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BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE
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ENDOWMENT FOR THE PROMOTION
OF STUDIES IN
HUMAN CIVILIZATION
1918
Cornell University Library
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http://www.archive.org/cletails/cu31924028914145
THE
HISTORY
KEOKUK COUNTY,
lovy^A
CONTAINING
A History of 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 Keokuk
County, Constitution of the. United States, Constitution of
the State of Iowa, Miscellaneous Matters, &c.
IXiXiTrST3B.A.TEID.
DES MOINES:
UNION HISTORICAL COMPANY.
1880. £,
Entered, according to Act of Congress, |n/the year 1880, by
THE UKIOlsr HISTORICAL OOMPAI^T,
In the OfBce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, B, 0.
UILIiS A COUPAKY,
PBIHTBBS AND STEBEOTTFEBB,
DBS MOINES, IOWA.
PREFACE.
The American people axe much given to reading, but the character of the matter read is
such that -with regard to a large proportion of them it may indeed be said that " truth is
straoger than fiction." Especially is this the case in respect to those facts of local history
belonging to their own immediate country and neighborhood. This, perhaps, is not so
much the fault of the people as a neglect on the part of the book publishers. Books, as a
rule, are made to sell, and, in order that a book may have a large sale, its matter must be
such general character as to be applicable to general rather than special conditions — to the
Nation or State rather than the County or Township. Thus it is that no histories heretofore
published enterin to matters relating to county and neighborhood affairs, for such books, in
order to have a sale over a large section of country, must necessarily be very voluminous, and
contain much matter of no interest to the reader. The publishers, having received a liberal
patronage from the people of Keokuk county, have endeavored to prepare a work containing
a full and minute account of the local affairs of the county.
The following pages constitute a history of the Northwest and a detailed account of the
early settlement, natural resources and subsequent development of Eeokuk county, together
with reminiscences, narratives, and biographies of the leading citizens of the county.
The work, may not meet<the expectations of some; and this is all the more probable, see-
ing that it falls short of our own standard of perfection: however, in size, quality of mater-
ial and typographical appearance, it is such a book as we designed to make, and more than
fills the conditions gfuaranteed by our prospectus.
To the early settler, who braved the dajigers, endured the hardships and experienced the
enjoyments of pioneer Ufe, it will be the means of recalling some of the most grateful mem-
ories of the past; while those who are younger, or who have become citizens of the county
in more recent times, will here find collected in a narrow compass an accurate and succinct
account of the beginning, progress and changes incident to municipal as well as individual
life.
The old pioneer, in reviewing the history of the county, all of which he saw, and part of
which he was, will find this work a valuable compendium of facts, arranged in analytical
order, and thus will events which are gradually vanishing into the mists and confusion of
forgetfulness be rescued from oblivion.
The rising generation, which is just entering upon the goodly heritage bequeathed by a
hardy and noble ancestry, will find in this work much to encourage them in days
of despondency, and intensify the value of success when contrasted vrith the trials and com-
pared with the triumphs of those who have gone before.
In the preparation of this work we have been materially aided by numerous persons in
sympathy with the enterprise and solicitous for its success: to all suck we feel ourselves un-
der great obligations, and take this method of acknowledging the same. To S. A. James,
Esq., especially belongs the credit for any merit the work may possess. Without his en-
IV PEEFACE.
couragement the work would not have been undertaken, and without his assistance it could
not have been completed.
In presenting this work to our many hundred patrons, we have the satisfaction of knowing
that they are of sufficient intelligence to appreciate merit when it is found, and errors will
be criticised with the understajiding that book-making, like all other kinds of labor, has its
peculiar vicissitudes.
Whatever of interest, of profit, or of recreation the reader will find in perusing the follow-
ing pages will be a source of satisfaction, gratitude and happiness to the
PnBUBHBBS.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
The KorthweBt Tferritory:
Early Freudl Explorations in
the Mississippi Valley - - 7
' Early Settlements in the
Northwest --..-- 14
The Northwestern Territory 29
The Lonisiana Furehase - - 28
Iiidi>in Wars in the Northwest 34
Sketches of Black Hawk and
other Chiefs ------ 42
Early Navigation of Western
Bivers - - . - . . 66
Archeology 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 Qeograpblcal
Sketch 105
Oeology of Iowa - - - 117
Economic Geology - - - - 125
How the Title to Iowa Landa
is derived -.-.--. 130
Early Settlements and Terri-
torial Organization . - . 141
Territory of Iowa - - - - 153
State Organization - . . 158
Edacational -....- 162
State Institutions - - - 169
Bailroads - - ■ 172
Official Record - - 174
The Jndldary - ----- 176
Congressional Bepresentation 177
State Agrionltural Society - - 178
Centennial Awards - - - 191
Histoiy of Keokuk County :
Ocigiu of Name ----- 257
_ . PAQK.
■ Westward the Star of Empire
takes its Way . - . . - 17
AniDdlanCamp - . - . 33
Indians trying a Prisoner - - 49
A Pioneer WLiter .... 65
HI»$TOBICALi.
PAGE.
Physical Geography .... 258
Mathematical Geography - . 261
Indians and Indian Affairs - 262
Keokuk and Wapello - - -266
Indian Incidents and Bemin-
iscences - - - . 276
Early Settlements . . 282
First Settlers - . . - 284
A New Departure . ... 290
Honeer Life - - . . - 311
Claim Clubs and Claim Laws - 317
A Border Sketch 322
Surveys and Land Sales - 326
Trading Points - . - - 327
Trapping and Hunting - - 330
Growth of the County - - 332
Table of Events - . - .- .335
County Organization - - - 336
Election Precincts - - . . 344
First Commissioners* Court . 346
First Grand and Petit J^urles - 347
First Claims Allowed . . . 348
First Tax Levy - - - . 349
Township Organization . - 350
First Court . . . - - . 351
Old Records .-.---- 354
Territorial and County Boads 358
Old Court House - - - 360
The Jail 364
County Seat Contests - 368
The Second Contest . . - 377
The Fools' Book . - ... - 381
Early Bemlniscences of Men
and Things .----- 385
The First District Judge . - 388
. The Poor Farm . . . - 39O
RaOways ..-.--.. 397
The C. B. I. & P. Eailroad - 400
The I. & W. Bailroad - - 404
ILLUSTRATIOWS.
PAGE.
Lincoln Monument, Springfield,
Ulinols . . ...... 72
Chicago in 1320 ...... 97
Present Site Lake Street Bridge,
Chicago, 1833 97
PAO^
Political - - - 40j .
County Finances - . - - 42l
Beliglous - ...... 42*
Gold Excitement .... - 426
John Brown's Soul and Bleed-
ing Kansas --..-- 431
The Great Tornado - - 434
A Western Romance - 440
The Skunk River War . ■ - 443
The Eeokuk County Tigilanoe
Committee ..---. 448
The Press of Keokuk County 461
Educational ....... 46O
Old Settlers' Association . 470
Agricultural Society - . . . 472
County Medical Society - 47s
Accidents and Crime - . - 474
Prominent Citizens, Living
and Dead -..---- 479
War History - 487
Sherman's Maroh to the Sea . 541
"township Organizations:
Bichland -.-----.643
Jackson . - - . . . 649
Steady Bun .--...- 655
Benton . - . .... 557
Warren .-.-..•-. gsg
Lancaster
Clear Creek -
German -
Sigourney .
Van Bnren
Washington -
Prairie . -
Adams . .
English River
Liberty . -
Lafayette -
- 662
- 664
- 667
- 669
. 686
- 687
- 688
- 691
. 691
•- 694
. 695
PAO>.
01d.Fort Dearborn, 1830 - . .103
The "Old Kinzie House" 103
A Prairie Home ...... 129
Breaking Prairie • . 146
EiITHOeBAPHIC FOBTBAITS.
PAGE.
Adams, H. C. • ..... 571
Axsmear, J. . . . ... 643
einbb, W. . . . - - 481
eook, S. D., M. D. . - - . 373
iDodge, Daniel -----. 553
m>n, T. F. - - . - 607
SWogln, J. L. . . . 291
Kqgln, J. 0 319
raenkle, H 663
PAGE.
Higgins, Warren . - - - 535
Irons, John . . - 463
James, S. A. . - - - 273
Johnson, J. W. - - - . - 625
Keck, I. A. 391
McFarlan, Samuel ... -445
MoFarlane, Daniel ..... S89
McBride, Jesse O, . - ... 671
Morgan, T. A. - - - 409
PAOB.
Newsome, W. W., H.
D.
-617
Sherbondy, Homer -
- -681
Slngmaster, Samuel -
.
- -499
Skillman, E. H , M. D.
.
- -837
White, J. F
-366
Wilson, J. F. .
-
-427
Woodin, G. D.
-
- -S09
BIO«BAPHICAI< TOWNSHIP DIBGVTOBY.
immOB ... . . . 802
IWnton ....... .g|o
'M/i^s Oraek .... .694
English Mrer - - . . 779
"srman ..-.-.--. 743
I'Wkson ---... --666
Lancaster
Liberty -
Lafayette
Prairie
Richland
Sigourney
FAGE.
• . 700
- .773
■ - 7B3
- 814
PAGE.
steady Enn - . -•-
. . 662
Van Buren . -
• - . 7»3
Warren - - . -
- .712
Washington . - .
. - . 724
VI
CONTENTS.
ABSTRACT OF lOTPA STATE MjA'WH.
PAGE.
Adoption of children - - - 203
BiUd of ExchaDge and Promis-
sory Notes - - - - - . 195
Capital Punishment - . - - igg
Commercial Terms - 208
Damages from Trespass , 201
Descent - 195
Ketrays --- 201
Exemption from Executions - 200
Fences ----.-. _ 202
Forms:
Articles of Agreement - - 209
Bills of Sale - - - 210
Bond for Deed - 217
Bills of Purchase ' - - 207
Chattel Mortgage - 215
age
PAftB.
Map of Keokuk County - -Front.
Statistics - - 183
Constitution of the State of
Iowa ... - - - . 220
Forms :
ConfesBion of Judgment
HUH
Lease - - . - .
-
214
Mortgages - - -
UVJ
213
Notice to Quit
-
210
Notes - - -
m
215
Orders - - -
- -
207
Quit-claim Deed
•M6
Receipts . - - .
2118
Wills and Codicils
211,
212
Warranty Deed
216
Game Laws:
Birds and Quadrupeds
217
Fish and Fish Ways
-
218
Interest . - - - -
. .
195
Jurisdiction of Courts
198
HIlSCKLIiAIVEOIJS.
FAGS.
Constitution of the United
States - - - - 240
Practical Rules for every-day
use - - - 352
Jnrsrs -----.
Landlord and Tenant - .
Limitation of Actions -
Married Women - . - -
Marks and Brands
M-^chanics' Liens - - - .
Purchasing Books by Subscrip-
tion ---_-..
Roads and Bridges
Surveyors and Surveys
Support of Poor
Taxes - - - -
Wills and Estates - -
Weights and Measures -
Wolf Scalps - - .
CASE.
199
m
199.
m
aoii
204
219"
mi
M
is
19
-20
-20,
Population of Iowa GitieB
The I'ioneer -----
VI
CONTENTS.
ABSTRACT OF lOTVA STATE liAIVS.
^ PAGE.
Adoption iit children - - - 203
Billa of EzcbADge and Fromls-
Bory KoteB '---.--- 195
Capital FnniBhment .... 199
'Commercial Terms - - 208
Damages from Trespass . 201
Descent - - - . . .195
ICBtrays ....---.-201
Exemption from ExecutionB - 200
I'ences ----.--..202
Forms:
ArtideB of Agreement . - 209
Bills of Sale - - . . -210
Bond for Deed - - - 21T
Bills of Parchase '- . ■ 207
Chattel Mortgage - 21S
PAQE.
Fbrms:
Confession of Judgment - 208
Lease - - - - - - 214
Mortgages - - 212, 213
Notice to Quit - - - 210
Notes - - - 207, 216
Orders - - - - 207
Quit-chum Deed - 216
Keceipts - - - - - - - 2M8
Wills and Codicils - ■ 211, 212
Warranty Deed - - - - 216
Game Laws:
Birds and Quadrupeds - 217
Fish and Fish Ways - 218
Interest ..---, - - 195
Jurisdiction of Courts - 198
Jursrs --.-...
Landlord and Tenant .
Lfmliation of Actions .
Married Women - . - .
Marhs and Brands ...
Mf^cbanics' Liens . - .
Purchasing Books by Subscri;
tlon ---_...
Boads and Bridges - .
Surveyors and Surveys
Support of Poor - -
Taxes ---....
Wills and Estates • - .
Weights, and Measures
Wolf Scalps ....
PA«E.
Map of Keokuk County - - Front.
Statistics 183
Constitution of the State of
Iowa ---.--.-- 220
mSCEI^XiAlVEOIJS.
PAGE.
Constitution of the United
States - - - - 240
Practical Bules for every-<lay
use 252
Population of Iowa Cities .
The Pioneer ......
The Northwest Territory.
EAKLY FKENCH EXPLOEATIONS 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 Cmef — ^The Des Moines River — " Muddy Water " — The Arkansas —
Return — Indian Nations — Marquette's Record — His Subsequent Ycfvage — La Yantum —
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 settlements in the
cold and inhospitable regions of Quebec; the English at Jamestown, Yir-
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 Grea,
Eiver. It is true that more than one hundred years earlier (1538-41) tht
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 Kiver, 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 tlian ah nndred years. De Soto
had landed at Tampa Bay, on the 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 NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
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 tlie way of the St. Lawrence and the lakes. In 1625 a number of
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 France, 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 embai-k 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 piiest-
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 whjSi 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 NOKTHWEST TEERITOBT. 9
by telling of desperate and savage 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 canoeSfe 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 fiiown
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 Eiver 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, signiiying 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 whidi they lived. As they glided down the
stream the bold bluffs reminded Marquette of the "castled shores of his own
beautifiil 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, Imowing 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 t)anks 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 "Dlini" (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
BO free from rocks, whiuh your canoes have removed as they passed; never
has our tobacco had so fine a flavor, nor our com 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 ns."
After these ceremonies the strangers were invited to a feast, an account of
10 THE NOKTHWEST TEEEITOET.
whicli is "given by Marquette. It consisted of four courses. First, theise
was a large wooden bowel filled with tagamity, or Indian meal, boiled m
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 bufialb
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, aiter 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
From the distant land of Wabun;
From the farthest realms of morning
Came the Black Robe Chief, the Prophet,
He the Priest of Prayer, the PaJe-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 om* town in peace 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 gayly,
Neyer 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 Chnst, and joy of Mary ! '
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 wamors 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 six hundred Indians, In-
vitations were extended to the strangers to renew their visit, after which the
explorers embarked in their boats and floated on down the stream, passing
the sites of future great cities of the valley, and passing the mouths of the
Missouri and Ohio rivers, and as far down as the mouth of the Arkansas,
THE NOETHWEST TEKEITOET. 11
Marquette named the Missouri river Pekitanoui, or " Muddy Water," on
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 Tamaroas,
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 territoiy now included in the counties of Jersey,
Madison and St. Clair, Illinois. Kaskaskia — also designated by the early
explorers as " La Vantum " and " Great Illinois Town " — was the largest of
the villages, containing, according to Marquette, seventy-five lodges. W ith-
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 retui^ 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
f)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 tha French government by the gift of the
island of Anticosta, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Little after this is knovra
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. Kobert La Salle, a French navigator, who was bom at Rouen about
the year 1635, had long cherished a project of seeking a route to China by
way of the Great Lakes. Before the i-etum of Marquette and Joliet, he had
explored Lake Ontario and visited the different Indian tribes. In 1675 he
went to France and obtained fi'om the government a grant to a large tract
of land about Fort Frontenac, the exclusive right of traffic with the Five
Ifations, 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
J 2 THE IfOETHWEST TEBBITOET.
warmly approved, and he was provided with the means for carrying them
into execution. In July, 1678, he returned to Fort Frontenac, soon afef
established a trading house at Niagara, and visited the neighboring Indian
tribes i»r the purpose of collecting furs. He engaged the services of thirty
mechanics and mariners and built the first ship tor the na,vigatibn of the
lakes. It was called the Griffin, and was a bark of sixty tons. Having
been joined by Louis Hennepin and Chevalier de Tonti, the latter an Indian
veteran, on the 7th of August, 1679, they launched the Griffin on Niag£^
river, and embarked for the valley of the Mississippi. They crossed LaJke
Erie and Lake St. Clair, reaching Green Ba.j, 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
Griffim, 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 oi
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 JP'ort Orevecoev/r (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 pQst, 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 suppKes. 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 I ebruary, 1680, embarked from Fort 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 how 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
raE NOETHWEST TEEMTOET. 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 do^vn 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 faithlul 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 diiferent 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 Orevecoeur in the latter part of the year 1680,
to find that Tonti had been abandoned by his men, and obliged to take
refug^ 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 SaUe, 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 of French settlements in the new regions
heliad 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 Beanjeu, 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 Beaujeu'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 NOETHWEST TEEBTTOET.
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 of
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.
EAELT SETTLEMENTS IN THE NOETHWEST.
Early French Settlements — Indian Tribes — Mission at KaskasMa — KahoHa — Vincennes— Port
Ponchartrain — Fort Chartres — La Belle Riviere — La SaUe — ^The English Claim "From Sea
to Sea" — ^Treatywith Indians in 1684 — English Grants — French and Indians Attack Pick-
awiUany — ^Treaty with the Six Nations — French and EngHsh 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 Spaiii
— Washington Explores the Ohio Valley — Emigration — ^Land Companies — ^The Revoluti6|
— 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 oi the Mississippi and sonSi
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, Hadi-
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 abont 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 seventji'.
four lodges, or about fifteen hundred inhabitants. By the early explorerf it
was called by the several names of " Kaskaskia," "La Yantum," and "Great
niinois Town." Here, in 1675, Father Marquette had attempted to christian-
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
Crevecoeur. Another of the early French settlements was at Vincennes en
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
fenerations of their descendants lived and passed away in these vast soUtudes,
efore either they or their savage neighbors were disturbed by the encroach-
ments of an expanding civilization. During all this time they nad maintained
friendly relations with the natives. In July, 1701, a station was established
THE NOETHWK8T TEEBITOKT. 15
by De la Motte on the Detroit river, called Fort Poncliartrain, Wtile 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 halt-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 no 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
S)st, where we have a garrison, who are kept prisoners through fear of the
hickasaws. 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 Eobert 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 Kvoiere (Beautiful River), as the French called
? it. Being conversant with several Indian dialects, he had 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 proceeas 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 Eochester, 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 welcibme. From the chief of the fioquois at Onondaga he obtained
16 THE NOETHWEST TEBEITOEY.
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 of this dis-
covery the French claimed the country alon^ the Ohio, and many years after
established military and trading posts at different j)oints. One oi these was
Fort Du Quesne, erected in 1654, which was taken from them by the Englieli
a few years later and called Pittsburg, in honor of William Pitt, theu prime
minister of England.
Notwithstanding the discovery of the Ohio by the French under le, Salle
as early as 1669, the English claimed from the Atlantic to the Pacifie on the
ground that her sea-coast discoveries entitled her to the sovereignly of all
me 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, Ouondagas, Cayugas and Sfenecas. The Tus-
caroras being subsequently taken in, these tribes became known as the Six
Nations, and the English assumed their protection. Thejr purchased from
them large tracts of land and aimed to obtain a monopoly of the Indian
trade. "Die English government made grants of land west of the AHeghanies,
and companies were formed for their settlement. France, seeing the Eng-
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 moands 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 hmidred 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 sniall party
of French soldiers, assisted by Ottawas and Chippewas, attacked tins post
and captured the traders after a severe battle. The English called this post
Pickawillany — 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 becaine 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
La,ncaster, 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 tie 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 agi-eed, 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 stores j
in anticipation of the coming conflict. The French were notified to give uj
their posts, but they failed to comply. Governor Dinwiddle finally deter-j
mined to learn definitely their intentions, and for this purpose selected Major
THE NOBTHWEST TEEBITOBY.
17
18 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.'
George "Washington, then twenty^wo years of age, as a messenger. "With
Christopher Gist as guide, and four attendants or serrants, Washington gest
out through the wilderness on his perilous journey. He held a conferendfe
with the ciiiefs of the Six Nations at Logstown in November, 1753. He
learned something of the condition of the French, hut the Indians desired to
remain neutral and were disposed to be non-committal. Washington pro-
ceeded to Yenango, where there was a French i)ost called Fort Machault,
Here he delivered to the French governor Dinwiddle's letter, and received
the answer of St. Pierre, the commander of the fort, declining to giv^ up
without a struggle. Preparations for war were made in all the English oIL
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 Kepublic. It resulted, not only in Engr
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 1752,
{j,nd virtually ending with the fall of the city of Montreal in April, 176D.
Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Niagara, and Quebec had all previously surreii-
dered to me 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 Mqi-
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 lintil 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 wai'
were not reconciled to the English, claiming that they had not carried out
their promises. Under the famous Ottawa chief, Pontiao, 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 tom^ahawk. 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 JEnglishman 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 inheritanije, and we
will part with them to none. Tour nation supposes that we, like the white
people, cannot live without bread, and pork and beef; but you ought to
THE NORTHWEST TEBEITOKT. 19
know that He, the Great Spirit and Master of Life, has provided food for us
upon these broad lakes and in these mountains."
Pontiac still en-tertained 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. Prom 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 faUing 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 Teiritory. 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
ti'acts 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 Revolution interfered with these and many other
similar schemes of speculation. The parties interested subsequently made
«»fforts 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-
holda contained fifty houses, with three hundred white inhabitants, and
eighty negroes. There were a few families at Prairie du Eocher, 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 NOETHWEST TEEKITOET.
When the "War of the Revolution commenced the British held Kaskaskia,
KahoMa, Vincennes, Detroit, and other important posts in the West. Col.
George Eoger^ 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 holdness, for subju-
gating theseposts. He repaired to the capital of Yirginia, Patrick Henry
being then Grovernor, and presented to the authorities his plan of operations,
whidi was approved by Governor Henry. He was accordingh' fiimished
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 bii4
three companies, but with these and a few private volunteers, he descend^
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 24:th 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 Kaskaslda, reaching that post on the
evening of July ith. Without the loss of a man on either side the fort and
village were captured. He easily induced the Indians to give their alleaif
ance to the American cause. They accompanied him to JCahokia on ttie
6th, and through their influence the inhabitants of that place surrendCTel*
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. Yincent, 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
14:th of July Gibault started on his mission. On the 1st of August he re-
turned, with intelligence of entire success, the garrison at Yincennes having
taken the oath of allegiance to Yirginia. 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 Koclie-
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 Yirginia. 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 Yincennes, intending to recapture the
posts which had surrendered to Clark, and thence extend his operations to
Kentucky. He knew nothing of the capitulation of Yincennes until bis
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, Gapt.
Helm surrendered to a superior force. On the 29th of January, 1879, Clark
received intelligence of what had transpired at Yincennes, 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 NOETHWEST TEBEITOBT. 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 tort 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 Jeff'ersonviUe, 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 Eevolutionary 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 NOETHWKST TEEEITOKT.
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 NOETHWESTERN TEERITOET.
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. Ruftis 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, JNorth Carolina and Georgia, aU held such territory. Vir-
?inia claimed aU that vast region which now embraces the States of Ohio,
ndiana, 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 limiting 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 inequahty which now sub-
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:
'■'■ResolmA, That tliis 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.
'■^Besol/ved, That this State consider themselves justly entitled to a right in
common with the members of the Union, to that extensfve tract of country
which lies westward of the frontier of the United Stales, 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 mav he,
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 he
erranted out on terms beneficial to the United States."
THE NORTHWEST TEEKITOET. 23
The same day, after the presentation of these resolutions, Congress passed
the following:
"Besohed, 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,
"Sesolved, 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 subject *was
passed by the Congress of the Confederation, as follows:
"Resoloed, 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
liave incurred since the commencement of the present war, in subduing any
British posts, or in maintaining forts or garrisons Avithin 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 me United States. Virginia
24 THE NOETHWEST TBEEITOET.
ceded her nortliwestem territory March 1st, 1784, and by an act of hg^
Legislature of December 30th, 1788, agreed to change the conditions of thg
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 5at
the date of the cession of territory by New York, March Ist, 1781, thus
completing the confederation.
On the 23d of April, 1784, Congress passed a resolution for the governs
meut of the territory ceded by V irginia, which was superceded by tk
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:
"Aeticle 1. No person, demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly
manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religioll
sentiments, in the said territory.
"Art. 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, bona fide, and with-
out fraud previously formed.
"Aet. 3. Eeligion, 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.
"Art. 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 Ame^
ica, subject to the Ai-ticles 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 bo
THE NOETHWEST TBEKITOKT. 25
made on the other States; and the taxes for paying theii* 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
of 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 Yir-
ginia shall alter her act of cession, and consent to the same, shall become
tixed 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 JPost Yincents 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 looting 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 aa 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 of
the original States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to
theperson claiming his or her labor or services as aforesaid."
These articles, sometimes knovra as the "Compact of 1787," form the
basis of the organization of the Northwestern Territory and of the several
States iiito 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 bei'ore Congress agreed upon a plan of government. The
26 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
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, Chersonestis,
Assenisipia, Metropotamia, 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 Yir-
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 aiad
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 H. 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 Yandenburg, of Vinoennes;
Kobert Oliver, of Marietta; James Findlay and Jacob Burnett, of Cinei*;
nati, and David Vance, of Yanceville. 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 Wm. 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 Wm. Henry Harrison,
elected to Congress, and the senate confirmed the nomination. James N.
Yarnum, 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 Imown as the Illinois country, but it was not until after
the Yirginia 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 Massacnusetts and Coimecti-
cut, called the New England Company, of a tract lying along the Ohio and
THE NOKTUWBST TEBBITOET. 27
Mnskingutn rivers, embracing 1,500,000 acres. Here tlie 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 aU under the superintendency of Gen. Rufus 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, uidess 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 ot
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 ChilKcothe. 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,
maMng the division. It provided, among other things, that from and after
the next 4th day of July, " aU that part of the territory of the United
States northwest of the Ohio river, which lies to the northward of a line
begiuning at a point on the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the Kentucky
mer, and mnning 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 ol the Territories, respectively, otherwise ordered, Chillicothe, on
28 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
the Scioto river, should be the seat of government of the Territory east of
the line of division; and that Vincennes, on the "Wabash river, should, be
the seat of government of the Indiana Territory. On the 3d of November,
of that year, the Territorial Legislature met at Chillicothe. William Heniy
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 V incennes, 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 annexea
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 Territoij 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 th^e
place in ruins and the inhabitants scattered. On the 11th of that month a
nre 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 PUEGHASE.
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 — Eight t^i
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 navigatea 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 Salle 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 Franco granted to M. Crozart a charter to the wholfe
territory of Louisiana, which was so named in honor of the king; Under
THE NOEXnWEST TEEEITOET. 29
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 failitre 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, wliich 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 fiowing 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 tor 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 disafiection, 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 tho 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 NOETHWEST TEBEITOET-
and the Floridas, together with the free navigation of the Mississippi. The
cession at this tinie of the entire Territory of Louisiana was not a subject ot
discussion. Mr. Monroe sailed from New York, March 8, 1803, and arrive^
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 State*
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; 1
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, moisi
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 atnbition to the left bank
of the Ehine, 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 determinaS
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 FrencKI
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 stiU further time. Sooif
after these preliminary discussions were entered upon, Mr. Monroe arrive!
in Paris, and the next day began his conferences with Marbois. Eapid pi^f;
gress was made in the negotiations, for both sides had an interest in hastei!^
ing the matter. Mr. Monroe was surprised to hear the first overtures made
THE N0ETHWE8T TEEEITOET. 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 lor 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
sase France should cede this territory to another power ; but here again
France 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 CavaUos, 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-
uevolence 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 wiU 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, Englaiid 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 TEEEITOET.
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 efiect was sustained by the House of Eepresen-
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 uttle. 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 the Pacific Ocean, and as far north as tlie
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- TeraitDry 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 into the 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, WisconsiT , 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 NOETHWEST TEBEITOET.
33
34 THE NOETHWEST TBBEITOEY.,.
INDIAN WARS m THE NOETHWEST.
Gen. Harmar's Defeat — Gen. St. Clair— His Defeat — Gen. Wayne — His Victory— Hia Treaties
With the Indiana — 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
— ^Teoumseh Killed — Peace With the Indians — Indian Titles Extinguished — Military Peats
Established at Belle Point, Council Bluffs, and St. Peters — ^The Ricarees— Gen. Cass-^,
Treaty at Port Dearborn — Fort Atkinson — Grand Council at Prairie du Chien — Indiaii
Outragea — The MUitia Called Out — Gen. Atkinson — Policy of Removing the Indians West
— Treaty With the Sacs and Foxes — Black Hawk — He Refuses to Comply Willi Treaties
— Black Hawk War — ^Battle of Bad Axe — Gen. Henry Dodge — Black Hawk Captured—
Taken to Washington — Keokuk — Black Hawk Purchase — Gen. Winfleld Scott— Treaties
at Davenport— Antoine Le Claire — Removal of Sacs and Foxes to Iowa— Gen. Streefc-
Wapello— Maj. Beach — Sac and Fox Villages on the Des Moines — Gov. LucasT-^to®
Chambers — Visit of Haid-Fish to Burlington — An Incident — Speech of Keokuk.
Almost every advance of civilization on the American continent has be^
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 paciflc 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 defeatedft.
two battles near the confluence of the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, aiX
not far from the present city of Fort "Wayne, Indiana. In 1781 Gen. Arthiii
St. Clair was promoted to the rank of major general, and was entrusted witli
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
facific plans miist prove nugatory." Attempts were made to treat with tte
ndians, but the attempted negotiations proved unsuccessful.
After the unsuccessful and disastrous campaigns of Generals Hannar.M|
St. Clair, General Anthony Wayne, who had won distinguished laurels in m
war of the Revolution, was, in April, 1792, promoted to the rank of maj^
general, and made commander-in-chief in the war against the western Indiani.
In August, 1794, he^ined a signal victory over the Miamis, near the rapids
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 Yillage'Loi
the Miami tribe, where the city of Fort Wayne is now located. " It contiiiia
to be a military post until 1819.
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET. 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 Eevolution,
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 Shavraees, bom 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 3x
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 against 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
OTepared to defend the settlements. In August, 1810, Tecumseh went to
Vincennes 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
Keth-ti^pe-ce-rwmk, or Tippecanoe. Harrison, with a force of eight hun-
*dred men, partly regulars and partly volunteers, determined to move upon
Jthe 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 NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
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 iiltimo, Congress will see with
satisfaction the dauntless spirit and fortitude victoriously displayed by eveir
description of the troops engaged, as weU as the 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
Iiave 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 Tecumsen 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 Grc^t
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-
fointed a brigadier general. He was entrusted with the command of all the
udians 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.J
commission as brigadier general. As this was in September, too late in tlie :
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 th«
river Thames, on the 5th of October. The British general had an auxiliai^
force of two thousand Indians under the command ot Tecumseh. The battW
was opened bj^ the American cavalry under the command of Col. Eicharl
il. Johnson, afterward vice-president of the United States. Early in th^
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 beenf
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 piep
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 NOBTHWEST TEEEITOET. 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 wiU prevailed between the whites and Indians, ^y the
end of me 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 a cession 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. Cass 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 Fort 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 namber 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 Jime, 1823, Gen. Ashley and his party, who were
trading under a license from the government, were attacked by the Kicarees
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 commanded Fort Atkinson at Council Bluffs, then the most
western post, took immediate measures to check this hostile spirit of
the Kicarees, 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 Eica-
ree village. The hostile spirit, however, stiU 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 tiie 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
peeting, 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 NORTHWEST TEBEITOKT.
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 aBd
the Territory of Michigan, made levies of militia. These forces, with a
corps of seven hundred United States troops, imder 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 Eock river,
on the east side of the Mississippi, near where the city of Eock 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 {Ma-Jca-ta/i-me-sherJcia-kiali),
evinced a determination to keep possession of their old village. John Eey-
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 Eock 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
Dame. 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 NOETHWEST TEEKJTOBY. 39
further resistance, and Black Hawk's " British Band," as it was styled, be-
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-
bagoes, and delivered along with the Prophet, on the 27th of August, to
Gea. 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
th3y 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 Rock Island, and per-
mitted to join his people. Treaties were made with the oflending 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 IJpper Iowa river, about fifty miles in width,
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 Reynolds, 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 Rock Island, and
another at the. head of the first rapids above the Island;
General Joseph M. Street, the agent with the Winnebagoes at Prairie du
Chien, was transferred to the Sac and Fox agency on the Des Moines river,
and in 1838 took meaisures for buildyig and making the necessary improve-
ments. In April, of the next year, he removed with his family from Prairie
du Chien. Hjb 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 UOBTHWEST TEEKITOET.
In
Memory of
GEK JOSEPH M. STREET,
Son of Anthomy and MolJAf Street.
Born Oct. 18th, 1788, in Vvrgima;
Died at the Sac and Fox Agency,
May 5th, 181fl.
In
Memoet of
WA-PEL-LO,
Bom at
ProA/rie du Chien, 1787 :
Died near the Forks of Skunk,
March 15th, 18^,2 — Sac and Fox NaOori.
"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 bom 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. Keceiving his commission as Second Lieutenant by brevet in the
First IT. 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 Chien, 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 mouth 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, whore J. P. Eddv
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 reimarked 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 persistentljr refused to take part in the hostilities. "When Black
Hawk's attempt to dety the power of flie 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 Keolcuk increased.
Black Hawk, however, retained a party of adherents, and for some time a
THE NOETHWIST TKEEITOET. 41
sort of rivalry existed between tlie 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 Lidians, 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,
iinder 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 councS 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 fuUy 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 soimds 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.
appearace betokened sadness and affliction. Mr. Josiah Smart, the interjire-
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 of
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 fliat
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 OTHER 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 — Eeokuk 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— CIiM-
chun-ca — Mau-haw-gaw— Ma-has-kah — Si-dom-i-na-do-tah — Heniy 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 Roman of them all," was bom at the
Sac village on Rock 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 witib
the Sac and Fox nation for the lands bordering on Rock 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 transac-
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 TEEEITOEY. 43
AuguBte 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 Rock 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 some on the Illinois side, opposite the Jeffi-eon;
that when the business was aU 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, amd 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 Jeflfreon, 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 qi 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 Rock 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
lather 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 coimtry recently acquired from France.
At the mouth of Rock 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 NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
Some of OTir young braves watclied them every day, to see what sort of peo-
ple he had on board. The boat at length arrived at Eock 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
us well."
Lieut. Pike's expedition was soon followed hj the erection of Fort Ed-
wards and Fort Madison, the former on the site of the present town of
"Warsaw, Elinois, 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 hy
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 Eock 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 takingjplace 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 faU, 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-
press, who brought intelligence that a British trader had landed at Eock
Island, with two boats loaided 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 NORTHWEST TERRITOET. 45
tlirough onr camp like fire on a prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down,
and afl 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 imtil 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
Eock 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 author-
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 ana braves. The same
year Fort Armstrong was erected upon Kock 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 verj' 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 inliabited, 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 ujp 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 Col. 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 NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
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 priiii.
cipal men, as related elsewhere. The Black Hawk War ended hostihties
with the Indians at or near JKock Island. A garrison, however, was main-
tained there until 1836, when the troops were sent to Fort Snelling. Tlie
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 werfe 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 anothori
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 witli 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 thei 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 ro ots 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 NOETHWEST TEEEITOBT. 47
The remains of Black Hawt were interred by his family and friends near
his cabin on the prairie, a short distance above the old town of lowaville.
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 placing
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
Save 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 Van 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.
KEOKTJK.
Keokuk CWatchful Fox) belonged to the Sac branch of the nation, and
was bom on Rock 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 StiUman's Run," 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 StiUman's men. Black Hawk had also sent five other men to follow
the bearers of the flag. The troops came upon these and MUed two of them.
The other three reaped their camp and gave the alarm. Black Hawk's
warriors then charged upon StiUman'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. StiUman's defeat was fol-
48 THE NOBTHWE8T TEEEITOET.
lowed by a war-dance, in whicli 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 chiet, 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 succbbs.
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,
graceful and commanding, with fine features and an intelligent countenance.
He excelled in 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 with his people
to the Indian Territory west of the Mississippi, he died of delAnrvumi 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 OTOund on
which that city is located. He was one of the delegation sent to Washing-
ton in 1837, at which time he visited with the other Siiefs 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:
" Tou 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 tor 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. Afl
far as I can understand the language of the white people, it appears to me
THE NOETHWBST TEBBITOBT.
49
IHDIAITS TETING A PBISONEK.
50 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
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 by all people, and they consider me the tallest
among them. 1 am happy that two great men meet and shake hands with
each other."
As Appanoose concluded his speech, he suited the action to 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.
WapeUo, or "Waupellow, was one of the minor chiefs of the Sac and Fox
iTTation. He was born at Prairie du Ohien, 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 of the
Mississippi, near the foot of Kock 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 fe
Quincy Kailroad, whose line passes within a few rods of them.
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 Poweshiek.
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 theit
home 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 NORTHWEST TEEEITOET. 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 alter 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
liis scalp. He confessed that he had done a very wrongful act, and wished
to save the Great Father at Washington the trouble of 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 sufficient 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 lowas. The latter had one of their principal villa-
ges on the 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-lio. 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 lowas 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 lowas.
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 mucli
fiven to intemperf^te habits whenever he could obtain liquor, and it is prob-
le that, like Keokuk, he died a drunkard.
52 THE NOETHWEST TEEKITOET.
WISH-E-CO-MA-QTIE.
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-ma-qne, 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
leaderof his band, composed mostly of those who had participated in the
Bla,ck 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-
AVhen, 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 Ohos-chun-ca, or Big Wave. Soon ailter
their removal to this reservation. they were visited by Willard Barrows, one
of the pioneers of Davenport, who had an interview with Chos-chun-ca.
He found liim clothed in a bufialo 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 aft'airs 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
lowas (or loways), who for many years maintained an almost constant war-
fare with the Sioux, a powerful rival who lived to the north of them. The
lowas 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,
Mau-haw-gaw, to the banks of the Mississippi, and crossing over, settled on
the west bank of Iowa river, near its mouth, 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 ^au-haw-gaw
the pipe of peace, with an invitation to join them in a dog feast, they maide
great professions of friendship. The Iowa chief, having confidence in riieir
protestations of good feeling, accepted the invitation. In the midst of tlie.
THE NOBTHWEST TEBEnXJKT. 53
feast the perfidious Sioux suddenly attacked and killed the unsuspecting
Mau-haw-gaw. This outrage was never forgiven by the lowas.
ma-haS-kah.
One of the most noted chiefs of the lowas 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 faued 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 aceostedTiim 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 snake 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", Kant-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 ol
the tnbe, 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 lowas. His mother was Rant-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 tlie great Sioux or Dacotah
nationknownDv the name of Sisiton Sioux. When, in 1848, the govern-
ment surveys ol 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 N0ETHWE8T TEKEITOEY.
line from a point' on the Mississippi, near Dubuque, to the Missouri rivers
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
farty that they should proceed no farther, as the country belonged to the
ndians. 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-tali
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 committea on families who,
in the fall of 1849, ventured to make claims on the upper Des Moines, led
to the establishment of a militarypost 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 oi
whisky, expecting to trade with the Indians, and obtain their furs and rob^.
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. 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 abont
twelve years, had attempted to follow his father in his flight, by gomg 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 siibsequently 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 m charge — including wi th the chief, seven victim s 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 perpetrated 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 NOETHWEST TEEEITOET. 65
a sliglit snow on the ground stowed 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 trjdng 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-DU-TAH.
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 Buflalo), 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 Rock Rapids there were settlements.
Ink-pa-du-tah and his band commenced their depredations at Smithland, and
passing up the Little Sioux made hostile demonstrat^ms 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 eftbrts 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,
and all the stock either killed or taken away. At Springfield the settlers
were somewhat prepared to defend themselves, having heara of the slaughter
at the lakes. Seven or eight persons, however, were Killed 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, tlie 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
56 THE JSrOKTHWEST TEEKITOET.
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 G. B.
Eichards, John F. Buncombe, and J. 0. 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 Eidgely was approaching
from the north. The Indians, expecting these movements, had taken their
flight across the Big Sioux river to join the Tanktons, 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 found in the ashes. The expedition lost two valuable citizens, Captaifi
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 or his gun and clothing. When overcome by the
cold he was separated from his companions, and his fate was for sometime
unlcnown.
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 Sionx 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 imder 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 NAYIGATION OF WESTEKN RIVERS.
Navigation of the Mississippi by the Early Explorers— Plat- boats— Barges— Methods of Pro-
pulsion— Bngs and Schooners — ^I'he first Steamboat on Western Waters — The " Orleans "—
The "Comet"— ITie " Enterprise "—Capt. Shreve— The " Washington "—The "General
Pike" — First Steamboat to St. Louis— The "Independence" the first Steamboat on the
Missouri— Capt. Nelson — "Macldnaw 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 TEEEITOKY. 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 torts 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 ha/rgee 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
stem 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
Bue^ 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 NOETHWEST TEEETTOET.
in tlie fall of that year 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 suflBcient 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 hj
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 Eulton 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 conld
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 factoiy. 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 Jftckson'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 tri^
to New Orleans, and returned in November to Louisville. On the 12th ol
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 nat-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 TEKEITOET. 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 oe 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 Louisville, 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 1819, 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
buflalo hides, and returned with them to St. Louis.
In 1816 Fort Armstrong was erected at the lower end of Eock Island. On
the 10th of May of this year Col. Lawrence, with the Eighth Kegiment and
a company of riflemen, arrived here in keel boats. Col. George Davenport
resided near the fort and supplied the troops with provisions, and also 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 upper 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 Pock 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 tlais 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, from its mouth almost to its source. Of late years
steamboats have navigated it regularly to Fort Benton. Steamboat navi-
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 uncertain 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.
ARCHiEOLOGT OF THE NORTHWEST.
Andent Works — Conjectures — Works of the Mound Builders in Ohio — Different forms and
Classes — Mounds at Gallipolis, Marietta, and Chillicothe — Relics Found — Ancient Fortifi-
■ cations at Circleville and Other Places — Pre-historio Remains in Other States — In Iowa —
Excavation of Mounds — Elongated and Round Mounds— Their Antiquity — Who were the
Mound Builders?
SoATTEEED all over the great Northwest are the remains of the works of an
60 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
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 tor what purpose, these monuments of human ingenuity
were erected. Their origin is deeply involved in the obscurity of remote an-
tiquity. iNeither 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 Eocky
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 mounds 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 relies
were exhumed. Several smaller mounds were located in the same vicinity.
They are foimd 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 teetu,
NORTH
XnE NORTHWEST TEKEITOET. 61
jaw, skull, and sometimes a few other bones, bj 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
ielevation. 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
higL The circular fort consists of two parallel walls, whose tops are, ap-
Sarently, about three rods apart, the inner circle being forty-seven rods in
iameter. 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
62 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOEY.
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 me 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 modem civiliza-
tion in the building of a city over these ancient remains, has long since
nearly obKterated 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, tn 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 Eoss county
is one at Cedar Bank, on the east side of the Scioto river, about five miles
north of Chillicothe. 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,
ii
f
,! I
=%i
'%: :. ';■' if . ■) 111 ^ (
W ?'J.
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET. 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. bquier, JDr.
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 the;^ 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 wonderful 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 feet 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, Ilh'nois, 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 JeflGerson 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 fifly-six feet in length.
At Cassville there is one whieh 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, vtdth 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
.64 THE NOETHWEST TEEKITOEY.
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 baring 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. Koberts, 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 teet wide; its height was about
six feet. The mound contained a number of separate compartments, con-
structed 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 waUs,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. AU 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 ot 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 himdred feet in lengtli.
All of them, so far as examinations have been made, contain more or less
skeletons. One which was examined near Clayton was estimated to liave
contained over one hundred bodies. From investigations made, the infer-
ence is drawn that the elongated moimds are of greater antiquity than tlie
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 tacts in-
dicate most conclusively that the elongated mounds were the work of an
older race of the Mound Builders, and that tliey were erected ages before tlie
round ones were. Tlae fact that human remains have been found in nearly
all of both classes favors the theory that they were erected as receptacles fur
the dead.
THE NOBTHWSST TEBBITOBT.
A MONEBB WINTEB.
66 THE NOPTHTHTEST TEEEITOKT;
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.
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- sh«d
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 plateau, risinw
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 grouna
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 nave
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, hut how many h/undreds or thousands of yea/rs? 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 tlirough 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 ol
husbandry, the same utensils in the household, the same arms in warfare,
and practice the same styles of dress — all with but little change or modifi-
cation. The changes are only suificiently marked to be perceptible, after
many generations have passed away. Situated as the Moimd Builders were,
we can but infer tliat 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, th^ gradually
retrograded, and were finally subdued or driven southwara 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 Koman
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 bus-
ceptible <^f a doubt. This implies a state of warfare, and war implies au
enemy. The struggle ended in the final subjugation of that people to whom
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITORT. 67
we apply the name of Mound Builders — ^tlieir conquerors and successors
being a race of people iix 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 civilizati(m older
than that of the Aztecs, whom Cortez found in Mexico. This great Missis-
sippi valley was once a populous empire, millions of whose subjects repose
in me 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.
SKEXCHES 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 — ^Vmcennes — IIU-
noia — Admission ae 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 — Ohjects of Interest — ^Towns and Cities — Sketch of Mil-
waukee— Minnesota — Description — Lakes — Climate and Productions — ^Natural Scenery —
Red Pipe Stone — Historical Sketch — ^Towns and Cities — Nebraska — ^Description — ^Towna
and Cities^Missouri — Organic Legislation — ^The "Missouri Compromise "—Description —
Early Settlement— St. Louis— Other Towns and Cities.
OHIO.
Omo 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
imder 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. Tae 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 part§,
with its northern boundary running near Wooster, Newark, and Lancaster.
There are also frequent beds of limestone, as weU as sandstone well suited for
heavy masonry. The most important of the other mineral productions is
68 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOEYi
Iron, which it possesses in great abundance. This is found running through
the counties of Lawrence, Gallia, Jackson, Mei^s, 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 Late
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, afibrding 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 com, 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, aBh, '
sycamore, paw-paw, buckeye, dogwood, cherry, elm, and hackberry. ' f
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 Biviere, 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 iand 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 hy
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. ChiUicothe 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 along the Miami. Until the legislature met in Golitm-
' bus, in December, 1816, Cincinnati and ChiUicothe liad alternately enjoyed
THE NOETHWEST TEEKITOET.
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 ChiUicothe,
in November, 1802.
The following table shows the population of Ohio at the close of each
decade fi-om 1800 to 1870:
YBAK.
WHITE.
COLOBED.
AGGBEaATE.
1800.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.
1850.
1860.
1870.
45,028
228,861
576,572
928,829
1,502,122
1,955,050
2,302,808
2,601,946
aS7
1,899
4,723
9,574
17,345
25,279
86.673
63,213
45,365
230,760
581,295
937,903
1,519,467
1,980,329
*2,339,511
*2,665,260
*The above aggregate for 1860 includes 30 enumerated as Indians, aifd 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 aU 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
fovemments, and that of Michigan created. Again, February 3, 1809, that of
Uinois 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
roc^ 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 liorthwest 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 NOETHWEST TBEEITOEY.
by steamboats as far as Covington. "Wliite river is its principal tributary.
It rises in two branches in tbe eastern part of tbe State, the two branches
nniting about 30 miles from the Wabash. The Maumee 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 part of the State. Among other streams are the Tippeca-
noe, Mississiniwa, Whitewater, Flat Kock, 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 not without its natural wonders which have attracted the atten-
tion of the curious. Among these is Lost river, in Orange county. This
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 almost rivals 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," "Pluto's
Kavine," "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
pf 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, cheny,
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 tor 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
buildinw. 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. Eailroads 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, 879 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 the principal cities may be mentioned New Albany,
THE NOBTHWEST TEKEITOBT.
71
Evansville, Fort Wayne, La Fayette, Terre Haute, Madison, Laporte, Jeffer-
Bonville, Logansport, Crawfordsville, Lawrenceburg, Sonth JBend and Michi-
gan City. Oorydon, the former State capital, is 116 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. V incennes, 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
decade, from 1800 to 1870:
WHITE.
COLOBED.
AGOBEQATE.
1800.
1810.
1820.
J830.
1840.
1850.
1860.
1870.
2,402
2:3,890
145,758
339,399
678,688
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 vnldth about 200 miles. It embraces an area of 56,409 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 blufts along the Mississippi and Ulinois
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 weU supplied with minerals
of great economic value. The region of Galena, in the northwest part, has
72
THE N0STHWE8T TEBBITOKT.
LINCOLN MONUUENT, SPBINQEIELD, ILL.
THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOET. 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
Vermillion counties; and medicinal springs, chiefly sulphur and chalybeate,
have been foimd in several places. Excellent building stone for heavy ma-
sonry, are quarried at Joliet, La Mont, Qnincy, 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. Eock 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 V ermiUion, 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
weU 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, hickoiy, 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 mfles 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 Illinoig.
Chicago, on the site of old Fort Dearborn, is now the largest interior city
of tlie United States. It stands on the shore of Lake Michigan, with the
■74:
THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
Chicago river flowing through it. As the great commercial emporiuni of
the If orthwest, a special account of this city will be mven elsewhere. Among
other large and thriving cities are Peoria, Quiney, Galena, Belleville, Alton,
Eockford, Bloomington, Ottawa, Aurora, Lincoln, Eock Island, Galesbnrg,
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 Kock " 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
datter, 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.
COLOBED.
AOaSBaAOlE.
1800.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.
1850.
1860.
1870.
2,275
183
11,501
781
5.3,788
1.374
155,061
2,384
472,254
3,929
846,034
5,436
1,704.291
7,628
2,511,096
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 aa 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 Yirginia. 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 tlian 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
Januaiy, 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 on 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 peninsxila is about 283 miles from north to south, and
210 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
bluff's, 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 Michilimackinae) divide the southern from the northern peuinsula, 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 penmsula 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 NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
The climate of MicUgan is generally rigorous, except in proximity to the
lakes, where the fruits ol the temperate zone succeed admirably. The north-
em peninsula ifi favorable for winter wheat, but Indian com does not sucr
ceed well. In the southern peninsula, Indian corn is produced abundantly,
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 which may
be mentioned the " Pictured Eocks," 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 ball
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 Revolution, 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, alter the expulsion of the French. During
the war of 1812, Michigan became the theater of several of the battles and
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 surroimded by an al-
most unbroken wilderness. The river here affords excellent \^rater 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
TDK NOETHWEST TEEEITOKT.
77
phin. On the 18tli of August, 1812, this same Gren. 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 Eap-
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.
AOOBESATE.
1800.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.
1850.
1860.
1870.
651
4^18
^ 8,591
31,346
211,560
395,071,
736,142
1,167,282
144
174
293
707
2,583
6,799
11.849
551
4,762
8,765
31,659
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 TJnited 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 20th 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, 1846, 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 63,924 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 NOETHWEST 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, afibrding 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 com are raised successfully.
Large portions of the State are well adapted to grazing and the dairy. The
normern 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 half. Among
other noted faUs 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 Eichland 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 charniing
country, diversified by a pleasing variety of scenery. It has steadily and
rapidly increased in population.
THE NOETHVirEST TEEBITOET.
79
The great city of "Wisconsin is Milwaukee (called at an early day " Mil-
wacky 'M and next to Chicago may bo regarded as the commercial metropolis
of the Is orthwest. 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 nas 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, beg^n 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 1860, it was 19,873; in I860, 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 Kacine, Janes-
ville, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, A^atertown, Sheboygan, Beliot, Kenosha, La
Crosse, Wauwatosa, Manitowoc, Portage City, Platteville, Sheboygan Fallsj
Beaver Dam, "Whitewater, Port "V/asnington, 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:
TF.AR.
WHITE.
COLORED.
AGGREGATE.
1800
115
' 30,749
304,756
773,693
1,051,351
'196
635
1,171
2,113
115
1810
1820
1830
1840
30 945
1850 i
305,391
*775,881
*1,054,670
I860
1870
*The above aggregate for 1860 includes 1017 enumerated a3 Indians, and the aggregate
for 1870 includes 1206 enumerated as Indians. ^
MINNESOTA.
The eastern portion of Minnesota formed a part of the ten-itoiy 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 Revolution. The western
portion is a part of the territory knoMm 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, arid
80 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
in widtli is about 300 miles. It embraces an area of 81,259 square miles, oi
52,005,760 acres. The face of tbe countiy generally presents the appearance
of an undulating plain, although it is the most elevated tract of country
between the Grulf of liCexico ana 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 innumerable 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 Ked Eiver of the North drains the
northern part, passing oflf 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 west Doundary 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. !reters, 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. Beters, 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
Eainy, 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 oheuk
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.com 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. Oroix, 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 elni. In the swamps or marshy places are found tamarack, cedar, and
cypress.
Minnesota presents to the tourist many natural objects of interest, especially
ih 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 NOETHWEST TEEEITOET. 81
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 Waraju 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 Kamsey county, on the bank of
the Mississippi, 2070 miles from its mouth, and 9 miles by land below the
Falls of St. .Ajithony. 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
tew 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, Eed "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:
TEAB.
WHITB.
COLORED.
AGGREGATE.
1850
6,038
169,395
438,257
89
259
759
6,077
1860
*172,023
*439,706
1870
•The above aggregate for 1860 includes 2369 enumerated as Indians, and the aggrregate
for 1870 ineludes C90 enumerated as Indians.
82 THB NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
NEBEASKA.
Nebraska is formed out of a part of the territory ceded to the United
States by France by the treaty of April 30, ISOi. 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 Eocky
lountains. The bottom lands along the rivers are not surpassed in tertihty
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 latitiide. 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
groves of native trees, including oak, walnut, hickory, cotton wood and willow.
Along 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 extent of that boundary and for nun-
dreds of miles above. Among^the important interior rivers are the Platte,
the Niobrara, the Eepublican Tork of 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.
So far as yet revealed, the State is not rich in minerals. Coal, however,
has recently been discovered in the southeastern part, in a vein sufiiciently
thick for mining. Near Lincoln are some salt springs of sufficient 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.
Bapid 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 principa.1 towns with tlie
main lines, east, west and south.
Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska, is in Lancaster county, in the soutlieast-
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 the
State. ISTear it, on a little stream known as Salt Creek, are a number of
THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET. 83
salt springs, and considerable quantities of salt liave been manufactured.
Eailroads connect it with 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 Dou^as coimty. 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
elevations 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 Kailroad 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
'erritory 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:
TEAR.
WHITE.
COLORED.
AOGBEGATE.
I860.
1870.
28,696
122,117
82
789
28,841
122,993
In the agrgregate for 1860, the enumeration includes 63 Indians, and in that of 1870, th6
enumeration includes 87 Indians.
MISSOUEI.
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 thepeople of the Territory of Missouri, throiigh their Legislative
Council and House of Representatives, 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 resiilted 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-
fess 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 NOETHWEST TEEEITOET.
the 10th of February, 1 821, 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 " Resolution 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 sucli
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 Missouri 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. Tliat 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 siirface. 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
Maramee, tributaries of the Mississippi. The St. Francis and White river
THE NOETHWEST TEEBITOEY. 85
drain the soutlieastern 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, siigar, and white and black walnut. On the
uplands also are found a great variety of trees. Yarious 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 N^orthwest, 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 rivaliy has sprung up between St. Louis and Chicago, in regard to
population, etc., each claiming to be the third city in the tmion. The in-
f rease 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
■wubriquet 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
but 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 ^most 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 NOETHWEST TBEEITOET,
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 for 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, Springs
field, BoonviUe, Lexington, ChiUicothe, 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 :
TEAR.
WHITB.
COIiOBED.
AGOREaATB.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840.,
1860.
1860.
1870..
17,227
55,988
114,795
323,888
592,004
1,063,489
1,603,146
3,618
10,569
25,660
59,814
90,040
118,503
118,071
20,845
66,557
140,455
383,702
682,044
*1,182,012
*1,721,295
*The aggregate for 1860 includes 20 enumerated as Indians, and the aggregate for 187C
includes 75 enumerated as Indians.
EXPEDITION" OF LEWIS AND CLAKKE,
Organization of Exploring Party — Departure — Osage Indians — Strange 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 Coun-
cil Bluffs— Little Sioux River— Death of Sergeant Floyd— Great Sioux Rivei^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 HiUg— First View of Rocly Mountains— Natural Scenery— The Great
Falls of the Missouri — Shoshones — Sources of the Missouri — Columbia River— The-Tush-
epaws — Short of Provisions — ^Pierced-Nose Indians — Down Lewis River — The Sokulks—
Grreat 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
Slings, 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. Merriwether 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 tlie most interesting
THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOEY. 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 Capt. Lewis to
winter, but the Spanish authorities of Louisiana had not yet received ofiicial
information of the transfer of the country to the 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 14, 1804. Captain Lewis, who was at that time in
St. Louis, joined the expedition at St. Charles, twenty-one miles up the
Missouri, which place they reg,ched on the 16th. Here they remained until
the 2l8t, 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^ow 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 residence 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
father 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 NOETHWEST TEEEITOEY.
The next tribe meDtioned by tbe explorers was that of the Missouris, once
a powerful nation, but then reduced to about thirty families. They finally
xiaited with the Osages and the Ottoea, and as a separate nation became ex-
tinct. The Sauks, Ayauways (lowas), 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 Jxily the party passed Bear Medicine Island, near which were
the remains of an old tort, built by the French, the ruins of the chimnejs
and the general outline of the fortification being visible. On the 8th 6f
July they reached the mouth of the J^odawa: The river is mentioned as
navigable for boats some distance. On the 11th they landed at the mouth oi
the S^emahaw. 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 tile 14:th they passed the Kishnahbatona 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 of 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 differs 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
Eiver., 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. Yarious 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 supposed 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 inoa.
THE NOETHWEST TEEBITOET. 89
On the 30th of July the party encamped on the south (Nebraska) side ol
the river. At that place next to the river was a plain, and hack of it a
wooded ridge, rising about seventy feet, above the plain. At the edge of
tliis ridge mey 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 Father 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 Riviere
des Sioiix, 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 Zac d' Esprit — Spirit
Lake. The country watered by it is open and undulating, and may be visited
ia 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, "file 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 NOETHWEST TBEEITOKT.
After this dreadful scourge they burned their village, which had consisted of
three hundred cabins. On a hill at the rear ol' 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' protisioas
and liquors.
The next day, August 20th, after passing a couple of islands, they landed
on the north side of the river, under some oluffs — 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 billions 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 his
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 half 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
lield to be sacred, and even tribes at war met at the quarries without hos-
tility. These were what are now known as the "Ked Fipestone Quarries,"
in southwestern Minnesota.
A few miles above the month 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
freat terror by the Indians, and called by them the Mountain of the Little
pirits. 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 NOETHAVEST TEEEITOET. 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 Hand. 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 Ricaras (Eicarees), 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 braTC 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 Ricaras 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 Clai-ke, by the Ricara chief. As they
found here a great abimdance 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 Ricara chief, was one
of several villages once occupied \)j 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 com, some of which they presented 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 eottonwood. 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 NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
During the winter they were visited by a great many Indians of the Maa-
dan and other tribes. A few French and traders of the Northwest Pur
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 rjver. 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 iiext day they passed a smalt 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 wei'e
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,
hys^, 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 hy
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 small 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, breakifHg 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. i
On' the 20th of May the party reached the mouth of the MusclesheU, a
river of considerable size from the south. They were then 2270 miles above
the mouth of the Mississippi, in latitude 47 deg., 24 min. Mention is made
of what the French traders called Cote JSToire, or Black Hills. On the 26th
of May they had the first view of the Rocky 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 NOETHWEST TEREITOKT. 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. One of 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-
hundred 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 diflS-
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
E 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
liis 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 Rocl^ Mountains and of the plains on either side.
During the summer the Shoshones resided about the headwaters of the
Columbia, where they lived chiefiy on salmon. In their journal the explorers
give a long and interesting account of the habits, traditions, and manner of
94 THE NORTHWEST TEJSEITOKT.
life of this people. They found them honest, friendly, and ready to rend^
them all assistance in their power.
After purchasing twenty -ninfe 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 caEed Tushepaws, a numerous people then
residing on the headwaters of the Missouri and Columbia rivers. The In-
dians shaded 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. The route
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 encam"ped 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 bufialo 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-]N ose (Nez Perces). With a few articles Captain 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-skan, 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 675 yards wide. Here
they found themselves among a nation who called themselves Sokulks,"a
THE KOETHWEOT TEEEITOET. 95
people of a mild and peaceable disposition. Fish was their principal article
of rood. 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 hoxises
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 ti'ophy 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 mimber of the Indians inhabiting the coast region. They
called the place Fort Clatsop, from the tribe of Indians inhabiting the imme-
96 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITOET.
diate vicinity. Here they remained until the 23d of March, 1806, when
they commenced their return, by the same route. •
liefore 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 14:th day of November, 1805, and dieparted 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 bat 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 sceneiy not surpassed in grandeur and sub-
limity by that of any other part of the world. Other explorers have since
revealed a portion of the hidden treasures of that part ot OTr national do-
main, but the pioneer expeditien of Lewis and Clarke, so successfully accom-
plished, will always possess a peculiar and thrilling interest.
SKETCH OP CHICAGO.
First White Visitors — ^The Name — Jean Baptiste— John Einzie — Ft. Dearborn — Evafcnatioii—
The Massacre — Heroic Women — Capt. Heald— Capt. Wells — Scalping tixe Wounded— Ft.
Dearborn Re-buUfc — Illinois and Michigan Canal — Chicago Laid Out— Eemovnl of In-
dians— City Organization — Pioneer Religious Societies — Public Improvements— Location
of City— Gfrowth— 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-vride 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 theip, 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 tliein. In
what civilized part of the globe is Chicago not heard of, read ot, and known?
THE KOBTUWJfiST TEBBITOBT.
97
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OS THE NOETHWEST TEKEITOKT.
If, 80 many centuries after the founding of Rome, mankind still feel inter-
ested in tlie mythical story of Komulus and Eemus, may not the present
and future generations read ■with equal interest the more authentic story of
the founding of a great modem city?
The Jesuit missionary and explorer, Marquette, first visited the pl^ce
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, th6 Chicago river was frozen
over, and the ground covered with snow. The name is of Indian origin, aiid
was applied to the river. By the French voyageurs it is variously spelled,
the majority rendering it Chicagou. The place is mentioned by "jBerrot in
1770.
In 1796, Jean Baptiste, a trader from the "West Indies, found his way to
t& mouth of the little stream 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 oi
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 tlie " 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 Hejjd, 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. Heald and Lieut. Helm, and
a few Canadians, with their families. Nearly \ip 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 Winnebagoes.
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 betw^een the United States and Great
Britian, and had yielded to the influences brousjlit to bear by the latter. In
April of this year, suspicious parties of Winnebagoes began to hover about
the fort, reftiaining in the vicinity for several days. The inhabitants became
alarmed, and the families took refuge in the fort. On the 7th of Au^st
a Pottawattamie chief appeared at me fort with an order or dispatch trom
Gen. Hull, at Detroit, directing Capt. Heald to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and
distribute all the government proj)erty 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 tlie stores among
themselves, the whites might escape to Fort Wayne. On the 12tli 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 liad
been informed that their intention was to murder tlie white people. In tlio
council Capt. Heald had taken the precaution to open a port-hole displaying
THE NOETHWEST TBEEITOET. 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."
Oh 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 14:th he was seen approaching with a band of his Miami warrioBB,
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 acconipany 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, MichiCT.n, is now located, where he had another trading post. Along
the shore of Lake Michigan slowly marched the little band ot whites, with 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
Hills," 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
cnief 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 TEEETTOBT.
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. I^r husband had been disabled in the fight, and with his sword, which
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 ot the whites had been slain or disabled, twenty-eight
men succeeded in gaining an eminence on the prairie, and the Indians des-
sisted from further pursuit. The chiefs held a consultation, aad 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
acene ol 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 oi
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 authoritjj
the commissioners employed Mr. James Thompson to survey the town of
Chicago. His first map of the town bears date August 4, 1830. In 1831
the place contained about a dozen families, not including the ofi&cers and sol-
diers in Fort Dearborn. On the 10th of August, 1833, it was org^ized by
the election of five trustees — there being twenty-eight voters. On the .36th
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 NOKTHWEST TEEEITOEY. 101
the city was passed by the Legislature of Illinois, and approved March 4th,
1837. Under this charter an election was held May Ist; of the same year.
A c«nsus was taken on the Ist 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, loVa, 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 rdigious 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 Kev. 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 Oath-
oh"c church was built by Eev. 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. It 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 ajas-
tem of sewerage has been established. The surrounding prairie for many
miles is apparently without much variation of surface. 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-
pliers, 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 wa!s 28,269 ; in 1855 it was 83,509. The census of
1870 showed a population 298,977.
103 THE NOETHWEST TEEEITOKT,
One of the gigantic public improvements of Chicago is that for supplyijig
the city with water. Owing to the fact that the water in the lake, near the
■shore, was pollnted 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 w:ith her rail-
roads leading out in all directions, her immense lake shipping trade, and her
population of nearly half a million people, show the greatness that Chicago
has attained, all within so short a time. As she has been great in her prpsper-
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 ornamehtatidns
— aSl 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 Korth 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 js 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.
THB NOBTHWIST TBEBITOBT,
103
OLD FOKT DEAEBOBN, 1830.
History of Iowa.
DESCEIPTIYE AND GEOGKAPHICAL SKETCH.
Eitent— Surface— Rivers— Lakes — Spirit Lake — ^Lake Okoboji— Clear Lake— Timber— Cli-
mate— ^Prairies — Soils.
Extent. — ^lowa 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 comer 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 Territonr of Dakota. The Big Sioux river from its month, 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
a& 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.
Swtface. — ^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 bluflfs 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
conld 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-
tm«. Looking at the map of Iowa, we see two systems of streams or rivers
rnnning nearly at right angles with each other. The streams which dis-
charge their waters into va.% 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 mSTOET OF IOWA.
systems of streams, represents the highest portions of the State, and graid-
ually descends as you tollow 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 198 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, ]'ust above the mouth of the Des Moines. The government of the
United States has constructed a canal, or channel, a«-ound these rapids on
the Iowa side of the river, a worjk 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, Wapsipinicon, Maquoketa, Turkey, and Upper Iowa.
One of the largest rivers in the State is Ked 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 Baccoon and Three Eivers (North, South and Middle) on
the west, and Boone river on the east. Baccoon (or 'Coon) rises in the vi-
cinity of Storm Lake in Buena Yista county, and after receiving several
tributaries, discharges its waters into the Des Moines river, within the lim-
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 tar 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 Yalley Railroad.
aiSTOET OF IOWA. 107
Before this diversion several dams were erected on the lower portion of the
river, which aflford 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 sifford 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
great eastern branch is Red Cedar, having its source among the lakes in
Minnesota. The two streams, as before stated, unite and flow into the Mis-
sissippi in Louisa county. In size. Red Cedar is the second interior river
of the State, and both are valuable as affording immense water power. Shell
Ilock river is a tributary of Eed Cedar, and is important to ISTorthern Iowa,
on account of its fine water power. The aggregate length of Iowa and Red
Cedar rivers is about five himdred miles, and tney drain about twelve thou-
sand square miles of territory.
The vVapsipinicon 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 picturesqiie 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 blufis fi-om 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 msTOET or iowa.
of these is Eock river, a beautiful little stream running through the conn-
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-
sidered a safe stream for navigation. It empties into the Missouri, abont
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
small stream, but flows through a rich and beautiful valley. Its length is
about one hundred miles, and it drains some fifteen himdred 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 tlian 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 tlie 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 Chicago and Northwest-
em Kailroad 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 famish good water power at various
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-sites,
and adding to the variety and beauty of 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 NOETHEEN 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
niSTOET OF IOWA. 109
lakes extending far northward into Minnesota, and Bome 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 Cerro Gordo county; Rice 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 aroimd them, giving them
somewhat the appearance of having been walled. Most of them exhibit the
same appearance in this respect to a e^reater or less extent. Lake Okoboji,
Spirit Lake, Storm Lake and Clear Lake are the largest of the N^orthern
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 ot 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 Mm/ne-WoMlcon 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.
Tliis 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 innumerable birds 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 of the
waves. Our presence, however, soon cleared the coast of its promiscuous
110 HISTOEY 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 ail 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 ot 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 farther 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 Kound 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.
rlum 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 porticm 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,
Eound 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
HISTOEY OF IOWA. Ill
this grove, after the massacre, that the iidians 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. JPictures 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
tlie 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
knew 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
lie 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 tair 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 tlieir 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
spuits 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-Wcmhm, or Spirit- Water.
Okoboji. — 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 inSTOBT 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 tte
village of Sijirit Lake to that of Okoboji, the water here being ordinarily aot
over'a couple of hundred feet wide and about fifteen feet deep. West Oljioboji
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 difierent
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.
. Huge boulders 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, I'ounded 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 upper 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 good
timber. The larger groves are found on the south side, where the prindipal
settlement was at the time of the Indian massacre. There are two or three
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 timbef is found else-
where about the lake. On the same side in another grove, we observed
many red cedars of large growHi. We noticed one nearly three feet in
HISTORY OF IOWA.. 113
diameter, and a fine crop of young cedars, from three to ten inches higli,
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 farms. 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
locaHty 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 I^ature in her playful or her
milder moods; for sometimes sne 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.
Clea/r Za^e.'—Clea.T 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
afibrd 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 sur-
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
lar^r 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 aloijg 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-
8
lU
HISTORY OF IOWA.
idly wlien 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 sufl&cient 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 0. 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 3 inches.
Moonseed— climbing shrub; J^inch.
Basswood, Lynn or Linden — 20 inches.
Prickly Ash — shrub; 2 inches.
Smoom 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 inmes.
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 — 8 to 12 inches.
False Indigo — shrub; % incb.
Lead Plant — ^low shrub; J^ inch.
Red Bud — 6 to 8 inches.
Kentucky Coffee Tree— 3 to 12 inches.
Honey Locust — 12 to 20 inches.
Wild Pl^m— sbrub 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; J^ inch.
Meadow Sweet — shrub; J^ inch.
Wild Red Raspberry — shrub; "J^ inch.
Wild Black Raspberiy — shrubs % inch.
Wild Blackberry — shrub; % inch.
Dwarf Wild Rose — low shrub; % i°ch.
Early Wild Rose — low shrub; % inch.
Bladk Thorn — 3 to 5 inches.
"W^hite Thorn — 3 to 5 inches.
Downy-leaved Thorn — 2 to 3 inches.
Wild Grab Apple — 3 to 5 inches.
Service Berry or June Berry — 3 to 5 inches.
Small June Berry — shrub; 2 to 3 inches.
Prickly WUd Gooseberry — shrub; J^ inch.
Smooui WUd Gooseberry — shrub; ^ inch.
Wild Black Currant — shrub; J^ inch.
Witch Hazel — shrub; 1 to 2 inches; said to
grow in N. E. Iowa.
EiumMnnik — shrub; 2 inches.
Rough-leaved Dogwood — shrub; 1 to 3
inches.
Panicled Cornel — shrub; 2 inches.
Alt«rnate-leaved Cornel— shrub; 2 inches.
Wolf berry — low shrub; % inch.
Coral Berry — low shrub; ^ inch.
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. 7
Button Bush — shrub; 1 inch.
Black Huckleberry — low shrub; J^ 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 species.
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.
Gorky Elm — 10 to 15 inches. I have seen no
specimens which could certainly be re-
ferred to this species, and yet I think
there is little doubt of ite being a native
of this State.
Hackberiy — 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.
SheE-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 nofrlS
in the State, but from their knowttJ'^
tiibution, I have no doubt that th«J .aie
to be found in the southern portions of
the State.
Butternut Hickory— 12 to 18 inches.
White Oak— 20 to 30 inches.
mOTOBY OF IOWA. 115
BvUT Oaik— 24 to 36 inches. Petioled Willow— shrub; 2 inches.
Chestnut-. Oak— 5 to IQ 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 8 inches.
Hazel Nut — shnib; 1 inch. Long'-leaved Willow — shrub; 2 to 3 inches.
bm Wood — 4 to 7 inches. Aspen — 6 to 12 inches.
B^ Beech — 3 to 4 inches; Cottonwood — ^24 to 86 inches.
Wfite Kich— S to 6 inches. Said to grow in White Pine — a few small trees grow in NorUi-
; I , Northeastern Iowa. eastern Iowa.
SJiecHed 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; j4 inch.
Glaucous Willow — small tree; 2 to 8 inches.
Total number of species, 104; of ttese, 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.
CUmate. — ^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 of the former month is indeed mild
and pleasant, but in it usually comes the first cold spell, followed generally
by mild weather, while in March the farmer is oft«n 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 liis 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 m^ean temperature
of the summer months. January is the coldest month, and in this, only
once in thirty-two years 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 months 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 HISTOEY 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, hut it onfy 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 29tli,
1863.
Premies. — ^The character of surface imderstood by the term prairie, is not
a feature peculiar to Iowa, but is a characteristic of the greater portion of
the !N"orthwest. Dr. 0. 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 which 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 fii-st 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,
tor 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, biit 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 prairies in Iowa, is the prevalence of the annual fires.
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 ibrests not
occupy the prairies betbre 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 Grlacial epoch. Did man then exist and possess tlie
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-
HISTOKT OF IOWA. 117
rie fires were made to cease, and no artificial efibrts were made to prevent
their growth and encroachment."
iSoUs. — Dr. White has separated the soils of Iowa into three general di-
visions, viz : the Drift, Bluff, and Alluvial. The drift soil occupies the
greater portion of the State, the hluff next, and the alluvial the least. The
drift is derived primarilj 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
hunfi-ed 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.
Classilication of Rocks — ^Azoic System — Huronian Group — Lower Silurian System — Primordial
Groap^Trenton Group— Uincimiati Group — Upper Silurian System — Niagara Group —
Devonian System — Hamilton Group — Carboniferous System — Sub-Carboniferous Group —
Kinderhook Beds — BurUngton Limestone — Keokuk 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
Jeological survey of the State. Under authority given by this act, ' Prof,
ames Hall, of New Tork, was appointed State Geologist, and Prof. J. D.
Whitney, of 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
HISTOET OF IOWA.
submitted a report to the Goydrnor in two large volumes. From tlieBe
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; and 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 Groves,' 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 th6 following table constructed by Dr. White:
SYSTEMS.
AGES.
GROUPS.
PERIODS.
FORMATIONS.
EPOCHS.
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
Kindernook beds
Hamilton Limestone and Shales .
Niagara Limestone
Maquoketa Shales
Galena Limestone
Trenton Limestone
St. Peter's Sandstone
Lower Magnesian Limestone
Potsdam Sandstone
Sioux Quartzite
THICKNESS.
IH PEET.
CietaceouB . . . .
Carboniferous .
Devoni^
Upper Silurian
Lower Silurian .
Azoic
Post Tertiary. .
Lower Cretaceous n
Coal Measures . . ■
Subcarboniferous •
Hamilton ....
Niagara
'Cincinnati .
Trenton ..
%
Primordial
uronian —
10 to 200
50
130
100
200
200
200
75
90
196
175
200
350
80
250
200
80
250
300
50
AZOIO SYSTEM.
Mv/ronicm Orowp. — 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.
Althomgh it is so compact and hard the grains of sand of which it was
oariginaUy 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 whi^h it was
accumulated. The linies 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
BISTOBT OF IOWA. 119
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, bat usually it is so compact throughout that it is quarried
with the OTcatest difficulty into any forms except those into which it naturally
cracks. 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 trg,ce8 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 SILURIAN SYSTEM.
Primordial Oro-up. — ^The Potsdam Sandstone Formation of this Group
has a 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
mat formation, it appears only in the bluffs and vaUey-sides of the same
streams. It is a moi-e 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
stratmcation which causes it to weather into rough and sometimes grotesque
shapes, as it stands out in bold relief upon the valleysides. It is not genei'-
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,
veiy triable rock; so pure m 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 HISTOET OF lOTVA.
below McGregor, where it is much colored by oxide of iron. Jt contains no
fossils.
Trenton Grov/p. — 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 large 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
conseqiiently 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.
Cvncvrmati 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 shght,
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 foxmd 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 the opinion of Dr. White that the occuiTcnce of these distinct fossils in
the Iowa formation would seem to warrant the separation of the Maquoketa
Sliales as a distinct formation from any others of the group, and that its true
position is probably at the base of the Cincinnati group.
HISTOET OF IOWA. 121
UPPEE SILUEIAIT SYSTEM.
Niagcvra Group. — ^The area occupied by the Niagara limestone Formation
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-
cioas 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 imiformity ot the bedding of its strata.
^Vherever 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 Chroup. — 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
a very large geographical extent in Iowa, it constitutes one of the most im-
portsmt 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 moUusks and corals.
CARBOmFEROUS SYSTEM.
The Suh-Ca/rbomferoita 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 Ijroad 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 Sigoumey in Keokuk county, thence to the northeast corner
of Jefierson county, and thence, by sweeping a few miles eastward to the
southeast comer or Van Buren county. The area as thus defined, is nearly
250 miles long, and from 20 to 40 miles wide. Tlie general southerly and
westerly dip nas 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 a^ain in the valley
of the Des Moines river, where they have been bared by the erosion of that
valley.
The KinderhookBeds, the lowest Formation of the sub-carboniferous group.
122 HISTOET OF IOWA.
presents its principal exposures along the bluffs ^hich border the MissiEj'ippi
and Skunk rivers, where they form the eastern and northern boundary of Des
Moines county; along English river in Washington county; alonglowa riyer
in Tama, Marshall, Hardin and Franklin counties, and along the Des 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
great value in such places for building material. It may be manufactured
into 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 titie 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 tlie 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 foasih-^crmoids — 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 OTOup. 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 me 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
HISTOET OP 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 silicions 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 tine 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, moUusks 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.
Tlie 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 lound 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
tormation has some well marked fossil characteristics, but they do not stand
out with such prominence as some of those in the two preceding fonnatious.
The vertibrates, articulates, moUusks, and radiates, are all more or less rep-
resented in it. Some slight vegetable remains have also been detected in it.
The Codl-measv/re Grouty. — The formations of tliis group are divided
124 HISTOEY OF 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. JS'atural 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 stralta of the Lower with the Middle Coal-measure is not
marked by any well defined 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 usually shaly, and quite
worthless.
OEETAOEOUS SYSTEM.
Tlie Nishndbotamj Sandstone. — This formation is well exposed in tlip
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 turn 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 lew 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 WooATywry Sandstones arid 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 Inoceramms 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 WeE Water — 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 imloiown 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, Van 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 Rail-
road. A few years ago it was barely known that some coal existed in
Boone 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
fnmishea the vast supplies shipped along the Chicago and Northwestern Hail-
road, both east and west. The great productive coal field of Iowa is embraced
ehiefiy 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
?nality and value to coal of the same class in other parts of the world,
he veins which have so far been worked are from three to eight feet in
126
HISTOEY OV 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 oflBciated 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:
KAME AND LOCALITY.
g
I
^
I
S
•a
>
Brown coal, from Arbesan, Bohemia. . .
Brown coal, from Bilin, Bohemia
Bitumirious coal, from Bentheu, Silisia
Cannel coal, from Wigan,' England . . .
Anthracite, from Pennsylvania
Iowa coals — average
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
S6
90
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 Fi-anHin,
"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
Sts,te, 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
prejiidicial to health, for such is not the case. The dry, roUing 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. !ITature seems to have designed these peat deposits to
supj)ly 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
HISTOET OF IOWA. 127
Koriihem 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 he found along nearly all the
Btreama 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
Dos Moines, as Cass 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, Yan Buren county; Mt. Pleasant, Henry county; iairfield, 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 G-ordo county; Mitchell and Osage,
Mitchell county; Anamosa, Jones county; Iowa Falls, Hardin county;
Hampton, Franklin county; and at nearly aU 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 erposures 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 famish-
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 aU 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 10 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.
GTPSIJM.
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 HISTOET OF IOWA.
but large masses of Eilmost pare white (resembling alabaster) have been
found embedded in the main deposits. The quantity of this article is prac-
tically inexhaustible, and the time will certainly come when it will be i
source of wealth to that part of the Statie. 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.
SPEING AND WELL WATEE.
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 out from the banks,
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. ITearly 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.
CLATS.
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
extensive potteries 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 bams 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 oi" it \va8.first introdaesd
by Mr. J. B. Packard, of Ked Oak, on whose land there is an extensive de-
posit of this material.
HI8T0BT OF IOWA.
129
hi
H
i
130 HISTOET OF IOWA.
HOW THE TITLE TO IOWA LANDS IS DEEIVED.
Eight of DiscoTeiy — ^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-
naf 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 Tespect, 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 I^orth America was divided
between France, England, Spain, and Eussia. 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
Eussia. 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 obta,ined 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 jrent
back to France by the treaty of St. Idlefonso, October 1, 1800. On., the
80th 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 IJnited States against France, which amounted to the further
sum of $3,750,000, and maMng 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 govjern-
raent 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 3, 1805, the "District
of Louisiana" was organized as the "Territory of Louisiana," with a Terri-
torial government of its own, which went into operation July ith, 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 Misspuri."
This left a vast domain still to the north, including the present States of
loWa and Minnesota, which was, in 1834, made a part of the "Territory of
HISTOEY Off IOWA. 131
Michigan." In July, 1836, the territory embracing the present States of
Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin was detached from Michigan, and organized
vsith a separate Territorial government under the name of " Wisconsin Ter-
ritory."
By virtue of an act of Confess, approved June 12, 1838, on the 3d of
July of the same year, the " Territoiy 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-
grass for the newly acquired territoiy.
6. October 1, 1804, it was included in the "District of Louisiana," and
placed under the jurisdiction of the Territorial government of Indiana.
7. 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. JiJy 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
johcy of the government to recognize. The several changes of territorial
jiuisdiction after the treaty with France did not aftect 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 Foxe^, Aug. ^, 18^^. — ^This treaty between
the JJnited 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-
Berved 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-
fiad January 18, 1825.
IS^ HISTOEY OF IOWA.
2. Treaty with vamous tribes, Aug. 19, 18^5.— This, treaty was also made
at the city of Washington, by William Clark as Commissioner on the part
of the TJnited States, with the Ohippewas, 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
inouth 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 Ked 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,
1823, 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 Des Moines river. By 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 "Ifentral
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.
6. Treaty with various tribes, July 15, 1830. — This was a treaty with the
Sacs and Foxes, Sioux, Omahas, lowas 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 Sioux
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 comer
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 tlience 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 thereon 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.^-TMs treaty was made at
Fort Armstrong, by Gen. Winfield 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 kno^vn
HI8T0ET or IOWA. |.33
as the Neutral G-round. 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 tlie Winnebagoes, beginning in September, 1873, and to continue
for twenty-seven successiYe 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. l^eaty with the Sacs ami Foxes, Sept. 21, 1^32. — 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 Keynolds 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 o^ the Indians,
amounting to about $50,000, due chiefly to Davenport & Famham, Indian
traders, at Kock Island. By the terms of the treaty four hundred square
miles on Iowa river, ineluding Keokuk'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 convened in fee simple
out of this purchase one section of land opposite Rock Island to Antoine
LeClaire, the interpreter, and another at the head of the first rapid above
Eock 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 which 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, Conimissioner 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 Rock 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." TTie 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 iSacs
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 HISTOET OF IOWA.
Tlie Sacs and Foxes by tHs treaty also relinquished aU claims and interest
under the treaties previously made with them.
11. Treaty with the Sacs cmd Foxes, Oct. 11, 18 J^. — ^This 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 countay, at the expiration of
tliree years. In accordance with this treaty, a part of them were removed
to Kansas in the fall of 1845, 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, the 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 du 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 wiU be remembered, the countiy was under Spanish juris-
diction, and embraced in the " Province of Louisiana." In 1796 Dibuque
petitioned the Spanish Governor of Louisiana, Carondelet, for a grant of
the lands embracing the lead mines, describing in his petition a fract 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. Dabuque, 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
yet Spanish territory. Dubuque died March 24, 1810. After the death of
Dubuque the Indians resumed occupancy of the mines and engaged them-
selves in mining to some extent, holding that Dubuque's claim was only a
permit during ms 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
working the mines, and under this authority miners commenced operations,
but the military authorities compelled them to abandon the work. But little
ftirther 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 the recovery of seven undi-
vided eighths of the Dubuque claim, as purchased by Augiiste Choteau in
1804. The case was decided in the United States District Court adversely
to the plaintiff". It was carried to the Supreme Court of the United States
on a writ of error, where the decision of the lower court was affinncd. The
HISTOBT OF IOWA. 135
iSupreme Court ield tliat Dubuque asked, and the Governor of Louisiana
Cted, nothing more than peaceable possession of certain lands obtained
, the Indians, and that Carondelet had no legal authority to make sucli
a grant as claimed.
Tlie Giard Clavm. — ^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 Clavm. — On the 30th day of March, 1799, Zenon Trudean,
Acting Lieutenant Governor of Upper Louisiana, granted to Louis Honori
a tract of land on the site of the preseat 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 Eiver Des 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 oi a space sufficient to give
value to such establishment, and at the same time to render it liseful to the
commerce of the peltries of this country, to watch the Indians and keep them
in the fidelity which they owe to His Majesty." Honori retained possession
until 1805, but in 1803 it was sold under an execution obtained by one
Joseph Eobedoux, who became the purchaser. The tract is described as being
" about six leagues above the Des Moines." Auguste Ohoteau, the executor
of Eobedoux, in April, 1805, sold the Honori tract to Thomas F. Eeddeck.
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 Eeddeck heirs, but it was finally confirmed by the Supreme Court of the
United States, in 1839.
The Half-Breed 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 half-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 Farmington, 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, whicli de-
prived the Indians of the power to sell. But, in 1835, Congress relinquished
to the half-breeds this reversionary interest, vesting in fliem 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 for 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
sufiBcient 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 HISTOET 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 dia-
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 aU 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. Keid, the sheriff executing
the deed. Mr. Keid sold portions of it to various parties, but his own title,
was questioned arid he became involved in litigation. Decisions in favor
of Eeid 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. Keid, 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. Eeid, 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 Ifew
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
{)roportion by lot,and to abide the result. The plan was agreed to and the
ots 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 SUEVETS.
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 lo
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, whiqh,
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 wlio 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, ovring 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, hnes are run due north and south, which are called PnncvpaL Meri-
dwns. The £ase IAm,es and Prvncvpal Meridicms together, are called
Staridard, Lines, 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 running 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 Fowrth 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 8tanda/rd Lines 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
by lines 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 Lvnes; 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 Lines. 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 I^o. 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-
skips) north of the BaseLme, 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
Tifth Principal Meridian, as there are 46 ranges of tovmships 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.
.138
HISTOET 01" IOWA.
Some of the townships mentioned in this illustration, being on the Mis-
souri and Big Sioux rivers, are fractional. ,
The lines and comers of the townships being established by competent
surveyors, under the authority of the government, the next work is to sub-
divide the townships into sections of one square mile each, making 36 sec-
tions in each full township, and each fall section containing 640 acres. The
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
13
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 comer 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, hall"
section, quarter section, half quarter section and quarter of quarter section.
The annexed diagram wiU present a section and its sub-divisions:
N
W
160 A.
40A
80 A
40A
160 A
160 A
The comers of the section, and the comers at N., E., S. and "W. have all
been established and marked by the govemment surveyor in making his
sub-division of the township, or in sectiotdsmg, as it is termed^ He does
mSTOET OF IOWA. 139
not establish or mark any of the mterior lines or comers. This work is
left for the county surveyor or other competent person. Suppose the last
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 of
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 qymrter of section 25: the
northwest quaHer ofths northeast mmrter of section S5, and the southwest
quarter of the northeast quarter of section 25, 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-
S)ass. The line indicated by the magnetic needle, when allowed to move
reely about the point of support, and settle to a state of rest, is called the
magnetic variation. This, in general, is not the Imie meridian, or north
and south line. The angle which the magneUo 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 true 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 sub-divisions
escactly squa/re 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 eoen 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 chaJm, equal to two rods, or fifty links, but the
surveyor's reckoning is kept, and all nis 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
"out," 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 tally rod, calls, " out," which is repeated by the other chainman,
and by the marker and surveyor, each of whom keeps a tally of the " outs,"
14J0 HISTOET OF IOWA.
sind marks the same as he calls them.' Sixteen " outs," or eighty ohain^,
make a mile.
■The corners of townships, sections and quarter sections, are marked in the
following manner:
On the exterior township lines, comer posts are set at the distance of
every. mile and half mile from the township corner. The mile posts are for
the comers of sections, and the half-mile posts for the corners of quarter
sections. , They are required to be driven into the groimd to the depth of
from fifteen to twenty inches, a'nd 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 comer, and notched in the same manner that the corner posts
are. At all comers 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 qwi/rter
section corners, the post is flattened on opposite sides, and marked "J," 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 comers, 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 qua/rter
section comer 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 marted in the following manner: All those
trees which the line cuts have two notches on each side of the tree where
the line cuts it. These are called "station trees," and sometimes "Une
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 tnem
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 wnich 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 bf those surveys are drawn and perpetuated. The surveyors of- the
pubKc lands were, therefore, required to keep an accurate record of the
topography of the country, with a description of everything which might
aflbrd 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 TEREITOEIAL ORGANIZATION.
Julien Dubuque — Spanish Lead Mines — Early Settlement at Dubuque — Settlement at Mont-
rose—Old Apple Trees — Fort Madison — Keokuk — First Settlement at BurHngton — First
Settlement in Scott County — Organization of Scott GoUntj — Murder of Col. Davenport-
Band of Outlaws broken up — Some First Things — ^Territorial Convention — Subject of
Pre-emptions — Missouri Boundary — Question of Separate Territorial Organizatioa — 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 voyagewrs 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-Robe 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 name, 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 Ohien 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 of 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 HISTOET OP IOWA.
and about twelve feet high. On the arms of the cross there was, in Frencli,
an inscription, of which the following is a translation:
JULIEN DUBUQUE,
MTNEE OF THE MINES OF SPAIK,
DIED MAEOH 24™, 1810,
AGED FOETT-FIVE AND A-HALF TEARS.
A number of Indians were afterward buried at the same place, and among
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 walls
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 vault
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 been 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. Langworthy,
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 mines. 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 erected an independent civil government of their own, the first gov-
ernment established by white men in Iowa. Some time after this the War
Department issued an order to Col. Zachary Taylor, then in command of the
military post at Prairie du Ohien, to cause the miners to leave the west side ,
of the river. Notice was accordingly given them and the order was reluc-
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 Jnile 1, 1833, the Langworthy brothers and
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 settlers,
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 Span-
ish government to establish himself at the head of the rapids of the
river Des Moinea for the purpose of trading with the Indians. The
place was at this time occupied by a half-breed Indian named Ked Bird,
HISTOBT OF IOWA. 143
but known among the whites aa Thomas Abbott. Subsequently the town
of Montrose was located on the ground where Fesson had his trading post
and Ked Bird his wick-e-np. 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 theywereplanted by Fesson as early as the beginning
of the present century. Hon. D. W. Kilboume, one of the early settlers of
Lee eoimty, claimed that they were planted by Eed Bird some time between
the years 1795 and 1798- Mr. Kilboume 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 tte 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, Ked
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
liome 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
cnriosity 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. K. B. Mason. The command
consisted of three companies of the 1st United States Dragoons, Co. C,
Capt. E. V. Sumner, Co. H, Capt. Isathan Boone, and Co. I, Capt. J. B.
Browne. Capt. Browne resigned his position in the regular army in 1837,
and rfemained a citizen of Lee county. In 1838 he was appointed by Gov.
Lucas as Maj. Gen. of Militia. He was also elected as a member of the first
Territorial Legslature which convened at Burlington, and had the honor of
being the first President of the Council and afterward Speaker of the House
of Eepresentatives. At the " Foot of The Lower Kapids " there was a place
which, 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 Keservation," according to the laws of Missouri.
In attendance at this meeting were representatives from Prairie du Chein
and St. Louis. At this time there were about nine families residing in the
vicinity, and after the adjournment of the meeting the resident citizens re-
!)aired to the saloon of John Gaines to talk over their prospects when the
lalf-breed title should become extinct. They looked forward to the time
when a city should grow up at that point. John Gaines called the meeting
to order and made a speech in which he said the time had now come to
a^ee upon a name for the town. He spoke of the chief Keokuk as the
friend of the white man, and proposed his name for the future town. The
proposition met with favor and the name was adopted. In the spring of
144 msTOBT or 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 waa 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 Oapt. James White
made a claim on the present site of Montrose, and in the same year, soon
after the close of thelBIack 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 TJnited States Government.
The first settlement made at Burlington and in the vicinily, 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 bluft", 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 Eock Island, and some dragoons
came down from that place 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 Komulus 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
aa 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 Virginia. He had settled and made
some improvement on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, but in 1833 lie
moved across the river and made a " claim and commenced an improvement
HISTOET OF IOWA.
145
10
146 HISTORY or lOW^
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
bom 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 R. 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 Antoine Le Claire,
Maj. Thos. Smith, Maj. "Wm. Gordon, Phillip Hambaugh, Alexg,nder W.
McGregor, Levi S. Colton, Capt. James May and Col. 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 of Col. Davenport. The survey
was made by Maj. Gordon. Some improvement had been made iipon 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 public house or tavern, by Edward Powers. During
the same year John Litch from Newburyport, N. IL, 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 autmnn of 1836. The child died in August, 1840, at the Indian village
on Iowa river. The first female child was a daughter of D. 0. 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. 0. Eld-
ridge. At the close of the year 1836 there were some six or seven houses
in me 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 aet of Congress, Iowa became a separate Ten>
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.
HISTOET 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 Eockingham as to which should nave 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 building 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 I7th of September following issued . the
first number of a paper called loaoa Sun cmd Davenport and Moch Iskmd
News, the fi^-st newspaper published in the county. On the 26th day of
August, 1841, the first number of the Davenport Weehly 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 8 th 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 Eock 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, Kichard Baxter and Aaron Long, near
Galena, Illinois, and Granville Young, at Nauvoo. Aaron was a brother of
John Long. On the 6th of October all of them were indicted by the grand
jury of Eock Island county, except Fox, who had escaped from jail in Indi-
ana on the 17th of September. On the 14th of October the two Longs were
pat upon trial, found guilty, and sentenced to be himg 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. Li 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
I^ng confessed all, but died a hardened wretch without sign of repentance
or fear of death.
148 HISTOET OF IOWA.
, During tlie 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 tne
Black Hawk Purchase.
The first post-office in Iowa was established in Dubuque in 1833. Milo
H. Prentice was appointed postmaster.
The first justice of the peace was Antoine Le Claire, appointed in 1833, as
" a very suitable person to adjust the difficulties between the white settlers
and the Indians stiU 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 Liwa was in March, 1834.
The first mass of the Eoman 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 fii'st 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 Yisitor, issued May 11th,
1836. John King, afterward Judge King, was editor, and WilUam 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, wiU be of interest to every
citizen of the State.
TEEEITOEIAl CONVENTION.
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 actuS 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 apart 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. m
The following were the accredited delegates in the convention from thi
several counties:
Dubuque Comity.— V. H. Engle, J. T. Pales, G-. W. Harris, W. A. "War-
ren, W. B. Watts, A. F. Eussell, W. H. Patton, J, W. Parker, J. D. Bell, and
J. H. Kose.
Des Movnes Oovmty. — David Eorer, Eobert Ealston, and Cyrus S. Jacobs.
HISTOBT OF IOWA. 149
Tcm Bur&n Cov/nfy. — Yan Caldwell, J. G. Kenner, and James HalL
JSeivry Cownby. — ^W. H. Wallace, J. D. Payne, and J. L. Myers.
Muscaiine Cownty. — J. E. Struthers, M. Conch, Eli Eeynolds, S. C.
Hastings, James Davis, S. Jenner, A. Smith, and E. K. Fay.
Jjyvma Cotmty. — J. M. Clark, "Wm. L. Toole, and J. J. Kinearson.
Lee Govmty. — 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. Strathers.
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. Eorer, 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.
MEMOEIAl ON THE SUBJECT OF PKE-EMPTIONS.
To the Sonorahle Senate and Mouse of JRepresentatives :
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, of 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 sold to the highest bid-
der, and to put the money thus extorted from the hard earnings of an indus-
trions 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 lite has been emended in making improvements
on the public land, under the strong and mm belief that every safeguard
would be thrown aroimd them to prevent their property, thus dearly earned
150 HISTORY OP IOWA*
by years of suffering, privation arid toil, from being unjustly wrested from
tlieir 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 honajlde his design to cultivate ana-occupy the land, the right to enter
at the minimum government price, one-half section for that purpose, before
it shall be offered at pablic sale.
MEMOEIAi ON THE SITBJECT OF THE MISSOURI BOUNDARY LINE.
To the HoTvorable, the Senate and House of Bejpresentatives of the United
States in Congress assembled:
The Memorial of a Convention of Delegates from the several conntieB 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 Hne between the State and Territory. Tne pres-
ent commissioners, appointed by the State of Missouri, giving a difierent
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 rapids 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. :
HISTOBT OF IOWA. 151
Missonri 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 irom 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 Eaccoon forks, a dis-
tance of two hundred mile's, 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 between 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 ot 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.
MEMOEIAL PEATING FOR A DIVISION OF THE TEEEITOET.
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 Burlington, 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 Mly 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, tor
availing themselves of their right of petition as free citizens, by representing
their situation and wishes 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
consideratioil the geographical extent of her country, in connection with the
probable population of Western Wisconsin, perliaps no Territory of the
152 HISTOET OF IOWA.
United States lias been so mucli neglected by tbe 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-
em Wisconsin? Literally and practically a large portion of the time with-
out a government. With a population of thousands, she has remained
ungovemed, and has been quietly left by the pa,rent 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 county 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. Tliat
act took eifect 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 ana 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
HI8T0ET 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-
Eequent 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 fiourishing 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. Tour 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.
TEREITOET OF IOWA.
Territorial Organization — Members of First Legislative Assembly — Its Presiding OflBcers —
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.
CoHGEESs 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 Eiver,
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 Kepresentatives, consisting of twenty-six members, and
a Council, to consist of thirteen members. It also appropriated $5,000 for a
pubhc library, and $20,000 for the erection of public buildings. President
Van Buren appointed Ex-G-ovemor Robert Lucas, of Ohio, to be the first
Governor of the new Territory. William B. Conway, of Pittsburg, was
appointed Sera-etary 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;
151
HISTOET OF IOWA.
Augustus C. Dodge, Eegister of the Land Office at Burlington, and, Thom-
as McKniglit, Eeceiver of the Land Office at Dubuque. Mr. Van Al.
len, the District Attorney, died at Eockingham, soon after his appointmeDt,
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 that purpose, 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 fij-st Territorial Legislature:
COUNCIL.
COUTTTT.
NATIVITT.
AGE.
Van Buren.
Vermont.
28
« 4*
Virginia.
62
Des Moines.
Penn.
60
(( u
Ohio.
81
Cedar.
New York.
31
Des Moines.
Kentucky.
S3
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.J
Physician.
Merchant.
Lawyer. ' •
Lawyer.
Farmer. «
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
OOTJNTT.
NATIVITY.
AGE,
OCCUPATION.
Wm. H. Wallace
Wm. G. Coop. . . .
A. B. Porter
Laurel Summers . .
Jabez Burchard . .
James Brierly. . . .
Wm. Patterson. . .
H. Taylor
Harden Nowlin. . .
Andrew Bankston.
Thomas Cox
C. Swan
C. J.Price
J. W. Grimes ....
.George Teinple —
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. Haatings......
Henry.
4«
Scott.
(.
Lee.
4i
44
Dubuque.
Lee.
Des Moines,
Van Buren.
Louisa.
(4
Cedar. _
Muscatine.
Ohio. .
Virginia.
Kentucky.
Kentucky.
Penn.
Ohio.
Virginia.
Kentucky.
Illinois.
N. C.
Kentucky.
New York.
N. G.
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
89
37
22
34
89
37
49
27
34
27
42
.35
42
84
25
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Miner.
Farmer.
Lawyer.
Farmer.
Merchant.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Farmer.
Physician.'
FarmSri
Farmer. ,
Farmer.
Surveyor.
HISTOET OF IOWA. 155
' Jesse B. Browne, of Lee county, was elected president of tlie council. He
'Lad been an officer in the regular army, was a gentleman of dignified
appearance and commanding stature, being six feet and seven incbes in
height. William H. Wallace, of Henry county, was elected speaker of the
Ilouse. 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,
Jeflerson and Jones; fot 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, Van 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-
Bonr, 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, m compliance with this instruction, on the 23d of November,
Mr. Conway submitted to the inspection of the coimcil what became the
"great seal of the Territory of Iowa." The design was that of an eagle
b^iringin 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" did 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 Konalds, 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 comer stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, Sam-
156 mSTOET OF IOWA.
uel 0. Trowbridge acting as marslial of the day, and Governor Eobert 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 stoiy 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 ofiBcial
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 change of parties in
the election of James W. Grimes, as Governor. His later legislative career
was as a member of the State Senate from Jefierson county. He was the
Democratic candidate in that county against James F. Wilson in 1856, for
member of the constitutional convention, but was defeated by the latter. He
was a man of strong party attacliments, being a Democrat in the striatest
sense, but was faithful to his constituents, and honest in his discharge of duty.
We recognize (5ther 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 KebeUion;
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 BO0NDAET 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 boundarjr 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 lloines Rapids, or the
Kapids 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,
andGovemor Lucas, of Iowa, called out the militia of the Territory to main-
tain its rights. About 1200 men were enlisted and 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-
Bouri, 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
petitioned Congress to authorize a suit to settle the question. This was
done, and the decision was adverse to the claims of Missouri. Under an
order of the Supreme Court of the United States, WiUiam 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-
eraor was held successively by Eobert 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 Eepresentative in Congress from Ken-
tnckjr, and a warm supporter of Gen. Wm. H. Harrison lor 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
Twritory. His remains were taken to St. Anthony's Church where the
solemn services for the dead were performed by Rev. Father Pelamorgues.
On the lltb a meeting of the members of the bar of the Territory waslield
at Burlington, in whicm 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 HISTOET or IOWA.
Court of the Territory, for the purpose of having thern 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 stiU remain in
force.
Among the various institutions and associations incorporated were the fol-
lowing: The Wapello Seminary, in Louisa county; the Bloomington and
Cedar Kiver Canal Company; the Des Moines Mill Company, in Yan Buren
county; the Burlington Steam Mill Company; seminaries of learning in Fort
Madison, West Point, Burlington, Augusta, Farmington, Bentonsport,
EocMngham, 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 Insnr.
ance Company sit Burlington.
STATE OEGANIZATION.
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 Territoij had reached 75,152, and
the people began to desire a State organization. In October of that year a
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 Dos 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 westwardiy along said line to the ' Old northwest
comer 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
" mSTOET OF IOWA. 159
present State of Minnesota, and west to tlie meridian of IT deff. 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, i845, as related to the boundaries of Iowa, ana
fixing the boundaries as now defined. On the 4th of May of that year a sec-
ond constitutional convention had convened at Iowa City, 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 Eeno, 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 imder 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 stiU in an unfinished
condition, an appropriation of $5,500 was made to com;riete 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 laiid 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 wmch 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 reterred to a committee without instructions, but the location was never
sanctioned by the General Assembly. The money paid by purchasers was
mostly refimded. Meantime the question of re-location continued to be
agitated at each session. In 1851 bills were introduced in the House for
removal to PeUa 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 biU re-locating the seat of government within two miles of the
Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines, and providing for the appointment of com-
160 mSTOET'OF IOWA.
missioners for that purpose. Under this act the commissioner's made selec-
tion of the present site. A temporary building was erected by an associa-
tion of citizens of Dos 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 wintej-, and on the
11th day of January, 1858, the Seventh General Assembly convened at Des
Moines.
Meantime a third constitutional convention had been called to frame a
new State constitution. It convened at Iowa City, Januaij, 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, 1 857. 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 deiining 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 sufliciently 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-offido. A. E.
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,
and on the 23d of November of the next year, the ceremony of
laying the comer 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 qut^lity being equal,
and they desired to comply with the spirit of the law. As a; resiiit, 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, 1872j 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 reraovaL An act was
passed at this session appropriating $100,000 for the work in 1872, and
HISTOET OF IOWA. 161
$125,000 to be used annually thereafter for tlie prosecution of the work,
bat 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 Pi-esident, ex-officio. 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 foi'mer 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. Th« 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. 0. 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-
C reached by several different persons relative to the casting of his vote tor
Tnited States Senators; that several distinct propositions for the payment of
money and other reward had been oftered 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 previous to casting his vote for
United States Senator; and that the said parties offering thus to reward him
for his vote, had promised to secure him from all blame or suspicion, by
procnring 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 connty; 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
hie statement. Marshall was arrested, and various witnesses were com-
11
162 HISTORY 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, 1846j appears
not to have ended until the 19th of January, 1847. Not until the 4&i 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. N^ear 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 develepmeuts on investigation were generally
understood at the time to be qi^ite as damaging to the party making the
charge as to any other person. The legislature adiourned 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 Shepnerd Leffler, represented the State in the 29th
Congress, 1846 to 1847, being the first Representatives in Congress from
Iowa.
EDUCATIO]S"AL.
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 hberal
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-
swsth 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 aU 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 fiom
these sources constitutes the permanent school fwnd, and, including the
proceeds of the land still unsold, wiU 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 me 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 puqDose. 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 fosterii^ 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
fBneral supervision over its educational interests, so far as relates to the pub-
e schools. Each coimty 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 counly.
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 FaUs. The total permanent school fond, 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 UNTVEESriT.
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 ftind
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, however, for the purposes of the State government
nnm 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
UoiverBity 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
CJniversity shall be established at one place, without branches at any other
place, ana the university fund shall be applied to that institution and no
164 HISTOET OB- IOWA.
At a special meeting of tlie board, February 21, 1 850, it recognized the
" College of Physicians and Surgeons of the IJpper Mississippi," au 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 tSe
express stipulation that such recognition should not render the university
liable for any pecuniary aid, nor was the board to 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 185t5-7. At a meeting of the board, August 4, 1858, the degree of
Bachelor of Science was conferred upon Dexter Edson Smith, being uie 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, IS. 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 R. 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 ^to 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 ImOwn as the Saline fund, amounting
to $4,106.85. These amounts, aggregating $209,887.72, constitute a jjer-
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 lahds, makihg atotal of 5,946.80
HISTOET OF IOWA. . 165
acres, the proceeds of which when sold, will go to increase the permanent
University fund. At five doUars per acre these lands will add to the perma-
nent fdnd $29,734, which amount added to the above will give to the Uni-
versity a permanent endowment fund of $239,621.72.
AGEICtTLTUEAL 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 Greneral 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 ofifer of the present
location in Story county, was accepted. In 1864 the General Assembly ap-
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 oflice 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 November 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
Indnstrial 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 county 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, C E., Mechanical Engineering
and Soperintendent of Workshops; F. E. L. Beal, B. S., Civil Engineering;
T. E. Pope, A. M., Chemistry; M. Stalker, Agricultural and Veterinary
Science; J. L. Budd, Horticulture; J. K. Macomber, Physics; E. W. Stan-
166
HISTORY OE IOWA.
ceptress, 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
Vocal 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 of
Directors organized June 7th, of that year. H. C. Ilemenway, was chosen
President; J. J. Tolerton, Secretary, and E. Townsend, Treasurer. At the
same meeting Prof. J. 0. Gilchrist, A. M., was elected Principal of the
school.
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, SEMINAEIES AND ACADEMIES.
There are also in Iowa the following educational institutions:
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
COUNTT.
LOCATION.
TITLE.
Des Moines
Fayette . . . .
Fremont. . .
Henry
Henry
Humboldt . .
Jeifersou. . .
Linn
Linn
Mahaska . . .
Mahaska . . .
Marion ....
Mills
FaGfe
Polk......
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
Giiswold College
Simpson Centenary College.
Luther College
HISTOET 05" IOWA.
\
ACADEMIES AND OTHER PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.
167
COUNTr,
LOCATION.
AUamaikee ..
AUaniakee . .
Allamakee. .
Appanoose.. c
Appanoose. . .
Benton
Benton.. .;.
Benton
Benton
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Buchanan. . .
Chickasaw . .
Chickasaw . .
Clarke
Caarke
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
Dnbuque . . .
Dubuque . . . .
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque . . ; ,
Dubuque . ; .
Dubuque . . .
Dubuque . . .
Dnbuque ...
Dubuque....
Dubuque... ,
Greene. ... ;,
Srundy
Sutbrio ,
Hamilton . . .
Hardin.....
Waukon
Lansing
Landng
Mouluon
CentervUle
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
OUve Township.
Bloomfield
Troy
Hopldnton
Petersburg
Burlington
Eossutn
Burlington
Burlington ..;...
Burlington
Burlington
Burlington
Burlingt-on
Burlington
Burlington
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dyersville
New Vienna. . . .
Cascade
Table Mound. . .
Dubuque .......
Sherrill'B Mount.
Bpworth
Farley
Jefferson........
Grundy Center. .
Fanora
Webster Ciiy...
Ackley
Waukon Seminary
Sisters' School
Mrs. Houghton's School
Moulton Normal School
Cent^rviUe Academy
TUford 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 Cathohc School
Mr. Gordon's School for both sexes
Eossuth 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. Mana, (German)
Private Primary
Private Boarding School -
St. Francis ,
St. Boniface
Church School
Church School
Church School '
St. Peters'
Epworth Seminary
Gnurch School
Jefferson Academy
Grundy Center Academy
Guthne Counly High School
Webster City Academy
Catholic School
168 HISTOKT OF IOWA.
ACADEMIES AND OTHER PRIVATE INSTIUTIONS— Co»«»«ei.
LOCATION.
TITLE.
Hardin
Hardin
Hardin
Henry
Henry
Henry.
Henry
Howard
Iowa
Iowa
Jasper
Jasper
Jasper ..,. ...
Jefferson
Jeffei:son
Jefferson
Johnson
Johnson
Jones
Jones
Keokuk
Keokuk
Keokuk
Kossuth
Lee
Linn
Louisa
Lucas
Mahaska
Mahaska
Mahaska
Marion
Marshall
Marshall
Marshall
Marshall
Mills
MitcheU
Muscatine
Muscatine ....
Muscatine ....
Pocahontas . . . .
Polk
Polk
Polk
Polk .,
Pottawattamie .
Pottawattamie .
Pottawattamie .
Scott
Scott
Scott
Van Buren
Van Buren. . . . .
Wapello
WapeUo
Warren
Washington . . .
Webster. .,
Webster. ......
Winneshiek. . . .
Winneshiek . . . .
Woodbury .
Alden
New Providence. . .
Eldora
Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant
New London
Cresco
Marsngo.
Lytleffity
Lytmville
Prairie City
Newton
Pleasant Plaine. . .
Fairfield
Fairfield
Iowa City.
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
Osage
Wilton
Muscatine
Muscatine
Fonda
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
MitchellviUe
Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs
DaTenport
Davenport
Davenport
Birmingham
Farmington
Ottumwa
(Dttomwa
Ackworth
Washington
Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge
Decorah
Spillville
Sioux City.
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
Lyunville Seminary
South Side Academy
Hazel Dell Academy
Pleasant Plaine Acadeiny
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. Prancis' Girls' School
German School , ■•''•'
St. Margaret's, and Sisters' Academy ,.,:•■.
St. Cunigtindus' : • - ■ •
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
Convent of Our Lady of Lourdes •
German School ■ •
Decorah Institute, and Business College
Catholic School
German School •inu.
HISTOET OF IOWA. 169
STATE mSTITUTIOly'S.
Hospitals for the Insane-College for the Blind — Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb — Or-
flians' Homes — Asylum for Teeble-Minded Children — The Penitentiary — ^The Additional
enitentiary — State Reform School — State Historical Society.
HOSPITAL FOE THE INSANE, MT. PLEASANT, HENET COUNTY.
The General Assembly,. by an act approved January 24, 1855, appropri-
ated $4,4:25 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 Winslow
was appointed to superintend the erection of the building. The building
was not ready for occupancy imtil March, 1861. Within the first three
monthg about one hundred patients were admitted. Richard J. Patterson,
M. D., of Ohio, was appinted Superintendent, and in 1865 he was succeeded
by Dr. Mark Kanney. 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 COUNTY.
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 COUNTY.
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 Eev. Eobert Carothers, A.
M., as Principal.
170 HISTOET OF IOWA.
INSTITUTIOir FOE THE DEAI" AOTJ DUMB, COUNCIL BLUFFS, POTTAWATTAMIE
COUNTT.
This institution was established first at Iowa City, by an act of the Gen-
eral Assembly, approved January 24, 1855. W. E. Ijams 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 ot
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-
ruaiy, 1877, the main building and east wing were destroyed by fire, and
and on the 6 th 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 sub-
stantial manner the main building.
SOLDIEES' OEPHANS' HOMES, DAVENPOET, OEDAE 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 suflicient 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 FOE FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDEEN, 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
HISTOET OP 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 PEinXENTIAET, 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 Kepresenta-
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 PENITENTIAEY, ANAUOSA, JONES CODNTT
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 m-ovide 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 EEFOEM SCHOOL, ELDOEA, HARDIN COUNTY.
On the 31st of March, 1868, an act of the General Assembly was approved
establishing a State Peform 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 White'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, B5,rdin county. Inmates are admitted at ages over
seven and under sixteen years. The object of this school is the reformation
of juvenile offenders.
STATE HISTOEICAL 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 HISTOET OP 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 puijlish 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.
EAILROADS.
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 64^ 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 Eailroad. The first rail was laid at Keokuk, on what was then
called the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines & Minnesota Eailroad, 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 called the "Keoltuk" 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 making a grant of land to the State to aid in the
construction of railroads from JBurlington 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 a point 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 jof 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 was approved accepting ,
the grant, and regranting the lands to the railroads named, on certain speci-
fied 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 Eapids & Missouri
Eiver Eailroad Company. The act of Congress making, this grant named
no companies, but designated certain lines, in aid of which they should be
HISTOET OF IOWA. 173
applied, leaving the State free to dispose of the lands to such companies as
would comply with the conditions. The state granted the lands to the fol-
lowing companies: Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company; Mis-
sissippi & Missonxi River Railroad Company; Cedar Rapids & Missouri
River Railroad Company, and Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad 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 Mc(3regor to Sioux City. This grant embraced every
alternate section ten miles on each side of the proposed road, with the riglit
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 Raccoon 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 Railroad Company. At
this time (1854) the board of public works had disposed of most of the lands
below the Raccoon 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 difierent and conflicting rulings as to whether the lands above the
Raccoon Fork were intended to be included in the grant. This led to a
compromise with the Des Moines Navigation and Railroad Company. The
company took all the land certified to tlie 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 Valley Railroad 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:
Bnrhngton and Missouri River Railroad 292,806.41
Mississippi and Missouri River (now C. R. I. & P.) 482,374.36
Iowa Central Air Line (now Cedar Rapids & Missouri) 735,997.80
Dubuque & Sioux City & Branch 1,232,359.15
McGregor & Sioux City (now McGregor & Missouri River). . 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, 1877, 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 bther lines have been
constructed or extended, making over 4,000 miles of railroad in the State,
with an aggregate assessed valuation of over $23,000,000. Several very
174 HISTOET OF IOWA.
important roads in the State have been constructed without the aid of land
grants^ while others are projected and will be completed in due time.
OFFICIAL EECOKD.
TEERITOEIAL OFFICEES.
Governors — Eobert Lucas, 1838-4:1; John Chambers, 1841-45; James
Clarke, 1845.
Seoretwries — ^William B. Conway, 1838, died 1839; James Clarke, 1839;
O. H. W. StuU, 1841; Samuel J. Burr, 1843; Jesse WiUiams, 1845.
Auditors— 3 QS&Q "Williams, 1840; Wm. L. Gilbert, 1843; Eobert M.
Secrest, 1845.
Treasv/rers—ThomiOTi. Bayliss, 1839; Morgan Eeno, 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 ^owse— 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 Con/vention, ISJ^Jf. — Shepherd Leffler, President;
Geo. S. Hampton, Secretary.
Second ConstUutional Convention, 181fi — Enos Lowe, President; Vil-
liam Thompson, Secretary.
OFFICEES OF THE STATE GOVBENMENT.
Governors — Ansel Briggs, 1846 to 1850; Stephen Hempstead^ 1850 to
1854; James W. Grimes, 1854 to 1858; Ealph 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. Ifewbold, Acting, 1877 to 187«;
John H. Gear, 1878 to . ,
Ideutenant Governors — Office created by the new Constitution Septembei
3, 1857— Oran Faville, 1858-9; Nicholas J. Eusch, 1860-1; John E.
IvTeedham, 1862-3; Enoch W.Eastman, 1864-5; Benjamin F. Gue, 1866-
67; John Scott, 1868-9; M. M. Walden, 1870-1; fi. 0. Bulis, 1872-3;
Joseph Dysart, 1874-5; Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-7; Frank T. Campbell,
1878 to .
Secretames 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. 6, 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 ^#a!{e— Joseph T. Fales, Dec. 5, 1846, to Deo. 2, 1850;
William Pattee, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1854; Andrew J. Stevens, Dee.
4, 1854, resigned in 1855; John Pattee, Sept. 22, 1855, to Jan. 3, 1859;
HISXOBT OF IOWA. 175
Jonafliaii "W. Cattell, 1859 to 1865; John A. Elliott, 1865. to 1871; John
Russell, 1871 to 1875; Bnren K. Sherman, 1875 to .
Treaswers of State — Morgan Eeno, Dee. 18, 1846, to Dec. 2, 1850;
Israel Ester, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1852; Martin L. Morris, Dec. 4,
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 .
I Sv^ermtendenta 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.
Secreiaries' of Board of JSducation — Thomas H. Benton, Jr., 1859-
1863 ; Oran Faville, Jan. 1, 1 864. Board abolished March 23, 1864.
Swperwievdents of PubUe 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
Abemethy, 1872 to 1877; Carl W. von Coelhi, 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. Z. Powers, 1879
to — -.
State Binders — Office created Februaiy 21, 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; K. P. Clarkson, 1872 to 1879; Frank M. Mills, 1879 to .
4djutant8 General — Daniel S. Lee, 1851-5; Geo. W. McCleary, 1855-
7; Eujah 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— Da,vid C. Cloud, 1853-56; Samuel A. Bice, 1856-
60; Charles C. -Nourse, 1861-4; Isaafi L. Allen, 1865 (resigned January,
1866); Frederick E. BisseU, 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-
weU, 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; Smilgr H. Bonhan,
1849-50; George Temple, 1851-2: James Grant, 1853-4; Reuben Noble,
176 HISTOET or IOWA.
1855-6; Samuel McFarland, 1856-7; Stephen B. Sheledy, 1858-9; John
Edwards, 1860-1 ; Knsli Clark, 1862-3; Jacob Butler, 1864-5; Ed. Wright,
1866-7; John Eussell, 1868-9; Aylett K. Cotton, 1870-1; James Wilson,
1872-3; John H. Gear, 1874-7; John T. Stone, 1878.
New Constitutional Convention^ 1857 — Francis Springer, President;
Thos. J. Saunders, Secretary.
STATE OFFICEES, 1878,
John H. Gear, Governor ; Frank T. Campbell, Lieutenant Governor; Josiah
T. Young, Secretary ot State; Buren 1^. Sheaman, Auditor of State; Geo.
W. Bemis Treasurer of State; David Secor, Register of State Land Office;
John H. Looby, Adjutant-General; John F. MSlunken, Attorney-General; i
Mrs. Ada North, State Librarian ; Edward J. Holmes, Clerk Supreme Court;
John S. Runnells, Reporter Supreme Court; Carl W. von CeoUn, Superin-
tendent Public Instruction; Richard P. Clarkson, State Printer; Henry A.
Perkins, State Binder; Prof. Nathan R. 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; Erastus G. Morgan, Deputy Treasurer of State; John M.Davis,
Deputy Register Land Office; Ira C. Kling, Deputy Superintendent Puh-
lic Instruction.
STATE orncEKS, 1879.
John H. Gear, Governor; Frank T. Campbell, Lieutenant-Governor;
J. A. T. Hull, Secretary of State; Buren R. Sherman, Auditor of State;
George W. Bemis, Treasurer of State; J. K. Powers, Register 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. Runnells, Reporter Supreme Court; Cai-1
W. von Ooelln, Superintendent Public Instruction ; Frank M. Mills, State
Printer; Matt C. Parrott, State Binder.
THE JUDICIARY.
SUPEEME OOUET 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; Ralph P. Lowe, Jan., 1860, to Jan. 1, 1862;
Caleb Baldwin, Jan., 1862, to Jan., 1864; George G. Wright, Jan., 1864, to
Jan., 1866; Ralph 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. MiUer, Jan. 1, 1874, to Jan. 1, 1876; Chester C.
Cole, Jan. 1, 1876, to Jan. 1, 1877; James G. Day, Jan. 1, 1877, to Jan. 1,
1878; James H. Rothrock, Jan. 1, 1878.
Associate Judges. — Joseph Williams; Thomas S. Wilson, resigned Oct.,-
1847; John F. Kinney, Jime 12, 1847, resigned Feb. 15, 1864; George
Greene, Nov. 1, 1847, to Jan 9, 1855; Jonathan 0. 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; LacenD. Stockton,
HISTOET OF IOWA. 177
June 3, 1856, to succeed Isbell, resigned, died June 9, 1860; Caleb Bald-
win, Jan. 11, I860, to 1864; Ralph 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.
SUPEEME COUET, 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. Eoth-
rock, Cedar county. Associate Justice.
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.
UTNITED iSTATES 8ENATOES.
(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 OE EEPEESENTATIVES.
Twenty^mmth Congress — 1846 to 18^7 — S. Clinton Hastings ; Shepherd
Leffler.
Thirtieth Congress — 18j^7 to 18^ — First District, WiUiam Thompson ;
Second District, Shepherd Leffler.
, . . Thvrby-jvrst Congress — 181fi to 1851 — ^Firgt 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.
Thwty-second Congress — 1851 to 1853 — ^First District, Bemhart Henn ;
Second District, Lincoln Clark.
Thwty-thm'd Congress — 1853 to 1855 — ^First District, Bemhart Henn;
Second District, John P. Cook.
Thvrty-fov/rth Congress — 1855 to 1857 — First District, Augustus Hall;
Second District, James Thorington.
. Ihiaty-fifth Congress— 1857 to 1859— First District, Samuel R. Curtis;
Second District, Timothy Davis.
IMrty-sixth Congress — 1859 to 1861 — ^First District, Samuel R. Curtis;
Second District. William Vandever.
12
178 HISTOEY OF IOWA.
Thvrty-s&oenth Congress — 1861 to 1863 — First District, First Session,
Samuel E. Curtis.* First District, Second and Third Sessions, Jas. F. Wil-
son; Second District, Wm. Vandever.
Thwty-dghth Congress— 1863 to 1865— First District, James F. Wilson;
Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. AUison; Fourt{i
District Josiah B. Grinnell; Fifth District, John A. Kasson; Sixth Dist,,
Asahel W. Hubbard.
Thwty-rmhth 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— Yirst District, James F. Wilson; Sec-
ond District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth
District, William Lou^hridge; Fifth District, Grenville M. Dodge; Sixth
District, Asahel W. Hubbard.
Forty^rst Congress— 1869 to 1871— First District, Geo. W. McCrary;
Second District William Smyth; Third District, William B.Allison; Fourth
District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth
District, Charles Pomeroy.
Forty-seoond Congress — 1871 to 1873 — First District, George W. Mc-
Crary; Second District, Aylett R. Cotton; Third District W. G. Donnan ;
Fourth District, Madison M. Walden; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer;
Sixth District, Jackson Orr.
Forty-thwd Congress— 1873 to 1875— First District, Geo. W. McCrary;
Second District, Aylett E. 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.
Fort/y-fowrth Congress — 1875 to 1877— -First District George W. Mc-
Crary; Second District, John Q. Tufts; Third District, L. L. Ainswortb;
Fourth District, Henry O. Pratt; Fifth Disti-ict, James Wilson; Sixth Dis-
trict, Ezekiel S. Sampson; Seventh District, John A. Kasson; Eighth Dis-
trict, James W. McDill; Ninth District, Addison Oliver.
Forty-ffth 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, Eush Clark; Sixth District, E. S. Sampson;
Seventh District, H. J. B. Cummings; Eighth District, W. F. Sapp; Ninth
District, Addison Oliver.
Forty-sixth Congress — 1879 to 1881 — First District, Moses A. McOoid;
Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, Thomas TJpdegraff; 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 AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY.
On the 14th of April, 1853, the following editorial appeared in the Fair-
afield 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.
H18T0BY OF IOWA. 179
however, some attention has been paid to the organization of societies for the
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
General 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 wiU 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-
ing a general Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition next ra,U."
The suggestions of the foregoing article were heartily seconded by several
papers of the State, and especially by the Iowa Fa/nner and Horticultwrist,
at Burlington.
No de&iite action was taken until the llth 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 C. 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, Daeember 23, 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. Olaggett, 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 foUowing were appointed a Board of
Managers:
Lee Cotmi/y. — Arthui- Bridgeman, Reuben Brackett, and Josiah Hinkle.
Van Bv^en Cownty. — ^Timothy Day, Dr. Elbert, and "William Campbell.
Henry Oovnty. — ^Thomas Siviter, Amos Lapham, and J. "W. Frazier.
JW&rson County. — P. L. Huyett, John Andrews, and B. B. Tuttle.
Wapello Cownl/y. — K. H. "Warden, Gen. Kamsay, and Uriah Biggs.
_ Mahaika Comity. — ^Wm. McKinley, Sr., John White, and M. T. "Wil-
liams.
VolTi Cownty. — Dr. Brooks, Thomas Mitchell, and "William McKay.
180 HISTOET OF IOWA.
Des Movnes Cotmty. — J. F. Tallant, A. K. Avery, and G. Neely.
LovAsa Gownty. — George Kee, Francis Springer, and Joshua Marshall,
MusGatwhe Coimty. — J. H. Wallace, James Weed, and John A. Parvin.
Dubuque Gownty. — W. Y. Lovel, Orlando McCraney, and L. H. Lang-
worthy.
Johnson Coumty. — E. H. Sylvester, LeGrand Byington, and 0. Saunders.
SooU Gou/nty.—S. 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 Eorer, of Des Moines county; Kalph P. Lowe, of Lee
tounty, and George Gillaspy, of Wapello county.
At this meeting the following fourteen persons aflSxed their signatures to
the Constitution, agreeing to become members: Charles I^egus, 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 FATE.
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 consid-
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 foi'
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 smd
sympathy of the throng present in her behalf. The popular verdict would
■have awarded the prize to Miss Hodges. A purse of f 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,
HISTOKT OF IOWA, 181
free of all charge, for tliree 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. Shaifer, 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 other
THE FISH COMMISSION.
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 tor the protection and propagation of Fish," also " An act to pro-
vide for famishing the rivers and lakes with fish and fish spawn." This
act appropriated $3,000 for the purpose. In accordance with ihe 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
fii-st year the Commissioners erected a "hatching 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. Daring the second year
there were distributed 583,000 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 diiferent 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 ENCOTTEAGEMENT OF IMMIGEATION.
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
ont 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 mSTOEY OF IOWA.
for printing documents in English, German, and such other languages aa
the Governor might deem advisable, $1,000, and for office and office ex-
penses for the Commissioner, $1,100. Under tliis law, Hon. N. J. Ensch, 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 Tork 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 eifort 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 coimty, had at the previous session introduced a bill in the
House of Representatives for the purpose, but the measure did not then
succeed. At the next session he renewed his eiforts 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-offido President of the Board. It also provided for a
Secretary, to be ex-qfficio Commissioner of Immigration, and td 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 d!ocuments, 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, tinder this law the following persons were appointed by
Governor Merrill : Edward Mumm, of Lee county ; M. J. Eohlfs, of Scott
county; C. L. Clausen, of Mitchell county; C. Ehynsburger, of Marion
county; S. F. Spoiford, of Polk county, and Marcus Tuttle, of Cerro Gordo
county. At their first meeting, held in April, 1870, they elected A. E.
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 effiarts 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. Eohlfs, of Scott county; S. F. Spofibrd, of PoUc county; Marcus
Tuttle, of Cerro Gordo county; C. V. 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
con*espondence. After four years existence the Board of Immigration was
discontinued, but not until it had doubtless been the means of inducing
thoiisands to find homes within the borders of Iowa.
Statistics.
NUMBEE OF TEOOPS FUENISHED BY THE STATE OF IOWA
DUELNG THE WAE OF THE EEBELLION,
TO JAMJAEY 1, 1865 *
No. Regiment.
No. of
men.
No. Regiment.
No. of
men.
Ist Iowa
2d "
3d '■
4th "
5th "
6th "
7fli "
Sth "
9th "
10th "
11th '■
12th "
13th "
14th "
15th "
16th "
17th "
18th "
19th "
20th "
21st "
^d "
23d "
24th "
25th "
26th "
27th "
28th "
29th "
30Ui "
31st "
32d "
33d "
34th '•
35th ••
36a "
37th "
38th "
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 (lOO-days men) ....
45th
46th " " " ....
47th " " " ....
48th Battalion " " ....
Ist Iowa Cavalry
2d " "
3d " "
4th " "
5th " "
6th " "
7th " "
8th •' "
9th " "
Sioux City Cavalry t
Co. A, 11th Penn. CavaJiy
1st Battery Artillery
2d "
3d " "
4th " '•
1st Iowa African Inf 'y, 60th U. S.^
Dodge's Brigade Band
Band of 2d Iowa Infantry
Enlistments as far as reported to Jan.
1 , '64, for the older Iowa regiments
Bnlistments of Iowa men m 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 f.
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 (^ 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:
STATISTICS.
•I«^OX
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186
STATISTICS.
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STATISTICS.
187
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188
STATISTICS.
TAELE.
SHOWING THE BATE OP ORGANIZATION, AND THE POPULATION OF THE SEVERAL COUNTUig
OF IOWA, FOR THE TEARS NAMED.
COUNTIES.
AGGREGATE.
1875.
1870.
1860.
1850.
1840.
Voters.
Adair
Adams
Allamakee. .
Appanoose. .
Audubon. . .
Benton
Black Hawk
Boone
Bremer
Buchanan. .
Biiena Yista
Butler
Calhoun. . . .
Carroll
Ca=s
Cedax
Cerro Gordo
Cherokee. . .
Chickasaw. .
Clarke
Clay
Clayton
Clinton
Crawford. . .
Dallas
Davis
Decatur. . . .
Delaware. ..
Des Moines.
Dickinson. ..
Dubuque. . .
Emmett. . . .
Favette
Floyd
Franklin. . .
Fremont. . . ,
G-reene
Grundy. . . .
Guthrie
Hamilton. . .
Hancock
Hardin
Harrison. . .
Henry
Howard. . . .
Humboldt. .
Ida
Iowa
Jackson. . . .
Jasper
Jefferson. . .
Johnson. . . .
Jones
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
1861
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
8455
794
17456
23061
24128
17127
24654
19168
4614
17868
16456
1212
22454
21706
14584
12528
17034
1585
9951
1602
2451
5464
19731
4722
1967
10180
8735
1523
27771
35357
2530
12019
15565
12018
17432
27256
1389
38969
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
5427
52
20728
18938
383
5244
13764
8677
11024
19611
180
31164
105
12073
3744
1309
5074
1374
793
3058
1699
179
5440
3621
18701
3168
332
43
8029
18493
9883
15038
17573
777
3131
672
135
735
517
8941
79
3873
2822
854
7264
965
1759
12988
10841
825
1244
8707
822
7210
1280
9904
4472
8007
1253
1101
821
168
5577
3059
3772
1411
2773
1491
471
1616
1727
3653
527
3679
4778
4877
3515
2656
3890
817
2698
681
1197
2422
89:^4
1526
1001
2892
2213
868
6272
6569
1244
3170
3448
2882
3662
6654
894
8759
299
4637
2884
1374
2998
1622
1525
2839
1455
303
3215
2658
4641
1712
695
172
8576
4901
5239
8721
5225
4180
STATISTICS.
189
TABLE
BHOWIHQ THB DATE OF OBGANIZATION, AKD THE POPULATION OF THE SEVERAL COUNTIES
OF IOWA, FOB THE TEARS NAMED.
Continued.
13
AGGKEOATB.
COUNTIES.
1875.
1870.
1860.
1850.
1840.
Voters.
Keokuk
1844
1855
1837
1839
1839
1849
1872
1850
1844
1845
1850
1851
1854
1864
1851
1858
1838
1860
1872
1851
1857
1858
1859
1846
1848
1848
1856
1858
1838
1863
1860
1853
1864
1851
1853
1837
1844
1849
1839
1851
1853
1857
1851
1853
1857
1855
20488
3765
33913
31815
12499
11725
1139
16030
23718
24094
19629
10556
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
17676
8718
9682
3654
12724
5934
21688
715
13271
416
29232
18947
10370
5766
4822
4202
773
Trf^»
18861
6444
4939
471
6093
1373
1927
5709
7274
2899
2464
287
7339
14816
16813
6015
4481
3409
832
8612
1256
16444
8
1179
5989
5482
338
2632
5287
4988
Marshall
4445
jlills
2365
Mi'trhpll
1
2338
1292
2884
2743
2485
5731
1942
6588
O'Brien
695
498
Page
9975
1336
2199
1446
27857
16893
15581
5691
1411
38699
2540
576
11651
16131
6989
6986
17672
22346
17980
18952
11287
10484
1562
23570
6172
2892
2392
4419
132
148
103
11625
4968
5668
2923
246
25959
818
10
4061
6285
3590
2012
17081
14518
10281
14235
6409
2504
168
13942
1119
766
653
561
3222
Palo Alto
556
1136
ARi.
Polk-
4613
7828
615
6842
Poti^waittfiniie. . ..*• >
4392
36.34
Ringgold
1496
657
Scott
5986
2140
7109
Sionx
1084
637
2574
Tama
8
204
3911
2282
1924
12270
8471
961
4957
340
6146
""i594
3893
Wapello
3923
4168
Washington
5346
2947
Webster
3747
4117
Winneshiek
546
406
1776
Worth....
763
694
. . . , 1353118J
1191792
674913
192214
43112
284657
190
SIATISTTCS.
VOTE FOE GOVEKNOR, 187T, AND PRESIDENT, 1876.
1877.
1876.
1877.
1876.
QOVKENOB.
PBESIDENT.
OOTBBNOB.
PEBSIDKHT.
OODNTLKS.
Bep.
Dem.
Gr.
Pro.
Bep.
Dem.
Bep.
Dem.
Gr.
Pro.
Kep.
Dem.
Adair
982
876
161
397
681
485
16
38
1334
1376
693
626
Johnson.
Jones
1881
1868
2345
1218
18
14
273
68
2345
2691
3563
A.dam8
176.1
Allamakee. ....
1547
1540
69
36
1709
16+6
Keokuk
1772
1526
322
105
236+
1863
Appanoose . . .
U65
1049
729
83
1711
1419
Kossuth
463
236
13
89
638
337
410
352
26
427
352
Lee
2157
2883
350
299
3160
S682
U32
178C
712
mi
667
95
449
244
2901
2979
1356
1592
2.524
1328
2316
817
75
89
. 685
108
4331
1920
2917
Black Hawfe...
Louisa
1003
Boone
1612
981
466
10
2018
1305
Lucas
1203
804
103
12
1'478
1044
Bremer
1180
582
196
1
1737
757
Lyon
261
17
9
14
262
46
Baohanan
1390
769
725
223
2227
1416
Madison
1792
1077
616
56
2246
1638
BuenaTlsta...
747
192
161
20
770
200
Mahaska.
1823
1086
1011
696
3221
1701
Butter..,
1453
768
19
95
18:18
780
Marion
1976
1866
760
95
2736
2,104
Galhotm
418
75
171
74
622
196
MarshaU
1448
837
389
604
3066
11S9
Carroll
633
159J
1315
744
839
1093
141
116
206
11
30
446
799
1876
2328
771
979
1445
MiUs
1435
1396
680
1102
459
119
93
35
432
28
36
9
1452
1663
713
1165
Oass
MitoheU
Mouona
671
Cedar
304
Cerro Gordo . .
903
348
72
40
1274
448
Monroe
1034
09K
247
26
141S
1246
Cherokee
662
74
383
86
864
176
Montgomery . .
1122
441
532
47
1749
759
Chickasaw ....
1279
1107
37
94
1574
1090
Muscatine
1753
1775
171
3S7
2523
a07.'>
Clarke
1054
267
813
19
1405
816
O'Brien
306
21
201
14
463
IM
Clay
617
1873
16
1770
20
66
67
167
567
2662
94
2621
Osceola
Page
295
1166
40
608
13
348
33
293
329
2243
69
Clayton
861
Clinton
2444
2327
236
66
3654
3398
Palo Alto
311
357
3
343
333
Crawford
898
651
19
111
1043
638
Plymouth. ...
779
487
77
39
835
603
Dallas
1541
893
215
1231
1241
803
80
12
2136
1686
752
1631
Pocahoutas....
Polk
370
3171
93
laa^
44
1363
36
94
374
4321
141
Davis.
2383
Decatur
1269
961
310
19
1647
1282
Pattawattamie.
2223
2059
218
121
2666
2414
Delaware
1226
1143
82
625
2233
1466
Poweshiek . ,.
1496
882
420
346
2609
1083
Des Hoines . .
2315
1384
767
6
3325
2917
Ringgold
964
71
671
47
1246
422
197
1687
8
3415
'"ioi
12
63
259
2798
48
4977
Sac !
656
3031
128
1963
177
309
13
37
661
3819
166
Scott
2853
213
1933
28
1067
246
3029
36
1709
Shelby.
Sioux
888
436
639
132
3
49
16
897
439
631
FayettB
889
27
220
Floyd
1233
208
162
30
2032
761
Story
1260
344
644
187
1843
679
Franklin
1311
336
16
10
1178
879
Tama
1426
833
196
133
2337
1317
1250
1031
1331
215
334
651
" '27
1658
1310
1682
610
1325
899
293
616
868
830
""63
1727
lass
676
Greene ....
Union
795
Grundy
909
504
S
1099
417
Van Buren...:
1490
1305
301
130
2113
1661
Guthrie
1160
496
SM
21
1434
629
Wapello
1710
102S
1265
296
.2982
2413
Hamilton
842
266
422
57
1187
425
Warren
1726
944
742
101
2439
1315
Hancock
340
95
29
a
281
99
Washington...
1687
1221
303
112
246'i
1608
Hardin
1492
661
238
IM
2152
980
Wayne
1316
832
404
3
1692
Harrison
134S
863
52S
19
1557
1386
Webster.
850
127
1421
47
.1299
Henry
1770
424
1041
140
2809
1485
Winnebago..,.
644
40
498
89
Howard
651
647
201
619
1194
600
Winneshiek...
2074
lOOS
279
238
2759
1617
Humboldt
882
149
115
«4
623
183
Woodbury . . .
1108
867
226
9
1034
149
Ida
321
1132
1619
54
1120
1966
104
642
224
'"228
16
212
1870
2126
57
1348
2486
Worth
62S
391
132
166
8
U7
14
98
674
Iowa.
Wright
181
Jackson
112121
Jasper
1971
1154
1018
268
3376
1804
Totals
121546
79368
34228
10639
171332
Jefferson
1396
763
67«
lOi
2166
1449
Majorities...
42193
Total vote,
1877,2.
16,766;
1876 (i
Quladii
Ig 9,001
Green
back), 292,454.
Centennial Awards.
TO IOWA EXHIBITORS.
TJnbee 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
a, 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 OEE.
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. Tlie most prom-
inent one was his large collection of mound builders' skulls.]
GROUP NO. IV.
State of Iowa.— Commended as a very fine ccillection 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 CEirrENnriAL awards.
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 187tf 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.]
Bryan & Curtis' butter, Strawberry Point, Clayton county. — Commended
for tine 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 clasitied, neatly mounted, labeled and
one in duplicate. The duplicate collection ingeniously arranged for exhi-
bition on large sliding frames within a glass case. The whole accompan-
ied with a printed catalogue.
AWARDS ON COLLKCrrVB 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 buildera' relics.
GROUP NO. XXVIII.
EDUCATIONAL.
Board of Education, Burlington, No. 76. — Commended for * creditable
display of the work of pupils.
State Educational Department, No. 77. — Report 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.
GROUP XXII.
PLOWS.
Skinner Bros., Des Moines, No. 63. — Commended for excellence of ma
terial, good workmanship and beauty of form.
OESTESSIAL AWABDS. 193
GEOUP IJ^O. XXIII.
BOOK BINDING AND PAPEE INDUSTET.
John D. Metz, Dubuque, No. 94. — ^Blank books with patent ends and
mode of stitching. Keport an admirable made book aside from the patent
i'uiprovement claimed.
GEOUP XXX.
HOESES AND CATTLE.
Eli Elliot, West Liberty. — Short Horn bull, Baron French, TSo. 8. — ^Ee-
port in form, quality and useful characteristics he is entitled to rank as a
Boperior specimen of the Short Horn breed.
• State of Iowa, Short Horn Herd, Ifo. 12. — One bull and four cows. The
animals composing this herd, in high 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, Wo. 13. — Two co-ws, Maid of Honor and
Lucy Ifapier, 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, Wo. 35. — Heifer, Louden Mirvine, for high
excellence in form, quality and nsefnl 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.
GEOUP XXXVL
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, Wo. 16. — Commended for a valuable selec-
tion of varieties very well grown, and especially for a seedling named
Kobinson, 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. HoUingsworth, 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 AWAEDS.
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 Clangean 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
1876, 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. Gt. 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. Winterbotom, 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
ofiicial 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 EXCHAITGE AlilD PEOMISSOET NOTES.
Upon negotiable bills, and notes payable in this State, grace shaU 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 U nited 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 wimout 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. If otes
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, nnless otherwise expressed.
la 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.
INTEEEST.
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
fund, 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, ana 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 survive
him.
The same share shall be set apart to the surviving husband of a deceased
wlte.
196 ABSTEACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
The widow's share cannot be 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 died
siezedj shall in absence of other arrangements by will, descend
Fvrst. To his or her children and their descendants in equal parts; the
descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking the share of their
deceased parents in equal shares among them.
Second. Where there is no child, nor descendant of such child, and no
widow or surviving husband, then 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.
Thwd. When there is a widow or surviving husband, 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.
Fov/rth. 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 no
child, parent, brother or sister (or descendant of either of them) of such
widow or surviving husband, it snail escheat to the State.
WILLS Airo ESTATES OF DECEASED PEESONS.
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 arfe 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, with such
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 tbotice of appointment as the court or clerk
shall direct.
Claims (other than preferred) must be filed within one yea/r thereafter, or are
forever barred, wj-Zess the clmm is pending in the District or Supreme Court,
or vrnZess pecuUa/r circumstanoes entitle the claimant to eqi^itable reUef.
Claims are classed anA payable in the follo^ving order:
1. Expenses of administration.
2. Expenses of last sickness and funeral.
ABSTEAOT OF THB LAWS OF IOWA. ^ 197
3. Allowance to widow and children, if made bj the court.
4. Debts preferred under the lawg of the United States.
5. Public rates and taxes.
6. Claims filed within six months after tTieJirst jmbUcation of the notice
given by the executors of their appointment.
7. All other debts.
8. Legacies.
The moard, or property which must be sei 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 exem/pt from execution.
TAXES.
The owners of personal property, on the first day of Jamiary of each year,
and the owners of real property on the first day of November of each year,
are Udble 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 aU 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,
and 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 aU 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 witmn one year
previous to the Ksting; 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
pubKc 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 ABSTEAOT OF THE LAWS OV 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 amoant, 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/or
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 hsting 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.
Koad 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 shaU 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 amoimt 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 sixmhir periaUy 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.
JUEISmCTION OF COUETS.
District Counts 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 ot
error.
ABSTEACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA, 199
Ci/rffwit Gowrts have jurisdiction, general and original, with the Dis-
trict Courts, in all civil actions and special proceedings, and excVuswe ju-
risdiction in all appeals and writs of error from inferior courts, in civil
matters. And exclusive jtunsdiction in matters of estates and general
probate business.
JvMices 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 offense less than felony, committed within their
respective coimties, in which the fine, by law, does not exceed %100 or the
imprisoTmient 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 five (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, untU 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 of 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.
JUEOES.
AU 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 of 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 Greneral Assembly, making it optional
with the jury to inflict it or not.
200 ABSTEAOT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
A MAKEIED WOMAN
may convey or inctiinber real estate, or interest therein, belonging to her;
may control the 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 FEOM 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 manufactured
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
ABSTEACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 201
shall 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.
UABKS 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 FEOM 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 trespasring 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-
snip, that the stock, or part thereof, shall, on the tenth day after posting
the notice, between the hours 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
liis 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 fciken 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 ABSTBAOT 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 and make oath as to where
such estray was taken up, and that the marks or brands have not been al-
tered, to his 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 Coimty 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 witliin 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
oflfender 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 np, and the tinder shall have complied with the law, a com-
plete title vests in the tinder.
But if the owner appear within eighteen months from the taking up,
prove his ownership and pay all costs and expenses, the tinder 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 twenty nor
less than 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
ABSTHACT OV THE LAWS OT IOWA. 303
do 80, and the same being adjudged suflSoient by the fence viewers, and the
value thereof, with their fees, being ascertained and certified under their
liands, 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 shaH be done; and in
case any party neglect to maintain or erect such part as may be assigned to
liim, the aggrieved party may erect and maintain the same, and recover
double damages.
No person, not wishing his land enlosed, and not using it otherwise than
in common, shall be compelled to maintain any partition fence; but when
he 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 nninclosed, 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 Uoed in common, he must give his
neighbor six months' notice thereof.
Where a 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 CHILDEEN.
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 lawfully 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 not 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 pm-pose of adoption as his own child.
The person adopting shall also sign said instrument, and all the parties
204: ABSTBAOT OF THK LAWS OF IOWA.
shall acknowledge the same In the manner that deeds conveying lands shall
be acknowledged.
The instrument shall be recorded in the office of the Countj Recorder.
SUEVETOES A20> SUEVETS.
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 chainmen and
other assistance must be employed by the person requiring the same to be
done, and to be by him paid, imless otherwise agreed; but the chainmen
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 tho
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 cfents.
mechanics' lieh-s.
Every mechanic, or other person who shall do any labor upon, or fiirnish
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-contrrctor, 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.
EOADS AMD 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.
A33STEACT 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 Eoad Supervisor,
to break upon, plow or dig within, the boundary lines of any public high-
way.
The money tax levied ^on 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 Eoad 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.
SUPPORT OF POOB.
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 ABSTBAOT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
Appeal may be taken from such judgment as from other judgments of
the Circuit Court.
Wlien 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 ot 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 ofiBcer, 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 contrary 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 writing or
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 aflSxing 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 falls 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 abova 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 AOTJ JTEAStTEES.
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, Peaches or Quinces 48
Apples, reacnes or yumctss ^to
Cnemes.Grapes, Currants or Gooseber's, 40
Strawberries, Raspberries or Blackber's, 32
Osage Orange Seed 32
Mfllet Seed 45
. Stone Coal 80
Lime • 80
Corn in the ear 70
Wheat 60
Potatoes 60
Beans 60
Clover Seed 60
Onions 57
SheEedCom 56
Rye 56
Flax Seed 56
Sweet Potatoes 46
Sand 130
Sorgum Seed 30
Broom Com Seed 30
Buckwheat 52
Salt.
50
Barley 48
ComMeal 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
Penalty for giving less than the above standard is treble damages and
costs and iive 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. Lowet.
A note to be payable in anything else than money needs only the facts
substituted for money in the above form.
OBDEBS.
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
F. D. SiLVA.
BILLS OF PUEOHASE.
W. N. Mason,
Salem, Illinois, Sept. 18, 1876.
Bought of A. A. GrEAHAM.
4 Bushels of Seed Wheat, at $1.50 $6 00
2 Seamless Sacks " 30 60
Received payment,
A. A. Qbaham.
$6 60
208 ABSTEACT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA.
EE0EIPT3.
ileceipts should always state when received and wtat for, thus:
$100. Ohioago, 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 U. S., which was formerly
placed before any denomination of money, and meant, as it means now,
United States Currency.
£ means pounds, English money.
@ stands for at or io; B) for pounds, and bbl. for barrels; ^ for per or
hy the. Thus, Butter sells at 20@30c f fb, and Flour at $8@$12 f bbl.
% for per cent, and tt for number.
May 1. "Wheat sells at $1.20@$1.25, " seller June." Seller June means
that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any
time during the month of June.
Selling short, is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock,
at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the seller has not
the stock ou 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 till
his contract at a profit. Hence the " shorts " are termed " bears."
Buying loncf, is to contract to purchase a certain amount of grain or
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.
-, Iowa, , 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
whole note to become due and collectible at once.
If this note is sued, or judgment is confessed hereon, $ shall be allowed aa attorney fees.
No.—. P.O. , .
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
$ , and $ as attorney fees, hereby authorizing the Clerk of the
Court of said county to enter np 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 .
ABSTBAOT 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. j
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
due said as aforesaid.
Sworn to and subscribed before me and in my presence by the said
. this day of , 18 — . , Notary Public.
AETICLES 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.
Oeneral 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 —
Witrvesseth: 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 soon as delivered.
In case of failure of agreenient 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 May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight, between Reuben
Stone, of Dubuque, county of Dubuque, State of Iowa, party of the first
U
210 ABSTEACT 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 live 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. Eeuben Stone.
George Baeclat.
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 jpurchmer
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, bis 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 rae
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, T have hereunto aflixed my hand, this tenth' day of
October, one thousand eight hundred and s«venty-six.
LoiTis Olat.
NOTICE TO QUIT.
To John Wontpay: You are hereby notified to quit the possession of
the premises you now occupj', 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.]
AB8TEA0T OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. 211
GENEEAL FOEM OF WILL FOE EEAL AND PEESONAL PEOPEETT.
I, Charles Mansfield, of the town of Bellevne, 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 nnto 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 oflSce 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 stock in the Baltimore & Ohio Kailroad, 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.
FovHh. I give to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, aU 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 Eailroad, 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.
Sixmth. It is also my wiU 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 ye-
vert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each.
Arid VastVy. 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.
Li 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 aiid seventy-two.
Chaeles Mansfield.
212 ABSTEACT OT 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. Schenok, Dubuque, Iowa.
FEAiirK E. Dent, Bellevue, Iowa.
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.
Wheeeas, by the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna Louise,
has deceased, November fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three; and
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 bequeaAed 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.
Chaeles 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.
Feank E. Dent, Bellevue, Iowa.
John C. Shay, Bellevue, Iowa.
{Form No. 1.)
satisfaction of moetgage.
State of Iowa, ,
County, j
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 Real 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, P^-
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. ^ — -.
ABSTBAOT OF THE LAWS OF IOWA. — - 213
ONE FOEM OF EEAL ESTATE MOETQAGE.
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 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
defend the same against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. To
be void upon condition that the said shall pay the fall 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-
icribed premises.
Signed this day of , A. D. 18—.
[Acknowledge as in Form No. 1 .J
SECOND FOEM OF EEAL ESTATE MOETGAGE.
This Indentuee, 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, seU, 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 incumbrancg, 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 ABSTEAOT 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.
Thvrd. 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 security
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 aftCr 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 sherifi' 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 full force and virtue.
■■5
[Acknowledge as in form No. l.J
FOEM OF LEASE.
This Article of Ageeement, 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, wicnesseth 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 :
[S^ere 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 tlie 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 W^ *^® ^®^* ^ above stated, except when said premises are untenable
ABSTEAOT 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,
quit 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
FOEM OF HOTE.
, 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 bt 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 personal property, now in the possession of in the
county, and State of , to- wit:
[Here inseH 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 Slim 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 OP THE LAWS OT 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
WAEEAUTT DEED.
Know all Men by these Peesents: 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
simple of 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 PEESENCE of
[Acknowledged as in Form No. 1.]
QUIT-CLAIM DEED.
Know all Men bt these Peesents: That , of County, State
of , in consideratiou of the sutn 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, botli 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 Peesenoe or
[Acknowledged as in Form No. 1.]
ABSTEAOT OF THB LAWS OF IOWA. 5J17
BOND FOB DEBD.
Know all Men by these Peesents: 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 $ , dne , 18 — , with interest annually at — per cent.
One note for $ , dne , 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
the 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 nnlaw-
fiil to do any of the following acts:
BIBDS AND QUADEUPEDS.
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 Mfling birds for scientific purposes, or
f reservation in miiseums 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 ABSTEAOT OF THE LAWfe OV 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 gim,
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 any time; for one person to kill during one day mote 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 for 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, \i 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 tlie defendant; both fees
to be taxed as costs. The county is, however, in no event liable for either.
FISH AUD 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, fisli-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.
ABSTEACrr 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 fisli, 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 SUBSOEIPTION.
The business of publishing hooks hy subscription, having so often been
brought into disrepute by agents making representations and declarations
not <mthorized by the publisher, in order to prevent that as'much as possi-
ble, and that there may be more general knowledge of the relation sach
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 pay 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 cJiange 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-
nectionwith 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
otiier business, should remember that the law as written 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 2M 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
^escribed mode and have no authority 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 hind their principal for the payment of
expenses incurred in their business.
It would same 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 Him J or a con-
timiation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independ-
ent government, hy the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof
sJmLI 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.
Aeticle 1. — Bill of Eights.
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
rates, for building or repairing places of worship, or the maintenance of any
minister or ministry.
Sbo. 4. 'No religious test shall be required as a qualification for any
ofBee 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
acconnt of interest, who may be cognizant of any fact material to the case;
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. T. 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, or 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. Tlie 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 searciied, and
the persons and things to be seized.
Seo. 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.
Seo. 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.
Seo. 11. All oftenses 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 army 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.
Seo. 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.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 25. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or
deny others, retained by the people.
Aetiole 2. — Right 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.
Sec. 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.
OONSTrrUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 223
Sbo. 3. No elector shall be obliged to perform military duty on the day
of election, except in time of war or public danger.
Seo. 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 baUot.
Article 3. — Of the Disteibution 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 exercis.e 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 Depaetment.
Section 1. The legislative authority of this State shall be vested in a
General Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Kepresen-
tatives; and the style of every law shall be — "jBe it enacted iy 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 by proclamation.
Sec. 3. The members of the House of Ktspresentatives shall be chosen
every second year, by the qualified electors of their respective districts, on
tiie 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 member 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 yeers, at ths same
time and place as Kepresentatives; they shall be twenty-five years of age,
and possess the qualifications of Kepresentatives, as to residence and citi-
zenship.
Seo. 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 keep them as
nearly, equal in numbers as practicable.
224 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
sliall 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 att«!ndance of absent members in such manner and under such
penalties as each house may provide.
Sec. 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, pnnish 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 liberty
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
liouse, 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 djuring 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 exercisii^g the functions of governor, shall issue writs of election to iill
such vacancies.
Sec. 18. The doors of each house shall be open, except on such occas-
sions as, in the opinion of the house, may require secrecy.
Sec. 14. Neither house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn
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,
sliall be signed by the Speaker and President of their respective houses.
Sec. 16. Every bill which shall have passed the General Assembly, shall,
before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor. If he 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 such 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.
OONSTITTmON OF THE STATE 01" IOWA. 226
Sec. 18. An accurate statement of the receipts and expenditures of the
public money shall be attached to and atfd published with the laws at every
regular session of the General Assembly.
Sec. 19. The House of Eepresentatives 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 afiSrmation ; 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 oflScers, 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 Kepresentative 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.
Seo. 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.
Seo. 23. No person who may hereafter be a collector or holder of pub-
lie 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 for 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.
Seo. 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.
Seo. 27. No divorce shall be granted by the General Assembly.
15
226 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE Off IOWA.
Sec. 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.
Seo. 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.
Seo. 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 Kepresentative, 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.
Seo. 33. The General Assembly shall, in the years one thousand eight
hundred 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.
Sec. 3i. 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 Eepresentatives 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
OONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 227
organized connties and each district shall be entitled to at least one Repre-
sentative. Every county and district which shall have a number of inhabi-
tants equal to one-half the ratio fixed by law, shall be entitled to one Kep-
resentative; and any one county containing in addition to the ratio fixed
by law one-half of that number, or more, shall be entitled to one additional
Eepresentative. No floating district shall 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 shall be entered on the journal.
Aeticle i. — Executive Depabtment.
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.
Seo. 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.
Seo. 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 vmom
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.
Seo. i. The persons respectively having the highest number of votes, for
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, shall oe 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.
. Seo. 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 I0T7A.
the officers of the executive department upon any subject relating to the
duties of their respective offices.
Sec. 9. He shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed.
Sec. 10. Wlien 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. 11. 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. l^o person shall, while holding any office under the authority of
the United States, or this State, execute the office of Governor, or Lieuten-
ant-Governor, 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 for 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
OONSTITtTTION 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 Kepresenta-
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.
Aeticle 6. — 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 judge holding the shortest term of office under such classification,
shall he 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 OP THE STATE OF IOWA.
criminal matters arising in their respective districts, in sucli manner as shall
be prescribed by law.
Seo. 7. The judges of the Supreme and District Courts shall be conser-
vators of the peace mroughout the State.
Sec. 8. The style of aU 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 each 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 re-organization 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 nntil 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
■f-esident 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.
Aktiole 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
as are 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
maimer as other citizens.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 231
Seo. 3. AH 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.
Aeticle 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.
Sko. 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 Greneral 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.
Seo. 3. AU 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.
Seo. 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 piirpose for which it was raised, or to repay such debts,
and to no other pm'pose whatever. ,
Seo. 6. Except the debts hereinbefore specified in this article, no debt
shall hereafter be contracted by, or on behalf of tliis 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
against it at such election ; and all money raised by authority of such law,
sliall be applied only fa 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.
AkTICLE 8. COEPOEATIONS.
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. N^o political or mimicipal corporation shall become a stock-
holder in any b'l.nking corporation, directly or indirectly.
Sec. 5. !N o 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 voting
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.
Sec. 8. If a general banking law shall be enacted, it shall provide for
the registry and coantersigning, oy an officer of State, of all bills, or paper
credit designed to circulate as money, and require security to the full
amount thereof, to be deposited with the State Treasurer, in IJnited 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 be 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 coi-porations,
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 creditx)rs, over and above the
amount of stock by him or her held, to an amount equal to liis or her re-
spective shares so held, for all its liabilities, accruing wliile 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
BhaU 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 no
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.
Seo. 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.
Seo. 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.
Seo. 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
Goremor 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 pubHshed 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, th^ 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.
Seo. 9. The Governor of the State shall be, ae-offioio, 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
Genera] 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
pass without the concurrence of a majority of all the members of the
board, 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 o^ 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 wMch, together with
all rents of the unsold lands, and such other means as the General As-
eembly may provide, shall be inviolably appropriated to the support of
common schools throughout the State.
Sec. i. 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 commen schools, or the establishment of
libraries, as the board of education shall, from time to time, provide.
Sec. 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 efiectual means for the improvement and permanent security of the
funds of said university.
Sbo. 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.
Sec. T. 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.
Aetiole 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 daty of the General Assembly to snbmit
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 qiialified to vote for members of the General As-
sembly ; and in case a majority of the electors 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 I. 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. IS'o 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. 6. 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 pi
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.
Seo. 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 omcer in his official
capacity, shall remain in force and inure to the use of those concerned.
Seo. 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 the 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 Kepresentatives, 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.
Seo. 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
be 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 fiftj'-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 oflicer, elected at the April election in one thousand eight
hundred and fifty -eight, shall not extend beyond the time fixed for filling
like oiiices 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
eoiunty 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. Tlie first regular session of the General Assemliily shall be lield
in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, commencing on the
second Monday of January of said year.
Sec 10. Senators elected at tlie August election, in the year one thou-
238 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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.
Seo. 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 continued by this constitiition, 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 no 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 eonstitu-
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— ISTo." 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 efi'ect from and after
the publication of' said proclamation.
Sec. 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 Suffii-age?' — Yes." And
those given against the proposition shall have the AVbrds, " 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.
CONSTITXITION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
239
In testimony whereof, we have hereimto subscribed our names :
Timothy Day,
S. G. Winchester,
David Bunkee,
D. P, Palmee,
Geo. "W. Ells,
J. 0. Hall,
John H. Petees,
"Wm. H. Waeeen,
H. W. Geay,
EOBT. GOWEE,
H. D. Gibson,
Thomas Seeley,
A. H. Maevin,
J. H. Emeeson,
K. L. B. Clarke,
James A. Young,
D. H. Solomon,
Attest!
Th. J. Satindees, Secretary.
E. N. Bates, Assistant Secretaan/.
m. "w. eobinson,
Lewis Todhttntee,
John Edwaeds,
J. 0. Teaee,
James F. Wilson,
Amos Haeeis,
Jno. T. Claek,
S. Ayees,
Haevey J, Skiff,
J. A. Paevin,
W. Penn Claeke,
Jeee. Hollingwoeth,
Wm. Patteeson,
D. W. Peioe,
Alpheus Scott,
Geoege Gillaspy,
Edwaed Johnston.
Francis Speingee, President.
Constitution of United States.
We, the people of the United States, vn, order to form a more perfect wiiion,
establish justwe, insure domestic tra/ngwhUl/y, provide for the common
defence, promote the general welfare, and secwre the hlessmgs of Uberty
to owrseVves and owr posterity, do ordam and estaMish this Constitution
for the United States of America.
Aeticle I.
Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a
Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of
Eepresentatives.
Sec. 2. The House of Eepresentatives 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, and
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 representatives 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, Khode 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 happen in the representation from any State, the execu-
tive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
The House of Eepresentatives 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-
AUTD ITS AMENDMENTS. 241
ators from eacli 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 dass 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 nntQ the next meeting of the
Lemslature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
No 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 Yice-President of the United States shall be president of the Senate;
hut shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro tem-
pore, in the absence of the Yice-President, or when he shall exercise the of-
fice 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 farther 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 hable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment
according to law.
Seo. 4. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for Senators
and Kepresentatives, 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. 6. 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-
hers 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,
pnbhsh 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 three days, nor to any other place than
that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
16
242 OONSTITTTTION 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 sessioij
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 Kepresentative 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
Eepresentatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments,
as on other bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the Hoiise of Kepresentaties 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
biU.
Seo. 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 AMEMDMENTS. 243
To establish post-offices and post-roads;
To promote tne 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 tor a longer term than two years;
To provide ana 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
Soveming such part of them as may be employed in the service of the
Tnited States, reserving to the States, respectively, the appointment ,of the
officers, and the authority of training 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 authorify 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 receipts
and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
No title of nobUity 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 coNSTiruTioif of the TiNrrED states
Sec. 10. !N"o State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation;
grant letters of marqne and risprisal; 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 sbaU, 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 aU 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. Tlie 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 Yice-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
Hepresentatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress; but no
Senator or Eepresentative, 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
for, and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall sign and cer-
tify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of government of 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 Pepresentatives, 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 ma,]'ority, and have an equal number of votes, then the
House of Pepresentatives 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 shaU ron-
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 iaay 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-bom citizen, or a citizen of the United States
at the time of the adoption of tliis 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,
frovide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inabiHfy, both of the
'resident and Vice-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 period,
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, in
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 ofienses 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 aU 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, and shall
eommission all the officers of the United States.
Seo. 4. The President, Yice-President, and aU 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 OCiNSTITOTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Ajjtiolb III.
Section 1. The judicial power of tte United States shall be vested in
one Supreme Ccurt, 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 alfecting 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 aU crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shaU 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 fhem aid and com-
fort. !N'o 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 pimishment of treason, but
no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except
during the life of the person attainted.
Article 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-
cerned, as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make aU 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 slaims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Sec. 4. The United States shall 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
tlie legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.
Aeticle V.
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.
Aeticle VL
All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption
of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States, imder this
Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made
in pursuance thereof, and aU 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 Kepresentatives 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-
quire, as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United
States.
Article 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 \yy the unanimous consent of the States present, the
seventeenth day of iSeptember, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
248
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
hundi'ed and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the United States
of America the twelfth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed
our names.
GEO. WASHINGTON,
President and Deputy from Virginia.
New Hwmpshire.
John Langdon,
Nicholas Gilman.
Massachusetts.
Nathaniel Goeham,
KuFus King.
Comneeticut.
Wm. Sam'l Johnson,
EOGEK ShEEMAN.
New Yorh.
A LEY ANDES HAMILTON.
New Jersey.
WiL. Livingston,
Wm, Pateeson,
David Beeaelet,
JoNA. Dayton.
Pennsylvania.
B. Feanklin,
Eobt. Moeeis,
Thos. Fitzsimons,
James Wilson,
Thos. Mifflin,
Geo. Cltmee,
Jaeed Ingeesoll.
Gouv. Moeeis.
Delaware.
Geo. Read,
John Dickinson,
Jaco. Beoom,
Gunning Bedfoed, Je.,
ElOHAED BaSSETT.
Maryland.
James M'Henet,
Danl. Caeeoll,
Dan. of St. Thos, Jenifee.
Virginia.
J OHN Blaie.
James Madison, Je.
North Carolina.
Wm. Blount,
Hu. Williamson,
Eioh'd Dobes Spaight.
South Carolina.
J. Kutledge,
Chaeles Pincknet,
Chas. Ooteswoeth PmoKNEr,
PlEECE BuTLEE.
Georgia.
William Few,
Abe. Baldwin.
WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary.
AMENDMENTS
To the Constitution of the Urdted States, ratified according to the provis-
ions of the Fifth Article of the foregoing Constitution.
Aetiole I.
Confess 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 redlresss of grievances.
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 249
Aeticlb 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.
Aeticlb III.
Ko 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
bylaw.
Aeticlb 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.
Aeticlb Y,
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 mUitia, when in actual
service, in time of war, or public danger ; nor shall any person be subject
for the same ofiense 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.
Aeticle VI.
In aU 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.
Aeticlb 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.
Aeticle 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.
Aeticle X.
The powers not delegated to the TJnited States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to
the people.
Aeticle 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
tor as Yice-President; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted
for as President and of all persons voted for as Yice-President, and of the
niunber of votes for each, which lists they shall sim 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 Eepresentatives, 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 Eep-
resentatives shall choose immediately by ballot, the j?resident. 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 JRepresenta-
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 siich number be a majority of the whole number
of electors appointed ; and if no person have a majority, then, from the tw»
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 AMENDMKNTS. 251
AitTICLB 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.
AUTICLE 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. JTo State shall make or enforce aiw 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; Dut 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 sueh 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 of this article.
Aeticle 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.
PEACTICAL EULES FOR EYERY DAT USE.
Mow to find the gain or loss per cent, when the cost and selling price a/re
given.
EuLE. — 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 fior finding the net weight, or price ofihogs,
when the gross weight or price is given, and vice versa.
Note. — It is generally assumed that the gross weight of Hogs diminislied by 1-5 or 20
per cent, of itself gives the net weight, and the net weight increased by }4 <" 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.
J^or 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
MISCELLAKEOUS. 253
ordinary method, and point off one decimal place — the result will be the
answer in bushels.
Note.— In estimating com in the eax, the quality and the time it has been cribbed
must be taken into consideration, since com mil 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 dean.
How to find the contents of a cistern or tank.
KuLE. — 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 Z\\ gallons.
Sow to find the contents of a iarrel or cash.
KcjLE. — Under the sqnare 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 wirie gallons.
How to measure hoards.
Ktjle. — Multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches) and divide
the product by 12— the result will be the contents in sqnare feet.
How to measure scantlings, joists, pla/nhs, sills, etc.
KoLE. — 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 nurtiber of acres vn a body of land.
EuLE. — 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 afioor or wall.
KtiLE. — 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.
EuLE. — 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.
Ericks are usually made 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, and two inches
thick; hence, 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 vn a roof.
EuLE. — ^Multiply the number of square feet in the roof by 8, if the shin-
gles are exposed 4|- inches, or by 7 1-5 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 .66 (hundredths); at oNE-TraED pitch, by .6
(tenths); at two-eifths 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 M or J^ jntch is meant that the apex or comb of the roof is to be ^ or J^ the
width of the buuding mgher than the waUs or base of the rafters.
254 MISCELLANEOUS.
How to reckon the cost of hay.
EuLE. — Multiply the number of pounds by half the price per ton, and
remove the decimal point three places to the left. '
Sow to measure grain.
KuLE. — 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 rale 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 corn
to make 1 of shelled corn.
Rapid rules for measuring land without instrum,ents.
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 sufiicient 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 malce an acre, the width being
Rule. — Divide 160 by the width, and the quotient will be the answer. ^
Sow 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.
Uow 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 oftimher of the same thick- _
ness throughout will contain 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.
MISCELLAHEOUS. 255
To find the numher of feet of timber in trees with the hark on.
Rule. — Multiply tlie square of one-fifth of the drcumference 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.
Eoward^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 J^ 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 Eapids '. 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 of 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.
They 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 beeches
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 Keokuk County.
NAME.
There is nothing in the whole realm of knowledge more important than
the history of words, and the science of etymology affords nothing more
interesting than the origin of proper names. In naming localities and
streams of water the discoverers and first settlers of America originated
the plan of adopting Indian names. As new streams of water were dis-
covered, new territories formed, and new towns laid out this plan was ad-
hered to. The precedent thns formed by the fathers, grew into an estab-
lished custom, the wisdom of which has become more and more apparent
as by use the ear becomes accustomed to the sound and the eye familiar
with the sight of them. By following this custom our language becomes
greatly enriched, and each successive generation is reminded of a people
once numerous and powerful, but now so weak and abject as to be virtually
eliminated from, the family of nations. These names have invariably a
pleasing sound when the ear becomes accustomed to them, and their adop-
tion is a most befitting tribute to a nation which, although savage, pos-
sessed certain characteristics that make the story of their misfortunes the
most remarkable to be found on the pages of history, and the most pathetic
that has been wrought by the stern vicissitudes of time.
Among the Aboriginies whose swift feet roamed these western prairies,
and whose facile canoes were borne toward the great Father of Waters, long
before the white man' claimed this goodly heritage, was a young Indian
whose early life gave much promise of future greatness. At an early age
he was elevated to the dignity of chief. He was a man of great personal
courage, capable of more than ordinary physical endurance, and by reason
of his eloquence held the first place in the council of his nation. Moreover
he was the triend of our ancestors. His voice was always for peace, and his
hand ever ready to defend the life and property of the wljite man when
menaced by his savage followers, prompted by feelings of vengeance or cu-
pidity; and this, too, when his judgment told him that the destiny of his
own race was sealed by the coming of the pale face. He was the principal
chief at the treaty which guaranteed to the white man a home within the
limits of the county, the history of which we are about to narrate. During
the Black Hawk difficulty his voice was for peace with the white man, and
his influence contributed much to shorten the war. His name was Keokuk
and as an honor to this chief the county bears his name.
17
258 HISTOJSY OF KEOKUK COUNXr.
PHYSICAL GEOGKAPHY.
The physical geography of Keokuk county is a topic which might be
expanded into a book. Such a book from a competent author would afford
a most interesting and profitable study for all students of natural history.
In its physical features this county differs in many respects from any other
section. Each and all of these features are found in other counties, but
nowhere else are they similarly grouped and correlated, and in this respect
they may properly be termed distinctive and characteristic. A productive
soil, rich mines, numerous streams and extensive belts of timber, furnish a
diversity of natural resource ample for the employment of every phase of
human industry. The large and productive prairies yield sure and abun-
dant returns for the investment of agricultural skill and labor; the grazier
is attracted by sections of graceful undulations, where all kinds of grass
grow in luxuriant abundance, near streams which furnish an inexhaustible
supply of living water; stone quarries supplying sufficient material for all
kinds of building purposes are of easy access; for fuel and mechanical
uses there is a supply of coal and timber for all time to come. The aver-
age elevation of the county is about 814 feet above the level of the sea, or
about 375 feet above the low water mark in the Mississippi river at Keo-
kuk. At a point in the northeastern part of the county, near the Wash-
ington county line, the elevation above the level of the sea is 750 feet. Be-
ginning at this point and thence west to the highest point the rise is very
marked, being as much as 130 feet; from this point to the public square in
Sigourney the descent is quite marked, the difference in elevation being 91
feet. The public square in Sigourney is a little over 800 feet above the
level of the sea. From Sigourney to the head-waters of Steady run, in
the south part of the county, the descent is gradual, the difference in ele-
vation being about 75 feet. From these data it would appear that the gen-
eral direction of the large streams should be eastward and the greater num-
ber of tributaries should be southward; upon investigation this will be
found to be the case.
The county is watered by the two branches of Skunk river, running in a
general direction from west to east through the southern part of the county,
and by South English river from west to east through the northern part of
the county. These streams divide the county' into six water-sheds, and
their tributaries afford a most ample drainage to every part of the county.
The banks of these streams abound with timber, rock, and in many places
• bituminous coal. The water-shed south of South Skunk is for the most
part a rolling prairie, broken at intervals by small streams skirted with
timber, presenting a landscape of surprising beauty, and a soil unsurpassed
in fertility.
The divide between the Skunk rivers, though not so inviting in appear-
ance, possesses many advantages, not only in the richness of this alluvial,
soil, but in its abundant water power, its grazing lands, and its excellent
timber and rock for building purposes.
The water-shed north of JSforth Skunk is much the largest of water-
sheds, and embraces about one-half the territory of the county. In its
southern parts, bordering on the river, and for a few miles back, it is the
most broken part of the county; but this apparent defect is more than
compensated in the richness of its soil, its abundant timber, its superior
quarries of sand and lime rock, and its exhaustless coal mines.
HI8T0ET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 259
. English river. — This streara enters the county near the northwest
corner, flows a little sonth of east till it reaches a point about
midway across the county; from there its course is north of east,
and leaves the county near the northeast corner. It is shallow, and the
channel narrow. It has a medium current and the bed is sandy. without
roek. The banks are low, and consist of alluvial deposit, with neither
stone nor gravel. On the north side there are some small tracts of bottom
land of more than ordinary fertility. These are especially desirable, as
"the stream seldom overflows its banks. There are no bridges of import-
ance, as the stream can be safely forded at all seasons of the year.
Sistmk river. — The name comes from the Indian word Checauqua,
which means skunk, and should never have been translated. There is noth-
ing romantic nor poetical about the name, but those who think lightly of
this river on account of the name, should remember that the garden city
of the West derives its origin from no better source. Chicago and Chicaqua
are slightly different pronunciations of an Indian word, that means the same
thing. This stream is formed by the junction of two streams, designated
by the names North and South Skunk, the point of confluence being in the
county, about four miles from the county line. The south fork is much
the larger, with this exception the streams are very similar. Their general
course is eastward, the south fork being nearly directly so, while the north
fork makes a considerable bend toward the north, near the center of
the county. The heads of these streams are sandy, and rock is found in
some places. The current is in the main very sluggish, though in certain
places the fall is sufficient to afford splendid water power, which has been
utiUzed by the establishment of mills for the manufacture of flour and
lumber. At some points the land slopes gradually away from the stream,
thus permitting large portions of the bottom to be overflowed during rainy
seasons, and making travel across the country difficult or impossible, where
there are no good roads and bridges. At other places there are rocky
bluffs, which preclude the possibility of an overflow at any season of the
year. These streams are properly renowned for the fish which they contain,
it being no unusual thing to catch tish weighing from fifteen to twenty
pounds, while there are instances in which fish weighing as much as fifty
pounds have been caught. IsTorth Skunk has numerous tributaries entering
it from the north. Some of the principal ones alone will be mentioned.
Clear creek, so called on account of the transparency of its waters; German
creek, so named after the nationality of the early settlers of this territory;
Bridge creek, which received its name from the fact that it was almost im-
possible to cross it at any point without the medium of a bridge; Smith
creek, so named after the Smith family which early settled there; Cedar
creek and Coal creek, so named from the physical structure of the soil, and
natural scenery. Most of these streams are characterized by lively cur-
rents, sandy bottoms and some stone. The tributaries of South Skunk
enter from the south. They are not as numerous and important as the others,
the following four being all worthy of mention: Richland creek, so named
from the first town of the county; Kock creek, which received its name
from the abundance of rock along its banks; Steady run, which received
its name from the gait which it travels ; and Sugar creek, which was desig-
nated on account of the sugar maples originally found along its banks.
Prairies. — Over four-fifths of the surface of the county originally con-
sisted of prairie lands, with the exception of an extensive level tract in the
260 HISTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
eastern part of the county, which wonld be improved by draining, also
large tracts in the northwest and southeast portions of the county. The
prairies are rolling and the natural drainage is abundantly sufficient to
carry off the surplus water, even in the wettest seasons. There are no
swamps or sloughs of any importance. These prairies are covered with a
light, loamy soil of great richness, and a remarkable capacity of with-
. standing both drouth and an excessive amount of rain. At a depth of
about four feet there is a substratum of yellow clay. There are scarcely
any boulders, and scarcely any stone except in the quarries, which do not
interfere with cultivation.
Timber. — About fifteen per cent of the county was originally timber;
much of this has been cut off for fuel, and in the manufacture of native
lumber. The timber which has been destroyed in this manner has been
miore than replaced by the rearing of artificial groves. In the cultivation,
of trees it has been found that soft and hard maple, elm and Cottonwood
flourish with great luxuriance, and groves of remarkable beauty and impos-
ing grandeur, are now found in various parts of the county.
Stone. — With the exceptions of the north part of the county there is an
abundant supply of building stone. Some of the quarries contain lime-
stone, and others sandstone. At an early date these quarries were renowned,
and we find some of them located on a rough plat made by Bernhart
Henn, of the United States Land Office, as early as 1852. Many perm-
anent improvements of other counties have had their beginnings at some
Keokuk county stone quarry. .
Mineral paint. — Eight miles southwest of the county seat is an extensive
deposit of clay, which is likely to prove a very fine quality of mineral
paint. The deposit covers an area of about thirty acres, is sixteen feet be
neath the surface, and 'the layer is about one foot in thickness. The clay
was found while prospecting for lead, and from certain indications it would
seem that the mine or bank had been rbarked in early days, probably by
the Indians, who here procured the material from which was prepared the
paint so extensively used by the Aborigines. There are some six or seven
distinct colors, and a building which was painted some years ago, with a
mixture of these colors, reveals the colors in a remarkable state of preser-
vation. There are also indications that lead exist in the same locality.
Coal. — In the report of the Geological Survey, published in 1870, we
find the following statement: "Although Keokuk county lies quite within
the limits of the coal field, as defined upon the geological map, it is not
probable that it will ever take rank among tlie more important coal coun-
ties of Iowa. This statement should not be understood to imply that no
important deposits of coal exists within its limits, because it is a well known
fact, that some good mines are already opened there. The county, however,
lies near the eastern border of the field, where the coal formation would
naturally be expected to be thinner, besides which, the sub-carboniferous
limestone is so exposed along the valley of Skunk river as to show that
there cannot be in many places, any considerable development of coal meas-
ure strata between the limestone and the drift above. Of course no coal
need be sought for beneath that limestone."
This paragraph sc.arcely does the coal interest of the county justice; no
detailed examination of the county had been made at the time, and recent
investigation goes to show that while Keokuk county does not rank as the
first of the coal producing counties, nevertheless, it is destined to develop
HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COtTNTT. 261
a supply of this important mineral, which in the quantity and quality of the
material will far exceed the most sanguine expectations of the original
prospectors. Extensive mines have already been opened, and are now be-
ing operated at three or four localities in various parts of the county, and
these lack but the important item of suitable means of transportation, to
make coal mining one of the leading industries of this section.
Springs. — A glance at any good county map, will readily convince any-
one that the county is well watered. But aside from the net work of streams
which traverse the county in every direction, there are innumerable springs
which flow the year round, and an inexhaustible supply of water may be
produced anywhere by digging or boring a distance of twenty or thirty feet.
Sand. — Sand for building purposes can readily be procured along any of
the streams, and an excellent quality is found in some parts, whicn is now
.being utilized in the manufacture of an excellent quality of glass. We shall
treat of this very important branch of industry further on
Geological formation. — This county is situated partly in the sub-car-
boniferous grant, and partly in tlie middle and lower coal-measures. A
line running from the northwestern part of the county diagonally across,
cutting off nearly two-thirds of the county, would form a tolerably accurate
boundary between the two; the southwestern part belongs to the latter. The
middle and lower coal-measures, are not very distinct from each other.
They both contain coal, the thickest being in the lower. They are des-
cribed as being made up of beds of sandstone, shales and clay, with rarely
a thin bed of limestone. The beds of coal lie between these beds of rock,
just as if they were also beds of rock. There is usually a bed of shale im-
mediately beneath the coal and clay, immediately under the shale. The
sub-carboniferous group, in which a little more than one-third of the
county lies is explained, after a manner, by reference to the definition of
the term, sub-carboniferous, meaning below or under the coal. It consists
of limestone of a greyish color, and is characterized by the presence of a
peculiar class of fossils found therein.
Climate. — The first two winters following the settlement of the western
part of the county were remarkably mild, and favored the rapid develop-
ment of the country. The winter of 1848-9 was a winter of deep snow.
The climate of the county has always been regarded as uncommonly healthy,
the prevalence of ague, that scourge of all new countries, being chiefly
confined to the territory bordering on the larger streams. There have been
seasons in which crops have suffered from an excessive amount of rain, and
also times when they have been cut short by drouth ; also seasons which
have been attended by an unusual amount of sickness, but the people of
this county have, doubtless, suffered as little from these calamities as in
any other section of the State. There have been instances in which certain
portions of the county have been peculiarly afllicted. Such will be men-
tioned under the appropriate head, at another place. Some of the older set-
tlers think that there has been a marked change in the climate in the past
quarter of a century, and this is probably the case, resulting from the
marked change which has taken place in the physiognomy of the country.
MATHEMATICAL GEOGEAPHY.
Keokuk county is situated in the southeastern part of the State, it being
in the third tier of counties, numbering from the south, and also from the
262 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
east boundary of the State. The center of the county is in latitude forty;;
one degrees and twenty-five minutes, being nearly the same as l^ew York
city, and in longitude ninety-two degrees and ten minutes west of Greenr
wich, and fifteen degrees and ten minutes west of the ^National Capital.
It is bounded on the north by Poweshiek and Iowa counties; on the
east by Washington; on the south by Jefferson and Wapello; on the west
by Mahaska. It is twenty-four miles square, and were the original surveys
strictly accurate, it would contain 368,640 square acres of surface. In sub-
sequent surveys, when the county was subdivided into townships, and these
again into sections, it was found that there remained fractional quarters.
The exact area of the county is not far from 370,000 acres. The congres-
sional townships are sixteen in number, and there is a correspond-
ing number of civil townships. The congressional townships are 74-^
75, 76 and 77 north; ranges 10, 11, 12 and 13 west. The civil
townships are Richland, Jackson, Steady Run, Benton, Warren^
Lancaster, Clear Creek, Lafayette, German, Sigourney, Yan Buren,
Washington, Prairie, Adams, English River and Liberty. This arrange-
ment of civil townships is the one adopted in 1847, there having been
others previously made, of which we shall speak when we treat of the
county organization. The boundaries of the following civil townships cor-
respond with the congressional townships: Richland, Clear Creek, La-
fayette, Liberty, English River, Adams, Prairie and Washington. The
area of eachis about 23,500 acres. The following, while in the main they
follow the congressional boundaries, are somewhat smaller, Jackson con-
taining about 20,990; Steady Run, 19,900; Warren, 19,950; Sigourney,,
12,650; Van Buren, 19,680. Three townships are larger than the corres-
ponding congressional township. They are Benton, containing about
25,900 acres; Lancaster, 26,275; German, 35,280. It will be seen, by
reference to the map, that in this location of the townships the commis-
sioners followed natural boundaries to a large extent. From the foregoing
figures it will be seen that German township is the largest and Sigourney
the smallest, the former being nearly three times as large as the latter.
INDIATSrS AND mDIAN AFFAIRS.
Until the year 1837 the Indians held undisputed possession of the ter-
ritory now included in Keokuk county. The Indians who dwelt in this
particular locality were the Sac and Fox tribe. They held unquestioned
sway across the western boundary of the Black Hawk purchase, westward to
the Missouri river, and northward to the neutral territoKy which divided
them from the Sioux. The eastern boundary was fifty miles this side of
the Mississippi river and neutral ground, stretched east and west near
where the Illinois Central railroad now extends. These Indians had no
right to invade the territory ceded to the government at the time of the
Black Hawk purchase, and it was certain death to be caught in the territory
of the Sioux, and extremely hazardous to venture upon the neutral ground'.
Few if any white people in those days ventured as far west as this, and the
country was comparatively unknown except as reports were brought to the
frontier by roving bands of Indians intent on barter. In the main the In-
dians subsisted upon the wild animals then inhabiting this country. Oc-
casional patches of Indian corn were cultivated, which furnished them
scanty food during a portion of the year; but wild turkeys, pheasants, deer^
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 263
fish and muskrats formed the chief artfcles of diet. This was prior to the
year 1837. In this year a new treaty was made wliereby the Indians ceded
additional territory westward. This new territory ceded included a small
portion of this county. Nearly all of what is now Richland township and
small portions of Clear Creek, Jackson and Lafayette were included in it,
As soon as this treaty went into effect the whites rushed in and the Indians
were compelled to retire further west. It was in October, 1837, that the
red man first parted with his title to certain lands now comprised in the
hmits of Keokuk county, and the white man first obtained the right to
gain a permanent foothold. By far the larger part of the comity, however,
remained in the hands of the Indians. It was not till October, 1842, that
the original possessors of this soil parted with their right to occupy it, and
turned their unwilling steps to the far off and nuknown regions west of the
Missouri. Tliis last treaty was made at the government agency, now Agency
City, in Wapello county. 8. A. James, Esq., of Sigourney, was present at
this treaty, and gives a very graphic description of the affair. The delib-
erations, he says, lasted about a week. A number of chiefs were present,
the principal of whom were Keokuk, Appanoose, Poweshiek and Panassa.
The commissioner on behalf of the United States was the Hon. John
Chambers, of Iowa Territory. The question of reservations was the most
perplexing one to dispose of. The commissioner had been instructed not to
grant any. reservation, and the Indians had coine to the council fully deter-
mined to exact a reservation in the interests of certain heirs of Gen. J. M.
Street, for whom they always manifested the greatest reverence, and in
whom they had the utmost confidence, growing out of his honorable and
liberal dealings with them while acting as government agent. It appears,
that on the death of Gen. Street, in 1840, his family procured an air-tight
coffin, intending to remove the body to Prairie du Chien, where some of his ,
relatives had been previously buried. The chiefs thereupon held a council
and remonstrated, offering any part of their country which might be cho-
sen for a burying ground, and adding that if their wishes were complied
with, they would give to the widow of Gen. Street a section of land, and a
half section to each of her children. Accordingly Gen Street's remains
were interred near the Agency, and no reference was made to the land
promise until the time of the treaty. On the evening of the second day of
the treaty, council one of the government officials came to Gen. Street's
son, VVm. B. Street, now of Oskaloosa, at that time employed at the
Agency, and said: " I do not think we will sxicceed in making a treaty be-
cause the chiefs demand the reservation of one section for Gen. Street's
widow, and a half section for each of her ten children, and also a half sec-
tion for each of Smart's children, who were half breeds." Mr. Street held
a conversation with several of the chiefs, telling them he did not care for
any reservation, and as his brothers and sisters were in another territory he
thought they would not be particular in having the Indians carry out their
contract. Keokuk and some others reluctantly consented, but old Powe-
shiek remonstrated and insisted upon the reservations first demanded. Mr.
Street portrayed the results which would follow a failure of the treaty, and
again remarked that he did not care for the land. " Wiiat, do you decline
the gift?" said the indignant old chief — for refusing a gift was regarded
as a great insult among the Indians. Mr. Street says that Poweshiek re-
fused to speak to hfm for six months thereafter, when one day Poweshiek,
264 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
being very merry under the influence of whisky, Street presented him with
a pony, and thereafter they were again good friends.
At last the Indians agreed to take a reservation of one section to be given
Mrs. Street. The commissioner would not consent. Then old Keokuk
arose and made a speech. Mr. James heard this speech and the impression
which Keokuk made upon his auditors is graphically portrayed in an arti-
cle from the pen. of Mr. James, which appeared some time ago in the local
papers, an extract of which will be found in the life of Keokuk, farther on.
Among other things, the speaker said, pointing to the place where Gen.
Street was buried : " There lies the body of our father, the best white man
that ever lived, and the best friend we ever had, and without this reserva-
tion, this laud shall never be sold while a single one of our tribe remains."
On the next day Governor Chambers agreed to the reservation of one sec-
tion and directed the Indians to make a choice. They selected that upon which
the Agency buildings were situated and including General Street's grave.
The government had spent some $4,000 in improving this section and the
commissioner was loth to part with the land and its improvements. Tlie
Indians then proposed to pay for the improvements, which they finally did,
paying therefor the sum of $2,500. Tluis was effected a treaty by the
provisions of which the white man acquired a right to settle a tract of land
comprising the greater portion of Iowa, and in which is included the greater
fiortion of Keokuk county. In consideration of the land thus ceded the
ndians were to receive $800,000 on good State stocks upon which the gov-
ernment guaranteed the payment of 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 river 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.
The treaty was signed on the 11th day of October 1842, but before it was
binding it had to be ratified by the United States Senate. After, signing
the treaty Keokuk remarked to the commissioner that if the Senate changed
it by (sven so much as a scratch of the pen it would not be observed by the
Indians. It was laid before the Senate for approval or rejection. A motion
was made to strike out the reservation clause. The Senate was reminded of
Keokuk's remark. After some discussion the treaty was approved and its
ratification was officially proclaimed by the President on the 23d of March,
1843. This is said to have been the only Indian treaty ever made by the
United States which did not subsequently undergo some alteration. The
treaty had now been signed by the commissioner and the Indian chiefs, had
been approved by the Senate and the proclamaton made by the President,
and yet tlie white people had no riglit to settle on the lands as the Indians
according to a provision of the treaty had three years in which to give pos-
session. It was subsequently arranged that the Indians were to give pos-
session of all that part lying east of Rod Rock, now in Marion county, on
the 1st of May, 1843. This last date is, therefore, tlie period when the
whole of Keokuk county was thrown open to white settlement. The ex-
citement which prevailed along the borders during the last days of the
preceding April, and the great rush of people across tlie boundary line,
which occurred at midnight, furnish a chapter of amusing and thrilling in-
cidents. They will be treated of at another place.
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
265
As a result of this peacable arrangement and the earnest efforts of the
government to carry out, to the letter, the provisions of the treaty, the
early settlers of Keokuk county experienced none of the hardships which
fell to the lot of the early settlers in other parts of the country, where mis-
understanding about the ownership of the soil gave rise to frightful mas-
sacres and bloody wars. The Indians gave no serious difficulty, and seldom,
if ever, disturbed the early settlers of this county after they had rightfully
came into possession of it.
By the various treaties made with the Sac and Fox Indians, the govern-
ment paid these $80,000 per year by families. Mr William B. Street, of
Oskaloosa, was disbursing clerk for John Beach, Indian agent during the
year 1841, and still retains in his possession the receipts for the part pay-
ment of the annuity, in his own hand-writing, and the marks of the chiefs
in signing. We give an extract, including the names of part of the In-
dians who were at that time living at Kish-he-kosh's village, in what is
now the eastern part of the county, west of Keokuk 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
of the annuity due said tribe, for the year 1841 :
NAMES
Esh-ke-kosh"
Ko-ko-ach
Pas-sa-sa-she-ahiek . . .
Mo-ka-qua
Pa-ko-ka
Ka-ke-wa-wa-te-sit
Mnch-e-min-ne'
Wa-pes-e-qua5
Wa-pe-ka-kah*
Mus-qua-kes
And fifty-nine others.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
4
6
2
1
4
3
4
4
6
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
amounts, and saw the amounts paid to the several Indians, in specie, and
that their marks were affixed in our presence this 19th day of October,
"(Signed) JNO. BEACH,
V. S. Indian Agent.
THOMAS McCRATE.
Lieut. 1st Dragoons.
JOSIAH SMART,
Interpreter.
"We, the undesigned chiefs of the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians, ac-
knowledge the correctness of the foregoing receipts.
KEOKUK,« his X mark.
P0WESHIEK,7 his X mark."
' Kish-ke-kosh means "The man with one leg off.''
' Mnch-e-min-ne means " Big man.
' Wa-pes-e-qua means "White eyes.''
■•Wa-pe-ka-kah means "White crow."
s Mus-qua-ke mean "The fox."
' Keokuk means "The watchful fox."
'Poweshiek means "The roused bear."
266 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Among tlie old settlers of the sontheastern part of the coiintj who,
prior to May 1, 1843, had the Indians for near neighbors, the names of
Keokuk and Wapello are the most noted and familiar. These two illns-i
trious chiefs live not only in the recollections of these early settlers, but
in the permanent history of our common country. Short biographical
sketches of these two noted characters, therefore, will be of great interest
to the people of this county, and peculiarly appropriate for a work of this
kind. To the school-boy who has frequently read of these Indians, the
fact that they roved around on this very ground where their feet tread, and
that iu their hunting excursions these Indians crossed the same prairies
where now they gather the yellow eared corn, will give to these sketches
intense interest. While the early settler who talked with Wapello and
Keokuk, ate with them, hunted with them and fished with them, cannot
fail to find in these brief and necessarily imperfect biographies something
fascinating as they are thus lead back more than a quarter of a century, to
live over again the days of other years, and witness again the scenes of
early days when the tall prairie grass waved in the autumn breeze, and the
country, like themselves, was younger and fresher than now.
KEOKUK AND WAPELLO.
Keokuk belonged to the Sac branch of the nation, and. as mentioned in
the first part of this work, was born on Rock river, Illinois, in 1810. Ac-
cordingly he was sixty-three years old at the time the county was thrown^
open to the white settler, and fifty-seven when the boundary line of 1837
was established. The best memory of the earliest settlers cannot take them
back to a time when Keokuk was not an old man. When in 1833 the im-
patient feet of the white men first hastened aci'oss the Mississippi, eager
for new conquests and fortunes, this illustrious chief was already nearing
his three-score years, and when with longing eyes he took the last look at
the fair lands bordei'ing on the Great Father of Waters, and turned his
weary feet toward the west, his sun of life had already ci'ossed the meridian
and was rapidly approaching its setting.
Little is known concerning the early life of Keokuk, except that from
his first battle, while yet young, he had carried home the scalp of a Sioux,
whom he had slain in a hand-to-hand conflict, and between whose tribe and
the tribe to which Keokuk belonged there ever existed the most deadly
enmity. For this feat Keokuk was honored with a feast by his tribe. He
first came into prominence among the whites at the breaking out of the
second war with England, commonly known as the war of 1812. Most of
the Indians at that time espoused the cause ot the English, but Keokuk,
at the head of a large number of the Sacs and Foxes, remained faithful to
the Americans. In 1828 Keokuk, in accordance with the terms of a treaty,
crossed the Mississippi river with his tribe and established himself on the
Iowa river. Here he remained in peace, and his tribe flourished till the
breaking out of the Black Hawk war iij 1832. He seemed to have a mucK
more intelligent insight into the great national questions which were raised'
during these early Indian difliculties, as well as a more thorough apprecia-
tion of the resources of the national government. He opposed the Black
Hawk war, and seemed to fully forecast the great disasters which thereby
befell his tribe. Although many of his warriors deserted him and followed
Black Hawk in his reckless campaign across the Mississippi, Keokuk pre-
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 267
vailed upon a majority of his tribe to remain at home. When the new&
reached Keokuk that Black Hawk's warriors had gained a victory over
Stillman's forces in Ogle county, Illinois, the war-spirit broke out among^
his followers like fire in the dry prairie grass; a war-dance was held, and
the chief himself took part in it. He seemed for a while to move in
sympathy with the rising storm, and at the conclusion of the war-dance he
called a council to prepare for war. In a work entitled "Annals of Iowa,"
published in 1865, there is reported tlie substance of a speech made by
Keokuk on this occasion. We quote: " I am your chief, and it is my duty
to lead you to battle, if, after fully considering the matter, you are fully
determined to go." He then represented to them the great power of the
United States, against whom they would have to contend, and that their
prospect of success was utterly hopeless. Then continuing, said: "But
if you are determined to go upon the war-path, I will lead you on one con-
dition— that before we go we kill all our old men, and our wives, and our
children, to save them from a lingering death by starvation, and that every
one of you determine to leave his bones on the other side of the Missis-
sippi." This was a strong and trxithful picture of the prospect before them^
and was presented in such a forcible light, that it caused them to abandon
their rash undertaking.
After the Black Hawk war Keokuk was recognized as the head of the
Sac and Fox nation, by the United States government, and in this capacity
he was looked upon by his people from that time on. This honor, however,,
was sometimes disputed b}' some of the original followers of Black Hawk.
A gentleman of some prominence, as a writer, and who is said to have wit-
nessed the affray, says : "A bitter feud existed in the tribe during the
time Keokuk resided on the Des Moines river, between what was denomi-
nated 'Keokuk's band and Black Hawk's band. ' Their distrust, and in-
deed hatred, were smothered in their common intercourse, when sober; but
when their blood was fired with whisky, it sometimes assumed a tragic fea-
ture among the leaders of the respective bands. An Instance of this char-
acter occurred on the lower part of the Des Moines river, on the return of
a party making a visit to the 'half-breeds,' at the town of Keokuk, on the
Mississippi. In a quarrel incited by wiiisky, Keokuk received a dangerous
stab in the breast by a son of Black Hawk. The writer saw him conveyed
by his friends, homeward, lying in a canoe, unable to rise." The writer
continues: " Hardfisii (who was the pretended chief of the rival party),
and his coadjutors, lost no occasion to find fault with Keokuk's adminis-
tration. The payments were made in silver coins, put up in boxes, con-
taining five hundred dollars each, and passed into Keokuk's hand's for dis-
tribution. The several traders received each his quota according to the
several demands against the tribes admitted by Keokuk, which invariably
consumed the far greater portion of the amount received. The remainder
was turned over to the chiefs and distributed among the respective bands.
Great complaints were made of these allowances, to the traders, on the
ground of exhorbitant prices charged on the goods actually furnished, and
it was alleged that some o'f these accounts were spurious. In confirmation
of this charge, over and above the character of the items exhibited in these
accounts, an aflSdavit was filed with Governor Lucas, by an individual, to-
which the governor gave credence, setting forth that Keokuk had proposed
to the maker of the aiBdavit to profer a purely ficticious account against
the tribe for the sura of $10,000, and he would admit its correctness, and
268 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
when paid, the money should be divided among themselves, share and
share alike. To swell the trader's bills, items were introduced
of a character that should brand upon their face, such as a large number of
blankets, coats, articles which the Indians never used, and telescopes, of
the use of which they had no knowledge. This showed the reckless man-
ner in which these bills were swollen to the exhorbitant amounts com-
plained of, in which Keokuk was openly charged with being in league with
the traders to defraud the Indians." At this time the nation numbered
about two thousand and three hundred, and it is not possible that Keokuk
could have carried on an organized system of theft, without the fact be-
com'ing apparent to all. As it was, however, Governor Lucas thought best
to change the manner in which the annual payments were made. The
matter was referred to the Indian bureau, and the mode was changed so
that the payments were made to the iieads of families, approximating a per
capita distribution. This method of payment did not suit the traders, and
after a short trial the old plan was again adopted. That the Indians, then
as now, were the victims of sharp practice, cannot be doubted, but the fact
can be attributed to the superior tact and the unscrupulous character of
many of the traders; this furnishes a more probable explanation, and is
more in accord with the character of Keokuk, as known by his intimate
friends, still living, than to attribute these swindling operations to a con-
spiracy in which the illustrious chief was the leading actor.
In person, Keokuk was of commanding appearance. He was tall,
straight as an arrow, and of very graceful mien. These personal character-
istics, together with his native fervor, and ready command of language,
gave him great power over his people as a speaker. If, as a man of energy
and courage, he gained the respect and obedience of his tribe, it was more
especially as an orator that he was able to wield his people in times of
great excitement, and in a measure shape their policy in dealing with the
white man. As an orator rather than as a warrior, has Keokuk's claim to
greatness been founded.
" He was gifted by nature," says the author of the Annals, " with the ele-
ments of an orator in an eminent degree, and as such is entitled to rank
with Logan, Red Jacket and Tecumseh; but unfortunately for his fame
«,mong the white people, and with posterity, he was never able to obtain an
interpreter who could claim even a slight acquaintance with philosophy.
With one exception, only, his interpreters were unacquainted with the ele-
ments of the mother tongue. Of this serious hindrance to his fame
Keokuk was well aware, and retained Frank Labashure, who had received
a rudimental education in the French and English languages, until the
latter died broken down by exposure and dissipation ; but during the me-
ridian of his career among the white people, he was compelled to submit
his speeches for translation, to uneducated men, whose range of thoughts
fell below the flights of a gifted mind, and the fine imagery, drawn from
nature, was beyond their power of reproduction. He had a sufficient
knowledge of the English tongue to make him sensible of this bad render-
ing of his thoughts, and often a feeling of mortification at the bungling
•efforts was depicted upon his countenance while he was speaking. The
proper place to form a proper estimate of his ability as an orator, was in
the Indian council, where he addressed himself exclusively to those who
understood his language, and where the electric effects of his eloquence
could be plainly noted upon his audience. It was credibly asserted that by
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 269
the force of his logic he had changed the vote of a council against the
strongly predetermined opinions of its members." A striking instance of
the influence of his eloquence is that one already related in which he de-
livered a speech to his followers, who were bent on joining Black Hawk,
after the Stillman reverse in Ogle county, Illinois. Mr. James, who has
already been mentioned as being present at the council, at Agency City,
when the treaty of 1842 was made, says of Keokuk: " "We heard him
make a speech on the occasion, which, by those who understood his tongue,
was said to be a sensible and eloquent effort. Judging from his voice and
gestures, his former standing as an Indian orator and chieftain, we thought
his reputation as a dignified yet gentlemanly Aboriginal had not been over-
rated. During the Black Hawk war his voice was for peace with the white
man, and his voice added much to the shortening of the war. As an
honor to the chief our county bears his name."
Keokuk, in company with Black Hawk, Poweshiek, Kish-ke-kosh, and
some fifteen other chiefs, under the escort of Gen. J. M. Street, visited
Washington city and different parts of the East In 1837. The party de-
scended the Mississippi to the mouth of the Ohio by steamer, and thence
up the latter to Wheeling, where they took stage across the mountains.
When the party arrived in "Washington, at the request of some of the gov-
ernment officials, a council was held with some chiefs of the Sioux there
present, as the Sacs and Foxes were waging a perpetual war with the
Sioux nation. The council was held in the Hall of Representatives. To
the great indignation of the Sioux, Kish-ke-kosh appeared dressed in a
buffalo hide which he had taken in war from a Sioux chief, and took his
position in one of the large windows, with the mane and horns of the
buffalo as a sort of a head-dress, and the tail trailing on the floor. The
Sioux complained to the officials, claiming that this was an insult to them,
but they were informed that the Sacs and Foxes had a right to appear in
any kind of costume they chose to wear. The first speech was made by a
Sioux, who complained bitterly of the wrongs they had suffered, and how
they had been driven from their homes by the Sacs and Foxes, their war-
riors killed and their villages burned. Then followed Keokuk, the great
orator of his tribe, who replied at some length, an interpreter repeating
the speech after him. There were those present who had heard "Webster,
Calhoun, Clay and Benton in the same hall, and they declared that for the
manner of delivery, for native eloquence, impassioned expression of coun-
tenance, the chief surpassed them all, and this while they could not under-
stand his words, save as they were repeated by the interpreter. From
Washington they went to New York, where they were shown little atten-
tion, and Gen. Street attempting to show them the city on foot, the people
in their anxiety to see Keokuk and Black Hawk, crowded them beyond the
point of endurance, and in order to escape the throng they were compelled
to make their escape tlirough a store building, and reached their hotel
through the back alleys and less frequented streets. At Boston they were
met at the depot by a delegation of leading citizens and conveyed in car-
riages to the hotel. The next day they were taken in open carriages, and
with a guard of honor on foot, they were shown the whole city. During
their stay in Boston they were the guests of the great American orator,
Edward Everett, who made a banquet for them. "When the Indians re-
turned and were asked about I^ew York, they only expressed their disgust.
Boston was the only place in the United States, in their estimation, and
270 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
their opinion has been shared in by many white people, who since that
time have made a pilgrimage from the West to the famous shrines of the
East.
While residing at Ottumwah-nac, Keokuk received a message from the
Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith, in which the latter invited Keokuk, as
king of the Sacs and Foxes, to a royal conference at his palace at l^auvoo,
on matters of the highest importance to their respective people. The in-
vitation was accepted, and at the appointed time the king of the Sacs and
Foxes, accompanied by a stately escort on ponies, wended their way to the
appointed interview with the great apostle of the Latter Day Saints. Keo-
kuk, as before remarked, was a man of good judgment and keen insight
into the human character. He was not easily misled by sophistry nor be-
guiled by flattery. The account of this interview with Smith, as given by
the author of the "Annals," so well illustrates these traits of his character
that we give it in full:
" Notice had been circulated through the country of this diplomatic in-
terview, and quite a number of spectators attended to witness the denoue-
Tnent. The audience was given publicly in the great Mormon temple, and
the respective chiefs were attended by their suits, the prophet by the dig-
nitaries of the Mormon church, and the Indian potentate by the high civil
and military functionaries of his tribe, and the Gentiles were comfortably
seated as auditors.
" The prophet opened the conference in a set speech of some length, giv-
ing Keokuk a brief history of the Children of Israel, as detailed in the
Bible, and dwelt forcibly upon the history of the lost tribes, and that he,
the prophet of God, held a divine commission to gather them together and
lead them to a land ' flowing with milk and honey.' After the prophet
closed his harrangue, Keokuk 'waited for the words of his pale-faced
brother to sink deep into his mind,' and in making his reply, assumed the
gravest attitude and most dignified demeanor. He would not controvert
anything his brother had said about the lost and scattered condition of his
race and people, and if his brother was commissioned by the Great Spirit
to collect them together and lead them to a new country it was his duty to
do so. But he wished to inquire about some particulars his brother had
not named, that were of the highest importance to him and his people.
The red man were not much used to milk, and he thought they would pre-
fer streams o"f water; and in the country tliey now were there_was a good
supply of honey. Tlie points they wished to inquire into were, whether
the new government would pay large annuities, and whether there was
plenty of whisky. Joe Smith saw at once that he had met his match, and
that Keokuk was not the proper material with which to increase his army
■of dupes, and closed the interview in as amiable and pleasant manner as
possible."
Until 1836 Keokuk resided with his tribe, on a reservation of 400 square
miles, situated on the Iowa river. His headquarters were at a village bear-
ing his name, located on the right bank of the stream. In this year, in ac-
cordance with the stipulations of a treaty held at Davenport, Keokuk with
his followers removed to this territory, now comprised in the bounds of
Keokuk, Mahaska and "Wapello counties. The agency for the Indians,
was located at a point where is now located Agency City. At this time an
•effort was made to civilize the red man. Farms were opened up, and two
mills were erected, one on Soap creek, and one on Sugar creek. A salaried
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 271
agent was employed to superintend these farming operations. Keokuk,
Wapello and Appanoose, each had a large field improved and cultivated.
Keokuk's farm was located upon what is yet known as Keokuk's Prairie,
in what is now Wapello county. The Indians did not make much progress
in these farming operations, and in the absence of their natural and wanted
excitements, became idle and careless. Many of them plunged into dissi-
pation. Keokuk himself became badly dissipated in the latter years of his
life. Pathetic as was the condition of these savages at this time, it was but
thelegitimate result of the treatment which they had received. They were
confined to a fixed location, and provided with annuities by the government,
sufficient to meet their wants from year to year. They were in this manner
prevented from making those extensive excursions, and embarking in those
war-like pursuits, which for time immemorial had formed the chief avenues
lor the employment of those activities, which for centuries had claimed the
attention of the savage mind; and the sure and regular means of subistence
furnished by the government, took away from them the incentives for the
employment of these activities, even had the means still existed. In addi-
tion to this the Indian beheld his lands taken from him, and his tribe grow-
ing smaller year by year. Possessed of an ideal and imaginative intellect
he could not help fore-casting the future, and thus being itnpressed with the,
thought, that in a few years, all these land would be in the possession of the
white man, while his tribe and his name would be swept into oblivion by
the tide of emigration, which pressed in upon him from every side. Keo-
kuk saw all this, and seeing it, had neither the power nor inclination to pre-
sent it. Take the best representative of the Anglo-Saxon race, and place
him in similar circumstances, and he would do no better. Shut in by re-
straint from all sides, relieved from all the anxieties comprehended in that
practical question, what shall we eat and wherewithal shall we be clothed?
and deprived of all those incentives springing from, and inspired by a lofty
ambition, and the best of us, with all our culture and habits of industry,
would fall into idleness and dissipation and our fall would be as great if not
as low as was the fall of that unhappy people who formerly inhabited this
country, and whose disappearance and gradual extinction we shall now be
called upon to contemplate.
Wapello, the cotemporary of Keokuk and the inferior chief, after whom
a neighboring county and county-seat were named, died before the Indians
were removed the State, and thus escaped the humilation of the scene. He
like his superior chief, was a fast friend of the whites and wielded an im-
mense influence among the individuals of his tribe. As is mentioned in a
former chapter, he presided over three tribes in the vicinity of Fort Arm-
strong, during the time that frontier post was being erected. In 1829 he
removed his'village to Muscatine Swamp, and then to a place near where is
now located the town bearing his name. Many of the early settlers of Keo-
kuk county remember him well, as the southern part of this county was a
favorite resort for him and many members of his tribe. It was in the lim-
its of this county that this illustrious chief died. His favorite hunting
ground, is that portion of the county which is now within the limits of
Jackson township. Although he willingly united in the treaty ceding it to
the whites, it was done with the clear coviction that the country would be
shortly overrun and his hunting ground ruined by the advance of palefaces.
He chose to sell rather than be robbed, and then quietly receeded with his
band.
272 HISTOET OF KEOKTJK COUNTY.
Mr. Searcy relates au incident in the life of this chief which we here
quote: " Between the Sioux, and the Sacs and the Foxes, a bitter and
deadly hatred existed. This enmity was carried to such a bitter extent
that it caused the establishment, by the government, of the neutral ground,
in the north part of the territory, which was a strip of country about
thirty miles in width, over which the tribes were not allowed to pass in
order to slay each other. The love of revenge was so strongly marked in
the Indian character that it was not to be suppressed by imaginary geo-
fraphical lines, and consequently it was not a rare occurrence tor a Sac or
'ox Indian, or a Sioux, to bite the dust, as an atonement for real or imag-
inary wrongs. In this manner one of the sons of Wapello was cruelly
cut down, from an ambush, in the year 1836. When the chief heard of
the sad calamity he was on Skunk river, opposite to the mouth of Crooked
creek. He immediately plunged into and swam across the stream. Upon
arriving at a trading post nealr by, he gave the best pony he had for a barrel
of whisky, and setting it out, invited his people to partake, a very unwise
practice, which he doubtless borrowed froriithe white people, who availed
themselves of this medium ip wbich to drown their sorrow.
Wapello's death occured in "Keokuk county,; in March, 1844. In accord-
ance with the provisions of the treaty- of- d 843, he had retired with his
tribe, west of Red Rock, and it was during a temporary visit to his old
hunting ground on Rock- creek, that he breathed his last. We quote from
an address of Mr. Romig , the following pathetic account of the death of
the warrior:
" As the swallow, returns to the place where kst she, had built her nest,
cruelly destroyed. by thjB. ruthless hands of SQme rude boy, or as a mother
would return to the empty crib wh,erei. once had reposed herdnnocent babe,
in the sweet embrace of sleep, and weep Jbr the treasure she had once pos-
sessed, so Wapello; mourned for the- hunting, grounds he had been forced
to leave behind, andllonged to roam, over the broad expanse again. It was
in the month of March ;; heayy, Xyinter had begun to shed her mantle of
snow ; the sun peeped forth through the fleeting clouds ; the woodchuck
emerged from his subterranean retreat ,to greet the morning breeze, and
all nature seemed to rejoice at the prospect of returning spring. The old
chief felt the exhilirating influence of reviving nature, and longed again
for the sports of his youth. He accordingly assembled a party and started
0)1 a hunting excursion to the scenes of his former exploits. But alas, the
poor old man was not long destined to mourn over his misfortunes. While
traveling over the beautiful prairies, or encamped in the picturesque groves
that he was once want to call his own, dise.ase fastened upon his vitals and
the chief lay prostrate in his lodge. How long the burning fever
raged and racked in hife , brain, or iifho it was that applied the cooling
draught to his parched lips, tradition Ijas failed \to inform us; but this we
may fairly presume: that- his trusty followers were deeply, distressed at
the sufferings of their chief, whom they loved and administered all the
comforts in their power to alleviate his sufferings, but all would not avail.
Grim death had crossed his path, and touched her finger upon his brow,
and marked him for her own. Human efforts to save could avail nothing.
Time passed, and with it the life of Wapello'; The last word was spoken,
the last wish expressed, the last breath drawn, and his spirit took its flight.
The passing breeze in seolean notes chanted a requiem in the elm tops.
The placid creek in its meandering course murmured in chorus over the
HISTOKT OF KEOKUK OOUNTT. 276
dead. The squirrel came forth in the bright sunshine to frisk and chirp
in frolicsome glee, and the timid fawn approached the brook, and bathed
her feet in the waters, but the old man heeded it not, for Manatah, his
God, had called him home.
"Although it is a matter of regret that we are not in possession of his
dying words, and other particulars connected with his death, let us en-
deavor to be content with knowing that Wapello died some time in the month
of March, in the year 18i4, in Keokuk county, on Rock creek, in Jackson
township, on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter, section 21,
township 7i, range 11 west, where a mound still marks the spot; and with
Snowing also that his remains were thence conveyed by Mr. Samuel Har-
desty, now of Lancaster township, accompanied by twenty-two Indians and
three squaws, to the Indian burial ground, at Agency City, where sleeps
the Indian agent, Gen. Street, and numbers of the Sac and Fox tribe, and
where our informant left the remains to await the arrival of Keokuk, and
other distinguished chiefs to be present at the interment."
Keokuk, Appanoose, and nearly all the leading men among Indians .
were present at the funeral, which took place toward evening of the same
day upon which the body arrived at Agency. The usual Indian ceremonies
preceded the interment, after which the body was buried by the body
of Gen. Street, which was in accordance with his oft repeated request to
be hurried by the side of his honest pale faced friend.
In 1845 in accordance with the stipulations of the treaty, and in obedi-
ence to the demand of the white man, whose friend he had ever been and
whose home he had defended, both by word and act, in times of great ex-
citement, Keokuk led his tribe west of the Missouri river, and located
upon a reservation now comprised in the boundaries of what is now the
State of Kansas. What must have been the emotions which swelled the
heart of this renowned savage, and what must have been the peculiar
thoughts which came thronging from his active brain when he turned his
back for the last time upon the bark covered huts of his Iowa village, the
graves of his friends, and that portion of country which, but the year be-
fore, had been honored by his name. It was leaving everything familiar in
life and dear to the heart. To him it was not going West to grow up with
the country, but to lose himself and his tribe in oblivion and national an-
nihilation.
Keokuk lived but three years after leaving the Territory of Iowa, and we
have no facts at our command in reference to his career at the new home
west of the Missouri. The Keokuk Register of June 15, 1848, contained
the following notice of his death, together with some additional sketches of
his life:
" The St. Louis New Era announces the death of this celebrated Indian
chief. Poison was administered to him by one of his tribe, from the eflfecta
of which he died. The Indian was apprehended, confessed his guilt and
was shot.
"Keokuk leaves a son of some prominence, but tliere is little probability
of his succeeding the same station, as he is not looked upon by the tribe as
inheriting the disposition and principles of his father."
We close this sketch by appending an extract from a letter recently writ-
ten by Judge J. M. Casey, of Fort Madison, to Hon. S. A. James, of
Sigourney.
18
276 BISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
" "While Keokuk was not a Lee county man, I have often seen him liiere.
He was an individual of distinguished mark; once seen would always be re-
membered. It/was not necessary to be told that he was a chief, you would
at once recognize him as such, and stop to admire his, grand deportment.
I was quite young when I last saw him, bnt 1 yet remember his appearance
and every lineament of his face as well as if it had been yesterday, and this
impression was left upon every person who saw him, whether old or young.
It is hard for us to realize that an Indian could be so great a man. But it
is a conceded fact, by all the early settlers who knew him, that Keokuk pos-
sessed, in a prominent degree, the elements of greatness."
INDIAN INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES.
During the visit of Keokuk, Wapello and their party at Boston, which
has already been referred to, there was a great struggle between the man-
agers of the two theaters of that place to obtain the presence of the Indians
in order to "draw houses." At the Tremont, the aristocratic one, the
famous tragedian, Forrest, was tilling an engagement. His great play, in
which he acted the part of a gladiator, and always drew his largest audi-
ences, had not yet come off, and the manager was disinclined to bring it
out while the Indians were there, as their presence always insured a full
house. General Street, who, as before remarked, was in charge of the
party, being a strict Presbyterian, was not much in the theatrical
line, hence Major Beach, to whom we are indebted for the facts
of this incident, and who accompanied General Street at the time, took the
matter in hand. He knew that this particular play would suit the Indiana
better than those simple declamatory tragedies, in which, as they could not
understand a word, there was no action to keep them interested, so he pre-
vailed upon the manager to bring it out, promising that the Indians would
be present.
In the exciting scene, where the gladiators engage in deadly combat, the
Indians gazed with eager, and breathless anxiety, and as Forrest, finally
pierced through the breast with his adversary's sword, fell dying, and as
the other drew his bloody weapon from the body, heaving in the convul-
sions of its expiring throes, and while the curtain was descending, the whole
Indian coitapany burst out with their fiercest war whoop. It was a fright-
ful yell to strike suddenly upon unaccustomed ears, and was immediately
followed by screams of terror from the more nervous among the women
and children. For an instant the audience seemed at a loss, but soon ut-
tered a hearty round of applause — a just tribute to both actor and Indians.
During the same visit to Boston, Major Beach says that the Governor
gave them a public reception at the State House. The ceremony took place
in the spacious Hall of Eopresentatives, every inch of which was jammed
with humanity. After the Governor had ended his eloquent and appropri-
ate address of welcome, it devolved upon one of the chiefs to reply, and
Appanoose, in his turn, as, at the conclusion of his "talk," advanced to
grasp the Governor's hand, said: "It is a great day that the sun
shines upon when two such great chiefs take each other by the hand!"
The Governor, with a nod of approbation, controlled his facial mus-
cles in a most courtly gravity. But the way the house came down " was
a cavition," all of which Appanoose doubtless considered the Yankee way
of applauding his speech.
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COTJNTT. 277
The Indians seldom occupied their permanent villages except during the
time ofplanting or securing their crop, after which they would start out on
a short hunt, if the annuity — which was usually paid within six weeks
from the 1st of September— had not been received. Immediately after pay-
ment, it was their custom to leave their village for the winter, hunting
through this season by families and small parties, leading the regular
nomad life, changing their location from lime to time, as the supply of
game and the need — so essential to their comfort — of seeking places near
the timbered streams best protected from the rigors of winter, would re-
qiiire. It was, doubtless, on one of these tours through the country that
Kish-ke-Kosh once stopped over night at the house of a white man. He
was accompanied by several companions, who slept together on a buffalo
hide within view of the kitchen. In the morning when he awoke Kish-ke-
Kosh had an eye on the culinary preparations there going on. The lady of
the house — it is possible she did it intentionally, as she was not a willing
entertainer of such guests — neglected to wash her hands before making up
the bread. Kish thought he would rather do without his breakfast than
eat after such cooking, and privately signified as niuch to his followers, where-
upon they mounted their ponies and departed, much to the relief of the
hostess. When they arrived at a house some distance from the one they had
left, they got their breakfast and related the circumstance.
This Krsh-ke-kosh previous to 1837 was simply a warrior chief in the
village of Keokuk. The warrior chief was inferior to the village chief, to
which distinction he afterward attained. The village presided over by this
chief is well remembered by many of the early settlers of Richland town-
ship. It was located, some say, just over the line in what is now White
Oak township, Mahaska county. Major Beach thus describes it: "The
place cannot be located exactly according to our State maps, although the
writer has.often visited it in Indian times; but somewhere out north from
Kifkville, and probably not twelve miles distant, on the banks of Skunk
river, not far above the Forks of Skunk, was a small village of not over fif-
teen or twenty lodges, presided over by a man of considerable importance,
though not a chief, named Kish-ke-kosh. The village was on the direct
trail — in fact it was the converging point of two trails — from the Hardfish
village, and the three villages across the river below Ottumwa, to the
only other permanent settlement of the tribes, which was the village of
Poweshiek, a Fox chief of equal rank with Wapello, situated upon the
Iowa river."
Here the squaws, after grubbing out hazel brush on the banks of the
creeks or the edge of the timber, unaided by either plow or brave, planted
and tended their patches of corn, surrounding them by rude fences of wil-
low, which were renewed each year. Here the men trained their ponies,
hunted, fished and loafed, until the 1st of May, 1843, when they bade adieu
to their bark covered huts. The following incident is located at this point:
Some time about 1841 Major Beach, Indian agent, in company with W. B.
Street and others, came up from Agency City on some business with Kish-
ke-kosh. Arriving late in the evening they encamped near the village, and
on the following morning Kish-ke-kosh with his assistants came over to the
camp to receive them. Tlie pipe of peace was lighted and passed around,
and the business transacted. After the council the whites were invited to
come over in the evening to the feast which the Indians proposed having
in honor of their visit. The invitation was accepted, and presently the
278 HISTOET OF KEOKTTK COUNTY.
whites heard a great howling among the dogs, and looking in the direction
of the village they could plainly see the preparations for the supper. A
number of dogs were killed and stretched on stakes a few inches above the
ground. They were then covered with dried grass, which was set on fire
and the hair singed off, after which, after the dogs had passed through the
scraping process, they were cut up and placed in pots along with a quantity
of corn. The whites were promptly in attendance, but on account of their
national prejudice they were provided with venison instead of dog meat.
After the feast dancing was commenced: first, the Green Corn dance, then
the Medicine dance, and closing just before morning with the Scalp dance.
Kish-ke-kosh did not take part in this Terpsichorean performance, but sat
with the whites, laughing, joking, and telling stories.
On another occasion, Kish-ke-kosh and his suit, consisting of several
prominent personages of the tribe, being then encamped on Skunk river,
went to the house of a Mr. Micksell on a friendly visit, and he treated them
to a feast. Besides Kish-ke-kosh and his wife, who was a very lady like
person, this party consisted of his mother (Wyhoma), the son of Wapello,
and his two wives; Mashaweptine, his wife, and all their children. The
old woman on being asked how old she was, replied : " Mach-ware-renaak-
we-kauh" (may be a hundred); and indeed her bowed form and hideously
shriveled features would justiiy the belief that she was that old. The
whole party were dressed in more than ordinarily becoming style; prob-
ably out of respect for their hostess, who, knowing something of their vo-
racious appetites, had made ample preparations for them. When the table
was surrounded, Kish-ke-kosh, who had learned some good manners, as well
as acquired cleanly taste, essayed to perform the etiquette of the occasion
before eating anything himself. With an amusingly awkward imitation of
what he had seen done among the whites, Kish-ke-kosh passed the various
dishes to the others, showing the ladies especial attention, and helped them
to the best of everything on the table, with much apparent disinterested-
ness. But when he came to help himself his politeness assumed the In-
dian phase altogether. He ate like a person with a bottomless pit inside
of him for a stomach, taking everything within his reach, without regard
to what should come next in the course, so only that he liked the taste of
it. At last, after having drank some five or six cups of coffee and eaten a
proportionate amount of solid food, his gastronomic energy began to
abate. Seeing this, his host approached him, and with apparent concern
for his want of appetite, said: " Why, Kish, do you not eat your dinner ?
Have another cup of coffee and eat something." In reply to this hospita-
ble urgency Kish-ke-kosh leaned back in his seat, lazily shook his head and
drew his finger across his throat under his chin, to indicate how full he
was. Of course, the others had eaten in like proportion, making the most
of an event that did not happen every day.
The Indians in this region had a novel way of dealing with drunken peo-
ple. When one of them became unsafely drunk he was tied neck and
heels, so that he could be rolled about like a hoop, which operation was-
kept up till the fumes of liquor had vanished, when he was released. The
sufferer would beg for mercy, but to no avail. After he was sobered off he
showed no marks of resentment, but seemed to recognize the wisdom of
the proceeding.
The Sacs and Foxes, like all other Indians, were a very religious peoplej^
in their way, always maintaining the observance of' a good many rites.
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 279
ceremonies and feasts in their worship of the Kitche Mulito or Great Spirit.
Feasts did not seem to be prescribed in any of their missals, however, be-
cause, perhaps, forced ones, under a scarcity of game or other eatables,
were not of impossible occurrence among people whose creed plainly was
to let to-morrow take care of itself. Some of the ceremonies bore such re-
semblance to some of those laid down in the books of Moses, as to have
justified the impression among Biblical students, that all the lost tribes of
Israel might have found their way to this continent, and that the North
American Indians are the remnants of them.
During the few years previous to the treaty of 1842, when the boundary
line between the white settlements and the reservation ran across the south-
eastern corner of the county, it was not of unfrequent occurrence for
whites to come across the line and "squat" on the forbidden ground. Un-
der these circumstances, it became necessary for the Indian Agent to drive
them back and burn their dwellings. Major Beach, to whose published
notes we are indebted for many of the foregoing incidents, relates the fol-
lowing: "A proclamation had been issued by the Governor of the Territory
to remove by military force all tresspassers, who having received a reasona-
ble notice had not retired by a certain day. Such military expeditions
would of course abound with incidents sometimes amusing, sometimes ex-
citing and sometimes disagreeable and embarrassing. We would fre-
quently find the men gone and the premises in charge of the women and
children, under the belief that they would in some way or other get over
the trouble. Excuses would be various, mostly of wagons broken in the
very act of starting, or of oxen strayed or horses lost or stolen just a day too
Boon; sometimes of sickness, although we failed of observing signs of it.
On oue accasion, a soldier over-lieard a well grown girl tell a bright-eyed
Junior one not to cry, for 'Pap' was just gone down the branch, and Would
come back as soon as the soldiers were gone. And sure enough when the
smoke of the burning cabin curled above his hiding place, convincing him
that his plan had proved abortive, 'Pap' came rushing around a point of
the grove, apparently out of breath, with a long story of his strayed horses
that he had hunted till the last day, and then gone to some kindred, some
six or eight miles across the line, who were then on the road with their
wagons; and that he having heard the bugle, had left them, that in order,
by short cuts across the timber and hollows, to get home in time to save
his 'plunder'. Well, the Lieutenant told him, that it was all safe, the sol-
diers had set it out carefully, without giving his family any trouble to help
them; and if only he- had time, he would be glad to remain till his friends
arrived and help him load up. The mansion being now burned beyond sal-
vation, the bugle sounded to mount and the troop resumed its march.
" The next amusing incident was in our encounter, soon after the troop
had resumed its march, with an old fellow whom we met coming up the
somewhat dim road, just along the edge of the timber, on this side of the
river. The troop was of between thirty and forty men, with a lieutenant,
the captain having stayed at the agency, with the rest of his company, to
take care of his supplies in camp. The lieutenant and writer were comfort-
ably walking their nags along the said road, the troops at some distance in
the rear, following the same easy gait, with their two six-mule wagons be-
hind, when we espied a wagon coming around the point of the road not
far ahead of us. The team soon showed itself to be a span of black sleek
horses, and the entire outfit indicated that the old chap in charge of it was
280 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
not as hard np as his personal look would have lead one to believe. He
was for giving us the entire right-of-way, but as we turned ofl" to face him
as if we intended to collide, bowed to him, he reined up.
"According to his story he was out for just a pastime drive up the
the ridge, without much object or motive of any kind; but he liad a scythe
to cut grass, a good lot of oats and shelled corn in sacks, an extra wagon
sheet that would have improvised a tolerably comfortable tent in short,
order, a plentiful supply of 'grub' for himself and a boy he had with
him, thirteen or fourteen years old, and a forty gallon empty barrel, all
suggestive of a contemplated raid upon the bee trees. After some parly,
the lieutenant turned him over to the sergeant, who had, in the meantime
come up with his Tnen, who in his tarn placed him with a file of troopers
as a guard of honor between the two baggage wagons. The old fellow
soon got the hang of what was' up, from the soldiers, and as misery loves
company, he soon seemed to lose sight of his own disgust in contemplating
that of the inmates of the two squatters' cabins we had yet to visit. We
soon reached the nearest one and found it abandoned, though very recently,
as all signs pi-oved. Stopping long enough to burn the cabin, we then
kept on our way to the only remaining trespasser who had put up his cabin
on that side of the ridge we were descending. As we turned off to cross
the ridge our former captive, whom we now released, seemed for awhile a»
if disposed to relieve himself from the engagement of our society as soon
as possible. But in a short time he changed his mind, for long before he
had traveled the half mile across the ridge we saw that he had turned off'
and was in pursuit of us. He reached the house almost as soon as we did,
and in full time to say to the lieutenant and myself what could not have
been less than an unpleasant feeling of personal sympathy for the family
we were about to dislodge. As in several previous instances, the man had
gone off, leaving the woman to give reasons and offer excuses for his ab-
sence. It was very near night and not less than five mites to the nearest
house in the direction in which the woman desired to go. Slie had several
children, of whom not the largest even was 3'et of an age to be other than
an encumbrance at such a time; nor was there team, wagon, or other means
of transportation to be seen. While she was bitterly complaining of her
cruel fate in thus being turned out of her house to see it consumed, with
herself, children and chattels all night under the open heavens, our lately
made acquaintance came to a halt among us, the expression of his features,
indicating a much more enjoyable expectation of witnessing the scene
ahead than was ever felt by any among us whose duty it was to bring it
into action.
"We accordingly concluded to press him into service, soothing by that
proposal much of the distress of the materfamilias, who appeared to be a.
person rather superior to the ordinary grade of squatters. The soldiers set
about the work of removing her property from the house, and loading such
portions of it as she was least disposed to abandon for the night into the
old fellow's wagon, and comfortably stowing herself and children on the
load, we started him off as soon as she was ready to leave, after having
placed the . rest of her effects in as secure a condition as we could. To
guard against any possible treachery on the part of the old bee hunter, aS
well as in view of any break dDwn before he could strike a smoother road,
the lieutenant took the precaution to detach a corporal with a half dozen
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 281
men to act as an escort over the three miles or so to tlie Indian boundary,
beyond which our jurisdiction ceased.
' The bouse with its combustible appendages having been set on fire,, we
continued our march to a point a mile or two within the civilized part of
Iowa Territory, where a well fixed, thrifty settler supplied our commissa-
riat, as well as our forage department, with sundry items that a three days
expedition through the brush had made acceptable, if not actually needful.
Night had fairly set in. The corporal had rejoined the command, and re-
ported the bee-hunter and his cargo to be making satisfactory and appar-
ently friendly progress at the point lie was ordered to leave them. Our
camp fires were soon blazing and the tents pitched, and in a short time a
good supper increased the contentment which the lieutenant and agent
could not fail to enjoy over the final conclusion of a most unpleasant duty.
An early reveille, and the next day at noon found us at the agency."
Some years ago Mr. A. C. Komig delivered an address before the Sigour-
ney Literary and Historical Society, in which he gave an account, by Mr.
William Scearcy of a drunken revel he once witnessed among the Indians
who resided in his neigborhood:
"The village consisted of about forty wigwams or lodges, built of poles
and bark, and contained about seven hundred inhabitants — Indian squaws,
pappooses, dogs and all, under, the chieftainship of the memoi-able Wapello.
This band of Indians lived, as Indians usually do, by hunting, fishing, and
cultivating a few acres of corn, or Indian maize, rudely enclosed by a
miserable excuse of a fence, consisting of stakes driven into the ground
and light poles secured by bark. Their flimsy enclosures were a poor pro-
tection, and offered but little resistance to the cattle and stock of the neigh-
boring white settlers, that continually broke into their fields and destroyed
their crops. The natural result of all this was to embitter the feelings and
excite the hatred of the savages, whose natural, thirst to revenge their
wrongs, either real or imaginary, was not ameliorated in the least; but on
the contrary it was vastly increased and irritated by the use of ardent spir-
its, which they obtained a short distance down the river at a mill, and which
they used to great excess.
"I have been a frequent witness," continues Mr. Scearcy, "of their drunk-
en carousals, and saw at one time not less than five hundred drunken In-
dians and squaws upon the ground at once, presenting a scene, of squalid
wretchedness, and human degradation painful to behold. There, a squad of '
stalwart Indians, drinking, carousing, quarreling and fighting, while close at
hand were a squad of fiftj', perhaps a hundred, squaws in alike unenviable con-
dition, chattering, drinking, quarreling and pulling each other's hair, scratch-
ing, biting, gouging, crying, laughing, yelling, and making all sorts of hide-
ous noises — the scene relieved occasionally by a member of the sterner sex
pitching in to display his superior qualities, while to add comicality to the
affray the dusky mother might be seen with pappooses strapped upon their
backs, and safely screened by some friendly tree, or other shelter, quietly,
contemplating the scene, but, like Falstafi", taking good care to keep out of
harm's way. We stood and gazed in mute amazement upon this living, re-
volving, squirming mass of human flesh and hair, utterly unconscious of
any danger to ourself until approached by the chief, Wapello, and admon-
ished by the friendly word, puck-a-chee, which signifies you had better
282 HISTOKT OF KEOKUK COITNTT.
leave, and then deeming discretion the better part of valor we gave them
' French leave' and turned aiir faces homeward."
During sickness there was usually great attention given to tlie comfort of
the Indians, and diligent efforts to cure the patient, but when it became
apparent that recovery was impossible, the patient, while still alive,, was
dressed in his best attire and painted according to the fancy of the relatives
present, ornamented with all the trinkets, jewels and badges, dressed in his
best attire, and then placed upon a mat or a platform to die. The guns,
bows, arrows, axes, knives and other weapons, were all carried away from
the house or lodge and concealed. Tliey alleged that these preparations
were necessary to evince their respect to the Great Spirit who, at the mo-
ment of death, visits the body of the dying, receives the spirit, and carries
it with Him to Paradise, while the concealment of all warlike implements
shows their humble submission to, and non-resistance of, the Divine will.
Dead bodies were sometimes deposited in graves; others placed in a sit-
ting posture, reclining against a rock or tree; others, again, were deposited
in boxes, baskets, or cases of skins, and suspended in the branches of trees,
or upon scaffolds erected for the purpose. Elevated parcels of dry ground
were usually selected as burial places, and not so much re^gard was had for
the cardinal points of the compass as to the relative position of some neigh-
boring object. The graves were arranged usually with reference to some
river, lake or mountain. Where it was convenient, the grave when enclosed,
was covered with stones and under other circumstances it was enclosed
with wooden slabs, upon which were painted with red paint certain signs
or symbols commemorative of the decea,sed's virtues. The death of a near
relative was lamented with violent demonstrations of grief. Widows vis-
ited the graves of their deceased husbands with hair disheveled, carrying a
bundle composed of one or more of the deceased's garments, and to this
representative of her departed husband she addressed her expressions of
grief and assurances of. undying affection, and extreme anxiety for the
comfort and well being of the departed.
EAELY SETTLEMENTS.
Every nation does not possess an authentic account of its origin, neither
do all communities have the correct data whereby it is possible to accu-
rately predicate the condition of their first beginnings. Nevertheless, to
be intensely interested in such things is characteristic of the race, and it is
particularly the province of the historian to deal with first causes. Should
these facts, as is often the case, be lost in the mythical tradition of the past,
the chronicler invades the realm of the ideal, and compels his imagination
to paint the missing picture. The patriotic Eoinan, was not content till he
had found the "First Settlers", and then he was satisfied, although they
were found in the very undesirable company of a she bear, and located on a
drift, which the receeding waters of the Tiber had permitted them to pre-
empt.
One of the advantages pertaining to a residence in a new country, and
the one possibly least appreciated, is the fact that we can go back to the
first beginnings. We are thus enabled not only to trace results to their
causes but also to grasp the facts which have contributed to form and mould
these causes. We observe that a State or county has attained a certain po-
sition, and we at once try to trace out the reasons for this position in its
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTT. 283
«arly settlement and surroundings,in the class of men by whom it was peo-
pled and in the many chances and changes which have wrought out results
in ali the recorded deeds of mankind. In the history of Keokuk county, we
may trace its early settlers to their homes in the Eastern States and in the
countries of the Old World. We may follow the course of the hardy wood-
man of the "Buckeye" or the "Hoosier" State on his way west to "grow up
up with the country," trusting only to his strong arm and his willing heart
to work out his ambition of a home for himself and wife, and a competence
for his children. Yet again, we may seethe path worn by the Missourian in his
new experience in a land which to him was a land of progress, far in advance
of that southern soil upon which he had made his temporary home, in his ef-
fort to adapt himself to new conditions. We may see here the growth which
came with knowledge, and the progress which grew upon him with progress
around him, and how his better side developed. The pride of Kentucky
blood, or the vain glorying of the YirginiaF. F. V's, was here seen in an
early day only to be modified in its advent from the crucible of democracy
when servitude was eliminated from the solution. Yet others have been
animated with the impulse to "move on," after making themselves part of the
community, and have sought the newer parts of the extreme West, where
civilization had not penetrated, or return to their native soil. We shall
find little of that distictive New England character which has contributed
80 many men and women to other portions of our State and the West, but
we shall find many an industrious native of Germany or the British Isles,
and a few of the industrious and economical French — all of whom have
contributed to modify types of men already existing here. With confidence
that general results will prove that there is much of good in everything,
and that a justice almost poetic has been meted put to the faults and follies,
to the tbibles and the virtues of the early settlers of this county, we may
now enter upon their story.
As before stated, prior to October 21, 1838, the whites were not allowed
to settle in any part of the territory now embraced in the boundaries of
Keokuk county. At that time the United States came into possession of
territory before held by the Indians; this new territory embraced within
its bounds a small portion of what is now Keokuk county, including nearly
all of the southeastern (Kichland) township, and about half of the first,
and a small portion of the secona townships north of it. Upon this
" strip," as has already been shown, the whites were then entitled to set-
tle. This, however, cannot be taken as the date of first settlement; prior
to that time a number of claims had been made and improvements com-
menced. The treaty had been made, and although, theoretically, this was
forbidden ground, and the pioneers could at best but take a position on
the border line and view at a distance the promised land, yet, practically,
the country was open for exploration some months sooner, and the more
adventuresome land-viewers and claim-seekers crossed over, looking at the
country and marking the best localities, in order that they might be the
better prepared to make an intelligent selection before settling a perma-
nent claim. Early in the spring of this year a claim had been taken and a
permanent settlement began. From this time, therefore, must be traced
the history of Keokuk county, and at that time must be dated the "first
settlement."
284: HisTOBr OF keokuk county.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
In some counties there is great uncertainty as to who was the veritable
"First Settler." In Keokuk county no such dispute is likely ever to oc-
cur. All accounts agree in attributing this distinction to Mr. Aaron Mil-
ler, who, together with his son, John Miller, took claims and settled in the
immediate vicinity of the present site of Richland. The first habitation
erected was a cabin built by Mr. Miller, near the present residence of Mr.
Isaac Davis. Mr. Miller is now dead ; so is his son, John Miller, but his
son-in-law "Wm. Scearcy, still lives in an adjoining township.
In the fall of the same year a few others came, and in the spring of 183ft
Robert Pringle, James Higginbotham, Wm. Lewis, Wm. Bristow, John
Wasson, Mitchell Gill and James M. Smith, came from the same neighbor-i
hood in Indiana, and settled near to and east of the present site of Rich-
land. Some of these still live near where they originally settled; some are
dead, while others, after remaining a number of years, again fell in with,
the tide of emigration and have been borne westward.
Mr. Bristow is the oldest settler in the county who still resides on hia
original claim. He knows all that is comprehended in the meaning of the
word " Pioneer," and has experienced all the trials and hardships incident
to frontier life. ISTotwithstanding this, Mr. Bristow is still robust and
healthy, and thanks to a more thaii ordinarily vigorous constitution, has
not known a day during the past forty years when he was not able to attend
to his aifairs of business.
Mr. Smith was prominently identified with the organization of the
county, and became a member of the first board of county commissioners.
Prominent among those who came during the years 1839-40 were the
following: Joseph Kellum, Joab Bennett, five brotliers by the name of
Brown, to-wit: Jerry, Bowzier. William, Talton and Monroe; Jerry- Keui
dall, James Roy, Henry Hardin, Peter Perry, James Miller, Wm. Miller,
Elijah Searc}', ]3avid Myers, Richard Quinton, Horace Bagley, Wm. Lew-
man, James Lewraan, Elias Whetston, Theodore Cox; and three brothers:
William, John, and Ross Franklin; and four brothers: Henry, Thomas,
Joel, and Pleasant Pringle; S. P. Bristow, Cyrus Jordan, Jacob Wimer,
Mr. Troxel, Ed. Faj^es, Robert Blacker, J. O. Casterline, and J. J.
Franklin.
Mr. Kellum became the first Probate Judge of the county. Mr. Quin-
ton was one of the delegates, to the first constitutional convention; and
others of the afore-mentioned gentlemen became, in one way and another,
prominently associated in the early development and organization of the
county.
Prominent among those on the north side of the river were Harvey Ste-
vens and the Hendersons, Dr.Worthington, Dr. Mealy, William Grimsley,.
Wm. Shockley, John Baker, Wesley Goss, James Junkin, E. B. Holmes,
Robert Alexander, John Crill, Sr., Ed. Cooley, and Michael Hornish.
Not many of the settlers of the spring of 1839 came early enough to
raise a crop that season. A few, however, with their long team of oxen,
and wooden mould-board plows, turned the sod and raised some sod corn,
which helped them much in getting their stock through the winter. Most
of the people, however, had to depend on prairie hay for feed for their
stock which they had driven from the States, and which were by the long
journey reduced to great poverty. The result was that mnch of this stock
HI8TOKY OP KEOKUK COUNTY. 285
died during the winter, arid the teams with which they were compelled to
begin the spring work were not in a condition to do the vast amount of
work consequent upon the opening of farms. Their bread was made of
cornmeal and water. Their meat was such as they were able to procure by
the use of their trusty rifles. Flour was scarce and dear, and they had to
go to Burlington to procure it.
Two of these early settlers deserve to be especially mentioned: William
Scearoy and Jacob Wimer. The former still resides in the county. AU
tbongh he is now quite aged, and his life one of trial and hardship, yet his-
step is still elastic and his mind clear and memory reliable. A short sketch
of his early life will be interesting to the reader and eminently proper ia
this place. We will let him tell his own story :
" My father, Robert Scearcy, was born in Virginia in the year 1782, and
died and was buried in this township April 18, 1857. My mother's name
was Mary Spivey. They were married in North Carolina, and were the
parents of thirteen children: ten girls and three boys, 1 being the fifth
child.
I was born in Buncombe county, Nortii Carolina, in the year 1813. When
quite young my parents moved to Warren county. Tennessee, where we re-
mained until the fall of 1829, when we started for Indiana, but owing to
sickness we did not reaeh our destination until the spring of 1830; stayed
a while in Morgan county, Indiana, and from there to Sangamon county,.
Illinois, where I was married April 7, 1836, to Sarah Miller (daughter of
Aaron Miller, who was the first settler in this county, and died several
years ago in this township). The same spring after I was married, myself
and wife, in company with two brother-in-laws, John and James Miller and
their families, started for Iowa, and being the first emigrants with teams
that came west farther than Lockridge, we followed the township line from
there by the marks on the trees in the timber, and the stakes and mounds
on the prairies, until we reached what is now known as Pleasant Plain, in
Jefferson county. The land at that time had not been surveyed out in smaller
subdivisions than townships, and was not yet in market. I purchased a
claim of 160 acres and adjoining my claim I laid out that town, consisting
of 300 lots. The town of Brighton, in Washington county, was located
the same fall. I broke about twelve acres of prairie that spring, during
which time we lived in a tent. The greater part of the summer we spent
in breaking prairie on the north side of Skunk river. A great many emi-
grants came in without families, would take claims and hired us to break a
few acres — -just sufficient to hold their claims until they should return in
the fall, agreeing to pay us for the work when they returnd; but they did
did not come back, and we found that we had done our work for nothing —
lost it all.
"While on the north side of the river we lived in an Indian 'wigwam'
made of bark. Here is where Wapello and his tribe lived at that time.
They had quite a town, and some of them had small patches of ground
that they cultivated, raising some corn and a few vegetables. It was a
great sight to the Indians to see the prairie plow turning the sod over.
The little fellows would follow us day after day, watching the plowing pro-
cess. The Indians, as a general thing, treated us kindly enough, but seemed
to look upon us with a kind of jealousy. They were great fellow's for whisky
■ at all times, but on special occasions they made whisky a special resort.
286 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
On the occasion of the death of one of Wapello's sons, the old chief him-
self swam across the river, procured a barrel of whisky, floated it across
the river, and such a time as they had .1 never witnessed before or since.
Men, women and children beastly drunk for several days, some shouting the
war whoop, some crying and wailing, and some sleeping — one continuous
uproar as long as the whisky lasted.
" After laying out the town of Pleasant Plain, I made a sale of lots and
sold about five hundred dollars worth, some desirable ones going as high
as forty dollars. The land not yet being in market, I could make no deeds,
but gave bonds for deeds to be made as soon as I should get deeds from the
government, taking their notes, to be paid when they received the deeds.
"The only ferries we had to cross the river was our wagons; we had no
other means of crossing except by swimming the teams, wagons and all.
In the fall we went back to Sangammon county. 111., expecting to return in
the spring, as our provisions were all gone, and no means of securing a sup-
ply for the winter, as we had no money and could not have bought supplies
if we had money. Owing to sickness in my family, I did not return to
Iowa until the spring of 1839. When I came to Pleasant Plain I found the
Quakers had taken advantage of my absence and 'jumped' my claim,
town and all, and as I could not legally hold it, they would not give it up
nor pay me anything for what I had done. So I came on west and settlea
in Richland township, where Moses Mendenhall now lives. David MyerS'
took a claim adjoining on the south, and although there was not a solitary
house between him and Fairfield, yet he had not room enough. He
crowded me out, and I abandoned that claim and settled another, the one
•which J. 0. Johnson now lives on. I lived around in that vicinity until the
spring of 1843. On the 30th day of April I moved into Jackson town-
ehip, although, according to the treaty, we were not allowed to settle on
this purchase until the first day of May. I commenced staking out my
claim early the next morning. William Brown, who was then living at
Blue Point, tried to frighten me away from the claim, threatening to mob
me; but having actual possession first, I held the claim, on which I have
lived ever since. The first year I fenced forty acres, broke out thirty acres
■of sod and put it in corn, on which I raised a good crop — plenty to do me
and some to sell. I raised as good potatoes and cabbage as I have ever
raised since. I planted the corn before I fenced the ground, made the rails
and fenced it during the summer. I laid out in my corn many nights with
a sod for a pillow, watching the cattle off my crop, and this barefooted,
when rattlesnakes were as numerous as the grasshoppers and squirrels —
and have actually killed thetn in the dark. I lived in a tent that summer,
and in the fall I built a cabin.
"A great deal of trouble was caused to settlers on account of 'claim
jumping;' when the land came into market there were a great many poor
men who had not money to pay for their land, and others more able would
enter the land at the office, and had it not been for a kind of club law got-
ten up by the settlers for their own protection, probably much more dis-
tress would have been than really was.
"The first church organization in this county was by Andrew P. Tanne-
hill, building on Spainshower's foundation, in the fall of 184.3; organized
the Baptist church.
" The first school taught in the township was by a man by the name of
Brown, in a log cabin near where John Dare now lives.
HISTORY OF KEOKTJK COUNTY. 28T
"I have raised a family of ten children: six boys and four girls, all of
whom are still living; and they are all here, except one daughter who live&
in Kansas.
t, "I professed religion in the year 1819 and joined the Baptist church, of
which I have been a member ever since.
"Politically, I am a Democrat, alway have been, and always expect to be;
my first vote being cast for Martin Yan Bnren for President.
" In looking over the county now, and contrasting its appearance with
thirty-five years ago, what a remarkable change we discover: then a vast
ocean of prairie, upon miles and miles of which nothing could be seen but
the native grass, interspersed with groves, belts of timber, rivulets and
streams, inhabited only by the red skins and wild animals. Now, how dif-
ferent! The white man has made his mark here. All over this country,
what was then one vast wild prairie, we see, we might say, one continuous
farm, separated only by roads and fences. In looking over those few yeara
past, it seems that such a change could not have taken place in so short a
time. Then we had our log cabin school-houses, with split logs or fence
rails for seats. Then we had preaching in our log cabins, and people were
not ashamed to ride in an ox wagon four or five miles to meeting, and if
they were not able to wear shoes they did not hesitate to go barefoot and
without any coat. They went to meeting for the enjoyment of true relig-
ion, and had no fears of being insulted by Mr. Etiquette or Madame Fash-
Jacob "Wimer settled in the vicinity of Kichland in the year 1839. He
proved to be the most valuable accession which had, up to this time, been
made to the little colony. He was a man of the most invincible energy,
possessed of other striking traits of character, and, moreover, a practical
mill-wright. No one man did more to advance the interests of the early
settlers, and to develop the resources of the county, than he. Soon after
arriving, Mr. "Wimer set about the work of mill-building. The first mill
in the county was commenced by him in June, 1842, and located on South
Skunk river, near the confluence of the two streams. It was completed in
the following February. The mill was built about five rods west of the-
boundary line of the original Black Hawk purchase. In selecting the site
he found that he could not erect the mill to advantage unless he put it on
the Indian side of the line. The trespass was but a few steps, and he sup-
posed that it would work no injury to the red man. But the red man
came and pointed out to him the line between Che-mo-keman and Mus-
qua-ke. Mr. Wimer was apparently too dull of comprehension to under-
stand the import of the Indians' protestations, and went on with his milL
The red skins had learned too much of freedom in their own wild forests
to be thus encroached upon, and regarded in a diplomatic manner a tres-
pass of fifty yards as equal to the inundation of the whites to the very
center ot their hunting grounds. The consequence was that they appealed
to the United States authorities, and a troop of dragoons was dispatched
to drive Mr. "Weimer off the forbidden ground and burn his. buildings.
One morning, shortly after the completion of the mill, these epauletted
gentlemen bore down upon Mr. Wimer. This gentleman, however, was
not altogether taken by surprise, as he had certain intimations of the raid
upon his premises. He had, accordingly, prior to the arrival of the dra-
goons, removed all vestiges of the boundary line, for several miles on
■288 HISTORY OF KEOKUK OOTTNTT.
■either side of the river. * When the dragoons arrived they rode up to the
side of the stream on the south bank of the river, and there hitched their
(horses. Thereupon the whole squad crossed upon the ice, each man having
girted at his side an immense sword, which trailed on the ground, at his
side. The oflScer, in a very pompous style, started up to Mr. Wimer and
said:
"Do you know, sir, where you are?" Mr. Wimer met his gaze firmly,
■and in a very decided manner replied: "I think I do, sir."
The officer then stated to Mr. Wimer that the mill was on the Indian's
land, and his instructions were to destroy it, and his imperative duty was
to obey. This was a critical moment for the millwright. He had invested
■all his means in the mill, and looking at the building and then at the
■officer, scarcely knew what to say. He could not for a moment entertain
■the thought that years of toil and labor should be in vain, and that
this structure which represented that toil and labor should be demolished
merely to satisfy the caprices of a few savages, and that too at a time when
it was known that they would, as they did, sell out as soon as a treaty
could be concluded. After exhibiting his machinery to the party, and
making himself as agreeable as his unsafe condition would permit, he
cooly requested the dragoons to accompany him about one hundred yards
west of the mill, where, pointing to each side of the river, he called atten-
tion to marks and notches on the trees, and turning to the commander re-
marked :
" You see, sir, I knew where I was, and we need not disturb one another,"
•at the same time he gave him a look which seemed to say: " Do you com-
prehend my meaning?"
Whether the dragoon captain believed this to be the true line or not, at
least he pretended that he did, and venting a few oaths upon the swarthy
faCes for causing them a cold and needless ride, called off his men and de-
parted, to the great relief of the mill owner.
Soon after this circumstance Mr. Wimer sold the mill to Mr. L. B.
Hughes, and removed to a mill-site on North Skunk river, where he began
the erection of what was afterward known as the " Whisler Mills." After
Ihese mills were nearly completed, he sold an interest in them to Mr. J. B.
Whisler. Shortly after the mills were completed he sold the remainder of
his interest to Mr. Whisler, and removed to Mahaska county, where he
commenced the erection of the Union Mills, on North Skunk, finishing
them about two years afterward. Some time having elapsed, he sold this
mill, and returned to Keokuk county, and built what was known as the
Wimer Mill, on South 'Skunk. A sawing attachment was put up in this
mill by Mr. Abrams soon after. Mr. Harvey Ray, of Burlington, who, up
to this time, had furnished burrs for most of the mills in southeastern
Iowa, said that this mill was the best grist-mill in the State.
In 1857 Mr. Wimer moved to Eay county, Missouri, and erected another
large grist and saw-mill, and also conducted a large farm. In 1859 he again
returned to Keokuk county, having sold out in Missouri, and this time pur-
chased the Goodheart mill, on North Skunk, about one mile from Lancas-
ter. After Mr. Wimer bought this mill he repaired it and remodeled its
machinery, and then sold it to Mr. Austin Jacobs. He then moved to a
farm near Lancaster, declaring his intention of retiring from the milling
business, but subsequently removed to Oregon, where he was at last ao-
■counts following Ms old business.
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 289
Mr. Wimer was a man of great benevolence, and many still living in
the county have reason to remember him with feelings of gratitude. In
1^11 public enterprises, whether for a charitable object, a church building, a
bridge, or any other thing to enhance the general good, Mr. Wimer was
always among the most liberal; and yet modest, not taking one-half the
alms he gave to keep the other half sounding. Soon after he purchased
the last mill there was a great scarcity of breadstuffs; just preceding the
harvest many of the best prepared farmers were closely pushed to obtain
the staif of life. During this time Mr. Wimer freely distributed to the
more necessitous class all the toll and other grain he could control. It is
gratifying to know that Mr. Wimer is but one representative of a large
class of men who lived in this county at an early day, and who did so much
to mould the character of the people and develop the resources of the
country.
We have been th.us concise and yet explicit in the account of these rep-
resentative men because we deem it important, and the reader can judge
from the history of one of them, so graphically and intelligently given in
his own language, what manner of men they were. It will be observed
that we have here no rude adventurers, driven out from their fellows by
crime or melancholy; nor hunters or fishermen, too indolent to work; but
we see intelligent, industrious men, who felt the lack of all those blessings
which adhere to older civilization, yet strong enough to break away from
them. Men who were ambitious to make their own future, and thus make
the future of the country in which they settled. It will be perceived from
what has been said of them, that they immediately upon their arrival pro-
ceeded to work; that they broke prairie, built mills, erected houses, exter-
minated noxious animals — in short, they were the forerunners of that thrift
and industry and content which have made the county great and populous
and wealthy, as well as intelligent and progressive in all the arts of higher
civilization. The first settlers of Keokuk county were, therefore, men who
were worthy to be among her citizens of to-day. The forerunners who car-
ried civilization into the wilderness were of such a cast, of such a nature,
of such strength and industry, of such ability and such a character, that
the best of to-day might yet follow where they would lead, confident that
they would work for the upbuilding of the county, and that nothing of dis-
honor would come to them through their leaders.
It would be interesting could we but go back, even in fancy, to the con-
dition of affairs when these men first saw this county in 1839. Could we
but have seen the sublimity of this great and fertile region, where but few,
even of the red men, were then living; could we but imagine what were
the thoughts, hopes, ambitions, purposes of these pioneers, as they recalled
the rocky hills and mountains of their native States, and compared them
with these prairies, waving with naught but the luxuriant growth of wild
grasses, the noble forests, of these water-courses, all fulfilling the natural
conditions of comfort and wealth for man, and only waiting his.advent to
blossom as the rose with the productions of a civilized race, we might have
seen, as they saw, that here, " wild in woods, the noble savage ran," with
•11 that there could be of nobility in his «ntanght, or rather ill-taught, and
treacherous nature, and that suddenly the face of the white man was seen
in the forest, surveying its unimpi'oved wealth, and preparing the way for
» mightier and greater people. The taciturn, grunting savage heard the
unwonted sound of laughter in regious where that meloay might not have
290 HISTOKY OF KEOKTJK OOUNTT.
been heard since the'long-forgotten days of the mound builders, and he pre-
pared to move further aiield, away from his aggressive and more powerful
brother. The sound of the ax and the crash of falling timber spoke of
new life and animation. For the new-comer in all this wild region there
was in every bubbling spring a music sweet as the voices of children. The
ripples of the lonely river, flashing against its sides, gave prophecy of towns
to spring up amid the sterner sounds of daily toil for a rich reward, iu
which all natural forces must become tributary to man's well-being.
The first white child born in the limits of Keokuk ■county was probably
J. F. Searcy, who was born December 15, 1840. An older son of Mr. Win.
Searcy was but three months old when brought to the county.
A NEW DEPAKTUKE.
From the time of the first settlement of the county in the vicinity of
Richland, there was a steady and continuous growth, and what is com-
monly known as the " old strip," became well settled for those days. Ifot
all the land was taken up by any means; not even a large part of the best
land was secured, but such portions as offered the greatest inducement to
settlers were pre-empted; and all along the boundary line here, as else-
where, were gathered many prospectors, who impatiently awaited the night
of April 30, 1843, when they would have a right to pass over and possess
the land.
Those expecting to make settlements on the " new purchase " were for-
bidden to come to the reserve until tlie time of its delivery into the hands
of the government by, the Indians, May 1, 1843. Dragoons were stationed
all along the border, whose. duty it was, to keep the whites out of the coun-
try till th^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
unaeco^jcipanied by wagon, and carried no ax. This latter weapon was
sometimes placed, without a handle, in the knapsack of the traveler, and
an impromptu |iand]e fitted in by a penknife when necessity called for
its use. During the lalst few days of April the dragoons relaxed their strict
discipline, and an occasional wagon slipped in through the brush. The
night of April 30 found some scores of new-comers 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 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 1, 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 oflF, .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 sufi'ered 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 you're gittin,'^
to which the settler added, " and git the best."
The memorable midnight of that " last day " of April, 1843, dark as it
HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTT. 293
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 em-
igrants, 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
claims of 320 acres each in 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 1, 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
thousand souls, had crossed the old limits to find homes in the new posses-
sions, and convert the Indian's hunting ground into the white man's earthly
Eden.
Thus had come at last the much desired day, bringing to the unsettled
pioneer the welcome privilege to choose, from all the goodly land before
him, his future home. When the last barrier of restraint was
thus removed, the tide of emigration so long held in check be-
gan to come in at a rapid rate over these prairies, and thus has it continued
to roll, wave after wave, in rapid succession, until it has reached the West-
em 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, it has enveloped our land in the mighty main of enterprise
and civilization.
After the way had thus been opened by that memorable treaty, emigra-
tion began at once to pour in and spread especially along the river; claim
after claim was taken, cabin after cabin was erected, settlement after settle-
ment was made, 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 logs for his humble cabin home.
Before many days had passed the curling smoke was seen rising through
the tree tops from many such hopeful, happy pioneer homes in the west-
em wild; and within these rustic walls were found thankful hearts, cheer-
ful faces, welcome voices and liberal hospitality, which displayed on every
side an air of prosperity and contentment, 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 ter-
ritory of Keokuk county, and that it would be thoroughly carried on to
the western territory.
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 radi-
cal 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
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
19
294 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTr.
a timber location, and spend time, labor and money in clearing and grub'
bing and fertilizing, and then fall short in the yield per a,ore, and be con-
fined to a limited area of farming land.
The timber settlers slowly but surely' became convinced of the fact, and
began to reach ont 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 difi^erent localities throughout our State, many of the first settlers,
and best of men, have thus been compelled to sell their comfortable, hard-
earned homes when " the boys grow 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 meagre support in return for the faithful, ardu-
ous labors, while many of their wealthy prairie neighbors, who only a few
years before were the 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 the claims as soon as possible
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.
In treating of the early settlements of the county, the reader must bear
in mind that at that time none of the present artificial organizations of
townships, or even of the county itself, were then in existence. Geograph-
ical distinctions, after the removal of the Indian boundary line of 1837,
were only such as were made by such natural boundaries as rivers. The
township organization, as it now exists, was not made till 184:7, and such
distinctions as are made by reference to township lines cannot be spoken of
till further on.
From the older settlements in the southeastern part of the county, the
work of permanent improvement spread west and north. South of South
Skunk river we find some of the first settlers of Richland taking the best
claims. The Eock creek district, now in the bounds of Jackson town-
ship, had the reputation of being a goodly land ; and there, especially, was
a speedy increase of settlement during the fall of 1843. Among the early
settlers in that neighborhood we notice the names of such as Aaron Miller,
"William Scearcy, Eobt. Blacker, William Webb and Richard Quinton, most
of whom had come over from the Richland settlement, on the night of May
1st, while at least one of them, Mr. Scearcy, who had a good many things to
move, and to be sure that he would be in time had started a day or two be-
forehand. Settlements still further west were made the same day that legal
possession was given. Among some of these settlers we mention the names
of William Hutton, G. W. Hayes, Christopher M. Wood, and a Mr. Mo-
Nutt, who was the first white man buried in that section. Still further
west, at a later period, claims were taken and settlements made by D. P.
Helm and J. W. Palmer.
HISTOKY OF KBOKtJK COUNTY. 2^5
Among the first settlers in these neighborhoods south of the river, there
was manifested a spirit of enterprise and a desire for the establishment of
all branches of industry, as well as the foundation and maintenance of re-
ligious and educational institutions.
We have already spoken of the mill erected by Mr. Wimer, near the
forks of the river, and completed in February, 1843. Farther west, some time
afterward, Cornelius Hurley and Benjamin Hollingsworth erected a flour-
ing mill. It was started with one run of burrs, in the spring of 1846, and
is now known as the old " Clapboard Mill." A tannery was erected, in
1845, by E. B. Whitted. The first mercantile enterprise started was in
Eichland, some time in 1843, by L. J. Smith, the merchandise consisting
of groceries and liquors. The first dry goods store was opened by
Beriah Haworth, in the year 1844; followed by "William A. Jordan, who
established a dry goods and grocery store the following year. Mr. Wil-
liams was the first postmaster, followed by William Tingle, who, it seems,
was a doctor, and the first one to locate in the county. He — that is, the
doctor — was followed by Drs. Jones, Fidler, Efner, etc. Farther west, in
1852, a post-office was established by the name of Olean. It was kept at
the house of Samuel Bowman, who was the first postmaster. Previous to
this time, the nearest post-office was at Eichland, or Fairfield. The office
of Olean was removed to loka six years later. As is the case of other
times and other places, schools and churches followed, but in a different or-
der from that in which we find them elsewhere. It is usual for 'school-
houses to be erected first, and here the people meet for public worship until
they are able to erect church buildings. The early settlers in the neighbor-
hoods now referred to established their church buildings and organized
churches before they built school-houses and organized schools. "For sev-
eral years the schools were taught in the houses of public worship, or in
private dwellings," is the account which the chronicler gives of early
school matters in those parts. In 1851 John Davis erected a school build-
ing in Eichland, which was known by the name of " The Seminary.' '
•Zachariah Trueblood and John Callet taught the first school in this build-
ing. Since then " The Seminary " has had quite a career of usefulness,
to which we allude more fully further on. In the Eock creek neighbor-
hood,the first school taught was by a teacher of the name of Brown, in a
cabin near where John Dare afterward resided. As we shall refer to
church buildings and church organizations at length under a special topic,-
snfiice it to say here tliat churches were erected as early as 1848, and organ-
izations were formed long before that time. Among the early pioneer
preachers we mention the names of Andrew P. Tannehill, Elder Kirkpat-
rick, Elder Gilmore, and Elder Hutton.
North of the river we find that quite a settlement had been formed prior
to May 1, 1843; after that date settlements spread rapidly north and west.
In taking up these claims, some very exciting contests took place between
parties whose rights to the same claims interfered. We give the following
account of one of the most exciting incidents growing out of one of these
contests :
A valuable water-power had been found on the Indian side of the line,
on Forth Skunk river, about two miles above its mouth. The settlers ob-
served this, and two of them, each having his adherents, intended to claim
and occupy it as soon as they could be entitled to cross over into the new
territory. One of these men, L. B. Holmes, as early as February, 1843,
296 HI8T0BT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
built a cabin at the mill-site and moved into it with his family, although
the' whites were not legally entitled to settle before the first day of May!
The other party, composed of the Messrs. Hendersons, arrived on the
ground at dark on the evening of April 30th, and proceeded without delay
to smoke out Mr. Holmes. This resulted in the burning of the cabin.
Mr. Holmes, then, apparently defenseless with his family, suggested that
they should all wait till morning, and then decide who should hold the
claim, the other party agreeing to wait till midnight. After that hour, the
first claim made was the legal one, according to the rules of the settlers,
and the other party, finding that they had force enough to keep Mr. Holmes
a prisoner and make the claim. too, agreed to an armistice for a few hours.
They were totally unaware that Mr. Holmes had a choice squad of friends
concealed, who were quietly noting all that was being done. His direction
to these men before night was : " Keep quiet till twelve o'clock ;. after that
make the claim as soon as possible. If you are pushed for time, close your
lines inside of theirs and make the claim good if you don't get more than
ten acres."
At 12 o'clock, the Henderson party started with their torches, leaving a
guard with Mr. Holmes. The party, having the advantage of the lights,
kept ahead, and by a signal agreed upon announced that they had sur-
rounded the claim. Mr. Holmes cried out, " Boys, have you closed your
lines ? " " "We have," was responded with a whoop, and the new party
now made their first appearance. The guard lost no time in informing his
comrades, who returned without so much as closing their lines, saying they
were resolved to have the claim. Mr. Holmes proposed to settle the dis-
pute by paying or receiving $280, which the other party agreed to take
and quit-claim the premises. In the fall of the same year Mr. Holmes
sold the property to Mr. Cooley. Mr. Cooley put up a dwelling house and
mill, surveyed lots and called the place Eochester. In the spring of 184:5
Eochester contained the families of Cooley, A. H. Haskell, and Charles
Frisbie.
Frisbie was from the town of Eichland, and brought witli him an old
bachelor by the name of L. J. Smith, who sold whisky and tobacco. The
lands were not yet in market but were subject to pre-emption, and Smith
and Frisbie thought to make a good thing of it by pre-empting the mill
tract, as they resided on it, and which they actually did. Information of
• this fact was soon received from Fairfield, and the country for miles around
turned out to have Cooley reinstated in his title to the claim. Smith and
Frisbie fied to Eichland, where the company forthwith marched. On
hearing of their approach. Smith took his gun and made for the brush.
The company soon surrounded the spot. Smith was induced to surrender,
and, with Frisbie, was escorted by the company back to the mill. On the
route, Frisbie complained of feeling faint and wanted to get ofi' his horse,
but the company only regarded it as a ruse to get away, when Holmes,
upon looking closely, saw blood on his clothes and inquired, " why, Fris-
bie, have you stabbed yourself?" "Yes," said Frisbie, "and a mortal
wound, too ; and I am dying a perjured man." The company came to a
halt. The wound was examined and found to be a dangerous thrust in the
side, near the region of the heart ; it was dressed as well as the circum-
stances would permit, and the wounded man made a full statement of the
Tilliany by which he and Smith had pre-empted the mill. His knife was
then taken from him, and a litter was constructed, on which he was carried
HI8T0ET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 29T
to the mill. Upon arriving there, Mr. Holmes, who had been selected as
captain, addressing Frisbie, said :
"Mr. Frisbie, your guilty conscience has prompted you to an act quite
as severe as the committee had intended to inflict upon you. Should you
survive the effects of your self-inflicted wound, you are expected to leave
the territory within three days."
Then, turning to Mr. Smith, Holmes continued in the blandest manner :
" Now, Mr. Smith, be good enough to take off your hat." Smith com-
plied.
"Now, Mr. Smith, be good enough to take off your coat." Smith
again complied.
"Now, Mr. Smith, take off your shirt."
Mr. Smith was good enough to do this also without hesitation. He was
then infornaed that he could retain .his pantaloons if he desired to do so.
"Now," continued Mr. Holmes, " Mr. Smith, we have a duty to perform
and I want you to act the man while Mr. Goodheart is discharging his
duty. Mr. Goodheart, will you be good enough now to invest Mr, Smith
with the regalia of his oflSce ? "
Whereupon Mr. Goodheart emptied about half the contents of a bucket
of tar over the defenceless head, shoulders and arms of Smith. A feather
pillow which had been provided was then opened and the contents placed in
profusion over Smith, after which the remainder of the tar was applied
over the feathers, when he was informed that he was at liberty to leave the
territory as soon as Frisbie, but advised not to take Frisbie's route to the
next world until he should be better prepared.
Smith then thanked the company from the bottom of his heart ; was as
polite as possible for a man in his garb, and said that he had expected to be
burned alive; that in the "multiplicity of business" he had got into this
unjust speculation, and now politely backed out. It is not known what be-
came ot Smith. Frisbie died some two years later, in Missouri, from the
effects of his wound. It may be added that Frisbie also expected nothing
less than being hung or tortured to death by the company, the fear of
which led him to attempt suicide.
We are next led to consider the early settlement of the country lying
between the two forks of Skunk river. In this section the primitive set-
tlements were made by Obadiah Tharp, John W. Snelson, Presley Doggett,
Wm. Trneblood, James Robinson," B. F. Ohastain, William McGrew, James
M. Mitts, Jesse B. Mitts, George Wimer, J. B. Whisler, Amos Hollow-
way, David Stout, and J. G. Dement. Farther west, a settlement was made
on the 3d day of May, 1843, in what has always been known as the Mc-
Nabb neighborhood.
Mr. Snelson located on a claim which afterward became the home of
Corbin Utterbach. For some time Mr. Snelson maintained a ferry across
North Skunk at that point. A cabin was erected here, where Mr. J. B.
Whisler commenced selling goods in 1844. Mr. Holloway was known as
the great " bee hunter." We are indebted to Mr. S. A. James for the fol-
lowing account of this pioneer :
" Wild bees at that time were plenty, and were generally found in the
trunk or limb of a tree, twenty, and sometimes thirty, feet from the ground.
Mr. Holloway would start out with a yoke of oxen, a wagon, two, or three
«mpty barrels, provisions and conveniences for camping. He would camp
out at night, and would generally be gone from three to four weeks on one
298 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOUHTT.
expedition. At the end of that time he would usually return with his bar-
rels full of a delicious sweet which no Yankee patent receipt has yet been'
able to equal. Whether any philosopher ever contemplated a barrel of
honey with other than gustative reflections we are unable to say ; our own
reflections upon an ox load of this commodity was that the million little
laborers whose industry had gathered the store, and then had their homes
despoiled and robbed, were in no worse condition than many of our fellow-
beings in despotic countries, whose labors enrich the rulers and whose sting
is only felt when too closely pressed, but whose minds remain ignorant of
their true remedy. The process of finding a bee-tree was to place a small
vessel, with some substance which emitted a sweet odor, near the forest.
A few bees finding this would sip satisfaction, and then invariably make a
* bee-line,' or straight fly, to their tree of deposit. ' At this point con-
sisted the greatest skill of the hunter, and it grew into a settled quotation!
that Hollb way ' could see a bee plumb a mile.' "When the bee-tree wa»
found, it was felled to the ground and the bees driven away from the honey
by fumes of brimstone."
J. B. Whisler afterward removed to the town of Lancaster, where he'
sold goods, and at his mills, four miles west of the town. Although the
river has since swept away nearly all the improvements, the site continiies''
to be known as the " Old Whisler Mill." He was a persevering man at
whatever he engaged, possessed a large amount of patience and good
humor, and made fast friends of all his acquaintances. His business pros-'
pared and enabled him to assist many persons in securing their homes.
He sold the settlers Mexican bounty warrants on time, making it advan-
tageous to both parties. The settler who could not secure a sufficient
amount of money to " enter " his claim, and many could not, were at any
time liable to be entered out by some speculator in warrants, who conld
snap his finger at club laws and remain beyond the jurisdiction of Judge
Lypch. Scores of worthy settlers, in the absence of a homestead law, thus-'
secured their lands and continued to enjoy their homes in prosperity. On
coming to the county, he was supposed to be an unmarried man, although
he never alluded to his domestic afikirs. Some five years after settling, he
was married to a lady of the neighborhood, with whom he lived happily
till his death, which occurred in 1852. Some time after the death ot Mr.'
Whisler, a woman from Pennsylvania appeared in the county, who claimed
to be his wife, and, moreover, came prepared with evidence to prove the^
relation. She instituted suit for the possession of Mr. Whisler's estate,
which, through the industry and business sagacity of that gentleman, had
grown to be very valuable. The courts decided that the Pennsylvania lady
was the rightful wife and heir to the property, the second wife receiving
but common wages during the time she had lived with the deceased, which
extended through a period of about five years and amounted to about
$1,000. While living with his second wife, there was born to Mr. Whisler
one child, a daughter, who is married and living at this time in the county.;
Mrs. Whisler was married a second time and is now living in the county.
Among the first settlers in the McNabb neighborhood were A. J. Mc-
Nabb and T. J. Hicklin. The former located on section 2 and the latter
on section 3. McNabb plowed the first furrow in that neighborhood and
planted potatoes. He still lives on his first claim.
On the 7th day of May, 1843, Maxon JRandall located a claim, where he '
resided until recently, when he removed to the county seat. Mr. Eandall'
HISTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 299
describes the first house he lived in as a cabin one and a half stories high,
size 16x20, built of round logs; puncheon floors, covered with clap-
boards; containing two rooms, one below, and one above, to which they
ascended by means of a ladder. Mr. Randall says that in early days they
were very much troubled with wolves. He and his neighbor, McNabb,
bought traps, but did not succeed in capturing many. Finally they bought
a bottle of strychnine and prepared a repast for the intruders. The next
morning Mr. Randall says there were four dead wolves in sight of his sheep
pen and afterward found seventeen more. He and Mr. McNab exterminat-
ed in this way over one hundred of the wolves, and after that were troubled
no more. In the spring of 1844 Jacob Kansler began the erection of a
saw and grist-mill on North Skunk, west of range 12. The people erected
a school-house in this neighborhood the same year. The same year John
Hasty, John Scott and E. Sampson located claims in this neighborhood,
the latter being the father of the Hon. E. S. Sampson, who for two terms
represented this district in Congress.
The first marriage solemnized in this neighborhood was that of Eobt,
Mann to Miss L. Pence, by John Ellis, Esq. The license was obtained at
Washington, Iowa. This marriage was soon followed by three or four
others in quick succession. Mr. Thos. J. Hicklin was chosen to be the
father of, and to provide food and clothing for, the first child born in that
locality.
Gen. James A. Williamson, at present Commissioner of the General Land
Office, at Washington, D. C, was one of the early settlers of the McNabh
neighborhood. After an absence of twenty-three years he returned to de-
liver an address before the annual meeting of the Old Settlers' Assoeia^
tion. We take the liberty of quoting liberally from such parts of the ad-
dress as refer to the early settement of the country :
" After a long and wearisome march from the central portion of the
State of Indiana, keeping time to the slow tread of the gentle, patient ox
team, which it had been my business to guide and goad through the bad
roads of the Hoosier State, and the almost trackless prairies of Illinois and
Eastern Iowa, you may imagine with what feelings of delight I laid down
the implement of ray continuous warfare with the noble bovines which had
drawn that rare specimen of the architecture of N^ortli Carolina known in
the West at that time as a prairie schooner (a very large projecting top
wagon), upon my arrival in what was then known as the McNabb settle-
ment— since more familiarly known to old settlers as 'Zion's Lane,' ow-
ing, as I suppose, to the piety of us early settlers in that vicinity.
" Some small portion of the southeastern part of the county was em-
braced in what was then known as the ' Old Purchase,' and save in that
part there was but little or no settlement in the county made prior to the
year 1844.
" I think the first crops grown in Warren township, and perhaps in all other
parts of the county, except the part embraced in the old purchase, were
planted in 1844. The first I saw was in 1845. During that year, before
the maturity of the crops, many had the misfortune of going hungry to
bed, contenting ourselves with dreams of the fullness and fatness which
should follow the harvest.
"At the appointed time the harvest came, and with it a corporeal increase
in the physique of most of the old settlers with whom I was then
300 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
acquainted. The dreams of the harvest had not beeii as potent in produc-
ing muscle, tissue and avoirdupois as its realization.
" I see many of my friends here to-day who were then my nearest neigh^
bors. You will not, perhaps, give full faith and credit to the statement
that I feel, for truth's sake, compelled to make concerning them. These
persons were so slender as to make them almost incapable of casting shad-
ows, and they tightened their girdles another hole with the buckles instead
of taking their dinners until after their early potatoes and green corn were
suflBciently matured for food.
" In the fall of that year when our little ' sod crops ' had ripened, mil-
lions of prairie chickens came to feed upon them. This was providential,
though it threatened destruction of our crops, .for we shot and trapped
thetn by thousands, thus supplementing our bill of fare with that most
excellent game. The quails and the manna were not more needed and
appreciated by the Hebrew hosts wlio followed Moses in his slow and cir-
cuitous marches beyond the Red Sea than were the corn bread and grouse
to the sturdy but hungry pilgrims who spent the winter of 1845 in this _
now most rich, productive and beautifnl country. The early settlers of thifi "
county were strong, sturdy and determined men and women, otherwise they
tvould not have been here in those early days.
" Having heard of this, fair land of promise while cultivating the poorer
soil of their native States, they, with the energy and bravery so character-
istic of their natures, and so necessary to the settlement and development
of a new country, resolved upon the trans- Mississippi journey of many
hundreds of weary miles of overland travel. Upon arriving at their points-
of destination, most of those hardy and determined men found themselves
possessed of little or nothing except their strong arms and brave hearts —
their wives and little ones — a small quantity of household furniture and
Wearing apparel, a few nide farming implements with which they tilled
the soil in States farther east, which were wholly unadapted to the cultiva-
tion of the soil of Iowa.
" I have seen many men on their arrival in this county drive their teams
upon the places which were to be the sites of their dwelling houses and their
future homes, descend from their wagons and tenderly assist, with their
strong arms, their wearied wives and children to the ground which they
hoped to some day call their own.
" After arriving at their destination, the iirst thing to be done was to
'stake off' a claim of 160 acres, which each head of a family might hold
under the local ' claim laws ' then or thereafter to be made, and in addition
to this, a small timber lot, not exceeding forty acres, might be taken and held.
This being done, our hardy pioneers immediately set about building a log
house, which was the only kind possible, as there were no saw-mills or
lumber within reach. If two or three or more families, as was often the
case, moved in company and made their claims adjoining, they would
Unite their force and build one house, which would serve for a time as a
home for all.
" In the meantime, while the house was building, the good, patient and
loving wives — Grod bless them — had been cooking their frugal meals by tiie
fires built upon the ground, and in unpacking and airing their goods,
washing and mending the clothing, and preparing generally for the grand
good time which they were to have on the occasion of tlie 'house warm-
HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 301
ing,' which was to take place as soon as the mansion ot one room, not
more than 16x16 feet, should be completed.
" It would be diflScult to convince the younger children and later genera-
tions of those same early settlers how much comfort and happiness was
found in one of those humble dwellings, which first suggested the feeling
of home and ownership to their fathers and mothers, who had borne the
hardships and privations of the long move or march into the Territory,
and had finally succeeded in getting a home, however humble, which they
could call their own.
" The settler who, by priority of a few weeks in his settlement, had suc-
ceeded in getting his house built, stood upon his threshold, his face beam-
ing with joy and his heart swelling with pride as he welcomed the
emigrant, who, a few days or weeks later came along in search of a loca-
tion, into his hospitable mansion, assuring him thdt there was room and
plenty for all. I shall never cease to be astonished when I reflect upon
the holding capacity of some of those log cabins which were built by the
first settlers of this county. It was no uncommon thing for four or five
families to occupy for a time a room not more than 16 or 18 feet square.
" The hospitality of the settlers in those early days Taiew no hounds / a
house was never full, and a larder never empty. As long as it contained
one morsel of food, so long would the generous hearted housewife set it be-
fore the home or claim hunter, and bid him eat, without a thought of re-
ward or compensation. If such boundless hospitality existed to-day, when
the people are so able to entertain and to give, I fear that it would have at
least one bad result, viz.: that of increasing the number of tramps.
" The difliculties of settling any portion of the territory of the United
States at the present day are nothing when compared with those of settling
this county thirty-five years ago. Then the nearest railroad was many
hundreds of miles away ; but little, if any, was then built west of the
State of Ohio. Now, railroads, under the munificent policy of the gen-
eral government in aiding in their construction, are built in advance of the
settlement, so there is, in reality, no frontier for the agricultural settler ;
no place is so far away from 'another as Iowa was from the Ohio river in,
those days. Then there were no telegraph wires, no stage coaches, no lines
or means of public conveyance anywhere within hundreds of miles, save an
occasional steamer upon the Mississippi river, almost a hundred miles dis-
tant from our settlement. The transportation of mails was slow, and for
many years all we received was carried from or near the Mississippi river
on horseback. The postage was twenty-five cents on a single letter, and we
had no money with which to pay it. Now all these conditions are changed.
All the appliances and results of a high civilization are found almost
equally in all parts of the countrj, North and West.
" The improved plows, mowers, reapers, and indeed all other improved
machinery, precede the agricultural settler to his new home.
" It is hard to find a place where a daily mail is not received ; letter post-
age is only one-eighth now of what it was then. I well remember
the first letter which I received through the Sigourney post-oflSce. It was
in the year 1845. My friend, S. A. James, was postmaster, or, if not, he
was acting for that official. I heard that there was a letter in the post-
office for me, and knowing that it would require twenty-five cents to pay
the postage, the problem of getting that sum of money taxed my energy
and financial ability to the utmost for many days. None of my neighbors
302 _ HISTOKT OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
were in such affluent circumstances as to be able to ' do my paper ' for that
sum. Suspecting that the letter might be from my little sweetheart, from
whom I had reluctantly parted some time before, I w'as exceedingly anxious-
to break the wafer seal of that letter, but the ransom for.it 1 could not
procure, and I was about despairing of being able to pay the postage, when
I heard of a kind-hearted man (since dead, peace to his ashes), living, in the
western part of the county, some miles from where Idid, who was reported
to have received twenty-five dollars some time before from the East. It
was also alleged that he had loaned the sum of twenty-five cents to each, of
several persons in the McNabb settlement with which to pay postage.
This news gave me new hope and courage. I started early one «aorning
to find the capitalist, and negotiate with him for the loan of ' a quarter,^
which, with some difficulty, I accomplished; and then, with hastening
steps and palpitating heart, walked to Sigourney and procured the letter,
and returned home tlie same day, after a walk of something over twenty
miles. Whether that letter was from my sweetheart or not, and what she
said if it was from her, I will never tell.
" Then the public lands were offered for sale to the highest bidder sooa
after the same were surveyed, and the settler had no right or advantagiei
over the speculator except such as was given him by the pre-emption laws.'
of that time, and' the still more effefctive claim laws,- framed and adopted by>
the settlers themselves for their mutual protection. An infraction of these
claim laws by speculators was sometimes punished by a well-aimed shot
from the rifle of some one of the law-makers.
" Now, in nearly all parts of theconntr}', the public lands are withheldl
from market for actual settlement under the homestead and pre-emption
laws. The lands are now freely given to any citizen, or to any person who
has declared his intention to become such, if he will only settle upon and
cultivate the same for a period of five years. If the homestead law of the
present time had been in force in Iowa in 1843, and since, it is safe to say
that this State would contain one million of inhabitants more than it does
to-day.
" Only think of the Herculean task of earrting and saving two hundred
dollars, with which to pay for the 160 acres of land in those days, when it
is remembered with what difficulty twenty-five cents was procured by an
enterprising young man to pay the postage on a single letter. No more>
equitable thing could be done by the general government than to restore
every dollar that was paid for land actually settled vpon and cultivated
iy the early settlers in this and other Northwestern States and Territories j"^
and if ever lam in a position where my voice will be potential in urging
this measure, I shall not fail to do it. There would be far more justice ia
doing that than in taking money out of the treasury to pay for losses in-
curred by citizens of the Southern States during the late war for the pres-
ervation of the Union.
" In those early days when the farms were to be broken or plowed for
the first time, and the rails were to be made and hauled from the timber
land to fence them, the manual labor necessary to do this was a sort of
legal-tender for nearly all kinds of indebtedness. The doctor who wantedl
to make a farm would give his physic when yow were sick, and you might
make fence rails for him when you regained your health and strength, if
you were so fortunate. The manufacture of about one hundred fence rails,,
or the cutting of one cord of wood, would pay for one small portion of jalap
HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTT. 303^
and calomel, which was the standard remedy in those good old times of
allopathie practice, before President Lincoln liad been, interviewed and ex-
pressed his terse opinion as to the virtue and efficacy of homoepathic
system of medical practice. The settler who came the year before would
give to the settler who came the year after one bushel of corn for making'
one hundred fence rails, or for one day's work at other labor, which was
considered an equivalent and legal-tender therefor. The shoemaker and
blacksmith of the village or settlement would perform labor of their kind,,
and take in exchange for it the less skilled labor of the rail-splitter or the-
wood-chopper.
" I know how this was by experience, having bartered in the exchange of the-
. above named commodities, exchanging as I did the unskilled for the skilled
article, submitting to an immense discount on what I had to offer.
" Within two miles and less of the place where we are now standing, for
many weary days and months when I was a boy, and not a very strong one,.
I wielded the ax, the. maul and the mattock, for more than ten hours a day,,
receiving therefor the liberal wages of ten dollars a month in 'store pay*^
— this I did when the mercury ranged from twenty degrees below zero in
January to ninety jibove in July. I trust that your present able represent-
ative in congress, -who hajs won renown on the battle field, who has wora
with honor the judicial ermine, and won an enviable reputation in the hallfr
, of Congress will not be offended with me for stating in this public manner
that I knew him when he was isngaged in the same kind of labor that fell
to my lot, and that he performed them well.
"I do not mention this in the belief that it will ever materially aid either
of us in being President, as the same kind of labor, perhaps, did the most
illustrious man of modern times, in procuring that office. I only mentioft
it to show that honest toil of the rudest and hardest kind will not prevent
a man from rising to an equality with those who were more favored with for-
tune in early life.
" In those days, as is well known, and perhaps regretfully remembered by
us old settlers, we had absolutely no money, and whatever could not be pro-
cured for labor in the first year or two, and after that for several years, for
labor and farm products, could not be procured at all. People were edu-
cated to this view of life and its realization. This was not so great acalam-
' ity as it may now appear to the young, or to those who cannot realize the
fiitnation in consequence of not having been forced to learn it, as we were>
" The daily labor of a strong man was rated at and paid for with a com-
modity or produce which the owner would willingly sell for from twenty-
five to fifty cents in cash. The price of all kinds of merchandise was.
exceedingly high as compared with the price at the present day; the pur-
chasing power of a dollar, which cost at the very least, two days of labor,
was not then nearly so great as the purchasing power of a dollar now,,
which does not cost more than one day of labor and often not so much as
that.
" It would be hard to deduce from tlie foregoing statement of facts a reason
why in those early days of hard times and cheap labor in the history of our
old county, and indeed of the territory and State, why every man seemed
intent upon laboring for himself or for others — intent upon earning by
honest industry all that he desired or expected to enjoy or call his own,,
why there were no vagabond tramps endangering the lives and property of
honest men who had acquired their substance by faithful honest toil, or
304 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
why the reverse of all this is the true situation of the case to-day, not' only
in this country and in this State, but throughout our whole common coun-
" I have dwelt sufficiently long upon what we suffered, and think it but
right that some reference should be made to the joys which come as a com-
pensation for the suffering and self denial.
" The kind and generous soil which you secured by being here at an early
■day has yielded you rich rewards for the labor bestowed. You have lived
in affluence and comfort, rearing healthful, stalwart children, deeply imbn-
. ing them with a love of freedom, home and country, educating them un-
der the auspices of the noblest free school system ever inaugurated and
maintained by man. These results achieved, life may be said to have been
well spent and rewarded.
" Many of you who were the first to settle in this county as young mar-
ried men and women, are still young and strong, with much yet to be en-
joyed. Many who started.in the race with you have fallen ; some who have gone
lived to see the fruition of their hoipes; others fell early in the struggle
with the hard life of the pioneer. 1 remember, with pleasure for having
known them, and with deep regret for their loss, many settlers who have
passed over; a few of whom I shall name in the order in which their names
■occur to me:
" J . B. Whisler, J. G. Crocker, P. B. Shawhan, George Shawhan, Judge
Pinkerton (and I think all of his family), Wm. A. Jordan, Joseph Knox,
Samuel Johnston, Jacob Goodheart, Thomas Hendryx, Ezekiel Sampson,
James L. Hogin, J.T. Axtell, Judge Baker, William Landers, B. S. McOoy,
John C. McNablj, Sanford Leathers, Austin Jacobs, Wm. Jacobs, and last
but not least, the gallant General Marcellus M. Crocker —
'He was a man, take him all in all,
We shall not look upon his like again. '
"Many of you remember the fact, if not the circumstances, connected with
the warm and almost more than brotherly friendship between Gen'l Crocker
and myself. We became acquainted when we were boys, and that friend-
ship grew and strengthened with increasing years, until the end ef his life.
The last letter I ever received from him, written but a short time before
his death, and when he knew that his life was fast drawing to a close, was
■one in which he poured out his soul to me in such words as he only, of all
the men I ever knew, could utter, referring'to the friendship which was the
result of our mutual struggles in early life to maintain our lives and
those dependent upon us. Plis great indomitable soul was called from
•earth all to soon.
"I hope I may be pardoned, and not thought vain or immodest, when I
refer to the fact that of the general officers in the late war who achieved dis-
tinction, and whose acts during the war became a part of the history of the
Kepublic, no less than three were pioneer settlers in this county, though all
had removed from the county before the war commenced. My friend
<jreneral Crocker, was one of the number, and I do hope and believe that
the old settlers of Keokuk county still cherish and love his memory, and
feel a just pride in the fact that his boyhood days, and a part of the '
of his early manhood were spent among you.
" I have not referred to the record of Keokuk county soldiers during 1
HI8T0EY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. SOS-
late struggle for the nation's life. I have not had at my command the roll
of honor, and cannot remember the history of many of the brave men who-
offered their lives that the Union might live, yet I should not hesitate to
assert before all the world that the soldiers wJhom this county sent to the
army were loyal, brave and fearless, and helped to create and fully sustain
the high reputation borne by Iowa soldiers throughout the Republic. I can
at this moment only recall the history of one private soldier of the county
who fell in the late war. "When I was myself a boy, a very young man, I
knew a fair young boy, many years my junior. I loved this beautiful boy
for his intelligence and gentleness. Years rolled by; I grew into manhood
and went away from among you while he was still a young boy of great
promise. The cruel, wicked war came on, and I heard that my young^
friend had enlisted. Later on I learned the number of his regiment, and
also in what portion of the army it was serving. Bearing this in mind, I
visited his brigade commander, on the first opportunity, and asked him ta
send for the young soldier. That gallant, great hearted soldier, General
Wm.W. Belknap, told me, while tears streamed from his eyes, that I was too
late. He told me that my gallant young friend had fought his last battle
— had laid down his young life for the salvation of the nation — that he had
fallen in the face of the enemy on Kenesaw's rugged embattled front. That
young hero was Robert Lowe. He also stated, if I remember aright, that
my young friend had been appointed a cadet at West Point, and was to-
, have left in a few days for that place."
Prior to the summer of 1843 very little progress had been made in the
settlement of the country west and north of North Skunk river. It was at
this time there appeared in this part of the coiinty a man, who, probably
more than any other, contributed to the future prosperity, development and
good name of the county. Energetic in manner, upright of character,
Erompt and accurate in business matters, his fellow citizens long and often
onored him with the most important office in the county. His name is S.
A. James. We have frequently referred to him as authority heretofore, an^
shall hereafter refer to him possibly still more frequently. There is
nothing which we could say as appropriate and relevant, at this period of
the history of the county, as the following so aptly said in this gentleman's-
own language.
"About the first of June, 1843, I left the town of Washington, Iowa, in-
tending to make a claim in Keoknk county. 1 went in the company of
Ardra Clemons and family, who had a yoke of oxen and lamber wagon,
with which they hauled some provisions and a very small amount of house-
hold plunder. Mr. Clemons had, before that time, been up to Keokuk
county, made him a claim, and had built on it a small log cabin at the
grove on the present (1879) John Holzworth farm, about a mile north of
Harper. Staying with Mr. Clemons the first night, at his cabin, I set out
early next morning to find a couple of friends who were improving a claim,,
lately known as the Jack Lightfoot farm, but now owned by Mr. Detchon
and Mr. Renfro, about three miles northwest of Sigourney.
At this time there was not, besides Mr. Clemons, a single inhabitant in
the northeast fourth of the county. Taking the landmarks with which I
had been furnished, I struck out, as stated, to find my two friends. But I
bore off too much southwest, crossed over the prairie where Sigourney now
stands, and first learned I was too far south by finding one Robert Linder
and some others cutting logs for a cabin where Mr. John M. Brunt now
306 HISTOEY OF FSIOKUK COUNTY.
lives. Tliey could give irie no tidings or directions to find my friends, and
I eomraenced to retrace my steps. At the close of th'e day I found myself
alone in the small elm grove where Joel Long now resides, about three
miles northeast of Sigourney, and finding a bark cover beside a large log,
where some one had previously camped, I determined to make a night of
it there, which I did, after making supper on two or three cold biscuit I
had with me.
" The next morning when I awoke at sunrise, my ears were greeted with
the songs of birds, and the calls of numerous turkeys, not fifty yards from
me. I had no gun, or any arms larger than a penknife, and, perforce, I stood
•and gazed at tlae large gobblers as they strutted by.
" I then struck northward, visiting every grove, to find some settler. In
this way I continued my search till i came to the timber of South English
river, on the outskirts of which was a pretty well beaten road, made by the
bee hunters. I was now satisfied I could not find my friends without a
better direction and equipment, so I went down this bee hunters' road till I
^ame in. sight of the upper timber of Crooked creek, for which I aimed,
and spent ray third night out from Washington at David Delong's, some
-eight or nine miles northwest of that town.
" The next day I returned to Washington, rested a day or two, obtained
better directions, a rifle, an ax, a pint of salt, a few more biscuit, and'
vSgain started out in search of my two Keokuk county friends. It had been,
meantime, raining very much, and in many places the prairie was three to
six-ipches deep in water, especially on the bottoms. I found my ax of ser-
vice, in crossing small streams, by felling saplings, and finally made my
■destination about dark, all O. K, but oh! so tired.
" I soon after made me a claim four miles north of Sigourney (where
Leander Delong now lives), and after assisting my friends in their improve-
ments for a month or two, we all returned to Washington to spend the
winter. On this return trip we found a Mr. Schnakenberg had settled on
-German creek. We reached his cabin at dark. The family were about to
take mush and milk for ther supper, but gave us the first table. I know
the family must have thought our stomachs were made of India rubber.
We were so hungry, and it was so palatable! The next day we got to
Washington. And this was my first trip to Keokuk county."
Eichard Schnakenberg, mentioned in the foregoing sketch, together with
five or six others, had formed the first settlement in that neighborhood. May
1, J843. Among others who came about this time, or shortly afterward,
were Casper Klett and John Beinhart, wiio are both now dead, the latter dy-
ing shortly after arriving. These gentlemen, as well as a large majority of
the people who afterward settled in that neighborhood, were Germans, and
upon the organization of the county, the township was called German
from that fact. The people in that settlement, have always been noted
for their industry and thrift, and have fully contributed their share toward
the development of the material resources of the county.
Shortly after locating upon his claim, Mr. Schnakenberg, in company with
an old gentlemen by the name of Seaba, visited the place where Sigour.ney
is now located. The latter was by no means enthusiastic over the -pros-
-pects of the present county-seat, and remarked that there never could be
any market here, and that he would return to Cincinnati and make a living
by doing " days' work." Mr. Seaba, however, did not go back to Gincin-
nati, but settled down and lived long enough in the county to surround
HISTORY OF EEOKTJK COUHTY. 307
himself with all the comforts of life, and died at a, very advanced a^e, re-
spected by all his neighbors as one of the most intelligent and enterpris-
^.citizens of German township. Mr. Klett. was always noted for his lib-
erality. It is said that he would divide his last pancake with a neighbor,
iwonld lend anything he had, and was very accommodating in various ways.
He did a great deal of freighting with horses and oxen to and from Keo-
tuk and Burlington. On one of these trips the roads were so bad that it
tooli two days to go four miles. He always kept the best of horses, and
(plenty of them, and when their was a boiler or anything particularly heavy
to move, Mr. Klett was generally called on to perform the work.
Farther west, in the neighborhood of what was destined to become the
metropolis ot the county, and the center of trade, there had been very little
4dohe in the way of settlement as early as the summer of 1844. About this
time S. A. James, who had recently been appointed county clerk, came into
this neighborhood looking for the county-seat, which had just been located.
Upon reaching the place he found a stout pole planted in the ground, the
etake of the commissioners, but nothing else to disturb the ramblings of
1;he grey wolf or the cooings of the wild grouse. The eye swept the cir-
«le of vision to rest on one single habitation, that of Jacob Shaver, who
had located in the grove southwest, now known as " Skillman's Grove."
Mr. Shaver had made his claim and erected his cabin the previous season,
and early that spring had moved his family upon the premises. William
Shaver, John Shaver and Robt. Linder located about the same time, one
mile southwest of Jacob Shaver. This constituted the whole of the settfe-
ment in the neighborhood of the present county-seat. East, west, and
north, the whole county for miles lay unclaimed, and remained so for some
time.
Upon arriving at the seat of justice, Mr. James forthwith set to work
erecting a cabin. This cabin was erected in short order. Considering the
■speed with which this bulling was erected, the total absence of all building
material and the complicated plans which necessarily entered into the erec-
tion of a building which was to subserve such a variety of purposes, we
hesitate not in saying that one would search in vain to find it surpassed in
the whole annals of public improvements. This remarkable edifice was
12x16, floored with puncheons and covered with clapboards put on with
nails purchased in Washington. Here were the county offices and the public
'reeords; the judge's room and the jury-room; indictments filed and suits
tried; the county's cash hoarded and its criminals incarcerated; here, ,
also, the county officials ate, lodged and slept.
Later in the fall another cabin was erected, and the following spring the
population was augmented by the arrival of a lawyer by the name of Mair,
who for a while had a monopoly of the criminal as well as the civil business
in the courts of the county. Mr. Blair was soon followed by a representa-
tive of the medical profession. Dr. B. P. Weeks, who was succeeded by Dr.
E. H. Skillman, who for several years was the only physician in that part
of the country, his professional visits leading him to the various settlements
scattered around throughout the county. During this time there were the
following arrivals : G. B. Cook, A. Covey, Joseph Adams, E. Shugart,
Wm. Basey, James Shields, Josiah Crawford, W. Hulbert and B. F. Ed-
Wards. The nearest settlements were as follows : The Eosecrans neigh-
borhoood, three miles northwest ; the German creek neighborhood, six
railes east, and the Smith settlement on Smith creek, fi^ve miles west.
308 HI8T0EY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
During this summer James Shields erected a cabin a'nd stood behind k
rough counter offering groceries for sale. Mr. Crawford reared a pole
shanty or house, and placed therein a very fair law library. It was prob-
ably the best the county afforded, and Mr. Crawford was studying law. At
the July term of the District Court, that year, he applied for license to
practice law, the committee reported adversely to his admission, whereupon
he arose and made a speech to the court in which the bar, and especially
the committee, were severely handled : his practice would not leave them
much to do; they were jealous of his abilities, jealous of his library, and
he intended to rise yet head and shoulders above them. He closed his
speech by announcing that he intended to emigrate from the judicial dis-
trict, which he accordingly did.
Schools and churches were not organized till some time later; the first
church, the Methodist, being organized and a building erected the follow*
ing year. There was a post-oflBce established, and the first mail received on
the 7th of February, 1846 ; the mail was carried on horseback from
Washington to Oskaloosa by Mr. J. H. Bragg, the contractor, once every two
weeks. Mr. James was the first postmaster. This was the only post-office
in the whole section of the country at that time, and as there was but one
mail every two weeks, mail day was a very important occasion.
Before the close of the next year several new business enterprises had
been started. Joseph Knox began to sell dry goods ; Martin Grimsley
and J. G. Crocker sold groceries ; Joseph, Adams started a blacksmith shop,
Kob't Linder a harness shop, Jacob Shaver a cooper shop, and Haskell &
Burgess a shop for. manufacturing, fanning mills. B. F. Edwards erected
a log building where he displayed quite a creditable assortment of general
merchandise for sale.
At that time there were but seven families residing along English river.
One hot summer day while Edwards was rubbing his hands for a customer,
a man from that part of the country came in and inquired the price of bees-
wax. He was informed that he could have twenty-five cents a pound in
trade. He produced a small quantity tied up in a pocket handkerchief,
which upon being weighed proved to amount to a half-pound. Upon being
asked what he would have for it he surveyed the shelves for a few minutea
in silence and then. replied that his wife would be in town in a few weeks
and he believed that he would prefer to have her " take up the goods."
' The first settlements made in the vicinity of English river were in the
neighborhood of the present site of South English, in 1845. The first set-
tlers were Jas. Mahaffa, James Thomas and John Houston. Thomas took a
claim on the northwest quarter of section 22 ; Houston on section 24, and
his place was for many years known as "Houston's Point." Afterward
came James, Chambers and H. H. Hodman, who located on section 30.
John Duke and John Ballard made settlements farther west. Some later
Thomas Morgan came. Chambers Kodman froze to death some few years
after he located in the county.
Churches were organized in this neighborhood shortly after its settle-
ment. They were organized in the following order : first came the Metho-
dist, then the Baptist, Christian and Congregational. The first school was
taught by S. M. Glandon in a school-house which had no windows in it.
The first store was kept by Ethan Post, and it is said by the old settlers
that he could generally be found at his post, fast asleep.
Mr. Arora Clemmons, in 1842, took a claim and began a settlement south-
-^^U^2<ri;v-J^
HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOTJNTT. 311
east of South English, near what is now known as Holsworth's- Grove.
Although the land in that vicinity is not excelled by any other tract in the
State for its beauty and the fertility of the soil, on account of the scarcity
of timber it was not settled till some time after the other parts of the
county where timber was more abundant. We quote from the centennial
address delivered at Keota, July 4, 1876, by Hon. Isaac Farley:
. " In fact, our most beautiful prairies were shunned by early settlers. In-
habitants of to-day whilst contemplating our broad prairies, dotted with
neat, commodious dwellings, barns, orchards and artificial groves, look back
with surprise at the choice of the first settlers. The uninviting features
of our Western prairies remind me of a poem descriptive of them which I
used to read in my boyhood days. The poem was doubtless written by some
New England pedagogue after returning from a flying visit to some. such a
country as this was in early days :
" 'Oh, lonesome, windy, grassy place.
Where buffalo and snakes prevail;
The first with dreadful looking face,
The last with dreadful sounding tail.
I'd rather Kve on camel hump
And be a Yankee doodle beggar,
Than where I never see a stump
And shake to death with fever 'n' agr.' "
Fortunately for the settlers of this locality, owing to its high and dry
surface, they were seldom afflicted with malarial diseases and fever and ague
have been almost unknown. In 1843 came J. J. Kreamer and J. P.
Ereamer and settled on Clear creek. This was prior to the time the land
was put into the market, consequently settlers at that time were called
squatters. Six of the first settfers, to-wit. : the Kreamers, Newton, Gil-
bert, Keeley and Carris, still live upon the land they first entered.
PIONEEE LIFE.
The account of early settlements as has already been narrated extends
from the time of the first settlement, in the spring of the year 1839, to the
time of the admission of the State into the Union, in the autumn of 1846.
The account therefore embraces a period of less than eight years from the
first settlement on the " old strip," and less than four years from the
time when authority was first given to settle that portion of the county
west.
During these years the first settlement of Keokuk county was in the
earliest stage of pioneer life. All that can be known of this period must
be drawn chiefly from tradition.
In those days the people took no care to preserve,history — they were too
bnsily engaged in making it. Historically speaking, those were the most
important years of the county, for it was then the foundation and corner-
stones of all the county's hist'^ and prosperity were laid. Yet this
period was not remarkable for ing events. It was, however, a time of
self-reliance and brave, perseve .ng toil; of privations cheerfully endured
through faith in a good time ling. The experience of one settler was
just about the same as that o ners. They were almost invariably poor,
they faced the same hardshipt .jd stood generally on an equal footing.
312 aiSTOET OP KEOKUK OOfNTr.
All the experience of the early pioneers of this county goes far to con-
firm the theory that, after all, happiness is pretty evenly balanced in this
world. They had their privations and harships, but they had also their
own peculiar joys. If they were poor they were free from the burden of
pride and vanity; free, also, from the anxiety and care that always attend
the possession of wealth. Other people's eyes cost them nothing. If they
had few neighbors, they were on the best of terms with those they had.
Envy, jealousy and strife had not crept in. A common interest and a
common sympathy bound them together with the strongest ties. They
were a little world to themselves, and the good feeling that prevailed was
all the stronger because they were so far removed from the great world of
the East.
There was a peculiar sort of free-masonry among the . pioneers. New-
comers were made welcome, and ready hands assisted them in building
their homes. Neighbors did not even wait for an invitation or request to
help one another. Was a settler's cabin burned or blown down ? No sooner
was the fact known throughout the neighborhood than the settlers assem-
bled to assist the unfortunate one to rebuild his home. They came with as
little hesitation, and with as much alacrity, as though they were all mem-
bers of the same family, and bound together by ties of blood. One man's
interest was every other man's interest also. Now this general state of
feeling among the pioneers was by no means peculiar to this county, al-
though it was strongly illustrated here. It prevailed generally throughout
the West during the time of the early settlement. The very nature of
things taught the settlers the necessity of dwelling together in this spirit.
It was their only protection. They had come far away from the well-estab-
lished reign of law and entered a new country where the civil authority
was still feeble, and totally unable to afford protection and redress griev-
ances. Here in Keokuk county the settlers lived for quite a time before
there was a single officer of the law in the county. Each man's protection
was in the good will and friendship of those about him, and the thing any
man might well dread was the ill will of the community. It was more
terrible than the law. It was no uncommon thing in the early times for
hardened men, who had no fears of jails or penitentiaries, to stand in great
fear of the indignation of a pioneer community.
Owing to the fact that one of the early settlers was an energetic mill-
wright, he employed all his energy and what means he possessed in erect-
ting mills at a few of the favorable mill-sites, which abound in the county,
yet going to mill in those days, when there were no roads, no bridges, no
ferry-boats, and scarcely any convenience far 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 emer-,
gency, 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 subsided,;
and depend on the generosity of their fortunate neighbors.
An interesting comparison might be drawn between the conveniences
which now make the life of the farmer a comparatively easy bne, and the
almost total lack of such conveniences in early days. A brief description
of the accommodations possessed by the first tillers of this soil will be riow
HISTOKT OF KEOKtTK COFNTT. 3113
given. Let the children of such illustrious sires draw their own compar-
isons, and may the results of these comparisons silence the voice of com-
plaint which so often is heard in the land.
The only plows they had at first were what they styled "bull plows."
The mould-boards were generally of wood, but in some cases they were
half wood and half iron. The man who had one of the latter description
was looked upon as something of an aristocrat. But these old " bull plows "
did good service, and they must be awarded the honor of first stirring the
soil of Keokuk county.
It was quite a time after the first settlement before there was a single
store in the county. Kude fire-places were built in the cabin chimneys,
and they served for warmth, cooking and ventilation.
The first buildings in the county were not just like the log cabins that
immediately succeeded them. These latter required some help and a good
deal of labor to build. The very first buildings constructed were a cross
between " hoop cabins " and Indian bark huts. As soon as enough men
could be got together for a " cabin raising ' ' then log cabins were in style.
Many a pioneer can remember the happiest time of his life as that when
he lived in one of these homely bnt comfortable and profitable old cabins.
A window with sash and glass was a rarity, and was an evidence of
wealth and aristocracy which but few could support. They were often
made with greased paper put over the window, which admitted a little
light, but more often there was nothing whatever over it, or the cracks be-
tween the logs, without either chinking or daubing, was the dependence for
light and air.
The doors were fastened with old-fashioned wooden latches, and for a
Iriend or neighbor or traveler the string always hung out, for the pioneers
of the west were hospitable, and entertained visitors to the best of their
ability.
It is noticeable with what afiection the pioneers speak of their old log
cabins. . It may be doubted whether palaces ever sheltered happier hearts
than those homely cabins. The following is a good description of these
old land-marks, but few of which now remain :
" These were of round logs notched together at the comers, 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 furni-
ture is adjusted, and life on the frontier is begun in earnest.
" The one-legged bedstead, now a piece of the furniture of the past, was
made by cutting a stick the proper length, boring holes at one end one and
a-half inches in diameter, at right angles, and the same sized holes corres-
ponding with these in the logs of the cabin the length and breadth desired
for the bed, in which are inserted poles.
"Upon these poles .clapboards are laid, or lind bark is interwoven con-
aecntively 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
{Cooking was done by the faithful housewife in pots, kettles and skillets, on
and about the big fireplace, and very frequently over and around,, too,, the
314 HISTOET OF KEOKTTK COTINTT.
distended pedal extremities of the legal sovereigns of the household, while
the latter were indulging in the luxury of a cob pipe, and discussing the
?robable results of a contemplated elk hunt up and about "Walled Lake."
base log cabins were really not so bad, after all.
The living in those days was not such as to tempt the epicure to leave
his comfortable luxuries, or even necessities, in the East in order to add to
the population of the country. Flour was at first unknown and meal was
scarce.
They had corn bread in those days " as was corn bread," such as many a
resident of the county of this day knows nothing of ; and the pone made
by the grandmothers of the young people of the present day was some-
thing for pride.
Before the country became supplied with mills which were of easy
access, and even in some instances afterward, hominy-blocks were used ;
these now exist only in the memory of the oldest settlers, but as relics of the
"long ago" a description of them will not be uninteresting:
A tree of suitable size, say from eighteen inches to two feet in diameter,
was selected in the forest and felled to the ground. If a cross-cut saw
happened to be convenient, the tree was "butted "—that is, the kerf end
was sawed off so that it would stand steady when ready for use. If there
were no cross-cut saw in the neighborhood strong arms and sharp axes were
ready to do the work. Then the proper length, from four to five feet, was
measured off and sawed or cut square. When this was done the block was
raised on end and the work of cutting out a hollow in one of the ends
was commenced. This was generally done with a common chopping ax.
Sometimes a smaller one was used. When the cavity was judged to be
large enough, a fire was kindled in it and carefully watched till the ragged
edges were burned away. When completed the hominy-block somewhat
resembled a druggist's mortar. Then a pestle or something to crush the
corn was necessary. This was usually made from a suitably sized piece of
timber- with an iron wedge attached, the large end down. This completed
the machinery and the block was ready for use. Sometimes one hominy-
block accommodated an entire neighborhood and was the means of staying
the hunger of many mouths.
It is sometimes remarked that there were no places for public entertain-
ment till later years. The fact is there were many such places; in fact,
every cabin was a place of entertainment and these hotels were sometimes
crowded to their utmost capacity. On such an occasion, when bed-time
came, the first family would take the back part of the cabin and so con-
tinue filling up by families until the limit was reached. The young men
slept in the wagons outside. In the morning those nearest the door arose
first and went outside to dress. Meals were served on the hind end of a
wagon, and consisted of corn bread, buttermilk and fat pork, and occasion-
ally coffee to take away the morning chill. On Sundays, for a change,
they had bread made of wheat " tread out " by horses on the ground,
cleaned with a sheet and pounded by hand. This was the best the most
fastidious could obtain, and this only one day in seven.
Not a moment of time was lost. It was necessary that they should raise
enough sod corn to take them through the coming winter, and also get as
much breaking done as possible. They brought with them enough corn to
give the horses an occasional feed in order to keep them able for hard work,
HISTOKT OF KEOKTTK COUNTY. 315
bnt in the main they had to live on prairie grass. The cattle got nothing
else than grass.
In giving the bill of fare above we should have added meat, for of this
they had plenty. Deer would be seen daily trooping over the prairie in
droves of from twelve to twenty, and sometimes as many as fifty would be
seen grazing together. Elk were also found, and .wild turkeys and prairie
chickens without number. Bears were not unknown. Music of the natural
order was not wanting, and every night the pioneers were lulled to rest by
:the screeching of panthers and the howling of wolves. When the dogs
ventured too far out from the cabins at night they would be driven back
by the wolves, chasing them up to the very cabin doors. Trapping wolves
became quite a profitable business after the State began to pay a bounty
for wolf scalps.
One of the peculiar circumstances that suri-ounded the early life of the
pioneers was a strange lonliness. The solitude seemed almost to oppress
them. Months would pass during which they would see scarcely a human
face outside their own families. The isolation of these early days worked
apon some of the settlers an effect that has never passed away. Some ot
them say that they lived in such a lonely way when they first came here
that afterward, when the county began to fill up, they always found them-
selves bashful and constrained in the presence of strangers. But when the
people were once started in this way the long pent-up feelings of joviality
.and sociability fairly boiled over, and their meetings frequently became
enthusiastic and jovial in the highest degree. It seems singular to note
bashfnlness as one of the characteristics of the strong, stalwart settlers, but
we are assured by the old settlei'S themselves that this was a prominent
characteristic of the pioneers. And some of them declare that this feeling
became so strong during the early years of isolation and lonliness that
they have never since been able to shake it off.
But there were certainly some occasions when , the settlers were not in
the least degree affected by anything in the nature of bashfulness. When
their rights were threatened or invaded they had " muscles of iron and
hearts of flint." It was only when brought together for merely social pur-
poses that they seemed ill at ease. If any emergency arose, or any business
was to be attended to, they were always equal to the occasion.
On occasions of special interest, such as elections, holiday celebrations or
camp-meetings, it was nothing unusual for a few settlers who lived in the
immediate neighborhood of the meeting to entertain scores of those who
had come from a distance. There was a grove on Mr. Scearcy's claim, and ;
this was a favorite place for holding camp-meetings. It was no unusual
thing for Mr. Scearcy and his estimable lady to feed hundreds for days in
succession during the progress of these meetings, free of charge. This cir-
cumstance is given to illustrate the boundless generosity which prevailed in
those days. Scores of other instances could be adduced, showing that at
least in this particular we live in degenerate days.
Rough and rude though the surroundings may have been, the pioneers
were none the less honest, sincere, hospitable and kind in their relations.
It is true as a rule, and of universal application, that there is a greater de-
gree of real humanity among the pioneers of any country than there is
when the country becomes older and richer. If there is an absence of re-
ifinement that absence is more than compensated in the presence of gener-
ous hearts and truthful lives. They are bold, courageous, industriouSj en-
316 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
terprising and energietio. Generally speaking, they are earnest thinkerB
and possessed of a diversified fund of useful, practical information. As a
rule they do not arrive at a conclusion by means of a course of rational
reasoning, but nevertheless have a queer way of getting at the facts. They
hate cowards and shams of every kind, and above all things falsehood and
deception, and cultivate an integrity which seldom permits them to prosti-
tute themselves to a narrow policy of imposture.
Such were the characteristics of the men and women who pioneered the
way to the country of the Sac and Fox' Indians. Those who visited them
in their homes in a social- capacity were made as welcome as if they were
the members of the same household. To tender them pay in return for
their hospitality was only to insult the better feelings of their natui;e. If
a neighbor fell sick and needed care or attention the whole neighborhood
was interested. If a house vfas to be raised every man " turned out," and
often the women too, and while the men piled up the logs that fashioned
the primitive dwelling-place the women prepared the dinner. Sometimes
it was cooked by big log fires near the site where the cabin was building.
In other cases it was prepared at the nearest cabin and at the proper hour
was carried to where the men were at work. If one man in the neighbor-
hood killed a beef, a pig, or a deer, every other family in the neighborhood
was sure to receive a piece. One of the few remaining pioneers has re-
marked:
" In tliose days we were neighbors in a true sense. We were all on an
equality. Aristocratic feelings were unknown and would not have been
tolerated. Wiiat one had we all had, and that was the happiest period of
my life. But to-day, if yoii lean against a neighbor's shade tree he will
charge you for it. If you are poor and fall sick you may lie and suffer
almost unnoticed and unattended, and probably go to the poor-house ; and
just as like as not the man who would report you to the authorities as a
subject of county care would charge the county for making the report."
Of the old settlers some are still living in the county, in the enjoyment
of the fortunes they founded in the early times, " having reaped a hundred-
fold." Others have passed away, and many of them will not long survive.
Several of them have gone to the far West, and are still playing the part
of pioneers. But wherever they may be, and whatever fate may betide
them, it is but truth to say that they were excellent men as a class, and have
left a deep and enduring impression upon Keokuk county and the State.
" They builded better than they knew." They were, of course, men of ac-
tivity and energy or they would never have decided to face the trials of
pioneer life. They were almost invariably poor, but the lessons taught them
in the early days were of such a character that few of them have remained
so. They made their mistakes in business pursuits like other men. Scarcely
one of them but allowed golden opportunities, for pecuniary profit at least,
to pass by unheeded. What are now some of the choicest farms in Keokuk
county were not taken up by the pioneers, who preferred land of very
much less value. They have seen many of their prophecies fulfilled and
others teome to naught. Whether they have attained the success they de-
sired their own hearts can tell.
To one looking back over the situation at that time from the present
standpoint of progress and comfort, it certainly does not seem very
cheering; and yet, from the testimony of some ot these same old
SISTOET or KEOKUK COTTNTT. 317
settlers themselves, it was the most independent and happy period of
their lives.
At that time it certainly would have been much more diflScult for those
old settlers to understand how it could be possible 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,
perhaps, would be among that number, than it is now for us to appre-
ciate 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
limited, 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 first three years, 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 bnt attended sometimes with great danger. Not a railroad had yet
entered Chicago, and there was scarcely a thought in the minds of the peo-
ple 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 ] 00,000 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 w y,
and telegraph dispatches were transmitted by the memory and lijjs of emi-
grants coming in or strangers passing through.
In the autumn of 1846, when Iowa ceased to be a territory and became a
State, Keokuk county likewise was entering upon a new career. Koads
were being laid out and worked and temporary bridges constructed in dif-
ferent localities for the convenience of travel. Schools and school-houses
were rapidly increasing, and conveniences of public worship multiplied.
Manufactories of various kinds began to be talked of by the more enter-
prising men of some capital, and the general work of improvement and
civilization progressed most encouragingly.
The emigration to the unsettled regions further west made a good market
for all kinds of farm produce at the very doors of the settlers. Mills as
well as markets had come to the very doors of the pioneers of Keokuk
county, and the county may be said to have entered upon its career of per-
manent prosperity. But the distinctively pioneer times had gone. With
all their hardships and all their joys, they were a thing of the past.
CLAIM CLUBS AND CLUB LAWS.
During the early settlement of all this portion of country, while the dif-
ferent lands were being claimed and taken np, the greater part of the first
settlers banded themselves together for mutual protection in organizations
318 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COITNTT.
called " claim clubs," to prevent the encroachment of land speculators, pro-
fessional "claim-jumpers," and various kinds of intruders who had no in-
tention 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 any one 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 member's 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, doubtless
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.
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 benefit 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 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 legislature
of 1839.
The plan of organization was very simple. A captain was selected, and
each member of the club signed a pledge in the form of by-laws: and
these by-laws form a curiosity well worth reading.
In addition to having a captain, whose duty it was to direct the action of
the club and act as a sort of general executive officer, the club had another
officer still more important, whose duty it was to attend the public land
sales and bid off such tracts of land as he was ordered to purchase by order
of members of his club. General Lowe was captain of one of these clubs
and S. A. James was bidder.
The Steady Run Club was organized at Elizabethtown, on the 23d day of
August, 1846. The following regulations were adopted, to-wit.:
X^^^,/t9-7^
HISTOET OF KEOK0K COtJNTT.
321
1st. Thatwe will protect the claims of each other on the lands of the Umted states
Mspectively, by using all proper means to assist each other to purchase our claims from the
Government, and that we will use every effoH to prevent any one from buying any claims who
is not a proper owner thereof.
2d. That if any one shall enter any claim belonging to another, he or they shall not be
considered a citizen and shall be discountenanced by us.
3d. That a committee shall be appointed, consisting of five persons, to settle all claim
disputes ; that any party to a dispute may have the privilege of objecting to any one or all
of the committee ; that it shall be the duty of said committee to appraise the lands so wrong-
fully entered as aforesaid ; that the money paid to the government for the same shall be de-
ducted from the appraised value thereof, and that the person so wrongfully entering lands
shall be compelled to pay to the rightful owner of the claim the overplus ; that said com-
mittee shall have power to fill any vacancy in their body by appointment.
4th. That only 320 acres shall be protected as aforesaid, and that any part thereof being
, entered or bought of the Government by the proper owner shall not entitle such claimant to
extend the boundaries of his claim.
5th. That any non-resident owning aclaim in this territory shall be entitled to the bene-
fits of these by-laws upon agreeing to render the same assistance to the club as others in-
terested.
6th. That any neighborhood in the county or contiguous to this territory shall be entitled
to the benefits of these regulations upon agreeing to render like assistance to this neigh-
borhood.
7th. That the secretary of this meeting shall be ex-officio clerk of the neighborhood, and
shall have charge of all papers and books pertaining thereto.
8th. That the clerk shall keep a record of the boundaries of all claims presented to him
in writing, and shall file in his ofBce the said descriptions.
9th. That the oldest record of a claim shall be prima facie evidence of ownership, pro-
vided no person shall be bound to have the boundaries of his claim recorded previous to the
15th day of September next or within twenty days after making the same.
10th. That all transfers of claims shall be registered within twenty days after said trans-
fer.
11th. That a bidder for said club shall be appointed, who shall bid off any tract or tracts
of land as may be directed by any owner or claimant, or the committee, in case of a dispute.
12th. That the committee shall be sworn to perform their duties faithfully and impar-
tially, and that each witness shall be sworn in like manner as in a justice's court.
13th. That the committee shall have power to appoint a meeting of the club when, in
their discretion, the exigencies of the case require it.
• ( A. Tatioe, Henry Knotson,
Co»i. -jD. Howard, ' Clerk.
[ J. Hurley.
Comehus Hurley,
Milton Britton,
John Larmore,
John Hurley,
David Howard,
Chas. Moore,
Wm. Button,
Jesse Shoemaker,
Henry Barrith,
Enos Darnell,
Andrew Taylor,
Wm. Stinson,
Madison Harman,
NAMES.
Thos. Gaston,
Francis Britton,
Chas. P. Lyon,
John Hooker,
Alex Jones,
James M. Brown,
Moses McConnell,
Josiah Borrough,
Benj. Hollingsworth,
James Rasser,
Dan McGowen,
Anson Richardson,
Isaac Petre,
Isaac N. Garrott,
Joel Skinner,
John Garrott,
C. M. Woods,
R. F. Weller,
John McGowen,
R. B. Whited,
Owen Monahon,
David McBwen,
Frank Strots,
Thos. Richardson,
G. W. Hayes.
The following is a facsimile of a tally-sheet at the election of bidder:
R. p. W . . . . '. 1111111111111.
J. Garrotte 1111111.
S.Burr 111111111.
C. Lyon 11111.
A. R 111111.
As a rule, land speculators and others had very tender consciences,
which prompted them to respect the rights of the settler when he was a
21
322 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
member of one of these organizations. A certain club had among their
by-laws the following :
Besolved, 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 un-
der 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.
Notwithstanding this, there weve occasional instances in which persons
dared to contend with the clubs, but the " logic" proved too much for them
on the " home stretch."
In the Rock creek neighborhood one August Wunderlich made a claim
and located on it. Some two years afterward one Samuel Daniels went to
the land-oiSce and entered it. After having entered the land, the latter
came on and signified his intention of taking possession of it. Mr. Wun
derlich made complaint to tlie club of which he was a member, and a com-
mittee of the club waited on the offender and informed him of the conse-
quences of his action. Daniels made sport of the committee, and told
them that he thought he understood his business; that he had bought the
land of the government and expected to take possession of it; that so far
from being intimidated by the committee he despised them ; that the club
was simply a mob organized in defiance of law; that he knew his rights
and intended to maintain them. At this interview the offender was very
brave, and from his conduct on that occasion the committee supposed that
he would be a hard customer to deal with. The club held a meeting, and it
was decided that prompt and vigorous measures should be resorted to. The
following day was selected as the .time when these measures were to be car-
ried into execution. When the time fixed upon arrived, some two or three
hundred of the settlers called upon Daniels and again informed him of
their intention, should he not immediately abdicate his claim. Daniels was
considerably frightened this time, but insisted on taking possession of
Wunderlich's claim. The settlers, concluding that fnrther remonstrance
would be unavailing, proceeded to enforce their rules by using the Idgic of
tar and feathers. Daniels left the country and was never again heard of.
The following article, which appeared in the " "Whig and Eegister " in
1849, was written by a gentleman who yet resides in the county. We give
the article in full, as it illustrates a peculiar phase of pioneer life, and
shows how fertile in expedients were the members of these claim clubs in
dealing with trespassers. The western county spoken of was Keokuk; the
little town, Cambridge, was Lancaster, then the county-seat; the frontiers-
man alluded to was Henry Knox, and the merry son of Erin answered to
the name of Bowles ; the claim-owner was Jacob Pay ton :
A BOEDER SKETCH.
Traveling, last summer, through the Western counties of Iowa, and one
day becoming somewhat weary, I put up, a short time before night, at the
principal inn of a little town which for the present incident I shall call
Cambridge. Supper not yet being ready, and finding my hotel somewhat
deserted, I concluded to take a stroll through the village, and, seeing quite
a crowd collected about a common covered wagon which stood in the direc-
tion I had taken, I soon mingled among them, hoping to gain some infor-
mation, or, perchance, to see some familiar face. My acquaintance, how-
HI8T0ET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 323
ever, did not embrace any of the crowd, though I cannot say I did not
receive some information.
The wagon contained two men: one a regular-looking, out-and-out
frontiersman ; the other a merry son of Erin, who seemed to enjoy every-
thing and rejoiced that he lived, which perhaps was the result of himself
and his companion being fully " half-seas over."
They were on their way, or rather intended to proceed, to the land-oflBce
at Fairfield to secure the title to some government land, and, as is some-
times the case with men in their condition, were very independent citizens:
plenty of money, whisky, good span of horses and a wagon, they felt them-
selves a little above the ordinary, and of course only condescended to hear
what some of the crowd had to communicate to them.
It seems, as I learned from a good-natured Hoosier, and a clever fellow
{I always stick to first impressions), who stood looking on, that the team
had then and there been stopped by the good citizens to " argue the ques-
tion," as Jack Easy has it, as to the propriety of their entering the certain
tract of land for which purpose they had started, upon the ground that the
"claim" belonged to another person.
Through the influence of this other person, the citizens generally had
giren judgment in his favor; and if Judge Lynch was not presiding, it
was because the " committee " were not present to order summary jus-
tice to be done, all governments, I believe, taking measures to prevent the
commission of offenses as well as to punish the offender.
Our teamsters were quietly requested to return and abandon their pur-
'pose, expostulated with, and even threatened with subsequent punishment if
they persisted in and accomplished their designs, but all to no purpose; go
they would, and as yet they had done nothing more than declare their inten-
tion, it was deemed sufficient to administer to them but light specimens of,
retributive justice.
Accordingly, some half-dozen began quite a pleasant conversation with
onr patrons of the liquor-dealer at the front end of the wagon, while the
hinder wheels, through the quiet efforts of some half-dozen more, were un-
de^oing the process of losing their linch-pins.
fills being accomplished, they were permitted to proceed in the even
tenor of their way.
Nature seems, and wisely too, to have constituted all men differently,
and, allowing the " claim-jumpers " to have been " tenants in common "
and alike partakers in the contents of the jug, the effect produced upon
them fully justified that, even in this case, there was no exception to the
rule, — the one being in his opinion much more intelligent, wealthy, gener-
ous and capable than the other, and in consequence of thus being the
tighter, as a matter of course insisting in his ability, took command of the
team, and they thus proceeded on their " winding way," anxioufely watched
by a number of urchins and " big boys " to witness their discomfiture.
Now it so chanced that when they had driven about a mile the horses
seemed inclined to take a right-hand road which diverged from the right
one, slightly at first, but finally led off and was lost in the bottom timber,
such as is very common in that region, and which more than once betrayed
ine, ere I knew it, into a settlement of stumps.
They proceeded on their wood-road out of sight without any disaster,
much to the chagrin of many of the watchers, and after a short walk I re-
turned to the hotel.
324 HI8T0ET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
About sunset my attention was arrested by a shout of boys, and, stepping
to the door, I discovered, in the same direction it had come in the after-
noon, the wagon — minus, however, both hinder wheels, by reason of which
the axles were doing ample justice in the moist earth.
The wagon being again surrounded, the soberer inmate recognized a face
among the crowd.
" Hallo, Young," said he, "is that you? "
" Aye, aye," replied Young.
" How long have you been here? "
" Do you mean since I came here? "
"Thunder! yes."
" About three years."
" Thunder, Young! yon needn't think I am drunk. Didn't I see you in
Cambridge to-day ? "
" You did. I think you must have made a quick trip to Fairfield."
"To Fairfield! Why, Young, you must be drunk. Ain't we in Fair-
field?"
"Fairfield! No, sir; you are in Cambridge."
"Cambridge — the devil! Why, Young, you know there's no hillside
like this in Cambridge — no, siree! I'm not that drunk yet, Young."
" Indeed, sir," said Young, " your hind wheels are gone; you are on the
level ground — it's only your wagon-bed."
" Oh, Young, don't be trying to fool a feller this way? That cuss didn't
get you to come here to keep us from entering that land? "
" Just stick your head outside your wagon-cover and satisfy yourself
where you are," replied Mr. Young.
Crawling up to the end-gate and taking a view, he began to realize the
truth, drunk as he was, that they had only been winding about through the
timber, and were no further advanced now than in the middle of the after-
noon.
Turning to his companion, "Patrick!" shouted he, "we've played the
devil! Here we are in Cambridge yet, and the hind-wheels gone — stir np
here!"
Patrick, however, who had some time before released the reins, was close
bordering on dreamland, and only muttered out to " dhrive on, and don't
be a-jawin' thravelers."
Patrick's companion, finding himself called upon to exercise some judg-
ment to extricate themselves, signified his intention to return on the track
of his axles in search of his wheels.
Sundry remarks from the crowd, that they, the men of the two-wheeled
wagon, were puppies, dogs, cowards, etc., had the effect of bringing Pat-
rick's companion on terra firma, and there, divesting himself of coat and
vest, very unsolemnly made oath that he could whip any man that said
such things of them, and thereupon elevating both feet from the ground at
the same time, made an effort to smack his feet together."
Finding that no one would brave the danger of making any of the charges
to his face, he gathered his apparel and started in search of his wheels.
Tracing in the dust, and by the aid of a friendly moon till he could no
longer observe the marks, he set about a search for the wheels, and after a
fruitless search of an hour or more returned to town to find his wagon up-
set, and Patrick still in it and occupying the bows for a pillow; he seemed,
however, to be slightly opposed to the inverse plan of bedding, for on the
HISTORY or KEOKTTK COUNTY. 325
Reappearance of his companion with a " Hallo, Fatrick," he only stam-
mered out something about a "long trip" and " rough roads."
, The truth is that when some of the boys found that the wheels were to
be looked for they made a forced march, found the wheels and hid them
^way in the grass so that a sober man, in day time, would have been excused
for not finding them.
To cut short the facts of the incident, for facts they are, the two team-
sters were taken to a convenient branch and there threatened with imme-
diate immersion if they did not renounce their intentions, which they
unhesitatingly did. Patrick, however, was scarcely responsible for his
promise on the occasion, even taking the duress out of the question, for on
going to the branch on which he required a " right and left scene sup-
porter " he complained that there was a " divilish crowd wanten land."
Having, however, obtained their solemn promise not to meddle with the
" claim " they were conducted to my hotel and provided with comfortable
quarters.
Next morning they were duly sober, wagon top undermost, two wheels
gone, horses missing and jug broken.
The same men who but yesterday had helped to do all this now assisted
to restore everything that could be done by them, and the horses having
strayed home the real owner of the claim who had been " about " all the
time, actually lent them his horse and procured another from mine host,
who, by the way, took no small part in effecting a reconciliation of the
parties. They rigged again their team, and claim-owner and claim-jumpers,
^ide by side, started to their several homes.
SUEYEYS AND LAND SALES.
All the lands of Keokuk county were surveyed from 1843 to 1845. At
that time Gen. James Wilson was surveyor-general of the United States
for Wisconsin and Iowa. Gen. Wilson entered into contract with various
deputy surveyors, who entered upon the work of surveying the lands
shortly after the ratification of the treaty whereby the Indians ceded the
land to the government. From copies of field notes of the original sur-
veys, it appears that the work of running the township lines for Keokuk
county was performed by deputy surveyor Alvin Burt, and was completed
July 31, 1843. The sub-divisions of the township into sections was begun
shortly afterward. Townships 74 and 75, range 10, were surveyed by dep-
uty surveyor S. W. Durham, and the work was completed September 30,
1843. Township 76, range 12, was surveyed by the same deputy, and the
work completed October 20, 1843. Also townships 74 and 76, range 11.
Deputy surveyor George W. Harris sub-divided townships 76 and 77,
range 10, completing the work November 10, 1843. Township 75, range
13, was sub-divided by deputy James E. Freeman, finished November 30,
1843. Geo. W. Harris also certified to the survey of 76 and 77, in 11, on
the 20th day ot November, 1843. November 26, 1844, Henry Wiltse
■completed the survey of township 77, range 12. Townships 76 and 77,
range 13, were surveyed by the same deputy, the work being completed
December 9, 1844. The remaining townships were surveyed later by dep-
uty surveyor Samuel 0. Wiltse, the entire survey having been completed by
March 1, 1845. As a matter of course no lands could be sold by the gov-
lernmeat till these surveys were completed, and it was fortunate for the
326 HISTOBT OF KEOKUS COUNTY.
settlers that they were not offered until some time after, as very few oi
them were in a condition to purchase. So long as the lands remained un-
snrveyed, there was no danger of the settler losing his claim, but when the
surveys were completed the lands were liable to be thrown on the market
at any time; and in such a case the claim-holders who were not prepared'
to purchase were at any time liable to lose their homes, or else come into
conflict with the general government. It was probably in- view of these
difficulties, and the hardships wliich would befall many worthy pioneers,
that no land located in Keokuk county was thrown upon the market tilt
1846.
In 1846 the government offered for sale all the lands in the county.
The land office at that time was located at Fairfield and on the first day of
the sales all the settlers who had provided means, either in person or rep-
resented by bidders, were on liand. The sales were made exclusively for
cash, and the government would receive nothing but bills on the State Bank'
of Missouri and specie in payment. General Lowe, who had been depu-
tized to purchase land for quite a number of the settlers, started for the
land office with a large sack of gold and silver, it being all that a large
strong horse could do to bear up under the weight of that bag of specie
and the rider. The minimum price of the land was a dollar and a quarter
per acre. The sale continued two days and ostensibly, the land was sold to-
the highest bidder, but in reality there was but one bidder to each tract
and that was the owner of the claim or his representative. During the two
days sale there were disposed of about one hundred and fifty tracts. The
following are the names of the men who entered land at this, the first land
sale for the county :
"William Basey, William Dunn, O. Tharp, J. W. Snelson, Daniel Con-
nor, Conrad Shivey, Joseph Lowe, Jacob Wimer, Jacob B. Whisler, William
■ Jacobs, J. A. Pitzer, Aaron Gaskell, Rawley Ice, Joseph Knox, George M.
HoUiday, Benjamin P. Shawhan, Samuel Singmaster, Samuel Walley,
John Oswald, Elisha Byers, David Morgan, Mahlon Haworth, John
Haworth, John Singleton, Jeremiah Hollingsworth, Eli Haworth, Alien;
Hayworth, G. Hayworth, J. E. Edwards, Moses H. Husted, William
Bales, Elizabeth Pringle, Thomas Ehodes, J. R. Hobson, M. A. Wood-
ward, Joseph Hadley Henry Dickerson, Griffin Abraham. David Stout,
William W. McGrew, James Hutton, Walter Braden, Samuel Fye, Jere-
miah Eye, James Williams, Aaron Miller, Elijah Menefee, Meshacfc
Davis, Thomas Sater, Mitchell Gill, Valentine Nelson, Jacob Shoemaker,
J. B. Brown, Samuel Bowman, Robert Blacker, Jacob Ashcraft, Benjamin
Eobinson, John J. Franklin, Reuben Whitson, William Scearcy, Williaim
Campbell, Charles Friend, Caleb Scott, Theodore Cox, John J. Smith. Z.
Bothkin, Milton Brittain, Charles }*. Lyon, John Cox, F. M. Brittain, EliaSs
Petre, Owen Monahon, Andrew Taylor. Joel Skinner, Thomas Richardson^.
C. M. Wood, Moses McConnell, Philip Henninger, Jacob Smith, David
Hawk, Jeremiah Brown, James Green, Finley Messick, J. G. Brooks,
Roland Driskell. William T. Beard. Henry Koons, G. W. Hathhorn, D. E
Helm, Joseph Hillery, N. Macy, Solomon Beaver, David Lentz, Tinsley
Brooks, B. McCoy, William Trimble, Henry Able, Joseph M. Manifold,
Joseph Young, William Waugh, Parrish Ellis, Maxon Randall, Andrew
J. McNabb, John Scott, William McCann, Jacob Luce, William Lacy,
Joseph McGlasson, James Chitwood, Mary Burnside, Joseph Butler, John
Stroup, Samuel Mealley, David N. Henderson, Thos. Henderson, James-
HISTOKY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 32T>
Jenkins, John Baker, John Shocklej. Wesley Goss, Eobert Alexander,
Michael Hornish, William Shockley, John Warner, William C. Cole, Ben-
jamin Cobb, William Trneblood, Asa Cobb, James Williams, John
Greenlee, Elijah Shockley, Peter Helwig, William Lyle, David Yoltmer,,
Charles Bakehouse, James Keegan, Thomas Cobb, Johnson CoUings, Pres-
ley Doggett,' John Lambert, John Cobb.
This was the. only public sale of lands that was held for the land lying
in Keokuk county. Thereafter individuals went in person, or by agent, to
the land office and entered such lands as were available. Some time after-
ward there was a land office established at Iowa City. Lands situated in
the southern half of the county, as before, were to be entered at Fairfield,,
while those lying in the northern half of the count}', had to go to Iowa
City to enter their lands. Several, whose names appear in the foregoing
list of purchases, still live on the identical tract of land purchased in May,
1846, and all such, without exception, are pleasantly situated and have
acquired quite handsome fortunes. Of the land originally entered the
largest share was situated on or contiguous to streams of water, the settler
thinking it impossible to live away from timber. On this account the
best land in the county was not entered for some time, and thus fell in the
hands of non-residents and speculators. Large portions of such land lay
untouched for years, but at tlie present time the plow has found its way
into these rich alluvial prairies.
TEADING POINTS.
It has already been remarked that quite a number of business houses for
the sale of dry goods, groceries and general merchandise had been estab-
lished in various parts of the county prior to the year 1846, when Iowa be-
came a State.; but up to that time, and for many years afterward, Burling-
ton and Keokuk were the chief trading points for Keokuk county. Some
trade was carried on at Muscatine, but this was chiefly confined to lumber.
There was very little farm produce which needed to be marketed for a num-
ber of years, the home demand being sufficient to exhaust the supply. The
first hogs taken to market from the county was a drove of two hundred,
head, which was bought up in various parts of the county in 1848 by J. B.
"Whisler and driven to Burlington. The next season the same gentleman
drove about four hundred hogs to the same market. In 1850 Mr. A. E.
Lowe engaged in the stock business, and continued in it till 1855. Mr;
Lowe's operations the first year were confined to hogs; he bought about
three hundred and fifty head and drove them to Burlington ; they averaged
240 pounds, and brought, in the Burlington market, $1.75 per hundred
pounds. The basis upon which operations of this kind were carried on in
those days forms a marked contrast with the basis of such operations in
this day of quick- returns and small profits. The dealer bought up the
stock and gave his note for the purchase price. After he had accumulated
a drove sufficiently large he started for the market, and this, owing to the
great distance and the slow movements of the fattened stock, often required
weeks for the round trip. There was indeed one circumstance which expe-
dited business. In the language of Mr. Lowe, " The hogs were good
travelers." After disposing of the drove and returning, the stock dealer
again made the round of his circuit and paid for the stock. If his venture
proved a fortunate one, he could pay all his bills and have something left
328 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
as a compensation for his trouble; if not, some of the stock raisers had to
wait until the drover made another trip. The money which the drovers
thus circulated through the country was principally bank-bills on the State
banks of Ohio and Indiana.
An incident peculiar to these times, illustrating the status of commer-
cial operations, is related of a gentleman who may or may not have resided
in Keokuk county, but the authenticity of the statements can be vouched
for. Mr. M. was proprietor of a store where was sold a line of general
merchandise. Mr. M. carried on quite an extensive trade with the farmers
of that section, and was doing a flourishing business. However, as is gen-
erally the case with establishments of that kind, there accumulated quite a
large amount of old goods, out of style and out of date. Under these cir-
cumstances, some merchants would have offered the old goods at " less than
cost," or employed a loquacious auctioneer to dispose of them to the high-
est bidder — but not so with Mr. M. He proceeded as follows: It being a
prosperous year with farmers, he entered the field early as a hog-buyer,
buying hogs of all sizes and descriptions; bought late and early, and
bought continuously for a number of weeks, giving his note for the pur-
chase-money, as was customary in those days. After he had bought all the
hogs in the county which were for sale, and which were old enough to
travel, the word was passed around that all hogs thus purchased should be
delivered at the county-seat on a given day. The hogs came, filling the
town and the region round about. Mr. M., in the meantime, had employed
quite a force of medium-sized boys and vocal men, who, on the given day,
were to take charge of the hogs and drive them to Keokuk, Mr. M. accom-
panying them.
Upon arriving at Keokuk, Mr. M. concluded that the St. Louis market
was preferable to the Keokuk market, so he chartered a large boat, after
dismissing all of his employes except a few who were in his secret, put the
hogs on board, and, having given final instructions to the remaining em-
ployes, dismissed them and himself set sail for St. Louis. Upon the return
of the first delegation of drovers, there was some little uneasiness on the
part of Mr. M-'s note-holders. The former persons could give no satisfac-
tory account of Mr. M., and it was whispered among the latter tliat he had
lost heavily by the transaction. After a few days the rest of the drovers
returned, and on being questioned appeared to know as little of Mr. M. as
those who had preceded them. Soon it was whispered around that Mr. M.
had failed, and most likely would not return. One by one came the per-
sons of whom Mr. M. had bought hogs and turned in their notes for goods
at the store, and soon the crowd became so numerous that they could not
be waited on by the force of clerks then employed ; more clerks were em-
ployed, and Mr. M.'s establishment was so thronged that it resembled a
rush at a savings bank in time of a panic. All styles of dry goods and
clothing, which had lain on the shelves for years, were bought up with avid-
ity; boxes, containg groceries which had not been opened for months, were
soon emptied and were heaped up in the rear of the building; all kinds of
cutlery, hardware, agricultural implements, jewelry, musical instruments
and toys were carried off by the wagon-load. In short, there was a press-
ing demand for everj'thing and anything which farmers could eat, drink or
wear, both useful and ornamental, and at the end of a week Mr. M's entire
stock, including all the old goods which had long been a drug on the mar-
ket, was disposed of, and the shelves bare. At this supreme moment Mr.
HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 329
M. returned with a large stock of new goods and his pockets full of money.
He pretended to be greatly surprised when he found his store-room empty
and manifested great feeling when informed of the reports which were
afloat; he even threatened to prosecute the parties who originated the story
of his insolvency. Mr. M., however, took no steps to discover the names
and location of his traducers; he even regained his accustomed urbanity,
and it was a matter of surprise to many how quickly Mr. M. rallied from
the fit of gloom and despondency which seized him on his first return. Mr.
M. continued to buy stock for many years thereafter, but his patrons never
made another run on his store.
There were persons in every settlement who made a business of freight-
ing, making regular trips to Burlington and Keokuk, while stage lines were
operated to and from the principal cities for the accommodation of the
public.
The journey was often long and wearisome. The sloughs were not
bridged, and in the spring it was no uncommon thing for a passenger on
the stage to make his journey on foot and carry a rail with which to help
pry the stage out of the mire. This was " high-toned " traveling, and
from this may be imagined what sort of a journey was that of a lone settler
and an ox team.
Sigourney was quite a pioneer town itself then, and accommodations were
limited: It is related that on one occasion the boarders at a certain
house had rather a late breakfast. It happened in this wise: The landlord
had noticed that his larder was running low, but he was in hourly expecta-
tion of supplies. One evening the pantry was bankrupt, but the host was
in hopes his team would come with provisions before morning. But " hope
•deferred maketh the heart sick " at every dawn. The landlord looked wist-
fully down the divide in vain. Finally he mounted a horse and rode to
a house down the road, where he secured a little meal and half a side of
bacon from a settler and started for home. The half-dozen hungry board-
ers sat in front of the cabin pining for the fiesh-pots of civilization, and
soon their spirits arose and " their mouths began to water, for away to the
south came the plucky landlord, riding like a Jehu, and holding aloft the
half-side of bacon as a sign of relief."
For a long time the post-offices at Richland and Sigourney, receiving
a mail twice a month, afforded all the mail facilities there were in the
county, and from these offices the mail was sometimes taken in bulk to the
•country store, and kept in a dry goods box^marked, as likely as not,
•"Smith & Co., Burlington, Iowa," from which the gentlemanly shop-
keeper 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 towns which had been laid out being so small, and the means of
transportation to them being so limited and irregular, they were unable to
supply, regularly, the now increasing 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 Keokuk or Burlington to obtain, the necessa-
ries of life.
In order to secure many of the necessaries of life they were often under
the necessity of going to Burlington and Keokuk to supply the wants of
their pioneer homes. After stores and trading-points began to be estab-
330: HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
lished in this connty, the merchants for many years were in the habit of
going to these distant points on the river to purchase their stock of goods
and bring 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 together,,
and to, one 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 fromi
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-mattersr
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 innocent questioning
by the inquisitive settlers, from which he would often derive as much
pleasure and profit as they.
TRAPPING AND HUNTING.
The sports and customs of the early settlers were not so numerous andf
varied as at present, but they were no less enjoyable and interesting.
Hunters now-adays would be only too glad to be able to find and enjoy
their favorable opportunities for hunting and fishing; and even travel hun-t
di'eds 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
the sport as well as any can at the present.
Wild animals of various kinds were found here in abundance during tlie
time of the early settlement. The prairies, and woods, and streams, and
various bodies of water, were all thickly inliabited before the white man,
and even for some time after the white man caliie.
Serpents were to be found in such large numbers and of such immense-
size that some stories told by the early settlers would be incredible were it
not for the large array of concurrent testimony which is to be had from the
most authentic sources.
Deer, turkeys, ducks, geese, and various other kinds of choice game,.
Avere plentiful, affording freely and at the expense of killing what are now;
considered 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
SISTOEY OF KEOKUK OOTJNT^T. 331'
only pleasure, bnt profit, for those amono; 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, and we
here propose to insert a few of these reminiscences, related in the lajiguage-
of the actors in them.
A gentleman who formerly lived on South Skunk, near the forks of the-
river, says that in early days the grass and weeds along the river were so-
tall and the wolves and rattlesnakes so plenty that it was necessary to pro-
ceed with great care, and it was not prudent to even start out to liunt the-
eows without being provided with a large club or other weapon of defence-
against these noxious animals. "Often," says he, "have I gone through
the Skunk river bottoms in search of my cattle with a large club in one-
hand and a bowie-knife in the other, the wolves howling on either side and
for miles not out of the hearing of the rattling and hissing of snakes.""
Mr. Adams informs us that he once stopped over night with two old batch-
elors, who were living near the Washington coimty line, that during the-
day had killed two hundred twenty-five rattlesnakes, and who were not in-
the least damaged in their numerous encounters save as to their appetite^
the remembrance of the slimy reptiles, after returning from the slaughter,,
interfered with the enjoyment of their frugal evening meal. Capt. Baker-
says that there was formerly a rattlesnake-den in Eichland township where
the serpents of all sizes and species seemed to congregate. On a certain-
occasion a number of persons undertook to exterminate them; they put in-
an entire day and in the evening they had three large piles which resem-
bled brush heaps, the rattlesnakes in one heap, the black-snakes in another
heap and a third heap composed of common garter-snakes. Mr. James re-
lates the particulars of an encounter he once had with a rattlesnake. It
was in the summer of 1843, about three miles northwest of Sigourney. He-
was assisting one W. H. Harrison in digging a well. They had gone to-
the depth of fifteen or twenty feet when night closing in they suspended
their labors till the next day. No settlers and no stock being in the vicin-
ity the well was left quite uncovered. On the next morning it was the lofr
of Mr. James to first descend into the well. Before being lowered he dis-
covered that the well had fallen in all around for a few inches above the-
bottom and that in spots water was visible. Takinsr, therefore, only a titt
cup he was lowered to see the state of afiairs. Wlien he arrived at the
bottom he directed the bucket to be hoisted out of the way in order that he-
might make a fuller and more accurate inspection. There were good indi-
cations of plenty of water and Mr. James fancied that he heard the gurg-
ling of water coming in at .the side. Turning his gaze in the direction-
from which the sound proceeded he beheld the curled up form of an im-
mense rattlesnake, the gurgling noise proceeding from the snake's
rattles. The rapidity with which the reptile revealed and concealed"
its malicious tongue convinced Mr. James that in its fall it had not lost its-
deadly power of attack. For some time he stood and viewed his
adversary. But one short step could be taken in retreat and he did not
thing best to take it. Without taking his eye away from the serpent Mr.
James directed the bucket to be lowered with the spade. This was
promptly done. He then took hold of the rope with one hand and the-
spade in the other and requested to be raised a short distance. As soon as h&
332 HISTORr OF KEOKUK COFNTT.
■came in reach of the snake he dealt it a blow with the spade which severed
its head from the body. The prairie rattlesnake never grew to be very
large; this one was three feet long and had seven rattles.
Wolves were very numerous and troublesome. It was impossiable to
raise sheep, and hogs as well as larger animals were not safe from the at-
tacks of these gaunt and ferocious wild beasts. On account of their many
and persistent depredations, as well as the fact that the State ofiered a pre-
mium on their scalps, systematic and continued efforts were made by cer-
tain indivduals to capture them. In some instances poison was nsed, in
other cases steel traps, and others had resort to their dogs and guns.
In 1844 Mr. A. Covey invented and manufactured a wolf-trap which
proved to be quite successful in its way. During the month of February;
that year. Covey caught in that trap sixteen wolves and among the number
a very large one which had made itself notorious for years and which many
liunters had vainly tried to capture. The trap was on exhibition at a
a-ecent Old Settlers' reunion and will probably be well cared for during the
life time of the inventor.
"Quincy" Adams, John W.Snelson and G.B. Cook were the mostrenowned
-deer hunters. Mr. Adams says that it was no unusual occurrence to see from
forty to fiftj' deer witliiii a radius of one mile from Sigourney. In those
-days Mr. Adams never thought it worth his while to leave the shop for a
hunt unless he brought down at least four or five deer. Mr. Cook had a
peculiar way of shooting deer; his plan was to climb a tree and await the
•coming of the game, when he would fire upon them from the tree. He is
said to have been very successful in this manner and seldom returned from
the hunt without bringing home an abundant supply' of venison.
Samuel Hardesty, who, since 1843, has resided on the divide between the
two forks of Skunk river, says that for many years his cabin was never
"without a good supply of venison. He regarded it a very easy task, at any
time, to take his rifle and kill three or four deer. He generally went on
foot, and when a deer came in range it generally was his meat; it was im-
material whether the animal was standing still or running. Sometimes,
•especially when there was snow on the ground, he would go on horseback,
and when he killed a deer it was lashed to his horse's tail, and then, mount-
ing the horse, the rider set out for further conquests. When another ani-
mal fell before the unerring aim of his rifle, it was tied on to the other
•deer, and some times he might be seen returning from the chase dragging
three or four deer, all lashed to the caudal appendage of his horse. Mr.
Hardesty also frequently took part in the circle-hunts. The plan was for
•some two or three hundred men to surround a considerable area of country
and gradually close in, thus driving the wolves into a very small area,
where they were slaughtered by the hundred. These circles frequently had
for their centre a point in the Skunk river bottom not far from the place
■where Mr. Hai'desty now resides, and said ravine proved to be the last ditch
for hundreds of these predatory quadrupeds. It was not long after the
^State offered a premium on wolf scalps that these troublesome representa-
tives of the canine species were exterminated.
GEOWTH OF THE COUNTY.
The official act of the Territorial Legislature naming Keokuk county and
■defining the boundaries thereof, bears date February 5th, 1844. So it
HISTORY OF KEOKUK CO0NTT. 33S
appears that the county was not named and laid out until nearlj' a year
after the first settlement had been made west of the treaty line of 1837^
and five years after the first settlement had been made on the " Old Strip."
The Indians had left, and the whites had not yet appeared in large num-
bers. Although the county contained but few citizens, yet the white man
had marked it for his own.
During these years the county was in an undefined state of existence, or
non-existence. In one sense it was a county, in another it was not. It was
named and laid out. So that, in point of fact, there was a region of terri-
tory described as Keokuk county, in the then unorganized State of Iowa, as-
early as January, 1844. But there was no county organization proper, no
connty government, and not even many citizens for several months. In a^
few months, however, the new county gained citizens, but in other respects
it continued for some time in the same undefined state.
The work of organization was only begun when the county was named
and laid out. It remained to hold an election, and organize a county gov-
ernment.
Thus the early settlers were for a time in a peculiar situation. They
dwelt in, but were not properly citizens of, Keokuk connty, since there
were no county courts or other authority to control their actions, and they
were still, in these respects, under the discipline of another county.
For judicial and other purposes the new county was still a part of Wash-
ington county, and so continued until its formal organization was com-
pleted. It does not appear that there was much call for the exercise of this
authority, or that the loose and ill-defined county government produced
any bad results. "The laws are for those who need them," and the early
settlers dwelt together in harmony that did not call for the interference of
sheriff or judge. This is a somewhat remarkable feature of Keokuk
county, and contrasts vividly with the early experience of some other
counties.
The county seems to have prospered well during this period of loose, half-
formed organization. The settlers were too busy with tlieir own afikirs to
intermeddle with those of others, and so had little occasion to call for the
authority of the law. But it was soon apparent that the business affairs
of the community called for a county organization. Roads should be laid
out, a county-seat located, and other preparations made for a thriving and
prosperous future. So in 1844 the county was formally organized in the
manner spoken of more fully under the head of " organization."
The people in the county at the time of the organization were mostly
Germans, or native born Americans, and from that time to the present the
population has been mostly of that character. The connty filled up steadily
and rapidly. Nearly always the new-comers were poor in purse. Few
men of means came to Keokuk county in the early days. But, although,
they came almost witliont exception poor in pocket, they brought with
them industry, economy and intelligence, so that, in the course of years,
wealth has been the result. The growth of the "county never slackened or
came to a stand-still, except for a very short time, but continued steadily
year by year. The brunt of the pioneer battle was borne by the very early
settlers, for within a few years the great hardships of pioneer life had dis-
appeared, and the people lived m comfort.
At the time of the organization in 1844, the county contained less than
1>000 souls. In 1847 there were 2,918, which shows an increase of about
334 HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
one hundred per cent each year for the three years following the organizar
tion. In 1849 the population had increased to 3,953. In 1850 the popu-
lation was 4,822, and in 1852 it had reached the number 6,306. In 1854,
which ended the first decade of the county's history, the population had
reached the remarkable number of 7,299. This certainly shows a remark-
able degree of progress and prosperity.
Passing over the next ten years, which include the war period, it will be
interesting to note the increase of population a decade later. In 1865 the
population had grown to 13,996, and in 1867 to 15,429. In 1870 the
county numbered 19,434. In 1875 the population was 20,488, and at this
present time it is estimated that the number will approximate 21,500.
But the rapid increase of population is not the only datum whereby we
may estimate the rapid growth of the county. In 1850 there were in farms
21,075 acres of improved land, and 62,263 acres of unimproved. In 1856
there were in farms, of improved land 52,517 acres, of unimproved 163,-
725. In 1875 there were 208,125 acres of improved land in farms, in addi-
tion to 98,999 acres of unimproved land in farms in connection with these
lands.
In 1850 there were 24,990 bushels of wheat raised, 346,650 bushels of
corn, and the value of the live stock was $103,285. In 1856, 64,113
bushels of wheat, 983,097 bushels of corn; the value of live stock was
,$108,073, and the value of cattle alone which were sold that year was
$79,390. In 1875 there were harvested in the county 368,528 bushels of
wheat, and 3,327,282 bushels of corn.
In 1865 the total value of the personal property in the county was
$1,056,328, and the value of farm lands was $1,909,794. In 1875 the value
of personal property was $1,473,649, and the value of farm lands was
^3,087,216.
In 1850 there were in the county 820 dwellings and 857 families; in 1856
there were 1827 dwellings and 1889 families; in 1875 the number of
dwellings was 3,690, and the number of femilies 3,763.
The church and school statistics also aflford a datum whereby we may
estimate the growth of the county, and these statistics give even a more
striking illustration of its unparalleled development than the facts and
figures relating to material prosperity.
In 1850 there were 39 schools, 39 teachers, 1015 pupils; $200 were
raised by taxation for the maintenance of these scho'ols, $640 from the
public fund and $1,800 from other sources. In 1875 there were 128 un-
graded schools, 8 graded schools, 218 teachers, and the number of pupils
in these schools was 8,042 ; this does not include 4 private schools, employ-
ing 6 teachers, with an enrollment of 151 pupils. To carry on this educa-
tional system for one year, the county expended the sum of $46,911.
In 1850 there were 16 church buildings, valued at $3,450; they were as
follows: Baptist, 4 churches, valued at $900; Christian, 3, valued at $800;
Friends, 2, valued at $450; Methodist, 7, valued at $1,300. At present,
.there is probably not a township in the county but what contains better
facilities for religious meetings than the entire facilities of the county
twenty years ago.
The total value of the property of the county in 1865 was $3,071,126,
against $4,845,323 in 1875, showing an increase in ten years of $1,774,197,
-or more than 55 per cent.
Thus, from the very first, the history of the county shows a steady career
■HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 335
of thriving, prosperous growth. The following table of important events
shows the general landmarks of the county's growth and history to the
present time:
TABLE OF EVENTS.
First settler, Aaron Miller, March, 1838.
Oldest settler still residing on original claim, William Bristow.
County laid out, 1844.
County formally organized, 1844.
Bigouriiey located, May 10, 1844.
First white child born. J. F. Scearcy, December 15, 1840.
First marriage license issued in county, April 5, 1844, Nelson Green
and Elizabeth Warner.
First term of court, July 22, 1844.
First land entered, 1846.
First land transfer, February 15, 1846,
First mill erected, commenced June, 1842 ; finished February, 1843.
County-seat removed to Lancaster, August 7, 1846.
First newspaper published, "Western Friend," June 1, 1854.
First mail received at Sigourney, February 7, 1845.
County-seat returned to Sigourney, April 12, 1856.
Gold excitements, 1849, 1859, 1876.
Old court-house built, 1844.
Old jail built,. 1848.
New court-house completed, 1858.
New jail completed, 1875.
First railroad train in Sigourney, April 9, 1872.
This-brief table represents a large amount of history, and will be very
instructive to those who may "ponder it fittingly."
Speaking generally, the growth of the county has been steady and con-
tinuous, although there have been, of course, times of ebb and flow. The
first period of the county's growth was one of much hardship and priva-
tion. The California emigration, however, brought golden days to the
county, and prosperity continued in high tide until the panic a few years
before the war. These were evil days for Keokuk county, there was
very general discontent, and many business men in the county were ruined.
A slow recovery followed and introduced the war-period. From the close
of the war up to the panic of 1873, Keokuk was again in a prosperous
condition. The county did not sufiier in this directly so much as indirectly,
in the general derangement of the business of the country. But the ex-
?erience was much the same as that in the former period of high times,
'roperty depreciated and become unsalable, and general discontent and
uneasiness spread among the people. There has been nothing peculiar to
Keokuk county in this experience — it has been that of the country in gen-
eral. At the present time the county is fairly started again on a career of
prosperity.
So, in Keokuk county, good times have followed close upon evil times,
and vice versa all through the period of its growth. It would seem that
old sage's thought would be a good thing to keep ever in mind, both in
prosperity and distress : "Even this shall pass away." Such a lesson is
taught by the experience of the county, from the organization to the pres-
ent time.
336 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
COUNTY OKGANIZATION.
' It was not long after the first settlement of Keokuk county before the
necessity of county organization in the interests of good government, good
roads and the proper management of other local affairs was fully appreci-
ated and agitated. Indeed, steps were taken toward organization during
the year 1843, but were not carried out for some time thereafter.
With regard to the origin of dividing individual States into county and
township organizations, which, in an important measui-e, 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
fevernment of which they each formed a part, we quote from Elijah M..
[aines, who is considered good authority on the subject.
In his '"Laws of Illinois, Relative to Township Organizations," he saya
the county system, originated with Virginia, whose early settlers soon
became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living apart in-
almost baronial magnificence on their own estates, and owning the labor-
ing 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 con-
duct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, was more-
over consonant 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 Louisiana, from the French laws.
"Illinois, which, with its vast additional territory, became a county of
Virginia, on its conquest by Q-en. George Rogers Clark, retained the
county organization, which was formerly extended o;ver the State by the
constitution 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 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 portion
of the State had become filled up with a population of New England birth
or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied with
the comparitively arbitrary and inefficient county system. It was main-
tained 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 townships 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 a majority part of them,
a^ c^ /§
HISTORY OF KEOKTTK COITNTT. 339
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 a&
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 iines of not more than
twenty shillings, and 'choose their own particular oflScers, as constables,
surveyors for the highways, and the like.
"Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of mu-
nicipal details, without any danger to the power of that body in controling
general measures of 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 Connecticut, adopted in 1639 ; and the plan of town-
ship organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficiency
and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, became
universal 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
organizations 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 rivei*, and
form thick settlements along its western shore, the Territory and State and
county and township and town organizations soon followed in quick suc-
cession, and those different systems became more or less modified and im-
proved, accordingly as deemed necessary by the experience and judgment
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 or-
ganizing counties on the Misssissippi. 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 or-
ganized 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 legislature, after the
Indians sold out, the newly acquired territory, including all northwestern
lowaj was laid off into counties, provisions were made for their respective
organizations when the proper time should arrive, and these were severally
named.
22
340 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Thus Keokuk and Mahaska counties were originally attached to Wash-
ington county for judicial, revenue and election purposes.
On the 17th day of February, 1843, an act was passed by the legisla-
ture of the Territory of Iowa defining the boundaries of certain counties,
and designating each by name; among these were Keokuk and Mahaska
counties. The writer is unable to designate the man or the committee who
gave the name to this county, but it is quite evident that a generous dispo-
sition to perpetuate the memory of the Indian chief of the land existed
among the members of the legislature, as no less than seven other coun-
ties were established at the same time bearing aboriginal titles. "With a
single exception, these counties all bear their original names, and it was
probably on account of a lack of euphony that afterward induced the leg-
islature to change the name of Kish-ke-kosh county to that of Monroe
county.
On the oth day of February, 1844, an act was passed by the Territorial
legislature which provided for the organization of the two counties, Keo-
kuk and Mahaska.
The Hon. Thomas Baker, afterward of California, was then representa-
tive from Washington county, and upon him properly devolved all matters
pertaining to the interests of this county. Several eftorts were'made to in-
duce him to draft a bill locating the seat of justice at certain points in the
county, the points, however, all being within the southeastern part of the
county.
The following extract of a letter to Mr. Baker from Mr. Lawson B.
Hughes, may serve to show some of the interest and anxiety manifested at
that time :
" Beighton, Jan. 2, 1844.
" Hon. Thomas Baker:
" Deae Sie: — The citizens of Keokuk county wish to have a law enacted
authorizing them to vote for some particular point or place whereby the
county-seat may be located. I believe, sir, that there will be at least eight
out of ever}' ten in the county go for such a law, and are anxious that you
will do all you can in effecting such a law. The Rock Creek country, the
Blue Point country, and north of the main river, together with the inhabi-
tants in the forks and north of the north fork to at least twelve miles from
the Washington line west, will go for it. The place or point that is con-
templated to make the location is exactly in the northwest corner of the
southeast township, making it six miles from the south part of the county
and six miles from the east line. I will be glad if you will go in for the
law; and in organizing the county, have it organized and the election to
take place in April, and then if this law is enacted, giving the location of
the county-seat to the people, let that election be the 1st of May. If any
one point does not get a majority of the entire vote on the first ballot, let
there be a second election between the two highest points."
It is quite probable that, had such a law been passed, the location would
have been voted to Eichland, then more generally designated " Frogtown."
Said act providing for the organization of the county, appointed three
commissioners, whose duty it was to select the county-seat. They were
John Stewart and Dr. George H. Stone, of Washington county, and Samuel
Shuffleton, of Jefferson county. Of these men, Mr. Stewart was an unas-
suming farmer living on English river, in the north part of the county, but
HISTOET or KEOKUK COUNTY. 341
a man of rather more than ordinary energy and good sense, and scrupulously
honest and correct in all his transactions with his neighbors.
Mr. Shnffleton resided in Fairfield, was a practicing lawyer of very fair
ability and might have been a star in his profession but for the wreck to
which strong drink was evidently hastening him. He was called " Shuf "
for short and was regarded as a good, clever fellow, with whom might gen-
erally be found on his jaunt from one court to another the requisite to
"wood up." Even while making the tour of the county for the location, a
pocket-flask was his constant companion. He has long since fallen a victim
to the Clip.
With Dr. Stone the early settlers were more intimately acquainted than
•with either of the other two commissioners. He lived in Washington and
practiced medicine. He was a thoroughly educated physician and surgeon,
and for a number of years acted in the latter capacity on board a vessel of the
United States navy. Whether natural or acquired, his gait and appearance
bore marks of youthful training at the military academy of '\Vest Point.
He was rather reserved in conversation unless to his friends, and possessed a
keen sense of honor and integrity and heartily despised baseness or dishon-
esty in the smallest measure. Perhaps once in twelve months, or it might
not be so frequently, or yet it might be more frequently, the Doctor in-
dulged in a "spree." This would usually last about a week, and during
such time all business was suspended and for most part he was shut up in
his dwelling with his family.
It may be said that the location of Sigourney was made by Dr. Stone;
for although Mr. Stewart fully concurred with him, yet the former actually
suggested and made the location. Mr. Shuflleton did not concur in the lo-
cation, but dissented in writing.
The name also was the choice of the Doctor. He had always been a great
admirer of the writings of Mrs. Sigourney, and no doubt observed their
moral influence and salutary eflfects in his young family, although he, himself,
might sometimes feel rebuked when with her pen she spared not the sin of
profanity.
After examination of full five days, said commissioners on the 10th day of
-May, 1844, fixed the location of Sigourney.
■In the same legislative act organizing the county, the late Harvey Ste-
vens, Sr., was commissioned as sherifi', and shortly after, the Hon. S. A.
James was appointed clerk of the District Court, by the judge thereof.
Upon the latter officer devolved the duty of organizing the county, by
fixing the places of election for county officers, the number of justices and
constables to be elected, etc.
There were six places appointed for holding this election. These places,
with the names of the judges appointed to conduct the election, were as
follows:
At the house of L. J. Smith, in the town of Richland ; judges, Joseph R.
Edwards, William Lewis, Jeremiah Brown.
At the house of John W. Snelson; judges, Amos HoUoway, J. W. Snel-
son, Joseph Kellum.
At the house of John Grill; judges, John Grill, Sr., Thomas Hicklin,
John Hasty.
I At the house of William Hutton ; judges, William Hutton, William Stin-
«on, Richard Dickerson.
342 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
At the house of John Troxel; judges, JohnTroxel, Joseph B. CasterJine,
James Lewman.
At the house of Wesley Goss; judges, ■William Grimsley, Thomas Hen-
derson, John Shockley.
At the house of William Martin; judges, Joseph Hillery, George Hath-
horn, Joab Bennett.
The following are the names of .the county bfficers elected at this elec-
tion:
County Commissioners — Jeremiah Hollingsworth, James M. Smith, Enos-
Darnell. Judge of Probate — John M. Waters. County Treasurer — Wil-
liam H. Brown. County Surveyor— Samuel E. McCracken. County As-
sessor— Andrew Ogden. County Sheriff — Geo. W. Hayes. County Re-
corder— A. P. Tannahill. Clerk of Board of County Commissioners —
Edom Shugart.
This election, it is hardly necessary to say, had nothing, of the nature o-f
a political contest. The object was simply to organize the county, and po-
litical differences had not yet appeared in the county. But very soon there
came a change.
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 advancement.
This unwelcome spirit of dissension began to manifest itself to the pub-
lic most clearly, perhaps, about the time the proclamation of the organiz-
ing sheriff announced the organization of the county, which would create
numerous ofSces 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
lucrsPtive 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, infiuential citizens who, so far as their own desire 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 coveted
by them. Df evertheless 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 entrust the county government
to efficient trustworthy men, who were willing to assume the responsibility,
and capable pf conducting it in an efficient and capable 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-
HISTOKT OF KEOKUK COTTNTT. 343
other hand, there were always enough of those who would accept these
official positions — more or less reluctantly or cheerfully — if duly elected,
or urged a little to fill them; so that it was soon found the various offices
were not sufiBcient 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 disappointed 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 oh the public sup-
port? Who were the shrewdest political tricksters and wire-pullers? Who,
of all the number, could wield the most extended and efifective influence,
«itlier 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
olection day drew near, when they must each receive a decisive answer at
the ballot-box.
This was the first, or what was called the organizing election. It was
held in April, 1844, and some of the officers then elected, held their offices
only until the regular election, which occurred the following August.
■ About the 1st of March, 1844, S. A. James, the county clerk, set about
organizing the county as required by law, and until a county-seat should
be located, fixed his place of business at a point called Western City, or
iNewton. This was about three miles north of Richland, and consisted of
a log school-house, a tenant cabin, and a number of stakes driven into the
ground. The proprietor, Mr. Joseph R. Edwards, resided on his farm in
the immediate vicinity of the village. At his house the clerk was fed and
lodged, and it may be recorded for the benefit of epicureans and others,
that his landlady was an excellent woman of Scotch descent, claiming the
blood of Sir William Wallace, and who could present a meal to the com-
plete satisfaction of a hungry traveler or a sojoui-ning invalid.
A general law of the territory required clerks' offices to be held at the
county-seat, so that soon after the filing of the location in the clerk's office,
Mr. James, gathering the county papers and the statutes of Iowa in. one
hand, and a bundle of old clothes and his cane in the other, took up his
line of march for Sigourney.
The county commissioners learning that the seat of justice was, located
upon a spot where no court-house stood, hastened to convene at Riohland,
and on the 15th day of May, 1844, passed the following orders:
"Ordered by the Board that in consequence of receiving the petition of
-eighty citizens of Keokuk county, asking the Board to defer any proceed-
ings with regard to the location of the seat of justice of Keokuk county;
they, therefore, in compliance with said petition, defer any proceedings
with regard to the county-seat at this time."
" Ordered by the Board that suitable rooms be provided in the town of
Eichland for holding the first term of the District Court in, and for Keo-
kuk county."
The "suitable rooms," if any, which were provided in accordance with
the order of the county commissioners, were not honored by the presence
344 HiSTOEr OF keokuk county.
of the judge, the place where the first District Court was held being the
cabin erected in Sigourney by Mr. James; Judge Williams presided. The
court was not in session over three hours. ]S"o jury was impaneled and
no cases tried. Four aliens were naturalized and two law students were ad-
mitted to the bar, one of these being S. Harned, afterward most intimately
identified with the interests of the county and now everywhere in the
county known as Judge Harned. This was on the 1st day of July, 1844.
After transacting the business just referred to, the court adjourned into-
the country for dinner.
In the latter part of the same month in which the first session of the
District Court was held, the county commissioners, finding that Jadge "Wil-
liams ignored their "orders" and did not avail himself of their "suitable
rooms " in Richland, met, and very properly ordered their own official re-
moval to Sigourney.
ELECTION PRECINCTS.
The first division of the county into eight election precincts was made
May 14, 1844, as follows:
Eichland Precinct was all of township 74, range 10, lying south of
Skunk river, and elections to be held in the town of Richland.
Pock Creek Precinct was all. of township 74, range 11, lying south of
Skunk river, and elections to be held at the house of John Troxel.
Steady Pun Precinct was all of township 74, range 12, lying south of
Skunk river, and elections to be held at the house of Enos Darnell.
Sugar Creek Precinct was all of township 74, range 13, Iving south of
Skunk river, and elections to be held at the house of Joseph HJllery.
Pidge Precinct was all lying between the Skunk rivers in the county,;
and elections to be held at the house of Benjamin F. Chastain.
Goss Precinct was all Of township 74, range 10, north of Skwnk river,
and townships 75, 76, 77, range 10, and elections to be held at the house
of Wesley Goss.
German Precinct was all north of Skunk river in townships 75, 76, 77,
range 11, and east halves of townships 75, 76, 77, range 12, and electiona-
to be held at the house of James Eosecrans.
Cedar Creek Precinct was all north of Skunk river in townships 75, 76,.
77, range 13, and west halves of townships 75, 76, 77, range 12, and elec-
tions to be held at the house of John Crill, Sr.
The county machinery now being set in motion, everything was ready
for the
FIRST EEGTJLAE ELECTION.
This was held on August 5, 1844. , The following is the ofiicial vote for
German precinct, which included, among other territory, all of what is now
Sigourney township, and Ridge precinct, which included all the territory
between the two Skunk rivers. The vote as given is from the original
poll-books.
HISTOEY OF KEOKUK CO DUTY. 345
GERMAN PEECINOT.
Poll-book of an election held at the house of James Eosecrans, in Ger-
man precinct, Keokuk county, on the 5th day of August, 1844, James
Eosecrans, Casper Klett and Alexander Smith, judges, and S. A. James and
M. G- Driskell, clerks, being duly sworn as the law directs, previous to
their entering upon the duties of their respective offices.
Barnes of voters. — A. P. Moody, Jacob Shaver, Kobert Linder, A. Clem-
ens, Andrew Strosser, Jacob Goodheart, Joel Landers, M. G. Driskell,
Christopher Crawford, Henry Coleman, Richard Snakenberg, Henry Bevins,
James Eosecrans, Casper Klett, Samuel Smith. Alexander Smith, S. A.
James, William Smith, Albert Smith, Wesley Smith.
Tally sheet of votes cast at an election of county officers, held at the res-
idence of James Eosecrans, German precinct, Keokuk county, on the first
Monday, the 5th day of August, 1844:
Delegate to Convention. Sheriff.
Richard Quinton 14 Harvey Stevens, Jr. 20
William Tingle 1- Coroner.
County Commissioners. Henry Keith 20
Wm. Grimsley 20 Recorder of Deeds.
Alex. Smith 19 Jacob Shaver 20
Edwin Stanlield 1 Inspector of Weights and
Judge of Prohate. Measures.
Joseph Kellum 18 • Jacob Shaver 20
County Treasurer. Justices of the Peace.
A. P. Moody 20 James Eosecrans 13
Commissioners' Cleric. A. P. Moody 12
Edom Shugart 7 Constables.
County Surveyor. M. G. Driskell 12
0. T. Eagland 20 Henry Colman 12
Subscribed to this is the certificate of the result of the election and the
oaths of the judges and clerks of the election.
EIDGE PEECINCT.
Poll-book of an election held at the residence of Benjamin F. Chastain,
in Ridge precinct. Keokuk county, on the first Monday of August, 1844,
Daniel Stout, Sr., and Obadiah Tharp, Judges, and J. B. Whisler and
Joseph Kellum, clerks, being duly sworn, as the law directs, previous to
their entering upon the duties of their respective offices.
Barnes of voters. — Amos HoUaway, J. B. Whisler, William W. McGrew,
Samuel E. McCracken, John Borough, William Trneblood, David Stout, Jr.,
Daniel Conner, George Wimer, Jesse Stout, James M. Mitts, Jesse B.
Mitts, Jesse H. Marshall, John Stout, William Shaver, Joseph Kellum,
James McGrew, I. G. DeMent, John Cox, David Stout, B. ?. Chastain,
Obadiah Tharp.
Tally sheet of the votes cast at election for county officers, held at the
residence of B, F. Chastain, Ridge precinct, Keokuk county, on the first
Monday of August, 1844:
346
mSTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Delegate to Convention.
Hichard Quinton 3
■William Tingle 18
County Commissioners.
O. Tharp 17
Elias Whetstone 18
Andrew Taylor 14
Alex. Smith 4
William Tinsley 1
Joel Bennett 2
Judge of Prohate.
John W. Snelson 8
Joseph Kellum 3
John W. Waters 8
County Treasurer.
Nathan Kuth 9
William W. Brown 9
Alex Moody 1
Commissioners^ Glerh.
Edom Shngart 21
County Surveyor.
S. E. McCracken 16
O. T. Eagland 6
Sheriff.
G. M. Holliday 14
G. W. Hayes 7
Harvey Stevens 1
Coroner.
James M. Mitts 15
William Bristow 3
Henry Keith 1
Recorder of Deeds.
B. F. Chastain 6
Edom Shngart 13
Jacob Shaver 1
Justices of the Peace.
Jacob Wimer 7
Jesse H. Marshall 15
Isaac G. Dement 12
Constables.
George Wimer 11
James M. Harmon 10
J. W. Snelson 1
Subscribed to this, as before, is the certificate of the result of the elec-
tion and the oaths of the juages and clerks of the election. *
FIRST COMMISSIOKERS' COURT.
The first board of county commissioners, consisting of Jeremiah Hol-
lingsworth, James M. Smith and Enos Darnell, who were elected at the
special election in April, 1844, met at Richland on the 24th day of April
of the same year.
The following is the record of their first ofiicial act :
"TERRITORY OF IOWA,
" Keokuk County.
Special Term, April S^th, IS^Jp.
" A meeting of the board of commissioners being called at the house of
James M. Smith for a special purpose.
"Present, James M. Smith and Jeremiah Hollingsworth.
"As the office of county assessor had become vacant on account
of Andrew Ogden failing to comply with the requisitions of the law
in due time, the board therefore proceeded to appoint Mr. Andrew Ogden
county assessor in and for the county of Keokuk, Territory of Iowa, until
his successor shall be duly elected and qualified to office. The board then
adjourned until the 13th day of May following.
" Attest; Edom Shugaet,
" Clerk of the Board.
James M. Smith.
Jeeemiah Hollingswokth."
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 347
The next meeting of the board was held at the same place, on the 13th
of May, the same year, all the board being present, and among other things
empowered theii; clerk, Edom Shugart, to borrow the sum of fifty dollars
to purchase the following named books and stationery:
"For the commissioners'clerk : one minute book, worth $4.00; one es-
tray book, worth $1.50; one road book, worth 50 cents.
"For the connty recorder: one personal property record, worth $3.00 ;
one real property record, worth $10.00.
"For the judge of probate: one minute book, worth $4.00; one record
book, worth $4.00.
"For the clerk of the district court: one minute book, worth $3.00; one
docket book, worth $4.00; one judgment book, worth, $4.00; one cost
book, worth $4.00 ; one sheriff's return book, worth $1.00; one marriage
license book, worth 50 cents. For stationery, $3.00; total, $50.00. "
On the next day, however, the board reconsidered this order, and re-
duced the amount to $30.00.
The board also districted the county into eighteen road districts, and ap-
pointed a supervisor in each one, as follows:
District No. 1, "William B. Smith; No. 2, JohnLafferty; No. 3, Joseph
E. Edwards; No. 4, G. M. Holliday; No. 5, James Lewman; No. 6, Kich-
ard Dickerson; No. 7, David P. Helm; No. 8, Madison Mitts; No. 9,
Obadiah Tharp; No. 10, John Baker; No. 12, A. P. Moody; No. 13,
James Eosecrans; No. 14, John Hasty; Nos. 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 were
composed of the present townships of Lafayette, Prairie, Adams, English
Eiver and Liberty, and the bdard having no knowledge of any person liv-
ing in any of these road districts, the appointments were not made.
At the same meeting of the board, the commissioners selected the names
of the
FIEST GEAND AND PETIT JUEIES.
They consisted of the following:
GEAND JUEOES.
Geo. W. Hathhorn. John Troxel.
William Trimble. "William Lewis.
Moses E. McConnell. "W. B. Smith.
Eichard Dickerson. William Duncan.
William Ealston. E. Johnson.
Madison Mitts. John B. Eain.
L. B. Hughes. B. Haworth.
Lemuel B. Holmes. E. Moffett.
Obadiah Tharp. Joseph Borough.
David Stout. ' Samuel Pence.
Jeremiah Brown. Casper Klett.
J. B. Brown.
348 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
PETIT JUEOES.
David P. Helm. L. B. Brown.
Joab Bennett. John Baker.
Miles Driskell. Harvey Stevens.
Elias Hollingsworth. Thos. J. Hicklin.
Andrew Taylor. John Lafferty.
"William Franklin. Stephen Cook.
Amos Holloway. Henry Pringle.
Jesse Shoemaker. M. Gill.
Eli Haworth. C. A. Frisbie.
John Singleton. A. M. Lyon.
Geo. Holliday. P. C. Woodward.
E. G. Staniield. Jacob Wimer.
These men having, by order of the board, been summoned to appear at
Kichland, and failing to present themselves at the proper place as jurors,
were not paid anything for such service.
THE FIRST CLAIMS ALLOWED.
At the April term of 1844 the following claims were allowed:
Samuel A. James, stationery f 4.0O
Judges and clerks of special election 35.25-
Harvey Stevens, services as sheriff 40.00
Samuel A. James, services as clerk 32.00
James M. Smith, services as commissioner 8.25
Jeremiah Hollingsworth, services as commissioner 8.50
Enos Darnell, services as commissioner 7.50
Geo. W. Hayes, attendance on the commissioners' court 3.00
Total amount of bills allowed at the April term $138.50
At the July term the following bills were allowed:
Andrew Ogden, services as assessor $ 33.00
Edom Shugart, services as clerk 50.00
Chas. E. Woodward, road commissioner 14.00
Geo. M. Holliday, road commissioner 14.00
Richard Parker, road commissioner 12.00
S. E. McCracken, surveyor 21.50
John Marshal, chain-carrier 8.75
N. S. Woodward, wagon and team 14.00
E G. Stanfield, working road. 3.75
W. A. Woodward, working road 3.75
N. S. Woodward, driving stakes 1.00
G. W. Hayes, services as sheriff 18.90
James M. Smith, services as commissioner 7.50
Jeremiah Hollingsworth, services as commissioner 7.50
Enos Darnell, services as commissioner '. 7.50
G. W. Hayes, attendance upon court 3.00
Edom Shugart, services as clerk 7.40
Samuel A. James, stationery 1.80
Total amount allowed, July terra $229.35
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 34^
At the September term the following bills were allowed :
John Hurley, wolf scalps $ 4.50
Judges and clerks of election 48.20
Yiewers, markers and chain-carriers 33.75^
A. P. Moody, swearing in commissioners '. 1.37
G. W. Hayes, services as sheriff 66.00
Green Atwood, canvassing poll-books 2.0O
Eeuben Whitson, books and stationery 30.00
Edom Shngart, clerk 12.18
G. W. Hayes, services as sheriff 6.00
S. A. James, clerk court 2.50
Obadiah Tharp, services as commissioner 4.00
EUas Whetstone, services as commissioner 4.00'
Andrew Taylor, services as commissioner 4.00-
Total amount allowed, September term $218.50
At the October term the following bills were allowed :
William Troxell, services as constable $ l.OO
Commissioners, markers, chain-men, etc 22.25-
Commissioners, markers, chain-men, etc 85.00
William Webb, canvassing poll-books 4.0O
0. T. Ragland, surveying 12.50'
G. W. Hayes, services as sheriff 6.0O
G. W. Hayes, posting notices 26.00
Andrew Taylor, services as commissioner 7.50
Obadiah Tharp, services as commissioner 7.50-
Edom Shugart, services as clerk 17.87
Total, October term |189.62t
At the November term the following bills were allowed :
Philip Wareham, wolf scalps f .50
William Trimble, wolf scalps 50
Judges and clerks 28.60
John Baker, wolf scalps 50-
Thos. Alexander, wolf scalps 50.
John Shockley, wolf scalps 50
0. T. Ragland, surveying 16.75
0. T. Eagland, surveying 7.50
Henry !^ith, canvassing poll-books 2.64
Total, November term f 57.9&
These constitute all the claims allowed during the first year's history of
the county, the total amount allowed being $833.96.
THE FIRST TAX LEVY.
The following is the order of the court making the first tax levy:
" Ordered by the board, that a road tax of fifteen cents on the hundred
dollars valuation of taxable property in said county be levied.
350 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOTJNTT.
" Ordered by the board, that a county tax of five mills to the dollar, on
«,11 taxable property as returned by the assessor, be levied.
" Ordered by the board, that a territorial tax of one-half mill on the
^dollar, on all taxable property as returned by the assessor, be levied.
"Ordered by' the board, that a poll-tax of fifty cents be levied on each
person subject to poll tax within the county."
TOWNSHIP OEGANIZATION.
As has already been remarked, the first subdivision of the county into
•eight election precincts was made May 14, 1844. They were formed with
reference to the location of the settlements and the physical characteristics
•of the country, and were named as follows: Ricliland, Rock Creek, Steady
Run, Sugar Creek, Ridge, Goss, German and Cedar Creek. This was really
the first attempt at the organization of civil townships and formed the basis
for future action in this direction. The civil townships as they now exist
"were not formed at one time, but gradually grew out of this original subdi-
vision of the county into election precincts. Some of the civil townships
retained the same name and the same territory as the original election pre-
■cinct. Thus, Richland precinct as defined by the county commissioners at
their meeting May 14, 1844, was identical with Richland township now.
Rock Creek precinct was the same as Jackson township now. Steady Run
precinct and Steady Run township were the same. Benton township is
what was formerly Sugar Creek precinct.
Goss precinct, as it originally existed, included all territory which now
•composes Clear Creek, Lafayette and Liberty townships. At the meeting
of the county board, January 6, 1845, the following record was made:
" Ordered by the board, that in compliance with the petition of a num-
ber of the citizens of Keokuk county, the name of the precinct known as
■Ooss precinct shall be changed to that of Clear Creek precinct, and the
place of holding elections shall be at the house of L. B. Holmes instead of
^t the house of Wesley Goss."
At the April term of the same year the board of commissioners formed
'the precinct known as English River precinct, which was made to consist
■of the territory now comprised in the limits of Adams, English River and
Liberty townships; by this arrangement the territory now known as Liberty
township was taken from Clear Creek precinct and put into the new pre-
<5inct of English River. The following is the order:
"Ordered by the board, that all that part of Keokuk county lying in
township No. 77 north, range Nos. 10, 11, 12 west, be, and the same shall
be, from and" after the 13th day of June next, established as a seperate pre-
cinct, to be known by the name of English River precinct, and that the
•elections be held at the house of James- Tiiomas."
From this time on frequent changes were made, both in the names and
boundaries of the precincts. Ridge precinct was changed and called La-
fayette precinct, the name again being changed to Lancaster. The name
Lafayette, which was then dropped, again appeared when there was a new
precinct formed out of the congressional township 76, range 10.
At the September term the board ordered that German precinct be ex-
tended westward and the name changed to Sigourney. The name German,
thus dropped, again reappeared when this precinct was subdivided. Wash-
ington township was at one time called Coal precinct, and Sugar Creek pre-
HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 351
cinct became Benton township. Finally, names and boundaries became
fixed and crystalized into the condition in which they are now found.
The earliest record of the proceedings of the board of commissioners
which refers to the civil townships as they now exist, was that made at the
April session, 1847. It is as follows:
" Ordered by the board, that the county of Keokuk be now districted
into three county commissioner's districts, to- wit:
" The first district shall compose Richland, Clear Creek and Jackson
townships.
"The second district shall compose Lancaster, Sigourney, Steady Run
and Benton townships.
"The third district shall compose Lafayette, Liberty, German, Englisb
Kiver, Yan Buren, Adams, Warren, Washington and Prairie townships."
THE FIRST COURT.
As has already been remarked. Judge Williams arrived in the county and
proceeded to hold the first court, which did not arise to the dignity of a
court, there being no jury impaneled and no cases tried, the business be-
ing confined to the naturalization of some aliens and the admission of twO'
candidates to the bar. The first term of court was not, then, this in reality,
but the one which was held the following year.
This court was held in the court-house in Sigourney, beginning on the
28th day of July and continuing for six days. Both grand jury and petit
jniy were impaneled and the court docket shows the following business-
transacted :
" State cases : United States vs. John Henderson and William John Stur-
gon; indicted for malicious mischief; jury trial as to Henderson and ver-
dict of guilty; fined fifty cents. Court trial as to Sturgon and same result.
"United States v. Moses Beard; indicted for resisting officer; jury trial
and verdict of "not guilty; defendant discharged.
"United States v. Cynthia Ann Beard; indicted for resisting officer; in-
dictment quashed.
"United States v. William B. Thompson and Elijah A. Lathrop; indicted
for larceney; indictment quashed.
" United States V. John Henderson; indicted for firing the prairie; indict-
ment quashed.
"United States v. John Henderson, JSTicholas Henderson, Thomas Hendei"-
son, Pleasant Sanford, Joseph Middleton and William John Sturgon; in-
dicted for riot; indictment quashed."
Beside these State cases there were forty civil cases disposed of.
The first indictment found by the grand jury of Keokuk county was
against John Henderson and William Sturgon. The court records in the
case run as follows:
"United States
vs.
" John Hendeeson and
Wat. John Stukgon.
Mecognized for malioious miscMef.
"The grand jury now here returns a true bill of indictment against the^
said defendants for malicious mischief.
352 history of kkoktjk cotintt.
" United States
vs.
" John Henderson and
Wm. John Stuegon.
" This day came the district prosecutor, as well as one of the defendants,
"Wm. John Sturgon, in proper person, and consent that this cause shall be
submitted to the court on said defendants' plea of guilty to the first count
in said indictment without a jury; whereupon the court, being fully ad-
vised in the premises, on said defendants plea of guilty, assesses the fine of
the said defendant at fifty cents, and thereiipon it is ordered that plain-
tiff have and recover of said defendant, Wm. John Stuygon, to and for
the use of Keokuk county, a fine of fifty cents and the costs of this suit,
and that said defendant stand committed till this order be complied with.
" United States )
vs. > Indictment Jvr malicious mischief.
" John Henderson. )
" And now comes E. H. Thomas, Esq., district prosecutor, and the said
defendant in his own proper person, comes, and being arraigned, pleads
'not guilty,' whereupon comes a jury, to-wit: James Whitson, Riley Bales,
Amaziah Covey, Lewis Crill, Wm. Scearcy, Horace Bagley, James M.
Brown, Joshua Hadley, David McEwin, Robert Linder, Joseph Hillery and
Wm. Dixon, who, being impaneled and sworn well and truly to try and
true deli ^erance make between the United States and said defendant, on
their oaths do say that the said defendant is guilty, and assess the fine to
be paid by him at fifty cents; whereupon it is considered by the court that
the said United States recover of said defendant for the use of the county of
Keokuk, the said sum of fifty cents, as aforesaid, together with costs of this
prosecution, and that said John Henderson stand committed till the fine and
costs are paid."
The Sheriff's return runs thus:
" Fine, fifty cents; costs, $31.30; levied the within on one three-year-old
bay colt, August 12, 1845; no sale; satisfied.
G.W. Hates, Sheriff."
The court record for this term closes with the following:
" On motion of W. W. Chapman, Esq., it is ordered that the following
proceedings be spread upon the record of this court, to-wit:
" At a meeting of the Keokuk County Temperance Society, held at the
court-house, in Sigourney, on Friday evening, July 31, 1845, President, A.
W. Blair, Secretary, S. A. James, the following pledge was presented,
and signed by the following named persons, to-wit:
" We, the undersigned, by hereto setting our names, pledge our sacred
honor, each to the other, that we will abstain from all intoxicating drink as
a beverage :
A. W. Blair, S. A. James, D. C. Stover, G. B. Cook, Nancy Cook, C. A.
Jewett, Lydia Hulbert, Britton Edwards, W. W. Chapman, G. Acheson,
Joseph Adams, Wm. Hall, Joseph Hillery, Ebenezer John, Lewis B. Orill,
John Shaver, Thos. Alexander, E. Hollingsworth, Lemuel Hall, W. 0.
Brown, Wm. R. Bailes, John Scott, Alex. Cochran, J. Williams, Wm. Hul-
bert, S. Harned, J. B. Way, Jacob Shoemaker, A. M. Lyon, Jas. Wiliams,
Wm. Scearcy, Wm. I)ixon, G. W. Waters, Joel Skinner, W. R. Harrison,
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTT. 353
Vm. Williams, Thos. Frazier, I. D. Stark, "Wm. Vincent, Wm. Shaver,
"Wm. Shockley, Cnrtis Crawford, Elisha Byers, Stephen Fowler, Thomas
Stanfield, Wm. D. Shugart, M. B. Friend, J. M. Brown, James Whitson,
E. Shugart, W. J. Carruthers, Joshua Hadlej, E. G. Stanfield, Joseph
Hockett, Horace Bagley, G. M, Holliday. J. E. Hobson, A. Covey, A. P.
Moody, J. Crawford, Eli Haworth, J. Hollingsworth, M. Harmon, An-
drew Taylor, E. L. Mark, O. Tharp, M. G. Driskell, James Small.
W. W. Chapman, Esq., offered the following resolntion, which was
"Resolved, that the foregoing pledge and signatures be placed on the
record of the District Court, now in session, as a tribute of respect to the
Hon. Joseph Williams, judge of said court, and as a memorial of the un-
exampled revival of temperance and total abstinence."
The second court met in the court-house, in Sigourney, on Wednesday
the 16th day of March, 1846, and the grand jury was composed of Henry
Pringle, Josiah Burge, Alex. Jones, Joel Long, Green Atwood, John
Palmer, Amos Barnett, D. P. Helm, Elijah Shockley, John Shockley, John
Mealey, John Baker, E. I. Harris, Daniel Conner, Jeremiah Fye, Evan
Thomas, Moses E. McConnell, Daniel McEwen, Joseph Stephenson, Caster
Troxel, David Stout, Sr., A. H. Haskell, Eichard Quinton.
The first trial by jury recorded this term was entitled the United States
vs. Thomas Hendrix, indicted for pei;iury; it runs as follows:
"This day comes the prosecuting attorney in behalf the United States,
ind the defendant in his own proper person, being arraigned, pleads, ' not
guilty,' and for trial puts himself upon the country, whereupon comes a
jury of twelve good and lawful men, to- wit:
"John Lacy, John Hooker, Frederick Bucher, James Hutton, John
Borough, D. G. Burgess, Charles Connor, Elijah Stout, Lewis Gregory,
George Wertz, A. M. Lyon and William Trueblood, who, being impan-
eled and sworn the truth to speak upon the issue joined between the par-
ties, after hearing the evidence, and being charged by the court, upon their
oaths do say, and find the defendant, Thomas Hendrix, not guilty, as he
stands charged in the indictment. It is therefore adjudged by the court
the defendant be released thereof, and that he go hence thereof without
day"
During this term of court was tried the first case for violation of the
liquor law. Benjamin F. Edwards was the defendant ; he was found guilty
and fined fifty dollars.
The first change of venue granted was in the case of the State of Iowa
vs. Joseph Knox, indicted for inducing an elector to vote contrary to his
■own inclination; the case was sent to Iowa county.
During the September term, 1847, which was the first term held at Lan-
caster, the following record was made:
" Comes now Joseph Knox, Esq., by Curtis Bates, Esq., and moves to
adjourn this court to the town of Sigourney. The said motion being ar-
|;ued and heard, the court being advised in the premises, it is ordered by
the court that the said motion be overruled."
The first citizens naturalized in the county were Andrew McWilliams, a
native of Ireland, and Michael McGinnis, Charles C. Sangster and Edward
Redhead, of Great Britain and Ireland, all naturalized at the first term
of court, July 1, 1844.
354 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
OLD EECOEDS.
The earlj' oflBcial records of Keokuk county, while they are meagre, yet
some of them show great care in keeping, while in some cases the spelling
and punctuation and penmanship are curiosities to' behold, yet it must be
borne in mind that they only inaugurated the " spelling reform," which is
now becoming such a mania. Few of the old records have been copied,
and yet there are some of the books in a good state of preservation and the
writing is as legible as the day that the entries were first made. The first
proceedings of the county commissioners are as legible as when they
were first written down, in April, 1844. The first commissioner's clerk,
Edom Shugart, was a good penman, and evidently a fair scholar, as the
writing is very legible, the spelling good, and verj* few examples of false
syiitax are visible in the construction of the sentences.
The first district court record is particularly well preserved. Thanks to
the thirty-dollar appropriation made for books by the first commissioners'
court, these records were placed in a volume which up to the present time
has withstood the ravages of rats and the tooth of time. Mr. James, the
first clerk of court, was a, good penman, a scholar of more than ordinary
ability and possessed of all the qualifications requisite to this position. He
was careful, industrious and reliable; although it has been thirty-five years
since these records were made, they now compare favorably with the best
records of recent date. "When we recollect that at first the character of the
books and quality of paper was inferior, that the county clerk attended to
all the work of the office without the aid of a deputy, and owing to his mea-
gre salary was compelled to spend a large portion of his time earning a
living as a farm hand, and further, that for many years there was no suita-
ble place to. keep. these, records,, the fact appears that the county must have
been most fortunate in the selection of its first public officials.
The original tax levies and tax sales are perhaps the most faulty, as the
file is incomplete and some of them in existence are so badly rat-eaten
and faded that they are illegible; some of them are also faulty in that they
do not bear the date of the levy or the sale. These records are as varied as.
Joseph's coat, and it is hard to tell in some cases just whose work it was and
when done.
But however disappointing to the historian, the old record has its virtues
and has many strange and often amusing features. Those who wrote it did
not think, perhaps, that they were making history, but the smallest inci-
dents of that early day have now become of interest.
They- were kept on foolscap paper, sewed together in the form of a book
and covered with the coarsest kind of brown wrapping-paper. They are
ancient and faded little volumes and afibrd a remarkable contrast to the
elaborate and carefully kept records of the present day. They exist now
only as curiosities, their usefulness haying long since departed.
The bond of the first treasurer of the county was fixed at two thousand
dollars, and the first allowance which the commissioners made as compen-
sation for their own services was the sum of $7.60 each.
The following order explains itself:
" Ordered, that the eagle side of an eagle ten cent piece, American coin,
be adopted as the temporary seal of the board of commissioners of said
county until an official seal shall be provided by said board."
L. J. Smith, Charles E. "Woodward and J. B. "Whisler were the first men
HI8T0BT OF KEOKUX COUNTY. 357
authorized by the board to keep a grocery for the sale of intoxicating liquors.
The license were issued at the October term, 1845, to run for one year, and
the cost of the license was twenty-five dollars. The next year Martin
Grimsley and Jacob Wimer were licensed to keep gi'oceries, for which they
each paid twenty-five dollars. It must not be supposed, however, that these
were the only places where intoxicating liquors could be obtained, as the
records of the district court for those years show that numerous persons
were indicted for selling liquor without license.
In these days there were as yet no bridges, and it became necessary for
the convenience of the settlers, that ferries be maintained at certain points
along the rivers. This matter was taken charge of and prices regulated by
the county board. The first record bearing on this matter runs as follows:
" Ordered by the board, that John W. Snelson be authorized to keep a
skiff or canoe ferry across the north fork of Skunk river in section No. 13
in township No. 75 north, range No. 12 west, upon the said Snelson pre-
senting to the clerk of the board the treasurer's receipt for the sum of two
dollars therefor for the term of one year.
" Ordered by the board, that the rates of ferriage to be charged by said
Snelson be six and one-fourth cents for each footman.
"Ordered by the board, that George W. Hayes be authorized to keep a
skiff or canoe ferry across the south fork of Skunk river in section No. 4,
township No. 74 north, range 12 west, upon the said Hayes presenting to
the clerk of the board the treasurer's receipt for the sum of two dollars as a
tax therefor for the term of one year.
"Ordered by the board, that the said Hayes be authorized to charge as
the rates of ferriage the sum of six and one-fourth cents for each footman."
In the early settlement of the country farmers were much annoyed by the
depredations of wild animals. Wolves especially were troublesome. In
order to raise sheep or hogs it was necessary to keep them enclosed in a
secure building, and even then when the careful farmer had secured his
stock to the best of his ability, these noxious animals would often succeed
in making their way into the stock-pens and devour the inmates. Several
organized movements were set on foot to exterminate the wolves, but in
order to make the riddance permanent and effectual, the necessity became
apparent for some special inducement in the way of compensation for each
wolf killed. It was therefore ordered by the board of commissioners as fol-
lows:
" Ordered by the board that a reward of twenty-five cents be allowed to
any person who shall kill any prairie-wolf, not exceeding six months old,
in the county of Keokuk, Iowa Territory, according to law.
" Ordered by the board that a reward of fifty cents be allowed to any
person who shall kill any prairie-wolf, over six months old, in the county
of Keokuk, Territory of Iowa.
" Ordered by the board that a reward of fifty cents be allowed to any
person who shall kill any large gray or black wolf, not exceeding six months
old, in the county of Keokak, Territory of Iowa, according to law.
" Ordered by the board that a reward of one dollar be paid to any person
who shall kill any large gray or black wolf, over six months old, in the
county of Keokuk, Territory of Iowa, according to law."
In this way hundreds of dollars were paid out of the county fund to in-
23
358 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
dividaals who assisted in the extermination of these pests. Probably no
money expended by the commissioners proved to be as good an invest.
ment.
TEREITORIAL AND COUNTY ROADS.
The fact lias already been mentioned that at the first meeting of the
county commissioners, in April, 1844, the county was divided into eighteen
road districts, and supervisors were appointed. Prior to this time there
were, of course, no county roads laid out, and what roads there were ex-
isted by common consent, with the exception of such territorial roads as
were authorized by the general government, and which led through the
county. There were three of these roads, as follows: one leading from
Brighton, in Washington county, to Oskaloosa, in Mahaska countj'; a sec-
ond leading from Fairfield, in Jefferson county, to Oskaloosa, in Mahaska
county, via Bennett's Point, in Keokuk county, a third leading from Iowa
city, in Johnson county, to Oskaloosa, in Mahaska county, via Sigourney,
in Keokuk county. Some of the first acts of the board of commissioners
had reference to the improvement of these territorial roads. The first road
record found in the proceedings of the commissioners is the following:
".Ordered by the board, that the sum of one hundred and one dollars and
fifty cents be allowed to defray the expenses of the territorial road leading
from Brighton, in Washington county, to Oskaloosa, in Mahaska county,
so much thereof as lies in Keokuk county."
The first county roads were projected at the J uly meeting, 1844. The
record runs as follows:
" Ordered by the board, in consequence of the petition of a number of
the citizens of Keokuk county, a view of three county roads is accordingly
granted, to-wit:
First, beginning at the old boundary line of said territory, near Dr. 0. T.
Ragland's, to extend a road on the divide between the south and north
forks of Skunk river to the line of said county of Mahaska, crossing the
north fork of said river at Edward Cooley's mill site, to pass on the north-
east quarter of section No. 30, township 75 north, and range 11 west.
"Second: One from the town of Richland to intersect the aforesaid
road on the ridge above L. B. Hughes' mill, to pass by the way of Western
City, and cross the south fork at the said mill.
" Third : One from the farm of Willis C. Stone, on the line of said
county adjoining the county of Jefferson, to intersect the road on the divide
east of the northeast quarter of section 30, in township 75, range 11 west.
"Ordered by the board, that Jesse Gabbert, Levi Cline and Jeremiah
Brown be appointed viewers, and the county surveyor of Keokuk county be
appointed surveyor, to survey the ridge road from the old boundary line,
near Dr. Ragland's, to the county line of Mahaska county.
_ " That Eli Haworth, Horace Bagley and Isaac Jones be appointed
viewers, and the aforesaid county surveyor be appointed surveyor, to view
and survey the Richland road to intersect the aforesaid road on the ridge
above L. B. Hughes' mill.
■ ^' That Reuben Whitson, Richard Quinton and Jesse Shoemaker be
appointed viewers, and the aforesaid county surveyor be appointed sur-
veyor, to view and survey the Rock Creek road, commencing at Willis 0.
Stone's, to intersect the last aforesaid road.
HtSTOEY OV KEOKUK COUNTY. 359
■ <' Ordered, that said viewers on the first aforesaid road meet at the house
of 0. T. Eagland on the 20th day of August next, or within five days
thereafter, and proceed to view, survey and lay out said road.
"That the viewers on the next aforesaid road meet at the town of Rich-
Sand on the 1st day of September next, or within five days thereafter, and
proceed to view, survey and lay out the same.
" That the viewers on the last aforesaid road meet at the house of Willis
C. Stone on the 10th of September next, or within five days thereafter, and
proceed to view, survey and lay out the same."
FIRST LAND TRANSFERS.
The first page of the record of deeds contains a plat of the town of
Sigourney, with a description of the original town site. This was recorded
in 1844. Then follow the plats of several other towns. The first transfer
of individual real estate was made in February, 1845, as follows:
" This indenture, made the 15th day ot February, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-five, between Joshua Hadley
and Lydia, his wife, of the county of Keokuk, Territory of Iowa, of the
one part, and Dudley H. Davis and Charity, his wife, of the county of Jet-
pferson, Territory of Iowa, of the other part, to-wit:
If " The said Joshua Hadley and Lydia, his wife, for and in consideration
"*f the sum of fifty-one dollars and six cents, to them paid in hand, the re-
ceipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained and sold,
and they by these presents do grant, bargain and sell and convey to the
fiaid Dudley H. Davis, his heirs and assigns, all that tract of land lying
and situated in the county of Keokuk, and Territory of Iowa, known as
the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section twenty-nine, in
township seventy-four north, range ten west, containing forty acres, more or
ess, together with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belong-
ing, or in any wise appertaining thereunto. The said Joshua Hadley and
■^Lydia, his wife, do covenant and agree with said Dudley H. Davis to war-
rant and forever defend unto him, the said Dudley H. Davis, the aforesaid
premises against all and every person lawfully claiming the same. In wit-
ness whereof the said Joshua Hadley and Lydia, his wife, have hereunto
set their hands and seal the day and year above written.
"Joshua Hadley.
"Jitest: Jesse B. Way. "Lydia Hadley."
"Jane Way."
"lowA Teeeitoey, 1
Keokuk County. )
"Be it remembered, that on the 15th day of February, one thousand eight
hundred and forty-five, before me, a justice of the peace in and for the
county aforesaid, appeared Joshua Hadley and Lydia^ his wife, who are
Jjersonally known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to
the foregoing instrument as parties thereunto, and severally acknowledged
said instrument to be their act and deed for the purpose there, mentioned.
And Lydia Hadley, the wife of the said Joshua Hadley, having by me
been made acquainted with the contents of said deed, and examined sepa-
rate and apart from her said husband, acknowledged that she had executed
360 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
the same, and relinquished her dower in the premises therein conveyedi
voluntarily, freely and without compulsion of her said husband.
" Given under my hand this 15th day of February, 1845, at my ofl5oe
in Kiohland precinct. "Jesse B. Wat,
'■'■Justice of the Peace."
THE OLD COUKT-HOUSE.
The cabin erected by Mr. James away out on the prairie, which had
been selected as the county-seat, has already been alluded to. Although it
was erected on Mr. James' sole responsibility, and at his individual expense^
yet it was properly the first court-house, for here the clerk of the court had
his office and kept the court records; here also the first term of the District
Court was held, and it was to all intents and purposes a court house.
At the first meeting of board of commissioners held in Sigourney, Julyj.
27, 184:4-, the first official action was taken with reference to the building of
a court-house. The following is the record as made on that occasion:
" Ordered by the board, that Samuel A. James be, and he is hereby au-
thorized to receive sealed proposals for building a temporary court-house in
Sigourney, of the following manner and description, to-wit: to be a hewn
log house, twenty by twenty-four feet in dimensions, the logs to be hewn
seven inches thick and notched down close with square corners and at least
nine feet high above the floor; to have thirteen sleepers put in, to be hewn
straight on the upper side, and also thirteen joist to be hewn straight on
the upper and under sides; to be well covered by putting up rafters and
sheeting close; and the roof shall be put on with good joint shingles to
show six inches; to be done in workmanlike manner, and also the gable
ends to be well enclosed by weather boarding the same."
It will be observed that by these specifications there was no provision
made for any floor, nor door whereby to gain any access to the build-
ing, nor yet any windows to admit light whereby the county officials, after-
having gained admission, could see the floor, or flnd the door, had there-
been any.
The new board of commissioners elected, in August, of this year, met in
September and amended the plan of the building by supplementing the-
former order by the following additional specifications:
"Ordered that in addition to the requisites to build a court-house in
Sigourney there be the following: That it be laid with a floor of good
plank flooring and ceiled with plank overhead; to have three fifteen-light
windows, one on each side of the house and one in one end; to have a good'
batten door in the other end; and the house to be well chinked, daubed
and pointed with good lime mortar, all to be done in workmanlike manner.
"And it is further ordered that Joseph Kellum is hereby appointed tO'
offer the said job on 13th of September instant, to the lowest bidder, and
the said lowest bidder shall be entitled to proceed to build said house by
entering into bond, with security in the sum double that of the bid, to be-
approved by the clerk of the board, to complete said house in a workman-
like manner on or before the second Monday of November next.
"Ordered that the temporary court house be built upon the lot next
west of the southeast corner lot in the block immediately north of the-
public square."
On the 13th of September, 1844, Joseph Kellum offered said court-house-
HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COTTNTT. 36l
job. " William B. Thompson being the lowest bidder, received the contract
for the sum of $218. The building was finished and accepted, by the
board in January, 184:5.
A history of the Keokuk county court-houses would be almost a history
«f the county itself, and no more vivid picture of the county's growth
conld be suggested than that which comes from a comparison of the pres-
ent house with the old one of pioneer days.
But that old house is enshrined in memories that the present can never
know. It stood on the ground now occupied by Jackson's hardware store,
and was used for every possible purpose and had a career of great useful-
ness. School was taught, the gospel preached and justice dispensed wityn
its substantial old walls. Then it served frequently as a resting place for
weary travelers, and indeed its doors always swung on easy hinges.
If the old settlers are to be believed, the old oak logs often rang on
the pioneer Sabbath with a more stirring eloquence than enlivens the pul-
pits of the present time. Many of the earliest ministers have officiated
•within its walls, and if those old walls could speak, they would tell many a
strange pioneer tale of religion, that is now lost forever. The preacher
would mount a store box in the center of the room, and the audience would
disperse themselves about on benches.
To that old log court-house ministers came of different faiths, but all
eager to expound the simple truths of a s«blime and beautiful religion, and
point out for comparison the thorny path of duty, and the primrose path of
dalliance. Often have those old walls given back the echoes of those who
did a song of Zion sing, and many an erring wanderer has had his heart
moved to repentance thereby more strongly than ever by the strains of
homely eloquence. With Monday morning the old building changed its
icharacter, and men came there seeking not the mercy of God, but the jus-
tice of man. The scales were held with an even hand. Fine points of law
were doubtless often ignored, but those who presided knew every man in
the county, and they dealt out substantial justice, and the broad principles
of natural equity prevailed. Children came there to school, and sat at the
feet of the teachers who knew but little moi'e than themselves, but however
humble the teacher's acquirements, he was hailed as a wise man and a ben-
efactor, and his lessons were heeded with attention. The doors of the old
eonrt-house were always open, and there the weary traveler often found a
resting place. There, too, the people of the settlement met to discuss their
■swn affairs, and learn from visitors the news from the great world so far
«way to the eastward.
Simple emigrants stood there, and filled listening ears with tales of events
over the sea. There the shameful story of the coup d''etat was made clear
with many explanatory passages and matters of detail never dreamed of on
the boulevards of Paris, where the drunken and infuriated soldiery fired upon
Tinresisting, peaceful citizens, merely to create a stupefying terror upon
which the Empire might be founded. There, long after this event, was told
another story of a difl'erent character. The sufferings from the Irish famine
■were expounded by men and women racy of the soil, who could tell with a
diudder of the days when it first became apparent that the food crops of
<lie nation had failed. The story was a truly sickening affair, such as no
European people had unfolded for more than a century, and when the first
recital was ended the wanderers were urged to begin again. The sad story
Was continued for days and weeks at intervals, with a pathos which brought
362 filSTOET OF KEOKTJE COVSTT.-
tears to the eyes of the strongest men. The doubts that brooded in the air
in old Ireland when stories came to the peasants from afar, about crop&
looking beautiful at night and by morning were a stench over the country
side. How the poor creatures said an Ave Maria with redoubled faith over
their potato fields, but could not postpone the evil day when a smell of
putrefaction penetrated every dwelling, and it was known that over millions
of acres of food upon which many millions relied for sustenance, the de-
stroying angel had passed. The famine followed, with its deaths beyond
number, reckoned by the ignorant at millions in excess of the whole popu-
lation of Ireland, but actually carrying off nearly seven hundred thousand
men, women and children. Then their eyes would glisten for a moment,
says a countryman, as they told with tears of joy of the fleets of ships that
came over the Atlantic laden with grain, which a noble charity had sent
from America to the sufferers. "Even England, the hard-hearted Saxon
race, which since the days of the Plantagnet has never ceased to be our
oppressor — even England bowed down in the dust by our side to pray for
us, and to give us succor." Thus the court-house of the old time was the-
scene of many" an affecting pow-wow.
This old court-house continued to stand on the ground where first located'
until the vear 1873. when it was torn down and for its successor appeared'
the commodious business room where Mr. Jackson now dispenses hardware
and agricultural implements to many ot the same persons who formerly
had dispensed to them from that location justice tempered with mercy, and'
theology characterized by good practical sense.
On the removal of the county-seat to Lancaster the court-house became the-
property of Mr. Joseph Knox who was one of the Tuost successful merchants
of early days, and after his day it fell into other hands and continued in use-
till 1873, when it was removed two miles east of Sigourney and is now
doing duty as a cow stable on the farm of Mr. Wm. Bineman.
It is a shame that the people of modern times have such little reverence
for the relics of former days. After this house ceased to be available, for
business purposes, and its removal was determined on, it should have been
taken to some other part of the city and located upon some lot purchased by
public subscription, where it might have remained, to have at least witnessed
the semi-centennial of the county's history. It is sad that, in their haste to-
grow rich, so few have care even for the early work of their own hands. How
many of the early settlers have preserved their first habitations ? The sight
of that humble cabin would 'be a source of much consolation in old age, as it
reminded the owner of the trials and triumphs of otlier times, and its pres-
ence would go far toward reconciling the coming generation with their lot,
when comparing its humble appearance with the modern residences, whose-
extensive apartments are beginning to be too unpretentious for the enter-
prising sport of the irrepressible " Young Americas."
On removing the county-seat to Lancaster, it became necessary to erect
another court-house.
At a meeting of the board at Lancaster, August 9, 1847, the following
record, relating to the erection of a court-house, was made :
" Ordered by the board, that sealed proposals will be received by the-
clerk of the board of commissioners until the 10th day of September-
next, for building a court-house in Lancaster, of the following dimensions,,
to-wit: thirty-two feet by eighteen feet, a two-story frame house; first story'
nine feet in the clear; upper story eight feet in the clear; the sillfl teij-
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 363
indies by twelve; the posts eight inches square, resting on a wall eighteen,
inches thick, of limestone rock, two and one-half feet high, one foot above
ground and one and one-half under ground; good oak sleepers, oak floor-,
ing: lower, one and one-half inches thick, and the upper one inch thick;
tight and grooved floor, square jointed; the upper joists eight by three
inches, upper and lower joists two feet from center to center; six fifteen-
light windows, upper and lower story; one panel door, six panels, and
one plain door; and upper story one panel door and one plain door, as be-
low; weather-boarding black walnut, front weather-boarding jointed; oak
shingles; good rafters; all to be done in a workmanlike manner. The con-
tractor to furnish all the material."
This order was never carried into effect, as the record of the January
meeting shows the following :
" Ordered that a court-house be built in Lancaster, of the following di-
mensions: 30 feet by 20; a two-story building, frame house; the first story
ten feet in tlie clear, the upper story eight feet in the clear. The clerk, is
ordered to advertise for sealed proposals, to be received at the clerk's oflSce
by the 24th inst."
In accordance with this order, the following contract was made and en-
jtered into on the day named:
" Contract entered into this day with Jesse B. Mitts and James M.
Mitts for the erection of a court-house in Lancaster, with items of specifi-
cation, for tlie sum of six hundred and ninety-nine dollars, when finished,
and which contract is deposited with S. A. James, to be retained by him
till called for by both contracting parties, or their orders. Ordered, that
Jesse B. Mitts and James M. Mitts be allowed the sum of two hundred
dollars, town funds, on their contract of date January 26, 1848, for the
erection of a court-house in Lancaster; and the clerk of this Board is in-
structed and prohibited from issuing the same to the said Mitts until the
frame for said house shall have been erected according to contract."
This, the second court-house, was completed according to contract and
received by the commissioners. It was-used for county purposes and for
holding public meetings and served the varied other purposes which are
required of a public hall. During the period in which the county-seat was
located at Lancaster this building was the scene of many hotly contested
cases at law, and during the hot political campaigns of 1848 and 1852 it rang
with the most fervid appeals, and the political issues of the day were ex-
pounded from the Democratic standpoint, the Whig platform was enun-
ciated, and even the Free-soil principles were elaborated. Politics ran
high in those days and the character of the appeals which were made
by county central committees was even more enthusiastic and urgent than
in more modern times. The following call for a political meeting in 1848
is reproduced because it is thought that the novelty of the phraseology and
references to local affairs will interest the reader:
"to democeats.
" J.# Whisler's Mills, in Keokuk county, on Saturday, the 27th day of
May, is where each Democratic voter of the county is requested to attend.
The intention of the meeting is to take such measures as will unite the
Democratic party of the county at the next August election and for its per-
manent organization thereafter. Another duty of the meeting will be to
364 HISTOKT OF KEOKTTK COUNTY.
appoint delegates to attend the State Democratic Convention at Iowa City
and the Congressional Democratic Convention at Fairfield, both of which
are to be held in June next.
" Democrats! You are often appealed to for the protection of your princi-
ples. Was the appeal ever more necessary than now? Will you stay away
from this meeting and thus permit the murderers of our friends now in
Mexico to gain additional voices in our national council? God forbid!
Our national honor and the blood of our beloved Mills, with a host of brave
spirits cry for our action. Let us do !
" The time is fixed and it is hoped that every true Democrat who can, will
be there.
"William Jacobs,
"Jacob Patton,
"Jacob Wimee,
" S. A. James,
" May 1, 1848. Democratio Central Committee."
On the return of the county-seat to Sigourney there was considerable lit-
igation about the matter, an account of which is given elsewhere. In con-
sequence of this litigation no measures were immediately provided for the
erection of another court-house at Sigourney, the county officers being lo-
cated in different buildings around the square. This litigation having
been disposed of in 1857, S. Rarned, who was then acquiring his title, judge,
began the erection of the present court-house. At this time there was no
board of county commissioners or supervisors, and the county judge dis-
charged the duties of the board as well as to act as auditor and attend to
probate matters. There was no provision of law whereby it was necessary
to take a vote on the proposition to build a court-house. The building of a
court-house, its location and the alnount to be expended, all came within
the individual jurisdiction of Mr. Harned, and although the building was
erected at a time when there existed the most bitter sectional animosity,
there was never a breath of suspicion, and so faithfully and honorably did
he manage the work that his official acts were never for once called into
question. The plans and specifications of the building were prepared early
in the year 1857, and the contract immediately let to Coleman & Lehman, of
Mt. Pleasant. The building was completed the following year and the re-
cords and county offices removed there late in the fall. The total cost of
the building was seventeen thousand two hundred dollars. Although the
building is no great ornament to the public square, and no particular credit
to the county, yet it well serves all the purposes of a court-house, and will
not suffer by comparison with any court-house erected in the State at so
early a period. The different county officers are comfortably and conven-
iently located, and the fire-proof vaults and safes are ample and reliable, so
that the large number of records and documents which have accumulated
in the county archives are well provided for. The court-room is commo-
dious and well furnished ; it was recently greatly improved and now pre-
sents quite an inviting appearance.
THE JAIL.
The county jail was built in 1875. Prior to that time the prisoners were
kept at Washington and Muscatine. When the county-seat was at Lancas-
HI8TOET OF KBOKUK OOTTNTT. 365
ter there was a jail erected at that place, but it was never noted for elegance
or safety. The present jail is one of the best in the State and Keokuk
county now returns the compliment by keeping the prisoners for the county
vhich formerly kept hers.
The first action in reference to the building of a jail was at the Septem-
iber term, 1874, as follows.
" On motion it is resolved that the board of supervisors submit to the
voters of Keokuk county, Iowa, a proposition to build a jail in said county,
to be voted on at the October election,, 1874."
The election was held according to order, with the following result: for
jail, 1,631; against jail, 314.
In the following January the board resolved that they collectively be ap-
pointed a committee to visit Chicago and intermediate towns for the pur-
pose of examining city prisons, county jails, etc., with a view to the erec-
tion of a jail in Keokuk county. It was also ordered that three warrants
■of thirty-five dollars "each be issued by the auditor to defray the expenses of
the trip. This action of the board was the occasion of some very severe
criticism on the part of certain tax-payers of the county. Among other
manifestations of dissatisfaction was a poster, printed at South English,
which was extensively distributed throughout the county, of which the fol-
lowing is a copy:
"Indignation meeting! Tax-payers of Keokuk county, you are hereby
requested to meet at South English on Saturday, July 17, 1875, at 2 o'clock
IP. M., to consider what action shall be taken in regard to the wholesale
plunder of the treasury by the board of supervisors.
"Signed, MAirr Citizens."
The board, however, went on this tour of inspection and probably did
the best thing for the county which coilld have been done. For on this
trip they learned something relative to prisons and jail building, and
•whether it may be directly attributed to what they learned on this trip or
not, one thing is certain, viz: The jail was erected, and when finished,
proved to be' the best building of the kind in this part of the State. On
their trip to Chicago, the board of supervisors arranged for the cells and
cell doors which formerly were used in the city prison of Chicago. They
also contracted with W. L. Carrol, of Chicago, to draw plans and specifica-
tions for the jail building.
At the April session the board ordered that bonds should be issued, ne-
gotiated and sold, to the amount of ten thousand dollars for the erection of
the jail.
This order for the issue of bonds called forth another outburst of indig-
nation in the north part of the county, and at a public meeting held at
South English the following resolutions were adopted:
" Wheeeas, We, the tax payers of Keokuk county, have reason to be-
lieve that our county supervisors have been recreant to their trust in so
much that they have voted to themselves for services since the 1st of Jan-
uary, 1875, an amound equal to |65 a month each for the entire six months;
that they have treated with disrespect a petition of tax -payers; that they
have clearly shown their incompetency to fill the important positions they
■occupy, in issuing the county jail bonds without legal authority, and by
keing unable, or imwilling, to transact the business of the county within
366 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
the time specified by law, to-wit: thirty days; (see Sec. 3791, Code 1873) p;
therefore, be it •
" Resolved. 1st — That a committee be appointed to investigate the pro-,
priety of enjoining the board from making further appropriations for ser-
vices, and the auditor and treasurer from drawing and paying the same.
" 2d. — Tliat the issuing by the board of supervisors of the county bonds,,
known as the jail bonds, without the proposition for a tax having been,
adopted by the people, and the sale of said bonds absolutely void in law,
under the representation that they were valid, meets our unqualified cen-
sure.
" 3d. — That the present board be requested to resign, and allow the peo-
ple to fill their places by members who can transact tlie business of the
county within the time specified by law."
The supervisors, however, did not resign, but went on with the plans for
the erection of the building.
The jail was completed in the latter part of the year 1875, and, as be-
fore remarked, is one of the most substantial buildings of the kind in the-
State. The following description of the building, published in the "News,"
of the issue January 5, 1876, will give a good idea of the building:
" For a proper understanding ot the buildings described, it is necessary
to state that although described as two buildings, they are connected and
separated only by a partition wall.
" Ground plan of dwelling, 38 feet 8 inches by 28 feet 8 inches, divided!
into four rooms, viz: pantry, vegetable, furnace and fuel rooms. These-
divisions are made by brick walls. The outer walls, forming the founda-
tion of the structure, are of stone, four feet thick at the base, and by ofi-
sets reduced to one foot eight inches at a height of eight feet, receiving a
water-table as a base for the brick work.
"The main walls are of brick, fifteen inches thick, with air chambers of
two inches, stone sills and caps for the openings. .First story, nine feet
eight inches, second story, nine feet two inches, in height, divided as fol-
lows: First floor, hall, parlor, dining-room, office, kitchen and' pantry,' all
of which are provided with the necessary cupboards, drawers, shelving,:
chests and outfit pertaining to first-class rooms. The second- story is di-
vided into four rooms, two of which are provided with wardrobes, neatly
fitted and furnished with shelving, hooks, etc. In the attic are two nice,
large, well-ventilated chamber rooms.
"The building is neatly plastered, hard finished and painted throughout
with three coats of paint, and blinds to all the windows. The roofing is-
of black slate, with water gutters and spouting leading to the cistern, to be;
described hereafter.
" The ground plan of the jail building proper is thirty-one feet two inches-
by twenty-one feet four inches; footings, five feet thick, of heavy limestone,,
laid in cement. The foundation walls are ten feet in height, extending six
feet into the ground and four feet above, being three feet thick where they
receive the water-table and floor. The main or outside walls are of sand-
stone, three of which are twenty-two inches, and the other twenty-six
inches, thick, each stone reaching through the wall, laid in cement, weighing
from one to four thousand pounds each, and doweled with a two-inch round
cast-iron ball to prevent them being slipped out. The style of the work is.
rock face, cut beads and drave margins.
HISTOBT OP KEOKUK COUNTY. 36T
"These walls are eighteen feet high, mounted with neat cornice and cap-
pings, with four windows two by six feet. Each window is guarded with,
two sets of mixed steel bars, one and one-half inches in diameter, set six.
inches into tlie rock, with live stays crosswise with the bars passing through,
them, and with ordinary sash and ground glass.
"Inside of the walls described, commencing at the same depth, are three
other walls, the main wall making the fourth, surrounding a space ten by
seventeen feet which forms the privy vaults On these walls sit
the cells, which are nine in number, and located so as to leave a corridor
on three sides seven feet wide, which is flagged with stone eight inches
thick, and long enough to reach and be built into the main walls on one
side, and under and form a part of the foundation for the cells on the other.
Under the corridor, and surrounding the foundation wall of the vault, is ai
cistern of four hundred to five hundred barrels capacity, for general use of
the building. The cells are five by seven feet, floor surface, and seven feet,
high, formed from six stones eight inches thick, and of proper size for on&
each to form bottom, top. sides and end, and weighing from one to three^
tons. Each cell is provided with two iron cots, solidly fastened to the wall,,
and a sail-stool bolted to the floor. Four of these nine cells are located.
60 as' to form a square. On top of these cells are situated four other cells,,
which are reached by an iron stairway which lands on an iron platform in,
front of the doors. On top of the eight cells under the roof is the ninth,
cell, or female department, thirteen by eighteen feet, formed by rubble-
walls planked inside with two-inch plank, and lined with iron.
'*The cells are located on one side of the building, so as to connect with
one of the outside walls, and between the cell stone and the wall is two-
inches of solid iron to prevent cutting through the wall. The cell rock
floor, and sitting of the entire jail is of limestone from the Joliet quarries.
The window-frames and sash are all the wood there is inside the jail. Each
cell is provided with two iron doors, one grated, and the other a solid slab
covering the grates, each of which has a strong separate fastening.
"The entrance to the jail is from the sheriff's office in the dwelling through
five iron doors, all of which have separate fastenings. Inside the jail, sur-
rounding the entrance, is a cage of iron lattice-work, into which the sheriflT
will pass, locking two doors behind him, and passing the key to an attend-
ant in the office before opening the door of the cage admitting him to the
prisoners.
"The prison is ventilated by an air duct leading from the vault under the-
corridor floor into a ventilating flue built between the two main chimneys^
and arranged so that if there is fire either in the furnace or cook-stove it
will rarefy the air in the ventilating flues, causing draft and a flow of air
down through the sail-pipes into the air duct and out the top of the chim-
ney. From experiments that have been made it is believed that the jail
will he free from the offensive and unhealthy smell that is present in most-
places where prisoners are confined. Both jail and dwelling are warmed'
throughout from a furnace located in the basement of the dwelling. It re-
quired about five hundred perch of rock to construct the building."
Hon. B. A. Haycock, of Richland, and J. H. Terrel were the contractors..
The contract was originally let for $9,600. This, together with the cost of the:
real estate, supervision and architect's fee, amounted to the sum of $14,222.31..
The board of supervisors at the time consisted of Messrs. Merryfield,
Bower and Morgan.
368 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
COUNTY-SEAT CONTESTS.
The most bitter and unfortunate controversies which ever occur are those
_:growing out of county-seat controversies. They engender animosities
which are transmitted from father to son, and the strife in which people
thereby become embroiled lasts from generation to generation. By reason
■of the ill-feeling thus engendered, the material progress of a community is
retarded, and the evil effects produced on the manners and morals of a peo-
ple are truly deplorable.
Keokuk county has been peculiarly unfortunate in this respect, and
although more 'than twenty years have elapsed since the last county-seat
■contest, the vicious effects of the early struggles over this question are still
•discernable.
The county-seat question was one of the first to be agitated. The con-
^troversy began with the organization of the county in 1844 and continued
till 1857, a period of thirteen years. During this period there never was a
itime when this was not a question of dispute. There were times when the
rival factions ceased from actual hostilities and became comparatively quiet.
JBut these seasons of short peace with but this brief quiet, was butthegtill-
.ness which proceeds a storm, an armistice entered into by the tacit consent ot
^he belligerents during which time they were laying their plans and burn-
ishing their weapons for a fiercer conflict.
The south-eastern part of the county being the first to be settled, there
was at first an effort to get the county-seat in that locality. It was argued
■that the seat of justice should be located with reference to the center of
population rather than a geographical center.
The attempt to fix the county-seat within the bounds of Kichland town-
iship has already been alluded to; also the appointment, by the territorial
legislature, of a locating commission, has been mentioned in connection
Tvith the organization of the county.
As a result of this first contest the report of these commissioners appears
on the county records; it is as follows:
" Record of the retnrns of the locating commissioners, appointed to locate
the seat of justice of Keokuk county:
■" To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the County of KeohuTc:
" The undersigned having been appointed commissioners to locate the
rseat of justice for said county, met according to the provisions of said act,
and having been duly sworn, proceeded to examine said county, and after
an extensive examination have selected the north-east quarter of section No.
two in township seventy-five (75) north, range twelve (12) west, and have
■consequently designated the same as the seat of justice for Keokuk couiity,
and have called the same Sigourney.
" All of which is respectfully submitted.
" Sigourney, May 10, 1844. "Geo. H. Stone.
"John A. Stbwaet,
" Sam'l Shuffleton. • a
■" S. Shuffleton dissents from the above selection." ' "
HISTORY OP KEOKUK OOUNTT. 369'
" Board of commissioners of Keokuk county to George H. Stone for six
days services locating county seat, Dr $12.00
"John A. Stewart, seven days 14.00
"S.Shuffleton, " « 14.00,
" I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct record of the return
of the locating commissioners appointed by the legislative assembly to lo-
cate the seat of justice for Keokuk county.
"Attest: Edom Shugaet, Clerk of Board?''
At another place the fact has been referred to that the commissioners did
not favor this selection, and on the petition of eighty citizens of the county
they took ofl&cial action whereby the seat of justice was directed to remain
at Richland. Notwithstanding the action of the board. Judge Williams^
and his appointee to the office of clerk, Mr. James, proceeded in conformity
with the decision of the locating commissioners, and at the first term of the-
District Court held at the new county-seat, the judge made an extra judicial
decision which induced the board to reconsider their former action and re-
move their headquarters to Sigourney.
Thus for a time it seemed that the question of a county-seat had been'
finally disposed of, and that the location was permanently fixed; but not so,
lor while the friends of Sigourney were triumphant in having gained their
point, and laboring under the delusion that the matter was permanently
fixed, were investing their means and employing their energies to build up-
the town, there was not by any means a general concurrence in the selection
of the location, and those opposed to it were quietly but industriously en-
gaged in working up a sentiment hostile to Sigourney and laying their
plans to bring about a removal. Presently the fact became known that a
petition was in circulation asking for authority from the legislature to re-
locate the county-seat. The friends of Sigourney, upon hearing of this, cir-
culated a remonstrance.
The legislature before which this petition would be presented convened
in May, and the one chief business of the leaders of one faction was to cir-
culate a petition, of the othei-, to circulate a remonstrance; the all-absorbing-
topic of conversation, discussion and dispute, was the county-seat; in the
language of one " who was there to see," " from the rivers to the ends of
the county the news was agitation, and the talk county-seat."
On the eve of the great battle which was to decide the matter there was
a review of the forces, and it was found that the number of names on the pe-
tition considerably outnumbered the names on the remonstrance, and, con-
sequently, the friends of Sigourney saw that if the legislature were to be
influenced by the number of names, they would be compelled to enter the
lists under a great disadvantage.
The petition was carried to the legislature by J. B. Whisler, and S. A.
James was deputed to present the remonstrance. The latter shrank from
the responsibility; he was wholly inexperienced in legislative diplomacy,
had barely an acquaintance or two in either body whose " appreciation of"
good dress," he says, " he could not hope to gratify in his homespun at-
tire." But go he must, and go he did. On his way through Washington
he contrived to borrow some clothes, among other articles a blue cloth coat
with pretentious buttons. Equipped with these borrowed "store clothes,"'
:370 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
which fitted "like the bark on a tree," and letters of introduction from
Tthe same party who was sole proprietor of the clothes, he arrived at the
•capital, Iowa City, a few hours in advance of the enemy.
It is a fact here worthy of note that Washington as a town had always
Ibeen favorable to the interests of Sigourney, while Fairfield had always
'©pposed those interests. Tliese preferences had probably originated in the
topography of the country which regulated to some extent the travel and
^traffic of the county. Another reason might be adduced in the fact that
Sigourney and vicinity had been settled by Washingtonians, while people
from Fairfield had settled in the south part of the county. The cause of
■^these preferences have long ceased to exist.
On the 26th day of May Mr. James and Mr. Whisler conferred together
and erased from both the petition and the remonstrance what they regarded
as improper names. A majority of over fifty was found to be in favor of
ithe petition. The papers were all placed in the bands of Col. Shelledy, mem-
ber from Keokuk and Mahaska counties. On the 27th a bill was introduced
to relocate the county-seat by commissioners. On. the 28tli this bill was
read a second time, and a third time, and passed by a majority of one vote.
•On the 23d the bill was read the first time in the senate, and on the 30th
it was referred to a select committee, which reported, the next day, against
the bill. The house refused to concur in the report and the senate laid the
bill on the table by a vote of eight to five.
This was the end of the matter for that session, and Mr. James says, " we
joyfully wended our way homeward, being the first to break the news to
the town whose inhabitants had awaited our return with much the same
feeling that a party interested in a verdict awaits the coming of a jury."
Whether Mr. James' success may be attributed to the influence of the
blue coat, the favorable impression produced by the letters of introduction,
or the persuasive eloquence of the gentleman himself, cannot be determ-
ined at this late day. It will be safe to assert, however, that his success
resulted from all three causes, and especially the blue coat, since his influ-
ence was most marked in the senate, which always has had the reputation
•of being an aristocratic body, and very susceptible to display of any kind.
Whether or not Mr. James returned the coat is not a matter of speculation.
There is the very best of evidence that he did.
For a short time after the action of the legislature had been made known,
affairs were comparatively quiet, and the people of Sigourney were jubi-
lant. The young town was the scene of great activity, new arrivals being
reported each day, and new business enterprises being engaged in. This
■ quiet, however, was destined not to be of long duration. Early in July the
•county-seat question again began to be agitated, and it was generally un-
derstood that another fight was to be made before the legislature during
the coming winter.
When the legislature met, the controversy was again taken before the
legislature. This time the lobby was increased from two to six individ-
uals. Col. Crocker, Richard Quinton, and' another individual being sent
in the interests of the petition, and Dr. Weeks, A. H. Haskell and G. M.
Holliday representing the people of Sigourney.
In this contest before the legislature the petitioners were successful, as
the following extract of a bill passed, and approved January 9, 1846, will
fihow:
HISTOKY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 3T1
*'An act to provide for the appointment of Commissioners to re-locate
ike County-seat of Keokuk county :
"Section 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Kepresentatives
of the Territory of Iowa, tliat Josepli Foster, of the county of Van Buren,
Joshua Owens, of the county of Lee, and John Brophy, of the county of
Olinton, be and Iiereby are appointed commissioners to re-locate the county-
«eat of Keokuk county.
"Sec. 3. Said commissioners when qualified shall proceed to select a
suitable site for the county-seat of said county; taking into consideration
the relative advantages and disadvantages of different points, the present
4vnd future interest and convenience of the population of said county; and
among the several points so examined including the town of Sigourney,
they shall select such point as they may deem most suitable for the county-
iseat of said county.
"Sec. 5. That if the commissioners shall determine that Sigourney is a
proper and suitable point for the county-seat of said county, said decision,
3)roperly certified, shall be reduced to writing and filed with the clerk of
the board of county commissioners of said county and the same shall be
and remain the county-seat of said county as provided by law; but if any
•other point should be selected as aforesaid then the clerk of the board of
«onnty commiseioners shall give at least twenty days notice by posting up
the same in at least four of the most public places in said county; that at
ithe next August election, a poll will be opened, for the qualified electors of
«aid county to determine by ballot which of the two points, the one so se-
lected by the commissioners or the town of Sigourney shall be the county-
.-seat of said county. Those voting for the town of Sigourney, shall write the
word, "Sigourney," on their ballots. Those voting for the point selected by
the commissioners as aforesaid shall write on their ballots the name agreed
on by the commissioners for the new location, and whichever point shall
receive the majority of votes cast at said election shall be and remain for-
ever afterward the county-seat of Keokuk county.
"Sec. 7. That if the qualified electors shall decide at said election in
favor of the new location made by the commissioners aforesaid then the
<»mmiissioDers of said county shall immediately proceed to make a survey
of said new location, and as soon as the plat of the survey of the new loca-
tion is filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the board of county
commissioners the said commissioners shall make such imderanity to the
lot holders of the town of Sigourney as they may have sustained to reim-
burse them for any loss or losses sustained by the removal of the county-
eeat; Provided,, that any person aggrieved by the decision of the board of
•county commissioners under and by virtue of this act may take an appeal
to the District Court as in other cases."
This act narrowly escaped defeat in the House of Representatives, and
■was only saved by the act of William Thompson, the chief clerk. The
bill had passed the House by a bare majority, and on the same evening it
Was ascertained that upon a reconsideration of the vote the bill could be
defeated. The rules of the House provided for a reconsideration of any vote
«n the following day. An extract of a letter from a Des Moines county
member, to Dr. Weeks, will further explain this:
" Iowa City, January 11, 1846.
" Deab Sib: — There was an effort made in the House to reconsider the vote
in the passage of your bill, but the chief clei'k had taken said bill to the
372 HI8T0EY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
council, and they had concurred in the amendment made by the House.
It was an oversight of the clerk, and caused great interest and excitement.
" Tours with esteem,
" John D. Wki&ht."
It was generally regarded, however, by the friends of Sigourney, as au
intentional act of the chief clerk, done for the accommodation of the op-
ponents of Sigourney. Whatever may have been the facts, so confidently
was this believed in all parts of the county, that, when the said chief clerk
afterward became a candidate for nomination to congress, the two southern
delegates from Keokuk county warmly sustained him for nomination,,
while the two northern delegates as decidedly opposed him.
Mr. Brophy did not meet with the other commisssioners, so that Mr.
Foster and Mr. Owen proceeded to make the selection.
It seems that the commissioners had imbibed the idea that the law con-
templated indirectly that their business was to make a selection other than
Sigourney. This was most attentively impressed upon their minds while
traveling over the county. The great argument being that if a new point
were selected, and on a vote Sigourney should win it, that then the war
was at an end, but that if Sigourney were selected it was only to be only a
prolonged and continued struggle.
Laboring under these impressions,, and with a view to the earliest termi-
nation of the strife which was telling, with disastrous effect, upon the
whole count3'^,more, doubtless, from these prudential reasons, than from the
merits of the two places,; the commissioners selected another point for the
county-seat, and designated it by the name of Lancaster.
This location was owned by J. B. Whisler, who kept a dry goods store,
and which had previously been known as Lafayette.
The ensuing August election was to determine "forever" this vital ques-
tion, and, metaphorically speaking, the houses of York and Lancaster began
to marshal their forces for a renewal of the " War of the Roses."
The strife was a fierce one,, and full of personal animosity.' Those who
were on the defensive fought as only men will fight when their property is
at stake.
During the canvass it beca,me necessary to use great circumspection a&
to one's associates and friends. If a southerner were treated with marked
civility and cordial welcome, there were those w;ho branded the entertainer
as a traitor, and an anti-Sigourneyite. The oldest resident of Sigourney,
and one who, more than any other, had thus far distinguished himself as a
friend of Sigourney, was charged with aiding and abetting the cause of
Lancaster for the sole reason that he refused to break off old personal
friendships.
The feud existing between the clan of Grant and that of McPherson, as
described by Sir Walter Scott, although older and deadlier, could not have
been more real than the fend between the clan of Sigourney and that of
Lancaster, and North Skunk was the Rubicon at whose banks a Caesar
might well pause before crossing.
The time for the final struggle at last arrived, and Lancaster won by a
majority of sixty-four. At the next meeting of the board of county com-
missioners the result was declared, and the county-seat ordered to be re-
moved. This seemed to virtually end the contest; but not so. Having
been defeated in the legislature and at the polls, the cause was now carrieo
into the courts. In accordance with the order of the board, all the county
^^^^.^^^
HI8T0KT OB" KEOKUK COUNTT. 375
oflBces were moved to Lancaster, except that of the clerk of the District
Court. Instead of moving his office, the clerk, Mr. James, set off in com-
Eany with Mr. Joseph Xnox, for Muscatine, where they employed R. P.
lowe, Esq., to enjoin the removal of the district clerk's office from Sigour-
ney, and to prevent the county commissioners from taking further steps to
advance Lancaster as a county-seat. ■
A few days after the return of Mr. James the injunction was granted,
and was based on the allegation of Mr. Knox, that the law authorizing
the vote was unconstitutional; that he had purchased town lots of the
county as county-seat property; that this peculiar quality in such prop-
erty was a vested right which could not be taken under the constitution;
and if it were constitutional the county-seat could not be removed until the
indemnity was all paid, as provided for in the act.
The case came up for hearing in the fall term, 1846, when a change of
venue from the judicial district was asked for by the board of county com-
missioners.
The motion was granted, and the cause sent to Burlington. At the
spring term of the District Court, held at Burlington, in 1847, a decision
was made in favor of Mr. Knox, the complainant. The county commis-
sioners appealed to the State Supreme Court, and in June, of the same
year, the decision of the District Court was reversed, the injunction dis-
solved, and the bill of Mr. Knox dismissed.
It was now nearly one year that the clerk had prevented the removal of
his office tromSigoumey bypermittinghimself to be enjoined, but now legal
restraint seemed to be at an end. There yet remained, however, one for-
lorn hope, one step more possible to be taken, and Mr. Knox decided to
take it. This was to carry his case to the Supreme Court of the United
States. For this purpose Mr. Knox went to Iowa City. It was thought
that an appeal to that court, with the filing of a supersedeas bond, would
continne to restrain the clerk's office at Sigourney.
It was also well known that those who were in the interests of Lancaster
were wide awake, and that an order to remove the office would be brought
from the District Judge, Cyrus OIney, as soon as obtained.
To avoid service of notice of this kind for removal, and to give Mr.
Knox time to return with his supersedeas, Mr. James, the clerk, "was not
at home," or, in other words, he secreted himself at the house of one Cook.
When Mr. Knox returned the clerk acknowledged service of the notice
of supersedeas.
Two days after this Mr. James received a letter from Judge Olney, of
which the following is a copy :
« Fairfield, July 26, 1847.
" Deae Sie: — I have received official notice from the clerk of the Supreme
Court that the bill of Mr. Knox against the commissioners has been dis-
missed, and the injunction dissolved, and Lancaster decided to be the county-
seat. It, therefore, becomes my duty to hold the District Court at Lancaster,
while that decree remains unreversed. The public records should also be
kept there, and the public business transacted there. If you find it inconven-
ient to attend yourself at Lancaster, you can act through a deputy except
during court.
" Eespectfully yours,
"Oteus Olnet."
24
376 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Upon receipt of this letter Mr. James replied, stating the condition of
the case, and the collision, as he deemed it, in the jurisdiction of the two
courts. Mr. Olney^s reply, which came a few days afterward, was quite
unequivocal, and left no doubt as to the course he must pursue in order to
avoid a contempt of court. It was as follows:
"Fairfield, August 5, 1847.
"Sir: — The decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Knox vs. The Board
of Commissioners of Keokuk County makes it my duty to hold the Dis-
trict Court at Lancaster, you are therefore notified hereby, and required to
remove your office, as clerk of said court, to the latter place, as soon as pos-
sible. "Yours, etc.,
" Cyrus Olnky,
" Judge."
Still hoping that the Supreme Court would shield him from the power
of the district judge to punish for contempt, Mr. James forthwith re-
paired to Fairfield to consult with Judge Carleton, whom he knew to be
then at that place. The integrity and ability of Judge Carleton were above
suspicion. Upon having a confidential conversation with him, he advised
Mr. James, that, under the circumstances, it would be the safer course to
remove the office. This was accordingly done on the 7th day of August,
just one year and one day after the vote was taken on the removal of the
county-seat.
After the removal of the office, Mr. Knox obtained a rule from the su-
preme court requiring the defendants to show cause why they should not
be held to answer for a contempt in disobeying the injunction. This rule
was heard at the June term, 1848, of the Supreme Court, and so much of
the decision as relates to the merits of the case is hereby appended:
"At the July term of the court the injunction was dissolved and the bill
dismissed. The parties were thereby restored to the same position they oc-
cupied antecedent to the issuing and service of the writ of injunction. If
it was made the duty of the defendants to remove the records of the county
to Lancaster by the vote of the people of Keokuk county, which was shown
to be the fact by the testimony which formed the basis of the action of the
court in dismissing the bill and dissolving the injunction, that duty became
revived by removing the restraint with which they were surrounded by the
effects of the injunction upon its dissolution. But it is contended that the
appeal of the cause to the Supreme Court of the United States continued the
injunction in full force. If this position be well taken, and we are not dis-
posed to question it, 3'et we are at a loss to know how the defendants are
in contempt of this court. The decree of this court was, that the bill be
dismissed and the injunction dissolved, and although by operation of law,
case having been appealed, the injunction may not have lost its power, still
the defendants, in the absence of the appeal, are but carrying out the decree
of this court by removing the records to Lancaster.
"The mere taking of the appeal, then, we think, could not place the de-
fendants in contempt of this court by disregarding an injunction it has dis-
solved, although the effect of the appeal is to preserve the writ in full
force.
" Kule dismissed."
Tbusended the first county-seat contest. Some of the 'people who had
settled in Sigourney followed the county-seat to Lancaster, others moved to
HI8T0ET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 377
other parts of the country, while many settled down in Sigourney, deter-
mined that the connty-seat should again return, and to this hope many of
them clung through the changing Vicissitudes of the next decade, at the end
of which time their hope was realized.
The indemnity guaranteed by the re-locating act was ordered to be paid
from time to time by the board of commissioners, but the amounts received
by the lot-holders was a poor return for the loss of the county-seat. Al-
though beaten at length in the courts, Mr. Knox made a record which in-
spired the commissioners with great care and caution in their subsequent
■dealings with him. This is illustrated by the wording of the following or-
der made by the board with reference to Mr. Knox's indemnity:
" Ordered by the board, that Joseph Knox be allowed the sum of one
thousand, six hundred and fifty dollars as his indemnity in full for losses
sustained in consequence of the removal of the county-seat from Sigourney,
the indemnity being allowed on the following lots, to- wit: Lot No. 6 in
block 2, lot 7 in block No. 6, lot 1 in block 8, out-lots 15, 16, 17 and 18,
and that the clerk of this board be required to issue said amount upon the
treasurer in two orders of the sum of five hundred dollars each, and the
residue in fifty-dollar orders, to complete the said amount of sixteen hun-
<iaed and fifty dollars; provided, and it is understood that this order is made
with the understanding with the said Joseph Knox, that no appeal shall be
taken by him to the District Court of this county from this allowance or
<leeision of the board.
" And it is further ordered, that the clerk of this board make out to the
«aid Knox, under his hand and the seal of this board, a certificate of the
settlement of this indemnity, and that he certify in said certificate that this
board has released the said Knox from any and all obligations on his bond
in the Supreme Court of the State of Iowa, for the taking to the Supreme
Court of the United States the case of Joseph Knox, complainant, and the
Board of County Commissioners and Samuel A. James, defendants, which
release is hereby granted and made."
The county-seat having thus been removed to Lancaster, and the lot-
owners of Sigourney having been indemnified, in a measure for the depreci-
ation of the value of real estate, the county-seat war was for the time-
feeing ended in the third year after it began.
THE SECOND CONTEST.
The presidential campaign of 1848, the war with Mexico and State poli-
itics absorbing the attention of the people, county questions were for a
■ffhile overshadowed by national issues, the Sigourney party and the Lan-
caster party both became either Whigs or Democrats, and the location of
the county-seat for a while was of less importance in Keokuk county than
the acquisition of Mexican territory.
There were those, however, who constantly and hopefully looked forward
1^ the time when the county seat would be brought back to the former lo-
cation. They were men of sagacity and patience, and did not propose to
give the Lancaster party the advantage which would fall to the latter by
their own rashness and ill-timed agitation. The northern part of the county
was rapidly filling up and their chances of success improving each year.
They felt that they could wait so long as waiting improved their chances
378 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOTJNTT.
of ultimate victory, consequently they divided their time between business-
and national politics.
In 1853 there was considerable talk about another change of the county-
seat, but no open and organized effort was made; skirmishers were sent out
to feel the enemy, with instructions not to bring on an engagement. Itt
1854 the movement assumed definite shape and petitions were circulated..
In the winter of this year a pressure was brought to bear upon the legisla-
ture which resulted in the passage of the following bill :
'^An Act to Relocate the County Seat of Keokuh County:
" Section 1 . Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa,,
that at the August election, to be held on the first Monday in August,
1855, there shall be, at the several places of voting in Keokuk county, iiii
the State of Iowa, a poll opened for the purpose of determining by ballot
whether the county-seat shall be removed from its present location in the-
town of Lancaster, in said county, to the town of Sigourney, in said county.
" Seo. 4. That if there shall be a majority of votes cast at said electioft
in favor of removing the county seat of said county to the town of Sigour-
ney, in said county, the county officers of said Keokuk county shall remove-
their offices, and the books, papers, records, and other personal property of
their respective offices, belonging to said county, to said town of Sigourney
BO soon as the county judge of said county can procure proper rooms fof
the temporary use of their respective offices; Provided, Said removal shall
not take place until, by proper bonds and securities, said Keokuk county is-,
secured in the sum of five thousand dollars, to be paid into the treasury of
said county, one-half on the first Monday in January, 1856, the other half
on the first Monday in January, 1857, to be secured on or before the first
day of October, 1855.
" Sec. 5. That in case said county-seat is removed to Sigourney, the lot-
holders in the town of Lancaster shall be indemnified, said indemnity to-
be assessed by three disinterested commissioners, viz.: William P. Organ,,
of Washington county, James Bridges and Henry Blackburn, of Mahaska
county, who shall first be sworn to the faithful discharge of their duties, as
such commissioners, and shall proceed to discharge the same, and make
their return thereof to the county judge of said county on or before the-
first day of December, 1855, and said county judge shall give each claim-
ant an order on the treasury of said county for the amount assessed to him,
as in other claims against said county."
Under this special act the election was held at the time named, and from
the abstracts returned to the county judge it appeared that there was a»
majority against the proposed" removal. This result, however, was arrived"
at by the action of the canvassers, who threw out the vote of certain pre-
cincts on the ground of alleged irregularities. From the total vote as cast
it appeared that there was a majority of seven in favor of the removal. It
■was the duty of the county judge, however, to declare the result as certified
to by the canvassers, and the verdict was against the proposed removal. . ^
The matter was thereupon taken to the District Court, and is known in -
the court records as the case of Price and Wait vs. Harned et al. It ap-
pears that the plaintiffs, being citizens of the county, and having voted at
said election, claimed that their votes had not been properly canvassed;,
that a majority of the votes was in fact cast for Sigourney, and that the
canvassers had improperly and illegally excluded trie returns from four-
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 379
jtownships of the county, and which votes, if counted, would show a ma-
jority in favor of Sigourney; and they therefore claimed that the county
«fiBcers should remove their offices to Sigourney. For the purpose of com-
pelling this removal, the plaintiffs presented their sworn information to
the Hon. Wm. H. Seevers, judge of the District Court, praying for a writ
of mandamus compelling Harned, who was then county judge, to order
the removal of the said offices. The district judge decided in favor of
Sigourney, and ordered the removal.
The county officials who represented the case of Lancaster, and who were
the defendants in this case, appealed from the decision of the District
Judge, and the case came before the Supreme Court at the next term. The
■case was ably argued pro and con, J. C. Hall, of Burlington, appearing
for the appellants, and D. Korer, of the same city, appearing for the
appellees. The decision, which was against Sigourney, was given by Chief-
Justice Wright. The opinion is somewhat lengthy. We give only the
■closing paragraph:
" Yery great injustice may have been done by the first canvass. If so,
we have no doubt but the writ of mandamus could properly issue to compel
the board to correct the mistake and do their duty. And upon such cor-
rection, if the majority was in favor of Sigourney, it is just as clear that
upon a failure of the county officers to remove, they could be compelled to
•do so by mandamus. While we would not say that the alternative writ
might not issue, commanding the canvassers to correct the canvass, and
upon sudi correction commanding the county officers to remove their
•offices; yet we think the better practice would be to first compel the board
to act so as to correct the canvass. When this has been done, and the duty
■of the county officers clearly fixed, so that their duty can be said to be
* specially enjoined,' and they refuse, then let the mandate of the court
issue, commanding them to act. And less objection, it is believed, obtains
to this course, from the fact that the law contemplates speedy action. The
■defendants may be required to answer forthwith. The very nature of the
writ carri€s with it the necessity of prompt and decisive action on the part
■of the court. By pursuing this course, confusion will be avoided, and
■each tribunal and -officer held liable for their own actions, for their own
•contempts, and their own costs, and this, too, it is believed, without any
prejudice to the rights of the relators.
" Judgment reversed and cause remanded."
This apparent victory for Lancaster caused great satisfaction to the
friends of the latter place, who gave themselves over to a season of rejoic-
ing. But their triumph was of short duration; in fact, it proved in the
end to be th« very best thing that could have happened for the friends of
Sigourney, for they got the county-seat the next year, and that, too, with-
■out paying any indemnity whatever to the lot-holders of Lancaster.
A general act, entitled " An Act in relation to County-seats," was passed
by the legislature, and approved January 21, 1856, which provided that
•«ray county-seat might be re-located by taking the following course: A pe-
-tition, signed by at least one-half of the qualified electors, must be pre-
■Sented to the county judge, asking for a re-location. The county judge
must then order a vote to be taken, at the next April election, between the
place designated and the existing county-seat. If the point designated in
ihe petition obtain a majority of all the votes cast, the county judge must
380 HISTOET OF KEOKTJK COUNTY.
make a record thereof, and declare the same to be the connty-seat, and re-
move the records and documents thereto as early as practicable thereafter."
Accordingly, a petition was circulated early in the year 1856, and it hav-
ing been made to appear that a majority of the qualified voters had signed
the petition, the county judge, the Hon. S. Harned, ordered a vote to be-
taken at the ensuing election on the first Monday in April.
The result of this election was that a majority of the votes cast were for
removal to Sigourney. Upon the canvass of the votes and this fact ap-
pearing. Judge Harned declared Sigourney the county-seat. The severaJB
county officers, with their official records and books, accordingly removed
from Lancaster to Sigourney on the 12th of April, 1856 — just eight years,
eight months and five days from the time that the clerk's office was re-
moved from Sigourney to Lancaster, and over eleven years from the time
■when the question first began to be agitated.
The county-seat was now back at Sigourney, but the contest was not yet
ended; the case must first be taken to the District and Supreme Courts be-
fore the friends of Lancaster would submit. Sigourney had set Lancaster a
good example in the matter of litigation, and the latter were not slow tO'
profit by it.
At the term of the District Court next following the removal of the-
county-seat, the case was taken into the courts. It is known on the court
records as " Casey vs. Harned." The plaintiff applied for and obtained a.
writ of certiorari, directed to the county court, in substance requiring that
court to return the facts attending said election and removal. The return
being made and the case heard, the action of Judge Harned in ordering-
the removal of the county-seat was affirmed.
The case was then taken to the Supreme Court, Knapp & Caldwell ap-
pearing for the appellant, and Seevers & Seevers appearing for the appellee.
The main point which the attorneys for the appellant attempted to-
make and upon which they chiefly relied for a verdict was the fact that the
special act under which the vote of August, 1855, had been taken was-,
passed subsequently to the general act under which the election of April,,
1856, had been held. They claimed that the special act of January 24th,
1855, in effect repealed the general act of January 22, 1855, so far as it
concerned Keokuk county; that after having held an election to determine-
whether the county-seat should be removed from Lancaster to Sigourney^
the latter indemnifying the former, and it being decided against removal
that Sigourney could not now come in and under the general act procure a
removal without paying any indemnity. It was also held that in the-
special act it was provided that in case there was a majority against re-
moval then Lancaster should forever remain the county-seat.
Chief Justice Wright gave the decision which was in favor of Sigour-
ney, affirming the judgment of the lower courts. In substance the court
held that the word forever ment only until such a time as it should be-
legally otherwise ordered, and that it cannot be the effect of a special act
to repeal a general act. We give the concluding paragraph of the opinion::
"We conclude, therefore, that the right of the citizens of Keokuk county
to vote on the subject of the re-location of their county-seat under the act
of January 22d, 1855, was not taken away by the special act of the 24th of
the same month; and consequently that the county judge of that county
being properly petitioned had full power to submit such question to a vote
of the people at the April election, 1856. And we thus deternaine that thft
HI8T0BT OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 381
judgment of the District Court must be affirmed without considering the
<jbjeetion that the relator, Casy, had no right to institute this proceeding;
without deciding whether the special act is public or private in its charac-
ter, and without noticing the further point, that if the special act repealed
the general act, 'pro tanto, the statute would be rendered thereby uncon-
Btitntional, in view of tlie provisions of the constitution which require all
laws of a general nature to have a uniform operation. These questions it
is unnecessary to enter upon at this time.
Judgment affirmed."
THE FOOL'S BOOK.
When the old court-house was still in use and before the county-seat was
removed to Lancaster there flourished what was called the "Fools Book."
This affair originated with the every day loafers' society; it was a quire
or two of paper stitched together in which any one whose spirit moved him
could indite whatever thoughts presented themselves. It had no special
custodian, but laid around loose and contained many specimens of
chirography. It was not intended for the ladies although it did sometimes
emigrate into tlieir presence. A few extracts from this book will save its
memory from oblivion if they do not interest the reader.
The following are the rules of writing:
"Ist. Every person writing in this book must write a plain legible hand.
"2d. No person shall write anything of a vulgar, obscene or immoral
nature.
" 3d. All fines collected under these rules are to be paid in foolscap pa-
per, to be attached to this book for the benefit of the fool writers.
•' 4:th. In commencing a writing on any subject, the writer must leave
at least one inch of white paper between the commencement of his writing
and the end of the preceding piece, on penalty of paying one whole sheet
of fair, white foolscap paper, and shall number his piece in consecutive
order.
" 5th. If any fool should blot or tear this book, he shall be fined a like
fiheet of foolscap paper.
" 6th. Every fool writing in this book must sign his real or fictitious
name to his composition.
"7th. All persons writing in this book must be fools, arid are requested
not to write anything without saying something either witty, instructive,
amusing, pleasing, funny, ridiculous — or somehow else."
m. 1.
" Well, I am going to dinner, certain — thank my stars! It is not every
fool that can get his dinner just when he wants it. Lucky dog am I, if I
do wear an old coat; and that is not all: I am a contributor to the fools'
book, which is a great honor to a chap of my cloth; reckon the fools are
about as numberless as any society of great men."
No. 18.
" Now, I suppose there are many persons who are not aware of any such
publication as the fools' book; and it is well that this is the case, for there
382 HI8T0BY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
is at present such an insatiate rage for new books that the whole commu-
nity run mad and remain so until they have perused the last new work,,!
and the knowledge of the existence of the fools' book would excite such a
tremendous sensation, such universal interest, find so many favorites and be
read with such avidity by a large and respectable majority of the citizens
of Keokuk county and vicinity, that it might have a deleterious effect upon
the mental organization of the species of animal sometimes called komo."
No. 70.
"She has a pretty face, has she, eh? "Well, what of it if she has? If
that is all the good quality she has, if a quality it may be called, I would
not give a snap for her. I have seen a number of such girls that even did
not darn their own stockings; but while their mothers were making slaves-
of themselves their promising daughters were sighing, longing and look-
ing sentimentally before a mirror. Away with such trash! I say; give me
the real buxom, tom-boy romp of a farmer's daughter, who is out of her
bed-room of a morning ere the lark begins to warble forth his morning
hymn; the glow of health is on her rosy cheek; her eyes sparkle with wit
and good humor; her step is dignified and majestic; her countenance dis-
plays an air of cheerfulness and maiden simplicity, when thus in the bright
and rosy morn, ere the sun has yet gilded with rose-tint hues the Oriental
horizon, she goes forth amid the song of birds to feed the pld hen and
chickens."
No. 76.
" SiGouENET, April 6, 1846.
" My Deab Fools :
" I am happy to inform you that I am yet alive an able to kick.
" This has been the most all-fired particular queer day I have ever seen.
It has been both good and bad; and both good and evil have been com-
pletely mixed up with mud. I think it would be a good idea for the peo-
ple here to commence brick-making, for two reasons: first, the mortar is al-
ready mixed up; second, we need the brick-bats to throw at birds and
other varmints that infest this town. The folks had an election here to-
day, and it beat Bunqombe. The rains beat down all day something like
Noah's deluge, End yet the folks were so dry that they drank something
less than seven barrels of whisky; in fact, with some that was the all-
absorhing question. The people were all hot as pepper about something,
and could not keep cool no how you could fix it. The way they election-
eered beat all nature and Davy Crockett into the bargain. Everybody was
on one side or t'other — only some, and they were afraid to be on any side.
I guess they want ofiice, and go on what we used, in Buncombe, to call the
non-committal question. I tell you what! the Hawkeyes are great folks
for office, so I will say no more about the election — only that one side beat,
and t'other didn't.
"The wind has just set in to blowing very hard, and I may be blowed
off to dear-knows-where, and I am sick, anyhow; but if yon should never'
see or hear of me again, remember that I am your sincere friend and
brother, Buncombe.
" P. S. — As the hurricane is now kinder over, and I aint much scared
nohow, I will just say that there is not many of our society here, the pec-
HI8TOEY OF KEOKTJK GOUNTT. 383
pie being mostly very smart folks; but what few fellows are fools are of
the real grit. A more noble set of fellows never lived, and have ever
treated me with the most fo61ish kindness, which shall always be recipro-
cated in the same tender spirit by Buncombe."
"Probably the most appropriate article which could be selected from this
fool's book is the Declaration of Independence. It is rather lengthy, but
its adaptability to the phraseology of our National Declaration, and its ex-
ceeding fitness for the occasion when written, has induced us to copy it.
To its better understanding let it be premised that Sanford Earned was
the Whig candidate for delegate to the convention for the formation of a
State Constitution; resided at Richland, and had always been favorably
■disposed toward Sigourney. J. B. Whisler was his Democratic opponent;
was the owner of, and merchant at, Lafayette, now Lancaster, and was con-
sidered the embodyment of the opposition to Sigourney.
This Declaration was greatly applauded by several individuals, and, on
request, was probably read to more than a hundred persons before election.
There is little doubt but that the Fools' Book thus elected our Judge
Harned as delegate. The first paragraph we omit, being an exact copy of
that of seventy-six. The rest of the Declaration is as follows :
" We hold these trutlis to be self evident, that all men are created iequal;
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ; tliat
among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure
these rights in some measure political parties are instituted among men,
deriving their infiuence from nominations and leading men ; that whenever
a party becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to
lay it aside for a time, and to take such steps as to them shall seem most
likely to efiect their safety and happiness.
" Prudence would indeed dictate that the Democratic nomination long ad-
hered to should not be bolted for light and transient causes, and accordingly
all. experience has shown that the rank and file are more disposed to suffer,
while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abandoning the nom-
ination, for once, to which they politically belong.
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations pursuing invariably the
«ame object, evinces a design to take away our county-seat and reduce the
value of our property, it is their right, it is their duty to abandon such nom-
inations and provide other guards and candidates for their safety and future
security. Such has been the political suffering of the northern side of
Skunk river, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to aban-
don the Democratic convention.
"The history of the present king of Lafayette, and his coadjutors, is a
history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object
the establishment of the county-seat in the forks of Skunk river, and conse-
quently taking it away from its present judicious and charming location.
"To prove this let facts be submitted to a candid mind.
"They have refused to acknowledge the county-seat as the place of doing
<!ounty business.
"They have called together the county commissioners at places unusual
and distant from the depository of the public records for the sole purpose
of fatiguing ns into compliance with their measures.
"They have forbidden their county commissioners to pass orders of im-
384: HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
mediate and pressing importance, such as laying out a town at the county-
seat.
" They have endeavored to prevent the population of the north side of
this county, for that purpose misrepresenting the face of the country, the
abundance of timber, fertility of soil, etc.
"They have made John Borough, assessor, and other officers dependent
on their will, alone, for the tenure of their offices.
"They have selected a multitude of new hobbies and sent hither swarms
of electioneerers to harrass our people and take from them the value of
county-seat property.
" They have kept among us, in times of peace, spies and item catchers
without our knowledge and consent.
" They have affected to render a faction independent of and superior to-
the laws of the land.
" They have plundered the reputation of our locality, ravaged our court,
retarded our town and impeded the settlement of our people.
" They have repeatedly professed friendship to us for the sole purpose of
tightening their grasp upon us while we should be napping in fancied se-
curity.
" In every stage of these apprehensions we have petitioned for redress and
remonstrated in the most humble terms. Our repeated remonstrances have
been answered only by repeated injury.
"A 'set' whose character is thus marked by every act which may define-
a speculator and a miser is unfit to have their nominee elected.
" Nor have we been wanting in. our attention to our southern brethern. We ,
have warned them from time to time of attempts by their leading men to set
the county-seat on wheels. We have reminded them of the circumstances-
of our emigration and settlement here in good faith. We have appealed
to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by
the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations which would
inevitably interrupt our political harmony and the success of Democratie
principles.
" They too, with a few noble exceptions, have been deaf to the voice of
justice and equal rights. We must therefore acquiesce in the necessity,
this once, which announces our separation, and hold them as the Whigs,,
enemies in war; in peace, friends.
" We, therefore, the advocates of Sigourney and equal rights, wherever we
may be in Keokuk county on the first Monday of April, 1846, appealing
to the good sense of the people of this and adjoining counties for the rec-
titude of our intentions, do, in and by the love we have for justice, equal
rights and the preservation of our property, solemnly publish and declare
that this county ought not to support, either directly or indirectly, the
nominees and advocates of the removal party of the county, as we would
thereby place ourselves entirely within their power.
■' And that the Democracy favorable to the removal of the county-seat,,
are, and of right ought to be, free and independent of the pretended nom-
inee for delegate. That they are absolved from all obligations to vote for
the said nominee, and that all political connection between us and the re-
moval party is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the sup-
port of the voters of Keokuk county, we roll up our sleeves and pitch in."'
HISTOEY or KEOKUK COUNTT. 385"
EARLY EEMINISCENCES OF MEN AND THINGS.
The first sheriff of Keokuk county was George "W. Hayes. He was a
very eccentric individual, aud some of his peculiarities, as exhibited during-
the days of his official dignity, are cleverly delineated by one who then
knew him :
" In weather hot or cold, wet or dry, he always wore the insigna of his-
office in the shape of an old blue blanket overcoat.
"To see him the first time was to know him at any other time or place^
We had occasion one day to place in his hands a subpoena in which several
persons were defendants. To avoid the repetition of all their names, we-
added, as is usual after the first name, the abreviation, et al., meaning, also
others.
"In the course of a week, Hayes returned the writ, declaring that neither
he, nor any other of the witnesses he had notified, were acquainted with
or knew anything of this man et al."
Some time in the spring of 1847 there was a political meeting at Lan-
caster for the purpose of appointing delegates to a congressional convention..
The meeting was held in a new building being erected by "Whisler and
Mitts, for a store room, and was attended by about twenty-five persons..
About the close of the meeting a shower of rain came up, attended with
vivid lightning, and terrific thunder. One bolt came down, striking the-
front end of the house where the meeting was assembled, killing two men
and a horse. Joshua Bennett, one of the persons killed, was standing just
beside the door, and between it and the counter; Charles Pay ton, the other
one, was standing somewhat on the other side of the door, holding a large horse-
by a chain halter; some were seated on the counter and others on benches;,
others were standing up, and one gentleman within a foot of Payton..
There was no warning, no getting out of the way, no refuge or flight from>
the lightning shaft. One terrible crash, mingled with the sound of break-
ing of window glass, and a sulphureous odor was the first thing realized-
Bennett and Payton gently and slowly sank to the floor, and for the first
minute or two their eyes indicated perfect mental intelligence, but breath-
ing had ceased, and the fire of mortality had gone out. Every effort known
to those present was resorted to for the purpose of restoring them, but to-
no purpose, and in fifteen minutes they were quite livid.
One of the characteristic features of Lancaster in early days was its lib.!
ertypole. It was erected by a man of the name of Allen, who had been
a seafaring man. The pole was one hundred feet high, and was made to
represent the main-mast of a ship. It had four platforms at various eleva-
tions from the ground, and these communicated with each other by meana-
of rope ladders. In 1855 the top blew off, and finally the pole was cut off
at the base. Many readers will remember this pole, and the mention of it
will call back to their minds many fond recollections of that wonderful
little town, which once played such an important part in the history of the-
county.
In early days the mail facilities were not what they now are; even in the-
more populous sections of the country, and in the chief metropolis of thftr
nation, were the facilities much inferior to what they now are at any ordi-
nary railway station in the far West. The first mail received at Sigourney,,.
I'ebruary 7, 1845, consisted of one paper for "Wm. B. Thompson, one paper-
^86 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
for S. Ai James, and some post-office blanks. The mail-carrier was John
m. Bragg, who made semi-monthly trips from Washington to Oskaloosa,
via Sigournej. There were no postage stamps used, the amount of post-
:age being marked on the letter, which amount could be paid either by the
person sending the letter or the one receiving it. The postage on an ordi-
nary letter was five, ten, twelve and a-half, twenty-five, and thirty-seven
-and a-half cents, according to the distance sent. Letters would sometimes
be months in reaching their destination, and then when they did arrive the
person to whom they were directed would have great difficulty sometimes
to raise enough money to pay the back postage. Gen. James A. William-
rson, at present Register of the General Land Office at Washington, and
formerly of this county, averred at an old settlers' meeting, held at Sigonr-
ney a few years since, that in those days he walked twenty miles to borrow
twenty-five cents in order to lift a delicate missive from his sweetheart in
Indiana.
In the summer of 1845 Dr. B. F. Weeks located in Sigourney. He was
a bachelor, nearly forty years of age. In his earlier days the course of true
love did not run smooth, and a cloud seemed to hang over him. His inti-
.raate friends were few but warm. He had first studied law in the East, and
then came to Illinois. Whatever his love affair was, it evidently caused a
•change in the whole course of his life. He changed his life programme,
■came to Iowa and studied medicine. After coming to Sigourney he had a
very successful practice. On the 16th of July, 1846, he was taken suddenly
ill at the house of Maxon Randall. A son of Mr. Eandall came to
■Sigourney for Mr. James, who was soon at his bed-side. The latter says
that he found him calm and composed, but firm in his opinion that he
would not long survive. At the earnest solicitation of Mr. James, a mes-
■senger was sent for Dr. Stone, who resided in Washington; but at a quarter
•of one the same afternoon, being fully conscious, and with a prayer upon
his lips of " Lord, receive my spirit!" he breathed his last.
In the winter of 1851 and '52, the typhoid fever made its appearance at
Lancaster. It baffled the skill of the best physicians, and quite a number
•of deaths ensued; among them were John Baker, at that time county
judge, and B. P. Shawhan, county recorder. The next winter it re-_
-appeared with equal fatality, and after selecting its victims as suddenly
■disappeared. In the summers of 1854 and 1855 the cholera visited Lancas-
ter, and proved fatal in many instances. During the summer of 1855 ex-
aggerated reports of the sick and dead list were circulated, producing so
much alarm that scarcely a farmer ventured into the town for weeks after
it had subsided. For all these diseases there was apparently no local
-cause, the town being on a high, rolling prairie, and no stagnant ponds
•anywhere in the vicinity.
One of the first merchants of the county, and the first to engage in busi-
ness in Sigourney, was B. F. Edwards. He was an old bachelor; had habits
•of great economy, and gathered up all the nails, buttons, bits of old iron,
pins and the like. The under side of his coat lappel was always literally
padded with pins. When the feet of his socks would not bear any further
•darning, he would cut them ofi" and lay by the legs, and to such an extent
had he saved these, that he actually obtained the cognomen of " Sock-legs."
In the autumn of that year he sold out and migrated to or near St. Louis.
A. W. Blair, the first attorney in Sigourney, came over from Oskaloosa
in the fall of 1844, preferring the former place because of the competition,
HISTOET or KEOKUK OOUNTT. 387"
two lawyers having already located at the latter place. He was a short,,
heavy set young man, with a good brain, somewhat cultivated, but came^
to our place greatly discouraged by poverty and the " chills," both of which
clung to him all winter. He was a native of North Carolina, and how he-
ever got out of the limits of the State where the summit of ambition is to-
Bay "gimme chaw tobacker," has never been found out. But he had somehow
drifted to Bloomington, Ind., attended law school, and was really well
qualified to become a lawyer. His location here, however, at that time-
looked as unpropitious as the building of a steam saw-mill in the middle-
of a large prairie. He remained long enough, though, to cut out consid-
erable timber.
When the Mexican war broke out Blair went to Mexico, and for a year
was a cavalry scout along the frontier, on the Rio Grande. Returning, he-
purchased, with the assistance of Dr. Lowe, of Burlington, an outfit for
the "Fort Des Moines Star," the first newspaper published in Des Moines;
but before the first number of his paper was issued, and in the early part
of the year 1849, he was carried off by an epidemic fever then sweeping
over the country, and with a half-dozen other young men w.ent overland to-
the then newly-discovered gold fields of California. He left his press in
charge of Barlow Granger, which eventually fell into the hands of Curtis-
Bates, formerly of Iowa City, a very good man, who was afterward the-
first of that successive line of thirteen defeated candidates for Governor,,
beaten by James W. Grimes.
Blair finally settled down at Watsonville, a town about fifty miles south
of San Francisco, where, if he had permitted it, he might have beefi elected
to Congress. A few years ago he removed to Reno, N^evada, where he now
probably resides. He never married, but continued to be the life of social
gatherings; almost a lady's man, and delighted to put himself on easy
and familiar terms with all the school-children.
A short time prior to the election in August, 1845, late in the evening
" a solitary horseman might have been seen " slowly wending his way
toward the capital of Keokuk county. He had been bewildered and missed
the direct route from Oskaloosa to Sigourney, and was none other than
Gen. Lowe, afterward Governor of the State, who was then canvassing the
State, as a candidate for delegate to Congress against A. C. Dodge, of Bur-
lington. An audience to justify an extensive speech could not be obtained
on such short notice, and the few who did gather together had to content
themselves with a general war talk from the candidate, and on leaving the
next day he left the people very much pleased with his graceful manners
and frank deportment.
"While the first court-house was being built in Sigourney, a young man
appeared at the clerk's office and obtained that paper which permits to be
united in one two willing hearts. He departed with all the joy beaming-
through his face that a gold digger might expose when approaching a rich
placer. On the next day he suddenly returned, with face wan as Adam
when walking out of Eden ; he had lost his pocket-book containing his
marriage license, and after long search had returned to know what could be
done. Thompson was present, and, giving the clerk a wink, as well as a
twinkle of the eye, at once took up the conversation. He informed the
young man that he had known of one case, and had heard of two others-
of the same kind ; that the only course left him was -to go to Bloomington
388 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
and before Judge Williams make affidavit of the loss, upon which the jadge
would send an order directing the clerk to issue another.
Upon this announcement the mercury in the young man's face fell at
least twenty degrees. Tears came to his relief, and in most doleful accents
he shadowed forth the disappointment to be caused by the delay; they
were to be wedded on the following day, and, beside, .before his return
many of the good things of the table might be spoiled or badly damaged.
Such, in fact, were his feelings that the clerk was constrained to interpose,
and agreed to take the responsibility of a re-issue. Thereupon Joel Lan-
dreth, afterward Rev. Joel Landreth, left the clerk's office the second time
inspired by high hope of conjugal bliss.
THE FIEST DISTEICT JUDGE.
As Judge Williams was a somewhat noted character, more particularly
for eccentricity than for legal attainments, though we believe he had the
reputation of being a good judge, we deem it proper to give a brief sketch
of him.
With regard to his history we know but little, either previous to the
time of which we are writing, or since. At that time he was about fifty
years of age, and had worn the ermine many years. In a territorial act
fixing the appointee over what was then called the Second District, com-
posed of the counties of Louisa, Muscatine, Cedar, Johnson and Slaughter.
He was a person of remarkably good conversational power, and delighted
in telling anecdotes. His musical talent was much above the average, both
vocal and instrumental. Often after delivering a temperance lecture, full
of eloquence, and interspersed with humorous passages, he would sing a
favorite song called ' ' Little Billy Neal," with an efiect seldom surpassed,
■calling up an applause of such hearty, boisterous delight as had seldom
greeted a star actor. He was master of most musical instruments, but for
drawing tunes out of that sweetest, sweetest toned of all, " the fiddle and
the bow," he was particularly distinguished in this attainment. In addi-
tion to his vocal talent as a singer, he possessed that wierd, mysterious
power of using his voice as a ventriloquist, and could imitate the cry of
various kinds of animals so correctly that the uninitiated could not fail
being deceived. He would sometimes imitate the squalling of a belligerent
cat, to the great alarm and mystification of the ladies, who could neither
•discover the brawler, nor learn from whence the noise came.
At this point we beg leave to introduce a couple of anecdotes bearing
upon his notoriety as a musician: Many years ago, on the occasion of a
convention at Iowa City in the interests of a proposed railroad from Mus-
catine to thatplace. Judge Williams and LeGrand Byington were in violenf;
opposition to each other upon some points of which we are not informed,
nor does it matter so far as the interest of this sketch is concerned. After
the convention, a young amateur in the art of drawing produced a carica-
ture representing Joe. Williams seated asti-ide an enormous bull, playing a
clarionet. The bull was on the railroad, with tail erect and head down,
pawing up the earth, and prepared to combat the further progress of a
locomotive which was close upon him, upon which was LeGrand Byington
as engineer, and from the whistle of which ascended the words, " Music
hath charms, but cannot soothe a locomotive."
On another occasion, being that of an election of Supreme Judge and
HISTOKT OF KEOKITK COUNTY. 389
United States Senator, by the State Senate, Judge Williams was before the
Democratic cancns for the judgeship, and Geo. W.Jones (sometimes called
]!fancy Jones, and known as a dancing master), for the Senate. Their com-
petitors of the same party were S. 0. Hastings, formerly president of the
territorial council, for the judgeship, and Hon. T. Wilson for the Senate.
The last named gentlemen were at low^ City just previous to the time of
■election, laboring earnestly with the members of the Senate to secure their
■choice. But at the caucus, which came off during the night preceding the
•day of election, it was decided to elect Williams and Jones.
The following instance of his peculiar powers as a ventriloquist is related
of him: It occurred during the first term of the District Court at Knox-
Tille. Most of those attending court there boarded at Babbit's, and it so
iappened that one night the little boarding-house was so full that it was
barely possible for all to find sleeping room. The Judge, with lawyers
Xnapp, Wright and Olney, were supplied with beds in the lower story,
whilst the jurors and numerous other attendants found room to stretch
themselves on the loose upper floor, using blankets, coats and whatever else
they had provided for beds. When, after much ado, they had all got set- .
tied down for a nap, they were suddenly startled by the terriflSc squalling-
■of what appeared to be a couple of tom-cats in mortal combat in the room.
Instantly all hands were up and in search of the supposed disturbers, but
no cats could be found, and the surprised boarders returned to their beds
without any very satisfactory conjectures as to the whereabouts of the noc-
turnal brawlers. But they had hardly composed themselves again for rest,
when the loud and boisterous growling and snapping of a couple of bellig-
•erent bull-dogs, apparently in their very midst, brought them all up stand-
ing. And then followed an uproar such as language could convey but an
indistinct idea of, the dogs maintaining the combat with mingled growling,
barking and whining, and the men endeavoring, with all the noise they
■could make, to oust them from the room. How they came to be there was
a wonder indeed, but the evidence of their presence was too unmistakable
to admit of a doubt, even in total darkness. Presently the fight ceased,
and with that the general uproar abated. Then came a solution of the
mystery. The Judge and lawyers could no longer restrain their merri-
ment at the expense of the frightened and mystified lodgers up stairs, but
let it come in a gush of laughter that quickly reminded some of the com-
pany that the Judge was a ventriloquist, and had undoubtedly just played'^
them one of his mysterious tricks. But so far from being offended at it,
they took a sensible view of its ludicrousness, and all joined heartily into
the laugh.
Judge Joseph Williams, above referred to, should not be confoun(Jed by
'joung readers with M. T. Williams, the clerk of tlie first court, and cur-
rently known as Judge Williams. This latter gentleman is not eccentric,
nor a great fiddler, nor a ventr iloquist. The only analogy we think of is
in his temperance proclivities, and his ability to tell a good story.
M. T. Williams is justly regarded as one of the oracles of Mahaska
county. His duties as first clerk of the county brought him in contact
with its pioneers and territory in such a manner as to afford him a more
thorough knowledge of the very early history of Mahaska county than any
other man now living. Sometimes Mr. Williams is induced by his friends,
publicly, or in a small circle, to narrate his early experience and reminis-
censes, which he can do in a most irresistible manner. The Judge is not
390 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
fond of making a speech, not for the reason which kept " Single Speech
Hamilton " in the background, but from an unassuming and retiring dis-
position, and a probable under-estimation of his own abilities, for the Judge
can make a good address. This peculiarity, the modesty of Mr. Williams^
is illustrated by the following anecdote:
In an early day, when he was running for county clerk, and without any
opposing candidate, he was, after much persuasion, induced to go out with
a campaign speaker from abroad, to hold a meeting in a school-house in
one of the border townships. While on the way the stranger. asked Wil-
liams how the Whig ticket was going to run in the county.
" Oh, I guess all right, unless it be the clerk," said M. T.
" Clerk! why, what is the matter with that? Are you not popular, Wil-
liams?"
" No, not very, I guess. Some of the Democrats are finding fault."
" Well, who is running against you?"
" Oh, well — ahem — oh, there is not anybody else running in particular."
Of course the laugh was on the agitated independent candidate, with
no opponent in the field.
POOR FAEM.
Asylums for the poor, the disabled and the unfortunate are peculiarly
Christian institutions, it has been said, and they become more common
with the growth of civilization. None of, the heathen nations, Rome,
Greece or Macedon, in their times of greatest wealth and power, ever
established any public institutions for the , relief of the destitute, but in
this age a State, or evien a county of any considerable size or prosperty,
would be considered far behind in all the elements of progress unless some
provision was made for the care of paupers arid other unfortunates.
Keokuk county has been rather remarkably free from abject poverty, but
nevertheless' has been diligent and generous in providing a place for those
too poor to have any other. Care is taken to make the institution adapted
to its purposes and to keep it always in good ^ order.
Although the poor of the county have been cared for from the beginning
by appropriations made by the county board, it was not till more recent
times that a county infirmary was established. Before that time it was the
custom to have the paupers boarded in private families, and also to fur-
nish provisions to indigent families. This plan was very expensive, the
county frequently being compelled to pay as high as four dollars per week
for the board and lodging of a single pauper; also the plan of furnishing
provisions was unsatisfactory, as thereby the way was left open for the
practice of fraud, many persons in this way frequently reijeiving aid who
were not deserving.
The first step taken toward the establishment of a county infirmary was
taken in June, 1866. The county board at that time consisted of one mem-
ber from each township. There were sixteen members, and notwithstand-
ing the fact that it was too large a body to transact business promptly, and
as such a large board would necessarily be made up in part of men unused
to business transactions, work was not always transacted in the best of man-
ner, yet the old board of sixteen looked after the interests of the county
thoroughly, and many public improvements which to-day reflect credit
HISTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 393
upon the county and placed it in the front rank in all matters of public
enterprise, had their origin in this miniature legislature.
It was at the June session, 1866, that the first official action was taken
with reference to the establishment of the infirmary. A committee had
been appointed to investigate the propriety of such action, and at the meet-
ing referred to the committee made the following report:
"The committee on care of the poor, to whom the resolution in regard
to the purchase of an infirmary was referred, would recommend the propri-
ety of purchasing a farm for this purpose, not to exceed in price the sum
of two thousand dollars, and that a vote on this question be submitted to
the electors at the next election."
At the January meeting, 1867, a committee was appointed to purchase a
farm, which was not to exceed two hundred acres and to be not less than fifty
acres. The committee appointed consisted of William Jackson, B. A.
Haycock, Samuel West, William McLoud and Lewis Hollingsworth.
This committee did not purchase a farm, but made a selection of two and
recommended the purchase of one of them.
In 1868 another committee was appointed to purchase a farm and erect
buildings. This committee at a subsequent meeting reported the purchase
of a farm, but did not proceed further on account of there being no funds
for that purpose. The committee was accordingly discharged.
The farm purchased by the committee was the one belonging to Richard
Payton, one mile east of Sigourney, and consisted of two hundred and
four acres. The price paid was $3,500.
In 1869, at the January meeting a committee, consisting of Messrs.
Jackson, Bandalland Morgan, was appointed to erect suitable buildings on
the poor farm. At the same meeting it was ordered that the sum of $5,000
be placed at the disposal of said committee.
The business of superintending the erection of the building was left in
the charge of Mr. Jackson, who himself drew the plans and specifications
and entered upon the erection of the house, which was completed in 1870.
The following report of the committee will afiford a good idea of the
cost and nature of the building:
" To the Honorable Board of Supervisors, KeoTcuk County, Iowa:
" Tour committee on building county poor-house beg leave to report
that the building is now nearly finished and may be occupied at any time,
and it may not be considered out of place to briefly review the progress of
the work from its commencement.
"Your committee, on the first of February, 1869, made a contract with
B. Fixmer for 110,000 brick, to be made on the county farm and delivered
at the kiln at $7.50 per thousand.
"They then gave public notice, inviting bids for the erection of the
building. A number of bids were presented; the committee being all
present, on opening the same, Mr. Blaise's bid was found to be $4,255.50,
and being the lowest of all the bids for the work specified, the work was
awarded to , him, to be completed by the first day of October,
1869. Owing to the extremely wet season and the great amount of heavy
material to be hauled before the basement was erected, it was so late in the
season that it was thought advisable to suspend the work till spring, and
the board authorized that to be done.
1^ 25
394 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOTJNTT.
" Your committee met in the spring, before the brick work was com-
menced, and examined the foundation carefully and found it to be in a
good condition, and the contractor has since been faithfully going on with
the work.
" Before the June meeting, your committee, on visiting the building,
thought it advisable to request the members of the board to visit the
building and decide on the propriety of finishing the same at once, when
it was determined that it would be most judicious to do so, and an appro-
priation of $2,000 was made for that purpose.
"Tour committee requested Mr. Blaise to make out his lowest estimate
on the additional work to be done, and if not reasonable it was their in-
tention to call in competition, although it would have occasioned consider-
able inconvenience and delay in the work.
" Messrs. Jackson and Kandall visited the building and pointed out the
work to be done, and Mr. Blaise presented his bid in items, amounting to
$3,323, to complete the building, grading, etc. On the suggestion of Mr.
Kandail the bid was accepted on condition that Mr. Blaise should waive all
claims for extras, he having previously presented a claim for upwards of
$300 for solid partitions in rooms to be adapted to the care of the harmless
insane, drain to foundation, to which he was entitled, and also for heavier
walls in the foundation, etc.
" The entire cost of the building is as follows:
K. Fixmer, for brick $ 825.00
Original contract 4,255.50
Additional contract 2,323.00
Total $7,403.50
Amount paid on first contract - $3,500.00
Amount paid on second contract .^ 2,100.00
Total $5,600.00
Amount due on first contract $ 755.50
Amount due on second contract 223.00
Total due \ $978.50
" We will now make a short statement of the work accomplished:
"The dimensions of the building are 40x50. feet; basement story is
seven feet in the clear; the first and second stories are ten ieet, and the
attic is eight and one-half feet.
" The attic contains a hall four feet wide lengthwise, six rooms and six
closets; the second story, ten rooms and seven-foot hall; the first floor con-
tains a seven-foot hall and six rooms. The basement, on the north side, is
a cellar, divided into two departments. The cellar and hall floors are laid
with six inches of spawls, grouted over with lime mortar ai\d finished with
cement, and the walls all plastered. The south side of the baseineiit is
finished up for kitchen and dining-room.
" Lightning rods and spouting have been put up and a large cistern con-
Btructed; stone steps, front and rear of the building, grade steps and grade
HISTORY OF KEOKUX COUNTY. 395
iwalls have been built up in tlie most substantial manner, and a heavy
amount of grading done around the building.
" It is the opinion of your committee that the county will possess a good
and substantial building, and fully up to the contract. The contracts and
receipts for money paid contractors are herewith submitted, and we would
xeqnest the board to visit and examine the building.
" All of which is respectfully submitted.
" Maxon Randall,
'* "Wm. Jackson,
" T. A. MOEGAN,
"September 7, 1870. Committee on huildijig poor-house."
In addition to this building there is another, which was erected in 1878
for use as an insane department. This building was likewise planned by
Mr. Jackson, and cost $2,700.
The farm is one of the best in the county, and by reason of its con-
tiguity to the county-seat is probably the best selection that could have
been made. The house is located on a high piece of ground, immediately
east of a creek, and there are the best facilities for drainage. There are
one hundred and eighty acres of the farm under cultivation. The fences
ard out-buildings are in a good state of repair, and a fine young orchard
promises in a few years to furnish the household with an abundance of fruit.
The number in tlie household varies from time to time, tiiere being usually
from twenty to thirty. On the completion of the insane department there
were ten insane persons brought from the State Asylum.
Medical attendance is pri)vided by the board of supervisors, the contract
being allowed to the lowest bidder. Dr. Cook is at present the county
•physician.
u The first superintendent was J. R. Hall. This gentleman had charge of
"the farm at the time of the completion of the building. When tlie house
was opened for the reception of inmates Mr. Hall was retained, and con-
tinned to remain in the position until the beginning of 1879. T. M. Dickey
is at present the superintendent. He gives all his time, furnishes all the
iLelp, except such as is rendered by tiie paupers, also all the teams and
farming implements required for the cultivation of the farm, receiving for
the same seven hundred and seventy-five dollars per annum, with board
and house room.
Of the male inmates, few are able to do anything, and several of them
require much attention. Of tlie female inmates, there are several who ren-
der considerable assistance. Tiie female inmates, in connection with Mr.
Dickey's farailv, do all the work of the house, including thoir own cooking,
and attending to persons unable to assist themselves. A number of the
inmates are wholly or partially insane, and six or seven have fits very fre-
quently. But few of them are physically able to earn a living, and one or
two of them will soon cease to be a charge to any one in this world.
The home, with the new additions built, has a capacity for more than
the number of present inmates. All the arrangements and plans now in
operation would require little, if any, change or additional cost if the num-
ber of inmates was largely increased.
The county supervisors and the steward appear to be doing all they can
promote the comfort and welfare of the inmates. The inmates are all
396 HISTOET OF KEOKtJK OOTTNTT.
Well clad, and have an abundance of good, plain, substantial and! welT-
cooked food.
With such facilities for receiving inmates, it is certainly proper tjiat
parties requiring aid from the county be removed to that place just as sooo
as possible, and that in all possible cases the payment of money to out-door
paupers should cease. There may be certain cases in which it may b»
proper to pay a weekly sum to an individual or family for support,. but
these cases are very few. This is especially the case when the county-house
has facilities for accommodating a much larger number of inmates. Towu'-
ship trustees should see that the poor fund is not depleted by such heavy
payments, as in times past, to those outside of the county-house. Economy
demands this, and in most cases humanity also, for it cannot but be ad-
mitted that persons in want or insane can be much better accommodated on
a county farm than in private residences. This is a question that lies with
the township trustees, and almost beyond control of the board of supervis-
ors. The funds for the support of the inmates of the county-house have
been exhausted largely by the heavy drafts for assistance to persons out-
side of the county- house; but the abundant crops pn the farm will do'
much toward sustaining the whole concern during the year.
Mr. Dickey keeps his books on a scientific basis, showing cost of every
item, as also revenue from each and every source itemized. This is setting
a good example, one which might well be followed by many farmers on
their own account.
The above statements show that the affairs of the farm are managed wiA
care and good judgment. " Over the hills to the pDor-house " is a sadf
story at best, but there is one far sadder. A painting at the Centennial
Eortrayed an aged Indian squaw left to perish on the plains, while those of
er own tribe — her own family and children even, were wending their way
out of sight, followed by the despairing, worn out, deserted old woman'.
Such is life among those who know nothing of charity.
There are at the present time twenty-six inmates, ten of whom' are in-
sane and sixteen sane. The following are the names of the insane:
A. Stone, Edward Boeaw, James Hoo%'er, John Doran, Catharine Mills,
Mary Horning, Mary Holliday, Margery Beggs, Anne Ruplinger, John
Aired. Some of these are harmless and easily managed, while five of them
have to be confined, while one, Catharine Mills, must be closely confined
in a cell.
The following are the names of the paupers:
John Gamble, George Campbell, Presley Clark, George Miller, Henry
Sampson, Frank Long, William Gusler, Mary Priest, Celia Pollock, Mag-
gie Garver, Clovy Seaton, Laura Thralekill, Rosa Wareham, Ida Payton,
Adaline Wareham, Mary Bradley.
Among the insane, John Doran was admitted last May; the rest were
all brought from the State Asylum, December, 1878.
Among the paupers the following have been admitted during Mr. Dickey's
administration: William Gusler, Ida Payton and George Miller. The
others have been inmates for a longer time ; some of them for a number of
years. Mary Priest and Celia Pollock have been inmates ever since the in-
firmary was started. The former has traveled life's rugged road three score-
years, during eight of which she has been totally blind in consequence of
having had sore eyes. She was born in Greene county, Ky., and has- at tlu9-
time a brother living in Mahaska county, and one also, Wm. Priest, in this-
HISTOET OP KEOKUK COTJNTy. 39f
coTiiity. Mrs. Davis, liviug three-fourths of a mile east of the poor-house,
as, we believe, her only living sister. Mary was never married, and pre-
vious to coming to the poor-house, on the 30th of September, 1870, had
never called on the county for aid, except in one instance. She appears to
be in the full possession of her mental faculties, and boasts that while com-
pelled to seek a home in the poor-house, she is still able to pay her own
way if famished with enough knitting to keep her busy. The first year
«he knit 64 pairs of stockings; has been knitting at the same rate ever
since.
Celia Pollock doesn't know when she was born and can't tell anything
about her liistory, consequently was not an easy subject to interview. Na,-
ture failed to endow Celia with a mind above that of an idiot, and her
powers of speech are such as can only be understood by those familiar with
her gibberish. We learn that she is 53 years of age, has a sister living
about nine miles southwest of Sigourney, and a brother near Springfield, in
this county. She is not capable of doing anything about the house without
watching, and may be put down as a harmless simpleton with animal pas-
«ions fully developed. Celia's case furnished a good illustration of man's
inborn depravity, brutes in human form having made her the mother of
eight children.
The nativity of the paupers is as follows : Five are natives of Iowa,
two were born in Illinois, two in Indiana, one in !New York, one in Scot-
land, one in North Carolina, one in Maryland, one in Pennsylvania, one in
Kentucky and one in Germany.
KAILWATS.
The importance of railroads was early appreciated by the people of Keo-
kuk county, and projects of that nature have been discussed for more than
a quarter of a century. Although it required years of agitation, and before
there was anything definite accomplished, there was an outlay of thousands
opon thousands of dollars by way of individual subscription, and thousands
open thousands in public taxation, the county has now very good railway
«ommunication with the outside world, and this bids fair to increase in the
immediate future.
The first railroad projected was the "Air Line" road through the State
trom New Boston on the Mississippi to Council. Blufis. The agitation of
this question was quite active as is shown by the notice of the county
judge submitting the question to the people whether or not aid should be
extended to this line. The following is the notice:
"In 1853 the petition of many people of the county was presented, asking
that the question be submitted to a vote of the people of Keokuk county,
Iowa, whether the county of Keokuk, aforesaid, will aid in the construction
of tlve^PhHadelphia, Ft. Wayne & Platte River Air Line Eailroad' by
subscribing the sum of one hundred thousand dollars to the capital stock
«f the said road.
"Now, therefore, in order that the sense of the voters of said county may
% taken in the premises, it is hereby ordered that a special election be held
for the purpose of voting 'for' or 'against' the following proposition, to-wit:
That the county of Keokuk, in the State of Iowa, will aid in the construc-
;tiou of said road, to-wit: the 'Philadelphia, Ft. Wayne & Platte Eiver Air
tine Railroad,' by subscribing one hundred thousand dollars to the capital
898 HISTORY OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
stock of the company of said road. That county honds be issued therefor^
payable in twenty years of their date, bearing interest at a rate not to exr
ceed six per centum per annum, payable semi-annually, and that whenever
said company has obtained a sufficient amount of subscription to its stock
as will, in the opinion of the county judge, secure the completion of the
road, then that county bonds shall be issued to the company of said road.
That in addition to the taxes usually levied an annual tax not to exceed one-
per cent upon the county valuation be levied from year to year so long as-
the same is required to be applied to the liquidation of the interest and
principal of the bonds aforesaid, unless it is found that the interest an(i
principal can be satisfied by the dividends arising from, or sale of, stock
above mentioned. That the county judge of Keokuk county represent in
person, or by proxy, the stock taken by said county. That the form of
ballots for the said elections shall be 'For the county subscription' or
'Against the county subscription'; a majority of votes for the county sub-
scription will be considered as adopting the above proposition entire. It
is further directed that the law governing elections shall so far as compati.-
ble, be applied to this election."
The election to decide on this proposition was not held as it became ap-
parent that the enterprise could not be successful, and the early settlers-
were compelled to do without a railroad.
Although railroad matters were discussed from time to time nothing
definite was done for some seven or eight years. The war then breaking
out railroad building was discontinued everywhere, and the public mind
was so much absorbed with war matters that railroads ceased to be talked!
of. At the close of the war the attention of the people which had for sO'
long a time been directed from the question of railroads was again called
to this important matter. Lines leading in all directions were projectedl
from the leading centers of trade and the peace of the interior towns which
for five years had been so frequently broken by noisy war meetings was now
interrupted no less frequently by equally exciting railroad meetings.
The war had scarcely closed and Keokuk county soldiers had not yet alll
returned to their homes when the building of a railroad through the-
county began to be agitated. A company was organized known as thfr
North Missouri & Cedar Rapids Railroad Company and the proposed line
was to run from Ottumwa to Cedar Rapids, passing through Keokuk
county in a northeast direction. Early in July, 1865, George D. Woodin,.
Esq., visited Cedar Rapids for the purpose of consulting with the people
of that place upon the subject. Upon his return he reported that the peo-
ple of Cedar Rapids were heartily in favor of the project and would cot
operate in the enterprise. Shortly after this a delegation of citizens of
Sigourney, consisting of H. E. Havens, J. H. Sanders, G. H. Higgins and
L. McCoy, visited Ottumwa. A public meeting was called at the City
Hall of Ottumwa for the purpose of welcoming the delegation and confer-^
ing with tliem on the subject of the proposed Hue. As a result of the in-
terview it was resolved to call a general convention at Ottumwa on the-
10th of August, to be participated in by all the people along the line of
the proposed road. The convention was held, and from this time J. H-
Sanders, a wealthy and enterprising citizen of Sigourney was promir
nently identified with this enterprise. George D. Woodin, T. A. Morgan,
J. C. Hogin, William McGrew and H. E. Havens were also very active iq>
the matter. About this time a railroad meeting was held at the courtr
HISTORY OF KEOKUX COUNTY. 399
house in Sigonrney. At this meeting Mr. "Woodin estimated the amount
necessary to be subscribed by Keokuk county at $160,000 and offered the
following resolution:
" Resolved, That the citizens of Keokuk county can and will raise $160,-
000 toward the construction of the Iowa extension of the North Missouri
railroad."
Which resolution was unanimously adopted.
It will be remembered that at this time tliere was no legislative provis-
ion whereby townships could vote a railroad tax, and the only way it could
be procured was by voluntary subscription.
In September another railroad convention was held at Cedar Eapids,
which was attended by delegates from ten different counties. At this
meeting it was resolved that the capital stock should be five millions of
dollars, and that measures should be immediately taken for the completion
of the road.
The persons who were most interested, officially and otherwise, canvassed
the country through which the proposed line lay, and solicited subscrip-
tions to the capital stock. Quite an amount was subscribed along the line
between Sigourney and Ottumwa, and considerable grading was done be-
tween these two points.
Such was the state of affairs in the summer of 1869. Up to this time
it was impossible to make much progress in building, as the people along
the line were unable to pay their subscriptions. To facilitate matters, and
give subscribers time to pay, it was arranged with the contractors that the
work should 'go on, provided the subscribers would give their notes for the
amount of their subscriptions. About seventeen thousand dollars in notes
were thus procured from people living along the line in Keokuk county.
, On the 27th of September, this year, a railroad meeting was held in the
court-house, Sigourney, and after considerable talk an arrangement was en-
tered into by which the merchants of Sigourney agreed to close their stores
for three days, commencing the Tuesday following, and canvass for notes.
A great number of notes were in this manner procured, and the work of
grading was pushed forward and completed from Ottumwa to Sigourney.
There were also quite a number of bridges built, and there was quite a flat-
tering prospect that the road would soon be completed between these two
points. However, when the people of the county, and especially those liv-
ing at the county-seat, thought themselves on the very eve of having rail-
road communication with the outer world, they were doomed to disappoint-
ment. Many living along the line, who had given their notes, were either
unable or unwilling to pay tliem, and, their collection being inforced by the
the courts, there was engendered a feeling of hostility toward the road, and
the enterprise now met with the most stubborn opposition from those who
at first were most friendly. Suddenly all work ceased. The railroad was
no longer talked of except in derision. The next spring farmers built
fences across the road-bed, and that part of it which was not cultivated be-
came rank with weeds.
Still other causes worked disastrously to the enterprise. The board of
|;trade of St. Louis had promised that the citizens of that place would put
■ in dollar for dollar to the extent of the amount subscribed along the line
in Iowa. The citizens of St. Louis did not put a dollar into the enterprise.
The North Missouri Railroad Company promised in the beginning to aid
and foster the enterprise, but about one year after the movement was com-
400 HISTORY OF KEOKUK OOUin'T.
menced instead of continuing their line north, temporarily abandoned their
line north and tnrned their attention to the construction of a road to Kan-
sas City. Thus matters stood in 1870. During the latter part of this year
and the former part of 1871, there was a new departure. The high hopes
which were then entertained are portrayed in the following local item which'
appeared in the columns of the local press:
" The long talked of forward movement all along the line of the railroad,
between this place and Ottumwa, commenced on Monday, of this week.
Skirmishing has been going on for the last two or three weeks, but the
state of the weather has greatly retarded the operations. The work is now
going on in earnest, and we are assured will be prosecuted with the greatest
vigor. The completion of the road to this point by August, seems to be
fully determined on. The good time coming is almost here." The good
time coming was, however, much farther oif than was anticipated.
In October, the president of the company started to New York, to deliver
the bonds of the railroad company, and order foward iron for the track.
Just at this time occurred the great Chicago fire. When he arrived at
New York, the president of the company wrote to the friends of the enter-
prise, here, as follows:
" When I arrived at New York, panic was written on the face of every
denizen of Wall Street to such an extent as to be almost ridiculous, to an
outsider. The result to our enterprise, however, presented nothing ludi-
crous. All but one of our associates in New York and Philadelphia
promptly telegraphed me withdrawing from the syndicate. I stayed a
week and tried to get them to reconsider their action, but to no avail. The
commission merchant sold the iron to other parties, and I went home feel-
ing very blue."
The Eock Island Railroad extending their road, shortly afterward, to
Sigourney, all interest in the Ottumwa road died out. Persons who had
invested money in the enterprise lost all they put into it, and some were
financially ruined thereby. Mr. Sanders, who had invested heavily, and
devoted years of labor upon the road, settled up his affairs as well as he
was able to do, and removed to Chicago. The road-bed fell into the
hands of private individuals, and a large portion of it has reverted to its
former uses, and in the production of corn and potatoes yields a better
return than it ever has done as a commercial thoroughfare. The road-bed
and right-of way, however, is too valuable to be always devoted to agricul-
tural purposes. Even at the present time, November, 1879, measures are
being taken which promise, at no far distant day, to result in the comple-
tion of the road already costing so many years of toil, and the expeuditure
of so many hundreds of hard earned dollars.
Certain gentlemen, having the matter in charge, have recently visited
Sigourney, and various points along the route between the latter place and
Ottumwa. Quite an interest is being awakened, and the preliminary steps
have been taken for calling an election in the various townships through
which the road is to extend.
THE C, E. I. & p. EAILEOAD.
The next railroad enterprise in the county was the Chicago, Eock Island
& Pacific. This company had, for a number of years, been operating a
road to Washington, in the adjoining county, and repeated overtures were
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 401
made, from time to time, to induce the said company to extend the line to
itlie county-seat of Keokuk county. In the fall of 1870, Ebenozer Cook,
vice-president of this company, made a proposition to build the road by
the first of December, 1871, provided the people of the county would raise
by subscriptions the sum of fifty thousand dollars, secure the right-of-way
from the Washington county line, and provide suitable depot grounds in
."Sigourney. The committee to whom the people had delegated the man-
agement of this matter consisted of J. P. Terger, J. H. Shawhan
and George D. Woodin. This committee, on canvassing the matter,
•wrote to Mr. Cook, stating that his proposition would be accepted, but they
(preferred to raise part of the subsidy by taxation, in several townships,
flnder the laws of Iowa, instead of by subscription. To that the Rock Is-
land Company assented, agreeing to take the amount assessed as a part of
the fifty thousand dollars; but as a delay had been occasioned by these ne-
gotiations, thus preventing any work being done till the following spring,
the time tor completion was extended to July 1, 1872.
In January, 1871, elections were held in the several townships of the
county which would be immediately benefited by the building of the pro-
posed road. These townships were Lafayette, German, Sigourney and Yan
Buren. The vote in all these townships was in favor of the tax, and
through the energetic efforts of the committee the right-of-way was soon
secured. The depot at Sigourney was located on the farm of Messrs.
Woodin and Clark in the north part of town. Having agreed to assist in
purchasing the right-of-way for the road and depot grounds at Sigourney,
these gentlemen furnislied the land free of cost as a means of discharg-
ing their share of the obligation. The donation was a liberal one and went
far toward lessening the expense to those who signed the bond for the
dght-of-way. Work was commenced on the road in the summer of 1871
and was completed some time in advance of that specified in the contract;
trains were running into Sigourney by the 9th of April following. The
promptness which characterizes this company in all of its enterprises when
it once determines to act was manifest in this instance and presents a
marked contrast with the long years of vascillation and uncertainty which
•characterized the movements of the north and south road already described.
The road once completed proved to be a good investment both for the
pe )ple of the county and the company which built it. The following tables
show the shipments of produce and manufactured articles from Sigour-
ney station for the years 1875 and 1878 These tables were carefully com-
piled by Mr. J. C. Baird, agent of the C, R. I. & P. railroad, at Sigourney,
and not only show the business of the road but furnish a good basis from
which to make an estimate of the resources of the county:
402
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
1866.
ARTICLES.
i
i
1
1^
Barley
22
462,000
28,760
2.718,000
13,965,000
200,000
900.610
5,245
1,560
8,345
63,745
100,000
40,485
3,712,500
220,000
3.160
3,318,000
304,945
16,840
1,480
231,000
20,085
108,000
120,000
40,000
182,635
7.340
3,318,000
2,200
9,625
249,375
25.000
87
70
103,685
5,085
■■5,135
■ ■4,658
"55,366
$ 7,281.75
4,846.00>
135 900^0^
Butter
Cattle
151
665
10
Com
14,962.50-
'Mm
1,201.20'
524 50'
Coal
Cheese
Clover seed
Dry hides
234 00"
Dressed hogs •.
58415.
Eggs
3,187.30'
2,500.00'
2 839 95.
Flour
5
Green hides i
Hoars
275
11
185,625.00'
11,275.00-
52 50
Millet seed
Oats
158
15
46 658 2,'i.
Potatoes
3,551.00'
1,012.20-
89 60'
Poultry
Pelts
11
3,337.75-
300 25.
Rags
Sheep
12
6
2
8
5,440.00'
126 00'
Stalk cutters
2,565.00
9,130.50
513 80=
Timothy seed
Tallow
Wheat
158
38,710;b*
1,650.0(5-
Wool and woolen goods
1,509
29,218,965
457,420
1484,278,2^
The shipments for the year 1875 as given furnish a good basis for estima-
ting the business of the road and also the resources of the county. From the
following statement for the year 1878 it will be seen that there was quite-
a falling pff. This resulted from the partial failure of crops and the exten-
sion of the road westward, much shipping heretofore done at Sigourney
now being done from stations further west.
HI8T0BT OF KEOEUE COUNTY.
1878.
405
ARTICLES.
Apples
Butter
Beeswax
Barley
Brick
Cheese
Com
Cattle
Eggs (15,390 dozens).
Floor
QoTer seed
Feathers
Hides
Horses
Oats
Ponltry
Bye
Sheep
Syrap (210 gallons).
Tallow
Timothy seed
Wool goods
Wheat
Total 5347,421,285 19,149 $136,693.ia
7
125
212
8
15
17
4
6
61
a
p
o
a.
H
CD
&
pq
7,050
42,395
450
40,000
40,000
12,455
140.000
1,900,000
100,000
365
470
34,245
3,180,000
300.000
32,000
340,000
36,000
10,424
120,000
15,430
1,220,000
125
'850
62
9,375
' e^oii
2,666
o
■i
>
62.50'
4,289.50
22.50'
255.00
30.00-
622.75
425.00-
57,000.00'
1,599.00-
3,000.00-
248.00>
115.00-
1,712.25-
79,506.00
10,880.00-
1,171.85-
1,600.00-
1,821.3*
900.00-
84.00-
521.25-
2,.S99.40'
12,354.00
12,199.80
In the sunaaier of 1875 Mr. Riddle, the superintendent of the C, R. L
& P. Railroad, proposed to the citizens of Oskaloosa that the company
wonld immediately extend their road from Sigourney if the citizens would
raise the sum of $20,000 and furnish the right-of-way. At the same time-
J. P. Terger, of Sigourney, was employed to secure the right-of-way from
Sigourney to the Mahaska county line. The citizens of Oskaloosa raised
the required subsidy by local subscription, and Mr. Terger secured the-
right-of-way to the Mahaska county line. The road was finished to Oska-
loosa in February, 1876, and now extends to Knoxville, in Marion county^
The stations on the road in Keokuk county are Keota, Harper, Sigourney^
and Delta.
Tlie length of the road belonging to the company in Keokuk county is-
ehown in the following proceedings of the boar I of supervisors:
In accordance with chapter 5, section 1.321, Code of 1873, the board of
supervisors of Keokuk county make the following division of railroad lines-
in Keokuk, county, Iowa:
CHICAGO, EOCK ISLAND & PACIFIC EAILWWAT.
TOWSSHIPS MIIjES. townships MII/E8..
Xafayette 6.23 Sigonrnev 6.90
German 6.32 Warren.' <o.\^
Total length of road 25.64
404 HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
LESSEE DIVISIONS.
Sub-district No. 7, Lafayette township, one mile, and pays a tax of
'$67.70.
Sub-district No. 8, Lafayette township, two miles, pays a tax of $154.00.
Sub-district No. 9, Lafayette township, 2.25 miles, pays a tax of $173.27.
Independent district of Keota, 0.75 miles, and pays a tax of $90.76.
Sub-district No. 10, Lafayette township, 0.25 miles, and pays a tax of
$27.51.
Sub-district No. 7, German township, 2.10 miles, pays a tax of $167.47.
Sub-district No. 8, German township, 2.05 miles, pays a tax of $163.50.
■ Sub-district No. 9, German township, 2.17 miles, pay a tax of $173.06. <
Sub-district No. 1, Sigourney township, 2.95 miles, pay a tax of $251.49.
Sub-district No. 3, Sigourney township, 3.95 miles, pays a tax of $423.64,
Independent district of Delta, 1.05 miles, and pays a tax of $138.61.
Sub-districts Nos. 1 and 2, Warren township, 2.27 miles, pays a tax of
•$299.65.
Sub-district No. 8, Warren township, 2.87 miles, pays a tax of $189.48.
The valuation of the road is $5,500' per mile, and in addition to the taxes
■enumerated pays a special railroad commissioners' tax amounting to
.$210.32.
I. & W. EAILEOAD.
The next railroad enterprise was the Iowa City & Western, which is a
Tjranch of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern. This latter, named
■corporation, although it has had for years quite an extensive line, was un-
.able to get coal without trouble and expense, as its line at no point passed
through any extensive coal fields. Some two years since the company pro-
iected a road to Iowa City with a view ultimately to reach the coal fields of
Keokuk or Mahaska county.
Early in 1878 there was talk of extending the road southwest into Keokuk
■county, several lines were surveyed, the enterprise extensively agitated and
the question of subsidies canvassed. Finally a proposition was made to the
northern tier of townships to build the line through that part of the coun-
ty if the required tax should be voted. Liberty township refused to vote
the tax. August 20, 1878, English River township voted on the tax;
Adams voted July 20, same year; Prairie voted August 29 and Washing-
ton August 28, in all of which there was a majority in favor of the tax.
The result of the elections being favorable, and the other conditions be-
ing satisfactorily arranged, the company began to make preparations to
build the road. The work of grading began early in 1879 and has been
•energetically pushed forward till the present time. The grading is about
finished and the work of track-laying approaches completion. The present
terminus of the road is WJiat Cheer, in Washington township. This point
is in the most productive part of the coal field of Keokuk connty, while
the entire line in tlie county passes through the most fertile region of the
State. Owing to the diversity of resources of the county and the distance
from other lines of communication this part of the connty will be greatly
benefited by the road, while the company building it will reap large returns
for its investment in the heavy amount of traflSc which it will undoubtedly
receive.
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 405-
The stations SO far established along the line of the road in Keokuk
comity are Kinross, South English, Webster, Keswick, Thornbnrg and
What Cheer.
Beside the roads already mentioned there were several other roads pro-
jected across the county. Some of these were surveyed, of others the pro-
posed lines were simply prospected on horseback, while still others were only
talked of and prospected from the counting-rooms and offices of Eastern
capitalists. The Iowa City & Sauthwestern, commonly known as the-
Kirkwood road, was to have followed, in part, the same direction as the Iowa
City and Western, with the exception that its general course was south of
the latter line and its terminus was to have been Ottumwa. The Burling-
ton & Northwestern was to have started from Burlington and having
passed through Louisa, Washington and Keokuk counties reach out for any^
prize which offered the greatest temptation in the way of subsidies and
traffic. The Muscatine, Oskaloosa & Council Bluffs railroad was an en-
terprise much talked of. It was in fact but a resurrection of the old Fort
Wayne & Platte Kiver Air Line road. The proposed route lay through
the counties of Muscatine, Washington, Keokuk and thence due west to-
Council Bluffs. In this enterprise were enlisted the leading men from
every county-seat of that tier of counties between Muscatine and Council
Bluffs. Without the aid of any other corporation these men proposed to-
build a road across the State and although it was a tremendous undertakings
it probably would have finally been carried to a successful termination had
it not been for the early completion of other trunk lines across the State
which rendered this road less necessary, and as a consequence less feasible.
The agitation of this railroad enterprise was at lever heat in January,.
1868, when a mammoth convention was held at Oskaloosa. Delegates
were present from Muscatine, Washington, Keokuk, Mahaska, Marion,.
Warren, Madison, Adair, Cass and Pottawattamie counties. The delegates
J resent from Keokuk county were J. C. Johnson, J. H. Sanders, L. McCoy,
. W. Havens, J. H. Shawhan, L. Hollingsworth, W. M. Rogers, M. C,
Boswell, S. Kogers, B. A. Haycock, A, C. Romig, S. T. Street, C. H. Smith
and B. F. Crocker. G. E. Griffiths, of Warren, was chosen chairman and
each county had a vice-president; J. C. Johnston had the honor of being
the vice-president from Keokuk county. There was a corporation formed
with sixty-six incorporators. There were fourteen articles of incorpora-
tion. A committee consisting of ten persons was appointed to nominate
directors. B. A. Haycock and L. McCoy had the honor to serve on the
said committe from Keokuk county. There were fifteen persons nomina-
ted for directors and the persons nominated had the honor to be elected.
The persons elected from Keokuk county were J. H. Sanders and B. A.
Haycock. The Board of Directors thereupon held a meeting for the pur-
pose of electing officers. A President, Vice-President, Secretary. Treasurer,
Executive Committee and Attorneys were elected. B. A. Haycock, of
Keokuk county, had the honor of election to a place on the executive
committee.
The convention adjourned, and tlie delegates went home, to gladden the
hearts of their constituents with the assurance of a speedy completion of
the road. The corporation was doubtless large enough to have built, and
the officers numerous enough to have operated, a road twice the length of
the proposed one, together with feeders and branch lines; but there proved
not to be enough money, or enough credit, or sufficient pluck, to grade across
406 HISTOKY or KEOKUK COTINTY.
a county or lay a mile of track. Upon the return of the delegates rousing
meetings were held at the county-seats of all tiie counties aloug the pro-;
posed lines; eloquent speeclies were made, subscription books passed around
and the meetings adjourned to afford the people an opportunity to disciiarge-
the pressing duty of selecting depot sites. In a county-seat town west of
this the people did in fact agree upon a depot site and on the plat of that
town at the present time is a block termed "Muscatine, Oskaloosa and
■Council Bluffs Railroad Depot Grounds."
But alas for the vanity of human hopes and expectations when inspired
by the flattering unction of a railroad; the Muscatine, Oskaloosa & Coun-
cil Bluffs Kaiiroad like the Pliiiadelphia, Ft. Wayne & Platte Valley
Eailroad and many other railroads of high-soundins and far-reaching
names, never became a railroad only on paper and like the relics of the
mound-builders and the fossils of the mastadon will be unearthed at future
limes to paint the antiquarian's moral and adorn the historian's tail.
POLITICAL.
There is perhaps not another county in Iowa whose political experience
has been more varied. When the county was first organized the great im-
pending question in American politics was that growing out of slavery, and
from whatever State in the Union the early settlers had come they were as a
rule opposed to the extension of the peculiar institution of the South into
the territory yet unpolluted by it. There was. of course, a difference of
opinion as to the best methods to be adopted for thisend, but all were agreed
that any movement toward the abolition of slavery would result in a dis-
ruption of the Union. There were few, if any. abolitionists in the county
during the first years of its history. There were the Whig and Democratic
parties, but while they were separated on questions of finance, tarift" and
banking, they were agreed that slavery should not be molested in the States
where it existed. From the organization of the county until 1866, when
the question of abolition became the dividing line in politics, the Demo-
cratic party controlled the county and unless there were local questions to
modify the condition, a Democratic nomination was equivalent to an elec-
tion.
The exciting contest between A. 0. Dodge and Gen. Lowe for the office
-of territorial delegate will be remembered by the first settlers of the county
and also the contest in which liichard Quiuton was elected delegate to the
Constitutional Convention.
The contest between J. B. Whisler, the Democratic nominee, and San-
ford Harned, the Whig candidate, has already been alluded to in the ac-
count of the county-seat controversy. Although ihe 1 democratic party
was largely in the majority', and Whisler was the nominee, he was defeated
by Harned by reason of the popularity of the Whig candidate, and because
of the modifying influence of the county-seat war, Mr. Whisler being the
-leader of the Lancaster party.
One of the most exciting elections of early times was the contest for
representative in 1846. Upon the members of the legislature was to de-
volve the duty of electing two United States Senators for the new State
just to be admitted into the Union. The Whig candidate was Nelson King
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 407
•while the Democrats were so unfortunate as to have two candidates, L. B.
Hiighes and "William "Webb. Mr. King, of coarse, was elected and for
years afterward he was accustomed to boast about the result, sa^'ing: "I
fceat two Democratic opponents and believe I could have whipped a half
dozen of them."
Upon the assembling of the legislature, in the following November,
King was in attendance, and before the adjournment of that body he had
achieved a notoriety throughout the State. The circumstances were as
follows:
Owing to a complication of circumstances, the Democrats, who really
were in a large majority in. the State, failed to organize the House, and so
«venly were the two parties balanced upon holding a joint session of the
House and Senate, that it was exceedingly doubtful whether they would be
able to elect their candidates to the United States Senate. Bodge, of Bur-
lington, and Jones, of Dubuque, were the Democratic nominees for the
Senate, and their friends spared no effort to secure their election. One
vote gained by the Democrats would make a tie, and prevent an election,
while two votes would enable them to elect their men.
King having been elected by a plurality vote over his two Democratic op-
ponents, and representing a county largely Democratic, was thought by
some to be a proper subject to operate upon; and as a first inducement a
paper was gotten up and circulated through the county and signed by a
majority of all the voters in the county, instructing him to vote for a Dem-
ocrat. This move being known by the Whigs, and they fearing that King
might be influenced by such instructions, caused them to watch him very
dosoly and show him special attention; and for a while King commanded
more attention from both parties than any other man in the State.
S. T. Marshall, of Lee county, having previously been well acquainted
with King as a citizen of his own county, and having been employed by him
as an attorney to defend him in a case in which he liad been arrested, in his
attempts to influence King in his votes made a little too free with his old
client while under the guardianship of the "Whig politicians.
On the afternoon of the 9tli of December, the legislature then having
been in session ten days, and the members thus far having almost entirely
been engaged in canvassing and electioneering, as soon as the house was
called to order. King, with a hurried step approached the clerk's desk and
laid upon it a Ave dollar bill and two pieces of paper, and said he wished
to make a statement.
These movements surprised most of the members of the House, and not
knowing what the conduct of King meant, and from a curiosity to hear,
unanimous oonsent was given for him to proceed. He said that he had
been approached by several members relative to the casting of his vote for
United States Senator, and several distinct propositions had been made to
him. He stated further, that S. T. Marshall gave him a five dollar note on
the State Bank of Oliio and promised him one hundred dollars additional
if he would vote for Dodge. That he also gave him two receipts of indebt-
edness.
The following is a correct copy of the receipts which King laid upon the
clerk's desk, and which he claimed was a part of the bribe oflPered by Mar-
ehall :
408 histoet of keokuk county".
"West Point, 'Nov. 26, 1846.
"Me. Nelson King — Sir: — Please to pay S. T. Marshall or bearer 4eo
dollars and fifty cents on my account, and oblige,
"William Stotts."
"Keceived payment.
"S. T. Maessall."
"I, S. T. Marshall, hereby release and relieve all my right, title and claim
or claims which I may have against Nelson King for legal services done-
heretofore, and this shall be his receipt.
"S. T. Maeshall."
Upon this statement by King, and the evidence of the receipts, the-
house immediately appointed a committee to investigate the charges of
bribery, and authorized the speaker to issue his warrant for the arrest of
Marshall.
The committee continued in session and prosecuted their investigations
till February. There was a large number of witnesses called on behalf of
the prosecution, and, as an effort was made to injure the character of King^
he, too, had witnesses summoned. It was claimed by the Democrats that
King had stolen bacon when living in Lee county, and that this was the
ofiense for which Marshall had defended him. A. H. Palmer, editor of the
" Capital Reporter," had published this charge, and King, meeting him
afterward, made an assault upon him, and gave him a severe beating. Mr.
Crocker and S. A. James, from this county, were at the capital at this
time for the purpose of laboring witli their representative, and King took
advantage of their presence to have them subpoenaed as witnesses to estab-
lish his character.
The committee finally made a report, which consisted of only the testi-
mony taken, without any recommendation ; the report was laid on the table,
and this ended the whole affair.
The legislature, after several ineffectual attempts, failed to elect United
States Senators, and late in February adjourned without an election. Thus,
for the first two years after organizing a State government, Iowa was not
represented in the United States Senate.
At the fall election in 1846, when King was elected to the legislature,
affairs seem to have been very much mixed. There were three candidates
for representative to the State legislature, six candidates for Governor,
and four candidates for representative to the United States Congress. For
the other offices there were but the two candidates — the Whig and Demo-
cratic. The following is the abstract of the vote as cast:
GOVEENOE.
Ansel Briggs 214
Thomas McKnight 158
K. Lucas 10
— Bailey 10
T. B. Wright 6
A. Jones 4
SEOEETAET OP STATE.
James H. Cowles '. ... 167
Elisha Cutler 212
// y^ /f^^T-^i^
HI8T0KT OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 411
STATE TEEASUEEE.
Egbert T. Smith 166
Morgan Reno 199
STATE AUDITOE.
Eastin Morris 169
Joseph T. Fales 208
EEPEESENTATIVE TO OONGEESS.
Joseph H. Headrick 165
G. 0. E. Mitchell 163
S. C. Hastings 321
Shepherd Lefller 239
STATE SENATOE.
S. B. Sheladay 168
R. E. Harbor 240
STATE BEPEESENTATITE.
Nelson Zing 160
William Webb 124
L. B. Hughes 77: 96
The following is an abstract of the votes cast at the election in August,
1847:
EEPEESENTATIVE TO CONGEBSS,
William Thompson 357
Jesse B. Brown... 295
BOAED OF PUBLIC WOBKS.
George Wilson 210
H. W. Sample .' 322
Charles Coskerj 40
STATE TEEASUEEE.
P. B. Fagen 211
Paul Bratton 329
SECEETAET OF STATE.
Charles Ooskery 309
Madison Dagger 291
JUDGE OF PEOBATE.
Joseph Kellum 287
Joseph Adams, 178
Sanford. Harned 1
. SHEEIFF.
'J.B. Mitts 239
James .Eobi^on 310
412 HISTORY or KEOKUK OOUNTT.
COUNTY C0MMISSI0ITEE8,
Ebenezer Johnson ". 310
E. Alexander 205
oommissiokee's cleek.
Sedley 0. Harris 296
Elijah Shockley 253
PEOSECUTING ATTOENEY.
Joseph Casey 248
Sanford Harned 13
CLEEK DISTEICT COUET.
S. A. James ,. 313
S. E. McCracken 171
TEEASUEEE AND EECOEDEE.
Joel Long 288
Kobert Galbraith 149
SUEVEYOE.
John Baker 386
David T. Vittetoe 121
COEONEE.
Jacob Pay ton 318
INSPECTOE OF WEIGHTS AND MEASUEES.
CM. Wood 363
Jacob Shaver 29
At this election there was an approximate vote cast of six hundred and
fifty, and the Democrats had a clear majority of seventy, votes. Four
years afterward, at the August election, there were nearly* eight hundred
votes cast, and the Democrats had a majority of one hundred.
The following is an abstract of the votes cast at said election:
COUNTY JUDGE.
George Pinkerton 102
J.B. Whisler, 293
John Baker 373
TEEASUEEE AND EECOEDEE.
Ben. P. Shawhan 394
E. F. Weller 327
BHEEIFF.
Joseph Butler 337
Green Atwood 102
"W.A^Blair 237
HISTOEr OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 413
CO0NTT SUPEBVISOKS.
Maxon Kandall 191
James Carr i 295
Jacob Payton ^ 37
Owen Monahan 189
COUNTY SUETEYOE.
George Cuspin 537
George Gray 31
COEONEE.
M. G. Driskill 179
Obed King 205
John Pennington 56
Scattering 16
At the election held in Angust, 1852, for Congressman, State oflScers
and county officials, the following was the result:
EEPEESENTATIVE IN CONGEESS.
Bernhart Henn 442
Philip Viele 194
J. S. Stephenson 30
Scattering 8
SECEETAKY OF STATE.
Geo. W. McCleary 337
J. "W. Jenkins 173
T. M. Clagget 21
TEBASUEEE OF STATE.
Martin S. Morris 336
Hosea B. Horn 172
AUDITOE OF STATE.
William Pattee 335
Asbury B. Porter 172
OLEKK OF DISTKICT COUET.
D.KHenderson 259
Andrew Alexander 407
John J. Franklin 1
PEOSECUTING ATTOENET.
M. M. Crocker 423
A. P. Moody 5
A. J. Stevens' 3
Eowley Martin 1
4:14 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
EECOEDBB AND TEEASUEEE.
Sedley C.Harris 305
Harvey T. Smith 403
Solomon Sharp 5
A. Smith... 2
SHEEIFF.
James McGrew. 309
Joseph Butler 29
Isaac Whitacre 26
J. B. Butler 2
The political complexion of the county can best be determined by refer-
ence to the vote on Congressman, H^nn being the Democratic candidate,
and Viele being a Whig. In addition to being on the popular side in poli-
tics, Mr. Henn viras personally very popular, he having been connected
with the land office in early days, and having made the first plat of the
county.
In August, 1853, there was a sheriff, treasurer, recorder and coroner
elected. The following is an abstract of the vote:
SHEEIFF.
Morrison F. Bottoff 253
James McGrew 181
Joel Long 117
TEEASUEEE AND EEOOEDEE.
Harvey L. Smith 400
Daniel D. Slaughter. , 1
Pail Seever 1
SUEVEYOE.
D. K Henderson 87
Elijah A. Lathrop 167
E. A. Lathrop 15
Elijah Lathrop 44
S. C. Harris 19
Scattering 11
OOEONEE.
John Pennington 52
G. A. Tally 45
Scattering 31
At the election in 1854, Andrew Alexander was elected clerk of the
District Cotirt, J. T. Axtele, prosecuting attorney, and Joel Grossman, sur-
veyor.
Abstract of votes given fdr the offices of county judge, recorder, sheriff,
surveyor and coroner, and for and against th? removal of the county-seat,
at an election held on the first Monday of August, 1865 :
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 415
COUHTY JUDGE.
Sanford Harned 707
George Crispin 537
Scattering 4
EEOOEDEE.
M. J. Batluff 660
A. 0. Komig 593
A. B. Cuny 85
Scattering 6
SHBEirr.
C. D. McCalley 621
K W. Whited 464
Scattering 14
SUEVEYOE.
Joel Grossman 716
J. W. Morgan 316
Scattering 5
COEONEE.
John Pennington 447
Isaac M, Hughes 110
Scattering 1
FOE COUNTY-SEAT.
Lancaster 758
Sigourney ; 531
In April, 1856, there was an important election held at which it was de-
cided who was to be school-fund commissioner, whether Sigourney or
Lancaster should bp the county-seat, and whether hogs and sheep should
be restrained or allowed to run at large. It will be seen from the following
abstract of that election that the people had materially changed on the
last qaestion:
SCHOOL-FUND COMMISSIONEE.
Wm. H. Brunt 1021
Benjamin Parrish 797
COUNTY-SEAT.
Sigourney 982
Lancaster 930
EESTEAINING HOGS AND SHEEP,
For restraining 427
Against restraining 1284
416 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
In 1856 the people of the county were very evenly divided on the ques-
tions of national politics. Samuel A. Curtis and Augustus Hall were the
candidates for Congress, and of the fifteen hundred and seven votes cast
Curtis received seven hundred and eighty-four and Hall seven hundred
and twenty-three. The great reaction had come which transferred the
State from the Democratic to the opposite party. The tidal wave which
carried James W. Grimes into the gubernatorial chair and which was so
unexpected as to cause astonishment among the most sagacious party lead-
ers throughout the Union, occurred in 1854; but then, as now, the people
of Keokuk county were not easily diverted from the old political land-
marks. The change came, it is true, but gradually, and the verdict of that
change has never been so emphatic and unequivocal as to invest either or
any party with the ownership of its offices. Ever since 1854 hard work
and good behavior have been requisites to political preferment in Keokuk
county.
At the August election, 1856, the follpwing were elected:
Representative, A. C. Price; clerk of district court, A. S. Alexander;
prosecuting attorney, E. S. Sampson.
Abstract of election in October, 1857:
QOVEENOE.
Ealph B. Lowe 87^
Ben. M. Samuel 780
LIETITENANT-GOVEENOE.
Oran Faville. .,,,,. , 881
George Gillispie 775
EEPEESENTATIVE. .
"William McGrew '. 881
J. T. Sales 767
COUNTY JUDGE.
Sanford Harned 948
Maxon Eandall 71S
EECOEDEE AND TEEASUEEE.
Alvin C. Eomig 1005
Morrison F. Bottuff ' 645
SHEEIFF.
Joel Long ; 962
A. H. Smith 65S
James McConnell 14
SUEVEYOE.
Joel Grossman 916
George Crispin 714
COEONEE.
James McConnell ; . . . . 767
P. L. Eckley 745
HISTOBT OP KEOKUK OOUHTT. 4:17
At the October election in 1858, Samuel E. Curtis received 728 votes
lor representative to Congress, and H. H. Trimble received 689. For the
ofSce of clerk of the District Court there were polled 1388 votes, of which
A. S. Alexander received 1388, there being at least one unanimous choice
of the people of Keokuk county.
The following ofBcial directory is a correct list of the county officers
elected during the twenty years, 1859 and 1879 inclusive:
1859.
County Judge — J. M. Casey.
Recorder — W. H. Brunt.
Sherift — J. M. Adams.
Surveyor — B S. Irwin.,
Drainage Commissioner — R. C. Lypes.
Coroner — James McConnell.
Superintendent of Common Schools — James Frey.
Representative — H. Campbell.
1860.
Lincoln Presidential Electors 1330
Douglas Presidential Electors 1194
Breckenridge Presidential Electors 14:
Bell Presidential Electors 2
Clerk District Court — J. H. Sanders.
186i:
State Senator — Isaac P. Teter.
Representatives — John "Wasson and Lewis HoUingsworth.
Treasurer — A. S. Alexander.
Shei'iff — James M. Adams.
County Judge — John Rogers.
Surveyor — Joel Crossman.
Superintendent of Schools — D. Y. Smock.
The questions of building a jail and levying a bridge tax were both de-
cided in the negative.
1862.
Clerk District Court — J. B. Shallenbarger.
1863.
State Senator — John C. Hogin.
Representatives — Joseph Andrews and Roswell S. Mill.
County Judge— John Rogers.
Sherift^— W. B. Merriman.
Treasurer — Lycnrgus McCoy.
Superintendent of Schools — D. V. Smock.
418 HISTOBT OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
1864.
Lincoln Presidential Electors 1149
MoOlellan Presidential Electors 938
Clerk District Court — John A. Donnell.
Eecorder — James E. Woods.
1865.
Senator — E. S. Sampson.
Kepresentatives — T. A. Morgan, D. A. Stockman.
County Judge — John Rogers.
Treasurer — Lycurgus McCoy.
Sheriff— J. T. Parker.
Surveyor — J. B. Peck.
Superintendent of Schools — D. Y. Smock,
1866.
Clerk of Court — Joseph Andrews.
Recorder — James E. Woods.
Senator — John C. Johnson.
Representative — John Morrison.
1867.
Representatives-^John Morrison, William Hartsock.
County Judge — William McLond.
Treasurer — J. Q. Howard.
Sheriff— John T. Parker.
Surveyor — Joel Grossman.
Superintendent of Schools — A. J. Kane.
1868.
Grant Electors 1938
Seymour Electors 1503
Clerk of Court— J. M. Brunt.
Recorder — James E. Woods.
1869.
Senator — J. W. Havens.
Representatives — John Morrison, B. A. Haycock.
Auditor — L. Hollingsworth.
Treasurer — J. Q. Iloward.
Sheriff — Andrew Stranahan.
Superintendent of Schools — J. A. Lowe.
Surveyor — J. A. Benson.
1870.
Clerk of Court — John M. Brunt.
Recorder — N. Warrington.
Members Board of Supervisors — W. F. Morgan, J. P. Terger.
HISTORY OF KEOKTJK OOTTNTT. 419
1871.
Kepresentatives— John Morrison, John F. "Wilson.
Auditor — Lewis Hollingsworth.
Treasurer — John Q. Howard.
Sheriff — Andrew Stranahan.
Superintendent of Schools — T. J. Hasty.
Member of Board of Supervisors — 0. B. Merz.
Surveyor — G. W. Halferty.
1872.
Grant Presidential Electors 1,862
Greeley Presidential Electors 1,361
O'Connor Presidential Electors 54
Representative — C. 0. Wilson.
Clerk of Court— M. Wightnaan.
Recorder — J. M. Jonies.
Member Board Supervisors — Joseph Merryfield.
1873.
Senator — H. IST. l!fewton.
Representatives — David Archer, J. T. Harper.
Auditor — A. A. Davis.
Treasurer — John M. Brunt.
Sheriff — Andrew Stranahan.
Superintendent of Schools — H. D. Todd.
Surveyor — E. B. Kerr.
Member Board of Supervisors — G. W. Morgan.
1874.
Clerk of Court — M. Wightman.
Recorder — J. M. Jones.
Member Board of Supervisors — Levi Bower.
1875.
Representatives — B. A. Clevland, Sanford Harned.
Auditor — John Morrison.
Treasurer — L. Hollingsworth.
Sheriff — Andrew Stranahan.
Superintendent ot Schools— H. D. Todd.
Member Board of Supervisors — William Jackson.
Surveyor — Nathan Warrington.
1876.
Hayes Presidential Electors 2,366
Tilden Presidential Electors 1,862
Clerk of Court — M. Wightman.
Recorder — J. M. Jones.
Member Board of Supervisors — Isaac E. Stanley.
420 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
1877.
Senator — Sanford Harned.
Kepresentative — Matthew Williams.
Auditor— T. F. McCarty.
Treasurer — Levi Bower.
Sheriff— H. 0. Adams.
Surveyor — E. B. Kerr.
Superintendent of Schools — H. D. Todd.
Member Board of Supervisors — D. 0. Baker.
1878.
Clerk of Court — Joel Kichardson.
Kecorder — W. C. McWilliams.
Member Board of Supervisors — J. C. Winget.
1879.
Eepresentative — C. H. Mackey.
Auditor— T. F. McCarty.
Treasurer — Levi Bower.
Sheriff— H. C. Adams.
Surveyor — E. B. Kerr.
Coroner — L. Hollingsworth.
Superintendent of Schools — John Bland.
Member Board of Supervisors — Daniel Dodge.
The following is an abstract of the vote cast at the October election, 1879:
GOVEKNOE.
John H. Gear 2,017
H. H. Trimble 1,918
Daniel Campbell 151
D. K. Dungan '. 22
EEPEESENTATIVE.
E. S. Sampson 1,996
C. H. Mackey 2,008
S. W. Huff. ; 78
AUDITOR.
Leslie Bassett 1 ,933
T.F. McCarty . . .2,068
James Thompson ' 98
TEEASUEBE.
Elmer Moses 1,942
Levi Bower 2,057
James Cline 96
HISTORY OF KEOKUK OOtTNTT. 421
8HEKIFF.
John Morrison 1,950
H. C. Adams 2,965
J. Barnhizer , ^ 79
STJEVEYOE.
E. B. Kerr 2,041
J. P. Harris 1,065
SUPBEINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
J. K. Pickett 1,984
John Bland , 2,011
H. D. Gortner 106
COEONEE.
L. Hollingsworth 2,025
Harman Seaba 1,948
Sidney Sherwood 104
MEMBEE BOAED OF SUPEEVI80ES.
Samnel McFarland 1,977
Daniel Dodge 1,996
A. Warnock 125
SHALL STOCK BE EESTEAINED 1
Yes 1,984
No 1,567
COUNTY FINANCES.
There is very little cause for complaint in regard to the financial man-
agement of the county. . There has been an absence of extravagance from
the beginning, and in the main, county affairs have been managed in an
economical and judicious manner. Indeed, many are of the opinion that
the management of county affairs has been too conservative. The greatest
expenditures have always been those voted by the people themselves.
Elsewhere we have given statistics of the earlier financial affairs of the
county. They will afford interesting points of comparison with statementa
of the present time and a few years back.
The permanent improvements have been quite generally made, and with
the one exception of keeping up the immense bridge system of the county,
there is no reason why expenses may not yet be considerably reduced.
The following is the total valuation of lands and personal property, and
also the aggregate amount of each tax levied in the county for the year
1878, as shown by the tax-books when the same was delivered to the county
treasurer for collection :
Total valuation $ 4,999.537
422
HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOtTNTT.
TAXTilfi.
LEVY.
AMOTTNT.
State
2 mills.
3 "
1 mill.
1 "
1 "
1 "
1 «
$ 9,997.01
14,995 61
Comity
School
4,998 54
Bridge
4,998.54
4,998.53
4,998.54
4,998.54
2,361.00
1,473.15
31,155,34
55,307.58
1,032.60
Insane
Poor farm
Oounty Bond
Poll
Eoad
District, loans of
Eallroad
City
$141,315.04
In order that a comparison may be made with another county of nearly
equal population and valuation, the taxes levied in Warren county for the
same year are hereby subjoined. They were as follows:
Total valuation
4,905,937
TAXES.
LEVY.
AMOUNT.
County
State
School
Bridge
Poor Farm . .
Bond
Insane
Poll
Eoad
District
School-house .
Contingent , .
City
Total.
4 mills.
2 «
1 mill.
1^ mills.
H"
14"
19,«07.03
9,803.50
4,901.75
7,352.59
2,450.85
2,450.85
2,450.85
2,158.00
4,915.88
18,185.16
5,708.12
8,567.46
2,118.99
90,733.03
The following table will show the tax levied for the ten years beginning
with 1870 and ending with 1879:
Total tax for 1870 .
. . . $ 85,935.78
Total tax for 1875 . . . .
$113,561.80
Total tax for 1871 .
. . . 174,863.72
Total tax for 1876 .. .
113,917.65
Total tax for 1872.
. . . 105,626.58
Total tax for 1877..,.
98,168.19
Total tax for 1873.
93,164.29
Total tax for 1878....
141,315.04
Total tax for 1874.
96,312.29
Total tax for 1879 . . . .
74,001^66
HISTOET OB" KEOKUK COUNTY. 423
The general expenses of the county for the fiscal year 1878, as shown by
the auditor's books, are shown by the following exhibit :
Courts $ 2,390.34
Supervisors 765.86
Superintendent of Schools 980.27
Other county officials 2,999.15
Township officers 2,235.66
Koads and bridges 6,270.86
Fuel, light and repairs county buildings 873.44
Books and stationery 1.197.20
Sheriff's deputies and bailiffs 797.29
Jail expenses 754.45
Deaf, dumb and insane 1,705.24
Justices and constables 716.5S
Witnesses in justices' courts 755.25
Elections 579.75
Poor-house 2,709.83
Insane building 2,864.20
Poor outside infirmary 1,800.11
Printing 1,463.58
Miscellaneous 204.15
Total $32,063.16
For the sake of comparison we present the following exhibit for Warren
county, for the same year. As before remarked Warren county has some-
thing near the same valuation and population as Keokuk and for the pur-
pose of comparison furnishes a fair standard, with the exception of court
expenses; in this particular Warren county should not be regarded as a
good standard as the court expenses there were unusually high owing to a
very unusually expensive murder trial.
Courts , $12,390.34
Grand jury 876.25
Township officers 1,419.55
Supervisors and county officers 7,608.68
Collection delinquent taxes 50.90
Eoads , 23.50
Certificate of balance 5,219.76
Assessors 991.00
Fuel for court-house and jail 315.29
Goods for court-house and jail 181.29
Jail expense 644.55
Books, stationery and printing 3,036.97
Janitor 520.00
Miscellaneous 2,541.34
Total county fund 14,044.76
Total bridge fund 5,580.10
Total poor farm fund l,784.0a
Total insane fund 357.55
Total $41,158.10
The county has no indebtedness except a bonded debt which amounts to
thirteen thousand dollars.
424 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COtTNTT.
KELIGIOUS.
You raised these hallowed walls; the desert smiled,
And Paradise was opened in the wild. — Pope.
The first settlement of the county was scarcely completed before the
servants of the Lord were at work in the new vineyard. "Within the last
fifty years the agents of the Christian religion have been tanght and trained
to accompany the first advance of civilization, and such was their advent
here. In the rude cabins and huts of the pioneers they proclaimed the same
gospel that is preached in the gorgeous palaces that, under the name of
churches, decorate the great cities. It was the same gospel, but the sur-
roundings made it appear different, in the effect produced, at least.
The Christian religion had its rise, and the days of its purest practice,
■among an humble, simple-minded people, and it is among similar surround-
ings in modern times that it seems to approach the purity of its source.
This is the best shown in the days of pioneer life. It is true, indeed, that
in succeeding times the church attains greater wealth and practices a wider
benevolence. Further, it may be admitted that it gains a firmer discipline
and wields a more general influence on society, but it remains true tliat in
pioneer times we find a manifestation of Christianity that we seek in vain
at a later time and under contrasted circumstances. The meek and lowly
■spirit of the. Christian faith — the placing of spiritual things above vain
pomp and show — appear more earnest amid the simple life and toil of a
pioneer people than it can when surrounded with the splendors of wealth
and fashion. But we may take a comparison less wide, and instead of con-
trasting the Christian appearances of a great city with that of the pioneers,
we may compare that of thirty years ago here in the West with that in the
present time of moderately developed wealth and taste for display, and we
find much of the same result.
The comparison is, perhaps, superficial to some extent, and does not fully
weigh the elements involved, nor analyze them properly. We simply take
the broad fact, not to decry the present, but. to. illustrate the past. So that
looking back to the early religious meetings in the log-cabins we may say:
"Here was a faith, earnest and simple, like that of the early Christian."
The first religious meetings in the county were held in the cabins of the
«ettlers, with two or three families for a congregation. On pleasant days
they would gather outside in the shade of the cabin or under the branches
■of a tree and here the word would be expounded and a song of Zion sung.
The Friends, or as they were more generally known, the Quakers, were
the pioneers of religious organization. The remarkable sagacity wliich
always seems to characterize these people in their selection of lands early
lead quite a number of them to locate on the rich and productive soil of
what is now Eichland township. For the first few years after the settle-
ment of the county, members of this denomination were much more
numerous than all others. In 1841 they erected a small lionse of worship
about one-fourth of a mile north. of the. present town of Eichland.
The Methodists, Baptists and Christians, always among the first in pioneer
-work, were not long after the Quakers. In 1847 the Methodists and
■Christians built houses of worship in Eichland which were probably the
^rst church buildings of note in tlie county, although organizations were
formed and temporary buildings erected long prior to that time.
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COTINTT. 425
There was a Methodist church organized at Kichland in 1840 by Eev.
Moses Shinn, the original members being James Looman and wife, H.
Harden and wife, Mrs. LavinaEuggles and George Euggles. The Christian
church of Richland was organized shortly afterward, and as before re-
marked a substantial church building was erected in 1847. One of the
first Baptist churches organized, was by Andrew P. Tannyhill in the south-
ern part of the county in 1843.
Benjamin F. Chastain organized a Christian Church in Jackson town-
ship, in 1844. The original members were Woodford Snelson and wife,
Jesse Gabbert and wife. Dr. Raglin, ]S"athan Kuth and Benjamin Chastain,
Meetings were held at the house of Woodford Snelson who lived on section
thirteen.
Among the first Baptist preachers was Andrew P. Tannyhill, who
preached in barns, dwelling houses or in the woods, wherever and when-
ever he could get an audience.
The Mt. Zion M. E. Church was organized in the south part of the
county in 1854. The following were the original members: Jas. D. Wil-
liams, Jacob Battorff, Philip Heninger, Andrew Taylor, Benjamin Hol-
lingsworth, Joel Skinner, Benjamin Parish, Thomas M. Thompson, Jas. M.
Cheeny, James Cowger.
There was a Christian Church organized at Lancaster, in 1848, with the
following membership: William Trueblood and wife, J. W. Snelson and
wife, Thomas Cobb and wife, Asa Cobb and wife, James Mitts and wife,
Samuel Williams, Elizabeth Williams, W. H. Brant and others.
A Methodist Church was organized in the same place, about 1852, the
original members being: S. A. Evans and wife, Mrs. Jessie 0'!N"eal and
Miss Mary CNeal.
In 1846 there was a Methodist church erected at Sigourney. The pas-
tor at that time was Kev. S. Hestwood ; the church having been organized
some time previous by Rev. Mr. Hulbert.
A Baptist Church was organized in Sigourney, in 1845, by Rev. Mr.
Elliott.
Churches were also organized in the eastern, northern and western parts
of the county in an early day.
In 1850 there were in the county four Baptist churches valued at nine
hundred dollars; three Christian churches, valued at eight hundred dol-
lars; two Qnaker churches, valued at four hundred and fifty dollars; seven
Methodist churches, valued at thirteen hundred dollars;, or in all sixteen
churches, valued at three thousand four hundred and fifty dollars.
The following are the names of the ministers, or as they were then called
preachers, who first labored among the people of Keokuk county: Moses
Shinn, a Methodist, who was probably the first of the denomination to
preach in the county. Revs. Haynes, Kirkpatrick, Orr, Hulburt, Hest-
wood and Snakenburg were also pioneer Methodist preachers, some of
whom are still living.
Eev. Mr. Spainshower was probably the first Baptist preacher who trav-
eled among the people of Keokuk county. He was followed by Eev.
Andrew P. Tannyhill, and Eev. Mr. Elliott. These men labored among the
people with considerable success and their work is still visible, especially
in the 8f)nthern part of the county.
The Presbyterian Church was late in getting a foothold in Keokuk county.
About the year 1856, a small church of less than a dozen members was or-
426 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
ganized in Sigourney. N. H. Hall, then of Webster, J. F. Wilson and the
Gregg family, of Lafayette township, constituted the membership. S. C.-
Kerr was their first pastor. In 1858 Eev. D. Y. Smock settled in Sigour-
ney and took charge of the organization. Some four or five years after-
ward Mr. Smock moved to Lafayette township and was succeeded in Sigour-
ney by Kev. A. A. Mathews. On moving to Lafayette, Mr. Smock organ-
ized a church there and in 1860 another church at Martinsburg. Mr,
Smock was a useful and highly respected citizen of the county, and like
Eev. Mr. Snakenberg, of German township, had great influence among the
people. Their influence upon the morals of the people cannot be overesti-
mated. Mr. Smock was elected to the oflBce of county superintendent of
schools, in 1861, and continued to hold the office till 1868. He is now
dead, but his works still live.
Many other particulars might be given relative to the churches of the
county, but the details are reserved for another place, where they will be
given in connection with other matters pertaining to the history of the sev-
eral townships where they are located.
GOLD EXCITEMENT.
No doubt the desire tor "gold" has been a main-spring of all progress
and exertion in Keokuk county, from the beginning until the present time,
and will so continue unto ages remote. But usualfy. this desire has been
made manifest only in the usual avenues of thrift, industry and enterprise.
On two occasions,, however, it has passed the bounds of reason, and as-
sumed the character of a mania or delusion, which produced nothing but
evil effects. The desire for riches is a benefit only when it comes like a
gentle and steady rain, sinking into the ground and refreshing the earth;
but when like a wild; storm, it leaves only wreck and disaster in ItB path.
Such is the moral easily drawn from the experience of Keokuk county.
The first gold mania here dates back to the fall, of 184:9, when stories first
began to spread of the wondrous richness of the placer mines of California.
The excitement grew daily, feeding, on the marvelous reports that came from
the Eldorado of the West, until at last nothing was talked of but the ad-
ventures and achievements of the Argonauts of '49.
Instead of dying out, the fever mounted higher and higher. It was too
late that season to attempt to cross the plains, but many of the Keokuk
county people began their preparations for starting early in the coming
spring. The one great subject of discussion about the firesides of the log-
cabins of Keokuk county that winter was the gold of California. At one^
time nearly every man in the county was unsettled in mind, and seriously
considering the project of starting for California. The more hardy and
adventurous impatiently awaited the time when they should abandon the
little property and comfortable homes already gained by honest thrift, and
join the wild rush for California as soon as the weather and grass would
permit. Even the most thoughtful and sober-rninded men found it difficult
to resist the infection.
Wonderful sights were seen when this great emigration passed through —
sights that may never be again seen in the county, perhaps. Some of the
wagons were drawn by cows; other gold-hunters went on foot, and hauled
their worldly goods in hand-carts. The gold-hunters generally had left
ibe moralities of life behind them, and were infested with a spirit of dis-
/*
5^,^.
HISTORY OF KEOKDK COUNTY. 429
order and demoralization. Tlie settlers breathed easier when they had
Early in the spring of 1850 the rush began, one line of the California
trail passing directly through this county. It must have been a scene to
beggar all description. There was one continuous line of wagons from
east to west as far as the eye could reach, moving steadily westward, and,
like a cyclone, drawing into its course on the right and left many of those
along its pathway. The gold-hunters from Keokuk county crowded eagerly
into the gaps in the wagon-trains, bidding farewell to their nearest and
dearest friends, and many of them never to be seen again on earth. Sadder
farewells were never spoken. Many of the gold-hunters left their quiet,
peaceful homes only to find in the " Far West " utter disappointment and
death. Very, very few of them ever gained anything, and the great ma^
jority lost everything, including even " their lives, their fortunes and their
Bacred honor." The persons who really gained by the gold excitement
were those who remained on their farms and sold their produce to the gold-
crazy emigrants. The rush continued until about the first of June, 1850,
when the great tide began to abate, although belated gold-hunters kept
passing through for some time. But the excitement began to die away,
and those citizens who had judgment enough to resist the contagion now
settled down in qniet to pursue the even tenor of their way.
The scene along this line, through this vicinity, in 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 cofiBn 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, small-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 column
of these fervent janizaries of the golden calf.
"At the time of the treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, the population of
California 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 January, 1850, over
$40,000,000 in gold. '
"The evil eflects 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
27
430 HISTOBY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Mammon to an alarming extent througliout the country, and to this worship
may be imputed, to a great extent, the moral declension of to-day."
Years after, this county had another gold excitement, which, happily,
was not so serious as the first, and did not produce the same evil effects.
But it is an equally good illustration to show how quickly men will lose
their senses when they hope to gain wealth more rapidly than by honest
work and thrift.
The excitement of the discovery of gold at Pike's Peak, in 1859, drew
off a large nnmber of the citizens of the county, many of whom returned
poorer than they went, and glad and anxious to get home again from that
land of high prices and small profits trom mining. We have not been able
to discover that any of the gold-seekers from the county ever became
''bonanza kings."
When the leading men of the nation were bending all their energies
toward the perfecting of arrangements whereby the one-hundredth anni-
versa,ry of the nation might be creditably celebrated, and hundreds of
people all over the western country were looking forward to the great
"Centennial," when they should visit the home of their childhood,
and, as they expressed it, "take in the Centennial," there were hundreds of
others whose eyes were turned in the other direction.
The Custer expedition which, by order of the government, had made an
examination of the rich hunting grounds of the Sioux Indians returned,
and the official report of the expedition confirmed the former rumors with
regard to the rich gold deposits of that region. The whole West was
immediately ablaze with excitement, and although the government had not
authorized the opening of that country for immigration, and although the
savages were known to be numerous and hostile, yet from every quarter
came the cry, "to the Black Hills!"
The leading lines of railway leading across the State were taxed to fur-
nish transportation for the thousands who sought to throng the trains, and
upon every wagon route leading west and northwest might be seen mule
teams, ox teams, and teams of horses with their steps leading toward the
Black Hills. From the West, too, came the gold-hunters. Hundreds of
men who, in forty-nine and fifty, had crossed the plains to the Pacific in quest
of the yellow treasure, now retraced their steps in seach of the god which
was supposed to be enshrined in the dominions of "Sitting Bull." This
ruler of the dusky race did not invite into his dominions these worshipers
of the golden god, but on the contrary most emphatically objected to this
violation of sacred treaties; moreover he gave some very decided exhibi-
tions of his displeasure, and from the belts of warriors soon dangled many
a pale-face scalp; yet the multitude surged on, and the watch- word was,
"to the Black Hills! Sitting Bull or no Sitting Bull." The opening of
several rich mines, and the founding of the city of Deadwood, was the
result. While some made their fortunes, many thousands lost their all, and
those who did not lose their lives on the plains returned poor, disheartened
and many broken down in health. Keokuk county furnished its full quota
to the Black Hills army, and the Black Hills army furnished to Keoknk
county its full quota of paupers, and thus was equilibrium again restored.
HISTOET OP KEOKUK COUNTY, 431
JOHlSr BROWN'S SOUL AND BLEEDING KANSAS.
Americans are familiar with the contest which preceded tiie admission
of Kansas into the Union. The facts of that contest have become matters
of record and as such are familiar to all students of history. Not only so;
every school boy in conning over his history lesson becomes familiar with
such terms as "Squatter Sovereignty," "Border Ruffian," and such
iiames as "John Brown " and "Jim Lane."
There are, however, attending facts connected with that unhappy strife
which have not passed into history, and some of them of local interest,
properly belonging to the history of Keokuk county.
It is not generally known that the line of comrannication between Kan-
sas and the free States of the East lay through Keokuk county; that men
living in this county were members of the Free Kansas Emigrant Aid
Society; that one of the leading citizens of the county organized branch
societies or committees all along the line; and that it was Sigourney where
John Brown and Gen. Jim Lane first met.
Prefatory to the narration of these facts it will be proper, for the pur-
pose of better understanding the matter, to give a brief synopsis of the
Kansas difficulties.
By the " Missouri Compromise Bill," passed in 1820, slavery was pro-
hibited in all the territory bought of France north of the southern boun-
dary of Missouri — Missouri excepted. By the " Kansas Nebraska Bill,"
which congress passed in 1854, this prohibition was repealed and the terri-
tories of Kansas and Nebraska were organized.
As soon as this bill was passed emigrants from all parts of the Union
began to pour into Kansas, those from the North determined to make it a
free State and those from the South determined to make it a slave State.
Emigrant societies were formed in the North to colonize Kansas with anti-
slavery inhabitants. The South sent its representatives also, and from the
tieighboring State of Missouri armed bands crossed the border, hence the
name "border ruffians." Owing to the fact that the States bordering on
Kansas from the east and south were slave States and the people intensely
hostile to anti-slavery colonization it was necessary for the emigrant soci-
eties of the North to send their emigrants north-west through Iowa into
Nebraska and from thence south into Kansas. To facilitate the passage of
emigrants through Iowa an emigrant society was formed at Iowa City on
June 10, 1856, at which time George "Woodin, Wm. Sanders and S. N.
Hartwell were appointed to make a tour of this tier of counties and also
the tier of counties north, in order to enlist certain leading men at each
important point iu the work of furthering "emigrants" on their way.
This term "emigrant" must be taken in a qualified sense. It is true that
many of the people at this time going to Kansas were genuine emigrants
and consisted of families in search of homes; but the larger portion of
these "emigrants" consisted of well-armed and well-disciplined companies
of men who were on their way for Kansas to fight rather than to farm.
The meeting held at Iowa City on June 10, 1856, was a public meeting
at which several spirited speeches were made but after the public meeting
t of a general character adjourned a private meeting for special purposes
" met. " It was at this private meeting that the following address or commis-
sion was drawn up and placed in the hands of Mr. Woodin. who seems to
have been chiefly instrumental in opening up aline of communication:
432 HISTOHT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
" To the friends of the Kansas Free State 'cause in Iowa:
" The undersigned have been appointed a committee to act in connection
with similar committees appointed in Chicago, and in other States, and
with committees of like character to be appointed in the various counties
of this State, and especially in those counties lying west and south-west
of us.
" The plan ot operations is the establishment of a direct route and speedy
communication for emigrants into Kansas. The committe have appointed
Messrs. Geo. D. "Woodin, Esq., William Sanders and Capt. S. N. Hartwell
to visit your place for the purpose of having a committee appointed there
to facilitate the general plan of operation and carry out the details. They
will explain to you the minutiae of this plan at gi-eater length than we are
able to do in this communication,
" Capt. Hartwell is a member of the State legislature in Kansas and is
recently from the scene of the ruffian atrocities which have been committed
in that embryo State.
" We have here pledged ' our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honors '
to make Kansas a, free State and we shall expect our friends from this place
westward will give us their hearty co-operation.
" Yours in the cause of Freedom,
« W. P. Clark, Ch'n.
" C.W. HoBAET, Sec'y.
" H. D. UowNET,. Treas.
"I. ]Sr. Jeeome.
" Lyman Allen.
" Iowa City, June 10, 1856." « M. L. Mokris."
As before remarked Mr. Woodin in particular was active and diligent in
transacting the business delegated to him. He made a complete tour of the
counties lying in the proposed route of the "emigrants" and established
committees. He succeeded in enlisting in this enterprise the most active
and reliable men in the various towns which he visited who were in sympa-
thy with the movement. Most of these men are still living and many of
them have since achieved a national reputation. The following are the
names of the individuals composing the committees at the various points
along the route: '
Wasonville — Isaac Farley, Myron Frisbee, N. G. Field.
Sigourney—N. H. Keath, A. T. Page, T. S. Byers, A. C. Price.
Oskaloosa — William H. Seevers, A. M. Cassiday, James A. Young, Louis
Eeinhart, S. A. Eice.
Knoxville — J. M. Bay ley, James Matthews, Hiram W. Curtis, William
M. Stone, James Sample, Joseph Brobst.
Indianola—B. S. Noble, Geo. W. Jones, Lewis Todhunter, J. T. Lacy,
G. W. Clark, H. W. Maxwell.
Osceola— 3. D. Howard, G. W. Thompson, A. F. Sprague, John Butcher,
J. G. Miller, G. L. Christie.
Quincy—R. B. Lockwood, T. W. Stanley, H. B. Clark, E. G. Bengen, D.
Ritchey.
Winterset—R. J. B. Cummings, W. L. McPherson, D. F. Arnold, W. W-
McKnight, J. J. Hutchings.
•HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 433
• Des Moines— K. J. Stevens, T. H. Sypherd, W. W. Williamson, E. S.
Chrystal.
Ifewton — H. "Welker, "William Skiff, William Springer, E. Hammer, H.
J. Skiff. ._ ^ ^
It was necessary to observe great caution and secresy, as the administra-
tion was at tliat time in sympathy with the pro-slavery party and United
States marshals were on the lookout for armed bands on their way to
Kansas from the north. The underground railroad having been put into
good running order. Superintendent Woodin and his station-agents did
quite a business in forwarding "emigrants" during the fall, winter and
following sprfng and summer.
One incident connected with the workings of the underground railroad
especially deserves mention, it was the first meeting of Gen. Jim Lane and
John Brown.
' Late in the summer of 1856 the people of Sigourney were considerably
interested in an unusually large number of emigrants who came through
the town late in the afternoon and encamped for the night near by. Persons
who had no connection with the "Emigration Society" noticed that Dr.
Price and other members of the committee soon became very intimate with
the leading men among the " emigrants." In fact so intimate were Price
and his conferees with the chief emigrants that they held a conference in a
back parlor of the Clinton House, then the leading hotel of Sigourney.
After the conference had lasted some time the emigrants returned to their
camp to look after some business while the committee remained in the room
at the hotel awaiting their return. In the meantime there was a knock on
the door, which being opened admitted a healthy, robust man dressed in
the garb of a frontiersman, who announced himself as Captain Moore from
Kansas, and desiring to see one Jim Lane whom he expected to find at that
place. He was informed by the committee that Jim Lane, for such one of
the "emigrants" proved to be, had just retired but would return shortly.
Upon the invitation of the committee, the stranger took a seat, but upon
being questioned by the committee with regard to Kansas affairs, mani-
fested considerable reticence, not caring, apparently, to discuss those mat-
ters. Presently Lane returned, and upon being introduced, the stranger
looking him steadfastly in the face, and taking as it were an estimate of the
man from head to foot, said: " You are Jim Lane, are you? Well, I am
John Brown. I guess we have heard of one another before." John Brown
now satisfied that he was in the companj' of friends, and that his cause in
Kansas would not suffer by a narration of events then transpiring in that
Territory, threw off his former reserve and talked freely and passionately.
It is said by persons who were in the room that they never heard such elo-
quent and impassioned words fall from the tongue of living man as those
Tittered by Brown when speaking of the Kansas troubles. He first spoke
of the country; of its beautiful prairies, its rich soil and its beautiful rivers,
and while doing so his countenance lit up with an almost superhuman light
iand cheerfulness; pausing for a moment he seemed to be deeply moved,
his countenance underwent an entire change, and from being an angel.
Brown now resembled a fiend. At length he broke forth in the most vehe-
nient language; he spoke of the blighting curse of slavery and of the over-
, bearing conduct of the pro-slavery men in their efforts to extend the
accursed system ; of the atrocities of the border rufiians from Missouri.
When at length he contemplated the possibility of this fair land becoming
434' HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
blasted by the curse of slavery, its beautiful prairies turned into slave plan-
tations, its fertile soil pressed by the foot of bondmen, its beautiful streama
flowing past slave-pens, he was unable to control liimself; he strode through
the room, he stamped on the floor and tore his hair with his sunburnt
hands. Jim Lane became inspired by the words of his new-made acquaint-
ance and it was arranged that he should make a speech that night in
Sigourney. The speech was made from a dry goods box in front of Page's
stone block which stood where now is McCauley's hardware store.
The "emigrants" had in their train a queer-looking vehicle, which they
said was a prairie plow; it was covered with a tarpaulin, and some of th©
curious citizens, after the "emigrants" had fallen asleep, were anxious to see
what kind of an agricultural implement these tillers of the soil had, any-
way; a slight investigation convinced these inquisitive ones that it would
plow up the ground in spots if it once got to work on the soil of "bleeding
kausas," but that it would be too noisy and dangerous for the fallow
ground of Iowa. That prairie plow proved to be an eight-pound cannon,
and was heard from inside of thirty days thereafter. The emigrants, num-
bering some seventy-five, left the next morning, accompanied by John
Brown and Jim Lane. Bleeding Kansas, after bleeding for some four
years, boasting for part of the time in two rival territorial governments, wa&
admitted into the Union as a free State in 1861. Jim Lane's pathetic end, fall-
ing a victim to his own vices and his own hands, and Brown's misguided, but
noble and heroic campaign at Harper's Ferry, are subjects of fireside con-
versation in almost every household in the land, and it is hoped that the
narration of the foregoing incidents, trifling in themselves, but momentous
as forming circumstances attending great national events, will not arouse
any slumbering animosities nor engender any new strifes.
THE GEEAT TOENADO.
In early days Iowa had an unenviable notoriety for wind storms: and
undeservedly so; for while a number of frightful storms have swept across
the State, they have not been greater in number nor more destructiye in
their results than in other States.
One of the most destructive tornadoes which ever passed through this
latitude was the one occurring on the 23d of May, 1873. Certain portions
of Keokuk county were particularly unfortunate.
The following account of that tornado, with a minute description of its
effects in this county, was written for the "Sigourney News," by John A.
Donnell, Esq., which we copy entire :
"The most terrific whirlwind, simoon, tornado, cyclone — or whatever
name you may choose to call it — ever known, passed over a portion of this
county on Thursday last, leaving death, destruction, and utter ruin in its
track.
"At about 6 o'clock in the morning the rain came down in torrents, andin
less than thirty minutes the streams were 'on a tear,' and gave us new
high-water marks — the highest for may years. After it was over the
people gazed up into the heavens and wished for dry weather, with about as
much solicitude, I imagine, as Noah did, when the waters of the flood sub-
sided, and the dove was sen t forth from the window of the ark to look for
the top of the mountain. The morning was warm and sultry ; noon came,
and up to that time, neither wind, hail nor rain.
HISTOBT OF EEOEITK COTTNTr. 435
"At about half-past 2 o'clock p. m., the clouds gathered in the west. More
rain was predictd. An ominous silence prevailed — not a bird sung, and
not a leaf fluttered in the air. The clouds passed over from the northwest to
the southeast. — just as clouds often do — a few drops of rain came down at
first, then the bottom seemed to fall out and in a few minutes the streams
were on another "bender." But still tliere was no wind, and as yet but
little hail. The rain almost ceased, and Old Probabilities being absent,
some of his lineal descendants looked again into the heavens and prophesied
fair weather, but a yellowish tinge in the west and northwest caused many
to shake their heads in doubt.
"In a few minutes the drops of rain began to fall again, with hail-stones
the size of a hazel-nut, and when one came down as large as an acorn, it
was picked up and displayed to the eager crowd as a trophy. Stories were
remembered, that were told by the grandfathers of the present generation,
of hail-stones falling as large as a hen's egg, in some other State. Bnt
Tonng America wouldn't believe it. Bnt they did believe it, for while
these old stories were being repeated, hail-stones came down thick and fast,
weighing from two to eight ounces, and measuring from three to four and a
half inches in diameter. Some were round and looked like white door-
knobs; some were ragged and had the appearance of broken geodes; others
looked like quartz, and many were egg-shaped; some had the appearance
of three or tour hail-stones having been frozen or melted togetlier — and
when they fell on the house, awnings or sidewalks, some would bound like
a "Star" ball, and others would break and fly like glass into a thousand
pieces. One hail-stone came down on the head of Dudley Buck, who was
standing on his porch, and started the "claret," bnt without waiting for
further ceremonies Mr. B. retired into the house, fully persuaded that he
could see just as well by standing a little back.
"During this time, to the southwest of Sigourney about nine miles, two
clouds were seen — one above the other — darting hither and thither, back-
ward and forward, upward and downward, like one bird darts at another in
the air, when suddenly, with a whirl, the two came together, and then sailed
forth in an easterly direction at the rate of about twenty-five miles an hour,
on an errand of death and destruction.
"It bore the resemblance of a funnel, with the small end down, or, per-
haps, shaped like the hopper of a grist or coflfe-mill, but with this distin-
gnishing diflference: In this whirlwind hopper the grist came in at the
bottom and went out at the top,
"When it had broken in pieces and almost ground to powder everything
it gathered in its march, the centrifugal force carried the contents to the
outer rim, and it boiled over like soda-water. Sometimes it went up like a
rocket fifty or sixty feet high, and moved with the current for a mils, and
then like a hawk, with one fell swoop it came to the ground, and swept
everything in its onward march from the face of the earth.
"Without a detailed description of the sad havoc done at the starting
point west of Haysville, about nine miles southwest of Sigourney, which
was very great indeed, let us drive to a point where the tornado crossed
North Skunk river, about eight miles southeast of Sigourney, and see what
we can see in a two hours' ride along the track to the northeast.
"We stop where the hospitable mansion of Joseph Kohlhaus stood a few
days since, only a quarter of a mile north of where the tornado crossed the
river. At a glance we can tell that, prior to the coming of the Storm
i36 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
King, lone, weary years of toil and patient waiting had brought Mr. K. a
competence of this world's goods, but in less than fifteen minutes time his
riches had taken wings and flown to the uttermost parts of the earth. His
dwelling, saw-mill, out-buildings, fences, in the track of the storm, are all
fone. Some of the castings of the mill were picked up two miles away!
'he water in the pond between the mill and the river, was scooped up as
with a dipper, and rolled up to the summit of the hill where his house
stood, at least forty feet above the level of the pond.
"Ducks were sucked up out of the pond, and their feathers picked off as
clean as they are picked for a barbacue, and they were dumped out 'dead
ducks' half a mile away. Down the river bank, great elms and hackbefry
trees were snapped asunder like pipe-stems, and their standing stumps,
stripped of their bark, are wliite and ghostly. Hazel-brush, crab^apple
trees, and white thorns are bruised and twisted, and lean to every point of
the compass. Fence-stakes, boards, and two-by-four pieces of every variety
and length, are sticking in the ground almost as thick as the stakes in
Waite's vineyard. _ '
"We went to the spot where the house once stood. There, on the hill-
side, fronting to the south, we found the cellar only, used by the family of
Mr. K. as a residence, and Mrs. K. "at home," ready to receive us and tell
ns her story. She is as blue in the face as indigo, and rolling up the sleeve
of her dress, she showed us an arm, bruised and blackened from the shoulder
to the hand. She was otherwise injured, and from her personal appear-
ance we wonder that she escaped alive.
"We asked her if she saw the storm coming.
"Mrs. K. — 'Yes, sir; we saw it about half an hour before the storm
reached us. The air was black with dirt and missiles, and looked like
flocks of geese flying.'
"When your house went down, who was in it ?
"Mrs. K.-'My husband and myself, John Gross, our son-in-law, my son Cas-
per, my daughter Mary, and Lewis Kinsel. Five of us were more or less hurt,
Ijut none seriously but John Gross, and he will get well again. Dr. Cook, of
Sigourney, comes to see us. We are very thankful that we were not killed;
but everything we had is all gone — our house, our mill, our clothing and
fences, all gone, and it will take $3,000, or more, to fix up our place
" At this Mrs. K. grew silent. She tried to speak on, but could not; her
eyes filled with tears as she looked upon the ruins of her once beautiful
home — fitted up only after twenty years of unremitting care and toil.
"We strolled over, say forty acres of the farm, and here is apart of what
we saw: The ground was strewn with rails, logs, sills, pieces of roof, stud^
ding, pieces of pumps, pieces of work-benches, pieces of walking-plows,
pieces of chains, spokes, castings, hubs, pieces of brick-bats, pieces of
stoves, bedsteads, wagon tires, the rim of wagon wheels, with tire and fel-
lows only, chickens, ducks and turkeys with every feather blown off, rats,
rabbits, wool, plowshares, pieces of clothing, and a piece of every kind of
farm machinery and bedsteads sold or offered for sale in this county. The
ground itself is literally punched full of holes by falling timbers, and in
many places the grass and growing wheat seemed torn out by the roots.
One field, planted with corn, is well seeded with wheat, oats and rye, and it
is now coming up as thick as it can stand. Apple trees eighteen inches
through are twisted off or entirely uprooted, and the grape vines lie broken
HISTORY OF KEOK0K COUNTY. 437
ftnd bleeding on the ground. From Mr. Kohlhaus' wedrove to Peter Marshe's
farm, a distance of about three miles to the northeast. On the way we passed
the farm of George Starr, who had twelve head of fat cattle, three and
four-year old, taken up into the air with the ease that a strong man would
toss up his baby, and after being carried an incredible distance, they were
dropped to the ground with broken limbs and broken necks. They were
burned the next day in one common funeral pile. The little groves by the
roadside were stripped of every leaf, and they remind us very raucli of the
bundles of wheat in olden times after they were used to stop the cylinder
of a tnmbling-shaft threshing machine. We passed by the ruins of a new
barn, just completed by Mr. Leutz, at a cost of $1,000, and in a few min-
utes were at the residence of Gray, now converted into a hospital. Here
we find Peter Marsh, his wife and two children, all seriously injured, the
wife fatally. The little babe was killed in its father's arms. One-quarter
of a mile northwest of George Gray's stand the ruins of the house and
barn of Peter Marsh, where the whirlwind wrought such great ruin. The
house and barn seemed to stand in the center of the track, and as we drove
towards them the debris was piled up by the neighbors in piles until the
entire portion of the farm traversed by the tornado had the appearance of
a meadow thickly studded with shocks of hay. The barn was a good one,
with a stone basement, and not a stone or piece of lumber can be found
above the ground. Three horses were killed outright in this barn, and of
two hundred chickens, before the storm, only thirteen remain, and seven
of these had the feathers blown from their heads and necks. The house,
which stood about thirty yards distant to the southwest, was built of hewed
logs, about fifteen feet sq-uare, with frame porch to the front on the south.
Standing on the ruius, we met Wendell Horace, the father of Mrs. Marsh,
and with him we walked over the grounds and heard his story.
"How far do you live from here, Mr. Horace ?
" Mr. H. — ' Over there, about half a mile.'
" Where were you during the storm?
"Mr. H. — ' I was at home; but as soon as it was over I came down here
to look for my children. Mrs. Marsh is my daughter. Here, where we
stand, is where the house stood. Come with me and I will show yon where
we found my daughter and her children.'
" We went with Mr. H. about thirty yards to the southwest, in the di-
rection that the tornado came from, and in a slough we stepped upon some
house logs, and Mr. Horace continued:
" ' Here are some of the logs of the house, and here they were all found.
When the storm was coming, Mr. Marsh walked out on the porch and
looked southwest, and saw Mr. Leutz' new barn go down, and fearing his
own house might go, he went back into the house and wanted to leave it
with his family. He picked up his little babe, about six months old, and
started out, but his children were afraid to follow, and he returned, closed
the door and tried to hold it, but something struck it, and all he knows
about it is that the house came down, or went up, and, with the child in
his arms, he was taken up and let down three different times. The. last
time he fell here in the slough, and something struck him with great force,
and killed the child in his arms. He looked down and saw his wife with
her arms around the two other children— all under those house-logs, and
how the babe escaped from his arms'he cannot tell, but he remembers that
he lifted the logs off his wife and children, and turned to pick up the babe,
438 HISTOBT OF KEOKDK COUNTY.
but found it was gone. Every particle of elothing was blown from Mr. Marsh
and his family, and when rescued by their neighbors they were covered!
with mud.'
" Did yon find the baby afterward ?
" Mr. H. — ' Yes, I found it myself, over there, about seventy-five yards to
the southeast, dead, and covered with mud. Its head was all broken. I
brought it here and washed it, and the next day it was buried. Mr. Marsh,
and the rest of the family, are now over at Mr. Gray's, and they will all
get well, may be, except my daughter, I don't know, but I guess she will die.
The doctor thinks she is very bad.'
"Mrs. Engledinger was your daughter too, was she not ?
"Mr. H. — 'Yes, sir, she was my daughter too, and she and her little
child were killed over there, about three miles from here. My dangiiter was
blown all to pieces. We gathered up what we could find of her a mile
around, and buried her and the baby next day. We could not find all.'
" Here the strong heart of Mr. Horace gave way, and he sobbed like a
child. He is a kind-hearted, generous German, and with tearful eyes and
subdued voice, he uttered these words : ' I tell yon, gentlemens, it been mighty
hard on me — loose my children so,' and he turned away in his declining
years heart- broken and desolate.
"We spoke a few words of sympathy, and passed on. Within a few feet
of the spot where Mr. Marsh and his family were picked up, we saw in the
muddy debris just as the tornado left it, house-logs, pieces of chains, dishes
and crockery, pieces of stoves and stove furniture, plane-bits, sickle-barS,
bridle-snaps, hoop-iron, wagon-tires curled like shavings, pieces of corn
plows and reapers, a cross-cut saw, and a thousand and one pieces of boards
and lumber of all kinds, all sizes, and all lengths. Who could go up in a
whirlwind with all these things and come down alive ? And yet we have
said nothing of the fat cattle, wagon wheels and plow-shares, that were in
that same mill a part of the time. Immediately south of this the growing
oats were blown out of the ground, and shelled corn is scattered suflScient
for all pigeons in Iowa for a month. The grape-vines were twisted off, and
the apple trees, about six inches in diameter, were brviised and broken and
twisted and lean in whinls to-day, just as the whirlwind left them. Stand-
ing upon the ruins of Marsh's house, and looking at the complete ruin
wrought, we thought the whirlwind must have been something like a huge
augur two hundred yards across the bit, that went driving through the air,
whirling as it went.
"Mr. M arsh's loss of property will exceed $2,500. From Mr. Marsh's
we went to Murphy place, about half a mile to the northeast, passing as we
went the ruins of Michael Fuh's house, and barn, and out-houses. His loss
is heavy. When his house went down, one of his boys started to his uncle's
about two miles distant to the east, and the wind helped him along at in-
tervals about half the distance. When found, one of his eyes were out and
his arm broken. At the Murphy place, owned by Mr. Harris about two
weeks only, the storm did the wildest kind of work. The tall cottonwood
trees that stand like sentinels around the front yard, are stripped of branches,
bark and leaves; the house and household goods were probably blown to
Halifax, or some other seaport. Rails, sills, and all the muddy debris like
that to be found at Kewhouse's and Marsh's, strew the ground as far the
eye can reach, and the top of the hedge fence is riddled in pieces, and looki
like a row of old-fashioned split scrub-brooms.
HISTOET or KEOKUK COUNTY, 4:39
'(It is said that everything that grows is of some use; and at this place we
fpnnd out what a wild gooseberry bush is fit for. When the house came
down with five boys and one girl in it, one of the boys crawled under the
wild gooseberry bush, and by clinging to it was saved. Two others of the
boys were found in the cellar with logs on them, and the remaining two
boys, one fourteen and the other twelve years bf age, were found with their
heads in a No. 8 Loyal cook-stove, with lumber and trash piled upon them
so high they could not get out without assistance. We saw one of the boys
to-day kindle a fire in the same cook-stove, and he is as sound as a trout,
and happy as a king. At this place three horses, one cow, one yearling
calf and five liogs were killed, and other stock seriously hurt. Mr. Harris'
loss will exceed $2,000.
" But the story is not yet half told and never can be. Further on in the-
track lies the farm of Paul Pfeifer, whose remodeled house looks like a
new one not yet painted. He sustains a loss of about $1,500.
"Mr. Kortch's loss is perhaps the greatest in property destroyed of any of
the sufferers in this county. He can not replace it with $5,000 in cash, and
•the loss of Engledinger will amount to not less than $2,000.
" To these sums add $500 for the loss sustained by Mr. Beevin, $1,000 for
the loss sustained by Geo. Starr, and $10,000 for the loss in Lancaster town-
ship, and we have an aggregate of $27,500 for the loss in Keokuk county^
and this large sum will not near cover it.
"The following is a list of the killed and wounded, as far as known:
"Killed — Mrs. Engledinger and child; child of Mr. Marsh, Mrs. Marsh
— died to-day.
"Wounded — Mr. Marsh severely, and two children slightly; Mrs. Kohl-
haus, Mr. Kohlhaus, John Gross, Oasper Kohlhaus, Mary Kohlhaus, Mr,
Lowe, child of Mr. Fuhs, two boys of Mr. Hamis, Mrs. and Mr. Kortch,
and some others, were all more or less injured, but none seriously except
Jno. Gross.
"We returned from the sad scene thankful that the storm did not visit
our city in its fury. Had it done so, the comfortable houses we now enjoy,
our brick blocks and public buildings, and everything in the track of the
wild destroyer, would have gone down with a crash» and the mangled forms
of many that we love would have been borne to their last resting places be-
neath the cypress and the willow.
"And now, at the close of this article, pardon one suggestion; 'tis this :
Would it not be well for our people — of tiown and country — to unite in a
petition to the board of supervisors of our county, and ask a liberal appro-
priation for the relief of those who were so unfortunate as to live in the
track of the storm, and who lost not only houses and loved ones, but the
savings of a life-time, in a few moments. Besides this, let us give of our
substance as it hath been given to us. \*"
In accordance with the suggestion made in the closing paragraph of the
foregoing article, the board of supervisors, at the June session, passed the
following order:
"The board of supervisors having been asked by petitions numerously
signed, to make and appropriation from the county funds for the relief of
such of our citizens as had their homes destroyed by the tornado which re-
cently passed over a portion of our county. May 23, 1873, and who are in a
snffering and destitute condition; therefore,
■' BesoVoed, That William Jackson, T. McCoy and Mathias Blaise be ap-
440 HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
pointed to investigate into the condition and circumstances of said sufferers
to ascertain the extent of their necessities and to extend to those whose con-
dition require it, relief from the county fund to any amount not to exceed
$1,500; and the auditor is authorized to draw warrants for said purpose in
favor of said committe, or on their order to said sufferers in guch amounts
as may be desirable to effect the object, not to exceed in the aggregate of
fifteen hundred dollars."
A WESTERN EOMANOE. ■
During the winter of 1841-3 there appeared at Iowa City a stranger who
gave his name as Col. Wm. Johnson, and who was accompanied by a young
woman whom he represented as his daughter, and whom he called Catha-
rine, or, usually, Kit. Both were of more than ordinary strength of char-
acter, and well educated. Johnson claimed to have been the hero of the
Canadian revolt, which took place in 1838, and was the occasion of consid-
erable diplomatic correspondence, and came so near causing war between
C-reat Britain and the United States. The girl, he stated, was the " queen
of a thousand isles," and authentic history so far corroborates his story as
to mention the fact that on the St. Lawrence there was a certain young
woman who gave aid and assistance to the patriots in this border trouble.
Johnson succeeded in cutting quite a figure in Iowa City during the ses-
sion of the legislature. He was honored by a seat on the floor of the
house, and was toasted and banqueted by some of the law-makers of the
then State capital. In 1842 Johnson located at the geographical centre of
Buchanan county, where he proposed laying out a town, and where he ex-
pected by his fame and prowess to draw around him a band of followers,
and secure the county-seat. This excited the jealousy of the first settler
of that region, Wm. Bennet, a notorious character, who had laid out a
village where Quasqueton now stands, and where he hoped to enrich him-
self by securing the county-seat of the new county. Bennet gathered a
few congenial spirits about him, went over to Johnson's, loaded up his
effects for liim, then tied him to a tree and flogged him, though with what
severity is unknown, as accounts differ. Johnson went to Marion, where
he lodged complaints against his persecutors, and the sheriff of Linn
county rode up to Quasqueton to arrest Bennet. The latter awaited him at
his cabin door, armed with his rifle and a pair of pistols. The sheriff
modestly retired and went back for a posse. Bennet and his companions
became convinced that they had better leave Quasqueton for a while. On
their way to a place of escape they suftered terribly from intense cold.
Some of the parties perished, and others were frozen so as to be mutilated
for life. This, of course, aggravated Bennet still more, and he and John-
son became deadly foes.
Soon after Johnson, loving his popularity, left Buchanan county, got in
with a gang of horse-thieves, and fled to Mahaska county to escape the
law, bringing with him the girl Kit, and another man and woman. John-
son seemed to have this girl entirely under his control, and in his fits of
passion, it is said, threatened to kill her, in consequence of which she was
in mortal fear of him. Johnson located on Middle Creek, about eight
miles northeast of Oskaloosa, in a grove now owned by James K. Woods.
He there built a shanty. In tlie spring of '43, a family by the name of
Peck came to a point on Skunk river, about four miles from Oskaloosa,
HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 441
•where Kussel Peck, with his son-in-law, Geo. N. Duncan, built a grist-mill.
Johnson and his daughter, so-called, lived for some time with the Duncans-
and Pecks, Several times, it is related, during the time he staid with
them, strangers from the north came there and asked to stay over night.
They were kindly treated, lodged, and nothing charged them. This made
Johnson very angry, the reason for which being, as was afterward learned,
that these were of Johnson's enemies in Buchanan county, who, for some
reason, did not get an opportunity to accomplish their purposes, i. e., re-
venge on Johnson." During this time an attachment sprang up between
Kit and Job Peck, son of Russel Peck, a young man of about twenty-one
years. Johnson was greatly enraged on discovering this, and removed to
his own cabin above mentioned, taking the girl with him. Wm. D. Neely
was engaged to Peck's sister, Sarah. An elopement was planned. While
Johnson was away one evening, about dusk. Kit was stolen away, and the
two couples started in an easterly direction. The following day they
reached the house of a relative of Peck's, about four miles from Fairfield,
where they were married and lodged for the night. Upon his return home,
Johnson set out in search for them, came to the house where the fugitives
were near one o'clock at night, entered the house, and, with drawn revol-
ver, dragged Kit from the bed, compelled her to dress herself, and mount
behind him and ride thus to his home.
The following evening, about seven o'clock, Johnson was shot dead
through a crevice in his cabin, while standing in front of the fire. Job
Peck was arrested on charge of the murder, taken to Washington county
and lodged in jail. His lawyers were J. C. Hall, of Mt. Pleasant, and
Colonel Thompson. These gentlemen, learning that a warrant was out
from the northern part of the State for the arrest of Kit, as being an ac-
complice of Johnson, it was arranged that the girl should be secreted until
she could be provided for. This was done, and a young law-student of
Hall's, named Wamsley, was sent with a buggy to Mahaska county, to the
girl's hiding-place. This Wamsley, while fording the Skunk river, a short
distance from Oskaloosa, met a man on horseback in the midst of the
stream. The stranger stated to Wamsley that he was in search of a girl,
giving her description, being the same one that Wamsley was after. The
latter, to throw the officer off of the track, told him he had seen such a
girl in a certain house in the direction in which he had come. The officer
started in pursuit, and Wamsley proceeded about three miles and a-half to
Kit's hiding-place. She was taken to Burlington, put on a steamboat, and
sent by Hall to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Job Peck was acquitted, having^
proved an alibi. Some time after the murder, and during Peck's impris-
onment, a stranger stopped at Duncan's and informed them that his name
was Bennet; that he was one of the men who had stopped with them, and
whom they had so kindly treated ; that he and Johnson had been deadly
foes. He told the Duncan's that they need not be alarmed in regard to
Job's acquittal, as he (Bennet) knew Peck was not guilty, and gave the
Duncan's to understand that he knew who was.
If we are correctly informed, and We have good authority, the most ro-
mantic part of this story is yet to come. During the time that he was
imprisoned Peck knew nothing of his wife's whereabouts, nor was he in-
formed by his lawyer until some months after his release. Finally her
address was given him and he set out for Pittsburgh. There he found her
living with people of the highest respectability, in most elegant style.
442 HISTORr OF keokuk cottnty.
Peck himself stated to our informant that the honse was furnished with a
grandeur that he had not dreamed of; that his wife was a fine musician;
that she had played for him on a piano in that house, and that he had these
evidences of her accomplishments, which he had not before conjectured. She
was ready to come away with him, did come, and for several years lived near
Oskaloosa with him. Parties now living remember her well; say that she
was a woman of fine education, of refinement and unblemished character,
wrote a beautiful letter, and gave every evidence of a good " bringing up."
No one believes — she herself denies — that Johnson was her father; but who
she was, or who Johnson was, possibly her husband, certainly her husband's
family never knew. She lived happily with Peck in California, until the
latter's death. She has a noble family, and is again married to a devoted
husband. Her portrait of late years has nothing of the romantic in it, but
every lineament marks her intelligence and happiness. To-day this " Queen
of a Thousand Isles " is queen of a happy household in a far western home.
Since writing the above we have been cited to an article in " Scribner's
Monthly" for April, 1878, entitled "Among the Thousand Islands." From
this article we make the following extracts:
" Of late years perhaps no event caused such a stir of excitement in this
region as the so-called patriot war in 1838, a revolt of certain Canadians
■dissatisfied with the government of Sir Francis Bond Head then Governor-
General of Canada, which was joined by a number of American agitators,
ever ripe for any disturbance.
"It was a wild, insane atfair altogether, and after some time consumed in
petty threats of attack, finally reached a climax in the burning of the Cana-
dian steamer, 'Sir Robert Peel,' one of the finest vessels upon the St. Law-
rence. The most prominent actor in this affair was Bill Johnson — a name
familiar to every one around this region — whose career forms a series of
romantic adventures, deeds and escapes, followed by his final capture,
vphich would fill a novel. Indeed, we understand that a novel has been
written by a Canadian Frenchman on this theme, though we have not had
the good fortune to find any one who has read it.
"Johnson was originally a British subject, but turned renegade, serving
as a spy in the war of 1812, in which capacity he is said to have robbed the
mails to gain intelligence. He hated his native country with all the bitter-
ness which a renegade alone is capable of feeling. He was one of the
•earliest agitators upon the American side of the border, and was the one
who instigated the destruction of the ' Peel.' A reward was offered by the
governments of each country for his apprehension, so he was compelled to
take to the islands for safety. Here he continued for several months,
though with numbers of hair-breadth escapes, in which he was assisted by
his daughter, who seems to have been a noble girl. Many stories are told
of remarkable acts performed by him, of his choking up the inlet of the
Lake of tlie Isle with rocks, so as to prevent vessels of any size entering
that sheet of water; of his having a skifl* in wliich he could outspeed any
ordinary sailing craft, and which he carried bodily across necks of land
when his enemies were in pursuit of him, and of his hiding in all manner
of out-of-the-way spots, once especially in the Devil's Oven, previously de-
scribed, to which his daughter, who alone was in hi-* confidence, disguised
as a boy, carried provisions. He was finally captured and sent to Albany,
where after suffering a slight penalty for his offense, he was subsequently
released, although he was always very careftil to keep put of the clutch of
th? indignant Canadians."
HISTORY OF KEOKUK OOtJNTT. 443
THE SKUNK EIVER WAR.
Most everybody who resided in Keokuk county during the war, or who
has Eince located in the county, has heard of the Skunk river war. Some-
times it is spoken of in jest, but the bitter feeling which is invariably
aroused, if the jesting is correct, too far proves that the incidents of that
most unfortunate affair were neither too remote nor too trivial to be a se-
rious matter, even at this time. During the period of the civil war there
were criminations and recriminations, bickerings and altercations which
could not fail to engender strife, and give birth to the most deadly feuds.
In many communities throughout the North the rival factions resorted to
violence, which resulted in the destruction of life and property. The war
iparty was largely in the majority, and in some instances, doubtless, was ar-
rogant and overbearing; but they were entirely excusable when goaded
to this conrse of action by the utterance of disloyal sentiments; for their
brothers and sons were at the front, falling like sheep, before the rebel bul-
lets. The anti-war party were in the minority, and in some instances made
too free a use of the rights of the minority, guaranteed by all civilized
nations, in expressing disloyal sentiments and circulating seditious docu-
ments; but it must be remembered that their former political allies, and
the brothers and sons of many were arrayed on the other side, and the
prospects of being conscripted into an army to fight those whom they
deemed to be their friends, should have mitigated their conduct in the
eyes of the opposite party. Great national contests have a right side and
a wrong side. At the present time there are few enlightened and progres-
sive men who do not admit that the right side of the war of secession was
the side of union, freedom and enfranchisement. But, while there was but
one right side, the peculiarities of temperament, early associations and the
ties of kindred, are circumstances which went far to modify the wrong of
the wrong side, and now that the unhappy strife is over, and the bloody
chasm has been bridged by the lapse of years, it is a private virtue, and it
is public policy to admit the fact.
In 1848, there came to Keokuk county a family by the name of Tally.
They had previously resided in Tennessee, and by birth and education were
in sympathy with the " peculiar institution " of the South. Upon the
breaking out of the war they arrayed themselves on the side of the anti-
war party, believing, as many thousands throughout the North did believe,
that unless the erring sisters could be peaceably prevailed upon to remain,
they should be allowed to go in peace.
One of the family, Cyphert Tally, was a young man of more than ordi-
nary brilliancy of intellect, and though possessed of meagre education, was
an orator of great force and ability. A short time prior to the war he had
entered the ministry of the Baptist church, and as far as appears from
the evidence of those most likely to know, was, in his private character as
an individual and in his public character as a minister, above reproach.
Some time after the begiiming of the war he was called upon to preach
the funeral of a soldier who had died in the Union army. He consented to
do 60, the place where the appointment was made being Mt. Zion church,
in Steady Run township.
When the congregation had assembled, and after Tally had taken his
place in the pulpit, the question of his loyality was raised by some of the
brethren and, at their suggestion, another Baptist minister who was pres-
44:4: HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
ent went into the pulpit and informed him thai his loyality was questioned
and if rumors were true as to certain sentiments which he was reported to
have uttered, there were those in the audience who preferred not to listen
to his discourse. After a short consultation Tally arose and announced that
as there appeared to be objections to his preaching from that pulpit he would
dismiss the congregation and those who desired to hear him should go to a
certain school-house near by. He thereupon left the church and started
for the school-house followed by the greater part of tiie audience, but upon
his arrival at the place found the school-house locked and the sub-director
refused to give up the key. They then went to a grove where the funeral
sermon was preached and the audience dismissed. The circumstances at-
tending the preaching of this funeral gave rise to bitter disputes and bickr
erings in the neighborhood and party feeling ran high. Encouraged by his
friends Tally became still more pronounced in the expression of his politi-
cal views and soon after abandoned the pulpit and took the stump. Numer-
ous opposition meetings were held in the county and Tally was invariably
the chief speaker. He soon became quite a hero and received and accepted
invitations to speak in various parts of the, adjoining counties: On every
hand he was extolled and lionized by those of a like political faith. Thus
flattered and petted it is not at all remarkable that as young a man as Tally
should become bold to commit some very indiscreet deeds and make some
very unwise statements. In his public speeches he nged language which was
very offensive to the war party and threats were piade in some parts of the
county that Ta,l\j could not speak there. W^henever such threats were
made the friends of Tally seemed to be particularly anxious that he should
speak at those very places, and urged forward by the injudicious counsels of
these friends improved the very first opportunities which presented them-
selves in .making good the assertion that he could speak and would speak
at any place in the county where he chose to. To these meetings people
from all parts of the, county would flock, many of them well armed. Such
was the condition of affairs when occurred the tragic event which put an
end to the eventful career of young Tally.
On Saturday, August 1, 1863, a Democratic mass-meeting was held near
English river, in Keokuk county. The speaking occurred in a grove, about
one-half mile from town. The chief speaker was Tally. Several hundred
persons were pi'esent at this meeting, most of whom had come in wagons,
in the bottom of which was hay or straw, and therein secreted were arms
of different kinds, which fact was developed at a later hour in the day.
Speeches were made during the forenoon, and as some Republicans were
present, party spirit ran high. As an illustration of the excitement, it is
related that in a stripping of butternut badges the clothing was almost
torn from a couple of ladies present who displayed the objectionable em-
blem. Wild and perhaps idle threats were made that the party would
come up in the afternoon and clean out the town of South English, which
was quite a Radical stronghold. Reports of these were carried up into the
town, where, from the balcony of a hotel, a Republican was addressing a
meeting of his party, and in the town the Radical feeling was also quite
strong. To be prepared for emergencies, the citizens were armed as far as
there were weapons for their use. In the afternoon the Tally party came
up to the town in wagons. In the front wagon were several men, including
Tally, who stood up in the rear part. The Republican meeting had just
closed, and arms were freely displayed. Some persons warned Tally tlfet
^
'^'
HI8T0BT OF KEOKUK COTJNTT. 447
he had best not go through the town, as there would be trouble; but he
claimed he meant no injury to any one, and merely asked the privilege of
the street. As the first wagon came into the crowd, there were cries from
the street of " coward !" "copperhead!" "afraid to shoot!" etc. Previous
to this time no weapons had been displayed by the party in the wagon, but
upon these cries they came up from the bottom of the conveyance. Just
then the street became so crowded that it was necessary to stop the wagon
for a moment. At that instant a citizen accidentally, as he claimed, dis-
charged one barrel of his revolver into the ground. This was the occasion
for a general firing, and it is marvelous that the loss of life was not much
greater. It has been estimated that one hundred and fifty shots were fired,
which is evidently a great exaggeration. Tally stood in the back part of
the wagon, with revolver and bowie-knife in hand; he evidently fired twice,
as two chambers were empty, when he fell from the wagon dead, having
been shot once through the head and twice through the body. One of the
horses attached to the wagon was wounded, which caused the team to run,
and probably avoided more serious consequences. The only other party
senously wounded was a man by the name of Wyant, who recovered. Up-
on receiving the fatal shot, Tally fell prostrate in the wagon, and it was not
known that he was dead until the driver of the team succeeded in con-
trolling the horses, when an examination revealed the fact that life had
already departed. The next day being Sunday, preparations were being
made at the home of Tally, whither his remains had been conveyed the
previous evening, for the funeral, while messages were sent in every direc-
tion informing Tally's friends of his death, and calling upon them to avenge
it. At the solicitation of certain influential citizens of Sigonrney and else-
where, a committee, consisting of S. A. Evans, Wm. It Brunt, Presley
Doggett and others, proceeded to the Tally neighborhood on the Monday
following. When they arrived Tally had already been buried, and about
one hundred people, from various parts of the county had assembled, de-
termined on revenge. The committee said that they had come in the in-
terests of peace, and that they were authorized to guarantee the arrest and
speedy trial of the person or persons who killed Tally. Their words seem
to have had little effect on the crowd, and th^ departed. All this time
wagon-loads of men were on their way from Wapello, Mahaska and Powe-
shiek counties to the place of rendezvous on Skunk river. Probably as
many as 150 came from Mahaska county alone. These volunteers formed
what is currently known as the Skunk River Army.
By Monday night affairs began to present quite a dangerous aspect to
the people of South English and Sigourney, and that night two citizens of
the latter place made their way to Washington on horseback, and there,
procuring a hand-car, proceeded to Wilton Junction, where they took a
train for Davenport, in order to consult Governor Kirk wood, who was
known to be there at that time. They found the Governor early on Tues-
day morning, and stated the facts; his first reply was a verbal order for
three hundred stands of arms, which he then gave the gentlemen in writ-
ing, and told them to procure the arms and return to Keokuk county. One
of the gentlemen replied: " My God, Governor, am I to understand you
to return home and shoot down our neighbors?" The Governor replied:
" On second thought I guess I'll go myself." And go he did, just as he
was, without collar or neck-tie, and attired in the careless dress which he
28
448 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
■who accustomed to wear when at his regular employment. The Governor
arrived on Wednesday evening at Sigourney; ti'oops and a couple of can-i
nons followed soon after. That night he made a speech in front of the
court-house.
The popular story of the governor's threat of minie balls and canister to
the Skunk river army, and of their terror-stricken flight from their camp is
a myth, the truth being tliat there was no considerable num'ber of armed
men nearer English river than Skunk river, which is sixteen miles from the
town. The project of armed resistance had been practically abandoned be-
fore Governor Kirkwood reached the town, many of the Mahaska county
troops having returned to their homes on Monday or Tuesday. It is
pi'obable that there were still some men assembled at the time of Governor
feirkwood's visit, and that his proclamation was read to them which gave
rise to the more extravagant story. There was nobody badly frightened on
either side, and no particular cowardice manifested. It is highly probable
that if Bill Tally had continued as leader that the result would have been
quite disastrous.
The Skunk river array has been variously estimated at numbers ranging
from five hundred to four thousand; the first figure is probably not far
from the truth.
According to the Adjutant-General's report, the following list of com-
panies were engaged in various parts of Keokuk county in suppressing
disturbances during August, 1863 : Muscatine Eangers, Washington Pro-
vost Guards, Brighton Guards, Richland Home Guards, Fairfield Prairie
Guards, Fairfield Union Guards, Abington Home Guards, Libertyville
Guards, Mt. Pleasant Artillery and Sigourney Home Guards — eleven
companies.
The grand jury, at the following term of the District Court, took the
Tally matter under consideration, but no one was indicted, and up to the
present time it has not been found out who fired the fatal shot. It is
highly probable, however, from the nature of the wound, that the shot was
not an accidental one, but well aimed, and from an unerring hand.
THE KEOKUK COUNTY VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.
This was a body of men banded together for the purpose of bringing to
justice certain outlaws, who, in former times, infested that region of coun-
try, bordering on South Skunk river, and more particularly that locality
commonly known as "Brushy Bend." The association was composed of
the best men of that part of the county, and its object was to assist the
oflScers of the civil law in the discharge of their duty, and failing in this,
to take the execution of the law into their own hands, and punishing the
offenders.
In 1857, that part of the county before referred to had a bad name, on
account of a systemized plan of stealing which was carried on. In some
cases oxen and cattle were slaughtered on the premises of the owner, and
the meat and hides taken to the adjoining counties and sold. In other in-
stances horses, saddles, bridles, corn and potatoes were stolen. The people
were_ very well convinced who the aiders and abettors of these thefts were,
and in some cases the proof was sufiicient to secure the arrest and trial of
certain persons, bnt in every case the ends of justice were thwarted by
the false testimony of the confederates in crime. In order to protect their
HISTORr OF KEOKUK COtTNTT. 449
property, and free their country from the bad name which fastened itself
Open them, certain citizens of Eichland and Jackson townships formed a
secl^et organization, and thus met organized theft with organized force. The
organization in Jackson township was separate from the Richland organiza-
tion, but not independent of it, as both organizations acted in concert, and
with the full understanding of the other.
In 1S.58 a horse was stolen from David Myers, who lived near the Jeffer-
son county line, about half way between Richland and loka. The two or-
ganizations before named took the matter in hand, recovered the horse and
captured the thief. The latter, however, by the evidence of his confeder-
ates, evaded the law, and was released.
There lived in the region of "Brushy Bend," four brothers by the name
of Byers, who were implicated in certain thefts, and these four persons, now,
were closely watched by the vigilants.
It was not long till a man by the name of Stalker had a saddle and a
bridle stolen. Ike Bowers, who, about that time had departed to Marion
connt3', for the purpose of attending a camp-meeting, was suspected, and
the vigilants sent emissaries after him to watch his movements, and, if pos-
sible, trace out the stolen property. When these arrived on the camp-
ground, they found Byers in the very midst of the worshipers, taking a
very active part in the conduct of the meeting. They said nothing to him
Concerning the real object of their visit, and led him by their conduct to sup-
pose that they had simply come for religions consolation. However, while
they sat near him in meeting, united their voices with his in singing the
songs of Zion, and possibly may have lead in prayer, they at the same time
kept a close lookout for the missing saddle and bridle. In the course of
time they found the missing property in the possession of a man from an
adjoining county, who, upon being questioned, stated that he had bought
them of Byers. Byers was thereupon arrested, and together with the man
in whose possession the property was found, brought back to Richland,
where he was tried before a justice of the peace. The evidence this time
being conclusive, and his brothers being unable even by their false testi-
mony to establish an alibi, Byers was sentenced to a term in the county
jail, whither he was conducted by the proper officers. Keokuk county in
those days had a jail, but it was not remarkable for its imposing appear-
ance or its security. Upon being locked up, and the officer from Rich-
land offering to shake the parting hand, Byers refused, saying: "It ain't
worth while, for I'll be back at Brushy Bend to-morrow." And sure enough
he was, for the following night he broke jail, and was back home nearly as
«oon as the officer. The vigilants, seeing that the civil authorities were
powerless to deal with such an outlaw, got together the following night,
proceeded to the home of Byers, took him out of bed, and placing a rope
around his neck led him to the timber. Just before entering the timber
they informed him of their intention to hang him ; he asked permission to
pray; they granted him thirty minutes, which was occupied in the most
fervent supplication. One of the vigilants who was present at the time,
and who had seen him at the Marion county camp-meeting, says, that
although Byers prayed most fervently and eloquently at the camp-meeting,
'■^he effort on this particular night was peculiarly eloquent and fervent;
,|pos8ibly the pressure of the rope against his vocal organs gave to his voice
a particularly pathetic and sympathetic tone. When the thirty minutes
were up the vigilants started with Byers into the timber looking for a suit-
460 HISTOBY OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
able limb, the latter all the while looking up, as if anxious to find a suit^
able place and have the work over with. At length a limb was found, and
the victim was swung free from the ground, but not into eternity, as the
vigilants did not all contemplate such extreme measures. After he had
been suspended for a moment they let him down, and informed him if he
would confess his crimes and reveal his confederates, they would release
him. This Byers refused to do, and they repeated the operation several
times. At length being persuaded that Byers would die rather than make
a confession, they thereupon stripped him, brought forth some whips, with
which they had previously been provided, and after giving him a severe
castigation, gave him his clothes and told him to leave the country, and
not again to return oh penalty of being hung in earnest. Byers left, and
was never again seen in that locality.
There were a good many peacably inclined Quakers living in and about
Kichland who objected to the measures resorted to by the vigilants, and in
order to avail himself of their moral support another one of the Byers re-
moved to Eichland where he hoped to continue operations without taking
the chances of being whipped. After he had stolen a number of things
the quiet town was nearly scared out of existence, and corportion lines
could scarcely retain its people, when late one night some three hundred
vigilants appeared on the street and, after parading through the town with
Byers tied to a horse, departed for the timber. This Byers, likewise, was
never more seen in those parts. He had been served like Ike, and, like Ike,
he thought it best to follow the parting injunction of the regulators.
The other two Byers brothers, in due course of time, were detected in
the commission of thefts, together with a boy by the name of Wyant and
two or three other associates of theirs, all of whom were taken out of their
beds at night, a sound whipping administered and ordered to leave the
county. The last one to go was " Lige Byers," who, awhile afterward re-
.turned, and upon his earnest protestation and promises of good behavior,
was allowed to remain. He soon fell from grace, however, was waited upon
by the ever attentive committee and vanished in the night-time, never
again to tread the romantic vales of " Brushy Bend."
While the vigilants were carrying on their operations south of Skunk
river an attempt was at one time made to have them indicted. They were,
however, duly informed of the contemplated- legal proceedings and were
furnished with the name of the prosecuting witness on the day when the
grand jury assembled at Sigourney. Certain members of the committee
were at the latter place as soon as the swiftest horses could carry them
there. It would not do, however, to commit violence at the seat of justice,
so they resorted to strategy. While the judge was giving his charge to the
jury they were entertaining the prospective prosecuting witness at a neigh-
boring saloon, who, by the time he was called, was too drunk to make a
coherent statement. The grand jury thought it beneath their dignity to
listen to the maudlin gibberish of a drunk man, so they dismissed him to
sober off. The following night said prosecuting witness was on his way to
the Skunk river timber in charge of a body of vigilants and during the
remainder of that term of court he could not be found though the grand
jury sought him faithfully with deputies and bailiffs. The vigilants had a
most thorough organization and proceeded against offenders in a cool and
systematic manner. When a person was suspected they held a secret meet-
ing and a jury was selected to pass upon the case, the evidence was all given
HISTOEY OF EEOETTK COUNTY. 461
in and the jury retired for consultation ; if they acquitted the accused that
ended the matter, but if they brought in a verdict of guilty the case was
promptly disposed of the following night. There was a regular annual or
monthly assessment made on each member of the organization and thereby
a fund accumulated to pay all necessary expenses.
■ The organization is still in existence and it has not been long since a
man who was in the habit of stealing honey left a certain neighborhood
very suddenly. He was out late one night and chanced to see a hundred or
80 of the vigilant's horses hitched at a school house; he went home in a
hurry, silently folded his tent and departed.
THE PEESS OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
. It is generally considered that there is no education which surpasses in
Practical benefit the newpaper which visits the home, and dealing with
ome matters, home interests and local surroundings, appeals to the intel-
lect and the pride of the family by making its readers acquainted with that
which immediately surrounds them. The influence of the local newspaper
is generally underrated. Its treatment of great questions may be weak,
but its appeals in behalf of its county or city seldom fall unheeded, or are
cast aside as useless. It is gratifying that we can enter upon the history of
newspapers in this county, after a careful examination of them at every
period in the history of the county since they were established, and see the
good they have done, and find that they have been so strong and influential
as they have. Few other counties have had a larger number of papers, and
there has been no time in its history but its newspapers have compared
most favorably with the best which surrounded them in other counties of
greater popularity and pretentions. They have been found always on the
right side of the great qnestions which affect the morals of a community;
temperance, Sunday-schools, schools, and the higher education, and with
every movement looking to progress.
' The first paper published in Keokuk county was the " "Western Friend,"
established at Lancaster, June 1, 1854, by I. N. and J. L. Paschal. The
mottoj for papers even in those days sported a motto immediately beneath
the head-line, was: "As the Twig is bent the Tree^s Inclined?'' Whether
the application of the term twig, had reference to the young county which
was to be bent into a perpendicular direction by the potent influence of the
"Western Friend," or whether it was simply the youth of the county whose
character was to be held in a vertical position by moral influences of the
"Friend," we are at a loss to determine; we are, however, inclined to the
former view, for the style and scope of the following article appearing in
the editorial columns of the first number, seems to be rather beyond the
comprehension of youth in the bending period :
" THE FOUETH OF JULY.
"As the anniversary of the birth-day of our national independence is
ftear at hand, I would suggest to the citizens of Lancaster and its vicinity,
that some preparations be made for celebrating it in a suitable manner.
" All regard the declaration of independence and the results that grew
«nt of it, as among the most important events that mark the world's
iiistory, . -
452 HISTORY OF KEGKTTK OOITNTY.
"Let us then, in common with our fellow-citizens in other parts of our
country, commemorate the day on whicli this great drama was enacted; let
us pay. at least, a partial tribute to the memory of those who sealed with
their blood, and consecrated by all that is most dear in life, the great prin.
ciples embodied in this declaration of rights and bequeathed to their childi
ren the glorious birthright of civil and religious liberty. By recalling their,
deeds of daring and self-sacrifice we imbibe a portion of the pure and lofty
patriotism which animated them; by recalling the price at which our free
institutions were purchased, we are the better able to appreciate their real
value, and the more willingly, if need be, to make sacrifices on our part to
perpetuate and transmit them unimpaired to our posterity.
" Seventy-eight years ago, when our patriot fathers were about to take the
vote upon this declaration, it was predicted by one who was not least among
that illustrious number who were called upon to act in this awful crisis, and
who staked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor upon the die
then cast, that this day would be celebrated in all future time and by the re-
motest descendants; celebrated by bonfires and illuminations; by the roar
of artillery; by toasts and speeches; by thanksgiving and rejoicing.
"How prophetic his words!
"The ashes of the elder Adams now repose, have long reposed, upon the
peaceful hills of New England, his great compeers sleeping with him; but
as year after year, returns from the inland seas of the North to the genial
borders of the Mexican Gulf, from the rugged shores of the Atlantic to the
placid waters of the Pacific, do their children continue to oflFer up the in-
cense of grateful hearts to the memory of the immortal and to the God of
nature.
"Shall we of the 'Far West,' who enjoy equally with our brethren of
other portions of the Great Republic, the priceless legacy of civil and re-
ligious freedom, refuse to mingle our hearts and voices with theirs in cele-
brating our national holiday ? I am confident the response of the generous
sons and daughters of Keokuk county will be — Never!
The ""Western Friend" seems at that time to have been Independent iu
politics. It was furnished to subscribers at the low price of two dollars
per annum, and payments, like the subscription price of all country news-
papers, was, theoretically, to be made in lawful currency and invariably in
advance, but practically it was made at the option of the subscriber, ani
when made, consisted of ragged bills on bursted banks, country produce,
whetstones, rags and saurkrout.
The first number contained a copy of President Pierce's message to Con-
gress; as Congress assembled on the fourth of March and the message first
found its way to the readers of the " Western Friend " on or after June
let, the document was three months old before the latter had an opportu-
nity to read it; rather stale reading for such a lengthy item of news, and
not very creditable to the journalistic enterprise of those days when viewed
from the standpoint of to-day. The number referred to likewise contains
some spirited editorials in favor of the Air Line Railroad; no better argu-
ment in favor of railroads and telegraph lines, it would seem, could have
been made than the statement of the fact that it required three months
time to lay before the readers of the " Western Friend " a copy of the
President's message.
In the advertising columns of the "Western Friend" was the profes-
sional card of Johnson «fe Crocker, attorneys at law; also the card of Moore
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNT r. 453
& C&sey, attorneys at law. The "Western Friend " did not survive the
frosts of the following winter.
. The next newspaper started in the county was called " Life in the "West;"
the editor and proprietor was John Kogers, and it was first issued in 1856.
The " Life in the West " was started in the first days of the Eepublicaa
party. It was a doughty champion of the Free Soil principles during the
first campaign in which that party figured as an important factor of Amer-
ican.politics. Although it survived the defeat of Fremont, it did not con-
tinue long enough to herald the triumph of Lincoln; it suspended and was
succeeded by the " News," prior to the campaign of 1860. It being tlie
first paper printed at Sigourney its memory is fondly cherished by many
people yetiiving at the county-seat who formerly welcomed -to their homes
this weekly visitor. For the diversion of such who did not take the pre-
caution to preserve any copies of the " Life in the West,"- we reproduce
the following spirited editorial which is a good sample of the sprightly style
of the editor:
" Buntline, the other day, had the goodness to go to a Republican and be-
seech him, if he had any influence with the editor of the "Life," to advise
and admonish him — the editor — not to say anything more about the mob,
as it would ruin the paper and the Republican party. How very consid-
erate in Buntline! Onr thanks to Buntline. Dear youth! How shall we
ever repay the debt of gratitude for such disinterested kindness. Bunt-
line, you are some pumpkins, sure, and when you get ripe we have no
doubt the managers of the "Democrat" will place yon on exhibition and
draw the first premium at the agricultural fair. We shall try to make the
most of the hint, while we remain, dear Buntline, respectfully yours, with
thanks."
The next newspaper enterprise was started in 1858 by Evans & Farra,
and was called the " Iowa Democrat." As its name indicates, it was Demo-
cratic in politics, and the first organ of that party ever published in Keo-
kuk county. In espousing the falling fortunes of the Buchanan adminis-
tration it was under the necessity of combating the political sentitnents
of a large majority of the people of Keokuk county; and this it did, fear-
lessly and perseveringly. The senior partner of the publishing firm con-
tinued in the concern till 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army, and
the paper was discontinued. Upon returning from the army, he became
proprietor of the " Ottumwa Democrat," which paper he still edits. Mr.
Farra is the oldest printer in the county. He was the first compositor on
the " Life in the West," and has had more or less to do with the mechanical
part of all the newspapers since established, and several of which he was
part owner of. In i860 he sold his interest in the "Democrat" to J. B. Shol-
lenbarger. The following editorial, published in the " Democrat " in 1859,
shows how the political issues were then discussed :
" HIGH TAXES.
"At this time there is scarcely a newspaper in the Union but what is
discussing the subject placed at the head of this article. The President, in
his late message, in speaking of the expenses of the government, recom-
mends ' the practice of rigid economy,' and suggests a deduction in the es-
timates of several departments for the next fiscal year. Every Democrat
464 HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COTTNTT.
in the land concurs in the opinion that a more rigid economy is called for
and absolutely demanded.
' " The opposition press and politicians charge the responsibility upon the
Democratic party; they say it is a national sin and we are to blame. That
high taxes are ruinous to the best interests of any country is true; and its
truth is equally applicable when applied to county or State government.
" The taxes levied upon the people of this county for the year 1868,
amount to $36,829.39 — a sum equal to $3.35 to each man, woman and child
in the county, and over seventeen dollars to each voter (if it was so appor-
tioned), and is thus composed:
County tax $16,366.58
State tax 3,840.15
School tax 2,669.67
Eoad tax : 6,884.70
Township school and township school-house tax 6,909.29
" Now, we ask, in view of these figures, are we practicing rigid economy
at home? Or, citizens, had we not better divest our own vision of every
mote, ere we go around in search of objects of complaint? The injunction
is a good one: ' Cast the beam out of thine own eye first.' Then we can
not only the more easily see, but with better countenance pluck at the
motes and imperfections with which others may be infested."
The publication of a Democratic paper not being either profitable or
popular in Keokuk county in those days, and the proprietors of the "Dem-
ocrat " enlisting in the army, the " Iowa Democrat " was discontinued in
1862, and was succeeded by the " Monitor " in 1865, which was started by
the Democrats as a campaign sheet, and not carrying the election in the
county was discontinued before it was three months old.
The successor of the " Monitor " was the " Vindicator," published by
W. fl. Bleakmore for six months during the summer and fall of 1868. In
his issue of November 26, 1868, the last one, Mr. Bleakmore says:
" Friends and patrons of the Sigourney " Vindicator," this week's issue
is the last we publish in your city — not because we are discouraged that
our efforts have not brought forth more signal success, for we feel confident
that we have done all that was in our power to do ; but we trust to be ben-
efited by a change which, while gratifying to us, will not interfere with
your interests, either personally or politically. Fellow-Democrats, be not
discouraged at the defeat with which our party has met. Let it be a stim-
ulus to greater exertions and better deeds on your part."
The successor of the "Vindicator" was the "Phoenix," established by
Porte "Welch in 1871, which lasted till the close of the Greeley campaign
and then expired almost contemporaneously with the last breath of the
lamented sage of Chapauqua.
THE SIGOXTRNET " REVIEW."
After so many repeated failures, which were enough to dishearten a party
less sanguine and tenacious of life than the Democratic party of Keokuk
county, they at length induced a paper to come, and, as was remarked by a
distinguished Democratic member of Congress at the opening of the first
session in which his party had a majority in both Senate and House, the
■HISTOET OB" KEOEUE COtTNTT. 455
proprietors said, " we have come to stay "; and the " Review " did, if the
proprietors did not, for the " Review " still lives and shows no signs of ap-
proaching decay. It is now the official paper of the county, is ably edited,
and has a large and remunerative patronage.
The Sigourney " Review ' was established in March, 1873, by Kenney &
Farra. In the fall of 1873 Farra sold out to Kenney, who conducted the
paper for about six months, when he sold a half interest to W. R. Hollings-
worth, who in a short time bought the entire paper and became sole editor
and proprietor. In entering upon his editorial career Mr. Hollingaworth
wrote a very sensible and sprightly salutatory entitled "Bill of Fare," from
which we make the following brief extracts:
"In importing a cook from another county to assist in the preparation
of literary dishes, it may not be amiss to put forth a ' Bill of Fare.'
" The value of the statement that we propose to put forth a paper that
will meet the wants of a majority of mankind depends upon our ability to
discern those wants.
" We do not consider a personal tournament between editors the most
approved method of carrying on a political canvass, and although such lit-
tle pleasantries and tokens of esteem as 'liar,' 'scoundrel,' 'idiot,' 'villain' and
'thief with which editors are in the habit of complimenting each other may
be very pleasant to themselves, yet we see great reason to doubt if the masses
of mankind are educated up to the point of fully appreciating their beauty.
"Although we cannot offer a piano, sewing machine or organ, to the
party who sends us a new subscriber, yet we will endeavor to reward any
effort on the part of our subscribers in our behalf by a corresponding im-
provement in our paper. An increase in our circulation will enable us to
put more labor into the office, to enlarge our paper, to take out the leads
and crowd up our advertisements, and to place on our table periodicals and
magazines which we cannot obtain by exchange."
• It seems that a dog became drowned in a well located on the public
Square: on its removal therefrom the editor thus immortalizes the unfortu-
nate cur:
" Little Black and Tan, we've missed you,
And though none stopped and kissed you,
As you lay when they fished you.
In your slimy, slippery morgae,
In the throng that then beheld you.
Everybody mew that smelled you.
Though no funeral bells had knelled you.
That somebody mourned a dorg.
" Had you crawled in for a rabbjt?
Or dug through from force of habit?
There was no one cared to blab it, —
How you got into that well;
Nor the water drank and toted
From the well which you floated —
Since its contents has been noted —
No one seems disposed to tell.
" In the court-yard in fair weather.
Still thy canine comrades gather.
And with some old rag or leather,
. Play the games that once were thine,
Till the boys whose recreation
Is the terror of the nation.
Give these names a variation
With the can and turpentine.
456 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
"Pleasant night? they put in harking,
At some far off, crowing dorking,
Or some fellow late out sparking;
'Till we wish them all in— blank,
Or say, words to that effect, while
Groping round for projectiles
Which some cur may well expect will
Likely take him in the flank.
"Thou hast left us, little terrier,
And we never more shall hear ' yer,'
Or shie bootjacks just to scare ' yer,'
And we're sad as sad can be.
Not that, ' thou has gone before us,
But you've left behind to bore us,'
A nocturnal, howling chorus.
Which we wish were dead like thee.
" Little Tan, need we remind you.
That you've died and left behind you
Many curs we wish could find you.
In your canine spirit land'?
And if you've a son or daughter,
That would like to go by water.
For their sakes we think we ' orter '
Keep a well or two on hand."
THE "news."
The " News " was established in 1860, and is the oldest paper in the
' connty, it now being in its nineteenth volume. It is,, and always has been^
a, stalwart Republican organ, and may be regarded as the successor of
the " Life iu the West," the iirst Eepublican paper of the county. The
first proprietor was A. S. Bailey, now of the Brighton " Star," who con-
tinued to publish it until 1863, when it was purchased by Sanders & Farra,
who conducted it for a short time, when Sanders bought Farra's interest.
The paper had now been published over three years, and although it was
managed with corisiderable ability, it did not take rank among the leading
Eepublican papers of the State until December, 1863, when it fell into the
hands of H. E. & J. W. Havens, who were both men of more than average
newspaper ability, and under whose management the " News" soon took
a position alongside the most sprightly and able journals of the State.
The first number of the paper iinder their management contained the fol-
lowing salutatory:
" We this week, for the first time, greet the readers of the ' News '
through its columns. We do so at a cheering period in the history of our
country's troubles — when the armed enemies of our country are everywhere
yielding before the invincible skill and valor of our soldiers, and when
those who, in the loyal States, apologize for, and sympathize with, traitors,
are overwhelmed and vanquished by the patriotic and loyal sentiment of
the country — when the ripe fruits of subjugation, emancipation and con-
fiscation are almost ready to be gathered, and "when peace, rest and quiet
tor our country, upon the secure foundation of universal freedom, seemft
almost within our grasp.
"The 'News' will advocate the continued prosecution of the war, by
the use of all the means which human ingenuity may devise, consistent
with the rules of war, until the last rebel shall meekly bow to the mild
scepter of the Constitution.
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 45T
""We believe in Old Abe, and shall stand by hini in all his measures for
the finishing up of this rebellion.
" We believe that the factions opposition to the measures of the admin-
istration, by men in the loyal States, tends to prolong the war, to waste
human life, increase the burdens of taxation — and we shall endeavor, to-
the best of our ability, to counteract the effect of snch opposition.
"We desire to see such a public sentiment as shall crush out the spirit
of disloyalty existing among us, and unite all parties in the good work of
preserving our benificent institutions, and we shall labor in our humble
sphere to promote snch a sentiment.
" We shall endeavor to keep our readers posted upon all matters of pub-
lic interest, either in war, politics or local news. We shall furnish them
with the latest news from our ai-mies, with the proceedings of Congress-
and of our State legislature. In short, we shall endeavor to make the-
' Kews ' a good county newspaper. Let our works prove how well we suc-
ceed."
After publishing the paper for some time, H. E. Havens sold out his in-
terest to F. M. Havens, and removed to Missouri, where he was elected to-
Congress on the Republican ticket, and served two terms. In 1874 F. M.
Havens sold his interest to Mr. Farra, and the name of the publishing-
firm became Havens & Farra. In 1876 Havens bought Farra's interest,
and. remained sole editor and proprietor until November, 1878, when he
sold the paper to W. H. ISTeedham, formerly of the Oskaloosa " Herald."'
Owing to the ability which characterized the latter paper when in charge
of Leighton & Needham, it became one of the most popular Republican
papers in the State, and when the 'News' fell into the hands of Mr.
Needham, it soon became apparent that much of the characteristic enter-
prise and journalistic tact which before time distinguished the " Herald,"'
had been transferred to the " News." Upon taking charge of the "News,'^
Mr. Needham published the following salutatory:
"Custom has established a necessity for a word of introduction at my
hand, in assuming control of the "News." Along experience in journal-
ism has, I trnst, fitted me, in some degree, at least, for the duties upon
which I am entering, and a life devoted to the success and prosperity of
the great Republican party and its glorious principles, assures me that an
adherence to that party, and a faithful advocacy of its principles, are the
best security that can be performed for the well-being of our common and
beloved country. It will, therefore, be my studied endeavor to sustain
intact that party, and to advance, by every proper and legitimate means,
its principles. The recent November elections must convince every nat-
ural thinking mind that the country is closely allied to the doctrines of the
Republican party, as those best calculated to preserve the country from the
grasp of demagogues and unscrupulous politicians. This party saved the
country from the red hand of traitors in the hour of its greatest peril, and
it is destined to save it from the sophistical grasp of demagogues and trait-
ors to its financial interests. These are now matters of history, indelibly
fixed upon the heart of every lover of our country and her free institutions.
To the propagation of these interests I expect to devote my best energies^
and the energies of the ' News.'
" If I succeed in filling the place occupied by my predecessor I will feel
then that I have accomplished the full measure of my ambition.
"In addition to my advocacy of Republicanism I shall devote much space
458 HISTOBT OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
to the mutual interest of town and country, realizing the great importiince
of agriculture to the best interests of the country. The farmer is the pro-
ducer, and, therefore, occupies a most important place in the prosperity of
the country.
" It will be my purpose to advocate and advance the interests of moral r^
form, believing this to be one of the best means of protecting the best in-
terests of the country.
" I will endeavor to give you the latest and most reliable news upon all
questions of interest to the readers of a local paper, believing as I do, that
the local paper is the greatest advocate of the age."
THE "COUEIEE."
The Germans of Keokuk county have always been an important factor
in the political problem, as well as contributing very materially to the de-
velopment of the material resources of this section. There was long a ne-
cessity felt for a newspaper published in the German language but no one
deemed it prudent to enter upon so perilous a business enterprise prior to
January, 1878, when three liberal-minded and public-spirited Germans, who
had long been citizens of the county, organized what was called the " Ger-
man Printing Company," for the purpose of publishing a paper in the
German language. The company was composed of Levi Bower, F. A.
Schipfer and William Sehrievner. The paper was called " The Sigourney
Courier," and the first number was issued January 5, 1878. After the
publication of five numbers it became apparent that the " Courier" would
succeed and could stand on its own merits, whereupon Mr. Bower and
Schipfer, who had no time to spare from their buisness to devote to newspa-
per work, retired and were succeeded by J. 13. Starr and the firm then be-
came Sehrievner & Starr. Upon the publication of the thirty-sixth num-
ber Sehrievner & Starr sold to A. Danquest, of Ottumwa, and in the follow-
ing November the latter gentleman sold the entire concern to J. 0. Starr,
who since that time has been the sole editor and proprietor. From the
first establishment of the paper till November, 1878, the " Courier " was
independent in politics, but at that time it was changed into an organ of
the Democratic party, which policy is still pursued by its publisher. Mr.
Starr has ability, culture and enterprise and the sheet is a credit to the
town and a paying investment to the proprietor.
THE " WESTERN STOCK JOUBNAL,"
A sixteen page monthly appeared^ established and edited by J. H. San-
ders at Sigourney May, 1869. September, 1870, the last number was
issued, at which time its subscription books and good will were transferred
to what is now the " National Stock Journal of Chicago," Mr. Sanders, the
present editor-in-chief, taking at the time of the transfer a position as edi-
tor of the horse department. At the time of its establishment at Sigour-
ney and for some time afterward, the "Western Stock Journal" was the
only exclusive stock publication in the United States. Other publishers,
however, soon adopted the plan, trenching somewhat closely upon the
name, but it was not until after the "Western Stock Journal" had achieved
both financial success and a national reputation that it was merged into a
subsequent growth of the same class of farm literature at Chicago. Sig-
HI8TOBT OF KKOKTJK COUNTY. 459
ourney, therefore, claims the prestige of being^ the birth-place of stock
jonrnalisin, separated from other farm topics, and to one of its former citi-
zens belongs the paternity of the now popular idea.
At present there are three papers published outside of the county-seat:
one at Keota, one at South English and one at Delta.
"The Eagle" was established by S. C. Miller in June, 1876. In Novem-
ber, of the same year, it was purchased by Wells & Eeed, who still retain
the proprietorship. The editor is G. T. Eeed, who wields a facile pen, and
whose sprightly columns well represent the enterprise and dash of that
stirring town. "The Eagle" was not the first newspaper venture in Keota;
its predecessors were the "Plaindealer" and the "Courier," both of which
had a brief existence and then passed away to join the innumerable caravan
of defunct newspapers, whose untimely death has characterized the incipi-
ent stages of all Western towns.
The "Delta Independent" was started in the spring of 1879 by H, J.
Yail, who delegated the management of the paper to M. B. Halloway.
After a short time the paper became the property of the latter gentleman,,
who still remains the editor and proprietor.
The first paper published at SonthJEnglish was called the "Advance," and
was established by W- W. Yarham, May, 1872, the first number being pub-
lished. OP. the 30th of said month. The paper was run by Mr. Yarhant
until September, 1872, when it was, sold to E. L. Eankin and D. S. Burson,
under whose management it was run until June, 1873, when E. L. Eankin
disposed, of his interest to J. F. Shotts, continuing jyider the name of Burson
& Shotts. In July, 1873, Shotts bought Burson's interest, and became editor
and proprietor, and changed the name of the paper to the " Western Herald."
In August, 1873, he sold a half interest to G, J. Brown, the firm then bei-
ing Shotts & Brown, under whose management the paper was enlarged^
Shotts sold his interest to Prof. E. Kieler, in December, 1873, the firm then
being Brown & Kieler. .On the 23d day of April, 1874, G. J. Brown
bought Mr. Kieler's interest, and became editor and proprietor, and run the
paper until April 15, 187-5, when he formed a partnership with his brother,.
Kev. Wm. M. Brown, under the firm name of Brown Brothers, and the
business was continued by them until October 19, 1876, when G. J. Brown
again became proprietor, and continued the publication of the " Western
Herald " at South English, until August 18, 1877, when he removed the
material to Harper, and run it until March 1, 1878, when he sold to the-
Harper Publishing Company. The paper was published there until Sep-
tember 6, 1878, and discontinued, when G. J. Brown again bought
the material back, and moved back to South English, and on the 18th
day of October, 1878, again commenced its publication. On the-
Ist of March the office material was sold to J. F. White, and placed on
solid financial footing, and the " Herald " is now issued regularly, With J.
P. White as proprietor, and G. J. Brown, editor and publisher. It is " in-
dependent in all things, neutral in nothing," and now stands as one of the-
best papers in Keokuk county.
There was a paper published at Eichland during a part of the years
1875-6. It was first called the " Herald," and then was changed to the-.
" Mail." It was published by W. D. Smith & Company, and while it ex-
isted, ably represented the interests of that portion of that county. The
last number was issued March 23, 1876.
There remains to be noticed one more paper, the " Domestic Quarterly-
460 HISTOBY OF KEOKtJK COUNTY.
Keview." There were but three numbers published, the first bearing date of
April 1, 1844. From the first page we learn that it was written and pub-
lished by S. A. James, and devoted to literature, amusement and particular
intelligence. There was no type nor press in the county, and the paper,
which was printed with a pen, is remarkable for its close resemblance to
printed matter.
The influence of the local press upon the morals and general intelligence
of the people in the county, cannot be overestimated. In the absence of
the local press there are hundreds of families who would take no paper,
and it is to this agency alone that is due the almost universal dissemination
of general intelligence, as well as the communication of local news.
The aggregate circulation of these papers, in the county, is over four
thousand copies, weekly, or more than one copy for each family in the
•county.
Of printed matter published outside the county, there is supplied from
the Sigonrney post-office, to a population of about four thousand people,
the following:
Daily newspapers 40-
Weekly newspapers • 1167
Magazines 137
Periodicals 78
Total 1422
Thirty-five years ago there were three newspapers received at the same
■office. The press has certainly kept pace in the march of time with other
•enterprises.
EDUCATIONAL.
The schools of the county are sharing with the contents of the news-
boy's bundle, the title of universities of the poor. A. close observation of
the working of the public schools shows that if the induction of facts be
complete, it could be demonstrated that 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 afford less room for the
growth of eflfeminacy and pedantry, it educates the youth among the peo^
pie, and not among a caste or class, and since the man or woman is called
upon to do with a nation in which some are the only factor, the education
which the common schools afford, especially where they are of the superior
standard reached in this county, do fit their recipients for a sphere of use-
fulness nearer the public heart than can be attained by private schools or
accademies.
Keokuk county educational affiairs are in a flourishing condition. The
contrast between the settler's school and the present accommodations has
been marked. The puncheon floors and desks, and doorless aperature for
entrance, have given place to more finished edifices, in some cases el-
egant ones, possibly not more thoroughly ventilated, but more comfort-
ably so.
The county has now become well supplied with comfortable, commodi-
ous school-houses, and good schools are being taught in all the townships
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 461
and towns, sufiBciently namerous 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
Onder the eflScient management of Mr. Todd, who until recently, has held
the office of superintendent for quite a term ot years, the schools and ed-
ucational interests are attaining a high standard.
The county teachers believe in the interchange of thought, also in the
community of effort, and are making the profession of teaching a study as
well as practice. Teachers' institutes are now becoming of regular and
frequent occurence, 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 successful, after diligent study and preparation, it shows a much more
creditable standing, besides furnishing a more efficient class of teachers.
The last county normal was held in August, beginning first Monday.
It was conducted by H. D. Todd. The number of teachers enrolled was
199, of whom 50 were males. The interest was good, by far the best and
most profitable ever held in the county.
It is interesting to note the growth of the schools of this county, as well
as the added interest which accompanies it. From the humble beginning
of one school-house, we see one in every neighborhood of the county, ac-
commodating every child in its midst, whether it be rich or poor.
' The first school within the present limits of Keokuk county was in a
school-house built to suit the times. It was near Rocky Run, nearly three
and a-half miles northeast of Richland. It was built of round logs, the
space between them chinked and then daubed with mud. About five feet
from the west wall on the inside, and about five feet high, another log was
f)laced running clear across the building. Puncheons were fixed on this
og and in the west wall on which the chimney was built. Fuel could then
be used of any length not greater than the width of the building, and when
it was burned through in the middle the ends were crowded together; in
this manner was avoided the necessity of so much wood chopping. There
was no danger of burning the floor, as there was none. The seats were
made of stools or benches, constructed by splitting a log, hewing off the
splinters from the flat side and then putting four pegs into it from the
round side for legs. The door was made of clapboards. On either side a
piece of one log was cut out, and over the aperature was pasted greased
paper which answered for a window. Wooden pins were driven into the
log running lengthwise immediately beneath the windows, upon which was
laid a board and this constituted the writing desks. The school-district in
which this wonderful structure stood extended from the east part of the
county to the Jackson township line, and from Skunk river on the north
as far south as one could see. Since the day of school tax levies the peo-
ple are a little more definite in defining their sub-districts.
The first school, which is hereafter described, having closed, a meeting
was called and it was resolved " that we build a good school-house, twenty
feet square, plank floor, glass windows, batten door, pointed with lime, pro-
vided it don't cost more than fifty dollars."
The first school taught in the county was by James McKinney in the
winter of 1842-3 at the school-house heretofore described. The second
school was taught at the same place by Miss Emily Wbitaker in the sum-
462 .HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COTTSTZ.
mer of 1843. The following winter she and her brother, Watson Whitaker*
each, taught a school in the same locality, but one of them was just across
the line in Washington county. The fourth school was taught at a place
called Western City, then a rival of Kichland, and situated about four miles
northwest of the latter place. This school was taught by Emily Whitaker
in the summer of 1844. Her wages were fifty cents per month for each
pupil, one-third payable in money and the balance in trade. This Miss
Whitaker is now Mrs. Meacham and she still owns a reel she took as the
tuition for one pupil. She took most of her pay in wheat. James Mc-
Kinney, who taught the first school, was not disposed to treat on Christmas,
as the pupils desired him to do, so they seized him and were taking him to
the creek to give him a •' ducking " when Harvey McCoskey took a pen-
knife and stabbed Pleasant Pringle just below the eye and inflicted a
wound, the scar of which Mr. Pringle still bears. Twice, subsequently, the
pupils were successful in " ducking " the teachers. When they had
" ducked " him twice he became sick but woujd not treat. Some of the
pupils of this first school are yet citizens of the cdunty, among whom are
A. H. Smith, to whom we are under obligations for several facts of this
chapter. Pleasant Pringle, Joel Pringle, Mrs. Susan Jefireys, and J. P. Ai
Lewis.
The first schools of the county were subscription schools; the teachers
"boarded around," stayed one night at one house and the next at another.
The course of study was spelling and the three, " K's — Eeaden, Kiten and
Rethmetic." The leading principle in didactics was, "no licken, no
larnen."
The contracts between teacher and patrons were perhaps similar to the
following entered into between one 'iWeller, who taught the first school in
Steady Run township, and his patrons:
" Article of agreement made and entered into this 9th day of January,
1846, between R. F. Weller, of the Territory of Iowa, Keokuk county, and
the undersigned, witnesseth that the said Weller agrees to teach a common
school for the term of three months, viz, : spelling, reading, writing and
arithmetic.
"The undersigned, citizens of the said county, agree to pay said Weller
one dollar and fifty cents per scholar; also, to furnish a suitable house and
fire- wood, and board said Weller; the above amount may be paid in maki;ig
rails at the customary price, one-third to be paid on or before the expira-
tion of each month. School to commence when twenty scholars are
signed :
SnBSOEIBEES NAMES.
Anson Richardson 2
Enos Darnell 1
Andrew Taylor 2
Christopher Wood 1
Wm. Stinson 3
Thos. Richardson 3
Joel Skinner 2
Wm. Hutton 2
Cornelius Hurley 3
The school-house stood on the place now owned by A. 0. New, and was
made of round logs, and had a "weight pole" roof, the dimensions of the
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 465
building being foarteen feet square. The district boundaries were: « Jack-
son township on the east, south as far as you could see, west the same dis-
tance, and north to Skunk river." The rails were made according to the
provisions of the contract, at sixty-two and a-half cents per hundred. At
the close of the school the electors voted to build a good school-house, pro-
vided it did not cost more than lifty dollars.
The first school taught in German township was by Julius J. Heider, in
1851; the first in Adams, by Martin Ballard, in 1849; the first in English
Eiver, by S. M. Glandon, in 1860, in an old house without windows.
Webster has, until recently, had one of the original school-houses, built in
the township which was erected in the fall of 1854. At the latter named
place there was an academy started by Degarmo & Ob., but owing to a lack
of patronage it was abandoned. The first school taught in Prairie town-
ship was in the winter of 1857-8, by L. Hollingsworth, who afterward was
elected to several of the most important county offices, and is now a resi-
dent of the county-seat.
In the year 1856 Benjamin Naylor, B. F. McAllister and "Wm. B. Law-
ler started an academy at Richland, which was in operation four years. The
principal, Mr. Naylor, was the author of a text-book on arithmetic and
geography. The leading features of these books were much oral teaching,
concert recitations, singing geography, and contractions in operations in
arithmetic. Several who afterward became prominent and influential citi-
zens of the county were students of this academy; among others, J. A.
■Lowe, afterward county superintendent, J. M. Jones, county recorder, and
ii. F. Smith, for years a teacher in the county, and now a banker of Win-
terset. The last named gentleman, like his preceptor, has done something
in the way of book-making. Among other works of which he is the au-
thor are the " Rational Method of Grammar," and a work on banking;
the former is decidedly original in conception and novel in style.
The first teachers' institute held in the county was an educational
fair held in the year 1858, under the auspices of Judge Rogers, then county
superintendent, and the State superintendent, D. Franklin Wells. Com-
petitive examinations and class drills were the leading features of the con-
test. Among the teachers in attendance were L. Hollingsworth, James
Winget, Cind Grossman, Isaac Hale, J. H. Sanders, Hilson Degarmo and
L. McCoy.
The first regular institute was held in 1862, at Sigonrney, during the
month of September, conducted by Moses Ingalls, of Muscatine; the next
year the institute was held in June, conducted by the same man, assisted
in reading and music by Mr. Dougherty. In 1864 the institute was held
at Richland, and was conducted by Prof. J. Piper. In 1865 the institute
was held at Springfield; about twenty teachers were in attendance. The
next year the institute was held at Sigourney, conducted by Prof. Piper;
twenty-six males and forty-five females were in attendance. In 1868 the
institute was held at Sigourney, beginning March 22d, conducted by T. W.
M-ulhera. In 1869 Prof. Gilchrist and Prof. G. T. Carpenter conducted
29
466 HisTOET or keokuk county.
the institute; one hundred and forty-four teachers were in attendance. In
1870, one Durham conducted the institute^ and in 1871 and 1872 Prof.
Piper was again engaged. The last institute was conducted by E. Baker,
of Oskaloosa; it occurred in December, 1873, with an attendance of one
hundred and forty.
The first county normal school held was during the administration of H.
D. Todd. It was held in August, 1873, Prof. Eldridge being the conduc-
tor, assisted by Miss Deering and Prof. Pickett, and there were one hun-
dred and seventy-seven in attendance.
In the year 1875, a normal of six weeks was held, beginning August 2d,
two hundred and sixteen teachers being in attendance; this was the largest
normal held in the State np to that time.
The last normal was held in the school building at Sigourney, beginning
August 4th and lasting four weeks. H. D. Todd was the conductor, assisted
by Gr. T. Carpenter, E. E. Eldridge, J. J. Pollard, J. E. Richardson, Menza
Eoseranz, E. Bush, M. Gibney and Dr. John Wheeler. There were in
attendance sixty-five males and one hundred and thirty-three females.
John Rogers, H. Jay, James Frey, D. Y. Smock, A. J. Kane, J. A.
Lowe. T. J. Hasty, H. D. Todd and John Bland have been the county
superintendents, in the order named. Mr. Todd held the office nearly six
years, and now has, throughout the State, the best reputation of any super-
intendent who has ever held the office. By reason of his enterprise and ac-
tivity he has brought the schools of the county up to a standard much
above the average of county schools, and all friends of popular educa-
tion, and especially those most immediately interested can but congratulate
the recently retired superintendent upon his long and successful career as a
public servant.
Very much of the early history of the schools of the county is now en-
veloped in darkness, owing to the fact that no one has undertaken to keep
an exact record of their beginnings and subsequent progress. Although
meagre, what is obtainable is interesting and authentic.
In 1850 there were in the county thirty-nine schools, thirty-nine teachers,
one thousand and fifteen pupils. The school fund consisted of two hun-
dred dollars raised by taxation, six hundred and forty dollars from the
public fund and eighteen hundred dollars raised by subscription, fines, etc.
The following tables will afford a good idea of school affairs and the pro-
gress made from time to time in the history of the county down to the
present time:
1861.
No. of sub-districts 94
" schools in county 127
" pupils enrolled 3261
Average attendance ". 1325
No. of teachers , 137
Cost of tuition per week, for each pupil $ 0.84
Amount paid teachers during the year 7,681.65
Average compensation of teacher, per month 17.85
No. ot school-houses 69
Value of school-houses $ 14,082.00
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTT. 467
1868.
No. of sub-districts 123
" schools 110
'M " pupils 5,048
Attendanqe 2,874
No. of teachers 217
Cost of tuition, per week $ 0.80
Amount paid teachers 17,788.70
Average compensation of teachers, per month 28.66
No. of school-houses 112
Talne of school-houses $ 77,768.00
1875.
No. of sub-districts 24
" independent districts 116
" schools 155
" pupils 5,932
Attendance 3,747
No. of teachers 251
Cost of tuition, per week $ 1.20
Amount paid teachers 32,512.21
Average compensation of teachers, per month 32.69
No. of school-houses 137
Talue of school-houses $103,220.20
1879.
No. of sub-districts 22
" Independent districts 114
" persons of school age, males 4,057
' « " " « « females 8,803
" ungraded schools 110
" graded schools 11
" select " 3
Average number of months taught 6.6
Male teachers employed 121
Female " " 155
Average compensation per month, males $ 28.21
" ' « « females 21.60
Pupils enrolled 6,240
Aggregate attendance 3,094
■Cost of tuition per month $ 1.19
No. of school-houses 137
Value of school-houses $ 80,815.00
" apparatus 1,513.25
.Examination of Teachers.
No. of 1st grade certificates issued to males 45
females 40
males 56
females 70
males 17
females 51
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1st
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2d
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1(
2d
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II
3d
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3d
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468 HISTORY OF KEOKUK OO0NTT.
Total number of certificates issued to males US
« « « " females 16t
No. of applicants examined, males 12T
" " " females 173
" " rejected, males 9"
« « " females 12
Average age of applicants, males 23J:
« " " females 22^
Ko. having no experience, males IT
« " " " females 31
No. taught less than one year, males 29^
" " « " " " females 3&
Visitation of Schools.
No. of schools visited by the superintendent 160"
" cases of appea;l decided 5
Compensation of superintendent $ 915.00
SCHOOL FINAITOES.
School-House Fund.
On hand at last report $ 3,660.72
Keceived from district tax 9,178.44
" • " other sources 2,103.15'
Total debit
Paid for school-houses and sites $ 5,254.64
" on bonds and interests 3,648.76
On hand 6,304.75
Paid for libraries, apparatus, etc 11.00'
Total credit % 17,294.92
Contingent Fund.
On hand from last rieport $ 6,304.75
Eeceived from district tax 6,312.26
" " other sources 530.72
Total debit
Paid for rent of school-houses and repairs % 2,167.35'
" fuel 2,082.87
" secretary and treasury , 2,013.83
" records, apparatus, etc 345.36
" other purposes 1,683.61
" insurance 288.65
" janitors 414.06
On hand 24,328.97
Total credit
Teacher'.s Fund.
On hand at last report $ IS.ggO.lS'
Eeceived from semi-annual apportionments 8,281.56
" " district taxes 24,243.13
" " other sources 1,253.15
Total debit
HISTOET OF KEOKITK COUNTY. 469
Paid to teachers $ 28,300.99
On hand 19,407.10
Total credit
CABINET AND LIBEAET.
Through the exertions of Mr. Todd, the late county superintendent, there
iias been accumulated a valuable library and cabinet. The following is a
history of the same:
The Keokuk County Educational Library was organized at the first
jiormal institute held in the county, during August, 1874. The teachers in
attendance subscribed one hundred and twelve dollars as a fund for pur-
-ehasing books.
At iirst the membership fee was fixed at twenty-five cents, but at the
meeting in January, 1875, it was changed to fifty cents. Most of the
members at this time, as now, were teachers. A constitution and by-laws
were adopted, and officers elected, as follows: John Axmear, president;
Florence Shufflebarger, vice-president; Delia Darling, secretary; J. K.
Picket, treasurer; H. D. Todd, librarian. The annual dues of each mem-
ber were first fixed at twenty-five cents. The organization prospered, and
added many new books during the first year.
At the meeting, August, 1875, many new members joined, when the
membership fee was fixed at one dollar, and the annual dues at fifteen
«ents a quarter, or sixty cents a year. Several changes were also made in
the constitution and by-laws. Each membership or share of stock was
made transferable at the option of the holder. Educational meetings of
the Association were held, which added much to the interest. At this ses-
sion of the institute, August, 1876, the " Hoosier School-Master " was
dramatized, and played by a company for the benefit af the library. This
^enterprise was quite successful. The play was repeated the second night,
«nd the association realized something near sixty-five dollars from these
entertainments.
At the January meeting, 1877, the membership fee was raised to two
dollars, and the quarterly fees to twenty-five cents or, one dollar per year.
The association was incorporated March 10, 1877, and the articles of in-
corporation are recorded in book Y, page 285, in the office of the county
recorder. Any one can become a member by complying with the regula-
tions. There are now about one hundred members owning about
■one hundred and fifty shares, several members owning more than one
«hare; H. D. Todd owns eleven shares; E. A. Parks, six; John Axmear,
£ve; J. K. Pickett, five; "W. S. Tan Horn, four; Alice Gray, four; Joel
and John Eichardson, two each; Wm. Schriever, two, and several other
members have more than a single share.
The officers are one president, one vice-president, secretary, treasurer
and librarian. They also constitute the board of directors, and are the
committee to select books.
There are now, at this writing, five hundred and fifty seven volumes,
treating of a great variety of subjects. The historical and biographical
works are the most numerous; yet the reader of scientific, fictions, or mis-
cellaneous works, will find all the best authors represented, with their
t)e8t works, and in some cases with nearly all their writings.
About one year ago the librarian, and a number of members, became
470 HISTOEr OF KEOKUK COTJNTT.
interested in geological and historical specimens, and with little effort, have'
collected quite a museum of curiosities.
There are many historical and interesting specimens scattered through
the county, which have ceased to attract much curiosity or interest wher&
they are owned, and if placed in this museum, would soon make a collec-
tion in which every enterprising citizen of the county would take pride.
Many relics which can now be found will soon be lost, if not collected, and
thus posterity will be deprived of this important means of perpetuating
the memory of the present and past.
"We predict for this Library Association a brilliant future. The import-
ance and benefit of a library all will admit. The success of this enter-
prise from the first is due to the eflScient management, the devotion and in-
terest of the members, and the little expense necessary to keep it in opera-
tion.
As this is an educational undertaking, it has its home or headquarters in
the ofiice of the county superintendent, where it has had that fatherly care
from the first which it needed to make it what it is, that the desires and
wishes of its founders and members may be fully realized.
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Old Settlers' Association of Keokuk county was organized in 1878.
The following is the constitution :
CONSTITUTION
OF THE KEOKUK COUNTY OLD SETTLEES' ASSOCIATION, ADOPTED JULY 29, 1878.
AETIOLE I.
This organization shall be called the Keokuk County Old Settlers' Asso-
ciation.
AETIOLE II.
The officers shall consist of a president, five vice-presidents, a secretaiy,
a treasurer and an executive committee of five. The committee to b&
chosen from among the youngest members of the association', and whose
duty it shall be to provide places of meeting for the association; to see
that members needing care shall receive the same, and to have the general
management of the affairs to the association. The duty of the oflScers shall
be those usually devolving upon such officers. ,
AETIOLE III.
All old settlers who came to the county prior to 1858, and who are now
residents of the county, may become members of the association by sign-
ing the constitution.
AETICLE IV.
The Secretary shall keep a record of the name, age and residence of each
member, together with the year in which he or she came to Iowa; and upon
the death of a member he shall enter in a book — kept for that purpose —
a suitable obituary notice, and report such death to the meeting at the next
annual meeting.
HISTOEY OF KEOKTTK COUNTY. 471
AETICLB V.
The actual expenses of the association shall be defrayed by a pro rata as-
sessment upon its members, and by voluntary contributions.
ARTICLE VI.
; There shall be an annual meeting of the association, and such called
meetings as the executive committee may deem necessary, and at each an-
nual meeting the association shall determine the time and place of the
next annual meeting.
AETICLE VII.
This constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote at any"
annual meeting of the association.
The first reunion of the old settlers of the county, under the auspices of
this association, was held at Sigourney, on the 10th of September, 1878.
It was estimated that over seven thousand people were present on that oc-
casion. The address of welcome was delivered by the, president. Judge S.
Harned. Gen. James A. Williamson delivered a lengthy address, a large
part of which is published in a former part of this work. Short addresses
were made by Capt. Keath and Col. Mackey, and S. A. James, the secretary
•of the association, read a number of letters in response to invitations. Five
minute speeches were then made by quite a number of old settlers, among
whom were Maxon Randall, A. J. McNabb, A. H. Smith, "Wm Bristow,
Elijah McClanahan, George W. Hayes, "Wm. SCearcy, Thos. H. Hicklin, D.
N. Henderson, Wm. Small, D. H. Drake and N. Littler.
Among the relics gathered on short notice we note the following:
A 'coon, as an emblem of olden times, property of Wm. Covey.
Spinning wheel, seventy-five years old, used by Mrs. Martin, great
grandmother of Miss Ella Eckley.
Report of the commissioners appointed to decide the county-seat war be-
tween Lancaster and Sigourney, locating it at Sigourney.
An oil-painting, seventy-five years old, painted by Rev. Josiah Fisher,
representing an evening view of his residence at Blackwell, Maine.
Ifeedle-work on satin, seventy-five years old, property of Mrs. Thomas
Beatty.
' Hammer with which A. Covey made the first scouring plow ever used in
Eeoknk county.
Carpet-satchel, owned by Stephen A. Douglas, traded for in 1839, by Wil-
liam Jackson, Sen., at Burlington, Iowa.
Oil-painting by Rev. J. Fisher, October 20, 1820.
Old Ledger, owned by Milo Holcomb in 1836 — property of Mrs. Buck.
"Western Friend," first newspaper published in the county, at Lancaster,
1854 Vol. 1 No. 1, by J. N. & J. L. Paschal— property of J. W. Havens.
Old-fashioned rolls — the kind our mothers carded — Wm. Yeitch.
Old spinning-wheel.
Cradle in which Joe Shawhan was rocked in 1838.
High chair for child, 68 years old — property of Mrs. E. Baker.
Old cultivator shovel, made in 1845— Joel Long.
Fkt-iron, purchased in 1846 by Joel Long-
Wolf-trap, made in 1844, by A. Covey. This trap caught the big wolf
4:72 HISTOET OF KEOKTJK COUNTY.
at the forks of Skunk River, in February, 1844, this being the sixteenth
•wolf caught in that month.
Broad-ax, used by the Mann family in the Cedar creek settlement in 1843.
Old-fashioned Dutch oven, property of Mrs. R. 'Buck.
A challenge to fight a duel, to Samuel A. James and one Eobinson,
written by "W. J. Heald, dated April 8th, 1848.
Silver ladle, 75 years old — property of B. E. Hogin.
Cow-bell, 50 years old — property of Mrs. E. Buck.
Powder-horn from an ox that hauled A. Covey to this country in 1843.
Pocket-book, 78 years old — property of A. E. Lowe.
Indian spear-head.
Saucer from which Uncle Billy "Wait was fed catnip tea when a baby, 64
years ago.
Old Testament, printed in 1668, property of William Jackson, Sen.
Flute, made in 1674, and brought to this country in 1750 — property of
F. Knape.
Sword, presented to Simon Doming when colonel of Ohio militia, 50
years ago.
Wool cards, 1835— Wm. Veitch.
Indian battle-ax — H. C. Adams.
Old book, printed in 1762 — ^William Jackson.
Bottle, brought to this country from Ireland by Mrs. Wm. Wait's grand-
parents, 100 years ago.
Indian pipe, found on a battle-field in northern Arkansas — Wm. Jackson.
Moccasins — Wm. Jackson.
Spoons, curiously wrought from horn, taken from a battle-field in north-
ern Arkansas — Wm. Jackson.
Profile pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Dibilbiss, great-grandparents of Mrs.
M. Warrington.
Profile pictures, same lady's great-grand aunt, and in some way related
to H. C. Adams.
Old mortar, property of Mrs. E. B. Kerr, has been in the family 50
years.
Tom Eckley's spelling-book — 50 years old.
AGEICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Keokuk County Agricultural Society was organized in 1857. John
C. Hogin was prominently identified with the society during a number of
years after its first organization. Grounds were bought south of Sigourney
near the premises now owned by A. G. Brown. The grounds were fitted
up at considerable expense and the society prospered for a number of years,
l?ut at the beginning of the war the annual fairs were discontinued and the
grounds were suffered to go down. During the progress of the war the
grounds were sold to pay a debt which had accumulated and the society
went out of existence.
The society was never reorganized although several unsuccessful efforts
were made to do so in 1868 and '69. On August 13, 1870, a number of
the leading citizens of the county met at Sigourney for the purpose of or-
ganizing another society. Articles of incorporation were adopted and the
following gentlemen were chosen directors: Hon. T. A. Morgan, of
Adams township; John Edgerton, Prairie township; John Dillon j English
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTT. 4:73
Kiver; John Stonder, Liberty; Benj. Parish, Steady Kun ; McClure,
Clear Creek; H. N. IS^ewton, Lafayette; Samuel Brunt, Lancaster; W.
Clnbb. VanBuren; Edgar Whiteman, Sigourney; J. W. Trotter, German;
J. E. Speirs, Jackson; Thomas Thornloe, "Washington; Allen Dunn, War-
ren; John Morrison, Benton; O. N. Johnson, Richland; J. A. Lowe, Si-
gourney. The first officers of the society were: president, T. A. Morgan;
vice-president, Thomas Thornloe ; secretary, J. H. Shawhan ; treasurer, J.
A. Dodnell. The first fair under the auspices of this new organization was
held in the following September. There being no grounds suitably arranged
the fair was distributed around. The court-room was used for a floral and
fine art hall; the court-yard was used for the display of agricultural imple-
Inents; the stock-pens were south of town in A. G. Brown's barn-j'ard and
the race-track was located down on Uncle Johnny Kentfro's bottom. Not-
withstanding the inconvenience of this arrangement and the short time
which elapsed between the time of organization of the society and the fair,
the exhibition made at this time was among the best ever had in the
county.
The present fair-grounds were purchased and fitted up the following
year and the society since its organization has been in a flourishing condi-
tion.
The tenth annual fair was held on the 9tb, 10th, 11th and 12th of Sep-
tember last. The premium list shows an aggregate of $1000 offered in
premiums. The following is a list of the present officers of the organiza-
tion:
President — ^T. C. Cunningham.
Vice-President — J. P. Minteer.
Secretary — A. J. Pope.
Treasv/rer — J. P. Abernethy.
Executive Committee — T. C. Cunningham, T. A. Morgan, J. P. Minteer,
Thos. Thornloe, T. J. McNabb.
Chief Marshal — J. H. McCormick.
Superintendent of Grounds — Ben. Crocker,
Superintendent of Floral Hall — N. W. Churchill.
Superintendent of Amphitheatre — H. W. Tracy.
Directors — H. W. Tracy, Richland township; J. R. Speirs, Jackson
township; Ben Crocker, Steady Run township; W. F. Bottorff, Benton
township; T. J. McNabb, Warren township; S. W. Brunt, Lancaster
township; D. N. Henderson, Clear Creek township; C. F. Singmaster,
Lafayette township; John B. House, German township; J. P. Minteer,
Sigonrney township; T. C. Cunningham, Sigourney city; Wm. Mead, Van
Buren township; Thos. Thornloe, Washington township; Ben Bates, Prai-
rie township; if. W. Churchill, Adams township; T. A. Morgan, English
River township; Jesse L. Westfall, Liberty township.
COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The physicians of Keokuk county have made several attempts to unite
themseves in an organization, and several societies have been formed.
From some cause these organizations have not been of long duration, all
of them having gone out of existence except the last which was formed
about a month since.
The first society was formed in 1858. Dr. A. Parks was president; F.
474 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
A. Dorr, vice-president; H. W. Jay, secretary; W. B. Smith, coresponding^
secretary. Among the members of this first organization Dr. Price is the
only one still practicing in the county.
The second organization was formed in 1868. This organization was of
short duration, and in 1870 another attempt was made to reorganize the
society, but it seems that nothing was done except to adopt a fee bill.
In June, 1875, a number of the leading physicians of tl^e county met at
Sigourney for the purpose of forming an organization. Dr. C. C. Wilson
was elected president of the society; J. F. Kichardson, vice-president; T.
B. McWilliams, secretary; Drs. McFarland, Hair and Price, board at
censors.
This organization was continued till the year 1877, when it was suffered
to go down.
On September 5, 1879, the society was again reorganized: articles of in-
corporation were adopted at a subsequent meeting and the organization
now promises to be permanent. The present officers. of the society are as
follows:
I^resident — Dr. James D. Gray.
Vice-President — Dr. J. F. Richardson.
Treasurer — Dr. J. H. Hair.
Secretary — Dr. T. B. McWilliams.
Board of Censors — Dr. Davis, Dr. S. D. Cook, Dr. Daniel McFarland".
ACCIDENTS AND CRIME.
A BOILEE EXPLOSION.
One of the most melancholy disasters which ever occurred in the county
was the explosion of a boiler at Alexander Demorris' saw-mill, in Steady
Run township. It occurred March 2, 1875, and resulted in the instant
death of four persons, the fatal injury of a fifth, and serious injury of sev-
eral others.
The mill was very thronged with work and was being run at a high pres-
sure of steam. At the time of the explosion the mill was not in operation,
it having been stopped for a short time to file the saw, and a head of steam
was allowed to accumulate beyond the capacity of the boiler. Mr. Demor-
ris was filing the saw; Hezekiah Utterback, his son, Hezekiah Utterback,
and nephew, Pony Utterback, had just arrived with a log. Mr. Utterback,
Sr., was talking with Mr. Demorris and the boys had gone to the furnace
to warm themselves; the engineer had just stepped out with a Mr. Merri-
field to mark some logs when the explosion took place. The two Utterback
boys, R. D. Snakenberg and Andrew Binehart were killed instantly. Mr.
Utterback, Sr., was struck by the debris, fracturing his skull and lower jaw,
from the effects of which injuries he shortly died. Mr. Demorris had a
leg and three ribs broken and his face blown full of particles from the fur-
nace. Mr. Merrifield had a leg badly bruised and the engineer sustained a
number of serious injuries. Mr. Binehart and Mr. Snakenburg were turn-
ing a log on the carriage at the time of the explosion and were mangled in
a horrible manner. The mill was a total wreck, the boiler being torn apart
at every joint and scattered over several acres of ground.
HISTOET OF KEOKDK CODNTT. 475
ATTEMPTED WIFE MUEDEK.
On Tuesday, June 28, 1865, the wife of William J. Allen, living about ai
mile and a half west of Sigourney, was found lying on the floor, near th&
bed, in an insensible condidition. The bed was bespattered with blood, and
upon investigation it was found that the lady had received a frightful
wound on the right side of the head. A large black-walnut club about five
feet long, bespattered with blood was found on the floor near by. The hus-
band, William J. Allen, was a man of very unprepossessing appearance^
and from his conduct when the neighbors first appeared, as well as the fact
that a very questionable intimacy had for some time existed between himt
and a young girl in the neighborhood, led the people to suspect him of hav-
ing committed the assault. Upon being questioned, be said that while at
work he saw two men leave the house and go into the woods near by, and
that he believed they had committed the act. He was arrested the same-
evening and brought to Sigourney. The next morning when brought be-
fore a magistrate he waived an examination and was held to bail in the sum
of $10,000. The sheriff, W. B. Merriman, started the same day to convey
him to the jail at Oskaloosa for safe keeping, but was followed by an exas-
perated crowd who overtook him a few miles from town, demanded the pris-
oner and threatened to hang him on the spot. Thesherifi^was determined to-
defend his prisoner as long as possible, but finally agreed to return to towa
and take the prisoner to the jail at Muscatine, the crowd consenting not to
molest him if Allen was taken to a stronger jail than the one at Oskaloosa,.
which they believed -unsafe, as nearly all prisoners confined there from Keo-
kuk county had heretofore escaped.
The sherifi'then turned back to Sigourney, but had not gone more than
half way when the crowd again determined to hang the prisoner, and fresh
attempts were made to seize him. However, the coolness and good judg-
ment exercised by the sheriff", and Allen promising to make a full confes-
sion, again quieted the angry crowd.
Allen then confessed that he had struck his wife while she was lying upon
the bed, with a single-tree; that he did so because he was engaged to marry
a young girl in the neighborhood and wanted to get his wife out of the-
way. The truth of his confession in several particulars, was doubtful.
After this confession the sheriff was permitted to proceed with his prisoner
unmolested. Upon arriving at town he took the precaution to procure the-
services of several of the militia to guard the prisoner until he should
reach Washington. Allen appeared to manifest no concern about the re-
covery of his wife, and having been removed under heavy guard, was lodged
in the Muscatine jail until the following term of the District Court, whea
he was brought back to Sigourney and arraigned for attempted murder, his-
wife in the mean time havmg recovered. He was found guilty, and on the
13th of October was sentenced to a term of seven years in the state peni-
tenliary.
THE 8TEA0SSEE-8HELL TEAGEDT.
On Thursday, Januarj' 19, 1874:, an altercation took place in Prairie
township, between J. B. Strausser and August Shell, which resulted in the
death of the former.
There seems to have been -no witnesses to the affray, and the testimony
of the survivor went through so many hands and received so many embel-
476 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
lishments that it is almost impossible to give an accurate statement of the
■case. The facts of the matter, as nearly as can be arrived at, were as fol-
lows:
Shell was a tenant of Strausser, and had his cattle in the fields of the
latter, in which there was some corn which Strausser did not think worth
gathering. Shell's cattle would occasionally get into this corn, when
Strausser would drive them off with his dogs. On the morning of the fatal
•day Shell got on a horse with the intention of looking for his cattle, but
seeing them coming up, worried by the dogs, put up his horse and
fot his gun, intending to shoot the dogs. On getting out into the
eld he met Strausser, and a scuifle took place, the latter attempting to get
the gun away from Mr. Shell. In the struggle the gun was discharged^'
the contents lodging in the right lung of Mr. Strausser. "When the gun
was discharged. Shell gave it up, and Strausser, though mortally wound-
•ed, had strength enough left to strike Shell on the head with the guu,
bending the trigger guard, and fracturing his skull. After being struck
Shell clinched Strausser and both fell, whereupon, seeing that his antag-
onist was dying, Shell arose and ran to the house for assistance. A young
man who was staying with Shell thereupon went out, and they founl
Strausser dead. They then went over to Strausser's house and told his
wife of the occurrence. After the excitement occasioned by the affray had
cabated, Shell became very sick from the effects of the blow he had rer
■ceived, and was some weeks recovering. At the next session of the Disr
trict Court the grand jury took the killing of Strausser under advisement,
J)ut failed to indict Shell. So the matter ended. Both parties, prior to
the altercation, had borne good characters as peaceable and law abiaing oitr
izens. Strausser was one of the old settlers of the county, and among the
first citizens of Prairie township.
THE HOLLAND HOMICIDE.
William M. Holland, of English River township, was shot, and instantly
tilled, by Miss Caroline White, about noon, on Monday, July 23, 1877.
The circumstances connected with the perpetration of this deed are as
follows: Miss White was a young woman about eighteen years of age, the
■daughter of Godfrey White, of English River township. She had always
borne a good name, and aside from assertations derogatory to her charac-
ter, said to have been started by Holland, her virtue had never been quep,-
tioned. Holland was a married man, and the father of seven children.
He was possessed of no property, and was dependent for the support of his
€amily upon work furnished by the neighbors. He had from time to timp
been in the employ of the girl's father, and by him, frequently furnished
■with sustenance for his family, in advance of his labor. In return for these
favors he was said to have circulated the statement that Miss White was not a
virtuous girl, and that he had, on several occasions, had criminal inter--
course with her. Several attempts were made by the girl and her friends
to clear up the scandal, but Holland, although denying that he had ever
made such charges, could never be induced to sign any statement branding
them as false. An engagement between the girl and a young man of that
neighborhood, was, on account of these reports, broken off. On the day
of the homicide. Miss White went to the house of Thomas Tokum, where
Holland was harvesting. After dinner, and before the rest had left the
HISTOET or KEOKUK COUNTY. 4:7T
Hable, Holland got up and went out of the room. Miss White followed
him, and presented him a paper, which she asked him to read and sign.
Ee gave her an evasive answer, and started to leave her. As he started to
leave she drew a revolver and fired, the shot passing through his heart,
causing instantaneous death. She then stepped up to where he was Ijing
and emptied the remaining chambers of the revolver into his head. Miss-
White was arrested and waived examination, and her bond was fixed at
$9000.
At the next session of the District Court the grand jury found an in-
dictment against Miss White, and in the following spring she was ar-
raigned for trial. The trial was protracted and quite exciting. The law
firm of Donnell & Brooks, assisted by Col. Mackey, conducted the defense,
while the State was represented by district attorney Lafferty, assisted by
George D. Woodin, Esq. The defense sat up the plea of insanity, and Dr..
Eanney, of the state lunatic asylum, was subpoenaed as an expert to
testify in the case. The jury brought in a verdict of "not guilty," and
Miss Wliite was released.
There was a bitter feeling aroused over the result of the trial, and Dr.
Eanney, especially, was severely criticised, on account of the evidence'
#hich he gave as an expert, it being chiefly through his evidence that the-
defense wbn the case. J!Tot only in the county, but all over the State, was-
this case spoken of, and the sad affair is still talked over around the fire-
sides of this and adjoining counties.
THE KILLING OF THEODORE EICE.
On Monday, April 29, 1878, Theodore Eice, a hotel-keeper of Delta,,
was shot and almost instantly killed, by A. L. Smith.
About six o'clock in the evening of the day mentioned, Mr. Rice was-
smoking a cigar in the office of the hotel of which he was proprietor,;
when Smith, a young man who was buying hogs in that vicinity, and who
Bad been boarding with Rice, came in and stated his intention of changing his-
boarding place. Rice claimed a balance on board, and asked settlement}
Smith disputed the bill and refused to pay it. Smith went up stairsj.
got his valise, and returning, was about to depart, when Rice took hold of
it, and told him he could not take the valise away till he paid the bill;
whereupon Smith drew a pistol and told Rice if he didn't let go he would
shoot him. Rice thereupon loosened his hold on the valise, passed into an
adjoining room, procured an iron poker, and returned, expecting to find
Smith still in the hall-way. In this he was mistaken. Smith had left the:
louse and passed across the street, and Rice followed, but did not get
nearer to him than fifteen or twenty feet, when Smith again drew his pis-
tol. Rice, seeing the pistol, went off in another direction, evidently at-
tempting to gain entrance to a drug store near by. Smith did not fire, but
passed beyond the drug store, out of sight of- Rice. He then returned, and
before Rice had gained entrance to the drug store, and taking deliberatfr
aim, shot him. The-ball passed through the left shoulder and on through
his lung, and he fell against the store building. He soon rail ied, and
Started across the street toward his hotel, and just before he reached the
entrance, fell to the sidewalk. He was taken up and carried into thfr
house, where he expired in a few minutes.
t Smith was arrested, and sent to the jail at Sigourney. He was afterwardi
478 HISTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
released on bail, and, although he was subsequently indicted by the grand
jury, has not yet been tried.
Mr. Eice was a young man about twenty-four years old, and left a wife
and two children.
THE OAPTUKE AND CONVICTION OF CEAWF. WALKBE.'
In February, 1873, the store of Lee& Johnson, at Talleyrand, was robbed
■of goods to the value of $800. The goods were taken away in a sleigh,
and the cutter was tracked to the northeast corner of Liberty township, and
there the track was lost. Suspicion was at last fastened upon one Orawfc
Walker, who had for some time lived in Liberty township, and who had
•earned a bad name, both on account of his own suspicious conduct, and on
aiccount of certain disreputable persons who gatliered around him. Andrew
Stranahan, who was then sheriff of the county, conceived the idea of spy-
ing out the matter, and accordingly made his way on foot to Liberty towh-
fihip, dressed in the attire of a day-laborer, and, arriving in the neighbor-
hood of Walker's premises, hired himself out as a day-laborer, to one
Michael Corridon, for fifteen dollars per month. Here he worked for a
number of weeks, and was frequently in company with Walker and his
friends, at one time visiting the house of the former, at which time and
place, seeing things which led him to believe that Walker was the guilty
?arty, on the 29th of June he procured a posse of men, surrounded
i^alker's house, and proceeded to make the arrest. The house was sur-
rounded, and quite a number were in it with Stranahan at the
time the arrest was made, but before the irons could be placed on the
prisoner he managed to escape through a window, and despite all the
efforts of the posse outside, got away. After Walker had escaped, the
house was searched, and a part of the stolen goods found. The whole
neighborhood was searched, but Walker could nowhere be found.
In May of the following year a young man living in Dayton, Washing-
ton county, went out in search of some cattle and seeing a man of suspicious
appearance in the brush returned to the village and reported, whereupon a
number of citizens went out and captured the individual, who proved to be
the identical Crawf. Walker who had been sought for by the Keokuk county
officials for nearly a year in vain. He was taken to Keota and there turned
over to sheriff Stranalian, by whom he was taken to Muscatine and lodged
in jail. In the following August he was bronglit back to Sigourney and
arraigned on charge of burglary; he was found guilty and sentenced to the
penitentiary for three years, but his case having been appealed he was taken
back to the Muscatine jail. There he remained till November, 1875, when
hearing that an effort was likely to be made to release him by means of a
writ of habeas corpus, Stranahan removed him to the jail at Fairfield. He
was lodged in the jail at the latter place on Friday, and on the next Tues-
day night he made his escape from the prison. No more was heard of
Walker till August, 1876, when he was arrested for committing highway
robbery in Marion county, and inca,rcerated in the jail at Oskaloosa. In the
following November Walker made his escape from the jail in Oskaloosa
■and was not heard from again till May, 1877, when Stranahan heard thai
he was in Sullivan county, Missouri; he telegraphed the sheriff of Sullivan
county, who arrested Walker and held him till Stranahan arrived, who
having gone to Missouri took possession of Walker, and bringing liini back
HISTOBT OF KEOKUK OOUNTT. 479
to Keokuk connty lodged him in tlie jail at Sigonrney, which had in the
■ meantime been built. During the following October, Walker attempted to
«arry out some plans which he had been for some time perfecting. Having
made a saw out of an old case-knife, which he managed to secure, he
sawed oflF the bar which fastened the door on the inside of the cage at the
«Dtrance of the jail. When the jailer, not suspecting anything, entered
preparatory to locking the prisoners in their cells for the night, Walker
sprang upon him and with the assistance of other prisoners overpowered
Mm so as to get out of the building. The jailer, Mr. Haudek, however,
was pluck to the last, and although the other prisoners got away, he
managed to hold on to Walker till help arrived and the prisoner was put
back into bis cell. In the following December he was again sentenced to
the penitentiary and conveyed to Fort Madison, where he remained till the
expiration of his term of sentence. The father and two brothers of Walker,
who prior to his arrest had lived in Liberty township, and who bore a bad
name, left the county and have not since been heard from. Sheriff Stran-
aban achieved quite a reputation on account of the skill which he manifested
jn working up this case, also for the promptness in which he traced out the
location of one Joe Berry, a forger; he was a faithful and energetic- officer
and held the position of sheriff for eight consecutive years.
PROMINENT CITIZENS, LIVING AND DEAD.
A. H. HASKELL,
One of the early settlers, came to Sigourney in 1846, and, with Devalson
6. Burgess, manufactured fanning-mills. In 1848 he was appointed
■warden of the penitentiary at Fort Madison, and died there in the spring
of 1850. His old partner, D. G. Burgess, died at Sigourney, September
8, 1855.
COL. JAMES a. CEOCKEE
Came to the county from Fairfield in 1845. He was a very positive man,
and the leading Democrat of the county. He died in the summer of 1848,
in Lancaster, and, at his request, was buried on his farm two miles north-
west of Lancaster, now owned by Josiah Utterbaok, where his solitary
grave may yet be seen. He left a large family, of whom were Gen. M. M..
Crocker and Mrs. Burton, wife of Judge Burton, of Ottumwa.
GEEEN ATWOOD
First located at Eichland, removed to Lancaster and then to Warren town-
ship. Was justice of the peace for many years. Died in 1878.
WILLIAM JACOBS,
For a long time justice of the peace in Lancaster township, came to the
county at an early day. He was an exceedingly conscientious man, and a
good officer. He died September 11, 1854. His father, Bennet Jacobs,
was a Baptist preacher. His brother,
AirSTIK JACOBS,
Who died October 21, 1873, was an energetic man. A few years before
480 HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
his death he was badly maimed by being caught in the machinery of hi»
mill north of Lancaster. He was 72 years old to a day at his death.
JACOB GOODHEABT
Came to the county in 1843, and settled near the present Black Hawk
Mills. Afterward he became the owner of the above named mill of Austin
Jacobs, and, as a precedent for Mr. Jacobs, was entangled in its machinery
in the spring of 1855, which, in a few months after, caused his death. He
was an honest man, who stood very high among his acquaintances.
WILLIAM Q. BLACK,
For many years a resident of Kichland, and a justice of the peace, was a
very upright, modest and unassuming man, and died in 1860.
DK. AEAD PAEKS
Came to the county in 1855. For many years he was associated with Dr.
A. C. Price in the practice of medicine. Was surgeon in the army during'
the civil war. Died November 28, 1868. His widow and two sons reside
in Sigourney.
DE. E. F. WEEKS
Came from New England to Illinois in 1838 or '9, from thence went to
Burlington, Iowa, thence to Fairfield, and in the summer of 1845 came to
Sigourney, being the first physician locating in the place. In 1841 he was
a member of the Masonic order at Burlington in the same lodge with
John C. Breckenridge, afterward vice-president of the United States-
He died at the house, of Maxon Eandall, six miles west of Sigourney.
His burial was among the first in the cemetery northeast of Sigourney.
Was never married.
JOHN GEEENLEE,
One of the early settlers near Black Hawk Mills, and afterward moved into
Kichland township, was a very estimable citizen, and died a few years since.
THOMAS HKNDEESON,
A prominent man at an early day in Clear Creek township. Was an active
Democrat of his time. Was one of the commissioners to locate Oskaloosa
as the county-seat of Mahaska county. Died in 1860.
A. H. HENSLET,
One of the oldest citizens of Sigourney, for a time practiced medicine with
Dr. E. H. Skillraan, then in the mercantile business, [and finally kept the
« Lillie House " hotel. Died, November 27, 1871.
B. T. S. GEOVE
Was a blacksmith of some note, and located in Lancaster in 1846. After
the removal of the county-seat, went to Talleyrand, and died there in March,
1864. One of his daughters is the wife of Levi Bower, present county
treasurer.
HISTOKT OF KEOKUK OOUKTT. 483
ALFRED BEEVES,
For several years a merchant and post-master at Sigonrney, died February
3, 1858. Daring his residence here he went to the city of Keokuk and
had Dr. Hughes amputate one ot his legs, on account of some disease in
the limb. His widow and son, Chester, still reside near Sigourney.
MOSES WAENEE
Lived near Eichland, was a local preacher of the M. E. Church, and a man
of more than average abilities. Died some four or five years since,
BAETON S. m'cOT
Came to the county about 1848, and settled a few miles west of Martins-
burgh. Was an active member of the Christian Church, and a leading
man of his community. He died October 16, 1857. His son, Lycurgus
McCoy, was afterward county treasurer for two terms.
c. D. m'collet,
One of the early settlers of Sigourney, and for one term sheriff of the
county, was a most affable gentleman, greatly liked by his friends, and
died in the year 1856.
JAMES L. H06IN., JB.,
A son of J. L. Hogin, Sen., was for some time engaged in the drug and
book business in Sigourney, and fell a victim to consumption on the 31st
of December, 1861.
JOHN J. lAFFEE
Came to the county in 1854, and for a time kept a hotel in Lancaster, then
moved to Johnson county and kept the Sixteen Mile house. In 1859 re-
turned to Sigourney, and in 1864 moved into Van Buren township. His
son,. E. Laffer, is one of the most successful druggists of Sigourney. He
died January 31, 1877, aged 64 years, 6 months and 11 days.
HENET LAFFEE,
A brother of John J. Laffer, came to the county in the spring of 1864 and
took a farm two miles southwest of Sigourney, raised a large family, mostly
sons, and died in March, 1868. His widow died in the spring of 1873.
EBBNEZEE WEEKS,
For many years the principal owner of the principal coal bank at What
Cheer, and the locality then generally known as " Weeks' Coal Bank," was
a very worthy man, and died March 23, 1876.
PHILLIP OLUB,
One of the early settlers of the county, located in Van Buren township and
raised a large family of sons and daughters. He was greatly esteemed as a
good citizen and an honest man. He died in the autumn of 1865. Hie
widow, having since married Mr. John Scott, is living in Sigourney.
30
484 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTF.
MOSES HALL
Was born in Maine, March 16, 1790; came to Iowa in 1843; first to Louisa
countj', and to this county in 1845. Was farming for several years near
Sigourney, and afterwards moved upon a farm near South English. After
he became too old to farm he sold the farm and moved into the village,
where he died February 24, 1879.
HENET SANDERS
Came to the county in 18 — , settling near Talleyrand; raised a large family,
many of the sons and daughters, now all married, living in the county.
Among the sons is J. H. Sanders, a man of rare intellectual strength, and
at present editor of the " Live Stock Journal," at Chicago. He died in
the year .
JOSEPH KNOX
Came to the county in 1846, and succeeded Benjamin F. Edwards in con-
ducting the principal bnsiness-house of Sigourney. He was an old man
when he came to the county and was remarkable for his energy and perse-
verance. For ten years after engaging in business he was regarded as the
father of Sigourney. He was a man of good judgment, tine conversationill
powers, and financially, was the Rothschild of the north half of the county.
During the county-seat controversy he was the leader and chief reliance of
the Sigourney party, and although defeated both at the polls and in the courts,
he lived long enough to see the county-seat returned to Sigourney. He
died in 1864, at the residence of his son, about eight miles northwest of
Sigourney.
HON. JOSEPH M. CASEY
Was born in Kentucky, March, 1827. In 1847 he settled in Keokuk county,
Iowa, and began the practice of law, he having been admitted to tlie bar
shortly previous. Shortly after coming to this county he was elected pros-
ecuting attorney, which office he held for five years. In 1859 he was elected
county judge, which ofiice he filled satisfactorily till 1861, when he re-
moved to Fort Madison, Lee county. Since residing at the latter place he
has devoted himself to the practice of his profession, and also given some
time to literary work. For three years he was editor of the Fort Madison
" Plaindealer," he having occupied the position of editor of the Iowa
" Democrat " for two years prior to leaving Keokuk county. He has occu-
pied many positions of honor in the Masonic fraternity, and has always been
foremost in advocating measures of public interest. His former acquaint-
ances and old friends in Keokuk county, as in the past, will continue to
watch his career with interest.
HON. E. L. BUETON
Settled in Lancaster shortly after that place became the county-seat, and be-
came one of the leading attorneys of the county. While located at Lancas-
ter he married a daughter of Col. Crocker. When the county-seat was
taken back to Sigourney, Mr. Burton removed to Ottumwa, and was for a
number of years associated in the practice of law with Judge H. B. Hen-
dershott. In 1868 he was elected District Judge. He has been successful
in his profession, and although but about forty years old, has a reputation
of being one of the best lawyers in the State.
HISTOKY or KBOKUE COUNTY. 485
C. H. ACHABD
Came to Sigoiirney in 1853 and engaged in the grocery business. He be-
gan with a small stand and gradnallj succeeded in building np one of the
best houses in the county. He disposed of his business in Sigourney and
removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the spring of 1879.
GEN. M. M. CKOCKEE
Was born in Johnson connty, Indiana, in 1830. In 1844 he removed, with
his father, to Fairtield, Jefferson connty, Iowa, and shortly after to Keokuk
connty, where a claim was taken and improved in the most beautiful part
of the county, about two miles northwest of Lancaster. In 1846 young
Crocker was called from the plow to accept a situation tendered him by
Congressman Leffler, to the United States military academy at West Point.
At the expiration of twoj'ears he was called back to the farm by the death
of his father. In 185u he entered upon the study of law. and in the follow-
ing year was admitted to practice, and opened an oflSce at Lancaster.
Here he followed the practice of law until 1854, when he removed to Des
Moines and soon became recognized as one of the lea'ing lawyers of the
State. Upon the declaration of war in 1861 he immediately responded to
the call for volunteers, and raised the first company organized in central
Iowa. This company was incorporated in the Second Iowa Infantry, of
which Mr. Crocker first became major. Shortly after he was promoted to
the office of lieutenant-colonel and given command of the Thirteenth In-
fantry. At the battle of Sliiloh he commanded a brigade, the commander
having been wounded early in the engagement. He afterward was pro-
moted to the rank of brigadier-general, which rank he held at the time of
his death. His health failing toward the close of the war, he was
sent to. New Mexico. His health improving while there, he was, at his
own request, transferred, and again became connected with the Army of the
Cumberland. In August, 1865, he started for Washington, his health
again having failed. Here lie rapidly grew worse, and on the 26th of that
month died.
Among the former citizens of Kokuk, whom the readers of this work
delight to honor, there is none who are held in a more grateful remembrance
than Gen. Cr-cker, and whoever has crossed the ridge from Sigourney to
Lancaster has doubtless had the old Crocker homestead pointed out, also
the spot where repose the remains of the father of this illustrious son.
HON. CLABOUKN C. WILSON
Was born in Kentucky in 1833. He removed to Keokuk connty, Iowa, in
1856. Having failed in business prior t<> cming to Iowa, his first experi-
ence here was a patient struggle with poverty. He quarried stone, broke
prairie, made rails, and from time to time served in the office of justice of
tliepeace. In 1861 he begun the study «f medicine nnder the instruction
of Dr. Price, and having c<mpleted his studies began ihe practice of his
profession at Springfield, Washington township. iJe achieved a fine repu-
tation as a physician and was for a year the president of the county medical
association. In 1872 he was elected to the legislature. He established a
dry goods store in Springfield in 1865, and subsequently established anoth-
er in that neigiiborhood. When the Rock Island railroad was extended
486 HISTOBT OF KEOKTTK COUNTY.
from Sigonrney he was very active in the developing of the two towns of
Delta and Eose Hill, at both of which places he establislied stores. He
died in the very midst of a prosperous business and at the height of his
influence, in May, 1879.
GEN. JAMES A. WILLIAMSON
"Was born in Kentucky in 1829. He sucdeeded in completing the regular
course of collegiate studies at Knox College, after which he removed to
Lancaster, Keokuk county, Iowa, where, after diligent application as a law
student, he was admitted to the practice of law. After several years resi-.
dence in this county, during which he became thoroughly identified with
the history of the county and achieved a brilliant reputation as a lawyer, he;
removed to Des Moines, where he engaged in the practice of his profession)
till the beginning of the war. He volunteered in the Fourth Infantry and
afterward became the adjutant of that regiment; he was successively pro-
moted to the ofBce of lieutenant-colonel, colonel and brigadier-general,
which last rank he held at the close of the war. He is commissioner of the
General Land Office at Washington. The old settlers of Keokuk county
will remember him as being in former years one of their number, also from
the interesting address he delivered at the first meeting of their association
in September, 1878.
HON. JOSEPH LOWE
Was born in the State of Maryland, Aug. 29, 1796, and when nine years
old went with his parents to Western Yirginia. When about thirteen
years of age, being the oldest son, the support of the family devolved upon
him by the death of his father. When nineteen years old the second war
with England began and he enlisted, serving honorably till its close. He
left Virginia and settled in Indiana in the spring of 1822. While living
there he first participated in politics and took an active part in the organi-
zation of Rush county. He afterward represented that county in the
legislature, serving in both the senate and house of representatives for a
period reaching from 1832 to 1845. He removed to Iowa and settled near
Springfield, Keokuk county, in 1845. In 1850 he was chosen to represent
Mahaska and Keokuk counties in the State senate. He remained on his
farm till 1857, when he removed to Sigourney and there resided till death,
which occurred March 29, 1879. There have been few t^fho were more in-
timately connected with the interests of the county, and none more highly
respected than Mr. Lowe.
WAR HISTORY.
keokue: county wak eeookd.
The census of 1860 shows that Keokuk county, at that time had a popu-
lation of 13,271. During the war of the rebellion the county sent about
1000 to the field of her bravest and strongest sons.
At the outbreak of this war Keokuk county was in the full tide of ac-
tivity and prosperity. Her material resources were being rapidly developed
and all the various branches of business and the learned professions were
keeping pace in the front ranks of progress. The people were just recov-
ering from the financial crisis of 1857 and those who had toiled in the land
during those times which tried men's souls had begun to see the dawning
of better days. Immediately surrounded by the noise of industry and the
continuous hum of business they heard little and believed less of the ru-
mored plots and plans of those who lived to grow rich from the toil and
sweat of others and whose leading branch of trade was the traffic in souls
and bodies of men. But still the war was upon them, and the thundering
of cannon at the very gates of the national capital soon broke the spell of
busy peace and they soon passed from a serious contemplation of the possi-
bility of war to the realization of its actual presence and the duties which
the issues of the day made incumbent upon them as loyal citizens of the
Union.
Fort Sumpter was fired upon April 12, 1861, and on the 15th of the
same month the president issued the following proclamation:
" Wheeeas, The laws of the United States have been and are now opposed
in several States by combinations too powerful to be snppressed in an ordi-
nary way, I therefore call upon the militia of the several States of the
Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress the said combina-
tion and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizens for State aid in
this eflbrt to maintain the laws, integrity, National Union, perpetuity of
popular government, and redress wrongs long enough endured.
"The first service assigned forces will probably be to repossess forts, places,
and property which have been siezed. from the Union. The utmost care
fihonld be taken, consistent with our object, to avoid devastation, destruc-
tion and interference with property of peaceable citizens in any part of the
country, and I hereby command persons commanding the aforesaid combi-
nations to disperse within twenty days from date.
''I hereby convene both Houses ofCongress for the ith day of July next,
to determine upon measures for the public safety, as its interests may de-
mand.
"Abkaham Lincoln,
" By "W. H. Sewaed, President of the United States.'*
Secrettmf of State."
488 KEOKUK COUNTY WAK EECOED.
Of this call for volunteers, only one regiment was required to fill the
quota of Iowa. The proclamation of Governor Kirkwood calling for this
regiment was issued at Iowa City, April ITtli. Tlie men of Iowa sprang
to arms as one man, and hundreds of volunteers were offered whom the
State did not need.
Company F, of the Fifth Eegiment, Captain Sampson, was the first one?
ready in Keokuk county. E. S. Sampson and N. H. Keith, who suhse-^
quently were appointed captain and lieutenant of the company, were
chiefly instrumental in recruiting this company, although many other cit-
itzens of the county aided, and the company was ready for duty in a little
over a week from tide time the call was made. Captain Sampson immedi-
ately made application for a place in the First Eegiment, but too late, as
the regiment was already full.
When the call was made for more men the company was re-organized,
and went into camp a few days at Sigourney. It will be remembered that
the government experienced great difficulty at first to equip the men as rap-
idly as they volunteered, and in order to facilitate matters. Captain Samp,
son, while his men were encamped at Sigourney, borrowed money of S. A:
Alexander, paying interest therefor at the rate of thirty-six per cent, with
which to buy cloth for uniforms; the cloth having been procured, the ladies
of Sigourney laid aside all other work, including all the care of their
households, and gave their whole attention to the work of making up the
cloth into uniforms. The company then departed to the State rendezvous),
and was incorporated in the Fifth Eegiment. E. S. Sampson was ap-
pointed captain; W. H. Keith, first lieutenant; H. S. Dawson, second
lieutenant. Captain Sampson afterward became lieutenant-colonel of the
regiment, and at the expiration ot the term of enlistment, there not being
enongh re-enlistments from the regiment to maintain its name and organ-
ization, those who did re-enlist became a part of the Fifth Cavalry. Com-
pany F went into camp at Sigourney, July 3d, and after remaining there
some two weeks went to Burlington, where it went into service as a part
of the Fifth Eegiment, on July 15th, 1861.
The first call of the president for three hundred thousand men, and each
succeeding call, received a prompt and liberal response from the people of
Keokuk county. From the plow, the work-shop, the counting-room, and
from all the learned professions, the men from every rank of life, of all
ages, gray-beard and smooth-faced, those who proved themselves to be the
"bravest of the brave, came forth and enlisted themselves among those wh*
were ready and anxious to endure hardship, meet peril, and if need be, die
in defense of the flag. Company F, of the Eight Eegiment, was recruited by
Capt. Andrews and Dr. Terger, and went into camp at Davenport, shortly
after Capt. Sampson took his company to Burlington.
Company D, of the Thirteenth Eegiment, and a portion of company I,
of same regiment, were recruited in Keokuk county. Company D was re-
cruited by Dr. Price in less than one week. In company with Mr. Clark, the
Dr. started out on Monday morning, and visited South English, Springfield^
Talleyrand, Lancaster and Eichland, holding public meetings at all these
placfes. The enthusiasm was unbounded, and by Thursday he returned t*
Sigourriey with sixty recruits. The following evening a public meeting^
w^S held in Sigourney, at the close of which his recruits numbered one
hundred and one. The next day the company started for the place of ren-
dezvous, and by Saturday evening was in camp at Dayenport. There are
KEOKUK COUNTY WAK RBOOED. 489
few countieB in this or other States which can show better in recruiting than
this. The material, also, was of the very best; in this company Mr. Pope
enlisted as a private, and came back as major of the regiment. The com-
pany was conveyed by farmers, in wagons, where cars were waiting to con-
vey it to Davenport. Before leaving Sigonrne3' a large concourse of peo',
pie from the snrrounding county assembled in the court-house to formally,
take leave of their friends. The ladies of Sigonrney made a beautiful flag
which was presented to the company. Miss Carter, on behalf the ladies,
made a brief address on presenting the flag, which was replied to by Dr,
Price. This flag was zealbusly guarded through inarches and sieges, in
camp and in battle, and was brought back to SigDurney whole, but badly
faded, by Dr. Price, at the close of his term of enlistment.
Company I, of same regiment was recruited partly in Keokuk and partly
in Washinton county. Captain Elrod, a Methodist minister, and lieutenant
Lynch, were principally instrumental in recruiting this company.
There were two companies raised in Keokuk county for the Thirty-third
Begiment, comapny B, recruited by Dr. Yerger and J. H. Shawhan, and
company H, recruited by Col. Mackey, Captains Dillon and Gore. The
company which became company H of the Thirty third, was commenced
in July, but recruiting went on very slowly till August, when an extra call
for troops aroused the people to such a state of enthusiasm that it was im-
mediately filled np. Company B was recruited under the following cir-
cumstances: Dr. Yerger and Mr. Shawhan were sitting in a room convers-
ing, and the subject of war finally coming up, Mr. Shawhan said he be-
lieved he would enlist. Dr. Yerger was of the same mind. Thereupon,
they stepped over to the office of the clerk of the District Court and by him
were sworn, each taking an oath in presence of the other, to enlist and go
to the war. That same evening they began to recruit company B, and in
tbuT days a company of 101 men was formed. This company likewise re-
ceived a flag at the hands of the ladies of Sigonrney. A large meeting
was held in the court-house square before the departure of the company,
and the flag was presented. Dr. Yerger, on behalf of the company, made
a brief address, accepting the flag and promising to defend and honor it,
all of which the company did until the unfortunate Yazoo expedition, when
the flag was lost with all the other baggage of the regiment. Both of these
companies, H and B, were taken to Oskaloosa, the place of rendezvous, in
farmer's wagons, where they were mustered into the United States service
and became a part of the Thirty-third regiment, C. H. Mackey, who was
chiefly instrumental in recruiting company H, becoming lieutenant-col-
onel. This regiment became renowned during its subsequent career, and
Xeoknk county has ever had reason to feel proud of its record. At the
time of Lee's surrender the regiment was sent up the Tombigbee river to
capture a fleet of rebel boats which had been conveyed thither on the cap-
ture of Mobile. Afterward it returned to Mobile and was there at the time
of the great explosion which occurred at the latter place in April, 1865.
Colonel Mackey, who witnessed this terrific catastrophe, and who but a
fihort time previous had been officer of the day, describes this explosion as
the most terribly grand and maniticently horrible event of the war.
In addition to the companies already mentioned, there were some five or
six pther companies, wholly or in part recruited from Keokuk county: A
company iu the Eighteenth regiment, a company in the Fortieth, a company
490 KEOKUK COUNTY WAR EECOBD.
in the First cavalry, a company in the one hundred days' service and quite
a nnmber in the Gray-beard regiment.
While these recruits were at the front, their families at home were not
forgotten. Aid societies were formed which assisted the needy and the board
of supervisors granted aid from the county fund. During the latter yeSirs
of the war a regular tax levy was made for this purpose, and it is estimated
some fifteen or twenty thousand dollars were contributed in voluntary do-
nations and in taxes for the relief of soldier's families. While there were
so many who were ever ready to relieve the wants of the needy it would
be unjust to discriminate; there was one, however, who was peculiarly zeal-
ous and active in the matter, Mr. Wrn, Jackson, who in many ways com-
forted the sorrowing and aided the needy. He it was who was chiefly in-
strumental in securing aid from the county fund, and into his hands flowed
the voluntary contributions, which he disbursed most faithfully. To him^
also, the soldiers sent their spare wages, to be distributed among their fam-
ilies. At one time he had over five thousand dollars of this money in his
care, which, in default of a better place of security, he deposited under the
floor of a stable.
The following account of the regiments partly recruited from Keokuk
county, is compiled from the Adjutant-General's reports:
THIED INFANTEY.
The Third regiment was emphatically an Iowa representative regiment.
It was organized quickly under the first call for troops, when the people
rushed to arms as if by magic. It had representatives from all parts of
the State. It rendezvoused at Keokuk, was mustered into the United
States service June 10, 1861, and at once sent to Missouri, where guerrillas,
horse-thieves and bushwiiackers were harassing Union citizens everywhere.
It was entangled in " red tape " at the start, and went to the field without
a commanding officer above tlie rank of captain. It was equipped with
the old Springfield muskets of " 1848," but without bayonet, cartridge or
ration. Its first night was spent on the field in open air, trusting in Provi-
dence, tired and .hungry. Col. Williams joined the regiment at (jhilli-
cothe, but was soon after ordered to St. Louis under arresl, when Lieut.-
Col. John Scott assumed Command, who, September 15, moved out from
Cameron to join the 16th Illinois against the rebel general, Atchison. At
Blue Mills the impetuosity of the men, eager for fray, led them into an
ambush which resulted disastrously, and taught them a good lesson. Its
next position was to guardthe North Missouri railroad, where it remained
until March, 1862, when it was ordered south, disembarking at Pittsburg
Landing March 17, joining the noble, Fourth Army Division. It was at
Shiloh, winning military glory by the loss of 200 out of 450 men engaged.
June 2 it went with Sherman to Memphis. In September it went back to
Corinth, fighting at Hatchie on the way. For seven months following it
was with Grant, through central Mississippi back to Memphis, thence to
Vicksburg, taking part in its capture; thence it joined Sherman in his
chase after Joe Johnson, and was more conspicuous for brilliant service
than any other Iowa regiment. In the siege of Jackson it also distinguished
itself. Thence, in December, returned to Yicksburg, and accompanied
Sherman in his Meridan expedition, after which it took a veteran furlough.
The non-veterans were ordered to the Eed Eiver campaign. The two were
KEOKUK OOUNTT WAR EECOBD. 491
never again united, the veterans, on returning to the field, joining Sher-
man in his " March to the Sea," and at Atlanta, July 24, 1864, it literally
fought itself out of existence. Its color-sergeant fell pierced with bullets,
the colors captured. Subsequently, a squad of the regiment, who had been
captured and taken into Atlanta, saw their colors borne through the streets
by a squad of cavalry. They made a dash, recaptured it, and tore it into
shreds. In July, 1864, it was so decimated as to lose its organization, and
the few remaining men were consolidated with the Second Infantry, when,
four days later, they were mustered out, July 12, 1865. The regiment has
one of the saddest, and yet noblest, records of all those sent from the
State.
COMPANY H.*
Bradley, Wm. E., killed at Shiloh
April 6, 1862.
Lathrop, Frederick O.
Hendrick, Charles, discharged March
25, 1862, for disability.
Murdock, Melancthon D., discharged
November 26, 1861, for disability.
FIFTH INFANTRY.
The Fifth Infantry took the field in August, 1861, and first served in
Missouri, going to Jeflersou City August 14; thence, in September, to
Columbia, Boonville, Glasgow, Springfield, Syracuse; thence back to
Boonville; thence to Cairo, February 22, 1862, at which date it had not
met the enemy. From Cairo it at once went to Benton, thence with Gen-
eral Pope to New Madrid, where, March 4th, it encountei-ed the enemy in
force treble its own, but held its position two hours under a heavy fire.
At Island No. 10 the valor of the regiment won the inscription of the bat-
tle on their banner. Thence the regiment went to Corinth. It was while
there Colonel Worthington, a brave and excellent officer, was accident-
ally shot by a sentinel. After the siege of Corinth the regiment joined in
the pursuit of Beauregard to Booneville, thence returned to Corinth, and in
June went to Ripley, Rienzi, back to Clear Springs; thence to Jacinto;
thence against Price at I uka, where,. September 19th, it was engaged in
that terrible engagement. For six miles from Jacinto to Inka the Fifth
led the advance of the division, beating back the enemy, until, when three
miles distant from luka, the enemy was met in force. The Fifth was the
first in line of battle, and from that moment until every cartridge was
gone held its place. Its loss of 217 men of the 482 tells the story of its
heroism. Fifteen non-commissioned officers were killed. October 3d and
4th, next met the enemy at Corinth. The inarch to Yockona; thence back
to Memphis; thence down the Mississippi to Grand Lake; thence to Hel-
ena, and the wild chase down the Yazoo Pass, — all are a part of the history
of this regiment. At Champion's Hill, May 16, 1863, the regiment
showed its pluck. For an hour and a half it, with its brigade, held an im-
portant ana perilous position, and the last thirty minutes of which it had
no ammunition except what was gathered from cartridge-boxes of dead and
wounded on the field. From that time to the fall of Vicksburg its history
18 that of all who took part tlierein. After the fall of Vicksburg the regi-
ment went to Helena, thence to Memphis, thence with General Sherman
across the country to Chattanooga, wnere it took active part in the battle
'Dnlisted June 1, 1861.
492
KKOKTTK OOTTNTT WAR KKCOKD.
on the 25th of November, where it lost 106, most of whom were captured.
After Chattanooga there is little of importance. It joined iti the pursnit
of Bragg to Graysvilie, (-ie<M*gia; thence to.Huntsville, Alabama, where it
passed the winter. In April it came north on a veteran furlough, return-
ing in May; was ordered to Kingston, Georgia. August 8, 1864, the vet-
erans were transferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalr}', as companies I and G»
After the transfer the regiment was refitted and remounted at Nashville,
and joined Wilson's brilliant march through Alabama and Georgia, at the
close of which it was sent to Macon, Georgia, and August 9, 1865, was
mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia. Keokuk county was represented i»
Co. F.
COMPANY F.*
Ezekiel S. Sampson, captain; pro-
moted lieutenant-colonel May 23,
1862.
Uriah H. Keath, first lieutenant;
promoted captain September 1862.
Henry S. Donns, second lieutenant;
resigned from disability Decem-
ber!, 1861.
Charles S. Miller, first sergeant; re-
duced to fourth sergeant at his
own request December 1, 1861.
Sebastian Fisher, second sergeant;
killed at Inka September 19, 1862,
while acting as second lieutenant.
Charles Cosby, third sergeant; dis-
charged January 30, 1862, for dis-
ability.
Austin B. Rayburn, fourth sergeant;
promoted second lieutenant De-
cember 2, 1861; mustered out May
28, 1862.
Manassas M, Flary, fifth sergeant;
reduced to ranks August 17, 1862.
Wm. Cross, first corporal ; reduced to
ranks at his own request Decem-
ber 1, 1862; wounded-at Copper-
ville. Miss., December 5, 1862;
discharged March 8, 1863, for dis-
ability.
James A. Renfro, second corporal;
promoted third sergeant August
10, 1863; wounded at Inka Kep-
tember 19, 1862; transferred to
invalid corps March 16,1864.
Franklin N. McCoy, third corporal;
promoted second lieutienant Sep-
tember 4, 1862.
Henry T. McNiel, fourth corporal;
died at Syracuse, Mo., December
9, 1861.
Sherridan G. Rose, fifth corporal; re-
duced to ranks at his own request;
wounded at luka; discharged
October 5, 1862, for disability.
Henry B. Landers, sixth corporal;
promoted fifth corporal December
9, 1861; wounded at luka.
Abram G. Long, seventh corporal;
promoted fourth sergeant March
15, 1862; wounded at luka; dis-
charged December 11, 1862, for
disabilit}'.
Elvin M. Holcomb, eighth corporal;
promoted second lieutenant June
1, 1862; killed at luka September
19, 1862.
Wm. Eberhart, musician; wounded
at luka; discharged February 28,
1863, from wounds.
Charles S. Sprague, musician; re-
duced to ranks October 21, 1862;
promoted fifth corporal October
21, 1862; veteranized in company
G, fifth cavalry, January 5, 1864.
Bennet F. Gore, wagoner, died at
Boonville, Mo., January 22, 1862.
r
PRIVATES.
Allen, Abel D., discharged February
13, 1862, for disability.
Beavel, Andrew, wounded at Inka;
veteranized company G, fifth cav-
alry, January 5, 1864.
Butler, Martin V. B., absent October
13, 1861.
* Enliited July 3, 1861, unless otherwise stated.
KEOKUK OO0NTT WAB EECORD.
493
Baldwin, James S., died December
3. 1861, at Warsaw, Mo.
Cross, EH, enlisted August 5, 1862;
discharged October 'A2, 1862, for
disability.
Crosby, Charles, discharged January
3. 1862, for disability.
Cotton, Wm. L., veteranized fifth
cavalry April 11, 1864.
Campbell, Geoi^e, wounded at
Champion's Hill May 16, 1863;
veteranized fifth cavalry January
6, 1864.
Campbell, Wm. L., discharged Feb-
ruary 13, 1862, for disability.
Cabler, Edward, discharged March
22, 1862, for disability.
Cabler, John, wonnded at luka.
Cross, Wm. P., wounded at Coffe-
ville. Miss., December 5, 1862;
veteranized fifth ■cavalry, first cor-
poral, company G, January 1,
1864.
Cooper, George W., died September
16, 1861, at Jefferson City, Mo.
Ellsworth, Francis M„ discharged
February 14, 1863, for disability.
Ferry, George H., wonnded at luka;
. promoted to corporal; transferred
to invalid corps August, 1863.
Fulton, Wm. J., killed at luka Sep-
tember 19, 1862.
Greene, Isaac H., killed atlukaSep-
. tember 19, 1862.
Glandon, David C. died of wounds
at Inka September 21, 1862.
Go8s, Charles W. (or S.), died of
wounds at Inka September 21,
. 1862.
Gano, Charles, wonnded at Inka
September 19, 1862; promoted
corporal; wounded and captured
at Mission Eidge November 25,
1863.
Hudson, John W., died at Syracuse,
Mo., November 2, 1861.
Hall, Eobert M„ discharged April
22, 1863, for disability.
Hall, John, wounded at luka.
Hartwell, Abram, promoted fifth
corporal July 1, 1862; promoted
fifth sergeant October 21, 1862;
promoted first sergeant -;
captured at Mission Ridge No-
vember 25, 1864.
Hart, Daniel, captured at Madison
Station, Ala., May 17, 1864.
Jacques, John Joseph, prpmoted
corporal; captured at Mission
Ridge November 25, 1863.
Jones, David M., died of wounds at
luka September 21, 1862.
Ketchum, John V., died of wounds
at luka.
Long, Isaac, killed at luka Septem-
ber 19, 1862.
Lafier, Reason P., promoted eighth
corporal June 17, 1862; wounded
at luka September 19, 1862.
LaflFer, James E., enlisted August
?6, 1862; discharged May 19,
1863, for disability.
Laffer,, Phillip, enlisted August 26,.
1862; discharged May 15, 1863,
for disability.
Liueback, Jacob, discharged March
5, 1863, for disability.
Lineback, Henry, killed at Cham-
pion's Hill May 16, 1863.
Morgan, George E, promoted eighth
corporal December 1, 1861; dis-
charged July 19. 1862, for inju-
rins by falling accidentally.
Morrison, Lewis M., promoted first
sergeant June 16, 1862; reduced
to ranks at ^his own request Sep*
tember 4, 1862; transferred to in-
valid corps February 16, 1864.
Mohme, Charles, discharged Janua-
ry 8, 1862, for disability.
McChanahan, Robert, promoted sec-
ond corporal August 10, 1861;
wonnded at luka September 19,
1862; discharged October 2, 1862,
for disability.
McNeil, David, promoted seventh
corporal October 21, 1862; vet-
eranized company G, fifth caval-
ry, January 5, 1864.
Myers, Wm. R., wounded accident-
ally; discharged November 22,
1862, for disability.
Minor, Pleasant E., wounded at
luka.
494
KEOKUK COUNTY WAE BEOOBD.
Miller, Samuel, discharged Septem-
ber 8, 1862, for disability.
McCampbell, David S., wounded at
Champion's Hill May 16, 1863.
Payton, Henry 0.
Passig, Henry F. B.
Pinkerton, Miron, discharged De-
cember 1, 1862, for disability.
Pringle, Nelson.
Rose, Henry, veteranized company
G, fifth cavalry, January 5, 1864.
Eeed, James.
Roland, James H., wounded at luka
September 19, 1862; Champion's
Hill May 16, 1863; died of
wounds at Baker's Creek, Miss.,
May 18, 1863.
Hodman, James M., discharged No-
vember 30, 1861, for disability.
Sprague, Charles S., enlisted July
31, 1861; veteranized company G,
fifth cavalry, January 5, 1864.
Stone, Clark B., enlisted August 31,
1862; veteranized seventh corps,
company G, fifth cavalry, January
6, 1864.
Stone, Fredei'ick, discharged April
23, 1863, for disability.
Smith, William C, discharged Feb-
ruary 3, 1862, for disability.
Smith, Walter, died November 1,
Smith, Frank.
1861, at Herman ville, Missouri.
Shanafelt, Wesley.
Slate, Lionel L, died September 13,
1862, at Jefferson Barracks.
Slate, Ord, wounded at luka Sep-
tember 19, 1S62; died of wounds
October 5, 1862, at Jackson, Ten-
nessee.
Stumer, Frederick.
Shively, Samuel B.
Shipman, Alfred, wounded at luka
September 19; died at Jackson
October 5, 1862; reported also as
discharged April 22, 1863, for dis-
ability.
Shookly, William, veteranized in
company G, fifth cavalry January
5, 1864.
Shockly, Thos. A., wounded at luka
September 19, 1862; killed at
Chattanooga November 25, 1863;
Switze/, Wm. L., wounded at luka
September 19, 1862; discharged
December 20, 1862, for disability;
[also reported as Welcome G.]
Smack, Jinley M., promoted sev-
enth corporal June 16, 1863; pro-
moted first sergeant October 21,
1862; veteranized O. M. S. com-
pany G fifth cavalry February 13,
1864.
Shallenbarger, Joseph B., enlisted
August 16, 1861; discharged July
25, 1862, for disability.
Taylor, Wm. C, captured at Madi-
son Station, Alabama, May 17,
1864.
Thomas, Harrison, died Nov 10,
1861, at Boonville, Missouri.
Tipton, George B., wounded at Iiika
September 19, 1863; at Vicksburg
May 22, 1863; transferred to in-
valid corps May 15, 1864.
Teller, John W., killed at luka Sep-
tember 19, 1862.
Yoss, Harding, enlisted August 16,
1861.
Woodruff, Nehemiah H., discharged
September 21, 1862, for disability.
Wilson, Abel P., wounded at luka
September 19, 1862; discharged
October 5, 1862, for disability.
Woods, James, wounded at luka
September 19, 1862; transferred
to invalid corps February l5j
1864.
COMPANY I.
Stone, Anson H., enlisted June 24^
1861; veteranized company G fifth
cavalry April 11, 1864.
KEOKUK COUNTY WAR BECOBD. 495
SEVENTH INFANTRY.
The Seventh Infantry entered the service immediately after the battle
of Bull Run. There was an urgent demand for troops, and the regiment
was hurriedly organized, and, after muster, on July 24, 1861, it was sent to
St. Louis for equipal, thence to Ironton, where it received its first drill in
the manual of arms. Thence it was stationed and served at Cape Girardeau,.
Cairo, Fort Holt, Mayfield Creek, Camp Crittenden, Fort JeflFerson, Ken-
tucky, Norfolk and Bird's Point, leaving the latter November 6, 1861, on
the memorable Belmont expedition, to cut off troops being sent to Price's
army, and to protect troops being sent by Gen. Grant in pursuit of Jeff.
Thompson. At the battle of Belmont, November 7, the regiment was the
hero of the day. It suffered more than any other i-egiment, and received
special mention by Gen. Grant for its gallantry. A remarkable incident
occurred while the Union troops were re-embarking in transports after this
battle. The last boat had been landed, and as the hawser was being cast
off, rebel artillery suddenly came to the river bank, a gun was quickly
placed in position, and leveled on the loaded transport, and the gunner
was in the act of pulling the lanyard, when a shell from a Un-
ion gunboat exploded beneath the carriage of the gun, hurling
the carriage, gun and all, high in air, demolishing the carriage, and while
in mid air, the gun exploded. The rebel gunners and several others were
killed. After this battle the regiment returned to Bird's Point, remained
two months, when they took part in the capture of Fort Henry. February
12, they joined the march against Fort Donelson, and the gallantry of
Iowa troops on that occasion made J. G. Lauman, colonel of the regiment,
a brigadier general. From Donelson the regiment moved to Pittsburg,
and took part in the battle of Shiloh. Next followed the siege at Corinth;
thence to luka, where, on the 19th of September, the fifth regiment
suffered so terribly. The Seventh was not in this battle, being employed
in a stragetic movement to attract the enemy in another direction, but at
Corinth it was hotly engaged, losing one-third the number engaged. All
the color-guard but one were killed or wounded. The regiment remained
in the vicinity of Corinth, and in October, 1863, moved to Pulaski with
Gen. Dodge's command. In December they re-enlisted- as veterans, and
came North on veteran furlough. In April it returned to the field, and
with the second went to the front, and joined the campaign against Atlanta-
At Oastanula river the regiment with Price's brigade was moving through
heavy timber, when it was suddenly charged by a whole brigade of rebel
infantry. The brigade counter-charged with a rush, driving the enemy
from the field, and gaining a position which necessitated the evacuation of
Resaca, by the rebels. The Seventh lost heavily in this engagement. After
Atlanta had fallen, the Seventh, with Eice's brigade, was transferred to
the fifteenth army corps, and its history was that of Gen. Logan's division,
marching nearly back to Dalton, around through Snake Gap, thence to
Savannah, thence 480 miles through swamps, amid suffering. and storm, to
Goldsboro, where the Confederacy collapsed. The regiment then started on
the homeward march, via Raleigh, to Washington, where it was a part of
the grand review, proud of its record inscribed on its banners. Thence it
moved to Louisville, Kentucky, vhere, July 12, 1865, the veteran heroes
were called up for muster out. Five hundred and fifty-nine were " checked "
as killed or wounded. The regiment had two Colonels, both of whom
were made brigadier-generals.
496
KEOKTTK COUNTY WAB HEOOED.
COMPANY F. ■
liVarner, Stephen C, fourth corporal;
enlisted July 11, 1861; died March
1, 1862, at Smithland, Ky.
Brooks, Joseph W., eighth corporal ;
promoted to sergeant; discharged
September 10, 1862, for promo-
tion in thirty-third Missouri in-
fantry.
Broadhead, William, wounded at
Belmont November 7,1861; dis-
charged April 2,1862, for disabil-
ity.
Hampton, Wra. W., enlisted July
11, 1861 ; died of injuries from
railroad accident at DuQuoin, Ill-
inois, January 23, 1862.
Hoisington, James E., enlisted July
11, iS61; wounded at Corinth,
October, 1862; discharged De-
cember 23, 1862.
IHoover, Daniel G., enlisted July 11,
1861; veteranized December 26,
1863.
Xinney, Warren, enlisted July — ,
186i; killed at Belmont Novem-
ber 7, 1861.
Eoe, Wm., enlisted July 11, 1861;
died at St. Louis, Februarj- 9,
1862.
COMPANY K.
Samuel E. Black, captain; enlisted
July 11, 1861; resigned July 3,
1863.
Jacob Snyder, first lieutenant^ en-
listed July 11, 1861; resigned
June 7, 1862.
Jesse F. Warner, second lieutenant;
enlisted July 11, 1861; promoted
captain July 23, 1863; resigned
August 29, 1864.
Timothy Spence, first sergeant; en-
enlisted July 11, 1861; reduced to
ranks November 6, 1861; pro-
moted second sergeant, second
lieutenant, July 23, 1863, and
captain Augiist 30, 1864.
Benjamin F. Kirkbride, second ser-
feant; enlisted July 11, 1861'; re-
uced to ranks July 15, 1862.
John N. Andrew, third sergeant;
promoted hospital steward Janu-
ary 23, 1862.
Leonard T. Sims, fourth sergeant;
enlisted July 11, 1861; discharged
February 3, 1864, for disability
James E. Mclntyre, fifth sergeant;
enlisted July 24, 1861; appointed
musician October 21, 1861.
Samuel Goodwin, first corporal; en-
listed July 11, 1861; reduced to
ranks January 12, 1862.
Hugh L. Duke, third corporal, en-
listed July 11, 1861; promoted
third sergeant January 6, 1862;
veteranized January 4, 1864; pro-
moted second sergeant May 1,
186*.
Solomon M. Weyman, fifth corporal;
enlisted July 11, 1861; promoted
third corporal February 25, 1862;
veteranized December 25, 1863;
promoted fourth sergeant May 1,
1864.
John R. Jones, seventh corporal,
enlisted July 11, 1861; discharged
October 30, 1861, for disability.
David S. Bales, musician, enlisted
August 23, 1862.
PBIVATES.
Bales, Riley W., enlisted July 19,
1861.
Bales, Johnathan L., enlisted De-
cember 16, 1861 ; veteranized Jan-
uary 4, 1864.
Brown, Merritt S., enlisted July 11,
1861; wounded at Shiloh April
6, 1862; veteranized January 4,
1864.
Berry, Benjamin F., enlisted Janu-
ary 11, 1861, discharged at Shiloh
M!ay 18, 1862.
Bales, William A., enlisted August
23. 1862; transferred to invalid
corps August 13, 1863.
Bales, William D., enlisted Decem-
ber 21, 1861.
Bales, Worthington W., enlisted
August 23, 1862.
Bales, Zachariah, enlisted December
2, 1861.
KEOKUK COUNTY WAR EECOKD.
497
Brooks, Alvah A., enlisted July 11,
1862.
Brown, Isaac, enlisted February 20,
, 1864.
Charlton, George W., enlisted July
11, 1861 ; killed at Shiloh, April
. 6, 1862.
Cable, William, enlisted July 11,
1861; discharged January 23,
1862, for disability.
Corpson, George, enlisted July 11,
1861; discharged November 1,
1861, for disability.
Davis, Anderson, enlisted July 11,
1861; discharged October 30,
1861.
Dare, James, enlisted July 11, 1861 ;
J. promoted seventh corporal Sep-
tember 1, 1862.
Dntton, Sereno, enlisted December
16, 1861; promoted fifth corporal
February 25, 1862; third corporal
September 1, 1862.
Franklin, John H., enlisted July 11,
1861 ; discharged October 29, 186 1 ,
for disability.
Faulkner, Nathan L., enlisted July
11, 1861.
Filley, Nathan H., enlisted August
22, 1862.
Hadley, William, enlisted July 11,
1861; discharged April 8, 1863,
for disability.
Harlan, William B., enlisted July
11, 1861; veteranized December
22, 1863.
Henning, Isaac, enlisted July 11,
1861 ; discharged October 29, 1861,
for disability.
Henshaw, Levi A., enlisted July 11,
1861; discharged October 30,
1862.
Hadley, Spencer J., enlisted July
30, 1861.
Jones, Cyrus S., enlisted July 11,
1861; veteranized December 25,
1863.
Johnson, Enos, enlisted February
20, 1864.
Lee, Walter, enlisted March 14,
1862.
McPherson, Joseph, enlisted July
19, 1861.
Mendenliall, Asa, enlisted July 30,
1861.
Manifee, Charles R., enlisted Febru-
ary 20, 1864; wounded ; place and
date not reported.
Horten, Lewis, enlisted February 20,
1864.
Roop, John v., enlisted July 19,
1861; veteranized December 23,
1864.
Snead, John, enlisted July 11, 1861;
veteranized December 23, 1864.
Storm, John W., enlisted July 11,
1861; veteranized January 4,
1864.
Strohm, Christian C, enlisted July
11, 1861; promoted seventh cor-
poral October 30, 1861; fourth
corporal Febrnary 25, 1862; sec-
ond corporal September 1, 1862.
Shaffer. Dudley C, enlisted August
23. 1862.
Smith, Eiihn, enlisted August 15,
1862.
Stephens, Benj. G., enlisted August
21, 1802.
Stephens, Eli. enlisted November
30, 1861; discharged July 14,
1862, for disability.
Thompson Hiram E., enlisted July
11, 1861; died October 28, 1861,
at Montezuma, Iowa.
Thompson, John J., enlisted July
11, 1861; discharged April 1,
1862, for disability.
Wheeler, Gilbert, enlisted July 11,
1861; wounded at Shiloh, April
6, 1862; veteranized December 26,
1863.
Wightman, Minor, pronioted fifth
sergeant. October 22, 1861; first
sergeant November 6, 1861; first
lieutenant June 8, 1862; resigned
August 8, 1864.
Wiggins, Bert, enlisted July 11,
1861; died October 22, 1862, at
Mound City, Illinois.
Warner, Washington, eulisted Aug-
ust 21, 1862.
4:98 KEOKUK COUNTY WAE EEOOED.
Wilcox, Jesse W., enlisted February
20, 1864.
Tates, David, enlisted July 11, 1861.
York, Alfred M., enlisted July 11,
1861; discharged March 22, 1862,
for disability.
York, Elias M., enlisted July li;
1862, discharged October 28,
1862, for minority. !
York, Moses, enlisted February 20,
1864.
EIGHTH INFANTRY.
The Eighth Infantry was organized during the summer of 1861, rendez-
voused at Davenport, moved to St. Louis in September, where it remained
two weeks, received its equipment and moved to Syracuse, where it was
stationed for three months engaged in scouting and pursuing Price in his
retreat through Arkansas. It returned to Sedalia in Novemoer and went
into winter quarters. In March, following, it went by steamer to Pitts-
burg Landing, arriving just before the battle of Shiloh, in which it was en-
faged, and was its first battle. It was commanded by Colonel Geddes, its
rst colonel, Frederick Steele, having been promoted to brigadier-general.
In this battle the regiment, with the second, seventh, twelfth and four-
teenth Iowa regiments on its right, held an important position, the Eighth
being the connecting link between the divisions of Wallace and Prentiss,
to defend a battery placed in front of them. The struggle to capture this
battery by the enemy was desperate, and the Eighth lost heavily in stub-
bornly and successfully defending, losing nearly two hundred in killed and
wounded. After maintaining their position from early in the morning
until after four o'clock, Prentiss' line gave way, on the left of the regi-
ment, and fled to the Landing, when, tliere being no opposition in front,
the enemy swept around to the rear of the Eighth and thus eflfected its cap-
ture about six o'clock in the evening, together with a greater portion of
the twelfth and fourteenth Iowa and fifty-eighth Illinois. Companies 1, 0,
and H, of the eighth, partially escaped capture, and were subsequently at-
tached to the union brigade, which fought in the advance at Corinth with
the second division. Company F was so stationed as to receive the brnftt
of the assault, and Captain Hogin was killed. The Eighth was the last to
leave the advance line of the Union army at Shiloh on that terrible Sunday
battle. It could have retreated and saved itself from capture, but its motto
was to obey orders, and it was left alone to defend itself and the battery be-
fore it for an hour after its supporting column had fled in terror from the
field. From this date the paths of company C and F diverged. The his-
tory of company C is that of the union brigade. Company F, with the
other troops captured, were sent to Corinth, thence to Memphis, Mobile and
Montgomery, where they were placed in cotton-sheds and treated badly for
six weeks, when they were moved to Macon, Georgia, and were worse treated,
being shot down without provocation, for three months, when they were
taken to Libby prison and there exchanged, when they were permitted to
come home on furlough, and in December the regiment was reorganized,
and in the spring of 1863 joined Grant's army at Milliken's Bend, being as-
signed to third brigade, third division, fifteenth army corps, which it aocom-r
panied in all its tedious marches through Mississippi. It did not go with
the army to Chattanooga, but remained at Vicksburg until winter, when
it re-enlisted as veterans, came home on furlough, and returning, was or-
dered to Memphis, where it remained on provost duty nearly a year. It
'V i'^ r a^oBt-ma
Xj Cl'^^H.-^i^ji^^ ■^Jti/n^n-^rx/a^k/ie.
KEOKUK COUNTY WAE EECOED.
501
was while there, in August, Forest made his dash into the city, and in the
charge to drive him out, Lieutenant A. S. Irwin, of company F was mor-
tally wounded. It was at the capture of Spanish Fort, in the seige of Mo-
bile, the regiment most distinguished itself on the eighth of April, 1865.
The regiment remained in the vicinity of Mobile until the spring of 1866,
when, April 20th, they were mustered out at Selma, Alabama, and those
not otherwise accounted for were mustered out then. Keokuk county was
represented on the staff, to-wit:
Joseph Andrews, major, promoted from captain of company F; James
McConnell, hospital steward, from company F.
COMPANY C.
Seaton, Joseph, enlisted August 10,
1861 ; discharged October 3, 1861,
for disability.
Vastine, William M., enlisted Au-
gust 10, 1861; veteranized Janu-
ary 1, 1864r.
Wilkins, Ebenezer, enlisted August
8, 1861.
Parker, Samuel G., enlisted August
18, 1862.
Parker, Alonzo, enlisted August 18,
1862.
COMPANY F.*
Joseph Andrews, captain; promoted
major February 7, 1862; wounded
at Shiloh; resigned January 26,
1862.
Solomon E. Start, first lieutenant;
resigned March 3, 1862.
Eufus H. Law, second lieutenant;
resigned for disability January
30, 1862.
William F, Hogin, first sergeant;
promoted second lieutenant Feb-
ruary 1, 1862; captain March 4,
1862; killed at Shiloh, April 6,
1862.
Seth E. Hall, second sergeant; vet-
eranized first sergeant January 1,
1864; discharged July 10, 1865,
for disability.
Thomas F. Ford, third sergeant;
discharged May 26, 1862, for disa-
bility.
James E. Sturdevant, fourth ser-
geant; captured at Shiloh.
Daniel N. Fish, fifth sergeant; vet-
eranized January 1, 1864, as sec-
ond sergeant; promoted first ser-
geant January — 1865; first lieu-
tenant August 3, 1865.
Owen E. Hogin, first corporal; vet-
eranized January 1, 1864; pro-
moted fourth sergeant February
10, 1864.
John J. Smith, second corporal;
discharged June 25, 1862, for dis-
ability.
George Johnson, third corporal;
killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
Mills K. Stephenson, fourth corporal;
promoted sergeant ; dis-
charged September 5, 1863, for
disability.
Joseph A. Mclntire, fifth corporal;
veteranized January 1, 1864; pro-
moted first corporal Febi'uary 10,
1864.
Archibald S. Irwin, musician; pro-
moted first lieutenant March 4,
1862; captured at Shiloh; veter-
anized January 1, 1864; killed at
Memphis, August 21, 1864.
William Long, wagoner; discharged
October 1, 1861, for disability.
PRIVATES.
Allen, David E.
Brown, Porter D.
Besser, John, veteranized January
1, 1864. -^^^
Bland, Calvin L., killed at Shiloh
April 6, 1862.
Brown, John T.
♦Enlisted August 10, 1861, unless otherwise stated.
31
602
KEOKtoK COUNTY WAR BEOOED.
Barker, Warren H.
Beardsley, Wilford W., veteranized
January 1, 1864.
Oarney, Thomas P.
Clark, John F., veteranized January
1,1864.
Clark, William H., wounded and cap-
tured at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
Conajer, William, wounded at Shi-
loh.
Caldwell, Daniel W.
Crakoal, Augustus, captured at Shi-
loh'; died while prisoner at Mont-
gomery, Ala., May 14, 1862.
Cox, Benjamin F., wounded at Shi-
loh; discliarged September 5,1862.
Carlisle, James, killed at Shiloh.
Carlisle, Wm., wounded at Shiloh,
Cary, Alva A., veteranized January
1, 1864; captured at Mephis Au-
gust 21, 1864.
Doty, Edwin, veteranized January 1,
1864.
Deuniston, William.
Darling, Yaloren O., discharged
April 26, 1862, for disability.
Dougherty, Edward, transferred to
company I. .
Daymude, William B,
Eaton, Alonzo A., discharged July
30, 1862, for disability.
Eaton, Levi J., veteranized January
1, 1864.
Emmons, Ames M.
Fowler, Jeremiah J., veteranized
January 1, 1864.
Garrett, Alfred, veteranized January
1, 1864.
Humes, Solomon, captured at Shi-
loh ; reported dead ; date and place
unknown.
Harvey, Hollin H., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864.
Hendrix, John C, wounded at Cor-
inth October 4, 1862; veteranized
January 1, 1864; reported also as
discharged November 19, 1863, for
disability.
Harding. William T.
Hagan, Robert D., wounded at Shi-
loh; discharged for disability.
Hendrix, Isaac W.
Hornish. John M., discharged Nor.
vember 23, 1862, for disability,
Hodsou, .George VV"., wounded at
Shiloh April 6, 18t>2; veteranized
January 1, 1864.
Howard, Amos jM., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1861.
Holtz, William, veteranized January
1,1864.
Herisley, Timothy, killed at Shiloh
April 6, 1862.
Huggins, George H., enlisted Au-
gust —
Hendrix, Thos. J., discharged April
— , 1863, for disability.
Jacobs, Noah, veteranized January
1, 1864.
Jacobs, John B. [D.], discharged
August 5. 1862, for disability.
Johnson, Geo., promoted third cor-
poral; killed at Shiloh April 6,
1862.
Kreger, William, wounded at Shi-
loh; veteranized January 1, 1864.
Konkright, William W., wouiided
at Shiloh; veteranized January 1,
1864.
Laffer, Benjamin F., captured at
Shiloh; veteranized January 1,
1«64.
Lash, Daniel W., captured at Jack-
son, Mississippi, July 10, 1863;
veteranized Jaiuary 1, 1864.
Littler, George L., discharged Feb-
ruary 7, 1862, for disability.
Long, William, captured at Shiloh;
rejoined regiment, and' discharged
October 3, "1862, for disability.
Lain, Thomas Y., killed at Shiloh.
Mayres. Frederick.
Matthews, Alvin T., captured at
Shiloh; died October 15, 1862, at
Petersburg, Virginia, while a pris-
oner.
Maryvess, John H., discharged July
11, 1862, for disability; re-enlisted
February 23, 1863.
Morgan, Cornelius L., discharged
April 26. 1862, for disability.
McMasters, William E, discharged
April 26, 186:J, for disability.
KEOKUK COUNTS- WAR EECOED.
503
McConnell, James, promoted hospi-
tal steward November 27, 1861;
veteranized January 1, 1864; dis-
charged February 14', 1865, for
disability.
[Monica], John D., killed at Shiloh,
' April 6, 1862.
Martin, Henry L., enlisted August
30, 1862; died at Davenport, Jan-
uary 16, 1863.
McElroy, John A., discliarged Jan-
uary 10, 1862, for disability.
Nelson, George W., died at Keokuk,
October 27, 1862.
Nanke, Frederick.
Nelson, Jonathan M.. discharged
April 16, 1862, for disability.
Neiman, Charles, discharged Feb-
ruary 7, 1862, for disability.
Oswalt, Alfred, discharged January
14, 1862, for disability.
Paul, Franklin A., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864.
Perkins, George W., wounded at
Corinth, October 4, 1862.
Richardson, Silas J., discharged
February 7, 1862, for disability.
Reynolds, Joseph H., discharged
April 14, 1S62.
Reynolds, Silas W., veteranized Jan-
nary 1, 1864.
Richardson, Benj. F., captured at
Shiloh; veteranized January 1,
1864.
Roland, Wm., discharged April 26,
1862, for disability.
Reed, Charles, discharged April 26,
1862, for disability.
Rockafeller, Peter R., veteranized
Jannary 1, 1864.
Shoc-kley, Samuel M., wounded at
Shiloh April 6, 1S62; discharged
September 18,1862, for disability.
Sloan, Norman, captured at Sliiloh
April 6, 1862; discharged Sep-
tember 12, 1862, for disability.
Sloan, Newton, captured at Shiloh
April 6, 1862; died while prisoner
atTuscumbia, Ala., April 25, 1862.
Smith, Charles, died at Sedalia, Mo.,
January 2, 1862.
Seibel, Adolph, veteranized January
I, 1864.
Torrence, Wm. M., killed at Shiloh
April 6, 1862.
TJthman, Frederick, died January 8,
1864, at Sigourney.
Vogel, Andrew J., captnred at Shi-
loh April 6, 1862; veteranized
January 1, 1864.
Ward, John W., promoted eighth
corporal September 21, 1861; sec-
one lieutenant March 4, 1862;
captured at Shiloh April 6, 1862;
resigned March 25, 1863.
Williams, Isaac M., wounded at
Shiloh April 6, 1862; died of
wounds M-ay 6, 1862.
York, Joseph M., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864.
ADDITIONAL.
Clark, Robert W., enlisted March
17, 1865.
Hickman, J. Q. F., enlisted March
II, 1865.
COMPANY G.
Wetherill, H.B., enlisted September
3, 1861; wounded at Shiloh April
6, 1862.
Burns, William H„ enlisted January
18, 1863; re-enlisted as veteran
January' 1, 1864; wounded at
Spanish Fort April 7, 1865.
Schutaz, Jacob F., enlisted March
31, 1864.
Wetherill, Edwin, enlisted March
31, 1864; died May 10, 1865, at
Montgomery, Ala.
Chapman, Charles, veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864.
Goben, Joseph, veteranized January
1, 1864.
Walters, Robert H., veteranized
January 1, 1864.
504
KEOKUK COUNTY WAR EECOED.
ELEVENTH INFAISTTEY.
The Eleventh Infantry regiment was organized in September and October,
1861 ; company D, in which Keokuk county was represented, was organ-
ized in September. It, with the thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth Iowa
regiments, formed the tliird brigade of the sixth division, seventeenth
army corps. Shiloh was its introduction to the art of war, where the Iowa
brigade proved to be of good mettle on a terrible field of battle. The
brigade had not yet learned to fire by battalion and company, and could
only answer the fire of the enemy thus made with fire by file. The heaps
of fallen enemies in front of them showed they were good marks.men. Its
second battle was at Corinth. The winter of 1862 was spent in the opera-
tions in front of Yicksburg, Milliken's Bend, Providence, Bayou Tensas
and Macon, to the close of the Yicksburg campaign in July, 1863. It
then, in August, went with the brigade on the expedition to Monroe, Lou-
isiana; in October, to Jackson; in December, to Eedbone; in February,
1864, on the Meridan expedition; at the close of which it, in Marcii, came
home on veteran furlough, having re-enlisted in January. It returned to
the front and joined General Sherman's army at Neworth, Georgia, and
first met the enemy at Kenesaw, June 15, and lost its first man, and in the
skirmishes which daily followed it met its heaviest losses, like the remainder
of the Iowa brigade on the 22nd of July in the siege of Atlanta, where
the Iowa brigade were under fire of the enemy nearly eighty-one days,
sixteen of which were in battle. After driving Hood's army from the
country, the army cut loose from its base: in October, joined in the mem-
orable " March to the Sea," the seventeenth corps being assigned to the
right wing, the Army of the Cumberland to the left. Starting on the 6th
of November, thence to Kichmond', Washington, the Grand Review, and
Louisville, where it was mustered out July 15, 1865, having traveled over
eight thousand miles, over half of which was on foot, and having a record
of 386 men, and 40 ofiicers, lost.
COMPANY F.*
Haroly B. Trotter, third sergeant;
veteranized January 1, 1864; pro-
moted first lieutenant December
1, 1862; discharged October 26,
1864, for disability.
Merritt S. Eussell, seventh corporal;
discharged January 28, 1862, for
disability.
Ferrand, Ferd. H.
North, John D., died at Jeflferson
City, January 4, 1862.
Eamsey, Abraham C, veteranized
August 1, 1864.
Smith, Isaac N., died at St Louis,
December 11, 1861.
Snodgrass, James A., discharged
March 17, 1862.
Yastive, Benjamin, veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864.
THIRTEENTH INFANTRY.
The Thirteenth Infantry was organized in October, 1861. Company D,
in which Keokuk county was represented, was mustered in on the 2l8t.
Its first colonel Was the gallant hero, Marcellus M. Crocker, who was rap-
idly promoted to brigadier-general. He led the regiment in but two bat-
• Enlisted September 23, 1861.
KEOKUK COUNTY WAE EECOED. 605
ties, at Shiloh and Corinth. The Thirteenth received its baptism of blood
at Shiloh, April 6, 1862, where for ten hours it was under the fire of the
enemy, sustaining a loss of twenty-four killed, and one hundred and thirty-
nine wonnded; missing nine.
Immediately after the battle of Shiloh, the Iowa brigade was organized,
composed of the eleventh, thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth Iowa regi-
ments, and became one of the oldest and most distinguished brigades in the
Army of the Tennessee. It was accorded the honor of once saving the en-
tire army of the Tennessee from a terrible defeat. The history of the
Thirteenth is that of the noble old iron-breasted brigade. In the winter of
1862-3, the regiment with its brigade, returned from General Grant's
march into central Mississippi, to Lafayette, Tennessee; and on the 22d of
January, left for Young's Point, Louisiana, where the regiment worked
hard on the celebrated Vicksburg canal, and until the following September
its duties were fatiguing. On the 6th of May, the enemy evacuated a point
opposite Grand Gulf, and the Iowa brigade at once took possession, and
nntil after the battles of Champion's Hill and Black River Bridge, Grand
Gulf was held by the Iowa brigade, and was a base of supplies for Grant's
army. At midnight, on the 19th of May, the Iowa brigade was ordered
back to Young's Point, by forced marches, and sent by boat to the assist-
ance of Sherman up the Yazoo river, but it was not needed, and retraced
its steps, arriving at the front on the 22d. On the 26th, the brigade was
ordered out with McArthur's division, to disperse the enemy who were
concentrating in the direction of Yazoo City and the upper Big Black, to
move on Grant's rear. This march will be remembered by the Thirteenth
as the hardest made by the regiment, unless that to Monroe, Louisiana, and
one through the bottomless swamps of South Carolina are excepted. It
was in the heat of a sonthern summer sun, amid sufibcating dust and at
rapid pace, but was not barren of results. The return march through
Yazoo valley resulted in the destruction of immense quantities of corn and
•cotton, and the addition of five thousand head of cattle, sheep and hogs to
the commissariat of Grant's army. Tile autumn and most of the winter
were spent by the Thirteenth at Vicksburg, and it was there the regiment
re-enlisted as veterans, though it did not take its furlough until after the
march to Meridian. The remainder of the history of the regiment is summed
up in the noble record of the army, in the three unparalleled marches of
General Sherman — from Dalton to Atlanta; Atlanta to Savannah; Savannah
toGoldlsboro and Washington. The heroic act which gave the regiment a
national reputation was at the capture of Columbia, South Carolina, on
the 17th of February, 1865; Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Kennedy, placed the
regimental colors on the capitol building. The regiment was mustered out
at Louisville, Kentucky, July 21, 1865. The total casualities of the regi-
ment were 542 of enlisted men, and 49 of officers, or the largest of officers
f any Iowa regiments except the second, sixth and seventh.
COMPANY D.*
Abraham C. Price, captain ; resigned
November 11, 1862.
Joseph B. Homan, first lieutenant;
resigned April 19, 1862.
* Enlisted October 10, unless otherwise stated.
Justinian Ray, second lieutenant;
resigned February 8, 1862.
Alonzo J. Pope, first sergeant;
wounded at Shiloh, April, 1862;
promoted second lieutenant April
20,1862; first lieutenant Novem-
606
KEOKUK COITNTT WAR EECOED.
ber 12, 1862; captain May 24,
1864; major May 12, 1865;" cap-
tured at Atlanta Jnly 22, 1864.
Brice McBetli, second sergeant; pro-
moted first sergeant April 20,
1862; discharged October 23, 1862,
for disability.
Thomas F. Griffin, third sergeant;
promoted second sergeant April
20,1862; discharged November 4,
1864, for disability.
Robert F. Lowe, fourth sergeant;
wounded at Shiloh April 6, 1862;
promoted third sergeant April 20,
1862; first sergeant October 23,
1 862 ; veteranized January 4, 1864 ;
wounded at Kenesaw Mountain
June 26, 1864; died of wounds
June 30, 1864, at Big Shanty, Ga.
William E. Triggs, fifth sergeant;
promoted fourth sergeant April
20, 1862; died at Vicksburg Au-
gust 7, 1863.
William I. McLean, first corporal;
discharged for disability March 1,
1862.
William Chesney, second corporal;
promoted fifth sergeant Ji^ly 25,
1862.
Lorenzo A. Linville, third corporal;
promoted fifth sergeant April 20,
1862; sergeant-major July 25,
1862.
Wesley IT. Orton, ' fourth corporal;
promoted third corporal April 20,
1862; veteranized January 1, 1864,
ordered to ranks July 1, 1864.
James E. Brown, fifth corporal; dis-
cliarged for disability January 26,
1862.
James H. Wangh, sixth corporal;
wounded at Shiloh April 6, 1862;
reduced to ranks at own request;
discharged July 20, 1862, for dis-
ability.
Samuel P. Bailey, seventh corporal.
John T. Parker, eighth corporal;
promoted commissary sergeant
February 12, 1862; promoted se-
cond lieutenant jSiovember 12,
1862; veteranized January 1,1864;
promoted first lieutenant May 20,
1864; captured near Atlanta,
Georgia, July 22, 1S64; promoted
captain May 12, 1865.
David W. Shean, musiciaii; veter-
anized January 1, 1864.
Thomas A. Wade, musician; veter-
anized January 1, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Adams. Henry C, veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864; promoted fifth cor-
poral January 22, 1864.
Anderson, Homer, died at Jefiersofl
City, January 5, 1862.
Allen, John N., veteranized January
1, 1864; captured at Atlanta July
22, 1864; promoted fourth cor-
poral January 22, 1864.
Bell, Robert.
Blair, John T., promoted.
Barnes, Joseph, enlisted February
10,1862; veteranized January 1,
1864; captured at Atlanta July
22, 1864; died at Annapolis,
Maryland, December 4, 1864.
Bringman, Oscar D., enlisted Decem-
ber 14, 1863.
Brown, Vestal S.
Baker, William, died near Grand
Junction, Tennessee, November
13, 1862.
Buck, Dudley, veteranized January
1, 1864.
Basil, Stephen, died at Jefferson
City, January 4, 1862.
Boyd, Abraham.
Bottorf, James M., discharged April
9, 1864.
Bottorf, Isaac W., wounded at Shi-
loh April 6, 1862; discharged
November 15, 1862, for disability.
Brokaw, Wm. H., captured at At-
lanta July 22, 1864.
Brunt, Samuel W., wounded at Shi-
loh April 6, 1862; promoted fourth,
corporal April 20, 1862; third
sergeant October 23, 1862.
Booten. George M., enlisted Feb-
ruary 10, 1862; veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864; captured — date and
place unknown.
KEOKUK COTTNTT WAR RECOED.
50t
Booten, William S., wounded at
Kenesaw Mountain Jnly 2, 1864;
i,discharged May 26, 1865.
Beardsley, John S., enlisted January
: 5, 1864.
Bonsai 1, Emmon, enlisted March- 17,
1862.
Bonsall, Leoi, enlisted March 25,
1862; died on steamer "City of
Lbuisyille" June 2, 1862.
Bray, Harnian.
Brown, David S., enlisted October
18, 1862; teamster division head-
quarters; ordered to regiment and
not heard of since.
Castor, Lewis, wounded at Rhiloh
April 6, 1862; died at Vicksburg
- October 4, 1863.
Curtis, Norval F., wounded at Slii-
loh April 6, 1862; died at Milli-
, ken's Bend, Louisiana, September
28, 1863, by burning of steamer
:."R. Campbell, Jr."
Cochrane, Wm. C, discharged No-
vember 20, 1862.
Cooper, Wm. H., discharged Aug-
2, 1862.
Cnrry, James D., veteranized Jann-
, ary 1, 1864; promoted fifth ser-
geant January 22, 1864.
Dalton, William, wounded at Shiloh
April 6, 1862.
Bobie, George W., discharged Jan-
• uary 14, 1862, for disability.
Dunbar, John S., veteranized Janu-
■ ary 1, 1864.
Dana, George B., appointed hospital
steward October 8, 1862.
Dawson, John M.
Ellis, John M., wounded at Kene-
, saw Mountain July 8, 1864.
Earra, John R., discharged April 21,
1863, for disability.
Ford, Chauncy. veteranized January
1, 1864: promoted eighth corporal
July 1, 1864.
Fleming, Franklin F., wounded at
Shiloh; promoted third sergeant
January '29, 1864.
Fritzler, Albert, wounded at Shiloh.
Green, William S., discharged April
23, 1863, for disability.
Gregory, Oscar L., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864.
Gorrell, Josiah, appointed wagoner,
Horn back, Abrahiim, veteranized
January 1, 1864.
Hogin, Geo. B., promoted commis-
sary sergeant; promoted second
lieutenant February 12, 1862; first
lieutenant April 20, 1862; captain
November 12, 1862; resigned May
23, 1864
Hebard, Stephen S., transferred for
promotion to captain fourth Mis-
sissippi infantry (colored).
Irvin. Jacob, discharged October 23,
1862,
Johnson, William, wounded at Shi-
loh; veteranized January 1, 1864;
transferred for promotion in col-
ored regiment.
Johnson, Charles A.
Johnson, Samuel E., wounded at
Shiloh; transferred for promotion
in ninth Louisiana colored regi-
ment.
Jacobs, John W., wounded at Shi-
loh; veteranized January 1, 1864;
promoted first corporal January
22, 1864.
Kendall, Charles F., veteranized
January 1, 1864; promoted sev-
enth corporal July 4, 1864,
Lasch, Jacob, discharged October
23, 1862, for disability.
Lickey, George, killed at Shiloh.
McDaniel, Andrew B., enlisted Jan-
uary 27, 1864; killed at Atlanta
July 21, 1864.
McGahey, Wm. B., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864; promoted first ser-
geant July 1, 1864; captured at
Atlanta July '21, 1864.
Mcintosh, Clark C, wounded at Shi-
loh Api'il 6, 1862; discharged for
wounds July 2, 1862.
McLean, S. Calvin.
McLenahan,' James E.
McCrery, James, died July 10, 1863,
at regimental hospital.
McPeek, Charles H., missitig at Shi-
loh; supposed to have been killed
and buried unrecognized.
508
KEOKUK COUNTY WAE RECOED.
Martin, Kichard S., promoted eighth
corporal February 12, 1862;
wounded at Shiloh April 6, 1862.
Marshall, Charles W., discharged
May 1, 1862, for disability.
Meeker, David B., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864; killed at Atlanta
July 21, 1864.
Melogue, William L., veteranized
January 1, 1864; promoted fourth
sergeant January 22, 1864; cap-
tured at Atlanta July 22, 1864.
Miller, Abram A., promoted second
corporal July 25, 1862; veteran-
ized January 1, 1864, as private;
promoted sixth corporal July 1,
1864; captured at Atlanta July
22, 1864; died March 16, 1865, at
Wheeling, West Virginia.
Minteer, Upton W., wounded at Shi-
loh; discharged December 29,
1862, for disability.
Nelson, John C, enlisted February
17, 1864; died at Mound City
May 25, 1864.
Paslay, Morgan, wounded at Shiloh ;
veteranized January 1, 1864.
Pinkerton, Handy, enlisted Febru-
ary 20, 1864.
Pinkerton, Cyrus, veteranized Jan-
- uary 1, 1864; missing in action at
Atlanta July 22, 1864.
Phelps, Daniel M., wounded at Shi-
loh; discharged August 15, 1862.
Einglow, George W., enlisted Jan-
- uary 29, 1864.
Kobinson, Herrick, wounded at Shi-
loh.
Kider, Nelson, died at Stevenson, Al-
abama, January 2, 1865.
Skinner, William, veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864, as corporal.
Stillwell, George F., discharged for
disability May 1, 1862.
Shaver Peter.
Sisson, James J., veteranized Jan-
uary 1,1864; missing at Atlanta,
in action, July 22, 1864.
Sisson, William C, enlisted March
25, 1864; wounded July 8, 1864,
near Atlanta; mustered out July
21, 186.5.
Shean, David W., enlisted December
19, 1862.
Shawhan, Daniel W., discharged Au-
gust 11, 1862.
Stokesberry, John W., discharged
May 1, 1862, for disability.
Stokesberry, Joseph A., died Octo-
ber 24, 1862, at Yicksburg, Mis-
sissippi.
Skean, John W., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864; wounded at Atlanta
July 22, 1864.
Silence, George W., died at Pitts-
burg Landing April 7, 1862.
Stranalian, Andrew, wounded at
Shiloh; veteranized January 1,
1864.
Smith, George M., veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864.
Slatterly, John, enlisted November
3, 1864; died May 21, 1865, at
Doud's Island, New York.
Wyman, Stephen, veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864; missing in action at
Atlanta July 22, 1864.
Wilson, Thomas, died July 9, 1862,
at Muscatine.
White, Thomas M.
Wilson, John, enlisted February 28,
1864.
Whiteman, Oalder.
Williams, James W.
Yearick, Sam'l W., promoted fourth
corporal October 23, 1862; vet-
eranized January 1, 1864.
Young, Benjamin G., enlisted No-
vember 18, 1864.
COMPANY I.
Rickey, Henry, died June 12, 1862,
near New Albany, Indiana.
White, Frederick E., enlisted De-
cember 11. 1862; veteranized Feb-
ruary 19, 1864.
White, Lewis, enlisted April 18,
1864; killed at Atlanta July 22,
1864.
Wragar, Albert, enlisted March 28,
1864; wounded July 9, 1864;
transferred to veteran invalid
corps.
.KEOKUK OOPNTY WAR EECOBD.
509
Bringraan, Oscar D., enlisted De-
cember 3, 1863; company un-
■ known.
Fuller, Ezra, enlisted March 20,
1862; company unknown.
FIFTEENTH INFANTRY,
The Fifteenth was organized in the fall of 1861. Company A in which
Keokuk county was represented was mustered in November. The regi-
ment had the advantage of several months drill, and no regiment left the
State better prepared in that regard than this. April 1, 1862, it went to
the field, reaching Pittsburg Landing on that memorable Sunday, the 6th
of April, after the battle had been going on several hours. It was imme-
diately put to the front, and came out with a loss of one hundred and
eighty-eight, in killed, wounded and missing. At Corinth it was again
unfortunate. It was in the Yicksburg campaign, and in the famous Mer-
idian raid. It came home on veteran furlough in March, 1864, and on re-
turning to the front it joined the Atlanta campaign, losing heavily in the
skirmishes about that city before the battle, July 22, in which it lost heav-
ily. It joined the march to the sea; to Goldsboro, Kaleigh and Washing-
ton. It was mustered out at Louisville, July 24, 1865. It suffered more
casualties than any regiment sent from this State. Of the seventeen hun-
dred and sixty-three members of the regiment, but seven hundred and
twelve were present at the muster out. It carried its banner seven thous-
and, eight hundred and ninety-eight miles. It hangs in the State arsenal
torn in shreds by leaden hail, a token of valor and honor to the brave men
who bore it.
COMPANY A.
Robert G. Forgrave enlisted May 6 ;
1861; third sergeant from first
sergeant company E second infant-
ry; promoted second sergeant
March 1, 1862; reduced to ranks
May 21, 1862.
Erastus H. Nordyke, enlisted Janu-
ary 18, 1862; promoted fourth
corporal from private; reduced to
ranks at own request November
20, 1862; veteranized February
20, 1864; killed near Atlanta July
28, 1864.
Bales, David, enlisted November 10,
1861 ; discharged May 9, 1862.
Bales, Levi J., enlisted ; wound-
ed at Shiloh April 6, 1862.
Forgrave, Lyman W., enlisted No-
vember 10,1861; discharged for
minority February 27, 1862.
McNeice, Marten, enlisted No-
vember 10, 1861; veteranized Jan-
uary 1, 1864; wounded at Kene-
saw Mountain June 17, 1864.
EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY.
The Eighteenth infantrv regiment was organized under the call of July
4, 1862, for 300,000 men." It was mustered into the United States service
August 6, 1862, with a rank and file of 860 men, Jolin Edwards, colonel.
On the 11th of August it started for the field. Wiiile it has not the prom-
inent record of some Iowa regiments, it was none the less efficient in ser-
vice, brave in action, prompt in duty. That it is not so notable is because
there is less known of it. From tlie time it whipped and cleaned out the
braggart Marmaduke at Springfield, Missouri, January 8, 1862, who at-
tacked with at least 1870 men, while the Eigliteenth had only 600 men, on
510
KEOKUK COUNTY WAB RECOED.
to the fight with Price, April 30, 1864, its conduct was sinh as to elicit higS
commendation from division commanders. It had the reputation of get-
ting out of difficulties through smaller chances than few would liave ds^re(^
attempted. At Poison Spring was a notable instance. The regiment got
completely isolated and hemmed in on all sides by tiie enemy. It flocked
together and wormed itself out, fighting rod by rod, scattering the enemy
by charges, when it would re-form and occupy the vacuum, and thus cub
its way out and returned to Camden. In May, 1864, it returned to Fort
Smith, Arkansas, having marched 730 miles over mountains, throngb
swamps, subsisting on raw corn, wading days and nights through mud and
water. At Fort Smith it remained during the summer and fall of 18(34;
making in tlie meantime several long and brilliant expeditions. February
26, 1865, four companies were sent to Yan Bnren, Arkansas, for garrison
duty, until July 6, when the regiment was ordered to Little Eock for mus-
ter out. July 21 it started for Davenport, where, August 5, the men were
discharged, having served three years and two days. Ihe regiment marched
4,160 miles. Of the original number of the regiment but four hundred*
returned for muster out. Of the original officers but eight returned.
Keokuk county was represented in companies A, D and I, . .
COMPANY A.
Turuly, William M., enlisted
8, 1862.
COMPANY D.
July
John A. Landis, captain; enlisted
June 6, 1862; wounded at Spring-
field, Missouri, January 8, 1863;
: resigned February 28, 1863.
James H. Creighton, first lieuten-
ant; enlisted June 16, 1862; re-
signed December 24, 1864.
Justinian Ray, second lieutenant;
enlisted June 16, 1862, promoted
captain March 1, 1863.
CyphrettP. Gillett, second sergeant;
discliarged December 26, 1862,
for disability.
Melancthon Murdock,third sergeant;
enlisted June 22, 1862.
Marion "Walters, fourth sergeant;
enlisted July 7, 1862.
Nelson W. Clothier, fifth sergeant;
enlisted July 11, 1862; promoted
' first sergeant September 6, 1862.
James A. Lynn, first corporal; en-
listed July 12, 1862; promoted
fifth sergeant September 13, 1862;
discharged June 28, 1865, for
disability.
Matthew Hall, second corporal ; pro-
moted first corporal September 13^
1862; discharged February 23,
1863; enlisted July 11, 1862. . ;
Thomas M. Leak, third corporal; re-
duced to ranks.
William C. Smith, fifth corporal;
enlisted June 16, 1862; promoted
fourth corporal September 13;,
1862; died December 14, 1863, at
Springfield Missouri.
Phillip Rhoads, eighth corporal;
promoted seventh corporal Sep-
tember 13, 1862; enlisted June
16, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Arnett, James S., enlisted June 22,
1862.
Adams, John B., enlisted June 16,
1862.
Booton, John W., enlisted June 16,
1862.
Bradley, Lewis M., enlisted July 7,
1862; discharged February 23»
1863, for disability.
Butler, Albert S., enlisted June 2%
1862; discharged February 23,
1863, for disability
Blair, Charles, enlisted. July 7, 1862;
wounded and captured atPoisoa
Spring, Arkansas, April 18, 1864.
KEOKUK COUNTY WAR EECOED.
511
Brown, Addison A., enlisted July
27, 1862; discharged May li,
1865, for disability.
Cox, Jolin Q. A., enlisted July 7,
1862; died at Springfield, Mis-
souri, November 28, 1862.
Ellis, Andrew T., enlisted July 22,
1862.
Farrand, James W., enlisted June
30. 1862.
Fuller, William S., captured at Poi-
son Spring, April 18, 1864.
Enox, Benj. F., enlisted July 7,
1862; captured at Poison Spring,
April 18, 1864.
Kiebl, George O., enlisted July 7,
■ 1862; died December 1, 1862, at
Springfield, Missouri.
Leatiiers, George W., enlisted June
19, 1862.
McKair, Ira, enlisted June 19,1862.
McCormick, Emanuel, enlisted July
19, 1862.
Miller, John W., enlisted July 27,
1862; discharged February 23,
1863, for disability.
Miller, Nathan 0 , enlisted June 22,
■ ' 1862; discharged December 27,
1862, for disability.
Moi-e, Henry C, enlisted July 7,
1862.
Perdue, Percival, enlisted July 7,
1862.
Perdue, enlisted November 12, 1863.
Rhoades, Cornelius, enlisted June
16, 1862; discharged December
27, 1862. for disability.
Eayan, Collin B., enlisted July 7,
1862.
Eiciiardson, George S., enlisted July
27, 1862.
Eiehardson, Nathaniel, enlisted
June 21, 1862; died June 21,
1865, at Van Biiren, Ark.
Tediock, Wm. C , enlisted June 19,
1862; disciiarged February 23,
1863, for disability.
Tucker, Nathaniel E., enlisted June
18, 1862; discharged February
23, 1863, for disability.
Wilson, Leven, enlisted June 21,
1862.
Brown, William, enlisted August
23, 1862.
COMPANY I.
Josephus B. Charton, second corpo-
ral; enlisted July 7, 1862; com-
missioned second lieutenant May
24, 1865, but not mustered in;
mustered out as sergeant-major.
John I. Seeton, third corporal; en-
listed July 7, 3 862.
PEIVATES.
Coon, Isaac, enlisted July 14, 1862.
Hinman, Charles A., enlisted July
12, 1862.
Jones, Joseph A., enlisted July 7,
1862; died November 18, 1862,
at Springfield, Mo.
McLoud, Edward S., enlisted July
7, 1862.
Nordyke, Calvin J., enlisted July
15, 1863.
Rose, Abraham, enlisted July 14,
186—.
Strife, Nicholas, enlisted July 7,
1862.
Ward, William, enlisted July 7,
1862; wounded and captured at
Poison Spring, Ark., April 18,
1864.
THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized by Gen. S. A. Rice, Keokuk county. Keo-
kuk county furnished three companies to this regiment. It was organized!
in September, 1862, and mustered in October 1st, with nine hundred and
eighty men. It left for the field, November 20th, for St. Louis; thence,
December 21st, for Columbus, Kentucky, arriving on the 24th, where it
was immediately engaged irt building earthworks, the men without shelter,
sleeping on the bare ground in the mud and rain. January 3, 1803, it re-
512 KEOKUK COUNTY WAB EECOED.
turned to Columbus, the enemy failing to attack, as expected. January
6th it embarked for Helena, Arkansas, arriving on the 13th, where several
expeditions were made.
In April, Colonel Rice was appointed to a brigade, and Lieutenant-Col-
onel Mackey became colonel. It was reported Colonel Hood had declared
he would take his dinner, July 4th, in Helena. The regiment at once pre-
pared to give him a hearty reception, and at two o'clock in the morning
were called out to receive him. Tiie contest lasted until eleven o'clock,
when Hood was driven back toward Little Kock, and the Thirty-third re-
mained masters of the position, having acquitted itself bravely. It had
five hundred men engaged, the enemy over two thousand. The Tliirty-third
captured as many prisoners as it had in action. September 10th the enemy
were followed, and Little Rock captured. Here the regiment built log bar-
racks and remained until March, 1864:, when it started on the southwestern
Arkansas expedition. From the 10th to the 13th skirmishing and artillery
fighting was had on Praii-ie d'Anne, in Hempstead county, Arkansas. On
the 2d of April, General Steele decided to march on Camden with his di-
vision, which became known to the enemy, and the race was a lively one.
Several engagements were had, notably at Elkin's Ford, April 4th, Prairie
d'Anne, April 10th and Jenkin's Ferry, April 30th. The latter was the
great battle of the expedition. The regiment, with the division had reached
Saline river, on its return to Little Rock, on the evening before. The
ememy were in force in the rear, wliile in front was a swollen river and no
bridges. The battle began in the morning and lasted until near noon, when
the enemy retired. It was during the evening's last charge that Colonel
Rice was wounded in the foot, from the effects of which he died August 6th
following.
The Thirty-third entered Camden on the evening of the 16th of April,
where for five days there were no rations, the men subsisting on four ears
of corn per day, which they ground in hand mills and made into cakes.
At the battle of Elkin's Ford, or Jenkin's Ferry, Colonel Mackey was
wounded severely in the arm. The loss of the regiment was severe, being
one hundred and twenty-three. The regiment arrived at Little Rock May
3d, where it remained on garrison duty during the year. February 14,
1864, it started for New Orleans, thence to Navy Cove, Alabama, where it
joined an expedition against Mobile, which was successful. Thence it
moved to Whistler's Station and Mcintosh's Bluff', Alabama, April, 1866,
where it remained until June; thence to Brazos Island, Texas; thence up
the Rio Grande to Bagdad; thence to New Orleans, where, July 17, 1865,
it was mustered out, except the three yeare' recruits, who were transferred
to the Thirty-fourth regiment, an unusual act, and which received the, firm
protest of Colonel Mackey.
The casualities of the regiment were:
Killed in action 26
Died of wounds and disease 236
Discliarged for various causes 164
Wounded 166
Taken prisoners 73
Transferred to other regiments 27
Mustered out 430
KEOKUK COUNTY WAB EECOED.
513
Keokuk county was represented in the field and staff as follows:
Cyrus 1^. Mackey, Lieutenant-Colonel; commissioned August 10, 1862;
promoted Colonel August 18, 1863; wounded at Jenkins' Ferry, April 30,
1864.
Arad Parks, surgeon; commissioned September 16, 1862; resigned June
11, 1864.
Samuel B. Evans, Commissary Sergeant; appointed September 16,1862,
Bartholomew Franken, hospital steward ; appointed September 22, 1862..
COMPANY B.*
John P. Terger, captain; enlisted
August 8; resigned May 10, 1864.
Joseph Shawhan, first lieutenant; en-
listed August 10; resigned March
13. 1863.
William S. Parmley, second lieuten-
ant; enlisted August 8; promoted
first lieutenant March 26, 1863;
captain May 11, 1864.
F. R. Mathews, first sergeant.
Jcrseph J. Harter, second sergeant;
promoted second lieutenant March
22, 1863; first lieutenant May 11,
1864.
John H. Crow, third sergeant.
Thomas B. Myers, fourth sergeant.
John R. Alsup. fifth sergeant.
Andrew N. Bratton, first corporal;
discharged, March 2, 1863, for dis-
ability.
James H. David, second corporal;
captured at Yazoo Pass, February
16, 1863.
Michael Clarahan, ttiird corporal;
discharged December 12, 1864, for
broken arm.
Eleazer Cole, third corporal; trans-
ferred to invalid corps February
15, 1864.
Maxon "W. Randall, fourth corporal;
died June 5, 1863, at Helena, Ar-
Benj. Weseott, fifth corporal.
&eorge W. Booton, sixth corporal.
Michael Butler, seventh corporal.
Henry Boegel, eighth corporal.
Gideon L. Evans, musician.
Charles L. Randall, musician.
George W. Shawan, wagoner; sup-
posed to have been reduced tq-
ranks.
PRIVATES.
"Allen, John, discharged March 20,
1863, for disability.
Adams, David H.
Booton, Asa S.
Basey, James A., died September
15, 1863, at Duvall's Bluff, Ar-
kansas.
Bell, Zepaniah, died September 9,
1863, at Memphis.
Bottger, John C.
Bradley, Samuel, died March 27,
1863, at Memphis.
Baxter, Lewis, died March 20, 1866,
at Fort Gaines, Alabama.
Black, Philander. '
Clemens, Henry, promoted musi-
cian January 23, 1863.
Connor, Aaron.
Cole, Eleazor, promoted third cor-
poral December 3, 1862.
Case, James H., died April 25, 1863,.
at Helena.
Case, John F.,died October 29, 1863,
at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Case, George C.,died April 19, 1863,
at Helena, Arkansas.
Carlile, Samuel, discharged April
16, 1863, for disability.
Courtney, James H., died May 20,,
1864, at Helena, Arkansas.
Courtney, Edward F., discharged
February 25, 1863, for disability.
.;*The enlistment roll is, dated September I, 1862. The men went into quarters from the
6th to the fifteenth of August, unless otherwise stated.
514
KEOKUK COUNTY WAE EECOED.
<Jattell, John W.
'Claralian, Patrick, discharged De-
cember 12. 1864, for disability.
Crooks, Jacob B.
Carson, Henry S., discliarged Sep-
tember 22, 1864-, for disability.
Dnree, George W., transferred to
invalid corps.
Diiree, Henry T.. discharged Octo-
ber 25. 1864-, for disability.
Decker, Dennis, captured at Yazoo
Pass February 16, 1863; wounded
and captured at Saline River, Ar-
kansas, A]iril 30, 1864.
Dyer, Francis M., captured at' Saline
River April -30, 1864.
Evans, Samuel B.
Fear. James H.
Povvler, David D.
Farmer, John L.
Ford. Jacob J., died October 9,1863,
at Bloomington, Illinois.
■Given. Henry C, captured Febru-
ary 16. 1863, at Yazoo Pass.
Gann. Leander O.
Gann, John L.
Howard, John W.
Harris, William, wounded March
So. 1865, at Spanish Fort, Ala-
bama.
Hux, John, discharged December
4, 1863, for disability.
Herri tt, James B., captured Febru-
ary 16, 1863, at Yazoo Pass; died
July 11, 1864, at Little Rock, Ar-
kansas.
Jacobs. James B., discharged April
21, 1803.
Jerman, Thomas A., died June 23,
18»>3, at Lancaster.
Kensler, George, discharged April
16 1863.
Keener, J. W. 0.
Klett. Godfrey.
Lambert, David.
Lee, John, captured February 16,
1863, at Yazoo Pass.
Xowe, James M.
Leonard Francis.
McGrew, Leander.
Mead, Augustine, drowned October
12, 1863, in Mississippi river.
Miles, Daniel.
McOalley, Jacob M., discharged
April 17, 1863.
Miles, Jolm.
Moore, Robert, died April 10, 1863,
at Memphis.
Moore, Joseph 0.
McGonigal, Charles S.
Menefee, John M. (Monstee), wound-
ed at Helena, Arkansas, July 4,
1863.
Morgan, Nathan.
Newkirk, Jacob H.
Payton, Geo. W., Sr.,
Payton, Geo. W., Jr.. captured Feb-
ruary 11, 1863, at Yazoo Pass.
Payton, John.
Payton, William, captured Febru-
ary 16, 1863, at Yazoo Pass, Ar-
kansas.
Quick, Strauther, promoted wagoner
December 1, 1862.
Quick, James, discharged April 11,
1863.
Quick, Tunis.
Rodgers, Hannibal, wounded and
captured April 30, 1864, at Saline
River, Ark.
Sanders, Henry I.
Smith, Zelek C.
Shollenberger, Hiram, promoted
sixth corporal January 23, 1863.
Thompson, Albert L
Thompson, Thos. J.
Thompson, Albert E.
Trueblood, Elijah, died December
25, 1862, at St. Louis.
Utterback, Jefferson.
Wright, Wm. A.
Wilson, David, discharged April
17, 1863.
Ward, Wm. T.
Ward, Samuel A.
Wool lard, James T., wounded July
4, 1863. at Helena, Ark.
Wartz, wounded April 30, 1864j at
Saline River.
ADDITIONAL.
Basil, Jeremiah, enlisted March 9,
1864.
KBOKTJK COUNTY WAE EEOOKD.
515
Bowman, Henry U., enlisted March
25. 1864.
Clark, Wm. H., enlisted February
. 20, 18?5.
Crisman, John, enlisted March 30,
186i.
Eastbiirn, John B., enlisted March
7, 1864.
Franklin, Joab, enlisted March 22,
186d.
Malone, James H., enlisted March
25, 1864.
Ifelson, Wm. H., enlisted March
22, 1864.
Nichols, John E., enlisted Febrnary
22, 1864;. wounded April 30,
1864, at Saline Eiver.
Stoui, Geo. W., enlisted March 29,
, 1864.
COMPANY E.
Brittain, James F., enlisted July 24,
1862.
COMPANY P.*
Memorial W. Forrest, captain; re-
signed March 3, 1863.
Anderson Davis, first lieutenant; re-
signed April 24, 18 h3.
Lycnrgns McCoy, second lieutenant;
wounded in the loot, accidentally,
at St. Louis, November 25, 1862;
resigned March 3, 1863.
William J. Gaston, first sergeant;
promoted second lieutenant March
13, 1863; discharged October 26,
1863, lor disability.
Alfred F. Waugh, second sergeant;
died January 28, 1863, at St.
Louis.
Abraham Sechrist, third sergeant.
James K. Spiers, fourth sergeant;
wounded July 4, 1863, at Helena,
Arkansas.
Jacob S. Hawk, fifth sergeant; dis-
charged February 10, 1863, for
disabilitv.
jfames W. Dell, first corporal,
Nelson Loomis, second corporaL
John McCrery, third corporal; en-
listed August 20; discharged Jan-
uary 21, 1863, for disability.
John Bell, fourth corporal; promo-
ted captain April 16, 1863.
John F. Nugent, fifth corporal; died
May 22, 1863, at Helena, Arkan-
sas.
Zebedee F. Botkins, sixth corporal;
wounded at Helena, Arkansas,
July 4, 1863; discharged October
. 16, 1864, for disability.
William Monohon, seventh corporal;
died September, 8, 1863, at Mem-
phis.
Fred. Sancheztereso, eighth corpo-
ral; promoted first lieutenant
June 1, 1863.
Orland D. Cushman, musician.
Alexander W, Glass, musician,
Kussell Fergusson, Wagoner; dis-
charged March 20, 1863, for dis-
ability.
PRIVATES.
Abrams, Miles, discharged February
20, 1863, for disability.
Abrams, James, discharged Febru-
ary II, 1863, for disability,
Abrams, William, died January 17,
1864, at Keokuk,
Allen, Wesley,
Allison, William, enlisted August
20, 1862
Allison, Thomas J,
Buckner, Ashbery A,, killed July 4,
1863, at Helena,
Bly, James H, died January 11,
1864, at Keokuk.
Belveal, Samuel.
Bel veal, Nicholas.
Baxter, George F., discharged Feb-
ruary 20, 1863, for disability.
Braden, Eobert C., discharged Jan-
uary 28, 1863, for disability.
Brittain, Harvey, enlisted September
2, 1862.
Brittain, Eli, enlisted September 2,
1862; died May 9, 1863, at Hele-
na, Ark.
*This company was organized in 1862, and enlisted August 13, unless otherwise stated.
516
KEOKUK OOTTNTY WAE EBCOED.
Brunt, John M.
Durfey, Orson M.
Day, Abraham.
Day, Valentine, discharged October
5, 1864, for disability.
Day, Charles A., died December 28,
1862, at St. Louis.
Dickerson, James C.
Diekerson, John H., enlisted De-
cember 1, 1863; died May 2i,
1865, at Greenville, La.
Ferguson, James I. [T.], died April
19, 1863, at Helena, Ark.
Forgrave, Robert G., enlisted Sep-
tember 23, 1862.
Gill, James, enlisted August 20,
1862.
Gibson, Walker H., wounded and
captured August 30, 1864:, at Sa-
line Eiver, Ark.
Gibson, Francis M.
Graves, Johnson.
Groesbeck, George W., enlisted
August 20, 1862; died May 22,
1863, at Helena, Ark.
Hadley, Sidney C, enlisted Novem-
ber 9.
Hutton, James K. P., died Decem-
ber 23, 1862, at St. Louis.
Hone, John C, enlisted September
2,
Hart, John S.
Hillerey, Milton.
Hawk, Cornelius, discharged Febru-
ary 19, 1863, for disability.
Hough, James A., enlisted Septem-
ber 2.
Hough, Wm. P.
Hogan, Charles M.
Hadley, Joseph H.
Hoisington, Wm. V.
Henninger, Henry S.
Hobson, Joel.
Haney, Jacob D., enlisted
1862; died March 29, 1863, at
Memphis.
Jones, John M., wounded July 4,
1863, at Helena, Ark.
Lynch, Paul A.
Lotspeicb, Samuel P., discharged
February 5, 1863, for disability.
Logan, Henry.
Loomis, Nelson, enlisted ;
captured July 4, 1863, at Helena;
died September 24, 1863, at St.
Louis.
Morrison, James.
McCrery, Daniel.
Monohon, David, discharged March
23, 1863, for disability.
Miller, William.
Miller, Joseph T., wonnded July 4,
1863, at Helena; died August 8,
1863, of wounds at Memphis.
McNeis, Pleasant, wounded July 4,
1863, at Helena.
McConnell, William L
McConnell, Francis M., died Decem*
ber 16, 1863, at Little Rock, Ark.
Miner, John N., wonnded July 4,
1863, at Helena; died of wound&
September 8, 1863, at Memphis.
Montgomery, S. B.
McNeis, William.
McNeis, John, died August 7,1864,
at Richland.
Mills, Eli. died March 24, 1866, at
Little Rock, Ark.
McPherson, John, missing July 4,
1863, at Helena.
Nash, Azro B.
Nash, Charles W.
Orndoff, Wra. A., discharged Feb-
ruary 21, 1863, for disability.
Pratt, George A., died March 27,
1863, on steamer "Goodie Friend,"
Miss.
Robison, Wm. S., discharged Feb-
ruary 22, 1863, for disability.
Rayburn, John 0.
Skinner, Jasper.
Stillwell, Geo. F., enlisted Septem-
ber 2.
Stillwell, Thomas, killed July 4,
1863, at Helena.
Sheets, Leander, discharged Februa-
ry 5, 1863, for disability.
Spiers, Ezra Thomas, missing July
4, 1863, at Helena.
Shepheard, Samuel, enlisted August
20; discharged Novembers, 1863^
for disability.
J.^fgf»»-
-MtA
£'^^/^X-^/-T''t--X^
KEOKUK COTTNTT WAE EECOED.
519
Street, Samuel F.
Thomas, Gideon, died January 20,
1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
Walker, Edwin.
Ward, William.
Wood, Christopher.
Toung, James M.
ADDITIONAL.
Armstrong, James, enlisted March
29, 1864.
Bennett, Sanford, enlisted March 28,
1864.
Galieher, Charles B., enlisted Feb-
ruary 28, 1864; drowned July 20,
1864, at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Miller, Asa M., enlisted September
3, 1864.
Miller, John W., enlisted September
12, 1864.
X^ Morgan, John B., enlisted March 4,
1864; died May 14, 1864, at Little
Rock, Arkansas.
McCreary, James, died October 15,
1864, at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Stillwell, George W., enlisted March
29, 1864.
COMPANY H.*
Joseph L. Smith, first lieutenant, en-
listed August 9, resigned April 8,
1863.
William H. Gore, second lieutenant;
enlisted August 5; promoted first
lieutenant April 9, 1863, captain
July 27, 1863.
Wilson DeGarmo, first sergeant; en-
listed August 9; promoted second
lieutenant April 9, 1863; first
lieutenant July 27, 1863; wounded
at Jenkins' Ferry Arkansas, April
30, 1864.
Samuel C. Ward, second sergeant;
enlisted August 5; transferred
July 1, 1864, to veteran reserve
corps.
Ezra Hollingsworth, fourth sergeant ;
enlisted August 10.
* Enlisted in 1862, unless otherwise stated.
32
James D. Haworth, fifth sergeant;
enlisted August 14.
Samuel Lineburger, first corporal;
enlisted August 17.
John Wightman, third corporal; en-
listed August 10; wounded and
captured April 30, 1864, at Saline
River, Arkansas; died May 2,
1864, of wounds.
Thomas J. Lawler, fifth corporal;
wounded April 30, 1864, at Saline
River, Arkansas.
James Garrett, sixtb corporal, en-
listed August 9; wounded at Sa-
line River, Arkansas, April 30,
1864; died May 22, 1865, at Lit-
Rock, Ark.
John T. Lain, seventh corporal, en-
listed August 7.
Joseph H. Riley, eighth corporal;
enlisted August 4; died January
2, 1863, at Columbus, Kentucky.
Ellington Sims, musician; enlisted
August 5, 1862.
William Irwin
August 10.
Henry J. Sumee, wagoner; enlisted
August 14.
PRIVATES.
Adams, Wilson, enlisted August 4.
Allan, William, enlisted August 9.
Beardsley, Robert B., enlisted Au-
gust 11 ; died December 31, 1862,
at St. Louis.
Boles, Levi M., enlisted August 14.
Brown, Stephen J., enlisted August
10.
Boon, Clark, enlisted August 14;
captured April 30, 1864, at Saline
River, Arkansas.
Brurabaek, Garrison, enlisted Au-
gust 4.
Campbell, Lewis, enlisted August 4.
Cunningham, John B., enlisted Au-
gust 14; transferred July 1, 1864,
to veteran reserve corps.
ffCabler, Daniel, enlisted August 7;
died January 3, 1863, at St. Louis.
musician; enlisted
520
Ourby,Abram K.,enlisted August 14.
Curbv, Jeremiah, enlisted August
14;" died November 26, 1862, at
Oskaloosa.
Cline. Jacob, enlisted Angnst 14.
Campbell, Joseph, enlisted Angnst 7.
Campbell, Wesley, enlisted August
7; died March's, 1863. at Helena.
Clark, Thomas J., enlisted August
10; died March 3, 1863, at Helena.
Dixon, John W., enlisted August 9.
Dixon, William T., enlisted August
9; wounded April 30, 1864, at Sa-
line River, Arkansas.
Doty, Ezra, enlisted August 10; dis-
charged March 1, 1863, for disa-
bility.
Dorman, Hiner, enlisted August 10;
wounded April 30, 1864, at Sa-
line River, Arkansas.
Decker, Elisha, enlisted' August 12;
died May 19, 1864, at Saline
; River, Arkansas.
Decker, Francis M., enlisted August
i 12.
Eaton, John C, enlisted August 10.
Eord, Urias C, enlisted August 12;
died February 25, 1863, at Helena,
Arkansas.
Fry, John, enlisted August 14.
Fry, David, enlisted August 7; died
June 23, 1863, at Heleua, Arkan-
sas.
Fish, William, enlisted August 11.
Goldthwait, Charles J., enlisted Au-
gust 10; promoted corporal;
wounded April 30,1864, at Saline
River; discharged May 22, 1865,
for disability.
Goldthwait, William, enlisted Au-
gust 10.
Holliday, Jerome, enlisted August
10; died August 1, 1863, at Mem-
phis.
Hennon, James, enlisted August 9.
Herr, William, enlisted September
1 ; died October 3, 1863, at Benton
Barracks.
Hoyt, William R., enlisted August
7; wounded April 30, 1864, at Sa-
line River, Arkansas.
Si
KEOKUK COUNTY WAR EECOED.
ffardenbrook, enlisted August 9. , '
Irons, Charles, enlisted August 7.
Irons, John, enlisted August 7.
Landreth, Harvey, enlisted August 9.
Lantry, [Lanby,] Thomas, enlisted
August 9; wounded and captured
April 30, 1864, at Saline River,
Arkansas.
Lakin, Thomas, enlisted Augnst 7.
Marling, George W., enlisted Au-
gust 9. ,
McCumbs, Benjamin M., enlisted
August 9; discharged February
14, 1863, for disability.
Mills, EUwood, enlisted August 14.
McOord, Alfred J., enlisted Angiist
5; disciiarged April 4, 1863, for
disability.
McNeil, Allen A
enlisted August
7; wounded April 30,1864, at Sa-
line River, Arkansas; died Sep-
tember 24, 1864, of wouuds, at
South English.
Nothlitch, Adelbert, enlisted Augnst
9-
Peck, Marion A., enlisted August
10; wounded April 30, 1864, at
Saline River, Arkansas; died Juno
6, 1864, at Princeton, while in the
hands of the enemy.
Parke, William J., enlisted August
10; wounded and captured April
30, 1864, at Saline River, Arkan-
sas.
Roland, Joseph M., enlisted Augnst
7: killed April 30, 1864, at Saline
River, Arkansas.
Rodman, William M., ellsted Au-
gust 9; wounded at Saline River,
Arkansas, April 30, 1864; died of
wounds January 6, 1864, at Prince-
ton, Arkansas, in the hands ot the
enemy.
Stephenson, Thomas, enlisted Au-
gust 10.
Simpsen, Thos., enlisted AugustlO,
Died at St. Louis December 15,
1«62.
Shanalelt, John W.. nativity Indi-
ana, enlisted August 9.
Suiter, Phillip, enlisted August 10.
KEOKtTK COTTHTT WAE EECOED.
521
Sbana.felt, John W., * nativity Ohio,
enlisted Auojust 10.
Shanafelt, Owen R., [K.] enlisted
August 5.
Scovill, William, enlisted August 7;
died December 28, 1862, at St.
Louis.
Smith, John Y., enlisted August 10;
discharged February 5, 1863, for
disability.
Smith, William H., enlisted August
9.
Smith, Aaron B., enlisted August
10; died January 24, 1864, at Keo-
kuk.
Smith, Phillip S., enlisted Novem-
ber 18; died December 20,1862,
at St. Louis.
Stokesburg, James H., enlisted Au-
gust 5 ; died December 29, 1862,
at St. Louis.
Sanders, Samuel R., enlisted Au-
gust 12.
Swails, Jacob, enlisted August 11.
Seaton, Oliver, enlisted August 5,
captured April 26, 1864, at Cam-
den, Arkansas.
Slate, Lorenzo, enlisted August 4.
Shaff, John, enlisted August 14;
wounded April 30, 1864, at Saline
river.
Tracy, Hezekia "W., enlisted Au-
gust 14.
Tate, Martin V., enlisted August 7.
Thomas, Milton, enlisted August 9;
died January 3, 1863, at St.
Louis.
Wandling, Jacob, enlisted August 9.
Ward, John, enlisted August 14.
Waltz, Benjamin F., enlisted Au-
gust 14.
Witherell, Chauncy, enlisted Au-
gust 7.
Wright, James H., enlisted August
5.
Wells, Bloomfield E.,enlisted August
9.
ADDITIONAL.
Compton, James D., enlisted De-
cember 17, 1863.
Campbell, Samuel, enlisted February
23, 1864; died August 30, 1864,
at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Curien, Yictor, enlisted March 29,
1864; died August 3, 1864, at
Little Rock.
Eaton, Marcus D.. enlisted February
22, 1864, transferred to thirty-
fourth infantry July 12, 1865.
Hildebrand, Samuel N., enlisted
March 29, 1864.
eLakin, John W , enlisted February
23, 1864; died October 10, 1864,
at Little Rock.
McNeil, O. P., enlisted February
19, 1864; wounded April 30, 1864,
at Saline River; died April 4, 1865,
at Fort Gaines, Alabama.
Nyswaner, David, enlisted February
19, 1863; died September 19, 1864,
at Little Rock.
Thompson, Lloyd P., enlisted March
29, 1864.
Wandling, Jacob A., enlisted De-
cember 11,1863.
COMPANIES UNKNOWN.
The following enlistments were made in this regiment, but the compa-'
nies are not reported :
GriflFen, Harlen, enlisted March 7,
1864.
Gow, Jefferson, enlisted February
19, 1864.
Athey, George, enlisted February
19, 1864.
Brun8on,William D., enlisted Febru-
9, 1864.
* The name of George W. Shanafelt appears among the casualities as killed at Saline
]Biver, April 30, 1864, out his name doeg not appear among the enlisfmentti, and it is prob-
atily an error, and 8hoald properly refer to one of the men enliuted as John W, Shana-
felt.
622
KEOKITK OOtTNTT WAE KECOED.
Gilmore, Thomas, enlisted February
23, 1864.
Hughes, George H., enlisted Feb-
ruary 23, 1864.
Hardestry, Samuel E., enlisted March
7, 1864.
Jones, "William H., enlisted Decem-
ber 9, 1863.
Long, George W., enlisted March 3,
1864.
Larimore, John, enlisted February
23, 1864.
McAdams, Edwin J., enlisted Feb-
rury 27, 1864.
Wait Eeuben, enlisted February 27,
1864.
FOETIETH INFANTKY.
This regiment was mustered into service, at Iowa City, November 15,
1862, and immediately moved to Columbus, Kentucky, arriving on the'
18th, where it remained during the winter, until March 3, 1863, when it
moved to Paducah. May 31, by order ef General Grant, the regiment
was ordered to Vicksbnrg. It reached Sartatia, on the Yazoo river, June
4, and during the siege of Vicksburg it was stationed in the vicinity of
Haine's Blufts. It did not meet the enemy in battle, but it encountered a
more deadly foe in the disease-laden waters of Yazoo river. Its fifty daya
service there was the worst in all its history. It next moved to Helena,
arriving there July 26, and after a short rest, joined General Steele's for-
ces against Little Kock. Reduced by malarial disease as was the regement,
this march told fearfully on their weakened constitutions; and of the six
hundred men who started, only two hundred and fifty reported for duty on
the morning of the entry into Little Rock. The regiment remained at
Little Rock until the spring of 1864, when it moved with Steele's forces
on the Camden expedition, and in the great battle of the campaign, at
Jenkin's Ferry, the regiment distinguished itself, though for some reason
it was divided, and only companies H, E, K and G were engaged, and for
four hours without relief, in the hottest of the fight, they held their ground
and covered themselves with renown. They remembered the little speech
made to them in the morning by Colonel J. A. Garrett, typical of the man,
and his confidence in the men. Said he :
" Boys ! we will probably have a little fight. Remember your own good
name, and the fair fame of the glorious young State which sent you to the
field. Don't tarnish it. Do you see that flag 1 Follow and defend it I
Don't shoot at the sky; there are no rebels up there. That climate doeS
not suit them. Aim low, and send them where they belong. That's all."
The regiment remained at Little Rock until the following February,
when, in response to a request of Brigadier-General Bussey to the war de-
partment to send him a first-rate regiment, the Fortieth was ordered to Ft.
Smith, as what he wanted. It was subsequently sent to Ft. Gibson, where
it remained until mustered out, August 2, 1865.
The casualties were: killed, 19; died, 173; discharged for disease, 140;
total, 332 enlisted men. Of ofiicers : 3 killed; 3 dismissed; 29 resigned;
total, 35.
COMPANY C.
Michael M. Rice, first sergeant ; en-
listed August 14; promoted sec-
ond lieutenant June 20, 1863 ; first
lieutenant March 27, 1864; cap-
tain January 15, 1865.
Leathers, Jefferson, enlisted Decem-
ber 22, 1864.
KEOKUK OOUNTT WAE RECORD.
523
COMPANY I.*
EHsha Sampson, enlisted August 20;
discharged March 19, 1864.
DeWitt C. Baker, iirst lieutenant;
enlisted August 20; promoted
captain March 20, 1864:; resigned
December 20, 1864.
James W. Ward, second lieutenant;
enlisted August 20; promoted
first lieutenant March 20, 1864;
vaptured at Moro Creek, Arkan-
sas, April 25, 1864; promoted
captain December 21, 1864; died
at New Orleans December 24,
1864.
James P. A. Lewis, second sergeant;
, enlisted August 12.
Isaac H. Dempsey, third sergeant;
enlisted August 12; promoted
second lieutenant March 20, 1864;
captain January 14, 1865.
David A. Stockman, fourth ser-
geant; enlisted August 12; dis-
charged October 4, 1874, for disa-
bility.
John A. Fritzler, fifth sergeant; en-
listed August 12; died March
25. 1863, at Columbus, Kentucky.
John J. Wade, first corporal; en-
listed August 12; wounded April
10. 1864, at Prairie d'Anne, Ar-
kansas; died April 15, of wounds,
near Camden, Arkansas.
John Whitcomb, second corporal;
enlisted August 12.
Franklin Connelly, fourth corporal;
enlisted August 12; died January
1, 1863, at Columbus, Kentucky.
Ackiey C. Seaman, fifth corporal;
. enlisted August 12.
John Bowen. sixth corporal; enlist-
ed August 12; discli.arged May 5,
1863, at Paducah, Kentucky.
Elijah Twiggs, seventh corporal ; en-
listed August 15.
Allen J. Snider, musician; enlisted
August 12.
William A. York, musician; en-
listed August 12.
PRIVATES.
Anderson, Jesse L., enlisted August
12; wounded April 10, 1864, at
Prairie d'Anne, Arkansas.
Abraham, Wilson, enlisted August
12.
Burton, William M., enlisted Aug-
ust 12.
Brown, Joseph, enlisted August 12.
Brown, Thomas E., enlisted August
14.
Bradley, Cyrus N., enlisted August
12.
Bowen, George, enlisted August 12.
Bowen, William Gr., enlisted August
12; died February 4, 1864, at Lit-
tle Rock.
Bowen, Alonzo, enlisted August 12.
Bonham, Harvey A., enlisted Aug-
ust 15.
Black, Wm. P., enlisted August 12.
Carlisle, Daniel H., enlisted Novem-
ber 26.
Cochrane, John L., enlisted August
12.
Casey, James, enlisted August 12.
Cook, Jefferson, enlisted August 15.
Cecil, John, enlisted August 15.
Dill, Samuel, enlisted August 15.
Dill, John W., enlisted August 12;
discharged June 17, 1864, for dis-
ability.
Dill, John C, enlisted August 12;
died August 30, 1863, at Mem-
phis.
Dixon, Wm., enlisted August 12.
Dunlap, Samuel BL., enlisted August
15.
Dunlap, Eli, enlisted August 15;
discharged April 20, 1864, for dis-
ability.
Dickerson, Lorenzo, enlisted August
15.
Ellis, William, enlisted August 12.
Feaster, James, enlisted August 12;
died September 20, 1863, at Mem-
phis.
Forgrave, Lyman W., enlisted Au-
gust 12.
* Enlisted in 1862, unless otherwise stated.
524
KEOKtrK OOrHTr WAE EECOJRD.
Gregory, EH, enlisted August 15.
Goss, James G., enlisted August 12.
Gi'iffin, S. S. v., enlisted Decembei*
6.
Gray, Joseph D., enlisted August
15.
Grimsly, Abram M., enlisted August
14.
GrifEn, James R., enlisted August
15.
Hinkle, Philip, enlisted August 15;
died April 6, 1863, at Columbus,
Ky.
Hasty, John, enlisted August 12.
Hewett, Ebenezer C, enlisted Au-
gust 12.
Hewett, Alexander, enlisted August
12.
Itel, John J., enlisted August 15;
wounded while on guard acci-
dentally; discharged for wounds
March 20, 1863.
Jones, Win. A., enlisted August 12.
Lewis, Thomas, enlisted August 14.
Mills, Berry M., enlisted August 12.
Morgan, Nathan, enlisted August
12.
Overton, John J., enlisted August
15; discharged May 23, 1863, for
disability.
Purkeypile, Nelson, enlisted August
15. '
Pauley, Jeremiah, enlisted August
IP.
Perkins, Elisha, enlisted August 15.
Keed, Hugh, enlisted August 15.
Rash. William W., enlisted August
14.'
Runyan, Moses, enlisted August 14;
transferred to veteran reserve corps
January 10, 1865.
Ratnsey, Jacob T., enlisted August
14.
Ramsey, Andrew J., enlisted Au-
gust 13.
Ryan, Wm. H., enlisted August 12.
Rosel, Hiram, enlisted August 12.
Sampson, Joiin L., enlisted August
12.
Seaman, Benj., enlisted August 15;
promoted tirst lieutenant January
14j 1865, from first sergeant.
Stonght, William A., enlisted Au-
gust 12; discharged March 22,
1863, for disability.
Shockley, Benj. E., enlisted August
12; died January 9, 1863, at Co-
lumbus, Ky.
Smith, William H., enlisted August
15.
Triggs, Isaac, enlisted August 12. .
Triggs, Hiram G., [S.] enlisted Au-
gust 12.
Urie, John, enlisted August 12.
Urie, William, enlisted August 14.
Waddell, Hiram S., enlisted August
15; discharged March 20, 1863,
for disability.
Whistler, Martin V., enlisted August
15; drowned in Arkansas river,
January 17, 1865.
Waddell, Winton, enlisted August
12.
Worly, Wm. B., enlisted August 14.
York, Elias H., enlisted August 12L.
York William T., enlisted August
12.
Yule, George, enlisted August 12;
promoted second lieutenant Jan-
uary 14, 1865, from first sergeant.
ADDITIONAL.
Bailey, Somerset W., enlisted Octo^
ber 29, 1864.
Barley, Daniel, enlisted September
12, 1864.
Carlisle, William, enlisted December
26,1863.
Ca^e, Benjamin H., enlisted Novem-
ber 4, 1864.
Cox, Daniel W., enlisted February
11, 1864; discharged June 17,
1864, for disability.
Feaster, John N., enlisted January
4, 1864.
Gregory, William H., enlisted Jan-
uary 4, 1864.
Hewett, Cassius M., enlisted Jan-
uary 4, 1864.
Lathrop, James F., enlisted January
4, 1864.
Nass, Fredrick, enlisted December
21, 1863.
KEOKUK COUKTT WAE EECOED.
52S
Uelson, Francis M., enlisted Novem-
ber 2, 1864.
Nortlinp, Stephen M., enlisted Jan-
nary 28, 1864.
Eicb, Liberty J., enlisted March 31,
1864.
Bay, Manning, enlisted March 31,
1864.
Koberts, Samnel S., enlisted Jan-
nary 2, 1864; transferred to Co.
B., wounded April 3, and cap-
tured April 26, 1864, at Camden,
Ark.
Smith, John J., enlisted March 31,
1864.
Wareham, George O., enlisted Jan-"
nary 4, 1864; died January 6,
1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
Watts, John, enlisted January 4,
1864.
Warrington, John H., enlisted Jan-
uary 4, 1864.
FOETT-FOURTH INFANTRY.
(one HUNDEED DATS.)
This regiment was organized under proclamation of the president, April
21, 1864, calling for one hundred thousand men to serve for one hundred
days, in fortifications, or wherever their services might be required. This
was for the purpose of relieving the veteran troops from such duty, that
they might be sent forward for more effective service. Under proclamation
of the governor, four days later, the valient people of the State responded
promptly to till the quota of ten thousand demanded of them, although far'
ahead of all requisitions made by the government.
Keokuk county, although having furnished men largely in excess of her
quota, responded promptly, and was represented in two regiments, the
Forty-fourth, and forty-seventh. Although they were engaged in no battles
they did effective service in closing up the war. The Forty-fourth was
mustered in in June, 1864, and mustered out at Davenport, September 15,
1864.
The casualities were one; died of disease.
COMPANY E.
Harmon, William P., enlisted May
22.
Hervey, John R., enlisted May 14. I
]!l(Iorgan, George E., enlisted May
13; promoted to third sergeant
June 20, 1864.
McCartney, William F., enlisted
May 14.
FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
The Forty-seventh was enlisted for one hundred days. Mustered in June
4, 1864, and went to Helena, Arkansas.
Keokuk county was represented in the field and staff officers to- wit.
Sanford, Harned, quartermaster, promoted to captain and assistant
quartermaster of volunteers, June 30, 1864.
Emanuel Laffer, quartermaster sergeant; promoted quartermaster August
23, 1864.
COMPANY H.
Harrison E. Havens, captain, en-
listed May 14.
thereon A. Morgan, first lieutenant,
enlisted May 14.
William J.Gaston,second lieutenant,
enlisted May 9.
526
KEOKUK COUNTY WAS BEOOED.
Daniel P. Havens, first sergeant, en-
listed May 14.
Richard B. Jackson, second ser-
geant, enlisted May 14.
James L. Hampton, third sergeant,
enlisted May 9.
George Prouty, fourth sergeant, en-
listed May 14.
Francis M. Godfrey, fifth sergeant,
. enlisted May 9.
William Tooper, first corporal, en-
listed May 14.
Ezra P. Brokaw, second corporal
enlisted May 14.
Amos Flucky, third corporal, en-
listed May 14.
Anderson J. Bailey, fourth corporal
enlisted May 14.
David Welch, fifth corporal, en-
listed May 9.
Michael H. McLean, seventh cor-
poral eulisted May 14.
Justin H. Irwin, muscician, enlisted
May 14.
Silas Garrett, wagoner, enlisted May
14.
PRIVATES.
Andrews, Thomas F., enlisted May
14, died at Helena, Arkansas, Au-
gust 4, 1864.
Alkire, Joseph, enlisted May 14.
Ardery, Lorimer W., enlisted May
14.
Bennett, Charles H., enlisted May
9.
Clark, Eobt. W., enlisted May 14.
Clark, Thomas J., enlisted May 14.
Crocker, Thomas H., enlisted May
14.
Fulton, John W., enlisted May 14.
Fosdick, Oscar, enlisted May 14.
Gray, Thomas P., enlisted May 14.
Goeldner, Wm. J., enlisted May 14.
Graves, Jesse P., enlisted May 9.
Hieks, William, enlisted May 14;
died in hospital in Davenport
September 23, 1864.
Heider, Augustus, enlisted May 14.
Harbison, John H., enlisted May
14.
Hopper, John H., enlisted May 9.
Heninger, John Wesley, enlisted
May 9.
Kennedy, James, enlisted May 14.
Layton, Hiram, enlisted May 9.
Laffer, Emanuel, enlisted May 14;
promoted quartermaster sergeant
June 17, 1864.
McCampbell, Thomas D., enlisted
May 14.
McKenzie, William, enlisted May
12.
Mackey, James W., enlisted May
14.
Merryfield, William J., enlisted May
9.
Martin, William A., enlisted May
9.
Nelson, Jonathan M., enlisted May
14. .
Orndorff, William A., enlisted May
9.
Proctor, George, enlisted May 14;
died at Keokuk October 1, 1864.
Pringle, Thomas J., enlisted May
12.
Keagan, John I„ enlisted May 14.
Ronels, Charles, enlisted May 14.
Eeilley, Owen, enlisted May 9.
Robertson, Ebenezer P., enlisted
May 14; promoted commissary
sergeant June 17, 1864.
Storms, Perry, enlisted May 14.
Stokesberry, Isaac, enlisted May
14; died in hospital at Helena,
Arkansas, August 18, 1864.
Smith, John, enlisted May 14.
Spencer, Charles L., eulisted May 9.
Sanderland, John W., enlisted May
9.
Linsley, Jacob, enlisted May 14.
Wright, Beeny H., enlisted May 14.
Wymer, Solomon, enlisted May 14.
Wi'ight, George D., enlisted May
14.
Way, Cyrus, enlisted May 14.
Yearick, Albert S., enlisted May 14.
KEOKTTK COUNTY WAE EECOBD. 527
FIEST CAVALRY.
The First Cavalry Regiment raised, and tendered to the government, by
joint resolution of the State legislature, at the extra session, was in the
spring of 1861. It was accepted June 13, 1861, making it the oldest vol-
unteer regiment in the service. It was ordered to Benton Barracks, St
Louis, October 15, 1861, and immediately after to the interior of the State,
to look after guerrillas who infested that section. From November of that
year, to the following March, the regiment was constantly on the move,
and no regiment did greater service or covered more territory. So
brilliant, qaick and effective were their movements, the guerrillas soon gave
them a wide berth wherever they went. In March, 1862, it was ordered to
Sedalia, and for several months was divided into small detachments, scour-
_ ing the country. July 9th the noted guerrilla chief, Qnantrell, was met in
Cass county, and after a severe, sharp and short contest, he took to the
brush, from which he was quickly driven out. In August it returned to
Sedalia, and was frequently sent out, at night, making long and rapid
dashes. In December, at Prairie Grove, it showed its fighting qualities,
under great disadvantages. December 27th, it started with the expedition
of General Blunt, to Van Buren, Arkansas, and participated in its capture
on the 28th, when it returned to Prairie Grove, The year 1863 was but a
repetition of the first year. The presence Of the regiment will be remem-
bered at Huntsville, Dry Fork, Crooked Creek, Kingston, Yellville, Finley
Fork, Mountain Grove, Pilot Knob and Jackson, the latter being the cele-
brated midnight attack April 26, 1863. In June, 1863, it was supplied with
new and improved equipment, and joined the Little Rock expedition. Up
to that date, scarcely two men were equipped alike, but each had what he
could get, from a musket to a pocket pistol. At Bayou Metoe, it, as a
whole regiment, first engaged the enemy, and, as usual, was in the front,
and made a most successful charge. November and December was
{)assed at Little Rock, doing post duty, meanwhile executing several bril-
iant skirmishing movements, in one of which 260 men suddenly came
upon the enemy, in strong position, near Princeton, 800 strong. With a
dash, they were routed, and several captured. This closed the work of
1863, and early in 1864 they were entitled to a veteran furlough, but, waiv-
ing the right, joined Steele's command, on the Camden expedition, which
was, owing to the rigor of winter, a severe one. It engaged the enemy at
Spoonville March SO; at Antoine, April 2, in a five miles' running fight;
at Little Missouri River, April 4, routing Price's army. Arriving at Cam-
den, it was accorded the honor of being first to enter. Here the regiment
took its furlough, sold their horses, but retained their arms. They marched
to that point, and by way of diversion, assisted in scooping the enemy at
Jenkin's Ferry, April 30. The non-veterans remained at Little Rock.
The veterans came home, arriving May 17. June 30 found them again on
the war path, and at Benton Barracks they were again mounted, and, July
27, sent to Mexico and other points, operating against Price until Decem-
ber, when they went to Little Rock, where they sconted until February 20,
1865, when they moved to Memphis, to operate against Forest's guerrillas,
meeting them successfully at Tallahatchie. Tiiey remained at Memphis
until the Confederacy Collapsed, when they were ordered to join General
Custer, at Alexandria, La., and started August 8. The regiment will prob-
ably never forget this movement. They were shamefully treated.
528
KEOKtrK COTJNTT WAB EECOKD.
General Cnster, by his infamous general order No. 15, inherited the
lasting hate of the entire regiment. The regiment arrived at Hem pfetead
Angrist 26, without rations, barefooted and nearly naked, few blankets and
no supplies. While there, says Lieutenant-Colonel McQueen, the regi-
ment put in its time vainly ".endeavoring to obey a series of voluminous,,
threatening and conflicting orders, general and special, and individual in-
structions, with as as little prospect of success as an attempt to make a
rope of sand." General Custer treated the regiment as though they were
a gang of thieves and desperadoes. Three days after arriving at Hemp-
stead, five days' rations were given them, consisting of hogs' jowles, orna-
mented with tusks five inches long, and hard bread, spiced with maggots^
Those who had money, in violation of order 15, and at the risk of condign
puishment, purchased food, while those who had no money robbed the half-
starved horses of their small pittance of poor corn. To complete the infamy
of order 15, all mail matter was ordered sent through the oflice of the Provost
Marshal for that district. General Custer probably being assured that the
men would resist such treatment, and it is a significant fact that the regi-
ment received no mail while thiere. But they found a way to the ear of the
authorities at Washington, and the infamous orders were revoked. Octo-
ber 29 the regiment moved to Austin, where it was permitted to behave
like soldiers and gentlemen. Here they remained while in the service, go-
ing out in detachments, to preserve order, protect the courts, and aid in re-
constructing the machinery of the Federal government. The regiment had
during its service, four different colonels, Fitz Henry Warren, James Otis
Gower, Daniel Anderson, William Thompson. It was mustered out Feb-
ruary 15, 1866, at Austin, Texas, and disbanded at Davenport, March 13,
having been five years in service, with the record of being equal in disci-
pline and drill to the best " regulars."
The casualties of the regiment were; Among the oiBcers, killed in ac-
tion, 1; died, 3; discharged for disability, 1; wounded, 4; resigned, 34;
dismissed, 3; total, 46. Among enlisted men, killed, 42; died, 212; dis-
charged, 203; wounded, 84; missing, 2; total, 543.
Keokuk county was represented in the field and staff officers, to-wit:
John A. Landis, battallion quartermaster.
John A. Donnell, quartermaster sergeant and adjutant.
Kobert T. Newell, hospital steward and commissary.
COMPANY 1.
David 0. Dinsmore, first lieutenant;
enlisted June 13; promoted cap-
tain August 26, 1862; mustered
out September 9, 186t.
Amos Dilley, first sergeant; enlisted
July 18; promoted first lieuten-
ant August 26, 1862; captain Jan-
uary 9, 1865; veteranized January
4, 1864.
William D. Malone, quartermaster
sergeant, enlisted July 18, re-
duced to ranks.
Samuel E. Hoyne, third sergeant;
enlisted July 18; reduced to ranks
October 1, 1861.
Benj. F. Crocker, fourth sergeant;
enlisted July 18; promoted second
sergeant, September 1, 1862, and
commissary sargeant December
11, 1862.
Thomas C. Moore, second corporal;
enlisted July 18.
Samuel Street, third corporal; en-
listed July 18; reduced to ranks
December 10, 1861.
KEOKUK COUNTT WAE EECOKD.
52^
Matthew Hawk, fifth corporal; en-
> listed July 18; reduced to ranks
at his own request; died March
23, 1862, at Clinton, Missouri.
Hlrain Holier, enlisted July 18; re-
ported sixth corporal, but proba-
bly should be sergeant; died Oc-
tober 13, 1863, at Little Eock,
Arkansas.
Moses Miller, eight corporal; en-
listed July 18; reduced to ranks
at his own request; October 15,
1861 ; veteranized January 4, 1864.
Edward F. Parish, farrier; enlisted
July 18; discharged May 24,
1862, for disability.
PRIVATES.
Bottorf. David C, enlisted June 13;
promoted eighth corporal Septem-
ber 1, 1862; died March 23, 1864,
at Keokuk; veteranized Januaiy
1, 1864.
Donncll, Samuel H., enlisted July
18.
Donnell, Kobert L., enlisted July
18.
I)alton, George W., enlisted July
18; veteranized December 9, 1863.
Hampton, James J., enlisted July
18; discharged March 12, 1862,
for disability.
Hawk, Ezra, enlisted Jnly 18.
Hawk, Washington, enlisted Jnly
18; veteranized January 1, 1864.
Hawk, Andrew, enlisted July 18;
veteranized December 9, 1 863.
Horton, Tyrus, enlisted July 18;
promoted seventh corporal Decem-
ber 26, 1862.
HoUingsworth, Absolom, enlisted
; veteranized January 1, 1864.
HoUingsworth, Benjamin, enlisted
; wounded, date unknown,
discharged in 1863 for disability.
Jacobs, James W., enlisted July 18;
transferred August 20, 1863, to
invalid corps.
Johnson, Cornelius S., enlisted Aug-
ust 16, 1862; veteranized January
1, 1864.
Johnson, Andrew J., enlisted July
18; wounded at Silver Creek, Mis-
souri, January 8, 1862; veteran-
ized January 1, 1864.
Landis, John A., enlisted June 13;:
battalion quartermaster October 7,
1861; mustered out as ex-lieuten-
ant October 15, 1862.
Lotspeich, Hosea F , enlisted June
13; promoted eighth corporal Oc-
tober 15, 1861.
Lynn, Harrison C, enlisted Jnly 18.
Leach, John J., enlisted July 18;
wounded March 18, 1862, near
Clinton, Missouri.
Leach, William T., enlisted July 18,
Mallonee, William A., enlisted July
18.
Newell, Robert T., enlisted Augnsfc
19; promoted fifth sergeant Aug-
ust 19, 1861; to quartermaster-
sergeant September 1, 1861; re-
duced to ranks at his own request
December 11, 1862.
Powell, Zepheniah, enlisted June
13; died September 21, 1863, at
Little Rock, Arkansas.
Parrish, Alonzo, enlisted June 13;
veteranized December 9, 1863.
Petree, William, enlisted June 13,
Rentfro, Wm. S., enlisted June 13;
promoted seventh corporal Sep-
tember 1, 1862; reduced to raufca
at his own request December 19,
1862.
Raser, Martin, enlisted June 13.
Sisson, Samuel T., enlisted June 13;
veteranized December 9, 1863.
Smith, Thomas T., enlisted June 13.
Williams, Nelson, enlisted June 13.
Williams, Melviu L., enlisted June
13.
Young, John A. enlisted June 13.
ADDITIONAL.
Bottorf, Wilson K., enlisted August
16, 1862; appointed teamster.
Braden, John S., enlisted August
16, 1862.
Street, W. E., enlisted August 16>
1862; appointed saddler.
530 KEOKUK COUNTT WAE EEOOBD.
Williams, "Wm. "W., enlisted August
16, 1862; died November 16,
1863.
Dougherty, William, enlisted Feb-
ruary 3, 1864; company not re-
ported.
Love, John B., enlisted February 3,
1864; company not reported.
SEVENTH CAVALRY.
The Seventh Cavalry was organized in the spring of 1863, rendez-
voused at Davenport, and on tlie 27th was divided and six companies
took their first experience in the field by a march across the State from
Davenport to Omaha, and from thence were sent to various posts in the.
Territory of Nebraska. On the 5th of September the two remaining com-
panies were sent to Omaha, and from that time the entire service of the
regiment was spent on the frontier, at difi«rent points in that vast stretch
of country from Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains, fighting and chas-
ing Indians — an arduous if not dangerous duty. To give a history of the
regiment would necessitate a record of each company, for the regiment
never moved in a body — in fact, was never together as a whole. It was
scattered in detachments, who took part in every expedition against Indi-
ans in the departments of Missouri, Kansas and the Northwest, from 1863
to the fall of 1865, and fought wholly or in part the battles of White Stone
Hill, Tahkahokutah, Bad Lands, Little Blue, Julesburg, Mud Springs and
Rush Creek. Keokuk county was represented in Companies A, C and D.
Companies A and C took a tilt with five hundred Cheyennes •on Little
Blue River, August 12, 1864, fighting from eleven o'clock in the forenoon
until seven in the evening, with a loss of only two men. The distance
traveled by the company from its organization to February 28, 1865, was
five thousand three hundred miles.
Company C remained at Nebraska City until May 5, 1864, and was em-
ployed in hunting bushwhackers, murderers and horse thieves. It next
moved to Cottonwood Springs, where August 31, it joined an expedition
against the Indians at Plumb Creek and returned in September, having
marched over one thousand miles. While the company were abseut, the
garrison at the Springs were surprised by Indians, and two men of oom-
Sany C were killed. January 21, 1865, the company was ordered to guard
ieauvois Station, eighty-five miles west of Cottonwood. It was employed
in scouting, escorting ovei-land stages, guarding stage stations, etc.
Company D went to Fort Lirataie, thence to Fort Halleck, whence
December 8, 1864, returned to Fort Laramie, and went into garrison for
scouting, etc.; February 8 was engaged with Indians at Mud Springs, and
on the 9th at Rush Creek, I. T., in which one man of the company was
killed and two wounded. June 11, 1865, the company, with a small de-
tachment from, A and B, in all 135 men, were detailed to escort about
2,000 Sioux to Julesburg, with their lodges and families. On the morning
of the 14th, near Fort Mitchell, the Indians revolted, and Capt. Fouts was
shot, and his body stripped and mntilated. The Indians finally all fled to
the hills and bluffs, leaving their lodges and loose plunder.
January 6, 1866, companies A, C, D, I and H, constituting the second
battalion, with two other battalions, left Fort McPherson (Cottonwood
Post) on an expedition against hostile Indians, returning after a severe and
long march to the post February 19, and the following day the expedition
disbanded. When it is considered that the men had already served out
KEOKUK COUNTY WAB IeECOED,
631
their full time; that this expedition was through a wild and unsettle(i
conntry, amid the rigor of the severest weather known on the plains, with
subsistence short, the men deserve, as they received, the highest commen-
dation from commanding ofiBcers and the war department. They did
their duty well and won the title of " Hiowa 'ell 'ounds " among the pre-
datory enemies of the settlers on the frontier.
The regiment was not formally mustered out, but was disbanded in de-
tacshments. Companies A to K were mustered out at Leavenworth, May
17, 1866. It had became decimated as to lose its regimental organization.
In fact its colonel was not with the regiment for nearly a year before it was
disbanded, having been mustered out January 31, 1865. The casualties
were: Killed. 145; died, 101; discharged, 246; wounded, 8. Of enlisted
men and of officers: killed, 2; resigned, 15; dismissed, 6.
COMPANY A.
James Gr. Smith, second lieutenant;
enlisted September 12, 1862; pro-
moted first lieutenant July 25,
1863; resigned October 9, 1865.
James Quick, third sergeant; en-
listed September 30, 1862; dis-
charged January 25, 1864, for dis-
ability.
Jeremiah Webb, second corporal;
enlisted September 18, 1862.
George H. Smith, fifth corporal; en-
listed October 10, 1862.
PEITATE8.
Adams, Wm. H., enlisted October
1, 1862.
Babb, James, enlisted October 1,
1862.
Gibson, James, enlisted October 25,
1862.
Hand, Lemuel, enlisted March 1,
1863,
Kauble, Wm. F., enlisted September
22, 1862.
Martin, Reuben J., enlisted October
25, 1862.
Martin, John H., enlisted October
9,1862.
Porter, Andrew J., enlisted Septem-
ber 15, 1862.
Parnell, Edward, enlisted October
26, 1862.
Petree, Samuel, enlisted September
22, 1862.
Rice, George L., enlisted October
28, 1862.
Eoland, William, enlisted February
24, 1863.
Smith, Daniel B., enlisted March 4,
1863.
Smith, George K., enlisted Septem-
ber 25, 1862.
COMPANY C.
Clingan, Gustavus A., enlisted April
11,1863.
COMPANY D.
Jeremiah H. Triggs, second lienten-
tenant; enlisted November 10,
1862; declined commission, but
promoted first lieutenant August
24, 1864; promoted captain June
26, 1865, but declined the com-
mission.
Jacob Irwin, fifth sergeant; enlisted
January 3, 1863.
Justus Skeen, second corporal; en-
listed January 1, 1863; promoted
first corporal June 8, 1863.
Irvin Crowner, fourth corporal; en-
listed January 1, 1863; promoted
third corporal June 8, 1863; died
at Fort Kearney, Neb., January 8,
or February 11, 1864.
George W. Oorpron, farrier, enlisted
November 21, 1862.
John Snyder, farrier; enlisted Jan-
uary 1, 1863.
PBIVATES.
Sales, Noah J., enlisted December
11, 1862.
532
KEOKUK COUNTY WAE EEOOED.
Danglierty, Alexander, enlisted De-
cember 16, 1862.
Moore, Leinan, enlisted December
16, 1862.
Moore, David D., enlisted Novem-
ber 23, 1862.
Powell, Joseph W., enlisted January
26, 1863.
Rowan, Geo. W., enlisted Decem-
ber 24, 1862.
Smith, Barclay, enlisted January 5,
1863.
Snyder, Edson, enlisted January 1,
i863.
"Wood, Joel W., enlisted January
24, 1863.
Wymer, Sylvester, enlisted Novem-
ber 21. 1862.
COMPANY H.
Bennett, Elisha W., enlisted June
23, 1863.
Berry, Thomas J., enlisted June 10,
1863.
Reynolds, Joseph H., enlisted June
10, 1863.
NINTH CAVALRY.
The Ninth Cavalry Regiment was organized in the fall of 1863, and
mustered in at Davenport, November 30, and was represented by nearly
■every county in the State. It was moved to Benton Barracks, where it re-
mained until April 14th, when it started for Little Rock. Its field of
«ervice was in Arkansas and its most active service was when Steele was in a
«tate of siege at Little Rock. It was engaged in frequent short, sharp
skirmishes. It took no part in the great battles of the war, still it per-
formed two years' laborious and gallant service. It marched over two
thousand miles, moved by steamboat and rail seventeen hundred miles,
and, in scouting over eight thousand miles. It lost one hundred and sixty-
four men by sickness and fifteen by wounds. It was mustered out at Little
Roc-k, in detachments, in February and March, 1866.
Keokuk county was represented in companies D and K.
COMPANY D.
Dani«l Davis, second sergeant; en-
listed August 12, 1863; promoted
second lieutenant, January 23,
1866, but not mustered, and was
mustered out as first sergeant.
Tliomas L. Elliott, fourth sergeant;
enlisted August 12, 1863; served
one year in company G, sixth iii-
fantry.
Hartin H. Hoyt, third corporal; en-
listed September 9, 1863; served
eleven months in company E,
tenth infantry.
James M. Davis, seventh corporal;
enlisted Octol)er 27. 1863.
;Samuel Nordyke, saddler; enlisted
September 20, 1863.
PRIVATES.
Coats, John W., enlisted August 8,
1863.
Cramton, Caleb, enlisted Septem-
ber 10, 1863.
Disor, James W., enlisted Septem-
ber 10, 1863.
Kinzer, Adam, enlisted August 20,
1863.
Nordyke, David O., enlisted August
31, 1864.
"White, T. J., enlisted August 12,
1863.
COMPANY I.
Haycock, George A., enlisted Sep-
tember 22, 1863.
KEOKUK COTJNTT WAE BECOED.
533
COMPANY K.
Joseph H.ShawhaD, captain; former-
ly first lieutenant cooipany B,
thirty-third infantry.
Jacob A. Lowe, first sergeant; en-
listed October 10, 1863; promoted
second lieutenant May 1, 1864:;
first lieutenant March 9, 11565.
Benj. R. Hogin, fourth sergeant; en-
listed September 20, 1863.
Alexander Trotter, fifth sergeant;
enlisted October 10, 1863.
J. B. Shollenbarger, sixth sergeant;
enlisted October 10, 1863: served
one year in company F, fifth in-
fantry.
Zaciiariah T. Harned, first corporal;
enlisted October 10, 1863.
Epiiraim Cochran, seventh corporal;
; enlisted October 10, 1863; served
fourteen months in company H,
second infantry.
Enssell G. Ferguson, trumpeter; en-
listed October 10, 1863.
Wm. F. Hanes, farrier; enlisted
October 26, 1863.
PRIVATES.
Allen, Thomas, enlisted October 10,
1863.
Allen, Abel D., enlisted October 10,
1863.
Burns, James, enlisted October 10,
1868; died Jnly 23, 1864, at Du
Vall's Bluffs, Arkansas.
Brittain. Wm. P., enlisted October
10, 1863.
Baldwin, Jacob B., enlisted October
10, 1863; transferred to invalid
corps, May 15, 186i.
Ball, John W., enlisted October 24,
1863.
Booton, "Wm. S., enlisted November
5, 1863; disciiarged August 19,
1864, for disability.
Booton Alexander, enlisted Novem-
ber 5, 1863.
Clarahan, John, enlisted October 10,
1863.
Cochran, David N., enlisted Octo-
ber 10, 1863; discharged Jnne 13,
1864, for disability.
Cross, Wm. P., enlisted November
9, 1863.
Duiilap, James V., enlisted October
10, 1863.
Ellison, George, enlisted October 17,
1863.
Fislier, Abram C, enlisted Octo-
ber 10, 1863.
Fowler, Henry, enlisted November
5, 1863.
Harvey, James H., enlisted October
10, 1863.
Harvey, Charles D., enlisted Novem-
ber 9, 1863.
Hartzell, Wm. C, enlisted October
16, 1863.
Hinman, Alonzo, enlisted October
25, 1863.
Jones, Alexander, enlisted Octo-
ber 28, 1863; died January 24,
1864 at St. Louis.
Jessup, John, enlisted October 17,
1863.
Knox, Milton, enlisted October 19,
1863; discharged March 7, 1864,
for disability.
Kirkpatrick. Joseph H., enlisted
November 1, 1863.
Larimore, James F., enlisted Octo-
ber 10, 1863.
Mantz, Moses A., enlisted October
10, 1863.
Meeker, Washington S., enlisted
October 28, 1863; died September
24, 1864, at Keokuk.
McCreery, Landy, enlisted October
23, 1863.
Ord, Jonathan C, enlisted October
10, 1863.
Pan 11, Benj. B., enlisted September
17, 1863.
Pfenbecker, Henry, enlisted October
4, 1863.
Reynolds, James, enlisted October
10, 1863.
Sprague, Eli, enlisted October 10,
1863.
Shipman, Tliomas B., enlisted Octo-
ber 10, 1863.
534
KEOKUK COTJNTT WAE KECOED.
Smith, Hamilton, enlisted October
10, 1863.
Smith. Sylvanus, enlisted October
10, i86'3.
Sutton, James A., enlisted October
23, 1863.
Tilton, George W., enlisted October
10, 1863.
COMPANY M.
P. S. Coleman, wagoner; enlisted
August 31, 1863; died August?,
1864, at DuYall's Bluffs, Arkan-
sas.
PEIVATE8.
Hampson, Frank M., enlisted Aug-
ust 18, 1863.
Mallone, Andrew J., enlisted Sep-
tember 1, 1863.
Orndoff, Henry, enlisted August 18,
1863; died March 2, 1864, at St.
Louis.
Parish, Elza, enlisted August 31,
1863.
LIGHT ARTILLERY.
FOUETH BATTEET.
The Fourth Battery of Iowa light artillery was mustered into the service
at Davenport, November 23, 1863, and mustered out at the same place
July 14, 1865. It was composed of splendid fighting material, but did not
have the opportunity to make a record for its prowess. It took no part in
the great events of the war, being stationed in Louisiana. No report of its
movements has been made to the Adjutant-General's office.
Myron Pinkerton, third corporal; enlisted September 17; formerly in
company F, fifth infantry.
MISCELLANEOUS INFANTRY.
NINTH.
Tanner, William, company G, ninth
infantry; eiilisted September 13,
1861.
Beam, Rindel P., ninth infantry; en-
listed November 19, 1864.
Baker, John S., ninth iufantry; en-
listed November 12, 1864.
Hogin, Tliomas, ninth infantry;
enlisted November 19, 1864.
Long, James P., ninth infantry; en-
listed November 19, 1864.
Mabin, Harrison, ninth infantry; en-
listed November 19, 1864.
Pierce, Geo. W., ninth infantry; en-
listed November 19, 1864.
Plein, Alexay, ninth infantry; en-
listed November 19, 1864.
Quick, Jacob, ninth iufantry; en-
listed November 18, 1864.
TWELFTH.
Shinneman, Samuel, company D,
twelfth infantry; died in hospital
at St. Louis February 23, 1862.
Ackerman, Chas. F., company I,
twelfth infantry ; enlisted April 7,
1862; died before joined the
company.
THIETEENTH.
Bringman, Oscar D., enlisted De-
cember 3, 1863; thirteenth infan-
try, company unknown,
NINETEENTH.
Irvine, John H., company B, nine-
teenth infantry; enlisted August
5, 1862,
Triggs, Eli F., company B, nine-
teenth infantry; enlisted August
8, 1862,
Beard, Samuel P., company C,
- nineteenth infantry; enlisted Aug-
ust 9, 1862; killed at Atcbafalaya,
^/f/a-^^JsJ2y7/V .0€^^^ua/Ly7y^
KEOKUX COTTNTT WAE RECORD.
537
Louisiana, September 29, 1863, in
action.
McCampbell, Andrew, company C,
nineteenth infantry ; enlisted Aug-
ust 9, 1862; captured at Atchafal-
aya, September 29, 1863.
Porter, John M., company C, nine-
teenth infantry; enlisted August
9, 1862 ; captured at Atchafalaya,
Louisiana, September 29, 1863.
Powers, Abner H., company C,
nineteenth infantry; enlisted Aug-
ust 9, 1862; captured at AtchafisL-
laya September 29, 1863.
Knssell, Tolbert, company C, nine-
teenth infanti^; enlisted August
19. 1862.
Porter, Wm. C, company — , nine-
teenth infantry; enlisted Febru-
ary 24, 1864.
!RobertBon, James T., company C,
nineteenth infantry; enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862.
Knssell, Merritt S., company C,
nineteenth infantry; enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862.
Sherman, Wilbur D., company C,
nineteenth infantry; enlisted Au-
gust 12, 1862; wounded and cap-
tured at Atchafalaya, September
29, 1863.
Wideman, Frank, Company C,
nineteenth infantry; enlisted Au-
gust 9, 1862.
Mann, H. H., company D, nine-
teenth infantry ; enlisted August
18, 1862.
TWENTT-FIFTH.
Gray, James D., assistant surgeon
twenty-fifth infantry; commis-
sioned September 16, 1862, re-
signed September 16, 1863.
Bnrnside, John, company A, twen-
ty-fifth infantry; enlisted August
15, 1862; transferred for promo-
tion to second lieutenant first
Mississippi colored regiment; en-
listed August 20, 1862.
Qiiinn, David P., company A,
33
twenty-fifth infantry; enlisted Au-
gust 14-, 1862.
Nixon, Author F., company — ,
twenty-fifth infantry, enlisted
April 18, 1864.
THIRTIETH.
Farmer, David, company H, thir-
tieth infantry; enlisted August
14, 1862; died at Cairo Illinois,
July 15, 1863.
Hutchins, Thomas I., company H,
thirtieth infantry; enlisted Au-
gust 15, 1862; died at Cairo, Ill-
inois, July 15, 1863.
Pointer, James, company H, thir-
tieth infantry; enlisted August
15, 1862.
Heed, Nicholas H., company H,
thirtieth infantry; enlisted De-
cember 17, 1863.
THIBTT-SIXTH.
McVey, Joseph H., second lieuten-
ant company B, thirty-sixth in-
fantry; enlisted August 6, 1862;
captured at Mark's Mills, Arkan-
sas, April 25, 1864; resigned July
29, 1864.
Goldsby, George, sixth corporal
company H, thirty-sixth infantry;
enlisted August 11, 1862; died
December 31, 1862, at Benton
Barracks, Missouri.
Bre6n, Jacob, seventh corporal com-
pany H, thirty-sixth infantry; en-
listed August 11, 1862; captured
April 25, 1864, at Mark's Mills,
Arkansas; died August 25, 1864,
at Tyler, Texas.
Breon, John, company H, thirty-
sixth infantry; enlisted August
11, 1862; captured at Mark's
Mills, Arkansas, April 25, 1864;
died September 19, 1864, at Tyler,
Texas.
Denser, John C, company H, thirty-
sixth infantry; enlisted August
11, 1862; discharged February 3,
1863, for disability.
538
KEOKUK COUNTY
Wolfe, Daniel C, company H, thirty-
sixth infantry; enlisted Augnst
11, 1862; discharged January 11,
1805, for disability.
THIETT-SEVENTH.*
Forgrave, John, musician, company
H, thirty-seventh infantry; en-
listed October 4, 1862.
Walker, Kobert, company H, thirty-
seventh infantry; enlisted Octo-
ber 21, 1862; died March 1, 1863,
at St. Louis.
WAK EBCOBD.
S t m i
Sines, John, company H, thirty-
seventh infantry; enlisted Octo-
ber 25, 1862; died January 26,
1863, at St. Lonis.
Patterson, Adam, company H,
thirty-seventy infantry; enlisted
October 14, 1862; died December
22, 1864, at luka.
TWENTY -FOURTH ILLINOIS.
Kleinsmith, August, company G,
twenty-fourth Illinois infantry.
MISCELLANEOUS CAVALEY.
SECOND.
Gartner, Daniel M., company F, se-
cond veteran cavalry; enlisted
March 1, 1864.
Hildebrand, Henry, company K,
second cavalry; enlisted December
12, 1863.
Givens, James H., company K, se-
cond cavalry; enlisted December
23, 1863; captured December 17,
1864, at Little Harpeth, Tennes-
see.
Brown, Addison, company K, second
cavalry; enlisted December 3,
1863; died June 10, 1864, at
Memphis, Tennessee.
Brown, Geo. W., enlisted December
,19, 1863; company K, second cav-
alry.
THIED.
Scott, Hamilton, company L, third
cavalry; enlisted February 23,
1864.
Hicks, Alfred B, company L, third
veteran cavalry; enlisted January
1, 1864.
FOURTH.
Grill, Martin V., company M, fourth
cavalry ; enlisted February 8, 1864.
Ghandler, Jonathan, company M.,
fourth cavalry; enlisted February
4, 1864.
Eighth.
GlaTk, Thomas 0., chaplain eighth
cavalry; commissioned Septeniber
9, 1863; resigned April 7, 1864. '
Hampton, John W., company L,
eighth cavalry; enlisted July 11,
1863.
Meeker, Francis, company L, eighth
cavalry; enlisted July 16, 1863;
missing July 30, 1864, at Newnan,
Georgia.
Easer, Albert, company L, eighth
cavalry; enlisted July 11, 1863;
missing July 30, 1864, at Newnan,
Georgia.
Nordyke, David O., company L,
eighth cavalry; enlisted August 31,
1864.
SECOND MISSOUEI.
Gundy, Otho W., company D., se-
cond Missouri cavalry; enlisted
February 9, 1862.
EEGAPITULATION".
Keokuk county has reason for pride in the patriotism of her citizens, and
the honor they won in the nation's struggle for existence. She was always
*The Thirty-seventh Infantry was the grand old Gray-beard regiment, so-called because
none of its men were under forty-seven years of age, and were all picked men.
KEOEUK COUNTY WAE BEOOBD.
539
seadj, and even beyond her quota. She furnished ten hundred and twenty-
fcur men, and was represented in twenty-eight regimental organizations
by twenty-three field and staff oflScers; twenty-four captains; thirty- first
lieutenants, and thirty-one second lieutenants.
FIELD .AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Ezekiel S. Sampson, lieutenant col-
onel fifth infantry.
James MoConnell, hospital steward,
eighth infantry; discharged Feb-
ruary 14, 1865.
Joseph Andrews, major eighth in-
fantry from company F.
Lorenzo B. Linville, sergeant-major
thirteenth infantry.
John T. Parker, quartermaster ser-
geant thirteenth infantry.
George B. Hogin, |commissary ser-
- geant thirteenth infantry.
Geo. B. Dana, hospital steward
thirteenth infantry.
Thomas A. Wade, fife major thir-
teenth infantry.
Andrew J. Pope, major thirteenth
infantry.
James D. Gray, assistant surgeon
■ twenty-fifth infantry.
Cyrus N, Mackey, colonel thirty-
third infantry.
Arad Parks, surgeon thirty-third
infantry.
Samuel B. Evans, commissary ser-
geant thirty-third infantry.
Bartholamew Franken, hospital stew-
ard thirty-third infantry.
Sanford Harned quartermaster forty-
seventh infantry.
Emanuel Laffer, quartermaster forty-
seventh infantry.
Ebenezer P. Kobertson, commissary
sergeant forty-seventh infantry.
John A. Landis, battalion quarter-
master first cavalry.
John A. Donnell, quartermaster ser-
geant first cavalry.
Thomas 0. Clark, chaplain eighth
cavalry.
CAPTAINS.
E. S. Sampson, company F, fifth in-
. y fantry.
Uriah H. Keath, company F, fifth
invantry.
Joseph Andrews, company F, eighth,
infantry.
W. F. Hogin, company F, eighth
infantry.
Abraham C. Price, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
George B. Hogin, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
Alonzo J. Pope, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
John T. Parker, company T>, thir-
teenth infantry.
John P. Yerger, company B, thirty-
third infantry.
William S. Parmly, company B,
thirty-third infantry.
Memorial W. Forrest, company F,
thirty-third infantry.
John Bell, company F, thirty-third
infantry.
John Dillon, company H, thirty-
third infantry.
William H. Gore, company H, thir-
ty-third infantry.
Michael M. Rice, company C,
fortieth infantry.
Elisha Sampson, company I, fortieth
infantry.
DcWittC. Baker, company I, fortieth
infantry.
James W. Ward, company I, fortieth
infantry.
Isaac H. Dempsey, company I, for-
tieth infantry.
Harrison E. Havens, company H,
forty- seventh infantry.
Joseph W. Caldwell, company I, first
cavalry.
David C. Dinsmore, company I, first
cavalry.
Jeremiah H. Triggs, company D,
seventh cavalry.
Joseph H. Shawhan, company K,
ninth cavalry.
540
KEOKXTK CODHIT WAB BECOBD.
FIRST LrEUTENAirrS.
Uriah K. Heath, company F, fifth
infantry.
Franklin McCoy, company F, fifth
; infantry,
Archibald Irwin, company F, eighth
infantry.
Solomon E. Start, company F, eighth
infantry.
Seth E. Hall, company F, eighth in-
fantry.
Daniel N. Fish, company F, eighth
. infantry.
Harvey B. Trotter, company F,
eleventh infantry.
Joseph B. Homan, company J), thir-
teenth infantry.
George B, Hogin, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
Alonzo J. Pope, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
John T. Parker, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
William B. McGahey, company D,
thirteenth infantry.
Joseph Shawhan, company B, thirty-
third infantry.
"William S. Parmly, company B,
thirty-third infantry.
Joseph J. Harter, company B, thirty-
third infantry. •
Anderson Davis, company F, thirty-
third infantry.
Fred Sancheztereso, company F,
thirty-third infantry.
Joseph L. Smith, company H, thirty-
third infantry.
"Wm. H. Gore, company H, thirty-
third infantry.
Wilson DeGarmo, company H, thir-
ty-third infantry.
Michael M. Kice, company C, for-
tieth infantry.
DeWitt 0. Baker, company I, for-
tieth infantry.
, James W. Ward, company I, fortieth
infantry.
Benj. W. Seaman, company I, for-
tieth infantry.
Theron A. Morgan, company H, for-
ty-seventh infantry.
David C. Dinsmore, company I, firali
cavalry.
Amos, Dilley, company I, first caval-
ry-
James G. Smith, company A, seventh
cavalry.
Jeremiah H. Triggs, company D,
seventh cavalry.
Jacob A. Lowe, company K, ninth
cavalry.
SECOND LIE0TENANTS.
Henry S". Doans, company F, fifth
infantry.
Austin B. Rayburn, company F, fifth,
infantry.
Elvin M. Holcomb, company F, fifth
infantry.
Franklin N. McCoy, company F,
fifth infantry.
Charles S. Miller, company F, fifth
infantry.
John W. Ward, company F, eighth
infantry,
Peter L. Eckley, company F, eighth
infantry,
Justinian Ray, company D, thir-
teenth infantry,
George B, Hogin, company D, thir-
teenth infantry,
Alonzo J. Pope, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
John T. Parker, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
Wesley H. Or ton, company D, thir-
teenth infantry.
William S. Parmly, company B,
thirty -third infantry.
Joseph J. Harter, company B, thir-
ty-third infantry.
John S. O'Neil, company B, thirty-
third infantry.
Fenelon B. Mathews, company B,
thirty-third infantry.
Lycurgus McCoy, company F, thir-
ty-third infantry.
William J. Gaston, company F,
thirty-third infantry.
William H. Gore, company H, thir-
ty-third infantry.
KEOKUK COUNTT WAE EEOOBD.
541
Wilson De Garmo, company H,
thirty-third infantry.
Joseph MoVey, company B, thirty-
sixth infantry.
Michael M. Eice, company C, for-
tieth infantry.
James W. Ward, company I, for-
tieth infantry.
Isaac H. Dempsey, company I, for-
tieth infantry.
George Yule, company I, fortieth
infantry.
Williapa J. Gaston, company H, for-
ty-seventh infantry.
William H. Kitterman, company I,
first cavalry.
James G. Smith, company A, sev-
enth cavalry.
Jeremiah H. Triggs, company D,
seventh cavalry.
Daniel D. Moore, company D, sev-
enth cavalry.
Jacob A. Lowe, company K, ninth
cavalry.
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), U. S. Con-
sul, at Zurich, Switzerland. In his little book, " What I saw in Dixie," on
pages Y3-4, he copies from his diary, December 25, 1865, as follows: " This
is my second Christmas in prison. *******
Lieutenant Tower, of Ottumwa, Iowa, who had lost a leg in the army,
and who was afterward captured, is now to be exchanged and sent home.
He wears a hollow, artificial limb, in place of the one lost; this we packed
full of letters, one of which contained ' Sherman's March to the Sea.* The
rebels little suspected our novel way of communication with our friends.
The Lieutenant went safely through, and the letters were all safely de-
livered":
Oar camp fires shone bright on the moantainB
That frowned on the river below,
While we stood by our gans.in the mornings
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 wUl 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 gloiy.
Frowned down on the flag of the free.
But the East and the West Dore our standards.
And Sherman marched on to the sea.
543 KEOKUK COUNTY WAB BECOED.
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,
Tet we twined them a wrpath of the laurel,
As Sherman marched down to the sea.
P, 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 nver and lea.
And the stars in our banner shone brighter,
When Sherman marched down to the sea.
TOWNS AKD TOWNSHIPS.
EICHLAND.
Richland township being almost entirely situated east of the boundary
line of 1837, and comprehending nearly all of what is commonly known
as the " Old Strip," had more than four years the start of the rest of the
county. It has been seen that although people were not entitled to settle
there prior to October, 1838, Aaron Miller and his son John settled early
in the spring of that year. In the spring and summer of 1839 this settle-
ment was reinforced by the arrival of Robert Pringle, James Higgin-
botham, William Lewis, Mitchell Gill, John Wasson, James M. Smith and
William Bristow. The latter still remains on the original homestead,
where he has little else to do than enjoy the fruits of his hard labor and re-
flect that, as a head of a family, he is the oldest permanent settler in the
present bounds of Keokuk county, and none older west of him, as all the
others referred to have changed homesteads.
Smith first settled one mile east of where Eichland now is, and after*
building the walls of his cabin he built his scaffolds, took his broad-ax and
hewed the walls both inside and out. Then with said ax he hewed a true
face and straight edge to the puncheons for his floor, making tight joints,
all of which made some people look on him with contempt, saying that he
wasbroud.
While a portion of what is now Keokuk county was yet part of Wash-'
ington county, and before the county of Keokuk was organized, the first
election was held within the present limits of the county. It was held on
the 5th day of October, 1840, in the brush without a house, near a spripg,
about seventy-five yards from where Levi Greeson now lives. The officers
elected were: J. M. Smith, justice of the peace; and Theodore Cox — now
of Winterset — constable. Cox failing to qualify, John Pennington was
appointed. Subsequently, R. S. Mills was elected justice of the peace and
John Marchel was elected constable.
After the county was organized the first election was held in April, 1844:.
At this time Richland township was the principal p^rt of the county, and
the people there took advantage of this state of affairs by appropriating the
lion's share of the spoils. The following were the officers elected:
County Commissioners — Jeremiah Hollings worth, James M. Smith and
Enos Darnell.
Judge of Probate — John M. Waters.
County Treasurer — Wm. H. Brown.
County Surveyor — Samuel E. McCracken.
County Assessor — Andrew Ogden.
544: HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Sheriff — George W. Hayes.
Kecorder — A. P. Tannehill.
Commissioners Olerk — Edom Shugart.
These oflBcers were all residents of what is now Eichland township, ex-
cept Brown and Ogden.
The first birth in this township was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William
Scearcy, in December, 1840. The first death was that of Mrs. Margarot
Marchel, who died in 1840.
The first time that the anniversary of American Independence was cele-
brated within the present limits of Keokuk county was July 4, 1841, at the
house and grove of J. M. Smith, one mile east of where Richland now is.
Oliver Higginbotham read the Declaration of Independence and Manning
B. Mills delivered an address suited to the occasion. The young bachelors
and maidens remained over night enjoying each other's society in perhaps,
the first grand social party in this county, and then and there were in-
troduction s and acquaintances formed which finally resulted in five wed-
dings.
SCHOOLS.
Richland township has always had a good reputation for its schools.
The first school of the county was taught in a school-house about three and
a half miles northeast of Richland, in a house which has already been de-
scribed in our educational chapter. This township also boasts of having
possessed the only successful academy of the county. It was located in the
town of Richland and was attended by pupils from all parts of the county.
This academy was started by Benjamin Naylor, W. B. Lawler and B. F.
McCollister, in 1857. They commenced with thirty-five pupils and closed
with seventy -seven. The second session opened with with seventy-one and
closed with one hundred and thirty-two. It continued to prosper until it
had an attendance of over two lumdred. The institution finally became
unpopular and the teachers discontinued it and went elsewhere. Richland
township still retains the township district system, but one other township
in the county adhering to that system, that being German.
SEPAEATE BAPTIST CHUKOH.
The first preacher that ever preached in this vicinity was Jacob Spain-
hour, who preached at the house of John Miller (where now stands the
orchard of R. M. Tracy), in the year 1839. He baptized some persons at
this, his first meeting, among whom was Mrs. Wm. Scearcy.
Soon thereafter, Alexander Blakely preached here. Both of said preach-
ers continued to preach here occasionally for several years. But as most of
the members of this church removed from seven to ten miles west, the or-
ganization at this place became dissolved and they organized in their new
neighborhood and built a meeting-house about one mile north of loka,
where they maintain their organization.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUEOH.
In 1840 Frederick F. Lyon, John W. Mitchell and Henry Harden all
preached here, and in that year an organization was effected of seven mem-
bers, at the house of James Lewman, near to where Moses Mendenhall now
I
I
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 545
lives. The names of the members were Henry Harden, Catharine Harden,
Jesse Euggles, Luvina Euggles, James Lewman, Mary Lewman and Leah
Lawman.
Rev. Mr. Rathburn, of Mt. Pleasant, assisted in the organization, having
been sent here by the presiding elder, Henry Summers. Elder Summers
held the first quarterly meeting in Fairfield, in the fall of 1840, and in
1841 or 1842, held the first quarterly meeting that was ever held in this
vicinity. Moses Shinn was the first circuit preacher. They built their
first meeting-house of round logs, some three miles southwest of where Rich-
land now is. But soon after the town was laid out they established their
church in the town, and have ever since maintained their organization, and
on several occasions the number of the members, including probationers, has
been rather extensive. At the present time they number fifty-five memb-
. ers. They own a church-house and lot worth about $1,500, and a parson-
age worth about $800. The average attendance at the Sunday-school is
probably about fifty. They have also another organization of about thirty-
six members, and a church-house worth about $,1,700, called Kingsley
Chapel, situated about three and three-quarter miles northwest of town.
Rev. M. Swanson is at present pastor of both congregations.
THE CHRISTIAN CHUBCH.
It is probable that the first preacher of this church who ever preached
here was John "W. Snelson. The next was Uriah Long. They both preached
in 1841 or 1842. H. H. Hendrix, John Rigdon, Gill, Aaron Chatter-
ton, and Samuel Downey were among the first preachers.
On the 19th day of November, 1848, the first church organization was
formed, consisting of sixteen persons, to-wit: "Wm. Hamlet, Jane Hamlet,
James Rooker, M. A. Rooker, John Maulsby, Sarah Maulsby, Mary A.
Manlsby, Mercy Stephenson, Wm. Tingle, Fred P. Caveness, Z. Caveness,
Owen Goldsmith, Mary Goldsmith, Jane G. Smith, John Wasson and
Susan Wasson. At the time of organization Owen Goldsmith and Dr.
Wm. Tingle were chosen elders, and John Wasson and Wm. Hamlet were
chosen deacons. There were, at various subsequent dates, added to the con-
gregation thirty -one members; but as preachers were scarce in this country,
not near equal to the demand, the congregation had no regular preaching, but
they maintained their organization tor several years, and until some of
their unmber had died and over thirty had moved away, including all the
oflScers but one. Thus they became disorganized, and so remained until
March 23, 1865. Elder N. A. McConnell held a series of meetings here,
and organized a congregation of thirty-one members. A. I. Hall and A.
H. Smith were chosen elders, and R. M. Tracy and L. F. Smith were
chosen deacons. Since that time 110 members have been added to their
congregation. Their present number is fifty-five. They have not had reg-
ular preaching near all the time, but have never failed to keep up their
meetings regularly on Lord's day. They own a church-house and lot worth
about $1,700. Their Sunday-school averages in attendance about seventy.
MORAVIANS.
In 1864, Hiram Myers, a Moravian, located here and preached and or-
ganized a congregation of seven members, consisting of himself and wife,
646 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
John Davis, Sarah Davis, A. C. Eomig, Lydia Sherriden and James
Blickensderfer. In 1857 the preacher left here and the church became dis-,
organized.
WESLETAN METHODISTS.
In the year 1856 an organization was effected some two and a-half mileS.
east of town, of about twenty-five members. The organization continued
for some six or seven years before becoming dissolved. Meanwhile, EevB>
Stores, "Wm. Abraham and Frank Kirkpatrick ministered to them.
UNITED BEETHEEN. >
In 1853 Eev. John McVey preached in Clear Creek township, and in
thjs vicinity a few times. Rev. F. F. Lyon, a Methodist preacher, hearing
him, thought he learned the way of the Lord more perfectly, and therefore
■united with the Brethren, and was forthwith licensed to preach, for them.
Lyon traveled in 1854-5-6, and organized congregations, one of which
still exists, and is known as Fairview. It is about six miles northeast, of
town. Since that time another congregation was organized two miles east
of town. They have — members and a churcli-house worth about $800.
Eev. Shiflet was their pastor for a time.
In 1840, Thomas Frazier, of Indiana, appointed a meeting at the house
of P. C, Woodward. Soon thereafter Abijah Bray, of Indiana, held a
meeting here. An organization was formed for worship in 1841 or 1842^
under the care of the Pleasant Plain Monthly Meeting. Among the first
who \vent into this organization may be mentioned the names of James
Williams, Angeline Williams (afterward an accepted minister), and of the
Woodwards, there were Prior C, Susannah; Samuel, Wm. A. and Euth>
Of the Haworths, there were Beriah, Sarah, Eli, Lydia and John, Sr.,.
Moorman, Allen, John, Jr., George and Mahlon and their wives; Of the
Hadieys, there were William, Mary, Joshua, Lydia, John, Jarah, Joel^
Eleanor and Eiley. ;
At their request, a preparative meeting for business was organized or
granted by the Pleasant Plain Meeting, in 1845. Another preparative
meeting was organized at Eocky Eun, about three and a-half miles norths
east of Eichland, in 1860, embracing some of the above named persons,
and some others, including John Howard, a minister. About the same
time a Monthly Meeting was organized at Eichland. After about, ten
years the Eocky Eun meeting was discontinued. The members thereof
merging into the Eichland meeting. In November, 1864, the Eichland
preparative meeting was divided; there being since that date two prepare
tive meetings, known as the Eichland and Hopewell. The Eichland Meet-
ing has a meeting-house forty by sixty feet, and five acres of ground,,
worth about $1200, situated one and one-half miles south of town. Th^
ground was donated by Joseph Hadley. The Hopewell meeting is situa-
ted one and one-half miles north of town, and has a house twenty-four by
forty-eight feet, and one acre of ground, the whole worth probably about
$800. This land was donated by Levi Greeson. They each have scripture-
school on First day. The average attendance at Eichland is about sixty,
HI8T0ET OF KEOKDK COUNTY. 54T
and at Hopewell about twenty-five persons. The whole number of members
belonging to the Richland Monthly Meeting is 296.
MISSIONAET BAPTISTS.
In 184:8, Rev. R. Cheedle preached a few times and organized a church
in town, which organization was afterward moved some three miles north
of town. Rev. J. W. Mitchell, formerly a Methodist preacher, united with
them and preached for them for several years. Rev. Wm. Elliott and
James L. Cole preached here in 1851, and occasionally for three or four
years thereafter. The North Walnut church was organized by William
Elliott and J. M. Wood in 1852 and was in 1860 merged into the Howard
Grove church about five miles southeast of Richland. The said J. M.
Wood will be remembered by many citizens for his peculiar manner of en-
lightening mankind. On several occasions he came to town in an old
buggy, and would drive around the public park singing as loud as he could,
then stop his team, kneel in his buggy and pray, then stand up and preach
to the crowd of boys and men that came laughing at his eccentricities and
calling him crazy.
On the 30th of November, 1857, Eber Ward preached and organized a
church at what was called the Wyman school-house, two and one-half miles-
west of town. They called it the Sharon Baptist Church. There were
seven members entered into this organization. The first meeting was pro-
tracted a tew days, which resulted in five accessions to the church. On the
28th of March, 1864, Elder J. T. Walker, Narcissa Walker, N. H. Tyer,
Maritia Tyer and Dosia A. Harlan, entered into an organization in Rich-
land. After organization, on the same day, Mary Bales and Martha Bales
were added to the congregation. Subsequently a few others were added.
The church north of town and the Sharon church merged into the Rich-
land chnrch, and continued in that name until December 12, 1874, when,
by action of the church, the same was changed to Fairview; and although
they for years called it the Richland Baptist church, their meetings wer&
regularly kept up at the Wyman school-house, instead of at Richland.
They now have a chnrch-house at Fairview, five miles west of town, worth
probably about $1,500, and a live working congregation numbering fifty-
six members.
MOEMONB.
In the year 1840, or 1841, two Mormon preachers, from Nauvoo, Illinois,
came, and created a great excitement about ten miles southeast, and thea
came and preached at the house of Aaron Miller and stirred up the minds
of a few persons. Mrs. Aaron Miller, William Miller, James Miller and
and wife, and perhaps others, united with them. Mrs. James Miller was a
sister to William Scearcy, and her parents and brothers were much opposed
to her uniting with the Mormons. Her mother cried out publicly to the
people to watch their horses or the Mormons would steal them. When
these persons were about to join the church, they repaired to the water for
baptism, one of the preachers designing to baptize and the other to lay on
hands, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. But William Scearcy and
his fi-iends appeared, and with threats forbade the baptism of Mrs. Miller.
The preachers threatened to send judgments upon Scearcy «&; Co., and de-
stroy both soul and body, because by this disturbance they deferred the
548 msTOET or keokuk county.
baptism of all their converts. The next morning they slipped off and
baptized all before Scearcy was aware of it. They all went to Is auvoo, and
after some months some of them renounced their faith. Others went with
them and are yet with them at Salt Lake.
The present township oflScers are:
Justices— W. W. Allen and W. G. Fedris.
Constables — J. H. Kent and W. A. Tousey. »
Clerk — L. Bassett.
Assessor — W. G. Bralliar.
Trustees — H. "W". Tracy, W. T. Drummond and S. Harlan.
THE TOWN OF EICHLAND.
The town of Richland was laid out by Pryor C. Woodward on the 19th
day of June, 1841, and surveyed by J. B. Davis, of Washington county.
Soon thereafter Benjamin Edwards laid out another town just five miles
northwest of Kichland, on the grounds now composing the beautiful farm
of Allen Stalker. This town was laid out as a rival of Richland, [none
respect it had the advantage of most towns, for it had two names: one of
which was !Newton and the other Western City. As it and Richland were
both desiring to be recognized as the capital of the county when organ-
ized, it had another advantage,- as will be subsequently shown, because the
chief officer of the county designed to make of this place a great metrop-
olis.
Among the first settlers in the town of Richland were Eleazer Bales, C.
E. Woodward, John Noyes, John Raines, R. L. Mark, James Williams
and Jonas Hoover. Hoover built the first house; Williams was the first
postmaster; Raines was the first blacksmith, and although slow and tedi-
ous, was a good workman. Many have seen a good sewing needle of his
make, about the right size to carry No. 8 thread. Mark, and another man
by the name of L. J. Smith, each had their shops in which they sold whisky
and groceries, and especially the whisky. In 1844 the first store was set up
ty Beriah Haworth. The first hotel was by Dr. W. H. Tingle, in 1845,
In 1848 Williams and McCracken built a steam saw mill.
I. 0. O. F. LODGE.
Kossuth Lodge No. 32, was organized in Richland, March 19th, 1861.
The charter members were S. Harned, N. G.; N. L. Witcher, V. G.; O. P.
Sherraden, Sec; J. D. Israel, T.; and S. A. Evans. Wm. L. Orr, of Fair-
field, was the acting D. D. G. M. At their first meeting there were four
initiates, to-wit : H. Bagley, H. R. McPherson, J. W. Whitacre and W. H.
Folmsbee. Their members increased rapidly and there have been initated
here since the organization of the lodge two hundred and forty-one mem-
bers. From this lodge have sprung the Lancaster, Sigourney, Talleyrand,
loka and Brighton lodges, and two lodges in Nebraska. The Richland
lodge has for the last twenty-five years maintained the honor of the insti-
tution with friendship, love and truth. This lodge now numbers 97 mem-
bers and owns real estate worth about $2,700 Their oresent officers are
L. A. Funk, N. G.; R. M. Tracy, Y. G.; M. L. Bristow, Sec; L. Bral-
liar, T.; S. A. Evans, financial secretary. None of the charter members
mSTOEY or KEOKUK OOUNTr. 549
^ now members here but Evans, and as far as is known, none but Evans
smd Earned now belong to the order.
BICHLAND ENCAMPMENT NO. 50. *
This lodge was organized January 18th, 1871. The charter members
were John Davis, John Stockman, S. A. Evans, James Davis, J. M. Davis,
Cr. W. Stevens, John Carmichael, J. D. Haworth, A. C. Charlton, "W. G.
Fearis, W. T. Drnmmond, Daniel Davis and Thomas Thompson. They
nnmber about fifty members.
BICHLAND LODGE, NO. 38, A. E. & A. M.
This lodge was organized in June, 1862, and chartered June 8th, 1853.
The charter members were J. D. Gray, W. M.; S. Harned, S. W.;' W. H.
Efner, J. W.; F. A. Dorr, N. L. Witcher, Wm. Grimsley, Thos. and D. K
Henderson. From this lodge have sprung the Pythagoras Lodge, of Lan-
caster, the Talleyrand Lodge, of Talleyrand, Justice Lodge, of loka and
Martinsbnrg Lodge, of Martinsburg. Richland Lodge now numbers
fifty-one members, and owns property worth about $1,200.
TEMPEEANCE 0BANIZATI0N8.
Bichland has had its various temperance organizations, among which
may be mentioned the Sons of Temperance and the Good Templars; be-
sides others such as the old Washington, etc. But as the general sentiment
is so radically favorable to temperance, and the town ordinance requires
the payment of so much money in order to get a permit to sell intoxica-
ting liquors, the several temperance societies have for some time past acted
%) though they thought it not necessary to maintain their organization.
POPIILATION AND BUSINESS.
Eichland has a population of about five hundred, and is well represented
by all professions and every kind of business. It has long been considered
a fine trading point, and is surrounded by as fine a farming community as
can be found in the State. Its merchants have a reputation of being re-
liable; its mechanics are the best in the county, some of them having-
achieved distinction as inventors, and the professional men are deservedly
popular, on account of their learning and skill. All that Richland needs
to become one of the best inland towns in the country is a railroad. Many
attempts have been made to secure a railroad and the people have showed
a disposition to be taxed heavily for this purpose; but, as yet, all these at-
tempts have failed. The time, however, is not far distant when some line
will be extended into this, the most productive part of the county, and
then let other railroad towns look out for a troublesome rival.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
This township was one of the first settled outside the old strip. Its
congressional name is number 74 north, range 11 west. The lands in this
township were surveyed and oft'ered for sale in 1846, although the most de-
550 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
sirable latids were claimed, and a large portion oi the township improved,
prior to that time. The South Skunk forms the north boundary, which
boundary is in consequence very irregular.
For farming purposes and stock-raising this township takes a front rank.
The first part of the township settled was what was formerly known as the
Kock Creek neighborhood, and the first settlement was made by Wm.
Scearcy on the last day of April, 1843. According to treaty stipulations
the country was to be open for settlement on the first day of May, and in
order not to be late in profiting by securing the advantages which prompt-
ness always vouchsafes, Mr. Scearcy started a day in advance. Although he
started ahead of time he was not there any too soon to secure the desirable
location where the first claim was staked out. Although Mr. Scearcy had his
claim disputed he succeeded in establishing himself on it, where he still lives.
In the competition for the best claims disputes not uufrequently arose, and
for want of time and the pressing demand for speedy arbitration, these
disputes were sometimes settled by recourse to pugilistic skill. The claim
to Twin Groves, a very desirable location, was settled in this way, and the
winner gave the loser a yoke of oxen for the future undisputed pos-
session of the claim. Among the first to locate in the Rock Creek conn-
itry, and who came about the time Wm. Scearcy came, were Aaron Miller,
Robert Blacker, Wm. Webb, and Richard Quinton, the latter being elected
from the county to the first constitutional convention, and afterward for
several years, prior to his leaving the county, permanently indentified with
the politics of the county.
It was in the bounds of this township that Wapello died. Having re-
turned with a number of his tribe, early in the spring of ISii, for the
purpose of making maple syrup, there being splendid facilities for this
business among the maple groves of Rock Creek, he became very much in-
toxicated and in this condition he contracted a severe cold, which resulted
in his death. After his death the remaining members of the tribe dis-
patched a young warrior to Richland township for a coffin, which was
brought by Mr. Samuel Hardesty in an ox-cart. Upon arriving with the
cofiin they prevailed on Mr. Hardesty to convey Wapello's body to Agency
■City, which he accordingly did. The entire expense of the coffin and the
trip to Agency, amounting to some thirty dollars, was punctually paid, the
young Indian who first employed Mr. Hardesty being particularly careful
in looking after that gentleman's comfort during the trip and paying all the
-expenses before he left.
Such an excellent country as the Rock Creek district was known to be
•did not remain long without a large increase of population, and soon farms,
■cottages and school-houses were to be seen in all directions. For a Ifiig
time the citizens experienced great inconvenience for want of a postoffice,
:and it was not till the fall of 1852 that a post-office was established in this
township. It was kept at the house of Samuel Bowman, who was post-
master. The name of the office was Glean, and in the fall of 1858 was re-
moved to loka. There are at present three postoffices of easj' access; one
at loka in the southeastern part of the county; one called Walden, in sec-
tion 18, and one in section 3, just across the river in Lancaster township.
Gf churches there are quite a number of organizations and some very
good church buildings. Rev. Mr. Spainhour, a Baptist minister was prob-
ably the first of this denomination who preached in the township; he was
HI8TOET OF KEOKUK OODNTT. 551
followed by Rev. Mr. Tanehill, who preached in the house of John Cox as
early as 1843.
The Baptist church of Rock Creek was organized in 1844. The original
members were Robert Scearcy, Mary Scearcy. William Scearcy, Sarah
Scearcy and John Miller. In 1850 a frame church-building was erected at a
cost of $750. It was dedicated the following year by Jacob Spain hour,
who was the first man to preach in that neighborhood. John W. Talley,
Amos Simmons, Cyphert Talley, Benj. Hollingsworth, Keuben Henderson,
J. F. Walker, Stacy Rogers and Jesse Edwards have at different times been
pastors of the church. The present membership numbers thirty-five. The
church has had a varied career of prosperity and adversity; a short time
after its organization there was an addition of one hundred and fifty-two
members.
Hopewell church, located on section fourteen, belongs to the denomi-
tion known as the Separate Baptists. It was organized in August, 1865.
John W. Talley, Benjamin Hollingsworth, D. S. Hutton, D. Mullannee,
Isaac Petree, Samuel Hutton, Mary Talley, N. E. Mullanee, Eliza Petree.
Mary Hutton, Catharine Hutton, Phoebe M. Brown, Ruth S. McConnell,
Lydia Nelson, Nancy R. Wood, Mary J. Miller, M. E. McConnell, Daniel
Henson, Angelina Nelson and M. A. Hollingsworth were the original mem-
bers. A frame church was erected in the fall of 1868 at an expense of
$1,200. It was dedicated in the winter of 1868 by John W. Talley; John
W. Talley, Benj. Hollingsworth, J. T. Walker, Chas. Lyon and Keuben
Henderson have been pastors at various times. Jesse Edwards is the
present pastor. The membership at present is twenty-two.
The first election was held in the township in April, 1844, which was the
first election held in the county, this having been a separate election pre-
cinct from the first. In 1850 the township had a population of 602, in
1856 it was 1,003, and by the census of 1875 it appears that the population
was then 1,467. There were 269 dwelling houses and 275 families. The
following are the officers of the township at present:
Justices of the Peace — D. C. Baker, who is also a member of the
board of supervisors, and T. B. Meradith.
Constables — J. W. Reiner and Lewis Smithart.
Clerk— W. B. Woods.
Trustees — Conrad Bender, W. C. Harris, Joseph Bush.
'' Assessor — T. B. Meradith.
THE TOWN OF lOKA.
loka is located on section 28, about one mile from the Jefferson county
line. It was at one time in the center of the business of the township, and
is on the surveyed route of the Muscatine & Missouri Railroad. It was
laid out in June, 1856, by Thos. E. Asbcraft, Jabez Shook, Paul Sherradin
and D. H. Scisson. At the sale of lots, which occurred the following fall,
lots sold at from ten to fifty dollars apiece. In 1856 the firm of Webb &
Ashcraft carried on a dry goods business there; in 1857 the firm was suc-
eeeded by Webb & Beardsley, which was then changed to J. Webb. Cran-
■dall & Disney established a dry goods store in 1857, which was afterward
conducted by T. E. Ashcrafl. Ruggles & Carpenter and G. M. Peters were
^Iso in business there about that time; A. Beardsley kept a boot and shoe
store and afterward a hotel.
552 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
At present loka contains three dry goods stores, one drug store, one boot
and shoe store, one tin shop and one hotel. There are four physicians to
administer to the needs of the sick of the town and surrounding country:
Dr. Mulhern, formerly of Sigourney, being the leading one; Dr. Sogers,
formerly a practician of considerable note, has, on account of age, almost
entirely retired from practice.
The town is beautifully located on the prairie, about one mile from tim-
ber; contains about sixty houses and presents a neat appearance from any
approach.
One of the chief features of loka is the Masonic lodge, which has a
large membership and a creditable history. The following history of the
lodge will be of interest to, the members of the craft there and elsewhere:
Justice Lodge No. 230, A. F. and A. M., was organized under (iispensa-
tion from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, on the 9th day of February, 1868,
with the following officers: W. H. Effner, W. M.; G. H. Smith, S. W.;
J. H. Martin, J. W.; A. J. Porter, Treasurer; S. Rogers, Secretary; W.
G. R. Talley, S. D.; David Cook, J. D.; E. P. Condreay, Tyler; W. J. Etf-
ner, S. S.; and J. G. Smith, J. S.
On the 11th day of July, 1868, an election of officers .was held, which
resulted in the election of the following officers: G. H. Smith, W. M.; J.
H. Martin, S. W.; J. B. Bell, J. W.; A. J. Porter, Treasurer; S. Rogers,
Secretary; W. J. Effner, S. D.; W. H. Adams, J. D.; G. "W. Lemmons,
S. S.; W. G. R. Talley, J. S.; E. P. Condreay, Tyler.
On the 18th of July these officers were installed by W. M. Solon Gray,
Ottumwa Lodge No. 16, and duly constituted by, the Grand Lodge of Iowa
as Justice Lodge, No. 230.
The second election of officers was held on the 24th of April, 1869, and
resulted as follows: G. H. Smith, W.M.; J.H.Martin, S. W.; J. T,
"Walker, J. W.; "W. G. R. Talley, Treasurer; J. B. Bell, Secretary; G. L.
Rice, S. D.; W. H. Adams, J. D.; G. W, Lemmons, S. S.; E.P. Condreay,
J. S.; J. W. Carpenter, Tyler.
On the 14:th of May, 1870, the following officers were elected: J. T.
"Walker, W. M.; G. H. Smith, S. W.; J. B. Bell, J. W.; W. G. R. Talley,
Treasurer; S. Rogers, Secretary ; J. H. Martin, S. D.; A. Myers, J. D.;
W. S. Gaston, Tyler; A. F. Bean, S. S.; E. P. Condreay, J. S.
On the 29tii of April, 1871, the following officers were elected: J. T.
Walker, "W. M.; Asa Myers, S. W.; S. Rogers, J. W..; W. G. R. Talley,
Treasurer; A. F. Bean, Secretary; L. M. ifunnaly, S. JD.; J. B. Bell, J. D.;
W. S. Gaston, S. S.; "W. Miller, J. S.; A. P. Black, Tyler.
On the 18th of May, 1872, the following officers were elected: S. Rog-
ers, W. M.; "W. D. Ingalls, S. W.; A. P. Black, J. W.; C. Bender, Treas-
urer; J. C. Ruggles, Secretary.
On the 12th of April, 1873, the following officers were elected: G. H.
Smith, "W. M.; J. H. Martin, S. W.; "W. G. R. Talley, J. "W.; C. JBender,
Treasurer; John 0. Ruggles, Secretary.
The minutes do not show who the officers were for the year 1874 further
than G. H. Smith, W. M.; J. H. Martin, S. "W.; and J. B. Bell, Secretary.
On the 17th of April, 1875, the following_officers were elected: "W. D.
Ingalls, W. M.; J. M. Richardson, S. "W.; W. S. Gaston, J. W.; J.B. Bell,
Treasurer; J. T. "Walker, Secretary.
On the 8th day of April, 1876, the following officers were elected: J. T.
Woy^^i^^^
(yz^^^^Gjiy,
HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT. 556
Walker, W. M.; J. C. Ruggles, S. "W.; J. M. Richardson, J. W.; G. W.
Rassell, Treasurer; G. H. Smith, Secretary.
On the 23d of April, 1877, .the following officers were elected: G. H.
Smith, W. M.; W. D. Ingalls, S. W.; J. B. Bell, J. W.; G. W. Russell,
Treasurer; J. M. Richardson, Secretary.
On the 15th of April, 1878, the following officers were elected: W. D.
Ingalls, W. M.; J. 0. Ruggles, S. W.; C. Bender, J. W.; J. W. Carpenter,
Ti-easnrer; J. M. Richardson, Secretary.
On the 31st of March, 1879, the following officers were elected: J. M.
Richardson, W. M.; J. C. Bell, S. W.; C. Bender, J. W.; J. W. Carpenter,
Treasurer; F. M. Israel, Secretary; — but, owing to the officers-olect failing
to be installed, the old officers hold over.
There are quite a number of successful farmers who, in addition to the
regular work of the farm, deal extensively in stock. Among others, D. C.
Baker, W. G. R. Talley and Wm. Scearcy may be mentioned. Wm. Fye
formerly was the most extensive fanner in the township.
George Cypert Talley, who was killed at South English during the excite-
ment of war-times, an account of which is given elsewhere, was a resident of
this township at the time of his death. He was buried near loka, and on a
tombstone erected to his memory is the following inscription:
" George Cypert Talley died August 1, 1863, aged 29 years, 5 months
and 27 days. Died a martyr to his religious and political opinions; shot
down by highwaymen at South English, Keokuk county, Iowa, while
bravely defending the same."
STEADY RUN TOWNSHIP.
This township corresponds in the main with the congressional township
No. 74 north, range 12 west. The north boundary is South Skunk river,
which makes the northern boundary irregular, and cuts off from the con-
gressional township about four sections, which are attached to Lancaster
township.
The lirst settlers of the township made their claims on the day the In-
dians left. May 1, 1843. The following are the names of the original set-
tlers, with the statement, so far as we are able to arrive at them, of the
facts regarding their subsequent career: Cornelius Hurley, went to Ne-
braska and afterward died; John Lavemore, died a few years since at his
home, on original claim; David Howard, returned to Illinois; Wm. Hut-
ton, found dead near Skunk river; Henry Barrith, returned to Illinois;
Andrew Taylor, one of the first county commissioners, now lives in Wayne
county; Madison M. Harmare, died last winter at home on his original
claim; Francis Brittain, gone to Missouri; also John Hooker; James M.
Brown, moved to Oregon; John Hurley, died in Nebraska; Charles Moore,
died on original claim in 1846; Jesse Shoemaker, now lives at Grand
Island, Nebraska; Enos Darnell, died in 1846; Wm. Stinson, removed to
Appanoose county; Thos. Gaskell, died in 1859; Alexander Jones, com-
monly known as Gen. Jones, lives on his original claim; most remarkable
man in the county; was a playmate of Andrew Jackson; was instrumental
in having Andrew nominated and elected President; removed from Ten-
nessee to Indiana, where he made over a million rails; came to Keokuk
county, Steady Ran township, at an early day; never chewed tobacco, nor
34
556 ■ HISTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
drank whisky; has teeth as white as an infant, and, although about seventy
years old, is still one of the "boj's"; Moses McOonnell, still lives in tiie
township; Josiah Burrows, returned to Illinois; James Raser, run off
with two women, and, in all probability, is dead; Aiisini Eichardson, lives
in Lancaster township; Thomas Eichardson, died in 1S72; John Garrett,
the blacksmith of the first settlement, gone to Missouri; E. B. Whited,
started to Oregon in 1851, stopped at Council Bliitts, where he remained a
couple of. years; afterward went to Texas, and became a colonel in rebel
army; Benjamin Hollingsworth, still lives in the township; Joel Skinner,
now lives at Creston, Iowa; B. F. Weller, the first school-master of Steady-
Enn township, and now the enterprising grain-buyer of Sigourney, still
lives, and long may he live to recount the trials and triumphs of former
idays. Wm. Hutton was the first justice of the peace, and Christopher M.
"Wood was the first constable.
The first tannery erected in the township and probably the first in the
county was erected by E. B. Whited in 1845. A. M. McNutt was the first
white man buried in the township and Elder Kirkpatrick preached the first
sermon. A Baptist church was organized in the spring of 18i6 at the
house of C. M. Wood, who lived where Daniel llutton now lives. The
first members of this church were Anson Eichardson and wife, Thos. Eich-
ardson and wife, Wm. Button and wife and James Hutton, who was
baptized at this time, it being necessary to cut a hole in the ice in oi"der t<y
perform the ceremony. Stephen Fowler and Widow Hardesty were the
first couple married. The first burying place was the Skinner graveyard,
which has been suffered to revert to its original uses, and the original
graves are now scarcely recognizable. (\)rneliu8 Hurlej' and Benjamin
Hollingsworth erected the first flouring mill, it was started with one run of
burrs in the spring of 1846, and is now known as the " Old Clapboard Mill."
The mill now known as the Wheelock mill was started as a saw-mill ia
1856. It was afterward repaired and numerous improvements made, in-
cluding all the modern machinepy for making flour; it is now one of tjie
best mills in the county.
E. F. Weller was the first school teacher; he started /or Iowa in early
times and falling sick in Illinois did not reach K6okntc counts , the place
for which he started, for nearly a year afterward. When lie did arrive he
was without money and scarcely able to work. He had never taught school
and had not attended school much, but at the solicitation of the settlers he
undertook to teach a winter school. He was to receive $1.50 per pupil for
a term of three months, and two-thirds of his wages was to be paid in rails
at sixty-five cents per liundred. Althongh the school-house was poor,
the wages scant, and the teacher had no experience and little learning, he
succeeded so well that he was employed to teach the next school an<i got
the contract of building a new school-house, which was to be a "good
school-house and not cost more than $50."
The first sale of lands in Steady Eun township occurred at Fairfield in
1846. Six parcels, each containing eighty acres, were bought at that time
by the following parties: C. M. Wood eighty acres; Joel Skinner eighty
acres; Andrew Taylor eighty acres; Zebedee Botkin eighty acres; Frank
Brittain, eighty acres; Jesse Brown, eighty acres. There was a bidder ap-
Sointed by the township to bid ofl' all lands sold, and it would have been
angerous business for any one to have bid against him.
This township was named after a stream of water which flows through
HISTOEY OF EEOEXrS COUNTY. 557
Jhat portion of country and empties into Sknnk river. The stream re-
iaiived its name trom the fact that the conntrj is comparatively level, and
the cnrrent is never strong. It is a very fine region of farming lands and
contains some of the most prosperous farmers in the county. In 1850 it
contained a population of 467; in 1856 the population amounted to 694,
and in 1875 it was 948. The present township officers are as follows: Jus-
tices of the Peace, Samuel Dinsmore and W. F. Morgan; constables, J. S.
Hawk and Perry Crocker; clerk, A. Glass; trustees, W. C. Lotsprech, N.
Ogden, Benj. Parrish; assessor, G. F. Horton.
Mt. Zion Church was organized in the fall of 1854. The original mem-
bers were, J. D. Williams, Jacob BottorfF, Philip Henninger, Andrew
Taylor, Benj. Hollingsworth, Joel Skinner, Benj. Parrish, Thomas M.
Thompson, James McCreery and James Cowger. A frame church-build-
ing was erected in 1854, at a cost of $400. The church was never dedica-
cated, as it was built by general subscription, and was open to all denomi-
nations, the Methodists seemingly having a prior claim to all others. The
present membership numbers about forty, and there is a flourishing Sun-
day school with about fifty pupils.
The Presbyterian church of Martinslnirg was organized in 1859, bvKev,
D. V. Smock. The original members were, James D. Bryson, Adeline
Bryson, Henry H. Landis, (Jatharine Landis, Mary Marshall, Eliza Calson,
Susan Barris, Ann Ardery, Kobert S. Antrobns, Robert E. Doak and Mrs.
Doak. In 1858 a frame church-building was erected at a cost of $2,5U0,
which was dedidated the following year. The pastors of the church thus
far have been A. A. Mathews, J. C. McElroy, David Brown and George B.
Smith. The present membership is about seventy-five.
TOWNS.
Elizabethtown was laid out in 1845. It was located on section 15, and
although at that early date it was a town of great expectation, it never
prospered to such an extent as to meet the expectations of the least san-
gnine of its projectors. Most of the present generation of American citi-
zens are ignorant of the excellence of said town, and it is doubtful whether
or not the original lot-owners, were they to arise from the dead, could lo-
cate their former sites for a prospective remunerative bnsiness.
Martlnsburg was laid out and the town plat recorded November 11, 1854.
It is located on sections 28 and 33, less than one mile from the Wapello
county line. Like loka, it is located on a projected line of railway, and at
one time bid fair to become a central shipping point for the surplus agri-
cultural products of that region; but, alas! for the expectations of those
early times! the Muscatine & Missouri Railway got no further than paper,
and Martinsburg still remains a quiet country village, supporting a post-
office, hotel, some prosperous bnsiness houses and a flourishing lodge. The
only post-office in the township is at Martinsburg, but three others are of
easy access: Walden, in Jackson, Uayesville, in Lancaster, and Slagle, in
Benton.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
This township lies in the southwest corner of the county, contains all of
congressional township 74 north, 13 west, and the greater part of five sec-
tions in 75 north, 13 west. It is well watered, and, with the exception of
658 HISTOET OF KEOEUK COUNTY.
two other townships, Lancaster and German, contains more well cultivated
and well improved land than any otlier township in the county. This
township was settled as soon as was allowed by the stipulations of the
treaty of 1842, D. P. Helm, J. W. Palmer, Tinley Brooks and Messrs. Hel-
lery, McCoy, Brown, Cheek and Trimble being the first settlers. That
portion of the township bordering upon South Skunk, and extending south-
ward, is broken and brushy; many years ago it received the name of
" Crackers' Neck," by which it is still known. In 1850 it had a popula-
tion of 435; in 1856 "it was 850, and in 1875 the population was 1,199. At
the same' time there were reported 220 dwellings and 224 families in the
township. There are few, if any, houses of worship in the township; what
religious service there is being held in school-houses, and here those who
believe in going to church attend, or else go to adjoining townships. The
schools were early established, and are considered among the best in the
county.
There are two post-offices, one at the northern part of the township
called Slagle, and Butler, located on section 27. Benton township has no
towns at present, although it at one time did boast of one bearing the pre-
tentious name of West London. It was located on section 18, and was laid
out in 1847, the town plat being recorded in October of that year. The
proposed line of the Ottumwa & Cedar Rapids Railway lies through this
township, and the citizens are hopeful that it will be built within a few
months. Quite a number of the more influential people are now using
their best endeavors to further this enterprise. As the road-bed and many
of the bridges have already been completed, it is not at all probable that
the people of that productive country will long suffer in their material in-
terests for lack of communication with the outside world; and when this is
accomplished Benton township will have a town of its own, and a business
town, too, for it has the men and the capital.
The present township officers are as ibllows :
Justices of the Peace — Lewis Pfeffer and John Mack.
Constables — M. N. Alderman and K. G. Wilcox.
Clerk — James L. Reinhart.
Trustees — Lewis Reinhart, Miles Abraham and C. Lentz.
Assessor — Clark Cook.
WARREK TOWNSHIP.
This township corresponds in the main with congressional township No.
76 north, 13 west. South Skunk, which forms the southern boundary, outs
off about five sections, which for municipal purposes are attached to Ben-
ton. North Skunk runs diagonally across the township, thus dividing it
into two water-sheds. The natural drainage is excellent; the supply of
timber, stone, coal and water is abundant. So diversified are the natural
resources of this region that it has alwaj's been considered one of the favor-
ite spots of Keokuk county. Originally it was a part of what is now
Washington township, and together with it formed what for a long time
was known as Cedar Creek Precinct. The first settlement was made on the
3d of May, 1843, by A. J. McNabb and T. J. Hicklin— the former on sec-
tion 2, and the latter on section 3. McNabb plowed the first furrow in the
township and planted potatoes. Four days after, Maxon Randall took a
HISTOKF OF KEOKUK COTINTr. 669
claim and settled near the same place; he plowed the second piece of
ground which was broken in that part of the county. McNabb and Ran-
dall were very successful in their farming operations, and by sticking- to
their iirst claims, by industry and economy, have become among the
wealthiest citizens of the county. McNabb still resides on his original
claim; Randall remained on his claim till a short time since, when he dis-
posed of liis extensive domain and removed to Sigourney, where he now
resides. T. J. Hicklin also was still found on his original claim after the
lapse of thirty-three years. John Hasty and several others settled in War-
ren township in the spring of 1843. In 1844 Jacob Kinsler began to bnild
the first saw and grist-mill, on North Skunk, west of range 12. The town-
ship was surveyed in 1845, and in 1846 the land was offered for sale. At
that time most of the land was claimed, and the entire amount of money
in the township was about one thousand dollars. At the first sale of lands
there were ten parcels of eighty acres each sold.
The first couple married were Robert Muim and Susan Fence. The li-
cense was procured at Washington, Keokuk county at that time being a
part of Washington, and John Ellis, justice of the peace, pronounced the
ceremony. This marriage was soon followed by three or four more in quick
succession. Mr. Thomas J. Hicklin was chosen to be the father of the first
child born in the township. Squire Ellis, who for many years after the or-
fanization of the county was the law giver of Cedar Creek precinct, had
is seat of justice at Springfield, now in Washington township; and after
Warren township became a municipality separate from Washington, Squire
Keith became the Lycurgus of those regions. Already, in 1845, the pio-
neers of Warren had a school-house; and Rev. Mr. Tannehill, who ex-
Sonnded the gospel on Sundays, here wielded the birch and expounded
[nrray during the week. Mr. Tannehill organized a Baptist church in
1844, Squire Keith and family being among the first members.
A Frenchman, who lived in the McNabb neighborhood in early days,
while out hunting discovered coal, which afterward proved to be the out-
croppings of extensive deposits, which are how being mined by Mr. Dunn,
of belta. As the report goes, the Fenchman after discovering the coal,
went after a shovel, and returning, covered up all signs of the coal, hoping
to be able in a few years to purchase the claim. But before he accumulated
enough money to buy the claim, he was prostrated on his death bed, and
just before dying revealed the facts of his discovery to a friend. However,
his description was not definite enough, and the concealed treasure could
not be found. The land where the coal was concealed was the northwest
quarter of section thirteen, and northeast quarter of section fourteen. This
and finally became the property of Maxon Randall, and was regarded by him
as very good sheep pasture,.and from appearances probably contained some
good building stone. Wishing to quarry some stone to be used in the
foundation of a barn, he accompanied some others to the identical place
where the opening to the coal mine now is, and probably the same place
where the Frenchman had used his shovel a quarter of a century before.
After digging for some time and finding no stone, Mr. Randall went else-
where for his building stone, and a few years afterward sold the land to J.
A. Dunn. It may be remarked here that Mr. Randall, while prospecting
for stone, came so near the coal that had he gone one foot further he would
Jbave come upon it. Mr. Dunn became owner of the ground in 1S72, aind
in 1876 discovered the coal. The vein is from four to six feet deep; the
S60 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
mine is veiy extensively operated, and with the excellent railroad commu-i-
nication, since the extension of the Knoxville branch of the C, R. I. & P.
railroad, promises to be the leading industrial feature of the county. Tiie
banks are located about one mile eouth of Delta, and the coal is at present
conveyed to the latter place in wagons, no side-track having as yet beert
constructed to the mine.
In 1850 the popnlation of "Warren township was 28Y; in 1856 it was
394; and in 1875 it was Y07. At that time there were 144 dwellings and
148 families.
The following are the present officers of the township:
Justices of the Peace — Reuben Kinder and Abel Hawkins. ,
Constables — Hiram Alsop and J. H. Keister.
Clerk— E. C. Hewitt.
Trustees — A. J. McNabb, Horace Braiuard and Abner Utterback.
Assessor — J. B. Jacobs.
THE TOWN OF DELTA.
Delta is located on section two, and was laid out in 1875. It is a beaati-
ful site for a town, being situated on a high piece of ground, the country
sloping toward the south forming a beautiful outlook. It is one of the best
shipping points along the road, and the business men are among the most
active and enterprising in the county. It contains a population of abou,t
five hnndred, is regularly- incorporated, having a full force of town officers
and constitutes an independent school district which supports as good a
graded school as can be found in this or any other county.
The following are the present officers of the corporation:
Mayor — J. H. Neas.
Recorder — W. N. Brown.
Treasurer — J. R. Stirlen.
Councilmen — Reuben Kinder, M. Whisler, F. "W. Prentiss, J. G.
Sharp, S. G. Boise and Jas. Bethard.
Street Commissioner — David Smilie.
Marshal — D. Smilie.
The following is a brief history of the organization and progress of thfe
Delta schools:
On the 10th of March, 1877. a special election was held in the indepen-
dent district of Union and the independent district of Center, to decide the
question of consolidating the two independent district into one. In the in-
dependent district of Center, twenty-two votes were cast, twenty-one itt
favor of consolidating, one opposed.
On March 22, 1877, the qualified electors of the two old independent dis-
tricts of Union and Center, met for the purpose of organizing the new in-
dependent district of Delta. Simpson Ely was chosen president of the-
meeting and J. B. Beatty, secretary. There were eighty eight votes cast,
resnl'ing in the election of J. E. Stanley, 0. C. Wilson, J. U. Brown, W:.
Wharton, J. A. Dunn and H. Brainard as members of school board. Upoa
the organization of the board. Dr. C. C. Wilson was elected president, Ai/.
H. Heber, secretary, Maxon Randall, treasurer.
May 12, 1877, another special election, on the question of bonding the
independent district of Delta to the amount of $4,000,' for the purpose ot
HI8TO:^T Oy KEOKTJK COUNTY, 561
building a two-story brick scliool-lionse containing four rooms. Fifty-four
votes were cast, forty-five in tkvoi", nine agairist.
On May 29, 1877, block No. 2. in town of Delta, was selected by a com-
mittee of the board as a site for the new school-biiilding. It was after-
ward purchased for the sum of $i.50. Tlie school-liouse is sixty feet long,
forty feet wide and two stories high. It contains four rooms; two thirty
feet long and twenty-seven feet wide; two twenty-eight feet long and
t«Kenty-five tjeet wide. Besides these there are four cloak rooms or entries,
two halls and a basement. The building is heated by stoves, well ventilated
and lighted. Benjamin J. Bartlett, an architect of Des Moines, furnished
the design and the contract was let to J. A. Myers, of Montezuma. Mr.
Myers' bid was $3,940, the lowest one submitted to the board. The con-
tract was signed August 1, 1877, and work commenced immediately after-
ward.
On the 9th of September, 1877, school opened in the new building, with
T. J. Andrews at principal, Mrs. T. J. Andrews as assistant in intermedi-
Bte department and Mrs. Ella Myers assistant in the primary department.
During the term of eight months, 219 pnpils were enrolled and an aver-
age dailv attendance of 114 was secured. Tiie principal received a salary
of $50 per month; the assistant in intermediate department $30, and the
assistant in primary department $25. Average salary paid teachers, $35
per month.
On September 8, 1879, the second term of school opened with R. Burke
as principal, S, A. D. Hamilton assistant in intermediate department, and
Mrs. Ella Myers assistant in primary department.
Number of pupils in district between the ages of five and twenty-one
years at beginning of second school year, September 8, 1879: Males, 96;
females, 110; total, 206.
Twtal number enrolled during first two moths, ; average number be-
longing during second month, 147; average daily attendance during second
month, 140; salary of principal per month, $50; salary of assistants per
month, $30 each; average salary per month, $36.66f.
Present school board :
President — I. E. Stanley.
Directors — J. V. Brown, Wm. Wharton, James Dixon, Jacob Kens-
ler and G. W. Dunn.
Treasurer— Jno. Schott.
Seci-etary — "Warren Brown.
The only post-office in the township is at Delta, L. E. Stanley postmaster.
The Chicago Lodge, No. 385, 1. O. O. F., is in a prosperous condition,
Messrs. "Whisler, N. G., J. R. Stirlen, Secretary. The "Independent" is
a spicy newspaper, and faithfully represents the local interests of that
place. There are two churches, the Christian and Baptist. The former
was organized in 1876, Horace Brainard, Martha Brainard, Dora Brainard,
Haden Brainard, Thos. Hicklin, A. Scoonover, Ella Scoonover, G. W.
Pence and Elizabeth Pence being among the original members. The
church building was erected in the summer of 1876, at a cost of $2,200,
and was dedicated the following winter by Prof. Carpenter, of Oskaloosa.
S. Ely, J. H. Rogan, J. W. Garrett and B. M. Scott have been the pastors.
The present membership is one hundred.
The Baptist church was organized in 1870. The original members were
I«aac Wilson, Sarah Wilson, A. I*. McDonald, Amanda McDonald, L. E.
562 TJISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Hayes, Martha Hayes, David McDonald, Mary McDonald, Charles Mci-
Donald, Nancy McDonald and Jacob Hawk. The church was organized
by S. E. Nelson and M. Greyson. S. E. Nelson, M. Greyson and G. M.
Valinghain have been pastors. The present membership is about thirty.
• There are two societies which have regular meetings, one literary and
the other temperance.
Among the leading business houses the following are the leading ones:
general merchandise, Stanley & Brother; dry goods, Eeed & Son; agri-
cultural implements, Prentiss Brothers; drugs and medicines, JRus H'ogin;
groceries. Cover & Brown; grain and live stock merchants, Mighell
Brothers; Delta Coal Works, J. A. & G. W. Dunn ; physicians and sur^
geons, J. D. Hamilton and E. H. Sheaflfer; hotels. Centennial House, kept
by J. K. Shipley, and Delta House, kept by J. H. Neas.
LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
This township lies between the branches of Skunk river, and extends
within six miles of the county line, both east and west, and is twelve miles
in length. It was first known as Kidge precinct. In 1846 it was organ-
ized as a township, taking the name of Lafayette. After the location of
the town of Lancaster it was changed to the name of that town.
The first white settlers were: Obadiah Tharp, John W. Snelson, Presley •
Doggett, William Trueblood, James Robinson, B. F. Chastain, Williatn
McGrew, James M. and Jesse B. Mitts, George Wimer, J. B. Whisler,
Amos Holloway, David Stout, J. G. Dement and Sam. Hardesty. Mr. Snel^
son located on the present farm of Corbin Utterback, and for some time
ran a ferry across North Skunk. A cabin was erected near his dwelling in
which Mr. Whisler commenced selling goods, in the fall of 1844. Mr.
Whisler afterward sold goods in Lancaster, and at his mill, four miles
west of town. In 1845 Col. J. G. Crocker located near Lancaster, and in
1847 his son, the late General M. M. Crocker, received the appointment of
military cadet at West Point.
This township is the largest and possesses the greatest variety of natural
resources of any in the county. While it contains farming lands which
are hot excelled by any other in the State, it also has an abundance of tim-
ber and excellent water power. It has always taken the lead in point of
population, and when the seat of justice was located there it substantially
controlled the politics of the county, and thus was the first precinct in
point of influence, a position which it has not yet entirely lost. Lancas-
ter, with its heavy democratic majorities, is still a power in political con-
ventions.
The population in 1850 was 349; in 1856 it was 1,110; and in 1875 it
was 1,454.
The first school in the county was probably taught by Henry Horse, in a
log house which formerly stood on the Doggett farm, in the winter of 1844
and '45.
Among the first marriages was that of Mr. Jordan to Maria McGrew;
and the first birth appears to have been a son of Augustus M. Mead. Ben-
jamin F. Chastain organized the first church, in May, 1844. Tlie first
members were W. Snelson and wife, Jesse Gabbert and wife. Dr. Ragland,
Nathan Ruth and B. F. Chastain. They had no house of worship, and
their meetings were held at the residence of Mr. Snelson, on section three.
HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT. 563
The first sermon was preached by Tannehill, at the hause of John Cox,
in 1843.
!,?Situated as it is, between the two forks of Skunk river, the best water
power is easy of access, and this was early utilized by the erection of mills.
These mills have always V)een a help to the development of the resources
of the entire county, and have had a gfood reputation in this and adjoining
townships. To aid in the settlement of that portion of the county, and
afford ready communication with other places, there was early a need felt
for good I'oads. A county road, commonly known as the Ridge Road, was
early projected, and ever since has been regarded as the leading highway oi
the county. Although several railways have been projected across the
township, none so far have been successful. The Ottuuiwa road, after nu-
merous failures, now promises to be built at no far distant day, and when
built will contribute much toward bringing out the large store of undevel-
oped resources which abound in great variety. Owing to the size of the
township it has an extra force of civil officers. For the present year they
are as follows:
Justices of the Peace — W. H. Hubbard, B. 0. Moore, S. 0. Harris.
Clerk — H. B. Jacobs.
Assessor — S. W. Brunt.
Constables — J. H. Richardson, J. H. Batt, J. M. Swearingen.
Trustees — Josiah Utterbach, F. M. Wertz, E. Bralliar.
; Owing to the fact that so much of the history of this township is inti-
mately connected with the county-seat contests, and while the county-seat
was at Lancaster, the history of that town was the history of the town-
ship, the facts will be grouped as far as possible in the tollowing short ac-
count of the
TOWN OF LANCASTER.
In 1846, knowing, as he did, that the effort to remove the county-seat to
come point between the two Skunk rivers would probably prove successful,
Mr. J. B. Whisler, who has before been referred to, bought a quantity of
land in section 30, put about forty acres under cultivation, removed his
store there, and called the place Lafayette. This done he executed a bond
for a deed to the county for the land at Congress price, in case the county-
eeat should be removed there. The locating commissioners selected the
place for a county-seat and removed it to Lancaster. The county offices were
removed to the latter place in October, 1846. Prior to that time, and a
short time after the vote on the removal of the connty-seat, the commis-
misioners made the following order, which was the first act in the laying
out ot the town of Lancaster:
"Ordered by the board that the county surveyor be requested to appear
at Lancaster, situated on the northeast qnarter of section thirty, township
seventy-five, range eleven, prepared to survey and plat the said location
under the direction of the board of commissioners, on the 13th day of
August, 1846."
The land was accordingly laid out into town lots, and the town platted
and i-ecorded in August, 1846. Soon after the plat was recorded there was
a sale of lots, and Lancaster immediately became a city of great future
E respects. Some of the great men of the State, and some whose voices
ave been heard in the councils of the nation, began their professional ca-
564: HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
reer at this same town of Lancaster. Here the first paper of the county
was published, the "Lancaster Friend," and here were adjudicated some of
tlie most important law cases which liave come up before the courts of the
district.
The following men of business flourished at Lancaster during the day&
of its prosperity: J. B. "WhisTer, "Whisler & Mitts, W. A. Jordon, 8l
Johnson, Malcom & Powers, J. Robinson, James McGrew, J. W. Siielson^
Jesse O'Neil, J. & G. Wimer, Stapleton & Son, W. Bowman, N. Prime,.
J. Bucher, E. Clapp, E. Stout, John Crisnian, S. Jacobs, J. B. Gole and
H. Stevens.
The following phyicians flourished there: C. S. Stapleton, Drs. Clifton^
Allen, Dorr, Davis, Alexander, Wright, Roop, Bell, Janes and others.
Among the prominent attorneys were the following: J. A. Williamson^
E. T. Burton, Gr. W. Stapleton, S. A. Evans, J. M. Casev, Johii Johnson,.
A. J. Hill, M. T. Moore, J. T. Axtel, Gt. Wilkinson, J. L. Paschal, and
others.
All branches of business were represented, and Lancaster in the days of
its prosperity was a neat and enterprising town. One of the greatest mis-
fortunes which occurred in the days of its prosperity was the fire which
destroyed a large part of the town. At present there is very little of Lan-
caster left.
The lodge organized in 1855 and two churches are all that is left of it&
former glory. There are one or two stores, a blacksmith shop, postoffice-
and one very successful physician.
The Christian Chui'ch was organized in 1848, the original members being
Wm. Trueblood and wife, J. W. Snelson and wife, Thos. Cobb and wife>.
Asa Cobb and wife, W. H. Brunt and others. A brick church was erected
in 1854 at a cost of $1,000. The present membership is fifty-four.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1852; S. A. Evanfr
and wife, Mrs. Jesse O'Neil and Miss Mary O'Neil were among the- orig-
inal members. John Orr and Samuel Hestwood have been among the pas-
tors in years gone by. In 1869 the congregation purchased the farst story
of the Masonic hall building and fitted it up for church purposes at a cost
of $400. The present membership numbers about twenty-five. Beside*
Lancaster there are two other postoffices in the township, Hayesville on
section 28, and Monhattan located on section 34, in township 74, range 11.
CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
A part of the township was in the second purchase of Indian territory io
Iowa and settled in the spring of 1839 by Dr. Washington Mealey and John
Mealey as the first white parties. Their claims are now the property of
Samuel Singmaster, one of Iowa's most successful stock feeders and horse
breeders, as he has now on hand twenty-one imported Clydesdale and Norr
man stallions.
In the fall of 1839 Thomas Henderson and D. N. Henderson, his second
son, crossed the Mississippi at Burlington, and Wending their way alorig^
the Indian trails (for there were no roads) for three days and landed on the
farm now owned by Martin Sanders, about three miles' from the then boun-
dary line. The Indians visited them daily in a log shanty where they
camped, passing the shanty without a door, no one near, and did not dis-
HISTORY OF KEOKTTK OOCNTT. 565
tnrb anything, for they had not then contracted the bad habits of the
whites'.
Tlioinas Henderson retnrned to liis home in "Warren coinity. III, and
left his son, D. N. Henderson, to work on his claim while he boarded with
Dr. Mealey and Jolui Mpaley, who both lived in the same house, he then
being only a yonth. His history is closely interwoven with the history of
the township and a short account of his varyinjr fortunes will be appro-
priate, as a history of Clear Greek township without U. N. Hendersou in it.
would be like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. During tlie former
part of the winter the Mealey families were each blessed with a new comer
and D. N. had to wade in the snow into Washington county to bring some
lady friends to welcome into the world the young Hawkeye. On one of
these trips he had to wade in the snow while Mrs. Wasson, Mrs. Temple
and Mrs. Middleton waded in the snow after him. He returned to Illinois-
dnring the winter of 1840, and while absent John Baker and Wm. Shock-
ley made claims, and in the following spring Thos. Henderson returned
and settled on his claim. James Junkin settled on the farm now owned
by C. Ramsey. Baker and Shockley settled on claims now owned by John
Suman and John Vogle. In the same spring William Grimsby settled on
a claim on which is now located the town of Talleyrand, Wesley Goss,.
Harvy Stevens and L. B. Homes all taking claims on government land not
surveyed; and in order to protect claims it became necessary to have an
oi^nization and make a code of laws in which all who signed the code
pledged their property, lives and sacred honor to stand to and abide the
decision of any committee chosen to settle any claim difficulty. All the
citizens signed the pledge and things moved on with scarce a jar to mar the
happy familes. All the first settlers had families, except L. B. Homes, and
he courted and married Miss Anderson the second year after settling on
his river claim, and they had one child, and she is at this writing the wife
of Theodore Robison of Sigonrney. About this time John Grill, Sr., and
his two sons, David and John, settled on claims on Skunk river, and after
Hving there two years sold to Robert Alexander and Michael Hornish, who-
came from Richland county. Ohio, and they and their families formed a
nnciens with Wesley Goss as a kind of exhorter to form a Methodist chnrclu
Soon after a tin peddler and next a Methodist preacher made their advent
in Clear Creek, and Rev. Samuel Sturgeon, an Associate Reformed preacher
who preached every four weeks on Sunday at Thos. Henderson's house, he
and his wife being both members, and T>. N. sung David's Psalms, tor he
was then orthodox. Fears were entertained as to the propriety of allowing
tlie Grills to settle on their claims, and a youth by the name of Mealey
burned a cabin on their claitn to prevent their settlement, and L. B.
Homes was charged with being accessory, which upon investigation proved
not to be correct. The Black Hawk purchase having been made in 1842 the
whites were allowed to settle on this land. D. ]N. Henderson had bonght a
claim of W. J. Hutchinson at the place where the Black Hawk mill now
stands, and L. B. Homes, who had a desire for a mill-site, determined to-
jump the claim. Tliey both repaired to the location on the evening that
the Indian title expired, and at midnight with their friends armed with
guns and knives. Homes took possession of the house which Hutchinson
Had built, and Henderson's party built a log heap so near the house that it
caught fire and the house had to be torn down. They then compromised
566 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
and Homes bought Henderson out. Some of the boys were fined fifteen
dollars, but D. N. Henderson escaped.
The township soon settled up with good, sober citizens, for there was
not a drop of liquor of any kind sold or used in Clear Creek for several
jears after it was settled, and peace and happiness reigned supreme. Sun-
day-schools were organized, and no sect seemed to be strong enough to
attempt to persecute. But finally the Methodists got the lead in church
matters, and, as usual, they began to lay down rules of moral conduct for
all classes. .But the others, although in the minority, refused to follow the
■dictates of the Methodists, and would once in a while trip the fantastic toe,
and thus two sets, both orthodox Christians, edged oflF, and would have
been at open war liad it not been for Mr. Grimsley, Thomas Henderson
and George Gray. DiflSculties then arose, and some left the church with
•disgust, and some were turned out. But a few held fast to the faith, and
revived again, and built a log church at the place now known as the Hornish
'Graveyard, as Michael Hornish donated three acres to be under tlie care
of the Methodists, and to be a public burying ground for all who wished to
occupy the same. Their church has had its ebbs and floods, sometimes in
prosperity and at others in adversity, and at this date tliey have a frame
house, in which thej' hold their meetings in Talleyrand; but their members
are but few, and very little life is mariitiested in their devotions.
While writing on the church subject, we will give the church history of
«ach denomination.
The Associate Reformed Church never organized in Clear Creek town-
ship. They only had occasional preaching, and finally organized ia Wash-
ington and Brighton.
The Seceders held occasional meetings at Mr. Junkin's house in the early
settlement of the township, but never made a permanent organization, and
united with the Seceders of Washington county, and built a church three
miles east of Talleyrand, many of its members residing in Clear Creek
township, among whom are (and were) Thomas Jeffrey and family, and E.
Kinkade and famly; and as the two last named churches have united under
the name of United Presbyterians, they still hold their meetings at the old
Seceder Church, east of Talleyrand, in Washington county; and prominent
among its members are John Jeffrey, Samuel Ford, A. H. Ford, Nathan
Garrett, Moses Hons, William S. Balston, and their families. They never
proselyte, and never receive any into their church who are not well versed
in the ritual, and of course they have but little trouble with their
members.
At the time that Lee split the Methodist church the United Brethren or-
ganized a church at the Greenlee school-house, Mr. Cligren and Frederick
F. Lj'ons as pastors. It continued for several years and finally disappeared.
The Baptists organized a church at the Shinbone school-house in the year
18 — , and have continued to this writing, and have a church in Talleyrand
"witli a membership of . They have a good frame house, with a steeple
and bell. Prominent among their members are A. N. Herich, William
Johnson, Uriah Johnson, S. E. Johnson, Dan'l Band, Austin Conely, John
Shockley, David Marquis, J. M. Sanders, Thos. Cowdery, and all their
wives; and Mrs. Jenks and Mrs. Powers, widow ladies.
The Catholic church is a substantial brick building, two miles northwest
of Talleyrand. Its members number . Theirs is a strong organization,
and outside of the church but little is known of its workings. It is well
BISTOEY OF KEOKUK OOTJNTT. 567
fiiistained by its members, among whom are Paul Pfeifer, Frederick Berg,
John Vogle, John Seeman, Peter Quier, Jacob Conrad, and many others
who seem to be zealous in tiie cause they have espoused.
' The Presbyterians built a church at Talleyrand, but the church finally
went down and was sold.
■ The German Methodists organized a church at Talleyrand, and erected a.
building, which is still used by them.
The Adventists held a series of meetings in 1869, and created quite an
iBxcitement. Mr. Cornell, a Campbellite, held a discussion with them, and'
seemed to get ahead in the debates; however, they prospered ibr a time,,
but of late they seem to have about disappeared.
In 1859 a barn belonging to Mr. Singmaster was destroyed by fire. Cir-
cumstances led the people to suppose that the fire was caused by an incen-
diary, and the suspected party was taken by a number of Mr. Singmaster's^
neighbors and barely escaped being hung. He was afterward indicted by
the grand jury, and being convicted was sentenced to the penitentiary.
Clear Creek township is known to the real estate dealer as township 75,.
range 10; and in 1850 had a population of 242; in 1856 the population
was 678 ; and in 1876 it was 1,270. '
It is not as level as the township north, nor considered as good for agri-
cultural purposes as Richland, but owing to the fact that lumber was ot"
eitsy access it has always been a favorite region for emigrants. The present
officers are :
Justices of the Peace — D. N. Henderson and George Starr.
Constables — P. Heisdafi'er and John Briar.
Clerk — E. F. Henderson.
Trustees — T. Stuckland, John Englendinger and 'S. Wehr.
Assessor — John Hornung.
Talleyrand, the only town in the township, was laid out in March, 1867.
It is located near the center of the township, on sections 13, 14, 23 and 24.
It, for its size, has the usual number of stores, shops, churches and physi-
cians, all of which are in a prosperous condition.
GERMAN TOWNSHIP.
This township is composed of township 76 and over half of 75, range 11
and contains a larger population, except Sigourney, than any other in the-
county. In 1850 there were 239 inhabitants, in 1856 there were 806 and
in 1875 there were 1,532. This township is inhabited almost exclusively
by Germans, who are well situated and are contented and industrious.
Ifeither the Democratic nor the Republican party has ever been able to-
control the vote of this township, and consequently this is the chief battle-
field during the heated contests for the election of county oflBcers. Al-
though the people of German township are not owned by any political
organization, they never forget their enemies nor forsake their friends in
time of need. Mr. Snakenberg and Casper Klett were among the first set-
tlers of this township, the former still living near where he first settled and
the latter dying a few years since. He was born in Saxony in 1813; came
to Iowa in 1835 and to Keokuk county in 1839, and became the leading citizen
of German township. He had thirteen children, ten of whom are living..
B. T. Moore came to the county in 1853, and since that time has followedi
568 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
farming in tliis towftsliip. He lives on section 16, township 76, r&nge '11.
John Helcher settled in German township in 1869, where he married Misa
Anna Snakenberg. He lives on section 36. Martin Weaver lives on sec-
tion 16; he came to the township in 1857 with $700, and is now worth
about $7,000. J<.hn Beinhart came to the township in 1846 and entered
the land upon which his son, John Beinhart. Jr., now lives. He died shortly
after coming to tiie township. Calvin McGay settled in German township
in 1858. He bonght eighty acres of land and had only $100 to pay on it.
He now has two hundred acres of well improved land, and is out of d&bti
The foregoing illustrates the character of tiie majority of the farmers of
•German township. 'I here are in this township thirteen school-liouses.
The iirst one was bnilt in 1847, and stood east ot Gara:baldi in the timber,
and was called No. 1. In 1849 district No. 2 built a house one mile west
nof Garabaldi; both were log houses 16x20 feet with one window and one
door. In 1854 district No. 4 was organized and a house built. It was
16x18 feet, made of hewed logs, puncheon floor one door and five windows;
the district was three miles wide and six miles long, and here Levi Bowerj.
the present county treasurer, taught his first school. One among the first
ischool teachers of the township was Duke Rosecrans, an uncle of Gen^
Eosecrans and Henry Rosecrans, of Sigourney. Wm Love also taught
rschool in the same neighborhood in early days. H. D. Todd, for many
3'ears subsequently county superintendent, taught school in German town-
■for several terms.
The first church in German township was a German Methodist church,
organized in 1852. The first members were Didrick Snakenberg, Lewis
and John Snakenberg, Andrew Ilofl'mau, Court Meyerdiek, Anton lilander,
.J«ihn Flitch, David and John Beinhart. The present pastor is Rev. Philip
Bai'th. There is a Catholic church at Baden, built in 1857, the present pas-
tor being Rev. 1'. Kerr. There is also a Lutheran church, built in 1857, or-
:ganized in 1855, first members were Christian Dnnsing, Wm. Bienmatt^.
Ferdinand Wickenkump, Didrick Strohman, John Shermer, Didrick Buns
;and Herman Beinka.
A coal bank known as Wm. Loughridge's bank, was discovered in 1856
by John Hartman. The vein was only eighteen inches thick and has not
been operated for a nnniber of years.
In 1856 John Hartman built a saw:mill" on Genrfan creek; it was the
first and only experiment with water-power in the township, and was not a
success. It WHS washed away shortly after it was built. In 1855 John
Holsworth built a steam saw-mill on land owned l)y Sebastian Striegle,
which was afterward removed one mile west of Garibaldi, where it is still
-operated. Joseph Kohlhouse built a steam saw-mill in the southern part
•of the township and operated it till 1871, when it was destroyed by the tor-
nado.
The first cemetery was laid out on Didrick Snakenberg's land near the
■old German Methodist church, in 1847. The first person buried there was
John Beinhart. In 1856 another cemetery was laid out near the Lutheran
■church. John Brumei't, one of the first settlers of the township, was among
the first buried there There is still another cemetery in the north part of
the tiiwnship which was laid out in 1859 Silas Richardson, one of the old
pioneers was buried there. '"''-'
There are no doctors at pn sent. Samnel Todd has practiced law for
twenty years. C. H. Mohland began the practice a few years since. There
HMTOET OF KBOKDK COUNTY. 569
•were formerly two breweries in the sonth part of the township, one of
them operated by William Jiigenheimer and the other by Philip Mitchell;
both were discontinued some time since.
Baden was the first town laid out in German township. It was laid out
in 1856 by Sebastian Striegle. The first house was built by G. H. B. Strie-
gle, now of Harper, who built a dwelling house and blacksmith shop in
1857. The next building was erected by a Mr. Franken, who erected a
dwelling and grocery-honse combined. L. Striegle erected a store room
and Christ. Striegle built a dwelling-house soon after. In 1857 a Catholio
chnrch was built in Lafayette township, and some time after it was moved
to Baden, where it is now located.
Garibaldi was laid out in 1858. It contains a post-ofBce, one store and a
Turner's hall. It is chiefly noted for its facilities for furnishing amnse-
ment for the boys.
Ihe present township officers are:
Justices of the Peace — Henry Gortner and Fred. Cox.
Constables— Mart. Mohland and J. "W. Snakenberg.
Clerk— U. H. Mohland.
Trustees — John Knox, John Helcher and Henry Kilmer.
. Assessor — Theodore Blaise.
SIGOURNEY TOWNSHIP.
The boundaries of this township are very irregular on the north and south
sides. The east and west boundaries are the same as the congressional
township lines, and in this particular corresponds with range 12. The ir-
regular channel of Skunk river forms the southern boundary, while on the
north it corresponds with congressional township No. 75, except in north-
east corner, where two sections, thirty-five and thirty-six, are taken froni
Van Baren township. Until September, 1844, it was a part of German
township; at that time thn county commissioners made the following order:
"Ordered, that the boundaries of German township be extended so as to
make its western line be the range linedividing ranges twelve and thirteen,
and that the name of said township be changed to the name of Sigoumey."
Some time alter there was a division made and' the former name of German
township again appeared on the map with its present boundaries.
The township of Sigouruey thus received its name from the town which
bad been located and named more than a year before the township was
formed. The township, as it is now defined, contains about 12,500 acres,
and lias a population, exclusive of the town, of about 750. In 1850, the
township, exclusive of the town, had a population of 536, and in 1856 it
was 934. The present township oflicers are as follows:
Justices of the Peace — John Rogers and R. L. Donnell.
Constables — L. A. Berry and Chas. Berry.
Clerk— W. Shean.
Trustees — David MoMurray,»A. G. Brown and G. Kleinsmith.
Assessor — W. A. Barker.
670 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
THE OITY OF SIGOUKNEY.
In treating of the organization of the county and the connty-seat con-
tests, mnch of the history of Sigonrney has already been written. In this
chapter we sliall treat of it in its character as a place of business; of its
growth and development, and of its literary, benevolent and religions in-
stitutions. The circumstances which led to the naming of the place have
already been given, and at this place it will be proper to give a brief sketch
of Mrs. Sigonrney.
Mrs. Sigourney was born at Norwich, Connecticut, on the 1st of Septem-
ber, 1791. Her maiden name was Lydia Huntley. At a very early age
she manifested a fondness for painting. Almost in her infancy she began
to draw with a pin and lilac-leaf, and advanced from that to slate and pencil,
and by-and-by to a lead pencil and backs of letters. Having in some way
obtained a cake of gamboge, she begged of a washerwoman a piece of in-
digo, and by combining these two ingredients she could make difterent
shades of yellow, blue and green. At length, to her great joy, her father
gave her a complete box of colors. When yet a girl her day-dream of the
future was to be a school teacher. The long cherished wish which, for a
long time, was kept a secret, was at length revealed to her parents, neither
of whom made any objections, and the pleasantest room of the house was
fitted up for the reception of pupils. ■ Her first venture did not prove to be
a success, parents having some hesitancy in intrusting their children to one
so young. She afterward associated herself with another lady, and suc-
ceeded better.
In 1815, while enjoying the hospitality of Daniel Wadsworth, her kind
and appreciative host by chance obtained possession of some of Lydia's
manuscript in prose arid verse; he pronounced them worthy of publication,
and under his auspices a volume was published entitled, " Moral Pieces in
Prose and Verse." This was the first appearance in print of any of her
productions. The public gave the little volume a generous welcome, and
its success lead to a career of authorship that lasted near a half-century and
resulted in the publication of fifty-six volumes of poetry, tales, novels, bi-
ographies and letters.
When twenty-eight years old, she was married to Charles Sigourney.
For the next fifteen years she resided in the most elegant mansion in Hart-
ford, her husband being a very successful merchant of that place. She be-
came the mother of several children, all but two of whom died in infancy.
After years of prosperity, Mr. Sigourney met with heavy losses, and they
were compelled to leave their pleasant residence and seek a home in a less
pretentious partof theci'y. Mr. Sigourney died at the age of seventy-six.
During the last seven years of her life Mrs. Slgouruey's cliief employment
was contributing to the columns of the New York "Ledger." She died
in June, 1865, after a brief illness, she having enjoyed excellent health up
to a short time previous to her death. She contemplated the approach of
death with great tranquility of mind — and well she might; for, having
spent her life in honorable labor for the benefit of her race, she could look
back upon her career with pleasure and satisfaction.
She always looked toward the rapidly developing West with deep inter-
est; especially is this true of Iowa, where was located the scene of one of
her most touching poems. An Indian girl by the name of Ka-la-we-quois,
belonging to the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians, died of consumption and
^■^^^
/Z-PVt^
-^
HI8T0KY OP KEOKUK OOtlNTT. 673
was buried in a county sonthwest of here. Mrs. Sigonrney, seeing a notice
of her death, wrote the following touching lines:
THE INDIAN GIRL'S BURIAL.
A wail upon the prairies,
A cry of woman's woe,
That mingleth with the autumn blast,
AH fitfully and low.
It is a mother's wailing!
Hath earth another tone
Like that with which a mother mourns
Her lost, her only one?
Pale faces gather 'round her;
They mark the storm swell high
That rends and wrecks the tossing soul;
But the cold blue eyes are dry.
Pale faces gazed upon her,
As the wUd winds caught her moan;
But she was an Indian mother.
Bo she wept those tears alone.
Long o'er that wasting idol
She watched, and toiled, and prayed,
Though every dreary dawn revealed
Some ravage death had made,
Till the fleshless sinews started,
And Hope no opiate gave.
And hoarse aiid hollow grew her voice —
An echo from the grave.
She was a gentle creature.
Of raven eye and tress,
And dove-like were the tones that breath'd
Her bosom's tenderness;
Save when some quick emotion
The warm blood quickly sent,
To revel in her olive cheek,
So richly eloquent.
I said consumption smote her,
And the healer's art was vain.
But she wius an Indian maiden,
And none deplored her pain —
None, save the widow'd mother,
Who now by her open tomb
Is writhing like the smitten wretoh
Whom judgment marks for doom.
Alas! that lowly cabin.
That couch beside the wall.
That seat beneath the mantling vine,
They are lone and empty all.
What hand shall pluck the tall green com,
That ripenetb on the plain.
Since she for whom the board was spread
Will ne'er return again!
Rest! rest then, Indian maiden!
Nor let thy murmuring shade
Grieve that those pale-browed ones with fcom
Thy burial rite surveyed.
There's many a king wnose funeral
A black-robed realm shall see —
For whom no tearof giirf is shed
Like that which faUs for thee.
36
674 HI8TOEY OF KEOKUK OOUHTT.
-Tea, rest thee, forest maiden!
Beneath the native tree;
The proud may boast their little day —
They sink to dust like thee;
But there's many a one whose funeral
With nodding plumes may be.
Whom nature nor affection mourns
As now they mourn for thee.
Such is a brief sketch of the lady in whose honor the capital of Keokuk
county received its name. She showed her appreciation of the compli-
ment at one time by providing for the planting of the trees which now
adorn the conrt-house yard.
The town having been located and named, the next act in the develop-
ment of the embryo city was a survey of the town site and a plat of the
same. The preparatory legislation requisite to this end occurred^ on the
27th of July, 1844, when the county commissioners made the following
order:
"Ordered by the board that the county surveyor of Keokuk county be
required to repair to Sigourney, in said county, situated on the northeast
qiiarter of section No. 2, in township 75, range 12, which has been selected
as the seat of justice for said county, and on the 7th day of August next,
or within five days thereafter, proceed to lay off a , town on said quar-
ter section, by first finding the center of said quarter section, and making
the center of the public'square the center of said quarter section; pro-
vided, however, that if the center should not be situated on an eligible spot
then making the center of the public square at a certain stake set by the
county commissioners, which stands about one hundred yards northwest of
the office of S. A. James; : and that the surveyor proceed to lay off the
public square two hundred and seventy-six feet square, and that he lay off
eight blocks of the following dimensions, to-wit: Two hundred and seven-
ty-six feet square, which shall be laid off into eight lots, each with an alley
of twelve feet running each way through the center of the block; also four
streets; two running east and. west and two north and south, which streets
shall be eighty feet wide." ,
At the same session of the board it was ordered that a sale of lots of the
sown of Sigourney be held in Sigourney on Tuesday, the 1st day of
October, 1844, The sale occurred according to order, and resulted in the
sale of a single lot, it being lot three, in block three, which sold for $l'A, $6 to
be paid in three months',' and $6 to be paid in six months, the purchaser
being Joel Landreth. The town having been sui-veyed and one lot sold, i^
now Tjecame necessary to buy the land upon which, the prospective town
was located from the government. The commissioners accordingly author-
ized Mr. S. A. James to borrow the money necessary for this purpose,
which he procured from Godfrey Klett, and the land was entered in Jan-
uary, 1845. The remaining portion of the town quarter was laid out in
February, 1845, and in April the agent appointed began to sell lots; those
on the square sold for about $50, and others for $5. As has previously
been remarked, Mr. James was the first resident of the town of Sigourney;
he completed liis cabin, and thus, according to the rules of pre-emption,
became a settler in June, 1844. Here Mr. James remained " monarch of
all he surveyed " during the fall and winter of 1846. No other habitation
came within the circle of his vision except that of Jacob Shaver in a grove
HISTOBr OF KKOKUK OOUNTr. 675
to the southwest. Mr. James, like many other men doing business in large
cities, had his home outside the city limits, and boarded with Mr. Siiaver,
who dwelt in the quiet suburb already mentioned. When the court met at
the county-seat in July, 1844, it also adjourned to the country for dinner.
In the spring and summer of 1845 there was quite an addition to the
heretofore quiet and orderly population of Sigourney. Among those who
came at this time were G. B. Cook, A. Covey, Joseph Adams, E. Shngart,
Wni. Easey, James, Siiields, Josiah Crawford, Rev. W. Hulbert, 13. F. Ed-
wards, and Dr. B. F. Weeks. Mr. Cook erected the first frame house in
Sigourney, which was afterward removed to the rear of Dr. Skillman's store
room. Mr. Shields erected a log house where the Clark House was after-
ward located, and opened up in it a grocery store. Mr. Shugart erected a
dwelling house of hewn logs. Mr. Basey put up a double log cabin which
was pulled down in 1865 by J. L. Hogin. Eev. Mr. Hulbert erected the
second frame house in the town ; this house was afterward owned and occu-
pied by Joseph Knox. Mr. Edwards erected a log building on the east
side of the square, in which he opened up a general stock of merchandise.
Mr. A. W. Blair was the first attorney. He came in January, 1845, and
remained until the beginning of the Mexican war, when he volunteered in
the service and spent some five years in northern Mexico. At the close of
the war he went to De's Moines and afterward to California. Dr. Weeks
was the first pliysician; he practiced his profession throughout the sur-
ironnding country and while on a professional visit to Warren township
was taken sick and died at the residence of Maxon Kandall.
. In 1846 Joseph Knox, for many years the leading merchant of Sigour-
ney, settled at the county seat. Then followed John C. Hogin, J. L. Hogin,
;Walker.& Hawk, Reeves & Lash, I. N. and S. E. Hall, J.D. tAoNeS, Page
& Startsman, James Carr, A'. Meyer, Jackson '& McElroy. These all dealt
in dry goods and groceries, except the latter, who also handled hardware
very extensively. John Triessler, Heider & Allgayer, A. G. Brown, Wm.
"Wait, A- H. Mensley, Reeves & Shebe, C. D. McCally. Ray & King a,lso
Widled a stock of general merchandise during the years of '49 and '59 in-
chisi've. W. A. Beeks, J. L. Hogin, Miller & Blair, Shelby & Ross, Miller
& Landers supplied the drug and book trade during the same period, while
Martin Grimsley, James Bowen, Martin Butch, C. J. Smith, C. H. Adiai-d,
J. G. Ci-bcker and J. Shipfer supplied the grocery trade. Mr. Acha,rd put
op the first ice house in this winter of 1857, and during the following sum-
mer disposed of the first ice cream sold in Keoknk county. J. T. Clark
kept the Clark House, A. Gann, the Exchange, Daniel Heider, the
Sigourney House,
Dr. Skillman succeeded Dr. Weeks in the practice of medicine, and he is
probably the oldest physician in the county, beginning the practice in 1846
and being still located in the same place. The following physicians located
in Sigourney as follows:
In' 1847 Dr. A. C. Price located in Sigourney, Dr. A. Parks in 1856, Dr.
B. F. Raif in 1855, Dr. A. Hensley in 1854, Drs. H. W. Selbey, H. W.
Jay and F. Seeberger in 1858; Dr. Towndrow in 1853, H. G. Lachmund
in 1856.
. The bar of Sigourney will compare favorably with any other county of
Iowa. On its roll may be found two men reared in the county, who are
certainly exceptions to the rule that a prophet is not without honor save in
his' own country. The names of attorneys who located at difierent times
576 HISTORY OF KEOKtTK COUNTY.
in town after Mr. Blair, who lias been noticed, are: T. S. Byers, J. V.
Baldwin. J. M. Casey, S. Harned, J. J. Heider, IT. H. Keath, R. S. Leake,
H. R. McPherson, S. E. Start, A. J. Stevens, J. B. Sholleubarger, G. Wil-
kinson and George D. Woodin. Hon. J. M. Casey, afterward connty
judge, was first prosecuting attorney, elected in 1847, re-elected in 1848,
and again re-elected in 1850 and 1855. E. S. Sampson, Esq., was elected
to the same office in 1856, and was succeeded by G. D. Woodin Esq. A.
J. Stevens, Esq., removed to Des Moines, and was afterwards elected au-
ditor of state. Hon. S. Harned was elected county judge in 1855, and was.
re-elected in 1857. J. J. Heider, Esq., who removed to Osceola, was first
mayor of Sigonrney, the town having been incorporated in October, 1 858.
In 1853 a steam saw mill was put in operation by Cook & Keck. In
1855 another was erected by Foster & Glandon. Mr. Oovej', put up, in
1856, an engine by which John W. Miller ran his foundry, and McLean &
Covey propelled a carding machine.
The following different trades were followed by the persons named at
various times in the past history of the town:
Blacksmith Shops.—5oae\>\\ Adams 1845, F. Gearing 1850, G. P. Ellis
1853, J. F. Malin 1854, G. Hntchinson 1857, Brown & Uell 1857.
Wagon Shops.— I. Plaff 1848, H. Smith 1847, Klinesmith & Kleet
1857, Mr. Barker 1860.
Calinet Shops — M. S. Sanders 1848, M. Pfaff 1855, Malin & Griffin
1857, H. Haughkenberry 1853, H. Olmyer 1856.
Fanning Mill /S'Aojps.— Haskell & Burgess 1846, J. T. Clark 1853.
Clocks and Watches.— 3. K. Shean 1867, D. W. Shean 1858, H. Passig
1859, J. M. Fox 1856.
Boots and Shoes.— G. W. Dobie 1856, C. Goldthwait 1858, A. Gann
1859, C. Lehman 1856.
Stoves and Tinware. — Mr. Jordan 1856, J. M. Mcintosh 1855, J. Eay
1857.
Saddles and Harness. — Eobert Linder 1845, W. A. Blair 1861, A. Net-
terfield 1867, Leake & Bro. 1856, N. H. Hall 1859, G. L. Littler 1860.
Tailors.— T. Courser 1849, J. & C. Shockley 1850, J. S. Dunbar, also H.
H. Boegel 1854, A. G. Eobinson 1856, Edward Dwyer 1857.
Coopers.— Jacob Shaver 1844, A. Kleitz 1856, A. J. Israel 1859.
Marble Works. — Jones & Oarmean 1865, H. C. Jones 1857, Jones &
Abernethy 1858.
Gunsmith.— W. C. Taylor 1857.
Dentistry.— Dv. Carwin 1853, Dr. J. P. Terger 1856.
Livery Stables. — Johnson & Martin 1866, Uonahey & Brown 1857, W.
Randall 1858, James Bowen 1859.
Cigars and Tobacco. — H. Knape 1857.
Tanneries.— A. Gann 1860, Blair & Boyd 1860.
The foregoing brief account of the early settlement of Sigonrney, and
the business prior to the war, will afford an accurate and general idea of tbe
place in times past. During the war of course the town did not grow
ranch. After the war a new energy was displayed and new vitality began
to be visible, both in the external appearance of the town and in the in-
ternal currents of trade. A few of the old buidings were then torn down
and the places occupied by more imposing and durable structures. It wa*^
not, however, until the town succeeded in securing railroad communicatiott
with the outside world that it began to put on metropolitan airs', a gen-
HISTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 571
eral movement for the erection of commodious brick blocks topk place,
and Sigonrney made a bold strike to become a business point of first-class
pretensions.
These changes cannot be noted definitely, as they occurred, nor would
an elaborate account of these changes, and the men instrumental in bring-
ing them abont, be appropriate for this work. "With tiiis hasty view of
Si^ourney, as it was, we will now enter upon a brief account of Sigourney
as it is.
The business of Sigonrney, as at present conducted, is more clearly de-
fined than formerly, the merchants having gradually concentrated their
capital and energy upon separate lines of trade, stores of general mer-
chandise now being the exception and not the rule. The several learned
professions are ably represented, while the various literary, benevolent and
religious societies are in a flourishing condition. The following are the
leading law firms of the town: Sampson & Brown, Woodin & McJunkin,
Donnell & Brooks, Earned & Fonda, Mackey & "Williams, and H. D.
Gartner. Among these representatives of the bar, a number have heldimr
portant ofiices. Hon. E. S. Sampson was, for a number of years, judge of
the District Court, and served for two terms in the National Congress.
Hon. S. Harned was a delegate' to the second constitutional convention;
was twice elected county judge, and at present represents the county in the
State senate. C. H. Mackey is the representative elect from the county to
the State legislature, and his partner, Mr. Williams, filled the same office
at the last session of the general assembly. John A. Donnell, for a term
of years, filled the office of clerk of the courts. The following physicians
have their offices in Sigourney: Dr. Skillman, who has almost entirely
abandoned the profession on account of age; Dr. S. D. Cook, Dr. A- C.
Price, Dr. J. H. Hair, Dr. T. B. Mc"Williams, and Doctors Beechler, "West
and Gray. Dr. Sanford Huff, until recently, was one of the leading physi-
cians of the town, but recently died. Doctors Thompson and Armstrong
are the dental surgeons. S. A. James & Son and Johnson & Hankins are
the leading real estate dealers. There are at present two banks. The Krst
National Bank succeeded to the business of the Bank of Sigourney. The
ifirst meeting held looking towards its organization was at the office of
Geo. D. Woodin, at Sigonrney, on October 31, 1870, when articles of asso-
ciation were signed by those parties — Geo. D. "Woodin, A. G. Brown, W.
B. Merriam and L. McCoy, of Sigonrney, and James Dawson, Hugh
Smith, Joseph Keck and Henry S. Clarke,of Washington, Iowa.
The first board of directors was Geo. D. Woodin, A. G. Brown, Joseph
Keck, H. S. Clarke and James Dawson. Tiie first president was Joseph
Keck. The first vice-president was George D. Woodin, and the cashier was^
R. 11. Bowland. After doing this preliminary work they then remained at
a stand-still, waiting the voting of taxes in the various townships that would
bring the Kock Island railroad to Sigourney, so that their charter bears
•date February 15, 1871. As soon after this as arrangements could be made
the bank entei-ed upon an active career. March 30, 1871, H. Clarke came
to Sigourney, took charge of the business then in the hands of the bank of
'.Sigourney, and the next day I. A. Keck put in an appearance as cashier, K.
E. Bowland having in the meanwhile resigned that position.
From that day to this, November, 1879, the president, vice-president and
cashier have remained unchanged, and three of the original directors, viz:
Joseph Keck, G. 1). Woodin and A. G. Brown, have never left the direo-
578 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
tory. In 1873, by the death of W, B. Merriam, the bank lost an oflScer
who was always watchful of its interests, and, as a mark of the esteem iii
which he was held by his associates and the community at large, it is only
necessary to refer to " Wal" Merriam in tiie presence of any old i-esident,
and you will get a reply that will satisfy you that he was the soul of hohor^
wide-awake and fearless in the discharge of his duties as a man and citizen.
Originally there were eight stockliolders, now, (1879), there are still five of
the same eight. In 1872, 1. C. Weaver was made assistant cashier, whichi
place he still holds. The bank, through the panic of 1873, and snbsequient
depression, never refused the payment of a single dollar it owed to a de-
positor; while other banks paid limited amounts, it always paid in fnlL
Its capital is $50,000, and a surplus of $8,000 has been accumulated. The
bank is noted for the few changes in its stockholders and officers; in this
western country it is seldom that for nine years you find the control of a
bank in virtually the same hands without a change during all that time.
The Union Eank was organized July 1, 1875, with its present officers:
President — J. P. Yerger.
Vice-President — E. Laffer.
Cashier — Theodore Robinson.
It is incorporated under the laws of Iowa and does a general banking
buBJness.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Sigonrney Lodge Ko. 98, I. O. O. F., was organized November 14, 1856:
The petitioners for charter were S. Earned, E. C. Eomig, A. S. Alexander,
D. D. Slaughter, T. H. Elwell and A. Fisher. The first officers were: S.
Harned, N. G.; Philip Long, V. G.; A. S. Alexander, secretary, and T.
H. Elwell, treasurer. During the summer of 1861 it surrendered its char-
ter. Upon the petition of S. Harned, S. A. James, Philip Long, Joel Lotigy
David Newkirk, B. McDaniel, A. Garm and J. M. Adams, members of th&
old organization, the charter and books were returned during the month off
December, 1867, by Wm. Garret, who was Grand Secretary; The G. M.
autliofized D. D. G. M. Davis, of Eichland, to institute said lodge and
install the officers, which was done January 6, 1868. The officers iustalled
at that time were S. Ilarned, N. G.; S. A. Jiames, Y. G.; J. M. Adams,
secretary, and Philip Long, treasurer.
The lodge does not own a hall of its own, and the place of meeting is in
the third Story of Johnson's Block. Philip Long, a prominent member of
the order, died Some years since, bequeathing the sum of $1,600 to the or-
der.
The present officers of the Order are as follows: E. B. Home, N. G.; D.
P. Yoder, V. G.; G. P. Baines, E. S.; James Thompson, Treasurer; Jame»
Williams, P. S. The membership of the Lodge at present is 120.
Hebron Encampment, Eo. 40, I. O. G. T., was instituted October 20^
1869, upon the prayer of the following petitioners: D. W. Sheau, N. S.
Gilbert, L. B. SHveywood, J. P. Yerger, A. J. Pope, J. M. Adams, S. Har-
ned and J. P. Farra. Present membersiiip, forty. Present officers: D-
Hanke, E. P.; E. B. House, H. P.; Philip Bertch, S. W.; James Thomp-
son, treasurer; D. P. Yoder, scribe; O. Seaton, J. W.
BI8TOBT OF KEOKUK OOTTNTT. 5'<9
MASONIC.
. The following elaborate account of this order was prepared by one of the
order:
FIRST MASONIC LODGE.
The following is a history of the first Masonic Lodge in Sigoui'ney,
Keokuk connty, Iowa:
By autliority of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Iowa, J. L.
Hogin, Sr., George Plnkerton, Alexander Caldwell, Sanford Harned, Isaac
Mills, Aaron H. Hensley and John C. Hogin, Master Masons, met in Sig-
onrney, Keokuk oonnty, Iowa, May 13th, 1851, and opened a lodge after
the manner of Ancient Masons, James L. Hogin, Sr., acting as
W. M.; George Plnkerton, as S. W.; John C. Hogin, J. W.;
they being the brothers named in dispensation to act in said
offices. The master appointed Isaac Mills, treasurer; Sanford Harned,
treasurer; A. H. Hensley, S. D.; Alexander Caldwell, J. D.
From the records it appears that they didn't have a tyler, unless
brother Heffner, of Clinton Lodge, No. 15, who was present and acted as
such. At this meeting a code of by-laws was adopted; petitions of Even
H. Skillman, A. E. Lowe and Joel Long recorded, and referred to commit-
tees; committees repotted, ballot had, and all three initiated as Entered Ap-
prentices.
Petition ot James Carr received and referred to committe, they to report
at next meeting.
The records show that the lodge met May 27th, June 8th, June 24th,
June 27th, August 5th, September 9th, September 16th, October 7th,
November , no date given (lost the almanac,) December 2d, December
26th. January 6th, 1852, February 3d, March 2d, March 30th, April 10th,
April 27th, making nineteen meetings while working under dispensation,
and working in some one or all three of the degrees at nearly every
meeting.
At a meeting of the Grand Lodge, held June Ist, 1852, in Mt. Pleasant,
Henry county, Iowa, Hogin Lodge, U. D., was granted a charter and num-
bered 82. James L. Hogin. Sr., Past Grand Master of Indiana, for
whom thelodge was named, was elected the first W. M; A. E. Lowe, S.
W.; M. M. Crocker, J. W.; E. El. Skillman, treasurer; J. C. Hogin, sec-
retary; "W. A. Blair, S. D.; James Carr, J. D.; J. T. Clark,
tyler; and from the records we find the lodge reports, at the end of
the masonic year, Joshua Landers, Aaron Clemnions, Obed King. Joel
Long, A. P. Moody, Wm. Wait, A. H. Hensley, D. G. Burgis, J. L. Hogin,
Jr., M. T. Siverly and G. P. Ellis, as Master Masons and members of the
lodge. Nineteen members all told at the end of the third year one un-
der dispensation, from the personal knowledge of the one giving these
notes, J. L. Parker, there was one fellow-craft at the date of the report —
himself.
It may be well enough to go back and speak of some matters interesting
to the craft, at least. At the formation of this lodge in Sigourney at least
two-thirds of the lands in the county were vacant, Sigourney, a town of
some two hundred inhabitants, eighty miles from market. Back woods;
but the brothers spoken of as forming the lodge, having once enjoyed
bd^e privileges, and having the good of the craft at heart, were of the opin-
580 HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
ion that a lodge might be formed and sustained, though the material was
scarce, and accommodations for holding a lodge very poor in comparison
to what they had been nsed to. Brother J. L. Hogin, Sr., furnished a
room over his store, on the northwest corner of the square, (building now
known as the old Hogin drug store), and removed some years ago to make
place for the substantial brick block now owned and occupied by E. Laffer.
The room in which the lodge was organized was about 12x18 feet square,
and how the craft worked is best known to themselves; but work they did,
and did good work. During the first year of the charter, 1852, the lodge re-
moved to more commodious quarters on the south side of the public square;
the room there occupied by them was 18x36 feet, reception and ante-room
included. The lodge was moved, I think, in 1853, to the northeast corner
of the square in the second story of a frame building 18x39 feet, sincfe
moved away to make room for the Keller block. While in this room thift
lodge resolved to have a home of their own, and as brothers J. 0. S^il^
and S. Harned, with F. S. Glandon, were making preparations to efect a
two-story brick on the west side of the square. Said building: to be 44x60
feet, (now owned by Cunnningham & Fisher). The lodge imide arrange-
ments to put a third story on the building, or rather to finisl^^Ioff a room on
the roof. These arrangements were carried out and the rodge moved to
what they supposed a permanent home, hoping to be ablfe ;to pay out and
own the building, but the financial crisis about that time, 1856-57, reached
the lodge as well as some of its members, and some of the parties building
the room took it back and rented the same to the lodge, which the lodge con-
tinued to occupy until 1862.
Soon after the breaking out of the great rebellion the lodge, not having
recovered from its financial embarrassment, and many ot its members
having gone into the army, was forced to surrender its charter.
In the spring of 1865, the following named Master Masons, residents of
Sigouruey and vicinity, petitioned the Grand Master of Masons of Iowa
to grant them a dispensation to meet and work as a lodge.
J. H. Sanders, as W. M. ; James Dickson,asS.W.; Wm.Wait,as J.W. Sam,
nel Melogne, John W. Miller, A. 0. Pice, Wra. A. Blair, John C. Hogiuj
M. T. Siverly, J. S. Griffin, A. E. Lowe, J. L. Smith, E. P. Brockertson,
W. W. Eandall, J. M. Ferguson, J. T. Parker, Dudley Buck and B.
Frankin.
Prayer of petitioners was granted, dispensation received, dated July
14, 1865, and signed by A. E.Gnilbert, Most Worshipful Grand Master j
T. S. Parvin, Kight Worshipful Grand Secretary, and naming the new
lodge Blazing Star, U. D;, the brethren above named got permission of
Bro. J. C. Hogin to meet in the lodge occupied by Hogin Lodge No 32,
most of the furniture belonging to Hogin Lodge 32 still being in the
room, with some extempore jewels, and with a detei'mination to succeed,
the brethren met August 2, 1865, and opened a lodge. Dispensation read
and secretary instructed to rent the room, procure stationery, books, etc.
The next meeting was August 30, 1865. Met October 4, 1865. At this
meeting the secretary reported that the hall had been rented at $40 per
year
By referring to the records we find tliat the lodge had twenty-two meet-
ings, up to June 2, 1866, being the time they were working under dispen-
sation, working in some or all of the degrees at most of the meetings.
How well the future will tell. On March 13, 1866 a school of instruistioa
HI8at>£T Ot KEOKUK COtlSTT. 581
was opened by W. B. Langriige. This instrncUon continued four days,
meeting at 9 a. m., and 2 and 7 p. m., each day. To this school much of
the interest and 'prosperity of the lodge is due.
At the annual commencement of tlie Grand L6%;e, iield in Davenport
Iowa, in June, 1866, a charter was granted, and on the request of the
members of Blazing Star Lodge, the name was changed to Webb Lodge,
the number of the lodge 182.
On Jnne 23, 1866, Special Deputy, William Hursey, appointed by the
Grand Master to organize Webb Lodge, No. 182, called the brethren to-
gether and with proper ceremonies organized the lodge and delivered to
them their charter. At this meeting the officers elected and installed were
as follows: John T. Parker, W. M.; James Dickson, S. W. ; L. McCoy, J.
W.;Sanford Harned, treasurer; W. B. Squires, secretary.
From the proceedings of the Grand Lodge we find the tbllowing named
persons were members of Blazing Star Lodge, at the time the same was
chartered as Webb Lodge No. 182: J. H. Sanders, James Dickson, Sam-
uel Melogne, John W. Miller, A. C. Price, Wm. A. Blair, John C. Hogin,
J. S. Griffin, A. E. Lowe, J. L. Smith, W. W. Randall, J. M. Ferguson, J.
T. Parker. Dudley Buck, B. Frankin, S. E. Hall, W. S. Parmley, John S.
Maple, T. Everts, Joel Long, J. H. Triggs, C. 0. Wilson, H. H. Boegle, S.
Harned, D. T. Miller, C. H. Mackey, L. Melogne, B. 11. Hogin, J. T. Blair,
R. L. Donnell, W. B. Sq«ires, Master Masons.
H. E. Havens, John A. Donnell and R. Bell, Fellow Crafts.
Miram Pinkerton, D, P. Swails and W. B. Merriam Entered Apprentices,
and that Wm. Wait, E. P. Robertson and M. T. Siverly had been dimitted
during the year.
Brother James L. Hogin, Past Grand Master, of Indiana, and of Iowa,
for whom two lodges were named, one at Danville, Hendricks county, Indi-
ana, and one at Sigourney, Keoknk county Iowa, he having organized each
of them, and was their first MaSt^, Was unanimously elected an honorary
member of Blazing Star Lodge, U. t). The above named Masons were the
charter members or Webb Lodge No. 182, A. F. & A. M. Upon receiving
their charter the brothern redoubled their diligence and went to work; dur-
ing the first year of the 'charter the lodge rented a room of Joseph Oyel-
Dieyer, for a term of five years. This room is 22x60 and situate in the sec-
ond slory, north half of said Oyelmeyer's business rooms, north of the
north east corner of the square. The lodge, on moving to this room, pro-
«nrred an entire new outfit, and in conjunction with Joppa Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons, then organizing, fitted up the room suitable for lodge and
chapter; they together occupied this room until the expiration of the
lease, at which time the lodge rented the third story of the Thomas John-
eon Block on the north side of the public square, to which they removed,
and which they nowoccupy, with a membership on May 1, 1879, of seventy-
two members, lodge free of debt, money at interest, and property kept in-
sured. To go back and give details perhaps would not be of interest to
but few, further than to say the lodge has been successful* from the start,
the brethren dwelling together in unity, but few family quarrels and they
amicably adjusted.
The lodges in Sigourney have been honored with one Grand Master,
James L. Hogin, Sr., who at the annual communication of the Grand
Lodge held at Mount Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa, June 6, 1851, was
elected Grand Master, and who served one year.
582 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOtrNTT.
I. A. Keck, a member ot Webb Lodge, No. 182, at the meeting of th&
Grand Lodge held.at Davenport, Iowa, on June 6, 1877, was elected Gran J
Treasurer, and served one year.
Many have been called from labor to refreshment at the order of the Su-.
preme Grand Master of all, and we trust have been fonnd worthy of wages;,
many have dimitted and gone to other jurisdictions, and wherever they ma/
be we hope they sometimes think of the old lodge and its members.
CAPITULAE MASONRY.
On the second day of December, 1867, a dispensation was granted by the
Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Iowa to the following named com-
panions: James L. Hogin, Sr., "William Hursey, J. H. Sanders, Wm.
Wait, F. B. Matthews, James Dickson, J. C. Wilson, D. N. Newton, H.
N. Henderson and E. O. Kiley to meet and work as a Chapter of Eoyal
Arch Masons in Sigonrney, Keokuk county, Iowa, under the name ef
Joppa Chapter, K. A. M. Under dispensation, by that authority, the com-,
panions met and organized — James L. Hogin, Sr., as High Priest, the
balance of the companions taking rank in the order their names appear
above. During the time the chapter was under dispensation the following
named Master Masons were exalted: John T. Parker, J. H; Shawhan,
J. ■ P. Terger, Lycurgus McCoy, J. T. Blair, A. Eoberts, Sianford
Harned, K. B. Hogin, W. B. Merriam, Dudley Buck, J. S, Griffin, H. A.
Herrick, J. C. Jennis, A. C. Romig, B. Frankin and Dennis Cokeley. On
the sixteenth day of October, 1868, a charter was granted to the above
named companions and Joppa Chapter, No. 40, R. A. M., was duly organ-
ized, since which time they have continued to meet, work, rnd have
prospered ; they have their home with the lodge (Webb 182).
ORYPTIO MASONRY.
On the sixteenth day of October, 1870, a charter was granted to James
L. Hogin, Sr., W. B. Merriam, J. P. Yerger, J. H, Shawhan, James Dick-
son, J. T. Blair, J. H. Sanders, John T. Pai-ker and William Wilson, Jr.,
to work as Sigourney Council No. 14, Royal and Select Masters, in Sigonr-
ney, Iowa. B. Crabb, M. E. G. M. of Iowa, organized the council and set
them to work; the council met and worked for a short time, but at the
time the council degrees were given to the chapter the council had not
met for about one year and but once in three years, not because the com-
panions did not appreciate the council degrees, but because most of the
members had not time to devote to the council; having once received the
degrees they fell back on the fountain-head, (Blue Lodge Masonry). So
ended the council, it being attached to the chapter.
A. o. V. w.
Penn Lodge No. 62 was organized April 18, 1876, and chartered April
19, 1876; John T. Parker was Master Workman. The next M. W. was G.
D. Woodin, then John A. Donnell, then H. C. Adams, then J. T. Thomp-
son, then Josiah Fisher, then J. W. Hanson and at present Levi Bower;
The first death among the order at this place was that of Dr. S. W. Huff,
who died recently, and by virtue of his membership leaves to his family
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTt. 585
$2,000, the main object of the order being to secnre to the families of mem-
bers these pecnniary benefits. At the time of organization there were
about thirty members of tiie order, at present tliere are sev'ent3'-se7en. The-
actnal expense to each member averages about $12.00 per year. Tlie lodge
room is situated in White's block, south side of the public square. Regu-
lar communication every Friday evening; the dues are $4.00 per year^
assessments $1.05 each.
TEMPERANCE SOCIEIIES.
In the spring of 1879 there was a very successful temperance revival, re-
sulting from the earnest efforts of Major Boiitecou, a gentleman who haa
achieved a greater reputation throughout the State than any other of th&
many who have been operating in this direction. During his stay in the
town four hundred and twenty-five signed the pledge, and two temperance
societies were formed: one, composed of ladies, called the White Ribbon;
and one, composed of gentlemen, called the Red Ribbon society. Tlie offi-
cers of the former are: president, Mrs. Sarah A. Merriam; vice-president,
Mrs. J. P. Yerger; secretary, Miss Bracken; treasurer, Mrs. S. D, Cook.
Of the latter: I. S. Drummond. president; J. B. Adams, vice-president J
G. W. Kelley, secretary; Minor Wightman, treasurer.
The societies work in unison and have a hall in common, the meetings-
being held at different times, and the books and papers with which the
reading-room is supplied being the common property of both.
IBVING LITEKABT SOCIETY.
This society was organized in 1874, and is composed of a number of
young people of literary taste, a large number of business men and nearly
all of the professional men of the town. A neat hall has been fitted up in
the rear of Donnell & Brooks' office, which, among other things nsefnl for
the society, is a library consisting of about two hundred well selected books..
There is an executive committee, whose duty it is each week to appoint
what is familiarly known as a " star actor.". Upon the " star actor " de-
volves the duty of furnishing the chief performance of the evening, which
may consist of an essay, an address or a recitation. In addition to this per-
formance there are shorter essays, declamations, music and discussions. The
present officers are as follows: president, R. L. Donnell; vice-president.
Miss Leona Sanvpson ; secretary, C. M. Brown; treasurer, T. H. Benton;,
librarian, J. T. Brooks; corresponding secretary, Frank Yerger; executive
committee, S. A. James. J. A. Donnell, H. S. Snodgrass.
CHTTBCHES.
The first religious organization formed in Sigonrney was that of the
Methodists, in 1847, under the influence of Rev. Mr. Hulbert, a local
preacher of that denomination, who settled here in 1846. This organiza-
tion flourished for a time, meetings being held in the old log conrt-liouse;.
In the course of a few years this organization went down, and the church
was not re-organi2ed till the winter of 1850.
The following were some of the members of this organization: Mr. and
Mrs. J, 0. Hogin, Mr. and Mrs. Hewett, Mrs. Eliza Hogin, J. L. Hogin,,
584: HISTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Mrs. Moody and E. Hogin. A frame church was erected in 1864, at a cost
of $2,500. This church was dedicated by Dr. Berry in the spring of 1855.
The following, in the order given, have been pastors: Eevs. Messrs. Bar-
ley, Skinner, Orr, Bamford,"Hestwood, Gruber, Slusser, Barnhart, Teter,
Lawback, Morry, Walker, Brown, Gennis, Eeynolds, Holoway, Myers,
Burns, Wilnes, Noble, Thompson, Cooper, and Barton, the present pastor.
The present membership numbers one hundred and eleven; the Sabbath-
fichool, about two hundred.
THE BAPTIST CHUEOH
Of Sigourney was organized in June, 1857. Composed principally of
members wlio ,had previously belonged to an organization two miles
west of Sigourney, wliich, was perhaps, the first organized Baptist church
in the county. The names of the original members were as follows:
Eichard Chrisman and wife, John Wightman and wife, Isaac G. Wilson
and wife, Benjamine Eaton and wile, A. T. Page, Linus Muzzy and
"wife, Willis Rogers and wife, Bebeckah Basey, Isaac Basey, Sr., and
wife, Rev. C. Bollock and wife. Eev. James Frey and wife moved to Sig-
ourney and became members shortly after the organization. Of the above
members, only five still retain their membership in the church, viz: E.
Chrisman and wife, Eev. James Frey and wife and Eebeckah Basey.
The first church edifice was commenced in 1859, but owing to hard
times, was not completed until 1 863, at a cost of $3,000. This work was
accomplished mainly through the untiring effbrts of their pastor, Eev. Jas.
Frey, who gave all his salary, his team, and mortgaged his own homestead,
to secure the completion of the building. The old building was remodeled
and enlarged in 1873, at an expense of $2,200. This second improvment,
was also made through the personal eflbrts and indefatigable energy of Eev.
James Frey.
The first building was dedicated November, 1863, and the second time
in 1873, in both cases by Eev. Mr. Frey, who has been pastor a greater
portion of the time, and is at present pastor. Eevs. Messrs. West, Pratt,
CoflPman and Crandall, have also been pastors for a short time.
Mr. Frey being the pioneer Baptist preacher of the county, the following
biography will be interesting: He was born in 1827, In Knox county,
Ohio; educated at Granville College, and entered the ministry in 1851.
He came to Iowa in and settled at Sigourney, in 1857, and accepted the
pastorate of the Baptist church. In 1860 he was elected county superin-
tendent of schools, and served in this ofiice for two years. With the excep-
tion of these two years his time has .been given exclusively to the work of
the ministry. With the exception of three years at Knoxville, and two and
a-half years at Fairfield, his work has been confined to the limits of Keo-
kuk county.
THE FIRST PEESBTTEEIAN CHUBCH
Of Sigourney was organized in January, 1855. The original members
•were John Wilson, Nathan H. Hall, James H. Greigg, Margery A. Greigg,
Jane Wilson, Susanna D. Wilson and Wilhelmina Heider. John Wilson
was first elected ruling elder. In 1856 a frame church-building was
«rected which served the congregation until 1876, when the present ejegant
and commodious church-building was erected at a cost of $8,000. Eev.
Mr. Smock, the first Presbyterian minister of the county, who was chiefly
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. • 585
instrumental in the organization of the church, was the first pastor. He
was followed by Mathews, Kelly and Hare. Eev. Mr. Snodgrass, formerly
of Oskaloosa, is their present pastor. The present membership numbers
ninety-three. The Snndy-school in connection with the church, was or-
pnized in 1857. E. W. McJunkin is the superintendent; the attendance
is abonttwo hundred and twenty-five.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
This church was organized October 2, 1869. Peyton Prichard, Lycnrgua
McCoy, William Carlysle, C. E. Moser, Salina E. Stranahan, Ruth E.
Nichols, Margaret L. Proctor, Rebecca J. Griffin, Margaret Moser, Mar-
garet H. Shollenbarger, John Hankins and William H. Hankins were the
original members. A frame church-building was erected in the fall of
1872, at a cost of $2,300. On Sunday, January 19, 1873, the church wa»
dedicated by Elder D. M. Canright, who, together with George G. Butler,
E. M. Kilgore, E. W. Farnsworth and Lycnrgus McCoy, have been pas-
tors since that time. The present membership is sixty-seven.
The organization consists of a covenant to keep the commandments of
God and the faith of Jesus. There is no creed, the Bible alone being the
guide of faith. In the summer of 1869, Elders Canright and Butler came
to Sigonrney and first preached, creating a great excitement by expounding
doctrines theretofore unheard by the people. This was the origin of the
church.
Was organized in 1873 by Father Louisman. The original members were
Francis Marion, William Dumron, Patrick Cudika, John Cullen, Joha
Morrisy, M. Morrisy, F. Shipfer, Mr. Frankin, Michael Pearl, James
Dwier, etc. A stone church was erected in 1873 at a cost of $3,000 which
has not yet been dedicated. Father Louisman, J. F. Nugent, P. J. Lynch,.
Edward McLaughlin and Patrick McKamera have been the pastors, the
latter being the present one. The present membership consists of about
twenty-five families.
The church was built by the unceasing efforts of Father Louisman. when
there were but a few Catholic families in the neighborhood, aid having
been furnished by those who were members of no church. The church is
still 'considerably in debt, and there is some talk of abandoning it and
erecting one nearer the centre of business.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house was erected in Sigourney in the summer of 1850,.
Erevions to that time school having been held in the old court-house. This
onse was a frame building, 16x24, and was erected by Miles F. Reeves.
The building is still standing, it being occupied at present by Mr. Corbin
JUS a residence. The first teacher who ruled in this building was Hannah
^ray. The second school-house was a two-story building, containing four
KK»n»; this building is still standing, and is at present occupied as a resi-
dence by Mr. Pickett, formerly principal of the Sigourney schools. At
present there are two commodious brick school-houses capable of accom-
modating the rapidly increasing population of the city for some time to
586 , HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
<5onie. The onesitnated in the sonfch part of- the citjrlms been in use for a
number of years, and at tlie time it was built was considered a -very cred-
itable bniiding. It was not erected without a heated contest, and in this
particular its history does not differ from the history of a majority of the
«chool-buildings of the State. Tlie bniiding in the north part of the city
lias just been completed. It is not as large as the other one, but is an elet
gant structure, and well adapted to the purposes for which it was built,
viz.: the accommodation of the primary pupils in that part of the town.
The following are the present members of the school board:
A. G. Brown, president.
E. Shafer.
J. H. Shawhan.
E. Adams.
William Veitch.
M. Wightman.
C. M. Brown, secretary.
Theodore Eobinspn, treasurer.
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
Van Buren township corresponds with congressional township No. 76,
range 12 west, with the exception of two sections in the southeast part of
the township, which are attached to Sigoiirney township. The country is
very broken, but there is an abundaace of stone and timber, and the soil is
very .fertile and productive. In 1851 it contained a population of 283, and
in 1856 a population of .715. According, to the census of 1875, there were
1,036 inhabitants, 167 dwellings, and the same number of families. In the
southern part of the township there is quite an important coal interest,
which promises to become, in the course of time, one of the leading indus-
tries of the connty. The mine which is being operated at present is owned
by Mr. Bonnton and is operated by Mr. Dnrham. It was opened three
jears ago, and at present fourteen hands are employed. The vein is live
and one-half feet thick, and Ivy reason of its proximity to the Sigourney
market iinds a ready sale for its products.
The present officers of the township are as follows:
Justices of the Peace— J. Wheeler and E. Allen.
Constables — John Seaton.and H. JF. Rogers. ,,
Trustees— T. F. Ford, A. Kleitz and A. Swails.
Clerk— E. Wheeler.
Assessor — Sa'unel Woodridge.
THK LUTHKBAN OHUROH
Was organized in 1868. John Nouke, A. Kretman, F. Jnst, Andre>y Lioky,
■Gr.Neirman, John Kietreman, and others, were the original members. A
frame bniiding was erected in 1868, at a cost of $1 ,100. The church was
dedicated in November, 1868, by Rev. Mr. Sherman. The present memberr
«hip is thirty-four.
HMTOKT OF KEOKUK COnNTT. . 587
KENDEICK M. E. CHUECH
Was organized in 1863, Mr. Hilan, Mr. and Mrs. Mead, Mr, and Mrs. Dan-
oer and Miss Sarah Danner being the first members. A frame church
building was erected in 1875, at a cost of $2,200, which was dedicated in
October of that year by Rev. Mr. Mark. The present membership num-
bers about seventy-five.
The only town of which the township ever boasted was Keenersburg, lo-
cated on section four. Keenersbnrg is no more, and, like the citi* of the
plain, its location even would be ditiicult to trace oat. Yan Buren town-
aliip is likewise without any mail facilities except those which are furnished
by adjoining townships.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
This corresponds with congressional township No. 76, range 13. It orig-
inally included a lars;e portion of what is now Warren township, and was
called Coal township. At the. January meeting of the county commis-
sioners, 1846, the following order was adopted:
"Ordered, that the boundaries of Goal township be as follows: township
76, range 13 ; and also as much of township 75 as lies north of North
Skunk river, shall be included in said township, and that the clerk record
the same in a book kept for that purpose."
In 1847 the name was changed to Washington, and the boundaries de-
fined as at present. In 1850 the township contained 215 inhabitants; in
1856, 680; and in 1875, 1,246. Absolom Waddle, one of, the first settlers,
is 103 years old, and still resides in the neighborhood where he first settled.
j[o,hn Garrett and wife were also early settlers; he is 92 years old and she is
3.2.: They have been married 67 years, and have over one hundred de-
pcendauts. One of the first settlements was in the vicinity of Springfield,
which is among the oldest towns in the county. It is located on sections
^^.a^d ?3,,and was laid out in 1845. It has always had a good country
jtrade, and for many years has enjoyed postal privileges. Although this
township compares very favorably with others in fertility of soil and other
natural resources, it is chiefly noted for the coal interests. The centre of the
iBoal fields is the town of What Cheer, known as Petersburg until recently,
when the name was changed by authority of court. It is sitiiated on sec-
tion 10, and was laid out in October, 1865.
; The steam flouring mill, owned and operated by Daniel Dodge, is one
of the most, important features of the place. Mr. Dodge was recently
fleeted as a member of the board of supervisors, and is a man of capital,
^Inck and enterprise. A store of general merchandise is managed by
Harland & Davis. The post-oflice is located in their building. J. H,
Leathers is also a dealer in general merchandise. The What Cheer House and
Xhe Summit House are the leading hotels. There are nine principal coal
banks, where are employed, in the aggregate, some three hundred hands.
The principal persons engaged in the mining business are, William Clubb,
Gillette & France and Rhodes & Bedford. The Railroad Mining Company
Own the largest mine, which covers a half section of land. This last mine
has not yet oeen operated to any considerable extent, but when tlie track is
laid to What Cheer, which will be in a short time, the mine will be worked to
588 HISTOKT OF KBOKUK eOBSTT.
its fullest capacity. The vein is six feet thick, and lies about seventy-five
feet beneath the snrface. The principal part of the coal mined in this
county has been taken from the mines in the vicinity of What Cheer, and,
although the mines have been situated at a distance of seven miles
from the nearest railroad station, there were about 20,000 tons mined
in the past year. When there is direct railroa-l communication with the
mines, this will prove to be one of the most important mining regions in
the State.
A remarkable snicide occurred in this place in 1877. David McCune
owned and operated a grist-mill, and, on the Slst of June was found dead,
suspended by the neck from a rope, in his mill. For a few days prior to
the snicide it was noticed that McCnne acted strangely, among other things
giving away flour to all who wanted it. The mill was running till late in
the night of the 31st, when the suicide occured, and has stood idle ever
since.
The present township officers are as follows:
Justices of the Peace — William Humes, and J. K. Pratt.
Constables — George Downing and T. C Kitenhouse.
Clerk— J. C. Headlee.
Trustees — ^Thomas Thornloe. David Baxter and George Elliott.
Assessor — H. M. Harlan.
PEAIKIE TOWNSHIP.
It corresponds with congressional township. No. 77, range 13. Altbongh
it contains some of the best farming lands in the county, it was not settled
till long after the rest of the county. "When the settlements did begin the
country was improved rapidly, and at present there is probably not a sec-
tion of land in the township which is not improved. The first settlers
were: J. H. Grasser and Cyrenus Emmons. The former came from Ohio
and settled in Adams township; from there he went to Prairie and settled
on section fourteen, where he now resides. Emmons came from Ohio and
settled on section thirty-two. One of the first physicians was Dr. J. D.
Davis, who came from Richland. Rev. D. 0. Smith, a Methodist minister,
preached the first sermon at the house of Harley Peck; the Friends organized
the first church. L. Hollingsworth, afterward county auditor and
treasurer, now residing in Sigourney, taught the first school in Coal Creek
district; he received $27 per month and had twenty-six pupils. The first
school-house was built in this district in 1867, at a cost of $400. It was
afterward moved on to section thirty-two, and is now the residence of
Aaron Pim. In the early settlement of this part of the county prairie fires
were of freqnent occurrence, and sometimes very destructive. When dis-
asters of this kind occurred, the more fortunate neighbors spared no eifort
to relieve the wants of the sufferer.
The town of Coal Creek was laid out in April, 1866, and the plat in-
cludes parts of four sections, 29, 30, 31 and 32. There has been a post-
office located here for a number of years.
The B., C. R. & N. railroad passes through the softt^h part of the town-
ship, upon which has recently been laid out a town ^y t^e name of Thorn-
burg.
In 1850 this township was not yet settled and ha(J no separate organiza-
^^:^^:^^^^L^^W^^^
'0^4^
HISTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 691
tion; what few persons may have resided in its present limits were attached
to what was then known as Coal township. In 1856 it contained a popula-
tion of 105; in 1875 in contained a population of 926. No other town-
ship except Lafayette can show such a rapid increase in population.
The present township officers are:
Justices of the Peace — N. Holderman and E. Bust.
Constable — J. P. San tee.
Trustees — Samuel Smith, C. Allison, "W". H. Biglow.
Clerk — Thomas Ward.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
This township is located in the north part of the county and corresponds
with congressional township No. 77, range 12. For several years after it
began to be settled, it was a part of English River township. In 1850 it
contained a population of 29; in 1856 the population amounted to 164
males and 129 females; in 1875 there were 949 inhabitants. The first four
settlers in Adams township were John Ballard, Hugh Bodman, John
Duke and Moses McCoy. In 1849 Martin Ballard taught the first school.
William P. Cross was the first man married, and the first death was that of
a daughter of David Miller, on the farm where Solomon Hallett now lives.
The first town laid out was Aurora, situated on sections three and four. In
October, 1879, the town of Keswick, on the line of the B., C. R. & N. rail-
way, was laid out; it is situated on sections twenty-one and twenty-two.
The present township officers are as follows:
Justices of the Peace — T. E. Johns and Thomas Cover.
Constables — S. Carl and M. HoUiday.
Trustees — Daniel Gordon, Thomas Cover and Wm. 'Cross.
Clerk — A. H. Stephenson.
Assessor — J. F. Burdine.
ENGLISH RIVER TOWNSHIP.
In 1850 this township contained a population of ninety; in 1855 it was
676, and in 1875 there were 1,260 inhabitants. In April, 1845, the town-
ship of English River was organized and comprised all of Liberty, English
Eiver and Adams. The first settlement was made near the present site of
South English by James Mehaffee and Jacob Bowers, in the year 1844. In
1845 James Thomas and John Houston came. The family of James
Thomas was the first, the others being unmarried, and located on the north-
west quarter of section twenty-two. Houston located on section twenty-
four, near the present site of South English, and this place was for a num-
ber of years called Houston's Point. James Chaaibers and H. H. Rodman
settled soon after on section thirty. Thomas Morgan settled in 1847, and
the following winter Chambers Rodman froze to death. He started to Sig-
ourney early in the morning of a mild winter day, and while there became
somewhat intoxicated. He did not return, as was expected, in the evening.
The next morning some young men started from Houston's Point to hunt
for deer, and had not proceeded far until they heard Rodman's dog bark.
Being attracted by the barking of the dog, they proceeded to the spot,
36
592 HISTOBY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
where thej' found the dead body of Eodnian frozen stiff. The first birth in
that neighborhood was the daughter of H. C. and Eebecca Eodman, March
27, 1846. The first death was that of a child of James Thomas.
The township was organized with twenty voters, iti April, 1852. The
snow was at that time one foot deep. At this, the first election, the follow-
ing ofBcers were chosen :
Trustees — Joel Slate, H. H. Eodman and James Thomas.
Clerk — Henry Fawel.
Justice— W. S. Slate.
The present township officers are;
Justices — Thomas Leasly and A. D. Spickerman.
Constables — Bacon Holmes and E. Webster.
Trustees — T. A. Morgan, Adam Wheeler and W. A. Gore.
Clerk- J. H. Eoot.
Assessor — D. N. Coffman.
This section of country has always been noted for the enterprise, inde-
pendence and intelligence of its citizens. The first settlers were from that
part of the Union where churches and free schools abounded, and those
who have since settled have been of the same character, consequently
schools and churches were early organized.
The Methodist Episcopal was the first organized, in 1851, with the fol-
lowing named persons as members : Joel Slate and wife, Martin S. Slate,
L. E. Slate, H. H. Eodman and wife, and S. M. Glandon. The Baptist was
the second organization, in 1855.
A union Sunday-school was organized in the fall of 1857, by a Baptist
preacher from Iowa City, with the following officers: superintendent, Joel
Slate; secretary, M. Slate; librarian, S. M. Glandon. It had a library of
two hundred volumes.
The M. E. Church built the first meeting-house, in 1859.
The first sermon preached was at the funeral of Chambers Eodman, by
Father Elliott, a Baptist preacher.
South English now has three meeting-houses, to-wit: Methodist, Baptist
and Christian. Webster has two: Methodist and Congregational. White
Pigeoii one: Christian.
The first school we have any account of was taught by S. M. Glandon in
1851,and the school-house was no modern structure, as there were no win-
dows to it. Webster had the first frame school-house, and it is doing duty
yet, although built in the fall of 1854. There are now ten schools.
The first marriage was Lem. Brinor to Miss Dinah Houston, in June,
1852, M. S. Slate officiating. The first death was a child of James Thomas.
The first frame house was built in 1852, by S. M. Slate, and is a pretty
food house yet. Mr. Slate has lived in the house ever since, until last fall,
'wenty-three years without moving is something unusual in Iowa. The
first store was kept by Ethan Post, and it is said of him by the early set-
tlers that he could generally by found at his T^ost—^ast asleep. The first
saw-mill was built by William Slaydon. The first postmaster was H. H.
Eodman.
Of the old settlers there is still living here Grandmother Houston, and
Eebecca Eodman (widow of Chambers Eodman). James Thomas is liv-
ing in Oregon; H. H. Eodman in Missouri. In addition to the above
HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTT. 593
there are several citizens still livihg tliere who have been in the township
for over twenty-five years. Among them are Thomas Morgan, Mrs. Hux-
ford (daughter of H. H. Rodman), S. M. Glandon and wife, M. S. Slate,
Oordy Glandon and family, and Moses Hall and wife.
The town of South English was laid out in March, 1855, and was located
on sections 23, 24, 25 and 26. Since the railroad has been located through
the township, there being no suitable depot grounds in the old town, anew
addition has been laid out near the depot, a short distance from the old
town, and a large number of the houses are now being moved there. The
first store was started shortly after tlie town was laid out. At present
South English is quite a business point and bids fair to become quite a
town, now that it has railroad facilities.
J.*F. "Wliite, dealer in dry goods, groceries and general merchandise is
the leading merchant of the place, and a man of large capital and great in-
fluence. There are few men in the county who have so wide-spread reputa-
tion as Mr. White. Especially in that part of the county has he exerted a
wide-spread influence and contributed much toward the development of the
country.
C. F. Crosby is a dealer in groceries; he is also a very successful business
man and possessed of large influence. The following other firnis are doing
a good business: W. T. Ooff'man & Co., drugs ; "W. • T. Piatt, drugs; w.
M. Shepherd, hardware; Geisler & Garlick, lumber; J. F. Mead, blacksmith;
J. Q. Lewis, saddlery; N. C. Miller & Son, livery. There is a first-class
hotel kept by U. Younkin. The following are the leading physicians:
W. "W. Newsome, A. Hale and Dr. Coeklin.
The " Western Herald " is a sprightly newspaper published here, a brief
history of which is given in the chapter on the "Press of the County."
The Methodist Chnrcli was organized in September, 3851, and a frame
church-building was erected in 1858, at a cost of $600. Revs. Messrs.
Hestwood, Orr, Skinner, Manderville, Shain, Tefcer, Baker, Smith, Miller,
Davis and Wycoif are the ministers who have been pastors. The member-
ship at present numbers thirty-one. Of the original members Mr. Slate
and S. M. Glandon are yet active communicants.
The Christian Church was organized in 1856. In 1875 a frame building
was erected at a cost of $1,200, which was dedicated the same year by Elder
Carpenter, of Oskaloosa. The present membership numbers twenty.
The South English Lodge No. 263, 1. O. O. F. ,was organized October 10,
1873, C. F. Crosby, T. A. Morgan, A. Klindschmit, F. E White, John
Nyswaner and J. C. Wilson being the charter members. There are forty
members of the order at present.
Naphtali Lodge No. 188, A. F. & A. M., was organized August 10,
1865. A. D. GriiEn, Henry Meeker, B. F. Black, W. P. Teeters, J. D.
Kirby, J. G. Miles, S. M. Waters, S. M. White, J. F. White, Wallace Har-
monson, Wm. Hartsock, James McLaughlin, Solomon Hallett, were the .
charter members. The following are Master Masons: A. D. Griffith,
Henry Meeker, J. F. White, Thos. Seerley, W. W. Newsome and J.' C.
Wilson. There are at present thirty-four members of the order. The
present officers are: J. C. Wilson, W. M.; W. H. Wait, S. W,; Wm.
Sloan, J. W.; J. F. White, treasurer; D. N. Coflfman, secretary; J. Ax-
mear, S. D. ; 0. D. Kemball, J. D. ; Thos. Seerley, tyler.
694 HISTORY or keokuk county.
WHITE PIGEON
Is located on sections 6 and 7 and was laid out in June, 1855. It has a
post-office and one church. This is a Christian Church and was organized
in 1859 by Elder E. "Scott. A Carmicbael and wife, A. J. Lutton and wife,
M. Higgins and wife, C. K. Wheeler and wife, and K. Smith and wife
were among the first members. A frame church was erected in 1875 at .
a cost of $1,200. The present membersnip is thirty-five. The church was
dedicated in 1876 by Elder J. IST. Smith.
WEBSTEK.
This town is situated on sections 30 and 31 and was laid out in April,
1854. It is a place of considerable business and contains a post-office and
two churches, Methodist and Congregational. The former was organized
in the fall of 1853. Wm. Keed and wife, Thomas Morgan and wife, and
M. J. Monicne were among the first members. A frame church-building
was erected in 1873 at a cost of $2,100. This building was dedicated to
the worship of God in December, 1873, by Eev. James Hill. Reverends
Messrs. Orr, Mandeville, Sherman, Smith, Robison, Elrod, Kendriok,
Pugh, Davis, Miller and Wycoff have been some of the pastors. The
present membership is sixty-seven.
The Congregational Church of Webster was first organized at South
English in October, 1866. In September, 1870, the congregation changed
its place of meeting from South English to Webster, and in 1871 a frame
church-building was erected at the latter place, costing about $1,800. The
building was dedicated the same fall by Joseph Pickett of Des Moines, who
was chiefly instrumental in erecting the building and contributed liberally
toward the building fund. The pastors thus far have been E. B. Ellis, F.
Crang and James E. Moore. The original members were, Charles Hoyt,
Susanna Hoyt, Emma J. Hoyt, Delia 0. Root, J. H. Root and Laura A.
Root. The membership now numbers forty-eight.
Webster has always been a good trading point and with the new impetus
it has recently received by the extension of the B., C. R. & N. railroad,
promises to become a place of considerable importance.
LIBERTY TOWIsrSHIP.
This is the northeastern township of the county, and is known upon the
tax-books and by real estate dealers as township No. 77, range 10 west. In
1850 it had a population of 5; in 1856 there were 399, and in 1875 there
were 1,080 inhabitants.
The present township officers are as follows:
Justices of the Peace — John Wilson and John Moler.
Constables — Wesley Simons and W. S. Roach.
Trustees — Thos. McCam, W. S. Roach and James Beaty.
Clerk — Thomas Kelley.
Assessor — John McMahon.
The township was organized in March, 1854, at the solicitation of Wil-
liam J. Watkins, and named by him in honor of the township from which
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 695
he came in Henry county, Indiana. The settlers at that time were Thomas
and James Butler, Isaac Truax, "William Harding, E. McDowell, John J.
Whitmore, James Lockridge, and others who have since died or changed
their location to some other part of the country.
The first election was held on the first Monday in April, 1854, at which
time the following officers were elected: Olerk, Wm. Harding; justice of
the peace, George Disor; trustee, Thomas "Watkins; assessor, W. J. Wat-
kins, who took as pay for his services a warrant, and traded the whole of it
for a $2.50 pair of boots. This assessment was made in that same year,
1854, and was the first in the township. David Brown, Jeremiah Suitor
and Henry Lockridge acted as judges of the election, and Wm. J. Watkins
as clerk. This township has eight school districts, and the first school-
house was in district No. 3. The first death in the township was a child
of William Carmichael. The first marriage was that of Louis May to
Catharine Watkins, by George Disor, J. P. ; the next was that of James
Lockridge to Lucy Whitmore. The first preaching was in a school-house,
and in 1854 the Dunkers organized their church, which is still in good con-
dition. Beside this, there are two other churches, German Baptist and
Catholic. The former was organized in 1855, Samuel Brewer, D. Miller
and S. Florey being among the first members. In 1865 a frame church-
building was erected, at a cost of $2,500. Elders David Brown, Samuel
Florey, Andrew Moler, B. F. Florey and Christopher Brower have been the
pastors. The present membership is about 130.
Was or^nized in 1875 by Kev. J. F. Nugent. Martin Stapleton, John
Kelley, Patrick Devine, Anthony Kelley, Patrick Rourke, Patrick Mc-
Cam, and others, were the first members. A frame church building was
erected in 1875, which cost $2,000. The land upon which the building
was erected was donated by Patrick McCam. There are about twenty fam-
ilies belonging to this church.
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP-
This is the same as congressional township No. 76, range 10. In 1856
it had a population of 181; in 1875 it was 1,762. It was a part of Clear
Creek township until 1855, when it was organized into a separate township,
the population at that time numbering 50. In 1842 a claim was taken in
the northwest portion of the township by Eoe Clemmons, near what is now
known as Holsworth's Grove. This, the first settlement, was made about
the same time other parts of the county were settled, but on account of the
scarcity of timber this section was shunned, and from this cause the rest of
the county was well populated before Lafayette "got a start. The next set-
tlement was made in 1843 by J. J. Kreamer and J. P. Kreamer, who set-
tled on Clear Creek, in the southern part of the township. At the time
the township was organized the most of the land belonged to speculators,
which was found to be a serious obstacle in the way of rapid settlement.
In order to remove this impediment, and at the same time secure educa-
tional facilities, the few settlers began to levy enormous taxes for school
purposes. This had the effect of bringing the speculators' land into mar-
ket, and of erecting commodious school-houses on each four sections of land
596 HISTOET OF KEOKUK OOCNTT.
in the connty. At the beginning of the late war the township had a pop-
ulation of about 200, and of these 21 enlisted in the army.
The township now has a population of nearly 2,500, and so rapid have
been the improvements during the past five years that nearly all the land
is now under cultivation, and it is now regarded as the garden of Keokuk
county.
The first couple married was John Joseph Kreamer and Mrs. Mary
Besser in 1845, the ceremony being performed by Jacob Wimer, a justice
of the peace in Lancaster township. The first birth was that of Joseph
Kreamer, December 24, 1845; the second that of Mary Kreamer, Novem-
ber, 1846. The death of Peter Besser, in October, 1844, was the first, he
having been buried in the Shockley grave-yard, near Skunk river. Dr. T.
B. McWilliams was the first physician to locate in the township, and Kev.
Mr. Smith, of the Presbyterian Church, preached the first sermon at the
house of E. T. Case, in December, 1855.
The first school-house was built in 1846, on the northeast corner of sec-
tion 30, at a cost of $653. It was in this house that the first school, con-
sisting of sixty-five pupils, was taught by William McLoud. He received
as compensation $15 per month; he is now a farmer, residing on sec-
tion 26.
A very few settlers came into the township until the year 1853, when
there was quite an infiux of settlers, so that in 1854 they had a temporary
organization; but the first regular election was held by the order of Geo.
Crispin, county judge, April 2d, 1855, at the home of Wm. Pringle, there
being only eleven voters in the township at the time, and the following
persons were elected to the several offices: J. J. Kreamer, D. Kosecrans,
John Crispin, township trustees; Wm. McLoud, township clerk; James
Wilson and J. P. Kreamer, constables ; C. W. Rosecrans, assessor; Wm.
Pringle, supervisor; E. T. Case and E. W. Jettries, justices of the peace.
The present officers are: Justices of the peace, J. C. Evans and P. M.
Gortner; constables, P. H. Clarahan and L. B. Disney; trustees, E. T.
Carris, David Gregg and N. Besser; clerk, M. F. Mickey; assessor, Daniel
Sosecrans.
Mr. Clemens put up a log cabain and lived in it about a year without
any door, window or fioor, except the mother earth. This cabin was close
to the main Indian trail from English to Skunk river, but they were always
friendly. During the second winter he was short of ammunition; some
Indians came along with a good supply ; he tried to obtain some of them
but they would not part with any. Some time before he met with an ac^
cident which injured his left knee so that he was some lame at this time.
He had raised a crop of turnips which he had stored under the fioor of his
cabin, and the Indians wanted some, but they would not trade powder for
them. After a good deal of bantering with them and showing them his
knee, they made a bet of fourteen turnips against a castor-oil bottle full of
powder that he could outrun them a certain distance; the ground was
marked off and he won the race, but before they left he gave them tha
turnips.
KEOTA.
This town was laid out in 1872, by J. P. Yerger and C. H. Achard,
It is located near the eastern border of the county, on the divide between
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 597
English and Skunk river, in section twenty-four, and is surrounded by as
delightful country as the sun shines on.
The present limits of the town are: east and west three-fourths of a mile,
north and south one-half mile. The first building erected was a drug
store, by J. S. Kulp, P'ebruary 14, 1871, and is still occupied by Mr. Kulp
for the same purpose.
The town was incorporated in December, 1873, J. S. Kulp being chosen
the first mayor. The independent school district of Keota was organized
in August, 1873, and the same fall a school-house was erected.
The Keota post-office was established in Mai'ch, 1872, Hon. J. F. Wilson
being appointed post-master. He still occupies that position. To show
the amount of business transacted by this office, -it will only be necessary
to state that the amount of money transmitted by postal orders alone will,
this year, approximate the sum of $30,000.
The amount of shipping done over the C, E. I & P. railroad will amount
to about 800 car-loads per annnm. The shipments during the month of
October, 1879, were as follows: Stock, twenty-six cars; grain, forty-two
cars; emigrant's goods, two cars; merchandise, one car; potatoes, one car.
BUSINESS HOUSES.
Dry Ooods, Oroceries, Clothing, Boots and Shoes. — Moses & Erdice;
J.H.Williams; Littler, Ashby & Co.; D. Sidey; Johnson & Schrecken-
gast; M. Singmaster; Thompson & Bro.
Hardware, Sewing Machines, Guns, etc. — Palmer & Tallman; Joseph.
Kulp.
Druggists. — J. S. Kulp, D. L. Nercross; J. B. Irwin.
Agricultural Implements, Stoves, etc. — J. C. Olark, Ezra Barnes.
Clothing. — Isaac Klein.
Meat Market. — J. Chatterton & Son.
Millinery and Dress-Making. — Fanny Shurts; Mrs. J. B Irwin; Sue
M. Tockey ; Mrs. R. S. Brice.
Orain Dealers. — Junkin & Ruder; J. S. Bice.
Furniture and Undertaking. — Henkle & Kitchey.
. Flouring Mill. — Hefflefinger & Stewart.
Carriage Factory. — Van Winkle & Sons.
, Hotels. — J. B. Warrington; L. A. Morton.
Produce Dealers. — J. F. Graham ; W. L. Williams.
Livery. — J. C. Huskins; L. A. Morton.
Luniber. — Henkle & Hutchinson. .
Boots and Shoes. — M. Daiber.
Jeweler. — G. H. Mantz.
Photographer. — H. T. Holden.
These firms all carry a good stock and are among the most enterpris-
ing in the State. The location of the town is a good one, but_ the great
secret of its success is to be found in in the character of its men of
business. Instead of discouraging competition, every inducement is
held out for new firms to locate in the town, and to manufactories es-
pecially have they held out special inducements. As an example of the
amount of business which one man can successfully engage in, E. M.
Ritchey, of this place, affords a good illustration. He is a member of the
firm of Henkle & Ritchey, which carries a large stock of furniture of every
698 HISTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
description, also of the firm of Littler, Ashby & Co., the leading dry-
goods house, and besides this deals in sewing machines and musical instru-
meats, and is secretary of the glass company. There are others who have
more capital and transact fully as much business, but we refer to him as a
fair example of what a Keota business man is. Keota owes its prosperity,
however, as much to G. L. Reed, the editor of the " Eagle." To him be-
longs the credit of securing to Keota
THE GLASS WOEKS.
Mr. J. H. Leighton, then living in Wheeling, West Virginia, had been
corresponding with parties in Oskaloosa, in this State, in reference to the
erection of works there, but not meeting with satisfactory encouragement
he determined to look up a more desirable point. Seeing a copy of the
Keota " Eagle " in Wheeling, and being struck with the enterprise of the
business men of this city, he determined to apply here and see what en-
couragement he would receive. Accordingly Mr. L. corresponded with
Seed, and through the courteous offer of Mr. Eeed to lend him all the as-
sistance in his power, he came on, and to-day, as a consequence, Keota, a
comparatively new town in the wilds of Iowa, as the Eastern capitalists
would say, is blessed with glass works, in full blast, turning out as good
work, and as much of it, as any factory of its size in the United States; in
fact it is the only flint glass works this side of Cincinnati.
Mr. Leighton came here comparatively 'unknown, although having the best
of references from the attorney -general of the State of West Yirginia and
other prominent officials of the city of Wheeling; but even with these sub-
stantial tokens of his integrity and worth, it was only with the utmost en-
deavors and hard work that the large project was carried through.
These works are owned by a joint stock company, incorporated under the
laws of the State, with the following oflScers:
President — J. C. Charlton.
Secretary — E. M. Ritchey.
Manager— J. H. Leighton.
Directors — H. Henkle, G. Gregory, J. W. Tallman, K. S. Brice, J,
C. Charlton.
The building is 50x104 feet, and has a seven-pot furnace. Ground was
first broken for the building in May, 1879, and by September the woi'ks
were in operation.
After three months' trial the venture gave such flattering promise of suc-
cess that the directors determined to double the stock, which was immedi-
ately taken, chiefly by the first stock- holders. About forty workmen are
now employed, and this force is to be largely increased as the factory has
facilities for the employment of double the present force. Mr. Leighton,
the manager, comes of a family of glass manufacturers, and possesses se-
crets relating k> the manufacture of glass which have never been suffered
to get out of the family, and as a consequence of this the glass which is
being made under his direction is of a very superior quality. The goods
turned out by this establishment are of a finer quality and can be sub-
jected to more severe tests than any other made in the United States, and
.fo generally has this fact come to be recognized that without any partic-
tilar effort to introduce the goods, the demand far exceeds the supply. Sand
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COTJNTy. 699
of a superior quality is procured within a few miles of the factory, while
coal peculiarly adapted to the melting process is procured at Oskaloosa, at
a distance of thirty-five miles, from which circumstances this establishment
has great advantage in freights over every other in the country. The fol-
lowing are the chief constituents which enter into the material from which
the glass is made.
Sand, pounds 1,400
Carbonate of soda, pounds 600
Lime, pounds 200
Nitrate of soda, pounds 200
Arsenic, pounds ; 10
Manganese, pounds 5
The establishment is now turning out work which would have seemed
impossible in a town which seven years ago had no existence, and whose
location ten years ago was the centre of a bleak, uncultivated and uninhab-
ited prairie. Its success affords a good illustration of what skill, coupled
with enterprise, will accomplish.
SCHOOLS.
The first school building was erected in the fall of 1873. It was a frame
building and contained two rooms. In 1875 an addition was built to this
building of two more rooms, thus furnishing accommodations for the rap-
idly increasing school population, also completing the original design and
making of the building a very handsome structure. The building as it now
stands cost about five thousand dollars. The principal is R. P. Kelley, and
the attendance is about two hundred. The school board consists of E.
Moses, Jerome Palmer, A. K. Stewart, H. Henkle, J. W. Tallman, M. A.
Hulse and G. L. Heed. E. Moses is president and J. T. Webber treas-
arer.
CHUECHES.
The Presbyterian Church was organized May, 1855, the original members
being John Eeed, J. A. Reed, Mary A. Snodgrass, Hannah J. Reed, John
Marshall, R. B. Curry, John -Seaton and others. In 1875 a frame church-
building was erected, at a cost of $3,000. Thus far the pastors have been
Rev. J. V. Smock, Rev, Garret Hugger, and Rev. Alexander Danskin, the
present one. The present membership numbers seventy.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1873. The following
were among the original members: L. Duskee, Luther Torrey, A. J.
Echerd, P. Kiser, H. P. Newton, G. P. McCrary and J. F. Graham. In
the fall of 1873 a frame church-building was erected at a cost of $2,500.
' In January, 1874, the building was dedicated by Bishop Andrews. Revs.
Messrs, Twining, Gortner, Davis, Miller and Pugh have been the pastors
np to the present time, the latter serving in that capacity now. The mem-
t)ership numbers sixty.
The Baptist Church was organized in December, 1872. J. K. Bryson
and wife, A. Sypher and wife, Aaron Richardson and wife, Samuel Wise
and wife, G, W, Cady and wife were some of the first members. The
600 HISTORY OP KEOKUK COUNTT.
church-building was erected prior to the organization of the church; in
October, 1872, it was completed. It is a neat frame structure and cost
$1,871. The building was dedicated in October, 1873, by Elder N. A.
Eeed. Elders Wood, Erey and Tracy have been the pastors. The congre.-.
gation have no regular pastor at present. There are about ninety members
now.
The United Presbyterian Church was organized in June, 1873. Theop-
ilas Kirkpatrick and wife, Samuel Srocox and wife, Samuel McKee and hi&
wife, with fourteen others, constituted the first organization. A frame
church-building was erected in 1876 at a cost of $4,087. It was dedicated
on the sixteenth of December, 1876. Rev. Robert H. Barnes has been
pastor from the first. There are at present about one hundred members.
SECBET SOCIETIES.
Adelphi Lodge, No. 353 A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensa-
tion in July, 1875. The charter members were Hon. J. F. Wilson, Isaac
Farley, E. Moses, N. G. Field, E. M. Kitchey, H. Henkle, J. Palmer, Wil-
liam McLoud, Hon. H. K. Newton, H. P. Newton, A. L. Erdice and
Daniel McFarlane. The present officers are, Isaac Farley, W. M.; Daniel
McFarlane, S. W.; J. Palmer, J. W.; F. B. Home, treasurer; E. M.
Ritchey, secretary; A. J. Lindner, S. D.; Robt. Renfroe, J. D. There
are thirty-six members of the order.
Enterprise Lodge, No. 159, I. O. O. F., was originally organized at Talley-;
rand, and was removed to Keota in 1872. It has about fifty members with
the following oflicers: B. F. Elliott, N. G.; H. Mantz, Y. G.; E. M. Ritchey,
treasurer; A. Green, secretary.
Keota Lodge, No. 103, A. "O. U. W., was organized in February, 1876.
Daniel McFarland, G. L. Reed, Isaac Farley, J. C. Clarke, H. Hen-
kle, J. O. Wallace, F. M. Sijiock, J. H. Staufter, A. L. Lindner and
E. M. Ritchey were the charter members. J. O. Wallace is M. W.; Z^
W. Hutchinson, F.; J. C. Clake, O.; J. E. Glover, recorder; E. M. Ritchey,
financier; M. A. Hulse, receiver; A. Stewart, guide; are the present
officers of the Lodge, whose membership numbers thirty-three.
PUBLIC LIBEAET.
Keota also has a public library containing about three hundred volumes.
The library is located at Irwin's drug store and is accessible to all the mem-
bers of the association, free of charge. The officers of the association are:
Mrs. J. C. Clarke, president; J.B.Irwin, librarian; Miss Mollie Stewart,
treasurer; A. L. Lindner, secretary.
The town contains at the present time over one thousand inhabitants,
and its municipal authorities consist of the following officers:
Mayor — J. W. Tallman.
Recorder — J. E. Eaton.
Treasurer — J. C. Huskins.
Aldermen — J. F. Wilson, A. E. Stewart, A. L. Erdice, Joseph Charl-
ton, J. S. Kulp, J. T. Webber.
Assessor — J. Koehler.
Street Commissioner — Isaac SchreCpengast.
HISTOSY OF KEOKUK COUNTY. 601
HAKPER.
This is a thriving trading-point on the 0., E. I. & P. railroad near the
western boundary of the township, five miles west of Keota. It was laid
out in 1872 and is situated on section thirty. It contains a post-office,,
flonring-mill, one hotel, a church, a comfortable school-house, and a lodge
of I. 0. O. F. The church belongs to an organization of Methodists, Mr,
Salisbury manages the hotel, Eobert Eenfrew is the leading grain-dealer^
Namnr, Neiss & Fetzer are proprietors of the flouring-mill, while B. A.
Cleveland and Hoffman & Bro. are proprietors of two stores of general
merchandise.
Though Harper is a comparatively small place, the shipping done there
is no small affair. During the month of October, 1879, it reached the
number of fifty-three care, as follows: Hogs, 16; corn, 22; wheat, 6; oats,.
4; rye, 3; potatoes, 1; emigrant's goods, 1.
Creswell is a post-office located in Lafayette township, north of Harper.
ST. ANDEEW'S SOOCIETY.
This organization, as will be seen from the following preamble to the con-
stitution, was formed in November, 1875. The society has flourished from
the beginning and has done a good work in the community. The northern
part of Lafayette township is settled to a very large extent by people of
Scotch origin. They are a moi-al, order-loving, benevolent and enterpris-
ing class of people, and that section of country is one of the most delight-
ful in the State.
PREAMBLE TO CONSTITUTION:
The benevolent feelings implanted by the Creator in the hearts of men
are given for practical development, and if it is true that no braver hearts
beat than those that throb under a Scottish plaid, much more so is it true
that nowhere does the development of the benevolent feelings find a readier
expression than among Scotchmen; the expression of these benevolent
promptings is not confined to individuals; it assumes an organized form,
and thus becomes more efficient, and concentrates individual efforts into a
well-digested and laudable system of benevolence; especially is it true of
Scotchmen in foreign lands; ever since the organization in 1657, of the
" Scots' Charitable Society, of Boston," wherever a few Scotchmen located
are together, an immediate desire arises to form a Charitable or St. An-
drew's Society, for the purpose of relieving their distressed fellow-country-
men.
In accordance with this natural trait of character, a few of the Scottish
residents bestirred themselves to organize the St. Andrew's Society of Keo-
kuk and adjoining counties. A call to meet and celebrate the anniversary of^
St. Andrew at Keota, was heartily responded to by the residents of the
neighborhood and adjoining counties; among those present were Hon. J. F,
Wilson, David Ferguson, D. H. Gregg, James Gregg, Dr. McFarland,
Eobert Patterson, A. Patterson, James Lyle, Eobert Eenfrew, James Wil-
son, Thomas Simpson, and other patriotic Scotchmen, who earnestly dis-
cussed the propriety and duty of forming a St. Andrew's Society; conse-
quently, on November 30, 1875, the St. Andrew's Society was organized.
602
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
A committee was appointed to make drafts of a constitution and by-
laws for the society (with David Ferguson as Chairman). A call to meet
on February 7, 1876, which constitution and by-laws were adopted, with
list of members' name, appended:
Hon. J. F. Wilson.
Dr. McFarland.
D. H. Gregg.
A. Patterson.
James Wilson.
Kobert Lyle.
H. Gemeal.
William Booth.
David Clyde.
W. Ferguson.
James Gregg, Jr.
John Driburg.
Arc. Stewart.
William Veitch.
Hon. David Archer.
David Ferguson.
James Gregg.
K. Patterson.
James Lyle.
Thomas Simpson.
John C. Wilson.
George G. Clyde.
A. Teakle.
James Ormsbey.
Robert Renfrew.
Alex. Robertson.
A. Stewart.
LAFAYETTE PEESBYTEEIAN CHUOH.
This church was organized in 1855, under the direction of Rev. D. V.
Smock.
J. F. Wilson, wife and daughter, David Gregg and wife, James Palmer
and wife, David Clyde and wife, D. H. Gregg and wife, and Miss Susanna
Wilson, were the original members.
In 1869 a frame church was erected at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars.
It was dedicated the same year by Rev. D. V. Smock. The present pastor
is Rev. Alexander Danskin. The membership at present numbers forty.
BIOQEAPHIOAL DIRECTORY.
SIC3-OTTI3IsrE'Sr,
ADAMS, J. M., insurance agent;
was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in 1830; at
an early age he was taken by his
parents to Perry county, Ohio, and
in 1852 came to this county and
was engaged in teaching, and fol-
lowed mercantile pursuits ; he held
the office of sheriff for two terms;
filled the position of cashier of the
Sigourney bank and remained such
until it sold out to the First Na-
tional Bank; he has had a large
experience in insurance and ex-
press business, and at the present
time is the agent of the United
States Express Company; he rep-
resents the following insurance
companies : Home, N. Y. ; North
America, Philadelphia ; Conti nen-
tal and Springfield Fire and Ma-
rine, Eoyal of England, North
British Mercantile and Queen,
besides various State companies;
he married Miss Eunice I. Mc-
Lean, in 1854; she was born in
Green county, Ohio, and died in
1855; he married for his second
wife Miss Susan C. Cissna, in 1857;
she was born in Indiana; they have
five children: Hattie I. (now Mrs.
T.C. Weaver), Charles E., Milo
A., Mary B. and Gertrude J).
Adams, R., blacksmith.
ADAMS, JOSEPH, farmer; was
born in Washington county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1814, and raised there
until 1821; he was raised a far-
mer and afterward learned the
trade of blacksmith; he came to
Washington county, Iowa, in 1839.,
and lived there until 1844, and
since that time has made his home
in Sigourney, where he worked at
his trade for along time; he owns
a farm near town of 80 acres; he
married Miss Mary Tracy, in 1839;
she was born in Maryland and
died August 11, 1879, leaving
seven children: Margaret (now
Mrs. Farra), Henry 0., sheriff of
the county, John B., Mattie
A. (now Mrs. Ellis), James A.,
MoUie (now Mrs. Hay), and Wil-
liam.
ADAMS, H. C, sheriff of Keokuk
county; was born in Washington
county, Iowa, in 1844, and brought
to this county by his parents the
same year; he was raised a far-
mer; he enlisted in the Thirteenth
Iowa Infantry during the late
war, in Co. D., and after serving
three years re-enlisted as a vet-
eran; he was present at the bat-
tles of Pittsburg Landing, siege of
Corinth, Yicksburg, and in the
Atlanta campaign, and with Sher-
man in his march to the sea, and
participated in the grand review
at Washington; he was mustered
out as orderly sergeant of Co. D ;
after returning to his home he
worked at the trade of blacksmith,
and in 1877 was elected sheriff,
and again in 1879 re-elected to
the same office; he married Miss
Sophronia Minteer in 1871; she
€04
DIEECTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
was born in Ohio; they have two
children: Stella, and an infant
daughter.
Abernethy, J. F., clerk.
Alexander, Mrs. A. E.
Allbright, Geo., farmer. Sec. 35.
Alsup, G. W., farmer, Sec. 20.
Alsup, T. F., farmer. Sec. 8.
Ames, J. "W., farmer, Sec. 35.
Anchors, John, farmer. Sec. 35.
ANDERSON, J. T., hardware
merchant; born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in 1847, and
lived there until nine years of
' age, when his parents removed to
Saux City, Wisconsin, where they
resided eighteen months and then
■decided to settle in Washington
-county, Iowa, coming there in
1857; here the subject of this
sketch was educated, and after a
mercantile experience of four
jears came to this county in 1873,
and connected himself with T. 0.
Cunningham, under the firm name
"Of Cunningham & Anderson,
•dealers in hardware, agricultural
implements and farm machinery;
he married Miss Yirginia I. Cun-
ningham in 1872; she was born
in Indiana; they have one daugh-
ter: Mary Yictorine.
Applegate, J. H., principal of schools.
ARMSTRONG, DR. J. N., dentist;
born in Columbiana county,
Ohio, in 1851, and lived there
until 1865, when he removed to
Iowa; he entered the olfice of
Drs. Wilson & Denise, dentists,
■of Burlington, to learn his profes-
sion, after which he settled in this
city, in 1876, and has since been
engaged in the practice of dentis-
try; he married Miss Mary E.
House in September, 1877; she
was born in this county; they
have one child; Lewallen.
BAIRD, J. C., station agent C.
E. I. &P. E. E.; was born
in Portage county, Ohio, in 1835,
and resided there until 1845,
when be was taken by his parents
to Illinois; he enlisted in the
112th 111. Yol. Infantry during
the late war, and was sergeant-
major of the regiment, and was in
the service three years and three
months; came to this county in
1874, and has been connected with
the company he now represents
eight years; he married Miss Jose-
phine Annison, of Cambridge,
Henry county, Illinois, in 1867;
she was a native of New York;
their family consists of five chil-
dren: Eaymond, Evelyn, Lucy,
Henderson and Elsie.
BAINES BROTHERS., dealers in
general merchandise; the firm is
composed of John M. and G. P.
Banes; they are natives of Ohio
and came to this state in 1856 and
settled in Henry county; they
have been selling goods from boy-
hood, and may be said to have
grown up to the business; they
came to this county in 1872, and
have built up a successful and
profitable business and command
a large trade.
Baldauf Bros. & Co., clothing deal-
ers.
BARKER, W. H., farmer. Sec. 15;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Yer-
mont, August 12th, 1828; was
raised there a farmer, until 1856,
when he moved to Walworth
county, Wisconsin; he remained
there until February, 1860, when
he moved on the place where he
now resides; owns 215 acres of
land; in 1851 he married Miss
Laura Wilcox, a native of Yer-
mont; they have one child: Alice
B. (now Mrs. Page), who has two
children: Anna L. and Lloyd S.;
in 1861 he enlisted as a private in
Co. F, Eighth Iowa Infantry;
served for three years and partici-
pated in the battles of Pittsburg
Landing, Yicksburg, Corinth, and
others; Mr. and Mrs. Barker are
members of the M. E. Church;
he also belongs to Lodge No.
SIGOUBNEY.
605
Ninety-eight, I. O. O. F., and A,
O. TJ. W., No. Sixty-two, Sigonr-
ney; he and his son-in-law, Mr.
Page, run the farm and also have
a blacksmith shop in connection.
Baker, J. N., farmer, Sec. 17.
Basil, Jeremiah, farmer, Sec. 8.
Basil, Stephen, farmer. Sec. 8.
Beatty, J. A., stock dealer.
BEATTY, WM., photograph artist;
was born in Newark, Ohio, in 1844,
and remained in Ohio until 1855,
when his parents removed to Wis-
consin, where they lived until
1856 and then settled in Burling-
ton, Iowa, and in 1857 he changed
his place of residence .to Johnson
county, Missouri, and while living
here learned the art of photogra-
phy, in which occupation he has
flince been engaged; he came to
this county in 1873 ; married Miss
Katie Shanafelt, in February,
1870; she was born in Moores-
ville, Indiana; they have four
children: Lottie, Willie, Anna
and James D.
BEATTY, THOS., proprietor of
the Beatty House; born in Mis-
souri in 1814, and was raised in
that State; his youth was spent in
attending school and in mercantile
pursuits; he became a prominent
merchant of St. Louis, and ac-
cumulated a large sum of money,
which he lost in steamboat in-
vestments; came to Iowa in 1851,
settling at Pleasant Plains, and in
1852 removed to Richland, Keo-
kuk county, where he engaged in
general merchandise and buying
fitock; this occupation he followed
twenty years, and in 1872 changed
his business, came to Sigourney
and purchased the Beatty House;
he married Miss Mary A. Taylor,
in 1840; she was born in Yir-
ginia; they have five children:
Catharine (now Mrs. Melndoe),
James, Callie (now Mrs. Charl-
ton), Mary, and Celia (now Mrs.
Dr. Higginfl).
Beard, Eliza, farmer. Sec. 17.
Belcher & Stranahan, beer saloon.
BELCHER, WM., billiard saloon;
born in Steuben county, New
York, in 1844, and was raised
there a farmer; came to this
county in 1867 and engaged in
farming, and soon turned his at-
tention to railroad building, and
has been engaged on the B. & M.
road, Burlington & Cedar Rapids,
Chicago, R. I. & P., Muscatine &
Western, St. Louis & Kansas
City, and the C. B. & Q.; his lat-
est work was building the bridge
across the river at Plattsmouth;
he was married to Miss Amanda
Moore in 1867; she was born in
Ohio; they have four children:
David, Sidney, Samuel and Harry;
Mr. Belcher enlisted in the Eighty-
sixth New York Infantry in the
late war, and served two years,
and was then transferred to the
Fourth New York Heavy Artil-
lery, and served two years and four
months,; his service was in the
Army of the Potomac.
Bensmiller, Peter, farmer. Sec. 7.
BENTON, THOMAS H. M„ bar-
ber; born in Morgan county, Mis-
souri in 1847, and Jived there un-
til 1861, and then went to Kansas;
from here to Monmouth, Illinois,
where he resided some time, and
then came to Iowa, and settled in
Washington county, and came to
this county February 27, 1871.
Berry, L. A., horse dealer. >
BIRTSCH, PHILIP, billiard sa-
loon; born in Germany in 1853,
and came to the United States in
1869, and settled in Pekin, Illi-
nois, and came to this county in
1871; in 1874 he went to Colora-
do, New Mexico, and Utah, re-
turning in 1875; he married Miss
P. Huodeck in 1879; she was
born in Germany, and came to
this country when young, and was
raised principally in Washington
county.
606
DIEECTOBY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
BIRTSCH, JACOB, meat market;
born in Germany in 1833, and rais-
ed there until fifteen years of age;
in 1848 he emigrated to America,
and landed in Baltimore, and in
1851 went to Washington, D. C,
and lived there until 1854; he
came to Davenport in 1855, and
to this county in 1869; he married
Miss Catharine B. Jacobs in 1857;
she was born in Germany; they
have four children : Anna and
Mary, twins, Jacob M. and
George; lost five sons and two
daughters.
Black, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 35.
BOEGEL, H. H., dealer in general
merchandise; t)orn in Waynes-
burg, Stark county, Ohio, June 1,
1822; he was raised there, and
learned the trade of tailor, and
followed the occupation in that
state until April, 1855, when he
came to this county; he owns, a
farm of forty acres. He, was, a
member of the first city counqil;
he enlisted . in the Thirty-third
Iowa Infantry,. Go. B.j and served
three years;. he married Elizabeth
Mang in 1853; she was born in
Jefierson county, Ohio; they have
five children : Florence, Inez, Wil-
liam Charles and Ralph.
Boaton, S. W., retired farmer.
Bracken, E. F., merchant. ,
BROLLIAR, J. C, deputy sheriff;
born in Eichland township, Keo-
kuk county, April 12, 1846, and
was raised on a farm, and has di-
vided his time between teaching
and farming; he has held the of-
fice of justice of the peace and
other township ofiices previous
to his appointment as deputy sher-
iff; he married Miss Sarah Cox,
February 28, 1872; she was born
in this county; they have two
children : Gill B. and Olga.
Brown, Grantson, farmer. Sec. 35.
BROWN, C. M., attorney, of the
firm of Sampson & Brown; born
in Knox county, Ohio, November •
7, 1845; his early life was that of
a farmer, but he had the advan-
tage of the common schools and
the high schools of the place, and
entered the preparatory depart-
ment of Kenj'on College, Ohio;
he came to this State in 1868, and
settled in Muscatine county; he
read law in the office of the Hon.
Thomas Hanna, and was admitted
to the bar in 1870, and graduated
from the law department of the
Iowa State University, in 1871,
and July 6, the same year, he
came to this county, and engaged
in the practice of his profession,
and has made it his home since
that time; June 18, 1874, he mar-
ried Miss Flora Sampson, a daugh-
ter of the Hon. E. S. Sampson,
his law partner; the fruits of this
union are two children: Eunice
Anna and Eoy Chase.
BROWN A. G., farmer and stock
raiser; born in Virginia, in Octo-
ber, 1823, and lived there until
1833, and then removed to Greene
. county, Ohio, and remained there
until 1855, when he emigrated
, to Iowa, and settled in Sigourney,
and engaged in banking and mer-
cantile pursuits, and in this was
very successful; he gradually
bought up a large tract of land
near the city, and now owns 1,140
acres of choice land; he closed
out his mercantile business, and
has since devoted his time to
, raising stock, and his returns from
this, as well as other investments,
have been attended with satisfac-
tory results; he has always taken
great interest in educational mat-
ters, and has been on the school
board a large portion of the time ;
he is one of the directors of the
First National Bank, and one of
the largest taxpayers of Keokuk
county; he married Miss Ettie
Terger in 1862; she was a native
of Pennsylvania; they have two
children : Harry B. and Stock.,
cry cry jy
-^/ c\f^ ^(7-^^
SIQOUBNET,
609
Bowen, James, Sigourney.
BRUNT. J. M., born in Madison
county, Indiana, in 1837; when
ten years of age his parents remov-
ed to Keokuk county and settled
in Lancaster township; he was
raised a farmer; he enlisted in the
Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, Au-
gust 13, 1862, and served three
years; he was in various engage-
ments, and was wounded at Hel-
ena, Arkansas; he has served the
county four years as clerk of the
courts, and one term as treasurer;
he married Miss Mary A. Davis
in 1859; she was born in Morgan
county, Indiana; they have seven
children: Viola M., Samuel, Ly-
dia M., Isaac, Homer, John, and
Kalph W.
Buck, Dudley, farmer, Sigourney.
Barkholder, Geo:, farmer. Sec. 2.
Byrne, N. P., farmer. Sec. 35.
Butler, M. H., grocer.
CATTELL, J. B., dealer in gen-
eral merchandise; is a son of
Samuel G. Cattell, and Elizabeth,
■nee Hair; born in Ohio; his
father was a native of New Jersey,
and his mother of Pennsylvania;
when young his parents removed
to Indiana, where the boyhood of
the subject of this sketch was
spent as a farmer boy ; in 1857 his
parents removed to this county,
where he remained engaged in
agricultural pursuits until he en-
listed in the Thirty-third Iowa
Infantry, and served three years;
in 1867 his father engaged in
mercantile pursuits, and became
the successor of Brown & Terger,
in what was known as the New
York Store; the house is one of
the prominent ones of the city, and
commands a full share of public
patronage; he married Miss Eliza
Loffer in 1867; she was born in
Ohio; they have two children:
Willie and Rettie.
Cattell & Co., merchants.
37
Cissna & Selby, merchants.
Cissna, G. W., merchant.
Cissna, J. B., carpenter.
CLARK, J. T., stock-raiser and
stock dealer; was born in New
Hampshire in 1823, and moved to
Ohio when young, and remained
there until 1844, and then settled
in Indiana, and lived there four
years, coming to this county in
1850; for eight years he was en-
gaged in the hotel business, and it
was at his house that John Brown
and James Lane of Kansas fame,
had their first meeting; of late he
has devoted his time to the stock
business; he owns about 600 acres
of land; he has been twice mar-
ried, first to Miss Nancy Richards,
in 1850 ; she was born in Ohio, and
died in March, 1873; he married
for his second wife Margaret
Marks; their family consists of
seven children: Mary (now Mrs.
Shean), Kate, Charlie, Ella, Jen-
nie, Nettie and George.
Clark, C. C, stock dealer.
Clubb, James, stock dealer.
Cook, G. B., retired.
COOK, S. D., M. D., physician and
surgeon; was born in Knox coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1832, and was raised
in Knox and Delaware counties;
he received a common school edu-
cation, which was supplemented
by attendence at the Wesleyan
IJniversity at Mount Pleasant; he
commenced the study of medicine
in 1851, and was educated at the
Starling Medical College at Co-
lumbus, Ohio, and the College of
Physicians and Surgeons at Keo-
kuk, Iowa; in 1855 he came to
Henry county, and engaged in
the practice of his profession,
and has been in constant practice
since that time, excepting a short
time he commanded a Company
in the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry,
previous to his being promoted to
the Medical Staff of the Eighth
610
DIEISCTOBY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Iowa Infantry; he was in the ser-
vice three years; has pursued his
chosen calling with untiring zeal
and energy; he started on his
professional career with a laudable
ambition to succeed, and has not
been disappointed; Dr. Cook is a
man of acknowledged ability as a
physician, and his services are
recognized by a host of apprecia-
ting friends, and his kind and
sympathetic -nature makes him a
welcome visitor in the sick room;
he is known all over the county,
and the respect shown him is as
wide as his acquaintance: he is
very kind to the poor and has rid-
den hundreds of miles to adminis-
ter to their necessities without ex-
pectation of any compensation;
he friarried Miss Jennie Moore in
1865; she was born in Henry
county, Iowa; their family con-
sists of five children : Ida E., Lnlu,
Homer, Koscoe and Minnie.
Corbin, S. L., salesman.
Cowell, John, farmer, Sec. 18.
Covey, A., foundry.
Coy, John, farmer, Sec. 36.
Croneweth, J. "W., grocer.
Croneweth, P., painter.
Grouse, N., farmer, Sec. 6.
Crouse, John, farmer, Sec. 5.
CUNNINGHAM, T. C, dealer in
hardware, agricultural implements
and farm machinery; was born in
Franklin county, Indiana, in 1842,
where he was educated and raised
in mercantile pursuits; he came
to this State in 1868, and settled
in Washington county, and in
1872 came to Sigourney and en-
gaged in his present business; du-
ring the war he enlisted in the
lltn Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
and was discharged on account of
disability; he afterwards re-en-
listed, and was appointed quar-
termaster sergeant of the ISAth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and
a considerable portion of the time
was the acting quartermaster of
the regiment; he married Miss
Emma M. Pickett in 1878; she
was born in Ohio; they have one
daughter: Charlotte V.
DANA, G. B., farmer. Sec. 1;
P. O. Sigourney.
Darner, P. J., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Sigourney.
DAUT, GEORGE, bakery, lunch
and refreshment house; born in
Germany in 1827, and was en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits and
learned the trade of baker; he
came to the United States in 1848;
after a residence in various places
he visited Australia, Alaska, Cali-
fornia, Caraboo, Mexico and South
America; when he concluded to
return to the United States he
was without money and worked
his passage on board a steamer,
and arriving in New York lie bor-
rowed $75 and returned to Ger-
many, and came back in 1866,
bringing with him $25,000 in
gold and U. S. bonds; he in.-
vested largely in real estate in
Sigourney and has made valuable
improvements; he married Miss
Mary T. Mitchell in 1866; she
was born in Germany; their fam-
ily consists of five children : Pe-
ter, Katie, Eosa, Lizzie and Wil-
lie; they lost one son: George.
Dern, W., grocer.
Detchon, F. E.
Disney, J. B., harness-maker.
Dobie, G. W.
Donnell, E. L., attorney.
DONNELL, JOHN 'A., attorney
and counselor at law, was born
in Decatur county, Indiana, in
1838; when sixteen years old he
came to Iowa; he was educated
at Washington College, and grad-
uated in 1861; about the time of
graduation, and a short time be-
fore, in conversation with the judge
of the District Court, and a num-
ber of lawyers, about the war of
8IG0UENET.
611
HebelHou which had begun shortly
previous, he stated his determina-
tion to enlist as a volunteer, which
• Ixe did shortly afterward in a com-
pany which afterward became a
part of the first cavalry; entering
the service, he was promoted from
one rank to another till he finally
became adjutant of the regiment,
which oflace beheld at the time he
resigned to accept the office of
county clerk, to which he had
jnst been elected; after serving
acceptably in this office till the
expiration of the term, he began
the study of law under the in-
struction of G. D. Woodin; he
was admitted to the bar in 1667,
and the success which has at-
tended him in the practice of his
profession has been most extraor-
dinary ; there are few men of Mr.
Donnell's age and experience to
whom has been committed the
management of such important
«ases; the skill and ability which
■ <!haracterized his management of
the " White murder case " became
a matter of common report in
this and adjoining counties; be-
sides being a close student in mat-
ters pertaining to his profession,
Mr. Donnell gives a portion of
his time to literary pursuits, and
to him more than to any other
one belongs the credit of main-
taining one of the most interest-
ing and successful literary socie-
ties in the State; Mr. Donnell is
yet a comparatively young man,
and has a long career of useful-
ness in store for him; in 1867 he
married Miss Sue C. Hogin,
daughter of Hon. J. C. Hogin;
his family consists of five child-
ren: Una Z., Willie W., Birney,
Orrella M., and an infant.
Downing, T., laborer.
Durland, A. F., coal dealer.
Dwyer, E., tailor.
Dwyer, James, farmer, Sec. 35 ;
EASTBURN, WILLIAM,
farmer, Sec. 5.
ECKLEY. T. R., grain (lealer;
born in Ohio in 1831 and lived
there until 17 years of age, and
then came to this State in 1848;
he learned the trade of blacksmith
and wagon-maker and followed it
as an occupation for many years;
he spent two years in Van Buren
county, and came to Lancaster,
Keokuk county, in 1855; he owns
520 acres of land and his home is
one of the choicest locations of the
county ; he held the office of post-
master in Lancaster for sixteen
years; he married Miss Honora
D. Hart in 1852; she was born in
Washington county, Ohio, Sept.
29, 1829; by this union they have
five children living: William T.,
Abraham L., Romaine, Mary and
Maggie; Mrs. Eckely died Oct, 5,
1879, and we copy the following
from the Sigourney News in a no-
tice of her death : " She was a
woman of retiring nature; had to
be known to know her true worth ;
she had a strong desire for knowl-
edge; she was a graduate of the
Ladies' Seminary at Harmar,
Ohio; to the last, her intellect was
kept polished by study; granted
a home, she neglected it not;
blessed with children, for them
she cared; a faithful wife and true
mother, yet the ambition of her
life was to educate her children ;
nothing prevented her from lead-
ing them into the sphere of knowl-
edge; while in this sphere with
them the morning came to her a
brighter day ; years ago she
united with the Presbyterian
church; clouds of doubt at times
flitted across her sky of faith;
those getting nearest to her Christ-
ian lite should not her doubt;
they caught the gleams that shone
from a bright inner life — gleams
that shone upon the path along
612
DIEECTOKY OT KEOKUK COUNTY.
which her spirit quietly ascended
into a world of cloudless faith and
higher knowledge."
ECKLEY, P. L , dealer in grocer-
ies and provisions; born in Ohio
in 1824, and raised there a fanner;
in 1848 he emigrated to Jefferson
county, Iowa, and came to this
county in 1852, and in 1856 he
came to Sigourney; during the
late war he enlisted as a private in
the Eighth Iowa Infantry, and af-
ter" serving three and one-half
years was mustered out as second
lieutenant; he engaged in his
present business in 1869; has held
the office of town trustee; he mar-
ried Miss Mary Martin in 1849;
she was born in Ohio and died in
January, 1871, leaving two daugh-
ters: Elcina (now Mrs. Corbin),
and Ella; he married for his sec-
ond wife Mrs. Isabella McKibben,
in May, 1879; she was a native of
Gloucester county, New Jersey,
and was previously married, in
1851, to Kobert McKibben, a na-
tive of Scotland, who died October
8th, 1865, leaving three sons:
Robert, James and Joseph.
Ellis, E., restaurant.
FARRA, J . R., proprietor of the
Paragon Job Printing Office;
born in Shenandoah countj', Yir-
ginia, in 1837, and lived there un-
til eighteen years of age ; he learn-
ed the printer's trade in the offices
of the " Stanton Messenger " and
"True American"; he 'came to
Iowa in 1857 and settled in Sig-
ourney, and in 1858 established
the " Iowa Democrat,'.' in connec-
tion with S. B. Evans, now of Ot-
tumwa, and continued it until the
outbreak of the war, when he en-
listed in Co. D, Thirteenth Iowa
Infantry during the. late war, and
was captured at Holly Springs in
December, 1862, and paroled in
April, 1863; he was discharged on
account of disability; be returned
to Sigourney and bought out the
" Sigourney News," which he af-
terwards sold out and established
the " Review," in connection with
A. J. Kenney, and sold out in
1873; he then bought an interest
in the " News " with J. W. Hav-
ens, and sold out in 1876 and went
to California and had charge of
the " California Daily and Weekly
Star," Los Angelos, for six months ;
he married Miss Margaret A. Ad-
ams, in 1858; she was born in
Washington county, Iowa, and
was the first white child born in
Washington county, Iowa.
Fair, S. C, marble dealer.
FERGUSON, J. M., saddler and
harness-maker; born in Ohio, in
1825, and learned the trade of
harness making; he moved to
Washington county, Iowa, in 1853,
and lived there nine years, and
came to this county in 1862, and
has been in this business continu-
ously longer than any man in the
county in the same line; he is a
member of the Masonic fraternity
and the A. O. U. Workmen; he
married Miss. Laura M. Coleman,
in 1855; she was born in Knox
county, Ohio; they have one son:
Charles W.; lost one daughter:
Ella M.
Fear, J. H., farmer. Sec. 5.
Fidler, D. L., merchant.
Fisher, J., Merchant.
FONDA, S. L., attorney; born in
Saratoga county, New York, No-
vember 26, 1848, and raised there
and received an academical educa-
tion, and, having a preference for
the law profession, entered the
office of W. T. Odell, in Ballston
Spay, and prepared himself for
admission to the bar, which occur-
red at Schenectady, in April, 1869 ;
September 29th, the same year, he
came to Iowa and engaged in his
chosen avocation; he is associated
with Hon. S. Harned in business,
and holds the office of mayor of
the city; he married Miss Mattie
SIGOTTBNET.
613
E. Harned in December, 1871;
she was born in this county and
died March 23d, 1877, leaving one
daughter: Ella B., born February
Wth, 1873; lost two children:
Seward L. and Staats S.
FRANKEN, B., druggist, of the
firm of Cook & Franken; born
in Siegburg, Prussia, in 1833, and
was raised there; he came to the
United States in 1852 and settled
in New York, and afterward re-
moved to Illinois and thence to
this State, in 1856; he has held
various township offices; he mar-
ried Miss L. Schirmer in 1860;
she was a native of Bavaria; they
have two children : James L. and
Edwin; he has been connected
with Dr. Cook in the general drug
business for ten years.
FREY, REV. J.; born in Knox
county, Ohio, in 1827, and was
raised there; in his youth he re-
ceived the benefits of the common
echools and supplemented his edu-
cation by attendance at the Gran-
ville College, near Newark, Ohio;
after preparing for the ministry,
he was ordained in Muskingum
county, Ohio, in 1851, and his
first pastorate was at Tomaka,
Coshocton county, Ohio, and this
relation existed until 1856, when,
owing to his wife's impaired
health, he came to Iowa and made
Sigourney his home in 1857; and
• of the eleven congregations of the
Baptist denomination in existence
in the county at the present time,
all but three have organized since
he came to the county, and for
years he was the only Baptist cler-
gyman in the county, and these
are largely the outgrowth of his
labors ; he has served as pastor of
the Baptist Churches in Sigour-
. ney, South English and Keota,
Talleyrand, Fairview, loka and
Eock Creek; he married Miss
Louisa Arnold, of Licking coun-
ty, Ohio, August 8th, 1851, she
being a daughter of Hon. John H.
Arnold, of that county; they have
five children : Roger W. (now liv-
ing in Livingston county, Illi-
nois), Charles E., Sarah P., Samu-
el H. and Mary E.; have lost
three: Judson C, James N, and
Frank A. ; Mr. Frey was elected
superintendent of schools for
Keokuk county in 1861 and 1862.
FRITZ, F., saloon keeper, and of
the firm of F. Fritz & Sons, cigar
manufacturers; born in Bavaria
in 1833, and lived there until 1853,
when he came to the United States
and enlisted in the regular army
and served five years, and in 1859
came to Sigourney and learned the
cooper's trade; he married Miss
Louisa Kleitz, in 1856; she was
born in Alsace, Germany; they
have six children: Edward,
George, Josephine, Nellie, Louisa
and Emma.
FUNK, L.A., miller; born in Ohio
in 1845, and in 1846 his parents
removed to Yan Buren county,
Iowa, and remained there until
he was eight years ot age and
then changed their residence to
Davis county, this State, and
came to this county in 1862; he
has grown up in his present busi-
ness from boyhood, and can well
be termed a practical miller; he
built his present mills, known as
the Garden City Mills, in 1877; it
has four run of burrs and fitted
with all the improved machinery;
the demand for his flour and the
high repute in which it is held
speaks creditably for the manufac-
tor; he married Miss Mary P.
Davis in May, 1868 ; she was born
in Indiana; lost one son: Claude.
GASTON, WM. J., attorney;
born in McDonough coun-
ty, Illinois, in 1842, and in
1844 his parents removed to
Keokuk, Iowa, where the sub-
ject of this sketch was educat-
ed and raised with a mer-
614:
DIBECTOEY OF KEOKUK COUHTT.
cantile experience, in which busi-
ness he has been engaged since at-
taining a proper age, until a short
time since; he owns, beside city
property, eighty-seven acres of
land in Lancaster township; he
enlisted in the Thirty-third Iowa
Volunteers during the late war,
and after serving about eighteen
months was discharged at Little
Kock, Arkansas, on account of im-
paired health; he married Miss
C. A. Bottorff, in 1864; she was
born in Indiana and died in 1867;
he married for hie second wife
Miss M. McKunnells, in 1872;
fihe was born in Jefferson county,
Iowa; has one child by first mar-
riage: John J. ; and lost one daugh-
ter; Cynthia.
Gann, L. O., Sec 35.
Gann, A., Sec. 35.
GOLDTHWATT.C. J., boot and
shoe dealer; born in Waterville,
Somerset county, Maine, in 1833,
and was raised a farmer the early
f)art of his life, and afterward
earned the trade of shoe making;
he came to this county in 1855,
and has been engaged in the shoe
business since that time; during
the late war he enlisted in the
Thirty-third Iowa Infantry and
served three years; he was wound-
ed at Saline river; he married
Miss Fidelia E. Lyon, in March,
1858; she was born in Pennsylva-
nia, and died in August, 1875; he
married for his second wife Mary
Shawhan, in 1876; she was born
in Indiana; their family consists
of one daughter: Mary, by first
marriage; and two sons: John and
George, by second marriage.
GORTNER, H. D., attorney; born
in Green county, Ohio, in 1847,
and was brought by his parents to
Washington county in 1850, and
from this place removed to Iowa
county; he was raised a farmer,
and at the age of seventeen com-
menced teaching school and taught
eleven years ; at the same time he
commenced reading law and at-
tended the law department of the
State University, and was admit-
ted to the bar in June, 1877; he
married Miss Mary C. Boltz, in
1869; she was born in Ohio; they
have one son: Perry S., aged five
years.
HAUGHENBEERY, J. T., la-
borer.
HAIR, DR. J. H., physician and
surgeon ; was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, and
while young his parents removed
to Ohio, where the subject of this-
sketch was raised on a farm, and
having made choice of the medi-
cal profession, he prepared him-
self to enter the Western Reserve
Medical College, and graduated
from that institution in 1867; af-
ter practicing a few years, he wa&
appointed surgeon of the Thirty-
third Ohio Infantry, in which ca-
pacity he served faithfully and ac-
ceptably ; he came to this county
in 1866, and established himself
in the practice of his profession
and in the drug trade, in connec-
tion with the late Dr. Parks; he
married Miss Mary Gaston in
1854; she was born in Ohio; they
have five children : W. Maud, Liz.-
zie, Mary, L. Roy and Walter.
HANKINS, W. H., of the firm of
Johnson & Hankins, abstracters
and loan agents; was born in
Trumbull county, Ohio, February
13, 1852, and was raised there un-
til sixteen years of age, and came
to this county in 1869; he re-
ceived an academical education,,
and has been engaged in his pres-
ent business since 1877; he mar-
ried Miss Ella M. Randall, No-
vember 19, 1873; she was born in
Keokuk county, her father, W.
W. Randall, being one of the old-
er settlers of the county; they
have one son : Homer H. ; and one
daughter: Grace G.
SIGOUBNIT.
615
.HANSON, J. W., farmer, Sec. 9;
P. O. Sigourney; was born in
Park county, Indiana, in 1827,
where he was raised a fanner; he
came to this county in 1853, and
settled where he now resides; he
owns 270 acres of land, and has
made all the improvements since
he came here; he has done con-
siderable civil engineering since
coming to the county; he is the
author of the first Greenback plat-
form in the State of Iowa, and
ran for Congress on the Greenback
. ticket in 1870, on the same plat-
form on which Gen. Weaver was
elected in 1878; he married Miss
D. Horner, June 3, 1849; she was
a native of Ohio ; they have five
children: Mary E. (now Mrs.
John A. Benson, of California),
Solon A., civil engineer, Alphens
P., Delia (now Mrs. L. D. Bond),
and Monta.
Haffner, G., painter.
flenke, D. R., carpenter.
Harlan, C. M., lumber dealer.
EARNED, S., attorney ; among the
early settlers of Keokuk county
who have been identified with its
interest officially and civilly, is the
subject of this sketch; he was
born in Hardin county, Kentucky,
in 1814, and was raised there in
various occupations until twenty-
one years of age; in 1835 he re-
moved to Warren county, Illinois
(now Henderson), and in October,
1839, changed his residence to
Iowa City; having a professional
turn of mind, he entered the office
first of A. Calkins, as a student of
law, and afterward, one year with
Curtis Bates, Esq.; he was admit-
ted to the bar in Sigourney in
July, 1844, and the same year he
settled in Richland, Keokuk coun-
ty, and engaged in the practice of
his profession ; in 1846 he was a
delegate to the constitutional con-
vention; in 1852 he was elected
to the sena|:e, but not admitted
owing to a legal technicality; in
1855 he was elected county judge,
re-elected in 1857, and during his
term of office the present court-
house was built; in 1864 he was
appointed quartermaster of the
Forty-seventh Regiment Iowa
Volunteer Infantry, and in July
of the same year, he was appointed
A. Q. M., with rank of captain,
and ordered to Yirginia, and was
present at the surrender ol Lee;
he was afterward on duty in Tex-
as, and was mustered out in
March, 1866; in 1875 he was
elected to the lower house of the
Iowa State legislature, and in 1877
was elected to the State senate;
he was married to Miss Evaline
Galbreath in 1837; she was a na-
tive of Tennessee; they have, two
children: Amanda and Z. T. ; they
have lost six children: Jonathan
T., Elizabeth, Maria, Mary, Irena
and Martha E.
HAVENS, J. W., born in Frank-
lin county, Ohio, May 17, 1842;
he removed to Illinois in 1854:
here he learned the trade of mar-
ble cutter, which occupation he
followed until 1863; upon arriv-
ing at the age of twenty-one he
determined to change his occupa-
tion; he had for some time an
inclination to enter the newspaper
profession and for this purpose
came to Sigourney in December,
1863, and in connection with a
brother, H. E. Havens, bought
the "Sigourney News;" upon
taking charge of the "News"
that journal soon gained a wide-
spread reputation, and Mr. Ha-
vens proved his. genius for the
new profession he had chosen by
making the "News" one of the
spiciest and sprightliest papers in
the State; his connection with
the "News" lasted till Novem-
ber, 1878, a period of nearly fif-
teen years, during which time he
had exclusive editorial charge;
616
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK OOCNTT.
in the fall of 1870 he was chosen
to represent Keoknk county in
the State Senate, and although
the jonngest member of the Thir-
teenth General Assembly he ac-
quitted himself with honor and
made a record for statesmanlike
sagacity which would have been
creditable to one of more advanced
age and wider range of experience;
Mr. Havens was married to Miss
E. J. Dunn in 1863; she was a
native of Ohio; they have five
children: Jessie, Benjamin, Josie,
Birdie, Blanche and an infant
daughter; Mr. Havens sold the
"News" in November, 1878, to
Mr. Needham, of Oskaloosa, in
order to relieve his mind from
the cares of a business so long
successfully managed, and to per-
mit him to accompany his wife,
who of late years was in feeble
health, on a trip to the moun-
tains; fifteen years of journal-
ism in one place is a more than
average career, and when success-
ful, as was that of Mr. Havens, is
something to be proud of; as
an anti-grange editor and legisla-
tor, Mr. Havens especially dis-
tinguished himself, and in this
particular did his conduct contrast
most favorably with those truck-
ling time-servers who embraced
the Granger in prosperity only to
abandon his falling fortunes when
the tide ebbed.
HENTON, W. C, stock dealer; was
born in Hillsboro, Highland coun-
ty, Ohio, August 25, 1831 ; when
young his parents removed to
Hendricks county, Indiana, near
Danville, where the subject of our
sketch was raised on a farm until
nineteen years of age; he came to
this county in 1850, and has been
principally engaged in agricultural
pursuits and the stock business;
for the last few years he has de-
voted his time to the latter; he
has served the city as a member of
its council and on the school board;
he married Miss A. E. Homan in
February, 1853; she was born in
Indiana; they have two children:
Alice and Ollie
HIGGINS, G, W., harness maker;
was born in Springfield, Illinois,
in 1821, and was raised there; he
was apprenticed for five years to a
tanner to learn the business, and
one of the conditions of the inden-
ture was, that the apprentice was
to have all holidays and general
muster days for himself, and these
he occupied in learning the col-
lar trade, so that by the time his
apprenticeship had expired he was
able to make a full hand at this
business as well as a tanner; he
engaged in business on his own
account in Washington, Illinois,
and remained there until 1856,
when he came to Sigourney, which
has since been his home, excepting
two years, when he had charge of
a collar manufactory in Albia;
he has recently discovered, after
a great deal of experimenting as
well as expense, a process for tan-
ning lace leather in an incredible
short time, and claims as a merit,
that the glutinous substance of
the skin is extracted in such a
manner that the fiber is stronger
than in its natural state, although
manufacturing by this process is
in its infancy; Mr. Higgins cannot
begin to supply the demand; he
married Miss Isabel Smith of
Irish Grove, Illinois, in 1842; she
was born in Ohio; he enlisted in
Oo. F, Eighth Iowa Infantry, and
served three years and six months.
Hull, W. Mc, farmer, Sec. 14.
Hiser, Samuel, farmer. Sec. 17.
HOGIN, HON. JAMES L., de-
ceased; for many years a distin-
guished member of the Masonic
, order, and in 1854 grand master
of Iowa, was born in Kent county
Delaware, on tlie 7th of March,
1801; his father was of Scotch-
8IG0UBNET.
617
Irish ancestry, and his mother of
English origin ; both families were
strong patriots during the revolu-
tion, and several of them bore
arms in the cause of the colonies;
the subject of this sketch received
but a limited education in early
life, and during his minority learn-
ed the shoemaking trade, at which
he worked for many years, but he
■was always a diligent student, and
noted as a lover of books; even
when poor and earning but a
scanty livelihood, he was contin-
ually adding to his stock of his-
torical and standard works, and
in after years possessed one of the
finest libraries in the State; in
March, 1819, he removed to Indi-
ana, and located in Brookville,
Franklin county, of that State,
where he worked at his trade for
a number of years; he afterward
engaged in mercantile pursuits, a
pursuit which he followed as long
as he contined in business, and
from which he derived a reasona-
ble ■ competency; in the spring of
1832 he removed to Indianapolis,
and continued in business tliere
antil 1845, when he removed to
Danville, where he remained till
his removal to Sigonrney, in 1850;
here he made his nome, and passed
the remainder of his life time, en-
joying the esteem and confidence
of his fellow citizens; although
shrinking from public notice, yet
the importunities of his fellow
citizens of Keokuk county pressed
him into their service, and he was
elected to the State senate in
1854, and served with distinction
two regular, and one special sess-
ion ; but it was as a Mason that he
was especially distinguished, hav-
ing taken a deep interest in the
■order from the time he connected
himself with the fraternity, and
held the prominent oflSces of the
order in the State in 1854, being
elected grand master; Mr. Hogin
married Miss Eliza J. Crouch, of
Wellsburg, Virginia, September
3, 1822; she was a woman of high
intellectual attainments, and led a
blameless and useful life; her so-
cial qualities were highly devel-
oped, and she was the centre of a
large circle of friends, who looked
up to her as a counselor and lead-
er; she died in 1864; of their
family of twelve children eight
are still living: John C. (now one
of Sigourney's prominent busi-
ness men), Caroline N. (now the
wife of Dr. N. Henton, of Salem,
Oregon), Elvia A. (wife of Wm.
M. Wells Esq., of Oskaloosa),
Mary (now the wife of T. B.
Matthews, of Kansas), Cornelia fe.
(now the wife of Rev. C. W.
Shaw, of Salem, Oregon), George
B. (is a druggist, of Newton),
Juliett W. (now the wife of A. C.
Eomig, of Abilene, Kansas), and
Benjamin li. (now living in Kan-
sas; they have lost four: one son,
Wm. F., was captain of Co. F,
Eighth Iowa Infantry, and was
killed at the battle of Shiloh, Ten-
nesse, on the 5th of April, 1862,
having just reached his majority;
he was a youth of great promise,
a gallant soldier, and estimable
gentlemen; in the home of a son
he forgot the world of care and
the battle of life, which had fur-
rowed his earlier years and drawn
closely around the hearths of chil-
dren and grandchildren, and in
their loved presence awaited the
hour when he should be summon-
ed to meet his beloved partner in
the mansions of rest; the hour
came in peace and quiet, and
" the spirit ascended to the God
who gave it;" he died on the 7th
of December, 1876; James L.
Hogin was one of nature's noble-
men; living an upright and hon-
orable life, he did much to build
up the town and county in which
he cast his lot for life, and to-day
618
DIEKCTOET OF KEOKTJK COTINTT.
many rise up and call him blessed
in their recollection of pleasing
memories of his intercourse with
them.
HOGIN, HON. JOHN C, mer-
chant; whose portrait appears
in this work, was born in Brook-
ville, Franklin county, Indiana, in
1823, and is the oldest son of Jas.
L. Hogin, and Eliza, nee Crouch ;
his father was a native of Dela-
ware, and his mother of Virginia;
In 1832 his father removed to In-
dianapolis and engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits, and the son be-
came a very valuable assistant of
his father; of Mr. Hogin, it may
well be said that he was bred a
man of business, and the uninter-
rupted success which has attended
him through life thus far may be
attributed to his early training; in
1848 he removed to Sigourney,
Keokuk county Iowa, and engaged
in business on his own account;
in a few j'ears his father became
associated with him, and the name
of the firm was James L. Hogin
&, Sou, and continued some time,
when it was afterward changed
to Hogin, Harned &Glandon,and
in a few years Mr. Hogin again
became sole proprietor, and re-
mained so until his retirement
from business, near the close of
the year 1877; when Mr. Hogin
retired from business it created
quite a sensation, and the press
of the city took occasion to com-
ment on the event in poetry and
Erose; like many other successful
usinesss men Mr. Hogin, soon
after retiring, became uneasy and
restless, and he came to the con-
clusion it was better to wear out
than to rust out, and he again
embarked in business, after a brief
retirement, changing, however, to
to the drug and book trade, and in
this as in other pursuits, he has
made it a success; we here recall
an incident in his life worthy of a
record in these annals of the coun-
ty; in 1853, while he and his fath-
er were partners in business, the
Democratic party selected the
subject of this sketch as their
nominee for the State senate, and
in order to defeat him, if possible,
the Whig party nominated his^
father; although the contest wafr
a spirited one, itdid not cause the
least ill feeling between the two
partners, who long afterwards con-
tinued their present business rela-
tions; the record of the election
as made by the canvassing board,
shows that James L. Hogin waa
elected by sixty -one votes; at the
same election M. M. Crocker (af-
terwards General Crocker), who
was the Democratic nominee for
representative, was defeated by
131 votes; neither Mr. Hogin
nor his father sought the oflSce for
which they were nominated; dur-
ing the rebellion Mr. Hogin agdn
became a candidate (much against
his will) for the State Senate on
the Union war ticket, and instead
of being defeated by a small ma-
jority, was elected by a majority
of 500 votes; Mr. Hogin's unin-
terrupted business career in Eeo-
kuk county covers a period of thir-
ty years and six months, and just-
ly entitles him to the credit of
being in business longer than any
merchant in the county; he may
well bo termed an old citizen, and
can remember nearly all the pe-
riod covered by the county's his-
tory; he has risen slowly but
steadily; he accepted the hardship
of pioneer life with good grace,
and even zest, and has built uphift
prosperity on the business princi-
ple that in every i'air bargain both
parties gain, consequently he has-
become a man of mark and influ-
ence in the community, and has
made an enduring impression on
the business and social life about
him ; his life has been one of
-SIGOUENET.
6191
ceaseless activity and industry;
his official record without a stain,
having served with credit and
ability; as a business man he has
proven himself upright, reliable
and honorable in ail places and
under all circumstances; he is loy-
al to truth, honor and right; so-
cially he is pleasant and afiTable;
few men have more devoted friends
or merit more the confidence and
esteem of their fellow citizens; he
was married to Miss C. H. Rich-
ards in 1847; she was a native of
Highland county, Ohio, but a res-
ident of Hendricks county, Indi-
ana; their family consists of five
children : Clara (now Mrs. Hutch-
inson), Susan C. (now Mrs. J. A.
Donnell), Samuel R. (a merchant
in Delta), Josephine (now Mrs.
Ellis), and Lillie.
HOLLINGSWORTH, L., retired;
was born in Columbiana county,
Ohio, in 1831, and spent his early
J rears on a farm, and afterward
earned the trade of cabinet ma-
ker; he came to this county in
1854; he settled in Prairie town-
ship, where for twelve years he
was engaged in agricultural pur-
spits; he has held the office of
county auditor for four years, and
also the office of county treasurer,
and in 1862 represented Keokuk
county in the State Legislature;
at the present time he is the cor-
oner of the county; he has filled
his official positions with ability
and unswerving integrity; he is
modest and unassuming in his
manner, an upright citizen, en-
joying the confidence of all who
know him; he married Miss
Hannah Fawcett in 1859 ; she
was born in Ohio ; their family
consists of two children : Luella
E. and Horace S.
HOLLINGSWORTH, W. R., ed-
itor and proprietor of the "Sigour-
ney Review;" born in Maysville,
Kentucky, in 1840, and removed
with his parents to Des Moiena
county, Iowa, in 1841, and re-
mained there until 1866; then
went to Ohio, and entered Oxford
College; he graduated from thi»
institution in 1861, and returned
to Iowa, and in 1863, purchased
a farm in Henry county, and en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits^
and lived there until he came to-
Sigourney and bought the " Re-
view, in connection with Mr. Kin-
ney; he soon became sole editor
and proprietor, and continues a&
such at the present time; he mar-
ried Miss Anna S. Thorneloe, i»
1874; was born in England.
House, E. B., plasterer.
House, D., plasterer.
HOWARD, J. Q., of the firm of
Howard & Kerr, dealers in books,,
stationery, etc.; was born in York
county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and
in 1833 removed with his parents-
to Licking county, Ohio; he came
to this State in 1855 and settled
in Davis county, and was engaged
in teaching; he enlisted in the-
113th Ohio infantry during the-
late war and served three years;
he came to this county in 1868,.
and owns a farm of 168 acres; he-
has held the office of county treas-
urer for six years, and served as a.
member of the school-board. He
married Miss Julia A Deming ia
1868; she was born in Washing-
ton county, Ohio; they have seven,
children : Wm. D., Hattie E., Kit-
tie A., Bertie, Edward, Mabel and
May.
Huudleson, N., butcher.
Hufi'man, W. D., physician.
HUFF, SANFORD W., M. D.,.
deceased; born in Hamburg,
Erie county, New York, on the-
25th of December, 1826, and was
the son of Timothy Hnfl" and
Phebe, nee Potter, and was the-
youngest of five children; hifr
early boyhood days were passed!
on his father's farm and attend-
620
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
ing school; financial embarrass-
ments prevented his father, in a
measure, of carrying out his cher-
ished design to give the subject of
this sketch a thorough collegiate
education, so that he was lett to
achieve his own mental discipline
as best he could ; he was able, by
dint of perseverance, economy
and industry, to avail himself of
the advantages of academical
schools ; he chose the medical pro-
fession for an occupation and
graduated from the medical de-
partment of the University of Buf-
falo in the spring of 1851, and
commenced as the partner of a
practitioner of high standing in
that city; but the severe applica-
tion incident to his professional
studies began to recoil on his
health and he was obliged to
•change his location to the coun-
try; he came to Iowa and located
in Iowa City, in 1857; during the
iirst two years of his western ex-
perience his attention was divided
between his profession and out-
side operations; he then devoted
himself exclusively to his profes-
sion, and when the war opened in
1862, he accepted the surgeoncy of
the Twelfth Iowa Infantry, and
served until the close of the war;
lie participated in nearly all the
great achievements of the army of
the southwest and filled all the
grades of responsibility to which
a regimental surgeon is eligible,
and rendered valuable service on
the staff of Gen. Mower, and af-
terward of Gen. McArthur, as
«urgeon-in-chief of the department
of Alabama, on the staff of Gen.
Davis, and remained in this posi-
tion until he was mustered out in
the winter of 1866; he then re-
turned to his home and resumed
his practice, and soon after was
elected to the position of secretary
to the State Historical Society
and editor of its annual. This
little publication grew in his
hands, from a pampnlet of some
thirty odd pages, to a dignified
quarterly of magazine propor-
tions; he visited the legislature
during its session of 1868-9, at
his own expense, and secured an
appropriation of seven thousand
dollars with which to defray the
expenses of printing and preserv-
ing the records and accumulations
of the society for the benefit of
the future historian of the State;
after three years of toilsome but
successful labor, he was compelled,
on account of private business, to
resign ; he soon afterward engaged
in a newspaper enterprise, but nis
professional duties requiring his
attention, the paper was absorbed
by the "Kepiiblican;" he received
a very flattering unofficial invita-
tion to a chair in the medical de-
partment of the State University,
which he declined ; he was presi-
dent, for several years, of the
Johnson county Medical Associa-
tion, and a member of the State
Medical Association, and in 1877
was a delegate to the annual meet-
ing of the National Medical Asso-
ciation held at Chicago; his taste
for literature has not prevented
him from concentrating his intel-
lectual forces on the great science
belonging to his profession, and
in it he lias always been a success,
taking leading parts in profession-
al gatherings, making an eviable
reputation as a practitioner; he
was twice married, first to Miss
Harriet E. Borland, in 1863 ; she
died in 1863, leaving one daugh-
ter: Alice (now Mrs. H. Sheldon,
of Fremont, Ohio); he married
for his second wife, Miss Laura S.
Nickerson, in 1870; she was a na-
tive of Fort Crown Point, N. Y.,
a lady of high education and re-
finement, and of fine artistic tal-
ents; she was educated in the art
department of Cooper Institute;
SIGOUENET.
621
by this union they had three
children: "Wirt S., born October
3, 1871 ; died in July, 1873; Laura
C, born September 16, 1875;
Frances, born April 18, 1877; died
February 19, 1878; Dr. Huff died
November 7, 1879.
JACKSON, THOMAS, barber;
cl was born in Washington coun-
ty, Mississippi, February 10, 1849,
and lived there until 1866, when
he came to Iowa and settled in
Washington, where he learned his
trade; in June, 1869, he came to
this county and has followed his
present business since that time;
he married Hattie Black in 1874;
she was born in Davenport, Iowa;
they have one son : George.
JACKSON, B. F., merchant, deal-
er in iron, hardware and agricul-
tural implements; was born in
Hamilton county, Ohio, Novem-
ber 25, 1833, where he was raised
on a farm; he came to this county
in 1871 and engaged in his pres-
ent business; the house is one of
the oldest in the city and was es-
tablished by Wm. Jackson and
Hugh McElroy in the spring of
1856; January 1, 1859, William
Jackson bought out McElroy; in
1865 J. H. Shawhan became a
member of the firm, under the
name of Wm. Jackson & Co.; in
1869 Mr. Shawhan withdrew, and
Wm. and li. B. Jackson continued
under the same firm name; in
1871 B. F. Jackson purchased
Wm. Jackson's interest and the
business continued under the firm
name of R. B. & B. F. Jackson;
in January, 1879, R. B. Jackson
sold his interest to B. F. Jackson,
who is now sole proprietor. Mr.
Jackson married Miss L. 0. Oar-
rington, of Piqua, Ohio, in May,
1867; she was born in Baltimore.
Jackson, Wra., farmer. Sec. 1.
Jacobs, J. W., farmer. Sec. 20.
JAMES, SAMUEL A. ; born in
Botetourt county, Virginia, on
the 27th day of December, 1823,
his parents being Thomas James
and Barbary, nee Britts; his father
was of mixed Scotch and Welsh
lineage, while his mother was of
German origin ; in 1829 the family
removed from Virginia to Indiana
and settled in Hendricks county,,
in which and the adjoining county
of Montgomery the subject of this
sketch obtained a common school
education ; as soon as he was old
enough he had recourse to the
usual expedient of aspiring youths
— school teaching; he taught three-
winter terms, being at the same
time an industrious and diligent
student himself; in the spring of
1842 he resolved to follow the star
of empire westward, and, turning
his back upon the scenes of his
boyhood, he started alone and on
foot, with a pair of saddle-bags
thrown over his shoulder contain-
ing his worldly efilects; he crossed
the States of Indiana and Illinois-
into the then Territory of Iowa,,
and to the town of Washington,
which he reached on the 25th of
March, 1842; in the fall of the
same year he taught one terra of
school in Washington, but in the
year following, 1843, he removed
to Keokuk county, Iowa, and made
a claim four miles north of Sig-
ourney; in the autumn of this
year he returned to Washington
and spent the following winter in
the study of law, and was admit-
ted to the bar in Sigourney soon-
after; as yet the territory now
forming Keokuk county was a.
part of Washington, and in March,.
1844, Mr. James was appointed
clerk of the District Court with a
special commission to organize the
county of Keokuk, and according-
ly, equipped with the same old
saddle-bags, he journeyed to the
southeastern part of the county,
where he arranged places for hold-
ing the first election and desig-
«22
DIEECTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
nated the judges thereof, after
which he canvassed the returns
and qualified the first set of offi-
cers; soon after the organization
■of the county, he was appointed
-postmaster; he remained at Sig-
•ourney until, the seat of Justice
having been removed to Lancas-
ter, he followeid the office to the
latter place; in 1849 he removed
to the city of Keokuk, in Lee
county, where he was soon ap-
pointed deputy clerk, with head-
quarters at Fort Madison; in 1852
he was elected clerk, and re-elected
in 1 854: ; the business of this office
required such incessant labor and
close confinement that his health
became impaired and he was
obliged to resign as the only
means of prolonging his life; in
the autumn of 1855 he returned
to Keokuk county; in May, 1861,
he was appointed postmaster of
Sigonrney by President Lincoln, a
position he held for five years, but
refusing to Andy Johnsonize, as
the movement was then phrased,
he was superseded in August,
1866; the interval between that
■date and the present time he has
devoted to private pursuits, giving
his attention mainly to transac-
tions in real estate and in the
brokerage and money -loaning bus.
iness; judicious and prudent in-
vestments in real estate and other
business operations have com-
bined to make him one of the large
tax-payers of Keokuk county;
during the period of the civil war
he was unable to enter the military
fiervide on account of defective
eye-sight, from which he had long
Buffered, but he did excellent
work for the Union cause with his
pen in the columns of the Sigonr-
ney "News," of which he was
principal editor during the first
year of the war; he has been
prominently identified in educa-
tional matters of the county; he
has always been a man of public
spirit, advocating every measure
calculated to benefit the city; he
was married in Sigonrney on the
2nd of September, 1847, to Miss
Sarah Moody, of Licking county,
Ohio; they have three children
living: George S. (now associated
with his father in business), Lib-
bie A. (now Mrs. H. A. Seamans),
and Tda Bell; they have lost
three; Mr. James is a man of
great decision of character, with
strong and enduring convictions of
right; he has filled his official po-
sitions with marked ability and
always with unswerving integrity
and unyielding firmness; he is
modest and unassuming in his
habits and manners — an upright
citizen, enjoying the confidence of
all who know him.
JAMES, GEO. S., son of S. A. and
Sarah James; born in Lancaster,
Iowa, April 16, 1849, and was
married to Miss Frances S. Bar-
ringer, April 10, 1879; she was
born in the State of New York, in
1857, and came to Iowa in 1877;
he is the junior member of S. A.
James & Son, in real estate and
loan business.
Johnson, K. M., carpenter.
Johnson, T., tinner.
Josbaker, Peter, farmer. Sec. 35.
JOHNSTON, C. G., attorney and
abstracter, of the firm of John-
ston & Hankins; born in Steubea-
ville, Ohio, in 1837, and was rais-
ed there until 1851, on a farm; at
this time he emigrated to Iowa
and settled in Davenport; he read
law and was admitted to the bar in
Scott county in 1859 ; he returned
to Steubenville, Ohio, and in 1864
accepted a position in the Treasury
Department at Washington, D.
0.; he came to this county in 1867
and engaged in the practice of his
profession; he has been honored
with the office of mayor of the
city; he married Miss Hannah
BIGOURNKT.
623
Dpdegraff in February, 1867; she
was born in Jefferson county,
Ohio; they liave three children:
, Edward A., Josiah and Zella.
KELLER, C., butcher; born in
Germany in 1840, where he
lived until 1860, when he came to
the United States and settled in
Ohio, and remained there ten
years; he learned his trade in his
native country, and has followed it
. cnocessfully since coining to this
county in 1870; he married Miss
Louisa Emdre in 1862; she was
born in Germany; they have
eight children: Charlie, George,
Jacob, Lnla, Theodore, Ida, Mag-
fie, Clara and Baby ; they lost one
aughter: Ida.
Kelley, G., shoemaker.
KECK, IRVING A., born in
Washington county, Iowa, in
March, 1846; his mother was a
daughter of John Jackson, one of
the first settlers of Washington
county ; his father, Joseph Iveck,
settled in Washington in 1842,
and as a successful financier and
public-spirited citizen has been
prominently connected with the
interests of that flourishing city
almost from the first to the pres-
ent time, a period of thirty-nine
years; Irving A. Keck was bred
and trained a banker; he was ed-
ucated in the schools of Wash-
ington— first in the public schools
«nd then in the academy of that
place; during his leisure hours
while attending school, and his
whole time after graduation, he
was in his father's bank, and re-
ceived his ideas of financiering
while assisting in the practical
work of that institution; upon
the organization of the First Na-
tional Bank of Sigourney, he was
appointed cashier in 1871; since
that time he has had exclusive
charge of the management of
that institution, and the best
proof of his skill and industry is
the bank's record, which for sta-
bility, accuracy of accounting and
liberality of dealing has no su-
perior in the State; Mr. Keck is
an anthor as well as a banker, he
having contributed several of the
most interesting and reliable arti-
cles appearing in the "Annals of
Iowa," a periodical published some
years since and edited by a num-
ber of the most distinguished
gentlemen who settled in the
State during an early period;
considering the fact that Mr.
Keck is now but thirty-three
years of age, his life has certainly
been an exceptionally successful
one; he married Miss A. D. Wait,
of Boone, Iowa; she was born in
New York.
KERR, E. B., of the firm of How-
ard & Kerr, dealers in books and
stationery, wall paper, etc. ; is the
son of the Kev. Joseph and Mary
J. Kerr, and was born in Jefierson
county, Ohio, in 1838, and was
raised in that State until sixteen
years of age; he came to Iowa in
1864 and settled in Jefferson
county; he was raised a farmer
and afterward learned the trade
of carpenter; during the late war
he enlisted in the lliirtieth Iowa
Infantry and was commissioned
captain of Co. G; he served three
years; he came to this county in
1861, engaged in farming and
owns a farm of eighty acres; he
has held the oflSce of county sur-
veyor, and is the present incum-
bent of the office; he married
Miss Kate A. Deming in 1862; she
was a native of Ohio ; their fam-
ily consists of three children:
Mary A., Clara H. and Julia.
Keys, L. H., grocer.
Klett, G., blacksmith aud carriage
works.
Klinesmith, G. E., wagon maker.
Knape, F., cigar manufacturer.
T AFFER, E., druggist and jew-
1—1 eler; born in Tuscarawas
624
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
county, Ohio, April 17, 1837; he
was raised in Ohio in mercantile
pursuits until seventeen years of
age; in 1854 he came to Keokuk
county, and has been engaged in
merchandising since that time;
he has been closely identified with
the growth and prosperity of the
county; he has attained a large
measure of success and gained an
enviable place in the confidence of
the people; he has served the
county on its board of supervisors
and the city in its council; he en-
listed in the Forty- seventh Iowa
Infantry during the late war; he
married Miss Susan F. Godson in
1864; she was born in New
York; they have one daughter:
Stella May ; Mr. Laffer is one of
the organizers, of the Union Bank
and vice-president of the same.
LAFFER, PHILLIP, farmer. Sec.
4; P. O. SigournOT; bom in Tus-
carawas county, Ohio, August 2,
1827; he was there raised on a
farm and lived there until 1855,
when he came to this county and
settled where he now lives; he
owns one hundred and: nineteen
acres of good land, well improved ;
has on his land a fine bearing or-
chard; August 28, 1862, he en-
listed in Co. F. Fifth Iowa Infant-
ry; served fifteen months and
was then discharged on account of
disability; he participated in sev-.
eral small battles; he married, in
1850, Miss Catharine E. Williams,
a native of Ohio; they have four
children: Hannah E. (now Mrs.
Kandall), Franklin, George and
Edward.
Laffer, H., farmer. Sec. 9.
Landers, J., farmer, Sec. 3.
LASH, D. W., restaurant and con-
fectioner; born in Johnson coun-
ty, Indiana, in November, 1842,
and came to this State in 1845;
he was raised a farmer until sev-
enteen years of age, when follow-
ing the impulses of his patriotic
nature, he enlisted i;i Co. F,
Eighth Iowa Infautry and served
four years and nine months, and
was in the engagements at Shiloh,
Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, and
many other engagements of less
importance; he married Miss Isa-
dora Stickney in 1868; she was
born in Louisa county; they have
two children: Lola and Lulu; lost
one daughter: Lottie.
Leachman, Wm., clothing merchant,
Sec. 35.
Lewis, J. G., farmer. Sec. 35.
LOWE, J. M., merchant, dealing
in clothing, hats, caps, and gents'
furnishing goods; was born in In-
diana in 1844, and was brought
by his parents to this county in
1849; he was raised on a farm
until, 18 years of age and then en-
listed in the 33d Iowa Infantry in
August, 1862, and served until
discharged on account of disabil-
ity; he returned to his home and
then attended school for some
time at Oskaloosa; he has been
engaged in his present business
since 1866; he has held the office
of city treasurer four years; he
married Miss Belle Hair in 1869;
she was born in Ohio; they have
three children : Elsie, Thomas L.,
and Addie.
Loux, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 21.
Lucie, D. J., merchant.
Lyons, G. T., laborer.
MCCARTY, T. F., county au-
ditor; was born in Onedia
county, New York, in 1842; from
that county he removed to New
England, and came to this State
in 1858 and engaged in railroad
building; his home since 1865,
,when he came to the county, and
previous to his election to his
present office, was in Layfayette
township, where he owns a farm of
80 acres; he was elected auditor
first in 1877 on the Democratic
ticket, and although his township
was strongly Kepublican he car-
8IG0UHNET.
627
ried it by a large majority; he was
re-elected again in October, 1879;
he married Miss Mary Boyer in
1869; she was born in Pennsylva-
nia; they have four children:
Catharine M., Tlieressa, Charlie
and George.
McClelland, J. S., printer.
McCLENAHAN, R., postmaster;
was born in Stark county, Illinois,
in 1840, and lived there until 13
years of age; he came to this
county in 1854 and was raised on
a farm; heeding his country's call
for troops to defend it against the
traitors of the South,. he enlisted
in Co. F, 5th Iowa Infantry, and
was the first man to enlist from
this county; he was wounded at
the battle of luka, and discharged
on account of disability; after his
return he learned the marb-lework-
ing business and followed that oc-
cupation until June 6, 1869, at
which time he received the ap-
pointment of postmaster, on the
recommendation of the popular
vote of his party ; he married Miss
Tillie Hoover; she was born in
Stark coTinty Ohio; they have a
family of two children: Curtis
and Freddie.
McCoUough, A., farmer, Sec. 16.
McJUNKiN, E. W., attorney; was
born in Richland county, Ohio,
in 1844; in early life his time was
divided between farming and mer-
cantile pursuits ; he received an
academical education, but while
pursuing his studies the call for
troops to suppress the rebellion of
the South awoke the student from
his dreams over mathematical
problems, and be enlisted in the
123d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and
served three years; the war being
over, he came to Iowa in 1865 and
entered the oflBce of his uncle,
Attorney-General McJunkin, of
Washington, as a student of law;
after preparing himself he was
38
admitted to the bar in September,
1868; he was engaged in the prac-
tice ot his profession for two years
in Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa,
previous to his coming to this
county, in 1872, and since which
time he has been associated with
G. D. Woodin, Esq., in the prac-
tice of law. He married Miss
Sally A. Jenkins in December,
1872; she isa native of Kentucky;
they have one son : Paul.
Mclntire, J. A., pattern maker.
McLean, M. H.
McLean, W. I., farmer.
McNabb, John, farmer, Sec. 6.
McMurry, David, farmer. Sec. 4.
McNabb, H., farmer, Sec. 5.
McMullen, Wm., hotel-keeper.
McWILLIAMS, W. C, county re-
corder; was born in Knox county,
Ohio, in I^ovember, 1851, and
raised there until six years of age,
and at that period was brought by
his parents to Keokuk county ; he
was raised a farmer, and divided
his time between farming and
teaching until elected to his pres-
ent position in 1878.
McWILLIAMS. DR. T.B., phy-
sician and surgeon; was born in
Knox county, Ohio, November 12,
1843, and was raised in that State
until 14 years of age, when he re-
moved to Iowa ; he came to this
county in 1857; he studied medi-
cine and graduated from the Keo-
kuk Medical College in 1871, al-
though he had been practicing for
three years previous to his gradu-
ation; he married Miss Amanda
Gore in 1867 ; she was born in
Jefferson county, Indiana, and died
September 23, 1870; he married
for his second wife Miss Sadie R.
White in 1877; she was born in
Pennsylvania; he has two children
by his first marriage: Lucy Ad-
die and Frank.
MACKEY,C.H., attorney; born
in Fulton county, Illinois, in
628
DIEECTORY OF KBOKUK COUNTY.
' 1837; here he received his educa-
tion and learned the trade of car-
penter; he came to this county in
' 1855; having a natural taste for
the profession of law, he pre-
pared himself for admission to
the bar, and was admitted in 1858;
in August, 1862, filled with pat-
riotism, and obedient to the calls
of his country, he enlisted in the
Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, and
was commissioned lieutenant-col-
onel, and was mustered out in
uuly, 1865; returned to his
home and resumed the practice of
his profession, and has built up a
large business; he was elected to
represent the county in the State
Legislature in October, 1879; he
married Miss Lydia Eeed in 1858;
she was born in Ohio; they have
five children : James R., Mollie,
Frank, Lizzie and Charles; lost
two: Nellie and Freddie.
MACAULAY, CHARLES, dealer
in stoves, agricultural implements,
hardware and tinware manufac-
turer; was born in the north of
Ireland in 1834, and when thir-
teen years of age removed to
Scotland; he was brought up a
a farmer, and remained in the em-
ploy of one man nineteen years,
who, in recognition of such servi-
ces presented him with a valuable
testimonial; he emigrated to the
United States October 28, 1869,
and came to this county in 1870 ;
he is doing a prosperous business,
and building up a large trade.
Maleby, A., egg dealer.
Mahon, Richard, farmer; Sec. 35.
Marsh, G. L., jeweler.
Mead, Clark, farmer; Sec. 35.
MERRIAM, W. D., real estate
dealer ; was born in Lowell, Wash-
ington county, Ohio, in 1825, and
lived there until he arrived to
years of manhood; his early life
was spent on a farm, and after-
ward he devoted considerable at-
tention to the grain and produce
business, and at the outbreak of
the rebellion was doing a lai-ge
biTsiness in shipping to New Or-
leans and other river towns; he
came to this county in 1864, and
engaged in his present business;
he owns a farm of 160 acres near
Sigourney, beside wild lands
in other places; he married RutH
Clark, in October, 1868; she was
born in Hamilton county, Ohio;
Mr. Merriam has one daughter:
Angevine (now Mrs. West), living
in Ohio, by a former marriage.
Middleton, J. J., farmer. Sec. 20.
Miller, Fred, carpenter.
Mitchell, Mathias, farmer. Sec. 19.
Miles, William, farmer, Sec. 8.
Minteer, J. P., farmer. Sec. 12.
Minteer, B. C, livery stable.
Miles, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 5.
Miles, John, farmer. Sec. 5.
Miller, C. E., farmer, Sec. 2.
Miller, J. W., farmer, Sec 1.
Mohme, Henry, farmer. Sec. 36.
Morrison, John, grain dealer.
Myer, A., farmer. Sec. 35.
NAMUR, THEODORE, saloon;
born in Paris, August 24,
1842, and was raised there; he
emigrated to the United States in
1865, and settled in Chicago,
where he remained one year, and
came to Keokuk county, Iowa, in
1866; he married Miss Christine
Triebel in 1868 ; she was born in
Keokuk county; they have four
children : Charles, Henrietta,
George and Theodore.
Neas, Samuel, farmer. Sec. 2.
NEEDHAM,WM. H., editor of
the "Sigourney News," is a native
of Guernsey county, Ohio, and
was born on the 22d day of Au-
gust, 1840, and lived there until
thirteen years of age, and then
came with his parents to Iowa,
and settled in Oskaloosa in Octo-
ber, 1853; he received the bene-
fits of the educational advantages
of the town and entered the "Her-
ald" oflioe and learned the print-
SIGOUENET.
itag business, and followed it for a
time as an avocation in Des
Moines and Albia until the out-
break of the rebellion; he enlist-
ed in the Twenty-second Iowa
Vojnnteer Infantry as a private,
andafter several promotions, was
mustered out as tirst lieutenant at
the close of the war; he partici-
-pated in the battles of Port Gib-
son, Champion's Hill, Jackson,
Black River Bridge, and in the
charge on Yicksburg, May 22d,
1863, and was also under Sheri-
dan in the Shenandoah Valley, at
the battle of Fisher's Hill and
Cedar creek; after the war he re-
turned and bought an interest in
the "Herald" and was connected
with it for twelve years; he held
the office of postmater of Oska-
loosa from February 1, 1870, un-
til March 1, 1876; "in November,
1878, he became the editor of the
*'Sigourney News;" he married
Miss Olive A. Knowlton Decem-
ber 26th, 1866; she is a native of
Clinton county, Ohio; their fam-
ily consists of four children:
Charles K., John E., Edna Pau-
line and Emma; lost one daughter:
Alice Pearl.
Neff, Mrs. M., physician.
Neff, Samiiel, stock dealer.
Nelson, John, farmer. Sec. 10.
Newkirk, C. J., farmer. Sec. 17.
Newkirk, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 20.
Nnller, David, farmer, Sec. 8.
Neiman, Fred, farmer, Sec. 35.
OLEMAYER, JOSEPH, furn-
ture dealer and undertaker;
born in Germany, October 3, 1828,
and was raised there until 1854;
in his youtli he was apprenticed
to a cabinet maker to learn the
business; he came to the United
States in 1854, and settled first
in New York, where he remained
one year then came to Iowa, City,
and during the year 1855 came to
Sigonrney, where he has since re-
• elded; he has served as a member
of the town council, and is one of
Sigourney's prominent business
men; he married Miss Mary
Rupf in 1855; she was born in
Germany in 1827; they have three
children: Joseph, Mary and Lucy.
OLIVE, D. p., merchant, dealer in
general merchandise, agricultural
implements and lumber; was
born in Perry county, Ohio, Jan-
uary 19, 1821, and lived there un-
til 1857; while living there he
read law, and was admitted to the
bar November 5, 1844; he came
to this county December 15, 1857,
and engaged in the practice of his
profession, which he continued
for many years, but owing to im-
' paired health he relinquished his
profession and engaged in his
present business; he has held
various township offices; he mar-
ried Miss Margaret Sellers March
30, 1845 ; she was a native of Per-
ry county, Ohio, and died June
10, 1877 ; he married for his
second wife Mrs. Belle Williams,
October 12, 1878; she was born
in New York; their family con-
sists of three children: James,
Lonisa and Emma.
TDAGE, T. B., farmer, Sec. 14.
PAGE, A. T.; born in Cavendish,
Windsor county, Vermont, Sep-
tember 15, 1806, and lived there
until eighteen years of age, when
his parents removed to Mansfield,
Ohio, where he lived for twenty-
eight years; his youth was divid-
ed between teaching school dur-
ing the winter months, and work-
ing on a farm in summer; he was
also engaged to some extent in
mercantile pursuits previous to
his removal to this county, in
1854; this business he resumed
after coming to Sigourney; he
held the office of justice of the
peace many years, and very satis-
factorily; he owns an undivided
half of about eighty -five acres ot
630
DIBECTOEY OF KEOKUK COD NTT.
land in Sigourney township; he
married Miss Cynthia J. Dana in
May, 1829; she was born in Utica,
New York; they have three chil-
dren : Joseph, Thomas, and Cleora
(now Mrs. Huffman).
Parker, I. B., farmer, Sec. 10.
Parker, Sam., house-mover.
Parker, J. T., carpenter.
Parks, E. A., jeweler.
Pernell, M., farmer, Sec. 35.
Pencil, J. S., farmer, Sec. 35.
PFAFF, M., furniture dealer and
undertaker; born in North Caro-
lina, in 1828, and removed with
his parents to Indiana, in 1830;
he was raised a farmer; having a
desire to come to Iowa, and want-
ing some one to come with him,
he paid the expenses of a compan-
ion to accompany him, and when
he arrived here, in 1851, he had
but fifty cents left, and this he
paid for the lodging and break-
fast of the person coming with
him ; he has worked at his pres-
ent business since that time; he
owns a farm of fifty-one acres,
beside valuable city property;
he married Miss Amelia Strong,
in 1853; she was born in Mich-
igan; they have six children:
Harriet (now Mrs. Clark), Carrie
(now Mrs. Cheney), Frank, Ettie,
Belle and Earl.
Pfaff, G. W., farmer. Sec. 16.
PFAFF, A. J., stock raiser, farmer,
Sec. 16 ; P. O. Sigourney ; born
September 1, 1820, in North Caro-
lina; when seven years of age his
parents emigrated to Indiana and
settled in Morgan county; he was
raised a farmer and has followed
it as an occupation to the present
time; he came to Iowa at an early
day and without means; when he
arrived here he had only fifty cents
in his pocket and owed fourteen
dollars, but he had what was more
yaluable than gold — he combined
industry, perseverance and econo-
my together with a strong consti-
tution and fixed principles of hon-
or and honesty; he went to work
with a will, and has been eminent-
ly successful; he owns 450 acres
of land, and his homestead is one
of the best improved farms in the
county ; he married Miss C. Jack-
son in September, 1851 ; she was
born in Ohio; they have three
children : George, Harriet and Del-
la; they lost an infant daughter.
PFAFF, SAMUEL I., farmer, Sec.
21; P. O. Sigourney; is the son
of John D. and Lourana Pfaff,
and was born in North Carolina
in 1819; the family moved to
Morgan county, J ndiana, when the
subject of this sketch was eight
years of age; his early life was
spent on a farm; he afterward
learned the wagon-making trade,
and after he came to Sigourney, in
1848, he worked at the busines 16
years; in 1865 he bought the farm
he now occupies, containing 160
acres, well improved; he came
here without means, and has ac-
cumulated what lie now enjoys by
honest labor: he married Miss
Caroline Jackson in 1851; she
was a. native of Ohio; they have
four children : Willis B., William
C, Charles D. and Samuel I. ; lost
one son: Jackson A.
Pilkington, R., farmer. Sec. 2.
Pinkerton, C, billiard saloon.
Plessner, O., blacksmith.
POPE, MAJ., A. J., deputy audi-
tor; was born in Morgan county,
Indiana, in 1837, and learned the
trade of tinsmith in youth, and
came to this county in 1856, and
worked at his trade; heeding the
call of the government for troops
to preserve the honor of the coun-
try and to suppress the rebellion
of the South, he enlisted in the
Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, Octo-
ber 21, 1861, and after passing
through several grades of promo-
tion, he was mustered out as ma-
jor at the close of the war; he was
SIQODBNBT.
631
at the battles of Shiloh, Corinth,
seige of Vicksbnrg, Jackson, At-
lanta and many of less importance
than the last named places, he was
prisoner July 22, 1864, and taken
to Macon, and afterward to Charles-
ton, and placed under fire of the
federal guns; he participated in
the grand review at Washington,
and after his return to this county,
he was appointed an assistant in
the office of collector of internal
revenue, and afterward, lie was
appointed collector, and held the
office four years; he has also had
four years experience in the audi-
tor's office; he married Miss Han-
nah Pinkerton, in 1861 ; she was
born in New York; they have a
familj' of five children : John, Jes-
sie, Mary, Worth B., Eakes.
Prather, C. G., drayman.
Prather, John, dravman.
PRICE, A. C, M.D., physician and
surgeon; among the medical prac-
titioners of Keokuk county, no
one is more deserving of a place
in these memorials than the sub-
ject of this sketch, who has been
engaged in the practice of medi-
cine in this county more years
than any other in his profession;
he was born in Urbanna, Ohio,
in 1822, and is the son of
Abraham and Martha Price; the
former was a native of New Jer-
sey; the latter was born at Fort
Hamilton (now Cincinnati), and
is one of three of the first white
children born in this place; the
family moved from Ohio, to San-
■gamon county, Illinois, and thence,
to Morgan county, and in 1841,
he came to Iowa, and located in
Iowa City ; he was raised a farmer,
with very limited advantages, but
after his removal to Iowa City,
feeling desirous of acquiring an
education, he availed himself of
the facilities offered by the Acad-
«my in the town, and at intervals
teaching school; he turned his
attention to medicine, and read
with Dr. 8. M. Ballard, as precep-
tor; he attended the St, Louis
Medical College, and graduated
from that institute in 1850; he
came to this county at an early
day, and soon built up a large
and fairly remunerative practice;
he established himself in the con-
fidence of the public, and was
always prompt in responding to
the calls of duty, whether the pa-
tient was able to pay for profes-
sional services or not, and in no
instance has ever refused to attend
the sufifering on this account; he
responded to the call of President
Lincoln for volunteers to assist
in putting down the rebellion,
and recruited Co. D, Thirteenth
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was
commissioned captain, but after
serving for a time was compelled
to resign in consequence of im-
pared health; after his discharge,
he returned to his home and re-
sumed the practice of his profes-
sion; in his medical relations he
has built up his reputation by
skill and energy, and much of his
success may be attributed to his
careful attention to the details of
his profession; he is a well-read
man, of independent thought, and
has strong convictions of his re-
sponsibility as a citizeft, never
wavering in the discharge of his
duties; he has held the office of
postmaster at Sigourney, and one
of the State commissioners for the
insane; he was married to Miss
Amanda F. Stebbins, in the au-
tumn of 1852; she was a native of
Kentucky, and died April 14,
1877 ; he has two children :
Imogene and Maud.
RANDALL, MAXON., retired
farmer; born in Steuben
county, New York, September 10,
1810, and was raised there until
sixteen years of age; he then
went to Salem, Ohio, in 1826, to
632
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
learn the trade of millwright; he
returned to New York and also
lived for a time in Erie county,
Fenn.; in 1822 he removed to Il-
linois and was one of the inspect-
ors of election that organized
Kendall county, in that State; he
came to Iowa with a wagon and
four yoke of oxen, bringing two
f)lows with him; he reached Tal-
eyrand May 5, 1843; he settled
in Warren township, where he re-
sided thirty-live years; he has
held various oiBces of trust; he
served as county commissioner
for many years, and also drainage
commissioner, beside filling all
the township offices; he is one of
the oldest settlers of the county,
and has been closely identified
with its material growth and pros-
perity; he married Miss Drusilla
Greenfield, in 1832; she was born
in Montgomery county, New
York; they have six children:
Sarah (now Mrs. Hankins), Sabra
(now Mrs. Payton), Nancy (now
Mrs. Hildebrand), James P.,
John and Thomas J.; two sons,
Maxon W. and Ciiarles, enlisted
in the late war; the former died
at Helena, and the latter in Mis-
sissippi.
Randall, W. W., stock dealer.
Raumaker, F. S., mail carrier.
Rehkoff Bros., carriage makers.
Rickey, C. D., farmer. Sec. 35.
Richmiller, A., farmer. Sec. 17.
Rice, J. W., retired.
RICHARDSON, JOEL., clerk of
the courts of Keokuk county;
born in McDonough county, Illi-
nois, in 1839, and lived there un-
til 1845, when his parents remov-
ed to this county; he was raised a
farmer and owns a farm of 130
acres in Lancaster township; he
has held various township offi-
ces previous to his election
to his present position; he
married Miss Mary Brown, in
■ 1860; she was born in Indiana,
and died in 1875; he afterwa^rd
married Miss Lizzie Hnbbird, ia
1876; she was born in Keokuk
county; their family consists of
four children: Schuyler, Julia and
Yiola by first marriage; and a
daughter: Lucie, by second mar-
riage.
Robison, A. G., tailor.
Robison, T., cashier of Union Bank.
ROGERS, JOHN, justice of the
peace; born in Bedford county^
JPennsylvania, in 1808; when
eight years of age his parents re-
moved to Ohio; here he learned
the trade of shoemaker, and ia
1839 he removed to Indiana, and
in 1856 came to Keokuk county,,
bringing with him a printing
press, and published the first pa-
per published in Sigourney; he
has iield the office of county judge;
seven years, from 1861 to 1868^
and mayor of the city for two
terms, and justice of the peace
for seven years; he has been
thrice married : first, to Elizabeth
Davis, in 1830; she was a native
of Ohio, and died in 1846; h&
married for his second wife Eliza-
beth Derrick, in 1846; she was a
native of Ohio, and died in 1853^
he was married a third time. to
Diadana C. Adamson, in 1853;
she was a native of Ohio; he haa
two children by first marriage:
Howard S. and Mary (wife of G.
W. McKean); by the second mar-
riagej one son: Horace; and by
the third marriage, one daughter:
Alice (wife of Charles A. Gray).
RohloflF, farmer, Sec. 18.
Rosecrans, H. 0., miller.
SAMPSON, HON. E. S., attor-
ney; born in Huron county,.
Ohio, on the 6th of December,
1831, and is the son of Ezekiel
Sampson and Polly, nee Meri-
field; his father was of English
origin and his mother a native of
Yerraont; the family, when the'
subject of this sketch was young.
SIQOTJKNET.
.povecj to Fulton county, Illinois;
..tjlence to what is now Keokuk
county, Iowa, in 1843, the .first
year the whites were permitted to
, enter upon that portion of the ter-
ritory called the ]^ew Purchase;
the subject of our sketch attend-
ed, the public and subscription
schools a portion of the time be-
tween the age of seven and twelve
years; from twelve to nineteen he
worked on his father's farm, at-
tending school but one winter; he
was, however, a diligent student,
and extremely fond of his books;
he studied arithmetic and gram-
mar at night and during intervals
of labor; his father, being in lim-
ited circumstances, was able to
render but little assistance to liis
son in the way of procuring an
education, so that he was mainly
thrown on his own resources;
from 1850 to 1853 he attended the
high school of Prof. S. S. Howe,
at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; the last two
years of his stay, at the academy
he was enabled to pay his board
and tuition by learning to set
type, setting-ty-pe' mornings and
evenings and on Saturdays; in
the autumn of 1853 he entered
the sophomore class of Knox
College; his father died during
the yeaf, which terminated his
educational privileges; having de-
veloped a taste and aptitude for
professional studies, he entered
the oflBce of Messrs. Eastman &
Rice, of Oskaloosa, as a law stu-
dent; in the year following he
was admitted to the bar, and in
the spring of 1856 moved to Sig-
ourney (which has since been his
home); in August, 1856, he was
elected prosecuting attorney, and
held the position till January,
1859, at the same time carrying
on a general civil practice; he en-
listed in the late war, and was
commissioned captain of Co. F,
Fifth Iowa Infantry; in 1862 he
was promoted to lieutenant-col-;
onel, and served in that capacity
until mustered out in 1864; on re-
turning from the army he entered
again upon the practice of law, in
partnership with G. D. "Woodn,
Esq., and soon took a leading-
rank at the bar; in 1865 he was
elected to the State Senate, and in
the autumn of 1866 he was elect-
ed Judge of the Sixth Judicial
District of the State, and served
in that capacity till the end of
1874, having been re-elected in
1869, without opposition; in this
situation he won and maintained
the reputation of being one of the
foremost jurists in the State, re-
ceiving on his retirement the most
flattering testimonials as to his
ability from the bar of every
county in the district; while yet
on the bench, and after having de-
clined to become a candidate be-
fore the convention, he was nomi-
nated to represent the Sixth Dis-
trict of Iowa in the Forty-fourth
Congress; he was elected by a
majority of two thousand, four
hundred Vjotis,»-and -re-elected, in
1876, by a majority of four
thousand; he served on several
important committees with credit
to the State, to his district, and
honor to himself; he is at present
engaged in the practice of his
profession, and is associated with
C. M. Brown; he is character-
ized as a man of great industry,.;
and is governed by the most rigid.
- principles of honesty and integri-
ty; he was married to Miss Eu-
nice McCann, in 1865; she was
a resident of Keokuk county but
a native of Indiana; they have a
family of seven children: Lee, Ed-
mund, Flora (now Mrs. C. M.
Brown), Leona, Clara, Ellen and
Lavina.
Sanders, Samuel, farmer. Sec. 3.
Schriever, Wm., cigar maker.
Snodgrass, H. S., clergyman.
634
DIKECTOBT OF KEOKITK COUNTY.
SCHIPFER,F.A., merchant, and
dealer in general merchandise;
born in Germany, in 1832; he was
raised there, and came to the
United States in 1852, and settled
in Sigourney in 1856; he has al-
ways been engaged in selling
goods, and is the oldest house in
"lis line in the city; he married
Miss Emily Knape, in 1857; she
was born in Germany; their fam-
ily consists of seven children:
Francis A. (who is associated with
his father in business), Herman,
Lewis, Oscar, Eugene, Clara and
Freddie.
SCHOTT, ANDREW,lumber deal-
er; born in Baltimore, Maryland,
in 1843, and lived there until 1856
when he came to Iowa and set-
tled in Muscatine; he enlisted in
the Second Iowa Cavalry and
served until the close of the war;
he then received the appointment
of post-trader in Texas, and re-
mained there two years; he came
to this county in 1871 and engag-
ed in the lumber business; he is
also connected with a firm in the
same line at "What Cheer, and also
at Keswick, in this coimty; he is
associated in business with Charles
M. Harlan; they deal in all kinds
of lumber, doors, sash, blinds and
wagon stock; he married Miss
Emma Berr}', in Muscatine, in
1865 ; they have one son : Edward
H., born September 9, 1866.
Seevers, Paul, farmer. Sec. 13.
Scott, John, retired.
Seamans, H. A., telegraph operator."
SELBY, MRS. M.D., whose maid-
en name was Cissna, was born in
Ohio, and removed to Michigan
in 1859; she married Dr. H. W.
Selby in 1860; he was born in
Knox county, Ohio, and after
making choice of the medical pro-
fession he prepared himself for
its practice and followed it for an
occupation for several years; ow-
ing to impaired health, he engag-
ed in mercantile pursuits, and
while absent in Chicago purehas-
ing goods, was taken sick and
died, April 11, 1876.
SEAMANS. H. A., telegraph op-
erator; born at Wheaton, Illinois,
in 1853, and came to Iowa in
1876 ; he married Miss Libbie A.
James, daughter of S. A. and
Sarah James, April 3, 1878; they
have one son : "Worth J. )
SHAEER, E., dealer in general
merchandise; born in Knox coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1838; he came to this
State in 1844 and settled first in
"Washington county, and after-
ward removed to Jefferson county
and remained there until he settled
in this county, in 1858, where he
has been engaged for the greater
portion of the time selling goods:
he has held school and township
oflices; he married Miss Cynthia
A. Jones, in 1863; she was born
in Jefferson county, Iowa; they
have six children: Alta E., Mary
L., Nina L., John E., Mattie, and
an infant; lost one daughter: Car-
rie.
SHAWHAN, JOSEPH H., dealer
in agricultural implements; born
in Kush county, Indiana, in 1838,
and when seven years of age was
brought by his parents to Keokuk
county, Iowa, settling here in
1845; his father, Benjamin P.
Shawhan, was born in Kentucky,
and his mother's name was Maria
A., and she was a native of Vir-
ginia; Mr. S. enlisted in Co. B.,
Thirty-third Iowa Infantry dur-
ing the late war, and was commis-
sioned first lieutenant; he was com-
pelled, on account of sickness, to
resign, and as soon as he had suf-
ficiently recovered, he recruited
Co. K, Ninth Iowa Calvary, and
remained in service until Feb-
ruary, 1866; he married Miss
Mary A. Jackson, in March, 1861;
she. was born in Piqua, Miami
county, Ohio; tlieir family consists
SIOOirBNIlT.
635
of six children: Benjamin P.,
Harry H., William J., Ethel G.,
BesBie and Glenn.
Shilling, E., tinner.
Shilling, S, farmer, Sec. 35.
Shiflett, A. J., farmer, Sec. 6.
Shults, F. W., shoemaker.
Sidenbender, S., horse dealer.
Sims, E. T., painter.
Simpson, Nic, farmer. Sec. 8.
SKILLMAN, DR. E. H., retired
physician ; prominent among
the citizens of this county who
have passed the ordeal of pio-
neer life in the west and whose early
struggles well deserve a place in
these memorals, is the subject of
this sketch, Dr. E. H. Skillman ;
he was born in Highland county,
Ohio, on the 2l8t day of June,
1812; he received his education at
Washington, Fayette county,
Pennsylvania; having made choice
of medicine as a profession, and
after preparing himself, he attend-
ed the Medical College, at Cin-
cinnati; in 1842, following the
star of empire westward, he came
to Iowa and settled in Columbus
City, Louisa county, and lived
there four years, and then remov-
ed to this county, in 1846, and
engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession; he pursued his chosen
calling with untiring zeal and en-
ergy and with a success which has
earned for him an enviable repu-
tation and acquired an extensive
practice; to the poor he was
ever kind and obliging, and
has ridden hundreds of miles to
administer to their necessities
without expectation of pecuniary
compensation ; after practicing
his profession for several years
he engaged in mercantile pursuits
and finally abandoned his practice,
and in this, as well as in other
pursuits, was eminently success-
ful; he owns over 700 acres of
land and is one of the large . tax-
payers of Keokuk county; he mar-
ried Miss E. A. Browder, in 1838,
she was born in Green county,
Ohio; they have a family of six
children: Nancy J. (now Mrs.
Moore), Lizzie (now the wife of
Hon. Geo. D. Woodin), Allen C,
Elnora (now Mrs. Havens), Evan
H., Jr., Eliza A. (now Mrs. Mar-
shal,) Sarah (now Mrs. Kelley); he
is a man of strong convictions and
bold and fearless in advocating
them; he is modest and unassum-
ing in his habits and manners and
an upright citizen.
Smith, Samuel, billiard hall.
Smith, Albert, farmer. Sec. 7.
Smith, J. G.. farmer, Sec. 35.
SMITH. G. H., attorney; born in
Hancock county, Indiana, in
1843, and when three years of age
his parents removed to Jefferson
county, Iowa, and remained there
until March, 1856, when they came
to Keokuk county, and settled in
Jackson township; in October,
1862, he enlisted as a private in
Company A, Seventh Iowa
Cavalry and after serving three
years was mustered out sec-
ond lieutenant, November 25,
1865; having been denied
school privileges in youth, and
ashamed of his backwardness, he
hired a teacher after he became of
age; having a taste for the profes-
sion of law, he studied and was
admitted to the bar October 3,
1871; he has held various township
offices and owns a farm of forty-
six acres of land; he is associated
in business with W. J. Gaston and
H. L. Richardson, who in connec-
tion with their general business
make a specialty of collecting pen-
sions and U. S. claims; they also
do a large insurance business and
represent a large line of compa-
nies, among which may be men-
tioned the Commercial of Hart-
ford, National of Hartford, Ori-
ent of Hartford, Meriden of Con-
necticut, Fire Association of Phil-
636
DIBEOTOET' OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
/ adelphia, American of Philadel-
phia, Glenn Falls of New York,
Niagara of New York, "Watertown
of New York, Newark of New
Jersej', British America and Com-
mercial tinion of London; Mr. S.
married Miss C. Porter January
31st, 1866; she was born in Indi-
ana; they have five children:
Frankie, David B., ■ Samuel S.,
Gad O. and Eva.
Sonwalts, Fred, farmer, Sec 17.
Sparks, J. S., restaurant.
STARR, J. C-, editor of the Sig-
ourney Courier; born in Colum-
bus, Ohio, in 1848, and was raised
there until eighteen years of age,
at which time his parents remov-
ed to this county; he divided his
time between the farm and at-
tending school; having a taste for
the practice of law, he entered the
office of Mackey, Harned & Fon-
da, and was admitted to the bar
April 6, 1877; he married Miss
Minnie Mohme, in 1871 ; she was
born in Prussia, Germany; they
have four children: Kosa, Ella,
Annie and Mertie.
Startzman, C. D., harness maker.
Stevens, W., teamster.
STEVENS, OWEN., farmer; born
in Frederick county, Maryland, in
1811, and was taken by his par-
ents to Belmont county, Ohio, in
1816, where his father engaged in
farming; he also gave his atten-
tion largely to tobacco culture,
curing and shipping; the subject
of this sketch remained in Ohio
until 1864, and then removed to
this county, where he owns a farm
of 230 acres, adjoining the city,
and is devoting his attention
mostly to stock; he married Miss
Ann Chambers, in 1838; she was
born in Ohio; they have a family
of seven children: Oliver P.,
Lida, Mollie (now Mrs. McLean),
John Q, A., Belle, Pauline and
Pigeon.
Stewart, B., farmer, Sec. 14.
STRANAHAN,:A.;: born i^ Phil-
adelphia, in 1841, and lived in
Pennsylvania until 1855, when he
came to this county, where he has;
since resided ; he was raised a farm-;
er; in 1868 he was elected sheriff of
Keokuk county, and served eight
years in this capacity; since his
retirement from the sheriff's of-
fice he has been engaged in rail-
road building; of his promptness
and success in arresting criminals
mention is made in another part
of this work; he married Miss 0.
E.Smith, in 1867; she was born in
Illinois; they have three children :
Lizzie, Melinda P. and Carrie.
Stuck, H., carpenter.
Swails, D. P., planiug-mill.
•-nHOENLOE, W., stock raiser.
THOMPSON, DR. JAS., dentist?
born in Harrison county, Ohio,
July 9, 1846, and was raised in
that State; he enlisted in the 172d
Ohio Infantry during the late
war; he, made choice of the den-
tal profession, and has followed it
for twelve years; he came to Iowa
in 1868, and settled in Washing-
ton county, and in 1872 changed
his residence to Sigourney; he
married Miss Anna M. Snyder, of
Jefferson county, Ohio, March 26,
1868; they have one son : Robert
A.; lost one daughter: Minnie Y.
TODD, H. D., formerly, county su-
perintendent of schools; born ii>
Decatur county, Indiana, in 1847,'
and came to this State in 1854
and settled in Washington county,
and lived there until 1858, when
he made his home in this county;
he was educated at the Oskaloosa
College and the Iowa State Uni-
versity, and was engaged in teach-
ing tour years previous to his elec-
tion as county superintendent, in
1873; he married Miss Mary E.
Deering, March 20, 1877; shewa&
born in Maine.
Trussler, H. C, farmer, Sec. 18^
SIGOUENBT.
63T
Trnssler, H, O., farmer, Sec. 7.
TruBsJer, G. D., farmer, Sec; 18.
Drussler, E. M., farmer, Sec. 7.
Turner, H. J., farmer, Sec. 2.
UPDEGRAFF, A., dealer in
groceries and provisions, boots
and shoes; born in Ohio, in 1836,
and was raised thei-e a farmer; he
enjoyed the benefits afforded by
the common schools, and supple-
mented his education by attend-
ing the McNeely Normal School,
in Harrison county, Ohio; he fol-
lowed teaching as an occupation
■very successfully for ten years; he
came to this State in 1863, and
settled in Mahaska county, and
came to this county in 1872; he
married Miss Hannah Harlan, in
1869; she was born in Musk-
ingum county, Ohio; they have
two children: Harlan and ZenaM.
VALERIUS, PETER, saloon;
born in Fondulac, Wiscon-
. sin, in 1846, and was raised there
a farmer; he came to this county
in 1867; he married Emma Fritz,
June 15, 1878; she was born in
Germany; they have five children:
. Henry, Michael, Mary, Johnnie
and Jennie.
VEITCH, WM., proprietor of the
, Sigourney woolen mills; born in
, Paisley, Scotland, in 1839, and
,, emigrated to the United States in
1844:, and settled in Guernsey
county, Ohio; his father was a
. practical woolen manufacturer,
■ and the son was educated in the
. business from boyhood; became
to Iowa in 1859, and settled in
. Henry county, and while living
here had the experience of build-
ing two mills; he came to this
county in 1872, and established
his present business of manufac-
turing— principally, cassi meres,
flannel, jeans, blankets and knitting
, yarn, giving employment to about
twenty hands; the goods manu-
factured by these mills are of a
good quality, and meet with a
ready sale; Mr. Yeitch was mar-
ried in 1859, to Miss Lydia A.
Booth, a native of Ohio; they
have a family of six children:
Marietta, Frank, Minnie B.,
Pearl E., Paul L. and Margaret;
lost three: William, Annie and
James.
Vert, John, farmer, Sec. 7.
Vickery, C, stock dealer.
Vogle, Andrew, farmer. Sec. 2.
\/[ /EAVER, T. C, assistant
V V cashier of the First JS^a-
tional Bank; born in Mechanics-
burg, Pennsylvania, in 1847, and
removed to Lafayette, Indiana, in
1860, and was principally raised
there; he came to Washington,
Washington county, Iowa, in
1871, and in 1872 came to this-
county; he married Miss Hattie
Adams in September, 1878; she
was born in English River town-
ship, this county; they have one
son: Waldo T.
Wait, Wm., farmer. Sec. 2.
Warren, Geo., farmer. Sec. 35.
Wallace, J., teamster.
Warick, Oliver, farmer. Sec. 16.
Wells, Edward, farmer. Sec 35.
Welsch, John, blacksmith.
WELLER, R. P., grain dealer;
born in Nelson county, Kentucky,.
August 9, 1820; the family re-
moved to Indiana when he was an
infant; his early life was spent oq
a farm ; he then learned the coop-
er's trade, and in 1841 removed to
Illinois and lived there four years,,
and in 1845 came to Keokuk
county and worked at his trade,
and afterward engaged in general
merchandise; Mr. W. has endur-
ed all the hardships of pioneer
life; he taught the first school in
Steady Run township, in a log-
school-house, 14x14, with punch-
eon floors, and for light one log
was left out and paper pasted
over the opening thus made;
€38
DIREOTOKT OF KEOKUK OOUNIT.
the roof was so open that when
it snowed the floor would be
covered with snow; he married
Miss Harriet Jacobs, in 1848; she
was born in Harrison county, In-
diana; she died November 30,
1859; he was again married, in
1867, to Miss Jane K. Shafer; she
was born in Knox county, Ohio;
he has one daughter by first mar-
riage: Julia M. (now Mrs. Dunn);
lost four; and two by second mar-
riage: Mabel and Alexander J.;
lost three.
"Wallace, J., teamster.
Welch, John, blacksmith.
"Westman, G. E., tailor.
Westman, G., tailor.
Williams, Henry, farmer, Sec. 7.
WILLIAMS, MATT., attorney;
born in Rush county, Indiana, in
1834, and lived there until he
came to this connty in 1846, and
settled in Lancaster township,
where he now owns a farm of 160
acres; he was engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits the early years of
his life and has held various town-
ship offices; having a taste for the
profession of law, after preparing
himself, he was admitted to the bar,
in April, 1870; in 1877 he was
•elected to the lower house of the
State legislature and served his
term acceptably to his constitu-
•ents and creditably to himself; he
married Miss Martha Vittetoe, in
1856; she was a native of Johnson
•county, Indiana; she died in June,
1864; He married for his second
wife Henrietta Morrow, in 1867;
she was born in Missouri; has one
daughter by first marriage : Mar-
garet (wife of Wm. Eulin); and
four by second marriage: Martha,
Lillian, Jettie and Mattell.
WHITE, J. S., dealer in general
merchandise; born in Indiana, in
1842, and lived there until 1855,
when he removed to Missouri, and
after a residence of a few years in
that State came to Iowa in 1859;
has been engaged in selling goods
eighteen years; he married Miss
Phebe A. Williams in 1863; she
was a native of Indiana; they
have a family of four children:
Ida, Ellswortii, Eddie and Bertie.
WIGHTMAN, M., grocer; born in
Fayette county, Indiana, in 1835,
and lived there until eleven years
of age, when his parents removed
to Bloomington, McLean county,
Illinois, in 1844, where he was
raised on a farm ; he came to this
county in 1855; during the war
lie enlisted in the Seventh Iowa
Infantry, as a private, and was
mustered out as first lieutanant;
after his dischai-ge from the army
he returned to the county and has
since been elected county clerk
three successive terms; he mar-
ried Miss Hattie Forgrave in
March, 1860; she was born in
Ohio; they have four children:
Louie E., Abbie E. George E. and
Hattie V.
Whiteman, Calder, farmer, Sec. 4.
Woods, Pack, farmer, Sec. 35.
WOODIN, GEORGE D., attorney
and counselor-at-law, born in
Warren county, Pennsylvania,, on
the 27th of February, 1827, and is
the son of David and Parthena
Woodin, natives of Monroe county,
New York; his father was a de-
scendant of Puritan stock, the orig-
inal ancestor having come over
with the Massachusetts Bay Com-
pany, in 1628; the mother of our
subject traces her .ancestry to Irish
origin ; the youth of Mr. Woodin
was spent at work on his father's
farm during the summer, and at-
tending school in winter until
1844, when he attended one terra
at the Waterford (Pennsylvania)
Academy, and the next winter
taught a district school; the
two following summers were spent
at Jamestown Academy, New
SIGOUBNKT.
639
York, and the winters were spent
in teaching; with one term of
preparatory still to complete he
entered Allegheny College, at
Meadville, in 184Y; the full course
of one term in the preparatory de-
partment,, and four years in the
college were completed in four
years, while at the same time he
taught school for three months
each winter and made one year in
his law studies with A. B. Rich-
mond of Meadville, Pennsylvania;
he graduated with honors at the
head of his class in 1851, having
defrayed the entire expense of his
education by teaching, except ten
dollars given him by his mother;
after leaving college he taught in
the academy at Warren, Pennsyl-
vania, for one year, reading law at
the same time in the office of L.
D. "Wetmore; he was admitted to
the bar in 1862, and for one year
after practiced his profession with
his preceptor, developing at the
same time rare powers and genius
as a practitioner; in 1853 he
decided to come to Iowa and he
made the then incipient town of
Iowa City, his future home; his
entire stock in trade consisted, on
arrival, of a few books, a suit of
clothes and four dollars in money,
the bar of =Iowa City, at that
time being one of the ablest in
the State, and had as its shining
lights Gilman Folsom and W.
Penn Clark; in 1854 he was
elected prosecuting attorney of
Johnson county and in 1855 was
elected mayor of Iowa City; in
1856 he was elected to the legis-
lature from Johnson county and
served one terra with credit to his
constituents and honor to himself;
in 1857 he moved to Sigourney,
which has since been his home,
and in 1858 was elected district
attorney for the Sixth Judicial
District, and served four years,
during which time he earned for
himself the reputation of bein^
one of the most skilled and suc-
cessful criminal lawyer's in the
State; Mr. Woodin has had great
success as an attorney and has-
been engaged on one side or other
of almost every important case
since he came to Sigourney, and
during a period of twenty yeara
he has not been absent from the
court room one full hour at any
one time during the session of
court; his addresses to the jury
are quick, pungent and exceed-
ingly earnest and he rarely fails
of success with either judge or
jury; he is a man of great pene-
tration, seeming to know a client's
case before it is half stated; he
has steadfastly refused all offices
since those above named which
were in the line of his profession;
he has devoted himself to the
duties of his profession and may
emphatically be termed a man of
one work; in July, 1859, he was
married to Miss Mary E. Skill-
man, of Sigourney; she was a
native of Louisa county, Iowa;
they have three children. Link,
Guy and Grace.
YERGER, J. P., president of the
Union Bank; born in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvinia, in 1825; he studied
dentistry and followed it as an
occupation for some years; he
came to this county in 1856, and
after relinquishing the practice of
his profession engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits; his investment in
this direction proving satisfacto-
rily remunerative, in connection
with E. Laifer, vice president, T.
Robison, cashier, and others, he
organized the Union Bank, July
1, 1875; his financial ability and
integrity have never been ques-
tioned; careful and accurate, he
has the fullest confidence of the
people as a man, upright, reliable
and honorable; he has served the
county as a member of the board
MO
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
of supervisors and has always
taken great interest in educational
matters; he is a genial gentleman,
a quick observer and as prompt
in his business relations as he is
generous in his social relations
and thoroughly merits the esteem
in which he is held by his fellow-
■citizens; he married Miss Matilda
Colder, in 1868; she was a native
of Baltimore, Maryland; they
have one son : Frank, now a stu-
dent of law in the office of Woodin
& McJnnkin; they lost one
daughter: Kate C; she died on
May 16th, 1877, aged eighteen
years.
BEI^^TOI^T TO'^'y^l^TSTSlTF.
ABEL, HENEY, farmer. Sec.
18: P. O. Slagle.
ABRAMS, v., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Butler; born in Lick-
ing county, Ohio, July 2, 1813;
he was raised there on a farm, and
in 1845 went to Noble county, In-
diana; from there he removed to
this county and settled on the
place upon which he now lives,
in 1854; he has a fine farm of 80
acres of well improved and culti-
vated land; August 20, 1840, he
married Miss Julia A. Mayfield,
a native of Licking county, Ohio;
by this union they have five child-
■ ren : Mary E. (now Mrs. J. N.
Sheets), Melissa (now Mrs. F.
Hamilton), Elinor J. (now Mrs.
J. R. Francis), John W., Almira
(now Mrs. Solon Helm) ; they have
lost two: Louisa and William,
who was a member of company F,
33d Iowa regiment; enlisted Au-
gust 13, 1862; served for nearly
two years, and died January 18,
1864, at home, of disease con-
tracted in the army.
Abrams, Andrew, farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Butler.
Abrams, Miles, farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. Butler.
Abrams, Henry, farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Butler.
Akerman Nathan, farmer. Sec. 16;
P. O. Slagle.
AKERMAN, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
9; P. O. Slagle; born in Bava-
ria, Germany, in April, 1825;
in 1833 he emigrated with his pa-
rents to the United States, land-
ing at New York; he went from
there to Butler county, Ohio, and
was there raised on a farm; he
came to this county in 1849, and
settled where he now resides; he
owns 398 acres of well improved
and cultivated land ; February 4,
1839, he was married to Misa
Catharine Lentze, a native of Ba-
varia, Germany; they have nine
children : Nathan M., Lizzie (now
Mrs. N. Linawaver),Lydia,George,
Catharine, David, Philip, Lillie;
they have lost five: Christina,
Maggie, John, Peter and Anna
M; he is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity, and is a well re-
spected citizen.
Alderman, E. W., farmer. Sec. 4;
P. O. Slagle.
Allman, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 3;
P. O. Slagle.
Allman, Jacob; P. 0. Slagle.
BEAYER, MOSES, farmer. Sec.
5; P. O. Slagle.
Bennett, J., farmer. Sec. 35; P.O.
Butler.
Bennett & Wood, merchants; But-
ler.
BENNETT, RICHARD, farmer,
Sec. 23 ; P. O. Butler; born
in Warren county. New York,
March 15, 1814; he was raised
there, and in 1844 went to Kane
county, Ills., where he remained
until 1861, and then moved to
Wapello county, Iowa; in 1856
BENTON TOWSSHIP.
m
lie cam^ to Benton township and
settled on the farm where he now
resides and which consists of 100
acres of well improved and culti-
vated land; he had at one time
320 acres, but has given each of
his three children 40 acres; he
married Mrs. L. Knight in April,
1839, a native of New York; they
have seven children: Eichard W.,
George S., Charles H., Marion
(now Mrs. Gilmore), Margaret J.
(now Mrs. Boyce), Alice 5. (now
Mrs. Scott), and James W.; have
lost six.
■BENNETT, JAMES W., was born
in Wapello connty, Iowa, May 8,
1851; he came to Keokuk county
and settled in Benton township,
where he was raised on a farm ;
at the age of 19 he engaged in trav-
eling for Hoot & Brainard, of Ot-
tuHiwa; he then engaged in busi-
ness for himself, traveling through
• Kansas, Texas, Colorado and other
States; he then returned to this
<sounty and still resides on the
«ame place; he is postmaster at
Butler, and is engaged in mer-
chandising also; he was married
to Miss Mary Gaskill October 15,
1876; sheisanativeof this State;
they have one child: Lum R.,
born January 29, 1879.
Bennett, Eichard, Jr., farmer. Sec.
22; P. O. Butler.
Bennett, S. G., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Butler.
Bergman, Fred., farmer. Sec. 31 ; P.
0. Butler.
Birchner, C. A., farmer. Sec. 35 ; P.
O. Butler.
Boldozer, Henry, farmer. Sec. 2; P.
O. Slagle.
Bottorff, W. F., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Butler.
Broadhead, Elisha, farmer, Sec. 3;
P.O. Slagle.
Brooks, J. G., farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O, Butler.
Brown, George, farmer, Sec. 30;
P. O. Butler,
Bnrtlow, Wm., farmer, Sec. 31;
P. 0. Slagle.
CHADWICK, J. L., farmer. Sec.
2;P. O. Slagle
Cliadwick, J. M., farmer, Sec. 14;
P. O. Butler.
Chadwick, Jerome, farmer, Sec.
2; P. O. Slagle.
Cheek, Wm., farmer. Sec. 32; P.
O. Slagle.
Clark, W. G., farmer. Sec. 10;
P. O. Slagle.
Coleman, Wm., farmer. Sec. 6;
P. O. Slagle.
Cook, Clark, farmer. Sec. 4; P.
O. Slagle.
Craft, R, farmer. Sec. 35; P. O.-
Butler.
Craft, J., farmer. Sec. 34; P. O.
Butler.
CUNNINGHAM, JOHN M., mer-
chant, and postmaster of Slagle;
born in Brown county, Ohio,jrune
8, 1839; in 1853, in company
with his parents, he moved to
Linn county, Iowa; he was raised
on a farm, and followed farming
until 1873, when he built a store
at Slagle, and is now engaged in
business at that point; he keeps a
fine assortment in his line; he
went to California, crossing the
plains with ox-teams and return-
ing on horseback; he was married
on the 21st of March, 1867, to
Miss S. A. Matthews, a native of
Iowa; she was born December 24,
1849; Mr. Cunningham is a mem-
ber of the M. E. Church.
Curtis, J. C, farmer. Sec. 28; P. O.
Butler.
D ALTON, EOB'T. farmer, Sec.
34; P. O. Butler.
Dean, Henry, farmer. Sec. 15; P. O.
Slagle.
Denny, Benjamin, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. b. Butler.
Dixon, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 20; P.
O. Butler.
Durfee, S. H., farmer. Sec. 27; P. O.
Butler.
642
DIEECTOKY OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
Dnrfee, D. P., farmer, Sec 34; P. O.
Butler.
FARDICE, Eob't, farmer, Sec.
31; P. O. Slagle.
FISHER, NATHAN., farmer, Sec.
22; P. O. Butler; born in Nor-
folk, Mass., February 23, 1816;
there he was raised ; he learned the
boot and shoe trade, but that not
being to his taste, he- learned the
the carpenter's trade; this he has
followed for some twenty years;
he was at one time engaged in the
manufacturing of pianos in Bos-
ton ; in 1868 he came to this coun-
ty and located where he now re-
sides; he owns 96 acres of good
land; in 1860 he lost his house
and all its contents by lire, which
left him destitute, for a time, of
things necessary for the main-
tanence of life, but being a ready
workman and a good carpenter,
he has built himself a large, fine
house of rock and cement, that
would be diflScult to burn; in De-
cember, 1836, he married Miss
Elizabeth 0. Baydon, of Norfolk,
Mass.; had three children, Charles
E., Harriet E. (now Mrs. A. S.
Hussey), and Henry S.; lost two:
Ella M., and Waldo B.; was again
married to Miss Lucinda Greeley
in April, 1868, a distant relative
of the late Hon. Horace Greeley.
Francis, Matilda, farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Butler.
GAY, K., farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Butler.
Goehring, Peter, farmer, Sec. 31;
P. O. Slagle.
Goehring, Jacob, Sr., farmer. Sec. 5 ;
P. O. Slagle.
Goehring, Lewis, farmer. Sec. 31;
P. O. Slagle.
Graves, Joseph, Sr., farmer, section
28; P. O.Butler.
HAGON. J. M., farmer. Sec. 25;
P. O. Mai-tinsburgh ; born in
Ohio, April
raised on a
of eighteen
1, 183'9; he was
farm; at the age
years his father
died, and on him and an elder
brother was left the responsi-
bility of caring for the family;
on the breaking out of the war hia
brother enlisted and he was left
in charge of the farm ; in 1862 he
removed witii his mother to this
county locating where he now re-
sides; owns a farm of 320 acres^
which is well improved and shows
the evidences of thrift and indus-
try; November 26, 1862, he mar-
ried Miss Ellen Barnes, a native
of Tuscarawas county, Ohio; she
was born October 14, 1844; by this
union they have four children:
Nora, Minnie, Addie and Gay;
have lost two: an infant child and
one son by the name of Kalph.
Hamilton, John, farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Butler.
Harshbarger, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 20 ;
P. O. Butler.
HARPER, J. T., farmer. Sec. 23;
P. O. Martinsburgh ; born in Harri-
son county, Ohio, July, 1828 ; there
he was raised on a farm; in 1853
he came to Washington county,
Iowa, and from there traveled
across the plains to California
where he remained four years,
meeting with good success; he
then returned to New York by
way of the Isthmus and from
there renaoved to Washington
county, Iowa; after residing there
for four years, he came to Keokuk
county and settled on the farm
upon which he still lives; his
farm consists of 235 acres of
well improved and cultivated
land; Januaiy 20, 1859, he was
married to Miss Louisiana S.
Wortman; she is a native of
Morgan county, Ohio, and was
born December 22, 1844; have
five children: Mary C, Samuel J.,
Ettie E., Virdy, and Gracie M.;
Mr. Harper has held various ofiioes
in this township; also represented
this Twenty-eighth district to the
Fifteenth General Assembly in
^^
^::^ii^'Ofi€MP
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
646
1874; he is one of the leading
men of his township.
Eedges, Alfred, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
0. Slagle.
Helm, D. P., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Butler.
Eelm, Seneca, farmer. Sec. 18; P.
0. Butler.
Eelra, Franklin, farmer. Sec. 19;
P. 0. Butler.
Helm, Chas., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Butler.
Helm, George, farmer. Sec. 17; P.
0. Butler.
Hiberg, Milton, farmer, Sec. 11.
Hibler, Isaac, farmer. Sec. 7; P. O.
Butler.
Hickman, J. H. farmer, Sec. 31; P.
0. Butler.
Hix, Orin, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Butler.
Hough, Samuel, tarmer. Sec. 18; P.
0. Butler.
Halts, James, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. O.
Butler.
Hunter, Joel, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Slagle.
TOHNSOlSr, J. J., farmer. Sec.
J 32; P. O. Slagle.
Jordan, W. H., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
0. Slagle.
KIMICAT, J. H.. farmer. Sec.
35; P. O.Slagie.
Koontz, Henry, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
0. Butler.
Kriese, Louis, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Slagle.
LAWSOlSr, JOHIS", farmer. Sec.
34; P. O. Butler.
LENTZ, C, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Slagle; born in Germany, and
came to the United States in 1832,
and settled in New York; although
quite young at the time, he recol-
lects distinctly of seeing the cel-
ebrated Indian chief. Black Hawk,
in the city of Buffalo in 1833,
when lie was escorted through the
largest cities of the East in order
that he might be impressed with
the strength of the whites; the
same year he removed to Butler
county, Ohio, and engaged in
farming; in 1846 he came to Keo-
kuk county, when it was but a
territory, and settled in Benton
township, where he now owns
220 acres of land; he has held
offices of town trustee, etc.; he
married Miss Malvina Trimble in
1849; she is a native of Illinois;
the family consists of eight child-
ren: Anna M. (now Mrs. Charles
Stedter), Caroline (wife of Alex-
ander Watts), liachel (wife of John
Gilstrap), Albert, Hettie, Edna,
Nathaniel and Ellsworth.
LONG, A. H., miller, in the town
of Slagle; born in Greene county,
Ohio, in the year 1830; when
quite young he moved with his
parents to Butler county, Indiana,
where he was raised, being engag-
ed in farming; he came to this
county in 1856 and followed farm-
ing until 1870, when he bought
the & Palmer mill, which
he, in company with Mr. McClure,
has been operating up to the
present time; the mill is situated
on a tract of land known as the
mill property, and consists of 142^
acres; it has been in operation
for many years and is one of the
best on the South Skunk river;
he married Miss A. C. Briggs,
March 11, 1852; she is a native
of Ohio; they have three children:
Eva M., Stella E., and Earl C;
Mr. Long is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity and belongs to
the M. E. Church, having his
membership at Delta.
LYNN, JAMES. A., farmer. Sec.
24; P. O. Butler; born in Gibson
county, Indiana; when fourteen
years of age he, with his parents,
moved to Jefferson county, Iowa,
but the location not being desira-
ble he moved to Keokuk county
in 1854, and settled on the place
where he now resides; he has
39
646
DIEKOTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
ninety-one acres of land, well cul-
tivated; he enlisted in Company
D, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, ia
June 1862, and served with his
regiment, participating in all the
engagements of the company,
served three years and was mus-
tered out at Davenport in 1865,
after which he returned to this
county; in October, 1855, he was
married to Miss Sarah M. "Waugh ;
she was born in Ohio in 1834; by
this union they have a family of
seven children: William E., Al-
bertine, Dora, Lucy (now Mrs. O.
Locke), Alfred W., James E.,
Gertrude; have lost four: Ells-
worth, Robert, Charlie, and Anna
L.
Lynn, James, farmer. Sec. 26; P. O.
Butler.
Lynch, "Wesley, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0.
Slagle.
MoBETH, ANDREW, farmer,
Sec. 30; P: O.Butler.
McCreery, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 6;
P. O. Slagle.
McKELVEY, DAVID, farmer and
blacksmith. Sec. 27; P. O. Butler;
born in Washington county, Mary-
land, June 9, 1822; was there
raised and learned the blacksmith
trade; he came to Iowa at an early
day, but not being satisfied with
the country returned to Pennsyl-
vania; after remaining there some-
time he returned to this State, set-
tling in Wapello county; from
there he went to California, but
did not remain long and then
came to Keokuk county and set-
tled in Martinsburgh; in 1875 he
settled where he now lives, owns
a nice farm of seventy acres; in
connection with farming he does
a successful business at the black-
smith trade; December 25, 1845,
he was married to Miss Eliza
Fridley; she died November 19,
1858, leaving five children : Win-
field, Lewis, Jane (now Mrs. D.
Shntes), Joseph and David; was
married again January, 1868, to
Miss Amanda Francis, of Illi-
inois; she died, leaving one son:
John; he married for his third
wife Miss Amanda Koonts, of
Iowa, in August, 1871; have three
children: Rosie B., Jessie and
William H.
McKibben, W. E., farmer, Sec. 33;
P. 0. Slagle.
McKinney, F. A., farmer. Sec 21 ;
P. O. Butler.
McKINNEY,H. L., farmer. Sec.
21; P. O. Butler; born in Brown
county, Ohio, April 21, 1816; he
with his parents moved to John-
son county, Indiana, where he
was raised; in 1844 he came to
Iowa (then a territory), and set-
tled in Mahaska county; the loca-
tion not being satisfactory, he
came to Keokuk county, in 1862,
and located where he now resides;
owns 240 acres of well improved
and finely cultivated land ; he has
held various oflSces of trust in the
township; he is a thorough busi-
ness man and a model farmer; i_n
1838 he was married to Miss
Nancy A. Landers; she was born
in Greene county, Kentucky, in
1818; by this union they have
five children: Franklin A., Oliver
H. S., Winfield S., Fletcher H.
and L. M.; have lost six: Lizzie
Iowa (wife of James Baldozer),
Ephraim H., enlisted in 1861, in
Company I, Eleventh Illinois Cav-
alry; he was killed October 9,
1864, at the seige of Yicksburg,
just at the close of his last term
of service; was in all the battles
participated in by the regiment;
Mr. McK. is a member of the M.
E. (Church.
MoYey, J. N., farmer. Sec. 15; P.
O. Butler.
MANUEL, ALFRED, farmer, Sec.
31 ; P. 0. Morton, Wapello coun-
ty; born in Montgomery, Ohio,
April 24, 1815; when quite young
he moved with his parents to
fiENtOlif TOWirSHIf.
647
Parke county, Indiana, where
he was raised on a farm:
has followed the occupation
of farming until the present
time; in April, 1837, he married
Miss Hannah Wise; she was born
in Ohio, in 1815; they have six
children: Melinda (now Mrs.
Brittanstine), Wm. C, Catharine
E. (now Mrs. Euckner), Margaret
B., jSTancy A. (now Mrs. F. Buck-
ner) and Dick; have lost eight:
Sarah, Jane, David L., two infants,
John D., who was a member of
Company B, First Missouri Cav-
alry, Francis M., a member of
Company A, One Hundred and
twenty-second Illinois Infantry,
died of disease contracted in the
army, and Harvey N., was in 100
day service; Mr. and Mrs. M.
came to Iowa in 1865; and settled
on the place where they now re-
side; the farm consists of eighty-
nine acres of good land ; he is a
member of the M. E. Church.
Mansfield, Riley, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P.
0. Slagle.
Martin, H. C, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
0. Butler. .
MARTIN, JOSEPH, farmer. Sec.
20; P. O. Butler; born in Picka-
way county, Ohio, February 6,
1826 ; the family moved to Ver-
million county, Illinois, in 1833,
and after living there seven years
became dissatisfied with the coun-
try, and concluded to try their
fortunes in Iowa, and in 1840
they settled in what was known
as Blue Point, in Jefierson county,
where they remained until 1843,
when he came to Keokuk county,
and entered the land on which he
now resides; so anxious was he
to secure the land which he had
selected, that he came on it at 12
o'clock at night the day they were
permitted to come and make their
claims; he owns a farm of seven-
ty-six acres, and among those who
have passed the ordeal of pioneer
life in the West, and whose early
struggles well deserve a place in
these memorials, is the subject of
this sketch; obstacles have been
overcome that, in looking back, it
seems impossible to have been ac-
complished ; he has felt the want
of food and the necessities of life
in common with others of the early
settlers; he has gone fourty-four
hours without eating, and then
had to pound corn in a wooden mor-
tar to supply the want; he learned
the wagon -maker's trade, and was
one of the first in the county; he
was married January 1, 1850, to
Miss Charity Thomas; she is a
native of Eoss county, Ohio, and
was born July 5, 1826; they have
five children: Cicero F., Harriett
A., Sarah E., Emma L. and Lu-
cretia C; lost four: William P.,
Mary J. Elmina E., and Lewis
W.; Mr. and Mrs. Martin have
long been, and are at the present
time, active members of the Uni-
ted Brethren Church.
MERRYFIELD, JOSEPH, farm-
er, Sec. 3; P. O. Slagle; born in
Brown county, Ohio, October 18,
1822; he was raised there, follow-
ing the occupation of farmer; he
removed to Cincinnati, Ohio,
where he learned the carpenter's
trade, which he has followed, in
connection with farming, up to
the present time; Mr. M. moved
to Indiana, after residing in Cin-
cinnati, but not being satisfied
with the location, he again moved,
this time coming to this county
in 1856; he settled on the tract of
land upon which his present home
is located; his farm consists of
180 acres of well improved laud,
kept in a fine state of cultivation;
he has held various township and
county ofiices, and is now justice
of the peace; in 1844 he was
married to Miss Eliza A. Miller;
she was born in Pennsylvania, in
1824; they have a family of ten
648
blEECTOET OF KEOKUK COtNTt.
children: Martha J. (now Mrs.
A. J. Hewitt), John F., Yianna
(now Mrs. William Vaughn),
"William J., Eleline (now Mrs. S.
Quick), Caroline L. (now Mrs. C.
Morton), Josiphene (now Mrs. F.
A.McKinney),George F.,Susan and
Charles S; Mr. Merry field is a
member of the Masonic fraterni-
ty, and is one of the most influen-
tial citizens of the township ; for the
past twenty years he has been in-
timately connected with all the
interests of the county.
Myers, George, farmer, Sec, 3; P.
O. Slagle.
Miller, Ernest, farmer. Sec. 32; P.
0. Slagle.
Mock, John, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
Butler.
Monk, C. W., farmer. Sec 34; P. O.
Butler.
Morrison, James, farmer. Sec. 10;
P. O. Slagle.
NEECE, WM., farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. Slagle.
OTT, CHARLES, farmer and
stock-feeder. Sec. 2; P. O. Sla-
gle; born in Franklin county Ohio,
November 26, 1838; there he was
raised, and there he remained un-
til 1856, when he came to Iowa,
arid settled in Keokuk county; in
1860, he moved upon the farm on
which he now resides, which con-
sists of 160 acres of well improv-
ed and highly cultivated land ; he
makes stock-raising and feeding a
specialty, and has about 150 head
of stock at the present time; he is,
and has been for the past thirteen
years, school director of his dis-
trict; he was married September
18, 1862, to Miss Eliza Bowersox,
a native of Pennsylvania; she was
born May 30, 1843; have a family
of four children; Charles J., Wm.
F., Ollie and an infant not named ;
three have died: Clara B., Cora
E. and an infant.
PAHE, WM., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
0. Butler.
Palmer, J. W., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Butler. '
Pepper, Conrad, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P.
0. Slagle.
Pfeiffer, "John, farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Butler.
REED, D. M., farmer. Sec. 35;
P. O. Butler.
RICKETT, WILLIAM H., farm-
er, Sec. 32; P. O. Butler; born in
Gallia county, Ohio, October 2,
1831; he lived there until 1845,
when he went to Green county,
Ohio, remaining there for iive
years, and then removed to Wa-
pello county, Iowa; the location not
being desirable, he came to this
county and settled on the farm
upon which he now lives; he has
122 acres of well-improved and
cultivated land; July 23, 1854, he
was married to Miss Amanda
Dimmett, a native of Indiana,
born October 25, 1827; by tliis
union they have six children : Ea-
chel, Albert D., Lincoln C, Ida
A., Jennette and Willie J.; Air.
R. has held various offices in Ben-
ton township, and is a member of
. the Masonic Fraternity, Toleration
Lodge, No. 236, Fremont.
Eitter, Wm., farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0.
Butler.
RITTER, JOHN., farmer, Sec. 9;
P. O. Slagle; born in Louden,
Prussia, 1827; when nineteen
years of age be came to the United
States, landing at New York;
from there he went to Butler
county, Ohio, remaining there for
six years; he owns a nice farm of
100 acres of land, well cultivated
and improved; he is town . trustee,
which office he has held tor several
years; during his residence in
Butler county, Ohio, he married
Miss Caroline Haker, a native of
that State; she died in 1853; he
married for his second wife. Miss
Cliristina Aohreman, a native of
Ohio; they have four children:
Matilda M., John P., Adaline K.
Benton toWNSHtP.
U&
and Elizabeth ; five are deceased :
Fred., George, Charles, Joseph
and an infant not named; Mr.
Eitter is a member of the Church
of God.
RITTER, ANDREW., farmer,
Seed; P. O. Slagle; born in Ba-
varia, Germany, in 1841-, he came
to the United States with his pa-
rents in 1867, landing in New
York city ; from there he came to
Keokuk county and located where
he now lives; he owns a fine farm
of 120 acres upon which he has a
nice barn, as good as any in the
township, and also, a fine brick
house, where he can live at ease
for the remainder of his days and
enjoy what it has cost to have it;
he was married February 21, 1866,
to Miss Louisa M. Stodtpr, a na-
tive of Crossan, Prussia; they
have four children: Frederick "W.,
John A., Geo. W. and Albert D. ;
Edward, and an infant deceased;
Mr. Hitter is a member of the Lu-
theran Church.
Eitter, Fred., farmer. Sec. 9; P. O.
Butler.
Eoach, James, farmer Sec. 27 j P. O.
Butler.
Eooker, Stephen, farmer. Sec. 15; P.
0. Butler.
Eoyquett, Lewis, farmer. Sec. 7; P.
0. Butler.
SANCHEZ, PHILIP, farmer.
Sec. 24; P. O. Butler.
Sanchez, Fred, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
0. Butler.
Scott, Eobert, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Butler.
Scott, E. P., farmer, Sec. 33; P. O.
Butler.
Scott, David, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0.
Slagle.
Shaffier, Benjamin, farmer, Sec. 3;
P. 0. Slagle.
Sheets, J. N., farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Butler.
Showman, Wm., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
0. Butler.
Shute, David, farmer. Sec. 21; P. O.
Butler.
Shute, Sarah, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Butler.
Shute, Cornelius, farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Butler.
Shute, John, farmer. Sec. 21; P. O.
Butler.
Stevens, J. L., farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. Butler.
Street, W. E., farmer, Sec. 25; P. O.
Butler.
Sykes, Charles, farmer. Sec. 11; P.
O. Slagle.
TERESO, PHILIP SAN-
CHEZ, farmer. Sec. 13; P. O.
Martinsburg; born in Kaiser's-
lantern, Bavaria, Germany, June
4,1828; he was raised there in
the mercantile business, which he
continued until 1849, when he
emigrated to the United States,
landing at New York; from there
he went to Philadelphia and Bal-
timore, being engaged in the
printing business at each of those
places; from Baltimore he moved
to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania,
at which place he remained some
four months, being employed in
the iron works; in 1850 his pa-
rents landed at New York City;
Philip remained at that city with
them until 1851, they then com-
ing to this county; here he has a
nice farm of 260 acres, well im-
proved and cultivated; he settled
on this farm in 1860; April 11,
1854, he married Miss Mary J.
Garrett; she was born in Indiana
in 1835; they have one child by
adoption: Lucinda B. ; he has
held various of&ces in his town-
ship, and is a member of the Bap-
tist Church.
TERESO, FREDERICK SAN-
CHEZ, farmer. Sec. 24; P. O.
Martinsburg; born March 30,
1824, at Hackenheim, Hessen,
Germany ; his father was a native
of Spain, and his mother was of
650
DIREOTOEY Of KfiOKUK CO0imr.
German ancestry; his youth and
early manhood were passed at the
place of his birth, where he at-
tended first the common school
and then the high school; Ger-
man, Latin, Greek and French
were some of the studies here
pursued; at the age of 17 years
he was appointed clerk of the
court, which oflBcial position he
filled to the satisfaction of the
higher officials, and with credit to
himself; on the outbreak of the
revolution of 1849, when but 24
years old, he received the import-
ant appointment of General Fi-
nancial Secretary, under the Re-
public at that time established;
this position he held for about six
months, when the Kepublic col-
lapsed, and in company with other
patriots he crossed the Rhine into
France, and after remaining there
a short time, he embarked at
Havre for America; he arrived at
New York in September, 1849,
and from there he went to Phila-
delphia, where he engaged in the
printing business; after remain-
ing there for ten months he re-
turned to 'New York to meet his
parents, and while there awaiting
the arrival of the ship he was
employed by a publishing house
as a translator; upon the arrival
of his parents they set out for
Iowa and settled in Jackson town-
ship, this county; in 1866 he re-
moved to Benton township and
settled where he now resides;
owns a farm of 270 acres, under
good cultivation ; has a comforta-
ble, well arranged house, in which
is a choice library of rare books ;
in August, 1862, he enlisted as a
private in Co. F, Thirty-third
Iowa Infantry; June 2, 1863, he
was promoted to the position of
first lieutenant; served until the
close of the war, and was dis-
charged July 25, 1865, at New
Orleans, and after his discharge
returned home; December 24,
1857, he was married to Miss Ma-
tilda J. Britton, a native of Henry
county, Iowa; they have seven
children: Milton F., Helen (now
Mrs. Handleman), Nancy A.,
Sheridan P., Yiola, Theadore, and
Oscar G. ; Mr. T., after having un-
dergone the vicissitudes of two
wars and adventures in a strange
land, is now comfortably located
and enjoys the respect and confi-
dence of all who know him; none
are more active in all public en-
terprises, and all schemes for the
development of his adopted county
meet his cordial support.
VANWINKLE, MILES, far-
mer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Butler;
Yan winkle, Isaac, farmer. Sec. 32;
P. 0. Butler.
Yaughn, Charles, farmer. Sec. 5; P.
0. Slagle.
\ A 7^ ALL, DANIEL, farmer,
V V Sec. 18; P. O. Butler.
Watts, W". A., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Butler.
WATTS , CHARLES, farmer. Sec.
28; P. O. Butler; born in Harri-
son county, Ohio, August 29,
1821; he was raised there on a
farm; in September, 1849, he
moved to Indiana and remained
there for some five years, but the
location not being desirable he
came to Keokuk county and loca-
ted on the place upon which he
now resides; he has 429 acres of
finely cultivated land on which he
is building a commodious dwell-
ing; he has held various offices in
his township; March 16, 1843, he
was married to Miss Mary A.
Woods, a native of Allegheny
county, Pennsylvania; she was
born March 5, 1825; by this union
they have nine children: Wm.
A., George W., Henry D., Ra-
chel A. (now Mrs. Burgman),
Hnlda, John C, Andrew H., Jo-
seph M., Emma R. ; have lost one
son: Thomas, who was a member
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
651
ol Company B, Thirty-sixth Iowa
Infantry ; enlisted at Keokuk,
Iowa, in 1862, served until May
23,' 1863; he died at home of dis-
ease contracted in the army, his
father having brought him home
from Helena where he had been
left; he expired surrounded by
loving friends.
WAUGH, WILLIAM, farmer, Sec.
35; P. O. Martinsburgh ; born
near Harrisbnrg, Pennsylvania,
April 28, 1800; with his parents
he moved to Warren county, Ohio,
remaining there until 1816; in the
same year he emigrated to Wilkes-
borough, Wilkes county, North
Carolina, where he engaged in
the mercantile business being em-
ployed as a clerk; in 1827 he re-
moved to Petersburg, Virginia,
and in 1889 to Fairfield, Jefferson
county, this State; from there he
went to a point near the Des
Moines river, not far from where
Oskaloosa now stands, but the
location was not desirable and he
again removed coming to this
county and locating where he now
lives in 1845 ; owns 360 acres of
good land; he is an influential
citizen and has held the office of
justice of the peace for a number
of years ; in 1829 he married Miss
Elizabeth Freeman; have five
children: Cordelia M. (now Mrs.
Baker), Sarah M. (now Mrs. J.
Lynn), Susan E. (now Mrs. H. B.
Sturgess), Mary J. (now Mrs. Wil-
liam Gray), and James ; lost two :
William A., and F.; the latter
was second sergeant in the Thirty-
fifth Iowa Infantry; he died at
St. Louis, January 19, 1863, of
small-pox; Mr. Waugh belongs
to the Masonic fraternity and is
a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
Wells, Obed, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O.
Butler.
White, Wm., farmer. Sec. 29; P. O.
Butler,
White, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 32; P.
O. Slagle.
Williams, P., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Slagle.
Wilcox, Wm., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Slagle.
Wilcox, A. G., farmer. Sec. 6; P. O.
Slagle.
WILCOX, B. G., farmer. Sec. 16;
P. O. Slagle; born in Athens
county, Ohio, in February, 1842;
in 1854 he came with his parents
to Yan Buren county, Iowa; he
came to this county in 1862 and
located where he now lives; he
owns a farm of 110 acres of well
improved land; he has been twice
married; first to Miss Susan
Helm, September 28. 1861; she
was a native of Iowa; she died
September 3, 1874, leaving two
children living: Emma J. and Da-
vid P., and Ollie and Rosa de-
ceased; he married again to Miss
Parmelia Waltman, in 1876; she
is a native of Ohio; by this union
they have one child: Oliver.
Williams, Jefferson, farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Slagle.
Wilcox, Eiley, farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. Butler.
Wood, J. H., farmer. Sec. 22; P. O.
Butler.
Wyckofi; S. D., farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. Butler.
YOUNG, WILLIAM H., farm-
er. Sec. 36; P. O. Martins-
burgh; born in Clarke county,
Indiana, April 11, 1842; when
twelve years of age he with his
parents moved to this county and
settled in Benton township, near
Marrtinsburgh ; his early training
was on a farm and he continued
at this occupation until Septem-
ber, 1861, when he enlisted in
Company D, 13th Iowa Infantry ;
in 1864 here-enlisted as a veteran,
and in the same year was taken
prisoner and conveyed to Ander-
sonville, Charleston, Florence and
Kichmond; after undergoing the
652
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
vicissitudes of imprisonment at
each of these places, he was finally
paroled, in February, 1865; he
then returned to his regiment,
with which he was engaged in
active service until the close of
the war; on being mustered out
of the service he again came to
Keokuk county and engaged in
the mercantile business at Mar-
tinsburgh, in which he continued
until quite recently, when he dis-
posed of his stock and moved on
the farm upon which he now re-
resides; his farm consists of 400
acres of fine land under the best
cultivation ; he was married to E.
M. Hursey, daughter of William
Hnrsey, October 13, 1869; they
have one child: Hattie E.; have
lost an infant, not named; Mr.
Young is a member of both the
Masonic and Odd Fellow's frater-
nities ; he is a member of the Pres-
byterian Church, and is now in
the full vigor of manhood, and is
regarded as one of the most ac-
tive, energetic and influential cit-
izens of that part of the county.
STE.A.3D-2- ISTTlSr IPOTP^l^TS^^XF.
ALEXANDEK, J. C, farmer.
Sec. 25 ; 1'. 0. Martinsburgh.
BEEEIDGE, W. B. C. Sr., farm-
er. Sec. 33; P. O. Martins-
burgh.
BERRIDGE. WM. H.. farmer,
P. O. Martinsburgh; born
February 26, 1847, in Madi-
son county, Ohio; he was educa-
ted and lived there till 1854, when
he came with his parents to Iowa,
and located where he now lives;
he. was married October 10th,
1868, to Miss Celinda J. Smith, a
native Hawkeye.
Berridge, W. B., Jr., Martinsburgh.
BERRIDGE, WM., farmer; Sec
83; P. O. Martinsburgh; owns
a farm of 187 acres; born
April 7th, 1811, in Lincolnshire,
England; he lived there till 1832,
when he came to the United
States, landing in New York, and
coming immediately to Ohio,
where he lived till 1854, when he
came to Iowa and located where
he now lives; he is one of the old
settlers of the township; he was
married January 15th, 1839, to
Miss Mary Swazey, a native ol
Ohio; they have had four chil-
dren: Lovenia, Loretta J., Wm.
H. B., living, and. Mary de-
ceased.
BOTKIN, Z. T., farmer. Sec.
20; P. O. Martinsburgh; born
December 4, 1817, in Clark
county, Ohio; there he grew to
manhood, was educated and lived
till 1845, when he came to Iowa
and stopped in Henry county till
the next February, when he came
to this county and located where
he now lives; he entered his land
from the government, but first had
to buy a claim under what was
known as the club law at that
time; he is one of the oldest set-
tlers now living in the township;
he was married September 22,
1842, to Miss Cynthia A. Smith,
■ a native of Ohio; they have a
family of eight children: Jemi-
ma (now Mrs. Elijah Arganbright
of JSTeb)., Samuel E., Sarah H.
(now Mrs. Joseph Pollock of this
township), Mary, (now Mrs. New-
ton Ogden of this township),
James, Wm., now living, and
Eliza and Jasper, deceased; he
owns a splendid farm which he
has well improved with every-
thing to make home pleasant, all
the work of his own hands.
Bottorff Mrs. Eliza, Martinsburgh.
BOTTORFF, ISAAC W., mer-
chant, Martinsburgh; born June
26th, 1833, in Clarke county, In-
STEADY KUN TOWNSHIP,
655
diana; his parents moved to Iowa
and located in this township; he
is one of the oldest settlers in the
township; he enlisted October
21st, 1861, in company D, Thir-
teenth Iowa Infantry, and served
to November 18th, 1862, when he
was discharged by reason of
wounds received at the battle of
Shiloh; he was postmaster at
Martinsburgh for about one year
in 1864-5; he began the mercan-
tile business in the fall of 1862,
in this place, and has followed it
since; he keeps a large stock of
goods generally kept in a country
store, and also a stock of drugs
and medicines; he enjoys a good
trade, and the confidence of his
customers as to fair dealing and
integrity; he was married Febru-
ary 16th, 1845, to Miss M. H.
Smith, a native of Illinois; they
have a family of eight children:
Sarah O., Nancy J., Jacob G.,
Anna R., and Ernest, and
Harvey, Aminda and Omer, de-
C6£lS6(i
BOTTORFF, E. W., farmer; Sec.
28; P. O. Martinsburgh; born
December 25, 1835, in Clarke
county, Indiana; he was rais-
ed, educated and lived there
til! 1852, when he came with his
parents to this county, and located
on Sec. 20 of this township; he
catne on his present farm in
1856 and has made all of its im-
provements himself; he has a
splendid, commodious dwelling,
and good barns that any man
might well be proud to own, es-
pecially if he had earned it all
himself, as he has done; his son,
, James W., has displayed a good
deal of genius in the manufacture
of a wind mill, which is so arrang-
ed as to drive, when in motion, a
circle of figures which are con-
stantly changing position to the
passer-by, and we think is worthy
40
of notice in this volume; he was
commissioned second lieutenant
in the Martinsbureh invincibles
(State Militia) March 9, 1863,
which he held during the Skunk
river unpleasantness, and to the
close of the war; he has always
been a strong partisan and a strong
Union man ; he has held the office
of town trustee and several minor
offices; he was married January
25, 1856. to Nancy A. Heninger,
a native of Missouri; she was
born November 14, 1839; they
have a family of four children :
Henrietta S,., James W., Sarah E.
and Mary E., all living; he owns
a farm of 139 acres of fine land.
BRITTAIN, WM. P., farmer; Sec.
19; P. O. Martinsburgh; born De-
cember 14, 1845, in Henry coun-
ty, Iowa; his parents came to this
county in 1847; he enlisted Octo-
ber 10, 1863, in the Ninth Iowa
Cavalry, and served till the close
of the war, and was discharged
February 10, 1866; he was taken
prisoner September 6, 1864, while
bearing dispatches to headquar-
ters, at Gum Springs, Arkansas,
and taken to Batesville, where he
was paroled September 9, after
having been stripped even to his
boots, and given an old butternut
suit, and left barefoot; he was fed
on parched corn and paw-paws,
and told to go north; he went to
Memphis, that being the nearest
point where he could reach our
troops; on arriving there he was
sent to St. Louis to the parol
camp; soon after arriving there
he was taken sick and got a fur-
lough and came home, where he
remained till December 11, 1864,
when he was exchanged; he then
went to his company at Browns-
ville, Arkansas, where he remain-
ed till discharged ; he was married
September 27, 1866, to Miss Lydia
O. Redbearn, a native of Ohio;
656
DIRECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
they have six children : Isaac M.
M., MaryE., William O., Fred F.,
Pearl A., and Alnieda M., all liv-
ing.
Burns, Mrs. Susan, Martinsburgh.
Burns, S. C, farmer; Sec. 16; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
CAMPBELL, JOHIS', farmer;
Sec. 26; P. O. Martinsburgh.
CHACEY, ITHAMAR, farmer
and teacher, Sec. 24; P. O. Martins-
burgla; was born April 14, 1830,
in Wayne county, Ohio, and lived
there until 1856; he received a
good common school education
and commenced teaching at the
age of nineteen, and has divided
his time between farming and
teaching since that time; he came
to this State in 1856, and owns a
nice farm of 150 acres; he has
held school ofBces but has stead-
fastly refused others; he married
Miss Mary E. Wettmer, October
9, 1851 ; she was born in Pennsyl-
vania; they have five children liv-
ing: Ithamar J., Ida R., Ulysses
S., Elmer W., Samuel C; lost
three: "William S. B., Almina E.,
and Mary E. A.
Clary, W. H., farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0.
Martinsburgh.
Colston, Mrs. Eliza, Martinsburgh.
COOK,WM., farmer. Sec. 27; P.
O. Martinsburgh; born January
27, 1852, in Fayette county, Indi-
ana; moved to Iowa in 1873 and
located where he now lives; he
has followed farming all his life;
he was married, ^November 7,
1876, to Miss Mary E. Fritzler, a
native Hawkeye, as she was born
in this county; they have one
child: Dottie Estelle, now living.
Cook, W. A., Martinsburgh.
Cook, John A., Martinsburgh.
CROCKER, B F., farmer and
stock-raiser. Sec. 35; P. O. Mar-
tinsburgh; born October 2,1821,
in Franklin county, Indiana; he
was educated and lived there till
1854, when he came to Iowa and
located in Henry county, where he
remained only about six months,
when he came to this county and
located where he now lives; he
owns a fine farm of 360 acres of
land; he is a blacksmith by trade,
and worked at it about twenty-
five years; since his return from
the army he has done but little at
it; he is an auctioneer, and cries
most of the public sales in the
country near him; he enlisted
June 13, 1861, in company I,
First Iowa Cavalry, and was pro-
moted to sergeant at the organi-
zation of the company; he serv-
ed to October 10, 1864, when he
was discharged hy reason of ex-
piration of term of service; was
in all the battles in which the reg-
iment was engaged while he was
in the service; he has been mar-
ried twice: first, February 4, 1840,
to Miss Elizabeth Cassaday, a na-
tive of New York; she died May
10, 1872, leaving nine children:
Emily J., Thomas H., Perry,
Sumner, Mary P. and Curtis, liv-
ing, and Luther, Hannah E.
and Melville, deceased; again
January 14, 1875, to Mrs. Bar-
bara Fritzler, a native of Ger-
many; they have one child: B. F.,
living; she had three children by
her former husband.
DAEDEN, D. B., farmer. Sec.
36; P. O. Martinsburgh.
Darden, H. J., farmer. Sec. 36; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
Darden, S. IST., farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0.
Martinsburgh.
Darden, W. C, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
DAVIS, DAVID, farmer. Sec. 24;
P. O. Martinsburgh; born May
1, 1819, in Washington county,
Virginia; parents moved to In-
diana in 1828; there he was edu-
cated in the log school-house;
he lived there till 1853, when he
STEADY BTTN TOWNSHIP.
657
came to Iowa and settled in Jef-
ferson connty, where he raised one
crop; in the same year (1853) he
moved over into Jackson town-
ship in this county, where he
lived till March, 1866, when he
came to this township, and in
the spring of 1867 moved to the
farm, where he now lives; he
owns 180 acres of land; he was
married October 30, 1845, to Miss
Liliie Smith, a native ot Indiana;
they have a family of ten child-
ren : Theophilus, Louisa (now Mrs.
F. P. Eichardson), Jolin Q., J. M.,
Joriel, George E., Wm. H. and
Elmer E. living, and Mary I. and
Eobert E., deceased.
Dawson, John M.', farmer. Sec. 16;
P. 0. Martinsburgh.
Dawson, J. K., farmer, Sec. 22; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
DAY, PHILIP S., farmer. Sec.
19, P. O. .Martinsburgh; owns a
farm of 185 acres of wellimproved
land; born February ^25, 1824,
in Madison county, Illinois; he
lived there till 1848, when he
came to this county and located
where he now lives, locating a
land warrant for 160 acres, which
he still owns, and which he received
for his services in the Mexican
war; he enlisted in May, 1846,
and served one year, when he was
honorably discharged; he was in
the battles of VeraOruz, and Cerro
Gordo where he received a wound
in left leg by which he has been
partially disabled ever since; has
never drawn a pension, although
he is rightfully entitled to one;
he was married in November,
1847, to Miss Gracie Taylor,
a native of Kentucky; they have
a family of ten children : Solomon,
Clarrissa, William, Robert, Frank-
lin, James, Philip S. and George,
living, and Eebecca an infant, de-
ceased; he is the only Mexican
soldier now living in the town-
ship.
DEMARCE, A. L., farmer, Sec. 18;
P. O. Martinsburgh; born August
1, 1835, in Canada West; there
he was raised; he came to the
United States when he was nine-
teen years of age, and could not
read or write; he started to school
at once, attending the common
and high schools at Fairfield,
which he continued till he gained
a fair education; in the fall of
1854 he located in Washington
county, where he remained till
1867, at which time he came to
this county and located on Ger-
man Creek, where he bought a saw-
mill; located where he now lives
in 1869, and owns a farm of 135
acres and also a steam saw-
mill on Sugar Creek, which he
runs during the winter season;
he enlisted August 15, 1862, in
Company A, Twenty-fifth Iowa
Infantry, served till the close
of the war, and was discharged
May 22, 1865; he was in all the
battles in which the regiment was
engaged during his term of service;
he was married July 16, 1871, to
Miss Mary Snakenberg, a native
Hawkeye, born in this county, six
miles east of Sigourney; they
have a family of four children:
Jno. D., Nelson H., Crinhilda F.,
Maggie G. Meyer, all living.
Densmore, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
DINSMORE, SAMUEL., carriage
and wagon-maker, Martinsburgh J
born May 30, 1816, in Mifllin
county, Pennsylvania; his pa-
rents moved to Ohio in 1817;
here he was educated in the com-
mon schools and lived till 1857,
when he came to Iowa and located
where he now lives; he holds the
confidence of his neighbors where
he lives, as he has been elected
justice of the peace for three
terms, which office he now holds;
he owns a nice comfortable home,
where he lives, upon which he has
658
DIRECTOKT OF KBOKUK COUNTY.
quite an extensive vineyard, which
is a source of revenue to him; also
a shop where lie works at his
trade most of his time, always
linding plenty to do at his door;
he was left an orphan at the age
seventeen, and being the eldest of
the familj', had the care of his
younger brothers, two of them
learning the trade with him; he
was married February 13, 1840,
to Miss Sarah A. Sheppard, a na-
tive of Ohio; they have no child-
ren.
Donnell, James B., farmer Sec. 13;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Donnell, S. H., farmer, Sec. 13 ; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
Dunn, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
ECKLEY, PETEE, farmer. Sec.
25 ; P. O. Martinsburgh.
Edwards, Jesse, farmer. Sec. 8; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
ENGLE, JACOB, farmer. Sec. 12;
P. O. Walden; born December 24,
1838, and is a native of Ohio; his
parents came to Iowa and located
in Washington county, in 1853,
where he lived till March, 1862,
when he came to this county and
located where he now lives; he
owns a good farm of 180 acres of
land ; he was married February 6,
1862, to Miss Jennie Griffith, who
is also a native of Ohio; they have
a family of two sons : Frank C. and
Kichard D., both living.
Eyestone Bros., merchants, Martins-
burgh.
Eyestone, Albert, Martinsburgh.
FOGLE, PETEE, farmer, Sec. 18 ;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Fuller, H. K., Martinsburgh.
r> LASS, A. W., Matinsburgh.
Glap, James, farmer. Sec. 36; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
GODFREY, ELIJAH, shoe-mak-
er, Martinsburgh; born March 14,
1811, in Eoss county, Ohio, his
parents moved to Virginia in
1856, when he came to Indiana,
where he remained till 1866,
when he came to Iowa and
located in Wapello county, where
he remained till 1864, when he
came to this county and located
where he now lives and started a
' boot and shoe shop, which busi-
ness he has continued to the pres-
ent time; he enlisted in October,
1862, in company E, Thirty-sev-
enth Iowa volunteers, and served
to May 18, 1863, when he was
discharged by reason of a rupture
received while in the line of duty,
guarding prisoners of war; he was
married October 1, 1831, to Miss
Jane Jones, a native of Virginia;
they have ten children: Elijah H.,
David, Marion, Almira, Leander,
Hannah M., Ira J., living, and
Elizabeth, Louis and Mahala J.,
deceased.
Goepel, August, Martinsburgh.
Goepel, Gustavus, farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Golliher, Mrs. M. J., farmer, Sec. 30 ;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Goodwin, A. C, Martinsburgh.
GOW, DR, A. N., physician and
surgeon, Martinsburgh; born July
3, 1834, in Ashtabula county,
Ohio; he was educated at the
high school at Mt. Vernon, Ohio;
he came to Iowa and located in
English Eiver township in Feb-
ruary, 1863; he returned to Ohio
on account of the death of his
lather, Eev. Daniel Gow, a noted
Baptist minister; he lived there
till September 13, 1864, when he
enlisted in the One Hundred and
Seventy-third Ohio volunteers and
was made hospital steward of the
regiment; he served to the close
of the war and was discharged
August 25, 1866, when he return-
ed to his old home in Ohio; he
studied medicine, off and on, from
the time he entered school at Mt.
Vernon, Ohio, till he entered the
army; he attended lectures at the
STEAbr ETTN TOWNSHliP.
669
Eclectic Medical Institute of Cin-
cinnati during the winters of 1872
and 1873, graduating in June,
1873, in which year he returned
to Iowa, and locating in this place,
began the practice of his profes-
sion, which he has followed since ;
he enjoys a good practice and the
confidence of his patrons; he in-
vented and patented a corn-planter
and cultivator combined, known
as the " Farmer's Friend," some
of which were used in this county;
he was married January 2, 1878,
to Miss Elizabeth Hogue, a native
Hawkeye, having been born in
Martinsburgh, Iowa, April 10,
1858.
Graves, Johnson; Martinsburgh.
HAGAN, WILLIAM H., farm-
er, Sec. 31 ; P. O. Martins-
burgh; born June 29, 1820, in
Gruernsey county, Ohio; his pa-
rents moved to Tuscarawas coun-
ty in 1826; he lived there until
1848, when he came to Iowa and
located where he now lives; in
1850 he was burned out, losing a
good two-story house and all its
contents except a few bed-clothes,
which his wife saved ; the next
spring he rebuilt the house he now
lives in; he owns a fine farm of
400 acres upon which he has fine
improvements; he was married
June 25, 1848, to Miss Mary An-
derson, a native of Ohio; they
have a family of eleven children :
Margaret, Sarah, Charles J., Wm.
W., Alfred and Alice (twins),
James, Horace L. and Lillie M.,
living, and Daniel and Otis de-
ceased.
Hagan, C. J., farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
Hampton, James, Martinsburgh.
Hampson,L. G., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
HAWK. DAVID, farmer. Sec. 29;
P. 0. Martinsburgh; born April
18, 1811, in Greenbriar county,
Virginia; his parents moved to
Athens county, Ohio, in 1815;
there he grew to manhood and
was educated; he came to this
county in 1853 and located on sec-
tion 22 in this township, having
entered the land in 1847, being
the second entry made in this
township; he was in Burlington
in 1839, when there was but one
two-story house in the place; he
has been town trustee and asses-
sor; he has followed farming all
his life, in which he has made a
competency for his old age; he
has always been a hard-working,
straight-forward, honest man, re-
spected by all who knew him; he
was married !N"ovember 21, 1832,
to Miss Elizabeth Loving, a na-
tive of Virginia; they have had
nine children: Christopher Ezra,
Andrew, Elijah, Sarah E., Hilda,
(now Mrs. 0. J. Hagan), and
Allen, living, and Stephen and
Keziah, deceased; he owns 610
acres of land.
Hawk, Christopher, farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
HAWK, ELIJAH; farmer. Sec 14;
P. O. Martinsburgh; he has a farm
of 130 acres of land that is well
improved; he was born May 25,
1845, in Vinton county Ohio; his
parents came to Iowa and located
where he now lives in 1853; here
he grew up and was educated; he
is one of the old settlers of the
township; he was married March
23, 1870, to Miss RhodaE., daugh-
ter of Kev. Benjamin H.oUings-
worth, of this county; they have
a family of four children : Charles
E., Edward I., and Carl, living,
and Howard L., deceased.
Hawk, John F., fanner, Sec. 20; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
HAWK, EZRA, farmer. Sec. 22;
P.O. Martinsburgh; he owns 546
acres of highly cultivated land,
with a splendid house and barn
and all the appurtenances of a
first-class tarm; he was born
660
blEECl'OET OF KEOKUK COtTNTY.
O.
0.
o.
March 23,1842, in Vinton county,
Ohio; his parents came to this
county in the fall of 1853 and lo-
cated where he now lives; he en-
listed June 13, 1861, in company
I, iirst Iowa Cavalry, and served
to September 9, 186i,when he was
honorably discharged ; he was in
all the battles in which the regi-
ment was engaged; he was mar-
ried March 3, 1869, to Miss Eliza
A., daughter of Henry McGee, of
this township; they have a family
of three children: Ida E., living,
and William H. and Frankie, de-
ceased.
Hawk, J. S., farmer, Sec. 15 ; f,
Martinsburgh.
Hawk, J. K, farmer. Sec. 35; P.
Martinsburgh.
Hay, G. W., farmer. Sec. 15; P,
Martinsburgh.
HENRY, J. D., M. D., physician
and surgeon ; Martinsburgh;
born January 15, 1846, in Adams
county, Illinois; he was educated
at Payson seminary, Payson, Illi-
nois; he came to Iowa in 1867
and located in Wapello county,
where he began the study of med-
icine with his uncle; Dr. S. Henry;
he studied with him three years,
during which time he attended
medical lectures at Rush Medical
College, of Chicago, and Belle-
view Medical College, of New
York, where he graduated in 1871 ;
he tlien settled in this place and
began the practice of his profes-
sion, which he has continued since
with success; he has built up a
good practice and is very success-
ful as a physician; he was mar-
ried October 2, 1873, to Miss
Maggie Dunn, a native of Ohio;
they have two children: Rex V.,
and an infant daughter not
named.
Heninger, P. W., farmer. Sec. 21;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
HENINGER, HENRY S., farmer,
Sec. 21; P. O. Martinsburgh;
owns 125 acres of well improved
land; born November 15, 1837,
in Missouri; he came with his
parents to this county in 1846
and has been a resident of this
township ever since; he came on
to his present farm in the fall of
1871 ; he enlisted in Aug., 1862, in
company F, Thirty-third Iowa vol-
unteers, and served to March,1863,
when he was discharged for gen-
eral disability brought on while in
the service ; he has followed farm-
ing all his life, at which he has
made a fine home; he was married
March 11, 1867, to Miss Sarah
Davis, a native of Illinois; they
have a family of three children:
Eddie and Ida (twins), living, and
William H., deceased.
Henson, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 5; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
Heninger, Mrs. Sarah K., farmer,
Sec. 4; P. O. Martinsburgh.
Heninger, John W., farmer, Sec. 21
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Heninger, S. E., farmer, Sec 21
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Herman, John, Sr., farmer, Sec. 12
P. O. Haysville.
HERMAN, JOHN U-, of Wimer
& Herman, proprietors of Wood-
bury Mills, Walden; born
March 3, 1820, in Pennsylvania;
there he was raised, educated and
lived till 1859, when he came to
Iowa and located in loka, where
he remained two years; then
moved to Jefierson county, where
he remained till 1870, when he
returned to this county and
bought the Manhattan Mills,
which he ran for three years,
when he sold out and bought a
half interest in Woodbury Mills,
which. he now owns; they have a
good custom trade and make a
good quality of flour; he was
married April 6, 1845, to Miss
Sarah Aultman, a native of Penn-
sylvania; they have ten children:
Andrew, Michael, Elizabeth, Mary
STEAD Sr EUN fOW-HSHlP.
661
A., John, Samuel and "William,
living, and Sarah, and two infants
not named, deceased.
HOGNE, S. R., farmer and carpen-
ter. Sec. 33; P. O. Martinsbnrgh;
born December 2, 1827, in Vir-
ginia; he came to Ohio in 1844
and lived there till 1849, when he
came to Indiana, where he lived
till 1856, when he came to Iowa
and located where he now lives;
he enlisted June 13, 1861, in com-
pany I, First Iowa Cavalry, and
served to September 9, 1864; he
was in all the battles in which the
regiment was engaged; he was
promited to sergeant at the or-
ganization of the company; he
owns a nice farm of 80 acres; he
is a carpenter by trade, and works
at it a good deal of his time; he
was married, Jnne 18, 1850, to
Miss Elizabeth Stewart, a native
of Indiana; they have a family of
five children: Anna S., Rachel E.,
Willie, Jennie A., living, and
Mary F., deceased.
Horton, Tyrus, farmer. Sec. 25; P.
0. Martinsbnrgh.
HURSEY, WILLIAM, farmer
and stock-raiser. Sec. 27; P. O.
Martinsbnrgh ; born June 3, 1827,
in Ohio; there he was raised and
educated; he lived there till 1858,
when he came to Iowa and locat-
ed where he now lives; he owns
one of the finest farms in the
county, containing 420 acres in
all, which he has under a high state
of cultivation, with Splendid
house and barns; he has taught
school sixteen terms during his
life; he is an honored member of
the Masonic fraternity, and has
been W. M. of his lodge some
twelve years; is also a member of
the chapter, and assisted in the
organization of the chapter at
Sigourney; he was married April
20, 1848, to Miss Margaret A.
Honnold, a native ot Ohio; they
have had twelve children : Eliza-
beth M., John E., Lucinda J., S.
Alice, H. Eliza, Wm. Sherman,
Belle, Maud and George W., liv-
ing, and Doratha, Robert N. and
Wilmina, deceased.
Hutton, D. S., farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Martinsbnrgh.
TNGLE, JACOB, farmer Sec. 13;
i P. O. Walden.
T OHNSON, A. J., farmer. Sec. 23;
cl P. O. Martinsbnrgh.
Jones, Alexander, farmer. Sec. 22;
P. O. Martinsljurgh.
LAMB, J. M., farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. Martinsbnrgh.
Larrimore, J. F., farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Martinsbnrgh.
Lawson, Wm., farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Martinsbnrgh.
Lehman, A., farmer. Sec. 9; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
Lister, Abram, farmer. Sec. 12; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
Loenberg, Sohn, Sr., farmer, Sec. 34;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Lotspeich, J. H.. farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
Lotspeich, W. C, farmer. Sec. 35;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Lynn, H. C, Martinsburgh.
Lynch, P. A., farmer. Sec. 22; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
McCONNELL, A. J., farmer.
Sec. 14; P.O. Martinsburgh;
born December 18, 1841; he is a
native Hawkeye, having been born
on Brushy Bend, Richland town-
ship, in this county, his father
having come to the county in
1839; he located on his present
farm in 1870; he owns a farm of
120 acres of well improved land;
is unmarried, a son of honest toil,
and still clinging on to the rag-
ged edge of single blessedness;
is a candidate for matrimony
whom any young lady would do
well to catch.
McCONNELL, W. J., farmer. Sec.
15; P.O. Martinsburgh; born De-
662
blEEOl'OEY 0* SEOKUK OOtJNfr.
cember 27, 1838, in Delaware
county, Indiana; his parents came
to Iowa in the fall of 1839, and
located in Ki^hland township; he
has resided in this county since;
he has followed farming all his
life; he enlisted August 13, 1862,
in company F, Thirty-third Iowa
Volunteers and served till the
close of the war, and was honora-
bly discharged July 17, 1865; he
is one of the oldest settlers of the
county and township, his father
being the oldest permanent settler
of the township now living in it ;
he was married January 6, 1868,
to Miss Mary J. Miller, a native
of Ohio; they have three chil-
dren : George A., William f . and
Elias O., all living; he owns a
farm of 125 acres, which he has
made by his own efforts.
McCONNELL, M. E., farmer, Sec.
14; P. O. Martinsburgh; born
February 19, 1817, in Ohio; there
he grew to manhood and lived till
1837, when he came to Indiana,
where he remained about two
years; in September, 1839, he
came to Iowa, and located on
Brushy Bend, in Richland town-
ship, where he lived till the sec-
ond purchase was opened to settle-
ment; he tlien came and located
where he now lives with his fam-
ily ; s6 he is undoubtedly the old-
est permanent settler now living
in the township, and one of the
oldest in the county; he was mar-
ried February l,'l838, to Euth
S. Hulton, a native of Ohio; they
have a family of nine children:
William J., A. J., Ruth A., JSTan-
cy E., Lydia J. and Emily A. liv-
ing, and Barbara, Mary A. and
Francis M. deceased, the latter
dying in the army at Little Rock,
Ark., December 16, 1863; he
owns a farm of sixty acres.
Martin, Daniel, Martinsburgh.
McCreery, Horatio, farmer, Sec. 28;
P. 0. Martinsburgh.
McElroy, James, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
McGHEE, HENRY., farmer, Sec.
28; P. 0. Martinsburgh; born Feb-
ruary 20; 1826, in Lawrence coun-
ty, Indiana; parents moved to
Orange county in 1827; he was
raised and educated there; he
came to Iowa in 1856, and located
where he now lives; he owns a
well improved farm of 195 acres;
has followed farming all his life,
and has been very successful in
making for himself and family a
pleasant home in his old age; he
was married December 3, 1846, to
Miss Mary E. Ham, a native of
Kentucky; they have had two
children: Eliza A. (now Mrs. Ez-
ra Hawk), living, and John W.,
deceased.
McNutt, Alexander, farmer, Sec. 36.
Mallonee, W. D., farmer. Sec. 28;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
MALLONEE, W. D., M.D., phys-
ician and surgeon, Martinsburgh;
born August 23, 1821, in Madison
county, Kentucky; parents moved
to Orange county, Indiana, in
1822; here he grew to manhood,
and was educated in the common
schools; he came to Iowa in June,
1847, and remained till October,
1848, when he returned to In-
diana, and remained till 1849,
during which time he worked at
the carpenter trade about nine
years; the other two years he
combined the study of medicine
with his work; he studied with
Dr. A, J. Ritter, of Orangeville,
Indiana; he came to this county
in the fall of 1869, and began the
practice of his chosen profession-
January 1, 1860, in this place,
which he has continued to the
present time; he has, however,
partly retired from his profession,
as he refuses to ride nights, or
practice except in the families of
J articular friends; he enlisted
une 22, 1861, in company I, First
STEAbT KUlJ tOWNSHlP.
m
Iowa Cavalry, and served to Sep-
tember 13, 1864; he was on de-
tached duty in the medical de-
partment from August, 1861, to
March, 18C2, and again as hospital
steward from February, 1864, till
his discharge from the service; he
married July 25, 1861, Mrs. Har-
riet M. McCoy, a native of Ohio;
they have no children; she had
one child by her first husband:
Agatha .(now Mrs. W. E. Street,
of this place).
Martin, R. S., farmer. Sec. 28; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
Martin, Geo. B., farmer. Sec. 17; P.
0. Mai'tinsburgh.
Mathys, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 20; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
Messerschmitt, Jacob Sr., farmer.
Sec. 17; P. O. Martinsburgh.
Monohon, Owen, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
Monohon, J. W., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
Monohon, Columbus, farmer, Sec. 5;
P. 0. Martinsburgh.
Moore, Calvin, farmer. Sec 34; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
MORGAN, WM. F., farmer. Sec.
23, P. 0. Martinsburgh; born July
31, 1804, in Pulaski county, Ken-
tucky; his parents moved to In-
diana in 1818; here he grew up
and was educated in the old log
school-house with its big fire-place;
m 1849 he came to Iowa and set-
tled where he now lives, entering
his land from the government; in
1854 he was elected a member of
the Iowa Legislature, beating Col.
Crocker, a noted lawyer of Des
Moines; he served one term and
refused a second nomination; he
was the first Whig to carry the
district; he has been twice elect-
ed to the board of supervisors
and been justice of the peace
about half the time since he has
been in the State; he voted to
move the capitol of the State
from Iowa City to Des Moines;
he was never beaten but once in
his life when running for office,
and that was by J. M. Ohancey
for county judge, and was only
beaten then by tliirty votes, which
shows the high position he occu-
pied in the confidence of the peo-
Ele; he has followed farming all
is life; he owns a farm of 120
acres where he is enjoying his de-
clining years; he lias been twice
married; first March 1, 1827, to
Miss Elizabeth Boggs, a native of
Kentucky; she died October 7,
1862, leaving seven children:
Lydia J. and Harriet C. living,
and Alfred "W"., and John B., who
died in the army at Little Rock,
Arkansas, Joseph C, Mary E. and
W. H., deceased; he was married
again July 16, 1863, to Mrs.
Elizabeth Reynolds, a native of
Ohio; they have no children; she
had six children by her former
husband.
Morgan, Mrs. Sarah J., farmer, Sec.
23; P. O. Martinsburgh.
Mowrey, Mrs. Eliza, farmer. Sec. 12
P. O. Abingdon.
NUGENT, C. J., farmer. Sec. 24
P. O. Martinsburgh.
OAKS, E. A., farmer, section 7
P. O. Martinsburgh; moved to
Illinois.
OGDEN,NERI, farmer; Sec. 29;
P. O. Martinsburgh; he owns
a good farm of 140 acres; he was
born August 20, 1849, in Indiana;
his parents came to Iowa in the
spring of 1864, and located near
Martinsburgh; he was educated in
common schools and Birmingham
Academy, in Van Buren county,
Iowa; he came on his present
farm in the spring of 1875; he
was married December 16, 1874,
to Miss Mattie J. Gaston, a native
Hawkeye, having been born in
this township; they have one
child: Zane, living.
Ogden, Daniel, farmer; Sec. 33; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
664
biEEOfoET OF Keokuk colJNTlf.
PARRISH, BEN., farmer; Sec.
23; P. O. Martinsburgh; he
has 305 acres of land which he
has got Tinder a high state of cul-
tivation, with good house and
barns, where he can enjoy his old
age in peace and plenty; he was
born May 12, 1811, in Belmont
county, Ohio; there he was raised
and educated in the old log cabin,
with fire-place in one corner; he
lived there till 1839, when he mov-
ed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio,
where he lived till 1851, when he
came to Iowa and settled where
he now lives; he has been elected
county supervisor, town trustee,
and has held the oiBce of justice
of the peace about half the time
since he has been in the State; he
has been twice married ; first, Feb-
ruary 26, 1833, to Miss R. Thomp-
kins, a "native of Ohio, who died
December 28, 1840, leaving three
children: Edward F., "William and
Malissa, all deceased; again Janu-
ary 6, 1842, to Mary J. Motiniller,
a native of Pennsylvania, who
died July 9, 1864, leaving a fam-
ily of eleven children: Alonzo,
Celina J., Anna M., Montraville,
George M., Sarah E., J. 0. Fre-
mont, Millard F. and Thomas C.
living, and Eliza, who died in the
army in July, 1864, and Deborah,
deceased.
Pollock, George, farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
Pollock, Samuel, Martinsburgh.
Porter, Silas, farmer. Sec. 31; P. O.
Martinsburg.
Porter, Theodore, Sr., farmer, Sec.
30; P. O. Martinsburgh.
R
ATBURIv, K B.,' Martins-
burgh.
Redfern, Mrs. Susan, farmer, Sec.
16; P. O. Martinsburgh.
RICHARDSON, FRANCIS P.,
farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Martins-
burgh ; born April 25, 1834, in Mc-
Donough county, Illinois; parents
came to Iowa in fall of 1845 and
located where he now lives; since
his father's death he has bought
the home place of the heirs, his
mother living with him ; he owns
a fine, well improved farm of 140
acres, which his father entered
under the "club" law of early
days; the logs of the old house
are still doing service on the farm,
as a stable, and are as sound as
they were the day they were cut;
he crossed the plains to Nevada
in 1864, where he remained till
1866, when he returned well sat-
isfied that Iowa was a good enough
State for him to live in; he was
married November 8, 1868, to
Miss Louisa C. Davis, a native of
Indiana; they have had four child-
ren: Nora B., Arthur and George,
living, and an infant deceased.
Ruder, John, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0.
Martinsburgh.
SAAR, JACOB, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
Shaufelt, Wesley, Martinsburgh.
Sheeler, Isaiah, farmer. Sec. 20; P.
O. Martinsburgh.
Shultz, Wm., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Martinsburgh.
SMITH, A. j:, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O.
Martinsburgh; owns a farm of sev-
enty acres of land; he is a native
Hawkeye, having been born in
Des Moines county, Iowa, June 1,
1856; he was raised there and
educated in common schools and
the Denmark academy; he came
to this county in the spring of
1879, and located where he now
lives; he was married April 3,
1879, to Miss Mary L. Miller, who
is also a native Hawkeye, having
been born in Des Moines county,
Iowa.
Smith, Rev. Geo. B., Martinsburgh.
Smith, A. D., farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
SMITH, HIRAM, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Walden; born February 28,
1805, in Washington county, Vir-
ginia; his parents moved to Indi-
STHAbT EITN TOWNSHIf.
ana, in 1821 ; lie was raised and
lived there till 1853, when he
came to Iowa and located upon
the place where he now lives ; he
was sheriff of Rush county, Indi-
ana, for four years, and has filled
several minor offices; he was mar-
ried September 26, 1849, to Miram
Davis, a native of Virginia : they
have two children : Daniel and Mo-
ses, both living in this county.
Smith, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
Spears, Robert, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
0. loka.
Spencer, Chas; L., farmer. Sec. 26;
P. 0. Martinsburgh.
Stewart, "W. "W"., farmer, Sec. 19; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
STREET, MRS. AGNES, farmer.
Sec. 24; P. O. Martinsburgh; owns
a farm of one hundred and forty
acres of land; born Novem-
ber 29, 1821, in Jackson county,
Ohio; she came with her husband
to this county in 1860, and settled
where she now lives ; she was mar-
. ried January 28, 1847, to Jacob
Street, who was born October 27,
1818, in Derbyshire, England ; he
died April 25, 1872, leaving her
with a family of eleven children,
two of whom (Samuel F. and Re-
becca E.,) were by his first wife,
both living, and Sarah J., William,
Leah G., Jacob A., John "W". and
Robert A., living, and George W.,
David and Joseph S., deceased;
she has kept her family all togeth-
er since her husband's death, and
carried on the farm the same as
before, for which slie is certainly
entitled to much praise.
Street, Mrs. Aminda, farmer. Sec. 4;
P. 0. Martinsburgh.
Sutton, Henry, farmer. Sec. 26; P.
0. Martinsburgh.
Swickard, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 32;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
TAYLOR, G.W., farmer. Sec. 30;
P. 0. Martinsburg; born Sep-
tember 22, 1824, in Bath county,
Kentucky; parents moved to Me-
nard county, Illinois, in 1829;
there he was raised and educated;
the first surveyor he ever saw was
Old Abe Lincoln, when a boy; he
lived there until 1867, when he
came to Iowa and settled where he
now lives, having bought his land
in 1855; he enlisted October 1,
1864, Company B, Eighth Illinois
Infantry, and served to the close
of the war, being discharged Sep-
tember 26, 1865; he was in the
seige of Mobile and charge on
Fort Blakely; he has been twice
married; first, February 28, 1851,
to Miss Doratha Day, a native of
Illinois, who died July 15, 1863,
leaving five children: Mary M.,
Sarah A., James Z., living, and
Louisa and Dollie A., deceased;
second, May 8, 1867, to Mrs. Mary
A. Miner; they have two children :
Robert S., living, and Anna, de-
ceased ; she had one child by first
husband; he own 104 acres of
land.
Terrell, John, farmer. Sec. 31; P. O.
Martinsburgh.
\ A T'ALL, JAMES, Martins
V V burgh, proprietor of the
Iowa House; born December
18th, 1832, in Galway county,
Ireland; he lived there till the
spring of 1854, when he came to
the United States, landing in
New York and going immediate-
ly to Pittsburgh, where he re-
mained something over two years,
at work in a wholesale grocery
house; his health failing him he
moved out to Westmoreland coun-
ty, Pa., where he went into the
iron and farming business, which
he continued for several years,
when the oil excitement broke out
he went to Oil City and vicinity,
where he spent about two years;
but not having amassed the for-
tune he had anticipated he con-
cluded he would take Greeley's
advice and go West, which he did
eee
blEfiCTOBT OF KHOKuk OOititTT.
landing in Ottumwa, Iowa, July
4th, 1867; he stayed there, how-
ever, but a few days, and after
looking around for a location to
go into business, he finally bought
the hotel property where he now
lives; he keeps a good house,
where the hungry can get a square
meal, and the weary find rest; he
also owns a neat little farm of
eighty acres in section 29 of this
township.
"Welch, Mrs. P., Martinsburgh.
WHEELOCK, A. H., Martins-
burgh, proprietor of Wheelock
Mills; born in Dodge county,
Wisconsin, September 2l8t, 1846,
and lived there till sixteen years of
age, when he came to Washington
county, and came to this county
and located where he now lives in
1865; he and his father bought
the mills of A. J. Dlin; his fath-
er died in October, 1868, when he
took charge of the mill and run
it since; he was a member of the
Home Guards during the Skunk
river war, and came out without
a scratch; was married March
28th, 1868, to Miss Louisa Moore,
a native of this State, born in
Washington county, Iowa; they
have a family of three children,
Adam N., Bertha K., and Max.,
all living; Mr. Wheelock was
educated at the Iowa State Uni-
versity.
WIMER, E. M., of Wimer &
Herman, proprietors of Wood-
bury Mills, Walden; he is
a miller by trade; born February
18th, 1835, in Delaware county,
Ohio; his parents came to Iowa
and located in Lancaster towil-
ship in the fall of 1844; followed
farming until ten years ago, when
he bought a half interest in this
mill, which is the oldest in the
county; they now have two run
of burs, and are doing a good bu-
siness, as they make as good flour
as can be made anywhere; he is
one of the oldest settlers of the
county; was married October 9,
1856, to Miss Amy Moor, a na-
tive of Ohio; they have a family
of seven children: Francis E.,
Mary 0., Oliver A., Ada E., Mar-
cellus 0, and Elgie; Eosella, de-
WILSON, JAMES, farmer, Sec. 30 ;
P. O. Martinsburgh; born April
12, 1848, County Derry, Ireland;
came with his paronts to the
United States in September, 1860,
landing first at Quebec first and
then coming and locating near
Quincy, Illinois; lived there
about five years, when he came to
Iowa in September, 1865, and lo-
cated in Jefferson county, where
he lived till October, 1875, when he
came to his present farm; was
married October 5th, 1875, to
Miss Ida E. Ogden, a native of
Indiana; they have two children:
Paleigh and Ehoda, A, both liv-
ing; owns a farm of 108 acres; was
educated at the Axline Seminary
of Fairfield, Iowa, an institution
that is now extinct.
Woods, 0. D., farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. Martinsburgh.
OUNG, JAMES B., farmer.
Y
Sec. 24; P. O. Martinsburgh.
Young, W. H., Martinsburgh.
3--A.aK:so3sr i?a-^p^i<TST3:TF.
ABEL, JOSEPH, farmer. Sec.
12; P. O. Manhattan.
Abel, Eufus, farmer. Sec. 11; P. O.
Manhattan.
Adams, Wm., Manhattan.
Adams, Mary, farmer. Sec 5 ; P. 0,
Manhattan.
Adams, Thomas T., farmer. Sec. 18;
P. O. Manhattan.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
667
Allen, G. W., farmer, Sec 15; P. O.
Manhattan.
ALTMAN, GEORGE, farmer. Sec.
36; P. 0. loka; born April
21, 1827, in Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania; there
he was raised and educated;
he came to this county in 1855,
and settled where he now lives;
he owns a farm of 160 acres of
land; he was married March 28,
1856, to Miss Elizabeth Welch, a
native of Yirginia; they have a
family of three children; Franey,
Cordelia and Walter M.; all living.
Altman, Andrew, farmer. Sec. 36;
P. 0. loka.
Andrews, Solomon, farmer, Se-j. 22;
P. 0. loka.
BAKER, CAPT. D. C, farmer
and stock raiser, Sec. 8;
P. 0. loka; born July 22,
1833, in Jefferson county.
East Tennessee; here he grew to
manhood; he was educated in the
common schools and Holston Col-
lege, at New Market, Tennessee;
he came to this county, and settled
in Richland township, in 1853 ; he
located on his present farm, where
he now lives, in 1876; he has a
beautiful home of 270 acres,
where he can pass the remainder
of his life, and enjoy the good
things the world affords; he has
been honored by his friends and
neighbors by being elected town
trustee and constable, and he is
now a member of the board of
county supervisors, an office which
he is eminently well qualified to
fill; he enlisted in October, 1861,
in Company E, Third Missouri
Militia, to serve six months, at
the expiration of which time he
was discharged ; he enlisted again
August 15, 1862, in Company I,
Fortieth Iowa Infantry, as a pri- .
vate; at the organization of the
company he was promoted to
first lieutenant, and on the 20th
of March, 1864, he was promoted
to cap tail) of his company; he
served to January 1, 1864, when
he was compelled, on account of
his health, to resign and return
home; on regaining his health he
resumed farming, which avocation
he has followed since; he was in
the battles of Jenkins' Ferry,
Arkansas; Little Eock, siege of
Yicksburg; on Bank's Eed
Piver expedition, and all the fights
and skirmishes his regiment was
engaged in while he was in the
service; he was married Decem-
ber 28, 1854, to Miss Yirtue A., a
daughter of Eev. M. L. Milton;
they have a family of ten chil-
dren: Martha W., Joseph E.,
Mary E., John, Nora, Charles and
Willie, living, and Margaret A.,
Yirtue T. and Minnie J., deceased.
Ballard, Susan, Walden.
Ballard, Milton, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Manhattan.
:6ailey, S. W., farmer. Sec. 1; P. O.
Manhattan.
Bean, A. F., farmer. Sec. 30; P. 0.
loka.
Bell, John B., farmer. Sec. 29; P.
O. loka.
Bel veal, Seth, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Manhattnn.
BENDER, C., shoe-maker, loka;
born November 25, 1836,
in IIohenzollern,Hackengen, Ger-
many; his parents died when he
was about four years old, leaving
him an orphan and alone in the
world; he came to the United
States in 1849, and landed in New
York, where he stopped a short
time, and then went to Indiana,
where he began to learn his trade,
but did not stay long till he went
to Harrison, Ohio, where he fin-
ished his trade; in the spring of
1853 he came to this county, and
located in Lancaster, and went to
work at his trade; he came to this
town in the fall of 1858, and
has lived and worked at his trade
here ever since; he was married
668
DIEEOTORT Ot' KEOKtTK COTrNTT.
February 2, 1857, to Miss Louisa
Hahan, a native of Pennsylvania;
they have had ten children: Ju-
lias A., George W., Mary
A., Winnie C., Anna E
Laura and Emma, living, and
Geo. H., Louie and John, de
ceased; he has been town trus
tee three terms, and school di
rector several times.
Bergman, Julius, farmer, Sec. 12
P. 0. Manhattan.
Bottger, J. J., farmer. Sec. 12; P,
O. Manhattan.
Bottger, J. 0., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Manhattan.
Bottger, Otimer, farmer. Sec. 1; P
O. Manhattan.
Bottger, J. C. Sr., farmer, Sec. 12
P. O. Manhattan.
BOWMAN, SAMUEL, retired far-
mer and merchant; he resides in
loka; born Aug 16, 1804, in West
Virginia; here he grew to man-
hood and was educated; he came
to Iowa Territory in the spring of
1839, and to this county in 1845,
before it was yet a State, and lo-
cated where he now lives; he fol-
lowed farming till 1860, when he
went to merchandising in loka,
which he followed till 1869, when
he retired to a quieter life, having
laid up a competency for his old
age; he was a son of poor pa-
rents, and has always had to look
out for himself; how well he has
done it his neighbors can judge;
his motto was "Excelsior," and
his guide honesty and integrity;
he is one of the oldest settlers
now living in the county, and has
always taken an active part in all
public matters pertaining to the
advancement of the interests of
his town and neighbors; he has
been twice married; first, June 7,
1827, to Elizabeth Bowman, a na-
tive of West Virginia; she died
April 1, 1865, leaving a family of
ten children: Susannah, Solomon,
Washington, Harriet K.., Martha
E., Mary M., Joshua M., Amelia
A., Polly C. and Samuel H.; Sol-
omon, Susan and Harriet E. are
deceased; he married again Aug-
ust 21, 1865, Mrs. Delila Sanders,
a native of Indiana; they have
one child: Zue E., living.
BOWMAN, J. M., farmer and stock-
raiser. Sec. 28; P. O. loka; born
March 25, 1838, in Kandolph
county, Virginia; parents came to
Iowa and settled in JeflFerson
county in 1839; he came to this
county in 1845, while it was yet a
Territory; here he grew up and
was educated; he located on his
present farm in 1860; he owns
190 acres of land, upon which he
has a fine dwelling and out-build-
ings; he was married February
23, 1860, to Miss Irena Siceloff, a
native of Indiana; they have a
family of six children: Delia,
Cora, Nora, Delilah and Samuel
D., living, and Cordelia N., de-
C63.S6Q
BOWMAN, WASHINGTON, far-
mer. Sec. 33; P. O. loka; born
July 6, 1830, in Virginia; his pa-
rents moved to Iowa Territory in
1839 and located in Jefierson
county, where they lived till 1846,
when they came to this county
and located in this township; he
located on Sec. 27, Jackson town-
ship, in 1855, where he lived till
1872, when he located where he
now lives; he owns a fine farm of
100 acres; he is one of the oldest
settlers of this county; he knows
and has realized all that the word
"pioneer" means, in its broadest
sense; he was married January 18,
1855, to Miss Jane M. Sisson, a
native of Indiana; they have a
family of eleven children: Wm.
H., Malinda C, Eugene B., Mar-
tha M., Laura A., Charles S., Wil-
son J. and Floria A., living, and
Mary E., Margaret E. and M. E.,
(]6C6£lS6d
BOWMAN, SAMUEL H., farmer,
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
669
Sec. 27; P. O. loka; born March
9, 184-5, in Jefferson county, Iowa,
so that he is a native Hawkeye in
every sense of the word; has
chased the deer across tlie prairie
and gone home with the girls from
spelling-school; has a tine farm
of 180 acres of well improved
land; he is now hunting for a
housekeeper, and will make a
good catch for some of the Hawk-
eye girls, as he is still hanging to
the " ragged edge " of single
blessedness.
Bowman, James S., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. 0. loka.
Braden, J. L., farmer. Sec. 19; P.
0. loka.
Braden, R. C, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
0. loka.
Bragg, W. H., farmer. Sec. 20; P. O.
loka.
Braden, J. G., farmer. Sec. 19; P. O.
loka.
Braden, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 30; P.
0. loka.
BROWN, JAMES M., farmer, P.
0. Martinsburgh ; he lives on Sec
19, where he owns a farm of 170
acres; born March 15, 1813, in
Frederick county, Virginia; his
parents came to Ohio in 1824, and
to Indiana in 1843; he came to
this county in 1853 and located
where he now lives; he has fol-
lowed farming all his life, and has
made what he has by hard, hon-
est toil; he was married twice:
first, October 25, 1847, to Miss
Cornelia Ball, a native of Indi-
ana, who died June 8, 1855, leav-
ing three children: Henry C. and
Lydia A., living, and Henrietta,
deceased; he married again Octo-
ber 28, 1857, Mrs. Mary Jane Las-
well, daughter of Elijah McGee,
of Martinsburgh; they have had
six children : John M., James H.,
Wm. A., living, and Joseph A.
and Alfred E., deceased; she had
one child by her first husband; it
died in infancy.
Brown, John R., Farmer, Sec. 1;
P. O. Manhattan.
Brown, Isaac, farmer. Sec. 12; P. O.
Manhattan.
Brown, Thomas E., farmer. Sec. 13;
P. O. Manhattan.
Brown Joseph, farmer. Sec. 24; P.
O. Richland.
Brown, James, farmer. Sec. 24; P.
O. Richland.
Bryson, J. D., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. loka.
Burrough, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 16;
P. O. loka.
CAFFS, J. G., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O.Ioka; born August 11, 1840,
and a native of Indiana; his pa-
rents moved to this county in
1846; here he was raised and edu-
cated in the common schools; he
is one of the old settlers of the
county ; he was married December
15, 1866, to Miss Snsan Cooper, a
native of Illinois; they have a
family of five children: Alice,
"Walter, Lizzie, Oscar, and Joseph,
all living.
Oapps, W. P., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
loka.
Carter, J. V., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Manhattan.
Carter, Nancy J., farmer. Sec. 9; P.
O. Manliattan.
Carpenter, J. W., farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. loka.
CATHEY, W. C, tin and copper-
smith, loka; born August 26,
1829, in "Warren county, Tennes-
see; here he grew up and was ed-
ucated; he enlisted June 2, 1846,
in the First Tennessee Infantry,
for the Mexican war; he served
twelve months and was discharg-
ed ; he was in the battle of Mon-
terey, Vera Cruz and Cerro Gor-
do; he was presented with a corps
badge made from condensed can-
non, bearing his name, by the
National Association of "V^eterans;
in 1850 he came to Jonesborough,
Illinois, where he learned his trade
with A. C. Calwell, and continued
670
DIEECTOET OV KEOKUK COUNTY.
to work nntil 1857, when. he came
to this place; in 1860 he went
back to Tennessee and went into
business and continned until
1862, when he was conscripted in-
to the Confederate army, but not
wishing to fight against his coun-
try, he made his escape, and join-
ed Rosecran's army at Murfrees-
borough ; entered the secret service
and served till June, 1863, when
he got his family out and again
came to this place; he went
to Chicago and on March 29,
1864, enlisted in Company K,
One hundred and Fifty-sixth Illi-
nois, and served till the close of
the war; he was married Septem-
ber 6, 184:8, to Misslfancy Finley,
a native of Tennessee; she died
June 30, 1863, leaving - a family
of four children: Isaac H., Wil-
liam K., Mary and an infant;
Mary J. and the infant are de-
ceased: in 1857 he was appoint-
ed postmaster at Warm Fork,
Missouri, which he held for eigh-
teen months, when he resigned;
he was also postmaster at loka
from March, 1869, to September
1, 1879, which he also resigned.
Cleavenger, C. G., farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. loka.
Collins, G. W., farmer. Sec. 10; P.
O. Manhattan.
Crowner, Wm., farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. loka.
Cutler, R. H., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Manhattan.
Darby, Henry, farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. loka.
Dare, George, farmer. See. 15; P.
O. Manhattan.
Dare, Abile, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0.
Manhattan.
DAVIS. JAMES, farmer. Sec.
18; P. O. Walden; born
February 5, 1828, in Washington
county, Virginia; his parents
moved to Hancock county, In-
diana, in 1828 ; here he lived till
the spring of 1853, when he came
to this county and settled where
he now lives, on the land he
claimed from the government; he
is one of the oldest settlers in this
part of the county; he has made
the most of his estate since com-
ing here; he established a general
store here on his farm, which he
ran in 1854-5, and sold goods on
credit till it came near "busting"
him, when he concluded he had
better sell out, which he did, and
, turned his attention to farming
exclusively, which he has fol-
lowed since; he keeps the Walden
post oflBce in his house, and is
postmaster; he was married Sep-
tember 23, 1857, to Matilda Kau-
. ble, a native of Indiana; they
have eight children: Cortez F
Ulysses G., David E., Flora A
L'illus E. and Etta F., living, and
John 0. and Mary A., deceased
he owns 414 acres of land.
Davidson, Daniel L., farmer, Sec
11; P. O. Manhattan.
Deannond, Rijbert, farmer. Sec. 22
•p. 0. loka.
Deniston, J. E. E., farmer, Sec. 10
P. O. Manhattan.
DULIN, J. A., farmer Sec. 30
P. 0. loka; he owns a farm
of 70 acres of land; born
December 24, 1827, in Penn-
sylvania; his parents came to
Ohio in 1833; there he was raised,
and educated; he lived there until
1857, when he came to Iowa and
located in Richland township;
there he lived about three years,
when he came to this township,
where he has i-emained ever since;
he was married December 6, 1849,
to Miss Anna M. Weltner, a na-
tive of Pennsylvania; they have
a family of three children: Wm.
L., Elnora and Mary Yiola; Wm.
L. now lives in German township.
EDWARDS, AARON, farmer,
Sec. 29; P. .0. loka.
Estes, Thomas E., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. loka.
.^if^
A^t
%:^i_.
JAOKSOK TOWNSHIP.
673
Estes, Mary, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. O.
loka.
Estes. Thomas J., farmer. Sec. 4; P.
0. Manhattan.
Estes, Joseph N., farmer, Sec. 35;
P. 0. loka.
Evans, "W. H., loka.
FARMER, J. L., farmer, Sec.
6; P. O. Walden.
Farmer, Susan, farmer. Sec. 7; P.
Walden.
Fleck, Robt., farmer. Sec. 24; P. O.
loka.
FYE, MRS. MARGARET, farmer.
Sec. 26; P. O. loka; she and
her family own over 1,000
acres of the best land of
Jackson township; she was
born January 31,' 1822, in Butler
county, Ohio; there she grew to
womanhood, and was married
January 4, 1841, to Mr. W illiam
Fye, who was born September 29,
1841, in Pennsylvania; he died
June 3, 1862, leaving her with a
family of seven children: Phebe
(now Mrs. Robert A. Marshall),
Wilson, Delia, Lizzie and Ollie,
living, and David and Madison,
deceased; they lived in Ohio till
1849; when they came to this
, county and located where she now
lives; they entered their lands
from the government when they
came; they are among the oldest
settlers of. the county, and know
and have realized all that the word
pioneer means; after the death of
her husband she run the farm left
her, and kept her family together,
and supported them until they
have become old enough to relieve
her of that care, and be a comfort
to her in her old age.
Fye, Cordelia, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
0. loka.
Fye, W. G., farmer. Sec. 23; P. O.
loka.
Eye, Jeremiah, farmer. Sec. 14; P.
0. Manhattan.
GABBY, SAMUEL, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. loka.
Gardner, J. M., loka.
Gill, Mitchell, loka.
Gill, James, farmer. Sec. 35; P. O.
loka.
Gilmore, Charles, farmer. Sec. 30;
P. O. loka.
GOODMAN, CHARLES, pro-
prietor Lillie House, loka;
born April 18, 1818, in North
Carolina; when he was about
twelve years of age his parents
moved to Sangamon county, Illi-
nois; he came to Henry county,
Iowa, in 1853, and to this county
in 1855; he went to farming and
followed it till 1875, when he
bought the hotel-stand, where he
now lives and keeps one of the
best houses to be found in this
country, and one where his guests
will always be glad to return to;
he was married November 12,
1840, to Yina Tally, a native of
Tennessee, who died l^overaber
23, 1876, leaving a family of seven
children: Mary Ann, William S.,
Charles. James K. P., John W.,
Maria E., Francis F. ; William is
deceased ; he married again, April
8, 1878, Mrs. Allie McKinnis, a
native of Alleghany county, Mary-
land.
Goodman, J. K. P., loka.
HALFERTY, ROBERT, far-
mer. Sec. 26 ; P. O. loka ; born
December 19, 1819, in Westmore-
land county, Pennsylvania; pa-
rents moved to Ohio in 1823; there
he grew to manhood ; he came to
this county in 1854 and located
where he now lives; he has made
all his estate since coming to this
county, as he had but little means
when he came; he has been elect-
ed, by his neighbors, justice of the
peace for one term in this town-
ship; he is one of the old settlers
of the county ; he owns a fine farm
41
674
DIKECTOKY OF KEOKITK COTTNTT
of 180 acres of land under good im-
provement; he was married Sep-
tember 9, 1847, to Miss Rachel
Crowner, a native ofYirginia;
they have a family of eight child-
ren: Martha E., John Squire,
George, Verona and "William, liv-
ing, and Green and an infant, de-
ceased.
Halferty, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. loka.
Halferty, Robert, farmer, Sec. 25;
P. 0. loka.
Harris, W.'C, farmer. Sec. 33; P.
0. loka.
Hardin, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 35; P.
O. loka.
Hinkle, George, farmer, Sec. 15: P.
O. Manhattan.
Hinkle, Elias, farmer. Sec. 15; P.
O. Manhattan.
Hollingsworth, B., farmer. Sec. 18;
P. O. Walden.
TNGLE, J. H., farmer. Sec. 9; P.
1 O. loka.
Ingle, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Manhattan.
ISRAEL, F.M., merchant at loka;
born in Morgan county, Ohio; at
the age of nine years his father
died, and at fourteen his mother
died also; he then went to St.
Louis, Missouri, where he attend-
ed Henderson's Commercial Col-
lege, where he graduated, after
which he entered the house of A.
T. Harlow & Co., as book-keeper;
he remained with them two years;
in 1867 he came to Richland, this
county, and engaged in business
with his brother, R. Israel, where
he remained till 1869, when he
went into business on his own ac-
count at Talleyrand, this county;,
there he remained until the rail-
road was built to Keota, when he
built a store and moved his stock
to that place and changed his
stock to clothing, which he fol-
lowed till 1875, when he went into
the banking business, which he
followed till 1878, when he sold
out and came to loka and estab-
lished the loka Cash Store, where
he keeps a general assortment for
a country store ; he buys and sells
for cash at the lowest figures; he
is editor and proprietor of a spicy
little sheet, called the " loka
News," which he issues monthly,
with a circulation of ono thousand;
he buys and ships more produce
than any firm in Keokuk county;
he was married in September,
1869, to Hattie Dorr, a native of
this county, who died January 9,
1873, leaving one child: Gracie,
now living; he married again in
Jan'y, 1875, Mrs. Hattie Oooum,
daughter of Dr. Miller, of this
county; they have three children:
Nellie, Myrtle, and a son un-
named.
JACOBS, PARMELIA, loka.
Jacobs, Benjamin M., farmer. Sec.
4; P. O. Manhattan.
JONES, J. S., farmer. Sec. 28; P.
O. loka; born December 31, 1836,
in Rappahannock county, Vir-
ginia; his parents came to this
county in 1855, and located in this
township: he located onhis pres-
ent farm in 1873; his father and
mother are both dead, as also his
brothers and sisters, and he has
no near relatives in this country;
he own a nice little farm of 60
acres, upon which he lives; he is
unmarried, and stand in need of
a housekeeper.
KANBLE, WILLIAM R, far-
mer. Sec. 19; P. O. loka.
Keasling, I. P., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Manhattan.
Keasling, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Manhattan.
Keasling, Isaac P., farmer. Sec. 10;
P. 0. Manhattan.
Kite, Jacob, loka.
LAPE, JOHN, farmer. Sec. 22;
P. O. loka.
Lemming, Ellison, farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. loka.
JAOKSON Township.
675
Lewman, J. W., farmer, Sec. 22; P.
0. loka.
Lewis, U. P., farmer, Sec. 36; P. O.
loka.
Long, Edward D ., farmer, Sec. 13;
P. 0. Manhattan.
Long, Jacob T., farmer Sec. 13; P.
Q. Manhattan.
Luellen Alfred, loka.
Luellen, Nancy A., farmer. Sec. 7;
P. 0. Walden.
McCREERY, GEORGE,
farmer. Sec. 32; P. O. loka;
owns a farm of 285 acres of well
improved land; born February
9, 1843, in Highland county,
Ohio; his parents moved to Rush
county, Indiana, in 1824; here he
grew to manhood and enlisted in
August, 1862, in Company D,
Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, and
served to January 1, 1863, when
he was discharged by reason of
disability caused by being wound-
ed in right elbow joint at the bat-
tle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; he
was married twice; first April 10,
1845, to Isabella, daughter of Iven
Fleener, of Indiana; she died Sep-
tember 17, 1873, leaving a family
of nine children: Mary J., John
M., Jessie, Andrew and William
living, and James Alfred, de-
ceased; he was married again
June 4, 1874, to Mrs. Margery
Carson, daughter of "Wm. Ross,
of Jefferson county, Iowa; they
have two children: Ida May
living, and Albert, deceased.
McCreery, Jno. M., farmer, Sec. 31;
P. 0. loka.
McKinnis Bros., merchants, loka.
McKINNIS, CHARLES,physician
loka; born April 22, 1854, in
Vinton county, Ohio; parents
moved to Jefferson county, Iowa,
in 1863 and to Washington coun-
ty, Iowa, in 1866; he went to Hen-
ry county, Iowa, in 1874, where he
attended Whittier College for two
years, when he came to this town
and began teaching and continued
for eight terms; since that time he
has been in the drug business;
he studied medicine with Dr. T.
W. Mulhern, of this place, and
attend Hughes' Medical and Sur-
gical College at Keokuk, Iowa,
where he will graduate this win-
ter; he has been practicing with
Dr. Mulhern for about six months
in this vicinity; he was married
September 5, 1862, to Miss Laura
H. McCarty, a native Hawkeye,
having been born in Washington
county, Iowa; they have two
children: MoUie B, and Ivie
Myrtle, both living; he owns
and runs a drug store in loka.
McREYNOLDS,G. W., proprietor
loka mills, loka; born March 12,
1842, in Posey county, Indiana; pa-
rents came to^owa and located in
Jefferson county in 1844; he lived
there until 1879, when he came
to this place and bought a half
interest in the loka Mills, which
he now owns; "he is almost a
Hawkeye, being but about two
years old when he came to Iowa;
he was married December 25,
1873, to Miss Nancy Cowger, a
native Hawkeye, having been born
in Wapello county, Iowa; they
have OTie child: Davie A., living;
has a saw-mill in connection with
his flouring mill, which he runs
when there is anything to do,
aiming at all times to accommo-
date his customers.
Martin, Moses, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. O.
Manhattan.
Marshall, R. A., farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. loka.
MERIDETH, T. B., farmer. Sec.
33; P. 0. loka; born March 5,
1836, in Hendricks county, Indi-
ana; here he lived till he was
eighteen years of age, when he
came to this county and located at
Richland, where he went to work
in the saw-mill of Baker & Ed-
wards; this he followed for sever-
al years; he has followed farming
676
DIEEOTOET of KEOiUK OOUNTf.
most of his life; he came to the
farm where he now lives in 1874;
he has been J. P. for the last sev-
enteen years in succession, and his
present term will expire January
1, 1881, making the longest term
any one man has ever served in
the county; he was town clerk
fou-r years, and has held various
minor offices; he was married
September 8, 1858, to Miss Mary
M. Bowman, a native Hawkeye,
having been born in Jefferson
county, Iowa; they have a family
of seven children: John C, Oscar,
Permelia, Eva, Nathan, Etta, and
an infant not named; Oscar is de-
f*PflSP(l
Miller, Wm. K, farmer. Sec. 35; P.
O. loka.
Milliken, John, Sec. 36; P. O. loka.
Mishey, George, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
0. Manhattan.
Mitts, Cyrus, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
Manhattan.
MOODY, A.P., farmer. Sec. 15, P.O.
Manhattan; he owns a nice little
farm of 31 acres; born October
1, 1814, in Muskingum county,
Ohio ; his father having died, his
mother moved to Perry county,
Ohio, in 1832; there he lived till
1840, when he came to Blooming-
ton, Illinois, where he remained
about two years; in June, 1842,
he came to Iowa Territory and lo-
cated near the Black Hawk mills,
in German township; there he re-
mained about two years and mov-
ed to Sigourney, where he lived
till 1875. when he came to this
township and located where ha
now lives; he has been twice mar-
ried: first, October 15, 1837, to
Miss Matilda Dennis, a native of
Ohio, who died December 16,
1838, leaving one child: Thomas,
now living in Montana Territory;
he married again, January 20,
1850, Mrs. Louisa McFarland, a
native of Ohio; they have a fam-
ily of four children: A. P. and
Mary L., living; and John and
James McFarland, deceased.
Moore, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. loka.
Moorman, E. W., loka.
Mulhem, V. W., loka.
NELSON, JOSEPH, farmer.
See. 33; P. O. loka.
Northrup, Darius, farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Walden.
OARD, J. C, farmer. Sec. 3; P.
O. Manhattan.
Orsborn, Ritchea, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P.
O. loka. ,
PATTERSON, A. R., farmer.
Sec. 17; P. O. loka.
Paxtoii, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Manhattan.
Pickering, W. T., farmer. Sec. 29;
P. O. loka.
Pike, James, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0.
Walden.
Power, Anna, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. loka.
QUICK, JAMES, farmer, Sec. 9;
P. O. Manhattan.
Quick, James W., farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Manhattan.
Quick, A. H., farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
Manhattan.
Quick, Teunis, loka.
RAMSEY, SAMUEL, farmer,
Sec. 36; P. O. loka.
Reimer, H. W., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. loka.
Reimer, J. W. P., farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O Manhattan.
Reiner, J. N., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Manhattan.
RICHARDSON, J. M , merchant,
loka; born January 7, 1836, in
Vermillion county, Indiana; pa-
rents moved in fall of same year
to McDonough county, Illinois,
where they lived till the fall of
1845, when they came to Steady
Run township in this county; his
mother still lives on the same
farm her husband entered when
first came to the county; he fol-
jACiSON TOWUSHit.
en
lowed farming till the year of
1852, when he went to clerk in
store of James McGrew, of Lan-
caster, where lie remained three
years; from that time to 1869 he
put in his time farming, carpen-
tering and coopering; at that time
he moved to loka and went into
the goods trade with K.. F. Wel-
ler, he putting time and exper-
.ience against his partner's money
for a share of the profits; this he
continued for four years, when his
brother, F. P. Kichardson, bought
Weller out; he then formed a new
partnership with his brother,
which lasted about five years,
when he bought his brother out
and has run it himself until the
present time; he keeps a well as-
sorted stock of goods for a conn-
try store and has a good trade,
which he has built up by fair deal-
ing and strict integrity; what he
has he has made by hard knocks;
he owns nine acres of land adjoin-
ing the town and is just finishing
the best residence in tlie place; is
post-master and keeps the ofiice in
his store; married October 9,
1856, to Emily Jacobs, a native of
Indiana; they have a family of
eight children: Henry L., an at-
torney in Sigourney, Frank Pierce,
Malissa E., William H., Edward
E., Samuel W., Albert L., and
Susan J., living, and Thomas S.,
deceased.
ROCKAPELLER,HENRY,farm-
er. Sec. 11; P. O. Manhattan;
owns eighty acres of land; born
April 25, 1797, in New Jersey;
parents moved to Franklin coun-
ty, Indiana, in 1805; he came to
Iowa territory in 1837, and locat-
ed in Louisa county near Wapel-
lo; he came to this county in
1866; took a trip to Oregon in
- 1852, going by water from New
York; has been twice married;
first, January 28, 1819, to Miss
Elenor Hurst, a native of Ver-
mont, she died July 6, 1851, leav-
ing a family of six children : Sam-
uel H., Peter E., William H., Al-
bert G., George W., and Allison
L. ; Samuel H., Peter R, and Al-
lison L. are deceased; married
again Dugust 11, 1852, to Char-
lotta Oard, a native of Ohio; she
died April 3, 1879, leaving three
children: John H., living, and
two infants deceased; she had two
children by a former husband:
Jonathan 0. Oard and Elizabeth
Jordon, deceased.
Rogers, Stacy, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. O.
loka.
Romaker, Henry, farmer. Sec. 12;
P. O. Manhattan.
ROOF, JOHN, farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 13; P. O. Manhattan;
has a fine farm of 800 acres, well-
improved, upon which he has a
fine residence and large barn ; born
June 25, 1824, in Maryland; his
parents moved to Ohio in 1834;
he was educated and lived there
till 1848, when he came to this
county and located near Richland;
he located on his present farm in
1857; has also made another farm
in Jefierson county, which he sold
out; when he landed in Iowa he
had thirty-six dollars in money
and a large stock of grit and mus-
cle; what he owns he has made
since coming here; has been twice
married: first, November 26,
1846, to Miss Elizabeth Sheridan,
a native of Ohio; she died March
15, 1850, leaving two children:
Susan E., now living, and John T.
deceased; he was married again
November 6, 1862, to Delilah
Broilliar, a native of Ohio; they
have six children: J. W., Mary
A., Martha F., Arthur M, and
Walter D., living, and Grant, de-
ceased.
Ruby, Milas, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0,
loka.
Ruby, Matilda, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. ilanhattan.
678
DtEKCTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNT*.
Ruby, J. v., farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
Manhattan.
Euby, Marshall, farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Manhattan.
Kuby, W. K, farmer, Sec. 21; P. O.
Manhattan.
Euby, William, farmer. Sec. 10; P.
O. Manhattan.
Ruby, Charles E., farmer, Sec. 21;-
P. O. Manhattan.
Ruby, J. J., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.
Manhattan.
Rnggles, John F., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Walden.
Eunyan, J. E., farmer. Sec. 5; P. O.
Manhattan.
Eush, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
Manhattan.
SCEARCY. WM., farmer.
Sec. 27; P. O. loka;
owns 440 acres of well im-
proved land; born February 24,
1813, in North Carolina; his
parents moved to Tennessee in
1815, and to Morgan county, In-
diana, in 1829, where they raised
one crop, and in the fall of 1830
they came to Sangamon county,
111.; he lived there until the
spring of 1839, when he came to
Iowa, and located near Eichland,
in this county; he lived there till
the spring of 1843, when he
located on his present farm where
he now lives, and where he has
resided since; he was married
April 7, 1836, to Miss Sarah Mil-
ler, a native of Kentucky; they
have a family of ten children:
Joshua N., John F., Arminda,
Francis M., Geo. W., Marquis De
L., Jane, Stephen A. Douglas,
Alice and Sarah, all living; his
mother, Mrs. Mary Scearcy, died
April 15, 1844, in this county.
Scearcy, F. M., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. loka.
SECHRIST, JACOB, farmer.
Sec. 30; P. O. loka; has
196 acres of land under a
high state of cultivation;
born July 12, 1829, in Pennsyl-
vania; his parents moved to Ohio
in 1833; he lived there till 1856,
when he came to Iowa and settled
on Sec. 27, in Steady Eun town-
ship; he lived there four years
when he moved to Jefferson coun-
ty, and after remaining there near
two years, he moved back to Ohio,
but after a stay of six years,
scratching over the clay banks
and stumps of Ohio, he concluded
that Iowa was the best State to
live in after all; so he came back
to this county in 1868 and settled
where he now lives; he was mar-
ried March 30, 1854, to Miss
Eunice E. Warner, a native of
Ohio; they have a family of eight
children: Alonzo G., Maurice S.,
Emmit L., Eva L., Henry E., Mer-
tie L. and Gartie I., living, and
Elmer deceased.
Shook, D. P., farmer. Sec. 35; P. 0.
loka.
Shye, Henry, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. 0.
Eichland.
Sisson, Z. L., farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0.
loka.
Smith, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Walden.
Smithart, John, farmer. Sec. 8; P.
O. Manhattan.
Snyder, Polly, farmer. Sec. 30; P.
O. loka.
Souner, L. M., farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. loka.
SPEIRS, GEO. R., farmer. Sec. 27;
P. O. loka; born April 5, 1843, in
Franklin county, Indiana; came
to this county with his parents in
1864, and located in Twin
Grove; located on his present
farm in 1869: owns 278 acres oi
well improved land upon which
he has fine buildings, where he
can live at home and enjoy life ae
it passes; was married Februarj
9, 1869, to Miss Nancy Lee, a na-
tive of Indiana; they have a fam^
ily of four boys : Chas. B., Ber^
tram, Omer and Eosco, all liv
ing.
JAOKSON TOWNSHIP.
679
Speirs, Charles, farmer, Sec. 31;
P. 0. loka.
SPEIRS, JAMES R., farmer, Sec.
30; P. O. loka; born September
20, 1828, in Butler connty, Ohio;
when be was five years old his
parents moved to Franklin coun-
ty Indiana; there he grew to man-
hood and married Miss Catharine
Stinger, a native of Ohio, Octo-
ber 9th, 1852, who died April 21,
1858, leaving three children:
Mary E» and Anna M., living,
and Sarah C, deceased ; he mar-
ried again January 26, 1860,
Miss Phillis Flint, a native of In-
diana; they have no children;
he came to this connty in 1854,
and has resided here since ; he is
one of the oldest settlers of the
township; he enlisted August 8,
1862, in company F, Thirty- third
Iowa Infantry, as sergeant, and
served to the close of the war,
being discharged August 11, 1865 ;
he was in the battles of Helena,
Yazoo Pass, Saline River and
Mobile, and many skirmishes in
which the regiment was engaged;
was wounded in the left arm at
Helena.
Starra, D. M., loka.
Stevenson, Nelson, farmer. Sec. 7;
P. 0. Manhattan.
Story, Isaac B., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
0. Walden.
T ALLEY, W. G. R., farmer and
stock-raiser. Sec. 20 ;P. O. loka;
born January 28, 1830, in Wayne
county, Tennessee; here he lived
till 1848, when he moved to Iowa,
and has lived in Jackson town-
ship ever since; his mother is
still living on the same farm they
entered from the government
when they came here in 1848; he
has been twice married, first No-
vember 22, 1855, to Miss Harriet
Bowman, a native of Virginia;
she died March 29, 1867, leaving
a family of five children: J. W.,
A. V.J and Martha J. R. living,
and Mary E., and Wm. H., de-
ceased; he married again Decem-
ber 17, 1868, Miss Polly C. Bow-
man, a Hawkeye; born in Jef-
ferson county, Iowa, November
17, 1.842; they have four chil-
dren: John A., Thomas P., and
Zna E., living, and Samuel H.,
deceased; he owns a -splendid
farm of 300 acres of well im-
proved land, and is surrounded by
the comforts of life.
Talley, Nancy S., farmer, Sec. 21;
P. O. loka.
Teller, H. S., farmer. Sec. 7; P. O.
Manhattan.
Terrell, J. J., farmer. Sec. 12; P. O.
Manhattan.
TERESO, P. SANCHEZ, farmer
and stock-raiser, Sec. 25; P. O.
Richland; born in Kaisers-lantern,
Bavaria; here he lived till he was
twenty-one years old, when he
went into the war of the rebel-
lion in 1848, and at its close was
compelled, with others, to flee to
the United States in 1849; he
landed in New York, and from
there he went to Philadelphia,
where he stayed but a short time,
and went to Scranton, where he
remained about one year making
harness for the Scrantonian's for
their various works; he is a har-
ness-maker by trade; he came to
this county in 1861, and settled
on the farm where he now lives;
entered the land from the gov-
ernment; he owns a nice stock
farm of 160 acres upon which he
has a fine house and barn ; was
married December 23, 1860, to
Miss Sarah L. Franklin, a native
of Illinois; they have ten chil-
dren: Doratha, Philip, Margaret,
Nicholas, Laura, Peter, Lillie
May, Fred., Alfonzo and Louisa,
all living.
Terrell, Samuel C, Sr., farmer. Sec.
12; P. O. Manhattan.
Todd, L. D., Waldon.
680
DIEECTOET OF KEOKTIK OOrNTT.
Turner, Jas. T., farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Manhattan.
ULIN, BENJAMm, farmer,
Sec. 16; P. O. Manhattan.
\ A 7AGNER, A., farmer. Sec.
V V 13; P. O. Manhattan.
Welch, William, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Manhattan.
White, Joshua, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. loka.
Whitson, W. H., farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. loka.
Whitson, Pertiller, farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. loka. : .
Williams, John, farmer. Sec. 13; P.
0. Manhattan.
Williams, Jonathan, farmer. Sec. 12;
P. O. Manhattan.
Willian^s, G. B., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. loka.
Wimer, Oliver, loka.
Woods, W. E,., farmer. Sec. 33; P.
0. loka.
Wonderlich, F. A., farmer, Sec. il3;
P. O. Richland.
WORLEY,W.B., farmer, carpen-
ter and builder, loka; born Octo-
ber 1, 1827, in Sommerset county,
Pennsylvania; parents .moved
Stark county, Ohio, in 1829, and '
Richland county, Ohio, in 183i
he came to Iowa and located i
Washington count}', in 1856, an
to this county in 1860; he is aca
penter by trade and has bui
many of the best houses and barr
in this part of the county; he ei
listed in October, 1861, in con
pany I, Fortieth Iowa liifantr
and served three years, being dif
charged in October, 1864; was i
all the battles in which the regi
ment was engaged duringhis ten
of service; he was married in Oc
tober, 1854, to Miss Jane Crowne)
a native of Ohio; they have a fara
ilyofnine children: Sabina (noA
Mrg. Samuel Gabby), John,Orlans
Martha G. (now Mrs. W. Cogle]
William, Ada, Olive, George ani
Frank.
YOUNG, F. J., farmer, Sec. 31
P. O. loka.
ZEPP, J. J., farmer, Sec. 31; F
O. loka.
ISiaHL-A-ItTE) 1'0"^7s7-3>TSira».
ALBERTSON, G. J., farmer.
Sec. 29; P. 0. Richland.
Allen, W. W., Richland.
Arehart, G. W., farmer. Sec. 7; P.
O. Richland.
>AILY, STEPHEN, Richland.
B^
Baily & Trigg, Richland.
BALES, WM., farmer. Sec. 17; P.
O. Richland; born in Tennessee
in December, 1811, and lived
there until 1849, when he came
to Iowa and settled where he now
lives; he owns a farm of 109 acres
of improved land; he married
Miss Huldah Morgan in Septem-
ber, 1835; she is a native of Ten-
nessee; they have four children:
Jessie, Mary J., Hannah and Rho-
da; lost one son, Levi M.
Bales, Z., Richland.
Bales, John, Richland.
Bales, W. W., farmer. Sec. 23; P
O. Ricliland.
BANNING, JOHN, farmer. Sec. 6
P. O. Richland; born in Marshal
county, Virginia, June 19, 1829
in 1851 he moved to Iowa anc
settled in Henry county, but be
ing dissatisfied with his locatioi
he visited Kansas and other places
with a view to changing his placi
of residence, but final!}' selectee
the place where he now lives, anc
owns a farm of 150 acres; he mar
ried Miss Eliza Bowman, Ootobei
6, 1851 ; she was born in Waynt
county, Ohio, December 24, 1830:
they have one daughter, Laura F..
(now Mrs. A. W. Reynolds); the}
(>74^if
^^^l^'ry,
BICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
681
also have two adopted children,
William H. Cox and Maggie Mc-
Grew; the parents of Mrs. Ban-
ning found a pleasant home with
the subject of this sketch.
BASSETT, LESLIE C APT., post-
master at Richland; born July
12, 1835, in Ohio; he was educa-
ted at "Woodward and Oberlin
College; there he lived till 1859,
when he came to Washington
county, Iowa; he enlisted in 1861
as a private in Company K, Thir-
teenth Iowa Infantry; was pro-
moted to quartermaster-sergeant,
after eight months' service, and
to first lieutenant of his company
September 17, 1862, and to cap-
tain February 1, 1863 ; served un-
til the close of the war and was
honorably discharged November
1, 1864; he was appointed acting
assistant inspector general July 10,
1864, by order of Major General
F. P. Blair; at close of the war he
came to Washington county, Iowa;
was married March 8,1865, to Miss
Mary Israel, a native of Ohio;
she died July 3, 1871, leaving a
family of two children living:
Nellie A. and Bessie A., and one
infant, deceased; was married
again March 18, 1874, to Miss
Lizzie Armentrout, a native of
Ohio; she died October 12, 1878;
since 1868 he has been in the drug
business in Richland; he is now
postmaster of Richland and a can-
didate for county auditor on the
' Republican ticket; is an honored
member of I. 0. O. F.
BENNETT, FREEDOM, farmer.
Sec. 5; P. O. Richland; born in
Pennsylvania April 10, 1817, and
was taken from his native place
by his parents to Ohio, where he
lived until 1847, and then remov-
ed to Iowa and settled in Musca-
tine county, and remained there
two years; thence to Iowa county,
two years, and came to this county
42
in 1851; in 1864 he located where
he now lives, and owns a farm of
100 acres; he has been twice mar-
ried: first, to Miss C. Smith, in
January, 1840; she was born in
Franklin county, Ohio; by this
marriage they had fourteen chil-
dren, three ot them still living:
Iowa, Wallace and Olive; he mar-
ried for his second wife Mrs.
Mary Ann Kerby, in 1872; she is
a native of Knox county, Tennes-
see, and was born in 1839; by
this union they have six children:
William, Flora, Charles, Dora,
Elmer and Clara.
Bond, H. C, farmer. Sec. 3; P. O.
Richland.
Bond, Wm., Jr., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Richland.
Bond, Amon, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. O.
Richland.
Bond, J. H., farmer. Sees. 2 and 12;
P. O. Richland.
BRISTOW, WILLIAM, farmer.
Sec. 25; P. O. Richland; among
the early settlers who have passed
the ordeal of pioneer life in the
West, no one is more deserving
of special notice than the subject
of this sketch; he was born in
Bourbon county, Kentucky, Sep-
tember 8, 1806; he removed with
his parents to Ohio in 1807, and
lived there until 1837, and then
removed to Fountain county, In-
diana; at this place he lost both
of his parents, two brothers and
three sisters from the effects of
milk sickness; he then went to
Warren county, Indiana, and while
living there married Miss Celia
Frame, on the 29th day of Sep-
tember, 1829; she died in 1832;
he married for his second wife
Miss Phebe Marshall, February
15, 1833; they have two children
living: John H. and Martin L.;
they have lost five; he came to
Iowa Territory March 15, 1839,
and settled on the farm where he
682
DIRECTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
. now resides; at that time he came
over the Indian reservation lines,
and on what was afterward known
as the Second Purchase, and is
the oldest permanent white set-
tler in Keokuk county; he is a
man of remarkable constitution,
and for forty years there has not
been a day but what he could at-
tend to his daily avocations; he
owns a tine farm of 400 acres of
improved land, and has hel/i var-
ious township offices; he is an ac-
tive member of the Christian
Church.
Bowman, Samuel, Richland.
Bralliar, Lafayette, farmer, Sec. 21 ;
P. O. Richland.
BRALLIAR, W. G., farmer. Sec.
17; P. O. Richland; born No-
vember 12, 1831, in Knox county,
Ohio; came with his parents to
Iowa Territory in 1814, and set-
tled near Richland, where he liv-
ed till 1865, when he moved upon
his present farm, and owns a well
improved farm of 80 acres; he is
a miller by trade, and has worked
at it some ten years since he came
to this county; he was married
December, 1853, to Miss Martha
liornback, a native of East Ten-
nessee; they have a family .of
seven children: Alice, Emilett J.,
Maggie T., Christiana, John, Sal-
lie A., and Floyd B., now living,
and one deceased: William; he
has held various offices in the
township, and is now assessor of
his township; he is a consistent
member of the Advent Church.
Brifogle, Daniel, Richland.
Bristow, M. L., farmer. Sec. 25; P.
O. Richland.
Bristow, J. H., farmer. Sec. 25 ; P.
O. Richland.
Byers, Enos, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0.
Richland.
Byers, Prudence, farmer, Sec. 3; P,
O. Richland.
CARPENTER, CATHARINE,
Richland.
Carrell, E. H., Richland.
Carmichael, John, Richland.
CHARLTON, SAMUEL, hard-
ware merchant, Richland; born
in Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
October 5, 1820, and lived there
until 1846; he learned the trade
of wagon-making; in 1846 he
came to Iowa and settled in Jef-
ferson county, and remained there
until 1849 and then came to this
county and followed his chosen
avocation, and has worked at it
more or less up to the present
time; he is associated with his
son in business, and they aro do-
ing a successful and profitable
trade; he married Miss Lilly
Flora in April, 1843; she is a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and was
born May 26, 1819; they have a
son: August C, associated with
his father in business; one son:
Geo. M. D., was killed at the bat-
tle of Shiloh, Tennessee, and fell
a sacrifice to his country; he ren-
dered himself of value not only
as a citizen, but as a soldier, at
a time when men's souls were
tried and their true worth was
based upon their bravery and love
of their country; Mr. and Mrs.
Charleton have long been active
members of the M. E. Church.
Chacy, Abner, farmer. Sec. 20; P.
O. Richland.
Charleton, A. C, hardware mer-
chant, Richland.
Coble, Riley, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0.
Richland.
Coleman, J. C, Richland.
Collett William, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Richland.
Cook, S. T., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Richland.
Cook, W. S., farmer. Sec. 13; P. 0.
Richland,
Cowguill, William, farmer, Sec. 31 ;
P. O. Richland.
COX, JAMES H., farmer, Sec. 14;
P. O. Richland; born May 10,
1840, in Blunt county, Tennessee;
KIOHLAHD TOWNSHIP.
683
he came with his parents to Iowa
territory in 1844; has been in
Keoknk county since its organi-
> zation; has sixty acres of land
where he now lives, which is well
improved; was married to Miss
' Lizzie Yates, April 8, 1870; she
is a native of Indiana and was
born in 1850; they have four
children living: Flora, David,
MiloandEffie; Mr. Cox enlisted in
company M, Seventh Iowa Cav-
alry, February 22, 1864; was
mustered out June 22, 1867;
was with theregiment in all the
marches and battles during their
term of service and came out with
his share of the honors.
Cox, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. O.
Richland.
COX, URIAH, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
0. Richland; born in Randolph
county, North Carolina, Decem-
ber 12, 1822 ; when seven years of
age he moved to Indiana, and in
1845 came to Iowa; he located
where he now lives in 1850;
owns seventy-five acres of well
improved land; he married Ger-
trude Hiatt, a native of Indiana;
she was born in 1819; they have
six children: William B., Joshua,
John D., Hannah (wife of J. C.
Jes8up),E., and Rachel J.; he has
held various offices in his township
and is a member of the Friends'
Society.
Cox, John, Richland.
Cox, William B., Richland.
DA7IS, JOSEPHUS, Rich-
land.
Davis, W. H., Richland.
Davis, James, Richland.
Davis, John, Richland.
Davis, Isaac, Richland.
Davis, D. M., Richland.
Davis, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P.
0. Richland.
Dean, Wm., Richland.
PIVELBISS, L. W., Richland,
carpenter and builder; born Au-
gust 21, 1843, in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania; lived there till ther
breaking out of the war, when
he enlisted October 19, 1863, in
company D, One Hundred and
Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Infan-
try, and severed until the close of
the war, and was discharged July
8, 1865; was wounded in the bat-
tle of Spottsylvania, Virginia, by
having his chin and part of his
teeth shot away ;. at the close of
the war he came to Mt. Vernon,
Ohio, where he followed his trade
till March, 1877, when he came to
this county; is unmarried.
D,obenspike, Philip, Richland.
Downing, Reason, farmer. Sec. 3 ;
P. O. Richland.
Drummond, W. T., Richland.
EVANS, S. A., Richland, at-
torney at law ; born in Straw-
bery Plains, Jefferson county,
Tennessee, August 29, 1811, and
resided here until 1841; his fath-
er was a blacksmith, and the son
learned the trade of his father,
and followed it as an occupation
until 1857; left Tennessee in
1841 and came to Iowa and set-
tled in Van Buren county, now
Davis county, and was the first
postmaster appointed in the coun-
ty, and was the first school direc-
tor in the county, and carried the
first mail taken into Bloo^mfield,
the county-seat of Davis county;
came to Richland in 1847, and
was soon after elected justice of
the peace, and was re-elected sev-
eral terms; in 1851 he removed
to Lancaster, the county-seat of
Keokuk county, and remained
there until the county-seat was re-
moved to Sigourncy, and then re-
turned to Richland; he formed
some taste for the practice of law
and after preparing himself was
admitted to the bar in Sigourney
in 1857; cast his first vote for
Andrew Jackson for President,
and has always affiliated with that
school in political matters, and
684
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
while he has always been a parti-
san he has steadfastly refused
nominations for political offices,
save justice of the peace; was
married to Miss Sarah Mitchell
in 1836; she died in 1865
leaving four children : S. B. Evans
editor and proprietor of the "Ot,
tumwa Democrat," G. L. Evans
Maggie E., and- Nan. M.; Mr.
Evans has a cozy home, pre
sined over by his daughter, Mag
gie, in which he found more hap
piness and contentment than
falls to the ordinary lot of man-
kind.
FARMER, B. H., farmer, Sec.
18; P. O. Eichland; born
in November, 1848, in Des
Moines county, Iowa, and moved
with his parents to Keokuk coun-
ty, this State, in 1851; had the
advantage of a common school
education, and was taught the
science of farming by his parents,
which he has practiced since;
was married to Miss Mary C.
Mitchell, September 28, 1871;
she is a native of Jefferson coun-
ty, Iowa; by this union they have
three children living: William
C, Isabelle, and Cora; he has 87^
acres of land where he now lives;
he settled on the place February
1878; it is well improved and is
in a high state of cultivation.
Fearis, W. G., Eichland.
Foregrave, J. H., Richland.
Foregrave, John, Richland.
FREE, ISAIAH, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Richland; born May 20, 1819,
in Randolph county, North Caro-
lina, and lived there until 1835,
and moved with his parents to
Hendricks county, Indiana; he
received a common school educa-
tion; in 1841 he came to this
State (then a Territory) and set-
tled where he now lives and im-
proved his farm of 307-| acres;
Mr. F. is one of the pioneers of
the county and has suffered all
the hardships incident to the life
of an early settler; he is an active
and energetic, as well as a thor-
ough, farmer; he married Miss
Lucinda Wilson January 9, 1845;
she was born in Virginia in 1821
and died in 1868; he married for
his second wife Miss Emily J. Hill,
in January, 1864; she was born in
Indiana; their family consists of
seven children: Sarah E , John B.,
Amanda J., Mary A., and Nancy
M. by lirst marriage, and Ema-
line H. and Lilly E. by second
marriage ; has lost four by first
marriage and one by second mar-
riage.
Fritz, John, farmer. Sec. 6; P. 0.
Richland.
Funk, D. B., Richland.
/-> ARRETSON, I. H., Richland.
GRAHAM, A. A,. M.D., physician
and surgeon, Richland; born in
Union county, Indiana August 7,
1828; when young he moved with
his parents to Kentucky, and after
remaining there for a time re-
turned to Indiana, and in 1855
came to Iowa; at an early age he
became quite proficient as a ven-
triloquist and magician, and he
traveled through this State and
others for ten years; he afterward
made choice of medicine as a pro-
fession, and studied with Dr. Sam-
uel Graham as preceptor; after
preparing himself he commenced
the practice of his profession in
1860; he settled where he now
lives in 1864 and has built up an
extensive practice; he owns forty
acres of improved land; during
the rebellion in 1861 he was com-
missioned captain of Brush Bend
Zouaves; he is a member of the
Masonic fraternity; March 11,
1852, he married Miss Laura Dex-
ter, a native of Vermont; she
was born October 2, 1835; they
had by this union three children,
one of whom, Bruce, is now liv-
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
685
ing; lie was born March 1, 1854;
he was again married in May,
1868, to Miss Mattie Tracey, a
native of Ohio, and born in Au-
gust, 1847; they have two child-
ren: Hope and Jessie.
Orafton, P. B., Richland.
Grammar, J. M., Richland.
(JRAHAM, DR. SAMUEL, phy-
sician and surgeon, Sec. 18; P. O.
Richland; born May 6, 1820, in
Preble county, Ohio, and made
choice of the medical profession
as an avocation, and commenced
preparing himself, but before fin-
ishing his course, removed to Lo-
gansport, Indiana, and entered
the office of Dr. J. T. Taylor, of the
City Infirmary, who became his
preceptor; came to Keokuk coun-
ty in 1855, and has built up a suc-
cessful practice; he also has a
taste for agricultural pursuits, and
owns a farm of sixty-five acres;
was married to Miss Phebe A.
Connes, November 6, 1848: she
was a native of Indiana, and was
born in 1832; she died in 1858;
by this marriage they had two
children : Casper N. and Dora S. ;
he married for his second wife
Miss E. S. Pencie, May 3, 1860;
she is a native of Ohio; by this
marriage they have eight children :
living: Clarence P., Arnold A.,
John D , Victor B., Benton A.,
Zepha D., Charley P. and Samuel
J; lost three.
C^raham, Arnold, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P.
0. Richland.
Greenlee, James, Richland.
«}REESON, DAYTON, farmer
and stock- raiser. Sec. 9; P. O.
Richland ; born in Morton county,
Indiana, September 25, 1845; he
came with his parents to this
county in 1848, and has been
raised and educated in Keokuk
•county; settled on his present
farm in 1875; owns five hundred
acres of well improved land which
he devotes largely to stock-rais-
ing; he gives his attention to
thoroughbred and graded stock;
was married March — , 1868, to
Miss Eliza Ann Greenlee, a na-
tive of this county; they have
four children: Etta G., John L.,
Martin L. and William Hayes.
Gregory, Joel, farmer. Sec 7; P. O.
Richland.
GREESON, OSWALD, farmer,
Sec. 17; P. O. Richland; born in
Keokuk county, Iowa, December
29, 1851; owns a finely im-
proved farm of one hundred
and seventy acres, well stocked;
March 6, 18'<3, he married Miss
Annis Crakell; they have one
child: Orvil J.
Greeson, Levy, farmer. Sec. 21; P.
O. Richland.
Gregory, S., farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Richland.
Gregory, Nuraidia, farmer. Sec. 35;
P. O. Richland.
Gregory, Elisha, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Richland.
Grisham, David, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P.
O. Richland.
HADLEY, JOSHUA, farmer,
Sec. 35; P. O. Richland;
born in North Carolina, Novem-
ber 27, 1815; in 1842 he came to
Iowa, while it was yet a Territory,
and settled where he now resides;
owns a finely improved farm of
486 acres; has been twice mar-
ried; first in 1842, to Lydia Hob-
son; they had eight children:
Mary, Zeurah, Julia, M. R., Jes-
sie N., George A., Alfred and
Milton; married again to Sarah
A. Parchall; by this union .they
have one child, living: Addison;
she has one: Julia by former mar-
riage; he is operating a large coal
mine, which is situated on his
land; is a member of the Society
of Friends.
Hadley, Jonathan, Richland.
Hadley, Elmwood, Richland.
Hadley, Joseph us, farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. Richland.
686
DIKEOTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Hadley, Franklin, farmer, Sec. 33;
P. 6. Kichland.
HALFERTY, DAVID, farmer,
Sec. 30; P. O. Kichland; born in
"Westmoreland county, Penn-
sylvania, November 9, 1817;
when young his parents removed
to Kichland county, Ohio, where
he was raised a farmer; came to
Iowa in 1845, while it was a Ter-
ritory, and settled on the land on
on which he now resides; he owns
a farm of 330 acres, well improv-
ed ; he can well be called one of
the pioneer settlers of the county
and with his wife, has endured all
the hardships incident to the early
settlement of the county; an in-
cident of his life, we feel, is here
worth recording; on the day that
Fort Sumpter fell he planted two
evergreens to commemorate the
event, and the growth they have
attained since then seems almost
prophetical of the growth and
greatness of the country ; he mar-
ried Miss Mary Brailliar,inl84:3;
she was a native of Pennsylvania,
and was born in 1824; their fam-
ily consists of seven children:
Jordan A., Eleanor (now Mrs.
Koop), Columbus C, Zephariah,
Leonidas, Van and Dora; they
have lost one.
Halferty, J. N., farmer. Sec. 19; P.
O. Richland.
Hammond, J". H. farmer, Sec. 30;
P. O. Kichland.
Harlan, Stephen, Kichland.
Hardin, Henry, Kichland.
Harris, J. N. L., farmer. Sec. 29, P.
O. Kichland.
Harris, 0. M., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Kichland.
Harmon, George, farmer. Sec. 32;
P. O. Richland.
HAYWORTH, LYDIA, farmer.
Sec. 14; P. O. Kichland; born in
Highland county, Ohio, in July,
1811, and lived there until her mar-
riage to Eli Hayworth, January
31,1828; he was born in High-
land county, Ohio, August 27,.
1806, and moved to Hendricks
county, Indiana, in 1829; thence
to Vermillion county, Illinois, in
1830; they came to Iowa in 1840,
when it was a Territory, and the
following year settled where she
now resides; owns 120 acres of
land, well improved; when they
first settled in this county their
nearest neighbor was the Indians;
they saw all the hardships inci-
dent to a pioneer life in prepar-
ing a home for themselves and
family; they were active members
of the Friends' Society, organized
at an early day at Pleasant Plains,
he died October 11, 1854, leaving
the subject of this sketch and four
children surviving: Sarah, James
D., Annie and Ruth.
Hayworth, Rees, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P.
O. Kichland.
Haycock, G. A., Richland.
HAYCOCK, B. A., miller, Rich-
land ; born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in April, 1821, and
lived thereuntil 1833, when, with
his parents, he removed to Carroll
county, Ohio; here he served- as
apprentice to the milling busi-
ness with Benjamin Haycock; af-
ter serving three years at the bus-
iness he attended Mt. Pleasant
seminary for two years; in 1856
he came to Keokuk county, Iowa,
and engaged in the milling busi-
ness, and has built several mills in
this county, and owns a large flour-
ing mill in Richland, which he is
running to its full capacity; has
held various township offices; Mr.
H. is one of the prominent busi-
ness men of the county; as an in-
dustrious and energetic citizen he
has few equals, always planning
some public or private improve-
ment, and never resting or halting
until he sees it completed; he rep-
resented the county in the State
legislature in 1868, and served
with credit to his constituents and
BICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
687
honor to himself; he started in
life with a laudable ambition to
succeed and has not been disap-
pointed; he married Miss E. A.
Hargrove, November 1, 1843; she
was born in Virginia, September
22, 1821; their family consists of
live children: George A., Anna
M. (now Mrs. Keynolds), Jenette
B. (now Mrs. Hutchinson), Mary
JJ. (now Mrs. Hobson) and Min-
nie W.; they have lost live.
HERRING, NOAH, farmer, Sec.
36; P. 0. llichland; born August
20, 1842, in Hamilton county, In-
diana, where he lived till 1854,
when he came to this county; he
located where he now lives in
1869; he was married November
15, 1868, to Miss Malinda Pringle,
a native of Iowa, and born in
this county ; they have two child-
ren: Ida and Etta, both living;
he owns a nice farm of 137 acres
of well improved land; he is a
thorough farmer.
Hinshaw, Ira, Kichland.
HINSHAW, WILLIAM, farmer,
Sec. 15; P. O. Eichland;
born October 25, 1826; is a
native of Tennessee; in the year
1851 he moved to Keokuk county,
Iowa, and settled on the place
where he now resides; he has 100
'acres of land, which is in a good
state of cultivation; he is a mem-
ber of the Friends' Society; he
has held various offices in his
township; he mai-ried Louisa
Stalker in December, 1850; she
died in 1863; July 27, 1864, he
married Sarah Crakall, who is a
nstive of Indiana; they have six
children living: Alpheus M.,
Oscar, Margaret J., Alta, Elda
and JElvin; lost live: Lucinda,
Albert, Ada, Orvin and Orin.
Hinshaw, E. W., farmer, Sec. 16;
P. O. Richland.
Hobson, Nathan, farmer. Sec. 13;
P. 0. Richland.
HOLLINGSWORTH, JER-
EMIAH, farmer. Sec. 12; P. O.
Richland ; one of the most worthy
citizens that ever made his home
in Richland township; born in
Union county, Indiana, February
25, 1809, and lived there until
1824, when he removed to Ver-
million county, Illinois; he was
raised a farmer, and received the
benefit of the common schools;
he was married April 5, 1831, to
Miss Catherine Arnons; she was
born in Benton county, Kentucky,
February 18, 1806; came to this
county in 1840, and settled on the
farm on which he now resides in
1842; owns 132 acres of land at
the present time, having divided
a large number of acres among
his children; he was one of the
board of commissioners appointed
to organize the county, and also
served as a member of the consti-
tutional committee that met at
Iowa City in 1857, and had the
honor to help frame the laws un-
der which the citizens of Iowa are
governed; they have seven child-
ren: Amos, Emily and Eliza
(twins), America and Amanda
(twins), John W. and Julia; have
lost live.
Hollingsworth, Amos, farmer, Sec.
12; P. O.Richland.
Hollingsworth, J. "W"., farmer. Sec.
12; P. O. Richland.
Horton, Lewis, farmer. Sec. 28;, P.
O. Richland.
IRWIN, BARBARA, farmer, Sec.
29; P. 0. Richland.
Israel, Robert, Richland.
JEFFERIS, W. H., farmer. Sec.
24; P. O. Richland.
Jefferis, E. W., farmer. Sec. 25; P.
O. Richland.
JOHNSON, J. C, farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Richland; among those
prominently identified with the in-
terest of Richland township, no
one is more deserving of a notice
iu these memoirs than the subject
of this sketch; born in Randolph
688
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
county, North Carolii)a, February
3, 1815, and lived there until fif-
teen years of age, and then, with
his parents, removed to Hendricks
county, Indiana; he received the
benefits of the common schools,
and being a diligent student, he
has supplemented his education
by extensive reading and close ob-
servation, and is one of the best
informed men in the township;
he was raised a farmer, and he has
demonstrated that he is thoroughly
practical in all its details; he
came to this county in 1846, in
time to vote on adoption of the
State Constitution ; he settled in
the place where he now resides in
1849, and has made all the im-
provements ; he owns 294 acres in
his home farm, and eighty acres
in Jefferson county, and has given
attention to good graded stock;
he has been honored by the citi-
zens of the county with various
oflSces of trust and honor; he has
held various township offices and
served three terms as a membei: of
the board of supervisors; he serv-
ed the unexpired term of E. S.
Sampson in the State Senate in
1868, when the latter v/as elected
District Judge; he is a member of
Kossuth Lodge, I. O. O. F.; he
married Prudence Sanders, Au-
gust 8, 1839; she was born in
Ohio, February 12, 1816; their
family consists of three children:
Oswald N., Amanda E., Martha
E.. ; they lost one daughter: Sarah
Jane.
Johnson, I^ot. M., Richland.
Johnson, 0. N., Eichland.
Johnson, Enos, farmer, Sec. 22; P.
0. Eichland.
Jones, E. C, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. O.
Eichland.
Jones, Linley H., farmer, Sec. 14;
P. O. Eichland.
Jones, Jesse, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Eichland.
Jones, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
P. Eichland.
Jones, Abram, farmer. Sec. 13; P.
O. Eichland.
Jones, Jonathan, farmer. Sec. 13; P.
O. Eichland.
Jones, David H., farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Eichland.
Jones, Hezekiah, farmer. Sec. 15;
P. O. Eichland.
Jones, Obediah, farmer. Sec. 23; P.
O. Eichland.
Jones, E. C, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0.
Eichland.
Jones, William, farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Eichland.
Jones, David, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0.
Eichland.
ENT, J. H., Eichland.
K'
Kinger, Henry, farmer Sec. 36; P.
O. Eichland.
LEMLEY, JACOB, farmer. Sec.
17; P. O. Eichland; born
July 25, 1827, in Wittemburg,
Germany, and came with his pa-
rents to the United States in 1829
and landed at New York; from
there he went to Kichland county,
Ohio, thence to Washington coun-
ty, this State; not being satisfied
with the location he moved to
Keokuk county, and in 1859 set-
tled on the place where he now
lives; he has 80 acres of land,
which is in a high state of culti-
vrtion; he has held various offices
in the township, and is a member
of the Disciple Church; Mr. Lem-
ley was married December 19,
1849, to Miss Caroline Grreene, a
native of Ohio, who died May 19,
1870; he was again married on
March 30, 1872, to Miss Emma
Wistler, a native of Ohio; they
have nine children living: Mary
U., John W., Christina, Ellen,
Clara, Elnora, Lillie L., Hattie,
Green, Milo, Amanda and Mabel;
lost three.
Logan, A. W., Richland.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
689
Lemly, John W., farmer, Sec. 18;
P. 0. Eichland.
Lewis, William, farmer. Sec. 23; P.
0. Richland.
Long, G. W., farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Eichland.
Lundin, Oliver, Eichland.
MoOLUEE, J. A., farmer, Sec.
23; P. O. Eichland.
McConnell, Henry, farmer. Sec. 3;
P, 0. Eichland.
Maupin, Thos., farmer, Sec. 8; P.
0. Eichland.
May, A. C, Eichland.
Mendenhall, Moses, farmer, Sec. 33 ;
P. 0. Eichland.
MILLS, WILLIAM, farmer, Sec.
20; P. O. Eichland; born in Jef-
ferson county, Tennessee, Decem-
ber 22, 1817; he came to Iowa
while it was still a Territory, and
settled in Davis county in Febru-
ary, 1841, and thence to this coun-
ty, where he owns a homestead of
37^ acres, and business property
in Eichland; he married Miss
Nancy Mitchell June 1, 1839;
she was a native of Tennessee,
and was born March 3, 1818;
their family consists of three
children; John W., James and
Sophia Jane (now Mrs. Morgan).
Mills, J. S., farmer. Sec. 36; P. O.
Eichland.
Mills, Pleasant, farmer. Sec. 11;
P. 0. Eichland.
Mills, Charles, farmer. Sec. 12; P.
0. Eichland.
Mills, Sarah, F., farmer. Sec. 12; P.
0. Eichland.
Mills, E. A., farmer. Sec. 23; P.
0. Eichland.
Mitchell, J. W., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
0. Eichland.
MORGAN, WILLIAM, farmer.
Sec. 16; P. 0. Eichland; born
June 14, 1806, in Jefferson coun-
ty, Tennessee; in 1844 he came
to Iowa Territory and settled
in what was known as Wash-
ington county; he remained there
till 1862, when he moved to Keo-
kuk county and settled in the
place where he now resides; he
has 140 acres of land, in a good
state of cultivation; he is one of
the oldest settlers in the township
and has helped to make it what it
is to-day; he is an active member
of the Friends' society; he has
one child: Sarah E.; lost one:
Zachariah.
Morgan, D. B., farmer. Sec. 21 ; P.
O. Eichland.
Morgan, Eenben, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P.
O. Eichland.
Morgan, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 9; P.O.
Eichland.
Morgan, T. W., farmer. Sec. 10; P.
O. Eichland.
Morgan, W. S., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Eichland.
Morgan, W. H., farmer. Sec, 11; P.
O. Eichland.
Morgan, G. W., farmer. Sec 13; P.
O. Eichland.
EICE, J.M., Eichland.
N'
Neis, Henry, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0.
Eichland.
Nelson, H. H., Eichland.
NICHOLSON, J. F., farmer and
merchant; P. O. Eichland; born
in Tennessee January 18, 1837;
he came to this State and settled
in Washington county, and thence
to this county, where he has since
been engaged in farming and mer-
cantile pursuits; he married Miss
Mary E. Alexander January 24,
1861; their family consits of six
children: William B., Esther J.,
Margaret E., John W., Josephus
0. and Eosa C. ; lost two.
Nordyke, Jessie, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Eichland.
]S"ordyke, Samuel, Richland.
OSWALT, JOHN, farmer. Sec.
9; P. O. Eichland.
PAMPEL, C. F., farmer. Sec. 18;
P. O. Manhattan; born Jan-
uary 2, 1820, in Saxon Altenbarg,
Germany; he was married in
May, 1850, to Miss Gastina Win-
690
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK OOTJNTY.
ter, a native of Germany; they
have a family of nine children ;
Emma K., Minnie A., Frank P.,
Mary A., Margaret E., Anna J.,
Sophia M., Christie, John D.;
they came to the United States in
1853, landing in New Tork; they
came to Iowa and located where
they now live in 1853; he owns a
farm of ninety-seven acres of well
improved land ; he is a weaver by
trade and followed the business
till he came to the United States,
since which time he has turned
his attention to farming; he is a
member of the Lutheran Church.
Payne, A. E., Eichland.
PAYNE, R. H., M. D.. physician
and surgeon, Richland; born Feb-
ruary 22, 1836, in Vermillion
county. 111.; his parents moved to
Iowa in fall of 1836 and located in
Washington county; here he was
raised and educated; in 1854 he
came to this county and located
at loka; here he taught school
and read medicine with Dr.
Myers; he taught the first school
that ever was taught in loka; he
was married November 21, 1857,
to Miss Martha J. Falkner; they
have six children living: AnnaE.,
Jessie D., James F., Carrie M.,
Johnnie E. and G. ;Logan and Rob-
ert H., deceased ; in the winter of
1857 and 1858 he moved to Henry
county and finished his studies
with Dr. D. A. Kittle, of Mar-
shall and entered into practice with
him; in the fall of 1858 he moved
to Doniphan county, Kansas,
where he remained three years,
when he returned to Marshall,
Henry county, Iowa, and grad-
uated at the Keokuk Medical
College in 1862, when he return-
ed and located in Richland, where
he engaged in the practice of his
profession; he also keeps a stock
of drugs, which is presided over
by his oldest daughter, Anna E.;
during the late war he was com-
missioned assistant surgeon Third
Wisconsin Cavalry and promoted
to contracting surgeon at the Unit-
ed States Hospital at Keokuk,
Iowa; his mother who was born
in 1800 is still living and finds a
pleasant home in the family of
. her son.
Portafield, James, Richland.
Pringle, J. S., Richland.
Pringle, Henry, farmer. Sec. 36; P.
O. Richland.
Pringle, Harvey, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Richland.
Pringle, Pleasant, farmer, Sec. 25;
P. O. Richland.
Pringle, Alfred, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P.
O. Richland.
Pringle, Joel J., farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Richland.
RAMSEY, A. J., farmer. Sec.
20; P. O. Richland.
RASH, ROBERT, farmer. Sec. 13;
P. O. Richland; born April,13
1805; is a native of Wilkes coun-
ty, North Carolina; he lived
there till 1833, during which
time he was married to
Miss Setha Bryan, in August,
1824; she is a native of North
Carolina; he remained there till
1835; and from there went to East
Tennessee, where he remained
till 1850; not being satisfied with
this location he came to this coun-
ty in 1853 and settled in the place
he now lives on; has 100 acres of
land, well improved; his family
consists of eight children, living:
Malinda E., Levi M., Lewis E,
John A., William W., Daniel W.,
Nancy J., and Amanda A.; lost
two; Mr. Rash is a member of
the United Brethren Church and
is a good neighbor and well re-
spected citizen.
Reddig, Belinda, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P.
O. Richland.
Reed, David, Richland.
REED, JOHN F., farmer, Sec. 8;
P. O. Richland; born in Miss.,
Sept. 13, 1836; in his childhood he
EIOHLAND TOWNSHIP.
691
came to Washington county, Ohio,
with his parents; there he receiv-
ed the advantages of a common
school education ; remained there
till 1856, when he came to, Eeo-
kuk county, Iowa; was married to
Miss Celia Shockley, June 4, 1860;
sheis a native of this State; by this
union they have six children liv-
ing: George E., Emma A., Frank,
Lemuel, JDora, Albert E.; seven
deceased; he has eighty acres of
land that he now lives on; has
held various offices in his town-
ship and is a well respected citi-
zen.
Eeed, Hugh, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O.
Kichland.
Hose, Abram, Richland.
Rummer, Parley, Richland.
SASSEEN, D. R, farmer, Sec.
14; P. O. Richland.
Sasseen, John, farmer. Sec. 14; P.
0. Richland.
Seaton, R. P., farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Richland.
Sellars, Anderson, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
0. Richland.
Sellars, Phebe, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
Richland.
Sbafer, Dudley, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
Richland.
SHERADEN, SOLOMON, farmer.
Sec. 20; P. O. Richland;
owns a farm of 120 acres
of land; born October 18, 1819, in
Tuscarawas coimty, Ohio; parents
moved to Richland county, In-
diana, in 1820, where they lived
till 1838, when they moved to
Ashland county, Indiana; he came
to this county in 1850, and settled
on the farm where he now lives;
he is one of the old settlers of the
county, having lived here more
than a quarter of a century; he is
a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge
at Richland; has held varioiis
township offices; he was married
in November, 1841, to Miss Sabina
Campbell, a native of Delaware;
she died in June, 1854 ; was mar-
ried again in December, 1855, ta
Miss Henrietta Erwin,a native of
Pennsylvania; their family con-
sists of twelve children: Elvira,
Winfield S., Cornelius, Jane, Ad-
aline R., James, Albert, Maggie,.
Flora, Emma, Anna and Elmer,
living, and four that are deceased.
Singleton, James, farmer. Sec. 15;.
P. O. Richland.
Singleton, John, farmer. Sec. 11;.
P. O. Richland.
Singleton, Joseph, farmer Sec. 10;.
P. O. Richland.
SMITH, HENRY, farmer. Sec. 19;
P. O. Richland; born in this
county April 18, 1846, and has
been raised a farmer; he owns a
farm of 85 acres; he married Miss-
Isabel Ramsey March 17, 1860;
she is a native of Ohio, and was
born February 30, 1845; their
family consists of six children:
Lloyd W., Ira L., Myrtle, Clyde
E., Orville G. and an infant.
Smith, A. A., Richland.
SMITH, WILLIAM., farmer, Sec.
11; P, (J. Kichland; born in Ten-
nessee March 18, 1804, and wafr
raised there; he removed to In-
diana, and came to Iowa in 1864,,
and settled in Keokuk county on
the place where he now resides;
he owns a farm of 105 acres; he-
has held various township offices,
and is an active member of the
Methodist Church; he has beea
twice married, first to Miss Lydia
Mills, a native of Tennessee; born
April 20, 1802; she died Februa-
ry 21, 1871; by this union they
had nine children, three of them,
still living: Nathan, Mary and
Henry; lost six: John, Louisa J.,
Sarah, Emily, Enos and Philo; he
married for his second wife Mrs.
E. J. Atchison, a native of Ken-
tucky, who came to Iowa at an
earlt day.
Smith!; W. H., farmer. Sec. 4; P. O.
Richland.
Snyder, G. W., Richland.
«92
DIEECTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Stalker, G. D., Kichlaud.
Stalker, George, farmer, Sec. 1 5 ; P.
0. Richland.
Stalker, Aaron, farmer. Sec. 16; P.
0. Richland.
Stalker, Allen, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
0. Richland.
Stephens, B. G., Richland.
Steele, Chas,, Richland.
Stephens, G. W., farmer. Sec. 23;
P. O. Richland.
Stephens, John, farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Richland.
Stockman, J. C, Richland.
Stroup, John, Richland.
Stuart, Joshua, farmer. Sec. 29; P.
O. Richland.
Stuart, Gourney, farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. Richland.
SWAYZE, DR. H. A., physician
and surgeon ; Richland ; born No-
vember 12, 1838, in Fairfield
county, Ohio; he lived there until
1851, when he came to Mahaska
■county, Iowa, where he remained
until 1866; during this time he
made a choice of the medical pro-
fession, and after due and liberal
preparation by study, attended the
Rush Medical College, of Chicago,
Illinois, where he took a full
•course of lectures and graduated
with honors in 1861; he then re-
turned to his liorae in Oskaloosa
and began the practice of his pro-
fession, which he continued in that
place until 1866; he then con-
•cluded to change his residence and
practice, which he did by remov-
ing that year to Richland, in this
<!ounty; here he opened, in con-
nection with his practice, a drug
and general merchandise store,
which he still carries on ; he en-
joys a good practice in his profes-
sion and is esteemed by all his
friends and neighbors; he was
married February 13, 1862, to Miss
Sarepta Moore, a native of Indi-
ana; they have one child: Mary.
THOMPSON, THOMAS, pro-
prietor of Thompson House,
T
Richland; born May 2, 1818, in
Washington county, Pennsylva-
nia; he is a tailor by trade; he
traveled as a journeyman tailor
from 1838 till 1843; he came
from Carrol county, Ohio, to Ke-
okuk county, Iowa, in 1854; he
was married November, 1844, to
Miss Caroline Runkenbrod, a na-
tive of Ohio; she died October
12, 1855; he married again, Au-
gust, 1856, to Miss Hannah Van-
Dike, a native of Ohio; he came
to Richland in 1857, and bought
the hotel he now keeps, and has
followed it since; he is a practical
hotel man, and a model landlord,
and one who is highly esteemed
by the traveling public; is a mem-
ber of the M. E. Church and I.
0. O. F.
Thornburg, Clark, farmer. Sec. 21;
P. O. Richland.
Townsend, Charles, Richland.
Tracey, Andrew, Richland.
Tracy, H. W. farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0.
Richland.
Trigg, George, Richland.
Turner, Miles, Richland.
VANDYKE, RICHARD,
farmer. Sec. 10; P. O. Rich-
land; born April 12, 1844; is a
native of Jefferson county, Ten-
nessee; lived there till he was
twelve years of age, then, with
his parents, he came to Adams
county, Illinois; lived there till
1868, when he came to this coun-
ty, and settled on the place
upon which he now resides;' he
was married November 12, 1866,
to Miss Susan Sassern, a native of
Indiana; she was born August 5,
1845 ; by this union they have four
children living; Zena S., Estella,
George L., Lester; he has ninety-
two acres of well improved land;
is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity; was in company A, Fif-
ty-ninth Illinois Infantry; served
from the time of his enlistment
till the war closed; enlisted
EICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
693
at Quincy, and was discharged at
Springfield, Illinois.
WADE, ZEPHANIAH, far-
mer, Sec. 19; P. O. Eich-
land.
WASSON, JOHN, retired farmer,
Richland ; born February 6, 1805,
in Bourbon connty, Kentucky; his
parents moved to Preble county,
Ohio, in 1807; was educated in
the common schools, and came to
Wayne county, Indiana, in 1823;
here he served an apprenticeship
of three years and worked at his
trade" till 1832, when he went to
Warren county, Indiana, remain-
ing there until 1839, at which
time he came to this county; was
married February 1, 1837 to Miss
Susan Pringle, a native of Olark
county, Ohio; they have one child
living: Martha J. (nowMrs. Not-
ham Johnson), and two deceased;
in 1840 he was elected county
commissioner, and in 184-5 he was
elected organizing sheriff of the
county ; he has held various offices
in the township; was justice of
the peace for twelve years; is one
of the oldest settlers in the county ;
he organized the first Lodge of
Sons of Temperance in the county;
was elected a member of the Ninth
General Assembly, of Iowa, from
his district, and is an active mem-
ber of the Christian Church.
Ward, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P.
0. Richland.
WHARTON, LINTON, farmer,
Sec. 29; P. O. Richland; born in
Bucks county, Pennsylvania, Sep-
tember 27, 1805, and moved with
his parents to Ohio in 1818; he
came to this county in 1863 and
owns a farm of forty-six and a
half acres of improved land; has
a large apiary and devotes con-
siderable attention to bee culture;
married Miss Sarah A. Turner,
February 15, 1832; she was born
in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
September 27, 1805; their family
consists of two children: Martha
(now Mrs. S. Yap), and Michael
T.; they have lost two.
Wiggins, Griffin, farmer, Sec. 30;
P.O.Richland..
Williams, C. O., Richland.
Wonderlich, Chas , farmer. Sec. IS;
P. O. Richland.
YULE, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 19;
P. O. Richland; own 210^
acres of land under a high state
of cultivation; born May 15, 1794^
in the county of Aberdeen, Scot-
land; he emigrated to the United
in 1836, and landed in New York
city; from there went immedi-
ately to Ashland county, Ohio,
and remained there till 1854,
when he came to this county and
settled wbere he now lives; he has-
been an active member of the Con-
gregational Church for twenty-
three y,ears ; is a man well inform-
ed in the history of his native
country, also of his adopted conn-
try, and takes great interest in the
institutions ol the same; he is
probably the oldest man now liv-
ing in the township, having long
since passed his three score and
ten years, but still retains, to a re-
markable degree, his natural facul-
ties; he can relate with remaka-
ble accuracy, incidents which oc-
curred more than three-quarters
of a century ago ; has ever made
honesty and integrity his* standard
of life, never forgetting the Golden
Rule: "Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you;"
he was married February 5, 1829^
to Miss Jennette Thompson, a na-
tive of Bauf county, Scotland,
who still lives to cheer and com-
fort him in his declining years;
they have had had seven children :
John, George, William, Margaret,
Ellen, Samuel, Joseph, living, and
one: James, deceased; their son,
John, is now a resident of Califor-
nia, where he has twice been elect-
ed to the legislature of that State,
694
DIEEOTOBT OF EEOKUK OOUITIT.
and was honored by being elected
Speaker of the House; he was
also the Republican candidate for
Congress from his distiuct against
tlie Labor-reform and Democratic
candidate, in 1877, but by the fu-
sion of all interests against him he
was defeated by a small majority.
CXjB-A-I3 aiSEEI^ TOTT^T-asrsniF.
ADRIAN, LAWRENCE, farm-
er, Sec. 15; P. O. Talley-
rand.
Aller, Herbert, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. O.
Keota.
Austerman, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 11 ;
P. O. Talleyrand.
BADER, CHARLES, mer-
chant at Talleyrand ; born in
Strausland, Germany in Prussia;
there he was raised and there it
was that he prepared himself for
the mercantile trade; emigrated
to the United States in 1867, land-
ing at New York; from there he
moved to Burlington, Iowa, and
was engaged in selling goods over
the different portions of the State;
not being satisfied with traveling,
he located at Sigourney, remain-
ing in business there for a short
time, then went to Talleyrand,
where he is at present; has a large
stock of general merchandise, is
«njoying a good trade and is a No.
1 business man; he was married
December 28, 1865, to Miss Caro-
line Krieger, a native of Wolgast,
Germany; she was born July,
1843; by this union they have
three children; Max J., Theresa
M. and Mary F.
Barr, Samuel, blacksmith, Talley-
rand.
Baker, Peter, farmer. Sec. 15; P. O.
Harper.
Baker, Mary, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Baker, Michael, farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Bearen, Matthias, farmer, Sec. 19;
P. O. Harper.
Brier, John, constable, Talleyrand.
Berg, Nicholas, farmer. Sec. 5; P.
O. Harper.
Bench, Peter P., farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Harper.
Bom by, Peter, farmer. Sec. 26; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Bouroren, Matt., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Buck, Constantine, farmer. Sec. 22;
P. O. Talleyrand.
CLINE, PETER, farmer. Sec.
19; P. O. Harper.
Conrad, Laboras, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Conrad, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 11; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Connely, Austin, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Keota.
DOTY DAVID, farmer, See.
13; P. O. Talleyrand.
ENGLE, MARY, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Talleyrand.
Engledinger, Nick, farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Talleyrand.
Engledinger, John, farmer. Sec. 10;
P. O. Talleyrand.
FAGEN JOHN, wagonmaker,
Talleyrand.
Feltz, Anton, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0.
Talleyrand.
Ford, Anderson, huxter and farmer.
Sec. 13; P. O. Talleyrand.
FORD, SAMUEL, merchant and
postmaster at Talleyrand; born
December 20, 1824, in Washing-
ton county, Pennsylvania; he,
with his parents, moved to Guern-
sey county, Ohio; there he was
raised as a farmer; came to Bur-
lington in 1853, and there prepar-
ed himself for the mercantile
trade; came in 1856 to Talleyrand,
this county, where he is now en-
OLEAE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
695:
J aged in business with his son
ames H.; deals in dry goods and
general merchandise, and is also
postmaster of that place; is the
owner of the property on which
he is doing business, and is enjoy-
ing a fine trade; March 14, 1847,
was married to Miss Martha
Moore, a native of the same coun-
ty as 'himself; she was born De-
cember 28, 1827; by this union
they have two children : James U.
and Mary A.; have lost three: 0.
H. and two infants.
¥owl, Lewis, cooper, Talleyrand.
Freris, Peter, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Frederick, John, farmer, Sec. 21: P.
0. Talleyrand.
Fughes, Michael, farmer; Sec. 17; P.
0. Harper.
GARETT, IfATHAN, farmer
and blacksmith, Talleyrand.
Geoves, Benoral, farmer, Sec. 14; P.
0. Talleyrand.
Crlance, C, farmer. Sec. 26; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Goldner, A., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Harper.
Goldner, John B., farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Harper.
Goldner, Ben., farmer. Sec. 7; P. O.
Harper.
Goldner, J. F., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Harper.
Goldner, J. A., farmer. Sec. 7; P. O.
Harper.
Goldner, J. W., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Harper.
Gray, George, farmer. Sec. 16; P.
0, Talleyrand.
GRAY, DR. J. D., physician and
surgeon, Sec. 13; P. O. Talley-
rand; born November 15, 1821, in
Belmont county, Ohio, and is the
third son of Daniel Gray and De-
borah, nee Dudley ; he traces his
mother's ancestry to England, and
has a complete genealogical record
from the original ancestry during
the fourteenth century to the pres-
ent time, and on his father's side
has it complete from 1742; in his
youth he learned the pi-inter's
trade, and followed it as an avo-
cation, and at the same prepared
himself for the practice of medi-
cine; in 1843 he entered the
office of Dr. Affleck, in Summer-
ton, Belmont county, Ohio, and
remained with his preceptor until
1847; in 1850 he came to Iowa,
and in 1857 settled in Keokuk
county; he graduated from the
medical department of the Iowa
University at Keokuk in 1854; in
1862 he was appointed assistant
surgeon in the Third Iowa Caval-
ry, and in September of the same
year was appointed assistant sur-
geon of the Twenty-fifth Iowa
Infantry, and served until Septem-
ber, 1863, and resigned; in con-
nection with his duties as a phy-
sician, he studied law, and in 1866
was admitted to the bar, but has
not abandoned his medical profes-
sion, in which he has built up a
large practice; he married Miss
Juliet Stevens, of Lancaster, Keo-
kuk county, in October, 1855; he
settled where he now lives in 1870,
and owns an improved farm of 80
acres; he has a family of seven
children: Charles A., Elam H.,
Ada, Arthur, Clara, Merrill and
Flora; lost two.
Griner, Peter, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Griner, Mary, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Griner, Fred, farmer. Sec. 26; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Griner, Peter, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Keota.
Griner, George, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Keota.
Gross, Michael, farmer. Sec. 5; P.
O Harper.
HAH]\MATTHIAS,farmer,Sec.
22; P. O. Talleyrand.
DIKEOTOET OF KKOKUK COUNTY.
Hahn, Nicholas, farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Harris, Moses, retired farmer, Sec.
13; P. O. Talleyrand.
Harmon, Landilin, farmer. Sec. 6;
P. 0. Harper.
Harmon, Gasmer, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Harper.
HENDERSON. D. N, farmer. Sec.
25; P. O.Talleyrand; born April
5, 1819, near Millswood, Guern-
sey county, Ohio, and is the son of
Thomas and Jane Jackson Hen-
derson; his father was horn in
Pennsylvania in 1776, near the
place, and on the same day, the
battle of Brandywine was fought,
and emigrated to Ohio in an early
day, and was prominently identi-
fied with the interests of his adopt-
ed State; he served as associate
judge of the court of Guernsey
county and was elected to repre-
sent the county in the State Leg-
islature three terms; afterward
moved to Illinois, and thence to
Keokuk county, Iowa, where he
died in September, 1860 ; the sub-
ject of this sketch was raised a
farmer and came with his parents
to this county in the fall of 1839,
and took a claim where he now
resides ; he has passed the ordeal
and experenced the priva-
tions of pioneer life, and has
held various township offices and
was elected justice of the peace
when the county was organized,
and has held the office almost un-
interruptedly since that time; he
married Miss Lavina Jeffrey in
1845; she died in 1851; after-
ward married Miss Rose A. tog-
gle; they have two adopted chil-
dren : Roscoe and Mary L. ; polit-
ically Mr. Henderson is a Demo-
crat; he favored the prosecution
of the war for the suppression of
the rebellion ; his religious views
are liberal, and he has devoted a
great deal of time in investiga-
ting modern spiritualism, and the
evidence to his mind is without a
doubt, and to use his own lan-
guage he says two years after his
first investigation he developed as
a medium, which ultimated in the
gift of healing; he is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, also a
member of the Odd Fellows; is
a self-made man; commencing
life with but little means, he has
by industry and perseverance
made for himself a competency,
and enjoys the confidence and re-
spect of his fellow-citizens.
Hammes, Nick, farmer, Sec. 8; P.
O. Harper.
Hammes, Peter, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P.
Harper.
Hanlon, Wm., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Heisdoffer, Mike, farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Talleyrand.
Heisdoffer, Peter, farmer. Sec. 30 ;
P. o- Talleyrand.
Herrick, H. A., blacksmith, Tal-
leyrand.
Hilt, Nicholas, farmer, Sec. 8: P.
O, Harper.
Hisel, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Hisel, Eva, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0.
Talleyrand.
Holmes, L. B., retired farmer, Tal-
leyrand.
Hoffman, J. P., saloon, Talley-
rand.
Horning, Anthony, farmer, Sec.
36; P.O.Talleyrand.
Horning, Martin, farmer, Sec. 35;
P. O. Talleyrand.
Horning, Chris., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Horace, Wendall, farmer. Sec. 9; P.
O. Harper.
JAMS, RICHLAND, hotel and
JL saloon, Talleyrand.
JOHNSON, S. E., of the firm of
cJ Johnson & Schreckengast,
dealers in general merchandise,
Ketoa, P. O. Talleyrand; born in
Ashland county, Ohio, March 28,
1835; when about three years of
OLEAE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
697
age he with his parents moved to
DeKalb county, Indiana, where
he continued to live till the tall
of 1855, when he came to Iowa
and located at Talleyrand, re-
maining there but one year, and
then returned to his native State,
where he continued to. reside until
1859, and then removed to De-
Kalb county,Missouri; while there
he was engaged in teaching and
surveying until the inaugural of
Lincoln in 1861, when, owing to
sectional strife, he thought discre-
tion the better part of valor and
again returned to Talleyrand,
where he enlisted in company D,
Thirteenth Iowa, as a private un-
der Captain Price in October,
1861, and continued in that com-
pany for two years, and was then
transferred to the Sixty-sixth
United States Colored Infantry,
and was promoted first lieuten-
ant, and afterward third adjutant
of the regiment, which commis-
sion he held until he was mus-
tered out of the service. May 31,
1866, and returned to his home at
Talleyrand; Mr. Johnson's war
experience lasted from the begin-
ning to the close of the rebellion,
and was filled with hard service,
and gave him a thorough under-
standing of what is meant by the
horrors of war; on his return from
the army he started a general
store at Talleyrand, and the year
following (1877) he traded' his
store and stock to R. J. Hender-
son for the homestead where he
now lives, consisting of 200 acres,
and September 9, 1869, he was
married to Miss Alice, daughter
of Robert McCampbell, and by
this union they have three daugh-
ters and one son: Loie Es telle,
Florence, Dora Alice and Albert
S. ; Mr. J. is a genial gentleman,
quick observer and prompt in bu-
siness, as he is generous in his
43
social relations, and thoroughly
merits the esteem in which he is
held by his fellow-citizens.
JEFFRIES, JOHN, farmer, Sec. -;
P. O. Talleyrand; born in Penn-
sylvania in 1825, and when three
years old his parents emigrated to
Ohio, where he lived till the
spring of 1844, when he came to
Washington county, this State,
and from there to this county, in
the fall of 1845, and located on
his present homestead of eighty
acres; he was married first to
Miss R. H. Kinkade, of Ohio, in
1848, who died in 1851; he was
married a second time in this
county, in 1852, to ISTancy A.
Henderson, who died in 1872 and
left two children : R. A. and I. V. ;
he was married to his present
wife in 1874; her maiden name
was Maggie Shaw; he has held
the office of county supervisor for
two terms and was elected to the
third term, but resigned; he was
raised on a farm and has always
followed farming as an occupa-
tion.
KAUFFMAN, JOHN A., far-
mer, Sec. 8 ; P. O. Harper.
Klett, Godfrey, farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. Harper.
Klett, August, farmer. Sec. 6; P. 0.
Harper.
Kleckner, Balyar, farmer. Sec. 24;
P. O. Talleyrand.
Keifier, Michael, farmer, Sec. 16;
P. O. Talleyrand.
Keibarger, Vince, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P.
O. Harper.
Kerchner, George, farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. Talleyrand.
Kreger, Wm., farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0.
Keota.
LEINENCAMP, JOHN, far-
mer, Sec. 6; P. 0. Harper.
Leike, Margaret, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Harper.
Leinen, Matthias, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P.
O. Harper.
698
DIEEOTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Limebacli, K., farm'fer, Sec. 25; P.O.
Talleyrand.
Lutz, F. A., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Harper.
McCAMPBELL, ANDY,
farmer, Sec. 25;- P. O.
Talleyrand.
Marquis, Eichard, farmer. Sec. 29;
P. O. Talleyrand.
Marquis, David, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P.
0. Talleyrand.
Marsh, Peter, farmer. Sec. 17; P.
O. Harper.
Mertz, Peter, farmer. Sec. 31; P. O.
O. Richland.
Mertz, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Miller. George, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Miner, Gratus, farmer. Sec. 26; P.
0. Talleyrand.
Moraine, Matt, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P.
O. Talleyrand.
NEILL, SAMUEL, farmer.
Sec. 24; P. O. Talleyrand.
Npwman, Chas., farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Keota.
Newman, Wm., farmer. Sec. 2; P.
O. Keota.
Nutz, Peter, blacksmith, Talley-
rand.
OLIVER, J. 0., farmer, Sec. 2;
P. O. Keota.
dinger, Peter, farmer. Sec. 11; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Olinger, P. W., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Oswiler, Michael, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Harper.
TFEIi
Sec. 28.; P. 0. Talleyrand.
Pemmey, Albert, farmer. Sec. 3; P.
O. Keota.
Phiffer, Nicholas, farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Talleyrand. '
Phiffer, Paul, farmer. Sec. 9; P. O.
Harper.
Pitzer, Mary A., farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Porter, J. M., farmer, Sec. 23; P. O.
Talleyrand.
irper.
TDEIFFEE, MICHAEL, farmer.
Ralston, W. S., farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Talleyrand.
RA3ISEY, CONRAD, farmer.
Sec. 25; P. O. Talleyrand;
born in Washington county, this
State, in 1847, and was raised there
and came to this county in 1876; he
was raised qn a farm, and has al-
ways followed farming as an occu-
pation ; October 22, 1878, he was
married to Miss Mary Ada Sing-
master; they have no family.
Rand, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0.
Keota.
Rock, George, merchant, Talleyrand.
Rudolph, Peter, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Harper.
Rung, Michael, farmer. Sec. 22; P.
O. Talleyrand.
SANDERS. MARTIN, farmer.
Sec. 25; P. O.Talleyrand.
Schram, Peter, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Seiren & Bisser, Talleyrand.
Sheatz, Adam, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Shockley, John, farmer. Sec. 27; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Shuman, John, farmer. See. 26; P.
O. Talleyrand.
SINGMASTER, SAMUEL, farm-
er and importer of thoroughbred
Clydesdale and Norman horses.
Sec. 36; P. O. Talleyrand; among
the pioneers of this county is the
subject of this sketch, whose por-
trait appears on another page;
his nativity is Leliigh county,
Pennsylvania, where he was born
September 11, 1807, and here he
was raised and made his home till
in the year 1836, when he came to
this State on a prospecting tour,
and visited this county and pur-
chased land to the amount of 320
acres, the same now comprising
a part of his pi-esent homestead;
he remained but a short time and
returned to his native home in
Pennsylvania, and two years later,
in 1839, he came back and perma-
CLEAE CBEBE TOWNSHIP.
699
nertly located on the land which
he had formerly purchased, and
engaged in farming as an occu-
pation, which he has followed
since; his means at that time were
limited, and he shared all the
hardships that are incident to pio-
neer life, at times meeting with"
the success that attends untiring
energy and perseverance, and, on
the other hand, suflFering the dis-
appointments that seem unavoid-
able in preparing a home in a new
■country; a few years after he set-
tled in this county his house was
taken away by a hurricane, and in
1860 his barn and all of his ma-
chinery was totally destroyed by
fire; yet all this did not discourage
him, but prompted him to a more
■decided eifort to replace these
losses by honest labor and econ-
omy, and to-day he not only en-
joys a reasonable competency but
has been fortunate in securing a
large share of this world's goods;
he DOW owns over 2,000 acres of
land, most of which are well im-
proved; of late years he has made
a specialty of importing Clydes-
dale and Norman horses, and he
manages this class of stock very
successfully; as a citizen he is
highly respected, and as a neigh-
bor, those who have known him
longest speak of him as deserving
their confidence; he was married
in 18 — to Mary Seischolts, of
Berks county, Pennsylvania; they
have by this union a family of
three sons and two daughters:
Charles, Thomas, James, Sarah
(wife of David Kiser), and Mary
Ada (wife of Conrad Kamsey).
Smith, Frank, farmer. Sec. 15; P.
0. Talleyrand.
Siiodgrass, Mrs. James, Talleyrand.
Snider, John, farmer. Sec. 10; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Spanier, John, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
0. Talleyrand.
STARR, GEORGE, farmer, Sec.
20; P. O. Talleyrand; born in
Germany in 1820, and came to the
United States in 1844, and first
settled in Ohio, where he lived up
to the time he came to this county
in the spring of 1867; he owns a
farm of 651 acres; was married
in Germany in 1844 to Miss Mar-
garet Nicol; they have a family
of ten children: Michael, John,
George, Margaret, Frederick,
Mary, Martin, Christian, Annie
M. and Lizzie; they have two de-
ceased ; he has held various town-
ship ofiices and is at present jus-
tice of the peace.
Stein, John, farmer Sec. 17; P. O.
Harper.
Steine, Henry, farmer. Sec. 20; P.
O. Harper.
Steine, Henry, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
Talleyrand.
Strickland, L., wagon-maker. Sec.
13; P.O.Talleyrand.
Sundag, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Harper.
TINNIS, NICHOLAS, farmer.
Sec. 22; P. O. Talleyrand.
VASTINE, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
33; P. O. Talleyrand.
Yogle, George, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Yogle, John, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Talleyrand.
WALEKICH, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 21; P. O. Talleyrand.
"Walerich, Mike, fanner, Sec. 30; P.
O. Talleyrand.
"Wehr, Nicholas, farmer. Sec. 27; P.
O. Talleyrand.
"Wehr, Matthias, farmer. Sec. 19; P.
O. Harper.
"Weibly, Louisa, farmer. Sec. 25; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Wheeler, Maria, farmer. Sec. 23; P.
O. Talleyrand.
Wise, Samuel, farmer. Sec. 1; P. O.
Keota.
Wolfe, Michael, farmer. Sec. 12; P.
O. Talleyrand.
YEOMAN, JAMES, farmer,
Sec. 14; P. O. Talleyrand.
TOO
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Xj-A.:>TO-A.S1'Eie To-^T^T'isrsmE'.
A PPLEGATE, BEN., farmer,
Jr\. Sec. 2; P.O. Hayesville.
Ash, Wm., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
Lancaster.
Atwood, Miles, farmer. Sec. 2; P. O.
BAKER,' NICHOLAS, black-
smith, Lancaster.
Barr, Herman, farmer. Sec. 28; P.
0. Lancaster.
Barlow, James, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. O.
Hayesville.
Basey, Wm., farmer. Sec. 36; P. O.
BEALL, THEODORE, farmer,
See. 19; P. O. Lancaster; born
October 17, 1840, in Holmes
county, Ohio; at the age of sev-
enteen years he came to Iowa and
located in Poweshiek county,
where he remained until August
1, 1861; he then enlisted as pri-
vate in company F, Tenth Iowa
Infantry; was promoted to cor-
poral and served until March,
1863, when he was discharged to
enable him to enlist in the Missis-
sippi Marine Brigade, which he
did March 1, 1863, and served on
the Mississippi river until his dis-
charge on the 20th of January,
1865 ; he then returned to Brook-
lyn, Iowa, and remained there un-
til December of the same year; he
then came to this county and lo-
cated where he now lives; owns
123 acres of land; October 17,
1866, he was married to Miss Sa-
rah E. Utterback, a native of In-
diana; they have five children:
Ada E., Yirgil S., Corwin M.,
Lillian E. and Mildred May.
BEALL, HORATIO L., farmer,
Sec. 24; P. O. Lancaster; born in
Holmes county, Ohio, September
22, 1842; at the age of nineteen
years he came to Iowa and located
in Poweshiek county, where he re-
remained until August 2, 1862,
when he enlisted in company H,.
Twentieth Iowa Infantry and
served to the close of the war; was
discharged at Davenport, Iowa,
August 14, 1865; he was at the
battles of Sabine Cross Koads,
Cane Eiver, Middle Bayou, Man-
sura Bayou, Yellow Bayou, Fish-
er's Hill, Cedar Creek and others ;^
after his discharge he came to thia
county and located where he now
lives, owning 106 acres of land;
November 6, 1873, he married
Miss Olive A. Goss, a native of
this county, having been born in
Clear Creek township; have one
child : C. L. ; lost one : Mary E.
Beasley, T. J., farmer. Sec. 2; P. O.
Hayesville.
Beekman, Michael, farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Sigourney.
Blatner, John, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P.
O. Manhattan.
Bott, Job, farmer, Lancaster.
Bott, J. H., farmer, Lancaster.
BOWMAN, WM., farmer and stock
raiser. Sec. 29; P. O. Lancaster;
among the many citizens who
have given tone and character to
Keokuk county, none are deserv-
ing of a more prominent place
than the subject of this sketch;
born in Greene county, Pennsylva-
nia, October 13, 1826, and when
three years of age was taken by
his parents to Ashland county,
Ohio, where he lived until he
came to Iowa, in 1845, and settled
in Henry county, near Mount
Pleasant; in 1847 he returned to
Ohio and went to Cincinnati and
learned the tin, copper and sheet-
iron-smith's trade, and from this
place went to Virginia; he return-
ed to Iowa in 1850 and engaged
in the tin and hardware business
in New London; he continued in
this business until 1856, and then
changed his place of residence to
LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
701
Richland township, Keoknk coun-
ty; in 1858 he moved to Lancas-
ter and engaged in mercantile pur-
suits, and remained in business
until 1860, when he returned to
his farm in Richland township; he
settled where he now resides in
1866, and own 761 acres of land;
he married Miss Phebe Clark May
14, 1850; she was a native of Vir-
ginia; their family consists of
three children: Wiley C, Elmer
D. and Jesse B.; he is a man of
independent thought, but of a
kind and obliging nature, a man
of the people and one true to the
highest principles of honor and
morality and strict interity; as a
citizen, quiet and unostentatious,
cordially supporting any measure
of real public benelit; socially, he
is a gentleman whom to know is
only to wish for a more extended
acquaintance.
"Boyce, C. J., and wife, Lancaster.
BRATER, GEORGE, farmer.
Sec. 34; P. O. Manhattan; born
in Germany September 11,1835;
in 1838 he, with his parents, im-
migrated to the United States,
landing at New York ; located in
Jamesburg, Pennsylvania, and
after remaining there for one year
moved to Westmoreland county;
there he was raised and educated
in the common school of that
place; he came to Iowa in 1856,
and located in German township,
this county; he lived there until
1865, when he moved upon his
present farm ; he owns 480 acres
of as fine farm land as can be
found in the township, which he
has made by hard, honest toil and
^ood management; October 30,
1868, he was married to Miss
Xatie Sheatz, a native of Germany;
they have live children : J. Henry,
■Caroline, Katie, Martha and Min-
nie (twins); have lost one daugh-
ter: Louisa; Mrs. Brater died May
26, 1877; she was supposed to
have been killed by a man named
Hazeltine, who was tried and ac-
quitted.
Bradley, W. P., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Manhattan.
BROLLIAR, C, farmer, Sec. 3;
P. O. Manhattan; born in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, March 31,
1819; when eight years of age his
parents moved to Knox county,
Ohio, where he remained until
1843; he then moved to Iroquois
county, Illinois, where he resided
until 1845, then coming to this
county; he located in Richland
township, and after remaining
there for one winter moved to
Jackson township; he moved upon
his present homestead of 600
acres in 1855, and has since re-
sided there; he has been, county
supervisor for three years, and for
four years was postmaster at Man-
hattan; he is a mill-wright by
trade, but has done* little at' it for
the past 16 years; December 19,
1844, he was married to Miss
Mary Jane Courtright, a native of
Ohio; she died September 9, 1879,
leaving ten children: Isaac C,
Elijah, G. W. M., Mary, Samuel,
Albert L., Ross, Jacob, Charles
and Emma A.; Willie is deceased;
Mr. B. is an old settler of the
county, and is a thorough farmer;
he has never missed a crop since
he has been in the State.
Brolliar, Elijah, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Manhattan.
Brown, J. C, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. O.
Hayesville.
BRUNT, W. H., farmer. Sec. 36;
P. O. Lancaster; born in North
Carolina March 22, 1810; when
19 years of age he, with his pa-
rents, moved to Rush county, In-
diana, where he remained until
1835, then removing to Madison
county, Indiana; he remained
there until the spring of 1848,
when he came to Iowa, and in May
of the same year located -on hia
702
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKPK COtTNTT.
present homestead of 140 acres;
Mr. Brunt received his education
in the common schools of North
Carolina, and while iu Indiana en-
gaged in teaching, which he fol-
lowed for several years; in 1839
he was ordained as an elder in the
Christian chnrch in Madison coun-
ty , Indiana, and has pursued his
chosen calling with untiring zeal
and energy ; he has been connected
with the Lancaster chnrch since
September, 1848, and has always
manifested, a deep interest in its
temporal and spiritual welfare;
February 21, 1832, he married
Miss Nancy Williams, a native of
Maryland; she died October 25,
1874, leaving a family of five
children, four of whom are now
living: Sarah A., John M., Sam-
uel "W . and Elizabeth ; one : James
M., is deceased; he is one of the
old settlers, and prominent among
those who have endured the hard-
ships and trials of pioneer life;
he has given homes to each of his
children, having earned his iirst
money by teaching; he was elected
school-fund commissioner of the
county in 1852, and held that office
until it was abolished in Septem-
ber, 1858; in 1859 he was elected
county treasurer, and served for
two years with credit to himself
and the satisfaction of the county.
Brunt, Lu, farmer. Sec. 80; P. O.
Hayesville.
Bryant, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Hayesville.
Bucher, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 26;' P.
O. Hayesville.
Burr, Celia, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O.
Sigourney.
CAESON, J. E., farmer. Sec. 32;
P. O. Lancaster.
Carson, G. M., Lancaster.
CHASTAIN, MRS. ELIZA-
BETH., farmer,_ Sec. 27; P. O.
Hayesville; born in Tennessee Ap-
pril 21, 1815; when two years of
age her parents moved Lafayette
county, Missouri; there she wa»
raised and educated; never in her
life did she go to school where-
there was a window in the build-
ing; March 9, 1831, she married
Mr. Benjamin Chastain, a native
of Virginia; in 1833 they moved
to Morgan county, Illinois, where
they resided for two years, then go-
ing to Macoupin county, Illinois,
where they lived for about four
years; in 1838 they came to Iowa
and located in Jefferson county;,
lived there until 1845 and then
came to this county, and moved
on the farm where she now re-
sides in 1847; owns 180 acres ot
land; they entered their land
from the government; June 7,.
1853, her husband was killed
while handling a span of colts;
left four children: Joel H. (now.
in Washington Territory), and
Martha J. (now Mrs. Aaron Bu-
her), living, and Christopher C,
John B. and Samara A. (who
married Mr. Wm. Hubbird), de-
Clark, H. S., farmer, Sec. 31; P. O.
Sigourney.
CLINGAN, G. S., farmer. Sec. 36;
P. O. Manhattan ; born in Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, February
22, 1818; when fifteen years of
age he, with his parents, moved
to Trumbull county, Ohio; in 1844
lie came to Iowa, locating in Lee
county, near Keokuk, and in 1846
moved to Mahaska countj', where
he remained until August, 1843;.
he then came to this county and
settled where he now lives; owns-
101 acres of land; he is a carpen-
ter by trade, and was educated in
the common schools; March 19,
1845, he married Margaret Ar-
cher, a native of Stark county,
Ohio; they have six children:
Gnstavus A., Alvin M., Sarah J.,
Mary, Henrietta M. and Joseph;,
have lost four: George A., Olive,
Eosella and Eose Anna (twins);,
■'^SM
LAUCASTBB TOWNSHIP.
70S
he is a member of the Christian
Church and in 1855 was ordained
as an elder of the church, and has
preached more or less ever since;
he is one of the old settlers of the
county; is a man of generous im-
pulses, and ever ready to assist
those in need.
Clingan, A. M., farmer. Sec. 36; P.
. 0. Manhattan.
Oockran, A. J., Lancaster.
Cole, H. H., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Lancaster.
Conner, "Wm., farmer. Sec. 36; P. O.
Lancaster.
Conner, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
0. Sigournej.
Conner, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
0. Sigourney.
CRAIG, JAMES, retired farmer,
Lancaster; born in Green coun-
ty, Kentucky, October 10, 1811,
and lived there until sixteen years
of age, and then removed to John-
son county, Indiana, and lived
there until he came to this county
in 1847; he has held various
township offices; he married Miss
Juliet Jacobs in 1834; she was
born in Shelby county, Kentucky;
they have no children of their
own, but have raised three.
Cramley, Henry, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
0. Manhattan.
Cnlp, George, farmer, Sec. 14; P.
0. Sigourney.
DAYIS, A. A., farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. Manhattan.
Dawson, Thornton, farmer, Sec. 31;
P. 0. Hayesville.
Dermont, Peter, farmer. Sec. 26; P.
0. Lancaster.
Dermont, J^icholas, farmer, Sec. 26;
P. 0. Lancaster.
DOGGETT, CATHARINE, farm-
er. Sec. 21; P. 0. Lancaster; born
in Kentucky, December 5, 1805;
there she was raised and educated
in the common schools; in 1830
she moved to Indiana, and in 1844
came to Iowa and located where
she now lives, having lived on the
same farm since; she owns 115
acres of land; August 8, 1828,
she was married to Presley Dog-
gett, a native of Kentucky; he
died June 14, 1872, leaving a fam-
ily of twelve children: Andrew
J., Shelby, Justin, Amanda, Sarah
C, Burnetta, Melissa and Addison
(twins), living, and Mary, Leon-
ard, William and Emily, deceas-
ed; she is one of the pioneer set-
tlers of the county, and when
they came to it there were but
very few settlers here.
Dogett, Addison, farmer. Sec. 21;
P. O. Lancaster.
DOGETT, A. J., farmer. Sec. 27;
P. O. Lancaster; born in Ken-
tucky, January 29, 1829; in 1838
he moved with his parents to In-
diana, remaining there until 1843;
he then came to Iowa, and located
in Henry county; resided there
for about one year, and then mov-
ed to this county, locating on the
place where he now resides; he
has resided on one farm as long
as any man in the township, and
owns 404 acres of land; October21,
1852, he was united in marriage
with Miss Mary Gilliland, a na-
tive of Indiana; they have nine
children: America, Eugene, The-
odocia, Catharine, Louisa, May,
Virginia, Susan and Bertie; have
lost three: Theodore, Albert and
Arnold.
Duree, Samuel W., farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. Hayesville.
ELDRIDGE, MADISON P., farm-
er. Sec. 30; P. O. Lancaster; born
on the 20th day of August, 1817,
in the State of New York; at the
age of nineteen he started West,
and lived in various places until
1849, when he settled in Stephen-
son county, Illinois, and lived
there until 1865, when he remov-
ed to this county, and settled
where he now lives; he has 330
acres of land, and has accumula-
ted what he now enjoys by Indus-
704
DIEBOTOET OF KEOKTJK COUNTY.
try, energy and honesty, and is an
example of what may be done by
any young man if he only has
the disposition; he was married
November 14, 1849, to Miss So-
phia Galord, a native of New
York; they have five children
living: Lucretia, Lucy, Daniel,
Minnie and Mary E.; they have
lost two: Barber and Jessie.
JEldridge, Koss, Lancaster.
Eldridge, M. P., farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. Lancaster.
Eldridge, Stephen, farmer, Sec. 31;
P. O. Lancaster.
ESTEP, ISAAC, farmer. Sec. -; P.
O. Hayesville; born in Missouri,
March 9, 1855 ; there he was rais-
ed and lived until the spring of
1875, when he came to this coun-
ty, where he has since resided;
owns 120 acres of land; October
14, 1879, he was married to Mrs.
Elizabeth Jones, a native of In-
diana; she has five children by
former marriage; Millie M.,
John H., Olive J., Margaret M.
and Estella May; lost three: Geo.
Wm., Mary F. and Thomas A.
FERAND, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
20; P. O. Lancaster.
■Flanigan, Ed., Lancaster.
Fallman, Henry, farmer. Sec. 4; P.
O. Lancaster.
Fallman, Fred, merchant, Lancaster.
Fry, H. A., farmer, Sec. 36; P. O.
Lancaster.
FULLER, FREDERICK, farmer
Sec. 7; P. O. Sigournej'; born in
Ohio, November 29, 1833; there
he was raised and educated in the
common schools ; he came to
Iowa in 1860, locating in Cedar
county; in 1861 removed to Iowa
county, where he lived until the
spring of 1869, when he came to
this county, locating wherehenow
lives; owns a farm of ninety-four
acres; has been twice married;
February 8, 1853, he married
Miss Charity E. Halstead, a na-
tive of Ohio; they had four chil-
dren: Freeman A., George E.,
Ernest A. and Oren B. ; February
19, 1872, he was divorced from
her; married again to Miss Hen-
rietta Poor, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, May 28, 1872.
GASTON, S. H., merchant,
Hayesville; born in Steady
Eun township, this county, De-
cember 18, 1852; educated in the
common schools and "Wesleyan
University, of Mount Pleasant;
after a mercantile experience of
two years in Martinsburgh, he
came to Lancaster, and located
where he now lives ; he owns for-
ty-one acres of land ; deals in gen-
eral merchandise; is also post-
master of Hayesville, which posi-
tion he has held since the spring
of 1875; March 11, 1874, he was
married to Miss Delia Hayes, a
native of this township; they have
two children: Fred and Hattie.
Gaylard, F. H., farmer,. Sec. 28; P.
O. Hayesville.
Gilliland, S. A., farmer. Sec. 28; P.
O. Lancaster.
Gillett, I. C, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
Hayesville.
Gilliland, W. S., farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0.
Hayesville.
Gladfelter, Sam., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Lancaster.
Griffin, J. S., farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0.
Lancaster.
HAHN, AMNA, farmer. Sec.
27; P. O. Lancaster.
Halstead, Amos, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. Lancaster.
Hankey, Henry, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P"
O. Sigourney.
HARRIS, S. C, farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. Manhattan; born in Tennessee
March 9, 1809; was raised there
and there he lived until 1832, when
he moved to Macoupin county,
Illinois, remaining there until
1845 ; he then came to Towa and
located in this county, and after
remaiuing here until 1857 he re-
moved to Missouri; after the
LANOASTEK TOWNSHIP.
705
breaking out of the war he re-
turned to this county in 1862, and
in 1868 moved upon his present
■ homestead of forty acres; January
Si, 1852, he was married to Miss
Mary Rydon, a native of Pennsyl-
vania; they have by this union
five children: Franklin P., Melis-
sa, Jennie, Thomas P., and Flor-
ence; Mr. H. is one of the old set-
■ tiers of the county; has been clerk
of the board of commissioners,
deputy sheriflF, county treasurer
(by appointment), drainage com-
missioner, was appointed by the
county judge to select and survey
the swamp lands; has held the
office of assessor in the county and
township for three terms.
HARDESTY, SAMUEL, farmer.
Sec. 21 ; P. O. Hayesville; born
in Coshocton, Ohio, in 1813, and
remained there until 10 years of
age, and from there went to
Fountain county, Indiana, and
lived there about five years, and
then removed to Delaware coun-
ty, the same State, and lived there
. until he came to this county in
184:0; he owns a farm of 239^
acres; he is a pioneer in all that
the term means, and has experi-
enced all the hardships incident to
pioneer life; he at one time had
. his rifle drawn on the Indian chief
Wapello, and ten days after this
incident he died, and Mr. Hardes-
ty was employed to take his re-
mains to Agency City for burial;
he married Miss Sophia Markers,
April 7, 1842; she was born in
Coshocton county, Ohio; they
have nine children : Harvey, Tiio-
mas, Charles, George, James,
Mary E., Eebecca, Clariet, and
Joseph D.
HARMAN, JOHN, farmer. Sec.
6; P. O. Hayesville; born in Fay-
ette county, Virginia; he came
with his parents to Iowa in 1842,
and settled upon the same section
on which they now reside; he
owns 353 acres of land; his father,
M. M. Harman, was one of the
oldest settlers of this township,
and built the first house in Lan-
caster; February 24, 1860, he mar-
ried Miss Sarah J. Harman, a na-
tive of Indiana; she died February
20, 1866, leaving two children:
Ida and Arthur; married again to
Miss Lenora Hankins, of Virginia;
they have two children: Ella L.
and George L. ; Mrs. H. has three
children by a former marriage:
James, Rosa B., and John J.
Hayes, J. W., farmer. Sec. 33; P. O.
Hayesville.
Herman, B. D., farmer. Sec. 14; P.
0. Sigourney.
Herman, Michael, farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Lancaster.
HUBBIRD, W. H., farmer. Sec.
34; P. O. Hayesville; borfi in In-
diana August 7, 1831; attended
the common schools, and when 17
years of age he determined to
come West, which he did, stop-
ping in Iowa and locating where
he now lives in 1848, and has lived
here ever since; owns a fine farm
of 250 acres ; has been town clerk
for three terms, justice of the
peace (which office he now holds),
four times elected and once ap-
pointed, and school director; he
has taught school several times
since he has resided here; Decem-
ber 29, 1855, he married Samaria
A. Chastain, a native of Missouri;
she died January 31, 1861, leaving
a family of three children: B. F.,
Mary E., and Samaria A.; he mar-
ried again to Mrs. Martha J. Her-
rell May 7, 1865, a native of In-
diana; have two children : Willie
H. and Lottie; Mrs. H. has two
children by a former marriage:
Albert E. and Laura Z. ; he has
the most extensive fruit farm in
the county, to which he is devot-
ing considerable attention; he has
500 trees of small fruit.
706
DIEBOTOET OF KBOKUK COUNTY.
Hobert, Matthias, farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. Manhattan.
XACOBS, NOAH, farmer, Sec.
0 31 ; p. O. Lancaster.
JACOBS, B. B., fanner, Sec. 34; P.
O. Hayesville; born in Ohio Au-
gust 18, 1828 ; when seven years of
age his parents moved to Johnson
county, Indiana; came to this
county in 1848, and moved on the
farm which he now occupies in
1857; ovt-ns 586 acres of land; has
made all his estate except one
eighty himself, with the assistance
of his own family; he is one of the
old settlers of this township, hav-
ing resided in it since his marriage
to Miss Margaret McGahey, of
Indiana, June 5,1850; they have
nine children: Josephine (now
Mrs. Thomas Griffin), Martha J.,
Mary A. (now Mrs. Samuel Ja-
cobs), Harriet, Nancy B., Alvin,
Francis, George and Joseph ; have
lost two: William and Austin.
Jacobs, Abe, farmer, P. O.Lancaster.
Jacobs, Austin, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O, Lancaster.
Jacobs, W. A., farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Hayesville.
Jacobs, Bennett, farmer. Sec. 2; P.
O. Hayesville.
Jacobs, Lydia, farmer. Sec. 35; P.
O. Hayesville.
Jacobs, P. H., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Hayesville.
Jennings, T. J., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Hayesville.
Johnson, C. A., Lancaster.
Jones, James, farmer. Sec. 6; P. 0.
Hayesville.
Jones, George, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Hayesville.
KEIFER, J. S., farmer, Sec.
28; P. O. Lancaster.
Keister, Elijah, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Hayesville.
Kelley, W. R, farmer. Sec. 18; P.
O. Sigonrney.
Kensel, Theodore, farmer. Sec. 3;
P. O. Manhattan.
Kester, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 30; P.
O. Lancaster.
Kester, Elijah, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Hayesville.
Koch, Matthias, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Manhattan.
LEE, JOHN, farmer. Sec. 30;
P O Hayesville; born inMary-
land, Januai'y 31, 1884; there h&
was raised, and lived until 1854,.
when he moved to Iowa and located
near "Webster; came on the place
where he now resides in the
springof 1872; has followed farm-
ing all of his life; owns 110 acres
of land; has held .the office of
school director; August 14, 1862,
he enlisted in company B., Thirty-
third Iowa Infantry and served
till the close of the war, being
discharged July 17, 1865; partici-
pated in all the battles in which
the regiment was engaged, among
which were Camden, Saline, Little-
Rock, Union City, Tennesee, Mo-
bile and many others; was mar-
ried September 30, 1856 to Miss
Sarah E Kodgers, a native of
Pennsylvania; have five children :
Willie, Addie, Johnnie, Daisy
and Gray; lost two: Eoy and an
infant.
Lepard, Calvin, farmer. Sec. 22; P.
0. Sigourney.
Limbach, Casper, farmer. Sec. 35;
P. 0. Manhattan.
Long, J. P., farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0.
Sigourney.
Lowe, L. W., Lancaster.
McCORMIC, J. H., farmer.
Sec. 35; P. O. Sigourney;
born in Summit county, Ohio,
February 22, 1838; there he was
raised and educated, attending
the common schools of that State;
in the fall of 1859 he came to
this county and located in Lancas-
ter; after remaining there for two
years he went to Sigourney; there
he resided until 1867, when he
moved upon the farm which he
LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
lor
now owns, and which consists of
220 acres of good land; is a black-
smitli by trade, iiaving ' worked
at that business for twenty-six
years; he has, at present, a shop
on his farm, but does little at it
excepting his own work; he deals
quite extensively in horses, and
has shipped a great many to Den-
ver, Colorado; April 17, 1860, he
married Miss Hildah Stone, of
Indiana; have three children:
Fred. Alva, Cora V. and Lotta A.
McGrew, William, farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. Hayesville.
McGrew, Mary M., farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Lancaster.
McMillan, M. P.. and wife, farmers.
Sec. 2; P. O. Lancaster.
Malcomb, Arthur,, farmer, Sec. 27;
P. O. Lancaster.
Mallinger, John, farmer, Sec. 36;
P. O. Manhattan.
Maple, Aaron, farmer. Sec. 29; P.
0. Haveville.
MARTIN, ED. M., farmer, Sec, 29;
P. 0. Lancaster; born in Ohio,
September 24, 1830, and at the
age of twelve years he came with
his parents to Yan Buren county,
Iowa, where they remained until
the spring of 1854, when they re-
moved to this county, and in 1856
located on his present farm which
consists of 89 acres, which he has
made by hard, honest toil, and on
August 13, 1856, he was married
to Miss Eliza A. Goss, a native
of Ohio; have six children:
Lizzie E., Elmer L., Bertha M.,
Guy H., Kate, A. and Joseph W.;
lost one daughter: Mary.
MARTIN, J., farmer,_Sec. 20; R
0. Lancaster: born in Virginia,
April 10, 1803, and emigrated to
Iowa in 1839, and settled in Van
Buren county, and came to this
county in 1855, and owns 204
acres of land; married Miss
Eebecca Knox, in 1824; she was
born in Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, and died in 1858;
he afterward married Miss Mary
Bemberger, in 1858; she was a
native of Pennsylvania; hav&
three children: Ann Eliza, Job B.,
and Edward M., and has lost
three daughters: Louisa, Mary
J., (who was the wife of P. L.
Eckerly), and Catharine, (who was-
the wife of Orr); one daugh-
ter married Samuel Bart; he'
enlisted in the Sixth Iowa Infan-
try, and was killed at the battle of
Resaca; left one child: Emma*
L. Twife of Kline Kleister).
MILLER, GEORGE, DR., physi-
cian and surgeon, Lancaster; born
in France in 1812, and came to the
United States in 1830, and set-
tled in Pennsylvania; he made'
choice of medicine as a profes-
sion, and after pursuing his medi-
cal studies commenced the prac-
tice of his profession in 1836, and
after a residence of two years in
Wheeling, Virginia, he removed
to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1854,
and after a residence here of four
years he moved to Missouri in
1858, and in 1860 came to Lan-
caster, and has been practicing
his profession since that time; h&
married Miss Martha JaneGourley
in 1837; she was born in Hunting-
don county, Pennsylvania; their
family consists of five children r
William, Leander, George,.
Cynette and Margaret J.
Melcom, Silas, farmer. Sec. 30; P_
O. Hayesville.
Melcom, John N"., farmer. Sec. 30;.
P. O. Hayesville.
MOORE, B. C. merchant, Lancas-
ter; born in North Carolina ini
1816, and was there raised on a
farm; he moved to Morgan county,
Indiana, in 1S38, and came to this-
county in 1854, and has since re-
sided here; he has held various
township offices, and is at present
justice of the peace; he also holds-
"the office of postmaster at this-
place; he married Miss Elizabeth
708
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
Sims in 1845; she was born in
North Carolina; they have four
children: George, Oliver, Mary
and Kobert W.
Morrow, J. S. farmer. Sec. 36; P.
O. Lancaster.
'EY, JOHlSr P., Lancaster.
N'
PARKHILL, SAMUEL,farmer,
Sec. 32; P.O. Lancaster; born
in Ireland May 31, 1838; there
he was principally raised and edu-
cated in the common schools;
when 16 years of age he emigrated
to the United States, landing at
New York; he immediately went
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and i-emained
there for five years, engaging in
the bakery business, which he
learned at that place; in 1859 he
moved to Johnson county, Indiana,
and there engaged in farming; he
remained there until the fall of
1862, when he enlisted, August
15, in company K, One Hun-
-dreth Indiana Yolunteer Infantry ;
he served until the close of the
war; he participated in all the
battles in which the regiment was
■engaged, receiving a slight wound
in the left arm at Kenesaw
Mountain; he was discharged
■June 4, 1865, and returned to
Indiana, where he remained but a
short time; came to Iowa in No-
vember of the same year and lo-
cated at Fairfield; he lived there
for four years, engaging in the
grocery business for two years,
and farming for two years; he
•came to thie county in 1869, and
located where he now lives; he
owns 140 acres of land; No-
vember 15, 1865, he married Miss
Louisa Young, a native of Indiana;
they have four children : Willard,
Sarah A., Charles and Joseph;
lost one: Laura E.
Tarkhill, Alex., Lancaster.
Pennington, Isaac, farmer. Sec. 26 ;
P. O. Sigourney.
Pike, C. H., farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0.
Lancaster.
PORTER, JAMES C, farmer,
Sec. 27; P. O. Hayesville; born
April 18, 1861, upon the farm
which he now owns and lives on;
he has two sisters, Mary E., born
September 28, 1850, and Sylvia
A., born September 2, 1854; they
all lived together; their father,
James M. Porter, a native of
Pennsylvania, came to this county
and located on the same farm in
1857; he married Miss Eliza J.
Ross March 19, 1847; after a long
sickness she died, leaving one son
and two daughters, August 22,
1870; January 22, 1874, the father
died, leaving the three children
alone ; they remained together
until February 17, 1878, when
Miss Mary E. was married to J.
K. Long, of this township; since
that time the remaining two have
resided together and run the farm,
in which undertaking they have
been eminently successful.
POWER, ABNER B., farmer,
Sec. 7; P. O. Manhattan; born in
Washington county, Pennsyl-
vania, November 6, 1843; when
eight years of age he, with his
parents, came to this county, where
he has since resided; in 1868 he
moved on the place where he now
resides; he owns 242 acres of land;
August 13, 1862, he enlisted m
company C, Nineteenth Iowa
Volunteer Infantry, and served
until the close of the war; he was
in all the battles in which the reg-
iment was engaged; he was slight-
ly wounded at.the battle of Prairie
Grove; Septemker 29, 1863, he
was taken prisoner at the battle of
Organza, Louisiana, and was sent
to Tyler, Texas; he remained there
most of the time, but was sent to
Shreevesport and Alexandria, Lou-
isiana; he was exchanged July 2,
1864; he was discharged July 31,
LANOASTEE TOWNSHIP.
709'
1865, at Davenport, Iowa, and re-
turned to his home and resumed
farming; May 27, 1869, he mar-
ried Miss Sarah A. Morgan, a na-
tive of Indiana; they liave four
children: Ada E., William W.,
Daniel B. and Ella B; lost one:
Mary A.
RAGAN, W. A. H., farmer, Sec.
20 ; P. O. Lancaster; born in Penn-
sylvania, March 16, 1813; there
he was raised and educated
in the common schools of that
State; in 1851 he came to
Iowa and located in Wash-
ington county; after remaining
there for three years he came to
Lancaster and settled on Sec. 31,
where Mr. Eldridge now lives;
he remained there about ten
years and came upon his present
farm in 1869; owns two hundred
acres of land, the most of which
he has made himself by
hard, honest toil; has held the
office of constable; February
9, 1843, he married Miss
Catharine Grim, a native of
Pennsylvania; have nine chil-
dren: Collin B., John J., Geo.
W., Mary J., Theodore, Pliilip,
Louisa, William Edmond, and Jo-
seph Grant; lost one: Sarah F.
Ragan, John J., farmer. Sec. 20;
P. O. Lancaster.
Eandall, Wm., farmer, Sec. 13; P.
0. Lancaster.
.Reynolds, A. W. farmer. Sec. 26 ; P.
0. Manhattan.
Reynolds, B. C, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Manhattan.
RICHARDSON, ANSON, farmer.
Sec. 34; P. O. Hayesville; born in
Ohio, December 2, 1814; when
seven years of age his parents
moved to Indiana; he was educat-
ed in the common schools of that
State, and there he lived until
1836, when he removed to McDon-
ough county, Illinois; in 1844 he
came to this county, and with his
family, located on Sec. 24, Steady
Run township, entering the land
from the government; in 1861 he-
came to this township and located
where he now resides; owns sixty
acres of land; is one of the old
settlers of the county; is a cooper-
by trade but at present is not fol-
lowing it as an occupation; he-
has owned a good deal of land
but has disposed of it to his chil-
dren, reserving only a small por-
tion for himself; married Febru-
ary 19, 1835, to Miss Lydia A.
Weller; she was born December
2, 1818, in Kentucky; have had
fifteen children, six of whom are-
no w living: Johnathan T. (physi-
cian of Harper), Joel (now county
clerk), Isaac BL, George, John E.,.
Katie L. (now Mrs. Daniel
Hayes); Mr. R. is a man who has
always been held in high regard
by his neighbors, and ever dis-
pensing his hospitalities with an
open hand.
Richardson, George, farmer, Sec 34;;
F. O. Hayesville.
Richardson, I., H., farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. Hayesville.
Robinson, J. S., farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Hayesville.
Schmidt, Alex., farmer. Sec. 1; P.
0. Manhattan.
SHERLOCK, DR. P., physician
and surgeon, Lancaster; born
Mar. 10, 1845, in Ohio; when three
years of age he, with his parents,,
moved to this county; here he was
raised and received his education
from the common schools, supple-
mented by one year's course in
Howes' Academy, of Mt. Pleas-
ant; he studied medicine with the
late Dr. Huff, of Sigourney in
1875-6; attended medical lectures
at the Iowa State University of
Iowa City; he began the practice
of his profession in that place in
November, 1876, and has follow-
ed it since; has built up a good
practice in his profession ; he is a
self-made man and has gained the
710
DIKEOTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
good name and position he now
occupies in the hearts of the peo-
ple by his own hard, honest en-
deavors; is very successful as a
physician and as years roll on we
predict for him a mark on the list
-of eminent men of his profession;
married Miss America Doggott, a
native of this township March 7,
1871; they have two children:
Maggie and Arthur; lost one, Va-
rina.
SHIRKEY, J.R., farmer, Sec. 35;
P. O. Manhattan; born in Vir-
ginia, May 29, 1825; when seven
years of age, he, with his parents,
moved to Seneca county, Ohio,
where he was raised; he lived
there until 1858, when he came to
Iowa and located where he now
lives; he owns sixty-five acres of
land; February 10, 1854, he mar-
ried Miss Martha C. Elliott, a na-
tive of Pennsylvania; she died
■July 24, 1869, leaving a family of
two children: Oren E., living and
Eufus, deceased ; he married again
December 7, 1869, to Mrs. Mary
A. Morgan, a native of Indiana;
by this union they have four chil-
dren: Elzora, George O., Martha
M., and John M. ; Mrs. S. has one
child by former marriage: Lillie
Belle.
SHIRKEY, 0. E., farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Manhattan; born in Ohio,
November 4, 1852; in 1856 he,
with his parents, came to Iowa and
located in this township; owns a
good farm of ninety- three acres;
received his education in the com-
mon schools; August 2±, 1875, he
married Miss Sarah Parkhill, a
native of Ireland; they have two
children: Jonathan R. and Navy
D.
STARR, J. G., farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. O.
Manhattan; born in Columbus,
Ohio, October 30, 1849; he was
there raised and educated in the
common schools; in 1867 he came
to this county, locating in Clear
Creek township; he moved upon
his present farm in October, 1875;
he owns 130 acres of land; he has
been town trustee, an office which
he now holds; May 9, 1876, he
married Miss Mary Biewen, a na-
tive of Germany; they have three
children: Lillie, Annie and 011a;
he has made most of his property
himself.
SMITH, ALFRED H., farmer and
stock-raiser, Sec. 19; P. O. Lan-
caster; born in Hendricks county,
Indiana, July 6, 1828, and lived
there until eleven years of age,
and then came, with his parents,
to this county, August 11, 1839,
and settled in Richland township;
he was raised a farmer and also
learned the trade of carpenter and
followed it as an occupation for
some years; he is now, in connec-
tion with farming, giving consid-
erable attention to the raising of
good graded horses, hogs and
chickens; he married Miss Mary
E. Woodward, of Richland, Iowa,
September 6, 1849; she was born
and raised in Hendricks county,
Indiana; they have two children
living: Walter D., born July 1,
1853, and Arthur D., born Janu-
ary 30, 1855 ; they lost one daugh-
ter: Linda Frances, October 4,
1850; Arthur D. was married
November 4, 1879, to Miss Mary
Eastburn, of Chicago, Illinois.
STRONG, MRS. MARIA, farmer,
Sec. 20 ; P. O. Lancaster ; born in
Greene county, Ohio, December
28, 1818; in 1830, she, with her
parents, moved to Indiana; there
she was raised; in 1841 she, with
her husband, moved to Sullivan
county, Missouri, and came to
Iowa, locating in Wapello in 1849;
remained there until 1854, and
then came to this county and lo-
cated where she now resides ; owns
200 acres of land; February 14,
1833, she married Mr. E*. W.
Strong, who was born November
LANCASTEB TOWNSHIP.
711
19, 1809, in New York; he died
January 26, 1875, leaving a family
of eleven children, six of whom
are living: William J., Lewis C,
Samantha, Cordelia, Franklin P.
and Celestia H.; Silas, Luvicia,
Alfred R. and John are deceased.
Swearingen, Jas. M., farmer. Sec. 3;
P. O. Manhattan.
.•Swearingen, S. H., farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. Manhattan.
Swearingen, J. T., farmer, Sec. 34;
P. O. Manhattan.
Swearingen, W. A., farmer. Sec. 24;
P. O. Manhattan.
SULLIVAN,CATHARINE,farm-
er. Sec. 1; P. O. Lancaster; born
in county Cork, Ireland, Decem-
ber 25, 1824; she lived thereuntil
1840, when, though only a young
girl, she bid adieu to her native
land and her parents, and leaving
all behind, came to the United
States with her uncle, Mr. Dennis
Kelly, landing at Boston; there
she lived for about six years, when,
on the 20th of Ifovember, 1849,
she was married to Mr. Dennis
Sullivan, a native of Ireland; they
came to Illinois in 1859, and after
remaining ten years, came to this
county, locating where she now
lives; Mr. Sullivan died March
19, 1873, leaving her with seven
children, six of whom are now
living: Kate, Josephine, Ellen,
Honora, Cornelius J., William D. ;
lost one: Mary D.
TEUSCHER, DAVID, farmer.
Sec. 26; P. O. Manhattan.
Thill, Peter and John, farmers. Sec.
25; P. O. Manhattan.
UTTERBACK, JOSIAH, far-
mer, stock-raiser, stock-dealer
and stock-feeder. Sec. 25; P. O.
Sigourney; born in Indiana in
1834 and lived there until he came
•to this county in 1850, his father
being one of the early settlers of
the county; he owns 475 acres of
choice land, and his improvements
are among the best in the county;
he deals to a considerable exttent
in stock; he has been prominently
identified with the growth and
prosperity of his township and
has held various township offices;
he married Miss Frances E. Dyer
in 1854; she was born in Indiana;
they have eight children; Gil-
bert F., Adna M., Edward, Edith,
Addie, Emma, Josie and Rosa.
Utterback, David, farmer, Sec. 34;
P. 0. Hayesville.
Utterback, J. J., farmer. Sec. 13; P.
O. Sigourney.
Utterback, Corban, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. O. Sigourney.
Utterback, Labon, farmer, Sec. 31;
P. O. Hayesville.
VITTETOE, J. S., farmer, Sec.
25; P.O.Lancaster; born in In-
diana September 16, 1842; when
four years of age he, with his pa-
rents, came to Iowa, locating in
this township; in the spring of
1876 he moved on the place where
he now resides and which consists
of 80 acres of land; he has made
most of his land himself by his
own efforts; he received his edu-
cation from the common schools;
March 3, 1867, he married Miss
Malinda Utterback, a native of
Indiana; they have nine children;
Charles C, Leonard L., Nellie M.,
Parmelia J., Sarah F., Rosa K.,
John R., Joseph E. and Malinda
M.
T A /"ACHTER, JOHN, farmer,
VV Sec. 35; P. O. Manhat-
tan.
Wagoner, F. M., farmer. Sec. 21 ; P.
O. Sigourney.
WALKER, ELI., miller. Sec.—;
P. 0. Sigourney; born in Darke
county, Ohio, in 1830, where he
was raised; he came to this State
in 1852, settling in Jones county,
and removed to this county in
1867; he is associated with H.
Rosecrants & Walker, and are
proprietors of Friends' Mill; he
married Miss Louisa Luther in
712
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKtTK COUNTY.
1859; she was born in Lake
county, Illinois; they have a fam-
ily of five children: William,
John, Jesse, Elmer and Earl.
"Walker, W. H., farmer. Sec. 27; P.
O. Lancaster.
Waller, F. P., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Hayesville.
Wence, Chas., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Manhattan.
Wertz, F. M., farmer. Sec. 20; P. O.
Lancaster.
Williams, David, farmer. Sec. 32;
P. 0. Lancaster.
Williams, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Hayesville.
Wood, Seldon, farmer, Sec. 18: P.
O. Lancaster.
YOUNG, BENJAMIN G., farm-
er, Sec. 30; P. 0. Hayesville;
born March 28, 1840, in Yirginia;
lived there until 1854, when he
came to Iowa and located about
four miles east of Lancaster; he
moved on to his present place in
1869; owns 34 acres of land.
upon which he has and also runs a.
saw-mill, and does a good business-
in that line; since 1869 Mr. Y.
has been to Colorado with his-
family, but after remaining there
for about two and one-half years
came again to Iowa, upon the-
same place; he has traveled
through most of the States and
Territories; August 7, 1862, he-
enlisted in Co. 0, Eighty-seventh
Indiana Infantry, and served until
January 9, 1863, when he was dis-
charged on account of disability;.
November 18, 1864, he again en-
listed, this time as a substitute in
Co. E, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry,,
and served until the close of the
war; was discharged July 21,
1865; married Miss Sarah A.
Surber, a native of Indiana; have-
seven children: Dora Z., John
Wm., Mary E., Franklin E.,
Thomas E., Andrew D.; lost two:
James and Laura A.
-^77--A.i3isE3Dsr TO-^TvT-nsrsmr'.
BEALL, THOMAS, farmer,
Sec. 25; P. O. Springfield.
Bethard, James, laborer, Delta.
Bishop, Geo., laborer. Delta.
Bitner, John, Jr., farmer. Sec. 15;
P. 0. Delta.
Bitner, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Delta.
Black, John, farmer. Sec. 22; P. O.
Delta.
Boies, Samuel G., Delta.
Bowen, George, farmer. Sec. 25; P.
O. Springfield.
Brainard, Alfred, farmer. Sec. 10;
P. O. Delta.
Brainard, Horace, farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Delta.
Brainard, Silas, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P.
O. Delta.
BROWN, J. v., druggist. Delta;
born in St. Joe county, Michigan;
when he was seven years of age he,
with his parents, moved to Venan-
go county, Pennsylvania; after
living there for seven years he
moved to Iowa county, Iowa, in
1855; lived there for five years,
and in 1861 enlisted in Co. L,
First Iowa Cavalry; he partici-
pated in nine battles, among which
were Prairie Grove, Arkansas,
and the battle of Little Rock; he
was in Gen. Steele's campaign,
and was at one time under fire
thirty-eight days out of forty-three;
he was never wounded; at the
close of the war he returned to
Iowa and after paying a visit to
his parents went to Mt. Vernon,
Ohio, supplementing his educa-
tion with one term's schooling at
that point; he then went to Cold
Water, Michigan, and in the fol-
lowing October returned to Ohio;
WAEBEN TOWNSHIP.
713
he married Miss E. Newland, a na-
tive of Ohio; they have four child-
ren: Warren, Emmet, Jessie and
Delpha; Mr. Brown has been
closely identified with all the in-
terests of the connty, and is at
present sneceeding well in his
business.
Burgess, James, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P.
0. Slagle.
BURKE, RICHARD, principal of
Delta Schools, Delta; born at
Marion, Linn county, Iowa, Sep-
tember 20, 1854; his parents, J6hn
and Mary Burke, migrated from
Ireland in 1848; he moved to Keo-
kuk county in 1857, and lived on
a farm until the summer of 1875,
going to school or teaching in the
winter; he taught his first term in
the winter of '73-4; entered the
Iowa Agricultural College in the
spring of 1875, and graduated B.
S. November 16, 1878; he spent,
the following winter teaching near
Ottawa, Illinois, and is engaged
at present as educator. Principal
of Delta schools; he has taught
ten terms, and has been out of
the school room only five months
in the last five years.
Burrows, Asa, farmer. Sec. 19; P.
0. Rose Hill.
CAMPBELL, M. D., dealer in
hardware and groceries,
Delta; born in Belmont county,
Ohio, January 4, 1846; it was
there that he grew to manhood, a
farmer; he moved to Jefi'erson
county, Iowa, when he was 23
years old; he was married to Miss
Mary Kendall August 19, 1869;
she was born in Miami county,
Ohio; they have four children:
John W., S. W. and Lorezo R.,
living, and Bertha, deceased; he
established himself in business at
Delta in 1875, and here he has
since resided ; this firm is doing
a good business; Mr. Campbell is
a thorough business man, and is |
44
kind and courteous to his patrons;
we predict for him a bright future.
Caywood, John H., laborer. Delta.
Coble, Simpson, farmer. Sec. 21; P.
0. Slagle.
Corpman, Dan W., Delta.
Cover & Brown, merchants. Delta.
CRAIG, JOSEPH, farmer. Sec.
25; P. 0. Delta; born December
1, 1815, in Green county, Ken-
tucky; he, with his parents, moved
to Morgan connty, Indiana, when
14 years of age, and there grew
to manhood, a farmer; on the 13th
of May, 1838, he was united in
marriage to Miss Sarah Wol-
lard, a native of Kentucky; she
was born January 6, 1822, and
died October 18, 1874, leaving
thirteen children, seven of whom
are living: Mary E., born April
19, 1839, Wm. H., born March 25,
1844, John T., born April 8, 1849,
Samuel G., born October 25, 1851,
Robert H., born April 10, 1854,
Sarah, born April 30, 1864, and
Marcellus, born April 19, 1868;
Samantha, died November 13,
1840, Amandria, died May 14,
1872, James W., died May 10,
1870, Parthenia, died January 14,
1862, Joseph J., died January 17,
1862, and Hiram, died October
24, 1866; Mr. C. has a farm ot
300 acres, well improved, and
abundance in store to make him
comfortable in his old age; he
came on his present farm in 1855;
seven times death has visited Mr.
C, yet Time is dealing gently
with him.
Cravens, Samuel, farmer. Delta.
DAVENPORT, GEORGE,
farmer. Sec. 20; P. O. Slagle.
Dawson, James, Sr., farmer. Sec.
25; P. O. Springfield.
Dawson, Levi, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Springfield.
DeMARCE, MOSES, farmer. Sec.
14; P. O. Delta; born Canada
"West, September 5,1841; became
714
DIKECTOKY OF KEOKTJK COTJNTT.
to the United States in 1855, and
located in Washington county,
Iowa, where he enlisted in Oo. A,
Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry, in
September, 1862; he served three
years, and was in the following
engagements: Chickasaw Moun-
tain, Vicksburg, Arkansas Post,
through the Atlantic campaign,
and Sherman's "March to the
Sea;" he was wonnded at the bat-
tle of Bentonsville, North Caro-
lina, by a gun shot in the right
knee, which caused his leg to be
amputated above the knee; he
draws a pension of $24 per month
from the government; he married
Miss Mary F. Lockridge, a native
of Greene connty, Pennsylvania;
they have three children: Wm.
M., born November 22. 1871, Eli
S., born July 4, 1874, and Han-
nah E., born July 22, 1876, all
living; he owns 100 acres of land
that is well improved, and upon
which he has a saw-mill, where he
does a good business; he also has
a molasses factory, at which he
does an extensive business in its
season.
Dickey, Thomas M., farmer, Sec.
26; P.O. Springfield.
Dickerson, James, farmer, Sec. 12;
P. O. Delta.
DUNN, J. A., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Delta; born in Johnson coun-
ty, Indiana, February 1, 1835;
there he was raised and educated,
and there he lived until 1854,
and then came to Iowa, locating
where he now 1 ives; he has a
splendid farm of 410 acres, upon
which he has a palatial residence
and barn ; he owns, in connection
with his brother, G. W. Dunn, 40
acres of coal land, which they are
operating at the present time,
running two shafts, in which they
work fifty men, and can take out
'3,000 bushels of coal; he made
the first discovery of coal in that
vicinity about one and one-half
miles southeast of Delta; July 16,
1856, he was married to Miss J.
Clubb, a native of Indiana; they
have a family of five children:
Wm. A., Laura A., Frank, and
James R, all living.
Dunn, Allen J., farmer. Sec. 13 ; P.
O. Delta.
DUNN, G. W., farmer, Sees. 11 and
12, P. O. Delta; born October 15,
1828, in Johnson county, Indiana;
was raised a farmer; he married
Miss Mary A. Newkirk, in
18 — , a native of Kentucky; by
this union they have seven chil-
dren living: Martha (now Mrs.
Hull), John L., Wm. C, Charlie
E., Addie M. and Elias C. ; two
deceased: Harvey and an infant;
he has a farm of 280 acres under
excellent cultivation, upon which
he has a fine house and barn; also
owns a half interest in the exten-
sive coal fields, south of Delta;
these yield 8,000 bushels of coal
per day, he and his brother have,
at present, fifty hands under their
employ; the coal of these mines
is said to be the best in this part
of Iowa; Mr. Dunn came to this
township and county in 1861, and
has put all the improvement on
his farm since that time; he is a
stock-feeder and dealer, and is
quite successful as such; he has
always taken an active part in all
public improvements, in both the
township and county.
ELLIS, JOHN M., farmer,
Sec. 10; P. O. Delta; born
in Ohio, February 2, 1838, and is
the son of John and Hannah Ellis,
natives of New York; in 1838
his parents removed to this coun-
ty, and settled in Warren town-
ship; he was raised a farmer, and
owns a good farm of 160 aci;es;
October 26, 1861, he enlisted in
company D, Thirteenth Iowa In-
fantry, and served his country
three years and six months, and
was in forty battles and skirmish-
Waeben township.
715
fes, among which are Shiloh,
Siege of Corinth, Yicksbnrg,
liika and Kenesaw Mountain; he
married Miss Nancy J. Casey, a
native of Ohio, but who has re-
sided in Warren township since
1859; they have four children:
James W., Lillie A., Emma L,
and Henry W.; one son: Charles,
died Jnly 31, 1878; his father
and mother are still living, and
find a pleasant home in the fami-
ly of tlieir son.
FIELDS, J. A., laborer. Del-
ta.
Fritzler, Ellis, farmer. Sec. 3; P. O.
Delta.
Fritzler, Adam, farmer. Sec. 9; P. O.
Delta.
GAKRETT, LAUEEL, farmer.
Sec. 5; P. O. Springfield.
Garrett, John W., farmer. Delta.
Gillespie, James, farmer, Sec 6; P.
O. Delta.
Grovier, Josephus, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
0. Delta.
Grovier, Joseph B., farmer. Sec. 16;
P.O. Delta.
HAMILTON, W, C, farmer,
Sec. 17; P. O. Rose Hill;
born in Ohio in 1814; there he
was raised, and from the time he
was a boy was employed as a
clerk in a store; lived there until
1886, when he went to Texas, and
there enlisted in the Sixteenth
Regiment Volunteer Infantry,
and served until the close of the
war; he there won the title of
major; at the close of the Mexi-
can war he moved to Missouri,
where he remained on a farm un-
til 1862, when he moved to the
place where he now resides; owns
220 acres of good land, which
has all been improved by himself;
December 25, 1842, he was mar-
ried to Miss Rachel Summers, a
native of Missouri; they have
four children: J. J., James, Wil-
son B. and Carrie S.
HAMILTON, JAMES, farmer.
Sec. 20; P. O. Rose Hill; born in
Missouri, in the year 1848; he
was there raised on a farm, and
received a good common school
education: he remained in Mis-
souri until 1864, when he then
moved on the place where he now
resides; owns 564 acres of good
land, well improved and cultiva-
ted; in 1869 he was married to
Miss Matilda Test, of this State;
they have four children: Rachel
L., Levica E., Mary E. and Wil-
son.
Hamilton, W. C, Sr., farmer. Sec.
17; P.O. Slagle.
Hamilton, J., farmer. Sec. 29; P. O.
Slagle.
Hamilton, James, farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Slagle.
Hamilton, J. D., farmer. Delta.
HARDY, G. H., farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Delta; born August 4, 1855,
in Madison county, Indiana; when
a child his parents, moved to this
county; it is here that he has
grown to manhood; is the owner
of 160 acres of good land, under
excellant cultivation; he was
married to Miss Matilda McNabb,
August 18, 1873, a native of In-
diana; they have two children:
Thos. R., born May 4, 1875, Geo.
R., born February 14, 1878; Mr,
Hardy is just started in life, with
the best of prospects for the fu-
ture.
Hasty, James, farmer. Sec. 4; P. O,
Delta.
HAWK, ANTHONY, farmer, Sec.
3; P. O. Delta; born in Ohio,
November 30, 1830; there he was
raised and lived until 1844, when
he came to this county and located
in Warren township ; here he has
a nice farm of eighty acres in good
cultivation, upon which he has a
fine house and other buildings;
he enlisted in company E, Thirty-
third Iowa Volunteer Infantry in
1862; he served for three years
and was wounded at Jenkins' Fer-
T16
OtRECroSY of KEOKUK COtfNTT.
Tj by a gun-shot wound in the left
knee; he was taken prisoner at
that place and for ten mouths was
obliged to endure the hardships
and starvations which are incident
to southern prison pens; April
22, 1868, he was married to Mar-
tha Scott; she is a native of Indi-
ana; they have one child: Flor-
ence Belle, born February 17,
1870, and John, a step-son.
Hawkins, Abel, farmer. Sec. 15; P.
O. Delta.
Hawk, Morgan, farmer. Sec. 3; P.
O. Delta.
Hawk, John, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Delta.
Herrick, N. E., laborer. Delta.
HEWITT, EBENEZER C, far-
mer, Sec. 5; P. 0. Delta; born
September 3, 1840, in Erie county,
Pennsylvania; when quite young,
he, with his parents, came to this
county and located in Warren
township; here he was raised a
farmer and now owns the farm
on which his father first settled;
this farm consists of 180 acres of
well improved land; in 1862 he
responded to his country's call for
more soldiers and enlisted in com-
pany I, Fortieth Iowa Yolunteer
Infantry; he served three years in
the sixteenth army corps. General
Steele's division ; he was in several
minor battles, but in no regular
engagements; he was a faithful
soldier, only being absent from
duty two months, during which
time he was in the hospital at
Memphis; he has held the office
of school director for several
terms, and is at present serving
his fourth term as township clerk;
he married Miss Martha A. Lip-
pard, a native of Washington
county, Iowa; have three children :
E. Delmer, Estella A., and Nellie
C. ; at the death of his father he was
appointed administrator and set-
tled the estate.
Hewitt, E., farmer. Sec. 5; P. 0.
Delta.
HICKLTN, T. J., farmer. Sec. 3; P.
O. Delta; born in Bath connty,
Kentucky, January 19,1813, where
he lived until eighteen years of
age, when he, with his parents,
moved to Morgan county, Indiana;
he was raised a farmer; in 1840
he moved to this township, where
he has since resided; he was mar-
ried to Miss Sarah Custer, a na-
tive of Kentucky; they have nine
children: Charles, James, David,
Allen, Louisa (now Mrs. Clark),
Mary A. (now Mrs.Covey), L. (now
Mrs. Rivers), and Sarah E; one
son, Henry, deceased: Mrs. Hick-
lin died; he married for his se-
cond wife, Mrs. Knox, August 20,
1854, a native of North Carolina;
by this union they have three
children: Samuel and George, P.,
living, and Andrew J., deceased;
Mr. Hicklin owns 160 acres of
well improved land.
Hicklin, Samuel, farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. Delta.
Hicklin, Thomas, Jr., farmer Sec. 6;
P. O. Delta.
Hilderbrand, James, farmer, See, 1 ;
P. 0. Delta.
HOGIN, S. R., druggist, Delta;
born in Sigourney, Iowa, Februa-
ry 27, 1854; he is the son of Hon.
Jno. C. Hogin, one of the first
merchants and most successful
business men of Keokuk county;
during his youth he attended the
public schools of Sigourney, spend-
ing his spare hours in his father's
store; it may then be said of Mr.
Hogin that he was raised behind
the counter; in 1876 he started
for Poughkeepsie, N. Y., for the
purpose of obtaining a more
thorough business education; this
proved to be a fortunate move, for
Mr. H., being naturally adapted
to commercial pursuits, made
rapid progress in his studies, and
WA&aEN tOWNSHIP.
717
the very excellent course prescrib-
ed by the curriculum of this insti-
tution was completed by him in the
short space of six months; upon
his return to Sigourney he en-
tered liis brother's store and re-
mained there until the spring of
1878, when Mr. Hogin, Sr., retired
from business; he then entered
the office of Donnell & Brooks, to
prosecute the study of law, to
which he had previously given
considerable attention; in the fol-
lowing fall he applied for admis-
sion to the bar; after a most rigor-
ous and searching examination by
the committee appointed for the
purpose, his application was fa-
vorably reported on, and he was
admitted by the presiding judge,
0. H. Blauohard; although Mr.
H. has never entered fully upon
the practice of law he expects at
no far distant time to make the
legal profession his permanent
business; in the summer of 1878
Mr. Hogin bought the drug store
of Dr. 0. C. Wilson, in the then
young and flourishing town of
Delta, which he has conducted
with signal success up to the pres-
ent time owing to his fine early
training and having adapted him-
self to the business; by energy and
liberal dealing he has made this
one of the best drug houses in the
country; his grandfather, Hon. J.
L. Hogin, was formerly grand
master of the Masonic fraternity;
his father, Hon. J. C. Hogin, has
for many years been one of tlie
leading. Masons, and Mr. Hogin,
Jr., has been intimately identified
with the same order ever since he
has been old enough to be a mem-
ber; he is also an Odd Fellow of
prominent standing, and one of
the most active members of the
Irving Literary Society of Sigour-
ney; Mr. H. is a young man of
fine personal appearance, a fine
conversationalist, and of a free and
generous disposition; socially he
has few superiors, and the happy
faculty he possesses of making
friends give fiattering promises
for future promotion; young as he
is, he has twice been a delegate to
the Kepublican State Convention.
HOLLO WAY, MARTIN B., pro-
prietor of the " Delta Independ-
ent," Delta; born in Stark county,
Ohio, July 10, 184:2; came to Keo-
kuk county, Iowa, in the fall of
1866; married Miss Anna Vail
May 17, 1871; Miss Vail was born
in Belmont county,Ohio, February
14, 1853; they have three chil-
dren: Alice L., born June 4, 1872,
Lesley, born November 10, 1873,
Walter, born November 28, 1875;
this family lived at New Sharon,
Mahaska county, Iowa, from Sep-
tember, 1876, to June, 1879, dur
ing which time Mr. Holloway was
employed as a compositor on the
New Sharon " Star;" on June 12,
1879, a new paper, the Delta "In-
dependent," was established at
Delta, in Keokuk county, with
Mr. Holloway in editorial charge;
Mr. M. B. Holloway enlisted as a
private soldier in company A,
Thirty second Iowa Infantry vol-
unteers, July 20,1861; in West
Virginia he participated in the
battles at Cheat and Allegheny
mountains; in the Shenandoah
Valley, under Gen. Fremont, he
was engaged at the battle of Port
Republic, near Harrisonburg,
from which place Fremont's force
was ordered back to Winchester,
officially robbed of their com-
mander, and finally sold out by
Col. Miles, at Harper's Ferry; as
soon as an exchange was efiected,
the regiment was reorganized,
taking part in the campaign,
which, under Gen. Grant's leader-
ship, ended in the siege and cap-
ture of Vicksburg, Miss., July 4,
1863; during this campaign Mr.
HoUaway was engaged in battles
^18
biBECTOKir OF kfiOKUK cotjUtr^.
at Rajmond, Jackson, Champion's
Hill, and almost daily encounters
during the forty-eight days of the
siege; re-enlisted as a veteran vol-
unteer January 1, 1864, serving in
Sherman's Georgia campaign in
the Army of the Tennessee; was
wounded and disabled from fur-
ther active service during Gen.
Hood's memorable onslaught on
the Union lines at Atlanta, July
22, 1864; final discharge dates
July 20, 1865.
Hutchkins, Orlando, farmer. Sec.
29; P. O. Slagle.
HUTCHINS, R. 0., farmer. Sec.
8: P. O. Eose Hill; born in
Windsor county, Yermont, April
17, 1828; when seventeen years
of age he went to the town of
Windsor to learn the trade of
gunsmith, and after remaining
there for five years he went to
Springfield, Mass., and there fol-
lowed his trade for a short time,
and then removed to New Haven,
Conn., working there for eighteen
months; in the spring of 1854 he
went to Chicago, and for eleven
months worked in the American
Car Compan}' machine shop; he
then moved to N"ew York State
and in the summer of 1855 he
again moved to Illinois, Rockford
ftounty, and after a short time he
moved to Monee, south of Chica-
cago, and there engaged in farm-
ing for the first time; in the
spring of 1861 he exchanged that
farm for the one he now owns,
although he did not move upon it
until 1867, and has since resided
here, and owns 195 acres of good
land, well improved, upon which
a stone house is now being built;
Marcli 25, 1855, he married Miss
Mercy J. Bradley, a native of
New York; slie is a cousin of the
Hon. Judge Bradley, of the Su-
preme Court of the United
States; they have six chil-
dren: Jane B., Grace S.,
Ella P., Mary F., Margaret i*.
and Charles D.; Mr. and Mrs.
Hutchins are Members of the M.
E. Church.
HUTCHINS, ORLANDO, farm-
er, Sec. 29; P. O. Eose Hill;
born in Bethel, Yermont, in 1833,
and was raised as a farmer, and
remained there until 1855, when
he moved to Will county, Illinois,
where he remained until 1861,
and then returned to his old home
in Yermont, and in the fall of
1862 enlisted in company K, Six-
teenth Yermont Yolunteer Infan-
try, and served in the army of the
Potomac, and was in the battle of
Gettysburg and was mustered out
at the end of one year; he again
returned to his old home in Ver-
mont, and in the spring of 1864
settled where he now resides;
owns a finely improved farm of
80 acres; February 25, 1865, he
married Miss Emeline Rich, a na-
tive of Johnson county, Iowa;
they have one child: Ora, born
December 12, 1865; Mrs. H.died
August 20, 1871; his mother,
Mrs Euby Hutchins, is living
with her son ; she was born Feb-
ruary 24, 1806; his father, Zarah
Hutchins, died February 28,
1840.
JACOBS. JOSEPH B., farmer,
O Sees. 23 and 24; P. O. Delta;
born in Johnson county, Indiana,
February 28, 1836, and when
twelve years of age came with his
parents to this county, settling
where the town of Lancaster now
stands, and was raised on a
farm; in 1856 he moved on the
the place where he now resides,
which consists of 320 acres
of well improved and cultivated
Isind, upon which he has a good
house and barn; December 24,
1855 he was united in marriage
to Miss Mary Yittetoe, a native
of Johnson county, Indiana; she
died leaving six children, two of
WAEKKN TOWNSHIP.
119
whom, Isabel and McClelland, are
living, and Wm. 0., Luella, Aus-
tin, and James, deceased; he was
married again to Miss Mary A.
Coble, February 2, 1870 ; she is a
native of Morgan county, Indi-
ana; they have one child: Minnie;
have lost four : Joseph A., Sarah
F., John and an infant.
Johnston, Robert E., farmer. Sec. 5 ;
P. O. Delta.
Johnston, Halcom, farmer, Sec. 5;
P. 0. Springfield.
Jones John, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O.
Slagle.
Jones, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
0. Slagle.
Jones, K T., farmer. Sec. 36; P. O.
. Springfield.
KENSLER, GEORGE, farmer,
Sec. 15; P.O.Delta.
Keister, John H., laborer, Delta.
Knowler, James, farmer. Sec. 24;
P. 0. Slagle.
Knowler, Geo., farmer, Sec 17; P.
0. Slagle.
LANDERS, ELIZA, farmer,
Sec. 21; P. O. Slagle.
Leathers, Josiah, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P.
0. Springfield.
Leathers, Wm., farmer. Sec. 2; P.
0. Delta.
Leathers, Sanford, farmer. Sec. 2; P.
0. Delta.
Lee, Wm., farmer. Sec. 18; P. O.
Slagle.
Lisk, John, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O.
Slagle.
LOUGH, JOHN B., proprietor of
the Delta Water-Mills; P.
0. Delta; these mills are
are situated on Sec. 14, one and
one-half miles south of Delta;
born in Preble county, Ohio, No-
vember 16, 1826; he lived there
until 1838, when he, with his pa-
rents, removed to Parke county, In-
diana; soon after his arrival there
he learned the cabinet-maker's
trade, which he followed until
1846; he then came to Mahaska
county, Iowa, residing there until
the spring of 1865; he then en-
tered the army and served until
the close of the war, a' period of
nine months; he was married to
Miss Margaret Musgrove in 1840;
she is a native of Indiana; they
have three children, two of whom
are living: Gary, Allen and Carl-
den G., deceased; Mrs. L. also
died; he married again to Mrs.
Nuby Sumner, a native of Indi-
ana; have one child: Maud; his
mill was built by him in 1872; it
has two run of burrs and does as
good work as any mill in the
country.
Mo DONALD, A. F., farmer;
P. O. Delta.
McNABB, A. J., farmer. Sec. 2;
P. O. Delta; is one of the oldest
settlers of Warren township and
one of the early settlers of the
county; born in Montgomery
county, Kentucky, February 16,
1815, and lived there until fifteen
years of age, and then removed to
Morgan county, Indiana, where he
was raised a farmer; he owned the
land on which the town of Delta
is now located; he came to the
county with limited means, but
by his industry and economy se-
cured a competency for his de-
clining years; he married Miss
America Hicklin, a native of
Bath county, Kentucky, and was
born in 1813; they have a family
of ten children: Elizabeth (now
Mrs. Newkirk), Nancy (now Mrs.
Fritzler), Matilda (now Mrs. Har-
dy), Amanda (now Mrs. Reed),
Thomas J., Hicklin, Andrew J.,
Mary A. and Martha E.; they
lost their daughter Emma.
McNabb, John, farmer. Sec. 2; P.
O. Delta.
Mahlon, G. W., farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Slagle.
Marrow, W. W., farmer; P. O. Del-
ta.
Merry, William, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P.
O. Slagle.
720
DIEEOTOET OT KEOKUK OOTTNTT.
Mighell, M. P., farmer; P. O. Del-
ta.
Millikin, John, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Delta.
Moats, M. Y., laborer, Delta.
MOODE, W. F., of the firm of
Moode Bros. & Stirlen, dealers in
dry goods and groceries, Delta 5
born in Greene county, Indiana,
November 15, 1845; there he
grew to manhood a farmer; at the
age of eighteen years he enlisted
in company C, 147th Indiana
"Volunteer Infantry; he served
seven months and was mustered
out at the close of the war; he
then went to Cedar county, Iowa,
farming there until 1869, when on
the 15th of January, same year,
he went into business at Agricola,
Mahaska county, Iowa; he com-
menced business at Delta in the
spring of 1876; Mr. Moode is a
No. 1 business man, well quali-
fied and suited for the business in
which he is now engaged.
Moore, J. M., farmer. Delta.
Moore, J. C, laborer. Delta.
Morrow, Martin, farmer. Sec. 36; P.
O. Slagle.
NEAS, JAMES H., proprietor
of Delta House; born in
Jefferson county, Ohio, May 31,
1827; he there grew to manhood
a farmer; he moved to Cincinnati,
Ohio, in July, 1840, and there
followed bricklaying and building
until 1872; he then came to Sig-
ourney and kept hotel and livery
in connection with his trade, which
he continued for six years; Sep-
tember 21, 1844, he married Miss
Martha A. JefFer, a native of
Ohio; they have nine children,
five of whom are living: Lida,
James J., Belle, Nettie, Lou, while
Eddie J., Frank M., Jennie M.,
and Pearl H, are dead; Mr. N.
has frequently held offices of trust
in both this State aud Ohio; he is
at present mayor of Delta; he is
doing a good business with his
hotel, as both he and his family
are particularly suited for the
business; he is a member of the
I. O. O. F.
Nelson, S. E., farmer, Delta.
NEWKIRK, JOHN 0., farmer.
Sec. 2; P. O. Delta; born in Mor-
gan county, Indiana, July 4, 1833,
was raised a farmer, and in 1852
moved to Sigourney township, liv-
ing there one year; he owns 120
acres of land adjoining the town
of Delta, all under cultivation, and
which will, in the future, be laid
off^ into town lots; married to
Miss Elizabeth McNabb, March
13, 1865; she was born in Indi-
ana, but has resided in Warren
township since a child; her father,
A. J. McNabb, was one of the first
settlers in Keokuk county, having
lived in it for nearly forty years;
they have four children : America,
E. Eureta (now Mrs. Wharton),
Flora D., and Mary; two, Martha
L. and Elizabeth, have died; Mr.
Newkirk is also engaged at pres-
ent in the butchering business.
" 'BEIEN, E. G., laborer, Delta.
O'
PALME K, ZACHAEIAH,
farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Delta.
Pence, George W., farmer, See. 1;
P. O. Delta.
Pence, Andrew J., farmer, Sec. 1;
P. O. Delta.
PHILLIPS, JAMES, farmer and
miller. Sec. 19; P. O. Eose hill;
born in Ohio March 15, 1836;
when a child he, with his parents,
moved to Parke county, Indiana,
in 1837; there he was raised on a
farm, and remained there most of
the time until 1875, when he
moved to where he now resides,
and owns 40 acres of land; in
1862 he enlisted in Co. H, Twen-
ty-first Indiana Yolunteer Infant-
ry; he served for three years, and
was in the battles of Organza
Bend, Ole Eiver, Fort Morgan,
Baton Eouge, and others; in the
W"
WABEEN TOWNSHIP.
721
battle of Baton Rouge he was
wounded by a gun-shot in the left
side, and was mustered out at the
expiration of his term; October
30, 1855, he married Miss Eebec-
ca I. Musgrove, a native of Park
county, Indiana; they have five
children: Martha E. (now Mrs.
Wymer), Ulysses L., Carlton O.,
John F., Melvin M. and Eufus
W.; are members of the M. E.
Church, and Mr. P. belongs to
the I. O. O. F., Waveland Lodge,
. No. 19, Indiana.
Pierson, Simeas, laborer. Delta.
PRENTISS BROTHERS, dealers
in hardware, tinware, etc.. Delta;
this firm is composed of Newton
A. and Frank W. Prentiss; the
former was born in Berkshire
county, Massachusetts, November
10, 1839 ; there he was raised, and
lived on a farm until 23 years of
age; he was married July 21,
1867, to Miss Jennie M, Garrett,
a native of England; they have
one adopted daughter: Nettie G.,
eight years of age; Frank W.
Prentiss was born in Berkshire
county, Massachusetts, October 8,
1845, and lived there until 19
years old, when he moved to
Crawford county, Pennsylvania;
he remained there for four years;
was there married to Miss Helen
E. Olmstead, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1850 ; they have
two children : Eva E. and Mable
E.; lost one: Wm.; this firm
(Prentiss Brothers) came to Keo-
kuk county in 1868, and engaged
in the wagon-making, hardware
and agricultural implement busi-
ness for seven or eight years, and
came to Delta in 1876 and
commenced in the same business
that they are now engaged in; as
a business firm they are ambitious
and enterprising, and are doing a
large and lucrative business, which
is steadily increasing every year;
45
their success may be attributed to
their energy, perseverance, busi-
ness ability and fair dealing.
RANDALL, JAMES, farmer.
Sec. 13;' P. O.Delta.
Eea, John C, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0.
Springfield.
REED, JESSE C, Jr., dealer in
dry goods and groceries, Delta;
born November 29, 1857, Ohio
being his native State; at the age
of nine years, he, with his father,
moved to Sprinfield, this county;
here his father engaged in the
mercantile business for a number
of years, and here it was that Mr.
Heed, Jr., grew to manhood, as-
sisting his father in the store; he
is well educated and adapted to
the business in which he is now
engaged; he owns half interest in
the firm of Heed & Son, which
firm has a business second to none
in the county; it commenced busi-
ness in Delta in 1876; December
25, 1879 he was united in mariage
to Miss Amanda J. McNabb, a
native of Warren township; her
father, A. J. McNabb, made the
first improvements in this town-
ship over twenty-eight years ago.
Reed, James, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Slagle.
Reed, J. C, Sr., merchant. Delta.
Ridpath, James, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P.
O. Delta.
Rogers, S. S., laborer. Delta.
SARTAIN, T. J., mechanic,
Delta.
Saylor, Godfrey, farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Slagle.
Schoonover, A., farmer. Sec. 3; P.
O. Delta.
Scott, B. M., laborer, Delta.
Shipley, J. K., laborer, Delta.
Shinefield, Gus., farmer. Sec. 5; P.
O. Delta.
Simpkins, Geo., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Rose Hill.
Simpson, Sylvester, farmer. Sec. 5;
P. O. Springfield.
722
DIEECTOET OF KKOKUK OOITNTT.
Simonds, F. W., laborer, Delta.
Smith, John, farmer. Sec. 21; P. O.
Delta.
Smith, John, Ji*., farmer. Delta.
Smiley, David, farmer. Delta.
Smith, John, Sr., farmer. Delta.
Stanley, Almon, merchant. Delta.
Stanley, Willis, merchant, Delta.
STANLEY, ISAAC E., dealer in
dry goods and groceries, Delta;
also postmaster; born in Colum-
biana county, Ohio, August 16,
1844, where he made his home
until 1856, when he moved to
Prarie township, this county; he
remained there until 1869, being
engaged in farming; from 1869 to
1875 he was engaged in the mer-
cantile business in that township;
Mr. S. and his brother built the
first business house in Delta in
1875; he has been twice married;
first to Hannah Clendenon,
January 2, 1868; she is a native
of Belmont county, Ohio; died,
November 14, 1868; he married
again to Rachel B. Hoge, Au-
gust 14, 1872; by this union
they have two children : Carrie J.
and Stella; he served as justice of
the peace for one term ; has been
school director four or five terms,
and is at present chairman of
county board of supervisors; he
is a member of the Friends'
Church.
STIRLEN, J. R„ of the firm of
Moode Bros. & Stirlen, Delta;
born May 25, 1839, in Louisa
county, Iowa, and was raised upon
the same farm upon which he
was born ; in 1872 he moved to
Mahaska county, Iowa, remaining
there for one year, and then re-
turned to Louisa county; he re-
mained there until March, 1874,
then came to this county and en-
gaged in farming until March,
1876; after a mercantile experi-
ence of one year at Coal Creek,
with A. Bronson, he entered the
employ of the above named firm
at Delta; he was married January
1, 1860, to Miss Sarah M. Brooks,
a native of Dauphin county Penn-
sylvania; they have a family of
four children: Lula Iowa, James
A., Minnie O., Lizzie E.; two are
dead: Tina and Molly; Mr. Stirlen
has made a truly praiseworthy re-
cord ; with great prudence and in-
dustry he has combined unswerv-
ing honesty, and hence has always
claimed the highest respect of his
fellow-citizens.
Stout, Anthony, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Springfield.
Surber, Nancj', Delta.
TAYLOR, THOMAS, farmer,
Sec. 18; P. 0. Slagle.
Taylor, John S., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Slagle.
Tinsley, Jacob, farmer. Delta.
Tipton, Wm., farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0.
Delta.
Tipton, David, farmer. Sec 4; P. 0.
■ Delta.
Tygart, Andrew, farmer. Sec. 23; P.
0. Delta.
Tresslar, John O., farmer. Sec 12; P.
O. Delta.
ULIN, A. J., Sr., farmer, Sec.
25; P. O.Delta.
Ulin, Andrew, Jr., farmer. See. 16;
P. O. Delta.
URIE, JOHN M., farmer, Sec. 5;
P. O. Delta; born in Ohio, Janu-
ary 30, 1841; his father was a mil-
ler and the subject of this sketch
assisted him in his duties, and
thus grew to manhood a practical
miller, though not an enthusiast
in the business; he came to this
county in 1858 and settled first in
"Washington township; enlisted in
the late war August 12,1862, and
served faithfully until the close;
he owns a farm of ninety-five
acres; married Miss Mary J.
Cochorane, a native of Keokuk
county Iowa, and was born Aug-
ust 3, 1849; they have four chil-
dren: Carrie B., Thomas J., Frank
L. and Pearl; lost one.
WAEEEN TOWNSHIP.
723
UTTERBACK, ABNER, farmer,
Sec. 24; P. O. Delta; born in
Johnson county, Indiana, March,
1837; when thirteen years of age
his parents came to this county;
here he was raised as a farmer; he
moved upon his present farm in
1850; it consists of 357 acres of
<!hoice land, with good improve-
ments; April 5, 1862, he was mar-
ried to Miss Amanda Craig, a na-
' tive of Indiana; she died May 14,
1872, leaving a family of six chil-
dren, two of whom are living:
Ethzelda J., and Cora A.; Sarah
F., Clement L., and two infants
have died; February 20, 1873, he
married Miss E. Kephart, of Indi-
ana; by this union they have four
children: Bertha, Margaret, Eva
and Felden.
Ptterback, David, farmer. Delta.
Utterback, Hiram, farmer, Sec. 24
P. 0. Delta.
Utterback, Nimrod, farmer, Sec. 23
P. 0. Delta.
Utterback, Corbin, farmer. Sec. 28
P. O. Slagle.
Utterback, Mahlon, farmer, Sec. 21
P. 0. Delta.
VAUGHAN, WM., farmer. Sec.
17; P. O. Slagle.
Vandyke, Mrs. E. B., milliner, Del-
ta.
Vert, Mulford, farmer. Sec. 30; P.
0. Slagle.
Vert, Rison, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Slagle.
VICKREY, C, farmer, Sec. 21;
P. 0. Sigourney; born in High-
land county, Ohio, February 21,
1827; his father was of Scotch
decent and his mother of English
ancestry, connected with the fam-
ily of Sir Charles Bowley; when
young he was brought by his pa-
rents to Hendricks county, Indi-
iana, where he was raised on a
farm; came to this county in
1851,, and owns 680 acres of im-
proved land ; he was married to
Miss Sarah Landers January 21,
1851; she was born November 15,
1826, in Morgan county, Indiana;
her father was of German origin,
and her mother is a relative of
George "Washington; Mrs. Vick-
rey is a sister of theHons. Frank-
lin, John, Jackson, and Henry
Landers, and is also a sister of
Mrs. Anna Ragan, all of whom
are living in or near Indianapolis,
Indiana; she has two half broth-
ers: Jonathan and Joshua Lan-
ders ; the former resides in this
county; Mr. V. is a large stock-
feeder, stock-raiser and shipper;
they have one daughter: Harriet
D. (now Mrs. Kendall), born
March 19, 1852; Mrs. K. has
three children : Cyrus G., born
September 19, 1870, William F.,
born October 18, 1872, and Sarah
A., born May 13, 1877.
\ A T^ALLACE, REUBEN, far-
V V mer, Sec. 3; P. O. Delta.
WHARTON, M. R., farmer. Sec.
17; P. O. Rose Hill; born in
Guernsey county, Ohio, January
22, 1833; when a child his pa-
rents, John and Mary A. Whar-
ton, moved to Delaware county,
Indiana, where he was raised on a
farm, and remained there until
1857, when he came to Mahaska
county, Iowa, and remained there
until 1869, and then went to Kan-
in 1874 he moved on the
sas
place where he now resides; owns
160 acres of good and well im-
proved land; he married in 1857
Miss Susan Maddy, of Indiana;
they have seven children: Charles
L., Warren, Wm., Rachel, Irene,
Ines and Robert.
WHARTON, WM. T., farmer.
Sec. 11-; P. O. Delta; born in
Morgan county, Indiana, Decem-
ber 4, 1838; in 1843 his parents
moved to Johnson county, Indi-
ana, and there he grew to man-
hood, and removed to Polk coun-
ty, Iowa, in 1864, and lived there
until 1860, when he moved on the
T24
DIEEOTOET OT KEOKUK COXTNTT.
farm he now owns; he was mar-
ried to Miss Amanda C. Dunn,
September 27, 1856; she is a na-
tive of Indiana; they have eight
children, six are living: Elmira,
Charles 0., William, Harriet,
James, Homer G.; two are dead:
an infant and Elzira; Mr. W. is
the owner of 180 acres of land,
all under fence and in the best of
cultivation, and well stocked
with both cattle and hogs; every-
thing is well arranged and shows
that he is a number one farmer.
White, Samuel, farmer. Sec. 4; P.
O. Delta.
Whitney, H., laborer. Delta.
Whisler, M. W., laborer. Delta.
WILSON, MRS. ELIZABETH,
Sec. 6; P. O. Delta; born in Har-
din county, Kentucky, December
12, 183] ; she married the late
Dr. C. C. Wilson; he was born
July 29, 1833, in Hardin county,
Kentucky, and came to Sigourney
Keokuk county, December 11,
1856, and from this place he re-
moved to Springfield, this county,
in 1865, and from thence to Del-
ta in the fall of 1877; he served
one term in the Iowa Legislature
in 1872-3, and was justice of the
peace in Sigourney for five years,
filled many town and town-
ship offices during his life, and
always served the people faith-
fully and well ; he practiced med-
icine in this county for thirteen
years and had an extensive prac-
tice, and has attended calls at the
detriment of his own health; at the
time of his death, which occurred
April 20, 1879, he was president
of the school board at Delta, and
the fine school building is a mon-
ument to his name, for he did more
than any other man to secure and
erect the building, and Delta will
long remember him for it; when
Dr. Wilson undertook to do any-
thing he did it with a will, and
would allow nothing to be
left undone that he could do to
carry forward a good work; his
medical practice extended for
many miles in every direction,
and the way he was appreciated
was attested by the great number
who attended his funeral; he wa&
a man who had his own ideas
about matters, and would stand up
manfully for them until he was
convinced of his error, if he was
in error, and then he was quick to
acknowledge his mistakes, and
just as quickly correct them; a»
a business man he was as honest
as men ever get to be; would
wrong no man out of a cent, and
would rather give than to take
from any one; he was an energet-
ic man, and was always working
for the best interests of the coun-
ty, and nothing was too great for
him to do when it was beneficial to
the county or community in which
he lived ; he left seven children :
Wm. B., Robert B., Alice, Joseph
H., Dewitt 0., Susan and 0. C.
Wyrick, Thomas, farmer. Sec. 21^
P. O. Delta.
•VsT-A-SHcnsra-Toisr TOTT^risrsxzir'.
ALDIISTGER, C, farmer, Sec. 3;
P. O. What Cheer.
Allen, Alvah, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Sigourney.
Attig, Levi, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. O.
Springfield.
ALLEN, ALVAH, farmer, Sec.
24; P. 0. Delta; born in
Ohio February 23, 1816; when a
child his parents moved to Craw-
ford county, Ohio; lived there
until 1832, when he went to Knox
county, remaing there until 1862 ;
he followed the trade of edge-tool
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
725
making for twenty years; he then
went to Muscatine county, Iowa,
remaining there until he came to
this county in 1856, settling on
the place where he now resides ;
he has a good farm of 120 acres,
well improved, upon which he has
& fine bearing orchard; he was
married to Miss Martha Carey, a
native of New Jersey; she was
horn May 6, 1816; have three
children: David E.,Meda A. (now
Mrs. Dorley) and Louis O.; have
lost two: Filander K.. died Sep-
tember 30, 1861, and Eva B., died
February 21, 1861; they are
members of the M. E. Ohurch,
and have been for a long time
past.
BALL, JOHN, farmer. Sec.
22; P. 0. Springfield.
Baxter, Owen, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0.
What Cheer.
Baxter, David, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
What Cheer.
Baxter, Wm., farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
What Cheer.
Bedford, E. W., coal operator, Sec.
10; P. 0. What Cheer.
Beeman, S. P., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Coal Creek.
BEMAN, A. C, farmer. Sec.
25; P.O. Delta; born in Connect-
icut, October 22, 183Y; there he
was raised, following the occupa-
tion of a carpenter; in 1857 he
•came to Iowa, first settling in
Washington county;, in 1858 he
■came to Sigourney, and there fol-
lowed his trade for one year; he
then moved on the place where
he now resides ; owns a farm of
•520 acres, well improved and all
under cultivation, upon which he
has a good orchard ; August 12,
1862, he enlisted in company I,
Fortieth Iowa Infantry; served
until the close of the war; enlist-
«d as a private, and May 19, 1865,
was promoted to second lieuten-
ant; was in the siege of Yicks-
burg, capture of Little Kook,
Okalona, battle of Jenkins' Fer-
ry, and others; -was never wound-
ed, but had narrow escapes, bul-
lets having been shot through his
clothes; he married Miss Mary J.
Garrett, a native of Iowa; she
was born December 12, 1849;
they have three children : Charles
E., Dwight and Gordon A.
Beeman, John, farmer. Sec. 5; P. O.
Coal Creek.
Bell, Robert, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Sigourney.
Bell, Nathaniel, farmer. Sec. 32; P.
0. Springfield.
Black, Peter, Sr., farmer, Sec. 35;
P. O. Springfield.
Black, Peter J., farmer. Sec. 26 ; P.
0. Springfield.
Bixby, I. M., hardware. What
Cheer.
Bowen, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Springfield.
Bowen, Andrew, farmer. Sec. 32; P.
O. Springfield.
Bowen, Alanzo, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Springfield.
Bowen, John, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. O .
Springfield.
Bradley, Hiram, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Springfield.
Breeden, F., What Cheer.
Breeden, F., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
What Cheer.
Bridges, J. J., farmer. Sec. 18. P. O.
Indianapolis, Mahaska county.
Briney, Hiram, livery. What Cheer.
Brokaw, C. J., What Cheer.
BROKAW, MOSES M., farmer,
Sec. 21 ; P. O. Springfield ; born
in New Jersey July 25, 1811; he
lived there on a farm until 1852;
one year later he removed to this
State and located where he now
lives; his farm consists of 542
acres of land, all under cultiva-
tion and well improved, except 40
acres of timber; June 26, 1834,
he married Miss Eachel Stryken,
a native of New Jersey; they
have by this union five children:
William, Ezra, Margaret E. (now
726
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Mrs. Sampson), Edwin and Cor-
son J.; they have lost five: Charles
and four infants; Mr. Brokaw also
feeds and deals quite extensively
in stock.
CAMP, J. E., farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Springfield.
Casey, James, What Cheer.
Casey, Ben., Sec. 9; P. O. What
Cheer.
Casey, Daniel, What Cheer.
Caughey, J. K., farmer, Sec. 30 ; P.
O. Springfield.
Cay wood, W. H., farmer. Sec. 35 ; P.
O. Delta.
Chidester, S., farmer. Sec. 30; P. O.
Springfield.
Chrisman, John, farmer. Sec. 27; P.
O. Springfield.
Clemons, Fred., Sr., farmer. Sec. 13;
P. O. What Cheer.
Clemons, James, What Cheer.
CLUBB, WILLIAM, farmer and
proprietor of coal banks, Sec. 16;
P. 0. What Cheer; born January
4, 1831, in Morgan county, Indi-
ana; lived there until 1848 and
then came to this county, where
he has since lived; March 25,
1855, he was married to Miss Re-
becca Whiteraan, a native of In-
diana; they have nine children:
Arthur P., Calder J., Emily, Sa-.
mantha J., Eliza A., Wm. A.,
Mary E., Estella A. and Harry;
have lost two: Oliver JH. and Lu-
ella; his coal land embraces a tract
of eighty acres, with a vein of coal
six feet in thickness; he and his
wife are members of the Christian
Church.
Collard, A., farmer. Sec. 4; P. O.
What Cheer.
Colbert, W.E., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. What Cheer.
Cooley, Reuben, Springfield.
Couglan, Perry, What Cheer.
Couglan, James, What Cheer.
Crow, D. S., hotel. What Cheer.
Cullin, John, farmer. Sec. 11; P. O.
• What Cheer.
DAVIS, R. K, farmer, Sec. 6p
P. O. Indianapolis.
Dewey, G., farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0-
What Cheer.
Dobbs, James, farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. What Cheer.
DODGE, DANIEL, proprietor of
the Eureka Mills, What Cheer;
born in Maine October 8, 1832;,
be learned the trade of mill-
wright and miller in his earlier
years, which he has since followed
as an avocation ; he came to this,
county in 1866; in 1872 he pur-
chased his present mill, and has
built up an enviable reputation in
his business, his brand of flour
being well known and finding a
ready sale among the neighboring'
towns; his mill contains three-
run of burrs, and is fitted with all
the improved machinery; Mr.
Dodge was elected a member of
the board of supervisors of Keo-
kuk county at the October elec-
tion, an oflice he is well qualified
to fill; he married Miss iSancy E.
Killer June 25, 1856; she is a na-
tive of Ohio; they have one son:
Charles B., born May 17, 1858;
lost one son: William L., August
10, 1871.
Downing, Geo., What Cheer.
Dugger, James, farmer. Sec. 17; P.
O. What Cheer.
Dugger, W. S., farmer. Sec. 18; P.
O. Springfield.
Dunbar, L. S., What Cheer.
ELLIS, WM., blacksmith, What
■ Cheer.
ELLIOTT, G. W., farmer. Sec. 26;
P. O. Delta; born in Indiana in
1832; there he was raised and
lived until 1854, when he went to-
Texas, and remained there for
nearly two years; in 1856 he re-
moved to Poweshiek county^
farming there for ten years; in
1864 he moved on the place where-
he now resides; he owns a finely
improved farm of 320 acres, upott
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
T27
which he has an orchard of 250
bearing apple trees ; February 25,
1854, he married Miss Ann Greg-
son, a native of Indiana; they
have twelve children; Nettie (now
Mrs. Wallace), Florence I, Sarah
E., Susan M., Samantha N., "Wil-
lard H., Alta B., loma M., Jeffer-
son, Eli H., George W. M. and
Waller T. deceased ; Mr. E. is a
member of the A. F. and A. M.
lodge.
Emmons, John, farmer, Sec. 5; P.
0. Coal Creek.
Emmons, Albert, farmer. Sec. 5; P.
0. Coal Creek.
ELLIS, G. P., SR., farmer and me-
chanic, Springfield; born in Shel-
by county, Kentucky, August 30,
1817; lived there until 1834, when
in October he moved with his
parents to Hendricks county, In-
diana; he remained in that State
for fourteen years, and then came
to Lee county, this State; he
staid there until the spring of
1852, when he settled in Sigour-
ney, making that place his home
for three years; he again moved,
this time to Yan Buren township,
and in 1869 came to Springfield,
where he has since resided; Mr.
Ellis has been notary public for
twenty years; in 1859 he was
elected Bepresentative from the
county; he has served as justice
of the peace in the county for
thirteen years; he married Miss
Mary A. Hamilton ; she was born
October 29, 1837, in Kentucky:
Mrs. E. died, leaving six children,
five of whom are living: Tebe J.
(now Mrs. Foster), Andrew L.,
Isabel (now Mrs. Kelvey), Wm.
J. and George P., Jr. ; Mary Fran-
cis McAdams died May 14, 1862;
he married again to Mrs. Frances
A.Wilson; they have four child-
ren: Solomon L., A. A., Robert
T. and Mabel E.; lost two: Mar-
ijaret A. and Davis P.; Mrs. Ellis
las four children by a previous
marriage: Leonidas G., Llewellyn
A., Lorenzo L. and Mary A. L. ;
Mr. E. has been a member of the
A. F. and A. M. lodge- since
1844.
EWING, L. W., dealer in dry
goods and groceries, Springfield;
born in Licking county, Ohio,
September 17, 1822; his parents
were Josiah and Elizabeth Ewing;
the former died at the age of 67;
his mother, when he was a child;
Mr. Ewing was raised in Ohio, and
there learned the carpenter trade;
in 1855 moved to Fulton county,
111.; lived there for three years,
and then came to Iowa, locating
in this township; established him-
self in business in January, 1877;
March 14, 1 843, married to Miss*
Martha J. Wadell; she died April
21, 1859, leaving a family of six
children, five of whom are living:
Sanford P., Francis S. (now Mrs.
Snodgrass). Eufus B., Sarah J.
(now Mrs. Lowers), Julia A. ; lost
one: Dr. Franklin, who died in
Little Bock, Arkansas, while in
the army; he belonged to com-
pany 0, Fortieth Iowa; married
again to Miss Nancy A. Leathers;
they have three children : Mattie
E., William D., and Schuyler G.;
have lost three: Austin B., Sarah
F., and an infant.
FEAK, W. A., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Delta.
Foster, George, farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. Springfield.
Fisher,' William, What Cheer.
Flathers, William, hotel, What
Cheer.
Flathers, B., furniture. What Cheer.
Flitscraft, Thomas, What Cheer.
Forsythe, E., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
What Cheer.
FLATHERS, WM. H., proprietor
of Valley House, What Cheer;
born June 14, 1814, Kentucky
being his native State; in 1824 he
moved 'with his father to Mont-
gomery county, Indiana; there he
728
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
, was raised on a farm; in 1842 lie
came to Iowa, locating in Jackson
county; remained there until
1854, and in 1860 came to Keo-
kuk county; he married Miss
Sarah E. Ellis, a native of Ken-
tucky; they have six children:
Benjamin E., Victoria (now Mrs.
Lamb), Melissa, Levinda (now
Mrs. Biglow),Wm. and Olega; Mr.
F. has been keeping this hotel,
which is the largest one in the
town, for twelve years; his busi-
ness has increased from time to
time so that he has been obliged
to enlarge his house.
FRANCE, WILLIAM, of the
firm of France, Rhodes & Bed-
ford, coal proprietors. Sec. 10 ; P.
O. What Cheer; born in Lan-
shire county, in 1851; he emigra-
ted to the United States, first set-
tling in Massachusetts ; remained
there for five years, and in 1857
moved to Illinois; he came to this
county in 1865, where he has
since resided; was in the army
for one year, in the gun -boat ser-
vice; in 1855 he married Miss
Elizabeth Farra, a native of Eng-
land; they have three children:
Harriet A. (now Mrs. Orr), Eliza
and Emma; lost one: Elizabeth;
owns fifty-eight acres of coal land,
the shaft being situated one quar-
ter of a mile northeast of what
Cheer ; the shaft is seventy -five
feet, and the vein six feet in
depth; coal is always on hand and
their mines have a capacity of
1,000 bushels per day.
Fritzler, Henry, farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. What Cheer.
Fritzler, Albert, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
0. What Cheer.
FRITZLER, ANDREW, farmer,
Sec. 28; P. O. Springfield; born
in Prussia,Germany,May7,1818 ; at
the age of twelve he with his pa-
rents emigrated to the United
States, first settling in Miami
county, Ohio; there he was rais-
ed, and in 1842 he came to Iowa,
locating where he now lives; he
has a farm of 194 acres, well im-
proved and finely cultivated ; Feb-
ruary 23, 1841, he was married to
Miss Polly Ellis, a native of Ifew
York; they have ten children:
Henry, Albert, Ellis, Hannah
(now Mrs. Knox), John A.,
Thomas, Andrew L., Annie (now
Mrs. Eose), Alfred and Barbara
B.
GARRETT, JOHN, farmer and
stock raiser. Sec. 35 ; P. O. Delta;
born in Kentucky in 1820; 'when
a child his parents moved to
Morgan county, Indiana, where
lie was raised on a farm; in
1843 he moved where he now
lives, and owns 170 acres of land,
well improved, and upon which is
a good orchard; he entered his
land in 1846 ; in 1840 he
married Miss Eachel Jones, a
native of Illinois; they have a
family of ten children; Eliza J.
(now Mrs. Tressler), Silas E.,
Eachel A. (now Mrs. Black), Mary
E. (now Mrs. Tressler), John W.,
William A. and Evan S. (twins)
and Charlotte E. (now Mrs. Reed;
have lost two: Martha E. and
James H.
GARRETT, ANDRE WP., farmer,
Sec. 23; P. O. What Cheer; born
in Morgan county, Indiana, March
22, 1836; he was raised and lived
there until 1854, when he came
to this county, locating where he
now resides; he has a farm of
eighty acres, all of which he has
improved; November 24, 1857,
he was united in marriage with
Miss Hester A. Crocker, a native of
Pennsylvania; they have ten
children : Marion H., Thomas A.,
Elizabeth, E.. Samuel E., Louis
G., Francis, Ida M., Ernest and
William; have lost two: Lucinda
and Eosa Lee; Mr. and Mrs. Gar-
rett are members of the M. E.
Church.
WASHINQTOlf TOWNSHIP.
729
Oarrett, S. E., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
0. Delta.
Garrett, J. W., fanner, Sec. 31 ; P.
0. "What Cheer.
Garrett, Elijah, farmer. Sec. 34; P. O.
Springfield.
Garrett, James, farmer. Sec. 26; P.
0. Springfield.
Garrett, Silas, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Springfield.
Garrett, W. A. farmer; Sec. 35; P.
0. Springfield.
Garrett, E., Springfield.
Garrett, S. E. Sec. 36; P. O. Spring-
, field.
Garrett, Thomas A., farmer. Sec. 23 ;
P. 0. What Cheer.
Garrett, Marion, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P.
0. What Cheer.
Geneva, A., batcher. What Cheer.
Geneva, Albert, What Cheer.
Goodman, Charles, farmer, Sec. 11;
P. 0. What Cheer.
Greenlee, Geo., farmer. Sec. 30; P.
0. Springfield.
Greenlee, A., Springfield.
Green, Isaac farmer Sec. 1; P. O.
What Cheer.
Griffin, J. H. farmer. Sec. 36; P. O.
Sigourney.
HAMPTON, JOHlSr, farmer.
Sec. 18; P. O. What Cheer.
Harlan & Davis, merchants, What
Cheer.
Harbinson, M. E., farmer. Sec. 12;
P. 0. What Cheer.
Hardy, J. M., farmer. Sec. 34; P.
0. Springfield.
Harlan, H. M., What Cheer.
Hasty, J. T., Sec. 35; P. O. Delta.
Hasty, M., Sec. 27; P. O. Delta.
Hawk, Martin, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
0. What Cheer.
Hazen, L., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
What Cheer.
Headlee, George, farmer. Sec. 11;
P. O. What (Jheer.
Headlee, E., What Cheer.
Headlee, J. C, farmer. Sec. 11; P.
0. What Cheer.
Headlee, Charles, farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. What Cheer,
Headlee, Jehu, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. What Cheer.
Headlee, W. N., farmer. Sec. 13; P.
O. What Cheer.
Headlee, William, farmer; Sec. 14;
P. O. What Cheer.
Herendeen, E., farmer. Sec. 1; P. O.
What Cheer.
Heston, Thomas, farmer Sec. 14; P.
O. What Cheer.
Hicklin, Allen, farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Springfield.
Hicklin, James, farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. Springfield.
Hicklin, D., farmer. Sec. 31; P. ().
Springfield.
Hicklin, T., farmer. Sec. 31; P. O.
Springfield.
Hickland, Charles, Sec. 34; P. O.
Springfield.
Homigan, Mrs. C, farmer. Sec. 2; P.
O. What Cheer.
Humes, James, farmer; Sec. 12; P.
O. What Cheer.
Humes, N. H., farmer. Sec. 1; P.O.
What Cheer.
Hurd, William, engineer, What
Cheer.
JACKSON, JOHJSr, farmer. Sec.
J 20; P. O. What Cheer.
Jackson, E., farmer, Sec. 25; P. O.
Sigourney.
James, David, farmer. Sec. 6; P. O.
Coal Creek.
KEEP, JOHN 0., farmer, Sec.
32; P. O. Springfield; born
in Pennsylvania August 9, 1840;
was there raised on a farm, and in
1861 he moved to the State of Ill-
inois, and June 1, of that year he
enlisted in company H, Twentieth
Illinois, Volunteer Infantry; was
in the battlos of Fort Henry and
Fort Donaldson ; July 22, 1862,
he was discharged on account
of disability caused by gun-
shot in the left hip, received
at the latter battle; in December,
1862, he moved on the place where
he now resides, and which con-
sists of 125. acres of good land;
Nov. 8, 1862, he married Miss
730
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
Amelia A. Stoddard of Pennsyl-
vania; have three children: Jessie
L., Nellie B. and Richard O.; have
lost one: Inez; Mr. and Mrs. K.
are members of the M. E. Church.
Keitsman, John, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. What Cheer.
Keister, Silas, farmer. Sec. 13; P. O.
What Cheer.
Keitsman, A., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
What Cheer.
Kelvey, John, farmer, P. O. Spring-
field.
Kendal, F. G., farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
Springfield.
King, Wm., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
What Cheer.
King, M. P., farmer. Sec. 20; P. O.
Springfield.
KING, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Springfield ; born in county of
Kent, England, December 25,
1813; in 1833 he emigrated to
the United States, first settling in
New York City; he carried on
sugar refining for several years,
and in 1853 removed to Illinois;
after staying there for about two
years he came to Iowa, locating
where he now resides; he has a
finely improved farm of 223 acres ;
he married Miss Jane Cornwell
about the year 1832; she is a na-
tive of England; they have six
children: Emma (now Mrs
Bourke), born December 10, 1835,
John B., born May 2, 1843, Chas.
A., born July 1, 1845, George F.,
born December 24, 1848, Mary
A., born September 6, 1850, Wal-
ter C, born December 4, 1854;
have lost six: Elizabeth J., born
July 23, 1838, and died December
10, 1870; Alfred W., born March
23, 1840, and died January 13,
1861; Sarah J., born March 29,
1842, and died May 27, 1842;
Susannah F., born May 12, 1847,
and died February 26, 1851 ; Fran-
cis M., born June 6, 1862, and
died June 15, 1854; Frederick H.,
born May 20, 1856, and died Jan-
uary 13, 1865; Mrs. King died
November 30, 1870; after Mr.
King became of age he returned
to England and brought his pa-
rents to the United States.
Knox, J. T., farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0.
Delta.
Knox, W. A., farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0.
Delta.
Knox. C. H., farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0.
Delta.
LAMB, L. farmer. Sec. 21;
P. O. What Cheer.
Lamb, Nelson, What Cheer.
Lamb, T. B., farmer, Sec 10; P. 0.
What Cheer.
LASH, WILLIAM, farmer. Sec.
33; P. O. Springfield; born in
Kentucky May 2, 1817; lived
there until 1827, when he went to
Johnson county, Indiana; he re-
mained there until 1847, when he
removed to Iowa; in 1854 he lo-
cated in Sigourney and engaged
in the mercantile business for
eighteen years; he was deputy
sheriff four years of that time; he
has held various township offices;
he was wounded in the Skunk
river war while attempting to ar-
rest a deserter; he owns a tine
farm of 90 acres of land, with all
improvements; December 21,.
1836, he was taarried to Miss
Mary D. Cunningham, of Indi-
ana; they have seven children:
Nancy J. (now Mrs. Mclntire),
Mary A. (now Mrs. Jennings),
David W., Samuel E., Wm. E.,
Addie M. (now Mrs. Nye), Am-
brose C; have lost four: Martha
McCoy, Harriet L., Bradley and
Sarah; Mr. and Mrs. L. are mem-
■ hers of the M. E. Church.
Lawrence, O. D., physician, What
Cheer.
Leathers, J. H., merchant, What
Cheer.
Lentanel, John, Sec. 7; P. O. What
Cheer.
Locher, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. What Cheer.
"WASHINGTOK TOWNSHIP.
731
McFARLAND, SAM'L, farm-
er and stock dealer, Sec. 3; P.
0. "What Cheer; the subject of this
sketch, whose portrait appears in
this work, was born in Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, May 31,
1821; raised a farmer and lived
there until he reached his major-
ity; after living in various places
he went to South America in
1846, and after remaining a short
time returned to New Orleans;
came to Iowa in 184:7; came to
the county in 1867, and owns a
farm of 320 acres of improved
land, and is devoting his attention
largely to stock; is a valuable cit-
izen of the county, infusing a spirit
of laudable enterprise in more
than one direction ; he commands,
in a large degree, the confidence
of his acquaintances, and no one
has more friends in the commu-
nity; has been twice married, first
to Miss Louisa Carl, a native of
Indiana, born July 25, 1830; she
died November 27, 1874; by this
union they had seven children;
Mary (now Mrs. Pace), Emma,
Marshall, Addie and Samuel liv-
ing; Harriet and William de-
ceased; married for his second
wife Mrs. J. C. Abston, Septem-
ber 21, 1876; she was born in
Ohio June 19, 1841; by this mar-
riage they have one child: Carl
F.; Mr. McFarland is a member
of the A. F. and M., and he and
his wife are active members of the
M. E. Church.
McKinsie, C, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Springfield.
McMullin, N., farmer, Springfield.
McMullin, B., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
0. Springfield.
McNabb, J. H., farmer, Sec. 25; P.
0. Delta.
Mackey, James, Sr., farmer, Sec. 22 ;
P. 0. What Cheer.
Mackey, James, What Cheer.
Morrissy, John, Sec. 16; P. O. What
Cheer.
NELSON, ELIAS, farmer, Sec.
12; P. O. What Cheer; born in
Virginia May 27, 1822; when a
child he moved with his parents tO'
Ohio; there he was raised on a
farm, and resided in that State
until 1840, when he removed to
Illinois, remaining there until
1854, ^nd then came to this coun-
ty, where he has since resided; he-
owns 160 acres of good land; was
married to Miss Emily Brown, at
native of Pennsylvania; she was-
born December 25, 1825; have ai
family of eight children: Jona-
than M., born May 5, 1849; Mary-
J., born October 22, 1850; Vir-
finia, born June 7, 1853; Perry
'., born March 5,1856; Julania,.
born February 7, 1858 ; Delia F.^
born February 29, 1860; A., born.
April 5, 1862; Grant, born Sep-
tember 17, 1866; lost two: Will-
iam O., born December 27, 1849^
died October 18, 1850; Columbus,
born February 22, 1846, died in»
1865, at Mound City, 111.
Nanke, John, farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0..
What Cheer.
OLAM, JOHN, Sec. 28; P. O.
Springfield.
PENCE, J. T., farmer. Sec. 36;,
P. 0. Delta.
Perry, JeflPerson, farmer. Sec. 3; P-
O.' What Cheer.
Petty, Nathaniel, farmer. Sec. 35;,
P. O. Delta.
Pitman, A. M., farmer, Springfield-
Pollock, Marion, farmer, Sec. 13; P-
O. What Cheer.
Prokrand, Martin, farmer, Sec. 4; P^
O. What Cheer.
RAPLINGER, JACOB, What
Cheer.
Keed, Jacob, Sec. 33; P. O. Spring-
field.
Keynolds, Henry, farmer, Sec. 36;
P. 0. Delta.
Eeynolds, C, farmer. Sec. 27; P. O-
Delta.
Ehodes, Josiah, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. What Cheer.
732
DIEEOTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Hose, Austin, farmer Sec. 31; P. O.
Springfield.
SAMPSOlSr, ISAAC, farmer, Sec.
30; P. O. Springfield.
Sampson, E., farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Springfield.
Sampson, Wash., Sec. 33; P. O.
Springfield.
Sampson, B., Sec. 34; P. 0, Delta.
Shackelford, W. T., farmer, Sec. 19;
P. 0. What Cheer.
Shewey, Enoch, farmer, Spring-
field.
SHERIFF, HENRY, farmer. Sec.
3; P. O. What Cheer; born in Ger-
many, on the Rhine, in 1828; there
he was raised; when twenty
years old he was drafted for six
jears in company Eight, Fortieth
Regiment, regular army; after
three years' service he deserted and
■emigrated to the United States;
•on arriving in this country he
pawned his clothes for his first
night's lodging; he has gained
what he now has by hard work,
industry and perseverance; he first
settled in Buffalo, N. T.; after re-
maining there until 1853, he came
to Muscatine county, where he
stopped for seven years, and then,
in 1867, enlisted in company B,
Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer In-
fantry, served until the close of
the war and was in several small
battles; he married Miss Nancy
Pursell, of Indiana; they have
four children: A. C, Howard T.,
Grace M. and Blanch W. ; has a
farm of eighty acres.
Shisler, Wm., farmer, Sec. 29; P. O.
Springfield.
SHERBONDY, H., farmer. Sec. lO ;
P. O. What Cheer; born in Sum-
mit county, Ohio, October 2, 1836;
there he was raised on a farm un-
til 1857, when he moved to Bu-
reau county, Illinois; he enlisted
August 22, 1862, as a private in
•company C, One Hundred and
Twelfth Illinois Infantry, and
served till the close of the war;
December 11, 1863, he was pro-
moted to the rank of second lieu-
tenant; he participated in the
siege of Knoxville, under General
Burnsides, in Tennessee, Eesaca,
and was wounded May 20, at
Good Hope Church, Georgia, by
fun-shot in the left arm and lung;
Tovember 29, 1864, he again
joined his regiment, but on the
next day, at the battle of Frank-
lin, Tennessee, was taken prisoner
and remained in the southern
prison-pen until the close of the
war; he was in Anderson ville
prison for four months and seven
days; at the close of the war he
removed to Iowa, and in May,
1870, came to What Cheer and
engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness until 1876, when he went to
Lead ville, Colorado; he was one
of the first engaged there in min-
ing; he took a claim and discov-
ered the Little Ellen mines, which
he sold, August 18, for a large re-
muneration; he then came home,
reaching here in October, 1879;
he has a nice farm of eighty acres;
he married Miss Catharine M.
Bort, August 22, 1857; they have
a family of six children: Byron,
Florence, Jennie, Addie, Maggie
and Warren (twins).
Skidmore, A. M., farmer, Sec. 30;
P. O. Springfield.
Smothers, James, Sec. 20; P. 0.
Sprinfield.
Snodgrass, Ben., farmer. Sec. 19; P.
O.^What Cheer.
Snodgrass, M., farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Delta.
Sparks, Ben., farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0.
Springfield.
Snodgrass, John, farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Springfield.
TASK, WILLIAM, farmer,
Sec. 33; P. O. Springfield.
Thomas, W. P.,
Cheer.
restaurant, What
w
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
1U
Thomas, W. W., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
0. What Cheer.
Thornloe, Thomas, Sr., farmer, Sec.
21; P. O. "What Cheer.
Tncker, Ira, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. O.
What Cheer.
UEIE, WILLIAM, farmer,
Springfield.
Urie, Thomas, farmer, Springfield.
VANWINKLE, E., farmer. Sec.
33; P. O. Springfield.
Vance, Michael, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
0. Delta.
Veach, B. H., Sec. 6; P. O. In-
dianapolis, Mahaska county.
WABEE, CHAELES, Sec. 2;
P. O. What Cheer.
Washburn, J., Sec. 2; P. O. What
Cheer.
Waterhouse, — , hotel, Springfield.
Wilson, I. G., farmer. Sec. 29; P. O.
Springfield.
Wildman & Stanton, merchants,
What Cheer.
Wright, Joel, Sec. 5; P. O. Coal
WILSON, ISAAC B., fanner. Sec.
4; P. O. What Cheer; born in
Champaign county, Ohio, Marcb
14, 1830; he was raised and lived '
there until 1854, when he came tO'
Iowa and located in Mahaska
county: he remained there until
October of the same year, when
he came to this county, settling-
on the place which he now owns^
which he entered from the gov-
ernment, and which consists of
202 acres of finely improved land,,
upon which he has a fine bearing-
orchard; he married Miss Mary
Wilson, of Ohio; by this union
they have three children : Emma,,
Lansen C. and Burris; have lost
five: Let and Lew{twins),and thre&
infants; they are members of the
Baptist Church, and Mr. W. be-
longs to the I. O. O. F. lodge.
■^-^3^T BTTI^BIlSr TO"Vv^IsrSI3:iE'.
ALLEN, ELIJAH, farmer, Sec.
24; P. O. Sigourney.
Allen, John, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
Sigourney.
Albers, J. W., farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Sigourney.
Armstrong, James, farmer. Sec. 4;
P. 0. Sigourney.
Armstrong, W. B., farmer. Sec. 4;
P. 0. Sigourney.
Aprance, Otto, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
0. Sigourney.
Aultman, Andrew, farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Sigourney.
BAKEE, G. W.. farmer. Sec. 10;
P. 0. Sigourney.
Banton, Jonah, farmer. Sec. 18; P.
O. Sigourney.
BEARDSLEY, H., farmer, Sec. 9;
P. 0. Sigourney; born in Dela-
ware county, New York, May 1,
1807; when quite young his
parents moved to Licking county,
Ohio; there he was raised on a
farm ; he came to this State ancf
county in 1854, and located oa
the place which he now occupies,
and which consists of seventy acres-
of good land; in June, 1839, he-
was married to Miss Anna.
Strather, a native of Yirginia;
she was born in 1810; in 1850-
she died, leaving nine children r
Emeline, John S., Charles A.,
Eobert B., Wilford W., Hannah^
Malinda J., Margaret S. and Ja-
cob; lost four: Benjamin B., Ann,.
Hannah and Eobert B., who died
in the war; he was a member of
the Eighth Iowa Infantry; Mr..
B. is a member of the M. E..
Church.
BELL, GEORGE R., farmer. Sec.
21; P. 0. Sigourney; born in
Dumfries, Scotland, December
22, 1833; in 1842 he emigrated
with his parents to the tJnited
States, landing at New York,
734
DIEECTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
where they remained for three
years, and then returned to their
native land in 1847; in 1859 he
•came back to America, and for
four years was engaged as clerk
in one of the prominent shipping
houses of New York city ; from
there he came to Muscatine coun-
ty, Iowa, in 1863, and after engag-
ing in farming there for eleven
years came to Keokuk county and
located where he now lives; owns
196 acres of good land ; he is at
present school director, which of-
fice he has held for two years
past; December 26, 1856, he mar-
ried Miss Jessie Alson, a native
■of the same place as himself;
she was born in 1833; by this
union they have six children:
William A., Mary G., Ellen J.,
James B., John R., Charles H.;
Mrs. Bell is a member of the
Presbyterian Church.
BLANi), S. W., farmer,. Sec. 32;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Foun-
tain county, Indiana, May 25,
, 1829; in 1833, when quite young,
he moved with his parents to
Knox county, Illinois, and was
raised on a farm and received the
advantages of a common school
■education ; from there he came to
Iowa and settled on the place
where he now resides in 1866; owns
a pleasant place of seventy-eight
acres of good land; he married
Miss A. A. Willisom, a native of
JVIenard county, 111., in Oct. 1850;
they have five children : William
H., John "W., James W., Charles
W., and S. 0.; lost one: George
V. ; Mr. and Mrs. B. are members
of the M.' E. Church.
Bland, Wesley, farmer, See. 29; P.
O. Sigourney.
Bramenburg, Fred., farmer, Sec. 16;
P. O. Sigourney.
IBrannon, Edward,, farmer, Sec, 24;
P. O. Sigourney.
BRINGMAN, JOSHUA, farm-
er and stock-raiser, Sec. 17;
P. O. Sigourney; born in
Adams county, Pennsylvania,
December 19, 1817; he was there
raised on a farm until 1838, when
he went to Preble county, Ohio,
and remained there till 1847;
he then moved to Indiana, and
after remaining there until 1853,
he came to this county, locating
where he now resides; has a tarm
of 272f acres of land ; has held
various offices, in the township,
and is an active, energetic citizen;
May 20, 1841, he married Miss
M. York; she was born in Ten-
nessee, October 23, 1821; they
have nine children: Oscar B.,
Canipscdel (now Mrs. Aurora
Clemens), Jerusha (now Mrs.
H. Nation), Mary (now Mrs.
Khoads), Mahala J. (now Mrs. 0.
Harvey), Omer B., O. C, Owen
E., and E,.; lost four: Kosalee B.
(who was Mrs. P. Waltz), William
H., and two infants.
BRITTON, WILLIAM W.,farmer,
Sec. 29; P. Sigourney; born in
Knox county, Ohio, July 7, 1834;
he was raised a farmer, and at the
age of sixteen years he moved with
his parents to Johnson county,
Iowa, and there he entered a
piece of land from the govern-
ment; in 1867 he came to Keo-
kuk county, arid settled on the
place where he now lives,
which consists of 200 acres of
good land; in 1858 he was united
in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Mcllree, a native of Trumbull
county, Ohio; by this union they
have five children: John E.,
Frank L., Jeanette, Jay, and Al-
vahA.; have lost four: Charlie,
Ray, and two infants; are mem-
bers of the M. E. Church.
Brown, James, farmer, Sec. 32; V.
O. Sigourney.
Bussing, J. F., farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Sigourney.
Butler, James, farmer, Sec. 33; P. 0.
Sigourney.
TAN BUBBN TOWNSHIP,
735
CARR, SAM., farmer, Sec. 2Y;
P. O. Sigourney.
Clubb, Wm., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Sigourney.
€HRISMAN, R., farmer. Sec. 32;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, May 27,
1830; when thirteen years ot age
he, with his parents, moved to
Madison county, Ohio, where he
was raised on a farm ; he came to
this State and county and located
near Lancaster, where he remain-
ed but a short time and then re-
moved to Van Bnren township
and settled where he now lives in
1851: owns 150 acres of good
land; February 22, 1844, he mar-
ried Miss Jane Sidner; she was
born in Ohio in 1823 ; they have
by this union six children : Ellen
(now Mrs. Downing), David,
Sarah M., Frank P., L. G. and
-John, who enlisted in company
B, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry and
served until the close of the war;
discharged at Davenport in 1865;
Mr. and Mrs.C. are active members
of the Baptist Church; also have
four children members of the
same church, and one is a mem-
ber of the M. E. Church.
CLARY, LEONARD, farmer. Sec.
29; P. O. Sigourney; born in
Fleming county, Kentucky,
July 14, 1827; when quite young
his parents moved to Parke coun-
ty, Indiana; there he was raised
on a farm and continued to be a
farmer to the present time; came
to Iowa in 1850 and settled in
Tan Buren township, this county;
after remaining here for seven
years he moved to Christian coun-
ty, Missouri, and from there to
Dallas county, same State; from
there he removed to McLean
•county, Illinois; he returned to
Iowa, stopping in Monroe county;
the situation not being desirable,
he again came to this county and
settled on his old farm, and re-
mained there for four years; he
then moved on Sec. 15, and in
1877 he located where he now re-
sides; owns 160 acres of well im-
proved and cultivated land; in
November, 1849, he was married
to Miss Emily Ashbury, a native
of Indiana; have seven children:
Henry C, William, M., Thomas,
Mary F., Amos and Ida M.; have
lost one.
CLUBB, ANDERSON, farmer and
stock-raiser. Sec. 28; P. O. Sig-
ourney; born July 26, 1838, in
Morgan county, Indiana ; remain-
ed there until ten years of age,
when, with his parents, he came
to this county, settling in Van
Buren township, near the place
where he now resides; he was
brought up as a farmer and has
followed that occupation very suc-
cessfully to the present time; in
1859 he went overland to Califor-
nia, and for eleven months was en-
gaged in mining; in 1860 he re-
turned in the same manner in
which he went; two years later
he again went overland to Califor-
nia, with eighteen head of drift
horses for market; meeting with
good success he returned, and the
following year made still another
trip, well satisfied with what he
had accomplished; in 1863 Mr.
Clubb settled on Sec. 29, this
township, and there engaged in
farming and stock-raising; in con-
nection with larming he has for
the past ten years given consider-
able time and attention to the
raising of blooded horses and cat-
tle; he has a good farm ol 149
acres, with a fine and well arrang-
ed house and barn, with out-
buildings to correspond; Novem-
ber 19, 1861, he was married to
Miss Mary J. Mead, a native of
Champaign county, Ohio, and
born April 20, 1838; she came
with her parents to this county in
1856 and settled in Van Buren
736
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK OOTTNTT.
township, where she resided when
she was married ; they have five
children: Dora, born in 1862,
Hattie, born in 1863, Allie, born
in 1865, Charlie, born in 1866,
and Ralph, born in 1868; Mr.
and Mrs. C. came to this State at an
early day, and have seen all the
hardships known to a pioneer life;
by industry and economy they
have accumulated a fine property;
Mr. Clubb is a member of Sig-
ourney Lodge No. 98, 1. O. O. F.
Cochlan, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Sigourney.
Cory, Clint., farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Sigourney.
Cosner, A., farmer, TSec. ] 1 ; P. O.
Sigourney.
Covey, Lorenzo, farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. Sigourney.
Covey, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Sigonrney.
Covey, Byron, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Sigourney.
Grossman, Mary, farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. Sigourney.
GROSSMAN, JOEL, farmer, Sec.
8; P. O. Sigourney; born in Gen-
esee county. New Tork, August
18, 1818, and was raised in this
and adjoining county until four-
teen years of age, and then re-
moved with his parents to Ohio;
he received a good common school
education, and came to this coun-
ty first in 1849 and located land,
and in 1851 made the county his
permanent home; he owns a good
farm of 320 acres; he held the
office of county surveyor eighteen
years, also the office of as-
sessor of internal revenue
four years and then resign-
ed; served as a member of
the board of supervisors, and has
ever discharged his official duties
with scrupulous care and fidelity;
owing to an affection of his eyes
he spent the past summer and
autumn in Montana, and received
great benefit; he also owns an in-
terest in several mining claims;
he married Miss Cynthia Marsh
in 1852; she was born in New
Tork, and died April 2, 1862,
leaving four children: ClarencCj,
Lurena, Omar and
Alvin A.; he
married for his second wife Miss
Sarah E. Doming, in 1863; she
was born in Washington county,
Ohio; by this marriage they hav&
four children: Mary, Cynthia,
Joel and Ida.
DARLET, J. E., farmer, Sec.
28; P. O. Sigourney.
Dawson, Wm., farmer. Sec. 14; P,
O. Sigourney.
Decker, Elias, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Sigonrney.
Decker, J. W., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Sigourney.
Decker, Edward, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. Sigourney.
DORMAN, J., retired farmer, Sec.
20; P. O. Sigourney; born Octo-
ber 9, 1826, in Morgan county,
Indiana; there he was raised, fol-
lowing the occupation of farmer,
and continued the same until
1876 ; he came to Iowa in 1853,.
and settled in Van Buren town-
ship, this county, on the farm
known as the J. Dorman farm,
there he resided until 1876 "j.
was married December 13, 1846,
to Miss Matilda Conduitt; she
died November 14, 1857, leaving
a family of four children: Wil-
liamW.(phy8ician, PattersoHjMad-
ison county Iowa), Thomas L. (a
farmer in Oregon), and Ella M.
(wife of C. H. Whiteman); was
again married May 1, 1860, to
Miss Elizabeth Davis, a native of
Johnson county, Indiana; she
was born April 6, 1840; have one
daughter: Annie; they are unde-
cided at present where they will
make their future home, but in all
probabilities in Thornburg, Prair-
ie township ; Mr. and Mrs. D. are
active members of the Christian
Church at What Cheer.
TAN BUEEH TOWNSHIP.
73T
DORMAN, WILLIAM W., farm-
er, Sec. 20; P. O. Sigourney ; born
in Morgan county, Indiana, Octo-
ber 30, 1848; he, with his parents,
came to this county in 1852 and
settled where he now resides;
owns 200 acres of well cultivated
land; November 16, 1871, he
married Miss Hattie Smith, a na-
tive of Morgan county, Indiana;
she was born September 12, 1852,
and remained there until her mar-
riage; they have a family of two
children: Maud, born November
27, 1872, and Owen, born Febru-
ary 27, 1874.
DORMAN, H., farmer, .Sec. 2; P.
O. Sigourney; born in Morgan
county Indiana, January 27, 1842 ;
when thirteen years of age he
came with his parents to this State
and county, locating on the place
where he now lives; he own 250
acres of well improved land ; Sep-
tember 9, 1862, he enlisted in
company H, Thirty-third Iowa In-
fantry, at Oskaloosa; was in all the
battles participated in by the reg-
iment, and April 30, 1864, he was
wounded at Jenkins' Ferry, Ar-
kansas; he was unable to join his
regiment for a short time, but af-
ter his wound healed served till
the close of the war, and was mus-
tered out September 9, 1865, at
Davenport; he returned home and
resumed his labors on his farm;
has held various township offices;
February, 1866, he married Miss
Martha Knox; she was born in
in 1848, in this county; have six
children : Aurthur, L., Orris, Lot-
ta, Jessie, Lou. ; Mr. D. is a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F., Sigourney
Lodge, No. 98.
' Dunlap, James, farmer. Sec. 15; P.
0. Sigourney.
Dunbar, J. S., farmer. Sec. 25; P. O.
Sigourney.
DUNLAP, J. M., farmer and stock-
raiser. Sec. 15; P. O. Sigourney;
46
born in Marion county, Ohio,
April 26, 1835; he was there
raised as a farmer, but learned the
carpenter's trade, which he is now
carrying on in connection with his
farming and stock-raising; he
principally raises fine-blooded
sheep, Cotswold and Leicester,
but raised other stock to some ex-
tent; in 1877 he came to this
county, locating where he now re-
sides; he owns 195 acres of tine
land; in November, 1859, he mar-
ried Miss Mary A. Hill; she died
in December, 1867, leaving a fam-
ily of two children : Jame L. and
Delia J.; was again married in
March, 1869, to Miss Phebe Wat-
ters, a native of Delaware county,
Ohio, and born in May, 1840; he
is a member of the Masonic Fra-
ternity, Bucyrus Lodge, No. 129,
of Crawford county, Ohio; Mr.
James Dunlap, his father, is
with him; he was born in Ohio
county, Virginia, April 6, 1802;
moved to Marion county, Ohio,
in 1822, and located on a farm
where he resided for fifty years;
he came to Iowa in 1877 and set-
tled on the place, with his son,
where he now resides, and owns
120 acres of finely improved land;
he was married November, 1825,
to Miss Martha Yates, a native of
Yirginia; she died in November,
1826, leaving one child : Martha
(now Mrs. Scott, of Washing-
ton' county, Ohio); November,
27, 1827, he again married Miss
Nancy Story; she died in Septem-
ber, 1863, leaving a family of four
children : William, Kutham, Ma-
tilda and Jno. M. ; lost two : Ke-
ziah and Matilda; he was married
the third time to Mrs. Susan E.
Watters, of Delaware county,
Ohio, in June, 1868 ; Mr. Dunlap
intends to rent his land, deal in
stock to some extent and live com-
fortably the rest of his days.
738
DIEECTORT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
EATON, W. D., farmer, Sec. 16;
P. 0. Sigonrney.
FORD, THOMAS F., farmer
and stock-raiser; P. 0. Sig-
ourney; born in Licking county,
Ohio, March 16, 1839; there he
was raised a farmer and received
his education from the common
schools of that State; in 1856 he
came with his parents to Keokuk
county, locating near Sigourney;
there his mother still resides with
her daughter, Mrs. Geo. Halferty;
his father died in 1870; he enlist-
ed September 21, 1861, in com-
pauy F. Eiglith Iowa Volunteer
Infantry; was taken sick at Syra-
cuse, Missouri, and after serving
for nine months, was mustered
out at St.'Louis, Missouri; he re-
turned to this county and settled
in Adams township, but the loca-
tion not being desirable, he locat-
ed where he now lives; owns 120
acres of fine land; Mr. F. is at
present, and has been for the past
three years, township trustee; Oc-
tober 15, 1862, married Miss Su-
san Clubb, a native of Indiana;
they have one adopted daughter:
Eliza Hansyel, who has lived with
them for some twelve years; are
both active members of the Christ-
ian Church.
Fisher, Fred., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
Sigourney.
Fitzgerald, Dan., farmer, Sec. 21;
P. O. Sigourney. ,
GEJSTO, WM., farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Sigourney.
Gramm, Kobert, farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Sigourney.
HALL, J. R., farmer Sec. 33; P.
O. Sigourney; born in Logan
county, Ohio, October 2, 1830;
there he was raised, following the
occupation of farmer, which he
contined until 1865; he then came
to this county and settled near
Springfield; he remained there
for two years and then went to
German township in 1867; was
appointed steward of the county
poor-farm, and remained in that
position for twelve years; during
that time all of the improvements
were made; in 1874 he settled
where he now resides; owns 136
acres of land under good cultiva-
tion; November, 1853, he was
married to Miss Elizabeth Sapp;
she was born April 27, 1829'; by
this union they have seven child-
dren: George W., Alice M., Oli-
ver S., Frank B., William C,
Mary E. and Lucinda E.; lost one:
Charles ; Mr. Hall is a member of
the A. O. U. W. Lodge.
Ham, Lewis, farmer Sec. 18; P. 0.
Sigourney.
HASTY, T. B., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Sigourney; born in Fleming
county, Kentucky, January 11,
1826; he remained there until
nearly six years of age, when, with
his parents, he moved to Morgan
county, Indiana; he remained
there until 1842, when he came
to "Washington county, Iowa, and
there engaged in farming; came
to this county in 1856 and settled
in Yan Buren township; in 1866
he moved on the place where he
now resides; owns 160 acres of
good land, and well improved;
was formerly engaged in milling,
having followed that business for
fourteen years, up to 1871; he
built and operated what is known
as "Hasty's Mill," during that
time; October 28, 1854, he mar-
ried Miss Althea Dean, a, native
of Montgomery county, Indiana;
they have nine children: Leah E.
(now Mrs. Shennofield), Dora,
Hosea D., Lewis D., Frank "W.,
Sarah E., Etty M., Martha A. and
Q. L.
Hasty, J. G., farmer. Sec. 30; P. 0.
Sigourney.
Hartlong, Charles, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Sigourney.
Harvey, J. B., farmer. Sec. 4; P.. 0.
Sigourney.
VAN BUEEN TOWNSHIP.
739
Heart, Dan., farmer. Sec. 17^ P. O.
Sigonrney.
Hill, H. K., farmer. Sec. 5; P.O.
Sigonrney.
Honsechilds, Fred, farmer, Sec. 14;
P. O. Sigonrney.
JENNINGS, WM., farmer, Sec.
d 26; P. O. Sigournpy.
Johnson, J. C, ifarmer. Sec. 9; P.
O. Sigonrney.
John, Wm., farmer,' Sec. 16; P. 0.
Sigonrney.
Johnson, Oliver, farmer. Sec. 21; P.
O. Sigonrney.
Just, Chris, Jr., farmer, Sec. 8; P.
0. Sigourney.
Just, Chris, farmer. Sec. 7; P. 0.
Sigourney.
Just, Fred, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Sigonrney.
KLEINSCHMIDT. N., farmer,
Sec. 30; P. O. Sigourney.
Klitz, A., farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Sigourney.
Koltman, Wm., farmer. Sec. 20; P.
O. Sigourney.
LANDEES, JONES, farmer,
Sec. 9; P. Sigourney.
Legg, Sam, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
Sigourney.
Legg, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Sigourney.
Lowe, J. B., farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. O.
Sigourney.
McCLANAHAN, JAMES,
farmoi-. Sec. 8; P. O. Sig-
ourney.
McCLENAHAN, ELIJAH, farm-
er and stock-raiser, Sec. 8; P. O.
Sigourney; born in Kentucky,
June 3, 1811; when sixteen years
of age he moved with his parents
to Shelby county, Ohio; was
raised a farmer, and in 1829 he
went to Pickaway county; he
thei'e learned the hatters' trade,
but owing to impaired health was
obliged to abandon it; in 1831 he
moved to Peoria county, Illinois,
and engaged in farming; about
this time the trouble between
Black Hawk and his tribe and the
whites occurred; Mr. McC. lived
near where some of the most
fiendish outrages were perpetrat-
ed; he himself was, at one time
during the troubles, a target for
twenty shots from the Indians,
and yet unharmed; during the
period of these troubles, he, in
common with his neighbors, ex-
perienced hardships that words
fail to describe; in 1833 he re-
moved to Putnam county, Illi-
nois; in 1855 he came to Keokuk
county, and settled on an improv-
ed farm known as the Brown
farm, near Sigourney; he at one
time owned and operated a saw
mill in Sigourney, near where the
flouring mill now stands; this
he exchanged for the farm on
which he now lives, and owns 404
acres of improved land, well
stocked; has held various town-
ship oflBces; has been twice mar-
ried, first to Miss Sarah Emery,
in March, 1835 ; she was a native
of Ohio; she died January 26,
1854, leaving eleven children, liv-
ing: Elizabeth, Sarah J., Robert
and Mary (twins), James E.,
Nancy, Winfield S., Isabel, Com-
modore J., Rosella I. and Clarin-
da; lost three; he married for his
second wife Miss Elizabeth Wil-
son, May 27, 1855; she was born
in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1831;
by this union they have nine
chiidren: Maria A., Abraham
L., Andrew J., Elijah, Amanda,
Melvin, Russell, Shadon and Al-
raon: lost* two: John H. and
Eliza; Mr. and Mrs. McC. are ac-
tive members of the Christian
Chnrch.
McNabb, Andrew, farmer. Sec. 31;
P. O. Sigourney.
McNabb, Philip, farmer, Sec. 31;
P. O. Sigourney.
Manyon, Frances, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Sigourney.
Marts, Andrew, farmer, Sec 26; P.
O. Sigourney.
740
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK OOUNnr.
MEAD, WILLIAM, farmer and
stock-raiser. Sec. 19; P. 0. Sig-
ourney; born in Licking county,
Ohio, February 22, 1827; when
nine years of age he with his pa-
rents moved to Champaign coun-
ty, Ohio, where he was raised on
a farm; during his early years he
taught school during the winters,
and farmed through the summers ;
he came to this State and county
October 13, 1861, and located on
the place where he now resides;
owns 500 acres of land, the most
of which is well improved; has
held various township oflSces; he
has been twice married, first to
Miss Sarah Harlan, a native of
Chester county, Pennsylvania,
May 24,1851; they had by this
union three children: William E.,
George O. and Li da M. (now Mrs.
J. W. Bland); married for his
second wife, February 3, 1859,
Miss Susan M. Cowgill, a native
of Champaign county, Ohio; they
have seven children: Charlie,
Carrie, Harland, Annie C, Alice,
Lillie and Frank; have lost one:
Harry; Mr. and Mrs. M. are mem-
bers of the M. E. Church.
Mead, Oscar, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O.
Sigourney.
Miller, Wm., farmer. Sec. 7; P. O.
Sigournej'.
Mollinix, David, farmer, Sec. 27; P.
O. Sigourney.
NEWMAN, MIKE, / farmer.
Sec. 7; P. 0. Sigourney.
Newman, Adolph, farmer, Sec. 17;
P. 0. Sigourney.
Newman, Fred, farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. Sigourney.
Nichol, Nicholas, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P.
O. Sigourney.
Nichol, Fred, farmer, Sec. 8; P.-0.
Sigourney.
PARKE, THERESA, farmer,
Sec. 8; P. O. Sigourney.
Parke, A. J., farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. O.
Sigourney.
Parke, W. J., farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
Sigourney.
Parke, Kebecca, farmer, Sec. 10; P,
O. Sigourney.
Polka, August, farmer. Sec. 24; P.
O. Sigourney.
RENTFRO, J. S., farmer, Sec.
22; P. O. Sigourney.
Eock, Fred, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0.
Sigourney.
Kodes, Wm. farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0,
Sigourney.
Kodes, Phillip, farmer. Sec. 17; P.
O. Sigourney.
Rogers, Archillis, farmer. Sec. 11;
P. O. Sigourney.
Rogers, H.J. farmer, Sec. 12; P.O.
Sigourney.
Roice, Wilber, farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Sigourney.
Roice, Abner, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. 0.
Sigonrney.
S EATON, JOSEPH, farmer.
Sec. 28; P. O. Sigourney,
Shawhan, John, farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. Sigourney.
Shawhan, J. R., farmer. Sec. 33; P.
O. Sigourney.
SHUFFLEBARGER, HENRY,
farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Sigourney f
born in Montgomery county, Vir-
ginia; in 1830, when quite young,
he moved with his parents to
Johnson county, Indiana; there
he remained until 1847, being
raised there on a farm, which oc-
cupation he has followed since; in
1847 he came to this county, and
has resided here mos't of the time
since; in 1863 he moved to Indi-
ana, but not being satisfied with
the location, returned to this
county, locating where he now
lives in 1868; owns 189 acres of
well improved land ; Mr. S. was
an active worker in the struggle
for the location of the county-seat,
and he himself, with a team, re-
moved the records of the county
from Sigourney to Lancaster,
in 1848, but in 1858 the
VAN BXJEEIT TOWNSHIP.
741
records were returned to Sig-
ourney; he has held var-
ious offices of trust in his town-
ship; he married Miss Elizabeth
Lowe, November 14, 1848; she is
a native of Kush county, Indiana,
there she was raised, and in 1846,
■came with her parents to Iowa,
locating in Keokuk county; they
have ten children: Florence J.
(now Mrs. Milton Harden, of
Johnson county, Indiana), Mary
E. (now Mrs. A. W. Sanders, of
Greenwood county, Kansas), Ol-
ive E. (now Mrs. V. T. Sanders,
of the same county and State),
Sarah E., Effie L. (now Mrs. S. F.
Finsley, of this county), John H.,
Joseph F., Inez M., Burton H.
and Eessie E.; lost two: Delia M.
and an infant ; they are old settlers
and have participated in all the
hardships known to a pioneer life;
Mrs. S. and four of her daughters
are members of the Baptist
Church, at Sigourney.
ihutts, "Wm., farmer, Sec. 17; P. O.
Sigourney.
ilaser, Godlieb, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P.
0. Sigourney.
Imith, J. v., farmer. Sec. 14; P. O.
Sigourney.
5MITH, LiESTER, farmer. Sec. 11 ;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Tomp-
kins county. New York, June 10,
1818; when quite young he, with
his parents, moved to Fayette
■county, Indiana; there he was
raised on a farm, which occupa-
tion he has followed to the present
time; in 1844 he went to Mc-
Lean county, Illinois, where he
remained for eleven years, and in
1854 he removed to this State and
county; in 1856 he located on the
place which he now occupies;
owns 180 acres of good land; has
held various town ship offices; mar-
ried February 24, 1842, to Miss
Mary Richardson; she was born
in Belmont county, Ohio, Febru-
ary 24, 1817; she remained in
Ohio until thirteen years of age,
when her parents moved to Fay-
ette county, Indiana; there she
was raised ; they have four chil-
dren : John v., Oliver H., Sarah
J., Olive A. ; lost one son : Aaron
B., who was a member of company
H, Thirty-third , Iowa Yolunteer
Infantry; enlisted August, 1862,
and died January 24, 1864, at
Keokuk, Iowa; John V. was also
a member of the same company,
but was discharged on account of
disability; Mrs. Smith is a mem-
ber of the Christian Church at
What Cheer.
Snider, Ernest, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Sigourney.
Snider, S., farmer. See. 20; P. O.
Sigourney.
Swails, Abram, farmer. Sec. 1; P.
O. Sigourney.
Story, N. L., farmer. Sec. 16; P. O.
Sigourney.
THOMPSON, ANN, farmer,
Sec. 11; P. O. Sigourney.
THOMPSON, T. J., farmer. Sec.
10; P. O. Sigourney; born in
Boone county, Indiana, March 31,
1840; he remained there until
twelve years of age, when he with
his parents moved to Iowa, locat-
ing in this county and township;
in 1853 he moved upon the place
where he now resides, and which
consists of 220 acres of good land
upon which he has a fine house
and outbuildings; he enlisted in
1862 in company B, Thirty-third
Iowa Volunteer Infantry; served
until the close of the war, was not
wounded, and was mustered out at
Davenport in 1865 ; from there he
returned home, where he now re-
sides: he has held various offices
in his township, and is a thorough
farmer; January 1, 1859, he was
united in marriage with Miss Har-
riet Rodman; she was born in,
Jackson county, Indiana, August
28, 1841 ; she came to this county
with her parents (who were some
742
DIEECTOET OF ZEOKUK COUNTY.
of the pioneers of this county) in
1843; have three children : Doug-
las E., Melissa H., Dora E.; have
lost two : Francis L. and Thomas
H.
Tools, William, farmer, Sec. 11; P.
0. Sigourney.
Tools, Pat., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O.
Sigourney.
Turner, John, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Sigourney.
•\ 7^ TALTZ, PETER, farmer, Sec.
VV 18; P, O. Sigourney.
WHEELER, JOHNSTON, farm-
er. Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Sigourney ; born
February 21, 1836, Ohio being
his native State; there he was rais-
ed upon a farm, living there until
1857, when he came to Iowa, re-
maining there for one year, then
removing to Kansas; he made that
State his home until 1859, when
he went to Missouri, and in 1861
came to Iowa; he settled upon his
present ferm in 1864; it consists
of 281 acres of land with all the
improvements necessary; married
Miss Kate M. Dewitt, a native of
Ohio; she was born October 1,
1835; they have three children:
Orville D. born November 25,
1860, Ezekiel E., born October
30, 1863, William A., born May
1, 1872; have lost one: Puss, who
■was born April 2, 1867; she died
March 4, 1870.
Wheeler, E., farmer. Sec. 29; P. O.
Sigourney.
Wheas, John, farmer. Sec. 25; P. 0.
Sigourney.
WOODBRIDGE, SAMUEL, far-
mer and stock-raiser, Sec. 6 ; P. O.
Sigourney; born in Yonngstown,
Trumbull county, Ohio, July 12,
1818; he was there raised on a
farm; learned the leather trade
and continued to follow it until
twenty-four years of age, when he
. went to Michigan City, Indiana;
he was there engaged in the man-
ufactory of mill machinery; in
1848 he returned to Trumbull
county, Ohio, where he remained
for two years ; married September
12, 1850 to Miss Caroline Bent-
ley; she was born in Trumbull
county, Ohio, April 6, 1827; her
father, James Bentley, was the
first white child born in Mercer
county. Western Pennsylvania; he
was born in 1799, and is still liv-
ing; they have five children:
Charles D., Anson L., Mary E.,
Louisa C. and James W; Mr. W.
came to Henry county, Iowa, in
1851, settling at New London; he
was there engaged in the milling
business for eight years, and in
1859 came to this county and set-
tled where he now resides; owns-
200 acres of land well supplied
with graded stock; he ha^followed
farming exclusively since 1859^
has held various township offices,,
and is a well respected citizen.
WRIGHT, S.R., farmer, Sec 3; P.
0. Sigourney; born in Fioyd coun-
ty, Indiana, September 22, 1816;
was there raised a farmer; from
there he went to Morgan county
in 1838; in 1852 he came to lowa^
settled where he now lives in
1855; owns 170 acres of land and
does some work in the carpenter's
line; has held various township
offices; in March, 1842, he was
married to Miss L. Fields, a na-
tive of North Carolina; born in
March, 1820; have nine children:
Frances A. (now Mrs. Lowe), Lucy
M.jThomasN., Yirindi J., Armita,
Henry, John E., Martha E. and
Alfred F.; have lost three: Eliza-
beth, Samuel and William A.,
who enlisted September 9, 1862^
in company B., Thirty-third Iowa.
Volunteer Infantry and served!
with his regimentfor a short time^
when, in May, 1863, he died at
Helena, Arkansas, of a disease
contracted in the army; Mrs..
Wright is a member of the Bap-
tist Church at Sigourney.
GEEMAN TOWNSHIP.
743
Or^lTZli/L.A.l<T TO"^;7s7"3iTSmr'.
A DKIAN, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
!^ 9; P. O. Garibaldi.
.Ibers, Albert, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. O.
Garibaldi.
.Ibers, "W. H., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
0. Sigourney.
lLLEN,JOHN, farmer. Sec. 12;
P. O. Harper; born in New Jer-
sey in 1848 and lived there until
ten years of age, and then remov-
ed to this county in 1858; he was
raised a farmer and owns 231
acres of land ; he has held various
township offices; he married Miss
Sarah Matheny in 1869; she was
born in Virginia; they have four
children: Hoben'a, Henry, Catha-
rine and Mary ; lost one son : Oli-
ver.
Lntony, D., farmer. Sec. 11; P. O.
Harper.
LRCHER,D., farmer, Seel; P.
0. South English ; born in Scot-
land in 1824; he received the ad-
vantages of a good education and
was engaged in the loan business
until he came to the United
States; he came to this county in
1855 and engaged in agricultural
Irarsuits; he owns 360 acres of
and; he represented this county
in the Fourteenth General Assem-
bly of the State Legisalture and
served with credit to his constitu-
ents and honor to himself; he
married Miss M. E. Bannerman
in 1854; she is a native of Scot-
land; they have two children:
Elizabeth (wife of Robert H.
Gemmell) and Anna (wife of S. B.
Robinson).
BACKHOUS, CHAS., Se., far-
mer, Sec. 8; P. O. Sigour-
ney.
Jacker, Adam, farmer. Sec. 14; P.
0. Harper.
5aker, Nic, farmer, Sec. 26; P.O.
Harper.
Jaker, Margaret, farmer. Sec. 27 ; F.
O. Harper.
Balzer, Andrew, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P.
O. Garibaldi.
Baumert, Magdalena, farmer. Sec.
26; P. O. Harper.
Baumert, George, farmer, Sec. 12;
P. 0. Harper.
Beneman, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Sigourney.
Beneman, Wm., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Sigourney.
BEINHART, DAVID, farmer,
Sec. 25; P. 0. Harder; born in
Germany May 8, 1821; he lived
there till 1837, when he emigrat-
ed to the United States and land-
ed at New York, and from this
place he went to Pennsylvania,
where he remained till 1845 and
came to Keokuk county and set-
tled in -German township, where
he has since lived; he owns a farm
of 143 acres, well improved and
in a good state of cultivation; he
has held various township offices
and is a practical farmer; he mar-
ried Miss Louisa F. Geiss May 4,
1845; she was born in Germany
December 16, 1830, and came to
the United States in 1837; she
died January 17, 1877; their fam-
ily consists of ten children: Isa-
bel M.. Catharine, Christena, Lou-
isa, Emma J., Pauline, Otilia,
John D., Clara W. and Georgia
B.; lost three: Andrew B., Alvi-
na and Mary.
Beinhart, John, Sr., farmer. Sec. 36;
P. O. Harper.
Beinke, Herman, farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Sigourney.
BLAISE, THEODORE, farmer.
Sec. 14; P. O. Garibaldi; born in
Prussia in 1822, and lived there
until he emigrated to the United
States in 1847 and settled in Keo-
kuk county, where he has
since resided excepting two years
when he was engaged in the can-
dle business; he owns a farm of
90 acres and has been honored
744:
DIRBOTOET OF KEOKUK COUKl'T.
with all the township offices; he
married Miss Margaret Eeder in
1855; she was also born in Prus-
sia; they have eight children:
Kobert, Emile, Theodore, Katie,
Frank, Philip, Annie and Bertha.
BLAISE, MATTHIAS, farmer,
stock raiser and stock dealer, Sec.
28; P. O. Sigourney; born in
Germany in 1820, aad was raised
there; he emigrated to the United
States in 1848, and settled in
Keokuk county, where he owns
320 acres of land, with good im-
provements; he has held various
offices in the township, and is al-
ways among the foremost in ad-
vancing the interests of the coun-
ty; he married Miss Margaret
Geregan in 1848; she was born in
Germany; they have eight child-
ren: John, Charles, Henry, Zeno,
Dena, Peter, Albert and Nellie.
Blaise, John, Sr., farmer, Sec. 16;
P. 0. Garibaldi.
Blaise, John, Jr., farmer. Sec. 33;
P. O. Harper.
Blower, John, farmer. Sec. 13; P.
O. Harper.
Bower, Charles, farmer. Sec. 26; P.
O. Harper.
Brower, C. M., farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. O.
South English.
BOWER, LEVI, county treasurer,
Sigourney; born in Marion coun-
ty, Ohio^ May 7, 1842; his pa-
rents were Samuel and Johannah
Bower, natives of Germany; they
emigrated to the United States in
1841, and settled in Ohio, and
came to this county in 1853; the
subject of this sketch received a
food common school education;
e learned the carpenter's trade,
and worked at it for some years
in the snmmer, and taught school
in the winter; in March, 1863, he
went overland to California, and
was eighty-one days on the road;
after remaining there a year, he
returned by the way of the Isth-
mus and Cuba; in 1864 he bought
the farm on which he now resides
in German township; he also en-
gaged in making brick, and built
his house of brick at a cost of
$2,500; he also built a barn at a
cost of $1,200; he has a valuable
stone quarry on his farm; he has
held all the various township offi-
ces previous to his election to his
present position ; he is a member
of the Free Masons, of the I. O.
O. F., and of the A. O. U.W.;
he was married March 13, 1864,
to Miss Isabella M.' Grove; they
have four children: Amelia, Dora
Belle, Albert and Edward.
Brunce, E.., farmer. Sec. 7; P. 0.
Sigourney.
BURKE, JOHN, farmer,- Sec. 30;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Ireland
in 1823, and was raised there on a
farm ; he emigrated to the United
States in 1848, and settled in New
York city; in April, 1864, he re-
moved to Linn county, Iowa,
where he remained four years,
aud came to this county in 1858;
he owns a farm of 230 acres; Mr.
Burke has traveled extensively,
both east and west, with a view of
changing his place of residence;
he visited Kansas and Montana,
California, and east as far as Vir-
ginia, and has concluded to spend
the balance of his days in his
home in Keokuk counry; he has
held various township offices; he
married Miss Mary Ryan in Au-
gust, 1853; she was born in Ire-
land, and died November 25,
1866 ; he married Julia Mannion,
who was born in Africa, and
brought to
young, and
three
in
this country when
raised here; he haS
children by his first mar-
riage: Eichard (who is a graduate
of the State Agricultural College
at Ames, and at the present time
Principal of the schools in Delta),
Thomas (a student in the State
GERMAN TOWNSHIP.
74S
Agricultural College), and John;
be has two children living by his
second marriage: Ann and Ed-
ward ; he lost five children within
four weeks 'of diptheria: Francis,
Martin, William, Mary and Agnes.
OASSENS, HENRY, farmer, Sec.
<^ 8; P. O. Webster.
Dampbell, Sarah, farmer, Sec. 3; P.
0. "Webster.
Jollins, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. "Webster.
Jollins, Henry, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
0. "Webster.
DOOKE, A., farmer and stock-
raiser. Sec. 8 ; P. O. Sigourney;
born in Ireland in 1832, and was
raised there on farm ; in 1852 he
emigrated to the United States,
and settled in Licking county,
Ohio, and came to "Washington
county, Iowa, in 1855, and to
Keokukcounty in 1867; he owns
417 acres of land; he married
Miss Catharine E. Eeister, in
1857; she was born in Ohio;
they have six children: James
"W., George E., Frederick E.,
Catharine J., Harry and Charles.
Doon, Charles, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
0. Harper.
jourtzel, Frank, farmer. Sec 10; P.
0. Harper.
Dox, Fred., farmer. Sec. 4; P. O.
DECKER, A., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Garibaldi.
DELONG, LEONARD, farmer.
Sec. 18; P. O. Sigourney; born
in Ohio in 1829, and removed to
Washington county, Iowa, in
1840, and remained there until
1850; he then went overland to
California and was gone three
years, and returned to Iowa in
1853 and settled in this county,
where he now owns 300 acres of
good land ; he' married Miss Sa-
rah Brannan in 1856.
)1CKEY, T. M., steward of the
poor farm. Sec. 34; F. O. Sigour-
ney; born in Indiana in 1829,
and when ten years of age was
brought by his parents to Fulton
county, Illinois; he was raised a
farmer, and lived in Warren,
Knox, and Marshall counties, Illi-
nois; he then went to Missouri
and lived there five years, and
came to this county in 1872; owns
a farm of 121 acres ; in March,
1879, he was appointed steward
of the poor farm, and has man-
aged it to the satisfaction of all
of its inmates and the citizens of
the county; he married Miss" Su-
san Houser, in 1858; she was
born in Ohio; they have seven
children : Andrew, Delia, George,
Addie, Harry, Maggie and Den-
ver.
Donahue, Mrs., farmer. Sec. 8; P.
O. Webster.
Duensing, Henry, farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. Sigourney.
Dunker, Wm., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O.
Harper.
Dulin, Wm. L., farmer. Sec. 9; P.
O. W^ebster.
EHLEN, C. H., farmer, Sec.
20; P. O. Sigourney.
FAtJTH,MARY, farmer, Sec. 9;
P. O. Garibaldi.
Ferry, Chester, farmer. Sec. 18; P.
O. Sigourney.
Fixmer, R., Sr., farmer. Sec. 27;
P. O. Harper.
Flitch, John, farmer. Sec. 23; P. O.
Harper.
Fry, Harrison, farmer. Sec. 4; P.
O. Webster.
Fry, Wm., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
"Webster.
Fry, Reuben, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
"Webster.
Fry, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
GAMMEL, R. H., farmer. Sec.
2; P. 0. South English.
Glander, Susan, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Harper.
Goeldner, Wm., Jr., farmer, Sec. 25 ;
P. O. Harper.
GOELDNER, J. H., farmer, Sec.
746
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
13; P. O. Harper; born in Prus-
sia in 1824, and raised there; he
learned the trade of carpenter and
emigrated to the United States in
1850, and to this county in 1852;
owns eighty acres of land and has
held various township offices and
is at the present time justice of
the peace; he married Sarah Tel-
ler in 1853; she was born in Ohio,
and died in 18G7, leaving five
children: Henry T., Eobert B.,
Albert, George W., Edwin; he
married L. Schaafenberg, in 1869;
she was born in Germany; they
have one child : Amelia; lost six.
Griswold, E. T., farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. Webster.
Gries, Peter, farmer. Sec. 26; P. O.
Harper.
Gross, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 23; P.
O. Harper.
Gross, ISTic, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Garibaldi.
Gross, John, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Garibaldi.
HAHJSr, GEO., farmer. Sec. 28;
P. O. Sigourney.
Hammes, Val.,^farmer, Sec. 30; P.
0. Sigourney.
Hammon, Peter, farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Harper.
Hartman, Lucy, farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Harper.
Harman, John, farmer, Sec 36; P.
O. Harper.
Hartman, Val., farmer, Sec. 24; P.
O. Harper.
Hein, Nic, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Garibaldi.
Heina, Wm., farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Sigourney.
HELSCHER, JOHN, farmer. Sec.
36; P. O. Harper; born in Des
Moines county, Iowa, in 1844, and
lived there until he came to this
county in 1869; owns a farm of
eighty acres and holds offices of
town trustee and school director;
married Miss Annie Schnaken-
berg in 1869; she was born in
this county; they have three
children : Geo. H. D., John W.
and Didricb B.
Herrick, L. R., farmer. Sec. 6; P. 0.
vV^GbstGI"
HOFFMAN, ANDREW, farmer
and local preacher. Sec. 2; P. 0.
Harper; born in Germany, April
25, 1811; he learned the trade of
weaver and followed it as an avo-
tion until 1836, when he emigrat-
ed to the United States; he landed
In New York, and from that place
went to St. Louis, Missouri, and
remained there until 1846, and
then came to Keokuk county and
settled in German township,
where he has since lived; he owns
an improved farm of 179 acres;
has held various township offices;
is a prominent member of the M.
E. Church, and is also a local
preacher ; married Wilhelmine
Knight, August 16, 1842; she
was born in Germany and emi-
grated to the United States in
1832; they have a family of ten
children : Henry, Daniel, Andrew,
Louisa, Elvena, Wilhelmine, Au-.
gust, William, Oliver and Emma;
they lost one son : Eddie.
Hipp, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 36; P.O.
Harper.
Homensteffer, John, farmer, Sec. 6;
P. O. Webster.
HORRASS, W., Jr., farmer. Sec.
9; P. O. Sigourney; born io
Germany in 1842 and came to the
United States in 1847; owns a
farm of 106 acres ; married Miss-
Elizabeth Cline, in 1866; she was
born in Germany; they have
seven children: Peter, Casper,
Wendell, Nicholas, Millie, Amy
and John.
HOUSE, JOHN B., farmer. Sec. 29;
P. O. Sigourney ; born in Virginia
in 1828, and Ifved there until
eighteen years of age and then
emigrated to Indiana and settled
in Morgan county, and remained
GEEMAU TOWNSHIP.
ur
there until he came to this county
in 1852; he owns 240 acres of
land; he has lived on his present
farm since coming to the county,
and has made all the improve-
ments; he married Miss Sarah
Jackson, in 1851; she was born
in South Carolina; they have five
children: Alando, Catharine (now
Mrs. Parish), Mary (now Mrs. Dr.
Armstrong), Millie and Delia;
lost one son: Alvin.
TACQUES, JOHl^, farmer. Sec.
J 13; P. O. Harper.
ackson, C. S., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
0. Sigourney.
FT- AUFMAN, T. H., farmer. Sec.
LX. 24; P. O. Harper; bOrn in
Ashland county, Ohio, July 6,
1830, and was raised there until
eighteen years of age, in the mill-
ing business ; in 1848 he removed
to Illinois, and came to Iowa in
1857 and settled in Washington
county, and lived there until 1860,
then came to this county; he
owns 175 acres of land; has held
oflBces of town trustee, secretary
of school board and assessor, four
terms; he married Miss Sarah
Dawson, of Washington county,
in 1858; she died in 1862, leav-
ing three children : Theodore J.,
William H. and Burrus I.
lautenberger, Nic, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Harper.
ieck, Phillip, farmer. Sec. 25; P.
O. Harper.
ienning, John and Fritz, farmer,
Sec. 15; P. O. Garibaldi.
ienney, William, farmer. Sec. 16 ;
P. O. Sigourney.
leller, Margaret, farmer, Sec. 15;
P. O. Garibaldi.
lern. Rev. P. J., Catholic priest,
Baden; P. O. Harper.
ilLLMER, HENRY, farmer, Sec.
11; P. O. Harper; born in Keo-
kuk county, Iowa, in 1848; here
he has been raised a farmer, and
owns a farm of fifty acres ; his pa-
rents are among the early settlers
of the county; is one of the pres-
ent town trustees; married Miss-
Mary Stow in 1872; she was born
in Ohio ; they have three children r.
Clara A., Dora M., Laura M.; lost
one daughter: Emma.
KILLMAR, FRED., farmer, Sec.
4; P. O. Sigourney; born in Pitts-
burgh, Pennsylvania, in 1839, and
came to this county when young;,
was raised a farmer and owns a
farm of sixty-eight acres ; has held
offices of constable and school di-
rector; married Miss Anna Her-
mann in 1864; she was born im
Indiana; they have a family of
ten children: John, Louisa, Ma-
tilda, Frank,Lewis, Frances, Hen-
ry, William, Mary and Annie.
Killmar, August, farmer. Sec. 12;
P. O. Harper.
Killmar, John, farmer. Sec. 12; P.
O. Garibaldi.
Klett, C, farmer. Sec. 24; P. O.
Harper.
Klein, Michael, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Sigourney.
Knox, John, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O.
Sigourney.
Koch, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Sigourney.
Koeber, Margaret, farmer. Sec. 15;
P. O. Sigourney.
Koedel, Andrew, farmer, Sec. 34;
P. O. Harper.
Kohlhass, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 24;
P. O. Garibaldi.
Kracht, Albert, farmer. Sec. 12; P.
O. Garibaldi.
Kracht, Emil, Dr., farmer, Sec. 12;
P. 0. Garibaldi.
Kuntz, Conrad, farmer, Sec. 23; PL
O. Harper.
Kurtz, John, farmer. Sec. 11; P. O.
Harper.
LAFFEE, B. F., farmer, Sec. 10,,
P. O. Sigourney.
Legill, Peter, farmer, Sec. 1; P. C
Harper.
LETJRS, HERMANN, farmer. Sec.
13; P.O.Harper; born in Gerv
many in 1833 and emigrated to.
748
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK OOTTNTT.
the United States in 1852, and the
same year came to this county; he
owns 240 acres of land; has held
school oflBces; he married Miss
Louisa Beinke in 1859; she was
born in Hanover, Germany; they
have seven children: Margaret,
Louisa, Henry, Annie, Hermann,
Eddie and Didrick; lost two; the
father of Mr. L. was John Leurs ;
he was born in Hanover, Ger-
many, and died October 18, 1868;
his mother's name was Margaret;
she was born in the same place
and died December 25, 1876.
Leonhart, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 14; P.
O. Harper.
Linen, John, farmer, Sec. 23; F. O.
Harper.
Linen, Nic, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Harper.
Linnenkam, Henry, P. 0. Harper.
LONG, JOEL, farmer. Sec. 30; P.
O. Sigourney; born in Cumber-
land county, Kentucky, October
22, 1809, and was raised there on
a farm until nineteen years of
age; he then moved to Jackson-
ville, Morgan county, Illinois, and
lived there four years, and then
went to Warren county and lived
the same length of time, and came
to Washington (then Slaughter)
county, Iowa, in 1838, remaining
until he made his residence in
this county in 1845; he owns a
farm of 133 acres; he has been
. honored by the citizens of the
township and county with various
oflices of honor and trust, among
them that of sheriff for two terms;
he married Miss Susan Grimsley
in 1832; she was born in Tennes-
••see; they have nine children liv-
ing: William, Samantha (now
Mrs. Parmley), Elizabeth (now
Mrs. Allen), Abraham G., Ed-
ward, James P., Vienna (now Mrs.
Shanafelt), Samuel and Augustus
D.; lost three.
Loughbridge, Wm., farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. Sigourney.
MoCAY, CALVIN, farmer.
Sec. 7; P. O. Garibaldi.
McNeal, D. A., farmer. Sec. 4; P.
O. Harper.
Magus, Fred., farmer. Sec. 15 ; P.
O. Garibaldi.
Mahland, C. H., farmer. Sec. 23; P.
O. Harper.
MERZ, CHARLES B., farmer. Sec.
10; P. O. Garibaldi; born in
Germany, December 6, 1814;
he received the advantage of a
good education and studied law;
he emigrated to the United States
September 1, 1843, and settled in
Cass county, Illinois; in 1851 he
removed to Des Moines county,
Iowa, and published the first pa-
per in the German language in
Burlington; he came to this
county in 1852 and engaged in
farming, and has followed it as an
ocoupation since that time; he
owns a farm of 275 acres; he has
held various township offices; he
married Miss Aletta Scheneider
in 1860; she was born in Ger-
many; they have a family of
eight children: Charles, Arthur,
Aletta, Nannie, Constance, Eve,
lonie and Virginia.
Meyer, John, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0.
Sigourney.
Meyerdick, Curt., farmer. Sec. 3;
P. O. Garibaldi.
Meyerdick, Henry, farmer, sec. 3;
P. O. Garibaldi.
Mohland, Martin, farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. .
MOHLAND, C. H., attorney, See.
11; P.O. Garibaldi; born in this
township in 1850, his parents be-
ing among the early settlers of
the county; he received the bene-
fit of a good education, and took
a law course at the State Univer-
sity, at Iowa City, and was admit-
ted to the bar in 1877; he has
been engaged in teaching a large
portion of his time for 10 years;
he owns a farm of eighty acres;
BlOORE, RICHARD T., farmer,
GEEMAN TOWNSHIP.
74:9
Sec. 16; P. O. Sigourney; born in
Virginia in 1799, and when young
was taken by his parents to Chilli-
cothe, Ohio, where he was raised
on a farm and lived there until he
came to this county in 1853; he
owns 149 acres of land, and has
lived where he now resides since
coming to the county; he has held
the oflice of justice of the peace
for many years, as well as various
township offices; be married Miss
Mary Brown in 1821 ; she was
born in Delaware, and died in
1844; he married for his second
wife Mrs. Eliza Jane Gaskill,
whose maiden name was Keen, in
1845; she was born in Pike coun-
ty, Ohio; has seven children by
first marriage: John, David A.,
Eichard S., Allen, Eliza J. (now
Mrs. Moore), Emily (now Mrs.
Storm), and Amy; have three by
second marriage: Amanda (now
Mrs. Belcher), Lntisia (now Mrs.
Lute), and Thomas,
[core, 0. J., farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
Webster.
[ueller, Henrv, farmer, Sec. 9; P.
0. Sigourney.
lueller, John, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
0. Webster.
^ASS, WM.; farmer, Sec. 31;
-N P. O. Sigourney.
felson, Andrew, farmer. Sec. 10;
P. 0. .
richoli, Wm., farmer. Sec. 19; P.
O. Sigourney.
3LDERBUEG, GEOEGE, far-
mer, Sec. 31 ; P. O. Sigour-
ney.
)ldshue, Henry, farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Sigourney.
>VERTURF, J. M., farmer. Sec.
29; P. O. Sigourney; born in Lick-
ing county, Ohio, in 1832, and
was raised there on a farm; he
came to this county in 1860; owns
a farm of eighty acres ; he mar-
ried Miss Mary A. Ford in 1855;
she was a native of Muskingum
county, Ohio; she died in 1873,
leaving two children: George W.
and Catharine J. ; he married for
his second wife. Miss Margaretta
Loughridge, in 1876; she was
born in Pennsylvania.
PARMLEY, WM. S., farmer.
Sec. 19; P. O. Sigourney;
born in Wayne county, Ken-
tucky, in 1834; he traces his an-
cestry on his father's side to
France, and settled first in Mary-
land when they came to this coun-
try; his great grand-father was in
the Eevolutionary war, his grand-
father was in the war of 1812, and
his father enlisted in the Eight-
eenth Missouri Infantry during-
the late war, and wks killed at
Pittsburg Landing; the subject
of this sketch was raised a tarmer,
and came to this country in May,
1855; he owns a farm of ninety
acres; he enlisted as a private in
the Thirty-third Iowa Infantry,
and was commissioned' as second
lieutenant in company B, and
was mustered out as captain; he
has held various township oflices;
he married Miss Samantha Long
in 1836; she was born in Illinois;
they have a family of ten children :
Sarah F., Joel, Yeana, Abraham,
Jennie, Eoscoe, Cicero, Maggie,
Tillie and Dora.
Paulus, Nic, farmer. Sec. 30; P. O.
Sigourney.
PAYTONJ WM., farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Morgan
county, Indiana, in 1840, and
came to this county in 1845; he-
was raised a farmer, and followed
it as an occupation until July 12,
1862, when, heeding the call of
his country for volunteers to de-
fend its honor, he enlisted as a pri-
vate in company B, Thirty-third
Iowa Infantry, and after serving
over three years, and participating
in most of the battles and skir-
mishes in which the regiment was
engaged, he was mustered out
August 8, 1865; he owns 200
1?50
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKTIK COTHSTTT.
acres of land: he married Mrs.
Mary 0. Crawford in 1866; she
was born in Beaver county, Penn-
sylvania; their family consists of
four children: George. Melvina
E., William 0. A. and Eugene 0.
Pfannerbacker, Henry, farmer, Sec.
33; P.O. Sigourney.
Poland, J. "W., farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Sigourney.
Polka, Albert, farmer, Sec. 16;' P.
O. Sigourney.
REBEE, MAETIN, farmer, Sec.
5; P.O. "Webster.
Eeinert, Matthias, farmer. Sec. 10; P.
0. Webster.
BEINERT, MICHAEL, farmer.
Sec. 4; P. O. Sigourney; born in
Prussia, January 1, 1843, and
lived there until eighteen years of
age, and then emigrated to the.
ilnited States and settled in Keo-
kuk county; enlisted in the Sec-
ond Iowa Infantry during the late
war and' served until discharged;
he has held the offices of town
trustee, assessor and school direc-
tor; married Miss Mary Horrass
in 1866 ; she was born in Prussia
and was brought by her parents
to, this country when an infant
;and raised in this county; they
have eight children: Frank, Cas-
per, Charles, Henry, Willie, Ber-
tha, Bessie, and an infant son.
Hichardson, Ben, farmer. Sec. 10;
P. 0. Webster.
Eitzinger, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 29;
P. O. Sigourney.
iEobison, S. B., farmer, Sec, 2 ; P. O.
South English.
JRose, Wm., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
Harper.
Eobison, D. L., farmer. Sec. 3;P. O.
South English.
lEunge, Fred, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O.
Sigourney.
SEABA, H., farmer and dealer
in fine stock. Sec. 11 ; P. O.
Harper; born in Germany Febru-
ary 5, 1834; in 1836 he came with
Jiis parents to the United States
and landed in Baltimore, and from
thence to Wheeling, Yirginia,
and lived there until 1838, and
then came to Keokuk county; he
settled in German township, where
he has since resided and has de-
voted his attention to stock-rais-
ing; he owns an improved farm
of 160 acres; married Miss Mary
Walrich, September 11, 1839; she
was born in Germany and came
to the United States in 1852; they
have eight children: Anna C,
John, Henry, Mina, William D.,
Harmon, Elizabeth and George;
lost one son: William.
Scheets, H., farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0.
South English.
Schmit, George, farmer, Sec. 17;
P. O. Sigourney.
Schmit, John (second), farmer,
Sec. 9; P. O.Webster.
Schmit, John, Sr., farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Harper.
Schmit, Frank, farmer, Sec. 15; P.
O. Garibaldi.
Schmit, John (first), farmer, Sec.
15; P. 0- Sigourney.
Schnakeniaerg, Henry, farmer, Sec. 2;
P. O. Webster:
Schnakenberg, Lewis S., farmer.
Sec. 20; P. O. Sigourney. .
Schroeder, Dit., farmer. Seel; P.
O. Harper.
Schroeder, Henry, farmer, Sec. 14;
P. O. Harper.
Schuman, Solomon, Sec. 11; P. 0.
Harper.
SCHNAKENBERG, DIDRICK,
farmer and local preacher, Sec. 35;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Ger-
many, November 5, 1805; he lived
there until 1824, and then went
to England, where he remained
until 1833, when he returned to
Germany; in 1836 he emigated to
the United States and landed in
Baltimore and from this place to
Wheeling, Virgina, and lived
there until 1839, and then remov-
ed to Washington county, Iowa,
and remained in that county un-
GERMAN TOWNSHIP.
751
til 1843, and then came to Keokuk
county and settled in German
township, where he has since lived ;
he owns a farm of 405 acres, well
improved and in a good state of
cultivation; he has held various
township offices and is a promi-
nent and active member of the
•German M. E. Church, and is al-
so a local preacher in this denom-
ination ; he married Miss Mary F.
Seaba, August 24, 1837 ; she was
born in Zeven, Germany, in 1811,
and came to the United States in
1836; their family consists of sev-
en children: Henry, William,
Mary Ann, Anna,Wilhemina, Did-
rick and Louisa; lost two: John
and Benjamin.
3chimmelpfening, Fred, farmer, Sec.
20; P. 0. Sigourney.
3CHNAKENBERG, JOHN, far-
mer. Sec. 20; P. O. Sigour-
ney; born in Germany in
1814; he came to the
United States and settled in
Wheeling, Virginia, and came to
this county at an early day and
now owns 440 acres of land; he
married Miss Dorothy Schanolds
in 1844; she was born in Ger-
many; they have ten children:
Lewis, John, Henry, Nicholas,
Mary, EJate, Minnie, Emma, Ded-
rick and George.
Schurmer, John, farmer, Sec. 84; P.
0. Sigourney.
Schuanka, Fred, farmer. Sec. 6; P.
0. Webster.
Seaba, John, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
Garibaldi.
Seaba, Christ, farmer. Sec. 2; P. O.
Harper.
Seibel, Adolph, farmer. Sec. 5; P.
0. Sigourney.
Seiwert, John, farmer. See. 36; P.
0.
8HANAFELT,D., farmer, Sec. 19;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Wash-
ington county, Maryland, in 1814,
and lived there until thirteen
years of age, and then removed to
Ohio, where he learned the trade
of wagon-making; in 1836 he
changed his place of residence to
Indiana, where he remained until
coming to this county in 1854; he
owns a farm of 178 acres and has
held various township offices; he
married Miss Charlotte House in
1839; she was born in Yirginia
and died in 1864; he afterward
married Clarissa Carter in 1871;
she was born in Ohio,; have five
children: Kate (now Mrs.Beattey),
John D., Daniel L. and Charlotte
(now Mrs. Knox); lost two: Eliz-
abeth and Amanda J.
Sherwood, S., larmei-. Sec. 1; P. O.
Harper.
Slaughter, Lucinda, farmer. Sec. 19;
P. O. Sigourney.
Starr, Fred., farmer. Sec. 17; P. O.
Sigourney.
STEEGLEDER, AUGUST, post-
master. Garibaldi; born in Ger-
many in 1828; he entered the of-
fice of an architect and builder
and made it his occupation and
attained great proficiency, and his
services in this direction were rec-
ognized by King William the IV,
who presented him with an elegant
medal; he immigrated to the
United States in 1856 and set-
tled in this county; he has been
twice married: first, to Miss Ma-
tilda Schilling in 1851 ; she was
born in Germany and died Octo-
ber 18, 1875, leaving nine chil--
dren: Bertha, Emma, Edmund,
August, Fred, Henry, Emma,
Lewis and Gotoff; lost three ; he
married for his second wife Mrs.
Margaret Leurs, in February,
1878; she was born in Germany;
owns 105 acres of land.
STRIEGEL, MICHAEL, farmer.
Sec. 36; P. O. Harper; born in
this county April 3, 1855; he
rents 175 acres of land from his
father; was an early settler and
was a blacksmith by trade, and
the son was brought up at this
762
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK OOTTNTT.
business in connection with the
farm; he married Miss Mary L.
Doll in 1877; she was born in
Yirginia; they have two children:
Kosa Catharine and Henry Al-
bert.
Stoersner, Gottlieb, shoemaker and
farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Sigourney.
Strokmann, Henry, farmer. Sec. 29;
P. O. .
Stokesbnry, J. W., Sr., farmer, Sec.
9; P. O. Sigourney.
Stoermer, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Sigourney.
Stoermer, L., farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. O.
Garibaldi.
Strohman, Dit, farmer. Sec. 5; P.
O. Sigourney.
Strohman, D. H., farmer, Sec. 31;
P. O. Sigourney.
Strohman, Fred., farmer, Sec. 7; P.
O. Sigourney.
Strupp, Nic, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Garibaldi.
Strigel, Christ., farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Harper.
TAEUSCHER, CHRIST., farm-
er. Sec. 14; P. O. Harper.
Todd, C. M., farmer, Sec. 23; P. O.
Harper.
Todd, William, farmer. Sec. 24; P.
O. Harper.
Todd, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Harper.
Taylor, John M., farmer, Sec. 15 ; P.
O. Garibaldi.
Tirrill, James, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
"Webster.
Triebel, Frank, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Garibaldi.
Triebel, Yal., farmer. Sec. 10; P. O.
Garibaldi.
Trotter, J. W., farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. Sigourney.
VANVLEET, L., farmer, Sec.
13; P. O. Harper.
Vanfleet, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P.
O. Sigourney.
Yoegtli, Urs Sen., farmer. Sec. 11 ;
P. O. Garibaldi.
Toltner, David, farmer. Sec. 32; P.
O. Sigourney.
WALLACE, W. C, farmer.
See. 23; P. O. Harper.
"Walker, James, farmer. Sec. 15; P.
O. Harper.
"Walrich, John P., farmer. Sec. 2 ; P,
O. Harper.
"Watson, John, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0.
"Webster.
"Weaver, Martin, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Sigourney.
"Wehr, Frank, farmer. Sec. 30; P. 0.
Harper.
Weisdorfer, Mat., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Harper.
"Wieland, Fred., farmer. Sec. 14; P.
O. Garibaldi.
WILSON, JONATHAN, farmer,
Sec. 17; P. O. Sigourney; born in
Ohio in 1813, and was raised there
until sixteen years of age, and then
removed to Indiana, where he
lived nineteen years, and came to
this county in 1849; owns 166
acres of land ; married Miss Mary
Reynolds in 1837; she was a na-
tive of Tennessee, and died in
1862 ; married for his second wife
Elizabeth Fowler, in 1863; she
was born in Ohio; has two chil-
dren living by first marriage:
John J. and Mary J.; lost three:
Adaline, "Wilkinson, and an in-
fant.
WITTEN, JOHN C, farmer. Sec.
28; P. O. Harper; born in Ger-
many in 1814, and learned the
trade of carpenter; emigrated to
the United States in 1863, and
settled in Keokuk county, Iowa,
where he owns a good farm of 160
acres; married in Germany in
1833; they have five children:
Gascha, J. Peter, Anna, Amanda
and Henry.
"Wittencamp, Ferdinand, former,
Sec. 6; P. O. Sigourney.
"Wittencamp, Henry, Jr., farmer.
Sec. 22; P. O. Garibaldi.
Wittencamp, Henry, Sr., farmer,
Sec. 22; P. O. Garibaldi.
Wolf, Henry, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0.
Sigourney.
LAFArETTE TOWNSHIP.
763
lA.^'.A.-Z-ETTE TO-^^T-D^TSmr'.
A LLER, ANTOlsr, farmer, Sec.
r^ 31;F. O.Harper.
.Her, Nic, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. O.
Harper.
Liiton, Mike, farmer. See. 30; P. O.
Harper.
lSHBY, J. A. Y., of the firm of
Littler, Ashby & Company, deal-
ers in general merchandise, Keo-
ta; born in Washington, "Wash-
ington county, Iowa, October 18,
1852; his father came to Iowa,
October 17, 1839, and is still liv-
ing in Washington, and is in his
ninety-third year; January 1,
1875, he came to Keota and en-
gaged in the mercantile business,
under the firm name of Sutton &
Ashby, where he continued for
about six months, when they de-
solved, and he became one of the
present firm of Littler, Ashby &
Company. May 9, 1878, he mar-
ried Miss Lizzie E. Hulse, a na-
tive of Whiteside county, Illinois;
Mr. Ashby is a man of good busi-
ness qualifications, and is an in-
telligent, affable gentleman ; we
cannot speak too highly of the
good taste displayed in the ar-
rangement of his store.
ixthelm, F. L., farmer. Sec. 31 ; P.
0. Harper.
BAILEY, H. S., farmer. Sec. 23;
P. 0. Keota.
laker, Peter, farmer. Sec. 34; P. O.
Keota.
lames, Ezra, farming implements,
Keota.
Jatterson, J. L., farmer, Sec. 27 ; P.
0. Keota.
iatterson, Mrs. C, farmer, Sec. 27;
P. 0. Keota.
ieck, Peter, laborer. Harper,
fellows, Mard, farmer. Sec 4; P. O.
Keota.
iesser, John, retired, Harper.
Jesser, J. P., farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
Harper.
SE^SER, N., farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0.
47
Harper; born in Prussia, June
26, 1833; when eleven years of
age he emigrated with his parents
to the United States; they came
to this county in 1844; his father
died October 11, a few days after
his arrival here; his mother died
three years later, October 26,
1647; he has made this county his
home ever since 1844; January
29, 1860, he was married to Miss
Margaret Harris, a native of
Prussia; she died October
10, 1868, leaving two children:
Charles and Mary; he was again
married to Miss Anna Schiltz,
November 20, 1869; by this un-
ion they have four children: Al-
bert, Frankie, Edward and John;
he owns a well improved farm of
400 acres; Mr. Besser is a good
practical farmer and has the re-
spect of all who know him.
Blower, John, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Harper.
Blower, Fred, farmer. Sec. 7; P. O.
Harper.
Bohr, Nick, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0.
Harper.
Boss, Peter, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O.
Harper.
Bouslog, S., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Creswell.
Bowleft, E., Keota.
BRICE, ROBERT S., physician
and surgeon, Keota; the subject
of this sketch was born in Bel-
mont county, Ohio, July 7, 1839;
his parents were farmers; he lived
on a farm until eighteen years of
age, where he received the advan-
tages of the common schools of
the county until fourteen years of
age; he then attended the West
Alexander Academy, where he
completed his education; when
about eighteen years of age he
engaged in teaching, which occu-
pation he followed for about three
years; he then commenced the
t54
DIEEOTOKY OP KEOKUK COUNTY.
study of medicine witli Dr. R.
N. Bain, of Powlmttan, Ohio; he
took one course of lectures at the
Louisville University, and anoth-
er at Ann Arbor, Michigan; on
the breaking out of the rebellion
Dr. Brice entered the army in
company K, Fifty-second Ohio
Yolunteer Infantry, as private,
and was in the service ten months,
and was wounded at the battle of
Stone River, and was then trans-
ferred to the Medical Department,
at Louisville, Kentucky, where he
continued for one year, and dur-
ing that time was under the tutor-
ship of Donald McClane, phy-
sician, who is now professor of
surgery in the University of
Michigan ; the doctor came to Tal-
leyrand, this county, in 1865, and
commenced the practice of his
profession; he continued there
until June, 1872, when he came
to Keota; since that time has
been closely identified with Keo-
ta's best interests, and great cred-
it is due him for the fine educa-
tional interests they now enjoy;
he has been president oi the
school board most of the time
since his residence here; Febru-
ary 83, 1870, he was married to
Mrs. Minerva Smith, a native of
Illinois, but raised in this State;
they have by this union one
daughter living: Nellie, and have
lost one son and one daughter:
Bernie and Bessie; Mrs. B. has
one son and one daughter by her
former marriage: Francis M. and
Alice.
Brown, S. T., farmer. Sec. 3; P. O.
Keota.
Buckley, H. S., farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Harper.
Burkhart, Samuel, restaurant,
Keota. ,
Bush, Isoah, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Keota.
Butcher, Conrad, livery. Harper.
Butterfield, Oscar, restaurant, Ke^
ota.
C ARRIS, R. T., farmer. Sec. 36;
P. O. Keota; born in Orange
county, !N"ew York, November 20,
1832 ; when four years of age, his
parents moved to Licking county,
Ohio ; he came here in the spring
of 1854 and located on his pres-
ent homestead of 310 acres ; April
14, 1854, he was married to Miss
Mary J. Brooks, a native of Lick-
ing county, Ohio; they have seven
sons and four daughters: Hila A.,
Eldridge G., "William H., Eosa
M., John S., Ulysses G., Rufus,
Leroy, Victor W., Eva and Mary;
he is a man honored and respected
by all who know him as a thor-
ough business man; he has been
county supervisor for two ternis,
and has held most of the township
offices.
Campbell, R. F., farmer, Sec. 35 ; P.
O. Keeta.
Casford, J. R., drayman, Keota.
CHARLTON, JOSEPH, President
of the Keota Glass Works; the
subject of this sketch was born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
June 25, 1818; when about two
years of age he with his parents
moved to Washington county,
Pennsylvania, where he was
raised; he was married to Miss
Margaret Thomas, of Greene
county, Pennsylvania, in 18 — ;
they came to Iowa and located in
Scott county in 1853, and to this
county in the fall of 1855; in
April, 1856, they returned to
Pennsylvania, and returned here
in May, 1858, and have been resi-
dents of this county ever since;
Mr. Charlton has been principally
engaged in farming until six
years ago, when he came to Keota,
while in its infancy, and started
a meat market under the firm
name of Charlton & Son; Mr.
Charlton has been closely identi-
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
755
fied with the interests of Keota
for the past six years, and was one
of the foremost in the organiza-
tion of their glass works, and de-
serves a great deal of credit for
the substantial aid and encourage-
ment of such an enterprise; al-
though not the richest man in
Keota, he has rendered more sub-
stantial aid in the advancement of
the enterprise than any other citi-
zen; Mr. and Mrs. Charlton have
been blessed with seven children,
two sons and five daughters: Jo-
sephus B.jWm. K., Caroline, Mag-
fie, Nancy J., Lucy and Ella; J.
>., the oldest, served his country
during the late war; he enlisted
in company I, Eighteenth Iowa In-
fantry; he enlisted as private, and
was mustered out as second , lieu-
tenant; he served three years;
Mr. C. was mayor of Keota one
term, and has held various offices
of trust.
Charlton & Son, butchers, Keota.
Charlton, W. K., meat market, Ke-
ota.
Chesney, Mrs. M., Creswell.
Chesney, Wm., farmer, Sec. 9; P.
0. Creswell.
Chesney, J. M., farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O.
Creswell.
CLARK, JOHN, farmer and stock-
raiser. Sec. 9; P. O. Keota; born
March 25, 1831, in Lincolnshire,
England, and was raised a farmer;
he came to the United States in
1852 and settled in Tasewell coun-
ty, Illinois; he came to this county
and settled where he now lives in
1858; owns a fine farm of 140
acres; he married Miss M. Fergu-
son, December 28, 1856; she was
a native of Perthshire, Scotland,
horn August 28, 1827; they have
five children: "Wm. T., Eliza A.,
Benj. Gr., May andKittie; lost one
son: David F.
CLARKE, J. C, dealer in
agricultural implements, Keota;
born in Grafton county, N. H.,
July 25, 1832; seven years later,
he, with his parents, moved to
Caledonia county, Vermont, where
he continued to make his home
until he reached his majority;
Mr. Clark had all the advantages
of the common schools of that
State supplemented with an acad-
emic education; he taught school
in Caledonia county four years;
in 1853 he was married to Miss
Mary E. Carson, of Grafton coun-
ty, New Hampshire; the same
year he came west and locat-
ed in Peoria, Illinois, where he
engaged in teaching three years;
in the fall of 1856 he removed to
Iowa county, this State; he there
engaged in farming for twenty
years, with the exception of one
year, when he was engaged in the
mercantile business; in 1869 he
-returned to Iowa county, occa-
sionally teaching school during
the winter months; he repre-
sented that county in the legisla-
ture during the Fourteenth and
Ffteenth General Assemblies, 1872
and 1874; came to Keota in 1875
and established his present busi-
ness, and being a good business
manager, he has gained the confi-
dence of the people and is doing
a flourishing business; the com-
plement of his family circle are
James F., Genevive and Harry
H.
Clarahan, Pat., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Harper.
Clarahan, M. J., farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. Harper.
Clarahan, P. H., farmer. Harper.
CLEVELAND,B.A., dealer in gen-
eral merchandise. Harper; born
in Greene county, New York,
April 2, 1822; lived there until
fifteen years of age, when he emi-
grated to Whitley county, Indi-
ana; in 1858 he came to this
county and located in this town-
ship, and has retained his resi-
dence here ever since; owns 180
766
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
acres of land; in January, 1846, he
married Miss Mary E. Long, a na-
tive of Greene county, Ohio; have
one son and two daughters: Em-
ma, Clara and Horace; in 1875
he was sent by the Kepublican
party as a member of the legisla-
ture.
Clyde, D. G., farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Creswell.
Clyde, D. F., farmer. Sec. 9; P. O.
Creswall.
Coffman, H. A., feed stable, Keota.
Conklin, Geo., carpenter, Keota.
Cook, Geo., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Creswell.
Correll, A., farmer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Keota.
Crawford, James, retired, Keota.
Crabb, Geo., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Creswell,
Craft, E. J., painter, Harper.
DAIBEE, M., boot and shoe deal-
er, Keota.
Dayton, H. T., retired, Keota.
Dellenbach, Wm., farmer. Sec. 11;
P. O. Keota.
Detrick, D., harness maker, Keota.
Dillon, Geo., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Keota.
Dillon, Eli, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Keota.
Dillon, Richard, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Keota.
Dimerly, Math., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Harper.
Disney, L. B., constable, Keota.
Divelbiss, H. T., carpenter, Keota.
Dryburg, Jno., laborer, Keota.
Dunshee, Luke, retired, Keota.
Dunham, J. P., music teacher, Keo-
ta.
Dutcher, G. C, retired, Keota.
EATON, J.. E., druggist, Keota;
born in Cortland county, New
York, in 1838 ; was there raised
until thirteen years of age; came
to Iowa in 1852 and lived in Jones
county; on the breaking out of
the rebellion he enlisted from An-
amosa in August, 1861, in com-
pany I, Second Iowa Cavalry;
served for three years and partici-
pated in the battles of First Cor-
inth, Second luka, Holly Springs
and numerous skirmishes; he en-
listed as private, but was bugler
most of the time; he came to Ke-
ota in 1875 and started his pres-
ent business; in 1868 he was mar-
ried in Monticello, to Mattie L.
Norcross, a native of New Hamp-
shire; they have by this union one
son and two daughters : Edward
N., Mabel and Grace.
Eckard, A. J., farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0.
Keota.
Elliott, Ben., drayman, Keota.
Emeric, Joe and John, farmers, Sec.
30; P. O. Harper.
ERDICE, A. L., of the firm of
Moses & Erdice, dealers in gener-
al merchandise, Keota; born in
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, No-
vember 1, 1848, where he contin-
ued to live until he was fifteen
years of age; he then came to
"Washington county, Iowa; he was
married there to Miss E. J.,
daughter of A. K. Stewart, Octo-
ber 29, 1873; Mrs. Erdice is a na-
tive of Indiana; they have by this
union two sons and one daughter:
Elmer S., Arthur C. and AUie;
Mr. E. came to Keota and engag-
ed in his present business with
Captain Moses in 1874; Mr. Er-
dice is a man of good business
qualifications and has the confi-
dence of his many friends.
FARLEY, ISAAC, attorney at
law, Keota; born in Franklin
county, Massachusetts, March 1,
1827; he was there raised and had
all the advantages the schools of
that commonwealth afforded, sup-
plemented by one year of aca-
demic study; he came to Iowa
and located at "Wasson, in the
northern part of Washington
county, in 1854, where he contin-
ued to live until 1868, and engag-
ed in the hotel business; from
1859 until 1864 Mr. Farley was
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
75T
nearly blind ; daring the Kansas
difficulties of 1856, and after the
border ruffians had blockaded the
Missouri river, Iowa City being
the western terminus of railroad
communication in Iowa, the New
England Emigrant Aid Society
were compelled to direct their em-
igration via this route, and estab-
lished what was called Free-State
stations between Iowa City and
the Missouri river; Mr. F., being
a strong free state partisan, kept
the first station west of Iowa
City; this brought him into close
connection and association with
many prominent free-state men of
that memorable struggle, promi-
nent among whom were old John
Brown, Gen. Jim Lane, Calvin
■Cutter, Revs. Moore, Haney, Cut-
ler, Eldridge, Cline, and others
whose names and deeds belong to
the history of that bloody strag-
gle for freedom; when asked if
• he considered old John Brown in
fiane (we give Mr. Farley's answer
in his own words), he replied : "If
a willingness and determination
to do whatever he considered to
be right, regardless of consequen-
ces to himself, is an indication of
insanity, Brown might have been ;
otherwise, he was the clearest
headed man I ever saw;" in 1868
he removed to Iowa county, where
he continued to live until 1873;
Mr.F. was admitted to the bar May
2, 1873, before Judge McKain;
■shortly after he came to Keota and
commenced the practice of his
profession; he was married to
Miss Lavina J. Call May 3, 1848;
«he is a native of Franklin county,
Massachusetts; they have two
sons and two daughters: Percy
H., "Wealthy E., fiarlan G. and
Eettie Y.; was justice of the
peace in Washington county for
nine years; Mr. Farley was from
iis youth an abolitionist who dared
to denounce the wickedness of
slavery and to proclaim the right
of universal liberty; he enjoys
the company of friends, and is
never more happy than when thus
surrounded, discussing some topic
of the day.
Faris, "Wm., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Keota.
Faris, S., farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0.
Keota.
Farris, A. D., farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Keota.
Fell, Matthias, farmer. Sec. 19; P.
O. Harper.
FERGUSON, DAVID, farmer and
stock raiser, Sec. 7; P. O. Cres-
well; born August 16, 1816, in
Blairgowne, Perthshire, Scotland;
raised a farmer and followed it as
a vocation since; came to the
United States in 1850, landing at
New York; thence to Peoria, 111.,
and purchased a farm; in 1861 he
came to Iowa; owns 520 acres of
improved land; married Miss M.
Ferguson August 19, 1850, in the
city of Perth, Scotland; she was
born in 1825; they have a family
of three children: Eliza A., Will-
iam and David ; Mr. F. is a mem-
ber of St. Andrew's Benevolent
Society, and is one of the repre-
sentative farmers of Keokuk
county.
Fletzer, John, miller, Harper.
Fisher, Peter, farmer, Sec. 22; P.
O. Keota.
Fixmer, Rinehart, farmer, Sec. 30; P,
0. Harper.
Fobes, Mrs. Charlotte, farmer. Sec.
27; P. O. Keota.
Fordice, G. W., laborer, Keota.
Furgason, D., farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Harper.
GRAHAM, J. F., produce deal-
er, Keota; born in TrnmbuU
county, Iowa, in 1842; lived there
until 1865, and then came to this
county, locating in Lafayette
township, and engaged in farming
758
DIEECTOET OF KEOK0K COUNTY.
and school teaching; came to Ke-
ota and engaged in the produce,
loaning and insurance business;
was in the army in company G,
Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry,
and served one year; Mr. Graham
is a young man of good business
qualifications, and is respected by
all who know him.
Gregg, James, laborer, Keota.
GREIGG, DAVID H , farmer and
stock raiser, Sec. 5; P. O. Ores-
well; born February 2, 1826, in
Arbroath Oity, Forfarshire, Scot-
land ; was raised there till twelve
years of age, when he engaged in
a seafaring life, which he followed
for seven years, and during this
period was chief mate of the ship
Majestic; in 1847 he emigrated to
the United States and settled in
Taswell county. 111.; in 1854 he
came to this county and located
where he now resides; owns a well
improved farm of 160 acres; mar-
ried Miss Ann Salmond, August
3,. 1848; she is a native of the
same city, born May 22, 1823;
they have a family of seven chil-
dren : James 0., William S., Pal-
mer J., David E., Jesse, Nellie,
and Aggie.
Green, Alexis, wagonmaker, Keota.
Greigg, D. H., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
Creswell.
Greenlee, G. M., retired. Harper.
Gilbert, L. S., farmer, Sec. 20; P. O.
Harper.
Goeldner, John, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P.
O. Keota.
Gortner, F. M., justice of the peace,
Keota.
H AGIST, GEOEGE, farmer,
Sec. 10; P. O, Keota.
Halstead, E. K., farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Keota.
Hamman, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 28; P.
O. Harper.
Hamilton, George, house mover,
Keota.
Harman, Simsn, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Harper.
Hanlon, W. S., clerk, Keota.
HARTMAN, PETER, grain-deal-
er, Harper; born in Switzerland
May 1843, and came with his pa-
rents to the United States in 1846,.
and settled in Des Moines county,.
Iowa; in 1855 his parents settled
in German township, of this coun-
ty, where his mother still resides;,
his father died in 1861 ; until 1869-
he was engaged in agricultural
pursuits; he then opened a store
in the towu of Baden, as dealer
in general merchandise, and was-
also appointed postmaster and
held this office till 1872, when it
was discontinued; he moved his
stock of goods to Harper inp
1872, and received the appoint-
ment of postmaster at this place;
in 1875 he sold his interest in the
firm of Hartman & Oleveland,.
and engaged in the grain business ;
as a business man he is prompt
and energetic, upright in all his
dealings, and has secured the es-
teem of all with whom he has bus-
iness transactions, and attained
to a well-merited success; he was.
elected Mayor of the city of Har-
per at the late election, a position
he is well qualified to fill.
Haupert, Frank, farmer. Sec. 27; P.
O. Keota.
Heffiefineer, Jacob, miller, Keota.
Heintz, Peter, farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Harper.
HENKLE, HARMON, of the firm
of Henkle & Ritchey, furniture
dealers. Littler Ashby & Co., gen-
eral merchandise, and Henkle &
Hutchinson, lumber dealers, Keo-
ta; born in Fayette county, Ohio.
April 7, 1832; when about eight
years of age his parents came ta
Iowa and located in "Washington
county, and were among the first
settlers; Mr. H. was raised there
on a farm ; his education as far aa
books were concerned was very
meager; he remained on a farm
until eighteen years of age, and
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
759
was engaged in different kinds of
business until 1860, when he
handled goods for Mr. N. Littler
on commission for one year;, he
then went into partnership with
Mr. Littler; from April 1861 to
1870, he was engaged in running
a saw-mill at Henkletown, Iowa
county; he married June 1, 1854,
Miss Lydia J. Wartenbee, a na-
tive of Henry county, Ohio; they
have two daughters and one son:
Ella (now Mrs. Ritchey), Doug-
las and Clara; Mr. H. also has a
one-third interest in the lumber-
yard of Henkle, Wakelee & Co.,
at Kenross, and is also one of the
directors and stockholders of the
bank of Keota ; he is a thorough
gentleman, a quick observer, and
in him great mental and physical
force combine; these traits with
energy, a strong will and sound
judgment have placed him among
the foremost citizens of Keokuk
county.
Helcher, H., farmer. Sec. 21; P. O.
Harper.
Henkle, George, cabinet-maker,
Keota.
Hiberger, John, farmer. Sec. 32;
P. 0. Harper.
Hiberger, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 32 ;
P. O. Harper.
Hiberger, Wendelin, farmer,, Sec. —
P. O. Harper.
Hiberger, Tlieo., farmer. Sec. 32;
P. O. Harper.
Hiberger, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 33;
P. O. Harper.
Hine, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Harper.
Hoffman, J. H., merchant, Harper.
Hoffman, Frank, farmer, Sec. 19;
P. O. Harper.
Holmes, W. C, farmer. Sec. i; P.
O. Creswell.
HOLZWORTH, JOHN, farmer,
stock and grain-dealer. Sec. 18;
P. O, Harper; born November
10, 1831, Baden, Germany; in
early life he learned the trade of
miller, and followed it as an occu-
pation till 1858; he emigrated to
the United States in 1852, land-
ing at New York city, and thence
to Rochester, where he remained
one year; he then removed to
Mt. Pleasant, Henry county,
Iowa, and after one year came to
Keokuk county, where he has
since resided ; he owns 759 acres
of land; his home farm contains
369 acres, and is one of the best
improved in the township; Mr.
H. is one of Keokuk county's
largest feeders and most successful
shippers; he was married March
8, 1857, to Miss Elizabath Kilmer;
she was born in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania, and is of German
ancestry; they have nine chil-
dren: George, Caroline, Chris-
tine, Elizabeth, Henry J., . Wm.,
Louisa, John and Rosa; lost one
daughter: Emma.
Horumen, Jake, wagon-maker,
Harper.
Hommen, Mrs. Anna, house-keeper,
Harper.
HOME, F. B., M, D., physician
and surgeon, Keota; the subject
of this sketch was born in Han-
cock county, Illinois, February
27, 1844; at the age of twelve
years he with his parents moved
to Mercer county, Illinois, and
there had all the advantages of
the schools of that common-
wealth, supplemented with a
course of academic study; at an
early age he commenced the study
of medicine with Dr. Hollings-
worth, of Keithsburg, Illinois;
he graduated with the highest
honors at the Hahneman Medical
College of Chicago; he came to
Keota and commenced the prac-
tice of liis profession in 1874, and
has been a successful practitioner;
he is genial, open-hearted and
generous, and is at the same time
positive in his character, but
kind and obliging; Dr. Home is
760
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
a man of acknowledged ability
as a physician, and his services as
such are recognized, and his calls
are numerous; November,
1877, he was married to Miss
Clara B. Ellis, a native of Ohio,
but raised in Iowa City; by this
union they have one son: Al-
vah E.
Hudson, John, retired Presbyterian
minister, Keota.
Hull, Benjamin, laborer, Keota.
HULSE, M. A., clerk for Henkle &
Kitchey, Keota; born in Tomp-
kins county, New York, August
28, 1830; his father died when he
was four years of age; the year
following his mother took the
family to Knox county, Ohio;
when quite young Mc-. Hulse
learned the carpenter's trade; he
came west as far as Whiteside
county, Illinois, in 1852, and
while there was married to Miss
Eliza Penrose, June 30, 1853; she
was born in Belmont county,
Ohio; came to this county in 1865
and located on a farm near Har-
per; he still owns a farm of eighty
acres; they have three sons and
two daughters: Mary E., Lizzie
E. (now Mrs. Ashby), Addison,
Elmer and Edwin.
HURLESS, C. M., station agent,
Harper; born July 30, 1821, in
Harrison county, Ohio ; at the age
of fourteen he commenced to learn
the carpenter trade, and followed
it as an occupation for seven
years; in 1842 he removed to Van
Buren county, Iowa, and remain-
ed there till 1844, and then went to
Davis county and engaged in vari-
ous pursuits till 1857, when he
was admitted to the bar, and for
fifteen years was engaged in the
practice of his profession ; August
7, 1861, he enlisted in company
E, Third Iowa Cavalry and served
three years ; after the war he re-
turned to his home in Davis coun-
ty; he came to Harper in 1873
and took charge of the station ; he
is a presiding officer in Harper
Lodge of I. O. O. F., No. 353,
also a member of the Masonic fra,-
ternity; he was married in Octo-
ber, 1841, to Miss Mary E. Greens,
of Nova Scotia, but raised in Ohio;
she was born February 25, 1823;
they have seven children: John
W., Martha P., Wm. M., Keturah
E., James P., Chas. S. and Frank
E. ; two died in infancv.
HUSKINS, J. C, proprietor livery
stable, Keota; born in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, September
25, 1833, and was there raised; he
came to Muscatine county, this
State, in 1855 ; remained there for
a short time and in 1856 went to
Johnson county; he soon went to
Des Moines; he is a carpenter by
trade and helped build the old
State House at Des Moines; in
July, 1857, he left there and mov-
ed to Newton, Jasper county, and
helped to build the court-house at
that place; after remaining there
for two years he returned to John-
son county, and June, 1861, he en-
listed in company F, First Regi-
ment Iowa Cavalry, served four
years and nine months, and par-
ticipated in the battles of Little
Eock, Prairie Grove, Saline Riv-
er and numerous skirmishes;
May 14, 1867, he married in "Wash-
ington, this State, to Miss Zelda
Yockey, a native of the same place;
they have a family of one datfgh-
ter and two sons: Stella, Richard
and James.
HUTCHINSON, Z.W., of the firm
of Henkle & Hutchinson, lumber
dealers, Keota; born in Iowa City,
February 6, 1846; his father came
to that city in 1839, and was there
married ; Mr. H. lived there until
seventeen years of age, receiving
all the advantages of the common
schools supplemented by two and
a-half years of study in the Iowa
University of Iowa City; was
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
761
obliged to stop study on account
of ill health; a short time after-
ward he engaged in the railroad
business, serving as civil engineer,
which occupation he followed for
about nine years; in February,
1877, he came to Keota and started
in his present business; he was
engaged in the same business at
Muscatine for two years; June
13, 1872, he was married to Miss
Clara Hogin, a native of Indiana,
but raised in Sigourney ; they have
two sons : Zelah H. and Harry H.
IRWIN, J. B., druggist, Keota;
born in Cambria county, Penn.,
August 10, 1848; lived there for
thirteen years, when he came to
Washington county, this State;
he received all the advantages of a
•common-school education supple-
mented by a two years' course of
academic study; he studied law
and was admitted to the bar at
Iowa City in March, 1874; the fol-
lowing April he came to Keota
and began the practice of his pro-
fession; in April, 1877, he started
his present business, to which he
has since given his special atten-
tion; he was married in Wash-
• ington to Miss Julia E. Dicken, a
native of that county, October
24, 187S; his wife has a complete
and well assorted stock of millin-
ery goods in connection with the
drug business ; Mr. Irwin enjoys
a good trade and the confidence of
the people.
JORDAN, FRED., saloon-keeper,
Keota.
Johnson, "W. L., carpenter, Keota.
Johnson, V. R., carpenter, Keota.
Jones, O. B., attorney at law, Keota.
Junken, D. X., grain merchant, Ke-
ota.
KEELEY, WM., notary public.
Harper.
Kefauber, John, tailor, Keota.
Kennelly, John, section boss, Keota.
Kendall, Mrs. H. E., farmer. Sec. 8;
P. O. Harper.
Kirkpatrick, C., farmer, Sec. 11; P,
O. Keota.
Kirkpatrick, Theo., farmer. Sec. 1 1
P. O. Keota.
Kirkpatrick, R. S., farmer. Sec. 13
P. 0. Keota.
Kirkpatrick, G. G., farmer. Sec. 14
P. O. Keota.
KIRKPATRICK, T., farmer, Sec.
— ; P. O. Keota; born in Licking
county, Ohio, July 27, 1811; he
lived there until 1836, and in
June, 1837, moved to Bureau
county, Illinois ; he remained there
until the spring ot 1868, when he
came to this county and bought
seven and a quarter sections of
land; was married in Ohio in
. 1836, to Miss Sophia Rapp ; they
have a family of three sons and
two daughters: Chalmers, Flora
C. (now Mrs. S. K. Leacox),
George G., Sadie (now Mrs. A. B.
Weed), and Renwick S.
Kiser, David, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. O.
Keota.
Klein, Isaac, clothing, Keota.
Kleping, John, farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. Harper.
Klett, Geo., blacksmith. Harper.
Klein, John, farmer. Sec. 13; P. O.
Keota.
Kach, Mike, farmer. Sec. 26; P. O.
Keota. •
Kramer, J. P., farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Keota.
Kramer, Nick, farmer. Sec. 27; P.
0. Keota.
Kramer, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Keota.
KULP, JOSEPH, dealer in hard-
ware and farm implements, Keota;
born in Medina county, Ohio,
September 10, 1843, where he
lived until twelve years of age;
his parents then moved to Elkhart
county, Indiana, where they lived
two years, then removed to Grun-
dy county, Illinois; he came to
Keota in March, 1872, and was in
the drug business with his brother
a short time; he then opened a
762
DIEEOTOBT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
hardware store; Mr. Kulp carries
a fine stock in his line, and re-
ceives a good share of the patron-
age of the people; he was married
in Grundy county, Illinois, to
Miss Eliza Headlee, a native of
Shelby county, Indiana, Septem-
ber 20, 1862; their family consists
of one son and two daughters :
Amos E., Annetta S. and Lillie
E.; Mr. Kulp and family have the
honor of being the first family in
Keota.
KULP, J. S., druggist and jeweler,
Keota; the first business man of
Keota; born in Medina county,
Ohio, July 25, 1845; came to
Keokuk soon after the laying out
of the town in the spring of 1872,
and built the first business house
in the place; Mr. Kulp possessed
rare business talents, was gifted
with a shrewd and far-seeing
mind, which seemed able to fore-
cast the future of Keota with re-
markable accuracy; by his indom-
itable energy and business qualifi-
cations he has attained a fine
business and the confidence of the
trade, and is a most exemplary
citizen; March 20, 1872, he was
married to Miss Ellen Fry, of
Knox county, Ohio; their chil-
dren are Grace and George; Mr.
Kulp also has the honor of being
the first mayor of Keota.
LAHE, MES. KATE, farmer.
Sec. 16; P. O. Harper.
Lahr, Peter, wagon-maker. Harper.
Leacox, S. K., farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. O.
Keota.
Leacox, J. M., farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Keota.
LEIGHTON, J. H., supevintendent
of the Keota Glass Works, Keota;
born in Boston, Massachusetts,
February 18, 1849; there he lived
until about eight years of age,
when he, with his parents, moved
to Wheeling, West Virginia; he
is a practical glass blower, having
been brought up in the business
from childhood, the New England
Glass Works having been under
the control of the Leighton family
for sixty-five years; in 1874 Mr.
Leighton started and operated
glass works in Wheeling, West
Virginia, which concern he oper-
ated for about four months; meet-
ing with misfortune he lost all he
had ; being a young man of good
judgment, and not easily discour-
aged, he at once went to work for
Hobbs. Brockinsener & Co., of
Wheeling, where he continued for
about one year, at the expiration
of which time he went to Martin's
Ferry, Ohio, remodeled and took
charge of the old Excelsior Glass
Works, now known as the Buck-
eye Glass Works, where he con-
tinued until 1878, when he capie
to Keota and built and started the
Keota Glass Works; Mr. Leighton
is a man of more than ordinary
intelligence, good business quali-
fications, and deserves great credit
and the help of the community for
starting such an enterprise in
Keota.
Lenninger, Peter, farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Harper.
Lewis, T. E., farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0.
Keota.
LITTLER, CHARLES S., of the
firm of Littler, Ashby & Co., deal-
ers in general merchandise, Keota;
born in Richmond, Washington
county, Iowa, in 1855; came to
this town and sold the first mer-
chandise in Keota; has been en-
gaged'in the mercantile business
since boyhood; June 5, 1878, h^
married Miss Anna Daiber, a na-
tive of Muscatine, Iowa; they have
one daughter. Birdie.
Longman, J., boot and shoe maker,
Keota,
Long, S. T., farmer. Sec. 1; P. 0.
Keota.
Ludwig, John, furniture. Harper.
Lutz, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0.
Keota.
LAFAYETTE TOWKSHIP,
763
Lutz, Frank, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O.
Keota.
Lyle, E. W., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O.
Keota.
Lyle, James, farmer. Sec. 3; P. O.
Keota.
McFARLANE,D ANIEL, phy-
sician and surgeon, Keota;
this gentleman is a native of Ar-
gyleshire, Scotland, born July 29,
1841; was educated in his native
place and graduated in the medi-
cal profession at the Edinburgh
University; he emigrated to the
United States in 1870, and located
in this county; came to Keota in
March, 1872, and commenced the
practice of his profession, and has
the honor of being the first physi-
cian of the place ; Dr. McFarlane
is a man of acknowledged ability
as a physician, and his services as
such are recognized by a host of
appreciating friends, and his kind
and sympathetic nature makes
him a welcome visitor in the sick
room ; his calls are numerous and
remote; he has an extensive prac-
tice throughout the surrounding
country, and the respect shown
him is as wide as his acquaintance ;
July 22, 1874, he was united in
marriage to Miss Mary E. Disor,
a native of Liberty township, this
county; they have by this union
three daughters: Sarah I., Mar-
garet C, and Maud M.
McCarty, Charles, farmer. Sec. 23;
P. O. Keota.
McCrabb, J. M., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
0. Keota.
McGinnis, J. W., insurance agent,
Keota.
McLoud, William, farmer. Sec. 26;
P. O. Keota.
MANTZ, G. H., jeweler and pho-
tographer, Keota; born in
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania,
July 2, 1849; he came with
his parents to this county
and came to Keota in March,
1872, and has since been engaged
in the above named businesses;
November 14, 1871, he married
Miss M. 0. Buckley, a native of
Illinois; have a family of one son
and one daughter: Rnssey L. and
Allie A.; Mr. Mantz has a very
fine and neat jewelry store and
keeps a good stock; he also has in
connection a photograph gallery,,
where he would be pleased to meet
his many friends.
Martin, Chas., saloon, Harper.
Martin, Ed., laborer, Harper.
MATTHEWS. T. P., merchant.
Harper; born October 29, 1824, in
Gallia county, Ohio; he was there
raised a farmer; in youth he had
the advantages of a good common
school education ; in 1847 he emi-
grated to Henry county, Iowa; in
1852 he went to Colorado and en-
gaegd in mining in the Feather
river district, meeting with satis-
factory results; he returned to his-
home in 1854, and soon after set-
tled in Washington county and
engaged in farming, which he
continued till 1864, and then re-
moved to Iowa county and lived
there two years, then changed hia
place of residence to Sigourney
and engaged in mercantile pur-
suits; two years later he closed
out his business and returned
to Iowa county and engaged in
the same business, and in 1872:
returned to Sigourney and re-
mained there till 1874, when he
moved to Harper and engaged in
his present occupation; he com-
bines with energy good business-
qualifications, and has huilt up a
large and increasing trade; he has-
been twice married : first, to Miss
Elizabeth Benn in 1851; she was-
a native of Ohio and died in June,.
1843; he married for his second
wife Miss B. Brown April, 1855;
she is also a native of Ohio; they
have two children : Mary E. and
DonR.; they have one deceased:.
Edna.
764
DIBEOTOKT OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Millhouse, H. A., blacksmith, Keo-
ta.
Millhouse, ' C. ]£., harness-maker,
Keota.
Montgomery, Mrs. M. A., farmer.
Sec. 7; P. O. Harper.
Morgan, G. W., farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. Creswell.
MOSES, CAPT. ELMER, of the
firm of Moses & Erdice, dealers
in general merchandise, Keota;
born in Hartford, Trumbull coun-
ty, Ohio, June 9, 1831; his pa-
rents were farmers and his boy-
hood days were passed on a farm
where he had the advantages of
the schools of that commonwealth ;
in August, 1861, he enlisted in
company A, Forty-first Ohio In-
fantry, in which capacity he serv-
ed for thirteen months and was
then promoted to first lieutenant
of company B, and afterward
.transferred to company E, 125th
Ohio; in July, 1863, he was again
promoted to the captaincy of that
•compan}', which commission he
held until his retirement from the
service; he was engaged in the
battles of Pittsburgh Landing
and Kenesaw Mountain; at the
latter battle he was severely wound-
ed in his left limb, above the
knee; he was then sent to the
liospital at Chattanooga, where he
remained till he was able to be
sent home, November 1, 1864; on
bis return he entered into the gro-
cery business; in the fall of 1867
he was elected Eecorder and serv-
ed in that capacity two terms;
May 7, 1857, he was united in
marriage to Miss Rosanna Er-
•dice, a native of Mercer county,
Pennsylvania; their family con-
«ists of one son and one daughter:
Mary and Wells H.; Mr. M. came
to Keota in October, 1874, and
«ince that time has been engaged
in the mercantile business; he en-
voys the liberal patronage and es-
teem of his many friends.
Mickey, M. F., nursery, Keota.
Myers, Corydon, laborer, Keota.
Meyer, J. H., farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0.
Keota.
NANOUR, EUGENE, miller,
Harper.
Neiss, Anton, miller, Harper.
Newhart, L., blacksmith, Keota.
Newhouse, A., retired, Harper.
Newton, H. P., farmer. Sec. 26; P.
O. Keota.
NEWTON, H. N., farmer. Sec. 26;
P. O. Keota; born in New Hamp-
shire February 18, 1814, and was
there raised; lived there until
1840 and then moved to New
Haven, Connecticut, and after re-
maining there until 1858 he came
to this county and located where
he now resides: he was married
January 12, 1837, in New Hamp-
shire, to Miss Mary A. B. Fist;
they have one son : H. P., who in
connection has a finely improved
farm of 161^ acres; in 1874 he
was a member of the State Legis-
lature from this county, during
the sessions of 1874-6; he is a
man whom one would like to meet
with, warm in his friendship and
strong in his prejudices.
Norcross, D. L., druggist, Keota.
Norton, L. A., livery, Keota.
NORTON, G. R., stock dealer,
Keota; born in Washington coun-
ty, Ohio, December 26, 1839;
when about six years of age he
came with his parents to Wash-
ington county, Iowa; in 1860 he
went to California, and after re-
maining there until 1865 he came
to this county; he has been en-
gaged in the stock business for
eight years; December 17, 1865,
he married Miss Mary L. Dan-
shee, a native of Ohio ; they have
one son and four daughters:
Amanda, Ada, Nettie, John and
Delia.
Nugent, W. K., farmer, Keota.
'BRIEN, JOHN, hotel, Keota.
O
LAPATETTE TOWNSmP.
765
PALMER, JEROME, of the
firm of Palmer & Tallman,
hardware merchants, Keota; the
subject of this sketch was born
in Rutland county, Vermont,
April 11, 1843; he lived there
until fourteen years of age, when
he came to Iowa county, this
State; a short time afterward he
went to Iowa City, and learned
the printer's trade; on the break-
ing out of the. Eebellion he was
clerking in Missouri, and finding
that country pretty warm for a
man of his political preference, he
returned to Marengo, Iowa, and in
July, 1862, he enlisted in com-
pany B, Twenty-eighth Iowa In-
fantry, and served for three years;
he was at the seige of Yicksburg,
Eed Eiver, Shenandoah Yalley
and the Mississippi campaign,
comprising fifteen engagements;
after his return from the army
he engaged in teaching school ; he
came to Keota in 1872, and has
been engaged in business there
ever since; for the first two years
he was engaged in the furniture
business by himself, when Mr.
Tallman, his present partner,
bought one-half interest, and
added thereto a stock of hard-
ware; in April, 1878, they sold
out their furniture interest, and
continued to keep a well assorted
stock of hardware, and enjoy the
confidence and liberal patronage
of the people; in 1871 Mr. Palmer
was united in marriage with Miss
Mary A. Petti bone, a native of
Illinois, but raised in Iowa coun-
ty, this State; by this union they
have two sons and two daughters:
Armilla, James R., "W'ebber T.
and MoUie; Mr. P. is a gentle-
man whom one meets only to wish
for a more intimate acquaintance;
as a citizen he is quiet and unas-
suming, and one of Keota's best
business men.
Pauley, John, blacksmith, Harper.
Palmer & Glover, blacksmiths, Ke-
ota.
Papes, William, harness-maker, Ke-
ota.
Patterson, Robert, farmer. Sec. 9;
P. O. Keota.
Peifer, Peter, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O.
Keota.
Pettibone, Albert, farmer, Sec. 24;.
P. O. Keota.
PETGEN, J. G., lumber dealer.
Harper; born in Prussia July 13,
1842 ; he was raised a farmer, and
in 1863 emigrated to the United
States, landing at New York,
and in the same year came to this
county; he followed agricultural
pursuits until 1874, when he en-
gaged in his present business; in
1867 he married Miss Mary Son-
day ; she was born in France Au-
gust 11, 1845, and died December
18, 1872, leaving a family of three
children, two, Susan and Mary,
now living, and one deceased ; he
was again married December 15,
1875, to Miss Emma Leminger,
a native of Prussia; she was born
December 1, 1856; she came to
this country with her parents in
1868; they have two children:
George P. and L. ; since coming
to the United States he has visited
his home; he went in 1867, and
remained there for some three
months, and in 1868 returned
home, bringing with him his
mother, who is still living with
him; he is an active citizen, a
thorough business man, and has
built up a good trade.
RANDOLPH, JAMES, farmer,
Sec, 1; P.O. Keota.
Randolph, J. F., farmer. Sec. 15; P.
O. Keota.
Randolph, John, farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. Keota.
Redlinger, Mike, farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Harper.
REED, G. L., editor and proprietor
of the "Keota Eagle," Keota;
born in Richland county, Ohio,
V66
DIEEOTOEY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
October 5, 1831, where he contin-
ned to live until after his majori-
ty: Mr. Reed had all the advan-
tages of the common schools, sup-
plemented with two years of aca-
demical study; he has had a
large experience as a school-teach-
er, having taught thirty -live terms
after leaving his school; he came
to Washington county, Iowa, in
1853, and September 15, 1855,
returned to his native place, and
was there married to Miss Mary
E. "Wigton, of that county^ their
family consists oi three sons and
five daughters: Minnie P., Ella
J., Emma E., Wm. F., Eva M.,
Josie, John and George; death
has taken daughter Lila L. ; Mr.
Eeed came to Keota and took
charge of the " Keota Eagle " in
1875.
Reinhart, John, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Keota.
RENFREW, ROBERT, dealer in
grain, agricultural implements,
and all kinds of farmers' machin-
ery, Harper; born September 8,
1832, in Glasgow, Scotland; he
received a good common-school
education, and was educated in
the shipping and commercial busi-
ness; he emigrated to the United
States in 1854 and settled in Syra-
cuse, New York, and engaged in
the grain, lumber and cooper busi-
ness; during the great forest fires
in Canada, he lost all his property
by the destroying element, and in
1869 came to Muscatine, Iowa,
and entered the employ of Hail
Bros., and remained with this
firm until 1875 ; two years of this
time he was conducting the grain
business at Keota; he removed to
Harper and engaged in his pres-
ent business; as a business man
he is prompt and energetic, and
upright in all his dealings; he has
secured the esteem of all with
whom he has had to do, and has
attained to a well merited success;
he was one of the organizers of
the St. Andrew's Society of Keo-
kuk county, and has been an
active member, taking great inter-
est in all that has pertained to it;
he is also a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity, and a member of
the I. O. 0. F.; he was married to
Miss Helen Davidson November
6, 1857; she was born in Scotland
March 14, 1832, and came to the
United States in 1857; their fam-
ily consists of seven children:
Libbie M., James D., Margaret J.,
Mary M., Ontario, Anna B. and
Robert A.; lost one daughter:
Helen.
Rounce, J. S., Keota.
RICHARDSON, J. F., physician
and surgeon, Harper; born in
Vermillion county, Indiana, July
31, 1836; when quite young his
parents moved to McDonough
county, Illinois, where he lived
until 1846 ; he then came to this
county and located in Steady Run
township, where he was raised;
while young he took up the trade
of carpenter, which business he
followed until lie reached his ma-
jority; he then took up the study
of medicine with Dr. Flint, of
Ottumwa; he graduated at the
college of physicians and surgeons,
at Keokuk, in the spring session
of 1864; the same year he began
the practice of his profession at
Lancaster, this county, where he
continued successfully until 1872;
he then removed to Sigourney,
where he remained for about one
year, and came to Harper a short
time after the laying out of the
town ; there he has continued very
successfully since that time; he
was married in Lancaster October
20, 1869, to Miss Martha J. Ja-
cobs, a native of Johnson county,
Indiana, but principally raised in
this county; their family consists
of three sons and one daughter:
Frances A. (who is now attending
LAFATETTB TOWNSHIP.
767
music school at Iowa City), Rob-
ert L., John C. and Austin A.
RICE, J. S., dealer in grain, feed,
coal, etc., Keota; born in Wash-
ington county, Yermont, July 8,
1831 ; at the early age of ten years
Mr. E. was thrown on his own re-
sources; at the age of eighteen he
left his native place and went to
Orange county, Vermont, where
he'remained for one year; thence
to Clinton county, New York,
where he lived seven years; he
then came west, and stopped for
one year in Chicago; from there
he went to Iowa City; from this
place he enlisted in company K,
Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer In-
fantry, November 2, 1861; he
participated in the battles of
Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg and
Atlanta, at which battle he was
taken prisoner (which occurred
July 2, 1864), and was confined in
the Charleston, S. C, prison, and
afterward at Raleigh, N. C, and
was detained eight months, and
then paroUed ; whileout on parole
he returned to Iowa City, and was
there married to Miss Delia A.
Stone, April 11,1865; they have
by this union one son : Howard ;
Mr. Rice was mustered out of the
sercice in 1865; he came to Keota
in 1872, and bought and shipped
the first grain from this place.
RITCHEY, E. M., of the firm of
Henkle & Ritchey, furniture
dealers; also of Littler, Ashby &
Co., dealers in general merchan-
dise, Keota; born in Washington,
Washington county, Iowa, May 2,
1847, where he lived until ten
years of age; he then removed to
Richmond, in the same county,
where he continued to reside un-
til he reached his majority; in
1868 he went to Iowa county, at
a place called Foote P. O., and
there engaged in the mercantile
business under the firm name of
Henkle, Littler & Co.; he was
also postmaster at that point from
1869 until his coming to Keota in
1872, when he resigned; he con-
tinued in merchandising until
about three years ago, when he,
in connection with Mr. Henkle,
opened a furniture store, but still
retains an interest in the firm of
Littler, Ashby & Co.; Mr. R. is
also secretary of the Keota Glass
Works, to which institution he
has rendered substantial aid and
encouragement; he is also one of
the stock-holders in the Bank of
Keota; he is a man of more than
"ordinary ability, and by close at-
tention to business has gained for
himself an enviable reputation as
a business man; he was married
to Miss Mary E. Henkle May 14,
1874, a native of Washington
county, Iowa; their family circle
are Myrtle E., Daisy A. and
Pearl.
ROSECRANS, DANIEL, of the
firm of Whistler & Rosecrans,
dealers in drugs, school-books and
notions. Harper; born in Lake
county, Indiana, in 1847; in the
fall of 1851 he, with his parents,
moved to this county and located
in Lafayette township; has been
engaged in farming until the past
four years, since which time he
has been following the above
mentioned business; since 1876
he has been postmaster ; May 21,
1877, he married Miss Emma, a
daughter of B. A. Cleveland, of
Whitley county, Indiana.
Russell, Jas., retired, Keota.
Russell, M. S., retired, Keota.
Russell, Tolbert, farmer. See. 24; P.
O. Keota.
SALM, JOHN, harness-maker.
Harper; born in Prussia Ap-
ril 27, 1844, and came to the
United States in 1860; he first
settled in Wisconsin, where he re-
mained one year and then went to
768
DIEECTOET 0! KEOKUK COUNTY.
Chicago, where he worked at his
trade, and in 1862 he came
to this county and purchased a
farm in Clear Creek township and
divided his time between farming
in the summer and working at his
trade in the winter; in 1874 he
abandoned farming and has since
given his whole attention to his
present business; he was married
September 2, 1876, to Miss Susan-
na Adrian, a native of Prussia,
born in 1846; they have five chil-
dren: Lena, Mena, Nicholas A.,
Kosa and George P.; they have
lost two : Mary and Peter.
SALISBURY, H. L., stock dealer
and proprietor Salisbury House,
Harper; born in Erie county, N.
T., January 30, 1831, and when
sixteen years of age removed with
his parents to Kush county, "Wis-
consin, where he followed farming
as his occupation; in 1860 he
moved to Kansas; he only lived
there seven months, when, owing
to a failure of crops, he came to
his present location; he is the
pioneer settler of the town, and did
much in aiding its progress; is a
practical business man, and as a
landlord is without a rival; mar-
ried Miss Ellen A. Seager Dec. 15,
1858; she was born in Washing-
ton county, New York, June 28,
1838; they have two children:
Eva E., born December 22, 1862,
and Edith M., born August 18,
1869.
SANFORD, E. H^, farmer. Sec. 2;
P. O. Keota; bom in Delaware
county, Eew York, November 13,
1838; lived there till sixteen years
of age ; received the advantages of
a graded school, where he was
prepared for the business pursuits
of life; in 1854 he removed to
Ogle county, Illinois, where he
was engaged in agricultural pur-
suits for five years; in 1859 re-
moved to Kansas; being dissat-
isfied with the location he went to
Colorado in 1860 and engaged in
mining; in 1861 he enlisted in
company B, Second Colorado Vol-
unteer Cavalry, and served three
years; received two wounds on the
Rio Grande, in New Mexico, one
of which disabled him for six
months; was mustered out at Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1864;
then returned to Ogle county, 111.,
and in a short time re-enlisted in
what is known as Gen. Hancock's
Yeteran Reserve Corps, and served
till the close of the war; settled in
Keokuk county in 1867, and now
owns a farm of 160 acres; married
Miss Agnes Chesney November
9, 18€9; she was born in Taswell
county. 111., July 81, 1849, and
came to Iowa with her parents in
1854; their family consists of two
children: Robert O. and Frank L.
SCHRECKENGAST, ISAAC,
firm of Johnson & Schreckengast,
dealers in general merchandise,
Keota; born in Lebanon county,
Pennsylvania, October 13, 1830,
where he lived till 1850; then came
to Iowa and located in Des Moines
county; came to this county in
1867; has been connected with
Mr. Johnson since February,l878 ;
while in Des Moines county he
was married to Miss Sarah Davis,
October 30, 1852; she was born in
Pennsylvania; they have two sons
and three daughters: A. F.,Mary
L., Lydia A., Isaac B., and Aman-
da E.
Scott, P. P., farmer, Sec. 8; P.O.
Creswell.
Shaub, Jacob, farmer, Keota.
Shaub, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0.
Keota.
Sherman, Justin, carpenter, Keota.
Sherman, J. L., farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. ,
O. Keota.
Shurtz, Fannie, milliner, Keota.
Sidey, David, general merchandise,
Keota.
LAPATBTTB TOWNSHIP,
769
SiBgmaster, M., general merchan-
dise, Keota.
SINGMASTER, C.F., farmer and
stock-dealer, Sec. 14; P. O.
Keota; prominent among the
practical and successful busi-
ness men of this county is
the subject of this sketch, who
was born in Perry county,
Pennsylvania, February 29, 1834;
in 1843 he came, with his pa-
rents, to this county, and settled
in Clear Creek township, near
Talleyrand, where his father still
resides; Mr. Singmaster has been
closely identified with Keokuk
county's best interests for thirty-
six years; he has given special at-
tention to the raising and develp-
ing of fine horses, having some of
the finest specimens to be found
in the State of the Clydesdale and
Norman stock; among the most
prominent of the former are
"Baron Kier," seven years old,
which has taken more j)remiums
and highest honors than any oth-
er animal has received; "Roving
Boy," and " Mary Monarch" are
also classed very high; he has in
his stables 140 horses, 100 of
which are well-bred; he also deals
quite extensively in short horn
and graded stock, and finds after
thirty years' experience that they
are three dollars to one over all
other stock; he owns a well im-
proved farm of 900 acres; Mr.
Singmaster is also president of
the Bank of Keota; married in
this county to Miss Mary A. Mc-
Carty, a native of Massachu-
setts, April 25, 1866; they have,
by this union, two sons and two
daughters: Homer, Charles, So-
phia and Theresa; he is a man of
independent thought but of a
kind and obliging nature; a man
of the people and one true to the
highest pnnciples of honor and
morality; !r~s a citizen quiet and
48
ostentatious, cordially supporting
any measure of real public benefit.
Slattery, Mike, farmer. Sec, 18; P.
O. Harper.
Smith, John, farmer. Sec. 18; P. O.
Harper.
SNOCfK, W. C, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Keota; born in Henry county,
Indiana, September 30, 1841;
there he lived until ten years
of age, when, with his pa-
rents, he moved to Kentucky, re-
mainining there for one year;
thence to Van Buren county, this
State, where he lived for seven
years; in 1868 he came to this
county; owns a well improved
farm of 200 acres; married in
this county to Miss Anna J. Wil-
son, October 31, 1865; she was
born in Illinois; they have a fam-
ily of two sons and three daugh-
ters: Harry W., Jennie M., Edith
M., Guy E. and Helen B.; Mr.
Smock is a graduate of Hanover
College, Indiana; he is a genial
gentleman, a quick observer, and
as pron^pt in his business as he is
generous in his social relation, and
thoroughly merits the esteem in
which he is held by his fellow-
citizens.
Smock, F. M., wagon-maker, Keota.
Snider, A. J., laborer, Keota. .^^
Stewart, A. K., Sr., stock-dealer,
Keota.
Stevens, W. A., farmer, Keota.
Stewart, Arthur, stock-dealer, Keo-
ta.
Stiver, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0.
Harper.
Stiver, Peter, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. O.
Harper.
Stomm, Andrew, laborer, Keota.
Streit, Peter, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. O.
Harper.
Streit, Mats, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
Harper.
Streigel, Len, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
Harper.
Streigel, J. D., saloon, Harper,
770
DIEECTOBT OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
Sturdwon, Chas., brick mason, Keo-
ta.
TALLMAN. J. W., of the firm
of Palmer & Tallman, hard-
ware merchants, Keota; born in
Grafton county. New Hampshire,
October 14, 1824; there he lived
until ten years of age, when he
moved, with his parents, to Erie
county, Pennsylvania, where they
still reside; he was there married
March 2, 1858, to Miss Julia Car-
penter; they came to Iowa and lo-
cated in "Washington county; he
has been a resident of Keota for
six years, during which time he
has been closely identified with
Keota's best interests; he is also
the mayor of the city; his family
consists of two sons and three
daughters: Theresa, Ethel, Clar-
ence, May and Cameron.
Teakle, Amos, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O.
. Creswell.
Thompson, J. J., grocer, Keota.
Thompson & Bros., grocers, Keota.
Trewiler, Mrs. Elizabeth, farmer,
Sec. 35; P. O. Keota.
Truby, George., farmer. Sec. 25 ; P.
O. Keota.
VALERIUS, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 30; P. O. Harper.
Vandyke, L. H. farmer, Sec. 4; P.
O. Keota.
Yarner, A., farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0.
Keota.
Yercheval, Louis, farmer. Sec. 21;
P. O. Keota.
Volquardsen, August, painter, Keo-
ta.
VITTETOE, H. C, dealer in drugs,
jewelry, etc.. Harper; born in
Morgan county, Indiana, June 6,
1832; lived there until 1846, when
he with his parents came to this
county, locating in Jackson town-
ship ; he was principally raised on
a farm; came to this place in 1875
and started his present business;
September 27, 1857, he was mar-
ried .to MissLucinda J. Eeynolds,
a native of Indiana; she died
March 25, 1869, leaving a family
of one son and two daughters:
William IT., Sarah and Loie;
May 15, 1871, he married again
to Martha E. Coble, a native of
Indiana; they have one son and
two daughters : Margaret I., James
B.and Blanche; Mr. V. has a fine
stock in his line and enjoys the
liberal patronage of the people.
WADE, ALBERT, farmer.
Sec. 2; P. O. Keota.
Wallace, J. O., plasterer, Keota.
WARRINGTON, J.B., proprietor
of the Lindle House, Keota; born
in Yorkshire, England, August
10, 1831; he emigrated to the
United States in 1850; located in
Hartford, Connecticut, where he
remained about seven months;
from there went to Lawrence,
Massachusetts, where he made his
home for two years ; in December,
1850, he returned to England and
there was married to Miss Mary
Ward, of Halifax, Yorkshire, Oc-
tober 31, 1851 ; they then returned
to Lawrence and removed in 1853
to Bean Hill, Connecticut, one
and a-half miles from Norwich,
which place they made their home
until coming to Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin, in 1858, where they
lived one and a-half years;
they then went to Seneca Palls,
New York, and afterward to Ge-
neva; while there Mr. W. met
with a sad loss in the death of his
wife and one son, Samuel J.; the
former died November 21, 1865,
and the latter May 18, 1866; he
has two sons by this union:
Joseph and William; he married
again to Mrs. Kate St. John in
1867, a native of England; Mr.
W. came to Keota in March, 1875,
and bought the Lindle House, and
since has made many improve-
ments and keeps a first-class hotel
in every respect, as his many
patrons, can testify.
WEBBER, J, T., cashier of the
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
771
' Bank of Keota, Keota; born in
Waldo county, Maine, December
10, 1845; when about eighteen
months old his father died; a
short time afterward his mother
with the family moved to Ponob-
scot county, Maine; came to Mat-
toon, Illinois, where Mr. W. en-
gaged in the grain business for one
year; he then removed to Des
Moines, Iowa, and for about eight
years was engaged as station agent
. and operator at different points
on the Chicago, Kock Island and
Paciiic railroad, which position he
was compelled to resign on ac-
count of failing health ; since
February, 1877, he has held the
. position of cashier in the Bank of
Keota; Mr. Webber is a thorough
gentleman in manner and treats
all persons with a genial and un-
. affected courtesy; this added to
fais ability and faithful perform-
ance of duty, have gained him the
general esteem; in July, 1864,
Mr. W. enlisted in the Second
Iowa Battery from Polk county
and served about one year; in his
own home he has been abundant-
ly blessed ; the partner of his joys
and the sharer of his life's ills he
found in the person of Miss Z. M.
Thompson of Louisa county,
Iowa, whom he married October
12, 1871; two children: Ada E.
and Waldo, W., are the compli-
ment of his family circle; Mr.
Webber came to Keota in 1873.
Weed, B., farmer. Sec. 12; P. O.
Keota.
Wehr, J. M., farmer, Sec. 33; P. O.
Harper.
Welter, Nic, Sr., farmer. Sec. 7.;
P. O. Harper.
Wollenstein, Peter, saloon. Harper.
WHISTLER, LEVI, dealer in
drugs, stationery, etc.. Harper;
born in Shenandoah county, Vir-
ginia, November 26,. 1832, and
was there raised a farmer; he at-
tended school until thirteen years
of age, when he was engaged to
learn the trade of cabinet'-maker,
continuing at that business for
four years; until 1873 he was in
the business of mill-wright and
other branches; then engaged in
the grain business and in 1875 he
purchased an interest in the drug
store, the firm name being Whist-
ler & Rosecrans; Mr. Whistler
came to Iowa September 26, 1856,
stopping at Davenport; from there
he came to this county and has
since resided here; in 1875 he set-
tled in Harper; he gave the town
its name, naming it after Harper
Bros., the publishers in New
York; the latter donated liberally
toward the erection of the Episco-
pal church; April 12, 1860, he
married Miss Rosecrans; she was
born September 9, 1835, and ie a
native of Ohio; they have seven
children: William, Maggie M.,
Minnie C, Hattie B., Edwin J.,
Homer L. and Viola; lost one son,
Lee; Mr. W. is a member of the
I. O. O. F. Harper Lodge No.
353, also of the A. F. and A. M.
Lodge of Talleyrand ; he is a good
merchant and is doing a thriving
business.
Wilhelmy, Geo., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Keota.
Wilcox, Jno., barber, Keota.
Wilkin, Thos., retired, Keota.
Wilson, John, laborer, Keota.
Wilson, B. F., blacksmith, Keota.
Wilson & Newhart, blacksmiths,
Keota.
Wilson, J. M., farmer. Sec. 12; P.
O. Keota.
Willis, H. T., farmer. Sec. 2; P. O.
Keota.
Wilson, J. C, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O.
Harper.
WILLIAMS, J. H., dopier in dry
goods and groceries, Keota; born
in Taylor county, West Virginia,
December 12, 1826; he lived there
772
DIBECTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
until twenty-one years of age,
when he moved to Tyler county,
same State, where lived until 1856 ;
was there married, in 18 — , to
Miss Matilda M. Perkins; in 1856
he moved to Wood county, where
he remained until 1864, and then
went to Plymouth, Indiana; in
December, 1873, he came to Keo-
ta and started a boot and shoe
store, which business he continued
until the July following, when he
sold out to J. R. Dunham; he
then commenced buying and ship-
ping produce,; three years later
started his present business; was
a member of the town council
for two years and justice of
the peace for the same length
of time; his family consists of
two children: Walter L. and
Harry D. ; Mr. Williams keeps a
well assorted stock and has a lib-
eral share of the patronage, is
kind and obliging, and has the re-
spect of all who know him.
WILSON, HON. J. F., postmaster,
Keota; born in Ayshire, Scotland,
in 1808; when eighteen years of
age he emigrated to the United
States and located in Philadelphia,
where he resided until the spring
of 1837; he was married there to
Miss Jane McMillen, March 19,
1830; she was born in Paisley,
Scotland ; they came west and lo-
cated in Tazewell county, Illinois,
in the spring of 1837, where they
remained iintil their coming to
this county in the fall of 1854;
Mr. Wilson was one of the iirst
settlers of this part of the county,
and has been closely identified
with its interests ever since with
the exception of four years during
the war, which period he made his
home in Washington, this State,
and was elected mayor of that city
for one term; he was sent to the
legislature by the Republican
party during the session of 1871
and 1872; while in Philadelphia
Mr. Wilson was engaged in the
manufacture of cotton goods, but
since coming west has principally
engaged in farming, until the
starting of the town of Keota; he
was Keota's first postmaster, and
still holds that position ; he is a
man of strict integrity and good
business qualifications, and has the
entire confidence of all who know
him ; his family consists of three
sons and four daughters: J. C,
James M., Robert R., Anna J.
(now Mrs. Wm. 0, Smock), Su-
sanna D. (now Mrs. Robt. Gem-
mel), Margaret (widow of Jo-
seph Coffman), and Mary E. (now
Mrs, A. E. Kendall).
Wilkin, T. M., farmer, Sec. 25; P.
O. Keota.
WILSON, JNO. C, farmer See. 8;
P. O. Harper; born in Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania, January 12,
1831, and was taken by his pa-
rents to Tazewell county, Illinois,
in 1837, and was raised there on a
farm; when twenty years of age
he learned the locomotive machine
trade with Miles & Co., of Cin-
cinnati, and continued at this busi-
ness till 1856, when he came to
this county; he owns an improved
farm of 340 acres ; he is one of the
early settlers of the township and
has been closely identified with
all of its improvements, is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity and
also of the I. O. O. F.; he was
married December 20, 1859, to
Miss Olive Eaton, a native of
Ohio, born September 7, 1833; they
have six children: Fannie R.,
Warren H., Ollie M., Annie E.,
Ella F. and Aldie H. ; lost one
daughter: Mary.
Winter, Isaac, farmer. Sec. 15 ; P. 0.
Keota.
Woltering, J. H., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Harper.
Wright, W. M., clerk, Keota.
YOUNT, W. H., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Keota.
LIBEETT TOWNSHIP.
773
3LjIBEI5T'-2- TO-^Tv^nsrSKCII'.
ALLEN, T. J., farmer, Sec. 32
P. O. Creswell.
Avards, M., farmer, Sec. 28; P. O
South English.
BAGGS, EOB'T, farmer, Sec,
1; P. O. Foote.
Barrett, Anthony, farmer, Sec. 2
P. O. Foote.
Barklow, B. C, farmer, Sec. 28; P,
O. South English.
BEATY, J. F., farmer. Sec. 36;
P. O. South English; born in
Virginia in 1830; there he was
raised and lived until 1853, when
, he came to this State; spent one
summer in Warren county and
returned to Virginia; the follow-
ing spring he returned to Iowa,
settling in Washington county;
from there he went to Story Co. ;
lived there until he came to this
county in 1865; he was raised on
a farm and owns 100 acres of land;
he has held various township of-
fices; he was married in Wash-
ington county in 1859 to Miss
Elizabeth Blick, of Ohio; they
have five children : M. E., W. H.,
H. C, E. E. and M. A.
Beaty, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 31; P. O.
• South English.
Berkenbine, John, farmer. Sec. 27;
P. O, South English.
Bigleyy, James, farmer. Sec. 14;
P. O. Chandler.
Bigley, Jas., farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
Chandler.
Brady, John, farmer, P. O. Keota.
Black, J. M., farmer. Sec. 2'< ; P. O.
South English.
Black, W. H., farmer. Sec. 21; P.
0. South English.
Blaylock, J. R., farmer. Sec. 20 ; P.
0. South English.
Blaylock, J. E. farmer, Sec. 16 ; P.
0. South English.
Blaylock, K. S., farmer. Sec. 15 ; P.
O. South English.
Bray, Levi, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
; Chandler.
Breeden, B., farmer. Sec. 2; P. O.
Foote.
Brown, Mrs., farmer. Sec. 38; P. O.
South English.
Brower, J aciob, farmer. Sec. 29; P,
O. South English.
Brown, Peter, farmer. Sec. 30; P.
O. South English.
CARfl, THOR., farmer. Sec. 1;
P. O. Foote.
Carter, Wm., farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Foote.
Chapman, H. T., farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Chandler.
Christ, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Chandler.
demons, Henry, farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. South English.
Cline, James, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P O.
South English.
COFFMAN, DAVID, farmer, Sec.
31; P. O. South English; born in
Virginia in 1819, and came from
there to this State in 1854, and
settled first in Johnson county,
where he lived but one year, and
came to this county in the spring
of 1855; he was married in his
native State, in 1841, to Miss
Barbara Flora, of that State;
they have seven children living:
Sarah, Daniel, Benjamin, Eliza-
beth, Henry, Joseph and Wm; he
owns an improved farm of 220
acres, and has held various town-
ship offices; he was raised on a
farm and has followed it as an oc-
cupation since.
Cotfman,B. F., farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. South English.
CofFman, D. F., farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. South English.
Coiner, Preston, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
0. South English.
Corridan, M., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
Foote.
Correll, Samuel, farmer. Sec. 27;
P. O. Chandler.
Cranson, C. G., farmer, Sec. 13; P.
O. Chandler.
n*
DIEECTOET OF KEOKUK COTTNTT.
DAYIS, WM., farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. South EugUsh.
Denton, Stephen, farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Chandler.
Devine, Patrick, farmer. Sec. 10; P.
O. .
Dill, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O.
Keota. I
Dunn, James, farmer. Sec. 27; P.
O. Chandler.
EBY, PHILIP, farmer. Sec.
21; P. O. South English.
Etter, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O.
South English.
Evans, David, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
South English.
FAHEY, JOHN, farmer. Sec. 4;
P. O. Foote.
rLORY,ELDER SAMUEL,farm-
er, Sec. 30; P. 0. South English;
born in Augusta county, Virginia,
September 10, 1826, and came
from there to this county in 1854,
and settled on his present home-
stead of 269 acres; was raised a
farmer; has been twice married;
first he was married in Virginia
to Miss Mary Brower, August 14,
1851, a native of the. same State;
she died October 2, 1872, leaving
a family of four children: Fannie
. (born in Virginia), Jacob B., Ly-
dia C, Anna B.; two are dead;
was married the second time to
Elizabeth S. Perry, of Virginia,
November 16, 1873; she has one
child by former marriage: Emma
(now Mrs. Korner), of this State.
riory, Joel, farmer. Sec. 19 P. O.;
South English.
Fraze, Henry, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. O.
Keota.
Fry, John, farmer. Sec. 12; P. O.
Chandler.
Fry, J. G., farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0.
South English.
Fry, Sarah J., farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Chandler.
Fulk, J; S., farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Chandler.
Fulk, J. M., farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0.
Chandler.
Funk, W. E., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Chandler.
GAMMAL. WILLIAM, farmer.
Sec. 30; P.O. South English.
Gibbons, J. M., farmer. Sec. 7; P.
0. North English.
HANLEY, PETER, farmer. Sec.
11; P.O. Foote.
Hanlev, Patrick, farmer, Sec. 1 ; Pj
O. Foote.
Haze, H. E., farmer. Sec. 36; P. O.
Keota.
HERR, MICHAEL, farmer. Sec.
23; P. O. Chandler; born in
Montour county, Pennsylvania,
December 24, 1811, and was raised
there; he came from there to this
county in the spring of 1858,
and in the following year he loca-
ted permanently on his present
homestead of 712 acres, 60 of
which is in Iowa county — all im-
proved farms, supplied with build-
ings; has held various township
offices; married in Pennsylvania
in 1837 to Miss Catharine Sandel,
of Pennsylvania, who died April
22, 1879, leaving a family of five
sons and one daughter: Michael
(now in Montana Territory), Hen-
ry and George (twins), Simon,
John, and Catharine (wife of
James Schatz); have lost three:
Samuel, William, and an infant. '
Herr, George, farmer. Sec. 21; P.
O. Chandler.
Herr, Simon, farmer. Sec. 14; P. O.
Chandler.
Hoif, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0.
South English.
Hotchkiss, 0. M., farmer. Sec. 84;
P. O. Keota.
Huxford, George, farmer, Sec. 18;
P. O. South English.
KEISTER, JACOB, farmer.
Sec. 27; P. 0. Kenross.
Kelly, J. J., farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0.
Foote.
Kelley, J. J., farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0.
Chandler.
KLINE, WILLIAM W., farmer.
Sec. 19; P. O. South Englieh;
LIBEETI TOWNSHIP.
•775
born in Pennsylvania in the year
1837; when about eleven years of
age he moved With his parents to
Ohio ; there he was raised and re-
ceived his early training; from
there came to Linn county, this
State, in 1857, where he made his
home for a short time, and then
moved to "Washington county,
Iowa, where he engaged in teach-
ing school during the winter and
farming during the summer
seasons; in 1863 he came to this
, county and settled on his present
. homestead of 102 acres ot well im-
proved land; in 1858 he began the
study of law, which he has con-
tinned, as best he could, by study-
ing during leisure hours since; has
been a practicing attorney since
1870, and has attended to such
legal business as has presented it-
self, at the same time managing
his farm ; in 1863 was married to
Miss Margaret Stoner, of Vir-
ginia; they have by this union
four children : Charles W., Effiie,
Mertie, and Price; have lost one:
Captolia.
King, Frank, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O.
Korth English.
LAKIlSr, THOMAS, farmer,
Sec. 13; P. O. Chandler.
Lawler, T. J., farmer, Sec. 32; P.
0. South English.
Lawler, John, farmer. Sec. 30; P.
0. South English.
Lefever, Jackson, farmer. Sec. 35;
P. 0. Keota.
Lindsey, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
0. North English.
LAWLER, J. L., farmer. Sec. 30;
P. O. South English; born in In-
diana, in 1849, and came to this
State with his parents when only
about seven years of age, and set-
tled on the farm which he now
occupies, in 1856; he owns an im-
proved farm of ninety acres; he
was raised a farmer and has re-
sided on a farm since; in January,
1872, he was married to Miss
Nancy McDowell; they have two
children : Hattie Belle and Theo-
dore.
Lockridge, James, farmer. Sec. 6;
P. O. North English.
Long, James, farmer. Sec. 20; P. O.
South English.
Lytle, C. F., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O.
Foote.
McMAHAN, C. A., farmer.
Sec. 4; P. O. Foote.
MoMahan, James, farmer. Sec. 4;
P. O. Foote.
McGurk, John, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Foote.
McCann, Patrick, farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Foote.
McCan, Thos., farmer. Sec. 10; P.
O. Foote.
McDowell, David, farmer. Sec. 33;
P. 0. Cresweil.
McDowell, R., farmer, Sec. 33;
P. O. Keota; born in Pennsylva-
nia, in 1818, and was raised there,
and went on the water when
about eighteen years of age, and
followed it for about six years,
mostly engaged in transportation;
he came to northern Indiana in
1841, where he followed the lum-
ber business for three years, at
the same time carrying on a farm;
from there to Knox county, Illi-
nois, and after three years came
to Pock Island county, and came
from there to this county, in May,
1852; he owns an improved farm
of 285 acres in all; he married in
Pennsylvania, in 1839, to Miss
Catharine Herr, of that State;
they have by this union nine chil-
dren living: David, Lavina (wife
of Wm. Kent). Nancy (wife of
John Lawler), Elizabeth (wife of
James Kent), Martin, Ellen, Sarah,
Hattie and Robert, Jr., and three
deceased: Catharine, John and
William ; he settled on his pres-
ent farm the year that he came to
the county, and planted trees,some
of which now measure three feet
and over in diameter; was raised
7T6
DIEEOTORT OF KBOKXTK OOUNTT.
on a farm up to the time he went
on the water, and since he came
to the county has followed his
present occupation.
McKenna, James, farmer, Sec. 11;
P. O. Foote.
Martin, Mary, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Keota.
Matheny, Oliver, farmer. Sec. 29;
P. O. South English.
Mickle, Wm., farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Kenross.
Miller, "Win., farmer, Sec. 22.
Miller, Michael, farmer. Sec. 8; P.
O. North English.
Moler, Andrew, farmer. Sec. 22; P.
O. Chandler.
Moler, John, farmer. Sec. 27; P. O.
Chandler.
Moler, Asa, farmer. Sec. 16; P. O.
Chandler.
Monaghan, Mike, farmer. Sec. 11 ;
P. O. Foote.
Monaghan, Pat, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Foote.
Moore, L. J., farmer, Sec. 19; P. O.
South English.
Morman, Thomas, farmer. Sec. 19;
P. O. South English.
Murray, Margaret, farmer. Sec. 4;
P. O. Foote.
NYSWANER, D., farmer, Sec.
29; P. O. South English.
O'BEIEE", PATRICK, farmer.
Sec. 8; P. O. Foote.
Ogle, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. O.
Foote.
POTEET, WM., farmer. Sec.
22; P. O. Chandler.
RANDOLPH, E. F., farmer.
Sec. 36 ; P. O. Keota.
RANKIN, E. L., deceased; born
in Sangamon county, Illinois,
March 14. 1834; he was educated
at the Illinois State University,
and received both a classical and
scientific education; he made
farming his principal business,
although he had large experience
in teaching; he removed to St.
Joseph, Missouri, in 1861, but
being a strong Union man and a
true patriot, he found it unsafe to
remain where the Rebel element
prevailed to such an extent; he
brought his family to Keokuk
county and settled in Liberty
township, where he owned a good
farm of 160 acres ; he held various
township offices, and Was promi-
nently identified in the interests
of the county; he had enjoyed
the benefits of more than an or-
dinary education, and found time
to indulge occasionally in literary
pursuits, and his letters to the
" News," under the nom deplume
of " Curtins," exhibited no little
talent and culture; he was a man
who impressed every one favorably
on first acquaintance, and the
more you knew of him the better
you liked him; he was honest
and upriglit in all of his dealings,
and when he told you anything
you could depend on it being
just so ; he was ambitious, but not
too much so; was a man who
wanted to be somebody in the
world, and did not wish to pass
his days away and when the time
came for him to pass away, leave
no trace behind that one could
point to as being his good works
and his good deeds ; he married
Miss E. R. Searle on the 29th day
of September, 1861; she was a
daughter of Jas. Searle, Esq., of
Rock Island; she was a graduate
of the Northwestern Female Col-
lege at Evanston, 111., and a wo-
man of rare ability and personal
attraction ; he left one son.
Richbangh, C, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Chandler.
Riley, Owen, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0.
Foote.
Rhodes, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O; South English.
Riddle, L. P., farmer, Sec. 28; P.
O. Keota.
Riggle, Jerry, farmer, Sec. 17; P.
0. South English.
LIBEKTS" TOWNSHIP.
777
Koach, W. S., farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Chandler.
Rowe, Joannah, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P.
0. Chandler.
Enth, John, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O.
South English.
SITESINGER, A. E., farmer,
Sec. 22; P. O. Chandler.
Stoner, Henry, farmer. Sec. 20; P.
0. South English.
Stoner, Emanuel, farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. South English.
Stoner, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 18; P.
0. South English.
Smith, Christian, farmer. Sec. 8; P.
0. North English.
Simmons, A. J., farmer, Sec. 6 ; P.
O. North English.
Simmons, Wesley, farmer. Sec. 6;
P. O. North English.
Sevink, Oliver, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. O.
North English.
Seitsinger, James, farmer. Sec. 23;
P. O. Chandler.
Slocum, M., farmer. Sec. 13; P.O.
Chandler.
Squires, Ezra, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O.
Chandler.
Stouffer, J. H., farmer, Sec. 26; P.
,0. Keota.
Studebaker, J., farmer, Sec. 36 ; P.
O. Keota.
Smith, Adam, farmer. Sec. 35; P.
O. Keota.
^mith, James, farmer. Sec. 35; P.
O. Keota.
Sniteman, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 28;
P. O. South English.
Smith, John, farmer. Sec. 31; P. O.
Creswell.
Shaffer, Solomon, farmer. Sec. 15;
P. O. Chandler.
Shaffer, Frank, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
0. Keota.
Searles, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P.
0. Keota.
Suiter, Wm., farmer. Sec. 1; P. O.
North English.
STOUFFER, J. H., farmer, Sec. 25;
P. O. Kenross; born in Washing-
ton county, Maryland' in 1853,
and left there when about twenty- ■
onie years of age, and came to
Illinois, where he remained to the
time of his coming to this county
in the spring of 1870, and since
that time has been a permanent
resident; he owns a well improved
farm of 160 acres, and has been
connected with various township
offices; was married in Illinois,
November 28, 1854, to Miss Cath-
arine Hayes, a native of Washing-
ton county, Maryland; they have
a family of two children: Mollis
E., and Minnie M; have lost one:
Sarah E.
STONER, E., farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 29; P. O. South Eng-
lish ; born in Carroll County, Md.,
in 1833, and was raised there and
made it his home till he came to
this county in March, 1876, and
settled on his present homestead;
previous to his coming to this
county he was engaged in the iron
mining and machine shops, and
is still interested in the business
in Maryland; he had also followed
farming and since he came to his
present location has made it his
specialty; he is the inventor of
the " Sampson Cider Press,"
which has proved to be a success,
and spends a good portion of time
in putting it before the public; he
was married in his native county
in 1853 to Miss Maria Boyer, of
that county; they have, by this
union, twelve children living:
Mary S. (wife of D. P. Stoner),
Anna V., Emma R. (wife of D.
F. Rhodes), John D., Lucinda C,
Clayton L., Samuel 0., Harry D.,
Jesse E., George E., Clarence A.,
and Nora B. ; he owns an improv-
ed farm of 226 acres, is of a genial
disposition and in every respect a
very agreeable gentleman.
TROUTMAN, C. S., farmer.
Sec. 32; P. O. Creswell; born
in the State of Pennsylvania in
1842, and was raised there, and
made it his home till he came to
778
DIEEGTOBY OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
' this State and first settled in John-
son county, and came from there
to this county in the spring of
1874, and purchased his present
liome of 80 acres of improved
land ; he married in Johnson coun-
ty, this State, in 1869, to Miss M.
J. Salley, of Pennsylvania; they
have four children living: Josiah,
Laura, Walter and John L. ; he
enlisted in the late war in com-
pany Gr, Sixth Iowa Infantry, July
12, 1861, and was mustered out
July 19, 1865.
VANDYKE, D. M., farmer. Sec.
33, P. O. South English.
T A T^ADE, CHAS., farmer, Sec.
VV 35; P. O.Keota.
Wagaman, Wm., farmer, Sec. 21; P.
0. Chandler.
Wakelee, 0. L., farmer. Sec. 1-3 ; P.
O. Chandler.
Walters, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 22; P.
O. Chandler.
Walsh, Thos., farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0.
Foote.
Walsh, James, farmer. Sec. 10; P.
O. Foote.
WATKINS,WM. J., farmer. Sec. 4;
P. O. Foote; born in Montgomery
county, Virginia, July 22, 1822,
ind went to Indiana with his pa-
rents when quite young, and set-
tled in Henry county, where he
lived until he moved to Wabash
county, and from there to this
county and settled in this town-
ship in the fall of 1852, and
since that time he has been iden-
tified with its interests; previous
to his settling on his present home-
stead he followed brick-making
for about fourteen years; his farm
consists of 168 acres, well im-
proved; he was married in Ran-
dolph county, Indiana, in 1845, to
Miss Sarah J. Hudson, of Eoss
county, Ohio; they have, by this
union, eight children living: John
N., David A., Newton F., Winfred
L., Charles R., Robert D., George
P., Sanford A., and four deceased^
he enlisted in the Mexican war in
company C, First Indiana Reg-
iment, March 18, 1846, and
served two years and two months,
under command of Gen. Taylor,
and participated in nearly all the
engagements of the war.
Wimer, William, farmer, Sec. 2; P»
O. Foote.
Wenger, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 19;P<.
O. South English.
Westfall, Jessie, farmer Sec. 27; P.
O. Chandler.
Westfall, H. S. farmer, Sec. 21; P.
O. Chandler.
Whitmore, J. J., farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. North English.
WILSON, J. W.,-farmer, Sec. 5; Pi
O. North English; is a native of
the State of Maryland, born in
the year 1826, and when a boy he
emigrated to ■ Ohio with his pa-
rents, where he lived till he came
to this county in the fall of 1856,
and since that time he has always
been a resident of the county;,
when eighteen years of age he
learned the blacksmith trade, and
followed it more or less during
his life; he was married in Ohio
in 1850 to Miss Mary E. Mahan-
na, a native of Pennsylvania;
they have a family of six sons and
four daughters living: C. >S., Su-
san, Ooates, William, John, Ellen,
McElvane, Etta,George and Anna;
he has held the ofiice of justice of
the peace four terms, and town-
ship assessors two terms ; his pres-
ent homestead consists of 141
acres of land.
Wine, George, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0.
South English.
Wine, Solomon, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. South English.
WISE, FREDERICK, farmer,
Sec. 24; P. O. Chandler; born in
Pennsylvania in 1829, and moved
to Ohio when quite young; from
there he came to this county in
ENGLISH BIVEE TOWNSHIP.
7Y^
1866, and settled on his present
homestead of 160 acres; August
19, 1861, he enlisted in company
M, Eleventh Pennsylvania Caval-
ry, and served for three years;
held the office of justice of
the peace and township clerk; has
been twice married, first in 1857,
to Miss Martha Merriam, of
Yirginia, who died in 1865; left
no family; was married in 1866 to-
Johanna Folec, of Ohio; they
have two children; Delia May and
Frederic Bnrr.
Wolf, Lewis, farmer. Sec. 20; P. O.
South English.
"Wolf, Lewis, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0.
South English.
EiSTcs-Xjisia: tztt^^itz to-\p^2<tst3:tf.
ANDERSON, J. M., physi-
cian and surgeon, Webster;
the subject of this sketch was
born in Trumbull county, Ohio,
June 20, 1832: his father, James
Anderson, A. M., D. D., was pas-
tor of the first Presbyterian
Church at Lancaster, Ohio, and
his mother was principal of Fair-
field Female Seminary for eigh-
teen years ; thus Mr. A. was, from
■ his earliest youth, surrounded by
■ influences that but few have en-
■ joyed; he commenced his educa-
tion at the academy of that place,
continuing it until sixteen years of
age; he then entered Athens Uni-
• versity, and after pursuing his
collegiate course, graduated in
1849 with high honors from
that institution ; he was professor
of Latin and Greek for six
months in the Miller Acadamy,
in Guernsey county,Ohio ; he then
accepted the position of president
of Vienna Academy, Trumbull
county, Ohio, for one year; dur-
ing this time he was studying
medicine with Wm. D. Payne, an
eminent physician, for four years;
he practiced his profession from
1858 until 1861, when he enlist-
ed in the Sixteenth Ohio Infant-
ry; served three months as a pri-
vate, and was then detached, act-
ing as assistant surgeon until his
regiment was discharged; after
the discharge he assisted in re-
cruiting the Eightieth Ohio In-
- fantry, and was captain of com-
pany I; he held that position un-
til July 23, when he was appoint^
ed, by Gen. Grant, superintend-
ent of the contrabands in the de-
partment of Tennessee; that po-
sition he held for about one year-
he was then ordered to Michigan
as military commander of the
Rendezvous Draft Camp, remain-
ing there for nine months; in
February, 1854, he was ordered
to the front, and appointed pro-
vost marshal of the eastern de-
partment of Tennessee, on the
staff of Gen. Myer, which posi-
tion he held until he was muster-
ed out at the close of the war; he-
came to this county and engaged
in the practice of his profession;
he married Miss Louisa Summitt,
June 22, 1867; she is a native of
Franklin county, Kentucky; they
have a family of three children*
Katie, Mary and Scott M.
BAKER, WM. M., South
English.
Pair, S. H., farmer. Sec. 5; P. O..
White Pigeon.
Bair, Sarah J., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O..
White Pigeon.
Bair, John S., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O.-
White Pigeon.
Bane, Mary J., farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0..
South English.
Bets, J. A., farmer. Sec. 7: P. O..
White Pigeon.
BLAND, JOHN S., county super-
intent of schools; P. 0. White-
Pigeon ; born in Jefferson county,
Indiana, in 1844, and was brought
780
DIREOTOBT Ol" KEOKUK COtTNTT.
by his parents, when eight years
of age, to Keokuk county,
and was raised a farmer; his op-
portunties for receiving an
education were limited, and he
may well be termed a self-made
man; he has been engaged in
teaching for the last twelve years,
and was elected to his present po-
sition in October, 1S79.
Bottomfield, W. C, farmer. Sec. 28;
P. O. South English.
Bowser, Michael, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P.
O. South English.
Bowser, O. J. farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. O.
South English.
Bowser, Valentine, South English.
Boyd, Miss Mollie M., South Eng-
lish.
Brown, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 25; P.
O. South English.
Brown, J. M., farmer. Sec. 19; P.
O. Webster. ^
Brnmback, Graiit, farmer. Sec. 25;
P. O. South English.
Butler, Mrs. M. E., farmer, Sec 2;
P. O. North English.
Butler, E. A., farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. O.
North English.
CABLEK, EDWARD, farmer.
Sec. 14; P. O. South Eng-
lish. ^
Cabler, John W., farmer, Sec 12; P.
O. South English.
Clarke, Mrs. 0. E., farmer. Sec 36;
P. O. South English.
COFFMAN, W. T., of the firm of
Coffman & Co., druggists. South
English ; born in Augusta county,
Yirginia, July 24, 1838; when
siJrteen years of age he came to
Washington county, this State,
and engaged in farming, which
occupation .he followed until Au-
gust 17, 1862, when he enlisted in
company K, Thirtieth Iowa In-
fantry, and served with that regi-
ment until the close of the war;
he participated in the following
battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Ar-
kansas Post, Yicksburg, Jackson,
Lookout Mountain, Missionary
Eidge, Einggold (where he was se-
verely wounded through the hand),
Eesaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Ken-
esaw Mountain, Atlanta, rear of
Jonesborough (where he was ter-
ribly wounded in the face), cap-
ture of Savannah, capture of Col-
lumbia and Ben tons; he was dis-
charged at Washington D. C,
June 6, 1866; Mr. CofiEman
returned to Washington coun-
ty, Iowa, after his discharge,
and resumed farming, which ne
continued until 1871, when he re-
moved to South English and en-
gaged in his present business; he
was married January 21, 1873, to
Miss Elizabeth J. Lambert, a na-
tive of Virginia: they have by
this union two daughters: Vir-
ginia Lyle and Lillian A.
COFFMAN, D. N., station agent,
South English; born in Rocking-
ham county, Virginia, Sept. 2,
1838, where his childhood and
early youth were spent; in com-
pany with his mother and family,
he came to this county in the fall
of 1856, locating in Liberty town-
ship, and to this enterprising vil-
lage in 1870; his first employ-
ments, after receiving his educa-
tion, were farming and teaching
school during the winters; he fol-
lowed this for some years and
then entered the employ of J. E.
White, of South English, as sales-
man, where, by his courteous bear-
ing and strict attention to busi-
ness, he won the confidence of his
employers and the esteem of his
numerous acquaintances; in the
summer of 1879, he was appoint-
ed railroad agent at this point;
December 24, 1863, he was united
in marriage to Miss Leah E.
Wyne, a native of Allen county,
Ohio; they have a family of two
children: Eva May and Katie
Carmilla.
COSBY, C. F., postmaster and gro-
cer, South English; born in
ENGLISH EIVEB TOWNSHIP.
781
Jefferson county, Indiana, Feb-
ruary 13, 1833, where he
had the advantages of a good
common school education until he
was sixteen years of age; he then
made the carpenter's trade his fu-
ture occupation ; he served an ap-
Srenticeship at the trade which
e has since followed for twenty-
seven years, building some of the
finest churches and residences
in this part of the coun-
ty; he removed to this coun-
ty in May, 1856, where he has
since resided, and has been prom-
inently identified with the growth
and development of the township ;
he engaged in his present busi-
ness in the spring of 1877, giving
universal satisfaction as an officer
and tradesman; in June, 1861, he
enlisted in company F, Fifth
Iowa Infantry, and served till
January, 1862, when he was hon-
orably discharged on account of
disability; he is a man of decided
conviction, ever searching for
right principles, which he firmly
maintains ; be commands the re-
spect and esteem of his numerous
acquaintances, and has held var-
ious offices of trust in his town-
ship; on the 9th day of Novem-
ber, 1864:, Miss Ann Rhea, a na-
tive of the north of Ire-
land, became his wife; she died
on the 22d day of November, 1855,
he was married again to Miss
Kate K. Sprague, who was born
in Ohio; by this union they have
two children: one son and one
daughter: Lillie A. and C.Elmer.
Cox, James, farmer. Sec 27; P. O.
South English.
Cox, Wm., farmer. Sec. 22; P. O.
South English.
CRAWFORD, BARZILLAI, de-
ceased, English River; born at
Saratoga Springs, New York, Au-
gust 25, 1804, where he was rais-
ed; he was there married to Miss
Eliza Hemphill, January 27,
1828; she was born and raised
in that county; in 1834 they
moved to Anondye county, where
Mr. Crawford died June 19, 1837;
Mrs. Crawford then moved to
Fulton county, Ohio, living there
for fifteen years, and then came
to this county, where she has since
resided; owns eighty acres of
good land ; she has two children :
Elias H. and Lucy A.
Crawford, E. H., farmer. Sec. 18; P.
O. White Pigeon.
DEBOW, NELSON, farmer.
Sec. 27; P. O. South Eng-
lish; born in Tioga county. New
York, November 16, 1828; when
seven years of age his parents
moved to Hudson county, Ohio,
where his youth was spent until
1844, when he removed to La
Grange county, Indiana; there he
resided until his coming to this
county in 1865; he then settled on
the place where he now resides
and which consists of 100 acres of
choice land under splendid culti-
vation; he married Miss Anna M.
Richmond, a native of Ohio,
April 2, 1848; she died August 7,
1876; they had one daughter, who
died in infancy; he was married
again to Miss Sallie T. Drake, a
native of Greene county, Pennsyl-
vania, November i, 1877; they
have one daughter: Jennie Myrtle.
DILLON, CAPT. JOHN, farmer,
stock-raiser and feeder. Sec. 5; P.
O. White Pigeon ; born in Ireland
February 28, 1827; when two
years of age his parents emi-
grated to tbe United States, set-
tling in Zanesville, Ohio, where
his mother died a few months
after their arrival ; his father was
a man of considerable means but
at the loss of his wife he became
thoroughly prostrated with grief
and like too many others sought
to hide his sorrows in the intoxi-
cating cup and in this way squan-
derea his wealth; but his affec-
782
DIEEOTOKT OF KEOKUK OOtTNTY.
tion for his children through all
his troubles persuaded him to send
to Ireland for a sister and the
subject of this sketch was brought
np under the care of his aunt un-
til about 1838, when his father
abound him to Abner Bades, a
horse dealer; with this man he
moved to Coshocton county, where
; he lived until nineteen years of
■age, wheh he enlisted in company
B, Third Ohio Infantry, and
passed through the Mexican war;
he returned to Ohio in' 1848, and
in 1849 came to this county and
•entered the first piece of land on
the north side of English River
in June, 1849; this he has since
improved and occupied, and he
mow owns 515 acres of good laud;
August 14, 1861, he enlisted as
private in company H, Thirtj"^-
third Iowa Volunteer infantry,
and was elected captain of his
company, which position he was
obliged to resign July 26, 1863,
much against his desire, On ac-
count of ill health; he returned
home and has since devoted his
time to agricultural pursuits and
stock-dealing; he has been hon-
ored by the citizens with the posi-
tion as one of the members of the
board of supervisors, and has held
■offices of trust in his township;
May 22, 1850, he was married to
Miss Susannah Baker, a native of
Coshocton county, Ohio; they
have six children: Chas. L., Wm.
H., Mary E. (now Mrs. I. Bair of
Iowa county), Libbie C, Perry W.
and Anna May.
FANCHER, J., farmer. Sec. 6 ;
P. O. White Pigeon.
Fancher, R., farmer. Sec. 6; P. O.
White Pigeon.
Fancher, James, farmer. Sec. 17; P.
O. White Pigeon.
Fancher, W. T., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. White Pigeon.
Fluckey, Amos, South English.
Flnckey, Aaron, South English.
FRENCH, MARION, farmer. Sec.
8 ; P.O. White Pigeon ; born in
Switzerland county, Indiana, Au-
gust 31, 1837; in 1849 his parents
moved to Lee county, this State,
where he was principally raised
on a farm, attending school win-
ters; he removed to where he now
resides in 1870, and owns 140 acres
of good land ; married October 14,
1864, to Miss Susan Beur, a na-
tive of Virginia; she is of Ger-
man origin.
Fry, Perry, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0.
South English.
Fry, Peter, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0.
South English.
FRY, CONRAD, farmer, Sec, 21;
P. O. South English; born in
Mercer county, Pennsylvania,
March 14, 1833; there he was
raised on a farm, attending school
summers; he has followed farm-
ing exclusively all his life except
the time spent in defending his
country ; in 1853 he moved to
Stephenson county, Illinois, re-
maining there for two years; then
removed to this county, staying
here till 1861, when he returned
to Illinois, where his family re-
sided; in 1865 he came to Bremer
county, Iowa, and in 1868 located
where he now resides ; has 185 acres
of choice laud, splendidly located
on the banks of the English river,
well adapted for stock and grain ;
January 5, 1863, he enlisted in
company K, Forty-sixth Illinois
Infantry, and served with that
regiment until the close of the
war; in June, 1865, was mustered
out at New Orleans; he was in the
battle of Spanish Fort and Port
Blakely and others, and also in
numerous skirmishes ; March 18,
1855, he married Miss Louisa
Gibler, of Ohio; she is of German
and English descent; have seven
children: Perry H., John P., Ada
A., Mary E., Katie, Willie and
James ; he is social and entertain-
ENGLISH BIVEB TOWNSHIP.
783
ing and ]3ossesses in a high degree
the confidence of all who know
him.
GIESLER, CHAS., of the firm
of Giesler & Garlick, dealers
in lumber and agricaltnral imple-
ments, South English; born in
Germany, December 25^ 1834; in
1844 his parents removed to Mus-
catine county, where he was
raised on a farm; in 1869 he went
into the agricultural implement
business for five years with suc-
cess, and has followed the railroad
and has finally located in this
beautiful town ; he is a thoroughly
•educated business man, energetic,
courteous and genial and is an
honorable acquisition to the busi-
ness portion, as well as to the so-
ciety, of South English ; he was
married August 26, 1854, to Miss
Lena Wickey, a native of Ger-
many.
'Gilchrist, James, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. North English.
Crilchrist, David, farmer, Sec. 12; P.
0. North English.
Glandon, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 24;
. P. O. South English.
'GLANDON, S. M., farmer. Sec. 21;
. P. 0. South English, born in Han-
cock county, Indiana. December
17, 1830, but raised in Morgan
county; he had a good common
school education and followed
farming as the principal occupa-
tion; in the fall of 1850 he re-
moved to this county and in com-
pany with his uncle, F. S. Glan-
■don, built a saw-mill on the Eng-
lish river, on Sec. 15, being the
first in the north part of the coun-
ty; he taught school the winter
previous, 1850-51, being the sec-
ond who taught school in the
township, his wife having the
honor of being the first; he then
■went to work at the carpenter's
- trade, which he followed for seven
years; from that time to this he
has devoted himself exclusively to
farming; he owns a farm of 300
acres of land, well improved; was
married May 1, 1851, to Miss
E. J. Reynolds, a native of Ohio;
she came to this county at an
early day; they have six children :
Alma v., E., Laura A., Cassius
M. C, Harriet L. and David L. ;
lost two: Amanda C, died Decem-
ber, 1852, and Mary; Mr. G. was
elected justice of the peace at the
first election in the township, but
refused to qualify; is a man of
strong prejudices.
Glandon, James B,., farmer. Sec. 25;
P. O. South English.
Glenn, J. M., South English.
Greenlee, J. A., farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. South English.
Greenlee, G. M., Jr., farmer. See.
14, P. O. South English.
Greenlee, Adam, farmer, Sec. 11; P.
O. South English.
Gregory, John, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O.
White Pigeon.
GORE, W. H., farmer. Sec. 35, P.
O. South English ; the , subject of
this sketch was born in Jefierson
county, Indiana, October 10, 1832;
when he was two years old his
parents moved to Johnson county
and afterward returned to Jeffer-
son county, where he spent his
youth and early manhood ; in 1853
he removed to this county, where
he has since resided and where he
owns a farm of 190 acres of
choice land well improved ; until
1854 he worked at the carpenter's
trade; August 5, 1862, he enlisted
in company H, Thirty-third Iowa
Infantry, as a private and from
meritorious conduct and ability,
he was deservedly promoted until
he became the captain of his
company; he participated in the
battles of Helena, Yazoo Pass,
Shell Mound, Little Rock and
Jenkins' Ferry, going into this
battles with forty-two men and
784
DIEBOTOBT OF KEOKUK COTTNTT.
coming out with twenty-one; he
was in varit)U8 other engagements
and was mustered out in August,
1865; January 16, 1857, he was
married to Miss Mary, daughter
of Martin Slate; she is a native of
Franklin county, Ohio; have four
children : Alice May, Howard B.,
Albert H. and Walter E.; Mr.
Gore was left an orphan at an
early age, and without help has
been the architect of his own for-
tune and well deserves the esteem
in which he is held and the suc-
cess that has attended his efforts.
Griner, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 18; P.
O. "Webster.
Grimes, John, farmer. Sec. 18; P.'
O. Webster.
HALE, A., physician. South
English; the subject of this
sketch was born in Columbiana
county, Ohio, July 1, 1829, where
he lived until removing to Jeffer-
son county, Indiana, in 1853, and
in 1856 to his present location;
Dr. Hale was educated at Mount
Pleasant, Ohio, in the Friends'
Boarding School, and attended
medical lectures at the Eclectic
Medical College of Cincinnati,
Ohio; he has been very successful
in profession and has a wide
and extended practice, as he well
deserves ; he was married to Miss
Rebecca Neil, a native of Ohio;
the compliment of their family
circle consists of three children:
Lydia A., William and Clarence.
Hall, Mrs. Annie E., farmer, Sec.
23; P. O. South English.
HALL, ABEL, farmer, Sec. 1; P.
O. North English; born in ' Lick-
ing county, Ohio, September 10,
1824; when nineteen years of age
he moved to Bock county, Wis-
consin, where he remained until
coming to this State and county in
1849 ; ae first settled on the bor-
der of Keokuk county, but in
1858 settled where he now resides;
owns eighty acres of choice land;
when he first came to this county
he endured many hardships in
common with other pioneers;
Iowa City furnished the nearest
. mill of any importance; in 1861
there were heavy rains for a long
time 60 that no grinding was
done, and corn had to be soaked
in water and then grated and
baked into bread; he has had to
swim the South English river on
his way to mill and on one of
these voyages nearly lost his life,
as his wagon and load were lost
and he himself barely reached the
bank; has been twice married;
first, January 23, 1847, to Miss
Mary Stewart, a native of Glas-
gow, Scotland; she died in 1865,
leaving four children: James, Jas-
per, Charlie and C; married
again to Mrs. Louisa (Sears) But-
ler; have seven children: Ida,
Effie, Jessie, Wilford, Maynard,
Lamont and Chester; lost two;
Mrs. Hall has four children by a,
former marriage: Ethan, John F.,
Nancy and Elva.
Hale, Allen, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0.
South English.
Hall, L. C, farmer, Sec. 12; P. 0.
South English.
Hallowell, Sam, Webster.
Harper, Mack, South English.
Harden brook, Abraham, farmer, Sec.
25; P. O. South English.
HARRIS, W. H., farmer, Sec. 15;
P. O. South English; born in
Herefordshire, England, May 2,
1828; emigrated to this country
in 1853 and located in Philadel-
phia; he remained there for one
year, working in a foundry of that
city; when seventeen years of age,
he, being of a mechanical turn of
mind, entered the employ of a
prominent machinist, working in
that employ for two years, when
he was given the charge of an en-
gine to run on a railroad; he con-
rr
ENGLISH EIVEB TOWNSHIP.
785
. tinned at that for five years, and
since leaving Pennsylvania has
devoted himself to farming; in
1864 he moved to TiOrain county,
Ohio, and lived there ten years,
when he came to this county and
settled where he now lives in
1868; owns 170 acres of land,
well improved and under cultiva-
tion; unaided, he has by hard
work, perseverance, etc., fought
the battle of life, and has been
eminently successful; August 10,
1852, he married Miss Margaret
Price, a lady of refinement, and
it is through her aid, encourage-
ment and good management, as
well as his own energy and perse-
verance, that success has crowned
his eflbrts; they have two chil-
dren: Henry A. and Edward P.
Heaton, L. H., farmer. Sec. 29; P.
O. Webster.
Hennon, Perry, farmer, Sec. 13; P.
0. South English.
HIGGINS, DECATUR, farmer.
Sec. 21; P. O. South English;
born in Knox county, Ohio, Oc-
tober 9, 1827; his father was a
native of Vermont and of Eng-
lish ancestry, and his mother of
Welch and German origin; when
five years old he, with his parents,
moved to Marion county, where
he was raised; he came from
there to this county in 1856, and
improved the place on which he
now resides, and which consists of
100 acres of finely improved and
well cultivated land ; his residence
is surrounded by a fine grove of
Btately evergreens, which shelter
the place; he has been intimately
connected with the interests and
growth of the county, and has
been entrusted with prominent
and important offices in the town-
ship; he was married September
17, 1857, to Miss Nancy A. Irons,
of Adams township, formerly of
Virginia; they have a family of
49
three children: Jeaiinette, Lafay-
ette and Elfie Wren; have lost
one daughter: Elsie, who died
June 3, 1877.
Holmes, Bacon, farmer, Sec. 32; P.
O. Webster.
Howard, G. B., farmer. Sec. 35; P.
O. South English.
HORN, C. C, farmer. Sec. 26; P.
O. South English; is of German
descent, his ancestors having emi-
grated to this country in a very
early day; the subject of this
sketch was born in Greene coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1831 ;
there he was raised; in 1864 he
moved to Appanoose county, Iowa,
living there until October of the
same year, when he removed to
this county; in 1866 he moved
on the place where he now re-
sides and which consists of ninety
acres of choice land, with good
improvements ; September 27,
1857, he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Greenlee, a native of
Greene county (Pennsylvania; have
three children : William N., Em-
ma J. and George,; lost an infant.
Hoyt, Jane S., farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Webster.
Hurst, Melvina, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Webster.
TEkKINS, "W. D., farmer, Sec.
d 26; P. 0. South English.
Jester, John W., farmer. Sec. 26 ; P.
O. South Enrlish.
JOHNSON, W. H., general mer-
chant, Webster; born in Wash-^
ington county, Pennsylvania, ^^
April 11, 1819, but raised in Knox ^
county, Ohio; at the age of sev-
enteen he learned the tanner's
trade, which he followed with
success until 1876, when he re-
moved to Iowa and entered into
the mercantile trade; on the 22d
of May, 1839, he was married to
Lydia A. Marshall, a native of
Ohio; they have four children liv-
ing: Ella, Emeline, N. D. and
786
DIKEOTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTT.
Flora D.; have lost three: Mar-
shall "W"., Adalade E. and Fran-
cis S.
KEMEEY, HARRIET, farmer,
Sec. 23; P. O. South Eng-
lish.
KEMREY, DANIEL, farmer,
stock-feeder and raiser, Sec. 20;
P. O. South English; born in Le-
high county, Pennsylvania, April
10, 1833; when four years of age
his parents, who were of German
origin, moved to Wayne county,
Ohio; there he was raised ; when
he was eight years old his father
died, leaving young K. dependent
on no one, and to earn his own
living; when nineteen years old
he left Ohio and went to Cass
county, Michigan; lived there for
two years and in 1854 came to
this county and entered the land
upon which he now resides and
which consists of 320 acres, well
improved and in good cultivation;
July, 186i, he was married to
Miss Harriet Colcord, a native of
Lower Canada; they have four
children: Helen E. (wife of . J.
Charter, of South English), George
R., "Wm. A. and Elmer A.
Kimball, C. D., South English.
Kimball, E., South English.
King, Wm. S., farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. South English.
King, Charles, farmer. Sec. 12; P.
0. South English.
Kirkpatrick, Mrs. L. M., farmer, Sec.
23; P. 0. South English.
Kleinschmidt, A., farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. South English. 'y^C"" .
LAKIN, RICHARD,^^Varmer
and stock- raiser. Sec. 17; P.
O. Webster; born in in England
April li, 1819, where he was
raised; emigrated to this country
in 1852, and settled in Ohio; after
remaining there for four years he
, emigrated to this State in 1856
/ and settled in this county; he
owns 200 acres of land, under im-
provement; mari'ied October,
1841, to Emma Walker, a native
of England; she died March 26,
1863, leaving a family of six
children living: Thomas, Mary,
William, Anna, Edward and Rich-
ard; lost two: James, died Sep-
tember 13, 1853, and Joh>i, died
while serving his country at Hel-
ena, October 18, 1864; he mar-
ried again February 15, 1869. to
Mrs. Margaret Griffin Maxwell, a
native of Upper Canada; they
have four children : Emma,
gie, Katie and Minnie May; she
has six children by first marriage:
Robert, Sallie, Caroline, Sarah,
Esther and Lizzie; he makes
stock-raising a principal business.
LEWIS, JOHN Q., harness-maker
and livery. South English; born
in Henry county, Iowa, February
25, 1856; he lived there until
fourteen years of age, enjoying
good educational advantages; in
1870 he went to Shellsburgh, Ben-
ton county, Iowa, to learn his
trade; remained there for three
years, and thence • to Marshall
county; engaged in business
there, and in 1873 came back to
Shellsburgh, pursuing his trade
there forgone year; in 1876 he
came to his present location, where
he is doing a thriving business;
September 19, 1877, he married
Miss Mary J., daughter of George
Dobey, an old settler of Sigour-
ney; they have bj' this union one
daughter: Ethel.
LUTTON, A. J., farmer, Sec. 4;
P. O. White Pigeon; born in
Lawrence county, Pennsylvania,
April 3, 1828, but was raised in
Mercer county, same State; in
1854 he, with his parents, remov-
ed to this county and settled on
the place upon which he now re-
sides; he owns eighty acres of
well improved land, upon which
he has a fine orchard; June 11,
1854, he was married to Mias An-
gelina Marshall, a native of Penn-
ENGLISH BIVEE TOWNSHIP.
787
sylvania; they have three chil-
dren: John F., 'William Z. and
. Charles "W.; Nettie May died
Jnne 30, 1870; he commenced
life with a capital of twenty-five
■cents, a yoke of oxen and one
<!0W, and by proper economy and
perseverance, assisted by his wife,
they have a nice homestead and
a reasonable competence.
McAFFERTY, JAMES, farm-
er and dealer in tine horses,
Sonth English ; born in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, July 25,
1812, and was raised thei-e; in
1834 he went to Wayne county,
Ohio, and engaged in farming;
<5ame to Jefferson county, Iowa,
in 1848, and remained there a few
months, when he went to Lynn
county and remained there until
the year 1855 ; then came to this
county; at the age of seventeen
he learned the milling trade, which
he followed for about six years;
■ finding it injurious to his health
he had to leave that business, and
has since followed farming and
handling stock horses; he has
done much towards improving the
fitock horses in this county;
March 12, 1832, was married to
Miss Fanny Bucher, a native of
Pennsylvania: they have five chil-
dren living: Susannah, Elizabeth,
Sarah, John and Lydia; have lost
three: Samuel, Fannie and Mary
Jane.
McBride, Is., farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. O.
It cbstGr
McBRIDE, JAMES, general mer-
chant and postmaster, Webster;
born in Perry county, Pennsyl-
vania, May 2&, 1832, where he was
raised a farmer; removed to Iowa
in 1856, and to this county in
1857, where he now resides; at-
tended Bloorafield Academy for
upwards of two years, and gradu-
ated at the Commercial School of
York county, Pennsylvanila; fol-
lowed farming and school teach-
ing until 1863, then engaged iu
stock dealing, continuing it one
year, or until 1864, when he en-
tered the mercantile business,
which he has since followed with
success ; he is of a social, genial _
nature, well adapted to gain and
retain the confidence and respect
of the community, which he em-
ploys to a great extent; married
Miss Julia A. Findley, a native
of Pennsylvania; they have five
children: E. O, Frank E., Nora
Belle, Minnie L., and an infant
daughter.
McCombs, B. M., farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. South English.
McLanahan, J. M., farmer, Sec. 34;
P. O. South English.
Mc WILLIAMS, WILLIAM, re-
tired farmer. Sec. 23; P. O. South
English; his father, John Mc-
Williams, was born in Belmont
county, Ohio, January 31, 1797;
his grandfather, William McWill-
iams, came to this country from
Ireland about 1775, and partici-
pated in the struggle for our in-
dependence; the subject of our
sketch was born in Knox county,
Ohio, January 11, 1820, where he
was raised; removed to this coun-
ty in 1857, where he has since re-
sided ; owns a fine homestead, con-
taining five acres, and also in the
vicinity eighty acres of choice
land; January 9, 1841, he took for
the partner and sharer of his joys
and sorrows Miss Lucy A. Nofi-
singer, a native of Pennsylvania;
the complement of their family
circle consists of nine children,
living: Margaret K. (now Mrs.
D. W. Miller, of South English),
T. B.,M. D., J. F., W. 0. (Eecord-
er), H. A., Nuke, Ida, S. N. and
Clara; Mr. Mc Williams is a man
of unblemished reputation, gener-
ous and courteous, and is held in
high esteem by all who know
him; has held various ofiices of
trust in his township.
T8g
DIRECTOET OF KEOKUK COUKTT.
McWilliaini?, H. A., farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. South English.
McWilliamSj James, farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. South English.
Magee, "William, South English.
MAHANNAH, CLARK, farmer,
Sec. 2; P. O. North English; born
in Greene county, Pennsylvania,
August 9, 1829; is of Irish and
German descent; his grandfather
was killed in one of the battles of
the Eevolutionary war; when quite
young Mr. M. with his parents
moved to Knox county, Ohio,
where most of his youth and early
manhood were spent; in 1856 he
removed to Warren county, 111.,
and after remaining in that place
for one year he came to this coun-
ty and located where he now
lives; owns 200 acres of good
land, with a nice dwelling and
barn; on arriving in this county
he and his wife had but a team
and $150 in cash with which to
start in a then comparatively new
State, but by industry, economy,
perseverance and good manage-
ment, they have all that is need-
ful; August 11, 1862, he enlisted
in company I, Twenty-eighth
Iowa Infanti-y, and served with
that regiment until May 16, 1863,
when he was wounded at the bat-
tle of Champion's Hill; was there
taken .prisonir and paroled; he
partially recovered, and came
home on a furlough in August,
1863; returned to Davenport in
the next March, and was dis-
charged June 12, 1864; partici-
pated in the battles of Fort Gib-
son and Champion's Hill, beside
several skirmishes; October 10,
1853, married Miss S. Wier, of
Ohio, but formerly of New Jer-
sey; she is of German descent,
her ancestors having emigrated to
this country at an early day; they
have ten children: Curtis D.,
"William J., Emma G., Susannah
(wife of "William Dixon, of Iowa),
Carrie A., Charles G., Sarah J.,
Lizzie M., Frank A. and Mattie
B.; have lost two: Clark C, who
died October 12, 1863, and Bessie^
died May 22, 1875.
MANTZ, D. H., farmer. Sec. 29; P.
O. "Webster; born in Schuylkill
county, Pennsylvania, August 29,
1826; there he was raised on a
farm until eighteen years of age,,
when he learned the carpenter's
trade, which he followed until
about 1873; in connection with
that he has carried on farming;
moved to this county in 1856,
where he now resides and owns-
128 acres of choice land; his im-
provements are excellent, his resi-
dence being the finest in the town-
ship and second to none in the
county; his grounds are embel-
lished by handsome evergreens;
since 1848 he has accomplished
his work alone, and he now owea
his prosperity to his industry, en-
ergy, good management, etc.;
January 1, 1847, married Miss
• Mary Sasseman, of Pennsylvania;
they have seven children: George
H., "William, James, Salvina^
Lizzie, Emma and Lily L.
Markwell, A. H., farmer. Sec. 4; P.
0. South English.
Massie, John, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0:
South English.
MEAD, JOHN F., blacksmith and
wagon-maker. South English ;.
born in Eensellaer county New
York, October 10, 1841; at the
early age of twelve years his
parents removed to California,
where Mr. Mead was raised ; he
served his apprenticeship in San
Francisco and foltowed his trade
there until 1874, when he removed
to this county; here he was mar-
ried January 1, 1874, to Miss Ju--
lia, daughter of John and Eliza-
beth (Owns) Houston; they have
three children: Elizabeth, Leslie
and Mary D. ; the mother of Mrs.
Mead, Mrs. Houston and her hus-
ENGLISH EITEE TOWNSHIP.
789
band, were among the earliest
settlers of this township, locating
a little east of where South Eng-
lish now stands (which was called
Houston's Point for many years);
we acknowledge our indebtedness
to this lady for much valuable in-
formation in regard to the early
settlement of this part of the
county.
Meelick, Mrs. Louisa, South Eng-
lish.
MILLER, S., retired farmer; Sec.
— P. O. South English ; born in
Washington county, Pennsylva-
nia, August 18, 1810, where his
«arly youth was spent: in 1828
he with his parents went to Knox
county, Ohio, where he resided
until 1843, and then went to Han-
cock county (same State), and in
1855 came to this county, where
he has since resided; he owns 135
acres of land under cultivation and
finely improved; April 7, 1836,
he was married to Maria Brad-
dock, a native of Knox county;
they have seven children : Nancy
A. (wife of Morgan Kizer), Wm.
B., Sarah (wife of A. Hurst),
John B., Martin L., "Wilson W.
and Thomas L.
Miles, John G., farmer. Sec. 10; P.
0. North English.
MILLER, N, C, farmer, stock-
dealer and livery, South English;
born in Perry county, Oliio, May
13, 1814, and raised there as a
farmer-boy; in 1838 he com-
menced the study of medicine,
and attended lectures in Cleve-
land, Columbus and Cincinnati,
Ohio, receiving a thorough medi-
cal education; he commenced the
practice of his profession in 1844
and followed it until 1876; in
1854 he removed to this county
and enlisted as a private June 22,
1862, in company D, Eighteenth
Iowa Infantry; in the following
August he was detached as sur-
geon of the Eighteenth regiment,
serving in that capacity until No-
vember, when he had a stroke of
paralysis and was honorably dis-
charged in January, 1863; previ-
ous to his discharge lie was ap-
pointed assistant medical director
of the Western divi.siun; he was
married July 9, l>;.i>, to Miss
Elizabeth Sellers, a n.i.ive of Per-
ry county, Ohio; tli> \ have four
children: Philip ' ., Mary M.
(now Mrs. J. D. i'>< .yd, of South
English), David W. and Harriet
L. (now Mrs. S. M. Israel, of
loka); have lost one son: Isaiah,
who died in November, 1838.
Miller, William, farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. South English.
MILLER, NOAH, farmer. Sec. 1;
P. O. North English; born in
Kockingham county, Yirginia,
October 22, 1821), and was there
raised on a farm until eighteen
years of age, when he engaged in
milling, but was obliged to resume
farming on account of ill health;
in 1856 he came to this county,
settling on the farm where he now
lives; owns a fine farm of 255
acres of as good land as can be
found in the county; has a fine
orchard, and also a fine brick res-
idence, surrounded by evergreens;
has a barn 48x60 feet two stories
in height, and the best in the
county; he has been the architect
of his own fortune, earning what
he has by hard work; October 23,
1851, he married Miss Frances
Lough, a native of Virginia; they
have twelve children: Sarah A.,
Hiram W., Benjamin F., Michael
H., Mary K, M. Ellen, Virginia
C, Noah S., John H , Anna B.,
Nettie J. and Maggie May.
Miller, D. W., farmer. Sec. 24; P.
O. South English.
Monts, H., farmer. Sec. 32; P. O.
Webster.
Monts, Moses, farmer. Sec. 29; P.
O. Webster.
Monts, D. H., Webster.
790
DIBECTOBT OF KKOKUK COUNTY.
MontB, Wilson, farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Webster.
MORGAN, THOMAS, farmer and
Btock-raiser, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Web-
ster; born in Bourbon connty,
Kentucky, September 15, 1817;
his father, David Morgan, was a
native of Virginia, and his grand-
father, vrho came to this country
about 1747, was born in Wales;
his mother, whose maiden name
was Hughbanks, was a native of
Indiana; young Morgan lived in
Kentucky until twelve years of
age, when his father moved to
Scott county, Indiana; there he
was principally raised; came to
this county in 1848; he bought a
claim of a half section of land of
Simeon Ballard, giving for it his
wagon, a pair of oxen and a colt,
which was all he possessed in the
world; but with indomitable
courage and perseverance, good
judgment and economy, he has
improved his farm and added to it
until he now owns 720 acres of
good land; January 3, 1839, he
married Miss Polly Ballard, a na-
tive of Indiana; by this union
they have have eight children,
two of whom now are living:
Page B. and Hattie Ann (wife of
James Morrison, of this
county); Mrs. Morgan died Octo-
27, 1856; he married again to
Miss Mary A. McBride, of Penn-
sylvania, Februray 15, 1859; they
have three children: Elraira (now
Mrs. William Carmichiel, of this
county), Jennie and Thomas A. ;
have lost one son ; Mr. Morgan
has been closely identified with
the interests, growth and develop-
ment of the connty; he has held
various oiiices of trust in his town-
ship; is a man well preserved in
years; naturally a social man and
is respected by all who know
him.
Morgan, Mrs. M. J., Webster.
MORGAN, HON. T. A., farmer.
Sec. 31; P. O. Webster; while
the lives of self-made men fieldomi
abound in incidents of a sensa-
tional character, there is yet an
energy, a perseverance, and an
underflow of character, that lends
to them a charm, attractiveness-
and worth that merits admiration
and careful thought; Theron A..
Morgan was born in Sheffield,
Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
January 5, 1809; he traces hia
ancestry on his father's side to
Wales, the original ancestor com-
ing to America and settling in
Roxburj', near Boston, prior to
1640; Gov. Morgan, of New
York, as well as many others of
the same name who have honored
their country, are descendants
from the same source in a direct
line; his father died when Theron
was eight years old, and he was,
as it were, thrown on his own
resources; his early life was that
of a farmer boy; his early educa-
tion was gained at the common
schools, but this he has supple-
mented by extensive reading, and
being a close observer, and a man
of large experience; he has ac-
quired an education of no mean
order; he removed to Trumbull
county, Ohio, in 1828; in 1829 he
removed to Mercer county, Penn-
sylvania, and was engaged teach-
ing school; he remained there
about one year and returned tO'
Ohio and engaged in the comb
manufacturing business with sat-
isfactory results; in 1851 he went
to California and remained there-
two years, and his operations were
favored here as elsewhere; after
his return from California he came
to this State, and in 1854 made
his home in Keokuk county, where-
he has since been engaged in ag-
ricultural pursuits and stock rais-
ing; his homestead includes 160i
BNGLISH BIVBB TOWNSHIP.
791
acrcB of choice land, with fineim-
provementB; he has given 400
acres of land to his sons; he rep-
resented the county in the. State
legislature of Iowa in 1857, and
was again elected to the same po-
sition in 1865, and served with
credit to his county and honor to
himself; he has also served as
trustee of the State Agricultural
College at Ames; he was married
to Miss Sylvia Mallory November
9, 1828; she was born in ISTew
York; they have four children
living: E. L., Cornelius L., Gil-
bert D. and Mary (now Mrs. Geo.
Griswold, of Ottumwa); have lost
one daughter: Polly A. (wife of
L. Gorham), died April 1, 1855;
Mr. Morgan is emphatically a
self-made man; commencing life
without a penny, he has, by his
own unaided energy, industry and
perseverance made for himself a
competency; but few men have a
better record,or have been more suc-
cessful from a small and discour-
aging beginning; he is known as
a man of sterling integrity, de-
cided character and untiring en-
^■"gy; lis receives and merits the
esteem and confidence of his fel-
low citizens.
MOWAN, B., farmer, Sec. 26: P.
0. South English; born in Co-
lumbiana county, Ohio, July 25,
1825; he was raised there; in
1863 he moved to Plymouth, In-
diana, and went back to Ohio in
1859, where he lived until 1865,
and then went to Niies, Michigail;
after remaining there for one
and one-half years, he removed to
Snmmerbell, Cass county, where
he resided for three years; then to
Franklin, Tennessee, in 1872, and
in 1878 he came to and located in
this county; here he has a fine
farm of 120 acres, well improved
and under good cultivation, giv-
ing sufficient evidence that he is
a thorough farmer; his early
youth was spent on a farm, some-
times attending school in the win-
ter; in 1848 he commenced to
work at masonry, which trade he
followed nntil September 1, 1864,
when he enlisted in the U. S. Na-
vy, was detailed to the Mississippi
Squadron on the flag-ship Benton,
and served until the close of the
war; returning to Ada, Hardin
county, Ohio, he engaged in his
trade, which he has followed since;
March 6, 1848, he was married to
Miss Sophia Nogle, a native of
Trumbull county, Ohio; the
Mowans came from Bavaria, Ger-
many, about 1750; Mr. M.'s
mother is still living with her son ;
she is 83 years old, and well pre-
served in years.
NEWSOME, W. W., M. D.,
physician and surgeon, South
English; he is a native of En-
gland, and was born in Bradford,
May 12, 1841, and is the son of
William Newsome and Sarah, nee
DeGars; the former was of En-
glish ancestry, and the latter a na-
tive ot France; they emigrated to
the United States in 1848, and
settled in New Athens, Harrison
county, Ohio, and remained there
four years, and then removed to
Crawfoi'dsville, Washington Co.,
Iowa, where the father of the sub-
ject of this sketch died in 1860;
young Newsome attended the
common schools until 16 years of
age, and studied anatomy with his
brother. Dr. A. Newsome, an em-
inent physician of Crawfordsville;
at the age of sixteen he entered
the academy at this place, and at-
tended two years; having made
choice of medicine as a profession,
he devoted his entire time to the
study thereof, with his brother as
preceptor; he attended the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons
at Keokuk, and graduated from
that institution with high honors
in 1863; during his college course
792
DIRBCTOET OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
he was employed as Assistant
•Surgeon at Estes Hnse Hospital,
and the experience received there
has proved of incalculable benefit
in his practice since that time;
after his graduation in 1863, he
selected South English as his
place of residence, where he
has pursued his chosen calling
with untiring zeal and energy,
and with a success which has
earned for him an enviable repu-
tation; in his medical relations he
has built up his own reputation
by skill and energy, and has ac-
iuired an extensive practice; the
)octor is well known throughout
the county, and the respect shown
him is as wide as his acquaintance;
his intellect is quick and decisive,
as well as comprehensive, possess-
ing a wide range of experience; he
possesses rare gifts as a public
speaker, a fine conversationalist,
and a most excellent social com-
panion ; June 6, 1864, he was
married to Miss Jennie Maxwell,
of Crawfordsville, Iowa, a lady of
high attainments and thoroughly
accomplished, and one who com-
manded the respect of all who
knew her; she died July 18, 1865,
from injuries received by the ex-
plosion of a lamp; the Doctor,
who was present, made heroic ef-
forts to extinguish the flames, but
not in time to save her life; the
efibrt nearly lost him his own life;
she left one son : Wm. H.; he was
again- married February 26, 1867,
to Miss Katie fl.,daughter of Rev.
James Anderson, D. D., who was
a full cousin of Gen. Robert An-
derson, of Fort Sumpter fame;
she died in Jnly, 1874, leaving
one son: J. W., and two twin
daughters: Katie and Nellie; his
mother is still living, and was an
intimate friend of the Rev. P.
Bronte and his talented daughters,
Charlotte Bronte, of national rep-
utation and world-wide renown,
and her sisters, Anna and Emily,
both well known authors ; the at-
tachment was so great between
Mrs. Newsome and these celebri-
ties that at one time when she
was ill with typhus fever, Char-
lotte Bronte came from London, a
distance of 100 miles to see her
friend, and notwithstanding the
physicians tried to dissuade her
from entering the sick room, she,
with woman's love, scorning all
danger, came and embraced her
friend; this friendship was life-
long, and during the many year-
of separation a loving corresponds
ence was continued until the
Brontes died, and their letters are
preserved as precious souvenirs.
Nofl'singer, David, farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. South English.
NOFFSINGER, S., farmer, Sec.
23; P. O. South English; born in
Washington county, Pennsyl-
vania, August 19, 1813; his pa-
rents, Daniel and Lucy (van
Treicy) Nofi^singer removed to
Knox county, Ohio, where he lived
until 1856, when he removed to
this county, where henowresides;
Mr. N. was raised a farmer, and
had more than ordinary education-
al advantages: at the age of 22
he studied medicine at Mt. Ver-
non; not being to his taste he
learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed until 1863,
when he resumed his early occu-
pation of farming, and has since
followed it; in January, 1839, he
was united in marriage to Miss
Lydia McClain, who was born in
Greene county, Pennsylvania;
she died in 1852, leaving one
daughter : Kate (now the wife of
James Slate); he married again to
Miss Dora Sprague in 1856, a na-
tive of "Worthington, Ohio; they
have one son : Ernest.
NOFFSINGER, A., farmer. Sec.
22; P. O. South English; born in
Washington county. Pa., Novem-
\
ENGLISH EIVER TOWNSHIP.
793
ber 27, 1825, and raised in Knox
county, Ohio; he came to this
county in the spring of 1853 and
located where he now resides; he
redeemed 180 acres of land from its
original wildness; in 1848 he mar-
ried Miss Mary J. Trindle, who
was born in Ohio; she died Feb-
ruary 12, 1854, leaving a family
of three children, two of who are
now living: John and James; he
was again married to Miss Helen
Wood, in January, 1858, a native
of Ohio ; they have three children :
Albert, Mary A. and Emma B.;
has held the office of township
trustee; he is a good farmer and
generally respected by all who are
acquainted with him.
l^YSwaner, John, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P.
0. South English.
PAGE, B. A., farmer. Sec. 23; P.
O. South English.
JParnell, Peter, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
0. South English.
PATERSON, JOHN, farmer. Sec.
2; P. O. North English; born in
Scotland, February 29, 1824; there
he lived until 1854, when he em-
igrated to the United States, lo-
cating where he now resides; he
owns eighty acres of land, well
improved; when he commenced
farming he had but very little
means, but by industry, persever-
ance and hard, honest toil, he has
prospered, and now has a line res-
idence and barn; August 11, 1862,
he enlisted in company I, Twenty-
eighth Iowa Infantry, and served
with his regiment until the expi-
ration of his term ; he was dis-
charged August 1, 1864, and then
returned home, and has since de-
voted his time to farming; mar-
ried June 15, 1849, to Miss JST.
Gilchrist, a native of Scotland.
Peck, Geo. H., farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. South English.
Phelps, Margaret, farmer. Sec. 27;
P. O. South English.
-PLATT, W, D., druggist. South
English; born in Rochester, New
York, December 17, 1850; in
1859, he, with his parents, re-
moved to Davenport, Iowa, and
two years later to Eock Island,
Illinois; here he attended school
until 1867, when, at the age of
seventeen, he entered into the em-
ploy of John Benston, Esq., an
eminent druggist of that city; he
ren)ained in that capacity for four
years; he then came to Muscatine,
Iowa, and for eight years continu-
ed his study of drugs, and in 1879
he entered into business in South
English, having had unusual ad-
vantages in learning his business;
he is a safe and competent drug-
gist; May 10, 1876, he married
Miss Mary C, daughter of W. D.
Ament, a prominent carriage-
manufacturer of Muscatine; they
have one daughter: Mary Amelia.
TDEED, WILLIAM, farmer,
^Ll. stock-dealer and stock-raiser.
Sec. 29; P. O. "Webster; born in
Marion county, Indiana, February
11, 1829; there he lived until six-
teen years of age; in 1849 he came
from Indiana to this county and
entered land upon which he now
resides; he has a farm of 510 acres
of the choice land of the vicinity;
September 14, 1852, he was united
in marriage with Mrs. Jemima H.
Monical, a native of Ohio; by
this union they have two daugh-
ters : Mary J. (now Mrs. Jas. Ran-
dolph), and Manda F. (now Mrs.
A. Bottenfield); lost one son who
died in infancy; Mrs. Reed has
one daughter by a previous mar-
riage: Matilda J. (now Mrs. Jas.
Irons, of this county); he has been
justice of the peace for several
years, and is a prominent member
of the M. E. Church.
Reed, Charles, farmer. Sec. 29; P.
O. Webster.
REED, JAMES, farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Webster; born in Marion
county, Indiana, June 2, 1835; he
794
DIKECTOBT OF KBOKTJK OOXJNTT.
was there raised ; he came to this
county in 1855 and entered land
on Sec. 31; in June, 1861, he en-
listed in company F, Fifth Iowa
Infantry and served with that reg-
iment until the close of the war;
participated in the battles of
SpringiBeld, Corinth, Yicksburg,
luka, Missionary Ridge, Lookout
Mountain and several others; re-
turned to this county in 1871
and went to Oregon, remaining
for four years, and then returned ;
Mr. Heed is a man of sterling
worth, of a kind and obliging
nature and strong in his friend-
ship.
REED,ALEXANDER,farmerand
stock-raiser, Sec. 29; P. O. Web-
ster; born in Marion county, Ohio,
July 24, 1832; he was there raised
on a farm; in 1851 he moved to
to this county and entered the
land on which he now resides; he
owns 203 acres under good cul-
tivation, .with excellent improve-
ments; the first two seasons after
his arrival here he cultivated his
corn with an ox; he had no friends
to help him, and he broke his land
without favor from any one; he
is a man highly respected, honest
in his dealing, and enjoys the good
will and confidence of his fellow-
citizens; has held various ofiices
of trust in his township; in early
times, when, on account of high
water, it was impossible to go to
mill, he was obliged to grind his
corn three times a day for a period
of eight weeks; July 2, 1855, he
married Miss Malinda G. Long, a
native of Illinois; they have seven
children: Susan (wife of S. Bot-
tenfield). Sarah E. (wife of B. F.
Montz), Ida, W. L., Jennie, Isaac
and Gertie; have lost two: Edgar
and Maud.
Richardson, J. F.. Webster.
RICHMOND, C, farmer, Sec. 32;
P. O. Webster; born in Loraine
county, Ohio, February 12, 1820;
was raised there on a farm until
twenty years of age, when he was-
engaged as watchman of a steam-
boat on the Alabama river; he
was soon promoted to mate of the-
same steamer, and after remain-
ing at that occupation for several
years, he moved to Illinois and
engaged in farming, which ho has-
since followed; in 1844 he remov-
ed to LaGrange county, Indiana,
living there until 1866, when he
came to this county and located
on the place where he now resides,,
which consists of 160 acres of
choice land, situated within half a
mile of Webster; Mr. R. com-
menced life without any pecuniary
aid, and has accumulated, his
handsome property by industry
and economy ; February 27, 1841,
he married, Miss Elizabeth Marsh,
of New Brunswick, but principal-
ly raised in Illinois; have six
children : Benjamin F., Charlotte
A. (wife of B." Holmes), Elvira R.
(wife of B. C. Hoyt), Arthur M.,
Alice B. (wife of J. Herrick) and
George H. ; lost two: Charles A.,
died October 12, 1869, and an in-
fant daughter.
Robinson W. A., farmer, Sec. 9; P.
O. South English.
ROGERS, EDWARD M., physi-
cian and surgeon, Webster; born
in Philadelphia, May 9, 1863;
when five years old his parents
moved to Iowa City, where he was
principally raised, attending the
common schools of that place; in
1872 he graduated from McLean's
Academy, of that city; then
studied medipine with his father,
E. M. Rogers, who was a graduate
of "Her Imperial Institute of
Physicians and Surgeons, of Lon-
don," and who has been deservedly
considered one of the most emi-
nent surgeons and physicians of
this country; young Rogers was
a student nntil the fall of 1876,
when he then attended a course of
ENGLISH BIVBE TOWNSHIP.
795
lectures in Iowa City, and gradu-
ated from Jefferson College, at
Philadelphia, in March, 1878; on
his arrival home he had a capital
of thirty-five cents with which to
commence business; he located in
Johnson county in the same year,
and there practiced his profession'
for one year, and in March, 1879,
came to his present location; in
1874, Dr. Rogers lost seven thou-
sand dollars, having gone security
for a friend, who, through misfor-
tune, lost his own and the Doc-
tor's money besides; he was mar-
ried November 4, 1876, to Miss
E. W. Chissman, a native of Fay-
ette county, Iowa; she is a lady of
rare personal appearance and one
who makes the Doctor's home an
agreeable place for friends ; they
have one son living; have lost one
son: Edmond C, who died Octo-
ber 27 1879
ROOT, JOSEPH H., farmer. Sec.
27; P. O. South English; born in
Cayuga county, New York, Janu-
ary 25, 1824, where he was raised
as a farmer; in 1855 he removed
to Wisconsin, and came- to this
township in tlie same year, making
the trip with an ox team ; he owns
250 acres of choice land and his
dwelling is surrounded with beau-
tiful evergreens; has a fine bear-
ing orchard also; in personal ap-
pearance Mr. Hoot is a true repre-
sentative of the better class of the
pioneers; unassuming, social and
hospitable, he is held in high es-
teem by all who know him; he has
held various oflices of trust in the
township, and credit is due him
for the manner in which he has
performed the duties pertaining
to them; on May 17, 1855, he was
ur.ited in marriage to Miss Laura
A. Hoyt, also a native of Cayuga
county; she is a lady of refine-
ment; they have two children liv-
ing: Elmer L. and Gracie N.;
have lost three: E. F., died Feb-
ruary 18, 1872, Geo. H. died July
5, 1870, and Jennie May died
February 22, 1866; Mr. Root
traces seven generations of his an-
cestors to England, over a period
of 200 years back; Mrs. (Hoyt>
Root is in the possession of a geo-
ological history of her family ; the
book is in royal octavo form, con-
sists of 686 pages and gives a.
complete history of the Hoyt fam-
ily; in it we find that Simoiii
Hoyt was the first who came from
England, and this was some time
before the year 1629; the mother
of both John and General Sher-
man was of this family of Hoyt's;
Mr. Root has taken two children*
to raise: Mary Lafferty and John
Cox; they surely have a good
home.
SEAMAN, S. H., farmer. Sec.
29; P.O.Webster.
SEAMAN,' M. H., farmer, stock,
raiser and dealer, Sec. 29, P. O.
Webster; born in Marion county,,
Ohio, February 20, 1846; there
he was raised and attended the
common schools for a short time
in his early youth; his father died
when he was six years of age and
an older brother when he was
twelve, so that Mr. S. was left the
sole support of his widowed
mother, and he has proved him-
self to be a kind and dutiful son;
he was determined to acquire- a
more thorough education and
worked hard in his youth to save
the means necessary to accom-
plish this desire; at the age of
twenty-three he entered the Ohio
Central College, which he attend-
ed for one year, but was obliged'
to forego further study in that in-
stitution as his services were need-
ed at home; he returned and took
charge of the farm and taught
school during during the winters;
he came with his mother to this-
county in 1871 and located where-
he now resides; owns 120 acres in.
796
DIEECTOKT OF KBOKTJK COUNl'Y.
liome farm and 160 acres in the
adjoining township.
Seerley, Thos., farmer, Sec. 35 ; • P.
O. South English.
SHEPARD, W. M., of the firm of
Shepard & Co., hardware mer-
.cliants,South English; born in Iowa
City, Iowa, December 31, 1857,
where he was raised,and was educat-
ed at the university of that place;
in 1875 he became the commercial
agent of Remington & Sons, which
position he held until 1878, when
lie entered into the hardware busi-
ness at South English ; this firm
is in a prosperous condition and is
■doing an extensive business; Oc-
tober 9, 1879, he was united in
marriage to Miss Lizzie L. Miller,
of South English; Mr. Shepard
is of English descent, his grand-
father having emigrated to this
country about the year 1779.
•Shipman, Thos., Sr., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. South English.
SHINABARGER, GEORGE, far-
mer. Sec. 26; P. O. South Eng-
lish; born in Steuben county.
New York, October 26, 1826, and
was there raised ; his father could
not afford to send him to school,
so he was obliged to work to help
support the family; at the age of
21 years he left home with one
suit of clothes and spent the most
of the time teaming until 1852,
"when he went into the lime busi-
ness; he followed that for a time,
and then, after selling out, went
into the dry goods and notions
business; in 1862 he devoted his
attention to farming and bought
the farm of 105 acres of good
land where he now'resides; he has
a fine residence; when he came to
this county he had lost all his
property, but he went to work and
with indomitable energy and by
the help of his noble wife they
have been enabled to give their
children a good education, and
now have a comfortable home;
October 1, 1849, he married Miss
Harriet Hill, of Eensellaer county,
New York; they have three chil-
dren: Ella (now Mrs. Wm. Pow-
ell), Frank and Lida.
Sigafoose, Nancy, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. South English.
SLATE,MARTIN S., retired farm-
er. Sec. 24; P. O. South English;
born in Franklin county, Massa-
chusetts, September 28, 1824;
when but eleven years of age he,
with his parents, went to Franklin
county, Ohio, where he lived un-
til 1850; he then came to this
county and entered land on Sec.
27, which he still owns ; has a fine
farm of 115 acres; July 4, 1854,
he was married to Miss Charlotte
M. Dingee, a native of New
York; by this union they had
four children, one of whom now
lives : A. C. ; Mrs. Slate died Jan-
uary 31, 1862; he married again
to Miss Eliza C. Mitchell, a native
of Marion county, Ohio; they
have one daughter: Addie Belle;
Mr. Slate was the first justice of
the peace elected in the township,
which was in 1852; he has been
township trustee and has held oth-
er oflBces of trust; is a man of
strict integrity and is a prominent
member of the M. E. Church, and
has been for upwards of thirty
years.
Slate, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 11; P.O.
South English.
Sloan, Wm., South English.
Sloan, Harvey, farmer, Sec. 23; P,
O. South English.
SMAWLEY, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
36; P. O. South English; born in
Huntingdon county jPennsylvania,
September 24, 1821; he was there
raised and in 1845 removed to
Cedar county, Iowa; he then re-
turned to Pennsylvania, remain-
ing there for two years, when he
then went to Johnson county,
Iowa; in 1869 he located on the
place where he now resides, and
ENGLISH EIVEE TOWNSHIP,
79T
owns 137 acres of choice land,
which he has gained by hard, hon-
/ est toil, energy and perseverance,
[ as he commenced life without
\ funds or favor; he had but limit-
I ed advantages for education, but
Is^he improved what he did have,
and has now gained a knowledge
of no mean order; he married
Miss ; they have five
children: Mary J. (wife of C.
Troutman), William H., Amanda
(now Mrs. H. Mc Williams), Lu-
cinda (now Mrs. Thos. Steele) and
Samantha E.; lost two: JohnW.,
died March 12, 1861, and Louisa
S., who died May 10, 1877.
SMITH, IRA F., farmer, Sec. 2;
P. 0. ISTorth English; born in
Greene county, Pennsylvania,
March 16, 1829; he moved with
his father to Scott county, Iowa,
then the Wisconsin Territory;
here he was raised, having for his
playmates the children of the ab-
origines, and he has seen as much
pioneer life in this then pioneer
State as any man in the county
and perhaps in the State; in 1868
he removed to this county, where
he has since resided; owns eighty
acres and controls sixty acres be-
side; he had but very limited ed-
ucational advantages, attending
school but six months, but he has
been an industrious student, and
is now a well-read and thoroughly
informed man; we say honor to
the hardy men who have fought
the battle of life without funds or
favor; in September, 1847, he en-
listed in company F, Fourteenth
Begiment Illinois Infantry, and
was discharged at New Orleans in
July, 1848; he then returned to
Iowa, where he has since devoted
his time to farming; August 21,
1855, he married Miss Harriet
E. Conrow, a native of Scott
county, Iowa; they have a family
of three children: Eodella E.
(wife of James Hall, of Nebras-
ka), Jennie Yiola and Loretta.
Spickerman, A. D., farmer, Sec. 30 1
P. O. Webster.
Sprague, Eli, farmer. Sec. 23; P. O.
South English.
Sprague, Charles, farmer. Sec. 23 1
P. O. South English.
STULL, J. D. druggist, South Eng-
lish ; born in Washington county,.
Pennsylvania, July 24, 1837;
there he was raised upon a farm ;:
he removed to this county in
1863; he owns a fine homestead,
also a farm of 55 acres of choice
land, besides wild land in Mis-
souri; Mr. Stutt has had fair edu-
cational advantages, but made the-
most of what he had; from 1856
to 1865 he was engaged in ship-
ping stock; he then went into the
the mercantile business, which he
followed until 1877, when he en-
gaged in the drug business, the
firm name being Newsome &
Stutt; he was married October
15, 1861, to Miss Elmira Zollars,.
a native of Washington county,.
Pennsylvania; she died in 1864;
he was married again to Miss
Mary Ann Newsome December
25, 1867; they have two children!
Wm. H. and Wilfred W. N.
Stull, Wm. L., farmer. Sec. 25; P:
O. South English.
Stull, Abigal C, farmer. Sec. 22; P.
O. South English.
TEETEE, PAEKIS H., farmer.
Sec. 26; P. O. South Eng-
lish.
THOMAS, W. A., farmer. Sec. 3;
P. O. North English; born in
Hamilton county, Virginia, May
17, 1827, and made that State his
home until 1850, when he came
to Washington county, Iowa; in
1852 he located in this county, on
the farm upon which he now re-
sides, and which consist of 570
acres, all improved ; he also de-
votes considerable attention to
798
DIBEOTOBT OF KEOKUK OOTJWTT.
stock-raising and feeding; was
married December 25, 1851, . to
Miss Jane A. Patterson, of Alle-
ghany county, Maryland; they
Eave six children living: Luvenia
E., Margaret D., Hannah S.,
Mary A., Martha J., Annie S. and
JohnW.; lost two: Charles M.
and Carrie; he has held various
township offices.
Thompson, Susan, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P.
O. White Pigeon.
Thompson, L. P., farmer, Sec. 15;
P. O. South English.
VAN TUYL, J. R., farmer. Sec.
32; P. O. Webster; born in
Auburn, New York; is a son of
William H. Van Tuyl, an emi-
nent architect and builder of that
city; lie had more than ordinary
educational advantages has; had
a good academic education; he
worked with his father for several
years, but chose farming as his
occupation, which he followed in
that State until 1867, when he re-
moved to this county and located
where he now lives; he owns
eighty acres of land, under good
improvement; Mr. Yan Tuyl's
ancestors emigrated to this coun-
try from Germany at an early day;
May 2, 1865, he married Miss La-
vina Curtis; she was born in
Auburn, New York; have one
daughter: May, and one adopted
SQu: Willis.
Vananken, A., farmer. Sec. 36; P.
O. South English.
\A7AIT. W. H., farmer, Sec.
V V 25; p. O. South English;
born in Scioto County, Ohio, Jan-
uary 3, 1835; brought up on a
farm; he followed farming until
December 7, 1861, when he en-
listed in company K, Fifty-sixth
regiment Ohio Infantry; served
with that regiment, particiJDating
in all the engagements, which were
as follows: Shiloh, siege of Corinth,
Port Gibson, Champion's Hill,
Siege of Jackson, Sabine Cross
Eoads, Pleasant Hill, Snagg's
Point, and several others; re-en-
listed as a veteran in the spring of
1864, and served with the same
regiment until his discharge at
Columbus, Ohio, in May, 1866;
then removed to this State and to
the place where he now resides;
this was in 1867; owns 160 acres
of choice land under splendid cul-
tivation; on the 16th of February,
1867, was married to Miss Abigal
Adams, a native of the same coun-
ty as himself; they have four chil-
dren : Isabel, Pearly H., Lillian
and Theodore; have lost two:
Edith, died November 15, 1873,
and an infant; he lost a fine
house, with its contents, by fire in
1873 ; commenced life a poor boy,
and by energy, industry, good
judgment, and economy, has sur-
rounded himself and family with
an excellent home with all its
comforts.
WERTZ, LEVI, farmer, carpenter
and joiner, Sec. 7; P. O. White
Pigeon ; born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, April 17, 1827;
was raised a farmer until eighteen
years of age, when he was bound
out for three years as an appren-
tice to learn the cabinet and car-
penter's trade; served his time and
has followed it as an occupation
nearly all the time since; in 1861
he moved to Wayne county,
Ohio, and in 1856 came to Iowa
county, this State; in 1862 he lo-
cated in this county and bought a
steam saw-mill, which he still
owns and runs; owns a farm of
seventy acres of choice land, well
improved; November 27, 1849,
married Miss Margaret J. Mc-
Gregor, a native of Sedford coun-
ty, Pennsylvania; she is of Scotch ,
descent; they have three children:
J. W., Alexander and Orra ; lost one
daughter: Sarah E., who died in
February, 1857.
WHEELER, A., farmer. Sec. 7; P.
ENGLISH KIVEB TOWNSHIP.
799
O. White Pigeon ; born in Rich-
land connty, Ohio, March 31,
1825 ; when nine years of age he
with his parents moved to Fulton
•county, Illinois, where they lived
until they came to this county in
1855; entered the land on which
he now resides, and owns ninety
acres well improved and in a good
«tate of cultivation; in youth his
school privileges were limited, but
he has made the best use of the
•opportunities afforded, and may
well be termed a self-made man ;
has undergone the hardships inci-
■dent to pioneer life, and has expe-
rienced its vicissitudes; at one
time in company with one other
person he started for the mill at
Marengo, and had not proceeded
far before the rain commenced
falling in torrents; they were
•obliged to camp upon the track-
less prairie; to make their situ-
ation more uncomfortable the
wind blew the canvass covering
from their wagon, and they were
■exposed all night to the fury of
the storm; but in the morning
they soon found that hospitality
for which the early settlers were
•characterized; May 12, 1851, mar-
ried Miss Mary J. Marshall, a na-
tive of Ohio ; they have one daugh-
ter: Josephine (wife of Jesse
Fancher, of this county); a little
Eirl, Mary J., finds a pleasant
ome in their family.
WHEELER, MARION M., farmer
and stock raiser, Sec. 31; P. O.
Webster; born in Marion county,
Ohio, February 24, 1847; lived
■there until 1865, when he came to
this county; remained until 1868,
when he returned to Ohio for the
purpose of disposing of some prop-
erty there, in order that he might
become a Western farmer; in 1871
le again came to this county, and
then took a trip to Kansas, but
• the location not being desirable he
returned to this county; owns 240
acres of good land, with fine im-
provements, upon which he has a
tine orchard; his farm was the
first one entered on that section,
and is one of the best in the coun-
ty; September 7, 1874, married to
Mrs. Mina J. (Yoakens) R^ed, a
native of Marion county, Ohio;
have two children : Homer C. and
Minnie Blanche; Mrs. W. has one
child by a former marriage: Ada
A.; she lost one: Jessie A., who
died February 16, 1877.
White, Mrs. E. C, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. South English.
WHITE, r. E., farmer and stock
raiser, Sec. 17; P. O. South Eng-
lish; born in Prussia, and was
there raised; had a very limited
education, and was raised under
the most unfavorable circumstan-
ces, as his father died when he was
quite young, leaving a family of
five small children to the care of
his mother, who had to live
with the most rigid economy, to
save enough to keep the family
from actual starvation; in 1857
emigrated to America and located
in this connty, where he has since
resided ; owns 420 acres of choice
land, situated on the banks of the
English river, and well adapted to
stock raising, as it is supplied
with water; March, 1862, he en-
listed in company I, Thirteenth
Iowa Infantry; served with that
regiment until the close of the
• war, and was discharged August,
1865; participated in all the bat-
tles of the Corinth campaign —
Vicksburg, Atlanta and Sher-
man's March to the Sea; was never
sick, and never missed a meal of
victuals when he could eat; Oc-
tober, 1866, married Miss Lydia
Betts, of Ohio ; they have a fam-
ily of three children : Ira, Ida and
WHITE, JOHN F., merchant.
South English; among the many
worthy and enterprising citizens
800
DIKBCTOBT OF KEOKUK 00X7NTT.
who have made their home in
this township no one is worthy of
a more extended notice than tlie
subject of this sketch, whose
portrait appears in another part
of this volume; he was born in
Boone county, Indiana, June 3,
1835, his father being of English
ancestry and his mother of Welsh
origin; the former died when he
was nine years of age, and the
latter when he was fourteen ; he
received a very limited education
in the district schools of his na-
tive county, supplemented by an
attendance at Lebanon, Indiana,
Seminary for a short time ; at the
age of fourteen he commenced
teaching and followed it as an oc-
cupation for five years; when he
was nineteen years of age he im-
proved a farm in Holt county,
Missouri, breaking the land him-
self with a heavy yoke of oxen ;
in 1857 he decided to change his
location and so' came to Keokuk
county, settling, in English
Eiver township and engaged in
farming; there he owns a farm
of 365 acres of land; the follow-
year he bought out Hogin, Adams
& Co., dealers in general merchan-
dise, and since that time has car-
ried on business successfully, and
his record in this, as in other en-
terprises, is an enviable one, for
during twenty-one years thathehas
been in business he has nevef had
a suit in court or asked an exten-
sion of time on his commercial
paper; in connection with his mer-
cantile pursuits he has been en-
gaged largely and successfully in
stock-feeding and stock-dealing;
he is a director in the Iowa City
& Western E, E., and it is
largely owing to his efibrts and
energy that the northern portion
of the county now has railroad com-
munications; he is also proprietor
of the " Western Herald," a jour-
nal that has quite a circulation in
both this and adjoining counties;
is a man of independent thought,
but of a kind and obliging na-
ture; a man of the people and on&
true to the highest principles of
honor and morality; as a citizen,,
quiet and unostentatious, cordial-
ly supporting any measure of real
public benefit; he started in life-
without funds or favor with which
to pave his pathway to success; he-
has a sanguine temperament,
strong in his prejudices and warm
in his friendships; a good conver-
sationalist and a gentleman whom
one meets only to wish for a more-
extended and intimate acquaint-
ance; we are convinced that to
him this township, as well as the
northern part of the county,
is indebted, and that he deserves
his success, his fortune and his
friends; he married Miss Maria
Thompson, December 4, 1864; she
is a native of Morgan county,.
Indiana; they have four children:
Yirgil E., Theodore E., Williard
W., and Elvina; have lost one
daughter: Amazetta; Virgil E.
and Theodore E. are associated
with their father in business; the
latter is married to Miss Alice
Knox, a native of this county.
White, Godfrey, farmer, Sec. 8;
P. O. White Pigeon.
"^Viggins, T. J., farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. White Pigeon.
Wiggins, Edward, farmer, Sec. 24;,
P. O. South English.
Wiggins, Henry, farmer, Sec. 15;
P. O. South English.
Williams, J. A., farmer, White
Pigeon.
Wise, H. J., farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0.
South English.
Wolfe, Jeremiah, South English.
Wray, John, P. O. Webster.
WYANT, ABRAHAM, farmer,
Sec. 6; P. O. White Pigeon;
born in Jefferson county, Ohio,
ENGLISH RIVEE TOWK8HIP.
801
January 30, 1812; he was raised
in that State; moved to Lawrence
county, Illinois, in 1839, and re-
mained there two years, and came
to Jackson county, Iowa, and in
1849, located where he now lives;
he owns 153 acres or choice land;
when he came to this county he
bought a portable saw-mill to
■ which in 1850 he added a run of
of stone; this was the first mill
in the tbwnship; his princi-
pal occupation through life has
been farming, in connection with
which he has been for some years
in the mercantile business; mar-
ried Miss Catharine Baringer
of Baltimore, February 22, 1838;
have five children: Mollie, Luan-
da, Permelia, Sarah E. and Corde-
delia; lost four: John B., Peter,
Lavindaand Ellen.
WYANT. SAMUEL, farmer and
merchant. White Pigeon; born
in Harrison county, Ohio, March
11, 1808; lived there until nine-
teen years of age, receiving a fair
common school education, and
then removed with his parents to
Carroll county, where he lived
until 1855, then coming to this
county and locating where he now
resides; has a farm of 220 acres
under good cultivation; he has
followea farming all his life; in
1872 in connection with farming
he entered into the mercantile
business, keeping a general store;
was married May, 1832, to Miss
Eliza J. McCombs, of Ohio; she
died in 1858, leaving eight chil-
dren, six of whom are now living;
James B., Peter J., Abraham,
Margaretta, Archibald B. and
Samuel; two have died: Isabelle
and Bartlett; married again in
September, 1859, to Miss Sarah J.
Loun, a native of Ohio; have
eight children by this union:
' Ann, Lettie J., Elizabeth, W^il-
liam, Minnie, Bertha, Kichard,
and Arthur; lost one in infancy.
Y OAK AM, THOMAS, farmer,
Sec. 18; P. O. Webster.
YOAKAM, S., farmer, stock- raiser
and stock-feeder, P. O. "Webster;
born in Knox county, Ohio, March
8,1823; he lived there until he
was fourteen years of age, when
he with his fatlier moved to Ma-
rion county, where the subject of
this sketch spent his youth
and early manhood; in 1863
he removed to where he
now resides; he owns 400
acres of as choice land as can
be found in the county; he has it.
all fenced with a splendid hedge,
of some nine miles in length; he
also has a very fine I'esidence
and some ont-honses; he makes
stock-raising and feeding his prin-
cipal business, which he conducts
with admirable judgment, feeding
and shipping his stock himself;
he has given 360 acres of land to
his children; he has never specu-
lated but attended to farming, etc.,
exclusively; October 5, 1852, he
married Miss Eliza Scovill, of
Ohio; they have four children:
Mina (now Mrs. Marion Wheel-
er, of this county), Emma (now
Mrs. A. Hall, of this county),
Marion and Marietta (wife of
James Wilhight, of this county;
have lost three: Grant, Henry and
an, infant; Mr. T, commenced
without any help and very little
means ; he is therefore a self-made
man ; he is honest above reproach,
and independent in thought.
YOUNKIN, U., proprietor of Na-
tional Hotel, South English; born
in Summerset county, Virginia,
l^ovember 15, 1828, and was rais-
ed there; in 1857 he removed to
Henry county, Illinois, and three
years after to Muscatine, Iowa;
has resided in this State since
50
m
DlI(.SfftQM P? Wf^Of^^ POUNTT.
18^0 and in this county since
3.87?; in youth Mr. Y. had gpod
educational advantages which am-
ply fitted him for business; he
learned the blacksmith's trade at
the ^ge of eighteen, and followed
it for about twelve years; his fa-
ther was a physician and young
Yqiinkin studied medicine for a
few years, and at the age of thir-
ty yea,rs began to practice;
he continued this for six years
j»n4 w$? obliged t9 stQp#H,ac-
iBPunt of disease in ^ p4F$1j;(ic
form; since th^t time Mr. Yopi-
l^ia has been engaged in the h^lel
business; November 27, lS52,.)ie
married Mi$^ I^ydia E. Spa^ugh;
she was born in Virginia; t))py
have four sons: Orjando F., Qfin
F., Winfield S. and Chester; ))^ is
a gentle^nait well adapted to
please the public, and i^ 9, cour-
tep^6 and genial landlord.
-A.3D-A-3yCS 1'0"^?s7'3SrSSIE».
AGKLEY, GEO. W., farmer.
Sec. 33; P. O. Sigourney.
Aekley, C. S., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Sigourney.
ALLEN, DAVID E., farmer. Sec.
4; P. O. Aurora; born in Knox
county, Ohio, December 10, 1838;
in 18S2 he, with his parents, Alva
and Martha (Gary) Allen, came to
Muscatine county, Iowa; Mr.
Allen was proprietor of the West
Liberty House when the C, K. I.
& P. R. R. was built through that
place; the family removed to this
county in 1854, where the subject
of this sketch spent his youth and
early manhood; he owns 132 acres
of choice land under splendid cul-
tivation, with good improvements;
he enlisted in company F, Eighth
Iowa Infantry, and served with
his regiment until the close of the
war; he was discharged October
4, 1865, having participated in
the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, the
battles on Red River under Banks,
besides others, and numerous
skirmishes; he was never wound-
ed; December 3, 1865, he mar-
ried Miss Lucinda Wyant, of this
county; she was born in Jackson
county; they have six children:
Nellie O., Eva B., Elmer H., Lo-
rena E.. Alva and Katie Belle.
ALKIRE, J. D., farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. Sigourney; born in Ohio
July 31, 1821; whe young he
moved with his parents to Sapga-
mon county, Illinois, where he
was raised a farmer; he continued
farming in Illinois until 1^55,
when he came to this county, set-
tling where now resides; he owns
a finely improved farm of 140
acres; he came to this county in
an early day, and knows to some
extent what pioneer life is; in
August, 1842, he was married to
Miss Elvira Meeker; she died
June 30, 1864, leaving six child-
ren ; he was again married Octo-
ber 26, 1864, to Mrs. Mary Scott,
a native of Indiana; they have
eight children: Sarah E., Joseph,
Virgil, Harriet I., William J.,
Leonard R., Alvin M. and Isaac
A.; lost: James A., Jane M.,
and an infant; Mrs. A. has three
children by a former marriage:
Barclay M. Scott, Avesta F. Scott
and E. E. C. Scott; lost two: Ida
L. Scott and Ada L. Scott; are
members of the Christian Church
at White Pigeon, English River
township.
AXSMEAR, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 1 ;
P. O. White Pigeon; the subject
of this sketch, whose portrait ap-
pears in this work, was born in
Amsterdam, Holland, on the 30th
day of November, 1822; his father
and grand-father were ship car-
ADAMS TOWNSHip.
ao3
, and the latter was eii-
fra^ed for years in building vessels
or Napoleon I; Mr. Axsmear
]iad wore than ordinary educa-
tional advantages until eighteen
years of age; he then entered the
army and served four years; dur-
ing the time he was wounded in
tjie short war between Belgium
and Holland; after leaving the
army, he had a mercantile expe-
rience of four years in the employ
•of a noted merchant of Amster-
dam; he emigrated to the United
States in 1848, and settled in
■Cumberland, Maryland, and lived
there one year, and then removed
■to West Virginia; until the out-
break of the Rebellion he was em-
ployed by the construction com-
pany of the Baltimore & Ohio
railroad, and held an important
^nd responsible position; but,
■dwing to the war, the business
was suspended ; he determined to
leave,and had to sacrifice all he had
made excepting $735; being a
«trong Union man, he came to
Iowa in 1863 and has lived in
Keokuk county since that time;
he owns 540 acres of choice land,
well improved; Mr. A. has been
twice married, first to Miss D.
Deline, in 1848; she was born in
Amsterdam and died in West
Virginia January 31, 1860, leav-
ing five children: John, Emily,
Jacob C, William and George
W. ; for his second wife he mar-
ried Miss Julia A. Martin, a na-
tive of Bavaria; they have one
daughter: Melissa, living, and
have lost two children : Peter and
Almeda.
BAILEY, J. A., farmer. Sec. 2;
P. O. White Pigeon; born in
London, England, March 21, 1833;
when two years of age his parents
moved to Seneca county, Ohio,
where the subject of this sketch
was raised a farmer; he was
obliged to take the entire charge
of his home aqd family, as his
father was a cripple, unable tQ do
much, an4 poor Mr, B. ha4 l?u|; a
very limited education, hut has in
later years supplemented virhajt he
learned in youth by extensive
reading; when seventeen years of
age lie served as an apprentice to
the blacksmith trade, ^hich he fol-
lowed for about eight years; he
then turned his attention to farm-
ing; this he followed in th^t State
(Ohio) until 1865, wheij he re-
moxed to Dodge county, Wiscon-
sin; three years later he removed
to Iowa county, and in 1871 to
where he now resides; he owns
120 acres of choice land, under
splendid cultivation and fair im-
provements; on commencing life
he had not a dollar with which to
start in business, but owing to
his energy, good judgment, per-
severance and economy, he has
gained for himself and family
a comfortabfe home: he married
February 14, 1855, Miss Martha
P. Ford, a native of Tioga coun-
ty, New York; they have eight
children: Benjamin H., Walter
A., Abby A., William C, Rich-
ard S., Mary E., Clinton C. and
L. v.; have lost one daughter:
Martha P., who died October 26,
1862.
Baldwin, A. D., farmer. Sec. 22; P.
O. Sigourney.
Bell, Francis, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. O.
Sigourney.
Branenburgh, J., farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Sigourney.
Brakel, C. G., farmer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Aurora.
Brady, Hugh, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O.
Aurora.
Brown, D. P., farmer. Sec. 25; P. O.
BURDINE, JOHNF., farmer. Sec.
18; P. 0. Keswick; born Septem-
ber 22, 1832, in Marion county,
Ohio, and was there raised a farm-
er; came to Iowa in 1866, locating
804
DIBECtOKT OF KEOKUK OOrNTT.
in Keokuk coanty on the place
where he now resides; owns 166
acres of land, nicely cultivated;
August 8, 1862, he enlisted in
Deleware in company C, Ninety-
sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry;
was taken orisoner April 8. 1864,
at the battle of Mansfield, and
taken to Fort Texas, where he re-
mained until October 23 of the
sanne year; was then exchanged at
the mouth of Red river, and was
granted a leave of absence for
thirty days; at the expiration of
that time he again joined his reg-
iment at the mouth of the "White
river, and was mustered out at
Columbus, Ohio, July 29, 1865;
April 9, 1854, married Miss Mary
Flattery, a native of Ohio, and
born Novembers, 1835; they have
seven children: Charles E., Emily,
George H., Irene, Fannie O.,
Pliebe and Warren; lost one:
Clarinda; Mr. Burdine has held
various offices in his township;
they are members of the Metho-
dist Protestant Church.
CAMERON, ALLEN, farmer,
Sec. 22; of the iirm of Cameron
& Son, druggists, Keswick; born
in Montgomery county. New
York, January 3, 1820, and is of
Scotch ancestry; the subject of
this sketch received the advantages
of the common schools in his
youth, attending them until eigh-
teen years of age; halving a desire
for a more thorough education he
entered the Fredonia Academy, in
the city of Fredonia, and attended
three terms, and in the meantime
taught school during the winter,
in order to obtain means to pur-
sue his studies; after pursuing his
academical course he engaged in
teaching, and followed it as an
avocation for seven years, and has
had an experience of thirty terms
in teaching; in the autumn of
1841 he removfcd to Hamilton
county, Ohio; September 5, 1844,,
married Miss Maria Broadwell, a
daughter of Ira Broadwell, Esq.,
6f that county; by this union they
have three children: Ira F., Cath-
arine L (now Mrs. J. Irwin, of this
township), and Allen; they lost
one daughter: Alberta, August
29, 1863; in 1852 Mr. Cameron
came to this county and purchased
a claim of Jesse Eller, and after-
ward entered the land, and in
1857 he removed on it with his
family, and now owns 320 acres of
choice land, well improved; has
filled most of the offices of the
township with credit to himself
and to the entire satisfaction of
his constituents; has all his life
been an earnest and conscientious
advocate of educational enter-
prises, and has contributed his
time, means, and influeuce in rais-
ing the standard of the schools in
his locality; has served as secre-
tary of the school board since
1858; has never sought political
preferment, finding the social en-
joyments of a happy home far
more congenial to his taste; is a
man of strong convictions, and
bold and fearless in advocating
them; is quiet and unassuming in
his habits and manners, an up-
right citizen, enjoying the confi-
dence of all who know him; Mr,
Cameron's success is attributable
in no small measure to the sound
judgment and wise counsels of hi&
excellent wife — a woman of rare
ability, attractiveness, and win-
ning manners; in their home love
and kindness reign supreme; in
thirty-five years of their married
life not an unkind word has grated
harshly on the ear.
CAMERON, I. K., physician,
Keswick; the subject of this
sketch is a son of Allen and Ma-
ria (Broadwell) Cameron, of
this county, and was born
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
805
in Hamilton county, Ohio,
June 20, 1847, and came with his
parents to this county in 1857; he
was brought up on a farm, attend-
ing the common schools until he
was eighteen years of age; he
, then entered the Iowa State Uni-
versity, of Iowa City, studying
. there for two years; he taught
school for some time, and in 1874
entered the Eclectic Medical Insti-
tution of Cincinnati, and gradua-
ted from that institution with
high honors; in January, 1876,
he returned to this county, and
entered upon the practice of his
profession at Aurora; has been
, very successful and has an extend-
jed practice in both this and ad-
joining counties; in connection
, with his practice he is a member
of the firm of Cameron & Son,
druggists at Keswick; they
have a fine established business
. and give the most careful atten-
tion to all their customers; on
the 3d of March, 1870, he was
married to Miss Martha Connelly,
. a native of Delaware county,
Ohio; she is a lady of high at-
tainments and grace and rare
. musical talents; they have one
daughter: Mabel.
CHURCHILL, A. W., farmer and
, wool-grower, Sec. 16; P. O. Kes-
wick; born in Morrow county,
Ohio, February 18, 1837; his
«arly life was that of a farmer,
' and he was educated in this and
the stock-raising business; he
«ame to Iowa in 1864, and se-
lected his farm with an especial
view to sheep-raising; he owns
3,700 acres of improved land, his
home farm containing 1,300 acres;
he has at the present time 2,200
head of sheep, and makes a spec-
ialty of fine Ootswold and mutton
sheep; he clipped about 9,000
3)ounds of wool during the past
season; his stock is in a very
healthy condition, and he consid-
ers his location one of the best
adapted for the business in the
county; his brother, C. P. Churc-
hill, was associated with him in
business until 1874, when he died
leaving a wife and son: Willie E.
surviving; Mrs. Churchill is now
Mrs. J. A. Sanders, of Poweshiek
county; the subject of this sketch
was married January 30, 1866, to
MissDulana F.Connelly; she was
born in Delaware county, Ohio,
August 14, 1844; she remained
there with her parents until her
marriage; they have three chil-
dren: Frank O., born April 18,
1869, Charles N., born June 14,
1875, George S, born March 22,
1879.
Cochran, Ephraim, farmer, Sec. 24;
P. O. Webster.
Conley John, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. O.
Aurora.
Cover, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 10; P.
O. Aurora.
Craven, S. J., farmer. Sec. 21; P. O.
Sigourney.
Cress, Jeremiah, farmer. Sec. 24; P.
O. Webster.
Cross, Wm. farmer, Sec. 27; P. O.
Sigourney.
Cuddihey, S. and J., farmers. Sec 36;
P. O. Webster.
DAOGHERTT, MOSES, farm-
er. Sec. 22; P. O. Webster.
DUNNE, JOHN, farmer. Sec.
24; P. O. Webster; born in Ire-
land, June 24, 1817, where he
was raised ; he had only the ad-
vantages of the night schools, but
he has acquired a no mean knowl-
edge by reading whenever he had
an opportunity ; in 1844 he em-
igrated to this country, and set-
tled in Washington county, Wis-
consin; lived there until 1876,
when became this country ,settling
where he now resides ; owns 160
acres of choice land, and under
good improvement; on arrival in
this country his cash capital con-
sisted of one fivie franc-piece, and
m
DIBEOTOSf 6f iSSEOi^M OOtJNTT.
tipofi tbi^ §ftlall beginning be bas,
by bonfcat industi-y, economy,
hafd wort and w6hderfnl eriei-gy,
snrroundfed himself and family
with a good home wherfe hospital-
ities abdutid; in November 1855
he married Miss Mary Fitzgerald,
born in Ireland, but raised in
Wisconsin ; they ha'^e eight chil-
dren: John, Mary Ann, James,
Elizabeth, Margaret, C, Katie
and Hannah ; lost one son : Char-
lie.
FANCHER, AMOS, farmer.
Sec. 2; P. O. White Pigfeon.
Fancher, Wm. N., farmer. Sec. 2;
P. O. White Pigeon.
Finch, Samnel, fanner, Sec. 1; P. O.
White Pieeon.
GREEN^Cr.W., farmer, and stock-
dealer, Sec.3; P. O. Keswick;
born in Watertown, Oneida coun-
ty. New ■Jork, February 22, 1833;
his parents moved to Portage coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1837, and to Geauga
CoOhty one year later; there the
isubject of this sketch was raised
on a farm, and like most of farm-
er boys attended school winters
and farmed during the summers;
in 186Y he removed to this coun-
ty, where he now resides; owns
300 acres of choice land, tinder
fexcellent improvement, his resi-
dence being the best in the town-
ship; the grounds surroundiiig
his homestead are beautifully
embellished with shade trees,
evergreens, etc.; he also has a fine
fcirchard of five hundred apple-
trees; Mr. G. has made farming
and stock-dealing his principal
bbsiness, and has displayed a
gi-eat deal of taste; in
m&,nners he is Conservative, but
eonrteons and hospitable, a man
■ifbom to know is to esteem, jilst in
his dealing and irreproachable in
his character; March 8, 1856* he
married Miss Louetta Crafts, a
iiatite of Portagb county; they
have four childi-eii: Eira, Etta^
Willie and Frankie.
GREEN, ASAHEL, retired trie-
chanic and farmer, Sec. 3; P. O,
Keswick; born in Otisfield,.
Maine, October 9, 1802; his fath-
er was picked up on the sea shore-
ned,r Boston after a shipwreck,,
and was adopted by a family
named John Green; the subject
of this sketch was taken by his-
parents to Oneida county. New
York, where he was raised on a^
farm, farming in summer, and
winter his time was occupied
in in making half-biishel
el measures; he early de-
veloped a mechanical genius-
and afterward gave a gfeat deal
of attention to inventions; he Can
be accredited with making the-
first cheese-box in Ohio abOnt
1840, and invented the first buzz-
saw for cutting heading, also in-
Vented a patent for cui-ling hair
for mattresses, and more reeelitly
has invented a fence-wire tighten-
er, that promises to be very pop-
ular, and the best machine of the
kind yet invented; in 1867 Mr.
Green moved to this county kbi
settled where he now live^; he-
was married December 26, 1826,
to Miss Mary Everet, a native of
Connecticut; their family coilsists-
bf four children: Mary, (now
Mrs. S. McKee), Susanj (n6w
Mrs. J. Hawkins, of Clevfeland,
Ohio), Geo. W., a prominent
stock-dealer of Keokuk county,,
and Jane, (iiow Mrs. Mo'Wian, of
Cleveland); they have lost Oiies in-
fant son.
Gibson, Alex., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O,
Gilbraith, John, farmer, Sec. 6; P.
O. Webster.
Goodndugh, Mrs. E. E., farmei'j Sec.
7; P. O. .
HALL, A., fartaei^, See. 26; P.
O. Webster.
ADAM6 IdWuSHIP.
80^
BALLEtT, SOLOMON, farmer,
flee. — ; P. O. Webster; is the son
of Isaiah Ha]lett and Annsl nee
Elinball, and was born in Water-
♦ille, Kennebeek conntj', Maine,
On the 2d day of March, 1812;
his parents were both of English
drigin; their ancestors came to
this country before the revolu-
fionary war; his father enlisted
in the war of 1812; when the
sabject of this sketch was six
years old his parents removed to
Marietta, Washington county,
Ohio; here his early boyhood was
spent in agricultural pursuits witli
limited school advantages; after
the death of his father in 1823, he
lived in the family of a Mr.
Btone, and lived with him until
his death about 1830; he then
start«d in the world for himself,
his Worldly effects being $1.18 in
money, a few school books and a
Bible, and was employed on a keel
boat running down the Missis-
sippi river, and continued this
business principally until 1834,
and then purchased a farm; in
1853 he sold his farm and came
to Iowa, and purchased a large
tract of land, and remained there
fourteen years; he then went to
Missouri and remained a short
time, and came to Keokuk county,
and purchased 310 acres of land;
he married Miss Sarah A. Parker
in 1835; she was a native of
Pennsylvania.
Harding, J. H., farmer, Sec< t; P.
O. Aurora.
Harding, O. C, farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Aurora.
Hartzel, John, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Sigonmey.
HARMONSON, OBED, farmer,
See. 28; P. O. Sigourney; born
in this county June 25, 1851; was
raised a farmer, which occupa-
tion he still follows; he moved
irhere he now resides in 1862, and
Im Biittj acres of good land;
January 25, 1872, he married
Miss Lucretia Goodrich; she Was
bo^n October 12, 1850, in Ottawa
county, Michigan; she moved to
this county with her parents in
1862; Mr. Harmonson's parents
are also residents of this county;
they have two children : Walter
H., and Clara G.; lost one: Wil-
liam M.; Mr. and Mrs, H. are
members of the Christian Church
at What Clieer, Washington town-
ship.
Hazlett, J. C. farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
White Pigeon.
HARTZELL, JOHN, farmer. See.
34; P.O.Sigourney ; born in Marion
county, Indiana, September 21,
1836; he came with his parents to
Iowa in 1849, and settled in Van
Buren county; after remaining
there for about two years he came
to this county locating in this
townsliip; here he spent his early
manhood on a farm; he moved
upon his present farin of 160
acres in 1874; he was married
November 27, 1855, to Miss Har-
riet M. Ronalds, a native of Lick-
ing county, Ohio; she was born
October 9, 1836; she came to
Iowa in 1851, and settled in this
county; their family consists of
nine children: S. R., Philip B.,
Ira S., Mary E., Netty M., Char-
lie B., Thomas A., John R. and
Clarence.
HARDING, J. H., farmer. Sec. 7;
P. O. Sigourney; born January
8, 1821, inRichland county, Ohio;
he was there raised, following the
occupation of a farmer, which he
has since adhered to; he remained
in Ohio until 1862, when he came
to this county and located where
he now resides in 1865; he owns
320 acres of well improved land,
well stocked with graded cattle;
in 1857 he engaged in the mer-
cantile business and followed that
for five years, and then engaged
in farming; he was married May
808
DIEEOTOET OP KBOKUK OOTJNTX".
■ 7, 1842, to Miss Emily A. Flint,
a native of Eichland county, Oliio;
she was born June 20,1823; their
family consists of four children:
Odelpha H. (now Mrs. E. Davis),
Curtis O., Rosella R. (now Mrs.
F. M. Brown — Mr. Brown died
July 26, 1878, when living in
Xansas), and "William E.; Mr. H.
has held various offices of trust in
his township, and is -at present
holding one; they are active mem-
bers of the Baptist Church at
Prairie View, Prairie township.
HEItVEY,DAVID A., farmer, Sec.
1; P. O. White Pigeon; born in
Washington county, Penn., Jan-
uary 21, 1814, but raised in Jef-
ferson county, Oliio; he lost his
mother when ten years of age and
he was left under the care of his
aunt for some time; when seven-
teen years of age he was entered
as an apprentice to learn the sad-
dlery trade; he followed that for
about twelve years, but was oblig-
ed to discontinue it on account of
ill health; he then engaged in
farming and has since followed it;
in 1852 he removed to Washing-
. ton county, Iowa, and lived there
until March, 1854, when he came
to this county and settled where
he now resides; owns 120 acres
of choice land under good im-
provement; he married May 12,
1836, Miss Margaret M. Christy,
a native of Harrison county, Ohio;
they have seven children: John
- R., Sarah J. (now wife of H. L.
Barber, of this county), Wm. H.
H., Samuel C, Nancy E., David
L. and Joshua W.
HIGGINS, W., farmer, Sec. 23; P.
O. Webster; born February 17,
1825, in Knox county, Ohio; he
traces his father's origin to Irish
ancestry, ahd was in the the war
of 1812; his mother wasof German
origin; the subject of this sketch
was raised in Ohio on a farm and
divided his time between working
on a farm during the summer
months and attending school in
winter; when Mr. Higgins at-
tained his majority his father gave
him $100 and a horse, and this
was his capital, coupled with a
stout hand and willing heart and
fixed principles of honor, industry
and integrity; he followed his
chosen avocation until 1853, when,
following , the Star of Empire
westward, he came to Iowa and
purchased land where he now re-
sides ; he owns 695 acres of choice
land; he is a practical farmer and
his farm one of the best cultivated
in the county; he devotes con-
siderable attention to stock, and
of late years has been improving
the quality so that at the present
time we may say he has his farm
well stocked with good graded
cattle; April 14, 1850, he married
Miss Marcia Rubins, a native of
Richland county, Ohio, a woman
of ability, and her counsel and
good judgment have contributed
largely to their success; their
family consists of four children:
Hale, Joseph R., Effie and Delano;
their home is a pleasant one, where
one meets with a cordial, but un-
osten-tatious welcome.
Holliday, H. M., farmer, Sec. 35; P.
O. Webster.
Hughbanks, J. W., farmer. Sec 1;
P. O. White Pigeon.
Hummer, A., farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0.
Sigourney.
JRONS, 'LEVI, farmer, Sec. 21;
-L P. O. Sigourney.
IRONS, JOHN, farmer and stock-
raiser, Sec. 22; P. O. Keswick;
born in Alleghany county, Mary-
land, April 19, 181 1 ; he was there
raised, and when twenty-three
years of age he engaged in the
lumber business on the Mononga"
hela river and continued it for
about fourteen years; he then
went to West Virginia, and in
1849 returned to Maryland; in
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
809
1853 he came to Keokuk county,
where he now lives; he entered
200 acres of his farm, which now
is well improved; he at one time
owned 600 acres, but has since di-
vided a large portion among his
■children; he sold forty acres, upon
which the town of Keswick is now
beingbnilt; Dec. 13, 1833, he mar-
ried Miss Margaret Powell; she
is a native of West Yirginla, and
was born April 24, 1813; by this
union they have eight children:
Joseph, Nancy A., Charles, Wil-
liam, Levi, Margaret, Warren C.
and Alice V.; have lost six:
Catherine, James B., Allen, two
infants and John, who was a mem-
ber of company H, Thirty-third
Iowa Yolunteer Infantry; served
until his term of service expired,
and was discharged at Davenport,
in 1865; while on his way home
he was killed by the cars breaking
, through a bridge; Mr. and Mrs.
. Irons commenced their married
. life without means ; their furniture
and wearing apparel were made by
. themselves ; the linen for the latter
, wa sraised, prepared and manufac-
tured with their own hands, and
«ome of the garments then made are
. preserved as mementoes of their
. early married life ; and among the
. early settlers who have passed the
ordeal of pioneer life, none is de-
serving of more especial notice
than the subject of this sketch;
by industry, economy, and hones-
ty, they have acquired a compe-
"^ tenoy for their declining years.
Irwin, George, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Aurora.
IRWIN, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 4; P.
. O. Aurora; born in Crawford
county, Pennsylvania, June 17,
. 1815, and resided there until 1845,
. when he went to Mercer county,
Illinois, and there engaged, prin-
» cipally, in building; in 1850 he
returned to Pennsylvania, where
. he devoted his time to farming
and mason work ; he came to this
county in 1864, and settled where
he now resides; he owns 120
acres of land under good improve-
ments; rnarried December 25,
1838, to Eliza Stewart, a native of
Ireland: they have five children
living: Matthew S., George, Mary
(wife of C. M. Paull), Jared, and
Harriet (wife of J. E. Hull); Mr.
Irwin traces his ancestors to Ire-
land; his grandfather, Jerard Ir-
win, came to this country about
the year 1760, and settled in Cum-
berland county, Pennsylvania,
there engaging in merchandising.
XOHlSrSTON, JAS.. farmer, Sec.
t) 19; P. O. Sigourney.
JOHNS, TH.OMAS E., general
merchant. Keswick; born in Glan-
morganshire, Wales, May 30,
1846; he emigrated to this coun-
try in 1865, and located in John-
son county and engaged in farm-
ing; in March, 1871, he came to
this county and continued in his
business in Prairie township until
1876, when he entered upon his
present business; Mr. Johns came
to this country a poor boy, with-
out a dollar, but by industry
and good management has been
eminently successful; his career
as a merchant is in keeping with
all his other undertakings; he is
well suited for his business, pru-
dent, but generous in his dealings;
he has made many friends
during the time of his residence
in the county; on the 17th of
January, 1871, Miss Margaret
Baxter, of Johnson county, be-
came his wife; she is a lady of
much refinement; her father, John
Baxter, was a native of Wales,
and came to Cambria, Pennsylva-
nia, about 1830.
Jordon, J. H., farmer, Sec. 29; P. O.
Sigourney.
Junkin, Jane, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O.
Sigourney.
DIEEOTOltt (ft SESiEtTBE COUNTY.
KESSmG, CASPER, feftoer,
Sec. 34; P. O. Sigoiirney.
LEWIS^EJLLIOTT, tarnier, Sec.
29; P. O. Sjgonrney; born
Jannarj' 18, 1831, in Fayette
County, Pennsylvania, and was
there raised a farmer; in 1854,
he moved to Henry coutity, Illi-
nois, and there engaged in fann-
ing; he came to this county in
1866, and settled where he now
resides; owns 240 acres of land
under good cultivation, and is at
present feeding a large number
of hogs; it is his intention to en-
gage in the wool-growing busi-
ness before very long; April 19,
1855, he married Miss Rachel
Huston; she was born in 1832 in
Dearborn county, Indiana, came
with her parents to Illinois in
1852, and was thefe married ; they
have a family of seven children:
Charles, William S., Edgar A.,
Henry C., Emma A., EvaM., and
Clarence R. ; Mr. Lewis has held
offices in his township for the
past ten or twelve years.
McBRIDE, JESSE 0., farmer,
and stock-raiser, Sec. 11 ; P.
O. White Pigeon; born in Perry
county, Pennsylvania, March 4,
1830; he was there raised, attend-
ing the common schools of that
State during the winters and farm-
ing in the summers; in 1855 he
Came to Des Moines coiJnty, Iowa;
TVhen he landed at Burlington he
had $130, and has made what he
now has by hard, honest toil; he
remained iti Des Moines county
until 1857, when he came to this
county; here he has since resi-
ded, owns 950 acres of land and
has the best farm in the township ;
devotes considerable attention to
stock-raising; he was married
April 24, 1860, to Miss Rachel
Lutton, a native of Moi-cer coun-
ty, Pennsylvania; the have three
children: Mary Belle, Jennie
May and Ulysess; Mr. McBride
6Ame to iow& a jxXit tattti ; hiS ha»
always been prudent in WS ex-
penditures; his life has beell one
of ceaseless activity, aild the r^ult
of his labors aild energies Way
well inspire the young to i'ene\fred
exertions in emulating his exam-
ple.
Martin, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 26; P.
O. Webster.
MESSINGERj S., farmer. Sec. 3;
P. O. Aurora; born September 6,
1821, in West Virginia, wher^ he
was raised a farmer aiid deale* in
cooperage; he removed to thi»
county in 1865, and settled whfere
he now resides; owns 642 acres of
choice land which he manages
himself; he also raises and feeds^
graded stock altogether; his farm
is under cultivation and fineljr im-
proved ; he has a barn 76x40 feet,
besides granaries, cattle sheds,
etc.; Mr. M. commenced life tyith-
out capital and is indebted to na
otie save himself for the handsdme
property which he now owns and
which he gained by energy^ per-
severance, etc. ; December 2j 1847,
he married Miss Margaret Hayes,
a native of Hardy county, Vir-
ginia; they have seven children
living: Jerome, Charles, Mary A.
(wife of F. Starettof Iowa counrty),
Nancy E. (now Mrs. Thoflias
Minor of this State), Sarah, Lu-
cinda and Halleck; have lostt^ro:
Margaret, died June 21, 1863,
and Samuel, who died September
11, 1865.
Miller, James, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Webster.
Miller, Hugh, farmer. Sec. 8; P. 0'.
Aurora.
Miller, T. H., farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0.
Aurora.
MISEL, D.i farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0.
Aurora; born in Guernsey county,
Ohio, April 17, 1823; the*fe he
was raised on a farm ; removed to
this county in 1862 and owns 200
acres of choice land ; he is a j
AiJA*ie foWiisfti*.
Sit
eeatrorHical and indiistri-
646 ; he is th^ architect of his
eiTfrtl fbrttlnfe; he was married in
Ohio Septeinbei- 4, 1845, to Miss
Maftha Trimble, a native of Ohio:
ihejr have iiine children: Mar-
gfti^t (wife of J. Hervey), Nancy
iwife of Thomas Byers), Harriet J.
Wifeof Wm.Shriver),Oatliarine A.
*ife of Wm. Waggoner), Caro-
line (wife of 0. Thomas), David
il., Sarah, Edward W. and Snsan.
Moore, James, farmer. Sec. 19; P.
0. Sigonrney.
MORRISON, JAMES, farmer. Sec.
11; P. O. Aurora; born in the
north of Ireland August 7, 1841 ;
he eraigl^ted to America in 1864
aild located in Bock Island coun-
ty, Illinois, where he remained
fbr three years; he then removed
to this county, where he has since
resided; he owns 160 acres of
good land, under fair improve-
ment; Mr. Morrison commenced
life a poor boy, and is indebted
for his present high standing only
to his own energy, good judgment,
hard work and a wife who is a
help as well as a companion, and
19 gentle and kind in her man-
ners; they are both highly respect-
ed by all who know them; April
17, 1872, Miss Hattie, daughter
of Thomas Morgan, of English
River township, became his bride;
she was among the first born in
the township; they have two
Sons: Edward and Jesse; Mr. M.
intends making stock-raising his
principal business.
Morrison, Wm., farmer. Sec. 6; P.
O. Aurora.
MORGAN, E. L., farmer, stook-
l^iser and stock-dealer. Sec. 36;
P. O. Webster; the subject of this
sketch is a son of the Honorable
T. A. Morgan, of this county,
.".and was born in Pennsylvania
f' May ,J4, 1830, but raised in Trum-
*" hull county, Ohio; in 1854 he
(Ame With bis parents to this
county and vrds eUga^d ih httii-
ing until 1859, when hfe went tO'
California with his fathfei* aild en-
gaged in mining for six years; in
this undertaking, as in all others,
success crowned his efforts; he-,
returned to tliis county in 1864>
and improved the farm that he-
now occupies; he owns 453 acres
of choice land, under splendid
improvement; his residence is-
surrounded by a fine orchard on
one side and an fevergreen and
walnut grdve of fifteen acres on-
the other; in the former he ha&
3,300 European larches, and it is-
his intention to set out 1,0000
more: he devotes the produce of
his fine farm to stock-raising
altogether; September 9, 1866,
he married MiSs Eliza Reed, of
this county; they have five chil-
dren: Anna, Isadore, Theron Av-
ery, UsTellie F. and Sylvia.
MORGAN, G. S., farmer, stock-
raiser and stock-feeder. Sec. 36;
P.O.Webster; born in Trumbull
county, Ohio, April 17, 1841;
there he spent his early youth and
in 1854 he, with his parents, mov-
ed to this county, where the Sub-
ject of this sketch grew to man-
hood ; he owns 345 acres of choice
land, well improved; November
14, 1869, he was united in mar-
riage with Miss Sarah A. Ervin;
she was born in Preston county,
Virginia; they have four children:
Stella A., Alden, EoUin E. and
Lucy M.
Morgan, Wm. F., farmer. Sec. 33;
P. O. Webster.
Morgan, T. J., farmer. Sec. 33; P-
O. Webster.
Murphy, Richard, farmer. Sec. 10;
P. O. Aurora.
Murphy, James, farmer. Sec. 9; P^
O. Aurora.
Murphy, Thomas, farmer. Sec. 9; P..
O. Aurora.
Mushrush, James, farmer, Sfec. 5;
P. O. Aurora.
612
DIEEOTOKT OF EBOEUE OOXrUlT.
Mushrnsh, J. R., farmer, Sec. 5; P.
O. Aurora.
Mushrush, Geo., farmer. Sec. 5; P.
O. Aurora.
NANKEE, GUSTAYE, farmer,
Sec. 31; P. O. Sigourney.
O'KEEFF, MICHAEL, farmer,
Sec. 23, P. O. Webster.
PAULL, J. G., farmer and stock-
raiser. Sec. 29; P, O. Sigour-
, ney; boru in Medina, Ohio, Jan-
uary 19, 1826 ; he lived there un-
til thirteen years of age, when he,
, with his brother, moved to Kane
■county, Illinois, in 1839; he was
there raised a farmer, and came
to this county in 1866, settling on
the place where he now resides;
has a fine farm of 800 acres and
■devotes considerable atention to
■ the raising and feeding of graded
■stock; he has at the pesent time
about 100 head of cattle which he
is preparing for market; October
20, 18i8, he married Miss Harriet
Sheldon, a native of New York;
when youngshe moved with her
parents to Kane county, Illinois,
where she resided until her mar-
riage; by this union they have
seven children living: William
<x., born in 1849, Clara A., born
in 1851, Eva E., born in 1853,
Ida M., born in 1857, Gustavus
•G., born in 1859, George M.,
born in 1864, Stephen H., born
in 1867; lost one: Eliza G., born
an 1862; their oldest son, Wil-
liam G., was married November
27, 1872, to Miss Maggie R.
Jjegg, a native of Eush county,
Indiana; they have one child:
Franklin S.; Mr. and Mrs. PauU
are old settlers of this county, and
are well acquainted with the
hardships and troubles of pioneer
life.
Fan], Wm. G., farmer. Sec. 32; P.
O. Sigourney.
PORTER, ISAAC, farmer. Sec. 11 ;
P. O. White Pigeon; bom in
Athens county, Ohio, October 21,
1820; in 1847 he removed to Ful-
ton county, Illinois, remaining
there until 1854; he then came to
this county, locating wiiere he
now resides; he entered liis land
from the government; owns 166
acres of choice land with excel-
lent improvements, good orchard,
etc., which he has made himself;
he has a splendid home; Decem-
ber 13, 1849, he married Miss
Caroline McCall, a native of In-
diana; they have three children:
Martha Ann, Lucretia and Es-
telleM.; lost three: William H.,
Albert and Electa.
REASONER, H. S., farmer.
Sec. 7; P. O. Aurora.
Reasoner, Reuben, farmer, Sec. 7;
P. O. Aurora.
ROBERTSON, J. B. A., general
merchant, postmaster and farmer.
Sec. 4; P. O. Aurora; born in
Chester county, Pennsylvania,
September 7, 1836; there he spent
his childhood and early youth;
worked in the iron works at Safe
Harbor, Lancaster county, for
about seven years; in 1855 he re-
moved to Cedar county, Iowa,
where he was engaged in the lime
burning business until August 11,
1862; he then enlisted in company
B, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry,
remaining with that regiment un-
til February 15, 1864, when he
was transferred to company K,
Seventh Regiment Veteran Re-
serve Corps, and discharged June
28, 1865; participated in all the
battles in which his regiment was
engaged until his transfer, among
which were the battles near Wash-
ington against Early and Breokeu-
ridge, July 12, 1864; was de-
tached to guard the persons since
executed for the assassination of
President Lincoln; after his dis-
charge he came to tliis county
and made farming his business
until March, 1875, when he en-
gaged in the mercantile basiness,
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
&1S
his being the first business honse
in Aurora; he also owns a farm
of eighty-seven acres of choice
land situated on Sec. 16 in this
township, which he also manages;
January 19, 1860, he married Miss
. Clarissa M. Wright, a native of
. Ohio; they have nine children:
John H., Anna M., George A.,
Margaret A., Jas. B. A., Elizabeth
■ A., Meda F., Alice and an infant
son.
Roland, Peter, farmer. Sec. 24; P.
0; Webster.
Eoss, Mary J., farmer. Sec. 35; P.
O. Webster.
SEYMOUR, C. S., farmer. Sec.
5; P. O. Aurora.
SHA.TZ, J., farmer, Sec. 11; P. O.
' White Pigeon ; born in Westmore-
land county, Pennsylvania, Octo-
ber 6, 1843; when sixteen years of
age he removed with his parents
to this county; he was here prin-
cipally raised on a farm, and has
been prominently identified with
the growth and development of
the county since coming here;
^ followed farming until July 4,
>. 1862, when he enlisted in company
D, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry ; at
• this time he was only eighteen
years of age, and weighed but 100
pounds, but he served with his
regiment until the close of the
war, and participated in the bat-
tles of Springfield, Mo., Poison
Spring, Ark., Saline River, and
Igvimany other battles and skirmishes ;
returning home he engaged in
<: farming; owns eighty acres of
4' choice land; January 14, 1869, he
married Miss Sophia E. Lindsey,
a native of Lancaster county,
i- Pennsylvania; they have two chil-
^ dren: Leslie R. and Annie E.;
§ have lost one son: Charles W.,
: who died March 4. 187-1.
SHIMMIN, JOHN, farmer, Sec.
17; P. O. Sigourney; born Janu-
I ury 27, 1831, on the Isle of Man,
■i England, and was there raised as a
farmer; emigrated to the United
States in 1850, landing at New
York; moved to Illinois, settling
in McHenry coimty, and there
learned the trade of mason, which
he followed for some ten years; in
1860 he removed to Winnebago
county, Illinois, and for four years:
was engaged in farming; in 1864
he came to this county and settled
where he now resides; owns a
finely improved farm of 200 acres,
well supplied with graded stock;
May 1, 1855, Miss Margaret Gay-
lord, of New York, became his.
wife; she was born August 9,
1834; they have a family of five
children: Charlotte C. (now MrsJ
Z. E. Reasner), Lizzie A., Edward
J., Eunice S-, Celestia M.; lost
three: Isabelle, Thomas and an
infant; Mr. Shimmin is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, St.
Mark's Lodge, No. 63, of Wood-
stock, McHenry county, Illinois;
he also belongs to the Episcopal
Church of England; Mrs. S. is a
member of the M. E. Church, of
the Springdale class of this town-
ship.
Shott, John, farmer. Sec. 11; P. O.
White Pigeon.
SORDEN, DANIEL, farmer and
stock-raiser. Sec. 24 ; P. O. Web-
ster; born in Franklin county,
Ohio, September 1, 1823; when
quite young, he with his parents
moved to Marion county, same
State, where his youth and early
manhood were spent on a farm ; in
in 1853 he moved upon his pres-
ent homestead of 195 acres of
fine land; he makes stock-raising
his principal business; October
24, 1860, he married Miss Emily
J. Scovell, a native of Trumbull
county, Ohio; she died December
6, 1851, leaving one son, Anson,
who died the following August;
May 15, 1855, he married again to
Miss Ann Roland, a native of In-
diana; by this union they have
m
DIEEOTOgy QW JJlKQf 0^ OOUNTT.
foijrchilclrpn: Qporge A., Lywjan
M; Ett^ and Flora; lost tjieir
eldest son; Win. S., whodie^ Jan-
uary 31, 1§73; he was six|;e!en
ye^rs of age.
^(ewart, Charles, farmer, Sec. i; P.
O. Aurora.
Stephenson, A. H., farmer. Sec. 26;
P. 0. Webster.
Stewart, H. C, farmer, geiC. 8; P.
O. Aurora.
Stewart, L. S., farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. O.
Aiirorsj.
Smith, Sarah J., farmer, Sec. 3; P.
O. Aurora.
Sturdivan, S. F., farmer. Sec. 2; P.
O. White Pigeon.
TKEGO, y. B; farmer. Sec. 33;
P. O. Sigourney.
ULUM, L., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Aurora.
■TTTAKNOCK, A., farmer. Sec.
yV 20;P.O. Sigourney.
Warnock, Wm., farmer, Sec. 20; P.
O. Sigonrney.
Weaver, Mary, farmer, Sec. 33; P.
O. Sigonrney.
Wemer, I. J., farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. O.
Sigourney.
WEMER, G. W., farmer, Sec. 20;
P. O. Sigonrney; born May 3,
1827, in Henry county, Indiana,
and was there raised a farmer; he
moved from there to Hancock
(sonnty, Ohio; he Cjaoie |P tMs
county in 1853, an^ j» April,
1851, 6pttle4 whepe he nqw re-
sides; iie lia; 4^3^ ^cres of gqod
land, well stocjced ; June 28, XS^S,
he married J^is^ Elizabeth Wieja^pr,
a natjve of Arpastrpng coonjiy,
Ppnnsylvanja; when qujte yojing
she ipQved with her parent? to
^.rmstrong cpuntj', Pennsylyaiiia,
and was there raised, and there
lived until her marriage; t^ey
have ^ix children: Barbara A.
(now Mrs. Mushrush), Isaac P.,
Albert G., I^. L., Jacob A., Frapr
cis C; have lost two; Catharine
J. and Jphn J,; Mr. W. has hel^
various offices in his township,
and has held the office of schpql
director since the independent
district was organize^.
Wheeler, S. L., farmer, Sec. 17; P.
O. Aurora.
White, William J., farmer, See. 7;
P. O. Aurora.
Willhight, J. P., farmer. Sec. 23; P.
O. Webster.
Williams, J., farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0.
Webster.
Winegarden, John, farmer, Sec. 14,
P. O. White Pigeon.
Woods, Samuel, farmer, Sec. Ij P.
Q. Aurora.
t=>-^jAjztzx:ei TOTTvT'njTsmF.
ALLISON, CHESTEE, farmer,
Sec. 5; P. O. Thorn burg.
BATES, BENJAMIN L., farm-
er and stock raiser. Sec. 29;
P. O. Coal Creek; born Septem-
ber 6, 1831, in Jefferson county,
Ohio, and was raised on a farm;
in 1853 he came to Iowa and set-
tled in Washington county, near
Crawfordsville, and lived there
until 18.')6; he then removed to
Keokuk county, and located where
he now resides in 1858; he owns
& well improved farm of 180
acres, and has proved hin^self one
of Keokuk county's most prac-
tical fanners; he has been hon-
ored with all the various town-
ship offices, and has tilled them,
alike creditably to himself and
his constituents; he was married
to Martha A. Cooper March 25,
1858; she was born in Colum-
biana county, Ohio, May 28, 1830,
and was brought by her parents
to Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1855;
they have two children: Chalkjey
C, born January 26, 1859, a,nd
Sarah C, born September 28,
1865; lost one daughter: Msry,
PE^iBu: Towjiseip,
915
born Pioeeraber 5, 1862, ^Qd died
April 12, 1864.
BATES, JOSHUA, fanner and
, vool grower. Sec. 27; P. O.
Thorphnrg; born on the 9th day
pf Aqgust, 1829, in Jefferson
county, Ohio, and was raised
4i^re a farmer, and has followed
it as an avocation since that time;
^e came to Iowa in 1853 and set-
tled in Washington county, and
jn 1856 removed to Keokuk coun-
ty and settled where he now re-
sides; lie owns a well improved
^rm of 235 acres, and gives con-
siderable attention to the raising
of sheep, mostly of the Merino
«tock; his herd is closely con-
nected with the celebrated Ham-
mond herd, of Vermont, and with
the best families in Iowa; his
farm is well adapted for the pur-
pose to which it is devoted in re-
gard to health — an important
•consideration in sheep raising; he
also is engaged, to a moderate ex-
tent, in Durham cattle; the sub-
ject of this sketch is a thoroughly
practical farmer, and much of his
success may be attributed to his
■careful attention to all that per-
tains to his business, and is a val-
uable citizen of the county; he
rendered valuable aid and assist-
ance in securing railroad com-
munication for his township, and
has been honored by his fellow
citizens with various township
offices; he was married to
Julia A. Pluraner August 14,
1856; she is a native of Jefferson
<30unty, Ohio, and was born Feb-
ruary 24, 1834; their family con-
sists of four children: Mary N.,
born in July, 1858, Oliver L., born
in September, 1860, Catharine A.,
li born in June, 1863, Susan L., born
. in June, 1869; lost two: Emma
;; P. and Amos P.; he and his wife
are members of the Society of
^ Friends.
BARNHIZER, JOSEPH, farmer
and stock raiser, See. 17; P. O.
Coal Creek; born March 6, 1819,
in Washington county, Maryland,
and lived there until his parents
removed to Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, in 1836; he was
raised on a farm until nineteen
years of age, and then learned tbe
miller's trade, and followed it as
an occupation until 1861; during
the time he was engaged in this
business he repaired and run sev'
eral mills in Ohio; be removed to
this connty in 1870, and settled in
Prairie township, where he owns
an impi'oved farm of 320 acres,
and js giving his attention largely
to stock raising; he is a man of
wide experience and sound judg-
ment, and has the respect of all
with whom he has business rela-
tions; he was married in Putnam
county, Ohio, January 17, 1847,
to Miss Samantha Stout, a native
of Licking county, Ohio, born
August 25, 1829; their family
consists of nine children: John
C, Edson G.; Martha, Thomas J.,
Chester R, Abagail M., Jackson
B., Guy C. and Jay; lost one son:
Elisha F.
Barthelman, Chas., farmer, Sec. 26;
P. O. Thornburg.
Baty, James, farmer, Sec. 21; P. O.
. Thornburg.
Bigelow, W. H., farmer, Sec. 25;
P. O. Thornburg.
Blackburn, Sarah, farmer. Sec. 18;
P. O. Coal Creek.
Bonsall, Evan, farmer. Sec. 34; P.
O. Thornburg.
BRANSON, ASA, merchapt,
Thornburg; born in Belmont
county, Ohio, April 26, 1832, and
was raised there on a farm; in
1854 he emigrated to Iowa, and
settled in Cedar county, but not
being satisfied with his location,
he returned to Ohio in 1856,
after a visit to Kansas, and other
sections of tbe State, with
the view of s^Jegting ^ pl^ee
816
DIEEOTOHT OF KEOKUK OOUNTT.
of residence ; in 1858 he went to
Missouri, but the Rebel element
was too strong to make it desirable
or pleasant, and in 1862 he re-
turned to his native countj', and
lived there until 1865, when he
came to Keokuk county, Iowa,
and engaged in agricultural pur-
suits; in 18t>9 he engaged in the
. mercantile business at Coal Creek
and built up a large trade in gen-
eral merchandise, and has been
postmaster at that point since
1869; he has recently removed to
the new town of Thornburg, and
intends enlarging his business in
the same line; he was married
February 16, 1860, to Miss E. A.
Craig, of Muskingum county,
Ohio; she was born April 9, 1842;
their family consists of seven
children: Smith, "William E., Da-
vid C, Francis D., Emareta,
Mary and Louis.
Bremmer, James, farmer. Sec. 15;
P. O. Thornburg.
Briggs, Jonathan, farmer, Sec. 31 ;
P. O. Coal Creek.
Bruce, E. K, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O.
Thornburg.
CARL, ABRAHAM, farmer,
Sec. 34; P. O. What Cheer.
Chandler, A., farmer. Sec. 19; P. O.
Coal Creek.
CLENDENON, STEPHEN, mer-
chant, Coal Creek; born in May,
1833, in Belmont county, Ohio,
and was raised a farmer, and fol-
lowed it in connection with run-
ning a saw-mill; he came to Keo-
kuk county in 1864 and purchased
a farm, but after a time disposed
of his farm and engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits; he has recently
been appointed postmaster at
Coal Creek; he carries in stock a
line of general merchandise and
has built up a good trade; he has
been ,twii'.e married; first to Ma-
tilda Dawson, February 1, 1854;
she was born in Belmont county,
Ohio, and died June 6, 1857,
leaving one daughter: Sarah J., the
wife of R. Wood; he married for
his second wife Elizabeth F,^
Branson, March 25, 1859; she
was a native of Belmont county,
Ohio; they have by this union
seven children: Matilda J., Isaac
W., Mary Lincoln, E. T. Smith,
Hannah E., Amy and Lydia.
COOPER, EVAN, farmer. Sec.
29; P. O. Coal Creek; born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
July 15, 1801,and when young wa&
taken b^' his parents to Columbi-
ana county, Ohio, where he was
raised a farmer, and has since fol-
lowed it for an avocation; he came
to this county in 1855, and is one
of the four early settlers of the
township, and he has resided on
the same place since that time ;
he owns at the present time fifty-
five acres of well improved land,
after dividing with his children;
he has not only been a pioneer in
Ohio, but in Keokuk county,
Iowa; he was married August 27,
1823, to Mary Middleton, a native
of Columbiana county, Ohio; she
was born October 13, 1804; their
family consists of four children
living: Martha, born in 1827;
Hinchman, born in 1834; Albert,
born in 1839; Ann, born in 1841;
they have lost five: William,
Chalkley, Sarah, Mark and one in
infancy.
Cooper, Albert, farmer, Sec. 29; P.
O. Coal Creek.
CORY, P. S., retired farmer. Sec.
33; P. O. What Cheer; born in
Miami county, Ohio, March 14,
1808, and was raised a farmer,
and remained in his native State
until 1832, when he moved to
Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and
lived there ten years; in 1842 he
came to Iowa Territory and set-
tled in Cedar county, and thence
to Wilton Junction, Muscatin,e
county, in 1856, and was engaged
in mercantile pursuits, and the
PKAIEIE TOWNSHIP.
817
bnying and shipping of stock; he
came to this county in 1871 ; he
was married January 19, 1831, to
Khod Hain; she was a native of
Ohio, and was born August 16,
1816; by this marriage they have
two children living: L. S., and
P. S. Cory, Jr. ; they have lost
six: Thomas J., Margaret, Mar-
tha, Harrison and two infants un-
named; Thomas J. enlisted in
company D, Eleventh Iowa Vol-
unteer Infantry, and was killed at
at the battle of Shiloh, April 6,
1862; Mr. Cory, although but a
small boy, can well remember
when the war of 1812 closed, and
the hardships endured at that
period are fixed indelibly in his
memory; his son, L. S. Cory, was
born August 6, 1839, in Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, and came
with his parents to Iowa in 1842;
he was raised on a farm and re-
ceived the benefits afforded by the
common schools, supplemented
by attendance at the Iowa College
at Davenport one year; he enlist-
ed in August 1862, in the Thirty-
fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and
served until the close of the war,
and was mustered out at Daven-
port in 1865; he was with his
regiment in all the engagements
in which it participated; after he
was mustered out of the United
States service he returned to his
home in Muscatine county, and
on September 27, 1866, was mar-
l ried to Miss Mary A. Sterrett, a
, native of Iowa, and born in Ce-
dar county, January 6, 1811 ; by
this union they have four chil-
dren: Philo S., born in 1867;
Clara A., born in 1868; Maggie
i M., born in 1872; Frank S., born
i. in 1876; they moved to this coun-
i ty in 1868, and settled where they
now live; his farm contains 320
acres of improved land, devoted
largely to stock-raising, in which
he has been very successful.
Cotes, E. J., farmer. Sec. 3; P. O.
Thorn burg.
COUPLIN, JAMES, farmer, Sec.
25; P. O. Thornburg; born
March 6, 1822, in Monroe county,
Ohio; there he was raised on a
farm; he learned the trade of
tailor, and continued in that bus-
iness for some nine years; he
then engaged in engineering and
followed that occupation for near-
ly seven years; in 1850 he moved
from Monroe county, Ohio, to
Wheeling, West Virginia, re-
maining there for two and a half
years; he then returned to Ohio,
settling in Jefferson county; after
remaining there for seven years;
he moved to Harrison county,
and resided in that county for
five years; he then came to Iowa
and located where he now lives;
owns 160 acres of good land; in
June, 1847, he married Miss Ly-
dia Lupton; she was born August.
6, 1862, in Jefferson couty, Ohio;
they have seven children: David
F., Leander, Mary, Ann E. (now
Mrs. I. D. Davis), Margaret J.
(now Mrs. A. Grooms), Levi S.
and Lewis; Mr. Couplin has held
various oflices in the township.
Coulson, Chas., farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Coal Creek.
Coulson, Benj, farmer, Sec. 31; P.
O. Coal Creek.
DAVIS, J. D., farmer. Sec. 30;
P. O. Coal Creek.
Dolcater, W. F., farmer. Sec. 4; P.
O. Thornburg.
Draegert, Ludolph, farmer. Sec. 10;
P. O. Thornburg.
ECROYDE, SARAH, farmer.
Sec 27; P. O. Thornburg.
EDGERTON, JOSEPH, farmer
and stock-raiser. Sec. 20; P. O.
Coal Creek; born in :^elmont
county, Ohio, November 18, 1830;
51
818
DIEECTOKT OF KEOKUK OOTTNTT.
he was raised a fanner and has
followed it for an occupation since
that time; he emigrated to Iowa in
1857 and settled in Linn county and
■ lived there two years and then re-
moved to Taylor county, and after
a residence there of five years he
came to Keokuk county, where
he still resides; his home farm con-
sists of 160 acres of land, well
improved; he is devoting his at-
tention to stock and improving
his grades and it is his intention
to make still greater improve-
ments and raise the standard in
both cattle and sheep; he married
Lydia Mitchell, April 27, 1853;
she was a native of Nantucket,
Massachusetts, and was born Oc-
tober 4, 1831; their family con-
sists of seven children: William,
Mary E., Edward, Sarah E., Na-
than II., Joseph J. and Frederick
M.
Edmondson, J., farmer. Sec. 28; P.
O. Thornburg.
Ellis, David, farmer. Sec. 32; P. O.
Coal Creek.
Emmons, Thomas, farmer. Sec. 32;
P. O. Coal Creek.
Eyler, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Thorn bnrg.
FKANCE, HANISTAH, farmer,
Sec. 19; P. O. Coal Creek.
French, H. farmer, Sec. 25; P. O.
Thornburg.
<Jaddis, W. H., farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Coal Creek.
Garwood, Jesse, farmer, Sec. 19; P.
O. Coal Creek.
€HBBONS, HOMER, farmer and
stock-raiser. Sec. 16: P. O. Coal
Creek; born in Belmont county,
Ohio, December 29, 1833, and
lived there until he removed to
this county and engaged in agri-
•cultural pursuits; he came to
Iowa in 1863 and settled where he
now resides; his farm contains
138 acres of improved land; he
married Ann Garretson, April 2,
1854; she was born January 24,
1832, in Belmont county, Ohio;
their family consists of four chil-
dren: Oliver H., born August 11,
1857, John F., born January 6,
1859, Elvira, born November 14,
1862, and Euth Anna, born April
16, 1872; they are members of
the Friends' Society.
Glover, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 17;' P.
O. Thornburg.
Goodner, Benj., farmer Sec. 29; P. 0.
Coal Creek.
Graves, D. D., farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0.
Thorn burgh.
HALDEMAN, JACOB, far-
mer. Sec. 34. P. O. Coal
Creek; born August 9, 1813, in
Columbiana county, Ohio; he
was raised a farmer until eighteen
years of age, and then learned the
clothier's trade, and followed this
business as an avocation uhtil
1843, when he engaged in agri-
cultural piirsuits; he came to
Iowa in 1857 and settled in Cedar
county, and thence to this county
in 1858, and settled where he now
lives; he owns a well improved
fariii af 160 acres; he has held
various township offices and com-
mands the respect and esteem of
his friends and acquaintances; he
was married to M. McBride,
March 31, 1842; she was born
Novembet 18, 1815 in Colum-
biana county, Ohio; their family
consists of ten children: Elizabeth
A., Mary E., Milton, Newton,
David E., Adaline, Jared,Ann J.,
Joseph and Susan C; they are
members of the Friends' Society.
Hall, John, farmer Sec. 35; P. 0.
Thornburg.
Halderman, Milton, farmer, Sec. 28;
P. O. Thornburg.
Halderman, D. E. farmer. Sec. 28;
P. O. Coal Creek.
Hamilton, "W. L. farmer, Sec. 30; P.
O. Coal Creek.
Hamilton, Francis, farmer, Sec. 16;
P. O. Thornburg.
PBAIEIE TOWNSHIP.
sigr
lampton, J. P., fanner, Sec. 21; 1*.
0. Thorn burg.
larris, B., fanner, Sec. 20; P. O.
Thornburg.
lazen, P., farmer, Sec 35; P. O.
What Cheer.
leald, E., farmer. Sec. 29; P. O.
Coal Creek.
libbs, J., farmer Sec. 30; P. O.
Coal Creek.
loge, John, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Coal Creek.
lolloway, David, Coal Creek.
lolland, D. O., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Thornburg.
lolland, Gabriel, farmer, Sec. 13;
P. 0. Thornburg.
lorass, Casper, farmer. Sec. 27; P.
O. Thornburg.
lutehinson, Irwin, farmer, Sec 35;
P. O. Thornburg.
TAMES, ISKAEL, farmer. Sec.
J 15; P. O. Thornburgh.
rOHNSON, J. W., whose portrait
., appears in this work,, was born
, June 23, 1841, in Stark county,
Ohio; when three years of age
. his parents removed to Columbi-
, ana county, Ohio, where he lived
;; until he was fourteen years of age;
he returned to Mount Union; he
enlisted in company K, One Hun-
.< dred and Fourth Ohio Yolunteer
Infantry, in August, 1862, anjd
served until the close of the war;
during the war he was taken pris-
oner, March 28, 1863, but soon
, after, paroled and returned to his
command July 12, 1863; he par-
ticipated in all the battles in
which his regiment was engaged,
coramencing at the battle of Fort
Mitchell, Kentucky, with Burn-
side on his expedition, at Cum-
berland Gap, at tiie seige of Knox-
ville, and with Sherman when
moving on Atlanta; he was also
with General Thomas in the en-
gagement with General Hood, and
numerous other battles; he wit-
nessed the surrender of General
Joseph E. Johnson, at Greens-
borough, N. C. ; he was mustered
out of the service June 21, 1865 ;
after the war he was engaged in
mercantile business at Mount
Union, Ohio, until 1867, and then
came to Keokuk county and pur-'
chased a farm in Prairie township,
in section 23, and engaged in ag-
ricultural pursuits; he has been
prominently identified in the in-
terest of his township, and was
one of the active workers in secur-
ing the railroad, and is one of the
proprietors of the town of Thorn-
burg, located on his land, and its
geographical location will make it
one of the best towns on the line
of the road; lie married March 28,
1867, to Miss Esther Tutors, who
was born in Stark county, Ohio,
May, 31, 1849; she died April 12,
1874; he married for his second
wife. Miss Mary E. Taylor, Octo-
ber 29, 1865; she was a native of
Massilon, Ohio; born August 12,
1849; they have two children:
. Frank 0. and Uessie E. ; they lost
one son: Lewis.
JOHNSON, JOHN R., fanner. Sec.
18; P. O. Coal Creek; born in
Ireland in March, 1827; he was
raised there on a farm ; in 1846 he
emigrated to the United States
and landed at New Orleans; from
this place he removed to Rock Is-
land and lived there until 1876,
when he came to this county and
purchased the farm on which he
now resides, containing 145 acres
of improved land; he married
Miss Mary Manes, December 24,
1854; she was born in Ireland in
1838; they have a family of eight
children: Elizabeth, John, Mar-
tha, Robert H., Mary, Abigail,
Maria and Margaret; lost two.
Johnson, Margaret, farmer. Sec. 13;
P. 0. Thornburg.
Jones, David, farmer. Sec. 28; P. O.
Coal Creek.
KITZMANN, AUGUST,farmer,
Sec. 28; P.O. Coal Creek.
820
DIEEOTOET OF KEOKTTK COUNTY.
LEE, A. T., farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Thorn burg.
LUCAS, D. W., farmer, stock-raiser
and stock-dealer, Sec. 3; P. O.
Thornburg ; among the prominent
farmers of this township is the
subject of this sketch; born in
Louisville, Kentucky, June 23,
1840, and when young his parents
removed to La Salle county, Illi-
nois, where he lived until eighteen
years of age, and then removed to
Mason county, Illinois; he receiv-
«d a good common school educa-
tion ; he was raised on a farm and
had considerable experience in
handling stock; he came to Iowa
in 1868 and settled in Prairie
township, where he owns 700 acres
of land; his homestead contains
280 acres, and his location is one
of the conspicuous ones of the
township; he has taken pains to
make the surroundings of his
home pleasing and attractive; he
married Miss J. E. Daniels, Feb-
ruary 23, 1864; she was born in
Cass county, Illinois, but raised
in Mason county, that State; Mr.
L. has held various township offi-
ces and is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity.
Mc ADAMS, THOMAS, Coal
Creek.
McCaley, "W. J., farmer, Sec. 2; P.
O. Thornburg.
McCov, Mark, farmer, Sec. 34; P.
O. Kose Hill.
McCracken, James, farmer. Sec. 23 ;
P. O. Thornburg.
McCracken, John, farmer. Sec. 23;
P. O. Thornburg.
McGimpsey, Henry, farmer, Sec. 2;
P. O. Thornburg.
Maines, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 16;
P. O. Thornburg.
Maines, Jolm, farmer. Sec. 22; P. O.
Thornburg.
Marshall, Wm., farmer. Sec. 8; P.
O. Coal Creek.
MARSHALL, GEO. M., farmer,
stock-raiser and stock-dealer. Sec.
7; P. O. Coal Creek; born in
Brooklyn, New York, on the 30th
day of November, 1840; he re-
ceived excellent educational ad-
vantages in youth, in his native
place; in 1856 he went to Ger-
many and attended a high school
at Biebrich, on the Rhine, and
remained there two years, and
then entered Heidleberg Univer-
sity; after his return to his native
country his time was occupied in
an office and attending a course
of lectures in Columbia College,
New York city; he came to Iowa
in 1874, and settled in Prairie
township, where he owns 520
acres of improved land, with the
iinest farm buildings in the coun-
ty; his house was built at an ex-
pense of $11,000, and his barn
cost $3,000, and other buildings
to correspond; his farm is well
stocked with good graded cattle;
is an enterprising, thorough-
going farmer; he married Miss
Lillie Holcomb, February 24,
1875; she was born in Brooklyn,
New York, in 1854; they have
two children: William C, born
December 25, 1875, and George
M., born July 4, 1878.
Miller, Adaline,' farmer, Sec. 21; P.
•O. Thornburg.
MILLER, J, N., farmer and stook-
raiser. Sec. 31; P.O. Coal Creek;
born in Merrimack county, New
Hampshire, on the 9th day of
January, 1818; he was raised a
farmer, and in youth had the ad-
vantages of the common schools;
in 1830 be became a pupil in the
Friends' Boarding School; at
Providence, Rhode Island, and
remained there at intervals until
1837; he was engaged for some
years in buying and shipping
stock, mostly horses; he afterwards
turned his attention to cattle and
sheep; in 1853 he came to Iowa,
and settled in Mahaska county,
near Oskaloosa, and engaged in
PEAIEIE TOWNSHIP.
821
farming and handling stock, and
continued in this business about
twelve years, and in consequence
of impaired health deemed it ex-
pedient to quit business; in 1874
he moved to Keokuk county, and
settled where he now resides; he
owns 330 acres of land, and his
homestead contains eighty acres
of well improved land, this with
good buildings; his grounds are
adorned with handsome ever-
green and shade trees, and few
men have exhibited the taste or
expended the time that the sub-
ject of this sketch has in making
home attractive; he has held var-
ious township offices, and has
proven himself a good neighbor,
and a valuable citizen ; he has
been twice married: first to Mary
V. Johnson, a native of New
Hampshire, in Febtuary, 1842;
> in October, 1851 , he married Mary
M. Meader; she was born in "Ver-
mont, and died February 4, 1879,
leaving an adopted daughter, (now
the wife of Wm. Edgerton.)
Miller, B., farmer, Sec. 31; P. O.
Coal Creek.
Miller, W. P., farmer, Sec. 12; P.
O. Thornburg.
Miller, Kobert, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P.
O. Thornburg.
Minor, D. W., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O.
Thornburg.
MOLYNEUX, THOMAS, farmer
and stock-raiser, Sec. 10; P. O.
Thornburg; born June 21, 1831,
in Lancashire, England, and was
raised there; he received the ad-
vantage of a common school
education, and until twenty years
of age was engaged in the coal
L business; in 1851 he emigrated
I with his parents to the tJnited
[ States and settled in New York,
; ■ and thence to Morgan county,
f- Ohio, where he engaged in farm-
ing; in 1862 he came to Iowa in
, company with his brother John ;
i owns an improved farm of 320
acres, and they are in all respects
good farmers; he married Miss
Lida A. James, December 3, 1869;
she was born in Ohio, of English
and Welsh parentage; their family
consists of four children: John
J., born in 1870, Thomas E., born
in 1872, Margaret A., born in
1876 and Stephen A., born in
1878 ; lost one son, Eobert E.
Moore, John, farmer. Sec. 2; P. O.
Thornburg.
Moore, James, farmer. Sec. 11; P.
O. Thornburg.
Moore, T. J., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O.
Thornburg.
Moore, Alexander, farmer, Sec. 12;
P. O. Thornburg.
Morrison, Michael, farmer. Sec. 35 ;
P. O. Thornburg.
Mott, Geo., farmer. Sec. 29; P. O.
Coal Creek.
NAEMORE, LEWIS, farmer,
Sec. 15; P. O. Thornburg.
OGDEN, T. J., farmer. Sec. 34;
P. O. What Cheer.
PALMER, E. B., farmer. Sec. 22;
P. O. Thornburg.
Penrose, Osman, 'farmer. Sec. 19;
P. O. Coal Creek.
Phelps, Daniel, farmer. Sec. 3; P.
O. Thornburg.
Pim, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O.
Coal Creek.
Powell, C. B., farmer. Sec. 15; P. O.
Thornburg.
RANDOLPH, JOHN, farmer,
Sec. 3; P. O. Thornburg.
Reasoner, B., farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
Thornburg.
Reasoner, Joseph, farmer. Sec. 18,;
P. O. Coal Creek.
Rugg, C. F., farmer. Sec. 10; P. O.
Thornburg.
Rust, E., farmer, Sec. 12; P. O.
Thornburg.
SANTEE, LP., farmer, Sec. 30;
P. 0. Coal Creek.
San tee, David, farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. Coal Creek.
Sears, David, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O.
Thornburg.
822
DIEBOTOBT OF KEOKUK OOUHTT.
Shaw, F., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O.
Coal Creek.
SHEPHERD,JAMES,farmer, Sec.
35; P. O. Thornburg; born in
Landshire, England, March 19,
182.7; there he was raised as a
dairyman and farmer; he lived
there until 1848, when he emi-
grated to the United States, land-
ing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
at this time-he had but very little
money, but he went to work en-
gaging in coal mining; not being
suited with that business, he
served as fireman on a vessel;
after remaining there for a short
time he went to Johnston, Penn-
sylvania; there he paid his last
dollar for subsistence over Sun-
day; he then undertook the jour-
ney on foot to Crawford county,
Ohio; after traveling for three
weeks, having relied on the mer-
cies of the people for his living,
he landed at Gallon, Crawford
county, Ohio, and from there
went toKichland county and there
engaged in building cisterns for
three years; during this time he
also made some money dealing in
sheep and poultry, at which he
continued until 1853; he then
had enough money to enter the
160 acres of land where he now
resides; he came to this county
in 1863 and settled on his present
homeatead of 447^ acres; his farm
is well improved and has upon it
a nice barn and fine house; Oc-
tober 17, 1860, he married Miss
Eebecca A. Coughlin, a native of
Hancock county, Ohio; she was
born November 11, 1829; by this
union they have seven children
living: Alexander K., Adnia E.,
Henry I., Kent J., Laura J., Lin-
nia M. and Ida Z.; Mr. Shepherd
has held various offices in his
township, and has been school
director for five years; in 1877 he
returned to his native land to
visit; on landing again on this
shore he was in very different cir-
cumstances than when he arrived
on this continent in 1653.
Smith, Patrick, farmer, Sec. 36; P.
O. Thornburg.
Smith, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 16; P.
O. Thornburg.
Smith, Joshua, farmer. Sec. 16; P.
O. Thornburg.
Smith, Evan, farmer. Sec. 32; P. 0.
Coal Creek.
Spencer, John, farmer. Sec. 31; P.
O. Coal Creek.
Stanley, Ezra, farmer. Sec. 30; P. O.
Coal Creek.
Stratton, "William, farmer. Sec. 28;
P. O. Thornburg.
Stroufe, James, farmer, Sec. 26; P.
O. Sigourney.
Strassar, Jacob, farmer. Sec. 15; P.
O. Thornburg.
Strawser, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 10;
P. O. Thornburg.
Straten, John, farmer. Sec. 20; P.
O. Coal Creek.
VERNON MANOAK, farmer.
Sec. 8; P.O. Coal Creek.
Vail, Eobert, farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0.
Thornburg.
Vail, John, farmer. Sec. 31; P. 0.
Coal Creek.
WAINWEIGHT, STEPHEN,
farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. .
Thornburg.
Warrington, Nathan, farmer. Sec,
30; P. O.Coal Creek.
Wardrip, John, farmer, Sec. 7; P,
O. Coal Creek.
Way, Marrin, farmer. Sec. 16; P. O.
Thornburg.
Weersham, Thos., farmer, Sec. 29;
P. O. Coal Creek.
Williamson, J. F., farmer, Sec. 23;
P. O. Thornburg.
Wilson, W., farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0.
Thornburg.
Winegarden, Wm., farmer. Sec. 33;,
P. O.Coal Creek.;
Winder, David, farmer. Sec. 7; P.;
O.Coal Creek.
Wood, A., farmer, Sec. 21; P. 0.
Thornburg. ,
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