥m.
S. Beall, was one of the early set-
tlers of the county, coming here
in 1852; he was born in Kentucky,
May 15, 1812, and previous to his
removal to this county, lived in
Indiana for many years ; he died
in June, 1875, leaving a widow
and five children; names: Thomas,
Nancy, Susan, Mary and Minta.
*Beeson, V. W., blacksmith, Min-
burn.
Best, Edward, farmer, Sec. — ; P. O,
Minburn.
Bickford, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Minburn.
BLACKMAN, GEO-, farmer, Sec.
1; P. O. Minburn; born in Ireland
in 1829; came to this country in
1752, and was for many years a
resident of Buffalo, New York,
and was in the employ of the N
T. Cent. E. B., and his services
were so valued that overtures have
been made him several times to
return and fill his old position; he
resided in Camden threeyearspre-
vious to his going to New York
State; came to this county in Sep-
tember, 1869; he owns 101 acres
of land- he married Miss Jane
•Mmnis/May 22, I860; she was
born in Ireland; have five chil-
dren- Wm., George, Susan, Sarah
MandFannieL. Mr. B., while
in the employ of the N. Y. Cent.
B. Pi,., had charge of a large force
of men, who spiked the switches
in order that the late President
Lincoln might pass through the
State safely on his way to "Wash-
ington to be inaugurated.
Boyle, Michael, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Bray ton, G. F., merchant, Minburn.
Braniff, Dennis, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Brown & Gooselin, blacksmiths,
Minburn.
BROWN, LEVI, farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Dallas Center; born in New
York in 1842; came to this coun-
ty in 1870; owns 100 acres of land;
he enlisted in the 1st New York
Light Artillery during the late
war, and re-enlisted as a veteran;
he married Miss Kate Cole, in
1865; she was born in New York;
have two children : George L. and
Nellie A.
BROWN, N. J., farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Dallas Center; born in Indiana
in 1837, and in 1838 removed with
his parents to Muscatine county,
this State, where he remained 40
years, coming to this county in
1878; owns 160 acres of land; he
married Miss Vesta C. Ferry in
1862; she was born in Burlington,
Iowa; has eight children : Harvey
"W., Hubert C, Matthew O.,
Adrian W., Bertha L., George E.,
Flavia M., Elsie S.
Brubaker, A. 0., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Dallas Center.
BURNS, JUDGE LLOYD D.,
was born in Clark county, Ohio,
August 8, 1825, where he lived
until twelve or fourteen years of
age, and then moved with his par-
ents to Elkhart county, Indiana,
where he remained until 1840. On
March 15th of that year, though
not yet fifteen years of age, he as-
sumed the responsibility of seek-
ing his own fortune in life.
39
622
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
In the fall of 1840 he came "West
as far as Vermillion county, Ills.,
where he received his education
through his own industrious ef-
forts, and for sometime engaged
in the milling business, becoming
a practical mill-wright by trade;
November 15, 1846, he married
Minerva J. Adams, of Preble
county, Ohio, and about the 15th
of April, 1847, they started in
their own wagon en route west-
ward for Iowa, arriving in Polk
county about the middle of May
following, and settled for awhile
a short distance east of Des Moines.
In March, 1848, he moved still
further west, and located with his
family on a claim in Dallas coun-
ty, where he still lives comfortably
fixed to enjoy the decline of life in
peace and plenty. On arriving
at this new home, he found a wild,
uncultivated, yet fertile and attrac-
tive place, with beautiful surround-
ings in which to prepare his future
dwelling-place, and at once set
about building a cabin, clearing a
garden patch and making neces-
sary preparations for the coming
winter. It was fortunate for him
that he did arrive so early in the
season, in order to make some pro-
visions for shelter and living, for
the winter which followed was a
fearful one (of which a description
has been given in the general
history) — the new-comers and
their stock suffered intensely on
account of the heavy snows and
drifting storms, as food and shelter
were scarce for both man and
beast. The winter was so severe
that it frightened many of the new-
comers away, as soon as it became
possible for them to travel. One
of his neighbors, John Sullivan,
traded his claim and cabin for a
gun valued at $6.00, and left for
other parts to seek a warmer cli-
mate; but the judge remained
unmovable from the place of his
choice, and persevered in improv-
ing his new home, despite all in-
conveniences, and is now reaping a
rich reward for the trials and hard-
ships endured during his early
pioneer days, having converted his
once wild claim into one of the
first farms in Sugar Grove town-
ship; he has held several important
official positions of honor and trust
in his county, always filling them
with honor, to himself and credit
to his constituents. In 1851 he
was elected county judge, for the
term of four years ; was re-elected
in 1855; and again re-elected in
1857, and many of the early
county records appear over his
signature as county judge of Dal-
las county; in 1861 he was Demo-
cratic candidate for State senator,
and ran far ahead of his ticket,
though Col. James Redfield, his
opponent, was elected; in 1864
Judge Burns was a delegate from
the Fifth Congressional ( Des
Moines) District, to the Chicago *
Convention; in the fall of 1875
he was elected county supervisor,
and in the fall of 1878 he was re-
elected to the same position, which
he now holds; in 1876, on the
recommendation of many of the
first citizens of the county, aff being
the one best suited to perform that
important work, he was appointed
by the governor to prepare a Cen-
tennial History of Dallas county,
a part of which work he per-
formed, but never completed the
entire history, and to which work
we are indebted for many impor-
tant facts and incidents in this
County History; he has a family
of eleven children, six sous and
five daughters: Letitia, now Mrs.
Henderson, of Dallas Center,
Alexander, Lewis, Robert, Augus-
ta, Adella, Mary, Ada, Lyle, Ed-
win E. and Ward; all of the last
mentioned, ten being at home still.
SUGAB GKOVE TOWNSHIP.
623
CAMP, C, farmer, See. 20: P. O.
Minbnrn.
CARTWRIGHT, W., farmer, Sec.
20; P. O. Minbnrn; born in North
Carolina in 1804; in 1816 his
parents removed to Indiana, where
he remained until 1843, when he
emigrated to Missouri, and came
to this county in the spring of
1853; he owns 125 acres of land;
he has held the office of township
trustee; he married Miss Sarah
Smith in 1837; she was born in
Ohio; has nine children: David,
Elizabeth, Mary A., William R.,
John, Louisa, James B., Sarah and
Frances.
COLLINS, L. L., farmer and capi-
talist, Sec. — ; P. O. Dallas Cen-
ter; born in Washington county,
N. Y., in 1816; lived eleven years
in Cayuga county, and removed to
Calhoun county, Michigan, in
1844, and remained there until
Marcli 2, 1850, whea he removed
to Porter county, Indiana; 'he
came to this county in 1855; owns
540 acres of land ; has held offices of
township trustee, township clerk,
and treasurer of the school board,
and was the only treasurer out of
. five that made good his account by
the loss of money in the hands of
the "county treasurer; Mr. Collins
felt he was individually responsi-
ble for the money committed to
his trust, and like the true man,
he has paid it out of his own
pocket; he married Miss L.
Blanchard in 1843 ; she was born
in Cayuga county, N. Y., and died
■ September 23, 1856; he afterward
married Sophia L. Ridevut in
1859; she was born in East Dor-
set, Bennington, county, Vermont;
has four children by first marriage:
Gilbert W., Edgar L., James B.
and Fred E., and three by second
marriage: Celia F., Jesse J. and
Silas C. _ _
Collins, L. L., farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Collins, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 35; P«
O. Dallas Center.
Connell, M. D., farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Minbnrn.
Crawford, C. E., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Minbnrn.
Cushman, Joel, restaurant, Minburn.
EAKIN, G., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Dallas Center; born in
Ireland in 1828; came to this
State in 1875 ; previous to his re-
moval to this county he resided in
Chicago, and followed for many
years his occupation as carpenter,
and his reputation was enviable as
a master workman ; he owns 180
acres of land; he married Miss
Carrie Rochelle in 1860; she was
born in Sussex county, New
Jersey; has seven children:
Charles, Fannie, Nellie, Bobbie,
Carrie, Jennie and Frank.
EDMUNSON, S., farmer, Sec. 19 ;
P. O. Minburn; born in Knox
county, Tennessee, Oct. 2, 1819;
In 1824 his parents removed to
Indiana, where he remained until
his removal to this county in
1854; he owns 89 acres of land;
he has held offices of school di-
rector, assessor, and justice of the
peace; he married Miss Matilda
Greeson in 1843 ; she was born in
North Carolina, and died March
16, 1874; he afterward married
Jane Roe, in 1874; she was born
in Indiana; has one son: Samuel
E.
Edmunson, F., blacksmith, Minburn.
Edmnnson, Edgar, farmer, Sec. 19;
P. O. Minburn.
FAULKNER, E. C, farmer, Sec.
26; P. O. Dallas Center.
Ford, A. F., Minburn.
Fowler, M. J., Minburn.
Foster, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Dallas Center.
aERBER, JOSEPH, Sec. 19; P.
O. Miuburn.
Gill, Luther, station agent, Minburn.
Gillam, John W., hotel, Minburn.
624
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Gossman, S. S., farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Gott, F. M., farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Gray, F. M., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Minburn.
Griebler, E., Minburn.
Gribben, M. W., grain buyer, Min-
burn.
HALL, E., farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Minburn.
Hill, J. B., farmer, See. 7; P. O.
Minburn.
HOSE, SAMUEL, farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Dallas Center; born in
Washington county, Maryland, in
1822; he removed to Ogle county,
Illinois, in -1851, and .remained
there 23 years, coming to this
county April 3, 1874; he owns 75
acres of land, and on which there
is a good line fence, nearly enclos-
ing it. Mr. H. has devoted more
than ordinary attention to horti-
cultural pursuits, and the care he
has given to his orchard and fruits
show he is not a novice in the
business; he married Emaline
Sieyster in 1853 ; she was born in
Maryland; has eleven children:
Jonas F., Andrew F, Mary E.,
Lydia A., Ellen, Lillie, Daniel C,
Rosa, Mary, Clara and Susan.
Huff, P. B., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Dallas Center.
TENNINGS, JACOB, farmer,
J Sec. 33; P. O. Dallas Center.
KINNEY, N. E., farmer, Sec.
19; P.O. Minburn.
King, L. W., farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Knowls, Frank, hotel, Minburn.
Knowls, Fred., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Minburn.
Knowles, A. J., merchant, Minburn.
Knospe, F., farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. O.
Dallas Center.
LUELLEN, WM, farmer, Sec. 5;
P. 0. Minburn.
LYON, A. J., farmer and stock-rais-
er, Sec. 16; P. O. Minburn; born
in Warren county, Ohio, in 1832;
came to this State in September,.
1865; owns 668 acres of land;
has held office of township trus-<
tee, assessor, school treasurer and
served one term as county survey-
or by appointment; he enlisted in
the 54th Indiana Infantry in the
late war; was commissioned Cor-
poral of Company E, and served
until the close of the war; he
married Miss Matilda Elliott in
1855; she was born in Ohio, and
died in 1859; he afterward mar-
ried Miss L. C. Hemphill, Sep-
tember 14, 1865; she was born in
Indiana; has one child: Henri-
etta.
McCLURE, J. O., farmer, Sec,
25; P. 0. Dallas Center.
McClure, W. P., farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Dallas Center.
McPhillips, Frank, Minburn.
Massey, Z. T., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Minburn.
Maulsby, Forest, Minburn.
Ma"urer, M. M., saloon-keeper, Min-
burn.
Meyers, G. S., farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
MINNIS, WM., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Minburn; born in Ireland in
1831 ; came to the United States
in 1849; he resided in Buffalo,
New York, for several ^years, and
came to this county in 1870; owns
100 acres of land ; has held offices
of 'school director and township
trustee; he enlisted in the. 74th
New York Infantry in the late
war; married Miss Frances Mer-
ritt, in 1857; she was born in Ire-
land; have six children: Lizzie
F., Henry I., William J., Nathan-
iel G., Tillie S. and Jesse M.
MITCHELL, JACOB, farmer, Sec.
22; P. O. Minburn; born in Ad-
ams county, Ohio, in 1831; came
to this county first in 1850; he
owns 190 acres of land; has held
office of township trustee; he
married Miss Alice Beall in 1859;
she was born in Indiana; died in
SUGAR GKOVE TOWNSHIP.
625
I860; he afterward married Miss
J^ucinda West in 1862; she was
■ oorn in Indiana; has one child by
lirst marriage: Wifield. Lost
one. Has six children by second
marriage: Fred, Carrie, Ward,
Cora, Mina and Frank. Lost two.
Mr. Mitchell enlisted in the 39th
Iowa Infantry in the late war, and
- was with Sherman in his "march
to the sea.
Mitchell, W., restaurant, Minburn.
^Mitchell, John, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Dallas Center.
MORTIMER, W. W., farmer and
stock-raiser, Sec. 3; P. O. Min-
burn; born in Virginia, in 1841;
at the outbreak of the rebellion
lie removed to Pennsylvania, and
from there to Marion county,
Iowa, coming to this county in
1869; he owns 440 acres of land;
has held offices of township trus-
tee, assessor and school director;
he married Miss Nancy J. Brown
February 1, 1865; she was born
in Marion county, Iowa; has five
-. children: Clara A., Mary E., Cora
; J., Nora M. and Theron W.
(Muck, James, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. O.
t Minburn.
.Mnrnort, A. B., farmer, Sec. 24; P.
Dallas Center.
Murphy, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
■- O. Minburn.
'Myers, J. K., farmer, Sec. 15; P. O.
Minburn.
NEISWANGER, SAMUEL, far-
mer, Sec. 4; P. O. Minburn.
Neiswanger, A., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Dallas Center.
.Ney, Henry, farmer, Sec. 26; f. V.
. Dallas Center.
. OAKLAND, JOHN, Minburn.
lOMs, J. K., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
O^ORNE, RICHARD, of the
firm of Osborne Brothers, Min-
burn- born in England in 1847;
' came' to this county in 1867.
OSBORNE, X J-, of the firm of,
Osborne Brothers, lumber dealers,
contractors and builders, and pro-
prietors of the saw and planing
mills, Minburn; born in England
in 1835; came to the United
States in 1865; he married Miss
Lncinda Adams, July 4, 1870>,
she was born in Dallas county;
has four children: Mary A., Win-
nie M., Bessie and Edward M.
OSBORNE, WM, of the firm of
Osborne Brothers, Minburn; was
born in England in 1853; came to
this county in 1872.
PETERS, F., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Pilbean, J., hardware, Minburn.
Price, Jacob E., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Dallas Center.
RAMAGE, JONATHAN, farm-
er, Sec. 2; P. O. Minburn.
Bbinehart, A., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Rhinehart, Geo., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Rogers, D. F., farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. O.
Minburn.
SADLER, WM., farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Minburn..
Schuman, J., farmer; Sec. 34; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Schlossen, J., farmer, Sec. 23; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Scott, John, farmer," Sec. 16; P. O.
Minburn.
Scott, W. P., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Seidler; Wm., druggist, Minburn.
Sharp, Morris, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Minburn.
SLAUGHTER, MOSES, farmer,
Sec. 35; P. O. Dallas Center;
born in North Carolina in 1815,
and in 1832 removed to Indiana,
and came to this county in 1855;
he owns 170 acres of land; has
held offices of justice of the peace,
school director, &c. ; he married
Miss Mary Powell, December 28,
1841; she was born in Wayne
county, Indiana; has four children:
Julia A, Ella, Lila E. and Chaun-
626
DIKECTOKY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
cyM.; lost three: Leroy, Luther,
L. and Elizabeth.
Snell, K. A.', farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. O.
Minburn.
Snell, ¥m, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Minburn.
Snow, S. O, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Snyder, G. W., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Steiner, S., farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Stephens, Thos., farmer, Sec. 31 ; P.
O. Dallas Center.
TAYLOR, S. C, farmer, Sec.
29; P. O. Minburn; born in
Ohio in 1818; his parents re-
moved to Indiana while he was
young, where he remained until
his removal to this county in
1849; he owns 424 acres of land;
has held offices of sheriff, county
supervisor, and justice of the
peace 16 years, and taught the
first school in the township; he
married Miss Phebe Mnrron in
1843; she was born in Indiana;
has four children: Howard W.,
Sarah J. (wife of J. W. King),
John "W". and Slemmons D.
TAYLOR, HOWARD C, farmer,
Sec. 32; P. O. Dallas Center;
born in Park county, Indiana, in
1848, came to this county in 1849;
owns 90 acres of land; he mar-
ried Miss Harriet Albin, in 1870;
she was born in Indiana; has
three children: Delven W., Clin-
ton and MaryE.; lost one.
Tooman, J. H., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Tovey, J., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Dallas Center.
WAERINGTON, J. W., farmer
and miller, Sec. 30; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Warford, I., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Minburn.
WARRINGTON, J. 0., farmer
and stock-raiser, Sec. 14; P. O.
Dallas Center; born in Delaware
county, Ohio, in 1829: came to
the State in 1853, and entered
land in Mahaska county, this lie
sold in 1855, and came to this
county, first in 1855, removing
his family in 1856; he owns 326
acres of land ; lias held offices of
town clerk, school director, town
trustee and justice of the
peace; he was the successful
bidder for the mail contract for
carrying the mail between Oska-
loosa and Washington in 1862;
also in 1870 from Des Moines to
Boone, and from Stuart to Panora
and Casey; he married for his
first wife Miss Cordelia Eastman,
who was born in Ohio; he after-
ward married Miss Jane Jeffrey
in 1854; she was born in Ohio;
has one child by first marriage:
Henry M.; and four by second
marriage: Pluma, Thomas A.T
Charles H. and Jane J.
WARFORD, JOHN, dealer in gen-
eral merchandise, Minburn; born
in North Carolina in 1838;
came to this county in October,
1852; has held offices of justice
of the peace and postmaster; he
married Miss S. A. Sutphen, in
September, 1863; she was born in
Indiana; has one child, Dottie,
born January 24, 1866.
WATERS, W. H., farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Dallas Center; born near
Montreal, Canada, in 1832; came
to this county in July, 1866; owns
100 acres of land; he married
Miss Sarah Braniff in AuguBt,
1854; she was bora in Canada
East; has thirteen children living,
Sarah, Elizabeth, Catharine, Johu,
Joseph, Mary, Margaret, Isabel,
May, William, Henrietta, Alex-
ander and Henry; one son Patrick,
aged 13 years, was drowned in
Coon river.
Wernick, Fred, Sec. 18; P. O. Dal-
las Center.
West, J. J. farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Minburn.
GEANT TOWNSHIP.
627
WMinbura' farmer; Se°" 11; P- °-
WEST, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
iflAi nburn; born in Indiana, in
1S41; came to this county in
1853; he enlisted in the 2d Iowa
-Battery in the late war, and served
three years, and was in 14 engage-
ments; he married Miss Sarah J.
West in 1866; she was born in
New York; has five children:
Albert, Ida, Clara, Amelia and
Joseph.
WEST, DANIEL, farmer, Sec.
18; P. O. Minburn; born in Eng-
land in 1811; camp to this county
in 1853; owns 50 acres of land;
has lived on the same land on
which he now resides, since com-
ing to the county; held office of
postmaster five years; he married
Sarah Burras in in 1835; she was
born in Ohio; has six children:
John J., Jane £., Tabitha, Lucin-
da, Mary and Sarah A.
West, T. J., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Minburn.
Wesley, Delos, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Wilks, W., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Dallas Center.
ZOOK, D. B., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Dallas Center.
GKR-Al.3STT rrO""s7s7-lSTSI3:H:).
A DRAIN, JACOB, farmer, Sec.
35; P. O. Dallas Center.
Andrews, G. W., Sec. 1 ; Snyder P.
O.
Anlick, Win., farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Dallas Center.
BLACK, ANDREW, farmer,
Sec. 35; P. O. Dallas Cen-
ter.
Bohn, B. C, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Braniff, John, farmer, Sec. 4; Sny-
der P. O.
Braniff, Henry, farmer, Sec. 4; Sny-
der P. O.
Briggs, S. W., farmer, Sec. 35; Sny-
der P. O.
Burk, John, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Burns, James, farmer, Sec. 31; ?.
O. Dallas Center.
Bush, A., farmer, Sec. 32; if. U.
Dallas Center.
CALL AN, PAT, farmer, Sec. 6;
p O. Minburn.
.Campbell, G, R, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Carroll, James, tanner, Sec. 9; P. O.
Minburn.
Castello, James, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Minburn.
Clarkin, Peter, farmer; Sec. 4; Sny-
der P. O.
Coffman, Henry, farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Cole, W. W., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Minburn.
Crahan, Wm., farmer, Sec. 4; Sny-
der P. O.
Cummins, W. D., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. 0. Dallas Center.
DARLING, STEPHEN, farm-
er, Sec. 34; P. 0. Dallas Cen-
ter; born in Tioga county, Penn.,
in 1833; came to this county in
March, 1865; previous to his re-
moval to this county he lived
one year in Clark count}', Illinois;
owns 80 acres of land; has held
office of town trustee; he enlisted
in the 46th Pennsylvania In-
fantry during the late war, and
served three years; he married
Cordelia Stephens in 1859; She
was born in New York; has one
adopted son: Roger.
Devin, D. T., farmer, Sec. 36; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Douney, John, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Driscoll, J., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Minburn.
628
DIRECTORY OF DAIXA8 COUNTY.
Durkins, Peter, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Dallas Center.
ELLERMAN, C. F., farmer, Sec.
19; P. 0. Dallas Center.
Ensley, Josiah, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Ensley, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. O.
Dallas Center.
FEES, HENRY, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. 0. Dallas Center.
Fuller, W. B., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Dallas Center.
GILLHAM, W. & J., farmers,
Sec. 32; P. O. Dallas Center.
HALEY, MARTIN, farmer, Sec.
10; P. O. Dallas Center.
Hall, J. H., farmer, Sec. 36; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Harless & Gorde, farmers, Sec. 25;
P. O. Dallas Center.
Hawbaker, John E., farmer, Sec. 17;
P. 0. Dallas Center.
Hoff, Amos, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Dallas Center.
' Hooper, W. T., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
0. Dallas Center.
Hooker, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 16;
P. O. Dallas Center.
Hutchinson, 0., farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Snvder. .
JOHNSON, MATTHIAS, farmer,
J Sec. 11; Snyder P. O.
KLINE, J. G., farmer, Sec. 10;
Snyder P. O.
LANE, J. & G., farmers, Sec 30;
P. 0. Dallas Center.
McCORMICK, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 9; P. O. Dallas Center.
McGrath, M. farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Manning, D., farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0.
Minburn.
Miller, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Minburn.
■ Morgan, J. H, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Morgan, Levi, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Morgan, T. J., farmer, Sec. 21 ; P.
0. Dallas Center.
Moran, W. & E., farmers, Sec. 31;
P. O. Dallas Center.
Moran, P., farmer, Sec. 4; Snyder
P.O.
Moran, Ed, farmer, Sec. 8; P. 0.
Minburn.
Moreland, H., farmer, Sec. 6; P. 0.
Minburn.
O 'CONNER, THOS., farmer,
Sec. 18; P. O. Dallas Center.
PERDUE, DAVID, farmer, Sec.
27; P. O. Dallas Center.
Pitzman, Fred, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Pressley, J. N., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Dallas Center.
RANDALL, T. J., farmer and
stock-raiser, Sec. 31; P. 0. Dallas
Center; born in Michigan in 1839;
came to this State in 1860, and to
this county in 1869; owns 240
acres of land; has held offices of
town trustee, school director, as-
sessor and justice of the peace; he
enlisted in the 4th Iowa Cavalry
during the late war, and served
three years; he married Miss Sarah'
Jennings in 1870; she was born in
Pennsylvania; has three children:
Millie, Jennie and Wm. J.
Rickard, J., farmer, Sec. 33; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Rice, Isabella, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Robertson, B. F., farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. Dallas Center.
Robertson, W. H, farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. Dallas Center.
Robertson, G. L., farmer, Sec. 36;
P. 0. Dallas Center.
Rochelle, Peter, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Rochelle, J., farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Royer, G. B., farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Royer, J. H., farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
SAUER, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 21;
P. 0. Dallas Center.
Scott, Robert, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
Scott, Jane, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0.
Dallas Center.
DES MOINES TOWNSHIP.
629
-Scott W. A, faraer Sec. _ P 0
^ -Dallas Center.
Smith James, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Minbnrn.
Stoner, , Jesse, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
fcsnyder.
Stoner, D. H., farmer, Sec. 14; P.O.
Dallas Center.
Stoner, James, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Snyder.
•Sullivan, M. O., farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Dallas Center.
TWORNEY, WM, farmer, Sec.
5; P. O. Minbnrn.
'ATTERS, DAVID, farm-
er, Sec. 28; P. O. Dallas
Center:
Ward, W. C, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Weber, John, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Webber, Geo., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Welby, P., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Minburn.
WHITMAN, J. D., farmer and
6tock-raiser, Sec. 30; P. O. Dal-
las Center; born in Ansterlitz,
New York, August 20, 1824; he
learned the trade of carpenter, and
for many years he was engaged as
WJ
AMISOIST, H., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
0;, Xenia.
BON TON, JAMES, farmer, Sec.
3; P. O. Xenia.
JBordy, , farmer, Sec. 21; P.O.
Brakefleid, John, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Swede Point.
Griggs, R, farmer Sec. 5; P. U.
Xenia. T , . . ■?■„„:„
Brookings, D J., physician, Xenia.
VxASEBEER E., farmer, .P. O.
\y Xenia- „
Casebeer, Joh", farmer, Sec. 4; 1 . O.
OhSItWn... farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Xenia.
a contractor and builder; he came
to this county in 1857, and set-
tled on the section where he now
resides; he owns 355 acres of land,
and is largely engaged in the rais-
ing of Short-horn cattle, both
thoroughbred and high-graded
stock; few men are better posted
than he as to the best herds, and
many of his present stock will
convince those who are posted
that they are closely connected
with the best families; he is un-
able to meet the demand for his
stock, a fact that speaks volumes
for the confidence he has among
those acquainted with him, for
honor and fair dealing; he has
held the offices of town clerk and
school director; he married Miss
Mary A. Hulet, in 1854; she was
born in Massachusetts; has three
children: John H., Frank L. and
Albert; lost three daughters: Eva,
Cora and Addie.
Wilson, M. S., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Wolf, Charles, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Worster, Fred, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Cole, J. H., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Xenia.
Cole, J. R, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Xenia.
Cole, T. H., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Xenia.
Conner, P. farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Xenia.
COTTR1LL, Z. E., farmer, Sec. 15;
P. O. Xenia; born in Allegheny
county, N.T., in 1838; came to
this county in 1859; owns 104
acres of land; has held offices of
township trustee, constable, town-
ship clerk, assessor and justice of
the peace; he enlisted in the 23d
Iowa Infantry, in the late war, and
630
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
held the position of Sergeant-Ma-
jor, and served three years; he
married Miss M. Palmiter in 1865;
she was born in the same county,
N. Y.; has two children: Carrie
and May.
DENNIS, W., farmer, Sec. 12;
P. 0. Swede Point.
Dickerson, B., farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O.
Xenia.
Dickerson, A., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Xenia.
EDINBUEJST, J. J., farmer, Sec.
27; P. O., Snyder.
Elefritz, S. G., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Xenia.
Erickson, E , farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
Swede Point.
FLOOD, M., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
0. Snyder.
Foley, T. H., Xenia.
GARNETT, M. E., farmer, Sec.
36; P. O. Snyder.
Gorman, J. J., farmer, Sec. 36; P.O.
Snyder.
Guthrie, Francis, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Xenia.
Guthrie, J. H., farmer, Sec. 15 ; P.
0. Xenia.
Guthrie Jame's, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Xenia.
HAKDY, E. ESTATE, farmer,
Sec. 13; P. O. Swede Point.
Harlow, Win., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Xenia.
Hickey, John, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Snyder.
Horton, A. L., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Xenia.
Horton, G., farmer, Sec. 20; P. O.
Xenia.
Houchin, A., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Xenia.
Hunt, J. C, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
enia.
TNCE, J. W., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
J- Xenia.
JACOBS, John, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Snyder.
Jacobs, ¥m., farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Snyder.
LEAMING & PARKS, mer-
chants, Xenia.
Learning, Elisha, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Xenia.
Lee, , farmer, Sec. 13: P. 0„
Swede Point.
MC CALL, H. D , farmer, See.
19; P. O. Xenia.
McCracken, Mrs. A., farmer, Sec. 5:
P. O. Xenia.
McDowell, John, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Xenia.
Mills, W. S., farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0.
Snyder.
Moran, J.. & Bros., farmers, Sec. 28;
P. O. Snyder.
Moran, Win.. Mrs., farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. Xenia.
Moran, D., farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0.
Snyder.
NEWELL, A. C, farmer, Sec.
22; P. O. Snyder; born in
Park county, Ohio, in 1831; came
to this county in 1852; owns 229£
acres of land; has held offices of
township clerk one year, secretary
of school board one year, treasurer
seven years, school director eight
years, assessor two years, and jus-
tice of the peace nine years; he
married Miss Elizabeth Eobbins
in 1849; she was born in Indiana;
has nine children; Thomas E., Al-
bert I., Alice, Maggie, Daniel,
Belle, Lena, William aud Pasallee.
OGLEVIE, J. R, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Snyder.
Olmstead, C. S., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Xenia.
PARKS, W. H. A„ merchant,
Xenia; born in Ky. in 1851;
came to this county in 1873; holds
office of postmaster; has been
selling goods thirteen years, and
at present is associated with Mr.
Learning, under the firm name of
Learning & Parks, and are dealers
in general merchandise; he mar-
ried Miss Jennie W. Bright in
1876; has one son: John Holmes,
DES MOINES TOWNSHIP.
631
^Xenk ' R'' farmer' Sec- 16'> p- °-
PeXeniJ°hn' famer' Sec- 16"> P- °-
P]af,Mrs. John> farmer, Sec. 27; P.
U. Snyder.
Preston, Z., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Aenia.
Prichard, Thos., farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Snyder.
Purdy, S. S., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
Snyder.
Purdy, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Xenia.
RADIGAN, JOHN & BRO.,
farmers, Sec. 32; P. O. Sny-
der.
Radigan, Thos., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Radigan, Martin, farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Raybourne, Mrs. C, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Swede Point.
RHOADS, D., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Xenia; born in Ohio, October 12,
1807; came to this county in
1848 ; owns 45 acres of land ; he
married Sophia Miller in 1829;
she was born in Pennsylvania, and
died February 25; 1874; has eleven
children.
Rodgers, G. W., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Snyder.
Rosecrants, J. C, farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Russell, J. A, farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Snyder.
Russell, J. F., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Xenia.
Russell, J. T., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Ruth, fm„ farmer and miller, Sec.
3; P. O. Xenia.
QANKS, J- O., physician, Xenia.
fiJMA LLEY, 0. D., farmer, Sec. 26;
b^A0 Snyder; born in Morris
™'nntv New Jersey, August 14,
1817- he removed with his father
' ttf T a'fayette, Indiana, in 1 830, and
£ tlVspringofl832 toLacon;
1842 he emigrated to JLinn
county, Missouri, where he re-
mained until March, 1844, when
he changed his residence to Sparta,
Missouri, coming to this county
in the spring of 1846; he owns
114 acres of land; in 1847 he was-
elected one of the county commis-
sioners and served three years; he-
was the first county surveyor and
served seven years; served one-
term as county road supervisor,,
and served seven years as a mem-
ber of the board of supervisors;.
he served several years as town
clerk and treasurer of the town-
ship district; he married Miss-
Serena Ramsey in 1841 ; she was-
born in Maryland; has six chil-
dren: Martha, Arthur R., Eva,.
Ada, Francis 1). and Rena.
Smith, T. P., farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0„
Xenia.
Snogren, A., farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0_
Swede Point.
SNYDER, MRS. EMALINE
(whose maiden name was Eslick),.
farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Snyder;
was born in Indiana in 1832, and
came to this State in 1852, settling-
in Polk county; in'1872 she mar-
ried Philip Snyder, who was born
in Virginia in 1809; he removed
at an early age to Indiana and
came to this county in 1854, and
remained here until his death ia
February, 1875 ; he left five chil-
dren: Wm. R., Sarah A., Mary
E., John A. and Marion J.
Snyder, M. D., farmer, Sec. 25; P-
O. Snyder.
Snyder, J. A., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O^
Snyder.
Snyder, W. R., farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Snyder.
Staker, S., farmer, Sec. 8; P. 'O.
Xenia.
Stover, J. M., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O-
Swede Point.
Stover, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0_
Swede Point.
Sullivan, James, farmer, Sec. 21; P~
O. Xenia.
•632
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
-Swanson, J. A., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Swede Point.
TABOE, MPS. NANCY, far-
mer, Sec. 14; P. O. Xenia.
Tarr, fm, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O.
Xenia.
Thomas, G. C. farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
■ Xenia.
Todd, T. J., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Xenia.
-\A7AGNER, PHILIP, far-
VV mer, Sec. 18; P. O.
, Xenia; born in Germany, Decem-
< ber 5, 1832; came to the United
States in 1837, settling in Ohio;
came to this county in 1869; he
, owns 346 acres of land; has held
offices of town trustee and school
•director, and treasurer of the
district; he married Miss Eva
Stuber in 1856; she was born in
Germany; has nine children: John
P., Elizabeth, Henry, Jacob,
George, Clemena E., Eosana,
Charlie and Flora; lost one daugh- *
ter: Catharine.
"Waldo, A., farmer, Sec. 5;. P.O.
Xenia.
Waldo, Winchester, farmer, Sec. 5;
P. O. Xenia.
Ware, L., farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0.
Snyder..
West, F., coal bank, Sec. 14; P. 0.
Xenia,
Wilson, D. D., farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0.
, Swede Point.
Wingerson, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 18;
P. O. Xenia.
Winslow, W., farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0.
Xenia.
Worden, G., farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0.
Polk City, Polk county.
BEAVER TO-V^IfcTSIIIF.
BARLOW, J. H., farmer, Sec. 1 ;
P. O. Xenia; born in Chenan-
go county, New York in 1850;
came this county in 1876;
owns 160 acres of land; he
married Miss Jane Siglin in 1873;
she was born in De Kalb county,
Illinois.
Bennett, E., farmer, Sec, 2; P. O.
■ Xenia.
Biggs, J. H., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Perry.
Bligh, D. O, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O.
Minburn.
Bligh, A. M., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O.
Minburn.
Purringtou, G. M., Sec. 16; P. O.
Perry.
CAMEEON, K., farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Perry.
■Carey, John, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0.
Minburn.
-Clarke, T. K, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O.
Minburn.
•Conway, M. S. & T. L., farmers, Sec.
14; P. O. Perry.
Conger, S. O., farmer, Sec. 29; PO.
Minburn.
Conway, Eliza, farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Xenia.
Copple, F., farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0.
Perry.
Crane, Silas, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0.
Minburn.
Crawford, John, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Minburn.
Crawford, C. E., farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Minburn.
DAYTON, S. H., farmer, Sec. 15;
P. 0. Minburn; born in Law-
rence county, New York, in 1827;
he lived several years in Illinois,
and shipped the first three car loads
of corn on the Alton railroad west
of the Kankakee river; he came
to this State in 1854; owns 320
acres of land ; has held offices of
town trustee, town clerk, school
director, assessor, justice of the
peace and county supervisor; he
was largely instrumental in organ-
izing Beaver township; he mar-
BEAVEE TOWNSHIP.
63£
I«T L" Woolcott in 1848;
• sue was born in Essex comity, New
^ork, and died in 1859; he after-
™s ^ried Mary Gardiner, in
lew; she was born in Canada;
has two children by first mar-
riage: Ellen and Prank D.; and
seven by second marriage: Addie,
Eva, Jane, Herod, Pharaoh I.,
Minnie and John.
Dills, W. P., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Minburn.
DOTY, IRA S., farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Perry ; born in Mercer county,
Pensylvania, in 1839; came to this
county ; owns 140 acres of
land; holds office of town trustee;
he enlisted in Co. K, 26th Iowa
Infantry in the late war, and served
three years; he married Miss
Harriet J. Wells in 1860;
she was born in Ohio; have nine
children: Ida J., ¥m. I., Milton
M., George C, John W., Laura,
Maud, Lyman and Mark.
E'VANS, M. L., farmer, Sec. 11;
i P. O. Perry.
FRENCH, G. C, farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Perry.
GARDINER, THOS., farmer,
Sec. 8; P. O. Perry.
Gardiner, James, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Minburn.
Gardiner, Chas., farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Minburn.
Gannon, Mark, farmer, Sec. 22; F.
< O. Minburn.
Gill, Sylvanus, farmer, bee. 12,; r.
O. Xenia. n
Gill, Stephen, farmer, bee. 11, if. U.
GiSyfl'., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Per-
Gl?de, Fred, Farmer, Sec. 20; P. O.
TJ ASS* G. W., farmer, Sec.
H «• P. O.Perry.
Hanson,D.,fa"-r,Sec.lO;P.O.
Ha^yH-H"farmer'SeC-31;Ra
Minburn.
Heck, M., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Per-
ry-
Holland, M., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Perry.
Huntington, S. A., fanner, Sec. 30;.
P. O. Minburn.
Husted, James, farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Perry.
KERBY, J., farmer, Sec. 8; P. 0.
Perry; born in Mercer coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, in 1838; came
to this State in 1858, and to this
county in 1866; owns 105 acres of
land; has held the office of town
clerk; he enlisted in the 2d Iowa
Cavalry in the late war, and served
four years; he married Miss Sarah
Moyer in 1866; she was born in
New York; has nine children;
Dora, Mary, Sadie, John, Effie,
Lefa, Amanda, Nettie and Fred-
die.
Kughler, John, farmer, Sec. 22; P,
O. Perry.
LEAMING, C. M., farmer, Sec.
16; P. O. Perry; born in In-
diana in 1834; came to this State
in 1839, and to this county in
1866; owns 300 acres of land; has-
held offices of school director, jus-
tice of the peace and town trustee;
he married Miss Mary Newland
in 1855; she was born in Ohio;
has eight children: Eunice, Jen-
nie, Martha, George, Agnes, Al-
bert, Franklin and Eddie.
MoFEE, J. M., farmer, Sec. 18;
P. O. Perry. •
McLaughlin, E. S., farmer, Sec. 10 ;
P. O. Perry.
Maher, E., farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Dallas Center.
Marrs, J. B., farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0»
Xenia.
Miller, E. W., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O*
Xenia.
Mier, Herman, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Perry.
Morressey, S., farmer, Sec. 34; P.O.
Minburn.
«34
DIEECTOET OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Mortiner, J. H., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Dallas Center.
Murphy, Mary, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
0. Minburn.
MYERS, S. H., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
0. Minburn; born in Morgan
county, Indiana, in 1837; came to
this county in October, 1853; owns
160 acres of land; he married Miss
S. A. Williams in 1859; she was
born in Michigan; has six chil-
dren: Mary E., Julia A., Charlie
J., Minnie J., John C. and Walter
B.
NEWBY, M. J., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Minburn.
Newland, John, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
0. Perry.
Noble & McCrasky, farmers, Sec.
20.; P. O. Minburn.
Norwood, D., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Minburn. ,
O'MALEY, PAT, farmer, Sec.
9; P. O. Perry.
O'Maley, James, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
0. Perry.
O'Maley, Peter, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Perry.
O'Maley, Martin, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Perry.
Olsen, O, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Xenia.
PADDICK, ¥M, farmer, Sec.
34; P. O. Minburn.
Parcel, O, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Per-
ry-
Parker, Wm., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Perry.
R ALITOR, G., farmer, Sec. 31;
O. Minburn.
Rooney, Pat, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Dallas Center.
SCHNOOR, HENRY, farmer,
Sec. 10; P. O. Xenia.
Schuoor, C, farmer and blacksmith,
Sec. 3; P. O. Xenia.
Schnoor, Hans, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Xenia.
SIGLIN, M. W., farmer, Sec. 1; P.
0. Xenia; born in Pennsylvania
in 1850;. came to this county in
1876; owns 150 acres of land;
married Miss Lottie Lawrence in
1876; has one child: Jacob M.
Siggerson, James, farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Perry.
Skiler, J. W., farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0.
Xenia.
Stephens, James, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
0. Xenia.
STORMS, J., farmer and stock-
dealer, Sec. 25; P. O. Dallas Cen-
ter; born in Indianain 1829; came
to this county in 1865; owns 917
acres of land; has held the office
of town trustee.
THOMPSON, JAMES, farmer,
Sec. 13; P. O. Xenia.
Tovey, F., farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0.
Minburn.
Tovey, Reuben, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Minburn.
Tovey, G. W., farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0..
Minburn.
Tovey, Job, farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0.
Minburn.
TOWNSEND, JACOB M., farmer,
Sec. 24; P. O. Dallas Center;
born in Ohio in 1822; came to
this State in April 1848, and was
one of the organizers of this town-
ship; he owns 240 acres of land;
has held the offices of town trus-
tee, constable, justice of the peace
and school director; he married
Miss Martha Griggs in 1852; she
was born in Indiana; has four
children: Alexander, Amy, Sarah
and Roxie.
\ A TALKER, J. J., farmer, Sec.
VV 8; P. O.Perry.
Wells, John H., farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Perry.
Wells, L. S., farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0.
Perry.
Winkler, John, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Minburn.
Woods, W. W., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Xenia.
Worrell, E. A., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Perry.
PEEEY.
635
^e^ir-st.
^INLEY, CHAS. H., dealer in
W9W .St0Kves> hardware and tin-
ware, born in Massachusetts in
I*?? ' C^ne t0 this county in 1876 ;
holds office of town recorder; he
yarned M1Ss L. H. Langford in
1874 she was born in Illinois;
has two children: Fred L. and
J rank C.
Aldrich, John, shoemaker.
Anderson, C. A„ blacksmith.
Ar Shong, W., grocer.
Ashford, E. P., retired farmer.
Atkinson, T. S., clerk.
TD AUERLE, S., plasterer.
Beeson, I. N., teamster and farmer.
Bibbins, I. S., horse-dealer.
Bieson, E. J., Mrs.
Blakeslee, G. W., banker.
Bollen, S., livery stable.
Bone, Henry, farmer.
Breckenridge, A., clerk.
Bridgman, 0., grain-dealer.
CAMPBELL, W. L., farmer and
blacksmith.
CARDELL, W. F., merchant and
stock-dealer; born in Yermont in
1839; when he was sixteen years
of age he went to California, and
remained between two and three
years; came to this State in 1856,
and was largely engaged in stock
and grain-raising; he represented
Guthrie county in the Fifteenth
General Assembly of the State
Legislature; has served as mem-
ber of the school board and town
trustee; he married Miss Jennie
' E Buler in 1858; has three chil-
dren: Walter W., Albert L. and
George B.
Cardell? H. H., attorney.
Carmody, W. H., grocer and res-
taurant. ,
Carpenter, F. A., wagon-maker.
c\ „Aer Ezra., teamster.
CHTNDiER,W. H., dealer in ag-
• lhiml implements; born in
FrTnSin county, Ohio! in 1844;
came to this State in 1852, and to
this county in 1870; he has served
as town clerk and member of the
city council, and of the school
board ; he enlisted in the 4th Iowa
Cavalry in the late war, and re-
enlisted as a veteran, serving in all
four years; he married Miss
Elizabeth A. Emberling Decem-
ber 30, 1873; she was born 'in Illi-
nois; has one child: Elsie M.
CHAPPELEAR, H. A., real es-
tate and insurance agent; born in
Ohio December 14, 1819; came to
this State in 1864, and to this
county in 1869, and built the ninth
house in the town of Perry; he
is associated- in business with J.
W. Otley, and represent the fol-
lowing companies: Phoenix, of
Hartford; Home, of New York;
Underwriters, of New York; Con-
tinental Fire and Marine, of Mas-
sachusetts; State, of Des Moines;
he married Ruth Newton July 11,
1841 ; she was born in Worcester,
Massachusetts; has four children:
Win. A. J., Nancy J., Luke N.
and James N.
Chappelear, W. A. J., drayman.
Clark, Wm., drayman.
Clark, J. D., tinsmith.
Courtney, H. J., druggist.
Conley, M. A., blacksmith.
Courtney & Long, druggist.
Cox, C. E., attorney.
Cross, R. S., painter.
T~\ANKS, H. S., plasterer.
Davis, J. T., butter and eggs.
Downing, J. F., Mrs.
Durfee, F. R., lumber.
GAMBLE, L. D., justice of the
peace.
Ginn, R., grain and stock-dealer.
Goss, J. S., druggist.
Grace, J. L., agricultural imple-
ments.
Griswold, F. O., shoemaker.
636
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
HAIN/F. M., blacksmith; born
in Clark county, Ohio, in
1836; came to this State in 1854;
has held offices of town trustee,
school director, and served as
member of the city council; he
enlisted in the 46th Iowa Infantry
in the late war; he married Miss
Mary Spilker in 1868; she was
born in Delaware county, Indiana;
has five children, Bertha, Carl,
Artie, Grace and Freddie.
Hantz, J. F., painter.
Hart, J., grain-dealer.
Harlan & Rude, real estate.
Harlan, Geo., real estate dealer.
Haskins, A. D., hotel keeper.
Hendricks, G. D. & Son, real estate
and loan agents.
Holmes, H. J., lumber dealer.
HOYT, H. A., attorney; born in
Livingston county, New York, in
1834; came to this county in
1875; has served as member of
the'city council; he married Mary
M. Johnson in 1876 ; she was born
• in Pennsylvania.
Hunt, Chas. E., dentist.
Hunter, W. S., agent.
Hunter, D. B., druggist.
"NGLISON, S., shoemaker.
I
TOHNSON, GABE, laborer.
JOHNSON, T. F., physician; born
in Will county, Illinois, in 1849;
came to this county in 1871;
educated at Cleveland, Ohio; has
been practicing for three years;
married Miss Lydia E. Andrew in
1877; she was born in Indiana;
have one child: Nellie.
Johnson, S., shoemaker.
T^- EELEE, W. N.
Keeley, J. W., contractor.
Kelsey, D. N., contractor.
Kelley, James, section hand.
ANE, C. L., blacksmith.
U
Lods & Selby Brothers, hardware.
LUNT, EDWARD D., editor and
proprietor of the Perry Chief/
was born in Jamestown, New
York, in 1844; when he was two
and a-half years of age his parents
removed to Texas, where they
lived for two and a-half years and
then went to New Orleans, where
they remained but a short time
and went to Dubuque, and lived
there five years; from here they
went to Findlay, Ohio, and were
residents of this place until 1861;
from this place he started alone on:
his future career; he came to Des
Moines, Iowa, and in October,
1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 15th
Iowa Infantry; he re-enlisted as a
• veteran and served until the close
of the war, and was mustered out
at Louisville, July 24, 1865; while
in the service he was taken pris-
oner at the Battle of Peach Tree
Creek, near Atlanta, Georgia, and
was confined in Andersonville
prison about two months, and was
transferred to Charleston, South
Carolina, and detained one month,
and from there he was taken to
Florence, South Carolina, and
paroled December 10, 1864; he
participated in the battles of
Shiloh, Iuka, second Corinth and
in the siege of Vicksburg, and
Sherman's Atlanta campaign, un-
til his capture; after being mus-
tered out of the army he made a
visit to his parents in Pennsylva-
nia, remaining eight months and
returned to Des Moines; he mar-
ried Miss Augusta Longshore",
November 11, 1867; she was born
in Delaware county, Ohio; they
have three children, two sons and
one daughter: Chas. E., Frank P.
and Emma I.; he has published in
this State the Glenwood Opinion,
the Corning Gazette and Quincy
Telegram,' he came to this place
in 1874 and started the Perry
Chief, which he has managed to
PEEEY.
63T
the satisfaction of his patrons; he
was town recorder of Perry in
1876-7, and is now a justice of
the peace.
A/TcLUEN, W., harness-maker.
Madigan, John, section hand.
Miller, W. M., farmer and fancy
stock-dealer.
Miller, J. B., engineer.
Montgomery, J. P., gunsmith.
Myers, J. P., traveling agent.
NEWPOET, B. F, lumber and
grain-dealer.
Newkirk, B. W., meat market.
Newbury, W. A., pumps and light-
ning rods.
Nichol, J. F., retired farmer.
OTIS & Selby Bros., millers and
grain -dealers.
PANGBUEN, SAMUEL, physi-
cian.
PATTEE, D. J., born in Yermont
in 1840; came to this State in
1863, and to this county in 1866;
he owns 344 acres of land, aside
from city property; was the first
merchant in the town of Perry;
he is the present mayor, and has
held the office of postmaster since
1870; he has served as town trus-
tee and school treasurer; he en-
listed in the late war in the 9th
Yermont, and was discharged,
and afterward enlisted in the
47 th Iowa Infantry, and was
commissioned Captain of Co.
F.; he married Miss Belle Moore
in 1872; she was born in Iowa;
has two children: Mary Belle and'
Harry M. ; lost one son : ¥m. EL.
Pattee, I. G., Clerk.
PARMENTER, I., merchant; born
in New York in 1820; came to
this State in 1855 and to this
county in 1869; previous to his
removal to this State he lived in
Dewitt county, Illinois, and in
Michigan, and has been engaged
in merchandising all his life; has
held offices of justice of the peace
40
and secretary of school board for
five years; he married Miss Phebe
Davis in 1844; she was born in
Ohio and died in 1864; he after-
ward married Mrs. Cornelia Ayres
in 1865; she was born in New
York; has four children: Almon,
Ollie, Smith and Carrie.
Parmenter, A. W., harness-maker.
Eossiter, F., gunsmith.
PARKER, A. T., photographer;
born in Thurman, Warren county,
N. Y., in 1850, and removed to
Saratoga county, where he remain-
ed four years, and then emigrated
to Oshkosh, Wis., in 1865, where
he remained a short time, and
came to Boone county, Iowa, in
1865, and remained there until he
came to this county in 1869, and
there is at present but one person
in the town, that is engaged in
active business, that was here when
he came; he married Miss Maud
Elder in 1877; she was born in
Iowa; has one child: Charles E.
Paul, Geo. B., loan agent.
PAYNE, D. W., dealer in dry
goods, groceries, boots and shoes,
hats and caps, clothing, and mer-
chant tailoring; born in "Wash-
ington county, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1842;
came to this State in 1868, and to
this county in 1875; holds office
of member of city council; he
enlisted in the 18th Ohio Infantry,
and served three months, and re-
enlisted in the 125th Ohio, and
served three years; he married
Miss M. Shaw in 1872; she was
born in Washington county, Ohio;
has one child: Genoveva.
Peter, Perry, boarding house.
Phelps, W. H, furniture dealer.
"EDOSS, JOHN, physician.
Eowley, G. H, merchant.
O CHITCHAET, N., groceries.
Selby, E. D., miller and grain-dealer.
Selby, B. B., miller and grain-dealer.
638
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Shippey, J. EL, groceries and res-
taurant.
Sides, J. C, blacksmith.
Sipes, D. M., barber.
Shortley, John, attorney.
Smith, Isaiah, meat market.
Smith, Barton, restaurant.
SPAULDING, J. P., jeweler;
born in Roxbury, Vermont, in
1840; came to this State in 1868,
and to this county in 1874; has
held offices of town clerk and as-
sessor; he enlisted in the 6th
Vermont Infantry, and served un-
til the close of the war; he mar-
ried Miss R. Adelia Ainsworth in
1861; she was born in Calais, Vt.;
has four children living: Archie
V., Allie B., J. Lillian and Gertie;
lost three: Nora D., Edwin L.
and Delia.
Stiles, R. P., harness-rnaker.
THORNBURG, L. B., wagon-
maker.
Thornley, S. M., merchant.
'AN" PATTEN", A., stock-dealer.
V
Yan Leuven, B. F., merchant.
Van Norden, J. J., clothing dealer.
T A 7"ALDO, J. A., merchant;
V V born in Franklin county,
Ohio, in 1833; came to this State
in 1849; owns fifty acres of land;
has held offices of town trustee,
justice of the peace, town clerk,
&c; he enlisted in the 15th Iowa
Infantry in the late war and served
three years; he married Miss
Mary B. Godman in 1856; she
was born in Missouri, and died in
1872; he married for his second
wife, Miss Julia A. Biggs in 1876;
she was born in Dallas county;
has three children by first mar-
riage: Rosalia, Charles L. and
INorman; and two by second
marriage: Ralph E., and Lottie;
he was recently associated in bus-
iness with S. M. Thornley, as
dealers in general merchandise.
Walker, J. S., clerk.
"Wales N". S.., merchant.
Warren, W. L., harness-maker.
Weaver & Cardell, drugs and gro-
ceries.
Webster, A. G., attorney.
WILLIS, JOHN H., born in
Wayne county, Indiana, Septem-
ber 7, 1823; lived in that vicinity
until eighteen years of age; then
went to La Porte county, Indiana;
was married in Union Mills, La
Porte county, in October, 1847, to
Hilah Jane Webster; lived there
till 1865, when he came to Dallas
county, Iowa; was representative
in the Indiana legislature one
term, 1864-5, from La Porte
county, Indiana; was justice of
the peace several years; has lived
where Perry now is ever since he
came to Iowa; owned the land
upon which the south part of
Perry now stands, and was one of
the parties who laid out the town;
was elected second mayor of Per-
ry, and was for several years one
of the board of supervisors of
Dallas county; have four children
living: Lydia J. Thornburg,
Quincv A., Estella and Anna.
WILLIS, L INDSEY, deputy post-
master; born in Wayne county,
Indiana, in 1834; came to this
county in 1857; owns 47 acres of
land adjoining the town; has held
office of town clerk ; married Miss
L. S. Webster in 1861; she was
born in Chautauqua county, N". Y.
WILLIS, HARVEY, stock-dealer;
born in Wayne county, Indiana, in
. 1831; came to this county in 1859;
owns 160 acres of land; he, with
his brother, owned the land and
laid out the town of Perry; he
married Miss Eliza J. Webster in
1852; she was born in Chautauqua
county, New York, in 1833; have
seven children: Arthur, Lucinda
S., Wm. E., Frank, Ella, Kittie G.,
and baby; have lost five: Emma,
Calvin, Reno, Orlando, Alfred.
Willis, W. M„ farmer.
Winsor, J. R., jeweler.
SPRING VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
639
siE^mra- -v-a.il.XjE-2- TO"W2srsia:n=-
ALEXANDER, W., farmer,
Sec. — ; P. O. Perry; born
in Pennsylvania, June 8, 1811; he
moved with his parents from
Pennsylvania to Brown county,
Ohio, and afterward to Dearborn
county, Indiana, while it was a
Territory, and came to Dallas
county in 1854; owns 100 acres
of land; has held offices of town-
ship trustee and school director;
he worked forty-eight years at
his trade as blacksmith; he mar-
ried Miss MahalaGreggs in 1834;
she was born in Ohio; have six
children: William D., Mary E.,
John N., Ann L., Mahala H. and
Lucy J. One son, Samuel McC,
enlisted in the army during the
late war and died from disease
contracted in the army.
BARTON, GEO. D., nursery-
man, Sec. 3; P. O. Perry;
born in Michigan in 1852; came
to this State in 1870; owns 40
acres of land, and is largely en-
gaged in setting it with fruit and
ornamental trees, adapted to the
soil and climate; he has held of-
fice of assessor; married Miss
Emily Throckmorton in 1873;
she was born in Ohio; has three
children: Mirian, Eaymond and
Edna.
Bennett, D., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
JPcrrv
Birdsall,' S. G, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Minbnrn.
Brady, T., farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Brinfiefd, S. J-, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
Br^TG, farmer, Sec. 19; P.O.
Brya'nl'W. C farmer, Sec. 22; P.
BryanW'^—' S?c" ^ R °"
Bu^t *™» SeC- 21' R °-
perry.
BUMGARDNER, W. H., farmer,
and stock- raiser, Sec. 19; P. O.
Perry; born in Indiana in 1838;
came to this State in 1838, and to
this county in 1868; owns 160
acres of land; he married Miss
E. Woodin in April, 1876; has
one daughter: Ruthie.
Bumgardner, G. E., farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Perry.
Burdick, C. C., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Perry.
CAHILL, C. O, farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Perry.
CAMPBELL, GEORGE, farmer,
Sec. 16; P. O. Perry; born in
County Down, Ireland, August
25, 1807; came to America in
1847, settling in Knox county,
Ohio; came to this county in
1855; owns 80 acres of land; he
married Miss Eleanor Leslie in
1832; she was born in County
Down, Ireland; have six children:
Margaret, Maria A., William,
Rachel, Mary and Eliza. Lost
two: Stafford L. and John.
Campbell, N. 1ST., farmer, Sec. 16;
P. O. Perry.
Conner, O. BT., farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Perry.
COUNCIL, WILLIS, farmer, Sec.
20; P. O. Perry; born in Logan
county, Illinois, in 1833; came to
this county in 1854; owns 62
acres of land; has held office of
constable six years; he married
Miss Amelia Simpson in 1855;
she was born in Ohio; have three
children: Thomas T, Mary C.
and William N.
Craft, W. L., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Perry.
Crocker, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Perry.
CROCKER, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
29; P. O. Perry; born in Penn-
sylvania, January 6, 1832; came
to this county in 1857; owns 212
acres of land; has held office of
640
DIEECTOKT OF DALLAS COUNTY.
school director and township trus-
tee; he married Miss Jane Mc-
Millan in 1854; she was born in
Pennsylvania, and died in Febru-
ary, 1867; he afterward married
Catharine Miess in 1869 ; she was
born in Pennsylvania; has two
children by first marriage : George
and Henry, and three by second:
Jesse, Annie and Nettie.
CROWEL, HARDMAN, farmer,
Sec. 18; P. O. Perry; born in
Blair county, Pennsylvania, in
1835; came to this county in
1857; owns 80 acres of land; has
held office of school director; he
married Miss Ellen McMillan in
1855; she was born in Pennsylva-
nia; has eleven children: Sarah,
Bazil, Christian L., Comfort J.,
Mary I., Viola, Ellen, Emma, Lu-
cinda and Mattie M, Lost three.
ELDER, R. H., farmer, Sec. 6 ; P.
O. Perry; born in Pennsylva-
nia in 1829; came to this State in
1854; owns 410 acres of land; has
held office of county supervisor;
he married Miss Naomi Warford
January 1, 1860; has seven chil-
dren: Naomi J., Isaac S., S.
James C, Hugh A., Harry E.,
Homer C. and Daisey P. Lost
one daughter: Sarah E. Mr. El-
der enlisted in the 39th Iowa In-
fantry, and was with Sherman in
his march to the sea.
FAHEY, WM, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Perry.
Feather, H. N, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Perry.
Fessler, J. J., fanner, Sec. 20; P. O.
Perry.
GREANEY, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 33; P. O. Perry.
Greaney, James, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P.
O. Perry.
GREANEY, PATRICK, farmer
and stock-raiser, Sec. 33; P. O.
Perry; born in Ireland in 1821;
came to America in 1846, settling
in Philadelphia; from there he re-
moved to Indiana, and came to
this county in 1855; he owns
nearly 1,000 acres of land; has
held office of school director; he
married Miss Mary Sheahan in
February, 1844; she was born in
Ireland ; has nine children : Ellen,
John, Cornelius, Agnes, Patrick,
Honora, Timothy, Don and Den-
nis; lost three children: one
daughter, Mary, was the wife of
D. Fitzgerald, Esq.
Griswold, C, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Perry.
HALL,H., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Perry; born in Hebron,
Connecticut, in 1838; came to
this county in 1868; he married
Miss Nancy Chapalier in 1874;
she was born in Ohio ; has one
child : David W.
HARPER, MRS. MARY M., far-
mer, Sec. 17; her maiden name
was Bennett; was born in Mont-
gomery county, Ohio, and mar-
ried Hiram Harper, January 3,
1865; he was born in Indiana,
January 1, 1828, and died in De-
cember, 1877, leaving two chil-
dren : one son, Perry, by a former
marriage, and Charles by second
marriage. Mr. Harper was a man
who had the entire confidence of
the community in which he lived,
and the reputation of an upright
and honest citizen.
Harris, John J., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Perry.
Harris, L. H, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Perry.
Hart, H. H, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Perry.
Hasty, David, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Perry.
Hawk, F. W., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Perry.
Hendricks, Bruce, farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Perry.
Hoffman, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O.Perry. ,
Hunt, W. H., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Perry.
SPRING VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
641
TESSUP, ALONZO, farmer, Sec.
*J 17; P. O. Perry.
KEGANCE, JACOB, farmer,
Sec. 11; P. O. Perry.
KELLY, JOHN (deceased), who
lived on Sec. — ; was born in Ire-
land, in 1828; he came to this
country and lived for some years
in New Haven, Connecticut; he
married Miss E. J. Kirtland, No-
vember 9, 1851; she was born in
New Haven; he died June 23,
1878, leaving eight children:
Hayne, Amy M., Charles E., Mary
J., Wm. H., James I., David J.,
Joseph H. and Geo. W.
KNEE, A., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Perry; born in Ohio in 1812;
came to this county in 1865; owns
25 acres of land; he married
Maria Bennett in 1832; she was
born in Pennsylvania; has six
children: Eliza A., Isaac, Levi,
Francis, Ella and Henry.
Knee, Francis, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Perry.
LONG, E. E., farmer, Sec. 5 ; P.
O. Perry; born in Virginia,
in April, 1835; came to this
county in 1866; owns 117 acres
of land ; has held office of school
director; he married Miss Anna
Willis in August, 1855; she _ was
ihorn in Wayne county, Indiana,
:and died in 1873; he married for
his second wife, Angeline Mc-
Dowell, in 1877; has six children:
D. Lewis, Benjamin F., Gideon
M., Lela F., Effie A. and Melvin.
Lunn, Clark, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. O.
Perry.
McFABLAND, M , farmer, '
Sec 27; P. O. Perry.
McKEON, C, farmer, Sec. — - ; P.
O. Perry; born in Washington
county, Missouri, July 18, 1834;
came to this State in 1848; and at
that time it took all the available
men in ^ie county to raise a saw-
mill; he owns 40 acres of land,
and has held offices of justice of
the peace, town clerk, school di-
rector, and postmaster; he was
the first town clerk of Spring
Valley township; he married Miss
Nancy McCullough May 8, 1858;
she was born in Ohio; has seven
children: Eva, John, Albert, Jas-
per, Allie, Evan, Eoscoe; lost two:
Mary J. and Sedora.
McKeon, G. W., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Perry.
McMichael, James, farmer, Sec. 3;
P. 0. Perry.
MACY, JESSE, farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Perry; born in Indiana in
1832; came to this county in
1868; owns 165 acres of land;
has held office of county treasurer
and president of the school board
of the district; he married Miss
Emma J. Osborn in 1872; she
was born in Indiana; has two
children: Nora Eleanor and Lula
May.
Martin, Mrs. J., farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Perry.
Maulsby, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
0. Perry.
Meyer, J. B., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Perry.
Mills, J. B., farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0.
Perry.
MOORE, J. H., farmer, Sec. 15;
P. 0. Perry; born in Pickaway
county, Ohio, in 1827; when
young removed to Vermillion
county, Illinois, where he lived
many years, and came to this
State in 1854, and to this county
in 1871; owns 265 acres of land;
he married Miss Martha J. Pad-
gett, who was born in Kentucky;
have three children: Alfred D.,
Sarah I., wife of D. J. Pattee, and
Fred.
Moore, A. D., farmer, Sec. 23; P. O.
Perry.
Mower, P. A., physician and farmer,
Sec. 16; P.O. Perry.
NAYLOR, L. L., farmer, Sec.
31; P. 0. Perry; born in
Adams county, Ohio, in June,
1826; came to this State in 1853,
642
DIEECTOEY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
and to this county in June, 1869;
owns 200 acres of land; has held
office of school director; he mar-
ried Miss L. Y. Stoner in 1851;
she was born in Delaware county,
Indiana; has ten children: Sarah,
Emma, John, Joseph, Thomas,
Melvin, Ora B., Florence, Arthur
and May.
Naylor, T. J., farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0.
Perry.
NORRIS, THOMAS C, farmer,
Sec. 9; P. 0. Perry; born in New
Hampshire Oct. 28, 1808; and
after living in Massachusetts and
Maine came to this county in
1870; owns 80 acres of land; he
represented the county in the
State Legislature, being a member
of the 16th General Assembly;
he has held office of justice of the
peace; he married Miss Aurelia
Colcord in 1831; she was born in
New Hampshire; has two chil-
dren : Elizabeth P. and George L.
OTLEY, J. W., insurance agent,
Sec. ,15.
Osborn, Charlotte, farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Perry.
Osborn, Alex., farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. O.
Perry.
PATCH, C. W., farmer, Sec. 4;
P. O. Perry.
PEASE, J. S., farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 2; P. O. Perry; born
in New York, in 1846; came to
this county in 1866; owns, with
his brother, 216 acres of land; he
married Miss Allie Thornburgh,
in 1870; she was born in Wayne
county, Iowa; has two children:
Albert and Willie.
PEASE, GEORGE A., farmer and
stock-raiser, Sec. 2; P. O. Perry;
born in New York, in 1850; came
to this State in 1866; owns, with
his brother, 216 acres of land;
married Miss Carrie Throckmor-
ton, in 1873; she was born in
Ohio; has one child: Grace.
PETERS, P. J., farmer, Sec. — ; P.
O. Perry ; born in Hamilton county,
Ohio, in 1822; came to this State
in May, 1855; owns 181 acres of
land; has held the offices of town
trustee and school director; he
married Miss Mary Simpson, in
1841; she was born in Ohio; has
seven children : Martha O, Styles,
Frances E., Helen J., James Es,
Berthena J., David T.
PETTY, ASA, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Perry; born in Buffalo, New
York, October 19, 1814; he was
a sailor on the lakes for seven or
eight years; he came to this State
in 1844, and settled in Muscatine
county, and came to this county
in 1866; owns 165 acres of land;
has held the office of town trustee;
he enlisted in the Thirty-seventh
Iowa Infantry in the late war,
and served until the close; he
married Susanna Lamb, in 1836;
she was born in New York; has
five children: Josiah, Rosilla,.
Libbie, Harriet J. and Chester.
PHILLIPS, J., farmer,Sec. — ; P. O.
Perry; born in Erie county, NeW
York, April 12, 1828; came to
this county in 1855; owns 180
acres of land, and is largely en-
gaged in stock-raising; he mar-
ried Miss May Campbell, in 1867;
she was born in Ohio, in 1846;
has two children.
Potts, Mrs. J. P., farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. Perry.
REED, T. Y., farmer, Sec. 9;
P. O. Perry.
ROBERTS, J. H., farmer, Sec. 16;
P. O. Perry; born in Oneida
county, New York, in 1819; came
to this State in 1854; owns 120
acres of land; he married Miss
Mary Shaw, in 1847; she was-
born in Ohio, and died in 1855;
he afterward married Miss Mary
McKeon, who was born in Mis-
souri: has five children: Clar-
ence, John L., Middleton H., W.
Harris and George B ; lost two:
Mary S. and Laura.
SPRING VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
643
R°op, c, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Perry.
ROUSE, JAMES, farmer, Sec. 3;
P- O. Perry; born in Upper Can-
ada in 1828, and came to this
county in 1870; owns, 120 acres
of land ; he enlisted in the 45th
. Illinois Infantry, and served until
the close of the war; he married
Miss Arabel Boss in 1857; she
was born in Wisconsin ; have six
children: Howard A., Florence,
Ella, Anna, Susan and Charles.
RUSSELL, W. S., farmer, Sec. 14;
P. O. Perry; born in New York
in 1844; came to this county in
1853; owns 120 acres of land; he
enlisted in Co. A, 23d Iowa In-
fantry, in the late war, and served
three years; has held offices of
town trustee and a representative
from this district in the 17th Gen-
eral Assembly of the State Legis-
lature; he married Miss Ada
Greene in 1870; she was born in
Iowa; have three children: Ward
A., Wm. Burton and Katie.
Kussell, T. J., farmer,, Sec. 36; P.
O. Minbnrn.
SEARS, E. K., farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Perry.
Schnoor, John, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Perry.
SCOTT, THOMAS,' farmer and
stock-raiser, Sec. 13; P.O.Perry;
born in Scotland in 1841; became
to this county in 1870; owns 520
acres of land; has held office of
town trustee; he married Miss
Jennie Henderson February 10,
1875- she was born in Vermont;
has one child: Nellie E.
Sheehan, T., farmer, Sec. 29; P. O.
Shfvel^'j- H., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
siPTi f—' Sec- 7; R °"
oiTtt£ C H., farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O > Perry; born in Eichland coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1827; came to this
State in 1873, and to this county
in 1875; owns 40 acres of land;
he married Nancy A. Shinabarger
in 1853; she was born in Ohio;
have two children: Irene and
Mary C.
Snyder, W., farmer, Sec. 20; P. O.
Perry.
TAYLOR, C. & R., farmer, Sec.
17; P. O. Perry.
THORNBURGH, COLEMAN,
farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Perry; born
in Wayne connty, Indiana, Janu-
ary 23, 1830; came to this county
in December, 1865; owns 65 acres
of land; has held offices of school
director and town treasurer; he
married Mis| Martha Greenstreet
in 1850; she was born in Wayne
county, Indiana; they have three
children: Alice, Darwin O. and
Emma F. ; one son, Alvin T., a
promising business man in Perry,
engaged in the jewelry business,
died October 20,"l877.
THORNBURGH, H, farmer, stock,
raiser and miller, Sec. 34; P. O.
Perry; born in Tennessee in 1809;
came to this county in 1855; owns
140 acres of land; soon after com-
ing to the county he erected a
saw-mill, and in 1872 the present
mill known as Thornburgh's mill,
having three run of stone; he was
elected county judge of Dallas
County, and after serving one
vyear resigned, in consequence of
business interest; he also served
four years as State Senator; he
married Rachel Willis, in 1848;
she was born in Indiana; have one
daughter: the wife of M.Shi vely,
now living in California, and four
adopted children.
Thornburgh, J., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Perry.
Thornburgh, L., farmer, Sec. 21 ; P.
O. Perry.
WEAVER, E., farmer, Sec.
33; P.O.Perry; born in
Ohio in 1823; came to this State
644
DIBECTORY <OF DALLAS COUNTY.
in 1855, and to this county in
1866; owns 139 acres of land;
he married Miss Margaret Clinton
in 1853; she was born in Ohio;
have three children: Enoch A.,
Maggie and Solon B.
WHITMER, THOMAS, farmer,
See. 17; P. O. Perry; born in
Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1836;
came to this county in 1867; owns
80 acres of land; has held office
of assessor and president and sec-
retary of the school board; he en-
listed in the 35th Iowa Infantry,
and served four years; he was
wounded at Nashville; he married
Miss Mary C. Hanoff in 1857; she
was born in Ohio; have three chil-
dren: Allen T., Charles N. and
Mary A.
White, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O.Perry.
WIFVAT, JOHN A., farmer, Sec.
26 ; P. O. Perry ; born in Sweden
in 1835; came to the United States
in 1858, to this State in 1869, and
r to this county in March, 1878;
owns 100 acres of land; he married
Louisa Johnson, April 24, 1878;
she was born in Sweden.
Wilcox, James, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Perry.
WILCOX, L. P., farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Perry ; born in Montgomery
county, Ohio, in 1835; came to
this State in 1855 ; owns 100 acres
of land; has held offices of town
clerk, school director and treasurer ;
he enlisted in the 106th Illinois
Infantry in the late war; he mar-
ried Miss Matilda Council in 1857;
she was born in Logan county,
Illinois ; have seven children : Win.
W., Geo. W., James L., Edgar G.,
Alfred W., Mattie M. and Roscoe.
WILLIS, JONATHAN, farmer,
Sec. 9; P. O. Perry; born in In-
diana in 1856,; came to this county
in July, 1857; owns 175 acres of
land; has held office of town
trustee and school director; he
married Miss Lucinda Beeson in
1849; she was born in Indiana;
have ten children : Henry H., Ed-
ward L., Isaac N., Jane, Helen,
Lawrence, Oscar, Etta, Lewis and
Florence.
Willis, Lindsey, farmer and clerk,
Sec. 15; P. O. Perry.
Willis, D., farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Perry. -
WOODWARD, 0RRIN, farmer,
Sec. 4; P. O. Perry; born in Ohio,
March 18. 1818; came to this
county in 1866; owns 80 acres of
land; he married Elizabeth Hines
in 1848; she was born in Roches-
ter, New York; have eight chil-
dren: Evaline, James, William,
Phebe, Elizabeth, Aro, Zer'ah and
Lillie; have lost three.
id^-XjL^-s to"\*7"2>ts:]=3:i:£3.
ADAMS, W., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Rippey; born in Ohio,
in 1809; came to this county in
1856; owns 274 acres of land;
has held the office of justice of
the peace; he married Nancy
Adkins, in 1830; she was born in
Ohio; has seven children: Wil-
liam H., Charles, Evaline O,
Nancy E., John W., Mary E. and
George W.
Alexander, J. N., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Perry.
Anderson, John, farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Perry.
ATKINSON, J. F., miller, Sec. 3;
P. 0. Perry; born in Ohio, in
1842; came to this county first in
1857; holds the office of town
clerk; his father, Isaac Atkinson,
was born in Pennsylvania, in
1797, and after living in Ohio
DALLAS TOWNSHIP.
645
many years came to this county
in 1857, and built the mills known
as Atkinson's Mills; he died in
1875, leaving a wife, who still
survives, and eight children:
Matthew, Hettie, Jane, Louisa,
Thaddeus, Isaac, George and
Mary.
Averson, EL, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Perry.
BARNES, GEORGE, farmer,
Sec. 21; P. (X Perry.
BENNETT, THOMAS K., farm-
er, Sec. 11; P. O. Perry; born in
Indiana, in 1845; came to this
county in 1856; owns 80 acres of
land; he married Miss Emma E.
Beach, in 1876; she was born in
Ohio; has two children: Ira M.
and baby.
Black, Richard, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Perry.
Brown, O. P., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Perry.
Brown, John G., farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Perry.
BROWN, W. B., farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 17 ; P. Q. Perry ; born
in New York, in 1838 ; came to
this county in 1869; owns 525
acres of land; has held the offices
of town clerk and justice of the
peace ; married Miss Mattie Setzer,
in 1860; she was born in Penn-
sylvania; has two children: Har-
ley B. and Lewis; he enlisted in
Battery M, First Illinois Light
Artillery, during the late war.
Brobst, Daniel Est, farmer, Sec. 4;
P..O. Perry. n
Brock, J. W-, farmer, Sec. 5; f. U.
RROWN, WILLIAM, farmer,
Sec 22 P. O. Perry; born in
h Virginia, in 1845; came to this
• „VnntV i" 1875 ! 0WnS 24° aCr6S
Tfand- h" held the offices of
?„r, rlerk and school director;
hTinaiied Miss M Stickel, in
1872- has two children: Jessie
jf and Lina M; he enlisted in
the First Virginia Cavalry, and
served until the close of the war.
Burington, S. M., farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Perry.
CHAPMAN, JAMES, farmer,
Sec. 22; P. O. Perry.
COFFEE, A. D., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. 0. Perry; born in Scotland,
in 1831; came to this county in
1870; owns 160 acres of land;
has held the office of school di-
rector; he married Miss J. French,
in 1857; she was born in Ver-
mont; has three children: Agnes
L., Ella V, Hattie B.
Collins, A., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Perry.
Cole, William, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Perry.
Coleman, Wm., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Perry.
CORREY, J. D., farmer, Sec.—;
P. O. Perry; was born in 1833;
came to this county June 18,
1856; owns 372 acres of land;
was one of the first town trustees
of this township and member of
the board of county supervisors;
he married Miss Mary A. Brown-
field, April 18, 1855; she was
born in Illinois; have lost four
children by 'diptheria.
Correy, Wm., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Perry.
Correy, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Perry.
Council, T. O, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Perry. »,
Curnmings, P. S., farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Perry.
DALBY, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
21 ; P. O. Perry.
DODGE, W.E., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Perry; born in England in
1828; came to America in 1854,
and to this county in 1870; owns
160 acres of land; has held office
of school director; he married
Miss B. Medland in 1854; she
was born in England in 1832;
have seven children: Wm. H.,
646
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
Kosetta M., Charles E., Albert
M., Renford, Sidney B. and Lillie
Dunn, Patrick, farmer, Sec. 14; P.
O. Perry.
EDWARDS, JAMES, farmer,
Sec. 2; P. O.Perry.
Elifrits, W., farmer, Sec. 25; P. O.
Perry. *
FAGEN, M. E., farmer, Sec. 12;
P. O. Perry.
FINLEY,J. K, farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Perry; born in Stark coun-
ty, Illinois, in 1842; came to this
county in 1871 ; owns 200 acres of
land ; has held office of town trus-
tee; he enlisted in the 112th Illi-
nois Infantry in the late war, and
served three years; he married
Miss Julia M. Scott in 1867; she
was born in New Jersey; have
four children: Estella M., Jennie
L., Anna C. and Josie F.
Flood, Peter, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O.
Perry.
Fourgisson, G. R. W., farmer and
carpenter, Sec. 17; P. O. Perry.
Francis, Hosea, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Perry.
GANOE, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
10; P. O. Perry.
Garfield, H.W. farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Perry.
Gilliland, M. W., farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Eippey.
GILLILAND, A. P., farmer, Sec.
4; P.. O. Eippey; born in Ohio
in 1837; came to f this county in
1857; owns 200 acres of land;
has held offices of town trustee
and school director; he enlisted in
the 10th Iowa Infantry and served
three years; he married Miss
Julia Hutchinson in 1859; she
was born in Illinois; have six
children: Owen, Ella, Eddie,
Harry, Florence and Lester.
GILLILAND, S. W., farmer, Sec.
4; P. O. Rippey; born in 1809,
and came to this county in 1858;
own6 288 acres of land; has held
offices of town clerk, town trustee,
member of the board of county
supervisors; he married Miss
Rachel Pettijohn June 7, 1832;
she was born in Ohio and died
February 14, 1842; he afterward
married Ruhama Harmon No-
vember 13, 1845; she was born in
North Carolina; have two chil-
dren living by his first marriage:
Samantha and Amos P.; lost
* three: Lyman B., Wendell P. and
Jane; have ibur living by his
second marriage: Alvan S., Myron
W., Elizabeth and Mary E. ; lost
one: Willis L.
Gorman, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Perry.
HAINES, M. F., farmer and in-
surance agent, Sec 10; P. O.
Perry.
Halton, J. S., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Perry.
Harty, P., farmer, Sec. 21; P. O.
Perry.
7ACKS0N, D. R, farmer, Sec.
J 28; P. O. Perry.
KELSEY, L., farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Perry.
KEMPF, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Perry; born in Germany in
1839; came to the United States
in 1855, and to Iowa in 1874;
owns 160 acres of land; he en-
listed in Battery M, 1st Illinois
Light Artillery, in the late war;
he married Susan M. Barr in
1868 ; has three children : Charles,
Burt and Stella.
LACY, PAT, farmer, Sec. 21;
P. O. Perry.
Lanahan, M., farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
Perry.
Lee, E. F., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Perry.
LEONARD, G. W., farmer and
stock-raiser, Sec. 32; P.O.Perry;
born in Delaware county, Ohio, in
March, 1836; came to this State
in 1855, and to this county in
June, 1868; has held office of
school director; owns 440 acres of
land; he married Miss Martha
DALLAS TOWNSHIP.
647
Husted in 1857; she was born in
Illinois; has eight children : Lewis,
Albert, Carrie, Allie, Lucy, Orie
and Scottie.
LEWIS, N. G., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Perry; born in Otsego county,
New York, in 1818; came to this
county in 1872; owns 200 acres
of land; he married Miss Clar-
rissa A. Whitney in 1840; she
was born in Erie county, Pennsyl-
vania; has five children: Sarah,
Mary A., "Win. H., John N. and
Charles "W. ; lost three sons : Au-
gustus M., died in February,
1873; Benjamin L., died Decem-
ber 25, 1874; James, died No-
vember 20, 1875. Augustus M.
enlisted in the 1st Board of Trade
Regiment of Chicago.
Liste, John, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. O.
Perry.
Liste, Wm., farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. O.
Perry.
Lisle, J. D., farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Perry.
McELRATH, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 24; P.-O. Perry; born in
Ireland in 1836 ; came to the Uni-
ted States in 1838, and to this State
in 1873; owns 240 acres of land;
has held the office of school direc-
tor; he married Miss Sarah C.
Hubbs, in 1866; she was born in
]ST. T. ; has lost two children.
McElrath, T., farmer, Sec. 36; P. O.
Perry
McElree, B. B., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Perrv. a _„ D
McElree, Wm., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Perry. 0 „n x>
Maxwell, James, farmer, Sec. 32; P.
Mo0glePeBV^er'SeC-35'P-a
MoPrS'j-farmer'SeC-29; R°-
MorS B. B, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
Mo'raSrl'M., farmer, See. 5; P.O.
■ Perry
PEDDICORD, D., farmer and
stock-raiser, Sec. 32; P. O.
Perry; born in Virginia in 1826;
removed to Ohio when young, and
remained there 23 years, and then
emigrated to Illinois, where he re-
mained 22 years, coming to this
county in 1876; he owns 480 acres
of land; he has brought with him
the spirit of enterprise, and his
improvements are the best in the
township; he als<» takes great in-
terest in the improvement of the
stock of horses of this section,
and his Clydesdales are unsur-
passed. He married Miss Susan
Kyle in 1848; she was born in
Ohio, and was the first white child
born in the township; has seven
children: James P., David E.r
Margaret E., Douglas, Gaylord,
Elias and Arthur.
Porter, A. F., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
Perry.
QUINTS, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Perry.
ROSS, J. C, farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Perry.
S EBBING, W., farmer, Sec. 30;.
P. O. Perry.
Strickland, Eli, farmer, Sec. 25; P.
Perry.
Summerson, J. R., farmer, Sec. 11;.
P. O. Perry.
Sutton, A. M., farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Perry.
TAYLOR, W. B.. farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Perry; born in Butler
county, Ohio, in 1821; came to this-
State in June, 1857; owns 80 acres
of land ; previous to his removal
to his farm he was engaged in the
hotel business in Adel; has held
offices of school director and town-
ship trustee; he married Miss
Cornelia Ashmore in 1851; she
was born in Clark county, Illi-
nois; have five children: Charles
E., Cassandra, Robert O, "William
H. and Harry S.
648
DIRECTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
TOLLE, W. E., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Perry; born in Indiana in
1833; came to Iowa in 1854, and
to this county in March, 1855;
owns 274 acres of land ; has held
offices of justice of the peace,
township trustee, school director,
etc.; he married Miss Catharine
Ganoe in 1 858 ; she was born in
Champaign county, Illinois; has
five children: Eliza J., Jones L.,
Ulysses G., Isaac W. and John L.
TOWNE, A. L„ farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Kippey, Greene county; born
in Ohio in 1827; came to this
county in 1857; owns 235 acres
of land; has held offices of town-
ship trustee and school director;
he married Miss Maria Wells in
1855; she was born in Ohio; has
nine children living: Harlow,
Charles, Ralph, Cora, Grace, Ern-
est, Maud, Guy and George. Lost
six. •
T A rAEEEE", M., farmer, Sec.
VV l; P. O.Perry.
Warren, F. L., farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. O.
Perry.
WELLS, J., farmer, Sec. 20; P. O.
Perry; born in Ohio in 1838;
came to this State in 1865, and to
this county in 1875 ; owns 160
acres of land; he married Miss
Cynthia A. Wallace in 1862; she
was born in the same place; has
three children: Fred. J., Hattie
I. and William M. He enlisted
in the 128th Ohio Infantry in the
late war, and served three years.
White, S. H., farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0.
Perry.
WITTER, B. 0., farmer, Sec. 30;
P. O. Perry; born in Ohio in
1848; came to this county in
1872; owns 80 acres of land; has
held office of assessor; he mar-
ried Miss Amanda Dwire in 1868;
she died September 5, 1875; he
afterward married Miss Flora M.
Dwire in February, 1877; has
two children: Eollin S. and Min-
nie A. He enlisted in the 139th
Illinois Infantry and 7th Illinois,
and served until the close of the
war. ,
YOEK, KD., farmer, Sec. 15;
P. O. Perry.
YOUNG, S., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Perry; born in Indiana Novem-
ber 27, 1842; came to this county
March 15, 1865; owns 180 acres
of land; has held offices of asses-
sor, township trustee and school
director; he married Miss Mary
C. McElroy in 1867; she was born
in Illinois, and died December 26,
1875 ; he afterward married Caro-
line Lee, who was born in Ohio;
has two children by first marriage:
Eosa M. and George M.; and one
son, Albert A., by second mar-
riage.
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