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TH£ NlW Y3rK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
I
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HERMAN A. MUELLER
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HISTORY OF
MADISON COUNTY
IOWA
AND ITS PEOPLE
HERMAN A. MUELLER
SUPERVISING ^EDITOR
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME I
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1915
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PREFACE
For several years it has been my ambition to prepare and compile a History
of Madison County. That time has been delayed until in the fall of 1914 when
arrangements were made with The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company of Chicago
to act as Supervising Editor of the first volume. Mr. W. L. Kershaw was
employed to do the writing and compiling from the large source of material
at hand.
The manuscripts of the late Andrew J. Hoisington, of Great Bend, Kan^s,
who in the year 1905 gathered much valuable material for the purpose of pub-
lishing a History of Madison County, were secured through the kindness of his
.sister, Mrs. Samuel Johnson, of Union Township. (Read the Life of Andrew
J. Hoisington in Volume Two.) Much of the material from this manuscript was
incorporated in this History.
Another source was from the material collected by the Madison County
Historical Society since its organization in 1904. All papers presented before the
Historical Society are preserved as well as other matter of historical value. Much
of this material was drawn upon for this History.
Also the two histories, viz: Davies' History and Directory of Madison County,
published in 1869, and The History of Madison County, published in 1879, were
used. These two books were written at a time when many of the early pioneers
were still living who knew much of the beginning of things in Madison County.
Nearly all those persons have passed away, which makes the collecting of early
history more difficult.
The newspaper files of the Winterset papers, especially the special historical
numbers published at various times by The Madisonian, The Reporter, The News,
and The Winterset Review, were freely used.
To all the above sources we make due acknowledgment for the data which
was drawn upon for the present History.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to the Advisory Board for their advice
and assistance rendered ; also to the many members of the Madison County His-
torical Society who have at different times presented papers before the society.
These papers have been used quite extensively in this volume.
We especially express our appreciation to the persons named below and make
due acknowledgment of the same at this time. Two of them have passed away
but their many kind and noble deeds live in the hearts of those who were
privileged to know them, viz : W. S. Wilkinson and Mrs. Jennie Lothrop Whedon.
The names of the authors and the subjects written by them which appear
in this History are as follows :
W. S. Wilkinson: "The Big Snake Hunt," "As a Boy Saw It," "Early
Schools, Religion, and Politics," and "The Buffalo Mills."
E. R. Zeller: Biographies of Andrew J. Hoisington and Judge J. A. Pitzer,
and "History of the Kentucky Settlement."
iii
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IV PREFACE
T. C. Gilpin : "History of the Presbyterian Church of Winterset," "History
of Pitzer Post, G. A. R., Winterset," "History of Evening Star Lodge, A. F. &
A. M., Winterset."
James Gillespie : "History of the Irish Settlement of Madison County."
W. H. Lewis : "How the Courthouse Was Taken by the Board of Supervisors,"
"Winterset in 1864."
George Storck : '^History of the German Settlement of Jefferson Township,"
"History of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Madison County."
D. B. Cook: "History of the Quakers in Madison County."
Ezra Brownell : "History of the Grange Movement in Madison County."
Mrs. Jennie Lothrop Whedon : "History of the W. R. C. and of the Chapters
in Madison County."
A. E. Goshorn : "The Geology of Madison County."
• Samuel Fife : "Reminiscences of South Township in an Early Day."
Fred Beeler : "Early Days in Walnut Township."
The Supervising Editor in the past fifteen years has gathered much material
and has written several articles for the Historical Society. This material and-
papers were also used in the first volume.
'As the manuscript is not before me at this writing, it is possible that mention
of some persons who have contributed has not been made, so at this time I want
to make acknowledgment to all who have in any way helped to make this History
possible.
The History may not reach the expectations of many, not even the Supervising
Editor, but if it has served the one mission of collecting and preserving history
to future generations some good will have been accomplished. Doubtless there
will be much valuable historical matter which will be omitted which possibly
should not have been, but it will be for the reason that such facts were not known
or were overlooked by the Supervising Editor. That it will be free of errors is
almost an impossibility. Memories of persons are not always reliable, dates are
not always safe to handle, and names are easily twisted, so to make a history
»vithout errors creeping in would be a task seldom ever accomplished.
I trust that this History will meet the approval of all who have a real interest
in Madison County, and who have its history and its people at heart.
Again thanking the many persons who have encouraged and assisted in the
gathering and writing of this volume, and with a promise that in the future a
better and large history may be written,
I remain, respectfully yours,
H. A. Mueller,
Supervising Editor.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF MADISON COUNTY I
CHAPTER n
INDIANS AND THEIR VILLAGER IN MADISON COUNTY 12
CHAPTER HI
Madison's advance guard of civilization 20
CHAPTER IV
MADISON COUNTY ORGANIZED 29
CHAPTER V ■
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT 36
' CHAPTER VI
COUNTY BUILDINGS 57
CHAPTER VII
POLITICAL 66
CHAPTER VIII
ORGANIZATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN MADISON COUNTY 75
CHAPTER IX
EDUCATIONAL • 78
CHAPTER X
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 9O
CHAPTER XI
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 99
CHAPTER XII
BENCH AND BAR IO3
CHAPTER XIII
THE PRESS 114
V
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vi CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIV
POSTOFFICES 117
CHAPTER XV •
FIRST MARRIAGES IN THE COUNTY I23
CHAPTER XVI
MADISON COUNTY CLAIM CLUB I26
CHAPTER XVII
THE REEVES WAR I34
CHAPTER XVIII .
SWAMP LANDS I38
CHAPTER XIX
LOST AND FORGOTTEN TOWN SITES I44
CHAPTER XX
SOME MADISON COUNTY MILLS I5O
CHAPTER XXI ■
THE SIMPLE LIFE I56
CHAPTER XXII
TRANSPORTATION 169
CHAPTER XXIII
OUT OF THE BOUNTEOUS HAND OF NATURE I76
CHAPTER XXIV
THE "underground RAILROAD" 183
CHAPTER XXV
MADISON COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR .* 185
CHAPTER XXVI
MADISON COUNTY SOCIETIES 217
CHAPTER XXVII
QUAKER SETTLEMENT IN MADISON COUNTY 221
CHAPTER XXVIII
CLAYTON COUNTY COMES TO MADISON 228
CHAPTER XXIX
SCHOOLS AND RATTLESNAKES 233
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CONTENTS vu
CHAPTER XXX
A^OCIATIONS AND OTHER THINGS 24O
CHAPTER XXXI
SOUTH TOWNSHIP 2SO
CHAPTER XXXn
UNION TOWNSHIP 269
CHAPTER XXXni
SCOTT TOWNSHIP 279
CHAPTER XXXIV
DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP 288
CHAPTER XXXV
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP 296
CHAPTER XXXVI
CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP f'. 3OO
CHAPTER XXXVII
WALNUT TOWNSHIP 307
CHAPTER XXXVIII
WEBSTER TOWNSHIP 3I3 .
CHAPTER XXXIX
PENN TOWNSHIP 316
CHAPTER XL
MADISON TOWNSHIP 32O
CHAPTER XLI
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP 33O
CHAPTER XLII
JACKSON TOWNSHIP 341
CHAPTER XLIII
LEE TOWNSHIP ^ 344
CHAPTER XLIV
GRAND RIVER TOWNSHIP 349
CHAPTER XLV
OHIO TOWNSHIP 356
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viii CONTENTS
CHAPTER XLVI
MONROE TOWNSHIP 360
CHAPTER XLVn
THE CITY OF WINTERSET 363
CHAPTER XLVin
FRATERNAL BODIES OF WINTERSET 376
CHAPTER XLIX
WINTERSET IN 1864 — PIONEER MERCHANT 389
CHAPTER L
MISCELLANEOUS 395
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
CHAPTER I
GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE 0FTV[ADIS0N COUNTY
(By Arthur Goshom, Editor the News)
All my life I have delighted in the outdoors and lived in it as much as
possible. I believe I can say to this society that this liking i^ real, not assumed.
The bug has always been in me and it is yet there. I could always understand
the man in James Whitcomb Riley*s poem who said he liked to go into the
woods and do
"Just as I dum please,
When the green
Is on the trees."
As a very little child I had the old gully that cuts into the shore, or at least the
shallows, of the old Carboniferous Sea, which you know as Kipp's Hollow, and
which I knew as Bradfield's, for a playground. The fossils of its rocks were
my first playthings. Its little brook ran through our calf lot, and it was the first
thing I ever dammed.
One of the first questions that I ever asked myself was why some of its
rocks were red, and round aCnd smooth. Why the pebbles were round and
smooth, and why some of the rocks were flat and white, and seemed to grow in
the ground, and how the funny shells got into them. Why some of the soil was
black, and some red, and some yellow.
A sarcastic teacher came nearly preventing all outward expression of this
liking for the outdoors by assigning us a nature topic, and then singling out my
little effort, and ridiculing it before the whole school, characterizing it as stolen
gush. It was not stolen; it was not gush. But her sarcastic words hurt so
bitterly, the gibes of my none too gentle companions cut so deep, that it was
years before I dared tell anyone that it was not just for the hunting that I
explored every crook and turn of every one of Middle River's ravines, and
hunted its rock exposures ; and that it was not the passionate love of fishing alone
that made me get acquainted with every riffle on the river, and every peculiarity
of its bed.
Sarcasm and ridicule are cruel weapons and make ugly wounds. A home
thrust may easily change the bent of one's mind, or the course of his whole life.
A few years teaching, and many in the newspaper business have made me know
that every man, every woman, and every child is pleased by praise; and that
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2 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
every man, every woman, and every child is deeply hurt by sarcasm or ridicule,
no matter how indifferent to it he may appear to be, or how invulnerable he
looks. And he who is addicted to their use may well pause before he lances his
victim.
It is only in late years, anyhow, that healthy men and women have taken
possession of the outdoors. It is only in late years that an active business man
in vigorous health dared get up and say that he liked outdoors, and that he
could see beauty in the landscape, and in the sky's coloring, and that he liked it
just because he liked it, and did not care who in Sam Hill knew it, without
being set down as weak minded, cracked, sentimental, and a gusher.
As a boy, as an older boy, as man, I tramped over the wooded hills of Middle
River and explored every bit of its ravines and hollows and its rock exposures ;
and as an indifferent student of geology studied its structure until I came to
think that perhaps I had an idea how it was formed. It is only because of this
lifetime acquaintance, tramping its hills and its valley from one end of it to the
other as perhaps few have tramped it that I presumed to impose on your time
and perhaps offer a few suggestions that may be of value when you once fairly
start into the study of its geology, in whatever branch you may take up.
And believe me when you undertake this work, even if you do not take it
seriously, you have an intensely interesting subject in one of the most interest-
ing bits of geological formation in Iowa. And you and I know that not in the
the whole state is there another valley so peculiarly made, so grandly cut in
canyon walls, as that of the ancient valley below us. In taking up its study you
are at least out of doors in Iowa's finest scenery.
If you believe in the conclusions of the men who have made the structure
of the earth a lifetime study, you must believe in boundless, limitless time. Not
time as it suggests itself to you in minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, or
even centuries; but ages, ages upon ages, millions upon millions of years, a
vast abyss of time, in which your lifetime and mine would be but a clock's tick,
or the passing of an electric spark. One can hardly conceive of such time. It
is one of the few things the human mind cannot grasp ; for like space, it had no
beginning, neither will it have end.
All the earth at your feet, every bit of soil, all its clays, all its rocks, except a
very few, are but ground up rock, rock ground over and over again and deposited
by wind on land, or by rivers on their flood plains, or carried out in solution
or as silt and sand to the beds of lakes or seas. It may be in varying degrees
of hardness and of fineness, but nevertheless it is all ground up, igneous rock
which we only know as granites and quartz. Pick up a bit of it and perhaps you
can see the sand in it. Examine it under the microscope and it is all rock, every
bit of it, except a little vegetable mold called humus.
When the earth cooled sufficiently to allow the moisture in its air envelope
to collect on the igneous rock — for the whole body of the earth is supposed to be
fire heated rock — in wrinkles and depressions on its face, into seas and oceans,
the formation of the land as we know it commenced. If one's imagination be the
least vivid he can picture the world in formative stages a veritable battle of the
elements, so awful in its magnificence, so terrifying in its aspects, so staggering
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 3
in its proportions that he will shiver in terror and draw bed clothes, child-like,
over his head.
Hissing, half molten rocks hurled back scalding, boiling seas ; tempests com-
pared to which our awful cyclones would be but tiny wind storms, swept its
surface. Explosions compared to which Sumatra's eruption that twice belted the
earth with its dust would have been a pop gun's report, shattered its dense
atmosphere. Earthquakes that hourly threw up mountain chains only to demolish
them again and bury them in ocean depths, rocked it. Lightning played a con-
stant tattoo in huge bolts on rock and sea, for there was no land then.
Some fireworks that! But it must have been under some such conditions
amid some such terrifying scenes, after the earth became somewhat stable, that
the wind and water commenced the attack on the igneous rock, to manufacture
them into the earth as we know it. And it was only after it had become stable,
. allowed something permanent, that w^ commence to read its history in the
deposits of the old seas.
And such has been the length of time since that has happened, since the sur-
face of the earth became permanent or cooled, that there has been deposited
over almost all of the face of the earth these sedimentary or manufactured
rocks or clays from a few hundred feet to thirteen miles in thickness. Such a
deposit seems incredible, but again you must go back to time, and allow enough
for it. How much time you may not name, but your guess, if you but guess
large enough, is just as good as that of the most scientific man's.
But whether you believe in this nebular hypothesis of the world's forma-
tion, that it developed from a molten body and that it had grown to its full
size before the wind and water commenced their work, or whether you believe
in the later and now very generally accepted theory, the Planetesimal theory
of the growth of the earth and the moon from slow accumulations from an
earth-moon ring, and that the oceans and rivers and the wind began their work
long before either body had attained its present size, is not material now. We
are concerned with the time in which our own country, or at least the face of it,
was formed. There is too much in geology, too much of it in our own topic to
even scratch it in — whatever this paper is.
If we would go out in Mrs. Whedon's yard and dig or bore down with a
diamond drill, a core drill, eight hundred feet and stretch the boring out, it would
be nearly three blocks long.
1. You would find one to three feet of black dirt. That is loess, a wind
deposit, mixed with vegetable mold, and it was brought here by the wind.
2. A foot -or two of buff loess that has been little mixed .with vegetable
mold.
3. Between thirty and forty feet of glacial drift and residual limestone
clays. The drift was deposited by glaciers ; the residual clays are either decom-
posed rock, or clay not hardened into rock, and were deposited in the sea bed.
4. One hundred and fifty feet of alternating layers of limestone and 'shales
that were deposited in a carboniferous sea, the last water that covered Madison
County — the Bethany limestones of the carboniferous.
5. Six hundred feet of alternating beds of limestones and shales and clays
that were deposited in the first carboniferous sea that covered the county, or
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4 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
at least part of it. You might find a bed of coal in it. How much more of the
formation of that old carboniferous sea is there no one knows, for 800 feet out
on the old Newlon farm, just beyond North River, is as far down as boring has
been made. A deeper boring was made^ by the Great Western at Peru, but its
record is not public.
Whether this carboniferous formation rests on the Devonian formation,
the age preceding it, we do not know, and will not know until a deeper boring
has been made. If it does, we were a long time under water.
THE CARBONIFEROUS
Discussing Middle River's ancient valley we shall only consider its structure.
Middle River Valley is the oldest one by far in this part of the state. It is very,
very old and has successfully withstood the attacks of glaciers. Compared with
our valley the country to the west and north of us, and their rivers, are very new
and very recent.
All we really know of the county is that its top, after, of course, removing
the drift and the loess, was laid down in the bottom of a carboniferous sea.
And since it was deposited the earth here was not violently disturbed at any
time for the strata of clays and limestone He in our hills, layer upon layer, not
wrinkled, exactly like the layers of a jelly cake. You can trace a bed of lime-
stone clear across the county. You can find that bed of shale from which they
make the tile at the tile works, at Peru, on Cedar and on North River and North
Branch. The bed of limestone, from which you gather so many fossils in Kipp's
Hollow, is the very same one which lies on the very top of the Backbone and,
if you are not able to identify it by the rock, you can do it by the fossils in it.
The lower valley lies wholly within the coal measures which are here in
Iowa called the Des Moines. The coal measures are exposed along Middle River
as far west as the Backbone. There is no coal to speak of in the formation
exposed and whether there is any deeper down we do not know, for the explorers
for coal have drilled so foolishly and unwisely that we know little about it.
The first coal boring that I know of was made years ago in that little round
glen below Dabney's Lake. At the Mardis Brick Yard a syndicate bored down
from the top of the hill. A little geological knowledge would have sent them
to the river's bottom and saved 150 feet of drilling. An old man bored or
tunneled into the hill in Young's Hollow, east of town, and the shaft is there
yet. Bailey, who drills wells, says that only small coal veins are encountered in
the Des Moines formation. Tilton and Bain are of the opinion that somewhat
deep borings in the northeast part of the county may find coal and that pockets
may be found. That old carboniferous sea stretched from Fort Dodge in Iowa
to Keokuk, and from What Cheer to Winterset and beyond. It covered the
whole ^of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas and stretched into Oklahoma
and Arkansas.
How the coal was made we do not exactly know. There are just as many
theories as there are geologists.
Certain it is that during the carboniferous time vegetation in luxuriousness
such as the earth does not now know grew over its face, and that in its slimy.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 5
oozy swamps, trees grew and fell, and were converted into coal. In its muggy,
moist climate, such as geologists picture it to be, ferns grew to huge trees and
lower plant life into sizes such as we can scarcely conceive. All the coal in
Iowa seems to have been deposited along the Des Moines River from Fort
Dodge to Keokuk.
THE BETHANY LIMESTONE
When the country east of Tileville rose out of the great sea or swamp, the
country around Winterset remained submerged until two hundred feet or more
of rocks and clays had been formed.
Winterset must have been close to the edge of the sea and if not on the very
shore was not far out in the shallows. The abundant fossils of the rock are good
evidence of being close to shore, for marine life in such quantities lives close to
the beach or in the shallows of the sea. The rocks disappear at Tileville and while
Winterset was submerged Patterson and Bevington and the country to the north-
east was out of water. The last carboniferous sea extended from Earlham down
into Missouri. It extended far west. When they bored the deep well in Clarinda,
they came upon our rocks 600 feet down and found them of the same character
and nearly of the same thickness and separated by about the same shales as they
are here. At Bethany, Missouri, they are exposed, and Bethany gives our rocks
their names as they were first described there. Bethany lies south of here.
I remember, when yet a small boy, I went with my uncle and grandmother
to Missouri to get three wagon loads of peaches. None grew here then and it
was a common thing to do. The peaches rotted and coming home we stopped in
the rocky bed of a river about the size of Middle River, near Bethany, Missouri,
to can some peaches and make peach butter. The hills had a famiHar look, .the
rocks had too. It reminded me of and looked much like home.
We had not been in camp long until, prodding into the bank I found a fine
specimen of Cameratus, a spirifer that is quite common in our own rocks. I
soon dug up other kinds common to our rocks, and promptly named them. And
when on closer investigation I saw our own rocks reproduced bed for bed, the
hills resembling our own hills, our clays, the rocky river and all that, the home
longing came over me so strong that I could not go back to camp. Uncle laughed
at me when I told him we had the same rocks at Winterset, but I proved it to
him by the fossils. Grandmother eased it over for me by saying that if these
were our rocks and the stream like Middle River there surely must be bass in
the pools, and sent me to catch her one. I did, I caught three in ten minutes
and permitted my brother to make our share of the peach butter after that.
Incidentally I might mention that it was on this same trip, near Plattsburgh, in
another rocky hollow, going down, that great flocks of wild pigeons passed over
us morning and evening, the last time I ever saw the bird whose mysterious
and complete disappearance so suddenly has sorely perplexed ornithologists.
There are four beds of the Bethany limestone. The top one is the Fusulina,
a thin shaly rock, in many places so full of fossils you could not stick in another
if you tried.
The second bed is the Winterset limestone, our fine white building rock that
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6 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
is hs^ndsomer, stronger, than any other Iowa limestone, and far superior to Bed-
ford stone. Some day all the best houses in Iowa will be built from it. With its
shales and clays it varies from twenty to forty feet thick. There are miles of
it exposed.
The third bed is the Earlham limestone, named because of the exposures at
Earlham. It, too, is fine building rock and from it was burned the excellent
lime in the old lime kilns that were once in every hollow near Winterset. The
Earlham limestone and shale is from thirty to forty feet thick.
. The fourth bed is the Fragmental, a fine rock but little used, because it lies
deep and there is so much good rock above it. It varies in thickness and with
its shales is from ten to thirty feet in depth. All the rocks are fine cement
rocks and with their shales produce the best cement.
When the country slowly emerged from that carboniferous sea in which
our limerock was deposited it rose up in a great plain. Middle River was not
there, neither was the valley. There were no hills, no ravines. It was as flat
and probably as unrelieved as this floor. There may have been lakes on its
surface, but judging from all that is left, the country, drawing a line from
Truro to Earlham, through Winterset, was flat without a hill in it. It tipped
or sloped gently to the northeast. And then the water commenced to make our
country as we know it by gouging out the ravines and carrying down the soil
and clays to the Mississippi Delta.
Every hill and every valley we have in the county was caused by erosion.
The material that once lay between is now down in the Mississippi Delta.
The limestone restricted the erosion in the western two-thirds of the county.
Middle River cut deep through the rocks, but it cut its gorge narrow, as rivers
always do in hard rocks. We are, right here, 200 feet above the bed of the river
where John Holloway cuts his ice a mile away. Patterson is 230 feet below us
and Bevington is about thirty feet more. Earlham, Winterset and Truro are
about on the same level, and all lie on ridges that have been little eroded, held
up by the underlying limestone and the tough residual clays.
The escarpment at the eastern edge of the limestone is one of the unique
features of the geology of the county, and is the only one that I know of in Iowa
that marks the jump from one geological period to another. Just the moment
you go out of the limestone you will notice that the country is lower, that the
erosion has been greater, the hills longer, the ridges sharper, and the soil is
different. The big flat topped divides, which are characteristic of the north-
west part of the county, were saved to us by the limestone which resisted the
action of the water.
In the western part of the county the glacial drift covered everything deep,
and again the country is rough and the ridges sharp because the drift easily
erodes. Adair County was covered deep by the drift, and that is what makes it
so hilly.
You can trace how Middle River cut its way up the valley bench by bench
on the sides of the ravines, for they plainly mark a period of rest from the
cutting. One of these benches or terraces the Buffalo Road partially follows.
It is very marked on the opposite side of the ravine.
Doubtless at the edge of that escarpment when the river commenced to cut
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 7
its way back through the limestone were fine waterfalls. I do not see how any
such a place as the Devil's Backbone could have been cut without the presence
of falls. But Middle River is now so old that where it cuts through the rock its
passage over the different beds is marked only by riffles. Every riffle on a river
marks a limestone crossing, or else a different clay bed.
THE GLACIER
And then, after it had cut its deep way through the county the whole North
American continent got on a bender. A great climatic » change came over it,
or it rose up some two thousand feet or more. It was not a "hot time," but this
continent certainly elevated itself at least that much more than it now lies above
the level of the sea. Some geologists give it almost a mile. Again your guess
is just as good as anyone's, and mine as good as that of the most learned
geologist. A great ice sheet came pouring down over the country. It was not
a glacier such as exists today, but a great ice cap like the one that covers Green-
land, and which flows irresistibly like a river. It did things to this country,
and to Middle River Valley, but it did not disfigure this section around Winterset
anything like it did in other places.
Imagine a great wall of ice, a hundred, two hundred, five hundred, two
thousand feet thick, flowing down over a land, planing the surface off, obliterat-
ing its hills, filling up its valleys, leveling it down like a huge King road drag
does the street: that was the Kansan glacier, so called because it was the only
one that crossed the Missouri River into Kansas. The continent was covered
with successive ice sheets, but Calvin and Bain say that only one of them, the
Kansan (it was the first), ever touched Madison County.
Imbedded in its body and on its surface, it bore a vast amount of material —
dirt, sand, rock, that it tore from the country to the north. Whenever you find
a big red or yellow boulder in this country, or for that matter any kind of a
rock that is not limestone, you may be sure the glacier has been there. A boulder
or niggerhead was brought here by the ice, and its parent ledge may be way up
in Canada, in Minnesota or Northern Wisconsin. Tilton says that the country
between Winterset and Peru looks surprisingly like a driftless country, but I
have never yet found any great extent of cotmtry in the county that is free from
glacial drift. What I never saw is a boulder up on top of Middle River's divide.
One of the most interesting and exasperating geological problems that you meet
in studying the surface of the county is to separate the drift clays from the clays
that were left on top of the limestone, when the old carboniferous sea was here.
But whenever you find the clay mixed with pebbles you instantly recognize the
glacier's work.
If the Kansan glacier did not leave its mark on top of this ridge where
Winterset stands it was all around it. The red "niggerheads" that came from
Canada and Minnesota, or perhaps from further northeast, strew Buffalo Hollow
and Kipp's Hollow is full of them. Cedar has plenty, Many of the surprises
that come to the well diggers come from the freaks of that old glacier and it is
never safe to count on anything when digging far down into the clays — the
glacier may fool you.
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8 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
The drift deposited by the Kansan glacier here, was, to say the least, sur-
prisingly thin. It covered the eastern part pretty deep, and the southwest part
of the county to the depth of fifty to three or four hundred feet. But right near
Winterset its work seems to have been largely confined to erosion. You can find
the glacial scratches on the lime rocks, so "Skinner" Rodgers tells me, any
place where you start a quarry and get far enough back so you do not hit the
weathered rock. I never saw any of them, though when the old state quarry
was opened down Kipp's Hollow, I spent all the time I could steal watching them
uncover the top rock.
Middle River suflFered little from the glacier. Like all the rest of the valleys
of the county it lay nearly at right angles to the glacier's course. Calvin thought,
and so did Tilton, that when the big glacier swooped down on the country it
filled the valleys with ice and then flowed on over their tops. You do not find
many big boulders down in the valley. You do find them in the ravines. On
the hillside just west of the Hogback Bridge on North River is the biggest
boulder I know of in the county. It must be half as large as this room. From
the Backbone west the glacier must have plowed the valley full in places, for it
is yet half filled. And from the western edge of the county in Adair the stream
runs entirely over the drift.
If you are acquainted with the valley at all, you know "The Backbone."
The next bridge over the river above it is Bertholf's. About half a mile below
that bridge a considerable fork or branch bears off to the southwest. The whole
valley is unusually wide at that place, and the limestone has been cut out wider
there than any place on the upper valley. Evidently the river forked there once,
and a far longer and larger stream bore off to the southwest. The glacier filled
the valley completely and the stream now runs down over the drift. I called Prof.
Calvin's attention to it in 1878 when he was here, and he looked at it with
interest. Tilton traced that old valley clear to Macksburg and beyond into the
present valley of Grand River, and says that if it was not the larger fork of the
river once, it at least was one of consideVable size.
When we commenced to improve our city we commenced by getting water
works, and commenced right, for city water is essential in your house in this age,
if you would live like white folks. But with the blind faith of the ignorant,
and utter willingness to risk a $60,000 investment of tax payers' money, with-
out the least scientific investigation, we contracted for two wells to be put down
on my father's old farm where a fair sized spring broke through.
That would have been laughable indeed if the $60,000 and the water supply
of the city had not depended on it! Water for a city! If it had not been for
that old glacier we would not have had enough water in a dry time to water
the town cow. The glacier saved the city from a monumental mistake.
When they dug those wells they struck a bed, an eight-foot bed of glacial
sand. No one knew it was there before. I was raised on that farm and knew
it was there and knew that it was glacial sand, and knew the spring came from it,
but never for an instant supposed the sand was over six inches thick.
Go south from the wells down below the old pond known as Dabney's Lake,
and to the little nook where the creek or gully turns north. You are in the
rocks. The sides of the gully are all drift. It is boulder strewn. Some big
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 9
red Sioux quartzite boulders lie along its sides. All the little valley shows
excessive glacial action, that is, for this country. In preglacial times the upper
reach was doubtless much longer, and probably cut through the Cedar-Middle
River Divide and it was probably wider from the rocks up. The glacier filled
it up and the water running down over it, and under it when it commenced to
recede left a glacial sand bank there. At least that is the way geologists
account for other sand banks. Or it may be the shore of a small glacial lake.
The sand is full of boulders — small niggerheads — some very odd ones too, and
all the usual small pebbles. On its extent, depends whether we shall have a
great abundance of that fine, pure water, or whether you will go down in your
pockets and dig up another eight or ten thousand dollars to move your water
supply. When you do go to investigating for water, Td advise you to use your
influence to get the opinion of some man who has knowledge of the drift, or who
would at least use the auger test instead of depending on the bending of a hazel
switch to tell him where the water lies.
And while we are talking of city improvements, Fll just say that we should
have finished the waterworks, and solved the water problem, and put in sewers
before we ever touched the paving of the residence portion of the streets.
If the city council tonight passes that resolution of necessity your taxes will
be so high on account of the paving that you would feel like mobbing another
that would tax you for sewers and for water supply. Turning a little town into
a high class, boulevarded city, makes it very pretty, but it will put a decided
crimp into the income of its owners.
When the Kansan glacier receded. Middle River commenced to cut down
the drift that partially filled it, and it has done it fairly well, but from Rose-
man Bridge it yet runs over the drift in many places, and from the western
edge of the county entirely. Whether the upper valley ever had its rock exposed
can only be guessed. Iowa was covered by several glaciers after that but none
reached here. The last one, the Wisconsin, which must have come thousands
of years after ours, came down to the Coon River and planed the country off as
smooth as a big floor. Its western edge, the glacial moraine, is marked by great
numbers of boulders. One could once almost walk on the boulders of that
moraine from Panora to Storm Lake. If the Wisconsin glacier had come down
over this country like it did over Dallas County, Middle River would not be
here, and its deep valley would have been filled with drift.
THE LOESS
And now we have reached the top soil, the loess, the soil that gives us
our com, our clover, and our living. It is black on top, buff underneath, and
covers the country to a depth of three to five feet everywhere. It is fine, without
pebbles, contains no limestone, and is not stratified. It grows your roses, and
your gardens, for it is rich in plant food. It is black because it has been exposed
to the action of the sun and wind, the leaching of rains, and the mixture of
humus or vegetable mold. Otherwise it might be yellow or buff, for that is and
was its probable original color. It covers the country everywhere, and the rich-
ness of your land depends on its thickness.
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10 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
How did it get here? Go up into your garret, or rather your garret's garret,
the receptacle of your discarded finery, your husband's old trousers, the tomb
of many of your financial mistakes, and freaks and fashions of other years.
When you crawl into that cubby hole, what do you find? Dirt? Sure! Dust?
Yes, certainly; a coating of fine, impalpable dust is over everything. The
house has been reasonably well built, and the garret was fairly tight, but the dust
is surely there.
Suppose you had let that dust accumulate a thousand years. How thick
would it have been ? Leave it a million years and I grant you that if the timbers
retained their original strength, that the garret would be chuck full of dust and
that the dust weight would break the joists.
Go out to where your snow bank lay all winter. When that bank disappeared
it left on your grass a coating of dirt. Quite a bit more would come in the
sunmier time. Repeat that process a thousand years, ten thousand, half a million
years. How thick a coat of dirt would you have? The wind would blow some
away, the rain would wash some away, but on the whole you would have every
year more than you lost. That is how the loess came here. The wind brought it.
There is no other way to account for the loess. Examine it and it is composed
of the very finest bits of sand, mostly glacial drift, but it is very fine and there is
nothing in it except what the wind carried or could carry. It covers everything
and is everywhere, except places where it has been washed away. For years
aiid years it puzzled geologists, but Le Conte, and Calvin and Shimek of our state,
all agree that our rich top soil, our good com land, was brought here by the wind.
Some of you remember how the dirt banked up against the hedge rows in the
'80s in a three-day wind, and those banks are yet plainly visible.
Those of you who have seen the bad lands of Dakota have seen how the
wind has cut the land into fantastic shapes and curious forms. In Nebraska I
saw a sand hill of no mean proportions entirely disappear, and other small ones
form. The loess covers the country very much deeper as you approach the
Missouri River. The yellow bluffs that line the Missouri River on the eastern
side are composed of it.
The loess is very thick in some parts of the county. It is thicker in Penn
and Jackson townships than it is here. In parts of the county where the land
has been subjected to much erosion on account of the character of the drift it
is very thin. Wherever the loess is thin the land may be poor, because the plow
either runs into the drift gravel or drift clays or the stubborn residual clays of the
carboniferous.
CEMENT
The limestone rock of the county is the greatest asset, though we look at it
with indifference. We have allowed the millionaire lumber thieves to steal the
forests and cut them down in Minnesota and Wisconsin until they are all gone.
Think of the far-sightedness of a Government that would trade magnificent
forests of Norway pines for a few millionaires, and a few gaudy palaces they
inhabit in St. Paul and Minneapolis and Chicago! They are cutting the hard
pine forest of the South now, and it, too, will soon be gone.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 11
In the search for new material with which to build, we have commenced to
use cement, and the industry is growing by leaps and bounds. They are finding
new uses for it every day. Its manufacture is bound to be the greatest industry
in the state. In all the states, and in all the West, except at Bethany, Missouri,
and lola, Kansas, are no such beds of pure limestone as we have right here.
It makes cement that cannot be excelled. Already they have a monster plant
in Des Moines and they are carrying fifty cars of rock and shale each day from
our quarries on North Branch and making them into cement.
The industry is just begun. It takes no far-sighted person to see that before
long every one of the rock exposures of the ravines of Middle River will be
quarried for cement. In your lifetime, you will see great steam shovels tearing
down the rock, and workmen delving in a dozen quarries. You will see great
lime kilns, and dozens of machines crushing rock for Iowa's roads.
The advance in the price of stone land is just as sure to come as was the
advance of the price of com land when com land was $30 an acre around Winter-
set. It will come stealthily, but it will come, just as surely as the forests diminish,
and the use of cement grows.
I am no land agent, and yet no boomer. But if you have an investment
to make as you would invest in life insurance, or one for your children, go buy
some of the stone land. It is our cheapest land. Agriculturally it will always be
worth all the money you pay for it, and will be almost certain to increase without
considering the rock. Some day the cement trust will buy you out, and if it
cannot buy you out, it will find some way to pry you of your holdings.
I believe just as firmly as I believed in 1890 that corn land would be worth
some day $100 an acre, that every acre of land that mns along a rock exposure
will not only be worth $100 an acre, but that it will be worth five times that
amount, and sell readily for that.
There, at least, is an American reason for studying the geology of the county.
Put on your old shoes, it won't hurt you to get your feet wet, if you take care of
yourself, in spite of what the doctors say, and go study the rock exposures.
Hunt them up, and see how much rock lies in sight, and how extensive the strip-
ping would be. Or if you are not of a practical turn of mind, study the fossils
of the different strata and you will grow intensely interested. If you are seeking
a fortune, dig into the many shales and clays and bum them. In your experi-
ments you might find a new china, or a new pottery, or even a superior brick, as
I am almost sure you would. If you are just a student, and would make a name
for yourself, study the drift in the county, map its depth, its extent, and tell of
the ravages of that Kansan' glacier. It has not yet been done, and you have
almost a virgin field.
Anyhow, in doing it you have been out of doors with a delightfully interest-
ing study, and if you come home with weary feet, and dbg tired, you have not
lost a day, but have added one to the length of your life.
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CHAPTER II
INDIANS AND THEIR VILLAGES IN MADISON COUNTY
By A. J. Hoisington
Were it possible by any system of investigation to find out the history of
all the peoples who have occupied this country since the beginning of time, men
would stand ready for the undertaking. Were it possible to trace an immigra-
tion from the North, through British America, throughout our fields of gold and
ice, beyond the Behring Straits, southward through Asian lands to some unknown
Garden of Eden, as the home and birthspot of the Indian predecessors, men and
money would not be wanting in the enterprise. But now it seems the origin
of those people is a closed book and no one is found to break the seal thereof.
History, like Nature, has its hilltops, and though one's vision may be shaded
by a misty past, much remains within the range of observation and research
which may be classified, recorded and bequeathed to those who shall come after.
This testament should convey not only the full complement of that which lias
been received but increased by the results of inquiry, of studies and observa-
tions. The present generation stands today upon a natural promontory and the
panorama of the past is largely presented in all directions to an extent not
reviewed by its predecessors.
The North American Indian was a strange, somewhat contradictory char-
acter; in war, daring, cunning, boastful, ruthless; in peace, cheerful, dignified,
superstitious, revengeful ; clinging as far as possible to the customs of his fore-
fathers. Civilization came as a destroyer. Future generations of the present race
will come who shall know him only as a dim, historic figure, around which
clusters the mythology of an ancient race.
The folk lore of the American Indians was charmingly rich in legend and
tradition. Since the immemorial past those children of Nature read them in the
leafy woodland, on the broad prairie, in the blue vault of heaven, in the crimson
sunset, in the dark storm-threatening clouds, and in every gentle breeze or sweep-
ing hurricane. Each story lived on in the hearts of its people. And here and
there on earth's foundation rocks, or on some mighty forest tree, was borne a
quaint inscription —
**Full of hope and yet of heart-break.
Full of all the tender pathos
Of the Here and the Hereafter."
Briefly, in the way of introduction to the subject of Indian occupancy of this
county, it may be said that before the coming of the Algonquin tribes — Sac,
12
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 13
Foxes and others — the Sioux family tribes roamed over Iowa from Missouri
to the far away and then unknown North. In the early portion of the last cen-
tury, by a treaty of intermediation between the National Government and the
then warring tribes — the Sioux tribes on one side and the Algonquin tribes
of the other — this portion of Iowa was allotted to the Sacs, Foxes and kindred
tribes, and thereafter only occasional trouble occurred in this part of the state
between the distinctive nations of Indians — the last great battle between them
was during the early '40s in Dallas County.
The Sac and Fox tribes remained in exclusive possession of this part of the
state but a comparatively short time, but as these tribes were here in occupancy
when this region became familiar to large numbers of white people and were the
next predecessors, nearly all direct interest in the Indian history of this region
centers in them.
The S»c and Fox tribes ceded the last of their lands in Iowa to the United
States, of date August 11, 1842, but the treaty of sale provided that they might
retain the privilege of occupying all of it until May i, 1843. And it further pro-
vided that they might retain all the territory west of a line running between Wayne
and Appanoose counties, between Lucas and Monroe, and through Jasper, Marion,
Marshall and Hardin counties to their northern limits until October 11, 1845.
Peacefully, quietly, these tribes, who scarce were aborigines, yet wholly alien to
the Aryan forces that crowded them beyond the Missouri, as fades the mist of a
summer mom, imperceptibly vanished from the fairest and richest lands beneath
the circle of the sun. They left no track nor trace, nor impress in all of Madison
County that once they owned its soil — that once they built their transient wig-
wams along its streams, grew their corn, feasted upon the abundant deer and
elk and wild turkey and fish and honey, and buried their dead upon its hills.
Even their cemeteries are now almost legendary and the exact location of their
villages nearly forgotten. It is indeed, a serious neglect that no writer of Madi-
son County history has placed on record a single line concerning the local occu-
pancy of those, or atiy other, tribes of Indians. Though more than sixty years
have passed since those Indian days and very few, if any, of the members of those
tribes yet live, and scarcely one of the half white trappers who dwelled or traded
among them are left to tell their story, much can be gathered of the fragments
by one who has the love and zeal for the work. Nowadays, and all hereafter,
it is very interesting to peruse the story descriptive of their villages and burial
places, their manner of living and the kind of Nature^s children they were.
All primitive peoples seek for their more or less. temporary abodes a combina-
tion of convenient water, timber and meadow land for reasons that are obvious.
Thus Madison County, before the devastating hand of the white man touched
its Nature molded form, afforded all the Indian needed besides tbe fruitage of
shrub ^nd tree, the catch of its streams, the meats of the chase and the honeyed
sweetness of the bee.
Thus the old Indian village on Cedar Creek, in Union Township, at the
mouth of Lull's Branch, close north of the creek and west of the branch, on the
southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 21. The site of this
village was then wooded without much underbrush, the high and almost sheer
bluffs gave protection in winter from the icy blasts, and spring and running water
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14 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
was abundant. There always was a bit of prairie meadow land in the creek
bottom just above and near below, and upon the divide to the north extended,
in those days, one of the loveliest prairies of the county. There was much clear
timber miles about and the capture of deer and turkey was easy. In the early
portion of the last century there were plenty of elk in this portion of the state
and furred animals were abundant. This village was maintained all the year
round for a long period of time. In the summer season, while the adult men
were absent on the chase, or otherwise engaged, the squaws cultivated some
corn near by. During the winter season, with the men of the band at home, the
time was employed in trapping, caring for the ponies, practicing marksman-
ship, but mainly utter idleness prevailed.
Toward the springtime the village would be visited by a fur trader, who was
always a welcome visitor, for then he brought them gaudy trinkets and *'fire-
water" to exchange for furs.
The band of Indians who made this village their home was variously esti-
mated at from one to two hundred. About this number was there during the
'30s and as late as 1843, the year before the floods throughout the West. This
village was abandoned some time before the spring of 1845, for a fur trader that
winter found no Indians living or camped thereabouts. But he did find that
winter Indians over on Middle River and on North River. He understood that
the bands were preparing to move out of the country, because by their treaty
they were to vacate by the fall of that year.
There was an Indian village on North River located about the center of the
south half of section 6, in Union Township, on lands now or recently owned
by J. H. Weidner. This location is about a mile down the river, on the north
side, from the North River Bridge on the road due north of Winterset leading
to De Soto. As with all other such villages there was a big spring close by and
also fine timber and some grass land. This village was occupied probably until
the spring of 1845.
Close to the site of this village there was in cultivation perhaps the largest
acreage in the county. The Indians at this place had about sixty acres they
planted and cultivated at least for many years up to the summer of 1844. It was
unusual for them to grow so large a field to crops. Usually a few acres was
the limit and at some of their villages it appears no ground was cultivated. There
were several fields on lower Clanton Creek and elsewhere, but nowhere else,
so far as is known, was there then in this county as large a farm cultivated by
the Indians as at the village above described. These abandoned, fields were a
great convenience to some of the pioneer settlers who came here, during the
first two years.
To the Guye family this large field of cultivated land was of the greatest
advantage. This family arrived during the first days of May, 1846, about the
same time as the Clanton colony, and shortly after the arrival of Hurst, on sec-
tion 36, Crawford Township. The first Guye house was built on the south side
of North River, in the bottom, in the very heavy timber near the center of the
north half of section 7, and directly south of this large Indian field. This field
was used by them during the season of 1846 and they cultivated some thirty
acres of it, growing an abundance of com and other crops. They farmed this
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 15
land afterward and improved land upon the hill to the south of their first loca-
tion on the bottom and where they afterward resided.
The methods of agriculture practiced by these Indians were of the most
primitive character and yet usually their crops were abundant. Com, beans
and tobacco were the chief crops planted. A heavy sort of iron hoe was their
chief instrument — a type of what used to be known as '^nigger hoe." Occasion-
ally they had rude instruments made of hard wood, fashioned into a faint
resemblance of something that answered the purpose of a. plow, to which some-
times was attached a pony by thongs of rawhide, but usually pulled by squaws.
There were also in general use sharpened sticks, with which they dug up or
cultivated the ground. The weeds were disposed of by pulling them up by hand.
As the soil was exceedingly rich and loose, comparatively little work was needed
in making ready the ground for planting, and after planting, little cultivation was
necessary. The main work was to keep down the weeds and as above stated,
this was done mostly by pulling them up by hand.
"Women's rights," as known among the Indians since immemorial times, con-
sisted in doing all the work about the village or camps. They took care of the
meats brought in by their braves, planted, cultivated and harvested the crops
and prepared the food for eating. But the latter was a simple process. Some
food was eaten raw and what was cooked, was boiled in kettles — great messes of
food boiled together. However, sometimes they roasted or baked their green
com, potatoes and even meats, but always the preparation of food was a limited
affair. The squaws also gathered most of the wood, used for cooking, or for
warming their bark huts and tepees in winter. Theirs was the "simple life"
indeed ; so much so that, after all, their daily toil was not what at first thought
it would seem to have been — very little garment making, no sweeping, no house-
keeping worth the mention.
The Sac and Fox Indians were among the most civilized of the northem
Indians when they left Iowa in 1845. They had been in constant contact with
the French and English and Americans for more than a hundred years.
Naturally, they were of a milder and less ferocious disposition than most other
nations of the American aborigines. Thus they were no match for the Sioux
in battle and could not migrate northward. The unmerciful cupidity of the
white man forced him on and on toward the setting sun. He had none of the
qualities that fitted him for life on the arid Great Plains, and beyond them were
the mountain ranges in which he could not dwell. The white man already
occupied Missouri on the south. His race was ended — the white man's prisoner
henceforth he became, is now and forever must be until the last one has paid
the penalty for having existed.
The cemetery for this Indian village (on Cedar) was located near the middle
of the north line of the southwest quarter of section 16, in Union Township.
This was diagonally about a mile northeast of the village, upon the prairie. As
late as 1872 there were occasional reminders found by those cultivating the ground
that once Indian burials were made there. It is likely burials were made else-
where in the vicinity of the village.
It was learned from a fur trader that about 1840 there was a much used
Indian trail leading from this village northeasterly on the long sloping ridge
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16 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 21, on past the Indian ceme-
tery and northeasterly toward the old Indian village near the junction of North
River and North Branch. This trail followed the divide around North Elm
Creek and down to North River in the depression west and north of the present
Farris schoolhouse.
There was comparatively little hazel or other small underbrush in that portion
of the county. The woodlands were open and the prairie fires kept down the
brush that later on grew abundantly, as no doubt it had long before grown.
There still remains a grove that was much larger, on the northeast quarter of
the southeast quarter t)f section 15, in Union Township, now owned by James
H. Farris, a pioneer settler. At this grove there was at different times a small
Indian village, or camp, probably there because of the big spring. Some burials
were made on land later owned by A. J. Hoisington, near the southwest comer
of the tract previously described.
In Crawford Township, at different periods up to 1845, there were Indian
villages and favorite camping places. One was near Patterson, one at the old
time Bell grove and spring on section 26, opposite where the railroad curves
northeasterly toward Bevington, and another near the west line of section 36,
near where Hiram Hurst, the first permanent settler in Madison County, took
his claim. There was a band of Indians located there as late as 1845. This
vicinity was a favorite place for them both in summer and winter. At the junc-
tion of Cedar and North River, occasionally small bands of Indians mad^ their
winter quarters, but this did not seem to be a favorite point with them for some
reason. However, trapping was good in its season.
At the four corners of Lee, Jefferson, Union and Crawford townships occa-
sionally fur buyers found a small band of Indians in the winter time.
In Lee Township it is not remembered there were any villages or camps save
at Badger Grove, on section 14. This did not seem an attractive point for them,
though during the '30s and '40s small bands were camped there. White men
seldom came that way because of its isolation from larger streams and bodies
of timber.
In Jefferson Township the center of Indian interest from about the year
1800 to 1845, and certainly for a long period before that century, was around
the junction of North Branch with North River. Occasionally a small band was
found temporarily camped in the grove on the old time Waymire Branch, now
known as Spring Branch, on section 25, Jefferson Township.
The junction neighborhood of North Branch and North River afforded all
the natural advantages required for the high enjoyment and prosperity of these
dusky sons and daughters of Nature. The wilder and more nomadic Sioux
found here a winter retreat against the Arctic storm, though in summer time
he loved the open on the prairies. In the early years of the century he fought
the Algonquin tribes in this region, partly because he loved fighting for its own
sake and partly for the keeping of those hunting grounds and winter resting
places. And that junction of the streams was one of his favorites. Periodically
he fell upon the Sacs and Foxes and many a **brave" on either side hastily
departed for the **happy hunting ground*' thereabouts in those bloody encounters.
Even after the agreement by treaty between the ever warring nations in the
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 17
early part of the century had given the Sacs and Foxes this region, the bloody
Sioux would sometimes swoop down from the northwest prairies to steal the
ponies and take the scalps of the more peaceful tribes.
At the junction of those streams there was abundant timber, water, fish,
wild footed game and furred animals. Indian life at that point was a surfeit of
ease. Up to the year 1845, when the Indians gave possession, always one or more
villages existed in the vicinity of the junction of those streams. It was most
of the time the headquarters of some sub-chief and frequently considerable
bands made it their winter quarters, many of the squaws, pappooses and old
men remaining all the summers.
Some forty rods north and a little west of the southeast comer of the west
half of section 35 there always was a large spring, near which William Schoen
settled in the early '50s. This is at the very foot of the divide between the two
streams. From this spring westerly the ground slopes up and was originally
covered with forest trees. Eastward from the spring there was a small open
space covered with grass without a single shrub or tree— about five or six acres
in extent. It was densely wooded all around and in those times without under-
brush. A short distance north was the branch and but a little way southeast was
the river. The streams united about a half mile northeast of the spring. It
was an ideal place for winter existence. Since time immemorial there were
Indians to be found there, in both summer and winter. Indian fur traders
always made this a point to reach and to lay over if necessary. At times there
were five hundred or more Indians living thereabouts.
Within the radius of a mile of the big spring, at one time or anqther, were
villages more or less temporarily occupied. One of the most productive points
for the finding of Indian stone axes, arrowheads and the like is near and south
of a strong flowing spring almost on top of the hill on the northwest quarter of
the southeast quarter of section 34, in the garden of Charles Addy, and else-
where on his place. A short distance east of the spring is a round top hill,
the highest in that neighborhood, overlooking many miles up and down the valley.
Since the settlement of the country there have been many finds of old time
Indian property within a mile of the old spring.
Some tales of Indian times, more or less legendary, or perhaps exaggerated
by the ready tongue of the pioneers who early trapped or hunted or traded among
the tribes, have come sifting down to those who later came to till the soil on which
they trod.
During the period of the Sac and Fox exclusive occupancy of this portion of
Iowa mostly, they buried their dead in the ground and had preferences for
particular places of interment. In thus disposing from sight their departed ones,
they adopted somewhat the universal custom of the white man with whom they
had been acquainted a long while before migrating here in a body. Occasionally,
when one of their number died remote from their burial places, they placed
their dead up in a tree top near a stream, fastening the body as securely as
possible by use of thongs cut from the tanned skins of wild animals. Convenient
to the corpse was also fastened on the tree some food and a vessel containing
water. Thus the pioneer Clanton Colony in 1846 found the remains of an
Indian on a tree close to the bank of Clanton Creek. An old iron vessel attached
T«l. I— «
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18 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
to the tree soon after disappeared. The earlier settlers occasionally found Indian
remains on trees in several localities during the first year of the settlement of the
county — 1846. But whether the bodies thus disposed of were Sacs or Foxes, or
belonged to other tribes whose members may have been traveling across this
county, the pioneer settlers could not know, as all dead Indians looked alike to
them.
The graves of the Sacs and Foxes were not dug to any great depth, and a
little bark from a tree was made to answer the purpose of a coffin. The body
was usually carried to the grave by old women who howled most piteously at
intervals during the ceremony. Before closing the grave, one of the Indians
present would wave a stick or war club called "puc-ca-waw-gun," saying in audible
voice in his own language what means in English, **I have killed many men in
war and I give their spirits to my dead friend who lies here to serve as slaves
in the other world.*' After this the grave was filled with earth and in a day or
two a rude cabin or shed of rough bark was made over it. If the deceased was
a brave, a post was planted at the head of the grave, on which in a rude manner
the number of scalps and prisoners he had taken in war was represented by red
paint. Upon the death of an adult, his property was usually distributed among
his relatives, and his widow returned to her own family or nearest kinsfolk.
The widow was the principal mourner for the deceased and her grief seemed
sincere; her countenance became dejected, she seldom smiled, clothed herself in
rags and with disheveled hair and spots of black paint on her face, wandered
about in a pensive mood, seldom shedding tears except when alone in the woods.
Generally they ceased mounting on the suggestion of some friend, upon which
occasion they washed, painted themselves red and put on their best clothes and
such ornaments as they might have.
Some of the Sacs and Foxes entertained the opinion that the spirit of the
deceased hovers about the village or lodge for a few days and then takes its
flight to the happy hunting ground. On its way they supposed it passed over
an extensive prairie beyond which the woods appear like a blue cloud. Between
this woodland and the prairie there is a deep and rapid stream of water across
which there is a pole that is kept in continual motion by the force of the current.
This stream the spirit must cross on the pole and if it belonged to a good person
it got over safely and found all its good relations that had gone on before it.
In this woodland is game of all kinds and very abundant,, and there the spirits
of the good lived in everlasting happiness. But if on the contrary, the spirit
belonged to a bad Indian in its world life, it would fall off the pole into the
stream and the current swept it down to the land of evil spirits, where it forever
remained in poverty and misery.
They believed in one great and good spirit, who controlled and governed all
things, and they believed in supernatural agents, who were permitted to inter-
fere in their earthly concerns. They also believed there was a bad spirit but
subordinate to the Great Spirit — Monotah they called the latter. The bad spirit
was permitted to annoy and perplex the Indians by means of bad medicine,
poisonous reptiles, killing ponies, sinking canoes and such like doings. All their
misfortunes were attributed to the influence of this bad spirit. And yet they
had some vague idea that in part the doings of the evil spirit were permitted
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 19
by the good spirit as a punishment for bad deeds. They believed in ghosts and
when they thought they had seen one, the friends of the deceased gave a feast
and hung up some clothing as an offering to appease the troubled spirit.
In a sort of way the Sacs and Foxes may l^e considered a religious people.
They rarely passed anything extraordinary in nature — like a cave, immense rock,
sharp high hill, or the like — without leaving behind them some tobacco for the
use of the spirit who they supposed resided there.
During the autumn of the year large numbers of the tribes were accustomed
to make daily feasts, some to the great good spirit, others to the bad spirit, to
pacify him. Their great chief, Black Hawk, left on record some of his beliefs,
among which has been found : "I am of the opinion that, so far as we have a right
to use it, determining what is right or wrong and we should always pursue that
path which we believe to be right."
Again he says: "We thank the Great Spirit for all the good he has con-
ferred on us. For myself I never take a drink of water from a spring without
being mindful of his goodness."
And again: "We can only judge of what is proper and right by our own
standard of what is right and wrong. * * ♦ The whites may do wrong all
their lives and then if they are sorry for it when ^hey die all is well, but with us
it is different. We must continue to do good throughout our lives."
These Indians believed that com was a special and mysterious gift from the
Great Spirit. The Sacs held a rich arid highly poetic traditional belief concerning
it, which their greatest modem chief, Black Hawk, thus narrates : "According
to tradition handed down to our people, a beautiful woman was seen to descend
from the clouds and alight upon the earth by two of our ancestors, who had
killed a deer and were sitting by the fire roasting a part of it to eat. They were
astonished at seeing her and concluded that she was hungry and had smelled
the meat. They immediately went to her, taking with them a piece of the
roasted venison. They presented it to her. She ate it, telling them to return
to the spot where she was sitting at the end of one year and they would find a
reward for their kindness and generosity. She then ascended to the clouds and
disappeared. The men returned to their village and explained to the tribe
what they had seen, done and heard, but were laughed at by their people. When
the period had arrived for them to visit this consecrated ground, where they
were to find a reward for their attention to the beautiful woman of the clouds,
they went with a large party and found where her right hand had rested on the
ground, com growing; where the left had rested, beans; and immediately where
she had been seated, tobacco."
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CHAPTER III
MADISON'S ADVANCE GUARD OF CIVILIZATION
The Indian title to the land, of which Madison County is a part, was
extinguished in the year 1845. By treaty, the Government had secured a large
area of country, suitable for cultivation and the bounteous production of grain,
grasses and other of the various food stuffs indigenous to this latitude. Strange
to say, however, almost a year was permitted to elapse before the white man
came and claimed **his own." It is not known that any person, white, red or
black, stepped foot into Madison County before the year 1846, for other pur-
poses than of exploration, hunting or trapping. Here were thousands of acres
of rich prairie lands and other thousands covered by luxuriant growths of
valuable timber. Three beautiful rivers traversed and watered the fertile soil,
aided by many tributaries, and fruits and honey were to be found in vast quan-
tities. Nature had provided lavishly and beckoned, with eager and welcoming
hand to the countless thousands of men and women of the Eastern states, to
come and settle upon this land, whose every feature and attribute was a glow-
ing and substantial promise of bounteous harvests and consequent prosperity.
To Hiram Hurst is given the distinction of being the first person to settle
within the confines of this splendid domain, designated as Madison County. This
advance guard of the splendid host of men who peopled the county and made it
fructify so amazingly, migrated from Buchanan County, Missouri, early in the
year 1846 and, as near as any one can compute the time, found his way into
that part of Madison County now known as Crawford Township, on April 1,
1846. The country looked good to him. The three requisites of the home
builder were here in all their fullness and graciousness : Salubrious climate,
abundance of pure, limpid water and a supply of timber, which seemed at the
time almost inexhaustible. He had his ax and a superabundance of energy,
strength and ambition, all salient attributes of the frontiersman. Nor was he
lacking in ambition to carve out a home and habitation for himself and a large
family dependent upon him. Here he was, an Ishmael in the wilderness; an
involuntary absentee from his former haunts. For it is part of the tradition
surrounding this historically interesting character that he was compelled to
leave Missouri; or, in other words, he was a fugitive from justice. As reputa-
tions go, when bandied hither and yon by the evil minded or credulous, Hurst
was credited with having killed his man. Another one had it that he burned a
neighbor's property in a spirit of vengeance, and again, the story was rife in the
early days that the pioneer settler of Madison County was a petty thief, in that
he had stolen a bunch of Missouri hogs. These were the idle and harmful tales
extant among those who followed Hurst into the wilderness, but the real char-
20
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HIEAM HURST GEORGE W. GUYE
First white settler in Madison Came to Madison County, May 3,
County. Came from Missouri about 1846. Voted on the adoption of the
April 15, 1846. First claim in sec- Constitution, August, 1846, at Fort
tion 36 of the (now) Crawford Town- Des Moines, and has voted at all
ship, near the present home of Joseph principal elections since. Entered
H. Duff. Left in 1854 for Nebraska, the first piece of land in Madison
where he died in 1889. County in January, 1850.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 21
acter of the man and the place he attained in the confidence of his new neighbors
are not consistent with moral turpitude and wrong doing.
Hurst built a little **shack" in the timber, and cuhivated a small patch of corn
in the spring and summer of 1846. In the fall of that year he returned to his old
home in Buchanan County, Missouri, where his friends settled the difficulties
facing him. He then packed up his household belongings and other chattels and
with wife and children came back to his Iowa home, where he installed his
family and goods in the humble habitation provided for them. Hiram Hurst
remained on this place, situate on section 36, in Crawford Township, until July,
1847, when he sold his claim to Thomas Cason, who settled in Crawford about
that time. Hurst then took a claim in section 29 in South Township, living there
until the fall of 185 1, when he sold to N. S. Allcock and moved to Scott Town-
ship. In 1854 Hurst secured a tract of land on section 26, Scott Township, of
E. M. Green way, an eastern speculator, for which he paid $68, and in the fall
of the same year sold land in section 20, South Township, to John Creger. Before
the end of the year he was with his family in Otoe County, Nebraska, and was
one of that community's first settlers.
No stain remains upon the name of Madison County's first settler. As will
be seen, in a reminiscent article prepared by Samuel Fife, who worked for
Hurst in 185 1, an honest and unbiased tribute is paid the first settler's character.
Mr. Fife portrays him as **a very quiet man, of good judgment, and had a fine
family. His family here was composed of a wife and four little boys. I have
worked for him several times and always found him a gentleman and his wife a
perfect lady."
The final chapter in the life of Hiram Hurst is furnished by his son, John, in
a letter of date March 5, 1906, to Herman Mueller, in answer to a written
inquiry relative to certain data concerning Hiram Hurst. The letter speaks for
itself and it is to be trusted the memory of the writer, John Hurst, is of a
reliable character :
*'Wymore, Nebraska, March 5, 1906.
**Mr. H. A. Mueller, St. Charles, Iowa.
**Dear Sir: Your letter of February 12th received. Have been waiting for
some time to get the ages of my father and mother, IJiram and Elizabeth Hurst,
which were recorded in the old family Bible, now in the hands of one of my
brothers.
**I assure you I am more than pleased to have the name of my father asso-
ciated with the first settlers of Madison County, Iowa, and will state right here
that my brother WilHam was the first white child bom in the county — was bom
in camp on the third day after arriving in same on the Middle River Bottom
which was afterward sold to Mr. Cason.*
**Hiram Hurst was born in Washington County, Virginia, March i, 1821,
was married to Elizabeth Todd December 20, 1840. Moved from Virginia to
Tennessee and then to Kentucky and from there to Missouri. Then to Madison
County, Iowa, April i, 1846. Moved from there to Nebraska in the fall of
* In this statement Mr. Hurst is mistaken as his father returned to Missouri for his fam-
ily and did not reappear here until early in the following year. William Hurst told me he
was born in 1845. — Editor.
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22 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
1854 and settled on the Missouri River at the mouth of the Weeping Water now
in Otoe County, being one of the first white settlers in the county. He followed
farming but was the first justice of the peace in the county, which office he held
continuously for twenty years; was a Baptist minister for a number of years
before his death, which occurred on the i8th day of September, 1889.
"My mother was bom in Kentucky in the year of 1824, October 25th, died
August 24, 1874. To them was bom by my mother eleven children. Seven are
still living. Their names are John M. Hurst, Wymore, Neb. ; James H., Almena,
Kansas ; William H., Zincite, Mo. ; Thomas J., Wymore, Neb. ; Isaac N., Wymore,
Neb. ; Isabelle Hughes, Omaha, Neb. ; Martha M. Bales, Talmage, Neb. Hiram
Hurst was married three times; his second wife died before one year after
marriage. His third wife was a Mrs. Wood of Lorton, Neb. To them were bom
four children ; three are still living, Mollie, Edward and Fred, all living in Otoe
County, Neb."
THEN CAME OTHERS
Hiram Hurst was not fated to long remain by himself in this new coimtry,
for on the evening of April 24, 1846, two colonies, also from Buchanan County,
Missouri, arrived in Madison County and became permanent settlers. The new-
comers were the Clanton, Clark and Guye families. The former was made up
of the following named persons: Rachel (Moore) Clanton, widow of Charles
Clanton, Sr., her children, with their wives and children, namely: Charles
William, wife and children, John, Rachel, Margaret, Lucinda and Elizabeth;
Isaac, his wife, Loraine, and children, Joel, Nancy, William, Wesley, George and
Moses; Joel M., his wife, Sarah, and children, William, Frank and Polly; Ruth
Clanton, her husband, Caleb Clark, and their children, Louisa Jane, Rachel Char-
lotte, Sarah Ellen, Nancy Elizabeth and Cynthia Ann and Rufus. With this
colony were Charles McCray and GiflFord Lee, both unmarried, who remained
in the settlement but a few months and then retumed to their Missouri homes.
The Guye family consisted of Samuel Guye, a widower; his sons, James,
George, Frank and Houston; daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Angeline and Maria.
On the evening of April ^24th, both colonies went into camp on the banks of
Middle River. The Guyes, reaching the river about an hour in advance of the
Clantons, crossed over and camped on the north bank, and the Clantons, on that
account, and also because night was coming on, camped on the south bank.
As each had considerable live stock, this arrangement was a good one, in that
it kept the cattle apart. The elder Guye and the Clantons were somewhat
acquainted with each other in Missouri.
That night a heavy rain fell, which filled the river too high for fording
and it continued to rain during the following afternoon, so that both colonies
remained in camp until aftemoon, when the Guyes continued their journey into
Linn Grove, in Warren County. The men of the Clanton contingent crossed
the river in an Indian canoe and visited Guyes and William Hurst, a brother
of Hiram, whom they had met at Spring Hill, in Warrdn County, and was
informed by him that his brother Hiram had gone westward up Middle River
and staked out a claim. From here the men of the Clanton party went out
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• ^ UNCLE ^' CHABLEY YOUNG
Came to Madison County in 1853
and lived in Ohio Township. Was a
pioneer blacksmith and a Christian
preacher. A veteran of the Civil war,
being a member of the Thirty-ninth
Iowa Infantrv.
MR. AND MRS. JOEL CLANTON
Came to Madison County in May, 1846. settling in the (now) South Township about 1^
miles west of the present site of St. Cliarles. Platted Hanton 's addition and Clanton *s addi-
tion of 1888 of St. Charles.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 23
prospecting for claims. They struck a southwesterly course and crossing the
Warren County line into Madison, arrived in Crawford Township. Here Middle
River was crossed near the Hurst claim and seeing a cabin, the prospectors
. went to it and found Hurst asleep in a hut constructed out of material aban-
doned by the Indians the year before. At first Hurst appeared to be frightened
but upon learning the object of his visitors, he gave them much assistance in
locating their claims in what was afterwards known as Clanton's Grove. This
family staked out the boundaries of their new home immediately west of and
adjoining the future town of St. Charles, on the 3d day of May, 1846. On
that same day the Guye family staked a claim on section 7, on the south bank
of North River, in that part of the county now known as Union Township.
Caleb Clark, the husband of Ruth Clanton, located on the hill west of Clanton
Creek and north of Steele Branch, but soon sold out and located on a tract of
land north of and adjoining Joel M. Clanton's, in section 14, now owned by
W. S. Lindsley. Thus these two colonies were simultaneously and collectively
considered one colony, whose members were the second settlers of Madison
County.
It is said that Henry McKinzie settled in this county in the fall of 1846,
but this has been disputed, the date of his arrival being made as in the spring
of 1847. However that may be, he was among the first comers and settled with
his sons, Abner, Daniel, Thomas, Aaron and Gabriel, in Scott Township, where
he remained until 1855 and then left for Texas. From Texas he went to Douglas
County, Kansas, where he died.
Ephraim Bilderback married Malinda McKinzie, daughter of Henry
McKinzie, and came to the county with his father-in-law. He settled on section
9, Scott Township, and later sold to Abner Bell. Bilderback then went up on
the South Coon, where his father lived, the latter having built a mill. Ephfaira
finally went West and died there.
Lemuel Thombrugh came to Madison County in May, 1846, and settled in
the Guye neighborhood, where he built a cabin on the land later owned by
William Gentry, and still later by George Homback. Thombrugh returned to
Missouri in August after his family, and coming back, was accompanied by his
brother James and family, all of whom lived on Lemuel Thombrugh*s claim
on the Cedar, until Lemuel sold out and moved away in 1849. James Thom-
brugh left the claim on the Cedar in the spring of 1847 ^"d went south on Middle
River, where he took up another claim on the south side of the river in the timber.
Here he grubbed a patch of land and with one yoke of oxen put out a small
crop. He was the first settler on Middle River bottom. He built a cabin on
the land, which was burned down on May 4, 1861.
About the ist of September, 1846, James Fidler, with his wife and unmar-
ried children, and James Thombmgh, his son-in-law, and wife, migrated from
Weston, Buchanan County, Missouri, to Madison County. He lived with his
son-in-law and was the first person to die in Madison County. He had taken
a claim and got a cabin built in the edge of the timber on section 29, in Union
Township, but died early in October, a little over a month after his arrival.
It is said that Felt Johnson, a son-in-law of Henry McKinzie, came with
him in 1846 and settled on section 8, in Scott Township. He soon afterwards
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24 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
sold to Samuel Casebier and went over on **the Clanton/' where he lived a few
years, disposing of his possessions to Wheatley Harper, and returned to Mis-
souri, where he died.
James Brown and family, with his brother Hezekiah, a single man, and
Vincent and family, also Lebben Shelton, wife and three children, all came
together from Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1847. James Brown first settled
and long lived on section 36, in Jefferson Township. Vincent Brown settled
on section 12, in Union Township. Hezekiah Brown, the unmarried brother,
made his home alternately with his brothers James and Vincent and went to
Kansas a short time before the Civil war.
John Wilhoit was one of Madison County's pioneers of 1847. He first settled
on the south half of section 35, in Jefferson Township. This he sold to William
Schoen in 1852.
Two Mendenhall brothers, one of them named Charles, both unmarried, with
two Hinshaws, relatives, migrated from Missouri in the fall of 1847 and settled
on section 32, in Jefferson Township. The Mendenhalls stopped only two or
three years and then went to Kansas.
Silas and William Hinshaw had with them their widowed mother. William
Hinshaw married a sister of William Ludington. A few years after his arrival
here he went to Kansas and while hunting buffaloes on Smoky Hill River,
he was killed and scalped by Indians. Some time in the '50s Silas Hinshaw
went from here to Sioux City, Iowa, with the avowed intention of killing every
Indian he met. While near Sioux City two Indians came to his cabin, when he
picked up an ax and killed one of them. The other escaped. The third day
after this occurrence Silas was found dead at his home, with all his fingers and
toes cut off. No other wounds were discovered and it was presumed he bled
to death in the presence of his murderers.
James Brewer was also a settler of 1847, coming from Missouri. He first
settled where Jacob Bennett afterward lived, having entered a part of section 22.
About 1854 he returned to Missouri and from thence to Kansas. These were
the only settlers in Madison Township that year. John Evans and John Butler
settled in the Guye neighborhood either in the latter part of 1846, or early in
1847. In looking for claims, it is said, they were amazed to find other persons
in the township ahead of them.
BOUNTIFUL CROPS IN 1 846
The year 1846 treated the pioneers bountifully. The weather was fine and
seasonable and without storm or flood. The Guyes got in thirty acres of com,
. in an old Indian field that produced some fifty bushels an acre, and quite a patch
of potatoes yielded well. Joel Clanton got out seven acres of corn, by deadening
trees in the edge of the timber west of St. Charles. Others here early enough
to plant late crops had good yields. Altogether there were planted sixty-one
acres that averaged about forty bushels. About two hundred bushels of potatoes
were grown and very little of anything else. Wild hay of course was abundant.
Deer and wild turkeys were numerous and all this wooded region literally
flowed with the honey of wild bees. No family that came that year moved
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 25
away until in later years. A few single men, or those who came without their
families and only to look at the country a few days, returned to their former
homes. The following winter was a moderate one and there was no suffering
among the settlers. Flour and corn meal were scarce with some at times, owing
to the long distance from sources of supplies. No event of unusual interest
occurred in the county in 1846 save the first settlement of this region. The
settlers were too poor and consequently too happy to have any troubles.
FIRST MARRIAGE IN COUNTY
The first marriage that occurred in Madison County was about June i, 1846.
The father of the bride was John Butler, who first settled about one mile north-
west of the schoolhouse east of Winterset some two miles, on what was afterward
known as the Anon James farm. It required some time for him to get up a
cabin ; but why should not two more people make a home on their own account ?
The colony brought along a preacher, but the license was only to be obtained
somewhere on Des Moines River. That was not so far away, however, so
Daniel Chenoweth and Betsey Butler were married before her father got his
cabin up, out in the timber, by the first preacher in the county. Elder John
Evans, the famous "Hard Shell" Baptist, who distinguished himself in church
work in the early days. Chenoweth entered land of the Government on section 6,
in Scott Township, and on section i, Lincoln Township, in the year 1850. He
remained here at least several years.
EARLY ELECTIONS
During the first year of the settlement of the county there was no provision
whereby settlers could vote within the county. But at the state election, to
determine the adoption or rejection of a constitution, upon which depended the
admission of Iowa as a state, held August 3, 1846, five settlers from Madison
went by horse team in a wagon to Fort Des Moines to vote. No other question
was asked them touching their qualifications than where they lived. Des Moines,
even that early, was prospectively a candidate for the state capital, and therefore
all the people in this part of the state, very few as there were, favored the adop-
tion of any kind of a constitution that would hurry the admission of the state
into the Union.
On the morning of August i, 1846, pursuant to previous arrangement, the
following persons were at the cabin of John R. Beedle, who then lived about
a quarter of a mile northwest of where Greenwood schoolhouse, in Union Town-
ship, now is: George W. and James Guye, Samuel Casebier, John Chenoweth
and John R. Beedle. These five persons were the pioneer voters of Madison
County. Casebier's claim was a portion of the east part of Winterset, the
Guyes lived in Union Township. Other settlers were expected to make up the
party, but failed to be present. The voting contingent arrived home August
5th, being absent five days.
During the following year, 1847, Madison County was made a separate voting
precinct by the commissioners of Marion County, to which this county had been
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26 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
attached for all purposes. Madison County was officially designated as "Black
Oak Grove precinct," under the misapprehension by the board that the prevailing
upland groves were of that variety of oak. John Butler's house was designated
as the place for holding the first election. It stood on section 29 in (now)
Union Township, about a mile northwest of the present schoolhouse between
Winterset and Tileville. The building actually used was a new log stable just
built and had not been used for any purpose. Although the state constitution
required that all voting should be by ballot none had been printed and no paper
was at hand on which to write names of those voted for. Each voter therefore
announced, orally, his choice and the clerks tallied his vote on the poll books.
As the poll books were constantly open for inspection all day every one present
might know from vote to vote how the result stood, but little interest was mani-
fested and the little there was lay in the claim of those living south of Middle
River for one justice and one constable, while those north of that stream also
wanted a man elected for each position. In early days that stream was a political
Rubicon, and continued so up to the final location of the county seat. With
that question settled Middle River ceased to be much of a political factor.
The election board was organized at 9 o'clock A. M. by those present choos-
ing Philip M. Boyles, Lemuel Thombrugh and William Gentry, Sr., judges,
and Thomas M. Boyles and Ephraim Bilderback, clerks. The following persons
voted in the order given : Leonard Bowman, David Cracraf t, David D. Henry,
Andrew Evans, Doctor H. Whited, Robert Deshazer, Absalom McKinzie, John
R. Beedle, George Myers, Amos Case, Claiborne Pitzer, D. J. Casebier, J. M.
Clan ton, Isaac Clan ton, Samuel Crawford, J. C. Casebier, William Combs, Jacob
Combs. George W. Guye, James W. Guye, Valentine Johnson, Asa Mills, Samuel
B. Casebier, Henry W; McKinzie, James Thombrugh, John Butler, Samuel Guye,
Lemuel Thombrugh, David Bishop, Philip M. Boyles, William Gentry, Sr.,
Thomas M. Boyles, Ephraim Bilderback — total 33.
Philip M. Boyles carried the election retums to Knoxville, county seat of
Marion County, to which this county was attached, on an Indian pony. After
some trouble he found the clerk of the board of commissioners, who afterwards
became a noted politician — Lysander W. Babbitt, of Council Bluffs. Before
retuming Boyles got the vote canvassed and brought back with him the certificates
of election for the successful ones.
Following was the vote of that election : Justices of the peace, David Bishop
(elected), 23; John Butler (elected), 22; Samuel Guye, 14. Constables, James
Thombrugh (elected), 21; Samuel B. Casebier (elected), 19; William Combs,
17; William Bishop, i.
Justice David Bishop and Constable James Thombrugh lived south of Middle
River and Justice John Butler and Constable Samuel B. Casebier lived north of
that political stream. This was the first election, the first of the county seat
fights and the result was a draw.
It is not the purport of this chapter to give in detail the names and locations
of all the settlers who came to the county in the first years of its existence, for
the reason that a chapter will be devoted to the history of each of the townships
and necessarily the first settlers of these particular localities must be mentioned.
Therefore, in order to avoid any repetition the narrative of the pioneers from
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PHILIP M. BOYLES
Arrived in Madison County, May 11, 1846. First com-
missioners' clerk of county, elected January 1, 1849.
Took an active part in the pioneer life of Madison County.
Second sergeant of Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa
Infantry.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 27
this on will be treated in the townships in the chapter assigned to the township
in which they are located. However, this chapter can be fittingly brought to a
close by a partial list of names of the men and women who settled in Madison
County during the first ten years after the arrival of Hiram Hurst, as appeared
in the semicentennial edition of the Madisonian, published November i, 1906:
1846— Mrs. Elizabeth (Clark) Smith, Rufus Clark, A. C. Beadle, C. F.
Clanton, W. W. Clanton, Mrs. Polly (Clanton) Souders, Mrs. Angeline Guye
Vanwy, W. G. Dorrell; 1847 — William Thomburg, Lewis Thomburg, W. W.
Gentry, Henry Evans, Mrs. Sarah (Clark) Smith, Mrs. Lucy A. Fife, Mrs. R.
M. J. Collins; 1848 — George W. Smith, W. S. Wilkinson, Lucinda James, A. W.
Wilkinson, Mrs. Margaret Stinson, John Stinson, Mrs. Maranda Hubbard,
Mrs. Permelia Kerms, Asa B. Smith, S, S. Guiberson, Mrs. Katie Guiberson,
Caleb Rollings, Andrew Snyder, Mrs. Andrew Snyder; 1849 — Chal Danforth,
W, R. Danforth, William Brinson, W. A. Chase, Amos Fife, Samuel Fife,
Samuel Snyder, Daniel Vancil, Mrs. George RatliflF, Mrs. Mary Farris, W. S.
AUcock; 1850 — G. W. PoflFinbarger, J. I. Guiberson, Joshua Clark, Mrs. Mollie
Roberts, Abner Bell, Mrs. Mary Shoup, Mrs. K. Carter, Mrs. Lorinda Taylor,
J. C. Thombrugh; 1851 — ^James L. Bertholf, Mrs. Nancy Speer, Mrs. Adela
Carter, J. A. Rhymo, F. M. Bruce, R. P. Bruce, L. M. Bertholf, Wesley Coch-
ran, J. H. Farris, Mrs. Martha Tidrick, Mrs. Barbara Shaver Clanton, Mrs. Joel
Childers, John M. Runkle, Mrs. Mary Dehaveh, Mrs. C. F. Clanton, John Bruce,
I. M. Clanton, S. L. Johns; 1852 — J. W. Leinard, Jeff Wheat, J. H. Moore,
J. N. Gordon, W. I. Gordon, T. A. Duer, S. G. Ruby, William Schoen, Mrs.
J. C. Clark, Samuel Walker, Mrs. Belle Smith, Mrs. Sarah Archer, Mrs. D.
Guilliams Close, B. C. Guilliams, Mrs. Rosa Walker, Alfred Brittain, Mrs.
•Julia Brittain, Pleasant Brittain, S. W. Barrow, Mrs. McPherrin, Mrs. Katherine
Bean, F. M. McDaniel, A. H. McDaniel, Michael lams; 1853 — W. R. Shriver,
D. G. RatliflF, William Hartsook, Mrs. Samuel Myers, Capt. E. G. Barker, Milton
Boyles, Andrew Macumber, Christopher Wilson, Isaac Reager, Lewis Crawford,
A. S. Speer, S. S. Morgan, Stanislaus Baur, Mrs. Theresa Baur, Daniel Reigle,
John F. Johnston, L. A. McCumber, J. W. Smith, C. H. Young, John McNeley,
J. A. Macumber, Alex Macumber, John Faurote, Mrs. W. G. Dorrell, Mrs.
Lizzie Clifton, Henry Macumber; 1854 — I. C. Walker, D. K. Getchell, Minerva
Nicholson, Mrs. Mary Evans, B. F. Bowlsby, William Fennimore, John Brown,
Mrs. Artie McCrea, Mrs. Lucy Walker, Martha Egy, J. S. Egy, Hiram C. Smith,
Mrs. Hiram C. Smith, Mrs. Andrew Gaekle, Mrs. Polly Bradshaw, George T.
Damall, Mrs. J. W. Crossley, Mrs. William Scrivener, Mrs. Mary C. Nichols,
John Reed, John Creger, David Bradshaw, W. S. Porter, Mrs. Nancy E. Porter,
Mrs. Mary A. Reed, M. M. Gilleran, Mrs. R. J. Creger, J. M. Allen, Mrs. Mahala
Arnold, Samuel Lathrum, Mrs. Julia Arnold, Mrs. Mary J. Creger, Mrs. J. V.
Kirk, Mrs. Fannie Baker; 1855 — J. C. Foster, Mrs. M. Hockenberry, Mrs.
Amanda Davis, Reuben J. Foster, Rollen Walker, Samuel T. Johnston, Mrs.
Frank Rundall, Mrs. R. J. Foster, Mrs. Sarah J. Brokaw, Mrs. Albert Johnson,
Eli Arnold, John M. Downs, Mrs. Marilda Witt, Joseph Cunningham, C. E.
Huglin, P. J. Cunningham, S. D. Ford, F. L. Bissell, Mrs. Fannie Anderson,
F. G. Bissell, Thomas Early, Josiah Banks, Mrs. S. T. Johnston, Alex Cregmiles,
B. F. Conn, W. S. Conn, N. P. Pomeroy, Mrs. N. G. Baugh, C. A. Roberts, A.
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28 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
M. Benge, J. E. Benge, Malissa Lyon, Lydia Danforth, Israel Hoover, Mrs.
William Thomburg; 1856 — John H. Smith, Luke A. Smith, Margaret Moore,
Hannah Moore, Sarah Young, J. T. Young, W. C. Young, George W. Young,
Eudora Preble Benge, T. J. Hudson, Mrs. A. W. Wilkinson, William Ellsberry,
John Cox, H. J. B. Cummings, Mrs. C. P. Lee, Andrew Crawford, E. F. Con-
noran, Isaac Holmes, James Gillaspy, I. S. Longnecker, Mrs. Sarah Brittain,
Mrs. K. McCloskey, Alfred Souders, William Ludlow% Mrs. Elijah Hiatt, Arch
Holmes, A. B. Moorman, Mrs. A. B. Moorman, Mrs. Irene Connoran, Mrs.
N. J. Young, R. M. Young, W. H. Black, John Roy, Joseph Rippey, H. D. Moor-
man, Mrs. R. A. Moorman, Mrs. S. J. Turner, Mrs. J. S. White, Mrs. Melvina
Lake, Leroy McMains.
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CHAPTER IV
MADISON COUNTY ORGANIZED
Madison County lies in the south central part of Iowa, in the third tier of
counties north of Missouri. North of it is Dallas County, while to the east
is Warren; to the south are Clarke and Union, and to the west, Adair. In
form it is an approximate square, and includes sixteen congressional townships :
Townships 74-77 north and ranges 26-29 west. Owing to errors in the original
survey, the area is only 566.4 square miles, instead of the customary 576. This
county was originally known as the "Three Rivers" country, owing to the pres-
ence of three rivers which flow within and through its boundaries, furnishing
abundant drainage and some water power, and having along their banks lux-
uriant growths of timber, all requisites and attractions for the settler.
On the 13th of January, 1846, the Legislature passed an act establishing the
County of Madison. This measure, among other things, provided for the holding
of elections to perfect the organization of the county, and, furthermore, the
boundary lines were described as shown below :
"That the following shall be the boundaries of a new county, to be called
Madison, to wit: Beginning at the northwest comer of Warren County thence
west to the northwest comer of township jy, north of range 29 west; thence
south to the southwest comer of township 74, north of range 29 west; thence
east to the southeast corner of township 74, north of range 26 west; thence
nortb to the place of beginning."
At the time Madison County was created twelve other counties were formed
by the Legislature and Madison was attached to Marion County, for taxation,
election and judicial purposes. Early in 1847, the commissioners of Marion
County ordered that all of Madison County constitute an election precinct, to
be known as Black Oak Grove precinct. The first election held in the newly
established precinct was in the fall of 1847, with polling place at the house of
John Butler as heretofore related. This was the first election held in the county.
The county of Madison continued attached to Marion County until the year
1849. ^y t^^s time about three years had elapsed since the coming of the first
settler in the community and quite a number of farms had been opened. Men
of good character, energy, determination and thrift made up the first contingents
of that army of homeseekers soon to follow them, and they had gotten far
enough along, in the way of establishing homes for themselves and families, as
to become alive to the importance of having an established form of government
for the unorganized county in which they had chosen to set their stakes. There
were now something like one hundred voters within the boundary lines of Madi-
son County and through the efforts of certain of their leaders the Leei.<;lature
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30 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
passed and approved an act on the 27th day of December, 1848, providing for
the holding of an election, at which officers for the county government should
be chosen by vote of the electorate. The measure also nominated and named
Thomas Butler, of Dallas County, George Gillaspy, of Marion County, and
Isaac Cooper, of Polk County, a commission, to locate the seat of justice for
the new county.
Previqus to the election and in pursuance of the provisions of the act of
1846, Ephraim Bilderback, organizing sheriff, and his deputy, A. D. Jones,
divided the county into three election precincts, namely. North, Center and
South, and at these places the election, completing the organization of Madison
County, was held on the first day of January, 1849.
Iowa was strongly democratic up to the Civil war, so that it is not strange
that Ephraim Bilderback, organizing sheriff, was of this political faith. He
was shy, however, on education and political finesse, but his delinquencies
in these respects were met and overcome by his astute deputy, A. D. Jones, also a
democrat, who was not only a man of education and of good lineage, but also
at the time, ^'easily the smoothest person in politics in the whole county until
he left in 1853." It was Jones who, so it is said, organized the county, maneu-
vered the election so that his henchmen should predominate in the county gov-
ernment, and one of his ambitions was to have the seat of justice located at
"The Narrows," or Tileville, on property owned by him. In this he was far
from being successful, but the election itself resulted mainly in favor of the
democrats and the "boss" was satisfied. Below is given the result of the organiz-
ing election and the names of those elected to office :
SHERIFF
Ephraim Bilderback (D) 38
Samuel Guye (D) 30
CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT
George W. McClellan (W) 47
Samuel B. Casebier (D) 13
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Alfred D. Jones (D) 39
CORONER
Leonard Bowman ( W) 47
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
William Combs (W) 40
David Bishop (D) 41
William Gentry (D) 43
Daniel McKinzie ( W) 3
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FIRST FIVE VOTERS IN MADISON COUNTY
Voted at the election held August, 1847, in ** Black Oak Grove pre-
cinct." Back row: Philip M, Boyles; Joel M. Clanton. Front row: John
R. Beedle; James Guye; George W. Guye
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AS7 0r(. L:-Nf .\ a.n.-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 31
Wm. Allcock (D) 7
John C. Casebier (D) lo
Mathew Jones (D) 5
Heniy McKinzie (W) 39
commissioners' clerk
Pliilip M. Boyles (D) 35
James Thombrugh (D) 34
George W. McClellan ( W) i
PROBATE JUDGE
William M. Phipps ( W) 48
Philip M. Boyles (D) i
RECORDER
Joseph K. Evans (D) 10
Joshua Hinkley (W) 9
SURVEYOR
Alfred D. Jones (D) 36
William Harmon ( W) 9
SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONER
Daniel Vancil (D) 8
David Cracraft ( W) 7
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Samuel Fleener (D) i
SELECTION OF THE COUNTY SEAT
There is nothing to show that anything had been done up to this time in the
way of selecting a location for the seat of government, notwithstanding the
fact that by the provisions of an act passed by the Legislature on December 2Ty
1848, a commission had been appointed for that purpose. The men so chosen
were Thomas Butler, of Dallas County, George Gillaspy, of Marion, and Isaac
Cooper, of Polk, but there is a strong probability that Cooper did not serve,
as only two of the conmiission, Butler and Gillaspy, signed the report afterwards
filed with the clerk of the Commissioners* Court. There were no bickerings,
wire pulling, or underhand methods used as far as now known, in persuading
the commission to select this or that site for the county seat. Their choice
was in the exact center of the county, having requisite features and attractions
for the purposes of the settlers at that time and the generations to follow them.
The location of Winterset for the capital of Madison County was well chosen
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32 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and the only adverse criticism advanced is the lack of proper railroad facilities,
by which the people of the outlying districts might reach the place. No effort to
wrest the prize from Winterset has ever been made with any degree pf hope of
success.
After the locating commissioners had selected Winterset, Judge E. R. Guiber-
son started a petition for the relocation of the county seat. This was late in
the fall of 1849. He wanted the county seat relocated on or near the northwest
quarter of section 33, in what is now Union Township, and adjoining a quarter
section of land he owned in that community. Guiberson worked hard on his
petition and finally secured about fifteen signers. His contention was that the
proposed new location was nearer the center of the settlements and was a more
eligible tract of land in every way for the county seat, but he was unsuccessful
in convincing a sufficient number of the settlers that his proposition was a good
one. He soon abandoned the scheme and sold his claim.
The county seat of Madison County was not chosen for almost six months
after the county was organized, and why so long a time had been permitted to
pass without the accomplishment of this most necessary act does not appear by
any data now at hand. However, Winterset was selected as the seat of govern-
ment by Thomas Butler and George Gillaspy, locating commissioners, on the
20th day of June, 1849, as the following exact copy of their report, filed with the
commissioners' clerk, P. M. Boyles, attests :
**State of Iowa )
Madison County j
"We the undersigned commissioners appointed by the first section of an act
of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa for the location of the seat of
justice of Madison County approved December 27, 1848, and after being sworn
agreeable to the provisions of said act and after examining the situation of
said county taking into consideration the future as well as the present population
of said county do hereby establish and locate the seat of justice of said county
upon the west half of the southwest quarter of section thirty-one, township
seventy-six, range twenty-seven west, and the east half of southeast quarter
of section thirty-six, township seventy-six, range twenty-eight west in the district
of land subject to sale at Iowa City, Iowa, in said state.
'*In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals at the place of
location this 20th day of June, A. D. 1849.
'Thomas Butler (Seal) ) Locating
. "George Gillaspy (Seal) V Commissioners."
The Commissioners' Court met in regular session on the second day of July,
1849, but nothing appears of record in the minute book of that body bearing on
the report of the locating commissioners. It is plainly evident, however, that
the report had been filed, and the matter placed before the commissioners, as
the following clearly shows :
Ordered, That the county surveyor of Madison County proceed as soon as con-
venient to lay off the seat of justice of said county, as follows: He shall lay
off about eighty acres of the quarter located on as nearly as possible, extending
it one-half mile east and west and one-quarter of a mile north and south as
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 33
nearly as circumstances will admit of, making the square as nearly as can be
equally surround a stake set by the commissioners of said county, as the center
of the public square of said seat of justice.
Ordered, That the lots in the seat of justice shall be in length 132 feet north
and south and 66 feet east and west. Alleys shall be laid out, running east and
west through every square of one rod in width so as to divide the blocks equally,
except the alleys of the two squares one on the east and the other on the west
side of said public square, which shall run north and south. The streets shall
be sixty-six feet in width running at right angles north and south and east and
west through the length and breadth of said town, and said surveyor shall do
all other work necessary to be done about said plat as is usual in said cases.
Ordered, That William Gentry be authorized to employ some person to make
800 stakes, 3 feet in length, 2j^ inches square, and haul said stakes on to said
town plat as may be directed by said surveyor, said stakes to be made of burr
or white oak timber and sound, square at the top and sharp end equally, so as
to drive.
Ordered, That P. M. Boyles, William Gentry, William Combs, David Bishop
and Enos Berger be employed to assist said surveyor in the surveying of said
lots.
Ordered, That the county seat of Madison County be called Winterset.
Ordered, That A. D. Jones be requested to write an advertisement for publi-
cation of the sale of lots in the town of Winterset, and that it be sent to the
Iowa Star for publication.
Ordered, That Charles Wright be employed to carry it to Fort Des Moines,
to the office of said paper, for which he will be allowed the sum of $1.25, and that
said notice shall be taken to said paper by Tuesday night next.
Ordered, That the terms of sale of said lots shall be one-fourth cash in hand,
and the balance in three installments of six months each, which shall be dis-
charged by notes of equal size, given to the board of commissioners, who will,
in turn, give a certificate of purchase to the buyer, which shall be presented to .
said board for a deed when said land shall have been purchased from the general
Government, and said notes discharged by said buyer.
Ordered, That means be taken to borrow $150 for the purpose of entering
the town quarter.
Ordered, That E. R. Guiberson be authorized and empowered to effect a
loan of $150 for the purpose of entering the quarter on which Winterset is situ-
ated, and that he be authorized and empowered to execute notes or other instru-
ments of writing necessary to obtain said sum of .money, and to assign our names
to such instruments.
NAMING OF THE COUNTY SEAT
There is more than one account of how the county seat came by its name.
One account has it that when the county commissioners met, after the locating
commission had made its report on the selection of a site for the county seat,
that the commission had chosen the name of Independence for the capital, to
which the Commissioners' Court objected, as there was another town of the same
Vol. 1—3
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34 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
name in the state. It .was thereupon suggested that Summerset would be a pleas-
ing name, but it being in December and the weather very cold, one of the com-
missioners recommended Winterset as being a more appropriate name, and the
clerk being requested to write the word Winterset to see how it would look, it
appeared attractive on paper and the name was adopted. This, however, does
not tally with A. D. Jones* recollection of the circumstances, by and under
which, the county seat was named. Among other events related by him in an
article published in the History of Madison County (1879), ^^ has this to say
in relation to the subject:
"Combs, Bishop and Gentry were the first county commissioners. The locat-
ing commissioners were Babbitt, Gillaspy and Bond, who located the county
seat, and I think called it * Independence,* to which name I took exceptions and
suggested that the name be not accepted by the county commissioners. I gave
as reasons that there were other towns in the state by that name, and that it
would produce confusion in our mail matter, together with other plausible
arguments.
"The commissioners concluded not to accept the name. Then came the dif-
ficulty to obtain a suitable name for the new town. To all names offered a
negative was given and they were numerous I assure you. At last some person
suggested Summerset as the name, to which Bill Combs, who was lying down
on a bench, roused up, and quite petulantly remarked that *you had better call
it Winterset,' in derision, for we had a terrible scourge with the deep snow that
winter. I at once suggested that would be a good name. Then Combs took
exceptions to that, for he said it would prevent persons from coming to a country
that was so cold, that they adopted cold names for their towns. I examined
the postal register and found nothing like it except Winterseat in the State of
North Carolina. I commenced urging the name and writing it and sticking it
upon the wall, until I got them familiar with it, when the commissioners adopted
and recorded it." — [The explanation of Jones seems to be generally accepted as
the correct one. — Editor.]
SYSTEMS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT
In the act to divide the Territory of Wisconsin and to establish the terri-
torial government of Iowa, Congress extended over the new territory the exist-
ing laws of Wisconsin, "so far as the same are not incompatible with the pro-
visions of the act of separation.*' This measure was but a provisional one,
however, subject to be altered, modified or repealed by the governor and legis-
lative assembly of Iowa. A law of Wisconsin Territory, approved December
20, 1837, had established a board of county commissioners in each county and
this was the law of Iowa Territory until December 14, 1838, when the Terri-
torial Legislature passed a similar law. Under this measure the boards of county
commissioners administered the government of their respective counties until
the adoption of the Code of 1851. Their duties were multifarious and they
wielded immense power within the county. In 1851 the county judge was
invested with the usual powers and jurisdiction of county commissioners and
of a judge of probate. The old county judge system continued to be the law
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ALFRED D. JONES
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1814:
moved to Ohio, where he was educated: came to Polk
County, Iowa, in 1846: was elected county surveyor and
in July, 1846, platted the original Des Moines. Came to
Madison County in June, 1848, settling at the ** Nar-
rows'* near Tileville, where he opened a store. He was
the first postmaster in this county, calling the office at
his store ' * Montpelier. ' ' Assisted Sheriff Bilderback to
organize the county and was chosen county surveyor and
prosecuting attorney at first election, January 1, 1849.
Laid out Winterset in 1849, Council Bluffs in 1852, and
Omaha in 1854. Became first mayor of Omaha.
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A.'
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 35
of the state after the abolishment of the Commissioners' Court in 185 1 until the
Eighth General Assembly passed what was popularly known as **the county
supervisor law," which was included in the revision of i860. This provided for
a board of supervisors, consisting of one from each civil township, to which was
committed the administration of county affairs. This law remained on the
statute book until the adoption of the Code of 1873, when the number was
reduced to three persons in each county except in specified cases, when, it could
be increased to five or seven. With this amendment, the county supervisor law
has remained with no material change until the present time. The business affairs
of Madison County were commenced while the county commissioners system was
in operation, and the proceedings of that body are given in the next chapter.
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CHAPTER V
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT
The first meeting of the Commissioners* Court, composed of three persons
whose powers and duties were similar to those of the present board of super-
visors, was in a double log cabin, that stood near where the Tileville side track
was laid, east of Winterset. No effort had as yet been made for the location
of the county seat, but at the meeting of the Legislature in 1848, a commission
of three persons was selected for the purpose, whose members failed to perform
the duties imposed relative to the location of a seat of justice for Madison
County, until late in June of the year 1849. Thus it was that Madison County
had no capital town during the first six months of its political existence.
The object of this chapter is to present to the reader the proceedings of the
first legislative body and business agency of Madison County. The acts and
enactments of the Commissioners* Court were of exceeding importance to the
new community, as they were the foundation stones upon which the local gov-
ernment and prosperity of the county were founded. The records of the
Commissioners* Court, as kept by its clerk, or a deputy, indicate in a way the
important matters passed upon by that body ; a faithful abstract of these records
is here produced :
Jan. 9, 1849.
Ordered, that William Sturman and Leonard Bowman be accepted as security
for John R. Beedle, constable elect, in the bond of $500.
Ordered, that John Butler and Samuel B. Casebier be accepted as security
for Daniel Chenoweth constable elect, in a bond of $500.
Ordered, that Ephraim Bilderback, and George W. McClellan be accepted
as security for Alfred D. Jones, county surveyor elect, in a bond of $500.
Ordered, that all that part of said county which lies north of a line commenc-
ing at a Government survey stake on the west line of said County, which is
situated two miles north of the center of the County aforesaid, running thence
easterly to the head timbers of the Howerton Branch, thence easterly to the head
of Cedar creek, thence down the main channel of said Cedar Creek until it crosses -
the Range line between Ranges 26 and 2^ West, thence on a direct east line to the
East line of said County, shall constitute and be styled Union township, and the
place of holding the first election in said township shall be at the home of Leonard
Bowman.
Ordered, that all that part of said County which lies south of Union township
in the county aforesaid and east of a line commencing at a ford where said
Cedar creek crosses the Range line between Ranges 26 and 27 West, nmning
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 37
thence south to the main channel of Middle river in said county, and also all
that part of said county which lies south of the main channel of said Middle
river until it reaches the mouth of the large branch lying between Samuel Fleener
and John Wilkinson, thence up said Branch until it reaches the main prairie
divide, thence Westerly on said divide until it reaches the west line of said
County, shall constitute and be styled South township and the place of holding
the first election in said township shall be at the house of Nathan Viney.
Ordered, that all that part of said county lying between Union and South
townships in said county shall be constituted and styled Center township, and
the place of holding the first election in said township shall be at the house of
William M. Phipps.
Ordered, that Union township in said county shall constitute the first Com-
missioners' district in the County aforesaid.
Ordered, that Center township in said County constitutes the second Commis-
sioners' district in the county aforesaid.
Ordered, that South township in said County constitutes the third Commis-
sioners' district in the County aforesaid.
Ordered, that Court adjourn until lo o'clock tomorrow morning.
Ordered, lo o'clock, Feb. 20 inst.. Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Ordered, that the account of Alfred D. Jones in amount $10.13 be allowed
for services as deputy organizing sheriff of said county.
Ordered, that the account of David Bishop in amount $2.50 be allowed for
two days service as County Commissioner at this term.
Ordered, that the account of William Gentry in amount $2.00 be allowed
for two days ser\'^ices rendered as County Commissioner at this term.
Ordered, that the account of William Combs in amount $2.00 be allowed
for two days service rendered as County Commissioner at this term.
Ordered, that the account of P. M. Boyles in amount $2.00 be allowed for
two days services rendered as Commissioner's Clerk at this term.
Ordered, that the place of holding the next regular session of the Commis-
sioners' Court for said County shall be at the house of Porter Roberts in said
County.
Ordered, that Court adjourn.
Attest, Philip M. Boyles,
William Combs,
William Gentry,
David Bishop.
Commissioners' Court, Madison County, Iowa, special term, February the
19, 1849.
In pursuance of previous notice being given, the commissioners of said county
met at the house of Alfred D. Jones in the county aforesaid on 19th day of
February, inst.
Present Commissioners David Bishop, William Gentry, William Combs,
Commissioners' Clerk P. M. Boyles, A. D. Jones Prosecuting Attorney and
Ephraim Bilderback Sheriff of said County.
The following orders were then made by said Commissioners and required
to be placed upon the records of said County, viz :
County Com's.
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38 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Ordered, that John Butler and Andrew Evans be accepted as security for
Philip M. Boyles, Commissioner's Clerk elect, in a bond of $2,000.
Ordered, that all accounts presented to this Court for payment shall be in
writing and shall contain a bill of the several items which constitutes said account.
Ordered, that the several county officers of said County, except the Probate
Judg?, are hereby authorized to procure such books and stationery as may be
necessary in the discharge of their respective official duties at the expense of the
aforesaid county.
Ordered, that the following shall be the form of the County orders to be issued
by said Commissioner's Clerk, to wit :
State of Iowa No. 5 Com'rs Office
Madison County $1.00 Jan. term 1849
Treasurer of said county pay to Alfred D. Jones, or order, one dollar for
stationery furnished the Com'rs Clerk out of any money in the treasury appro-
priated for county expenditures. By order of the Commissioners of said County.
Attest, Philip M. Boyles.
SECOND MEETING
Ordered, Commissioners' Court, Madison County, Iowa, regular term, April
the 9, 1849.
Met according to law at the house of Porter Roberts in said county. Present,
Cqmmissioners David Bishop, William Combs, William Gentry; Commissioners'
Clerk, P. M. Boyles; A. D. Jones, Prosecuting Attorney, and Ephraim Bilder-
back sheriff of said county.
Ordered, that John R. Short and William M. Phipps be accepted as surety
for Ephraim Bilderback, Assessor Elect, in a bond of $500.00.
Ordered, that the account of Alfred D. Jones in amount of $15.00 be allowed
for services rendered as Prosecuting Attorney of said county as per bill on file.
Ordered, that the account of P. M. Boyles in amount $14.41 be allowed for
services rendered as Commissioners' Clerk of said County.
Ordered, that the account of Ephraim Bilderback in amount of $5.12^4 be
allowed for services rendered as Sheriff of said County.
Ordered, that the account of P. M. Boyles in amount $1.00 be allowed for one
day attending Com's Court at this term as Com's Clerk.
Ordered, that the account of Ephraim Bilderback in amount of $1.00 be
allowed for one day attending Com's Court ^s Sheriff this term.
Ordered, that the account of William Combs in amount $1.00 be allowed for
one day services rendered as County Commissioner at this term.
Ordered, that the account of David Bishop in amount $1.25 be allowed {or
one day's services rendered as County Commissioner at this term.
Ordered, that the account of William Gentry in amount $1.00 be allowed for
one day's services rendered as County Commissioner at this term.
Ordered, that the place of holding the first District Court of Madison County
will be at the house of. Enos Berger in said County.
Ordered, that the place of holding the next regular term of the Com's Court
will be at the house of Enos Berger in said County.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 39
Ordered, that Court adjourn.
Attest : P. M. Boyles.
William Combs
David Bishop y County Com's.
William Gentry
Ordered, Com's Court, Madison County, Iowa, regular term, July the 2, 1849.
Met according to law at the house of Enos Berger in said County.
Present, Com's David Bishop, William Combs, William Gentry ; Com's Clerk,
P. M. Boyles and Ephraim Bilderback, sheriff of said County.
Ordered, that Court adjourn till 2 o'clock P. M. 2 o'clock inst. Court met
pursuant to adjournment.
Ordered, that the present assessment list of Madison County, Iowa, be received
for the year 1849.
Ordered, that Court adjourn till 8 o'clock tomorrow morning.
8 o'clock inst. Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Ordered, that there be a tax levied of 4 mills to the dollar for county purposes
and 2 mills and a half to the dollar for state purposes and one mill to the dollar
for school purposes.
Ordered, that the Com's Clerk shall make out a tax list to the treasurer and
issue a warrant to said treasurer for collection.
Ordered that the Com's clerk shall make out an abstract of the assessment list
which abstract shall contain the number'of polls, the amount of real estate and the
amount of personal property, which abstract he shall forward to the Auditor of
State.
Ordered, that the account of P. M. Boyles in amount $3.29 be allowed for serv-
ices rendered as Com's Clerk of said County.
Ordered, that the account of P. M. Boyles in amount of $3.22 be allowed for
services rendered as Com's Clerk of said County.
Ordered, that the account of Enos Berger in amount 45 cents be allowed for
stationery furnished said county previous to this term.
Ordered, that Court adjourn till i o'clock P. M.
I o'clock inst. Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Ordered, that the account of E. Bilderback in amount $4.00 be allowed for
services as Sheriff of said County.
Ordered, that the county surveyor of Madison County proceed as soon as con-
venient to lay off the Seat of Justice of said County as follows: He shall lay
off about eighty acres of the quarter located on as nearly as practicable, extending
it one half mile east and west and one quarter of mile north and south, as nearly
as circumstances will admit of making the square and as nearly as can be equally
around a stake, set by the Com's of said County, as the center of the public square
of said Seat of Justice.
Ordered, that the lots in the Seat of Justice shall be in length 132 feet north
and south and 66 feet east and west; alleys shall be laid running east and west
through every square of one rod in width so as to divide the blocks equally
except the alleys of the two squares, one on the east and the other on the west
side of said public square which shall run north and south ; the streets shall be
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40 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
sixty-six feet in width running at right angles north and south and east and west
through the length and breadth of said town ; and said surveyor shall do all the
work necessary to be done about said plat as is usual in said cases.
Ordered, that William Gentry be authorized to employ some person to make
800 stakes to be 3 feet in length, 2J/2 inches square and haul said stakes onto said
town plat as may be directed by said surveyor; said^ stakes to be made of burr or
white oak timber and sawed square at the top and sharpened equally so as to
drive.
Ordered, that P. M. Boyles, William Gentry, William Combs, David Bishop
and Enos Berger be employed to assist said surveyor in the surveying of said
town.
Ordered, that the County seat Madison County be called Winterset.
Ordered, that George Gillaspy be allowed $16.00 for services rendered as locat-
ing Com. of said County.
Ordered, that Thomas Butler be allowed $9.00 for services rendered as locat-
ing Com. of said County.
Ordered, that P. M. Boyles be allowed $2.00 for 2 days services rendered as
Com's Clerk at this term.
Ordered, that David Bishop be allowed $2.25 for 2 days services rendered
ing Com. of said County.
Ordered, that William Combs be allowed $2.00 for 2 days services rendered
as Com. at this term.
Ordered, that William Gentry be allowed $2.00 for 2 days services rendered
as Com. at this termi
Attest, P. M. Boyles.
David Bishop
William Combs y County Com's
William Gentry
Commissioner's Court, Madison County, Iowa, special term, July the 23, 1849:
(Note: Every word hereinafter of proceedings of this session, except signa-
ture of Commissioners, is in hand writing of Alfred D. Jones).
Present, David Bishop, William Gentry, William Combs, Com*s, and P. M.
Boyles, Com's Clerk.
Ordered, that the plat and survey of the town of Winterset as made out by
A. D. Jones, county surveyor of said county, on the 19th day of July, 1849, be
received and placed on file in this office.
Ordered, that lot number 6 in Block 17 be appraised at $30 and the lots as
follows : 4 in B 17, $20; 2 in 17, $15 ; 8 in same, $25.
Block 16 : lot 4 at $15, lot 2 at $12, lot 8 at $15, lot 6 at $14, lot-
Block 15 : lot 5 at $15, lot 7 at $10, lot i at $8, lot 3 at $8.
Block 18 : Lot 8 at $30, lot 2 at $20, lot 3 at $15.
Block 19: No. I at $5 and 7 at $10, No. 3 at $8.
Block 20: No. 8 at $10, No. 6 at $8, No. 4 and 2 at $5.
Block 24: I at $25, 3 at $25, 5 and 7 at $12.
Block 25 : 4 at $25, 2 at $20, 8 and 6 at $^5.
Block 26: Lots I and 3 at $18, No's 5 and 7, $15.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 41
Block 2j : I and 3 at $12, 5 and 7 at $8.
Block 23 : 3 and 4 at $18, 8 at $10, 6 at $8.
Block 22 : I at $20, 3 at $16, 7 and 5 at $10.
Block 21 : I at $15, 3 at $10, 5 and 7 at $6.
Block II : 5 at %22, 7 at $20, i and 2 at $10.
Block 12 : 8 and 6 at $15, 4 and 3 at $10.
Block 13 : 8 and 6 at $10, i and 2 at $5.
Block 14 : 8 and 6 at $8, i and 2 at $5.
Block 10: 5 and 7 at $15, 3 and 4 at $6.
Block 9 : 5 and 7 at $10, 3 and 4 at $5.
Block 8: 5 and 7 at $8, 3 and 4 at $5.
5 and 6 in blocks 7, 5, 5, 4, 3, 2, i at $5.
I and 2 in blocks 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, i at $3.
3 and 4 in blocks 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29 and 28 at $5.
7 and 8 in blocks 34, 33> 3^, 3i» 30» 29, 28, at $3.
Ordered that A. D. Jones be requested to write an advertisement for publica-
tion of the sale of lots in the town of Winterset and that it be sent to the Iowa
Star for publication.
Ordered, that Charles Wright be employed to carry it to Fort Des Moines to
the office of said paper for which he will be allowed the sum of one dollar and
twenty-five cents and that said notice shall be taken to said press by Tuesday
night next.
Ordered, that Court adjourn till i o'clock P. M.
I o'clock inst. Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Ordered, that the general sale of lots in the town of Winterset shall be on
Wednesday the 22d day of August, A. D. 1849.
Ordered, that the terms of sale of said lots shall be one fourth cash in hand
and the balance in three installments of six months each which shall be dis-
charged by notes of equal size given to the Board of Commissioners who will in
turn give a certificate of purchase to the buyer which shall be presented to said
Board for a deed when said land shall have been purchased from the General
Government and said notes discharged by said buyer.
Ordered, that notes given to the Board of Commissioners if not paid when
they become due shall draw interest at the rate allowed by statute and if such
notes should not all be discharged at the time the last becomes due then the
lots for which said notes were given shall be forfeited and the money paid the
county also forfeited to said County.
Ordered, that E. R. Guiberson be appointed town lot agent for the town of
Winterset in said county and that he shall receive such compensation as is usual
in such cases and as he and said Board shall agree upon.
Ordered, that the County donate to Enos Berger town lot number 2 in block
22 in the town of Winterset as an equivalent for 80 acres of a claim on the lands
on which the Seat of Justice is located.
Ordered, that Charles Wright be appointed crier to sell the lots in the town
of Winterset on the day appointed for the general sale.
Ordered, that A. D. Jones be employed to make a sale plat for the town of
Winterset to be ready on the day of sale for use.
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42 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Ordered, that William Gentry be allowed $3.75 for services as chain carrier
in the town of Winterset.
Ordered, that William Combs be allowed $3.75 for services on the town quarter
of Winterset.
Ordered, that Irvin Baum be allowed $3.75 for services on town quarter.
Ordered, that P. M. Boyles be allowed $3.75 for services on town quarter.
Ordered, that Enos Berger be allowed $3.75 for services on town quarter.
Ordered, that John Deshaser be allowed $2.50 for 400 stakes for town quarter.
Ordered, that Andrew Evans be allowed $2.50 for 400 stakes for town quarter.
Ordered, that William Gentry be allowed $1.00 for stakes for town quarter.
Ordered, that A. D. Jones be allowed $69.50 in town lot funds for services
as surveyor and other services in such sums as said Jones may wish.
Ordered, that William Combs be allowed $1.00 for services as Com'r.
Ordered, that William Gentry be allowed. $1.00 for services as ComV.
Ordered, that D. Bishop be allowed $1.25 for services as Com'r.
Ordered, that P. M. Boyles be allowed $1.00 for services as ComV Clerk.
Ordered, that Court adjourn.
David Bishop 1
William Combs I Com's
William Gentry J
Attest: P. M. Boyles, Com's Clerk.
The record of proceedings from this time to the close of the year 1849 is in
the hand writing of James Thombrugh, except the commissioners* signatures.
Commissioners' Court, Madison County, Iowa, regular term, Oct. the ist, 1849.
Present, Henry McKinzie, William Gentry, Com's and J. Thombrugh, Com's
Clerk.
Ordered, the Com's Clerk be authorized to issue orders to all persons entitled
to fees for services as judges and clerks and for canceling the polls.
Ordered, that the ac't of the Des Moines Star be allowed $1.50.
Ordered, that the ac't of P. M. Boyles for services as Com's clerk be allowed
$4.90.
Ordered, that the ac't of E. Berger be allowed to the amount of $4.00 in town
lot fimd for recording plat of Winterset.
Ordered, that A. D. Jones be allowed $10.00 in town lot fund for sale plat and
other services.
Ordered, that William Compton be allowed 75 cents for furnishing one blank
book for Judge of Probate.
Ordered, that G. W. McClellan be allowed $1.75 for two blank books fur-
nished.
Ordered, that J. Folwell be allowed $1.50 in town lot fund for services ren-
dered on town quarter.
Ordered, that Court adjourn until tomorrow morning 9 o'clock.
Henry McKinzie ) ^ ,
William Gentry V
Attest: J. Thombrugh, Com's Clerk.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 43
Corn's Court met pursuant to adjournment. Present, N. S. Allcock, Com. 9
o'clock, 2nd day of term.
Ordered, that E. Bilderback be allowed $36.64 for cessing (assessing) said
county and other services as sheriflf.
Ordered, the petition of E. Berger and others calling for a road commencing
at the north end of Front street in the town of Winterset in Madison County to
nm thence on the nearest and best route to the East line of said county in the
direction to F*t Des Moines be granted and the following gentlemen be appointed
viewers : Silas Bams, Esq., Isaac Clanton, John Wilkinson, and that A. D. Jones
be appointed surveyor on said road. Road bond of A. D. Jones and S. B. Casebier
filed previous the granting of said petition and that said viewers and surveyor
shall meet at the town of Winterset on the first day of Nov., 1849, or within five
days thereafter, to commence said view and survey and proceed otherwise accord-
ing to law.
Ordered, that lot 3 in block 26 be donated to Samuel B. Casebier for eighty
acres of claim on which the location was made for the town of Winterset.
Ordered, that A. D. Jones be allowed two dollars in town lot funds for services
as clerk at the sale of lots in Winterset.
Ordered, that the petition of S. Bams and others calling for a road com-
mencing at the northeast comer of the Public Square in the town of Winterset
in Madison County on the nearest and most eligible route to the north line of
said county in the direction to Penoach in Dallas County, Iowa, be granted and
the following gentlemen be appointed viewers of said road: SS., Charles Wright,
Samuel Crawford, Irvin Baum, and A. D. Jones be appointed surveyor on said
road. Road bond of Silas Barns and Enos Berger filed previous to the granting
said petition and that said viewers and surveyor shall meet at the town of Winter-
set on the 20th day of Oct., A. D. 1849, or within five days thereafter, to
commence said view and survey and proceed otherwise according to law.
Ordered, that the petition of A. D. Jones and others calling for a road com-
mencing at the south end of Front street in the town of Winterset to run from
thence on the nearest and best route to Simmons and Casebier's mill on Middle
river be granted and that the following gentlemen be appointed viewers on said
road, viz: William Gentry, Silas Bams, Enos Berger, and A. D. Jones be ap-
pointed surveyor of said road and that the viewers and surveyor shall meet at
the town of Winterset on the isth day of Nov., 1849, or within five days there-
after and proceed otherwise according to law.
Ordered, that E. R. Guiberson be allowed $17.10 for services as School Fund
Com. of said Co.
Ordered, that E. R. Guiberson be allowed $25.00 in town lot funds for services
as town lot agent.
Ordered, that Enos Berger be allowed $4.00 for 8 days' house rent for
holding court for said Co.
Ordered, that Court adjourn until 9 o'clock tomorrow moming.
Henry McKinziel
William Gentry j-Com's
N. S. Allcock J
Attest: J. Thombrugh, Com's Clerk.
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44 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Corn's Court met pursuant to adjournment, 3rd day of term, 9 o'clock.
Ordered, that there be a court house built in the town of Winterset, Madison
County, Iowa. Description as follows, viz : Of hewed oak logs twenty by twenty
four feet square, two story high, first nine ft., second eight ft., said building to
be let out at the lowest bidder on the third Saturday of Oct., A. D. 1849.
Ordered, that the Com's Clk be employed to write a specification of said house
and also to write four advertisements for letting out said building.
Ordered, that William Gentry be allowed five dollars for two days' services
rendered as Com. of said County.
Ordered, that William Gentry be allowed two dollars and 50 cents for one day's
services rendered as Co. Com. at this term in town lot fund.
Ordered, that Henry McKinzie be allowed five dollars for two days' service
rendered as Com. at this term.
Ordered, that Henry McKinzie be allowed two dollars and fifty cts in town
lot funds for one day's serv^ice as Com. at this term.
Ordered, that N. S. Allcock be allowed two dollars and fifty cts. for one day's
service, rendered as Com. at this term.
Ordered, that N. S. Allcock be allowed two dollars and fifty cts in town lot
funds for one day's service as Com. at this term.
Ordered, that James Thombrugh be allowed ten dollars for services as Com's
Clk.
Ordered, that J. Thombrugh be allowed four dollars in town lot funds for
one day's service rendered as Com's Clk and filing certificates of lots sold.
Ordered, that Court adjourn.
Henry McKinzie ^
William Gentry ^ Com's
N. S. Allcock J
Attest : J. Thombrugh, Com's Clk.
Special term, Oct. 20th, A. D. 1849, Com's Court, Madison County, Iowa.
Present, Henry McKinzie and William Gentry, Com's.
Ordered, that the court house in Winterset be reversed (reduced) to a one
story house eighteen by thirty feet square.
Ordered, that Henry McKinzie be allowed two dollars and fifty cts of the
town lot fund for one day service as Com.
Ordered, that William Gentry be allowed two dollars and fifty cts of the town
lot fund for one day service as Com.
Ordered, that J. Thombrugh be allowed three dollars of the town lot fund for
services rendered as Com's Clerk.
Ordered, that Court adjourn.
Henry McKinzie
Attest : J. Thombrugh, Com's Clerk.
William Gentry ^
Commissioners' Court, Madison County, Iowa, special term, Dec. 14, 1849.
Present, Henry McKinzie, William Gentry, and J. Thornbmgh, Com's Clerk.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 45
Ordered that a license be granted to William Compton to keep grocery, in said
County, for the term of twelve months.
Ordered, that means be taken to borrow 150 dollars for the purpose of enter-
ing the town quarter.
Ordered, that E. R. Guiberson be authorized and empowered to effect a loan
of one hundred and fifty dollars for the purpose of entering the quarter on which
Winterset is situated and that he be authorized and empowered to execute notes
or other instruments of writing necessary to obtain said sum of rtioney and to
assign (sign) our names to such instrument.
Ordered, that the account of J. Thombrugh be allowed the amount of seven
dollars for services as Com*s Clerk.
Ordered, that Court adjourn until next regular meeting.
Co. Com's
Attest : J. Thombrugh, Com's Clerk.
Henry McKinzie
William Gentry
Winterset, Iowa, Jan. 7, 1850.
Present Commissioners Henry McKinzie, William Gentry and Norval S.
Allcock ; David Bishop, deputy Commissioners' Clerk.
Road petition by Joel Clanton and others for a county highway commencing
at county line east of Joel Clanton*s farm, thence by the nearest and best route
to Simmons & Casebier's itiill on Middle river granted. Viewers appointed were
Samuel Peter, Philip Boyles and Daniel Vancil, and A. D. Jones surveyor, who
were directed to meet at house of Joel Clanton March ist, 1850, or within 5 days
thereafter, and proceed to view and mark said road.
Report of Enos Berger, County Treasurer, received and he was directed to
make out and post written abstracts of receipts and expenditures as required by
law.
Court adjourned until tomorrow morning.
January 8, 1850. Court met pursuant to adjournment — present same as yes-
terday.
Enos Berger allowed $7 for one blank book and commission for collecting
taxes.
Commissioners' clerk instructed to issue orders to jurors according to law
when called for.
Road petition by Thomas Cason and others for a county highway "Com-
mencing at the county line where the road crosses the same running by Esqur
Adamson's to the Lynn Grove and from thence on the East side of Thomas
Cason's farm near the house, thence on the nearest and best route to the county
line in the direction of Pisgah," was granted. Viewers appointed were John
Wilkinson, Samuel Fleener and Levi Bishop, and A. D. Jones sur\'eyor and
directed to meet at Esqur Adamson's on the 2nd Monday of March, 1850, to view
and mark said road.
E. Bilderback, sheriflF, allowed $8 for summoning petit jury for May terpi,
1849. Also be allowed $16 for summoning grand and petit juries for September
term of the District Court, 1849.
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46 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
E. R. Guiberson ordered to use $50 of the town lot fund for "entering the town
quarter."
Road petition by A. D. Jones and others for a county highway commencing
at the north end of Front street in Winterset, thence on the nearest and best
route in the direction of Fort Des Moines to the east line of county was granted.
Viewers were- Asa Mills, D. H. Whited and Samuel B. Casebier and A. D. Jones
surveyor and directed to meet at Winterset on the 4th Monday in March, 1850,
to view and mark said road.
Commissioners McKinzie and Gentry each allowed $2.50 out of the town
lot fund for services as Commissioners at the special meeting of the Court Dec.
14, 1849.
Commissioners McKinzie, Gentry and Allcock each allowed $5 for two days
services attending January term, 1850.
David Bishop allowed $4 for services as deputy commissioners' clerk, January
term, 1850.
Adjourned until tomorrow morning.
January 9, 1850, Court met pursuant to adjournment — present same as yes-
terday.
Following lots in Winterset were appraised, viz :
Lot
Blk
$
5
17
50
7
17
30
5
16
30
I
18
50
7
18
50
4
18
30
2
19
10
8
19
20
I
20
10
7
20
12
2
24
SO
8
24
30
I
25
30
7
25
20
Lot
Blk
$
4
26
25
I
23
50
8
22
20
6
22
15
8
21
15
2
21
15
8
II
- 50
3
II
15
5
12
50
I
12
10
6
10
25
I
ID
10
8
4
10
8
3
ID
Public sale of lots. ordered on Feby i, 1850, and advertisements thereof by
posting written notices and by two insertions in the Iowa Star (at Des Moines).
Report of the Locating Commissioners (Commissioners appointed by the
State Legislature to locate seat of justice of Madison County) ordered recorded.
The following accounts were allowed and ordered paid out of the lot fund :
A. D. Jon^s, making out papers for entering town quarter $2.00
Henry McKinzie, services ComV Jan. term 2.50
N. S. Allcock, services Com'r Jan. term 2.50
William Gentry, services Com'r Jan. term 2.50
David Bishop i day's service deputy elk 2.00
Adjourned. (Minutes signed by each commissioner and atteste4 by D. Bishop,
deputy elk).
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 47
Special term, Feb. 8, 1850. Present Henry McKinzie and William Gentry,
Commissioners, and Jas. Thombrugh, Com's Clk.
Ordered, that S. B. and D. J. Casebier be paid $50 out of lot fund in part
payment for building court house.
James Thombrugh allowed $3.05 out of lot fund for services as Com*s Clk.
Ordered, that all lots sold at public sale and forfeited by purchaser shall not be
subject to private entry.
Lot I in block 16 appraised at $10 for purpose of erecting a school house for
the district including the town.
Following accounts allowed on the lot fund:
Jas. Thombrugh, i day's service Com's clk $2.00
H. McKinzie, i day's service Com'r 2.50
William Gentry, i day's service Com'r ^ 2.50
Adjoumed. (Signed by each Com'r and attested by J. Thombrugh, clerk).
R^;ular April term. Board met April 8, 1850. Present, Henry McKinzie, Wil-
liam Gentry and Norval S. AUcock, commissioners, and James Thombrugh, clerk.
Bills allowed on lot f tmd :
A. D. Jones, services at dot sate and blank book $ 3.00
James Thombrugh, services and fees as com's clk 12.82
John Allen Pitzer employed to procure Copy of the field notes of Madison
County.
Adjoumed to 9 A. M., April 9th.
April 9, 1849, Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment. Present the same
as yesterday.
Ordered, that the report of a road, commencing at the north end of Front
street, running thence in the direction to Adel to the county line of said county,
be received and the same is hereby established as a county road and ordered to
be opened ; that Charles Wright be allowed three dollars as viewer on said road ;
that A. D. Jones be allowed $12.50 for services as surveyor on said road.
Ordered, that the report of a road, commencing at the south end of Front
street, running thence to Simmons & Casebier's Mill in said County, be received
and the same is hereby made a coimty road and ordered to be cut out thirty feet
wide: that E. Berger be allowed $2.84 for recording county orders; that the
town quarter on the south be surveyed into lots containing one and four-fifths
of an acre as far east as the old survey with no streets mnning East and West ;
that Charles Wright be allowed $1 for services rendered at lot sales in Winterset ;
that the following described lots be appraised as follows, to wit :
Lot Block Value Lot Block Value Lot Block Value
3 17 $50 7 12 $15 8 4 $10 '
I
17
30
2
12
10
3
4
5
I
16
10
5
13
10
4
4
S
I
16
10
7
13
6
7
3
5
7
16
25
4
13
8
8
3
5
6
IS
10
3
13
5
4
3
5
8
10
10
5
14
10
3
3
3
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48
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
«t
Block
Value
■ Lot
Block
Value
Lot
Block
Value
4
lO
8
7
14
10
7
2
5
2
15
8
4
14
5
8
2
5
6
i8
30
3
14
SO
3
3
3
6
19
20
8
10
50
4
2
3
4
19
12
2
10
20
7
I
5
5
20
8
8
9
12
8
I
5
3
20
5
6
9
10
3
I
3
4
24
50
2
9
5
4
I
3
6
24
15
I
9
5
I
34
5
3
25
25
8
8
5
2
34
5
5
25
15
6
8
5
5
34
3
2
26
18
I
8
5
6
34
3
6
26
15
2
8
5
I
33
5
8
26
15
7
7
5
2
33
5
4
27
15
8
7
5
5
33
3
2
27
10
4
7
3
6
33
3
6
27
8
3
7
3
I
32
5
8
27
- 8
7
6
5
2
32
5
2
23
20
8
6
5
5
32
3
5
23
8
3
6
3
6
32
3
7
23
8
4
6
3
I
31
ID"
4
22
16
7
5
5
2
31
6
4
21
10
8
5
5
5
31
3
6
, 21
6
3
5
3
6
31
3
6
II
50
4
5
3
I
30
S
4
10
15
7
4
10
2
30
5
5
30
5
6
30
5
5
29
3
6
29
3
I
29
5
2
29
3
I
28
3
2
28
3
5
28
3
6
28
3
Ordered, that a sale of lots take place in the town of Winterset on the 30th
day of May, next, terms of sale to be one-third in hand and one-third in 12
months.
Ordered, that James Thombrugh be allowed $6.50 for stationery for county,
A. Q. Rice $2.44 for opening poll books, Henry McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and
William Gentry each $2.50 for i day's service as Commissioner this term, James
Thombrugh $2 for i day's service as Clerk this term.
Ordered, that H. McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and William Gentry be allowed $2.50
each out of the lot fund for one day's service as Commissioner this term and James
Thombrugh $2 out of lot fund for one day's service as clerk this term.
Ordered, that lot 8 in block 14 be donated to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and all other denominations can have a lot of the same quality.
Ordered, that the Court adjourn. (Signed by each Commissioner and attested
by the clerk). '
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 49
Special term, May 3, 1850. Commissioners' Court, Madison County, Iowa.
Present, Henry McKinzie, William Gentry, Commissioners, and J. Thombrugh,
Clerk.
Ordered, that the Court House be received, by the contractors pointing the
underpinning and repairing the roof ; that S. B. and D. J. Casebier be allowed $100
balance on Court House; that Henry McKinzie and William Gentry each be
allowed $2.50 out of the lot fund for one day's service at this term and J. Thom-
brugh $2 for a day's service as clerk this term out of lot fund. Adjourned.
(Signed by the two Commissioners present and by the clerk).
Commissioners' Court met special term. May 30th, 1850. Present, Henry
McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and William Gentry, and James Thornbrugh, Com'r's
Clerk.
Ordered, that the following described lots be appraised as follows, viz., lying
in the additional survey on the south end of Winterset :
Lot
Value
Lot
Value
Lot
Value
I
$25
14
$20
2
$28
13
25 »
3
12
12
15
4
30
II
15
5
20
10
12
6
15
9
15
7
12
8
10
21
5
20
12
19
10
18
5
17
12
16
12
15
8
Ordered, that the sale of lots be continued on the succeeding day ; that Court
adjourn. (Signed by each of the Commissioners and attested by the Clerk).
Note : All the future proceedings of the Commissioners' Court are in the hand-
writing of Israel D. Guiberson. As may be observed, he not only appeared to be
deputy commissioners' clerk but also wrote the commissioners' names to the record
from the following July term to the next April term. There was criticism because
he signed up the record and thereafter the commissioners wrote their own signa-
tures to it. James Thombrugh continued in office as clerk but henceforth failed
to write any portion of the record or even sign his own name in attest. Mr.
Thombrugh remained in this office until its abolishment, August, 1851, at which
time the conmiissioner system was succeeded by a county judge. It will be ob-
served that the following proceedings of the July term are queeried as to dates but
the whole record is reproduced here, as it appears in the original. The record
shows that the commissioners drew pay for three days in session, while it only
gives proceedings of two days, and same as to clerk. Query. — Wa» one day's
proceedings entirely omitted from the record by the acting clerk ?
July term, 1850, July i, 9 o'clock A. M., Commissioners' Court met at the
Court House in the town of Winterset, Madison County, Iowa. Present, Henry
McKinzie, Norval S. Allcock and William Gentry, Commissioners, and James
Thombrugh, Commissioners' Clerk.
A petition of Enos Berger and numerous other citizens of Madison County
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50 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
being presented praying for the grant of a road forty feet wide running as follows,
to wit : Beginning at the east end of Court avenue in the Town of Winterset and
running easterly to the former residence of A. D. Jones in said county, thence
following the dividing ridge to the top of the same westerly of the house of G. W.
fMcClellan, thence northeasterly to a place west of where the California track
passes said house, thence east to a ridge that leads directly to the dividing ridge,
thence along said ridge passing the house of John C. Carroll where the California
track passes said house, thence the nearest and best route for a road along said
dividing ridge to the county line in the direction of Dudley on the Des Moines
river ; it was ordered that the same be granted and the-f oUowing named persons be
appointed viewers on said road, to wit: Charles Wright, William Combs, Irvin
Baum ; also ordered that A. D. Jones be appointed surveyor and that viewer and
surveyor shall meet on the ist Monday in September, 1850, or within five days
thereafter, to proceed to view and survey said road as th6 law directs. It was
also ordered by said Board that the account of Charles Wright calling for $2
for services rendered as salesman of town lots be allowed out of the town lot
fund ; that account of E. R. Guiberson calling for $7 for services rendered on the
town plat on quarter be allowed out of the town lot fund ; that account of I. D.
Guiberson calling for $3 for services rendered as Prosecuting Attorney at May
term, 1850, be allowed. Whereupon Court adjourned until tomorrow at 9 o'clock.
July 2nd, 9 o'clock. Board of Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment
and passed the following, orders, to wit : That the assessment of Madison County
be received ; that account of S. Bams sum of $32 be allowed for services as Sheriff ;
that account of E. Berger sum of $5.50 be allowed out of town lot fund for services
as County Recorder and one dollar of the County revenue for stationery; that
account of James Thombrugh sum of $17.40 be allowed for services as Commis-
sioners' Clerk; that there be a tax of four mills on the dollar levied for county
purposes and 2j^ mills for state purposes and J4 mill for school purposes — making
in all 7 mills on the dollar; that Henry McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and William
Gentry each be allowed $2.50 out of the town lot fund for one day's services as
Commissioner; that William Gentry be allowed $1.25 for services on town quar-
ter; that $1.75 be allowed James Thombrugh for services as Commissioners'
Clerk; that H. McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and William Gentry be allowed $5 each
for services as the Board of Commissioners at this term ; that license be granted
John H. Dougherty and Stephen T. Barber to keep a grocery in the town of Win-
terset for the term of 12 months from this date; that James Thombrugh be al-
lowed $4 for two days' services as Commissioners' Clerk at this term. It was
thereupon ordered that Court adjourn sine die. (Commissioners' names all signed
by I.^D. Guiberson, also clerk's name by same.)
October Term, Madison County, Oct. 7, A. D. 1850. Commissioners' Court
met pursuant to law. Present, Henry McKinzie, Norval S. Allcock and Edmond
Wood, Commissioners, and James Thombrugh, commissioners' clerk, whereupon
they proceeded to transact the business of the County pertaining to their office,
when it was ordered that the petition of Jesse Young and others asking for a road
^ commencing at the county line of Madison east of Joel M. Clanton's farm, mnning
thence the nearest and best route to Winterset, be granted, and the following
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 51
persons were appointed viewers thereon, to wit: Absolom McKinzie, S. Bams
and John Dorrell, and Simmons Rutty, surveyor, all to meet at the house of J. M.
Clanton on the ist Nov., 1850, or within 5 days thereafter; that William Gentry
be allowed $7.50 for services by guarding prisoners; that S. Bams be allowed
$43.75 for services as Sheriff; that P. M. Boyles be allowed $7 for services by
guarding prisoner; that E. R. Guiberson be allowed $1.85 as J. P. in case of State
against Nunn ; that A. McKinzie be allowed 50 cents for services as constable in
same case ; that A. D. Jones be allowed $9.75 of the town lot fund for services
on town quarter; that I. D. Guiberson be allowed $13 for services as prosecuting
attorney ; that William Wear, jailer of Polk County, be allowed $3.12^/^ for attend-
ing on prisoner from Madison County ; that the sheriflF of Polk County be allowed
$6.40 for services rendered as sheriff in case of State vs. Nunn ; that A. McKinzie
be allowed $1 for services as bailiff at the last term of District Court; that Court
adjourn until 2 o'clock tomorrow.
October 8th Court met pursuant to adjoumment, whereupon it was ordered
that E. R. Guiberson be allowed $34 for services as School Fund Commissioner ;
that E. R. Guiberson be allowed $7.75 out of the town lot fund for services as
town lot agent; that E. R. Guiberson be authorized to give a contract to the lowest
bidder for ceiling and otherwise repairing and finishing the rooms of the Court
House, also to fumish stove flues in same, to be completed by the i8th of Nov.,
1850, also to purchase a stove for one room of house; that the account for grand
jury be allowed; that James Thombrugh be allowed $8.40 for services as Com-
missioners* Qerk; that James Thombrugh be allowed $3.50 of the lot fund for
services as Commissioners' Qerk; that $23.57^/4 be allowed James Thombrugh
for services as Commissioners' Clerk; that H. McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and E.
Wood as commissioners and James Thombrugh as clerk be each allowed $2.50
for services at this term; that H. McKinzie, N. S. Allcock, E. Wood each be
allowed $2.50 of the town lot fund and James Thombrugh $2 of the same each
for services rendered at this term ; that Court adjoum. ( Names of each commis-
sioner and of the clerk signed by I. D. Guiberson.)
April term, April 14th, 185 1. Commissioners' Court met pursuant to law.
Present, Henry McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and Edward Wood, Commissioners, and
James Thombrugh, Commissioners' Clerk, whereupon it was ordered that E. R.
Guiberson be allowed $8 of the town lot fund for writing deeds ; that P. M. Boyles
be allowed $1 for wood; that James Thombrugh be allowed $17.30; that Court
adjoum.
2 o'clock P. M. Court met pursuant to adjoumment. Ordered that James
Thombragh be allowed $1.30; that James Thombrugh be allowed $2.25 of the
town lot fund.
That the petition of Charles Wright and others calling for a road commencing
in the town of Winterset in Madison County, Iowa, to run thence south 80 rods,
thence on the most practicable route to or near Bertholf's mill on Middle river,
thence on the most practicable route to the south line of the county in the direction
of Pisgah, be granted, and that Samuel Peter, J. M. Watson and Silas Bams be
appointed viewers and Simmons Rutty surveyor of said road who shall meet at
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52 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Winterset on the ist Monday of June, A. D. 1851, or within five days thereafter,
and proceed to view and survey said road according to law ; that E. R. Guiberson
be allowed $46.33 of the town lot fund for repairing Court House and purchasing
stove for same; that the accounts of the judges and clerks of election for Superin-
tendent be allowed ; that Court adjourn until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock A. M.
April 15th, 9 o'clock A. M. Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment.
Ordered, that Absolom McKinzie as Constable be allowed $1 for posting up notices
of April election and mileage for the same; that Enos Berger be allowed $1.04
for collecting taxes ; that final settlement be made with Enos Berger, late Treas-
urer, whereupon settlement was made and received of him in full for the tax list
of 1849; that E. R. Guiberson be allowed $1.50 of the town lot fund for writing
town lot deeds ; that the account of E. R. Guiberson for $466.80 for money paid
to George Homback entering land for town and money paid Thombrugh be
allowed of the town lot fund; that accounts of N. S. Allcock, Henry McKinzie
and Edward Wood be allowed each $2.50 of the town lot fund for one day's serv-
ices as Commissioners this term ; that Henry McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and Edward
Wood each be allowed $2.50 for one day's services as Commissioners at this term ;
that James Thombrugh be allowed $2 of the town lot fund for services as Commis-
sioners' Clerk at this term ; that James Thombrugh be allowed $2 for one day's
services as Clerk at this term ; that Court adjourn. (Signed by each commissioner
himself, but not attested by any one as clerk.)
July Term, July 7th, 1851. Commissioners met pursuant to law. Present,
Henry McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and Edward Wood, Commissioners, and I. D.
Guiberson, deputy clerk. Ordered, that John Wilhoit be allowed 75 cents for
wood; that Court adjourn.
I o'clock P. M. Court present. Henry McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and Edward
Wood, Commissioners, and I. D. Guiberson, Com'r's Clerk. Ordered, that the
report of the county road leading from the county line east of Joel M. Clanton's
farm in Madison County, Iowa, mnning thence to Winterset, the County seat
of said County, be recorded ; that James Thombrugh as Commissioners' Clerk be
allowed $5.75 ; that James Thombmgh be allowed $2.05 for services as Commis-
sioners' Clerk out of town lot fund ; that Simmons Rutty be allowed $7.50 as sur-
veyor on Clanton road; that George Smith* be allowed $2.75 for carrying chain
on above road; that Royal Uran be allowed $3.75 for carrying chain on
above road ; that J. M. Clanton be allowed $3.75 for marking on said road ; that
S. Barns be allowed $4.50 as viewer on said road ; that John Dorrell be allowed
$4.50 for services as viewer on said road; that the account of James Thom-
brugh for $232.50 of the town lot fund be allowed; that E. R. Guiberson be
allowed of the town lot fund amount $132; that Court adjoum.
July 8th, 1851. Court met at 9 o'clock. Present, Henry McKinzie, N. S.
Allcock and Edward Wood, Commissioners, and I. D. Guiberson, deputy Com-
missioners' Clerk. E. R. Guiberson, Commissioners' agent to sell lots in the
town of Winterset, Iowa, reported the following, to wit :
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HISTORY OF MADISOX COUNTY 53
A statement of lots sold and funds on hand :
No. of lots sold 157
Amount of sales $2,200.25
Amount of orders redeemed i»375-i3
Amount of notes on hand 478.00
Amount of cash on hand 347-12
$2,200.25
up to July 8th, 185 1.
E. R. Guiberson, T. L. Agent.
Ordered, that the time of payment of notes now in the hands of the T. L.
Agent for town lots be prolonged six months from the time said notes are due ;
provided the makers of said notes will come forward and execute new notes
payable six months after date on conditions that the lots for which said notes
are given shall forfeit to the county if said notes are not paid on or before the day
on which the notes become due, at ten per cent interest ; that the Town Lot Agent
be authorized to loan the town lot fund to any person, by taking security, who
is a freeholder, at ten per cent interest, provided that the amount loaned to any
one person at the same time shall not exceed fifty dollars nor be loaned for a
longer time than 12 nor less than 6 months.
Ordered, that the boundaries on South township be changed as follows, to wit :
Commencing at the east line of the county on Middle river, to run thence west
following the meanderings of said river to the mouth of Porter's Branch, thence
south following the meanderings of said Branch to the center of section 15, town-
ship 75 of range No. 27, thence direct to the center of section 23 in said town-
ship and range, thence east with Jones Creek to the mouth of a branch running
between John Dorrell's and Mathew Jones* farms, thence up the said branch to
the divide, thence down a branch running in an easterly direction to Clanton's
Creek, thence up said creek to the mouth of the Frely Branch, thence with
said Branch to the dividing ridge, thence east direct to the east line of said
county; that Court adjourn.
Ordered, that a new township, to be called *'Walnut," be organized in Madison
County, Iowa, which shall be bounded as follows, to wit: Commencing at the
center of the south line of section 15 in township No. 75 of range No. 27 in
said county, to run thence in a westerly direction along the dividing ridge to the
west line of said county, thence south to the southwest comer of the county,
thence east to the southeast comer of said county, thence to the place of beginning,,
running along the south boundaries of South township ; that A. J. Stark, J. W.
Guiberson and John C. Johnson be appointed Trustees of said Walnut township
and that the place of holding elections be at the house of A. J. Stark.
Ordered, that a new township, to be called **East" township, be organized in
Madison County, Iowa, to be bounded as follows, to wit: Commencing at the
east line of said county on Middle river, to run thence west along the meander-
ings of said river to the southeast line (comer) of section 34 in township 76 of
range 27, thence directly north to the north line of said County, thence east fol-
lowing the north and east lines around said County to the place of beginning;.
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54 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
that George W. McClellan, John Carroll and Seth Adamson be appointed
Trustees for said county (township).
Ordered, that there be a new township organized in Madison (to) be called
"Madison" and bounded as follows, to wit: Commencing at the southwest
comer of section 25 of range No. 28 in township No. 76, to run thence west along
the dividing ridge to the west line of said county, thence north along said line
to the north line of said county, thence east along the north line of said county
to the west line of Union township, thence south along said line to the place of
beginning, and George Fry, Irvin Baum and William Combs be appointed Trus-
tees, and the place of election be at George Fry's.
Ordered, that the boundaries of Union township be changed as follows, to wit :
Commencing at the N. E. Corner of section 34 (27) in township No. 76, of range
No. 27, to run thence west, following up the meanderings of Cedar river to the
southwest comer of section 25 in township 76, of range 27 (28), thence north to
the north line of said county, thence east to the west line of East township, thence
south along said line to the place of beginning.
Ordered, that James Thornbrugh be allowed $2.87^/2 for services as District
Clerk; that the time of the contract with James Thornbrugh for building and
completing a jail in the town of Winterset be changed from the ist of October,
1 85 1, to the ist of January, 1852; that E. R. Guiberson be authorized to receive
from time to time the rent due town lot fund from district No. 2 in Center
township for the use of one room of the Court House; that A. D. Jones be
allowed $50 for his services as School Fund Commissioner for the term of seven
months commencing on the 9th day of September, 1850, and ending with the
1st day April, A. D. 1851; that Court adjoum.
July 9th, Court met pursuant to adjoumment, whereupon it was ordered,
that A. D. Jones be allowed $2 for stationery as School Fund Commissioner;
that E. R. Guiberson be allowed $6.50 on the town lot fund for writing deeds;
that the addition to the east part of the town of Winterset be laid out into lots,
so as to make two tier of lots running North and South and so as to have two
lots lie together east and west, and that the County Surveyor be required to lay*
off the same by the 25th of July, 1851 ; that there be four mills tax levied on
each dollar of all the taxable property of Madison County for county purposes
and one-half mill on the dollar for school purposes ; that $87 be deducted from
the assessment of Aquilla Smith ; that Otho Davis be allowed $8.32 for services
as Treasurer; that Henry McKinzie, N. S. AUcock and Edward Wood each be
allowed $5 for services as Commissioners at this term; that James Thornbmgh
be allowed $4 for two days services as Commissioners' Clerk at this term ; that
Henry McKinzie, N. S. Allcock and Edward Wood each be allowed $2.50 out of
the town lot fund for services as Commissioners at this term ; that James Thom-
brugh be allowed $2 out of the lot fund for one day's services as Commissioners'
Clerk be required to advertise the August election to be held in Walnut, East
and Madison townships on the ist Monday of August, 185 1, according to the
provision of statute; that Court adjoum. (Signed by each Commissioner but not
attested.)
Special term Commissioners' Court, July 26th, 1851, Commissioners' Court
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 55
met pursuant to law. Present, Henry McKinzie and Edward Wood, Commis-
sioners, and I. D. Guiberson, deputy Commissioners' Clerk, whereupon it was
ordered that S. Bams be allowed $30 for assessing.
Ordered, that the outlots to the addition on the east side of the town of Winter-
set be appraised as follows, to wit:
Lots
Valui
I
$20
2
15
3
35
4
50
5
25
6
18
7
15
8
12
Lots
Value
9
$10
10
10
II
10
12
20
13
35
14
40
15
15
16
13
Ordered, that the account of hands and surveyor in surveying East addition
to the town of Winterset, amounting to $12.50, be allowed of the town lot fund;
that A. D. Jones be allowed $25 for services as School Fund Commissioner; that
Simmons Rutty be allowed $1 of the town lot fund for services surveying; that
there be a public sale of outlots to the East addition of the town of Winterset,
that the same be advertised to take place on the 9th day of August, A. D. 1851 ;
that A. D. Jones be employed to cry the sale of outlots on the 9th day of August,
1851, and that he be allowed $1 for the same of the town lot fund; that Henry
McKinzie and Edward Wood be allowed each $2.50 of the town lot fund for
one day's services as Commissioner; that I. D. Guiberson be allowed $2 for
service as Commissioners' Clerk; that the term of sale of the outlots promised
at this term be one-third down, one-third in six and twelve months from the date
of sale; that Court adjourn. (Signed by the two commissioners but not attested
by the clerk.)
Special term, July 28th, 185 1, Commissioners met. Present, Henry Mc-
Kinzie, N. S. Allcock and Edward Wood, Commissioners, James Thombrugh,
Commissioners' Clerk. Ordered, that the act of Commissioners passed at the
regular July term, 1851, relative to the levy of taxes be and is hereby repealed;
that there be a tax of three mills levied on each dollar value of all the assessed
property within the County of Madison for State purposes; that there be a tax
of one mill on each dollar value of all the assessed property in the County of
Madison for roads and bridges ; that there be a poll tax of one dollar for the use
of roads levied on each individual liable to pay such tax by the provision of
statute; that there be a school tax of one-half mill on each dollar value levied
on all the taxable property of Madison County; that there be three and a half
mills levied on each dollar value of ail the assessed taxable property of Madison
County for county purposes ; that there be a poll tax of 50 cents, levied on each
person liable to pay such tax, for county purposes; that Henry McKinzie, N. S.
Allcock and Edward Wood each be allowed $2.50 for one day's service as Com-
missioner; that I. D. Guiberson be allowed $2 for service as Commissioners'
Qerk; that Court adjourn. (Signed by each of the three commissioners but not
attested by any one as clerk.)
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56 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
County Court, Madison County, Iowa, Sept. Term, A. D. 1851.
Be it remembered that on the 2nd day of Sept. A. D. 1851, the Court met
pursuant to law. Present, John A. Pitzer, Judge.
Sept. 2, 185 1, ordered that the road plat heretofore filed for the location of a
road to be located from the south end of Front street in the town of Winterset,
running south to the south line of Madison County, be and the same is hereby,
established (and) recorded. There being no further business it is ordered that
the Court adjourn until the next term in course.
This Commissioners Court record is the first book of record and therefore the
oldest of all the county records.
It is a book of which the pages are 6% x y^ inches and the cover 6j4 x 7%
inches. The cover is heavy pasteboard with sheep leather across the back; the
cover a mottled brown shaded with some more dark than light. The book is
strongly sewed and is in fine condition of preservation, except that the leather
backing of the front cover is torn from end to end, but the cover itself is held
on by the middle two cords of binding.
The book contains 72 leaves, including 4 fly leaves unruled. The other leaves
are ruled in blue, y^ inch between lines — 21 lines to the page with Space equal
to a line at bottom and nearly 2 line space at top margin. Being ruled for an
account book, each page has three vertical lines — the first ij4 inch on left hand
side of page from edge of page ; the other two vertical lines at right side of page,
the first of which is Ij4 inch and the second ^ from right side — vertical lines
a yellow color. The paper is of good quality. The cost price is marked "40c"
with a heavy flourish on upper front first fly leaf.
The four writers of the record all used a good quality of ink — P. M. Boyles,
James Thombrugh, I. D. Guiberson and A. D. Jones.
The written contents of the record, including all the signatures of the com-
missioners, are nearly as bright as when written. However, the line ruling is quite
faded and the paper itself shows its age.
The book has seldom been opened or handled since that September day in
1 85 1, when Judge Pitzer made the last record on the next to the very last page.
There is scarcely a blot or "crossed out" word in all the records written by Boyles,
Thombrugh and Jones. Guiberson's portion of the record is not blotted nor other-
wise defaced, except there is considerable written in that he "crossed out*' with his
pen which, with evident omissions of record, mars an otherwise fine record.
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CHAPTER VI
COUNTY BUILDINGS
Since its inception Madison County has been called upon to spend large sums
of money in providing suitable structures for its offices, records, monies and
archives. Also for the safe keeping of criminals and persons accused of crimes
and misdemeanors. It is also a matter of fact that Madison County, while pros-
perous and the great majority of her people are frugal and industrious, has that
element to be found in all communities, that needs the care and sheltering super-
vision which come only from the public funds. The poor and indigent are here
and have been almost from the start and, it being incumbent upon the county as a
Christian bailiwick to provide food, clothes and a habitation for the helplessly
poor and needy, that part of the county*s obligations has not been slighted. A
farm and suitable buildings have been bought, and paid for out of the public
purse.
THE OLD LOG COURTHOUSE
The first building erected for the use of the county was a log structure, built
on a lot now a part of Monumental Park. The first action taken by the board
of county commissioners in this relation was on the third day of its October
session, which began on the first of the month, in the year 1849^ when it was
"ordered that there be a court house built in the town of Winterset, Madison
County, Iowa ; description as follows : Of hewed oak logs 20 x 24 feet square,
two stories high, first 9 feet, second 8 feet. Said building to be let out to the
lowest bidder on the third Saturday of October A. D., 1849; ^hat the commis-
sioners' clerk be employed to write a specification of said house and also to write
four advertisements for letting out said building."
At a special term held October 20th following, two of the commissioners
present, it was "Ordered that the court house be reversed to a one story house,
18 X 30 feet square."
February 8, 1850, commissioners allowed S. B. and D. J. Casebier (first indica-
tion in the records of who got the contract) $50 as part payment for building
courthouse, to be paid out of lot fund.
At a special term held May 3d following, it was "Ordered that the court
house be received by the contractors pointing the underpinning and repairing the
roof ; that S. B. and D. J. Casebier be allowed $100, balance on court house."
There was no separate item in the clefk's bill, for drawing the specifications
and writing the notices preparatory to the letting of the contract, and there
appears to have been no other items of cost for the construction of the building
57
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58 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
than already stated — ^a total of $150. The contractors got all cash down, the
town lot fund having been in cash all the time.
To this old temple of justice came judges, lawyers, litigants and the people
generally, some to hold court and others to listen to the proceedings. Within its
walls have been heard passionate and eloquent arguments of members of the
bar and ministers of the gospel, the latter often holding sway, on an improvised
pulpit within its walls of hewed logs, teaching the Word to the settlers and having
a large share of the people for their audience. The pedagogue also had a place
here, and taught the children "the rudiments," until a schoolhouse was built; so
that, the three professions, the law, education and religion, gained a hearing in
this humble courthouse. Many years ago the building was sold and removed to
Court and Jacksoa streets, where another floor was added to the top and with
weather boarding covering its rough sides was so changed that its most intimate
acquaintance passed it by without signs of recognition. It was used for a bam
many years and torn down and removed a few years ago.
FIRST JAIL
Courthouses and jails move hand in hand with church and school organizations
usually in the onward march of the western pioneers. These .four institutions,
especially in Iowa, closely followed the advent of the first settlement of a new
community. In Madison County, in the order of their establishment, first came
the school, next the church, third the court and lastly the jail. We come now to
the building of the first county jail in Madison County, in the year 185 1.
The county had been organized over two years. Offenses against the peace
and dignity of the state, property and life, had already been committed by citi-
zens. Sessions of court had been held. The care and safe keeping of prisoners
had been costly to the taxpayers of the infant county. Lack of revenue had pre-
vented the earlier building of a gaol of detention. But the sale of lots in the
little Town of Winterset, by the county which owned the town site, was pro-
viding the means with which to meet its current expenses and also to erect
needed county buildings. Thus, at the session of the Commissioners' Court held
January 7, 1851, it was "ordered that there be a jail built on lot No. 4, in block
No. 18, in the original town of Winterset," to b^ completed by the first Monday
in October, 185 1. It was further "ordered that there be a contract made with
the lowest bidder on the second Saturday of February, 1851, for the building of
the jail house above ordered and payment to be made by installments as follows :
One-third when the building is commenced, one-third when half done, and the
balance when the work is completed."
Nothing further appears in the record relating to the county jail, until a
special term of the Commissioners' Court held February 8th, at which it was
"ordered that James Thombrugh be allowed of the town lot fund one-third
of the amount allowed him by contract^ for building the jail, at the commencement
of the building of the same." This is the first and only intimation in the record
that a contract had been let to any one, and the record is silent concerning the
price to be paid or the terms, other than when payment should be made. It may
be added here that Thombrugh was also the commissioners' clerk at the time, but
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 59
the hand writing of the commissioners' record shows for itself that Israel D.
Guiberson, as deputy clerk, was entering all the record, for some time before
as well as afterward during that year.
Among the remnant miscellaneous papers yet preserved in the auditor's office
is the commissioners* specifications of this jail building. Because of its oddity,
and the all round uniqueness of the building required to be built, it is given in
full. It was written by Israel D. Guiberson:
"Specifications of a jailhouse to be erected in the town of Winterset, Madison
county, Iowa, to wit: Size of same to be 1 8 feet square, the foundation to be
laid of good stone, three feet high and three feet thick, two feet of said founda-
tion to be beneath the surface of the earth and one foot above, the whole square
between the foundation walls to be raised to a level with said walls by filling
in small rock, the whole of which is to be floored over with hewn timbers 12
inches thick, from said floor on each side is to be built two walls of hewn timber
eight feet high and one foot apart and the space between to be filled in with rock
and mortar. The second floor to be lain with hewn square timbers 12 inches
thick and finished on top with ij4 inch plank nailed through the outside, timber
walls to be continued 7 feet above the second floor and then to be floored over
in the same manner as the second, except the ij^ plank, all of said timber to be
of good oak or walnut or slippery elm, one window 12 inches square in ftie lower
story with iron bars 4 each way in each wall, and a trap door through the second
floor to be composed of 2 inch lumber double and well nailed together with large
iron spikes, to be a door into the upper story, door shutter to be made of inch
lumber, double, well nailed together and hung in substantial manner with strong
iron bars across each side of said door so as to be locked and made safe ; also a
flight of stairs to be erected on the outside of said building and a platform to
enter said door in the upptsr story, iron bar across said trap door, and a strong
lock to fasten the same, so as to make it substantial; also to be a good shingle
roof put upon said house ; all of which is to be completed by the first Monday in
October, A. D. 1851 ; the contract for the building of the same to be let to the
lowest bidder, who shall give his bond with security to the commissioners of
Madison county, Iowa, conditioned according to the specifications above named.
*T. S. Timber may be 10 inches in place of 12. There is to be a window in the
second story, similar to the one named to be in the first story, with 4 iron bars
each way. The outside wall to be laid with a cement made of sand and lime
laid in the cracks as the wall is raised, and the logs to be notched down so as to
touch. All of said work to be done in workmanlike manner."
And this old barricade tried to do its duty for many long years. A prisoner
once remarked on being taken into it that "a man ought to be ashamed to try to
get out." Anecdotes relating to the old shack are numerous and amusing.
Work on the jail proceeded slowly and at the July meeting the commissioners
extended the time for its completion until January i, 1852.
When the jail was completed is not known, as the records after September,
1 85 1, appear to be missing for a period of more than two years. Nor do existing
records show how much the contractor was to receive, nor how much was paid
him, for its construction. However, he received the sum of $232.50, July 7,
1851, on the contract. And in the county judge's annual statement for the year
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60 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ending July 5, 1852, there is an entry of ^'balance due on jail $25." The members
of the board at the time were David Bishop, Norval S. Allcock and Edward
Wood. The sheriff's name was Silas Barns.
In 1865, a committee of the board of supervisors, appointed to consider
repairs on the jail, reported against the feasibility of spending any money on the
old cabin, whereupon the clerk of the board was authorized to sell the jail to the
highest bidder. Some time later the old relic was removed and for a while John
Stiffler maintained a set of scales on the lot. In June, 1867, **the application of
the Soldiers' Monument Committee for aid was taken up, and on motion, it was
voted to donate the jail lot for the benefit of the monument and H. J. B. Cum-
mings, C. D. Bevington and M. R. Tidrick were appointed a committee to sell the
same." Rev. C. T. McCaughan was the purchaser, who dismantled the concern
and used the logs in building a stable on his own lot.
THE PRESENT JAIL
When the second and third courthouses were built the county jail was made a
part of the structures. The courthouse, put up in 1868 and destroyed by fire in
1875, had cells for prisoners in the second story, but when a replica of the ruined
structur? took its place, provisions were made for incarcerating offenders against
the law in the basement. This continued to be the county jail until the year
1903, when a two-story, pressed brick building was erected, on the comer of
Green and North First streets, at a cost of approximately eleven thousand dol-
lars. The front is on the Green Street side and is arranged as a residence for
the jailer. To the rear, on the First Street frontage is the jail proper, which has
in the center of it one large room, a steel cage, divided into cells. This building
was secured for the county after considerable opposition by certain of the tax-
payers.
MADISON county's STATELY TEMPLE OF JUSTICE
The taxpayers of Madison County have expended for the building of the last
two courthouses about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, of which $120,000
was practically a total loss. Displaying a just realization of the importance of the
bailiwick to the state and assuming a pardonable pride in her institutions, the
money was granted by the electorate for the building of a temple of justice that
would do them credit from a material and artistic point* of view.
The construction of the first modern building, of which the present one is
almost an exact replica, was commenced in the year 1868, and in its description
the reader will have in mind the one now standing. The structure was built of
the famed grey Hmestone so abundant in the county, and is in the form of a
Greek cross, each of its four wings fronting a street. At the entrances are mas-
sive stone columns supporting piazzas, which are approached by concrete walks
from each street ; from them flights of stone steps, fifty feet in width, lead to the
main corridors, six feet above the level of a beautiful campus.
The first floor is devoted to the county offices. These rooms are well lighted
by high, broad windows and are supplied with steel vaults for the safe keeping
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HISTORY OF MADISOX COUNTY 61
of valuable documents. In the second story are the court room, apartments for
the judge and attorneys and jury rooms. The attic, which is large and spacious,
makes a convenient place for the storage of the flotsam and jetsam accumulating
from year to year. The basement was for many years the county jail, having cells
for the incarceration of prisoners, and in this arrangement it differed from its
unfortunate predecessor, as in that one the jail was constructed in its second
story. The whole is surmounted by a majestic dome, in which is hung a pon-
derous bell, whose tolling warns the judge and bar of the customary fiction that
"it is eight o'clock until nine." On the apex of the dome is a cupola, in which
is "the town clock," having on its four faces dials, that are plainly visible at
night for many miles, made so by electric lights surrounding them.
' This building cost about one hundred and thirty thousand dollars and was
finished early in the year 1878, the work on its construction having been started
soon after the destruction of the one preceding it. The new courthouse pleased
the people who built it and has called forth the admiration of all who have seen
it. Standing as it does in a beautifully shaded park, its majestic proportions stand
out clearly and speak for themselves. Phoenix-like the temple arose from its own
ashes and even today is one of the best buildings of its character in the State of
Iowa. Dedicatory exercises followed the securing of the keys from the con-
tractor, which are indicated by the program hereto attached :
DEDICATION
OF THE
MADISON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
AT
Winterset, Iowa, February 4th, 1878
President. — Hon. John Leonard
Hon. John Mitchell
Hon. Wm. M. Stone
Vice Presidents ^ Hon. C. C. Nourse
Hon. H. W. Maxwell
Hon. Fred. Mott
Chaplain. — ^Rev. J. H. Potter
Music By
WINTERSET LIGHT GUARD BAND
Programme :
I. — Music, Band
2. — Prayer, Chaplain
3. — Music, Band
4. — Introductory Address, President
5.— Address, Hon. G. G. Wright
6. — Music, Band
7. — ^Addresses, Hon. John Mitchell and Hon. Wm. M. Stone
8. — Music, Band
9. — Addresses, Hon. C. C. Nourse and Hon. H. W. Maxwell
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62 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Toasts :
I. — Madison County — The peer of any county in the State in
resources, and the enterprise of her citizens.
Response, Hon. Fred Mott
2. — The Judiciary of Iowa — Distinguished alike for its learn-
ing and integrity. May it continue the guardian of the rights
and liberties of the people.
Response, Hon. C. C. Cole
3. — The Bar of Madison County — May it ever maintain an
honorable standard in the profession.
Response, T. C. Gilpin
4. — The Bar of Iowa — In character and ability the peer of
any in the Union.
Response, Hon. P. Gad Bryan
5. — This Court House — May the law be here administered in
the enlightened spirit of the age, and only in the advancement of
justice.
Response, Rev. Henry Wallace
6. — The Superintendent and workmen who constructed this
building, worthy the gratitude of their patrons for their skill
and fidelity.
Response, • S. G. Ruby
7. — The ladies of Madison county, God bless them.
Response, A. W. C. Weeks
Music, Band
A BIT OF COURTHOUSE HISTORY
The first stone courthouse was discovered burning about 11 o'clock on the
morning of October 2, 1875. The fire broke out in the gable of the east wing
and soon communicated with the dome. The wind was blowing a gale from the
south at the time and nothing could be done to arrest the fast consuming flames.
The north side of the square was in imminent danger, which was averted by the
heroic efforts of citizens, many hurriedly reaching the scene of destruction from
the outlying districts. All valuables were removed from the treasurer's office and
most of the records were gotten out ; then the vaults were locked. Not an accident
occurred, but the building was an utter ruin and carried no insurance.
On the 27th day of October, 1875, a few days after the disaster, the board
of supervisors called a special election for November 23d, following, so that the
question of issuing $100,000 in bonds, for the purpose of building a courthouse
might be passed upon. The election was held and the proposition carried by a
majority of 464.
At a meeting of the Madison County Historical Society, held March 9, 1907,
Judge W. H. Lewis had a valuable and interesting paper, treating of certain
phases of the first courthouse history, which is deserving of a place in this chapter.
In this relation he said :
The second courthouse in Madison County was built under contract. The
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FIRST COURTHOUSE, WINTERSET
Built in 1850
COUNTY COURTHOUSE, WINTERSET
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 63
contract for its erection was let in 1868 by the board of supervisors during the
time it consisted of seventeen members, and was awarded to Jacob Reichard,
of Marion County, Iowa, to be built and completed within a term of three years.
The nearest railroad station at that time was DeSoto, or perhaps a point east of
Des Moines, and the work of getting material for the building was a difficult
one.
During the time the house was being built there was a considerable degree
of friction between the contractor and the board of supervisors. These troubles
reached their climax in the autumn of 1870 when the house was completed, and
the contractor and the board of supervisors not being able to agree on terms of
settlement, the contractor locked the doors and refused to give possession of the
house. Public interest had previously been excited by the circumstances, that
during the second year that the work was going on, the county auditor seemed to
be the adviser and attorney for the contractor while by law he was the repre-
sentative and guardian of the public interests. This feeling of dissatisfaction was
increased when at the close of his official term and during the last year of the
work of building the courthouse he openly took charge of the contractor's in-
terests.
The last session of the "big board of supervisors," while it yet consisted of
seventeen members, was held at about the time of the completion of the house
and they were unable to make terms to obtain possession of the house and a
final adjournment was made leaving the contractor in possession of the house
and the doors locked.
This state of affairs continued until the ist of January, 1871, when the first
meeting of the board of supervisors with three members occurred. No settle-
ment was reached at this session and just as the final adjournment for the term
was about to be made, a member suggested that they ought to take possession
of the courthouse before going home. The other members replied that they would
be glad to do so if they could and it was agreed to try. A lawyer, V. Wainwright,
was called in and he suggested a plan, which was adopted and put in operation
at once.
A suit was begun before justice of the peace, V. G. Holliday, claiming that
the keys of the courthouse were the property of the county and asking that a
writ of replevin be issued and the keys taken from the contractor and delivered
to the board of supervisors. The contractor, Mr. Reichard, his attorney, T. C.
Gilpin, Melvin Stone, a hardware dealer, and several other persons were made
parties defendant. The proceedings were begun just at nightfall and the justice
announced that he would hold court until the case was finished. The writ of
replevin was issued and placed in the hands of Sheriff J. S. TuUis for service.
Stone, who was one of the defendants, had made a contract to furnish a lot
of heavy coal stoves to use in the courthouse and the stoves had arrived and he
had no room to put them in his store and having no other place to put them he had
notified the auditor that he was ready to set up the stoves in the courthouse
according to his contract, but as the contractor had the keys he would not allow
the stoves to be put in.
Reichard and Stone were close personal friends and to accommodate Stone,
it was arranged between them that Stone might put the stoves in the house in the
night after the stores were all closed and everybody asleep.
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64 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
It was thought best to try to get the keys Stone was supposed to have first.
The office of the justice was so located as to afford a good view of the windo\ys
of the courthouse and the court, the sheriff and his posse and the supervisors
sat and waited for the Hght that told that Stone and his men were in the house
at work.
While they waited, it was learned that one of Reichard's men had gone in
the early evening to take the train at DeSoto for Des Moines. As Reichard
had been getting money of a Des Moines bank and the cashier was getting uneasy,
it was conjectured he was taking the keys to the bank to serve as collateral, so a
deputy was dispatched with the best team in town, with orders to overtake him
at all hazards.
After midnight the light was seen to move toward the east entrance and the
sheriff and his posse placed themselves near and waited until all were outside,
the door locked, and all a few feet away from the door, when he announced him-
self as sheriff and called a halt and surrender. The presence of a well placed
posse made it easy to obey the demand. The sheriff demanded of Stone the sur-
render of all the keys to the courthouse he had in his possession. This Stone
refused and the sheriff took him and his men before the court and the court
ordered him to deliver the keys to the sheriff. Stone again refused and the court
promptly adjudged him guilty of contempt and ordered him to be fined and
imprisoned until he obeyed the order. Finding himself thus placed, he gave up a
large bunch of keys. The sheriff was ordered to hold him in custody until it
appeared that he had given up all the keys.
J. F. Jones, a mechanic, who had fitted all the locks on the doors was in
court and the bunch of keys Stone gave up was given him to examine and desig-
nate the doors to which they belonged. This he was able to do and he found that
the keys to the jail, which was located in the third story, were not in the lot.
While these keys were being sorted the sheriff and his posse went to look up
Reichard and his attorney. The contractor's boarding house was surrounded
and the sheriff rapped at the door, announced himself and his business and de-
manded admittance. Some delay was made and excuses were offered for not
admitting him. A window was raised at the back of the house and Reichard
started to climb out, but Joe Garlinger laid his hand on him and told him to get
back. There seemed to be much noise made about the stove, and the sheriff was
getting impatient when they let him in. . They found a hot fire in the stove and a
bunch of keys in the fire. The fire was quickly drawn and the keys got out.
With these keys and Mr. Reichard, the sheriff returned to the justice's office and
found the court still in session and ready to proceed with the case. Reichard
was asked concerning the keys but refused to answer, demanding to see his
attorney. He was promptly gratified, for at that moment the deputy sheriff with
Reichard's attorney, T. C. Gilpin, in charge, appeared in the door. After a brief
consultation, Reichard refused to answer any and all questions. The court ad-
judged him to be in contempt and ordered him committed to jail. The question
concerning the keys was asked of the attorney, who also refused to answer,
and was promptly adjudged in contempt and ordered committed to jail. Reichard
and his attorney both began to laugh but the sheriff showed the jail keys and told
them to follow him.
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RUINS OF SECOND COURTHOUSE,
VVINTERSET
VIEW OF COURTHOUSE SQUARE, WINTERSET, 1868
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HISTORY OF MADISO^i COUNTY 65
At this the smiles faded and they announced themselves ready to answe^r.
They said there was a lot of keys in a barrel of ashes fn the backyard at Reichard's
boarding house. Some of the posse went and got them. At this time the deputy
sheriff, who had gone toward DeSoto returned with his man, but he had no keys'.
Mr. Jones said he seemed to have keys to all the doors and the defendants were
relieved from the penalties for contempt of cotu*t until later in the day.
It was now nearly daylight and messengers were sent for each county officer to
report for duty at the new courthouse. In a very short time all appeared and
each was given the key to his office and directed to move in immediately. The
rising sun shone on a busy scene in that courthouse. Many men were hurrying
in with armfuls of books and early in the morning every officer was behind his
desk ready for business. This was Saturday, and Saturday was then, as ever,
before and since, a great day in Winterset. As the people came in the news was
joyously spread that the new courthouse was open and in possession of the county
officers. A happy crowd of people passed through the halls and corridors until
nightfall, and the new board of supervisors were unanimously voted the heroes
of the day.
THE COUNTY FARM
When the county grew to such proportions as to acquire a class of people
known as indigents, the helpless poor and unsound of mind, it became necessary
for the authorities to devise ways and means for their care and comforts. At
first, when their number was insignificant, the unfortunate ones were "farmed
out" to a proper person, who undertook, for a nominal remuneration, to give his
charge food and shelter. This system was a makeshift and very unsatisfactory
to the county and her wards, so that it was determined to provide an asylum,
to be built and maintained from the public funds, for those worthy of support.
To this end a tract of land was purchased in the year 1876, where a large frame
building was erected for inmates. Later, a two-story brick structure was erected
for the care and safe keeping of the feeble minded and insane. Some few years
ago, the building for the insane was abandoned for its original purpose, owing to
a law having been passed making it obligatory on counties of the state to send
their hopelessly insane to a state institution provided for them; so that, for
several years this building on the county farm has practically remained vacant.
However, the farm, consisting of 256^ acres and located in sections 24 and 25,
Douglas Township, has been kept in a good state of cultivation and all necessary
buildings have been maintained for the steward, inmates and live stock. The
number of unfortunates seeking care and shelter in this infirmary has never been
large and at this writing there are only twelve, nine of whom are men and three
women.
In his annual report for the year 19 13, the steward, G. W. Gilliland, makes
the following notations : "The farm consists of 257 acres, upon which is built one
dwelling house of nine rooms, one pauper house of fourteen rooms and one of
twelve rooms; two bams, double corn crib, poultry house, ice house, workhouse,
coal house and two hog houses * * * Total . valuation of farm, $30,808."
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CHAPTER VII
POLITICAL
The county had been divided into three voting precincts, named North, Center
and South, and their names suggest tbeir relative location. NortH included all
the territory north of a line drawn from the head of Cedar to the west line of the
county, down the channel of Cedar to where it crosses the line between now
Union and Crawford townships, thence east to the east line of the county. Center
precinct embraced that portion of the county beginning at the point where Cedar
crosses the boundary line between now Union and Crawford townships, thence
south along that line to the dividing ridge between Middle River and Jones
Creek, thence westerly to the county line, thence north to the south line of North
Precinct. South Precinct included the remaining portion of the county, being
south and east of Center Precinct. Thus Center had the smallest area but it
contained over half the votes of the county.
NORTH PRECINCT
The election was held at the log house of Samuel Guye, which stood near the
southwest comer of the southeast quarter of section 7 in now Union Town-
ship. The judges were James W. Guye, Joseph Combs and Alfred Rice; clerks
were Claiborne Pitzer and Joshua Hinkley. Rice first administered the oath to
all the others and in turn Guye qualified Rice. The poll opened about 9 o'clock
A. M. and closed at 6 P. M. The following persons voted in the order given :
William Brunk, Jacob Combs, John Wilhoit, Martin Baum, William Sturman,
David S. Bowman, James Brown, Irvin Batmi, Samuel C. Brownfield, Leonard
Bowman, John B. Sturman, John Cracraft, John R. Beedle, Amos Case, David
Cracraft, William Combs, George W. Guye, Samuel Guye, William Hinshaw,
Joseph Combs, Claiborne Pitzer, Joshua Hinkley, James W. Guye, Alfred Rice —
24. In this precinct Bilderback for sheriff had 3 votes, Guye for sheriff had
18; McClellan for district clerk; 15; Samuel Casebier for district clerk, 5; A. D.
Jones for prosecuting attorney, 18; Bowman for coroner, 18; Combs for com-
missioner, 20 ; Daniel McKinzie for commissioner, 3 ; Bishop for commissioner,
13 ; Allcock for commissioner, 7; Gentry for commissioner, 13 ; Casebier for com-
missioner, I ; Henry McKinzie for commissioner, 6 ; Boyles for commissioners'
clerk, 16; Thornbrugh for commissioners' clerk, 6; George W. McClellan for
commissioners' clerk, i; Phipps for probate judge, 17; Joshua Hinkley for re-
corder, 9; Jones for surveyor, 18; David Cracraft for school fund commissioner,
7; Alfred Rice for justice, 21 ; John R. Beedle for constable, 21 ; George W. Guye
for constable, 16; Martin Baum for constable, 3; Mr. McKinzie for commis-
sioner, 2.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 67
CENTER PRECINCT
No record remains concerning the election at this precinct. The election was
held at the house of Chenoweth Casebier, who lived near and a little east of the
center of section 32 in now Union Township. Two of the judges were Joseph
K. Evans and John Butler and one of the. clerks was Alfred D. Jones. At least
thirty-four votes were cast.
SOUTH PRECINCT
The election was held at the log house of Joel M. Clanton. The judges were
William C. Allcock, Caleb Clark and Joel M. Clanton ; clerks were N. S. Allcock
and Seth Adamson. William C. Allcock first administered the oath to all the
others and in turn was qualified by Clark. The poll was opened about 9.30 A. M.
and closed at 6 P. M. The following persons voted in the order given : Caleb
Clark, Charles Clanton, N. S. Allcock, D. S. Smith, Seth Adamson, Isaac Clanton,
David Simmerman, Samuel Peter, Joel M. Clanton, William C. Allcock — ten.
At this precinct, Bilderback, for sheriff, had 9 votes ; George W. McQellan for
district clerk, 9; Leonard Bowman for coroner, 7; Henry McKinzie for com-
missioner, 6; William Gentry for commissioner, 5; David Bishop for commis-
sioner, 10; Philip M. Boyles for commissioners' clerk, 2; James Thombrugh for
commissioners' clerk, 8 ; William Phipps for probate judge had 10; A. D. Jones for
surveyor, 7; Seth Adamson for justice of the peace, 9; Samuel Peter for justice
of the peace had i ; William C. Allcock for constable, 9 ; David S. Smith for
constable, i ; A. D. Jones for prosecuting attorney, 7. The result of the election
has already been given.
What was then popularly known as the "August election*' was held Monday,
August 6th, at which three state officers were elected and in Madison County a
full line of county officers, the organizing election on the first day of January
being a special election, the officers then elected holding only until their successors
should be chosen at the regular election in August, and qualified.
The county seat had been located to the entire satisfaction of all the "north-
siders" and "Hoosier prairie'* had almost cheerfully acquiesced in the result.
Fortunately for the county no disposition for strife over the matter remained. All
together the scattering settlements of the county united with vim and energy for
the upbuilding of Winterset and for a greater Madison County. Party lines were
neither drawn nor thought of in matters relating to Madison County. The
county was nearly 4 to i democratic on national politics and yet whigs were
elected to nearly half the county offices.
At this election there were eighty-two votes cast in the county. More than
eighteen legal voters did not attend the election and there were several persons
who had not been residents long enough to be qualified voters. Probably there
were at this time one hundred and thirty persons in the county of voting age.
In the absence of any public issue the little interest there was manifested
clustered around the offices of sheriflf, commissioners* clerk and recorder. Con-
cerning Sheriff Bilderback, it was claimed he was utterly incompetent and that
A. D. Jones was the real sheriff. It was*the big office of the county, but ^'Hoosier
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68 HISTORY OF MADISON* COUNTY
prairie/' including the Clanton country, remained loyal to Bilderback and pulled
him through. Following is the result of this election : Sheriff, Ephraim Bilder-
back ; clerk of district court, George W. McClellan ; commissioners* clerk, James
Thombrugh; coroner, Leonard Bowman; commissioners, Henry McKinzie, N.
S. AUcock, William Gentry ; prosecuting attorney, A. D. Jones ; surveyor, William
Harmon; recorder and treasurer, Enos Berger; probate judge, William M.
Phipps ; sealer of weights and measures, John Butler.
The canvass of the returns in the above election was certified by P. M.
Boyles, commissioners' clerk, and by Justices of the Peace Joshua C. Case-
bier and Alfred Rice, of date August 8, 1849.
Following are the names of the election board officers and those who voted at
this election:
UNION TOWNSHIP
Election held at the log house of Leonard Bowman. Judges were David D.
Henry, Leonard Bowman and James Brown. Clerks were Irvin Baum and
Thomas M. Boyles. Those who voted were David Brinson, Samuel Guye, George
W. Guye, James W. Guye, Lewis Baum, Henry Rice, Claiborne Pitzer, William
Sturman, David D. Henry, James Brown, John B. Sturman, Thomas M. Boyles,
Anderson W. Moore, Alfred Rice, William Hinshaw, John Wilhoit, James
Brewer, William Combs, Leonard Bowman, Irvin Baum, Nimrod Taylor —
twenty-one.
CENTER TOWNSHIP
Election held at the log house of Enos Berger on the town site of Winterset
(then the only house on the town site). Judges were Joseph K. Evans, Charles
Wright and Jonathan C. Casebier. Clerks were E. R. Guiberson and P. M.
Boyles. Those who voted were John Deshazer, E. R. Guiberson, William M.
Phipps, A. D. Jones, Henry Simmons, Joseph Moore, Absalom Thombrugh,
John Galaway, Charles Mendenhall, John Wayson, William Harmon, Daniel
Vancil, J. C. Casebier, William Stephenson (Stinson), Absolom McKinzie, Lemuel
Thombrugh, James Thombrugh, P. M. Boyles, Enos Berger, Charles Wright,
J. K. Evans, John Butler, David Chenoweth, Andrew Evans, Robert Deshazer,
George W. McClellan, John M. Evans, Henry McKinzie, E. Bilderback, John
Wilkinson, William Gentry, Samuel Crawford, Hiram Hurst — ^thirty-three.
SOUTH TOWNSHIP
Election held at the log house of Nathan Viney. Judges were Andrew J.
Stark, Caleb Clark and George Smith. Clerks were David Bishop and N. S.
Allcock. Those who voted were Samuel Fleener, Seth Adamson, Noah Bishop,
Isaac C. Smith, Joseph Bishop, Asbury W. Bums, Joel M. Qanton, John Carroll,
William Smith, Levi Bishop, Benjamin M. Hilmon, Isaac Clanton, A. J. Hart,
David Simmerman, Charles Clanton, Reuben G. Lee, William C. Allcock, Nathan
Viney, J. M. Watson, Samuel Peter, A* J. Stark, Caleb Clark, George Smith,
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 69
N. S. Allcock, David Bishop, Dr. H. Whited, David Worley, David S. Smith—
twenty-eight.
The next was the regular election held on the Sth day of August, 1850, at
which state, district and some county officers were elected. The poll books are
missing. The result of this election appears by the following abstract certified
by James Thombrugh, commissioners' clerk, and Justices John Vanhouten and
L. D. Skidmore : representative, two to elect, E. R. Guiberson and Lysander W.
Babbitt ; clerk of district court, James Thombrugh ; county commissioner, Edwin
Wood; surveyor, Simmons Rutty.
At a special election, held October 19^ 1850, to fill vacancy in the office of
treasurer and recorder, Otho Davis was elected.
A special election was held April 27, 185 1, to fill a vacancy in the office of
sheriff, caused by the resignation of Ephraim Bilderback. The contestants were
Silas Bams and Joseph Evans, and each received thirty-four votes. By casting
lots, Bams won the office.
On the first Monday of August, 185 1, the regular election was held under the
law; passed at the late session of the General Assembly, which vacated the office
of county commissioners and substituted the office of county judge. Other
changes were made in county offices. An abstract of the retums is all that remains
of record. It shows that John A. Pitzer was elected county judge; Silas Bams,
sheriff; I. D. Guiberson, treasurer and recorder; Simmons Rutty, surveyor;
William Gentry, coroner; Thomas D. Jones, prosecuting attorney.
In 1852, I. G. Houk was elected district clerk at the April election and in
August came the first presidential election held in Madison County. Previously,
party lines had not been sharply drawn in the county and several whigs were
elected to office in previous years. The year before there was a marked tighten-
ing of party lines and in this year each* candidate took his chances on his party
ticket. The election plainly showed the increasing strength of the whig party.
Out of a total vote of 253 cast by the presidential electors, the whigs totaled 103.
At this election both democratic candidates for the Legislature, N. B. Allison
and P. Gad Bryan were elected. Other officers elected were: Clerk of dis-
trict court, I. G. Houk ; county attorney, M. L. McPherson.
The counties of Madison, Warren and Marion constituted a senatorial dis-
trict and the same counties comprised a district which was entitled to three
representatives. The three receiving the highest number of votes in the district
were declared elected, so that this election sent to the Legislature N. B. Allison,
P. Gad Bryan and William Gentry, all democrats. Houk won his election for
clerk of the district court by casting lots with his opponent, Alfred D. Jones, each
having received 131 votes.
As near as the records will permit, a list of county officials from 1849 ^o 191 4
follows, the year first mentioned showing the date of election :
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
1849 — David Bishop, William Combs and William Gentry, chosen at the first
election, which was a special one; Henry McKinzie, N. S. Allcock, William
Gentry, chosen at the regular election in August; 1850-1, Henry McKinzie,
Norval S. Allcock and Edmond Wood.
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70 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
CLERK OF COMMISSIONERS* COURT
P. M. Boyles, 1849; James Thonibrugh, chosen at the r^^lar election,
1849.
COUNTY JUDGE
1851-8— John A. Pitzer; 1859-60, E. R. Guiberson; 1861-4, T. D. Jones;
1865-7, N. W. Garretson; W. H. Lewis appointed to fill vacancy 1867; 1868,
T. C. Gilpin, who continued in office until January, 1869, when it was abolished
and he became and acted in the capacity of auditor until the first regular election
for that office.
CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT
1849-51 — G. W. McClellan; 1852-3, I. G. Houk; 1854-5, Lewis S. Davis;
1856-9, C. D. Bevington; 1860-1, E. A. Huber; 1862-7, M. R. Tidrick; 1868-71,
Daniel E. Cooper; 1872-5, E. O. Burt; 1876-81, W. R. Shriver; 1882-7, W. S.
Whedon; 1888-91, W. C. Newlon; 1892-5, D. C. Wright; 1896-9, H. S. Thomson;
1900-03, R. L. Huston; 1904-07, J. A. Way; 1908-11, W. F. Craig; 1912-15, H. C.
Husted.
RECORDER
Joseph K. Evans, January i, 1849; Enos Berger, 1849; regular election, Otho
Davis, Octobet, 1850 ; I. D. Guiberson, 1851-2; Enos Berger, recorder and
treasurer, 1853-5; Dr. L. M. Tidrick, 1856-7; David Bishop, treasurer and
recorder, 1857-8; I. G. Houk, treasurer and recorder, 1859-62; R. A. Stitt,
treasurer and recorder, 1863; in 1865 th^ offices of treasurer and recorder were
separated and R. A. Stitt was elected treasurer. It is presumed he retained the
recordership until his successor was elected the following year. O. A. Moser,
1866-9; J. F. Smith, 1870-3; J. W. Graham, 1874-7; A. McMichael, 1878; J. A.
Sanford, to fill vacancy, 1879 ; J. A. Sanford, 1880-1 ; G. W. Klingensmith, 1882-4 ;
Eva Klingensmith, to fill vacancy, 1885; Eva Klingensmith, 1886-7; Caroline
Murray, 1888-91 ; John T. Young, 1892-5 ; Jerome Griffith, 1896-9; W. H. Vance,
1900-3 ; E. F. Connoran, 1904-7 ; George Hill, 1908-1 1 ; Jeannette E. Beck, 1912-15.
TREASURER
R. A. Stitt, 1865-6; William H. Leonard, 1867-8; J. A. Pitzer, 1869-70; E. G.
Barker, 1871-4; M. A. Knight, 1875-80: J. M. Andrews, 1881-4; C. F. Koehler,
1885-6; James Early, 1887-90; I. W. Horn, 1891-4; J. H. Wintrode, 1895-6;
D. G. Ratliff, 1897-1900; J. W. Smith, 1901-05; C. L. Wilson, 1906-07; C. H.
Hochstetler, 1908-11; John W. Krell, 1912-15.
SHERIFF
Ephraim Bilderback, 1849-50; Silas Bams, 1851, chosen at a special election
in April of that year to fill vacancy, and elected to the office at the regular election
in August; Lewis S. Garrett, 1853; William Combs, 1855; Joseph K. Evans,
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 71
1857-8; Samuel Hamilton, 1859-61; H. C. Carter, 1863-4; J. F. Brock, 1865-70;
J. S. Tullis, 1871-2; W. O. Ludlow, 1873-4; D. G. Ratliff, 1875-8; J. R. Davis,
1879-82; John McAndrews, 1883-6; Jeff Wheat, 1887-90; M. E. Bennett, 1891-4;
M. L. Silliman, 1895-8; Douglas Roy, 1899-1900; J. W. Breeding, 1901-2; Sol
Breeding 'appointed to fill vacancy, 1903; John Docksteader, 1903-7; J. P. Breed-
ing, 1908-13 ; F. B. Brock, 1914-
AUDITOR
Thomas C. Gilpin, 1869; S. G. Holliday, 1869-72; C C. Goodale, 1873-8;
A. L. Tullis, 1879-82; Ezra Brownell, 1883-6; G. W. Poffinbarger, 1887-91 ; A. N.
Hull, 1892-5; C. C. Stiles, 1896-9; Herman A. Mueller, 1900-03; G. W. Patterson,
1904-07; T. M. Scott, 1908-11 ; C. R. Green, 1912-15.
. SURVEYOR
Alfred D. Jones, 1849; Wm. Harmon, regular election, 1849; Simmons Rutty,
1850-4; William Davis, 1855-62; E. S. McCarty, 1863-5; W. H. Lewis, 1866;
P. G. Andrews, 1867-70; A. W. Wilkinson, 1871-2; R. A. Patterson, 1873-6;
J. A. Wilkins, 1877-8 ; O. A. Moser, 1879-81 ; R. A. Patterson, to fill vacancy,
1881 ; J. A. Snyder, 1883-4; J. A. Wilkins, 1885-6; A. N. Canfield, 1887-8; R. A.
Patterson, 1889-94; Robert A. Greene, 1895-1900; E. C. Wilson, 1901 ; W. R.
Stewart, 1902; D. E. HoUingsworth, 1903-5; W. C. James, 1906-7; Charles
Merrill, 1908-9 ; E. B. Hiatt, 1910 to date.
CORONER
Leonard Bowman, 1849; William Gentry, 185 1; Dr. John H. Gaff, 1852-4;
Dr. John G. Scott, 1855; David Surber, 1857; J. L. Denman, 1858; D. B. Allen,
1859; C. H. Coon, 1871-4; A. Hood, 1875-6; P. M. Boyles, 1877-84; M. C.
DeBord, 1885-6; J. M. Hobson, 1887-92; D. S. Martin, 1893-1903; F. O.
Richards, 1904-14.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
In a measure, the first head of the schools in Madison County held office
under the title of school fund commissioner, the first incumbent of the office,
Daniel Vancil, being elected in 1849; David S. Bowman, April 2, 1849; E. R.
Guiberson, 1852; C. M. Wright, 1854; James Shepherd, 1856-8; Lewis Mayo,
1859-60; H. W. Hardy, 1861-4; J. S. Goshorn, 1865-6; H. W. Hardy, 1867-70;
C. C. Chamberlain, 1871, resigned April i, 1872, W. A. Ross appointed to fill
vacancy; Butler Bird, 1872-4, Butler Bird resigned January, 1875, H. W. Hardy
appointed to fill vacancy; H. W. Hardy, 1875-8; Emma Ray, 1879-80; Homer
Thompson, to fill vacancy, January 6, 1881 ; J. W. Mann, 1881-4; E. R. Zeller,
1885-8; T. H. Stone, 1889-92; J. J. Crossley, 1893-96; Ed M. Smith, 1897-8; H.
D. Smith, 1899-1902 ; T. H. Stone, 1903-06; Gertrude M. Duflf, 1906-09, resigned ;
Jean M. Cash, 1910, to fill vacancy ; John Gentry, 1911-12 ; Carrie E. Ludlow, 1913-
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72 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
COUNTY ATTORNEY
The first officer of the District Court, whose duties were to represent the
state in criminal and semi-criminal actions, was known and designated as the
district attorney, whose jurisdiction extended throughout the counties compris-
ing the judicial district for which he was elected. The first incumbent of this
office was Alfred D. Jones. The General Assembly of 1885-6 passed an act
abolishing the office of district attorney and creating the office of county attorney,
thereby confining the duties of the prosecutor to his own county. The county
attorney under the act holds his office by the votes of the electorate of the county,
the same as other officers. The first election in Madison County for county
attorney was held in 1887, and the first to hold the office was John A. Guiher;
Frederick Mott, 1890-3; J. P. Steele, 1894-7; C. A. Robbins, 1898-1901 ; W. S.
Cooper, 1902-05; Leo C. Percival, 1907-09; Sam C. Smith, 1910-13; Phil R.
Wilkinson, 1914-
CIRCUIT COURT ABOLISHED
In 1869, the business of the District Court had become so great that a new
tribunal was created and designated as the Circuit Court. This court exercised
general jurisdiction concurrent with the District Court, in all civil actions and
special proceedings, and exclusive jurisdiction in all appeals and writs of error
from inferior courts, and had a general supervision thereof in all civil matters.
It also had the power to correct and prevent abuses where no other remedy was
provided. This court also had original jurisdiction of all probate matters. Prior
to the year 1869 the clerk was elected as clerk of the EHstrict Court. When the
law went into effect establishing the Circuit Court, the official duties were circum-
scribed by both courts. January i, 1887, the Circuit Court was abolished.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
In the year 1861 the system of county board of supervisors was organized in
the various counties of the state, by act of the Legislature. The following persons
composed the first board of supervisors in Madison County :
Josiah Arnold, William McDonald, Otho Davis, Henry A. Myers, Milton
Thompson, J. C. Scott, Lewis Crawford, Oliver Crawford, Ira S. Smith, Ashford
Lake, J. D. Hartman, Harbert Harris, David Stanton.
1862 — ^J. W. Lane, O. Crawford, M. Thompson, William McDonald, S. Ross,
L. Crawford, L. N. Clark, H. Harris, M. C. Hockenberry, J. D. Hartman, William
Gentry, A. Lake, D. McCarty, C. A. Beerbower, D. Francis, A. Bonham, S. H.
Guye.
1863 — David McCarty, J. W. Lane, O. Crawford, S. Ralston, E. H. Venard,
William H. McDonald, S. Harter, L. N. Clark, A. Bonham, S. Ross, H. Hann,
A. Bennett, G. A. Beerbower, H. Harris, W. J. Davis, M. C. Hockenberry, Samuel
Harter.
1864— William McDonald, Alfred Hood, Thomas H. Pendleton, Hugh Hann,
S. Ross, O. Crawford, E. H. Venard, Matthew McGee, Abihu Wilson, W. J.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 73
Davis, H. C. Smith, S. Hamblin, S. Harter, A. Bennett, Samuel Ralston, J. C.
Scott, Van B. Wiggins.
1865— William H. McDonald, George W. Roberts, O. Crawford, J. M.
Browne, E. H. Venard, P. M. Boyles, S. A. Ross, B. F. Brown, James Allen,
M. M. McGee, Thomas H. Pendleton, Simeon Hamblin, Abihu Wilson, W. J.
Davis,. H. C. Smith, J. C. Scott, A. Hood.
1866 — George W. Roberts, Oliver Crawford, William Anderson, William
McDonald, P. M. Boyles, S. A. Ross, B. F. Brown, J. W. Cooper, E. G. Perkins,
Benjamin Blythe, Allen Bamett, A. G. Welch, James McAfferty, E. C. Stewart,
John McLeod, M. C. DeBord, James Allen.
1867 — ^William McDonald, E. G. Perkins, J. W. Cooper, A. J. Adkison, Wil-
liam L. Wilkin, B. F. Brown, William Anderson, James McAfferty, George W.
Roberts, E. C. Stewart, John McLeod, A. G. Welch, Benjamin Blythe, Eli Cox,
Allen Bamett, J. D. Whitenack, Thomas W. Stiles.
1868— E. F. Tumey, C. Hughart, T. W. Stiles, William Anderson, William
McDonald, Eli Cox, Q. C. Bird, B. F. Brown, J. D. Whitenack, James Goare,
I. N. Hogle, H. H. Harris, Daniel Francis, O. B. Bissell, A. M. Hart, Joseph
J. Grier.
1869 — William Anderson, John McLeod, Sr., J. D. Whitenack, D. F. Tumey,
Daniel Frailcis, James Goare, Van B. Wiggins, George B. Breeding, I. N. Hogle,
C. Hughart, Thomas W. Stiles, William Smith, Harbert Harris, O. B. Bissell,
A. M. Hart, J. J. Grier, George Fisher.
In 1870 the supervisor system was changed and the number reduced to three,
who should be elected by the county at the general election and the length of their
terms to be decided by lot. After this change supervisors were elected as follows,
but the change was not complete iintjl the old supervisors had served out their
terms :
1870 — George Fisher, I. N. Hogle, J. M. Andrews, William Anderson, W. H.
Lewis, E. H. Conger.
1871 — ^William Anderson, E. H. Conger, W. H. Lewis.
1872 — E. H. Conger, Thomas Runkle, W. H. Lewis.
1873 — ^W. H. Lewis, Thomas Runkle, Milton Wilson.
1874 — W. H. Lewis, Thomas Runkle, Milton Wilson.
187s — W. H. Lewis, S. M. Creger, Milton Wilson.
1876 — W. H. Lewis, S. M. Creger, Milton Wilson.
1877 — S. M. Creger, G. A. Beerbower, Milton Wilson.
1878 — G. A. Beerbower, John H. Marley, Mihon Wilson.
1879 — Alfred Hartman, G. A. Beerbower, John H. Marley.
1880 — ^J. H. Marley, J. F. Buchanan, Alfred Hartman.
1881 — ^J. F. Buchanan, Charles Polk, L. S. Holmes.
1882 — ^J. F. Buchanan, Charles Polk, L. S. Holmes.
1883 — Charles Polk, C. W. Thompson, George Storck.
1884 — George Storck, George Duncan, M. C. Shaw.
1885 — George Storck, M. C. Shaw, J. M. Browne.
1886 — M. C. Shaw, J. M. Browne, G. F. Lenocker.
1887 — G. F. Lenocker, J. M. Browne, L. N. Conway.
1888— L. N. Conway, M. M. McGee, G. F. Lenocker.
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74 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
1889— L. N. Conway, M. M. McGee, Thomas W. Stiles.
1890— M. M. McGee, Thomas W. Stiles, N. B. HoUingsworth.
1891 — ^Thomas W. Stiles, N. B. HoUingsworth, L. Banker.
1892 — N. B. HoUingsworth, L. Banker, John Brooker.
1893 — L. Banker, John Brooker, W. E. Mack.
1894— John Brooker, W. E. Mack, H. H. Kilgore.
1895— W. E. Mack, H. H. Kilgore, John Brooker.
1896 — H. H. Kilgore, John Brooker, A. B. Johnson.
1897 — ^John Brooker, A. B. Johnson, A. Dunlap.
1898 — A. Dunlap, C. S. Wilson, A. B. Johnson.
1899 — Alexander Dunlap, C. S. Wilson, A. B. Johnson.
1900 — C. S. Wilson, A. B. Johnson, Alexander Dunlap.
1901 — ^A. Dunlap, A. B. Johnson, C. S. Wilson.
1902 — ^Alexander Dunlap, C. S. Wilson, A. J. Jones.
1903 — C. S. Wilson, A. J. Jones, James Breckenridge.
1904 — ^A. J. Jones, M. O. Brady, James Breckenridge.
1905 — ^A. J. Jones, M. O. Brady, James Breckenridge.
1906 — M. O. Brady, A. J. Jones, James Breckenridge.
1907 — M. O. Brady, R. A. Lenocker, A. J. Jones.
1908 — R. A. Lenocker, M. O. Brady, J. T. Young.
1909— M. O. Brady, J. T. Young, W. H. Deardorff.
1910 — ^W. E. Shambaugh, W. H. Deardorff, L. V. Price.
191 1— L. V. Price, W. H. Deardorff, W. H. Maxwell.
1912— L. V. Price, W. H. Maxwell, C. D. Stiles.
1913— W. H. Maxwell, C. D. Stiles, L. V. Price.
1914— C. D. Stiles, L. V. Price, W. H. Maxwell.
1915— L. V. Price, W. H. Maxwell, C. D. Stiles.
REPRESENTATIVES
Below is a list of Madison's able men who represented the county in the
General Assembly : Senate : M. L. McPherson, 6th, 7th, 8th and extra session,
9th and extra session ; Benjamin F. Roberts, loth session ; Benjamin F. Murray,
13th and 14th; Eli Wilkin, 20th and 21st; Richard Price, 22d and 23d; James J.
Crossley, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st and 32d.
House: Edwin R. Guiberson, 3d and 7th; Benjamin F. Roberts, 6th; T. D.
Jones, 8th and extra ; Alfred Hood, 9th and extra ; John E. Darby, loth ; Joseph M.
Browne, nth; Benjamin F. Murray, 12th: John H. Hartenbower, 13th; David
D. Davisson, 14th; O. B. Bissell, isth; J. J. Smith, i6th; William F. Hadley,
17th; Daniel Francis, i8th; Butler Bird, 19th; Albert R. Dabney, 20th and 21st;
Dr. J. H. Mack, 22d and 23d ; I. K. Wilson, 24th ; A. L. Wood, 25th, 26th and extra
session ; John Shambaugh, 27th and 28th ; Robert A. Greene, 29th, 30th and 31st ;
John Schoenberger, 32d and extra session ; Elias R. Zeller, 33d and 34th ; Walter
F. Craig, 35th ; R. A. Lenocker, 36th.
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CHAPTER VIII
ORGANIZATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN MADISON
COUNTY
In publishing what follows, nothing should be construed in a partisan sense.
The democratic party long had existed, even from the beginning of the nation
under its republican form of government. Thomas Jefferson, third president of
the United States, was its first great beacon light and patron saint and then came
Andrew Jackson, "Old Hickory," who solidified its ranks and made the party the
dominant one for generations. But the republican party was bom while Madison
County was in her infancy and leaders in the political affairs of this community
took part in the christening. So that, a general outline of the notable event has
a place in this work.
An account of the formation and first years of the republican party in Iowa
will doubtless be of interest. The party was organized in the county in 1856,
mainly through the exertions of H. J. B. Cummings. Colonel Cummings, on his
way in search of a new home, crossed the Mississippi River on the ice, in January,
1856, and came directly to Winterset. He was an ardent believer in the prin-
ciples of the new party, which had been organized in the state he came from the
previous year, and a certain incident occurring soon after arriving at his new
home, was the occasion of his entering upon the work of organization here:
Mr. Glazebrook, the democratic postmaster here, received from the office of
Horace Greeley a package of documents urging the organization of the party in
all the coimties of the state, also printed calls for assembling of persons in
sympathy with the movement, with the time and place of meeting in blank, to be
filled out to suit the local conditions. Mr. Glazebrook, though not in sympathy
with the movement, was a fair minded man, and had a keen sense of official
duty, so he handed the package to Mr. Cummings, as the right man into whose
hands the document should be placed. Cummings filled out the blanks and with
the aid of a Mr. Amold, a photographer, posted them throughout the county.
The first meeting was held in the old schoolhouse, which then was situated where
the high school is now located, and which was afterward moved to Court Avenue
on the lot just west of the new Madisonian office, and where it remained until
1905, when it was torn down that it might no longer mar the appearance of sur-
rounding property, and especially the new library building. The meeting for
organization was held at night and there was quite a respectable crowd present.
There were no lights in the building and proceedings were delayed until a man
could be dispatched up town for a half dozen candles. The meeting was called
to order by Mr. Cummings and the Rev. J. E. Darby was elected chairman. Mr.
Cummings acted as secretary. Among those present taking part beside the two
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76 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
gentlemen already mentioned, were N. W. Garretson and John McLeod, Sr.,
W. W. McKnight, B. F. Roberts and J. J. Hutchings. The work of organiza-
tion was soon finished and a convention was called, to meet in the Methodist
Church, for the purpose of nominating a county ticket. At this convention M. L.
McPherson was nominated for senator, B. F. Roberts for representative and
H. J. B. Cummings for attorney. At the election the ticket was successful
and in November Fremont carried the county over Buchanan by a majority of
sixty-one. Many exciting campaigns have been fought out in Madison County,
notably in the days of the greenback party, still vivid in the memory of many
now living, but it is questioned if there ever was a more exciting campaign
than this. The republican meetings in Winterset were mainly held in the old
stone Christian Church. The democrats, on one occasion, tried to get the
Methodist Church and the trustees, not giving their consent, they undertook to
take possession anyway, and there resulted a great tumult at the doors, but
through the great valor of one Mr. Shannon, who emulated **Horatius at the
bridge,'' the crowd was kept out and had to seek other quarters. There was a
spellbinder sent here by the State Republican Committee, whose name is for-
gotten, but who is said to have been an orator of unusual ability, and through
his eloquence converts were made by the score. Colonel Cummings and M. L.
McPherson also stumped the county during the campaign.
In those days the spring elections were of about as much importance as the
fall elections. The following editorial from the Iowa Pilot, the first paper pub-
lished in Winterset, dated March 27, 1857, is pertinent:
"Our fellow citizens will bear in mind that next Monday week is the day
for holding the spring elections. There are seventl important officers to be
chosen, among which are one district judge, one superintendent of public instruc-
tion, commissioner of Des Moines river improvement, register of state land
office, county assessor, and the usual township officers. Below will be found the
republican ticket. Let every republican be at the polls and cast his vote and
influence for republican men and principles.
"Superintendent of public instruction, L. H. Bugbee; commissioner of Des
Moines improvement, Edwin Manning ; register of land office, William H. Holmes ;
district judge, William M. Stone; county assessor, E. S. McCarty."
In the issue of the same paper, dated August 22, 1857, the following official
directory from which it appears that a majority of republicans were elected, is
noticed :
"County judge, John A. Pitzer; senator, M. L. McPherson; representative,
B. F. Roberts; treasurer and recorder, L. M. Tidrick; district clerk, William
Pursell; prosecuting attorney, H. J. B. Cummings; sheriflf, William Combs."
The same issue of the Pilot stated :
"The city council are particularly lenient to hogs and dogs. From the official
ordinance in another column it will be seen that they, that is the hogs and dogs,
not the councilmen, have the freedom of the city extended till the first day of
October. They should have a mass meeting on the public square and adopt a
vote of thanks as an expression of their gratitude to their illustrious governors.
In this prairie country dumb brutes have sense enough to keep in close quarters
when cold weather begins."
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COLONEL H. J. B. CUMMINGS
Came to Madison County in 1856 and was one of the
organizers of the republican party in the county in that
year; colonel of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Regiment; served
in Congress, being elected in 1876; was connected with
the Madisonian for a period of twenty years. He was
the father of Mrs. Laura J. Miller, and passed away a
few years ago.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 77
The campaign of 1858 seems to have been a very exciting one for an off year.
In the issue of the Madisonian of September 4th there is a call for the formation
of a republican club. The call is supplemented by an appeal to the republican
voters to "jine/* from which the following extract is taken:
"What say you republicans? Let us have an institution that will be an honor
to the republican party of Madison County. Start the ball in motion and do not
fear but that it can be kept rolling. Let the hypocrisy, treason, bribery, corrup-
tion and profligacy of the sham democracy be exposed until they cry enough."
And again : **We hope the republicans of the various townships will do their
duty in securing large audiences at the several places where Judge Stone and
Prosecuting Attorney Cummings have appointments to speak."
The same paper has a call for the county convention to nominate a county
ticket. The various townships, of which there were then thirteen, were entitled
to forty-two delegates. The call was signed by Fred Mott, J. M. Browne, J. J.
Hutchings, William Jones and H. J. B. Cummings as county central committee.
During this campaign there was a heated contest between William Pursell,
for the office of county clerk, and Doctor Bevington, his democratic competitor.
One Saturday, just prior to the election. Doctor Bevington learned that the records
in Purseirs office were considerably behind and made arrangements to take a man
with him to examine them the following Monday. Colonel Cunmiings, who was
out at Big Grove that day making a political speech, did not get home till after
night and found Pursell anxiously awaiting his return. He had been informed
by a particular friend of the intended raid on his office and did not know what
to do. Cummings was a strict Presbyterian, who pUt great stress on the observ-
ance of the Sabbath day, but he was also an ardent republican and wanted to see
his party succeed. After deliberating over the matter jfor some time he decided
to help save his party, although at the expense of his religious principles. So he
agreed to lock himself in the clerk's office on Sunday, and help Pursell straighten
out the records. The two put in a twelve-hour day on those records, and on the
following Monday, when Doctor Bevington and his committee arrived, they found
the records all correct and up-to-date. Doctor Bevington was elected, but always
thought some one had lied on Pursell.
From i860 till the present time Madison County has been republican, and
much credit for this condition is due to the energetic manner in which the party
was organized and managed during the first few years of its existence.
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CHAPTER IX
EDUCATIONAL
The first school taught in Madison County was in that part of it allotted to
Union Township, in 1847-8. The school was, of course and by necessity, main-
tained by subscription, the county being not yet organized. Mrs. Polly Case, wife
of Amos Case, was the first teacher. Elsewhere some information is given con-
cerning this family. The school term was three months, and the compensation
agreed upon was $1 per month, per scholar. The log building in which the
school was held was one of two cabins, built near each other in the heavy timber
by Case and his father-in-law, Hinkle, in the fall of 1846. During the fall of
1847 these pioneers built another cabin for Hinkle, some distance north, into
which he moved. It was in the cabin vacated by Hinkle that Mrs. Case taught
school. In size the structure was twelve feet square and was built of unhewn oak
logs, with "chink*' and cla^ mortar between. There was the regulation *'stick
chimney" and fireplace. The roof was of universal "A" design, having clap-
boards and heavy pole weights to hold them in place. Other details were a
puncheon floor, a puncheon door fastened with a string; it had a wooden latch
and was hung by wooden hinges. There were three long puncheon seats, sup-
ported by legs of two-inch saplings. One of the seats was used for the recitations.
The teacher had no desk or seat. A short puncheon writing desk was supported
by two pins driven into holes bored into one of the logs. A window having six
panes of 8x10 glass furnished a moiety of light. By having a good fire, the door
was left open, or partly open, and by this arrangement the pupils could see their
books. Being surrounded by heavy timber, there was no wind to bother ; besides,
the winter was a mild one.
The term began the first Monday in December, 1847, ^"d continued twelve
weeks, during which time, spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic were taught.
A home-made ink was used, made out of wild berries, hulls of walnuts, or the
bark of trees. Lunches mostly consisted of com bread (there was no flour in
the country at all), or fried mush, sometimes cold potatoes, wild fruits, cold
pork and venison, plenty of wild honey and maple syrup. Those seemingly
half wild children of the forest and prairie had great abundance of appetite and
food. Theirs was the "simple life*' we read about; theirs were health and great
endurance.
No specially important event marked the history of this school. During the
noon hour the children roamed about and through the woods they knew so well,
and frequently the larger boys were tardy when "called to books." But this
was no serious oflfense unless they were out too long. In such cases they might
be kept in their seats during the afternoon recess. "Calling books" was done by
the teacher pounding on the door, or casing, with a short stick.
78
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 79
The names of the pupils attending this initial school were : Francis Marion,
Samuel Houston, Mary and Elizabeth Guye, David Reece, Daniel, Levi and Mary
Bowman, Nancy and Hiram Beedle, a daughter of a Mr. Brownfield, Moses
Hinkle, Lorena Harris. They were children respectively of Samuel Guye,
Leonard Bowman and John R. Beedle. Concerning the others, Brownfield's
first name nor the name of his daughter have been obtained ; Moses Hinkle was
a brother of the teacher. Lorena Harris was an adopted daughter of Mrs. Case
and later became the wife of George W. Guye.
SOME EARLY SCHOOL LAWS
The act of January 15, 1849, concerning school officers and examination of
teachers, which was in effect the first year of the organization of Madison County
and remained in effect the next few years, provided as follows :
"In each organized school district there shall be elected on the first Monday
in May of each year one president, one secretary and one treasurer, who shall
constitute a board of directors.
"The board shall employ all teachers, shall not overdraw the teachers' fund
but if it be short of enough to pay amount due the teacher at the agreed upon
rate per month, the balance shall be paid by the persons sending pupils in such
manner as agreed upon by the teacher and the board.
^'Before employing any teacher the board shall examine or cause to be ex-
amined such person in spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, history
of the United States and English grammar, and if found qualified, may employ
him." — Iowa Code, 1850.
The county school fund commissioner was invested with power to divide
unorganized territory into school districts or to change boundaries of existing
districts upon petition of two-thirds of the legal voters of the territory in interest.
— Iowa iZode, 1850.
School age was between five and twenty-one years, as now. But persons of
any color other than white were wholly excluded from the public school system.
On the other hand, no person other than white was taxed for public school
purposes.
FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICTS CREATED IN THE COUNTY
In 1849 the county was divided into three townships. Union, Center and
South ; the former on the north, and the other two as their names indicate. The
townships were divided into school districts during the first half of the year 1849
and the districts were numbered from one upward. September 15th of that
year there were four school districts in Union, five in Center and four in South.
Enumeration of all white persons was required in each district between Sep-
tember 15th and October ist. Colored persons then were excluded and even
exempt from paying taxes in support of schools. From the reports that remain
on file, have been gathered the following information concerning the schools
of the county on the ist day of October, 1849, ^"^ the names of those within
school age (boundary lines do not appear) . Each school district had a board of
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80 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
directors, the secretary of which made an annual report to the school fund
commissioner, who was A. D. Jones.
In District No. i, Union (now) Township, the board was composed of
James Brown, who then lived on section 36, in what is now Jefferson Town-
ship; David Cracraft, on the northeast of section 9, in Union; Major Farris,
who lived on the southwest part of section 10, Union Township, was secretary
of the board and as such certified the enumeration. Names of those of school
age were: Nancy, Hiram and Abraham Beedle; Emeline, Eli, Reuben, Milton,
Rosa,*Mary and Julia Ann Cracraft ; Harriet and Lewis Wilhoit ; Wesley Monroe
Moore ; Joseph, Samuel, Sarah, Thomas, John, William and James Riley Brown ;
James Oemmons. This district included the east half of Union, north of Cedar,
and all the county east and north.
In District No. 2, Union Township, Leonard Bowman was president of the
board and lived on the southwest part of section 5 ; Thomas M. Boyles, secretary
lived on the southwest part of section 17; and William Sturman, treasurer, on
the northeast part of section 9, all in Union Township. The secretary filed no
list, but certified there were twenty-six persons of school age in No. 2. It is
presumed this district embraced the west half of Union and all the county north
of it.
District No. 3 had for its president of the board Claiborne Pitzer, who lived
on section 16; William Combs, secretary, on section 14; and Jacob Combs, treas-
urer, west and south of William Forbes, all in what is now Douglas Township.
The names of those within school age were: Elizabeth, Matilda, Nancy, Lititia,
Lucy Ann and Lucinda Brinson; Leander, Asbury, Martitia, Nancy and Craw-
ford McCarty; Hiram, Amanda, Perry M., Noah S., Aaron V. and Rebecca
Bams; Henry F., Fletcher B., Emory W., Sarah P., Newton B. and Samuel
C. Pitzer; Hiram and George W. Baum; Barbara, Benjamin, Lucinda and Sarah
Jane Combs.
In District No. 4 William Hinshaw was president and Alfred Rice was secre-
tary. His home was on the edge of Madison Township, where Jake Trester
afterward located. Nimrod Taylor, the treasurer, lived near the Rice place.
Those of school age were : Silas and Rebecca R. Hinshaw ; William, John, .
Elizabeth and David Taylor; Eliza Jane, Samuel J., John, David and Elam Rice;
Stepton Brewer.
The school board of Center Township, District No. i, was composed of
Charles Wright, president, who lived on Middle River, a little southwest of
Winterset; William Harmon, secretary, and David Vancil, treasurer, both of
whom lived near the "Backbone.*' The children within school age were: Mary,
Francis and Martha Wright; Joseph, William, Lewis, Louisa and Marinda
Ellen Thomburg; Francis M. Moore; Julian, Margaret and Martha Ansley;
Sarah Ellen and Francis A. Skidmore; Charles, Isaac, Elizabeth and Lydia
Vancil; Lorenzo, George L., Amanda Caroline, Lineville M., John H., Nancy
Jane and Tilman G. Harmon.
In EHstrict No. 2 the board's members were: Enos Berger, president, who
lived in Winterset; Samuel B. Casebier, secretary. He lived near Winterset on
the east; and Daniel Chenoweth, who lived about a mile south of Winterset.
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HIGH SCHOOL, ST. CHARLES
Erected in 1913
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, ST. CHARLES
Building used for a school from 1877 until 1913. Rear wing built in 1877; front wing built
in 1886. Torn away in 1913
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 81
The enumeration list for this district is missing, the one of all greatly to be
desired. This district included Winterset and territory around it.
In District No. 3 were J. C. Casebier, president, who lived next north of the
Theo Cox farm; John Butler, secretary, with residence on section 29 in (now)
Union; and David D. Henry, ^treasurer, who lived on section 20, in (now)
Union. The secretary certified there were fifty-three children of school age.
This district probably embraced the territory between Cedar and Middle River,
in (now) Union, from a mile east of Winterset, to Tileville.
The members of the board in District No. 4 were Henry McKinzie, president,
who lived on the northwest quarter of section 16, now Scott Township; David
Bishop, secretary, on the northwest quarter of section 22, now Scott Township ;
no treasurer given. Those of school age were : Miles N. Casebier, Louisa Sim-
mons, Elizabeth E., Daniel, Thomas, Aaron, Ann, Emeline, Mahala and Caroline
McKinzie; Anna, James and Mary Crawford; Louisa, Rebecca, Joseph and
Pelina Thornburg; Thomas M., Mary Margaret, David J., William Sidney,
John, Matilda Ellen and Daniel Wilkinson ; John, William, Washington, Edward,
James and Nancy Jane Higgins; Henry Mcjohnson; Jesse N., Mary Jane and
Nancy Caroline Fleener. This district seems to have embraced all of (now) Scott
Township, west of Fleener's Branch.
The board in District No. 5: Daniel Newberry, president; lived south and
east of McClellan*s on the bottom; George W. McClellan, secretary; and Calvin
Randall, treasurer. Those of school age were: Samuel, William, Elias G., Katy
Jane and Joseph Mendenhall; Mary Katharine Steward. Probably this district
included the territory comprising Union Township east of Tileville, between
Cedar and Middle River.
South Township, District No. i : Levi Bishop, president ; John Vanhouten,
secretary, who lived on section 34 in (now) Union Township; and Nathan
Viney. Those of school age were: Lewis, Linza, Sally, Jane and Verlina
Graves; Mary and Edward Carl; James Berchert; Minerva, Robert and Louisa
Viney ; Josiah, John, Bertha and Sarepta Bishop ; Joseph B. and Mary A. Whited;
James Irving, William, Hulda and Sarilda Ann Harbert; Hester Ann, Winnie,
Benjamin and Emeline Bishop; David, Peter and John J. Vanhouten. This dis-
trict included all of (now) Scott Township, east of Fleener's Branch to (now)
South Township.
District No. 2: David S. Smith, president; Seth Adamson, secretary; and
William Smith, treasurer. Those of school age were : Huldah, Mary J., Aaron
M., Solomon W. and Sarah E. Adamson; James T., John J., Eleanor, Thomas T.,
Joshua, Colista, William T. and Permelia E. Cason; John S. A., Barton W. S.,
Permelia A. U., James S. M., Benjamin P. B. and Elizabeth D. E. Essley ; John
W., George W., Mary M. and Benjamin A. Worley; Milton M., Lorenzo W.,
William T. and Armelda A. Smith.
District No. 3 : President not given ; Norval S. Allcock, secretary ; lived where
the Town of Hanly now is; treasurer, not given. Those of school age were:
Margaret S., John J., Lorenzo W., Frances E. and James H. Allcock; John W.,
James H., Jacob H., Eveline E. and Elvina M. Simmerman; Joel, Nancy, Wil-
liam, Isaac W., Moses E., George, Thomas N., William W., Charles P., John C,
Lucinda, Sarah M. and Rachel Clanton ; Louisa J., Rachel C, Sarah E., Nancy E.
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82 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and Cynthia Ann Clark ; George W., Granville A., Lucinda, William C., Mary J.,
Lucy Ann, Sarah L. and Elizabeth R. Smith; Lucinda E., Orlema J. and Jesse
M. Hail; Wily, Henry A., Martin S., Frederick, Sarah E., Marvinda and Heze-
kiah Stagerwalt. This district about included (now) South Township, and Ohio
except along Jones Creek.
District No. 4: Hiram Hurst, president; Mathew W. Jones, secretary; and
Nathan Bass, treasurer. The school election was held at the house of Andrew
Hart, who was chairman of the meeting, and Mathew W. Jones, secretary. Four
voters were present — Hart, Hurst, Jones and Bass. Hurst and Bass had each
four votes and Jones three. The secretary was careful to report "no opposition
to the candidates." Those of school age were: Leroy, Ambrose P., Thomas J.,
Norman, Michael and Nancy E. Nunn; John M. Hurst; John, Caleb and Mary
E. Rollins; Andrew Jackson and William Hart; Francis and Mary E. Stark;
William J. Dority ; Lemuel, William and Wilson Dorrell ; George Head ; Gillam,
Mary, Henry and Nancy J. Peters ; William, Elizabeth, EmeUne and John Jones ;
Joseph, Elisha, William, Christopher, Elizabeth and John Trimble.
A. D. Jones, school fund commissioner of the county, summarizes the school
enumeration of the county, as of date October i, 1849, being the first school
enumeration of the county, as follows:
Union Township, District No. i — 21; No. 2 — 26; No. 3 — 29; No. 4 — 12;
total, 88.
Center, No. i — 25; No. 2 — 29; No. 3 — 53; No. 4 — 34; No. 5 — 6; total, 147.
South, No. 1—28; No. 2—27; No. 3—46; No. 4—32 (33) ; total, 133 (134).
Grand total of children in the county of school age, October i, 1849, 3^8.
Nothing remains in the records to show there were any schools taught in the
county during the summer of 1849. Up to this time but one house had been
built in the county for school purposes, and that one stood some distance north-
east of the present "Buffalo" schoolhouse in Scott Township, elsewhere de-
scribed. It was erected by volunteer labor in the early summer of 1848. Existing
conditions were not conducive to school attendance. Children old enough to
go considerable distances, necessary in sparsely settled communities, were large
enough to fight weeds in the fields.
The records show no report for the year 1850.
There appears to have been no enumeration of children of school age in
the several districts of the county filed with the school fund commissioner, but
instead, a certified report of the number was made by the secretary of each
district to that officer for the year ending October i, 1851. From these reports,
which agree in form only in that each gives the total number of those of school
age and all but one or two written on small scraps of foolscap paper, the following
is quoted:
Union Township, District No. i : The secretary failed to sign his name.
He gave the heads of families and the number of children in each family of
school age as follows: James Farris 3, James Brown 7, Charles Farris i, Vincent
Brown i, Lewis Adams i, Anderson Moore 2, Abraham Mitchell i, Samuel
Folwell 3, John R. Beedle 3, John B. Sturman i, Greenbery Ridinour i, David
Barrow 4; total, 28. This report is excellently written and it is supposed there-
fore that David Barrow wrote it, for he was by far the best penman in that
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 83
portion of the county for years. No. 2, Secretary N. W. Guiberson reports 50.
No. 3, Secretary W. Hopkins reports 44. No. 4 of last year became a part of
a new township.
Center Township, District No. i: Secretary William Harmon ' reports 44.
No. 2, Secretary J. K. Evans reports 76 and one (subscription) school taught.
No. 3, Secretary John Butler reports 61 and further says: A 3-months school
taught by John C. Bird, aged 20 years, bom in Ohio, average cost per day 6J/2
cents (per scholar), $22 paid out of school funds and $23 by those sending to
said school; branches taught were spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic;
books used were Webster's Elementary Spelling Book, McGuffy's First Reader,
Third and Fourth Eclectic Readers, Briggs Penmanship and Davis Arithmetic.
No. 4, Secretary Daniel Campbell reports 83, one school taught 42 days, at $16
per month, and 20 pupils enrolled. The teacher was Abner Bell, whose age
was 27. He was bom in Ohio; paid $16 out of teachers' fund and $16 by volun-
teer subscription. No. 5, Secretary W. R. King reports 10.
South Township, District No. i : Secretary Royal Uran reports 43. No
school in district; no schoolhouse; $10.50 teachers' fund on hand; no school
tax. No. 2 : Secretary Thomas Cason reports 37 ; no school taught ; **no aggre-
gate amount paid teachers;" "no library nor volumes;" $22.06 school money on
hand ; one schoolhouse "and it was built by the citizens" ; no school tax levied.
No. 3 : Secretary David Fife reports 61 ; one school taught by Oliver H. Perry,
aged 21, bom in Ohio. Thirty-nine pupils in attendance; i wood (log) school-
house; average attendance during school term was I4>^; books used in school
were United States Primer, Webster's Elementary Spelling Book; McGuffy's
First, Second and Third Readers, Goodrich's First Reader, Child's Easy Reader,
"Young Man Away From Home," "Life of General Marion ;" Ray's Mental and
2d Part Arithmetic, Kirkham's Grammar, Olney's and also Morse's Geography.
The secretary's report is on blue unmled paper 12x30 inches, elaborately ruled.
No. 4: Secretary Millen Hunt reports 26 pupils and $27.05 teachers' funds on
hand.
Madison Township, District No. i : Secretary Jacob Fry reports 17, and
their names as follows: Henry, Fletcher, Emory, Samuel and Newton Pitzer;
Thomas Anderson ; John, Samuel, Edwin and Voorhes Fry ; Sarah and Embery
Pitzer ; Ann, Mary, Jane, Amanda and Rody Fry ; John Kellum.
Walnut Township, District No. i : Secretary J. W. Guiberson reports 21.
September 13th, a district meeting at which a site was selected on which to build
a schoolhouse. Adjourned to meet again October 4th, to arrange for its building.
Total school population in county, October i, 185 1 — 601. Increase during
past year 232.
There remain no records to show the school population for 1853. The total
school population of the county for 1854 was 1,056 but there is given no enumera-
tion by districts.
Beginning in the winter of 185 1-2 the number of schools rapidly increased
throughout the county. Schoolhouses multiplied, taxes for school purposes were
increasingly levied and general interest manifested in all portions of the county
relating to education. Northern people rapidly arrived, population increased
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84 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
fast, more teachers came, new districts were organized and township lines began
to be more permanent.
' WHAT THE YEARS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE SCHOOLS
The first schools in Madison County were supported by subscriptions and
held in the homes of the settlers. The teacher "boarded round,'' and the monthly
stipend for drilling into the children the principles and practical application of
the three "Rs" was of quite a negligible quantity. Be that as it may, as soon after
the county was organized and school laws formulated and put into practice, rude
log schoolhouses were erected and the school system of Madison County was
launched. The schools of the county, as in all counties of the state at that time,
were in a very chaotic condition for several years after Madison was given a
form of government.*
The first school taught in Winterset was presided over by Mary Ann Danforth,
in the log courthouse in the summer of 1850. The pupils were children of E. R.
Guiberson, John Wilhoit, James Folwell, Enos Berger, William Compton, Wil-
liam Alcorn, Otis Davis, Samuel Lockard, Lign Miller, Chal Danforth, W. R.
Danforth and an adopted son of A. D. Jones.
As has been heretofore related, the official head of the schools in the county
was the school fund commissioner, whose duties devolved upon the county super-
intendent of schools, the office of which had been created and the first incumbent
thereof, James Shepard, elected in 1856. He served the county in this capacity
during the years 1857 and 1858, and was succeeded by Lewis Mayo, whose report
for the school year, beginning October 5, 1859, and ending October 4, i860, is
the earliest mention in the records of the superintendent's office. According
to this report there were at that time sixty schools in the county; there were in
the county 2,936 children of school age, 1,513 males and 1,423 females. The
number who attended school was 1,742, average attendance 1,025, which does
not speak well either for attendance or punctuality. The value of the school-
houses in the county was $10,565, while the value of all apparatus, maps, etc., is
placed at $7. Unfortunately, it is not stated just where the valuable apparatus
was located nor do subsequent reports tell what became of it; if it could be
located and the particular district which owns it desired to part with it, a hand-
some price might be obtained from the committee which is securing relics for the
old settlers' society of the county. Some idea may be had about the character
of the schoolhouses at the time, from the fact that of the forty-six schoolhouses
then in use, two of them were stone, twenty-six frame and sixteen log. There
were, as has been said, sixty schools in the county; the whole amount paid
teachers was $3,452.65, axid if they had six months' school, which is the shortest
period of time schools may be in session, teachers were paid $9.50 per month.
Teachers who are dissatisfied with their compensation, which ranges from $35
to $45 per month, can console themselves with the thought that there has been
progress in the right direction.
Mr. Mayo, the second county superintendent, was defeated for reelection by
H. W. Hardy, whose first report is for the school year beginning October 5, 1861,
and ending October 4, 1862. Mr. Hardy has been more directly and for a longer
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MES. MARY DANFORTH, 1849
First school teacher in Winterset. Sister of A. D.
Jones and mother of William R. and Challen Danforth.
MRS. MAKY FARRIS AUNT KATIE GUIBERSON
Wife of Charles Farris. Came to Wife of Judge E. R. Guiberson.
Madison County in 1849. Died in Came to Madison County in 1849.
October, 1914.
PIONEER WOMEN OF MADISON COUNTY
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY . 85
time identified with the schools of the county than any other person. He was
engaged in the actual work of teaching in the county for more than a quarter
of a century and in the meantime filled the office of county superintendent at
three different periods, first for four years, then again four years, and lastly, a
period of five years, making in all thirteen years of service in the county superin-
tendent's office. During his first term of service, beginning early in the '60s, he
found school affairs in a very crude condition. His compensation was about
twenty-five dollars a year, in addition to what fees came to him for issuing cer-
tificates. Being a cooper as well as a teacher, he frequently carried on an exam-
ination in his shop without suspending his manual labor. It is said he often
turned up a finished barrel and had the teacher write her examination, using
the barrel for her manuscript, while he went on making another barrel. It has
been suggested that in some instances the applicant used one end of the barrel,
while the worthy examiner was hooping the other end, but Mr. Hardy says this
is not true.
Mr. Hardy was succeeded by J. S. Goshom, who served one term and then
went into the insurance business. More recently he successfully entered politics
in Nebraska and for a few years helped to ijiake school laws instead of adminis-
tering those made by some one else. Mr. Goshom was succeeded by Mr. Hardy,
who served two terms, when Mr. Chamberlin was elected. The latter did not
serve and the board appointed W. A. Ross, who was a candidate for election
the following fall, but was defeated by Butler Bird. Mr. Bird resigned and was
succeeded by Mr. Hardy, who was appointed by the board and was then elected
and reelected. Miss Ray was the next superintendent and she was succeeded by
Homer Thompson, who was appointed by the board. Mr. Thompson was suc-
ceeded by John Mann, who was succeeded by E. R. Zeller. The latter was fol-
lowed by T. H. Stone, who was succeeded by J. J. Crossley and the latter in turn
by Ed M. Smith. Then came H. D. Smith and T. H. Stone again. Gertrude M.
DuflF was inducted into the office in January, 1907, and after serving some time,
resigned, and Jean M. Cash filled out the remaining six months of the term. John
Gentry followed in 191 1 and the present incumbent, Carrie E. Ludlow, took
charge in 1913.
The county superintendent's office has grown in dignity and usefulness till
it has become one of the most desirable offices in the county. Examinations
are no longer held on a barrel head, in a cooper shop, with shavings for a carpet,
but in one of the best rooms in one of the best courthouses in the state and a sure
enough carpet. There are just as devoted and earnest teachers now as there
were fifty years ago, but none who either from a sense of duty or love for the
work would serve one year in the superintendent's office for the $25 Mr. Hardy
worked for away back in 1861.
There are now 176 schools where there were but 60; now there are 144 school
buildings, not including parochial schools, where there were but 42. In 1859
the total amount paid teachers for the school year was $3,459.65, while for the
school year ending July, 1914, there was paid the teachers of the county the
sum of $75,343.85; contingent expenses, $18,700.55; schoolhouse expenses,
$2,838.66. All of the log schoolhouses have been replaced by neat and com-
fortable buildings, which are a credit to the county, and not a disgrace, as was
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86 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the case at one time. As before stated, the enrollment in 1859 was 1,742, while
the number enrolled in 1914 was 4,099, and the teaching force has grown from
60 to 259.
Another matter in the development of the schools of the county which has
caused much labor and many lawsuits, is the present arrangement of districts.
There are now in the county three different systems in force. The following
townships have the district township system: Lee, Jefferson, Madison, Penn,
Jackson, Union, Scott, Webster, Monroe, Walnut and Ohio. These district town-
ships are subdivided into subdistricts, and a subdirector elected for each. The
following townships have the independent district system: Douglas, Crawford
and Lincoln. The independent districts consist of certain territory, which, as
the name indicates, is as absolutely independent of all other territory as the
United States is independent of England. For each of these independent districts
three directors are chosen, each of whom holds the office for three years. Grand
River Township is an independent district township, which differs from the dis-
trict townships in that the directors are chosen by the voters of the entire town-
ship, and the matter of employing teachers and managing the schools is in the
hands of the board instead of being distributed out among the directors indi-
vidually. Grand River Township also has a township high school, which is the
only one in the county and probably the only one in the state.
The district township of Walnut has eleven schoolhouses ; Grand River inde-
pendent district township has ten; Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Penn,
Scott, South and Webster each have nine. This is the ideal number of school-
houses, where the township is not cut up by impassable streams and the territory
is not encroached upon by independent districts. This gives a schoolhouse for
each four sections of land, and if located in the geographical center, no pupil
can possibly be more than two miles from school.
There are urban independent districts which have not been spoken of. They
are Winterset, Earlham, St. Charles, Truro, Patterson, Bevington, Macksburg
and Peru. Earlham district has been in existence more than thirty years. The
Earlham schools, since they have come under the supervision of W. H. Monroe
and combined with the academy, have had a reputation that has extended all
over the state.
The St. Charles schools were a part of the district Township of South until
about twenty years ago, when an independent district was formed.
The schools of Truro, Peru, Bevington and Patterson, while technically urban
independent districts with a large board of directors, are practically the same in
character as the rural independent districts, except they have what they call a
high school of limited curriculum.
The township high school of Macksburg has quite an honorable history. It
was fortunate in its first principal, Professor Snelling, a most efficient teacher of
many years' experience. Under his supervision the school had a reputation
throughout this and adjoining counties. It is the impression that the Macksburg
high school has not kept pace with the onward march of events. It is now inde-
pendent.
Winterset has school facilities on a par with the average county seat town
of Iowa. There are two large school buildings furnished with all the modem ap-
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EARLHAM ACADEMY
PUBLIC SCHOOL, EARLHAM
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 87
pliances, and the teaching force will compare favorably with the best in the land.
Winterset points with pride to her schools ; their present efficiency, however, did
not spring into existence with one bound, but is the product of many years'
effort. When one observes with how little friction the average graded school
runs along, with harmony everywhere, and apparently by the sheer force of its
own momentum, one can scarcely appreciate the fact that it was not always so.
Although many schools were taught in Winterset, in garrets and churches prior
to that time, the year 1868 may properly be said to have been the beginning of
the city's graded school work. The old stone schoolhouse, which in later years
has been succeeded by the commodious new high school building, was completed
that year and thrown open to the public. It was limited to eight departments
and a high school. Whoever will in the future narrate fully the facts relating
to the founding, building and first three years of occupancy of the building will
have a tale to unfold replete with strife, bi9kerings and ridicule, which the later
generation knows nothing of. It will do well to remain in that ideal state sup-
posed to result from ignorance. While the building of the old house, known as
"Fort Cummings," was not up to the most approved plan of modem times, it was
nevertheless well adapted to the purpose for which it was built, and by no means
deserved the notoriety it received. A public school building constructed from
the native granite was unusual in those days, and on the completion of the build-
ing, applications for the position of principal poured in from all sides. C. C.
Qiamberlin was one of these and secured the position. Professor Chamberlin
became unpopular and the board refused to elect him after the second year.
The second principal was a man named Preston, and he remained but one year.
Then came a man named Cox, who was elected for the second year, but before
he got through with it had several difficulties and a long and exciting lawsuit,
which grew out of punishing a boy, and afterwards with the school board, which
he claimed did not pay him enough. By 1873 applications for the principalship
were perceptibly diminished, but that year E. R. Zeller accepted the office. Under
his directions a new course of study was \ adopted, and the following year the
first class graduated from the Winterset high school. This class consisted of the
following: Laura Cummings, now Mrs. J. W. Miller; Jennie Snyder, now Mrs.
C. T. Koser; Ida Ewing, later Mrs. J. A. Sanford, but for several years de-
ceased; Carrie Haskins, now Mrs. Howell; Hattie Cox, now Mrs. E. R. Zeller;
and Dillie Jones. A class has been graduated every year since then, with one
exception, and while many of the graduates have removed from the county
and some of them have died, those who remain exercise a very important in-
fluence upon the social and industrial interests of the county. Mr. Zeller retained
the principalship of the schools for five years, when he resigned. As early as
1878 the big stone schoolhouse became inadequate for the needs of the district
and that year the north ward schoolhouse was erected. Mr. Mowatt succeeded
Mr. Zeller and he in turn was succeeded by Mr. Eastman, who was followed by
Mrs. Webster. When Mrs. Webster resigned Mr. Carson was elected and held
the position for two years, when Mr. Dean was called to the place and he was
succeeded by T. H. Stone. Mr. McClenahan followed Mr. Stone and he was
succeeded by the efficient superintendent, I. D. Salisbury. Then followed C. E.
Akers and in 191 1 David Williams received the appointment.
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88 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
In 1894 the old stone schoolhouse showed signs of falling down. It was con-
demned and in its stead the present imposing structure was erected. It contains
eight commodious school rooms besides a large room for the high school and
recitation room. It is furnished with a steam heater and Smead ventilating ap-
paratus. It is built of pressed brick and covered with a slate roof. It cost, when
completed, including furnishing, about thirty thousand dollars.
TJie Madison County Teachers' Institute was organized in Winterset, in
October, 1858, by J. H. L. Scott, an eminent educator, who resided at the time
at Osceola. The organization held its annual meetings continuously from its
commencement to the present time, and has been the means of accomplishing a
vast amount of good for the cause of education in Madison County. The teachers
attend the meetings and take an active part in the various exercises of the insti-
tute. It may be added that many citizens of the county who are not teachers
often affiliate and regularly attend the institutes. Liberal provisions for the
normal institute system were enacted by the Fifteenth General Assembly, and in
conformity with the law, Butler Bird, then county superintendent, arranged for
the first session in the summer of 1874. The institute lasted two weeks, with
about fifty teachers in attendance. The two instructors were Mrs. Morey, of
Burlington, and E. R. Zeller, of Winterset. The sessions of the school were held
in the auditorium of the high school building. As now recalled, the whole six
hours of each day and the full five days of each week were occupied or con-
sumed in continuous recitations. In later years, the length of the term has
gradually been shortened.
Such is a brief but accurate account of the schools of the county and it may
truthfully be said that the growth of the schools both in number and efficiency
has fully kept pace with the industrial, mercantile and religious enterprises of
the county. The schools are expensive and a large part of the money paid as
taxes goes for their support and yet, while the average citizen of Madison
County does many things as willingly as paying his taxes, there is no other
institution he looks upon with such zealous eyes as the public schools and the
time is past in which it would be prudent for any one to make an attack upon the
system in general, or upon any one school in particular.
AN OLD CERTIFICATE
As a souvenir of the early schools, under the county superintendent system,
the following is deemed of sufficient value to be preserved in this article :
"The State of Iowa )
> ss.
Madison County ^
"This certifies that the bearer Mr. Robert Clelland in my opinion is qualified
to teach the following branches, to- wit :
Orthography No. i
Reading No. 2
Writing No. i
Arithmetic No. i
Geography No. i
English Grammar No. i
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OLD SOUTH WARD SCHOOL, WINTERSET
WINTERSET HIGH SCHOOL
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 89
"This certificate stands good for 12 months from date.
"Dated at Winterset, this 29th day of October, A. D. 1858.
"James Shepard,
"Sup't. of Common Schools,
"Madison Co., Iowa."
The foregoing is a copy of a teacher's certificate issued by the first superin-
tendent of Madison County to Robert Clelland, a resident of Bevington.
Mr. Clelland taught over one hundred terms of school in his lifetime. He
taught many terms at St. Charles and nearly all the neighboring schools.
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CHAPTER X
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
John Evans, who came here in May, 1846, was not only the first preacher of
the "Hardshell Baptist" denomination in the county, but the first one of any de-
nomination. He came full of enthusiasm to gather, in the vicinity of where he
located, as many of his religious faith as he could and build up a strong church.
Rev. John Evans migrated to this place from Northwest Missouri, where he had
for years devoted much of his time to preaching and therefore had a large ac-
quaintance in that section of the country. Not only did he locate a claim here
for himself and worked to improve it, but also marked out other claims for
imaginary persons, seeking to hold them until he could locate members of his
church on them. He had much success for a year or two in thus establishing
his people and during the first three years of the county's history he had the
strongest church of any denomination in point of numbers and influence. The
members were located around where Winterset now is. The Methodists, almost
universally the first in a new country, did not begin to strongly appear until three
years after the first settlement of the county.
John Evans was of a type and character not understood at the present time.
So far as preaching and laborious eflForts to build up his church were concerned
"Salvation was free;" free as the sunshine and the rain. Illiterate beyond most
persons, even in those days, in the use of the English language, especially as a
writer, he had a liberal command of expressions with which to convey his under-
standing of religious creeds. If he did "kill all the horses in Missouri" expound-
ing his conceptions of a hell to come, as some careless sinners declared, no one
who heard him doubted for a moment that he was working harder^ than a rail
splitter to build up his church. His sermons were Calvinistic to a' degree not
now imagined. All such forceful and zealous natures provoke hostility and criti-
cism ; certainly, he reaped his full share here in the early days. And, he may have
enjoyed a happy life while here, but it was not evidenced by any of the usual out-
ward appearances. He enjoyed the confidence of most of his church members and
is favorably remembered to this day by those of his church whg heard him
preach in their childhood.
The early records of this church were destroyed when the house of Asa Smith
was burned. It was here this pioneer preacher lived.
The church was organized at the house of John Butler, in Union Township,
it is presumed from lack of anything more authentic, in 1847. Among those who
joined at that time were John Butler and wife Susan; Samuel Crawford and
wife Polly; Joshua Casebier and wife Louisa; James Thombrugh and wife
Elizabeth; Lemuel Thombrugh and wife Sarah; Widow Sarah Fidler; Miss
90
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CHURCH OF CHRIST, WINTERSET
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 91
Nancy Fidler, who married Noah Staggs, of Dallas County; Paulina (Fidler)
Mendenhall, Mathew Jones and wife, on Jones Creek; Mrs. Betsy (Butler)
Chenoweth ; Asa Mills and wife Sarah ; William Gentry and wife Sarah ; Widow
Ellison; and William Simmons and wife Polly, of Linn Grove, in Warren
County. Among those joining about that time and before 1850 were: Mrs. John
(Nancy) Dorrell, Widow Anna Osbum, Aquilla Smith and wife, John Craw-
ford and wife Mary; Mrs. Jane Pender, Mrs. Sarah (Evans) Casteel, Robert
Evans and wife Elizabeth; Moses Osbum and wife Hannah; Widow Nellie
Flynn, James Crawford and wife Achsa; Mrs. Henry (Nancy Ann) Simmons.
For several years meetings were only held at the homes of the members,
and never at a schoolhouse or other building. By previous arrangement they
met at a member's house, on which occasion the family provided a dinner for all
who attended. Settlers lived distant from each other and some of them had
many miles to go, without roads and generally by ox teams, taking all the chil-
dren with them. It was an all day's tedious journey to "go to meeting" and
home again. And then, by all remaining together for dinner, there was delightful
visiting between families who elsewhere could not hope to meet, commingling
of children and, just think of it! — a golden opportunity for Cupid to practice
with his arrows on the young men and women. Among the homes, where meet-
ings were more frequently held, were those of John Butler, William Gentry,
James Thombrugh, Aquilla Smith and Samuel Crawford.
SOME FIRST CAMP MEETINGS
In September, 1848, occurred the first camp meeting in the county. This was
held about two miles below the depot in Patterson, on the northeast quarter of
section 33, in Crawford Township.' For many years this place was a noted one
for out-door meetings, political as well as religious. It was earliest known as
the McGinnis and later as the Holton place. The meeting, and other meetings
later on, were held under an immense black walnut tree that was over six feet
in diameter, and more than one hundred feet high. The lower limbs began
about nine feet above the ground and the shade of the tree extended about eighty
feet in diameter. This camp meeting was held under the direction of the Metho-
dists and there were three preachers present — Rev. Ezra Rathbum, of I>es
Moines (then commonly known as the "colored" preacher from his very dark
complexion). Rev. Allen, of Linn Grove, and the other one is not remembered.
People were in attendance from long distances, from miles northwest of (now)
Winterset, and from Dallas, Polk and Warren counties. Probably over a thou-
sand persons attended at one session or another. It remained in session about
a week and was said to have been a ''successful" meeting from the church stand-
point. Anyhow, it drew a great crowd of sinners; and persons of various de-
nominations, besides nearly the entire Methodist population hereabouts were
present. It was the second great gathering of people in Madison County, that of
July Fourth that year being the first. So great was the success of this meeting
that the Methodists held another in the fall of 1849 and again in 1850. People
camped as a rule in their covered wagons and most of them came in ox wagons.
Tents were very scarce in those days and none^ were on the ground at the first
meeting. Grass, water and fuel were abundant and, of course, free.
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92 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
About the year 1850, a Presbyterian farmer, who was also somewhat of an
educated clergyman and named William Wood, settled in northeast Jackson Town-
ship, where he remained many years. At first he was very active as a preacher
and organized and led camp meetings with such help as he could obtain. He con-
ducted these meetings, one a year, during 1850, 1851 and 1852; at least, they
were the first gatherings of the kind west of Winterset and were held in the west
part of Douglas Township.
After 1850 out-door meetings holding *'over Sunday" and for longer periods,
began to increase in number and continued the fashion many years. By 1865
they began to go out of vogue and since have been almost abandoned.
METHODIST
The first Methodist minister who preached in Winterset was George W. Teas,
who was appointed to the Three Rivers Mission, a circuit formed at a session of
the Iowa conference held at Fort Madison, in August, 1849. Andrew Coleman,
who was the presiding elder of the Des Moines District at that time, visited the
county during the year and preached at the various appointments in the county.
It was during this year, 1849, that the first church organization at Winterset
was formed. It consisted of ten members, as follows: Claiborne Pitzer, who
was appointed class leader; E. R. Guiberson, wife and mother; Israel Guiberson,
Thomas Ainsley, Esther Ainsley, James Folwell and wife and Martin Ruby.
Parson Teas appears to have had reasonable success, as he reported one hun-
dred and fifty-four members, nineteen probationers and one local preacher at
the end of one year. This, of course, included the members on the whole Three
Rivers circuit. This man, Teas, seems, however, to have had some trouble with
his presiding elder later on and withdrew from the church, announcing his with-
drawal by the following poetic couplet, which was published in one of the Des
Moines papers:
"Let it be known from shore to shore,
G. W. Teas is a Methodist no more."
In the course of a few years the trouble was adjusted and Mr. Teas returned
to the fold, when he announced the fact in a like poetic effusion :
'*Let it be known among all men,
G. W. Teas is a Methodist again."
The next session of the Iowa conference was held at Fairfield, August 7,
1850, when D., Worthington was appointed presiding elder of the district and
Rev. G. Case was sent to the Madison County work. In 1851 John Hayden be-
came presiding elder and David T. Sweem was sent to this county. That year
there were reported 329 members, twenty-nine probationers and five local
preachers.
Until September, 1852, the Three Rivers circuit was in existence and this
included a greater part of Warren County, as well as Madison County. Sep-
tember 29th the Three Rivers circuit was divided, the east part becoming the
Indianola circuit and the west part the Winterset mission. Robert G. Hawn was
sent to Madison County. R. Swearingen was the next minister and he served two
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WINTERSET
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t:"^
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 93
years. He was unusually successful, the membership more than doubling during
his pastorate. The next conference was held in Keokuk, September 26, 1855.
J. B. Hardy was appointed presiding elder of the district and Winterset was left
without a minister. The presiding 'elder then appointed Leonard Parker to the
place. There were the following appointments at this time : Winterset, Paytons,
Worthington and Darnalls, Brooklyn and other appointments in the county having
been detached and made a part of another mission. Samuel Weeks was the next
pastor and he was succeeded by James Haines in 1857, whose salary was $320.
S. AI. Good fellow was appointed to the charge in 1858, and his health failing, he
resigned and was succeeded by C. C. Mabee. The next preacher was W. S. Peter-
son. In 1859 the Iowa conference was divided and Winterset became a part of
the new Des Moines conference. The first session of the Des Moines conference
was held at Indianola, August 28, i860. Sanford Haines was elected presiding
elder and U. P. Golliday was sent to Winterset. In 1861 J. F. Goolman was sent
to Winterset but soon after he resigned to enter the army as captain of Company
H, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry. He was succeeded by Dugald Thompson;
then came R. S. Robinson, C. J. Nixon and C. C. Mabee again in 1864-5.
It was not until 1865 that Winterset became a station. Up till this time it had
been a part of a circuit and the time of the pastor was divided between this and
other appointments. The different appointments as classes of the church in the
county at that time were as follows : Lindens, Lavertys, Allcocks, Smiths, Flem-
ings and Linn Grove. The appointments in the south part of the county were
formed into a circuit in 1858, called Brooklyn circuit and J. B. Rawls became the
pastor. Both Rawls and one of his successors, Charles Woolsey, died on the
circuit and their remains were buried in the old Ebenezer cemetery. There are
now twenty Methodist Church buildings in the county and several preaching
appointments where they do not own a church building. They are located as
follows: Jefferson Township, one; Webster, three; Madison, two; Penn, one;
Douglas, one; Crawford, two; Scott, two; Grand River, two; Monroe, two;
Walnut, one ; Ohio, one ; South, two ; Winterset, one. The pastors in Winteijset
in more recent years have been : H. H. O'Neal, J. F. Goolman, B. F. W. Koser,
J. A. Smith, E. M. H. Fleming, J. W. Todd, W. F. Laidley, C. H. Newell, W. D.
Bennett, W. C. Martin, Artemus Brown, J. R. Horswell, C. L. Nye, Fred Harris,
W. G. Riheldaffer, C. J. English, R. W. Matheny, Eugene W. F. Requa, Walburn
and W. G. Hohanshelt, the present pastor.
PRESBYTERIAN
In 1854 Rev. J. C. Ewing, of the New School branch of the Presbyterian
Church, came to Winterset and gathered what people he could find of like
religious faith and organized a church. The organization was completed
October 10, 1854, and it was taken into the care of the Presbytery of Des Moines,
with Mr. Ewing as pastor. The first members were: John S. Gaff, Margaret
Gaff, Dr. J. H. Gaff, David Lamb, Polly Ann Hawkins, Martha K. Kams, Emily
Homback, Mary Dorrence. Dr. J. H. Gaff and David Lamb were elected elders.
In 1855 a new church building was begun and completed. It stood on the
corner where is now the Church of Christ. In 1864 Mr. Ewing resigned and
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94 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
was succeeded by Rev. A. M. Heiser. This gentleman was a man of much
ability and great religious zeal, many of his sermons by request having been
published in the local press of that time.
In 1857 the Old School Presbyterian Church was organized by a committee
of which Rev. Mr. Jacobs, of Knoxville, was chairman. The organization at
first consisted of eleven members, of which J. R. McCall and J. D. Jencks were
elected elders. Walter L. Lyons was the first pastor and served during the build-
ing of the church edifice, which was in 1859. This building was situated where
the electric light plant is now located. It was used for church purposes till the
completion of the new Presbyterian Church, when it was used for school purposes
till the North Ward school building was erected, when it was abandoned and
became the property of the city and was used as a home for the fire engine. When
the powerhouse was erected it was moved to the land owned by B. L. Sprinkle
and reconstructed into a bam where it still stands. Rev. T. J. Taylor was the
second pastor of this church and he resigned in 1862 to become chaplain in the
army.
As before stated, the New School Church was in charge of Rev. D. M.
Heiser in 1864. The pulpit of the Old School Church had been vacant for two
years and through the efforts of Reverend Heiser there was a union formed of the
two branches. This occurred December 15, 1867. Rev. E. Dickinson succeeded
Mr. Heiser and served till April, 1870. He was succeeded by J. H. Potter, who
came September i, 1870. Mr. Potter was remarkably successful and served the
church with great acceptability for thirteen years. It was under his pastorate
that the present substantial church edifice was built. It was completed and dedi-
cated in 1876, at a cost of $14,000.
Reverend Potter was succeeded by Dr. H. M. Robertson, October 29, 1883,
who was followed by Rev. H. C. Herring, January i, 1890. The ministers since
that time have been Reverends Ely, McDonald, Marquis and Rev. James Corkey,
who has served this congregation for the past eight years.
During the year 1885 an addition was built to the church and in 1890 an
elegant parsonage was erected.
TRINITY EPISCOPAL
The Episcopalians have never been strong in numbers in Winterset. A few
families have lived here for many years. Some thirty or more years ago an
organization was formed and a small chapel was erected. Services have been
held from time to time by clergymen who have visited the city for that purpose.
In 1881 and 1882 Rev. R. W. Estabrookwas the regularly installed pastor, and
it is believed he is the only resident pastor the church has ever had. Services
are now only occasionally held. Among some of the leading members of the
church in the past have been C. W. Hale and family, Mrs. C. B. Wfelch, Mrs.
Winchester and Mrs. A. Crawford.
CATHOLIC
There are many people of the Catholic faith in and around Winterset. They
have two church buildings in the county, the oldest and largest being located in
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OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WINTERSET
Built in 1859. Has served as church, schoolhouse and fire engine station, and is now
used as a stable
OLD CATHOLIC CHURCH, WINTERSET
Replaced by a magnificent new church
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BAPTIST CHURCH, WINTERSICT
Burned February, 1905. Rebuilt on same foundation
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 95
Lee Township. For many years after an organization was formed in Winterset,
services were held in leased rooms. More than thirty years ago, a church building
was erected in the west part of town and furnished in an elaborate manner. The
Misses Horan, James Swift and John Fox were largely instrumental in securing
the erection of the church building. This building was replaced by a modem
structure, of pleasing architectural design, in 191 1. Among its more recent active
members in Winterset may be mentioned Dr. Jessie V. Smith, Mrs. B. F. Min-
tum and Mrs. F. D. Davenport. Among the pastors who have served this people
may be mentioned Revs. Fathers J. M. Ehinnion, M. V. Rice, J. W. Murphy and
Patrick Feeley, James A. Troy, William J. Churchill, and the present pastor.
Rev. J. C. White, who took charge of the parish in October, 1914.
FIRST CHRISTIAN
It is well authenticated that the Elder Thomas Cason of this church was one
of the first preachers in Madison County. Aside from the fact, nothing is known
about his efforts to establish a religious organization. In 1853 Rev. A. D. Kellison
and wife organized the First Christian Church at Winterset. A substantial
church building was erected in 1855 and met the requirements of the organization
until 1896, when it was torn down and a commodious and modem church was
erected. Mr. and Mrs. Kellison preached for the church until 1858. Other
early pastors were Rev. A. Bradfield, Elders Storr and Bishop. Reverends Fuller
and Jellison were later pastors. In 1891 Rev. W. B. Golden was the pastor and
he was followed by Reverend Howard, who remained several years. Under the
efforts of the latter the congregation was materially built up and it was largely
through hi^ untiring efforts that the church building was erected. The next
pastor was sRev. L. E. FoUensbee, who has since achieved quite a reputation on
the lecture platform. His successor was Rev. E. E. Bennett, who was followed
by Rev. Grafton. The church is now without a pastor.
Among the prominent members in early times were the families of John
Rogers, William Compton, Doctor Philbrick, David Bishop, John Brinson, A. J.
Adkinson and Mrs. Ogden.
This denomination had an organization and church building at Peru in early
times. More recently the building has been removed to the new town.
BAPTIST
This society was organized by Dr. J. A. Nash in January, 1856, with a mem-
bership of twelve. Services were held wherever a room could be secured until
1859. ^^ ^857 Rev. A. W. Russell became the pastor, giving this charge half of
his time. In 1858 a lot was secured and work was begun on the erection of a
stone church. The work was slow. The completion of the stone walls exhausted
all the available funds, when Deacon Read sold a farm and used the proceeds
in finishing the building. Judge Leonard seated the house and built the pulpit.
From the time the church was dedicated until the new church was built there
was scarcely a Sunday that some kind of religious services were not held within
its walls. The new church building was commenced in 1886. It was completed
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96 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and dedicated February 20, 1887. On the morning of February 12, 1905, from
some unknown cause the building caught fire and was burned out, leaving the
walls standing in such condition that they could not be used in rebuilding the
edifice. Work was immediately begun on another building and funds were soon
secured which, supplemented by the amount received for insurance, enabled the
congregation to complete the work. The new building was dedicated December
31, 1905, at which time enough money was pledged to pay the entire indebtedness.
This is now the largest and most beautiful church in the county. The following
have been some of the pastors of this church : A. W. Russell served the church
at the time the first building was erected. He was succeeded by W. A. Eggles-
ton, who served for several years. He resigned on account of poor health and
died soon afterwards. Next came O. T. Conger, who was succeeded by Reverends
Carton, Delano, Jolin Gulton, W. A. Welsher, W. A. Weaver and G. C. Peck,
the latter being the pastor at the time the second church building was dedicated.
He served the church for several years, during which time the membership was
greatly increased. Then followed Revs. C. Holmes, Anthony Jacobs, P. H.
McDowell, and Fred Berry. During the pastorate of the latter the church flour-
ished as never before. Before coming to Winterset he had been engaged in
. evangelistic work and this characterized his labors while pastor here. He finally
resigned to again enter the evangelistic work in the state. For a time thereafter
the pulpit was vacant and then came Rev. Fred Berry, whose successor was
Reverend Atwood, who died within a short time after leaving the charge. He
was followed by Reverend Stewart, whose successor was Reverend Moon.
There was formerly a Baptist Church in Patterson but in later years the or-
ganization has gone down. There was a Baptist Church in Ohio Township,
which was burned in 191 2. A few years ago the Old School Baptists erected a
church building in the cemetery north of Winterset.
UNITED PRESBYTERIANS
In August, 1855, the Associate Reform Congregation of Winterset was or-
ganized with fifteen members, and afterward the Associate Congregation or-
ganized with six members. In 1858 after the general union of the Associate
and Associate Reform Churches under the name of United Presbyterian, these
two congregations united and became the United Presbyterian Church of Win-
terset, having forty members. The first United Presbyterian minister coming
to Winterset was Rev. David Lindsay. He was followed by James Green. Among
the members of pioneer times were Reverends Patterson, Christy, Vance, Stur-
geon, Steel and Sawhill. In May, 1856, Rev. John Graham located on a farm
near Winterset and frequently preached to the people. Rev. C. T. McCaughan
was the first regularly installed pastor of the church. He remained six years,
during which time the congregations at Patterson, North Branch, Union and
Peru were organized. The two latter still exist and have commodious church
buildings, the one from Pitzer having been moved from its former location a few
years ago. For about thi-ee years Rev. J. U. McClinahan was pastor of the
church at Winterset, then the pulpit was supplied for a time by Henry Wallace.
A. M. Campbell then served several years. Then came Rev. J. H. White, who
was followed by Reverend Dugan. The present pastor is Reverend Stewart.
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REV. C. T. McCAUGHAN
Came to Madison County in 1865 and
was pastor of the United Presbyterian
Church in Winterset for many years. As-
sisted in organizing and building up five
other churches in the county. Born in
Trigg County, Kentucky, in 1814, and
died in Winterset, October 13, 1909, at
the age of ninety-five years. Grand-
father of Charles Trumbull White,
editor of '* Everybody 's. ' '
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'V V
I
i ■
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 97
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
This church is appropriately named, from its two prominent tenets of faith ;
seventhvday meaning the Sabbath, which they observe as a day of rest; Ad-
ventist, meaning a belief in the speedy coming, a second time, of Christ. The
church building where they worship was erected in 1882. They have no stated
pastor, but hold regular services, at which some one of the members officiates.
A. J. Stiffler was for many years a prominent member, but he removed to Oregon
some years ago, whei^e his death occurred.
CHURCH OF CHRIST
The first meetings of this denomination were held in a log schoolhouse about
a mile and a half east of Winterset. The church was first organized in Winterset
in 1856, occupying rooms upstairs on the north side of the square. Peter Russell
was among the first pastors. In 1857 a frame building, where now stands the
residence of Ben Bare, was used for church services and at the close of the
Civil war the congregation purchased the building owned by the Old School
Presbyterians and this served as their house of worship till the new church was
erected in 1899. The pastors who have served this congregation are: Revs.
J. P. Roach, J. K. Cornell, D. R. Dungan, O. H. Derry, J. M. Lowe, Hodkinson,
Major, Veach, J. H. Ragan, O. M. Pennock, S. D. Harlan, and the present pastor,
Rev. L. F. Davis.
There are four other churches of this denomination in the county — Early
Chapel in Jackson Township, one in Barney, one at Patterson and one at St.
Charles. The Patterson church met with an irreparable loss in the death of
Butler Bird. The church at Barney is a comparatively new organization and is
in a prosperous condition. E^rly Chapel was named in honor of the Early
family which has resided in that vicinity for many years. It is a beautiful and
well kept building on a commanding site in one of the best farming communities
of the county.
CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CHRISTIAN UNION
Some fifteen years ago Reverend Quick came to Winterset and after preaching
in a tent for some time, organized a church and soon afterward secured funds
from the people of the town to build a church. Reverend Quick was followed
by Rev. Joseph Griffin. ^
This denomination has another organization and building in Lincoln
Township.
UNITED BRETHREN
This denomination has five church buildings and organizations in Madison
County,^ and all are in a flourishing condition. The strongest and probably the
oldest organization is the Shambaugh Chapel, in the northeastern part of Jeffer-
son Township. There are two other churches in this township — Jefferson in the
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98 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
southeast part and North River in the Brittain neighborhood. Rev. E. W. Curtis,
who was largely instrumental in forming the organization at Jefferson and North
River, served as pastor a number of years.
Providence Chapel is located near Middle River, in Scott Township. The
members of the organization worshipped for many years in the schoolhouse
near by. For several years past they have worshipped in a neat church building
which bears the name of Providence. In i860 Rev. John Blair 6ame from Ken-
tucky with twelve yoke of oxen, several horses, one carriage and numerous rela-
tives. They left their native state on account of their hostility to slavery. They
settled in Scott and South townships principally, and Blair Chapel was the out-
growth of this immigration. It is located in South Township, near the Craw-
ford Township line. A number of years ago the building burned and it was
replaced by a neat and substantial edifice.
THE FRIENDS
There are two localities in Madison County where there are quite a number
belonging to this church. Earlham and vicinity was largely settled by them and
that unusually fine body of land extending from the west part of Madison Town-
ship eastward is called "Quaker Divide" because so many of the early farmers
belonged to that church. The Town of Earlham from the start has had a large
number of this faith and among its adherents may be found some of the most
prominent citizens. The town itself was named in honor of Earlham College in
Indiana, a school maintained by the Friends. In Ohio Township is another settle-
ment largely made up of Friends. Oak Run is the name of the home of the organi-
zation.
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CHAPTER XI
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
The pioneers of the healing art in Madison County were the guardians of a
widely dispersed population. Aside from their professional duties, they con-
tributed their full share to the material development of a newly opened country.
Some were men of culture, who had gained their medical education in college.
Others were of limited educational attainments, whose professional knowledge
had been acquired in the offices of established practitioners of more or less ability
in the sections from which they emigrated. Of either class almost without excep-
tion, they were practical men of great force of character who gave cheerful
and efficacious assistance to the suffering, daily joximeying on horseback scores
of miles, over a country almost destitute of roads and encountering swollen,
unbridged streams, without waterproof garments or other now common protection
against the elements. Out of necessity the pioneer physician developed rare quick-
ness of perception and self-reliance. A specialist was then unknown, and the
physician was called upon to treat every phase of bodily ailment, serving as
physician, surgeon, oculist and dentist. His books were few and there were no
practitioners of more ability than himself with whom he might consult. His
medicines were simple and carried on his person and every preparation of pill
or solution was the work of his own hands.
PIONEER PHYSICIANS
Dr. J. H. Gaff was the pioneer doctor of Madison County and the first one
to commence the practice in Winterset, setting up his office in the spring of 1850
fn the recorder's office, which necessarily occupied a small space in the primitive
log cabin built as the first courthouse. He put up one of the first log houses in
the county seat and in this humble dwelling he lived and boarded the young
single men until they were able to set up an establishment of their own. Doctor
Gaff was a "regular" and his kindly face was known throughout the county
during its infancy.
Dr. L. M. Tidrick studied medicine while living in Ohio and graduated from
the St. Louis College of Medicine. For a short time in 1850 he practiced in Des
Moines and in the spring of 1851 located in Winterset, opening an office in the
log courthouse. He was a man of acknowledged ability in his chosen profession
and his kind and sympathetic nature made him a welcome visitor in the sick
room. Doctor Tidrick was a member of the State Medical Association, also the
Madison Cotmty Medical Association, and one of its organizers. He married
Martha Bell in 1854 and in 1855 was elected county treasurer.
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100 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Dr. William Leonard was one of Madison County's leading physicians ^nd
surgeons and also an Ohioan. He turned his eyes westward in 1859 and located
in Winterset, then a village of a few houses. He read medicine in his native
state; graduated from the Ohio Medical College in 1852 and from Jefferson
Medical College (Philadelphia) in 1854. He began practice in his native state
and coming here, soon became a leader and a success in the profession of medi-
cine. In 1862, Doctor Leonard was appointed assistant surgeon of the Thirty-
ninth Iowa Infantry, which position he filled until April, 1863, when he received
the appointment of post surgeon at Corinth, Mississippi, and was assigned to the
staff of Gen. Grenville M. Dodge. In October of that year he became surgeon,
by commission, of the Seventh Illinois Infantry, which office he retained until
the close of the Civil war. Doctor Leonard was a member of the State Medical
Association and of the Madison County Medical Association; he also held the
office of county treasurer one term.
Dr. J. H. Mack was a good physician, but a better business man. He was from
the '*Buckeye" state and located at Macksburg in 1857. He walked from Des
Moines to Grand River Township and settling there, soon acquired several
hundred acres of choice land. Doctor Mack was patriotic and enlisted for the
Civil war in the Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry. Returning to Macksburg he
resumed the practice of his profession and ministered to a large and paying
clientele. He served in the Legislature, as representative in the 22d and 23d
sessions.
Dr. J. A. Rawls was considered an intelligent physician and skilled surgeon.
He graduated from the Ohio Medical College in 1876, but was a resident of the
county as early as 1859. Macksburg was his chosen headquarters, and here, and
in the surrounding country, he enjoyed a good practice.
Dr. S. B. Cherry was one of Winterset's quite early physicians, coming to the
county seat in 1862 and opening an office ; was very successful. He was assistant
surgeon of the Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and after resuming his practice
became an organizing member of the Madison County Medical Association.
In the list of physicians in the practice at Winterset in 1868 were David
Hutchinson, L. M. Tidrick, E. L. Hillis, J. B. Duff, A. C. Baldock, A. J. Russell,.
A. J. Morris, S. B. Cherry, D. D. Davisson and G. M. Rutledge.
Dr. Wm. M. Anderson came to Iowa in 1858, after studying and practicing
medicine in Ohio, and in the spring of i860 came to St. Charles, Iowa — pur-
chasing the home and business of Dr. J. S. Calaway, the first practicing physician
in St. Charles. Doctor Anderson was one of the leading physicians in Madison
and Warren counties and followed the profession from the time of his arrival
to the time of his death — December i, 1897. Dr. A. B. Smith came to St. Charles
about the same time as Doctor Anderson and later was in partnership with
Dr. L. J. Forney and sometime in the '70s moved to Winterset where he operated
a drug store for many years, and died in California a few years ago.
Dr. T. Roberts long was St. Charles' leading physician,* locating there in 1874.
He was bom in Ohio, came to the State of Iowa with his parents and taught
school several terms. He then read medicine and was graduated from the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, in 1873.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 101
W. M. Beaver was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and studied medi-
cine there. He began the practice of his profession at St. Charles in 1869.
Dr. L. J. Forney began the practice first at St. Charles, then moved to Winter-
set in 1869, but came to the county six years previously. He was a graduate of
the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ohio Medical College and Rush Medical
College.
In 1874 the firm of Tidrick & Likes was formed. This was shortly after the
arrival of Dr. E. T. Likes from Guernsey County, Ohio. He received his medical
education at the Detroit Medical College and after associating himself with Doctor
Tidrick, enjoyed a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. J. H. Wintrode, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth, received his profes-
sional education at Baltimore. He located in Winterset in 1876 and in 1879
married Flora B. Hutchings. While engaged in the practice he also conducted a
drug store for some time. He served one term as county treasurer.
Dr. John Green may be placed among the pioneer physicians of Madison
County, as he came to Walnut Township in an early day, located at Peru and for
years answered the calls from a large and contiguous territory. In 1853 Dr. N.
M. Smith arrived in Walnut Township and later read medicine under the direc-
tion of Doctor Green. He attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at
Keokuk, was graduated and locating at Peru, enjoyed a fair measure of success.
It has been difficult to secure the names of all the physicians worthy of notice
who have practiced in Madison County, so that the omissions must be attributed
not to an unworthy motive, but to lack of knowledge of the full list. However,
in a general way, others not already noticed may be here mentioned.
Doctor Rippey was an old practitioner who, like many others, traveled across
country in all kinds of weather "horseback,*' with his saddlebags. For some years
he lived about six miles south of Winterset.
Doctor Sloan was of the last named place and practiced there for many years,
after which he retired to a life of well earned ease.
Dr. John Cooper practiced here in the period from 1875 to about 1883. He
went to Des Moines, where he continued to practice a number of years. His son,
Butler Cooper, began the practice here in the '90s but remained a few years
and then located in another place. He has been dead some years.
It has been said that "actively competing for and enjoying a fair share of the
practice in St. Charles and vicinity are Drs. S. N. Sayre and E. K. Anderson,
both younger in years than Doctor Roberts, but mature in experience, sound in
judgment and both deserving of the high social and professional position which
they enjoy.*' Dr. I. K. Sayre is a son of S. N. Sayre, with whom he is in
partnership.
"Dr. B. D. Little has for many years enjoyed and deserved the confidence
of the people of Patterson and vicinity, having accomplished a large amount of
professional work. At Bevington, Doctor Findlay, one of the younger men,
kept the people well but is now gone. The first practitioner there was Dr. T. F.
Kelliher, who is now a leading physician of Des Moines. At Earlham, Doctor
Day, a son of the late Judge Day, of Des Moines, has for many years been active
in his chosen profession. Doctor Irwin is also in the practice. Dr. F. W. Bush.
a native of the county, was prominent in his community around Pitzer, both pro-
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102 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
fessionally and socially, as were also Drs. Scofield and Miller, of Macksburg,
who are gone. To take their places are M. B. Coltrane and Doctor Wallace.
Doctors Griffith and J. W. Carver, of Peru, are still there, but Doctors Clearwater
and McClellan, of Truro, are gone." Dr. J. A. Hutchinson is now the only one
remaining in Truro. Dr. G. N. Skinner was the first physician there.
Of the members of the medical fraternity at Winterset, Dr. John Milholland
had the longest career up to the time of his departure a few years ago, having
received his degree from the University of Missouri in 1874. He was a veteran
of the Civil war and for many years served as a member of the pension board of
this county. Dr. W. H. Thompson is a native of Pennsylvania, obtained his
literary education in Pittsburg, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College
(Philadelphia) in 1884. Dr. Edward Embree was graduated from the State
University, medical department, in 1889, and Dr. G. N. Skinner from the medical
department of Drake University the same year. Dr. R. R. Davisson graduated
from Rush Medical College in 1890 ; Dr. Jessie V. Smith from Keokuk Medical
College of Chicago in 1896; and Dr. W. F. Sterman from the Illinois Medical
College of Chicago in 1896; Doctor Richards is a graduate of the homeopathic
department of the University of Iowa, while Doctor Ruth received his diploma
from Keokuk Medical College in 1891. He is no longer here. Dr. D. D. Davis-
son was long one of the leading physicians of Madison County and a prominent
citizen. He served in the Legislature from this county. Dr. C. B. Hickenlooper
is a recent addition to the fraternity and is a successful practitioner. Dr. T. P.
Weir, an osteopath, has a good practice and is popular.
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
The Madison County Medical Association was first organized July 14, 1872,
and on the 2Sth of the month, the organization was perfected by the election of
D. D. Davisson, president; W. L. Leonard, vice president; S. B. Cherry, secretary;
A. Smith, treasurer; Sloan, Leonard and Cherry, censors.
For some years the association held regular meetings, upon which occasions
carefully prepared papers were read upon subjects pertinent and interesting to
the profession ; but interest finally died out and the meetings ceased to have the
regularity first intended by the members. Finally, after a lapse of time, the society
was reorganized on May 15, 1899, with the following members: R. R. Davisson,
Edward Embree, F. A. Ely, G. N. Skinner, D. D. Davisson, W. H. Thompson,
J. A. Lawson, W. F. Sterman, John Milholland. The officials were: R. R.
Davisson, president; Edward Embree, vice president; F. A. Ely, secretary; G. N.
Skinner, treasurer. The present members of the society are: R. R. Davisson,
W. H. Thompson, F. D. Davenport, C. B. Hickenlooper, Edward Embree,
Jessie V. Smith, E. K. Anderson, T. Roberts and S. N. Sayre, St. Charles ; J. A.
Hutchinson, Truro ; J. W. Carver, East Peru. The present officials are : B. D.
Little, of Patterson, president; G. N. Skinner, vice president; R. R. Davisson,
secretary-treasurer.
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CHAPTER XII
BENCH AND BAR
Perhaps no body of men, not excepting the clergy, may exercise a greater
influence for good in a community than those who follow the profession of the
law, and it must b^ admitted that to no other body, not even to the so-called
criminal classes, are committed greater possibilities for an influence for evil.
What that influence shall be depends upon the character of the men who con-
stitute the bar of the community — ^not merely on their ability or learning but on
their character. If the standard of morality among the members of the bar is
high, the whole community learns to look at questions of right and wrong from
a higher plane. If the bar, consciously or unconsciously, adopts a low standard
of morality, it almost inevitably contaminates the conscience of the community.
And this is true not only in the practice of the profession itself, not only because
of the influence of members of the bar as men rather than lawyers, but in the
effect upon other professions and occupations to which the bar acts as a feeder.
The members of the Legislature are recruited largely from the legal profession.
How can legislation, designed solely for the welfare of the public, be expected
from one whose honor as a lawyer has not been above suspicion? And since
lawyers, outside of the Legislature, have a great influence in shaping the law,
how can the people expect that influence to be exerted in their behalf when the
bar itself is unworthy? Still more does the character of the bar effect the
judiciary, which is supplied from its ranks. It is not always, perhaps not gen-
erally, the case that members of the bench are chosen from those lawyers who
have attained the highest rank in their profession. If a judge be industrious and
honest but not of great ability, or if he be able and honest, though lacking in-
dustry, the rights of the litigants are not likely to suffer seriously at his hands.
But there have been instances where judicial office was bestowed solely as a
reward for political service ; and while it is sometimes realized that one who has
been a strenuous and not too scrupulous politician up to the moment of his
elevation to the bench, has thereafter forgotten that there was such a trade as
politics and has administered justice without fear or favor, the experiment is a
dangerous one. No one need be surprised if in such a case the old maxim holds
true : "He who buys the office of judge must of necessity sell justice." Let our
judges be men who are subject to other influences than those of the facts sub-
mitted to them and the law applicable to those facts ; let them lack that independ-
ence which is an imperative requisite to one who holds the scales of justice; let a
well founded suspicion arise that their decisions are dictated by something outside
of their own minds and consciences, and the confidence of the people in the main-
tenance of their rights through the agency of the courts is destroyed.
It has been the good fortune of the City of Winterset and the County of
Madison that the members of the bar here have been, for the most part, men of
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104 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
high character as well as ability and learning, so that its bar has won a high
and honorable reputation throughoiit the rest of the state and because of the high
character of the bar it has followed that those of its members who have been
elevated to the bench have enjoyed the confidence and respect of the public
and have been honored not only in their own locality but in many cases through-
out the state and in other states.
Yet the preparation of a history of the bar, so far at least, as that part of it
which lies back of one's own generation is concerned, is attended with considerable
difficulty. Probably few men who in their time play important parts in the com-
munity or even in the state or nation, leave so transient a reputation as lawyers
do. A writer on this subject who took for his text "The Lawyer of Fifty Years
Ago," said: "In thinking over the names of these distinguished men of whom
I have been speaking, the thought has come to me how evanescent and limited is
the lawyer's reputation, both in time and space. I doubt very much if a lawyer,
whatever his standing, is much known to the profession outside of his own state."
Those who attain high rank in the profession must realize that with rare excep-
tions, their names are "writ in water." One may turn over the leaves of old
reports and find repeated again and again as counsel in different cases the name
of some lawyer who must have been in his time a power in the courts, only to
wonder if he has ever seen the name outside of the covers of the dusty reports
in which it appears. Hamilton, in the conventions, in the Federalist and in the
treasury, and Webster in the Senate and in public orations, have perpetuated and
increased the fame of lawyers Hamilton and Webster; but were it not for their
services outside the strict limits of their profession, one might come upon their
names at this date with much the same lack of recognition as that with which
one finds in a reported case the names of some counsel, great perhaps in his own
time, but long since forgotten.
And there is 'another difficulty in preparing such a history as this, brief and
therefore necessarily limited to a few names, and that is that some may be omitted
who are quite as worthy of mention as those whose names appear. It is not
often that any one man stands as a lawyer head and shoulders above the other
members of the profession; and the same may be said of any half dozen men.
In many cases the most careful measurement would fail to disclose a difference
of more than a fraction of an inch, if any. Lives of eminent men who have at
some period been practicing lawyers, have contained the assertion that while they
were engaged in the practice of their profession they were the "leaders of the
bar," but there is almost always room for doubt as to whether the title is not a
brevet bestowed by the biographer alone. Therefore the mention in this article
of certain lawyers must not be taken as any disparagement of those who are not
mentioned, and finally, it is to be observed that this article, so far as the bar is
concerned, will treat not only of those members who are past and gone, but will
make mention of some of those now in the flesh. But first, attention is directed
to the judicial districts in which Madison County found herself at various times.
THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT IN MADISON
The first constitution of the State of Iowa contained the provision that **The
judicial powers shall be vested in a Supreme Court, District Courts and such
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 105
inferior courts as the General Assembly may from time to time establish/' The
constitution also provided that "The first session of the General Assembly shall
divide the state into four districts, which may be increased as the exigencies may
require/* In accordance to this latter provision the counties of Van Buren,
Jefferson, Davis, Wapello, Keokuk, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Appanoose and
the counties west of the counties of Marion, Monroe and Appanoose were placed
in the third district. This in effect provided for Madiso'n County, which at the
time was attached to Marion for judicial purposes.
C^ January 12, 1849, "An act to create a fifth judicial district was approved."
The new district thus formed was composed of the counties of Appanoose,
Wayne, Decatur, Ringgold, Taylor, Page, Fremont, Monroe, Lucas, Qark,
Marion, Warren, Madison, Jasper, Polk, Dallas, Marshall, Story and Boone,
so that at the time Madison County was organized, in 1849, ^^d held its first
District Court, it formed a part of the fifth judicial district, and the first term
of this court was opened May 31, 1849, at the house or grocery of Enos Berger,
with Judge William McKay, of Des Moines, on the bench. This first temple of
jtistice was certainly a novel and unpretentious affair. The judge took his seat
behind the counter, in the store room, while attorneys, other court officials,
litigants, jurors and spectators were in front of the counter. Everybody in the
country who possibly could come to the Berger store was there to attend the
unusual occurrence of the holding of the District Court in the new county. Not
only was the county without a courthouse, but more strange to say, it was not yet
possessed of a seat of justice.
In the first record book, kept by the clerk of the District Court, appear the
following entries:
May Term, A. D. 1849.
At a regular term of the District Court held at and in the house of Enos
Berger, within and for the County of Madison, in the State of Iowa, on the
thirty-first day of May, A. D. 1849, present, the Honorable William McKay,
Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit in said State:
No. I.
Leonard Bowman
V.
Samuel Guye
This day come the defendants, by Casady & Tidrick, their attorneys, and
filed their affidavit and asked a change of venue, whereupon the court allowed a
change of venue in this case and ordered the same to be sent to Polk County,
Iowa, and the court doth further order that the defendants in this case pay the
costs of this term.
No. 2.
The State of Iowa '
V. * Surety of the Peace. Recognizance.
Samuel Guye
This day came the defendant, by his attorney, and filed his motion to dismiss
the case and the court doth, on consideration thereof, sustain the motion. There-
fore, it is ordered and adjudged by the court here that this case be dismissed.
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106 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Recognizance for Surety of the Peace.
State of Iowa
V.
Samuel W. Guye
This day comes the defendant, by his attorneys, and filed his motion to dismiss
the case, because there was an affidavit before a justice, and the court doth, upon
consideration thereof, sustain the motion. Therefore, it is ordered and adjudged
by the court here that this cause be dismissed.
It does not appear that at this term of the court either a grand or petit jury
was impaneled. The second term was held on May 30, 1850, Judge McKay
on the bench. The sheriff reported the return of a venire for a grand jury, which
was sworn by the court and William Sturman was appointed foreman. On
motion of R. L. Tidrick, I. D. Guiberson and M. L. McPherson were admitted to
practice at this bar, after having presented certificates of admission to the courts
of the states from which they came. I. D. Guiberson was then appointed prose-
cuting attorney for the term. These proceedings are here related simply to
show how the first court in Madison County was established.
THE BENCH
Men of high breeding, culture, education and highly developed legal talents
have presided over the courts in this county even from the beginning. William
McKay, as before stated, was the first district judge and resided in Des Moines.
He was elected to the bench on the democratic ticket at the April election in 1849,
and continued on the bench until the close of the September term of 1852. Judge
McKay was a graduate of a Kentucky military school, and that is probably the
reason why he became known as Major, or Colonel McKay, before he secured the
more dignified title of Judge. He went to Des Moines in February, 1846, and
was known as a young man of culture, courtly manners, genial and attractive.
It was not long before he gained public attention. Young McKay was soon hold-
ing minor positions of a clerical nature, having first become clerk of the State
Commission, which was composed of alleged "Quakers,*' who were authorized to
select a tract of 800 acres of land donated by Congress, upon which to locate a
new state capital site. His report was too precise in that it revealed the skull-
duggery of the Commission; whereupon, the Legislature repudiated "Monroe
City, in Jasper County," as the site for the new state capital. Des Moines was a
candidate itself for this great prize and McKay was too loyal to his own town to
report in favor of any other.
At the May term of the District Court in 1847, McKay was admitted to the
bar of Polk County, and was the first applicant to accomplish that end. He was
elected judge of the fifth district in 1849. Judge McKay was an ardent teetotaler
and avowed his temperance principles on all occasions. He was esthetic and loved
the beautiful, whether in animal or still life. He held the office of judge four
years and was defeated for reelection by P. M. Casiday, of Des Moines, who soon
resigned and was succeeded by the eccentric Judge C. J. McFarland, of Boone.
In 1857 Judge McKay went to Kansas, where he died a few years later. In all
his relations with civic and social life he stood for the betterment of all.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 107
In 1853 ^^^ state was again redistricted and divided into nine judicial dis-
tricts. By this arrangement, Madison was placed in the ninth district, with
Monroe, Appanoose, Wayne, Decatur, Lucas, Clark and Warren. Madison re-
mained in the ninth until 1857, when the eleventh judicial district was created,
in which Madison was placed with Poweshiek, Mahaska, Jasper, Marion, Polk,
Warren and Dallas. When a new alignment of the judicial districts was effected
in 1858 Madison was again assigned to the fifth district, which was completed
with the addition of Carroll, Audubon, Greene, Guthrie, Adair, Dallas, Warren
and Polk counties, where it has remained until the present time.
The next judge to sit on the bench at this court was John S. Townsend,
who succeeded P. M. Casiday, the latter having resigned the position without
having held a term of court here. William M. Stone followed Townsend in
1857.
John H. Gray was the first judge to preside here after Madison County had
been permanently placed in the fifth judicial district. He served from 1859 until
in the fall of 1865, when his death occurred. Then came Charles C. Nourse, who
was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Judge Gray. His successor was Hugh
Maxwell, who was also appointed to fill a vacancy. He was on the bench from
1866 until 1870.
John Leonard belonged in Madison County and was elected to the bench in the
fall of 1874. He was a man of fine legal mind and dealt out justice with strict-
ness and unwavering impartiality. During his incumbency of the office he was
called upon to pass on many cases that became of state wide celebrity.
W. H. McHenry succeeded Judge Leonard in 1878. John Mitchell was the
first to sit upon the circuit bench here in 1868, the fifth judicial district having
been divided into two circuits. Judge Mitchell held court in the first circuit,
composed of Warren, Monroe and Dallas, and Frederick Mott, of Madison
County, held court in the second district, composed of Adair, Cass, Guthrie,
Audubon, Greene, Carroll and Madison. Judge Mott was considered one of the
ablest and purest judges of the Iowa bench, but was compelled to retire upon the
abolishment of the second circuit of the fifth judicial district in 1873. ^^ 1878
another circuit was formed, when S. A. Calvert was appointed to tfie judgeship.
A. W. Wilkinson, of Winterset, was elected to the district bench in 1887,
and served until 1902. His record as a ju^st of sound, legal acumen, painstak-
ing care in preparing decisions and impartiality in his rulings, is unassailable.
He was one of the most popular judges in the district, and while on the bench
commanded a high place in the estimation of those holding place in the appellate
courts. He left the bench to resume the practice of the law, and is now the
nestor of the Madison County bar. A more extended sketch will be noticed in
the second volume of this work.
The names of other judges of this district follow: O. B. Ayers, of Knox-
ville, Marion County, 1887-90; J. H. Henderson, Indianola, Warren County,
1887-95; William H. McHenry, Des Moines, 1879-86; James H. Applegate,
Guthrie Center, 1891-1914; Edmund Nichols, Perry, Dallas County, 1903-10;
John A. Storey, Greenfield, Adair County, 1896; James D. Gamble, Knoxville,
Marion County, 1896-1910; William H. Fahey, Perry, Dallas County, 191 1 ; Loren
N. Hayes, Knoxville, Marion County, 191 1.
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108 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
I
THE BAR
The bar of Winterset contains upon its roster the names of a number of promi-
nent men, and, as a class, the lawyers of this place have been men of high char-
acter, and one naturally feels a thrill of local pride in looking over the roll of
names of those men who have done so much to protect the rights of the people
and to preserve in its purity that jurisprudence which is the foundation stone of
American civilization.
One of the earliest lawyers of Madison County was Israel D. Guiberson,
who in the few years he practiced his profession established a reputation which
is still cherished. He died in 1856.
M. L. McPherson was a pioneer lawyer who rose to eminence. He was
decidedly a man of power. He was a soldier in the Civil war, was a member of
the State Senate and was a man of prominence in the state. As an advocate
he has had few equals.
Gen. A. J. Baker practiced law here prior to the Civil war. He enlisted in
the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry and after the war settled in Missouri and from
there he moved to Centerville, Iowa, about forty years ago. He was attorney
general of the State of Missouri and also of Iowa.
In the early days of ^this country, Col. H. J. B. Cumrhings was a lawyer of
recognized ability. He was colonel of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry and served
through the war, at the close of which he engaged in the newspaper business.
He was elected to Congress in 1876 and served one term.
John Leonard always ranked as one of the able and successful lawyers of the
state. He was judge of the District Court one term. He devoted his time
exclusively to the practice of his profession and was eminently successful.
Judge Frederick Mott was for many years the law partner of Judge Leonard.
He was a soldier in the Civil war, served one term as circuit judge and has also
served as county attorney. Some years ago he retired from the practice of law
and engaged in the banking business, but now lives with his son in Des Moines.
Judge A. W. Wilkinson is the only one of the early practitioners now actively
engaged in the profession. While comparatively a young man he was elected to
the district bench, where he immediately sprang into prominence as the possessor
of one of the finest judicial minds in the state. So well did he serve the people
and so popular did he become with the bar of the district that he was reelected
time and again, finally retiring on his own motion after a service of sixteen
years. He is now senior partner of the firm of Wilkinson & Wilkinson.
Among the early lawyers may be mentioned S. G. Beckwith and G. N. Elliott.
They both gave up their practice in 1862 and joined the Union army. Elliott
rose to the rank of colonel and after the war he was a successful attorney in
Topeka, Kansas, where he died some eleven years ago. Beckwith was killed at
Black River Bridge and his memory as a true patriot will always be cherished.
V. Wainwright came to this county during the Civil war and engaged in the
practice of his profession. He was an able and successful lawyer and a con-
scientious and scholarly gentleman. He died in Winterset almost a quarter of
a century ago.
One of the brightest young men of this state was B. F. Murray. He was
not only prominent as a lawyer but he was prominent in politics. He served a
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 109
term in both branches of the Legislature. His health broke down while he was
yet a young man which ended a career that could not have been otherwise than
brilliant.
Hon. S. G. Ruby was for many years one of the prominent and successful
lawyers of this county. For a number of years he was consul for this republic
at Belfast, Ireland. He also held other important Government positions. He and
B. F. Murray were among the first to enlist in the Union army from here.
Judge W. H. Lewis has for many years been engaged in the nursery busi-
ness. He was a successful lawyer for a number of years and served one term as
county judge.
V. G. HoUiday, at one time an attorney of this place, is now practicing his
profession in Colorado.
T. C. Gilpin was a soldier in the Civil war. He came about its close and
enjoyed a lucrative practice until he retired a few years ago. He also served as
county judge and county auditor of this county. For many years his law partner
was his brother, Hon. S. J. Gilpin, who died in Winterset a few years ago.
Maj. Eli Wilkin and John Burke came to this county about the year 1868 and
began the practice of law. Both were Union soldiers. In a few years Burke
removed to St. Louis, where he became prominent and wealthy. Major Wilkin
built up a fine practice, which he retained until he removed to the State of Wash-
ington. He served one term in the State Senate of Iowa. He died at his old home
in Ohio some fourteen years ago.
Byram Leonard began the practice of law here under flattering prospects but
his career was cut short by his death in 1878. He was a good lawyer and highly
respected in this community. His brother, J. F. Leonard, is still engaged in
practice and has also engaged in farming to some extent.
A. W. C Weeks, at one time a prominent attorney of this place, is now in
Oklahoma. He quit the law some years ago and is now engaged in journalism.
The firm of McCaughan & Dabney was engaged in the law business at this
place for about twenty years. They were both able and successful. Mr.
McCaughan is now largely engaged in mining and farming in Mexico and Mr.
Dabney went into the oil business in San Francisco and died a few years ago.
J. R. Chandler, at one time mayor of Winterset, and a prominent attorney,
was highly respected. He served in the Civil war.
J. M. Miller, Hotner Thompson, J. W. Wood and M. Polk were all at one
time members of the bar at Winterset. Mr. Wood and Mr. Polk are dead; Mr.
Thompson is engaged in the newspaper business at Valley Junction, Iowa, and
J. M. Miller is engaged in the real estate business in the State of Washington.
G. W. Seevers, one of the oldest members of the bar, died in 1914.
Hon. C. C. Goodale, of Lamars, Colorado, is another member of the bar. of
Madison County who attained honors and eminence. He was not only an able
lawyer but was at one time a popular politician of this state. He has been
eminently successful in Colorado and for a number of years was surveyor general
of that state. T. R. Wilkie practiced at this bar several years and left for Des
Moines about five years ago.
S. D. Alexander attained some prominence at this bar and severed his con-
nections only when death and disease called him away, in 191 4.
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110 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Emory Nicholson also died but quite recently — in 1913.
J. J. Crossley served as county superintendent of schools two terms; repre-
sented this district in the State Senate, and for several years was prosecuting
attorney in Alaska after moving there. He is now practicing law in Portland,
Oregon.
Of the present members of the bar, brief mention will be made, as more
extended notice of their careers will be found in the second volume. John A.
Guiher is recognized as one of the able lawyers of the state. He has a fine
practice and the people o\ this county would feel a pride in seeing him promoted
to the bench. He was appointed railroad commissioner in January, 19 15.
J. P. Steele is one of the older members of the local bar, has a good practice
and is a successful lawyer. He has served the county as its prosecuting attorney.
W. S. Cooper has proven a success as a general, all around practitioner. He
served at one time as county attorney.
Others who should be mentioned in this connection are W. O. Lucas, W. T.
Guiher, ex-county attorney, Leo Percival, Phil R. Wilkinson, county attorney
elect, J. J. Crossley, J. E. Tidrick, C. A. Robbins, ex-county attorney and now
assistant attorney general for Iowa ; Samuel C. Smith, late county attorney, who
made an enviable record as county attorney and has established a large practice;
Joseph F. Smith, of the firm of Robbins & Smith; J. W. Rhode, of Earlham;
and W. A. Tris, of St. Charles.
JUDGE GILPIN IN REMINISCENT MOOD
Webster defines history as an account of facts ; but the prevailing iconoclasm
of the present age would seem almost sufficient to forestall any effort of individual
or society to attempt to perpetuate aught of historic reminiscence. So persistent
have been the efforts of these image breakers, that one is almost forced to the
conclusion, paradoxical as it may seem, that history, instead of being an account
of facts, is a true and correct record of events and incidents of the past, that never
transpired. Truth and fiction have been by them so inextricably confounded that
the disgusted and confused school boy was more than half right when he said,
"history is a confounded nuisance." They have broken the cross bow and arrow
of William Tell, and relegated him, with the tyrant Gessler, to the region of
mythical mists.
Arnold Winkelried no longer forces a breech through the serried ranks of
the Austrians by grasping to his heroic breast their cruel lances. Leonidas and
Thermopylae have been by them sponged from the legendary tablets of Spartan
epics. Casabianca no longer shouts defiance to the flame wrapped ship, but has
been pronounced a witless fool. The cherry tree and little hatchet have been
classed with the improbable stories of ^Esop, preference being given to the fables
of the black slave. Even our old venerated Christmas friend, Santa Claus, has
been playing a part under the disguise of pater familias. Sic transit gloria mundi.
Thus have these pestilent iconoclasts been shattering the favorite images,
which we have fondly chrished from our youth up, as historical. Nor is their
office and work of modern origin. They have been busy wreckers for near three
thousand years. The old poet Homer was declared by Aristotle to be a myth.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 111
while Socrates and Plato, after 400 years of Homeric history, cast a shadow of
doubt upon the story of Achilles, of Hector, of Agamemnon, of the famous siege
of Troy and the fascinating story of the beautiful Helen of Troy.
The antiquity of this office seems to afford a license to these modem wreckers,
and invests them with a sort of sophomorical imitativeness. Your association
must therefore be, more than usual, optimistic and instigated by a strong faith,
that the record you are preparing shall survive the criticism and skepticism of
the future.
If my information is correct, the object and purpose of your society is to
collect and preserve of record, events, incidents and interesting items pertaining
to the early settlement, growth and progress of this county, to prepare an account
of facts. Your purpose and object is most praiseworthy, for as the poet Spenser
says,
"How many great ones may remembered be.
Who in their days most famously did flourish.
Of whom no word we hear, no sign we see.
But as things wiped out with a sponge, do perish."
Praiseworthy to preserve as on a tableted monument, commemorative of the
toils, privations, sacrifices and perils encountered by the hardy pioneers, who,
notwithstanding all discouragements, persistently, courageously, hopefully and
patiently, builded better than they knew, the foundations of our grand old country.
All honor to their noble work. Be it yours to prevent, "that as things wiped out
as with a sponge, their deeds and memories do perish." Praiseworthy that from
the record you preserve, we and others their successors, may not only learn
something of the early history of this county, but be influenced and inspired
thereby to emulate these heroic pioneers, in all that may tend to the growth,
prosperity and achievement of the superstructure builded upon the foundation
they laid.
Although requested to do so, having come to Iowa in the spring of 1861, and
to Winterset at the close of the war, in September, 1865, I shall be unable to
furnish only more recent incidents, perhaps none worthy of note or that you have
not already of record. I regret that I did not know of this county sooner, that I
might have been a pioneer like the patriotic woman President Lincoln told of,
who wrote him that she was sorry that she did not know the war was coming on,
as now she had only five sons to give to her country.
Being a mepaber of the bar, it would be perhaps expected that some reference
should be made by me to the courts, attorneys and civic government of the
county. There were three courts when I became a member of the bar in 1865 —
the District Court having jurisdiction of the criminal cases, of causes involving
large amounts, and of equity proceedings ; the Circuit Court of the lesser civil
actions; and the County Court having the control and management of probate
matters.
I was elected county judge for the years 1868 and 1869, and did so well the-
first year that the Legislature abolished the office from and after January i, 1869.
They very kindly, however, took care of the deposed county judges, by creating
the new office auditor, and providing that they should hold the new office for the
year 1869.
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112 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
I was, therefore, the last county judge and the first auditor of this county.
The county judge, among other duties, issued marriage licenses, and when re-
quested, was authorized to perform the marriage ceremony. I recall one instance
of an aged couple who had lived together for fifteen or twenty years, but had
been separated by divorce for more than twenty years, had been apparently
reconciled by mutual friends. They came to my office one day with their friends
and wished me to issue the license and marry the old couple. I did so, and
as was my usual custom, shook hands with them, wished them well and said
I hoped their last days would be their best days. Imagine my surprise and
indignation/ when the bridegroom shook his grey locks and said, "Well, it's got to
be a dumed sight different from what it was if it is.*' The old fellow shuffled
off out of the office, leaving the bride and her friends to settle the license and
marriage fees.
" A notable case was tried in the District Court, then being held in the Pres-
byterian Church Building, located where the electric light plant is now situated.
This was prior to the erection of our first courthouse. A dose of aconite had
been mistakably administered, resulting in the death of the patient and a conse-
quent suit for a large amount in damages against the druggist, who was accused
of issuing the fatal prescription. During the progress of the examination of
witnesses and experts, the word aconite was very frequently used. Old Colonel
Curtis had long officiated as court bailiff and was apparently as necessary to the
proper conduct of the court as the presiding judge himself. The colonel was a
faithful servant, but during the slow and tedious prolongation of this aconite
case, as it was called, he would drop off into the semi-consciousness of a nap.
Being at one time aroused from one of these somnolent lapses, by the order
of the jucige to adjourn court, he arose and blinkingly announced, "Hear ye,
hear ye, the honorable aconite court is now adjourned."
Our county has always had the reputation of having a talented and well
equipped bar. During the sessions of the District Court, quite a number of
attorneys from Indianola, Knoxville and Des Moines were accustomed to attend
and our bar reciprocated during sessions held in these other counties. A very
notable and gratifying change for the better is the elimination of all abusive
language and conduct of opposing council. While our bar has always been com-
paratively free from such reprehensible conduct, as much cannot truthfully be said
of some other counties in this district in former days; our judges of late years
have frowned down all such unseemly and ungentlemanly exhibitions of pugnacity.
It is a sad reminiscence that not one of the members of the bar of 1865 ^s now
in the active practice.
Colonel Cummings, Mott, Ruby and myself are the only living relics, leaving
the forensic honors and emoluments to the younger members of the profession.
Some of our business men of that day, in order to escape compulsory jury duty,
were admitted members of the bar, the only qualification being the willingness
and ability to furnish an oyster supper to the members. Some of these bivalvular
lawyers may yet remain "in esse."
The board of supervisors consisted of one member from each township,
seventeen in all, having about the same duties as the present board. I recall the
member from Monroe Township — the tall, dark complexioned, angular Herbert
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 113
Harris. He was a man of strictest integrity and highly respected by the other
members. He was a man of few words. When claims or appropriations were
under investigation his one and only speech, as he extended his long arms, was
"Guard the treasury, boys, guard the treasury." He would have been a good
president of the New York Life Insurance Company.
Old Father McLeod, of Center Township, was the president of the board and
was very careful to preserve the dignity thereof, and of his official position. It
was his custom to call the roll of the members, noting absentees and delinquents.
At one of the morning sessions he called the name o,f John Kirk, the member
from Scott Township, giving the peculiar Scotch whirr to the R — ^John Kirk. He
said, "Kirk, John Kirk." He said, "Kirk," a little louder, "John Kirk." "I
answered twice," said Kirk. "Ha ye didna," said McLeod, "that was na but a
grunt." Had Kirk said "here," or "present," the dignity of the board would have
been conserved.
Our first courthouse was erected during my term of office as auditor and
the board of supervisors appointed me to superintend the work. I did so from
the water table to the dome. That part being constructed of wood, a Mr. Lemon,
a carpenter, looked after that part. During the construction of the main build-
ing, the contractor complained of a serious defect in the plan which provided
for an arch over the vault of one of the offices. The plan showed it to be
elliptical, with a very short spring ; the west end was to rest as a skewback on an
angle of the main wall, while the east end must rest against a hollow brick wall,
without other support. The board declined to make any change and the con-
tractor, under protest, built it as specified. Upon removing the form or support,
the east end pushed through the wall and the arch crashed down. A half circle
arch was then substituted. After the building was completed, but before the
keys had been delivered, a controversy arose between the board and contractor
about compensation for some extras. The county wanted the use of the house
but could not get poss.ession of the keys. The contractor had locked every door
and window and took the keys to his boarding house. The sheriff and others
went to demand them, were refused and proceeded to hunt for them. The land-
lady, hoping to conceal the keys, made a fire in a certain stove, which aroused the
suspicion of the officers. With the assistance of an iron poker the keys were all
found, although somewhat blackened and marred.
Some amusing incidents occurring in the early part of the war have been
related to me, anent the threatened attack in the city and the consequent prepara-
tions for resisting. Trees were felled across some of the highways, which an
ordinary plow horse could clear without touching the bark. A barricade across
one of the roads south of town was constructed of fence rails taken from each
side in front and rear of the fortification, and would have proven quite formidable
to cavalry, infantry and artillery, had not the engineers thoughtlessly left gaps
around the barricade over the smooth open prairie. I do not vouch for these
incidents and will only suggest that your secretary interview some of the resident
military of that day for incidents that may be of value to the Iowa National
Guard at least.
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CHAPTER XIII
THE PRESS
The newspapers of Madison County do not make a big showing in point of
numbers, but in that regard they make up the discrepancy in character and the
completeness in which they cover the field of their especial endeavor. The county
was not very old when it attracted to the county seat James Her, who brought
with him from the "Buckeye'' state a small press, fair type and other para-
phernalia, with which he set up the first printing office and established the first
newspaper in this part of the state.
WINTERSET MADISONIAN
This paper is credited as one of the strongest weeklies in Southwestern Iowa,
in point of influence, and it is also one of the oldest.
In 1856 James Her bought a second press and equipment from the Sandusky
(Ohio) Register and brought it to Winterset on a wagon. At that time no paper
had been established between Des Moines and Council Bluffs. The Madisonian
is therefore one of the oldest newspapers in the state and the very oldest in
Southwestern Iowa. The history of the paper in its establishment, growth and
development, runs parallel with the growth and development of the state. Its
various publishers have invariably been exponents of the persistence, energy and
ambition of the community, which has so liberally sustained it, and it has more
than kept pace with the growth and progress of affairs.
The following persons either in part or whole have owned and published the
Madisonian since its founding by Mr. Her in 1856: J. J. Davies, Oliver H. Ayers,
E. H. Talbot, J. M. HoUiday, C. S. Wilson, M. H. Ewing, E. W. Fuller, H. J. B.
Cummings, S. H. Springer, C. C. Goodale, E. R. Zeller, Henry Wallace, Homer
Thompson, Albert Strong, Fred Strong, S. D. Alexander and the present owner
and publisher, Ed M. Smith, who has been associated with the paper since 1899
and the sole owner and publisher since 1904. The Madisonian has always been
the official paper of the county and has never been relegated to a second place in
point of influence and patronage. It has always had a larger subscription list
than any other in this or adjoining counties, and since 1908 the list has been
maintained on a cash in advance basis.
In 1906, the Madisonian took up its quarters in a neat and substantial new
home, just a half century after its establishment. The structure is practically
three stories in height, when the high basement is considered. It is faced with
buff pressed brick and on the facade is inscribed in raised letters "The Madi-
sonian." The cost was $8,000 and the new home of this pioneer newspaper
ranks among the best and most modem in the state. The plant itself is an
excellent one. A late improved press in the basement turns out neatly printed
114
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JAMES ILER
Founder of the Madisonian, 1856. First called the **Iowa
Pilot." Mr. Her died December 10, 1905
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 115
Madisonians rapidly; in the shipping room close by the papers are soon wrapped
and ready for distribution by carrier and the mails. The types for the paper
are cast and placed in line by the improved Mergenthaler linotype, installed early
in the year of 191 5.
The second floor is devoted to the counting rooms, editorial rooms and com-
posing rooms, while the third story is given over to offices.
WINTERSET REPORTER
The Winterset Reporter was founded by Wood & Gill in 1885 and first pub-
lished in St. Charles as the St. Charles Reporter. There it remained ten years,
when it was moved to Winterset. The first issue as the Winterset Reporter made
its appearance April 11, 1895. In March, 1896, Mr. Wood purchased the in-
terest of Mr. Gill, but within a few days sold a one-half interest to W. F. Payton,
who was known as the business manager. This arrangement continued until
April 21, 1898, when Ray M. Price became the owner of Payton*s interest and
business manager as well.
During September of the same year another change in ownership took place,
S. D. Alexander purchasing the interest of A. L. Wood, who had been appointed
postmaster of Winterset. Alexander & Price continued the publication of the
paper until May 11, 1899, when Mr. Price became the sole owner.
January i, 1903, Mr. Price changed the form of the paper from a six-
column quarto to sixteen pages, four columns to the page, which form was con-
tinued but three months when the old quarto form was readopted by his suc-
cessor.
Mr. Price died March 23, 1903, and the present owner, J. W. Miller, bought
the paper of his estate, taking possession April i, 1903. Mr. Miller assumed the
duties of publisher and editor as an experienced newspaper man, having been one
of the editors of the Madisonian from 1876 to 1887.
The Winterset Reporter has always been a stanch and consistent republican
newspaper. Each one of its several editors were thoroughly grounded in the
republican faith and they have battled fearlessly for the principles of re-
publicanism and the enhancement of the party's interests. Its straightforward
and consistent course throughout its career has, no doubt, had much to do with
its success, which has been marked.
WINTERSET NEWS
The Winterset News was established in 1872, when Jacob Morgan, who had
been foreman of the Winterset Madisonian, bought the plant of the Winterset
Sun, a semi-weekly republican paper, from Wilson & Newlon, and changed its
name and politics. The first issue of the Sun was September 26, 1868, the
publishers being Wilson & Holaday. Wilson afterwards went to Des Moines
and was city editor of the Register for years. J. M. Holaday, familiarly known
as "Milt," was a printer and belonged to a prominent family. The Sun was a
five-column folio. Holaday sold his interest in the paper to A. J. Hoisington the
following year and the latter in turn sold to William Newlon. The paper did
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116 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
not pay and the plant was sold to Morgan, who issued the first News in the
rear upper room of the Jones block, opposite the present building of the News.
Morgan conducted the paper several years, and after selling out he was con-
nected with the Council Bluffs Nonpareil, published the Kearney (Nebraska)
E>emocrat, and was postmaster of that city during Qeveland*s first term. In
1876 he sold the plant to Maj. D. D. Palmer, of Iowa City, who published the
paper until shortly before his death, having in the meantime sold the paper,
March 15, 1888, to Arthur Goshom, who had sold his own paper in Pierce,
Nebraska, to obtain it. Major Palmer changed the News from an eight-column
folio to a six-column quarto a year or two prior to his death. The News has
always been one of the strongest papers in Southern Iowa. In spite of the fact
that 90 per cent of the business men of Winterset have been of opposite political
faith since the Civil war, the News has enjoyed their good will and always has
been well patronized.
NEWSPAPERS OF ST. CHARLES
There have been several papers published since the first newspaper was started
by M. I. Bean in 1884.
The St. Charles Watchman was the first paper published by M. I. Bean in
1884. After two or three years the paper was purchased by A. L. Wood and
the name changed to the St. Charles Reporter. About the year 1893 or there-
abouts Mr. Wood moved the outfit to Winterset and changed the name to the
Winterset Reporter, and this made the second republican paper in the county
seat.
Mr. P. S. Wise then started the St. Charles Hawkeye, operating it five or six
years with success. He then sold it to D. F. Peffley — then the next owner was
Al P. Haas, followed by W. O. Hodgson, Fred Bolte, Otto Engstrom, Mrs.
Wilton, Mr. Eldridge, Cope & Long, J. U. Gitzy, and finally Joe Long of Osceola,
who sold the outfit to Mr. Eldridge and moved it away. This was in 1907. In
February, 1909, Mr. P. S. Wise started the St. Charles News and is running a
bright little country newspaper.
THE EARLHAM ECHO
The Earlham Echo, a weekly newspaper, was established in 1890 and for
many years it was edited and published by A. L. Rowen. Some four or five
years ago Paul R. Stillman took charge and is now in full control. Mr. Stillman is
quite a young man, but promises to develop the newspaper instinct and "nose for
news" so prominently manifest and known to be characteristic in other Stillmans
of the state, one of whom was an able editorial writer on the old Des Moines
Register and later, about the breaking out of the Civil war, founded the Sioux
City Journal. The son of this pioneer editor is Paul Stillman, editor the Jefferson
Bee, and late speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives.
Truro has had two papers, the Graphic and the Star. Neither, however, was
published there, nor is one of them left. A paper, taking the title of the Macks-
burg Record, is edited by Mrs. Schell. It is a five-column quarto and- is printed
at Lorimer.
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STAFF OF THE IOWA PILOT, 1856
Frank Foster James Her John C. Foster Mary Iler-Newton
First ** Devir ' First editor First solicitor First compositor
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r^'-T
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CHAPTER XIV
POSTOFFICES
When the first settlers came to Madison County (1846) there were no rail-
roads west of the Mississippi River, and probably none west of Chicago. The
mail at that time was carried by steamboats, stages and on horseback. Until the
first postoffice was established at Montpelier (1848) the people had to go to Fort
Des Moines after their mail and the necessities of life.
After the postoffice was moved to Winterset (1849) this became the post-
office and trading point for nearly all the people of Madison County. Soon post-
offices were established in other parts of the county along stage routes or roads
leading to other towns. Winterset became the starting point for these post-
offices. Nearly all the early postoffices have been discontinued and forgotten.
With the advent of rural free delivery all the country postoffices have been aban-
doned. The postoffices now in Madison County are along the line of a railroad.
Winterset. — The first postoffice established in Madison County was called
Montpelier. Alfred D. Jones came up from Des Moines in June, 1848, and built
a log store east of Tileville, on the ridge in section 26, Union Township, then
called the "Narrows," and secured a postoffice. Mail was brought from Des
Moines on horseback. Later it was brought by stage until the railroad was
built. Samuel Snyder and his brother Alfred carried the mail. They lived at
Norwalk. They would go to Des Moines one day, and then to Montpelier and
back to Norwalk the next; thus they woujd have mail every other day. Later
the office was moved to Winterset and Mr. Snyder and his brothers continued
to carry mail until 1852.
In 1849 the name of the office was changed to Independence and Enos Berger
became postmaster. In September of the same year the name was again changed
to Montpelier. May 30, 1850, the office was changed to Winterset and Enos
Berger came along with the mail. The officials since then are as follows : John
A. Pitzer, D. C. McNeil, Thomas C. Bird, William M. Knowlton, M. Glaze-
brook, J. J. Davies, E. O. Burt, F. M. Cassidy, D. E. Cooper, Thomas J. Hudson,
William R. Shriver, T. J. Hudson, A. L. Wood, J. W. Miller, Ed M. Smith,
W. H. Vance and Arthur E. Goshom. Of the postmasters, let it be noted that
the term of office was the shortest for E. O. Burt, who held the place less than
one month, while that of his successor, F. M. Cassidy, was the longest, extending
for a period of nearly fifteen years. It may also not be improper to say that
with a few exceptions these have been representative men and as a general thing
changes have been the result of changes in the national administration rather
than from any fault in the management of the office. Should some one write
a true and detailed account of the exciting contests about the postmasterships of
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118 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Winterset, he would have to deal with some of the most exciting incidents of our
city's history. What has been said of Winterset does not apply with equal
force in the case of the other postoffices, although there have been exciting
contests at Earlham, St. Charles, Truro, Peru, Patterson and Macksburg,
but these rural offices were not much sought after, as the compensation was
not sufficient to recompense the official for the labor, worry and responsibility
incident to the office. In many cases, some public-spirited individual assumed
these duties and responsibilities simply to accommodate his neighbors.
Earlham became a postoffice January 12, 1869, ^i^d Martin Cook was first
postmaster. He was followed by John R. Thomson, Dayton Bamett, D. M.
Roberts, John B. Davis, A. J. Davis, Isaac K. Wilson, M. E. Wilson, John E.
Chamness and E. M. Crosswait and W. H. Dudley.
St. Charles. — This office was established December 13, 1853, with David
Downs as postmaster. Those succeeding him were as follows: Milton Thomp-
son, William McCreery, L. f. Thompson, J. H. Stiffler, William L. Browne,
J. L. Browne, S. S. Switzer, A. L. Wood, S. S. Switzer, J. L. Fleming, O. M.
Horton and Philip D. Switzer.
Peru. — For many years this was one of the important points on the Winterset
and Osceola route. The office was established April 18, 1853, and was discon-
tinued August 21, 1903. This is the long and honorable list of worthy postmas-
ters: B. F. Brown, Peter R. Lilley, B. F. Brown, J. P. Boyd, H. C. Wright,
William C. Smith, C. D. Clark, J. W. Likens, B. R. Rankin, M. C. Lorimor, Mary
E. Travis, J. W. Keller, R. F. Bush, William L. Hiatt and A. C. Turner.
East Peru was established November 7, 1888. The following have been post-
masters ; Charles W. Wright, William Painter, J. M. Allen, Jr., Joseph Harwood,
Robert Greene, Ullrich Z. Waechter, A. C. Creger, F. H. Greene and S. B.
Hamand.
Patterson. — This office was established June 10, 1872, with Sol. B. Catterlin
as postmaster. His successors in order named w^re L. C. Doan, Butler Bird,
W. A. Wright, George R. Branscom, Douglas Debord, George A. Wall, Harvey
Brown, Douglas Debord, Thomas S. Love, W. H. Doan, George A. Potter and Roy
Gillogly.
Bevington*was established June 4, 1872. The following have been the officials :
Cornelius Haight, R. A. Wilson, Campbell Hughart, William T. Cason, Campbell
Hughart, George W. Shreeves, William W. Eraser, J. T. Cash, H. D. Harrell,
Robert Clelland, Harry D. Harrell, William Cody and Merton C. Doak.
Amazon was the name of a postoffice established July 16, 1850, and discon-
tinued the following year. It was located on the southwest quarter of the south-
east quarter of section 12, Scott Township, a short distance south and west of
Union Chapel and cemetery. Emanuel J. Henkel was the postmaster. He was
a physician and laid out a town there called Richmond. There was at one time
a store there, kept by some one whose name we cannot learn. The mail was
brought from Winterset.
Banner was the name of a postoffice established in June, 1874, and discon-
tinued the following year. It was located at the northwest corner of the north-
west quarter of the southwest quarter of section 7, in Virginia Township,
Warren County, but was thought to be in Madison County. Mail was brought
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 119
from Bevington via St. Charles, Banner, New Virginia to Osceola. John S.
Crawford was the first and only postmaster.
Barney. — This postoffice was established in November, 1888. The following
have been postmasters: J. W. Galbraith, Richard Beardsley, B. R. Rankin,
Charles Klein, J. H. Woods, Richard Beardsley, Sophia Beardsley and Milton
Stephenson.
Bell's Ridge was located on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter
of section i, South Township, land now owned by C. E. Huglin. It was estab-
lished October 31, 1851, and discontinued November 27, 1854. Henry A. Bell
was the postmaster. It was learned from a letter that A. D. Bell was the mail
carrier, that he was sworn in by Judge Pitzer and the mail was brought every
Thursday from Winterset.
Bloomingdale was established in September, 1857. I^ ^^s located on the
northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 35, Jefferson Township,
land now owned by William Schoen estate. The office was discontinued in De-
cember, 1858. Henry du d'Huy was the first postmaster and was succeeded by
John McManus in 1858.
Brooklyn was a town laid out by J. W. Guiberson and located on the southwest
quarter of the southeast quarter of section 14, Walnut Township, land now owned
by L. F. Cliftpn. A postoffice was established there in February, 1857, and dis-
continued in June, i860. The following were the postmasters: William S.
Quick, William Mills, J. W. Guiberson and D. D. I>rake.
Charlottesville was the name of a postoffice located on the northeast quarter
of the southeast quarter of section 24, Jackson Township, land now owned by
S. D. Ford. It is said the name was selected in honor of Charlotte Welch, wife
of A. G. Welch, the first postmaster. This office was discontinued in October,
1861. The office was supplied from a mail route leading from Winterset through
Redfield and Panora.
Clanton. — This office was established in February, 1859, and discontinued in
March, 1894. It was located in Monroe Township, and at the homes of various
farmers living near the center of that township. The first official was Blewford
Boling. Then came Wesley Wilson, William H. West, L. C. McKibbon, William
H. West again and then in 1876 Hugh Alexander, who handed out mail at his
hospitable home until 1892, when he was followed by M. R. Sheldon and Elbert
Bullock, who was postmaster when the office was discontinued.
Ellsworth was established August 3, 1861, and discontinued August 19, 1873.
It was located on the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 21,
Crawford Township, land now owned by C. S. Crawford. Oliver Crawford
was the first postmaster and the mail was supplied by a route leading from Des
Moines to Winterset. Lucinda Crawford was postmistress and then came James
Bell.
Foster postoffice was established November 7, 1879, located first at the home
of Nathaniel Foster, Walnut Township, and then at the home of George H. Orr,
in Scott Township. The office was discontinued October 30, 1882. Mail from
Winterset, Foster, Gear to Murray.
Gear. — This office was named in honor of Gov. John H. Gear, and was estab-
lished November 18, 1879. It was located first at the home of John Reasoner
and then at the home of William N. Bowman, both in Monroe Township. It
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120 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
was on the mail route from Winterset to Murray. Later mail was brought from
Barney. It was discontinued September 12, 1903.
Gilpin was located at the northwest comer of the southwest quarter of the
southwest quarter of section i, Union Township, on land now owned by Nick
Nolan. The office was established November 9, 1885, and discontinued January
9, 1888. H. L. Bigelow was the first and only postmaster.
Hanley postoffice was established December 6, 1889. The following have been
postmasters: J. G. Martin, S. S. Nicoson, Lydia Schoonover, A. H. Bishop,
William T. Lee, S. S. Niooson, F. M. James, Jesse Lee, R. Hv Glasgow, P. F.
James, Laura E. Glasgow, W. C. Montgomery and Jennie I. Howard. The
office was discontinued May i, 191 1.
Harrison office was established April 27, 1900, and discontinued with the
coming of rural free delivery, June 15, 1905. It was located near the center of
Webster Township. J. B. Wilkinson, John F. Craven and George I. Rippey were
the postmasters.
Heaton was named in honor of "Uncle Billy** Heaton, one of the early settlers
of Lee Township. It was established August 6, 1858, and discontinued February
14, 1861. It was located on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of
section 33, Lee Township, land now owned by Julia Mulvihill. The first and
only postmaster was Francis B. Wilson.
Kasson was named in honor of J. A. Kasson, for several terms member of
Congress from this district. It was located in the southwest comer of Monroe
Township. The office was established September 4, 1861, and discontinued June
30, 1905, by reason of the rural free delivery. The following were the postmas-
ters: Benjamin Blythe, C. L. Kirk, J. V. Kirk, Lemuel Bishop, William I. Harris,
William E. Berry, C. C. Bancroft, C. H. Lewis, William Bivin, J. M. Newton and
J. M. Archer.
Lefever is located on the southwest quarter of section 31, Grand River Town-
ship, on land owned by J. M. Lefever, south of the large stock farm owned by
the late L. N. Conway. The office was established April 14, 1892, and was dis-
continued October 3, 1894. Mary E. Lefever was the postmistress.
McBride office was established May 16, 1889, and was discontinued May 23,
1901. It was located on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section
34, Jefferson Township, on land owned by August Burger. The following were '
the officials: Ellen Burger, D. A. Litton, Grant Taylor and George M. Powell.
The mail was brought from Van Meter.
McPherson. — This office was launched under the supervision of Charles
Polk, in June, 1876. The office remained at that hospitable home for about
one year, when it was removed across the road to the residence of E. B. Thom-
son, where it remained until it was discontinued April 21, 1900. It was on the
direct road from Winterset to Macksburg and was supplied by the daily route
which has for so many years been operated between these two cities. It is sup-
posed the office got its name from the popular and well remembered pioneer
lawyer of Winterset, M. L. McPherson.
Maple Grove. — This office was located at the home of E. G. Perkins, in Jack-
son Township, in June, 1874, where it remained until October, 1889, when it
was removed to the residence of Mr. Grosscup across the road. It was dis-
continued in 1903. Mr. Perkins and Miss Janie Grosscup were the only officials.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 121
Middle River postoffice was located at the town of Webster, December 12,
1855. Otho Davis was the first postmaster and his successors are as follows:
F. M. McAferty, J. V. Nelson, J. E. Shidler, Luther Fox, F. B. McAferty, F. M.
Tidrick, Rufus Ulery, Edward Loucks, L. J. Cook and John Craven. The office
has been discontinued.
North. — This office was located in the vicinity of Worthington, in the south
part of Madison Township. It was established June 19, 1861. Alexander Kirk-
land, William H. Clampitt, George T. Nichols and A. M. Clements were post-
masters: Mail was carried from Winterset. The office was discontinued August
4, 1869, soon after Earlham postoffice was established.
North Branch was located on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter
of section 26, Madison Township, on land now owned by J. L. Peters and S. D.
Palmer. The office was established November 16, 1853, and discontinued Oc-
tober 18, i860. The first and only postmaster was Jacob Bennett.
North River, southwest quarter northwest quarter of section 5, Jackson
Township, was established April i, 1872, with George Rose as postmaster. The
office was discontinued January 3, 1876.
Ohio. — This office was located near the east line of Walnut Township, in
the vicinity of Ebenezer church and cemetery. It was established February 10,
1862, and discontinued in 1889. The office was for many years in the store
carried on at that place and S. M. Walker and J. W. Smith presided over its
destinies for nearly twenty years. Fred Beeler became postmaster in 188 1 and
was the official at the time the office was discontinued, Chas. W. Wright having
served from August, 1884, till April, 1888. The mail was carried along the
well known and much traveled road leading from Winterset to Osceola.
Ord was made a postoffice in 1888 and went out of commission June 15, 1905.
It was located in the Macumber neighborhood on the Winterset and Macksburg
road. C. G. Bertholf, A. M. Bertholf, E. M. Rippey, Henrietta Rippey, A. M.
Bertholf and J. W. Rippey in the order named sold stamps and handed out letters
at this Government station. ^
Pitzer was named in honor of J. A. Pitzer, one of Winterset's pioneers. The
office was established July 13, 1889. Mary Speer was the first official and was
followed by J. L. Fox, R. C. Speer, H. B. Jones, C. Van Stigt and E. E. Brooker.
The office was discontinued September 29, 1906.
Pleasant View was located in Webster Township, in March, 1870, and dis-
continued in 1876. The location was the homes of O. H. Smith and David Rich-
mond, who were the postmasters. The following is gathered from a letter written
by O. H. Smith: "I live in the same place that I did when I was postmaster
and the mail was carried from Winterset to Cromwell, and a Mr. Hawley was a
carrier. Delos Campbell and Merid Craven were also carriers."
Price was for a short time a postoffice. It was located at the northwest
comer of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 34, Lincoln
Township. It was located where B. L. Thrift now lives. It was on the Win-
terset and Creston road via Macksburg, also the Winterset and Afton road;
the former was daily and the latter tri-weekly. The office was established June
8th and discontinued in November of the same year, 1876. L. C. McKibben was
the postmaster.
Queen's Point was an office established May 16, 1854, at the residence of
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122 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Hogan Queen, in South Township, on the road leading from Winterset to St.
Charles. It was discontinued in 1855, reestablished in 1856 and again discon-
tinued in 1867. Hogan Queen was the postmaster all the time.
Reed. — This office was located in 1881 at the southeast comer of the north-
east quarter of the northeast quarter of section 21, Ohio Township. That was
on the farm now owned by Isaac Holmes, who was the first postmaster. In 1882
it was moved to the new town of Ego. In 1884 the name of the new town was
changed to Truro, and the name of the office was also changed. After Isaac
Holmes, G. N. Skinner became postmaster; then Holmes served again and
was followed by George Patton, J. D. Hillman, Ella Earl, J. W. Smith, George
W. Caskey, J. A. Bardrick and Isaac E. Holmes, nephew of the first postmaster.
Homer D. Brown and Brada Brown
Venus. — In 1863 there was a postoffice established with this classic name.
It was situated near the center of Grand River Township and A. J. Hasty was
the dignified and genial autocrat who first presided over its destinies. He was
followed in the order named by John D. Craven, Sylvester Bennett, Wm. O. Lee,
John H. Bray, John D. Craven, E. E. Stewart, Martin Jessup, George W. Lowry
and Peter H. Seay, when it was discontinued October 4, 1870. It was reestab-
lished in 1 87 1, with Mary A. Miller as postmistress. Then John D. Craven re-
appeared and was followed by J. H. Marley and J. H. Mack, when the town of
Macksburg was laid out and the name of the postoffice was changed to conform
with it. Since then the postmasters have been Madison Osbom, B. F. Conway,
J. M. Lee, D. A. Sawyer, J. D. Love, B. S. Bonham, William H. Armstrong,
H. H. Saxton, L. C. McKibben and Ethel M. Busch.
Wells. — On the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 6,
Grand River Township, there lived for many years one Ira W. Brownell. At
that place was established a postoffice, October 19, 1871, and named Wells. The
office was discontinued in 1896. During the life of the postoffice. Wells, Mr.
Brownell held an uninterrupted term of office, a period of nearly twenty-five
years, which speaks well for the patience, politeness and integrity of that much
respected Government official.
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CHAPTER XV
FIRST MARRIAGES IN THE COUNTY
By A. J. Hoisington
The marriage records of Madison County begin with a book now marked
"B." The first entry is No. 105 of date July 4, 1855, when license to marry
was issued to George Harman and Anna Smares. But following this license
are a few that evidently are duplicates of those issued previous to the beginning
of this record. The one reaching farthest back in point of time is that of Jonas
Shreves and Elizabeth Longabaugh, whose license to wed was of date June 28,
1854, and they were married July 9, 1854, by Justice of the Peace W. H. Comp-
ton, who made return thereof July 14, 1854. Six licenses are duplicated in this
book from a previous record.
What became of the previous records we may never know. Anyhow we
do not learn that there is in existence any record preceding this book **B" of
marriage records. The loss is accounted for differently but generally credited to
have occurred at the time the courthouse was burned in 1875.
However, there is what purports to be a reversible alphabetical index of
marriage records wherein is given the names of persons married, the number of
the license, the book in which recorded and the page number of the record. This
list begins with No. i and includes all those numbers to and including 104 and
states they were recorded in "Book A.'' This index also includes marriages
recorded in "Book B," which is in existence. It is all of "Book A'' that is missing.
This alphabetical index of marriages marked as recorded in "Book A," of
which we assume there were 104, because in marriage register marked "B,'' the
first number is given as 105, contains at least three omissions, providing no errors
in giving the serial number were made by those who entered the record in "Book
A." The numbers 4, 59 and 62 are missing. However, the copyist who made
this alphabetical index was grossly careless in doing the work, as it is plain to
one who checks it over. Therefore, it may be that three marriages are omitted
in this index, or else there were but loi instead of 104.
Besides these three numbers in doubt there are at least six duplicates in
"Book B'' from "Book A," as before described. Thus the serial number of
marriage licenses in the first series appears to be long of the true number. This
purported index to "Book A'* may contain still other omissions. Among those
married not found in this index, it was learned from Samuel Fife, of St. Charles,
that he attended the wedding of a Mr. Simmons and a Miss Marshall in February,
1854, in St. Charles, at the home of Milton R. Thompson, the bride being a sister
of Mrs. Thompson, and the ceremony being performed by Justice of the Peace
I>avid Fife.
Before the organization of this county it was attached to Marion County
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124 PIISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
for various purposes. As there was then no official machinery for issuing mar-
riage licenses in this county until its permanent organization, January i, 1849,
it would be interesting to know who were married in this county under licenses
issued in Marion. Existing records in this county give no clue. There is said
to have been one, probably more. Who knows ?
As before stated, there is no marriage register before No. 105, of date July
4» 1855, except the few duplicated marriage records in "Book B" referred to.
Since the early marriages in any newly settled country always remain a matter
of interest to succeeding generations, and because the record is given we give
the following as found in the index of the missing "Book A.'* In a few cases
we have secured marriage dates and those are added. The list is here given in
the order found in the index: E>avid S. Smith to Jane Cason, April 19, 1849;
Mesheck Casteel to Sarah Evans, August 13, 1849; Lewis Baum to Barbara Jane
Wolverton; No. 4, missing; George W. Guye to Lorena Harris, September 2,
1849; Samuel W. Poffinbarger to Hannah Smith; David Fleener to Mary M.
Wilkinson; Charles Wright to Rachel Waymire; Charles Clanton to Mary C.
Allcock; William Butler to Anna Evans; James Phipps to Minerva Viney;
Elijah Perkins to Julia Ann Ansley, February — , 1850; Thomas Wilkinson to
Nancy Jane Erinson; H. James Perkins to Elizabeth Moody; James W. Guye
to Irena Smith; Joseph Randall to Rebecca Ann Henry; James M. Lee to Elenor
Cason; William R. King to Esther Jane Jessup; George W. Richardson to Edna
Burgess; John J. Cason to Mary Ann Brinson; William A. Williams to Susan
Clair; Hiram J. Barns to Harriet Elizabeth Gentry, December — , 1850; David
Fife to Mary Jane Smith; Amos Fife to Lucy Ann Smith, March 15, 1851, by
Rev. Thomas Cason; Frederick Waymire to Mary Wright; Jonathan W. Rob-
bins to Frances Sheppard ; Andrew G. Week to Mary Jane Adamson ; Henry Sim-
mons to Nancy Ann Pender ; Elisha B. Bell to Abigail Watson ; Milton Smith to
Permelia Johns; John Esley to Catharine Johns; Thomas Brown to Elizabeth
Moore; Erastus S. Jones to Mary E. Guiberson; Luther W. Boxley to Phoebe
Queen ; Elias Burgess to Hester Ann Bishop ; Thomas Casteel to Mary J. Bow-
man; Jesse Bell to Hulda Adamson; Martin Wheeler to Mary Blair; Thomas
Hooten to Lucinda Casebier; Jesse Reeves to Elizabeth Barlow; Alfred Queen
to Susan Ann Hinkle; Samuel Snyder to Julia Blair, February 17, 1852, by
County Judge John A. Pitzer; Lemuel Dorrell to Ursula Stephenson; David
Brinson to Sarah Evans j Lorenzo Harmon to Frankly Ann Evans ; Benjamin F.
Miller to Elizabeth Peter; Sherwood Howerton to Ann Fry; David J. Casebier
to Martha Chiles; Dickson Webster to Susan J. Perry; Charles Clark to Minerva
Farris; F. William L. Schoen to Dorothea Lorenzen, July 6, 1852, by Justice N.
W. Guiberson; Charles Chinn to Jane Matheny; Sanford Haines to Bashabeth
Foster ; William Stean to Susanna Bertholf ; Andrew Johns to Mary Ann Smith ;
William Ballen to Margaret S. Allcock, January 9, 1853; Martin B. Ruby to
Mary F. Myers ; Samuel Clevenger to Temperance White ; No. 59 missing ; Daniel
Miller to Lucy Jane Campbell ; William Garrett to Tabitha Evans ; No. 62 missing;
C. D. Bevington to Philena Parker; William H. Shaikler to Ruth Pitts; Alex-
ander Blair to Martha Terry, his second wife; Levi Smith to Margaret Ann
Cochran; Jacob Watson to Sarah Ann David; Alfred Brittain to Eliza Sturman,
March 8, 1853, by Rev. John Evans; Dexter Howard to Elizabeth Moore;
Andrew J. Hogg to Rebecca Humphry ; James M. Watson to Ann Marshall ; Wil-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 125
Ham Johns to Catharine Longabaugh; James Hinkle to Mary Farson; William
Steele to Mary Leveridge; L. M. Tidrick to Martha Bell; Jacob Fry to Martha
Ruby; Horace Howard to Elizabeth Hoggart; Daniel Bowman to Elizabeth
Folwell ; William Pursell to Jane Sturman ; Joseph Addison to Eliza Ann Brin-
son ; Lewis McGinnis to Winnie Bishop ; Zachariah G. Peter to Amy O. Blakely ;
Alfred B. Fox to Elizabeth Ann Herron; Joseph L. Thompson to Irena Mc-
Daniel; Robert Allen to Martha Wright ;. George Hornback to Eliza Jane Goe;
William Paul to Eliza Ballard; Leander McCarty to Mary Jane Gaff; Craig
Games to Sarah Jane Murphy ; John Snyder to Jane Rate ; M. A. Carmichael to
Martha Gordon ; Martin D. Swafford to Sarah Ann Sulgrove ; James Adkins to
I>elphi Colier; Jonas Shreeves to Elizabeth Longabaugh, July 9, 1854; James
N. Gentry to Mary Snyder; James Brinson to Sarah Ann Gardner; George W.
Mitchell to Nancy Jane Hornback, January i. 1855; Jacob Shellhart to Emeline
Cracraft, December 23, 1854; Alexander M. Bertholf to Lucinda A. Niles, Au-
gust 27, 1854; Oliver H. Perry to Mertila McCarty, October 26, 1854; George
M. Wilson to Mary Ann Doud; George M. VanGundy to Melissa Sulgrove;
Henry Augustine to Frances M. Wilson, January 22, 1855; Andrew Miller to
Lousina J. Showver.
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CHAPTER XVI
MADISON COUNTY CLAIM CLUB
By A. J. Hoisington
Title to land in Madison County could not be obtained until January 21, 1850,
at which time the Government domain in the north half of the county was opened
for entry. But the title to school lands was secured as soon as the county was
sectionized in 1849. As settlements began in May, 1846 (not counting Hiram
Hurst), there was a period of three years and eight months of occupancy when
the only rights to real estate were obtained by priority of settlement and con-
tinuous residence. Lands thus selected were called "claims." Elsewhere is
described the manner of taking these '^claims."
During the first two and a half years of the settlement of the county no
serious disagreements arose concerning claim rights; but as settlers continued
to arrive in increasing numbers and the choicest lands, in the public estimation,
were mostly occupied during the winter of 1848-9. a "Claim Club" was organized,
notwithstanding that up to .this time there had been no professional "claim
jumpers," nor other intruders upon the claim rights of settlers. Madison County
was singularly free of molestation by land speculators, as regards any invasion
of the rights of those already settled upon the land. This immunity from in-
trusion was because the force of "claim jumpers" had been spent in the counties
eastward, in counties along the Des Moines River. In those localities and in
counties still farther east "claim clubs" were in existence and doing very active
business, often dealing justly and frequently committing wrong.
While there was no apparent good reason for the organization of a "claim
club" in this county, the formation of one was urged by those active spirits who
delight in "stirring up things," and by others, who feared that as the time
approached when the lands would "come into market" there might be trouble
made by people not yet in sight. Half a dozen persons who, in a small and
modest manner, were doing something in a legitimate way, at trading in claims
to "accommodate new settlers," jumped aboard the proposition to organize and
by the end of the winter the "Madison County Claim Club" became the first
county wide organization.
Charles Wright, who lived on Middle River, southwest of (now) Winterset,
was elected captain of the club. He was chosen mainly because he had been a
soldier in the then late war with Mexico and partly because he was active in
promoting the organization. Besides, he was doing some business in handling
claims for others, and it presumably might work in nicely in some emergency
of interest and help his affairs to be at the head of this "claim law" enforcing
machinery. William Sturman, who was living on the northeast part of section
9, in (now) Union Township, became secretary. He also had material interest
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 127
in the enforcement of the "claim law/' since he had brought a considerable
sum of cash, for those days, to the county, and was ready to enter lands, amount-
ing to more than a ''claim,*' when they "came into market." Naturally, he wanted
to protect all his claims.
While all those who traded at all in claims, or were trying to "cover up"
more than one claim, were active in the organization, yet the membership was
nearly all of an unselfish character, wholly devoted to the maintenance of "law
and good order," and desirous to protect each settler in his just rights of claim.
The following obligation was signed by each member :
"Pledge of the Madison County, Iowa, Qaim Club:
"Whereas, Self-protection, the acquiring and peaceable possession of property,
are essential to the happiness and prosperity of the people ; and
"Whereas, Reckless claim jumpers and invidious wolves in human form are
prowling through the county for the purpose of robbing the settler of his claim
and of the means of support ; therefore, be it
"Resolved: First, that we pledge ourselves to protect every member of this
club in his rights of claim, or against the preemption of adverse parties, without
fear of the world, the flesh or the devil.
"Second : — That no person shall be allowed to preempt, or to purchase from
the Government, any claim of a member of the club without the unequivocal
consent of the member.
"Third : — That the filing of any intention to preempt, in contravention of the
right of any member hereof, shall be regarded as an attempt to deprive one
member of his rights under the eternal fitness of things, and we pledge ourselves
one to another to meet the offender on the home stretch with logic of life or
death.
"Fourth :-^That a committee of three be raised whose duty shall be to hear
and adjust any disputes, evasions or disagreements that may arise with members
of this club, or any case where claims of members are in dispute with outside
adverse claimants of every character whatever.
"Fifth : — That we pledge ourselves to sustain and uphold our committee and
appointees in the performance of their several duties and to enforce their de-
cisions and adjudications to the very letter, with force and arms if necessary.
"Sixth : — ^That a cordial invitation is hereby extended to every citizen of the
county to sign these articles of by-laws and assist in their faithful execution and
enforcement."
Printed copies of this pledge, obtained from counties eastward where like
organizations existed, were used here but the original list of subscribing members
was lost within a few years. In fact one never heard a member volunteer the
statement, as if with a sense of pride, that he was a member, nor yet when one
was asked concerning his membership would he deny it. Within ten years the
resident membership remaining in the county seemed to feel no sort of pride in
the memory of the club. "Uncle Billy" Sturman, who had been its secretary,
used to freely tell about events of those days and one time explained this lack
of pride by saying, "It never did but one thing — turn tail to a red flag." This
explanation refers to the "Battle of Union Township," hereafter related. On
the other hand, those not members, when asked whether or not they were mem-
bers of the club, would promptly, almost savagely, reply "No, sir." The reason
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128 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
for this acidity of reply was that at the time of the organization and for a while
after great effort was made to have all claim holders join it and those who held
out in refusal were made to understand they were considered a sort of outlaws,
enemies to the public welfare and unwilling to aid in the common protection of
their neighbors.
Over forty years ago the late Andrew J. Hoisington, writer of this article,
made some effort toward securing a list of the men who had been members of
the club and those who were not, but the ones interviewed on both sides seemed
averse to aid him and he gave it up. Because the list gathered is so incomplete
he concluded not to give any names. The life of the club was of short duration —
less than three years. It slowly fainted away in 1850 and no one observed when
its pulse ceased to throb.
It is estimated that about three-fourths of the claim holders 4n the county
were either nominally or actively members of the club and tjie one-fourth not
belonging were all radical in their opposition. Thus, in effective force, the parties
were approximately even. For this reason the politicians did not seek to use
the influence of the organization. It was a poker, hot at both ends. Besides,
the pro and anti-club memberships were a mixture of whigs and democrats.
The whigs in the county were in a hopeless minority and had no interest in
making the club a political issue ; the democrats could not afford to take chances.
Both club and anti-club sides contained a majority who were democrats. How-
ever, nearly every office holder during those years belonged to the club.
The club held meetings only when especially called together to consider a
complaint and this was seldom. In the absence of public buildings such meetings
were held at the cabins of members within two or three miles of Winterset,
usually in the daytime. Little or no secrecy was observed.
BATTLE OF UNION TOWNSHIP
By A. J. Hoisington
In the above paragraphs are related the details relative to the organization and
character of the '*Madison County Qaim Club.'' The only important event in its
history occurred in early May, 1850, and took place in the west part of Union
Township. The following account is in substantial agreement with statements
made in later years by persons engaged on either side.
George W. Guye staked out and located a claim on May 4, 1846, which proved
to be^ when surveyed three years later, the northwest quarter of section 8, in
(now) Union Township. At the time he was not of legal age, but under the
"claim law" then recognized everywhere in the West and also by the Govern-
ment, he had a right to locate a claim, since he would become of age before the
land "came into market.'* During the summer of 1847 Leonard Bowman, with
his family, arrived in the neighborhood and staked a claim next east of Guye's,
building his cabin in such location that when the Government survey was made
it was about forty rods over on the claim Guye had staked out and started a
cabin, which he later completed. Thus, both cabins were on the same quarter sec-
tion. The township lines being run in the fall of 1848 (and section lines the next
spring), a conflict of claim title arose. The land could not be entered by any
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY ^ 129
one until January, 1850. Bowman became a member of the claim club and
remained an active one. Guye never joined it. Thus the club was bound to
protect Bowman. It was argued that Guye was a young man and, anyhow,
not of age when he staked the claim; that he should select another tract. Be-
sides, it was also urged. Bowman had a large family, to which Guye replied that
he was first in right on the land and had coriiplied with every requirement of
the times and the claim laws. Some eflfort was made toward a settlement of the
dispute without result. Guye offered to compromise with Bowman by each
taking an "80," but Bowman demanded all or none. Neighbors, near and far,
took sides with increasing bitterness as the time for entering lands approached.
Guye firmly refused to recognize the claim club in any manner and entered the
eighty acres, on which Bowman's cabin stood, on the first day the lands of the
north half of the county were open for entry — beating Bowman's attorney to it
just fifteen minutes.
After Guye had entered the land in dispute, thus ignoring and even defying the
assumed right and power of the club in the matter, the latter was logically forced
to take action or dissolve as an organization.
This case was the only serious one it had up to this time, and no other in
sight. A special meeting of the club was called and after some ineflfectual eflfort
to secure a large attendance of the members, a meeting was held late in April,
1850, at which there was serious division over the question -whether the club
should try to enforce its claim of authority in the case. Guye owned the land.
Everyone had become satisfied he would never deed it over to Bowman while
alive and in case of death, of course he couldn't. Therefore, it was certain there
was but one of three things the club could accomplish : Kill the recalcitrant Guye,
run him out of the country, or the club itself go out of business forever.
Finally, a majority of the club members present at the meeting voted to try
to compel Guye to deed the land to Bowman, or leave the country. Accordingly,
a notice was written in duplicate, the substance of which contained these alterna-
tives : "Within ten days deed the land to Bowman and wait on him one year for
his pay, or suflFer the penalty." The penalty was well understood by both sides
to be that the club would run him out of the country, peaceably (?), if he
would go, forcibly, if he would not ; and the latter included the probability that
Guye's great form would become a magnificent corpse before the close of the
proceedings.
Hampton Jones, living then and until his sudden death near the center of
section 18, in Union Township, was willingly selected to deliver the notice to
Guye in person. Jones' great size, youthful strength and vigorous fighting dis-
position well equipped him for the mission. From his cabin to Guye's was
scarcely the length of a mile across the prairie, northeast. Guye was his neigh-
* bor and it would seem to most people a ticklish errand for him to undertake ;
later on he found it a bloody one.
The next day Jones went over on horseback to where Guye was plowing for
corn in his field. Guye had been anticipating such notice from the club but did not
expecf its delivery by so near a neighbor. And this angered Guye all the more. ,
It seemed to him that Jones had been selected, or may be had volunteered, to
deliver the notice because a near neighbor with great fighting qualities. Guye
thereupon proposed to Jones to fight it out and settle the matter then and there
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130 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
alone between themselves. To this Jones objected, but offered to select with him
a day when they should meet in Winterset and fight it out to a finish. They
agreed on the following Saturday as the day of combat. Guye had, of course,
vigorously and in no really proper Sunday school language, refused to concur
in either alternative contained in the notice. So that after arrangements for the
fight were completed Jones went away to report to the club and Guye quit plow-
ing for some time. The latter had other and more pressing business — a fist
fight to a finish the following Saturday with Jones and, should he survive that,
a gun fight with the Madison County Claim Club exactly ten days thereafter.
News of these two events appointed to occur, spread on the wings of the
wind throughout the thin settlements. It was by far the greatest sensation that
had taken place in the four years' history of the county. There was the smell,
and almost the taste of human blood everywhere. Up to this time no serious
trouble had occurred. The four years' progress of the community had been op-
pressively free of any bloodshed. Not even a horse thief had been hung.
On the first Saturday in May, in the forenoon, the opposing parties met
in Winterset to witness the gladiatorial combat agreed upon by Hampton Jones
and George Guye. The former had chosen Taylor Sargent and the latter Henry
Rice as their respective seconds. About one hundred men were in the little
county seat, representing every settled portion of the county. Over half the
voters were present and most of them armed with small weapons. The sheriff
came over from his farm in (now) Scott Township, and all the constables of
the county were there to see the fight. Every resident preacher also was there.
The weather was fine.
The principals were escorted by their seconds into the John A. Pitzer general
store, on the west side of the square, and weighed on a new platform scale.
Guye pulled down 192 pounds and Jones 206; each stripped to his shirt. Jones
outclassed Guye in weight fourteen pounds. Then the seconds got rope of bed
cord size and with their principals went out on the square, where a large ring
was formed by tying the rope around stakes set in the ground. The square
was prairie sod and had been burned off the fall before, and the young grass had
grown but little.
There was but little betting and not much- jollity. It was rather a serious
appearing crowd, for no man dared, even in his own mind, to feel sure what the
outcome would be. The club members were very largely in the majority, but
many felt neutral. The anti-club men were quiet, but very bitter, well prepared
and ready for trouble. The extreme partisans of Bowman felt secure in the
overwhelming majority of club members and therefore ready for anything.
While it had been mutually agreed that nothing but the fistic encounter between
the principals should occur, all knew that the least accidental spark might ex-
plode great trouble. Naturally, there were some who were drinking more whisky
than was needful for such an occasion.
As soon as the ring was inclosed, Jones hopped in and jumping up and down
called to Guye to come ahead. The latter followed. The seconds announced
that this fight was to be "rough and tumble," "catch as catch can," no rtftes to
observe and that no others than the principals would be allowed in the ring
until one of them should cry "enough." The seconds were also husky fellows,
capable of enforcing their rules. Upon signal from the seconds the fight began.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 131
1st round:— Guye landed heavily on Jones' cheek bone, clinched, each trying
to trip the other; a short wrestle and both went down; a dog fall.
'2d round: — Jones landed heavily on Guye's eyes, felling him to the ground
almost totally blinded.
3d round : — Guye worked for a time to recover sight, clinched and broke
holds, both winded. Round a stand-off.
4th round : — Some sparring when Guye landed a heavy kick on Jones* stom-
ach, followed by two more kicks on his body and Jones fell, Guye on top. He
clinched Jones' hair and landed three licks on his head and ribs.
By this time Joshua Pursell, a strong friend of Guye's, had jumped in the
ring and began to pull Guye off Jones, upon which James Guye, a brother of
George, and a powerful man, struck Purcell on the head with his fist and knocked
him over the rope, nearly killing him. All this was done in a moment. Almost
at the same time both seconds jumped to their principals and pulled them apart.
Jones had not hollered "enough"; he was far beyond the ability to make any
kind of noise.
Jones was helped off the grounds and after washing up was taken home by
friends. Guye was able to care for himself. Both were covered with blood
from head to foot. They punished each other severely. Guye ever after
carried a scar on his head, as a memento^ of the battle.
Both these men were powerfully built, young (Guye 22 and Jones 25), hard-
ened by frontier life and accustomed to rough and tumble wrestling. Besides,
they were strongly embittered against each other and fought for supremacy.
No unpleasant event marred the enjoyment of this occasion. Of course, the
peace officers remained during the day, for the same duty as extra policemen
are now employed on gala days. There was some whisky imbibed but it proved
to be neither a claim club nor an anti-claim club exhilarant. Over the result in
the ring, the club members had no incentive for crowing ; the other and minority
side was serenely pleasant.
The result of this day*s contest settled nothing, but it produced a salutary
effect on the public mind toward peace. The members of the club present were
strongly impressed by the event and those whose nerves were weak or who really
cared nothing for the land contest at issue realized that deep red fighting blood
filled the veins of the anti-club minority. There was no longer doubt in the
mind of anyone that if the issue came to a gun to gun contest there would be
killing done quite surely on both sides. And this leaven accomplished its work
the next two or three days.
The following week, the tenth day after Jones had served the club's notice
on Guye, about forty members of the club met at the house of Silas Bams, to
devise means of punishing Guye, in case he should not by that day have deeded
the land in question to Bowman. They met at 10 o'clock in the forenoon and
Bowman reported that no deed had been tendered him. Bams lived in a cabin
west and near the spring on section 13, in Douglas Township. This cabin bumed
in December, 185 1. It was in the edge of the timber. The forty members present
remained there in consultation and disagreement over what to do or whether to
try to do anything, until 2 o'clock, at which time they moved in a body south up on
top of the dividing ridge and along the ridge northeasterly.
In the meantime the anti-club men had organized and to the number of seven-
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132 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
teen were in session at the double log house of Samuel Guye, which stood on
the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 7 in (now) Union
Township. Samuel Guye was chosen captain and commander. Meeting early
that morning, Calvin Smith was chosen to do picket duty, to watch the move-
ments of the club force and report. The anti-club men had one strong marine
glass and also a lesser glass, which gave them the great advantage of not only
observing their enemy closely at a hidden distance, but identifying each individual
and the gun he carried. The club force had no glass.
Each side was armed, every man with a rifle that carried about two hundred
yards. Besides a rifle, most of the men on both sides had smaller arms, as pistols
and knives. The club force carried a fine six-foot American flag, made by
the women especially for them.
When the club force turned on the divide northeast, the scout reported the
movement and Nimrod Taylor was sent on horseback with an immensely large
red bandanna handkerchief fastened to a small pole for a flag. As rapidly as
his horse could run he went toward the club force. When the club force first
saw him and his flag, they were on section 18, Union Township, land later owned
by Samuel B. Johnson. Then they stopped to await the approach of the man
with the red flag, who had no gun in sight. Taylor halted before getting within
gunshot range of the company, waved his red flag in a beckoning manner to come
on ; then waved his hat in the same way, then both hat and flag at once in like
manner.
The club force remained standing and in consultation some time. Little more
than half a mile in front of them, across an open prairie, there was a masked
enemy of unknown number, in a position of their own choice, equally well armed
and would surely shoot to kill. They must ride to the attack across an open
prairie to the edge of a timber where their enemy was behind buildings, fences
and other protection.
The club force slowly about-faced and returned toward Bams* place, separated
and returned to their several places of abode. The war was ended. The Madison
County Claim Club history then abruptly closes.
Those members of the club present on the day of the battle that was not
fought were: Captain, Charles Wright; Silas and Hiram J. Bams, William
Gentry, William and Thomas Sturman, James, Vincent and Heztkiah Brown,
E>avid D. Henry, John Butler, James and Lemuel Thombmgh, Samuel and
Joshua Casebier, David Brinson, Leonard, David and Reece Bowman, James
Brewer, William Brunk, Alfred Q. Rice, Sherwood Howerton, Daniel McKinzie,
Noah Boshop, Whited, Samuel Folwell, Andrew Waymire, Charles and
Isaac Clanton, N. S. Allcock, Mesheck Casteel and eight other names, forty in all.
The anti-club force fortified at Samuel Guye's were: Captain, Samuel Guye;
James and George Guye, Henry Rice, James B. Bedwell, Calvin Smith, Levi
Smith, William Stinson, Joseph K. Evans, William and Silas Hinshaw, William
and Joseph Combs and two brothers named Mendenhall — total seventeen.
Some time much later, one day in Winterset, George Guye hunted up and
bought a coon skin, took it over to John Brewer's blacksmith shop southeast
of the square, a block, where he knew the former captain of the claim club was
having some work done. Wright had entered his claim by a Mexican war
bounty land warrant. So Guye offered him the coon skin for any land warrant
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 133
he might get for his services in the Madison County Qaim Qub war. While
displaying his coon skin to Wright the latter got in the first lick and it counted.
At it they went, furiously, but Brewer was a good man himself and finally
parted them. No one ever heard that Guye ever offered any more coon skins
on such terms.
speculators' lands
"Speculators" was a term exclusively applied to those who came here from
more eastern states — in the particular case of Madison County they mostly were
from "York State,*' Pennsylvania and Ohio — and bought Government land at
$1.25 an acre as a speculation, without intending ever to move here and reside.
Most fortunately for the settlers this class of persons did not appear until about
1854. Within some two years they had picked nearly every remaining unentered
piece of Government land. As the settlers had already entered all the timber,
the contiguous prairie, and even considerable of the near-by prairie lands, tha
speculators were confined to the more remote prairie districts and thus their advent
did not retard the growth of the county. As it turned out, the lands they en-
tered could not have been settled until the close of the war in 1865, after which
a new and wealthier class of people came in, able and willing to pay the small
advance the disappointed speculators asked.
Immediately following the advent of the speculators came the hard times
that began naturally in 1857 and culminated here in 1858-9. Land speculators
were financially hard hit at home and became unable in most cases to pay taxes
on their western properties. The "hard times" continued until 1862, but in the
meantime much of their land was sold for taxes or the title thereto became
complicated. Nobody here wanted an acre of it at any price. In this manner
about ten years passed in the history of the lands held for speculation purposes —
no income from them, a large tax account piled up, not to speak of interest on the
investments. Flush times arrived about the close of the war and people here
began to buy land. The speculators began oflFering to sell at about three dollars
an acre. Suddenly appeared from Eastern Iowa, Illinois and sections further
east, large numbers of land buyers, for not only the "speculator" lands, but for
other cheap lands. While lands rapidly advanced in price the eastern speculator
lands sold early at from three to five dollars an acre. Thus the speculator of
1854-6 ^tood to lose after all those long ten years.
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CHAPTER XVII
THE REEVES WAR
By A. J. Hoisington
While the events about to be related did not occur in Madison County, a
considerable number of her people were more or less connected with the affair
in various ways and they also played a part in the first county election. The
story has never been told with any considerable degree of completeness or truth-
fulness until now, nor is it hereinafter related more than to show the part Madison
County settlers had in the affair.
During the early fall of 1845, j^st before the Indians gave possession, George
and Noah Reeves, two brothers, and their large families settled- at Linn Grove,
on North River, in now Linn Township, Warren County. In their families
were five grown sons. As other settlers arrived the next year or two, an increas-
ing public opinion prevailed that the Reeves crowd was a horsestealing outfit,
if not murderers to boot. After a time circumstantial evidence so largely accu-
mulated that open accusations were made. The Reeves had not stolen any horses
in that vicinity, nor permitted others to do so, for prudential reasons, but to the
south, southeast and southwest, they were believed to be doing a wholesale busi-
ness. Persons related to their organization as developed after they were forced
from the county, covered all that section from north of Des Moines south into
Missouri and to the Missouri River, even to the Mississippi. The names of three
of the sons were Cam, Pressly and Jesse ; the names of the other two are for-
gotten.
Matters became so that in the summer of 1848 a ''vigilants company" was
organized, from among the settlers on North and Middle Rivers in (now) Warren
County, to the number of about sixty men, of whom a man named Lasure (or
some such name) was captain. This company made an ineffectual effort to run
the Reeves families out of the country. Soon after this occurrence two Linn
Grove men, named James Phipps and James Hart, were in Des Moines, and
there got into an altercation with the Reeves boys, in which Phipps was seriously
and Hart slightly wounded. Des Moines officers arrested Cam Reeves for the
shooting that had taken place and took him to Oskaloosa for safe keeping.
Immediately after this *'gun play," the Warren County Vigilants took up
again the matter of ridding their county of 'these families, this time with far more
determination. As always in such cases, the Reeves had some friends among
the settlers, and there were others too timid to take sides either way. Reinforce-
ments were sought in Madison County and at length an organization was effected
and named "Black Oak Grove Vigilants Company," after the name of the Madison
County voting precinct. Samuel Guye was elected captain. There were eighteen
members, among whom were the captain, Irvin and Louis Baum, William Combs,
134
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 135
Alfred and Harvey Rice, Samuel Casebier, D. Chenoweth, James and George
Guye, Lemuel Thombrugh and others. The members of the company lived
north of Middle River. All went horseback and armed to Linn Grove, arriving
toward evening, where they found the Warren County Vigilants in camp.
After the shooting of Phipps and Hart all the young men of the Reeves crowd
went to and remained in Des Moines. The old men remained at their homes;
the latter two and their families were placed under close guard. Another man,
much wanted, was also found in one of the Reeves homes, but that evening he
induced a detail of the Madison County company to take him over to a settler's,
named Snyder, for something he claimed he must have. He declared he was
then ready to leave the country if the Vigilants so elected. At this house Snyder
managed to get out a back way and escaped.
The next morning a detail from the Warren company was ordered to guard
the Reeves apd also help make ready for their removal from the country and
the rest of the two companies pulled out for Des Moines to capture the four
Reeves boys known to be there. Horses were scarce those days and about a
third of the Warren company went a-foot. One of the latter, named Mason, was
barefoot. The morning was quite cold and there were frequent puddles of frozen
water, but Mason plunged bravely through all of it without cohiplaint.
Arriving at Four Mile Creek, south of Des Moines, the company found a
horse tied to a sapling. Near by a man was lying on the ground. His saddle
served for a pillow and the saddle blanket was under him. By his side was a
bottle of whisky and it was evident he was pretending to be in a drunken sleep.
The man was at once recognized as Sheriff Michaels, of Polk County. He was
on his way to Linn Grove with warrants for the arrest of six of the Vigilants,
who were in the crowd. At that time the north tier of townships of (now)
Warren County was in Polk County. The Vigilants searched the sheriff, took
away his arms, all his official papers and compelled him to accompany them on
his horse, fully explaining to him what they wanted and were going to do, not
only with him but with the Reeves.
The Vigilants marched down the old Coon bluff hill road, south of Des
Moines, in plain view of all the inhabitants of the future capital city. This
produced an extraordinary scene in the little village.
Reports of the gathering of the two companies of Vigilants at Linn Grove
had been carried to Des Moines by friends of the Reeves, exaggerated into the
alarming intelligence that the town itself was to be destroyed and all the citizens
compelled to leave for the sin of harboring the Reeves boys and their friends.
It was also freely reported that some of the citizens of the fort, being. found over
on North River, were captured and killed. The Reeves boys and their friends
had the more credulous men, women and children in Des Moines worked up to a
frenzy of excitement. This element was organized and headed by a Colonel
Baker. His small band, armed as best they could and with music of fife and
drum, desperately pleaded for reinforcements.
The more conservative of the Des Moines men refused to join Colonel Baker
and his excited band and quietly agreed among themselves that if the Vigilants
only wanted the Reeves gang they were welcome to come and take them away.
The Reeves gang had already given. Des Moines some trouble and after the
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136 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
shooting of Phipps and Hart they were very much not wanted. This element
had a considerable majority.
The Vigilants marched across the Coon bottom, to a point of timber on the
south side of the river west of the ford, where they halted and agreed upon a
plan of campaign. Two men were sent across the river into the town to inform
the citizens whom they wanted and what they were determined on doing, and to
consult with those citizens who were known to favor the removal of the Reeves
gang. The Vigilants were kindly received by this element and given the informa-
tion desired, especially the exact location of the Reeves boys. They were har-
bored in a saloon run by a man named Joseph Crews, whose place was a little
north and west of the old Magazine Building, and quite out by itself.
The men sent into the town to reconnoiter returned and reported. A small
detail of footmen was left to guard the sheriff. Coon River was very low at
the old ford and the Vigilants after crossing, formed in single file, the horsemen
in the lead, the footmen keeping up the best they could. The horsemen rode
rapidly, carrying their guns ready to fire, in their right hands and guiding their
horses with their left hands. Colonel Baker and his braves, instead of repelling
the invasion, were invisible. The road to the Crews saloon forked some distance
before it reached his place and, as agreed upon, the first horseman took one
fork and the next one the other, and so on alternately the force proceeded on
each side toward and beyond the saloon until it was surrounded. Pressly Reeves,
upon seeing the horsemen, ran out of the building and away toward the Des
Moines River, but was soon captured without a shot being fired. After sur-
rounding the saloon, the Reeves were told that if they would quietly surrender,
give up their arms, go with the Vigilants to their homes, load up their chattels
and leave the country forever they would not be harmed. The Reeves refused
and declared tl^ey would fight to the last. After some time spent in parleying,
it became evident that sterner arguments were necessary. Thereupon, not wish-
ing to shoot anyone nor be shot at, a wagon loaded with prairie hay was pulled
up against the rear of the building and those inside informed that the hay and
building would be immediately fired unless they surrendered. Then Crews de-
manded that the boys should surrender. The Vigilants again pledging their safe
removal from the country, the Reeves gave up and peaceably went with their
captors. The Vigilants thanked the citizens, except Colonel Baker and his
mighty army, and quietly recrossed Coon River, where the sheriff was released
and his arms, papers and other property restored. And then the self-appointed
rangers returned to Linn Grove without further incident.
While at Des Moines no one was allowed to. take a drink of intoxicants nor
carry any along either way; not even the barefoot Mason got a drop. It also
should be related that the sheriff kept himself and his papers safe on the north
side of the Coon, and never did serve the warrants. However, it would be inter-
esting to know how his '^returns" read.
Arriving at Linn Grove late that afternoon the male members of the Reeves
family were kept under close guard and the females and smaller children under
surveillance, but all were permitted to help in making ready for moving South
out of the country the following day. No particular incident occurred and early
next morning the Reeves loaded their wagons, and with live stock and everything
movable, treked southward, escorted by both Vigilant companies in full force.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 137
The refugees followed the old Dragon trail toward St. Joseph, Missouri, and
toward evening went into camp on the south bank of South River. Next morning
after breakfast, all the men were taken some distance from the women and chil-
dren and given their instructions, to the effect that they must not only leave
the country but also the state and none of them were ever to return. About this
time some of the Warren County Vigilants, who had suffered from the depreda-
tions of the Reeves gang, got the elder George Reeves, who was considered the
ring leader, away from the rest, tied him to a sapling and began lashing him with
a whip. When this was discovered by the Madison County Vigilants they raised
violent objections, and Alfred Q. Rice, of the Madison County company, quickly
cut Reeves loose. The Warren County members were reminded of the pledges
made to the Reeves that they should not be harmed in person or property. While
this was going on some straw in a bed tick in one of the wagons was set afire,
but this was extinguished and resulted only in the loss of the tick and a part of
the wagon cover. All arms were returned to the Reeves but their ammunition
was withheld from them. The Reeves outfit proceeded along the road southward
and the Vigilants returned to their homes.
The Reeves party reached Pisgah, a Mormon village, on the trail a short dis-
tance north of Grand River, in Union County, that night and there they remained
some time, but the Warren Vigilants kept close tab on them. Later they went on
west, across but near the Missouri River, but not into oblivion.
A curious sequel to this event occurred forty years later in Seattle, Washing-
ton, where long resided Francis Guye, son of Samuel Guye, captain of the
Madison County Vigilants. He was too young and not in the "Reeves War." A
man named Reeves bought a residence property adjoining Guye's. Soon after-
ward Reeves erected a high and very solid board fence between himself and
Guye. This the latter could not understand nor could he understand why' his
neighbor. Reeves, apparently would never look at him nor speak to him. In
1893 George Guye was visiting his brother Francis in Seattle and happened at
once to meet Reeves near his home on the sidewalk. Guye at once recognized him
and called him by name, upon which Reeves gave him a sharp look and passed
on without speaking. The recognition was mutual. And in this way Francis
Guye came to understand the mystery of the high fence. This Reeves was one
of the younger of his family and had learned that Francis was a son of the Captain
Guye who helped to run out his family from Warren County. He had never
forgotten or forgiven a Guye.
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CHAPTER XVIII
SWAMP LANDS
By A. J. Hoisington*
By act of Congress, passed and approved September 28, 1850, certain states
of the Union were granted all the swamp and overflow lands within their borders.
Notwithstanding this provision large tracts of land were alienated by the Govern-
ment, which came under the classification of swamp or overflowed land, and
to meet the predicament Congress passed and approved an act March 2, 1855,
in which it was provided that swamp and overflowed lands in the several states
entered with cash since the act of September 28, 1850, the cash thus received
by the Government should be paid over to the states (or counties), and for those
swamp and overflowed lands entered by land warrants or scrip, the state or county
should be indemnified, by permitting the state or county to select, in lieu of such
entered lands in the several counties, vacant or unentered lands subject to cash
entry at $1.25 per acre, within the state.
The lands accruing to Madison County by the acts of 1850, 1855 and 1857
amounted to something over 18,000 acres. The lands selected under the indem-
nity measure, consisted of 2,974.49 acres, located in (now) Garfield Township,
and 5,528.25 acres, in Williams Township, Calhoun County, Iowa; also 550.60
acres in Cedar Township, Sac County, Iowa, which were conveyed by patent to
the state. May 31, 1867, and later by deed to Madison County. As computed
by the late A. J. Hoisington, who gave the subject careful study, this swamp
land was later sold for about $92,000, and the amount in cash, in indemnity
money due and paid the county for swamp and overflowed land sold by the
Government, was $9,188. But Madison County benefited by none of this money,
which aggregated over $100,000. Why, is told in the following paragraphs :
The first information found in the county records, concerning the "swamp
lands** of Madison County, is of date January 15, 1861, in the proceedings of the
board of supervisors as follows: "Motion was made that H. J. B. Cummings'
services be procured to take necessary steps to obtain all the information possible
in regard to the Swamp Lands of this County. Carried."
Acting upon this authority, on June 3, 1861, "Mr. Cummings made his report
in reference to the Swamp Land of this County. Motion was made that the
report be received and that the Committee continue, which was carried."
The next action taken by the board was on June 6, 1861, as follows: "Motion
was made that the previous motion to continue Cummings in relation to the Swamp
Land be rescinded. Carried. Motion was then made that H. J. B. Cummings
receive four per cent of the swamp land money that he gets for this county and
if he gets nothing he gets no pay. Carried."
The next record of the board referring to the subject is of date October 22,
138
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 139
1862, when the following action was taken: "On motion L. N. Clark was nom-
inated as Agent to procure from the Government the Swamp Land grant for
Swamp Lands lying in this county upon the following conditions, viz: if said
grant shall amount to more than twenty thousand dollars the Agent, L. N. Clark,
to receive for his services five per cent of the amount; if the amount shall not
exceed the sum of twenty thousand then the Agent shall receive seven per cent of
the grant secured."
The resolution by the board, appointing Clark agent of the county, was sent
by the clerk of the county to the United States Land Officers at Des Moines and
found insufficient, in "that it is not specific enough as to the power intended to
be conferred upon said agent to meet the requirements of law." The land office
suggested a form inclosed in its letter. A security bond was also required, but
it seems no further action was taken at this time by either the board or its ac-
credited agent.
During the afternoon session of the board, held, June 3, 1863, as the records
show, a "motion was then made to sell and Convey the interest of Madison County,
Iowa, in and to the Swamp Lands of said county to the American Emigrant
Society; motion to amend by letting the Company take the land on the halves,
recorded vote demanded on the propositions. The following named members
voted in favor of accepting the thousand dollar proposition : J. W. Lane, J. W.
Davis, A. Bennett, H. Haun, E. H. Venard, S. Harter,*S. Rolston, D. McCarty.
The following named members voted in favor of letting said Company have
said lands on the shares: L. N. Clark, S. A. Ross, A. Bonham, O. Crawford,
William McDonald, H. Harris, G. A. Beerbower. It was thereupon declared
sold to the American Emigrant Society for $1,000 and the assignment of her
interest to the same was made to A. West and the money paid."
It will be observed that L. N. Clark voted against the outright sale. Follow-
ing is a copy of the instrument of transfer :
"In consideration of one thousand dollars, the receipt whereof we hereby
acknowledge, we, the Board of Supervisors for the county of Madison and State
of Iowa, do grant, bargain and convey unto Albert West of Winterset, county
and state aforesaid, all the right, title and interest which Madisoa County has
now or may have hereafter in any Swamp Lands belonging to said County,
according to the tenor of a certain Act of Congress passed in 1850, indemnity
provided by the Acts of 1855 ^tnd 1857, and we further agree to protect the
said Albert West in the transfer hereby made so far as the interests of this
County in said Swamp Lands may be concerned, and indemnity.
"Done at Winterset, the county seat of Madison County, this 3rd day of
June, 1863.
"David McCarty,
"Chairman of the Board of Madison County, Iowa."
The next step taken by the American Emigrant Society to strengthen and
clear its title to the lands is shown by the following record of the board of
date September 8, 1863 :
"The papers or deed of conveyance was presented in behalf of the American
Emigrant Company requesting the Board of Supervisors to make a title of the
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140 , HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Swamp and overflow lands of Madison County and State of Iowa, a survey or
Nos. of said land being attached and described in said papers or deed of convey-
ance in which said Company claims were sold by the Board of Supervisors of
said County to Albert West on the 3rd day of June, 1863, and afterwards sold
and transferred by the said A. West to them. On motion a committee of three
consisting of L. N. Clark, J. W. Lane and S. Ralston was appointed to report
on the propriety of making a deed to said Company for said lands."
During the afternoon of the same day the committee made report as follows :
"Your Committee appointed to investigate the propriety of making a deed
to the Swamp and ovei'flow lands of Madison County would respectfully report
as follows: That this Board take no further action toward making a deed or
perfecting a title to said lands either to Albert West or the American Emigrant
Company for the following reasons: That at the time and before the Board
contracted in regard to said swamp lands with A. West there were misrepresenta-
tions made, we think, which induced and influenced the Board to do differently
from what they wouJd have done had they fully understood the facts in the case,
and would recommend that this board take no further action in the matter ex-
cept to refund the amount received by this County with 10 per cent interest per
annum when required of thern by the proper persons to receive the same. On
motion the report of the Committee was received and Committee discharged.
Motion was then made that the report of the Committee be adopted, the following
named members voted in the affirmative : J. W. Lane, O. Crawford, S. Ralston,
E. H. Venard, William McDonald, S. Harter, L. N. Clark, S. Ross, A. Bennett,
D. McCarty, H. Harris, W. J. Davis and Otho Davis, those being all the members
present."
Thus the matter remained until the Board meeting of date January 4, 1864,
when the Agent of the Society made another eflfort for title as appears by the
record :
"Mr. Savery, Agent of the American Emigrant Society, made some statements
in reference to the Swamp Lands of the County and asked for some further action
on the part of the Board in the premises. On motion a committee of three,
consisting of Hood, Venard and Ross, was appointed to confer with Mr. Savery
on the matter and report tomorrow."
During the afternoon of the following day the record proceeds to say :
"The Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Savery, Agent of the American
Emigrant Society, in reference to Swamp Lands sale then submitted the follow-
ing report: The under Committee appointed to take under consideration what
action should be taken by Madison County Board of Supervisors in relation to
the Swamp Lands of said County, and to compromise with the American Emi-
grant Co., would respectfully report as follows : That a Committee of three per-
sons be appointed by the County Board with full powers to act in behalf of the
County in relation to said Swamp Lands, either to eflfect a compromise with said
Company to prosecute the claim of the County for a fee or share, or to take
such other action in the premises as they deem most expedient for the interests
of said County and that said Committee be authorized to employ counsel in be-
half of the County, which expenses, with all other expenses of the Committee,
shall be paid by the County, together with a reasonable compensation to said
Committee for its services. The report of Committee was received and upon
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 141
motion adopted. B. F. Roberts, C. D. Bevington and C. S. Wilson were appointed
by the Board as said Committee with additional powers, to wit: That if said
Committee deem it best to annul said contract and to tender the Company the
amount paid said County for s^id Swamp Lands with interest thereon at ten
per cent per annum, they are authorized to borrow the amount on the credit of the
County."
The committee members were not of the board and, so far as the records
show, were not sworn or otherwise qualified, to faithfully perform their duties
in the interest of the county otherwise than as reputable citizens, in whom the
general public had confidence. To say the very least, the appointment, and the
whole procedure, appears odd from the viewpoint of today. The final disposi-
tion of the entire claim of Madison now rested solely with this committee of
otherwise unofficial citizens. Thus the American Emigrant Society had to con-
vince only three men that the county, as the society contended, never did have a
legal claim for any swamp lands, nor for indemnity, and therefore the county
should, as a matter of right, execute a quit claim deed to the society for all
the lands claimed by the county. And to prove the whole hearted liberality and
utter kindness of the society in thus freeing the county from all complications in
ridding itself of its swamp lands, it proposed to pay all the expenses (if not
exceeding $ioo) of the committee and of a special session of the board to be
called fpr the purpose of executing the quit claim deed to the society for 452
forty-acre tracts of land, amounting in all to over eighteen thousand acres.
The committee, having been appointed January 5th, completed its work dur-
ing that month and a special meeting of the board was called to meet February i,
1864, to ratify its report.
To complete the story such portions of the proceedings are given of the special
session as seem material:
"Clerk's Office of Madison County,
"February ist, 1864.
"The Board of Supervisors met by request of majority of the members at 10
o'clock A. M. President in the chair. Members not all being present on motion
Board adjourned until i o'clock P. M.
"Board met pursuant to adjournment. President in the chair, all the members*
being present. After hearing report of the committee appointed by said Board at
its late meeting to confer with the American Emigrant Company in relation to the
sale of Swamp Lands of said County and matters pertaining thereto motion was
made and carried to receive and adopt the report of said Committee which is as
follows :
"To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Madison County :
*'We, your Committee appointed to settle the Swamp Land claim of this
County with the American Emigrant Company, respectfully report: That upon
a careful examination of the decisions of the Department of the Interior we find
that we have neither a claim for Swamp Lands nor for indemnity on the General
Government in consequence of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed
March 3, 1857, and even if the County had any claim the actions of the Board
of Supervisors, we ascertained by. consultation with able lawyers, assigned that
claim to the American Emigrant Co. ; thereupon, we concluded an agreement with
the Emigrant Co. upon the following terms: The Board of Supen^isors are to
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142 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
make a quit claim deed of said lands to the said Company and the said Com-
pany are to pay the expenses of this your Committee and of convening the Board
of Supervisors to amount not exceeding one hundred dollars. (Signed,)
"B. F. Roberts, chairman, C. D. Bevington, C. S. Wilson, Committee."
The record further contains a copy of the quitclaim deed, in which is set
forth a reaffirmation of sale ancf transfer to Albert West of **all the swamp and
overflowed lands of said County and claim for the same on the United States
which instrument has been sold and transferred by said West to the American
Emigrant Company." The deed goes on to covenant that in future **any lands
that shall be located under or by any scrip, so-called, which may be claimed on
said claim*' the county shall convey in like form to said company. The deed is of
great length and seems to fully cover everything in the way of title of over
eighteen thousand acres of land in Madison County, therein particularly de-
scribed, and "claim on the United States for indemnity to such lands as have
been sold for cash or entered with land warrants.'' ^
The deed bears date of February i, 1864, and is signed by all the members of
the board, to wit: William McDonald, chairman; Thomas H. Pendleton, A.
Hood, M. M. McGee, A. Bennett, Simeon Hamblin, S. A. Ross, E. H.^ Venard,
Samuel Ralston, J. C. Scott, Van B. Wiggins, Samuel Harter, W. J. Davis, H.
Haun, Oliver Crawford, H. C. Smith, Abihu Wilson.
The $100 to be paid as costs for the deed was distributed as follows : Board
of supervisors, $51.82; clerk, M. R. Tidrick, for services making deed, postage,
etc., $5.85; committeemen, C. D. Bevington, $21, B. F. Roberts, $io.66j4; C. S.
Wilson, $io.66j/i.
The lands covered by the deed and particularly described therein were located
in the several townships as follows: In Ohio, 1,130.20 acres; South, 3,160; Wal-
nut, 960; Scott, 766.13; Monroe, 240; Grand River, 595.54; Crawford, 5,978.64;
Lee, 1,243.03; Union, i-,272.47; Jefferson, 1,884.58; Douglas 120; Madison, 440;
Lincoln, 280; total, 18,070.59 acres.
No lands appear to have been described as in the townships of Webster, Jack-
son and Penn.
The record of the board of supervisors for January 8, 1868, shows the fol-
lowing item :
"The clerk was authorized to inform the American Emigrant Company that
the Board is ready to convey the lands patented to Madison County as indemnity
for swamp and overflowed lands therein."
January 27, 1868, *The Board then proceeded to execute to the American
Emigrant Company a special warranty deed for all lands received in lieu of
swamp lands in Madison County." Board all present, to wit : D. F. Tumey, C.
Hughart, T. W. Stiles, William Anderson, William McDonald, Eli Cox, Q. C.
Bird, B. F. Brown, J. D. Whitenack, James Goare, I. N. Hogle, H. H. Harris,
Daniel Francis, O. B. Bissell, A. M. Hart, Joseph J. Greer, J. McLeod, Sr.
Thus another board, and nearly four years later, went the previous boards one
better and gave a warranty deed to the company for the swamp lands of Madison
County.
October 12, 1904, there yet remained on the books of the General Land Office
unadjusted, scattering tracts in Madison County, originally claimed by the state
for Madison County as swamp and overflowed lands. Of these there were
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 431
i6 forty-acre tracts that belonged to the cash indemnity class and 30
forty-acre tracts of the land indemnity class. Evidently, these tracts were
abandoned for some reason by the American Emigrant company, or the
state, at the time of the settlement with the Government in 1866-7. The
department desired to close the account and balance the books with the
State of Iowa. Accordingly, its special agent, Fred Hoisington, of Ohio, was
assigned to the work. November i, 1904, he requested the board of supervisors
to investigate the character of these tracts and then waive claims to all those not
swamp. The board declined to take any action in the matter. In July, 1905, the
same special agent repeated his request to the board with like result. Upon this
the special agent gave the board thirty days' notice of a hearing, set for August
II, 1905, at the office of the board in the courthouse at Winterset, at which date
the board might present proof of the swamp and overflowed character of the
unadjusted tracts named in the list. The day of hearing arrived, the Govern-
ment's representative, Fred Hoisington, was on hand, but the board failed to
appeal*. In the meantime the special agent had made personal inspection of each
tract, and in his report to the department said in effect that none of the tracts
were within the law and the instructions. The commissioner of the General Land
Office thereupon canceled the tracts and thus the swamp land account of Madi-
son County was forever closed.
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CHAPTER XIX
LOST AND FORGOTTEN TOWN SITES
By H. A. Mueller
The first settlers in Madison County, who came between the years 1846 and
1848, were principally from the State of Missouri. They had lived in a sparsely
settled country, were a simple living folk, caring for little beyond their immediate
wants, hence they were no town builders.
In 1848, 1849, and 1850 and later there was a large influx of settlers from
Indiana, Ohio and the eastern states. They were more ambitious and visionary
than the first settlers. They saw the possibilities of towns springing up on the
broad prairies of Iowa. Thus, as the county began to settle up, some one would
lay out and plat a town site and offer lots free to those who would start some
business. Soon a general store would be started, a postoflice established and a
blacksmith and wagon shop set up.
The first town laid out in Madison County was Winterset, the county seat.
Three commissioners were appointed by the Legislature to locate the county seat
of Madison County. They performed their duty in June, 1849, in locating the
present location of the county seat of Madison County. The county commis-
sioners then proceeded to have the town surveyed and laid out in lots. This was
done July 19, 1849, by A. D. Jones, and the town was called Winterset.
Then other towns were laid out on some public highway leading from
the county seat town to Des Moines, or to some other larger town. Railroads were
not thought of at that time so far West.
The first town platted that afterwards became obsolete was the Town of
Richmond. Dr. Emanuel J. Henkel, a brother of John Henkel, and of Mrs. O. M.
Archer, of Truro, came to Madison County about 1848 and took a claim on Jones
Creek about where the N. P. Pomeroy farm is located. 1-ater he took a claim in
the southeast quarter section 12, Scott Township, and on July 25, 1849, had A. D.
Jones to lay out the Town of Richmond, in the southwest quarter of the southeast
quarter of section 12, Scott Township, which land is now owned by Lot Eldridge.
This is west of the Hogan Queen stone house. The plat consisted of four blocks,
of eight lots each. The streets were sixty-six feet wide, except Broadway, which
was 82^ feet wide. The streets running east and west were called High, Broad-
way and Grove ; those running north and south, Line, Center Avenue and Spring
Street. He gave to A. D. Jones, the surveyor, all the lots in blocks i and 3.
The streets and alleys were dedicated and donated to the public so long as the
town shall exist. This was done July 30, 1849, 2i"d the plat was recorded by
Enos Berger, recorder, August 27, 1849. Mr. Henkel then built a double log cabin
for a store building. A postoffice was established here July 16, 1850, with
Emanuel J. Henkel as postmaster. The postoffice was called Amazon. The doc-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 145
tor attended to the postoflice and practiced medicine, while he had a man to operate
his store. The postoffice was discontinued October 31, 1851 ; the store removed,
and this was the end of Richmond. The doctor moved to Union County, Iowa,
and before the War of 1861, went to Arkansas, and after the beginning of the
war was never heard from. His relatives think that he was foully dealt with
for being a northern sympathizer.
Fairview. — In the fall of 1850, Samuel Comstock had^ Simmons Rutty lay out a
town in the northeast part of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of
section 24, South Township, about one-fourth mile northeast of the present
To^n of St. Charles, on land now owned by H. P. Anderson. He named it Fair-
view. He built a log store 16x24 feet late in the fall, then went to Oskaloosa for
his stock of merchandise. On his return with the goods it was winter, and the
cabin store not being finished he kept the goods in the house of Joel Clanton, who
lived west of the present site of St. Charles. Samuel Fife acted as his clerk.
Mr. Comstock sold what he could, but the settlers being few and money scarce,
and having purchased his goods on time, he was not able to meet his bills when
they became due, so his creditors came the next spring and took what he had
left. The records at Winterset do not show that the plat was ever recorded. The
store building was never finished and was later sold to Uncle John Byars, who
moved it to St. Charles after that town was laid out in the fall of 1852. It was
the first building erected in the Town of St. Charles, being moved and put up on
lot 7, northwest section, where Joseph Vanscoy conducted a restaurant for several
years. Mr. Comstock left and thus ended the Town of Fairview.
Brooklyn. — About 1850 and earlier there came to Madison County from Ohio
the Guiberson family, who tdok quite an active part in the early days in the up-
building of this country. E. R. Guiberson was county judge and representative of
Madison County ; Israel Guiberson was a lawyer and held the office of recorder,
dying early ; Nathaniel Guiberson was a prosperous f arrrter in Union Township,
dying a few years ago ; John W. Guiberson was a farmer and Methodist preacher
in Walnut Township. On May 29, 1855, he had William Davis, the county sur-
veyor, plat the Town of Brooklyn, which plat was signed and dedicated September
6, 1855, and approved by Judge Pitzer, April 15, 1856, and plat ordered recorded.
It is described as follows : Beginning at the northwest comer of the southeast
quarter of section 14, 74-27, thence running south 30.40 chains, east 16.75 chains,
north 15.75 chains, east 3.15 chains, north 14.58 chains, west 19.90 chains to the
place of beginning. The town consisted of eleven blocks of eight lots each, each
block seventeen rods square, and there were also nine outlots. The land is at
present owned by Leroy Clifton. The town was located on the main traveled road
from Winterset to Osceola, and the stage stopped here. From 1856 to i860
Brooklyn was quite a thriving town. There were two general stores run by
John W. Guiberson and William Mills, respectively ; one blacksmith shop operated
by Asa Roberts ; and a brickyard by William Quick. The Methodist circuit rider.
Rev. J. B. Rawls, lived here; also John Hilton, Lee Nunn, David Drake, a Mr.
Gillespie, Smith Jones, son-in-law of J. W. Guiberson; William Rhyno, Mr.
Flanagan, father of the late John Flanagan, deputy auditor under G. W. Poffin-
barger. J. Vance Walker taught singing school two winters in this village.
A postoffice was established February 19, 1857, with William Quick as the first
postmaster, followed in succession by William Mills, John W. Guiberson and D. D.
Vol.1 —10
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146 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Drake, under whose incumbency it was discontinued June 15, i860. About this
time Mr. Guiberson moved to California. Later it was discovered that the title
to the lots was not good on account of an incumbrance that was against the land
before it was platted. The original plat is on file in the recorder's office at Winter-
set, but it does not appear to be made a matter of record. During the '60s the vil-
lage began to decline; people began to leave; some taking the buildings away,
others abandoning them or disposing of them the best they could, until finally
all the buildings were removed. Fred Beeler bought the last building left stand-
ing and moved it to his farm. The last transfer of lots was made by William S.
Quick to Margaret Hilton, April 12, ,1865. Today scarcely a trace can be found
where back before the war once stood a thriving village of fifty or more souls.
Grand View. — This town, located in Monroe Township, was platted by John
Bullock and Maxwell McCants, August 15, 1855, and dedicated to the public
December 4, 1855. The plat was approved by County Judge Pitzer and recorded
April 4, 1856, in Book "E'* on page 337. It is described as beginning at the
northwest comer of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 22,
74-28, thence west 8.375 chains, south 11.50 chains, east 16.75 chains, north 11.50
chains, west 8.375 chains to the place of beginning. Mr. Bullock owned the west
half and Mr. McCants the east half of the town] At present Robert Garrett owns
the west part and Samuel Boling the east half of the old site. John Bullock was
the father of Manville Bullock and J. D. Bullock, who lived many years in Monroe
Township as respected citizens, and died there. He was also the father of Mrs.
Marilda Witt, of Winterset, and Mrs. Mahala Tincher, of Jackson Township, War-
ren County, Iowa. Samuel Boling stated that two small buildings, a dwelling and
a store, were built, but the settlers being few, the store did not remain long. A
few lots were sold, but as the town did not prosper the lots that were sold reverted
or were resold to the original owners.
Lavega. — This town was surveyed and platted by William Davis, surveyor,
October 12, 1855, at the request of William W. Keeney, the chain carriers being
Ethan E. Pindell and William Richardson. This plat is on file in the recorder's
office, but was never recorded. The description of the survey is as follows:
Beginning at the northwest comer of section 15, township 74, range 29, thence
south 11.50 chains, east 11.50 chains, north 11.50 chains, west 11.50 chains, thus
making the plat forty-six rods square. This town was divided into four blocks
of eight lots each. Each lot was 66x132 feet; the streets were sixty-six feet wide
and alleys 16^ feet wide. The streets running east and west were Clay, Wash-
ington and Monroe ; those running north and south, JeflFerson, Polk and Webster.
This town was in the northwest part of Section 15, Grand River Township, at
present occupied by a part of the original plat of Macksburg, lying east of the
public park, a part of Barker's Addition to Macksburg, and a part of the farm
now owned by Capt. E. G. Barker.
Nothing was done except the staking out of the town. It is believed a Mr.
Hurd laid out the town, but the plat shows it was Mr. Keeney. Rev. Hiram
Pearce, of Afton, who was an old settler of Grand River Township, remembers
the laying out of the town, but states no attempt was made to build it up or any
one to start a store. Macksburg has superseded this lost town.
Grand view. — About 1856 or 1857 there came from Greene County, Pennsyl-
vania, William Heaton, a very eccentric man, who always did things very different
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 147
from any one else. Later he became a prominent citizen of Madison County, and
a leader of the greenback party in Madison County. During its palmy days he
defended its principles everywhere and all the time, with all the power of speech
at his command. Mr. Heaton was familiarly called **Uncle Billy" Heaton, and
was well known in this part of the state. He was an idealist and a dreamer. He
bought large tracts of the best prairie land in Lee Township, and conceived in his
mind the building of- a town and the establishment of a seminary on the broad
prairie between Badger Creek and North River. He laid out a town in the north-
east township, in Madison County, in the northeast part of the northwest quarter
of section 27 and called it Grandview. The site at present is owned by John
McLaughlin. The town was surveyed by J. M. Laird, October 5, 1857, and was
deeded to the future lot holders, April 14, 1858, which deed was approved by the
county judge, John Pitzer, and recorded June i, 1858, in Book **E," page 527.
The town was laid out in forty-two blocks of twelve lots each; each lot is
56x168 feet. Two streets running through the town are 100 feet wide; the
other streets are each eighty feet wide.
William Heaton then proceeded to sell town lots in Grandview under the
following contract: He obligated himself to invest the entire proceeds, less the
expense of the sale of these lots, for the purpose of instituting and maintaining a
seminary of the highest grade, in which shall be taught all branches usually taught
in similar literary institutions, the proceeds to be invested as follows :
( 1 ) One block to be reserved for the seminary building.
(2) One-quarter of a block to be reserved for a primary school building.
(3) One-quarter* of a block each for three churches, the denominations to be
selected by a majority vote of those who may purchase the other forty blocks.
(4) All the remainder to be invested in the erection and maintenance of the
seminary.
Then there followed a long agreement as to appraisement, selection and pay-
ment of these lots. Purchasers were to meet 12 M., June 15, 1858, to make selec-
tion of lots. It was also to be inserted in the deed that if owner permitted the sale
of intoxicating liquors, or gambling, he would forfeit said lots for use of the
seminary.
Herman Mueller has in his possession one of these contracts made with Ira C.
Walker, October 5, 1857, signed by William Heaton and Ira C. Walker. Said
Heaton agreed that on the i8th day of June, 1858, or when the purchasers met
to select said lots, that he would file a bond for $50,000.00, to faithfully dispose of
funds coming into his hands by said sale of lots. Dalies* History states that in
the summer of 1858 Mr. Heaton and quite a large number of citizens met on the
ground, and speeches were made by B. F. Roberts and others, setting forth the
great importance of a seminary of learning at this point, etc.
"From some cause, the praiseworthy enterprise was abandoned and there is
nothing to this day to show for the Town of Grandview but the stakes that were
driven in the ground to mark the lots." Davies' History was published in
1869, eleven years later. Mr. Heaton lived in Lee Township until about 1885
or 1886, when he returned to Illinois, where he was a large property owner. He
died several years ago. His son, Daniel Heaton, lived at Greenfield, Iowa, for
many years ; another son, Abner, lived on the Lee Township farm and now lives
at Greenfield. A son, Jester Heaton, lives at Winfield, Kansas. The old settlers
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148 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
in Lee Township can relate many stories and anecdotes concerning the eccentrici-
ties of "Uncle Billy'' Heaton.
Worthington. — This town was laid out and platted by John Todd and George
T. Nichols, November 5, 1857, and was recorded March 31, 1858. This plat
consisted of eight blocks, four blocks on either side of the public highway running
south of the present Worthington Church. The location is as follows: Com-
mencing at the northeast comer of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter
of section 32, township 7*j, range 28, Madison Township, thence running east
5.25 chains, thence south 21 chains, thence west 10.50 chains, thence north 21.05
chains, thence east to the place of beginning. John Todd owned the west four
blocks and G. T. Nichols the east four blocks. The land is at present owned
by D. H. Tough and Christian Frey. Mr. Todd was an uncle of John M. Hurst,
a son of Hiram Hurst, who was the first settler in Madison County. George T.
Nichols was the father of Mrs. Walter Vance, of Winterset, and Vinton Nichols
and Charles Nichols, who lived in Madison Township for many years. Some
lots were sold in this new town as shown by the transfer book in the auditor's
oflfice. Several dwelling houses were built, in which families lived, and also a
store building was put up by John Todd and William Hudson, father of Tom
Hudson, of Winterset, in 1859. Soon after Mr. Hudson died, so no store was ever
conducted at that time. John Whitenack bought the store building and moved it
to his farm and used it for a dwelling. Dave Parsons, Frank Clampitt and Wil-
liam Clampitt lived in the town at one time. There were two blacksmith shops in
this place at one time. The following is taken from the Madisonian, Vol. 2, No. 11,
issued Saturday, September 18, 1858:
"Worthington. — ^This is the name of a new town recently laid out in Madison
Township, this county, through the enterprise of Messrs. Todd and Nichols,
the gentlemanly proprietors. It is beautifully located on a smooth prairie on the
State Road leading from our city to Panora, and about midway between these
places. We expect in time it will make a thriving village. The place has lately
received a new accession in the shape of a two-horse, big-fisted, double-breasted
blacksmith, and he has thrown out a banter that he will wrestle or run with any
man that wants his horse shod, and if he is thrown down (the other to take his
choice of hold), or outrun, he will shoe the horse for nothing, but if he is the
victor he is to have double pay. The match is to come off at Worthington next
Saturday, and a large concourse will undoubtedly witness the fun."
Possibly some of the old settlers can furnish the name of that blacksmith
and tell whether the matcluever came off.
A postoffice was established June 19, 1861, called North P. O., with Alexander
Kirkland* as the first postmaster. On October 18, 1863, William H. Clampitt
became the postmaster, holding his position until March 13, 1866, when George T.
Nichols took over the responsibility. A. M. Clements received the appointment
April 30, 1868, and the postoffice was discontinued August 4, 1869. This was
about the time that the Rock Island Railroad was built west from Des Moines
to Omaha. Earlham was laid out and a postoffice was established there. All
hopes of building a town at Worthington had vanished now. However, the
neighborhood still retains the name of Worthington. The plat was recorded in
deed record "E'' on page 505.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 149
The widow of George T. Nichols died at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Walter Vance, January 2, 1909.
Some time about 1853 or 1854 the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Company made their first survey from Davenport to Omaha, passing through
Madison Township, south of the present road. Derrick Bennett having entered
the northeast quarter of section 16, in 1852, and thinking that he would be the
first to grasp the opportunity, laid out a town site on his land in 1854. He had
the stakes set to hold the site, but the next survey of the railroad was made
about a mile farther north than the first one, running up and along Bulger Creek,
now the present line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, leaving Mr.
Bennett's town out on the prairie. No notes of the surveyor were kept, so no
record is to be found. All the information came direct from Mr. Bennett himself.
He sold the farm in 1855 to "Uncle Billy'' Bamett, who lived on it until his
death a few years ago. Mr. Bennett moved to Winterset, where he lived until
a few years ago, when he went to Des Moines. He died recently at the home of
his son.
Peru. — This village is sometimes called "old Peru" to distinguish it from East
Peru. Peru is not entirely lost nor forgotten, but with the building of the Great
Western Railroad it dwindled from a hustling town to a place of only a few
residences. Peru was laid out by Aaron and Sarah Hiatt, April 15, 1855, and the
plat was recorded September 14, 1855, in Book "E," page ninety-five, Simmons
Rutty, surveyor. It is located in the northwest part of the southeast quarter of
section 3, Walnut Township, on the main road from Winterset to Osceola. Davies'
History, published in 1869, states that this village had one store, one blacksmith
shop, one cabinet and wagon shop, one shingle manufactory, one steam saw-
mill, one church, fifteen or twenty private residences and about seventy in-
habitants. A stone schoolhouse was in process of erection.
In the Madison County History, published in 1879, it states that Peru had
about one hundred inhabitants, that there was one good flouring mill built in 1875-6
by Jesse Hiatt, at a cost of $11,500, and that the town had the following business
houses : General stores, H. C. Wright and E. & J. D. Hilman ; blacksmith shops,
William H. Barbary, S. N. Travis ; hotels, Illinois House, Peru House; physicians,
N. M. Smith, Z. F. Burt, P. R. Lilley; wagon maker, T. T. Waechter; mechanic,
W. P. De Witt; carpenter, Owen Deleplain.
Two years before the town was laid out, a postoffice was established, April
18, 1853, with B. F. Brown postmaster, who was followed in succession by Peter
R. Lilley, December 29, 1858; B. F. Brown, March 20, 1866; J. P. Boyd, August
14, 1866; H. C. Wright, May 25, 1868; William C. Smith, August 4, 1884; C. D.
Clark, December 15, 1884; J. W. Likens, January 28, 1885 ; B. R. Rankin, Novem-
ber 3, 1885 ; M. C. Lorimor, May 10, 1889; Mary E. Travis, April 26, 1890; J. W.
Keller, June 10, 1895; R. F. Bush, April 8, 1896; William L. Hiatt, April i,
1898; A. C. Turner, August 5, 1901. The office was discontinued with the estab-
lishment of the rural free delivery, August 21, 1903. Today there is no business
of any kind conducted in this village. Thus it has been demonstrated here, as in
many other places, that the railways have been the making and unmaking of many
a town.
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CHAPTER XX
SOME MADISON COUNTY MILLS
By H. A. Mueller
When the first settlers arrived here in 1846 they were many miles from
either a saw or grist mill and were compelled to go to Oskaloosa or Parmalee's
Mill in Warren County for com meal and flour, which at that time meant hard-
ships and many risks. The mills were very primitive, being built of logs, covered
with clapboards and floored with puncheons, but as the country began to settle
there at once sprung up a demand for saw and grist mills. This article will only
mention the mills run by water power, of which many were built in this county
but have long since passed away.
The first mill erected in the county was what was known as a corn cracker.
It was erected in 1848 by Hart & Hinkle on the present site of Buffalo Mill. It was
a rude affair, constructed of logs, and the dam was equally primitive, being made
of brush. The burrs were made from boulders. Although grinding was slow,
the service of this old mill in a measure met the demands of the settlers, especially
during the hard winter of 1848-9.
Some other mills were projected, as a clipping from the Iowa Star, published
at Des Moines, shows. The correspondent probably was A. D. Jones, and his
article reads as follows: "Winterset, April 30, 1850. There are already five mills
in process of erection in Madison County, one of which has commenced grinding
with one run of large burrs and is doing a good business. The proprietors are
Messrs. Simmons & Casebier, and anticipate their sawmill will be in active
operation some time during* the summer. This mill is situated on Middle River
about a half mile south of the county seat (Buffalo Mill).
"Mr. Jessup is building a grist, saw and carding mill on the stream about four
miles below (Weller Mill). Mr. Bertholf has his building and draw partly done
and will be able to grind and saw after harvest. This mill is also situated on
Middle River, about two and a half miles from town (Afton Bridge Mill). John
Hagy's sawmill would have been in full operation ere this had not sickness pre-
vented (smallpox broke out among the workmen in this mill that boarded at
Thornburgs). This mill is also situated on Middle River, about four miles from
Winterset (at Drake's Ford, Lincoln Township), and yet another is building on
North River, erected by William Combs, on section 12, Douglas Township. This
county is certainly a very desirable place for a few skilful millwrights, who could
undoubtedly obtain immediate employment."
Thus it is seen by the above that within four years from the first settlement
five mills were in process of building and about i860 many more were erected
along the streams, which today are all gone and there is scarcely a mark left
to show where once there was such busy life as usually existed in and about these
industrial concerns.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 151
REIGLE MILL
Briefly, the location of these mills, who built them and when they ceased to
be operated, will be mentioned. On North Branch of North River there was one
mill — a sash, or what is known as an "up and down" sawmill, built by Jacob
Riegle, about 1854-5. It was located on the northeast quarter of the southwest
quarter of section 35, Jefferson Township, and cost a considerable sum of money.
It did quite a bit of sawing but never proved a profitable investment. The mill
was last run by John Wiggins, about 1872. He also had attached a burr and
ground corn meal and feed. The structure was washed away about 1874.
DAVID KARROW MILL
On North River, the first one on the east was David Barrow's com mill, sit-
uated on the north half of the northeast quarter of section 2, Union Township.
There is no longer a stream here but a bayou just below a small bridge. In 1854
Mr. Barrows constructed a dam, put up a small shack and installed a run of
burrs. The power was obtained from water. This continued to furnish meal for
the neighborhood until about 1870.
SETH BARROW MILL
In 1877 Seth Barrow, son of David Barrow, built a water mill above the
Eli Cox bridge, on section 5, Union Township. He sold out to Alfred Brittain in
1879, who operated the mill until 1881, at which time the high water cut around
the dam, when the mill was abandoned.
COMBS MILL
The Combs mill, mentioned in the communication of Jones, was built by
William Combs in 1849-50, near the west line of section 13, Douglas Township.
This was an "up and down" sawmill and also com cracker. It was operated until
1857. when the dam was washed out by the flood of that year. Jonathan Myers,
son of Alexander Myers, was drowned below the old dam in 1853, while getting
a grist ground; he had gone in bathing. Parts of the mill stood until 1858, and
even later; some of the logs are to be seen today. The two burrs are in possession
of O. L. Evans.
SULGROVE MILL
The Sulgrove mill — a sash sawmill — was built in 1856, by the Sulgroves, on the
south side of the stream on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 9,
Douglas Township, above the present Sulgrove bridge. The mill was operated
until 1868, when the dam was washed away. The frame of the mill was torn
away in 1876 by the high waters.
wood's MILL
An "up and down" sawmill was built in the fall of 1851 by Gilbert D. Wood,
on North River, just below the mouth of the Howerton; that is to say, on section
17, Douglas Township. George B. Chase helped build this mill and operated it.
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152 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Wood & Chase made the wheel and Mr. Harlan built the frame work. The mill
was operated until 1854, when it was destroyed by fire.
HUGLIN MILL
Huglin's grist and sawmill stood on the south bank of the Middle River, about
the center of the southeast quarter of section 35, in Crawford Township. It was
built in 185 1 by John M. Johns and H. A. Bell. In 1852 John J. Bell and Abner
Bell, Jr., brothers, ran it two years. It was later owned by Abner Bell, Jr., and
George Jordan. Joachim Huglin bought it in 1866 and built the flouring mill,
which continued to run until torn down and moved away in 1879.
WELLER MILL
The Weller mill was a saw and grist mill, which was built by Solomon Jessup
in 1850, on jection 35, Union Township. It was owned and operated in turn by
Elisha Weller, Samuel Coltrane, Van Wiggins, A. F. Burger, James Cummins and
John Wiggins, until finally purchased by White & Munger. John B. Lamb
operated it until 1881, when the dam was washed away.
CAMPBELL MILL
Campbell mill, just above Holliwell bridge, was built in 1851 by Dan Camp-
bell and Jghn Daugherty. Abner Bell and Aaron McKinzie helped on its con-
struction. This was a sash sawmill and was purchased of the original owners
in 1855 by Alexander Atkinson, who sold it to Messrs. Moore & Young in 1857.
The purchasers were, respectively, uncle and father of ex-Recorder John T.
Young.
BUFFALO MILL
The "Buffalo" mill was closely connected with the early history of Madison
County. It was built by Hart & Hinkle as a com cracker. Later Simmons,
Casebier & Thdmbrugh built a sawmill on the west side of the stream in 185 1 ;
this was washed away. In 1851 William Compton bought the mill and to it added
a grist mill with two run of burrs. He also ran a sawmill, in which he installed
a carding machine. It finally became known as the Compton, or Buffalo mills,
receiving the latter name, so it is said, by reason of Mr. Compton always appearing
at his work enveloped in a buffalo overcoat.
Compton continued to run the Buffalo mill until 1874 and to him it was a
very profitable enterprise. People came for miles around to get their flour.
Sheds were built to accommodate the customers and their teams, for it was
necessary in those days for each settler to wait his turn to have his com ground.
The mill was sold to Vermillion & Kleatsch and in the storm of 1880 was almost
totally wrecked. C. D. Bevington bought Vermillion's interest and it was rebuilt.
Mr. Kleatsch then sold his interest to W. H. Lewis. Many improvements were
made to keep up with the times, but the investment proved a financial failure.
The mill was sold to Moorehead and J. S. W. Cole and was operated by Thomas
Pace. In 1886 the floods washed the dam away and the mill never again was
rebuilt. A part of the stmcjture is still standing.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 153
AFTON BRIDGE MILL
What is known as the Afton Bridge mill was built in 1850 by J. T. Bertholf.
It was a grist mill. Bertholf sold to Joseph Wright, who added to the industry
a sawmill. This property was located on the section line between sections 13 and
14, Lincoln Township, and just north of the present Afton bridge. The sawmill
was further down the river along a bayou, through which the mill race ran.
Mr. Tomlinson bought it later of Mr. Wright and operated it for sonte time.
DRAKE FORD MILL
The Brinson mill at Drake Ford was a water power mill, built in 1849, by
David Hagge. He boarded with Absalom Thomburg and took down with the
smallpox while building it, giving the disease to all the family except one son,
George. This was the first circular sawmill in the county and stood east of Drake
Ford bridge on section 15 east of the house now owned by J. E. Addy in Lincoln
Township. Mr. Hagge sold to Craig Gaines and Mike Danner in 1851. Later
Joseph Brinson, father of William Brinson, of Winterset, purchased it and
operated the mill until the dam washed out. Brinson then sold the property to
John Reed, who rebuilt the mill a short distance above and across Middle River,
put in burrs and ground both wheat and com, besides sawing lumber. The dam
washed out in 1864, which induced Reed to sell the machinery; the building
was torn down and moved away.
BACKBONE MILL
About the year 1859 John Harmon built what has since been known as the
Backbone mill. It was an "up and down" affair, and got its power from the river
by tunnelling a passage for the stream through the rock of the "backbone" to
the wheel. Harmon sold to W. L. Wilkin and R. D. Vermillion in 1867, who put
in a grist mill ; G. F. Kleatsch worked for them. This mill was run for several
years by various owners until 1882, when Henry Evans bought it and operated
it some time. The old mill has been lying idle the last fifteen years or more.
In the meantime part of the structure was torn down but some of it is still standing.
JAMES BERTHOLF MILL
There was an "up and down'* sawmill built in 1866 by James Bertholf. It
stood on the west side of Middle River, on the section line of sections 16 and 21,
Lincoln Township. The machinery was brought from Andrew Bertholf's mill
further up the river. Joseph Brinson bought the property in 1869, operated it a
few years and then sold out to Linsey Macumber, who ran it three years and
sold to Alex Macumber in 1872, who continued to operate it one year. The build-
ing was washed away in the floods of 1876 while owned by D. Philbrick.
ANDREW BERTHOLF MILL
Andrew H. Bertholf in 1854 built a sash sawmill, operated by water power,
just below the present Linsey Bertholf bridge and near the center of section
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154 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
17, Lincoln Township. This was run a few years; then the machinery was re-
moved in 1866 and installed in the James Bertholf mill further down the river.
HOCKENBERRY MILL
The Hockenberry mill was an "up and down" waterpower sawmill and was
built in 1855, in section 14, Webster Township, by M. C. Hockenberry and Paul
Denning, but was not completed until 1856. The builders operated it up to the
beginning of the Civil war, when Hockenberry sold his interest to Paul Denning,
who continued therein until he sold to William and Mart Shoefflen, in 1868, who in
turn sold to E. M. Roseman in 1870. Mr. Roseman operated the mill a few
years and then lost it by floods.
•
WEBSTER MILL
Charles Friend began the construction of a sawmill in 1854, M. C. Hocken-
berry doing the construction work. It was completed by B. F. McAfFerty and
Fred Mason, who had it in operation in 1856. They ran the mill about three
years, when Otho Davis got possession, and added a set of burrs and ground
com. Then in turn, as millers, came a Mr. Hoadley, Asbury Evans, Carl Sampson,
George McVey, Rufus UUery, Mr. Hohn, and finally Mr. "Rogers. No sawing had
been done for thirty years, and probably no grinding for fifteen years. About
1903, or 1904, the building was still standing on the bank of Middle River, south
of Webster, and about a quarter of a mile west of the public road running south
of town. It was at that time decaying rapidly and the river had washed around
the south end of the dam, leaving the mill on dry land. The machinery, however,
was still in the building and all it needed, so it seemed, was repairing. This
was the beginning of the last chapter in the history of the old Webster mill.
BARKER MILL
About 1853, or 1855, Samuel Barker built a sawmill on Grand River, on sec-
tion 17, Grand River Township, which afterwards became known as Barker's
mill. It was operated about ten years, part of this time by Dr. J. H. Mack. It
then .stood idle until about i860, when it became practically a ruin. About 1875
George Everett put up a small building, constructed a wooden wheel and in this
primitive mill ground com and chop feed. In 1877, Evan Doty and Captain Barker,
son of Samuel Barker, bought the property, put in a thirty-six-inch Leffler turbine
wheel and erected a new building. Here quite a milling business was conducted
by the persons just named until 1889, when Alvin Griswold purchased the mill
and in 1892 attached a circular saw and manufactured lumber. This mill was
torn down a few years ago, and was the last water power mill run in Madison
County.
HIATT & BROWN MILL
The Hiatt & Brown mill, in Walnut Township, was constructed in the fall of
1852 by Aaron Hiatt and B. F. Brown. It was a sawmill, operated by water
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BACKBONE MILL, LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
Devil's Back Bone in rear, with tunnel underneath, which was dug by
John Harmon and his three sons. It was completed in 1859. The mill was
first used to saw lumber and later as a gristmill, which was operated until
1904 when it was abandoned, and a few years ago was torn down. Henry
Evans was the last owner and operator.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 155
power, and stood on Clanton Creek, in section ii, about a half mile southeast of
East Peru. The mill was completed in the summer of 1853 ^"^ was put together
by F. S. J. Garroutte, of Winterset, later of Adel. All was in running order by
the spring of 1854, when the wheel was found deficient, so a Johnston wheel was
put in. This mill was owned and operated by Hiatt & Brown until about 1856,
when Aaron Hiatt sold his interest to Elijah Hiatt, late of Truro, and father
of Surveyor E. E. Hiatt. About i860 ^iatt sold his interest to John Steel and
later bought B. F. Brown's interest, which he sold to Benjamin Reed about the
close of the war. About the year 1868 the mill was washed away by high waters.
HARTMAN MILL
Hartman & Downs' mill, west of Hanley, was begun in the year 1851 as an
"up and down" affair, completed in 1853 ^"^ operated until some time during the
sixties, when Dr. William Anderson, father of H. P. and E. K. Anderson, and
an old practicing physician, bought, controlled and operated it until about 1869,
at which time Elijah Collins bought a half interest in the enterprise. During
the summer of 1871 the firm of Anderson & Collins rebuilt and improved the mill
and was ready for operations in 1872, when M. I. Bean and E. Collins managed
the business. In 1873 M. I. Bean purchased Collins' interest and continued to
run the mill until 1876, when high water took out the dam. The property was
then sold to R. A. Howard and his father, who built a new dam, but the Hoods
again came and washed out the improvements, so the mill was abandoned in 1877.
The site of Hartman & Downs' mill is a short distance west from Clanton Creek,
and east of Bridgeport school house.
PHIPPS MILL
What was known as the Phipps mill was built in 1866 by James Phipps,
further up Clanton Creek, on section 2^, on land now owned by S. T. Johnston.
The mill was completed in 1867 and subsequently Phipps sold half of his interest
to Isaac Allen, and the balance to William Allcock later. About 1873 the new
firm sold to R. M. J. Collins, who was proprietor of the mill until 1876, when
the high waters destroyed it.
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CHAPTER XXI
THE SIMPLE LIFE
By A. J. Hoisington
LCM3 HOUSES
The natural resources of new countries provide liberally all the necessities for
human existence, until such time as the pioneer may acquire, if diligent, a more
reliable and convenient supply, better adapted to his previous habits and customs.
The Indian was not destructive during his occupancy of the country and left
for the \^itt man's use all the wealth of game and forest and soil, just as he had
received it from Nature's bountiful hand. Thus, the pioneer settlers found in
great affluence wild game and fish, the sweets of the bee and maple, and material
for the building of the home.
If the settler came during the spring or planting season of the year, usually
his first employment was in planting such crops for which he was able to prepare
the ground and then came the building of a log house ; meanwhile, "camping out"
in the wagon or in a tent, for all were prepared for outdoor living. If he arrived
at other than the spring time, house building was first in order of importance.
The pioneer always settled either in a forest, or on the prairie border of one,
but in the latter case a little way in the timber. And, if he was early enough
to have choice of location, he selected a site facing the prairie to the south or
east. In nearly every case the settler had been bom, raised and always lived
in a heavily timbered country. But he found here far more prairie than timber
and, instinctively, he seemed to know that, soon or late, he must use the prairie
largely for farming operations. Thus, most of the early settlers sought to include
in their "claims'' a piece of adjacent prairie land.
The settlers of 1846-7-8-9 and 1850, without an exception, save that of Judge
Pitzer, who built and lived in the first frame house in the county (in VVinterset),
built and dwelled in log houses. These structures were of three general styles —
of round or unhewn logs, hewn logs or built of "poles." Where the settler had
time and help sufficient, he hewed the logs in the timber, where the trees were
felled, and hauled or dragged them to the site of the house. Enough men were
then notified on a certain day he would have a "house raising." It was considered
that twenty men were necessary to quickly and safely "raise" a house. It was
universally the rule that a notification of a "raising" was a "draft" on the services
of the man notified for that whole day. He was not invited, requested, or even
asked to attend ; he was simply notified. Of course, there might be some prior
engagement that would prevent the "notified" person from being present and,
for this reason, upon notification he was asked but one question: "Can you go?"
During the first year or two so thin were the settlements that sometimes "drafted"
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 157
neighbors would have to go from eight to fifteen miles. The earliest settlers,
along Jones Creek and Upper Clanton, came northward to Middle River for help
and the pioneers of Webster and Jackson depended on the Winterset neigh-
borhood.
As the "raisings'* began early in the morning, so as to be sure of a finish by
night, those from a distance must start before breakfast time at home. But
as no breakfast was served at the "raising'' they must hustle out early. Some
sort of a dinner, served in some sort of a manner — the best the newcomers could
possibly do under the circumstances — came at noon. As a rule no supper was
served and none expected. Of course no pay for the day's work was given or
would have been accepted if offered. It was a duty each settler owed the new-
comer in return for like service rendered him when he came to the country.
The early settlers of this county were largely teetotalers, or very moderate
users of intoxicants, and, therefore, it was the exception when whisky was fur-
nished at these "raisings." When offered at all to those who chose to drink,
moderation was the rule, since to take too much was dangerous to the others.
The **raising" of a log house included the carrying up of the four sides, the
gable end logs; proper placing of the cross poles, or logs which held the gable
end logs in place, and to which the clapboards would be nailed or weighted down
by poles, and such sills for the floor to rest upon as the owner chose. The door
and window places and fire place were left for the owner to cut or saw out as
he chose and the roof and floor he could add at his convenience.
The "raising" of an unhewn log house was in the same manner. Generally,
the owner would later employ an expert to hew the logs in the wall. Good hewers
were rather scarce and if the owner could not hew, he had to build his house with
the crude logs and hire a hewer when he could. Good hewers commanded higher
wages than common woodsmen, and for hewing logs in the wall a still higher
price was demanded,. it being more difficult and slower work ; besides, the logs when
left for some time became more or less seasoned and consequently tougher.
A *'pole" house was built of very large and straight poles, or small logs,
never hewn, and otherwise built as regular log houses. Comparatively few were
erected and they were far from desirable. They were intended but for temporary
use as a habitation and eventually were turned into use as stables.
Log houses cost little except in labor and often were completed without the
expenditure of a cent. Nothing was bought — not even a nail, a window glass
or a door hinge. In such case the roof was of clapboards, weighted down by
large poles, laid from end to end of the roof across the lower end of each tier
of boards ; the windows were of light colored paper, well oiled or greased ; the
doors were "batten" ones, made of puncheon or clapboards, fastened together
by wooden pins, and hung by wooden hinges. The fastening consisted of a wooden
latch.
The old southern style of building two separate log houses, each complete and
independent of the other, end towards end, and located from ten to sixteen feet
apart, was sometimes adopted here. This design came in about 1 850-1 and was
followed until about 1854. It was the period between the old style single log
cabin, and the frame building era, that began in great earnest in 1855, when saw-
mills became numerous. Upon the twin log houses, a chimney was built at the
extreme ends of each compartment, the space between being boarded and a passage
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158 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
way from house to house made by cutting a door through the middle of the adja-
cent ends of the two log houses or compartments. This made lots of room. Some-
times, from end to end on the front side of the building a covered porch was
extended, usually with a small summer kitchen or a **spare'' bedroom at one end.
BREAKING OUT A FARM .
The early settlers found the prairies covered by grasses that grew tall and
coarse and rank, some kinds growing taller than a man. Some seasons the "blue
joint" grew as tall as a man's head on horseback. The grass roots were large,
coarse and matted the ground so closely that in places in the sloughs near the
surface there were more roots than earth. Such places could not be broken
by any plow the first settlers had.
The very early settlers did not come prepared with plows and teams strong
enough to break either the heavier prairie lands or the brush. Indeed, suitable
plows were not then made in this region, nor until about 1850 did makers of
plows begin to build them strong enough for such work. For several years after
settlement began only the easily plowed pieces were brought under cultivation.
In those days all kinds of plows were made at individual shops and wholly by
hand. If a farmer needed any kind of a plow, he went to his favorite blacksmith
and gave his order, to be filled when his turn came. But every blacksmith was
not a plow maker.
Thus, for three or four years the little fields of the settlers were mostly along
the edges of the timber, where some trees could be deadened and later removed
as they decayed, or there came leisure time to cut them down and burn them.
And then close along the timber line, the grass sod was easier to break. It should
be remembered that at first there was but very little or no brush — it was either
timber or prairie — because the great, sweeping prairie fires kept down all kinds
of undergrowth.
The earlier settlers brought few horses or cattle, which led them to adopt
the custom of "splicing" their team forces when breaking land. A little later
on "breaking" became a business quite exclusively its own. Plowing had to be
done at a certain season of the year, between May 20 and about July i, while the
grass and brush grew most vigorously. As this was also the cultivating season
of the year and com was the leading crop, a farmer could not both break and
cultivate the same season. So that one or two men would rig up a suitable break-
ing plow and with plenty of teams (always oxen), make contracts with those
in the neighborhood wanting breaking done and continue the work during the
breaking season. The price for breaking until 1870, when the custom mostly
ceased, was around $3 per acre, for prairie land, and $4 to $5 for brush. Horses
and mules were seldom used, and never on brush land, because they were too fast
in their movements and not steady enough. Oxen were slow, steady going animals,
stepping no faster when the draught was easy than when it was heavy. However,
considerable of the prairie divide lands, the last broken in the county during the
early '70s, were broken by horses and mules, because clear prairie and the sod
had become much easier broken by long pasturage.
The breaking plow of the period from 1850 to 1870 was made about as follows :
The plowshare was 'of sufficient size to cut from 18 to 30 inches, according to
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 159
the strength of the team. Some moldboards were fashioned to deliver the sod
smooth in the furrows and others to deliver it "kinked"; that is, throw the sod
so the farther edge fell unevenly or kinky. It was claimed for the latter method
that the sod would rot better and quicker. The quality of the team often depended
upon the financial ability of the breaker but always on the kind of sod or brush
land to be turned over. There were two "shares." One would last without sharp-
ening about two days, unless there were rocks, gravel or extra hard roots, or the
ground was too dry, when the "share" required sharpening daily. A fair day's
breaking was from two to three acres. Two strong men were necessary, one to
handle the plow and the other to drive the team. The latter wielded a big, kmg
whip, the whip stock, usually hickory, being from six to ten feet long. The lash
was of heavy braided leather and from ten to fifteen feet long, finished with a
long buckskin "cracker." •
The plow was strongly and heavily made in all its parts. Being much too
heavy for a man to guide, a strong two-wheeled truck was attached, two or three
feet back of the front end of the great long plow, which supported and steadied
the beam. To guide the "share" into or out of the ground and regulate the depth,
a strong lever was attached near the forward end of the plow beam, extending
back over the trucks, where it was supported by a frame, and directly over the
beam back to a little past the moldboard, easy of reach by the plowman, there
being an upright piece of timber, fastened to the beam about half way between
the point of the "share" and the moldboard extending upward about four feet.
Through this upright were bored inch holes, about four inches apart. This upright
passed through a mortise in the lever, or an iron strap attached to the lever. A
wooden or iron pin held the lever in place.
■ Attached to the beam, close to the point of the ."share," was the cutter,
for many years always a heavy bar of steel, sharpened on the front edge. This
kind was used up to the very last, in brush land, or where there was rock or
much "red root." But in the later years, when smooth prairie was broken, th^
rolling style of cutter was generally used. It was like the modem disc, but
without the bevel.
To the front end of the plow beam was attached a great clevis, such an aflfair
as young men seldom or never see nowadays. Common log chains were generally
used, extending from ox yoke to ox yoke. For a i6-inch plow, three yoke of
oxen were usually required; for a larger plow, of course, more were necessary,
or if the brush was too heavy. A 24-inch plow was about the limit in size and this
required six or seven yoke of good oxen. Farmers preferred furrows, on brush
land, from eighteen to twenty inches wide, and on prairie, sixteen inches. The
writer never has heard of a man driving a breaking team of oxen through a season
without having exploded volumes of profanity. In all polite and religious circles
of that period it was expected and excused.
PIONEER BEDSTEADS
During the first few years very few bedsteads were brought from former
homes by the settlers. As soon as the log cabin was covered two 2-inch auger
holes were bored into the logs, the proper distance from one comer for the
length and breadth of the bed, a round or squared post for the other comer
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160 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
support prepared, into which like holes were bored ; round poles were fitted into
these holes for bed railings — and the bedstead was completed. Bed ropes were
always brought along. Sometimes pole cross-pieces were fastened to the logs
or wooden pins along the logs, to which was fastened the inside section of the
bed rope, and thus was made ready for the bed clothes. To economize space,
trundle beds were made to fit under each bed of standard height. These were
for the children, but often were used by "grown-ups."
In those primitive days nearly every family kept a flock of geese. The very
early settlers usually brought along a pair of geese, sometimes more, which
traveled along with the cattle and sheep while moving. These furnished feathers
for beds and the woman who could boast of the largest number of feather beds
stood supreme among the women of the neighborhood. A. J. Hoisington says
he heard his mother, as late as 1859, ^^^ a neighbor woman one day talking
feather beds and then he learned that Mrs. Brown, who lived in JeflFerson Town-
ship, on section 36, and was a member of the pibneer family of that community,
had sixteen feather beds. Each woman, characteristically, excused herself by
saying, *'Mrs. Brown had every chance, since she lived on the banks of North
River, where it was no trouble to raise geese/' Every family who could afford
them slept in winter between two feather beds. To say of a family, "Why, they
haven't a feather bed in the house?" was to express the direst poverty of their
condition. Until comparatively late years if the parents failed to give a newly
married daughter a good feather bed it became the talk of the neighborhood.
During the first fifteen years nearly every family kept some sheep and thus
woolen bed clothes were abundant. With a plentiful combination of feathers
and wool on a bed in those days one never thought of the homely style of the
bedstead.
WHEN THE STOVE CAME
Probably neither a heating nor cooking stove was in Madison County until
1850. At that time the stove was not in common use in the eastern and more
settled sections of the country, outside of towns and cities. The price of stoves
was relatively high and the plan on which they were built was the simplest imag-
inable. The old time box heating stove was a rectangular iron box, with a door
in the front end, within an inch as wide and high as the whole end, and had a
small hearth with a slide cover. Through the top, as near as possible to the rear
end, was a hole over which rested the stovepipe; the top had no other opening.
The stove was supported by four heavy, detachable, feet or legs. Cookstoves
were not large, but very heavy, and all were made of cast iron. They had narrow
hearths, with sliding cover and shallow ash pit. The fire box was without grating ;
it had a door at one end nearly the size of the fire box. Next back of the fire
box and extending a foot below was the oven, the bottom portion of which
extended under the fire box. The oven had a shelf midway of the top and
bottom. Between the top of the stove and top of oven was a space of some
two inches, which exposed the top of the oven to the heat and besides allowed
the smoke to pass on to the opening for the stovepipe. The stovepipe hole was
in the center of the stove on its top. Across the width of the stove, in front of
and next to the stovepipe hole, was a sliding damper. When the damper was
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 161
open the smoke and heat went direct to the pipe; when closed, the smoke and
heat were thrown down a vacuum, back of the oven, and then the smoke passed
back and up the chimney, thus increasing the heat at the back end of the oven and
lessening the draft up the chimney.
In 1855 a cook stove cost from $40 to $80 at Mississippi River towns. Very
few heating stoves were sold at that time, the price ranging from $20 up, according
to size.
William Compton brought the first large heating stove to Winterset in 1850,
which was set up in his store room. In the fall of 1851 he sold it to the old
Guiberson school district in Union Township. It was two feet high, three feet
wide and four and a half feet long. It probably was the largest stove ever in
use in the county.
John A. Pitzer brought the first cook stove when he moved to Winterset in
1850. Slowly other stoves, both for cooking and heating, were brought into
the county and by 1855 became comparatively of common use.
SHOE MAKERS AND REPAIRERS
The boots worn by the early settlers were coarsely made. Women's shoes
were of much the same rude material Indeed, women and g^rls often wore
men's boots, especially in snowy and muddy weather. The foot wear was bought
ready made at the stores and seldom were mended, but worn as long as they
held together. Women and children usually went "barefoot" from early spring
to late in the fall. Men also followed this practice in the season of the year
when their work admitted it. Men, women and children roamed over the prairie,
through brush and timber, in their bare feet when it seemed impossible for human
endurance, and many women and children, whose work did not require protracted
hours in the cold and snow, wore no shoes during the winter, substituting for
them home made moccasins fashioned out of remnants of woolen clothes. Cash
was always required to buy boots and shoes, and that was generally scarce and
often impossible to obtain. A pair of boots or shoes was the limit of affluence
for nearly all persons in the county. Going "barefoot" was necessary, if not
popular. There was no caste or exclusiveness in the pioneer days of Madison
County and necessity established customs. So that when one neighbor tried to
"lord it over" another, means were at hand to discipline the culprit. Often even
large girls were laughed out of wearing shoes at summer school. The "barefoot"
scholars set the "pace" and insisted on it being observed by all. It was common,
during the 'sos, to see women and men at religious meetings in their bare feet.
This all seems strange to us nowadays ; but necessary economy in all things then
required sacrifices of this character.
In most country neighborhoods there was some one who mended boots and
shoes — cobblers they were called. Once in a while a farmer, who mayhap had
worked in an eastern tannery, would make a try at tanning a few hides at home
for himself and neighbors. The leather turned out proved of inferior quality,
but as it cost nothing but labor to produce and the raw hides were cheap, the
stuff answered many purposes.
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162 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
EARLY TIME BLACKSMITHS
The first blacksmith in the county was Ephraim Bilderback, who settled in
1846 near the center of Scott Township, bringing with him a small supply of tools,
besides a bellows and anvil. He was appointed the organizing sheriff and was
elected first sheriff of Madison County. There was, of course, very little black-
smith work to do in 1846, that being the year in which the first settlements of the
county were made. Later, he did not care to work much in his smithy and before
he left, in the early '50s, abandoned the bellows and anvil entirely.
In 1850, the year following the location of Winterset, blacksmiths opened
up in town, doing the work for the county several years, after which, owing
to the largely increased population and greater demand for work, neighborhood
shops opened in distant portions of the county. By 1856 there were several shops
in and outside of Winterset.
Before 1865 the blacksmith made everything required by his customers, out of
bar iron or steel ; horse shoes and nails were pounded out by hand. Until about
i860 charcoal alone was used by the smiths in this county.
CARPENTERS AND JOINERS
At the first and until sawmills began to cut the native timber into lumber, about
1850, there was no employment for mechanics in wood work. Buildings were
all of logs and the finishing of them was of the rudest kind. The pioneers were,
with rare exceptions, all farmers, and the exceptions readily adapted themselves
to that industry.
As sawmills increased and people began to use the lumber for houses and
other purposes, workmen in wood appeared. Some were carpenters, who could
build a house but were unable to put in doors, windows or do the finer work
inside or outside; this class of work belonged to "joiners" and there were many
more carpenters than joiners. Ready made doors or windows were not in the
market, so that all had to be made by the hand of some local joiner out of native
lumber. Unless a carpenter and joiner had the contract, a carpenter would do
the rough work and the joiner finished the job ready for the plasterers. During
the middle '60s ready-made doors and windows came on the market at Des Moines
and a few years later were on sale in smaller towns. This nearly ended the trade
of joiners and since then the carpenter and joiner, as such, rarely has been
h^ard of.
HARVESTING WILD HAY
Prairie grass was the only kind of stock feed, except grain, for about twenty
years after the county was settled. Until the advent of mowing machines, near
the middle '60s, the grass was cut with a scythe. This was a slow process, but
generally the grass was heavy on the bottom lands and in the prairie sloughs.
Until about i860 the upland grass was not mown, although it was a finer quality
for hay than bottom or slough grass. It cut much less to the acre and was
neglected until the quantity on the bottom lands, and increased number of stock,
made the use of it necessary.
It is very often the case that the over-abundance of a supply in its raw state
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 163
results in great scarcity in its prepared state, through negligence to prepare and
wastefulness after preparation. Thus with a wilderness of prairie grass it was
often that in the spring hay was scarce and very high in price. Occasionally,
a considerable migration through the county or influx of settlers would cause
scarcity and high prices. If either of these came in the spring, when otherwise
there was a shortness of supply, woe unto the man who had to buy, if he had the
money, or pity for his stock if he had not! In the spring of 1850-1, during the
California travel through the county, wild hay sold as high as $40 and $50 per
ton, and many were unable to purchase at any price. Settlers hauled hay as far
as a day's travel one way to the roads over which the caravans were passing, went
into camp and sold out their hay as they could, and then returned home feeling
highly remunerated for their time. In selling hay those days, if the whole load
was not '^lumped off/' it would be disposed of by the armful, or the seller would
size up the physical ability of the buyer to carry hay, and then offer him as much
as he could carry in his arms for so much. A man can never properly estimate
the amount of hay he can carry until he has some experience in thus measuring
hay at the rate of $50 a ton.
At the period of this great scarcity and demand, and at some later and similar
periods, settlers mowed the previous year's grass, mixed it with the new hay,
and sold it. Rank fraud and swindle as it was, often the buyer had to take it
that way or go without hay for his hungry team. Some twenty years later, a
very elderly and pious farmer, then in this county and well off, at least in this
world's goods, bragged to a neighbor, pointing to a fine eighty acres of well culti-
vated land he owned, that he entered it all with money obtained by selling Cali-
fomians "last year's" grass, cut in the spring and mixed with good hay. He even
set up justification for his reprehensible acts, repeating the same old argument:
"Others were doing likewise. I may as well have their money as the other
fellow."
It is remembered that in March, 1859, even poor prairie hay sold at $20
per ton and some people hauled it several miles besides. This, notwithstanding
prairie grass was unusually abundant the year before. Two or three times, in
the last thirty years, tame hay and clover have reached tall figures, to be sure,
but the product did not grow wild, and without limit, on almost (at that time)
valueless land.
Wild hay was put up in this manner : The grass was mown with a scythe, left
two or three days in the swath to cure, forked into small piles, and when abun-
dantly dried, hauled home and stacked. Often times the mown hay was raked
together and then pitched into piles. However, danger from prairie fires and
theft generally prevented stacking where cut. Grass that would not make from
three to five tons per acre was not considered worth cutting during the first
ten or fifteen years.
I
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
Preparations for the burial of the dead in the very early days were simple
and cheap. At first there were no sawmills for the making of lumber and none
was brought by the immigrants. On rare occasions some one had a whip saw,
with which to make a few rough boards. Up to the time when small water-power
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164 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
sawmills began to turn out rough boards, coffins were made out of such crude
material. Sometimes, for small children or infants, coffins were made of the
bark of trees, by one who understood the business, and were rather neat affairs.
Sometimes **puncheon'' boards, made by splitting straight-grained logs into strips
as thin as possible and then hewing them smooth, were good material for the
purpose. Occasionally, a portion of a wagon box was cut up and used, or a box
in which articles were packed by the family and brought into the country. In
a few cases, willows were woven into basket form, with a lid, and used for small
children. It is known that in two or three cases, the children being quite small,
two suitably sized logs, cut to proper length, were hollowed out, like large maple
sap troughs, in which a body was laid in one and covered by the other. Auger
holes were bored through each end of the two troughs and wooden pins inserted,
thus securely binding together the two portions of the rude but substantial
casket.
By 1850 the local lumber supply began to furnish material for coffins and
there were carpenters enough in the country to make them. In every considerable
community there was at least one carpenter, who made a specialty of supplying
coffins for that neighborhood, always keeping on hand seasoned black walnut
lumber for the emergency. In case of a death, the deceased was measured and
an order sent to the favorite carpenter and it was the unwritten law that the
carpenter, upon receiving an order for a coffin, should drop any work he had
on hand, except it was a similar one, and forthwith finish the order, which
usually required one day. The body of a deceased person, as a rule, was kept
over one whole day and buried the next. If the day following the death happened
to be a Sunday, the carpenter made the coffin on that day, regardless of the artisan's
religious convictions relative to working on the Sabbath. In such cases, making a
coffin was not considered as labor, but as a Christian duty due from any neighbor
in assisting in the burial of the dead. After 1850, and for several years, the usual
charge for making a coffin ranged from nothing up to an exchange of work,
**time for time,*' the family of the deceased, in the same manner, paying for the
lumber, and sometimes furnishing it. In Winterset, professional coffin makers
charged from $2 to $5, according to the size and style of finish. In these primitive
(times now in mind, there were no extras to a coffin. The wood work and (later)
screws were all. At the very first, when lumber began to be plentiful, many coffins
were plain boxes, the same size from end to end. Soon afterward, however, they
were all made about in the proportion of two thirds the width of the body for the
head and one-half the body for the feet; no handles were attached. The top
was all of one piece, which was nailed to the receptacle at the beginning, but later
screws were used. The top, usually, was not nailed or screwed down until the
last thing before lowering the coffin into the grave. At the bottom of the grave
a deeper depth was dug, in size just long and wide and deep enough to hold the
;Coffin. Then over it a single layer of rough boards was placed crosswise the
length of the grave. Upon the death of a person, one or two neighbors were
asked to dig the grave, the person representing the family having already selected
the place in the burial ground. No charge was made for the work and after the
body was lowered into place, volunteers remained to refill the grave.
Usually some kind of brief religious services were conducted in connection
with the burial proceedings, by a preacher, if one was convenient, or by some
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 165
elderly person of the neighborhood of kindly and religious bent. As for several
years there were very few public places for gatherings, and at first none at all,
funerals were held direct from the late home of the deceased to the burying ground.
A prayer and a hymn or two at the house, a procession of neighbors in wagons
or on horseback to the grave, a similar short service at the grave, and the cere-
monies were at an end. It was customary, even among non-religious families,
to arrange with a minister to preach the funeral sermon at a later date. Because
of the scarcity of ordained preachers and their prior engagements, sometimes
these funeral sermons were not delivered for weeks or even months, and in rare
cases over a year might elapse between the funeral and the sermon.
In nearly every instance the body of the deceased was kept one whole day
and two nights. Watchers for the night were arranged by the neighbors. During
the very early years, generally, families were quite a distance from each other,
and often couriers had to be sent to inform them of a death. Assistance, if
needed, was plainly asked and always promptly given. Even if neighbors were
not on friendly terms there was not the least hesitancy about asking for or
receiving assistance in case of a death, no matter when they had ceased to be on
speaking terms. The occasion of a death often restored friendly relations between
neighbors. In those times two of the watchers always remained close to the
deceased, one at each end of the casket. This close watch was for the double
purpose of protecting the body from attack by rodents, or other enemies, and to
detect any sign of life, but the custom has long since disappeared from this section
of the country.
PRAIRIE FIRES
The prairie settlers were in great danger of prairie fires, between the time
the frost killed the grass in the fall and the coming of the snows of winter, and
from the going of the snows toward spring and the growth of new grass. The
grass grew generally from two to eight or ten feet high and very thick on the
ground. The settlers were confined to the timber belts along the streams and
their little fields furnished but little if any obstruction to a big prairie fire. At
first, there was little or no brush and a belt of timber, unless of much width, would
not stop it. With a high wind a prairie fire would advance at a speed now
unbelievable, in most cases almost as rapid as the wind, because the wind would
carry sparks and blades of burning grass through the air, igniting the grass
long distances ahead of the body of the conflagration, thus continually starting
new fires ahead. On an open prairie, before a high wind, no horse could run
fast enough to keep up with it. Such rapidly moving fires, however, were only
occasional.
Early in the fall it was the supreme but oft neglected duty of a settler to bum
wide fire guards around the exposed sides of his improvements. These guards
were made by first plowing three or four furrows next to the improvements,
and another set of furrows several rods on the prairie side. Sometimes the
latter furrows were not plowed. Then the first very calm spell that came the
whole family, if large, or two or three neighbors, were called on, and the grass
outside the inner furrows was set on fire in one place, close to the inner furrows,
if no outside furrows were plowed, or if plowed the fire was set further out.
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166 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Each person was supplied with hazel, willow or other small bundles of switches,
easy to wield with the two hands. One person would extend the firing line slowly
and cautiously, because the wind might prove treacherous and blow quite sud-
denly from any direction. When the fire had burned back far enough, it was
whipped out with the switches. And thus the work proceeded until the fire guard
was finished. Usually, burning fire guards was done some windless evening
and often lasted imtil far into the night.
Besides accidents caused by a sudden rising of the wind, or n^ligence in
whipping out the last spark, once in a while inexperienced settlers would attempt
the work alone. Soon after David Cracraft, of Union, a large wheat grower
and flouring mill man of his period, came here in 1847 he put up a large amount
of fine hay, which was exposed to prairie fires. He plowed, a fire guard around
the stacks and had sent for some neighbors to help bum a strip outside the plowed
ground. As was his custom, he got in a hurry, and started a fire at a considerable
distance back from the plowed furrow, while a light breeze was blowing toward
the hay stacks. As the fire increased in volume, the wind increased in force,
as always it does around a prairie fire, and when the blaze reached the furrows,
sparks blew across and ignited the hay stacks ; Cracraf t's neighbors arrived in
time to see them all bum. He was a tenderfoot on the prairie but leamed his
lesson well. He had a lot of stock and was compelled to buy hay until grass
time.
In spite of all preparations against prairie fires quite occasionally the guards
would be jumped by sparks of flying leaves, grass, or rolling, tumbling weeds.
Tumbling weeds were greatly in evidence in those days and were the cause of
great danger in times of fire. They grew to great size, several feet in diameter.
Before a high wind they would roll many miles, or until they reached timber
or some obstruction like a fence. In case of a prairie fire they carried flame a
long distance over burned or plowed ground.
Among the great fires in the county was one that came down Coon divide
from the northwest about the year 1850. The wind, shifting more northerly
as it approached Lee Township, jumped North River at several points between the
four comers of Jefferson, Lee, Union and Crawford townships and the mouth
of Cedar, burned over the divide to Cedar, jumped that stream and made its
way clear to the banks of Middle River in Crawford Township. It swept Coon
divide far down toward the Des Moines River and did much destruction to
fences, even on Middle River.
These fires were constantly a menace to improvements — until the early '60s —
along the divide south of Middle River, along both sides of Grand River, along
the divide between North and Middle rivers and all along Coon divide. The
danger rapidly decreased as the prairies began to settle up.
CALIFORNIA TRAILS
The California travel across this county was along four routes or roads during
the years 1849, 1850, 1851 and 1852. The route more largely followed was then
known as the "North Fort Des Moines road," being the one staked out by the
Guyes and their companions while on their way to Des Moines to vote in August,
1846, elsewhere described; and later a portion of the state road from Des Moines
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 167
to Indiantown in Cass County. This road was followed up to section i6 in Union
Township, thence westerly along the dividing ridge of Cedar and North River
into Douglas and on to the western portion of the county, where it joined the
route west from Winterset in Jackson Township. This route was selected by
one Clark of Council Bluffs, who, early in 1849, had passed along posting printed
notices giving the advantages of this route, directions to follow and special
places where hay and com were in supply. The next important route followed,
entered the county a mile northeast of where St. Charles now stands, passed
Joel Clanton's house, crossed the early time ford above the present Clanton
bridge, westerly along the old time road on "Hoosier prairie" to old "Buffalo
Mills" on Middle River, and up the hollow to Winterset. As to the latter place,
there usually was abundant feed for sale. The third route in importance was the
dividing ridge road between Middle River on the south side and North River
and Cedar on the north side to Winterset, at which point it united with the In-
dianola and Knoxville road, continuing westerly along the crest of the divide to
Middle River, crossing in Adair County. The fourth barely touched this county
along its north line, following the Coon on the south side and on westward,
passing around the head of North Branch in Penn Township. There was less
feed supply along this route and less water and timber. Thus it was not a
favorite route, although a few miles shorter than its competitors. After leaving
Madison County the feed supply was slim until the traveler reached Council
Bluffs. But as the wagon trains outfitted and started on their way at such time
in the spring as to reach this portion of the journey about the time grass was big
enough to satisfy the trains, no dry feed was necessary beyond.
People nowadays can have little idea of the magnitude of the overland travel
in the years of the gold excitement. Along in the middle of May to the first of
June hundreds of teams, usually drawn by two, three or four yoke of oxen each
spring passed along this way bound for the land of gold. In 1850, in one day
during the latter part of May, 105 wagons passed through Winterset. Often
at the Middle River crossing near the west of the county, over two hundred teams
were in camp at one time. The price of com in 1849 ^"^ 1850 was frequently $2
a busjiel, and while sometimes it was less, at other times it was whatever the
seller chose to ask. Hay sometimes reached as high as $50 per ton. The first
two years, however, $20 may be considered to have been an average price.
Farmers hauled their surplus corn and hay for miles to the roads where they
waited for the expected trains of emigrants. If the trains had been fortunate
in laying in a supply on the way the leaders had the best of the situation and
"jewed" the farmers down to a reasonable price; if not supplied, the farmers'
prices for forage were set to fit the emergency.
This California travel afforded the only market, and a remunerative market,
to the farmers during those years. And the best of it was that it gave them gold
and silver, the only kind of money the Government would accept for entry of
lands.
HORSEBACK RIDING
During the first twenty years of the settlement of the county, country people
and most of those even in town moved about in one of three ways — in wagons, on
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168 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
horseback, or on foot. If a man and his family were going to meeting, to town
or elsewhere, he hitched up a team of horses, if he had one, or else his yoke of
oxen. As late as i860 there have been counted the teams driven to a religious
meeting, and oxen were in the majority. Up to i860, perhaps, there were but three
family carriages in the whole county, outside of Winterset, and very few there.
Buggies were unknown in the country for use.
During that period with country people the most genteel way of moving
around was on horseback. Of course the horses were what are now called ^*plugs,''
and worked in harness most of the time. Nor were saddles to be found at every
house. Probably not a third of the farmers owned a saddle until after i860.
But nearly every farmer owned at least one horse — about nine out of ten.
Riding bareback was so common that one with a saddle was apt to be particularly
noticed, that is the saddle was. And if a man got a new saddle it was the talk
of the neighborhood and the owner became the cynosure of all eyes; and these
were some of the questions put to him: "What did you have to pay for it?"
"Where did you get it?" "Does it ride easy?" "Can I use it one day next week
to try it, since I have been thinking of buying one myself ?" and a score of other
excited and anxious queries. Borrowing saddles was a great custom and cases
have been known where a man would walk two miles to borrow a saddle, and
carry the saddle home on his back, so he might, for the pride of riding in the
"thingumbob," make a horseback trip of but three miles to meeting. Generally
the temptation in such cases to fib about the ownership was not overcome by the
preacher's sermon. Usually, the borrower modified the statement by saying he
was "on a trade" for it and was trying it.
The great ambition of every young woman was to own a side-saddle. Com-
monly, they rode bareback and were experts. One with a new side-saddle rode
as in a balloon. The difference was observable between the girls who had a new
one and she who rode her mother's old saddle — the one with a new saddle care-
fully displayed all of it she could, while the one using her mother's old one was
equally as careful to conceal the trapping with her riding skirts. For a ragged
and faded old side-saddle was far from a thing of beauty.
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CHAPTER XXII
TRANSPORTATION
EARLY ROADS IN MADISON COUNTY ^
By A. J. Hoisington
The first road petition was considered by the Commissioners' Court of Mad-
ison County, October 2, 1849, 2i"d the following order made:
"That the petition of Enos Berger and others for a road commencing at the
north end of Front street (street next east of the square) in the Town of Win-
terset, in Madison County, to run thence on the nearest and best route to the east
line of said county in the direction of Fort Des Moines be granted and the fol-
lowing gentlemen be appointed viewers : Silas Bams, Esq., Isaac Clanton, John
Willdnson, and that A. D. Jones be appointed surveyor on said road. Road
bond of A. D. Jones and S. B. Casebier filed previous the granting of said petition.
And that said viewers and surveyor shall meet at the Town of Winterset on the
first day of November, 1849, ^^ within ten days thereafter, to commence said
view and survey, and proceed otherwise according to law."
The petition was signed by the following persons : E. Berger, William Comp-
ton, William Phipps, A. D. Jones, Joshua Casebier, William Stephenson, Leonard
Bowman, A. D. Jones (twice signed it), William Gentry, J. K. Evans, James
Thombrugh, John Butler, David D. Henry, J. C. Casebier, William Combs, P. M.
Boyles, G. W. McQellan, Samuel B. Casebier, Major Farris, David McCarty,
Alfred Rice, S. Bams. (Forgoing is the spelling of their names as signed.)
This eflFort for a highway went no further — was unpopular, and was antag-
onized by those settlers north of Cedar and on North River and northwest of
town, who wanted the Des Moines road located along a route making northeast
to Brown's Ford on North River (in southeast comer of Jefferson Township)
and on by Badger Grove to the fort. Besides, effort was made by those on
Clanton Creek and by those located around what came later to be "Buf-
falo,** on Middle River, southeast of town, to establish the main highway
from the east along that route. In those days and for a long period later great
effort was made to establish a road and commercial center where St. Charles
now is. But A. D. Jones, George McClellan and others then much interested along
the divide between Cedar and Middle River, renewed their effort and on January
8, 1850, Jones presented another petition, which was granted, and Asa Mills,
D. H. Whited and Samuel B. Casebier were appointed viewers, with Jones as
surveyor, to meet and locate the road on the fourth Monday in March, 1850.
This effort died "a bomin" and got no further.
Again, July 18, 1850, Enos Berger and others petitioned for a road "forty
feet wide, beginning at the east end of Court Avenue, in Winterset, and mnning
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170 HISTORY .OF MADISON COUNTY
easterly to the former residence of A. D. Jones (now Tileville), thence following
the dividing ridge to the top of the same westerly of the house of G. W. McClel-
lan, thence northeasterly to a place west of where the California track passes
said house, thence east to a ridge that leads directly to the dividing ridge, thence
along said ridge, passing the house of John Carroll, where the California track
passes said house, thence the nearest and best route for a road along said dividing
ridge to the county line, in the direction of Dudley on the Des Moines River."
This petition was granted also and the following viewers appointed : Charles
Wright, William Combs, Irvin Baum, with A. D. Jones, surveyor, who were to
meet the first Monday in September, 1850. Finally, October 7, 1850, William
Combs and Irvin Baum certified that on September 9th they had "viewed and
established*' said road and found it ^'of public utility" and that the distance was
twelve miles and twenty chains (i2j4). Scarcely a foot of the present road
is on the line then located but it was the foundation route for the present one.
The field book of that survey shows that it ran from the east end of Court Avenue,
passed east of Wilhoit's fence, north to T. Spencer's field to the second mile post
east of Bird's Grove, on south of Blair's field, to a "stump south of I>eshaser's
former residence;" on to the fourth mile tree of white oak, and on from one
tree to another to a place described as "last of slough;" on through "thicket
timber" to "Carroll's timber," to seventh mile post on prairie in (now) Crawford
Township, on to the east county line. The route may be easiest described as
following the top of the dividing ridge from Winterset to the Warren County line.
At the county line it tied on to a road extending easterly to Linn Grove, in War-
ren County, on North River.
The route of this road was already much traveled and had been used since
April 30, 1846, when the Guye colony made the first wagon tracks from Linn
Grove to near the county line and on the following day from there to the timber,
near the township line between (now) Union and Crawford townships, north-
westerly of the future Patterson, following the crown of the ridge all the way,
at which point the colony diverged northwesterly down the long ridge through
the timber and crossed to the north side of Cedar Creek. It is not known who
drove the first wagon from the point where the Guyes left the ridge up the
divide through the timber to near Winterset, but it i? probable that it was the large
colony which arrived near Winterset a very few days after the Guyes came,
and consisted of Philip and McDonough (Thomas) Boyles, John Butler, Asa
Mills, Lemuel Thombrugh and others.
This route became the first one traveled any considerable distance from east
to west in Madison County. Its history since the eventful days of April 30 and
May I, 1846, when the Guye colony made the first trace, is a long and important
one.
The Commissioners' Court rarely held a session that a petition or petitions
for new roads did not appear for the consideration of that body. And, this is not
a matter for wonder, as the country was practically in a state of nature, and
highways were absolutely necessary — in fact, one of the first requisites to the
consummation of settlement. The opening and making of roads was an ex-
tremely important matter to the founders and builders of the county, and
for that reason petitioners for a road always got a ready and considerate hearing
by the commissioners. Among other early roads viewed and laid out in Madison
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 171
County may be mentioned the following, as appears of record in the minutes of
the Commissioners' Court:
At the October term, 1850, **the petition of Jesse Young and others, asking
for a road commencing at the county line of Madison, east of Joel M. Clanton's
farm, running thence the nearest and best route to Winterset, be granted, and
the following persons were appointed viewers thereof, to wit : Absolom McKinzie,
S. Barns and John Dorrell ; and Simmons Rutty, surveyor, all to meet at the house
of J. M. Clanton on the first of November, 1850, or within five days thereafter."
January term, 1851. Ordered, ^That the road commencing at the east end
of Court Avenue in the Town of Winterset, Iowa, and running thence by way of
George McClellan's and John CarrolFs to the east line of the County of Madison
be established and made a lawful highway."
April term, 1851. Ordered, *That the petition of Charles Wright and others,
calling for a road commencing in the Town of Winterset, Madison County, Iowa,
to run thence south 80 rods, thence on the most practicable route to or near
Bertholf's Mill, on Middle River, thence on the most practicable route on the
south line of the county in the direction of Pisgah, be granted, and that Samuel
Peter, J. M. Watson and Silas Barns be appointed viewers, and Simmons Rutty
surveyor of said road, who shall meet at Winterset on the first Monday of June,
A. D. 1851, or within five days thereafter, and proceed to view and survey said
road according to law."
The above are but samples of the legislative work accomplished by the law-
making bodies of Madison County during its formative period. To enumerate
all the "petitions for roads granted and rejected would be a heavy and thankless
task, and not at all interesting to the general reader. For these reasons no
further space will be given to the subject. '
THE FAMOUS BLUFF ROAD
The most famous of Madison's highways is the BluflFs road, so named, some
one will say, because there is not a hill on it. The BluflFs road really got its
name from Council BluflFs. In the old day this was the road to Council BluflFs,
over which the stage line ran. It used to be called the "Council BluflFs Road."
Later they dropped it to "The BluflFs Road," and now it goes by the name of
"The BluflF Road."
The BluflF road runs through a country of fine flat farms. The beauty of the
country it traverses is apparent to all. The land rolls gently ; the soil, the incom-
parable black soil, three or four feet deep, makes the farms unequaled for fer-
tility. The BluflF road today is a fine, well graded county highway on which one
drives for miles between fine farms. Eight miles out of Winterset you strike the
first hill at the old Ham Lee farm. From there on to Middle River the country is
broken. The old BluflF road in the '60s angled out of Winterset from the Hawkins
place on Court Avenue, where Sam Anderson now lives, southwest across a bit
of prairie that remained open for years, because John Leonard owned it, to the
Smith place where James Baird now lives. Then, as now, it ran out west, past
the Stinson cabin, where Judge Lewis has his work shop. Rube Hanner lived
in a log cabin where Fairmount stands. Across the road, where Mclllree lives,
Josiah Arnold, a fine old Ohio man, built a home and lived there many years.
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172 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
The Roberts' home — the old stone house that stands near the city wells — famous
for being an underground station for escaping slaves, came next, and then Newt
Gordon's farm on top of the little hill. The house is now gone and the orchard
cut down. Richard Bruce's farm was next. From the Bruce farm west was
open prairie until after the war, the settlers closing in steadily until the road
was a continuous lane. The stage line ran over this road to Fontanelle, through
Lewis to Council Bluffs. Greenfield was a yellow house. The BluflF road crossed
Middle River at Tom Tucker's in Adair County, swinging north to follow the
big divide. Tucker drove the stage.
During the settlement of the county after the war the Bluff road was always
dotted with covered wagons in trains of sometimes thirty or forty, a dozen,
two or three, and singly. One was hardly ever out of sight. The "movers"
camped along the road and grazed their stock as they went along. A fence
was necessary for a farm on the Bluff road in those days, for nearly all the
wagons had cattle with them. The settlement of Kansas and Nebraska was
going on at the same time and the Bluff road was the main thoroughfare
through Southern Iowa. At the Hi Smith farm the road branched to Nevin,
crossing Middle River at the Wight bridge and going through the present Hebron
— then Schwens and later Busby's. Those who crossed the Missouri at Ne-
braska City or Brownsville went that way.
The spring at the city wells was the first camping place for the movers.
They used to cut the bridge and steal the rails from the fence for their fires.
At Baugh Branch and at Wight's many of them camped. The farmers alorig
the road had all come to this country in covered wagons and they gave hundreds
of tons of hay, and hundreds of bushels of com away to the movers. The wild
hay was plenty. All they had to do was to cut it. "Help yourself" was almost
an invariable answer to a mover who asked for hay. Tom Roy used to set
aside a stack for the "movers."
The first settlers along the Bluff road clung to their farms. There were few
changes in many years, but when the land hunger commenced the new
comers looked with covetous eyes on the fertile, fat farms. Of the real old
settlers along the road Judge Lewis, Jonathan Gordon, and George Tracy alone
remain. The Arnolds, Goshoms, Gordons, Beerbowers, Lawsons, Bruces,
Foshers, Roys, Rehards, Smiths, Hawks, Perkins, Lees, Grosscups, Georges,
Foxes, are all sold out.
BRIDGES
The Cox bridge, in Union Township, marks one of the oldest crossings of
North River. In 1868 Cox, whose homestead was just south of the crossing,
contracted with the county to put a bridge in. The structure was entirely of
wood, but when it was taken down in 191 3, to be replaced by a modem steel
bridge, the timbers were found to be in a splendid state of preservation.
Eli Cox and his sons, George, John and Alfred, built Madison County quite
a number of bridges of the wooden, covered kind. They sawed the lumber at
their own mill, and built the framework of solid oak. The piers were of stone
quarried near the bridge sites, making them entirely home-made structures.
Even the mortar used in the piers was Madison's own product, the sand being
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 173
hauled from the creeks and the lime burned in local kilns. Cox commenced to
build bridges in 1864, his first one being placed over North River, on the De Soto
road, near Jonathan Cox's farm. All his first bridges were of the uncovered
kind, because the board of supervisors of early days had too 'many bridges to
build, and they could not afford the covered ones.
. One of the first covered bridges Eli Cox built was the Donahue bridge, over
North River, near the eastern line of the county. It stands here today a testi-
mony to his honest workmanship. The cover protected the timbers and pre-
vented rain from getting into the joints and around nails and bolts. When these
old bridges are taken down the timbers are invariably found to be in a good
state of preservation.
But the wooden bridges in Madison are fast giving way to steel structures.
Modern road traffic demands heavier bridges. The county supervisors refuse
to take chances of a bridge going down with threshing outfits and entailing a suit
for damages. When a wooden bridge becomes shaky it is condemned and a new
steel structure replaces it.
Bridging the streams of Madison County has been an expensive proposition.
The bridge fund always has been expended to the penny. North Branch, North
River, Middle River, Jones Creek, Clanton, South River and Grand River and
their tributaries have many crossings. The demands for good roads and well
bridged streams will keep the county bridge fund exhausted for some years to
come. In the old days a man was content to get across a stream on any kind
of a bridge. The steam threshing outfits now demand a heavy bridge and a
man in his heavy motor car, when he hits a county bridge full tilt at forty miles
an hour, swears if it gives him a bump or he can feel the slightest tremor.
The new bridge cost $8,024 when it was finished. It ought to last for all
time. It has a span of ninety-six feet. A bridge over Steele's Branch, on the
Patterson-St. Charles County road, which was finished in the fall of 1913, has
a span of sixty feet and cost $4,150. The plans are on file for a new steel bridge
over Middle River, on the Greenfield road, that will have a span of 100 feet.
County Engineer Hiatt estimates that it can be built for $6,000, because steel is
20 per cent cheaper than when the Cox bridge was built. It may be built in 191 5.
The county has spent the last four years for bridges as follows :
BRIDGE WARRANTS
Warrants 1909 t $21,861.20
Warrants 1910 32,475.61
Warrants 1911 32,775-69
Warrants 1912 35,143.12
Warrants 1913 20,726.15
RAILROADS
The main line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad passes through
two of the northern townships of Madison County and a branch runs from
Des Moines to the county seat. The Omaha line reached the present Town of
Earlham late in the year 1868 and was the incentive for the establishment of
one of the best trading points in the county. The building of the town was well
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174 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
under way in the early part of 1869, and here the railroad company established
a station, built a section house, water tank and depot. The projectors of Earl-
ham were led to believe by the builders of the road that this place would be made
a division point and given shops, but their hopes in this regard have not as yet
been realized. However, the coming of the road induced many to locate in the
place, and no town in Madison County grew as rapidly and had such splendid
prospects as Earlham. It became and is today one of the best shipping points
in this section of the state. When grading began, Martin Cook, one of the early
Quaker settlers in Madison Township, put up a building at the east end of the
"dump,*' not far from where the tenement house of Clarence Wilson now stands.
This small building, which they called a "shebang," was stocked with supplies
which were sold to the men working on the construction. When Earlham was
established in the fall of 1868, Martin Cook moved the "shebang" with his stock
of goods into the new town and was appointed by the railroad company its first
agent. This was the first railroad in Madison County.
Four years later, in February, 1872^, the first railway train entered Winterset
over the branch road from Des Moines and generally since then two passenger
trains and one local have provided transportation for its citizens. The first train
arrived in Winterset on the last day of February, 1872, and was the subject of
considerable jollification. Snow was falling, and melting as it came down, but
nevertheless a large crowd assembled to greet the train. It arrived about 3
o'clock P. M. and was hailed with every demonstration of joy by the multitude,
and music by a brass band added in large measure to the welcome. Contractors
and railroad men generally were warmly congratulated and then escorted to the
St. Nicholas, where a banquet was serv^ed. The train itself was made up of con-
struction cars and it was several weeks before passenger trains began running.
The first passenger train arrived here on the 13th of May, 1872. When it left
for Des Moines "the engine bell rang and for the first time the conductor called
out 'passengers for Des Moines all aboard,' and Winterset was no longer an inland
town, dependent upon wagons for communication with the outer world. During
the summer of 1872, immediately following this event, seventy-three buildings
were erected in Winterset, at a cost of over ninety thousand dollars, and within
the seven years next following it more than doubled its population."
C. D. Bevington was one of the chief promoters and builders of this branch
of the Rock Island. When constructed, it was named the Des Moines, Winterset
& Southwestern Railroad, and when the company for its construction was or-
ganized Doctor Bevington became its president. It was uncfer his personal
supervision that the line was completed from Summerset to Winterset — a distance
of twenty-six miles. The work was all paid for within seven months and when
finished, trains stopped at the depot, which stood in the east part of town, on
North Ninth Street. Southeast of it on a side track, was erected a large elevator,
still standing, but long since out of commission. Some years ago a ne\y depot
was erected at North First Avenue.
The Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Railroad was built in 1887, entering
the county on section i, in South Township, and leaving it on section 35, in Mon-
roe Township. It is now a part of the Chicago Great Western System, and has
stations at Hanley, in South Township, and East Peru and Barney, in Walnut
Township. At the time of its completion the towns mentioned were established
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 175
and EastTeru is the principal station along the line in this county. Hanley is
quite a busy little trading point, about ij4 miles west of St. Charles.
The Keokuk & Western Railroad, now a part of the Burlington System, was
built in 1882 as a narrow gauge and entered the county in South Township, just
east of St. Charles, making that place its first station in the county. Running in
a southwesterly direction, its next stopping point is Truro, from whence it
bends southward and then taking a curve on section 26, in Ohio Township,
trends in a northeasterly direction and leaves the township and county at section
24. It was changed to a standard gauge about 1896. With these lines Madison
County is pretty well supplied with railroad facilities. A number of other
railroads were projected in the early years of the county's existence, but little
was ever accomplished in the way of their construction, so that today the county
has no railroads other than those mentioned, two of which are main lines — the
Chicago Great Western and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific System.
The Creston, Winterset & Des Moines Railroad when projected was intended
to have its termini at Creston and Des Moines. The road was built in 1912 from
Creston to Macksburg, a distance of twenty-one miles, and never got any farther.
On the 31st day of December, 1912, the first train entered Macksburg, and of
course, that section of the county was delighted with the prospects. But the
improvement has not met the anticipations of its projectors or the people along
the transportation line. In the fall of 1914 the property was placed in the hands
of a receiver and since then a decided improvement has developed.
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CHAPTER XXIII
OUT OF THE BOUNTEOUS HAND OF NATURE
WILD ANIMALS
By A. J. Hoisington
Not one wild buffalo was ever seen in Madison County since the day of its
first settlement. The very first settlers frequently found the horns, skulls and
bones of the bufifalo, which apparently had been gone many years from this local-
ity. When the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians came into possession of their hunting
grounds hereabout there were occasionally small herds of bison to be met with
here. Early white hunters of this county, as late as 1850, occasionally found a
buffalo or two north and northwest, at a distance of from thirty to one hundred
miles from this county. They appeared to be stragglers from the buffalo country
in the Dakotas, or from across the Missouri River west. Trappers, who visited
this region during the first twenty or thirty years of the nineteenth century
found considerable herds in this region of the state. At that time they moved
southward in the fall and northward in the spring. But, within the knowledge
of the earliest trappers through this region, far back in the century of 1700,
buffalo were never in such great numbers here as they were on the Great Plains
country beyond the Missouri River and in the land of the Dakotas.
When this county was first settled there were no foxes here. They began to
appear on rare occasions about 1880, since which time an infrequent one may
be found.
During the early portion of the last century there was a considerable num-
ber of bears in this portion of Iowa, but none ever was found wild in this
county since its settlement. An occasional bear has been seen by Madison County
hunters in west Dallas County, and further north and west, as late as 1850.
Catamounts, or animals called by that name, were occasionally met with in
this county when the first settlers came and a lone one might be seen in the more ,
remote timber neighborhoods as late as i860. There was one (may be two of
them) seen in the northwest comer of Crawford Township in the summer of
1861.
The prairie gray wolf was an abundant and prolific animal to be found every-
where in the county when first settled. During the first few years they could be
seen almost any day in any locality. Their food was so abundant that they never
attacked any one, although sometimes they would follow a person with fresh
meat. They were very fond of tame chickens and the e^irly settlers had to pro-
vide safe places for their poultry of all kinds. Sometimes these marauders of
the prairie would carry off small pigs. The black, or timber, wolves were scarce
and they all disappeared by 1862. Being considered a dangerous animal, they
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 177
were closely hunted down. During the '50s there was a bounty on wolf scalps
and when the bounty law went into effect live wolf scalps rapidly became less in
number. But they were never exterminated in the county and occasionally one, or
even more, may be seen, or more often heard, in the more brushy, rocky and
broken districts of the county.
Elk were not found in the county when the first settlers came but had been
numerous a few years previous. Up to 1840 they were here in great numbers.
Being a prairie animal, they only came to the woods when the snow was deep or
the weather cold. Since the beginning of the first settlement elk had not been
seen south of the Coon River but north of that stream they were in considerable
numbers up to the snowy winter of 1855-6, when they were almost exterminated
by the settlers in Greene and more northern counties. That winter a herd of them
numbering thousands was seen near Jefferson. They had been driven by the heavy
snow storms from the north into the then thin settlements along North Coon.
The settlers nearly destroyed the herd by spring and never after was any consid-
erable number seen in that region. All the years up to that winter elk could be
found in west Dallas, in Guthrie, Carroll, Audubon and more northern counties.
The early settlers, who were hunters, used to go every fall to the district north-
west of Madison, for this and other wild game. But the hard winter named
above ended the sport.
Deer were here in almost unbelievable numbers when the first settlers came
and in rapidly decreasing numbers remained until the winter of 1855-6, when
they were practically exterminated in this part of the state. Only an occasional
one could be seen afterward. At first they were comparatively tame and it
required but little ingenuity to get a piece of fresh venison any day. During the
first four or five years venison was plentiful and cheap and considerable quanti-
ties were hauled to the river markets. Sometimes it had no sale in Winterset.
Before 1849 there was no market for deer meat in the county, save as occasionally
a new settler, who was not a hunter, would pay a little something for a choice cut.
The pelts, of course, always commanded a price at the river markets, but the
value was ridiculously low. Charles Farris, who was one of the most skillful deer
hunters in Southwestern Iowa, a pioneer settler of Union Township, has been
heard to say that in one day he counted over a hundred deer in sight.
WILD TURKEYS
These birds were found here by the early settlers in great flocks, wherever
there was a considerable grove or body of timber. At first they were compara-
tively tame and easily approached, because the Indians molested them but little
and when desiring to catch them they generally used a snare instead of shooting
them. To the Indians they had no commercial value, but soon after the arrival of
the white man, turkeys were caught in great numbers and hauled to the markets
on the Mississippi River or to St. Joseph. During the "cold winter" of 1847-8
many of the birds perished, but they rapidly increased again. The "hard winter"
of 1855-6, together with the great destruction of them every season of the few
years preceding by the settlers, about finished the supply of the bird in the county.
However, a few small roosts, in the most secluded localities in the timber, might
be found until about i860. The last roost on Cedar was extinguished in the fall
of 1862.
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178 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
A great many young turkeys, and occasionally a nest of eggs, would be found
by the early settlers. From these were obtained the tame birds that later on sup-
plied the county. Doubtless, some of their very distantly related descendants are
in the county at this day.
WILD FRUITS AND NUTS
At the time the first settlers arrived, in the year 1846, wild fruit was not plenti-
ful, except grapes in some localities. There was comparatively little brush any-
where, because most of the country was annually burned over by great prairie
fires, preventing the growth of the hazel, plum, crabapple and all other varieties of
shrubs ; thus, any increase of the timber belt was prevented. Only now and then
appeared a plum patch or clump of crabapple trees; even hazel nuts were not
abundant. But close along the banks of the streams, entwined on great forest
trees, well protected from the prairie fires, the wild grape flourished and not else-
where until in later years.
The nuts of the forest trees, the hickory and black and white walnut, abounded
in the wooded portions of the county. The great supply of these greatly decreased,
as the trees were cut down for building and fencing. By the year i860 the nut-
bearing trees mentioned became comparatively scarce. The early settlers^ and
even those of later years, made it their business to gather a supply of nuts every
fall for the winter, but this habit largely ceased about i860 and for the last forty
years is seldom done, for quite obvious reasons.
When the first settlers arrived they began to check the devastating prairie
fires and, more rapidly than would be supposed possible, grew the various
varieties of shrubs and underbrush, yet found in the county ; especially the hazel
flourished. The wild plum, crabapple, elderberry and similar shrubbery soon came
into bearing along the edges of the old-time forests, so that, by 1850, hazel nuts,
plums, crabapples, wild cherry, gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries, currants,
haws and serviceberries began to abound. By 1855 these appeared in great quan-
tity in most of the timber districts. Their growth and increase were not materially
lessened until about i860, when lands whereof they were indigenous, began to be
largely broken up for farming purposes. This curtailment went on, gradually,
until about 1880, when much the larger portion of the land had been brought into
cultivation.
During the '60s tame fruit b^an to yield largely and as it increased in quantity
wild fruit was not so generally sought, and since 1875 "^^ ^ large amount of
wild fruit has been consumed in the county.
Wild strawberries were in great abundance at the time of the first settlement
and continued until the country began to be generally under cultivation. Their
quality was good and they were an excellent substitute for tame ones.
Occasionally, wild plums were found of large size, as much as two inches in
diameter, but they were very rarely to be found. The larger ones had almost as
fine a taste as the common varieties of tame ones. Once in a while a crabapple
tree might be found, bearing apples two inches in diameter, but these were almost
too rare to mention. The great quantity of these two fruits, from 1855 to
i860 iir some portions of the county, seems remarkable to young people of this
period. Many hundreds of plum trees have been seen which bore from one to two
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 179
bushels each and, it was nothing uncommon for a crabapple tree to bear a bushel
or more. One plum tree patch in Northeast Union Township, in the Hoisington
neighborhood, covered more than an acre, and some years produced abundantly.
But plums and crabapples were abundant only in some localities. This was
noticeably true in North Crawford Township, where timber and brush were
plentiful, but plums and crabapples scarce. Of course, they did not grow in the
prairie districts. These varieties of fruit were mostly to be found in the townships
of Union, Douglas, Madison and South, with considerable production along the
streams in other townships; Badger Creek never produced much. Wherever
noticed, this fruit, as was the case with all the other varieties of wild fruit, was
almost entirely found along the south side of the timber belts ; mainly because the
north sides were more regularly exposed to sweeping prairie fires before the set-
tlements.
In those days, wild fruits were not preserved at all. The usual manner was
to dry them on the roofs of homes and sheds, on loose boards and sometimes on
cloths — then they were sacked or boxed up and laid away for winter and spring
use. Usually, plums and crabapples were boiled before they were dried. Grapes
and elderberries were usually dried on the stem. Cherries, haws, blackberries,
raspberries, currants and gooseberries were dried as they came picked from- the
tree or bush. The sweetening used in cooking them was nearly all sorghum
molasses, although a few fortunate ones had maple sugar or maple molasses ; may
be, one in a hundred, after the first very few years.
SUGAR TREES AND CAMPS
By H. A. Mueller
The early settlers found in Madison County a wealth of forests growing along
the streams and adjoining hillslopes. About one-fourth of the whole area of
Madison County was covered with valuable timber. It was here that the early
pioneer built his home where material was near to build his log cabin, fuel for his
fire place, and protection for his live stock and himself against the rigorous win-
ters of those days. On the rich bottom lands he found excellent groves of hard
or sugar maple trees. Some of these groves had been operated by the Indians
before their leaving this county in 1845, and for several years Johnny Green and
his tribe would return in the spring to hunt, trap and make maple sugar.
In the early days cane sugar was an expensive luxury, so the maple groves in
the spring time became the temporary abode of nearly all the early settlers for the
purpose of securing their yearns supply of sugar. The process of manufac-
turing maple sugar in those days was something as follows: If the operator of
the grove did not live near by, a rude log cabin would be erected in which to
live during the sugar making season. When the season opens depends upon the
weather, as the sap does not begin to run until it thaws in the daytime and freezes
at night. So the season may begin in January or even as late as the first of April
and last until the month of May, or until the above mentioned conditions cease
to be.
During the winter it would be necessary to prepare for sugar making, as there
was no time to lose when the season opened. Some made small troughs in which
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180 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
to catch the sap, by splitting a stick three or four feet long and hoUowirtg out the
center until it would hold a gallon or two of sap. Others used tin pans or
crocks. Then spiles were necessary to lead the sap from the tree to the trough.
A spile was usually made from a common elder or a sumach. A stick about a foot
long was notched about two inches from either end on opposite sides to the cen-
ter and then split, making two spiles. The pith was punched or burned out of the
round end, trimmed to fit an inch auger hole and the open part of the spile had a
valley cut in the center to lead the sap into the trough. Now, as soon as the sap
would run the trees were tapped by boring usually two holes into each tree and
driving the spiles therein. Every day the sap would be gathered and hauled
to the camp to be boiled down. In an early day the hauling was done with oxen
hitched to a sled, on which was a barrel to hold the sap. This boiling down was
done either in big iron kettles, or evaporating pans. Iron kettles were mostly
used in the early days. The boiling was continued until considerable sap was
boiled down and then it was allowed to cool and then was strained through a cloth
to take out all the dirt. Before continuing the boiling process, either eggs or milk,
or both, were thoroughly stirred into this partially boiled down sap, and then
slowly boiled, which would bring all the impurities to the top and then
skimmed off. This boiling continued until a syrup was made and if syrup was
wanted, the process here ended. Nothing was better to be eaten with com bread,
Johnny cake or buckwheat cakes, than good maple syrup.
If sugar was wanted, the syrup was boiled down until it was so thick that when
a small quantity dropped into cold water it would become hard and break into
pieces upon striking it against a board. It was then run into molds, pans, etc.
If crumbly sugar was desired the boiling and stirring process was continued
until it would crumble into small crumbs. This was used for sweetening, much
as our cane sugar of today.
Who of the old settlers have not been to a sugaring off? If not, he has missed
much of the fun in maple sugar making. Sugaring off is the final process and is
usually done after night. The young people of the neighborhood gather in about
the camp, watch the process of sugaring off and eat good sweet maple sugar. What
pleasant memories sugar making recalls to the early pioneers? Those splendid
maple sugar groves are about all gone and the pleasant memories will soon go
with them, for in a few years there will be very few living that ever helped make
sugar in Madison County. The places of these groves have now become our rich-
est cornfields, from whose products we get the glucose syrup, usually set upon our
tables, presumably to look at, for very few eat it.
Would that we could go back to those early days, help bring in the sap, sit
around the kettles and feed the flames that would boil down the sugar water into de-
licious syrup or sweet tasting sugar ! But those days are gone and a few more years
and those that participated in sugar making will have gone to their reward. Few
of the present generation know very little of the manufacture of maple sugar
and where beautiful maple groves once flourished in Madison County. It is for
these that this article is written. Herewith appended is a list of groves and
camps:
Groves on North River and on North Branch of North River : The first one
of any note was one just below the mouth of North Branch, east half of the south-
east quarter of section 36, Jefferson Township, operated by Alexander Ballentine ;
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 181
William Schoen had one in the forks of North Branch and North River, on the
southeast quarter of section 35, Jefferson Township ; David Barrow had a camp or
grove of maples on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 2,
Union Township, that was operated for many years and there are still several
trees standing, which A. D. Fletcher, the present owner, at times taps for home
use; John B. Sturman in an early day had a camp on the south side of North
River on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 3, Union
Township, and Harvey Lee had one on the north side of the same forty which
he ran until 1880; Levi B. Phillips operated a camp for some time on the south
side of North River, on the southwest quarter of the tiortheast quarter of section
3, Union Township; William Sturman had one on the northwest quarter of the
northeast quarter of section 3, north of the river, and was a large grove, which was
run as late as 1890; Thomas Garlinger had a camp on the north half of the north-
west quarter of section 3, Union Township, which was worked every year by Mrs.
Thomas Garlinger until her death about 1880; Benjamin Duckett had a small
grove, a continuation of the Garlinger grove, on the south half of the southeast
quarter of the southwest quarter of section 34, Jefferson Township; there is a
young grove there at the present time ; George W. Guye had a camp on the east
half of the southwest quarter of section 5, Union Township ; James Guye, on the
west half of the southwest quarter of section 5, Union Township; Angeline
Vanwy, the west half of the northeast quarter of section 7, Union Township,
and another on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 7, Union Town-
ship; Jonathan Cox, one in the bend on the south side of the river, on section
12, Douglas Township; John Norris, northeast quarter of the southwest quarter
of section 14, Douglas Township, until his death in 1904, and the grove was
chopped off in the spring of 1905 ; Samuel Folwell, a small grove on the south
side of North Branch on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section
34, Jefferson Township.
Groves on Middle River: McDowell camp on the south half of the south-
cast quarter of section 36, Crawford Township; T. Cason, west of house and
east of Middle River, on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of. sec-
tion 36, Crawford Township ; W. T. Cason, the southwest quarter of the northwest
quarter of section 36, Crawford Township ; John's eamp in the northeast quarter
of the southeast quarter of section 35, Crawford Township, between the house and
river on the south side, below the old mill, was a grove of 200 trees, later
owned by Campbell Hughart ; a grove near the old Weller Mill, on the northeast
quarter of section 35, Union Township; Van Houten grove, southwest quarter of
section 35, Union Township ; Sam Fleener camp, northeast quarter section 3, Scott
Township ; Jack Porter camp, northwest quarter section 4, Scott Township ; John
Wilkinson camp, northeast quarter section 4, Scott Township; Ephriam Bilder-
back camp, northeast quarter section 4, Scott Township ; Henry McKenzie camp
northwest quarter section 9, Scott Township ; Felt Johnson camp, northeast quar-
ter section 8, Scott Township ; Sam Crawford camp, northwest quarter section 8,
Scott Township; James Thombrugh camp, northeast quarter section 7, Scott
Township ; Andy Hart camp, northwest quarter section 7, Scott Township ; W. W.
Mattox camp, southwest quarter section 7, Scott Township; Charles Wright
camp, southeast quarter section 7, Lincoln Township ; James Smith camp, south-
west quarter of the northwest quarter section 15, Lincoln Township, east of
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182 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
"backbone'' north of Middle River; Benjamin Ludlow camp, southeast quarter of
the southeast quarter of section 9, Lincoln Township, later owned by Margaret
Moore.
Clanton Creek : Clanton bottoms have been noted for their heavy timber and
there were many fine maple groves. Andrew Johns had a small camp south of the
creek, on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11, South
Township; James Martin had a fine grove a little farther east on the southeast
quarter of the northeast quarter of section 1 1 ; George Smith had a grove in the
bend east of the creek, on the southeast quarter of section 10; W. A. Carter, west
of the creek, on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 15, and
on the east side; J. G. Carter, the northeast quarter of section 15; Abraham
Black west of the present site of Hanley and east of the creek, the north half of
the northwest quarter of section 22, and farther south where P. A. Carter now
lives, on the southeast quarter of section 22, South Township ; Perry Cummings,
or later, the Guernsey camp, was a fine grove on the southeast quarter of the
northwest quarter of section 2y, South Township ; James A. Rhjmo had an excel-
lent grove west of Clanton, the south half of the southeast quarter of section 29,
which has been operated until late years; Pleasant Rollings camp was a little
farther north on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 29 ; H.
A. McLaughlin also had a fine camp on the north half of the southwest quarter of
section 28. From Rhyno's camp to the present site of East Peru there were no
groves of any size. Jacob Brown had one south of East Peru, east of the road
leading south of town, on the south half of the northeast quarter of section
II, Walnut Township; John Brown, west of the road on both sides of Clanton,
now owned by J. R. McKee and S. B. Winchester, the southeast quarter of the
northwest quarter and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section
1 1 ; Aaron Hiatt, a grove west of East Peru, north of the railroad on both sides
of the creek south of Austin Reed, — the northeast quarter of section 10, Walnut
Township ; Ben Brown, south of the mouth of Rattle Snake Creek, the southwest
quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10. These groves about Peru were
nearly continuous. Then there were no more until near John Hindman's, on the
northwest quarter of section 15, Walnut Township, also the northeast quarter
of the southwest quarter of section 15, now owned by W. T. Jesse,
and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 15, now owned
by James Harwood.
Jones Creek: Lathrum grove is still standing, on the northwest quarter of
the northwest quarter, and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of
section 21, South Township; N. P. Pomeroy, the southeast quarter of the north-
west quarter of section 20, is also standing ; and Joel Graves grove in section 23,
Scott Township.
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CHAPTER XXIV
THE "UNDERGROUND RAILROAD*'
By A. J. Hoisington
Beginning about the year 1850 and continuing until about 1862, numerous
runaway negro slaves from Missouri passed through this county on th^ir way
northeast to Canada, or to some northern portion of the United States, where aboli-
tion sentiment was strong enough for them to feel safe from pursuit and capture.
Until 1855-6 the political sentiment of this county was largely opposed to aboli-
tionism.
About 1850 there were very few persons in the county, with anti-slavery
sentiments, to actively aid slaves in making their escape from their masters.
By 1856 the number had greatly increased and by i860 they were so numerous as
to make no secret of their work in aiding the negro to freedom. Those who har-
bored and actively helped slaves to escape were commonly called "agents of the
underground railroad" and, extending across the country from south to north
and some miles apart, were "stations," which were the homes of the more coura-
geous and radical abolitionists. These stations were made known and gave shelter
to runaway slaves, who traveled by night and were secreted in them in the
daytime. In many cases the "agents" would haul the runaways by team from
one "station" to another in the night time, or on horseback. During the later '50s
and early '60s they were frequently taken in the daytime along circuitous routes,
concealed in wagons.
James Farris, who settled in Union Township in 185 1, was one of the boldest
and most active of these "underground station agents" from the very first. He
was far past middle age but of strong physique, a noted deer hunter and trapper
and feared nothing. He used to brag about his work in this line and even publicly
defied searching parties. One early morning during the later '50s a runaway
negro man approached him, from the timber close by his house, much fearing
to do so and yet desperate because of hunger and fatigue, with his overnight
travel. The black man had been directed to Farris' place but not further, and
didn't know where to go next. Farris thought he had seen the negro before and
finally the poor fellow admitted he belonged to a son-in-law of Farris', who lived
in Missouri and whom Farris occasionally visited. Farris at once put his
visitor at ease and told him he would be taken care of and shielded from his
enemies ; that he would be taken on to the next station over on Coon River. The
slave was then hidden in the loft of one of the double log houses in which Farris
lived, but early that evening, who should arrive at the house but the son-in-law and
his party, to stay all night, never suspecting that his father-in-law was at that
moment giving refuge and asylum to his human chattel. It would not do to send
the runaway ahead, so slave and master slept in the same house that night, the
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184 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
former overhead and the latter below. The slave was very quiet that night, as
might well be supposed. Next morning the master and party were directed by
Farris where probably it was wise to look for the slave. He told them to hunt
as far as to the North River, but that it was useless to cross the divide over to
the Coon, for the reason that, if the runaway had reached that far he was perfectly
safe, since there were so many bitter and tough abolitionists in that vicinity. The
slave hunters consumed all the day in searching along North River without suc-
cess, as a matter of course, and returned to the Farris house to stay all night,
the son-in-law saying he would give up the chase and go home next morning.
That night, David W. Gilliland and another man took the darky on his way, and
the disconsolate master returned to Missouri, short a $i,ooo slave through the
radical abolitionism of his father-in-law.
William McDonald, who lived in Southwest Jefferson Township, was another
"station agent." Among other chattels he brought with him from Ohio a fine fam-
ily carriage, and it was said that the vehicle did much and valiant duty as a
passenger coach on the "underground railroad" tracks.
John Early, of Jackson Township, was in charge of a very busy "underground
station," and, it is said, had as many as five runaway slaves on his place at one
time. Advocates of the "peculiar institution" of the South were becoming exas-
perated at the repeated loss of their human chattels, through connivance of
abolitionists in the North, and placed warrants in the hands of deputy United
States marshals for the recovery of their property. Early soon received a "tele-
gram," presumably from "underground wires," that a United States officer was
in his neighborhood, hunting slaves out of bounds, which led him to clean up an
antiquated pistol and announce himself as being ready for all comers.
On another occasion Early became the host of Sheriff Sam Hamilton, a pro-
slavery man, and another democrat, whose name has gotten away. The men
were billed to speak on the political situation, at the Early schoolhouse, and
were at the home of the slaves' friend by his invitation. When supper was about
to be announced, three chairs were placed at one side the table and the democratic
guests were so placed in them that the middle seat was left vacant. Then Early
told his wife to bring in her other visitor, and upon compliance with his request,
a ponderous black "nigger mammy" was escorted to the dining-room and placed
between the sheriff and his democratic friend. The trio made a remarkable setting
to the scene and the present day reader can hardly realize the ludicrousness of the
situation. But Hamilton and his companion were equal to the occasion and joined
heartily with Early in his manifest and successful effort to please all. After the
intentionally prolonged meal was finished, without any demonstrations of chagrin
or hostility, the two pro-slavery politicians thanked their host for his hospitality
and took their departure for the democratic meeting waiting for them at the
schoolhouse.
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CHAPTER XXV
MADISON COUNTY IN THE CIVIL -WAR
On the 1 6th of April, 1861, four days following the assault on Fort Sumter,
Gov. Samuel J. Kirkwood, of Iowa, received the following telegram from
Simon Cameron, secretary of war :
"Call made on you by tonight's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate
service."
That very day the governor proclaimed to the people of Iowa that the nation
was imperilled and invoked the aid of every loyal citizen in the state. The tele-
gram above alluded to was received at Davenport. The governor was then resid-
ing at Iowa City but there was no tel^raphic communication in those days between
the two cities.
It was important that the dispatch should reach the eyes of the governor at
once, and General Vandever, then a civilian, volunteered to take the message to
Iowa City. The governor was found on his farm outside the city by the self-
appointed messenger, dressed in homespun and working in the field. Reading the
dispatch. Governor Kirkwood expressed extreme surprise and exclaimed : "* Why,
the President wants a whole regiment of men! Do you suppose I can raise so
many as that, Mr. Vandever?" When ten Iowa regiments were offered a few days
later the question was answered.
IOWA RALLIES TO THE COLORS
"Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the
general government, in the courage and constancy of her soldiery in the field,"
said Col. A. P. Wood, of Dubuque, upon one occasion, "or in the wisdom and effi-
ciency with which her civil adminstration was conducted during the trying period
covered by the War of the Rebellion, Iowa proved herself the peer of any loyal
state. The proclamation of her governor, Samuel J. Kirkwood, responsive to
that of the President calling for volunteers to compose her first regiment, was
issued on the fourth day after the fall of Sumter. At the end of only a single week
men enough were reported to be in quarters (mostly in the vicinity of their own
homes) to fill the regiment. These, however, were hardly more than a tithe of the
number who had been offered by company commanders for acceptance under the
President's call. So urgent were these offers that the governor requested on the
24th of April permission to organize an additional regiment. While awaiting
the answer to this request he conditionally accepted a sufficient number of com-
panies to compose two additional regiments. In a short time he was notified that
both of these would be accepted. Soon after the completion of the second and
third regiments, which was near the close of May, the adjutant general of the
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186 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
state reported that upward of one hundred and seventy companies had been ten-
dered to the governor to serve against the enemies of the Union.
''Much difficulty and considerable delay occurred in fitting these regiments for
the field. For the First Infantry a complete outfit — not uniform — of clothing
was extemporized, principally by the volunteered labor of loyal women in the
different towns, from material of various colors and qualities obtained within the
limits of the state. The same was done in part for the Second Infantry. Mean-
time, an extra session of the General Assembly had been called by the governor
to convene on May isth. With but little delay that body authorized a loan of
$800,000 to meet the extraordinary expenses incurred and to be incurred by the
executive department in consequence of the new emergency. A wealthy merchant
of the state, ex-Governor Merrill, then a resident of McGregor — immediately took
from the governor a contract to supply a complete outfit of clothing for the three
regiments organized, agreeing to receive, should the governor so elect, his pay
therefor in state bonds at par. This contract he executed to the letter, and a
portion of the clothing which was manufactured in Boston to his order, was de-
livered at Keokuk, the place at which the troops had rendezvoused, in exactly one
month from the day on which the contract had been entered into. The remainder
arrived only a few days later. This clothing was delivered to the regiments but
was subsequently condemned by the Government for the reason that its color was
gray, and blue had been adopted as the color to be worn by national troops."
MADISON COUNTY ALIVE TO THE SITUATION
The news soon reached Winterset that the Southern states were in rebellion
and that the flag had been insulted at Charleston, South Carolina. Although fully
advised of the spirit manifested by Southern leaders the people were not prepared
to realize the danger menacing free institutions of the Republic and were as-
tounded and horrified when the real situation arose and confronted them. But
almost every man and woman in Madison County loved and revered the Union
and rallied at the first call, to express their sentiments. Mass meetings from this
on were the order of the day and night, and but little time was lost before action
was taken. At one of these meetings, held on April 24, 1861, at the Christian
Church, in Winterset, a large assemblage of people met in the house of worship
and was presided over by Dr. D. B. Allen ; John J. Davies acted as secretary. The
object of the meeting was to discuss the ominous situation of the country and to
ascertain how many persons in the county were willing to join a military com-
pany, or companies, for home protection, and a committee of ten was appbinted for
the purpose of securing the names of those desiring to become members of the pro-
posed companies. That committee was composed of the following named per-
sons: L. D. Kams, L. N. Clark, William L. Leonard, A. Hood, N. Garretson,
H. C. Carter, Frederick Mott, William Shannon, J. W. Holbrook and C. Gaskill.
It was the sense of the meeting that both the cavalry and infantry company
should be organized, and that as their formation would be for home protection
the citizens should furnish the enlisted men with arms. Thereupon, the Madison
County Rangers, a cavalry company, was organized and the patriotic citizens sign-
ing their names that evening to the rolls of the cavalry company were: J. I.
Denman, J. M. Lambert, E. W. Evans, D. D. Davisson, C. A. Gaskill, H. C.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 187
Carter, G. M. Rutledge, H. M. Porter, B. M. Bixby, William Reynolds, Samuel
Conigan, Butler Bird, W. C. Newlon.
An infantry company was also formed and assumed the name of the Winter-
set Guards. Its muster roll showed the following names: O. C. Ayres, S. G.
Beckwith, D. W. Burnett, G. W. Betts, J. W. Craven, F. M. Cassidy, H. C. Fams-
worth, M. Foster, B. C. Howell, N. A. Harlan, W. M. Jenkins, J. W. Kirk, B. F.
Murray, J. P. Noel, A. Nosier, F. M. Pickerell, W. R. Shriver, John Stiffler,
James Stafford, S. B. Williams, C. C. Ward, Cal Trion, C. Tibbies, William H.
Goodwin, J. M. Andrews, D. D. Bennett, Thomas Bardrick, F. I. Cash, L. N.
Clark, H. J. B. Cummings, T. W. Fouch, J. D. Holbrook, W. P. Hastings, J. M.
Holaday, L. D. Kams, J. R. Lambert, H. Marlow, John Nichbl, Eli Odell, Lee
Pitzer, T. M. Stiffler, G. W. Stiffler, E. T. Warner, J. H. Williams, J. D. Williams,
M. R. Tidrick, D. W. Thompson.
The "Rangers'* met on the- evening of the 26th and selected these officers:
Captain D. D. Davisson; first lieutenant, G. M. Rutledge; second lieutenant,
Butler Bird ; third lieutenant, B. F. Bixby ; orderly sergeant, H. C. Carter. The
men joining the "Rangers'* were required to furnish themselves with a horse
and saddle "and such arms as each might obtain." And the object
of the organization, by the records, was to "defend the citizens and property of
Madison County when the contingency might require it." This was the first
military company organized in Madison County.
Other warlike movements on the part of the citizens took place, one closely
upon the other, and a few of them will be related in order to show the spirit and
feelings of the people at that time of national travail. On April 27, 1861, S. G.
Beckwith and Jesse R. Lambert announced the receipt of their commissions from
the adjutant general of the state, to organize a company of volunteers "in this
senatorial district." At the close of this announcement the newly made officials
sent out this appeal. "Let not the young men of our district be slow in responding
to the call of their country in a time of danger." To encourage others it was
reported that S. G. Beckwith, Jesse R. Lambert, Butler Bird, William L. Leonard,
James McQeary, William C. Newlon and B. F. Murray had already volunteered.
On April 27, 1861, the following call was issued: "The people of Madison
County, in favor of sustaining the Government in its endeavors to maintain and
preserve the Union in its present crisis, are requested to meet at Winterset on
Saturday, May 4, 1861, at i P. M., for the purpose of giving expression to their
views as American citizens. Signed, Albert West, M. L. McPherson, M. Glaze-
brook, L. S. Garrett, A. Hood, Cal Ballard, C. D. Bevington, John Leonard, H. J.
B. Cummings, Samuel Hamilton, L. Mayo, J. J. Davies, W. L. Hart, D. D. Davis-
son, N. Garretson, I. L. Tidrick, John McLeod, William Compton, J. W. Moody,
J. A. Pitzer, D. B. Allen, W. L. Leonard, L. M. Tidrick, J. F. Brock.
At St. Charles, May i, 1861, a large and enthusiastic war meeting was held;
a Union pole was raised and a beautiful large flag, made and presented by the
ladies of that neighborhood, was run up to the breeze. The occasion was enlivened
by music from the Indianola Brass Band and Union speeches were made by Dr.
William L. Leonard, of Winterset, and Lewis Todhunter, of Indianola. "Ringing
patriotic resolutions were adopted."
Great excitement prevailed throughout the county and war with the South
was the exclusive subject of general conversation. Those opposed to the prosecu-
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188 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
tion of the war kept their views to themselves, while in public places, for the dan-
ger of violence was imminent.
On May i, 1861, Elder A. Bradfield, of the Winterset Christian Church, de-
livered an ultra patriotic sermon in favor of the war for the Union. Other local
ministers were equally patriotic in the pulpit.
The following extracts from the Madisonian are matters of local history and
should be of more than ordinary interest to the present and future generations, if
not of the past: A detachment of regular soldiers from Fort Randall, Dakota
Territory, on their way to the seat of war passed through Winterset May 4th.
They were entertained by the citizens and given a hearty reception. May 18th, the
Clinton Guards of this county met for organization and elected the following
officers : Captain, R. A. Stitt ; first lieutenant, E. H. Venard ; second lieutenant,
W. T. Shelbum ; ensign, James Brinson ; first sergeant, Jacob Hyskill. The com-
pany numbered forty-four men. They proposed to uniform themselves forthwith
and report to the Government.
About May 20th sixty stands of arms passed through Winterset for Page
County, which was threatened with attack by rebels from Gentry County, Mis-
souri.
Before May 25th "Madison County Guards,*' of Winterset, had. disbanded,
by reason of internal disagreement, and another organization was perfected which
took the name of the "Union Zouaves." This organization was officered by H. J. B.
Cummings, captain ; John R. Nichol, first lieutenant ;' J. R. Lambert, second lieu-
tenant; J. M. Andrews, third lieutenant; L. N. Clark, first sergeant; J. S. Goshom,
second sergeant; W. P. Hastings, third sergeant; S. Pitzer, fourth sergeant; John
Stiffler, fifth sergeant; J. W. Burnett, E. A. Huber, J. M. Holaday, E. C. Ward,
corporals. The privates were Frederick Mott, J. J. Davies, C. P. Lee, R. Bain, C.
Danforth, J. D. Williams, C. Armbreast, A. Nosier, B. F. Murray, John Hinkle,
E. W. Reynolds, T. M. Stiffler, G. S. Stiffler, Marion Cassiday, J. P. Wallace, and
J. S. White.
May 25th, another company was due to be organized, which styled itself "The
Silver Greys," and was composed of men over thirty years of age.
June 27th Capt. P. Gad Bryan, of Indianola, made a stirring speech at the
Christian Church, in the effort to secure recruits, for his cavalry company. He
made an impressive address which was followed by M. L. McPherson, of Winter-
set. At the conclusion, the following Madison County men were enlisted : J. R.
Lambert, W. R. Shriver, C. Tibbies, D. W. Burnett, T. M. Stiffler, John Faurote,
J. D. Jenks, E. S. Ewing, Milton Carter, J. H. Bird, D. D. Burnett, G. Tibbies,
John H. Williams, and Butler Bird.
During the latter part of April a company had been organized in Madison
Township, of which William F. Clampitt, a Mexican war veteran, was captain.
This military organization was the subject of much reckless talk for some time, as
the loyalty of certain of its members was much questioned, and as strongly de-
fended by Captain Clampitt.
June 29th E. S. Ewing, of Winterset, advertised for cavalry horses. The
owners were asked to give a credit of six months to volunteers with approved se-
curity. He didn't secure many.
July 13th Capt. H. J. B. Cummings' Company G, Fourth Iowa Regiment,
started for its rendezvous at Council Bluffs. Their departure was one of the
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 189
saddest affairs that ever occurred in the County. Probably every eye that witnessed
the scene was blinded by tears. Not even the most indifferent or hardened per-
son withheld his emotions. It was never forgotten by any one present.
Previous to the departure of Company G, on July 12th, the ladies in and
near Winterset gave a festival supper to the company. It was one worthy of the
ladies and the occasion. After the soldiers had eaten their fill there was an
abundance for the citizens present. At this festival the ladies presented the
company with a beautiful flag. Miss Geraldine Squire made the presentation ad-
dress and the response was by the captain, H. J. B. Cummings.
August 31, Lieut. J. D. Jenks, and Serg. Jesse R. Lambert, of Bryan's Cavalry,
were home on a few days leave of absence. On their return the following re-
cruits went with them : William O. Ludlow, Joseph Reynolds, Edward Marlow,
Matthew Wilkins, Mr. McCandless and "Curly Joe."
September ist, the board of supervisors appropriated $150 out of the county
funds, for the benefit of the families of volunteers of Madison County, who
were left in destitute circiunstances by reason of such enlistments, if there should
be any.
The above excerpts, which were scattered hither and yon, throughout the
various issues of the Madisonian during the stirring year of 1861, give a good por-
trayal of the things that most interested the people in Madison County at that
time. Many such events occurred before the close of hostilities between the
North and the South. It certainly would be interesting reading, to many, to give
a full relation of the local war time incidents, but space will not permit. However,
Madison County did her part, faithfully and well, in putting down rebellion and
upholding the glory and integrity of republican institutions. The county was rep-
resented in a number of different regimental organizations and furnished 710
men to the ranks of the Union army, which was in excess of her quota. The com-
missioned officers from Madison County in that great conflict were as follows :
H. J. B. Cummings, colonel, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry; George N. Elliott,
lieutenant colonel. Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; Dr. William L. Leonard, surgeon,
Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry; Frederick Mott, quartermaster. Thirty-ninth Iowa
Infantry; S. G. Guiberson, captain. Company A, Thirty-ninth Infantry; Oliver C.
Ayers, first lieutenant, Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; Charles S. Arm-
strong, first lieutenant. Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry; J. B. Rawls,
second lieutenant. Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry; John P. Jones,
second lieutenant Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; J. M. Browne, captain
Company F, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; Thomas W. Stiles, captain. Company F,
Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry; Adolphus Bradfield, captain. Company F, Thirty-
ninth Iowa Infantry; William Anderson, first lieutenant. Company F, Thirty-
ninth Iowa Infantry; Dr. S. B. Cherry, surgeon, Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry;
J. S. Goshom, captain, Company E. Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry; J. D. Jenks,
brevet lieutenant colonel, First Iowa Cavalry ; William R. Shriver, first lieutenant.
First Iowa Cavalry ; William Pursell, captain, Company I. Fourth Iowa Cavalry ;
J. R. Lambert, first lieutenant, Company I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry; William Hast-
ings, first lieutenant Company I, Fourth Cavalry; William Early, first lieutenant
Company I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry ; E. W. Raymond, quartermaster sergeant. Com-
pany I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry ; William W. Buchanan, second lieutenant. Company
E, Fifth Iowa Cavalry; M. R. Tidrick, first lieutenant Company G, Third Iowa
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190 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Infantry; R. A. Stitts, adjutant, Fourth Iowa Infantry; D. E. Cooper, captain
Company F, Fourth Iowa Infantry; A. J. Tisdale, captain Company F, Fourth
Iowa Infantry; Leander Pitzer, first lieutenant Company F, Fourth Iowa In-
fantry; John A. Kelly, first lieutenant Company F, Fourth Iowa Infantry; Josiah
McLeod, quartermaster sergeant, Third Infantry ; John M. Cooper, second lieu-
tenant Company F, Fourth Iowa Cavalry ; Davis S. Smith, first lieutenant Com-
pany K, Eleventh Iowa Infantry ; George Gregory, second lieutenant Company K,
Eleventh Iowa Infantry ; J. W. Stiffler, second lieutenant Company K, Tenth Iowa
Infantry ; J. H. Goolman, captain Company H, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry ; S. G.
Beckwith, first lieutenant Company A, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry; J. L. Ship-
ley, first lieutenant Company H, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry ; J. D. Ewing, first
lieutenant Company H, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry ; Robert E. Martin, first lieu-
tenant Company C, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry. Of the above named officers,
J. D. Ewing, Leander Pitzer, O. C. Ayers and J. P. Jones were killed in battle, or
died of wounds received while in battle.
THE ROLL OF HONOR
The roster of names which follows is taken from the latest reports prepared
in the office of the adjutant general of the State of Iowa, and it may be said to be
complete and correct. In looking over the roster as published in the history of
Madison County of 1879, quite a number of names were omitted and some mis-
spelled. It has been sought in this endeavor to avoid errors and not omit the name
of one worthy to appear in this roll. But when the attempt is made to publish the
name of every person from Madison County who served in the Civil war, it is
practically impossible, as there were many who enlisted while away from home in
regiments belonging to other states. However, insofar as unremitting efforts on
the part of the adjutant general's office are concerned, the roster of Madison
County's heroes should be considered intact:
THIRD INFANTRY
COMPANY G
Blakeley, George H., enlisted May 27, 1861 ; veteranized January 4, 1864, in
Second Infantry.
Dick Reuben, enlisted May 21, 1861.
Etherton, Stephen, enlisted May 27, 1861.
Huffman, Joseph, enlisted May 27, 1861.
McLeod, Josiah, enlisted May 20, 1861 ; promoted to quartermaster sergeant ;
taken prisoner at Shiloh, April 6, 1862 ; discharged March 28, 1863.
Murray, Benjamin F., enlisted May 21, 1861 ; taken prisoner at Shiloh.
Newlon, William C, enlisted May 21, 1861 ; promoted to third sergeant;
slightly wounded at Shiloh ; lost a leg; discharged April 6, 1863.
Reayer, James H., entered Second Veteran Infantry June 21, 1864.
Ruby, Samuel G., Eighth Corps; enlisted May 21, 1861 ; discharged July 8,
1862, for disability.
Tidrick, Miller R., enlisted May 20, 1861 ; appointed commissary sergeant
June 8, 1861 ; promoted October 22, 1861 ; resigned May 23, 1862.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 191
Warner, Ephraim P., enlisted May 21, 1861 ; wounded at Shiloh; discharged
September 12, 1862.
FOURTH INFANTRY
COMPANY B
Moore, John, enlisted July 10, 1861.
COMPANY F
Unless otherwise specified, the members of this company enlisted July i, 1861.
Henry J. B. Cummings, captain ; transferred to Thirty-ninth Infantry, Septem-
ber 14, 1862, with the rank of colonel.
Robert A. Stitt, first lieutenant ; appointed adjutant May 28, 1862 ; promoted to
captain, September 12, 1862; wounded at Vicksburg; resigned December 6, 1863.
John S. Goshom, second lieutenant ; resigned April 22, 1862.
William McCreery, enlisted July i, 1861 ; first sergeant.
Leander Pitzer, second sergeant; promoted to second lieutenant April 14,
1862; promoted to first lieutenant May, 1862; wounded at Vicksburg, December
29, 1862; died of wounds at Paducah, January 23, 1863.
Daniel E. Cooper, third sergeant; promoted to second lieutenant June i, 1862;
promoted to captain, December 27, 1863 ; resigned September 30, 1864.
John F. Smith, enlisted July i, 1861, fourth sergeant.
Thomas M. Stiffler, fifth sergeant; wounded at Chickasaw Bayou and Vicks-
burg; died of wound August 14, 1863.
James Bunson, enlisted July i, 1861, first corporal; discharged April 3, 1862,
for rheumatism.
John Faurote, third corporal ; promoted to first corporal.
William Porter, second corporal ; discharged April 3, 1862, for rheumatism.
James H. Stafford, fifth corporal; promoted to second corporal; wounded at
Chickasaw Bayou; killed in action at Cherokee, October 23, 1863.
John M. Cooper, private ; promoted to sixth corporal, April 3, 1862 ; first lieu-
tenant, December 2^, 1863; mustered out as private September 4, 1864, commis-
sion being revoked.
William H. Fowkes, fourth corporal; discharged for rheumatism, April 3,
1862.
George W. Tibbies, sixth corporal ; promoted to third corporal.
Adoniram J. Tisdale, seventh corporal ; promoted to fourth corporal ; promoted
to second lieutenalnt, January 25, 1863 ; promoted to captain, September 30, 1864,
vice Coopei: resigning.
George D. Sullivan, eighth corporal ; promoted to fifth corporal, December 26,
1861.
Abraham Guilliams, musician; wounded at Pea Ridge, March 7, 1862.
William Guilliams, musician.
Wilford W. Crandall, wagoner; wounded at Pea Ridge; taken prisoner at
Clayville, Arkansas.
Privates
AUoway, Benjamin F., enlisted August 21, 1862; died at White River, Arkan-
sas, July 8, 1863.
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192 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Ambreast, Casper, wounded at Pea Ridge.
Anderson, Elisha.
Archer, Henry H., enlisted March ii, 1864.
Ault, Augustus, enlisted February 27, 1864.
Barrett, Joseph, promoted seventh corporal, April 3, 1862.
Bird, Anderson, wounded at Pea Ridge.
Brinson, David A., enlisted August 21, 1862 ; died at Young's Point, Louisiana,
February 7, 1863, of disease.
Brinson, James, discharged for disability April 3, 1862.
Brinson, Thomas, enlisted August 21, 1862; discharged for disability at
Young's Point, Louisiana, February 7, 1863.
Brinson, William, enlisted August 21, 1862.
Baker, David E., discharged August 5, 1863.
Banta, Henry D., appointed hospital steward, January i, 1862.
Bell, Rufus, promoted to eighth corporal; promoted seventh corporal; mus-
tered out July 24, 1865.
Brooks, Gilbert M., mustered out September 4, 1864.
Bruce, John R., enlisted March 21, 1862.
Burdick, Albert M., wounded in face at Pea Ridge ; discharged at Black River,
Mississippi, August 18, 1863.
Cason, John J., enlisted August 21, 1862; discharged June 12, 1863.
Cason, Joshua H., discharged September 28, 1864, for disability.
Clary, Henry C, enlisted August 21, 1862; mustered out July 24, 1865.
Qine, William R., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; discharged August 4, 1863.
Collins, Milton, wounded at Vicksburg; died at Vicksburg, July 28, 1863.
Compton, James R., taken prisoner at Clayville, Arkansas.
Conard, Jackson, discharged May 16, 1862, at Bates ville, Arkansas. .
Conard, John, mustered out July 24, 1865.
Conard, Joshua, mustered out July 24, 1865.
Curry, William R., enlisted July i, 1861.
Darby, John E., enlisted March 31, 1864; discharged June 18, 1865.
Davis, George B., enlisted July 8, 1861 ; wounded at Pea Ridge.
Davis, William H., enlisted March 19, 1864.
Debusk, Elihu, died of fever at Rolla, November 17, 1861.
Debusk, Isaac, enlisted November 15, 1861 ; died of grief at Cassville, Mis-
souri, March 16, 1S62,
Debusk, William S., died of wounds at Pea Ridge.
Decker, Ethel, enlisted July i, 1861.
Dorrance, Alexander P., enlisted August 15, 1862; killed at Walnut Hills, Mis-
sissippi, May 19, 1863.
Dorrance, James H., wounded at Pea Ridge and Chickasaw.
Dunsmore, Daniel G., enlisted July i, 1861.
Easton, John A., wounded at Pea Ridge, discharged at St. Louis.
Epperson, James M., discharged for tetanus, September 18, 1861.
Evans, Jesse B., discharged for disability March 14, 1864.
Faqua, Charles B., enlisted April 11, 1864.
Faqua, John H., enlisted April 11, 1864.
Flanigan, William, discharged May 16, 1862, at Batesville, Arkansas.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 193
Ford, Ivan S., enlisted February 29, 1864.
Fowler, Thomas M., discharged at Keokuk, November 24, 1864.
Fuqua, John H., enlisted July i, 1861 ; mustered out July 24, 1865.
Garrett, Andrew.
Gearhard, Abrani, discharged at Batesville, May 16, 1862.
Gilliland, Daniel W., enlisted April 2, 1862.
Goodwin, William H. H., wounded at Vicksburg.
Guilliams, Benton C., enlisted March 19, 1864.
Guilliams, George, discharged for wounds March 23, 1865.
Harris, Samuel B., enlisted July 10, 1861.
Hess, William J., enlisted November i, 1862; discharged November 21, 1862.
Holliday, John Milton, enlisted January i, 1862; wounded at Pea Ridge; dis-
charged.
Hood, J. K. P., enlisted March 28, 1864.
Jessup, Isaac, enlisted August 15, 1862; transferred to Invalid Corps, August
28, 1864.
Jumper, George W., discharged December 18, 1861 ; for rheumatism.
Kelley, Alfred, enlisted October 15, 1861 ; wounded at Chickasaw Bayou,
December 29, 1862 ; died at Paducah, Kentucky, January 19, 1863.
Kelley, John H., enlisted July 10, 1861 ; promoted to first lieutenant, Novem-
ber II, 1864.
Kelso, William C, enlisted March 29, 1864.
Kinkennon, N. W., enlisted August 15, 1862; transferred April 28, 1864, to
Invalid Corps.
Kinkennon, Jacob P., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; discharged May 15, 1862.
Laflin, William A., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; transferred to Invalid Corps,
January 15, 1864.
Logan, William, wounded at Pea Ridge; discharged December 20, 1862.
McConkey, Phineas, enlisted November 15, 1861.
Mackey, Thomas, enlisted February 27, 1864.
Mackey, William J., enlisted November 15, 1861.
Martin, Andrew C, discharged December i, 1862.
Moore, Anderson, enlisted August 16, 1862; wounded at Chickasaw Bayou;
discharged June 6, 1863.
Nicholson, Dwight, promoted to eighth corporal, April 3, 1862.
Osbom, Philip, enlisted August 28, 1862 ; died at Young's Point, February 22,
1863.
Pearce, James H., enlisted April 7, 1864; killed in action at Kenesaw Moun-
tain, June 27, 1864.
Ray, Isaac, enlisted August 12, 1862.
Reel, Thomas A., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; died at Kewanna, Indiana,
March 20, 1864.
Runkle, John M., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; wounded at Chickasaw Bayou
and discharged.
Scott, John W., enlisted August 21, 1862; wounded at Vicksburg; died at
Young's Point, Louisiana, 1863.
Sherfy, Jacob D., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; died February 5, 1863.
Vol. 1—13
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194 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Shortess, Chris C, enlisted November 15, 1861 ; died of measles, February r6,
1862.
Smith, George W., wounded at Chickasaw Bayou; captured February 2, 1864.
Smith, Isaac N., enlisted March 21, 1864.
Smith, John W., wounded at Pea Ridge, March 7, 1864; died March 17, at
Cassville, Missouri, of wounds.
Smith, Orseneth F., wounded at Pea Ridge; discharged October 30, 1864.
Smith, Thomas P., enlisted February 20, 1864.
Stafford, Oliver P., enlisted August 12, 1862 ; discharged February 19, 1863.
Starks, Doane, enlisted July i, 1861.
Sturman, James, wounded at Pea Ridge, March 7; died March 11, 1862.
Sturman, John J., enlisted July i, 1861.
Stewart, Elisha C, wounded at Pea Ridge.
Stiffler, George L., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; wounded at Chickasaw Bayou.
Stiffler, Henry, wounded at Chickasaw Bayou, August 3, 1863.
Stiffler, John W., enlisted February 27, 1864; mustered out for reenlistment.
Tedford, Alexander H., wounded at Chickasaw Bluffs ; died February 9, 1863.
Tibbies, Charles E., taken prisoner at Clayville, Arkansas.
Tilton, Roswell S., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; wounded at Chickasaw Bayou.
Troutman, William F., enlisted November 15, 1861 ; wounded at Chickasaw
Bayou.
Van Doren, Corydon, enlisted November 15, 1861.
Venard, Sylvester, transferred to Invalid Corps.
Walker, William M., enlisted February 23, 1864; died October 16, 1865, at
Marietta, Georgia.
Wilderson, Charles E., died of disease at Wilmington, North Carolina, April
25, 1865. t
Wilderson, Samuel, enlisted July i, 1861.
Williams, Joseph D., died September 17, 1861, from hernia.
Williams, Joseph W., discharged for disability May 16, 1862.
Williamson, John H., wounded at Chickasaw Bluffs; died at Young's Point
of wounds, February 14, 1863.
TENTH INFANTRY
COMPANY K
George Gregory, enlisted September 2, 1861 ; commissioned second lieutenant
January 8, 1862; wounded at Champion Hills, resigned July 31, 1863.
David S. Smith, enlisted September 2, 1861, first sergeant; wounded at Cham-
pion Hills, May 16, 1863; promoted second lieutenant, August i, 1863; killed at
Missouri Ridge, November 23, 1863.
Oziah A. Moser, enlisted May i, 1861, fifth sergeant; wounded at Vicksburg;
discharged March 7, 1862.
J. P. Lytle, enlisted September 2, 1861, fourth corporal; killed at Champion
Hills.
Alexander Eskew, enlisted September 2, 1861 ; promoted to corporal.
P. V. Carpenter, enlisted September 2, 1861 ; sixth sergeant ; wounded at
Corinth, October 4, 1862; discharged February 12, 1863.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 195
Samuel T. Ferguson, enlisted September 2, 1862; promoted to eighth corporal;
killed at Champion Hills.
John W. Stiffler, enlisted September 28, 1861, second sergeant; promoted
second lieutenant, August i, 1863; killed at Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863.
Privates
Ansley, Josiah D., enlisted September 2, 1861 ; discharged April 18, 1862.
Arnold, Eli, enlisted September 2, 1861.
Bell, Allen, enlisted September 13, 1862.
Bell, J., enlisted December 16, 1861.
Boardman, Mahlen N., enlisted September 2, 1861 ; wounded at Charleston,
Missouri, June 8, 1862; discharged October 27, 1862.
Bowers, Alanson, enlisted November 30, 1861 ; discharged November 30, 1862.
Brown, James B., enlisted September 2, 1861 ; discharged April 18, 1862.
Burson, Clement, September 2, 1861 ; discharged March 23, 1862.
Clary, Cyrus C, enlisted September 2, 1861 ; died at Mound City, Indiana^
April II, 1862.
Clary, David, enlisted September 2, 1861. i;
Dillman, Samuel A., enlisted December 3, 1861. J"'
Grover, Amos, enlisted September 2, 1861.
Johnson, G. W., enlisted September 2, 1861 ; died at Cape Girardeau, Missouri,
November 13, 1861, of fever.
Keebles, William H., enlisted September 2, 1861 ; wounded at Champion Hills;
veteranized January i, 1864.
Keys, William J., enlisted September 2, 1861 ; wounded at Chattanooga, No-
vember 25, 1863; veteranized February i, 1864.
Lympus, Nathan S., enlisted December, 1861 ; wounded at Charleston, Mis-
souri, January 8, 1862.
McNeeley, James, enlisted December 16, 1861 ; discharged July 16, 1862.
Mark, Andrew, enlisted December 4, 1861 ; discharged April 20, 1862.
Myers, Jonathan G., enlisted September 2, 1861 ; wounded at Champion
Hills; died May 25, 1863.
Northern, Bartley, enlisted December 14, 1861.
Parker, Milton, enlisted December 7, 1861 ; discharged at Corinth, October
16, 1862.
Spencer, Alexander G., enlisted September 2, 1861 ; discharged for disability,
April 22, 1862.
Stiffler, James H., enlisted September 2, 1861.
Thomas, Willis, enlisted December 7, 1861 ; discharged April 22, 1862, for
disability.
Tomey, James, enlisted September 2, 1861 ; captured at Chattanooga, Novem-
ber 25, 1863; died at Andersonville prison. May 23, 1864.
Westerman, Adolph, enlisted September 2, 1861 ; discharged at Hamburg,
April 28, 1862.
Young, Jesse C, enlisted November 30, 1861 ; mustered out December 19, 1861.
FIFTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY
COMPANY A
Benedict, Dewitt C.
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196 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
COMPANY B
Anderson, George.
Brittin, Joseph D., enlisted October 2, 1861 ; mustered out November 9, 1861 ;
died of smallpox, May 6, 1862, at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.
Burger, August F., enlisted September 29, 1861 ; promoted seventh corporal,
November 14, 1864; sixth corporal, January i, 1865; fifth corporal, March 14,
1865; fourth corporal, April 14, 1865; mustered out July 24, 1865, at Louisville,
Kentucky.
Burger, Frederick, enlisted March 31, 1864; wounded in left hand, August 26,
1864, near Atlanta, Georgia; mustered out July 24, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.
Cracroft, Milton T., enlisted September 17, 1861 ; mustered out July 24, 1865,
at Louisville, Kentucky.
Folwell, James D., enlisted September 23, 1861 ; discharged March 23 ; died
of phthisis, December 8, 1862.
Folwell, John M., enlisted September 23, 1861 ; promoted eighth corporal,
November 26, 1862; fifth corporal; died of congestive chills, August 28, 1863,
at Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Hubbard, Isaac D., enlisted October 2, 1861 ; wounded July 21, 1864, near
Atlanta, Georgia ; died of wounds July 24, 1864.
Moore, John H.
Powell, Elihu.
Quinnett, Vandamon.
Reigle, Benjamin, enlisted September 23, 1861 ; died of pneumonia at Win-
terset May 12, 1862.
Spethman, Leopold, enlisted September 23, 1861 ; discharged March 9', 1863,
for disability.
Watson, Joseph H., enlisted October 2, 1861 ; discharged for disability Febru-
ary 6, 1863, at Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Wiggans, Van Buren, enlisted September 18, 1861 ; second sergeant; resigned
and discharged for disability, September 30, 1862.
SIXTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY
COMPANY G
Schoen, William, enlisted October i, 1861 ; discharged for disability, Sep-
tember 12, 1862, at Keokuk, Iowa.
TWENTY-THIRD INFANTRY
COMPANY E
Evans, Lorenzo D., enlisted June 14, 1862.
COMPANY G
Clanton, Thomas H., enlisted January 25, 1865.
Collins, Henry, enlisted January 25, 1865.
Conn, Francis M., enlisted January 25, 1865.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 197
Fincher, Benjamin W., enlisted January 25, 1865 5 transferred to Twenty-ninth
Iowa Infantry.
Greer, John L., enlisted January 25, 1865 J transferred to Twenty-ninth Iowa
Infantry July 23, 1865.
Ilor, George, enlisted January 25, 1865; transferred to Twenty-ninth Iowa
Infantry.
Mullan, John, enlisted January 25, 1865; transferred to Twenty-ninth Iowa
Infantry July 23, 1865.
Pursinger, Isaac A., enlisted January 25, 1865 ; died March 18, 1865, at Fort
Gaines, Alabama.
COMPANY H
James F. Goolman, enlisted July 22, 1862; commissioned captain September
19; resigned June 24, 1863.
Sylvester G. Beckwith, enlisted July 22, 1862; commissioned first lieutenant
September 19, 1862; wounded at Black River Bridge; died of wound June 5, 1863.
William Mills, enlisted August 27, 1862; commissioned second lieutenant
August 2^'^ resigned August 26, 1863.
John D. Wight Ewing, enlisted July 22, 1862; first sergeant; promoted to
second lieutenant; wounded at Black River Bridge; died at Memphis of disease
July 20, 1863.
John E. Roberts, enlisted August 9, 1862; third sergeant.
John D. Craven, enlisted August 22, 1862; third sergeant.
Andrew C. Beerbower, enlisted July 23, 1862; fourth sergeant; killed at Milli-
ken's Bend, Louisiana, June 7, 1863.
John Miller, enlisted August 9, 1862 ; fifth sergeant ; promoted to first sergeant ;
wounded at Black River Bridge, Mississippi, May 17, 1863; died May 19.
Zenas Whaley, enlisted August 9, 1862; first corporal.
Robert A. Matthews, enlisted July 24, 1862; second corporal; discharged June
3, 1863, for disability.
John Myers, enlisted August 9, 1862 ; third corporal.
Seymour B. Williams, enlisted August 9, 1862; fourth corporal; wounded at
Spanish Fort, Alabama, March 30, 1865 ; died April 2, 1865.
Thomas S. Myers, enlisted August 4, 1862; fifth corporal; discharged for
disability March 23, 1865.
John Hamblin, enlisted August 4, 1862; sixth corporal.
Jesse Truitt, enlisted August 9, 1862; seventh corporal; wounded at Black
River Bridge, Mississippi, May 17, 1863.
Bevoni C. Howell, enlisted August 9, 1862; eighth corporal; discharged for
disability August 26, 1863.
Lewis Kimer, enlisted August 12, 1862; musician.
William C. Jones, enlisted August 2, 1862 ; wagoner.
Privates
Armstrong, James F., enlisted March 29, 1864.
Balentine, Alexander J., enlisted August 9, 1862; died October 10, 1863,
on steamer Southwester.
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198 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Barker, Thomas C, enlisted July 26, 1862; discharged for disability March
13, 1863.
Berry, Benjamin H., enlisted July 20, 1862.
Berry, William T., enlisted July 20, 1862; wounded at Black River Bridge;
promoted to corporal; died at Vicksburg of disease August 11, 1863.
Bishop, Ransom, enlisted August 11, 1862; died February 27, 1863, at Iron
Mountain, Missouri.
Breeding, James E., enlisted August 9, 1862; discharged for disability March
2, 1863.
Brooks, Hiram C, enlisted August 9, 1862 ; died September 3, 1863, ^^ Win-
terset.
Bowse, James, enlisted August 9, 1862.
Carey, Marion, enlisted August 9, 1862.
Casteel, Isaac, enlisted July 21, 1862; wounded at Black River Bridge.
Compton, David, enlisted July 31, 1862.
Compton, John F., enlisted August i, 1862; discharged April 10, 1863, for
disability.
Conrad, Samuel, enlisted August 12, 1862.
Cooper, Henry, enlisted August i, 1862.
Cregmiles, William A., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Crumbaker, Andrew J., enlisted July 28, 1862; died of fever at Memphis
July 3, 1863.
Davidson, Daniel N., enlisted August 13, 1862; promoted to corporal; died at
Vicksburg July 31, 1863.
Drake, Curtis M., enlisted August 9, 1862 ; died of measles at St. Louis No-
vember 3, 1862.
Dtunstry, August, enlisted July 24, 1862; died at Black River Bridge April
25, 1863.
Evans, Lorenzo D., enlisted June 14, 1862 ; mustered out July 26, 1865.
Folks, Morgan O., enlisted July 9, 1862; discharged February 16, 1863, ^^r
disability.
Forster, Aaron M., enlisted August 2, 1862.
Ford, Lewis, enlisted July 26, 1862 ; discharged May 19, 1863, ^^r disability.
Gibbons, Joseph A., enlisted July 21, 1862; died July 9, 1863, at Black River
Bridge, of disease.
Goe, William G., enlisted July 5, 1862; died July 8, 1863, at Vicksburg.
Green, John C, enlisted March 28, 1864; died at Limesport, Louisiana,
October 6, 1864.
Green, John L., enlisted July 2, 1862; discharged August 8, 1863, for dis-
ability.
Hamblin, Columbus C, enlisted July 26, 1862; died August 16, 1863, ^^
Memphis.
Harlow, William R., enlisted August 8, 1863; discharged November 15, 1864,
for disability.
Hecock, Samuel C, enlisted July i, 1862.
Hecock, William, enlisted August 12, 1862.
Henkle, Joseph, enlisted August 18, 1862; discharged November 9, 1864, for
disability.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 199
Hiatt, Nathan W., enlisted July 21, 1862; wounded at Port Gibson May i,
1863 ; died at DuvaFs Bluff, December 2^, 1864.
Hubbard, Cyrus C, enlisted August 5, 1862; died January 27, 1863, en route
to Rolla, Missouri.
Jesse, William T., enlisted August 9, 1862; wounded at Black River Ridge
May 17, 1863.
Johns, Abijah B., enlisted August 9, 1862; died August 16, 1863, at St. Charles,
Arkansas.
Johnson, Benjamin, enlisted August 9, 1862.
Kendall, John, enlisted August 9, 1862; discharged November 17, 1862, for
disability.
Kinnaird, George H., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Kirk, Charles W., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Lane, Reuben C, enlisted August 2, 1862.
Lee, Reuben G., enlisted August 9, 1862 ; died at Patterson, Missouri, October
22, 1862.
Likins, John M., enlisted August 2, 1862; died at Milliken's Bend, July 20,
1863.
Lynch, Robert, enlisted March 19, 1864; transferred to Twenty-ninth Iowa
Infantry, July 23, 1865.
Lynch, Peter S., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Mahew, William M., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Mann, James W., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Marchel, John, enlisted August 9, 1862.
Marley, Alexander, enlisted July 31, 1863.
Matthews, Richard, enlisted August 9, 1862; discharged November 17, 1862.
McBee, James, enlisted August 8, 1862; discharged for disability, August 8,
1863.
McClintock, John E., enlisted December 28, 1863; transferred to Veteran
Reserve Corps, June 17, 1864.
McClintock, James M., enlisted August 11, 1862; died at New Orleans, No-
vember II, 1863.
•McDaniel, Allen H., enlisted July 22, 1862.
McWiUiams, Samuel M., enlisted July 31, 1862; died of disease, November
13, 1862.
Mount, William A., enlisted August 14, 1862; discharged May 19, 1863, ^^r
disability.
Myers, Asahel W., enlisted August 8, 1863.
Noble, John, enlisted December 2, 1863.
Noble, William, enlisted August 9, 1862.
Oldham, Jesse, enlisted August 9, 1862.
Peter, Zachariah G., enlisted August 5, 1862.
Porter, George W., enlisted March 21, 1864.
Powell, Rolando, enlisted August 6, 1862 ; died August 28, 1863, at Memphis.
Pursinger, Morgan D., enlisted August 9, 1862; wounded at Black River
Bridge.
Pursinger, William W., enlisted August 12, 1862; wounded at Black River
Bridge, May 17, 1863.
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200 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Reel, William H., enlisted August i8, 1862.
Richmond, William S., enlisted August 15, 1862; wounded at Black River
Bridge.
Rollins, Caleb, enlisted August 12, 1862; wounded at Black River Bridge.
Rollins, Isaac L., enlisted July 26, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Corps.
Rollins, John J., enlisted August 9, 1862; wounded at Spanish Fort, Alabama.
Shepherd, Alexander S., enlisted August 4, 1862.
Shipley, John L., enlisted August 20, 1863.
Shoemaker, William W., enlisted July 26, 1862; wounded at Black River
Bridge.
Short, Hubbard S., enlisted August 20, 1862.
Smith, James, enlisted August 9, 1862; wounded at Black River Bridge;
died of wounds August 11, 1863.
Stephens, Joel R., enlisted August 11, 1862; wounded at Black River Bridge.
Utter, H. L., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Weaver, Ephraim B., enlisted February 26, 1864.
Weaver, William J., enlisted March 26, 1864; transferred to Twenty-ninth
Infantry, July 23, 1865.
Weeks, Finley G., enlisted August i, 1862.
Wilder, Nahum E., enlisted August 9, 1862; wounded at Black River Bridge
and Spanish Fort.
Williams, Joseph C, enlisted August 16, 1862 ; wounded at Black River Bridge,
May 17, 1863, and at Spanish Fort, Alabama, March 30, 1865.
Wine, Elijah S., enlisted August 12, 1862.
Wine, George S., enlisted January 23, 1864.
Winkley, Luther W., enlisted August 9, 1862; wounded at Black River
Bridge.
Youhg, William E., enlisted August 12, 1862; died at Vicksburg, of disease,
June 28, 1863.
Young, Eugene M., enlisted March 16, 1864.
Young, Henry L., enlisted March 16, 1864; died at St. Charles, Arkansas, of
fever, August i, 1864.
THIRTY-FOURTH INFANTRY
COMPANY C
Martin, Robert E., first sergeant; promoted second lieutenant, January 14,
1863; promoted to first lieutenant Company B, consolidated regiment, March
5, 1863.
Harbison, Mathew H., eighth corporal; died at Memphis, January 20, 1863.
Monteith, John W., musician.
Privates
Harbison, William P., discharged April 6, 1863, at Chicago, for disability.
McGinnis, George, died April 21, 1863, at St. Louis.
Way, John C, enlisted August 13, 1862.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 201
COMPANY H
Blosser, Noah, died February 6, 1863, at St. Lx)uis.
Blosser, Christian, enlisted August 19, 1862.
Potter, WiUiam J., enHsted August 19, 1862.
Reed, John R., enlisted August 20, 1862; discharged June 21, 1864, ^^^ dis-
ability.
Sheldon, David, enlisted August 19, 1862.
Stichler, Samuel A., discharged April 13, 1863, at St. Louis, disability.
Stichler, Mathias, died March 4, 1864, at New Orleans.
THIRTY-NINTH INFANTRY
H. J. B. Cummings, colonel.
Frederick Mott, quartermaster; enlisted and commissioned September 15,
1862; appointed captain and A. A. G., February 3, 1865.
William L. Leonard, assistant surgeon ; enlisted and commissioned September
17, 1862.
Thomas J. Taylor, chaplain; enlisted and commissioned October 3, 1862;
resigned July 13, 1863.
John M. Andrews, quartermaster sergeant; enlisted August 17, 1862; ap-
pointed November 24, 1862.
COMPANY A
George N. Elliott, captain; enlisted August 8, 1862; commissioned November
24, 1862; promoted to major; promoted to lieutenant colonel. May 4, 1864; mus-
tered out as major.
Oliver C. Ayers, first lieutenant; enlisted August 8, 1862; commissioned
November 24, 1862.
Jonathan B. Rawls, second lieutenant; enlisted August 11, 1862; wounded at
Parker's Cross Roads, December 31, 1862; resigned April 2, 1864.
John P. Jones, first sergeant; enlisted August 11, 1862; wounded at Parker's
Cross Roads; killed at Allatoona, October 5, 1864.
Philip M. Boyles, second sergeant; enlisted August 12, 1862; discharged
September 9, 1863.
James F. Brock, third sergeant; enlisted August 13, 1862; captured at Alla-
toona, October 5, 1864.
Thomas Ansley, fourth sergeant; enlisted August 8, 1862; died at Davenport,
December 24, 1862.
Samuel S. Guiberson, fifth sergeant ; enlisted August 8, 1862 ;- promoted to
fourth sergeant, December 31, 1862; first lieutenant and then captain, January
28, 1865.
Charles T. Jones, first corporal; enlisted August 14, 1862.
David Applegate, second corporal; enlisted August 8, 1862.
Martin B. Ruby, third corporal; enlisted August 13, 1862; killed at Allatoona,
October 5, 1864.
Charles S. Armstrong, fourth corporal ; enlisted August 8, 1862 ; promoted to
fifth sergeant, December 31, 1862; promoted to first sergeant and first lieutenant,
March 26, 1865.
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202 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
James S. Wallace, fifth corporal; enlisted August ii, 1862.
John S. Tullis, sixth corporal; enlisted August 11, 1862; wounded at Alla-
toona; discharged February 24, 1865.
John W. Barber, seventh corporal ; enlisted August 14, 1862 ; discharged De-
cember 15, 1863.
Jesse Williams, eighth corporal ; enlisted August 13, 1862 ; wounded at Parker's
Cross Roads.
Benjamin F. Bowlsby, musician; enlisted August 22, 1862.
William N. White, musician ; enlisted August 14, 1862.
John S. Maggs, wagoner; enlisted August 22, 1862.
Privates
Alexander, James F., enlisted August 22, 1862.
Allcock, Lorenzo W., enlisted August 8, 1862 ; promoted to corporal ; wounded
at AUatoona; discharged March 13, 1865.
Allen, Benjamin, enlisted August, 1862-; died at Davenport, November 20, 1862.
Allen, Isaac, enlisted August 8, 1862.
Bates, Lewis F., enlisted August 8, 1862 ; wounded at Parker's Cross Roads.
Bethel, George W., enlisted August 16, 1862.
Betts, George W., enlisted August 12, 1862.
Bertholf, John W., enlisted August 22, 1862.
Boling, James W., enlisted August 8, 1862; captured at Parker's Cross Roads;
discharged April 4, 1863.
Breeding, Joseph A., enlisted August 12, 1862; discharged August 24, 1863.
Brittain, Alfred, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Brittain, Pleasant, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Brown, Edward, enlisted August 14, 1862; wounded at Parker's Cross Roads;
died at Jackson, Mississippi, of wounds, February 27, 1863.
Brown, George, enlisted August 12, 1862.
Brown, Thomas, enlisted August 9, 1862; wounded at Parker's Cross Roads.
Cady, Henry, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Carter, Benjamin F., enlisted August 14, 1862; discharged February 25, 1863.
Cassiday, F. Marion, enlisted August 13, 1862.
Chase, Henry M., enlisted August 14, 1862; captured at Parker's Cross Roads.
Chase, George B., enlisted August 10, 1862.
Church, Benjamin F., enlisted August 13, 1862.
Compton, Martin, enlisted August 14, 1862 ; discharged May 27, 1863.
Connoran, Edward F., enlisted August 18, 1862.
Cook, John H., enlisted August 14, 1862.
Dabney, Isaac W., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Debord, Meres C, enlisted August 9, 1862 ; captured at Parker's Cross Roads ;
discharged June 21, 1864.
Duncan, John M., enlisted August 11, 1862; captured at AUatoona.
Fleming, David, enlisted August 10, 1862 ; captured at Parker's Cross Roads.
Gatchell, Albert A., enlisted August 14, 1862; wounded at AUatoona; dis-
charged December 12, 1864.
Goare, William, enlisted August 13, 1862; wounded at AUatoona, October 5,
1864 ; died October 25th of wounds.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 203
Harlan, John A. P., enlisted August 12, 1862.
Hindman, John, enlisted August 11, 1862.
Hollingsworth, Elbert, enlisted August 13, 1862.
Houston, Reuben J., enlisted February 24, 1864.
Johnson, Hosea H., enlisted August 12, 1862; captured at Shady Grove,
Tennessee, December 31, 1862; transferred to Invalid Corps.
Jones, Caleb Brinton, enlisted August 14, 1862.
Jones, Thomas, enlisted August 13, 1862; died at Corinth, March 10, 1863,
of fever.
Kale, James, enlisted August 10, 1862 ; captured at Shady Grove.
Kale, William J., enlisted February 24, 1864; killed at Allatoona, October
5, 1864.
Kensler, John, enlisted August 22, 1862; captured at Shady Grove.
Kephart, Abraham, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Kopp, Theodore, enlisted August 14, 1862; died at Rome, Georgia, of fever,
August 27, 1864.
Landis, Isaac N., enlisted August 10, 1862; captured at Allatoona.
Landis, William Bird, enlisted August 14, 1862; killed at Allatoona, October
5, 1864.
Landon, Martin V. B., enlisted Aiigust 14, 1862.
Large, Upton T., enlisted May 14, 1862; wounded at Allatoona.
Large, Patrick, enlisted August 22, 1862; died at Davenport, November 19,
1862.
Longnacker, Isaac S., enlisted August 22, 1862.
Lovelace, Brinton, enlisted November 14, 1862. •
McKibben, William, enlisted August 22, 1862.
McKinzie, Aaron, enlisted August 14, 1862; captured at Allatoona.
McLaughlin, E. D., enlisted August 13, 1862.
Means, Lewis F., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Mercer, Clinton T., enlisted August 14, 1862; captured at Allatoona.
Mills, Albert C, enlisted August 11, 1862; captured at Shady Grove.
Mills, Ephraim, enlisted August 22, 1862 ; captured at Shady Grove.
Miller, Benjamin F., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Morgan, William, enlisted August 10, 1862; died at Winterset, November 19,
1862.
Myers, Daniel M., enlisted August 12, 1862; died at Corinth, May 21, 1863.
Norman, Lemuel M., enlisted August 14, 1862.
Oglesbee, John, enlisted August 23, 1862; discharged January 29, 1864.
Oglesbee, Isaiah, enlisted August 23, 1862; wounded at Allatoona.
Peach, Leander, enlisted August 10, 1862; died at Des Moines, October 19,
1862.
Peach, Moston W., enlisted August 9, 1862.
Pendleton, Henry C, enlisted August 22, 1862; died at Corinth, February 3,
1863, of disease.
Pontius, Solomon, enlisted August 15, 1862 ; wounded at Parker's Cross Roads,
December 31, 1862; died of wounds, January 3, 1863.
Porter, Isaac, enlisted August 12, 1862; wounded at Allatoona; promoted to
first sergeant April 24, 1865.
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204 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Rollstin, Porter, enlisted August ii, 1862.
Ratliff, John W., enlisted August 18, 1862.
Ray, Joseph, enlisted August 10, 1862; died at Corinth, March 13, 1863, of
disease.
Rhodes, James M., enlisted August 11, 1862; discharged June 24, 1864.
Rhodes, Pleasant M., enlisted August 22, 1862; captured at Shady Grove.
Rice, John, . enlisted August 22, 1862.
Richmond, John, enlisted August 9, 1862.
Roberts, Benjamin F., enlisted August 22, 1862; captured at Shady Grove;
discharged June 14, 1865.
Shupe, Levi I., enlisted August 8, 1862 ; discharged December 9, 1862.
Siemiller, Cyrus, enlisted August 9, 1864.
Smith, John, enlisted August 13, 1862.
Stickle, Boyd J., enlisted August 9, 1862; died at Davenport, December 3,
1862.
Swim, Anthony J., enlisted August 12, 1862.
Thomson, William D. enlisted August 14, 1862.
Tucker, Thomas, enlisted August 9, 1862; wounded at Parker's Cross Roads.
Walker, James Vance, enlisted August 9, 1862 ; discharged March 14, 1863.
Whitenack, Robert A., enlisted August ^4, 1862.
Wood, Gilbert D., enlisted August 12, 1862; captured at Shady Grove; dis-
charged March 9, 1863.
Young, Robert M., enlisted February 29, 1864.
Young, Newton W. enlisted August 22, 1862; promoted to fourth sergeant,
April 24, 1863.
COMPANY F
Joseph M. Browne, captain; enlisted August 22, 1862; wounded at Parker's
Cross Roads; resigned June 15, 1864.
Adolphus Bradfield, first lieutenant; enlisted August 22, 1862; promoted to
captain, June 16, 1864.
Thomas W. Stiles, second lieutenant, enlisted August 22, 1862; promoted to
captain, July 14, 1863.
James A. Wright, first sergeant; enlisted August 22, 1862; discharged Jan-
uary 24, 1864.
William Anderson, second sergeant ; enlisted May 22, 1862.
John Lewis, third sergeant; enlisted August 17, 1862; died at Corinth,
April 3, 1863.
John L. Williamson, second corporal; enlisted August 20, 1862.
Samuel M. Creger, third corporal; enlisted August 20, 1862.
Lauren M. Stephens, fourth corporal; enlisted August 22, 1862.
James L. Parks, fifth corporal; enlisted August 22, 1862; wounded at Alla-
toona; discharged July 6, 1865.
James M. Cord, sixth corporal; enlisted August 20, 1862; died at Corinth,
February 6, 1863.
Joshua S. Wallace, seventh corporal; enlisted August 17, 1863; discharged
October 30, 1863.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 205
Jonathan A. Gordon, musician; enlisted November i, 1862; discharged August
17, 1863.
Jonathan Roby, musician; enlisted August 20, 1863.
Jackson H. Kale, wagoner; enlisted August 20, 1862.
James Fosher, promoted from private to first corporal, January 11, 1863.
Privates
Baker, Elias, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Baker, John, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Baker, Richard, enlisted August 22, 1862; discharged for disability April 6,
1863.
Beickel, George, enlisted August 17, 1862; discharged August i, 1863.
Beickel, Michael, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Bradfield, Alvin, enlisted August 17, 1862; promoted fifth sergeant, October
25, 1864.
Bradshaw, David, enlisted February 25, 1864; wounded at Allatoona; trans-
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April 29, 1865.
Carmichael, Moses A., enlisted August 20, 1862.
Church, Othello, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Clear, John, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Clampitt, Richard M., enlisted August 17, 1862; transferred to United States
Signal Corps, March 28, 1864.
Clanton, George, enlisted August 20, 1862.
Clopton, Robert, enlisted August 20, 1862; died at Cairo, November 7, 1863.
Conrad, Timothy, enlisted August 20, 1862.
Creger, James, enlisted August 20, 1862; died at Corinth, August 29, 1863.
Davis, James R., enlisted August 17, 1862.
Fife, Samuel, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Foreman, George W., enlisted August 17, 1862; discharged April 8, 1863^
Fosher, James, enlisted August 17, 1862; promoted to first corporal, January
II, 1863.
Foster, Reuben J., enlisted August 20, 1862, as eighth corporal; discharged
February 17, 1863.
Gordon, Samuel A., enlisted August 20, 1862; discharged August 2, 1863.
Griffin, John, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Hallgarth, David, enlisted August 20, 1862; discharged June 21, 1865.
Harmon, George, enlisted August 20, 1862.
Henager, John J., enlisted August 17, 1862; wounded at Parker's Cross
Roads.
Herren, Henry, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Hiatt, Elijah, enlisted August 20, 1862.
Hillen, James, enlisted February 29, 1864; killed in action at Allatoona.
Hollenbeck, Aaron, enlisted August 20, 1862.
Holmes, Archibald, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Holmes, William W., enlisted August, 1862; died at Athens, Alabama, May
8, 1864.
Hoselton, Pumal, enlisted August 22, 1862; promoted second corporal, Oc-
tober 25, 1864.
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206 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Hubbard, Martin, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Huglin, John G., enlisted August 20, 1862; wounded at Allatoona.
Keffer, Samuel, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Landon, Daniel J., enlisted August 17, 1862.
Landers, Felix, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Lee, James M., enlisted August 17, 1862.
Martin, James H., enlisted August 17, 1862; killed at Allatoona.
Matthews, S. W., enlisted August 17, 1862.
McClellan, Benjamin, enlisted August 20, 1862.
McConnellee, James, enlisted August 20, 1863.
Miller, William, enlisted August 20, 1862.
Miller, Joseph H., enlisted March 9, 1863; wounded at Allatoona; died at
Rome, Georgia, of wounds, October 30, 1864.
Mount, Edward, enlisted January 25, 1864; wounded at Allatoona.
Nichols, Amos, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Nickell, Alexander, enlisted August 22, 1862.
• Nickell, Isaac, enlisted August 22, 1862; killed in Allatoona.
Nickle, Robert C, enlisted August 22, 1862, as fifth sergeant; discharged
for disability, September 21, 1863.
Parker, Ira, enlisted August 22, 1862.
Parker, Isaac, enlisted February 22, 1864; killed at Allatoona.
Robinson, Stephen, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Robinson, Emery S., enlisted August 22, 1862.
Roy, Thomas, enlisted August 20, 1862.
Scott, William, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Shannon, Harvey, enlisted August 20, 1862; wounded at Parker*s Cross
Roads ; discharged April 11, 1864.
Smith, Newlin, enlisted August 24, 1862.
Stafford, James, enlisted August 20, 1862; discharged January 26, 1863.
Sutton, Ezra, enlisted August 20, 1862.
Swearingen, Thomas B., enlisted August 20, 1862.
Thomburg, William, enlisted August 22, 1862; wounded at Parker's Cross
Roads.
Wasson, David N., enlisted August 20, 1862.
Walter, John H., enlisted August 20, 1862.
Wheat, Jefferson, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Wilkins, William L., enlisted August 22, 1862, as fourth sergeant; promoted
second sergeant February i, 1864.
Wilkinson, William S., enlisted August 22, 1862; wounded at Parker's Cross
Roads.
Willis, Thomas, enlisted August 22, 1862; discharged September 21, 1863.
Young, Charles H., enlisted August 20, 1862; discharged February 19, 1863.
Young, George M., enlisted August 22, 1862; captured at Allatoona.
Young, James, enlisted August 17, 1862.
Young, Thomas C, enlisted August 20, 1862; discharged April 18, 1865.
FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY
Asbury Nosier, quartermaster sergeant ; promoted from private, Company E.
August 3, 1864.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 207
Joseph H. Mack, hospital steward ; promoted from private Company E.
Samuel B. Cherry, assistant surgeon.
COMPANY E
John S. Goshom, captain; commissioned June 4, 1864.
Stiffler, Abraham J., second lieutenant ; commissioned June 4, 1864.
William Bard, Jr., first sergeant; May 4, 1864.
Martin M. Gilleran, second sergeant; May 4, 1864.
Albert B. Stafford, third sergeant; May 4, 1864.
James B. Ralston, first corporal ; May 4, 1864.
John S. Bard, second corporal; May 21, 1864.
Oliver P. Stafford, third corporal; May 4, 1864.
Thomas Early, fourth corporal ; May 4, 1864.
Madison Epperson, seventh corporal; May 9, 1864.
Frederick Cline, eighth corporal; May 9, 1864.
Privates
Acheson, Robert R., enlisted June 4, 1864.
Amy, Eugene M., enlisted May 9, 1864.
Amy, John B., enlisted May 9, 1864.
Barker, David P., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Beall, Edward, enlisted May 4, 1864.
Benedict, William T., enKsted May 4, 1864.
Berry, John H., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Bishop, Milton S., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Bixby, Benjamin F., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Blakeley, Thomas J., enlisted May 16, 1864; died at Helena, Arkansas, June
18, 1864.
Brown, John M., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Bullock, Manville L., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Compton, George, enlisted May 29, 1864; died at Helena, Arkansas, July 11,
1864.
Cooper, Milton D., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Cooper, Warren D., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Crable, John J., enlisted May 27, 1864.
Danforth, Challen, enlisted May 16, 1864.
Davis, Peter, enlisted May 15, 1864.
Deuel, Benjamin F., enlisted May 16, 1864.
Dewey, James H., enlisted May 29, 1864.
Dickson, James, enlisted May 4, 1864.
Duff, John B., enlisted May 16, 1864.
Farris, Isaac F., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Flanery, Patrick, enlisted May 16, 1864.
Foresman, James, enlisted May 4, 1864.
Foster, Jasper A., enlisted May 9, 1864.
Gamble, Michael, enlisted May 20, 1864.
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208 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Griffin, Henry W., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Hartsook, Salem, enlisted May 27, 1864.
Hendricks, Joshua, enlisted May 4, 1864.
Hiatt, Elam, enlisted May 17, 1864.
Hindman, Robert, enlisted May 16, 1864.
HolHngsworth, J. J., enlisted May 16, 1864.
Kirkland, Samuel, enlisted May 4, 1864.
Kinkennon, James T., enlisted May 4; died at Helena, July 11, 1864.
Lamb, John B., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Lathrum, John, enlisted May 16, 1864.
Lathrop, D wight, enlisted May 4, 1864.
Mario w, Eddy, enlisted May 16, 1864.
Martin, Isaac, enlisted May 27, 1864.
Mack, Joseph H., enlisted May 4, 1864.
McDonald, Nathaniel, enlisted May 4, 1864; died at Helena, August 13, 1864.
McLaughlin, F/ J., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Pearson, George B., enlisted May 6, 1864.
Poffinbarger, William C., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Pry or, Matthew G., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Queen, William H., enlisted May 16, 1864.
Runkle, John M., enlisted May 16, 1864.
Smith, Wilson W., enlisted May 4, 1864.
Spencer, James, enlisted May 16, 1864.
Weaver, Philip, enlisted May 4, 1864.
Wheelock, Solomon B., enlisted May 4, 1864.
COMPANY F
Benedict, George W., private, enlisted May 2, 1864.
Riser, William H., musician, enlisted May 27, 1864.
FORTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY
COMPANY B
Carpenter, William W., enlisted June 25, 1864.
McClellan, George W., enlisted July 6, 1864.
COMPANY c
Ford, Franklin, enlisted July 4, 1864.
Howell, Emerson, enlisted July 7, 1864.
Rudrow, E. V., enlisted May 21, 1864.
VETERAN CORPS
TENTH INFANTRY
COMPANY K
Dillman, Samuel A., enlisted January i, 1864.
Eskew, Alexander, enlisted January i, 1864.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 209
Keebles, William H., enlisted January i, 1864.
Keys, W. J., enlisted February i, 1864.
Weekly, Merritt, enlisted February 24, 1864.
FIRST CAVALRY
COMPANY D
James D. Jenks, first lieutenant; promoted captain, May 4, 1862; promoted to
major, February 13, 1864.
William R. Shriver, second lieutenant; enlisted July 31, 1861 ; promoted first
lieutenant July i, 1862; resigned June 18, 1864.
Qarence S. Wilson, third sergeant; enlisted June 13, 1861 ; discharged Febru-
ary 14, 1863.
Butler Bird, third corporal; enlisted June 13, 1861 ; promoted quartermaster
sergeant, July i, 1862; discharged February 14, 1863.
William G. Applegate, seventh corporal; enlisted June 13, 1861 ; promoted to
saddler's sergeant, September i, 1862.
E. S. Ewing, bugler; enlisted June 13, 1861 ; promoted regular quartermaster *
sergeant, August 8, 1861; promoted commissary sergeant, June i, 1862; dis-
charged June 31, 1865.
Milton C. Carter, saddler; enlisted July 18, 1861 ; discharged February 14,
1863.
Privates
Armstrong, Robert F., enlisted March 7, 1864.
Andress, Harvey D., enlisted February 18, 1864.
Barker, Elihu G., enlisted July 18, 1861 ; discharged to accept promotion in
One Hundred and Thirteenth United States Infantry, A. D.
Baxley, Francis M., enlisted February 23, 1864.
Benge, Anderson M., enlisted February 16, 1864; promoted saddler, August
15, 1865.
Bird, James H., enlisted July 18, 1861 ; killed by guerrillas. May 15, 1862,
at Butler, Missouri.
Burnett, David D., enlisted July 18, 1861 ; promoted to bugler, October 7, 1861 ;
wounded at Lafayette, Missouri, March 11, 1862.
Burnett, David W., enlisted July 18, 1861.
Black, James W., enlisted July 18, 1861 ; discharged October 28, 1861.
Carter, William C, enlisted July 18, 1861.
Cleland, Thomas M., enlisted June 13, 1861.
Colville, George H., ehlisted July 18, 1861 ; died at Sedalia, Missouri, Novem-
ber 4, 1862.
Davis, Henry C., enlisted June 10, 1863.
Flanigan, William, enlisted February 8, 1864; died of disease, January 31,
1865.
Graham, Abel, enlisted September 2, 1862.
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210 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Graham, John W., enlisted June 13, 1861.
Graham, William, enlisted June 13, 1861 ; promoted saddler, May 20, 1863.
Grier, Alvin T., enlisted February 15, 1864.
Hammon, David, enlisted February 23, 1864. •
Harmon, Tilman G., enlisted September 14, 1861.
Hollingsworth, George, enlisted July 18, 1861 ; died April 9, 1863, at Lake
Springs, Indiana.
Housh, Charles H., enlisted February 16, 1864.
Hunt, Charles W., enlisted July 18, 1861.
Imes, William L., enlisted February 27, 1864.
Johnson, Benjamin R., enlisted September 14, 1861.
Kirk, Jacob W., enlisted February 13, 1864.
Kirkhart, Jacob L., enlisted February i, 1864.
Lake, Baylis E., enlisted July 18, 1861 ; captured February 23, 1863.
Lane, William W., enlisted March 4, 1864.
Ledington, George W., enlisted February 29, 1864.
Lee, William O., enlisted July 18, 1861.
Ludlow, William O., enlisted September* 5, 1861.
McCandless, James K., enlisted September 5, 1861.
Marks, Elias, enlisted February 9, 1864.
Moore, Ephraim, enlisted June 15, 1864.
Peach, Joseph, enlisted February 7, 1864.
Pitzer, John M., enlisted June 4, 1864.
Pursel, William, enlisted June 13, 1861 ; promoted captain Company F, Fourth
Cavalry.
Read, George, enlisted June 23, 1861 ; died at Little Rock, November 23, 1863.
Reynolds, Joseph K., enlisted September 5, 1861.
Sampson, Carlos E., enlisted June 13, 1861 ; promoted second corporal, Oc-
tober 7, 1861.
Shannon, James M., enlisted May 13, 1863.
Shannon, Samuel E., enlisted July 18, 1861 ; wounded at Montevallo, April 14,
1862; promoted corporal, but no vacancy reported.
Shannon, William, enlisted July 18, 1861.
Shrackengrast, J. W., enlisted February 27, 1864.
Smith, Jackson C, enlisted September 5, 1861.
Thomas, Harvey, enlisted July 18, 1861 ; died at Memphis, September 30,
1863.
Turk, William M., enlisted June 13, 1861 ; promoted to first corporal, Septem-
ber I, 1862.
Wilkin, Matthew W., enlisted September 5, 1861.
Williams, John H., enlisted June 13, 1861.
Wilson, William M., enlisted July, 1861.
FOURTH CAVALRY
Edward W. Raymond, quartermaster sergeant, enlisted October 14, 1861 ;
promoted from fifth sergeant Company I ; mustered out February 16, 1865.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 211
COMPANY I
William Pursel, captain; enlisted July i, 1861 ; resigned October 26, 1864.
Jesse R. Lambert, first lieutenant, enlisted July i, 1861 ; resigned July 2, 1862.
George W. Caskey, third sergeant; enlisted October 11, 1861 ; promoted second
sergeant, February, 1862; killed in action at Brownsville, Mississippi, October
18, 1863.
William G. Reynolds, fourth sergeant; enlisted October 21, 1861 ; promoted
third sergeant, February, 1862; discharged June 18, 1862.
Edward W. Raymond, fifth sergeant ; enlisted October 14, 1861 ; promoted
regimental quartermaster sergeant, January i, 1862.
Edward Johnson, second corporal ; enlisted August 10, 1861 ; 'promoted first
corporal; transferred to Invalid Corps, March 5, 1864.
William McConnellee, third corporal; enlisted October 26, 1861 ; promoted
second corporal February 28, 1862; second lieutenant, April 5, 1863; wounded at
Bear Creek, Mississippi, June 22, 1863; discharged March 15, 1865.
S. L. Montgomery, fourth corporal ; enlisted October 25, 1861 ; promoted third
corporal, February 28, 1862; first sergeant, veterans; died at Memphis, June 15,
1864.
James W. Smalley, fifth corporal; enlisted October 21, 1861.
William Early, sixth corporal; enlisted November 16, 1861 ; promoted fifth
sergeant and fourth sergeant, February, 1862, and third sergeant, June i, 1862;
second lieutenant, April 5, 1863; resigned March 30, 1864.
Andrew M. Hart, seventh corporal; enlisted November 5, 1861 ; promoted to
sixth corporal, February 28, 1862; fourth corporal, June 18, 1862; sixth sergeant,
October 18, 1862; fifth sergeant, November i, 1862; fourth sergeant, June 28,
1863; Third Corps; discharged September 22, 1864.
JcAn Ruby, musician; enlisted October 8, 1861.
M. G. Bullock, eighth corporal ; enlisted October 19, 1861 ; promoted seventh
corporal, February 28, 1862.
John W. Dabney, wagoner; enlisted November 18, 1861 ; promoted eighth
corporal, October 12, 1862; seventh corporal, November i, 1862.
Alfred Benge, saddler; enlisted Octob,er 15, 1861 ; discharged for disability,
January 24, 1863.
Privates
Allen, Hiram, enlisted November 21, 1861 ; discharged December 10, 1862.
Anderson, John B., enlisted October 14, 1861.
Applegate, Allen, enlisted March 31, 1864.
Applegate, Andrew, enlisted January 8, 1862.
Beezley, Nathan, enlisted November 5, 1861 ; killed at Columbus, Georgia,
April 16, 1865.
Beall, Leonard B., enlisted October 21, 1861.
Bell, John J., enlisted November 16, 1861 ; promoted to third sergeant in 1862;
discharged for disability January 28, 1863.
Benge, Alfred, enlisted October 15, 1861.
Bird, Thomas M., enlisted October 21, 1861 ; captured at Black River Bridge,
June 22, 1863.
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212 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Blakeley, Charles W., enlisted October 14, 1861 ; discharged at^Batesville,
Arkansas, June 18, 1862.
Bressler, William H., enlisted October 19, 1861.
Bruce, Francis M., enlisted October 24, 1861.
Campbell, Robert, enlisted October 22, 1861 ; captured at Helena, Arkansas,
March 27, 1863 ; wounded at Selma, Alabama, April 2, 1865.
Cutting, Joseph E., enlisted October 11, 1861.
Collins, Alexander, enlisted October 21, i86i.*
Currier, Russell G., enlisted October 14, 1861 ; captured at Black River Bridge,
June 22, 1863.
Dearduff, Edward, enlisted January 14, 1862.
Darby, Daniel H., enlisted October 19, 1861 ; discharged April 5, 1863.
Foresman, Robert W., enlisted November 21, 1861.
Fosher, William M., enlisted October 23, 1861 ; promoted seventh corporal,
October 18, 1862; sixth corporal, June i, 1863; fifth sergeant, January 28, 1864;
first sergeant, veterans, July i, 1864; accidentally drowned in the Ohio River, near
Elizabethtown, Illinois, February 11, 1865.
Graham, Chauncey W., enlisted October 11, 1861; promoted to fourth ser-
geant, veterans, July 11, 1864.
Hart, George W., enlisted November 20, 1861.
Hart, Miles H., enlisted November 5, 1861 ; promoted to sixth corporal; fifth
corporal, February 28, 1862; fourth corporal, June i, 1862; third corporal, June
18, 1862; second corporal, October 18, 1862; fifth sergeant, November i, 1862;
fourth sergeant, June 28, 1863; fifth sergeant, veterans, July i, 1864.
Hastings, William P., enlisted October 14, 1861, as first sergeant.
Hecock, David, enlisted October 23, 1861.
Henkle, Sylvester, enlisted October 21, 1861 ; discharged April 13, 1862.
Hill, David, enlisted November 14, 1861.
Inns, Stephen, enlisted October 8, 1861.
Johnson, William, enlisted September i, 1862.
• Laidley, James M., enlisted September 17, 1862.
Lull, Alexis, enlisted November 16, 1861 ; captured at Black River Bridge.
McConnellee, A., enlisted October 26, 1861.
McNeal, W. H. H., enlisted November 16, 1861 ; died at Helena, February 26,
1862.
Macumber, Andrew, enlisted October 24, 1861.
Mahoney, John, enlisted October 12, 1861.
Matthews, Alonzo W., enlisted October 24, 1861 ; died at West Plains, Mis-
souri, July I, 1862.
Myers, Samuel, enlisted October 25, 1861.
Needles, A. H., enlisted October 16, 1861 ; promoted third corporal, June i,
1862; discharged June 18, 1862.
Noble, John S., enlisted October 11, 1861.
Parsons, Andrew W., enlisted December i, 1863.
Pearson, James M., enlisted October 25, 1861.
Philby, Enoch, enlisted October 26, 1861.
Philby, James J., enlisted October 26, 1861 ; discharged June 21, 1862.
Philby, John F., enlisted January 6, 1862.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 213
Phillips, James, enlisted November i6, 1861 ; discharged April 15, 1862.
Ralston, Robert, enlisted November 16, 1861 ; wounded at Osage River, Kan-
sas, November 25, 1864.
Raymond, Myron A., enlisted January i, 1864.
Read, Thomas, enlisted October 11, 1861.
Reed, Evans, enlisted January 14, 1862; promoted sixth sergeant, June i, 1865.
Rice, Albert, enlisted March 18, 1864; wounded at Guntown.
Richey, Paris, enlisted October 19, 1861.
Ruby, John W., enlisted October 9, 1861 ; appointed bugler.
Schweers, John, enlisted September 21, 1862.
Schweers, Reinhardt, enlisted September 27, 1862.
Sowash, Daniel, enlisted March 26, 1864; died in camp at Vicksburg, April
20, 1864.
Stewart, Thomas, enlisted October 14, 1861 ; captured at Black River Bridge.
Wilkinson, Thomas W., enlisted November 14, 1863 ; wounded and captured
at Ripley, Mississippi, June 11, 1864.
Whipple, Charles H., enlisted November 18, 1861.
Wright, William, enlisted October 23, 1861.
FIFTH CAVALRY
COMPANY D
William W. Buchanan, first sergeant ; enlisted 1862 ; promoted first lieutenant,
November i, 1862; resigned May 12, 1863.
Privates
Douglas, Isaac P., discharged February 7, 1862.
Dutt, Charles, enlisted June 24, 1861 ; veteranized Company G, Fifth Cavalry,
January i, 1864.
Judd, Alexander, discharged July 29, 1865.
Sperry, James A., enlisted October 15, 1861 ; appointed regular second mu-
sician ; enlisted as private Company D, Fifth Veteran Cavalry.
Wolf, Daniel, enlisted October 15, 1861.
NINTH CAVALRY
COMPANY H
Burton, W., enlisted October 14, 1863.
Kendall, James, enlisted October 24, 1863; died at Benton Barracks, March
19, 1864.
Kendall, John, enlisted September 19, 1863.
Matthews, Richard T., enlisted September 26, 1863; discharged August 2,
1865.
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214 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Nickell, James H., enlisted October 24, 1863.
Pearce, Joshua C, enlisted October 5, 1863.
LIGHT ARTILLERY
FIRST BATTERY
Cooper, Elisha, enlisted January 4, 1864; died of disease March 7, 1864.
Cunningham, Thomas H., enlisted January 16, 1864; died before reaching
the battery.
James, Henry, enlisted March 25, 1864.
James, William, enlisted December 29, 1864.
Kilner, Franklin, enlisted November 13, 1864.
Lewis, Joseph, enlisted December 9, 1863.
Newman, Charles A., enlisted January i, 1864; died of disease February 11,
1865.
Newman, Peter S., enlisted January 19, 1864.
Peters, James S., enlisted January i, 1864.
MISCELLANEOUS
Atkinson, Alexander, enlisted March 28, 1862, Company I, Seventeenth In-
fantry.
Richardson, George B., enlisted February 9, 1864, Company K, Fifteenth
Infantry.
Ducketl, Isaiah, enlisted August 15, 1862, Company I, Twenty-third Infantry;
died at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, July 15, 1863.
Rice, Samuel, enlisted January 4, 1864, Company K, Twenty-ninth Infantry.
Bachelder, George F., enlisted August 4, 1861, Second Infantry, Company D.
Lynch, Andrew, enlisted May 4, 1861, Company D, Second Infantry; dis-
charged at Bird's Point, October 25, 1861, for mental derangement.
Bowlsby, William H., enlisted November 26, 1864.
Cook, Frederick M., enlisted December 30, 1863.
Williams, Henry C, enlisted December 10, 1864, Twelfth Infantry.
Weeks, Charles P., enlisted September 28, 1864, Thirteenth Infantry.
Pope, George, enlisted January 22, 1864.
McGar, John, enlisted Jtine 11, 1861, Company K, Twenty-second Illinois.
Hammer, John H., enlisted August 27, 1861, Company \ Twenty-eighth
Illinois.
Fry, Samuel, enlisted September 2, 1862, Company H, Eleventh Illinois
Cavalry.
Duncan, James G., enlisted May 4, 1861, Second Infantry, private; promoted
to sixth corporal May 27, 1861 ; to third sergeant, July 16, 1861 ; to second ser-
geant, March 26, 1862.
Mason, William B., enlisted May 4, 1861, Company D, Second Infantry.
Garrett, William, private, Company D, Second Cavalry; enlisted August 2,
1861 ; veteranized March i, 1864.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 215
Pilgrim, Gerhard, Company C, Fourth Cavalry ; enlisted September 27, 1862 ;
killed July 10, 1864, at Guntown, Mississippi, in action.
Schmalzla, Charles, enlisted February 2, 1864.
THE SOLDIERS* MONUMENT
Madison County's people were among the very first in the whole United
States to erect a monument to the soldier dead. The first suggestion for such a
movement appeared in the columns of the Madisonian from one of its corre-
spondents, but the County Agricultural Society took the initial step in furthering
the project when, at a meeting held by its officials in October, 1865, ^ ^'soldiers'
monument committee" was organized, consisting of H. J. B. Cummings, president;
Flora Winkly, secretary; J. J. Davies, treasurer; together with E. W. Fuller,
Mrs. Mary A. Hutchings, and Miss Emma McCaughan, executive committee.
Sub-committees were appointed in each township, whose duty it was to solicit
contributions for the memorial shaft. Festivals, lectures and exhibitions were
given in Winterset and in other localities during the winters of 1865* and 1866, to
secure funds for the project, not to mention school exhibitions and various other
plans. The board of supervisors donated the old courthouse and jail lots, and
when the jail lot was sold and another* lot purchased adjoining the courthouse lot,
a site for the monument had been secured.
On July 28, 1865, the officers of the Fair Association announced that they
had set apart a portion of their grounds for the display and sale of articles to
secure funds with which to build the monument. At the time A. J. Adkinson was
president of the association and J. J. Davies, secretary.^ The free department
thus donated was placed in charge of H. J. B. Cummings, M. R. Tidrick, S. G.
Ruby, Miss Charity Lothrop, Mrs. J. J. Hutchings and Mrs. D. N. Elliott. The
following township committees were appointed to solicit funds and adopt other
means for securing money to build the monument :
Center. — Mrs. W. G. Walker, Mrs. Maggie Jones, Miss Mary Hutchinson,
John T. White.
Crawford. — Mrs. W. L. Wilkins, Mrs. Jennie Howell, Miss Martha Gamble,
Samuel Eyerly.
Douglas. — Mrs. George Seevers, Mrs. William Gore, Miss Emma Brooks, W.
S. Harlan.
Grand River. — Miss Alice Lee, Mrs. A. Bonham, Dr. J. H. Mack, Mrs. D.
Craven.
Jackson. — Margaret Ralston, Mary Stewart, Charlotte Welch, William Early.
Jefferson. — Mrs. Chilcoat, Mrs. B. Ballentine, Miss McDonald, J. K. Mohler.
Lee. — Mrs. Hagen, Mrs. Captain Johnson, A. J. Burkhead.
Lincoln. — Mrs. Doctor Leonard, Mrs. Benjamin Titcomb, Miss Margaret
Ruby, E. G. Perkins.
'Madison. — Mrs. P. Sanford, Mrs. Edward Peed, Miss Spray, G. T. Nichols.
Monroe. — Miss Nancy Ritchie, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Simon Hamblin, Frank
Cochran.
Ohio. — Mrs. R. J. Creger, Mary Holmes, Mrs. David Bradshaw, David
Evans.
Penn. — Mrs. Abihu Wilson, Mrs. Kate Francis, Miss L. M. Darby, Daniel
Francis.
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216 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Scott. — Miss Kittie Campbell, Miss E. Prebel, Mrs. Lucinda Johnson, Hugh
C. Bird.
South. — Mrs. Doctor Smith, Mrs. S. P. Thompson, Miss Agnes Herren, D. S.
Smith.
Union. — Mrs. S. Wells, Miss O. Montgomery, Miss M. J. McDaniel, P. M.
Boyles.
Walnut. — Mrs. Aaron Hiatt, Mary Compton, Mrs. J. B. Rawls, Dr. P. Lilly.
Webster. — Mrs. Otho Davis, Miss Lizzie Ettien, Mrs. Myron Raymond, David
Richmond.
On the i8th day of November, the monument committee met and "Resolved
that a monument of marble be erected on the Public Square in some locality not
to interfere with the new courthouse, the monument to be not less than twenty-
five feet high and to bear an inscription of names of all deceased soldiers who were
residents of the county at date of enlistment, or who have died from results of
service in the war." The estimated amount to be expended on the monument was
$2,500, and at this time about seven hundred dollars of the amount had been
subscribed.
At a meeting of the general committee, held on July 28, 1866, it was proposed
to build a two-story structure having a hall with marble slabs, or tablets, in-
serted in the wall, whereon should be inscribed the names of deceased soldiers
instead of the monument. However, the sentiment for a monument eventually
prevailed, and there stands today in the little plot of ground known as Monument
Park, on the comer of Court and Second streets, a neat shaft twenty feet high,
having a base of native, stone, surmounted by a marble column ; suitably inscribed
on its faces are the names of Madison County's Civil war heroes, and it was
dedicated to their memory forever. The dedication took place October 7, 1867,
upon which occasion Hon. M. L. McPherson, then the leading lawyer of this part
of the state, and Dr. William L. Leonard delivered orations, commemorative of
the event. It should be added that the monument is guarded at each corner by a
field piece used in the war for the preservation of the Union.
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CHAPTER XXVI
MADISON COUNTY SOCIETIES
THE MADISON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Pursuant to a call, the citizens of Winterset met in the office of the county
auditor, on Tuesday evening, March 4, 1904, for the purpose of organizing a his-
torical society. H. A. Mueller was chosen temporary chairman and J. A. Way,
secretary. The purpose of the meeting was to learn the views of those present
as to the feasibility of organizing a society for the preservation of all material
obtainable relating to the history of Madison County. It developed during the
proceedings that it was the unanimous opinion of those present that such an or-
ganization would promote the best interests of the county in general. It was
therefore moved by J. W. Miller that the chair appoint a committee of three to
draft a constitution and by-laws and report the result of its work at the earliest
convenience. In compliance with this action the chair appointed E. R. Zeller, T.
H. Stone and J. C. Parish as members of the committee. Adjournment then took
place after the next meeting was arranged to be held at the office of the county
superintendent on the evening of March 15, 1904.
The second meeting of the society was held pursuant to agreement at the
office of the county superintendent in the courthouse. The committee on constitu-
tion and by-laws reported and their work was adopted. The rules were then
suspended on motion of G. W. Poffinbarger for the election of the following
officers : President, H. A. Mueller ; vice president, T. H. Stone ; secretary, J. A.
Way; treasurer, E. R. Zelfer; directors, G. W. Poffinbarger, J. C. Clark, C. C.
Schwaner, O. L. Evans ; corresponding secretaries, J. C. Parish, Center Township ;
O. L. Evans, Douglas Township.
At this meeting it was moved and carried that E. R. Zeller and J. C. Clark
prepare papers for the next meeting, also that G. W. Poffinbarger and C. C.
Schwaner be placed on the program for addresses at the next meeting to be
held April 22, 1904. The constitution was then presented to be signed by the
members, namely : E. R. Zeller, Charles C. Schwaner, J. C. Clark, G. W. Poffin-
barger, John C. Parish, T. H. Stone, O. L. Evans, J. A. Way and H. A. Mueller.
At a meeting held June 21, 1904, among other things it was provided that the
following persons be elected corresponding secretaries: M. I. Bean, South Town-
ship ; E. L. Etchison, Crawford Township ; A. H. Storck, Madison Township ; W.
S. Wilkinson, Scott Township. On motion of a member, George W. Guye, for the
Valuable contribution of historical data given by him to the society, was elected an
honorary life member of the society.
The first public program of the society was given on the evening of September
22, 1905, in the courtroom at 8 130 P. M., on which occasion there was quite a large
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218 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
body of members present. A paper "Trials and Triumphs of Pioneer Life/' was
read by E. R. Zeller. In the same manner W. S. Wilkinson discoursed on **An
Early Settlement on Middle River, or Recollections of an Eearly Settler." The
evening's festivities were brought to a pleasant close by an interesting short ad-
dress from J. C. Clark.
The Historical Society has kept up its meetings regularly since the organization
in 1904. Through unwearied interest and indefatigable efforts the society has
gathered a great amount of valuable historical data and numerous articles, handi-
work, implements and the like that belonged to certain of the pioneers of Madison
County'; these things have a place assigned the society in the public library.
Various interesting papers, pertinent to the early days and peoples of this com-
munity, have been prepared by members and read before the society at its regular
meetings and published in the local press. Each individual member has his or her
part to perform in securing and preparing for future generations everything
available which will add to the value, of the society's archives. The institution
is a valuable addition to the county's activities and if its efforts continue in the
future as in the past, the Madison County Historical Society will have contributed
inestimable blessings upon the community, in the way of preserving in history
facts and incidents, relating to the early days of this county and the history of
the people who opened the county and laid the foundation for its upbuilding and
prosperity. By the end of 1905 the following persons became members of the
society :
M. O. Brady, G. W. Patterson, R. P. Mitchell. W. H. Vance, J. W. Smith,
J. W. Miller, J. E. Hamilton, Lee B. Tidrick, R. L. Huston, J. A. Docksteader,
C. W. Eastman, G. M. Violet, R. H. Cooper, Laura J. Miller, H. W. Hardy, I. E.
T. Wilson, W. H. Lewis, George Mueller, D. G. Ratliflf, W. S. Wilkinson, E. A.
Herman, John A. Guiher, W. S. Cooper, M. I. Bean, George Storck, L. S. Ray,
J. P. Steele, J. R. Davis, A. H. Storck, E. F. Connoran, J. V. Walker, L. H.
Andrews, F. L. Bissell, T. S. Love, E. L. Etchison, J. V. Evans, H. A. Kinsman,
C. A. Robbins, Fred Beeler, M. C. Shaw, A. J. Jones, W. O. Creger, S. O. Banker,
George Cox, J. E. Smith, Blair Wolf, R. A. Lenocker, S. M. Compton, A. B.
Shriver, Myles Young, G. A. Quick, B. F. Carter, Eldon E. Baker, W. H. Mon,
roe, J. T. Young, W. H. Koser, J. W. Leinard, J. A. Ryner, C. F. Clanton, J. C.
Thompson, J. M. Link, W. F. Craig, Frederick Mott, A. M. Benge, William Brin-
son, Ed M. Smith, E. E. Howell, Arthur Burger, G. W. McKenzie, F. G. Ratliff,
Herman Kneuper, Isaac Reager, J. A. Gordon, M. J. Gordon, M. R. Sheldon, E.
Brownell.
H. A. Mueller has served the society as president from the date of its organiza-
tion to the present time. J. A. Way was the first secretary, serving one year. He
was followed by E. R. Zeller for one year, who was again secretary in 191 3 and
1914-
Walter F. Craig was secretary from his election in March, 1906, to the year
191 3. The secretary at present is also treasurer of the Society.
MADISON COUNTY CHAUTAUQUA ASSOCIATION
A number of representative citizens of Winterset met at the courtroom Mon-
day evening, August 8, 1910, in response to a call that had been issued for the
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 219
purpose of organizing a local Chautauqua. Rev. J. S. Corkey was elected tem-
porary chairman and T. V. Dugan clerk. After stating the object of the meeting,
a motion was unanimously carried that the meeting proceed to organize an inde-
pendent Chautauqua, to be controlled and managed by the citizens of Winterset
and Madison County, thus making the Chautauqua a home enterprise. The
society was then organized on the basis of a stock company, of which shares were
issued at a par value of $io each. John Frankelberger, W. O. Lucas, Mrs. Jennie
Whedon, Elmer Cole and T. V. Dugan were appointed a committee to solicit stock
and before the first meeting closed twenty-six persons had subscribed for shares.
The next meeting was held August 15, 1910, and was called by Rev. J. S.
Corkey. After prayer, the committee appointed to solicit stock reported nearly
two hundred shares subscribed for. The organization was then perfected by the
election of fifteen directors, five to serve three years, five two years and five one
year. Dr. W. H. Thompson, Rev. E. M. Atwood and A. L. Stout were the com-
mittee appointed to select the board of directors. E. E. Boss, Elmer Cole and
Rev. L. F. Davis, were of the committee to draft a constitution and by-laws.
The organization was then named the Madison County Chautauqua Association.
The soliciting committee at the second meeting reported 300 shares subscribed
for and the members thereof were then authorized to appoint helpers in all the
various townships of the county to assist in securing members. The following
directors were the selection of the committee appointed for that purpose: for
three years, Charles T. Koser, W. H. Vance, L. F. Davis, H. N. Shaw and T. V.
Dugan; two years, Fred Farquahr, Dr. W. H. Thompson, E. K. Cole, Dr. F. O.
Richards and W. O. Lucas ; one year, S. A. Hays, Elmer Orris, Prof. A. C. Akers,
A. L. Stout and L. V. Price.
The board of directors elected at the last meeting met August 23, 1910, at the
courthouse, at which time Charles T. Koser was elected president; E. K. Cole,
vice president; T. V. Dugan, secretary; and A. L. Stout, treasurer. A committee
was then appointed on programs made up of the following persons : T. V. Dugan,
H. M. Shaw, Dr. F. O. Richards, Fred Farquahr. S. A. Hays and W. O. Lucas
were elected as stock committee, which was empowered to appoint one or more
persons in each township to represent the Chautauqua.
At the meeting held September 12, 1910, and before a Chautauqua had been
held, Mr. Koser resigned the position of president, and Prof. A. C. Akers was
elected in his stead. At this meeting the president and secretary were authorized
to borrow the sum of $50 for the purpose of defraying the expense of the associa-
tion until the next assembly.
The first assembly of the association was held in the early part of August,
191 1, and ended on the 15th of the month. It was successful in every respect.
At that time Walter F. Craig was president, as Professor Akers had resigned
the office some time previously. From that time on the association has held its
annual assembly at Winterset and each year interest in the programs has in-
creased.
The movement for a permanent site for a tabernacle began at the conclusion of
the assembly of 191 2. A committee was appointed to secure subscriptions for
stock, whereby funds were secured to put up a structure of steel, of umbrella
design. The association was extremely fortunate in having great friends in its
aim and objects in A. W. Crawford and wife, Martha A. Crawford, who con-
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220 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
veyed to the association lots 3 and 4 in block 14, of the original Town of
Winterset, as a site for the tabernacle. This property "was donatecl to the
association as a free gift, except that in case the society failed to hold a Chau-
tauqua for two successive years, the property was then to revert to the grantors,
their heirs or assigns, unless the grantee, its successors or assigns, pay to the
grantor the sum of $1,000. The gift was accepted, committees were appointed to
solicit sale of stock for the tabernacle, a building committee composed of Dr. W.
H. Thompson, W. S. Cooper and J. E. Smith chosen, and at the May meeting of
1913 it was reported that all of the necessary stock of $4,000 had been subscribed.
A contract was let and the 191 3 Chautauqua was held in the new tabernacle.
This Chautauqua has met a very gratifying success in its efforts to give to
Winterset and the people of Madison County annually, a week'fe entertainment of
a character of the highest class, for a nominal price. They are privileged to hear
the best talent in the land, orators, lecturers, musicians, vocalists and instructors
of national reputation. The society has become imbedded upon a firm founda-
tion and promises the community a continued high-class yearly program as long
as the support and patronage equal its efforts in this behalf.
COMPANY G, FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT, IOWA NATIONAL GUARD
This regiment was organized with twelve companies in 1892 from the old
Third and Fifth regiments. It was mustered into the United States service for
the war with Spain in 1898 and reorganized as the Fifty-first Regiment in 1900.
The number designation was changed in 1902 to the Fifty-fifth Infantry and
Company G was organized at Winterset.
On the 19th day of December, 1905, Company G Armory Association was
incorporated by Charles W. Aikins, Charles B. Palmer, Phil R. Wilkinson, C. V.
B. Alexander, I. H. Krell, Fred Hudson, Fred W. Gaekel, Ralph Cook, Fred
Smith. A directory of seven members was provided for in the articles of incor-
poration and the commanding officer was selected as the president and treasurer
of the association, whose authorized capital stock was placed at $2,000, each share
of the par value of $20. The shares early found ready sale and a commodious
concrete block building was erected on North First Street, between Jefferson and
Green streets. This is the meeting place of Company G, whose officers are:
Charles W. Aikins, captain ; Phil R. Wilkinson, first lieutenant ; Fred W. Gaekel,
second lieutenant.
THE GOOD ROADS ASSOCIATION OF MADISON COUNTY
Following the passage of the Anderson road law, H. A. Mueller, then auditor
of Madison County, called together all the township trustees and road supervisors
to talk over the enforcement of the new law. At this meeting the Good Roads
Asssociation was organized May 28, 1903, and chose the following officers:
President, W. H. Lewis ; vice president, C. A. Robbins ; secretary, H. A. Mueller.
OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION
The Old Settlers Association of Madison County was organized at Winterset,
March 4, 1905, and elected officers as follows: President, George Cox; first vice
president, W. W. Gentry; second vice president, William Brinson; third vice
president, George Seevers; secretary, T. J. Hudson; assistant secretary, George
Poffinbarger; treasurer, Jeff Wheat; chaplain, B. F. Bowlsby. Reunions are held
annually at Winterset.
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CHAPTER XXVII
QUAKER SETTLEMENT IN MADISON COUNTY
By D. B. Cook, Earlham, Iowa
The settlement of Friends, or Quakers, in Madison County, Iowa, began in the
year 1853, when Jesse Painter and wife settled about midway between the present
locations of the towns of Peru and Barney, in the southeast part of the county,
and Richard Cook and wife, in Madison Township, just north of the present Town
of Earlham, in the northwest part of the county. These were the beginnings of
two Friends settlements, which later developed into Oak Run Monthly Meeting,
in the southeast part, and North Branch and Earlham Monthly Meetings, in the
northwest part of the county.
The next persons to settle at Oak Run were Thomas and Dosha Morman, in
1855. Their son, Newton Morman, is the only member of the family now liv-
ing in the neighborhood. Another son, Clark (familiarly called Uncle Clark),
lived near Oak Run for many years and died at Winterset some years ago. A
daughter, Martha, married David Ellis, and another daughter, Mary, married
Elwood Hiatt, and lived one and one-half miles northeast of the church until the
time of his death.
Calvin and Eunice Ellis came here from Ohio in 1865. Reese and Sarah Ann
Ellis came in 1871. Their son, T. L. Ellis, was long one of the ^'standbys" of the
church.
The formation of the congregation began with an "indulged meeting" at the
home of Thomas Morman in 1865. A preparative meeting was organized at the
home of Calvin Ellis, May 18, 1871, to be known by the name of Oak Run Pre-
parative Meeting. The name was suggested by Calvin Ellis. The meeting was
opened by a committee of twelve from Ackworth Monthly Meeting, Warren
County. This committee drove over in a big wagon and were entertained at the
home of Calvin and Eunice Ellis. The charter members were T. C. and Rhoda
Morman, Elwood and Mary Hiatt, David and Martha Ellis, Calvin and Eunice
Ellis, who still reside near the church.
On the 15th day of September, 1853, Richard Cook and wife, in company with
his brother William H. Cook and family, and John Wilson and family, left Marion
County, Indiana, to move to Iowa. After about a month of travel by team and
wagon, during which time they underwent the hardships incident to a journey of
this character, they arrived in Warren County, where an uncle of Richard Cook
lived. Before the end of October his brother entered land in Union Township,
Dallas County, and about the same time John Wilson entered land in Adams
Township of the same county. Richard entered land in the northwest corner of
Madison Township, as before stated, and about the same time two sons of John
Wilson, Abihu and Christopher, entered land in Madison and Penn townships.
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222 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Richard Cook made his home on the land which he entered until the spring of
1857, when he sold to Wesley Cox, another Friend, also of Marion County, In-
diana, and removed to Dallas County. He, with his wife, whose maiden name was
Mary Bowles, afterward moved to Earlham, where they both passed away, Mrs.
Cook in 1897, and Mr. Cook in 1901. Christopher Wilson was a successful
farmer near Earlham during the remainder of his life. He was living in the Town
of Earlham at the time of his death, March 26, 1908.
The records of Bear Creek Preparative Meeting show that a complaint was
entered against Abihu Wilson in 1855 for "accomplishing his marriage contrary to
discipline." He had married Eliza Ellis, daughter of Peter Ellis. He evidently
left the church at that time, or at least ceased to take an active part, as his name
does not appear on the records after that date. He died in Dallas County in 1903.
The next Friends to enter land in Madison Township were Seth Wilson and
his son, Milton Wilson, who came from Wayne County, Indiana, in the summer
of 1854. The Town of Earlham now covers part of the entry made by Seth Wil-
son. Milton entered 500 acres of land in sections 17 and 18. He moved to Iowa
in 1856 with his wife, who in her maidenhood was S. Jane Murphy. They were
married October 18, 1852, and made their home on the old homestead for eighteen
years, where Mr. Wilson engaged in farming. They then moved to Earlham and
later to Des Moines, where they still reside. Their son, Isaac K. Wilson, was
representative from Madison County in the General Assembly for one term, being
the youngest man ever elected to that position from this county.
Seth Wilson came with his family to Iowa in i860. He died in Earlham some
years ago. One of his daughters married Cyrus Griffin, another married Josiah
Stanley, a third married David Beasley and a fourth became the wife of Oliver
Goldsmith Owen, a Friend minister, who later became rector in the Episcopalian
Church.
William Bamett and family were the next Friends to locate in the northwest
part of the county, coming here from Marion County, Indiana, the date of their
arrival in Iowa being July, 1855. William Bamett and Mary Ann, his wife, had
a family of ten children.
Other families coming in that year were Wilson Barnett, a brother of William,
from Hendricks County, Indiana, and John Allen and family. His wife, Margaret,
was a daughter of Richard Mendenhall. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were members of
the Friends Church and the other members of their family united with the
society after coming to Madison County.
In 1856 David and Hannah Smith Stanton located on the Pilot Grove Farm,
in Penn Township.
In the fall of 1857, Thomas and Ruth Wilson came here from Marion County.
Indiana. Their family consisted of six sons and three daughters, one of whom,
Margaret, became the wife of Wesley Cox, whose home was on a tract of land
purchased of Richard Cook. Here the Wilson family stopped for a short time
until a permanent location could be made. They settled on the north half of sec-
*tion 16, Penn Township, the land having been purchased of Milton Muger for
$7 per acre. This continued to be the home of Mr. Wilson until his removal to
Earlham in 1874. He was one of seven who voted at the first election held in
Penn Township in the fall of 1858.
In 1858 Cyrus Griffin and wife Eliza, daughter of Seth Wilson, located near
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 223
where North Branch meeting house was afterwards built. He kept a general
store in one room of his house for some time.
Among other early settlers were Joseph Beasley, Stephen Hockett and John
Hockett, with their families.
MEETING HOUSES
The first meetings in the new settlement were held at the home of William
Bamett. Later the meeting place was transferred to a house standing in Martin
Compton's yard. This was the place of meeting until about the year 1862 or
1863, when Friends built a frame house on the southeast comer of Cyrus Griffin's
land. This building was also used for a schoolhouse. William Bamett bought
this building, after the second house was erected, and moved it into Earlham,
where it is still doing service as part of a dwelling. The second building was
erected on a tract of five acres bought for meeting house and burial ground. The
original deed states that said lot was conveyed by Martin Compton and his wife,
Ann E. Compton, to the trustees of Bear Creek Monthly Meeting — five acres of
land on the northeast comer of the northeast quarter of section 9, dated September
5, 1862, consideration $50. On this lot North Branch Meeting House was built in
1869, at a cost of about twenty-six hundred dollars, Seth Wilson, David L. Beasely
and William Bamett being the building committee. The house was a frame stmc-
ture, 30 by 50 feet, with a sliding panel partition dividing it into two rooms, the
one on the east being occupied by the men and the one on the west by the women.
This partition was left open during meeting for worship, but was closed during
meetings for business, the men and women holding separate sessions. A gallery
large enough for two rows of seats ran along the north side of the rooms facing the
entrance, and the main audience room had an inclined floor. The seats were
of the box pattern, made of black walnut. In 1893, when the house was no
longer used for meeting purposes, it was sold to William Ramsey, who moved
it away and converted it into a dwelling and other buildings.
The first meeting house in Earlham was erected on the southwest comer of the
east half of the northeast quarter of section i, Penn Township. The title to the
lot was conveyed by Nathan Mendenhall and wife to the trustees of Bear Creek
Monthly Meeting, December 15, 1868. The house built on this lot was later
moved into the Town of Earlham, where it served for meeting purposes until
superseded by the one now occupied by Earlham Friends.
Following is a copy of the minutes of the first preparative meeting held at
North Branch, as taken from the original record :
"North Branch Preparative Meeting of Friends opened and held in Madison
County, State of Iowa, on Fifth day, 9th of 7th month, 1863, by the approbation
and direction of South River Quarterly Meeting of Friends. Also there is a com-
mittee very acceptably present with us and produced a copy of a minute of their
appointment by Bear Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends to attend the opening of
this. John Hockett was appointed clerk for the day.
"The queries were all read in this meeting, with written answers thereto,
which the clerk was diceted to forward to the monthly meeting, and assist in
making out a summary.
"The following named Friends are appointed to propose the name of two
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224 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Friends to next meeting to have the care of the burying ground, namely : Joseph
Beasley and John Wilson.
"The following named Friends are appointed to propose the name of a Friend
for clerk, namely, Josiah Stanley, John Hockett.
"The meeting then concluded.
"John Hockett, Clerk for the Day."
The North Branch Friends were members of Bear Creek Monthly Meeting,
which had been organized in 1856, in Union Township, Dallas County; also of
South River Quarterly Meeting, Warren County, which had been organized in
i860.
At the next meeting, held August 6th, John Hockett and William Barnett were
appointed a committee to care for the bur)ring ground, and John Wilson was ap-
pointed permanent clerk.
At a later meeting, held October 8th, the subject of finances was introduced.
William Barnett was appointed temporary treasurer, and the sum of $1 was
directed to be raised by the members, 56 cents of which was to be paid to the
monthly meeting for quarterly meeting stock, and the balance to be used to pur-
chase glass for this meeting and report to next meeting.
December 10, 1863, Seth Wilson was appointed permanent treasurer. The
London General Epistle was read "to our edification and comfort."
Minutes of February 9, 1865. "William Barnett and John Wilson, who were
appointed a committee to ascertain cost of breaking meeting house lot and fencing
it, make a report that the cost will be $17.50. They propose a rail fence on west
and north to join to John Hockett, rails to be furnished on the ground according
to our rate of apportionment."
The second clerk of the meeting was Joel Hockett, appointed June 8, 1865.
The "rates of apportionment" referred to above appears in the minutes of
January 11, 1866, as follows: Seth Wilson, 14 per cent; William Barnett, 14 per
cent; Joseph Beasley, 12 per cent; Stephen Hockett, 8 per cent; Dayton Barnett,
7 per cent ; David Beasley, 7 per cent ; William Beasley, 7 per cent ; Christopher
Wilson, 7 per cent; Josiah Stanley, 5 per cent; Ira Barnett, 5 per cent; Joel
Hockett, 5 per cent ; Wesley Barnett, 4 per cent ; Asa Barnett, 4 per cent ; John
Hockett, 4 per cent ; John Wilson, 4 per cent ; Joseph L. Hockett, 4 per cent ; total,
III per cent.
A committee was appointed at this meeting to take into consideration the
size, plan and estimated cost of a new meeting house, namely: John Hockett,
Joseph Beasley and Seth Wilson. The committee made a satisfactory report
March 8th and the subject was dismissed for the present.
April 12, 1866. "David Beasley and Eunice Wilson informed the meeting
that they propose marriage with each other, having obtained consent of their
parents, which is directed to be forwarded to the monthly meeting." Also "John
Day and Hannah Talbert propose marriage with each other, which is directed
forwarded to the monthly meeting."
The first request for membership seems to have been May 24, 1866. The
request is as follows: "The overseers inform that Cyrus Griffin and his wife
Eliza Griffin, with their minor children, James, Henry, Milton W., Ella, Jane,
Homer, Virgil, Benjamin S., Sarah Elizabeth, Owen P., Edgar and Anna, wish
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 225
to be joined in membership with the Religious Society of Friends. The request
is directed forwarded to the monthly meeting."
In order to make the next minutes of North Branch Preparative Meeting
better understood, two will be inserted from Bear Creek Monthly Meeting. Under
date of March 30, 1867, it is recorded that "Friends of Penn Township, Madison
County, Iowa, request for a preparative meeting to be held on fourth day pre-
ceding Bear Creek Monthly Meeting, and a meeting for worship on first and
fourth days, to be known by the name of Union Preparative Meeting." A com-
mittee was appointed to take the request into consideration.
On April 27th the committee reported in favor of granting the request and a
committee was appointed to attend the opening. The approximate date of the
opening was May 22, 1867. The place of opening was the home of Joshua
Newlin, where the meetings were held until the house was built on a lot bought
of Nathan Mendenhall as previously stated.
In North Branch minutes of April 25, 1869, Joel Hockett, Joseph Beasley
and John Wilson were appointed a committee to confer with Friends of Union
Preparative Meeting to consider the propriety of requesting for a monthly
meeting.
September 23, 1869, the building committee reported the meeting house about
completed. There seems to be no further reference to the building in the minutes.
The next step was the opening of the monthly meeting. Following is a record
from the minutes of the meeting of women Friends: "North Branch Monthly
Meeting of Friends opened and held at North Branch, Madison County, Iowa,
9th month, 30th, 1869."
The minutes of men Friends of the monthly meeting have not been found
and are supposed to have burned in the house of David Hockett, in Earlham, who
was clerk at the time.
The next item of interest is October 4, 1869, when Union Preparative Meeting
requested that the name be changed to Earlham.
A revolution now entered Bear Creek Quarterly Meeting. This first started
in the yearly meetings farther east and entered the meetings of Bear Creek
Quarter in the year 1873. This revolution began by holding revival meetings,
called "general meetings," under the care of a committee appointed by the quar-
terly meeting, in conjunction with a like committee appointed by the yearly
meeting. The first general meeting was held at North Branch, February 9, 1873,
and continued during six sessions. The committee reported that they believed
the meeting was "held to the honor of truth."
The next meeting was held at Bear Creek, following the quarterly meeting
in February, 1874. It began on the second day and closed on the fourth night.
The report of the committee on this meeting was that the fore part was held
to pretty good satisfaction but the latter part was not so satisfactory. The "not
satisfactory" feature of the meetings came out during the discussion of the report
and proved to be the closing meeting of fourth day night. At this meeting a
"mourners' bench" and "testimony meeting" were introduced, after the well
known custom of the Methodists. This created much dissatisfaction among
the more conservative members.
Following the quarterly meeting in February, for the next two years general
meetings were held at Bear Creek. It was evident that the two factions were get-
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226 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ting farther apart as the work progressed. The climax was reached at the next
general meeting in 1877. This, like the others, followed the quarterly meeting
in February. On the third day of the meeting the leader arose, and after a few
remarks, called on all those who were tired of sin and desired to live a different
life to come to the front seats. About twenty came in a body; others followed
later. Great confusion followed. Prayers, cries and groans, interspersed with an
occasionar stanza of a hymn, were heard from all parts of the large room. For
the conservative, whose customary worship was that of "silent waiting before
the Lord," until the "risings of life" should appear before speaking, this was
too much. They saw in this the death knell of Quakerism, and to save the *'be-
loved society" something must be done, even if it required something desperate.
Apparently by common consent, the conservative Friends began to depart for
their homes and the die of separation was cast.
A conference was soon called of all Friends who were dissatisfied with these
revival methods, which culminated in a general conference for the whole quar-
terly meeting, which met at Bear Creek, April 29, 1877. At this conference it
was decided that the society had so far departed from its ancient testimonies as
to forfeit its right to an existence, and that in order to have such society it was
necessary to reorganize. Steps for reorganization were accordingly taken. This
was to take place at each of the monthly meetings belonging to the quarter,
namely, Bear Creek, North Branch and Summit Grove (now Stuart). North
Branch Monthly Meeting being the first in order following the conference, was
to be the place of beginning. The date of this meeting was June 16, 1877.
The meeting for worship which always precedes the business session, passed
without anything out of the ordinary. When the time for business came, Joseph
Beasley, who was "timer" of the meeting, arose and made the customary sugges-
tion that "Friends might now proceed to take up the business of the monthly
meeting, and we have no clerk, some one should be appointed for the day."
Jesse Beasley was named, and after taking his place, read a short statement ex-
plaining the present action and then read the opening minutes. Stephen Hockett
now arose and objected to the appointment of a "clerk," saying that they had
one "clerk" and that was enough; that Allen Bamett was already the "clerk."
He then followed with the remark : "I understand Friends that this action today
means a separation in the church. I have seen separations in the church before
and I want to warn you that the people who separated never did any good after-
wards." This was followed by other speeches on the same subject. A time or
two during the discussion Joseph Beasley was heard to say, ^*We don't want
any contention. Friends. We simply want to hold North Branch Monthly Meet-
ing." But the confusion was so great that it was out of the question. So they
withdrew to the yard and held a council to decide upon further action. After
they withdrew, Allen Bamett opened the meeting as usual, and the business
meeting was held as though nothing out of the ordinary had taken place.
Those who withdrew met at the meeting house on the fourth day following
and completed their reorganization. Separations in the other monthly meetings
followed soon and in August a quarterly meeting was organized at Bear Creek,
and a yearly meeting a few weeks later at Oskaloosa. It was discovered at
North Branch that those who withdrew composed almost all the members of the
preparative meeting. Those who remained sold their interest in the church
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 227
property to the conservatives and withdrew to Earlham. This gave the conserva-
tives undisputed possession. Later these people all moved away, mostly to Earl-
ham, where they built a new meeting house, modeled after the old, which they
sold to William Ramsey, as before stated. The last business meeting held in
the old house was the conservative Friends monthly meeting, on the 26th of
February, 1891.
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CHAPTER XXVIII
CLAYTON COUNTY COMES TO MADISON
By H. A. Mueller
Up to the time of the Revolutionary war, practically all the people of the
United States were living east of the Allegheny Mountains, comprising the thir-
teen original colonies. There was very little emigration to the west of the Alle-
ghenies until after the Revolutionary war. By the close of the eighteenth century
there was quite a waye of immigration into Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois, until by 1818 all the above mentioned states had sufficient
population to be admitted as states. Iowa had scarcely been thought of and
as yet belonged to the Indians. It was not until after the Black Hawk war,
1832-3, that the first settler crossed the Mississippi and settled along the western
shore. The first Iowa settlers came from across the river, from Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio and the eastern states. Some came by steamers down the Ohio River
and up the Mississippi River and then scattered along the western bank of the
Mississippi, some stopping at Keokuk, others at Burlington, Davenport, etc.
Others came west across the country in prairie schooners, and they were ferried
across at these various places. Clayton was among the first counties to be settled,
hence by the time that Madison County was open for settlers, late in the fall of
1845, Clayton County was pretty well settled for that day.
The first settlers in Madison County were from^ Missouri, coming in the
spring of 1846. The Clanton colony settled near where St. Charles now stands.
The Guye family settled in Union Township. Later in the summer there came also
from Northwestern Missiouri John Evans, Lemuel Thombrugh, John Butler,
William Butler, Irwin Baum, Martin Baum, Jacob Combs, William Combs, John
Beedle, P. M. Boyles and others.
The following year there came David Bishop and the Whiteds, who settled
south of Middle River on what was afterwards known as Hoosier Prairie. These
were from Indiana and started a colony of Hoosiers, made by the addition of
the Henkels, the Runkles, Queens, Debords and others.
Union Township — Sturmans, Lulls and Phillipses came from Coshocton
County, Ohio. Later in the '50s there was a large colony settled in Ohio Town-
ship, from which the township took its name. However, people from Ohio and
Indiana settled in various parts of Madison County; the Irish settlement in
Lee and Crawford townships; the German settlement in Jefferson Township;
the Quakers about Earlham ; the Ohio-Swiss-German settlement in Penn Town-
ship and the Kentucky settlement in South and Scott townships.
It will be noticed that all the settlements already mentioned came from outside
the State of Iowa, while the Clayton County settlers came from within the
State of Iowa. Up to the time of the Civil war and later there were many no ^
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 229
doubt who had first settled in some other part of Iowa and later moved to Madison
County, but there is no single county that ever sent such an immigration as
Cla)rton, and one that has made such an impress upon the people. This wave
began about 1864 and lasted until 1873. The cause of this emigration was to
find cheaper lands, as the land from where they came had increased in value
and they were also seeking a more moderate climate.
C. C. Goodale, one of the best known men in Madison County thirty years ago,
had the following to say: "The first settler from Clayton County was John
Wragg, who in the year 1863 settled in Grand River Township, but only stayed
there about a year, when he removed to Dallas County, where he remained until
he died.
"The pioneer of the Clayton County wave, however, was Daniel Hazen, who,
having sold his farm in 1863 in Clayton County, and desiring a more moderate
climate where the winters were not so severe, shortly afterward made a trip
through the southern and southwestern part of the state, and becoming attracted
by the fertility of the soil in Jefferson Xownship, purchased land there in 1864.
In 1865 he moved there and was shortly afterward followed by three of his
brothers, Emerous and Rufus Hazen, who settled in Jefferson Township, and
Emerson Hazen, who settled in Lee Township. With Rufus Hazen came Miss
Lucinda Parks, who shortly afterwards married Henry Gutshall, a resident of
Jefferson Township, and there they still reside.
"In August, 1865, Charles C. Goodale, an acquaintance of the Hazens, came
to Jefferson Township and worked for Daniel Hazen, and during the winter
taught school in the Jefferson schoolhouse in that district. During the winter
he purchased a tract of land in Lee Township, where he afterwards resided
until the fall of 1873, when he moved to Winterset, having been elected county
auditor. John Stevenson settled in Lee Township in 1867 and remained there
several years, after whicli he removed to California.
"Jefferson Township was the favored township for the people from Clayton
County, owing to the character of the soil, which resembled that of Clayton
County, and also to the smooth undulating surface in the northern part where
most of them settled. In 1866 those who came to Jefferson Township were
Malcolm McBride, William C. Hazen, Gustavus Hazen, John Kelley, Mrs.
Estey, George and John Brooker and John Hartenbower.
"In 1867 those who came were William Brewster, Leonidas Renshaw,
Lewis Ballou, Enoch Allen, Frank Trunkey, Elliott Cook, Jonathan Smith, John
Hutchins, Alfred Pierce, Almon Wright, John Wright, Dewitt C. Wright, Hardy
Lockwood, Gudliffe Brooker, Frederick Brooker, Timothy Killam, and John
Smith. All these settled in Jefferson Township. Afterwards and prior to 1870
those who settled in this township from Clayton County were Merrill A. Knight,
Alexander Miller, Sylvester Renshaw, Silas Angier, William Kelley, Gearhardt
Storck,' John Westphal, Herman Marquardt, Ferdinand Marquardt, Mr. Stein-
house, Merrill Carty, Harriet Hazen, George Allen and William Buske.
"In 1868 Anson M. Peters settled in Madison Township and soon after
George Storck settled there. About the same time ' Simeon Alger settled in
Penn Township and Thomas Adams and William Sherman settled in Jackson
Township.
"During the period from 1865 to 1870 Dr. Evan Linton, Mrs. Linton, Harri-
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230 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
son, Hettie and Emily Linton, Emily Adams and C. H. Lancaster came from
Qayton County and settled in Winterset.
**Of the foregoing settlers, John Hartenbower and John Smith were after-
wards elected as representatives; Merrill A. Knight, county treasurer; George
Storck, county supervisor; Dewitt C. Wright, clerk of the district court; and
Charles C. Goodale, county auditor."
Of the list mentioned it will be noted that many have moved away and
others have passed to a better land. However, many of their descendants are
living within th^ county, some occupying the homes where their parents first
settled.
The Clayton County settlers were an honest, sober, industrious class of citizens
and were progressive farmers. They became identified with Madison County's
best farmers and having settled in the north part of the county, they made a wise
choice in the selection of farms and soon, became well-to-do and prosperous.
John Wragg, who settled in Grand River in 1863, went to Dallas County the
following year and founded the Wragg Nursery, which is now known all over
the state.
Lee Township. — Emerson Hazen came here in 1865 and owned 320
acres of land in section 16. He died several years ago. Part of the
farm is still owned by a son and daughter. John Stevenson came in 1867 and
owned a farm on section 5, which is now occupied by William Shambaugh. Mr.
Stevenson moved to Colorado many years ago. Solomon H. Bronson arrived
in 1868 and for a time lived on section 19. He soon afterward began buying
and shipping hogs, making his residence at De Soto, Booneville and Commerce.
He died a few years ago at the latter place.
Madison Township. — Enoch Allen in 1867 bought 640 acres of land
on sections 11, 12, 13 and 14, which he sold to Anson M. Peters, who came
in 1868. Mr. Peters owned one of the best farms in Madison Township. Several
years ago he moved to California, first disposing of his land. It is owned at
present by Henry Thomsen and others. George Storck, the first of the Germans,
came in 1868 and bought 160 acres on which he still lives. He owns in all 440 acres.
Penn Township. — Simeon Alger settled at Penn Center, in Penn Township,
in 1868, and there passed away. He was the father of Mrs. L. Renshaw, Mrs.
Merrill Carty and Mrs. Rev. William Mercer.
Jackson Township. — Thomas Adams and William Sherman settled here in
1868. Clark Sherman owned land in sections 4 and 9 from 1876 until 1901.
Jefferson Township. — Daniel Hazen bought his farm in section 27 in 1864
and moved thereon in 1865. He later owned 320 acres. About 1883,
on account of ill health, he and his family went to Florida and there his
wife died. He and his sons returned to Madison County. He died a number
of years ago. His son Bert now lives in Union County and Carl lives in Oregon.
Emerous Hazen bought land on section 3 in 1865, where his son Frank still
resides. Rufus Hazen settled on section 14 in 1865, near Pleasant Grove Church.
He moved to Union County many years ago and some of his children still reside
there. He is now deceased.
C. C. Goodale came in 1865. He worked for Daniel Hazen and also taught
school. He later lived on a farm in Lee Township. In 1873 he was elected
county auditor, holding the position three terms. In 1887 ^^ moved with his
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 231
family to Lamar, Colorado. For four years he was surveyor general of Colorado
and made his home in Denver. He is now practicing law at Lamar, where he has
property interests.
George Allen, who came in 1865, was a brother of Mrs. Emerous Hazen.
Mrs. Henry Gutshall, who was formerly Miss Lucinda Parks and came here in
1865, lives on the old homestead on section 2.
George Brooker, jvho came in 1866, married a Miss Killam. He owned the
northeast quarter of section 22. He died about 1885. His children were Clinton,
Elmer E. of Des Moines, Orva of South Dakota, Ernest of Jefferson Township
and Mrs. Williams.
John Brooker, who came in 1866, settled on section 16, Jefferson Township.
He died in Winterset in 1904. He married Mary Htlbbard and their children
are Ernest, William, Mrs. Lou Imes, Mrs. Trindle, Mrs. Coe and Clara.
Malcolm McBride, who came in 1866, settled on section 22, He died about
1894. He married a Miss Hazen, who died many years ago. Their children
were L. W. of New Mexico, Mrs. Hettie Baur, Mrs. Nellie Alexander and Carrie.
John Kelley, who came in 1866, married a Miss Estey and they had several
children. Mrs. Estey, who came the same year, died many years ago. Besides
her daughter, Mrs. Kelley, her children were Oren, Benjamin and Mrs. Kopp.
Gustavus Hazen at one time owned Reigle Mill. John Hartenbower owned
160 acres of land on section 25. He was elected representative in 1870. He later
went to Kansas where he was elected to the same office. He died a few years ago.
Elliott Cook owned 320 acres of land on section 24. Francis Trunkey
owned land on section 13. He moved to Van Meter, Iowa, and died
there several years ago. Gudliffe Brooker lived on section 20. He became
very prominent in Sunday school work and was president of the county Sunday
school association for twenty years or more. He sold his farm and died in Earl-
ham in March, 1907. Frederick Brooker lived but a short time in Jefferson
Township, when he moved to Missouri and there died. William Brewster
owned land on section 21. He eventually returned to his old home in Connecticut
and died there several years ago. Lewis Ballou owned 240 acres of land on
section 17. He eventually moved to Pasadena, California. Leonidas Renshaw
owned a farm on section 21. He sold his land several years ago and moved
to Indianola and later to Canada. He married a Miss Alger. John Hutchins
owned the northwest quarter of section 16. He died several years ago.
Some of his children resided in Colorado and a son, Dr. A. C, lives in Des
Moines. His daughters are Mrs. Frank Howell and Mrs. Alvin Williams. Mun-
son Wright owned the Procknow farm. He moved to Storm Lake. Alfred
Pierce, who lived on section 12, married a Miss Wright. Almon Wright lived on
section 12. D. C. Wright was elected clerk of the district court in 1893. He
later moved to North Dakota. Timothy Killam first located in Winterset and
later in Jefferson Township. He was the father of Mrs. Gudliffe and Mrs.
George Brooker, J. M. Killam of Truro, T. L of St. Charles, C. D. of Sioux
City and George of Denver. Jonathan Smith, who owned land on section 14,
moved to Van Meter and there died a few years ago. John J. Smith lived on
section 10, and was elected representative in 1875. Silas Angier moved from
the county to Dakota and later moved to Indianola, Iowa. Adam Geizelman lived
on the Renshaw farm. All the above named came in 1867 to Jefferson Township.
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232 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
George Cook, who came in 1868, owned eighty acres on section 14. His
children were Elliott, Frank and George. He died in 1885. Merrill Knight, who
came the same year, owned 160 acres on sections 7 and 8. He was elected
county treasurer in 1875 and served two terms. He conducted a hotel in
Winterset for a time and later lived on a farm in Jackson Township, where
he passed away. He had three sons and three daughters. Sylvester Ren-
shaw came in 1868 and settled on section 21, Jefferson Towjnship. He married a
Miss Hazen and moved to Earlham. Alexander Miller settled on the southwest
quarter of section 9, Jeiferson Township. Gerhardt Storck came in 1870 and
located on sections 9 and 10. He married a Miss Marquardt and reared a large
family and died. Ferdinand Marquardt came in 1870 and located on section
3. August Bemau came in 1872 and settled on section 7. He died in 1885. J. H.
Bemau, also deceased, lived on section 14. Another son William lived on the
homestead. The daughters were Mrs. R. Kneuper and Mrs. Henrietta Wishmire.
William Buske, who came to the county in 1871, lived on section 8. He later
moved to Des Moines. Charles and Merrill Carty, who came in 1872, were then
aged eleven and thirteen years respectively. August Zieman and wife came in
1873 and located on sections 21 and 28. Carl Marquardt and wife also came in
1873. They were the parents of Mrs. Gerhardt and Mrs. George Storck, Mrs.
W. H. Burger and Ferdinand and Herman Marquardt. Frederick Roggeman
came in 1873 and settled on section 8. He sold to Louis Niendorf. John West-
phal came here in 1874 and settled on sections 3 and 4. He died in 1884. His
widow afterward moved to Des Moines. His son Herman lives in Jefferson
Township. Frederick H. Myers came in 1874 and located on 320 acres on sec-
tion 21.
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CHAPTER XXIX
SCHOOLS AND RATTLESNAKES
The schools of this county were at first conducted on the old subscription
plan, says W. S. Wilkinson, in a paper on the pioneer schools, read before the
Historical Society, in 19Q5. Some one would go around the district with a sub-
scription paper and the head of each family would subscribe so many scholars
for the term at the price stated in the paper. If they secured a sufficient number
of pupils the teacher was hired and the school went on. If not, the effort was
a failure. Many a subscription paper has gone by default by not securing the
required nuipber.
The wages paid were about ten dollars a month and the teacher boarded
'round among the scholars, boarding a week at one home, and the next week
at another. Girls frequently taught for as low as eight dollars a month. Money
was scarce then and the teacher sometimes had to take part of his wages in
trade.
The schools of the early days were of two kinds. There was the "loud
school," and the "silent school." The silent school was where the pupils
prepared their lessons silently, as at the present time, and the loud school
was where they prepared their lessons in a loud voice all at the same time in
school. Both the loud and silent plan had their advocates. In the loud school
one scholar would be preparing his spelling lesson : B-a-k-e-r — baker ; s-h-a-d-y —
shady ; 1-a-d-y — lady ; t-i-d-y — tidy ; another his reading lesson : "The boy stood
on the burning deck, whence all but him had fled," and another: "Mary had a
little lamb, its fleece was white as cotton and everywhere that Mary went, the
lamb would go a trottin'." I think those were not the words in the book, but
something like. They would all be reading their lessons over in a loud voice at
the same time, making more noise than a lot of women at a quilting party.
The first school I ever attended was on the silent plan, but the teacher would
usually let us study our spelling lessons out loud of evenings and sometimes of
Saturday afternoons we would have loud school; you see then we had six long
school days in a week. The first school I attended was partly on the loud and
partly on the silent plan. I think the teacher favored the loud plan but some
of us were too bashful to study out loud so we composed the silent part of the
school.
The first loud school I ever saw in Winterset was shortly before the Civil
war. The school was taught by Mr. HoUingsworth, a very fine old gentleman.
He called it a select school. A few of us from J. S. Goshom's school visited the
select school one forenoon. We arrived just before recess. The teacher enter-
tained us very nicely. He was very enthusiastic over his plan of teaching and
explained the advantages of that mode very satisfactorily — to himself.
When time came for books he called the school to business. It would hardly
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234 , HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
be proper to say order, for I could see no order about it. For some reason he
had run behind with his recitations, and he called out to Mary Wasson to hear
such a class and on another advanced scholar to take another class in another
part of the room, while he heard another class himself and entertained his visitors
at the same time in a loud voice ; he had to talk very loud to be heard above the
racket. I think there were forty or fifty scholars present. There were two
reading and one spelling class reciting at the same time, while all the rest of the
school were studying their lessons out loud and each one trying to read louder
than anyone else in the school. That was the loudest school I ever saw. They
made more noise than the party spoken of a while ago. Now some of the teachers
are so particular they will hardly let us whisper in school, if they can help it.
In the old school days, the teacher had his rules for the government of the
school written down. There were usually about ten of the rules and they stated
what should be done and what should not be done. These rules were read the
first thing the morning the term commenced and frequently afterwards until all
were familiar with them. It was considered that there was more virtue in the rod
at that time than at the present and for a small violation of the rules a scholar
would receive about five lashes with a switch, and for a greater violation he
would be punished according to the offense.
The free school system did not come into practical operation for several
years and not for some time after the first free school act was passed. It was
opposed by some of the heaviest taxpayers on the ground that it was unjust for
one man to have to pay for the schooling of other people's children. It was
claimed by some, and not perhaps without some flavor of truth, that those who
paid the least taxes had the most children to send and those who paid the most
taxes had the fewest children to send.
About this time the school lands of this county were sold, the proceeds of
which formed the "school fund," which still exists. The interest of that fund
was used then as now, as a public teachers' -fund. This proved to be a great
stimulus to the free school system, as under a subsequent act each school district
had to maintain six months' school each year to entitle them to their share of the
public money. I think there was the same county levy of one mill then as
now but districts had to arrange for the balance of the six months' school and
the subscription plan was often resorted to to help out the required amount of
school, so that the free school system was not in force much before i860.
The public school fund was cared for for several years by a school fund
commissioner elected or appointed in each county, and was under the direction
and frequent inspection of the superintendent of public instruction, but the office
of school fund commissioner has lon^ been done away with.
Under the first free school law there were thtee directors in each school
district and the law made it the duty of the directors to examine or have some
competent person to examine the teacher as to his qualifications to teach before
commencing the school. This was before there was a county superintendent of
schools.
The free school system was started under the unfavorable circumstances hinted
at but was improved from time to time until it developed into the great free
school system of today, of which the people of this state are justly proud and
which those of other states view with some degree of admiration.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 235
Early under the new system a number of schoolhouses, mostly log houses,
were built in each township. The districts were marked out and the schoolhouses
built more to accommodate the settlers than to divide the township, so that of
the first five or six schoolhouses built in Scott Township, only one or two now
stand on the ground where the first schoolhouse was built.
The old schoolhouse was used for early meetings, church, political and social
gatherings; there were the writing schools, the singing schools, the lyceum and
the old fashioned spelling school. Those meetings were of frequent occurrence
during the winter season and were a source of much enjoyment, and perhaps a
degree of profit to those engaged in them. The spelling was very popular with
the young people and the teacher who refused to have spelling every week or
two was very unpopular with his school, and if he did not look sharp, he was
likely to be turned out by his scholars, and sometimes he was turned out when he
did have spelling.
Schools would sometimes prepare for a spelling match and different schools
would meet at one of the schoolhouses on a certain evening in friendly contest
to see which school could spell the other down. The result was usually received
with good grace by the defeated school but sometimes charges of unfairness
were made by the defeated school and the blame sometimes landed on the teacher
of the successful school. That and the difficulty of keeping order and the extra
labor it entailed made it in course of time unpopular with the teachers, so they
used all their influence to do away with the spelling school and today it is almost
a thing of the past.
The principal sport at school was town-ball and at times they would have
interesting games, and woe to the passerby who ventured to hollow "school
butter."
At this time there were no church buildings and meetings were held in
the schoolhouses and private homes. They were conducted more on the pioneer
plan than the more formal mode of today. People wore no silks and satins then ;
their clothing was mostly home made and they did not object to getting right
down on their knees at those revival efforts for which those times were noted.
Some of those revival meetings were spirited affairs and some of the bad boys
used to say that when the women got to shouting the fun commenced. And
there was the old fashioned camp meeting where the people would go with a
covered wagon or tent and camp out for days at a time near some good spring
in the woods, and there are some certain spots in this county today still spoken
of as *'the old camp meeting ground.'' But the old fashioned camp meeting
was a pioneer institution and has almost passed away in its old form.
The old log courthouse in Winterset was used for several years for all the
town gatherings, church, school, political and social.
The politics of an early day in Iowa was of a mild form; there were the
democrats and whigs; some were democrats I suppose because Jackson was a
democrat; others were whigs because they didn't want to be democrats. The
principal difference between the parties at that time was on the tariff and on
banking, but as the people on the frontier did not buy much, they did not
excite themselves very much about the tariff.
The campaigns were run differently from what they are now. It was inde-
pendent politics then, more like the primary campaigns, only there were not so
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236 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
many candidates. If a man ran for office then he went around over the country
and talked to the voters. There was no packing of conventions then, for there
were no conventions to pack, and before the secret ballot came into use they voted
by word of mouth. The candidates* names were written in a column in the voting
place and when a man went to vote for a man he said so and it was marked
down to him, and if a man got the most votes he was elected and if he did not
get the most votes he was not elected.
One heard little about politics then, only in a presidential campaign, and not
much then and it would be four weeks after election before it was known who
was elected President. There were but few papers published in Iowa at that
time. There was one started in Des Moines early in the '50s. An agent came
around through thi^ county and my father subscribed for the paper. I do not
remember the name of the paper.
There were a few abolitionists in the eastern states and some farther west who
thought that it would be funny to steal a few negroes and run them off to Canada,
and that raised a little steam. And there were a few ''Know Nothings" that were
mean enough to think that Pat and Yacob had no right to vote and hold office
in this country and that certain religious people ought to have nothing to say
in this Government, and that raised a little more steam. And there were a
whole lot of fellows who said that the South should not have any more territory
for slavery if they could help it. And there were a whole lot of fellows who
said they wanted more territory for slavery, that they needed it in their business
and that they would have it if they could get it. And then things began to boil.
Our quiet, independent politics was soon changed to a roaring, raging political
storm.
The different parties raised their liberty poles in every town in the county.
They held their meetings in every schoolhouse in the county, sometimes in the
daytime and sometimes at night. Sometimes they would hold their meetings
in the woods. They would sometimes gather at a schoolhouse like a camp meeting,
go in the morning and stay all day, have speaking in both the forenoon and
afternoon. And they would sometimes round up at Winterset in the evening
and frequently some would get enthused with spirits that were not altogether
political. They would sometimes have a joint discussion. Both sides would
meet and divide the time and each side would have just so long a time to see
how many mean things he could say about the other side, and according to the
verdict of the crowd both sides always came out away ahead.
Henry Clay Dean made his great speech to the people of Madison County in
the summer of i860, I think. He spoke under a walnut tree just a few steps
south of the old lime kiln on Buffalo road. The stump of that tree was dug
up a few years ago to get it out of the highway. There was a crowd there like
a camp meeting and the woods of Middle River rang with Henry Clay's voice.
At the close of the meeting the people crowded around the stand to shake hands
with the speaker; men and women, old and young, strove in that throng to
extend that mark of courtesy to their favorite orator.
BIG SNAKE HUNT IN 1848
Much has been said at one time or another about the "Great Snake Hunt,"
as it was called, which took place in this county in the spring and summer of 1848.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 237
As is well known, when this county was first settled the rattlesnakes were very
numerous and it is natural that the settlers would be very uneasy lest some of
their loved ones should become victims of the deadly sting of these reptiles,
so during the fall and winter previous to that spring, there was as much talk
as about the cabbage snake the last year or two, and with better reason.
After talking the matter over among themselves for some time they called
a meeting of the settlers to form some plan of concerted action to get rid of
the snakes, and they concluded that the best way to get rid of the snakes was to
kill them. So it was agreed to have a general snake hunt the coming season. To
increase the interest ia the enterprise it was decided to divide the settlers into
two companies by the line running through the center of the county east and west.
This line divided the settlers about evenly.
Those living on the north side of that line were in the North Company and
those living south "of it were in the South Company. To give form to the move-
ment each company selected a captain. William Combs was captain of the North
Company and Ephraim Bilderback was captain of the South Company, and to
add still more interest to the hunt it was agreed that the company killing the
greatest number of snakes was to receive from each man of the defeated company
a certain amount of com to be delivered at Hart & Hinkle's mill, which was being
built that summer. As to the amount of com there seems to be some difference
in recollection. Mr. Davies has it two bushels to the man; Mr. Guye thinks
it was ^Yz but Mr. Wilkinson thinks that it was a peck of com to the man.
But it matters little about the amount; it was a small amount of com but the
com was never paid, though I think (W. S. Wilkinson, writer of the article
speaking) it would have been if it had ever been demanded, and the circum-
stances had been such that it could well have been done, but the snow was
so deep that winter that the settlers could scarcely get the com to the mill to make
the meal for their com bread and by the time their crops were in the next spring,
there was not one settler in a dozen that had any com above what would bread
their family through the summer. And the object of the hunt was accomplished;
the snakes were killed and little was thought of the bonus.
All the instmctions given were to go forth and kill all the snakes they could ;
to sneak out and watch the dens as the snakes were coming out in the spring
and kill as many as possible before they got abroad. You may be sure that all
were pretty busy that spring getting their ground ready and planting crops, but at
noon every nice, warm day, while the snakes were coming out of their dens,
some one would run down to the snake dens to see if there were any snakes
lying around in the sun, and usually some were caught. Most of the snakes
killed were caught before leaving their dens.
It is the habit of the rattlesnake at the approach of winter to den up in the
rocky bluffs along the streams where there is an open ledge of rocks affording
an entrance. They remain in their dens until the weather begins to get quite
warm in the spring. About the last of April or the first of May, according to
the season, they begin to come out in the warm part of the day and lie around
in the sun a while and then crawl back into the den. As the weather grows warmer
they leave the den by degrees, coming back to the den at night for a while before
leaving it entirely, affording the vigilant snake hunter a good opportunity to kill
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238 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
them before they get off into the woods and brush. Many snakes were found
and killed after getting away from their dens that summer and fall.
The settlers were on the lookout for snakes at all times and Sunday was
given over to the hunting and killing of them. Quite a few were killed in the
fall as they were returning to their dens. It was customary to go around armed
with clubs amd when watching the dens in the spring have a wire hook driven
into the end of a stick to pull the snakes out of holes and from under rocks.
The rattles of the snakes were saved and were counted at the celebration held in
Guye's Grove on the Fourth of July, 1848 — ^the first celebration ever held in this
county.
There was a committee appointed to count the rattles, consisting of Jacob
Combs and William Gentry, of the North Company, and David Bishop and some
one whose name is not now remembered, from the South Company. A. D. Jones
of the North Company was appointed clerk of the committee. The rattles
counted that day amounted to between three thousand and four thousand. The
north side counted the most rattles. Few kept count of the snakes killed after
that season, but from some who did keep count there were ten or twelve per cent
of the snakes killed after the count, which would run the total number killed
that season to something over four thousand.
There was no organized "snake hunt'* after 1848 but the settlers kept up their
vigilance and watched the snake dens just as closely for several years after the
*'hunt'' until the snakes became quite scarce, so that they ceased to cause any great
uneasiness.
Some very interesting and successful snake frolics were engaged in that
season, some of which have already been told in county history that seems a
little large, which, no doubt, are true. It should be understood that these large
frolics took place on Sunday, when the whole force would go forth in crowds
and make a general round up of dens. One of these was where George Guye and
some others of the north side killed over one hundred snakes one Sunday. Mr.
Guye is still living to testify to these facts. The first den they went to in the
morning, when it was cool, they found about thirty-seven snakes rolled up in a
ball, supposedly to keep warm, and during the day they killed the number given.
Of course this took place in the spring when the snakes were coming out of
their dens.
At first there was no town, mill, church or schoolhouse, and nothing to draw
the people together, so there were no beaten roads and nothing more than a
narrow path from house to house or anywhere else and there were high weeds
and grass everywhere. It seems fortunate, as numerous as the rattlesnakes
were in this county, that there were not more people bitten by them. The boys,
and many of the men, went in their bare feet in the warm weather and ran
some very close chances of being bitten by rattlesnakes while in the weeds. But
the large kind were considered slow .of action until thoroughly aroused and
it is said they would always rattle before making their strike. Men and boys
would jump higher and farther at the sound of the rattle of a snake than they
were apt to do under any other circumstances. The constant vigilance of the
people and the inertness of the snakes was probably the reason so few were bitten.
There were but two cases of snake bite in the Wilkinson neighborhood, neither
of which proved fatal. There were other cases in the county and there were
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 239
some deaths. Sam Peter's boy was bitten on the finger or hand while playing
near the house and died in a few hours. Of the two spoken of in the Wilkinson
•neighborhood, one is still living but not in this state. They were both confident
that their lives were saved by the use of whisky — the only sure cure for snake
bite. It was so popular a remedy that people usually kept some on hand in case
of need. Some people used to think it was as good a preventative as a cure.
When the first prohibition law was passed in this state it was opposed by a good
many on the ground that whisky was the only sure cure for snake bite. People
do not seem to think so much of whisky for snake bite as they used to. The
doctors do not use as much for snake bites as they did but they use it ior other
things.
Stock was sometimes bitten by rattlesnakes, or supposed to be, and the
remedy in that case was rattlesnakes master, a weed that grew everywhere on the
prairie, with a stem, flag leaves and a large burr on top. This weed was gathered,
the juice pounded out and mixed with sw^et milk and the animal drenched
with it ; a poultice was also made of this weed and bound to the wound. There
were but few deaths among stock caused by snake bite.
Some of the habits of the rattlesnake are hard to understand. So many
stories have been told about snakes that are so unreasonable that one is apt to
consider all stories which are not understood as "snake stories."
Uncle Davy Henry, a very nice, jovial fellow, settled on Cedar Creek, on
the bottom place now occupied by J. J. Gaston. He was liked by everybody but
was counted a little high on snake stories and every one had a laugh at Uncle
Davy's stories. He used to tell of seeing a dozen or two young snakes run into
their mother's mouth. Every one knew that was not true but people repeated it
to laugh about and the boys laughed about it. They knew it was not true because
the old folks said it was not true, but everybody liked Uncle Davy, he was such
a nice clever man and so truthful in everything except snakes. Sarah Cooper
states in her work on the subject of snakes that "the young rattlesnakes are
hatched in broods of eight or ten and cared for by the mother snake until well
grown, and on the approach of danger they run into their mother's mouth." How
now about Uncle Davy's story? It don't look so bad after all.
Some of the snake stories told are snake stories indeed, but others that look
unreasonable are nevertheless true. W. S. Wilkinson once opened an old snake
and found in it thirty-four young ones and he helped his mother skin an old
one to get the oil for medical purposes and found in it over ninety young snakes,
ranging in length from one and one-half to two inches. Henry Rogers, a neighbor
of the Wilkinsons, afterward counted ninety-four young snakes in an old one.
Note. — From some cause Mr. Davies got the date of the snake hunt wrong.
He has it 1849. It should be 1848. See A. D. Jones' letter in ^'Madison County
History."
It is thought to be a disputed question among naturalists whether or not
rattlesnakes care for their young in this way.
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CHAPTER XXX.
ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER THINGS
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
By Ezra Brownell
The order of Patrons of Husbandy originated with O. H. Kelly, an officer
of the Department of Agriculture, in 1866, and the giving to women a full mem-
bership therein, with Miss Carrie A. Hall, of Boston, Massachusetts. These two,
with William Saunders and Rev. A. B. Grosh, of the Department of Agriculture,
William M. Ireland, of the Postoffice Department, Rev. John Trimble and J. R.
Thompson, of the Treasury Department, and F. M. McDowell, a pomologist, of
Wayne, New York, organized the National Grange, in a small building in the
gardens of the Department of Agriculture on December 4, 1867, and the following
officers were elected: J. R. Thompson, lecturer; William M. Ireland, treasurer;
O. H. Kelly, secretary; William Saunders, master.
The first subordinate grange was organized at Washington, D. C, as a school
of instruction, January 8, 1868, with William M. Ireland as master. The first
subordinate grange to receive a charter was at Fredonia, New York, April 16,
1868. The first state grange organized was Minnesota State Grange, February
22, 1869. The first subordinate grange organized in Iowa was Newton Grange,
No. I, at Newton, Jasper County, May 2, 1868, under dispensation from the
National Grange, with A. ,Failer, W. M. and C. A. Fish, secretary. The first
subordinate grange to receive a charter from the Iowa State Grange was Hardin
County Grange, No. i, January i, 1871, organized by Dudley W. Adams. The
first Iowa State Grange was held in 1871 and its sessions have been held each year
since at various places in the state.
The granges organized in Madison County were as follows :
No. 12, Prairie Flower, January 10, 1871, Ohio Township, William Anderson,
master; J. Garst, secretary; W. Anderson, organizer.
No. 85, Earlham, December 6, 1871, Earlham; S. Hightower, master; D. •
Stanton, secretary; W. D. Wilson, organizer.
No. 170, Penn, February 15, 1872, Penn Township, C. Crane, master; Daniel
Francis, secretary; J. D. Whitman, organizer.
No. 210, St. Charles, February 29, 1872, St. Charles; S. M. Creger, master;
John Honnold, secretary; S. M. Hightower, organizer.
No. 249, Stringtown, March 13, 1872, Jackson Township; William Bard,
master; J. S. Bard, secretary; S. M. Hightower, organizer.
No. 262, North Branch, March 14, 1872, Douglas Township; J. Butler, master;
J. H. Lock, secretary ; S. M. Hightower, organizer.
No. 295, Douglas, March 30, 1872, Douglas Township; J. A. Dooley, master;
S. A. Ellis, secretary ; S. M. Hightower, organizer.
240
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 241
No. 376, South Branch, May 7, 1872, Douglas Township; H. Davis, master;
John Stock, secretary; S. M. Hightower, organizer.
No. 378, Winterset, May 11, 1872, Winterset; N. W. Garretson, master;
W. H. Lewis, secretary; W. D. Wilson, organizer.
No. 480, Prairie View, July 8, 1872, Jackson Township; Henry Comp, master;
E. G. Perkins, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 559, Peru, September 4, 1872, Walnut Township; Isaac Reager, master;
B. F. Brown, secretary ; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 560, Scott, September 4, 1872, Scott Township; J. S. Holmes, master;
W. S. Wilkinson, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 571, Grand River, September 14, 1872, Grand River Township; J. W.
Pinkney, master; T. Sharp, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 755, Webster, December 28, 1872, Webster Township; E. A. Pindell,
master; M. C. Shaw, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 875, Union Chapel, February 11, 1873, South Township; W. H. Queer),
master; S. A. Ross, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 876, Monroe, February 12, 1873, Monroe Township; Bolsar Hartsook,
master; B. F. Hartsook, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 877, Clanton, February 13, 1873, Monroe Township; Gerth Hamblin,
master; Mattie Hamblin, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 878, Deer Creek, February 14, 1873, Monroe Township; J. Reasoner,
master; M. R. Sheldon, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 895, Jefferson, February 18, 1873, Jefferson Township; J. A. Harten-
bowcr, master; William McCleary, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 896, Union, February 18, 1873, Union Township; T. S. Love, master;
J. S. McGinnis, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 899, Patterson, February 19, 1873, Patterson; W. Howell, master; John
Gamble, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 935, Pleasant Grove, February 22, 1873, Jefferson Township; Jas. Means,
master ; J. T. Shaw, secretary ; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 1,096, Lincoln, March 14, 1873, Lincoln Township; W. J. Ruby, master;
W. A. Steward, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 1,206, Valley, March 22, 1873, South Township; Robert Cleland, master;
M. I. Bean, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 1,207, Ohio, March 24, 1873, Ohio Township; C. H. Young, master; G.
W. Foreman, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 1,208, Liberty, March 27, 1873, Lincoln Township; William Hartsook,
master; Noble Peters, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 1,235, Harmony, March 29, 1873, Madison Township; M. A. Knight,
master; George Storck, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 1,236, Bethel, March 31, 1873, Walnut Township; L. H. Chapman, master;
D. F. Foster, secretry; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 1,293, Jackson, April 5, 1873, Jackson Township; S. Hamilton, master;
D. H. McDill, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
No. 1,382, Buckeye, April 17, 1873, Ohio Township; Robert Eyrie, master;
Calvin Ellis, secretary; N. W. Garretson, organizer.
The above granges continued their work for various periods, all finally
lapsing. The last to report to the State Grange were No. 376, South Branch,
Vol. 1— m
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242 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
paid to December 31, 1891 ; Ndf 480, Prairie View, paid to June 30, 1892; and
No. 1,208, Liberty, paid to December 31, 1894.
Perhaps an epitome of the Grange principles and accomplishments would be
interesting, the motto being "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all
things, charity."
The specific objects of the grange were to develop higher manhood and woman-
hood; to strengthen love for pursuits; to foster cooperation; to maintain laws;
to buy less and produce more; to condense the weights of exports; to discoun-
tenance the credit system, the mortgage system and every other system tending to
prodigality and bankruptcy; to meet together, talk together, work together, and
act together for mutual advancement.
farmers' mutual insurance company
A meeting for the purpose of organizing a township mutual benefit association
was held on June 22, 1878. Wm. McDonald presided at this meeting and H. D.
McCombs acted as secretary. A permanent * organization was perfected with
Emerous Hazen as president ; J. C. Weede, secretary ; and John Westphal, treas-
urer. On January 4, 1879, ^^ the second meeting the same officers were chosen.
On December 4, 1879, the association met for the purpose of adopting a constitu-
tion, and articles of incorporation as the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company,
covering the south half of Dallas County and all of Madison County. At this
meeting Emerous Hazen was chosen president; H. D. McCombs, secretary; and
John Westphal, treasurer. The charter members were all Jefferson Township
farmers, viz. ; H. D. McCombs, A. P. Fitch, Wm. McDonald, Charles Wishmire,
Wm. Buske, Emerous Hazen, H. E. Marquardt, Louis Ballou, Ed. Steinhaus, Wm.
Steinhaus, F. P. Hazen, Ferdinand Marquardt, Harry Linton, A. B. Kirkpatrick,
Chris. Heitman, J. C. Weede, and John Wesphal.
At a special meeting held in Winterset on January 10, 1880, the newly incor-
porated company elected the following officers : President, Emerous Hazen ; vice
president, Lewis Ballou; secretary, H. D. McCombs; treasurer, John Westphal;
directors, A. B. Kirkpatrick, Wm. McDonald, J. C. Weede, F. Pw Hazen, Harry
Linton, A. P. Fitch, Ferdinand Marquardt, Wm. Buske, Chris. Heitman and H.
E. Marquardt.
Some time during the year 1880 Emerous Hazen died and at the annual meeting
in December of that year George Storck was chosen president, H. D. McCombs,
secretary, and Wm. McDonald, treasurer. Mr. Storck held the position of presi-
dent until April 8, 1893, when he was chosen secretary to take the place of H. D.
McCombs, deceased, and has held that position to the present time. Mr. Mc-
Combs had held the position of secretary from 1880 to the time of his death in
1893, with the exception of the year 1881 when it was filled by James McCullough.
At the time of the death of Mr. McCombs, John Brooker, who had been vice
president since 1885 became president, serving as such until his death in the year
1904. At the time of Mr. Brooker*s death George Mueller was vice president and
was then made its president, serving in that capacity until the present time. Abe
Golden was elected treasurer in 1882 to take the place of Wm. McDonald, de-
ceased, serving as such until the annual meeting of 1888 when Taylor Jennings
was chosen and he has held that position to the present time.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 243
The company at the present time is in a flourisking condition, carrying over two
million dollars risk by 1,200 farmers.
The annual meeting is held in Winterset on the third Saturday of October of
each year. At the last meeting the following officers were chosen :
President, George Mueller of Jeflferson Township, Madison County; vice
president, D. C. Harper, of Adams township, Dallas County; secretary, George
Storck, of Madison Township, Madison County; treasurer, Taylor Jennings, of
Van Meter Township, Dallas County. There is also chosen one director from
each township, there being nineteen at the present time.
MADISON COUNTY FARMERS^ INSTITUTE
By H. A. Mueller
Pursuant to a call, a meeting was held in the grand jury room in the court-
house at Winterset, Iowa, on March 14, 1903, at 1 130 P. M., for the purpose of
organizing a farmers' institute in Madison County. H. A. Mueller was chosen
temporary chairman, and T. M. Scott temporary secretary. After a few remarks
the following officers were chosen: President, J. H. Leonard, of Union Town-
ship; secetary, T. M. Scott, of Scott Township; treasurer, H. A. Mueller, of
Winterset ; members of the executive committee, W. H. Lewis of Lincoln Town-
ship, George Mueller of Jefferson Township, J. W. Sawhill of Jackson Township,
John Schoenenberger of Walnut Township, and A. J. Jones of Scott Township.
Arrarfgements were made to hold the first institute on March 25th and 26th
following. H. A. Mueller was appointed a committee to secure members and to
arrange for the coming program.
The first annual meeting of the Madison County Farmers' Institute was held
in the court room on March 25, 1903. Prof. P. G. Holden of Ames, Iowa, and
Henry Wallace of Wallace's Farmer, Des Moines, Iowa, took part in the pro-
gram. The day following, March 26th, the constitution and by-laws were adopted
and the officers chosen for the ensuing year as follows : President, J. H. Leonard ;
vice president, T. M. Scott; secretary, H. A. Mueller; treasurer, A. M. Meachem ;
executive committee, W. H. Lewis, John Schoenenberger, and George Storck.
The presidents and secretaries of the Institute, since 1905, have been :
Year
President
Secretary
1905....
...T. M. Scott
H. A. Mueller
1906
...H. H. Hawk
H. A. Mueller
1907....
...H. H. Hawk
J. S. Herman
1908...,
...H. H. Hawk
J. S. Herman
1909...,
...S. A. Hays
W. I. Raymond
1910
S. A. Hays
W. I. Raymond
191 1
....S. A. Hays
W. I. Raymond
1912
W. D. Patterson
H. G. Tilton
1913....
W. D. Patterson
. H. G. Tilton
The last institute was held at Winterset on January 16 and 17, 1913, and was
a very successful meeting. The following summer arrangements were made for a
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244 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Short Course to take the place of the Farmers* Institute. At a meeting on Sep-
tember 20, 1913, officers were chosen as follows:
President, W. D. Patterson; vice president, W. P. Rhyno; secretary, W. H.
Vance, treasurer, P. M. McNamara. W. H. Vance, refused to serve and at a later
meeting S. A. Hays was chosen secretary and township .vice presidents were
chosen. The first Short Course .was held at Winterset December 29, 1913, to
January 3, 1914.
MADISON COUNTY FAIRS
By H. A. Mueller
The first settlers had been here ten years before there was any attempt made
to hold any kind of a fair. They were busy in building homes, clearing the forests,
building fences and breaking the land for cultivation.
In the fifth annual report of the Iowa State Agricultural Society for 1858,
Elias Stafford, secretary of this society made the following report : "The question
of organizing the Agricultural Society in Madison County was first agitated in
Jun^, 1856. Elias Stafford, during the early part of that month, circulated ad-
vertisements, calling a meeting on the 21st, at which time a number of farmers
and others met and appointed a committee, consisting of Messrs. B. F. Roberts,
J. A. Pitzer, Elias Stafford, W. F. Suydam and E. R. Guiberson, to prepare and
report a constitution for a County society at an adjourned meeting to be held
on the 28th inst. The day to which the meeting stood adjourned having arrived,
and those present who were at the first meeting and some others, the committee
appointed for the purpose reported a constitution, which after due consideration
was adopted, after which the meeting adjourned until July 5th.
'^']n\y 5th, 1856. — Pursuant to adjournment those interested in the formation
of a County Society met. Elias Stafford in the chair. On motion the meeting
proceeding to perfect the organization of the Society by electing officers as pro-
vided by the Constitution adopted at the last meeting. The election resulted as
follows: President, Elias Stafford; vice presidents, H. J. B. Cummings, W. F.
Suydam, J. B. Sturman, William Bennett, J. W. Shannon, Isaac Reager, T. W.
Folwell, Samuel Kenyon and Frank Bosworth; corresponding secretary, B. F.
Roberts ; recording secretary, W. W. McKnight ; treasurer, D. F. Arnold. Our
annual meeting for the election of officers is held on the first Saturday of January
of each year.
"The first annual fair was held October 8th and 9th, 1856, almost two miles
northeast of Winterset. (This was on the James James farm, southeast quarter
of the northeast quarter of Section 29, Union Township, which is now owned by
Mrs. Joseph Criss). There was no protection from the weather to anything on
exhibition, except the ladies department, which was arranged under sheds. The
exhibition was limited and, we might say, thin in every branch, although the
weather was good. An address was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Russell, of Adel,
Dallas County. After the sale of some excellent fruit trees belonging to Mr.
Smith, the proceeds were donated to the society. The people generally, were well
pleased and satisfied with the exhibition and went home determined, if spared
another year, to be among those who should draw premiums.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 245
Receipts $146.25
Expenditures 78.90
Balance in treasury $67-35
1857
"The annual meeting of the society was held, as provided by the constitution,
on the first Saturday in January. The election of officers resulted as follows :
President Wm. Jones
Recording Secretary Elias Stafford
Corresponding Secretary W. W. McKnight
Treasurer D. F. Arnold
"Vice Presidents — H. J. B. Cummings, Elihu Wilson, John B. Sturman, J. W.
Shannon, Isaac Reager, E. S. McCarty, Lemuel Kenyon and Frank Bosworth.
"The second annual exhibition was held at the same place as the first, on
October ist and 2nd, 1857. In the stock department, it was an improvement on
last year, but in the grain and vegetable departments, not so good. There were
72 entries in horses and 53 in cattle. In both classes there were some excellent
animals shown. Messrs. Compton, Wilson and Bamett were the winners in this
class.
Receipts $14145
Expenditures 4340
Balance in treasury $ 98.05
1858
"The election this year resulted as follows :
President A. J. Adkinson
Recording Secretary Elias Stafford f
Corresponding Secretary W. W. McKnight
Treasurer B. F. Roberts
"Vice Presidents or Directors — D. F. Arnold, H. J. B. Cununings, N. W. Gar-
retson, C. Wilson, Otho Davis, A. Parker, E. S. McCarty, William Payton, J. C.
Johnston, W. Hardy and F. Bosworth.
"At this meeting initiatory steps were taken to secure a permanent place and
fixtures for holding our fairs. After much debate this movement resulted in
leasing ten acres of ground half a mile from Winterset. (This ground was south
of the M. Schroeder brewery, in the northeast quarter of Section 31, Union Town-
ship, now owned by Mrs. S. D. Alexander). It is beautifully located on high, dry
prairie, and we have succeeded in enclosing six acres of it with a good close
fence, seven feet high, gates and other accommodations, so as to make it what it
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246 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
should be for the purpose for which it was designed. The third exhibition was
held on the new grounds on October 7th and 8th, and notwithstanding all our
preparations, it was a comparative failure. We do not attribute this to a want of
interest on the part of the farmers, but to the universal failure of crops and
scarcity of money, in connection with the fact that a violent and cold storm pre-
vailed during the fair and two days previous, rendering it very unpleasant for out
of door employments.
Receipts for membership , $80.00
Receipts from other sources 33.00
Total $113.00 .
Paid out for fence $80.10
Balance in treasury $32.90
"We have not paid any money for premituns, giving diplomas only. The
fencing and other fixtures on our grounds have cost $625.00 on which we have
paid $386.00 leaving us in debt $289.00."
Fairs Were held here annually until 1866, except the years 1861, 1862 and 1863,
when theire were no exhibitions. No reasons were assigned but all know that
that was during the Civil war, when the people were busily engaged in defending
their homes, and their minds were occupied with news from the front. The
writer has not had any definite information relative to when the first fair was
held at the grounds, west of Winterset. In the report for 1865 the secretary
states that "The Board of Supervisors have appropriated $300.00 for purchasing
new grounds, and $200.00 was raised by individual subscriptions." In the report
for 1866 he says that "the fair was held at the grounds near Winterset. The
Society have purchased the old fair grounds and are some in debt. However, a
deed was not made to the Society until Sept. 2, 1867." Fairs were held here an-
nually, except in 1894. A premium list was published that year, but that being the
"dry" year, no crops were raised, the cattle and hogs were all sold, or were not in
condition to be put on exhibition, and the farmers having the "blues," no fair was
held.
The Society had its *'ups" and "downs." Some years there was rain and mud
to contend with. In others there were poor exhibits, or the times were hard. In
1882 a cyclone in July tore down the fences and buildings of the association. Ever
since its organization in 1856, officers were elected every year at the annual meet-
ing in January. A complete list of the presidents and secretaries is as follows :
Year President Secretary
1856 Elias Stafford W. W. McKnight
1857 Wm. Jones Elias Stafford
1858 A. J. Adkison Elias Stafford
1859 David Stanton J. I. Denman
i860 W. J. Patterson J. I. Denman
1861 .:.... .P. M. Boyles J. J. Davies
1862 P. M. Boyles J. J. Davies
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
247
Year President
1863 A. J. Adkison
1864 A. J. Adkison
1865 A. J. Adkison
1866 A. J. Adkison
1867 A. J. Adkison *
1868 C. B. Lothrop
1869 M. Glazebrook
1870 Theodore Cox
1871 Wm. L. Leonard
1872 N. W. Munger
1873 N. W. Guiberson
1874 N. W. Guiberson
1875 Wm. F. Hadley
1876 Wm. F. Hadley
1877 C. B. Lothrop
1878 C. B. Lothrop
1879 Wm. Hedge
1880 F. H. Roper
1881 C. F. Koehler
1882 John S. Taylor
1883 John S.Taylor
1884 Henry Comp
1885 J. P. Steele
1886 J.J. Gaston
1887 J. K. Barcroft
1888 J. H. Wintrode
1889 Ham Lee
1890 Ham Lee
1891 Ham Lee
1892 C. F. Perkins
1893 Ham Lee
1894 Robert Niblo
1895 Robert Niblo
1896 L. C. Houk
1S97 W. E. Mack — resigned
T. J. Hudson — chosen
1898 T. ]. Hudson
1899 C. F. Allgqyer
1900 George Johnson
1901 Ben Mintum — resigned
W. H. Doak — appointed
1902 J. W. Breeding
1903 D. T. Miles
1904 D. T. Miles
1905 J. H. Dow
1906 A. D. Guye
Secretary
C. S. Wilson
C. S. Wilson
J. J. Davies
Martin Houston
Martin Houston
D. E. Cooper
E. G. Perkins
D. E. Cooper
A. H. Adkison
A. H. Adkison
A. H. Adkison
Herman Kinsman
D. E. Cooper
A. W. Wilkinson
W. S. Whedon
W. S. Whedon
W. S. Whedon
J. A. Sanford
J. A. Sanford
J. H. Wray
J. H. Wray
E. R. Zeller
W. P. Rhyno
W. P. Rhyno
W. E. Ratliff
E. L. Vance
C. F. Perkins
J. H. Wintrode
J. H. Wintrode
Charles Brock
C. F. Perkins
S. A. Hays
H. S. Thomson
Ham Lee
Charles Lee
Charles Lee
T. J. Hudson
Charles Lee
T. J. Hudson
T. J. Hudson
T. J. Hudson
T. J. Hudson
T. J. Hudson
J. H. Dow — resigned
A. L. Foster — appointed
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248 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Year
President
Secretary
1907....
...A. D. Guye
Elmer Orris —
W. H. Vance — assistant
1908....
....A. D. Guye
John Duff
1909....
Elmer E. Orris
W. E. Grismer
1910
Elmer E. Orris
' A. L. Foster
191 1
Elmer E. Orris
A. L. Foster
1912
....A. D. Guye
S. A. Hays
1913. .
...J. D. Ross
S. A. Hays— resigned April, 1913
Eugene Wilson — chosen
1914. . .
Same officers held over
However, the Society continued its exhibitions with more or less success,
until the year 1913, when it closed its books, sold the property, turned the balance
of money on hand to the treasurer of Madison County and went out of existence
in 1914.
LEGEND
The first County Fair of Madison County was held about thirty-five rods east
of the southwest comer of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of
section 29, in Union Township. This property was then owned by James James
and the fair ground was a little distance east of the stone house that has stood
these fifty years or more and in the large open barn yard and pasture combined
that remains to this day. At the time the highway ran north and south along
the west line of this James' farm, but an open driveway extended easterly from
the highway close south of the stone house and as far east as the bam yard and
adjoining pasture. This open driveway was about forty feet wide. By evening
during the fair the driveway was closely packed with wagons and great difficulty
occurred in clearing the blockade.
POPULATION OF MADISON COUNTY 1849-I914
1849.. 701 1850.. 1,179 185I.. 1492 1852.. 1,832 1854.. 3,112
1856.. 5,508 1859.. 7,071 i860.. 7,339 1863.. 7,934 1865.. 8,214
1867.. 9,764 1869.. 11,817 1870.. 13,884 1873.. 14,698 1875.. 16,030
1880.. 17,224 1890.. 15,977 1900.. 17,710 I9IO.. 15,621
POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS FROM 189O-I9IO:
I9IO 1900 1890
Center Township coextensive with Winterset City 2,818 3,039 2,281
Winterset City:
Ward I : ; 1,516
Ward 2 1,302
Crawford Township, including Patterson Town 707 830 830
Patterson Town 147 163 133
Douglas Township 736 899 891
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 249
Grand River Township, including Macksburg Town. . . . 763
Macksburg Town 197
Jackson Township 615
Jefferson Township 648
Lee Township 497
Lincoln Township 699
Madison Township, including Earlham Town i>459
Earlham Town 749
Monroe Township 649
Ohio Township, including Truro Town 940
Truro Town 310
Penn Township 698
Scott Township 781
South Township, including St. Charles Town i,i94
St. Charles Town 399
Union Township 595
Walnut Township, including East Peru Town IJ35
East Peru Town 371
Webster Township 687
900
937
23s
186
766
749
863
804
606
593
798
811
1424
1,061
630
.302
737
771
958
866
"765
773
960
974
1,445
1,196
412
387
770
794
i,"3
886
252
. 837
760
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CHAPTER XXXI
SOUTH TOWNSHIP
Ctne of the three subdivisions of the county created was that of South Town-
ship, which became identified as such at the February term of the court in the year
1849, and the place selected for the first election was the house of Nathan Viney.
Before court had adjourned the boundary lines as first drawn were materially
changed, and at the July term a further transformation in its lines was effected.
As now organized and laid out, South Township is bounded on the east by
Warren County, on the west by Scott Township, on the north by Crawford Town-
ship and on the south by Ohio Township. For agricultural purposes and stock-
raising, this community has many superior advantages. Qanton Creek runs
through it near the center from the southwest to the northeast and along its
borders was found by the settlers a heavy grove of timber, which at the time was
scarcely surpassed in the state. There are also numerous smaller streams, which
furnish excellent water and drainage. Stone abounds on Clanton Creek and good
veins of coal have been found on Buchanan Creek. There are two lines of rail-
roads entering South Township. The Chicago Great Western cuts across this
domain from the southwest comer to the northeast comer and a branch of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, formerly the Keokuk & Western, enters on
section 34, and mnning northward passes through St. Charles by a diagonal
course. Hanley is a station on the Great Westem. Its religious society is the
Methpdist Episcopal.
A large part of South Township's history relating to its early settlement has
already been told in this volume, so that it would be repetitious and rather irk-
some to go over the details in this chapter. However, the reader by this time is
acquainted with the fact that the members of the Clanton colony were the first
white persons to stake out claims and become settlers in this locality. It should
also be remembered that Caleb Clark, whose wife was a Clanton, was one of the
band of immigrants known as the Clanton colony.
David Bishop was among those who settled in South Township in 1847, com-
ing that year from Shelby County, Indiana. He established a home on section 7,
and at the time his family was the eleventh to set up a residence here. David
Bishop was one of the first county commissioners and in 1857 was elected
treasurer and recorder of the county.
The Fifes — ^Amos, David and Samuel-^were natives of Columbiana County,
Ohio, and settled in the township in December, 1849, the details of which will
be found in an article written by Samuel Fife, hereinto incorporated, together with
quite a comprehensive survey of other pioneers, who settled here and the essential
facts relating thereto. Mr. Fife mentions the names of many of the hardy men and
women who took part in opening the land here to cultivation and giving the
township its start on its great road to progress and prosperity, so that their names
250
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DAVID BISHOP
Came to Madison County in 1847. Was elected a justice of the
peace at first election held in Black Oak Grove precinct, Augitst,
1847. One of the first county commissioners chosen January 1,
1849. Was elected recorder and treasurer of Madison County in
1857 and was defeated for representative in 1859. One of the
commissioners appointed in 1851 to locate the county seat of
Guthrie County. Father of Rev. J. G. Bishop of Dayton, Ohio,
and of the late A. H. Bishop of South Township
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 251
will not be repeated, but their histories, as they relate to that of South Town-
ship, will be left to Samuel Fife to portray. There are many others, however,
who deserve a place in this history not mentioned in the Fife reminiscences, and
still others, the details of whose immigration to this county are not available.
So far as possible, therefore, what is known of the settlers following those men-
tioned will be here indicated.
M. C. Debord, a Virginian by birth, immigrated from Shelby County, Indiana,
with his family to Illinois to 1843, fr'om which state he came to Iowa, and in
September, 1849, located on section 7, in this township, where he lived, for many
years and enjoyed the fruits of a frugal and industrious life. He at one time
served on the board of supervisors. Among his children bom here was E. C.
Debord, who married Miss Joan Hicks in 1873 ^^^ ^^^ many years lived on
section 7.
J. C. Johnston and Madeline, his wife, left the State of Indiana in the spring
of 1850 and arrived in Madison County, where they located, choosing for their
home South Township. Jehu M. Johnston, a son, came the' same year and
located on section 32. The journey from the Hoosier State was made in a
wagon and required about two months. Mr. Jehu M. Johnston later moved to
section 26.
T. J. Rhyno also moved into the county in 1850. He was a Virginian by
birth but lived for many years in the State of Ohio, where he married Sarah
Draper in 1848. Mr. Rhyno located on section 32. He entered 500 acres
of land. It is said that when he left his home in Virginia he walked the whole
distance to Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1850 walked from Keokuk to South
Township.
James A. Rhyno, also of Virginia, became a journeyman printer and worked
at the trade for some time in Ohio and several of the southern states. He served
in the Mexican war and during the winter of 1851 arrived in South Township,
where he entered 160 acres of land on section 28.
The Runkles, Thomas and son, J. M., were settlers in this township in 185 1.
Thomas located on section 7, and in 1850 married Catherine Guilliams. J. M.
Runkle located on section i.
Nicholas Shaver was one of the first comers to the township. He was a
native of Virginia, settled in Ohio, from which state he came by wagon to
Madison County in 1851 and located on section 4 in 1853. George Hartman,
came in 1851 and N. S. Allcock in 1847.
David Downs was bom in Monroe County, Indiana, in 1824. He was mar-
ried in 1848 and in 1850 settled in Warren County, where he remained until the
spring of 185 1. He then came to Madison County and located in this township.
Mr. Downs built the first sawmill in the township and with his partner, and
father-in-law, George Hartman, was engaged in the lumber business about three
years, when he removed to his home on section 24.
James Phipps located on section 35 in this township in 185 1. He was a native
of Grayson County, Virginia. When thirteen years of age his parents removed
to Tennessee and from there to Missouri, from whence he came to Iowa, first
locating in Warren County in 1846.
C. W. Thompson, who was long a justice of the peace, was an Ohioan by birth
and came from his native state to this township with his parents in 1852.
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252 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Abraham Black was bom in the Old Dominion in 1803 and with his family
removed to Indiana in 1840, from whence he came to Madison County in 1852
and located on section 22, where Hanley now stands.
John Hartman came with his parents, George and Mary Hartman, from Hen-
dricks County, Indiana, to Iowa, in 1850, and to this county in the spring of
185 1, when they located on section 14, in South Township. The father died in
1873.
Hogan Queen was bom in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1821, and married
Martha A. Runkle in 1846. With his family he came to Madison County by
wagon in 1853, spending sixteen days on the road and upon his arrival here, located
on section 7, where he improved one of the finest farms in the county. Mr.
Queen became a large landowner and one of the important men of the county.
J. M. Browne, a native of Pennsylvania, removed to Ohio when a young man
and in the spring of 1855 came to Madison County and settled at St. Charles.
In addition to being one of the pioneer merchants of the town he was also a
farmer and stock- raiser and accumulated considerable land. In August, 1862, he
organized Company F, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry and was elected its captain.
After being wounded at the battle of Parker's Cross Roads, he resigned his
commission and in the winter of 1865-6 represented this county in the Eleventh
General Assembly. Captain Browne died in October, 1913.
N. P. Pomeroy was one of the worthy settlers who came to Madison County
from Holmes County, Ohio, in 1855, and settled in this township. For many
years his home was on section 17. He married Sarah J. Collins in i860. She was
also of Holmes County.
Jefferson Wheat arrived in South Township early in the '50s. His fathei
bought a claim on section 26 and there the family took up their residence.
Thomas W. Stiles was one of the sturdy and worthy Hoosier farmers, who
left his native state in 1858 and first settled in Warren County. Two years later
he located on section 3, South Township. Stiles enlisted in Company F, Thirty-
ninth Iowa Infantry in 1862 as second lieutenant and on the resignation of Capt.
James M. Browne he was promoted to fill the vacancy.
I. S. Taylor, a Pennsylvanian by birth, moved with his parents to New York
and eventually found his way to Indiana, from which state he immigrated to
Iowa in 1858. He chose Madison County for his home and located on section 7,
South Township.
James Young was born in Pennsylvania in 183 1 and lived there until the
spring of 1856, when he located on section i, this township.' He was a veteran
of the Civil war, being a member of Company F, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry.
R. M. Young came in 1856. Located on section 12. He was a member of
Company I, Thirty-ninth Infantry.
Caleb Clark, after two or three removals, finally made his residence at Winter-
set. He was a mason, as were a number of his sons and it is doubtful if any
one has done more hard work and more permanent work than the members of this
pioneer family. The Clanton settlement was a stopping place for stock drovers
and teamsters when the nearest market was at Keokuk and Eddyville. The All-
cocks and Aliens also stopped here and left their mark in the organization of Elm
Grove Church. This was one of the first religious organizations formed in the
county and it has been permanent and progressive. The old house of worship was
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DOUBLE LOG HOUSE OF ISAAC CLANTON
Built in 1853 on section 23 South Township near St. Charles. The
lumber used was sawed by the Hartman and Downs up and down sawmill
on Clanton Creek. This was a palace in its day and was used as a resi-
dence until the ^908 when it was converted into a barn and so used
until about 1912 when it was torn down by James Fulton.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 253
recently removed and a beautiful new one erected in its place, with all modem
conveniences.
Other early settlers are Nathan Viney who came about 1848 settling on the
west part section 18. Here the first election, January i, 1849, was held in South
Township. About 1850 Mr. Viney sold his farm and moved to section 26, South,
owning the farm west of the Viney Schoolhouse, named after him, also the ceme-
tery to the west of the home, later known as the Summerville farm.
James Wheat came in 185 1 and bought the claim of Charles Clanton on section
26 later owned l)y Albert King.
Isaac Knotts came in 1850 and settled on section 35, on land now owned by S.
A. Bradshaw.
George Smith settled in 1847 on section 10 on the east side of Clanton Creek.
He was the father of Mrs. Amos Fife, still living in St. Charles.
Isaac Smith settled in 1847, at the foot of the hill on section 11, where Mr.
Amos Fife lived for many years.
Pleasant Rollins settled on Clanton Creek on section 28, in 1847. His son,
Caleb, lived in that vicinity for many years. He was a soldier of the Civil war,
dying a few years ago.
David Simmerman came in 1848, settling on the west part of section 15, south
of the present home of W. A. Carter.
Hiram Clough and family came in 1852 settling where S. T. Johnston lives,
section 25, and Oliver Morgan, in 1853, settled just east of them on the same
section on land that is now owned by S. T. Johnston and J. P. Small.
In 1849 Jesse Young bought the claim of Caleb Clark on section 14 and in
1851 sold to George Hartman. Mr. Hartman and Jesse Young in 1852 laid out
the town of St. Charles.
Bud Whited came in 1847 with his brother-in-law, David Bishop, and settled
in the northwest part of South Township near the present site of Union Chapel.
This later became known as the M. C. Debord farm on section 7.
David Worley was a Methodist Episcopal preacher and in a very early day
settled in section 3. Captain Stiles for many years owned the land.
Wm. Steigerwalt bought the first claim of Caleb Clark on section 10 and in
1853 sold to Mr. Steel, the father of Stephen Steel.
In 1855 William Bradshaw settled in section 36 on the farm now owned by his
daughter, Mrs. Robert Phipps.
George Black came in 1852 and lived on section 36 for many years until his
removal to St. Charles where he died about 1900.
Norval S. Allcock came in 1847 ^^^ bought the claim of Gifford Lee, now the
present site of Hanley. His cabin was situated in the south part of the present
site of Hanley near Mrs. Bishop's bam. He sold his claim to Abraham Black and
bought the claim of Hiram Hurst on section 29 and moved there in the fall of
1 85 1. Mr. Allcock was a county commissioner in 1850. It was at his home that the
early circuit rider stopped and held church occasionally. Meetings were held at
his home and later in the school houses, from which developed the present Elm
Grove Church.
Thus by the time of the Civil war, South Township was pretty well settled and
contributed many men for the various regiments, especially the 39th.
The first schoolhouse, which was a log cabin, stood about a fourth of a mile
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254 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
north of J. M. Clanton's residence and was built about 1850. The building
answered its purposes until about 1858, when it became a storer^oom in St.
Charles. Another schoolhouse took its place which, when discarded by the
authorities, was converted into a harness shop, and is still used as a store.
Log raising and fitting them snugly and securely at the comers required a
certain amount of expertness and among the settlers there were some who
were adepts at the business, and when a cabin was to be raised their services were
always in demand. Among the principal ones better known as "comer men'*
around St. Charles about the year 1849 were Joei Canton, Samuel Fife, George
Black, and David Downs. Samuel Fife helped raise cabins and fit the comers
along South River and Clanton to Middle River. Mr. Fife says very little whis-
key was used at these raisings and that he never happened to be at a raising
where whiskey was present. However, he says that when Sheckels' house was
raised in St. Charles in 1854, one Clerly, while sitting in the shade, met his death
by a log falling on him. It is said that if the man had been sober he could have
easily saved himself from harm. At the time Clerly lived on David Lathrum's
place west of St. Charles.
Before the Civil war, any person so inclined and possessing the material and
experience, could manufacture whiskey without let or hindrance from the Govem-
ment. About i860 Tom Young had a distillery on his place in St. 'Charles, which
he sold to Jacob Kimer, who moved it to his farm, west of Hanley, now owned
by Sanford Johns, where he put up a special building near a big spring and close
to the main road. There he continued to make *'fire water'' until two years after
the war, when the still was forced out of business thereafter by the mandates
of the law.
REMINISCENT
The writer of the lines following was a daughter of Caleb Clark, a son-in-law
of Mrs. Clanton, and a member of the Clanton colony. She was the first white
female bom in Madison County, January 9, 1847, and, according to local historians,
she is credited with being ahead of all others in this respect, male or female.
This little bud grew into a choice prairie flower, which was plucked by Andrew
Tusha for his own. A few years ago, Mrs. Tusha was called upon by the
Madisonian to relate some of her early recollections and this is what she said:
"According to our old family Bible, I was bom January 9, 1847, ^^ Madison
County, Iowa, about one mile from St. Charles on what is known as the old
Hartman farm. From there father moved to the old Asa Evans farm in 1849,
and from there to another place a little nearer Winterset. About that time was
the Califomia emigration and father traded a cow for a stove. That was the
first stove I ever saw. About that time father bought the first clock I ever saw.
Brother Frank Clark has the clock yet. I went to my first school while we lived
there. They had home-made stools, without any backs. From that place father
moved to Winterset when I was seven or eight years old. There I went to school
in the first schoolhouse built in Winterset. It stood about the same place as where
the South Ward school is now. We lived in Winterset until I was married to
Andrew Tusha in 1866. Then Mr. Tusha and I moved to a farm on North
Branch, sold out there and moved to the Middle River bottom, close to what is
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MRS. MARY TUSHA
First white child born in Madison
County. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Caleb Clark. Date of birth, January
9, 1847.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 255
known as the Tusha Schoolhouse. Mr. Tusha helped organize the district and
build the schoolhouse. We lived there about sixteen years and then moved to
Hoosier Prairie, and from there to St. Charles, and from St. Charles we came to
Elida, New Mexico, in 1905. Our son and son-in-law also came to Elida and
filed on claims. There are schoolhouses all over the country and we have an
eight room schoolhouse in Elida.*'
A PRIMITIVE SCHOOL
The first settlers in South Township were Joel M. Clanton, Isaac Clanton,
Charles Clanton, Caleb Clark and their families, who came from Missouri in the
spring of 1846, and settled near the present site of St. Charles. They were so
busily occupied in building homes and clearing the forest that for the first
few years no attention was given to schools. Soon other settlers came and by
1849 there were several families living in the county.
The organization of schools rested with the school fund commissioner. An
original document was found among old papers at the township clerk's office, of
South Township, describing a school district, which included the present dis-
trict of St. Charles, and reads as follows: *'N. S. Allcock. Sir: I have this day
formed a school district, No. 3, in South Township, Madison County as follows :
Beginning at the southwest comer of section 30 in township 75 and range 26,
thence east 3 miles to the northeast comer of section 2, in township 75, in
range 26, thence south 5 miles to the southeast comer of section 36, in town-
ship 75, in range 26, thence west to the place of beginning, and you are hereby
requested to notify the qualified voters within said bounds, to meet at the house
of Joel M. Qanton therein on the lOth inst. at 2 o'clock P. M. and then and
there proceed to elect by ballot one secretary, one president and one treasurer
for said school district.
^'Given under my hand officially this loth day of September, 1849.
"E. R. GUIBERSON,
"School Fund Commissioner of M. C, Iowa."
On the opposite side of the paper upon which the above was written, the
following appears : "A list of white persons residing in school district No. 3, of
South Township, Madison County, between the ages of five and twenty-one
years, taken between the 15th of September and the ist of October, A. D., 1849;
Joel Clanton, Nancy Clanton, William Clanton, Isaac W. Clanton, Moses E.
Clanton, George Clanton, Thomas N. Clanton, William N. Clanton, Charles F.
Clanton, John Clanton, Lucinda Clanton, Sarah M. Clanton, Rachel Clanton,
Louisa J. Clark, Rachel C. Clark, Sarah E. Clark, Nancy E. Clark, Sunthaan
Clark, George W. Clark, Granvill A. Smith, Lucinda Smith, William C. Smith,
Mary Jane Smith, Lucy Ann Smith, Sary L. Smith, Elizabeth R. Smith, Lucinda
E. Hail, Orlenia T. Hail, Jesse M. Hail, Willey Stagerwalt, Henry A. Stager-
wait, Martin Stagerwalt, Fearick Stagerwalt, Sarah E. Stagerwalt, Maranda
Stagerwalt, Heserkiah Stagerwalt."
In accordance with this call the following officers were elected: President,
George Smith ; secretary, N. S. Allcock ; treasurer, William C. Allcock.
No school was held that year but the following season a log schoolhouse was
built in Frank Clanton's pasture, near the north side and about twenty rods west
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256 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
of the turn of the road south of Mr. Vanatta's house and about ten rods north of
where the slaughter-house stood.
Abner Bell, of Patterson, was the first teacher. School was held in the fall
and winter of 1850-51 and the pupils attending were: Joel Clanton, William Clan-
ton, Wesley Clanton, Moses Clanton, Margaret AUcock, Frances Allcock, Lorenzo
Allcock, John Simmerman, James Simmerman, Jacob Simmerman, Sarah L.
Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Lucy Ann Smith, Mary Jane Smith, Daniel Smith, George
Smith, George Clanton, Thomas Clanton, Nancy Clanton, William W. Clanton,
Charles Frank Clanton, Samuel Fife, James Bell, Mary Jane Bell.
' The taxpayers of South Township at this time are indicated by the following :
"A true list of the taxable property of the district, as taken from the assessment
roll of the county, this 2d day of July, A. D. 1850.
Norval S. Allcock $1.60
William Allcock 2.01
Charles Clanton 2.61
Isaac Clanton 6.39
Joel M. Clanton 3.71
David Fife 2.71
Amos Fife 1.23
George Smith 2.74
Isaac Smith 2.20
David Simmerman 4.55
Nathan Viney 6.14
Jesse Young 2.55
Isaac Knotts 1.04
James M. Lee 2.49
Qement Lee 1.41
Jacob Kinkamon 52
David Ralston 58
Joseph Miller 23^
"N. S. Allcock, Secretary of School District No. 3, of South Township.''
All were marked paid except the last two.
•ST. CHARLES
The land on which the City of St. Charles was originally located is the west
half of the northwest quarter of section 24. The north "forty" was entered by
William Wallace White, January 10, 1851, and the south "forty" by Jesse C.
Young, December 14, 1850. Later George Hartman bought the north "forty"
and he inspired the project of locating the town. The platting was done for
George Hartman and Jesse C. Young, October 7, 1852, Simmons Rutty, surveyor.
Hartman was an enterprising man and besides being a considerable farmer,
operated a large sawmill on the Clanton, a short distance southwest of the present
bridge near Hanley. The town as laid out comprised four blocks, called respec-
tively the northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast sections, which in this
respect is unlike any other town platted in the county. The owners gave the place
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ARY
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MR. AND yatS. NORVALL S. ALLCOCK
Mr. Allcoek came to Madison County in April,
1848, and took up a claim where Hanley now
stands. Elected township clerk of South Town-
ship, April 2, 1849, and member of Board of
County Commissioners, August 6, 1849.
Founder of the Elm Grove Methodist Episcopal
Class and Church. The Methodist Episcopal
circuit rider always found a welcome at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. AUcock.
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METHODIST CHURCH, HANLEY, SOUTH TOWNSHIP
Erected in 1906
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 257
no name at the time, which was also a novelty in town building. For some time
the little community discussed one name and then another, until finally it gen-
erally was agreed to call it St. Charles, after a town in Missouri. This name
was adopted but it seems has never been entirely satisfactory. The postoffice
was established December 13, 1853, with David Downs in charge. For some years
the growth of the town was slow but when the railroad came its spirits were re-
vived and since then St. Charles has advanced in a steady and substantial man-
ner, until it is one of the best business towns of its class in the county.
The first house erected was by John Byers, in 1853, shortly after the town was
laid out. This was a one-story log dwelling.
Milton Thompson opened the first stock of merchandise in St. Charles and
was soon followed by B. F. Allison and the firm of Browne & McCreary.
Adam Stiffler and Charles Young were early blacksmiths.
INCORPORATION
St. Charles was incorporated under an order of the Circuit Court at the
March term of 1876, when it was ordered by the courts that J. M. Anderson, W. E.
Mack, H. D. Bean, E. Faust and William McClure be appointed commissioners
to hold an election as provided by law. In pursuance of this mandate of Judge
John Mitchell, an election was held at the township house in St. Charles on Mon-
day, the 15th day of May, 1876. Upon the ballots voted was printed the following :
**For incorporation or against incorporation," and forty-two citizens expressed
themselves in favor of incorporation. Theie were only two votes cast against it.
The names of the voters follow: Ephraim Wallace, Walter Wallace, William
Ross, Alonzo Emery, N. B. Morgan, William M. Anderson, S. C. Coletrane,
Grove Robinett, W. E. Mack, J. T. Anderson, J. M. Anderson, P. V. Carpenter,
George Fatton, D. P. Morgan, John F. Johnston, G. W. Armstrong, William
McClure, E. Faust, H. D. Bean, David Wallace, Jacob Kepner, William Beaver,
S. H. Lyons, S. L. Wood, William L. Brown, D. Boswell, J. R. Robertson, N. D.
Bean, Hiram McCandless, Jackson Kleckner, William K. Kramer, G. C. Lawhead,
T. Roberts, Stephen Steele, C. W. Thompson, L. J. Forney, S. M. Wallace, Andrew
Reid, B. W. Tincher, J. C. Armstrong, T. F. Hoff, R. C. Nickle, R. Dick, William
Barton.
On the loth day of July, 1876, at the township house in St. Charles, the first
election was held in the town for municipal offices. H. D. Bean was elected mayor,
William McClure, recorder; T. Roberts, William Beaver, George Patton, J. M.
Anderson and E. Faust, trustees. On the 14th day of July the newly elected
officers met at the township house, qualified and perfected the organization of the
incorporated town.
Among other proceedings of this meeting was a motion authorizing the mayor
to purchase a docket and journal. David Wallace was elected mayor and W. L.
Browne, treasurer. The mayor was instructed to appoint a committee to draft
rules to serve as a manual to govern the council. This committee consisted of T.
Roberts, William McClure and George Patton.
Following is a list of persons who have held the offices of mayor and clerk
since St. Charles was incorporated: 1876 — H. D. Bean, mayor; William McClure,
clerk; 1877 — Jackson Kleckner, mayor; C. W. Thompson, clerk; 1878 — Jackson
Vol. I— IT
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258 • HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Kleckner, mayor; C. W. Thompson, clerk; 1879 — S. L. Wood, mayor; C. W.
Thompson, clerk; 1880 — S. L. Wood, mayor; C. W. Thompson, clerk; 1881 — I.
M. Clanton, mayor; C. W. Thompson, clerk; 1882 — George Patton, mayor; C. W.
Thompson, clerk; 1883 — W. B. Hodge, mayor; George Patton, clerk; 1884 — ^W.
B. Hodge, mayor; S. N. Sayre, clerk; 1885 — J. W. Baird, mayor; S. N. Sayre,
clerk; 1886 — ^John Baird, mayor; S. N. Sayre, clerk; 1887 — A. V. Barger, mayor;
S. N. Sayre, clerk; 1888 — ^John McCandless, mayor; S. N. Sayre, clerk; 1889 —
S. G. Stouffer, mayor; S. N. Sayre, clerk; 1890 — ^J. M. Browne, mayor; G. W.
Jeffries, clerk; 1891 — ^J. M. Browne, mayor; G. W. Jeffries, clerk; 1892 — ^J. H.
Stiffler, mayor; J. L. Armstrong, clerk; 1893 — ^J- H. Stifikr, mayor; O. M. Hor-
ton, clerk; 1894 — C. F. Wood, mayor; O. M. Horton, clerk; 1895 — ^W. H. Cater,
mayor; O. M. Horton, clerk; 1896 — E. P. Bell, mayor; O. M. Horton, clerk;
1897— E. P. Bell, mayor; O. M. Horton, clerk; 189&--E. P. Bell, mayor; O. M.
Horton, clerk; 1899 — C. F. Wood, mayor; O. M. Horton, clerk; 1900 — C. F.
Wood, mayor; O. M. Horton, clerk; 1901 — P. S. Wise, mayor; O. M. Horton,
clerk; 1902 — P. S. Wise, mayor; O. M. Horton, clerk; 1903 — P. S. Wise, mayor;
J. L. Fleming, clerk; 1904— G. A. Zimbelman, mayor; J. L. Armstrong, clerk;
1905 — G. A. Zimbelman, mayor; M. I. Bean, clerk; 1906— P. S. Wise, mayor;
J. L. Fleming, clerk; 1907 — P. S. Wise, mayor; J. L. Fleming, clerk; 1908 —
P. S. Wise, mayor; J. L. Fleming, clerk; 1909 — P. S. Wise, mayor; J. L.
Fleming, clerk; 1910 — G. L. Archer, mayor; J. L. Fleming, clerk; 191 1 — G. L.
Archer, mayor; J. L. Fleming, clerk; 1912 — G. L. Archer, mayor; J. L. Fleming,
clerk; 1913 — G. L. Archer, mayor; J. L. Fleming, clerk; 1914 — P. S. Wise,
mayor; Clive Johnson, clerk.
St. Charles has not yet reached that stage where it feels able to assume the
expense of installing^ public utilities such as waterworks, sewerage, electric
lights and paving. But it has the incentive and the inclination so to do and
the time is not far distant when St. Charles will be enjoying these privileges
and conveniences the same as some of her neighbors. Notwithstanding these
drawbacks the town has many natural attractions, such as a pure atmosphere,
plenty of good water, excellent transportation facilities and the surrounding
country replete with finely cultivated and improved farms, whose owners are
frugal, industrious and prosperous. With these conditions and blessings St.
Charles has every incentive to continue on her road of steady advancement and
has high hopes for the future. Her school and church buildings are modem
and substantial and meet the requirements of all involved in their maintenance,
and as a business and shipping center she gives way to none in the county,
when all things are considered.
FINANCIAL
The St. Charles Savings Bank waa organized by W. A. Tris during the spring
of 1904, and on May 26th of that year opened for business in the building
formerly occupied by the Citizens Bank. Its first board of directors was: J. D.
Whisenand, J. G. Olmsted, Edwin A. Nye, H. F. Cross and W. B. Brown, all
prominent business men of Des Moines, and Francis Power and E. B. Cochran
of St. Charles. The first officers were : President, J. G. Olmsted ; vice president,
Francis Power; cashier, W. A. Tris; assistant cashier, N. J. Tris. In 1913,
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NORTH SIDE OF MAIN STREET, ST. CHARLES .
Johnston Block, built in 1900. Masonic Hall and office of the Drs. Sayre above; J. F.
Johnston's bank and Switzer & Anderson's general store below
SOUTH SIDE OF MAIN STREET, ST. CHARLES
Rebuilt in 1912
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 259
after nine yelars of continued growth, larger quarters became necessary, and a
fine bank buf Iding was erected on the comer, which in its complete accommo-
dations will /make a suitable home for many years. Thirty stockholders repre-
senting a wiealth of perhaps two million dollars are at present connected with
and behind I this bank. Its present officials are : Francis Power, president ;
A. R. Dowips, vice president; W. A. Tris, cashier; and W. D. Downs, assistant
cashier.
J. F. Johnston's Bank began business in June, 1901, with a capital of $20,000,
with the f/ollowing officers: President and sole owner, J. F. Johnston; vice
president, iW. A. Barnes; cashier, Henry Hayden; bookkeeper, Carrie E.
Johnston. \ Later the capital was increased to $30,000, and in 1905 to $50,000.
In August,! 1905, Mr. Hayden died and soon after Herman A. Mueller became
cashier, anil Carrie E. Guilliams assistant cashier. The officers in 1909 were:
President, T. F. Johnston; vice president, Carrie E. Guilliams; cashier, H. A.
Mueller; assistant cashier, C. C. Guilliams. In April, 1913, H. A. Mueller quit
the employ iof the bank after eight years of faithful service, and C. C Guilliams
became cashier. The bank has grown rapidly in the past ten years and is one
of the leading private financial institutions of the county.
SCHOOLS
After St. Charles was platted in 1852, and until 1889, the town was a
subdistrict of the school district of South Township, being subdistrict No. 3
when first organized (see early schools of South Township), and later it was
changed to No. 6. The first structure was a one-room building, erected about
1858, which was replaced by a two-story building of two rooms in 1877. The
first building was mpved on the north side of Main Street and is now used by
W. B. Snider for a general store. In 1886 another two-story building was added,
making four rooms and a high school was organized, with Jackson T. Rhyno as
the first principal. He served two years and George M. Langeteig followed
in 1888. In 1889 St. Charges was made an independent district and since that
time the following named have served as principals: J. D. Phillips, 1889-90;
J. H. Schroeder, 1891 ; L. J. Little, 1892-7; J. W. Radebaugh, 1897-8; J. W.
Miller, 1899-1903; A. H. Anton, 1904 to fall of 1906; Fred B. Tyler, 1907; E.
G. Lockhardt, 1908-9; Frank E. Moore, 191 o; Ray Edmondson, 191 1; Merton
Crowl, 1912; J. H. Denius, 1913-4.
A two-story brick building, consisting of eight rooms and basement, was
erected in 191 1-2, at a cost of $15,000. St. Charles can boast of as good a school
as any town of its size in the State of Iowa.
The first officials of the St. Charles independent school district were: J. M.
Browne, president; R. D. Minard, secretary; David Downs, director; C. F.
Wood, treasurer. R. D. Minard has held the position of secretary to the present
time. The high school has an excellent four-year course and to date (191 5)
has graduated 150 students, 74 boys and 76 girls, the first class being graduated
in 1893.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The early records of this society state that "about 1852 a number of families
came to the county who were members of the Associate and Associate Reformed
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260 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Presbyterian churches. The first of these was Oliver Crawford, { who in 1852
settled in Crawford Township on the farm still known by his name.i J. G. Free-
bom, Anderson McLees, Robert Gamble and William Kenedy cameV to the same
neighborhood soon after. These persons soon organized a societW for social
worship and catechetical instruction on the Sabbath to supply the place of
preaching. About this time Joseph Henderson, John and Robert ibaird and a
few others who had located near St. Charles united with those a^ove named
in an effort to secure preaching, at least occasionally. The first nlinister was
the Reverend Mr. Tindsay, of the Associate Church; then came the \ Rev. John
W. McClain, of the same denomination. On the 19th of February, 1055, an As-
sociate Reformed Church was organized by the Rev. James Greene at the home
of J. G. Freeborn with a membership of seventeen."
From the old session records which have been preserved since i£f55 the fol-
lowing list of charter members of the Clanton congregation of the Associate
Reformed Presbyterian Church when organized, February 19, 1855/, is found:
Oliver Crawford, James G. Freeborn, George Piper, Robert C. Bair4, Margaret
Gamble, John W. Baird, Joseph Henderson, John Wilkins, Lucind^ei Crawford,
Martha Freeborn, Anderson McLees, Robert Gamble, Sarah Ga/nble, Nancy
Baird, Margaret Henderson, Mrs. Wilkins. Robert Gamble and Jciin W. Baird
were elected ruling elders and James Greene, moderator.
From 18.S7 to 1862 this congregation sat under the preaching of different
ministers, among others, the Rev. James Miller and Reverend Mr/ Vance. Little
can be discovered of the congregational history from 1862 to TB67, except that
the congregation existed at that time as a United Presbyterian (church, the legiti-
mate result of the union of 1858. Perhaps the war had muchy to do with the in-
completeness of the session records at that time. ^^
In 1867 the session was moderated by the Rev. Andrew. McCartney. During
this year four members were received from the Old School Presbyterian Church.
May I, 1868, there were forty-one members. In 1868 and 1869 the session was
moderated by the Rev. A. J. McCartney and Doctor McCaughan. The present
house of worship was built in 1868. On May i, 1870, there were fifty-six
members.
Rev. A. J. Graham was the first pastor of the congregation. His pastorate
began in 1870 and continued about three years. In 1874 Rev. G. P. Raitt began
his pastorate, which continued ten years. Rev. J. C. White acted as moderator
in 1884 and 1885. In 1886 Rev. Wilson R. Baldridge was called to the pastorate.
His pastorate lasted until 1893. From 1893 to 1905 'there was no settled pastor.
Rev. M. R. Cochran was stated supply from 1895 ^^ 1898, and Rev. Leonard
Proudfit was stated supply from 1899 to 1904. February i, 1905, W. F. Graham
assumed the pastoral duties and was installed on the 20th of June following.
After a pastorate of about four years Reverend Graham resigned to take up
work elsewhere, and for some time afterward the congregation was served by
occasional supplies. Then for two years Rev. M. M. Milford held services on
alternate Sabbaths. Later Rev. I. C. Rankin served as stated supply for about
two years, and in July, 1914, Rev. H. J. Bell took charge of the congregation
as stated supply. The present membership is about seventy-five.
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OPERA HOUSE, ST. CHARLES
Formerly the old Methodist Church, erected in 1874. Property of the St. Charles Park and
Improvement Association
VIEW OF A RESIDENCE STREET, ST. CHARLES
T. I. Killam and J. S. Huftv residences
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 261
CHURCH OF CHRIST OR THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
The church was organized in the spring of 1857 by Reverend Short, of
Winterset, Iowa. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse or in the homes of
the members until about 1870 when a church building, under the pastorate of
Rev. J. P. Roach, was built on the lots still occupied by the present church
building. Meetings were held about every other Sunday for many years until
Reverend Roach came, who was a resident pastor and did much for the church.
The first building was blown down by a hurricane some few years after its
erection, so until the present church was built about 1890, services were held
in the homes or in some empty store building. Services were also held in the
building vacated by the Methodists and owned by the Old Style Presbyterians.
Reverend Carpenter, later chancellor of Drake University, preached several years
during its early existence. Some of the charter members and families be-
longing at that time are as follows: Isaac Clanton, Joel M. Clanton, George
Smith, William Adams, Milton Thompson, Mr. Lympus, George Hartman,
Mrs. David Downs, Wesley Stiffler, who was killed in the Civil war, John Mc-
Ginnis, Sr., and four sons and a daughter, all of whom had families; Samuel
Fife and others. For many years the pastors have been students from Drake
University, and at present Rev. Herman Olmstead is serving the charge every
Sunday. The church is in a flourishing condition with about one hundred
members.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Mr. Adam Stiffler, of Norwalk, Iowa, while here last fall (1914) related
that he came to St. Charles in 1856 and operated a blacksmith shop. The shop
standing on lot 6 northwest section, where W. H. Black's house stands. Mr.
Stiffler said that he did not belong to church at that time, and there was no
Methodist class in town. In 1858 Reverend Murphy held a revival meeting in the
new house of William Bradshaw, now owned by Eliza McLaughHn, and at these
meetings Mr. Stiffler was converted. A class was organized with Mr. D. S.
Smith leader; he soon after leaving, Mr. Stiffler was chosen class leader, remain-
ing thus until 1868 when he moved to Norwalk, Iowa. St. Charles was first
put into the New Virginia circuit ; R. S. Robinson, presiding elder, and John W.
Anderson was the pastor. Mr. Stiffler had built a shop on lot 6, northwest
section, and Mr. Milton Thompson had built a log store on the east part of
that lot 6, and in this store Mr. Stiffler and family lived, and in this home for the
first two years the meetings were held. As the circuit was large, there was
preaching about every third Sunday. Later Mr. Milton Thompson had built
a frame store building on lot 3, southeast section, where the blacksmith and
garage of P. S. Wise is located. About the year i860 Mr. Thompson sold this
building to the Methodist Episcopal Class for a church and went to the east
part of the state. In this building which was transformed into a meeting
house, church was held until 1874 when they sold the building to the Old Style
Presbyterians and built a church on lots 3 and 4, northwest section. The lots
and building are now owned by the St. Charles Park Association. In the year
1905, under the charge of Rev. M. J. Rarick, the present church was built at a
cost of about five thousand dollars.
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262 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
The pastors who have served the St. Charles Church since its organization
are as follows: John W. Anderson, 1858-59; Enoch Wood, i860; Sam Jones,
1861-62; J. Knotts, 1863-64; John Hestwood, 1865-66; Michael Sheets, 1867;
transferred to Winterset Circuit, 1868 — with John Hestwood, 1868-69; William
Abraham, 1870; Israel Mershon, 1871-72; Frank A. Goodrich, 1873; James S.
Morrow, 1874; Arthur Badley, 1875; supplied by John Branston, 1876; Arthur
Badley, 1877-78; Benjamin Brownfield Kennedy, 1879; Charles W. Stuart, 1880;
Benjamin F. Shetterly, 1881 ; Adam Kern, 1882; George W. Patterson, 1883-
84; supplied by Alpheus Hunt, who held a wonderful revival, 1885; Benj. F.
Shetterly, first quarter, got into trouble; W. Capps Smith supplied, 1886; Francis
Plumb, 1887; Simon W. Lauck, 1888; supplied by W. W. Williams, 1889-90-91-
92-93; Frank W. Ewan, 1894-95-96; Andrew Hancox, 1897-98-99; George W.
Palmer, 1900-01 ; William Christie Smith, 1902 ; Monroe J; Rarick, 1903-04-05 ;
William Mercer, 1906-07; Augustine W. Armstrong, 1908; Albert Edward
George, 1909-10; John A. Evans Cunningham, 191 1 ; supplied by W. W. Williams,
1912-13; W. A. Piper, 1914.
The present membership is about two hundred. Hanley is connected with St.
Charles and has services on Sunday afternoons.
THE ST. CHARLES PARK AND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
The above association was organized July, 1905, and incorporated in August,
1905, by the following incorporators: Henry Imes, J. N. Smith, D. B. Sankey,
G. L. Archer, Johnston & Stayton, L. W. Lynch, S. N. Sayre, P. S. Wise, S. S.
Morgan, T. I. Killam, Dr. T. Roberts, Francis Power, Geo. A. Zimbelman,
J. F. Johnston, E. E. Williams, H. A. Mueller, Henry Hayden, S. S. Switzer,
H. P. Anderson, E. K. Anderson, J. L. Fleming, James McCloskey, O. M. Horton
and Collins & Sloan. The purpose of the organization was to buy the old M.
E. Church lots in order to preserve the grove in which old settlers and other
meetings of a public nature might be held. Also to have a hall for public meetings
and entertainments. The first officers chosen, who served during 1905, were as
follows: President, S. N. Sayre; vice president, S. S. Switzer; secretary, Henry
Hayden; treasurer, J. F. Johnston; diectors, H. P. Anderson, L. A. Collins, J.
N. Smith,' F. Power and E. E. Williams. President, 1906: S. N. Sayre; Dr. T.
Roberts served as president, 1907-08-09-10-11 ; W. A. Tris, 1912-13; J. L.
Stayton, 1914; O. M. Horton, 191 5. Secretary Henry Hayden died Aug., 1905;
H. A. Mueller was chosen to fill the vacancy and held the position from that time
to date. J. F. Johnston has been treasurer since organization. Directors for
191 5 are: H. P. Anderson, E. E. Williams, C. C. Guilliams, J. L. Stayton, and
J. N. Smith. H. A. Mueller, secretary; vice president, T. I. Killam.
OLD settlers' ASSOCIATION OF MADISON AND WARREN COUNTIES
The first records of the society were lost, but as near as it can be recalled by
Lewis Allen and others, the first *^01d Settlers" meeting was held in the Joel
Clanton grove, just west of the Joel Clanton homestead, about the year of
August, 1885. It was mostly through the energy and persuasion of Dr. William
Anderson, a pioneer physician, that the first meeting was held, and the associa-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 263
tion organized. The first officers chosen were : President, John Byars ; secretary,
Dr. William Anderson; John Hartman and Lewis Allen, finance committee.
Annual reunions have been held since that time and with one or two exceptions,
when it was held at Patterson, the meetings have been held in the vicinity or
within the Town of St. Charles, where the society was organized. Reunions
are usually held during the month of August. Many look forward to this day
as a day of meeting old friends and neighbors, and there congregate annually
in the grove north of the Opera House, now owned by the Park Association,
from one to three thousand people. Those who have been chosen president
since 1902 are as follows: C. W. Faust, Dr. f. Roberts, Lewis Kimer, R. D.
Minard, H. P. Anderson, Jas. A. Rhyno, W. F. Law and Dr. J. W. Bishop.
Secretaries: M. I. Bean, C. W. Minard and E. K. Anderson. Officers for 191 5
are as follows: President: James McCloskey; ist vice president, Samuel Lee;
2nd vice president, Lewis Allen; secretary, Dr. E. K. Anderson; treasurer, J.
F. Johnston ; chaplain, Rev. W. W. Williams ; executive committee, H. A. Muel-
ler, C. C. Guilliams and J. L. Stayton.
JOHN MILLER POST, NO. 1 58, G. A. R.
John Miller Post, No. 158, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at
St. Charles and received its charter March 30, 1883. The name assumed for
the society was that of a young hero, John Miller, whose home was on the
north side of town near the railroad. He was orderly sergeant of Company H,
Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, and gave up his life for his country at Black River
Bridge, in one of the southern states. Sergeant Miller's body was brought home
and given the funeral rites of a brave soldier. This was the first burial of
a war hero at St. Charles.
The names of the organizing members of Miller Post follow: George W.
Armstrong, J. Mc. Armstrong, M. I. Bean, Edward Bell, William B. Hodges,
Lewis Kimer, S. A. Lyon, Samuel P. Reed, Thomas Roberts, James H. Stiffler,
Silas Sheeley, John Skinner, E. C. Shigley, G. W. Smith, Jefferson Wheat, Wil-
lia^n Wallace, Thomas Wilson, James Waddell, Nathaniel Winship, James Young.
The first officers were : M. I. Bean, P. C. ; Lewis Kimer, S. V. C. ; Jefferson
Wheat, J. V. C. ; William B. Hodges, adjt. ; Thomas Roberts, Q. M.; James
H. Stiffler, surgeon ; S. P. Reed, chaplain ; E. Faust, O. D. ; John Lathrum, O. G. ;
George W. Armstrong, S. M. ; P. V. Carpenter, Q. M. S.
Post comamnders from the organization to the present time: M. I. Bean,
S. S. King, Daniel Matson, W. B. Hodges, J. M. Brown, James H. Stiffler, S. R.
Leonard, Thomas Roberts, S. W. Lee, A. O. Scott, J. M. Brown, M. I. Bean,
Adam Siedel, J. W. Carman, O. M. Horton, William Harding, Fred Johnston,
J. W. Carman, W. L. Allen, Fred Johnston.
John Miller Woman's Relief Corps, No. 242, was instituted January 14,
1892. The charter members were: Mrs. Jennie Browne, Persis Smith, Emily
Stiffler, Anna C. Anderson, Sarah E. Leonard, Carrie M. Martin, Anna Hodges,
Florence Jeffries, Margaret Horton, Grace Roberts, Casander Burger, Eliza
Hoff, Hannah Woods, R. Jane Stiffler, Margaret Armstrong, Elizabeth E. Mack,
Catharine Bean, Florence Wood, Elinor Lee, Etta J. Armstrong, Catharine W.
Minard, Louisa Johnston, Hattie Lawhead, Addie Carman, Barbara Foster and
Isabell Faust.
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264 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
MODEL LODGE, NO. 315, A. F. & A. M.
Model Lodge, No. 315, A. F. & A. M. was organized and sent in its application
for a dispensation March 25, 1872. The application was signed by W. H. Hol-
linshed and R. D. Minard. W. H. Hollinshed was recommended for master,
William Anderson, senior warden, and E. Frank, junior warden. Besides these
the application was signed by George lA, Cheek, Elijah Kinnaird, W. E. Mack,
Allen Lawhead, Sr., H. G. Phillips, Samuel Wallace and J. A. Myers.
The application was granted and dispensation issued April 8, 1872. The
new lodge held its first meeting on April 16, when the following officers were
appointed: R. D. Minard, secretary; W. E. Mack, treasurer; S. M. Wallace,
S. D. ; G. A. Myers, J. D. ; G. H.^ Cheek, tyler.
The first lodge hall was on the comer west from Johnston's Bank, where
it remained until the lodge built the second story of a frame business building.
Here it remained until the property was destroyed by fire in 1898. After the
fire a hall was rented and occupied over the comer drug store until the Johnston
Bank Building was erected, when the lodge built and fumished the second
story, in 1900.
Model Chapter Order Eastern Star was formed at a meeting held in Ma-
sonic Hall, in January, 1895, ^^ which time a petition for a dispensation was
signed by Mrs. L. C. Hartman, Mrs. Sarah E. Leonard, Mrs. Maggie Horton,
Mrs. Lida Johnston, Mrs. Susanna C. Bell, Mrs. Rebecca A. Minard, Mrs.
Jennie J. Switzer, O. M. Horton, S. R. Leonard, J. F. Johnston, John Hartman,
E. P. Bell, Sr., L. C. Minard, S. S. Switzer, H. C. Minard and R. D. Minard.
The following officers were elected : Mrs. Susanna C. Bell, W. M. ; R. D. Minard,
W. P. ; Mrs. Sarah E. Leonard, A. M. ; Mrs. Rebecca A. Minard, secretary ; Mrs.
Jennie Switzer, treasurer.
January 15, 1894, dispensation was granted, and on Febmary 25, 1895, Model
Chapter received its charter. The charter officials were as follows: R. D.
Minard, W. P. ; Susanna C. Bell, W. M. ; Sarah Leonard, A. M. ; H. C. Minard,
secretary-treasurer; Maggie Horton, cond. ; Rebecca A. Minard, A. C. ; Louisa
Johnston, Adah; Jennie Switzer, Ruth; Lura Sayre, Esther; A. M. Horton,
warder; E. P. Bell, S.
St. Charles Lodge, No. 416, L O. O. F., was organized in St. Charles and
a charter granted in October, 1880. The charter members were: C. W. Thomp-
son, Dr. Thomas Roberts, H. Burger, T. F. Hoff and C. W. Hale.
The Odd Fellows first met in the Masonic Hall, where the St. Charles Sav-
ings Bank stands. This building burned in 1898. A hall was then purchased over
the Jennings drug store, which burned December 23, 191 1. In the following
year the order built a new brick hall on the same site. The lodge is in a flourish-
ing condition.
Madison Encampment, No. 146, L O. O. F., was granted a charter in October,
1903. The charter members were: George W. Hubbell, Dr. E. K. Anderson,
O. M. Horton, J. G. Carter and George Mackrill.
Rebekah Lodge, No. 469, at St. Charles, was instituted* in October, 1899,
with twenty-eight charter members.
Camp No. 2890, Modem Woodmen of America received its charter April
13, 1895, and had the following members at that time: John W. Baker, W. A.
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CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ST. CHARLES
Erected about 1890
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UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ST. CHARLES
Built in 1868
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ST. CHARLES
Erected in 1905
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY ' 265
Barnes, E. Bell, M. W. Browne, J. L. Davey, H. L. Martin, J. G. Martin, R. W.
Martin, J. E. Montgomery, L. M. Ralston, George B. M. Robinette, S. N. Sayre.
The first officials were: William A. Barnes, consul; J. G. Martin, clerk; L. M.
Ralston, banker.
St. Charles Homestead, No. 200, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, was in-
stituted December 15, 1898, with the following officers: H. F., G. L. Archer;
M. of C, W. F. Lurr; M. of A., G. W. Armstrong; W. P., Dr. S. N. Sayre; C,
J. N. Smith; O., H. L. Martin; W., W. O. Phillips; S., G. B. Chadd; G., U. F.
Templeton; L. W.*, Mrs. Lura Sayre; L. R., Mrs. Mary F. Law; organist, Mrs.
Hattie Archer.
RECOLLECTIONS OF SAMUEL FIFE
David and Amos Fife, being my elder brothers, and myself left our homes
in the State of Ohio, September 2, 1849, coming by steamer down the Ohio and
up the Mississippi to Keokuk, where we worked until December ist. David and
I then started afoot to Madison County, shipping our belongings by freight team
to Des Moines. At length we arrived at Des Moines and the next day, about
4 P. M., arrived at Thomas Cason's, hungry and tired. Mrs. Cason gave us
our fill of com bread and buttermilk and it was the best meal I ever ate, so it
seemed. We pushed on to Isaac Smith's, where Amos Fife later lived, and
stayed all (Saturday) night. The log house was 16 by 24 feet, and with their
six or seven children, the Smiths slept in one room. They had good beds. The
bedsteads were fastened to the walls.
Next day we went to church at George Smith's, the first house west of
Isaac Smith's. Thomas Cason (New Light clergyman) preached.
David Fife "took a claim" and we built a shanty on the north side of Clanton,
which was later owned by R. M. Young, where we both lived all winter, working
at making rails.
Thomas Cason came here in 1847 and bought out Hiram Hurst. He was a
very enthusiastic Christian and soon was holding regular religious services at
his home, at George Smith's and sometimes at other homes until the Clanton
schoolhouse was built in the fall of 1850. In those days ministers did not preach
for the money there was in it but for the good they might do. The families
composing his congregation or church were: Thomas Cason (eight or nine of
them), Jacob Kincannon and family, George Smith and family, Isaac Clanton
and family, Rachel Clanton, William Hale and family and David Bishop and
family.
The settlers here when I came were : Joel M. Clanton, Isaac Clanton, Charles
Clanton, Caleb Clark, Isaac Smith, George Smith, David Simmerman, Nathan
Viney (on later Queen place), Norval S. Allcock, William Allcock, Pleasant
Rollins (1847), David Worley, David Bishop, Bud Whited, Doc. Whited, James
Fidler, William Hale, William Nunn (single man) and William Stagerwalt.
During the winter of 1850-51 there was a religious revival and William Nunn
was immersed in Clanton Creek. Thomas Wilkinson at the time suggested that
the minister had better put him under again, as it was current gossip that he
was too intimate with a certain neighbor's wife. During that spring, while
William Hale was away all day splitting rails near (now) Hanley, William Nunn
and Mrs. Hale loaded up everything, even $100 in gold and Hale's land warrant.
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266 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and left for Missouri. Hale found his house and premises stripped of contents
when he returned home that evening. Next day, being April election at Viney's
(west of Queen's), Hale asked for help to pursue the parties and recover his
wife and property. No one would go, so he walked to Marion County, where
he got a wagon and team, then took after the miserable couple, and overhauled
them in Missouri. He brought Nunn back, turned him over to the county author-
ities, who held him at Winterset for trial, but no one appearing against him he
was released. Hale took his family, before court convened, to near Council
Bluffs and the next heard of him was early in the fall of 1854, when I met him
on Cox's hill, between Winterset and Middle River. He and his father were
on horseback going east.
I have omitted Hiram Hurst since he first settled in now Crawford Township,
on what later became known as Cason place. This claim he sold to Thomas
Cason in 1847. Later he lived on the old Say re place, on sections 20 and 29,
South Township, east of Elm Grove church. I worked for him on May 7, 1851,
and hauled rails to his Scott Township farm. Some of the early settlers tried
to make out that Hurst was a criminal; that he had stolen hogs in Missouri.
Others said he had burned a building and had to leave Missouri. My under-
standing was that he got into an altercation with a man in Missouri and nearly
killed him. While here he was a very quiet man, had good judgment and was
of a fine family. His family here was composed of a wife and four little boys.
I have worked for him several times and have always found him a gentleman
and his wife a perfect lady. He sold out and went to Nebraska.
Norval S. Allcock came to Madison County in 1847, became quite a noted
man in those early days and prominent in the early history of this community.
He took part in politics, being a member of the second County Commissioners'
Court. He was very prominent as a Methodist exhorter and class leader. Mr.
Allcock bought his claim of Gifford Lee, where Hanley was laid out, and lived
there until the fall of 1851, when he sold to Abraham Black and moved to the
Hurst place, east of Elm Grove. Allcock's home was often used for church
services and revivals. It always was the home of the circuit rider. When
ninety years old Mr. Allcock walked two miles to church, and was highly com-
plimented by Reverend Wickersham for his zeal and great services in the cause
of Methodism in South Township. A monument should be erected to his memory.
Elm Grove Church was the direct result of his early meetings.
The three Clanton brothers and Caleb Clark were the first settlers of South
Township. They left Buchanan County, Missouri, in April, 1846, bound for
Fort Des Moines, following the dragoon track that extended from Fort Des
Moines to Fort Leavenworth. It was then well beaten. Clantons and Clark
went to Fort Des Moines and not being pleased with the land over there, turned
back, bearing southwest, recrossing North River at Linn Grove, and on the divide
went into camp. From there the men of the party went out prospecting for
claims, going southwesterly, crossed the county line of Warren and Madison
into Crawford Township. They crossed Middle River near Hurst's claim and
seeing a cabin went to it and found Hurst asleep. At first he was frightened
but soon learned the object of his visitors and gave them much assistance in
locating their claims on what was afterwards known as Clanton's Grove. They
staked their claims May 3, 1846.
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AMOS FIFE
Came to South Township, Mad it on
County, in 1849. Married Lucy Ann
Smith in ]8ol. Was a veteran of
the Mexican war, having^ enlisted in
an Ohio regiment. Died in St.
Charles, April 28, 1908. His widbw
died March 15, 1915, at her home
in St. Charles.
SAMUEL FIFE
Came to Madison County in 1849.
Member of Company F, Thirty-ninth
Iowa Infantry. Is still living in St.
Cliarles, Iowa.
WILLIAM SCHOEN
Came to America in 1851 and to
Madison County in 1852. Was the
first German to come to Madison
County and the first of a German
settlement in Jefferson Township.
Died May 6, 1910.
* See history of German settlement.
H. W. HARDY
Served Madison County as super-
intendent of schools for thirteen
years in three different periods,
being elected the first time in 1861.
Also taught school in Madison County
for over a quarter of a century and
was more directly and for a lonjrer
time identified with the schools of
the county than any other person.
He diet I a few years ago in Winterset.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 267
In the spring of 1850 many settlers came to South Township. J. C. Johnston
and son J. M. located south of Jeff Rhyno's place, across Oanton. J. M. Johnston
lived east of the creek.
Jeff Rhyno came in 1850 and William Rhyno settled near Peru. Hogan
Queen's father settled here in 1850, buying out Nathan Viney, who had settled
there in 1848.
Jesse Young came in 1849. He first lived where Caleb Clark lived and
built a log house where George J. Carter now lives — one of the original owners
of St. Charles.
In 1850 Georgfe Hartman and David Downs came from Hendricks County,
Indiana. Hartman bought the land owned by Caleb Clark and occupied the
previous year by Jesse Young. Downs lived in the same yard for four years.
Hartman was well to do. He brought his money in a chest 18 by 10 by 10
inches — hooped strongly with iron bands, and hauled it out with him in the
family wagon. The chest contained $4,000, all in silver. He first opened it at
Indianola. Hartman was an honest, charitable man and feared no robbery of
his money. Hartman and Downs hired the writer to drive an ox team to and
from Burlington in August, 1851, to haul the irons for the first sawmill to be
erected in South Township. George Hartman went along. We were gone twenty
days and we labored all that fall and winter in putting up the mill. In December,
Stephen Divilbliss, of Adel, was hired as millwright. He brought five men along
to do the framing and build the mill wheel, but did not finish his work until
1852. The mill began operations as soon as there was a sufficient water supply
that fall. The mill and dam were well built and cost heavily. The dam was
frame and all the lumber was hauled from Compton's, south of Winterset.
Hartman and Downs ran the mill until about 1862 or 1863 and then sold to Dr.
Anderson, who at once rebuilt it.
I worked for Joel Clanton from a period in 1850 to August, 1851, and then
lived with Hartman until August, 1855.
A town was laid out before St. Charles, about one-fourth of a mile northeast
of that place, on sections 24 -75-26. It was named Fairview. Samuel
Comstock laid it out in the fall of 1850 and put up a store building out of logs
16 by 24 feet. Simmons Rutty was the surveyor. Comstock went to Oskaloosa
that fall and laid in a stock of goods and stored them at Joel Clanton's until
his building was ready. The goods were sold at Clanton's and I was clerk during
that time. Comstock had bought the goods on time and as he never finished
his store room, the next spring his creditors took the goods back to Oskaloosa
and the history of the Town of Fairview was ended. Comstock had entered
a lot of land through Henn-Williams & Company, of Fairfield. Unable to meet
the payments, he lost everything. Hartman bought the land of Henn-Williams
& Company and St. Charles succeeded as a trading point. It was located a little
southwest.
The first settler in St. Charles was John Byers. He bought the unfinished
home vacated by Comstock in Fairview and moved it on lot 7 in St. Charles.
The lot was given hin^ as a premium for being the* first man to settle in the
town. This was in the fall of 1852.
Milton R. Thompson put in the first stock of goods in the spring of 1853
and ran a general store. One Allison in the fall of 1853 put in the second store.
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268 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Before this, trading was done at Winterset, Indianola or Des Moines. In 1855
Allison sold his store, which was in a log buijding on lot i, to J. M. Browne and
William McCreery.
The third store — a log house — was built on lot 5, where the Johnston Bank
now stands, by a Mr. Burnsides in the fall of 1854, and a short time later he
traded the store to David Fife, who in 1855 moved the stock to Afton, putting
up the first store in that new town. J. M. Browne was the manager of this
store until 1875 ^^ later.
At the April election of 1852 David Dbwns was elected justice of the peace
of South Township, and Samuel Fife, constable. William H. Compton had been
justice of the peace before Downs, but his constable was Harbert in (now) Scott
Township.
The first marriage solemnized in St. Charles was in February, 1854. A Mr.
Simmons was married to Miss Marshall, a sister-in-law of Milton R. Thompson,
at whose house the wedding occurred. Justice David Fife performed the cere-
mony. I was one of the guests and thus witnessed the first marriage in the Town
of St. Charles. Simmons came here from near Burlington to secure his bride
and both returned to his home the next day after the ceremony by wagon.
No record of this marriage appears in Madison County.
In the spring of 1853 ^^e first bridge for wagons^was built across the Clanton,
a few rods below the Hartman sawmill. During this spring thousands of emi-
grants passed through this part of the county to California. The east and west
roads were lined with teams. On this occasion the Clanton was not fordable
and hundreds of teams had collected on the bottom waiting to cross. A genius
among their number, seing piles of slabs around the mill, planned and built
a temporary bridge. Trees of proper length were cut for stringers and hauled
to the banks of the stream. One end of the log was thrown into the water and
floated to its place. Then men and teams swam across and the other end was
placed in position. Slabs, loaned by Hartman, were laid on the stringers loosely,
and all crossed over safely. A half day was spent in constructing this crude
bridge but it answered the purpose and was used some time, or until the next
freshet.
The exodus to California began here in 1849 and reached its maximum in
1850, but lasted several years. The early travelers followed up the divide south
of Winterset, without crossing Middle River at all.
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CHAPTER XXXII
UNION TOWNSHIP
At the sitting of the Commissioners' Court, on January 9, 1849, Union Town-
ship, the first to be named in the county, was created and its boundaries de-
scribed. The place provided by the commissioners for holding the first election
was at the home of Leonard Bowman. Union is bounded on the north by Jef-
ferson, on the west and east by Douglas and Crawford, respectively, and on the
south by Scott.
This township has many natural advantages. The surface is divided in
about the proper proportion between rich prairie and heavy timber land and
was originally dotted with handsome groves. The North River zigzags across
the northern tier of sections, with the exception of section i, and the Middle
River, in its sinuous way, touches the southeast comer of the township, and
with tributaries of North River, such as Cedar Creek, furnishes abundant water
and drainage. There is a good supply of stone and the Des Moines and Winterset
branch of the Rock Island Railroad traverses its southern sections. The east
corporation line of Winterset, or Center Township, occupies part of the west
half of section 31, or in other words, the southwest comer of the township.
Union Township attracted to its confines the Guye family, consisting of
Samuel, his sons, James, George, Frank and Houston, and daughters Mary,
Elizabeth, Angeline and Maria. These people had come to the county on the
evening of April 28, 1846, with the Clantons, all being from Buchanan County,
Missouri. On the 3d day of May, they staked out claims on section 7, on the
south bank of North River. This family became closely associated with the
early history of the county, and George Guye, who lived on the old homestead
for over fifty years, is now and has been for several years past a resident of
Winterset.
Lemuel Thombrugh was a native of Missouri and migrated to Madison
County in May, 1846, settling in the Guye neighborhood, where he built a cabin
on land later owned by William Gentry and still later by George Homback.
Thornbrugh returned to Missouri in the fall of that year and brought back
with him his family. The Thombmghs all lived on LemueFs claim on the Cedar
until the fall of 1849, when Lemuel sold out and moved away. James left the
Cedar in the spring of 1847 ^"d went south on Middle River. Here he took
up another claim on the south side of the river in the timber, where he grubbed
a patch of land and with one yoke of oxen put out a small crop. He built a
cabin, which was burned down in May, 1861.
James Fidler, with his wife and unmarried children, also came in September,
1846, with Thornbrughs, James Thornbrugh being his son-in-law, with whom
Fidler lived until his death a month later. He had taken a claim and built a
269
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270 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
cabin in the edge of the timber on section 29. His was the first death in Union
Township.
Vincent Brown left his home in Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1847, ^^^
with his family settled on section 12. His brother Hezekiah and another brother,
James, and his family, came to Madison County about the same time. James
settled in Jefferson Township, while Hezekiah made his home at the above
place, but went to Kansas a short time before the war.
John R. Beedle immigrated from Northwestern Missouri to Madison County
in June, 1846, and settled a quarter of a mile northwest of the present Green-
wood schoolhouse in this township, on section 4. That fall he moved to the
northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11, and lived there until
his death several years ago.
Philip M. Boyles came to the county in the summer of 1846 and located in
Union Township. His first habitation was a structure built of poles, which were
fastened together with wooden pins and covered with basswood bark. For the
first few years he experienced all the trials and privations of a pioneer, at one
time walking to Saylorville, in Polk County, where he worked for two weeks
at fifty cents a day in order to procure money with which to buy seed com.
He was too poor to own a horse. It is said that Mr. Boyles hauled the first
merchandise brought to Winterset, bringing the goods from Keokuk for A. D.
Jones. He was the first clerk of the County Commissioners' Court and took
a very active part in the organization of the county. Mr. Boyles became quite
a large landowner and for many years prior to his death was a resident of Win-
terset, where he engaged in the live stock business. A son, M. Boyles, was bom
on the Union Township farm in 1853.
William Gentry, with his family, migrated from Indiana to Madison County
in 1847, ^"d located on section 30. He was one of the three members of the
first board of county commissioners. His sons, F. M. Gentry and W. W. Gentry,
were of the family who came with him.
John Butler and John Evans were settlers in the township as early as May
10, 1846. A day or so later came Irvin Baum.
Leonard Bowman was one of the settlers in this township of 1847, coming
that year from De Kalb County, Missouri. Alfred Rice, of the same place, was
also a settler of 1847.
David Cracraft migrated from Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1847. He
located on what is now known as the Withrow farm, and lies buried on the
Brock way place.
Major Farris was the first one of that name in the township, coming in
the spring of 1849 with his wife, Minerva, and child, Sarah Jane. He began the
improvement of what afterwards became his father's place on the Elm, the
southwest quarter of section 11, but little of the land was broken that year. In
March of the next spring, while sugar making north on the Beedle place, he
took a severe cold and died of pneumonia. Dr. J. H. GaflF attended him. His
was the first burial in the old Farris graveyard.
About September i, 1849, Charles Farris, wife and daughter, Nancy Jane,
arrived here and lived in a tent with the Beedles and Major Farris. He spent
part of the early summer in improving a tract of ground, then put up a cabin.
Charles helped build the Major Farris double hewed log house that stood on
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EDWIN R. GUIBERSON
Born in New Jersey in 1807 and mi-
grated to Holmes County, Ohio. Served
a term in the Ohio Legislature. Came
to Polk County in 1848 and to Madison
County in 1849. Was town lot agent
for sale of lots in county seat, Winter-
set, in 1849. Elected justice of the peace
of Center Township February 23, 1850;
school fund commissioner April 1, 1850;
reelected in 1852. Elected Representa-
tive for Madison County to the third
General Assembly August 5, 1850 and
again in 1858, serving in the third and
seventh General Assemblies. Defeated
for county .judge by Judge Pitzer in
1855. W^as elected judge in 1859 serv-
ing one term. Died in 1864.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 271
the place until in the '70s, In 1850 Charles bought the southwest forty on
section i, where he built a cabin.
In April, 1848, William Stinson and wife, Margaret, arrived in the township
from Burlingtbn, Iowa, and lived with the John Evans family that summer,
when he moved into a cabin which he built on the place later owned by Suydam.
The next summer he removed to section 36, just west of Winterset, and in the
fall of that year moved to what is now known as the Harris farm. He built
a one-room frame shanty which was afterwards sold to Judge Pitzer. That
same year he built a cabin on the Aquilla Smith place and farmed the land
until the Civil war. This cabin stood on a spot on the knoll now occupied by
Judge Lewis' shop.
Joseph K. Evans and family and Hannah Smith, a sister of Mrs. Stinson,
who afterwards married Samuel W. Poffinbarger, came here in 1848. He built
his house near the 'ione elm" tree, which stood south of the Scydam place.
When the Stinsons arrived here the Gentrys lived next 'west of John Evans.
The next place east was that of the Boyles, then in their order the Butlers and
the Thombrughs.
John Evans raised a little com and cabbage, but no turnips in 1847. In 1848
the Stinsons raised lots of onions and potatoes, including sweet potatoes, and
had a big crop of garden truck.
Those who came in 1847 were C. J. Casebier, P. Casebier, Joshua Casebier,
William Harmon, M. Reeve, A. Hart and Claiborne Pitzer. There were also
Alfred Q. and Henry Rice, Basil Pursel, James Brown, George Magnus, John
B. Sturman. Charles Farris and the Guifcersons in 1848, also William Butler and
the Staffords.
Judge E. R. Guiberson came the year of 1848 and located a claim in Union
Township. After Winterset had been decided upon as the county seat, he en-
deavored to have Winterset discarded for the position and relocate the seat of
government on the northwest quarter of section 37, and adjoining a quarter
section of land he owned in that community. In this he was unsuccessful. He
was one of the leaders among the men who built the superstructure of Madison
County and later represented Madison in the State Legislature. Israel Guiberson
was a lawyer and held the office of recorder, dying in an early day. Nathaniel
removed from the old home in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1850, and located
on section 17, and at the same time came W. B. Guiberson, who married Miss
A. M. Pursel in 1866.
William Sturman was a native of New Hampshire. He removed to Ohio in
an early day and from there came to Madison County in 1849 ^^^ settled on
section 9, this township, where he improved a farm and became a large land-
owner.
J. S. McGinnis left Indiana in 1852 and that same year located in Union
Township. He married Miss Melvina M. Tisdale in 1863.
The Rubys came as early as 1852. Eli Cox in 1856. He entered 120 acres
of land in section 5, which was the last entry made in the township. Mr. Cox
erected a sawmill, which was kept busy for many years turning out lumber for
the settlers. He was one of the large landowners of the township.
Thomas Garlinger arrived in Crawford Township from Ohio in 1855. Moved
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272 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
later to Union Township and accuriiulated several hundred acres of land. He
was one of the most successful live stock dealers in the county.
If one should attempt to give the history of Union Township in all its details,
a goodly sized book would be the result. That means that the space required is
greater than the scope of this work contemplates. The historical society estab-
lished a few years ago, has gathered some little local data in a fragmentary
manner, pertinent to the early history of the county, but the society, unfortunately,
has been late in commencing operations. Most of the people who came on to
the prairies and into the timber of the county in the '40s have either passed from
earth or have gone to other parts of the country. Those remaining show the
ravages of time, both physically and mentally, and but few there are who can
be relied upon for a statement relative to events transpiring in the early days,
so that if the reader becomes disappointed in not finding the names of certain
families who early settled in the community, or the relation of an incident
seemingly of importance, and a part of the history of this community, these
things should be considered as attributable to the utter impossibility of securing
the necessary facts.
In Union Township, as in all new American communities, as soon as the
necessary preliminaries of building habitations and garnering crops were con-
summated, educational facilities were provided for the children, church organiza-
tions were established and other things accomplished, to ease the burdens of life
and seek the contentment that comfortable homes, well conducted schools, prop-
erly maintained churches and general prosperity evolve.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
By A. J. Hoisington
The first school in the township was erected during the fall of 1852, on the
northeast acre of the northeast quarter of section 17, which was donated to the
vicinity by Nathaniel W. Guiberson, who had entered that quarter from the
Government in 1850. This log schoolhouse remained a few years, when a frame
building was erected one mile south and a quarter of a mile east of the old one.
Samuel Guye secured the contract for the construction of the building at $120
in cash. He was a millwright by trade and handy with tools. The structure
was 20 by 20 feet and most of the sawed stuflF was done at the old Pierson mill
at Summerset, in Warren County. Rough one-inch oak boarding, six inches
wide, was used for the floor, laid on smooth surfaced logs for sleepers.
The ceiling was one-inch rough linn boards, ten inches wide; the rafters and
sheeting were sawed out by James and George Guye with a whip saw. The
shingles, which were of black walnut, were hand shaved and nailed on to the
sheeting. The gable ends were weather boarded and nailed to split-out stud-
ding, roughly evened on the outer side. A rough puncheon door hung by iron
butt hinges was fastened by a thumb latch. It had no lock. There were six
windows — three on the east and three on the west, each with twelve panes
8 by 12-inch glass. Seats were made of rude puncheon, split-out boards, smoothed
on top by a jack plane, supported by legs, of which one end was driven into
two-inch holes, bored into the puncheons near each end. But few of the pupils
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 273
•
had desks the first few years. At the first term a carpenter named Joseph Thomp-
son made a combined seat and desk, with a lid, and gave it to Emma and America
Pursel, who used it between them. This seat and desk was envied far and
near throughout the county. Thomas Sturman made seats and desks for each
of his three sisters and himself. A fairly good teacher's table was furnished by
the district. The room was more or less heated by a long box stove that was
4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet high. It was built to hold a lot of
wood. The stove stood in the middle of the room and the pipe went straight
up through the roof. This big "wood eater" was a second-hand monster and
had been used by William Compton in his grocery store at Winterset.
The first term taught in this then **grand new schoolhouse" was by John
Jordan, of Pella. He began his ministrations on the first Monday in December,
1852, and continued the term twelve weeks. Basil Pursel was the school director.
Succeeding terms were taught by the following persons: The summer of 1853
by Jane Sturman; winter term of 1853-54, a Mr. Wright, summer term of the
year, Phoebe Gordon ; winter term of 1854-55, John Bird ; summer term that year,
Jane Tumey; winter term of 1855-56, a Mr. Lewis.
Following is the complete enrollment of pupils attending the first term of
1852-53 in the new schoolhouse: Thomas, Jane (married William Pursel),
Harriet (married a Mr. Kelly), Sarah (married Frank McDaniel), children of the
elder James Sturman; Eliza (married Alfred Brittain), Missouri (marffed Jack-
son Jones), Dorinda (married James Henry Farris), Joel (died in i860), and
John James (died in the army), children of William Sturman; Francis M.,
Samuel Houston, Mary (married Elzie Evans), Elizabeth (married Enos Mills),
Angeline (married Henry Vanwy), Maria (married George Ludington), chil-
dren of Samuel Guye; William, Absalom K., and Amenca M. (married William
Guiberson), children of Basil Pursel; Frank, Irene (married Joseph Thompson),
children of Henderson McDaniel; Reuben and Emeline (married Jacob Shell-
hart), children of David Cracraft; William, son of Nathaniel W. Guiberson;
Eliza (married Challen Danforth), Cecelia (married Daniel Brobst), children
of John B. Sturman; George D., Martha (married S. S. Guiberson), and John
Thompson, children of William Ratcliff, whose widow had married Samuel
Guye; Martha, Lizzie and Bruce, children of Samuel Stover; Rebecca Ann,
Matilda and Phoebe Allison, sisters of Mrs. Philip M. Boyles of southwestern
Union Township.
No very young pupils attended this school. At recess the larger ones
indulged in a game called "snatch and catch 'em,'* which was similar to 'Mrop
the handkerchief." Sometimes on extra cold days this game was played until
long after the noon hour, school being called about in time to be ready for a
respectable dismissal at 4 o'clock. Jump the rope was also a popular pastime
and also "blind man's buff." Occasionally there was a spelling school at night.
Missouri and Jane Sturman usually "kept the floor" the longest when "spelling
down."
GUYE SCHOOLHOUSE
By A. J. Hoisington
Another educational institution of Union Township in the early days was
the Guye schoolhouse, which was built at about the time or shortly after the
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274 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Guiberson schoolhouse. There was some trouble experienced in getting the
district divided from the Guiberson district, for the reason that there was not
enough money to build a schoolhouse. Thereupon Basil Pursel donated hewed
timber (sills, comer posts and plates) for a building, George and James Guye,
sleepers and joists; Samuel Guye, the studding, Richard Cooper, sheeting, Thomas
Townsend and William, his son, some other lumber, and Samuel Hildebrant,
Hampton Jones and Levi Smith also contributed building material, all of which
was placed on the ground. The work of building was paid for out of public
money.
Before this house was built, a term of school was taught in a house vacated
by Levi Smith that summer. The first teacher was Thomas Townsend who lived
on the Casper place. The term was three months. When Townsend got his
certificate from the county superintendent he invited that official to visit his
school, assuring him he would show him a model institution. When the super-
intendent arrived at the Guye schoolhouse, he found Townsend sitting in the
middle of the room with a six foot gad in his hand, which he would wave
through the air in one direction, pound it on the floor and then wave it in another
direction, exclaiming at each stroke "mind your books," and other like ex-
pressions. He was a "Hard Shell*' Baptist preacher and peculiar in his way,
but the superintendent agreed with him that he kept order with his gad. The
school official also learned that Townsend whipped at least one scholar a day;
but he taught no more in that section of the county. Everybody agreed he kept
order but wanted no more of his kind of teaching.
THE FIPLER CEMETERY
By A. J. Hoisington
James Fidler was the first man who died in Madison County. He was well
along in life and had been an almost helpless invalid some eight years prior to
his location in this township. His death had long been expected by the family
to occur at any time. Fidler took a claim and had built a cabin in the edge of
the timber on -section 9, up on the ridge west of Long Branch. He died early in
October, 1846. There being no graveyard in the county, and one place being
as good as another, naturally, he was buried on his own claim, a little north of
his cabin in the woods. Later that fall a little child of David D. Henry's was
scalded to death by tipping over a pot of water. The child's body was interred
near Fidler's grave and this was the second burial there. Contemporaneous
burials at this place were those of Jane, daughter of Chenoweth Casebier, aged
about sixteen years; James Thombrugh, Eliza Tremble, little Sarah Crawford,
Anderson Crawford, Sarah Pender, four years old, who was burned to death;
Mrs. Mahala Simmons, wife of Henry Simmons, David Cracraft and one of his
daughters, a child of Asa Mills and a child of Philip M. Boyles.
A SENSATIONAL WAKE
By A. J. Hoisington
Jacob Evans died June 5, 1870, in Union Township, at the age of seventy-
three and was buried in Winterset cemetery. All the members of the very large
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 275
family, except one son, were in a room adjoining where the body lay. The
men, while laying out the body of the deceased, attempted to keep the partition
door closed, but as often as they closed it, some one would partly open it again
from the adjoining room, and the men observed that some members of the
family were closely watching them. This caused annoyance and somewhat pro-
voked them. It was after dark when the body was prepared and placed to one
side of the room. It was decided to remove the bed out of doors into an out-
building. This caused a disturbance in the adjoining room and it could be seen
that those occupying it were peeping through the partly opened door. After
removing the bedroom doors those attending the body discovered an old trunk
under the bed, and while the bedstead was being taken down one of th6m got
hold of the trunk, but at that moment two grown-up sons of the deceased rushed
in, fighting each other, each one attempting to get to the trunk first. The at-
tendants interfered, desiring to learn what the trouble was about, and finally
made peace between the boys. One of the daughters then explained why the
men had been closely watched and why the boys rushed in and were fighting.
It developed that in that old hair-covered trunk, which was encircled a hundred
times with bed cord, were their father's will and $4,000 in gold. Ever since he
had moved to Iowa in 1851, that frail safe had been the storage place of a fortune
in gold. In it Evans had brought the treasure then in view from Indiana to Iowa,
and how many years the trunk had performed its peculiar duty before the
removal of the family here none but the members knew. But it was a matter
of local comment as early as 1857, when Mr. Evans paid for a building in the
spring of the year just mentioned, which had replaced one destroyed by fire,
the money came from that old trunk. During all his life in Iowa, either Mr.
Evans or his wife was by that trunk. They never left it alone at any time. It
was on their minds all the time.
Union Township has no trading point within its borders. At one time, in the
later '40s, a little settlement was established at what later became known as
Tileville, acquiring its name from the manufactory of tile in that vicinity. A. D.
Jones ran a small store there for a short time. Here was Montpelier postoffice,
first in the county. It has a railroad, however, but no station.
Fortunately, George W. Guye, one of the boys who came with his father,
Samuel Guye, in the spring of 1846 and settled in this township, is still living
and has been for some years past a resident of Winterset. He remembers many
interesting things relative to his family, which history has now become part and
parcel of that of Madison County. He says that he 'was bom in White County,
Tennessee, in 1826, and that the family moved to Sullivan County, Indiana, in
1828. In that year they turned their faces westward and arrived in the Territory
of Iowa in 1841, stopping at lowaville, in Van Buren County. They then took
the old Mormon trail and reaching a point in Nodaway County, near Andrew
County, Missouri, April 16, 1846, the family remained there until coming to
Madison County, arriving in Union Township, April 28th. "As early as 1841,"
he relates, "we heard of the Three Rivers country, that it would be opened for
settlement. There were glowing accounts of. this country coming to us from
trappers and traders who had been here. Upon reaching the county, we stopped
with Hiram Hurst two nights, and one night at Linn Grove with Lafridge
Bedull, whom we knew in Missouri. The following night we were at Cruz
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276 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Grove, north of Churchville, and the next night camped in the J. H. Farris grove,
where we stayed while staking out our claim. May 3, 1846. We built a cabin
of linn logs in two days and this was the first real house in the county.
*'Hiram Hurst put in a crop .in the summer of 1846 and then went after his
family, meeting its members at the state line. He had constructed a cabin of
buckeye and hackberry, which he covered with elm bark. It was a small affair.
It was here we visited him the day we crossed the Middle River. We were the
first guests he entertained in Madison County. When we arrived he looked wild
and got his gun, but we told him who we were and that \ve were looking for
information. He said he had not as yet seen the country.
"My father, Samuel Guye, located on section 7, on land afterwards known as
the Vanwy place. My claim was on sections 5 and 8, parts of which afterwards
became known as the Hendricks and Ryner farms. James also located on section
8. The other members of the family were: Mary, who married Elzie Evans,
and died in southwestern Missouri ; Elizabeth, the wife of Enos Mills ; Francis
M., who later became a citizen of Seattle, Washington; Samuel H., who moved
some years ago from the county to Des Moines; Angeline, the wife of Henry
Vanwy; and Maria, who married George Ludington.
**When the land here was opened for entry, on January i, 1850, I went to
Iowa City on horseback to buy land. The journey there and back consumed
seven days. I paid Judge Carrollton to bid in for me two hundred and forty
acres. This was the first farm land sold in Madison County at that time. I
might here add that I did not get my patent for the land on which I located
and entered until twenty years afterwards.
"The members of my family farmed land on North River once cultivated by
Indians. When we came here we brought from seventy to eighty head of cattle
and one hundred head of sheep. We broke the prairie in 1847 ^'^h oxen, of
which we had six yoke. We also had three horses.
"My parents were married in Tennessee. My mother owned slaves in that
state at the time and before departing for Indiana permitted them to purchase
their liberty. Arriving in the Hoosier State, my parents bought a fine farm and
my father speculated in toll turnpikes, much to his disadvantage. He was com-
pelled to sell the farm and met with another disaster by taking $4,750 of the
purchase price in bills of the State Bank of Indiana, which decreased in value
fifty cents on the dollar before arriving in Missouri, where another farm was
purchased in 1841. Not liking to live in a slave state, we left Missouri with some
money, horses, cattle, sheep' and household goods, and as has been before stated,
arrived in Madison County, April 28, 1846.
"John Beedle, John Chenoweth, Samuel Casebier, my brother, James Guye,
and myself went to Des Moines on the 2d day of August, 1846, to vote at an
election which was to be held on August 3d to ratify the first constitution pro-
posed in the State of Iowa. We all voted for the adoption of the constitution.
At that time I was only twenty years old."
PIONEERS OF UNION TOWNSHIP
By A. J. Hoisington
The story of each pioneer settler of Madison County becomes more and more
interesting and romantic as the years go by. Over sixty years have passed since
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 277
they began to arrive; only a very few of those old enough to remember their
coming, what they did, how they lived and even who they were, are living to tell
the tale.
Their names, where they came from, where they first located, what next they
did and how they lived, their daily habits, their customs, their religion and politics
and the manner of people they were — and, finally, what became of them — is of
interest to us now. At random I will here briefly mention a few who came the
first year or two — there is no special reason that I mention one and omit another,
since I have no favorites among them.
Omitting Hiram Hurst and the Clanton and Guye colonies, which makes a
little book by itself, since they were the first people, there came a few days after
them the colony among whom are still well remembered, William Gentry, Philip
M. Boyles, John Evans, Asa Mills and others. This colony was a large one and
all were from Missouri. It should be recalled that Hurst, the Clantons and Guyes
were all from Missouri, and for the matter of that, nearly all the settlers in 1846
and 1847 came from Missouri — Northwest Missouri.
David D. Henry came in May, 1846, and settled on section 20, Union Town-
ship, on the north bank of Cedar Creek, where was a beautiful little bottom of
prairie meadow, making the first improvement there. He had a family and was
from Missouri. In 185 1 he joined the California bound crowd and left, taking
his family. He entered the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter and the
southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of that section in 1850.
William Gentry came in May, 1846, from Missouri, first' settling on the north
half of the west half of the northwest quarter of section 30, Union Township,
near where the present house stands on top of the hill south of Cedar bridge,
straight north of Winterset. He entered one hundred and sixty acres there in
1850. He was one of the most prominent and active citizens of the county in
the early days of its history — one of its first county commissioners and on the
board that named Winterset and platted the town. Later on he sold out and set-
tled on the north side of the lane, some distance west of where Tileville now is.
Mr. Gentry's relation to the history of the early days makes him an important
figure in many of its chapters. He lived out his days in the county he helped to
mold and established and died respected by all.
Leonard Bowman came in the spring of 1847 from Missouri, and first settled
on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 5, in Union Township. As
the lands in this county were not surveyed until 1849, it turned out that he was
on the quarter on which the Guyes had located the year before. There is quite
a history to this quarter that pertains to pioneer history of the county which is
herein related. - Not only was this southwest quarter the one on which the
pioneer Guyes first located, they being the first settlers west of close to the
east line of the county, but it was the first tract of land entered in Madison
County — January 21, 1850. To mate the long story brief, George Guye beat
Bowman to the United States land office, then located at Iowa City and got the
land. After thus losing his claim. Bowman settled west of where the county
farm now is, in 1850. He sold out about 1853 and moved to South Audubon
County, Iowa, where he lived and died. When here he had a large family, of
whom some were quite grown up, among whom were sons, David, Reece, Daniel
and Levi, and daughters, Mary and Cassie. David went to California, Daniel
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278 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
married Elizabeth Folwell, in 1854, and lived in Audubon County, and Reece and
Levi went west beyond the Missouri River.
Brownfield came in June, 1846, with John B. Sturman and John R. Beedle,
from Missouri. He had a family and settled on the northeast part of section 10,
in Union Township, where Boone afterward owned some land. He made no
improvements but a log cabin and left in 1848. His only distinction here, besides
being one of the very first settlers, is that he was one of the five voters of Madison
County, who went to Fort Des Moines and voted at the election, August 3, 1846,
when the state constitution was adopted, which five voters marked the first road
northeasterly to Des Moines on their way to vote.
Thomas M. Boyles, brother of Philip, came with the colony, a single man, and
settled on the southwest of section 17, Union Township, which he entered in 1850.
He arrived in May, 1846, and there settled, building a log cabin and cutting out a
small clearing where afterward long- resided the elder Sturman and his son
Thomas. Late in the fall of 1847 he married a daughter of John Butler, who
came with the Boyles from Missouri and who had settled in the south edge of
the timber next east of the Philip Boyles farm. There was a great wedding,
but the big boys of the then sparsely settled country were not invited. This slight
they resented by organizing a charivari party. Having long distances to go they
were late in getting to the Butler cabin. All had gone to bed, or it seemed to the
boys they had, for the cabin was dark and quiet. The boys began their noise with
every cow bell, stolen from the cattle in all the region about. They had two big
dinner horns, tin pans and other things, with which to make the deafening noise.
This infernal din they kept going until wearied out, but no one in the house seemed
to give any attention to them. They were afraid to try to get inside, because they
might meet with trouble. Finally, they quietly moved away, disappointed, tired
and disgusted. Passing through the timber northward, crossing Cedar, they
finally got to Boyles' cabin on the hill south of where Joe Forney lives now, de-
termined to let Boyles and his bride know they had called that way. Of course
the bride and groom were at Butler's. Boyles had three sheep only. The boys
built a rail pen on top of a haystack and put in it the three sheep, but fearing
the pen might not hold them and the sheep get killed or injured in the downfall,
they finally took .the sheep down from the pen on the stack and put them in the
cabin, where they fastened them in and left them. Disarranging other things
around the place they pulled out for their several cabins of abode, miles away for
all of them. Toward morning they got home. It was a dead failure all around
and the more so it seemed to them afterward when they could not hear even a
whisper from any one concerning what they had done that night. .No one ever
mentioned in their hearing, or so they could hear of it, anything about their
doings. Most of all, the boys wondered about the sheep in the house, but they
never knew, or heard. They have always supposed that when they left the Butler
cabin, some one followed them, with the expectation of mischief at Boyles' cabin
and that when they left the latter with the sheep inside, some one was there to
right things. Thus ended the first charivari in Madison County. Among those
in this crowd I remember to have heard named George W. and Francis M. Guye,
Reece, Dan and Levi Bowman and Martin Baum. There were nine or ten in the
crowd. Boyles later sold to the elder James Sturman and moved to Texas.
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CHAPTER XXXIII
SCOTT TOWNSHIP
Scott Township was organized in 1861 and was one of the first localities to be
settled in Madison County. It is bounded on the north by Union, on the south by
Walnut, on the east by South and on the west by Lincoln townships. The Middle
River and Jones Creek are its principal streams. Middle River passes through
the northern part of this domain from west to east, and Jones Creek flows
through the southern part. The divide lying between Middle River and the
Clanton is widely known as "Hoosier Prairie," deriving its name from the fact
that many of its settlers came from Indiana. The topography of the township
indicates a flat, or level prairie. However, in the breaks near the streams the
surface of the township is very rough and broken. While the county was still
young, there were many beautiful farms on "Hoosier Prairie" and in other por-
tions of this township. It is an agricultural district and the entire township teems
with well improved farms, buildings, good roads and all the modem improve-
ments to be found in a high grade country. Inexhaustible quantities of the very
best of limestone are found along the bluffs of Middle River, and coal abounds in
various places. With the many springs and small streams that exist here and
throughout the township, the community has become a very desirable one for the
raising of stock and other industries.
Henry McKinzie was probably the first settler to locate in this township,
coming here in the latter part of the summer of 1846. He settled on what after-
wards became the McKnight farm. Mr. McKinzie removed here from his old
home in Sangamon County, Illinois, which was near that section of the country
made famous as having been at one time the home of Abraham Lincoln. McKin-
zie built a crude log cabin on his claim, which gave way to a frame house in
1848, said to have been the first frame residence built in the county. He hauled
the lumber all the way from Burlington. About this time came David Bishop,
William Allcock and John Wilkinson ; also Ephraim Bilderback, the Organizing
sheriff of the county. W. S. Wilkinson until his death in 1914, was a resident of
the township, while Judge A. W. Wilkinson is and has been for many years, a
resident of Winterset.
Ephraim Bilderback built a small structure and set up a forge upon his farm,
where was conducted the first blacksmith shop in the county.
Asa Mills settled on the north part of the township, north of Middle River, on
section 5, in the summer of 1846.
Samuel Crawford, in the summer of 1847, built a cabin on the southwest
quarter of section 5, which in the fall of that year was destroyed by fire. Being
left without a habitation, Crawford moved in with James Thombrugh, where he
stayed all winter, but before spring he had gotten up another cabin and moved
into it.
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280 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
About the year 1849 or 1850, there were quite a number settled in the township,
among whom were John Rogers, Marius C. Debord, John Landers, Whitley Allen,
John Hinkel, Joel Graves, William Hogg, Josiah Struthers, Josiah Smith, Isaac
Debusk. John S. Holmes and William Bowlsby settled here soon after, also W.
W. McKnight, John Rogers, George Close, Mitchell Robinson, J. S. Holmes,
George Hammer, J. R. Silliman, John Jones, A. J. Campbell, Benjamin F. Reed,
Ed Herrall, A. H. Adkison, James Harris, B. Lake, John Dryden, Porter Ral-
ston, B. F. Carter, George A. Breeding, James Short, Noah King.
Abner Bell with his wife and two children arrived in Madison County from
Hancock County, Ohio, on September 30, 1850, and lived in the house on the
Allcock claim until the following spring. That winter Bell taught school in the
Clanton schoolhouse and in the spring of 185 1 moved to section 16, and bought
forty acres of school land. That spring a log schoolhouse was built, in which he
taught a three months' term. This was the first school in that district. He sold
out in the next spring. In the winter of 185 1-2 Bell taught in the Adamson
schoolhouse, that stood south of Middle River about eighty rods, above Huglin's
Mill. In the spring of 1852 he moved west of Churchville, on the edge of Madison
County.
Theodore Cox settled in the township along about 1854 and improved a tract
of land, so that it became a magnificent farm. Hogan Queen, Annon James,
Solomon Odell, Thomas Stevens, Israel Hoover, Jesse Hiatt, J. S. Lorimor and I.
Oglesbee all improved farms in this township and became leading citizens of the
community.
Of the later arrivals may be mentioned '*Fidler" Jones, William Fennimore, a
splendid business man ; George Orr, G. W. Hann, John Holmes, Orville Rollstin,
Benjamin and Andrew Jones, G. M. Grout, M. W. Peach, J. S. Herman, J. E.
Spurgin. These men have all given to their farms, their homes and the commu-
nity, their best energies and are held in the highest esteem by neighbors and friends
throughout the county.
There are four churches in the township: Providence United Brethren,
Bethel Methodist Episcopal, Elm Grove Methodist Episcopal and Zion (union).
THE KENTUCKY COLONY
By E. R. Ziller
In the early summer of i860 a little colony of brave and sturdy people left their
homes in Kentucky to try their fortunes in the to them unknown State of Iowa.
In this relation a Keokuk paper of date May 28, i860, had the following to say :
**A procession consisting of nine wagons, one carriage, twelve yokes of oxen and
several spans of horses, passed up Main Street last Saturday morning bound
for Madison County, Iowa. They came from Kentucky. They belong to one
family, the head of which is Rev. John Blair, who informed us that they were
obliged to leave on account of their sentiments on the slavery question." As
related by Rev. John Blair, the reason given why he and his party picked upon
Madison County for their future home was that a brother, Alexander Blair, had
immigrated from Kentucky to Indiana in pioneer times and a few years later
settled in Madison County, Iowa, on land now known as the "Mills'' farm at
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 281
Tileville. Those comprising the Blair party were Rev. John Blair, Rev. Richard
Armstrong, Elza Blair, John Blair, Jr., James Blair, William Blair, William Turk,
John Heneger, Peter Carter, James McKinney, William Carter, Alexander Eskew
and Thomas Rhodes. In the fall of the same year another party arrived, consist-
ing of George Breeding, Rev. C. Hughart, Joseph A. Breeding, B. F. Carter and
others. In the following spring a third party located in the county, namely : J. M.
Eskew, J. T. Blair, George H. Kinnaird, W. T. Jesse, Henry Monday and David
Mosby. The numerous descendants and relatives by marriage of this splendid
aggregation of settlers form a very important part of the population of Scott and
South townships. "In that lonely, but beautiful, cemetecy, at Blair Chapel lie
the remains of many of those who composed the early Kentucky emigrants. There
repose the remains of the heroic leader and his faithful colleague. Rev. Richard
Armstrong. A number of others are buried at Union Chapel."
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AS A BOY SAW IT
By W. S. Wilkinson
We came to this county in the spring of 1848. The report had come to where
we lived that there was a good country out here : nice rolling prairies, plenty of
good timber, good running springs, . an abundance of stone, and the principal
undergrowth was rattlesnakes, which the boys thought about correct.
The early farms were mostly made in the timber, for there were but few
that had teams able to turn the prairie sod. The timber soil was more easily
stirred. We worked constantly at our clearing but every nice warm day at noon
during the spring we would run down to the snake den and see if there were any
snakes lying in the sun around the den — ^and we usually found some — this was
the summer of the big snake hunt. Now Sunday was as strictly observed in the
fore part of that summer as I have ever seen it at any time since. It was given
over exclusively to the hunting and killing of rattlesnakes. We had no preaching
here then. This was just before the preacher came. But after the snake killing
season they organized Sunday school and we thought it a No. i school. We
put on our clean linen pants on Sunday morning and went to Sunday school — the
small boys did not wear pants every day unless we had company — a boy is not so
bashful when he is dressed up — that's the way a boy saw it.
After our com was laid by, James Thombrugh was employed to teach school
and they built a log schoolhouse about a quarter of a mile east of the Buffalo
Mills, and we had a pretty full school. There were few families in the neigh-
borhood, but they were the kind that counted in making a school. The school
was run for six weeks and was then closed on account of more pressing duties
— hay making and com cutting. Henry Evans* is the only one now living in the
county that I know of besides myself that attended that school.
Five of the settlers, my father among them, went up the Coon River that fall
on a bee hunt, naming small streams and localities from incidents of the trip, some
of which I can now recall as Johnson's Defeat, where Felt Johnson got lost one
day while out bee hunting and did not find camp until nearly morning ; Wilkinspn
Fork, where the only bee tree my father found was stolen and cut by other
* Henry Evans and the w/iter of this article both are dead.
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282 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
hunters ; McKinzie*s Paradise, probably from the old gentleman's genial disposition
and jolly ways ; Bilderback's Success, where Eph Bilderback found about as many
bee trees in one day as any other man in the crowd found on the whole trip.
They found and cut over eighty bee trees and brought home a fine lot of honey,
which they strained and took to St. Joe, Missouri, sold and got their supplies for
the winter — a sack of salt each, a bushel or so of coffee, some sugar, some dried
fruit and some other necessaries for their families, and if they had not gotten
them that way I do not know how they would have gotten them.
They returned from St. Joe on the night of the 2d of December, 1848, and that
night the big snow began to fall. On the morning of the 3d the snow was about
four inches deep and by evening it was about flank deep to a horse and it kept on
snowing without any wind or bluster for some time. I have never seen as much
snow on the ground at any other time as there was that winter and I never saw
the snow piled as high in the forks of the trees as.it was then. The snow lay
on the ground until in April, and when we commenced to make sugar the next
spring it was knee deep in the timber and by the time the snow disappeared sugar
making was done. There was no frost in the ground. This was before the town
(Winterset) was made. In the summer of '1848 A. D. Jones set up a store at the
Narrows, as it was called (Tileville), and was the first postmaster in the county.
We used to go there for the mail and to trade a little and we thought "A. D."
ought to have the county seat, which was being much talked of about this time.
"A D." was a great favorite among the boys, but the old men put the town right
out in the prairie grass and not a shade tree in sight — ^an awful mean trick as the
boys saw it.
The town was located in the summer of 1849. The commissioners met to niame
it some time in July. It was quite chilly for the time of year. A. D. Jones was the
commissioners' clerk. They talked about the name ; one proposed Independence,
another Summerset, but the third thought they had better call it Winterset. That
raised a big laugh and **A. D." wrote Winterset, in his splendid hand, and held it
^p for their inspection. The commissioners liked the name. They passed the
flask, set it down, and Winterset was made the town.
ON HOOSIER PRAIRIE
The following paper was read by W. S. Wilkinson, of Scott Township, at a
meeting of the Madison County Historical Society :
Early in the spring of 1847 ^V oldest brother, Alfred, came from Davis County,
Iowa, with one horse to Fort Des Moines and rented twenty acres of ground of
Mr. Lamb, about where the starch factory now stands. He planted it in com,
agreeing to give one-half of it in rent.
About the first of June my father, with the rest of the family, followed, but
being stopped by high water we remained in Marion County for some time, not
reaching the neighborhood of the Forks, as the union of the Raccoon and Des
Moines rivers was then usually called, until towards fall. We lived that fall
and winter on Four Mile Creek, about six miles northeast of the Forks. During
the winter reports came to us of this country up here, that it was a fine place, good
soil, nice rolling prairies, plenty of good timber along the streams, and the prin-
cipal undergrowth was rattlesnakes. On our arrival we found plenty of the
"undergrowth."
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LEWIS CEAWFORD
Came to Madison County in 1853.
A Mexican war veteran.
W. S. WILKINSON SAMUEL SNYDER
Came to Madison County in 1848. First mail carrier in Madison
Veteran of the Civil war. Wrote County. Carried mail from Des
several papers for the Historical Moines to Montpelier, the first post-
Society which appear in the Madison office in Madison County, in 1848.
County History.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 283
Early in the spring of 1848 my father and brother, Thomas, came to Madison
County to locate a claim and built a cabin within a few steps of a nice spring
just one and a half miles north of the center of Scott Township. They covered
the cabin in the usual way with clapboards and weight poles, but running short
of boards they covered a small patch with elm bark. One-half of the floor was
laid with puncheon split from linn logs and smoothed with a broad ax ; the other
half was laid with bark placed flat on the ground. A stick and mud chimney
was built with a stone wall and jambs for a fireplace.
My father and brother then returned and removed the family from Polk
County as soon as the stock could live on the grass. We started about the 20th of
April, 1848, with our cows, sheep, hogs, chickens, a pair of geese and our house-
hold goods. We arrived at our new home just after dark on Friday, April 23,
1848. The next day we unloaded our wagon and fixed things for housekeepihg,
while our stock grazed on the grass. The next day being Sunday, we rested and
viewed the landscape o*er. On Monday morning we went to work clearing a piece
of timber land to plant in corn, our horse team not being able to turn the prairie
sod. We put in eight or ten acres of com and later planted a good patch of
potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables. Our com when cut up made a fine lot
of feed, but the grain was not well matured on account of being planted so late.
After the crops were tended the settlers began to pay some attention to school-
ing their children. They built a log cabin for a schoolhouse just east of the
Buffalo Mills, in what is now Eli Wright's field, and hired James Thombrugh to
teach a term of school. He commenced some time in August and taught six
weeks. The fall work coming on, he closed the school until winter, but the snow
was so deep that winter that the children could not go, so he never finished the
term. That was the first school taught in the county. The pupils attending that
term as well as I can remember them were: Absalom, Daniel, Thomas, Aaron,
Ann and Emeline McKinzie ; Louisa, Rebecca and Joseph Thombrugh ; James and
Ann Crawford ; Will and Jack Hart ; Henry Evans, Will Butler, Miles Casebier,
Thomas, Margaret, David and W. S. Wilkinson. I think there were two or three
others, but I cannot recall their names. Of the above only two are living in this
county : Henry Evans and myself. Two are living in Kansas, one in Washington,
two in Oregon and one in Rock Island, Illinois. A year or so later some school
districts were marked off and the Roger schoolhouse, in Scott Township, was
built. Mrs. Danforth, mother of Chal and William Danforth, taught the first
school there.
That fall my father and some of the neighbors went on a bee hunt up the
Coon River. They found and cut eighty bee trees and brought home a fine lot of
honey. After straining it, they hauled it to St. Joseph, Missouri, and traded it
for their winter supply of groceries. Had they not secured their provisions in
that way, I do not know how they would have got them. They returned on the
2d of December, 1848, and the next morning the snow was about four inches deep.
It continued to snow until it became a big snow — the deepest I ever saw. It must
have been at least three feet on the level — some said it was more. The settlers
could not keep the road broken through that sn6w, not even to the mill. They kept
tracks broken 'from house to house, so they could go on horseback, and their
milling was done in that way.
During the summer of 1848 Hart & Hinkley built a little grist mill on the site
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284 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
where the Buffalo Mills afterwards stood. They started some time in the fall. It
was a small affair, but it answered the settlers* purpose well that winter of the
deep snow. I do not know how they could have gotten along without the mill.
They could grind nothing but com — in fact, there was nothing else to grind that
winter. The next season I think they had some buckwheat and possibly a very
little wheat to grind. The millers got some kind of a screen to sieve their buck-
wheat. They called it a sarse ; I do not know what it was like ; probably the real
name was sarcenet, a hand bolt made of sarcenet silk. Of course we did not get
good flour but it was a change from corn bread.
I think the first Sunday school in the county was organized in the summer of
1848, at the house of Levi Bishop, in Scott Township. Sam Fleener was super-
intendent and Mrs. Bishop teacher. They did not confine their instruction to the
scriptures alone, but taught the little folks their letters, spelling and reading. The
books used were the spelling book and Testament.
The first bridge in this county was built in the fall and winter of 1854-5,
across Middle River, where the Indianola and Winterset road crossed that stream
in Scott Township, now known as the Holliwell Bridge. Madison County paid
John McCartney $500 for building it. The bridge was a forty foot span with a
framed approach at each end. It was a frame bridge with double bents at each
end of the spans twenty-two feet high. The timbers of this bridge were hewn
sixteen inches square. The stringers of the main span were forty-four feet long
to lap at the ends on the bents. The framed approaches at each end were twenty
feet long. The bridge was finished early in the spring of 1855.
THE BUFFALO MILLS
By W. S. Wilkinson
When the first settlers came to this county, the nearest mill to them was the
old Parmalee Mill, near the mouth of Middle River, about fourteen miles south-
east of Des Moines, and when that, mill was closed for repairs, or for any cause,
as was sometimes the case, they had to go farther on, often as far as Oskaloosa,
some eighty or ninety miles, and sometimes to Missouri, near St. Joe. So in the
spring of 1848, Hart and Hinkley commenced the erection of a little grist mill on
the site where the Buffalo Mills afterwards stood — the first mill built in the
county. •
They put up a building of logs and covered it with clapboards, on the east
bank of the river, with the fore-bay under the west end of the building. I don't
know how they built a fore-bay without any sawed lumber. They must have built
it of hewed timbers, for there was no lumber made in the county at that time.
The mill dam was what was called a brush, or log dam. They cut small
trees and trimmed the limbs off the body, leaving the brush on the top. These
trees were then laid side by side across the bed of the stream for a foundation for
the dam. Then the log part was built across twelve or fifteen feet above the butt-
ends of these trees, so that they would form an apron to prevent the water from
undermining the dam. The old brush dams were substantial when the brush got
set in the mud, if the banks were made secure, but they were leaky old things
and let too much water pass through.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 285
Hart and Hinkley worked pretty steady at the mill that summer, and the
settlers turned out to help in any way they could, and after their crops were laid
by, they had more time to give the needed assistance.
I do not remember what time they started the mill ; I think it was not much
before the first of October and perhaps a little later than that date. They com-
menced to grind some corn before they had their millhouse entirely inclosed, and
one night when the roof was about half on, the men were in the mill busy grinding
a grist of com for some hungry settler, when there came up a little wind-
storm and blew off what roof they had over their works and sent the clapboards
and weight poles flying around so lively that it gave the mill men such a scare
that the boys had the laugh on them for weeks afterwards. But the settlers
came to their aid the next morning and before forty-eight hours they had their
mill roof secure against any ordinary storm.
Andy Hart was a large, strong man, I should judge about thirty-five years
old, able to do any amount of hard work, but I think he was no mechanic.
Mr. Hinkley was a man well up in years, as old a man perhaps as there was in
the county at that time, but he was a fine workman. He made the water wheel,
shaft and cog-wheels that run the mill, and had to take every piece out of the
tree, for there was no sawmill, not even a whipsaw in the county at that time
that I know of.
When we think of the conditions that prevailed at that time, I cannot help
but think that these men did the very best thing that could have been done at that
time for the settlers of this county.
That was the winter of the deep snow. I have never seen as much snow on
the ground at any other time as there was that winter, and it lay on till April.
The settlers could not keep the road broken to the mill. They kept a track broken
where they could keep in the timber, so they could go on horseback, and the
milling was mostly done that way during that winter.
I heard of rpen taking grain to mill that winter on a handsled over the crusted
snow where they had to cross the prairie for some distance. If they had not had
the little mill, I do not know what they would have done that winter.
Hart and Hinkley run the mill about a year and sold it to Casebier and Sim-
mons, who afterwards took in James Thombrugh as partner. I think this deal
was made in the fall of 1849. The new firm commenced immediately the erection
of a sawmill on the west side of the river and commenced to saw lumber, but the
high water in June, 1851, washed the sawmill out and they then put it on the east
side of the river joining on to the south side of the grist mill. They also remodeled
the grist mill and put in bolts and commenced grinding wheat. By this time the
mill was doing considerable business. The town of Winterset was starting and
there was a lively demand for all the lumber and breadstuflfs the mill could fur-
nish.
Among the early settlers of this county were some very strong men who liked
at times to show off their physical powers. And when Casebier & Company
remodeled the grist mill, they took out the mill shaft that Hart and Hinkley had
put in and it lay around in the millyard for a number of years, serving as an
object upon which these men could test their strength. I think Ab. McKinzie
was the champion, but he had several very able competitors. I do not think it
would have caused very much jealousy among the early settlers of this county if
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286 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the statement had been made at that time that I make now, that Ab. McKinzie
was probably the strongest man, physically, that ever lived in the county.
James Thombrugh, one of the partners in the mill, died in December, 1851,
and early in the next year, I think it was, William Compton bought the mill
property. He took possession and commenced immediately a vigorous prosecution
of his affairs, which he kept up as long as he managed the business. He had been
in business in Winterset ever since the town started and had worked up a
profitable trade, a good share of which he held after moving to the mill.
On taking charge of the business here, he built a residence just east of the mill,
in the side of the bluff where the cedar trees he planted still stand. He dug a
basement about sixteen by thirty-two feet, and made the walls of the lower story
of stone and put a frame building over it of the same size. The house was
divided into four rooms, two above and two below. There was a large stone chim-
ney and fireplace at each end of the house — stoves were not so plentiful then as
they are now — and a double porch on the west, the full length of the building and
seven feet deep, and when neatly balustered and painted, made quite an imposing
appearance at that early day. Viewed from the mill and highway, and when
enlarged, as it afterwards was, and in its time flanked on the east and north by a
splendid apple orchard and vineyard, it made a very desirable home for Mr. and
Mrs. Compton and the large family they there reared.
They entered the upper part from the level of the ground on the east, and
the lower part from the level on the west. The two upper rooms were used for
living and sleeping rooms, and the lower south room was the kitchen. Many a nice
batch of corn dodger has been baked in the skillet at that fireplace. The north
lower room was used at first for a storeroom. Mr. Compton put in a mixed
stock of goods — some groceries and dry goods, and some wet goods, too.
The increasing population from immigration soon so increased the demand
for material that Mr. Compton, in order to meet that demand, as far as possible,
run his mills day and night, whenever he had the water to do so. And in order to
increase his water supply, he improved his mill dam and raised it considerably
higher, against the protest of some landowners up the river, who brought suit
for damages, but Mr. Compton was always the successful party in the suit.
After Compton took possession of the property, he kept a competent mechanic
employed most of the time. His first mechanic was Steven Divilbliss, who I
think stayed about one year. He was said to be a master workman. Then
Charles Rice came for about that length of time I think. Then came Judge
Smalley who remained as long perhaps as Compton needed a steady workman.
Some of the regular hands in the mill were Sam Crawford, miller, who worked
for several years, and Mr. Wright, laborer, who stayed as long as he was able to
do an)rthing.
J. B. Lamb was a regular, standby for many years. He commenced about
1855 ^^d remained as long as Compton owned the mill. Then there is Philip
Moore, now approaching seventy-five years, who commenced work in the mill
when a boy and stayed with it as long as a wheel turned, and although his home is
now beyond the "Big Muddy," he may occasionally be seen on the old stamping
ground. In 1856, Mr. Compton installed steam power and used both steam and
water power when necessary.
From this time on the capacity, as well as the popularity, of the Buffalo Mills
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 287
was on the increase. The flour went into several counties of Southern Iowa,
and teams were run regularly, hauling flour from this mill into that territory until
the railroads were built through that section. Mr. Compton continued in the
business until some time in the '70s, when his health began to fail. He sold to
Vermillion and Kleatsch, and retired from active business.
The new firm kept the mill well up to its former reputation, until it was de-
stroyed by a cyclone in the summer of 1880. After the destruction of the old
mill, it was rebuilt on a more modem plan and lost, in a measure, the pioneer
character of its former days.
It seems proper this paper should close here. Judge Lewis, one of the pro-
prietors of the new mill, is still with us and is much more vigorous in body and
mind, and more capable of furnishing at some future time, a supplementary paper
on the rebuilding and final downfall of that dear old landmark.
With a few words on the surroundings of the old mill, I must close. During
the early prosperity of the Buflfalo Mills, there were other branches of business
carried on in the same vicinity for many years. A store was kept by some one
about ^all the time until after the war, and at times a blacksmith shop and wood
repair shop, and at one time, a brickyard was run for several years. About the
time of the Civil war, the old water power sawmill was taken out and that build-
ing was turned into a wool carding machine. All these different branches of
business employed a number of men in addition to those in the mills, and in the
timber, furnishing logs to the saw and wood to run the engines.
These men were mostly settled around near the mill and formed a settlement
of perhaps thirty families, a majority of whom owned their house and grounds,
large or small. The settlement was important in itself and assumed the char-
acter of an unorganized village, going by the name of Buflfalo.
In the district there were at least seventy-five or one hundred children of
school age — the largest school in the township, and perhaps the largest country
school in the county — but since the mill has gone down, it has shrunk to about an
average of the district schools.
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CHAPTER XXXIV
DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP
That part of the county, of which Douglas is now a component part, early at-
tracted settlers, and some of the first white men to set their stakes with the purpose
of making Madison County their future home located here. The township was
organized in 1861 and is bounded on the north by Madison, on the south by
Lincoln, on the east by Union and on the west by Jackson townships. Like Union,
it is divided up into very desirable proportions of timber and prairie land. North
River and Cedar Creek pass through it, flowing from west to eaat. Numerous
springs and streams also exist in various portions of it. Nature seems to have
been lavish with this section of the county, as almost all over its entire supface is
rich fertile land which has been so improved that the township now contains
many of the best farms under cultivation in the county.
The first persons to Settle in Douglas Township were the three Baum brothers,
Irvin, Martin and Lewis, the latter two of whom were single men; also Jacob,
William and Joseph Combs and their sister, Irene B. Combs. This party all came
together from Andrews County, Missouri, in May, 1846, and settled in the same
neighborhood, in the east part of Douglas Township, between the Cedar and
North River, with the exception of Joseph Combs. The land on which Jacob
Combs located later became the property of William Forbes, that of William
Combs where the widow Evans later resided, and the Joseph Combs place finally
found its way into the possession of the Monaghans. The Irvin Baum farm
passed into the hands of the Webbs ; Martin Baum's place became the McDonald
farm near the Howerton Branch and the Lewis Baun] farm was where Jacob
Evans later resided. These people were all of the democratic persuasion and
probably to that fact may be ascribed the reason for the name given the township.
Joseph Combs never married and some years after leaving here removed to
Marion County, where he died. Jacob Combs sold out to one Smith and went
to Oregon. He later returned to Iowa and died in Marion County. William
Combs removed to Saline County, Kansas, and finally met his death by being run
over by a train near Spokane, Washington. Irvin Baum, after some years' resi-
dence here removed to Spokane and the other two Baums immigrated to Kansas.
W. Compton, an Ohioan by birth, removed to Peoria County, Illinois, and
from there immigrated to Washington County, Iowa, in 1839. After spending
several years in Polk County, he removed to Madison County in 1849 and located
in this township on what is known as the town quarter section of land. It is
said that he was the first man to sell groceries in Madison County and he after-
ward bought Hart & Hinkley's mill site on Middle River where they had been run-
ning a com cracker. He built on this fine mill site the first grist mill erected in the
county. With this he also built a sawmill and installed a carding machine. For
his second wife he married Sarah Knight, in 1873.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 289
Robert Evans settled in this township in 1851, in the northern part of the
township, where he lived and died, as did also his wife.
The township had not long been settled before James Musgrave arrived
from Indiana. He settled on section i in this township in January, 1852, and in
i860 built a bam 40 by 60 feet, with an eight-foot basement, which was considered
at the time to be the largest structure of its kind in the county.
E. Bennett was a settler in the county as early as 185 1, coming from Marion
County, Indiana. He married Mary J. Leech in 1857.
R. P. Bruce also settled here in 185 1. He was a native of Kentucky but had
lived seventeen years in Illinois prior to coming to Madison County. F. M.
Bruce came with his parents at the same time. He enlisted in the Fourth Iowa
Cavalry and served three years.
B. F. Cooper was bom in Putnam County, Indiana, in 1851, and came to
Madison County in 1857, with his parents. He married Miss Mary C. McCleary
in 1879. She was bom in Madison County.
J. S. Goshom was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to the State of Iowa
in 1852 and located in this township in 1856. He enlisted in the Fourth Iowa In-
fantry for the Civil war and served as second lieutenant of Company F. Within
ten months he was honorably discharged and enlisted in the Forty-seventh Iowa
Infantry and was commissioned captain of Company E. He held the office of
county superintendent of schools. His son, Arthur E., is the present postmaster
and editor of the News at Winterset.
W. H. Lewis came to Iowa with his parents in 1849 from Chautauqua County,
New York. He was raised on a farm, read law and was admitted to the bar in 1865,
but only practiced his profession a short time. He later started a nursery in this
township, to which he has given a great part of his attention. He served an un-
expired term as county judge by appointment, was county commissioner several
terms and superintendent of the construction of the courthouse and other build-
ings of the county.
F. M. McDaniel came to Madison County from Indiana in 1852, and located
here. He married Miss Sarah Sturman in 1859.
Matthew M. McGee, a native of Ireland, immigrated to the United States in
1831, first settled in Ohio, and thence in 1854 located here, becoming one of the
large landowners of the community. His attention was paid largely to the rais-
ing and feeding of stock.
Edwin Peed was one of the Indianians who located in the county in 1856. He
settled on section 4 on land, part of which he entered in 1853.
D. Applegate was quite an early settler in this township, coming in 1858 from
Tmmbull County, Ohio. He enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry in the
Civil war and served three years. Two of his sons, Andrew and Allen, enlisted in
Company I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. Allen
was on picket duty on his fifteenth birthday.
George Bardrick settled on section 25 in 1854 and became a large landowner.
In writing of this township upon one occasion, Prof. E. R. Zeller had the follow-
ing to say : "The natural topographical conditions here were such as to require
much hard work to make a beginning. The Dabneys, Applegates, F. M. Bmce,
M. M. McGee, Edwin Peed, H. W. Laizure, J. W. Cline, J. W. Thompson^
McDonalds, the Allgeyers, Sulgroves, Abrahams, Chases, Coxes, Eyerlys, the
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290 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Rogans, Rehards, Ruths, Hayes, James Monaghan and F. M. McDaniel were there
to meet the exigencies. The Clarks, Getchells, S. A. Ellis and the Abrahams sub-
dued the forests and hazel brush, where is now the Rhyno ranch, and to the
south W. H. Lewis and J. S. Goshom made the wilderness blossom as the dahlia.
Mr. Lewis' efforts have without doubt brought more tangible results than those of
most any other one in the county.
"J- C. Wilson was a man of positive character and so was J. F. Buchanan, at
one time a member of the board of supervisors. George Johnson and Joseph
Comp have been largely useful in later times, while the Kinsman family stands
out prominently in its moral influence on the community. John Norris for many
years operated a valuable farm near Winterset and did much to improve the grade
of cattle, and no one was more familiarly known than David Gilliland. Besides the
Rhyno ranch, there is the large and beautiful stock farm improved, owned and
operated for a half century by Richard Bruce, and later managed by the Orris
brothers."
Jonathan Myers and Martin Ruby put up a steam sawmill in 1855 ^^^ turned
out a great deal of lumber for the settlers. The mill finally reverted to Samuel
Kirkland, who conducted it successfully for many years. Church organizations,
Sunday schools and school houses came into existence as soon as the settlers pro-
vided for their immediate necessities. West Star Church has a large congrega-
tion.
The log house put up by Irvin Baum was 18 by 20 feet in ground dimensions,
but was the largest house in the county at that time. Unfortunately, it was
burned to the ground a few days after it had been finished. His neighbors a few
days afterwards, without giving any notice came to his assistance and helped him
erect another good, substantial home.
Those were the days when the term neighbor had a real significance and
there was no exclusiveness between settlers. Even though they might live miles
apart they were neighbors and shared with each other without stint or grudg-
ngness. Here is another instance of what real neighborliness is : In 1847 William
Combs' fence was destroyed by fire while he was absent in Missouri. His neigh-
bors gathered together on Sunday and replaced the fence by a new one, thus
saving his crops from being destroyed by stock, which in those days ran at large
generally.
The winter of 1855 was a very severe one and the snow lay deep upon the
ground. The mercury was down below zero and froze a crust on top of the snow
thick and hard, so as to make it impracticable for horses to travel. The severity
of the weather continued so long that some of the settlers became short of
food, whereupon Jacob Combs, William Combs, Irvin and Lewis Baum made up
a party and with their teams started for Compton's Mill on Middle River. The
journey was an extremely difficult and rather dangerous one, as they were obliged
to beat the snow with wooden mauls all the way to their destination. It was only
by this means that the horses were enabled to travel.
A PRIMITIVE SCHOOL
While gathering material for his proposed history of Madison County, the
late A. J. Hoisington prepared the following description of the first schoolhouse
in Douglas Township, which was about three miles due north of Winterset :
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 291
"It would be interesting and valuable historical information for all time to
come if we had complete records and descriptions of the first and early common
schools in the several townships of the county. There are those yet Hving who
can furnish much of it if they woyld do so, and besides there are many scraps of
records lying around loose that should be gathered. Persons in the several town-
ships and school districts should interest themselves and do this work.
*1 beHeve that to William Garrett belongs the credit of organizing and teach-
ing the first school north of Winterset, although the Guiberson School in Union
Township comes in close to that period. Mr. Garrett arrived in Madison County
in October, 1849, from Hendricks County, Indiana. He came with a small
colony led by John Hooten, who settled in (now) Lincoln Township and became
one of the prominent characters and active citizens of the county. Mr. Garrett
at once obtained employment with. George Homback and W. B. Hopkins, then
two active citizens, and aided them in opening up what was afterward long known
as the James Farm, the second farm east of the long time Boyles place. Garrett
made about the first Government land entry in Madison Township, the same being
for 160 acres in section 28. During March of that year he and Jacob Fry dug and
walled a well in Winterset for William Compton, near where the soldiers' monu-
ment stands. He and Fry have made the claim that this was the first completed
and walled well in Winterset. The town was surveyed the July before.
"In the fall of 1850 Garrett went back to Indiana on a visit. He returned to
Madison County in December, 185 1, and immediately opened a subscription
school, in a vacant log cabin about three and a quarter miles due north of Winter-
set, on the southeast quarter of section 13, in Douglas, and near the center of the
quarter. The cabin had been built by Silas Bams in 1848. In 1850 he sold the
claim to W. B. Hopkins, who built a better house some forty rods farther south
and oflFered the vacant cabin for schoolroom purposes. The cabin was 14x16
feet, had a clapboard door, stick and clay style chimney and a small glass win-
dow on the south. There were three seats made of slabs obtained at William
Combs' sawmill, northwest on North River. Fuel for the big fireplace was abund-
ant, but the cabin needed repairing. The patrons and neighbors of the school met
Saturday night of the first school week and that night the cabin burhed down.
The scholars lost a portion of their books. The textbooks used that one week
were McGuflfy's first, second and third readers, McGuflFy's speller, Ray's arith-
metic and some other books. The school term lasted but one week. It was to be
a subscription school, for there was then no public school moneys used. The
teacher did not ask any compensation for the time taught. He says the school was
not a ^glorious victoree' for any one, but was the first school opened in what is now
Douglas Township. Following are the names of the pupils who attended : Perry,
Aaron, Noah and Emily Bams; Louisa, Charlotte, Mary E. and Rufus Clark;
Barbara, Sarah Ann and Benjamin Combs ; L. D. Evans, Samuel Houston Guye,
Willis G., Almira and Barbara Hopkins.
"In the spring of 1852 a school district was organized and a frame schoolhouse
erected on land owned by Jacob Combs. The schoolhouse was built about a half
mile north and about a quarter west of the present Abram Schoolhouse. It was a
box frame, sided and ceiled with lumber from William Combs' sawmill, north on
North River. Probably, George Gundy was the carpenter. The room was 14x16
feet. The door was in the east end and across the west end was a single row of
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292 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
8x10 window glass. Under this row of glass was a long slab table used for
writing purposes. The benches to sit on were log slabs with legs made of round
poles cut to proper length. There was a rough board floor.
"The directors the first year were Jacob Combs, Caleb Clark and David
McCarty. Miss Mary Jane Gaff, sister of Doctor Gaff, taught the first term in the
new schoolhouse during June and July, 1852. Mr. Garrett taught the next term
during January and February, 1853. The directors had some trouble in getting a
stove to heat the room. Nearly everybody used fireplaces those days. Stoves were
not on the market hereabouts. Finally, Mr. Garrett said, the directors obtained a
second hand stove that was a combination of fourth-rate cooking stove, a fourth-
rate heater and a first class smoker. Of it he says: *I think I have some respect
and veneration for old people, old scenes and old relics, but I draw the line on that
old stove — let it be relegated to oblivion.'
"The textbooks and studies that winter were McGuffy's series of readers and
spellers, Ray's arithmetic, and writing. We flattered ourselves that we made some
progress educationally. The scholars that winter were as follows : Lydia, Letitia
and Newton Brinson; Aaron, Noah and Emily Bams; Rose Baum, Sarah Jane
Combs, Louisa, Charlotte, Cynthia, Mary.E. and Rufus Clark; Barbara, Lucinda
and B. F. Combs; Sarah and Mary Etchison; E. J. and L. D. Evans; Willis G.,
Almira and Barbara Hopkins; Daniel and Jonathan Myers; Leander, Asbury,
Bradford and Nancy McCarty; Marshall and Ellen Spurlock; George W. and
Hiram Wolverton and Cassie Bowman. Perhaps of these only Rufus Clark, Mrs
Joshua Bennett and Mrs. Stephen James now live in Madison County. Daniel
and Jonathan Myers and Hiram Wolverton gave up their lives to their country
during the great Civil war.
"For teaching that term of school Mr. Garrett was given his board free by his
good old friend, W. B. Hopkins, and $15 a month from the school fund."
CALEB Clark's stories
The winter of 1848-9 was long after known as the **cold winter." Caleb Clark
was then living on a claim in South Township. He was on^ of the Clanton
colony of 1846. In later years he often illustrated how cold and snowy that
winter was by relating the following story, which he appeared to believe really
occurred : He had a small bunch of hogs that were, of course, the "hazel split-
ter" and "razor back" breed, then the only kind in the county. He had a few
acres of com not yet gathered when the early and deep snow fell. When the
storm ceased he looked for his hogs but could not find even a trace of them nor
hear of them in the neighborhood. More snow fell and the com, deeply buried
, under it, remained ungathered. One day toward spring as the snow began melting
he started 9Ut across the field on some errand. Suddenly he found himself
over head in the snow among a bunch of hogs. At once they disappeared from
sight. Floundering around a while in the snow trying to get out, he discovered
the snow was tunneled along the ground in every direction. Finally getting out, he
watched and waited, until some days later he discovered his hogs were in the field,
all alive and fattened for market. They had somehow gotten into the corn during
the first snow storm and were entirely buried. Like moles, they had made their
way through the snow along the surface of the ground for com, and had runways
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MR. AND MRS. CALEB CLARK
LAST RESIDENCE OF CALEB CLARK, WINTERSET. BUILT IN 1855
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TILUKN h'
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 293
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all over the field. They ate snow for drink, and of course, they were so deeply
buried under, they remained warm all winter and became fat. One sow had a
litter of pigs bom under the snow and they were blind. He guessed the reason
and pried their eyelids apart, putting blinders over their eyes so the light at first
would not ruin their sight.
Another story he used to relate so often that he came to believe it himself
was concerning the browsing of cattle and horses in early days. When hay was
scarce in winter time and early spring, owners of stock would cut down certain
trees, so that the stock might eat the buds and small twigs from the limbs.
Usually, the stock became very fond of this food. At the time of this story
Clark was living on a claim he had taken near the Clantons on Clanton Creek. He
had missed a cow and could not find it anywhere. After several days of search,
one day he went down to the creek thinking to follow the channel on the ice,
because it made easier walking than through the deep snow, and hoping that some-
where down toward Middle River he might find some trace of his missing cow.
Continuing on the ice a long distance he heard the lowing of a cow. Surprised,
and unable to see the animal, he listened and then walked on. Soon again he
heard the sound and closer, but yet could see nothing nor tell from what direction
came the sound. Finally, after walking around and watching closely and occa-
sionally hearing the lowing as from a cow, he became greatly mystified, for surely
by the sound it must be close. He could plainly see along the ground through the
timber a much greater distance than the sound seemed away. Every time he
started to walk the sound came again with increasing tones of distress. He began
to doubt his senses and grew alarmed at his loneliness in the otherwise silence of
the woods, miles from any human habitation (as he would tell the story), wonder-
ing if it might be a waylaying catamount or Indian seeking to lure him on to his
own destruction, or, indeed, if he had not suddenly gone crazy on the subject of
his lost cow. Distractedly gazing about, he happened to glance upward among the
tall trees and, at the same moment, came another distressful low. He thought
he saw a cow's head way up in the tree. Going closer, there came another low.
It surely was a cow's head and horns and voice. He went up close to the tree
and investigated, the cow's face looking pitifully down upon him the while.
He found that the cow's head was sticking out through a knot hole of a
hollow tree at a high distance from the ground. The cow had wandered through
the timber, seeking to browse upon some tree, but unable to find one low
enough to reach the limbs, had found a big hollow slippery elm tree, and climbing
up inside of it, she came to a knot hole among the branches. Getting her head
out to browse on the limbs, and feeding all she wanted, she was unable to draw
her head back because of her horns. There, way up in the tree, she had remained
all those days, living on the buds and tender limbs of the abundant branches of the
tree, but unable to get down and go home over night. She had well nigh eaten
off all the twigs and bark on the big tree. Going back, Clark, as related by him,
climbed the outside of the tree and cut away the knot hole until the cow could
pull her head back. Then she climbed down the tree and gladly went home with
her master. Ever after Clark closely guarded his cows during winter and early
spring time.
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294 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP, THE LAND OF POETRY
By W. H. Lewis.
Douglas Township, as it came from the hand of its Creator, before it was de-
faced by the work of man, was a beauty spot in the world's occidental Eden. It
resembled its oriental prototype, in having a noble river near one side ; it excelled
it in having that river bordered by picturesque cliffs and headlands, with the beau-
tiful prairies south of it, and fringed along its course with noble forests.
The aspects of Nature seem always to have influenced the character of its
inhabitants, as Sir Walter Scott says of his homeland :
"O Caledonia ! stern and wild,
Meet nurse for a poetic child !"
So we would reasonably look for poets along the course of North River.
Up toward the northwest comer, along what is now known as the Stringtown
road, there resided in the early '70s a band of brethren associated together in a
Methodist class. The old reaper. Death, invaded the brotherhood and took one
of them. One of the mourning brethren endeavored to partially express his
appreciation of the departed one and his grief over their loss in a poem. It is
written in the style and measure of Bryant's Thanatopsis. It is too long for
reproduction here, but a copy of its concluding paragraph will give some idea
of its character and its merits. It ranks high, considered as unprofessional work.
So let us live,
That when our pilgrimage on earth is done.
And Time shall toll our summons to the skies.
To tranquil pleasures of a purer realm
We'll part in peace. Twill not be very long,
'Til those who still survive us shall pursue
The course we swiftly run. And soon again,
We'll meet around the throne of God in heaven
With all our loved ones who have gone before.
To share the joys of everlasting life,
And love immortal.
— C. L. Harlan.
Winterset, Iowa, June 11, 1872.
About the year 1866, an appreciative observer of the scenery along the river,
in the vicinity and above and below the Hogback, tried to express his apprecia-
tion of that scenery in a little poem, so short that I will give a full copy. It is
one of those
"Jewels, that on the stretched forefinger of Time,
Sparkle forever."
NORTH RIVER
Shall Bums sing the Afton, the Doon and the Ayr,
And others less famous, sing rivers less fair.
Yet thou, noble North River, still glide along
Unmentioned in story, unhonored in song?
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 295
Shall landscape so lovely as seen from thy hills,
And fountains so crystal as seek thee in rills,
And prairies and woodlands so lovely as thine
Call no sweeter muse to their service than mine ?
Thy stream winds as clear, through a valley as fair,
As either the Afton, the Doon or the Ayr,
Yet thou art unhonored, while they are renowned.
Wherever a lover of song can be found.
No wonder that murmurs come up from thy tide,
And seem all Hesperian poets to chide ;
Such beauty still calling, yet calling in vain
For merited praise, has right to complain.
Sweet river, thy landscape is fair to behold ;
Thy vale is so verdant, thy bluffs are so bold ;
Thy woodlands abounding in cool, shady bowers ;
Thy hill-points ascending in high rocky towers.
From whose lofty summits, O, is it not grand.
Thus sitting with pencil and paper in hand,
To gaze on a scene so romantic and bold
As never before was my lot to behold?
Assist me, ye Muses ! O, swell your fair throats
With your sweetest, your grandest, your loftiest notes ;
I feel, but I fear I can never portray
With justice, the grandeur of what I survey.
Far northward, ascending till met by the sky
Like uprising billows, the prairie lands lie,
With here and there visible over their swells,
A farm indicating where somebody dwells.
While eastward and westward, and northward ascend
The wood-covered hills, like a wall 'round the bend
Where sweetly meanders thy cool stream along.
Thou noble North River, fair theme of my song
But now, the bright sun, sinking low in the west.
No longer reflects from thy stream's silver breast ;
Thy valley grows dark, and thy woods gather gloom ;
So farewell, sweet stream, I must hie away home.
(By George W. Seevers, Sr.)
So in view of what I have written and what I have copied, I submit my
claim that Douglas Township is, and of right ought to be, "The land of poetry."
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CHAPTER XXXV
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
Lincoln Township is bounded on the north by Douglas, on the south by
Monroe, on the east by Scott and on the west by Webster. Middle River crosses
through its territory from west to east a little north of the center. There were
large bodies of heavy timber when the settlers first came and the supply of lime-
stone and building stone is practically inexhaustible. Coal has been found crop-
ping out of the bluffs along the banks of Middle River. In the center portion
of the vicinity of Middle River the surface of the country is quite rough and
broken, but in the southern and northern portions the prairies are beautiful
and just rolling enough to make the most desirable farms. Numerous small
streams a;id springs provide an abundance of fresh water for stock and all of
the township is now occupied and under improvement, showing beautiful homes,
substantial farm buildings and fences, bridges and well kept roads.
Lincoln Township has a natural curiosity in the topographical feature of
the locality, known as the ^'Devil's Backbone," a big formation of nature, about
five miles west of Winterset on Middle River. This is a ^*high, rough rock ridge,
so narrow that at the top there is only room for a wagon road. The Middle River
running from east to west strikes the ridge, which is over two hundred feet above
the water level and thence bears away in a circuitous route and some two or
three miles further down its course bends around until it passes on the other
side of the same deep, high ridge. From water to water directly through the
ridge is less than one hundred feet. An early settler in that neighborhood,
named John Harmon, together with his sons, tunneled the ridge through solid
rock, occupying three years' time to do the work. They thus obtained a waterfall
of twenty feet, making it the most desirable site for a mill in the western country.
A large room has been made in the rock around the mill end of the race, making
as delightful a bathing place as can be foimd anywhere. A large grist mill and
sawmill has lately (1868) been erected at this point by Messrs. Wilkin & Com-
pany. This 'backbone' is quite a curiosity and worth going a long distance
to see."
This township was settled as early as 1847, Absalom Thomburg, C. D.
Wright and Daniel Vancil coming that year and settling in the timber along
Middle River. James Bertholf and Elijah Perkins arrived early in 1849. Alexan-
der Bertholf, his sons, Alexander, Zachariah, George and James, and Joshua
Gentry and Rev. John Hootan, settled in the township in 185 1. It was not long
thereafter when' William Harmon, a Mr. Skidmore and John Macumber con-
tributed their presence and energies to the new settlement.
Elijah Perkins was a native of New Hampshire, immigrated to Ohio when a
young man, where he taught school for several years, and came to the State of
296
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STONE HOUSE BUILT BY HON. B. F. ROBERTS
This house was built in the early '50s and was used as a station on
the '^Underground Railway/' It was later used as a boarding house for
the employees of White & Hunger's woolen factory which stood near by.
It is well preserved and is still used as a residence. Many of these houses
were built in the '50s and '60s in Madison County.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 297
Iowa in 1848. Early in the year 1849 he located on section 14, in this township,
on which he made many improvements.
John Hootan was bom in Madison County, Kentucky, in 1805, removed to
Indiana and from there to Madison Coimty, Iowa, in 1849. He removed his
family here in 1850. Mr. Hootan was a Baptist minister, and it is said, always
took off his coat to preach. He was rather eccentric in his habits and mode of
dress. Tradition has it that he used wooden pins to hold up his suspenders and
while on the platform walked back and forth, continuously haranguing his
audience. During one sermon, so it is said, being much interested in his subject,
the clergyman stepped off the platform with a jolt, but this did not break him
of the acquired habit.
David Halgarth came in 1850 and was one of the township's substantial
farmers. He also was a member of Company F, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry and
served three years in the Civil war.
Isaac Jessup first lived in Indiana and in 1849 settled in Warren County,
Iowa, from whence he came in 1851 to this township. He was a member of the
Fourth Iowa Infantry in the Civil war. When Mr. Jessup first came here he
split rails for 25 cents per 100, paid 10 cents per pound for meat, and for eighteen
months carried all his grain that was used in his family for breadstuff to mill
on his back.
Jacob Leinard left his home in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1852, and came to
this township, where he secured 200 acres of land 2j^ miles southw^t of Win-
terset. A daughter, Anna Christina, was united in marriage to Lewis Thomburg
in 1855.
John Brown came to the county from Ohio in 1854 and was one of the frugal
and prosperous farmers of Lincoln Township. Along about this time Caleb
Clark, who first settled in South Township in 1846, and in 1849 in Douglas,
removed to this township on a farm near Winterset.
In 185 1 E. G. Perkins entered 240 acres of land in Lincoln Township, which
he partly improved and then returned to his home in New Hampshire. Six
years thereafter he came back to the township and eventually removed to Jackson
Township. He served the county as treasurer and recorder when the offices
were combined, and was also a member of the board of supervisors.
John Reed was a native of England and came to the county in 1855. He owned
and operated a sawmill near the "Backbone."
J. A. Macumber immigrated from Ohio in 1853 and became one of the large
landowners of this township.
James W. Evans was a settler as early as 1855. In 1858 he married Catherine
J. Vancil. Mr. Evans died in 1874.
J. F. Brock, who held the office of sheriff four years and was the incumbent
of various township offices, settled in the county in 1856. He enlisted in the
Thirty-ninth Infantry in 1862 and served during the war.
T. Conard was a Holmes County, Ohio, man and in 1856 forsook the Buckeye
State for Iowa and settled in Madison County. He was a member of the Thirty-
ninth Iowa Infantry in the Civil war, serving three years.
Samuel Duncan was a native of the State of New York, removing with his
parents to Ohio, from there to Indiana and from the Hoosier State to Iowa in
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298 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
1853, when he became a citizen of Madison County. He has held various Lincoln
Township offices.
The Lorimors, B. F. and A. W., were Ohioans who found Iowa a good place
in which to live and raise tlieir families, hence the year 1856 found them located
in this township. The Lorimor brothers for several years were the largest sheep
men in the county.
Benjamin Titcomb, a native of Maine, removed to Illinois and after a residence
of ten years arrived in this county in October, 1854. He held various township
offices and died in October, 1876. His son Otis enlisted in the First Iowa Bat-
tery and died from disease contracted in the army in 1864.
In a few years Lincoln Township had many substantial farmers, some of
whom were before and others followed those last mentioned in this article.
Among them were Joseph McKibben, Benjamin Hartsook, William Cameron, Dr.
William L. Leonard, Nathan Newlon, George A. Beerbower, D. G. Martin,
Samuel Gordon, Samuel Duncan, Isaac Hogle, John Huffman and C. Fink.
No attempt has been made, because of its impossibility, to describe all the
brave, industrious and worthy men and women who came to Lincoln Township
in its early days and opened out and improved farms and began that great move-
ment which has made the township and the county so well known for its fine
farms, splendid homes, good schools and church buildings. But many of the
names worthy of mention and not found here will be noticed on the pages of the
second volume of this work.
Lincoln Township at one time prided itself upon having within its borders
a woolen mill, whose products found a ready market not only locally, but abroad.
This industry was known as the Madison Woolen Mills and was established in
1865 by J. T. White and N. W. Munger, the buildings being located on a spot
iy2 miles west of Winterset, on the Council Bluffs road. These struc-
tures were of stone, 40 by 50 feet, three stories high, with a wing 20 by 50,
<:ontaining engine, boiler and dye room. In addition there was a two-story
ware room 20 by 40, and a half dozen dwellings for operatives, altogether making
a little village. The machinery was manufactured expressly for the mills and
combined all improvements up to that time. All the rooms were heated by
steam pipes connected with the boiler. The establishment furnished employment
to twenty-five operatives and turned out annually 30,000 yards of woolen goods
and large quantities of yams, consuming about sixty thousand pounds of wool.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
This church was organized about the middle of December, 1853, t)y Elder
Irvin W. Gordon, at the log house of Joseph Brinson which stood on the south-
east quarter of the southwest quarter of section 9, Lincoln Township. Those
who united themselves together as a band of Christians on this occasion were:
Irvin W. Gordon and wife, Sarah; Caleb Clark and wife, Ruth; William I.
Gordon and wife, Sarah ; Joseph Brinson and wife, Rebecca ; Israel Miller and
wife, Cynthia; William Bird and wife, Sarah; Nancy Jane Gordon, Martha
Gordon, James Farris, Sr. Among those who preached for the congregation the
first few years were Elders Washington Short, Gill, N. E. Corey, James Rhodes,
J. P. Roach and Noah. Services were held the first years usually at the homes
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OLD STONE SCHOOLHOUSE NEAR BUF- WEST STAR CHURCH, DOUGLAS
FALO MILLS, SCOTT TOWNSHIP TOWNSHIP
AFTON ROAD BRIDGE, LOOKING NORTH,
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
AN OLD CABIN IN LINCOLN TOWNSHIP OLD BERTHOLF HOMESTEAD IN
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 299
of the members and occasionally in the old log courthouse, when not used by
others.
There is a church in the Ord neighborhood that is well attended.
THE GORDON BAND
With the coming of Irvin Walton Gordon from Versailles, Indiana, who set-
tled near the center of Lincoln Township, October 15, 1852, appeared the first
distinctively musical aggregation in Madison County, for many years known all
over this portion of the state as the Gordon String Band. Its first appearance
before the general public was upon the occasion of the third celebration of July
Fourth held in this county — July 4, 1853 — in a grove southeast of the square and
close to Winterset, across the draw and next east of **Gospel Ridge." On this
occasion the players and their parts were as follows : J. Newton Gordon, clarionet
A ; I. William Gordon, violin ; Samuel A. Gordon, bass drum ; Jonathan Gordon,
snare drum ; Jackson Porter and Reuben Hanna, violins ; Dr. J. H. Gaff, clarionet.
Granville Bond, from Adel, was an all around helper in different parts, especially
the violin. This band played at most of the important gatherings in Madison
and adjoining counties during the '505 and even later on. During the year i860
the first brass band was organized in the county at Winterset, by the Ayers
Brothers, then in the drygoods business. The elder one was E. J. and the younger
one Oliver C, who later enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry and was
killed at Allatoona. This band had twelve pieces and its members were as follows r
E. J. Ayers, leader ; Asbury Nosier, clerk of band ; John D. Holbrook, baritone ;
Samuel G. Ruby, tuba ; Jerry Barker, tenor ; Hamilton Leisure, alto ; Oliver Ayers,
B flat; E. J. Ayers, E flat; ** Yankee" Clark, E flat; Newton Gordon, E flat;
William Holbrook, alto ; Charles Williams, alto ; Frank McLaughlin, E flat. This
band continued doing business until E. J. Ayers removed in 1864; about then
the band broke up. During all this time the Gordons were doing something with
their string band at private entertainments and on public occasions.
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CHAPTER XXXVI
CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP
This is one of the first townships created in the county and was first given
the name of East Township, which was later changed, together with the boundary
lines, to conform with the present limits and to follow the proportions of an
exact congressional township. George W. McClain, John Carroll and Seth Adam-
son were appointed by the Commissioners' Court trustees of the said newly
created township, which as it now stands is bounded on the north by Lee, on
the south by South, and on the west by Union townships. Warren County forms
the east boundary line. North River, Middle River and Cedar Creek flow directly
through Crawford Township from west to east and on all of these streams
originally were large groves of timber. Limestone in moderate quantities and
some coal are indigenous products. There is probably no region in the county
better watered than this, as numerous springs and small streams abound, pro-
viding the best of refreshments for stock and drainage of the land. The surface
is more rough and rolling than any other township in the county, yet most of its
land is susceptible of cultivation and throughout the township are some of the
choicest farms in Madison County.
It was to Crawford Township that Hiram Hurst, the first settler, was attracted
and here he set up his stakes for a permanent settlement on the ist day of April,
1846, rehabilitating an old bark wick-i-up left partially standing by an Indian,
its last inhabitant. That spring and summer he planted and cultivated a small
patch of com and in the fall returned to his home in Buchanan County, Missouri,
for his family, which he brought back with him to his new home and settled on
section 36. As the first settler in the county, the name Hurst stands out inter-
estingly and significantly, so that considerable space has been devoted to the
history of Madison's pioneer. Those interested may be fully informed by revert-
ing to the chapter entitled Madison's Advance Guard of Civilization.
The next person known to have settled in Crawford Township and who
became a permanent settler was Thomas Cason, who bought the Hurst claim on
section 36, in July, 1847, ^"d took up his residence there. J. J. Cason was a
member of his family. The Casons immigrated from Indiana and when Thomas
chose the Hurst place for his future home he had two sons, W. T. and T. T. Cason.
The latter was bom in 1837 and the former in 1843. Both boys remained on the
old homestead for many years and became important citizens of the township.
J. B. McGinnis, Thomas Stewart, William Weakley, Jacob Kinkannon,
Jackson Nelson and George Salisbury were here as early as 1851 and the widow
Shreves and sons, John, Jonathan and Jonah, became citizens of the township in
1852.
Oliver Crawford arrived here in 1852, coming from the State of Ohio with
his family. It was in honor of Mr. Crawford that the township received its
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 301
name. Both he and his wife have long since passed away, leaving the following
children : Mary J., Sarah A., Robert J., Elizabeth E., Maria T., William W. and
Charles S. Crawford.
James Gillaspie, still living and a resident of Patterson, was bom in County
Londonderry, Ireland, in the year 1830, emigrated to the United States in 1852,
and to this county in 1856. Mr. Gillaspie recently prepared a history of the
Irish settlements in Lee and Crawford townships, and as both these divisions of
the county were largely made up of the Irish race, Mr. Gillaspie*s relation of
his people's migration to this land of plenty and prosperity finds an interesting
place at the close of this chapter.
Thomas W. Folwell was a shoemaker who left Holmes County, Ohio, in
the fall of 1 85 1 and located in Winterset, where he followed his trade 4>4
years and then located on section 20, where he for many years cultivated
the soil, improved his farm and lived as onp of the important citizens of the
community. One son, John M., died in the army, while a member of the Fifteenth
Iowa Infantry.
Michael Loftus was born in Ireland in 1817, married Bridget McGloon in
1845 ^^d two years after immigrated to Canada. In 1855 he came to Madison
County and located in Crawford Township and raised a large family of children.
Patrick Swift came to New York from Ireland in 1848 and remained there
until 1856, when he settled in this county and acquired several hundred acres of
land.
S. E. Shannon came to the county in the fall of 1855 and married Mary E.
Hughart in the fall of 1865. Shannon was a member of Company B, First
Iowa Cavalry, and served three years in the Civil. war with honor to his name.
Among those who came later than the above mentioned and identified them-
selves with the stability and prosperity of the township may be mentioned, as
far as possible by name, Aaron Howell, John Holton, George Blosser, John and
Ephraim Potter, Elvis Stout, Jonah Shreves, J. M. Huglin.
James and Abner Bell were settlers here at an early date, and "the latter, a
large, imposing and vigorous man of four score years, still lives in the locality
of his first trials and triumphs.*'
The Hardy schoolhouse east of Patterson received its name from one of the
early families living in that vicinity.
One of the largest landowners in Crawford Township in the latter '50s was
Aaron Howell, who had a farm of over nine hundred acres under cultivation.
He came to the township in 1855 with but a few hundred dollars in his pocket,
but by economy, perseverance and diligence became one of the richest farmers
in Madison County.
One of the early millers in Crawford Township was J. M. Huglin, who had
a grist and sawmill on Middle River, where he did a large business. About this
time the firm of Carson & McDowell also had a steam sawmill on the river.
The Adamson schoolhouse was located and built on section 35 in the early
'50s. Among the pupils were Tom, Bill, Calista atid Elizabeth Cason; Mills,
Solomon and a daughter of the Adamsons; Jesse, Rebecca, Mercy, Abner D.
and Martha, children of Rev. Henry A. Bell; William, Sanford, Permelia and
another maiden of the John M. Johns family ; Milton, Lorenzo Dow, William,
Jr., and a daughter, all belonging to William Smith ; John, Malcolm, Abbott and
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302 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
a little girl, children of David Worley. A. A. Moser taught this school, which
was held about the winter of 1852 or 1853.
IRISH SETTLEMENT IN CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP
By James Gillaspie
Lee and Crawford townships were largely settled- by natives of the Emerald
isle. The history of this hardy and thrifty people, who came into the wilderness,
made for themselves homes in this new world and contributed to its prosperity, was
tersely related by one of them, James Gillaspie, in a carefully prepared paper,
for the Madison County Historical Society, in March, 1907. Mr. Gillaspie was
bom in Ireland in the year 1830 and immigrated to this country in 1852, landing
in New York City. In the early part of the year 1856 he found his way to
Madison County and settled in Crawford Township. Here he took up a residence
and it was in this old homestead he wrote the history of the Irish families of
Lee and Crawford. Mr. Gillaspie was true to his adopted country in the hours
of her peril and in 1864 enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, serving
until the close of hostilities between the two sections of the Union at strife. He
returned home and in course of time filled most of the important offices of his
community. This worthy son of "Ould Erin" lived a long and useful life in
Crawford Township and gained the esteem of a large circle of friends and
acquaintances. Now for the story :
The first settlers did not come here, as some suppose, by any preconcerted
plan, in order to form a settlement, nor were they lately landed from Ireland.
They were men of families for the most part who had lived for several years
in other states of the Union. Some were farmers before coming to Iowa and
some followed other occupations of life. Iowa being then a new state, and its
lands to be had at Government price, many sold their possessions in other states
in order to better their conditions in Iowa. As Des Moines was about to become
the capital of the state, it was but to be expected that immigration would flow
to the capital, and as the lands within several miles of Des Moines were nearly all
owned and held by eastern speculators, people wishing to purchase farms were
compelled to scatter out from that city. So the first Irish families liking the
looks of the country, located in what is known as the Irish Settlement. This
settlement consists of two townships in Warren County, as well as the townships
of Lee and Crawford in Madison County. But for the purpose of this article, I
confine myself to the Irish settlers who located in Madison County prior and
up to i860. I will begin with Crawford Township and give the names of those
who settled north of North River, the year they came, as far as possible, and
also as far as I know, where they came from directly to Iowa. They are as
follows :
Andrew Connor and family in 1854 or earlier; came from Wisconsin; is now
dead ; father of Stephen and John Connor of Crawford, and Michael, of Lee.
Patrick and John McManus in 1854, from Wisconsin. Patrick is dead;
family moved away. John's family moved from here.
John McLaughlin and family in 1854. John came from Wisconsin and was
the father of Michael McLaughlin, of Lee, and John, of Winterset. He has been
dead many years. •
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 303
John Ryan and family, brothers and sisters, in 1855, from Wisconsin. Mr.
Ryan has been dead many years. He was the father of John and William Ryan
of this place. The son, John, is now dead but his family lives here.
John Fallon and family came from Pennsylvania in 1855, I believe. John
died here many years ago and his family moved west.
John Cunningham and family came from Wisconsin in 1855. Mr. Cunning-
ham died a few years ago ; father of Joseph and P. J. of this place.
Tom, James and John Finan, brothers, came in 1855, from Wisconsin ; owned
a sawmill north of North River; also farmed; sold out and moved west. Each
of the Finans had families.
John Connor and family came in 1855 from Wisconsin, I think. After a
few years he sold out and moved away.
John Manion and wife came from Wisconsin in 1856; sold farm and moved
to Des Moines.
John Roddy and family about 1856; sold out and went to Des Moines after
a few years.
John Monaghan and family from Wisconsin in 1855; Mr. Monaghan is dead
and his family moved away.
We now come to the Irish who lived in Crawford Township south of North
River :
Darby Gill and family in 1855 from Canada, I think. Mr. Gill is dead; some
of his family have died ; some live in Warren County and some in Polk.
Michael Donohue and family in 1855. He is dead and family moved away.
James Gallagher and family in 1855 from Canada; he is dead. His son,
James F., lives in Des Moines; his son Dominick's family live on the old farm.
Pat Swift came in 1855; he is dead and his family is gone.
Frank Cassidy and family came in 1855 from New York City; he is dead and
two of his sons went West. Mrs. M. McLaughlin, of Lee Township, is his
daughter, and two other daughters live in Des Moines.
Patrick Smith and family came from New York City. Mr. Smith came in
1855 and bought his farm, and his wife and children came in 1856. Mr. and
Mrs. Smith are dead ; they were the parents of Luke A. Smith of this place, and
John H. Smith, of Winterset.
Thomas McGarr came from New York City in 1855; remained three or
four years, then went to California, where it is believed he died, unmarried.
James Gillaspie came here from New York City in the spring of 1856, accom-
panied by his wife and other relatives; he is still living on the old home farm.
Charles Walls and family came in 1856; bought and sold four or five farms;
lived here until 1874, then returned to New York City. He is long in his grave.
John Harrington and family came in 1856 from New York City. After
living here about thirty-five years he traded his farm for Des Moines property.
He is dead; his son, Matthew Harrington, is living in Des Moines.
John Crawley and family came from New York City in 1856; lived on a farm
for several years and died. His family sold the farm and moved to Cass County,
where some of them are still living.
Michael Loftus and family came here from Canada in 1857. Mr. Loftus
died several years ago; his son Mike and several of his daughters are still resi-
dents of this place.
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304 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Michael McGlone and family came from Canada in 1857 ; he is dead and his
widow and son Martin still live on the farm.
James Kirby and family came here in 1856 from Pennsylvania; Mr. and
Mrs. Kirby are dead ; their son, John F., and daughter, Maggie, live on the old
farm; William and James, two other sons, live near on farms of their own.
Since writing the foregoing William has died.
Patrick Reilly and family came here in 1855 from Canada. He is dead. The
farm was sold a few years ago. His son, Patrick, and two daughters, all married,
live in Des Moines, and another son,- John, lives in Iowa, east of Des Moines.
Later, John and family moved to Des Moines.
Darby Carr and family came in 1855; he died; the family after several years
moved to Des Moines.
Thomas OToole and family came here in i860 from Des Moines; sold his
farm a few years ago and removed to Omaha, Nebraska. Now deceased.
Thomas Durigan and family came here in 1858; lived here for several years,
then moved across the line into Warren County, where he died. Some of the
Durigan family are still living in Iowa but not on the old farm.
John McDonnell and family came in i860 from Wisconsin. Mr. McDonnell
sold his farm a few years ago and moved to Nebraska, where he died. His son,
Dennis, lives in Crawford Township and Thomas in Des Moines.
John Cutler, an early settler in Warren County, settled in this township in
the early '50s with his family.
William Kennedy and family came here in 1856 from Philadelphia and after
living here for many years moved to California where he died. Mrs. Robert
Smith, of South' Township, is one of his daughters.
Anderson McLees and family came here in 1856 from Philadelphia. He died
a few years ago in Winterset. John McLees, his son, lives in Lincoln Township ;
William McLees lives in North Dakota.
Robert McMichael came from Pennsylvania in 1855 or 1856. He died a few
years later. His brother, William, came on the farm.
PATTERSON
Patterson lies on the southwest quarter of section 29, Crawford Township,
and was laid out by A. W. Wilkinson, surveyor, for Alexander Pattison, March
5, 1872. The intent of the owner was to name the town Pattison, but the name
was misspelled when the plat was filed for record and that accounts for it being
as it is. The town lies something Over seven miles east of Winterset on the Des
Moines branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and has a popula-
tion of about 150. About the year 1890 it had grown in population to the number
of 133 and at the next census, in 1900, there were 163 in the town; so that, by
the last enumeration, it can be seen that the town has not progressed in the number
of its inhabitants. However that may be, it is a good trading point and ships
large numbers of cattle and hogs annually.
The first lot in the town was bought in April, 1872, by L. C. Doane. S. B.
Catterlin built the first house and a short time thereafter erected a store building,
installed a stock of goods, bought in Winterset, and became the pioneer merchant
of the place. He kept a general store and for a while conducted a large business.
Some time later he took into partnership Henry Griffin.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 305
As soon as the town had been laid out, H. H. Bass opened a lumber yard
and shortly thereafter John W. Ellis had a drug store in operation. Then came
Doctor Dorman, who practiced his profession here for some time. It was not long
before W. C. Henry put up an elevator, which was later destroyed by fire. Then
came Robert McDowell and his son, Newton, who were the first carpenters in the
town, and about the same time A. C. Dutton opened up a blacksmith shop.
John Stiffler opened a hardware store about 1873.
In 1877 the Eureka Flour Mill was erected by Alexander Pattison and Thomas
Fox. It was a two-story frame, with basement, had four run of stone, with a
patent process, and cost about $6,000. The mill was later operated by Pattison &
Bell, and in 1880 was destroyed by fire.
The first agent for the railroad company was H. H. Bass. He was succeeded
by Alexander Pattison, and for the past twenty-six years T. H. Debord has been
in charge of the company's affairs at this point.
The first schoolhouse was built about 1874. It is a frame structure with two
rooms and was taught by Thomas J. Ross, principal, and Byrum Bird. Some
years later, as the town grew and mc^re space became necessary, an addition was
built to the structure so as to provide for three rooms and the same number of
teachers. The school is now graded and is an independent district.
The Methodist Episcopal Church organization was an appointment on the St.
Charles Circuit until about 1907. The building, a frame, was erected in 1872 at a
cost of $1,600. This gave way to a new frame house of worship in the winter
of 1914, which was built at a cost of $4,000. It was dedicated early in the year
1915. The pastors of this church since the change from the St. Charles Circuit
have been Rev. E. Durant, who served one year ; Reverend Rusk, one year ; Arthur
Eastman, two years, and the present pastor, Rev. F. V. Warner, who has been
in charge the past three years.
Somewhere in the '80s a Christian Church was established here. A house of
worship was erected and for some time the society had quite a large membership,
but the original members mostly are all gone and no regular pastor has been
engaged for some time. Occasionally, services are held in the church by a min-
ister from Winterset.
The Baptists were established here and built a church at about the same time
as the Methodists. They had a large congregation which has dwindled, away
until the society is no longer locally intact. Some time ago the building was sold
to the lodge of Modem Woodmen, which was organized about the year 1885. The
Odd Fellows also have a lodge here and owned their own building, which was
burned down about 1902. They now meet in the Woodmen Hall.
Patterson was incorporated October 27, 1877, and at its first election placed
the following named persons in office: C. E. Sampson, mayor; J. W. Ellis, clerk
and treasurer; John Stewart, marshal; Alexander Pattison, A. B. Wilder, H.
Gratner, James M. Lee, Henry Brown and G. V.- Wright, councilmen.
BEVINGTON
Bevington is also a business point in Crawford Township and a part is in
Warren County. It has a population of about one hundred and twenty-five. It is
twelve miles east of Winterset, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and
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306 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
is located on the south part of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 25.
It was laid out on the 19th day of March, 1872, by A. W. Wilkinson, surveyor, for
John Williamson, owner of the land, and was named in honor of Dr. C. D. Bev-
ington, one of the leading citizens of Winterset. The first house built in the town
was erected by C. Haight in 1872. It afterwards became known as the Bevington
House. That same fall Felix McManus erected a building and opened a gen-
eral merchandise store.
The town is an independent school district, has one teacher and a good f ramf
school building.
Shortly after the town was established the Methodists organized a society
and erected a frame church building, but for some years past the organization
has not flourished and the church has remained idle for religious purposes.
The Bevington Bank, a private concern, was organized in 1897, by James
Watt, L. J. Klemm, J. C. O'Donnell, Jerry Sullivan and Dr. T. F. Kelleher. The
officials were : James Watt, president ; L. J. Klemm, vice president ; J. C. O'Don-
nell, cashier; J. O. Stamen, assistant cashier. J. P. Laughlin has been manager
of the bank since July, 1909.
Middle River Camp, No. 680, M. W. A., was instituted March 26, 1891, First
officers : T. J. Jones, V. C. ; M. Armstrong, W. A. ; J. G. Huglin, B. ; Zach Turpin,
clerk.
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CHAPTER XXXVII
WALNUT TOWNSHIP
Walnut Township was formed out of a part of South in 1851 and as originally
constituted included the territory of Monroe, Grand River and parts of Webster,
Lincoln, Ohio and Scott townships. The township is bounded on the north
by Scott, on the south by Clarke County and on the east and west by Ohio and
Monroe townships respectively. This region is thoroughly well drained by the
two branches of Clanton Creek, which unite within its limits. There is plenty of
timber along the streams and an abundant supply of limestone. The surface is
rough and uneven in places but the first and second bottoms of Clanton Creek
furnish unsurpassed farming land. The soil is a rich dark loam and yields
large crops of com, wheat, oats, hay, potatoes and other products indigenous
to this latitude. On Clanton Creek, about a mile and a half east of Peru, is a
peculiarly shaped high ridge of ground known as "Hog's Back,'* which is some-
what similar to the ''DeviFs Backbone," mentioned in another chapter. It is a steep
bluff about one hundred and twenty-five feet high and three- fourths of a mile long.
Clanton Creek courses along one side of the ridge and a small stream on the other.
This high formation is composed mostly of limestone rock and a peculiar reddish
clay, which is often spoken of as **paint clay."
From data now at hand it is determined that the first persons to settle in
Walnut Township were John Mars and Tom Carr, who it is said furnished
meat to settlers who came later, from hogs running wild at that time, which
was probably about the early part of 1848. These hogs, it is presumed, strayed
away from the herds of Mormon emig^nts passing through Union County on
their way to Salt Lake.
The first permanent settlers were the lams families. Moses lams located in
the township in 1848 and William Guthrie came the same year. Hugh and Jasper
lams came in 1849; Michael in 1852; Isaac and M. lams settled on the prairie
southwest of Brooklyn in the latter year. They knew the Guibersons in Holmes
County, Ohio. William Davis, who came to be known as "Black Hawk" Davis,
was a brother-in-law of Moses lams.
John Guiberson settled south of the Clanton in 1849 and laid out the town
of Brooklyn. Isaac Bird, a native of Virginia, married Susanna Williams in the
State of Ohio and in 185 1 came here and entered 150 acres of land from the
Government.
William Guthrie, already mentioned, left Madison County, Ohio, in 1849,
and spent the winter in Mahaska County, Iowa. He located in this township
in the following spring and took up a claim on section 34, where he lived many
years and became one of the stanch citizens of the community.
Isaac Reager immigrated from Indiana in 1847 ^"^ while at Burlington, Iowa,
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308 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
married Mary Sutherland. In 1853 he moved to Madison County and located
on section 5, in Walnut Township.
Samuel Walker was one of the early settlers of this township, coming in the
winter of 1852-3. At the time he had for his neighbors Allen McClure, John
Guiberson, William Rhyno and Joseph Burdick. Mr. Walker has been wont to
relate that when he arrived in the township, the few settlers that were here held
church at each others homes, and at times were gratified by the expounding of
the gospel according to one Rev. Swearengen. John Guiberson was a local
preacher and often held forth at the homes of his neighbors.
The Smiths, of whom there were quite a number, became residents of Walnut
Township in 1854. There was J. W. Smith with his parents, John and Rebecca
Smith; also O. F. Smith, T. P. Smith, J. H. Smith, N. M. Smith, W. C. Smith
and a girl, M. E. Smith.
At the time of the advent of the Smith family to this community, there were
then living here Allen McClure, John Guiberson, a Mr. Painter, Joseph Burdick,
Doc McGuire and Job Smith and uncle, John Smith, who lived with him during
the winter of 1854-55. There was also S. M. Walker. These families are all
that lived east and south of the Clanton.
With Isaac Reager, when he came in 1853, were Daniel Baker, wife and two
children and John Baker and wife, Margaret. They settled on the homestead now
owned by the Baker estate.
Aaron Hiatt, who founded old Peru, a North Carolinian, left his Indiana
farm in the spring of 185 1 and settled in Oskaloosa, where he married his second
wife. In October of that year, Mr. Hiatt with his bride, located on section 3
in this township. He passed away a few years ago at the age of eighty-eight.
Benjamin F. Brown was one of the early settlers, coming in 1851. In 1853
he started with Aaron Hiatt in the management of a sawmill near Peru. A few
years later he turned his attention to farming on his place adjoining old Peru.
In 1873 he removed to Redfield, Iowa, where he erected a large flouring mill
which is still in operation and later went to Camas, Washington, where he ended
his days. •
Nathaniel Foster, of the Buckeye State, located on section 6, in 1854.
Lewis Mease settled in the township in the spring of 1857, and Marsha Cor-
nelison in 1858. Nicholas Schoenenberger was here as early as 1855.
Other early settlers who came in the '50s were Jacob Brown, brother of
Benjamin F. Brown, James Emerson, the Marshalls, John Emerson, the McClures,
Drakes, Burdicks, Alexander Lorimor, who built the first steam sawmill in the
township ; the Hiltons, Fivecoats, Flanigans, Paul Jones, Tiltons and Fowlers.
In May, 1855, William (Black Hawk) Davis, county surveyor, platted the
Town of Brooklyn, on section 14, for John Guiberson, and soon thereafter Gui-
berson opened a general store at the place. A man by the name of Mills from
Indianola also had a small store there for a while. Leo Nunn set up a black-
smith shop in the hamlet. (See article on postoffices.)
Of Methodism in Walnut Township, Isaac Reager, one of the founders of the
society in this locality, prepared in 1905 the following interesting details:
"In the spring of 1855 ^Y wife and self, with Ransom Bishop and wife,
arranged to have meetings on Sundays every two weeks, at our homes turn about.
Meetings were conducted most of the time by exhorters. The preacher in charge
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CHRISTIAN CHURCH, EAST PERU
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
EAST PERU
SCENE IN PERI^
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 309
of the Winterset mission, Rev. Richard Swearengen, preached occasionally. In
the latter part of August, 1855, Reverend Swearengen formally organized the
society into a class. According to the records, sixteen members united with the
church on that day, of which the following are the names of those now living:
Mrs. Jane Gregory, of Bethel; Mrs. Fanny Baker, of Winterset; Mrs. Polina
Vorse, of Ringgold County; Mrs. Rachel Reager, of Norcatur, Kansas, and
myself. Those that have died are as follows: Joseph Quinn and wife, Mary
Quinn, James Quinn, William Quinn, Elizabeth Bishop, Andrew Reager and
wife, Joseph Reager, Hamilton Reager and Abram Compton. All these lived
Christian lives, died in the faith and we have no doubt are now among the
redeemed. The society was known as the Reager society, or class, with Isaac
Reager as classleader. Since that time it has gone through many changes of
names and location. When organized it was in the Winterset mission. That
fall at the Iowa Conference two circuits were formed out of the mission — the
Winterset and the Brooklyn circuit — with Joel Mason as preacher in charge.
"In 1856 a schoolhouse was built and a Sabbath school organized and the
place of meeting moved there and called the Pleasant Grove class, thus relieving
Sisters Bishop and Reager of the responsibility of having it in their homes, which
they had done for a year without a complaint, doing all they could for the
cause of God. In 1881 we purchased the Adventist Church in Peru and moved
the society into it, and changed the name to Peru class. In 1885 we built a new
church and the railroad soon after came along and built the Town of East Peru.
In 1894 the church was moved to East Peru, where it now stands, and the name
of the society was changed to East Peru. The annex of the building was added
in 1898. During this time many changes have been made in the circuit. As
before stated, it was organized as the Brooklyn circuit, with Joel Mason as pastor
and J. B. Hardy as presiding elder. Brother Hardy is still living and is an
honored superannuated minister of the Iowa Conference. In 1867 the name
was changed to Ohio circuit. In the fall of 1885 it was changed to Peru. In the
fall of 1894 it was changed to Truro and in 1895 to East Peru. The East Peru
class now numbers 130 members.
"The names of the pastors in their regular order are as follows : Joel Mason,
Thomas Dixon, J. B. Rawls, John M. Baker, M. Sheets, Charles Wolsey, William
Abraham, Israel Mershon, A. A. Powers, E. A. Winning, D, B. Clarg, S. W.
Milligan, R. J. Davis, J. R. Ferguson, B. F. Shetterly, J. G. Bourne, S. N.
Mathena, S. W. Milligan (second time), J. D. Funk, H. J. Smith, B. F. Shetterly
(second time), D. B. Clarg (second time), G. W. Patterson, W. F. Hestwood,
H. C. Preston, Simpson Guire, G. W. Patterson (second time), G. L. McDougal,
W. C. Smith, A. V. Nepper, J. M. O'Fling, R. R. Grantham, Paul Gardiner,
Ed. Nolte, John Branson, William M. Blood, Charles C. Wilkins, W. W. Williams.
This makes about thirty-eight pastors we have had; there have been nineteen
presiding elders since our organization, four of these while we were yet in the
Iowa Conference."
EAST PERU
The old Town of Peru* was laid out on the i8th day of April, 1855, by Sim-
mons Rutty, surveyor, for Aaron Hiatt, and for some time was quite a busy
* See Chapter on *'Lost and Forgotten Towns."
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310 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
little trading point, having a couple of general stores, a blacksmith shop and
school and church close by. Nothing now remains but the schoolhouse and a
few dwellings, as the hamlet was forsaken, for business purposes, when the
railroad was built a mile south of it and the new town of East Peru was founded.
East Peru was iaid out December 6, 1887, by R. A. Patterson, surveyor, for
William H. See, owner of the land, and is located on the north half of section
II, in Walnut Township. It stands on the north bank of Clanton Creek, on the
Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City (Chicago Great Western) Railroad, and to the
north is a stretch of superb farming lands, under a high state of cultivation.
Peru is one of the best shipping points in the county, and has a good graded
school and two churches. Close by, to which a spur of the railroad extends, is
a spkndid quarry, equipped with machinery and appliances of the latest devices,
from which is taken vast quantities of stones for building and other purposes.
The town has several general stores, hardware, furniture, drug and meat estab-
lishments, a blacksmith shop, livery stable, hotel, garage, cement and tile works,
implement and harness stores, telephone exchange, restaurant, elevator, lumber-
yard and a very neat and comfortable depot.
East Peru was duly incorporated and now has a population of about 400.
When it was laid out there were three houses on the site. It is said that James
Harwood was the first one to engage in business, having a stock of general mer-
chandise. H. C. Wright opened a general store soon after. The school building
— a frame — was erected about the year 1906. The school is graded and employs
three teachers. The history of the churches is given elsewhere.
For a new town East Peru is quite advanced. In the summer of 1913, F. A.
Herwehe established and built an electric light plant, which he sold to L. F.
Clifton in October, 1914. This utility was a small aflfair, costing about $1,500,
and built as an experiment. The present owner is convinced the improvement can
be made permanent and profitable, and with this view in mind has made expensive
additions and alterations to the machinery.
The Peru Savings Bank is a solid financial institution, which came into being
when the Bank of East Peru, a private concern, was established in 1899, by Wil-
liam Fennimore, J. S. Emerson and William Painter. About 1900 Painter sold
his interest to the remaining partners and a year later, or two or three years later,
Fennimore sold to Emerson, who continued operations until December i, 1910,
when the Peru Savings Bank was organized and established under the laws of
the State of Iowa, by William Deardorflf, E. C. Zimmerman, F. M. Beeler, W. A.
Harwood, J. L. Harwood, John Schoenenberger, Edgar Harrell, N. W. Oglesbee
and R. E. Phillips. The officials are : President, W. H. Deardorff ; vice president,
J. L. Harwood; cashier, E. C. Zimmerman; assistant cashier, L. M. Delaplain.
Capital, $10,000; undivided profits, $4,500; deposits, $82,275.
Hazel Lodge, No. 573, A. F. & A. M., was organized June 6, 1901, with
R. A. Greene, worshipful master; J. F. Deardorff, senior warden; A. C.
Creger, junior warden. Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 577, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, was organized in October, 1903, by Henry Smith, P. S. Todhunter,
W. P. Benge, G. W. Finley, J. J. Spurgin, who were also the first officials.
Modem Woodmen, Walnut Camp, No. 2691, was established on the 19th of
January, 1895, with fifteen members, and the Woodmen of the World, East
Peru Camp, No. 380, was organized January 6, 1911, with eleven members. An
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STONE AND CEMENT- COMPANY 'S PLANT AT EAST PERU. WALNUT TOWNSHIP
STONE QUARRY AT EAST PERU, WALNUT TOWNSHIP
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 311
auxiliary lodge, the Woodmen Circle, Walnut Grove, No. iii, was organized
July 7, 191 1, by Emma L. Foster, Hattie M. Lilley, Cora Inez Dowler, Augusta
L. Thomsen, Ila Hiatt, Martha Ergenbright, Anna Gillian, Velma M. White, Anna
White, Lena Garst, Josie Johnson and John W. Carver.
REMINISCENT
By Fred Beeler, in 1908
Of the old settlers, a few of them are still living in Walnut Township in
the enjoyment of well earned fortunes they founded in the early times, but
the greater part of them have passed away, and others, in the nature of things,
will not long survive. Several are in the South and West, where they are all
playing the part of pioneers, feut wherever they may be, and whatever fate
may betide them, it is but truth to say that they were excellent men and women
as a class, and have left deep and enduring impression on Walnut Township and
Madison County. They built better than they knew ; they were men and women
of energy and activity, invariably poor, but brave-hearted, and few long remained
poor, doubtless owing to the fact they lived within their means, however limited,
and the result was prosperity and contentment. With always a cordial welcome
to their fireside and table for the stranger, yet for several years these pioneers
lived under great privations and discouragement. In years gone it was noticeable
with what affection the pioneers spoke of their log cabins, and it may be doubted
whether palaces ever sheltered happier hearts than those lonely cabins. They
were made of logs, notched together at the comers, ribbed with poles and covered
with clapboards. A puncheon floor was then laid down, a hole cut in the end
of the structure and a stick chimney run up. A clapboard door was built and
a window was made by cutting a hole in the side or end, about sixteen or eighteen
inches square and finished without glass. Logs were then chinked with mud made
of top soil.
The first white settlers in Walnut Township were John Mars and Tom Carr,
who, it is said, furnished to settlers who came later on, meat from hogs running
wild here at the time. It was claimed the hogs got away from the Mormon emi-
grants passing through Union County on their way to Salt Lake and strayed
to this locality. Among the next, and we might say permanent settlers, were
Aaron and Jesse Hiatt, Ben and Jacob Brown, who built the first water mill
across Clanton; James Emerson, the Marshalls, Rhynos, John Guiberson, Mc-
Clures, Drakes, Burdicks, the five brothers, Elijah, Job, Thomas, John and William
Smith, and their venerable parents.
Grandfather and Grandmother Walker, as they were familiarly called, with
their three sons, S. M., William and J. V. Walker, Ben Roberts, Alex Lorimor,
who built the first steam sawmill in the township ; the Hiltons, Fivecoats, Flani-
gans, McGuires, Paul Jones, Levi Mease, Tiltons, Fowlers, Isaac Reager, Dan
Baker, were also among the early settlers.
The first county bridge in Walnut Township, across Clanton, was built in
1863 or 1864, near where Austin Reed now lives. There had been a number of
so-called bridges of logs constructed across this stream. They were covered
with poles and had puncheon floors. When the freshets came they were certain
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312 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
to be washed away. But at that time the streams were much narrower than now
and we had no difficulty in securing trees along the banks to reach across them.
And that calls to mind the majestic trees which at that time graced each side or
bank of our water courses, black and white walnut, three kinds of elms, hard and
soft maple, hackberry, hickory, ash and the stately white and yellow cottonwood ;
linn, commonly called basswood, and also the buckeyes, which caused the early
settler any amount of grief, both in early spring and fall, as the cattle while brows-
ing in the fall would eat the buckeyes and founder on them, and not infrequently
the result would prove fatal.
BARNEY
Barney is a hamlet and station on the Great Western Railroad. It was laid
out in May, 1887, by R. A. Patterson, county surveyor, for Alexander Macumber,
and is located on section 31. The place has a store, shops and a church — the
Christian. Close by is a school. It has a postoffice, with one rural route. (See
chapter on postoffices.)
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CHAPTER XXXVIII
WEBSTER TOWNSHIP
A recent writer described Webster Township as "having a schoolhouse on
every hillside, four churches and no railroads or saloons in the valley. It is
a delightful country to travel over when the clay hills are macadamized by the
sun and a good community to visit in when the people are not too busy." This
division of the county is bounded on the west by Adair County, on the east by
Lincoln Township, on the north by Jackson and on the south by Grand River.
The surface is rough and broken but fine stone for building purposes and the
manufacture of lime is found here in abundance. Originally it had a very fine
grove of timber and the stone along Middle River is almost inexhaustible. The
stream just mentioned crosses the township almost diagonally from the northwest
corner.
As far as is now known, the first person to settle here was John H. Baugh.
He was bom in Madison County, Kentucky, and immigrated with his parents to
Hendricks County, Indiana, in 1830, where he remained until 1849. Upon coming
here, he entered land on section 12, and remained there a great many years,
where he raised a family of five children and became prosperous.
Other arrivals in the township soon thereafter were Thomas Wright, L. D.
Skidmore, Dexter Howard, James Harmon, Patrick Lorge, John Vancil, Otho
Davis, J. R. Drake and A. M. Hart.
Another contingent made up the early settlers' roll as follows : O. H. Smith,
Cass Shaw, F. M. Walker, Adam Krell, H. G. Milligan, John Schnellbacher,
Henry Wissler, J. H. Krell, Joshua Aikins, Joseph Steele, E. M. Richmond,
Charles Gaynor and the Orrises. Most of these persons mentioned have either
passed to the beyond or have moved away.
Otho Davis, a native of Pennsylvania, immigrated to Jefferson County, this
state, in 1839, and to Madison County in 1850. He laid out the Town of Webster
and settled in the township in 1856. He was for many years postmaster at
Webster. He was elected treasurer and recorder in October, 1850.
Dexter Howard was a native of New York. He immigrated to Illinois and
from there to Madison County in 1853, becoming a citizen of Webster Township.
Andrew Johnson was bom in Indiana in 181 1 and came to Madison County
in 1857, settling in Webster Township, where he raised a large family.
F. M. McAflferty was a settler of 1855. He enlisted in the Twenty-ninth
Iowa Infantry in 1862 and served until the close of the Civil war.
G. H. Milligan came here from Indiana in 1856 and found here E. A. Pindell,
who had preceded him from Brown County, Ohio, in 1854.
One of the frugal and industrious farmers of this township was S. Pope, who
immigrated to Iowa and settled here in 1857.
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314 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
P. M. Rhoads became a settler in Madison County in 1855. He enlisted in
the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry and during the Civil war served three years.
John Schnellbacher was a good farmer and an equally good preacher. He
immigrated from Germany to this country in 1841, first stopping in Ohio, where
he married Fredericka Meyer in 1845. There he was licensed as a local preacher
by the Evangelical Association and in 1850 was taken into the conference and
assigned to the traveling ministers in mission work. This brought him to Madison
County in 1855, when he located on a Webster Township farm of 240
acres. Mr. Schnellbacher was wont to say that while a resident of
Madison County he had seen com sell for $3 a bushel and food so scarce that
at one time he took his watch, a pair of buggy springs and a Bible to mill to put
up as collateral for flour, but was unable to get any. It was only out of sympathy
on the part of the miller when he saw despair depicted on the suppliant counte-
nance that he agreed to let him have some rejected flour on time, which Mr.
Schnellbacher was soon able to pay for, much to the surprise of the miller. This
old pioneer and his wife have both long since passed away.
F. M. Walker was bom in Indiana in 1828, and there learned the trade of
gunsmith. He came to this county in 1855 and for many years was one of
Webster Township's prominent farmers and citizens. He was postmaster at
Pleasant View until the office was abandoned. Mr. Walker settled on section 23
and lived there for forty-nine years, or in other words, up until the time of his
death, which occurred in 1904.
On section 24 is located Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal Church, which was
organized in 1856, at the house of J. Richmond, with the following members:
Jarub and Susan Richmond, W. S. Milligan and wife, W. S. and George R.
Richmond, Ann, Nathaniel, Sarah A., Mary, Charles, Lydia and Orrin Rich-
mond, Anna Johnson, John Johnson and wife, John and Sarah Waraick and
Oliver Haven. The members first met in a schoolhouse on section 23. On the
latter section is a Christian Church.
The Fair View Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized May 22, 1869,
by John B. and Martha Knowles, William, Margaret, Joseph and Sarah Steele,
Jane Stone, S. S. and Sarah Probst, M. I. and E. J. Wood and Nancy Henderson.
A house of worship was erected on section 26. There are also churches on sections
2, 31, 32 and 14, and at Webster, on section 6.
WEBSTER
This town was laid out on section 6, in Webster Township, by Otho Davis,
in 1855. Davis then opened a general store and on December 12, 1855, Middle
River postoffice was located at Webster and Mr. Davis was commissioned the
first postmaster. His successors have been M. M. McAfferty, J. V. Nelson, J. E.
Shidler, Luther Fox, F. B. McAfferty, F. M. Tidrick, Rufus Ulery, Edward
Loucks, L. J. Cook and John Cravens. On April 27, 1900, Harrison postoffice
was established and located near the center of Webster Township, with J. B.
Williamson as postmaster. With the coming of rural free delivery the office was
discontinued in 1905.
Soon after Davis opened his store, F. O. Burke engaged in general mer-
chandising, and F. M. McAfferty opened a blacksmith shop. Soon after, Charles
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 315
Dinsmore had a shop for repairing wagons in operation. About 1856 Charles
Friend commenced the building of a mill for grinding com. It was finished in
the latter part of 1856 by Benjamin McAiferty and F. G. Mason. The mill
afterwards fell into the hands of Otho Davis, and finally G. M. McVey became
the owner.
In June, 1875, Winona Lodge, No. 339, A. F. & A. M., was chartered and
had the following officers : F. M. McAflferty, W. M. ; Irvin Wilcox, S. W. ; Otho
Davis, J. W.; W. McAfferty, S.; S. Garrett, C; Charles Dinsmore, S. D.;
H. F. Devault, J. D. ; D. L. Busby, T. The lodge moved to Pitzer but is now
no more. At the present time Webster has shown no evidences of having grown
within the last several years. As a matter of fact, it has become smaller as time
goes by.
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CHAPTER XXXIX
PENN TOWNSHIP k
Penn Township was created by the County Court on the ist day of March,
1858, and the first election was held in the old log house in which Daniel Francis
took up his residence in 1855. It is bounded on the north by Dallas County,
on the south by Jackson and east by Madison townships, and on the west by
Adair County. In other words, it is the northwest comer township of Madison.
Penn is an unusually level tract of land, very fertile and wholly prairie. In the
early days no timber was to be found except at Pilot Grove, locally- made famous
as the place for holding the Penn Center annual picnics. This grove extends from
a small stream back upon the prairie and in early days could be seen at a distance
of many miles, serving as a pilot for the travelers. The township is wholly
agricultural, there being no town within its borders, so to speak, as only the edge
of Earlham infringes on its northeastern boundary line.
Dexter, about the size of Earlham, is just across the line in Dallas County
and these two trading points compete for the business favors of Penn and share
them about equally.
The history of Penn Township covers a period of about sixty-five years, dat-
ing back to 1849, or 1850. The wooded country to the north of Penn was settled
some years before, as it is well known the pioneers kept close to the timber. Penn
being a level stretch of country, was on that account avoided by the early pioneers
of this part of the state. The first settlers, it is said, were the brothers, William
and Joseph Jeflfries, who came here from Missouri about 1850 and selected a rich,
level tract of land at the center of the township and built the first house, a log
cabin, within its borders. Being of pro-slavery proclivities and the people who
followed them into this garden spot coming from Ohio and Indiana and of ardent
abolition tendencies, discouraged them in remaining in an atmosphere not con-
genial, so they left the field to others. First among these was John Wilson and
family, among whom were two sons, Christopher and Abihu Wilson, who came
in 1853 from Marion County, Indiana. Christopher was bom in 1827. He located
on section i and became one of the landed proprietors of the township. When he
put up his first buildings, he hauled the timbers from Des Moines. In 1864
he married Rachel Smith, of Penn Township, who died in 1867. For his second
wife he married Martha Newby. Abihu was born in 1830. He settled on section
12 and was the first person to enter land in the township. It is also said that he
raised the first crop and ran the first harvester and threshing machine in the com-
munity. William, a son, was the first child bom in Penn Township.
John E. Darby left his Ohio home for the newer Iowa country in 1855, com-
ing to Winterset in that year. He taught school the two following years and in
1857 settled on a farm in this township, where he died a few years ago. He
helped organize the republican party at Winterset in 1856.
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HISTORY OF mAdISON COUNTY 317
Daniel Francis was bom in Drake County, Ohio, in 1826, and in 1850 married
Emily Edington, a native of the same county. He arrived in this township May
22, 1855. He for many years served as justice of the peace, served as county
supervisor five years, assessed the township fifteen times and represented his
county in the State Legislature. When he and his young wife arrived here they
had but little of this world's goods. The winters were extremely cold and wood
being scarce it had to be hauled a long way. Their neighbors accumulated very
slowly until the locating of the railroad in 1867, when the country settled rapidly.
He afterward moved to Des Moines, where he passed away. He gave his prop-
erty for a home for aged Methodist preachers.
David Stanton and family came from Ohio in June 1856, and settled at Penn
Grove, where he improved a farm. His father was a first cousin of Edwin M.
Stanton, Lincoln's famous secretary of war. Mr. Stanton built the first house
at Pilot Grove and was the envy of his neighbors, as he had a team of horses,
while they had risen no higher in the way of a team than a yoke of oxen. David
Stanton was a leader in his day, lived many years in Penn, then moved to Quaker
Ridge and finally passed to his reward.
William M. Fleming left the Buckeye State in 1857 and traveling by rail as far
as Iowa City, he then reached Des Moines by stage coach. From the future capital
city he walked the rest of the way through a late November blizzard and found an
abiding place in this township, where he took up a claim and that same fall broke
up forty acres of sod. The next year he went back to Ohio and returned with his
bride to his prairie home.
Washington Francis, a brother of Daniel Francis, was one of the pioneers and
put in his leisure time in the '60s freighting between Iowa and Pike's Peak. He
sold the old homestead in this township in 1904.
About the year i860 the Schlarbs, with Nicholas at the head, and the Holder-
lj;aums, led by Michael, and afterwards the Lenockers, all from Holmes County,
Ohio, settled on the west side of the township and within a short time that local-
ity was mainly made up of people from Ohio.
There were other old settlers, some coming before and others after those
named. Among them were Josiah Scott, Hamlin Murphy, Addison Armstrong
and I. D. Neff, who saw the prairie before the buflfalo trails had been wholly
obliterated by the plow. There was also Charles Crane, another school teacher,
With the rapid immigration came the railroad and the pioneer days of Penn were
practically at an end. The rich prairie farms which could be had almost for the
asking became more fertile, now that the railroad was in sight, and suddenly
mounted up in value. Sixty years ago farms in this locality were almost given
away; now they sell for $100 to $150 and even as high as $200 an acre.
W. A. Ross was for many years prominent among the citizens of Penn Town-
ship. He left several years ago for Lee County. J. M. Hochstetler and the
Koehlers came somewhat later. C. F. Koehler was county treasurer two terms.
He now resides in California.
G. F. Lenocker developed a magnificent farm and served a term as member of
the board of supervisors. He moved to Dexter in 1899 ^"d died a few years ago.
Tames Breckenridge, for some time a member of the board of supervisors,
resided for some years on the farm owned and operated for many years by his
father, but now lives in Jackson Township. Then there were the Marstons and
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318 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the Murphys, also H. L. Kale, who removed from the farm to Earlham and
became mayor of that bustling little city.
Quite a number of the sturdy, frugal and industrious people of Germany
settled in Penn Township in the latter *6os and early '70s. Among them may be
mentioned, together with the Koehlers, Hochstetlers, Schlarbs, Holderbaums and
Lenockers, Fred Imboden and Hezekiah Leeper and family.
Penn Township has the distinction of being at one time the home of Edwin
H. Conger, whose name became quite prominent among the leading men of this
country. He settled on a farm on section 5, about 1868, after having served
his country in the Civil war and risen to the rank of major. He served this county
on the board of supervisors and was one of the first three members chosen for that
body when it was cut down to its present size. At the age of thirty-seven he was
state treasurer and when forty-one became a United States congressman. He
represented his Government at Brazil when forty-seven and at the age of fifty-
seven was sent to China by President McKinley as United States minister, where
he performed the duties of his office in a highly satisfactory manner and especially
during the great Boxer uprising. Of his residence in Madison County, he speaks
interestingly in a letter written to Herman Mueller, from Pasadena, California,
April 18, 1906, in the following words :
**Yours 9th received. I am not much at write-ups for myself, and really don't
know what you want. But I cannot refrain from expressing to you something of
my gratitude for a true friendship, which was first given me by the good people of
Madison County nearly forty years ago, and has continued true, generous and
steadfast ever since. I have never for a moment forgotten it, nor ever for a
moment ceased to be grateful for it.
"I came to Madison County in 1868, a young man of twenty-five, with no
idea of politics in my head, and no desire for official place or distinction. I simply
went to work. But in the autumn of 1869, while I was in the field plowing, J. _J.
Hutchings and Bill Newlon drove into my field and told me it was my duty to be
a candidate for county supervisor from Penn Township. I said I hadn't time,
didn't want the place, etc.; besides, I did not know a half dozen men in the
township. But I finally consented and was elected, beating one of the very best
men who ever lived in the county — Daniel Francis. I don't know how or why.
The board then consisted of seventeen men, one from each township. I remem-
ber them all as splendid, substantial men. And it was thus that my acquaintance
extended all over the county. A few years thereafter, two I think, the board was
reduced to three members. Its first membership was Captain Anderson from the
southeast township — Ohio; Judge Lewis from Winterset, and myself from the
northwest township — Penn. I think we drew lots for the length of our terms.
I drew one year, Captain Anderson two and Judge Lewis three. I was therefore
made the first chairman. My associates were excellent men and my service with
them was most agreeable.
"This was my first start in politics. I soon moved just across the line into
Dallas County and in a few years entered politics again. My career since has
been an open book. But in every contest, I have had the active, loyal and earnest
support of all my old and many new Madison County friends. If I haven't done
well, I'm going to lay the blame on them for first enlisting me. If I have done
measurably well, I am glad to give them the credit, for the same reason. I
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 319
shall love Madison County and her good people as long as I live, and hope I may
never prove unworthy of their confidence and aflfection. Please say so to any and
all of them you meet and believe me, Yours Sincerely,
"E. H. Conger/'
PENN CENTER PICNIC
The Penn Center picnic, which has been an annual event for over forty years,
got its inception from A. C. Holderbaum, who taught the Penn Center school
in 1873. Holderbaum was a young man, who received his education at the Illi-
nois State Normal. He conceived the idea of having the school picnic more than
a small district affair, and to this end invited all the other schools in the township
to take part. All responded and the result was the first general picnic of the Penn
Township schools. When the appointed day arrived for the initial picnic in 1873,
every school, headed by its teacher, took place in line and marched down to Pilot
Grove. The program that day was the model and forerunner of the many that have
followed. The forenoon was occupied by the school children in their various exer-
cises and the afternoon by the older people, in speech making, singing, story telling
and the like. In the meantime, the children enjoyed themselves in numerous
forms of amusement. The teacher, A. C. Holderbaum, who afterwards was
founder of the Dexter Normal School, was the real manager, but David Stanton
was president of the day. N. Angle had charge of the music. Editor Davis, of
the old Dexter Herald, ^'made a part of a speech to be concluded in the next week's
Herald." As a matter of course, others displayed their oratorical abilities on the
glad occasion. Since that time, in each succeeding year, without a break, the Penn
Center picnic has been held at Pilot Grove, not only for the schools of Penn
Township, but for men, women and children living many miles around. It is a
notable event in the locality and is looked forward to each year by those living
in various parts of the county. The Penn Center picnic has long been celebrated
in this section of the state, and is widely noticed by the press.
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CHAPTER XL
MADISON TOWNSHIP
Madison Township was formed out of the west part of Union in 1851, and as
originally made up was very nearly the northwest quarter of the county and
included the future townships of Penn, Jackson, and Douglas. It is bounded on
the north by Dallas County, on the south by Douglas, on the east by Jefferson and
on the west by Penn townships. It has many of the features of Penn Township,
especially in the northern portion. It is comprised of high, rolling prairie land
and is on the divide between North Branch and Raccoon River. The southern
part of the township is crossed by North Branch, along which there was originally
a heavy grove of timber.
James Brewer was probably the first settler in Madison Township, as it is said
he located here in 1849. Then came Henry Grosclose, Henry Rice and a man
named Hannahs, who took claims on the south side of North Branch. John Todd
settled at a point afterwards known as Worthington in the same year and shortly
thereafter they were followed by George T. Nichols and Leroy Anderson.
The time established for the coming of Derrick Bennett was early in 1852.
He himself is authority for the statement that his entry was the second in the
township and that he was the first person to cultivate a patch of ground in the
neighborhood.
Jacob Bennett immigrated to Iowa in 1852 and located in this township on
section 35, where he lived for many years and became one of the most pros-
perous farmers in the county, owning at one time over one thousand acres of land.
He was the father of a large family. When he arrived in Madison Township
Mr. Bennett's nearest neighbor lived eight miles distant. He built the first school-
house in the township and gave it to the district.
Another one of the earliest citizens here was James Allen, who arrived from
Indiana in 1853. For a great many years he lived on section 20 and was the
possessor of several hundred acres of land.
Michael Gabbert was a native of Tennessee. He immigrated to Iowa in 1836
and to this county in 1854. In the year last mentioned he settled on the place later
known as the Kendig farm and then removed to section 15. Mr. Gabbert was one
of the pioneer men of Iowa and was personally acquainted with the Indian chiefs,
Keokuk and Black Hawk.
G. W. Lemar settled in the county in 1857. He married Mary Spray in i860.
He was successful in his -undertakings, built a beautiful home and had one of the
largest orchards in the county. He was for several years justice of the peace in
this township.
William McKibben came from Delaware County, Indiana, in 1855, and for
three years lived in Dallas County. In 1858 he located on section 5, Madison
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OAK GROVE CHURCH, WEBSTER MAPLE GROVE CHURCH, WEBSTER
TOWNSHIP TOW^NSHIP
WORTHINGTOX CHURCH AND CEMETERY, MADISON TOWNSHIP
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 321
Township. He was a veteran of the Civil war, enlisting in Company A, Thirty-
ninth Iowa Infantry.
Andrew Oldham settled on section 35, in 1857. He was a prosperous farmer
and was always looked upon as one of the leading citizens of the community.
R. B. Powell was a settler here in 1854. He raised a large family and was
a man of more than ordinary importance to the township.
Eli Woolery entered land on section 32, in 1852, upon which he built a
home and at once began cultivating the soil.
E. R. Zeller, in writing of this township in 1906, had in part the following to
say : "Jacob Trester will never be forgotten by those who for so many years
traveled the Desoto Road. George, William and Eber Duff helped develop the
same neighborhood. The two latter still have their farms, while the former was
last heard of in British Columbia. G. T. Nichols improved a farm and was
chiefly instrumental in building a church in a cemetery adjoining which his re-
mains have long since reposed. Len Williams was for many years one of the
most prominent citizens of Madison Township but recently sold the fine farm
which he improved and now lives in Winterset. George Storck, his neighbor, has
made the wilderness blossom as the rose. Merrill Knight, who lived across the
line in Jefferson Township, was for three terms county treasurer. Madison Town-
ship is deservedly renowned because of Earlham, the main part of which lies
within its borders. This thriving town has all been built during the period under
consideration. No. town had been thought of there in 1856. * * * Mention
must be made of the Hills and Thomsons, who were the main forces in founding
the town. There were two brothers, Mark and Jesse Hill, and again two other
brothers, John and Mark Thomson. The two sets of brothers did not always
work in concert but each set of brothers always worked together. * * *
There is but one of the Thomsons and one of the Hills remaining, Mark Thomson
having removed to Kansas some years ago and Jesse Hill died this summer ( 1906) .
There were other Hills, some of whom have removed elsewhere. Of the younger
generation of Thomsons, Hugh was for two terms county clerk and is now cash-
ier of an Earlham bank."
William Fee is credited with having settled in this township in 1853 and a year
or so later J. W. and White Burnett ; Jolin Wilson, with his sons, Abihu, Christo-
pher and Henry. These all settled on the divide. Jacob Gabbert, Michael Gab-
bert, William Coe and Benjamin Powell, with his sons, located on the divide in the
eastern part of the township.
Jacob Bennett put up the first school building in the township in 1853 ^ind
Samuel Kirkland taught the first school held there. At the present time the com-
munity is well supplied with schools and churches, for the history of which see
another chapter. However, the township has a large number of citizens belonging
to the Society of Friends, who have two large churches at Earlham. They are
among the best citizens in the community and have some of the finest farms.
Fairview M. E. Church is on section 13 ; Worthington M. E. Church on section
32, and North River U. P. Church on section 36.
At a point on the southwest quarter of section 4, from the line of the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, a spur runs south into section 16, where is one of
the largest stone quarries in the State of Iowa, now being worked by the Iowa
Portland Cement Company. This quarry is perhaps equalled only by the cement
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322 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
quarry at Mason City, in extent. The rock is the Earlham formation of the upper
carboniferous limestone which underlies Madison County in four beds. It is rich
in cement content and from this stratum the lime which the early settlers burned in
the kilns, before the modem methods of making cement and plaster were intro-
duced, was made.
"That was splendid lime that was burned in the old kilns along the creeks
in the early day. The plaster made from it is on the walls of hundreds of Madi-
son County homes. The foundations of nearly all the old houses and the walls of
the old stone buildings that stand without a crack attest its strength and quality.
It was a crude method of making lime that was used in burning these old kilns.
Old man Rogers, or Caleb Clark, or some other man, would build a kiln (a cone-
like structure) out of the rock, and then he and his boys would dump rock taken
from this stratum — it underlies the whole county, except the northeast portion —
and fill it full. The rock was fairly well broken. At the bottom of the kiln a fire-
place that would hold more than a cord stick in length was built. After the
kiln was full, the space left for fire was filled with wood and kept bumfng night
and day for two or three days. When the burning was finished, the whole inte-
rior displayed a mass of soft, pure, unslacked lime. The product was sold directly
from the kiln, shoveled into wagon boxes of those coming for it. A kiln was
usually ruined by one burning and another was built near it, if the season hap-
pened to be good, while the contents of the first kiln were being sold. The ruins
of these old kilns can be seen in all the ravines south of Winterset that had roads
down them in the early days.
"There are four beds of limestone belonging to the upper carboniferous lime-
stone in Madison County. The state geologist has given them the names of Fusil-
ina, Winterset, Earlham and Fragmental. The formation entire is about two
hundred feet deep and from tests which the cement company has made the
Earlham formation proves the richest in lime and the best suited for making Port-
land cement. In section i8 is a stone quarry opened in 1869 by J. E. Parkins, at
one time a resident of Winterset. He bought the property of Milton Wilson and
competent judges in Chicago and New York pronounced the stone inferior to
none in the West for building purposes. When first taken from its bed it is
extremely soft and almost as easily worked as chalk. Exposure to the air, how-
ever, renders it as hard as granite. Parkins put a force of about thirty men to
work quarrying the rock and dressing it on the ground ready for shipment. He
also erected a patent lime kiln near the quarry which had a capacity of turning off
a carload of lime daily. A spur of the Rock Island Railroad runs from Earlham
to the quarry. It was in more recent years that the Portland Cement Company
opened its quarry on section 16.
"When the company located, it chose the North Branch exposure as best
suited for its quarries and purchased a large body of land along the north side.
Doubtless, railroad facilities and the shorter distance were large factors in deter-
mining the location. The North Branch quarry in itself is an immense aflPair.
It has been in operation but a few years. It lies on the north side of North
Branch and follows the curvature of one of its numerous small tributaries. Al-
ready almost a mountain of dirt has been removed, to get to the stone, which the
company loads on cars and ships to Des Moines. A branch line from the main
line of the Rock Island at Earlham, runs down to the quarry and directly into i-t
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 323
alongside the rock face. A large force of men are constantly employed in
handling the rock alone. That is to say, the men who do nothing but drill, blast
and load the rock. The job of stripping the rock is let by the cement company to
contractors and excavation companies which employ at least forty or fifty more
men in handling the dirt."
EARLHAM
Madison County's first town to secure a railroad was Earlham, a thriving and
beautiful little trading point, which was laid out on the south fractional half of
the northwest quarter of section 6, in Madison Township, by Benjamin F. Allen,
May 4, 1869. The. surveying of the land was the work of an engineer in the
employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company. The land
originally the site of Earlham was entered by Seth Wilson, Sr., and conveyed by
him to David Hocket. In the fall of 1868 Benjamin F. Allen, of Des Moines,
bought the property of Hocket, paying $20 an acre for it, and it was known at the
time, by certain persons, that Allen intended laying out a town site on his
purchase. Before the survey was made, two or three houses already stood on the
town site and as soon as the lots were ready for sale several buyers were on
hand, whose intentions were to commence at once to prepare for the erection of
buildings, preliminary to engaging in mercantile pursuits in the new town. Mar-
tin Cook had a building one-half mile west of the place, which he at once removed
to Earlham, and Dr. M. R. Lyon erected a building for the installation of a stock
of drugs and also for residential purposes. Both pioneer builders and merchants
later were compelled to move their houses, as it developed that Martin's building
had been placed on the line separating two lots and the Lyon drug store stood in
the middle of the street.
Earlham now lies in two townships, Madison and Penn, but chiefly in the
former. It is peculiarly fortunate in its location for the country surrounding it
can well bear comparison with any other section of Iowa, or with any country in
the universe, for richness and variety of soil and its adaptability to easy culti-
vation; for the purity of the water and invigorating, life-preserving qualities of
the air; for its beauties of landscape and the general prosperity and evidences of
wealth, apparent to the naked eye on every hand.
The name assigned to Earlham was chosen by Milton Wilson. The idea of
establishing a "Quaker" college here was early manifested by certain of the early
settlers of that religious persuasion and there being a **Friends*' college at Earlham,
Indiana, Mr. Wilson suggested that the name be given to this place, at the same
time expressing the ardent hope of himself and others that as a college town it
one day would be heard from in no uncertain tones. The name Earlham was
adopted and within a few months a stock company was organized for the purpose
of establishing a college and $5,000 of the stock was subscribed by leading men of
the county. An interesting account of the enterprise is given elsewhere in this
work. As soon as the survey was completed, lots were oflfered at prices rang-
ing from $25 to $125. Martin Cook bought the first one sold and, before the
expiration of two weeks thereafter, at least more than half the lots were
disposed of to purchasers, most of whom were men who had made up their
minds to build and become residents of the place. In the autumn of 1869
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324 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the railroad company had constructed a side track, a section house and water
tank and before the close of the year the firm of Getchel & Tichenor, of Des
Moines, established a lumberyard; the lumber concern of Thompson & Mad-
dem, of Davenport, soon followed, and both these yards furnished material
for building. "Notwithstanding the season and weather were the worst
possible for such operations, business houses and dwellings began to go up with
a rapidity and steadiness that demonstrated at once the determination of the new
settlers to build up a town. The result was that scarcely five months after the
first stake was planted in the frozen earth, Earlham contained at least thirty-five
buildings, many of which are first class for a country village."
Seth Wilson erected the first building in Earlham for entertainment of the
traveling public, in 1869, and it long was known as the Earlham House.
Martin Cook was the first general merchant and Dr. M. R. Lyon had the first
drug store. Mr. Cook was appointed and served as the first station agent in 1869.
The first business man of Earlham was a Quaker — Martin Cook of Quaker
Divide, When grading began on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, he
and John R. Cook, also a Quaker from the same locality, put up a building at the
east end of the "dump," not far from where the tenement house at Clarence
Wilson now stands. This small building, which they called the "shebang," was
stocked with supplies, which they sold to the railroad grading gangs. When Earl-
ham was located in the fall of 1868, Martin Cook moved the "shebang," with its
stock into the new town, locating near where John Bechtel's restaurant now stands.
Martin was appointed first postmaster, with the office in this building. He was
also the first station agent. He soon sold his farm and built a house in Earlham.
About 1 87 1 or 1872 he became a homesteader in Lyon County, Iowa.
Joseph Cook erected a building in 1869 and installed a stock of farm imple-
ments and similar articles. He also engaged in the commission business. Before
the close of the year he had a competitor, in the firm of Cammack & Hill.
In the fall of 1869 the firm of Bamett & Hawkins was "already occupying
their large storeroom (sixty feet deep) and have filled it with a splendid assort-
ment of general merchandise."
"A. & T. E. Barnett have a number one grocery establishment. They are
live, energetic young men and they are doing a good business. But we cannot
specify even a tenth of the diflPerent firms and enterprises in this flourishing young
city. The depot will be commenced immediately and rapidly pushed to a comple-
tion. According to the most reliable authority Earlham is to be the permanent
division station of the railroad, an honor that De Soto now enjoys temporarily."
All this happened to Earlham in the year of its founding. The quotations are
from J. J. Davies' excellent little history of the county, published in 1869.
EARLHAM INCORPORATED
On the 30th day of March, 1870, hardly a year after the town was laid out,
a petition was filed in the District Court, asking for the incorporation of Earlham
as a town. The petition, the prayer of which was granted, was signed by the
following citizens : Ezra Cook, Andrew Noble, W. F. Dillon, John Hinshaw, E. N.
Beeher, Mason R. Lyon, C. I. Swartfager, J. S. Rodecker, Daniel Madden, John
R. Thomson, F. S. Cottle, Martin Cook, David Stanton, William R. Hill, John
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CORNER OF MAIN AND CHESTNUT STREETS, EARLHAM
CITY PARK, EARLHAM
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 325
R. Cook, William Stevens, J. P. Asbom, George L. Wheeler, Jno. W. Reagan,
Abijah Johnson, John Hawkins, M. D. Hill, Alfred McKinney, Henderson McKin-
ney, Eli H. McKinney, J. Hinshaw, Thomas Phewton, A. H. Gibson, Henry Cam-
mack, Israel Compton, J. W. Kenworthy, Joseph Cook, Aaron McKinney, T. E.
Bamett, V. Hawkins, Dayton Bamett, Asa Barnett, J. O. Griffith, Seth Wilson, J.
Bullock and G. W. Hackthom.
On the 26th day of April, 1870, an election was held at the office of David
Stanton, on the question of incorporation, which resulted favorably. The judges
were: David Stanton, Thomas P. Newton, and J. Hinshaw; clerks, Abijah John-
son and William R. Hill. At this time Earlham had 210 inhabitants and was stead-
ily growing, both in population and business enterprises. Probably no inland town
in the state, depending for support on the farming communities surrounding it,
improved so rapidly, as to seek incorporation within a year after its birth.
Churches, a schoolhouse, depot building, elevator, hotel and many business enter-
prises were in operation. For some years thereafter Earlham handled more
stock than any other town in the county. The Presbyterian Church was built in
1870, also that of the Conservative Friends. The Methodist Church soon fol-
lowed. A bank was established and with its main line of the Rock Island Rail-
road, Earlham had many advantages over other towns in the county; not only
from the fact that its railroad was a trunk line, but also owing to its being the
only railroad having a station in the county.
The postoffice was established in January (see chapter on postoffices), 1869,
and Martin Cook, the pioneer settler and merchant of the town, was commissioned
postmaster. In a short time a volunteer fire company was organized and a small
frame building for the apparatus erected, which also has been the town hall.
WATER WORKS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT SYSTEMS
A special election was held at Earlham on the 29th of June, 1908, at which the
question of issuing bonds, not to exceed $10,000 in amount, for the building of
a water works and electric light system was voted upon. This election did not
meet the requirements of the law, as the amount of bonds in question exceeded
the prescribed limit of one and one-fourth per cent of the actual value of taxable
property within the corporate limits of the town. Citizens — ^to the number of 1 1 1
— ^then petitioned council to call an election to test the views of the electorate on
the question of issuing in excess of the legal limit, not to exceed 5 per cent.
Thereupon, a special election was held on the loth day of February, 1909, for the
issuance of bonds not to exceed the sum of $10,000; and a further sum of $7,000
in bonds, for the erection and maintenance of a water works and electric light
system. Both males and females voted, the total number of ballots on the water
works proposition being 136. Of this number 102 males and 8 females voted yes ;
25 males and i female voted no. For electric lights there were 118 votes cast for
the improvement and 20 votes against it.
Bids were immediately advertised for the modem municipal improvements of
water works and electric lights and Joseph C. Bortenlanger, of Omaha, was
awarded the contract, his bid being $16,694. The bonds were sold to Wells,
Dickey & Company, of Minneapolis, at 5 per cent. A one-story brick building was
erected for the power house for both plants, in which were installed boilers, pumps,
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326 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
d)mamos and all necessary modern equipment for the improvement. A splendid
supply of water was obtained from deep wells and on April 12, 1910, the plant
was tested and accepted. Today Earlham is well lighted, having recently set up
a number of five-globe electroliers in the business center, and the people enjoy
an abundance of pure, limpid water, both for domestic and public use.
THE PARK
One of Earlham*s beauty spots is a tract of land, consisting of one whole block,
practically in the heart of the corporation. This is the city park, which has a
velvety carpet of grass and is shaded by a variety of ornamental trees. The land
was bought for park purposes some twenty years ago and the people have but
recently awakened to the realization that this piece of land is one of the town's
richest and choicest assets ; it is a breathing spot and pleasure ground, that will
grow in value and become more and more appreciated as the years go by and Earl-
ham develops into a city of greater proportions.
THE SCHOOLS
E. R. Zeller, a competent and masterful educator for many years, served effi-
ciently and very satisfactorily as county superintendent of schools and became
thoroughly conversant with all that pertained to the educational institutions of
the county. In the chapter devoted to the schools, in this volume, speaking of the
Earlham schools he says: ''Earlham district has been in existence all of forty
years, and the Earlham schools, after coming under the supervision of W. H.
Monroe and combined with the academy, have had a reputation that has extended
over all the state.*'
The Earlham schools are enjoying, along with the town, an unusual measure
of success. From 1900 to 1903 the enrollment very nearly doubled in numbers.
It has grown to a twelve grade institution, with a splendidly equipped corps of
teachers and two substantial brick and stone buildings.
In 1901, the school having outgrown its one building, the district purchased
the Earlham Academy and thus made it practically the high school for the town.
The academy was erected in 1891, at a cost of nearly twelve thousand dollars, and
is a fine modern structure in every respect, heated by steam and nicely finished
inside. The founders of the academy established it as a private or church school
and maintained it as such until the rapidly expanding public school demanded
more room, when it was thought best by all parties to combine the two schools and
thus unite the school interests of the town. It now appears that it was a very wise
move, as the schools have experienced an unprecedented growth. When the
academy was united with the public school system it was arranged to retain as
far as possible the identity of the academy and it is so maintained. In addition to
the regular courses, there are maintained special courses in business and music,
special teachers being provided for the same. Also attention is given to the
preparation of teachers for the country schools, the work, with this object in view,
being confined largely to the teachers' special ^nd review classes.
The principal of the school is a believer in the potency of music and claims
that music may be used as a successful leaven to the school work. Hence, gen-
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OLD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, EARLHAM
NEW METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, EARLHAM
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 327
erous attention is given to music and a very large music department is maintained
in the academy. Two teachers have charge of such work and lessons on piano,
organ, violin and orchestra instruments are given all who apply at a very reason-
able tuition.
The academy is supplied with musical instruments and the music department
is maintained without expense to the district. The music department is of addi-
tional advantage to the academy inasmuch as it attracts to the school many young
people who like music.
A commercial department is maintained and an able instructor employed to
conduct the work. A course requiring at least nine months' work is offered.
Practical studies are given, such as bookkeeping, commercial law, commercial arith-
metic, correspondence, etc.
While the academy, or high school, by virtue of its position claims a large part
of the attention, yet the grade work is not to be overlooked. The grades are in
charge of competent teachers and are doing good work. They occupy a substan-
tial brick and stone building near the center of the town. When pupils complete
the work of the grades they are given a certificate of promotion to the academy
or high school and are transferred to that building.
The credit for the successful outcome of the Earlham schools is due also very
largely to those people who established the Earlham Academy for had there been
no private academy in past years there would be no public academy today. Hence
no man or set of men can justly claim all the credit for the present condition of
the schools.
FINANCIAL
One of the strong and substantial financial institutions of the county is the
Citizens Bank, organized in 1878, as the Citizens State Bank, by Mark D. Hill
and Charles Thomas, as a private concern. The bank commenced business in a
one-story frame building that stood on the site of the present postoffice. On
July I, 1901, the Citizens Bank was organized under the laws of the State of
Iowa, by Mark D. Hill, C. B. Johnson, Luther Hill, J. A. McKinney and A. M.
Williams. It was capitalized at $25,000. The officers elected were : Mark D. Hill,
president; J. A. McKinney, vice president; C. B. Johnson, cashier. In 1905
Harry W. Hill succeeded C. B. Johnson in the office of cashier and in 1908 J. R.
Mendenhall became vice president. The place of business has been for the past
several years in the Fred Bilderback brick building, on the comer of Main and
Chestnut streets. Capital, $25,000; surplus and undivided profits, $12,000; de-
posits, $284,000.
The Bank of Earlham was organized in 1901, by H. E. Teachout, A Nelson,
A. C. Miller, F. A. Baylies, H. M. Whinery, H. S. Thomson. The officials were:
H. E. Teachout, president; A. C. Miller, vice president; H. M. Whinery, cashier;
H. S. Thomson, assistant cashier. January i, 1909, the bank was reorganized by
H. S. Thomson, and its present officials are: President, Thomas Early; vice presi-
dent, F. Bilderback; cashier, H. S. Thomson. Responsibilities, $500,000.
RELIGIOUS BODIES
Elsewhere in this volume is given a chapter on the church societies of the
county, the subject there being treated in a general way. The great desire of the
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328 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
editor of this work has been to gather and publish all the essential details of each
and every church in the county, but in this design he has been handicapped and
prevented through several causes, among them being the loss of records and failure
on the part of pastors and others to furnish material as promised. So that, when
a certain church is not specially mentioned, the readers can attribute the omission
to some cause difficult to overcome. The old established churches of Earlham
already have been alluded to, but recently, a new religious body has come into
existence, the details of which follow. The Church of Christ' was organized in
the early part of 1912 and on the 4th day of June in that year was incorporated,
the articles being signed by the charter members, namely : I. D. Neff, C. C. Couch,
Viola M. Schlarb, Lester Neff, Sarah Nunnamacker, John Drake, Frank J. Pro-
haska, John E. Bechtel, E. H. Payne, Mrs. E. H. Payne, Mrs. S. C. Moreland,
Roxie Wicks, Mrs. Erl Hays, Erl Hays, Mrs. John Neff, Mrs. John E. Bechtel,
Mrs. W. H. Dudley, Charles W. Henry, Frank Mleynek, Mary Mleynek, Mrs.
John Drake, John G. Neff, Lois Neff, S. I. Nunnamacker, Mrs. George Francis,
N. I. Neff, Vada C. Rhode, Mrs. M. A. England, Mrs. Hannah Wagner, Paul N.
Pa)me, Sarah Hillan, Ida E. Wagner, Blanch Mleynek, Inez Payne, S. M. Drake,
H. R. Neff, Mabel Mleynek, Mrs. L. J. Rhode, Mrs. M. C. Hillan, Mrs. Laura E.
Williams, Minnie Wagner, Dolores Dudley, Velma Dudley, J. E. England, Byron
Pa)me, Truman Payne, Leah Stanley, Emma Wagner, Mrs. W. A. Anderson, Mr.
and Mrs. O. W. Chester, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Price, Hallie Rhode, Mrs. Fannie
Anderson.
On July 21, the matter of a permanent home was discussed. E. H. Payne, S.
C. Moreland and C. C. Couch were appointed a building committee and later lots
were purchased of R. Hayden on the east side of North Chestnut Street, upon
which a handsome church edifice was erected, at a cost of $8,000. The house of
worship was dedicated September 2^^ 1914, by Rev. A. M. Haggard, of Des
Moines. Prior to this meetings were held in the academy. The first pastor to
preach to this congregation was Rev. J. A. Hutchings and the present membership
totals seventy. A Ladies' Aid Society and Christian Endeavor are strong auxil-
iary formations of the new church.
FRATERNAL ORDERS
Madison Lodge, No. 568, A. F. & A. M., was organized April 10, 1900, as a re-
organization of St. Albans Lodge, No. 363, the charter of which had been per-
mitted to lapse. The charter officials were : John R. Thomson, W. M. ; Ed A.
Packard, S. W. ; C. A. Hudson, J. W. Other first members were : William Dun-
lap, J. F. Fritz, J. R. Mendenhall, Peter McQuie, J. P. Osborne, N. A. Packard,
Fred Wilke, A* B. Johnson.
Earlham Chapter, No. 294, Order Eastern Star, was organized October 24,
1900, by Mrs. Emma Fox, Mrs. Louise Hatfield, Mrs. Ella Carroll, Miss Dayse
Catterlin, Miss Edna Klingensmiller, Mrs. May Monroe, Mrs. Mary Maulsby,
Miss Ismay Packard, Miss Enia Thomson, Mrs. Elizabeth Thomson, Mrs.
Augusta Wilke, William Best, George Fox, W. A. Monroe, U. E. Maulsby and
Fred Wilke.
Earlham Lodge, No. 546, I. O. O. F., was organized April 21, 1892, with the
following charter members : J. H. Maxwell, N. G. ; Fred Bilderback, V. G. ; J. A.
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Friends Church
Presbyterian Church
Christian Church
A GROUP OF EARLHAM CHURCHES
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 329
Griswold, Sec. ; E. S. Fry, P. G. ; N. Bilderback, R. S. Males, E. B. Griswold,
James McDonald, E. S. Fox, Jr., D. L. Gabbart, J. P. Osborne.
Marguerite Lodge of Rebekahs, No. 233, was organized October 18, 1895, by
Josiah H. Maxwell, Louisa K. Maxwell, Seth H. and Maggie W. Clay, E. S. and
MoUie J. Fry, C. M. and Agnes P. Crosswait, N.and Fannie Bilderback, Jennings
P. and Maggie Osborne, James W. Fry, Jr., and Sarah E. Fry; R. S. and Ella
T. Males, George and Eva B. Fry.
Earlham Camp, No. 2162, M. W, A., was organized August 25, 1895, with
twenty-one members.
Royal Neighbors Camp, No. 2439, was organized March 22, 1901, with twenty
members.
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CHAPTER XLI
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
Under date August ii, 1858, the County Court ''Ordered, That a new township
be made and established out of the west end of Badger Township, to be described
as follows, to wit : commencing at the northeast comer of section i, thence west to
the northwest comer section 6; thence south to the southwest comer of section
30 ; thence east to the southeast comer of section 25 ; thence north to the place of
beginning, all in township jj and range 2^,
"And it is further ordered and ordained that Badger Township be and remain
all of township 'j'j and range 26.
"And it is further ordered that the said new township be known as and named
Jefferson Township; and it is further ordered that the first election in said new
township be held at the house of William Alford, in said new township, and that
the warrant, provided by law, be directed to Addison Knight, constable, to post
the notice and make the return required by law.''
The township above named, as shown by the map, is bounded on the north by
Dallas County, on the south by Union, on the east by Lee and on the west by
Madison townships. North Branch passes through its boundaries from west to
east and along this stream the settlers found an abundance of excellent timber.
Badger Creek traverses the northern part but, unlike most streams, little, if any,
timber was found along its borders. However, there were large areas of good
limestone on North Branch and some coal of an excellent quality has also been
found along this branch. Following the streams the surface of the country is
quite rough and broken, but in other portions the prairies are high and rolling
and in this age, excellent in all thngs, many fine farms, highly cultivated and
improved, add beauty and interest to the general landscape. The northern part
of Jefferson comprises a portion of that beautiful prairie lying between North
Branch and Coon River, known as Quaker Divide.
Probably no person now in Jefferson recalls the fact that once the township,
except the southem tier of sections, was a part of Badger Township, nor for that
matter, that there ever was a township named Badger. There was a township
by that name, however, which only existed from March 16, 1857, to September 6,
1858, at which latter date the name was changed to Lee, in honor of Harvey Lee,
then a resident near the southwest comer of that township. At the first election
held in the county, January i, 1849, ^^^ the purpose of perfecting its organization,
what is now Jefferson Township was included in that part of the county desig-
nated as North voting precinct. At the second meeting of the Commissioners'
Court, held Febmary 19, 1849, this included as a part of Union Township, one of
the three townships created on that day. On July 8, 185 1, the east two tiers
of sections now within the confines of Jefferson, with other territory, was in-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 331
eluded in a new township named East, whch comprised the territories of the
present Lee and Crawford and the northeastern corner of Union.
This township was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the
United States. At the first election for township officers, party lines were not
drawn in local matters and but one ticket was placed in the field. However, the
township was decidedly republican. The north four and a half miles of its terri-
tory constituted a part of what was in early times known and designated as
"Coon Divide." Being practically destitute of timber it was not settled very
rapidly. It had two periods in the history of its settlement during which nearly
all of its first settlers arrived — from 1854 to 1859, and from 1866 to 1870. But
the land in that portion of the present township along North River and North
Branch was quite well occupied by 1866.
Pursuant to notice issued by the County Court electors of the township first
met at the house of William Alford on October 12, 1858, for the purpose of
electing a list of officials. Alexander Ballentine was chosen chairman and the elec-
tion board was completed by the selection of William Payton, Alexander Ballen-
tine 'and Thomas Myers as judges ; Anthony Myers and Samuel W. Nicholson,
clerks. The following list of persons were elected as the first officials for the
township: Trustees, George Fisher, William Alford and William McCleary;
clerk, Samuel W. Nicholson ; assessor, Anthony Myers ; road supervisors, district
No. I, George Gutshall; No. 2, William Payton; No. 3, John P. Clark. The latter
being exempted, William McCleary was appointed in his stead November i8th
following. Justices of the peace, Daniel H. Rose and Alexander Ballentine ; con-
stables, John B. Nicholson and William B. Norris. At this election the following
persons voted : Thomas D. Nicholson, William L. Brown, Jacob Riegel, Harvey
Smith, John Gossage, John H. Mitchell, John B. Nicholson, William Alford, Wil-
liam Payton, D. H. Rose, George Fisher, George Fisher, Jr., William M. Fisher,
Thomis S. Myers, John S. Moon, George W. Mullen, Alexander Ballentine, Daniel
Jones, Thomas Jones, William B. Norris, Hugh Ballentine, Thomas Myers, A, J.
Ballentine, Alexander Chambers, Merit Cunningham, William McCleary, S. W.
Nicholson, H. T. Ballentine, Anthony Myers and John W. Roderick.
James Brown settled on North River in southeast quarter, section 36, 77-2^^
then Union, now Jefferson Township, in 1847, ^^ Brown's Ford (later Brown's
Bridge).
Among the first settlers were flie Gossage, 1848 (?) ; Smith", 1852; Bowers,
1853 (?) ; Bauer, 1854; Folwell, 1850; Payton, 1854; Brown, 1847; Rose, 1854;
Gutshall, 1854; Nicholson, 1854; Schoen, 1852, and Fisher, 1855, families. It is
said that John Gossage was here as early as 1848 or 1849, and turned over the
first sod broken in the county on what afterwards became the Nicholson place.
Samuel Folwell left his home in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1850, and making his
way west to Iowa, settled on section 34, in this township. A son, James D., lost
"his life from disease contracted while in the army. He was a member of Company
B, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry.
Josiah Smith came to the county with William Lucas and the Bennetts from
Springfield, Illinois, and settled in Jefferson Township, in 1852. Thomas J.
McKenzie married Mary, a daughter of Josiah Smith, in October, 1854, the cere-
mony being performed by J. K. Evans, justice of the peace. By 1870 Josiah
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332 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Smith had quite a large nursery, which he sold to a brother, Harvey Smith, in
1873.
In January, 1852, as will be seen later on in this chapter, William Schoen
bought a claim on the south half of section 35, on which he took up his residence
and through industry and good judgment brought it to a high state of cultivation.
It was his home for a great many years.
Stephen Bower arrived in the township in 1853; D. H. Rose, George Gutshall
and Thomas Nicholson, in 1854.
S. W. Nicholson was bom in, Jefferson County, Ohio, and came to Iowa from
that state in 1854. He entered land on section 18, in this township. During the
same spring William Payton and James Brown located near. These three
families were among the first to locate in Jefferson Township. Mrs. Nicholson
taught the first school on the divide between Council Bluffs and Des Moines, in a
building whch long stood near the Nicholson residence. Mr. Nicholson died in
1874 and for many years thereafter the homestead was ably managed by his
widow, who was a member of the first religious organization in the township —
that is to say, the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was organized in July, 1855,
at the home of William Payton. The society at that time consisted of William
Payton and wife, D. H. Rose and wife, John Mitchell and wife, George Mullen
and wife, S. W. Nicholson and wife, George Gutshall and two others.
Ira C. Walker and his bride, Lucy Edmondson Walker, settled in Jefferson
Township in 1854. Here they found an unbroken tract of land on North River,
where Mr. Walker built a home and from the waist-high, grass-grown land, he
made a farm which had no superior in Madison County. Winterset and Des
Moines were their. only markets. In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Walker celebrated the
sixtieth anniversary of their wedding day.
George Fisher, Sr., was bom in Brown County, Ohio, in 1807, and immigrated
to Iowa in 1855, settling on section 4, in this township. When he began farming
at his new home he had the help and comfort of his wife and children. He be-
came one of the prominent men of the community and brought his place up to a
high state of improvement. Edward S. Fisher, a son, who came with liis father in
1855, took hold of the farm when the elder Fisher practically retired from active
affairs.
E. Kopp, spoken of elsewhere, was one of the German settlers who came here
in an early day and located in the spring of 1856 on section 34. In the same year
Jacob Riegel located on section 26.
Among other settlers in this township of the early day, who may be here
mentioned, were the Brittains, the Renshaws, John and Adam Shambaugh, the
former of whom twice represented the county in the State Legislature. There
were also George Mueller and others, mentioned in an interesting article which
follows, prepared by Herman Mueller. There were A. D. Fletcher, the Brookers,
Burgers, Storcks and Cooks. The names of many of the pioneers of Jefferson
Township, not here enumerated, will be found in the second volume of this work.
No mill has ever been built in Jefferson Township for the production of food
stuffs, but a sawmill was erected in 1856 by Jacob Riegel, which was run by water
power, on North Branch. This primitive industry continued in operation over
twenty years, under different ownerships, however.
The Jefferson schoolhouse was erected during the fall of the year 1858. It was
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 333
the first building put up exclusively for school purposes, out of the public funds
of the township. The Payton church and schoolhouse, however, was built before
this time, with funds contributed by individuals for the two purposes, that is,
for a Methodist meeting house and public school. The Jefferson schoolhouse
was a frame 24 by 30 feet, and all the material used in it was produced by the
Eli Cox steam sawmill on North River, with the exception of the shingles, which
were hand shaven. The plastering was the work of Jesse Truitt, of Winterset.
All the carpenter work was done by John P. Clark and William McCleary, includ-
ing the seats and the pulpit style of desk for the teacher. The contract price was
$200. For those times this building was considered quite a grand affair. It stood
upon a high hill near the William McCleary place and could be seen for many
miles in all directions. In this old school Butler Bird, Timothy Adams, later a
prominent preacher, and Zachariah Ross, also a minister, presided over the
pupils. Charles Goodale, who for three terms held the office of county auditor,
was also one of the teachers. The winter following the erection of the school-
house, one of the largest Methodist revivals held in the county brought large
gatherings of people here for several days and nights.
After the present Jefferson schoolhouse No. 7 was built during the summer of
1874, the old building was sold to the Jefferson Grange No. 895 and moved to the
southeast comer of northeast quarter southeast quarter section 26, 77-2^, and
used for a hall until this organization disbanded, about the year 1877-78; Jef-
ferson Grange was organized February 18, 1873, and William McCleary was the
"shining light'* and "guiding star" until its close. The building was sold to the
Widow Jones and used for a stable for many years afterwards.
THE GERMAN ELEMENT IN JEFFERSON
By H. A. Mueller and George Storck
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when England, France and
Spain were exploring and colonizing America, the German states being divided
into petty principalities and rent with religious wars, did not take part in the
movement on the Western Continent. It was in the beginning of the eighteenth
century that the first Germans came to Pennsylvania, encouraged by William
Penn ; hence, there were more Germans there than in any of the other colonies
and they became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. Palatines, Moravians and
other Germans settled in Maryland, New York, Virginia and the Carolinas, and
the Salzburgers in Georgia. They were all sober and industrious, and took little
part in politics but many of them fought in the Revolutionary war. They had
come to America because of persecution in their own country, and were seeking a
free land. Since 1820 one-third of the immigrants have been Germans. The
revolutionary movements of 1848 in Europe caused emigration in large num-
bers. It was from this time on that we received some of the best of the German
refugees, as Hecker, Franz Siegel and Carl Schurz.
Some of these immigrants would land at New York and other large cities,
and, having no particular destination, would remain and later, possibly, migrate
westward. Some went by way of the Erie Canal, Lake Erie to Detroit, and many
settled in Michigan and Wisconsin. Others took the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
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334 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
to Pittsburg, thence down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi and settled at St.
Louis, Keokuk, Burlington and Davenport; from these points they went out and
settled over Iowa. Those going by way of the Erie Canal route, Erie Railroad
and by steamer on the lakes, went to Chicago and points in Wisconsin ; to Mil-
waukee, the place made famous by its breweries, and thence to Dubuque and Clay-
ton counties. The Pennsylvania Germans and those in other states moved with
the tide of emigration to Ohio, Indiana, etc., and thence to Iowa.
Thus we have the three routes of travel by which most of the Germans in the
middle of the nineteenth century came to Iowa and we find representatives of
most of them in this county.
In Madison County there are three distinct German settlements. Mention will
be made of the oldest one, in the southeast part of Jefferson Township. William
Schoen was the first one to settle here. In fact, he was the first foreign bom set-
tler in Madison County. Two Pennsylvania Germans, I. G. Houk and O. A
Mosier were in the county before him.
William Schoen was bom September i, 1826, at Grabow, Mecklenburg-
Schwerin, Germany. He served in the Schleswig-Holstein war against Denmark
from 1848 to 185 1, enlisting March 20, 1848, in Company K, Ninth Battalion of
Infantry. He engaged in the battle of Hoptmg, July 26, 1848, Kolding, April 23,
1849, where he received a gunshot wound in the foot and a bayonet thmst in the
leg; was in the battle of Stotert, July 6, 1850, and was made first sergeant of
Company I. He was discharged January i, 1851, and sailed for America on the
8th of March that year, landing on the 7th of May, 1851. He reached Elm
Grove, Marion County, Iowa, July 12, 1851, where he remained until January,
1852, when he came to Winterset and bought a claim of John Wilhoit, January 7,
1852, on the south half of section 35, Jefferson Township, then being part of Union
Township, and has lived there ever since. Miss Dorethea Lorentzen came from
Germany to Mr. Schoen's home, in the summer of 185 1, and was married to him
July 6, 1852, by N. W. Guiberson, then a justice of the peace of Union Township.
William Schoen enlisted at Des Moines, in September, 1861, in Company G, Six-
teenth Volunteer Regiment of Iowa Infantry ; participated in the battles of Pitts-
burg Landing and Shiloh and was discharged September 15, 1862, on account of
rheumatism. He served as school director in 1873 and justice of the peace in
1881. For a number of years, from 1877 to 1890, he conducted a creamery, which
was of much significance to the farmers. His lovable wife went to her reward on
the 6th day of September, 1890. Mr. Schoen died May 6, 1910, and was laid away
by the side of his wife in Jefferson Cemetery, May 8, 1910.
Along with Dorethea Lorentzen came a neighbor, John Spethman, who lived
in the community until 1866. His family followed him in 1854, and his son,
Leopold, served in Company B, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry. The next German set-
tler in this vicinity was Stanislaus Baur. Hearing of Mr. Schoen while at Win-
terset, in July, 1854, he came there and bought the land he owned on section
25, Jefferson Township. One son, George, now lives in Stuart, Iowa, and the
other son, Robert, lives on an adjoining farm in Jefferson Township. His only
daughter, Mrs. Withrow, died a few years ago. Mr. Baur also died some years
ago. His widow lives at the old homestead. In the fall of 1854, Jacob Riegel
and family, consisting of twelve children, came from Davis County and settled on
section 26. He was a Pennsylvania German, whose parents had settled in the
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 335
Keystone State after the Revolutionary war. Mr. Riegel built an up-and-down
sawmill, run by water power, in 1854-5, on land now owned by William Schoen,
and for several years, until about 1873, sawed lumber for the surrounding com-
munity.
On the same ship with William Schoen were William and Theodore Kopp, who
came with him to Marion County. In the fall of 1851 they moved to Pella,
where they were joined by their brother, Ernest, in 1854. In the fall of 1854 they
settled in Madison County, on section 34. William lived on the farm now owned
by August F. Burger on section 34 and Theodore where William H. Burger lived,
east half, northeast quartet section 34, 77-27. They were from Stettin, Germany,
and were highly cultured, but not educated to do with their hands, so were not
successful in a new country as pioneer farmers. In 1856 William Kopp went to
Keokuk, to edit and manage a German newspaper, and in 1857 to New York
and later to Boston, as editor of the Heinzen Pioneer. In 1869 he went to Detroit
as editor of the Detroit Post and resided there until his death. Mr. Kopp was also
a talented musician and wrote several songs, for which he composed the music.
Theodore Kopp sold his first farm to Gottlob Burger in 1859, but lived in the
neighboring community until he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa In-
fantry, in 1862; he died at Rome, Georgia, August 2^, 1864. Theodore was mar-
ried after coming to Madison County. Three daughters are living in Des Moines
— Mrs. Charles Budd, Mrs. Lottie Dolphin and Mary Kopp.
Ernest Kopp Hved more or less of the time with William Schoen until his
marriage (in 1867) ^'^ Elwilda Owen. For several years he lived on the west
half of the northwest quarter of section 34, Jefferson Township, and about 1884
moved to the farm on section 2'jy where he spent the rest of his days. Mr. Kopp
was also well educated in the schools of Germany and, from 1876 to the time of
his death, taught music throughout the northeast part of Madison County. He has
four children living, Mrs. John O. McCleary, Mrs. Grant Taylor, Charles Kopp
and Elizabeth Kopp, now married and with whom her mother lives.
About 1859 Louis Stracke located in Winterset and conducted a county dispen-
sary until the fall of i860, when he moved to the northwest quarter of section 25,
Jefferson Township, and farmed until 1866. He then moved to Warsaw, Illinois,
where he died a few years ago.
In 1848, Gottlob Burger came to the United States and assisted in building the
first railroad in Vermont. Later he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he married
Mrs. Frances Zweigla Burger, in December, 1850. Mr. Burger was bom in Ess-
lingen, Wurtemberg, January 8, 1825. After his marriage he moved with his
family to Keokuk, Iowa, where for a while he conducted a bakery business, that
being his trade in the old country. Keokuk being a landing place, he later hauled
freight from the Mississippi steamers and made several trips with merchandise to
Winterset in the '50s, by way of St. Charles. He knew Louis Stracke, and
through his acquaintance with Schoen, he bought the farm owned by Theodore
Kopp and moved thereon in 1859. Mrs. Burger had been married to a cousin of
Gottlob Burger and to them were bom five children, all excepting one coming to
Madison County, namely: August F. Burger; Mrs. Van Buren Wiggins, who
died in 1900; Mrs. Louisa Hoppe; Frederich Burger, of Lamar, Colorado; and
Charles Burger, of Des Moines. Those by her marriage to Gottlob Burger are :
William H. Burger, of Jefferson Township ; and Mrs. Henry Brown, of Lamar,
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336 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Burger continued to live on this farm, where they reared
their family, until 1891, and then sold it. After living two years with their daugh-
ter, Mrs. Henry Brown, at Hamburg, Iowa, they returned to Jefferson Township,
and bought the Folwell Farm, on section 34. Mrs. Burger, a noble woman, died
February 14, 1901. Mr. Burger then sold his farm to his son-in-law, Henry
Brown, and since has been living with his children. He is another of those
sturdy pioneers who Jielped to make this county what it is today.
As mentioned above, August F. Burger came to the United States with his
parents and to this county in 1859. He was bom August 3, 1843. When the
Civil war broke out he enlisted in Company B, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, Septem-
ber 22, 1861, and was discharged August 3, 1865. He took part in over fifty
battles and skirmishes and was in the Grand Review at Washington. On his re-
turn he purchased a part interest in the Weller Mill, married Ellen Fosher in 1867,
and purchased the farm on which he now lives, once owned by William Kopp.
In 1894 Mrs. Burger died and on December 25, 1896, he married Miss Laura
Mueller. They have three children, August F., Jr., George and Herman Louis.
William H. Burger was born November 3, 1852, at Keokuk, Iowa; came to
Madison County with his parents in 1859 ^"^ married Albertine Marquardt,
March 13, 1883. He purchased the home farm of his father in Jefferson Town-
ship and later sold this farm and now owns 400 acres in sections 22 and 27, 77-27.
They have a family of five boys and one girl.
Frederick W. Burger, a second son, came to Madison County with his parents ;
enlisted in Company B, Fifteenth Iowa Regiment; on his return he married Ellen
Turney and owned a farm in Lee Township. Later he conducted a meat market
in Winterset; he died in June, 1908, in Des Moines, and his remains were laid to
rest in the old neighborhood cemetery in Jefferson Township.
Dr. Henry d'Duhuy, a brother-in-law of William Schoen, immigrated from
Germany about 1,856, and lived near Ridel's Mill. In 1857 ^ postoffice was es-
tablished, called Bloomingdale, and d'Duhuy was its postmaster in 1857-8. He
later moved to Union Township, in the Farris neighborhood, taught school,
farmed and, about 1863, enlisted as a surgeon in the Union army. He died
a few years ago in Kansas City.
Julius Reiman was bom August 23, 1842, in Germany, and came to Lee Town-
ship, Madison County, in i860. In 1866 he rented the farm, which he after-
wards owned, of Louis Stracke, who had moved to Warsaw, Illinois. Mr. Rei-
man, with his mother, went to Germany in the summer of 1869, where she died
and he returned in the fall of the same year. He lived at various places, but in
1872 bought a farm in section 25, Jefferson Township, and in June, 1874, married
Miss Anna Schultze. He lived on this farm until his death, March 25, 1895.
His widow and children live on the farm, except one son, John.
George Mueller was born September 11, 1842, in Hohnsheidt, Eder Town-
ship, Principality of Waldeck, Germany. He came to America when a young
lad, in 1859, and to Winterset in i860. He with his cousin, Louis Stracke, located
in Jefferson Township in the fall of i860. In the winter of 1861-62 he went to
Keokuk, Iowa, and then to Warsaw, Illinois, where, in 1864, he married Miss
Katharine Schott and immediately returned to Jefferson Township. In 1866 he
had rented a part of the Schoen place and that fall bought a farm in section 2,
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MR. AND MRS. GEORGE MUELLER
Married at Warsaw, Illinois, August 8, 1864, and came immediately
to Madison County. They have lived on their present farm over forty-
eight years continuously. Celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary
August 8, 1914, at which time this picture was taken.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 337
Union Township, which he still owns. In 1886 he built a new house, just across
the road from his old log cabin and is living there today.
Mr. Mueller, like many of the early pioneers, transformed a wilderness into
one of the best farms in that community. He served as township trustee from
1691 to 1907, was school director of his district six or seven years, and road
supervisor one or two terms. Seven children fell to his lot, now all grown up:
Herman A. Mueller who served the county well and faithfully as auditor, later held
the position of cashier in the Johnston Bank at St. Charles, and is now engaged in
the real-estate and insurance business; Mrs. A. F. Burger, of Winterset; Mrs.
Pleasant Brittain, of Ransom County, North Dakota; George E. Mueller, of
Tioga, North Dakota, where he is farming and teaching school ; Oscar O. Muel-
ler, an attorney at law at Lewistown, Montana; Ernest W. Mueller, in charge
of the home farm; and Mrs. Fannie Mueller St. John of Sheridan, Wyoming.
At times there were Germans who would live a few years in the settlement and
then move away. Frederick Thoms worked for George Mueller in 1876 and
owned a small farm in section 34, Jefferson Township and, in 1877, rented the
A. F. Burger place. In 1878 he bought a farm in section 16, where there was
another German settlement. About 1 881 he sold out and moved to Nebraska.
Somewhere about 1882 Emil Mathes worked for William Schoen in the
creamery, later sent for his mother and sister in Germany, and lived near this
vicinity until about 1890, when he went to Des Moines and later to Chicago.
Reinhold Kneuper came from Germany in 1871, lived in this settlement a few
years and then bought a farm in section 8, Jefferson Township. Two Franco-
Prussian soldiers, Daniel Wenzell and Henry Walsmith, located here in 1871.
They remained a year or so and then went to Nebraska.
There is also a German settlement in the northwest part of Jefferson Township,
sometimes known as the Clayton County German Settlement. Landing in New
York from Germany, these people first made their way to Northeastern Iowa but
when that country began to settle up and land increased in value, they sold out
there and sought cheaper farms. Some Americans from Clayton County had
located in Madison County after the war, about 1866 and 1867, among the
number being A. M. Peters and others. About this time the Rock Island Railroad
was being built through from Des Moines and these German people heard of this
and also that Madison County was noted for cheap lands and fertile soil, and thus
it was that they were attracted to this part of the state. George Storck was the
first of the number to come to Madison County, the year of his arrival being
1868. He purchased a quarter section of raw prairie land on section 13, Madison
Township and then returned to his home in Delaware County. In January, 1870,
he returned to Madison County, improved his land and has lived here continuously
since, having in the meantime acquired 520 acres of the best land in the county.
He was but five years of age when he was brought by his parents from Germany
in 1848 to Clayton County. He enlisted in Company E, Twenty-seventh Iowa
Infantry, on the 22d of August, 1862, and was mustered out August 8, 1865. He
received a wound in the shoulder at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, and was
promoted to the rank of corporal. After the war he returned to Clayton County
but in 1867 located in Delaware County, where he made his home until he c^me
to Madison County. From 1883 until 1885 he served on the board of supervisors,
voi.r -22
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338 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and since 1880 has been connected with the Madison County Mutual Insurance
Company, first as president and then as secretary, which position he still holds.
Gerhardt Storck, a brother of George Storck, came to Madison County in the
spring of 1870 and settled on the northeast quarter of section 9, Jefferson Town-
ship. He was the owner of 700 acres of land in Jefferson Township. He died a
few years ago.
Ferdinand Marquardt, a brother-in-law of both George and Gerhardt Storck,
came a single man, with them from Clayton County. About 1871 he bought the
southwest quarter of section 3, Jefferson Township, which he improved and on
which he still makes his home. He also owns another farm in this township and
one in Penn Township, near Dexter.
August Bernau came from Clayton County in 1872 and settled on section 7,
Jefferson Township. He died here in 1883. His son William died in 1894 and the
latter's widow now makes her home on the old Bernau homestead, owning 200
acres. Another son of August Bernau, J. H. Bernau, bought the northeast quar-
ter of section 23, Jefferson Township, where his son, Elbert H., now lives. J. H.
Bernau died in 1899.
John Westphal came from Clayton County in 1874 and bought 240 acres of
land in section 3, Jefferson Township. He was serving as treasurer of the Farm-
ers Mutual Insurance Company at the time of his death in 1880. His widow
owns 160 acres of land here, which she rents. Her son Herman also owns eighty
acres in this township.
August Ziemann came from Clayton County in 1873 ^"d first located on land
which he rented from L. Renshaw. In a few years he purchased a farm on
section 21, whereon he still makes his home. He now owns 280 acres.
Charles Wishmeyer, who was born in Galena, Illinois, came to Madison County
in 187 1 and soon afterward purchased a farm in Jefferson Township. He died
here in February, 1907.
Carl Marquardt emigrated with his family from Germany to Clayton County
in 1859 and came from there to Madison County in 1873. He purchased a farm
on section 9, Jefferson Township, which was his home until his death in 1896.
The farm is now owned by Gerhardt Storck.
H. E. Marquardt came with his parents from Clayton County in 1873 ^^^
bought eighty acres of land on section 9, this township. He later sold the tract to
G. Storck and bought 220 acres on sections 4 and 5. He has served as secretary
of the Jefferson Township school board for several years.
Fred H. Meyers came here in 1874 with his stepfather, John Westphal. About
1888 he bought the southeast quarter of section 21, and a few years ago pur-
chased the Sylvester Renshaw Farm, his possessions now comprising a half sec-
tion of land.
William Steinhaus and his son Edward, with their families, came direct from
Germany to Madison County in 1873. In 1884 they moved to Nebraska.
August Prochnow came here from Germany in 1873 with the Steinhaus fam-
ilies. He owned 160 acres of land on sections 10 and 15. In 1903 he died in a
miser's hut, with plenty about him.
William Buske came here from Clayton County in 1871. He bought the north-
east quarter of section 8, but sold his land about ten years ago and is now living
in Des Moines.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 339
Fred Roggmann came here from Clayton County in 1873. Two years later,
in 1875, he sold his land on section 8 to Louis Niendorf and left the county. Mr.
Niendorf, who came from Clayton County in 1874, added to the 160 acres
purchased of Buske until he had 320 acres, now owned by his heirs. Mr. Niendorf
died a few years since.
Chris Heitman came to Madison County in the early '70s and bought the
southwest quarter of section 9, which he sold in 1885 or 1886 and moved to
Nebraska.
Ferdinand Jensen came to Madison County in 1883 and a few years later
bought the southwest quarter of section 9 of Peter B. Lienemann. This farm
he afterward sold to N. Boos and purchased land on section 4, which has since
been his home.
Conrad Fundinger came to Madison County in 1881 and purchased the north-
east quarter of section 16, which he still owns.
B. B. Lienemann on emigrating from Germany, first located in Jackson County,
Iowa. In 1882 he came to Madison County and bought land on sections 5 and 6,
Jefferson Township. He died about 1901. His son, John, lived on section 20
for a few years and then moved to Arkansas. Another son, Peter, now lives
on the old home farm, while Brachtel and William live on farms near by.
Fred Thoms made his home for a few years on the farm which is now occu-
pied by Conrad Fundinger, the latter purchasing the land in 1881. Mr. Thoms
then went farther west.
Louis Vaudt * came to Madison County in 1885 from Stuart, Iowa. He first
rented land for about a year and then bought forty acres on section 15, his
present home. He has since purchased more land and now owns 275 acres. His
sons, A. J. and Albert, are operating the farms, while another son, William,
bought land in the northeast part of the township.
Carl Radke came from Germany to Madison County in the early '80s, and a
few years later bought land on section 10, where his son, Otto, now makes his
home. Both Mr. Radke and his wife are deceased. Herman Radke also makes
his home in Jefferson Township.
George Lentz emigrated from Germany to Madison County in 1891 and
lived on a farm located in section 10. After about ten years spent here he
and his son, Henry, moved to South Dakota. His son, John, purchased land
of the Niendorf estate, located on section 8.
Nicholas Boos in 1898 purchased what is known as the Chris Heitman farm
of Ferdinand Jensen, located on the southwest quarter of section 9, and has
since made his home thereon.
Frederick E. Meyer emigrated from Germany a number of years ago and
for a time made his home in Penn Township, after which he located at Van
Meter. About 1885 he married Ida, a daughter of Gerhardt Storck, and lived
on land belonging to his father-in-law until his death about 1903. For several
years he served as clerk of the township.
Henry Wehrkampf came to Madison County from Clayton County in the
'80s and bought land on section 4. In 1898 he sold out to Ferdinand Jensen
and returned to Clayton County.
* Mr. Vaudt sold out a few years ago and moved to Kossuth County where he died
in 1914.
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340 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Ferdinand Dallman came here from Wisconsin in 1875 and later bought the
north half of the southwest quarter of section 10, where he made his home until
his wife's death. He eventually sold his farm and about 1903 or 1904, with his
daughter and her husband, moved to Dakota.
With the Dallmans came Ferdinand Kading and August Crtunrie. When
they came here in 1875 they had one team and a wagon and they are now
prosperous farmers of Adair County.
William and Henry Kahre also lived in the German settlement in this township
a few years but moved to South Dakota.
Gudliff, John and George Brooker also lived in this community from about
the year 1868. They have all passed away.
LUTHERAN CHURCH, JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
From 1872 to 1875 ministers of the Lutheran denomination preached to the
people of that faith in Jefferson Township, services being held in the Gerhardt
Storck Schoolhouse. After the latter year the Lutheran minister from Dexter
held regular services here, and teachers came to educate the children of the neigh-
borhood in the doctrines of this denomination and to prepare them to become
members of the church. From 1884 to 1904 this charge was connected with
Dexter, the same pastor presiding over the two congregations. In the latter
year, by mutual consent, the church in Jefferson Township became an independent
charge and called their own pastor in the person of Rev. C. Jobst, who holds
services every Sunday. There is also a parochial school in connection with the
charge, classes being conducted by the pastor four days in the week. The Luth-
eran congregation was organized as such in 1885, being incorporated under the
laws of Iowa. The same year a church was erected on the southeast comer
of section 8, services up to that period having been conducted in the schoolhouse
one mile north of the present church building. Among the organizing members
may be mentioned George Storck, F. Dallman, L. Vaudt, C. Radke, Mrs. Johh
Westphal, Carl Marquardt, R. Kneuper, John Lienemann, H. E. Marquardt,
Charles Wishmeyer, August Ziemann, B. P. Lienemann, F. Marquardt and
William Bemau. Rev. E. A. Brauer is the present pastor.
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CHAPTER XLII
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
Jackson Township was organized in May, i860. It is bounded on the north
by Penn, on the south by Webster, on the east by Douglas townships, and on the
west by Adair County. The North River passes through it from west to east.
Along this stream the settlers found abundance of timber and stone not only for
the needs of this township, but its neighbor, Penn, which had little if any timber
within its borders. The general surface of the country is somewhat rolling and
just enough to make a delightful farming country. The soil is of the richest
and with abundance of good pure water for both man and beast the citizens df this
township are doubly blessed and justly take a great pride in their homes, which
are modem in character, and surrounding them are bams and other buildings
which harmonize with a general air of comfort, thrift and prosperity.
A man by the name of Phelon and Alfred Rice are said to have been the
first settlers in the township, coming here in 1850. They were soon followed by
Samuel Bunn, Willis Rose and O. B. Bissell. Rose and Bunn bought out the
claims of Rice and Phelon. John Rose came from Illinois early in 1852 and set-
tled on the banks of the North River. He married Mary Gilleran, a native of
Ireland, in 1856. His nearest neighbor was six miles away and he was compelled
to haul logs to Winterset for lumber. The nearest grist mill was at Indianola,
and not being very reliable as to its running days, the last resort was hand
ground com meal with which to make bread. For this purpose a common tin
grater was used. When the township was organized Mr. Rose was authorized
to notify the voters to meet and hold the first election. The number of votes
cast on that occasion was between forty and fifty. Willis Rose with his family,
among whom was a son, George, settled on section 5, in 1852. The elder Rose
died in 1861 and left a farm encumbered by a mortgage, which was a burden
to his family, and especially to the boy George, who, however, by industry and
good management redeemed the land and added many acres to the farm besides.
Daniel Henderson was an Ohioan by birth and moved to Indiana, from
whence he came to Madison County in 1853, and located on section 13, which
became his permanent home. There were but few families in the township
at the time of his arrival ; consequently, he became identified with its growth and
development.
O. B. Bissell came into the township and took up a permanent settlement in
1855. He became one of the solid men of the county and so improved his farm
with fine buildings, good fences and systematic cultivation that it became one
of the best in the county. He held various offices of tmst and was a member
of the State Legislature in 1874. He also served on the board of supervisors.
John G. Fox, bom in New Jersey in 1834, immigrated to this county in 1856,
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342 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and the following year married Henrietta Ulory of this county. He became one
of the substantial farmers and citizens of the community.
James G. Beck, a native of Ireland, arrived in the township in 1859 and for
many years lived on section 27. He enlisted in the Seventh Iowa Infantry in
1861, and remained in the service during the war.
Thomas Stewart was one of the substantial men of Jackson Township. He
was a Pennsylvanian by birth and a blacksmith at the age of sixteen. Moving
to Illinois he there engaged in farming until immigrating to Madison Township
early in its history. There he improved a farm, with but few other settlers within
a score of miles of him. He was compelled to get his grinding done at Panora,
and haul his lumber from Des Moines. He located in Jackson Township, on
section 2, in i860. At this time the land consisted chiefly of wild prairie aad
the settlers were few in number. Mr. Stewart was the father of fourteen children
and five of his sons served in the Civil war, one dying while at the front, and four
remaining until the close of hostilities.
Among other things related of Jackson Township in an article prepared by
him for a local paper, E. R. Zeller had the following to say: "Like Penn, Jackson
was sparsely settled until late and is like the township mentioned in soil and
population. • Alfred Rice, the Roses and Samuel Bunn are said to have been the
pioneers, while John Fox and O. B. Bissell began work there about the period
of which we write. Mr. Bunn*s widow, Mrs. McPherrin, still resides there,
while Bissell, now gone, was the grange representative in the State Legislature.
The Earlys were a potent force in the development of that part of the county.
James was afterward county treasurer two terms and Tom has been, and still is,
a leading politician and stock buyer. The Stewart home has long been a land-
mark there and in that blacksmith shop so long operated by Robert Stewart, have
been struck many of the effective blows essential to the development of a county.
'Squire Hindman for many years dispensed justice and married people, later
removing to Monroe County, where he died. Then there were the Shermans,
Devaults, Robinsons, Bairds, Jones, Estells, Crawfords, Fords, Spears, McCor-
kles, Niblos, Meachems, Ham Lee and John Shoflf. Lemuel Banker was a
member of the board of supervisors. James G. Beck, E. G. Perkins, Robert
McCalman, John Spence and Rev. James Sawhill have been potent forces in
the moral and educational affairs of the county. Beck and Spence still remain
to remind us of the olden times. Reverend Sawhill died some years since but the
force of his sterling Christian manhood still goes on producing good results.
William Kipp has long since died and the family moved away, but the place is still
known as the Kipp farm. The Aitchisons and Smiths came from Jackson County,
Iowa, to Jackson Township in later times. The former still remain but the latter
are all gone except one. Father and Mother Smith are dead and the fine farm they
improved is now owned by Mr. Benjamin.'*
In the center of Jackson Township is a little hamlet, and scarcely that, named
Pitzer, where there is a general store. Close by is the United Presbyterian
Church and the schoolhouse, the latter at the four comers made by the joining
of sections 15, 16, 21 and 22. There is not a railroad in the township but the
citizens have easy access to Winterset, about seven miles away.
Rev. John E. Darby lived in Jackson Township in early years and taught its
first school. As will be seen by consulting the general chapter on schools, this
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EARLY CHAPEL, JACKSON TOWNSHIP
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 343
township is well provided with schoolhouses and churches, and with all other
modem conveniences, such as excellent roads, rural free delivery of mails, the
telephone and the modem means of rapid transit — the automobile — the people
are living in more than comparative ease, comfort and prosperity.
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CHAPTER XLIII
LEE TOWNSHIP
Lee Township was created by the County Court on the ist day of March,
1857, and given the name of Badger, but on the 6th day of September, 1858, the
name was changed to that of Lee, in honor of Harvey Lee, an early settler of the
county.
It is said that James Rothill, who located on section 31, in 1852, was the
first one to take up a permanent residence in this township. Within a very short
time and in the same year, James Lane arrived in the commtmity and settled on
section i, where he remained a short time and then sold his claim to Allen Majors
in 1855.
Harvey Lee, after whom the township was named, came here from Indiana
in 1856 and located on section 32. Lived there until 1862 and went back to
Indiana. About 1864 he returned and settled on section 3, in Union Township,
where he remained until his death in 1884.
The township was largely made up of the sturdy sons of old Erin, who came
here early in the history of the county, took up claims, laid out farms, cultivated
and improved them, became prosperous and today many of their descendants are
still living in this neighborhood. In 1853 Andrew Hubbard and 'Squire Flynn
settled on sections 4 and 8, respectively. In the following year George W. Roberts
and James Malone settled in the township. Malone soon after sold out to Thomas
Cavenor and later sold his interests to N. W. Johnson in 1864. Mr. Johnson
was an old Connecticut sea captain and became one of the most extensive
farmers in this locality, owning at the time mentioned a block of land consisting
of one section and a half. He dealt extensively in live stock and generally bought
all the surplus corn that his neighbors had to sell.
Andrew Hubbard set out the first orchard in Lee Township in 1859. Soon
thereafter L. N. Smith, George W. Roberts and Thomas England also had good
orchards bearing fruit. Captain Johnson, George W. Roberts and Emerson
Hazen early became the most extensive farmers in the township.
One of the pioneers of the township was George Roberts, who settled here
in 1854. He was a railroad engineer, which probably accounted for his highly
manifested taste for machinery on his farm, of which he had the latest improved
and plenty of it. He probably had in use the first manure spreader brought
to the county and for years owned and operated a threshing machine. Mr.
Roberts many years ago moved to Missouri and the large farm which he im-
proved is now the property and home of Conrad Eichner.
A passing notice should be given an eccentric character from Pennsylvania
named William Heaton, who in 1858 laid off and staked his land into lots, with
the intention of establishing a town and building a seminary, to cost not less than
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 345
$ioo,ocx). Many of the lots were contracted for at prices ranging from $50 to
$300 each and in the summer of the year mentioned Heaton and quite a large
gathering of people met on the ground, where speeches were made by B. F.
Roberts and others, setting forth the advantages of the locality for a town and
the great importance of a seminary there. Heaton executed a bond in the sum
of $50,000, which is on record at the courthouse, for the faithful application of
all moneys accruing tmder certain provisions of the town lot contractors. But
for some reason his hopes were never realized and the stakes were never driven
to make the Town of Heaton.
As the great body of early and later settlers of this township were of the
Irish race, and their history later written by James Gillaspie, what that venerable
and worthy pioneer has said of them follows.
IRISH SETTLEMENT IN LEE
The compiler of the history relating to the settlements in Crawford and Lee
townships of the Irish people, James Gillaspie, is still living at a ripe old age at
his home, about five miles out of Patterson. He is now well along in years
and admits that his memory is not as reliable as in days of yore. In the prepara-
tion of his articles he makes the declaration of his want of absolute accuracy
as to the years in which many of the old settlers, of whom he speaks, located
in this township, and he also assumes the possibility of omitting some names
that should appear in the list he has prepared. If he is correct in his surmises,
no blame should rest upon him, for his work has been honestly accomplished and
with the determination to make it as complete as possible. He says that Allen
Major came here in 1855, from Warren County, Iowa, and for some time has
been gathered to his fathers. His son, John, lives in Iowa but has left the old
farm.
John McCarty and family came in 1855. He has passed away, while some
of his sons still live on the old place.
David and John Welch, brothers, came as early as 1855 or 1856. David settled
in Lee Township and John settled across the line in Warren County. David is
dead and the family has moved away.
Timothy Horan and family came from Des Moines in or about i860. He is
dead. His son, James, and two sisters lived on the farm.
Daniel Mulvihill came some time in the '50s. He died a few years ago. His
son, James, lives on the farm, and another son, Daniel, is a Catholic priest in
Des Moines.
Jeremiah Dooley and family and James and Patrick Maher were early settlers,
but I am not sure of the date.
James Lynch and family also came early. Mr. L)mch is still in good health
and lives on the old farm. Michael and Patrick Duffy were also early settlers.
Peter Laughlin and family came to Lee from the western part of the county
sometime near i860. He has been dead a few years. His son, Thomas, is in
South Township, while John still lives here.
Andrew and James Hanrahan and their families and several other Irish
families moved into Lee Township in the early '60s. I now close my Lee Town-
ship narrative.
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346 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
In order to give a correct idea of the Irish settlement, it is necessary to name
briefly several families in Warren County across the line in the townships ad-
joining Crawford and Lee, who came in the years previous to i860. They are
as follows:
John Spain and family; John Cahill, also his father and family; Michael
Doheny and family ; Edmund Ryan and family ; William Ryan ; John and Thomas
Bell and their father's family ; Bernard King ; Niel McElwee, and family ; Anthony
McElwee, and a family named Friel ; Patrick Cassiday and family ; two brothers
named Michael and James Kane and their families; John Mackin and family;
John Welch and family; Peter Murray and family; Pat Walsh; Adam Walsh;
William Shay and family ; Patrick Butler and family ; a Mrs. Gallaher and family,
she a widow, and Michael Cash and family. All the families here mentioned,
with the exception of the following named, were Catholics : Allen Major, William
Kennedy, Anderson McLees and the McMichaels. (See Crawford Township.)
ST. Patrick's church
As may be seen, the Irish came from many places to the settlement, and the
name of the settlement began to spread abroad throughout the land, one following
the lead of those who had gone before. But here they were with no church and
cemetery. Some were in favor of having the church and cemetery on the north
side of the river; others on the south side. In the meantime, a stranger, an old
man and a government surveyor, returning from further west, getting sick
at the house of Patrick Walsh on the south side, died. The corpse was prepared
for the grave. Mr. Walsh and some neighboring men left home to locate a
burying ground, when some half dozen smart fellows slipped in, took up the
corpse and started the cemetery on the north side. So where the cemetery was,
the church should be near, and as the majority of the people were on the north
side, the people built a good sized log church in the summer of 1856. Thomas
Finan gave the forty acres of land for church purposes. The church stands on
the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 36, Lee Township, and
the cemetery is in the southeast part of the "forty." Very many of the first set-
tlers lie there now, and also many of their children. At first in religious ways,
the people were attended by missionary priests, going from place to place. In
1856 Reverend Father Piatt became parish priest of Des Moines and he attended
St. Patrick's once a month. He died and Reverend Father Brazill got an assistant
and there was mass in St. Patrick's twice a month until about 1873, when a parish
priest was sent to reside at St. Patrick's. The first resident priest was Reverend
Father Smythe, now at Council Bluflfs, who remained three years. Then came
Reverend Father Ric6, who was pastor of that congregation from 1870 to 1884.
He died in 1884 and was succeeded by Reverend Father Moynihan, who was
pastor of the church until November, 1906. Father Mo)mihan resigned on ac-
count of old age and infirmity and was succeeded by Reverend Father Dugan, who
is pastor of St. Patrick's Church at the present writing, February, 1907.
The present frame church was built somewhere near the year 1870. I am
not positive of the date but that is near to it. The log church was taken away.
There were some German families who attended at first St. Patrick's Church, viz. :
Kasper Weil, Conrad Weil, Anthony Weidman, Charles Snyder, Julius Reiman
and some others.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 347 *
After the death of Father Rice, St. Patrick parish was divided. All south of
North River were stricken into the parish of Churchville and now attend there ;
here they have a large congregation. Another part of St. Patrick's parish is
given to Cumming, which makes the congregation the smallest of the thre'e at
present.
Many settlers came to the Irish settlement since i860. I merely give their
names as far as I can and where they settled. But before I do I will name a few
who came in the early '50s. Patrick Walsh, Adam Walsh and John Cutler came
to the settlement in 1852. There are several families belonging to the settlement
who came previous to i860 who live in the southwest comer of Polk County.
Among those are the Hoyes, Malones, Dargans and others. Those who settled
in Warren County in i860 and since are R. Maguire, E. Slavin, Ellwood brothers,
John Collins, James Davitt, Mr. Fagan, James Doud, Pat Doud, Pat McNemey,
T. Harrigan, Pat Breslin, J. Graham, Ed McCusker, Peter McDonnell, Pat Mc-
Donnell, John Linnan, Thomas Gallagher, John Mulroy, James Banks, George
Banks, Michael Cash. Mr. Cash was a very early settler, in 1855 or 1856; the
Hall brothers^ John and Michael; Joseph Nugent, Pat Waldron, P. Brownrigg,
William Hayes, Peter Quinn, Ed McManus, James Sheehey, Pat Ward, William
Gavin, the McAndrew family, John McGovem, Thomas Powers, Neil Enright,
John Keeney, Matt Lillis, Thomas James, Daniel Heaffey, Robert Kelley and
others. All the foregoing are or were men of families, with the exception of
two or three who settled on the Warren County side of the settlement since i860
or about that time. In this list I do not mention any of the young men who
grew up or were bom here. Some of those mentioned have since removed to
other places. Many are dead, but there is, generally speaking, in most cases,
one or two more representatives of each family.
List of those who settled in Crawford Township since i860: Bemard John-
son, P. Gill, William Costello, John Peters, Thomas Mulroy,' John Marrinan,
Thomas Linnan, Thomas Swift, William Connolly, Robert Morris, William
Conner, Pat Curtis, Michael Casey, Thomas Dee, Pat Doud, T. McGovem, John
Kelley, John Tieman, Pat Kilduflf, the Hogan family, John Graney, P. Graney,
Martin Gavin, John Dillon and Thomas Burke. I
Lee Township since i860: James Condon, Thomas Glynn, Maurice Breen, i
Peter Kelley, M. M. Gilleran and his father, Martin Waldron, James Brazill,
Lawrence King, John Pollard, Stephen Murphy, James Kieman, John Clarke, ^
Michael Dargan, Richard Dargan, Michael McNamara, Michael Phillips, John
White, John Roach, Thomas McKeon and Timothy O'Herron.
In order to show fully the Irish settlement I must include part of Union
Township. Here we find Ed Monaghan, Patrick Nolan, Michael Donohue and
Martin McNamara. ■'
The names of those who served in the Civil war follow: There were very
few young men grown to man's estate when the war of 1861-65 took place. The
Irish settlers were nearly all men who had wives and families, consequently but
few of them served in the army. Among those who did serve whom I know were :
George Banks, John McWilliams, L. A. Smith, Patrick Doud, M. M. Gilleran,
Martin Waldron, Thomas Burke, James Gillaspie, William Couch, Charles Condon
and others whose names I do not remember.
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348 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
GROWTH OF THE SETTLEMENT
It will now be seen that the Irish settlement is not a very small place. From
north to south it is fully twelve miles, and about the same number of miles from
east to west. Of course there are many people of different nationalities living
in their midst: Americans, Germans and others, all living in harmony and
brotherly love together as all men should do. They are, generally speaking,
industrious and prosperous, and as to honesty, few will say that they have been
cheated by an Irish man.
The early time houses have all disappeared and in their places stand modem
dwellings, substantial and capacious bams and granaries. Horses, cattle and
swine are here in abundance, and cheerful hospitality can be found among the
Irish settlers and their descendants, and as freely given as on any part of the
globe.
And now the history of the Irish settlers of this place, known all over Iowa
as the Irish settlement, is at its close. Many of the original ones are in their
graves; peace to their memory. Many have moved to other places, and those
of native Irish birth, who yet remain, are hastening to the world beyond the grave.
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CHAPTER. XLIV
GRAND RIVER TOWNSHIP
This township was erected by the County Court on the ist day of March,
1858, and is the southwest subdivision of the county, being bounded on the
north and east by Webster and Monroe townships, respectively, on the south by
Union County, and on the west by Adair County. Its surface is mostly rolling
but there is a great deal of choice prairie land in this section of the county. It
originally had a large body of heavy timber on the Grand River, which is the
principal stream traversing its domain. These water courses harbor the timber
and they are so narrow and deep that they are hardly visible from the high
prairies.
• James Nelson was the first permanent settler in the township, coming in 1852.
He built a log house on his claim. One of the linn logs was split so as to leave
a large crack and this was the only provision for lighting the habitation. This
house stood on what was later known as the Marley place.
Soon after Nelson had located, S. B. Barker, A. J. Hastie, Ransom Moon,
J. C. Barker, J. F. Barker and William McPherson settled in the same locality.
J. F. Barker bought the Nelson claim and the little 12 by 14 cabin for some
time sheltered the families of S. B. Barker, A. J. Hastie, J. C. Barker and Lewis
Bragg. It also became a hostelry and its latchstring was always on the outside
to bid welcome to the traveler. The house at times was so crowded that "when
bedtime 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 rose first and went out-
side to dress. Meals were served. on the hind end of *a wagoo and consisted of
com bread, buttermilk and fat pork, and occasionally 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 then only one day in seven."
Ransom Moon was the immediate follower of Nelson into the township,
coming in February, 1852, and taking up a claim in the timber on "Moon Branch,"
where he built a pole cabin 12 by 14 feet square. In the spring of that year he
moved to a town near the center of the township, where he cultivated a farm and
improved it by setting out groves of trees, orchards, building fences and erecting
necessary farm outbuildings. He became one of the substantial business men of
the community and lived on the old homestead many years.
Alvin Greer located here in March, 1852, and took a clakn on a beautiful
point of land between Grand River and Barker Branch. However, failing to
secure the money with which to make his entry, his claim was "jumped," which
compelled him to seek another locality, his choice being on the edge of Adair
County. Greer met his death while serving his country in the Civil war.
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350 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Probably no man among the first settlers in the township accomplished more
toward settling and improving the community than Samuel Barker, a Baptist
minister, a man of means and great energy of character. With his three sons,
O. W. Barker, J. C. Barker and Elihu Barker, and his brother, J. C. Barker,
together with A. J. Hastie, the elder Barker arrived in the township in May,
1853, and located in what became known as the Barker settlement. Samuel Barker
entered 2,000 acres of land in the township and became one of its most valued
citizens. His son, Elihu, served with distinction as a soldier in the Civil war
and later took up his residence in Arkansas, where he became quite prominent
in state affairs. O. W. and J. C. took up claims for themselves, improved them
and long lived here as leading citizens. O. W. held various township offices,
among which was that of supervisor, serving on the first board elected. Mr.
Barker opened the first road in the township, and his brother, Capt. E. G., enlisted
in the First Iowa Cavalry and served 2j4 years. He afterwards enlisted in the
infantry service. Was county treasurer two terms.
A. J. Hastie, who came with the Barkers, was one of the substantial men of
the township, becoming one of its principal stock dealers. It is said that when
Hastie put up his first cabin, he and his assistant, J. H. Marley, found the work
very difficult and by the middle of an afternoon, having lifted logs until they
were utterly worn out, were ready to abandon the preconceived idea of complet-
ing the work that day. About the time they had concluded to leave off from their
labors a party of engineers in the employ of a proposed air line railroad from
Clinton to Council Bluffs approached them. Upon learning of the intended im-
provement they were greatly cheered, not only by that, but at the time it was
current gossip that the contents of an eight-gallon keg in possession of the en-
gineers might have done its part toward creating somewhat of the exhilaration
the settlers exhibited before the departure of their guests.
John H. Bragg, James Reason and Hiram Pierce settled in the township as
early as 1853 and not long thereafter came Philip Osbom, J. J. Greer, E. Pindell,
William Kivitt and John Grandfield.
Wesley Cochran, an Qhioan, first came to Madison County in 185 1. He
returned to his old home in Illinois and afterwards settled in the township per-
manently, accumulating several hundred acres of land.
J. H. Marley was born in Indiana in 1832. He located in this township in
April, 1853. He engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Marley was one of
the prominent men of the community, held various offices and about 1878 was
elected as a member of the board of supervisors.
J. Thomas immigrated from Ohio to Iowa in 1854 and located in this township
with his bride of a few months.
H. C. Wright was a native of North Carolina. With his father he immi-
grated to Indiana in 1840 and came to this county in 1854, locating on section 15,
Grand River Township. Mr. Wright enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Infantry and
reenlisted as a veteran in the Civil war.
W. M. Kivitt was a North Carolinian who immigrated to Indiana in 183 1 with
his parents. He arrived in Madison County and this township in 1855 and became
one of the leading farmers and citizens of the community.
W. O. Lee, when first coming here in 1855, occupied part of his time in teach-
ing the children of the neighborhood. He developed into one of the substantial
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GRISWOLD MILL ON GRAND RIVER, GRAND RIVER TOWNSHIP
Last mill in Madison County operated by water power
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 351
farmers of the community and in i860 married Angeline Barker, a daughter of
one of the pioneers. Mr. Lee was a veteran of the Civil war.
J. C. Grandfield was a settler in the township of the year 1856. He was a
native of England and arrived in this country in 1855.
A. Bonham, with his wife and family, left the State of Ohio in 1857, and
coming to Madison County located on section 23, Grand River Township. He
raised a large family of children and became one of the useful and prominent
men of this community. Among his children were D. Bonham, Mary, Benjamin,
Hannah, W. G. and Samuel.
J. H. Mack, who afterwards became one of the leading physicians of the
county, was bom in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1837, settled in Indiana and Illi-
nois and from the latter state came to this county in 1858, making part of the
journey up the river to Des Moines and landing at the mouth of Coon River. He
came on foot from Des Moines to Grand River Township, where he engaged
extensively in farming and accumulated large bodies of land. Doctor Mack
enlisted in the Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry in the Civil war. Returning to
Grand River he took up the practice of his profession.
When the township was first placed under the hands of the white men it
offered to them an abundance of wild fruits such as crabapples, plums, cherries
and the like. Within a few years thereafter many orchards had been planted
and were producing bountiful crops of apples, pears and cherries. There was
also plenty of wild game in the timber, such as deer, elk, turkeys and smaller
animals, which provided liberally days of sport for the skilful huntsman of that
day, and added largely to the larder of his good wife. It is also related that wild
hogs were found in the timber, long-legged brutes, wild and fleet as a deer.
Their presence here was attributed to the Mormons, who had lost them while
wintering at Mount Pizgah, in Union County, in 1847.
Other matters of interest might be spoken of concerning this township, but it
is to a great extent the same as the general history of the county ,which finds a
place elsewhere in this volume and its companion volume. It is sufficient to say
that in all respects Grand River Township is a very good one in which to find
a permanent home, for its farms are at a high state of improvement and its terri-
tory has all the modem advantages, good schools, churches, well kept roads,
telephonic communication and daily mail service by way of rural delivery routes.
The community is also favored and blessed by the location within its borders
of one of the best little trading points in Madison County.
MACKSBURG
This little trading point is about eighteen miles southwest of Winterset, and
is on the divide constituting a water shed between the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers. It is surrounded by a splendid scope of country and is in the midst of a
very fertile farming and stock raising region. Grand River, worthy of its name,
wends its way closely by the town, and in an early day not only supplied water
power for milling and other purposes but upon its banks stretch bodies of timber
provided by Nature for the uses of mankind.
Macksburg was laid out on sections 9, 10, 15 and 16, March 23, 1874, for
the owners of the land, W. O. Lee, J. H. Mack, E. G. Barker, A. J. Hastie and
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352 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
John D. Love; R. A. Patterson, surveyor. The name adopted is taken
from one of the prominent early settlers of Grand River Township, whose
high character, indomitable energy and enterprise are chiefly responsible for the
establishment of this one of Madison County's commercial centers. Dr. J. H.
Mack will long be remembered for his own sterling characteristics and Macksburg
will further serve to perpetuate his name in local history.
Near the town site of Macksburg a postoffice was established in 1863 ^^^
given the classic name of Venus. A. J. Hastie, a pioneer of the township, was
installed as postmaster, and the office continued in existence until 1870, when it
was abolished for the reason that no one could be found to assume the onerous (?)
duties of the establishment imposed by the Government. However, the office
was reestablished in 1871 and when Macksburg was founded the office was
removed to the new town and given its name, with Dr. J. H. Mack in charge,
and from this time on Macksburg began to grow and soon assumed the propor-
tions of a village that gave evidence of one day being able to take its place in
the front rank, as a business and shipping point.
John H. Marley and J. D. Love, both of whom were at one time in charge
of the postoffice, were first in the field as merchants and were active in increasing
the interests of the town and its upbuilding. Other mercantile establishments and
industries secured a footing in the "burg" and today there are a number of busi-
ness enterprises that call to the place a class of people well equipped to purchase
goods suitable to their means, which is saying a good deal, as they come irom
farming districts surrounding the town that cannot be surpassed for f ruitfulness
and prosperity anywhere in the State of Iowa.
In the center of the town is a block of ground which was a donation from
Dr. J. H. Mack for park purposes. It is a pretty spot and on its four sides are
ranged most of the business houses. The park was originally the site of a school-
house and was secured by Doctor Mack by trading other property for it. Mention
of the schools will be found in another chapter.
While Macksburg does not have in her confines a printing press, her business
interests, schools, churches and local gossip find a place in the Macksburg Record,
a five-column quarto, established in 191 1. The paper is edited by Mrs. Shell
and published at Lorimer.
With its bank, several general stores, among which is also the postoffice,
implement concerns, lumberyards, drug arid drygood stores, livery stables and
garages, elevator and recently acquired railroad facilities, Macksburg continues
to retain her place in the county's commercial aflfairs and socially the town is con-
sidered par excellence.
MACKSBURG INCORPORATED
The village of Macksburg was incorporated as a town, November 5, 1876.
Dr. J. H. Mack, M. Osbom, J. D. Love, J. D. Rawls and W. O. Lee were ap-
pointed commissioners to provide for and call an election, which was held at
A. J. Mack's store. The judges of election were A. J. Mack, W. O. Lee, M.
Osbom ; clerks, George Dudley and J. D. Love. Dr. J. H. Mack was elected the
first mayor of the newly made municipality. At this time the business interests
were represented in the following industries : General stores. Love, Sharp & Com-
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METHODIST CHURCH, MACKSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH, MACKSBURG
Built and dedicated in 1876. Repaired, re- Built and dedicated in 1874
modeled and rededicated in 1914
PUBLIC PARK, MACKSBURG, LOOKING NORTHEAST
Grand River Township
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 353
pany, Levi Wolf; hardware, Lee & Lafler; drugs, J. J. Clark; millinery, Mrs.
Mahan ; insurance, W. O. Lee ; carpenter, L. T. Townsend ; shoes. Gray Mahan,
A. Kirtland; harness, J, T. Johnson; blacksmith, H. L. Harden; wagon maker,
A. Hammers; physicians, J. H. Mack, J. A. Rawls, T. M. Comuck; hotel, T. H.
Gilbert.
FINANCIAL
The first bank in Macksburg was established in August, 1902, as a private
concern, by L. W. McLennan, of Afton, which continued under Mr. McLennan's
sole control until in April, 1903, when the Macksburg National Bank was or-
ganized. The incorporators were L. W. McLennan, J. M. Wilson, L. T. Town-
send, J. H. Mack, Cass Pindell, I. D. Harrison and Mart Rowe ; and first officials,
J. M. Wilson, president; J. H. Mack, vice president; E. O. Klingaman, cashier.
Capital stock, $25,000.
In March, 1904, W. W. Walker succeeded to the cashiership, and in 1908,
upon the death of Doctor Mack, L. T. Townsend was elected vice president by
the board of directors. J. M. Wilson met an untimely and tragic death, June 21,
1910, and was succeeded in the presidency by L. T. Townsend ; at the same time
Mr. Harrison went into the office of vice president. The latter died in November,
1910, and Martin Rowe became vice president. Finally, Mr. Townsend disposed
of his stock and Eugene Wilson, son of J. M. Wilson, was made president of
the institution on February 8, 1913.
Plans have been completed for a new bank building, which will stand on the
comer of North and East streets. The structure will be a one-story brick and it
is anticipated the new home of the bank will be ready for occupancy in the spring
of 1915. Present officials: President, Eugene Wilson; vice president, Martin
Rowe; cashier, W. W. Walker. Capital, $25,000; surplus, $10,000; deposits,
$62,000.
RELIGIOUS BODIES
The Macksburg circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in
the fall of 1874 and consisted of the following places: West Branch, Pleasant
View, Hebron, Pleasant Valley and Skunk Hollow. The congregations of the
last four held services in schoolhouses. The Macksburg society first met for
worship in the Kivitt schoolhouse and continued so to do until the church was
built in 1874. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas Berry and
the regular pastor was Rev. A. Thombrugh. Up to this time Macksburg was a
part of the Winterset circuit. Rev. Thomas Berry became president of Simpson
College and, in 1876, secured enough subscriptions to meet the quite heavy indebt-
edness of the society. At this time Rev. L M. O'Flyng was the pastor. Ministers
following the last named were: D. O. Stuart, September, 1878, to September,
1879; F. D. Funk, 1879-80; George M. Jeffrey, I880-81 ; B. A. Fassett, 1-881-82;
J. H. Senseney, 1882-83; J. D. M. Buckner, 1883-84; J. H. Warfield, 1884-85;
John Webb, 1885-86; A. O. Miller, 1886-87; E. E. Raymon, 1887-88; William
Johnston, 1888-89; J. S. Mason, 1889-90; W. E. Harvey, 1890-92; I. M. OTlyng,
1892-94; F. S. Bunting, 1894-96; M. H. Ellis, 1896-97; D. Martin, 1897; F. B.
Vol. I— 11
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354 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Dunn, 1899-1901; C. Knowl, 1901-02; J. G. Duling, 1902-04; C. E. Trueblood,
1904-06; W. C. Smith, 1906-07; J. N. Hosier, 1907-08; Ivan R. Mills, 1908-10;
Roy N. Spooner, 1910-12; L. B. Shannon, 1912-14; Fred E. Whitney, 1914.
This church has a membership in the circuit of 206 and at Macksburg 76,
with an average Sunday school attendance of 80. In the fall of 1914, the church
building met with improvements that cost about $3,000. On the lot adjoining
the church is a neat and comfortable parsonage.
West Branch society was organized in September, 1855, by Rev. W. C. Wil-
liams, who delivered the first sermon at the home of Reverend Rawlins, a local
preacher. The succeeding meeting of the society was held at the home of James
Pearson, and the members continued to meet here the following four years, at
the expiration of which the Pearson schoolhouse was requisitioned for the pur-
pose and used until the church was built at Macksburg. This appointment was
originally a part of the Afton (Union County) and Ringgold Mission and then
became identified with the Afton circuit and remained therein until the formation
of the Macksburg circuit in 1874.
Pleasant View society came into being in 1856, under the direction of Rev.
Joel Mason. The initial leader was S. W. Mulligan and services were held at
the home of Jerub Richmond until the year 1865. From here the society moved
to the F. M. Walker schoolhouse, which later was purchased, remodeled and
dedicated to all things sacred. The appointment originally was a part of Brook-
lyn, or Ohio, circuit and remained as such until 1867, when it became part of the
Winterset circuit and then, in 1878, was transferred to the Macksburg circuit.
When organized, Hebron was one of the appointments in the Macksburg cir-
cuit and so remained until 1883, when the church was removed 2>4 miles south,
to Union schoolhouse. No. 2. Rev. J. D. M. Buckner was in charge. Hebron
was annexed to Orient circuit in 1889.
Skunk Hollow appointment at the time of its organization was a part of the
Macksburg circuit and later was consolidated with Pleasant Valley, in order
the better to build Zion Church. The union of the two charges, however, was
never satisfactory.
Pleasant Valley society was organized by Rev. W. C. Williams, who preached
his first sermon to this charge in the Peters' schoolhouse, where services were
held the succeeding six years and then the Pragg schoolhouse was used and
the society came to be known as the Pleasant Valley class. In 1881 it was con-
solidated with the Skunk Hollow class and Zion Church was built by them in
1881-82.
Bethesda Baptist Church was organized May 5, 1855, at the home of Alexander
Bamum, who, together with his wife, was of the organizing members. The
others were Hiram Pierce, the first pastor, and wife; Dr. J. H. Mack and wife,
William Kivitt and wife, RaBsom Moon, John H. Bray and wife, Capt. E. G.
Barker and wife, Robert and Catherine Wilson, John A. and Sarah N. Marley,
Nancy A. Barker, Mary Moore, Elizabeth Rawlins. The first church was a small
frame affair that was built the year of the organization, and stood on the hill
one-half mile southwest of town. The present building, also a frame, was erected
in 1874 and cost about two thousand dollars. Its predecessor was removed to
a lot subsequently purchased by L. C. McKibben.
Rev. Hiram Pierce occupied this pulpit a number of years, but how many
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 355
could not be learned and the early church records were burned in 191 1. During
the past four or five years the church has not been supplied with a regular pastor
and the church membership, at one time quite large, has been decreasing steadily,
through deaths, removals and other causes. It is now anticipated that soon a
resident pastor will be secured. The present number of names on the church rolls
is 32.
FRATERNAL ORDERS
Grand River Lodge, No. 406, I. O. O. F., was organized October 2, 1880.
Macksburg Encampment, No. 186, was organized October 21, 1902, and Haw-
thorne Chapter, No. 350, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized October 23, 1896.
At one time the Grand Army Post was able to muster at its meetings quite a
large body of veterans. But what with the ravages of time and disease, the ranks
of the post have so thinned out that the organization now can scarcely muster
a corporal's guard. There is still a Woman's Relief Corps that meets occa-
sionally.
Evergreen Camp, No. 4133, M. W. A., was organized August 12, 1896.
THE RAILROAD
Macksburg has a railroad. That fact is certainly worthy of mention before
the closing of this chapter. Whether it always will have one or not is, as Rud-
yard Kipling says, another story. Be that as it may, the Creston, Winterset &
Des Moines Railroad, having a line of track twenty-one miles long and reaching
from Creston to Macksburg, was built in 1912 and on the 31st of December of
"that year the first train of cars entered the town. The line has been in operation
under many vicissitudes practically all its life, and it is said that unless the prop-
erty is placed under different management Macksburg will be bereft of an
improvement in which she took a great deal of pride.
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CHAPTER XLV
OHIO TOWNSHIP
It is easy to see where this township got its name. As many of its first settlers
came from the State of Ohio, it was but fair to attach the name of that great
commonwealth to this community, so thereupon, when it Was organized, March 7,
1857, the name by which the township is now known, was attached.
Ohio Township is bounded on the east by Warren County, on the south by
Clarke County, on the west by Walnut Township and the north by South Town-
ship. Its surface is drained by South River and a number of small streams, and
the general topography and character of its confines is that of beautiful prairie
land, finely adapted for agricultural purposes. Along the streams is a grove of
timber, and back of them, high rolling prairie of the richest soil. Water is to
be found in abundance and some of the springs that here abound never cease to
flow. The Keokuk & Western Railroad, which is part of the Burlington system,
enters the township at the extreme northwestern comer of section 3, and taking
a southerly direction, has a station at Truro. It leaves the township at section 24,
first making a bend into section 26.
One of the first settlers in Ohio Township was James McNeeley, who was born
August 16, 1816, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, was married to Jane Belong in
1840, and came to Madison County, settling on Buckeye Prairie in Ohio Township
in 1853. He died in Winterset, May 14, 1897. Mrs. Jane McNeeley diedJ^ebruary
19, 1913, and both are buried in. the Rock City cemetery near Winterset, Iowa.
Mr. McNeeley was a member of Company K, Tenth Iowa Infantry.
Solomon Delong, the father of Mrs. Jane McNeeley, also came to Ohio Town-
ship in 1853 with a large family, where they lived for many years.
Among the first settlers in this township were the Holmes, Cregers, Bradshaws,
Youngs, Porters, Belongs, Martins and Parsons, all of whom came about the
year 1854. Here is located the Oak Run meeting house of the famous Quaker
settlement, where for many years worshipped the Moorman, Simmons, Painter,
Mitchner and Ellis families. In more recent years there was a new invasion
from Ohio, when th^ Worthing, Mitchell and Patterson families arrived, members
of which made their influence felt on the politics of the county, more particularly
G. W. Patterson and Richard Mitchell.
Charles H. Young, a local preacher of the Christian Church for many years,
was one of the most characteristic specimens of old-time virtue, finding an
abiding place here. He was a good farmer and an equally expert blacksmith
and pulpit orator. Mr. Young left his Ohio home in the fall of 1853 and reached
Eddyville, Iowa, in November, remaining there until June of the following year,
when he reached Madison County and entered a tract of land on section 14, in this
township.
356
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 357
With the Youngs when they left Ohio were Henry Creger and family, John
Creger and family, John Porter and family, John Creger, son of Henry, and
family, and Reuben Creger and family. Samuel Douglas, Brown Douglas, a
Mr. Collier and family and Reverend Douglas, a Presbyterian clergyman, were
here as early as the above mentioned settlers, but left the community at the begin-
ning of the Civil war.
David Bradshaw was a Pennsylvanian by birth and removed with his parents
to the State of Ohio when nine years of age. From there he immigrated to Iowa
and after remaining a short time at Eddyville, he located in this township on sec-
tion 4, in the fall of 1854. J. W. Bradshaw, who succeeded his father on the old
homestead, was with the family at the time of its arrival.
S. M. Creger and R. A. Creger also located in Ohio Township, in April, 1854.
R. J. Foster was from Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He immigrated to Iowa in the
fall of 1853 and in the spring of 1855 located on section 12, Ohio Township. He
was one of the frugal, industrious men of the community and made a good record
as a soldier in the Civil war.
J. D. Hartman and family traveled by wagon from Indiana to this county in
1855, and in 1857 located on section 21.
Arch Holmes left Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1854, and spent two years in
Wapello County, Iowa, from whence he came to Madison County and located on
section 22, this township.
Isaac Holmes, also of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, left his home in the Buckeye
State in 1854, when he came to Iowa with his parents and lived three years in Van
Buren County and then located in Ohio Township. James Hull married Miss
Jane Holmes in Tuscarawas County, in 1855, then came to this county and located
in Ohio Township in 1857.
Valentine McPherson, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, located here in May,
1857, and became one of the substantial farmers of the community.
John Mann was raised in West Virginia, where he remained until seventeen
years of age and then came with his father to Madison County in 1855, settled
in this township, and .in course of time was elected county superintendent of
schools.
Jonathan Roby, of Jefferson County, Ohio, located on section 15, Ohio Town-
ship, in 1856. His wife was Lucinda Creger, whom he married in 1854.
James D. Houlette was another quite early settler of Ohio Township, coming
in 1867, but in 1879 moving to South Township. Mr. Houlette was bom Sep-
tember 4, 1816, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and died July 27, 1909, in his
ninety-third year. For sixty-five years there was not a death in his family of
seven children.
Charles H. Young, Henry Creger and John Creger built the first houses in
Ohio Township. Charles H. Young established a blacksmith shop in which he
worked at St. Charles from 1855 until i860. His first wife died in 1854, which
was the first death among the Ohioans in the township. Mr. Young's second wife
was called away by death in 1893, and both were buried in the Young cemetery,
where there are over one hundred graves.
The Oak Grove Church of Friends was organized May 18, 1871, with the
following original members: T. C. Moorman, R. A. Moorman, Mary Hiatt, E.
Hiatt, David Ellis, M. E. Ellis, Calvin Ellis, E. Ellis, William Woodward, E.
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358 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Woodward, J. Simmons, E. J. Simmons, W. H. Bishop, M. Bishop, Q. Pierce and
Virginia Pierce. The first church building, which had formerly been a school-
house, was purchased by the Friends of the district and was dedicated for religious
purposes in 1877.
TRURO
Truro is a thriving little village of about 325 inhabitants, situated on the summit
of the divide between Clanton Creek and South River, overlooking a most beau-
tiful, fertile and well improved farming district. It stands on section 15 and near
the center of Ohio Township, on the line of the Des Moines & Kansas City
(Chicago Great Western) Railroad, and was laid off and platted August 3, 1881,
for the owner, James Hull, by R. A. Patterson, surveyor. In 1902 the town was
incorporated and the first mayor was W. W. Atkinson.
This stirring and progressing little trading point was first named Ego, but
that seemed too bombastic or egotistical (no pun intended), and the change was
made within a short time to the present name. As in the township, the village
has splendid schools, taught in a modem two-story brick building; church soci-
eties, whose places of worship are neat in appearance and commodious, and all
well attended. As a trading point the town stands high and with good railroad
facilities has established a reputation as a shipping point for grain and live stock.
The first postoffice was established February 10, 1862, but was located near
the west line, in Walnut Township, in the vicinity of Ebenezer Church. The
office at this point was discontinued in 1889. J. W. Smith and S. M. Walker per-
formed the duties of the office, in the store of the place, nearly twenty years, and
when the office was abolished Fred Beeler had been the postmaster eight years.
An office was established in 1881 at the southeast comer of the northeast quar-
ter of section 21, and named Reed. Isaac Holmes was appointed postmaster. In
1882 the office was moved to Ego, and the name became Truro in 1884. Isaac
Holmes remained in the office for some time after the change. Then followed
G. N. Skinner, George Patton, J. D. Hillman, Ella Earl, J. W. Smith and
others, among whom were the early business men of the town.
Probably the first person to engage in business at Truro was J. W. Smith. He
settled in Walnut Township with his parents, John and Rebecca Smith, in 1854
coming from Illinois that year. He married Belle C. Walker in 1870 and for
a number of years was a teacher in the public schools. Mr. Smith was elected
county treasurer in 190 1 and served five years, and afterwards engaged in the
grocery business. He died in 1914 at East Peru, and was'buried in the Ebenezer
Cemetery.
The Truro Savings Bank is one of the institutions of the town that has se-
cured a firm footing in the confidence of the community. It is an outgrowth of
the Truro Bank, established in the spring of 1899 by J. W. Likens and W. M.
Steer, who began business in a one-story brick building erected for the pur-
pose. Here the business was continued as a private bank until April 10, 191 1,
on which date the Truro Savings Bank was organized by J. W. Likens, W. M.
Steer, W. O. Creger, J. T. Creger, J. C. Reed, C. N. Reed and Benton Jones, with
a capital of $20,000. The first officials were : President, W. M. Steer; vice presi-
dent, J. W. Likens; cashier, J. E. Walker. In January, 1913, J. W. Likens suc-
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHRISTIAN CHURCH, TRURO
TRURO
TRURO HIGH SCHOOL
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Prr, rrr.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 359
ceeded W. M. Steer as president and J. C. Reed was elected vice president. Mr.
Reed died May 31, 1914, and was followed in the vice presidency by Benton
Jones. The present official list is made up by J. W. Likens, president ; Benton
Jones, vice president ; J. E. Walker, cashier ; A. C. Holmes, assistant cashier. The
capital stock is $20,000; surplus, $10,000; deposits, $105,000.
The Christian Church was organized in the winter of 1856, by A. D. Kellison,
at the home of Ephraim Delong, about two miles south of the present Town of
Truro. For some time the meetings were held at private houses. Later, after
schoolhouses were built, the meetings were held in the Banner schoolhouse, two
miles northeast of the center of Ohjo Township. Later, in the early '70s, the meet-
•ings were moved to a schoolhouse one mile south of the center of the township,
known as the Hartman schoolhouse. In 1875-6 the society erected a church build-
ing 30x40 feet, three-fourths of a mile south of the center of the township and
about 1884 the building was moved to Truro and was remodeled in 1893. In
June, 1898, the building was struck by lightning and burned. The society re-
ceived $1,000 insurance and the same year a new church was erected and dedicated
in the spring of 1899. The value of the property at that time was about two thou-
sand two hundred dollars. In 191 1 the church was remodeled at a cost of about
one thousand two hundred dollars. The present value of the property is about
three thousand two hundred dollars. Among the charter members of the first
organization were Ephraim Delong, Hannah Delong, Jesse Delong, Betsy Delong,
R. A. Creger, Mary A. Creger, Jane McNealy, Rhoda Delong, John Creger,
Mahala Creger and Risby Creger.
Those who have served as pastors of the church are : Revs. A. D. Kellison,
William Deal, J. Z. Bishop, J. H. Creger, R. A. Creger, Joseph Anshultz, C. C.
Rowley, A. Bradfield, A. H. Chase, S. O. Calvin, W. C. Smith, W. B. Golden, J. L.
Towner, J. O. Elwell, E. Fitzgerald, Lamb, P. W. Jellison, John Reed, O. E.
Brown, A. Thomas, William Bagley, A. C. Bumham, D. W. Thompson, A. W.
Ricker, R. C. Helfenstein, D. Powell, E. E. Bennett and F. W. Hagen.
Truro has not yet given itself over to the organization of fraternal societies to
any great extent. However, it has two or three which may be mentioned. There
is Ivy Lodge, No. 483, A. F. & A. M., which was organized on the 8th of June,
1887, by S. M. Creger, who was the worshipful master ; G. W. Patterson, senior
warden, and J. E. Worthing, junior warden. Truro Lodge, No. 330, K. P., was
organized on the nth of August, 1898, by C. W. Young, B. R. Rankin, J. W.
Likens and twenty-two others. The Woodmen of the World is also established
here in Truro Camp, No. 9823.
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CHAPTER XLVI
MONROE TOWNSHIP
Monroe Township lies in the southern tier of townships and was organized
in the year i860. It is bounded on the south by Union County, on the west by-
Grand River Township, on the north by Lincoln Township and on the east by
Wakiut Township. Clanton Creek passes through the township near the center
from west to east and there is a large body of heavy timber on the stream, es-
pecially at Big Grove, also an abundance of limestone of considerable value. The
surface of the country is quite rolling and in many places rough, much more so
than any other township in the county. As found originally it had large tracts of
waste land, many acres of which have been reclaimed by modem methods of
drainage and clearing of fields, and today the farms in Monroe Township give
every evidence of f ruitfulness and having been under the diligent hand of good
husbandmen. There are many small rivulets and valuable streams in Monroe and
abtmdance of good range for stock, which makes the locality very desirable for
those engaged in stock-raising, to which many farmers resident here have given
a great deal of attention, especially to the better grade of animals. When one
considers the many farms which are splendidly improved, the fairly good roads,
and the twentieth century conveniences of the telephone, daily rural free deliv-
ery of mails and generous use of automobiles, one can feel well assured that the
Monroe Township farmer is living pretty much on a par with his neighbors in the
other townships of the county, or anywhere else for that matter. Monroe has
neither a trading point nor postoffice within her borders, nor a railroad, with the
exception of a short piece of the Great Western which cuts across its extreme
southeast comer on section 36. On this transportation line to the north and but
five miles from Monroe is East Pern. The Winterset-Lorimor thoroughfare mns
north through the center of the township to Winterset six miles away from the
north township line and to the west is Macksburg, so that those living within the
township have market places on all four sides of it.
A son of the Emerald Isle named Malone is credited with being the first set-
tler in Monroe Township, coming here as early as 1852. James Brittain and Isaac
Nichols were also here that early, but this claim to priority has been disputed in
favor of Seth Barrow and his father; Micajah Martin, Alfred and Pleasant Brit-
tain, A. H. Bertholf and one Boher and Hicks, who it is said came in 185 1.
A man by the name of Shipley located in the township in 1852 and bought the
claims of Hicks and Boher.
In the year 1854 th^ population of the township was increased by William
Boling, John Bancroft, Lewis and George Linton, Philip and John Moore, Wil-
liam Claim, William Berry and John Berry. Soon thereafter came Frank Bos-
worth, Samuel Hamilton, N. Clark and H. Harris.
360
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 361
John Bancroft immigrated from England to the United States in 1847 and set-
tled in Indiana, where he remained until the year 1853 and came to this state
and coimty, settling in Monroe Township. Mrs. Chenoweth, whom he married in
1859, was his second wife. Mr. Bancroft became one of the substantial farmers
and citizens of the township and held various of the township offices.
The Berrys came from Indiana but were natives of Kentucky. Their names
are closely identified with the early history of the township.
J. J. Berry settled in the county in March, 1854. With his father, William,
came Charles Boling to the township. He married MoUie Bivins in 1878. E. L.
Boling settled here in 1856, held township offices and in 1863 married Elizabeth
Williams. William Boling for many years lived on section 2.
Simeon Hamblin was a native of Pennsylvania. He removed to Ohio in 1831
and from there immigrated to the Prairie State of Iowa in 1854 and took up his
permanent residence in this township. He held various offices of the com-
munity and died January 10, 1874, leaving seven children, one of whom was a
son, Christopher C., who enlisted in the Civil war and died from disease in Mis-
sissippi.
Another early settler was M. Bullock. He came from Indiana in 1855 and
for many years lived on section 22. He was a member of the Forty-seventh
Iowa Infantry and in 1870 married Sarah Alexander.
J. C. Foster, an Ohioan, also located in this township in 1855. With his
brother, D. F. Foster, he for many years conducted a large grocery business. He
married Harriet Lake in 1857.
John Lewis located here in 1855, coming from the State of Ohio.
John Comelison was bom in Butler County, Ohio, in 181 4. He removed to
Indiana, from whence he emigrated to Iowa in 1857. In 1859 he located in Mon-
roe Township.
The Brittains lived in Buchanan County, Missouri, before coming to Madison
County, Iowa. They arrived here in March, 1852. Pleasant Brittain enlisted in
Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and was mustered out in June, 1865.
Returning to his home in Douglas Township, he married Sarah Cox and settled
on section 32, Jefferson Township.
Of Monroe Township and its people, E. R. Zeller lately had the following
to say : "The Bolings have lived in Monroe Township from way back. The ir-
repressible Samuel will soon move to Lorimor. Some of the others have moved
away and others have been called to their final account. The Berrys also are, mostly
all gone and so are the Bancrofts and Littons. Of the Sheldons, Charles re-
mains, while M. R. Sheldon, who lived in Winterset, died a few years ago. The
above mentioned, together with the Bullocks, Bivins, Edwards, Kilgores, J. V.
Kirk, Hugh Alexander, D. M. Tomlinson, the Fosters and Palmers, Wesley
Wilson, P. M. Rhodes and V. L. Callison, constituted the men chiefly active dur-
ing the formative period of the county. Time has made great changes and the
men who helped most to make Monroe Township are mostly gone. Mr. Cal-
lison and Mr. Kirk remain, both having served the country as volunteers in the
Grand Army, the former from Illinois and the latter from Ohio and at the
conclusion of their service came to a new country to conquer homes in a new land.
Both became remarkably successful in business and long will be remembered for
the part they took in the affairs of the county. Monroe Township has furnished
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362 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
three members of the board of supervisors — Charles Polk, H. H. Kilgore and M.
O. Brady. H. C. Leasman, a native of Germany, settled here at an early day and
has done much toward the development of tlie material resources of the coimty.
George Frederickson, now of Winterset, put in many an eighteen-hour day on a
farm in Monroe Township."
There are two well attended churches in Monroe Township — ^the Methodist
Episcopal, located on section 8, and one on section 22.
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cha'pter xlvii
the city of winterset
Winterset lies in Center Township and practically covers that subdivision of
the county. The township is an oblong tract of land, the north three-fourths of
which in equal proportions lie in the southeast and southwest comers of Douglas
and Union Townships, respectively; and the remaining quantity in the north-
east comer of Lincoln and northwest comer of Scott townships. The boundaries
of Center Township were determined under an order of the County Court, June
4, i860.
All preliminaries relating to the location of Winterset as the county seat, its
survey into lots, the naming of the seat of justice and sale of lots, have been de-
scribed in a former chapter. However, it may be interesting at this day to note the
prices set by the Commissioners* Court for the lots and the names of a few of the
first purchasers. A comparison between the value of town lots in Winterset in
1849 ^"d ^914 n^akes very good reading for the one of an analytical turn of
mind.
The records show that Winterset, the original site of which was owned by
John Culbertson, consisted of 175 acres of land, which Culbertson conveyed by
deed to the County of Madison for the insignificant (now) sum of $194.50. The
town was laid off and platted by A. D. Jones, county surveyor, who was assisted
by Philip M. Boyles and Enos Berger. The lots were 132 feet, north and south,
and 66 feet, east and west. A public square was located in the center of the plat
and is four chains wide east and west, the same width north and south, and con-
tains 1.7 acres. In the center of this tract of land stands the courthouse.
The following bill of sale, made and delivered to Enos Berger, by E. R. Guib-
erson, agent for the county, indicates the method adopted in alienating the public
lots in the county seat :
** August 22, 1849, I> Edwin R. Guiberson, lot agent for the commissioners of
Madison County, Iowa, do hereby certify that Enos Berger has this day purchased
of me lot No. 6, in block 17, in the town of Winterset, in said county, for $30,
and paid $7.50 thereon, and agrees to pay the balance in three equal payments fall-
ing due in six, twelve and eighteen months from this day, and accordingly ex-
ecuted and delivered to me his promissory notes for the same of even date here-
with payable to the commissioners of said county. The further terms of this
sale are that if the said Enos Berger, or his assigns, shall punctually pay all of said
notes as they severally fall due, then the said commissioner shall make and exe-
cute to said Enos Berger, or assigns, a good and sufficient deed for said lot. But
if said notes are not all paid on or before the day on which the last note becomes
due, then all former payments are to be forfeited to the county and said lot to be
again subject to sale.
**Given under my hand the day and year first above written.
"E. R. Guiberson, Town Lot Agent."
363
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364
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
SALE OF LOTS
Date
1849. Purchaser Lot
August 22 William Combs 5
August 22 J. S. Wallace i
August 23 A. D. Jones 3
August 23 A. D. Jones 5
August 29 Mary Danforth 3
August 30 William Compton 8
August 22 A. D. Jones 4
August 23 A. D. Jones i
August 22 Abraham Shoemaker 3
August 22 Samuel Guye 5
August 24 S. G. Winchester i
August 22 E. H. Baker 5
August 22 J. M. Evans 7
August 22 William Shoemaker ^ . 7
August 30 J. M. Evans i
August 22 G. W. McClellan 3
August 22 E. Berger 8
August 23 A. D. Jones 5
August 23 A. D. Jones i
August 24 A. D. Jones 5
August 22 William Shoemaker 3
August 22 Joel Clanton 7
Block
Price
19
$10.25
19
12.00
18
15.00
18
20.00
33
5.00
17 .
25.00
17
20.00
24
28.00
24
27.00
24
12.00
26
18.00
II %
22.00
II
20.00
19
16.00
II
10.00
19
925
20
11.00
4
5.^
4
300
3
500
24
27.00
22
11.50
It IS to be noticed that lots increased in value in Winterset from the very
outset, although at first the increase was very slight. There was no speculative
period, nor were fancy prices asked or given, but the price of the lots in town
shows a steady, healthful growth and increase. . Herein are given the first values
placed upon town lots in the county seat. Purchases made from six months to
a year later will show the increase in value and aflford an interesting point of
comparison. The following table shows purchases made during the first six
months of 1850:
Date
1850 Purchaser Lot
Feb. I W. Compton 7
Feb. I A. F. Ault ' i
March 4 J. A. Pitzer i
May 5 M. B. Ruby 8
May II T. K. Evans 6
May 30 T. K. Evans 5
June II S. Miller 7
May 30 G. Homback 7
May 30 G. Homback 4
May 30 A. D. Jones i and 2
May 30 S. Casebier 3
Block
Price
17
$30.00
27
42.00
10
10.00
25
30.00
13
10.00
13
10.00
27
8.00
18
52.00
26'
25.25
29 ■
13-25
25
30.75
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RESIDENCE OF J. W. MILLER, WINTERSET
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 365
Date
1850 Purchaser Lot Block Price
May 30 C. Wright 2 26 $18.00
June 5 E. R. Guiberson 5 and 6 28 6.00
June 6 M. B. Ruby 11 and 18 out lots 20.00
June I M. B. Ruby 5 25 15.00
June I J. D. Guiberson i and 2 28 6.00
July 2 I. G. Houk 21 out lots 5.00
July 2 Daniel Campbell 6 and 8 24 45.00
July 21 John Garrett 7 and 8 12 30.00
July 21 C. F. Fisher 7 and 8 13 16.00
July 21 C. Wright 5 30 5.00
At the April term, 1850, of the Commissioners' Court, it was
Ordered, That lot 8, in block 14, be donated to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and all other denominations can have a lot of the same quality.
On July 8, 185 1, E. R. Guiberson, town lot agent, made the following state-
ment of his official transactions up to that date :
Number of lots sold 157
Amount of sales $2,200.25
Amount of orders redeemed i>375i3
Amount of notes on hand 1 . . . 478.00
Amount of cash on hand 347-12
It may be said that Enos Berger built the first house in Winterset and was
the first settler in the county seat, coming in the spring of 1849. This building
was fated to become historical, as within its walls the first stock of merchandise
was displayed for sale in the new town ; the county commissioners held their first
session of court here and Judge McKay opened the initial term of District Court
for Madison County in the storeroom. The structure itself was built of logs, and
Berger, in addition to keeping a store, entertained travelers, the "Berger House"
(later built) standing on the east side of the square being a stopping place for the
stage. Some years after Berger disposed of his log cabin grocery-courthouse, it
was weather-boarded and lost its original identity to a large extent.
The second house built in Winterset and the first after its site was chosen
for the county seat, was a log cabin, put up by John A. Pitzer, on the west side of
the square, in which he kept a store and the best one in the place. Within a
short period thereafter, in the fall of 1849, Alfred D. Jones erected a log store
building and about the same time the Roberts store building went up on the
north side of the public square. Before the expiration of that locally historic
year of 1849, Enos Berger, who seems to have been a man of great energy and
enterprise, built a two-story log house, on the east side of the square, designed for
hotel purposes. The building was the largest in the county and was destroyed by
fire. It was known far and wide as the Berger House, and later was given the
name of the Goe House. This first hostelry, or tavern, of Madison. County was
long a place of great interest to the town and surrounding country, for here
the stage stopped for meals and to let oflf the casual traveler who had arrived at his
journey's end. And it was a good place, in fact the best in the county, to learn
what the outside world happened to be doing, for the "newly-arrived" was usually
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366 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
loaded with news, or able and always willing to regale his audience with a "good
story." The "Old Goe House*' long was one of the principal hotels in this part
of the state and its large dining room ofien was given over to dances, parties,
^'socials'* and other harmless divertisements, while the barroom entertained
guests of its own. In those days whiskey was cheap and unadulterated and, it is
said, "everybody drank,*' not only in public places, but had it in jugs and kegs at
home. Private stills were set up in the county and pure whiskey could be bought
for 20 cents the gallon. But after the Civil war, a tax was placed on the manufac-
ture of the drug and the private still became a thing of the past ; at least it has
ever since been frowned upon and prohibited by the government.
The first person to sell groceries under a license issued by the Commissioners'
Court was William Compton, who secured the privilege at the December term of
1849. I^ is said that Compton was without funds at this time, and knowing that
John Wilkinson was going to Dudley after a load of merchandise (must have been
for Berger), Compton requested him to ask a dealer there, named Church, to
send him a barrel of whiskey. Church considered the matter seriously and de-
cided to let Compton have eleven gallons. While measuring the stuff he remarked
that Compton had been the victim of hard luck ; that while going to the river after
a load of goods for persons at Dudley, he had lost one of his horses. It seems
Compton had lived a while at Dudley before locating at Winterset, and he was
more than once heard to say : "That eleven gallons of whiskey staked me and out
of the profits of its sale I was able to pay for a whole barrel." Perhaps the
water he added to the stimulant helped not a little to increase the profits; as
Compton was often suspected of not permitting his conscience to stand in the way
of "good business." His store was on the southeast comer of the square.
Before the year 1849 ^^^ come to a close, a crude log building was erected
on a plot of ground now part of Monumental Park and given the high sounding
title of courthouse. Early in the following year Dr. J. H. Gaff and Dr. L. M.
Tidrick had offices (?) in a room of the courthouse used by the recorder. It is
highly probable these pioneer doctors took up but a small space with nostrums and
instrument cases, for in that day the pioneer physician had little to do with and
that little hardly filled his saddle bags.
During the year of 1850 the county seat had assumed some proportions. In
addition to those established and already mentioned were A. D. Jones, who had
put up a modest building, and in harmony with his surroundings. This became
Jones' grocery and clothing store. On the same lot was John Dougherty's
grocery and general mercantile establishment.
The pioneer drug store was opened this year by Joseph K. Evans, in one end of
a log cabin. The other part was used for living purposes.
Martin Ruby was Winterset's first blacksmith, opening his sHop in 1850, and
about the same time David Wilhoit built a cabin in which to live.
The only building on the north side of the square was a log cabin, built by
Frank Walkup. Here he maintained a grocery and dry-goods store.
The first frame building in the county was put up in 1850 by John A. Pitzer
and, of course, was the finest structure in the community. It was a one-story
frame, about 24 by 30 feet ground dimensions, and had three rooms — a veritable
palace. This was the nabob's residence and stood immediately north of the old St.
Nicholas Hotel, still holding its own on the comer of Jefferson and West Second
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; F^i'. .. i
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NORTH SIDE OF SQUARE, WINTERSET
SOUTH SIDE OF SQUARE, WINTERSET
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EAST SIDE OF SQUARE, WINTERSET
WEST SIDE OF SQUARE, WINTERSET
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}''^'
£ —
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 367
streets. Not far away were the log cabins of William Compton and Dr. J. H.
Gaff. And at this time, A. D. Jones, not to be outdone by his high-toned neigh-
bors, had a log cabin that would now about make a "tolerable like smoke house."
E. R. Guiberson, John Dougherty, George Homback, M. L. McPherson and
Aquilla Smith were living in the county seat in 1850 and their habitations were of
the log cabin variety. Not a street had been made ; the town was but a wide sweep
of prairie, wholly destitute of trees. The town remained at a standstill and in-
creased in population slowly until 1854, when it exhibited renewed energy and
many more houses were built, some of them of frame. Before the county seat
had reached the period of its incorporation, the native stone had been quarried,
dressed and utilized for building purposes, and today houses built at that period
are standing in Winterset and performing their duties as satisfactorily as the day
they were put up.
One of the first, if not the first, tailor to locate in Winterset was C. A. Gas-
kill, who located here in 1852, coming from New Jersey. He followed his trade
about three years and then engaged in other piu'suits.
I. G. Houk was a member of the famous "Holmes County clique," coming
from the Buckeye State in 1850 and locating in Winterset with a number of
others. He early engaged in real-estate operations in Madison and other counties
and was successful in his undertakings. Houk was one of the important men
of his day locally and held various county offices.
Joseph J. Hutchings was here as early as 1851, coming to the state from
Indiana. He walked from Newton over the imtracked prairies and bridgeless
streams and for two winters taught school. In 1852 he established himself in the
real-estate business in Winterset and became a man of large influence in the
community.
Four years after the county seat had been laid out, John Leonard, a young
lawyer, arrived here from the State of Ohio and took up the practice of his pro-
fession, in which he attained a very high place.
One of the foremost citizens of Winterset and Madison County was C. D.
Bevington, who was bom in Holmes County, Ohio, raised on a farm, studied law,
took a course in medicine, went to California in 1849 and in 1853 settled in Win-
terset. Here he began dealing in real estate. In 1864, with others, he organized
the National Bank of Winterset and became its president. He was always fore-
most in any enterprise for the advancement of the community and when the Des
Moines, Winterset & Southwestern Railroad was being constructed he supervised
the building of that part of the line from Summerset to Winterset, a distance of
twenty-six miles. He began life without a dollar and died in 1903 one of the
wealthiest men in this section of th^ state.
Dealing and speculating in land was quite profitable in the early days and
this was the inducement mainly for the removal of W. W. Knight from his
home in Indiana to Winterset in 1855. He commenced trading in land and
followed the occupation for two years and then entered the mercantile trade. He
was one of the substantial men of early and later Winterset.
Nelson W. Munger located here in 1854, coming from the East. He engaged
in selling merchandise and in 1865, with J. T. White, erected the Madison Woolen
Mills, mentioned elsewhere.
J. L. Pitzer, son of John A. Pitzer, was born in Winterset in 185 1 and when
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368 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
arriving at manhood followed in the footsteps of his father as a merchant, the
firm of Pitzer & Taylor being well known in this community.
W. R. Shriver was one of the pioneer wagon makers of the county seat,
settling here in 1854, where he worked at his trade until the outbreak of the
rebellion. He rose to the rank of captain in the Civil war and, returning, resumed
the trade of carriage maker and became county clerk.
From 1854 to 1857 was a period of continued prosperity for the little county
seat town. The character of the buildings began to change and with the com-
ing of the Berger- Wallace Mill in 1855 building of frame houses became the
vogue. The growth was steady and the increase in prosperity greater but sub-
stantial in character. However, it still was a little pioneer village, mostly made
up of log cabins, without fences or streets to speak of. But in 1856 John A.
Pitzer, a man of considerable means and unbounded energy and enterprise, erected
the St. Nicholas Hotel Building, then one of the largest and most imposing
structures of its kind in the state. It is built of native stone, three stories in
height and cost about twelve thousand dollars. This was one of the indications of
the advancement of Winterset. The St. Nicholas vastly overshadowed the Old
Goe House and became known all over the southwestern portion of the state for
its handsome appearance and the splendid entertainment received by the traveling
public. The old building still stands as one of the town's landmarks and is
situated on the comer of Jefferson and Second streets.
THE FIRST DECADE
The year 1857 was one of great commercial depression, which brought on a
panic that caused disaster throughout the United States. The distressful situation
was keenly felt in Winterset and business enterprises of all kinds were brought to
a standstill. Many of the pioneer business men were ruined and for some years
afterwards the cry of "hard times" was universal. But by the year i860, the
village manifested concrete evidences of recuperation, notwithstanding the dread
wgir clouds that then hovered over the Union. At the expiration of the year six
religious societies were holding services in their own churches ; there were four-
teen lawyers ready to extend their offices to the needy; five implement firms; a
bank, book store, barber, three shoe stores, five blacksmith shops, a butcher shop,
nine carpenters, a dentist, four drug stores, seven dry-goods establishments,
twelve groceries, as many as now; three hardware stores, the St. Nicholas and
Madison hotels ; seven insurance firms, two furniture stores, two firms engaged in
real-estate deals, a livery stable, three millinery shops, two photograph galleries,
ten physicians, two bakeries and restaurants; harness makers, wagon makers,
chairmakers, three saloons, Morris Schroeder's brewery, jewelers, two printing
offices, billiard hall, several stone masons, plasterers, brick makers and layers, a
tailor, a gunsmith, painters, a veterinary surgeon, so that there was scarcely any
article of merchandise needed that the local merchants were not able to supply.
The professions were abundantly represented and no one was permitted to go
thirsty for lack of a place where stimulants were on tap.
WINTERSET INCORPORATED IN 1 857
By a special act of the Legislature, approved January i6, 1857, the Town of
Winterset was incorporated, and in April, 1857, the incorporation of the town was
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ST. NICHOLAS HOTEL, WINTERSET
Built by Judge Pitzer in 1856
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 369
perfected by the election of the various officials provided for in the act. The
measure for the incorporation pr6vided that *^the city shall be divided into two
wards as follows, to wit: The First ward shall consist of all that part of said
city lying south of Court Avenue Street; the Second ward shall consist of all
that part of said city lying north of Court Avenue Street, provided the said city
coimcil may unite, divide or change the said wards west of any of them when-
ever they deem the interests of the city require it." It was also enacted that
"every white male citizen of the United States over the age of twenty-one years
and who shall have been a resident of the state six months and of the city twenty
days prior to the date oi the city election at which he offers to vote, shall be en-
titled to vote at all the elections thereof." As it would take up too much space to
give a full list of all the officials of Winterset from the date of its incorpora-
tion to the present, only the chief executive and clerk for each year will be here
recorded. Their names follow :
1857 — Mayor, S. G. Beckwith ; clerk, L. M. Sprague; 1858 — no record; 1859 —
mayor, H. J. B. Cummings; clerk, J. J. Davies; i860 — ^mayor, J. M. Andrews;
clerk, J. J. Davies; 1861 — ^mayor, L. Mayo; clerk, J. P. Jones; 1862 — mayor,
Samuel Guiberson; clerk, C. S. Wilson; 1863 — no record; clerk, William P. Hast-
ings; 1864 — mayor, D. H. Philbrick; clerk, WilKam P. Hastings; 1865 — mayor,
James Shepherd; clerk, J. M. McLeod; 1866 — mayor, W. H. Lewis; clerk, J. M.
McLeod; 1867 — mayor, W. H. Lewis; clerk, J. M. McLeod; 1868 — mayor, S. G.
Ruby; clerk, J. M. McLeod; 1869 — ^mayor, Eli Wilkin; clerk, J. M. McLeod;
1870 — mayor, Eli Wilkin; clerk, J. W. Bartlett; 1871 — ^mayor, E. H. Kridler;
clerk, J. W. Bartlett; 1872— mayor, E. H. Kridler; clerk, W. S. Whedon; 1873—
mayor, J. M. Andrews; clerk, W. S. Whedon; 1874 — mayor, P. W. Jellison;
clerk, W. S. Whedon; 1875— mayor, P. W. Jellison; clerk, W. S. Whedon; 1876
—mayor, E. H. Kridler; clerk, W. S. Whedon; 1877— mayor, P. W. Jellison;
clerk, W. S. Whedon; 1878 — mayor, J. M. Miller; clerk, James A. Sanford; 1879
— mayor, J. R. Chandler; clerk, James A. Sanford; 1880 — mayor, C. P. Kenedy;
clerk, W. S. Whedon; 1881— mayor, C. P. Kenedy; clerk, W. S. Whedon; 1882
— mayor, J. M. Butcher ; clerk, W. J. Cornell ; 1883 — mayor, J. H. Wray ; clerk,
M. L. Hudson; 1884 — mayor, A. L. Tullis; clerk, W. J. Cornell; 1885 — mayor,
Leroy Wilson; clerk, O. M. White; 1886 — mayor, C. C. Goodale; clerk, O. M.
White; 1887— mayor, F. D. Campbell; clerk, O. M. White; 1888— mayor, F. D.
Campbell; clerk, O. M. White; 1889 — mayor, P. M. Shoop; clerk, C. L. Shoop;
i890^mayor, P. M. Shoop; clerk, C. L. Shoop; 1891 — mayor, P. M. Shoop;
clerk, A. L. Stout; 1892 — mayor, P. M. Shoop; clerk, A. L. Stout; 1893 — mayor,
George Duff; clerk, A. L. Stout; 1894 — m^yor, George Duff; clerk, A. L. Stout;
1895 — mayor, George Duff ; clerk, A. L. Stout ; 1896 — mayor, George Duff ; clerk,
A. L. Stout; 1897— mayor, McK. Miller; clerk, F. G. Ratliff ; 1898— mayor, McK.
Miller; clerk, F. G. Ratliff; 1899— mayor, W. H. Bellows; clerk, Clyde Bean;
1900 — mayor, W. H. Bellows ; clerk, Clyde Bean ; 1901 — ^mayor, John McAndrew ;
clerk, Fred Hudson; 1902 — mayor, John McAndrew; clerk, H. S. Ely; 1903 —
mayor, John McAndrew ; clerk, H. S. Ely ; 1904 — mayor, John McAndrew ; clerk,
W. O. Lucas; 1905 — mayor, I. E. T. Wilson; clerk, W. O. 'Lucas; 1906 — mayor,
I. E. T. Wilson ; clerk, W. O. Lucas ; 1907 — mayor, W. O. Lucas ; clerk, W. R.
Scott; 1908 — mayor, W. O. Lucas; clerk, W. R. Scott; 1909 — ^mayor, W. O.
Lucas; clerk, H. S. Ely; 1910 — mayor, W. O. Lucas; clerk, H. S. Ely; 191 1 —
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370 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
mayor, Emory Nicholson; clerk, H. S. Ely; 1912 — mayor, E. K. Cole; clerk, H. S.
Ely; 1913 — mayor, Eugene Wilson; clerk, H. S. Ely; 1914 — mayor, Eugene Wil-
son ; clerk, H. S. Ely.
THE CITY HALL
Winterset has very good municipal buildings. The city hall, which was
built in 1883, stands on the northwest comer of Court and Second streets. It is
a two-story brick, and separating the main part from the boiler house is a high,
square, brick tower, in which swings the fire bell. The lower floor belongs to the
fire department, where is its apparatus consisting of trucks for ladder and
hose, and stalls for two horses. On the second floor are the offices of the city
clerk, city engineer and council chamber. Adjoining the city hall on the west is
the one-story brick building erected in 1885 for the electric light plant, where is
installed modem machinery and equipments for the city's splendid system of
lighting. The total cost of the city hall and electric light system is approximately
thirty thousand dollars.
WATER WORKS
There were $60,000 bonds voted for water works at a special election, held
October 12, 1908. The petition for the same was signed by 431 qualified voters.
There were 355 ladies and 503 men voted for the proposition as to 52 ladies and
99 men against, or a majority of 707 for the water works. The plant was built
and completed in summer of 1909. The actual cost was a little in excess of the
$60,000 appropriated. Water is taken from six wells located one mile west of the
city limits. These wells are twelve feet in diameter and twenty-two feet deep.
There are ten miles of mains. The system is practically self-supporting. This
system of wells has not given the city all the water needed,' as following a drought
the wells have not fumished as much water as was expected. The city has antici-
pated a demand for an increase in the water supply, and so has taken some
steps to locate a more adequate supply of water commensurate with the demands.
A very favorable outlook has been discovered near Middle River, about the same
distance from town as the present wells are located.
SEWERAGE
The city has no sanitary sewerage system and is not likely to have until some
way has been found to increase the water supply. The matter of sewerage was
taken up by the council in 1910 and submitted to engineers for estimates and
plans, which plans are now on file.
STREET PAVING
The first paving was done in the fall of 1911. The resolution of necessity was
passed June 13, 1911. This provided for four blocks around the square, and
the two blocks north of the square to the depot. The contract was awarded to the
Bryant McLaughlin Asphalt Paving Company of Waterloo, Iowa, August 16,
191 1. The bid was $2.09 per square yard for asphalt over a five incl^ concrete
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CITY HALL AND POWER HOUSE, WINTERSET
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 371
foundation. Curbing 35 cents per foot. The total cost of these six blocks was
$27,840. This paving so far has given excellent satisfaction.
The following year the council concluded to further consider paving and
passed a resolution of necessity March 6, 191 2, to pave about twenty-six blocks
more. This contract was let May 21, 1912, td R. A. Elzy, of Marshalltown, *
Iowa, at $1.71 per square yard for asphalt over a concrete foundation. The cost
of curbing was 36 cents per foot. This paving was completed about the first of
the year 1913 and cost, complete, $76,718. In connection with this paving was the
cost of storm sewerage which is complete with the requirements of the pave-
ment.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The fire department is volunteer and is composed of fifteen members. Fred
Hudson is chief of department and George Ackelson is driver of the fire team.
The matter of procuring a fire team and driver was considered in September, 1910,
and shortly after they were installed. The equipment consists of one steam fire
engine of rather ancient pattern. It is seldom used now. One chemical engine
not in use. The active equipment consists of a fire hose wagon and about 800
feet of hose. Since the establishment of water works this has been found satis-
factory.
CITY PARK
Some day in the not far distant future, Winterset will have a very beautiful
park in a tract of land consisting of twenty acres, which the city acquired by piece-
meal several years ago. The park lies in section 6, Scott Township, at the south-
east comer of the corporation line. The first patch of land, consisting of 2^
acres, was purchased of Washington Cassiday and R. A. Stitt, May 21, 1869,
for which the city paid $57.50. On the 15th day of October, 1872, twelve acres
was secured of C. D. Bevington and J. J. Hutchings, in consideration of $2,000,
and on the 17th day of September, 1875, the remaining six acres was bought of
Henry Smith, and cost $200. The total amount paid for the twenty acres com-
prising the city park was $2,257.50 — a mere bagatelle as compared with the value
of the land at the present day. For a good many years this beauty spot was given
over to the pasturage of cattle and it was but a few years ago that certain persons,
economically inclined to an inordinate degree, and having nothing of the artistic
in their souls, suggested that the park be sold, and the money turned into the
general fund of the city. This alarmed that class of the citizens having an eye
to the beautiful and the essential needs of a growing community and incited them
'to resist any movement toward the alienation of the park land. Furthermore,
certain of the women persuaded the council to desist from putting the land to
any use other than that for which it was purchased and obtained authority to
raise funds for its adornment, beautification and preservation as a summer resort
and pleasure ground. With this object in view the women went ahead, secured
money by ways and means peculiar to themselves and made considerable improve-
ments on the grounds. This revived the dormant interest of the city in its park
and it is now anticipated that within a year or two the authorities will create a
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372 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
park commission, under whose administration, with the appropriations which
will be sought, the park will not only be one in name, but also in fact.
ROCK CITY CEMETERY
The cemetery belongs to the city and came into being in the year 1850, when
an acre of ground was purchased by the pioneer citizens of Winterset for burial
purposes. The committee of citizens, of which A. D. Jones was chairman, re-
ported favorably on the selection of an acre of ground that had been examined,
"in the neighborhood of said town.'* The report also showed that the committee
"Resolved that the Winterset cemetery be located on or near the northeast comer
of the claim belonging to one Davis, on a ridge southeast of Winterset, which
continues out from the residence of A. D. Jones, and consists of one acre of
land, lying south of a certain oak bush, as designated by said committee. All
of which is submitted for the action of this committee."
The land was used and pretty well taken up as the years passed by. More
space was needed and but quite recently the cemetery was enlarged. This new
part has been modernized to considerable extent by the construction of driveways
and cement walks, the latter leading from the foot entrance through the new
section to the old. The presence of landscape gardening in this silent city indi-
cates in many places the loving care and remembrances of those left in this vale
of tears. Rock City Cemetery is one of the city's cherished possessions and
is under the management of an association formed for the purpose of looking
after its interests.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Winterset has a quartet of the strong, reliable financial institutions that make
for confidence in local business circles and assure credit and standing abroad.
The National Bank of Winterset was the first bank established, being organized
under the new national banking laws in 1865, by Dr. C. D. Beving^on, Joseph J.
Hutchings, W. W. McKnight and others. C. D. Bevington was the first president
and retained that position until his death in 1903. W. W. McKnight took the
cashiership at the time of the organization and retired therefrom in 1877. Judge
Frederick Mott succeeded Doctor Bevington in the* presidency and retired but
quite recently, to take up his residence in Des Moines. Other men of prominence
have been connected with the institution, of whom may be mentioned W. S.
Whedon, who for a number of years occupied the responsible position of cashier.
From the beginning this bank has been a popular depository and its business
has increased as the years rolled by. After the expiration of its first charter
the concern was reorganized as the First National Bank, and now has a capital'
of $50,000. By its last report, published October 31, 1914, the sum of $20,000
was shown as a surplus fund, and the total deposits were $276,000.
The home of the First National is on the comer of Court and First streets
and the officials are: President, P. J. Cunningham; vice president, J. E. Ham-
ihon : cashier, W. E. Grismer ; assistant cashier, Rex Spooner. In January, 191 5.
W. E. Grismer resigned and Eugene Wilson was chosen cashier.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 373
CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK
This is a banking house based upon the confidence of its patrons and a sound
financial system of conducting business. It was organized in 1872. J. J. Hutch-
ings was the first president and D. E. Cooper cashier. S. G. Ruby, one of .Madison
County's leading lawyers and United States consul to Belfast, Ireland, served
faithfully and well as president of the bank and later Dr. J. H. Wintrode, whose
recent death was a sad and tragic one. James P. Steele, a leading member of the
bar and an old settler, is the present high executive officer, while Wilbur J.
Cornell has been cashier a number of years. The Citizens National is in a brick
building standing on the northeast comer of Jefferson and First streets. The
capital stock is $50,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $35,000; deposits, $377,836.
THE MADISON COUNTY STATE RANK
The Madison County Bank was established in 1889, with a capital of $25,000.
On September 25, 1905, the bank was reorganized with a capital stock of $70,000.
This institution has a substantial standing in the community and has its home on
the southeast comer of the square. Official list is as follows : President, E. E.
McCall; vice president, Charles McMillan; cashier. Nelson Bertholf ; assistant
cashier, A. L. Stout. Capital stock has been increased to $100,000; surplus,
$100,000; deposits, $597,000. In January, 191 5, the bank was incorporated as the
Madison County State Bank.
WINTERSET SAVINGS BANK
This bank commenced business October 22, 1902, with A. B. Shriver, presi-
dent; Luther Fox, vice president; F. D. Campbell, cashier; W. E. Grismer,
assistant cashier. Capital stock, $25,000, which was increased to $50,000 in 1904.
Since its organization the Winterset Savings Bank steadily increased in favor
and today, after its short existence, its report required by the laws of Iowa,
under which it operates, shows a very comfortable condition of affairs. The
capital is $50,000; surplus and undivided profits, $45,000; total assets, $300,000.
In May, 1914, the bank moved into a new home, a two-story modem brick
building, standing on the northeast comer of the square. This is the handsomest
business stmcture in Winterset. The bank's officials are : Luther Fox, president ;
G. N. Skinner, vice president ; M. E. Smith, cashier.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
The public library, which is at home in the beautiful building, a gift from
Andrew Camegie and the heirs of Dr. Bevington, is remotely the outgrowth of
the temperance revival of 1877, 1878 and 1879. As a result of this temperance
movement, it was resolved to establish a library. J. S. McCaughan, Doctor Bev-
ington, Henry Wallace and others subscribed liberally and used their influence
to secure other subscriptions. The money so collected was invested in books,
and these were put into the keeping of the Young Men's Christian Association.
The books were kept in the room of the association and loaned to readers. After
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374 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the Young Men's Christian Association disbanded, the Woman's Christian Tem-
perance Union took charge of them and room was secured in the courthouse,
Miss Orpha Adkinson giving much of her time gratuitously to the care and loan-
ing of the books. This association of ladies also disbanded about 1885 and the
books were handed over to E. R. Zeller, then county superintendent. He kept
the books in his office during the entire four years of the incumbency of that
office and loaned the books and kept trace of them. About January, 1690, the
movement for the establishment of a permanent library was first agitated by
Mrs. S. J. Gilpin and Rev. H. C. Herring, pastor of the Presbyterian Church ;
they were the most aggressive movers in the enterprise. Subscriptions amounting
to some $500 were received, and the lots occupied now by the Anthes Broth-
ers lumberyard were donated by Eli Wilkin. The lots were sold for $250,
and a public entertainment was given at the old Knights of Pythias Hall
for the purpose of raising more money and dedicating the library. Refreshments
were served and the following program was carried out : Remarks by president.
Rev. C. L. Nye; Books that Build Men Up, E. R. Zeller; My Novel, A. M.
Welch; Triumphs of the Press, W. O. Lucas; Dedication of the Library, H. C.
Herring.
Quite a sum of money was secured at this entertainment, a number present
each subscribing ten dollars, which, added to the sum realized from sale of tickets,
amounted to some hundreds of dollars. Rooms were secured in the second story
of the building now owned by S. E. Catterlin, on the west side of the square.
Mary Cassiday, who had interested herself in founding the library, was appointed
librarian, which position she has efficiently filled till the present time.
Early in 1891 the question of voting a tax for the maintenance of the library
was agitated and at the election in the following March of that year the proposi-
tion was submitted to the voters of the city and the result of the vote was 233
for and 198 against the proposition.
In the year 1900 Colonel Cummings erected a building on Court Avenue, west
of the postoffice, which was leased for the library, and the books were moved there
in November of that year.
Some years ago, when Andrew Carnegie first began to distribute some of his
surplus wealth for the purpose of erecting library buildings in various parts of
the country, an application was made to him for the donation of $10,000 to erect
a library building here. In course of time, a reply was received agreeing to the
proposition, and the heirs of Doctor Bevington donated the ground on which
to build it. A very substantial and commodious building was erected in 1905,
which was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on the i6th of June. The
building was completed and paid for in full out of Carnegie's donation, but the
question of furnishing it then confronted the trustees, who decided to solicit
donations from the citizens. This work was done chiefly by Charles McMillan
and C. T. Koser, who secured $1,601.79. This sum was ample to furnish the
building in the very best manner, and with what was left over, quite a considerable
amount was used in the purchase of books.
The Carnegie Public Library Building, both from an exterior and interior
view, is very pleasing to the artistic eye, and a most inviting place for the men,
women and children of this community. The management meets with the ap-
proval of the city and all patrons and the general interest in this institution in-
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PUBUC LIBRARY, WINTERSET
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 375
creases daily. For the past year as shown by the librarian's report, the number
of volumes loaned totaled the splendid proportion of 14,402. The number of
volumes now listed and on the shelves of the library is 8,000. The names of the
officials, or board of trustees, follow : Charles McMillan, president ; W. J. Cor-
nell, secretary ; C. T. Koser, F. A. Lewis, Ed M. Smith, Mrs. J. A. Guiher, Mrs.
W. F. Smith, Mrs. John Catterlin, Mrs. J. F. Tate; librarian. Miss Mary Cassi-
day; assistant librarian. Miss Lama Tate.
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CHAPTER XLVIII
FRATERNAL BODIES OF WINTERSET
EVENING STAR LODGE, A. F. & A. M.
On June 8, 1904, Evening Star Lodge celebrated the fiftieth anniversary
of its charter, and on that occasion the gifted and venerable brother, T. C. Gilpin,
read an interesting and comprehensive history of the lodge which he prepared.
This is a valuable contribution, not only of the events transpiring pertinent to
the fraternal organization mentioned, but it also preserves the names of many
pioneers who lived in Winterset and vicinity. Among them were early mer-
chants, lawyers, physicians, educational instructors, and men of affairs, both
in business circles and on the farms.
A little more than half a century ago, eight wise men from the East traveled
due west to find a home in and near the then little hamlet of Winterset, Iowa, —
D. C. McNeil, of Illinois; G. A. Beerbower, of New Jersey; George Bennett,
of Illinois ; John A. Pitzer, of Kentucky ; Addison Knight, of Massachusetts ; John
Scott, of Indiana; Richard P. Bruce, of Kentucky; and S. L. Burlingame, of
Ohio. These men having received Masonic light, and being bound by fraternal
ties in their eastern homes, instinctively demanded alliance and fraternity in
their new home. For such purpose, on the 12th day of August, 1853, they met
in the back room of John A. Pitzer's store, the one-story log house which stood
where Brother Cole's jewelry store is now situated. They had received a dis-
pensation for which they had previously petitioned from the Grand Lodge
of Iowa, empowering them to organize a Masonic lodge, to be called Evening
Star Lodge, under dispensation. The organization was perfected by the appoint-
ment of D. C. McNeil, W. M. ; G. A. Beerbower, S. W. ; George Bennett, J. W. ;
John A. Pitzer, treasurer ; Addison Knight, secretary ; J. G. Scott, S. D. ; R. P.
Bruce, J. D. ; S. L. Burlingame, tyler.
Daniel Campbell seems to have been the only high private present, and Samuel
Gorrout, of Cincinnati, Ohio, as a visiting brother. Brothers Knight, Pitzer and
Beerbower were appointed a committee on by-laws, who reported the same
evening a code of by-laws, which, with some slight amendments since, has been
signed by all the successive members of this lodge. These eight worthy brothers
organized for work and dissemination of Masonic light to others, for we find
that on this first evening a petition for the degrees was presented from Leonidas
Pendleton, who was the first one to be made a Mason in the new lodge. Franklin
Walker, Irvin Baum, Joseph J. Hutchings and others followed by initiation close
after, and John Leonard, W. W. McKnight, Isaac L. Tidrick, Calvin Ballard
and others on demits from their eastern lodges, until a goodly number of good
and true men were thus associated. That back room of the log house very soon
376
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 377
became too strait for the little company, when the place of meeting was changed
to one room of the second story of a brick building long used by J. E. Smith
as a grocery store. That also became too cramped for their increasing members
and again they removed to the third story of the Pitzer Hotel, now known as the
St. Nicholas. That was their Masonic home for several years.
The Grand Lodge of Iowa, after examination of the work done by the new
lodge under dispensation, on June 8, 1854, while in session at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa,
granted them a charter. This was signed by James L. Hogin, grand master;
George Acheson, deputy grand master; I. M. Williams, senior grand warden;
Aylotte R. Cotton, junior grand warden; and T. S. Parvin, grand secretary.
This charter is still sacredly preserved and has been present at every meeting
of our lodge since it was granted.
The granting of this charter, the giving of the number, forty-three, to the
lodge, and the taking off of the adolescent title "Under Dispensation," constitute
the principal reasons for the observance of this semi-centennial.
The new lodge, under its charter, did not reorganize until its regular meeting,
July 7, 1854, when McNeil as W. M., informed the lodge that their charter had
been received ; that under Masonic usage the old officers holding under dispensa-
tion must vacate their respective offices and the lodge proceed to the election
of new ones. This resulted in the election of the following persons who were
to hold the positions for one year: J. G. Scott, W. M.; D. C. McNeil, S. W.;
G. A. Beerbower, J. W.; John A. Pitzer, treasurer; John Leonard, secretary;
Franklin Walker, S. D. ; Joseph J. Hutchings, J. D. ; Leonidas Peiidleton, tyler.
These officers were duly installed by D. C. McNeil. J. G. Vawter and D. Lamb
were the first victims under the new regime.
I find that a meeting was held on the next evening, July 8th, when they
decided to appoint a committee to confer with a similar committee from the
order of the Sons of Temperance, relative to the joint use of the hall. The record
does not state whether such arrangement was made, but we may presume it was,
because of sundry motions to collect rental from the rather tardy Sons.
The lodge again removed from their home in the Pitzer Hotel to the third
story of a brick building, now a part of the Bevington Block, wdich was used
as a Masonic Hall for many years.
In May, 1855, a petition from the Masonic brethren of Council BluflFs, Iowa,
was presented to our lodge, asking consent for the organization of a Masonic
lodge in that city. Neither Greenfield, Lewis, nor Atlantic, were known Ma-
sonically at that early date, and W^interset, ninety miles away, was the nearest
Masonic lodge. I need hardly say that their request was cheerfully granted
and the grand master of the state duly notified of such consent.
The furnishings of the several halls or rooms occupied by the lodge in those
early days were somewhat primitive — quite different from the luxurious home
now occupied by us, and yet the good brethren did not despise the day of small
things, but welcomed each other with heart and hand and joined heartily in the
work. Not a few traveled on horseback from six to ten miles to attend the meet-
ings, the records showing their attendance fully up to that of the local residents.
I notice a bill for candles which was duly allowed and paid. The record,
however, fails to state whether the janitor used snuffers or his index finger and
thumb when more light was required. We smile as we hear of the use of tallow
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378 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
dips for light, and boast of our incandescent electric globes. Let us beware — our
method may be no less primitive to the celebrants of our centennial. May not
the late discovery of radium supersede electricity before 1954?
As an indication of the busy work of our ancient brethren, the record shows
that on the evening of December 21, 1855, no less than seven petitions for the
degrees were received and referred to committees.
dn December 27, 1855, the first Masonic supper was had, which the brethren
and their families attended. Brother B. F. Roberts delivered an address. The
lodge fund was not drawn upon to meet expenses of the banquet, for the recofd
says : "Each member attending to pay an equal portion of the expense.*' We
regret that no menu of that banquet has been preserved, but we may venture
the assertion that it was worthy of the good sisters who provided it. Manu-
factured victuals, canned goods and breakfast foods were unknown then. So
were ptomaine poisoning and appendicitis. Our provisions fifty years ago were
home made, wholesome and healthful.
On June 24, 1856, occurred the first public installation, which was held in
the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. W. McKnight was the master at that
time. The lodge continued steadily to grow and multiply from its organization,
and on January 16, 1875, by order of the grand lodge, it was duly and l^^ally
incorporated under the laws of Iowa. This was required that it might legally
hold title to property, as well as for other requisite purposes.
In February, 1875, the Evening Star Lodge Building Association was or-
ganized and issued over two thousand dollars of stock drawing 10 per cent interest,
payable annually. The entire issue was at once taken up by the members of the
lodge. The shares were $5 each. Interest due on the shares was credited on the
annual dues of the holder, so far as it would cancel them ; if any surplus it was
paid to the holder. «
On May 8, 1876, the lodge purchased the hall and access to it, in which we
now assemble. Our deed of conveyance required the lodge to use the hall for
at least ten years, after which time they are at liberty to rent or sell their rooms.
Interest on the stock was afterwards voluntarily reduced to 6 per cent.
Within the past four or five years the last dollar of the stock has been re-
deemed by the lodge and the title is now fully vested in it.
The original cost of the hall was $2,210, exclusive of interest account.
It appears from the old records that no meetings of the lodge were held on
November 22, 1861, December 20, 1861, January 21, 1862, and February 20,
1862, four consecutive months. The faithful secretary records, "No meeting.
Cause, inclement weather." Is it possible that the lowering of the awful war
cloud over our fair land at that time had aught to do with that inclemency? It is a
cause of congratulation that after this partial lapse our faithful brethren never
let the altar fire go out during that dark time. They went on with the work,
preparing many, who on the field of battle, in hospital or as prisoners of war,
blessed the day and lodge in which they were made Masons. On September 5,
1862, our old Masonic brother, as Capt. H. J. B. Cummings, made application
for the degrees. The record says that the applicant wishing to return at once
to the seat of war, application was made to Grand Master Thomas H. Benton, Jr.,
for a dispensation to confer the degrees at once. The permission was given
and within ten days the captain was duly qualified to travel and receive wages
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 379
as the colonel of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry. We rejoice with him that he
found his way home and is with us to this day. Dr. William L". Leonard, Fred-
erick Mott, O. A. Moser, B. F. Murray, S. G. Ruby, William Pursell. W. R.
Shriver, R. A. Stitt and M. R. Tidrick were the fortunate ones who just prior
to or during the war \vere invested with the mysteries of the order and entitled to
all its benefits while engaged in the services of their country. Lieutenant J. P.
Jones, one of Nature's noblemen, was made a Mason in this lodge, September 17,
1862. He fell and was buried on the field at Allatoona, Georgia, on OctoWr 5,
1864. The lodge attended the funeral service in a body at the Methodist Episco-
pal Church on Sabbath, January 7, 1865. Our lodge has a long roll of honor
of those who were actively engaged in that terrible struggle of 1861-65, who
were received after the close of the war. Together we rejoice that our beloved
land remains one undivided republic, the peer of nations.
Honorable mention should be made of the veterans of Masonry whom we
are glad to know are present to join in the celebration of this semi-centennial.
Brother Richard P. Bruce is the only charter member now living. He was bom
in Girard County, Kentucky, on May 15, 1818, and is now past eighty-six years
of age. He was made a Mason, March 6, 1849, in Hardin Lodge, No. 44, Illi-
nois— a faithful Mason for fifty-five years. All honor to him. May he be
spared to our lodge and this community yet many years.
W. W. McKnight, who has been a Mason for more than fifty years; T. A.
Duer, for forty-eight years ; Frederick Mott, for fifty years ; and Joseph Stauffer
for more than fifty years, are among the elder Masons and are with us today.
We congratulate them for their long and faithful service.
Those who have been honored as worshipful masters of this lodge during the
past half century are as follows: 1853, D. C. McNeil; 1854, J. G. Scott; 1855-56,
W. W. McKnight; 1857, J. G. Scott; 1858, John Leonard; 1859, W. W. Mc-
Knight; i860, William Pursell; 1861, D. B. Allen; 1862, Frederick Mott; 1863,
A. J. Kendig; 1864, M. R. Tidrick; 1865-66, V. Wainwright; 1867, M. R.
Tidrick, 1868-69, V. Wainwright; 1870, H. J. B. Cummings; 1871, V. Wain-
wright; 1872, T. C. Gilpin; 1873-76, H. J. B. Cummings; 1877, A. H. Adkinson;
1878-79, C. C. Goodale; 1880-81, T. C. Gilpin; 1882, G. W. Hampton; 1883,
H. L. Putzel; 1884-86, V. Wainwright; 1887-89, J. A. Darnell; 1890-92, C. F.
Koehler; 1893-96, Albert Strong; 1897-99, A. L. Stout; 1900-01, C. A. Eldridge;
1902-04, L. Lowe.
These several worshipful masters, with the assistance of the wardens and
brethren, have welcomed within the portals of this lodge since its organization,
more than three hundred and fifty men, who with very few exceptions have
proven them^lves workmen whom this lodge has been proud to call brethren —
who are marked among our fellow citizens as practicing the sublime and moral
precepts of our noble order, friendship, morality and brotherly love.
Our lodge has l^ad representatives in the legislative halls of both state and
nation, in the grand lodge and chapters of this state, at the bar, on the judicial
bench, in foreign lands as the special representative of this country, many in
the pulpit and in every honorable calling and occupation; not one in the peni-
tentiary. It is a record of which we may well be proud, as we run over the roll
of members from 1853 to 1904, more than three hundred and fifty of them, to
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380 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
find not one of whom we may be ashamed to say, he was a Mason. So mote it be
in the future.
In 1858 a chapter of Royal Arch Masons was organized, to which a goodly
number of this lodge belong, and a goodly number have been made Knights
Templar in Temple Commandery at Des Moines. A flourishing order of the East-
em Star has also grown out of this lodge, where much of its wisdom and beauty
is congregated.
Were it part of my duty as necrological instead of simply historical writer,
it would be a pleasing, though sad, duty to call the roll of our honored dead,
giving brief mention of their respective lives, the honor they reflected upon our
order in return for the honor Masonry conferred upon them. That the record
of this lodge has been so well sustained, by its membership, is the result of most
careful and scrutinizing inquiry and examination into the character and kind of
material applying for Masonic honors.
Not every one who has sought to gain admission to our portals has been ad-
mitted. Many have knocked at the outer door who sought admission from
imworthy motives, only to learn that none but those who are worthy and well
qualified can hope to pass the grim tyler who so faithfully guards the inner
sanctuary of our mysteries. Though Masons never solicit persons to become
members of the order, they are ever ready to welcome the worthy and just as
ready to reject the unworthy. Mistakes have been and will continue to be
made, both in receiving and rejecting applicants, so long as judgment and con-
clusions are fallible. It is better to err in rejection than in reception.
And now having, to the best of my endeavor, performed the duty of historian
assigned me by our worthy master, I must still acknowledge the imperfection and
incompleteness of my work. This has arisen not from indisposition or want of
interest on my part, but from difficulty in sifting from the old and somewhat di-
lapidated records, items of interest and importance. I trust the records of the
next fifty years will be more carefully preserved, that the historian of 1954 may
not have laborious search for whatever hidden treasures he may desire to bring
to light on that day.
My advanced age, more than three score and eleven, precludes the possibility
that I shall be present at the centennial observance. I feel assured, however, that
the historian of that occasion will find nothing which he will be loth to present
to the public, should the lodge be as prudent and discriminating in the future as
they have been in the past. To this lodge and its guests is thus submitted this
brief history.
To the historian of June 8, 1954, I fraternally hand the pen which I now
lay down, together with this resume of our first fifty years. Anticipating grasping
his hand in fraternal greeting, may I not confidently and heartily congratulate
him and the order that the honorable record of the half century he may review
will be in no wise dimmed or marred by aught unmasonic. We therefore place
this little sprig of acacia at the head of the grave of the fifty years now gone,
not with regret or sorrow, but in the full confidence of hope that some weary
brother, at the close of the next half century, sitting down to rest and refresh
himself, may find this memento, fresh and blooming, not without interest to those
who, through his efforts, review the history of Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, from
1904 to 1954.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 381
On Wednesday evening, November ii, 1914, before a large audience, the
most worshipful grand master of Iowa, Chas. W. Walton, dedicated the new
Masonic Temple, a new brick structure belonging to the lodge, on the east side of
the square.
Winterset Chapter, No. 180, Order of Eastern Star, was instituted October 23,
1895, with twenty-five charter members. The membership now numbers about
one hundred. The lodge meets Thursday on or after each full moon.
Madison Lodge, No. 136, Independent Order Odd Fellows, was chartered
July 19, 1865, and has a membership of about one hundred. It meets every
Tuesday night.
Rock City Encampment, No. 65, was chartered October 21, 1874, with eleven
charter members and now has twenty-six members in good standing. The lodge
meets the first and third Thursday of each month.
Crown Rebekah Lodge, No. 360, was chartered October 23 1896, with twenty-
one members, which has now grown to about eighty. It meets the second and
fourth Thursdays of each month.
Lotus Lodge, No. 48, Knights of Pythias, was organized July 31, 1879, with
thirty-three charter members. Its present membership is about ninety. It meets
every Thursday night.
Winterset Temple, No. 105, Rathbone Sisters, was chartered August 11,
1898, having sixty-one charter members, with seventy at the present time. The
lodge meets every alternate Tuesday evening.
The last to appear in the field of purely fraternal organizations is Chapter
A. Xj., p. E. O., which was granted a charter August 24, 1892, with eight charter
members and has grown to a large membership. It meets every alternate Tues-
day evening. The reader will notice the legend, "'T. E. O.," is not self-explana-
tory, for the reason that this is one of the secrets of the society.
This ends the history of the strictly fraternal societies, but there are a number
of fraternal beneficiary societies that have done and are doing a great work
in providing for widows and orphans of their deceased members, in the way of
life insurance, as well as direct charity. The oldest in this class in Winterset is
Lodge No. 71, Ancient Order of United Workmen, organized August 26, 1882,
with about twenty charter members.
Next in point of time is Winterset Camp, No. 302, Modem Woodmen of
America, chartered January 28, 1887, with nineteen members. Their member-
ship now reaches 100. They meet every Monday night.
Auxiliary to the Modem Woodmen is Juniata Camp, No. 1428, Royal Neigh-
bors of America, chartered March 10, 1899, with twenty-three members, now
numbering fifty. The lodge meets every Friday evening.
Then comes Backbone Tent, No. 54, Knights of the Maccabees, organized
in September, 1895, with eighteen charter members. They now number 100
and meet every Thursday night.
Winterset Hive, No. 32, Ladies of the Maccabees, was organized December
13, 1901, with twenty members. It meets the first and third Friday of each
month.
Madison Camp, No. 100, Woodmen of the World, was chartered April 7,
1896, with fifteen charter members. It meets every Wednesday.
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382 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Boxelder Grove, No. y2, Woodman Circle, was chartered May 25, 1904, with
ten members.
Glencoe Castle, No. 16, Highland Nobles was chartered May 3, 1904, with
eighteen charter members. It meets every Tuesday night.
Winterset Council, No. 219, Knights and Ladies Security, was organized
February i, 1895, with thirteen charter members. It meets the first and third
Friday of each month.
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Winterset, in common with other cities, has a large number of clubs, some
of them literary, some social and a few athletic, and it is surprising to note
how many people there are who have membership in one or more of the clubs.
The oldest club is the Current Topic Club, organized in 1891, by Mrs. D. D.
Davisson, who was its president until her death in 1898. There were six charter
members: Mrs. D. D. Davisson, Mrs. J. W. Cornell, Mrs. J. P. Steele, Mrs.
Frank Payton, Mrs. Majors and Miss Flora Harris. In 1893 ^^e organization
federated with the other clubs of the state. The membership is now limited to
twenty. This is one of the literary clubs and a course of study is followed each
year, history, past and present, famous writers and other lines of study being
taken up from time to time. The meetings are held each alternate Friday after-
noon at the different homes.
The Women's Club was organized in January, 1899, and federated about
a month later. The membership in this club is not limited in number. The
object of the club, as stated in the constitution, is "to promote mutual growth
and helpfulness and for combined work in our cause undertaken for the general
good. The literary work shall be to review and discuss any subject of interest."
Like the Current Topic Club, the meetings are held each alternate Friday after-
noon, and once a year the two clubs hold a union meeting.
In 1892, Chapter A G, of the P. E. O. sisterhood, was organized here by
Miss Marie Lyons of the Waterloo Chapter, and Mrs. Jennie Dean, of New
Sharon Chapter. The charter members were Mrs. W. J. Dean, Mrs. Alice
Welch, Miss Ella Nichols, Miss Gretchen Kreuger, Miss Effie Lyons, Miss
Harriet Snyder, and Miss Bertha Wainwright. Different lines of work are under-
taken by the P. E. O's. To the library the society has given several chairs, a
library table, a small table, a picture and $25 in cash. The meetings are held
the first an^ third Tuesday evenings of the month and a literary and musical
program is given.
The Country Club was formed here in 1903. The first year forty acres, in the
Lucas farm northwest of town, were rented, but the following spring fgrty acres
in the Stiles farm were rented and a nine-hole course laid out by Tom O'Neal, a
professional player from Des Moines.
On March 1, 1909, W. J. Cornell, for the club, purchased of Rebecca Stiles,
widow of Capt. Thomas W. Stiles, sixty acres on section 25, in Douglas Town-
ship, in consideration of $5,000. The land seemed to have been made to meet
every desire of the club. No finer golf links in the state are laid out, a typical
club house and also a cottage and stable for the caretaker relieve the landscape.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 383
Several acres, beautifully wooded and made doubly picturesque by a limpid
stream of water, sheltered on one side by rugged cliffs, are fitted into a park, which
is reached from the club house by a path extending to a swinging or suspension
bridge, which crosses the stream above mentioned. The Winterset golf links
have an extended popularity and reputation and the Country Club's membership
is "high class," in the business and social circles of the county.
Among the social clubs are the afternoon Whist Club gf ladies and an evening
Whist Club of ladies and gentlemen ; the Phi Kappa Thetas, the Bachelor Maid's
Club, the Birthday Club, the Indian Club, the Jolly Owls, the Sewing Club, etc.
GRAND ARMY POST AND WOMAN 's RELIEF CORPS
In 1881 A. W. C. Weeks interested himself in the organization of a post of
the Grand Army of the Republic at Winterset. He soon succeeded in enrolling
the following twenty-three names of veterans who became the charter members
of the organization: A. W. C. Weeks, G. G. Clark, J. R. Shannon, S. B. Cherry,
H. M. Roberts, C. T. Jones, H. C. Price, Mel Stone, C. C. Goodale, J. M.
Butcher, C. Danforth, S. F. Hughes, Samuel Myers, W. R. Shriver, M. Mc-
Quinney, W. E. Shaimon, C. H. Lancaster, Jesse McDaniel, T. F. Mardis, E. O.
Burt, Joel OUphant, H. S. Sprecher, S. R. Leonard.
The charter was issued August 25, 1881, with A. W. C. Weeks as post com-
mander. The post was named, not in honor of Judge Pitzer, as is generally sup-
posed, but of his son, Leander Pitzer, a member of the Fourth Iowa Infantry,
who was killed at the battle of Chickasaw Bayou. The post was the fifty-fifth
in the order of time of organization, hence the official title of the organization is
Pitzer Post, No. 55, Department of Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic. The
meetings of the post at first were held in Sprague's Hall, at the southwest comer
of the square; from there it was removed to Mathes Hall on the east side, and
then to its present headquarters in the northwest comer of the courthouse.
Mr. Weeks served for a number of years as commander, when he was suc-
ceeded by D. E. Cooper. The following have been the commanders since then :
L. B. Davis, Eli Wilkin, George Turbett, Frederick Mott, E. F. Connoran, T. C.
Gilpin, E. R. Zeller, Ezra Brownell, William Brinson, John McAndrews, R. H.
Cooper.
The G. A. R. and W. R. C. as organizations have achieved more than ordinary
reputation from the fact that they have done much to relieve the needs of old
soldiers and their families, and more especially for the very important work of
promoting a patriotic sentiment in the community. On the 22d of Febmary
each year they make a special effort to instill a love of country into the lives of
the school children and to them is due the credit for a continuous and proper
celebration of Memorial Day on the 30th of May each year. Each year the
business men of Winterset are called on for a small donation and these two or-
ganizations do the rest. . Decoration Day has been appropriately observed for
so many years the whole county looks forward to it with more expectancy than
that other and older anniversary. The 30th of May and the 4th of July have
come to divide the honors equally, and neither date will lose its significance so
long as the G. A. R. and W. R. C. survive.
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384 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
woman's relief corps
By Jennie Lothrop Whedon (1911)
No organized body of women in the world equals the Woman's Relief Corps.
It realizes and maintains that what it- does is not a charity, but partial payment on
an unpayable debt of justice and love. We are created to give, not to receive.
Grand Army encampments every year thrill the whole country. Drum corps, brass
bands, floating flags and silken banners appear everywhere; trailing lengths of
special trains gathering from every city and town in the United States, filled
with tens of thousands of prominent men and women, converge toward some
given point, whose city has been twelve months preparing for its welcome; yet,
we are frequently asked, "What is the Grand Army?" and "How did the
Woman's Relief Corps happen to be organized ?"
The minuteness of a thing when created gives no sign as to what proportion
and magnitude it may g^row. No better illustration can be given of this accepted
fact than the wonderful growth of the organization I have the honor to represent
today. We know not when or where the first germ of the Woman's Relief Corps
was implanted, .nor how long was the silent creative power developing into
life.
It might have been when the first cannon boomed at Fort Sumter, calling
to arms the fathers and brothers of this generation. It might have been when
the sacred feet of our forefathers touched the illustrious rock in old Massa-
chusetts, charging its granite with an electric current of loyalty so strong and
enduring that its impetus has never been stayed. It might have been way back
when the morning stars sang together "in the beginning."
The War of the Rebellion, which has no parallel, was undoubtedly a part of
God's fixed plan of action, and America the ordained tablet on which our Maker
justly and wisely ciphers out the problems of history and humanity!
One great factor in this problem is the steady advancement of woman toward
that wide plain of social, moral and ennobling influence to which she is rapidly
tending. 'Tis to her warm sympathies and quick perceptions, together with the
thrilling sense of that something indescribable which we call patriotism, that we
owe today the organization we represent, and through which so much "'good
Samaritan" work is being accomplished. In the struggle of 1861 to 1865, men
went forth to the battle front, leaving behind families without a protector and
bread earner. ,They went forth to meet bullets and disease, suffering and pri-
vation. At this time there came to the rescue of both the wounded soldier in
service and his needy family at home, an angel of mercy. Woman, her heart
tender, kind and loving, instinctively found ways of assisting to care for the sick
and wounded in the hospitals and on the battlefields, while in the villages and
cities she was active in relieving the wants of the war widows and orphans. All
over the land were organized soldiers' aid societies, which were great sources
of supply to the Christian and sanitary commissions, which in turn were under
the Government patronage for collecting and distributing supplies. Large sums
of money were raised and expended and countless lives were saved by this move-
ment of patriotic northern women during this terrible war.
At the close of the war the Grand Army of the Republic organized to promul-
gate fraternity, charity and loyalty, and labored hard to aid unfortunate corn-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 385
rades, but so small an organization was almost powerless before the great de-
mands upon its treasury.
As early as 1870 the records of the Grand Army of the Republic show that
at the fourth annual convention, reference was made to the work of women in
connection with the charity work of the order. Statements were made that
there should be some recognition of the service of the loyal women. In several
departments a "Clara Barton degree" had been established and at several subse-
quent encampments the subject was continued and much discussed.
Ten years after the war this country faced a great financial panic. The vet-
erans suffered greatly from failing health, wounds and other troubles which follow
war ; everywhere was the cry for bread, while soldier widows hunted work in vain.
Again woman came to the rescue. Almost simultaneously, Massachusetts and
Ohio offered assistance ; Massachusetts working under the name of the Woman's
Relief Corps; Ohio under that of the Post Ladies' Aid Society. This was in
1878-79.
To Portland, Maine, belongs the honor of the first usage of the name of
Relief Corps in 1869, under the name of Bosworth Relief Corps, No. i, which
is still in existence. Then at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 1879, ^^ Woman's
Relief Corps was formed, and in 1880, the State Relief Corps of Massachusetts
and New Hampshire united to form the Union Board of Woman's Relief Corps.
In 1880, a resolution was introduced at the Fourteenth National G. A. R. Encamp-
ment, calling attention to the importance of an official woman's auxiliary, and
the committee was appointed to consider and report at the Fifteenth Annual
Encampment. The committee's report was unanimously adopted, approving the
organization of a National Woman's Relief Gorps to be known as auxiliary
to the Grand Army of the Republic,
In 1883, Commander-in-chief Van der Voort actively advanced this organiza-
tion. In his extensive travels he urged upon all posts the importance of these
auxiliaries, and calkd pubHc attention to prominent women who would assist
in organizing corps. He engaged the Washington National Tribune in the work
and Kate B. Sherwood was made editor of the woman's department. Thus,
under Paul Van der Voort, in Denver, in 1883, ^he Woman's Relief Corps was
formed, working under the name. Union Board of Woman's Relief Corps of the
Department of Massachusetts.
From this small band of workers has spread an order which according to
the recent report of the national president, now numbers 164,225 — an increase
of seventy corps and 3,149 members since the report of 1909. '
New duties come to us as we grow in strength, numbers and experience. For
instance, the sending of over fifteen hundred dollars to beautify the graves of
soldiers who lie in the southland ; or the movement to reinstate delinquent post
members, by the donation of money to the posts for the payment of dues for
veterans who are unable to meet this obligation.
Then, too, at Christmas time the army nurses are not forgotten. Forty-six
needy army nurses were each presented with $20, making $920 expended on those
noble women. One of the proteges of the Woman's Relief Corps has been
Memorial University, located at Mason City, Iowa. Founded by the Sons of
Veterans, U. S. A., at national encampment in September, 1900, it is dedicated
to the veterans and loyal women of 1861-65 as a memorial to the heroes and
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386 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
heroines of the Civil war. This university was located at Mason City because
of its nearness to the geographical center of the United States. In September,*
1902, the Liberal Arts Building was dedicated and the institution was opened
to both men and women. The property is valued at $180,000, is incorporated
under the laws of Iowa, governed by a board of regents of twenty-five members,
assisted by an advisory board. Its especial educational features are the teaching
of American history and Department of Applied Patriotism, which instructs
the students as to their responsibility to state and nation.
Each corps sends annually a tax of five cents per member to support this
university, so that we are doing something in an educational way to inculcate
patriotism in the youth of our land. But the labor to which we point with greatest
pride is the care of the Andersonville prison grounds. These grounds were of-
fered for sale to the Government, but the offer was refused, so the Department
of Grand Army of the Republic of Georgia, aided greatly by the Woman's
Relief Corps, bought this Confederate prison, unwilling that this place, made
sacred by human suffering and agony, should be put to common uses. Unable
to improve and maintain this property, and realizing that they must disband
soon from weakness, the Department of Georgia offered to present the property
to the National Grand Army of the Republic, who refused, for lack of funds. In
1895 the same offer was made to the National Woman's Relief Corps, who accepted
the charge and nobly responded to its needs.
An additional thirteen acres was purchased that all the forts, rifle pits, earth-
works and all grounds outside the stockade that had been used for prison pur-
poses might be taken care of. This made 88^4 acres. Fences were built. Fine
large entrances were put up, Bridges built over the creeks, a good nine-room
house was erected and a new stockade has been made on the line of the old one.
The history of Andersonville prison has horrified the world, for no tongue,
pen or brush can ever picture the fearful and unutterable sufferings of the 35,000
men who were confined there. The lack of water was the Cause of much disease
and torture until in August, 1864, when God certainly answered the fervent
prayer for water, for during a fearful electric storm a spring burst forth from
the ground just inside the "dead line," affording great relief. The prisoners
named it "Providence Spring." On Memorial Day of 1901 the Woman's Relief
Corps dedicated a pavilion over the spring, bearing this inscription : "This pa-
vilion was erected by the Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of
the Republic, in grateful memory of the men who suffered and died in the Con-
federate prison at Andersonville, Georgia, from February, 1864, to April, 1865.
"The prisoner's cry of thirst rang up to heaven ;
God heard, and with His thunder cleft the earth
And poured His sweetest water gushing here.
Erected 1901."
For the past five years the Woman's Relief Corps has annually set aside $2,000
for the improvement and beautification of these grounds. At Atlantic City,
New Jersey, in September, 1910, the national president of the Woman's Relief
Corps, Jennie Iowa Berry, turned over to the Government the deeds to Ander-
sonville prison property. Sixteen years of labor and study have been spent for
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. HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY ' 387
the preservation of this historic place, so that today it is one of the beautiful
and noteworthy points of interest of our land.
Turning to the work of the Woman's Relief Corps in Madison County, I
must refer to Pitzer Woman's Relief Corps, No. 117. On July 19, 1887, twenty-
one women met at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall over Tate's hardware
store. The meeting was the result of a petition for the organization of a corps
in Winterset: The post commander, L. B. Davis, called the meeting to order.
Mrs. Minnie Wallace was made temporary chairman, and Mrs. Nettie Leonard,
secretary.
The election of officers resulted in the choice of Mrs. Nannie Wallace for
president; Mrs. Nettie Leonard, secretary; Mrs. Jennie Damall, treasurer. On
July 26th the officers were installed, L. B. Davis presiding. Thus Pitzer Woman's
Relief Corps, No. -117, was organized, with forty-nine charter members. Of
these forty-nine women, fourteen retain membership here now. They are Irene
Connoran, Olivia Faurote, Ann Lafferty, Hattie Zeller, Eudora Benge, Josephine
Krabiel Bowlsby, Frank Peters, Jennie Damall, Jennie Whedon, Maggie Walker,
Ella Knight, Mary Hutchings, Rachel Reeder and Huldah Shults.
Five presidents have been chosen by Pitzer Corps, one not serving her year
out. They are Nannie Wallace, Irene Connoran, Caroline Murray, Maimee
Miller and Jennie Whedon.
Four secretaries have served the corps: Nettie Leonard, Gertrude Young,
Loraine Sumner, Rettie Greer.
Ten treasurers have handled our funds : Jennie Damall, Rettie Greer, Sarah
Wilkins (now department president of Oklahoma), Pauline Dabney, Josephine
Bowlsby, Alida Hoff, Vinnie Hyder, Ida McDaniel, Irene Connoran and Charlena
Seidler.
Our roll shows 300 names on record. From our early days we have been
a banner corps, numbering over one hundred in membership. To us, in June,
1910, came the highest honors that the Department of Iowa can pay — the be-
stowal of the chief office of the state, department president, upon Pitzer Corps'
president, Mrs. Jennie Whedon. The office of department secretary is held by
Rettie Greer, present secretary of Pitzer Corps; thus Winterset has been head-
quarters of the Woman's Relief Corps of Iowa since June, 191 1.
January 14, 1892, marks the organization of John Miller Woman's Relief
Corps, No. 242, at St. Charles, with twenty-nine names on the charter. Pitzer
Corps, under myself (you must pardon personal allusions at this point of this
paper), organized the St. Charles Corps. In September, 1903, they entertained
the district convention. The old records of this corps, prior to 1902, were de-
stroyed by fire, so its history is incomplete. In October, 1903, they organized a
corps at Truro, under the name of Jonathan Roby Woman's Relief Corps, No.
341. In June, 1904, they organized at New Virginia a corps known as Samuel
Irwin Corps, No. 344. So I am personally proud of all three of these corps, who
refer to me as their mother and grandmother.
At Macksburg we have J. D. Craven Woman's Relief Corps, No. 322, or-
ganized April 2, 1898, with thirty-six charter members. This corps has built
and paid for a hall of its own. The lower story is used for a town hall and has
a kitchen. The upper story is used exclusively for lodge purposes, and besides
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388 ' HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the corps' meetings, it is rented to the Woodmen and Royal Neighbors of America.
This corps also calls me mother, for I was responsible for its organization.
With the Woman's Relief Corps in 1888 originated .the custom of placing
across the breast of a dead comrade, a small silk flag, while on each Memorial
Day 200,000 graves of soldiers are decorated with flags by this order.
The Woman's Relief Corps also has been for years presenting large flags
to the high schools of each city in which the annual Department convention is held.
Thus thirty-five states honor thirty-five cities annually with these handsome flags.
To the Woman's Relief Corps belongs the credit of our Memorial Day ob-
servances to the memory of the unknown dead; also to the Woman's Relief
Corps is due the beautiful service of strewing flowers on the waters of the ocean
and inland streams, in memory of our naval patriots. The universal placing
of flags upon schoolhouses is accredited to the Woman's Relief Corps, while
Flag Day, June 14th, is an institution of the Woman's ReUef Corps. Hence
one may readily see that while acting as an auxiliary to the Grand Army of the
Republic, the Woman's Relief Corps performs the never ending task of per-
petuating the memory of the defenders of our nation, of rendering aid to the
needy veteran and his family, and teaching patriotism to the children that they
may swear allegiance to our flag.
The veterans may pass away, we may leave this earth, but lessons of patriotism
and loyalty to home and country will ever be taught while the Woman's Relief
Corps exists, for working under the motto of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,
each member pledges at each qieeting, allegiance to the flag. "One country, one
language, one flag."
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WHERE THE REPOBTER WAS PRINTED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS
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CHAPTER XLIX
WINTERSET IN 1864— PIONEER MERCHANT
W. H. Lewis made his first entrance into Winterset in the early dawn of a
September day, in the year 1864, being a passenger on one of Colonel Lothrop's
stage coaches. He describes his first impressions and the appearance of Winterset
as follows:
What I found on my arrival it will be my effort to relate in this paper. The
public square had been enclosed in the early part of that year by a good strong
fence, and a row of trees had been planted along the border of the square. The
season was a very dry one and many of the trees were dead, but the enclosure
was occupied by a very rank growth of weeds — many of them higher than the
fence. The house on Court Avenue that marked the eastern limit of dwellings
was on the comer just beyond the residence of Mr. Wolf, and was the home of
William Forster and his daughter, Mrs. W. R. Shriver. Captain Shriver was
on duty in the army. This house was at the crossing of Court Avenue and Walnut
Street, and the eastern dwelling on Jefferson Street was a little house at the
northeast comer of the same block. This house was far from neighbors on
the west, the next building to it being the Methodist Church, standing on the
present church site. The western dwelling on Court Avenue was on the lot next
west of the residence of Mrs. Jones, at the crossing of Court Avenue and West
Street. The western building on Jefferson Street stood nearly directly north of
the western one on Court Avenue, at the comer of Jefferson and West streets,
where the residence of Mrs. Hutchings now stands. The buildings just described
as being eastern and western ones on Jefferson Street were both out of repair
and unoccupied, and were owned by William Forster, the owner of the eastern
house on Court Avenue. The house marking the northern limit on the street
passing the square on the west was the one now occupied by L. O. Carey. The
extreme limit of the residence part of the town on the south was the residence of
Dr. G. M. Rutledge, until recently occupied by his widow. In stating these
limits, it should be remembered that the other streets extending in the same
direction were most of them without any houses upon them. The public buildings
were very few. The first courthouse standing on the east lot of the Monumental
Park was no longer used as a courthouse, and the county clerk had his office in
an upper room on the west side of the square. The stone building at the north-
west of the square, now known as the St. Nicholas, then called the Pitzer House,
held in its western part a hotel kept by S. M. Holaday. The lower room of the
east part had been occupied as a saloon, but was closed at that time. The second
and third floors were reached by an outdoor stairway on the north side. The
first room on the second floor was rented by this writer for a law office, and the
south room was the office of the only newspaper, the Hawkeye Flag, now the
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390 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Madisonian. On the third floor were two rooms ; one was the office of the county
judge, the other the office of the county treasurer and recorder. There were no
safes in any of the county offices and the books and papers were kept in open
cases and pigeon holes. The sheriff had no stated office, but made his stay in a
lawyer's office on the north side of the square.
There was an old two-story wooden schoolhouse on the lot now occupied by
the South Ward schoolhouse, but the windows were broken, its floors unsafe,
and it was no longer used as a schoolhouse, and there was no other. During
the early summer of that year schools were held in a room on the west side of
the square and I think in one of the churches. In the winter of 1864-65, no public
schools were maintained in Winterset. This writer had a private school of
forty pupils, in a little building where the Stultz feed bam now stands. Captain
Goshom b^an another private school in a church that stood on the lot where
Ben Bare's house now stands, but the building was so open it could not be kept
warm and he had to abandon it.
The Methodist Church stood on the site of the present church, and C. C.
Mabee was the pastor in charge. The Baptist Church was a stone building on the
site now occupied by the armory. W. A. Eggleston was the pastor. The Old
School Presbyterian Church stood on the site of the city hall. I think they had
no preacher at that time. The New School Presbyterian Church was on the site
of the present Church of Christ. They had no settled pastor at that time, but
Rev. J. C. Ewing, who resided here, preached there most of the time. The
Christian Church stood on its present site and N. C. Storrs was the pastor. The
Disciples Church was a large wooden building on the site of the residence of Ben
Bare. They had no pastor. The building was a poorly constructed one and was
generally known by the name of "God*s barn.*' This was where Goshom froze
out. The courts were held in the churches, mostly in the Christian and Old School
Church. The writer remembers that the then famous Stone-Ballard case was
tried in the Old School Church. The presiding judge was taken seriously ill
during the trial and directed the writer to take his place for a part of the time.
We sat in the pulpit.
There were two banks. Albert West's bank was on the west side of the square
and was the only one doing business after my advent. John Lebnard had a bank
in a building on the site of the present Tate hardware store, but its safe was
blown open by burglars in the early part of 1864 and the entire banking capital
stolen, and he went out of the business.
There was but one building on the east side of the square; that was at the
comer now occupied by the Bare Building. It had at an earlier time been used
as a hotel but was then occupied as a residence. Crossing to the south side of the
street there was a small one-story building used by H. M. Porter as a harness
shop, and passing some vacant spaces to the east one came to Sam Snyder's
grocery. Retuming westward and crossing the street stood a one-story building
on the corner — a grocery kept by Mr. and Mrs. William Ogden. Going west were
some vacant spaces and the next building was a two-story stone stmcture — a
general store by W. W. McKnight. Next west was a vacant space and the next
a one-story house in which C. Ayres & Company had a general store. Going still
farther west were more vacant spaces, then a double front one-story stmcture,
in the east room of which was J. H. Barker's jewelry store and the west one Dr.
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THE MADISONIAN BUILDING,
WINTERSET
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 391
David Hutchinson's oflSce. Next west was a one-story house in which W. T.
Roland & Company had a stock of groceries and queensware. Next was a two-
story building, in which was the general store of White, Munger & Company.
Passing a narrow vacant space was the office and bank of John Leonard, a one-
story house on the eastern comer. Crossing the street a little beyond the comer
to the west was the one-story residence of Dr. D. H. Philbrick, the east room of
which he used as a dmg store. Returning to the corner and crossing the street
to the south end of the west side was a row qf three one-story buildings, with
gable ends to the street. The one at the comer held Dr. J. Bartlett's dmg store,
and the others were unoccupied. The next building, on the site now occupied by
H. N. Shaw, was a brick building. The first and second stories extended back
to the alley as at present, and the third story about half way. The lower story
held the general store of Dunkle & Company. The front room of the second
story was reached by an outside stairway and was the office of the county clerk.
The western part of the second story was in one large room, reached by an out-
door stairway at the alley on the west. This room was known as Pitzer Hall.
A public school was held there in the early summer, but in the autumn it was un-
occupied, except for occasional dances or other special needs. The third floor
was the Masonic Hall. Next was a two-story building occupied by the general
store of Smith & Ballard, the residence of A. B. Smith on the second floor. Pass-
ing a vacant space the next building was a double one-story structure, the south
room containing the bank of Albert West, and the next one the hamess shop of
H. C. Carter.
Crossing the alley the building next to it was a wooden two-story stmcture.
This was the postoffice and the postmaster was J. J. Davis, one of the kindest
men I ever knew, always on the lookout to help any one who might need help.
He kept books and stationery for sale. The upper room was the photograph
gallery of John D. Holbrook. Next was the meat market of E. W. Evans, an4 its
next neighbor the jewelry store of Moses Bailey. There was an open space
and then one more one-story wooden building, but I cannot recall the name of its
occupant, and the rest of the west side was vacant.
Westward from here to the northwest comer of the block stood the jail. It
was buitt of logs, two stories high, the entrance being on the upper floor, reached
by an outdoor stairway on the south side.
Crossing the street was the Pitzer House, already described. Crossing the
street there was a wide space on the north side vacant, the first building being
occupied by James P. Noel as a furniture shop. William R. Danforth's tin shop
was the next and then was the two-story wooden building, the general store of
Baxter & Kendig. A. J. Kendig was the agent of the United States Express'
Company and the office was in his store, and I think the Westem Stage Company
had its office there. Next east was a small one-story building occupied by S. G.
Ruby as a law office, and the sheriff used it as a stopping place. The dmg store
of I. L. Tidrick was next and on the comer was the grocery of Andrew Crawford.
Crossing the street eastward and passing two vacant lots one came to a one-
story building formerly used as the postoffice, but then vacant. Crossing to the
south side of the street was the fumiture shop and dwelling of John Young,
and from there to the north end.of the east side of the square and on southward
to the starting point was vacant.
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392 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
t
The men then in business were : Dry goods and general merchandise, W. W.
McKnight, Smith & Ballard, Baxter & Kendig, White, Munger & Company, C.
Ayres & Company, W. T. Roland & Company, and John Dunkle; grocers, Sam
Snyder, A. Crawford and William Ogden ; druggists, D. H. Philbrick, I. L. Tid-
rick and J. Bartlett; meat market, E. W. Evans; jewelers, J. H. Barker and Moses
Bailey ; hardware and tin shop, W. R. Danf orth ; shoemaker, John S. White ; phy-
sicians, L. M. Tidrick, G. M. Rutledge, D. D. Davisson, David Hutchinson and
S. B. Cherry ; attorneys, John Leonard, V. Wainwright, B. F. Murray, S. G. Ruby
and Lewis Mayo. There were others whose homes were here but they were away
on duty in the army. Col. C. B. Lothrop and John Acklin were stage agents.
John D. Holbrook was the photographer and Albert West the only banker doing
business. The furniture makers were John Young and James P. Noel ; wagon
makers, William Eberle and Samuel Betts ; blacksmiths, Harry Bond, Nat Ander-
son and John H. Bishir; harness makers, H. M. Porter and H. E. Carter; printer,
H. M. Ewing. In these callings, not coimting employes, fifty-one men were
engaged.
There were no sidewalks in Winterset then except those next the square and
but very few people wore overshoes then, and the woman who was hostess in
muddy weather had a job of cleaning her floors and carpets.
There were two pianos in Winterset then, one organ in the Baptist Church
and one in a private house, and one melodeon, and I am very confident there was
not one other such instrument elsewhere in Madison County. As to violins and
other minor musical instruments this writer sayeth not.
There were at that time very few shade trees in Winterset. Nearly every
tree in Winterset or on the open prairie in Madison County has been planted
since 1864.
PIONEER MERCHANT AND STORE
The records of the Commissioners' Court indicate that to William Compton
was issued the first license to conduct a grocery in Winterset. But it appears he
was not first in the field in the sale of merchandise at this place, as will be seen
by the following article prepared by Mr. Hoisington. It is well known that Enos
Beiiger came to Winterset in the spring of 1849 and at once completed a log
cabin, that had been partially erected the preceding fall, at the southeast comer
of the (present) square. In this he lived and replenished the stock of merchan-
dise left by his predecessor and ^rtner, one Porter.
The first house or building of any kind on what is now the platted portion of
Winterset was begun about the isth of November, 1848, by Porter Roberts. In
Savannah, Missouri, long resided Porter Roberts, a young man, and Enos Bergen
Both proposed going to the *^Three River country" in Iowa. An agreement was
made between them, by which Roberts was to go to Madison County, where
several families from about Savannah had settled, and get a claim as near as he
thought the county seat might be located and start a grocery, and made a deal
with a man to haul a load of groceries for them. The township lines having just
been run, the exact center of the county was known, so Roberts took the southeast
quarter of section 36 in (now) Winterset, the east half of which the very next
year became the west half of the original plat of the town. He went to work
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STONE HOUSE Bl'lLT BY JUDGE GL'IBERSOX IN 1856
Here his widow lived until the time of her death a few years ago.
It then became the property of her grand-daughter, Miss Kittie Shannon,
who had it torn down in 1913.
FRAME HOUSE BUILT BY JUDCiE (4U1BERS0N IN 1853
Still standing in \Vinter8et
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ARCADE HOTEL
Built in 1856 by Dr. J. H. Gaff, the first physician in Winterset. Later the
home of Judge Pitzer until his death in 1876.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 393
vigorously and with help got up an unhewn log house i6 by i6, but it remained
uncovered until the next spring. This was intended for a living house for Berger.
But Roberts hurried the completion of an addition, or lean-to, and this was 12 by
16 feet. He got this covered and enclosed, chinked and daubed, and his groceries
in about December ist. He boarded with Joshua Casebier, who lived a short dis-
tance southwest of the (afterward) Bevington home. He had but a small supply
of groceries and no whiskey, so that the sales were very light during the winter
and he was altogether disgusted with business in Madison County. When Berger
arrived in the early spring Roberts lost no time in getting away. He turned over
the remnants of his stock and the incomplete building to Berger, and as Berger
had furnished the capital there was little settlement to make. Berger finished
the building, moved in, replenished the stock (had brought with him a barrel of
whiskey), and with his jolly disposition and German thrift prospered from the
first. He soon had all he could do. The county had been organized January i,
1849, and the county seat was located in June and platted in July. Of course he
gave without a word the east eighty of his claim to the county and with equal
liberality to himself kept the west eighty. The second term of the County Com-
missioners' Court was lield in April (before the location of the county seat) in
the grocery room of this building and some following terms. That year was
held the first term of the District Court of Madison in the same grocery room.
Judge McKay was much opposed to the whole liquor business and was a dignified
and very proper young man, but he had to hold court in this room and did use
the whiskey barrel for his judicial seat. Of course no whiskey was sold over
the counter during sessions of the court. Berger had other arrangements on the
side to satisfy the unquenchable thirst of the needy ones. He sold most of a barrel-
ful of the stuff that term of court and the term was very short at that.
FIRST STEAM MILL
William Wallace was with Berger a short time during the fall of 1849. In
the spring of 1855, as Mr. Wallace remembers, he formed a partnership with
Berger for the purpose of erecting and conducting a sawmill. That spring the firm
bought machinery, boiler and engine at Burlington, and hauled it from that place
to Winterset, on a wagon made in Indiana and drawn by four horses, without any
mishap other than the breakage of an axle an'd the tongue. After crossing Middle
River at Compton's Mill with his heavy load, Wallace pulled across the branch
to the east ridge north of the river, and unloaded as close to the stream as pos-
sible. The mill was put together and the nine-horse power engine set up. While
sawing out boards for a mill shed, two suspicious persons, presumably *'land
sneaks," were noticed in the brush dodging about, in an effort to avoid discovery
of their presence and object. Wallace was up to their game and immediately went
into Winterset, where he offered John A. Pitzer $20 an acre for the lo-acre tract
on which the mill stood, which was readily and gladly accepted, as the sum offered
was a big one for' that day. However, ''Berger like to have swallowed a big cud
of tobacco in a fit over the price, but he was quieted when I offered to take the
land for myself ^ and Berger's share in the mill." Soon after, Berger & Wallace
made the whole price of the land out of four trees that stood on it, and as the ten
acres were heavily timbered the speculation was a profitable one.
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394 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Wallace managed the mill the summer of 1855 day and night, with two shifts
of men, and cut as high as 8,000 feet each twenty-four hours. He made a
splendid ''nm" on shingles and lath, doing this kind of work mostly at night. At
the time, there was a great demand for lumber, as log houses were rapidly being
replaced by frame buildings here and throughout the county. Wallace, it is said,
counted the day lost that he failed to clear $25 at the mill.
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JOHNNY McKIBBEN AND MIKE
DAVIS
Two familiar figures on the streets
of Winterset thirty years ago.
Johnny MeKibben was 36 inches high
and Mike Davis, 6 feet 10 inches in
height. It has been told that while
traveling with a show they repre-
senteii themselves as twin brothers.
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"All i >
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CHAPTER L
MISCELLANEOUS
THE GERMAN SETTLEMENT IN PENN TOWNSHIP
By Chas. F. Koehler, of Hollywood, California
On or about the i6th day of March, 1868, I in company with Henry Holder-
baum and J. M. Hochstetler, put foot on Madison County soil, having walked
from Des Moines to Redfield, and thence to Penn Township. Having thoroughly
inspected it, we concluded to settle there. Holderbaum returned east to his
home. Hostetler and I purchased a farm each. I worked for David Stanton
until the deed for my land was returned from Indiana. In the meantime, I wrote
a letter home (Holmes County, Ohio) to my brother what I concluded to do, and
gave a pretty thorough account of the land, its productive qualities and advantages
and probable result in the near future, etc. That letter was read by dozens of
old friends of mine, many who sold out and settled in Penn, some without ever
coming out to see it beforehand. My brother, William L. Koehler, made arrange-
ments to move, and while so doing, Mr. Nicholas Schlarb and family concluded
to come also. They chartered a car and loaded it. While so doing, an uncle of
Mr. Schlarb with his family and one nephew arrived fresh from Germany, and
when they found that Nick, as he was familiarly called, was moving to Iowa, they
put their effects in the same car and all arrived in due time in Des Moines, Iowa,
the latter part of March or the first of April, of the same year. I think though
that it was in the month of April.
In the fall of 1868 John and David Lenocker, sons of Christian Lenocker,
bought land and settled here. The following spring their parents and balance of
family arrived. Then came Fred Imboden and family. In March, 1869, G. F.
Lenocker and family arrived from Illinois. The same month Eli Snyder and
family arrived from Ohio; also Henry Holderbaum and family from Indiana.
The next year, 1870, Michael Holderbaum, Sr., and family arrived from Ohio, and
Mr. P. Fett and family, Mr. Shumacher and family, Mr. Michael Holderbaum,
Jr., and family, Jacob Lenocker and family from Illinois. The next year, 1871,
Wm. Bast and family from Ohio; Wm. Weitrich and family, Indiana; Isaac
Piper and family, Ohio ; also Philip Lenocker and family. In that year the Ger-
mans of Penn and Dexter, Dallas County, and other contiguous territory, or-
ganized a German Lutheran Church. The minister that was called was Reverend
Horn and family from Ohio, who lived a short time in Penn and then moved to
Dexter. There were a few more families added to the year 1875-6; among them
were Ed Scarr and K. J. Kaufman. There may have been a few others, but I
cannot now recall them. All these settled on farms and were recognized among
the best farmers and citizens of that township. Some of these original settlers
395
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396 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
have passed into the beyond, j^nd many are still living on their farms ; a few have
moved to other climes.
When that goodly land was first settled, land was bought very cheap. In the
year 1868 we bought it for $6.50 per acre. When the settlers commenced to come
in, the agents advanced it to $10, $12 and even $15 inside of a year and a half.
This of course was for raw prairie, as no improved land was for sale — what
little there was improved. That year of 1868 there were but seven improved
farms on the Penn Center Road, and west one-half of township but one single
house. The extreme east was then settled by Quakers, to the number of a dozen
families.
I'll never forget the first 4th of July (1868) that we celebrated. Word was
sent out in every direction for ten miles radius that the settlers would have a
grand basket picnic at Francis Grove on the 4th of July. The morning came,
a beautiful day, and with it came between fifty and sixty, old and young, all get-
ting acquainted easily, no stiflF formalities like unto the present time. All happy
and full of life and enthusiasm. The meeting in due time was called to order by
the president of the day, Dan Francis. The invocation was pronounced by Rev-
erend Armstrong. The declaration was read by William Ross. The main orator
of the day was Reverend Armstrong. After that others were called on, among
them the writer, who reminded them of the peculiar conditions then existing
in this celebration. The fact was this : Philipp Schlarb was a skilled accordion
player. He had brought his instrument with him, and having no other kind of
musical instrument, we pressed him into service.
The marshal of the day formed the whole crowd, men, women and children,
into a line two by two, with the flag and the accordion player at the head, marched
around the grove several times to Dutch tunes, mostly waltzes and schottisches.
He being a recent arrival from Germany, knew no American tunes, but we
marched just as enthusiastically after "Zu Lauterbach hab' ich mein Strumpf ver-
loren" and "Ich bin der Doctor Isenbarth willi willi ba bump** as if it had been
the "Star-Spangled Banner" or the "Union Forever.*'
He was a great player, and he regaled the crowd all day with his music, be-
tween speeches — another Dutch tune and still more Dutch music — until late in
the evening. Among the many Fourth of July celebrations that I participated in
while in Iowa, there is none that looms up so pronounced and has left such
an indelible impression on my mind as this first one.
All the people were neighbors — though ten miles apart. They were friends,
although strangers. They were hospitality to the limit.
SOME REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF MADISON COUNTY, IOWA
By Rev. J. G. Bishop, D. D., of Dayton, Ohio
On the 19th day of June, 1847, ^Y father, David Bishop, George McClellan,
Doc Whited and Bud Whited, with their families, landed in Madison County,
coming in their ox wagons, by the way of Des Moines, up the divide between the
North and Middle rivers, striking camp on the narrows about six miles a little
north of east from where Winterset now stands. The writer was at that time
about fourteen years of age, had walked all the way from Burlington on the
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 397
Mississippi, helping to drive the loose cattle — and has some very vivid recollec-
tions of those early times.
George McClellan settled on the narrows where the party first struck camp.
David Bishop's mind seemed drawn to see what was on the south side of the
Middle River. So, with gun and ax in hand, he started alone on an exploring
expedition, felling a tree on which to cross the river. The only enemy encoun-
tered was a big rattlesnake ; this enemy was conquered by the first shot from the
rifle. After two days' explorings, father decided to locate on the south side.
But how to get across the river? Drove westward along the skirts of the bluflfs;
found a place where we could get the wagon down the bluflfs ; crossed the river
at a ford near where the bridge now stands on the road leading from Winterset
to St. Charles ; wound up the ridge and out on the prairie, which father christened
*'Hoosier Prairie,'' his being the first Hoosier family that had come to seek a
home on its beautiful and attractive borders. But of course we must get at the
edge of or near the timber, for the prairies could never be settled more than one
or two miles out from the timber ( ?). And so, striking an Indian trail running
through the high grass, we proceeded eastward, stopping where what was after-
ward known as the Runkle farm is located, the family living in a tent, and
out doors, until we could put up a log cabin, which we did, riving out the boards
with a frow with which to cover it, by Saturday evening. Sunday morning
father cut a hole in one side for a door and the family moved in. The cutting
out that door was about the only Sunday work I ever saw my father do.
The Whiteds moved over on our side of the river, Bud Whited taking a
claim next west of father's, building near where the Union Church, or Chapel,
now stands, and Doc Whited a little further west.
At this time there ws^s not a survey line through the county, and less than
twentv families in the county, who had come in some months before. William
Smith and Mr. Esty had settled on Middle River in the eastern part of the
county; Isaac and Joel Clanton, and Caleb Clark, near where St. Charles now
stands; Mr. John Carroll, at the edge of the Jones Creek timber, some two
miles southwest from our place; Mr. Henry McKinzie and Ephraim Bilder-
back, at the edge of the timber a little west of where the Rogers schoolhouse
afterwards stood; Mr. John Butler, and I think another family, on the river
near where the Compton's mills were afterwards built; one, and I think two,
families of the Guyes, and perhaps another family or two on Cedar Creek and
North River. These were the settlers in the county previous to our coming*,
Our nearest store, postoffice and mill for the first year was on Middle River,
in Warren County, about thirty miles from our place. But for over a year we
had nothing to grind if there had been a mill. For the first summer we had to
go for breadstuflf to Oskaloosa, about eighty miles. The first few years the
only kind of transportation was the ox wagon, and "walkers' express." The
goods were hauled in the same ox wag'ons, from Keokuk, some two hundred miles.
The first winter — winter of 1847-48 — we got along nicely. It was not very
cold and but little snow. The cattle wintered on the prairie hay that had been
provided, and provisions for the family were secured from a distance. But the
second winter — winter of 1848-49 — whew! It commenced snowing early, and
continued, by spells. We saw but little of mother earth until April.. After the
snow had become about two feet deep there was formed a crust oii it so it would
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398 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
bear a footman, but not the ox. There were not enough people to keep the
roads, where there were roads, broken. We were "snowed in*' for much of the
winter. Aside from the paths kept broken around the homes and feeding places,
there was going nowhere except as we walked on the crust of the snow.
Straits. We had raised some vegetables and some com. A corn-cracker
mill had been started where Compton's mill was afterwards built, but there was
no way of reaching it from our place except by foot on the snow crust. The
meal gave put, and there was no Elijah near; the vegetables gave out or froze
out; everything eatable for the family gave out but the com and some soup
beans. The family subsisted, absolutely, for about two months on soup
beans, with no seasoning except a little salt (salt cost $5.00 for fifty pounds)
and corn hominy. My! but wouldn't we children have danced for joy at the
sight of a com dodger? The hay gave out and from the first of Febmary until
grass, my business was to chop down red elm and linn timber that the cattle
might browse off the buds. By this means a few of the cattle were brought
through until grass, though the most of them perished. By the second winter
we had a few hogs. Everything gave out that we could feed the hogs, except
the com and beans that were necessary to keep the family. We tolled the hogs
along the path that was kept open to the nearby grove, and cutting down the
small elms, would scale the small logs and limbs, the hogs soon learning to gnaw
the bark ; and so we got a few hogs through on elm bark !
Snakes? Yes, there were snakes, genuine rattlesnakes. Indeed, our prin-
cipal neighbors for the first few years were rattlesnakes and prairie wolves. The
first two or three springs, as the snakes would begin to crawl out of their dens,
snake hunting was in order. The most successful hunt in which the writer en-
gaged resulted in the killing of 122 rattlesnakes in one day; of the blue racers,
which denned with the rattlers, we kept no account.
The first election in the county was for the election of an "organizing sheriff."
The candidates were Ephraim Bilderback, democrat, and a Mr. Guye, whig. The
electors assembled, out of doors, of course — ^the writer was present, though not
old enough to vote. A line was drawn, the candidates took their positions, one
on each side of the line. The voters then took their positions on the side of
their favorite candidate, and noses were counted by the honorable judges ap-
pointed for the occasion. The democratic candidate was elected.
The next election, which was the first legally called election in the county,
was to elect two justices of the peace — at large for the whole county. David
Bishop and Mr. John Butler were elected. All I remember of the official acts
of these dispensers of justice is, that Mr. Butler married the first couple that
were married in the county, and my father married the second couple. Madison
County was at this time attached to Marion County. The license was secured
from Knoxville ; but how, I do not know. But I do know that the justice who
solemnized the marriage rode on horseback to Knoxville, fifty miles (crossing
Warren County, of course) to make due returns of the marriage; that he was
about four days making the trip — and received fifty cents for the whole job.
The next election held in the county, as I remember it, was for the purpose
of electing three county commissioners who were to constitute the County Court,
to transact the county business, the county now being organized to do its own
business independent of Marion County. The commissioners elected were David
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
399
Bishop, William Combs and William Gentry. The township lines have now been
surveyed and the state commissioners have located the county seat on the bare
prairie at the center of the county. There is a log cabin standing about one-
fourth of a mile west of where the courthouse now stands.
The Name. It is a cold, blustery February day. The honorable, the County
Court, was in session in this log cabin, drawing the plat of the town, arranging
for selling the lots, etc. The question of a name for the county seat was under
discussion. The state conmiissioners, when locating, had given it a name, but it
did not seem satisfactory to this court. Various names were suggested. Among
them my father suggested the name "Summerset." On his pronouncing Summer-
set, William Combs, who was looking out of the window, the wind blowing and
a snow squall prevailing, with a shiver bom of the occasion, pronounced after
him, "Summerset ! I think you had better say Winterset !" The others at once
took it up, pronouncing "Win-ter-set, Win-ter-set." Winterset is just as true to
nature as Sunmierset ; besides, there was not a town or postoffice anywhere of this
name, so far as they knew ; and so within a few minutes it was mutually agreed
to give the county seat of Madison County, Iowa, the unique, euphonious name
Winterset.
The writer would only add: We spent twenty-two years in Iowa, the most
of that time in Madison County, and several years in Winterset, since which,
though we have lived in several states, traveled in nearly all the states, as well
as some in the Orient, we have never found a place that has g^own nearer and
dearer to our heart than the town of Winterset, in the County of Madison, and
State of IOWA.
Dayton, Ohio, April 14, 1905.
first census taken in madison county in 1849, as reported by the
commissioners' clerk
Heads of Families No. of
A. D. Jones 3
Ephraim Bilderback 3
William Stephenson 3
Jonathan C. Casebier 8
Samuel B. Casebier 3
Alfred Rice ?
Daniel Chenoweth 3
John Butler 12
Absalom McKenzie 2
James Brewer 5
Valentine Johnson 4
John R. Short 2
Thomas N. Boyles 3
William Sterman 10
John B. Sterman 4
Taylor Sargent 4
David Cracraft 12
John Cracraft i
Heads of Families No. of
John S. Howerton i
Benjamin Hillman 5
Charles C. Mendenhall 2
Clabom Pitzer 11
Edward Wood 2
Sarah Finler 3
Lewis Brinson 7
Robert Oneal 5
William Brunk i
Sarah Henshaw 5
James Brown 11
Anderson W. Moor 5
Samuel Brownfield 3
John B. Beedle .' 7
Major Farris 3
John Carrol 6
James Folwell 5
E. R. Guiberson 10
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40Q
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Heads of Families No. of
Amos W. Case 3
David S. Bowman i
John Vanhouten 8
Samuel Crawford 7
David D. Henry 8
John Willhoit- 5
James Thornbrugh 8
Samuel Fleener 7
David Fleener i
Andrew Evans 7
Thomas Steward 5
Seth Adamson 9
Calvin Randall 3
Philip Esley ; 9
Leonard Bowman 7
Samuel Guye ,. . . 9
William Combs -. 4
Jacob Combs 6
William Gentry 10
Asa Mills 6
Rebecca Ann Eles 4
Joseph R. Moor 3
Enos Burger 6
Joseph Baker 2
William Harman 9
William Pbipps 10
Reuben Thanner 3
Joshua C. Casebier 4
Absalom Thomburg 7
Daniel Vancel 8
Charles Wright 4
Lemuel Thornbrugh 6
Thomas Cason ' 10
David Smith 2
William Smith 6
David Worley 9
George W. McClellan 3
Joseph Bishop 3
Dr. Whited 7
Samuel Bishop 9
Noah Bishop 4
David Bishop 9
John Wilkinson 10
Henry McKenzie 10
Irvin Baum 6
Heads of Families No. of
A. J. Hart 4
Jackson Casebier 3
A. Q. Smith 11
Alfred Wiggans 9
William Allcock 4
Emanuel Hinkley i
Silas Barnes 9
Joseph T. Wright 3
Henry Rice 5
Rachel Waymire 6
Andrew Waymire 3
Joel Gams 10
Nathan Vina 6
S. M. Watson 5
David Simmerman 8
Joseph B. Evans 5
John M. Evans 2
M. W. Jones 8
Robert Deshaser 7
David Brinson 7
Joel M. Clanton 6
Isaac Clanton 9
Joshua Wickley 3
Elijah Perkins i
Samuel Peter 'T . .-. . . 7
Hiram Hurst 5
Stephen Trimble 5
Joseph Trimble i
Thomas Ansbery 5
Henry Simmons 6
Elizabeth Bens 5
O. M. Boyle 3
William Compton 5
N. S. Allcock 9
George Smith 6
Isaac Smith 7
Reuben Lea . . : 4
Caleb Clark 9
Charles Qanton 8
Pleasant Bollans 5
Asberry Bums 5
A. J. Shank 5
John Donnel 8
Total
.701
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 401
I do hereby certify the within to be a true and correct copy of the census of
Madison County, Iowa, as returned to my office by the assessor of said county
on oath.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the temporary
seal of the Board of County Commissioners, this the 6th day of October, A. D.
1849. James Thornbrugh, Commissioners* Clerk.
[County Commissioners' Seal]
INCIDENTS OF EARLY IOWA TRANSPORTATION
(Paper read by Mrs. Charity Lothrop Kellogg, before Madison County
Historical Society.)
I am pleased to meet and greet you. You are sustaining the reputation of
lowans.
An authority says: "From the foundation of Iowa the character of lowans
is such as was rare to meet in a new territory. With few exceptions, there was
not a more orderly, industrious, energetic or intelligent people. They were not
surpassed, as a body, by any equal number of citizens in any country in the
world." Our symbolic name is "Hawkeye/' from the name of one of the noblest
Indian chiefs, and our state very appropriately named "This is the land !"
Our territorial birth was July 4, 1838, but eight years before that birthday
we built a schoolhouse, 1830, where Keokuk now stands.
July 4, 1834, three flags waved over the "to be" state. An Irishman named
Nicholas Carroll, living in the vicinity of Dubuque, first unfurled the Star-
Spangled Banner in Iowa. It was made by a black woman who was a slave, and
cost $10. It was run up at 12 o'clock in the morning. The other two were at
Davenport and Burlington. They were raised soon after sunrise.
The beginnings of transportation were similar throughout our country. The
first requisite was roads. It is said that we form our estimate of the compara-
tive degree of the civilization and enterprise of a country by its roads. The
ancients* roads were principally for military purposes; ours are for peaceful
intercourse.
Our fathers determined the most feasible routes by marking trees to guide
until a path was worn and became a carriage road; and these roads were later
followed by the engineers in laying our great wagon and railroad routes to the
far West. We couldn't blaze trees. Our state consists of broad, ocean-like,
treeless prairies, but we first traveled on horseback over the whole state — ^more
often without a compass than with one— fording the streams, or improvising
ferry-boats out of canoes. Sometimes the traveler would ride in canoe and the
horse swim, or lash two canoes together and the horse be taken aboard, his fore
feet in one canoe, his hind feet in the other. The Mormons did us a good turn
in the early day. It was before their heaven-sent polygamous message, but we
were kind to them. When they were persecuted in Illinois and Missouri they
sought refuge in our state. Word was sent to our governor from Washington,
D. C, not to allow them to stay. He replied that as long as they were law-
abiding citizens he should not join their persecutors. Their objective point was
Salt Lake, and many perished on the way. It was recommended that a few
families should stop, build sod or log houses and bams, and raise crops, at stated
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402 HISTORY OF MAWSON COUNTY
intervals of thirty or fifty milds, and in thait way pJlay the /'good Samaritan" to
all whp should pass.their way • but later M^ien the state became. more populous
the Mormons became a little exclusive, and if the applicants for shelter were not
Qftteir creed *^there was ho rdom in the inn."* With the other*, settlers it was
seldom, if ever, that a traveler was:;told to *'move on," without regard to the hour
of day ojr^ilight or the number of applicants. They were sharers of all their store.
Some of our road making was unique. We thought Ben Franklin did well
when he set up milestones from Philadelphia to New York, but we surpassed
that. When Iowa City was chosen as the capital, there were no roads leading to it.
The site was on a big prairie, on which was one, log cabin. A man named Lyman
Dillon started from that place with his huge breaking plow, drawn by five yoke
of oxen, a two-horse emigrant wagon, carrying provisions, cooking utensils and
bedding for the journey following him. For nearly one hundred miles he marked
the way to the Misrfssippi River, the longest furrow on record. There was soon
a beaten road beside the furrow, made by the white-topped prairie schooners of
the coming settlers. The town built up fast, but there was no established mail
between the new capital and the outside, world. Letters and papers were brought
from Muscatine by anyone who happened there on business. In 1846 a weekly
mail was carried on horseback.
Inland transportation was largely by water. The first settlers in the south-
western part of the state went down the Ohio and then up the Missouri River.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on the Des Moines River to make
it navigable.
Our men began to talk and plan for railroads as early as 1833 ; none mate-
rialized until 1856. When in 1853 the Chicago, Rock Island began to be con-
structed across unsettled prairies, lowans kept their hawk-eyes on the work and
progress. March 14, 1853, a passenger train on the C, R. I. & P. Railroad
began to run daily, Sundays excepted^ to La Salle, there to connect with steamers
to St. Louis; and with stage coaches to Davenport, Iowa, north to Dixon, Galena
and Dubuque. Our men's minds were full of plans on a large scale, and three
lines were planned east and west across our state. The Chicago, Rock Island
reached Rock Island in 1852, bridged the Mississippi River in two years, and we
were ready with a railroad track to Iowa City in 1856, and within five years
we had 393 miles of railroad in Iowa.
' In 1850 began staging as we knew it. We gave it the name of "stage" coach
because the stage line was divided into short distances, or stages. The first stage
routes in Iowa were in the early '40s on the Mississippi River, and one on the
Missouri River from Council Bluffs to Kansas City. The first mail contractor
was Ansel Briggs, afterwards Governor Briggs. The first mail stage Jine was
from Davenport to Dubuque; the second from Davenport to Iowa City.
This latter line in 1855 extended across the state. When on our jour-
ney into Iowa, we accompanied the stage on this route to Des Moines,
it took eight days to make the trip. The mud was a yard deep in some
places ; many of the large creeks were not bridged, and the old-fashioned sloughs
were very much in evidence, and at their worst we thought that Skunk Bottom
ought to have been called Skunk "Bottomless." Father walked most of the way.
The stage coach was a few rods ahead of us, and kept us informed as to the
depth of the mud. In the coach were four men, two women and a bird-cage. It
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 403
seemed as if every third woman that took a coach carried her bird in a big cage,
and if the coach upset or swung so as to throw the passengers together, some-
one's face was cut or mutilated by that bird-cage. Those four men both paid
for and worked their passage, for they walked miles every day, carrying rails on
their shoulders to pry the coach wheels out of the mud, while the driver un-
mercifully lashed his four horses. Sometimes a horse lunged, sunk in the mud
to his body; that frightened the other horses, and then the men at the end of
the rails dropped them and sprang for the horses, While another assured the
women that there was really no cause for alarm. So it went every day. We
didn't become stalled ; we were "fore-armed." Often our horses were unhitched
and used to help pull out a stalled prairie schooner.
It was not long after this that mails were carried from Des Moines to Adel,
Fort Dodge (father ran a hack to Fort Dodge weekly), Winterset and Indianola,
mostly on horseback, then in small open buggy and buckboard. In the times of
bad roads or high water the weekly mail was doubled, two weeks.
In 1861, father (Colonel Lothrop) contracted for the mail line from Keokuk
to Fort Kearney. The roads across this state were bad enough, but across "the
plains" were fierce! The Platte River changed its bed every day. The stage
was often "held up," the driver knocked off and told to "Git !" while the passen-
gers were relieved of their valuables. The poor horses suffered the most. Two
months were as long as a horse could do his work there ; then he had to be brought
home and recuperated. This was the last straw. They used to joke father about
his horse-frames. He re-let the line from Lewis to Fort Kearney. I couldn't
learn when the Great Western Stage Company put on a daily from Des Moines
to Winterset, but I think it was i860. That road had portions that were dreaded
by all who passed over it. Tip-overs were common, although the road was being
worked, for Iowa is no laggard on road making. Father had the route from
De Soto when cars reached that point. On the way was a hill that was a terror
to the people who had to drive down it. In times of bad roads, father often went
along to pilot and teach the men how to make a certain curve in the road so as
not to tip over. That route came the nearest to keeping him awake nights of
anything I ever knew of. In these years I've seen loaded wagons stalled on the
east and west sides of the square. In '61 I cannot recall a foot of sidewalk in
this city! There was none in front of the St. Nicholas — just big cobblestones
sunk in the mud, from which your feet often slipped into the mud ankle deep.
But it was a bustling town, with a good many young people. We had jolly
times — but we girls didn't go to meet the stage as girls meet the trains now;
but when the crack of the driver's whip and the rumbling of the coach wheels
over the stony road announced the approaching stage coach, men and boys could
be seen hurrying toward the hotel, where it made its first stop, from all direc-
tions, from all points of the compass ; so by the time the coach was swept up to
the hotel, the galloping horses reined in "all of a sudden," there was quite an
audience. The passengers climbed clumsily down from the high coach, hobbled
over the cobblestones into the hotel, and Sam Holiday asked them "what they
wanted." The agent was in the meantime promptly yelling to the driver to
"Hand down that way-bill !" Eight persons could ride comfortably in the coach,
but there was often a boisterous command from the agent to "make room for
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404 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
three more in there!" "Pleases" and "beg pardons'* didn't permeate our sen-
tences as at present.
The driver was a man of note, often notorious. The skill with which he
cracked his long-lashed whip was the envy of the boys. His whole arm move-
ment fascinated them. They spent hours practicing, which kept ladies' nerves on
edge. The regular stage driver's "make-up" was striking. When equiK)ed to
mount his throne, he usually wore a light slouched hat, a wee bit on one side,
his face adorned with a big mustache, out of which protruded a cigar, for he
had much attention — treats of various sorts. He sported a gray cravat, woolen
shirt, turn-down collar, plaid coat, his feet encased in big, long-legged, red-topped
boots, into which his pants were tucked ; over all a long fur coat, in winter, and
"tippet" of three or four yards in length, wound several times around his neck,
one end thrown gracefully over the right shoulder and streaming bravely out
behind; he also sported large gauntlet gloves. His position while driving was
impressive. With reins between his fingers, leaning to one side, his elbows
bowed, every lineament of his bpdy expressed his satisfaction. He exempli-
fied one driver's answer to a critical passenger, "While I drive this coach I am
the whole United States."
At the time of our war, draft stage drivers were exempt, as already being
in their country's service, and many cowards were sworn in as stage drivers,
who couldn't have mounted a coach and driven two blocks without an accident.
This law was so abused that it was soon repealed. Father had one southerner
who had sneaked north and taken advantage of this act. He was a good driver ;
his horses he kept in good order, but at the repeal of the "exempt" law he hur-
ried to Canada, and from there on to the ocean. After he had gone, they found
that he had done what they called "doped" his horses, and it took some time to
bring them back to their normal condition.
The stage line entered Madison County at the southeast, stopping at St.
Charles, which was a worse mudhole than Winterset. The first stop west of
Winterset was out seven miles — a postoffice, I think, kept by a McHockenberry.
In those days the mail bag was dragged into the house, unlocked, and its con-
tents poured on the floor as you'd empty a sack of flour. Some made quick work
of finding their portion, while in other places the whole family knelt around the
mail matter, and each one examined every letter and package, shaking the letters
to learn if there was any money in them. Such place received all the driver's
spare time, by request of mail contractor. McHockenberry wasn't of this sort.
He could be depended on for prpmpt action. It don't take much space to say,
"That man attends to his business," but it means a long.parag^ph.
Fourteen miles out of Winterset was Arbor Hill, where driver and horses
were changed. The drivers and agents were too often changed to remember
their names. One I knew was John Dennison. He was a -large, good-natured,
knowing man. His wife was a fine cook. When greenbacks first became a "legal
tender," father went over the road to "pay up," and laid out the greenbacks. Mr.
Dennison said: "What's them things. Colonel?" Father explained. "No, you
don't get me. I won't have nothin' but gold!" More explanations followed.
"Don't make no diflFerence — I won't take nothin' but gold." Father's patience
was tried ; he sprang to the door, called in the driver and said* "See here, Bill
I call you to witness that I oflFer this man this money. Now, Mr. Dennison, I've
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 405
fulfilled the law, and you can take this money or your nothin'." He took
greenbacks.
The next was a postoffice at Greenfield. We usually went through there
in the ni^ht. Fontanelle was the next point. It was a small but growing town,
with a good hotel, grocery, blacksmith shop and a nice large schoolhouse, in
which they had preaching occasionally. The town was not very devout. Here
again was change of driver and horses. No one was anxious for this stage, as it
included a sixteen-mile prairie, without one house to break the monotony. The
out trip across it was made during the night. To lose the road was too common
for comment. Father would often come in saying: "Get me my big blanket. I
must go up the road. The driver at Fontanelle wants to quit*' — or is a new one,
or a horse is sick, lame, or it's too dark, muddy or snowy to trust a driver alone
across that prairie. One night the snow had covered the ground, and three times
the driver called, "Colonel, Fm oflF the road !" Father would get out, walk back
and forth in opposite directions of the road, and so find it. One of the passen-
gers remarked : "Who is that accommodating fellow ? They would find the road
themselves for all me!" After the sixteen-mile prairie came Whitneyville.
Frank Whitney and his little, pretty and deaf wife owned a fine farm there.
Frank became ambitious and laid out a town on it, built a good schoolhouse,
hired a young lady teacher at $35 a month, as there was plenty of money in the
school fund for the three pupils in the school district. Last I knew of the town
there had been two houses built. The last stop and "Face about !" was Lewis.
There were very good people there — no saloons, but one grocery sold beer.
There were no licenses then.
All along the stage line the stage coach was a pleasing feature to the people,
and any family felt quite "sot up" if the stage swung up to their gate with a
package or message. The whole family — ^to the last dog and cat — came out with
smiling greeting. It broke the monotony of their life. We were not flushed with
amusements in those days.
The arrival of the coach took on greater interest during the war. It was
watched for, and as it neared the postoffice, from every direction came people,
many of them women whose husbands were in the army. They came through the
fields, along the wayside and road, often with babies in their arms, leading an-
other, while one, two, three or four followed, trotted ahead or ran a race with the
coach. It was a pathetic scene after the stage had gone. There was always
some sonorous-voiced man who delighted to read a late paper to the gathering.
He often stumbled over the big words, but the listeners were too interested to
note small defects if they sensed it. No wonder that this country is so patriotic t
They inherited it from both parents.
I am sorry an old stage coach cannot talk. What interesting tales we'd hear !
There came a time when the coach was loaded to its limit with men all in blue,
who, without a quiver, went to face death for home and native land. Later,
many a wife and mother received their wounded and sick soldier from the same
stage coach. He hadn't been crowded on his return trip. The pompous agent
was as tender as a woman. The driver couldn't have been hired to crack his whip.
Long stops were made for the sick soldier to rest. The long grass on the sixteen-
mile prairie made a downy couch. The mail on time? It was not considered.
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406 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Uncle Sam's mail took the second place to Uncle Sam's boys in blue. That
soldier boy was to them the whole United States.
THE EVOLUTION OF FENCING
(Read Before the Madison County Historical Society by Sidney Wilkinson.)
The mode of fencing has passed through several changes since this county
was settled. The reason for this was, first, the failure of the native supply of
material, and then the advance of civilization and arts created a desire for better
conditions than prevailed in the days of "Auld Lang Syne."
The first fencing in this country, as everyone knows, was the old-fashioned
rail fence, but when well done made a very formidable barrier against unruly,
stock. The timber was first cut into logs usually ten feet long, then split into
rails and afterwards hauled to the place where needed and built into fence. Rail-
splitting was pretty hard work; a good hand in fair timber would cut and split
from one hundred to two hundred rails in a day. Some extra hands would do
considerably better than that, while the timber was unculled and they had the
pick of the trees. The speed in rail-making depended to some extent on the
time of year — the timber worked better in the fall and spring than when the
frost was in the trees. A fence eight rails high, staked and ridered, provided it
was four and a half or five feet high and the lower cracks about four inches, was
considered a lawful fence. The rail fence was all the fence used for several years,
until the sawmills came in, then there was some board fences made, but the board
fence was not much used until the railroads began to bring the pine lumber from
the pineries, and by that time the supply of rail timber of the county was pretty
well exhausted.
The board fence was always an expensive fence to build, and when it hegaLti
to break it was not as easily repaired as the rail fence ; consequently it was never
as popular as the rail fence was in its time, as a conmion farm fence. A lawful
board fence was five six-inch boards to the panel, nailed on to good posts with
lower cracks about four inches — height of fence at first fifty-four inches, after-
wards forty-eight inches.
Just before the Civil war they began to plant osage for a hedge fence, and
a few years after the willow fence was introduced, neither of which made a
satisfactory hedge fence.
A short time before i860 the people of this county became interested in
a more economical mode of fencing, and the hog law, as it was called, was voted
on, and the winter before the first vote on the hog law the question was pretty
thoroughly discussed in the little lyceums at the schoolhouses in the county. I
remember in one instance one man, in his argument against the law, said they
had a hog law in Indiana, where he lived, and that a man was liable to a fine for
allowing his hogs to run at large. He said his hogs broke out one time and he
was afraid to inquire for them for fear some of his neighbors would inform on
him and have him fined, and some one on the other side that knew claimed he was
just as popular with his neighbors in Indiana as he was in Iowa. But the idea of
a hog law was very unpopular at that time and when the vote came it was defeated
by a large majority and once or twice afterwards it suflfered the same fate, but
each time with less opposition.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 407
About 1870, or may be a little later, most of the counties of the state being very
largely imder herd law conditions, especially in the west and north, the legislature
passed a general hog and sheep law. This law came into force about the time the
barb wire fence was introduced and in a few years the three-barb-wire fence
became the most common fence of the county and it has been many times asserted
that it has killed and crippled enough stock to pay the expense of fencing the
whole county with a better type of fence. Soon after the hog law was passed a
large part of the people became interested in a general stock law, but they were
not able to get a majority in its favor until shortly after the year 1890.
At that time the land in the county was all fenced up and the stock in the lanes
had become such a nuisance that the general stock restrain law was voted by the
people hf a large majority. Some types of fence appeared in the evolution of
fencing in this county that were not of such magnitude as to call for an extensive
mention here. In different parts of the county we found a very little stone fence
and on a good many farms the picket or slat and wire fence appeared some years
ago, about the time the woven wire fence was first introduced.
The woven wire fence is the best fence for the money we have ever had and is
destined in a short time to supplant most of the former types as a farm fence.
I do not know what the law is in regard to woven wire fence, but if we take almost
any of the different kinds found on the market, say from thirty to forty inches
high or more, and have our comer posts well set in cement or otherwise to make
them perfectly firm in the ground and have them well braced, then stretch our
fence well and staple it on to good posts set about one rod apart and supplement
the woven part with from two to four barb wires on top properly spaced, I do not
think our neighbors will complain of our not having a lawful fence.
The prevailing scarcity of material for fence posts is becoming a serious
problem.
The destruction of the old hedge fences in the county of late years has sup-
plied a vast number of excellent posts, but that supply will soon be exhausted and
some other means will have to be found to supply the demand.
The cement post is now on trial, and from present indications the cement post
is destined, in a great measure, to become the fence post of the future.
\
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INDEX
A. F. & A. M.
Model Lodge, No. 315
Madison Lodge, No. 568
Ivy Lodge, No. 483
Evening Star Lodge of Winterset ....
Afton Bridge Mill, The
Agriculture, Indian
Agricultural Sogiety of Madison County
Officers of
A. O. U. W., Winterset Lodge, No. 71. .
Appraisement of Lots 46, 47, 48, 49,
As a Boy Saw It
Attorneys, County, ft-om 1887 to 1915
Auditors, County, from 1869 to 1915.
B
Backbone Mill, The
Bank of Earlham
Bank of Macksburg
Baptist Churches. 95,
Bar, The
Early Members
Present Members
Barker Mill, The
Barney, Village of
Barrow Mill, The Seth
Battle of Union Township
Bedsteads, Pioneer
Bench, The
Bertholf Mill, The Andrew
Bertholf Mill, The James
Bethany Limestone, The
Bevington, Village of
Bishop, Rev. J. G., Reminiscences of
Black Hawk, Chief
Bluff^Road, The Famous
Bountiful Crops in 1846
Breaking out a Farm
Bridges
Bridge Warrants
Buffalo Mill, The 152
Buffalo Mills 284
Burials, Early 163
264
328 . C
359
376 California Trails 166
153 Call for Volunteers, Civil War 185
15 Campbell Mill, The 152
244 Camp Meetings, The First 91
246 Carboniferous Age, The 4
381 Carpenters and Joiners, Early 162
, 55 Catholic Churches 94, 346
281 Cement 10
72 Cemeteries, Indian : . 15
71 Census, The First, in 1849 399
Chautauqua Association, Madison County 218
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad 175
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad }73
^.^ Chicago, St. Paul and Kansas City Rail-
22^ road 174
ggg Christian Churches :95, 359
«-^ Church of Christ Churches.. 97, 261, 298, 328
Church, The First 90
jQg Churches
- -^ Baptist 93, 354
jg^ Catholic 94,346
2^2 Christian 95, 359
j5 J Church of Christ 97, 261, 298, 328
- 2g Episcopal 94
j5g Friends 98, 223, 226
104 German Lutheran 340
.go Methodist Episcopal 92, 261, 353
^ Presbyterian 93, 261
United Brethren 97
United Presbirterian 96, 259
305
Circuit Court, Abolishment of 72
^^^ Citizens National Bank of Winterset... 373
^^ Citizens State Bank of Earlham 327
^''1 City Hall, Winterset 370
24 City Park, Winterset 371
158 Civn War Period
172 Call for Volunteers 185
173 Enlistments 188
409
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410
INDEX
Madison County Acts 186
Roll of Honor 190
Caaim Club, The Madison County 126
aanton Family, The 22
aark's, Caleb, Stories 292
Clayton County Comes to Madison 228
Clerks of Commissioners' Court 70
Clerks of District Court from 1849 to
1915 70
Coal Measures, Middle River Valky... . 4
Combs Mill, The 151
Commissioners' Court
First Meeting 36
Clerks of 70
Proceedings 36
Second Meeting 38
Commissioners, Board of County 69
Company G, Fifty-fifth Regiment, N. G. I. 220
Coroners, County, from 1849 to 1915 . . . 71
Country Club, Winterset 382
County Buildings 57
County Fairs 244
The First 244, 248
County Farm, The 65
County Government, Systems of 34
County Judges 70
County Officials
The First 30
From 1849 to 1914 69
County, Organization of 29
County Seat, Selection of 31
Naming of 33
Courthouse, A Bit of History 62-65
Coui'thouse, Dedication oif 61
Courthouse, The Old Log 57
Courthouse, The Present 60
Crawford Township 300
Creston, Winterset & Des Moines Rail-
road 175, 355
Daughters of Rebecca
Crown Lodge, No. 360 381
Hawthorne Chapter, No. 350 355
Marguerite Lodge, No. 233 329
No. 469, of St. Charles 264
Des Moines, Winterset & Southern Rail-
road 174
District Court, The First 104
District Judges
The First 106
Those that Followed 107
Douglas Township 288
Douglas Township, The Land of Poetry. 294
Drake Ford Mill, The 153
E
Earlham Academy 326
Earlham, City of
Electric System 325
Financial 327
Fraternal 328
Incorporation 324
Park 326
Religious 327
Schools 326
Waterworks 325
Early Acts of Madison County, Civil War 186
Early Settlement, Reminiscences of 396
Early Settlers, The 22, 24, 27, 228
Early Settlers from Clayton County 229
Early Transportation, Incidents of 401
East Peru, Village of 309
Reminiscent * 311
Echo, The Earlham 116
Educational 78
Elections
Early t 25
The First 25, 66
The First in Center, South and Union
Townships 68
Enlistments, Civil War. 186
Episcopal Churches . . .*. 94
F
Fairs, County 244
The First 244, 248
Farmers' Institute, Madison County 243
Officers of 243
Farmers Mutual Insurance Company... 243
Fencing, Evolution of 406
Fidler, Cemetery 274
Fife, Samuel, Recollections of 265
Fifteenth Infantry 195
Fifth Cavalry 213
Fight between Guye and Jones 130
Fire Department, Winterset 371
First Bank in Winterset, The 367
First Cavalry 209
First Census, The 399
First Decade, The 368
First Marriage in the County, The 25
First- National Bank of Winterset 372
First Settler, The.., 20
First Settler in Winterset, The 365
First Steam Mill, The 393
Formations, Geological 3
FQrty:eighth Infantry 208
Forty-seventh Infantry 206
Fourth Cavalry . . r • ; • : 210
Fourth Infantry 191
Friends Churches 98, 223, 226
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INDEX
411
G. A. R.
John Miller Post, No. 158 263
Pitzer Post, No. 55 383
General Assembly, Members of, from
Madison County 74
German Element in Jefferson Township. 333
German Lutheran Churches 340
German Settlement in Penn Township.. 395
Gilpin, Judge, Reminiscences of 110
Glacier Age, The. 7
Good Roads Association 220
Gordon Band, The 299
Grand River Toisnship 349
Guye Family, The 14, 22
Guye Schoolhouse, The 273
H
Hartman Mill, The 155
Hawkeye, The St. Charles 116
Hiatt and Brown Mill, The 154
Highland Nobles
Glencoe Castle, No. 16 382
Historical Society, Madison County 217
Hockenberry Mill, The 154
Hoosicr Prairie 282
Horseback Riding in the Early Days... 167
Huglin Mill, The 152
Hurst, Hiram, The First Settler 20
I
Incorporation of Winterset 368
Indians
Agriculture 15
Cemeteries 15
Chief Blackhawk 19
Religious Views 19
Method of Burial 17
Removal of 13
Treaty of 1842 13
Villages 12, 13, 14, 16
I. 0. O. F.
St. CSiarles Lodge, No. 416 264
Madison Encampment, No. 146 264
Earlham Lodge, No. 546 323
Grand River Lodge, No. 406 355
Macksburg Encampment, No. 186 355
Madison Lodge, No. 136 381
Rock City Encampment, No. 63 381
Irish Settlement in Crawford Township 302
Irish Settlement in Lee Township 345
Growth of 348
Jackson Township .* 341
Jail, The first ". 58
The Present 60
Jefferson Township 330
Judges, County 70
K
K. and L. S.
Winterset Council, No. 219 382
Kansan Drift, The 7
Kentucky Colony in Scott Township... 280
Keokuk & Western Raitroad 175
K. O. B., Backbone Tent, No. 54 381
K. P.
Truro Lodge, No. 330 359
Lotus Lodge, No. 48 381
L
Lee Township 344
Legal Profession, The. 108
Light Artillery 214
Limestone 10
Lincoln Township 296
Loess, or Topsoil, The 9
Log Houses, Pioneer 156
Raisings 157
L. O. M., Winterset Hive, No. 32...... 381
Lot Sale in Winterset 364
M
Macksburg, Village of
Financial 353
Fraternal 355
Incorporation 352
Railroad 355
Religious '. 353
Settlement of 351
Madison County State Bank of Winterset 373
Madison Township 320
Madisonian, The Winterset 114
Marriage, The First 123
Marriages, Early 123
Mayors of Winterset, List of 369
Medical Profession, The 99
Medical Society, The M^ison County. . 102
Method of Burial, Indian 17
Methodist Episcopal Churches ... 92, 261, 353
Middle River Valley, Geological Struc-
ture of ...:....... 4
Mill, The First 150
MiUs and Mill Sites
150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155
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412
INDEX
Miscellaneous Enlistments, Civil War. . 214
Monroe Township 360
M. W. A.
Camp No. 2890, of St. Charles 264
Earlham Camp, No. 2162 329
Evergreen Camp, No. 4133 355
Truro Camp, No. 9823 359
Winterset Camp, No. 302 381
N
News, The Winterset 115
News, The St. Charles 116
Newspaper, The First 114
Newspapers
Echo, The Earlham 116
Hawkeye, The St. Charles 116
Madisonian, The Winterset 114
News, The St. Charles 116
News, The Winterset 115
Record, The Macksburg 116
Reporter, The Winterset 115
Watchman, The St. Charles 116
Ninth Cavalry 213
0
O. E. S.
Model Chapter of St. Charles 264
Earlham Chapter 328
Winterset Chapter, No. 180 381
Officials,. County, from 1849 to 1914... 69-74
Ohio Township 356
Old Settlers' Association 220, 262
Organization of the County 29
P
Patrons of Husbandry 240
Patterson, Village of 304
Penn Center Picnic. ; 319
Penn Township 316
P. E. O., Chapter A. G., of Winterset. 381, 382
Petitions, Early Road 170
Phipps Mill, The 155"
Physicians
The First 99
Pioneer 99
Present Day 102
Those That Came Later 100
Pioneer Life " 156
Pioneer Merchant and Store 392
Pioneer Merchants of Winterset 366
Political 66
Political Meetings, Early 235
Population 248
Postmaster, The First 117
Postoffice, The First 117
PostofBces
Bevington 118
Discontinued 118, 119, 120, 121, 122
Earlham 118
East Peru 118
Macksburg 122
Patterson 118
St. Charles 118
Truro 122
Winterset 117
Prairie Fires 165
Prairie Grass, Harvesting 162
Preacher, The First - . 90
Precincts 66, 67
Presbyterian Churches 93, 261
Press, The 114
Primitive School, A 255, 290
Public Library, Winterset 373
Q
Quakers, Contention and Division 226
Quaker Meeting Houses 223
Quaker Settlement in Madison County. . 221
Quakers, The First 221
Railroads
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 175
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 173
Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City 174
Creston, Winterset & Des Moines. 175, 355
Des Moines, Winterset & Southern ... 174
Keokuk & Western 175
Rathbone Sisters
Winterset Temple, No. 105 381
Recollections of Samuel Fife 265
Record, The Macksburg 116
Recorders, County, from 1849 to 1915.. 70
Reeves War, The 134
Reigle Mill, The 150
Religious Organizations 90-98
Religious Views of Indians 19
Reminiscences of Judge Gilpin 110
Reminiscences of Rev. J. G. Bishop 396
Reminiscent, East Peru 311
Reminiscent, South Township 254
Reporter, The Winterset 115
Republican Party, Organization of in
Madison County 75-77
Roads, Early 169
Road Petitions, Early 170
Rock City Cemetery, Winterset 372
Roll of Honor
Fifteenth Infantry 195
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INDEX
413
Fifth Cavalry 213
First Cavalry 209
Forty-eighth Infantry 208
Forty-seventh Infantry 206
Fourth Cavalry 210
Fourth Infantry 191
Miscellaneous 214
Light Artillery 214
Ninth Cavalry 213
Sixteenth Infantry 196
Tenth Infantry 194
Third Infantry 190
Thirty-fourth Infantry 206
Thirty-ninth Infantry 201
Twenty-third Infantry 196
Veteran Corps, Tenth Infantry 208
Roll of Honor, Civil War. 190
Removal of the Indians, The 13
Royal Neighbors
Earlham Camp, No. 2439 329
Juniata Camp, No. 1428, of Winterset 381
8
St. Charles, City of
Financial 258
Incorporation 257
Location 256
Religious 259
Schools 259
St. Charles Park & Improvement Asso-
ciation 262
St. Charles Savings Bank 258
School Laws, Early 79
School, The First 78, 233
School Districts, The First 79-84
School System, Free, Beginnings of 234
Schools, Development of 84-89
Schools, Earlham 326
Schools, Early 233
School, The First in Union Township . . . 272
Scott Township 279
Sensational Wake, A 274
Settlers,. Early 228
Settlers, Early, from Clayton County . . 229
Settler, The First 20
Sewerage, Winterset 370
Sheriffs, County, from 1849 to 1915 70
Shoemakers and Repairers, Pioneer 161
Sixteenth Infantry 196
Snake Hunt of 1848 236
Societies, Fraternities and Clubs
A. F. & A. M 264, 328, 359, 376
A. O. U. W 381
Chautauqua Association 218
Company G, Fifty-fifth Regiment, N.
G. 1 220
Country Club, Winterset 382
Daughters of Rebekah . . 264, 329, 355, 381
Farmers' Institute 243
G. A. R 263, 383
Good Roads Association 220
Highland Nobles 382
Historical Society 217
L O. O. F 264, 328, 355, 381
K. & L. S 382
K. O. B 381
K. P. 359, 381
L. 0. M 381
Madison County Agricultural Society 244
Madison County Medical Society 102
M. W. A 264, 329, 355, 359, 381
O. E. S 264, 328, 381
Old Settlers' Association 220, 262
Patrons of Husbandry 240
P. E. 0 381, 382
Rathbone Sisters 381
Royal Neighbors 329, 381
Woodmen Circle 382
W. 0. W 381
Woman's Qub of Winterset 382
W. R. C 355, 358, 384, 387
Yeomen 265
Soldiers' Monument 215
South Township 250
Speculators' Lands 133
Statement of Lots Sold and Funds on
Hand, 1851 53
Stone Quarry in Madison Township 321
Street Paving, Winterset 370
Sugar Groves 180, 181, 182
Sugar Trees and Camps 179
Sulgrove MUl, The 151
Superintendent of Schools, County, from
1849 to 1915 71
Supervisors, Board of County, from 1861
to 1915 72
Surveyors, County, from 1849 to 1915.. 71
Swamp Lands, Sale of 138
Taxpayers in 1850 256
Teacher's Certificate, An Old 88
Teachers' Institute 88
Tenth Infantry 194
Third Infantry 190
Thirty-fourth Infantry 206
Thirty-ninth Infantry 201
Townsites, Lost and Forgotten 144-149
Transportation 169
Transportation, Incidents of Early 401
Treasurers, County, from 1865 to 1915 . . 70
Treaty of 1842 13
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414
INDEX
Truro Savings Bank 358
Truro, Village of
Financial 358
First Settlement 358
Fraternal 359
Religious 359
Twenty-third Infantry 196
U
Underground Railroad, The 183
Underground Station Agents. . ... 183
Union Township 269
United Presbyterian Churches 96, 259
United Brethren Churches 97
V
Veteran Corps, Tenth Infantry. 208
Vigilants, The 134
Villages, Indian 12, 13, 14, 16
W
Walnut Township 307
Warrants, Bridge 173
Watchman, The St. Charles 116
Waterworks, Winterset 370
Webster Mill, The 154
Webster Township 313
Webster, Village of 314
Weller Mill, The 152
When the Stove Came 160
Wild Animals 176
Wild Fruits and Nuts 178
Wild Turkeys 177
Winterset, City of
City Hall 370
aty Park 371
Clubs and Societies 382
Financial 372
Fire Department 371
First Decade 368
First Settler 365
First Steam Mill 393
Fraternal 376
Incorporation 368
Location 363
Mayors, List of 369
Pioneer Merchants 366, 389
Public Library 373
Rock Hill Cemetery 372
Sale of Lots 364
Sewerage 370
Street Paving 370
Waterworks 370
Winterset in 1864 389
Winterset Savings Bank of Winterset . . 373
Woman's Cluh of Winterset 382
Woodmen Circle
Boxelder Grove, No. 72 382
Wood's Mill, The 151
W. O. W., Madison Camp, No. 100 381
W. R. C.
Pitzer Corps, No. 117 384
John Miller Corps, No. 242 387
Jonathan Roby Corps, No. 341 358
Samuel Irwin Corps, No. 344 387
J. D. Craven Corps, No. 322 355, 387
Yeomen, St. Charles Homestead, No. 200, 265
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